Abdiel
25th November 2003, 04:00 PM
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Youtou Shinnoken
A Yuyu Hakusho/Rurouni Kenshin fic
By Chester Castaņeda
gab_ab@edsamail.com.ph
Original concept by SeventhOne
chadjill@ms3.hinet.net
http://www.fanfiction.net/read.php?storyid=1377336
http://www26.brinkster.com/callie/
Part two's here. :)
I would just like to briefly note that you, the
reader, are about to witness the results of
the Shisejyu's intense training. Enjoy! ^_^
A few more notes before proceeding:
< > indicates character thoughts
" " indicates character speech
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Chapter 6: To protect loved ones (Part 2)
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"Kurai yadare."
Randou winced. 'Eat this,' Yusuke had said... it was a very
familiar statement to the red-haired demon. Moreover, he knew what that
particular declaration meant... and what soon followed after it.
Yusuke aimed his pointer finger at Genbu with no hesitation. Soon,
a familiar warmth and energy rush seized his person as he collected his
ki into a concentrated ball of energy.
Genbu could only stare in dumbfounded shock and fright, his planned
counterattack soon forgotten as he winced under the glare of the Reikai
Tantei's impressive reiki.
Then, as suddenly as it appeared, the energy from the tip of
Yusuke's pointer finger quickly vanished. A confused look crossed the
spiritual detective's face as he stared at Genbu in puzzlement.
The stone golem Shisejyu was not one to question opportunities when
they arose. "K-kurai yadare yourself! Chou-Bakurestu-Ganshou-Dan...
GENBU NO--!"
"Stop what you're doing right this instant if you still want to
live."
The gigantic granite tortoise-demon could only gawk in absolute
disbelief as he looked over his shoulder and saw a very annoyed and
irritated Randou. Little wonder, since the pasty-skinned demon now had
his pointer finger aimed at the Saint Beast in the same manner as Yusuke
had before, his fingertip brimming with burning youki. "W-what the hell
are you doing, Randou?!"
"Don't you dare refer to me in such a familiar tone," Randou coolly
stated as he regarded his supposed ally in contempt. "You should know
your place. You've crossed the line this time, Genbu. Your stupidity
knows no bounds."
"W-what are you talking about? I had Urameshi where I wanted him!"
"The only thing you had was a death wish," Randou stated grimly,
his imitation Rei-Gan almost fully charged. "You're cowering under my
power now, but imagine what would have happened if you were facing
Urameshi's Rei-Gan instead. I bet you'd have the same frightened and
pathetic expression then as you have now."
The Sacred Beast of stone could only swallow and nod in
acquiescence. As much as he hated to admit it, he had been lucky this
time. If Randou hadn't shocked Urameshi out of his planned Rei-Gan
attack, then Genbu would have been a goner by now. The young half-demon
was simply out of his league. He simply bowed down in mortification and
defeat.
"The Chojin gave you another chance... don't blow it," Randou
reminded grimly.
Yusuke narrowed his eyes as he straightforwardly demanded, "Who
the hell is the 'Overfiend'?"
"You have no right to know the identity of the Chojin," Randou
sneered. He then turned his attention back to Genbu. "There has been a
change of plan." Afterwards, using stolen telepathic skills, be began
to relay his new strategy to all of the Shisejyu.
Seiryu snorted, stating, "Of course. That was what I intended to
do in the first place."
Byakko snarled, not at all acknowledging Randou's orders... his
prey was his only concern, after all.
Genbu's jagged teeth again formed a demented smile. "I like it.
Let's do it."
Kenshin walked towards Yusuke's side in all humility, but the
younger fighter merely gave him the cold shoulder. "Yusuke-dono...
sessha...."
"I know, I know... just don't get in my way," was the Spirit
Detective's impatient and hurried reply.
Randou smirked at the two warriors. "After observing you two for
quite sometime now, I have discovered a number of your weaknesses. As
such, all you could do now is wait for your oblivion. GENBU!"
"At last... this is what I've been waiting for," Genbu cheered as
he prepared his long-delayed technique. "Chou-Bakuretsu-Ganshou-Dan...."
