THE DARK CIRCUS
Chapter Four: Brotherly Love
By: Twilightspire
Yu Yu Hakusho created by: Yoshihiro Togashi
Natalia created by: Amy Salazar
The door creaked open on hinges never oiled. The soft light from the open portal intruded on the cramped and loathsome little room. Its walls were simple wood and straw was strewn haphazardly along the floor, adding to the desolate feel of the cell. No furniture graced the inside of the chamber and only a single barred window offered a change in the gloomy scenery.
Four men stood outside of the door, peering into the gloom of the cell. The light outlined the six demons being held within. The captive's mood only added to the desolate feel of the room; it pulsed and emanated outwards like a living thing, gorging itself on any inkling of hope.
One of the men pointed into the room, indicating a dirty blonde haired demon who was cradling the head of a smaller blue haired demon in his lap. The man sneered, cruelty playing along his thin lips.
"Take that one. I always hated that smug son of a bitch and he cost me a fortune at that last Dark Tournament." Suzuka, the demon he was speaking of, looked up horrified. His body was still decimated along with his spirit. He would go out to the ring but he couldn't fight; he could barely lift himself. He looked around to the other demons sharing the cell.
His gaze fell on Chu first. The mohawked warrior sat slumped against the wall. He looked haunted and broken, like there was nothing left for him anymore. Rinku sat Indian style next to Chu. The child demon looked lost. He stared at Chu with eyes filled with a question soaked in the sadness his face reflected.
Next Suzuka looked to Jin. Jin sat in the corner sullenly; it was the most contained Suzuka had ever seen the Shinobi. Every now and then he would shoot an angry glance in his partner's direction but mostly he just sat there with his eyes closed refusing to talk. He looked next to Jin's partner, the ice master Touya. Out of all six demons, Touya looked the most unchanged. Touya just sat against the wall. He looked the same here as he did anywhere else. Suzuka laughed to himself picturing Touya looking cool and indifferent as ever even in hell. Touya's eyes stayed closed the entire time but Suzuka knew he wasn't sleeping or even resting; just existing in the moment. Hell, for all Suzuka knew, Touya could be millions of miles away in his own head.
He reserved his last look for his Shishi. Shishi Wakamaru's head rested lightly in Suzuka's lap. He had been in the process of putting little twists in the samurai's long blue hair. Even dirty Shishi's hair was silky and smooth; like a stream of water it would tumble over his hand and over his fingers. He felt the tension run through Shishi's body like an electric current. Out of all the assembled demons, Shishi Wakamaru was the only one that was angry, no, it was more like rage. Suzuka had seen it in Shishi's eyes since that first moment the samurai saw Suzuka. He was afraid of what might happen to Shishi if he didn't let it go like the others.
Three large Trolls walked in under the smaller man's orders. They all laughed like stereotypical bad guys as they walked across the small cell towards Suzuka. When they reached the half way point they stopped like someone had flipped a switch to shut them off. Their laughter slowly choked off. Shishi Wakamaru had opened his eyes.
Shishi Wakamaru leveled his gaze at the no longer advancing Trolls. His body trembled with the anger running through him, like the anger inside was fighting to be released from his slender frame.
"Shishi, don't," whispered Suzuka. "Please, remember what happened last time." Shishi Wakamaru clenched his teeth so tight they hurt. The memories came back in a rush of unwelcomed emotion like a tidal wave; all fury and unrelenting force.
Not long after the last of the demons, Jin and Touya, were brought in; the human had a plan.
"We will wait until they come to get the next prisoner, then we will rush the guards. There are now nine of us, it should be easy work," said Iago. Iago was tall and lean, someone that looked more at home in the water than on land. He ran his hand through his hair, a crew cut that was so short that scalp shown through the deep brown hair. He looked around at the rest of his cell mates and saw his enthusiasm echoed on their faces. Besides the six demons, there were also two more human psychics. The first was Indigo, a petite woman with raven hair and a deep tan that made her skin look like stained wood. Then there was Paul, an American with outrageous spiked blonde hair and muscles that looked like they were forged in a blacksmith's shop.
