Ticking Timebomb

Chapter 67: Born Anew

A/N: This is a Kasumi POV chapter (and well, kind of not at the same time. You'll see what I mean).

. . .

I remembered feeling...like I was shattering. Like my entire body was coming apart and building itself back together only to burst apart again. And maybe it was, maybe that was what it took to transfer the power of two ancient creatures into a single cage of flesh and muscle and bone.

But it was not just my body that shattered—but my mind.

A deep, cloying sickness nestled there. Memories that were not my own filtered through in blinding colors, gone before I could look too long, but somehow always there in the back of my mind as if I just thought hard enough I could remember it all.

But I didn't want to. Didn't want to know what Hitomi did all those years she was missing.

I didn't want to see those people. Didn't want to see the death and destruction and the world fallen apart because of love. Such a simple word, love, but it held so much suffering within it.

Love for my family. Love for my sister. Love for my friends.

Love was to suffer and to cause suffering in return, but it also created bonds that could never be replaced or forgotten. It made you weak even while it made you strong. A constant contradiction. A constant liability.

As I fell apart over and over, felt the mind bending agony of what could only be another god molding itself beneath the tendons and flesh and bone of my body, I thought of love and what it meant for me. Was I ever meant to love? Or was it fated that everything I did love would eventually be taken from me?

I remembered Hitomi, recalled childhood memories of climbing apple trees and eating fruit so red it looked like a heart freshly ripped from a chest. I remembered tangling fingers in hair as red as my own, our bodies small and curled together in a single bed, tears soaking the pillowcase beneath our heads. I remembered her placing bandages painted with butterflies on my cuts and bruises caused by my training. I remembered all the little and the big things. It didn't matter that she was never real. She was still mine—part of me, sister or not.

But that didn't stop me...from being relieved to have taken her last breath with my own hands, my own way. Just as it always should have been.

Just me and her.

There was no true realization of time passing, just the constant fall apart...get put back together...fall apart again.

Words that were not my own whispered through me and in me and spoke of things best left unsaid. But there was a profound feeling of being...complete. And that feeling did not pertain to just myself.

I was not receiving just the energy from the god known as Kairos...but the energy stolen from me in the process of making my clone—the birth of Hitomi. Her energy was mine. Had always been mine. It was like a puzzle piece being fit back into place. It did not feel wrong or foreign, because it was always there, just at a distance, held in another container.

But the power of Kairos was...unimaginable. It tore and ripped and shredded every inch of my body and soul.

There was no house, no ground beneath my legs, no sense of time or place—nothing. It all fell away with the pain.

Fall apart. Get put back together. Fall apart again.

Over and over.

Eventually I just felt nothing at all. But I wouldn't say I was numb. It was almost as if I'd grown used to it, the pain never stopping, that it was just muscle memory now.

How long? How long, I thought, would it take for such a searing agony to become the norm instead of the exception? How long did it take for a body to become accustomed to a pain such as this?

Because nothing felt like this. Nothing.

There was no comparison, not even the slightest facsimile for this type of agony. No way to explain it. I wasn't even certain how I was living through it.

Maybe I wasn't.

Maybe I was in hell. A do not pass go, do not collect two hundred dollars kind of situation. Just straight to hell. Maybe that was what I deserved, given all the blood that stained my hands.

But I almost thought...that this was worse, somehow.

I spent an eternity in the throes of utter misery, unable to speak or cry or scream. All I could do was feel as my entire being was destroyed only to be rebuilt with such painstaking horribleness that I regretted my choice with such visceral clarity that I wished I could reverse time.

With a laugh, one of the gods informed me that could be a very real possibility for me soon. So long as I somehow managed to live through this.

Though, considering their tone, they had little hope of that happening.

And so I remained—stuck in some in between wasteland of torture. Only to be rebuilt...

And born anew.

. . .

Cold water dripped, slipping between lips so dry it was hard to part them. It took too much energy to swallow, but I was so thirsty...so goddamned thirsty. More, more. I needed more.

Another few drops and I swallowed greedily, moaning with a voice so weak it was barely there. A cool hand touched my forehead, swept bangs drenched with sweat out of my eyes. Not that it mattered, those were glued shut.

Hiei. It must be Hiei. The hands were too big to be Keiko's but too small to be Kazuma's.

But they were cold. Why was he so cold?

Or was I just that hot?

My skin was painful to the touch and even something as tender as brushing my hair from my face was too much. I cried out, wishing whoever it was would just stop touching me. But the hands became insistent, palms cupping my cheeks, a man's voice that blurred into the voices inside my head.

"Open your eyes," I heard. They repeated it, over and over.

