DISCLAIMER: I do not own YYH but everything that is original is mine.
a/n: MWAHAHA! THE 3RD INUYASHA MOVIE IS MINE! Hehe, man they just keep getting better! And I loved the parts with Inu-papa :fangirl giggle!
Anywhos…Not quite sure where I'm gonna go with this chapter…so the beginning might kinda suck, but that's alright.
I also decided to end this fic on an even note (I was gonna have an epilogue but I'll put that somewhere else) so it'll be this chapter and the next one—and then we're done! HURRAH!
Cookies to my reviewers!
Umeko Saito: Technically it's not over quite yet :nervous laugh: only a couple more chapters though :3
Shadowkitsune7: Aw, thank you; I tried to make it kinda devastating but I'm hoping that his emotions will be more apparent in this chapter (depending on how well I write it this time, lol)
BlueWater26: Thank you! Yeah it was a pretty quick update…haha, I was on a roll that weekend
Fangimation: Now now, I will not reveal my spoilers :3 but yeah she really did love him (hence the whole dying thing :nervous laugh:)
Little Sakura 87: HAPPY BIRTHDAY! or FELICE COMPLEAÑOS! (in Spanish) Haha, and I'm glad I was able to give you a birthday present (in a sense I guess, lol) Hehe, and yes there would be no point to a sequel if I didn't bring her back :3
WARNING: This chapter is RIDICULOUSLY long so I'd advice you have a bunch of free time before reading this XD.
Thoughts
:Some prices are just too high, no matter how much you may want the prize. The one thing you can't trade for your heart's desire is your heart:
Lois McMaster Bujold
Forever Fornever II
:Aishiteru:
"REI GAN!"
The attack erupted. It enveloped the entire stadium with its blinding aura and the sense of pure power. The bullet ripped through Yusuke's finger and pushed him back; he staggered and braced himself against its power as it literally ripped across the arena. He screamed again as the energy charged through him…it was only Mai's energy that kept him going.
Through his finger now came bolts of golden light. They shot over his original attack and enveloped the blast in an aura of gold; crackling dangerously as spirit bullet strengthened in its size. Yusuke gritted his teeth as he struggled to hang on.
Toguro roared out furiously as he charged out to meet the attack. He cried out in rage as he through out a hand to try and stop it.
Urameshi gritted his teeth against the force pushing back against him while the apparition on the other side of his attack did the same; he didn't dare lessen his hold on the attack.—
Suddenly the detective's eyes widened and he gasped.
It was then that the energy flowing through him began to die away…
The remainder of Yusuke's energy depleted and vanished. The detective gasped for air suddenly as he stood breathing heavily…and he finally dropped to his knees. He watched helplessly at his attack now that it was on its own…
For a moment, Sakyo stood with a grin across his face…but that suddenly faded when he realized that apparition was still holding on to the orb of glowing energy…and it was steadily pushing him backwards.
The detective could only watch powerlessly as Toguro held off his attack…
The apparition grunted as the blast continued to force him back. His muscles bulged suddenly, and blood erupted from his back after much toil and strain…
Toguro's feet dug fiercely into the earth as he tried to fight back. But as the blast continued to push him further and further towards the edge of the stadium, he suddenly screamed as he managed to wrap his arms around the monstrous attack. In desperation now, he steadily began to crush the glowing bullet against him…but his body began to crack in the process. He screamed again as the blast grew smaller and smaller—
Until it finally vanished within Toguro's grasp.
The remaining energy evaporated into the air in a wisp of blue light…
And a heavy, stun-filled silence weighed down over the stadium.
The apparition stood hunched over, breathing heavily; his body scorched and steaming. He stood frozen as if the attack had left him paralyzed, but his body shuddered with each breath he took.
A flash of defeat crossed over Yusuke's weary eyes…
He grunted and fell forward into the earth.
Toguro straightened slowly; his body creaking as if it were ready to give way at any second. Steadily, he came to a halt in front of him; a smile etched along his deformed face.
"I killed Genkai…but one remained…" he said quietly as a trickle of blood streamed down the corner of his mouth and he continued to smile, "And now that surviving piece can at last be put to rest…"
All of a sudden, crevices appeared all along the apparition's body. They race all along his arms and shoulders and seemed to all congregate at the center of his face.
Toguro continued to watch the detective at his feet.
"Thank you again…Yusuke Urameshi…"
His eyes widened. With a cry and a sound that could have been mistaken for breaking glass, fragments of his body shattered into the air around him. The shards that broke away left nothing more than his true body hiding beneath the shell…
The body staggered and his body toppled; dropping to the ground and sliding across the dusty arena…
From a little ways off, and behind a rather large chunk of the former ring, Juri stepped out of hiding nervously. She made her way carefully towards the fallen bodies and leaned over Toguro's—only to cry out in alarm when she saw the state it was in…
What might have finally passed as human was no more. The skin along his body had gone white and was peeling off; if there had been any of his bones visible, it would have been difficult to tell…
But as the announcer studied the state of Toguro's body, a single intake of air swept across the stadium.
