.
Honor and Power
Yori diligently followed the path she was on, nervously looking around and keeping an ear out for the slightest of sounds. Being on her own in this place terrified her, and she couldn't shake the feeling of eyes watching... At least she was away from the ravine now. That was one less thing to worry about. Quietly she stalked through the corridor, keeping an eye out for any sign of a surprise attack. The blood trail she followed was becoming more pronounced. His wounds were getting worse, she realized. He was running out of time. She and the others were hunting him to his death... Her stomach twisted uncomfortably at that thought and she let out a breath, willing herself to keep calm and focused. The sooner she caught up to him the better. There was nowhere to hide down this path, which meant she was undoubtedly closing in.
KP
Monkey Fist, reduced to walking at this point, kept his hand firmly over the wound in his side, grimacing. He hadn't checked it recently. Honestly he didn't want to know. He had tightened the tourniquet again. It had been coming dangerously loose. He hadn't noticed through the adrenaline rush at first. An inexcusable error on his part. He knew better. He chastised himself thoroughly for the mistake, but there was nothing to be done for it now. The artery hadn't been severed, if it had been he'd be dead, but it had almost certainly been nicked.
The adrenaline rush was dispersing, and suddenly his entire body was screaming in protest and pain. Wavering, he collapsed to his hands and knees with a groan of pain. He cursed under his breath, struggling to even breathe. The poison no doubt. He damned his luck and shoved a hand into his satchel, fishing for anything he might be able to use to negate the effects. He cursed again when he found nothing. How off his game could he possibly be, he bitterly thought? He should have been prepared to run. The ambush shouldn't have caught him so off guard! He should have had the necessities he'd need in case of emergency tucked away safely and on his person at all times. This whole disaster had been just one comedy of errors after another! He needed to get a grip! Considering he even got that chance anymore. Bleeding out in some godforsaken temple didn't lend well to second chances. He should have taken Drakken and Killigan up on their offer when he'd had the chance...
"Yer goin' back? Ye can no' be serious laddie," Killigan said.
"I have to. If there's anything that can help me out of this mess, it will be found in Japan," he answered, packing some things away in preparation for the trip.
"You've barely been home a month!" Drakken argued.
"And I'm already playing it dangerously," he said, slinging the bag over his shoulder.
"At least let us go with ye,'" Killigan said.
"What happened to not being bothered?" he dryly asked.
"Aye. T' help ye go after power," Killigan said. "If et's breakin' free o' yer curse though, Ah'm with ye all the way."
"I'll be alright," he answered, turning and leaving them behind.
He stopped to catch his breath. He was so tired and thirsty. He looked around, listening for any sound. Silence surrounded him. He supposed he could rest for a moment. It would just be a little nap. Nothing too long. A part of him screamed it was a bad idea, that if he fell asleep he would never wake up. He supposed he knew it was true, but monkey spirits he was so, so tired. Curling up on the ground, he grimaced in pain and closed his eyes. His luck had held out so far. He could take his chances one last time, right? As he lay there on the cold stone ground, his breathing began to steadily slow down. Somewhere in the back of his mind he registered the danger he was in, but so much more of him simply didn't care anymore...
He would have bled out within the hour, had he fallen asleep, but just before he passed out he heard a noise. A rock hitting the ground and bouncing a couple of times! His eyes flew open as he gasped. Quickly he realized the mistake he'd been about to make. He sat up with a gasp and gave a sharp cry of pain, arms wrapping around his torso. That rock hadn't been his imagination. Scowling, he looked down the corridor he had come through. There, standing at the end, was Yori. His lips parted slowly in disbelief, eyes widening a little. How was this possible. He hadn't even known this path existed until he'd accidentally stumbled on it, so how could she?! No one could possibly be that lucky! She wasn't approaching him, he suddenly realized. What was she doing? Was she actually giving him a chance to get away? No, he savagely told himself. No one was that merciful. She was playing him like a fool, wearing him out. He scowled viciously at her and staggered up once more, hurrying down the hall again while using the wall for support.
