A.N. I can't share this chapter without crediting my dear friend MCWolf073. I had a slightly different idea for the sequence in Sakura's head, but when she messaged me with one of her theories (several months ago, I might add!) I realised what she imagined actually worked incredibly well and I found a way to incorporate it with my original plan. Thank you for that, you beautiful soul!
Karina Guardian: I hope you managed to finish the canon. It's truly one of my all-time favourite anime arcs!
Nyac Silver Fang: Hope you enjoy!
Hina714: You're right, I always thought Itsuki was the most laid back of the group as well. I find his obsession with Sensui so disturbing and fascinating that I wanted to explore what might happen if he thought he was losing that connection, even a little. Togashi also said Itsuki was one of his favourite characters, and he's gone on record to say his speech to the boys inside Uraotoko is his favourite in the series.
Hmm, that's an interesting thought about what might happen next and who might intervene. Let's see if you're right!
Ghost of Magic: I've been DYING to write this chapter! Hope you love it!
Keyword LF: You really know how to make me cry, don't you? I just...thank you. From the bottom of my heart.
Ukitakeitalialover: Itsuki is a fascinating personality, for sure. He really can't stand the idea of anyone sharing Naru with him, since that's the part of Sensui that nobody else has seen. Togashi said he wished he could have expanded on Itsuki's twisted psyche more, but since that sadly never happened, I put my own spin on it. Though I would most certainly never claim to be anywhere near Togashi's level of genius.
I made the choice to respond to any reviews I got the moment I published Chapter 1 of Spirit Detective. Readers like yourself are the reason I do this, and the reason I've kept going for almost three years now. YOU are the ones who make my day, and your kindness warms my very soul. Responding to everyone is the very least I can do to express my gratitude. Enjoy the chapter!
Love or Pain: Read on and see if you're right!
I'm CRAZY excited for you all to read this chapter. Good luck, and I strongly suggest you take a seat on the floor in case of spontaneous falling.
Chapter 40
The breach opened wide before him. Itsuki slipped past Sakura's thin veneer of resistance and entered the last circle.
Any moment now, the final barricade would appear. Usually this might be a significant obstacle, but thanks to Haruki and Sensui's efforts, it would not be of any concern to him. The hours of softening the girl's mind up through the drugs, manipulation, emotional abuse and savage beatings would ensure a quick traversal into the deeper realms. There, he would find the connection threads. There, he would commandeer them and call the greatest destroyers that Demon World possessed.
Not far now.
How right he was, for just ahead Itsuki saw the half hidden entrance. The layers of ki that would usually block intruders were nowhere in sight. The only thing that even partially hid the rustic wooden door were lightly flowered vines. Behind this door was the lowest level of consciousness. This was the entrance to the girl's mind where he could find the centrepoint.
Itsuki pushed the vines aside, turned the key and emerged on the other side.
Oh my…
Having never entered a human mind before, Itsuki wasn't sure what to expect at first. But it most certainly was not what he found in Sakura Urameshi's mind.
The sight was magnificent. An expansive sky stretched above him. The breeze carried the scent of roses. Softly lit pink and gold clouds dotted the heavens, and when Itsuki looked down, he saw with delight that he was walking on water.
How beautiful.
Itsuki looked around for any sign of her centrepoint. It was his ultimate destination, the core, where the girl's soul was linked to her mind.
The breeze stirred up. A cloud floated in front of Itsuki and split apart into three sections. It melted into the form of an ethereal mist and spiralled towards Itsuki as if it were sentient. The mist swirled around him, examining this curious sight.
As expected, the mist was beautiful. It sparkled with the smallest movement. Different patterns flickered across the surface and it pulsed gently back and forth. Even as Itsuki admired it, he saw every colour of a beach sunset rise and fall in sync.
Extraordinary.
A few seconds passed before the mist darkened into a deep violet. The glittering effect sparked and morphed to an electrical crackling.
More resistance?
Apparently so, for the vapour flexed and coiled around this unrecognised visitor to contain him. It knew he wasn't supposed to be there. He was not welcome.
"Impressive," Itsuki smiled. "But I'm afraid it's no use."
He raised his hands and the mist immediately dispersed. It blew away into the void.
Once his path was clear, Itsuki spotted twinkling lights in the distance.
That has to be it.
He broke into a run.
"You may enter."
At their master's invitation, the blue-robed trio entered the throne room and bowed respectfully.
"Your Majesty. We have news to report."
The king looked up. "Hokushin. Tell me everything."
"Yes, my king. As you requested, we have kept a close watch over the outlying region. In the past few hours, we sensed a great disturbance beyond the Kekkai barrier. And it has only grown stronger."
"I see," The king pondered this for a moment. "And do you believe it is the one we have been waiting for?"
"Indeed, sir," another of the trio said. "We are all in agreement. The ki we have detected is most definitely female, and human, though it appears to have been corrupted. Hijacked, perhaps."
"Interesting. Most interesting. In that case, there is work to be done."
His white hair shifted as he eyed each man in turn, then said, "Hokushin, you three must go to confirm that it is truly who we have been waiting for."
