* PLEASE NOTE, THIS IS A REPUBLISHING*
Chapter 46 was originally published October 23rd 2023. HOWEVER, FanFiction's emails were broken at the time and some of you may have missed it.
I am republishing to ensure nobody misses out on the final few chapters of Book 3.
Sorry to everyone who is still waiting for the last 3 chapters, I am still working on them and will have them out ASAP.
Rosentic (November 18th 2023)
A.N. Grab your popcorn. It's time for a humongous chapter.
Hina714: I know, I know. But hopefully this 11.5k word chapter makes up for it at least a little? Still a few twists and turns to come, but we're three chapters off the end. I hope you see this, I really do. The site is a mess lately. Emails and stats have been broken for weeks.
Ghost of Magic: I think that will be the last one for this book!
Black Dragon: Because I always intended to finish this chapter that way. The final line was written down for nearly 2 years. So glad you're still enjoying it. Personally, I love Chapter Black, but the ending is a bit lacklustre.
Guest: Trust me, it was awful and will be revealed in due time.
Ukitake: Knowing you love this story brings me unspeakable joy. You're right, Haruki is too blinded by obsession and hate, and in a lot of ways, his trauma. It's really quite sad. And yes, half-demon Sakura has arrived...sort of. I won't say more than that.
Hope you all enjoy!
Chapter 46: Running out of Time
Kurama saw, but did not comprehend. As he drank in the sight of this beautiful creature in front of him, the rest of the world seemed to melt away.
She was breathtaking to behold. Her shoulder length hair now waved gently to the middle of her back in an ombré coloured waterfall. While Sakura's normal ebony hue remained on the crown of her head, it faded halfway down to a delicate pink and eventually, iridescent rose gold at the ends.
All traces of her brutal injuries had vanished into alabaster skin and full, blush-tinted lips. Though the strange symbols on her collarbones remained, they were covered by delicate tattoos that swirled across her chest and down her arms. Her body was lithe and graceful, even in stillness.
But as always, it was her eyes…those glittering eyes that captivated Kurama most.
Chocolate brown had become iridescent cerulean, framed with impossibly long lashes that threw off light when she blinked. And as Kurama gazed into their depths, he saw an endless ocean. One that he'd happily drown himself in.
"Kura…"
Her small but dazzling smile silenced him.
"Are you alright, my love?" she asked.
Kurama could hardly breathe. Even her voice shimmered like stars in the night sky.
"Kura," he whispered. "Is it really you?"
She nodded. "Yes, it is. Don't worry."
"Kura…love, I…" Again, Kurama's voice failed him. Never in all his life had he imagined such a heavenly being could exist.
"I don't believe it," Kuwabara choked. "Kura…she's…"
"Awakened," Koenma finished. "She's inherited the Mazoku genes like Yusuke."
"Look at that scarred fool," Hiei said. "He doesn't know what hit him."
Haruki gazed at Sakura. For once, he was speechless.
"So…it turns out Haruki was right," Koenma shook his head. "Sakura isn't completely human."
This would have some serious ramifications.
Haruki's face lit up. "I knew it," he breathed. "I knew all along, honey. You're not human!"
"Half human, it would seem," Sakura said.
"I was right, honey," Haruki pointed a triumphant finger. "I was right! You're not human. You aren't!"
"Whether you were correct or not makes no difference. You have to stop, now."
"Of course it makes a difference. You're a demon!" Haruki's smile only became more crazed. "I got my answer…I got my answer! I'm seeing what you really are for the first time!"
"I'm not so sure about that," Sakura nodded to her right. "See for yourself."
On the other side of the battlefield, the air had cleared and the transformed Yusuke was striding towards a visibly stunned Sensui. They watched his every move, mesmerised by what they were seeing.
Yusuke stopped about ten feet from Sensui and gave a smile that didn't belong to him.
"I've waited a long time for this," he said.
"What in the heck's going on here?!" Kuwabara goggled. "And what's with that hair? Looks like he played with an electric socket!"
"I don't know what triggered this, but it appears Yusuke's body has finally accepted the transformation his Mazoku blood desired," Kurama said.
Sensui's shock morphed to delight. "This is perfect!" he breathed, sounding less like a villain and more like a child presented with their favourite ice cream.
"Did you guys see that?" Kuwabara said in disgust. "Sensui cracked a smile when he saw our freaky half breed! He really is an arrogant creep, isn't he?"
"Pretty much, but that's beside the point," Koenma murmured. "It's not Yusuke's change Sensui smirks at. Even from this vantage point, I can tell that Sensui has undergone a profound, transcendent metamorphosis. A spiritual awakening, if you will."
"Spiritual awakening?"
"Back in the cave, his fighting was filled with such loathing and callousness. Such self hatred. His heart was so dark, even for a bad guy. But now that's gone."
"Yes," Hiei said. "It's as if he's suddenly come to terms with his place in the world, and achieved some sort of balance."
"What a jerk," Kuwabara spat.
"Ha! You are indeed the descendant of the Mazoku," Sensui grinned. "And I couldn't be happier."
"And what's so funny about that?" Yusuke asked.
"Not so much funny as…divine, that fortune would smile upon me."
"How's that?"
"I'm fighting a beast that only appears once every forty-four generations," Sensui said. "That's no mistake."
"Ha!" Yusuke scoffed. "You should be careful what you call a fortunate opportunity. Your luck could run out."
Nobody knew what to make of his voice. Yusuke's tone was still there, but it sounded like another deeper voice was layered on top. How odd.
"I'm not the only one who's gotten his wish," Sensui jerked his head to the left. "It seems your twin sister has experienced her own change."
"In a way," Yusuke conceded. "But her true awakening will come in time."
Jaws dropped all around. What on earth was he saying? Did this mean that Sakura's new body wasn't her true demon form?
"You know…I think he's onto something," Koenma said quietly. "When she transformed, I could have sworn I saw something that looked like wings. But they're gone now."
"Hey, you're right. I saw that too!" Kuwabara said. "Why did they disappear?"
"There's several explanations," Koenma said. "Unlike Yusuke, Sakura hasn't died or been resurrected. So if what Yusuke says is true, that's almost certainly preventing a full conversion."
"So…you're saying that she's probably halfway there?" Kuwabara asked.
"Given what I'm sensing, I'd say so," Hiei said with a frown. "Her aura feels blended, neither having full control. Given the power suppression and violence Kura was subjected to, it's little wonder."
Koenma hesitated. "There's…another possibility, too. According to Spirit World research, female Mazoku are virtually unheard of. Maybe that could be it?"
"How fascinating," Sensui said. "Either way, Haruki will certainly be pleased."
"It matters not," Yusuke said. "His punishment will come in time."
Haruki laughed. "What punishment, detective? I couldn't have asked for a greater gift. My little porcelain doll is not human, as you all pretended!"
He turned to Sakura, almost salivating. "You denied it too, honey. But now you're going to have to eat those words."
"That is irrelevant."
Haruki's mouth hung open. "Irrelevant?!"
"Yes," Sakura said. "Whatever I may be, this madness cannot continue."
"I agree, my little porcelain doll. So come, let's leave this place behind."
He made towards her, hand outstretched, and Kurama roused himself.
"I won't let you take her!"
Sakura looked at him again. "You need to move away from here, Kurama," she said softly. "Let me take over, for now."
Before he could even attempt to say anything, or do anything, she raised her hand and Kurama found himself moving upwards, away from the ground.
"Kura!"
Your gliding plant, my love. I need my telekinesis for this fight.
Kura, what are you thinking?!
Trust me, Kurama. I have to do this. Now, your gliding plant!