It was the most difficult thing I'd ever done—lifting my lids that felt like thousand pound weights. But I managed in the end. And wished I hadn't.

Above me was not Hiei, or Keiko, or Kazuma, or even Yusuke.

And when my eyes finally did open completely, he sucked in a breath so sharp it whistled.

My eyesight was not blurry as I figured it would be. It was crystal clear—too clear. So clear it stung.

The room was too bright, even with the dim lighting.

"Beautiful," he whispered. "So beautiful."

Hideki wasn't looking at me, not exactly, just my eyes. What was so amazing about my eyes? Why did I feel like I was run over by not one mac truck, but a hundred? Every bone in my body could be broken and I would still feel like a million bucks compared to this.

"What do you remember?" he asked.

Chapped lips cracked when I opened them and all I managed to croak was, "Water."

He made a noise of irritation, but grabbed a cup and filled it to the brim, helping me sit up so I could tentatively sip at it. But it was hard, with hands shaking and the burning rush of my nerve endings firing all at once, screaming in misery.

As long as I didn't move much...it wasn't so bad. I just needed to stay still.

Hideki snatched the water cup from my hands and repeated his question.

The voice that spoke was not my own. Not entirely. But a mix of all three of us. "The death of the clone. The rebuilding of a soul and body. Pain."

"What else?"

A new voice, one that wasn't Chronos', filtered across my mind. "He wants the clone's memories. He wants to know of the other timelines. We must lie."

And lie we did. "Just the pain. So much fucking pain," I groaned, trying to lift my arms to bury my face in my hands and finding that I was unable to.

Hideki's eyes narrowed but he didn't probe us further. He left to write something down in what appeared to be a journal and even my newly enhanced eyesight couldn't make out the writing. When he was finished, he retrieved a hand mirror, and held it up for me.

"Look..."

In the mirror was the same face, the same hair, the same scars. But the eyes...my eyes...they were nothing like I'd ever seen. The pupil was gone, as was the iris, all that remained was an opalescent white. The rest, where the whites of the sclera should be, were the black of Chronos' eyes. A fathomless black peppered with flecks of white like stars.

I thought I would be shocked or afraid or even angry. I was none of those things.

All I felt was a bland, distant sort of pleasure.

I wasn't human anymore, was I?

Hideki set the mirror aside and picked up my hands, sending flares of pain down my nerve endings. My fingertips were blackened, as if they were stuck into an open flame and left there to burn. His eyes narrowed, turning my hands over and checking the palms. Lines of cracked blackness with golden light shining through spread towards my wrists.

He sneered, tossing my hands aside. "This body is still not strong enough. You were too impatient," he said.

"It will be enough," we said.

My hand reached out, under the control of Kairos, and placed a palm against Hideki's forehead. I saw the fear enter his eyes, the same fear he'd instilled in me the night he broke my wrist. But he did not move, as if he were frozen.

"We will bring this to an end," we said. "No more harm shall come to my kin. We will find the other titans...and close Purgatory permanently."

Hideki reacted then, lashing out with his dark energy. He would not go down without a fight, that we knew. His reaction was already calculated into the plan.

We dodged, leaping off the table, the agony striking straight to my bones—but the gods pushed me on, spurred me to fight even through the pain. It would pass, they said, you must grow accustomed to the power swimming beneath your flesh.

"Your body will not last under this duress," said Chronos. "But we must make the best of the time we have been given. And perhaps, you shall defy all odds once again."

Hideki created a sword from his energy, a sword sharper than any created by man and black as soot, and he leapt towards me, sword held high. I could see his movements now.

I dodged the blow, watching with some satisfaction as the sword cut into a large computer monitor. It showered sparks, the screen going black. He ripped it from the machine, pivoting to swing it at me again.

I jumped over it, landing a solid spinning kick to his face.

He stumbled into a control panel, turning angry eyes towards me. "This should not be possible," he said. "How are you moving?"

I was not moving. They were moving their human shell and I was screaming in agony inside my mind. But the determination and desperation they both felt made my energy beat against my breast, forcing its way outward. The room began to glow, pink and gold and bright. Hideki shielded his eyes with an arm, the light blinding him.

This was my chance.

Chronos' crystal sword formed in my hand, the three energies swirling within it, and I lunged.

It pierced through his chest and with a firm grip, I shoved it in deeper until I could see it sticking out of his back. Black blood poured over my hands and he stumbled. I followed with him, only pulling out the blade when he fell to his knees.

This would not kill him.

After all the power he gained from killing off his surviving family, nothing but the power gifted by the consumption of a dragon's heart could end his life. But that didn't mean I couldn't knock the bastard unconscious.

