Disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho or Inuyasha or any of their characters. I do, however, own any OCs created and the story written.
A/N: I'm combing three episodes into one chapter. It's going to go back and forth from Botan, Souta and Keiko running from the infected Makai Insect, Yusuke's fight with Suzaku and the bridge where the Kagome and the other three fighters are dealing with the Cultivated Humans. Enjoy.
Chapter 10: Showdown at Maze Castle
Previously:
Sesshomaru had lost his smile when he sensed Inuyasha coming and put on his stoic high-born Ice Prince face. "Always one for words, Little Brother."
Yasha stuttered, "W-what did you call me?"
"Don't make me repeat it." The Western Lord looked at Yuri, quirking a brow, "If you're ever passing through again, stop by the palace. We'll keep a fire warming for you. I travel a lot, so if you ever want to join, feel free to beat up on Jakan. He doesn't get it enough."
She smirked, "Will do."
Kagome smiled up at her mate, "This is going to be fun to watch."
"Agreed."
1-2-3-4-5
Yusuke had taken off, running up the stairs of the tower. He finally reached the top and wasn't thrilled with what he saw.
"Keiko! Botan!" Yusuke yelled, watching them run on a large screen.
As a whistle started playing, the detective looked over at a figure sitting in a chair that was placed under the screen. The final Saint Beast.
He had long shoulder-length orange hair, with two red hanging pieces that fell down, and a circlet around his head with a green stone in the middle.
"Put that thing down!" Yusuke growled, pissed off.
"So nice to see you in person, after watching you attempt to ruin my plans for so long. I am Suzaku, leader of the Saint Beasts." The leader said as he finally stepped into the light.
"And I am his dear Murugu." A green parrot-looking bird said as it landed on Suzaku's shoulder.
"I've been watching your dear Keiko. It's amazing how much humans resemble animals when they're being hunted." He taunted, causing Murugu to start laughing.
"Here's the deal. Pull your zombies off Keiko." Yusuke growled, "And then I'll only pull out one of your lungs."
"And if I refuse?" Suzaku questioned.
"Then hold your friggin breath!" Yusuke growled.
1-2-3-4-5
Botan, Keiko, and Souta rounded a corner and was able to finally stop for a moment to catch their breaths.
"Thanks for helping me out back there. You're that girl Yusuke was with on the roof, aren't you?" Keiko asked.
"Yes, but-" Botan went to reply, but Keiko stopped her.
"If there's something going on between you and him, well I can't stop that, but please tell me where he is!"
"Well, I can guarantee that Yusuke is all yours." Botan started.
"How about you two start talking about boys and braiding your hair when we're not dealing hundreds of infected humans who want to kill you." Souta said, keep watch at the corner, "I like to avoid these types of conversations with my cousin. I don't need to hear while I'm running for my life."
"And you are?" Keiko asked as they headed inside the school.
"I'm Souta. I'm Kagome little cousin."
"You're Yusuke's cousin? How are you involved in this?"
"Another conversation for another time. Let's go."
They got to a payphone Keiko checked it. "The phone-line's been cut."
"They're getting a lot smarter." Botan frowned.
"They're demon insects that are being controlled by a whistle." Souta frowned, "How smart can they be?"
Keiko shrugged, "Maybe there's somebody in the teacher's lounge."
Botan smiled, "I always liked the way you think."
"Excuse me." Keiko poked her head into the lounged and pushed the door wide. "Mr. Takenaka!" They rushed into the room and to the teacher that was sitting at a table. "Mr. Takenaka, I need your help. There's hundreds of people outside and they're trying to-" she tapped him on the shoulder, but he just slumped over onto the table.
Botan leaned over to check on him, "He's out."
"Mr. Takenaka!" Keiko started shaking the poor man, "Please wake up!"
"U-ki-mu-ra!" They looked back at the yell to see a teacher had come in behind them.
Keiko screamed, Souta hit him with a his bat and they took off out of the room, running for safety.
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"You should feel most fortunate, Yusuke. Not everyone's girlfriend gets to star in a horror movie." Suzaku laughed.
Yusuke growled in frustration as he watched the trio running for their life.
"Of course, the films in my city are somewhat different. Demons usually don't care much for happy endings."
"You think you can control me, don't you?" Yusuke growled.
Suzaku just chuckled, which just seemed to piss Yusuke off, "Control this, you bastard!" He yelled before attacking Suzaku.
He was throwing multiple punches, but the Beast blocked each one with only one hand. When Yusuke went to aim a hit at his opponent's face, Suzaku jumped up.
