The Colour Purple Chapter 13: Death, the Ultimate High, a king of fighters fanfic

The Colour Purple... The King of Fighters '95

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This (chapter) fanfiction was originally written circa: [XX.96] (Thank you)

"Which Character are you?"

"You're a very strange ninja…"

"You know, people like us can't hope to exist in the outside world."

I changed a bit in this remix.. sadly making it more melodramatic as I would like it to be.. I will try to cut that down, as I think a well paced story starts out very mundane and only resorts to IMPACT PAIN in key moments…

Okay gotta –edit- some voices of [GOD]…

Welcome home Eiji. Let's fight together.

-09.13.04

Chapter 13: Death, the ultimate high…

"Very well, but I do not want to soil my hands with your blood..." Yagami-sama uttered as he slowly eased Iori slowly towards the 27 year old Eiji. "Saaa, Iori (now, Iori), kill him for me.

Eiji saw but could not believe the events that followed. As the 8 year old took off his cap that exposed his maroon hair, he grabbed a handful of his kimono, and with savage explosion, tore it off his body. He wore dark purple jeans and a black studded leather jacket. In an instant Iori burst into flames.

"Teme (bastard)... Yagami..." Eiji stuttered with his left forearm shielding his face from the sudden wave of fearful energy, but before he could protest, Iori was a blur even to Eiji's eyes. Using his minute and slender body's speed to his advantage, slithering like a greased serpent, his elbow leading the way.

Eiji totally taken by surprise, caught the elbow in the gut, and Iori followed with his left hand. He swung his clawed hand like an uppercut and dug his fingers into Eiji's diaphragm. Eiji tensed his gut to prevent any sort of internal damage and quickly grabbed a hold of Iori's left wrist with his own right, and hammered down with his free hand to break Iori's hold with a sudden shock and after dislodging Iori's fingers, pulled the boy in and to the side, hoping to make Iori follow through and lose balance. The 8 year old tumbled a bit and lost his footing as Eiji pulled him in. Instinctively Eiji's left elbow came up ready to ram Iori's unprotected nose in. Eiji hesitated and instead, spun his hand over and instead of the elbow, let his palm grab Iori's back and with a handful of Iori's leather jacket, followed through and let Iori pass him harmlessly.

Within a few seconds Iori regained his footing, spun around and hopped up about a foot or two. He used his momentum to come around with a roundhouse kick aimed for Eiji's head. Eiji ducked down, expecting the roundhouse to pass harmlessly, but he couldn't dismiss the evil smile on Iori's face. To Eiji's surprise, he had fallen for Iori's expected trick, and instead of the roundhouse passing harmlessly, Iori's foot stopped right on top of Eiji's head. Eiji, now in a kneeling position, crossed his hands over his head as the ax kick came down. The force came as a surprise from such a small bodied fighter, and made Eiji's elbows bend. In a flash Eiji diverted the hacking kick to the side, and when the cross block broke, Iori's blow came down as hard as a hammer into Eiji's collarbone. Eiji winced as the vibration shivered down his arm, numbing it, and before anything else, Iori held his right hand in his left and tucked it in. With his right elbow leading, Iori drove a shoulder ram into Eiji's lungs, knocking the wind out of them, making his head spin and his legs wobble in its squatting position like a dazed duck.

{Jesas...} Eiji cursed to himself. {I've… have to get away from here...} Yagami-sama only smiled and praised his son silently with his menacing grin. Breaking his crossed hands, he waved to Iori with the back of his hand like you would shoo a dog, prodding Iori to finish off the insignificant, weak willed Eiji.

Eiji looked around with his eyeballs, to the left and right, looking for some open avenue of escape.

"Looking to run away, Kisaragi-kun?" Yagami-sama sneered. "Did you hear that?" He mocked again, kicking the lifeless bodies of Masa and Mikaido. "He's going to run away.. HAHAAHAHA!"

"KONOYARO (son of a bitch)!" Eiji roared as he sped to Iori. Iori smiled and sent his clawed hands in defense, eagerly waiting for Eiji to sacrifice himself in such a daring and stupid assault. Iori had his left hand up now, and his right close to his own belly. The left hand had his index and middle fingers poking out like the fangs of a cobra, aimed for Eiji's eyeballs, and his right hand would be ready to finish the job by sending all four digits through his throat.

Unlike a sprinter's dash which relies on long leaps, covering as much distance in the air as possible, the ninja dash is firm and spends as little time as possible in the air. It is so timed and focused that each conscious step is measured. It is more centered on dexterity rather than power or speed. More like a very very fast walk, a ninja is always in control, and the technique has a very elusive ability. Eiji continued, running like the wind, yet making no sound as swift as a cat. Iori smiled and was ready. In an instant, Eiji was directly in front of Iori, Eiji's left fist close to his lungs, and his other hand behind him flat on his back. The rush of wind, the tensing muscles, all the nerves in both their bodies screaming in alarm in that last moment. It made no sound. Iori attacked... Ready to gouge Eiji's eyes out, and his other flying up to make him suck air out his throat.

