Yomiuri Land...in the late afternoon. Through the main entrance of the park, also known as Sky Gate, Shuuichi accompanied Kiyoni through the area known as the Plaza Stage of the Sun. Here, patrons could enjoy attractions such as gondola rides, the Merry-go-round Dog ride as evident by a sizable statue of the carousel dog, Guru Guru Drive for children, and Nissin's Food Factory complete with a river rafting ride around a giant kettle pot. Unfortunately, the pair didn't come to take in the fun and things were slow since it was mid-winter.
Shuuichi spotted Yukina by the dog and headed straight over, "Yukina. Hello."
"Hey," a refreshed Kiyoni greeted with a grateful smile and aura, "I never did get to thank you for making that sculpture of me. I loved it. I really did."
Yukina looked at the pair and felt guilty. She didn't know what to believe. Kiyoni seemed nice enough to a point. Could it actually be possible that she's enchanted Shuuichi somehow? Maybe it's Kurama she's ensnared and Shuuichi is along for the unfortunate ride. At the very least, some of Shinobu's words have gotten Yukina to believe that Shuuichi is definitely in trouble.
"You're welcome. Deacon Shuuichi and I had a lot of fun coming up with the design. Speaking of, deacon…" Yukina wondered while adjusting her scarf, "I need to know. Is it true? What happened to your face?"
Shuuichi and Kiyoni glanced at each other.
"My face is of no concern at the moment. Is what, true," he asked.
"Everything. The part about you and Kurama being the same person. The part about...her."
Kiyoni pointed to herself, "Who? Me? Look, I can tell you now that whatever bullshit Shinobu or Touya have told you about me is exactly what it is. Bullshit."
"So you're not a succubus?"
"Okay, that part is true."
Yukina's words trembled as she spoke, "So...does that mean…"
"Mean what," Shuuichi encouraged.
"You, she...casted a spell on you."
Kiyoni sucked on her teeth, "Here we go with the bullshit."
"Kiyoni, enough," Shuuichi informed, "Yukina, while it is true that within my body is that of the fox yokai, Kurama, I am not damned in any way. While it is also true that Kiyoni is a succubus, she is no witch or any practitioner of magic whatsoever."
Yukina argued, "But Father said...he said you were in danger. That...he needed to exorcize you before Kurama took control."
Shuuichi wanted to laugh at that point. Shinobu is quite the orator.
"Shinobu…" Shuuichi continued, "is the one who wants to control me, Yukina. In fact, he's the one who wants to control all of us. Yokai, specifically. If there's anyone to fear, it's him."
"Yeah," Kiyoni added, "He was the one responsible for murdering my brother nearly three years ago."
Yukina was in disbelief, "What? You can't be serious."
"We are," Shuuichi confirmed, "He's the man behind the current threat made on the yokai community. Using hypnosis and magic to do so."
"No! Magic is forbidden! It's dark, evil...it's witchcraft!"
"Do you firmly believe that or are you believing that because Shinobu told you to," Kiyoni asked.
"Kiyoni," Shuuichi objected.
"What? Out of everyone we've run into, she seems to be the most innocent. Might as well come clean."
"Kiyoni…"
Kiyoni momentarily fell back, "Fine. Yukina, do you know how or who would break down your magnificent rendition of me?"
Yukina answered, "I can't say for sure but I can show you at least."
Kiyoni sniffled knowing she'll feel a little heartbroken within the next few moments, "Yeah, I'll go. Shuuichi?"
He agreed, "Sure."
While the girls walked up front, Shuuichi played the role of lookout using his senses of sight, sound, and smell. Sight-wise, there was a decent mix of humans and yokai and on the audio surface there was nothing but laughter, small talk, a marriage proposal here and there, and everyday chit chat. However, Shuuichi was no fool. The missing persons reports about him did come out not too long ago. There could've been anyone who would recognize him and immediately point him out. For that, he relied on his ears and nose the most.
The trio headed over towards the Lan Lan area of the amusement park which was east of the sky gate. After walking two flights of stairs, Kiyoni pointed out the Santa dragon made by Seiryuu.
"Not fair," Kiyoni whined, "How come that statue is still up but the one of me is down? Total discrimination."
The impressively built statue of Kiyoni as a holiday ballerina had definitely been defiled as evident by its missing arm and head. Kiyoni didn't like that at all.
Yukina apologized, "I'm sorry about all of this, Kiyoni."
