Chapter 16: Finishing the Fight

Rai watched Kurama in surprise. She closed her mouth, shook her head, and attacked the giant hulk of an enemy. I've got to distract him for Kurama and Yasu! This thought rang through her head.

Seeing that the girl was distracted, Himimaru took the opportunity to attack. He swung an arm around. It caught her and sent her flying.

Hiei's expression flashed in worry, but it was quickly erased. He rushed in after her. He reached her just in time to catch her deftly in his arms before she slammed into wall.

Her eyes were closed and she was braced for impact. At the lack of excruciating pain and the feel of Hiei's arms she opened her eyes. Rai's face brightened considerably when she saw Hiei's face.

"Glad to see you could make it to the party, Hiei. I was starting to miss you."

"A second later and the wall would have caught you." He said, putting her down on the ground.

"I know. But I knew trying to help Yasu would mean pain. It's a good thing the infamous Youko Kurama is helping us." She turned to watch the Youko fight Himimaru. She had startled with Kurama's transformation into Youko Kurama.

Instead if that bright, luxurious red hair, it changed into soft-looking, longer silver hair. His green, lush, calm eyes changed into sharp, keen, mischievous golden eyes. It seemed like he had gotten taller. He wore white clothes now. A sleeveless shirt styled like a tunic, a sash was tied around his waist, and pants. Not to mention the silver fox ears that protruded from his head and the five fox tails that had now appeared. Wow. Five tails. Guess he's five hundred years old then. She thought to herself. She was only familiar with the fox demons.

Youko looked at Himimaru coldly. He had threatened just everyone his human form held dear. He would not live to see the next day. Youko held out his arm to his side. Several of the green thorny whips he had been using in his human traveled his arm and tangled themselves and formed a sort of glove. It ended with a razor sharp point. The Juryou Youzanken. He glanced at the fallen form of Yasu. She was still bleeding.

Without another moment's hesitation, this new form stepped forward. Himimaru, who didn't know of Youko, simply scoffed.

"What do you think you can do to me?" He sneered.

Youko Kurama looked at him and smirked, "Nothing except cut your body into thousands of tiny pieces." He advanced.

The next moment was so fast, Rai knew that if she'd race him, she, a lightning demon, would barely beat him. Or Hiei for that matter. In perhaps two seconds flat, Himimaru was covered in deep gashes. Himimaru tried to fight back, but Youko was much too fast for the hulk.

Yasu's eyes opened. Not many were paying attention because they were watching Youko. With some pain, she looked at her surroundings. Rai was kneeling beside as well as Yusuke and Kuwabara. Hiei was standing off to the side. Where is Kurama? She looked around and saw a mysterious demon fighting her opponent. What was odd about this new demon was that he had Kurama's aura surrounding him. Could it be? Yasu watched him.

Yasu finally came to a conclusion. This demon had to Kurama. The aura, the missing redhead, using plants as weapons, everything.

Rai noticed movement by her side.

"Yasu!"

The injured fire demon shushed the worried lightning demon.

"Is that Kurama fighting?" She asked.

"Yes. Well, sort of. It's Youko Kurama, Kurama's other side. He appeared after Himimaru threatened him, us, you, and his family."

Yasu stood up, despite her bleeding wounds and Rai's action. She had to stop him before he made a dreadful mistake.

Youko stepped back to survey the damage he had done. Himimaru was covered with deep wounds.

Himimaru's eyes grew wide with fear. He stepped back and tripped. He tumbled backwards into a corner. He tried to stand back up, but it was useless. He was completely helpless. Youko advanced on the fallen demon.

Youko was about to deliver the final blow when a hand caught his shoulder. He turned to see who the owner was. He nearly glared at them, being so caught up in the battle.

The hand belonged to Yasu. She seemed so weak that a light push would knock her over. Her eyes said differently though. They were filled with a fierce, burning determination.

"This is my battle. My opponent. Let me deliver the final blow." She said softly, but steadily.

Youko stared at her for a moment, looking deep into her chocolate brown eyes. His golden eyes softened and he nodded his head. He lowered his weapon and stepped back from the immobilized Himimaru. Yasu stepped forward with her brother's precious katana in her hand. A fiery anger like none other burst to life in her eyes. With a quick slice of her katana, Himimaru's pathetic life was ended.

The anger in Yasu's eyes faded to a sad happiness as she looked upwards.

"Mother, Father, Renji," she paused, "It's finally over." She turned at looked at her friends and smiled sadly. "The battle's over. My life is done." She fell forward, dark brown hair flowed behind her.

Before everything turned black, she heard someone calling her name and felt warm, strong arms wrap around her body.

The English translation is 'Tree spirit demon slash punch'. Seeing as how the English translation is so long, it's plain to see why I used the Japanese phrase... Plus it sounds cooler.

The story is not done! Don't leave me! Don't kill me either. I will have the next chapter up soon!