His chances of escape were highly improbable he knew. His injuries guaranteed it. The moment she had spotted him, he had been as good as dead. He didn't even have his ninjas around to defend him. On top of that, the other ninjas were probably scouring the area for him. Really he didn't know why he didn't just give up and spare himself the trouble. Correction, he did know. He wouldn't give up because he was just that stubborn and just that determined. If it meant he survived to see another day, he would fight to the death like a wild animal. The adrenaline was kicking in once again, the pain beginning to dull. Or maybe that was just his body yielding to the loss of blood and the poison... Maybe he'd just gone numb. No matter. Either way it meant he could run, so run he did. He heard her keeping pace with him, leaping through the corridor and running on the ground. She was right behind him and he was starting to slow down again. In a last desperate attempt to hide, he turned quickly down a side hall in the hopes it would lead him somewhere safe. Mistake. The next thing he knew, there was nothing beneath his feet, and he cried out in alarm as he toppled into the pit.
Hitting the ground hard, he gave an exclamation of pain as his body gave in. That was it. That was all he could take. He couldn't go any further. Savagely he bit his tongue to keep from screaming a string of curses as waves of pain maliciously washed through his body. He coughed in agony and drew a shuddering breath, looking around in fear. A hidden chamber. To his right was a corridor that probably led to an exit he would never reach. To his left, though, was something that gave him some small measure of comfort and hope, no matter how little. A shrine to this temple's patron deities. Weakly he dragged himself towards it. Dragging was the only thing he could manage anymore. He had almost reached it when he heard her drop through the hole as well, landing easily. He rolled over onto his back with a gasp, eyes wide. If there was ever a time to be rid of him, it was now. There was nowhere for him to run. He barely even had the strength to fight back.
She met his eyes calmly and slowly approached. He was still, gaping at her with breathing quick and labored. What was in her hand? He caught his breath on recognizing it. The Lotus Blade! Scowling, he attempted to lunge but couldn't get his body to cooperate. Instead he cried out, arm going automatically around his torso. He grimaced in pain, squeezing his eyes tightly shut, then growled, looking darkly up at her. It was so close... Were he not as injured as he was, it would have been so easy to take. But he couldn't do it... Not anymore... He let out a shuddering breath, eyes closing once again. His body and his senses were failing him rapidly. A cruel sort of irony, he thought; that she would kill him with the very blade that could have saved his life. He swallowed, looking darkly up at her, and began backing away towards the altar. Bumping against it at last, he stopped, unable to go any further. Instead he leaned back against it and watched her darkly with eyes narrowed. Whatever was in store for him, he would face it with dignity. Hatred and disgust shone in his eyes, but he didn't plead or bargain or threaten. Just waited expectantly.
KP
Hirotaka and Sensei made their way through the temple carefully, listening to every sound and watching every movement. One by one others who had previously waited outside began to join them, ashamed of the cowardice they had earlier displayed. Soon the only ones not accounted for were Yori, Kim, Ron, and Rufus. Needless to say, Hirotaka was growing increasingly more concerned for his sister's wellbeing. He lingered at the back of the group, taking in the temple's walls and the legends carved within. He felt along them as he went, searching for any secret door that might be hiding there. He began to slow down, taking his time with the investigation. The others hardly noticed him lagging behind. He looked after them. What if they left him? He considered this for a moment then shrugged it off. He would take his chances. So far nothing bad had happened. Nothing had even seemed the remotest bit threatening, and they could not afford to let Monkey Fist escape.
He watched as the others went out of sight, then focused once more on investigating the wall. He would catch up with them soon, but there was one more little depression he wanted to try. None of the others had meant anything of course, but he wanted to be as thorough as possible. He placed his thumb over it and paused. What if it was a trap? He considered this possibility for a moment before deciding to take his chances. Pressing down on it, he braced for the slightest hint of something going wrong. To his surprise, a secret door began to slide open. He gasped, stepping back, but then advanced once more, curiously looking into the room beyond the door. A secret hallway! Perhaps this was where Monkey Fist had gone. He needed to catch up with the others, alert them, and then find Kim, Stoppable-san, and Yori.
