A.N. Ready for more? I know I am, so let's just go for it.
IloviendoNoshi: :D
Hina714: Sorry about that XD. I've known that chapter was inevitable since I first met Haruki while planning the series. You won't have to wait much longer. The final battle is fast approaching.
That's the thing with Haruki. I've always considered him to be a gift of a character. His story is terrible and he's not at fault for what he went through as a child, nor is he at fault for the grooming he experienced at Sakyo and Sensui's hands, but at the same time it doesn't excuse the horrible things he's done on his own. That's the tricky part. I think I subconsciously took a lot of inspiration from Shigaraki in My Hero Academia. Tragic in his own way, but still irredeemable.
I'm looking forward to that match as well. It'll be wild.
KarinaGuardian: Well...she's ok in the sense that Hiei didn't kill her and she hasn't been brainwashed. Your favourite couple is about to get reunited though, never fear. As for Haruki's demented ass, all I'm going to say is that he's really beyond saving at this point. Just too far gone into his madness. And when a character can't be redeemed, there's only one option left...
Ghost of Magic: Hiei completely took over that chapter. I didn't need to do much as a writer except let him loose. He's a tricky character to get right, but I just love him so much. He was the only one who did what had to be done. Being the rock because everyone else is incapable. I love him.
hw0134160: You ARE an angel. Yoko Kurama agrees with me. Yes, Sakura is alive but she's still being held by three absolutely insane people and it's time for her to be rescued. I'm with you, it's hard to know who's crazier between Haruki and "Gourmet". But when Haruki sees his tentacles, he turns back into that frightened five year old who saw his friends murdered.
As for work, I'm sad that the qualification I worked so hard for, and loved, is something I now have to step away from. But as a friend told me, I couldn't have known. It's not worth my physical wellbeing or my sanity.
I love this episode, and I know many YYH fans do. *Grabs Popcorn* Let's do this!
Chapter 35
Yusuke couldn't take his eyes off the tunnel entrance, or the demons congregating there. Not even the furious, albeit muffled, shouts from Kuwabara could distract him.
"Get me off this boat!"
Another crack appeared in the portal, and sweat trickled down Yusuke's face.
Those demons are just lining up for a shot at us. Not the kind of crowd you want to be stuck in a cave with.
"In case you're feeling you've done this before, don't," Hiei said. "The world ahead of you is nothing like Maze Castle. They have tapped into the true depths of the Demon World. The very air is toxic to ordinary humans."
Sensui had turned back to the film he was watching. It wasn't hard to figure out which one. "We're getting to the real grit of the film, Yusuke," he said. "The story isn't terribly original; the main theme appears to be genocide in the cause of a greater good. The finale's in about half an hour."
A brutal war was being fought on screen. Helicopters hovered over a jungle landscape, firing artillery while explosions echoed in the distance. A soldier rose from the thick scrub and looked around. He deemed it safe, and with his high-powered rifle in hand, started running.
An unknown voice shouted, "Surrender!"
Another military man appeared in front of him. The first soldier shot him down without hesitation and kept moving while tanks fired their guns. Yusuke had a strange feeling that he might have seen something like this in history class before.
"The most repulsive part is they weren't even fighting for anything real," Sensui continued. "They were killing out of fear, of an idea that threatened their greed,"
He stood up and faced them all, apparently quite at ease that a pissed off Spirit Detective and two even more murderous demons faced him.
"It only gets crueller from here. And then the whole thing wraps up with a rather beautiful song."
"That's oddly inappropriate." Yusuke said.
"I've always thought it symbolised hope, which is why I've timed the tunnel to open up when the music begins."
Yusuke's jaw dropped. What?! He's saying we only have thirty minutes?
More cracks formed on the portal. Shots and explosions kept sounding from the television, and at the same time, Kurama gasped in horror.
Next to him, Hiei was also bothered, but not by the tunnel.
"What's the problem?" he asked Mitari.
"It doesn't make sense to me," Mitari frowned. "How's Mr Itsuki standing up?"
"He does have legs." Yusuke pointed out.
"But every time I've seen him since I was first brought to the cave, he's been sitting in that boat, creating the tunnel."
Itsuki glanced over his shoulder and explained, "The portal is alive now. It's out of my control. When the time is right, it will manifest on its own. Even if I wished to, I couldn't stop it."