"Bad choice." Yusuke charged his Spirit Gun, "Funny thing about hanging in the air. It's really hard to dodge! Spirit Gun!" He shot his Spirit Gun up at his opponent.
"What?!" Yusuke yelled as Suzaku hit the ball of energy away from him with ease.
The energy veered off and, almost hitting Murugu, blasted a hole in the ceiling.
"Your blast is very powerful." Suzaku said as he landed back on the ground. "You actually made my hand numb with that last attack. It is a very good thing you can't hit me with it or I might be in some trouble."
"Let me hold the Makai Whistle for a moment while you drain away his life." Murugu said.
"Thank you Murugu, but that isn't necessary. I'll destroy him with one hand."
"Oh hey, thanks a lot." Yusuke called out.
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Kagome looked up at the now smoking tower and saw a hole in the roof, "Yusuke!" she looked over at Kurama, "Is there any way you guys can get me up there?"
He looked around, "It might take a bit, but it could be workable."
"We would have to have enough leeway to possibly toss you up to the window that your cousin took." Hiei nodded, "Let's clear these things as much as possible; we'll get you up there as backup."
"Thanks."
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"I just love the renovation." Suzaku drawled as a storm rolled in.
"My pleasure." Yusuke snapped, fed up. He watched as the Beast leader raised his arm straight up, palm flat out, facing the storm rolling across the sky.
"Ooh, Suzaku! You're using that technique on a human? You're going to die! You're going to die!" Murugu laughed as she flapped over Yusuke's head.
"Give me a break!" Yusuke hollered as lightning struck Suzaku, lighting him up. A large ball of orange electric energy gathered in his palm, "Who does this guy think he is? You can't hold lightning!"
"Are you ready?" Suzaku asked before running towards the detective. Yusuke jumped up just as the Beast did, "Storm of Torment!"
Suzaku threw the lightning ball at Yusuke, who tried to dodge, but ended up getting encased in it. He screamed in pain before hitting the ground, hard.
"Look at him writhe, Suzaku! I just love when they do that!" Murugu laughed.
"You'll find that the energy will seek you out like lightning to a rod. But take heart, you are the first human to ever survive my technique." Suzaku said as Yusuke tried to get up.
"You must feel so proud." Murugu said from Suzaku's shoulder.
"You have much more Spirit Energy than the other pawns King Yama sent after me in the past, but it will never be enough to ruin my great plans. As soon as you rise I'll have to finish this. Why don't you just stay down and watch the end of Keiko's movie?" Suzaku said, taunting the Spirit Detective.
"She won't be so easy to shove in a corner you know." Yusuke growled, "Keiko's no fighter, but she's plenty tough. And she's not following your stupid script. Not to mention a certain cousin of mine who's helping her. You won't be able to do anything to him, either." Yusuke said before taking off his shoes.
"A cousin, huh?" The Beast smirked, "Would this cousin be the sibling of the pretty one that you came here with?" He laughed, "Too perfect. She's go Miko powers. I have seen those in many years. Once I finish with you, I'll make her my slave. Her little brother too."
"You won't get any near either of them. None of them are following your script, you crazy puppet master! And neither am I!" Yusuke yelled as he stood up with his shoes on his hands. "Let's do this asshole!" He yelled, getting ready to fight.
Suzaku laughed, "I trust you're not being serious."
"Don't you see what he's doing, Suzaku?" Murugu laughed, as she flew off his shoulder, "He thinks he can block the lightning with his rubber shoes! You're truly an idiot! You might as well block a cannonball with paper!"
"Why don't you go lay an egg or something!" Yusuke yelled.
"Yusuke Urameshi. You are my perfect justification. You are why demons should take the place of humans on Earth. You're an idiot race that deserves extinction!" Suzaku yelled, before getting hit with lightning once again. "Prepare yourself!"
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"Here we are- in a corner." Botan said as the infected people trapped us.
"I'm the person these sickos are following. Let me lead them to one side so you two can get away." Keiko said.
"I'm sure you'd make a wonderful distraction, but it's much more important that you survive." Souta said, "We'll have to find some way to fight them together." He shook his head, "I can't believe I dropped my bat.
"We're a couple reasonably athletic girls with a good sets of fists, aren't we?" Botan asked, looking at Keiko.
"Yes, honestly I was hoping neither of you would accept my offer." Keiko replied.
"I really hope you didn't just call me a girl." Souta clenching his fist in preparation for the attack as the infected slowly made their way closer.