"Keiko-dono, Kaoru-dono! My pardons, but you have to stay back!
There's no telling what Genbu-dono has in store for us."
"GENBU-DONO?! Are you nuts? Don't be polite to your enemy! And for
the last time, my name is Botan! BO--"
"GENBU NO HOKO!"
A large explosion subsequently rocked the entirety of Genkai's
domicile. The clouds of dust from the blast soon formed into a spiral
that shot upwards into the sky, creating a tornado-like sandstorm that
swallowed everything in its path.
***
"Yusuke... Yusuke!" Keiko shouted in panic before coughing
hoarsely. She covered her eyes and ears reflexively as noise and dust
assaulted her senses. As far as she could tell, she was floating off the
ground in unknown heights by a... dusty hurricane of sorts. She prayed
that somehow, somewhere, 'that idiot Yusuke' was safe before she
altogether lost her bearings.
Then, as soon as the earthy tempest started, it stopped. She opened
her eyes tentatively as she patted the ground with her hands... the
solid ground. She sighed a sigh of relief... she was safely back on
Earth. She sat up as she further surveyed her surroundings. It seemed
that she was on a... cliff of some sort, probably on the other side
of the mountain, away from Genkai's place. She wasn't completely sure.
The teenage girl then felt a heavy hand on her shoulder.
"Y-Yusuke?" she queried hopefully as she looked over her shoulder.
She then noticed that the hand felt deathly cold... colder than a
winter gale.
Before Keiko could shriek in panic, time stopped for her
altogether.
***
"What a stupid technique... PTOOOIEE!!" Yusuke spat as he cleaned
the dirt from his mouth with his uniform's sleeve. "Dammit... he even
ruined my pants. Just wait till I get my hands on that walking pile of
landfill...." He then noticed that his surroundings were a bit darker
than before. <Hey... where'd all the lights go?>
"I'm sorry, but Genbu's busy right now," a familiar voice stated
with an undertone of contempt and malice. "Won't you play with me
instead, Urameshi Yusuke?"
Yusuke narrowed his eyes as he searched in the darkness for his
soon-to-be opponent. "Well, if it isn't the King of Cheap Shot
himself... Randou. Only _you_ could come up with cheesy dialogue like
that. Come out and fight!" He then turned around to see a large beam of
light streaming down from the ceiling by means of a makeshift 'skylight'
of sorts. His eyes then widened. <Hey... this is granny's dojo! We've
somehow managed to end up here. But how...?>
The errant Spirit Detective surveyed the area as his sight
adjusted to the darkness. Whole columns of pillars were wrecked...
the floor was pocked with craters and holes. The 'skylight', or
rather the hole on the ceiling, was where he probably fell after the
furious onslaught of Genbu no Hoko had ceased.
Yusuke rubbed his sore shoulder contemplatively as he heard the
sounds of footsteps approach him. Ending up in a place like this...
with _Randou_, of all people... was no coincidence. "Well? Where the
hell are you?"
"Right here," Randou said as he dramatically entered into the
streaming beam of light. "I've been waiting for this for a long time,
Urameshi. Let's settle the score here and now."
Yusuke rolled his eyes, unimpressed. He then immediately vanished
right before Randou's eyes.
Before the youkai could even react, a meaty fist was already
slammed on his face care of the erstwhile half-demon.
Yusuke Urameshi, after all, was not one to dilly-dally.
***
Kenshin rubbed his eyes for a bit as he struggled to get up from
his current prone position. The worst of Genbu no Hoko was over... or
so it seemed.
But where were Keiko and Botan? And whatever happened to Genkai
and Yusuke? Kenshin inspected his immediate surroundings... even though
he was one of those in the forefront of the dust storm, it would seem
that he had never really left his current location. The rurouni could
only scratch his head in confusion. <If the others were carried off to
Kami-sama-knows-where, then why is sessha still here?>
"SAMURAI!" a proverbially loud voice boomed.
