A.N. Welcome back! I hope you're all ready for a HUGE chapter. Just when I think I can't be any more excited about the climax, I'm surprised all over again. Finally getting to everything I planned out is SO satisfying!
Hina714: I've been dying to get to that fight. Sakura's badassery even surprised me. Oh boy, when Sensui kills Yusuke...eek. It won't be fun. I'm trying to keep the cliffhangers to a minimum, I promise!
Keywordlf: Thank you so much! When Sakura kicks butt, she isn't messing around.
Silena MB: Yeah, it's really a case of things getting worse before they get better in Chapter Black.
Can't thank you enough for your beautiful words. Knowing people love Sakura as much as I do, knowing that I'm making someone's life a little bit better with my writing is an incredible thing. When I first thought up the book, I held off on it for a while because I was afraid. Eventually, I just posted the first chapter of Book 1 and went off to dance class. I honestly had no idea if anyone would even see it on the site. But now? I can't describe how grateful I am to you all.
Ghost of Magic: We sure are!
Love or Pain: You'll find out soon! But I've had it planned for a very long time!
Good luck everyone. I'm with you all the way!
Chapter 39
It was like something out of a movie. The Prince of Spirit World crashing the party as one of Sensui's personalities was a trigger away from ending Yusuke's life.
If there was ever a living embodiment of the phrase arriving in the nick of time, surely this was it.
"Koenma," Sensui growled. He still had Yusuke by the hair and a gun to his head. "So you showed up."
Koenma took a step further inside the cave without shifting his cold glare and said, "This has gone far enough. Don't compound your sins further."
"Just stay back!" Yusuke warned.
Sensui pressed the gun muzzle further into Yusuke's skin. "Shut up, you little shit!"
"No! Get that gun away from him, you whack job!" Kuwabara yelled and began swinging his sword wildly again. "We can't even help him! I can't take it!"
"But you don't have a choice," Itsuki said. "As you see, I haven't lied. This spectre's belly is a separate reality, and we are trapped inside. The only way to transfer out of it is through my power, which I am sure you will never possess."
Kuwabara's temper snapped. He charged for Itsuki, sword raised. "You…TRAITOR!"
Hiei's weapon crashed into his. The force knocked Kuwabara onto his back.
"What's that for?! I'm gonna smash him!"
"Why don't you think a little?" Hiei growled.
"Itsuki's the only one who can free us," Kurama said. "Kill him, and we'll be trapped here."
Kuwabara's face contorted with enraged frustration, but they were correct. Maddeningly correct.
Though outwardly calm as ever, everything inside Kurama was screaming. On top of all the terror she'd endured, Sakura had been shot in her shoulder and even from this distance, he saw the blood flowing.
Love, can you hear me? If you do, put as much pressure on that wound as you possibly can!
Sakura did not respond telepathically, but her arm moved to her shoulder and pressed down.
Good. Now keep it there, alright?
Yes, Kurama. I'll do…my best.
Her faint reply gave a modicum of relief, but desperation still threatened to overwhelm Kurama. It wasn't just Sakura's condition or Yusuke's deadly predicament, but another fear eating away at him. Another possibility of why they had been imprisoned.
Itsuki intends to use Kura's telepathy to call the strongest demons. If we're inside this creature, we can't prevent him from doing so, and forcing her power to such a state might well be fatal to her…please, don't let this be true.
Cold logic said otherwise.
Meanwhile, Koenma quickly glanced around the cavern while Sensui was distracted.
Where is everyone?
No sign of the others, but he sensed them inside the shadow monster on the wall.
It's a Uraotoko. Figures.
"Koenma?"
The faint voice calling his name caught Koenma's attention. His eyes widened when he saw the speaker.
"Sakura!"
The sight of her both revolted and shocked him. She was sprawled on the ground in an unfamiliar blue silk dress, barely conscious and bleeding badly from a shoulder wound. Her face and body were absolutely covered in bruises and cuts. She attempted to get up but only managed to lift her shoulders slightly before collapsing, and Koenma realised that she had been heavily drugged.
Oh God. What did they do to her?
She wasn't alone. A much larger, and unconscious figure was stirring beside her. Haruki.
"Koenma," Sakura began. "Listen, you need to-"
"You better shut that pretty mouth of yours, bitch!" Sensui said. "Unless ya want me to put a bullet hole through his head right now!"
Sakura instantly fell silent and Koenma's insides contracted with guilt before he pushed it aside.
Sakura, just hold on a bit longer. He told her. It'll be over soon, I promise.
She gave a quick nod in understanding. Koenma turned his focus back to the cackling Sensui.
"Please, Sensui. Doesn't humanity have enough sins already?"
"This ain't a sin. It's just the first step in pushing justice and order into the universe," Sensui said. "If it makes you feel better, we can call it capital punishment."
He moved the gun to Yusuke's temple.
"No, don't do it!" Koenma said.
"There's nothing much I like better than brains on a wall." Sensui began, but then he looked down and saw Yusuke's energy gathering. He was about to nail Sensui at point blank range with a Spirit Gun.
Panic spread across Sensui's face, and he swung Yusuke around, kicking him away with almighty force. But as Yusuke hurtled backwards, he fired his monstrous attack.
"SPIRIT GUN!"
The air exploded. The light blinded everyone. The seismic tremors that rumbled through the ground were stronger than any earthquake any of them had felt.
The combination of Sensui's kick and the Spirit Gun sent Yusuke tumbling over and over across the ground before he finally came to rest near the lake's edge.
