DISCLAIMER: I do not own YYH, but everything that has not happened in the series, is mine thank you very much
a/n: YAY! FOUR DAY WEEKEND! And what better way to spend it than writing up (what I think is) the most dramatic chapter (might be second most, later on) in this fic!
RANDOM NOTE: Haha, funny story: while I was typing up this chapter, I wrote the line "I lied Yusuke" but then spellcheck told me that it was supposed to be "I laid Yusuke" (me: uhh…XD)
Cookies to everyone who reviewed! (I finally reached the 200 marker! (Thank you Umeko Saito! LOL)
Little Sakura: LOL! I don't think I got to that commentary yet :nervous laugh: but I'll be sure to put that down on my list of things to do (I still haven't gotten my homework done so…yeah…)
BlueWater26: Aww thank you! Heh, but it's pretty much by pure luck that I'm able to write those scenes…I swear I drag out those sequences forever (or at least that's what it seems like to me)
Umeko Saito: Haha, yes you were the 200th reviewer! Thank you! (And I do believe Toguro's cooking show would be resourceful, lol)
Shadowkitsune7: Yes it does…hehe, but thank you I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Seeyu: …Is that a good 'wow'?
Thoughts
:We often give our enemies the means of our own destruction:
Aesop
Forever Fornever II
:Yusuke's Despair:
The apparition's other hand suddenly materialized in front of him—and without giving Yusuke any warning, drilled directly into his gut. He gagged at the sudden force pressing down on him, and he was sent flying.
His body crashed into the stands and continued drilling upwards until he slammed into the back wall.
"Toguro blew away Yusuke's giant spirit gun with nothing but the aura surrounding him!" Koto shouted as she had followed the detective's progression through the air, "Now he's batted Yusuke all the way into the third level!"
Yusuke stood frozen for only a moment; his eyes drawing up blank and nearly lifeless.
The detective suddenly dropped to his knees and braced himself with his hands. He coughed again and choked; blood spilling from his mouth and dripping slowly between his gritted teeth.
From the arena below, Toguro's eyes narrowed fiercely.
"You're not doing your job Yusuke Urameshi…" he growled.
-:-
"Son of a bitch," she muttered as she ran furiously through the forest, "Bastard! JACKASS!"
She was gonna kill him!
-:-
"This is the first time I've fought at one hundred percent," the apparition continued as he watched Urameshi, "Clearly there must be a reason. The way you're fighting now, I could finish you easily with one punch of my powered-up arm. But that's not what I've waited all this time for…" his eyes flashed, "You have a power you still have not realized and this body will bring it out!"
Yusuke gritted his teeth as he stared down at the ground; his body still shaking and Toguro's voice carrying towards him.
"The techniques Genkai mastered over all her years, combined with the unnatural talent you were born with…that's everything you need for an ultimate power. For years I've waited for those ingredients to show themselves, and now they have. So I must put my strength against yours and know the answer it will give…"
With the rest of his team, Kuwabara clenched his teeth furiously, "I can't stand this guy! He's trying to beat more power out of Urameshi just so he can have a good time!"
The demigod beside him narrowed his eyes, "It's the nature of the demon body they gave him. His instincts tell him to fight…" he replied.
But Toguro snorted in amusement, "Don't sell me short," he told them, "It's more than that. I may have the instincts to act aggressively, but it's my own choices to follow them through that define what I am. Without my conscious decisions, my body has only impulses that will quickly fade away…"
As he was talking, the flesh along his shoulders quivered. It began to move until it formed two tube-like forms on either side of him.
His eyes narrowed darkly towards the detective on the third level, "Let me show you what I mean."
All of a sudden, screams and cries of horror rose up around the stadium. Tiny orbs of red light drifted into the air around the demons in the stands…followed shortly by the drifting, ghostly figures of their souls. Over the entire arena these misty apparitions rose up and found their way towards Toguro in the center of the ring where consumed them through the tubes in his shoulders.
Touya watched in horror as those around him and his teammates toppled over one by one and their souls flew towards the apparition in the middle, "Toguro's body is creating a vacuum for all the souls in the audience!" he cried as a purple haze formed around the towering demon.
"He's suckin' em straight into himself!" Rinku shouted with the same fear.
Beside the two of them, the violet-haired apparition gritted his teeth, "What a cowardly rooter!" he muttered.
"Remaining at top strength is demanding…and my body gets an impulse to devour souls…" Toguro went on, "But it's not until I decide to kill that the feeding begins."