"Juri!" Koto shouted frantically, "Behind you!"
She whirled…and blinked.
Yusuke staggered as he lifted himself off of his knees. With a final call of strength, he was at last able to stand his ground and he stood; staring rather…sadly at the ground beneath him…
The kitsune announcer hopped over the railing separating her from the fighting arena. Yusuke merely stared at the ground in front of him; the emotion within his eyes drawing a blank.
Koto raced towards Juri's side and in unison, they raised they're hands above their heads.
"WINNER OF THE TOURNAMENT! TEAM URAMESHI!"
Cheers and cries of joy erupted from around the stadium as the announcement resonated through the stands. At last it was finally over…
They could finally go home…
The detective was breathing heavily now, but he hardly seemed to notice—even when he fell face-first back into the ground. His teammates started and immediately raced to his side, though Kazuma lagged behind…
"Yusuke!"
Kurama made it to him first and carefully lifted his arm over his shoulder, "Easy does it Yusuke! No sleeping just yet!"
Urameshi only stared off vacantly at the ground, as if he wasn't even there. His body was cold and unmoving and there wasn't even depth left in his eyes…as if he wasn't even alive for that matter…
"Snap out of it, Yusuke!" Koenma cut in angrily, "You—! You have your victory…"
The demigod trailed off suddenly; his tone bitter as his eyes flickered back behind him where Kuwabara still was with the guardian's body. Kazuma hadn't even budged from his spot, but now he sat on the ground next to the corpse; his head cradled in his hands.
"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…"
The detective's hands clenched the ground beneath him slowly.
"But we had a good run right?"
Yusuke stood suddenly; shoving the akage out of his way in one swift and sudden motion. His teammates watched him worriedly as he trudged back across the arena floor; the detective's shoulders still hunched from the burden enveloping his heart…
His eyes grew hooded beneath a veil of darkness…
That stupid bitch…
His foot dropped heavily onto the ground as he continued forward. To him, the entire world went silent…all save for his feet grinding the gravel beneath him. It all became a blur of fuzzy shadows and illusions of his mind…
The only thing that remained clear to him was the guardian's lifeless body…
Something pushed him onward, but it hardly seemed as though he realized where he was going anymore. There was a single path laid out before him and he took it; his feet falling heavily into the ground. His eyes remained downcast at the gravel beneath him and distant from the surrounding world.
He suddenly dropped to the ground beside the corpse and Kazuma's trembling form. His legs crossed slowly and he shoved his fists in his lap. The detective's eyes remained disheartened and hooded from all while the remaining members of his team came up behind him.
He sat there silent for a long time; his fists still tucked in his lap. Yusuke continued to stare off blankly at the ground. But after a while, his knuckles went white as he clenched his fists in the folds of his pants and his arms shook.
"Haha…" he muttered in hardly more than a whisper, "Real funny Mai…you can stop faking now; you're a really bad act…"
His teammates watched him sadly as he went quiet again. Urameshi's head bent further into his chest and his shoulders trembled violently.
On the other side of her body, Kuwabara was struggling not to cry. He furiously shut his eyes and clenched his fists in his lap. But that did not stop the procession of the tears coming down his face.
Yusuke didn't move, "…Well you made Kuwabara cry…heh, but nobody wants to see that…"
He suddenly gritted his teeth and his fingers dug further into the cloth of his pants.
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 Urameshi didn't seem to mind. The detective wrapped his arms around her in a protective fashion 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 really are hopeless you know that?" he said quietly.
"Come on and wake up, Mai…I want to go home…"
Urameshi gripped at the ground suddenly; his fingers digging into the earth as his body began to tremble in anger. His knuckles went white and his back hunched further. In another instant, he suddenly punched the ground and his eyes shot upwards.
"…You're…you're not going to be alone while you're my guardian, don't you know that?"
In one swift motion, he suddenly grasped her by the collar and wrenched her off the ground.
"Yusuke!"
"Listen, you stupid idiot…" he muttered to the corpse, ignoring his other teammates, "I swear to hell that if you don't get up, I'll just shove your soul back down your damn throat!" his eyes shone furiously, "Stop faking already! Dammit! Wake up Mai!"
His shoulders began to shake suddenly and several angry tears plummeted to the ground below him. But he would not release the girl in his hands…
"Shikuso…" he whispered softly to the earth, "…damn it all…"
You stupid idiot…why wouldn't you just let me save you? Why did you have to be so stubborn!