"Oh, no, no. Just Keiko." Botan nodding in apology, "But, there must be something that we can do. We can't just stand here."
They looked around before their eyes landed on a fire extinguisher.
"Keiko, Souta. Are both of you thinking what I'm thinking?" Botan asked.
"We'll separate on the count of three, okay?" Keiko replied.
"One, two, three!"
I followed Keiko, while Botan went to get the fire extinguisher. Keiko and Souta off the infected. They were almost overpowered, but Botan turned on the extinguisher and took out their attackers.
Souta nodded, "Nice work."
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"Die at the hands of Suzaku, leader of the Saint Beasts!" Suzaku yelled as he attacked. Yusuke blocked it, losing his shoes in the process, and confused Suzaku.
"What the..." Suzaku said, as he noticed that Yusuke was blocking the attack with his own Spirit Energy from inside the shoes.
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"Hurry! Let's go!" Botan said.
Botan turned around and was attacked by one of the teachers. Keiko didn't hesitate and went after the lead teacher. Souta, noticing his bat down the hall, ran after it.
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"It's my turn!" Yusuke yelled before punching Suzaku.
Suzaku flew back before landing on his feet. "This boy is smarter than I thought. He used Spirit Energy in his fists to make a shield against my attack. The shoes were just a ruse to hide behind."
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"Stellar hit, Keiko! You should fight on the boxing team!" Botan cheered after the teen slapped the teacher across the face, knocking him out.
"Come on." Souta said, urging the girls on.
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"Sorry beast-boy, but your movie's a flop." Yusuke smirked, "I'm assuming you won't mind too much if I make a few changes. Out of this whole plan, you made one big mistake." He growled, "You went and pissed me off."
"Take this!" Yusuke yelled as he went through with his attack. His angered helped increase his strength as he threw punch after punch at Suzaku, who was still blocking with only one arm… barely. Yusuke was able to knock the whistle out of the Beast's hands and dove for it, but Suzaku beat him there and kicked him away. Getting back up, he tackled the Beast to the wall and as he was about to start punching him again, Suzaku shocked him with more lightning.
"You really want this whistle badly, don't you? She must mean a lot to you." Suzaku taunted, walking over to stand under the screen again.
"That's none of your business!" Yusuke yelled before he went to attack, but stopped when the screen came on to show Keiko running with Botan and Souta.
"I'm sorry, were you saying something? You seemed to trail off when you saw her in danger. You humans are so transparent with your feelings. Meet a female, and then you love her. Take her away, and you get mad. Though I must admit, your desire to save her is making it very difficult for me to fight with one hand."
"Let me hold the whistle now. Then you can use both hands." Murugu said, coming down to hover over him.
"Have wisdom Murugu. If you hold the whistle then he'll take it from you. Yusuke here will be requiring a somewhat more drastic approach."
"I have two favorite techniques. You've already met my Storm of Torment. Allow me to introduce the other." Suzaku said as he put the whistle under his arm and bent his leg in a bracing stance. He put his hand together and started glowing red.
"Nice posture." Yusuke called out to him.
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Keiko screamed as the infected teacher attacked her with a pair of scissors. They took off running and ended up in a classroom.
"Well, we better think quickly." Botan said.
"Yusuke." Keiko mumble.
Souta nodded, thinking of his cousin and sister, "Come on, guys."
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Suzaku started laughing as suddenly, he started multiplying. When done, the Spirit Detective was staring at seven Suzakus.
"Man, I've really got to get my eyes checked out." Yusuke said, blinking.
"This is the most advanced ability I have learned while waiting in this castle. So can you guess which one of these seven forms here is the actual Suzaku?" One of the the duplicates asked.
"Bet you can't." All the Suzakus chanted.
"We all are. Black secret technique." Another on started.
"The Prism of Seven!" They all shouted.
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Kuwabara ran threw more Cultivated Humans, punching as many of the creatures as he could.
As kept using his Kurama used his Rose Whip and Hiei his sword; Kagome had started throwing out her Shredder Blades, infused with her Reiki.
"You have got to tell me where you got those." Kuwabara said, awed.
"Genkai gave them to me." She looked up in alarm, "But it's not helping Yusuke."
"You're right." He nodded as they watched more of the creatures come out, "We've got to find some way to get to Urameshi!"
"Yes, Kuwabara," Kurama agreed, "I have a strong sense that he needs our help."
Hiei and Kagome just nodded before they braced themselves for more fighting.