Dazed, Kurama unfurled his makeshift wings and hovered beside Puu. What in the world was she thinking?
"Kura, get away from him!" Kuwabara yelled.
"Let me do what I must, Kuwabara," Sakura called back. "I'll be fine."
"Are you crazy?! You can't -!"
"Don't worry," Hiei interrupted. "In that body, she can take care of herself. For now."
Kurama's heart clenched. Love, be careful. If your body reverts, then…
It's alright, Kurama. I promise I'll use the time I have wisely.
With that, Sakura's luminescent blue eyes travelled over to her twin, and they exchanged a nod.
Yusuke smiled at her, then turned to Sensui.
"You've long desired to fight a Yokai like me," he said. "But I'm going to change that feeling of desire into one of regret."
Sensui was the one who made the first move. Yusuke stood his ground and took the hit without flinching.
"Even better than I imagined," Sensui grinned. "This will be fun."
He kept punching. Yusuke only moved an inch to the side every time, dodging each blow without so much as batting an eye. Over and over Sensui tried, but none had a hope of landing.
At last, Yusuke caught Sensui's fist in his hand. "Is this really the best you can do?"
"Of course not," Sensui laughed. "Shall we settle this in the skies?"
"If you wish."
They rose into the air and the battle resumed. Or rather, Yusuke wove and ducked and evaded Sensui's attack with ease. He was merely toying with his enemy now.
Haruki made his way towards Sakura. "Come on, honey. We can start again now, just you and me."
"No, Haruki. We can't."
Haruki froze. "What did you say?!"
"I'm not going anywhere with you."
Haruki looked like Sakura had slapped him.
"But you promised…in the cave, you said…"
"You made a promise as well," she said, and her eyes narrowed. "If I agreed to be yours, you would not harm those I love. But you never had any intention of keeping your word."
Haruki's astonishment became a smirk. "Does that matter? I told you before, honey. They just want to control you."
"The only one desperate for control is you!" Sakura shot back. "In an effort to regain the agency that was stripped from you as a child, you seek to control me. Own me, as if I were some kind of object."
The wind blew Sakura's ombré hair behind her as she summoned her new power.
"It's done, Haruki. Unless you accept the truth, this is where it ends."
Kurama gazed at her in wonder. "That power!"
Even if she was in a half-transformed state, the ki Sakura now wielded had the force of a cyclone.
"Don't tell me," Kuwabara gasped. "Is she really gonna…you know?!"
"Honey, what are you doing?!" Haruki yelled over the deafening sound of her rising aura. "What the hell are you -?!"
She did not strike; she simply looked at him.
"You're running out of time, Haruki. So listen to me!"
"I've heard enough!" Haruki shouted. "You belong to ME!"
With that, he made a grab for Sakura, but caught nothing.
"Huh? Where did she go?!" Kuwabara yelped.
"Damn it, Haruki. Listen to me!"
He whirled around. She'd somehow phased behind him in the blink of an eye.
"Is this really what you wanted to be, Haruki? Working on the side of evil, trapped in a deranged obsession and being someone else's puppet?"
"Stop talking!" he shouted. "You're mine!"
He dived for her again, and she phased away.
"I'm not!" Sakura shouted back. "Don't you see? Even if you were right about my humanity, I'm not the answer!"
Haruki scowled. "What are you talking about?!"
"You've made me your only hope for a normal life. But one person cannot be the answer to your pain. It is impossible. Not even Sora could do that."
"No…" Haruki breathed. "Don't say that…you can't…"
"You're right," Sakura's eyes pierced into his soul. "I can't replace what you lost, Haruki. I can't be Sora. I never was."
"Shut up, just shut up!" In a blind rage, Haruki fired off his binding shadow cords. "WHY CAN'T YOU JUST BE A GOOD GIRL?!"
Sakura swirled and twisted around each thread that came for her. They didn't even brush her skin this time.
Koenma gasped. Hiei had no words, and Kuwabara just gawked.
Kurama couldn't believe his eyes.
My love…
She'd always been graceful in battle. He would usually liken it to flowing water, but now? She flitted and twirled in the manner of a wood nymph or pixie.
"Why won't you just open your eyes?!" Sakura yelled. "You've been living a lie, Haruki!"
"I don't get it!" Kuwabara shook his head. "Why is she still trying to talk him down? He's a maniac, she knows that!"
"Because that's who she is," Kurama said simply. "Despite the anguish he's caused her, Kura could never live with herself if she didn't try one last time to help him see reason."
The truth of this caused Kurama a mix of pain and pride. He would expect nothing less from his precious flower, but at the same time, he couldn't help feeling Kuwabara was right. Even Sakura's kindness had limits, and Haruki had gone far beyond what Kurama knew them to be.
She must know something about him. Something we don't. It's the only explanation.
Haruki fired a blast, shouting, "I did EVERYTHING Mr Sensui asked for. EVERYTHING! And it worked!"
Sakura's shield expanded around her, and the attack simply melted away.
"You did, and it was a path of destruction. For you, and everyone else." Her beautiful blue eyes turned sad. "Sensui manipulated your anger, and your vulnerability. Much like Sakyo did. I wonder what you would have accomplished, had it not been for -"
"NO! Mr Sensui promised me I'd have answers, honey. And I got them. YOU'RE NOT HUMAN!"
He sprang at her, and Sakura cried, "Reflection Shield!"
Haruki collided with her barrier and went flying backwards. As he lay sprawled on the ground, Sakura took slow, deliberate steps towards him.
"I might not be completely human, but does that mean you had the right to treat me as you have?"
Haruki glared, but said nothing.
"I'm done taking your abuse," Sakura snapped. "I'm done letting you hurt the people I love!"
"And I'm done messing around, honey. You belong to ME!"
Sakura closed her eyes for a moment. "Then so be it."
With a yell, she unleashed her ki. Red and gold fire ignited from within.
"Her Spirit Flame?! But how?" Koenma murmured. "It's never looked like that before!"
"It's her new form," Kurama said. "The combination of her entwined ki has evolved the attack, but as Hiei said, neither is fully in control."
Sakura gave another shout. The fire twisted all around her body and shrouded her from view.
"What the heck?!" Kuwabara yelled.
Through the flames, they saw Sakura's shadow morph. Kurama's eyes widened. Her hair looked longer, and…
Wings?
Though he did not have a clear view, there was no denying that something about her body had changed, at least temporarily.
Is this it? Her complete transformation?
They did not find out. When Sakura emerged from the inferno, any trace of the wings (or whatever they were) had gone. The only change was her longer hair.
Is her full form trying to emerge?
The answer remained unclear, but Kurama's attention was diverted as Sakura made her next move.
She raised her hand, pointed it at Haruki and opened her mouth to call her attack forth when he jumped to his feet.
"I don't think so, my little porcelain doll! Binding Shadow Cords!"
His thin ropes burst out and headed straight for her, but instead of dodging, Sakura stood her ground and seized every cord in her bare hands. Everyone gasped, even Haruki, while Sakura's face twisted in anger.
Haruki yanked back, trying to regain control, but Sakura hung on tight.
"You said before that you were seeing me for the first time, in this form," she murmured. "I felt the same way about you, in the cave."
More red and gold fire appeared along the black binding cords. Haruki dropped them in alarm, but Sakura wasn't done. With another wave of her hand, the burning threads yielded to her telekinesis and started encasing Haruki in a giant web.
"Incredible!" Kurama said. "Her own form of pyrokinesis!"
Haruki's eyes hardened. He gave an ear-splitting roar, and his own energy exploded. The tangled cords ceased weaving around him and vapourized, fire and all.
Sakura's blazing look faltered, and Haruki gave a horrible smile.
