A/N: Once more we proceed to the next floor. Gosh this is turning out to be my longest story yet…I wonder when I'm going to finish it…?
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Chapter 11: Floor Four
Yugure stayed behind the group sulking every now and then as he watched Kuwabara's and Yusuke's back guilty. Kuwabara turned around and saw Yugure's guilty look, "Don't worry…you were being control you couldn't help it," said Kuwabara. Yugure sighed, "It wouldn't have happened if I only listened to you. I shouldn't have come up with that stupid idea of exiting and entering one at a time."
"Don't beat yourself over it," muttered Yusuke, "We're friends aren't we?" Yugure smiled and felt a bit better now. They all made it to an orange door. "Okay so…who wants to fight?" questioned Yusuke.
"I'll do it," muttered Yugure. Everyone turned towards him shocked, "W-what!" said Yume surprised. Yugure shrugged, "I'll do it it's what I'll do to repay for what I did," said Yugure determined this time. Slowly he walked up to the door and opened it. He walked inside and glanced around the room. It was like all the others circular and big. He closed the door behind him and looked around warily. The doors didn't disappear and the opposite door didn't disappear either. "Strange," muttered Yugure as he walked inside of the room. There was nothing here and no one at all. Suddenly someone tapped him on the shoulder and he turned around startled. "Oh," said Yugure as he saw Yume standing behind him. Yume smiled, "Are you thirsty?" she asked still smiling. Yugure frowned, "Uh…yeah I guess so," he muttered. Yume pulled out a knife and slit her wrist opened. Yugure watched in horror as blood poured from her wound. She held it out to him and smiled, "You're thirsty, right? So drink up."
"Wha…wha…what are you doing?" shouted Yugure in horror. Yume slumped to the ground dead from the blood loss and Yugure wailed in anguish. "What's going on!" he shouted tears trailing down his face. Suddenly he saw Kurama kneel beside him, "Don't worry Yugure. You're cold aren't you?" he said as he saw Yugure shivering in fear. Yugure turned towards him his eyes filled with grief and pain. Kurama frowned, "Don't worry I'll make you warm," said Kurama as he pulled out a lighter. Yugure shook his head as Kurama set himself alight, "Well I'll make you warm now," he said holding his arms outstretch as if to hug Yugure.
"Stop it! Stop it Kurama!" shouted Yugure. Slowly he saw Kurama's skin melt off his bones and his hair fall out as he slowly sank to the floor becoming a pile of charred bones. Kuwabara put a hand on Yugure's shoulder and sighed, "It's alright I'm here for you." Yugure turned around as he gazed up at Kuwabara sadly, "I want to know what's going on," he muttered. Kuwabara tilted his head, "What do you want? Do you want my heart? What about my liver?" he questioned. Yugure backed away from Kuwabara as he pulled out his still beating heart. "What, you don't want it?" said Kuwabara as he squeezed his heart until it burst open making blood and pieces of artery fly all over the place. Yugure put his hands over his ears and slowly curled up into a fetal position as he rocked back and forth. "Hahaha!" laughed Yugure as he rocked himself back and forth in a craze stupor, "Hahahahahahaha!" he couldn't stop laughing. Yugure eyes were wild and he started laughing again. Slowly yet surely he was slipping away losing his mind to insanity. "They died! They fucking died!" shouted Yugure laughing as he shook his head; "I couldn't do anything!" he laughed again. Suddenly the door creaked open, but Yugure was too shocked to even notice that all the dead bodies around him disappeared. Yume gasped in horror as she saw Yugure's curled form. "Oh no! Yugure are you okay what happened?" she asked suddenly kneeling down beside him. Yugure looked up at her and laughed, "Hahahaha! Now I'm seeing things! Hahahahaha! I'm thirsty," he said suddenly looking wildly at her, "I'm thirsty!" he shouted as he grabbed her wrist. Yume screamed and Yusuke slammed the door open. "What in the hell are you doing?" shouted Yusuke as he pried Yugure off of her. Yugure turned wild eyes on the gang and laughed, "I'm seeing things, hahahahahaha! Seeing things! Aren't you going to give me your heart? What about your liver!" questioned Yugure clawing at Kuwabara's chest. Kuwabara pushed Yugure off of him and frowned, "What's wrong with you?" Yugure looked around wildly and flung himself on Kurama, "Aren't you going to make me warm? Where's the flames!" shouted Yugure. Kurama blushed crimson and shoved off Yugure, "D-don't say such things." Yugure glanced between each member and started doing a crazy dance, "That's alright! Hahahaha! Everything's alright!" shouted Yugure as he twirled round and round.
