A.N. We've made it, guys. The final part of Haruki's tale. Virtually every question you've had about him will be answered here. And the boys return as well!
It's taken a long time to get this part right. I did not ever expect or intend this backstory to be stretched out over 4 chapters. But hey, if Eiichiro Oda can spend 4 years writing the Wano arc, I figure I have permission.
Remiko Okami: absolutely, he's certainly a character that can get under your skin. Wonder what you'll think of this chapter!
Ukitakeitalialover: I feel for him too, but I agree. Haruki is really too far gone for any chance at redemption. Even with what he's gone through, His deranged obsession with Sakura is inexcusable and he can't be reasoned with. You'll have to see what happens when the boys arrive, but I can say it's coming so soon and I'm very excited to finally write it.
I'm feeling a lot better now, thanks. Docs are very pleased with my progress.
Nyac Silver Fang: hate to tell you, but Haruki seeing his friends killed was just the beginning. You'll understand it now.
wolfs child: one more push til they do!
Content Warning: This chapter contains descriptions of violence. I did my best to not share too many graphic details, but some was necessary. Keep that in mind while you read.
Good luck everyone. I'll be right there with you!
Chapter 30
"Nap time's over, brat. Wake up."
Haruki barely stirred. He felt groggy and his head was pounding. Everything was dark.
"Wake up!"
Someone kicked him in the ribs. Haruki groaned.
Where am I? What's going on? Wait…
He remembered. He'd been at the estate. Kenji spotted intruders. They'd hidden, and then…
Kenji! Sora!
His mind racing, Haruki tried to sit up without success. His hands were still restrained behind him and the hood still obscured his vision.
What happened to my friends? Did Master Shin get back in time? Is Kenji ok?! What about Sora, and Yuto and Benjiro? And everyone else?
"Oi, you!"
The hood was whipped off his head. Haruki blinked a few times in the darkness.
He was in a tiny room with a concrete floor and no windows. It was damp and cold with water dripping down the stone walls. The only source of light was a flickering dim bulb hanging from the ceiling.
"Looks like he's finally awake again," a low voice grunted.
Haruki flinched. The masked thugs from before were towering over him.
"About damn time," another man said. "So now what do we do?"
"Standard procedure," The bearded man shrugged. "We process him and then off for adjustment. Right Sorahiko?"
"Soon. We'll receive further instructions from headquarters at any moment. In the meantime, we should gather all relevant information." Sorahiko leered down at the child. "You, boy. Your demon energy fascinates me. What class are you?"
Instead of answering, Haruki glared right back.
"Where am I?" he demanded. "What is this place? And where are my friends?"
SMACK!
"You don't get to ask questions here, brat," the bearded man snapped. "You'd best shut up and do as we say, or experience a world of hurt. Got it?"
Haruki gritted his teeth and forced himself to sit up. "No. Not until you tell me what you did to my friends!"
"Ha!" Sorahiko snorted. "Like we'd bother with a bunch of human crotch goblins. Like we'd have to in the first place…"
"I don't believe you," Haruki snapped. "What happened to them?!"
The men laughed.
"Well technically speaking, we missed the fun," one snickered. "But you don't need to see it to know the ending. They're all dead."
Silence filled the air. Haruki heard, but didn't comprehend.
"You're lying. You're lying!"
"Trust me, kid. Nobody survives when the Toguro brothers decide to kill them."
"That's not true!" Haruki shouted. Tears pricked his eyes. "They didn't…they couldn't have!"
Most of the men laughed harder at his distress, but Sorahiko checked his communicator and scowled.
"Ugh. If there's one thing I can't stand from these things, it's whining. Masato!"
The bearded man stepped forward. "Yes sir!"
"New message came in from headquarters. They need us up top. We'll have to come back for this one," He nodded at Haruki. "Take care of him."
Masato seized Haruki's arm and yanked him off the ground.
"What are you doing?! Get off me!"
"Shut it!" Masato hauled Haruki to the back of the room where a giant steel cage waited.
"Let go! Let go of me!"
Masato kicked Haruki's legs from under him. As he crumpled over, the wrist restraints were removed, but Haruki barely had time to register this before he was pushed inside the cage.
"Make yourself at home, kid," Masato sneered behind him. "Not that it matters. See ya later."
"What is this?" Haruki cried in a panic. "Let me out!"
"We'll let you out when we damn well feel like it," Sorahiko snorted. "And don't bother trying to escape. It won't work."
As one, the group turned to leave.
"Let me out!" Haruki hurled himself at the bars. "Let me out of here!"
"Shut up, kid!" one called over his shoulder.
"Let me out! LET ME OUT!"
Masato whirled around, fist raised. "You looking for a smack in the mouth?"
Sorahiko caught his arm. "Let him scream all he wants, Masato. It's not like the little brat can go anywhere."
As if on cue, Haruki's hand brushed against an odd paper card hanging on the cage door.
It was the slightest touch, but unbelievable and instant searing pain shot through him. He jerked back immediately with a scream.
What was that?!
"What did I tell you? Those talisman cards work wonders on demon scum!"
Haruki crumpled to the floor, howling and sucking his burned fingers. His captors left amid a haze of cruel laughter and slammed the heavy door behind him.
Alone at last, Haruki looked around for the first time. Now that his eyes had adjusted to the dull light, he realised more of those cards were stuck all over the cage. If he tried to slip through the bars or even touched them, he'd just get scalded all over.
It was painfully, maddeningly simple, and ingenious all at once. From what he could see, there was no way out. He was trapped.
Could this be a nightmare? A bad dream? No. The throbbing in his hand proved he was very much awake.
His eyes stung and he blinked fiercely.
What am I doing here? Why is this happening?
This was wrong. He shouldn't be locked in this cage, hungry and cold and hurting all over. He was supposed to be at the estate, inside the safe zone, learning and playing under the protection of Master Shin.
Kenji…Sora…
Had it really only been days since they'd been playing in the forest, eating Kenji's birthday cake and laughing without a care in the world? Had surprising Sora with the fairy garden been the last precious moment they shared together?
Haruki's tiny fists pounded the floor.
This can't be real.
How could his whole life have been ripped away so quickly? How could every single one of his friends be gone? No more playing at Shinrinyoku. No more telepathy classes. No more training. A world without Kenji's strength, a world where Sora would never smile again…
No. That kind of hellish world couldn't exist. It was impossible. Unthinkable.
And somehow, it was true. He could feel it.
Haruki shut his eyes while horrifying images flashed across his mind. The monsters who attacked them. His friends, screaming and running for their lives. Kenji lying on the ground in a pool of blood. Sora being dragged back, then using her own telekinesis to help him escape…
She saved my life. I'm the only one left because of her.
He'd trained so hard for weeks. He'd done everything Kenji had asked of him, worked himself to the bone to make sure he could protect her.
And even then, he'd still failed. He'd failed all his friends. Yuto, Benjiro, Shizuka, Hinata, all of them.
Overcome with his own guilt, Haruki hugged his knees to his chest and let the tears fall freely.
Master Shin, why weren't you there? Are you coming for me?
Yes, of course he would. It was the last thing Haruki heard him say.
"Hold on, Haruki. I'm coming for you!"
Master Shin would come. He'd be there any minute to set him free. He'd trash those vicious lies about his friends being dead. He'd reassure him, apologise for everything and take him home.
Haruki lay down on the ground and clung to the thought like a lifeline. Wave after wave of sobs shook his frame.
You'll come for me, sir. Like you promised. I know you will!
Alone and terrified, Haruki cried there in the dark until sheer exhaustion lulled him to sleep. Perhaps when he woke, he'd be back with his friends.
But when Haruki opened his eyes, he was in the same prison. The realisation felt like a knife in his heart.
He looked around. Was it day or night? Without a window, he couldn't tell.
Goosebumps sprang all over his body. He shivered in the cold air. His stomach ached with hunger. But all of that paled in comparison to the hundreds of questions swirling in his mind.
What in the world was going on? How long had he been out for? What was going to happen to him?