"Okay, so the monkey chamber was a bust. At least that's one location crossed off our list," he heard Kim's familiar voice say from behind. Quickly he looked back.
"Yeah, uh huh, can we focus on the more important sitch now?" Ron asked. "How are we supposed to break the bad news to Hirotaka?!" Hirotaka started, eyes widening in alarm. What news, he thought uneasily? Just then Team Possible rounded the corner and spotted him, freezing with gasps. "Ahh, KP, he's right there!" Ron blurted, pointing.
"Hirotaka! Wh-where's Sensei?" Kim questioned quickly, grinning innocently with hands behind her back.
"Where is my sister?" he immediately asked, not about to be distracted.
"S-sister? Who, Yori? Oh, yeah, you see uh, it's a funny story..." Ron began. Hirotaka's eyes narrowed dangerously, all cordiality being cast to the wind. A scowl began to appear on his face.
Quickly Kim stepped in. "We were separated by a boobytrap. She ended up on a separate path and decided to investigate on her own. We told her not to, but she insisted! She told us to keep going because Monkey Fist needed to be found and splitting up was our best chance of finding him. No one else even knew the trail she was following existed! Ron threw her the Lotus Blade and we went our separate ways. I'm sorry. We didn't want her to go off alone."
"This is not good," Hirotaka quickly said, looking worried. Kim was lowkey surprised at the calm reaction. She'd expected a lot worse. Just then she noticed the secret passage and lit up with a gasp. "You found a secret path! Right on. Maybe we can find Yori!"
"Exactly. Wait here until I return with Sensei and the others," Hirotaka ordered.
"Sure thing," Kim agreed. They'd screwed up bad she knew, so doing what he said was the least they owed him now. Especially after breaking their promise to protect his sister. Despite how calm he was being, there was no doubt in her mind he was furious. Years of ninja training, though, had disciplined him well in the art of controlling his temper.
Hirotaka bowed to them then hurried after the others. Only moments later he returned with Sensei and the rest. Sensei looked deeply concerned. Hirotaka must have told him about Yori. Kim winced guiltily and glanced at Ron. He looked so ashamed... No doubt he figured he'd disappointed his Sensei, and clearly he regretted it deeply, but there wasn't a whole lot they could have done for Yori. She put a reassuring hand on his shoulder and flashed him a quick smile. Ron smiled nervously back. He didn't believe he'd be in too much trouble, maybe just a lecture as they walked down the path, but that didn't make him feel any better. All together they set off down the secret passage.
KP
Yori paused before the wounded monkey lord, gazing solemnly down at him. The eyes she had felt watching her were no longer there in his presence. He had chased them away by virtue of the power within him. At the foot of the altar, he seemed almost a sacrifice. A prisoner of war with no escape, facing inevitable doom; desperate to get away but unable to. Seeing him like this made her feel sick to the stomach. He'd stopped moving. He couldn't do it anymore, she realized. He just glared at her, expression betraying his hatred and defiance. He challenged her with his eyes to just try it, but at the same time knew she would take it up and be victorious. To capture and execute him was her order. There was no other option. She pointed the blade towards him, though she stayed far enough back that he couldn't snatch it from her hands. "I am sorry," she said simply.
"You pathetic excuse for a ninja," Monkey Fist sneered. It was more talk than anything, though, and they both knew it. He was scared, angry, suffering... He hid it expertly, but she could still see it.
"On my Sensei's orders, you are to be captured and executed," she said.
"On the spot no less. Never knew the old man had it in him," Monkey Fist bitterly replied.
"Either now or after being brought back in chains to Yamanouchi," Yori confirmed.
"Spare me the honor and opt for on the spot," he flatly replied.
"He believes that in order to ensure the safety of the school and the world, you must die," she said.
"He's a smart man," Monkey Fist answered, not even bothering to deny it.