Yusuke opened his mouth to ask where his sister was, but stopped when he realised at least ten demons had pierced their hands through the barrier and were grabbing at everything in reach. Which happened to be...
"Kuwabara!" Yusuke shouted.
The huge red bull-like demon situated directly above Kuwabara drooled in anticipation. "Human flesh...let me taste it!"
He thrust his giant claws towards Kuwabara. Gourmet stood and watched in amusement while Kuwabara struggled to move away.
"Get away from their hands!" Yusuke yelled.
"Don't you think I'm trying?!"
Sensui smiled at their horror. "Those must be C-Class apparitions vying for his attention. Simple, characterless creatures governed solely by their appetites."
"I don't wanna be eaten by C demons!" Kuwabara wailed. He twisted and dodged in all directions, at least as far as his restraints would allow him to. But he couldn't evade them all, and seconds later two giant purple hands had found their way around his throat.
"HEY, LET HIM GO!" Yusuke screamed.
Botan raised her head with a groan. She'd just about had it. Sitting all alone outside the cave for hours now, with no way of knowing what on earth was happening down there...
Crunch. Crunch.
Wearily, Botan looked over at the cave entrance. There was movement. Genkai, Yana and Kaito all heading her way.
"Oh, thank goodness you're back!" Botan jumped up and hurried over. "Give me a full report. How did it go?"
"We made it halfway down. No-one on our side was hurt." Yana said.
"Urameshi and the others should have reached Sensui's hideout by this point," Kaito added. "I just...hope they're ok to fight after all that."
Botan's gaze flitted down to the small child Kaito was carrying. She paused, and asked, "What happened?"
Yana and Kaito exchanged a look.
"It's complicated." Yana muttered.
"What does that mean?" Botan asked. "And is there any news on Kuwabara? Or Sakura? Please don't tell me either of them-!"
Genkai held up her hand for quiet. "From the information we have, it's safe to say Kuwabara is alright. As for Sakura...well, we know why Sensui kidnapped her now. Seems he plans to use her telepathy to call the A and S-class demons to the tunnel."
"What?! That's what he wants? But...but Kura would never do that!"
"Not willingly," Genkai said. "But Sensui must think he can force her to."
"No, he can't!" Botan cried out as a number of horrible images flashed through her mind. "He can't do that to her!"
"Either way, he'll try," Genkai growled. "As for Haruki, he's completely lost his mind since the Dark Tournament. He has some mad idea that Sakura isn't human, and it all comes down to her telling Kurama to spare him at the end."
Botan's mouth hung open.
"He's totally insane," Yana shuddered. "I've never seen anything like it. He was going on about Yusuke not really being her brother and I...I could've sworn he called her his bride at one point. Ugh!"
"His BRIDE?" Botan repeated. "He didn't!"
"He did," Kaito looked equally disturbed. "Hopefully, Shuichi will be able to get her out before anything too awful happens. Considering how Haruki acted around us, I don't even want to imagine what Kura must be going through in there."
Botan didn't want to imagine it either. Oh, Kura. He's talking about marriage? Saying she's his bride? How horrifying...
She took a moment to swallow her nausea when something else hit her.
"Oh dear, I almost forgot! Koenma's gone into the cave, too!"
"Yes, we passed him on the way back up here." Genkai said. "What's that you've got there?"
"Oh!" Botan squeaked. She'd forgotten about the mysterious box in her hand. "Well...I'm not entirely sure. It's from Spirit World. Koenma gave it to me and said whatever's inside would help Sakura when this is over. I'm not supposed to open it until then."
Genkai raised a brow. "Koenma told you that?"
"Yes. He had such a determined look on his face. He said he might remove his pacifier for this."
"Wow. Have things really gotten that bad?"
"Yes. So tell me, Master Genkai. What actually happens when Koenma takes away his pacifier?"
A long pause, then Genkai shrugged.
"Beats me."
Her audience almost fell over. Genkai ignored them and looked back at the cave with a grim expression on her face.
But I know this: that tunnel opens soon. Time to show your mettle, Yusuke.
The demon started yanking Kuwabara back towards its mouth. He was resisting, but it was clear he wouldn't be able to keep it up for long.
"Like pigs at a trough," Sensui lifted his hand almost lazily. "When the judgement comes, you simple apparitions can eat whatever you like. Until then, don't spoil dinner."