Urameshi's fist dug into the ground beneath him as he continued to shake furiously.
The apparition narrowed his eyes again, "I've chosen evil, and in twenty minutes everyone will be gone. Aren't you going to do something Urameshi?" he wondered; hinting mockery, "Or will your friends have to watch as you let these people die…?"
A swirling dust began to form around him now and spiraled through the stadium. There were a number of screams added to the cries of pain as this dust gathered more and more souls for Toguro to consume.
Koenma quickly moved in front of the three fighters behind him and raised his hand. There was a brief flicker of light before a barrier appeared around them.
And in the stands, a miniature tornado appeared around Jin and Touya; causing the deadly mist to bounce off into other directions.
"They're not even fighting! I don't wanna die this way!"
"No joke! Let's get out of here!"
Cries of terror quickly followed as the demons in the stands rushed hurriedly towards the nearest exit; desperately trying to escape being devoured by the monstrous apparition. Those not quick enough to keep up the pace, were presumably crushed beneath the stampeding heard of demons charging away from the arena.
"Afraid of being sucked into Toguro's body, the weaker fans that can't defend themselves are stampeding out of the stadium; their faces are contorted by panic!" Koto cried as many of the demons raced past her. And even through all the obvious signs of doom, the announcer remained where she was.
Shizuru frowned on the cigarette in her mouth, "That muscle man's having his way. I'm not so sure Yusuke can stop him."
"Ah! Please don't step forward, Shizuru-san!" Yukina asked hurriedly, "You won't be protected by Puu's barrier if you do!"
The gambler standing amidst the panic in his calm-demeanor casually fished for something in his pocket. He brought forth a calculator-looking object and flipped it open; punching in a few numbers and finally hitting the 'enter' key.
There the briefest pause before the earth suddenly started rumbling. Several of the apparitions stopped to wonder what was going on, but other continued towards freedom…
But that would be a freedom that they would never reach.
Without warning, giant slabs of concrete rose up from the ground. They shuddered the earth beneath the stadium as they towered over the arena itself; blocking the only means of escape for the audience members and sending an ominous shadow over their terrified faces.
"Are you out of your minds?" somebody cried, "Let us out of here!"
Sakyo calmly withdrew a cigarette from his pocket and stuck it in his mouth; lighting it, "Oh you can't want to leave us…" he said carelessly, "Your lives are worth less than the tickets. Now." His eyes flashed towards the audience, "No one but the winners get out of here alive…"
Yusuke's eyes widened in horror as he gritted his teeth.
"I'm not going down without a fight!" another demon cried, "I'm charging that bastard!"
Shouts of agreement rose up as the apparitions turned back around and raced towards Toguro furiously. The demon watched them without so much as a drop of emotion as they charged. But he did narrow his eyes and raise his fist; adding once again to the agonizing cries as he destroyed all of those coming after him with the flick of his thumb.
He smirked slightly as the souls continued to draw themselves into Toguro's body, "All you weaklings had best remain in your seats. Yusuke and I have some disagreeable tempers—"
"Shut up Toguro!" the detective suddenly shouted; the fury in his voice clearly evident as he abruptly jumped into the air. He extended his fist as he fell towards the ground and towards the apparition below him.
"TEME! Don't you ever put me in the same category as you!"
His fist slammed directly into Toguro's skull, but the apparition didn't even flinch. A burst of energy exploded out from his fist in waves, causing the rocks beneath him to fly up into the air. A haze of blue chi wavered around the fighting pair.
"Now we're starting to get somewhere…" Toguro said in content as they stood frozen in the same position, "So it's you refusal to admit how much you and I are similar that makes you lash out at me…"
Yusuke clenched his teeth again while those in the audience watched them in awe. The detective began to throw punches into the apparition to the point where it seemed nonstop, but Toguro was taking each hit without so much as blinking. It had suddenly occurred to them…that Urameshi was there only ticket out of the stadium alive…
Hiei narrowed his eyes as he listened to the sudden change of attitude throughout the arena, "Hn…The opinion polls have changed."
The detective went after his face again; jerking the apparition's head from side to side—
But without warning, Toguro's fist appeared out of nowhere and slammed into the side of Urameshi's face. He cried out in pain as the attack flung him backwards. Before he could crash into the ground too painfully, he caught himself and charged back towards the demon; readying himself for a second assault.
As he was throwing his punch the apparition suddenly caught his fist.
Toguro glared dangerously, "You know that's not good enough."