"Your Majesty would like us to observe?"
"Yes. But avoid the enemy, and only intervene if absolutely necessary."
Hokushin exchanged a look with his companions. "You…wish for us to intervene, my lord?"
"If need be. But only the barest minimum. Pull back immediately before further engagement. Remain unseen if at all possible. It is far too early for anything else. Understood?"
The king rose, and his servants did the same.
"Go," he said. "I will be in the lower chambers when you return. There is…a task I must see to."
The trio bowed again. "Very well. Your instructions shall be followed, Your Majesty."
The water beneath Itsuki's feet rippled slightly with every step and the clouds billowed above him while he travelled deeper into Sakura's mind. This first circle was so beautiful, and he could not help wondering what other wonders he may uncover here.
He soon found out.
Beyond this tranquil place Itsuki came across a lush forest of delicate pink sakura trees. Itsuki ran through the swarm of falling petals, sprinted through an enormous rose garden, a field of towering sunflowers, under an iridescent waterfall and through a heavy blue rainstorm that soaked everything except for him.
He emerged from the rain and got a clear view of what awaited him. More of that beautiful sparkling mist twisted around the brightest light of all. Guarding it.
That must be her centrepoint.
As Itsuki drew closer, he came across a series of doors. He recognised them immediately. There were mind doors that allowed Sakura to connect effortlessly with her friends. Green, pink, lavender, brown with a flaming sword, jet black and marked with an eye, a silver door draped with vines…
It was all fascinating, but this wasn't what he came here for. Itsuki wove through the doors and found himself in front of the centrepoint.
Surrounded with thornless red roses, the pale pink orb shone with the brightness of a thousand suns. The power inside felt so gentle. So quietly strong.
Perfect.
Itsuki stepped over the rose bushes and placed his hands on the core. It vibrated. He pushed harder. The vibrating only increased. The centrepoint did not want to let him in.
She has certainly been well trained. But that will not be enough to stop me.
His six demon hands appeared and increased the pressure. The vibrating ceased almost immediately while Itsuki surged more ki into the centrepoint.
The resistance didn't last much longer. Not with eight hands bearing down and injecting all their might into the core. The surface cracked, and with one more push Itsuki forced his way in.
The void engulfed him in shadows as he fell to the ground. He saw nothing for a moment until a cluster of colourful butterflies danced over. Their dainty wings had a luminescent sheen, and as they soared past, light trickled in their wake.
The veil lifted. Itsuki looked around in wonder. He had made it. Everything he needed was right in front of him.
First, the connection threads. Sakura was no longer in control of them, so they were strewn carelessly about the marble vessel that stood in the middle of the room.
Itsuki paused long enough to scrutinise every inch of the basin.
It's undamaged, as Sensui said.
Just as well. The threads were important to their plan, but this basin? Absolutely critical. Even a small crack could throw the whole plan into chaos.
Itsuki leaned over the bowl and admired the translucent liquid inside. It shimmered, and he could have sworn he saw star fragments floating around.
Itsuki reached down to touch the watery substance. The moment his hand made contact, another quintet of those butterflies emerged from within. This time, they brushed against Itsuki's face. He flinched.
Strange. Why would that sting?
No, he couldn't dwell on it. Not now. He was so close.
Itsuki trailed his fingers through the bowl again. This time, it rippled while a single, pure musical note echoed within.
A gleaming crystal floated out and the music turned into a pleasant arpeggio run. It glided up and down, up and down in that mystical loop until the crystal was in place.
Itsuki smiled in triumph. He had found the Telepath's Refractor, a unique device responsible for controlling and directing communication along the connection threads. Speaking of which…
All eight of Itsuki's hands picked up the cords. They felt cold, which meant they were out of their master's control.
She's still unconscious. Not that it matters. This won't take long.
He cast the threads out and poured his demon energy into them. The cords hardened like stone under his influence and they started to weave through the air. There was no resistance. Nothing that remotely tried to stop him manipulating them around the Refractor. Itsuki watched in triumph as each cord interlaced through each other and formed a convoluted web in all directions.
Finally, everything was in place. There was only one thing left to do.
You tried your best, Sakura Urameshi. That is commendable. But nothing can stop divine justice, or the will of the universe.
Itsuki looked around one more time. Then he closed his eyes and projected his message across the demon plane.
Ancient warriors, S-Class destroyers of the Makai, heed our message. Balance is being restored. The tunnel to the Ningenkai, the Living World, is almost complete. Come forth to the Kekkai where the barrier between worlds will soon fall. You will soon be free to enter and eliminate all you can find.
Answer the call and you will cast divine judgement on humanity!
"Hmm?"
The red demon looked up in confusion. "What could that be?"
Tunnel? What tunnel? The Kekkai Barrier? None of that message made a lick of sense.
"What's your problem?" a haughty voice asked.
"I'm not sure…" the red demon frowned. He kept staring at the sky, but at the same time, the distorted voice seemed to have sounded in his head. The ki signal felt strange as well.
"Kokou, did you hear that?"
"Hear what?" She snorted and pushed a lock of green hair from her eyes. "There's nothing but those stupid birds."