A small orb shot from his hand, towards the tunnel. Whatever the attack was, it burned the demon's hands without causing any damage to Kuwabara. At last, the demon released him and Kuwabara coughed heavily while all the hands groping at him retreated. Yusuke heaved a sigh of minor relief.
That's done, but where the hell are they hiding Kura?
"C-Class apparitions are like seeds; abundant and worthless," Sensui said. "But one of every hundred grows into a B-Class, with brains and strength that can easily surpass a human's. Want to tell us first hand, Hiei and Kurama?"
Kurama's eyes narrowed, while Hiei remained impassive as ever.
"And then from the B-Class, a handful take the next big leap," Sensui sighed. "Intellect close to omnipotence, bodies of huge size and power. Creatures fit for human legend, like the Titans of Greek myth."
"I'm getting really tired of hearing you talk." Yusuke seethed.
"They are the A-Class demons," Sensui continued. "They're probably watching us right now from the pits of the Demon World. Waiting for their chance to rise to glory. But to get to the S-Class demons...well, I believe you know that we'll need a little help from our lovely porcelain doll."
Kurama and Yusuke growled. Sensui and his remaining men only saw Sakura as an object. A tool to reach their evil goals. Her desires and agency meant absolutely nothing to them. Sickening.
As if to prove this, Sensui's eyes lit up at their disgust. "Oh yes. How wonderful it was, to learn that such an extraordinary power existed. After she faced Ghost in the shadows, it became clear to me. Sakura Urameshi was indeed destined to assist our divine cause. Though she alone doesn't possess the strength of mind to reach the outlying corners of Demon World, Itsuki here can fill in the gaps."
Kurama snarled in fury. "Never!"
Yusuke's eyes darted around the cave again. There was still no trace of his twin. Not a sound, not a yell, not the smallest ki thread.
Damn it...where are they keeping her? She can't be too far, especially if they want her near the tunnel.
"Really, gentlemen. It's nothing you need to be concerned about," Itsuki chuckled. "Granted, the initial procedure is a little...unpleasant, but there won't be any lasting damage. The young lady will be fine."
"Correct," Sensui's smile widened. "The rare and natural ability of telepathic communication, trained by the legendary Master Shinsuke himself...even I could hardly believe my luck at finding such a prize. Why on earth should I risk tainting that?"
"You can forget about using my sister for anything!" Yusuke shouted. "And spare me the pep rally; you're going to kill the people you were supposed to protect!"
"My job was to protect the universe as a whole, and that's exactly what I'm doing," Sensui said. "I've been trying to enlighten you, Yusuke. Don't you remember the Doctor's words? Humanity is a disease."
"Can't you guys do this debate thing after you're done saving me?!" Kuwabara yelled.
Even with a gag in his mouth, it was remarkable how coherent he was.
Sensui strolled over to the lake edge, admiring the tunnel. "Killing humans can't be that horrific to you, Yusuke. You'd have killed the Doctor if Genkai hadn't been there. And Kurama killed a human child."
"We had to. It was for the greater good."
Silence filled the cavern. Sensui pondered Yusuke's answer, then turned around.
"And what if every human was bad?"
Yusuke didn't even flinch. "I don't deal in what-if's."
A smirk appeared on Sensui's face.
"Mr Makihara."
The large man seated beside Kuwabara perked up. He leapt out of the boat, and nearly knocked Kuwabara into the water. In that single bound, he covered the entire lake and landed next to Sensui.
"That's Gourmet." Mitari said.
"Oh great," Yusuke deadpanned. "Does he cook?"
"If you can kill Mr Makihara right now, I'll give Kuwabara back to you, unharmed." Sensui offered.
Yusuke blinked. "What?"
"You heard me. I'll do it, no strings attached. Not a bad deal, is it?"
"Say yes! Say yes!" Kuwabara howled.
Mitari scowled. "What about Miss Kura?" he asked. "Will you give her back too?"
Sensui's eyes shone. "I'll consider it."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Yusuke demanded. "What did you do to her?"
Sensui shook his head. "If Ghost didn't tell you anything, what makes you think I will?"
Yusuke froze. He didn't know what to say. Apparently nobody else did either, but next to him, he could practically hear Kurama's mind whirring at top speed.
"Anyway, it's your choice," Sensui chuckled. "If you refuse the challenge, I'll deflect any attack you make by using Kuwabara as a human shield," his gaze fell on Kurama. "And you'll never lay eyes on the girl again."
