Chapter 16 Shido explodes! I will kill you!

"I can't see a thing, nothing in sight other than a void of darkness to keep me company. I feel a warm sensation stroking my cheek indicating one thing. For now I'm still alive but I can feel my breathing slowing down and my life slipping away. I can hear him crying calling out my name and all I want to do is tell him to stop crying. But try as I might, no words can be uttered from my mouth. All I can do is listen to the blood curdling scream that he screams out and I can sense just from his voice that he is in sheer agony. All I want to do is get up and embrace him to stop his tears however, my body won't listen to me I can't even move my fingers.

I shout out my body to move but my pleas fall on death ears. As a result I'm powerless to do nothing but listen to his cries and cling to what is left keeping me alive. The shadows of darkness close in on me and I'm powerless to push them away. With them closed in on me, all I can do is pray he will be okay. Somebody anybody! Protect Shido! Stop his tears and let him live!"

Shido held Tohka's lifeless body in his arms the rain hammering down on the pair. Shido stroked her hair feeling its dampness in his hands as he gripped a single strand of hair. Shido couldn't stop his tears as they trailed down his face his voice shouting for her to wake up until his voice went hoarse. Shido set her down gently realising that his voice wasn't reaching her. Shido clenched his fists tightly until they were tainted with his crimson blood. His teeth gritted tightly as the inner animal inside him was bursting out for a fight. Shido shifted his gaze to Kage and the drones of his friends his tears now changing into blood dripping his pupils.

"Kage How dare you. How dare you take her from me! My Tohka! I won't forgive you! I absolutely will never forgive you!" Shido roared out a war cry red lighting bolts crashing around him as his inner rage took possession over him. Shido's calm blue hair was darkened by his inner sanity failing until it was the shade of the shadows he tried to fight inside him. His blue eyes also changed into ruby's indicating that the calm and collected Itsuka Shido was nowhere to be found on this blood tainted battlefield. Shido picked up his swords. They darkened the instant they felt his touch.

"It's over fool! Ladies show Shido how much you truly care for him!" Kage commanded giving the girls the go ahead to take up arms and fight. Shido's eyes were drained of all hesitation as he cold heartedly stared at the faces of the ones he cares for. Shido yelled blood lust in his eyes as he sliced violently at the Yoshino drone decapitating her head clean off. The miku drone charged next her ginourmous axe lifted above him. Shido yelled parrying the axe strike with his first sword and driving his second blade through the heart of the emotionless robot.

"Bring me more to kill! My blade hungers for more blood!" Kage grinned wanting to see this side of Shido from the beginning. Despair planted on his face and then his inner rage unleashed as a result destroying every fibre of his existence.

"Of course Shido, look behind you there are some fresh cattle for you to kill right there." Kane said pointing towards it.

Shido turned round to see the blue haired spirit run towards him.

"Shido are you okay? What happened to your hair?" Miku said her gaze now reverting to Tohka's lifeless body.

"Another pig ready for the slaughter!" Shido said charging towards miku.

"Shido what are you?" Miku said her sentence cut off as she shrieked just having her cheek caught as she evaded Shido.

Shido licked the blade of his sword savouring the taste of fresh blood.

"Mmm so sweet I look forward to tasting more!" Shido said laughing like a maniac.

Shido charged her again. Miku screamed terrified of this fiend taking over Shido. Shido was stopped in his tracks as he felt the two sets of chains encircle his arms.

"Shido please come back to us calm down!" Kaguya said as she gripped the chain tightly.

"Please don't do this Shido" Yuzuru said holding the other chain. Shido gritted his teeth as he grabbed the ends of both chains.

"Don't get in my way!" Shido pulled both chains sending Kaguya and Yuzuru into each other there heads colliding into each other making them hit the ground. Shido stepped on Kaguya's throat a huge grin across his face as he brought down the full force of his boot.