Her husband shook his head. As suddenly as the message had sounded, it had vanished along with the ki signal.
"Huh. Never mind."
Maybe he'd just imagined it.
"My lord sent for me?"
The apparition knelt behind his master, who stared out the large window.
"Surely you heard it too, Kirin. That strange call from the Ningenkai."
"Indeed, my liege. But what could it be? Who could reach this far beyond the barrier? Perhaps the Raekai?"
"Unlikely. Not with that ki signal. And certainly not with such a range. None who dwell in the Raekai have the ability, and even if they did, why would they call us?"
Kirin paused. That was a very good point, but doubt still gnawed at him. He hesitated, then said,
"Forgive my impertinence, but has my liege considered that this might be a trick by the enemy to lure our forces into a trap?"
"It is possible, but I don't believe so. I doubt even he is foolish enough to try that. And what is more, I am detecting the entwined ki of a female human and a powerful yokai. Most curious."
"A human?" Kirin repeated. "Impossible!"
"Perhaps…or maybe I am wrong and it is a trick, as you say."
The master turned around. Only one eye was visible through the bandages and tags, but it told Kirin everything he needed to know.
"Place the warriors on standby in case of an invasion. Then, go and investigate this disturbance. Remain vigilant that you are not seen."
"By your command, my liege."
The blind ruler paced the room while footsteps sounded from down the hall. He tapped his own foot impatiently until his chief advisor entered.
"Youda, what did you learn? What was that sound? Who is responsible for this?"
"My lord, I'm not sure." Youda tugged thoughtfully at his beard. "It doesn't seem to be coming from this plane. I do believe it's from much further away. All our scanners agree with me."
"It ended so abruptly," the leader muttered. "I wonder…are the Raekai trying to lure us into a trap? Or the land of Obsydia, wishing to begin an early war?"
"Forgive me, sir, but that doesn't seem to be the case," Youda said. "You see, while the scanners cannot determine exactly what caused such a disturbance, we have identified that it is coming from…a human."
"A human?!"
"It appears so. However, the scanners also detect that another yokai is at least partially involved. Enhancing the power, maybe? We cannot be certain of the details, only the overview."
The leader's black hair swished as he marched to the window and mulled things over.
"If a human is truly behind this, then the source must be the Ningenkai," he said at last. "Youda, go and see what you can uncover. But do not allow yourself to be seen by an enemy."
"Certainly, my lord."
Sakura lay on the ground in the dark void. She could not even see a glimmer of light.
"I don't want this. Please, let me out of here! Give me my mind back!"
Sakura struggled against the shadowy restraints that held her down, but they did not yield. Her resistance and pleading made no difference.
Haruki had been correct. The infiltration only hurt physically for a moment, but nothing could ease the anguish in Sakura's heart. Of knowing what was about to happen.
I'm sorry, everyone. I'm so, so sorry. I tried.
Itsuki had done it. He'd invaded her mind and completely taken over. She was trapped like this until the job was complete. Until the S-class had heard of the tunnel and made their way over. Her power would, in part, help destroy the human race.
But there was still one hope. One last chance.
If the Kekkai barrier holds, the A-Class and S-class won't be able to get through. Kuwabara has the ability to cut it, but he never would, and they don't have Gourmet's ability anymore. Unless Itsuki takes control of his mind as well and forces him. And if I couldn't stop it with all my training, Kuwabara probably wouldn't stand a chance.
The thought was unbearable. She'd fought so hard against the abuse, the drugs, the manipulation, but had it all been in vain? Had this been inevitable from the beginning?
Angry tears threatened to emerge. No, she wouldn't believe that. She couldn't. She had to keep fighting…
"I never wanted this," Sakura called out into the empty void. "Can't you see?! This wasn't my choice!"
"You don't have to do anything you don't want to do, my child. There is always a choice."
Sakura froze. "Who's there?!"
"It's alright, Sakura. Don't be afraid."
The voice seemed to come from behind. Sakura strained to lift her head, but failed.
"I don't understand. What's going on?"
"My time is short. But I'm here to assist."
Her eyes went wide as she recognised his voice as the white haired man from her visions.
"It's you!"
"Of course. I'm part of you."
Even unseen, Sakura felt his smile as he said, "You are nearly ready."
"What do you mean?" she asked. "Itsuki has control over my mind. I can't even move like this!"
"You said it yourself, dear Sakura. That is not your choice."
"What difference does that make? I'm trapped!"
"Not for long."
His ancient aura swelled around her. His ki was so oddly comforting. So magnetic. And stronger than anything she'd ever felt.
That power…it feels capable of anything!
As if to confirm this, the ki pulsed once, and the black cords dissolved before Sakura's eyes. She was free, just like that.
"What…?" she murmured. "What just happened? How did you do that?"
She slowly sat up as a gentle breeze stirred.
"Come, Sakura," the stranger said. "You have to stand. Take your first step against the enemy."
Sitting up was one thing, but standing proved more difficult. Sakura eventually made it to her knees and turned around.