"For what? It wasn't your fault. You didn't break it down. I told you. I'm glad you did that for me. I was just hoping it would've lasted until spring."
"That's not what I meant," she mumbled.
"Say something? Hey, Suu'chi. You okay?"
That broke Shuuichi's concentration, "Hm?"
"The sculpture was your idea. Aren't you the least bit concerned?"
"Kiyoni, I… Yes, I am a bit concerned but at the end of the day, it was the thought that made me put in the request. We both got what we wanted out of it, didn't we?"
"Well, yeah but...it's not often you see a statue of someone who looks like me anywhere in this city, this country. I'm concerned because something so big and possibly significant to...those like me has been taken down."
"Kiyoni, it's just a statue. Another one can be replaced if you simply asked Yukina to-"
"Just a statue?! Just a statue?! Do you hear yourself right now? A magnificent, beautiful, awe-inspiring sculpture of a hafu, of Black-American descent, was just built on Japanese soil. Unlike you, who grew up for the most part seeing people who look like you, seeing something like that is fucking huge to me! And for it to look like…that?! A missing head? I have no other choice but to feel like that's a shot against my racial identity, biracial identity. On top of all that, it was you...you were the one who proposed the idea to do that in the first place. So for you to say that it was just a statue...might as well be another shot towards what I am. I can't believe I just heard that from you. You of all people."
Realizing the mistake he's made, Shuuichi shifted into damage control mode, "Kiyoni...I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I meant nothing by it."
"Did you?! You didn't even want to come here. I should've said something then."
"Kiyoni, you're right. I'm...that was a terrible mistake. I shouldn't have said that. Considering what I did to get that done for you, you are absolutely right and have every right to feel the way you do and for that I sincerely apologize. Please, if it's okay, allow me to make amends," Shuuichi sighed after that.
"Shuuichi, what is wrong with you?" You've been tense since we got here."
"I just...I have a sinking feeling. One that's telling me to...to leave and take you and Yukina with me," Shuuichi looked behind Kiyoni and noticed, "Wait. Yukina?"
Kiyoni turned around and noticed Yukina's disappearance as well, "The hell…? Where did she go?"
"Yukina," Shuuichi called, gaining attention from the surrounding patrons, "Yukina?!"
"Honestly, where did she go? She just disappeared?"
"This may not be good. Stay alert."
"Alert? Alert for what? What's going-?"
"LOOK OUT," Shuuichi shoved Kiyoni away from an oncoming icy attack, one that froze some nearby foliage.
Frightened, those nearby ran away for safety while Shuuichi looked to see where the attack came from.
"Are you alright?"
"I may have a headache later but yeah, I'm good," Kiyoni grunted after hitting her head on the ground.
Shuuichi looked to his right where he noticed a figure standing on top of the Nippon TV building. It was Touya and he came ready with his shards of ice.
"We have to go now," Shuuichi encouraged, "Come on!"
"Alright, alright," Kiyoni rose to her feet and took off with Shuuichi behind her.
Just before the pair made it back to the plaza, a large blade came down directly in front of Shuuichi. It was Natsume with an energized katana in hand.
Kiyoni looked behind her, "Shuuichi!"
"Run, Kiyoni!"
"What about you?!"
"I said run!"
Kiyoni didn't want to but she knew she had to. So she ran, leaving Shuuichi behind.
"Natsume…" Shuuichi urged, "you don't want to do this. Listen to me. This isn't you. I know this isn't you. You're being manipulated by Father Shinobu and that's not fair to you. Natsume, you have to break out of this. You're strong enough to. I know you are. Just…just listen to me, listen to my voice."
Natsume prepared herself for battle, standing in the ko gasumi position. Touya joined her, standing behind Shuuichi with his own sword and in the te ura gasumi position. Shuuichi stood dead center. No matter which way he ran, he would encounter either Touya or Natsume. What's a deacon to do?
"Shuuichi…" Kurama called.
"Kurama?"
"Listen to me. I need you...to follow my lead."
"Follow, how? Wouldn't this be a good time for you to take over?"
"I would but that would take things away from you. If we are to merge, you have to be ready for the things I can do just as I have to be ready for the things you do. Right now, it's time for you to trust me."
"Alright...I'm listening."
