First up: I am so so so so so extremely sorry, gomen nasai times a squillion. I never expected this to happen. I was dead tired after goalie camp and I was a mass of mini injuries, then suddenly my dad decided I was going to go work for him during the day (eugh!) and suddenly my evenings were either full or I was too tired to do anything, and then now I just got back from vacation for a week! I know being tired is one of the more stupid excuses one can give, so I really hope you'll forgive me for all that's happened. Thanks so much for your concern, Angelkitsune-Naomi, and thankfully I'm not ill and I am terribly sorry I haven't finished looking at your story like I said I would. To everyone who reads my fic, I don't know what I can do to make up for this, but I hope you'll all forgive me. As a small compensation, I won't ask for three reviews before my next update, but for this chapter only. I will update the moment I finish writing the next chapter. I won't name all my reviewers like I said I would, only because I know everyone's tired of waiting, but believe me when I thank you from the bottom of my heart for putting up with this wait. So, here it goes.
Disclaimer: (Why do I have to keep doing this?) I don't own YYH, just The Feline Curse.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN – ZANKOKU'S POWER
Catalyn, Yusuke, Kurama, Hiei, and Kuwabara faced Zankoku. "I won't let you have the first move," Zankoku snarled. "You're too foul to deserve it."
He prepared to step forward, but Yusuke beat him to it, yelling, "I'll take it anyways!" He charged for their opponent, his fist charged with energy.
Quickly, since she knew there wasn't much time, Catalyn tried to analyze Zankoku's aura. It was very complex, and she couldn't figure out much, save for one thing. "Get back, idiot!" she cried.
Yusuke skittered to a stop and looked back, but his teammates all gasped, and Zankoku took that moment to hit Yusuke while he was wide open. Yusuke turned just in time to see the fist soaring for his cheek, and suddenly he was flying across the room. Catalyn cringed as he collided with Kuwabara and the two boys fell to the ground.
Zankoku admired his fist. "That felt very good," he snickered to himself, but everyone heard him. "I haven't used my fists in so long. This will be fun." He looked at the gang, and he spoke louder: "Now you've seen the strength of my weakest punch. I won't even need to use my powers against you!"
Catalyn shot a glance at Yusuke. He was back on his feet, and his cheek had swelled greatly already. Other than that, he was okay, but she knew that he had tried unsuccessfully to dodge at the last second. If he had taken the hit cleanly, she knew his jaw would have been shattered. To make matters worse, she was positive Zankoku wasn't bluffing when he said that that was his weakest punch. If she had understood his strange aura right, then his strongest punch could probably shatter every bone in her body!
"Zankoku's aura is quite unusual," Kurama remarked quietly. "I doubt any of us would be able to come out of a lone attack uninjured."
"Hn," Hiei sniffed.
Catalyn frowned at him, and added in, "We probably won't even come out of a joint attack unscathed. I've been trying to figure him out, but I haven't been getting very far. Still, I know that he could probably break your spine with the right punch. We need to be extremely careful."
Yusuke rubbed his cheek. "I felt that punch," he said. "It wasn't that strong. I mean, I can punch harder."
Catalyn turned on him and glared. "Yeah, when you punch with all your strength. Zankoku can probably punch harder than you could ever dream of."
Yusuke responded angrily, "All you're saying is 'probably this' and 'probably that'. You don't know anything for sure!"
That touched a nerve. She flinched, but she had no time to reply. Zankoku called from across the room, "I'm getting bored here waiting! I guess I'll come for you instead!" He charged, his fist ready.
The gang assumed their fighting stances. "Don't counter," Kurama advised. "Just dodge."
From that distance, it was impossible to tell who he'd be aiming for. Catalyn instinctively moved into a defensive stance, all the while trying to analyze his aura. He was fast approaching, but she still wasn't getting all of it. She was running out of time…but she almost had it…
"Catalyn, jump!" someone yelled.