"I hope you guys are behind me!" Kuwabara yelled as he lead the charge.
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"It's really a magnificent technique. You see, these aren't just copies or shadows. Each one of us has our own freedom of will. Which makes for a very destructive combination of attacks." All of the Suzaku's laughed while they got ready to attack.
"Prism Storm of Torment!" All the Suzaku's yelled together before shooting lightning arrows at Yusuke.
Yusuke blocked most of the attacks with his Spirit infused fist, but couldn't avoid the last one that at him from behind. The lightning pierced Yusuke in the shoulder, causing him scream out in pain.
"Genuinely, Yusuke. I applaud your ability to dodge five out of my six attacks. But I only need one hit so I could finish you and take care of your friends." Suzaku taunted as he stepped closer to Yusuke. "As you die, don't be sad." He turned and headed for the door, "Ever since you stepped into my tower you've been living on borrowed time."
"That shows, you don't know me very well." Yusuke said as he stood up. "My whole life has been borrowed time." Suzaku didn't like that and headed back to the teen, "Now give me the stupid whistle."
"Get down." Suzaku growled as he punched the Yusuke back to the ground.
"Is it possible you care that much for this girl? Well, then I'll just have to stay and watch her die."
Murugu laughed as she circled above, "Yes! She's going to die! She's going to die!"
"Pick him up." Suzaku called out to his copies before sitting back in his chair.
Two of them grabbed Yusuke and dragged him to the OG Beast leader.
"Can't you drop these human feelings, Yusuke? I will make you a king of demons if you promise to eat Keiko's heart."
"Go... to hell!" Yusuke growled, making the Beast narrow his eyes.
"I don't like that answer. What do you think, my dear Suzakus? Can we reform this boy's rebellious attitude?" He asked as he looked at the copies.
The Suzakus started electrifying the teen, "We'll give you just enough so you won't pass out. Floating in a constant state of pain. Then you can watch every last minute of Keiko's life." He turned to the screen, "And look Yusuke. It's getting very exciting. The final scene, I believe. Can't you hear the dramatic music swelling?"
He hummed for a moment and looked back at the detective, "Kind of sends a shock of terror down your spine. Yours is a unique position. Don't you agree? On the one hand, you're the audience watching a distant tragedy on the screen. But on the other hand, you are its very cause."
"The door has been opened, the killer comes in. The heroine crawls into the corner and screams her last breath. Life is a drag, isn't it?" Suzaku questioned.
"Keiko! Botan! Souta!" Yusuke yelled, as pain racketed his body.
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Botan, Keiko, and Souta were hiding when the infected people busted into the room.
The teacher laughed, "Ukimura, I always knew you weren't as smart as you made us think." He and the other infected grabbed the brooms and mops that were leaning against the closet, "Hid yourself well, didn't you? Except for one thing. Your scarf." They laughed as they held the handles up, "I warned you to stay away from Urameshi. But it's too late. You're damaged!" The infected started puncturing the supply closet with their sticks, destroying it.
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"Keiko!" Yusuke yelled as he watched the closet get attacked.
Suzaku laughed, "Your girlfriend has become a pincushion!"
Yusuke hung head as he tried not to cry.
"Well, there's no point in being sentimental." Suzaku stood up, "Come now Yusuke. It's time for you to join her."
"I know, Suzaku! Have him die with one giant zap!" Murugu suggested as she sat on the back of her master's chair.
"That's fine. But let's make it slow!"
As two copies holding Yusuke continued their electrical onslaught, at their master's order, the other four joined in, intensifying the teen's pain.
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Kagome stopped in her tracks and starting screaming in pain, "Yusuke!"
"Kagome?!" Kurama rushed to her side, "What's wrong?"
"He's… dying."
Kuwabara threw a punch, knocking another creature out of his way and started breathing heavily, "No! We can't let that happen!" He looked around him and shook his head, "I just don't know how we're going to get up there."
His eyes widened as he spotted the window from early, "Yes." Calling on his Spirit Sword, he rushed the tower, "Sword, get long!" Using it a a pole vault, he tried to throw himself up to the window. Unfortunately, the sword wasn't long enough and he hit the tower a few feet below the window, "I… almost made it."
Kurama helped Kagome to her feet and the rushed over with Hiei to the entrance, "Kuwabara!" She yelled, "What are you doing?!"
"We've cleared a path to the entrance!" Hiei called, "Let's go!"
As they ran up the stairs, they encountered more Cultivated Humans coming down, "They… never end." Kuwabara said, staring in shock.