He hugged himself tighter and tried to calm down.
Master, where are you? Why aren't you here yet?
Heavy footsteps startled him. Someone was coming. But who?
Keys jangled, the door unlocked. Haruki remained curled up on the floor, listening intently. Would his teacher walk through the door?
"Oi! Time to get up!"
Haruki's heart sank; Masato was back. His teacher still had not come.
"You gone deaf, you little rat? I said get up!"
Haruki lifted himself up. His legs didn't support him and he fell back down.
"God shoot me…I ain't got time for this BS…"
Masato stepped inside the cage and wrenched Haruki up by the hair. "Move it! We have a schedule to keep."
Haruki didn't dare protest while he was dragged out of the room and down a long hall.
There was a little more light here thanks to the lit torches. Haruki took note of the winding corridors lined with doors. More cells, maybe? Or a way out?
Masato stopped in front of a cell door and fumbled in his pocket for the key.
"What are you doing? What's going on?!" Haruki squeaked.
"Will you just shut up?!" Masato snapped. "I'm this close to punching your head in!"
"No! I want to know where I am. Why am I here?!"
Masato's face darkened. The next thing Haruki knew, he was pinned against the stone wall with that enraged face inches from his own.
"Listen closely. For some reason, Sorahiko thinks you're worth keeping alive. But if I have to hear one more word from your stupid mouth, I'll beat it off you. Understand?"
"No you won't," Haruki said fiercely. "Because my master will come for me. He's the best telepath in the world, and when he gets here he'll teach you a lesson!"
Masato's giant fist sank deep into Haruki's stomach.
"Keep dreaming, you little rat. You might as well face it. Nobody's coming to save a worthless thing like you. Not in a million years."
And with that, he flung Haruki inside the cell and locked the door behind him.
"Just you wait 'til adjustment. You'll be singing a very different tune when we're finished with you!"
He stormed off, and Haruki lay on the floor, holding his torso and trying to breathe.
He's wrong. He's wrong. Master Shin will come. He has to!
"Hey kid, you ok?"
A gentle hand went on his shoulder. The abruptness made Haruki shrink back in fear.
"Relax, I'm not going to hurt you."
The voice belonged to a boy with sandy hair and grey eyes. He looked a little older than Kenji, and despite the gashes on his forehead and chin, his smile was kind.
Haruki gazed up at the stranger. He didn't know what to say.
"It's cool, just breathe," the older boy smiled. "My name's Toshiro. What's yours?"
"Haruki, but my friends call me Hari."
Toshiro looked Haruki up and down, squinting at him in what little light they had. "You seem pretty young, kid. How old are you?"
"Five," Haruki answered automatically. "Almost six."
"Too young," Toshiro sighed. "Bastards…it's not right. Where did you come from?"
"I… I was with my friends at the estate. The rest of my class. Our master was out and these two monsters attacked…" Haruki forced his tears back. "We hid, but they found us. Kenji told us to run. And my friend Sora, she…she helped me get out. Nobody else did. But then those people from before, they were waiting outside and…I don't know what happened. When I woke up, I was here."
He wiped his eyes on his torn shirt.
"I'm sorry," Toshiro breathed, looking nauseous. "That's really messed up."
Haruki looked at him desperately. This might be his only chance for an explanation. "Please, what is this place? What's going on?"
Toshiro sighed again. "You're a Yokai like me, aren't you? An apparition? I can tell by your ki."
"Well, yeah. But what's that got to do with anything?"
"Those monsters who attacked, was one really big and muscular?" Toshiro spoke as if he already knew the answer. "And did he have a really skinny guy with him? Long hair and weird tentacle fingers?"
Haruki shuddered before saying yes.
"Damn it…" Toshiro shut his eyes tightly. "Look, those monsters were the Toguro brothers. They're crazy strong demons, totally unstoppable. Nobody has ever bested them."
Haruki stared at him.
"They lead a group of mercenaries called the Apparition Gang," Toshiro continued. "Apparently they deal in a lot of areas, but the biggest one by far is the Yokai Trade. That's where we are now."
Disbelief and confusion flashed across Haruki's face. "What's the Yokai Trade about?"
"Basically, they sell demons in slavery," Toshiro said bitterly. "Usually to humans in the Ningenkai."
"But why would a human want to buy a demon?"
"Like I said, kid. Slavery. Yokai are valuable and rare in the Ningenkai. We have a range of uses and people are willing to pay a lot for us. It's sick, honestly."
Haruki's stomach churned.
"This here is what they call a Transitional Cell Block," Toshiro said. "It's where they bring Yokai they've just captured, or those who are being passed in between owners. This is my third time coming through."
"What?! Three times?" Haruki gasped.
Toshiro nodded. "I'm sorry to tell you all this, kid. But you deserve to know."
Three times…he's been sold three times…
The thought made Haruki's head spin.
"Look, I don't know how much time we have, so I'll tell you everything I can. The scheme has been going on for a few years…"
Toshiro began to explain in detail. After processing and adjustment, captive Yokai were trafficked to the highest bidder. The lucky ones ended up being trained as mercenaries while those deemed unsuitable were delegated to experimentation and other unpleasant sectors.
Haruki listened in horror. He could hardly believe his ears.
"You're new, so you're up for processing and adjustment before they can figure out where you're going," Toshiro explained. "Especially since you're just a kid. Most demons who come through are older, but there's a growing demand for children. Probably because they're easier to control."
"No!" Haruki cried. "I can't be controlled. I won't!"
"Don't worry, kid. You should be ok because you're young, and I can tell that you're stronger than most apparitions of your age," Toshiro bit his lip and took a deep breath before he said, "Most likely they'll test your limits and see if you're a good candidate for mercenary training when you're a bit older."
The colour vanished from Haruki's face. "No, I won't let them. We have to get out of here!"
"We can't. See those talisman cards?"
Haruki looked. The same cards adorning the cage were plastered all over the door.
"Nasty things, they are. One touch from a Yokai and they burn your skin off. I heard the guards bragging about it once. No way to get rid of them ourselves."
"How do you know that?"
"A few years back, there was another kid named Sho, a bit older than you maybe, who tried to take them off and escape. He got roasted by them."
Haruki winced. "He did?"
"Yeah, but that was only the beginning. The head guard came past and caught the kid halfway through. When he realised what was going on, he thought it was hilarious. They had a good laugh over it, and then Tatsuo decided Sho hadn't suffered enough. So they dragged him into the hall and the guards took turns pressing those things all over him. By the time they were done, he…didn't look like himself anymore,"
Toshiro shivered at the memory. "Sorry kid. I don't want to scare you, but it's best to know what these monsters are capable of. You'll be a lot safer if you just do everything they say."
Haruki swallowed hard. He'd always known he was a kind of demon. But neither he nor his other friends gave it a second thought. It just never seemed to matter. But now he was being sold, actually sold, into some kind of slavery all because of his heritage?!
No, he couldn't give up. He still had hope.
"It's ok," Haruki said. "My master is looking for me. He'll come, I know he will. He'll stop these bad guys and we'll all get to go home."
"Oh yeah? What makes you say that?"
"Master Shin is a really strong mage," Haruki explained. "He's the best psychic in the world and he can find anything. I was able to talk with him through telepathy right before, and he said he was coming. He'll let us all out, promise."
The older boy smiled sadly. "I hope you're right, kid. I've…been here a long time. Ow!"
He winced and put a hand to his ribs.
"What's wrong? Are you ok?" Haruki asked.
"It's nothing," Toshiro mumbled. "Just something that happened yesterday. Don't worry about it."
Haruki looked down. Bright red blood had soaked through Toshiro's threadbare clothing.
"Toshiro, you're bleeding!"
"I said it's fine!" Toshiro pressed down on the wound. "Damn it…must've been deeper than I realised…"
He gingerly pulled the fabric aside. Haruki gasped. A huge chunk of flesh had been gouged from just above Toshiro's right hip.
"What happened?" Haruki choked. "What the hell happened to you?"
"Tatsuo," his friend muttered. "The head guard. He was in a bad mood last night."