Iago watched each of the demons intently. Unlike the psychics, they were all beaten in combat by that bastard Spalding. The humans had been captured by Spalding's minions. He didn't know if that would make a difference. They all seemed good natured enough, except for the samurai. Iago was empathic and could feel the rage burning just below the skin on that demon. If he watched the man's eyes, he could see a great monster of anger begin moving through them. He knew that escaping wasn't in the man's agenda; this Shishi Wakamaru would stay for vengeance.
"Once we are out, we must run, our survival will depend on it," Iago said, eyes never leaving Shishi. The others nodded along with him. Good, at least his friends will make sure he makes it out safely. The thought made Iago a little nervous. He didn't know the demons that well and he didn't want his escape messed up because one man couldn't let it go.
Days later it was time. The door opened and the usual contingent of guards came to take the "lucky" contestant out for the day. The demons rushed in first, Chu and Shishi Wakamaru leading the charge. They pulled the guards in and eliminated them quickly enough. Iago, Indigo, and Paul rushed out the open door. It was then that Iago noticed the demons no longer followed. He turned and was horrified, none of them moved! They all looked like statues, they weren't even breathing! He went back in to see if he could snap them out of it. He was shaking Chu when something hit him from behind and all he saw was little white spots, then nothing.
Spalding came to the door sometime later to tell all of the demons what had happened. They all bartered for their lives, so they now belonged to him. They would obey his every thought, even if that thought was to die. They were all slaves. To prove another point of how they were all his he would let them come out and watch the next show. None of them could disobey or look away as the three human psychics were mutilated, tortured, raped, and finally, mercifully, killed. He sent them to the cell and told them to relive the memories for the next four days straight.
Shishi had watched the others slowly break as the screams pummeled against their conscience, shattering little pieces of the five demon warriors. He saw Touya retreat within and not return. He saw Rinku, poor Rinku; look on like he would be lost forever. Even good natured Jin became sullen. Worse was the horror on Suzuka's face, like the torture would be etched there forever or at least the shadow of it. It had made Shishi angrier, so angry he could barely think straight. He didn't have his Spirit Energy but the rage seemed to take its place, like a living burning snake coiled within, ready to strike at any moment. He thought about it more and more these last few nights. What it did to his friends, what it did to Rinku, the fact that one of the victims was a helpless girl, it further enraged the samurai.
Now he lay there, staring at the Trolls. Any who worked for Spalding became Spalding; in Shishi's mind. He stood up slowly, looking very much like a ghost; pale with fragments of clothing whispering about his body. He took a step forward and the Trolls nearly tripped over themselves to get out of his way. Suzuka tried to grab him but Shishi moved from him. That was the first time Shishi ever moved away from Suzuka's touch. Suzuka knew he had lost Shishi to the rage but he couldn't summon the energy to stop him.
"You filth will never touch Suzuka again. Do you hear me?" Shishi's voice was low, full of menace with an undercurrent of murder. "If you ever come near him again, I will rip out your still beating heart and make you feast upon it." He took another step closer and the Trolls whined. Their handler outside of the cage didn't look impressed.
"You offerin' to go in his place pansy?" The thin demon asked with a crooked smile. He watched the moment of indecision on Shishi's face and laughed. "That stopped it didn't you fag boy."
Shishi's anger and protectiveness of Suzuka blazed like a flare in a cave. He clenched both fists and let his eyes fall to purple slits. He rushed forward suddenly and ripped one of the Trolls throat out with his hand. Blood splashed from the wound like a punctured bag and the Troll sank to his knees trying to hold in his life's blood. The other Trolls practically leapt to the doorway as they watched their comrade die.
The handler looked Shishi up and down, nodding. Shishi was covered in the Troll's blood. He had taken on a more demonic appearance. His pupils had shrunk to pinpoints and two large horns had sprouted on his head. His smile revealed pointed, dagger-like teeth. He stood there holding the meat from the Troll's throat like it was a baseball or some toy and not a macabre trophy. The handler liked the look and nodded a final time.
"I'll take that as a yes," the handler said. "Take your weapon from the Troll and move along or I'll send a team of demons in here to have fun with 'the beautiful Suzuka.' You understand?" Shishi nodded, his anger boiling along the surface. He hadn't noticed the Troll he killed had the Banshee Shriek. He turned back to Suzuka then. He closed his eyes and allowed his demon form to subside.
"Don't do this Shishi, they are only baiting you. I will go again. I've been here longer, please." Shishi stopped Suzuka from talking with his pointer finger. He used his left hand, the clean one and felt the softness of Suzuka's lips.