Meanwhile, Kiyoni had made it to the main entrance and ran through it as if her life depended on it. She hated the feeling it gave her for it reminded her of the night her brother was killed. That's twice now Kiyoni had to run away from someone she cared about. If Shuuichi encounters the same fate Kiyoni's brother did, and by a member of Shinobu's camp, Kiyoni will go insane, never ever giving herself the chance to love again.
Hathor, please...please don't let me go through this again. Please don't let me go through this again…
Kiyoni made her way towards the campus bus terminal and taxi stand where she would wait for Shuuichi should he make it out alright. On the way there, a motorcycle sped through traffic and bursted through the small crowd that stood at the terminal. It headed straight for Kiyoni.
"Shit," she exclaimed as she took off running back to the main entrance.
Upon running away, Kiyoni returned to her succubus form and attempted to use the open air as a getaway vehicle. The motorcycle was an equal match for Kiyoni's flight speed as the driver, who was wearing all black, fired one energetic shot towards his target. The ball made its mark on Kiyoni's right thigh, forcing her to crash land in the middle of traffic. Fortunately and unfortunately, Kiyoni's attacker was there in time to snatch her before a car had a chance to say hello.
"Let me…" she screamed, "go! Let me go, asshole!"
"You'd be wise not to wiggle so much," the driver advised, "This is a moving vehicle. One wrong move and we'll both be eating pavement with you having a larger share."
Kiyoni's anxiety turned into stone cold fear, "Shinobu…!"
"Indeed."
"What are you gonna do with me?"
"You are going to become the very thing I've encouraged Shuuichi to have you become. A member of the church, an example for all yokai...and a whore for God's army."
Kiyoni wiggled again, "Ahhhhh! Let me go, let me go, let me go! Let me go, you sick freak! N-no! No, SHUUICHI! KURAMA!"
At the amusement park, Shuuichi made quick work of Touya and Natsume by entrapping them within the nearby campus trees, stunned but alive. Onlookers watched in amazement and horror of the Deacon's work. Shuuichi nearly collapsed to the ground upon reaching the campus plaza, completely exhausted from the energy he used.
"Excellent work," Kurama commented, "Way to use your power."
"Need...rest…" Shuuichi breathed, "Must find...Kiyoni."
"Indeed. She could definitely be in some trouble."
"And you used...to do that...on a daily...basis?"
"Don't sweat it too much. You'll get used to that once your stamina builds up and our energies are more aligned."
"Right…" Shuuichi calls Kiyoni, "for sure…"
Unfortunately, the call went to voicemail, "We're sorry. The person you are trying to reach is currently unavailable. Please call again later."
Shuuichi's heart sank, "Oh, no."
"Try again," Kurama urged.
The second call also went to voicemail, "We're sorry. The person you are trying to reach is currently unavailable. Please call again later."
"That's not good."
"Not good at all," Shuuichi agreed.
"Shuuichi, let me take over."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. You're tired but my energy can make up for it. Don't worry, I'll be sure to find her."
Shuuichi found the campus stairwell and took a much-needed seat, "Alright. Have at it."
Upon opening his eyes, Kurama was in the pilot seat once again, heading straight for the main entrance. He looked around for any sign of Kiyoni and got nothing. Everything looked fine and normal. Time for a different approach. Using his hyper-sensitive nose, Kurama picked up on anything that might lead him to Kiyoni. He noticed her scent both to the right and left of him but the aroma was stronger from the left. Not only did Kurama detect the faint smell of Kiyoni's perfume but he also picked up her fear. Red flag number one. He also pointed out hints of determination with a hint of the Makai world and the definite scent of exhaust fumes.
Shinobu!
Red flag number two. If Shinobu was around and Kiyoni was scared and both of their scents led to the nearest main street…
No…! She's…
Kurama figured it out. Kiyoni had been kidnapped by Shinobu. There was absolutely no time to waste now. Kurama leapt onto the roof of the park entrance and using a remaining vine combined with his energy, played the role of Spider Man, swinging and leaving his way through the city back to Lighthouse Tokyo.
At the church, Shinobu forcefully pushed Kiyoni inside the building with the use of his gun on her back.
"Ohhhh," Kiyoni swore in her human form, "Whether it's Shuuichi or Kurama, you are so gonna get your ass kicked, you son-of-a-bitch."
"Call me whatever you want," Shinobu teased, "I still have the upper hand."
"Still? How? We know what you did. We have the spell."
"Haha. Do you really think I need that incantation? I have other ways to make you submit."
