A.N. I hope you all have a comfy chair and your popcorn ready, because things are going to get wild in this chapter!
Iloviendo Noshi, Ghost of Magic, Guests: Thanks so much for letting me know!
Princess Kakashi287: I know, it hurts! But her telepathy is back and they can talk. And he can see her now, which admittedly is a mixed bag in this case, but still!
Ukitakeitalialover: Sensui is insane, Haruki is insane and the pair of them are about to get insaner. Yes, Sakura definitely knows anything could happen now and she really wanted a chance to try and reassure Kurama one last time that she loves him and always will. Given everything that's happened since we last saw her, it's all she has. Our girl is strong though. She's even shocked me with how strong she is. I can't wait to take it to new heights in book 4 and 5.
I can't answer about whether Sakura dies. We knoe Yusuke does in canon, but...well, Sakura's journey in terms of their ancestry isn't going to be the same as his. It can't be. But it'll be crazy, I promise. Haruki already marked himself for death a long time ago. We'll see how that plays out.
Chapter 38
"KURA!"
Kurama had never shouted so loudly in all his life. It almost drowned out Kuwabara and Mitari's yells.
"No, NO!"
"No please, not Miss Kura!"
Even Hiei went pale. And behind, Itsuki watched with a calm smile.
Yusuke's body moved before his mind could catch up. All he knew was he raised his hands and bellowed, "SPIRIT GUN!"
The ray of blue energy soared across the cavern and collided against Sensui's purple orb in a gigantic explosion.
Rocks fell, shouts and banging was heard amid the blinding light. Nobody inside Uraotoko could see or hear the outcome. And in the silence, they waited breathlessly. Until confirmed otherwise, none of them would lose hope or accept either twin's fate.
At last, the light was gone, and all was revealed.
Though far from his most powerful hit, Yusuke had definitely made an impression, to say the least. The explosion had left a considerable dent in the ceiling. Stalactites, jagged rock fragments and boulders littered the area.
Sakura lay crumpled on the ground where Haruki had also fallen. He looked more than a little dazed as he sat up and rubbed his forehead.
The only one still standing was a defiant Yusuke, and he loomed over Sensui who had been thrown onto his back.
A mix of emotions settled over Kurama. Relief that Sakura and Yusuke were spared from the carnage, but the frustration and fury that his precious flower was still in the hands of that psychopath returned with a vengeance.
Sensui slowly got to his feet. "Most impressive, Detective. I wasn't sure if you'd be able to save her in time. Though I'm sure Ghost here would've done so."
"Let's get one thing straight," Yusuke snarled. "I know you won't kill her. You want her power. But this fight is between you and me. Kura doesn't get brought into it. You hear me?!"
"Isn't it a bit late for that, Yusuke? One might argue that she was brought into this from the moment Koenma first recruited you as his pawn."
"I don't wanna hear it, asshole! You're fighting me, not her, and if you even think about sending an attack her way again, then you won't even make it to Spirit World."
Sensui only smiled. "Very well. Ghost, can you continue to handle things over there?"
"Of course," Haruki panted, though visibly shaken as he dropped to Sakura's level and lifted her up. "Honey? Hey, are you alright?"
She moaned softly. "Oh God, my head…"
"It's ok, honey. Just lie still."
"Don't you dare act all concerned, shithead! Not after what you've done!" Yusuke shouted. "First you snatched her from our house, then you beat the crap out of her and shot her up with God knows how many drugs-!"
"I did what I had to do!" Haruki yelled. "Like you're one to talk anyway!"
Yusuke's face went bright red with fury as he pointed at Haruki. "Just you wait, pal. I'm gonna rearrange your face and shove it up your ass before Kurama gets a turn. And I don't wanna know what he's got in store for you-"
"Yusuke," Sakura turned her head to him. "Yusuke, don't-"
That was all she managed to say before Haruki resumed his chokehold and started pulling her backwards.
"Why don't we move a little closer to the tunnel, my sweet? We don't want to wait around longer than we have to when it's time to go."
"Stop it! Get your hands off her!"
Yusuke's voice melded with the shouts of his trapped friends.
Tears filled Sakura's eyes, but she didn't resist Haruki or even speak. She only shook her head at her brother.
Yusuke…just forget me and…focus…on Sensui. I can…handle Haruki…
Even Sakura's telepathy was weakened. Yusuke gritted his teeth.
"Hey Urameshi, behind ya!" Kuwabara yelled. "Sensui's gonna attack again!"
Crap!
Yusuke whipped around. Sensui had crouched slightly and was indeed starting to power up again.
He turned back to Sakura. She shook her head at him again, and he knew she was right. Haruki's demented ass would have to wait.
With one last look at Sakura's tear-filled eyes and Haruki's smug grin, Yusuke forced himself to focus on his battle.
I have to win this. If I ever want her to be safe from that psycho again, I HAVE to win, fast!