Hiei frowned, "Let's not waste more time."
"Get behind me."
"What?" They looked at the Miko in shock, "Kagome?" Kurama asked, concerned.
"There's more coming from behind. We're fixing to get boxed in. If I shoot an arrow straight out, it might give us enough room to get up those stairs before we're followed. If not…" She shrugged.
They nodded and move her and Kuwabara in front, to keep the demons from from getting any backlash from her arrows.
"Here goes nothing."
1-2-3-4-5
"Your friends are drawing closer. I'll have to speed up your torturing to deal with them." Suzaku said as he glanced from Yusuke to the screen that showed his teammates and cousin working their way up the stairs.
Yusuke stopped scream and just stared vacantly at the ground, tears falling from his eyes. After a moment, he lifted his head slightly to see that the screen had changed scenes and they were back to watching Botan, Keiko and Souta.
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The infected finally got the damaged closet open and realized that it was empty. The turned just as the good guys burst from behind the curtains to attack them. Botan and Keiko were using broom sticks and Souta swung for his life with his favorite bat. Once the infected had been knocked out, the group ran out of the room and looked for another place to hide.
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"Damn it!" Suzaku growled as they watched the Reaper and two kids run away. "Must I do everything myself? That girl will die, no matter how long I have to wait!"
Yusuke started laughing and that pissed Suzaku off even more than he already was.
"You! You think this is funny?! Then let me teach you some manners. It's rude for the dying to laugh!" Suzaku growled before electrifying Yusuke with his own power, making the teen start screaming again.
"Goodbye, Yusuke." Suzaku said as he powered himself up even more, getting ready to finally end the teen.
Yusuke's fists clenched as his Spirit Energy started gathering at the ends.
"Be sure to hold him tightly." Suzaku told the others.
"Wait, wait, Suzaku! Let me get a better view!" Murugu laughed as she flew above.
"This is for my friends and cousins you jerk!" Yusuke screamed before letting loose his power, which rocked the whole room. Once cleared, Yusuke was standing up and the copies and Beast leader had been thrown back.
"Did I miss something? Or did you just get five times more powerful?" Suzaku asked confused.
"Life is a drag, isn't it?" Yusuke taunted.
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"I'm so exhausted of looking at this dirty human! Can't you finish him?" Murugu asked as she flew above us.
"Of course." Suzaku smirked, raising his hand and calling on his power, "I'm sure you recognize this by now!" He frowned as noticed that something was off, "This can't be! I've used too much energy on him! I can't form the attack!"
"Well, isn't that a heart breaker. I've got enough energy to serve seven! Shotgun!" Yusuke yelled before firing his newly learned blast.
All of the Suzakus hit the ground after the hit; the original Suzaku dropping the whistle across the floor.
"Like I said, enough for seven… " Yusuke said as he fell to the ground, "and that's about it." He laid down and sighed, "Hey, this stone feels comfortable." He looked up at the screen and noticed that Keiko, Botan, and Souta were still alive and still running for their lives.
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"We've got to get to an exist!" Botan called over her shoulder as the teachers had started chasing them again.
"You can't run forever, Ukimura!"
They just turned a corner when Botan was hit across the face and knocked unconscious.
"Oh, Botan! Botan!" Keiko called as they gather around her.
"Run away." Botan mumbled.
"We can't just leave you." Souta said, picking up her communicator just as they were surrounded on all sides.
"The community comes together when it's important, see." The lead teacher laughed, "And correcting bad girls is very important."
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"Destroying that whistle is their only chance." Yusuke groaned, "Please... be close by." He looked over and found it laying across the room, "It's far away... Typical."
Yusuke went after the whistle, but Murugu knocked it out of Yusuke's reach.
"I'll never let you reach it!" Murugu said.
"Really? Well, I was thinking a hot meal is just what I need. I bet you taste exactly like roasted chicken." Yusuke said.
Murugu cried out, but I could tell that my cousin didn't have much energy left.
"You're just trying to scare me! I heard you say you didn't have any energy left!" Murugu said.
"Yeah, not enough to take down another Saint Beast, but I've got plenty to deep fry a smart-ass bird. But hey, if being lunch meat is something you've always been curious about, then go ahead. Touch that whistle again."
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"This blows." Kuwabara complained. They had just cleared out another hall and another group of Cultivated Humans were coming through the door, "By the time we blow through all these weirdos, we'll be too tired to help Urameshi."
"Giving up?" Kagome asked, notching another arrow.
