Flower Petals:Alrighty folks, this is the final chapter! Thank you ALL for supporting me (especially my little sister ) and for being such wonderful reviewers. I truly hope you enjoyed reading this fic.
Anica106: Wow, you're one of the only people I know who've actually seen some of Sensui's saga. scratches head It's called "Chapter Black" right? What do you think of it? Isn't Sensui like, sooooo scary???!!! shivers and hugs herself Thank you for the compliments!
Snowyidoitwhocantspell: First off, I had a lot of fun typing your pen name! So much in fact, I'm gonna do it again. grins mischievously snowyidoitwhocantspell snowyidoitwhocantspell snowidoitwhocantspell....alright, I killed the fun..... But seriously, neat pen name! Oh, and I completely understand about you not being able to finish your story due to family problems. It's too bad. sighs But I really enjoyed reading it! If there's anything I can do to help, please let me know!
Koluno1986: Oh, I know! Whenever Yoko does the "bang" scene, both my sister and I squeal because it's sooooo kewl! I've seen it HUNDREDS of times because we keep rewinding it. And now the tape is funny at that one area. --' Well, thank you for reviewing!
TAB: Thanks bunches of oats and caramel ice cream and fudge chunks for being such a supportive, (though sometimes scary....-') nice sister! I hope you really like this chapter!
Well here it is. I hope I've done these wonderful episodes justice. -
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho
Flower Petals
Ultimate Sacrifice
Yoko's Magic
A straight-backed figure clad in the blackest of black attire stood on the edge of the arena emanating a dauntless confidence. Cool blue eyes rested on the pitiable creature below, hunched over under the burden of his pain, and a malevolent smirk twisted from chapped lips.
Kurama lifted his head, vibrant red hair obscuring his eyes teary with agony. But his eyes also bore another emotion-a determination so potent, death would come long before surrender.
He relinquished the arm gripping his wound and reached into his hair, his gaze on Karasu never faltering, never disclosing how truly feeble his vitality had become. He flung out his arm, gripping his trademark rose. But the superfluous display of strength bygone to him had dire consequences; his hand faltered.
The rose exploded into nothingness, fine particles drifting to the floor to be lost in the ruin and rubble.
"You're too weak, Kurama," Karasu gloated. "You can't even control the most basic of your attacks."
Kurama lowered his shaking arm, still clinging to the stem that had once held an iridescent flower, and the last of his hopes.
"Make this easier on the both of us and give in." Karasu's eyes gleamed. "I promise it won't hurt too much."
Yusuke's fists trembled at his sides. "Kurama!"
"Wow, fight fans!" Koto spoke, "the suspense is in the air here at the Dark Tournament because everybody knows that one more solid attack by Karasu means curtains for you-know-who!"
Karasu tilted his head, mockery transparent in his expression. "If you think about it, death really isn't so frightening. Who knows, you might actually enjoy it."
Anger and revulsion snaked through Kurama's body, masking his lassitude. He tossed the stem aside and flipped onto the ring, charging for Karasu.
Golden locks flowed over his shoulders as Karasu stepped back in utter astonishment. He regained his senses in time to spring into the air, barely avoiding a swift spin-kick to the head.
His enraged pursuer followed, jumping high above the arena and whipping a shuto that sliced off fleeting strands of Karasu's hair.
They both landed on the ring's broken surface, both taking a moment before the one-sided assault continued. Kurama kicked and spun and punched, his graceful movements flowing and continuous. But Karasu could read every movement and ducked and flipped and twirled to safety.
"Aw man!" Koto exclaimed. "Kurama's launching a full blown assault on Karasu but so far it's completely useless; Blondie's dodging each punch!" She slapped the table before her impatiently. "I can't take the wait anymore, I need to see some blood!"
Hiei's eyes narrowed. "He has a plan. It's obvious in the way that he moves."
Karasu jerked his head to the side narrowly missing another swipe to the skull. A malicious smile played upon his lips. "I think you've finally lost your mind. If you come any closer, you're a dead man."
He lifted a hand, energy radiating from his body.
"I will not be afraid of something that I cannot see!" Kurama shouted and he sprang over the energy bubble Karasu fired, landing right before his shocked opponent. With a cry, he shoved his vertical palms into Karasu's chest, sending the demon skidding backwards.
Karasu brought himself to a halt a few paces away, his mien now deathly serious. He spoke in an ominous low tone, "You're just full of surprises. But I thought you'd be more original."
He raised a hand to his bruised chest and blood trickled down his front. "You really thought this would work."
A single seed was disclosed in his hand.
"It's called 'tact' Kurama. You should consider using some."
Kuwabara growled. "That stupid jerk is really starting to tick me off!"
"He knows what Kurama is going to do before he does it," Yusuke said.
"Guys?" Koenma whispered. "I don't think he's going to make it."