That same purple aura crept up all over Sensui's body, radiating out in shimmering waves. Yusuke took a step back and braced himself.
More light flashed around Sensui, and with a shout his attack burst forth.
"What?!" Yusuke gasped. Instead of one aura ball, there were now dozens floating around their creator.
"It multiplied!" Kuwabara said. "Sensui's surrounded himself with a minefield of little energy balls. How's Urameshi gonna get to him now?"
Kurama's eyes darted from Sakura to Yusuke. "The real task will be…getting away from him," he said grimly.
"Yusuke…" Sakura whimpered. The sheer amount of aura combined could outdo Yusuke's Spirit Gun.
Sensui smiled at her despair. "Perhaps it's time I stepped up my game," he said. "Watch closely…"
He made a small hand movement and in an instant all the ki fragments flew together, creating a single crackling sphere.
"Splinter Resshuuken!"
That powerful right foot swung and kicked the orb into a million pieces that converged on Yusuke all at once.
With less than five seconds to think, Yusuke's horror quickly rearranged to survival mode.
Alright, this is just like playing dodgeball in gym class.
He avoided the first orb, and the second. He jumped over the third and almost hit the ground to avoid four and five. More jumping, flipping, leaping from one side to the other, crawling, diving, back and forth, whatever it took to evade.
Too bad I always skipped gym!
Haruki laughed at the sight. "Not bad. But he certainly isn't as…nimble as you, honey."
Sakura's stomach churned. Not only at his double meaning, but at her brother's desperate attempts to escape Sensui's move.
Yusuke started to run. As more spheres crashed into the ground at his heels, he vaulted into the air, kicking and punching two more blasts that followed him. He fell back and landed on a giant stalagmite, only to be forced to instantly jump to another one. This time, he landed on the side of the giant rock formation. Projectiles slammed into the stone, inches from Yusuke's hands as he shimmied around them.
A larger orb finally sliced through the stalagmite top completely and Yusuke fell. He landed on all fours, but it wasn't over. Sensui's shattered ki soared over his head, and as Yusuke ducked and avoided it again, another hit the side of his face. And that was it.
"No…no!"
Sakura watched helplessly while her twin was pummelled from every angle, so hard that scraps of fabric ripped from his shirt. Yusuke managed to punch one orb, then another crashed into his torso. He staggered and slumped. The next one took out the ground beneath his feet and he was flung into the air.
Something soared up behind him while he flew across the cave.
Yusuke turned, expecting to see another energy orb, but it was Sensui, floating above him and aiming a hard punch.
"Stop it! STOP!" Sakura cried.
With a yell of surprise, Yusuke twisted to avoid him. Sensui seized his wrist and went for another hit that connected. As Yusuke spiralled from the impact, Sensui's foot swung out of seemingly nowhere and kicked him in the head. A follow up kick to the torso hurled Yusuke back to the ground. He rolled over and over, and the relentless orbs quickly set upon him.
"Urameshi!" Kuwabara yelled.
Haruki laughed harder than ever while Sakura watched in abject horror. Dust had now obscured her twin from view. But before that she'd seen the toll this attack was taking on him. Everything inside her screamed to help.
My Reflection Shield might give him some protection. Just enough of an edge to get close.
She knew Technique Zero was no longer blocking her power. Of course, this didn't mean much with her current condition. She couldn't even stand on her own.
Come on, Sakura. It could be his only chance. Find a way to bring the shield up!
She reached for it, for that spark of power inside. But as she suspected and feared, her ki was buried underneath whatever drugs they'd given her.
It's so faint. I don't know if it'll come out or even make much of a difference. But I have to try. I have to!
With a little more concentration, the familiar warmth flowed to her fingertips. But it wasn't enough. Not nearly enough. And the effort was making the dizziness worse.
Keep trying, Sakura. Don't let Haruki see!
Sensui landed on his feet and turned around to survey his handiwork. More dust than before billowed around Yusuke. There was no way of knowing the damage until it cleared.
Come on, Reflection Shield. I know you're there. Please, don't let me down!
Botan, Kaito and Yana stood behind Genkai. All four stared at the cave mouth, not knowing what to say.
"It's really quiet," Botan said at last. "Almost…eerily quiet. So what do you think? Should we take that as a good omen or a bad one?"
"Well, I would think the apocalypse would have to make a bit of noise." Kaito said.
"So maybe they beat Sensui and resealed the hole to Demon World." Yana continued.
"Yeah, I have a feeling everything worked out exactly according to plan." Kaito smiled.
Botan nodded in agreement.
"No. The hole's still open, wider than ever," Genkai said. "It's dilating even faster than before."
"But how can you tell all that for sure, Master Genkai?" Yana asked.
"From the smell."
"The smell?" Botan blinked.
"The smell. The Demon World has a very distinct odour, and it's growing stronger from that cave."
Yana looked at Kaito and asked, "Smell anything?"
"Nothing unusual."