Haruki's eyes nearly popped from their sockets. "Will you be ok?"
"Of course. I'm a yokai, remember? I'll heal soon," Toshiro said while forcing a smile. "Trust me, kid. I've had a lot worse."
"Did he do that too?"
Haruki pointed a trembling hand at what he'd seen. An area the size of a small plate on Toshiro's chest was swollen, inflamed and blistered. The lower section of his torso looked like melted candle wax.
Toshiro hesitated. "No, that was a couple weeks back. Experimentation, you know? They were trying out a new acid. Hopefully this one won't leave any marks."
Haruki stared at the many other scars littered all over Toshiro's torso and limbs. They were too numerous to count.
That was it. Haruki couldn't contain himself any longer. He stumbled to the darkest corner of the cell just in time to be sick. But since his stomach was completely empty, the only thing that came up was bile.
This can't be happening…please, let me wake up now!
"Hari? You ok?"
Toshiro had somehow dragged himself across the cell. Haruki sniffled. He opened his mouth to say yes, and immediately burst into tears.
What had he ever done to deserve this? How could such horrors exist in this world?
"Hey, it's alright," Toshiro rubbed his back. "Take a deep breath. You're going to be fine."
"No," Haruki sobbed. "I can't do this…I can't stay here…I just want to go home."
"Maybe you will one day, kid. But for now, you have to be strong."
"I can't!" Haruki wailed. "Kenji was strong, not me. I failed. I couldn't protect Sora. I couldn't protect any of them!"
"Look, Haruki…"
"What would you know?!" Haruki yelled. "You don't know me! You don't understand! I was supposed to protect her…all of them…and I failed. I couldn't do it. They're all gone because I was a coward!"
"You can do this, kiddo. You just need to-"
More inconsolable sobs wracked the child's frame. It seemed nothing could stop his tears.
Toshiro gripped Haruki's shoulders and pulled him upright.
"Hari, LISTEN! Ow-!"
He pressed down on his side again. The sight of his teeth gritted with pain shocked Haruki enough to quiet down.
"That's it. Just breathe," Toshiro said, though it was hard to know if he was telling himself or Haruki. "Deep breaths, kid. You need to pull yourself together and listen to me."
Haruki fiercely wiped his eyes.
"Good. That's really good, Hari," Toshiro encouraged. "Are you ready to hear me out?"
Haruki nodded. Toshiro smiled and leaned forward.
"Look, this place is hell. There's no other way of putting it. You've had a terrible experience with the Toguro brothers, and honestly? You're probably going to go through even more horrible things before this is over. But you can't let it destroy you. You just can't. Hear me?"
Haruki whimpered. "I'm scared, Toshiro."
"It's ok to be scared. But if you want to make it, you have to get this in your head!"
"I'm listening." Haruki croaked.
Toshiro took a moment before he began. "Your teacher…might take a while to come for you. But until that happens, survival is everything. Understand?"
Haruki looked at the ground. His voice seemed to have left him.
"Hari, I can tell already that you're a fighter. And the guards will pick up on that too. And ironically, that makes you more vulnerable. They see strength as a challenge."
"Huh? What d'you mean?"
"They'll try to break you, kiddo. Crush your spirit and control you completely. That's the ultimate goal for these people."
"No," Haruki moaned. "No, they can't!"
Toshiro grinned. "That's exactly right. The guards, the humans, what none of them realise is that they can control our freedom, our lives, but nobody owns your heart. That's the biggest card we have to play."
"But how am I meant to do that?" Haruki asked. "I'm just-"
Toshiro seized Haruki's hands. "You said before that your friend helped you escape the attack on your class, right?"
Haruki nodded.
"That's what you can hold onto until your teacher gets here. The memory of your friends. It's a light in the darkness, Hari. It's your hope."
Tears sprang up in Haruki's eyes. "Sora…Kenji…I'm sorry…"
"Do you think Sora helped you escape so you could fall apart so soon?" Toshiro growled. "Of course not. You have to make it through this. For her, your master, the rest of your friends, and yourself. It's the only way."
Haruki's fists clenched. At last, he understood.
"I'll do it."
He might be scared, he might be confused and heartbroken, but he couldn't afford to lose control.
Remember everything you learned. In class and from Kenji.
Though his small body trembled, his resolve was like steel.
No matter what, I'm going to survive. Until Master Shin finds me, I'll hold on.
"Damn straight you will." Toshiro said proudly.
The two boys spent the next few hours talking. Haruki came to know more about Toshiro, who grew up in the Makai. The eldest of four and the sole carer for his younger siblings until he'd ended up in the Yokai Trade. He was cagey about the details of his initial capture, but freely spoke of his family. The hope of seeing them again some day was what helped him survive here, especially in the beginning.
"I miss them, kid," Toshiro murmured. "I just hope they're alright, wherever they are."
Despite the nightmarish situation, Toshiro's quiet courage helped calm Haruki enough that his eyelids became heavy.
"You look tired, kid. Get some rest while you can."
"Are you sure?" Haruki yawned.
"Yeah, I'll take care of you."
Haruki stretched out on the ground and impulsively laid his head in Toshiro's lap. His presence was so comforting. Almost like having an older brother watching out for him as he drifted off again.
It was not a restful sleep for Haruki. Strange and tangled dreams plagued him all night. Abstract visions of his friends being just out of reach before disappearing in a blazing fire. Twisted tentacles shooting in all directions while blood splattered. Sora's laughter being swallowed up by evil cackling. Kenji's throat slit open in a wide red smile…
"Kid? Hari? Wake up!"
Hands shook Haruki. He opened his eyes to find himself drenched in sweat. Toshiro's face appeared, tense and serious.
"Oh good, you're awake. Look, I…I think they're coming for you."
"My master is here?!" Haruki bolted upright so fast it made his head spin.
"No, it's the guards. They've started their rounds. Hear them?"
Sure enough, the ominous sound of footsteps and snickering made their way down the hall. Haruki's hopes were dashed all over again.
"If they are here for you, we've only got a few seconds," Toshiro whispered urgently. "They're likely going to take you for processing and adjustment-"
Haruki almost didn't want to know the answer, but he asked anyway. "What's that?"
Toshiro's face twisted. "It's not going to be fun, but you'll be ok. Just don't let them have the satisfaction of seeing you break down. Think of your friends. Think of your home. Whatever it takes once they start on you. Got it?"
Rough voices sounded outside the door. Keys jangled. Haruki felt sick again.
"Don't ever forget who you are, kid. That's what they want to happen. And don't you ever, EVER let them destroy you. Promise me."
Haruki turned back to Toshiro. "I promise. But…will I ever see you again?"
Toshiro flashed a wry smile. "I hope so, kid. I really do."
The door unlocked. Toshiro squeezed Haruki's shoulder. "You're strong, Hari. You can do this. I know you can."
"Alright you little brats. Rise and shine!"
Sorahiko and Masato stormed over to Haruki. "Move it, brat. Time for processing."
Haruki started to get up, but evidently it wasn't fast enough for Masato, who kicked him in the ribs.
"Hurry up! We ain't got all day!"
"Stop it, he's just a kid!" Toshiro yelled.
There was a crackle of electricity and Toshiro groaned in pain. The guards laughed.
"Haven't you been here long enough to know what happens when you piss us off?" Masato sneered.
"Of course not," Sorahiko snorted. "Demon scum…I'll handle him. You get the kid."
Masato seized a fistful of Haruki's hair and yanked him towards the door.
"Leave him alone, you bastards!"
"Shut it!" Sorahiko punched Toshiro's face and his nose started bleeding.
"No!" Haruki cried. "No, don't-!"
Masato hauled him out of the cell. There was a nauseating crack, then Sorahiko followed. Before the door slammed shut, Haruki caught a glimpse of Toshiro lying face down on the stone floor. He wasn't moving.
"Toshiro! Wait, what did you do to him?!"
"Shut up!" Sorahiko whirled around and slapped Haruki's face. "You're better off worrying about yourself."