His fist clenched around Yusuke's. The bones in his hand cracked threateningly and the detective screamed in pain.
The apparition whipped Urameshi's arm towards him and drove his fist into his gut.
-:-
Ahead of her, the guardian heard screams of pain and horror way off in the distance. Her fists clenched as she picked up her pace.
There was no way in hell she was going to let Toguro kill him first!
"YUSUKE YOU ASS!" she screamed into the air, "DON'T YOU DARE DIE ON ME!"
-:-
Toguro's fist slammed into the top of the detective's head. Yusuke cried out as he suddenly slammed into the ground; a small trickle of blood seeping between his gritted teeth. He clenched his eyes shut, but could not find the strength to get up…
"…Mai…"
She smiled gently and suddenly pointed upwards, "Oh look, Yusuke!" she cried and stared up at the sky, "It's snowing!"
Confused, the detective followed her gaze to find the flurries drifting down from the heavens above. The guardian smiled as the snowflakes began to flutter around them; gentling catching themselves in her crimson hair.
They stood there; staring up at the night sky as the people around them began to make their way back to their homes before they caught cold...
But the snow suddenly vanished…along with Mai…
Something wasn't right…the detective furiously whipped his head around; where was everyone?
Where was Mai?
He suddenly felt a shadow looming over him and whirled. His eyes widened suddenly and his pupils dilated in horror. A sickly gray hand clenched around the guardian's tiny throat as she dangled helplessly in the air above him…And he saw Toguro's fiery red eyes glaring at him through the darkness…
"Sorry Urameshi…" he growled as Mai screamed in pain, "There's no escaping from me now…"
Yusuke's eyes shot open and widened in terror—just in time to see Toguro's foot coming down on top of him. The detective cried out in pain as the apparition drove his leg into him; creating a crater beneath Urameshi's body…
He choked as a spurt of blood escaped his lips and Toguro drilled him further into the ground.
"I won't let you avoid your problems forever," the apparition muttered darkly, "The only thing waiting does is cause more people to die!"
Koto staggered slightly as she tried to remain standing through the broadcast, "There's relatively few of us left in the audience now….Toguro is too much…Its draining power is taking its toll on the strong as well…" she suddenly dropped to her knees, "I don't know if you'll hear this broadcast much longer…"
But she blinked suddenly when she noticed a barrier flickering in front of her. The announcer turned to find Chuu holding up a barrier beside her and with Rinku on her other side.
"Rage on there sheila, I got your tail," he told her with a grin, "You do want to be a bonzer announcer don't ya?"
She nodded dumbly, "Uh, yeah!"
"You're all rip shorter over there, aren't ya mate?" he called to Rinku.
The shorter apparition nodded, "Oh yeah!"
Botan shook her head hysterically; she felt tears beginning to fill her eyes, "Yusuke can still win this fight!" she told herself and the other girls, "And then we can all go home! We can't afford to think about what happens if he loses or how much we'll let down Genkai! We've just got to trust him and keep our cool, okay!" she was really crying by now as tears streamed down the side of her face.
"This is such a mess."
The ferry girl suddenly blinked and whirled.
…That voice…
"Oh that's just perfect!" she shouted furiously, "Now I'm hearing things too!"
Urameshi gritted his teeth fiercely as he placed his hands beneath Toguro's foot; trying to relieve the force off of him, but he only succeeded in making the crater beneath him bigger. The detective winced painfully.
"You see…" Toguro drawled, "I become something of a different person when I take my full demon form…I'll do anything to get what I desire."
He suddenly noticed the apparition's eyes flicker behind him. Yusuke's eyes widened, horrified when he realized that his attention at turned towards the group of girls standing amidst the rest of the audience. His pupils dilated in terror as Toguro turned towards them; his fist beginning to take on a familiar violet haze.
The detective felt his heart stop when Toguro's hand lashed out towards them.
The energy blast hurtled across the stadium and into the stands where the girls' cries of terror could be heard; the ball of chi drilling straight through the stadium wall and through to the other side…
And Yukina and the other girls stared nervously at the monstrous hole left in the wall only a few feet away…
Urameshi was breathing heavily as the apparition standing above him smirked.
"I wonder if I'll miss next time…?"
Yusuke's eyes flared wrathfully as a suddenly pillar of energy shot out from him. Toguro blinked slightly as the detective vanished from beneath his foot in a burst of blue ki. He reappeared in front of the apparition clenching his teeth.