Botan hesitated. "Genkai, is there any way you can tell how much longer it will be until the tunnel is fully open?"
Genkai breathed deeply. "Less than ten minutes now." she said.
Everyone flinched.
"I hope Koenma can make it in time with his pacifier." Botan murmured.
The faint glow from the plants lit the path ahead, guiding Koenma further and further into the cave. He hadn't stopped running the whole way, until now.
Koenma came to a halt when he reached a larger cavern. It was empty except for the lamp weeds dotted around the whole floor.
"I guess this is where Kurama's lamp weeds come to an end. This must've been the Game Master's Territory."
He scanned the area. Five openings stood before him, and without the lamp weeds, there was nothing to indicate which way would lead him to Sensui's lair.
All right, if I was a malevolent crackpot, where would I set up Evil Shop?
Koenma closed his eyes and concentrated. He let his aura flow as far as he possibly could and searched for traces of the boys. At last, he found something.
Dank tunnel number three it is.
He raced off through the tunnel. His gut was telling him it wasn't much further, and he had to be ready for anything down there.
Hang in there, Yusuke.
Sensui calmly waited for the clouds of dust to dissipate. But for the moment, there was no sign whatsoever of Yusuke.
"Urameshi…" Kuwabara said. "Please don't tell me that he's…you know!"
"Poor Mr Urameshi!" Mitari whispered.
"Don't be worried yet," Kurama said. "It will take more than that to keep Yusuke down."
"Are you sure?" Mitari asked.
Kurama nodded. How much more it will take…that I'm not so sure of.
The smoke had not cleared, but just then Yusuke leapt out, breathing heavily from the chaos. Dirt and ash covered his body and his clothes were torn, but he was absolutely standing on his feet. Sakura's heart leapt.
"Is that all you got?" Yusuke called.
"You are foolishly cocky," Sensui laughed. "A regrettable sin."
"Congratulations on…figuring that out," Sakura hissed. "Next you'll notice…the…sky is…blue!"
Sensui glared at her. "I'm in no mood for commentary. Ghost?"
"Yes sir," Haruki slapped his hand over Sakura's mouth. "You're going to stay quiet now, my sweet. Understand?"
She nodded, though her eyes were wide with fear.
"That's a good girl," Haruki murmured, and slid his hand from her mouth to her neck. "Just a few more minutes until we leave. You're going to love the Demon World."
Those piercing blue eyes stretched across the cavern, inside Uraotoko and directly into Kurama's heart. Taunting him. Already claiming victory.
You can't stop me, Spirit Fox, he seemed to be saying. You'll watch while we disappear forever into the demon realm. There's nothing you can do about it.
Kurama growled to himself. He could kill that deranged creature in moments were it not for this shadow monster. He could slit Haruki's throat, crush him, snap his neck, slice him into ribbons…
If that passage opened and they were still trapped in here, Yusuke would surely fight tooth and nail to stop Haruki from taking Sakura. But what if he couldn't? What if there was no way to prevent it? What if…
No, Haruki. That won't happen. Wherever you take her, I will follow. No matter where you run, you cannot escape from me. I will hunt you down.
"Now, Yusuke," Sensui pointed at him. "Reason number two why you cannot beat me. When attacked from multiple angles, your defences are negligible at best."
"What?"
"You think too linearly," Sensui said. "Pitiable. You've been spoiled. As a fighter, you've grown a little too comfortable with these gentlemanly one-on-one duels of yours."
Again, his aura flashed and swirled around him.
"I needed to fight many opponents at once, when persuasion failed. So this technique was born out of that necessity."
He flashed another smile at Sakura and continued, "You understand, don't you Miss Urameshi? Seeing how your signature moves tend to be more on the defensive side. Not that you would have a prayer against me either."
We'll see about that.
More heat gathered in Sakura's hands. Her Reflection Shield was definitely starting to form. Come on, concentrate. You've almost got it. Even if it's weaker than normal, it just might help!
As long as Haruki didn't realise what she was doing.
"Oh really? So I guess that burn on your face is just a fashion statement?" Yusuke snorted.
Sensui's face darkened. "You could have learned from her, Detective. Had you allowed it. And now you're going to pay the price!"
He released another hundred energy orbs that floated around him.
"Ah come on, you just did that," Yusuke said. "Can we play another P.E. favourite besides dodgeball? You know I play a real mean game of four-square."
"No time for jokes Yusuke!" Kurama ground his teeth together, and Mitari and Kuwabara were shocked to see beads of sweat appearing on his normally calm face as he recoiled.
"His energy is so much stronger now!"
"Which brings us to reason number three," Sensui said. "Why you don't even stand a slim chance of beating me. The gap between your spirit energy and mine is far too great. If your spirit energy could fill a fishbowl…mine could fill the ocean!"
"Which ocean are we talking about?" Kuwabara squeaked. "'Cause buddy, some of them aren't as big!"
