I'm sure someone won't be happy at the end of this chapter. But, sour grapes... Other than that, there's a bit of foreboding at the very end if anyone can pick up on it awesome! If not that's twice as awesome! Anyways I'm done here, moving on...
Ryu felt his mind slipping. Something was making everything murky, he only craved battle and revenge. He wasn't sure what just happened, but he knew it was disastrous and one or more of his Sekirei were effected by it. Slowly he clambered up to his feet, wearily glancing around-his eyes a deep shade of black no longer a violet. Everyone was down except for Karasuba who looked on with great interest, and Koto who was standing up. "You..." A growl vibrated at the back of his throat.
"I don't know what you did..." Koto shook his head clearing it of all the fuzziness and flashes. He hadn't been expecting that-whatever that was. He knew it came from Ryu, the fool did something he shouldn't have done. What that was he wouldn't begin to guess. Hissing in pain, he snapped his broken arm back into place. "But, whatever you did it just pissed me off." Koto glared at him. "That is something you are going to regret."
Ryu scowled at the orange haired man. He had no idea what Koto was going on about, if he knew he wouldn't even make a response. But, he didn't know and Koto going on about was pissing him off. The fact Koto was still standing there after everything he has thrown at him pissed him off. "Let's go." Ryu said to him, shifting into a stance sheathing his sword in its scabbard. "This fight is going to end."
Koto clenched the hilt of his sword, bending at his knees. He didn't want the fight to end based on handicaps. His arm was broken, Ryu's ribs were broken, something wasn't right with him. He had more honor than some of his comrades, but he could appreciate Ryu. He let a small smirk grace his face as he settled into a stance. "Fine by me." Koto remarked. "Let's end this!"
The two shot towards each other, Ryu drawing his sword in a fluid motion as Koto swung down with all of his strength. Their blades slammed into each other, Ryu gritted his teeth forcing Koto's blade up by a few inches. He was pressed-dodging the downward slash and jumping back. As soon as his feet hit the cement he shot back at Koto gripping his hilt with two hands and swung from the side. Koto shifted his stance back, deflecting the slash, and jumping forward getting into Ryu's guard, but the dark haired man swayed passed the thrust that would have impaled him and retaliated with a tight arc that Koto ducked under.
With the slash dodged, Koto jumped back distancing himself from Ryu. He grunted as a jolt of agony shot through his arm, he ignored the nagging pain formulating a strategy. He was one arm down-not that he needed to wield his sword with both hands. However, his broken arm was going to be one factor he couldn't fix, he'd need to avoid any hits coming to that arm. With a plan in mind Koto lunged for Ryu.
Ryu ran towards Koto, focusing his energy into his powerful legs. He jumped off the cement slashing downward aiming to slice Koto in two, but Koto dodged at the last second parrying the move, causing Ryu to stumble from his gathered momentum. With an opening now present, Koto turned sharply, lashing out with one arm, his blade slashing into Ryu's back drawing a pained grunt from the man. Koto didn't have much time to celebrate as Ryu launched himself up and over swinging his arm in a tight curve, Koto dodged the vicious attack aimed for his neck, but it nicked him on the chest drawing blood. Ryu landed on the ground shakily, staggering back as he balanced himself.
They dashed towards each other again, a silhouette of flashing steel and movement surrounding them-where they were moving at break neck speeds. Even with one arm down Koto still pressed Ryu to dodge and block putting all of his strength behind his swings, forcing Ryu to evade some of them entirely. He continued pressing his attack dashing and springing across the ground trying to find an opening to deal the death blow. Ryu was faring much better than one would think with broken ribs, his breaths were pained and wheezed, but she didn't seem to even notice it-or just wasn't focusing on it. Ryu pressed his own attack blocking and deflecting blows that got too close, jarring his bones and making him grunt in exertion, several he had to evade entirely not taking the chance of trying to block them.
When that happened Koto would lunge forward to go for the opening it created, but Ryu was quick blocking the blow or dodging it retaliating with his own brutal slash which Koto promptly parried or ducked under. They went back and forth sprinting and springing across the cement in a show of dexterity, agility, and strength; it'd make gymansts turn green with envy and faint from jealousy. No matter how much Ryu flipped, dodged, and slashed Koto had his moves read and dodged or blocked them lashing out with his own strikes but Ryu swayed and weaved around his stabs jumping back from his slashes.