Letting out a rage-filled cry, he charged Toguro and slammed his fist into the demon's face. His head snapped to the side with the attack as Urameshi screamed in fury and went for a second attack. But before he was even able to lay another hand on him, Toguro's hand suddenly appeared and slashed across the side of his face sending the detective flying backwards.
He cried out as he was sent hurtling through the air. When he was finally able to stop, it was the stadium wall that stopped him. Rubble flew up into the air around the detective and fell around him.
"You're an incredible disappointment." Toguro growled, "I went through so much in the assumption you would be the one person who could fight me. If I'm proven wrong…" his eyes flashed dangerously, "You'll pay for it dearly."
Urameshi coughed and blood spilled between his lips. He weakly raised his head, "I'll get you…" he muttered darkly.
If I ever get the chance…
Kuwabara clenched his fist, "No! Don't give up now Urameshi!" he shouted at the detective's nearly lifeless form.
The demigod chewed nervously on his pacifier.
There's no choice. I'm sending her in…
-:-
Genkai glanced up nonchalantly and cracked open an eye.
The former guardian was where she had left her: standing in front of the giant screen in front of Koenma's desk. But it had been something elsewhere that had disrupted her train of thought.
She calmly slipped off of the desk and made her way towards the giant oak doors.
Kira turned, "Master Genkai?"
The older woman didn't slow down on her way out, "That's my cue…" she told her as she closed the two giant doors behind her.
-:-
"So stupid!" Juri whimpered as she cradled her head, "Why did I run away to be an announcer? I should have stayed home and raised apples!"
A puff of smoke drifted up above Shizuru's head lazily, "A little past twenty and it's over…" she said rather casually, "I should have went on more dates…"
"Don't you talk like that, Shizuru!" the ferry-girl reprimanded angrily, "It's not over!"
She looked as though she was going to say something more, but was stopped short. The girls blinked when they had noticed Puu drifting down in front of him.
"Yukina. Botan."
? It was that voice again…
"Combine your powers to make a barrier while I'm gone..."
"AH!"
As the spirit beast turned around, the girls let out a cry of alarm all in unison. There was something different about Puu…but not so different that his appearance now oddly resembled a certain deceased someone…
Botan blinked, "Everybody…did hear that, right?"
Next to her, the ice apparition nodded slowly, "…It was the voice of Genkai…"
They watched, stunned, as the spirit beast flew off towards the arena floor. It was a long time before either of them spoke again.
"But I took her to Reikai…" The ferry-girl said in disbelief; still staring after 'Puu'
"Well she's possessed Puu's body," Shizuru returned, "I would say someone brought her back…"
Yusuke was shaking as he tried to lift himself from the pile of rubble, but his body would not respond. He heard Toguro's feet crunching in the gravel in front of him and he weakly lifted his head and clenched his teeth as the apparition approached.
But before he even took a few more steps, something flew ahead of him.
"You will never let this old woman have some peace and quiet will you Yusuke?"
The detective's eyes flashed up towards the spirit beast floating above him. Toguro had stopped as well at the sound of Genkai's voice and cocked an eyebrow at the absurdness of her new form. She flapped above Yusuke as her eyes narrowed towards him.
Kazuma gaped, "Ah—AH! Genkai's come back to life and she looks exactly like Puu!" he shouted incredulously.
She turned towards the apparition standing behind her, "Toguro, you want to see Yusuke's real power come to the surface? I'll tell you. He's very predictable.
"The only thing you have to do is kill one of his friends…and make sure he's watching…"
Urameshi's eyes widened, horrified, "Genkai what the hell is the matter with you?"
The old woman ignored him, "Yusuke has a six-foot wall of crap between him and his actual emotions, and that's where his power resides. To break through that wall you have to do something drastic, like killing someone he really cares for."
He shot up, "Dying must have ruined your heart, Genkai!" he accused her furiously.
She whirled back towards the detective, "Open your childish eyes, dimwit!" she roared, "If you don't stop Toguro everyone in this stadium dies! And dammit, if the life of one friend is what it takes for you to save the rest of them then that sacrifice is worth it!"
Yusuke jumped to his feet now; his eyes blazing in fury, "No! Dammit, you're nothing but a stupid little hypocrite!" he shouted as he pointed angrily at her, "You told me to commit to something all the way and I chose my friends! Now you say killing one as motivation is okay!"
Without warning, one of Puu's wings slapped the detective across the face. Urameshi's head jerked and he looked stunned until he recovered and grew furious again. He turned back around, but his expression softened slightly when he saw Genkai's expression.