"Nice work, honey. But you can't control my own technique that easily!"
When she didn't reply, he started firing off blast after blast at her.
Sakura spun away from the first, the second and third without much effort, but by the fourth blast something changed. Her fluidity had slowed, her moves far less certain, and the final confirmation was a stray blast hitting her from behind as she evaded another.
Kuwabara went pale. "Wait, what's going on?"
As Sakura managed to land on her feet, Haruki started to laugh. "Something wrong, honey? You look a little unsteady."
"No," Kurama hissed. Even in the sky, he saw her swaying slightly on her feet. Something was indeed wrong.
Sakura growled, then hurled herself into the air. At first, everyone thought she was brazenly trying to attack Haruki head on, but instead she flipped over his head and fired.
"Snare Threads!"
Glowing purple threads shot from her fingers and towards Haruki. He held up his arms to block them, but before he could, they wrapped tightly around his wrists. Sakura landed on the ground and started pulling them.
"A variation on her Spirit Snare," Hiei murmured.
"Incredible!" Koenma gasped. "She's already gained enough control to evolve her regular moves."
But would it be enough? From the look on Haruki's face, he clearly didn't think so. He yanked back hard, and Sakura stumbled forward.
"Nice try, honey. But it'll take more than that to get the one-up on me!"
Sakura glared at him, but being thrown off balance had given Haruki the slack needed to slip free of the bindings. He took them in his own hands and dragged her closer. Much closer.
"It's a good trick though," he grinned when she was in reach. "Honestly, I'm impressed. But I'm afraid the only one that's going to be ensnared here is you, my lovely bride. Binding Shadow Cords!"
"Spirit Flame!"
Bright golden tongues of fire appeared and the black cords disintegrated before they could trap Sakura. She drew her hand back.
"SPIRIT -!"
"NO YOU DON'T!"
Haruki lunged forward and managed to seize her wrist.
"Kura, NO!" Kurama shouted.
But Sakura smiled. Like lightning she performed the fastest backflip anyone had ever seen, and as she spiralled, delivered a fierce kick to Haruki's jaw that forced him to let go. He skidded along the ground for several metres while Sakura backed off.
For a moment, they stared at each other, Sakura's grim face into Haruki's smirk.
"That's insane!" Kuwabara said. "She made that look so easy this time!"
"That's because it is," Kurama said. "In this form, even though it might be incomplete, she has more control over her flames."
Even as he explained, another question came to mind.
She has control, but for how long?
Just looking at her, seeing the slight trembling of her tiny frame, he could tell this wouldn't last forever.
And though still locked in a dead heat with Yusuke, Sensui had seen it too. He drew back and nodded down at the battle.
"Do you see that, Yusuke? You've been trying so very hard to save your sister from Haruki. Yet you are seemingly unconcerned that she's fighting him alone now."
"Even now, you underestimate her," Yusuke said. "She is stronger than him in more ways than one."
"Interesting, coming from you," Sensui chuckled. "But no matter. Our fight is not over."
"No," Yusuke agreed. "Far from it."
Sensui flew at him and the fight resumed in earnest. Sensui punching, Yusuke dodging with careless abandon, and Sensui looking ever more thrilled with each failed blow.
On the ground, Sakura watched Haruki get to his feet. This wasn't over either.
She crouched into a defensive stance, and quietly said, "It doesn't have to be this way, Haruki. You can still -"
BANG!
Haruki's ki blast exploded at Sakura's feet. She leapt back and missed it by a hair.
"That's right, my little porcelain doll. It doesn't. But you're still being stubborn!"
BANG!
The second orb crashed into the ground after the first, and though it made no contact with Sakura, the shockwaves knocked her backwards.
"Kura, look out!" Kurama shouted, and Sakura threw herself aside to avoid being hit. But this time, she was not fast enough and cried out when the blast successfully grazed her shoulder.
"What's the matter, honey? Getting a bit overwhelmed?" Haruki taunted. "I don't blame you. It's been a long day. And night, to be fair."
Sakura shot a scathing look at him, which only seemed to make him happier.
"Come on, my sweet. You can make this easier on yourself. Be a good girl and keep your promise."
Kurama's temper burned, but Kuwabara looked more confused than anything as he said, "Something's not right. Her reaction time is slower!"
"She's running out of time," Kurama said while flaring his ki. "She can't sustain that form indefinitely. Not like this."
Hiei's hands closed tightly. Come on, Kura.
For the first time since her transformation, Sakura looked afraid. But only for a moment, because as she pulled herself up, her next move was coming fast.
"Spirit Blast!"
The jet of magenta light flew towards Haruki, who immediately retaliated with his own counter attack. The opposing ki collided in mid air and sent sparks flying in all directions.
The earth shook, the light blinded the onlookers, and Sakura barely heard the boys shouting her name over the screeching beam struggle. She forced all the power she could possibly summon into this move, and Haruki did the same. He was salivating, gloating at her with those lustful eyes, saying words she could not hear, and pushing against her with all his might.
Through the sparks, the crackling, Sakura had a sudden image from twenty years ago. The image of two boys in Master Shin's dojo, locked in an almost identical beam struggle…
Sakura's heart thumped painfully, and her attack rippled.
"You can't keep this up much longer, can you honey?!" Haruki cackled. "Don't worry, I promise this won't hurt…much!"
My love, hold on, I'm coming!
No Kurama! Stay back, it's too dangerous!
Sakura concentrated every ounce of her mind on what she was doing and what she was about to do. She couldn't give up, she just couldn't…she had to go beyond her limit…beyond her fears…
You need to focus, Sakura. He's not that child anymore, and especially not now. You're running out of time. FIGHT!
With a yell, Sakura surged her rage, her grief, and her inner turmoil into the attack. This was her defiance. This was her refusal. This was the only way to end things. She would not be used again.
I'm running out of time.
It was already working. The red light from Haruki's attack was being swallowed up by Sakura's purple energy…
So close. Not much longer now -!
But then something happened. Something nobody expected. Before their eyes, Sakura's hair flashed from that ombré curtain to her usual black.
Panic shot through everyone watching, but especially Kurama.
"Kura, NO!"
Just as quickly, her hair reverted. But that was all Haruki needed. Her momentary reduction in strength had allowed him to slam his attack into her chest with full force. She went down, flat on her back.
"Kura!" Kuwabara bellowed as Haruki strode towards her. "Get away from her, you freak show!"
"Go, Kurama!" Koenma said, and Kurama made a move to do so when Hiei stopped him.
"Look closer. She's not done."
They looked, and saw Hiei was right. Sakura had already risen again for more.
"It's amazing how you keep going against all odds," Haruki marvelled. "I saw it so many times at the tournament, on the video…it's almost as breathtaking as your beauty."
Sakura's next attack shot right at Haruki's face. He batted it away with ease. Sakura gritted her teeth and went to fire back when her entire body trembled.
"Oh no!" Koenma cried. "It's happening again!"
This time, it wasn't just her hair that relapsed. Sakura's whole appearance started fading from radiant demon visage to wounded human.
Haruki's eyes went wide. "What is this?"
Sakura had already regained her demon form, but the damage was done. Haruki's smile went wider than ever.
"You said before that we didn't have much time…" he purred. "You're going to switch back soon, aren't you?"
Her eyes narrowed, but she said nothing.
"I understand now, honey. Your power is unstable. It controls you, instead of the other way round. And that tells me everything I need to know."
His blast hit her in the shoulder, and she went flying.
"No, Kura!" Kurama shouted.
Stay back, Kurama! I have an idea.
An idea? What on earth could she be thinking at this point?
"What the hell are you waiting for, Kurama?!" Kuwabara said in a panic. "We gotta get down there; he'll -!"
