The Most Important Thing

by eureinesantos19

Yusuke has left for the demon world, leaving Keiko to deal with his absence for a time. But since returning, it seems he might have just put her life in danger. What was he going to do? Is this a new chapter that he had to face, yet again?

12. Chapter 12: Blood on the Floor, Fire in

Chapter 12: Blood on the Floor, Fire in the Veins

Mikuri skidded across the broken stone floor, coughing up blood. His head throbbed from the sheer force of Yusuke's punch.

He wiped his mouth, spitting red onto the ground. "Tch. Not bad."

Yusuke cracked his neck. "That all you got? 'Cause I was hopin' for more of a challenge."

Mikuri growled, eyes darkening.

Keiko, still on the floor, tried to move—tried to do anything—but her body was wrecked. Her ribs screamed in pain, her wrists still raw from the chains that had held her.

But her eyes—her eyes never left Yusuke.

He was winning.

For the first time in weeks, she felt something other than fear.

Hope.

But Mikuri wasn't done yet.

With a snarl, his entire body ignited with dark energy, the air around them growing thick and suffocating.

Keiko shivered.

Yusuke?

He grinned. "Ohhh, now we're talkin'."

Mikuri lunged, his speed now twice as fast as before—

But Yusuke saw it coming.

He ducked, twisting at the last second—Mikuri's fist grazed his cheek, but Yusuke was already moving.

And then—

BAM.

Yusuke's knee slammed into Mikuri's gut, sending a shockwave through his entire body.

Mikuri choked, eyes bulging.

Yusuke grabbed the front of his shirt, grinning like a madman.

"Lemme guess," he taunted. "You thought powering up was gonna save your ass?" He pulled Mikuri closer, voice dropping into something dark, deadly.

"You picked the wrong damn girl to mess with."

Keiko's breath caught.

Then—

Yusuke's fist lit up.

Blue flames exploded around his knuckles.

And in one final, bone-shattering punch—

Yusuke planted Mikuri straight through the floor.

The entire castle trembled.

Keiko barely held in a gasp. The floor beneath Mikuri was nothing but a crater, rubble and dust filling the air.

Silence.

Then, Yusuke exhaled, shaking out his fist. "Damn, that felt good."

He turned toward Keiko, his smirk softening.

"Hey, babe." He scratched the back of his neck. "I know I probably shoulda showed up earlier, but—"

Keiko didn't let him finish.

With the last bit of strength she had left, she threw herself forward, clutching him tight.

His body went rigid.

Then—*slowly, so, so carefully—*his arms wrapped around her.

Keiko buried her face in his chest, her voice trembling.

"You came."

Yusuke pressed his lips against her hair.

"Damn right I did."