Masato kept a vice grip on Haruki as they marched him down the labyrinth of corridors and halls. Left, right, left, left, right. It was impossible to keep track of where they were going.
Haruki couldn't get the image of Toshiro out of his head.
Please be ok. Please.
Eventually, they came to a room that seemed to be some kind of office. More guards were lined up against the walls, looking respectfully towards a man who sat at the desk, apparently completing paperwork.
"Tatsuo, sir," Sorahiko bowed. "This is the newest one, ready for processing."
The man stopped writing. "Oh? What class is he?"
"We aren't sure yet. Toguro just said he was special,"
"Is that so?" Tatsuo looked up to reveal his hardened and cruel face. "Most intriguing. Let me take a look."
Masato shoved Haruki to the ground. Tatsuo eyed him carefully for several minutes.
"He's a runt, but that ki signal is impressive. Where did he come from?"
"Some estate in the mountains. Only one yokai in the class, apparently."
Haruki kept his eyes on the floor. He trembled under Tatsuo's gaze.
"Boy, what are you? What class of yokai?" Tatsuo asked suddenly.
Haruki glanced up. "I don't know sir."
Tatsuo struck him across the face. "Don't lie! What class are you?!"
"I don't know," Haruki repeated while blood trickled from his nose. "I'm just an apparition."
Tatsuo growled. "Playing dumb, are we? Well, we'll soon fix that. Scan him."
A guard stomped over with a strange device in his hand. Haruki flinched as the sharp pincers pressed into his neck. A few seconds passed, then the device started beeping rapidly. The guard checked the results.
"Hmm. This is a curious result, sir. Power levels are consistent with the Mystic class, but his ki thread indicates a possible Shadow yokai. Maybe even traces of Quest."
Tatsuo's eyes lit up. "Could we have a hybrid on our hands?"
"Only one way to find out."
"Naturally," Tatsuo gave a hideous smile. "Process him. See what you can uncover."
Someone pulled Haruki upright and out of the office. The rest of the guards followed.
"Wait!" Haruki cried. "What are you doing?!"
SMACK!
"Shut it you little rat!" Masato shouted. "How many times do you need to be told?!"
"Gentlemen, please," Tatsuo smirked while Haruki spat more blood from his mouth. "We have a potential gold mine on our hands. We mustn't be too rough."
Haruki trembled uncontrollably while the guards dragged him down the hall, towards a door labelled S-21. Masato pressed a button, the door slid open and they pushed Haruki inside.
The large room was stark white and flooded with brilliant light. After hours in the dark it made Haruki's eyes water.
But there was no respite. Another pair of shoes had already appeared in front of his face.
"Ah, this must be the newest one?"
The voice and the shoes belonged to a man wearing a white lab coat. He smiled down at Haruki with delight.
"Indeed, Dr Kurai," Sorahiko nudged Haruki with the tip of his boot. "Initial scans were inconclusive, so we were hoping you might be able to provide some further insight into what this thing is."
"I'm sure I'll figure it out," Dr Kurai sniffed. "Set it up over there."
"Yes sir!" Two guards began wrestling Haruki across the room.
Haruki blinked his streaming eyes, regaining enough focus to see the examination table. And the twisted medical instruments lying in wait. Many were unrecognisable.
The sight was too much. He forgot about trying to be strong. He forgot Toshiro's warning about showing emotions. He forgot about everything except trying to stop whatever was about to happen.
Haruki fought. He resisted with all the strength in his tiny body. But despite his best efforts, he was quickly overpowered and strapped to the table in minutes.
"Look how scared he is," one of the guards taunted. "Tell me, how long do you give the little brat til he croaks?"
"I'll give him ten minutes." another laughed.
"You're kidding me. He won't last five!"
"Please. I give him two at most!"
Their cruel jokes snapped Haruki back to his senses and he remembered Toshiro's advice.
They won't kill you. They just want to test your limits.
"You're all wrong," Haruki's fists clenched. "You can't break me. I'm not a coward."
Sorahiko leaned over Haruki with utter contempt.
"Do you know how many times I've heard that from demon scum? It never lasts long."
The doctor approached the table with instruments in hand.
"Stand aside."
Haruki braced himself as the needle stabbed into his forearm and a cold liquid seeped through his body.
"That little concoction will be swimming around your bloodstream in about two minutes," Dr Kurai said. "And I guarantee you'll be eating those words soon enough."
The doctor was correct; it wasn't long before Haruki felt a similar reaction to the electric shocks he'd received earlier. Although this time, the numbness slowly crept up his body until he could barely move at all.
But he could feel everything. He felt Dr Kurai pull the tourniquet tightly around his arm. He felt the much longer needle inserted into his vein. He felt the blood being drained out.
"The lab will analyse this," Dr Kurai tucked the vial of blood into his pocket and flashed a horrid smile at his helpless patient. "But in the meantime, would you fine gentlemen assist me in testing its endurance level?"
Haruki closed his eyes as the guards approached the table. He might not be able to stop this. But he would not give up. Kenji had never taught him that.
I have to hang on. Until Master Shin gets here, I'll survive and make everyone proud.
Pain. There was so much pain while they tortured him. How long it went for, nobody could say.
Haruki thought of the estate. He imagined how it would be when he returned. The fun he would have playing with his friends once more. He thought of Kenji's strength, his courage, and the sound of his laughter. He thought of Sora, and her dazzling smile, and the feel of her hand threading through his own…
I know you're coming, Master. I'm waiting for you.
And if he got the chance to escape, he wouldn't let it slip away.
*~*~*
"Creativity was the order of business in the Experiment wing," Haruki breathed. "It's almost impressive. Don't you agree, honey?"
Sakura saw it. She saw everything.
She saw how Haruki endured this torment almost daily. How he learned to shut off his heart, his mind and his feelings to survive whatever horrors they had in store for him. How he clung to the hope that this would be the day Master Shinsuke would walk through the door and take him home. How that hope eventually began fading as the weeks turned into months. After a year, the hope morphed into a bitterness when he realised his teacher wasn't coming for him.
Toshiro was nowhere to be found either. Not since that first night. None of the yokai seemed to know anything about him and Haruki knew better than to ask the guards.
But he still remembered Toshiro's words. To hold on, think of those he cared for during the beatings, survive above all else. Never let them destroy you.
If his master had abandoned him, the only one he could rely on was himself.
But while the guards and scientists may not have been able to break Haruki's courage, there were plenty of other methods to make his life a misery.
Sakura saw the Yokai Trade strip him of everything, including his name. He was no longer Haruki but Hisuru, number 731 of the Experiment Wing.
She saw how the guards viewed the captive yokai as little more than insects. She saw the demons wither away from the starvation diet and the dreadful conditions they lived in. She watched the guards beat the youngest children into submission. She watched them torture the most hardened adult demons into subservient puppets.
She saw Haruki being brutally punished for showing the slightest hint of emotion or pain. She saw him become a shell of the determined and empathetic child Kenji had trained. Not just through the violence he endured, but also from a conscious choice to survive each hellish day.
As long as he lived, Kenji's training wasn't for naught. While his heart kept beating, Sora's sacrifice would not be in vain.
*~*~*
"Hurts, doesn't it?" Masato taunted.
His spiked cleats pressed down on Haruki's already broken leg while the other guards jeered and shouted encouragement.
Haruki barely stopped himself from screaming. Even after three months, his pain threshold remained moderate at best.
"What's wrong, you little rat? Is it too much? You're gonna cry?"
Haruki's steely determination slipped for a moment, and that was all it took. Tears of agony cut tracks through the blood and grime on his face. And still, his tormentor didn't let up.
"Where's your precious master, Hisuru?" Masato sneered. "You said he'd teach me a lesson. Why isn't he here?"
At last, the pressure eased. The pain was unbearable, but Haruki still managed to choke a reply.
"He'll come. He will."
The other guards roared with laughter.
"Deluded. That's what you are. Completely deluded." Masato hissed. "Get it through your head. Nobody is coming after you. If your master has any sense, he'll be celebrating that you're gone."