"Not yet," Even Kurama could hardly believe the words from his own mouth. "Like Hiei said, she's not done."
He wanted to step in, more than all of them combined, but Sakura wanted him to stay back. Even if he didn't know or understand what she was up to, he'd seen his precious flower come back too many times for him to doubt her now.
"Nothing to say, my sweet?"
Sakura dragged herself to a half-sitting position as Haruki approached and shot him a death-glare.
"Hmm…seems you've lost that sharp tongue. Can't say I'm too sorry about that, honey. After all," he grinned. "I much prefer it when you're feeling more…docile."
She locked eyes with him, asking, "Is this what your friends would have wanted for you?"
Haruki paused. "What did you just say?"
"Your friends, Haruki. All of them. If they saw you now, saw you trying to destroy the world, do you honestly think they'd be happy about it?"
Haruki bared his teeth. "This is as much for them as it is for me, honey. Don't you see? I'm setting things right. I'm avenging them all!"
"And you think this would help their souls to rest?" she asked quietly.
"What?!"
"Take a moment and think about it. Is this really what they would have asked of you? Somehow, I doubt that."
Haruki stared at Sakura in utter shock.
"Did Kenji teach you how to fight so you could obliterate everything?" Sakura went on. "What would Sora say, if she knew that you wanted demons to burn the world she wanted to make more beautiful?"
"What's Kura saying to him? I can't hear anything!" Kuwabara frowned.
Nobody answered; none of them could hear either. But judging by the look on Haruki's face, it was brutal.
"THEY'RE GONE!" Haruki roared. "I can't ask them, and neither can you!"
"Sora saved your life, Haruki! She helped you escape so you could live, not be the one who razes everything she loved to the ground!"
"You're not…" Haruki's breathing sped up. "You don't mean…you're not saying that I…that it's my fault?!"
"No," Sakura said firmly. "The little boy who saw his friends die never deserved that torture. Nobody does. But that doesn't justify what you've done. The pain you've caused."
"What I've done?! I did what I had to do!"
"No, Haruki. You were deceived. You've become something you never should have been -"
"NO!" Haruki made another move towards Sakura, who phased out of sight. Haruki whirled around to see her standing behind him, radiating with power and emotion.
"It was for YOU!" he shouted. "Don't you see? THIS WAS ALL FOR THE GREATER GOOD! For you…for them…AND for me!"
"And in doing so, you chose to cause me nothing but pain. It was all about what you wanted," Sakura's eyes sparkled with unshed tears. "But you can still walk away from this. You have the choice -"
"CHOICE?" Haruki screamed. "You think I chose this? You saw what happened. I showed you everything!"
Powered by wrath, he summoned three shadow puppets that cut off Sakura's possible escape routes. Once she was cornered, Haruki moved faster than even Sakura could evade and seized her shoulders. "I've NEVER had the choice, honey. NEVER! Don't you see?! It's MY turn now! MY TURN!"
"You're right, Haruki," Sakura whispered. His tormented eyes were all she could see. "And you have your chance now. You can make the right choice, if you'll just -!"
"But I have chosen, honey," Haruki said. His agony morphed to a deranged smile. "I've chosen you."
Sakura opened her mouth to respond when her heart went cold. She felt the pull towards her human body, sensed her hair flashing in between forms without having to look, and an even greater sense of urgency engulfed her.
Haruki was right. I don't have long.
She heard the boys all shouting, screaming for her, but for this moment, Haruki was the only thing that existed.
"If you don't understand, then I'll make you understand," Haruki whispered, and pulled her closer. "Whether you like it or not, you're my choice, honey. And whatever it takes, I'm going to make you mine forever!"
"Spirit -!"
"No, honey!"
The swiftness of his energy shield was such that Sakura lost her balance.
"KURA!"
Haruki glanced up to see that Kurama, Hiei and Kuwabara were about to leap in and attack.
"I don't think so!"
His shadow puppets melted away, and in their place Haruki cast a huge energy shield in front of all the boys.
"You won't interfere!" he snarled. "This is between me and my bride!"
"Spirit Flame!"
Haruki fell backwards with a yell of pain. Sakura had taken advantage of his momentary distraction and unleashed her power. The flames she sent, driven by pity rather than revenge, hit him square in the torso.
As he lay slightly dazed, Sakura prepared what she hoped was her last trump card.
"You have to see this, Haruki. I wanted to show you before."
Before Haruki could so much as blink, Sakura had channelled her ki and his world dissolved…
*~*~*
Tears were sliding down Master Shin's age-worn face into his beard.
"I will never forget it, Sakura. The sight of what those evil brothers had done to my innocent students, those little children who trusted me. So bright, so full of promise and joy. None of them were older than nine, but they were torn to pieces. And my three oldest students, my Golden Trio who had studied with me for the longest. Haruki, Sora, Kenji... the ones I thought would be my shining stars. I let them down. I let them all down…"
*~*~*
"After the Toguro brothers killed his students, Master Shinsuke believed there was a possibility that one might have escaped the carnage," Genkai said slowly.
"Honestly, I think that was the one thing keeping him from falling apart completely. He clung to the hope, however faint it might have been."
*~*~*
The old man's grief-stricken face said it all.
"I will never get answers from Toguro, Genkai. In any case, it's too late for me to try," he said quietly. "How is it that I could never locate them? I should have searched harder-"
*~*~*
"After that, Master Shinsuke shut himself away in his garden, and refused to endanger another young student. He was determined to try and locate the missing student with his talents, but nothing ever turned up. Still, he never gave up hope entirely."
*~*~*
Sakura was forced out of Haruki's mind like she'd been hit with a wrecking ball and flew head over heels above the sand.
Haruki had already risen by the time she righted herself in mid air and landed Spider-Man style.
With absolutely no idea how much he'd seen or taken in, Sakura braced for the inevitable backlash.
She knew full well that Haruki wouldn't want to see her memories, and doubted even more that he'd believe them. She knew it was likely to cause more harm than good, but if there was even a sliver of hope that he'd realise the truth, then she had to try.
Haruki didn't shout or attack. On the contrary, he'd gone deathly silent. His lips moved, but nobody could hear what he was saying.
Kurama and the others held their breath. The moment to intervene had surely come. The shield Haruki had cast in front of them was clearly breakable with combined force, but for some reason, they did not move.
"I wanted to show you," Sakura said after a moment. "What he told me, on the island…during the tournament…and after."
Haruki's blank eyes set onto Sakura like the weapons on a battleship.
"He looked for you, Haruki. He wanted me to -"
Haruki moved faster than the speed of light. Sakura took a step back as he appeared in front of her.
She could not read the expression he wore.
"Why?" he asked. "Why would you do that?"
"Because you deserve the truth," Sakura murmured. "I…wanted to show you everything."
Haruki gave a furious snarl. "The old man…I don't…NO!"
He crossed the distance between them, firing another ki attack as he did so. Sakura ducked and retaliated with one of her own.
Haruki swatted it aside without even looking as he fired again. Sakura immediately flipped away and for a moment it looked like she'd avoided his power once again, but it seemed her evasion was exactly what Haruki wanted. The biggest orb yet reached Sakura at her most vulnerable position and struck her in the back.
She was hurled through the air, over and over again. And right before she slammed to the ground, her body flashed between forms.
The end was near. They all knew it, and Haruki most of all.
Still, Sakura has not yielded. Too quick for anyone to leap into the fray, she'd pulled herself upright and sent another ki snare.
"Haruki, listen!"
"Not happening!" Haruki jumped over it and rounded on Sakura. In one swift move, he'd thrown her to the floor in a foaming rage.