It was a deadly dance of steel. A deadly game of chance. Ryu and Koto battled back and forth dodging slashes aimed to take off the other's head and swaying passed stabs aimed for their liver and heart. They ducked and dodged, bracing themselves whenever their broken limbs were targeted resulting in all grunts to shouts of pain. However, they kept fighting ignoring their pain and injuries the best they could. Nothing was going to stop the battle from coming to an end, they'd both see to that.
They clashed in the middle, pushing against the other. With grunts of exertion they powered through respectively spinning a near three hundred and sixty degrees and struck out, both tearing a cut across the other's stomach, momentarily shocked and the pain registering they jumped back from each other landing a few feet away. Ryu's injuries were starting to catch up to him, he needed to breathe-and was but the breaths were sharp, quick, and painful. He cupped a hand over his mouth as blood seeped through his fingers, hoarse coughs sounding from him.
"He's using more strength than his body can compensate for..." Koto muttered as he watched Ryu choking and wheezing struggling to get his breathing back to even. This was an opening-the opening he needed so badly, with one powerful lunge he could close their gap and impale Ryu while he was still choking on his own blood. Koto shook his head at the thought. No way... He wasn't going to sneak in an attack, it would end this fight that destroyed the entire bridge just about, but this was going to end clean. There'd be one winner, one loser.
Damn it... Ryu snapped mentally, unable to do it verbally since he was a second away from choking on his blood. His breathing was getting harder to control and regulate, what little pace he was keeping at it was slowly slipping away back into its erratic pattern that caused his lungs to literally burn in protest with even the smallest breath. Ignoring the pain was much easier said than done in this case, he inhaled through his mouth, spitting out handfuls of blood, gasping. That's better... Not by much, but I'm not choking anymore...
"Musubi-san!" Minato exclaimed as he trudged over towards the buxom Sekirei laid flat on her back a few inches from Ahiko and Benitsubasa. He could hardly stand and his mind was fuzzy for some reason and reeling, he struggled to ignore it. His concern for Musubi over riding everything else. He wrapped both arms around her torso, bringing her into a tight embrace. "No I was too late!" He cried, burying his face in her bosoms whimpering softly. "Damn it, if only I wasn't so useless... I should have been fighting alongside her, not just sitting back...!" It was too late now though, he couldn't fight with her, Musubi was gone.
A pained cough hit his ears. Minato dared to hope, slowly he raised his head looking into Musubi's bright and weary eyes. "Ugh, Minato-san." She groaned in pain struggling to move an arm, but the limb didn't obey the command at all. "Too tight!" She whined. Taking the hint Minato slowly set her back on the ground, keeping one arm on her shoulder as he fought to keep his composure.
"Musubi-san I thought you were..." Minato gulped, unable to gather the nerve to voice his dark thoughts.
"Heheh..." Ahiko laughed before moaning for a few seconds, pain evident on her features. She barely kept one eye open as she spoke. "You didn't check if her crest was gone did you?" Minato froze in place. Now he just felt plain stupid. He began to over react and assume the worse but he forgot to check the most important thing. His mind was fuzzy and weary and he could only think of the worse. Ahiko chuckled, regretting it as a second after she went into a fit of coughs. "You're quite the person, Minato-san..." Ahiko's eyes fluttered for a second before she passed out.
"Ahiko-san!"
"Minato-san she's okay." Musubi assured in a soft voice. "Just a bit... Tired..." It was Musubi's turn to pass out. Minato's worry wasn't quelled in the least however, his focus turned to Kuruse who was lying face down on the cement Yomi and Yashima were just inches away from her the trio still as ice. Without a second thought he ran as fast as he could towards them, kneeling in front of Kuruse, frantically checking for her crest.
"Thanks goodness..." He heaved a sigh of relief as the strange crest was indeed still there. Slowly and carefully Minato turned her over onto her back, the auburn haired girl groaned softly, blinking her eyes open but shut them just as fast, Her head was pounding, and everything was fuzzy, must have been from her blood loss and wounds. Minato flicked his gaze around, spotting Toyotama and Nanaha face down on the cement several feet away, Tsukiumi and Haihane were buried under debris both of them struggling to gather their wits.