In the heavy silence, Itsuki smiled to himself. Instead of trying to predict their next move, Sensui had made it for them.
He would expect nothing less.
Clever tactic, Mr Sensui. Control their actions by making them believe they have a chance. The hostage isn't directly threatened, so they'll be less foolhardy.
Gourmet took a few slow, deliberate steps towards the group. Yusuke reflexively crouched, ready to move.
"Don't trust Sensui's word," Kurama muttered with his eyes fixed firmly on Gourmet. "We'll make a push for Kuwabara the first chance we get. In the meantime, just play along."
Yusuke smiled at him. Kurama's got his cool back. Good. We can't afford to have him flipping out.
Gourmet stopped several feet away and scanned the four boys, almost as if he were searching for someone.
Moments later, he'd found them.
"Touching, Sea Man. You want to save Kuwabara so very badly because he saved you. But at the same time, you're terrified of letting Sensui find out how much your new buddy means to you, aren't you?"
Mitari's whole body tensed. "What?!"
Gourmet flashed a horrid smile. "You're scared Sensui will kill him to punish you for being a traitor."
Mitari gritted his teeth. But Gourmet wasn't done. Not at all.
"And you're desperate to save poor little Sakura from Ghost, because you feel so much guilt over her," he continued with a laugh. "No girl has ever been so kind to you, have they? But you didn't realise Ghost was such a maniac. You never suspected Sensui was after her too. You feel responsible. And you are."
Mitari glared at him.
"Shut up!" Yusuke snapped. "Where the hell is she?!"
His demand was ignored, and Gourmet turned to his next victim.
"But you've got a juicier one, don't you Kurama? You're a lot more torn up about killing Game Master than Yusuke believes."
Kurama's eyes narrowed further. That deadly chill began to radiate.
"Not only are you riddled with guilt, you're embarrassed! Yoko Kurama would never be so weak," Gourmet taunted. "Oh, and you're absolutely petrified of what your little girlfriend will think when she finds out what you've done."
Yusuke's head whipped towards Kurama, then back at Gourmet. Judging by both his friends' reactions, Gourmet was telling the truth. But how could he possibly know that?
It's like he's lifting thoughts straight from our brains. No...no, he couldn't have-!
It was too horrifying to even imagine, and Yusuke wasn't even going to entertain the thought without confirmation.
"Mitari!" he said urgently. "Tell me, did my sister ever form a mind connection with you?!"
"What?" Mitari looked around. "I...what are you talking about?"
"She can't read someone's mind or talk to them telepathically without connecting first. She usually asks beforehand so people don't freak out. Did that ever happen?!"
"No," Mitari said. "No, she didn't. There wasn't time, I guess?"
Yusuke nearly collapsed from relief. Thank God.
It couldn't be Sakura's power. Sensui needed her. So there had to be another explanation.
Mind reading...aside from Kura, the only one I know who can do that is...Murota!
"Bingo!" Gourmet snickered, "That old flimsy...haven't you wondered where he's been since the hospital let him out?"
Yusuke's stomach churned.
"Eating my teammate? That's on my ass kick list."
He went to move forward, but someone grabbed his shoulder, hard.
"I'll take this one, Yusuke," Kurama said, his face cold and dangerous. "And don't argue; I am not in the mood."
Yusuke blinked. "Whatever you say."
Nobody else was dumb enough to disagree. Kurama walked slowly, resolutely onto the battlefield
Yusuke looked around. The timer on the television, counting down the seconds til Armageddon. Sensui and Itsuki, observing the scene as if it were a soap opera. Kuwabara, struggling to free himself, and Kurama, staring down Gourmet without a trace of fear.
Yusuke didn't know what to think, or what to expect.
Kurama hasn't looked that serious since the two of us took on those stupid ninjas. What Captain Appetite said really must've pissed him off. But how can he win, when this guy can read his thoughts?
Kurama reached into his hair and pulled out a perfect red rose. He held it in front of his face, eyes closed and face serene.
The clock read 1 hour, 34 minutes, 36 seconds.
Gourmet frowned. That's weird. He's not thinking anything.
The green eyes flew open. Gourmet's nearly popped out of their sockets.
Kurama had moved faster than the speed of sound and his rose whip was wrapped around Gourmet's head, right through his mouth. Kurama tugged, and Gourmet's skull instantly sliced clean off, from the jaw upwards.