I knelt so we were eye level and watched as blood dribbled from between his lips. The glare in his eyes could have melted stone. "Have a nice rest," we said.

As one, our fist imbued with the purest of godly energy, we struck out. My fist connected hard with his face. It took three punches to put him on the ground, and a forth to finally put him to sleep. By then his face was bloodied and already beginning to bruise.

It seemed odd to me...that he did not fight back quite as hard as we expected.

"We do not have time to dwell," they said.

I grabbed a fistful of Hideki's shirt and dragged him behind me, towards that fireplace he never let go out.

From Chronos and Kairos I learned there were two reasons for it—one, he spent so much time within Purgatory that Hideki now feared the dark and the cold. Being of draconic descent, he was cold blooded and needed the warmth. And two: It was a portal to the outside world. The only one in the mansion. Hideki used it to talk to his advisers for his armies, a simpler method than him ripping a hole in the universe's lining and teleporting to them.

With my fist still tightly wrapped in Hideki's collar, I stepped into the flames...

. . .

The trip was not...unpleasant, per se. I floated in a sea of light and sound and wind that all blurred together. But I made sure to keep my mind on where I wanted to go, wondering if it would even allow it.

Could a portal be opened there?

It felt as if it took days before I finally saw a tear of light...and was able to step through it. Normally, when doing portal jumps, I fell through them like some kind of idiot. But today, I stepped through, my feet on the ground and shoulders straight. I stood there, regal as a queen, Hideki a slumped form behind me.

The portal at my back closed with a rush of air and the scent of ozone.

Genkai's grounds did not look much different than the last time I was there. It was late summer now and many of the pretty spring flowers were beginning to die, some of the vibrant colors fading.

It was an odd choice of backdrop, considering the array of people lining the lawn. They were all in states of shock and anger and when I took a step towards them, Hideki's prone body husking across the grass, I saw the glint of a blade, the brightness of blue energy. Afraid. Wary.

I could not blame them.

"...Kas?" Kazuma was the only one brave enough to speak and I felt a smile twist my lips. A smile that was cruel.

"We are no longer the woman Kasumi."

A large, unmistakable body pushed through the crowd. Takahiro, his arms folded over his chest and a sour look on his face. He raised an eyebrow and a corner of his lip turned down in a frown. "What an unexpected turn of events."

We dragged Hideki out from behind us...and tossed him in a heap before them. "Do something with this eyesore, would you?"

I strolled past them, not sparing anyone other than Takahiro a look, who had gathered Hideki up into his arms, dwarfing the other man. He fell into step beside us, his energy washing over me and making my face break out into a vicious grin. Titan killer Takahiro.

You have no power over us now.

We made ourselves at home in Genkai's living room, taking a seat at the kotatsu. It did not take long for the rest to join us. When Yukina attempted to enter, Shizuru and Keiko peaking in curiously from behind her, Hiei growled at them to stay back.

A gathering of almost all of them, huh? Interesting.

What were they planning in my absence?

For the first time since our arrival, I let my gaze roll towards Hiei. "Jaganshi," we said, "call your master here. Tell her to bring the item she received in trade from the dragon Sayuri."

"What?!" The reply was said from between his teeth, rage lining his face.

"Do as you're told. My power over Ryuunosuke will only last so long. And when he wakes...well, he won't be too pleased at his plight, will he?"

"How...who—I'm so confused! What the hell is going on?!"

"Sit there and keep your mouth shut for once, Yusuke!" Genkai snapped at him.

But I was still staring at Hiei, waiting for him to bend to my will, to realize that he held no sway here. We needed Mukuro.

I'd expected he would have run off to her by now. Why were they all still here?

For that matter...how long was I even gone for?

"This just put a huge wrench in our plans. I think an unexpected turn of events is an understatement," Kurama said, rubbing a hand across his face.

But I could hear how his blood rushed in his veins, I could smell the sweat born of fear on their skin. I could sense how their energy rose in turmoil. The face they saw...was and wasn't Kasumi's. The runes glowed now, deeply cut into the flesh. The skin was paler than normal. The black at the fingertips spread further down the backs of the hands. And then the eyes...the biggest change.

I was and wasn't me, anymore. And having the gods running the show was becoming increasingly harder to bear.

"Just a little longer. We must gain the heart."

"What could Mukuro possibly have that you need, Chronos?"

I let those fathomless eyes swallow him, until his body took a stance so defensive I wondered if he would choose to attack us.

"You have it already, don't you?" we finally said. "It must have taken something of great interest to her in order to convince her to give it up. What did you offer in trade?"