"There's no way! The difference between them is too much!" Mitari cried. "He'll…he'll be murdered!"
Sensui's ki fragments sucked into that one lethal ball.
Sakura's heart skipped a beat. Her reflection shield wasn't ready.
"Yusuke!"
It was too late.
"Splinter Resshuuken!"
Sensui kicked the orb and it shattered into deadly fragments. Yusuke punched two away before he was hit in the stomach again and subsequently battered all over.
This time, he couldn't get away. The attack simply knocked him head over heels until he was once again shrouded in a dust cloud.
"Yusuke!" Sakura pulled against Haruki's grip with what little strength she had, yelling, "YUSUKE!"
"That's it!" Haruki was almost salivating while he watched. "This is what we waited for. This is what we dreamed of!"
Between him and Sensui's disgusting smugness, Sakura's temper had reached boiling point. What she wouldn't give to claw both their eyes out…
That's it, channel your anger. It'll help you reach your power. You can do this. You have to!
"Oh, would you look at that," Haruki said, turning Sakura back around. "Seems I started celebrating too early.
When Yusuke emerged from the shadows again, he was kneeling this time. Sakura felt minor relief that he was still conscious, but he needed help.
Come on, come on! Just a little more. Get the shield up!
A spark appeared from her hand.
"Did you enjoy that as much as the first time?" Sensui grinned. "Because there's plenty more where that came from if you did, so don't be shy."
Though his face was murderous as ever, Yusuke didn't move or speak. Sakura could tell he was trying to catch his breath before the next round.
"Hey, get up!" Kuwabara hollered. "Don't quit now Urameshi!"
"Thanks for the hint, Kuwabara. I never would've thought of that on my own," Yusuke said and got to his feet. He faced Sensui down again.
"If that's all your energy can do, what's that say about mine?" he snapped. "I've beat Spirit Beasts and technique collectors. I beat Toguro at his best. I took their hits, and I can sure take yours!"
"There's a difference," Sensui said. "I fight with divine justice on my side. And JUSTICE KILLS!"
He kicked at the orb, but this time, another voice called out.
"REFLECTION SHIELD!"
Jaws dropped around the cave and inside Uraotoko. The shimmering energy barrier swelled around Yusuke, protecting him from the initial storm.
"Kura?!" Yusuke stared at his sister while the orbs bounced off. She winked at him.
I got your back. Now go!
Yusuke stood up. The shield was smaller and thinner than usual, but it was enough for him to start running through the hail instead of away.
"Here goes nothing!" he yelled.
Sakura's body flopped again while Haruki spun her around to face him. "What did you just do?!"
"What was necessary," she mumbled. "As long as I'm conscious, I'm not giving up."
"Oh really?!"
Haruki hurled Sakura to the ground. Yusuke saw from the corner of his eye, but he kept moving towards Sensui. Sakura had given him a chance, and he had to take it.
Kurama hurried forward and pressed his hands against Uraotoko's open eye. His heart constricted. Haruki flipped Sakura onto her stomach and aimed his hand. Thin black shadow tendrils burst out and twisted around her wrists, binding them together. He dragged her upright and locked his arms around her again. She hung limp in his hold.
"You won't be doing that again, honey. Hear me?!"
"Kura…" Kurama whispered. It seemed firing that shield had drained the small amount of energy she had regained.
Kuwabara put a hand on his shoulder and said, "It's not over yet, pal."
His voice shook, and Kurama remembered that he was far from the only one suffering from this nightmare. Mitari trembled all over. Hiei ducked his head so nobody could see his anger.
Kurama's throat was too tight to speak, but he nodded.
Hold on, my love.
Yusuke pushed through the field of orbs bent on destruction. He saw holes tearing his sister's shield apart. Any minute it would disintegrate and he'd be exposed, but this might just give him the edge he needed.
The sound of cracking told Yusuke that his shield was gone. But that was ok. He batted away some larger orbs, dodged some others and let a couple of the smaller ones hit him.
Let's go!
Yusuke ducked, and just like he hoped the spheres crashed into the ground and provided him with another dust veil.
Sensui almost looked bored as he waited for Yusuke to appear. But this time, he sprang up out of the mist.
"Surprise!"
Yusuke launched himself towards Sensui. His eyes blazed with a new fire.
"Maybe I can't defend against attacks from multiple angles, but sometimes a good defence is just kicking ass!"
His powerful fist smashed through the final orb in his path. Itsuki gasped in surprise.
"Kura's shield just confirmed it," Kurama said while hope flickered in his chest. "Individually, those energy blasts aren't so bad. It's only when they reconvene and attack Yusuke all at once that their power is too strong."
"You see? I knew Urameshi could take him!" Kuwabara cheered.
With a scream, Yusuke propelled himself at his enemy and started raining punches on him.
"Now it's time for my list!" Yusuke roared. "Reason number one why I'll smash your face: you messed with my friends and told that psycho to kidnap my sister!"