"Spirit -!"
BAM!
Haruki knocked her hand aside before she could even finish summoning a flicker of power.
Kura, just hold on, I -
Stay BACK, Kurama! You have to -
Kurama never found out what he apparently had to do, for Haruki's brutal kick launched her at least ten feet away.
"I think this has gone on long enough, my little porcelain doll!"
He leapt on Sakura and pinned her down.
"KURA, NO!"
"Get the hell off her you maniac!"
Amid the shouts of panic and outrage from the boys, Koenma knew he couldn't wait a moment longer.
"Ayame, it's all systems go!" he yelled into his communication mirror. "Bring Operation Tomodachi to Demon World, NOW!"
She replied instantly. "We're on our way, Lord Koenma. But it'll take a few minutes."
"I know. Just get here as fast as you can!"
"Yes sir!"
The signal had been given, but even as Koenma closed the mirror, it looked hopeless. Haruki was on top of Sakura, fist drawn back with the intention to knock her out cold and escape.
"Don't worry, honey. This won't hurt for long," he smirked. "I'll be gentle."
"NO!" Kurama shouted, and without hesitation he crashed through the thin energy barrier and swooped down to intervene.
He didn't care that Sakura's power had at least partially awakened. He didn't care that she had told him to stay back. He wasn't going to sit and watch this for another moment. He wasn't going to let her down again…
But a split second before he reached her, a blast streaked out of nowhere. It knocked Haruki off Sakura, and it was his turn to go flying.
"The hell was that?!" Kuwabara yelled once Haruki had come to a painful halt.
"Who do you think?"
Hiei jerked his head to the right, where Yusuke still had his hands poised in Haruki's direction.
"I'm sorry, did I interrupt?" Yusuke smirked.
Haruki didn't have the capacity to answer. Though not unconscious, Yusuke's attack had left him more than a little stupefied.
"Impressive, Yusuke. Most impressive," Sensui laughed. "I didn't think split focus was your strong point. But I suppose where your sister is concerned, anything is possible."
With shining eyes, Yusuke nodded. "More than you could possibly imagine."
Kurama landed at Sakura's side and lifted her upper body.
"Kura! Love, I'm right here!"
His arms had already found their way around her. Sakura clutched the front of Kurama's robe and gave a quick, fearful glance at Haruki. It looked like he was down for the moment at least.
"My love, are you…?"
Sakura turned back to Kurama and spoke in a low, rapid tone.
"Kurama, I'm…I'm ok, but this body…it doesn't have…won't last much longer. I can feel it."
"Yes love, I think so too," he took her perfect face in his hands. "You've done beautifully. You can let me handle it from here."
Tears filled her eyes. "No, I can't let you. If I do, then -"
BANG!
This time it was Sensui who had gotten a hit on Yusuke…or so he thought. As it turned out, Yusuke moved his head aside by less than an inch to avoid being hit. Sensui had only just begun to register this failure when Yusuke's powerful fist sank into his jaw.
Despite his best efforts, Sensui's Resshuuken technique wasn't about to save him this time. The most he could do was turn his head just enough to avoid a possibly lethal blow.
Even Kuwabara winced. "Ooh. That's gotta hurt."
Yusuke watched Sensui regain control in the air with mild interest.
"Still having fun?" he asked.
Sensui spat out the final traces of blood and smiled back. "I must confess, not really. This is taking longer than I expected."
Yusuke fixed Sensui with the unmistakable look of someone who was done playing games.
"Is that so? In that case, perhaps we should see how long your demise takes."
Sensui never had a chance to respond.
Yusuke's eyes suddenly flashed white at the same moment lightning streaked through the black clouds overhead.
The unearthly noise shook Haruki back to reality. When he looked up and realised what was happening, his very blood turned to ice.
"Mr Sensui!"
Kurama's eyes widened. He pulled Sakura closer to his chest, asking "What is this?"
Sakura squeezed his hand. "It's the end."
Kurama felt the crushing weight behind those three simple words.
Likewise, Kuwabara, Hiei and Koenma watched in amazement and confusion while an aura tornado whipped Yusuke's white hair around. They had no idea what was going on or what might happen, but one thing was clear: this was it. Whatever was going to happen, they could not prevent it. They could only watch.
Clearly, Sensui wasn't interested in stopping whatever might happen. He took a step back and rather than showing fear, merely smiled. With a roar, Yusuke sprang at him, fist raised.
Sensui didn't even have time to blink before the blow landed in his cheek and drew more blood. Just that one hit sent him sliding through the sand at unbelievable speed, but he hadn't even begun to slow down when Yusuke appeared in front and kicked him in the opposite direction.
Yellow lightning followed Sensui while he flew backwards, but Yusuke was hot on his heels. He leapt through the air to cover the last few metres and landed directly onto Sensui's stomach. The sand billowed while Yusuke jumped up and down on Sensui until more blood gushed from his mouth.
"Yusuke…" Sakura watched the carnage with eyes wide and a hand over her own mouth. Had she looked around, she would have seen everyone else having a similar reaction.
Yusuke dragged Sensui up by the collar and dealt the next ferocious punch into his gut. Blow after blow after blow followed, and Sensui sailed through the air. But Yusuke was far from done.
He catapulted himself after Sensui, who raised his arms to block the next move. This proved futile as Yusuke's monstrous kick smashed him through the rock formation fifty metres back.
Amid the shards and rubble, Sensui again felt Yusuke close in and seize his ankle. Screaming, he whirled Sensui around like a lasso and flung him away.
Haruki watched in abject horror. After being on the backfoot all this time, Yusuke had not only gained the upper hand, he was towering over Sensui. This insane beatdown was happening so fast that nobody could possibly intervene.
Mr Sensui…how? How did this happen?!
Yusuke hurled himself forward and started smashing his skull into Sensui's. Over and over and over and over until they both slammed into the stone platform with a thunderous CRASH!
As if all that wasn't enough, Yusuke unleashed a flurry of barbaric punches, his fists alight with power and rage.
Punch punch punch punch punch.
The stone beneath them began to crack, and seconds later the biggest hit yet caused the lone spindly support beam holding them up to give way.
Both demon and human fell as the rock crumbled into little more than pebbles. They ploughed into the ground with such force that sand and dust covered them both in a thick cloud.
"Unreal," Kuwabara gasped. "Completely unreal!"
"Why can't guys have these powers at the start of cases?" Koenma mumbled.
"His ancestor must have been an extremely brutal and formidable warrior," Kurama said. "As a mere human, Sensui doesn't stand a chance of beating him."
Koenma swallowed. "Let's hope so."
That hope was rewarded as soon as visibility improved. Yusuke was on his feet again, holding Sensui aloft by the throat and smiling wider than ever.
"Do you still think that challenging me is some sort of great opportunity for you?" he laughed. "Well, do you?"
His fingers tightened. Sensui choked, and Yusuke's eyes narrowed.
"Playtime's over."
And with no effort whatsoever, he yeeted Sensui into the air and watched in amusement while his enemy spiralled upwards as far as the eye could see.
That same lightning sparked all around Yusuke, and he raised his hands for the final move.
But just as the blue ki started to gather at his fingertips, Yusuke's consciousness awoke.
What's happening? Who's doing this? Hey, give me back my body!
Shut up. The voice told him. This doesn't concern you!
The hell it doesn't! Yusuke shouted back, then felt his mouth move of its own accord.
"So long!"
The lethal Spirit Gun hurtled towards Sensui to annihilate him.
It was like a switch flipped. Yusuke's hair immediately returned to his usual black as he regained possession of his body. Horror flashed across his features when he realised what was happening, and to the shock of everyone, he screamed a warning to Sensui.