Yusuke's knuckles clenched over the fabric of her collar and he watched as her head lolled to the side. Angry tears brimmed at his eyes as he gritted his teeth.
"It's not okay…" he muttered darkly, "It's not okay…"
He punched the ground again.
"DAMMIT! If I hadn't been such an irresponsible kid—if I didn't have a concrete wall between me and my stupid emotions…"
"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!"
Yusuke gritted his teeth furiously, "I had all the strength to save her. I was just too dumb to know how to reach it. She sacrificed everything…and I just sat there and watched her die! What the hell do I say to that, huh?"
Behind him, the akage clenched his fist at his side, "You're not helping, Yusuke…"
"Shut up, Kurama!" he shouted furiously over his shoulder and his grip tightened around the guardian's collar, "Just shut up! She wasn't supposed to die! She wasn't supposed to die!"
Angry tears plummeted down his face and he clenched his teeth.
You weren't supposed to die…
"You hear me?" he shouted back at the corpse in his hands, "I can't say anything to you because you had to be an idiot and get yourself killed! I can't say anything to you now! Is that so hard to get?" he clenched his fist and tears streamed down his face, "Shikuso…"
His fists shook violently as he glared at the guardian in his hands; his eyes shimmering in anger.
The detective's arms suddenly wrapped around her. His shoulders trembled as he held her to him; the guardian's bloody wound seeping over his chest. The crimson liquid trickled over his skin and caked over into a deep red, but he seemed oblivious to it. He gripped her shoulders furiously.
"Dammit Mai…" he whispered, his voice shaking, "Dammit you stupid bitch!"
Why wouldn't you let me help you?
Urameshi gripped her shoulders further. He had done it to save her life…but when she really was in danger, he wasn't able to do shit…
All he did was delay the inevitable.
—And it didn't help that Genkai had to remind Toguro about it either!
"Idiot…" he muttered.
She smiled gently and suddenly pointed upwards, "Oh look, Yusuke!" Mai cried and stared up at the sky, "It's snowing!"
…but Mai was gone…
She suddenly slipped from his grasp and he covered his head with his bloody hands. His eyes shimmered furiously and he glared at the ground as he pulled his head to his knees.
"Aishiteru…Yusuke…"
"Aishiteru…" he whispered, "Aishiteru? Who the hell says that before they die!" he shouted, "It's like breaking a damn promise!"
He punched the ground and sent tiny crevices racing out around his hand.
"Damn it all…Damn it all…!" he muttered furiously, "DAMN IT ALL! It's because I…because I was so spineless that she was…" he clenched his fist; his nails digging furiously into his palm, "…Mai…what do I say to Mai? I just stood by and watched her die! She died right before my eyes! I wasn't able to do anything! What I'm I supposed to say to her?"
We came too far together…and to have her just die like that…
Dammit! I'm not gonna give up that easily!
—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…"
"Idiot…" he whispered again, "…I didn't need your damn energy, I had all of it on my own—don't you understand that? What the hell were you thinking…what the hell were you thinking…?"
You promised we were stuck together…
"What about now? Dammit! What kind of promise is that when you can't even depend on your own damn self to keep it! Stupid! Idiot! What the hell were you thinking?"
His hand twitched softly at his side. The detective's eyes suddenly faded back into shadow and he stared blankly at the corpse in front of him.
"But you're stuck with me."
The detective watched her for a moment before he noticed her gaze soften slightly. He then saw a smile curve along her lips.
"So deal with it."
She plopped down against the wall as Yusuke began to smile as well. He shook his head as he pulled at another strip of tape. Once again, he busied himself with his project and another silence filled the void between them. Urameshi paused and rolled his shoulders casually.
"Is that a promise?"
Mai blinked, "What?"
He set his tools on the ground and turned to face the guardian, "That you're stuck with me…is that a promise?"
"Liar…" he murmured despondently, "…you're a damn liar…"
You said you were stuck with me…
"…you made a promise…" his hand slowly dragged along the dirt at his feet. The cold feel of her skin brushed beneath his fingertips as he traced her hand. Again his fingers folded into a fist, "…You made a promise Mai…"
He blinked slowly; as if he was trying to focus the fuzziness of his vision. There was a dim flicker of light that flashed beneath the depths of his eyes.
"And I won't let you break that to me…"
I won't let you leave me alone…
The demigod behind him blinked suddenly when a flash of energy enveloped Yusuke's fists. It crackled furiously up and down the length of his arm; a faint hint of gold snapping at his chi. There were sudden crevices racing out around the detective and tiny pebbles around him clattered restlessly. Kurama and Hiei watched uncertainly and even Kuwabara managed to watch through his watering eyes.
A sorrowful mist seemed to surround the detective…and it flared a dangerous red regardless of his vacant demeanor…
And despite this, Yusuke seemed oblivious to the tumult he was causing.