"What am I, an afterthought?!" Kuwabara grumbled.
Sensui used both arms to block as Yusuke's blows forced him backwards.
"Second reason: I'm just better than you!" Yusuke continued. "And I'm not as predictable as you'd think!"
Sakura forced her weary head upwards in time to see Yusuke take a step back and leap into the air again.
"Bet you didn't see this comin'!" he shouted while flying above Sensui's head. Everyone followed his path as he plunged feet first into the lake.
Kuwabara's jaw almost hit his kneecaps. "Huh?!"
"What's he up to?!" Haruki muttered.
Sakura blinked a few times in case this was a drug-induced hallucination. No, the bindings cutting into her wrists meant she was definitely awake, she was still a hostage, and her brother was absolutely swimming around in the water for reasons she couldn't begin to understand.
"You still think you know what I'm gonna do next?" Yusuke laughed in between strokes.
Kuwabara recovered from his shock and yelled, "Hey, stop clowning! This is no time to be taking a dip!"
"He's never been one for good manners." Hiei said.
At last, Yusuke stood up and waded back to dry land.
"Ah. I've gotta admit, that was very refreshing," he grinned. "And now I'm ready to go a few more rounds."
With a yell of determination, Yusuke lunged for Sensui again.
"And now we return to your same old conventional punches," Sensui rolled his eyes and prepared to block as usual. "It's unfortunate, honestly, to see that your brief spontaneity was merely a passing reprieve."
"THAT'S WAY TOO MANY BIG WORDS, PAL!"
Yusuke raised his fist for a punch but a second before it connected, he swooped it to the side. Sakura watched in fear. What is he DOING?!
In one swift move, Yusuke ripped his wet t-shirt off and swung it forward.
Sensui's eyes widened.
The fabric looped around Sensui's arm and Yusuke's so both their limbs were bound together.
Nobody, not even Sakura could have predicted this.
"So…he went swimming so he could snap his shirt like a wet towel!" Kuwabara said in astonishment.
"That should halt Sensui's Reshuuken blocking," Kurama said. "For the time being, at least."
Yusuke winked at his sister. "Not as fancy as Kura's spirit snare, but it'll do."
"What is this mockery? This isn't martial arts!" Sensui snapped.
"No, it's called street fighting. Guess you didn't see it coming!" Yusuke said as he finally landed a solid hit to Sensui's torso. And another. And another.
BAM!
The momentum threw Sensui onto his back. Yusuke landed on top and kept punching.
"And you can't get away!"
BAM! A direct hit to Sensui's jaw.
"No more fancy blocks!"
Yusuke unleashed his power on Sensui. Punch after punch after punch slammed into him. Much too fast for Sakura to keep up with.
"YEAH!" Kuwabara said. "Come on Urameshi, what are you waiting for?! Hurry and finish him!"
"I know, I know, I know, I know, I know!" Yusuke hollered back while continuing his unabated assault.
Haruki's body was starting to tremble. "No…no…this can't be!"
Sakura's heart pounded. Sensui was finally on the backfoot. Haruki's arrogance was slipping. The scales had begun to tip in their favour.
"I never pegged you as being this much of a wuss!" Yusuke roared.
He's doing it. He's really doing it!
For the first time, a tiny smile appeared on Sakura's face. Yusuke really did seem to have the upper hand now.
He could win. He could defeat Sensui and free their trapped friends. And with the tunnel sealed, they could easily take care of Haruki. She might be back in Kurama's embrace in moments…
Yusuke went to make the final hit, the one that would end it all, when Sensui's aura gun appeared and shot him through the stomach.
The world screeched to a halt. Time itself stood still.
A fountain of blood flew out of Yusuke's mouth. The fabric that bound him to Sensui shredded apart, and for a moment Sakura forgot how to breathe. How to think.
"YUSUKE!" she shrieked.
He crashed to the ground and skidded before coming to a halt.
"Urameshi!" Kuwabara shouted.
Sensui got to his feet. His whole arm had morphed into a weapon. It was still smoking.
Hiei stared, then asked, "What was that?"
"It appears he's transformed his hand into the barrel of a gun!" Kurama said. In his shock, it was all he could manage.
"It must've taken restraint to hold back on that for as long as he did." Hiei said.
Yusuke lay on the ground, clutching his stomach and twitching with pain while Sakura screamed for him.
"Yusuke! Yusuke!"
Sensui whirled around and glared at Yusuke. His face contorted in rage as he shouted, "Stop - your - WHINING!"
Sakura flinched. She knew that gravelly voice. No! No, not this, please!
Sensui stormed over to where Yusuke convulsed in agony. "You're acting like a little bitch! Suck it up and get off your frickin' ass!"
"Yusuke!" Sakura cried. "Get away from him! YUSUKE!"
Haruki was still shaking, but this time with laughter while he covered her mouth again. "Now it's getting interesting!"