The clock showed the time as 1 hour, 34 minutes, 38 seconds.
Gourmet's body fell backwards on the ground with a sickening thud. Brain matter and blood flowed into a revolting puddle around his missing head.
Mitari gasped. Yusuke jumped back with a yelp. Kuwabara flinched, and even Sensui and Itsuki looked stunned.
Gourmet's hand twitched, then fell limp. A dazed silence permeated the atmosphere while Kurama's weapon returned to his hand.
"He took out Gourmet so quickly," Mitari said. "I didn't see the whip 'til it was all over!"
A shiver went down Yusuke's spine. Mental note: Never tell Kurama he's letting his fox side down.
Kurama strode over to the corpse and stood over it. "Rely on impulse, and not even your thoughts can betray you," he said. "Now come out...Toguro."
Once again, the boys reacted in utter shock and disbelief. Sensui, on the other hand, gave a smirk.
"Did you think I wouldn't notice?" Kurama hissed. "I could smell your stench since we entered the cave!"
Then it happened. That deranged, horribly familiar laugh bubbling out of the headless body as it stood up straight. To the group's alarm, another head emerged from Gourmet's severed neck.
The head of Elder Toguro.
"Good, Kurama," he said. "It seems your powers have improved even in your human form. Though the red hair isn't nearly as pretty as the silver!"
"Guess he missed his Toguro vaccination!" Yusuke's voice shook.
Elder Toguro turned to him, his eyes shining. "You look so surprised, Yusuke. But it's nothing on your pretty sister's reaction. She was positively terrified to see me!"
Yusuke's shock and fear gave way to rage. "What?! You better not have touched her, you freak!"
"I haven't had the pleasure yet," Elder Toguro giggled. "Haruki was far too insistent on keeping her all to himself. Determined to learn all her secrets. But I'm sure I'll get my chance eventually!"
"We watched Toguro smash you into oblivion!" Yusuke snapped. "How the hell are you even here?"
"Gourmet must've eaten him to take on his powers!" Mitari said.
"Right, little Sea Man. But much to Fatty's disappointment, I'm the one who got the run of the ship."
Mitari's jaw dropped. "Then this entire time..?"
"Yes, I play a real good game of pretend," Elder Toguro grinned. "The fantastic tale starts months ago when a man driven to insanity by a whore and her student hurt his dear old brother. I regenerated slowly in the sea, sending out a special energy wave that only powerful, and how should we say, evil beings could hear. I was resigned to wait for years, but my rescue was surprisingly quick. A human of all things!" he sighed happily. "But he said he could give me my vengeance. Isn't that how you remember it, Sensui?"
"When Toguro told me about the many achievements of the new Spirit Detective Yusuke Urameshi, I could feel the hands of the universe tugging at my arm," Sensui explained. "In the trial against humanity, the defence now had an able attorney. His twin sister, my star witness. At last, I could begin...the sentencing."
"It all began with Haruki," Elder Toguro snickered. "Such a lost and lonely soul. Left with nothing after the untimely demise of Sakyo, desperate for guidance. I knew he'd be a perfect addition, especially considering his growing fixation on Miss Urameshi and her secrets. He'd stop at nothing to find her, and that in turn would mean you all would come running into our arms. My revenge was assured, and Sensui had his most loyal follower from the get go."
Sensui smiled again. "I couldn't agree more."
"So, Sensui gathered up a bunch of these new psychics for his plan, including this brainless lump," Elder Toguro said, indicating Gourmet's shell. "He had a very convenient power. You see, we both agreed my regeneration was taking too long. I needed another body. So Sensui let this ogre take me, making him think that I was the one being betrayed. Merciless, really. The poor ape had no idea what he'd swallowed,"
His beady eyes glittered at the memory.
"I'm like a cockroach with a brain. The best was when he realised what was happening. That's when he became afraid. Fear is pleasure enough from the outside, but I felt his terror from within as I slowly took him over. It was palpable!" Elder Toguro began to laugh. "A fear so thick I could eat it!"
His demented laughter echoed off the stone walls and pierced into Yusuke's soul. His terror for Sakura's safety crashed over him like a tsunami.
"That is enough."
Elder Toguro fell silent and looked over at Kurama's bone-chilling glare.
"You've survived for far too long." Kurama locked eyes on the monster and circled around him, away from his friends. Elder Toguro's gaze followed Kurama's every step with a mocking smile.