…I'm not letting you go without a fight...
There was a quiet wind that rustled the earth around him; letting his hair sway sadly in front of his face as he continued to watch the guardian's corpse laying before him…
And as if drawn by an invisible wire, his arms raised above her body and the energy surrounding him suddenly strengthened.
You gave me all of your energy…
"…and I'll give you mine…" he whispered.
Koenma's eyes widened, "Yusuke! WAIT!"
Please…
…Give all my time to her…
It was a silent eruption. There was no thunder or noise to be heard, but the energy that suddenly exploded within the stadium was a monstrosity, and those who could sense it were thrown into a whirl of Yusuke's conflicting emotions.
Ki flowed from his hands and into the guardian; causing her body to pulsate with a similar glow resonating off of the detective
His companions watched as little by little, it became apparent that Yusuke was losing his energy to this feat. Sweat perspired off of his brow as his arms began to tremble above the guardian's body, but he seemed ignorant of the pain he was causing himself, and continued to pour of his chi into the lifeless body…
"Yusuke!"
You sacrificed your energy for me…and now I'll just have to do the same for you…
The detective's heart pounded pleadingly in his ears; begging him to stop.
Heh…even if it kills me…
Urameshi's energy flared out around him. He felt his strength leaving him at a dangerous rate, but nothing would tear him away from trying the impossible. His body was shaking violently, but he was oblivious to any pain he might have been feeling and the ki continued to flow through his hands.
But his power flickered warningly.
"You'll kill yourself!"
The words echoed through his ears, but his mind would not comprehend them. Through his blurry vision, he kept his eyes constantly on the guardian's body.
Kuwabara stared in horror. Did he not realize what he was doing to himself? He wondered frantically; was he immune or something to the pain his body was going through? He was killing himself! How could he not see that?
"Dammit Urameshi!"
Yusuke swayed suddenly, but he steadied himself. Unless he keeled over dead right there, he wasn't going to stop trying…dammit, if her energy could have been transferred to him, he could sure as hell do the same…
But Koenma was right; he'd probably have to kill himself first…
Behind him, the shorter apparition clenched his fist, "…baka tantei…"
Heh…at least if he died and failed, he'd have a chance to personally go after Mai for getting him into this whole mess…and for making him die again.
"Yusuke!"
Stupid bitch…you can't leave me alone for one fight can you? Instead, you have to go and get yourself killed…What an idiot…
…what an idiot…
He noticed the energy at his fingertips flicker as if it was having trouble forming enough power. His vision blurred even further, but not from the tears that were brimming in his eyes…
But I'm not giving up Mai…
"URAMESHI!"
I'm sure as hell not gonna give up on you…
Suddenly, the detective's gaze was wrenched away from Mai's face. He blinked slowly; his mind not quite comprehending where he was anymore. Instead he was abruptly force to look up at Hiei, who was fiercely gripping him by the collar; his crimson eyes flaring.
"Listen to me, detective Yusuke Urameshi…" he muttered darkly as his eyes flashed, "If you think you can revive her on your own—you're just the aho ningen I always though you were…"
The apparition's fist tightened.
"…The onna died because you can't do it alone."
He glared at Yusuke before he roughly let go of his collar. But without warning, another blast of energy was added on to the detective's as the apparition raised his scorched hand over Mai's body; allowing his own chi to flow into her. Despite his lack in strength and the sweat beading at his brow, his face remained tight and unmoving.
Yusuke caught movement out of the corner of his eye and turned slowly.
The akage dropped to his knees beside Urameshi and followed his lead; raising his hands over the guardian's body as his own meager energy filed in with the others. And across from him, Kazuma had joined in and his own orange energy flowed from his hands with the last remaining strength he contained within himself.
Behind them, the demigod paused hesitantly; his hand rose in front of his mouth as if he was preparing to remove the pacifier…but for some reason, decided against it and clenched his fists.
Urameshi clenched his own fists fiercely before he abruptly resumed his position over her body. The last tiny wisps of ki crawled desperately from his fingertips and sweat perspired once again from his brow.
Please Mai…we're all here—you can't be such a tight-ass bitch that you wouldn't come back after this—
So dammit! You better wake your ass up!
-:-
Yusuke looked up suspiciously from his plate at the girl in front of him. Her head rested absently along the palm of her hand as she gazed out the window at the people passing by.
Around them, the small café buzzed cheerfully, but the detective continued to watch Mai. She seemed deep in thought and almost oblivious to what was going on around them. Maybe she was wondering where the others were? He had to admit that even Kuwabara was running late…
He swallowed hard on the piece of cake he was eating…but…but maybe she was thinking about…a-about him…
The detective gulped…
But…about what? He wondered nervously and popped another forkful of the cake into his mouth. With her, you never knew what she was thinking—
And it drove him crazy!