Koenma barely managed to stay upright, though he slid backwards as the world around him was torn apart and the sound of destruction echoed.
Yusuke saw the carnage erupting from all angles, but it wasn't touching the true target.
"Shoulda been his head…" he sighed before collapsing.
Outside the cave, the others felt the ground tremble with the aftershocks.
"What's that?" Botan asked.
"Yusuke's Spirit Gun," Genkai said. "There's no mistaking it. Must've fired the big one."
"Do you think it was enough to have defeated Sensui?"
"I'd like to say so," Genkai said. "A blast like that was enough to cut down Toguro at top strength. But Sensui's signal feels the same. And after that shot, Yusuke will be as good as a toy pistol."
When the blue ki blast finally fizzled out, when the earth stopped shaking, Sensui loomed over Yusuke with utter contempt.
"Heh. I didn't realise you still had so much energy left. You nearly caught me by surprise."
"Yeah?" Yusuke hissed. "Well imagine my surprise, pal. I had a whole mental picture of what you'd look like as a heap of charcoal. The look really suited you, too."
And then he blacked out.
"No, get up!" Koenma said.
"Yusuke!" Sakura cried. "YUSUKE!"
Unfortunately, at that moment someone did regain consciousness.
"What…happened?" Haruki sat up and rubbed his head. His eyes went wide when he saw the rock beside him.
Kurama's heart sank. Any moment now, he'd realise what Sakura had done. She'd face his retribution.
"Honey? Honey!"
Haruki went chalk white when he saw Sakura lying a few feet away in a pool of blood. He stumbled upright and hurried over to her.
"Oh God! Honey, what happened? Are you ok?"
"Got hit…" she murmured. "Sensui, his power…"
Haruki went pale when he saw the gunshot. "I'm sorry, honey. That loose boulder must've knocked me out. I'm so sorry. I should've been paying attention."
Kurama understood with a mix of relief and even amusement. Haruki didn't realise Sakura had knocked him out.
Just as well.
"It's ok…Haruki. Really. I'm fine…"
"It's not. I should have protected you. I'm meant to keep you safe. I'm so sorry," Haruki said. "Here, let me…"
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a bandage. "I grabbed a spare from the kit before, thought you might need it…"
He started binding her injury. Kurama's body tensed. Haruki had once again laid his hands on Sakura, but at the same time, he was actually helping her. A small part of him couldn't help but feel grateful for that.
"Aww, well isn't that cute?" Sensui watched with derision.
Haruki glared at him and said, "You should have been more careful."
"The little tramp should've stayed out of it. Make sure she does from now on. Got it?"
"Yes, Mr Kazuya," Haruki gritted his teeth and tore a strip from his shirt to staunch the bleeding further. "Just ignore him, honey. He doesn't know what he's saying. I swear, I won't let you get hurt again, by him or anyone else."
"Did you…know?" Sakura asked. "He has…seven of them…different sides…"
"Yes. I didn't say anything before because I didn't want to scare you. That was a mistake. I'm sorry. But it's going to be alright now, I promise."
"Get away from her!"
Haruki looked up quickly. His concern morphed into contempt and anger when he saw who had arrived.
"My my, if it isn't Koenma. What are you doing here?"
"Haruki," Koenma scowled. "I would think you could figure that out."
Haruki smiled. "Fair enough."
"You heard me," Koenma said. "Get away from her."
"Mmm…no, I don't think I'll be doing that."
"Koenma," Sakura mumbled. "It's ok, just -"
"Sakura, I…" Koenma took a step towards them, but stopped when Haruki pulled Sakura to her feet and back into a chokehold.
"Stay back, Prince! I'm warning you!"
Kurama's ki spiked and Kuwabara shouted, "Stop it, you maniac!"
"Haruki, think about what you're doing!" Koenma said. "Sakura doesn't deserve this. Let her go!"
"You're right," Haruki agreed. "My little porcelain doll deserves much better than this," he nodded around the room. "And that's why we're going to Demon World as soon as the tunnel stabilises. We're going to start a new life together. Just the two of us."
Yells of protest erupted from inside Uraotoko.
"Not happening," Koenma said fiercely. "I won't let you take her. None of us will."
"Even if you could stop me - which you can't - it's too late. She's already agreed to be mine."
He seized Sakura's left hand and held it out. The giant sapphire ring sparkled on her fourth finger.
Everyone reacted with varying levels of disgust and horror. Mitari gasped. Kuwabara almost retched. Hiei growled, flexing his right arm where the Black Dragon lay in wait.
Kurama's eyes flashed gold and he whispered, "No."
"That's insane," Koenma breathed. "Sakura would never-!"
"It's true," Haruki grinned up at Kurama. "I own her now, Spirit Fox. She belongs to me, and here's the proof."
Kurama growled as silver threaded through his hair. Lies. It was all lies…
"YOU'RE OUT OF YOUR MIND!" Kuwabara bellowed. "Kura, that's a lie, right?! You'd never agree to that!"
Sakura closed her eyes and tears slipped out underneath. "Koenma, just stay back," she whispered. "Don't come closer. I'll be fine."
Kurama shut his own eyes in agony. Hold on, my love.
"That's a good girl," Haruki pressed his lips to her neck. "Don't worry, we'll be leaving any minute now."
Anguish passed across Sakura's features, and it turned Koenma's stomach.
"Genkai was right," he said. "There's nothing left of you."
"Not right now. But there will be…when I start a new life with my beautiful bride."
More anger sounded from the boys, and Sensui's rough laughter soon joined in.