"You're wrong," Haruki snapped back. "He said he'd come. And he will. I know he will!"
Another guard rolled his eyes. "Masato, I don't think this yokai scum knows his place yet. We'll have to do something about that."
With his broken leg, Haruki could do nothing while they pinned him down and the knife made the first incision.
"That's it, carve away! Let's make sure he remembers what he is!"
*~*~*
"Monster. That's what they called me," Haruki fingered the corresponding kanji scar on his chest. "That's what they called all of us."
He looked up at Sakura, who was mute with horror and disbelief.
"Do you know what it's like, honey? To spend every single day of your life being beaten and carved up for pleasure, hoping that your teacher is going to swoop in and save you, but he never does?"
Her pretty lips opened, but no words came out.
"I waited for him. I held onto hope. But eventually I realised the truth," Haruki's eyes hardened. "The old man wasn't looking for me. Never was. I was nothing but an afterthought at best."
Sakura shook her head. She had to say something. "That's not what happened. He was convinced one of you had lived. He searched for years. Genkai told me how he looked everywhere-"
"Oh, so the old hag was in on the lies too?" Haruki snapped. "And you actually believed it? If he'd really wanted to, he would've shown up. The greatest living telepath couldn't possibly have missed me."
Not with those talisman cards everywhere. Even Hiei's Jagan isn't strong enough to bypass them.
Hiei had said so himself while confronting Tarukane.
"I've seen those talisman cards before," Sakura whispered. "Yukina's cell was covered with them while she was enslaved. She still has scars."
"Nice to know they're still in circulation," Haruki snorted. "An all-purpose escape deterrent."
"It's awful, Haruki. It's monstrous. But the spell on them, it blocks and conceals your presence. Master Shin couldn't-"
SMACK!
Sakura gritted her teeth against the pain while Haruki pulled her towards him.
"Whenever I thought I'd experienced every kind of pain imaginable, they'd invent a new way to torment us," his jaw trembled. "We never knew what to expect when the cell door opened. One day it might be a new torture instrument like a box full of broken glass. Or soaking us in water before the electric shocks. Then the next day they'd come up with some wonderful scientific breakthrough that they just had to test on the demon guinea pigs. It might be a drug that felt like fire in your veins. One that halted the ageing process. I endured it all. For five years."
"That's right, my boy," Sensui smirked. "And where was the old man? Sipping tea and watching from his little paradise in Spirit World. He left you to suffer."
"Haruki, that's a lie! He looked. Everyone else told him it was impossible, but he never gave up hope-"
"NO!" Haruki roared. His hand went around her throat. Sakura braced herself.
"Please, honey. Stop it. Just stop."
His voice trembled. Sakura stared at him. There it was again. The look of a frightened, desperate child staring back at her. Pleading for help. Begging to be understood.
"I can't take any more lies, honey. Not from you. Please, don't make me hear it from you."
Sakura swallowed hard and said, "You'll never hear any lies from me. I promise."
Haruki relaxed slightly. "That's a good girl."
And then with a smile, he pushed Sakura back into the darkness. A scream of agony from the past filled her mind…
*~*~*
"Useless sack of DIRT!"
Tatsuo's whip struck Haruki's already bleeding back. The little boy barely stopped himself from screaming, but that only seemed to make the guard angrier.
Tatsuo seized the boy's hair and dragged him upright.
"Filthy demons! Why does your kind even exist?" he growled in his ear. "All of you should be exterminated, that's what!'
Haruki knew the guard was trying to get a reaction, so he stayed silent. He would not give Tatsuo the satisfaction of hearing him cry out.
"Not in the mood to talk are we? Well, I'm sure you'll find your tongue soon enough,"
Tatsuo dealt the child a swift kick in the ribs, then reached into his uniform and pulled out a talisman card.
Haruki froze. "Mr Tatsuo... please don't!"
Tatsuo's grin widened. "That got your attention, didn't it Hisuru?"
He nodded to the other guards. "You know what to do,"
They surged forward and in seconds, Haruki felt strong hands holding him down.
Tatsuo brought the card dangerously close to the young apparition's skin. "I'll admit, you're tougher than most of the filth I've been in charge of over the years," he snickered. 'But I wonder how long you'll be able to stop yourself from screaming when this touches you?"
The talisman card was slowly and deliberately pressed just above his eye, and Haruki could feel white-hot agony almost instantly. He smelled his own burning flesh.
In the corner, the other captive apparitions were shrinking as far away as possible. None of them dared make a sound, or they'd be next.
Haruki couldn't hold it in any longer. He screamed a terrible howl of misery and pain, while the guards laughed.
Why? Why was this happening to him?
*~*~*
"Their favourite trick was pouring salt in the wounds," Haruki said. "Hot oil if they were feeling sadistic. Tatsuo really liked experimenting on the demons. Seeing exactly how much pain we could endure. How much longer infected wounds took to heal. It was a game to him."
Sakura was forced to watch every single moment of pain and torture. He showed her every cut, every bruise, every beating, the electric shocks, burning with fire and acid, the cause behind all those gruesome scars.
"There's no point in waiting for someone to save you, my little porcelain doll. I learned that quick enough," Haruki murmured. "I saved my own sanity through sheer willpower. Maybe if I could last long enough, they'd choose me to be trained as a mercenary. I saw some of the others be selected over time. But I had mostly given up hope of escaping. And especially when Tatsuo announced that we were selected for the Feast of Human Vices,"
He shut his eyes. "I'm sure Koenma explained that to you already. Honestly, I thought it was over for me. Freedom in death. I practically welcomed it by then. All the others did too. But something happened. Something I never expected. He arrived."
Haruki didn't need to say his name. Sakura knew exactly who he meant.
Sakyo.
*~*~*
Shivering, the boy raised his head and finally saw Sakyo's face. The man was smiling at him with shining eyes.
Nobody had smiled at him in five years. He didn't know what to think
Sakyo reached out a hand and carefully lifted the boy's jaw to get a better look. "Dear me, that's a nasty burn mark you've got there, and a few more scrapes," he closed his eyes and smiled. "We'll have to fix that."
To Tatsuo's visible astonishment, Sakyo patted the boy's head and smiled again. "I'm sure he'll make a fine addition to my staff. I'll take him."
The boy was frozen. Hands had touched him, without the intention of inflicting pain. Sakyo hadn't slapped him, beaten him, or used a whip. It was overwhelming.
"But ...you...oh very well sir," Tatsuo said rather grudgingly. "Will you be taking him with you now, or after the feast?"
"Not just yet. First, have him cleaned up and made to look presentable," Sakyo turned to leave. "He's coming to work for me, after all. I can't have my employees in such a ragged state."
The boy's heart was pounding. Was this really happening? Had he been chosen to leave this hellish existence he'd lived for five years? Would he finally have a place to call home again?
Before he could ponder further, Tatsuo dragged him from the room. He didn't even get to say farewell to his friends.
Nothing good lay on the other side for them. Only a fate worse than death, that he himself was escaping by chance.
Now it all made sense. After what Koenma showed them in the Orakuru just hours earlier, Sakura had suspected Sakyo was responsible for saving Haruki from that ghastly feast. But that wasn't all he'd done.
Being brought to Sakyo's luxury mansion was the first shock for Haruki. The display of wealth and power, all being shared with him. Having his own room with a sense of privacy not felt in years. No longer forced to sleep in an overcrowded cell on a stone floor. No more beatings, no more gruesome experiments, no more taunts and abuse. Enough food in his belly. Hot baths. Clean clothes. The freedom to move around the mansion and ask for anything he wanted.
Then the training started. It wasn't much different from being back at the dojo with Kenji. Haruki began rebuilding his body. Gaining back his strength and stamina. Growing in confidence and self worth. Learning how to lean into his power. It was healing, in a sense.
The more Sakura watched, the more she understood. Though it was all for a selfish purpose, Sakyo gave the child's life meaning again. He gave Haruki a sense of security he hadn't felt in five long years. He gave him a home.