She gaped at the sight. It was just like before. That same silhouette, the mop of white hair, the face concealed in shadow. But he was closer this time. The chasm seemed smaller.
"What do you mean? How can I fight a power like Itsuki? All those drugs, being shot, I'm helpless against him!"
"Not so," the stranger said. "You have everything you need to win, child. Let him see your power. Let him understand what truly lies beneath."
"You really believe I can do it?"
The breeze swelled and became stronger, enough to push Sakura's hair back. And with this, a new wave of ki almost knocked her over.
"Of course. I know you can do it, for I am part of you."
Something entered Sakura's veins. Her very soul tingled as a newfound strength engulfed her.
She got back on her feet and said, "I'll do my best."
He smiled. "Then let us begin."
Itsuki threw back his head and laughed. Using Sakura Urameshi's technique felt like he was flying across the demon plane on silver wings. With this tremendous foundation to work with, his reach was almost unlimited.
This human girl is a phenomenon.
Lighter than air, quicker than the speed of sound, he could go anywhere he pleased. Such a glorious feeling! Such astonishing power at his command!
At least, until the communication threads started to tremble.
What's going on?
They stilled, and Itsuki relaxed with them.
Just a normal reaction to this power surge. Now, I should call for the A-class. The super A-Class…
The threads trembled again. Next thing Itsuki knew, they had slackened entirely and he was on the ground.
What is this?!
How could he lose control like that? Did his power fizzle out? No, that was impossible. He had hardly used any.
Is she dying? No, that's not it. She's still resisting.
On some level, he had to be impressed by that. But it changed nothing.
Itsuki picked up the cords and doubled his efforts. They hardened like steel cables from all the power shooting through them.
We call upon the A-Class and Super A-Class yokai…
In an instant, the threads snapped. Shadows clouded Itsuki's vision and a great force yanked him out of the Makai. He flew backwards through air, faster and faster until he landed painfully beside the Telepath's Refractor. But something was wrong.
An ink-black substance was pouring out of the basin. It had already spilled over the edge and was rapidly spreading throughout the room, while the Refractor crystal sank back inside the basin.
"NO!" Itsuki lunged for the crystal, but it was too late. The Refractor vanished from sight and the ground began to shake. He looked up, but saw nothing to explain any of this. What in the world was happening?
The mysterious black substance folded over and became a thick layer of smoke that enshrouded everything with an impenetrable fog.
That same force that had ended his message to the Makai seized Itsuki and threw him out of the centrepoint with apparent ease.
Outside, the beautiful landscape had also been plunged into the blackest night. Ominous thunder crashed above.
Itsuki gritted his teeth and looked back at the centrepoint while forked lightning streaked across the sky. This would not stand.
He rose and slammed all eight hands on the orb. His job was incomplete. He had to get back in and call the other yokai.
Nothing happened.
With a growl, Itsuki pushed harder. Nothing would keep him out. Nothing…
Electricity sparked under his hands and hurled him several feet away. By the time he pulled himself upright, the current ran all over the orb's surface. And that wasn't all. As Itsuki watched in furious disbelief, bright golden flames shot up around the centrepoint, blocking all possibility of entering again.
"No!" he shouted. "This can't be!"
He couldn't believe it. He wouldn't believe it. How had the girl managed to stop the connection? It was impossible. Completely and utterly impossible.
"You don't own me, Itsuki."
He leapt to his feet and whirled around. Nobody was there.
"You!" he snarled. "How? How did you do it?!"
"I had a good teacher."
Itsuki looked in all directions. Her voice was strong, but there was no sign of her.
Where is she?
"You shouldn't be able to do anything!" he hissed. "I locked you away. How could you have escaped?"
"You should know by now, Itsuki." Sakura's voice said. "I don't give up easily."
Itsuki flared his ki again. "And nor do I."
The thunder rumbled louder than ever when Sakura spoke again. "You have one chance left, Itsuki. Leave, or face the consequences."
"I will not until my mission is complete."
She laughed a little. "Then so be it."
More lightning flashed, but when it faded, the darkness took over completely. Itsuki clenched his fists. She was no match for him, but even so…
Another golden flame lit up nearby and illuminated something. Whatever it was, it moved in an eerie fashion.
Itsuki eyed it carefully and took one step towards it, when something slapped him in the face.
"What the hell have you ratbags done to the living room?" Atsuko groaned.
Sakura burst into tears. "Mamma!" she sobbed, and climbed over Yusuke to leave their fort. "Mamma, where have you been?"
Atsuko's clothes were rumpled, and she smelled like those nasty bottles in the kitchen. "Not now, kiddo. I have a headache."
"But Mamma!" Sakura bawled, throwing her tiny arms around Atsuko's legs. "I was scared without you and we were hungry and I hurt myself -!"
Atsuko pressed a weary hand to her throbbing head and snapped, "Sakura, quit your crying, or I'll give you something to cry about. Now go to bed, both of you!"
Itsuki opened his eyes and again found himself on the ground. His body trembled.
"What was that?!"
"You don't know?" Sakura asked in surprise. "I would think even you could figure that out."
Itsuki growled again. "I have no time or patience for childish games."