"Get your foot off my sister!" Yuzuru said trying to hit Shido with her angel. Shido dodged the strike punching her in the gut and knocking her back. Shido reverted his attention back to the girl on the floor her hands on his boot as he brought it down further. All of a sudden, Shido was propelled off her due to Miku's sonic sound waves the first attack which managed to hit him. Miku panted as the exhaustion hit her hard. Kaguya are you okay?" Miku questioned helping her up.

"I'll be fine, but what about Shido? What happened to him?" Kaguya questioned shaking in fear as she felt herself being that close to lights out.

"I don't know, but I do know we have to help him. In order to do that though I'm sorry but we have to hurt him or at least restrain him."

"I know let's do it!" They both said in sync charging Shido.

"That's right come at me!" Shido said engaging in combat against the twins. The sound of metal clashing with one another resonating in the area. Kaguya and Yuzuru vaulted back both nodding to each other in agreement for their next move. Kaguya and Yuzuru combined their angels together to form a huge bow and arrow.

"Go El Kanaph!" They both shouted as they launched the lance arrow at Shido. Shido grinned as the death spear spiralled towards him. Instead of raising his swords though, he took the attack head on grasping it with his bare hands. Shido laughed as he overpowered the attack stopping its rotation and speed launching it back at the twins. Yuzuru and Kaguya screamed as the attack approached them. They closed there and braced for impact as they had no time to react or dodge. The lance didn't hit the predicted target as it was struck off course it plunged downwards and crashed into the ground. Shido laughed as he saw another target to kill. The ginourmous sword rested on her shoulders as she looked back into his eyes.

"Tohka your alive! What happened?" Miku questioned happy to see her.

"I'm not really sure myself, all I know is just before I was about to see the light, a warm flame emerged from my chest and before I knew it, my body was mobile again and my pain and exhaustion was completely gone." Tohka said now looking at the inverse form of Shido. "Everyone, we're going to do this as quickly as possible I don't want to hurt him. I'm going to fight him to distract him. Meanwhile you guys restrain him and I'll kiss him to bring him back his normal self. Just like he did for me before." Tohka said gripping sandalphon.

The spirits nodded in agreement as Shido was locked in combat with Tohka.

"Oh your swordsmanship is impressive, looks like I'll have fun killing you after all!" Shido said parrying her sword strike.

"Shido it's me I'm alive so please stop this anger, there is nothing to be sad about now." Tohka said trying to hide the tears which tried to escape.

"Shut up stupid girl, I'm more powerful than any spirit alive; i'll kill you slowly so you will experience true pain!" Shido said hitting against her sandalphon.

"Shido don't you remember me? This form isn't the real you. I was like this once before and you helped me. And now I'm going to save you!" Tohka said refusing to give up hitting against his defensive stance again.

"Shido this isn't like you please return to normal!" Tohka said blocked shocking Shido's vicious strike.

"Shut up stupid girl! Your words are meaningless and you will cease to speak once I remove your head from your shoulders!" Shido said strike her with crimson lightning.

"Shido, when you held out your hand to me that day, you promised me you would accept me no matter how many rejected me. When you said that I was very happy. It was the first time ever since I came to this planet that somebody treated me with such kindness. So tell me why…. Why is the person I deeply care for trying to hurt me and his friends!?" Tohka said slicing mightily and breaking Shido's formidable defence. Shido gasped in shock stumbling back giving his opponents a window of opportunity. Shido grunted in frustration as two chains bound him to a huge pipe organ.

"Damn you cowards release me!" Shido said as Tohka walked right up to him.

"Fine you miserable woman strike me down while you have the chance!" Shido said struggling to get the chains off of him. Tohka approached Shido in tears dropping her sandalphon to the floor as she got closer to him.