In turn, Haruki repaid his saviour with reverence and unwavering loyalty. He was no longer a captive, but the bodyguard of the one who had rescued him. Unlike his failure to protect Sora, Kenji and the others, he had a second chance here.
But then, the unthinkable happened when the Toguro brothers showed up as Sakyo's contractors.
Haruki's fear and despair at the sight of them was all-consuming. He wanted to tell Sakyo, but resisted. He would not risk being sent away, or back to the Yokai Trade. And besides, as Haruki told himself, he wasn't a child anymore. He was closer in power to them. There was no reason to rock the boat.
He knew they recognised him. He knew they gloried in his suffering. But they didn't seem all that interested in a connection aside from the occasional barbed comment from Elder Toguro in particular. Otherwise, the icy, sneering indifference they treated him with was almost a relief.
He couldn't let them see his scars. He wouldn't give them the satisfaction. Haruki wiped his face blank of all emotion in their presence and tried to forget.
Of course, that was impossible. No amount of repression could make him forget Sora's laughter, or Kenji's mischievous grin. And every year when the Dark Tournament returned, Haruki relived the nightmare again.
The sight of Toguro powering up to sixty percent never failed to shake Haruki to his core. He'd inevitably return to the dojo and remember Kenji's courage.
"You really think you stand a chance against us? A mere human, a child no less. You wouldn't be worth ten percent."
Even at five percent, Kenji never had a hope against Toguro. None of them did. Haruki knew then, and even more so now.
Sora knew as well. That's why she sacrificed herself for me.
A foolish waste, but there was nothing to be done. Haruki set his painful memories firmly in the past and did his best to forget. And it worked for the most part. Until the final Dark Tournament came.
There was no hint or expectation of what would happen. Nobody expected it to be any different aside from the hated Team Urameshi participating. Neither had Haruki. He'd seen the routine often enough to know Toguro would win without trying.
But they were wrong. Toguro lost. And then Sakyo ended his own life.
Haruki had nothing. No-one. He was as alone and friendless as anyone could get. But then Sensui appeared.
With his arrival, Haruki was saved again. Given a purpose. A chance to reset the world. A chance for revenge on the human race. Asked for loyalty, and promised answers in return.
And Haruki would stop at nothing to get them.
*~*~*
"It's just as we thought, my boy," Sensui smirked. "Completely and utterly clueless about your torment. No idea of the truth."
"Not anymore, Mr Sensui,"
Haruki brushed the hair from Sakura's face. She trembled all over, and a light sheen of sweat had formed on her brow. Her head was spinning worse than ever.
"Do you see now, honey?" Haruki murmured dangerously. "You understand that you belong to me now? You realise why I'm never letting anything or anyone take you from me?"
Sakura closed her eyes so he wouldn't see her terror.
"You said you knew what happened before," Haruki continued. "But do you still feel that way now, my little porcelain doll? Still think you understand it all?"
Haruki sounded five years old when he spoke, and Sakura's words died on her tongue.
At last, she saw Haruki for what he was. A tormented survivor of unspeakable cruelty. An abused child in a man's body, who had been ripped from his world after seeing his friends so brutally murdered. A child subjected to daily beatings, routine torture, forbidden to show emotions, forbidden from saying his real name.
The reality of what he'd been through finally sunk in. His pain and grief, all consuming.
"Haruki," Sakura choked. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry!"
Without thinking, she pushed past her dizziness and reached for him, for the crying child locked in that cell. The young boy who made Sora's fairy garden might not be the one tormenting her now, but Sakura pushed it aside. Whatever Haruki had done, that little boy needed to hear this.
"I could tell you'd been through something terrible. But I never thought…never dreamed…"
"This isn't about pity," Haruki almost snapped. "This is about you knowing the truth. The old man abandoned all of us. He left me to die. Five years of nothing but misery. Five years of pain and torture at the hands of humans."
Sakura caught his hand and held it tightly.
"You didn't deserve that," she said. "Any of it. Nobody does. I'm sorry you suffered like that for so long. I really am. What they did to you is sickening."
He stared down at their intertwined hands.
"I know you believe Master Shinsuke abandoned you, but that's not true. What the Toguro brothers did almost destroyed him. The only thing keeping him from falling apart was the hope of finding one of you alive."
"Lies," Haruki growled through clenched teeth. "All lies…"
"Then how would I know to investigate if he hadn't asked me to?" Sakura said fiercely.
Haruki paused.
"Seriously, Haruki. I wouldn't lie about something like this. The only reason I went to Spirit World that day was to look at his files. It was Master Shin's dying wish for me to find you-"
"Don't listen, my boy. This is clearly another attempt to deceive you."
"Rack off, Sensui," Sakura said without bothering to look at him. "This is none of your business."
The smile fell off Sensui's face. His cold fury began radiating into the den, but Sakura pushed on.
"I read his diary. He thought it was most likely you or Kenji survived. And he looked, no matter what anyone else said. He never took on another student until me because of what happened to your friends."
"Why should I believe any of that?" Haruki demanded. "You're just repeating what you've been told!"
"I can prove it. Right now. All you need to do is look inside my mind."
He stared at her in shock. "Honey, I…"
"I'm serious, Haruki. Look at my memories. I'm an open book. I won't hide anything. What do you have to lose?"
Haruki fell silent, contemplating her offer.
Please, Haruki. Say yes. You have to look at my memories. It's the only way you'll see the truth.
If he looked, maybe he'd finally realise she wasn't concealing any secrets. He'd see how misinformed he was about Master Shinsuke, how much he'd been manipulated.
And maybe, just maybe, he'd turn on Sensui.
Sakura held her breath while Haruki looked at her. For the briefest moment, his eyes softened. His lips parted slightly, and Sakura was sure he was about to say yes, when…
"Enough," Sensui strode up behind Haruki and put a hand on his shoulder. "Don't listen to any more of this rubbish."
Haruki looked from Sakura to Sensui, hesitating.
"You won't gain anything except more grief by looking at her unreliable memory," Sensui glowered at Sakura. "It's merely a smokescreen; a tale spun by the old man-"
"No, Haruki. He's a liar. He's using you. I can show you the truth-"
"Quiet!" Haruki's hand fastened around Sakura's throat again. "Mr Sensui, I…I don't know…"
"It's alright, my boy. You can let it go. You've burned your past. You've left it all behind. Don't allow yourself to be distracted from the mission now."
That was all it took. Haruki's eyes steeled, his jaw set, and he squared his shoulders.
"Yes, Mr Sensui. My mistake."
The moment of hesitation was gone. Sakura's final hope was crushed, along with her heart.
"Don't try that on me again, honey," Haruki warned. "Things are different now. I'm not that naive little boy anymore. And I won't stand for lies."
Sakura nodded slowly, just once, while hatred for Sensui burned inside her.
"Good girl," Haruki breathed. "So, honey. You know my secrets. And now, it's time for me to learn yours."
The burning hate turned to a stab of fear. He wasn't putting any pressure on her neck, but that was liable to change.
"I've been patient, Sakura. I've waited a long time for you to tell me what you really are. And it's time you talked. I'm ready to uncover your mystery. Your hidden identity. What are you?"
There's no mystery. I'm not hiding anything.
Sakura looked down. Her fear was rising into panic. No matter what she said next, there was no going back from this…
Wait.
The faintest glow emanated from her hands. It was so subtle, nobody else had noticed.
I can feel it. My spirit energy is almost back!
Had Technique Zero almost timed out? Did this mean she had a chance to fight, or at least defend herself?
Don't let them see, Sakura. If they suspect anything it'll be game over.
Sakura was trying to come up with another way to stall when the television blared and Haruki released her.
"That's right! Kaito, four points. Goblin King, zero!"
"Why don't we see how your friends are faring against Game Master?" Sensui sneered. "Go on, Sakura. Take a look."
She did, and there was Kaito facing Amanuma.
"Would you look at that," Sensui sounded pleasantly surprised. "They're much further ahead than I thought."
"Is that so? Well then…" Haruki took Sakura's shoulders and eased her down into the pillows. "You're looking a little pale, my sweet. Why don't you lie down and watch the fun?"