"Idiot. You think this is a game? Far from it."
His eyes darted around. There was still no sign of her, but another flame appeared, along with a second blow to the face…
Narumi gave Sakura a sarcastic smile. "We should move," She stood up and motioned for the gang to follow her.
"But why?" one of the more naive members asked.
"Because!" Narumi whispered loudly while pointing at Sakura. "My mama told me to stay away from her!"
Ichika nodded like an obedient bobble-head doll. "That's right, Mina-chan! My mama told me the same thing. Sakura's really weird!"
Mina looked scared. "I don't want to be weird!"
"Then let's go!" Ichika grabbed Mina's hand. All the girls stared at Sakura as they walked away to another table across the lunch room. They wanted her to hear. They wanted her to know what they were doing.
At least they were gone.
A few minutes of blissful silence passed. Sakura was starting to enjoy what she was reading, but then another horrible voice interrupted her concentration.
"Ew, it's Sakura! I don't want to sit next to her!"
Sakura didn't look up. She stared down at her book and pretended not to hear, but inside, her heart was breaking.
A few tears splashed onto the page.
This image caused pain that Itsuki hadn't ever experienced. It burned deep inside him. He couldn't push it away.
"What do you think you're doing?!" he demanded. "You have no power here; it should be under my control!"
"You thought you could control me. In your arrogance, you assumed my power belonged to you. And my mind. But there's something you didn't consider, Itsuki…" she laughed again. "My mind isn't a very nice place to be."
SMACK!
Itsuki fell over again.
The stranger led her over to the bushes. Once there, Sakura looked around eagerly, but there was no puppy in sight.
"Mister, where's the puppy?" Sakura turned around, but the stranger was standing over her, blocking the way out.
She suddenly felt scared. And sick. She didn't like the way he was looking at her. It made her feel weird.
He was undoing his belt buckle. "Why don't you look at this instead?" he smiled. "It's much better than a puppy."
Sakura took a step back. "I don't like this, Mister," she said. "I want to go home."
"But you'll like this better, Sakura," he said in a soft, excited voice. "Just look, I'll show you!"
"No…" Sakura's stomach churned.
He pulled his pants down, but she didn't want to see what he was trying to show her.
"I want to go home," she was starting to shake. "I don't like this. It's scary."
"What's the problem, sweetie? It's normal. All boys have one."
"I want to go home to my Mama." Sakura backed away. "You're scaring me. And I'll tell her,"
The man took another step towards Sakura and reached for her. "But if you go home and tell your mother, you'll be in big trouble. You wouldn't want that, would you? You should stay with me a bit longer."
He seized her wrist, but Sakura sank her teeth into his hand just like Yusuke had shown her. With a cry, the man let go and Sakura darted through his open legs.
The pain increased and spread outwards from Itsuki's chest into his torso. He clutched at his body, but it did not ease.
"Stop this foolish resistance," he snapped. "I already reached the S-Class. You cannot stop what will happen."
"Maybe I can't, but if you think I'll sit back and do nothing, then you're stupider than I thought."
Three more flames sprouted from the darkness. SMACK!
"Miss Urameshi, I'm afraid you'll need to come down to Sariyashiki General. Your brother has been in a rather serious accident…"
The room was dark. A body lay on the table in the centre, covered with a sheet. The mortician made their way to the head and slowly pulled back the fabric. Black gelled hair, brown eyes just like hers, his favourite green outfit stained with blood…
"Class, I wonder if any of you can answer this question," Akashi said suddenly, his eyes glittering with malice. "If one delinquent twin dies, how long do you think it will take for the surviving twin to snap and take over as resident troublemaker?"
Iwamoto glared and lowered his voice so only Sakura could hear. "You may have fooled everyone else with this bleeding heart act, but not me, Urameshi. You'll snap sooner or later, I know it. And you'll end up whoring yourself out like your tramp mother…"
"What are you doing to me?!"
The pain only increased with each vision. Itsuki's whole frame vibrated with the waves of agony. It had moved from his chest, his torso and was now crawling through his limbs.
"Ready for more?" she asked.
Itsuki glared into the darkness. "No human should be able to cause this kind of pain! Not to me!"
"I warned you," Sakura said. "You had a chance to stop, like you had a chance to stop Sensui. Multiple chances, in fact. You didn't take them, and that's on you."
"You're nothing but a child!" Itsuki said. "How? How are you doing this?!"
"I told you. My mind can be…unpleasant."
As more flames emerged, Itsuki heaved himself back up. "I won't stand for this!"
He couldn't see anything, but his instincts told him the way out was to the left. Without looking back, he broke into another run.
SMACK! The next vision knocked him down from behind.
"You'll pay for that blast you sent in the alley. Little tramp, taking us by surprise like that!"
With a sneer, Kyap raised his gigantic clawed foot and stomped down on Sakura's blood-soaked arm, twisting it this way and that as hard as he could while she screamed. Natchi was snickering at the sight.
Pain. So much pain. Like his insides were burning from the fire. This attack…this insane use of her memories was not something he had ever expected.
"Leaving so soon?" Sakura asked. "But I was just getting to the good part!"