"OUT OF THE WAY, DUMB ASS!"
But Sensui did not even try to avoid the attack. He simply gave one final, tiny smile as the Spirit Gun collided with him.
At last, at long last, Sensui went down, careening through the dense forest while the energy blast obliterated everything in sight.
Yusuke clenched his fists. "Damn…you idiot!"
He took off after Sensui.
"I don't get it!" Kuwabara said. "Why's Urameshi having second thoughts all of a sudden? I mean, he hit his mark head on, didn't he? It's what he wanted!"
"No…it can't be…" Haruki whispered. "It can't be! Mr Sensui!"
In Kurama's embrace, Sakura's body flashed between forms once more.
This is it for me. I'm nearly out of time.
Her humanity was pulling her back, and in minutes she would not be able to resist that call.
Will I even remember any of this?
No, she couldn't worry about that now. Not when Kurama was telling her to get back. Not when he was making a move to cast his plants at Haruki.
"Kurama, stop!"
She stood, pushed past him and fired her last shot.
Haruki didn't see it coming. He seemed to have momentarily forgotten all about her and Kurama.
He did not even manage a single step after Sensui before Sakura's fire swept around him.
"WHAT?!"
There was nothing he could do. In the blink of an eye, Sakura had essentially immobilised him in a fiery cage. Since she hadn't manipulated his shadow cords, it was completely under her control, and any attempt to escape on his part would be lethal.
"Honey! What the hell is this?!"
Two of the threads twisted around him. The boys watched in awe while he was anchored to the ground.
"It's over, Haruki," she whispered. "You've sealed your own fate."
She turned around and sprinted after her brother.
"Kura, wait!" Kurama broke into a run, but she'd already vanished into the forest before he'd even gotten up to speed.
"Puu, take us down there. Now!" Koenma ordered.
Puu screeched and soared forth. As they flew, the boys stared in disbelief at the sheer destruction. The blast had gone all the way to the horizon.
"Look at that," Kuwabara gasped. "Urameshi's Spirit Gun cut a path through the forest. There's no way anybody could still be alive after getting hit by something like that!"
Suddenly, Koenma pointed. "Over there, Puu!"
Around three miles in, two figures were huddled on the ground with two more fast approaching. Yusuke was shaking Sensui, and Sakura had nearly made it to him when she stopped in her tracks.
"Kura!"
She looked at him. "Kurama…I can't…"
Her body glowed. She started swaying on her feet. Kurama sped up and reached her just in time to catch her as she collapsed.
Puu rocketed downwards and landed. The trio leapt off and hurried over.
"It's alright, my love. I'm here."
Kurama had lowered both him and barely-conscious Sakura to the ground. Her otherworldly form dissipated before their eyes. In moments, she had returned to her weakened, injured and broken human body.
The sight was painful, but Yusuke was too busy yelling at Sensui to even acknowledge anyone.
"Hey Sensui, wake up! Wake up you stubborn son of a bitch! I'm warning you, I'll bust into Spirit World and pull you back out myself! You can't be dead, not this way!"
"What are you saying man? Has your brain gone as fuzzy as your head?" Kuwabara asked in disbelief. "We wanted him dead and so did you!"
"Whoever may have killed him, it wasn't me!"
"But we all saw you!"
"It looked like me 'cause it was my body," Yusuke said. "But it wasn't me in there when it happened. I mean, it was but it wasn't, you understand?"
"Look, Urameshi. I think you need some rest -"
Just then, Sensui stirred and coughed up a stream of blood.
"He's alive!" Yusuke said. "Kurama, can you use some kind of healing plant on him? He's not dead, he just needs a boost!"
Kurama laid Sakura down and opened his mouth to say he couldn't, that Sensui's wounds were fatal, and either way he didn't deserve it, when a new voice cut him off.
"That won't be necessary."
They all looked up, Sakura included. An glowing amber thread materialised in a perfect circle.
Kuwabara groaned. "Don't tell me…"
The circle's centre spiralled away to reveal a black hole. And climbing out of that hole was none other than…
"Itsuki!" Yusuke growled. Kurama hissed at him, but Itsuki didn't even glance their way.
"Please, just let Shinobu go."
"If I'm gonna kill a human, even if it's an evil one, it's at least gotta be me pulling the trigger," Yusuke said. "I'll never know it was me who made that choice!"
"Don't torture yourself. Shinobu only had two weeks to live anyway."
Shock zapped through all of them.
"Shinobu was suffering from a rare and terminal disease," Itsuki explained. "Doctor Kamiya confirmed that, though not even he could cure it. An ordinary person would have lost the fight a long time ago, but not Shinobu."
"Is this your idea of a joke?" Yusuke demanded.
"He's telling the truth," Sensui said unexpectedly. "But I'm not making excuses for my loss. Your final attack, Yusuke…with it, you proved yourself much stronger than I."
"But that wasn't even my power! I had no control over my body!"
"Oh my God," Sakura moaned. "What difference does it make, you idiot?"
"Shut it you damn brat! I wasn't -!"
"You should listen to her, Yusuke," Koenma said. "She's right."
"I don't care! We aren't finished yet. I need to know who's really stronger!"
"Trust me, consciousness exists on many levels," Sensui said. "The part of you that was ready to make the choice must have taken control. But it was definitely you, a demon you, who killed me."
"Damn it, you're not listening to me! It WASN'T me! I can't be happy! I'll give you time to heal up; you take some painkillers now and we'll do it over!"
Hiei rolled his eyes. "Only Yusuke would still want to fight a man after he's dead."
Yusuke looked up at his last hope. "Don't just stand there, Koenma. You've gotta have some kind of powers that could bring him back!"
"I did, but they were stored in my pacifier which I drained empty in the cave trying to stop him. He's the author of his own fate once again," Koenma sighed. "I doubt I would've had enough energy even before the Mafuukan spell; I drained so much on the way down."
"What?! Is this a confession?"
Sensui gave a knowing smile. "So you did save Amanuma."
Koenma nodded. Yusuke's eyes bugged out.
"Wait, you wasted it all saving that brat kid's life?"
"Pretty much."
Sensui started laughing.
Koenma frowned. "You think that's funny?"
"I realised your Mafuukan would be my greatest obstacle, so I arranged Amanuma's death to drain your energy. You were already riddled with guilt over me. I knew you would feel compelled against all logic to save the boy. It was the only way I could ensure my ultimate passage to Demon World."
"Wait…" Sakura said, "Are you seriously saying that you did all this to come here?!"
Sensui nodded. "For the most part. The barrier was my little gift to the Demonic Realm."
"Shinobu, I don't understand why coming to this place would matter so much to you," Koenma said. "You went through so much trouble and risked the destruction of the Living World to get here. Why?"
"Because it's home," was the simple reply. "Home to the apparitions I've been taking life from since I was a child. When I was younger, I always wondered, why me? Why do these horrible creatures pick only on me? Why do they hate me? Why do they want me to die? But I was a child, and I never tried to ask them. I never gave them a chance to speak. Instead, I improved my fighting techniques while I grew to hate them more, and wanted them to die even more.
"When I became a Spirit Detective, they told me, 'they're not like us, so they must be against us.' I believed there was good and evil, that wars were fought between the evil, and the just. Such thinking was easy, but it was wrong. Humans know nothing of justice.
"When I learned that I was going to die, I knew that I needed to collapse those boundaries between us and them, thus the tunnel. And then, I could come here to die. Dying by demon hands, I could then make penance for my sins."
Sensui turned his gaze to Yusuke. He didn't have much longer, and there was something else he needed to say.