"Minato-san?" Kuruse whispered, feeling the warmth of his hands caressing her bleeding and battered body. It was strangely intimate. "Are you okay?"
"I should be asking you that." Minato couldn't help but chuckle. "I'm fine, just need a minute. Better than before now that I know you're okay." He turned his eyes back on Yomi and Yashima. "Will they be..."
Kuruse didn't respond, she didn't have the heart to say it. She had her misgivings about them, just like the others. But, they fought side by side, and that was one thing she couldn't and wouldn't just drop. That was the most bonding experience she and her sisters could experience. "This is all my fault..." Minato seethed in anger and sadness. "What am I going to tell Ryu-san..."
Karasuba fingered the hilt of her sword in anticipation. Her blood was pumping, her heart raging. She could feel she was near, waiting to attack. The Black Sekirei turned her gaze onto Ryu and Koto who were back to their deadly clash, swords flying and cutting through the gap between them. Anyone else wouldn't be able to follow them, but she could see each move as if they were moving in slow motion.
She had to admit she was happy to see Ryu drop his restraints and unleash his full killing intent. It had been so long since she seen him lose control-it was well worth it she deduced as her Ashikab slashed and cut viciously at Koto, who continued to dodge and block the frenzied attack. Before Ryu was much more conservative in his attacks not willing to risk a chance, but now he was brazen. "You see you old fool..." She spoke to no one in particular, turning her focus upward not flinching as the rain drops pelted her face. "This 'love' you always went on about leads to only one thing. The first is my sword being jammed through your chest, and the next is this." She laughed softly, she could see the look on her face.
A ring of steel brought her back to the vicious fight going on in front of her. Yes, if only she could see the look on her face now. Seeing that disappointed frown, those pursed lips, and the lectures to follow. Simply put it was too delightful.
"Will you come out and play?" Karasuba asked, gazing around for a long moment. "Or will you wait until these two kill each other?" She chuckled. "The clock is ticking now, time... Time, and you don't have enough time."
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"Give it up!" Koto snapped, dodging a thrust and retaliating with his own thrust. Sliding inches from Ryu as the dark haired man narrowly dodged the stab, and swung at his waist, sword cleaving towards Koto. Koto jumped over it, spinning and lashed out with his leg, cracking Ryu across the jaw sending blood flying from it. "This fight is over! Those two cowards back there will. Not. Escape!"
"This is far from over!" Ryu snarled. "Not until you're dead at my feet!"
"You're taking my line now!" Koto snarled right back. "Your death is assured by my hands!"
"RAAAHHH!" The two shouted, shooting towards each other exchanging fast and rapid swings, blades clanging and shrieking through the air as if crying out. Ryu lunged forward, swinging down for Koto's shoulder, but the orange haired man was quick on his feet sidestepping the attack, lashing out with his blade. Grunting, Ryu jumped back to avoid the strike. Koto pursued with deftly speed, stabbing forward again.
Ryu didn't dodge or side step the attack. This time he turned, swinging up with two hands on his hilt, his blade slamming into Koto's forcing it upward. Koto grunted, pressing down with crushing force to balance out their struggle, but that's what Ryu was expecting, and he turned, their blades shrieked as the clash was abruptly put to a halt, off balance by just a few inches Ryu took advantage of the opening, kicking Koto in the ribs sending him flying back.
Grunting, Ryu lunged after him swinging for his head. Koto already recovered ducked under the vicious swing, and snapped his fist forward, slamming it into the center of Ryu's stomach forcing a choked gasp to escape from his lips. Ryu staggered back, eyes almost bulging as one hand moved towards his stomach. Koto grunted softly, wiping the blood staining his vision with his good arm, staring at it for a moment.
Meanwhile Ryu struggled to catch his breath, the punch Koto landed doing much more than just winding him. He massaged his stomach gingerly, gagging horribly as another handful of blood escaped from his mouth, scratching the back of his throat with its metallic taste. "Hrgghh..." He narrowed his eyes, focusing on his lungs-ignoring the burning pain and inhaled sharply, shaking his head to clear the fuzziness. "Damn it..." He seethed in anger.