Sakura resisted, but Haruki seized her hair and said, "Come on, my little porcelain doll. You don't want to miss the show."
"His tone has changed," Kurama said while his body tensed. "That doesn't sound like Sensui!"
"Yeah, he's finally lost it!" Kuwabara said.
"It's not him," Itsuki said from behind. "He has been substituted now. The only person who can produce that weapon is the ruffian known as Kazuya."
"Kazuya?" Kuwabara repeated. "What are you blabbering about? There's no substitution! We've been watching this whole time and nothin's come or gone. Except maybe your marbles…"
The horrible truth slammed into Kurama and he spun around to confirm.
"Multiple personalities?!" he gasped.
"What?!" Kuwabara spluttered. Oh don't tell me this is gettin' weirder!"
"Indeed," Itsuki nodded. "There are seven, all coexisting within Sensui's brain. Each with distinct traits and talents."
"There's seven of him?!" Kuwabara asked.
"I can't believe this. I had no idea!" Mitari said.
"His subconscious created them to cope with the madness. It's an impulsive defence mechanism. The brain's own primitive survival instinct," Itsuki continued. "Witnessing something beyond the range of normal human experience, most will go into shock," he opened his eyes and smiled at them. "Judging from what we observed from those Dark Tournament tapes, I assume you remember Sakura's reaction during her final match?"
Remember? None of them would ever forget. How could they, after seeing Sakura in that catatonic silence, her eyes blank and responding to nothing until they reached inside her mind?
Kurama took a breath as more memories of Sakura flashed through his mind. After Maze Castle, even when Hiei had taken her and Keiko.
But again, Sakura had not descended into madness or allowed the darkness to consume her like Sensui had. Even when given the chance, she'd chosen to fight it.
"Sensui has seen much in his lifetime, but nothing like that night," Itsuki said. "He created the others to bear the brunt of that trauma, and ever since, he has escaped from personality to personality, searching for answers to the dilemmas that plague his soul."
Yusuke attempted to sit up, only to be kicked back down by Sensui.
"This oughta plug up your wound!"
Sensui pressed his foot into the bullet hole, grinding it this way and that while Yusuke cried out.
"YUSUKE!" Sakura wrenched her face free of Haruki. "Let go of me! YUSUKE!"
Sensui ignored her screams and started stomping on Yusuke's injury, again and again and again. Haruki's laughter rose above it all.
"He's got an insanity tag team!" Kuwabara cried.
"Kazuya is by far the most ruthless and cold-blooded of the seven," Itsuki closed his eyes. "He's been known to torture small children purely for its entertainment value."
Again, Yusuke tried to stand. Sensui kicked him across the floor with a horrifying nonchalance.
Yusuke's screams of anguish nearly tore Sakura's heart out, but with Haruki holding her she couldn't do anything except shout, "YUSUKE!"
Sensui's evil laughter ignited Kuwabara's anger. His Spirit Sword burst forward and illuminated the area.
"I'm slicing us outta here!"
Sensui sauntered towards Yusuke and stood over him. "We ain't officially met yet, though we do have a friend in common," he smirked. "Minoru's a little too chatty for my taste, but I dug that list of his. I got one to add. The fourth reason why you're gonna get skinned? Because, kid…I showed up!"
He raised his gun and fired.
"NO!"
Haruki's laughter rose above Sakura's frantic cry as she thrashed in his arms, trying to get loose.
"It's over, honey. You can't save him."
BANG!
Yusuke's eyes snapped open. The shot had missed his head by an inch.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
More bullets whizzed past, littering the ground with holes. Some were so close that Yusuke only avoided them by jerking his head aside.
"NO!" Sakura sobbed. "Yusuke! YUSUKE!"
Haruki only tightened his hold. "One of your attachments down, honey. And one to go!"
"Get me out of this dark soul mess!" Kuwabara slashed the sword at Uraotoko with all his might. "Come on!"
Nothing happened. He couldn't cut it.
"Step aside!"
Hiei appeared behind him, sword already in hand. He too slashed at their prison. Light flashed, and for a split second it seemed to have worked, but when it faded they saw Hiei had also failed.
"You're wasting your time," Itsuki chuckled. "Those dreary weapons and your faith in them are nothing more than an insult to the indestructibility of my dear Uraotoko."
"No!" Kuwabara breathed. If they couldn't get out, then…
Hiei clenched his teeth. Kurama's eyes flashed gold. The colour drained from Mitari's face.
All they could do was watch the horrifying scene in absolute defeat. Yusuke, crumpled and bleeding at Sensui's feet. And Sakura, fighting tooth and nail to get away from Haruki.
"Let go of me! Let GO! YUSUKE!"
Sakura tore at her bindings, twisted and kicked, completely hysterical in her attempts to break free. Her whole body surged with utter desperation and panic.
"YUSUKE! YUSUKE!"