Itsuki bared his teeth and forced himself to run again. This time, the memory smacked into him from the side.
"The more you struggle, the worse this is going to be," Kyap warned. He was pinning Sakura's legs into the mattress. "Just relax. It'll be over soon."
Tora smiled from the end of the bed. "At least, until next time."
"If you're going to stay inside my head, you need to take everything that comes with it."
Itsuki ran. And ran. But no matter which direction he turned, no matter where he went, more and more terrible memories attacked him from all directions.
SMACK! Being trapped in the Shadow Cage during the finals. SMACK! Watching Yusuke almost killed by Toguro. SMACK! Seeing Master Shin murdered before her eyes. SMACK! Genkai's lifeless body cradled in Yusuke's arms.
SMACK! SMACK! SMACK!
Akumu's knife piercing her flesh. The nightmares that jolted her awake every night. Keiko lying unconscious while Botan battled to prevent the Jagan opening. Kuwabara, pierced head to foot by Elder Toguro. Hiei turning his back on her in the mansion. The tokage mercenaries, ripping her clothes for better access. Kurama, covered in blood from fighting Karasu. Haruki's possessive fingers trailing over her body…
Itsuki collapsed and started convulsing on the ground while Sakura's voice taunted him.
"What's the matter, tough guy? Can't handle a little pain?"
Itsuki's temper ignited. That insult was the last straw.
"ENOUGH!" he shouted. "Mock me all you want, Sakura Urameshi! It changes nothing. The tunnel is minutes from opening, and when it does, the S-Class will swarm through. They know now, thanks to your power!"
Her aura flickered. His words had struck at her heart.
"You know it too, Sakura," Itsuki continued. "Your power will help bring about humanity's destruction. As it should!"
It was like a switch flipped. The tongues of fire disappeared, along with the burning sensation in his veins.
"That's right, Miss Urameshi. I know all about you. One touch, one word and you're frozen with terror!"
No response.
Itsuki dragged his trembling body upright. His pain may have ceased, but whatever she'd done had taken its toll.
Even so, Itsuki began to laugh. "Oh my, is that really the best you can do? I confess that I'm almost disappointed. You have such power at your disposal, and no idea or ability to wield it. How sad."
Sakura's ki signal disappeared and everything went still. Too still.
"Your resistance may be admirable, but it is mediocre at best." Itsuki's laughter rose in volume and pitch. "You never had a hope of overcoming me. Your human weakness holds you back -"
"That is more than enough."
It was Itsuki's turn to freeze. Sakura was nowhere to be found, but he wasn't alone. A huge presence had entered.
Itsuki turned quickly, calling, "Who's there?!"
In response, a gale force wind swept through the air.
"You don't belong here."
That voice…
A shiver went down Itsuki's spine. He could see nothing in this void, not since the flames died down. But he knew that voice was ancient. Powerful. And most certainly not from a human female.
"I came here with a task," Itsuki said over the wind. "And I intend to see it through, regardless of the obstacles."
"You have already failed."
Itsuki gritted his teeth. I don't recognise this voice…but I feel as if I know it somehow…it's familiar.
He opened his mouth to respond, but never got the words out.
Another horde of gleaming butterflies swarmed out of the dark. The light from their colourful wings temporarily blinded Itsuki while they circled him. The gale had no effect on their perfect formation.
These are not ordinary insects.
Nothing about these butterflies was normal. Not in the way they moved, or their appearance, or their unworldly shimmer, or their aggressive movement pattern. These were something else entirely.
BOOM!
The loudest clap of thunder yet made Itsuki look up in time to see a giant lightning bolt strike the ground. It was all Itsuki could do to remain on his feet from the tremors.
The butterflies seemed to take their cue. They split their circular rhythm, crossed over each other and soared away into the night.
Itsuki blinked several times from the brightness and movement. When his eyes opened again, he caught sight of the giant silhouette looming ahead.
"You are not welcome here."
Itsuki couldn't help himself. He took a step backwards and unleashed his own aura. "What is this? Who are you?"
The silhouette came closer. Itsuki could only make out a shock of white hair in the dim light, but he most certainly felt the giant clawed hand around his neck.
"She is not yours to control," the stranger hissed. "You will torment her no further!"
"You have no say in that!" Itsuki insisted, though his voice quivered.
The stranger lifted Itsuki off the ground with one hand and growled, "You couldn't be more wrong about that."
So saying, he hurled Itsuki into the air and fired a bright red ki blast that vaulted him away.
"You can't!" Itsuki roared as he soared backwards. "You can't do this!"
The stranger smirked. "Funny. I thought I just did."
Itsuki sailed into the darkness and out of sight. The stranger watched to make sure he was truly gone, then turned around to see Sakura half-sitting, half-lying on the ground behind him.
"He will not touch you again, my child."
Sakura wiped her eyes and whispered, "Thank you."
Though still shrouded in darkness, the stranger's gaze soothed her rapid heartbeat. A moment of silence passed before he spoke again.
"You've been so brave."