"No!" He exclaimed, "But…"
"But nothing. We need to get through these things, get to Yusuke, stop the last Saint Beast and save the world from being overrun by Makai Insects. Now stop complain and keep fighting."
Hiei smirked, "What a woman."
Kurama nodded, "Agreed." He looked at Kuwabara, "Tired hands are better than none. We don't stop."
"Do what you like," Hiei looked at Kuwabara, "I'm not stopping." The group nodded in agreement and, after Kagome cleared a small path with her arrow, charged.
Kuwabara looked around and noticed that they already gone up the stairs, "Okay, guys, I'm coming! Don't leave!"
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Yusuke moved closer to Murugu and the bird flew off, frightened. Before Yusuke could get to the whistle though, Suzaku stomped his foot on Yusuke's.
"Thanks for stalling him, Murugu." The Beast said, frowning down at the teen. "Of course, his efforts to scare you away were all lies. If he could still use his Spirit Gun, then he would have already destroyed the whistle."
"Of course." Murugu cooed, like she knew all along.
"Your final attack. Its power was very impressive, but I'm afraid it will not accomplish what you wished. It wasn't strong enough to kill me. And that will prove fatal for you." Suzaku said before kicking Yusuke in the side. "All your precious energy wasted on me."
"Give me a break…" Yusuke grunted as he stood up, "Go look in the mirror. You're just as injured as I am."
Suzaku just laughed and Yusuke looked at him like he was crazy. "What?"
"You still don't understand the depths of my power, do you?" Suzaku said before lifting his arms taking the energy from the copies.
"Hey, that's their Spirit Energy." Yusuke mumbled. He then stared in disbelief as Suzaku brought that energy into himself, "He's using the spirits of those other six Suzakus to heal himself."
"Let me ask you something of a philosophical question. If you take the lives of your selves in order to save yourself, is it murder?" Suzaku asked.
"Freak."
"Now, now, don't get emotional. I'll bring them back if they mean so much." Suzaku smirked before recreating copies, back at full strength.
"What the...? Oh hell." Yusuke said.
"Black secret technique. The Prism of Seven Restoration!" All seven Suzakus exclaimed together.
"The only way to defeat me is to kill all seven at the same time. But you're far too weak to do that now." the Suzakus taunted.
"I know precisely what my problem has been with you. I've been treating you like a normal human when obviously you are not. I'm not sure what you are. But this time I'll fire enough Spirit Energy to send King Yama to his grave! Prism Storm of Torment!" The Suzakus called together before powering up their attack.
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Hiei, Kurama, Kagome and Kuwabara had hacked their way through the final wave of Cultivated Humans. The four of them were running up the spiral staircase to the watchtower when lightning rocked the entire building.
"The biggest lightning eruption by far." Kurama sounded worried, as they stopped to wait it out. "Suzaku is getting desperate."
"The attack will almost surely kill one of them." Hiei said.
"Don't say that!" Kuwabara cried as they started running again.
"He's being a pragmatist!" Kagome cried as the castle started to tremble. "What in the world is going on now?"
They jumped back as the staircase in front of them crumbled; followed by the stairs they'd already climbed. When the shaking ceased, all that was left was the few steps they were standing on, and they were barely hanging there.
"That stairs." Kurama said, holding on to Kagome to keep her from falling.
"Now what are we going to do?!" Kuwabara cried, clearly upset.
"How about," Kagome poked his sore ribs, "not falling to pieces like those stairs?"
They looked around as the staking started up again, sending pieces of the castle falling down around them.
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Yusuke struggled as he was getting pushed back by Suzaku's energy.
"The lives of you and your miserable friends are all coming to a close at the same time. I love good endings." Suzaku taunted before getting ready to attack.
"Now it's over!" Suzaku hollered before letting loose his attack.
Yusuke crossed his arms in front of him and blocked the attack as best as he could, "No!" He yelled as he hit the ground.
"The lightning energy has missed its target. I don't see how that can…" Suzaku stared in shock at one of his pieces of red hair that hung in his face was fracture and sparking, "Oh no, my tentacle!"
He growled as he looked over at the Spirit Detective, "His first attack. He must have damaged it without my knowing. These tentacles are the guiding lights for my attacks. They've been dipped in thick armor and still he made one crumble."
"All this time," He growled as Yusuke tried to stand up, "I've halfway missed!"
"I'm so tired of being electrocuted." The teen grumbled, looking over at the Beast.