Tears streamed down Sakura's bruised face. She couldn't bear it. She couldn't allow it. Everything inside her screamed in desperation. She had to do something…anything…
Huh?
The boulder above her head had been loosened in the fight.
Sensui laughed down at Yusuke. "So, now that you're the one lying there takin' it, tell me…how's it feel?"
Yusuke didn't speak. He just stared in furious disbelief. Sensui scowled and raised his gun again.
"You! You look at me like I'm crazy. You think I've gone off the deep end? You think you're better than me?"
BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!
He shot Yusuke. And again. And again. Not one limb, not one section was spared.
"STOP IT!" Sakura shrieked. "YUSUKE!"
Yusuke screamed again from the torture. Sensui closed his eyes and sang a single drawn out note, almost as if he were trying to harmonise with his victim.
"No…I can't bear to watch this! Is there anything we can do to help?!" Kuwabara asked in despair.
Blood flowed from the holes all over Yusuke's body. He could do nothing but lie there, crying out and choking while Sensui gloated.
"You'll never experience any pleasure without feeling a little pain!" he laughed while surveying his handiwork. "I'm enjoyin' this way too much. Now…come to Daddy."
Sensui knelt down and hauled Yusuke up by the hair. "My, you've got the face of a little angel. Too bad I gotta bust it."
He pulled Yusuke's head back and aimed. Red light pulsed from the gun tip.
"Open your mouth, and close your eyes…"
BANG!
There was a loud crash, a yell, then a flash of blue streaked across the cave.
Something rammed into Sensui's giant frame, forcing him off Yusuke. He tumbled over and over for ten metres before he collided with the wall.
"What the heck just happened?!" Kuwabara gasped. "Wait, is that-?!"
Kurama's jaw dropped. "Kura?!"
She was kneeling on top of Sensui, fist raised and eyes wild. Nobody could believe it, least of all Sensui himself.
"Don't you dare touch my brother! Don't you DARE!"
Sensui's eyes narrowed. "What the hell is this shit?!"
Sakura only responded with a maddened scream of fury and a truly spectacular punch to the jaw.
While Sensui lay dazed, she jumped off him and raced back to her twin.
"Yusuke?! Yusuke, can you hear me? It's ok, you're going to be ok!"
Kurama's hands shook. He had never in any universe imagined Sakura could do such a thing. Nobody had. She was injured, drugged, restrained…yet she'd managed it.
How is it possible?
He looked, and saw Haruki collapsed in a heap in the corner. A small boulder lay on the ground beside him.
Kurama understood.
She used telekinesis, and the law of gravity did the rest.
Haruki wasn't dead, just unconscious. But how long would he remain that way?
Kuwabara shook his head to clear it, and asked, "But she's so weak from everything. How in the world did she do that?!"
"It must have been hysterical strength," Kurama said. "A rare phenomenon usually triggered by a life-threatening situation. In this case, Yusuke's torture."
"That, or sheer obstinance." Hiei said.
Possibly, but given all the sedatives, injuries and ki suppression, hysterical strength was the only logical explanation. Kurama was sure of it.
But it won't last long.
The adrenaline thundering through Sakura's system would quickly vanish. And then her weakened and abused body would face swift, brutal punishment at Sensui's hands. And what could he possibly do from here?
"Yusuke, stay with me. Stay with me!" Sakura begged. She went to put pressure on the closest bullet hole on her twin's arm when he grabbed her hand.
"The hell are you doing, Squirt? You can't…how did you-?"
"It's ok, it's ok…" Sakura clutched at him. "You're gonna be fine, you'll be okay. Just-"
"Get outta here," he hissed through clenched teeth. "You have to go, now!"
"No, it'll be fine, you'll be fine, I just need to…"
Yusuke closed his eyes and choked, "Go!"
"Kura!" Kurama shouted. "Behind you!"
A shadow fell across the twins. Sakura whipped around. Sensui was back and aiming his gun again.
"So, the little tramp hasn't learned."
Sakura barely heard him through the blood pounding in her ears. She too leapt to her feet and stood protectively over Yusuke. "I won't let you touch him!"
"What do you think you can do, ya stupid bitch? Couldn't beat a kitten, let alone me!"
"Squirt, just go…get out of the way…"
"REFLECTION SHIELD!"
Again, that luminescent barrier flew from Sakura's hands and expanded between her and the enemy. But something else was happening. The shield contorted and started closing around Sensui.
"What is she doing?" Hiei asked. He'd never seen Sakura manipulate her shield. None of them had.
"I see!" Mitari said. "Miss Kura did that during our fight. She's trying to immobilise him in a cage!"
Kurama watched with wide eyes. Could this work?
He wanted to believe it. But cold logic said otherwise. Her power would almost certainly die out soon. And Haruki would wake up any moment.
"Aww, isn't that cute?" Sensui snorted. "The slag thinks she can actually beat me with such a weak ass move!"
Sweat dripped down Sakura's forehead as she fought to compress the shield. Just a little more and Sensui would be trapped…
BANG!