"Oh jeez, I was thinking this couldn't get more stupid, but now I'm loving it!"
Koenma glanced at Sensui, then back at Sakura. She gave him the smallest shake of her head.
Forget me. Sensui's the priority.
Koenma sent one last glare at Haruki. It pained him, but it looked like that contingency plan was going to be used after all. But not yet. Not until Sensui was taken care of.
"Shin was so desperate to find you," Koenma said. "I'm glad he never did."
His eyes flitted towards Uraotoko, where he knew Kurama was watching in fury, and added, "I only wish I'd checked the records sooner."
Haruki scoffed. "Whatever. The old man's lies mean nothing to me."
Sakura's attention spiked at Koenma's last comment.
The records? Wait…if he means the Spirit World records, then…did Koenma know Haruki survived the stadium collapse? Or suspect?
Her head whirled again. Haruki's arms tightened to steady her.
"Woah there, honey. Careful."
"Ha! This can't get any better!" Sensui howled. "Only way it could be is with a little more blood!"
"Bad time for laughter, Sensui. Do you really think I'll let you go on like this one moment longer?" Koenma snapped. "I'm no human. I don't have their limitations. I'll stop you whatever the cost!"
"Koenma, don't try to…reason with him," Sakura gasped. "He's out of his mind…"
"Shhh. Don't get upset, honey. It's not good for you."
Koenma forced himself to keep his attention on Sensui.
"Since I helped make you, I'll give you a warning. Stop this plan before I am forced to act."
"'Helped to make me…'" Sensui mused. "Yeah, you got no idea how right you are. It's just freakin' hilarious. Can't get me if you don't know what I am."
"What do you mean?" Koenma asked with narrowed eyes. "I know you enough."
"Nah, you know that goody two-shoes Shinobu, but you don't got the smallest tip-off on me. So let me give ya the first peak. Name's Kazuya, and Shinobu's taking a little nap right now, which was my idea. I show up when the other six can't handle it."
"Hold on, the other six?!"
"That's right, it's a party in here," Sensui said. "And don't get me wrong, some may rub me the wrong way, but we see enough in common. We all sprung this plan together. All seven of us."
In spite of his anger and worry, the lightbulb still flashed in Kurama's head.
Let's dig a hole, Sniper. Each one of us. Seven graves will be a decent start.
"So that is what Sensui meant," Kurama said. "The thought Murota read from his mind was misinterpreted. By seven, we assumed he meant the psychics he recruited, not counting himself as the leader. We assumed Sensui cared for his team, but in truth, the seven were his own personalities."
"The psychics were expendable," Hiei said. "He planned to be the sole survivor from the start."
"That's correct," Itsuki said. "As his partner from the naïve years, I'm the only one who realised. But I can take care of myself."
He closed his eyes and continued, "It was the night of the raid when it began, when he learned his murders as humanity's defender could not be justified. The guilt was too much for Shinobu, so Kazuya was created to take responsibility for these deplorable acts. Yet as the plan fermented, he saw violence would not be enough. He needed to recruit help through lies and manipulation. More sins Shinobu could not face. So Minoru appeared. The orator. And so it went. At every moral crisis that stood in the way of Sensui's plan, a new personality would be forged to do the work. It solved the paradox of how to punish, if doing so requires you to commit the very same sins. This way, his core soul, Shinobu, could remain morally undefiled. Three of the personalities deal with combat. The other three have their own tasks,"
Itsuki smiled at his audience's reactions. His tone turned wistful.
"Of the seven personalities, one of them is a girl named Naru, who appears only to me. She has a beautiful mind, capable of the most delicate and loving thoughts and poetry that I've ever heard spoken. She would talk to me in the dead of night, always crying. Venting sorrows that, if not expressed, would've killed Sensui from a broken heart. Besides Shinobu, I favour her the most. Sometimes I think we're in love."
"WHAT ARE YOU SAYING?!" Kuwabara screamed. "No, don't answer; this is getting way too weird!"
"I don't doubt you, Kazuya," Koenma said carefully. "I honour your true existence, and I admit I can't relate with you. Call Shinobu. Please, I need to speak with him."
With a sneer, Sensui looked upwards and called, "Hey, Shinobu? You awake yet? Shinobu?"
There was a pause, and Sensui laughed again.
"He's sayin' he don't wanna talk to ya. He's sayin' he hates you too much."
Koenma considered this for a moment. "But he pays attention to what I say, doesn't he Kazuya?"
"Hey, Naru!" a weak voice called.
Sensui's eyes became slits. "The hell does that whore want?!"
"Naru! Hey, it's Sakura! Why don't you come on out and play?"
Sensui bared his teeth and pointed his gun at her. "Shut it, bitch! Naru ain't coming!"
"Honey," Haruki began. "Honey, don't-"
Sakura paid no attention. "Naru, listen!" she said, trying to keep the desperation out of her voice. "I know you can hear me. I really want to keep playing and I bet you do too! Please, let's talk some more. Come out and meet my friends!"
Itsuki's eyes widened. "Naru? Why would she call Naru?"
Surely this was a mistake. A ridiculous lie. A joke.
"Please Naru!" Sakura kept calling. "We had so much fun last time. Don't you remember?"
"I told you to zip it!" Sensui shouted. "Ghost, make yourself useful and shut her up!"
"Yes sir. Quiet down, honey. You don't want to make Itsuki mad."
"Don't touch her!" Kurama shouted. Naturally, he was ignored.
Itsuki's anger and disbelief hung around him. How could she possibly call Naru like that? Only I have ever seen her. This cannot be true.