"Sorry Yusuke, but this is the world you stuck yourself into, and it's not pretty," her eyes narrowed seriously, "When you're not strong enough to lead, you lose the privilege of getting what you want."
-:-
Had she not caught herself at the last minute, Mai would have probably run straight into the walls now surrounding the fighting arena. She skidded to a halt however and glared furiously before she swore under her breath.
Urameshi had sure gone through a hell of a lot of trouble to her away from this fight!
-:-
Toguro's fist suddenly took on a violet glow as he raised it towards the bickering pair. In an instance, he shot off two bullets from his thumb; both hitting their mark. Yusuke landed crashing into the ground while the older woman stumbled through the air before flying off.
"I had that idea awhile back and I didn't like the way it felt. But if nothing else can bring out your true abilities…" the apparition smirked suddenly, "Well, you heard before. I'll do anything."
The detective's eyes widened further as he clenched his teeth.
"All I have to do is choose which one."
"Don't do this…" Urameshi growled dangerously.
He smirked again; his eyes darkening, "It's just too bad that my first choice isn't here…" he said knowing already what the detective's reaction would be. And sure enough, Yusuke's hand clenched furiously and his eyes flared in rage.
But this was exactly what he had planned for…
…Somehow he had expected something like this to happen…
And that's why he had to leave her behind.
Her eyes became hidden beneath her veil of crimson hair. But from within, the detective could hear her quiet sobs while her shoulders trembled. Teardrops fell from behind her hair, but she didn't seem to try and prevent them from coming.
Yusuke slowly let go of her and her fists clenched at the ground beneath her. He watched as the tears streamed down her face; his gaze softened as she continued to cry.
He sighed, but said nothing. After a long, hesitant pause, the detective found himself reaching out to her. And without waiting for a reaction, his arms suddenly wrapped around her and pulled her towards his chest.
It was almost as if she hadn't even noticed, but her sobs continued. Her tears stained his shirt, even though he didn't seem to mind. The detective wrapped his arms around just as he felt her hands clutching weakly at his shirt.
Both of them sat in silence for the longest time—all save for Mai's muffled sobs. From a little ways off, Kira watched the pair curiously with her head cocked. Yusuke pressed her tighter to him and Mai let out a small hiccup.
"You're…You're hopeless you know that?" he said quietly.
"You've been hiding your fear from me, Urameshi," Toguro said darkly; his eyes flashing and jerking Yusuke out of his daydream, "You've hidden it along with her…"
The detective growled under his breath as Toguro continued to glare at him dangerously.
But the apparition suddenly smirked, "…That just means I'll have to choose another one of your friends, doesn't it, Urameshi?"
Yusuke clenched his teeth, "I won't let you, Toguro."
"Hn…I'm afraid you have little choice in that matter," the apparition told him with a smirk, "I've waited too long for a fight like this…and I plan to make it worth while!" the corner of his lips curled maliciously, "Just remember Yusuke, it's your own fault for not finding your power on your own."
"Don't do this Toguro—!"
"URAMESHI YOU SON OF A BITCH!"
"He'll do it too…he doesn't care…he'll kill her whether I can stop him or not," his fist shook, "This is the only way I can save her…don't you see that, Kuwabara? Even if we won the tournament…I'm not sure what I'd do if she died…"
At once, it was as if the entire stadium went silent. Yusuke felt his body go numb altogether and his pupils dilated in pure terror at the sound of her voice; he didn't even need to turn…he didn't want to turn and see.
"…no…" he whispered, horrified.
Mai dropped down from the top of the concrete walls into a huddle of demons below. She furiously fought her way through until she had reached the stadium itself. And in all her anger, she seemed oblivious that there was actually a fight taking place.
"I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU!" she raged, "HOW MUCH MORE OF AN ASS CAN YOU GET? LEAVING ME BEHIND LIKE THAT!"
"…dammit, Mai…" the detective shook his head; his eyes still wide. Why is she here? He thought furiously to himself. She was supposed to stay back at the hotel! "Dammit! STAY AWAY!"
"Don't tell me to stay away Yusuke Urameshi!" she returned without paying him any heed. Those along team Urameshi's sidelines stared at her with the same fear that Yusuke was showing…
But before the guardian could charge any further after the detective, she was stopped short. Without her noticing, Hiei had suddenly appeared in front of her, sword drawn. His back was towards her defensively as the rest of their team raced after them.
"Fuck it, onna," he growled angrily, "Your timing sucks."