Sensui lazily aimed his gun upwards and with one blast Sakura's barrier shattered.
"No!" Kuwabara whimpered. "No, Kura!"
Sensui approached Sakura, the hunter approaching his prey for the kill, but Sakura did not back down.
"Alright, ya bratty whore. Time for you to take a nap!"
"Kura!" Kurama yelled, "Kura, don't do it!"
Sakura prepared to fire her own attack. "Spirit Blast!"
Nothing happened.
"Oh no…" Sakura stared at her hands in horror. There was no tingling of power, no warmth gathering.
"That brief burst of strength has died out," Hiei said. "She's powerless again."
Kuwabara clenched his fists. "But if that's the case, then…?"
"Kura…" Kurama whispered. "Kura…!"
Just then, she swayed on her feet. Her eyes started slipping shut. The drugs were taking hold once more.
"Yeah, that's right!" Sensui said. "How d'you like this?!
And he shot her through the shoulder.
"KURA!"
"No, NO!"
Blood sprayed around the room and Sakura collapsed on her knees with a sharp cry. The shouts and desperate yells from inside Uraotoko were muted to her ears.
"Alright, bitch. Let's get this over with." Sensui grabbed a handful of Sakura's hair and cocked the gun.
Sakura glared at him. She might not have a ki attack, but she had one more weapon in her hand.
NOW!
Sensui never saw it coming. He only caught a glimpse of the fire followed by a scalding pain over his eye.
"Agh!"
Sakura clutched at her bleeding shoulder and managed a smile. "What's wrong? Can't take the heat?"
"Was that her Spirit Flame?" Kuwabara asked. "That usually causes a lot more damage!"
"No," Kurama gasped. "Look!"
They did, and finally saw what she was holding. Sakyo's cigarette lighter.
"You BITCH!"
SMACK!
A heavy blow knocked Sakura to the ground where she lay stunned. That was it.
I can't move.
She was done. Her vision was swimming, her body was virtually paralysed, her power was depleted and the sedatives had reared up again. She'd used everything she could against Sensui. Even telekinesis would be too much in this state.
Sorry, everyone. I did my best.
As if to confirm that it was over, strong hands pinned her down and Sensui's face filled her vision.
"Mmm…now this is more like it," he said. "Bitches put in their place, that's right…"
"Kura! Get off her!" Kuwabara yelled.
Kurama banged his fist against the wall. "No, no!"
Sensui leaned down, laughing as his tongue traced her jaw. "Oh yeah, blood tastes so good. 'Specially from a whore…"
Sakura gave a feeble kick to his groin. He flinched, then seemed to shrug it off and bared his teeth.
"All those drugs in your system are making it harder to fight, ain't they?" he whispered. "But don't worry. I'm not ready to kill you yet."
He stood up and kicked her aside.
"Remember, you and I ain't done yet, bitch. Not by a long shot. Now, be a good little whore and go back to Ghost."
"Don't touch her!" Yusuke croaked from the floor.
At the sound of his voice, Sensui glanced over his shoulder with a horrible grin. Sakura couldn't do anything to resist. She was limp as a rag doll while Sensui picked her up and yeeted her back to the corner where Haruki was stirring.
"Now, where were we?" Sensui knelt beside Yusuke and pulled him up again. "That's right, it's time for you to say goodbye!"
That deadly red aura charged at the gun barrel. Yusuke closed his eyes and gritted his teeth. There was no way out of this.
"Not this way!" Kurama gasped.
"But he's our hope!" Mitari said.
Hiei's eyes widened, and Kuwabara screamed, "Urameshi!"
Sensui aimed, and was about to fire when…
"Shinobu!"
Sensui paused. He swivelled around with a growl and saw someone else standing in the cave entrance. Red cape, the kanji for junior on his forehead and a pacifier in his mouth.
Koenma's face was alive with anger as he ordered, "Let him go."
"Shinobu ain't here!" Sensui hissed.
Yusuke managed to turn his head. "Nice…timing…"
A.N. Well, that was a lot. And things are only going to get more intense from here.
I'm already hard at work on the next chapter, and I'll have it out very soon.
I'd like to thank everyone who left their feedback on the chapter length/frequency, seems like people are pretty flexible and like a nice medium between the two.
Anyhow, I'm so excited to read your thoughts as always. So leave a comment/review and tell me what you enjoyed and what you think might happen next.
Before we end, I just have a bit of housekeeping to mention. I've been getting a fair few DMs lately, and I want you all to know I WILL get back to them when I am able. If I can't reply right away, it's not personal. Time zones are a thing and as much as I may want to pretend I don't have responsibilities, domestic and work duties still hang over my head like the sword of Damocles.
Speaking of which, my dog is beside me with her leash and soulful eyes, so I need to go take her for that walk I promised her. But I can't wait to hear from you all.
See you soon,
Rosentic xx