The girl was scrambling. Grasping at straws after hearing his brief explanation. There was no way on earth she knew Naru.
With Sakura effectively silenced, Koenma pushed on.
"Shinobu, listen to me. This isn't the answer you're seeking. It's not too late to stop-"
"Sorry, Princey. But you're wrong about that," Sensui jerked his head towards the portal where the demons drooled in wait. "The calming period is over. It's stabilised. Face it, little prince. We've all chosen our fate."
"Then so have I."
Koenma calmly removed his pacifier.
"The Mafuuken, also known as the conscious ring, or the wicked seal," he said. "When fully powered, it is the strongest defensive spell in all of Spirit World. When released, the Mafuuken will create a Kekkai Barrier Net to ensnare the encroaching enemy. Far more powerful than the Kekkai between worlds, it specialises on demons, and can even trap the S-Class with ease."
A strange green light flickered over the pacifier, then began to ripple outwards with intense power.
"If I engage this Mafuuken, it will first seal the precious tunnel that you've poured your life into creating. Then I'll trap you inside the net, and you'll never move again," Koenma continued. "I've kept this thing between my teeth for most of my existence, giving it my Spirit Energy. It was for humanity's next dark day in a few hundred years. Yet you give me no choice but to use it now."
"Well, you're just as stupid as Shinobu says," Sensui jeered. "You can't use that fancy weapon on little old us. Who's gonna save the humans in that supposed dark time now?"
Sakura pulled away from Haruki for just a moment and hissed, "It's official. You have the IQ of a rock."
Sensui either didn't hear her, or didn't care. But Haruki quickly regained control of Sakura and Koenma went on.
"We must handle each new dilemma as it comes to us. If your plan is allowed to continue, in a few hundred years there will be nothing left to save. This way, your conspiracy will end. You're finished, Sensui. Unless you plan to kill me."
"My, my. You really ain't screwin' around."
"You should consult with your other sides," Koenma said. "Are you really ready to be damned? Because surrender and torment are your only choices."
Sensui smirked. "We'll chat it over."
He crossed his arms and closed his eyes.
In the brief silence, Koenma looked back at Haruki, then at Sakura. Every scratch, every bruise and cut on her body made him want to retch.
How in the world did I let this happen? Careless. I was so careless.
As much as Koenma wanted to include Haruki in the Mafuuken trap, as long as he had Sakura as a hostage it was out of the question.
When Sensui and the tunnel are sealed, the boys can easily handle Haruki as a group. Just a little longer, Sakura. We'll get you free soon.
Everyone watched with bated breath. It seemed so unlikely that Sensui would give up now. Virtually impossible. But the threat of being trapped eternally without the ability to move was such a horrifying thought that it just might be enough.
If only I could rearrange the gears turning in your head. I don't want to use this on you. Please, return to the Sensui you were.
Koenma's heart pounded against his rib cage while he waited for the answer.
If there has ever been a human destined to be Spirit Detective, it was you. Born with incredible powers and an obsession with making things right. And just. It was my fault. I was too eager to close the case. How could I not have known how you would react when you saw the darkest vices of man? When you realised your life's work of protecting humans from demons was not a crusade of pure justice, but a study in grey.
Sensui had never been the same after that night. From the moment he returned, Koenma had seen the darkness in his eyes. The uneasiness. The weight of guilt and confusion. The very foundation of his soul cracked.
"It is a war waged against evil, yet the evil is within. How else can I justify what I've done but to continue. Then shouldn't all humans die?"
Koenma now realised that something had shattered in Sensui that night. Broken beyond all repair.
But there has never been a light that did not cast a shadow. Darkness, by its nature, must always be entwined with good. And I must take the burden for what you are now. I exposed you to that truth your idealistic mind can't understand. So, if you continue this battle for unearthly principles, if that's what you decide, then I will go with you. I'll trap myself in the net with you, share the pain of being trapped without movement for eternity. It's the least I can do.
Sakura went cold all over. Why had Koenma allowed her to know his true thoughts? Either way, she couldn't let this happen.
"Koenma, no… she gasped. "You don't have to…"
"It's alright, Sakura," Koenma murmured. "I know what I'm doing."
Sensui still hadn't moved. Apparently there was a committee meeting in session between his personalities.
Koenma kept his gaze fixed on his fallen detective, quietly praying he would surrender.
Please, Shinobu. Come around.
It was really their last hope of a relatively peaceful resolution.
The silence was so great Sakura could have heard a pin drop. More tears pricked at her eyes, her head was swimming again and her shoulder burned white hot. This nightmare seemed unending.
How had they come to this? Her twin, unconscious and bleeding from his torture. Her lover and her friends, hopelessly trapped inside Itsuki's shadow creature. Herself, forced any minute to call the S-Class demons, about to be snatched away to the demon plane as Haruki's bride. And now Koenma, willing to torture himself forever, and looking so calm about the concept.
At last, Sensui's eyes opened.
"We've come to our choice. It's unanimous between all seven."
Nobody spoke. Nobody moved.
Sensui smiled and aimed his gun again. "We're continuing our plan…as soon as I kill you off."
Koenma's expression went grim and he shut his eyes.
I feared as much.
He looked Sensui dead in the eye and those waves of power began to radiate throughout the room.
"NO!" Haruki released Sakura's arm and fired an attack that ricocheted off the waves and straight into the wall. Even the strongest ki attacks were powerless against Koenma's trump card.
The force pushed Koenma's red cape behind him and his whole face illuminated. He moved to unleash the net.