Karasu chuckled, pinching the seed in-between his index finger and thumb. "I must congratulate you though. You've injured me more than once and that is practically unheard of."
The seed burst into flames.
Kurama took a step backwards but metal tongs sprung from the ring entrapping his left leg. He cried out, the realization that he did not have the strength to flee sending his mind spiraling into blind terror.
A fuse uncoiled from one of the tongs, bearing a gruesome head of feline yellow eyes. A faint spark flickered at its tip.
"Time to say," it began in a scratchy voice like tires over gravel, "bombs away!"
Karasu's eyes dropped to his horrific creation. "That's what I like to call my Mad Bomb."
The repulsive eye on the fuse narrowed and an opening split into a ghastly grin. "Out of luck, now you're. . ."
A shower of debris cloaked the air, intermingled with a deluge of blood.
Crying out in agony, Kurama plummeted to the arena floor.
"No, Kurama!" Yusuke shouted, brown eyes intense with incomprehensible fear.
Kurama uttered a little cough, shakily raising his head and gradually pushing to his hands and knees.
A dark laugh tumbled through Karasu's lips, one of foretold ruination and doom.
Once he had steadied his limbs, Kurama got to his feet and rose to his fullest height.
"Don't move another inch, Kurama!" came the sudden warning.
Yusuke ran towards the ring as close as he was permitted to stray. "You're surrounded by bombs!"
Dozens of ominous green ovals besieged Kurama. They floated menacingly in the air, some mere inches from his ultimate demise.
Karasu tilted his head. "Didn't you say you chose not to be afraid of things you could not see? Well, here's a better look."
He took a solitary step forward. "You know that this entire battle has been an exercise in futility."
Another step. "You're weak."
Kurama remained silent, watching him come.
"You're tired."
The vivacious green eyes that once emanated with determination and vigor that transcended the most puissant of strengths, had now become dull and lifeless with submission and surrender.
A step closer he came again. "You're powerless."
Luminescent green light reflected from Kurama's defeated gaze.
"You're pathetic."
The footsteps desisted.
"Yet, it seems you have a masochistic streak that wants indulging. So here goes." Karasu lifted the palm of his right hand and fingers outstretched, sent the bombs to their final destination.
They impacted Kurama's body in a series of explosions. He cried out and took a step back, but there were more of them waiting for him there and with merciless demeanors, struck him time and time again. When at last Kurama fell to his knees, only half of the original count remained.
Keiko bowed her head whispering softly, "I can't watch him suffer like this."
Shizuru's jaws clenched. "Karasu is such a bastard. He's clearly playing with him now. I wish he would just get this over with."
"I don't ever want you to talk like that again!" Botan snapped sharply. "Kurama will beat him." Her eyes blurred with tears, but remained inexorably confident. "Kurama can't die, he just can't! I've lost one person I love to Toguro's team, I won't lose another. . ."
A cigarette hung from the corner of Sakyo's mouth. "Is he done yet?"
"Probably not," Toguro replied. "He deeply enjoys the suffering of others."
"Hmm," said Sakyo, and he lit the cigarette, the flame briefly revealing a wicked light to his mysterious eyes. "Well, I suppose the two of us have more in common than I thought."
Karasu stood looking down upon his helpless opponent, watching the blood trail in runnels down his immobile arms.
His fingers twitched. With transient strength, Kurama threw back his head, eyes seething with loathsome repugnance. This would not be his end; he would not die broken and crippled in front of such a vile monster. He would not die until that maskless face, those soulless complacent eyes saw their own doom be cometh.
"Your red hair is perfect for that firey spirit that I admire," Karasu spoke, and his eyes accrued a fond sort of look. "You know that's why I've decided to leave your beautiful face unharmed. I may not be able to keep you, but I'll always have the memory of your face to give me comfort."
Kurama rose to his feet, steadying himself, eyes never straying never faltering from Karasu's intense gaze. You couldn't have been more wrong about my so-called lack of tact, Karasu. Just as wrong as believing that mark on your chest is only a harmless scratch.
He straightened his back, tightening his trembling fists. The smell of the wound so close to your heart will be more than enough for a blood thirsty plant. You may not think I possess the ability to summon a plant, but you will soon find you were wrong there as well. I can summon once more in exchange for my life!
"Alright," said Karasu in a tone of finality. "Lets end this." He raised his hand for the final time, and the bombs closed in.
They struck Kurama's front and back until none else remained of them save for the desolation they had so indifferently wrought.
A supreme silence settled over the dome. The audience spoke not a word, those of Team Urameshi too astonished and mortified to utter a sound.
Kurama's eyes fogged over as he gave into the pain. His broken body slowly began its descent to the ground, blood flowing out behind him like crimson streamers.
"NOOOOOOOooooooooo!" Yusuke screamed, his voice shattering the silence, and exciting the crowd into a tumultuous applause. He stood frozen, his mind refusing to believe what his frantic eyes told him to be undeniably true.