"But then I saw you, Urameshi. First demonised in a human's body, and then humanised in a demon's. You dissolved the barriers between us in ways I never imagined. And now, I can finally rest."
"Shinobu…" Koenma trailed off.
For the first time, Sensui gave a genuine smile of gratitude as he said, "Urameshi, you are the justice I could never find. Great changes will come through you. And you, Sakura. You will untangle the threads, I know it."
Sakura stared at him. Sensui smiled back, but his breathing was becoming laboured. He was fading.
"Someday, when you're lying in my position, you'll know a dying man's need for closure," he murmured. "But until then, thank you."
With that, Sensui's eyes shut and breathed his last.
He's gone.
Sakura didn't know what to say as she stared at Sensui's lifeless body. Nobody else spoke either.
Sensui…
It was all over. He looked so peaceful, which stunned her most. After all the chaos, the pain, the violence, he was just…gone.
Koenma was the first to make a move. "I'll take you myself."
"I won't let you," Itsuki said. "Shinobu's dead. You got the end you desired, so don't you think he deserves the same? He devoted the last ten years to refuting everything you believe in. He didn't live by your standards, and he certainly didn't want to die by them. So I won't let you take him to Spirit World, for you to judge him in your way."
Itsuki knelt beside Sensui. He didn't look angry or sad. He just looked calm as he continued,
"See? Being defeated by a Mazoku was precisely the cathartic jolt he needed to resolve his inner turmoil and pay off his guilt. He finally conquered those six personalities and emerged as Shinobu. His original, untainted self. So in a way, he's already been redeemed and doesn't need you people to do it for him. Besides," Itsuki gave a tiny smile. "You all have one more obstacle to destroy, do you not? He should be here any moment."
Right on cue, the sound of running feet echoed behind them. They turned in time to see Haruki racing towards them.
"That's right," Yusuke's eyes flashed. "This whack job is still kicking."
Kurama hissed.
"Oh for crying out loud!" Kuwabara groaned. "What the hell is he doing here? He's meant to be in that fire cage thing!"
"Kura's power died out when she reverted back to her human body," Koenma said. "That means her attack fizzled and he's free again."
"No…" Sakura whimpered. "I can't…he'll -"
Yusuke stepped in front of her, alongside the others. "Don't worry, Squirt. He's dead."
"Mr Sensui?! Mr Sensui!" Haruki's eyes were wild with panic. "Itsuki, what's going on?!
"It's over," Itsuki said simply. "You can't help him."
Haruki skidded to a halt. His chest heaved as he realised what Itsuki meant.
"No…NO! This can't be!" Tears poured from his eyes. "Not again, not again!"
He collapsed to his knees, sobbing. The boys all looked at each other. None of them knew what to make of this.
But Itsuki didn't even give the courtesy of a look before he lifted Sensui into his arms with telekinesis.
"Where will you take him?" Koenma asked.
"Somewhere his soul won't be subjected to your overbearing scorn and judgement," Itsuki said. "Where it will be safe from hypocritical administrators who train a boy to be a killer, and then hunt him down for being one as a man."
Itsuki stepped back into the hole with Sensui.
"You people do not deserve Shinobu's soul. Your Spirit World will have to create another enemy so you can keep on fighting. That is, after all, what you do. But Shinobu and I grow weary of that."
"Wait," Haruki gasped. "WAIT! Where are you going?!"
"Away from here. We are going to spend the rest of eternity together, in solitude, and in peace."
"Itsuki, no!" Haruki yelled in desperation. "You can't leave me behind!"
"Why not?" Itsuki said over his shoulder. "You fulfilled your purpose, foolish boy. You got your answers. You know the girl isn't human. We are finished with you."
They faded from sight. The hole closed, and Haruki was left standing before them in agony.
"Fulfilled my purpose…" he whispered. "Finished…what am I meant to do now?!"
His face said it all. He finally understood, too late, what Sensui had been doing all along.
Sakura heaved herself up. Even after everything he'd done, the sight of his pain broke her heart.
"Haruki, I…I tried to tell you," she said. "I'm sorry."
The boys looked at her in astonishment. Even now, she still had empathy for him? But why?!
"I was nothing more than a tool," Haruki whispered, more to himself than to them. "They were just using me this whole time…like always…"
He stared up at the whole group. The sight of him made them all recoil.
Something had truly broken inside Haruki. His face was contorted with rage and glassy eyes. He looked possessed by the anguish in his already blackened heart.
Then, he clutched his head and gave a gut-wrenching scream of torment.
"NO! I CAN'T TAKE THIS! NO MORE!"
Kurama reached into his hair for a seed. Hiei, Kuwabara and Yusuke crouched and prepared to fight.
"Koenma, Puu!" Yusuke hissed. "Get her away from here, now!"
"Puu!"
Sakura felt his beak clamp on the back of her dress and lift her onto his back, but the minute he put her down, Haruki gave another yell.
"She belongs to ME!"
With a wave of his hand, Sakura felt his telekinesis surround her. She gave a brief scream as he pulled her towards him, high out of reach.
"Kura!"
"No, NO!"
Haruki snatched Sakura from the air as soon as she was in reach and dragged her into another chokehold.
"Still too slow, Fox!"
Kurama gave a snarl of rage.
"Kura!" Yusuke shouted. "Let her go!"
"Stay back!" Haruki yelled. "All of you! Don't take another step!"
"Let her GO!" Kuwabara bellowed. "You can't do this!"
"I can, and I will," Haruki breathed. "I'm done messing around. She's mine. She agreed."
"Haruki," Sakura choked. "Stop, please…"
"Quiet down, honey." Haruki wrapped his other arm around her waist and started backing away. "We're both leaving. And if you try to stop me, I promise you'll regret it."
Kurama's fists clenched. "If you don't release her this instant," he warned, "then you'll -"
"I'll what, exactly?! What do you think you can do to me while I have her?"
"Kurama," she managed to say, "Kurama, don't -"
Haruki pressed harder on her throat. "That's enough from you, honey. Now be a good girl and keep your mouth shut!"
By now, he'd dragged her about ten metres. The boys had barely closed the gap for fear of what might happen to Sakura, but if Haruki got any further, he'd be able to escape with her.
Koenma closed his eyes. He could feel the panic and desperation from everyone, and he was powerless. The contingency plan was their only chance.
Ayame, where are you?!
"You really think we'll just let you walk away? Have you learned nothing?" Hiei snarled. Fire was pulsing all around his right arm.
"Going to attack me again, Hiei? Not a very smart idea."
"It's four on one, asshole!" Yusuke snapped. "You have about five seconds to get the hell off my sister before I rip your damn throat out!"
"You won't, Detective. I know you won't," Haruki said. "Can't risk her safety, can you?"
"We have methods that you do not possess," Kurama bared his teeth. "This is your final warning, filth. Release her!"
Haruki only laughed. "But she doesn't want me to, Fox. See?"
He nodded down to the giant sapphire ring on her left hand.
"Why don't you tell them, my little porcelain doll? How you promised to do anything I wanted, as long as I didn't touch them. Tell them how you said you'd belong to me forever!"
Sakura's face twisted with anger and pain. Thanks to the pressure he was putting on her neck, she couldn't say anything to contradict him.
"You…lied…"
"That's it!" Yusuke pushed past all of them and cut his twin off mid-sentence. "You're dead meat, pal!"
"Come any closer and I'll snap her pretty neck!"
Yusuke froze. "WHAT?!"
"You heard me, Detective!" Haruki said with glittering eyes. "If I see the slightest movement from any of you, if I even think you're following us, then that's it! One crack, and we're done!"
"What?!" Sakura said, alarmed. "Haruki, no, I -!"