"Mafuuken - ugnh!"
An elbow smacked into Koenma's forearm and knocked the pacifier out of his hand. The power fizzled out.
Koenma looked down. "What the hell?!"
"Huh?" Sensui frowned.
Sakura's jaw dropped. "Yusuke? What are you doing?!"
No, her eyes were not playing tricks. Her brother was back on his feet, breathing heavily but clearly ready for action. He stretched out his hand and caught the pacifier as it spun to earth.
"GO!" Yusuke panted to Koenma.
"Urameshi, what did you do that for?" Kuwabara howled.
"Guess he's recovered." Kurama said.
"Idiot!" Koenma shouted. "Why'd you interfere?!"
Yusuke shot him a filthy look and said, "Maybe I got a concussion, but the way I remember it, I'm the damn detective and this is my case to solve! If you go wasting away, Mr Pacifier, that means I failed."
Though barely conscious, Sakura thought she might explode. "HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND?!"
"Shut it, you damn brat! Ugh, this thing's nasty, covered in spit…"
"You really expected a pacifier to be covered with literally anything else?!" Sakura sniped.
Yusuke shoved the pacifier into his pocket and addressed Sensui. "Hey, you should thank Koenma. He bought me time for some beauty sleep."
"Right. I forgot you inherited that wench's Spirit Wave Technique," Sensui said. "Makes you a real good healer, don't it? Just don't give yourself a pat on the back."
"Don't bother with the bull. Let's just get back to killing each other."
"Don't be ridiculous," Koenma said, and grabbed Yusuke's arm. "You're no match for him!"
"Leave this to me!" Yusuke shook him off. "You wanna be useful? Go get my damn sister away from that freak!"
"No, give me back the Mafuuken, NOW!"
Yusuke seized Koenma's wrists. "I'm trying to do this the nice way."
"And what's the alternative? You gonna tie me up with your shirt?"
"Not exactly. It actually goes a little something like this!"
BAM!
Yusuke delivered a hard punch to Koenma's face and sent him flying. He landed on the ground behind Yusuke, knocked out cold and in all fairness, a safe distance from the fight.
Yusuke turned around with gritted teeth. "You have no idea how long I've waited to do that."
"Are you…crazy?!" Sakura choked as Haruki pulled her back into him. "What the hell is…wrong with…you?!"
Yusuke didn't answer. He had already gone back to Sensui. "Now, it's just the way it should be. You and me," he growled. "One of you in there said you didn't care about the tunnel now. Well that's exactly how I feel. The world ends, the world survives, I don't friggin' care. All I care about is that you're beaten!" He sent a side-eye at Haruki. "And you, nutcase!"
"Well that's awfully reassuring." Kurama muttered.
"Yeah, considering he's our last hope, his priorities are a little skewed." Kuwabara grumbled.
Oh my God. Sakura stared at Yusuke in disbelief. You idiot…I swear…I'm going to punch your teeth in…
Go ahead, you damn brat. But I'm still doing this!
Yusuke pointed at Sensui and said, "You're name's Kazuya, right? The guy with the gun? Well, go get me someone else!"
"Say what?" Sensui hissed.
"That's right. Take your gravelly voice and run back to the biker bar! Show me the top man!"
"You're really a brainless bitch, aren't ya? I'm out now 'cause I do the sick work."
"You don't get it," Yusuke snorted. "I can't waste time on you. You're too easy."
Sakura winced. Kazuya wouldn't take kindly to being insulted like that.
She was proven right when he roared, "I'LL BLOW YOUR SKULL OFF!"
But he had barely raised the gun when Yusuke phased in front of him and sank a punch into his belly.
BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM!
Yusuke's blows hammered away over and over and over again until blood gushed from Sensui's mouth. When the barrage finally ended, Sensui collapsed to his knees and clutched at his torso. Likewise, Yusuke seized his right arm and started massaging it.
"Damn…I'm not hurt, I'm humouring you!"
Apparently his attack had been just as hard on his body as it had been on Sensui. Either way, Yusuke recovered in about ten seconds while his enemy kept convulsing on the ground.
"Be nasty all you want," Yusuke said. "I don't care if you torture cute animals; that doesn't make you strong. Now show me your real leader."
"NO!" Sensui yelled. "NO!"
"Yusuke, what's the matter with you?!" Sakura cried.
"I wanna beat your strongest side so I know it's done," Yusuke raised his voice over Sensui's groans. "You got it?"
"I can take him!" Sensui insisted. "I can -!"
Everything went deadly quiet.
Sensui froze in place, not moving, not uttering a sound. Five seconds later, he slowly rose up and uncurled his body in complete silence.
Yusuke paused. Judging from the energy, one could safely assume that Kazuya was gone, and someone else had taken his place.
But who that was, nobody could say.
Sakura felt the steel in Haruki's grip while he drew her back. "Stay close to me, honey," he whispered. "Things are about to get dangerous."
Sakura was far too focused on her twin to reply with more than a nod.
"Which freak am I talking to now?" Yusuke asked.
Sensui slowly raised his head and the thick shadows obscuring his face seemed to melt away.
"My name is Shinobu. It's an honour to meet you."
Sakura nearly gasped out loud. The transformation, while not the least bit physical, was astonishing.
Kazuya's mocking and aggressive visage had vanished, replaced with calm eyes and a cordial smile. But Yusuke's expression hardened. Something wasn't right here. He could sense it. And so did Sakura.
Inside Uraotoko, a tense hush had fallen over everyone else until Kuwabara spoke.