"I will not let them harm you again. Rest. Recover. I will kill them all." Shishi stood leaving Suzuka stunned into silence. Shishi's words and the look in his eyes, they held such ferocity. Suzuka had only heard him sound like that when he talked about reclaiming his family's honor and fame.
Shishi smiled down at Suzuka and nodded once in a salute than reclaimed the Banshee Shriek and walked for the door. He noticed the others as he walked out, all of them like dreamers slowly coming out of a deep sleep. He smiled to himself again as the door closed after him.
As soon as the foursome walked into the main tent applause thundered down on them. A cheap spotlight winked into life throwing the three into splendid relief. The crowd gasped at Shishi's appearance and his guards dropped behind him. He walked unaided to the center ring where the Ringmaster was announcing his presence. Shishi stopped just inside the ring. He smiled to himself. The crowd wasn't as big as the one from the Dark Tournament but it would do. He closed his eyes and let everything in him quiet down, preparing for the battle ahead. The smell of dust, popcorn, and blood hung heavy in the air. Shishi was getting used to large crowds and was no longer distracted by them. The Ringmaster's voice began to disappear sounding small and tinny as Shishi retreated to his calm spot. A slow, dust choked breeze stirred the tent and what remained of his clothes. His hair moved slowly around his head distracting him. For a moment it felt like Suzuka was there, teasing his hair to distract the samurai from his work. He smiled but it was bittersweet. Suzuka was not here, he was in the cage hurt and humiliated by these sons of bitches. If he had his power, he would unleash his Chorus of Ten Thousand Skulls just so he could watch them all die but all of his power was Spalding's now.
He felt his opponent arrive. Shishi slowly opened his eyes and looked upon the Strongman. The oaf was wearing a leopard print one piece and was bald as an ugly baby. He had beady eyes and a handlebar mustache. If that was all of his features, Shishi would have laughed himself to death but the man was built like a double helping of mountain range. He was tall, seven feet at least. His muscles must have had muscles and his grin promised pain.
"Shishi!" Shishi turned to the cage that held Suzuka. Beyond the barred window he could see the blonde demon. He was clutching the bars and looked as though he was trying to put his head through the bars. "NO. PLEASE. COME BACK. PLEASE. I'LL GO. DAMMIT ALL, I'LL GO. PLEASE." Shishi could hear the desperation and fear in Suzuka voice. After all, the Strongman was one of the people that had so expertly tortured the human psychics.
Shishi held the Banshee Shriek in a salute to Suzuka, and then he turned towards this enemy. Better get this over quickly, he thought to himself. In a burst of speed, Shishi shot towards the Strongman. He unsheathed the Banshee Shriek and sliced into the Strongman's throat. Shishi laughed to himself and raced back into a defensive position but it was over the man should be dead. The smile faded from Shishi's mouth. The Strongman still stood and worst of all was not even hurt!
The Strongman laughed, a harsh bark of a laugh better suited for a farm animal than a person. He cracked his knuckles noisily then rolled his neck cracking that as well. He jumped up and down on one foot and then alternating to the next foot. Shishi couldn't believe it, the ox was warming up! The Strongman looked at Shishi like he was an interesting little insect and began advancing. Muscles rippled tight to the surface of his body, like a jungle cat; all grace and power. His Spirit Energy washed over Shishi like a suffocating blanket. It was suddenly too hot in the tent, Shishi was having trouble breathing.
Shishi attacked again. He chose a lazy arc that would take the man's kneecap. The sword struck but it was like hitting steel. The katana reverberated with the force and just scrapped across the skin, leaving it undamaged. Shishi stared in wonder at the kneecap that should be sprouting blood and causing pain but it remained a kneecap. The monster snorted and Shishi looked up in time to see the Strongman's downswing. His fist caught Shishi right on the chin and sent him sailing through the air like a rag doll. He hit the ground hard, losing all the air in his body and rolling to a stop. The dust hung around him in thick clouds and all he could see was little flashes of white orbs. His whole mouth throbbed with every beat of his heart. Somewhere in the flight, he lost the Banshee Shriek. He was still trying to remember what happened when the Strongman picked him up from behind in a classic bear hug.