His indifference cloak shed, Hiei's face was contorted with shock and fear.
"Yes! Let 'em have it Karasu!" a demon shouted from the stands.
"Do it already! Finish him, finish him!" cried another.
Many others voiced their demands until all ears reverberated with their vociferation.
"The crowd is going wild here and rightly so!" Koto reported. "Kurama's down and I don't think he's getting back up."
Juri ran onto the ring, clutching her microphone. Once she had reached Kurama, she raised her arm and announced, "He has until the count of ten. If he stays down, Karasu wins! 1. . .2. . .3. . ."
The crowd's enthusiasm intensified with every number.
". . .4. . .5. . .6. . ."
More shouted their disapproval of the count; they knew he wasn't getting back to his feet.
". . .6. . .7. . ."
Gritting his teeth, Kurama raised himself to his hands and knees, the strength in his elbows diminishing rapidly.
His life blood spurted from his ubiquitous wounds. I cannot hesitate; I barely have enough Life Energy left. I must destroy him now.
Karasu frowned. "You should have stayed down. But I guess that's not your style." Green energy erupted from his right palm-the finishing blow.
Now! Kurama decided. I may die, but at least it will end in a draw!
Screaming his last breath, budded plants exploded from him, bearing forth into Karasu. Vines had pierced through the hole in his chest, vigorously sucking his blood.
Crimson trailed from Karasu's lips. "I-It can't be," he coughed. "Wh-where did he find the strength to do this?"
He coughed for the final time, eyes becoming blank as he fell over backwards, impacting the hard surface of the ring. The insatiable plant, yet not satisfied, pulled itself over him, drinking deeply of his life's blood.
Karasu the un-masked demon was no more.
"His life!" Yusuke cried, noting the dimming light of his beloved comrade.
"It's fading!" Kuwabara said, eyes wide in terror.
Botan was standing amongst the quiet crowd shaking in denial. "Oh, Kurama, please get up!"
"He isn't moving," Yukina said softly. "Do you think he's dead?"
Botan shook her head. "Of course he's not! He can't be!"
"Accept it Botan," Shizuru ordered firmly. "He sacrificed himself to kill Karasu."
Keiko hugged Puu tightly to her chest. "Please-please-wake up."
There was no movement on the ring save for the doings of the plant. Kurama lay lifeless where he had fallen, his ultimate sacrifice robbing even the most pugnacious of apparitions of their words. They watched him, torn and confused, plagued by the torrent of emotions clouding coherent thoughts. This was the team they so hated. And this was their fighter's end.
Yet, his sacrifice, his dauntless willingness to forfeit something he treasured-something they all so carelessly threw away-had instilled them with a powerful emotion that ate away at their souls. It was guilt that plagued them so.
They came in legions to watch their own kind bleed and die, to laugh at a fallen warrior and sentence those they did not know or understand, for their own amusement. Yet, this fighter had come and fought for something they all desperately desired-freedom. And he had given up his most valued possession-his very life-to ensure his team could at last, be at liberty.
It was his altruism, his selflessness, that they did not understand and it shushed them into a silent stupor.
Fingers twitched. Eyelids gradually ascended over green eyes.
I'm alive.
Kurama slowly got to his knees, brow wrinkling in thought. I don't understand. How did I make it? I gave all my Life Energy. Of course!
Hiei the fire demon "Hn!"'d softly to himself, smiling a relieved smile where none could witness.
Each time I take the potion the duration of its effects shorten. Shorten, because every time I transform into Yoko Kurama, I retain some of his power. Kurama stood, eyes seeing far past the devastation surrounding him. Eyes, that were now replete with joy and hope. That's how I survived.
Yusuke sprang into the air. "And that's how we win this, yeah!"
Noise once again bustled in the ruined dome. Its walls were broken, its floor littered with the dead, but of an unforgiving place of no more second chances, one had been rewarded to the most deserving of all. . .
Yoko Kurama.
The Beginning of the End
Flower Petals: wipes a tear from her eye Well, it's all over peoples! But before you all go along being all happy and everything, there's something you need to know....
KURAMA DID NOT WIN THE FIGHT!
Karasu actually wins the fight, but it isn't announced until the beginning of the NEXT episode, so I didn't include it in this fic.
For all those who don't know what happens, here's a quick explanation......Juri started her count when Kurama went down, and by the time he had lifted himself and summoned the plant that nabbed Karasu and sucked his blood, over 10 counts had been, well, counted. So thus, for the first time in the history of the Dark Tournament, the winner of the match actually died and the loser didn't.
But anygohoobles, it's been fun! And if anybody is interested in what happens for the rest of the matches or is curious about what happens after the Dark Tournament, or has a question about anything, feel free to ask! I know just about everything there is to about Yu Yu Hakusho including some stuff I'd rather not know..... And I'd luv to share it with anybody!
So thanks again, and ja ne!!!!