Sakura swallowed her tears at the sincerity and pride in his voice. There was so much she wanted to ask him. So much she wanted to know, but when she opened her mouth, all she said was, "How did you come here? And why?"
"I'm part of you," he said simply. "I always have been. But my time runs short. The distance is still wide."
"You feel…so familiar. Who are you?"
"In due time, child. I cannot explain now, but you will soon understand everything."
She looked up at him, wishing she could see his face. "Alright."
"You have to go now, Sakura," he said. "Yusuke needs you. They all do."
"No!" Sakura cried. "I can't!"
She didn't want to leave him. She felt so safe with him. The questions she wanted to ask! The answers she knew he held!
"You can, and you must," he said. "Don't be afraid, child. You are strong."
The wind picked up and whipped Sakura's hair around. "I know, but I'm nowhere near strong enough to beat Sensui. And Haruki…he's not going to let me go. I know he won't!"
"You were strong enough to resist this invasion. You were strong enough to survive until now. Nothing Sensui or Haruki does can ever change that. Nor can they control your heart."
He moved towards Sakura and extended his hand. "You can do this, Sakura. Believe me."
Sakura reached out as well, though the wind was becoming more wild and her hair was being whipped up and obscured her vision.
"My time is almost up. The distance is still great. But do not worry. The barriers between us will soon fall in ways you cannot imagine."
At last, Sakura saw what lay between her and the white-haired stranger. Glowing yellow, spread wide in a giant net…
The Kekkai barrier.
He could come no closer, but he stretched out further, and for one brief moment, their fingers touched.
"We'll meet soon, my child."
The world began spinning and Sakura felt herself being ripped away from him. The force was pulling her upwards. She was going back.
"We'll meet soon."
"KURA! KURA!"
"Stop it! Don't do this to her!"
The boys had not ceased their yelling and screaming. Hiei and Mitari had lost all their colour. Kurama pounded on the walls of Uraotoko. Kuwabara was almost sobbing in frustration and panic. And Yusuke? Completely beside himself as Sensui and Haruki laughed at them.
"You couldn't stop it. None of you could! All that grandstanding, all those declarations of victory!" Haruki jeered. "You'll be just as helpless when we leave for the Demon World, Spirit Fox! Not that it matters, you saw how she agreed to be mine!"
"NO!" Yusuke's roar melded with Kurama's hiss of outrage.
"Scream all you want, Detective!" Haruki said. "It won't do any good!"
All Yusuke wanted was to tear Haruki and Sensui to pieces. He knew his friends did too. He could feel it. But for now, they just had to keep trying to reach Sakura the only way they could.
"Squirt, wake up!" Yusuke shouted. "You gotta fight this! You have to! Come on!"
It was maddening. Nothing any of them said made the slightest difference. Sakura remained motionless inside the web while Itsuki's power flowed around the cave.
At least, until her body started glowing. Just a faint, silvery glow at first, but enough for the yelling to temporarily cease.
"Huh?!" Yusuke gasped. "What the hell?!"
"What does this mean?" Kuwabara squeaked.
"Kura!" Kurama shouted. "That's it! Fight it!"
The energy glowed brighter.
Hiei regained a little colour as he said, "Her energy is returning. She's resisting."
"Come on, Miss Kura!" Mitari said. "You can do this, I know you can!"
Haruki's eyes went wide. "What? How can this be?"
The glow spread across her entire frame and began to vibrate.
"That's it, Kura!" Yusuke yelled. "Come on, I know you can do this! I know it! Fight them!"
"Itsuki, what's going on in there?" Sensui murmured.
Kurama's heart leapt with hope. If she was fighting, maybe he could communicate again.
Yes, my love. You're doing it. Keep going. Don't give up now!
"Yes, Kura!" Kuwabara joined in. "Show these jerks what you're made of! We believe in you!"
Hiei clenched his fists. Come on, Kura. Come on!
Sakura's body seized up while the silver energy flared to new heights. The light blinded them momentarily, Then the energy seemed to rush back into Sakura's body and she went still again.
Sensui's eyes narrowed and he looked up at Uraotoko. "Don't tell me…"
"No, NO! This isn't right!"
The boys turned quickly at the sound of a thud behind them. A dishevelled Itsuki lay sprawled on the ground, like he had been thrown there. He looked more than a little confused, which soon gave way to anger.
"What was that?! I took over…I locked her away…! How?! How did she…?! No, she can't be that strong. She just can't be!"
"You underestimated her," Kurama said. "Controlling the heart of anyone, let alone one like hers, is impossible."
"Kura!" Yusuke called. "Hey, Squirt?! Can you hear me?!"
With a gasp, her eyes opened.
"YES!" Kuwabara and Yusuke shouted together.
"She did it!" Mitari's jaw trembled. "She actually did it!"
"Look at them!" Kuwabara laughed. "Sensui and Haruki…they're totally pissed! Serves you right!"
Hiei cracked a smile. Well done, Kura.
"Well, that was unexpected, wasn't it?" Sensui said. "I must admit to being impressed."
"Yusuke…?" Sakura whispered.
Her head throbbed, her vision was blurred, her body ached all over and she was still entangled in Haruki's binding spell, but she was back.