"Stubborn bastard." Koto grunted, watching Ryu maintain his standing posture despite retching out a hoarse cough. He could feel irritation slowly coming to play, his blood rushed with anticipation and his teeth were slowly starting to grit together. "He's still standing after that punch, hate to say it but that is incredible..." He muttered to himself. That last punch had enough force behind it to rupture his liver, thus ending his life in a few short hours due to toxins entering his bloodstream. While the punch had an effect, it's not the one he desired. Slowly, he slid his feet apart, keeping his sword just below parallel, his eyes glinting as he locked them onto Ryu.
Ryu clenched his teeth, gripping his sword in both hands as he panted, keeping the sword just below his nose and to his right. His eyes narrowed as they flashed with rage. This was it...
No more tricks. No more last second moves. It'd be one blow that decided it. Life or death...
"I see why Karasuba decided to make you her Ashikabi." Koto remarked, taking a deep breath. "You are a strange one, powerful. I'll give you that much, but this is the end of the road!"
They lunged towards each other, exchanging several high speed slashes, darting to side. Koto forcing more energy into his legs as Ryu ran opposite of him increasing his own speed. "RAAHH!" Ryu exclaimed, putting on another burst of speed, water flying behind and around him as he launched himself off of the ground, closing the distance between him and Koto, swinging with all of his strength. Koto grunted, slamming his blade into Ryu's feeling it vibrate for a second as they glared at one another.
Ryu won the struggle, pushing off with the balls of his feet following through, Koto flew back keeping close track of Ryu's movements, and he swung as Ryu jumped towards him, his blade seemingly making contact. Koto snapped his head up, spotting Ryu flying down from several feet-going for a downward slash. Koto snarled, launching himself up towards Ryu, thrusting his arm forward, their blades about to collide.
They didn't clash. They didn't collide.
Both Koto and Ryu were sent in flying opposite directions by a powerful impact, both of them could only catch the flash of a figure in black. Koto flipped rapidly, feet slamming onto the cement, he barely forced himself to a halt, glowering at the sky. Ryu wasn't so nmble however, his wounds catching up to him, he slammed spine first into a steel beam, knocking the support structure to the water below, hitting the ground face first.
"Who in the hell!?" Koto growled, but any words that were about to fly out were stopped short. Even his breath hitched as he looked into big and brown eyes shimmering with warmth. "It's..." He swallowed. "You..."
Ryu struggled to stand up, stabbing his sword into the cement supporting himself against it. Slowly, he made it to a standing base glaring at the person who got in his way, the person who hit him into a steel beam. "Is that all you've got!?" He demanded, taking a shaky step forward. "I'll kill you!" He roared, dashing for the figure dressed in black, taking note of the Sekirei symbol on the back of the haori, and he swung with all of his might, going right for her head.
The figure seemed to vanish completely, lashing out with a fist. Ryu only had time to widen his eyes before he let out a choked scream as he felt the thunderous impact smash into his ribs, launching him back into another steel beam. Blood gushed from his mouth streaking down the sides of it, he fell to the ground struggling to move an inch, growling like a caged animal. "I'm not finished..." His eyes fluttered and finally he blacked out, unmoving.
Koto turned hearing the sound of footsteps approaching him. He turned, spotting Karasuba striding at a leisurely pace with a crazed grin on her face. "Well, well... You finally decide to show your face after all of this time, and here I thought you were a coward. Guess I was wrong about that." She chuckled. "I was also wrong that you sacrificed your own life to save Musubi, you have no idea how angry I was..."
The figure frowned a bit. Obviously it was a woman. Her hime styled hair and one long strand of hair highlighted her face, her thigh high black high heeled boots covered up her luscious and shapely legs, her maroon miniskirt protected her modesty, her tight fitting black leather top covered her proportioned and shapely breasts-it became evident she was wearing the same outfit as Karasuba except instead of a gray haori she wore a cape and had the same and the utility belt, but there was one difference and that was her mixed martial arts gloves were printed with 08 on the back of her hands. "Karasuba-san..." Her voice was tender and soft. Silky one could say. "I would think having an Ashikabi would have changed you and your views, I guess not. Were you going to let him and Koto-kun kill each other?"