"Oooh, I wish your ass was as big as either your head or the entire mainland of Japan because you need to have several seats, sir! The only way you'll get me to join your cavalcade of craziness is if you do to me whatever it is you did to your followers."
Shinobu led Kiyoni inside the sanctuary where a secret door was located underneath the choir area. It led to an underground bunker which made Kiyoni's heart drop upon seeing it.
Displaying his most sinister smile, Shinobu hinted, "Precisely."
Stepping downstairs to Shuuichi's garden was one thing even though Kiyoni was uneasy about it at first. Stepping downstairs to a dank, underground bunker that reeked of malicious vibes was something else entirely and Kiyoni didn't want to be around for it one bit.
Instead she fought for her life, "Bullshit!"
She kicked Shinobu to the ground and made a break for the door.
Being the good shot that he was, Shinobu started firing. One bullet zipped past Kiyoni which made her stop running.
"Catch me if you can," Kiyoni transformed again and flew around the sanctuary, dodging every shot Shinobu had.
"My turn," Kiyoni fired back with energy blasts through her horns.
Shinobu displayed a great amount of agility and lower body strength as he leaped away from every shot that came his way. In the clear, a bullet from him struck Kiyoni's right leg again just above the right knee while another struck her left wing, taking her down.
"Ahh," Kiyoni cried in agony after slamming the ground, "Fuck! Fuck, fuck, fuck...Ahhhhh!"
"Such a dirty mouth you have," Shinobu gloated, "That'll change once we get you...baptized."
"Baptize my blasian ass! I walk the path of ancient Kemet, you insensitive, deaf-ass asshole! Why can't you see that? News flash: Christianity is not the one, true religion."
"And that's the goal. Considering the amount of influence it has on the world, do you really think that it's not?"
"That's because of zealots like you who used fear to scare the shit out of people to get your way! Fuck! Even Shuuichi understood that assignment."
"If fear is needed to see the error in their ways, then so be it for God is to be feared. To be feared is to be revered, respected. I respect my God...and so will you."
Shinobu stuck two fingers in his mouth and whistled, summoning a (now hypnotized) jorōgumo from the construction project to come from the basement to collect Kiyoni.
"She's wounded," Shinobu informed, "Make sure she's taken care of and is properly secured.
Kiyoni reverted back to her human form, slowly backing away to gain some leverage and leaving a sizable streak of blood on the brick floor. She was stopped when the jorōgumo spewed webbing from his mouth, trapping the succubus within his net.
"You're gonna pay for this, Shinobu," Kiyoni declared while struggling, "You will pay!"
Shinobu smirked, "I doubt that, jezebel."
Kurama had approached his destination and was at a building across the street from the church. Shuuichi wasn't lying when he said his body was worn out as Kurama was starting to feel it too even with the use of his own energy.
I can't...grow weak right now. Kiyoni. She needs me, needs us. We're coming, Kiyoni.
Shinobu's motorcycle was parked just on the sidewalk in front of the church and was still warm by the time Kurama caught up with it.
He hasn't been here long.
Scents lead Kurama inside where things seemed calm but…
Blood?
Yes, blood. Kiyoni's blood to be exact and found in a walkway between the second and third groups of pews within the sanctuary. Kurama knelt near the streak to touch it to see if it was real. There was no denying that it was and that it belonged to Kiyoni. Shuuichi would've broken down into tears upon the sight. Kurama, however, clenched his fists in anger. If Kiyoni was hurt in any way or worse, well…Kurama didn't even want to think about the "worse" and he didn't have to. Sounds coming from a basement gave Kiyoni's condition away.
"No," she shouted, "This is...this is bullshit! Shinobu, you...are bat shit insane!"
Shinobu watched as one of his newest recruits bind Kiyoni to a metal stretcher. The other spider demon, who was really a tsuchigumo, a more monstrous spider yokai, sets up a monitor. She was still bleeding as evident by the liquid coming from her right leg and her left shoulder blade.
"What is all this," she demanded.
"As I've said," Shinobu answered, "Your baptism. Your indoctrination. I said you will join God's army and I meant it."
He then gave the order to apply the glasses meant to keep Kiyoni's eyes open and to insert the earbuds.
"This is how you get them?! Forced hypnosis? This is ridiculous!"
"No. It's God's work in action."
"No. Let's call it what it is. Downright lunacy," Kurama announced from behind.
"Well, well, well," Shinobu said with the rebuttal, "If it isn't the fox."