She urgently slammed her tail into the ground and propelled herself high into the air. Zankoku's fist collided with the floor, creating a large crater. She flipped through the air and landed behind Zankoku. The boys had jumped to safety as well.
"What do you think you were doing, baka onna?" Hiei asked her, his eyes narrowed. "Going off to get yourself killed?"
"I'm trying to get us the info that'll prevent us from being killed!" she snapped.
"You have a bad habit of playing around before you counter-attack your opponents," he said in an almost superior tone. Catalyn didn't like his tone one bit. Besides, she'd heard all about the Dark Tournament, and knew for a fact that Kurama had used the same type of strategy then as she did. So why did Hiei only pick on her?
Zankoku released his fist from the floor. "I'm sorry I missed," he said.
And Hiei was gone.
"No, Hiei!" Kurama called.
Catalyn could still sense his aura in this room, but she knew what Hiei was trying to do. He was circling Zankoku as fast as he could, trying to confuse him. But Zankoku laughed. "I can still land a punch on this runt," he said, and with one punch, Hiei flew through the air and landed not too far from the rest of the group.
However, as Zankoku moved to punch, Catalyn and the others charged in. As Zankoku went into the follow-through, Kurama's rose whip latched onto one fist, the thorns digging into his knuckles. With her tail, Catalyn restrained the other arm, and with her flaming bokuto, she slashed the fist Kurama held. Yusuke fired an aura blast at the fist Catalyn held, and Kuwabara attacked that one as well with an almighty slash of his aura sword. Then, before Zankoku could counter, they all leaped away. The result: both of Zankoku's knuckles were broken, therefore rendering his fists useless.
Hiei was on his feet again, and his cheek was bruised like Yusuke's. He seemed extremely upset. Catalyn flashed back to a story Kurama once told her of Hiei's battle against Yusuke, when he was still a thief. Hiei had circled Yusuke, but all it had taken was one punch to knock him down. She held back a snicker.
Zankoku examined his fists. "An interesting strategy," he commented. "I didn't expect the runt to lead a joint attack." Hiei glared and swore at him. "But I guess you just want me to defeat you the hard way! So be it, then! I'll gladly show off my powers! Trust me, it will just make your demise all the more painful!"
A wind stirred around him and filled the room. It's coming, Catalyn thought as she cringed. It's coming…
Zankoku's evil grin grew wider. "You'll pay for all the crimes you've committed in my castle! Now you will all die slow, painful deaths!"
-Some obscure place, inside the bedroom of a log cabin-
A male and a female sat on a bed. The log walls let little light through, but it was still quite cozy.
The male said, "It's starting. Such a shame, though. Zankoku really will kill them, unless they figure out where his life source is and destroy it."
"I could accomplish that easily," the female offered. "No one would know, and as for Zankoku, well, it'll be too late for him."
The man shook his head. "You aren't strong enough to stop him if you're caught. Perhaps you can be of other use."
"Please reconsider," the female said, with no note of pleading whatsoever in her voice.
There was a moment of silence. Then the man said, "I'll think about it. But let's talk of your other mission…I see you carry no injuries…I assume you gave up?"
"I would never do such a thing!" the woman exploded. "How can you even think –?" She stopped suddenly, for the man was laughing. "What's so funny?" she demanded.
"It's a rare sight, but your attitude is marvelous when it comes out," he chuckled.
She sighed and got to the point. "The mission went well. The negotiations were a bit shaky, but our part will be accomplished shortly."
"So you did find her, then."
"Easily." There was no pride in her voice. "But I have to meet with her again the day after tomorrow, and two days after that. Then I'll have her definite answer."
"Good," the man said.
"So will you reconsider?" Again, she was using her modest voice.
He answered, "Maybe. We'll observe for a while longer…"
-Back to the fight with Zankoku-
Strong winds were picking up all around the room. Zankoku's fists hung limply at his sides, but he didn't seem to care. He was grinning in a way that Catalyn didn't like.