It slowly dawned on her for the first time as she stared out above the apparition that the detective was not alone in the ring…and she grew quiet. There was something in the air that told her she really had chosen one of the worst times to charge in on Yusuke's fight…
Urameshi shook violently. She wasn't supposed to be here…
…Mai was still back at the hotel; she was still safe…Toguro wouldn't be able to touch her…
He gritted his teeth, "…dammit Mai…"
Toguro's eyes flashed malevolently towards him, "So you've made my choice for me…" he said to the detective as if he took pleasure in where this was going, "How thoughtful of you…"
Yusuke's eyes widened.
The guardian clenched her fists angrily; oblivious still to what had happened prior to her arrival. But she didn't like the looks of things now, especially since she was suddenly the center of attention…and not for the best reasons either…
The rest of her teammates were suddenly surrounding her now; facing out towards the monstrous apparition in the ring with Urameshi. Despite the fact none of them had strength left to speak of, they held their ground.
"You've gotta get out of here, Mai," Kuwabara muttered over his shoulder.
She furrowed her brow uncertainly, "What's going on?"
The demigod stood beside her now, frowning, "Yusuke has been unable to reach his full power…" he informed her slowly; his eyes never leaving the arena, "And now, the only way for him to reach that power is if Toguro kills one of his friends—"
"…And I've chosen you, Mai."
Toguro pointed a gnarled finger at her and she froze. There was something…in the way he said her name that sent a chill down her spine; it was cruel and heartless…
The color drained from her face and she took an instinctive step backwards. The wall in front of her tightened as Kurama and the others braced themselves.
He smirked, "Urameshi does appear to be the most protective of you. Let's see you bring out his hidden emotions…" his eyes flashed as he started moving towards them.
"I'll make this quick."
Yusuke screamed suddenly as he launched after the apparition. "STOP IT TOGURO!"
His fist slammed furiously into the back of Toguro's head, but the demon continued walking. Urameshi flipped over him and landed in his path. The detective glared fiercely as he charged back towards the apparition with his fist extended; instantly landing punches the moment he made contact.
But with a smirk, Toguro's hand came out of nowhere and struck Urameshi across the face; sending him flying into the air. Yusuke cried out in pain as he crashed and slid into the ground. Blood dribbled from between his lips as he gritted his teeth.
"BASTARD!"
He charged again, but only succeeded in having Toguro shove him to the ground with his fist. The detective gagged as a stream of blood escaped his mouth. Yusuke staggered, but he was racing after the apparition again in only moments.
Toguro was easily able to swipe him away.
Mai hooded her eyes suddenly and her fist shook as Urameshi coughed up even more blood…
"I needed to know if you were willing to risk everything for him…"
Kurama gritted his teeth; just itching to have enough energy to summon his whip, "If he makes it over here, the three of us must fight him together…"
"Hn. With what secret weapon?" Hiei muttered, "You've barely been able to stand up since your flirting with death."
The redhead laughed hollowly, "Yes, your Kokuryuu technique hasn't left much of you either…we can still run if you want."
His eyes narrowed, "Don't be simple. I'll take Toguro alone if I must."
Koenma clenched his fists uncertainly as he watched the oncoming threat, did you really have to do that, Genkai? His eyes flickered towards where the possessed spirit beast sat with its arms folded; let's just hope to all it works…
The detective screamed. His rage swelled within him as he charged after the apparition; he wouldn't let him touch her again! He had made that promise and there was no way in hell that he was going to break that now! He would kill Toguro before he let—
Yusuke choked suddenly when the apparition's fist drove into his gut. His eyes widened in pain as he fell back towards the ground. The detective landed on both knees as he clutched at his chest furiously; coughing up blood onto the arena beneath him.
"You do know this is your fault, right?" Toguro asked darkly as he watched the detective choke, "For living in a constant state of repression…and now it will be Mai who will pay for it…"
"NO!"
Blind rage fueled him now as he shot up off the ground. His eyes burned fiercely to the point where it nearly blinded him. He wasn't going to let him anywhere near her! He would die himself before he let that happen! Screaming, he pointed his finger towards the apparition furiously.
But Toguro's eyes flashed and he vanished.
—!
"Relax Yusuke…" he abruptly felt the apparition's face directly next to his, "I'll free you up."
The apparition's hand clutched the top of his head and suddenly shoved him into the ground. He drove the detective's face further and further until a crater began to form around his head and the rest of his body. And Yusuke didn't stir.
Toguro rose and began walking once again; this time with no more interference.