"Please come back to me the way you were before Shido." Tohka said at face distance with him as she pressed her lips to his with tears soaking them. All of a sudden, images of the purple haired woman who stood before him flooded through his head. Shido was overwhelmed with flashbacks with the girl he was currently fighting and with every flashback that he viewed, his sanity began to return to him whilst Tohka still clung to him refusing to let go until he returned back to normal. Shido opened his eyes as they reverted back to their calm ocean blue.

"Tohka?" Shido uttered the first word that came to mind. Tohka smiled brightly embracing him tight because of Shido's inversion form finally passing.

"Tohka! You're alive! Thank goodness!" Shido said excitement in his tone as he embraced her back.

"Well isn't that nice you're both reunited with each other. However, this battle is far from over. If you haven't noticed we have another guest with us and with his help I will become even more powerful than you could ever imagine!" Kage said pointing over to the humungous shadow that lurked over the fallen debris. Phantom had appeared and was currently launching towards Kage.

Kage yelled in agony as the phantom forcefully began to take control of his body causing immense pain to both his body and mind. The shadows wrapped around his body like a boa constrictor squeezing all of the life out of its prey. Kane's body darkened as the malicious creature possessed his body fighting for control. Shido and Tohka prepared their angels getting ready for the force about to awaken on the building's rubble opposite them. Shido's blades now reverted back to their golden shade instead of the corrupted darkness they were once covered in.

"Tohka we have to take him out together. Phantom is really powerful and we can't let our guard down." Shido said his eyes fixated on their opponent. Miku and the spirit twins joined Tohka and Shido's side.

"We'll help you Shido." The three spirits said holding their own weapons.

"Thanks everyone. Let's finish this quickly so we can all go home and have dinner with everyone." Shido said letting loose his spiritual power. On reflex the other spirits unleashed their power as well as the dark thunderous cloud in front of them began to form and take shape.

"NONE OF YOU WILL BE LEAVING HERE ALIVE!" bellowed a thunderous voice of a huge titan like shadow warrior holding a colossal katana.

"Don't worry girls I'm okay now. So let's teach phantom a lesson! Let's go everyone!" Shido ordered as he charged towards the ginourmous shadow creature the girls following him shortly behind him. Shido leaped into the air as he narrowly avoided Phantom's humungous fist as it smashed into the ground. The swordsman quickly landed on Phantom's fist dashing up the length of his arm in order to get to a closer vital point. Yuzuru and her sister bound Phantom's arms preventing him from moving easily giving Shido the perfect chance to land on blow on the hideous creature. However, as soon as Shido reached Phantom's head, Phantom grinned as effortlessly broke the chains with his incredible strength and grasped Shido in his other hand. As Shido struggled to break free, Phantom increased the intensity of his grip second by second spelling trouble for Shido's bones. The pain becoming unbearable Shido cried out as he felt his rib cage begin to crush his vital organs and each of his bones beginning to break as if they were mere tooth picks. The colour of crimson spit out of Shido's mouth as he was continuously crushed. A shade of purple rushed through the atmosphere as Tohka charged head on with Phantom rage built in her eyes.

"Let Shido go!" Tohka screamed slashing with sandalphon on phantom's shoulder. Phantom grinned again raising his hand and throwing Shido with all of his might as if he were a measly piece of discarded paper.

"Shido!" screamed Miku as she caught him in mid air her hands tainted with his blood. "How dare you do that to Shido! Unforgivable!" Tohka shouted aiming her second attack towards the possessed Kane's rib.

"Too weak!" He replied responding with a lethal counter strike swatting her away like a measly fly.

Tohka screamed as her body crashed into the surface her lying now in a pool of her own blood. Her eyes now shut unaware of the shadow blast heading straight for her. Crimson light flashed past phantom's vision intercepting his deadly attack. The blast came to halt as it collided with the object in front of it. The dark beam flew off into the distance as it was propelled by another power. Tohka opened her eyes feeling the liquid drip onto her cheek. She looked up at her saviour who held her. Her eyes fixated on his injuries. Tohka stared at him tears in her eyes as she looked at Shido who looked like he had just been through a blender.