Eiji's eyes slit, and on his command, his thighs exploded into a tense impact, digging themselves into the wooden floor, and when Iori hit target, he could have sworn he made it, but when he looked all he had in his hands was Eiji's mask. Iori tensed and realized that Eiji was already behind him, rushing for his father. Iori could not follow the illusion, but Yagami-sama could, quite easily.

The last instant, Eiji waited for the precise moment that Iori's claws blocked his line of vision, and for that instant, Eiji twisted his ankles and sidestepped, right around Iori without him realizing it, and sidestepped back again into his original 'line', running 'through' Iori. With that sidestep into the original path the wind which was pulled out from the sidestep was sucked back in, stilling the air and completing the technique. Paying no further attention to Iori, Eiji changed his focus to Yagami-sama. From it's place behind his back, Eiji made his right fist extend behind him like a streamer, a fist except for his ring and pinkie which poked out like a stinger. Now that Eiji's steps were second nature, he changed his breathing to deep rhythmic gasps drawing in energy and focusing. The vision of Yagami-sama came closer and closer as he ran, and in the last precise moment that Eiji knew Yagami would not dodge, he dealt out his secret hand. Aiming for Yagami's throat, he swang his right hand like a blade, and his last two fingers left a deep orange afterimage, a semicircular light, much like a scythe which marked the path of his cutting fingers.

"SHI-NE! (DIE)" Eiji yelled, fueled with desire. His fingers passed through Yagami's neck like a hot knife through butter, easily lopping off his head. But there was no reaction from Yagami-sama's grim demeanor, and to Eiji's terror, the image of Yagami-sama exploded in a swirl of sakura petals and what was in his place was the lifeless body of Masa. Eiji stopped, as blood from Masa's neck splashed across his face, drenching his hair, making it sticky and caking it.

"MASA!" Eiji screamed...

Laughter followed from behind him, and as Eiji turned, Yagami-sama pinched the back of Eiji's neck, numbing his spine. Eiji could only watch as Yagami-sama put his palms forward and started to trace circles in the air, big circles with his right palm and a small one with his left, ever so often switching from big and small left and right. The circular space in front of Yagami warped and Eiji felt himself being thrown back, before Eiji could comprehend the damage capable of Yagami's pressure barrier, he was hurled back into the concrete wall. A stencil of Eiji's limp body started to crack and form on the wall that would make you believe it was made of Styrofoam, pushing him further and further in. Yagami-sama abruptly stopped the motion and as suddenly as it happened, the pressure in the air equalized and the crater in the wall exploded flinging Eiji onto the ground like a rag doll.

Yagami threw two fingers down, making one last sign for Iori to finish the job. His body was battered and he shook uncontrollably, Eiji tried to haul himself up, using his arms to move and regain some composure. He reached in front of him, and in his hands he felt cloth, the cloth Mikaido's ninja mask. As Eiji pulled the mask towards him, he could remember Mikaido's works. For him to go on, to flee, escape from this life. The image faded and when Eiji focused again he could only see Mikaido's corpse.

Eiji looked up and Iori was slowly making his way to Eiji. Determined not to take death like a dog, with his belly on the ground, Eiji hoisted himself up with what strength he had left. When he thought he could push his body up, he felt his elbow buckle from the strain and he coughed up blood that ran down his mouth and neck. Iori only watched as if he was examining a squirrel that had been run over by a car, so ready to die and defiantly trying to regain some composure. He knew it was useless, but he watched anyways.

It was either him or Iori, it had boiled down to that. He had to get away, forsake his friends' bodies, and somehow, someday take his revenge. With a weak and defeated smile, Eiji once again heaved his body up with his weak palms and ignored the streaming pain from all over his body. His shoulders tensed and would give in at any moment but he defied it. He believed that If he willed it, it could become [true]. That if he was determined enough he could accomplish the [impossible]. Eiji's elbows buckled again, but before he fell completely, he caught himself and was able to use his knees as a brace.

"Jiku.. Jikusyou… (damn.. daaamn it!)" Eiji cussed. "JIKU-SHYOU, TEMEEEE!"

…

"Saa.. Hey let's get the job done. Then we can be free from this place."

"You're a very strange ninja…"

"You know, people like us can't hope to exist in the outside world."

"Your dreams will never come true you know. Why fight it?"

"Totally overpowered by the real world, I guess we keep on fighting cause… because we just [can]."

"We can win because we BELIEVE!"

"Don't worry buddy, I won't die on my belly like a dog."

"WHY – DO – YOU – FIGHT?"