"You are not human, Yusuke, but I will kill you. Even if it takes me a thousand tries!" Suzaku rejoined with his copies and powered up, "My poor tentacle won't allow me a direct hit, so I will just have to tear you piece by piece!"
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Hiei carefully aimed and threw his katana across the gap where the staircase had crumbled and it sank into the rock above. Kurama threw his Rose Whip and looped it around the sword.
Kurama turned back to the others. "Needless to say, hold on tight!"
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"YUSUKE!"
Yusuke looked up as his name was screamed out in terror, "Keiko." Yusuke mumbled. Botan was knocked out and was being held by Keiko. His cousin was using his bat to the best of his ability, but the infected were overpowering him and pulling him away from the girl, "No. Souta!" He stared, helpless.
One of the infected teachers raised a pair of scissors above his head and plunged it down. Yusuke watched in slow motion as it neared the girls, "Yusuke."
That did it. Something snapped in Yusuke, making his eyes go white. He rage with an anguished yelled. His whole body was shrouded in White Spirit Energy instead of his usual blue. "That's it!"
"What's this? Where is his energy coming from?" Suzaku questioned, "His life! He's using life energy from his body! He's actually willing to sacrifice his life for them!" He turned to the screen, "What will he profit from that?"
With another yell, Yusuke charged forward, ready to strike.
"Such power!" Suzaku gasped. "Prism Storm of Torment!" The arrows bounced uselessly off the energy shield around Yusuke's body.
"SHOTGUN!" he roared, and seven spirit bullets flew towards the final Saint Beast just as Hiei, Kurama, Kagome and Kuwabara ran into the room.
"Urameshi!" Kuwabara looked over in awe.
"Yusuke!" Kagome threw up a quick shield around the three guys with her, just in case the blast got too close.
The attacks collided and a blinding white light flooded the tower, causing the seven Suzakus to crumble. Murugu disintegrated, calling out her master's name, and the Makai whistle was smashed to pieces. Yusuke fell to the ground, unconscious.
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Keiko and Souta finally looked up and noticed that all the infected people had been knocked out cold around them. Souta smiled. They did it. It was over.
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"I was wrong about you once again, Yusuke." Suzaku gasped out as he crawled across the floor. "It wasn't because you weren't human that I lost. I lost because you were. Feelings are your power. Touche, human. At last I understand."
As soon as the words left his mouth, Suzaku collapsed breathed his last.
"Yusuke!?" Kagome cried as she rushed over to her fallen cousin, "YUSUKE!" She checked his pulse, "He's not breathing. Come on, Yusuke. Wake up! Please!" Tears fell down her faces, "I can't lose anyone else I care about! You need to wake up!"
"Wake up Urameshi! Let's go home!" Kuwabara yelled at the other side of her.
"I'm sorry, he's expended all of his body energy." Kurama said, looking at the girl, "His heart is stopping."
"Then I'll give him some of my own!" Kuwabara exclaimed as he dropped down next to my cousin.
"That wouldn't be very wise. Your body is still badly injured from Byakko. Any more strain on it could kill you."
"Me and Urameshi jumped into this deal together. And we're both gonna come out alive or we're not coming out at all! Okay?!" Kuwabara hollered back.
Just as Kuwabara leaned over, Kagome pushed Kurama back, "I don't want to take a chance of hurting you." Her words barely audible as she laid her cousin down, "Please. Step back." He nodded and she turned to Kuwabara. "Let me try something first. If it works, you won't have to use as much energy."
They watched as Kagome used her Reiki on Yusuke and healed his body. "Okay." She went to stand up, but her energy gave out and Kurama caught her before she could fall, "Thanks. Go ahead, Kuwabara."
They stepped away and watched as the teen gave his friend some of his life energy. "Here goes, Urameshi! Come on!"
Kurama smiled, "Well, I suppose we'll have to return to living world carrying both of them on our backs."
"Like I said, baby sitting." Hiei sighed before looking at the Miko, "You need more training if you're going to be able to do that again without hurting yourself."
She chuckled, "Oh, I plan on it. Right now, I just want to go home, take a bath and sleep. Don't care how long, just as long as I sleep."
"Here's what I don't understand." Hiei looked at Kurama, "Why would he bother saving them if he died in the process?" He shrugged at Kagome, "No offense."
"You're a demon." She copied his shrug and smirked, "No offense taken."
He shook his head at her, "I like you almost a little bit better than your cousin."
"A compliment. I'll take it."
Kurama laughed at them, "Trust me Hiei, there are reasons for what Yusuke did."