What if she was thinking about why he and Kuwabara hadn't fixed that hole in the bathroom wall—?
Wait a minute…
He did fix the hole in the wall! And without Kuwabara's help!
So what could she—?
…
Urameshi's heart sank suddenly…
She…she might be thinking about him and Keiko…he swallowed hard; right now, she could be slowly building up her hatred for him little by little—
Unexpectedly, the guardian sighed. She turned her head back towards her own plate and cut off a piece of her cake.
Yusuke watched her munch on it slowly. After she had swallowed, Mai rested her head on the back of her hand and turned her attention towards the detective…
Shit, here it comes…he thought dismally and instinctively braced himself against an assault.
"Have you ever noticed that you're name sounds a lot like 'mousse cake'?" she wondered.
He blinked, what the hell?
"I just noticed that…" she continued normally. Mai paused a moment and smiled; her eyes shimmering, "It's kind of funny."
Urameshi blinked again, "That's what you've been thinking about all this time?" he wondered miraculously, "Hell, you spend a lot of time thinking about that sort of crap…" he said and could only stare at her.
She smiled again nodded; "Yup..." she stopped and eyed him suspiciously, "Why? What did you think I was thinking about?"
Yusuke jumped guiltily and glanced out the window, mumbling something incoherently under his breath. He paused before he finally answered, "Nothing…"and he absently stabbed a fork through his slice of cake; making sure it met the fury of his utensil.
But as the guardian went back to her dessert, he frowned in her direction…
"You really think it sounds like 'mousse cake'?"
She grinned and tapped the side of her nose, "'You're-a-messy mousse cake!'" she chimed teasingly. He scowled and folded his arms over his chest, but she laughed and turned her gaze towards the window yet again—only to smile once more.
"Kuwabara's here," she said simply.
Yusuke turned to face the window and narrowed his eyes when he caught sight of the redhead with his face plastered against the window; grinning enthusiastically. Kurama soon appeared behind him and smiled.
The detective watched Kuwabara make a fool of himself a moment longer before he abruptly slammed his fist along the window pane; startling Kazuma and receiving an angry glare from the manager. The redhead on the other side of the window made several angry gestures as Kurama stood nervously beside him, but his voice remained muffled (all save for an occasional "you son of a bitch!")
Mai grinned while the two of them finally started making their way into the café.
"'Bout time…" the detective grumbled.
"Come on, Yusuke…" the guardian said as she set her fork back down on her plate, "You gotta learn to be more patient…" she told him with a teasing glint in her eyes, "If I were late, you would still wait for me right?"
He snorted as he turned back to face her, "To hell I would; make me wait more than fifteen minutes and I'll put your lights out. You'd be heading out on your own after that."
"—Ah, don't listen to him Mai!" Kazuma said suddenly when he appeared beside his friend. He slid into the booth beside Yusuke, and Kurama found the spot next to the guardian on the opposite side, "I don't think he really means what he says," he finished with a grin.
"Speak for yourself, why don't you?" the detective muttered.
"It's true though, isn't it?" Kurama asked casually cutting into the conversation and he offered a small smile, "It's been nearly impossible to separate either of you lately; I highly doubt Yusuke would so easily leave you behind…"
The detective frowned, "Not you too, Kurama…"
The akage grinned sheepishly, "Sorry Yusuke, I just call them as I see them."
Beside them, Mai smiled, "'It's true, I'm stuck on you'!" she sang as she pointed a finger at the detective. He mumbled something under his breath and started attacking his slice of cake again. The group laughed as he continued to destroy what remained of his dessert.
"Didn't we already have that conversation?" he grumbled as he stuffed a forkful into his mouth.
She nodded and smiled, "I'm just making sure you remember, 'You're-a-messy mousse cake'!"
He scowled and ignored the confused glances of Kurama and Kuwabara who remained oblivious to the joke.
But Mai simply continued to smile…
-:-
Urameshi gasped and staggered. His entire body was shaking and trembling from the lack of energy he required to support himself. He had given back Mai's energy and so much more, and now his teammates appeared to be struggling desperately to continue their efforts.
"Look Yusuke! It's snowing!"
He furiously gritted his teeth; the energy crackling at his fingertips threatened to deplete completely, but he would not allow it.
Angry tears filled his eyes as his nails dug fiercely into his palm.
…no…
They had come too far together…
…they were too far from giving up now…
The detective gritted his teeth; forcing another wave of chi through his hands and into her body. Her lifeless form remained…in all things…lifeless. The only thing that might have appeared to be alive was the fierce aura that swayed around her; created only by her desperate companions…
…Death was just another obstacle in their way…
And just like everything else, they would overcome it…
"Hear that?" he muttered, "No one's gonna die here today—and I'm just stupid enough to make sure that happens, whether it takes my life or not…"
His gaze suddenly became hooded as he began to draw in deeply the air surrounding him.
