Chapter 15: The Calm before the Bloodstorm
Yusuke didn't move.
Not until Keiko's breathing evened out.
Not until he was sure she was sleeping and not just closing her eyes, trying to pretend everything was fine.
Only then did he carefully untangle himself from her and sit up, exhaling slowly.
He ran a hand down his face. His knuckles were still caked with dried blood. Mikuri's blood.
And yet—
It wasn't enough.
Not even close.
He turned his head slightly.
Keiko was still curled up in the blankets, face buried in the pillow, her hair a tangled mess. Her lips were chapped. There were bruises on her wrists, on her ankles, and Yusuke had to force himself to look away before his rage exploded again.
His jaw tightened.
She was supposed to be home.
She was supposed to be safe.
Instead, she had been tortured.
Used.
Stripped of her fire.
And it was all Kageyami's fault.
His fingers twitched. His demon blood boiled.
The bastard was gonna pay.
But he had to be smart.
If he went in blind, fists swinging, Kageyami would use that. That son of a bitch wasn't stronger than him—hell no—but he was a schemer. A coward.
And Yusuke wasn't gonna give him the chance to pull any tricks.
He was ending this.
Tonight.
A sudden shift in the air made Yusuke glance at the door.
There was someone there.
"Took ya long enough."
A voice snorted. Deep. Gruff.
Yusuke smirked. "Figured you'd show up, old man."
A figure stepped inside. Tall. Pale skin. Hair like a wildfire.
Raizen.
Yusuke didn't flinch. Didn't even blink.
The old bastard was dead.
But that didn't mean he wasn't here.
Raizen exhaled, crossing his arms. "You gonna sit there all night, or are you gonna kill the son of a bitch?"
Yusuke smirked. "Was hopin' you'd help me with that."
Raizen chuckled. "Damn right I will."
Yusuke cracked his knuckles.
Tonight, Kageyami dies.