"Tohka… are you okay?" Shido uttered struggling to breathe.

"I'm fine. But what about you Shido? You're barely able to stand."

"I'll be fine Tohka, I have to protect you all. Just stand back I promise I will protect all of you while I am still breathing. I won't stop. I won't rest until my legs shatter I will fight him!" Shido said standing tall and tightening the grip on his swords. Shido began to run towards phantom.

"Still not done yet? Very well I will annihilate all of you!" Phantom said firing another attack towards Shido. As the blast began to reach him, Shido tried the same tactic again bringing his swords together to form a shield and reflect the blast. However, Shido's legs gave out underneath him dropping him to his knee's. Miku unable to move cried out his name as the blast got closer and closer. Her eyes fixated on the scene as the blast failed to hit Shido but another target instead.

"Kaguya Yuzuru!" Miku screamed as the twins were catapulted by the blasts impact.

Shido looked on helplessly as his weapons lay on the ground beside him. He was fixated to that one spot unable to move as if his legs were extremely being manipulated by gravitational force. Shido gritted his teeth unable to keep a lid on his overflowing anger which built in the pit of his stomach.

"Kage how dare you! I don't care if you are being possessed by phantom right now, even if this is against your own will. I will never forgive you!" Shido yelled a golden flame now surrounding him. The shadows around him vanished eradicated by Shido's overwhelming heroic spirit.

"I swear I will defeat you and protect my precious family!" Shido's golden flames surrounded the battlefield spreading further and further enveloping the three fallen spirits in its warm glow. A sudden surge of power ran through Shido's veins as the flame began to rejuvenate him and return his previous power. The tainted crimson which once covered his arms and legs had completely vanished as if time had reverted itself and returned the blood back to his body. Power surged through his body as his original strength returned to him.

"I can feel it my power is returning to me again. No that's wrong it feels like my power has doubled no tripled to my normal limit. With this be prepared Kane, because I'm using all of this power to make you regret you laid a hand on the one's who are most important to me!" Shido thought to himself as his spiritual aura reawakened.

"You can do it master Shido, as long as you stand and fight I will continue to be your sword!" Tsubaki said his voice directly transmitting to Shido's head. "Reina is with you master I will protect you and the one's you desire to keep safe!"

Both of his weapons shined beautifully as the incredible power surged within them.

Shido dashed straight for phantom his mind completely focused as he made each step towards him. Phantom laughed as the pitiful human once again tried the impossible and tried to attack him again.

"It's futile! When all is said and done, you are still nothing more than a weak human an insect which isn't worth to be imprinted on my foot!" Phantom said refusing to move to guard against an ineffective strike. Shido ignored the insulting the great beast threw at him charging straight forward with one thing on his mind he was going to defeat this enemy. Shido took advantage of Phantom underestimating him. Phantom's guard was not at all prepared as he planned to take on the strike. Shido's attack surprised phantom as he cried out in pain his giant arm falling to the ground causing the ground itself to quake.

"How dare you! You filthy human causing such an injury to me!" Phantom roared shooting a concentration of his angry towards Shido. Shido held still trusting the power of his partners slicing cleanly through the frightening blast.

"How dare I? How dare you for hurting my precious friends!" Shido roared stabbing phantom in the leg this time.

"Impossible! I won't allow a mere insect to defeat me!" Phantom yelled concentrating his power. The atmosphere was immersed in horrendous dark negative energy as phantom's terrifying attack began to take shape. Shido spotted the frightening sphere of negativity and prepared his own power to counter his attack. The three girls stood up and all started to mimic Shido's plan of action and started focusing their spiritual energy also.

"Everyone please we have to lend our power to Shido! He's going to need all of our help to counter that attack." Tohka said as she looked onwards at phantom's ultimate attack which began to grow more and more as the seconds passed by.