She was silent, taking him in. "I do not want to kill you," she said quietly. "Not as dishonorably as this. Not when you are weak and at our mercy, poisoned and bleeding and unable to defend yourself. Not when you were not even prepared to receive our attack. This is not honor. This is not fair!"
"My dear girl, if you want fairness, I'm afraid you missed your calling," he bit, grinning bitterly at her. She winced a little. "Just do it. Throw your honor to the wind in order to be rid of one who had none, isn't that what your Sensei told you? So what are you waiting for? Prove yourself shinobi."
"I am afraid to," she said.
"Because you know that once you take this step, there will be no coming back from it," he answered.
She was quiet, tears threatening her eyes but not falling. "I am sorry. Forgive me my lord, but you know this must be done."
"Let's just bring it then, shall we?" he bitterly challenged. In that moment he knew his chances of mercy or escape had practically vanished. Only a miracle could save him now, but he was ready to face it. He didn't want to, goodness knew he didn't want to, yet here he was. It wasn't like he had much choice in the matter anymore.
She didn't make her move, still hesitating, and he hated her for it because it opened the way for fear to creep in. He couldn't be defeated like this. He couldn't die here! Gods, not so soon after his revival. Not now! If he died, everything he'd worked for would be torn away. His powers would mean nothing, all his knowledge would be worthless, and worst of all, Drakken and Killigan would be proven right! That was absolutely unacceptable. No, this couldn't happen! He was so ready, so powerful, so prepared. He wanted to live. He needed to live! In that moment he realized there was nothing he wouldn't do to keep his life. Even if it meant, ugh, begging.
Yori drew back the sword to strike, but just before she lunged, he spoke once more. "Don't," he suddenly said. She froze, catching her breath. "Don't do this to me. I beg you. I'll give you whatever you want. Anything in my possession that you could possibly desire. Scroll, book, wealth, relic, ask and I will hand it to you. Put me under eternal servitude, take away my freedom and enslave me. Humiliate me, torture me, just don't take my life!" She stared at him, eyes wide and mortified. "One thing and one alone I will not give up. Not for you or anyone. Not even for my life. My powers. They are the one thing I would sooner die for than lose."
Immediately her shock melted away, expression morphing into one of such immense pity that she had never thought it possible to feel so sorry for anyone, let alone a monster such as this. She swallowed painfully, throat suddenly feeling dry. So, so dry. Such a wasted life, such an empty goal. Why did he keep pursuing it? Why did any villain? In that moment it struck her how completely obsessed with power this wicked man was. His entire being, his heart and soul, his very identity were so intrinsically wrapped up in it that he desired it more than anything else. It meant more to him than even life and freedom. Like honor did to her...
The unbidden thought jolted her as she realized the truth in it. Her love of honor, his love of power; they were two separate sides of the same coin... Honor was to her what power was to him, and the idea of throwing it all away so suddenly… For a moment she understood... She understood his desperation and his love. She understood how determined he was not to give it up. Her honor, though, would not cost her the world, her life, her sanity, or her humanity...
KP
"I pity you," she heard herself say before she could even think about it. She didn't take it back though. The moment that one simple statement left her mouth, she realized just how true, how powerful, it was.
He started, clearly not expecting that, and for a moment there was silence between them. "Your empathy will mean your death," he finally said.
"Why must you waste your life? Why do you pursue such a fruitless goal?" she questioned.
"Fruitless goal?! Is it fruitless to have the world bow to my every whim and command?!" he demanded.
"You will never have the world," she answered.
"Who are you to assume that?" he growled through gritted teeth.
"Others will fight you for it. Others will kill you for it! All your effort, sacrifice, and power will be useless to you then! You will be dead!" she insisted.
"Care to place a bet?" he retorted.
She shook her head sadly at him. "Lord Monkey Fist, what have you done?" she asked.
"More than you could possibly hope to accomplish in your lifetime!" he testily replied.
"Yet look where it has led you," she said. He started and found himself at a loss for words as he realized the truth in that statement. "You will die here this night, and everything you have worked for will come to an end. It was all for nothing, do you not see that?!"
He was silent as they stared one another down. "Let me live," he finally said. "Both you and I know you don't want to do this."