The room fell silent. They were all in on it, were they? Well. It wouldn't take long to find out where it was. It was quite clear he hadn't eaten it yet, at any rate. His body had not gone through the change, his power levels remained high but not any higher than they always had been.

"What did you offer, Hiei of the Jagan?" we repeated.

"Let me speak to Kasumi," he said.

"We can't do that."

"This is fucking bullshit! Is no one going to ask what the fuck is wrong with her?!"

Yusuke was never known for his ability to keep his mouth closed.

"It's obvious, isn't it?" Takahiro drawled. "She's killed Hitomi. Chronos and Kairos are in control now. She's become the first vessel to house two gods at once...but it won't last long, will it?"

He seemed angry. But also lacked the shock I figured he would feel. He knew this would happen, to some extent, even if it was subconsciously. But the rest of the room's occupants all turned to stare at him with horrified eyes, before their gazes filled with panic turned back to us. Fainthearted, the lot of them.

"You're correct, this body will not last long. But it will last long enough to close Purgatory...if the fire demon gives up the heart," we replied.

They all cast each other a look, a look that spoke volumes and I rolled my eyes. Silent conversations were annoying. I knew they had it and I would do what I must to get my hands on it. It would be easier for them to just hand it over.

"If you eat that thing it will destroy Kasumi's body entirely, is that what you're hoping to achieve?" Takahiro snapped.

"Who said we would be the one eating it, you old fool? This body could not absorb anymore than what it already has. The only reason the girl has not burst at the seams is thanks to a fluke."

"A fluke?" Kurama asked.

I pointed at Hiei and grinned, showing my teeth. "This one brought the vessel to the demon lord Mukuro. She placed the vessel in a tank filled with a substance meant for use only on demons. But it had an effect most beneficial all the same."

"What are you saying?" Hiei looked stunned. That was a nice look. One he should wear more often.

"If she hadn't been placed in that tank she would have been dead already. There would have been nothing left of her body to bury. So be sure to thank your mistress the next you see her, won't you, Jaganshi."

Hiei's lips turned up into a snarl and he bared his teeth at us. What a face, we thought, both beautiful and terrible. Lovely.

"It made your body stronger?" Kuwabara asked. "Is that what happened?"

I shrugged, flippant. "That is one way to look at it, we suppose."

"Stop with this we shit, it's creepy as fuck," Yusuke snapped. "Let us talk to Kas or so help me—"

"What, do you plan to fight us?" We laughed, the sound not at all humorous and merely frightening. "You can try, youngling. We would be more than happy to oblige you."

Yusuke stood from the couch and cracked his knuckles. We felt his energy flare, the feeling of it electric and harrowing. Magnificent. Someday it would be something glorious and unfathomable, as close to a god's power as a mortal could get. But we did not have the time right now to entertain him.

"Sit back down and wait your turn," we said, putting enough authority behind the words that Yusuke sat without even thinking twice. "Good boy," we purred.

He looked around, confused by his own actions, his cheeks turning pink. That was the sway the gods held over man. He best get used to it.

We turned our attention back to the fire demon and smiled. "You may keep the heart. On one condition."

"Name it," he snarled without hesitation.

"You must eat it yourself."

His lips turned up into a smirk so vicious that I was sure it mimicked my own face. He wanted the heart all along and he would play right into our hands.

"Hiei," Kurama warned, "you should not think this a stroke of luck."

But he did not listen. His arrogance would be his downfall, just as it always was.

We stood, holding out one blackened hand. "Come, there is no time to waste."

Hiei did not hesitate. He crossed the room in two easy strides and took the hand that was offered, gripping it firmly. Red bore into white, searching. I did not know how to show him I was here, other than to obey the gods. Their plan was sound and they were resolute about seeing it come to fruition. It was our final chance.

We leaned in close, whispering so only he could hear. "If you live through this. So will the girl. But it will not be easy."

Hiei's eyes turned hard as marble. "Nothing in my life ever is. I will overcome this too."

We smiled, genuine this time. "Good. Do not abandon the love you hold for her, no matter what you do. It will keep you strong."

He scoffed, clearly thinking of how disgusting such a notion was, and then backed away. When his palm disconnected with ours, we could see the blackness had spread. His hand was now stained as well.

The only other person to notice was Kurama...and as we strode from the room, we turned to toss him a mocking smile over our shoulder.

The fire demon was ours now.

. . .

A/N: This chapter was a bitch to write. And I'm sorry if it's confusing and hard to follow. The we shit was also annoying, because sometimes the thoughts are Kas' and other times it's theirs collectively. But it won't be forever.

Thanks for reading!