"KURAMA," Kiyoni shrieked.
Kurama joined everyone at the bottom of the stairs, "I see I've made it just in time for the party."
"I see you're not as strong as you once were," Shinobu noticed, "Touya and Natsume have done their job well."
"Don't flatter yourself, Shinobu. Even in my weakened state I can still take you down."
"We'll see about that," Shinobu beckoned, "Isamu!"
The product of a German tourist and a Japanese forest fox, Isamu stepped forward displaying his muscular physique highlighted by shards of wood protruding from his arms. He too was a part of the constitution crew that helped repair the church and Shinobu thought of him to be perfect for combating Kurama. Like removing blades from flesh, Isamu pulled two, thick shards of wood from his broad shoulders and tossed them Kurama's way. In turn, Kurama leapt away from them, entering further into the basement.
The church basement was fairly empty and big enough to fit the sanctuary should it sink into the ground like ice cubes falling into a glass of water. It had a storage area that held extra chairs and audio equipment but the main use of the space was for Shinobu to perform his magic including the magic used to fuse Kurama and Shuuichi. It was also used to baptize Shinobu's recruits by forced audio and visual hypnosis as shown by the multiple, empty stretchers sitting along the brick wall underneath the building's support systems.
Memories from that eventful night returned to Kurama's mental vision. The very small, lifeless body of Shuuichi wrapped in the cloth provided by the hospital he was born in. The druids who helped perform the spells and incantations needed to complete the soul transfer and union. The floor markings that were made as a part of the ritual. Then, there was Shinobu, a younger Shinobu who was both curious and excited to participate in such a taboo ceremony. It all made Kurama feel guilty for Shuuichi having to go through that; for no one should have to go through that, especially one so young and naive about life. Kurama felt even worse because even though he was in his spirit form, he could've walked away from it all, leaving him to deal with the afterlife. However, true to his yokai nature, Kurama was selfish and would rather have another chance at life than die whether Shuuichi suffered or not. It was at that moment Kurama realized that he screwed Shuuichi over just as much as Shinobu did. However, unlike Shinobu, Kurama was going to make amends.
On the other side was Shinobu, a man who watched his greatest accomplishment in the form of his brightest pupil basically fight for his life for someone who is nothing but a whore in Shinobu's mind. Why? Why would Kurama do something like this? Any other time, and as much as Shinobu knew, Kurama wouldn't even give a damn for other yokai, much less a succubus. Why care now? According to Shinobu, all yokai were ruthless, selfish, greedy, vain, despicable creatures incapable of showing the slightest hint of compassion or respect. Humans can be just as bad, of course, but humans know of Christianity. They know that God is there, ready, and waiting for humanity to accept his love. Yokai, in Shinobu's mind, are clueless and must be taught about God whether by choice or by force. Shinobu chose force.
Kiyoni watched as the monitor in front of her played images of the wars and social conflicts humanity has shown in recent times, the images coming from national and international news reports and tv shows and movies. She did her best to ignore the passages read from the book of Revelation by reciting the forty-two laws of Ma'at in her head:
"I will not commit sin.
"I will not commit robbery with violence.
"I will not steal.
"I will not slay anyone…unless it's in the fashion game…"
She continued to focus her attention on the fight between Kurama and Shinobu's minions who have now increased in number to three, Isamu and the two spider yokai. She noticed Kurama moving differently than usual and grew worried.
Uh oh. Kurama is moving slower than normal. That's not good. What happened at that park that got him like that? Kurama, what did you do? What did Shuuichi do?
Kurama played an unintentional game of dodgeball with his three opponents for a little while longer until a piece of wood sliced through his right ankle while he leapt through the air. As soon as his attention was distracted, webbing tagged his left hand to the wall followed by his right and the rest of his body. What Kurama didn't know was that the net he was trapped in contained energy-draining elements activated by contact with the skin. Whatever he had left in the tank was now gone and he felt just as exhausted as Shuuichi.
Shinobu sung his praises, "Excellent work, you three. You've done well."
Kurama sat there against the wall watching in horror at the condition Kiyoni was put in. Kiyoni watched the condition Kurama was in and her heart sank. Neither expected things to turn out like this.
"Now…" Shinobu thought, "what best shall I do with you?"
"Kill me," Kurama answered, "That seems to be your endgame with me anyway."
"Unfortunately, your death may mean my funeral as well so let's not go there. Fortunately, it won't be long until she joins us, though."