"He's the true mastermind, right?"
"I guess I've never heard the real him until now." Mitari quivered.
Hiei and Kurama looked on in suspicion. Itsuki merely smiled.
"My colleagues have told me so much about you," Sensui said. "But at last we can be properly introduced."
A shiver went down Sakura's spine. Now that she thought about it, Sensui had never introduced himself properly either in Mushiyori City or when he'd shown up at their apartment. Seemed reasonable enough to infer that Minoru was the personality they'd seen up until now.
Perhaps Sensui knew what she was thinking, because his next words basically confirmed it.
"To be honest, this is the first time I've shown my face to anyone in months."
Yusuke tensed up as Sensui approached. Sakura held her breath.
But when Sensui reached Yusuke, he extended his hand and said, "How do you do?"
The gesture and tone were so polite, but Yusuke didn't buy it, or accept the handshake.
"So, you mean we've just been chasing after your shadow this whole time?"
Sensui smiled, and Yusuke started to laugh. Instead of returning Sensui's greeting, he (predictably) swung a fist.
Sensui sidestepped the attack, seized Yusuke's wrist and twisted it hard before hurling him to the floor.
"Yusuke!" Sakura whimpered.
Sensui stomped his foot into Yusuke's torso, and before anyone could react, he jammed the tip of his gun into Yusuke's cheek and pinned him to the ground.
"No, he's gonna kill him!" Kuwabara yelled.
That assumption proved incorrect. As Yusuke tried to get his breath back, Sensui took the boy's hand and completed the handshake he'd started.
"The pleasure's mine."
The sight was crazy. Beyond insane. Assaulting Yusuke like that just to complete a handshake? What on earth was with this guy?
"Get away from him!" Sakura cried.
Sensui raised a brow and turned to her. "Oh, of course. You must be Sakura."
Sakura didn't dare reply.
"I'm afraid I can't see you very well in the darkness," Sensui said. "Ghost? Would you be so kind as to bring her over?"
"Yes, sir," Haruki started hauling Sakura across to Sensui.
"Come on, honey. It's alright, I promise."
"Haruki, no. I don't want -"
"It's not a big deal, honey. He just wants to say hello…that's a good girl, come on over, nice and quiet."
Kurama's nails dug into his palms until he drew blood. The helplessness was eating him alive. Seeing his precious flower so frightened, watching her being manhandled towards that psychopath…he couldn't stand it.
Yusuke shot a deadly look at Sensui. "Don't you dare - ungh!"
Sensui pressed down on his stomach again, hard.
Haruki finally reached Sensui and bowed his head. "Here, sir. She's honoured to meet you."
Though utterly terrified, this was such a lie Sakura fought the momentary urge to laugh.
"Sakura Urameshi," Sensui murmured. "Face to face at last."
Sakura shuddered as he looked her up and down like she was some display in an art gallery.
"My colleagues have all spun tales of your beauty," he said. "And I can see now, those tales were a gross understatement."
So saying, he took her left hand and planted a delicate kiss on it.
Kurama growled. Even Haruki twitched with annoyance at the gesture, but held his tongue.
"I'm truly delighted to meet you," Sensui continued. "And while we're on the subject…"
Sensui lifted Sakura's hand into the light and admired the glittering stone on her finger.
"Congratulations, my boy," he grinned at Haruki. "You have indeed chosen well."
Kurama's growl turned to a furious hissing.
"I'm very aware, Mr Sensui," Haruki smirked. "The most perfect porcelain doll in existence."
More tears fell from Sakura's eyes. Livid, Kurama opened his mouth at the same moment Yusuke sat up.
"BASTARD!" he roared.
His punch caught nothing but air. Sensui had already dodged and was striding away towards Uraotoko.
"Itsuki, may I have the arms and spare clothes?"
Two eyeball covered arms vanished from behind Itsuki and brought the requested items.
Haruki chuckled. "We should move away, honey. Come on…"
Kurama closed his eyes and forced his blood pressure down. It'll be alright, my love. I promise.
I love you, Kurama. I love you so much.
Her tormented voice broke his heart.
"It's so weird," Mitari said. "I've never seen Mr Sensui like this."
"Yes, his countenance has changed from before," Kurama said, forcing himself to remain calm. "I dare say he sounds innocent."
"That's because he is," Itsuki murmured. "In his reality, Shinobu has never committed a crime. He knows his other sides have done wrong, but he's separated from it, able to blame them and grieve for what they've done while realising it's necessary. Such a complex side. I guess that's why I like him the most."
Hiei scowled at him.
"What? That doesn't make sense. If this side's so damn pure, how did he get away with hurting Urameshi?" Kuwabara spluttered. "Not that it matters. Just going by this new name can't make him any stronger, right? Don't worry, Urameshi! Whoever he says he is, it's all part of the same Sensui. You can take him out!"
Yusuke didn't say anything. He couldn't. From the moment he laid eyes on Sensui, he wondered what was up, and now he knew. The Sensui he was staring at now was definitely the spider lurking under the rock. The
I sensed it the first time I met him in the city. He's been hiding something. His curveball. And now I can tell. He's finally ready for the wind up. Definitely something more than the rest of his peanut gallery.
"Yusuke…" Sakura blinked her tears away. "Please, be careful."
Itsuki's demonic arms slipped back to their master, their job completed. The gun on Sensui's arm had been replaced with his original human limb and a replacement black shirt slipped over his head.
Yusuke steeled himself. All bets were off. A new game was starting from this point.