"Something's wrong with Yugure," muttered Kuwabara. Hiei glared at him, "Like we didn't notice?" Kuwabara narrowed his eyes at Hiei. Yugure skipped around the room smiling insanely, "This is great never felt better! Hahaha!" Finally Yugure stopped dancing and fell to his knees, "Never felt better! Hahahahaha!" tears filled Yugure's eyes and they dripped to the floor, "They died," he said softly, "hahaha…haha…whaa…whaaa!" sobbed Yugure as covered his face with his hands. Yume watched in horror was Yugure started clawing at himself tearing his arms and legs and chest. "Yugure stop!" shouted Yume as she tried to stop him. He just shook her off and continued crying as he finally stop. Blood dripped to the floor and collected around him as the crimson puddle grew bigger and bigger until he finally collapsed from blood loss. "They died," he breathed out before closing his eyes and succumbing to the darkness that grew around him.
"Yugure!" was all he heard as he drifted into unconsciousness.
"So you're just going to die like this?" muttered a voice from the darkness. Yugure slowly open his eyes and gazed around the dark empty space of nothingness. "Where am I?" he muttered. Someone snickered and he heard another voice, "Aren't you going to answer the question?" Yugure gazed around the darkness and sighed, "I guess I'll die there's nothing to live for." Suddenly someone slapped him and he felt a stinging pain in his cheek. "You coward!" shouted a form. She had long violet hair and lavender eyes, "Look at me, you coward!" shouted the girl again. Yugure turned his gaze on her and frowned, "Why, what do you want me to do about it?"
"I want you to stop cowering down in fear and live!" shouted the girl. Suddenly a girl with maroon eyes and long black hair appeared behind the girl. She flapped her blue wings unhappily, "Ah, Suzume?" asked Yugure. Suzume smiled, but frowned, "Are you going to be a coward like Moeru said?" Yugure shook his head and frowned, "Wait, Moeru?" The lavender eyed girl frowned, "What's wrong with my name?"
"Sound familiar," muttered Yugure. Suddenly he snapped his fingers in recognition, "You're that girl Hiei fought. Although I don't remember him mentioning your name…" Moeru smirked, "Now tell me are you going to die?" Yugure nodded and sighed, "Yes." Moeru slapped his other cheek, "Coward!" she shrieked in anger again. Suzume frowned and a magical fan appeared in her hands. She started to fan Moeru, "Cool down," she muttered softly. Moeru sighed and turned back to Yugure. "Listen you're going to leave Yume all alone in this world? She didn't give up when she was dieing and now look at you. You're such a coward and a hypocrite backing down on the exact same words you said! Don't you love her?" asked Moeru. Yugure looked down at his hands, "Yeah, I love her."
"Then you have to live for her," said Suzume. Yugure looked up at them and smiled, "Thanks, but she died…" said Yugure, "She killed herself." Moeru frowned, "You have got to be joking! Didn't you notice her when she came in to help you!" Yugure frowned, "I thought that was an illusion. That my mind was playing tricks on me." Suzume shook her head, "You'll be surprise, now we must go and if you really want to live for her you'll force yourself to wake up if not then you'll die here all alone." Moeru and Suzume disappeared and Yugure thought for a few moments before standing up.