At last, Kurama came to a stop in the centre, then spoke again.
"And now it ends."
"Uh oh, the fox thinks he can finish me!" Elder Toguro roared with laughter. "But I'm better than before! Yes, recovering from what Brother did to me has made me stronger! Now I can regenerate from anything. Even if you pierce my brain and heart, I'll still survive! I'm INVINCIBLE!"
More crazed laughter followed. And from the sidelines, more sweat slipped down Yusuke's face.
Great. A Toguro brother who can't die. And he's got the power of two other psychics chipping in. I'm optimistic.
Then again, Kurama had spent a fair bit of time training with Sakura before the Dark Tournament. Perhaps he knew of another way around Toguro's mind reading?
Elder Toguro finally recovered from his fit of hysteria, and said, "Thanks to this lard, I can absorb any power I want. Starting with yours, Spirit Fox!"
"No!" Yusuke made a move to run out into the fight, but Kurama stopped him.
"All of you, stay back. It's me he's after."
"Wise decision," Elder Toguro breathed. "But first, do you have any last words for your pretty flower, Fox? I'd be happy to pass them along. The poor girl has been through such an ordeal down here."
If Yusuke's face was murderous, it had nothing on Kurama's.
"If you've laid a finger on her..." he said quietly. "If you've so much as looked at her with your perverted eyes..."
Elder Toguro wiggled his tentacles in front of Kurama's face. "I'm not sure. Do these count as fingers?"
Yusuke hissed in sync with Kurama.
"Oh, you should have seen her face when I first revealed myself, outside the cave," Elder Toguro giggled. "Complete panic; she didn't know what to say or do. Quite delicious. But that wasn't nearly as enjoyable as the little chat we had when she finally woke up down here!"
Blood dripped from Kurama's clenched fists.
"Ooh, did I touch a nerve, Kurama?" the monster sneered, almost salivating. "You needn't worry; Haruki is an excellent bodyguard. But my, do I have plans for her," his face split into a hideous grin. "She'll be delectable, and I'm sure you know what I mean by that."
Yusuke thought he might be sick. Hiei growled softly behind him. But Kurama showed little emotion, except for the glint of gold in his eyes. And when he spoke, his voice was dangerously steady.
"You will pay dearly for those words."
Elder Toguro gasped in mock surprise. "Oh my! That's quite a threat. But you seem to be forgetting that I can regenerate, absorb abilities, and read your mind, far more than little Sakura can. I'm your worst nightmare!"
Kurama didn't move, or respond.
"Once I devour you, I'll gain the powers of the Legendary Bandit," Elder Toguro cackled. "It's time!"
He surged forward at incredible speed towards his prey.
Kurama watched, unflinching, then calmly crossed his wrists over. A mysterious vapour poured from his hands. In microseconds, it had surrounded both fighters.
"What?!" Elder Toguro cried.
"Let me guess," Yusuke said. "He brought roach spray?"
"No, you fool," Hiei sighed. "It's a smokescreen; one of his older tricks."
"Well it's definitely working." Yusuke muttered as the cloud engulfed Kurama and his opponent, completely obscuring them from view.
"But how will we know if he needs help?" Mitari asked.
Inside the smoke, Elder Toguro was unconcerned. He couldn't see any sign of Kurama, but that didn't mean much, if anything.
You've regained your calm now, Kurama. That prized calm which normally makes you such a deadly foe; able to keep your poise and outwit anyone. But now, with poor Murota helping me, it will be your doom. You were so angry during that decapitation that you acted on impulse. But now you're back to your usual strategy so I can read along.
And sure enough, without any effort on his part, Kurama's thoughts ran through his mind.
Hide myself in the smoke. Keep my distance with the aid of his smell. Always stay behind him.
He was five metres away, whip at the ready.
Elder Toguro spun around. "Ah-ha! I've found you! Your thoughts tell me exactly where you are!"
He charged through the smoke and Kurama gasped as he appeared. But it was already too late. Elder Toguro's hand twisted into those deadly tentacles and sliced straight through Kurama's chest amid torrents of blood.
"SCORE!"
It was perfect. It was glorious. At last, he saw Kurama's delicious blood flowing, full of the power and logic that would soon belong to him alone.
I've done it! A fatal wound!
But then Kurama looked up. "I'm sorry...was that supposed to hurt me?"