Her cheek twitched ever so slightly, her eyes filled with distress. She wished more than anything that she had not been the one to catch him. She would give anything for a way out. Her conscience was tearing her apart from the inside out, her guilt smothering her, and she just wanted to scream and tear her hair! To see this through would go against all her principles, all she believed in and loved. She closed her eyes tightly, fighting back a wave of misery, panic, and nausea, then opened them once again. She was so tired, and she so desperately did not want to do this, and he looked so, so helpless... He could not run forever. She could leave him here, walk away and let him succumb to his wounds. He would bleed out, she knew, or die of the poison slowly making its way through his body, but at least he would feel like he had had some small semblance of control over his own fate. He looked so very weak... Weak... It was such a foreign term to put to the nobleman...
No! No, she couldn't walk away and she couldn't think on this any longer! It was now or never. If she waited one more moment, she would fail. Immediately she went for the kill, lunging at him and swinging the blade through the air. He gasped. In a last desperate attempt to ward off the blow, he raised an arm and screamed, "Please!"
KP
It was that single word that froze her in place, stopping the blade's arc cold against his neck. He felt the cold steel against his flesh, pressing deep into the skin. He felt its power radiating through his soul. "Please..." he repeated again in a whisper. That one plea, and all her love of honor, all her principles, were forced once more to the forefront of her mind. In that moment she knew she could not kill him in cold blood. Not here. Not now. Not like this. He was trembling. Actually trembling. The great master of Tai Shing Pek Kwar was trembling and probably cursing himself for the weak display. He gazed up at her in desperate hope, and she knew she had lost...
She cursed her weakness. What had this man ever done to deserve her mercy or pity? Nothing! He had kidnapped, attempted murder, taken hostages, besieged entire buildings, tried for world domination... There was no light in him! There couldn't be!
She remembered the injured monkey. She remembered his brief moment of humanity...
No! No, the only reason he had saved it was because he had seen its potential. He had known it would strengthen his army. He had known it would make him more powerful! There was no redeemable quality in him, there wasn't! This wasn't fair. How could something that was supposed to be good feel so wicked?
Tears escaped her eyes, silent but steady. He started, completely taken aback by them. She was... tearing up? For him? Why the girl was madder than he was, he thought to himself. As he watched her defensive walls crumbling, though, he realized something. Her love for honor was as deeply rooted as his love for power... What a foolish girl, to be willing to throw away everything for something so pointless. But he understood... He understood because it was the same reason he would give up life itself if it meant he kept his power. Her honor would be the death of her... Just as his lust for power would be his.
"I cannot do this," she finally said, withdrawing the blade and shaking her head. "It is not right. This is not honor."
Yori replaced the Lotus Blade and backed slowly away from him. Oh how he longed to go after her, to take the sword which was rightfully his and drive it through her body. But he couldn't... He was too weak. All he could do was gape after her in shock as she turned her back on him and ran, actually ran, from fulfilling her duty. Ran from a chance to destroy the one who would destroy everything she knew and loved in a heartbeat if it meant power. Her mercy would be her death. That or honor. All at once, out of the corner of his eye, he spotted an ancient, fallen spear. His eyes widened, and he looked after her retreating form. This was his chance, he realized. He could get rid of her once and for all. Perhaps there would be an antidote to this godawful poison on her person. Perhaps there would be medical supplies! One throw was all it would take... Tentatively he reached for the spear, taking it with a foot and transferring it to his hand. Just one well aimed throw, one direct hit, and her life was over... To his own surprise, though, he did nothing. Just held it and kept watching after her until she was long out of sight...
KP
Hirotaka, Team Possible, and the rest of the ninjas cautiously moved through the secret hallways. All at once Sensei stopped. The others paused, looking curiously at him. "Sensei, what is it?" Hirotaka questioned.
"I sense a disturbance," Sensei answered.
"Please tell me it isn't the giant monkeys," Ron begged.
"I cannot tell what it is," Sensei admitted. "Wait... Yori!" Hirotaka caught his breath and immediately slipped into the shadows.