Phantom voices started to whisper in his ear.

"No… not yet. Please… not yet." Eiji pleaded. His knees shook too but defiantly, he was able to get himself up to a slouch as the audience watched him in disgust. Shivering hands, Eiji donned Mikaido's mask, which only covered the lower section of his face. Iori stopped and let his opponent get a few more moments to regain his stance.

"Ore.. Ore wo.. Amaku miruna yo! (Don't… Don't belittle me.)" Eiji mumbled.

Eiji let his mind wander off, {Like a lamb ready for the slaughter,} Iori thought. In a slouch Eiji let his eyebrows lose its tension. He ran his fingers through his blood-soaked hair pulling it back, and slowly the front of his hair stood up spiked from the bloody slick back. The warm crimson ran down his cheeks like tears and yet Eiji didn't close his eyes. The ninja put his open palms to his side and stood straight, leaving his body open to any attack.

The spiked hair was Masa's strength, the open cut ninja mask by the hair was Mikaido's final sign, and Eiji Kisaragi, he cast all his faith into the wind. A futile defense, Iori examined, hit him anywhere and he would go down for sure... The other ninja archers could not see it, but Yagami-sama could. A soft yellow glow enveloped Eiji. Trapped in a state between death and life, all the world seemed to fall silent and he could hear the wind and the whistling of the trees perfectly. Yagami-sama was taken aback for a while and quickly snapped...

"Iori! FINISH HIM NOW!" Yagami-sama yelled.

Iori moved instantly, rushing towards Eiji like an arrow, ready to pull his heart out. There was an explosion of blood and Iori poked his fingers into Eiji's chest. Iori's fingers wiggled hungrily inside Eiji's torso, ripping and tearing for his pulsating prize. Iori stopped and his eyes darted open, not believing his sudden realization. To Iori's horror, he couldn't feel a heartbeat.

"O..Ottt.. To.. Otosan.. (f..father)" Iori stuttered in confusion and fright.

...

Doubt. Faith...

Once you remove all doubt from yourself, then your opponents' will increase by a hundredfold. When you conquer doubt in your abilities, then you can conquer even [death].

...

Eiji's lifeless body glowed even brighter to Yagami-sama's eyes, and even though he was supposed to be dead, Eiji raised his right palm and placed it firmly onto Iori's shoulder. Blood flowed from Eiji's mouth and the murmurs which were once indecipherable became clearer, the voice was not only Eiji's but of Masa and Mikaido's as well.

Yagami-sama looked on, as specters of Mikaido and Masa floated and merged into Eiji's corpse.

...

Is the true power, the greatest power in the world... death?

...

"Ki... koh... HO!" Eiji bellowed.

A soft light started to glow from the ninja's hand, and in a moment, it flashed sharply. Sending the light through Iori's shoulder. Iori flew back all the way into the wall and skidded down like a sack of potatoes.

Eiji turned back menacingly to Yagami-sama, who was more infuriated rather than scared. He slowly lifted his hand up to strike but before he could make it half way he realized that Eiji had suddenly appeared only a 5 feet away from him.

"Let him... go..." Masa and Mikaido's voices slurred from Eiji's blood-filled mouth when Eiji was so close to Yagami-sama. Eiji focused all his attention into Yagami-sama's midsection. The surrounding world went black, leaving Eiji and Yagami-sama alone to Eiji's perspective. Eiji focused more on the point in Yagami's chest until Yagami's body blurred and before Yagami-sama could do anything in retaliation, Eiji started to walk closer, leaving a trail of afterimages, specters of himself behind him. Like a ghost, Eiji walked through Yagami-sama. The ninja archers broke from their cocked stances, and Iori as well, tried to stay awake to witness the event that was unfolding in front of him. An arrow raced past Yagami-sama's cheek and was headed to the back of Eiji's neck. It stopped in midair, and fell to the ground in two pieces, split through the center point of the arrowhead, down vertically through its wooden shaft. Eiji's last two fingers floated in the air.

"I want Masa and Mikaido's bodies.." Eiji's own voice moaned.

"I killed them and they belong to me, you will owe me a favour then," Yagami-sama said to the specter.

"So be it, Yagami..." Eiji said.

The ninja walked over to Masa and Mikaido's body and slung them both on his shoulders effortlessly. Without a word, the ninja marched slowly to the wall and as the last of his body phased through the wall a swirl of sakura petals came pinwheeling from the wall.

...

EPILOGUE:

A few miles from Yagami palace, the 17 year old ninja knelt down. Something in his dead chest started to move. One beat and two, in no time his heart was pumping again, the colour came back to his cheeks, and his eyes started to dilate normally now. Still unsure of what just happened, Eiji looked at the dead bodies of Masa and Mikaido, his fallen comrades.