"Yes! Kura, down here!"
She looked down at him and flashed a weak but mischievous smile. "I…did it…"
He swiped a hand across his eyes. "You're amazing, Squirt. Absolutely amazing."
Sakura looked towards the shadow monster and whispered, "Kurama."
"Yes, love," Kurama murmured. "I'm right here. We all are."
His entire body buckled under the weight of sheer relief. Even in her state, even after all she had suffered, Sakura had done it. She'd freed herself from Itsuki's control.
The pride he felt was unspeakable.
I love you, Kurama. Her eyes were swimming with tears.
And I love you, my precious flower.
"Hey Itsuki?" Sakura said. "Feeling…any better?"
Itsuki growled, but was still trying to get his breath back. Judging from his reaction, the boys could tell something very unpleasant had occurred during his invasion of Sakura's mind.
"Don't get cocky now, Miss Urameshi," Sensui glared at her. "You will find yourself disappointed."
"That's funny," Sakura giggled. "Coming from…the most arrogant prick…I've met!"
"Still think that sharp tongue will save you? How sad. Wouldn't you agree, Ghost?"
But Haruki did not reply. He was staring into space, his eyes glassy and unfocused.
"How?" he demanded. "How?! I never thought…never dreamed…!"
Kurama blinked his emotion away and stood up. He couldn't help smirking a little at Haruki's almost comical disbelief.
"I warned you, Haruki. Your arrogance will be your undoing. We have claimed our first victory, and soon, I will come for you!"
"Ha! Is that what you think?!"
It was not Haruki's voice who spat those words out, but Itsuki's.
"I may have been forced out, but that does not mean I failed," he hissed. "I gained control long enough to call the S-Class yokai. They're coming."
"You're lying!" Yusuke cried.
"Oh yes, Detective. They know about the tunnel. They know it leads here, and they're very eager to visit!"
All the boys went white, and Kuwabara yelled, "NO!"
"I'll confess you surprised me with your trick, Sakura," Itsuki breathed. "Particularly that last one. But it doesn't matter. I still took over your mind. Now all you can do is watch while the tunnel opens, and the world is destroyed!"
"That…won't happen!" Sakura insisted. "Yusuke…you have to…win! Got it!?"
Itsuki got to his feet and called out, "Ghost? I've learned something you need to hear."
Haruki blinked a few times til his eyes came back into focus. "Mr Itsuki?"
"I don't know what happened in there, but any doubts I had are gone. That girl…that child…is not human!"
Haruki froze, then his face lit up with a hideous grin.
"I know."
"Shut up!" Yusuke shouted. "Just shut up already! You're out of your goddamn mind!"
Haruki ignored him and looked up at Sakura. "See, honey? You deny it, but I know the truth."
Sakura closed her eyes. "No…no, you're wrong -"
"It's alright, my sweet; you'll remember soon. As soon as we get to the Demon World, you'll -!"
"How many times do I have to tell you, asshole?!" Yusuke said over his friends' collective yelling, "That's NOT happening!"
"And how many times do I have to tell YOU, Detective? You can't stop me!"
Sakura watched their shouting match with a growing sense of fear. Sure, she'd managed to stop Itsuki, but that didn't change anything for Yusuke or the others. Sensui still had Yusuke cornered, Kurama was still shut away inside Uraotoko with their friends, and the tunnel would open any minute. Not to mention Haruki and his chilling intentions…
What can I possibly do, strung up from the ceiling like this?
Sakura pulled at her restraints but they were tight as ever, and the effort made her fall limp again.
I can't do anything. I can hardly stay conscious as it is…
Kura! Love, stay with me!
Sakura forced her eyes open. Kurama…I feel so weak…
You have to hold on, sweetheart. It's alright. You'll be safe soon, I promise. Everything will be -
Just then, Sensui started laughing. Quietly at first, but it gained volume.
"So, this is it," he cackled. "This is how it happens…"
Yusuke and Haruki stopped shouting at each other long enough to look over and see what was happening.
"The heck is going on?" Yusuke gasped.
Haruki's smile became more deranged as he said, "So this is what it looks like…"
That same golden flash in Sensui's eyes ignited as his maniacal laughter rose into the stratosphere. Everything started shaking uncontrollably and cracks formed in the ground beneath Sensui's feet.
Kurama, Kuwabara, Hiei and Mitari all watched, stricken, while the golden light illuminated Sensui's body and sent debris flying in all directions.
"Yusuke!" Sakura cried.
Her twin stood in Sensui's shadow, ready to fight. His face was determined as ever, but that did nothing to quell Sakura's fear while Sensui's power skyrocketed to a height nobody could imagine.
And as she watched the terrifying scene below, she could tell Yusuke knew the truth now. Both of them did.
The unbelievable power, the insanity…this was the true face of Shinobu Sensui.
A.N. :D
I won't say much else except how much I loved writing this chapter. It's so cathartic to get it out after all this time and makes me more eager for the next book!
Can't wait to hear what you all think of this one. Make sure you leave a review. I'll have the next chapter up very soon!
Lots of love,
Rosentic xx