Kurama hissed again. Hiei scowled.
"If I can't have her, nobody will," Haruki smirked. "So stay where you are!"
"You wouldn't!" Kuwabara spat.
"Oh yeah? You think so? Then come on, Kuwabara. Try me. I dare you!"
Nobody moved, and Haruki gave his most insane laugh yet.
"Just as I thought. You don't want to take the risk." He pulled Sakura closer and continued, "Same goes for you, my little porcelain doll. No more fighting, and I won't have to punish you. Understand?"
"Haruki…I can't…breathe…"
"Just put her down you maniac!" Kuwabara yelled. "Urameshi, what do we do?! We can't let him do this!"
Yusuke was fighting against panic. "I don't know!"
This couldn't be happening. Haruki couldn't win…
Damn it Yusuke, think of something!
It was maddening. They had Haruki outnumbered. Even without his friends, Yusuke was more than ready to blast Haruki into oblivion. But how on earth were they supposed to get him off Sakura without endangering her?
"Keep him talking," Kurama muttered. "As long as he is distracted, we have a chance."
From the corner of his eye, Yusuke saw a thread-like plant snaking out of Kurama's hair, down his back, behind his calf muscle and into the ground.
He's got a plan. Alright, Fox Boy. Make it count!
"You're pathetic!" Kuwabara said. "This whole time you've been hiding behind a girl and playing the victim, too stupid to admit you were wrong…you're a coward!"
"DON'T!" Haruki roared so loudly that Sakura winced. "Don't you ever, EVER call me a coward! You have no idea…you know NOTHING about me!"
"Why don't you be a man for once?" Kuwabara yelled back. "Be a REAL man, think about what you're doing, what you've done, and try for some remorse?"
Haruki froze. Of all the insults and threats hurled at him, this shocked him the most.
"Remorse?!" he repeated in a livid whisper. "Stupid child…you dare tell me…after what I've been through…"
"Oh cut the crap already!" Kuwabara snorted. "Just look at what you did to her face! Real men don't make excuses!"
Yusuke and Hiei were apparently dumbstruck by Kuwabara's words, but Kurama saw the shock flash across Haruki's features. His heart leapt.
That's it, Kuwabara. Keep him distracted.
All the while, Kurama's plant, the very special plant he'd been cultivating just for Haruki, was snaking underground towards the target. It was only feet away. All he needed was a little more time to get in striking range.
"Come on, Scarface. It's all you've got left," Kuwabara said. "Be a man…try for some remorse."
Haruki's eyes narrowed to mere slits, but he did not say a word or relinquish Sakura, who looked at them desperately.
"Just stay back, please. I can't let you get hurt."
"Don't be stupid, you damn brat!" Yusuke said. "You really think we'll just stand here and watch?!"
"Yes, detective. That's exactly what you're going to do. Unless you want to watch me carry out my threat!"
To demonstrate, Haruki tightened his grip on Sakura's throat.
Kurama snarled again while Haruki fixed them all with a satisfied smirk.
"It's over, Spirit Fox. You lost."
"Fool," Hiei shook his head in contempt. "Are you so blinded by arrogance that you think it's really over?"
"It is from where I'm standing," Haruki said. "She's mine. She belongs to me!"
So saying, he nuzzled Sakura's neck and lifted her off the ground.
"Come on, honey. Time to go."
The boys were yelling at Haruki to put her down, but by now black dots filled Sakura's vision from the limited oxygen. She couldn't stay awake much longer.
Can this really be how it ends?
Haruki had the boys in a stalemate, paralysed by the fear for her safety. She was in no position to do anything that might turn the tables herself, and above all, the fear of what might become of her when she lost consciousness was overwhelming.
There was only one thing she could do, in case this was it.
Kurama, I love you. I'll…find my way…
Kurama's eyes did not shift from his target, but he still responded.
I swore I wouldn't let him take you, my love. And I won't. Just a few more seconds…
"Kura!" Yusuke shouted. "No, don't do this to her!"
Yusuke, I'll…come back…to you…
Sakura fell limp in Haruki's arms. Either she'd completely lost consciousness, or wasn't far off it.
"Now that's more like it," Haruki whispered, and turned back to the boys. "Oh, how I'd love to kill you all. But I'm afraid it'll have to wait for another day. When the world is destroyed, most likely. Of course, I might get lucky and you'll be annihilated by one of the S-class. Wouldn't that be poetic? All of you, torn to pieces by a demon my little porcelain doll helped to summon."
Haruki licked his lips. "Anyway, we're leaving. Don't try to follow or attack, unless you want her blood on your hands."
He turned to go, and Koenma gritted his teeth while everyone else reacted with varying degrees of outrage and fear.
Ayame, hurry!
But beside Koenma, Kurama was more than ready to take over.
This is it, my love.
Kurama went to unleash his plant, the one that would rain down hellfire on Haruki…and that's when it happened.
The first sign was a great whoosh overhead, followed by a wave of power flowing through the trees.
Everyone looked up quickly, though not sure what they expected to see. Pure beams of light spiralled to the ground between Haruki and the boys, who found themselves momentarily blinded.
"What the hell is this?!" Yusuke gasped.
Koenma suppressed his sigh of relief, but with difficulty. "My contingency plan arrived."
Before anyone could ask what he was talking about, the beams of light shifted into one huge dome-like bubble.
Haruki whirled around. "What in the world?!"
The light dimmed. The bubble distorted and melted into a cloud dotted with twinkling lights.
Something was moving inside the vapour. Some kind of shadow, perhaps? No, it was more than one…
Amidst the confusion, they heard a high, clear voice cry out, "WAIT!"
Yusuke blinked. "Was that…was that a kid?!"
From the mist, a tiny figure stepped into the no-man's-land.
Kurama halted. Don't tell me…
This was a joke. A hallucination. There was absolutely no way this was really happening.
But it was.
"Hari-chan, what are you doing?"
Haruki's eyes widened when he realised what he was looking at. "No…this is…it's not possible!"
"Koenma, why is there a kid here? What the heck is going on?!" Kuwabara squeaked.
"You'll see," Koenma said. "I just hope this works."
The light was dissipating as more and more figures emerged, but Haruki only had eyes for the one in front.
"Hari-chan, please…this isn't you. I know it isn't!"
The colour drained from Haruki's face. His jaw trembled. He didn't know what to think, or say. It had been so long, but there was no denying it. Golden hair, soft green eyes…
His voice was little more than a whisper as he spoke.
"Sora?"
A.N. :O Koenma's contingency plan has finally arrived! But will it be enough to make a difference? Will Kurama finally be able to end Haruki once and for all? And is it only Sora who's arrived, or has Kenji joined her? Hmmm...
I thank you for your patience in waiting for this chapter. I did not intend for it to take nearly 3 weeks to publish, but I've had a ton of job interviews in the past couple weeks. All of which required multiple interviews and for me to provide writing samples according to briefs they sent me. I haven't worked since getting laid off, so to speak, last Christmas, so I really can't afford to turn down any chance at the moment. Plus, I'm switching careers in a sense, so that's even more challenging. Everywhere wants a caterpillar with five years experience as a butterfly...
Suffice to say, job hunting sucks.
Anyway, on a happier note, this week marked three whole years since I published Chapter One of Sakura Urameshi: Spirit Detective.
I know I've said it before, but I can't thank you all enough for following me on this journey. I get emotional just thinking about it.
I really hope you enjoyed the chapter. Please let me know what you think. Between Sakura's transformation and the appearance of Sora, there's a lot going on.
We have three chapters left, and they're all quite short so it won't be long until we're done with Book 3.
Until then, stay awesome and we will see you soon!
Rosentic xx