"Oh Yugure," sobbed Yume as she hugged Yugure's cold body to her own. Suddenly she felt him twitch and she looked down on Yugure and smiled as he opened his eyes. "Ugh," moaned Yugure as he shifted in Yume's arms. She hugged him, "I'm so glad you're alive!" Yugure smiled, "Glad to be alive. What happened?" he muttered.
"You went crazy to put it bluntly," said Kurama. Yugure blinked, "I went crazy?" Then he blushed a bright scarlet, "Uh…I'm sorry about that I guess I was hallucinating. I wonder though what happened, why did I see those illusions?"
"Hm…maybe someone…" Kurama was cut off however as the lights suddenly flickered off. Kurama looked around listening intently. Yugure frowned as his wolf ears twitched to ever y little sound. He heard six people breathing slowly, but stopped as he heard a seventh person. "Hey!" shouted Yugure and everyone held their breaths at the sudden outburst. He heard mad footsteps out the door and Yugure followed the noise up the stairs. Yugure heard the rest of the team following him with constant shouts of, "Hey wait up!" and "Have you gone crazy again?" Suddenly he bumped into the person ahead of him and the lights flickered on. "Huh!" he said in disbelief while the rest of the team caught up. Standing in front of them was Suzume. She looked away from their disbelieving eyes and mumbled. "I can't believe it! Suzume why are you doing this?" questioned Yugure.
"I…I…" she couldn't bring herself to say anything so she just stood there and stuttered. Hiei unsheathed his sword and everyone turned to him shocked, "Hn, you can't fool me. Illusions that are weak like that can't get passed my Jagan!" Suzume smirked, "Fine I guess I couldn't fool the ever so smart Hiei." Suzume's appearance changed and there standing in the doorway was a girl with coal black eyes and dirty blonde hair. She pulled out a dagger that was two feet long and pointed it at Yugure. "Prepare to die!" she rushed forward and Yugure stood there shocked before having enough sense to dodge. The dagger barely grazed him and she smiled about to change her direction and slice Yugure in half when Hiei parried it. "Hey no fair," she pouted, "That's two against one!" She did a small back flip and landed behind Yugure. Yugure narrowed his eyes and swung his claws at her striking her arm. "Ouch," she murmured as she watched in horror as her skin started to melt.
"Wha…What did you do to me!" she screamed as she slowly started to melt. Yugure smiled, "That's my powers. My claws are acidic what did you expect?" The girl glared at him before her eyes flashed in pain as she screamed. Slowly her eyes dimmed and she sank to the floor obviously dead. Kuwabara was staring in horror at the melted pile of bones and flesh of their enemy. Yugure turned to them and smiled, "That takes care of that."
"Wow…that was fast. Just one scratch and they die?" asked Yusuke prodding the pile of flesh and bones with the tip of his shoes. Yugure nodded, "Yeah, unless of course they protect themselves with a barrier or something like that." Yume hugged Yugure and smiled, "I'm just glad that you're alright. By the way, how did your wounds heal?" she asked looking him over. Yugure blushed, "Um…maybe it's because Suzume visited me in my mind…or…I don't know how." Way above the castled, in the night sky was a bird. Well actually she wasn't a bird, but a phoenix. She hovered above the castle flapping her wings lazily as she watched the Reikai Tantei using her psychic powers. "Hm…did I heal him?" she murmured and jumped startled when she heard a voice in her mind.
"Don't flatter yourself. I healed him using my healing skills that I have from the Koorime side of the family," muttered Moeru. Suzume smiled, "Yes, and I was the one who healed you when you were down for the count." Moeru looked thoughtful before breaking into a rare grin, "You're right. When Hiei stabbed me with his katana I thought I was a goner. I'm glad you're a healer." Suzume nodded in agreement, "Yes, I'm very glad that I'm a healer."
Yugure and the rest of the gang started up the stairs they were currently on seeing how it went up. They approached floor five and after that…they'll finally be able to reach Kunai and Kura. "So Yugure what did make you go crazy like that?" questioned Yusuke. Yugure turned towards them and saw their curious stares. He swallowed nervously and smiled, "I really…don't think I should tell you."