"HEAR ME? I won't let you die on me!" he shouted angrily into the air, "DAMMIT! I don't care if I have to give up my life for yours! You weren't supposed to die in the first place Mai!"
…Why wasn't she waking up…?
Tears of despair were filling up in his eyes again and his clenched his fists. His nails dug deeply into his palm, causing droplets of blood to dot the ground beneath him. There was an angry tear that followed after as he fought back the cry of despair crawling at his throat.
"It's snowing!"
"…if you don't get up it won't ever snow again Mai…" he said in hardly more than a whisper, "You ain't gonna miss that are you? You'd be disappointed if you did…Yukina and those guys would miss making those crappy-looking snowmen you guys made…"
The detective's eyes sunk deeper into the veil of shadow covering his face. His energy flickered at his fingertips; drawing its last remains from every corner of his body, and even then it wasn't enough. Yusuke's entire body was trembling as his companions began to fade.
What does snow become…?
Urameshi braced himself against the pain surging through him. His body cried in agony; pleading him to give up and relieve it of its pain. But he would be dead before he let that happen…
…He too had made a promise…
The mist swaying around him flickered and started to fade away.
What does it become Yusuke?
His fists clenched and his arms began to shake in defeat.
"…it becomes spring…"
No matter what…
"…it always becomes spring…"
Yusuke's heart pounded fiercely in his ears as he hung his head. His eyes stared at the ground vacantly and they shimmered in being overcome. And despite the fact that he had lowered his arms, his body continued to tremble…
But he had made a promise…
The detective's companions watched him worriedly; hesitating as if debating whether or not quit their attempts as well…
…he wasn't going to break that promise…
He swore that he wouldn't…
"You'll never be alone…"
His shoulders slumped; the burden over his heart spreading slowly. Around him, the silent ki was fading back from whence it came and began to disappear into the wind. But the detective only continued to stare blankly at the ground below him.
Don't leave…
"…Mai…"
…don't leave…
Yusuke clenched his fists slowly; his fingers curling into his palm and angry tears of defeat started to fill his eyes, "…please don't…"
Around his hand, pebbles began to clatter restlessly as a wind picked up across the floor of the stadium. It brushed past the detective noiselessly and continued to swirl sadly around him, but he, like with everything else, remained oblivious.
"I want to go home together…" he whispered.
I don't want to leave you here.
The wind around him brushed over the top of his hand. His eyes flickered slowly as he watched how it brushed the hair across the guardian's placid face. He wanted to see her eyes open again…he wanted to see her smile and tell him how much of an ass he was…
He wanted them to go home together…
Yusuke's hand twitched softly at his side as the wind began to pick up around him. And from out of no where, his chi suddenly returned; steadily at first, but it then began to resonate heavily with the detective's despairing emotions racing through his heart. Those in the stadium continued to watch in silent awe as the energy pulsated around him once more; but where he found the strength was still unknown.
The rest of his team began again in unison; they too suddenly calling upon strength from out of no where.
Let's go home together, Mai…
"…I want to go home…"
His body flared with the blast of ki racing along the floor of the arena. Yusuke's heart once again pounded within his ears, but he ignored it as the energy started to beat around him. The air was suddenly thick with the constant flow of power resonating from the team, but somehow, Urameshi's seemed to rise above all of theirs.
He wasn't letting her go…
…He promised he would never let her be alone…
"…Mai…"
Don't give up…
…don't let go…
"...please…" he whispered, "…come back…"
The orbs of blue light appeared once again swirling around the detective…only this time they were accompanied by drifting spheres of gold. They swayed around the team and along the base of the stadium until it were as if they had completely enveloped them. The air throbbed with their very presence.
And all at once, his energy erupted out from around him. As if it had started a chan reaction, explosion after explosion burst out from the rest of his team. Their powers were hurled into the air above their heads and swirled furiously in a blazing cyclone.
They wouldn't give up on her…
I don't care if I never get up after this…I just want her back…
I want her to come back…
Yusuke slowly closed his eyes; raising his arms over the guardian's body once more. Small, pulsating halos resonated from his hands and fell into the corpse below as the orbs floating around them were drawn back towards the detective. The tiny glow spheres disappeared into his body and the ki at his fingertips strengthened.
Give all of my time to her…
His body was screaming on the inside, but the energy continued to flow through his hands into her body. Even if it killed him, he was going to bring her back…she was never supposed to die in the first place and he was going to make sure everyone understood that…
He was going to make sure that everyone knew…
Aishiteru…
"…now...let's go home…" he murmured into the raging wind, "…let's go home Mai…"
Urameshi's fists clenched as a final surge of energy started to build within him. Tears of despair filled his eyes and streamed down the side of his face slowly…
And as the chi continued to flow from his companions…
The aura around the guardian began to pulse.