"Ready?" Kurama asked, bracing himself. The apparition beside him nodded shortly as well as the second redhead on his other side.
"No…Please stop…"
The group froze and turned. Mai's fists trembled at her side and her eyes were hooded beneath her hair. The rest of her body shook too, but whether it was from anger or fear was up to her. A muscle jerked in her jaw as if she was trying not to cry.
"Just stop and think, Mai!" Kurama pleaded with her urgently.
"You won't survive against him!" Kuwabara cut in with the same desperation in his voice.
Hiei narrowed his eyes, "This is no time for you to act like an idiot," he told her, "Face Toguro alone now and you'll die before this minute is through—"
He stopped and the others watched as the guardian lifted her head.
She smiled vaguely, "Heh, I have little intention of fighting him…" she told them quietly, "This was Yusuke's fight after all…"
They stared at her in disbelief, "What?"
"Hey Koenma…" Mai turned slowly towards the demigod, "Just make sure you have a place for me alright? I'd like to actually have a spot waiting for me; I don't want to end up like Kira…"
"Mai! Wait, I—!"
She suddenly pushed through her teammates and towards the arena. But Kurama reached out and grasped her arm before she could get too far. The guardian stopped and slowly turned back towards him and caught the desperation in his eyes.
"Mai...please..." he whispered.
Her eyes met his for a moment longer before she slowly released herself from his grasp, "I'm sorry, Kuram-kun..."
As she passed, her teammates clenched their fists. The guardian moved slowly, but with deliberation as if she was carrying a heavy load along her back. Strands of her hair fell over her face to shield her eyes away from those who would see the tears forming…
"I lied Yusuke…" she said softly into the air, "You really are an ass…"
The detective shook violently as he tried to lift himself out of the crater surrounding his body.
…Mai…don't do this…
"…please…"
"You went through all that trouble with Genkai's training and her spirit orb…and you don't even know how to use it," she let out a short, hollow laugh, "Heh…you really are something else…"
-:-
Kira's eyes widened in horror. Her knuckles turned white as her hand curled into a tight fist…
"What is she doing…?" she whispered.
The dark-haired ferry-girl behind her glanced up, "Miss Kira?"
She shook her head furiously, "What is she doing?" she asked again, "Mai, what are you doing?" her eyes widened further and she felt her body trembling.
"…Mai will have to die…"
The former guardian suddenly felt tears springing to her eyes, "Don't do this Mai…Dammit don't be stupid!"
Tears rolled swiftly down the side of her face and she clenched her eyes shut.
"MAI!"
-:-
She came to a halt suddenly near the center of the arena. Her eyes grew distant as she stared down at the earth beneath her and she stood motionlessly for a long time.
Yusuke watched her pleadingly, "…Mai…"
The guardian's head shifted slightly towards the sound of his voice, and slowly raised her eyes.
There was a smile along her lips as tears brimmed in her eyes; tracing the soft curves of her face as they trickled down to her chin. She seemed oblivious to them.
"But…we had a good run right?"
There was suddenly a blast of wind that whipped across the stadium. It kicked up the dust at Mai's feet and tousled her hair around her face, but her eyes did not leave the detective. It was then that the air began to resonate with a distant sound; soft like bells yet just as thunderous as gongs. It vibrated fiercely through the air and through the stadium; stirring those sitting in the audience.
Touya gaped as he stared down into the arena, "That energy…" he whispered in astonishment, "It's amazing; like it was before when we fought, and yet there's something entirely different about it…"
"I'd say," Jin agreed as he stared wide-eyed at the guardian, "The lass is like a bomb! Like she'll go all 'kaboom' at any second!"
Kurama gasped as a golden haze appeared around Mai, "That's…not normal spirit energy!" he cried in alarm.
The ki surrounding her strengthened suddenly. It swayed rhythmically, as if it were made up of fire. And as the sheer force of her energy filled the stadium, a fiery wind began to swirl around the guardian, and the gems along her brow and the markings on her cheeks suddenly vanished into the whirlwind.
I don't believe it…Koenma's pacifier nearly fell out of his mouth in shock, that energy…she's still in its early stages, but there's no mistaking it…
For the briefest moment, a glimmer of uncertainty flashed across Toguro's face; as if he had not entirely expected something like this to happen. But as quickly as it had come, it vanished and was replaced by another one of his devilish smirks.
The demigod frowned, but it won't be enough to defeat Toguro alone…
"…dammit," Kazuma muttered suddenly. His knuckles were white and his teeth clenched fiercely. His brow furrowed. She shouldn't have to do this…Urameshi should be strong enough to call on his own darn energy! Mai shouldn't have to sacrifice herself!