The others started. "What? Where is she? What's wrong?" Kim immediately questioned, alarmed.
"I do not know," Sensei replied. Looking around, he frowned curiously. "Where is Hirotaka?"
"Oh, he's right here," Ron said, jerking a thumb behind him and looking. "Bah, he's gone! He was here just a second ago, I swear!" he insisted.
"No," Sensei said almost breathlessly, looking down the corridor with eyes wide. For the first time since Kim and Ron had known him, he looked genuinely panicked and shaken.
"Sensei?" Ron worriedly asked.
"We must hurry," Sensei said, setting off down the corridor at a rapid pace. The ninjas leapt into action, pursuing him. Kim and Ron exchanged alarmed looks then ran right along with them.
KP
Yori had almost reached the end of the corridor she was in when all of a sudden a figure dropped into view. She screamed, running right into him, and tried to pull away fearing he was an attacker. "Yori!" a familiar voice exclaimed.
Immediately she stopped struggling and looked up with a gasp. "Hirotaka. Brother!" she exclaimed, throwing her arms around him.
"Sister, what happened? Are you alright?" Hirotaka questioned quickly.
"I-I am fine," Yori said.
"What were you thinking going off alone?!" Hirotaka demanded.
"There was a trail of blood! I believe it would lead me to Monkey Fist, and..." Yori began.
"What? Did you find him?" Hirotaka asked, eyes wide. She opened her mouth to answer, then quickly shut it again. He frowned at her silence, but didn't need any further response than that. "Go back to the others," he ordered simply, moving passed her and hurrying down the corridor.
"Hirotaka, no!" she pled, turning quickly around and catching his hand. He looked back at her curiously. "No," she repeated again in a whisper, shaking her head. She couldn't give her brother an argument as to why the man should be spared, because she knew he shouldn't be. She did not want the monkey lord to die either though. "Leave him. Please. He will not survive on his own."
Hirotaka frowned. "No. No he will not," he said. She was quiet. "I will see to it that you are the one honored for this," Hirotaka said, bowing to her.
"Keep the glory for yourself," she hissed, the frustrating sting of tears in her eyes once more. "I do not want it."
Hirotaka watched her quietly then sighed, bowing his head and closing his eyes. "Yori..." he began.
"He is injured. Weak. He cannot fight back or even run! I will not be the tiger to his monkey. I will not kill him so dishonorably. I tried, brother, truly I did, but I could not," she said.
"It is your honor," Hirotaka said.
"To murder him?" she asked.
"You are shinobi," Hirotaka said.
"No," she replied, shaking her head. "You are." He winced ever so slightly, looking a bit stung, but he didn't try and defend himself. She sniffed, wiping her eyes. "The honor is yours," she said, turning on her heel and running. He watched after her silently, heart twisting inside him. Solemnly he looked back the way she had come. Drawing his kunai, he made his way down the corridor.
KP
Monkey Fist was drifting into unconsciousness once more when he heard the footsteps approaching. He stirred ever so slightly and lifted his head. Yori's brother, he saw. The young man approached calmly and deliberately. A ninja if he'd ever seen one. His eyes narrowed. "When was your first kill I wonder," he dryly said.
"That is not your concern," Hirotaka answered. He stopped not far from Monkey Fist, but not so close that he was in range of any potential attack. Subtly Monkey Fist's hand tightened around the old spear he'd hidden behind him. "She would not kill you," Hirotaka finally said. "Not for honor, not for glory, not for praise, not for fame. If my sister will not complete this task, so be it. I will finish what she started."
"Your sister is too merciful for her own good," Monkey Fist said, sneering at him.
"Fortunately, her brother is not," Hirotaka replied.
"What does it matter if she's already forsaken her honor in order to keep me alive? Is that not a great shame on your family name? After all, the prestige she gave up…" Monkey Fist began.