Kenshin turned around in time to see a gleeful-looking Genbu rise
up from the dune-filled ground as broken tiles and fragments of rock
scattered all over the Sacred Beast.
"Let us fight!"
***
Darkness. Botan was deathly afraid of it... which was a little
ironic really, since she _was_ Death.
Perhaps it did somehow make sense... Death, despite what other
people thought, was a people-oriented job. She just loved being around
lots of people... in fact, in the Reikai ferry-girl admission test, she
scored the highest on the Social Skills section.
Okay, so she made the 'Reikai ferry-girl admission test' part up...
but if there was one, she knew that she'd have a high score on the
Social Skills section. That was Botan... the 'Miss Lady Death' type of
people-person.
Where was she? Oh yes... darkness. She hated the darkness because
it reminded her of loneliness and isolation... something that just
didn't sit well with her people-person-ness... if that was a word.
But enough of the darkness monologue... all she had to do was open
her eyes to get rid of it anyway. <Du-h.>
But before she did, she heard voices... voices from... presumably
ugly people. Either that, or they were decent-looking people with the
misfortune of having really horrifying voices.
"We made it just in time, big brother! I thought I was going to
die in that hurricane!"
"Shut up! Don't remind me. Most of our band had already fled when
they discovered that Randou-sama has teamed up with those two other
psychos from the Chojin's mental ward... and what little that was left
of our demon minions was sucked up into that stupid dust storm! Dammit!
Dammit all to hell!"
"But at least we got the girl, right?"
"That's only the consolation we had on this trip. Damn Randou-sama
and his pigheadedness... if he only took the Demon's sword as a way to
defeat Urameshi like we've planned...."
Who were these losers? <How'd I end up in this mess? While we're at
it, where are Kenshin and the others? The last thing I remember was that
stupid sandstorm....> Botan sighed, daring to sneak a peek at her two
'supposed' captors. She winced. <Ew... I was right on my first guess...
really ugly.> She then blinked. <Gee... they look awfully familiar....>
"Big brother!" Iehog called out, pointing at the ferry-girl that
he carried on his shoulders like a sack of potatoes. "The Reikai woman
is awake."
"Oh great... knock her out again. I heard her awhile back before
Genbu-sama's tornado attack started... she's very noisy and irritating.
She's better left unconscious," Iehik offhandedly ordered.
"HEY! Don't I get a say in this?" Botan shouted as she materialized
her oar and shoved it in Iehog's face. Screaming more in surprise than
pain, the large, bearded demon unceremoniously dropped the ferry-girl
down on the ground.
"Owie!" Botan exclaimed as she rubbed her sore bottom. Before it
could even occur to her that _this_ was the perfect time for her to
escape, Iehik was already upon her. She held her oar forward
protectively. "Don't come near me! I have a wooden paddle-like something
and I'm not afraid to use it!"
"Relax, will you? We're all in the same situation here," Iehik
stated simply as he offered his claws to Botan, his smile seemingly
friendly.... as friendly as a grinning crocodile's, anyway.
The ferry-girl looked at the diminutive youkai suspiciously. "What
do you mean?"
"Isn't it obvious? We're all just spectators in this grand battle
of really powerful people," Iehik explained. "We have no power nor
influence in the matter, so in the end we can only do what spectators do
best... watch."
"So what about it?" Botan asked warily, her grip on her oar still
tight.
The large-headed demon smiled toothily. "We have a proposition for
you...."
"No... uh-uh. Not interested," Botan said as she slowly got up from
her sitting position. "I know better than to get into a deal with lower-
class youkai. No dice."
Iehik shrugged. "That's too bad, really... me and my brother have
been searching for the Demon's Sword for ten long years, and have
discovered very important facts about it that not even the Reikai knows
about." He smiled impishly. "And here I was, thinking you would _want_
to help your samurai friend who's now in grave danger...."
Botan easily lifted the small youkai off the ground with one hand,
elicited a yelp of, "Big brother!" from Iehog as the larger demon began
to approach but Iehik held his younger brother back with a wave of his
hand.