"KUSANAGI!" Eiji Bellowed skyward - in the bamboo forest and collapsed on their bodies, beating their chests, as hard as he could, he tried to breathe in their mouths, his mind void of any rational thought. With enough faith maybe he could bring them back to life.

"BAKAYARO! BAKAYARO! (idiots!)" Eiji yelled to their lifeless bodies. The events that came moments ago came back to him. He wanted the power, once again to make them live. Eiji yelled louder and louder... hoping, praying, but no one listened, no one answered. Eiji dug his fingers into the soil till they bled. After an hour of fearless – shameless defiance, he slumped back onto a bamboo tree and cradled his face in his hands.

"Kusa...na..gi..." Eiji whispered... "KU.. SA.. NAGIIIII…"

With a stern look, Eiji held his katana (sword) in his hand and slung it on his back. He put his comrades' bodies on his shoulders. His knees wobbled but he trodded on.

...

{To Kusanagi palace. } He called silently.

The guards thought they had seen a ghost as Eiji appeared appeared before them, wet with blood, looking like Masa and Mikaido because of his mask and hair, with the two bodies on him. Frantic shrieks pierced the air - The guards fled in horror, and the few who dared oppose his fury fell to his merciless, remorseless blade.

[VIOLENCE]. It has only one purpose in this world… So sad when good men have to rely on this to make [a single dream(s)] come true…

The power was slowly flowing through him once again. The faint yellow glow, now more radiant and visible to even normal folk made him look like an angel, or death.

Masa's limp body was behind him in a piggy back and Mikaido was over his left shoulder. Eiji, Masa, and Mikaido, all three were together for their vengeance, to seal the game and pay Kusanagi back for the unfair hand they were dealt.

The fiercest of the Kusanagi Ninja were stationed outside the sleeping quarters of Yoshiki Kusanagi, and this was where Eiji's battle truly began. The beat of his heart slowed down and his eyes became pupiless. Two ninja came... running down the tall marble stairs. As if Eiji had nothing on his back, he sped up to meet them half way. The two ninja jumped in the air and Eiji followed suit. Before either of the two defenders could aim, Eiji's sword was out its sheath. In a blinding slash the ninja on the left took the slice by the eyes, and his head split in two. Eiji's blade freed the other's head from his shoulders.

Merciless as it was, they were never given the luxury to appease for the sins they had done in the real world… Two slabs of meat fell with a harsh and heavy thump on the clean marble floor. The cold stone.

Five now. The first lead the way and the rest followed behind. Quick to the attack, the leading katana tore through Eiji's side, but it was futile as Eiji merely let his ring finger and pinkie slide on the ninja's face. That was the last thing that entered that ninja's mind as his field of vision split cleanly in two like a broken television screen. Fear overcame the final four. Echoes of 'he can't die,' and 'we won't make it' passed through them. The doubt that clouded their focus. Which came as their downfall.

The alarm sounded and the rest of the ninja concentrated to defend Yoshiki Kusanagi's room, but if they wanted Eiji, they would have to wait another eternity because Eiji headed for Kaori Kusanagi's room instead.

...

Kaori knelt in her room, not totally aware of what was happening outside, but she could feel [it]. To live alone and a prisoner was too much for her to bear. She knew the truth – that her father had sentenced her lover to death. [SUFFERING and HAPPINESS go hand in hand,] she thought.

Kaori Kusanagi stared at the darkness in her room… hoping that the world would suddenly end. In her hand was a small kozuka (utility knife), shivering in her dainty hands she didn't know what to do. Would it be so dramatic as to end it this way, would the future forgive her…

She threw the silk wrapped kozuka in front of her… its forged steel rattling on the wooden floor. She was afraid. Gripping the collar of her kimono in her hands as the rabid sound of alarm echoed through the Kusanagi complex.

"I…" she mumbled with outstretched palms.

"Tadaima… (I'm home.)" was her answer. "Omatasetta'naa… Kaori dono… (I've kept you waiting Miss Kaori.)," he said confidently. With tears in her eyes, those of joy, Kaori held his lover's cheeks, pulled him close and kissed him. It was a silent pact. "Eiji… I've been waiting for you."

"Okaerinasai (welcome home)…"

Trembling in the hallway outside the door, Kyo Kusanagi, 6 years old. Looked in awe at his cousin, kissing at what he thought for sure was a ghost.

Eiji had come back for the prize he was cheated of. The glow became brighter then, as ravagely as it burned, it faded. Eiji, Masa, Mikaido and Kaori were gone in a swirl of burning yellow sakura petals.

As quickly as it had began, [justice] dealt its swift decision.

This is the beauty of a world, an existence apart from the real world – In that - even a [doG] can become [God].

Thus their revenge was completed, if at least one of the trio was happy...

…

If a friend dies for you, you are cursed to live for eternity.

-Judas Gospel