Please…
"…I want to go home…"
Another beat resonated from her body and Yusuke clenched his fists further. The energy from his teammates grew more desperate now; they pushed fiercely even to the brink of their own destruction. The detective's body glowed with the ferocious energy building up within him, but his eyes would not leave her…
Urameshi turned his head towards her and stared for a moment. As he was watching her smile, a thought occurred to him…
Maybe…
…Maybe living upside-down wasn't all too bad…
Without her, that void would still remain…He hated that feeling of being alone and empty. He wanted her to fill that emptiness; he wanted her to come back and be with him…
He didn't want to be alone.
"…come back…"
DOKUN
"…don't leave me Mai…"
The energy filling him was threatening to come out all at once, but he contained it. His eyes stared off despondently at her face, as if at any moment she would simply wake up…
But he knew it would take more than that.
Yusuke raised his hands over her body a final time.
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 Urameshi didn't seem to mind. The detective wrapped his arms around her in a protective fashion 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 really are hopeless you know that?" he said quietly.
The chi resonating from him was building in his hands. He channeled it carefully; making sure he would give it all…that none of it would be spared…
He wanted to make sure he gave it all that he had.
"I'm not giving up…" he muttered through gritted teeth and sweat beaded furiously along his brow as his hands began to pulsate with power. With everything he had, he would give a final effort…and with everything he had he would make sure it was enough…
He wasn't going to let her go…
Another pulse resonated from the aura surrounding her body.
Yusuke's fists clenched.
DOKUN. DOKUN.
"Mai…" he whispered, "…I want you to come back, you got that? I don't want you sitting on your ass in Rekai while we do all the work…"
Please…
An abrupt tear raced down the side of his face and plummeted to the ground.
…at least come back for me…
Aishiteru…
It erupted from within him in one single blast. The earth trembled beneath the sudden force and cracks raced out from around the detective in all directions. With the sudden explosion of energy came the blinding ray of light that enveloped the stadium all at once.
"MAI!"
All at once, an array of all their team's emotions swirled into the air; each of their energies mixing into one. A cyclone of chi raged furiously around them and spiraled high above the stadium; into the infinite sky hanging beyond.
Feelings of despair and anger…
Feelings of sorrow and joy…
…feelings of hate and love….
They grew so heavy in the air that it was almost nauseating; it was their very heart and soul that they poured out into their final effort. Their powers throbbed within the air painfully; sending shockwaves hurtling through the stadium and into the stands where many of the demons staggered to keep their balance. A tumult of wind whipped across the floor of the arena and lashed around the team furiously as it sent their energies hurtling higher and higher into the air.
The aura surrounding the guardian's body began to pulse; sending its own waves beating into the air with every ounce of energy it drew in. There was a golden haze throbbing around the corpse and her hair blew softly across her face. The ki swirling around her was almost as great as the ones around her teammates. And it pulsed again as if it were a heartbeat…
Yusuke grunted as he struggled to stand his ground, but chi continued to pour through his hands.
They weren't giving up…
Not after all we've shared…I'm not letting you go that easily.
His body trembled violently with the abuse he was putting it through. But it didn't matter to him now; all that matter was that he made this final effort work—death was only just another obstacle in there way!
All at once, their powers erupted at once. The force shook the foundations of the stadium and cries of surprise rose up from the stands. Its massive tremor raced out all across the stadium and through the island itself; causing the trees beyond to tremble. The clouds above them swirled furiously around the cyclone of energy erupting from within the arena.
Urameshi's vision blurred threateningly and he felt his heart suddenly giving way.
—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 Urameshi didn't seem to mind. The detective wrapped his arms around her in a protective fashion 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.—
—She smiled gently and suddenly pointed upwards, "Oh look, Yusuke!" Mai 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 locks of crimson hair.—
Yusuke panted heavily and his body beaded with sweat. He staggered, but he refused to black out now…not when they were so close. Slowly, he felt his heart beginning to come to an end.
—"Stop it, Yusuke!" she screamed as tears swelled within her eyes, "You're killing yourself! I can't stand it anymore, Yusuke! I can't stand the thought of you leaving me alone!"—
"You'll never be alone…"
—"You're stuck with me, remember?"—
—They were a team, and she would make sure it stayed that way until the end—
—And maybe…
Maybe living upside-down wasn't all too bad—
"Aishiteru…Yu—"
"KOFF-KOFF!"
All at once, the ki enveloping the stadium vanished.
…And a wave of silence immediately followed as the Urameshi team lay panting at the bottom of the arena…
Yusuke breathed heavily as his heartbeat began to fade from his ears, but his vision continued to blur. Around him, the rest of his team was panting, and all their eyes had been turned towards the body in-between them. It was the sound of their heavy breathing that broke the silence…as well as the weakened coughs coming from amidst them.