Karasuba laughed loudly, her grin widening. "That's rich, how I have forgotten what your lectures are like..." She fingered the hilt of her sword, her gray eyes locking onto the woman's brown eyes. "Number 08 Yume, would it matter if that was my intention? Seeing as you put an end to the exciting battle it doesn't matter if that was my intention or not. I just knew you'd step in..."
"That's all that matters!" Yume pressed, frowning. "Your intention is the only thing that matters! You'd let your Ashikabi die!?"
"Shut up already..." Karasuba sighed, raking a hand through her soaking wet hair. "Of course I wasn't going to let him die-that would mean I would die as well, and I can't have that! I figured you'd come prancing along and breaking these two up..." She peered over at Ryu who had yet to move an inch, a pool of blood slowly forming under him. "Though my Ashikabi didn't agree with you on that choice in particular."
"I had no choice..." Yume glanced over at Ryu, worry swimming in her eyes for a moment. "He was out of control."
"That's just the way I like him." Karasuba retorted with the same crazed grin, almost doubling over in laughter seeing the look of appall Yume gave her hearing those words come out of her mouth. It was all too delightful, after all of these years Yume was still spouting the same bullshit as before, it used to make her sick to point of vomiting, but now it was just amusing. "He usually keeps himself in control, moments like this are a rarity and I do enjoy seeing him snap. You ruined it though."
"I'm not going to allow that!" Yume frowned. "He and Koto-kun would have killed each other if that went on for a second longer!"
"You're bullshit is getting on my nerves..." Karasuba drew her sword, pointing it forward menacingly. "Things are different this time Yume." Licking her lips, she set herself into a tight stance, keeping her sword gripped tightly in both hands. "I have emerged, you won't be sitting on your pedestal anymore!" She took twp steps forward, soaking in the battle damaged bridge and the tense atmosphere.
"Karasuba-san..." Yume grimaced. "Have you no love for him!?"
"That is none of your concern!" Karasuba snapped. "All you need to know is I've gotten so much stronger thanks to him!"
"So he is just a tool?" Yume's frown deepened, her fists tightening. "A means to an end?"
"Take it for whatever you will, Yume, I've heard enough of your bullshit." Karasuba spat, glowering at her. "If you have anything to say to me say it through your fists!" Karasuba jumped forward, disappearing completely from sight. She wasn't going to give Yume anymore time to retort-she'd fight!
Yume tensed for a second before snapping her head to the side, narrowly evading the tip of the sword being jammed into her forehead, she swayed swiftly and with a gentle grace dodging Karasuba's violent and abrasive stabs. Karasuba bolted towards her, slashing in a tight arc, Yume jumped up and over the attack, flipping in midair.
Karasuba beamed after her, stabbing forward again. Yume barely making a landing dodged the stab, lashing out with a fist, Karasuba sidestepped her attack retaliating with a vicious slash which Yume ducked under, hand planting perfectly distancing herself from the Black Sekirei.
However, Karasuba was already in front of her and this time slashed and stabbed with unmatched ferocity, Yume's eyes widened briefly as she snapped her head from side to side evading her blade by fractions of an inch. She parried a downward slash. turning on the balls of her feet and lashed out with a hook, at the same time Karasuba skewed her trajectory by an inch bringing her sword back and up. Their attacks didn't meet their mark as both dodged at the same time, jumping away from the other.
"I've waited so long!" Karasuba shouted, dashing forward at blistering speeds and stabbed for Yume's neck. The Sekirei of Fate ducked under the swift attack, sliding her foot to the side while retracting her other one at the same time, successfully distancing herself. "What's the matter Yume!? Am I too much for you!?" Karasuba gave a crazed grin, jumping forward, vanishing completely. Yume frowned, dashing towards her, vanishing completely it seemed. The two shot across the bridge in quick instances their movements barely able to be traced, Karasuba was swift and abrasive in her attacks each attack led to another and she skewed her aim by a few inches, retracting her blade in an instant.
Yume was more fluid and graceful compared to Karasuba's aggressive and abrasive movements, she swayed from side to side dodging at the last second lashing out with a combination of punches which Karasuba easily parried or avoided. "I am not your enemy Karasuba-san." Yume said, dodging another stab feeling the wing rush passed her cheek. "The one you should be weary of is who is pulling the strings for his own amusement." She snapped her fist out, slamming it into Karasuba's sword, both of them struggling to break the stalemate, finally they powered through respectively jumping back and away from the other.