Sakura flinched, but didn't protest. This was her chance to stall enough for a ki attack. And admittedly, Haruki wasn't wrong; the sheer amount of energy he'd forced on her during those memories seemed to have drained what little physical strength she had.
You just need a few more minutes. That's all. You can do this.
"I don't know what chance you think this little kid has against Kaito," Sakura said. "He's a certified genius. We all learned that the hard way."
Sensui turned just enough to eye Sakura. "How long do you give her, my boy? Until she figures it out?"
"Hmmm…" Haruki thought for a moment, then settled himself on the bed to enjoy the show. "How does ten minutes sound?"
"That's very generous, Ghost. I wasn't going to give her five."
Their laughter was sickening, but Sakura didn't bother asking what they meant. Her eyes were filled with Goblin City on the screen, and her spinning head was trying to contemplate the horrifying memories Haruki had forced on her.
He's been all alone…in so much pain…all those lost years blaming himself, all that abuse he received. What would Master Shin think if he knew? And all those children. Kenji…Sora…
What was she meant to do with this reveal? Should Haruki be considered one of Sensui's many victims as well? Was she supposed to dismiss everything he had done up to this point and try to save him as well as the Living World? Or was he a lost cause, destined to be destroyed when Kurama and Yusuke inevitably showed up?
Silent tears pooled in Sakura's eyes and she blinked them away.
What should I do?
Almost in response to her question, warmth radiated through Sakura's fingers. She stole another glance at them in time to see the faint glow on her skin flicker out...
"Honey, what's wrong?"
Haruki pulled her face around, looking both concerned and almost triumphant.
"I just…I mean…" Sakura stammered. "What you showed me…I didn't…"
Stalling or not, there was no getting around the devastation she felt for the child Haruki had been, the horrors he'd endured, and his defenceless friends slaughtered in cold blood.
"Shhh," Haruki brushed his free hand down her cheek, her neck and along her collarbone. "It's ok, honey. Don't cry. Just breathe."
Sakura took a shaky breath and wiped her eyes.
"That's it," Haruki cupped her cheek. "I knew you'd understand, honey. You've suffered. You've been used and lied to, manipulated and hurt by people you trusted. We have more in common than you believed at first."
There was no arguing with that, so Sakura didn't even try. Haruki tilted her face upwards and smiled.
"I don't want to see you sad, my little porcelain doll. I want you to accept the truth."
Sakura braced herself; she knew what was coming. And it did, when Haruki pressed his lips to her forehead as the Quiz Goblin announced Kaito's latest win.
"You belong to me now, honey. And I'm going to make you so happy. Once we get to Demon World, we can start over."
"Ghost?" Sensui interrupted with a wide smile. "Things are about to get interesting."
"You're right! Five in a row. Kaito, five points. Goblin King, zero,"
Yusuke punched the air in premature victory. "All right! Five more and it's over!" he cheered. Kaito was taking this kid to the cleaners. What had they been worried about?
His tension easing somewhat, Yusuke closed his eyes and allowed himself to start thinking about the next move.
Once we get past this brat, we'll make a beeline for Sensui.
Of course, getting there was the least of their concerns. Once they arrived, things would surely get difficult. Even Yusuke wasn't naive enough to think that Sensui and his men would simply hand over their hostages without a fuss. No way. Especially not that psychopath Haruki.
Deep inside, Yusuke's heart clenched tightly. Kuwabara was almost certainly unharmed, but his sister…
No. I can't think like that.
Yusuke took a quiet but deep breath. He couldn't lose focus now.
You'll be safe soon, Kura. Just hold on a little bit longer.
Beside him, Yana's eyes were almost bulging from their sockets at Kaito's performance.
"Killer job, Kaito! I didn't even know the answers when I got to read the whole question!"
Kurama's reaction was voiced far more cautiously. "Notice how intensely Amanuma's watching the questions on the monitor," he muttered. "I have to wonder if this is a handicap after all,"
Yusuke waved it off. "Kaito is too good; that's just a deer in the video game headlights look,"
"You're wrong, Yusuke," Genkai said suddenly. "Get a good look at the boy's eyes. He's fearless. Still confident of victory,"
Yusuke looked, and realised what his teacher meant. Amanuma was calm, focused. How odd.
"But how come?" Mitari asked. "Kaito's answering right at the start of the question. How could anyone be faster?"
"Yeah, unless he can stop time," Yana agreed.
"Got it! Ready to play!" Amanuma snapped his fingers, as if he'd just realised something.
He sauntered up to his control panel, grinning ear to ear. "Aww yeah, with a come-from-behind victory!"
Kaito was more irritated than ever. "A little arrogant. Don't you agree King? Considering you haven't answered a question yet," He looked down his nose at the child. "What have you been doing, gauging my skill?"
Amanuma stuck out his tongue. "I've known dorks like you. Guys who think they're better at games than me just because you're older? Well for your info, what I've been looking at has nothing to do with you. After this next one you'll know what I mean!"
The game was already moving on. "Quiz question number six-"
Ding!
Everyone paused. "Huh?"
Unless they were mistaken, Amanuma had just pressed the answer button without hearing the question, and he'd done so with the confidence of Toguro facing a D-class demon.
Kaito's shock quickly evaporated into glee when the implications hit home.
Ha! He jumped the gun!
"You realise what Amanuma's done now," Kurama said. "When a player presses his buzzer before the question begins, he will not be allowed to see the answer choices,"
Yusuke blinked. "So he's just gonna guess? A through D? But that's my trick!"
"I don't believe it!" Yana spluttered. "He can't win off hunches!"
"Question number six, this is an awesome one!" Amanuma smirked. "In the year 2000, a group of respected scientists predicted an asteroid would crash into the earth. What was the asteroid's name? The answer's B, for Toutatis,"
And just then, the game validated his answer. "You're right! Goblin King, one point!"
"That's no hunch!" Yana gasped.
Yusuke's cocky attitude slipped. "Yeah, either he's got the world's longest cheat sheet hidden somewhere or he's memorised that whole damn question verbatim,"
"But how'd he know it'd be that one?" Yana asked.
"Well, we already know he's a psychic," Yusuke suggested. "Maybe he can see into a video game's future?"
"I believe the answer is more down to earth," Kurama said. "Not only has he memorised the questions like Kaito, he's memorised their order,"
This was too much for Kaito. He slammed his palms onto the console.
"IMPOSSIBLE! No-one can ever memorise the order in this game; they're supposed to be asked at random!"
"Not exactly, Mr Know-It-All," Amanuma piped up. "It looks random, but it actually goes by a pretty complicated formula. It takes me the first five questions to figure out which track it's on," He flashed a devious grin. "But now that I've got it down, I'll be impossible to beat!"
"Quiz question-"
Ding!
Amanuma pressed the buzzer, which was immediately followed by the victory chime.
"You're right! Two in a row. Goblin King, two points!"
At that moment, it looked like something shattered within Kaito. None of them had ever seen him look so unsettled, so empty.
"Kaito's given up all hope," Genkai said. "He's sure that he'll lose this way,"
"Sadly, he's right," Kurama shut his eyes in frustration while he waited for Amanuma to confirm what he already suspected.
"Well, yeah!" Amanuma giggled. "I mean, you might have had a chance…if she was here,"
Yusuke looked over so quickly his neck almost snapped. "Huh? Are you talking about Kura?"
"Duh!" the boy snickered. "Her boyfriend's already figured it out,"
A glance at Kurama's slouched head verified it.
"Even with interference, Kura would almost certainly have been able to form a connection," he explained with his gaze to the floor.
A sinking feeling came over Yusuke. "She'd get into the brat's mind…and we'd win…"
He balled up his fists and pressed them over his eyes. How had this never occurred to him?
"Yes, Detective. Even with your limited intelligence, I really thought you'd see this part of my plan sooner," Sensui laughed. "Isn't this exciting, Miss Urameshi?"