He's planning something big, she thought. Something's making the wind stir terribly. Is it the force of his power? Realization hit her hard. Or is it his power itself? She strained her ears. They perked up immediately, but she relaxed them a second later. She'd sensed Zankoku's full potential in that instant, and it was enough to make her eardrums bleed. It was a wonder they didn't. This is bad. Really bad.
The winds picked up extra hard, and Catalyn had to shield her face with her arms. The wind blew against her so hard that it felt like needles piercing into her skin. Even her arms couldn't completely stop the wind from hitting her face, and it stung hard. Normal winds stung, yes, but never this hard. It had to be Zankoku's power.
The winds died down slightly to the point where they no longer hurt, but Zankoku was laughing. "How did that feel?" he sneered. "I hope it didn't hurt too much – not!"
"Sorry," Yusuke called out to him. "Hardly felt a thing!"
"You idiot!" Catalyn yelled at him. "You're asking for it now!"
Yusuke grinned at her. "And you know what he's asking for?" He answered himself. "My fist to his goddamn face!" And he charged. His fist glowed brighter and brighter, until he released it all with a cry of "Shotgun!"
But the wind had picked up around Zankoku. It swirled violently, slicing away at Yusuke's attack until it was gone. Then the swirling force moved on to hit Yusuke. He gave a yell and brought his arms and legs up to protect himself. He was pushed backwards, but then the attack was over.
"I'm not hurt," Yusuke said to the others. "It only stung a little." Then he gave a small gasp of surprised. Tiny cuts had appeared all over his clothes and skin. A cut appeared on the cheek that wasn't bruised. Yusuke wiped some of the blood off and stared in shock. "What?"
"But, Urameshi, he didn't even touch you!" Kuwabara exclaimed. "What's he playing at?"
"It must have to do with the winds he's conjuring," Kurama said.
"Anyone could figure that out," Hiei commented, looking at Zankoku darkly.
Catalyn stared at Zankoku hard, trying to work out the details. She had a hunch, but she knew that the only way to know for sure would be to experience his attacks firsthand. She put away her bokuto and prepared to use her claws. She leaped forwards and her nails started to flame.
Kurama tried to call her back. "You can't charge into it like that!"
"I know," she yelled back, "but I have to find out!"
As the winds approached her, she created a reiki barrier, hoping it would be strong enough to keep her going. She ploughed through the winds, but bit by bit, slices appeared in her only line of defence, ones that could only be made with visible weapons. She gave her broken shield all she had, but the wind annihilated it, exposing her body to their touch. Still, she kept going. She could feel the winds slicing through her skin and tearing her clothes. There was still a distance between her and Zankoku, but if she was able to risk a bit more, she figured she just might be able to get him. After all, he was defenceless without his wind.
Catalyn slashed her arms in a cross-like formation, and needles of flame seemed to burst from her nails. They pushed against the wind, defending her for a moment, but they were soon vanquished. Still, she kept going, sending out more needles.
"Try that all you like, but it will never work!" Zankoku said triumphantly.
Kurama started forward. "Catalyn, don't do this to yourself!"
Still, she kept at it. If she could hold out for just a bit longer, not only would she figure out his secret, but she could succeed in injuring him even more. Her left hand became encased in flame, and her right hand gripped her bokuto. She pushed harder. She was almost there…
"Don't even think about it!" Zankoku yelled, slightly surprised that she had made it that far. He stirred up a wind even stronger than before.
Catalyn screamed as the winds cut through her and brought her arms to her face once more, even though it gave little protection. With her tail, she gave one final push. With her flaming bokuto, she slashed at Zankoku's face; he was shocked, but he leaned back at the last second to avoid the blow. Then his winds took control and sent her flying through the air. She screamed again, and as she fell to the ground, Kurama positioned himself to break her fall and they both went sprawling.
She pulled herself to her knees, as did Kurama. His face was etched with worry. "Are you all right?" he asked.
"Fine," she mumbled.
"Look at yourself!" he exclaimed.