"Yume... You haven't changed..." Karasuba laughed, wiping away droplets of water from her eyes. "However, you seemed to have gotten weaker. You've lost your step!"
"I have not." Yume frowned, sliding into a stance, extending one arm forward her palm facing outward. "It saddens me that even with an Ashikabi you've willingly stayed in the darkness..." She grunted, focusing her energy into the palm of her hand. A light pink aura flared around her completely enveloping her, cracking the cement for dozens of feet around her, slowly a sphere formed in the center of her palm flickering with vibrant pink-red energy. "Ether blast!" She shouted, the energy coalescing in her palm, and shooting outwards in a violent stream.
"That's more like it!" Karasuba shouted, forcing energy into her hands, and swung with all of her might. Her blade slammed into the blast of light, vibrating instantly as the impact drove her back. She grunted, digging her boots into the cement to slow her sliding, but it didn't do any good, the cement was too slicked and while she halted herself for a few seconds the blast pushed her back steadily. Karasuba grinned, her blood rushing like a volcano, her heart thudding in her chest, she felt alive, exhilarated this is what she had been waiting for!
She let out a crazed laugh, her blood burning hotter than the sun, her nether regions tingling from excitement, she glanced behind her noting she was almost on the other side. "RAAAHHHHH!" She screamed, forcing her sword forward, the blade snapping in two as the blast was severed by her blade, streaking off in opposite directions exploding in a blaze of light behind her. "I can feel it!" She roared, advancing towards Yume steadily. "My blood is rushing! My heart is pounding! This is what I've waited for."
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"Koto-kun!" The orange hared Sekirei turned in the direction of the voice, watching Luna crouch next to him with worry in her eyes. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." He insisted, looking at her wound in her side. "You?"
"Just missed my vital organs." She indicated to the wounds steadily dripping with blood. "Those two were more skilled and resourceful than I thought..." She paused looking at Yume-who was standing several feet away from them staring ahead at Karasuba. "Is that?"
"It is..." Koto nodded, keeping a growl down.
"I thought she was..."
"We all did..." Koto frowned. "Evidently, there's something Minaka wasn't telling us."
"I hate to sound stupid." Luna leaned into him as he supported her with his good arm. "What do we do now?"
"Keep an eye on those two cowards. They will not escape."
Karasuba stopped her advancing as she was just a few feet from Yume, the younger Sekirei staring at her. She took a deep breath, shivering in pleasure as a tingle went down her spine. "You've gotten stronger it seems. I am impressed Yume." Karasuba chuckled, glancing at her broken sword with mild interest flicking her eyes back to Yume.
"This fight is over." Yume said. "Your sword is-"
"This battle has only begun!" Karasuba snapped, cutting her off. "Damn MBI I shouldn't expect those monkeys know anything about crafting a true sword." She spat, slowly sheathing the broken blade into her scabbard. Then turned her attention onto Yume, grinning ear to ear. "It was fun Yume, I look forward to our next fight... However, if I happen to find any other Sekirei..."
"Leave them out of it!" Yume protested. "It's between you and me!"
"That's where you're wrong..." Karasuba growled, the wind gusting around her blowing her ashen gray hair all over the place. "The winds of change are blowing, Yume. The real fights are going to begin very, very soon." Yume only frowned at her statement displeasure swimming inside of her brown eyes. "You can go ahead and give me that look all you want, it isn't going to change anything..." She grinned devilishly. "Things have already been put into motion." She peered behind Yume. "You may want to get out of the way."
Before Yume could ask what Karasuba was talking about a loud scream caught her attention. "PULVERIZER!" Benitsubasa, barely standing on her feet smashed her right glowing fist into the cement, smashing a hole clean through it. The bridge groaned and whined as spider web cracks shot out in every direction, chipping away at the base which held strong despite the battles raging above. That's when it happened. The steel beams, and hundred upon thousands tons of cement and steel smashed into the water below throwing it up for hundreds of feet, the ground itself trembled as the beam slammed below. "Hahahah!" Benitsubasa let out a crazed laugh, glaring at Kuno and Haruka. "You see!? Now you are not escaping!" Her eyes fluttered for a moment, before she fell on her back letting out a small breath as darkness overtook her.