Like Yusuke, Sakura also buried her head in her hands. "Yusuke, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry,"
"Come now, Sakura. There's no need to apologise. This was my doing, after all. With your irritating habit of mind-reading, it seemed only fair to level the playing field for Amanuma,"
"See, honey?" Haruki pulled Sakura close against his body. "Once again, they didn't realise how much they needed you until now. And my beautiful bride deserves so much more,"
He felt her tiny frame stiffen in his grasp, and leaned in closer. His lips ghosted her neck while he murmured, "Don't worry though. It's the last time they'll ever make that mistake,"
Kurama's mind was in overdrive.
I knew Sensui had his reasons for taking Kura, but there has to be more to it than just crippling our chances at winning.
There were many possibilities, but naturally it was the most sinister options that were seeming more likely with each passing moment.
"Hey Hiei, where are you going?" Yusuke called suddenly. "This is a tag team!"
Kurama looked up. Hiei's irritated scowl smoothed out into his typical apathy before taking a few deliberate steps forward.
"You're right! Three in a row! Goblin King, 3 points!"
Hiei slowly looked over his shoulder at them. He seemed all but immune to their collective worry.
"I'm going to turn this game off,"
"Oh? And how?" Yusuke enquired. "You see a power strip somewhere?"
"Please, don't try anything reckless," Mitari said. "We're inside Amanuma's territory, so every action we take is dictated by the rules he's set and he can punish us for doing wrong!"
Yana nodded rapidly. "Yeah, man. It's just gonna be a repeat of when you tried hitting Kaito in the house!"
The memory of Kaito's shield and Hiei's broken sword seemed to echo in the distance. But the constant affirmation of Amanuma's winning streak from the game ("You're right! Four in a row, Goblin King. Four points!"), only reminded them all of what was truly at stake here.
Hiei unsheathed his sword and said, "Then at least I'll know I tried,"
Everyone watched with trepidation. Could this actually work?
Amanuma didn't make any move, either to stop Hiei or indicate he'd even heard the plan. Hiei crouched, sprang forward and slashed the blade.
The screen in front of Kaito and Amanuma sliced in half, revealing the mechanical and electrical components within. There was a small explosion followed by sparks and smoke billowing from the power source.
"Nice one!" Yusuke cheered.
Hiei tumbled gracefully through the air and landed on his feet. But just as he straightened up, a familiar sound spelled doom.
"You're right! Five in a row. Tie game!"
Not only was the game still working, the screen was perfectly intact again. It was as though nothing had happened in the first place.
"Not even a flinch." Kurama sighed. He'd expected this, but even so…
"We knew as much," Genkai said. "You and Hiei should be study partners, Yusuke."
"Shut up!"
Amanuma turned to glower at them. "Could you guys not be so noisy?" he huffed. "I'm trying to enjoy my big triumph here!"
Genkai scowled. "I think this kid's far too young to be having control over us."
"Yeah. He's probably still doing the velcro shoe thing." Yusuke spat.
Despite his ice calm, Kurama's sense of dread was growing. "It certainly seems that the only way to beat him is through the clearing of the game," he murmured, knowing full well that something else was almost certainly at play here. Some other twist of the knife to test them.
You already know, Shuichi.
Cold logic was fertilising the seed in his mind. Kurama didn't want to dwell on it, but it seemed Yoko would not allow him to avoid the facts for much longer.
The game was already moving on. "Quiz question!"
Ding!
Kurama's attention spiked. Kaito had pressed the buzzer first, which did not go unnoticed by his opponent.
"What do you think you're doing?" Amanuma asked. "You don't know the questions like I do. You'll just be making random guesses!"
"I'll have a twenty five percent chance of victory," Kaito retorted. "That's much better than just watching you win."
Beep! A giant X accompanied the negative tone.
"Sorry, that's wrong. Kaito has one bad mark!"
Sakura's heart sank again. "No! Kaito, you'll never win that way!"
Haruki laughed from behind. "They can't win at all," he murmured. "Do you see, my sweet? The Game Master's territory is foolproof. As long as you're here with me, they're trapped…and so are you."
And it looked like he was right. Sakura helplessly watched the game go on as little more than a race to the buzzer.
It only took a few minutes, but each second was agony. Game Master scored nine. Kaito occasionally beat him to the punch and made two of his possible three mistakes. Then it came down to the last question. The one to decide it all…
Sakura looked away. She couldn't bear seeing this.
"No, honey!" Haruki pulled her around and held her in place. "You don't get to hide from this. Not anymore. You're going to watch while your team fails you. Again."
The final buzzer confirmed the end, melded with Sakura's cry of despair.
"Sorry, that's wrong. Kaito has three bad marks! Kaito, game over,"
Kaito was seething. "There is nothing that I hate more than the pain of defeat, but it's all my fault for not noticing the pattern!"
"Come on, don't be so hard on yourself," Amanuma smiled. "You played a good round and it was fun. Maybe we can play a game you're better at later on, we'll have time!"
Kaito gave the child an odd look. But Yana was slack jawed.
"Wow, he's crazy good!"
"As far as gaming goes, that makes Kurama our last hope," Yusuke said. "You know, I haven't been too worried since we won the first three games so easily, but what happens if we lose Goblin City in this kid's territory? Arcades do get pretty creative with their death scenes."
Kaito trudged back to the group.
"Sorry about the loss," he said a little sheepishly before lowering his voice. "But really, the game wasn't as disturbing as what happened just now. There's something strange about that kid. He acted…chummy. Does he even realise what he's involved in?"
"Think, Kaito," Kurama said. "Do you feel any different physically?"
"No, that's partly why it seems so strange. I thought he'd take my soul for losing in his territory, but I almost feel better!"
Kurama nodded. "Yes, that would fit the pattern,"
"Alright, I'm gonna start charging you money for being vague." Yusuke sniped.
"I now suspect that even if we failed every game, none of us would lose their lives," Kurama explained. "As long as we keep playing."
"Yeah, but I'm sure you die in the video game!"
"Yes, but only when you're finished completely," Kurama said. "When you fail in Goblin City, you're given the choice to either give up or continue, paying more quarters in the arcade version or pressing start at home. As long as you choose to continue, you can begin again without going through the introductory sequence. But if you give up, the words The End appear in red on the screen, above the graves of your fallen heroes,"
Yusuke's jaw dropped. "You mean unless we beat this kid at the game that's probably been his babysitter most of his life, we'll have to keep playing and playing if we want to live?" he spluttered. "But we don't have time for that!"
Kurama closed his eyes. "That is precisely our enemy's point; to trap us inside this territory until the tunnel to Demon World can be completed. It's not a matter of fighting for our lives here, but for our time!"
The weight of this revelation settled over the group. Nobody was able to speak.
"Pretty smart!" Amanuma giggled. "You figured out Sensui's awesome plan! I'm gonna let you out of the game as soon as they're done digging. So come on, we still have a few hours to have some fun!"
He pulled the slot machine lever, and Kurama stared at the child. He understood now. At least one reason for Sakura's abduction was to keep her out of this territory. As Yusuke had said, she could have gotten into Amanuma's mind and almost certainly bested him.
But that's not all. Mitari said Sensui didn't allow Amanuma to practise, but he's challenged us with Goblin City. And that can only mean one thing…
Kurama's heart constricted. He could no longer push his fears away. He knew. He'd always known.
In order to make it through here, in order to rescue his precious flower…he would have to do the unthinkable.
A.N. Big chapter today. Everything Haruki told me about his story is finally revealed. With it all laid out on the table, we're off to the climax. Sakura knows everything, so what will she do with this information? Will she find a way to reason with Haruki? And what about Kurama's dilemma?
The next chapter will be out really soon. It's 95% finished and I just need to do a bit more work before it's out.
Please let me know what you thought of this chapter. I'm very interested in what you think about Haruki's story. Do you have any more sympathy for him, or is he truly the monster they said he was?
Make sure you follow, favourite, leave a comment and we'll see you next time.
Next chapter: Sakura and Kurama are both faced with impossible choices. Which way will they go, and could it tear them apart forever?