Koenma started abruptly, along with Kurama and Hiei, "Kuwabara, wait! STOP!"
The guardian turned suddenly when she heard the demigod's cry. Her eyes widened when the redhead slid to a halt in front of her; bracing himself in a defensive stance. On the other side of them, Yusuke watched them in horror.
"Kuwabara!" Mai cried.
He turned his head slightly and offered her a serious look, "There's no stoppin' him," he told her, "And Urameshi'll never forgive me if I ever let anything happen to you, so I might as well go down trying right?"
There was a flash of orange light as Kuwabara drew his sword and brandished it before him.
"A mulberry's a tree. Kuwabara's a man. And I'll prove it to you!" he shouted, "Toguro will have to go through me before he can even think about getting to you!" he turned back towards the guardian and grinned slightly, "I'll make you a promise, Mai: I won't let Toguro or anyone else near you alright?"
"Fine," Toguro's voice suddenly broke Kazuma's speech, "I'll just have to kill both of you!"
Yusuke's eyes widened, terrified, "NO!"
But Mai was way ahead of him.
She lowered her head and hooded her gaze; his fists shaking at her sides.
"No…
"…I'm sorry Kazuma…"
Without warning, the chi swirling around her exploded all at once; the force sending Kuwabara tumbling away from her and away from Toguro's path. The energy rose up around her ferociously while the redhead tried to recover.
"I…see now…" Koenma said aloud in astonishment.
"Does the onna actually think she's going to take Toguro on alone?" Hiei muttered, "She must not have listened to us when we told her he'd kill her…"
The demigod shook his head as it suddenly became clear to him, "No…I don't think she plans to even lay a single attack on him…" he watched as the golden energy spiraled upwards into the top of the stadium.
"You were right Kurama," he continued, "That is no normal reiki…nor is it any type of yoki either. This type of energy is different from both of them…
"It literally feeds off the purity of a human soul…"
In front of them, the guardian was silent, and in front of her, Yusuke still struggled to get to his feet; desperate to stop Toguro at all costs, but he found himself deprived of the strength he desired.
Koenma's eyes narrowed, "Mai doesn't plan to fight Toguro…because she plans to give up all of her energy to Yusuke. But to do that successfully…to transport energy from one soul to another…Toguro must kill her…"
"NO! MAI! Dammit, don't do this!" Urameshi shouted furiously, "I don't need your energy—PLEASE!"
Kazuma drew his sword again and desperately tried to reach the guardian through the thick veil of energy. But the ki lashed out at him as if ordering him to stay away. That however, only caused the redhead to try and break through with his spirit sword. Kuwabara couldn't even get close to her.
"GET AWAY MAI!" Yusuke screamed, "DAMMIT, RUN AWAY!"
He grew silent all of a sudden when he noticed her smiling through the golden haze. His eyes widened as tears trickled down the guardian's face.
"…Aishiteru…Yusuke..."
Urameshi wasn't going into this without her…They were a team, and she would make sure it stayed that way until the end…
…Until the very end…
Urameshi's body went numb, "…Mai…"
Toguro suddenly stepped between the detective's view of her, "I've waited long enough, Yusuke Urameshi—now I plan to enjoy the reward for my patience!"
His pupils dilated as the apparition vanished.
"NO!"
Yusuke shot to his feet desperately…as if he would have gotten to her before Toguro—
"I'll pick out her heart, Urameshi…that way you'll be able to cherish her even in death," came the apparition's voice.
The color suddenly drained from his face and the luster vanished from his eyes.
"…No…"
Mai dangled in Toguro's grip; his sickly gray fist clenched around her throat…just like in some terrible horrible dream…His hand clenched tighter and the guardian let out a strained cry out pain, but refused to attempt and free herself. The chi around her flickered dangerously as she hung suspended in the apparition's grip.
"Now…" Toguro turned towards the guardian in his grasp, "…You will show me the power he has been hiding…"
"TOGURO!"
The apparition smirked maliciously; his hand raised and poised before the guardian's heart, "This was your own fault, Urameshi—"
—Blood suddenly spilled across the arena floor…
"Please…" he murmured, "…Live for me, Mai…"
…And Yusuke's eyes went blank with rage…
"MAI!"
-:-
:We do not die because we have to die; we die because one day, and not so long ago,
our consciousness was forced to deem it necessary:
Antonin Artaud