"Tsubaki, Reina. I'm begging you; just lend me your power for just a bit longer to beat this guy." Shido uttered as his power continuously grew. "Not yet, I can still draw out more power. Just a bit more."Shido said whilst his golden aura continued to flow.

Shido raised his swords to the sky and joined them together in the shape of a cross guard. A golden sphere began to form in between the two blades. Tohka, Miku and the twins rushed to Shido's side placing their hands on him to transfer their power to him. "It's okay Shido you can do it, we're all right here you're not alone." Miku said placing a hand on his right shoulder.

"There is nothing we can't accomplish together shido." The twins said in sync both placing a hand on his back.

"Wipe out this creep so we can go home and eat some of your delicious cooking." Tohka said planting a kiss on his cheek and a hand on his left shoulder.

"Thank you everyone, I'll defeat this guy and then we can go back to our home." Shido said concentrating all of the gifted power he had been transferred to him. In no time Shido's golden sphere technique had grown in matching size to phantom's own attack. "Be crushed down and eradicated from this world!" Phantom roared as he hurls the death ball with all of his force.

"You're the only one who has going to be erased from this world phantom!" Shido said

As he sliced down with both of his blades launching his own power ball. The two attacks collided with another being to erase all that stood between them generating a huge shockwave as they struggled to overpower the other and prove to be superior.

"You're not going to win phantom! You're all alone and yet I have every one beside me helping me!" Shido brought forth more of his power pushing his attack even further forward. "Never be resurrected again!" Shido said as his attack began to consume the darkness. Phantom panicked leaving Kane's body propelling his lifeless figure to the ground below averting him and the still Kane from danger.

"I won't be defeated here you here me!" Phantom shouted towards the ground where Shido was supposed to be.

"Wait where did he go!?" phantom questioned unable to react in time.

"This is the end Phantom! Lightning thunder barrage!" Shido was quick like the lightning itself slicing continuously at phantom dealing serious damage to his form unable to react against Shido's unstoppable combo. "Judgement of the lightning king!" Shido generated a powerful magic golden circle and combined both of his swords together to create a stronger and bigger blade. As he slashed down this final strike, thousands of lightning bolts fell down on phantom breaking down his very existence.

"Im… impossible! How could I lose to a mere human!"

And before they knew it, phantom was no more.

"It's finally over." Shido said as his legs gave away his body slowly dropping to the ground. Instead of landing on the hard ground, he had a very soft landing. Arms were wrapped around Shido in an embrace as the purple haired girl held him comfortably in aid to his exhaustion. "I'm sorry Tohka, I can't even lift a finger right now."

"It's okay Shido, you did well Shido. Now rest up my precious Shido." Tohka said embracing him tightly.

Shido closed his eyes and welcomed Tohka's assistance and fell into a deep sleep until they eventually reached their home.

Shido was now revived giving it his all to cook for his precious family. A huge feast was in store for there celebration of their recent victory against phantom. Now phantom was gone Shido could rest easy knowing that no one else was in danger of being manipulated by that dark creature. Regardless, Shido was aware that his mission to save spirits in distress was not over yet. Kotori informed him recently that there is a possibility that spirits could still be dormant in other countries waiting to be helped before their power goes out of control causing more spatial quakes. Shido served the dish onto the table preparing several bowls full of rice and the main dish for the night Sukiyaki. Shido smiled as his family gathered round the table and thanked him for the food. Seeing the smiles imprinted on their faces made all the hard work he had been through all worth it. Until Shido came in contact with the spirits, he had felt a bit lonely with just him and his sister he couldn't help but miss his parents. However, now in the present time this very moment, Shido felt incredibly happy that he could sit at this table with all of those he cared for so much. His eyes mainly focused on the girl with an amusing expression across the table as she fully enjoyed his cooking. Shido recalled how he had finally confessed to her on the battlefield but couldn't help but feel Tohka deserves a proper confession. With dinner done, all of the girls returned back to their rooms leaving Shido and Kotori alone in the kitchen cleaning up. Shido was lost in thought until he felt a tug on his sleeve. Shido turned to his side seeing his pink haired little sister smiling at him.

