Chapter 29—Ryota's Choice

Outside of Hika's internal battle was another battle raging. Kuronue, despite his newly awaken demonic powers, was still getting beaten badly by Edmund. Kuronue found himself checking on Hika at times when he should have been dodging this attack or that attack. When her body jerked up, he tried to dive to her side to make sure she was okay only to get slammed into by Edmund.

"Bleathe! Get over here and help me take care of this bastard," Edmund shouted.

Hika trembled as she fought to stand. She looked to where Edmund had Kuronue pinned to the ground. She stumbled forward and made it appear that she was still Bleathe to the best of her abilities. When she neared, Edmund pushed himself away, noticing the small differences that Hika couldn't help but show—the worried look when she looked at Kuronue, the giggle that wasn't quiet as sadistic as it should have been.

Edmund instead turned and tackled Hika, putting her body between his and Kuronue's. Kuronue had risen and been about to punch Edmund in the back. He pulled his fist back just in time to keep from punching Hika in the face.

"Can't attack your precious Hika now can you?" Edmund taunted as he bent down and licked Hika's neck, pulling her shoulder length hair back . "Maybe I should mark her right now?"

"Maybe you should let my little sister go before I rip your balls off, hmm?" came a voice behind him just before a fist caught him in the side of the head. Edmund and Hika went rolling to the side. Ryota came into view, looking the worse for wear but alive at least. His eyes sparkled with something that scared Hika a bit. It was a sparkle that spoke of trying dangerous things.

Edmund pushed himself up and faced the other demon, forgetting the two lovers for the moment. He had told Bleathe to put him under completely. Of course, he'd also told Bleathe to keep Hika busy for as long as possible if not keep her completely occupied until Kuronue was about to die.

Hika pushed herself to her feet before stumbling forward. Her fight with Bleathe had taken more from her than she had at first realized. She could no longer feel the energy from Deshiri or Hiromi in her, though she knew that they were a part of her always. She stumbled towards Kuronue who remained where he lay, trying to get the energy to sit up.

Ryota looked at the two and growled as his body became bulkier. He was summoning the rage that he had used to hurt his sister that night all those years ago. He didn't look away from Hika until she turned to gaze at him with worry. He put on a smile as he was tackled by Edmund. "Tell mom, it had to be done," he whispered, knowing she would hear him. He wrapped his arms around Edmund as they flew back.

Hika frowned at first before she realized what Ryota had meant. Her eyes opened wide. She pushed herself up from Kuronue's side and started forward. "No! Ryota you can't!" she screamed. She didn't want to lose her brother a second time. That's why she'd offered herself up as a home for Bleathe.

But it was too late. Ryota roared as a part of himself detached and he became the barbarian he had been that night. He was Edmunds equal now. He was fighting, pushing Edmund back and forth. Then, when he felt his breaking point coming up he let it go. All of his energy pulled into one punch. He had to make it count. After he let this punch fly, he'd have no energy whatsoever. His brain would stop functioning because he was even putting that energy to a taxing level. He would die—but he would die for the sister he had hurt all those years ago. He would protect her like he hadn't been able to back then.

His punch connected with Edmund's stomach. With so much energy focused on one part of his body, it ripped open, taking a majority of his chest with it. Edmund collapsed with a stunned look on his face. Ryota looked up and smiled as a tear ran down his cheek. He'd saved her. He'd saved his sister.

Hika had watched all this as she cried for Ryota to stop, to give it up, that the three of them could fight together and get Edmund to leave them alone if they just turned him into Koenma, even if she didn't believe it. She didn't want to lose her brother. It was just then that her mother and father burst in with Takji and Night at their backs. All four had signs of fighting on their bodies.

The four of them spread out, checking everyone over in silence. Hika was still screaming at her brother to get up, to stop playing dead, and to move. To show that he couldn't have been stupid enough to use a Swan's Song attack like that. Her parents were grieving in their own silent way. They held onto each other as they stared at Ryota's dead body as Night helped Kuronue sit up and Takji had draped a warmer shirt over Hika's shoulders.

/

Kuronue limped into the dojo where Hika sat curled in a ball, staring at the plaque that had been put there in Ryota's honor. Next to it was one for Charlie, Deshiri, and Hiromi. Hika had spent most of her time in the last three weeks since Ryota's death staring at those plaques.

Kuronue stood, his wings folded at his side. Unlike the time before it seemed that Kuronue had awakened his true demonic self and had been allowed to keep his wings. As he entered the room, Hika looked up from where she sat. As their eyes met, they knew what they had to do. Hika rose from her place and walked over to Kuronue. He took her in his arms and held her tight.

"I can be ready in two days." Kuronue whispered.

"Five for me," Hika replied.

"Hika?"

"Yes Kuronue?"

"I love you."

Hika slowly looked up from where she's buried her face. "I've always loved you, from the day I first set eyes on you as Deshiri," she confided.