Kurama looked over again as Kiyoni sat and forcefully watched the fabricated tales of humanity's downfall. Black tears flowed down her face upon viewing the images. Kurama also noticed Kiyoni's blood on the stretcher she laid on and one of the injuries she sustained.
"You monster," he shouted, "What have you done to her?!"
Shinobu looked over, "Oh. That? Don't worry. I'll have that taken care of once she's baptized. You have my word."
"This is madness! Pure! Madness! You're not going to win from this Shinobu. Count on it."
Shinobu placed the gun directly in the middle of Kurama's forehead, "Oh, I have. I am. Just look at all I've done since recruiting you. Lighthouse is becoming a beacon of hope for your kind. My influence continues to spread throughout the city as we speak. I've taken the lowest of the low, including your whore, and introduced them to God's word and I will continue to do so until all of your kind see the light. While you...you will become their martyr. If I have to join you, so be it. However, God has been favoring me more than you."
Kiyoni peered over to see what was going on between Kurama and Shinobu. She noticed the gun placed on the fox's head and recited some potent words:
"Auset and Sekhmet, take these offerings stained with blood from the sacrum of my womb and from the beats of our hearts and unite them as one. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. [Ephesians 6:12] May the souls from which this blood is bound to be forever intertwined through the rest of our lives, until death do we part. By the words of the great Amun-Ra and under the eyes of God. Amen and Amun."
In the meantime, Kurama peered over to see Kiyoni upholding her end of the deal and it warmed his heart so much. For a sex demon, Kiyoni is quite the angel. Like her, Kurama hoped that things would turn in their favor. A confident, faithful smirk confirmed his belief.
Kiyoni's invocation had just finished by the time Shinobu did the same thing to Kurama and Shuuichi that he did to her brother. All it took was one shot…
"NOOOOOOOO," she shrieked.
Shinobu stood clutching the gun in his hand holding back tears for what he just did. Shuuichi was like a son to Shinobu and for him to end such a relationship was understandably heartbreaking. However, things didn't go the way Shinobu thought. One, he was still alive which surprised everyone. Two, the shared body of Shuuichi and Kurama didn't bleed out. Another shocker.
"Well, this is unexpected," Shinobi noticed, "I guess that wasn't the end-all-be-all. Care to explain, whore?"
Silence. With only the sounds of the monitor as a backdrop, everyone stood still as if time froze over. Kiyoni did all she could to keep herself from hyperventilating. Once again she bore witness to another senseless act of gun violence and by the same person only this time the victim was someone Kiyoni had romantic feelings for. It was as if Shinobu reopened the wound Shuuichi helped in mending. It seemed like "Christianity" had the upper hand as it has in years past. However…
Shinobu stormed over to Kiyoni, removed her optical bindings, and greeted her with a slap to the face, "What did you do?! Tell me, you disgusting harpy! What did you do?!"
Kiyoni stayed silent, blinking her eyes so they wouldn't go dry. She knew what happened but won't tell.
All she said was, "Fuck. You."
Shinobu growled in frustration. His plan was unraveling and he didn't know what to do next.
Meanwhile, in the deepest depth of the mental void of Shuuichi and Kurama, they knew that their plan was coming to fruition as well.
"I guess this is it," Shuuichi assumed.
Kurama agreed, "Yes. It is. Exactly as planned."
"I'll admit, you were a pain but...I thank you. For saving me, preserving my life."
"And I'll confess, I took advantage of you just as much as Shinobu did and thought of you to be quite weak. However, you've proven to be stronger than I thought. Stronger than you give yourself credit for. You… Your level of strength was just different from mine."
"What happens after this? Who or what do we become?"
"We become one, Shuuichi. One mind, one body, one spirit. I am you and you are me. Your past and present are my past and present. My past and present are your past and present. We can only look forward to the future from here. Our future."
Shuuichi smirked, "With Kiyoni...if she'll have us."
Kurama smirked as well, "She will…after we thank her."
A bright, white strip of light formed in between the two souls. Once they step foot inside, they'll no longer be separated.
"Afraid," Kurama asked.
"Of course…" Shuuichi replied, "but–"
"No second guessing. It's now or never. It's been a privilege existing with you, Shuuichi."
"Likewise...Kurama."
Both souls enter the enlightened void, adhering to the incantation Kiyoni casted. Ready to acknowledge the past and live in the present to embrace the future starting from the second he opens his eyes.