The spiky haired demon scoffed, "Maybe for a person who's lived there. But I'd never do it. The challenge is enough without taking someone else's slack."
Kagome giggled as she watched Kuwabara collapse over Yusuke, "Oh, I need a picture." She held up her compact communicator and took a snapshot. "Who wants a copy." She grinned as the two demons shook their heads at her. She shrugged, "I'll give one Botan. She appreciate it. Do you mind?" She gestured to the boys.
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Once they got the two boys settled in their homes, Kagome and Kurama went to the high school to find it a mess. They found Keiko and Souta, who were helping a now awake Botan, as the wadded through the bodies of the formerly infected teachers and students.
"Hey, guys." Kagome greeted, hugging her brother, "Ready to go home?"
"Boy, am I ever." He sighed, happy to see that she was okay.
"Wait a minute!" Keiko exclaimed as she passed Botan off to Kurama, "Are you going to explain what happened here? Why they were after me?"
"Um," Kagome looked at the loopy Grim Reaper and sighed, "not today. Yusuke needs his rest. We all do. When he's better, he can explain. Okay?"
"Well…"
"That was rhetorical, because I'm not answering anything." She nodded to Kurama, "Get her back to her boss." He nodded, "And once everything is settled, we'll sit down and have that talk."
"I appreciate it." He hefted Botan into his arms, "Let's get you to Koenma, okay?"
"Keiko." Kagome turned to the girl as the other two disappeared, "Go home. Get some rest. As soon as Yusuke is awake and healed, take it out with him."
"Oh, I will."
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"Well, about time you woke up." Kuwabara said as Yusuke woke up.
"Where am I?" Yusuke asked as he looked around.
"You're in my room. Which, by the way, is back on Earth." Kuwabara replied.
"You've been sleeping for three days straight." Kurama added.
"Three days, it feels like I've been out for a while." Yusuke said as he sat up.
"School looks like a war zone, and classes got canceled for a week." Kuwabara said.
"I talked to your mom," Kagome said, walking in, "so you don't have to worry about that." She frowned, "Then again, she was drunk, so she probably didn't notice."
Yusuke nodded, "Okay, and what about Keiko?"
Kurama and Kuwabara just turned their heads and Kagome turn her back to him.
"What about Keiko, Botan, and Souta?!" Yusuke asked again.
No one said anything, "What?" No one spoke, which seemed to piss him off. "What? Hey! You better start doin' more than clenching your teeth! Tell me what happened to her!" Yusuke yelled as he grabbed Kuwabara by his shirt.
"I recognize that yell anywhere! What's up, Yusuke?" Botan asked as she, Keiko, and Souta walked into the room.
"Botan. Keiko. Souta." Yusuke said shocked.
"Oh my gosh, that was so great!" Kuwabara laughed.
"Sorry, Yusuke. He insisted." Kurama chuckled.
Kuwabara had tears of laughter in his eyes as he cackled. "Ha! You really should have seen the look on your face!"
"Come here, you jerk. I'll show you a look!" Yusuke planted his fist in Kuwabara's laughing face.
"I told him it wasn't a good idea," Kagome giggled as she hid behind her brother, "so please don't hurt me."
"Come here, you brats." He pulled his two cousins two him and gave them hugs, "I'm so glad you two are okay." He looked at Souta, "You're getting pretty tall there, kid. How old are you now?"
"Twelve."
"What?!" He looked at Kagome, "I thought he was younger than that?"
"He only looked younger because he was so short." She shuffled her brother's hair, "Give it another year or two and he'll sprout up good and proper."
"Yeah, yeah." Souta swatted at her hand, "Keep it up." He smirked, "Now, how about that expalnation for Kurama here? I mean, I could hear again."
Kagome's eyes widened as she avoided the fox demon, "Maybe another time. Like when Yusuke doesn't need to talk with Keiko about everything."
"Thanks a lot, Kagome!" He yelled as Keiko walked out, "Keiko! Wait!"
"Enjoy yourself?" Kurama asked, walking over to her.
"Yep."
"Good. I would like that talk now. How about we go to your Temple?"
She stared at him and nodded.
To be continued…
Next up will be a condensed version of how she knows him, she doesn't want to get too detailed yet. Lol. You'll see why. Also, the Rescue. Don't worry Yukina. They'll save you! :)
Also, I'm starting a poll.
Who should be the Fifth Member for the Dark Tournament?
Kagome
Genkai
Whoever doesn't win will be the alternate.
Thanks for reading! :)