"I do not fault my sister. I know her nature better than anyone else. She could not help herself. She has brought no dishonor to our family, and even if she had, I would not care. She is my sister. I love her more than anything. If I must choose between honor and her, I will choose her. Every. Single. Time," Hirotaka stated. "Besides, you will die at my hand now. Whatever honor she might have lost, I will regain."
"How does it feel to be second place to little sister?" Monkey Fist goaded.
"Yori is a great student. One of the best in the school. We have learned much from one another. It does not surprise me she found you first. She brings honor to our family," Hirotaka said. He knew what Lord Fiske was trying to do. He would not be swayed. There was nothing this mockery of man and monkey could say that would distract him.
"Her honor will be her downfall," Monkey Fist growled. He noticed all too well how Hirotaka's jaw clenched ever so slightly at the remark, and grinned. There was the weak spot he sought. The question of his sister's fate. "Perhaps once I rule the world I'll spare your sister. And you of course. If only to amuse myself with. After all, it should be fun to see how far she's willing to go to keep her dear brother alive and well," Monkey Fist continued. Hirotaka's jaw ticked ever so slightly. "Will she kill for your sake, I wonder?" Monkey Fist asked, pressing a little harder. "You know you really should protect that girl from herself. Honor can be twisted in so many different ways. Especially honor misplaced. Just look at your old school mate Fukushima."
A fire began to spring up in Hirotaka's eyes, and he scowled dangerously. "What?" he darkly said.
"You heard me," Monkey Fist replied.
"You will not compare my sister to him!" Hirotaka furiously shouted. The ninja felt himself falling into a trap. He needed to end this before it got any further. "I believe we have spoken enough. Now it will be my honor to bring your life to an end."
Without hesitation he lunged with a shout, but it seemed that in his anger he'd forgotten one of the most pertinent parts of his training. Never leave yourself open to counterattack. Monkey Fist grinned wickedly and in an instant pulled out the ancient spear and droved it with all his remaining strength into the young man's body! Hirotaka's cry of anguish rang out loud and clear as he dropped his kunai and clutched the weapon that had pierced his flesh. It seemed the spear had come in handy after all, Monkey Fist noted. He grinned victoriously at the young man as the ninja bled. It wasn't like them to leave themselves so open, but there was a point at which even the most patient and level-headed would break. All he'd had to do was press the right buttons and not miss his mark. The young man looked at him in terror and shock, then back at the wound. The ninja had realized his mistake by now, but too little too late. The monkey lord's aim had been true...
KP
Yori continued to run, desperately trying to block out what had just transpired and shake the feeling she'd just made one of the greatest mistakes of her life. "Yori!" a voice exclaimed. She gasped, looking up. Up ahead she could see Sensei, Kim, Ron, Rufus, and the others running towards her!
"Sensei!" she exclaimed in relief, running straight into his arms and hugging him tight before catching herself, gasping, and letting him go once more. "I-I am relieved to find you all well, Master," she said to him, her friends, and her fellow ninjas all.
"Yori, what has happened? Have you seen your brother?" Sensei demanded quickly. Yori tensed up a moment then bowed her head ashamedly. Without hesitation, she told them all that had transpired. As they listened, her fellow ninjas began muttering to each other in horror or shock. At least Kim and Ron were pleased, she told herself as she noticed their grins. Sensei, though, looked suddenly sick to the heart. Yori frowned worriedly. "Sensei?" she asked. "What is it?"
He gazed solemnly at her. "My dearest child, you should have killed him," he hollowly answered. "It was your destiny."
Yori's head snapped up in shock. Kim, Rufus, and Ron gasped. The other ninjas looked stunned. The girl stared blankly at him, refusing to process his words. Her skin had gone pale. "Wh-what?" she whispered.
"No other among mortal kind will ever succeed. That destiny is yours and will forever be," Sensei said.
"Then I hand that destiny to another!" she insisted desperately. "I will not kill him, Sensei. I cannot throw away my honor. Not like this! Not like others can." Her thoughts went to Hirotaka...
"Where is your brother?" Sensei gravely asked, sounding hollow and defeated. He did not address her words.