"This is gonna be fun."
"Be honest. Are you still strong enough to face me?" Sensui asked.
"A funny thing about that," Yusuke said. "I did a little power inventory, and it turns out I have exactly enough to cream your face into the wall."
"Oh?" Sensui grinned. "You mean you really believe that's possible?"
To the shock of almost everyone, Sensui's eyes flashed bright yellow. He threw his head back and unleashed the most crazed and unhinged laughter imaginable.
Sakura's heart skipped a beat. This is bad. This is really, REALLY bad!
The tunnel was minutes from opening, and if Yusuke was facing the original and purest personality in Sensui's fractured mind, disaster surely awaited.
Shinobu must have something the other personalities don't. What could it be?!
As far as Sakura knew, she only had one option. Even if it resulted in punishment, even if she could hardly stand, she had to try.
Sakura forced her eyes open and called, "NARU!"
The laughter died down immediately.
"Naru, listen to me! Come on, come out and play with me!"
Squirt, what the hell are you doing?!
Sensui turned his head very slowly towards Sakura.
"I thought we were friends!" Sakura called. "Please, Naru. Come and play!"
There was a growl behind him, and Kurama turned quickly to find Itsuki smouldering.
"The hell is your problem?" Kuwabara frowned.
"This can't be," Itsuki hissed. "I alone see Naru. How does this girl…this child, have the audacity…?"
Ice flooded Kurama's veins and judging by the atmosphere, his friends were having a similar reaction.
Kurama, do you sense that? Hiei asked.
Yes. Kurama admitted. He's powering up. I fear something awful is coming.
"I'm afraid Naru can't come out right now, Sakura," Sensui said. "She's not one for fighting. Perhaps later."
"You don't have to fight, Naru. I promise! I just want to play. That's what friends do, remember? I said I would-"
"Enough!" Haruki whirled Sakura around and shook her fiercely. "Leave it, honey. You heard Mr Sensui."
"Oh my God, stop touching her you shithead!" Yusuke yelled.
"We've been over this already, Detective. I don't take orders from you!"
"It's called hands to yourself, asshole! Didn't mommy teach you that?"
"I'll do whatever I damn well want to! She belongs to me!"
"What do you think she is, a stuffed animal for your collection? She doesn't belong to anyone, 'specially not your crazy ass! Just get away from my sister already!"
"I'm sick of that lie! She is NOT your-"
"Yusuke, stop," Sakura began. "I'm ok, I-"
Her legs gave way from under her.
"Kura!"
Yusuke, please!
"Honey?!"
As Haruki caught her in time, Sakura forced herself to look Sensui in the eye and said, "I want to…talk…to Naru. We're friends."
"Liar!" Itsuki spat. "You can't be. Naru appears to me alone!"
"Hate to…break it…to you, Itsuki. But you're…dead wrong."
Haruki winced at the sound of Itsuki's anger. "Honey, stop it!"
It was too late. Itsuki's aura exploded. The force of it knocked the boys to the ground.
Fear gripped Kurama. "Kura!"
"You will pay dearly for that!" Itsuki began, when a stronger voice cut him off.
"That is quite enough," Sensui said. "Let's all calm down. Our business is far from complete. Miss Urameshi, Naru is resting now. She knows we have to finish this battle first."
"Fine!" Yusuke yelled from the ground. "Let's go! It's about time you got on with it!"
"I'll be with you in a moment, Yusuke. One small thing first…"
Sensui glanced back at the tunnel, and the timer.
"Itsuki? I do believe the time has come."
"I quite agree," Itsuki seethed. "Ghost, you know what to do."
A wave of panic crashed over Sakura. Were they about to invade her mind and take control of her telepathy?
From the look on Sensui's face and the horrified yelling of her friends, she knew the answer was yes.
"No," Yusuke looked between Sensui and his sister. "It's not happening. There's no way in hell I'm gonna let you -!"
Haruki smirked and whispered, "Too late, Spirit Detective. Now honey, we're just going to -"
But then he stopped and looked down. He went pale.
"No…no, no!"
Haruki moved his foot and raised something into his hand with telekinesis. A small object covered in deep cracks and dripping liquid…
Sakyo's cigarette lighter.
"How did this get here?! How?!"
"Guess your pocket has a hole in it." Yusuke snipped. If Haruki found out Sakura had taken it, let alone used it as a weapon, she was doomed.
"No, no…Mr Sakyo, I'm sorry!"
Sakura crumpled to the ground as Haruki clutched the lighter to his chest with both hands.
"I'm sorry, Mr Sakyo. Forgive me, please!"
"Jeez, settle down," Kuwabara said. "It's just a lighter."
"SHUT UP!" Haruki roared. "IT'S ALL I HAD LEFT OF HIM!"
Practically hyperventilating, he too collapsed on his knees. "No…no…this can't be happening!"
"On your feet, Haruki," Sensui ordered. "The mission. Complete Sakyo's mission. That's what he commanded, right? You don't want to let him down."
Haruki's body tensed, then relaxed. He raised his head.
"No, sir."
Yusuke and the boys inside Uraotoko gasped. Haruki's eyes might be blank and glassy, but they saw the truth. Something had broken behind them.
"Didn't we promise you that as long as you followed our instructions, you'd have everything you wanted? And more?"
"Yes, sir," Haruki deadpanned.
"Remember your purpose," Sensui said. "Remember what this is all about. She is the final piece in our game. Once your work is completed, she's all yours."
"Yes, sir."
Again, the boys erupted. "LIKE HELL SHE IS!"