She looked down at herself. Her clothes were in terrible condition, and her skin was covered with cuts and scrapes. Pain was shooting through her body, but she tried to ignore it. "I'll be fine," she said. Seriously, she said, "Zankoku has the power to make the winds into an invisible weapon."
Yusuke and Kuwabara's eyes widened, while Hiei hn-ned in a way that meant, "I thought as much." Kurama said, "So then basically, the winds he conjures acts as a weapon, which can pierce our skin and cause physical damage. But at the same time, they act as an impenetrable defence. It wounds us so much that we're forced back, and if we press on, we end up like Catalyn."
"I'm fine," she repeated, somewhat roughly. However, deep down, she knew that it wasn't the boys she was trying to reassure. She was losing blood yet again, and she couldn't even hope to close her wounds. She could try to go to Botan for help, but Zankoku might target her. Still, she couldn't afford to lose too much blood. It wasn't just blood that leaked out when she was injured…
Catalyn looked at Zankoku. There was a tiny rip in his chest clothing, but nothing more. "If one of us can cause a small amount of damage, perhaps a group effort wouldn't be so bad," Kurama said slowly. He looked at her. "Leave it to the four of us. You'll only hurt yourself more, maybe even kill yourself if you charge into that again."
She nodded, wondering what the boys had up their sleeve, and hoping that it would be enough.
Kuwabara created two aura swords. Kurama held his rose whip in one hand, and something was enclosed in his other fist. Hiei ripped off his headband, opening his Jagan Eye, and began to undo the bandages on his right arm. Yusuke stood there, building up his energy into his finger.
Then they began their attack.
Kuwabara goes first, trying to plough through Zankoku's terrible winds.
"It'll never work!" Zankoku yelled.
"Shut up!" Kuwabara proclaimed, "I, the great Kazuma Kuwabara, will defeat you!" He kept charging, and Kurama ran in behind him, his rose whip slashing at the wind. He threw a speck in his fist to the floor.
It was a seed. The seed burst into bloom, and it turned into a massive purple plant with three snapping head and sharp, pointed teeth. It shielded the boys from harm and lunged for Zankoku. Even the winds could not pressure the plant enough, and though Zankoku was light footed, the third mouth managed to rip his shirt off. The teeth cut into his skin and a spurt of blood appeared. Then the winds shredded the plant to bits, but Kurama and Kuwabara had already moved forward. They deepened the cut with their weapons, but then Zankoku's winds sent them backwards and into the wall behind Catalyn.
Hiei came next. Catalyn now saw what was under the bandages on his arm: a long tattoo of a dragon. It came to life, taking the form of a huge, monstrous purple and black dragon. It drove for Zankoku ferociously, too much for the winds to handle. Its jaws snapped hard at Zankoku's chest, deepening the cut even more, but then he summoned even stronger winds, which drove the dragon back until it crashed into a section of the roof, making a large whole and allowing sunlight to stream in. Hiei, like Kuwabara and Kurama, was sent flying by the new force of the wind, and he landed facedown next to Catalyn. Even though it hadn't killed Zankoku, she marvelled at the power of Hiei's Black Dragon technique and understood how Hiei had become so strong.
Still, Zankoku was standing, and the wound to his chest didn't seem to bother him much. He laughed again. "Did you seriously think those attacks could –?"
"SPIRIT GUN!" roared Yusuke. All the power that had built up in his finger was released with a massive burst of light and energy. The blast hit Zankoku dead-on and there was a huge explosion. He crashed into a wall and crumpled to the ground, and dust covered the area. "That did it!" panted Yusuke.
Catalyn's ears twitched, and she feared for the worst. Sure enough, Zankoku staggered to his feet. The deep wound on his chest had diminished to a tiny scrape. "I forgot to mention," he said with an evil leer, "that though I can't mend broken bones, I can heal the damages done to my outer body."
"Damn!" Yusuke swore. "I'm out of spirit gun!"
"Well," Zankoku said, and his grin grew wider, "I still have plenty of energy left!"