She may have been beat up, but the bridge was destroyed.
"I'd applaud you..." Karasuba chuckled. "But, you're passed out. Still good work Beni-kun." Karasuba turned to where Yume previously stood only to find she wasn't there. It didn't matter though, they'd be meeting in time.
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Minato recovered from his shock, gaining control over his body again. He had been paralyzed with fear and suspense, before a blinding light eclipsed everything in a blaze of pink and red. That was followed by several earth shaking explosions and shockwaves that knocked him off of his feet. "Is it over?" He dared to ask, everyone was wounded and unconscious save for a few people one being him and Kuruse.
"I... Don't know." Kuruse hesitated. "One thing that is a certainty is the bridge is now destroyed."
"DAMN IT!" Haruka shouted, eyes blazing with anger as he punched the cement , tearing skin from his knuckles. "That's it!? We were so close! Now we can't even escape!" He fumed in frustration, gritting his teeth to hold back a furious scream. Kuno did what she could and massaged his shoulder, she was crushed herself, but what more could they do?
"It's okay... Haruka-san." Kuno leaned into him. "We..."
"This is bullshit!" Haruka snapped, bolting up to his feet in an instant. "We were so close!"
Minato trudged over to Haruka, supporting Kuruse by the waist. He didn't care if his hand was near her breasts or not, he was her support at the moment. "You're ungrateful!" Minato yelled at him, the action causing Kuruse to jolt in shock. She wasn't expecting that. "My Sekirei and Ryu's fought to the death for your and Kuno's freedom, and that's all you have to say!?"
"I..." Haruka looked at the ground. "I just want Kuno to be safe..."
Minato took a breath calming himself. He could understand that heartily, he felt the same way with his own Sekirei. He turned his focus to the destroyed bridge, struggling to think of a plan. "Even if I could get my tridents to go that far it wouldn't do any good." Kuruse spoke up as if reading his mind. She let out a sigh, darkness creeping into the edges of her vision. "Tsukiumi-san doesn't have control of water to that potency either..."
"I may be able to help." Everyone still conscious snapped their head towards the voice. Surprisingly it was Kazehana hovering down towards Minato a smile crossing her face.
"Kazehana-san?" Minato asked, shocked. "What are you doing here?"
"I was watching." She answered coolly. "But, now I know where my heart lies."
"Well, well..." Karasuba spat with venom, standing a few feet from them. "If it's not Minaka's whore! What the hell are you doing here you pathetic and stupid drunk?" She demanded.
Kazehana smiled coyly. "Just this..." She raised her arm, pointing it towards Haruka and Kuno. "Seeing the eloping couple off!" She giggled seeing Karasuba scowl at her, hand going right for her sword, but it was too late. "Flower Dance!" She shouted, a flash of wind surged around her body, darting towards Haruka and Kuno, hefting them up and sprinting them away to the other side while they screamed in shock. The two landed on the cement, taking in the wide gap separating them. "How do you like that?" She questioned.
"I said no one is escaping!" Koto roared, dashing forward at supersonic speeds, darting passed both Kazehana and Karasuba and lunged forward. He narrowed his eyes as he watched Haruka and Kuno make a run for it as he soared across the gap, momentum carrying him and propelling him forward. Damn that stupid bitch! Who the flying fuck does she thinks she is to interfere!?
He snarled mentally making a note to stab Kazehana later if and when he encountered her again. He landed on the other side, and beamed towards the two, slashing for Kuno. "Stupid monkey!" He snapped as his blade cleaved into Haruka's back. Blood splattered from the cut staining his kimono. Kuno ran for Haruka who collapsed, turned towards Koto and opened her mouth about to shriek, but Koto stabbed her side. Kuno screamed in agony as he twisted the blade out, he swung again, but a shriek nearly forced him to his knees-it didn't come from Kuno though.
"Stay away from Kuno! Bastard!" Haruka shouted, panting as his throat ached. "We're not a part of this bullshit game anymore! We're free!"