The crowd roared when Shishi's ribs cracked with a thick meaty snap. One by one they popped and Shishi screamed. With every pop and scream, the crowd grew even more unruly. Blood exploded in a fountain as one of the broken ribs punctured something in his body. The crowd loved it.
Shishi had had enough; he had to think of something fast. If he didn't do something soon this idiot was going to kill him. He tried to think past the pain but it was too hard. All he could hear was the crowd and Suzuka's pleas. He was having trouble getting enough air. He tasted too much blood and his vision was too fuzzy. He wished he was smaller.
Shishi smiled as the thought came over him like a life preserver in a sea of confusion. He willed himself smaller. He felt his body revert to its imp form almost immediately. He flew out of his enemy's deadly embrace and raced for the Banshee Shriek. Once he regained his weapon he reverted back to his normal form. The Strongman yelled a curse.
"Wot do you tink you will do, leetle man? Strongman's muscles like steel. You can't hurt me wit dat puny weepon," The Strongman boasted. Shishi just smiled.
"Come then fool, you have nothing to fear then." The Strongman's eyes opened wide and he charged head slightly down like a bull. Shishi waited for just the right moment. He darted to the side; The Strongman already guessed his strategy and pivoted just enough to hit Shishi with a backhanded swipe.
Shishi knew this would happen. He stepped into the attack and like lightning swung his katana in a flashing arc at the oaf's face. Shishi took the hit full in the side, sending him somersaulting through the air once again. The pain was too much and his broken ribs couldn't stop the hit from rupturing several things in his body. His body slammed into the ground, back first. Nothing in his body worked right. He landed too hard, something was wrong with his back. Then he heard a roar of pain and he smiled.
The Strongman screamed in agony, hands clutching his face. The crowd fell silent, many not seeing the strike that made the man scream like that. The Strongman finally looked out to the crowd after a moment. The Banshee Shriek hung out of his eye like a deranged Halloween party favor. His other eye had blood pouring out of it. Shishi had sliced his eyes to hide his true attack, a sword strike to the brain. The only part of his plan that didn't go through to perfection was the fact that the oddity was still alive. A hit like that should have killed him.
The Strongman staggered over to Shishi. Shishi saw him coming and could do nothing to stop him. The giant stepped on his leg, snapping it like a twig. Shishi screamed. Then his enemy straddled his chest and began slamming his fists into the samurai. Shishi screamed with the first few hits then became numb. In the back of his mind he could hear Suzuka yelling, fighting frantically to get out of the cage. Shishi finally summoned all of his strength and grasped the Banshee Shriek. The Strongman looked on, amazed that Shishi could still move. Shishi tried to laugh but it was too hard. Instead, he pushed. The sword slid in up to the pommel. The Strongman screamed again, standing to get away from the little samurai. The lights began to dim for the Strongman but he would be damned if he would go out alone. He raised his foot.
Shishi saw the big man stand. He had given it all, and he still failed. He knew it was a possibility but it was still disappointing to let his family name die like this. He was in a pain soaked hell. His body was screaming to die. Every half breath, every heartbeat, every thought was agony. He couldn't take it much longer. His body had been reduced to a pulp and his plan of limitless destruction heaped upon this foul place and its master was fading fast. He couldn't go yet though. He was a little satisfied that he was taking the rapist with him. Small conciliations will get you far on the road to death.
Shishi looked across the ring to Suzuka. He could see the blond demon that had meant so much to him clearly now. It was Suzuka that gave him the nerve to bring his family name to honor and fame. It was Suzuka who would listen to the imp's attempts at poetry late at night while the rest of the world slept. It was Suzuka who was there when his father breathed his last breath and left Shishi Wakamaru truly alone. It was Suzuka who loved him. Not in a romantic way but in an affectionate way that transcended friendship. He filled the void that his family's passing had left. Suzuka.
He could see Suzuka now, straining against the bars, one arm out with his fingers spread. Shishi could hear him screaming his name over and over. Shishi reached his hand out, fingers spread wide. He could almost feel Suzuka's thin smooth fingers interlacing his; the warm feel of their hands intertwined. He pictured Suzuka as he would always remember him: a big showman's smile and a twinkle in his eye. He closed his fingers then and saw the monster's boot out of the corner of his eye. He looked directly at Suzuka and smiled again.
"I love you," Shishi said. Then all went dark.