"What do you know about Ken-- the Demon's Sword?" Botan demanded.
"I'll tell as soon as you agree to come with us... and after you
put me down," Iehik replied. "All we ask for is your company... then
you'll learn everything you need to know about the enigmatic Demon's
Sword."
Botan actually contemplated this for a while. On one hand, the
weak little demon could be lying through his teeth... on the other
hand, he could be telling the truth. But could she really risk
trusting these two shifty characters?
<C'mon... don't be a fool like Randou-sama,> Iehik thought,
annoyed. <Randou-sama, Suzaku-sama... even Jine-sama... none of them
realizes the true horror of the Demon's Sword.>
<Oh... what have I got to lose? They're right... I have no control
over these 'grand battle' thingies... besides, there are... what? D-
level to C-level demons? What can they do? Shed fur on me? Besides,
Yusuke's always there to bash these youkai into submission if ever...
that is, as soon as I find that good-for-nothing. Other than that....>
She smiled unconsciously as she remembered how Kenshin's finger
touched her lips. <This is all for Kenshin's sake.> She then grimaced in
mild irritation when she realized what she was just thinking. <Get a
grip, girl. He's hung over some other girl... some Kaworu-something-or-
the-other.>
"Well?" Iehik asked, half-annoyed and half-hopeful. "Are you done
with your internal monologue?"
"Oh, what the heck..." Botan relented as she put Iehik down on
the ground. "Let's shake on it... or maybe not," she hastily corrected
as she warily looked at the brainy demon's clawed hands.
"Good, good... Iehog, come. Let's get moving... we have a lot of
ground to cover."
"Oh, one other thing... don't ever let your... pet touch me again.
I am not, I repeat, _not_ a sack of potatoes," Botan elucidated.
Iehog merely growled in response. <What am I? Chopped liver? What
the hell does she mean by 'pet'?>
<She means that you're as stupid as a dog,> Iehik answered for his
brother telepathically... a technique which Randou graciously 'borrowed'
from him.
<I don't understand why you have to go through the trouble of
fooling the girl like that... we could have killed her and be done with
it.>
<Don't be a fool! Do you have a death wish? We need her alive, at
most unconscious... anything other than that would be suicidal!>
<I don't understand,> Iehog admitted, scratching his beard in
confusion.
<Of course you don't.> Iehik rubbed his chin contemplatively. <I
didn't realize it before, but I now know who the guardian of the sword
is... I heard it a while back when the old woman was talking to the
samurai... he's the Hitokiri Battousai! It's his dark soul that made the
Demon's Sword what it is today. The ferry-girl is apparently important
to him... if we don't play our cards right, _we_ will be facing his
wrath!>
<The wimpy samurai? Dangerous? Pigs will sooner fly!>
<What I speak is truth. Furthermore, I intercepted Randou-sama's
telepathic orders for the Saint Beasts... the ferry-girl was supposed
to be used by Genbu-sama as bait for the Battousai. With her around,
the overprotective samurai won't be able to concentrate in battle.
Unfortunately for Randou-sama, we have other plans for her.>
<What other plans? Our only plan was to steal the Demon's Sword
while all the others were busy fighting. You're making things up, big
brother!>
<Shut up! That was also part of the plan, fool! Now be silent and
let me think.>
Botan looked at the glaring brothers in disinterest as she
continued to trudge forward. <Freaky. I sure hope I made the right
decision in going along with these two bozos.> To the two supposed
'bozos', she asked, "Where _are_ we going, anyway?"
"To the other side of this mountain, at the uppermost peak. A great
battle is commencing over there right this minute, and we wouldn't want
to miss it for the world."
***
Just like a pig that suddenly found itself airborne, Byakko gawked
in shock and disbelief as he flew up into the sky despite his enormous
girth. Genkai and her Supine Kick Kougeki... they were a force to be
reckoned with indeed.
The White Tiger Shiseyju landed on his feet hard as the ground
crumbled under his heel. The ice cage that Seiryu created for them had
already shattered in the onslaught of the powerful Genbu no Hoko, but in
its place stood dozens of ice fragments and crystals... remnants of the
aforementioned hoarfrost prison.