"Big brother you go rest I'll take care of the washing up." Kotori said in her sweet little sister mode voice her white hair ribbons being worn at the current time.

"Thank you Kotori I could do with a rest." Shido said stroking her head as he left the kitchen.

"Big brother." Kotori said causing Shido to turn around.

"Do your best fight!"

Shido smiled sticking his thumb up and making his way out of the house to the apartments next door.

Shido journeyed up the steps knocking lightly on the door as he approached it. In seconds the door opened revealing the purple haired girl smiling.

"Shido welcome. Come in come in!" She said cheerfully unable to contain her excitement.

Shido smiled and accepted her invitation walking inside and taking a seat on her bed next to her.

"We really have been through a lot recently haven't we? It was quite scary that last battle."

"Yeah you're right, but I wasn't that scared I believed in you Shido the man who saved me before. Ever since that day I've always believed in you." Tohka replied with her cheery tone.

Shido placed a hand on her cheek and looked her straight in the eyes. "Thank you Tohka that makes me very happy I'm glad I met you." Shido replied.

"Me too, I'm really happy that it was you who offered your hand out to me that day."

Shido stroked her cheek.

"Ever since the day I met you, I've always dreamed for the day I could protect you for once. To protect the one I love. I love you Tohka. I love you so much that I can't stand the thought of you being hurt. Stay by my side forever!" Shido said hugging her so hard that she fell backwards onto the bed. Shido looked down at her in shock as to what just happened, both of his hands on either side of her head.

"Shido?" Tohka said unable to hide her flustered face as she looked up towards him. Closing her eyes fully accepting his comfort. Shido pulled himself together his head reaching down closing the distance between them until it was shortened to the distance that a warm and passionate connection occurred. Shido kissed her passionately wanting to fully express his love for her. Tohka linked her arms behind his neck bringing him in closer. Shido untied the ribbon of her school uniform looking at her straight afterwards receiving a nod from her giving him the okay. Shido placed his hand on her breast as he kissed her his eyes shooting wide open after he heard a sudden noise. Shido and Tohka both separated and grew red in embarrassment seeing Kotori at the entrance clapping her hands.

"Well done Shido, you're becoming quite the adult. Don't mind me please continue." Kotori said a huge grin on her face. Tohka hid her face in her knee's unable to bear the situation. "No this is uh." Shido uttered also becoming extremely embarrassed.

"No fair Tohka! I want to do that with darling to!" Miku said as she discarded her top hugging shido into her chest.

"What are you doing to Shido!? He is mine don't do that with him!" Tohka said ignoring the situation she was in.

"Why not share him? After all he is my darling?"

"No he is mine he just told me he loves me! And I'm going to be with him forever as his wife!" Tohka blurted out trying to pull Shido away.

"Eh well darling loves me too and I will be his second wife right darling?" Miku said kissing his cheek.

All of a sudden, Kotori broke up the conflict her phone alarm wailing.

"We'll have to settle this later a new spirit has appeared in Russia i'm getting readings of a spacial quake." Kotori said phoning the ship to transport them.

Shido, Tohka and Miku got themselves together and prepared for the next mission.

"Are you ready Tohka?"

"Yeah of course, even though this will be a new land to me, I will be fine with you by my side Shido."

"Of course I will keep you both safe."

"Thank you Shido really thank you so much." Tohka said hugging his arm.

"I love you too Tohka." Shido said stroking her head like she always enjoyed.

"Is everyone ready?" Kotori asked. They all nodded.

"Well then let's start the date!"

The end

Finally managed to complete this! I do apologise to all my readers for the delay. I had writers block and wanted to finish this when I had a clear blueprint of how I would do this chapter. I may do a sequel if I can come up with a new story. Hope you all enjoyed this story please write a review if you have the spare time.