Elder Toguro's face contorted with rage. Kurama merely gave him a condescending smile.
"So...your body is tricky like mine, is it, fox?"
Elder Toguro began slashing with wild abandon, slicing away at Kurama again. And again. And again. Fountains of blood streamed in all directions, but Kurama's smile did not fade, nor did his life expire.
What's wrong with you? Why don't you scream and die?
"Trying to act tough? Then how's THIS?!"
Outside, nobody could see anything, but they could definitely hear the commotion.
"That freak's screams are all I hear!" Yusuke said. "Either he's beating the hell out of Kurama or someone's found where he's ticklish."
More howls and blows emanated from the smoke dome.
"Take that! And THAT!"
Yusuke couldn't contain himself anymore. "That's it, I'm going in! If it pisses off Kurama, he can sue me!"
"Wait," Hiei said. "Why don't you look to your left?"
"Die, Fox! Die!"
On their left, Kurama emerged from the veil of smoke, whole, undamaged and serene.
"Kurama?" Yusuke stammered.
Kurama glanced sideways at his smoke, where unhinged laughter and the sounds of violence still resonated, and simply answered, "The deed has been done."
"And what does that mean?" Yusuke asked. "I'd sure like to know who he's screaming at. I've got a few creative ideas..."
At last, the mist cleared. But Elder Toguro kept shrieking hysterically.
Yusuke jumped. Mitari and Kuwabara gasped. Hiei remained expressionless, and Sensui's eyes narrowed.
Elder Toguro was in the grips of the most ghastly plant any of them had ever seen. It towered over even Gourmet's giant frame in a hideous fashion, with a head that resembled The Scream. Eerie purple roots both confined Elder Toguro and hooked into his flesh, so deep that they seemed to have replaced his veins.
His eyes were open and glassy, and he continued to scream, "Why won't you die? Damn you Fox!"
"It's the Sinning Tree." Kurama said.
"The Sinning Tree?" Yusuke repeated. "Sounds a bit heavy."
"It ensnares your mind with hallucinations of wickedness, while it sucks away your life."
Yusuke observed the plant with a mix of awe and revulsion. "Wow, that's freaky. He still thinks he's fighting you? Even now, when he's all wrapped up?"
"Yes."
"But how did you get him hooked up on it?"
"I used my Rose Whip to plant the seed inside him, when I took off Gourmet's skull."
Serious as the situation was, Yusuke couldn't resist a wisecrack. "Wow...talk about planting ahead!"
He laughed at his own pun, which was just as well, because nobody else joined in.
"Clever," Hiei smiled. "The smokescreen wasn't only to mask your whereabouts. It was a catalyst for the tree's hallucinations to take effect."
"I didn't want to leave things to chance." Kurama said darkly.
Sensui laughed to himself. That hadn't been what he'd expected at all. Impressive.
"I'll kill you!" Elder Toguro screeched. "Why won't you die?!"
"He certainly is something, isn't he Mr Itsuki?"
Behind him, Itsuki said nothing. He merely surveyed Kurama with a newfound respect.
That boy's eyes...immeasurable mercy and guilt hidden deep behind. Murota's power can't read his mind. The layers are too complex, controlled. We know only what he wants us to.
Sakura Urameshi was likely the only one who had ever truly entered his mind. How fascinating.
"Damn Fox! Die! Die! Die!"
In the midst of the agonised howling, Kurama advanced on his fallen adversary. After all this time, it was over. Both Toguro brothers were finished, and would never harm anyone again.
"The tree won't stop until its host is dead. But as you said, Toguro... your regenerative powers make you unable to die."
"I feel so weak..." Elder Toguro moaned.
Kurama's eyes flashed gold as he declared, "You will suffer for eternity here, torn between your hate, and your agony...and so be it. Rogues like you deserve to be damned."
He turned his cold gaze to Sensui. "Now, I believe you were about to tell us where you are holding my Sakura."
A.N. Next chapter is 80% complete and I'll get it out ASAP. Now that I'm back to the canon, and shorter chapters, it's a much faster pace to write. You've all been so amazing sticking with me through this uphill battle, and I want to wrap this book up with the climax it, and you, deserve.
Make sure you leave a review, and go check out Arielle1406. She's at the tail end of her sequel and it's to DIE for!
Rosentic xx
Next Chapter: With Kuwabara's release, the boys storm the den to finally rescue Sakura...