"C'mon we're here for you," said Kuwabara laying a hand on his shoulder. Yugure sighed in defeat and nodded, "Well it was when Yume entered the room," started Yugure, but was interrupted by Yume.
"Huh? Me?" she pointed at herself in confusion, before Yugure nodded.
"Well Yume entered the room and of course I was hallucinating, but didn't realize it. She asked if I was thirsty…and well," Yugure gave a shudder and closed his eyes as he flashed back to that gruesome ordeal. Yume frowned and grabbed Yugure's hand giving it a light squeeze for reassurance. Yugure opened his blue eyes and looked into her amber orbs. They were full of trust and concern and at that Yugure smiled and laughed. Kuwabara cringed at the sound scared that Yugure had gone crazy, but the laugh wasn't wild and insane it was light and happy. Yugure hugged Yume and closed his eyes breathing in her scent. She smelt of strawberries. Everyone stopped to watch for a minute before moving on. Hiei had a slight frown on his face as he saw the couple and Kurama had a small smile which was accompanied by Kuwabara's and Yusuke's big grins. Yume blushed and slowly wrapped her arms around Yugure as a happy contented sigh left her lips. Suddenly Yugure let go his face bright red, "Um…uh…" he said trying to think of an excuse for suddenly hugging Yume.
"I like it too," she whispered before leaving Yugure there dumbfounded. Then her words started to register inside his head and he smiled. Yugure then rushed after the group intending to catch up.
Kura watched Yugure and Yume carefully and frowned. Kunai turned towards him and smiled, "What? You don't like Yugure and Yume together? I think they make a cute couple," said Kunai. Kura turned towards him, "Since when did you think anything was cute?" Kunai smirked, "I think it's cute that we're going to break up this loving relationship. Who should I kill first…Yume or Yugure?" Kura nearly choked at what he said still having the heart to at least care about his sister. "Uh…" said Kura.
"Don't worry, I'll let you choose first, but you better be hasty or I'll just kill both of them at once," said Kunai as he smirked evilly. Kura lowered his eyes to the floor and thought about what was going on. Kunai smiled and watched Kura struggled with himself, don't worry my friend, thought Kura, soon I'll put an end to your misery.
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A/N: Okay…now with that floor over. I can't wait till I'm finally finish with all these floors its driving me up the walls just trying to think about the next fight scene. Anyways I hoped you don't mind the delay I was slightly preoccupied with my other story Two Halves. I hope this chapter wasn't too…weird. It's freaky that I made Yugure go all crazy like that. Now, to the replies!
The Sacred Bovine: Did you like this chappie? I brought back Moeru too and Suzume also. Can't have Yugure going crazy on us and laughing all the time. Anyways I hope this chapter wasn't…let's say too weird. I read it over and thought it was weird how Yugure turns crazy and then suddenly, bam, he's normal again. It's just plain…freaky. Anyways thanks for the great review!
ToCOrNot 77: Good-bye my dear friend who's off to Disneyland without me. I'm sorry I couldn't get this story done it's just plain impossible what with all the homework and school and stuff. Please forgive me! Anyways I'm glad you checked out the stories My healer and Resurrection by Suntiger. I thought it was cool and Varia is awesome! Thankies for the review!
emma: So…what's up? Anyways I thank you for reading this chapter and I hope it didn't weird you out or something. Thanks for the great review and poor Kae he really should read the beginning of the story, lol. I loved this chapter and why you ask because of course of the romance part between Yume and Yugure. I loved it! .
Dragon Tamer 103088: Thankies! This chapter didn't freak you out right? I hope not cause what with Yugure going crazy and stuff. I liked this chapter though because it took such a long time to write it and stuff and of course with the romance part. It doesn't make the story look like it's made up of only fighting.
My PenName is…: Thanks for the reviews and…well is that really you're penname? Oh well just ignore me. I'm really happy that people are reviewing now cause sometimes…no one does except for those listed above. I hope this wasn't too confusing. Thankies!