For a moment she was silent, but finally she bowed her head and rubbed an arm, ashamedly glancing away. "He has gone to finish what I started," she confessed. "Sensei, I apologize for my failure. Give me the greatest punishment you must if I have done you and the school some great dishonor, but I will not abandon my principles!"
Sensei sighed deeply. "Yori, my dear child, there is nothing to be forgiven. Nor will there be a punishment, for the price you will pay for what you have done is greater than any I could possibly give."
Yori stiffened up, eyes widening in understanding. Almost on cue they heard an agonized scream, and she gasped in fear, spinning around. "Hirotaka!" she cried, turning and racing back the way she had come as fast as she could possibly go.
"Oh no!" Rufus exclaimed.
"Come on!" Kim ordered, bolting with the others hot on her tail.
KP
"I have a theory about this shrine you know. Of course if it's wrong we die together, but if not, well, thanks for the sacrifice. Don't worry. It'll only hurt for a minute," Monkey Fist said to the young an impaled on the spear. Viciously he yanked it out and the young man let out a strangled cry, slowly sinking to his knees at the base of the altar and gasping for breath. As his blood wet the stones, Monkey Fist could hear whispers in the back of his mind and began to feel his strength returning. He looked quickly down at the injuries he'd sustained and grinned widely. They were healing. His theory had been correct! He looked back at the shrine and the statues of the two deities. Their eyes were glowing. The ninja's blood had awakened the residual magic left in this place and slowly, steadily, it was strengthening and reviving the monkey lord. Monkey Fist began to cackle madly, as per usual, but was over it in seconds. Now he could finally escape! Sacrifices really were quite handy, albeit oftentimes gruesome.
The ninja crumpled to the ground and lay still and pale, eyes shut. Monkey Fist stepped over him and checked briefly to see if the young man was still breathing. He was. Good. That meant the other ninjas would be too preoccupied trying to save their own to bother going after him. "No!" Monkey Fist heard an all too familiar voice cry. Yori. He quickly looked in her direction, frowning. The girl, pale with shock, stared with mouth agape, a scream welling in her throat. Desperately she shrieked her brother's name in tears, reaching out towards him.
The rest of the students arrived then, the cheer squad and Sensei in tow. He grinned evilly as the ninjas, snapping out of their shock, raced towards him with expressions ranging from fury to terror and panic. Before they could reach either of them, though, Monkey Fist nimbly leapt upwards, jumping towards his escape route at the mouth of the hole he'd fallen though. His monkey minions were waiting for him there. About time they found him. The Yamanouchi brats slid to a stop next to Hirotaka, kneeling at his side, and everyone's attention was completely on their fallen comrade now.
Except for hers...
Yori gazed numbly after him as her schoolmates surrounded her brother. Monkey Fist paused at the mouth of the hole, looking back and meeting her eyes.
KP
"Back! You must back away! Give Hirotaka room to breathe!" Sensei urgently ordered from what sounded like far away but wasn't.
"KP, what do we do?!" Ron exclaimed in the background.
"We have to stop the bleeding and get him back to the school!" Kim replied. Her voice was distant in Yori's mind as well. The young ninja was focused entirely on the monkey man who met her eyes coldly. Surprising, really, that he wasn't shooting her a victorious grin. All he did was look down at her with such disdain... Surely it was bad when even a villain knew you had done something wrong.
This was her fault... Her brother was here like this because of her! Had love of honor truly surpassed her love for her sibling?
Yori let out a gasping breath. If that were the case, what would she do? What could she do? "He is still alive!" Sensei suddenly exclaimed. "There is still a chance of saving his life!" Yori looked quickly over, eyes widening in hope.
Monkey Fist glanced down at his victim and grinned wickedly before looking at Yori once more. "Tick tock, Yamanouchi. The clock is ticking. Tata!" he said loud enough for them all to hear. Quickly they looked up at him. Laughing his monkey-like laugh once more, he bounded away with his ninjas in tow. Yamanouchi watched after him, eyes narrowed in disgust. They could not go after him, not now. Right now Hirotaka was their priority. He and nothing else...