The detective's expression grew weary, "…Mai…"
She coughed again in pain and suddenly turned onto her stomach; clutching desperately at her chest. Another cough and blood spilled between her lips onto the earth below. The crimson liquid continued to silently trickle down the corner of her mouth as she panted into the ground; her eyes clenched tight against the pain.
Koenma's eyes grew wide from behind them.
…they…had really done it…
In the stands, Botan stood gaping with the rest of the girls, "Mai…" the ferry-girl whispered, "…she's…she's really alive…"
The guardian took in the air around her as fast as she possibly could and cautiously opened her eyes. She started suddenly as if she had realized what had happened, and shot up onto her knees. Her violet-speckled eyes darted from each member of her team frantically.
"I…I missed something—"
Without warning, arms suddenly wrapped around her shoulders and she found herself pressed gently against Yusuke's chest. She felt his body trembling beneath her and she grew silent; the fading rhythm of his heart beating in her ears.
The earth began to rumble beneath them and the stadium shuddered.
"…sai…"
She blinked slowly and Yusuke carefully pressed his head against hers; he held her closer. Strands of his hair covered his face as he bent his head towards the ground. The guardian's expression softened when she heard tears crawling at his voice.
Tears fell silently onto her shoulder and through her crimson hair. His hands trembled as he pressed her to him further.
"…gomen nasai…" he whispered pleadingly; his voice suddenly shaking, "…I'm so sorry…"
Mai slowly slipped her arms around him as tears began to form in her own eyes, "…Yusuke…"
Aishiteru…
I told you I wouldn't give up…
The detective suddenly went limp and slumped into her arms.
"Yusuke!" the guardian cried out as he fell into her lap. The tears filling her eyes suddenly let loose as they streamed down the side of her face, "YUSUKE!"
"…heh…" she heard Kuwabara's voice behind her, "Thank God you're alright…"
And one by one, the rest of her teammates slumped to the ground. Her eyes widened as she watched them lie unconscious along the floor of the arena. Around them, the earth shook again and the foundations of the stadium shuddered; bits of gravel and rubble falling from the ceiling.
Angry tears filled her eyes, "Dammit! You idiots! Now we're all gonna die at the bottom of a stadium because you wasted your energy reviving me!" she shouted furiously at their comatose bodies lying around her. And as if on cue, the earth beneath them shook threateningly one again.
Behind her, Koenma smiled weakly, "I doubt even that would have stopped them," he admitted as she said there cradling the detective's body to her chest, "They were intent on bringing you back no matter what…"
"Great…" she mumbled, but wouldn't lessen her hold on Yusuke, "Now I get to be alive just in time to be buried alive—way to go jackasses…"
But despite her words, tears continued to fill up her eyes and trickle down her face.
Idiots—
"I think we can help you out there sheila!"
Mai's head shot up suddenly and whipped around to find a familiar quartet of apparitions standing behind her.
"Ya gave Urameshi there a wee bit of a fright!" Jin said with a goofy grin plastered along his face, "Along with ta' rest of us! But lucky for you, Urameshi's dumb enough to risk bringin' ya back ta' life!"
She blinked dumbly. Rinku and Touya were already lifting Hiei between them and Chuu slung the two redheads over his shoulders quite simply as though they were potato sacks. The wind master hovered above her as if implying he would take the detective off of her hands, but she shook her head.
Koenma gently shook her shoulders, "Come on Mai…"
The guardian stared at Yusuke sadly; her eyes brimming with angry tears. They trickled along the side of her face and landed along his cheeks…
Yusuke you dumbass…
Without warning, his body was suddenly lifted from her lap and her head shot up. Jin smiled apologetically as he too set the detective over his shoulders. She was angrily about to protest, but was cut off suddenly when the demigod beside her lifted her off the ground (now where his body was able to support her weight was beyond her…) and into a piggy-back position along his back.
"I think you'll have plenty of time to yell at them after we escape the falling stadium…" he told her with a nervous grin.
But her eyes were remained locked on the detective a moment longer…
Until she cracked a small and weary smile, "…yeah…" she said quietly.
She slowly closed her eyes…
Thank you Yusuke…
-:-
a/n: yeah, this chapter was ridiculously long…BUT THAT'S OKAY!
ONLY ONE CHAPTER LEFT! WHOOOOOOOO!
:nervous laugh: heh-heh, yeah while I was rereading this chapter I realized that at the part w/ Hiei yelling at Yusuke…um, yeah…Yusuke never really did have a 'collar' for him to grab on to by the end of the fight heh-heh…heh…
and if anyone was wondering why I kept re-using flashbacks…I'm lazy XD
PEACE AND LOVE