"That's NOT happening!"
"Mr Haruki, stop it!"
"Don't you dare!"
Haruki seized handfuls of his own hair. "The mission. Nothing matters but the mission!"
Sensui nodded. "It's time, boy. Do what you must."
Haruki turned to Sakura. "Yes, sir."
"Haruki," Sakura whispered. "Don't do it. Please."
Kurama's heart pounded, but he paused. Behind the quiet desperation, Sakura's voice was filled with pity.
Why?
Before he could even begin to figure it out, Haruki stood up.
"Mr Itsuki, are you ready?"
"Of course," Itsuki glared. "Give the girl to me."
"Yes, sir." Haruki bent down and swept Sakura into his arms.
"What are you doing?!" Yusuke demanded. "What the hell are you doing to her?!"
"Hands off!" Kuwabara bellowed. "What kind of man are you?!"
Haruki ignored them. "Come on, honey. It's time."
"No," Sakura protested. "No, I won't do it. I won't be used!"
"Put her down!" Kurama shouted.
Again, Haruki ignored him. "It'll only hurt for a moment, alright? Then you won't feel a thing."
"NO!" Sakura shoved at his chest, though in her state it was little more than a gentle stroke. "Haruki, no, I don't want this! Please!"
"Don't worry, my little porcelain doll. I promise you'll be perfectly fine."
"NO!" Yusuke and Kuwabara yelled simultaneously. Hiei and Mitari gasped.
"Trust me honey," Haruki smiled. "It's for the best."
And with that, he threw her towards the lake.
"Kura!"
A second before she hit the water, Uraotoko's giant shadow hand materialised and snatched her out of the air.
"STOP!" Yusuke screamed, at least until Sensui pressed down into his stomach again.
"What is this?" Sakura cried frantically.
"What has to happen, Miss Urameshi," Itsuki said. "You know this as well as I do."
"NO! I won't do it. I won't call the S-class demons! I won't!"
"You have no choice, Sakura. From this point, I am in control!"
"Don't do this!" Kurama said. "Forcing her power to such heights is beyond hazardous, especially in that condition. You could kill her!"
Itsuki smiled. "It's possible. But sometimes, sacrifices are necessary."
The boys were all paralysed with anger. Even Hiei couldn't hide it. Every cell in their bodies shrieked for action, begging them to kill Itsuki and stop him from doing this.
But they couldn't.
"Ghost?" Itsuki laughed, and with a wave of his hand, Uraotoko threw Sakura into the air.
Haruki shouted, "Binding Shadow Cords!"
Those thin black tendrils twisted out of his hands and spiralled upwards. In the blink of an eye, the boys realised what was happening. The shadow cords entangled Sakura's body and strung her upside down over the battlefield in a deadly web.
"No!" Kurama hammered on the walls of their prison. "No, KURA!"
Everyone else was screaming and yelling as well, but Kurama barely heard them. He could only watch in a blind panic while Sakura thrashed against her bonds to no avail.
"I won't do it, I WON'T! Let me down!"
"Itsuki, start the process," Sensui called over the commotion. "Call them forward!"
Itsuki flashed a horrid smile at the boys. His gaze lingered on Kurama for several seconds before directing back on Sakura.
"Stop struggling, Miss Urameshi. This will be much less painful if you relax."
"Screw…you!" Sakura panted. Even now, she wasn't giving up. "If you think I'll let you in without a fight, you're wrong!"
"I'm sure you'll try. But you will fail."
"You'll regret this," Sakura spat as two of Itsuki's demon hands appeared at her side.
Kurama's eyes began stinging. His worst nightmare was coming true before his eyes.
"Hold on, Kura. Just hold on…!"
"Kurama…" Sakura turned her head as much as she could. "I love you."
As soon as the words left her mouth, the hands attached themselves to her forehead.
"Do it, Itsuki!" Sensui said. "Use her power!"
Sakura shrieked from the excruciating pain that shot through her body. White hot knives pierced into her skull and carved a giant hole large enough for an invader to climb through.
No, I won't let you!
She fought back, pushing against the intrusion with all her might. The drugs and abuse she'd suffered had weakened her defences, but she kept going.
I have to stop him. I have to!
As long as she could hold her shield, there was a chance. A small chance of repelling Itsuki long enough for Yusuke to win.
Nice try, Miss Urameshi. But your pitiful resistance is no match for me.
In the distance, Kurama, Yusuke and her friends called for her, but Sakura's grip on reality faded while the blades hacked away. They sliced through her subconscious, shattered the protective barrier from her training and finally breached through to the centre.
And just like that, it was over. The pain vanished and everything went black. Sakura hung limp in the net, unconscious and unable to prevent anything.
Itsuki laughed and admired his handiwork. He'd done it. Only the slightest effort had allowed access to Sakura Urameshi's mind.
Her power spread out before him in a delicious array of weapons that he could now wield any way he chose. Once he found the correct threads, of course.
Such talent. Such strength. Imagine what she could accomplish with the proper instruction. But for now, my own power will suffice.
Itsuki smiled to himself.
It's time.
Demon energy flaring, he rose up and plunged below the surface.
A.N. *collapses on desk* oh boy, here we go.
It's happened. Itsuki has infiltrated Sakura's mind with the intention of calling the S-Class demons to destroy humanity. What on earth will happen next?
Now, since I'm pretty sure emotions will be running a little high after all this, I'm going into my bunker to work on the next chapter (which will be insane!). Don't forget to leave a review, and we'll see you soon!
Rosentic xx