"You will die!" Koto smashed a fist across Haruka's face, feeling his bones buckle. "You will suffer for insulting Luna!" He lashed out with another swing, slicing Kuno across the chest and Haruka across the stomach. "Lastly you will die for trying to escape!"
"KOTO!" Karasuba roared, the outburst halting him in his swing. "GET BACK HERE NOW!"
"And let them escape?" He demanded. "Like hell I will! I'm going to end them!"
"THAT'S AN ORDER!" Karasuba snapped. "GET BACK HERE. NOW KOTO!"
Haruka coughed struggling to move as Kuno supported him, blood seeping from the wound across her chest. They slowly and painfully advanced away from the enraged Koto who was literally growling like a caged animal. Disobeying a direct order from Karasuba would have horrid results, he never questioned or disobeyed orders, but this was personal.
If these two escaped it'd be a severe blow to his pride-the squad's pride. "Fucking shit!" He snapped, swiping his sword to the side ridding it of their blood and sheathed it swiftly. "You should consider yourselves lucky, if Karasuba wasn't ordering me to go back I'd impale you where you stand." He spat at them, sneering with hatred. "Both of you are pathetic! You're both made for each other. You'll both bleed out in less than five hours. Enjoy your freedom."
Koto was angry-no he was beyond angry. He was downright furious. Haruka that spineless little worm escaped with Kuno. He was back on the other side of the bridge, not to any surprise Yume wasn't around anymore. Not that it was any different than before-pushing aside her he set his eyes on Kazehana. The stupid bitch sent them to the other side this was HER fault!
"Is something wrong?" Kazehana smirked at him.
"You stupid drunk!" Koto snarled, hatred blazing in his eyes. "Heed my warning ALL of you will pay for your part in this. Consider yourselves lucky I can't stab you in the eye right now!" He stomped away from them, grumbling and cursing in a heated fury.
"Awe, someone isn't happy." Kazehana cooed,
"You're as foolish as you are stupid if you think he's joking." Karasuba said lowly, hand tightening around her hilt. "I'd kill you myself if my sword wasn't broken and that retched monkey filth next to you." She stared intently at Minato, eyes boring into his. She chuckled seeing him shrink back in fear. The Black Sekirei turned swiftly striding away with quick steps.
"You've been spared..."
"So have you..."
"Koto-kun..." Luna looked at him with concern. "We need to get your injuries tended to." She noted the rage in his eyes, killing intent oozing off of him cloaking him like a cloud.
"Let's get out of here." He muttered, leaning against her as she leaned into him supporting his weight. "Before I do something I regret..." Luna simply nodded, wrapping both arms around his waist. She knew he was furious, but worse yet his pride-their pride had been trampled on. The sound of helicopters met their ears, neither bothered to look back. They were all going to the same place anyways-the wounded would be hospitalized, the deactivated Sekirei would be put back in their tanks.
Minato finally stumbled from shock and fatigue. Kazehana caught him, gently setting him on the ground, the ronin looking up at her. "You've proven yourself to be quite the man." The Wind Sekirei whispered. "You are my Ashikabi-kun, now, and forever." Minato either from fatigue, shock, or a combination of the two passed out. "I suppose it's been an eventful day."
Minaka stared intently on the numerous screens on his back wall, a crazed grin crossing his face. Interesting to say the least... He mused mentally. "Minaka." The voice on the other end rasped, it was clearly someone aged or sick. "You are calling me with good news I presume?"
"You could say that..."
"Speak."
"Six more months is all the time I need." Minaka stated. "Is that satisfactory?"
"It isn't what was originally planned." The voice rasped, clearly whoever it was wasn't happy, but the understood nonetheless. "However, I can afford you six more months, but that is all." The person on the other end gave a stern warning. "Do not try my patience, six months and that is it."
"Perfect." Minaka hung up the phone, setting it aside, turning his focus back onto the screens. The battle was amazing! Death defying! He was on the edge of his seat watching everything transpire with anticipation. He smiled a devious smile, rubbing his hands together. "Things will soon come full circle... May more grand battles like this take center stage!" He shouted to no one in particular. "... Finally you decide to come out of your self induced isolation..."
So... If you're reading this you got to the end and are either overjoyed, happy, angry, and pissed off.. Curious is also another thing that comes to mind, so I will say it.
I put Yume in it, yes I did...!