The youkai had already tried his previous tricks on the old woman.
The beastly fiends... the Kiyodai Ka absorption technique... even his
vastly improved Mei-Ko-Shou-Kai-Ha... absolutely nothing worked. The
aged martial artist was just too powerful for such low-tier attacks.
Byakko was getting really annoyed and frustrated, which only
served to fuel his burning desire for brutality all the more. His eyes
glazed over once again as a killing instinct manifested itself deep in
his psyche. He became a savage beast, no, even more than that... because
beasts merely killed for survival. He, on the other hand, killed because
he could... and because he enjoyed every minute of it. He needed no
other reason but that.
He was no ordinary beast... he was now a monster.
His right arm then grew and hardened as its muscles hypertrophied.
With a speed that belied his gargantuan mass, Byakko was soon
upon the matriarch of the Rei-Kou-Hadou-Ken style, quickly slashing
downward with his claws as he shredded and tore through the forearm of
one very surprised Genkai. This was the first move of the Kaiwan... the
Byakko Sou, the White Tiger's talon.
The real fight had finally begun.
***
"TAKO NAGURI!"
As Yusuke did another one of his impromptu and improvised
techniques, his arms began striking so fast that for a second it seemed
like he had eight arms instead of just two... hence the aptly named
"Octopus Assault."
The multitude of strikes from Yusuke's iron fists thundered in the
whole expanse of the dojo, sending the hapless Randou flying through the
temple, hitting and breaking through columns like they were made out of
gingerbread. Wreckage, rubble and debris were flung around like so many
breadcrumbs, the wood and concrete of the shrine easily giving way to
the red-haired demon's unceremonious flight.
Yusuke then flinched as Randou slowly got up from the ruins,
completely unhurt. The demon then began striding across the trail of
crushed and powdered fragments of what was once the floor, a nasty grin
plastered on his face.
"I must admit, your punches have become a bit more... powerful
since the last we fought. I applaud your efforts. Nonetheless, even
the physical exertions of a Class-S half-breed like yourself are
ineffective against my Iron Body technique."
"_Your_ Iron Body technique? Bullshit, it's just another technique
you've stolen from someone who's infinitely more skillful that you,"
Yusuke snorted derisively as he balled-up his right fist. It soon
brimmed with barely-contained spiritual energy. "Anyway, if I can't
rearrange your face with my fists, then I'll just blast it off... SHOT
GUN!"
<That's exactly what I've been waiting for, Urameshi... I want to
see how much you've _really_ improved.> Randou's smile grew even wider.
"ZANKU REPPUU JIN!"
***
Kenshin breathed in deeply as he gripped the hilt of his sword.
<Has it... been _that_ long a time since this lowly one last fought?
Or, at least, since sessha last fought through his own free will? When
was the last time sessha's sword was drawn? Sessha does not know. This
is the first time sessha's going to fight after a long, long time, de
gozaru.>
Genbu began to lumber over Kenshin's direction. "Well? Are you
really the guardian of the so-called Demon's Sword? The Chojin himself
has taken a great interest in that sword of yours... though personally,
I couldn't care less about it."
Kenshin nodded, smiling. "Sessha understands. In this lowly one's
personal opinion, the Demon's Sword does not suit Genbu-dono at all, de
gozaran."
Genbu grunted at the misidentified samurai. Randou convinced him to
fight _this_ loser? What a rip-off. "We're not going to have a tea
party, samurai... _we're_ going to battle, and _I'm_ going to win. So
stop being such a wimp and draw your sword!"
"Anooo... sessha isn't really a samurai, but more of a rurouni..."
Kenshin politely corrected.
"I DON'T FUCKING CARE WHAT YOU ARE! Let's just fight and get it
over with already!" Genbu shouted in a decisively non-friendly manner.
The samurai's... rurouni's... whoever's over-politeness was grating on
his nerves. He just wasn't used to anybody being nice to him at all,
really... it was just too weird for him.
"To be quite frank, sessha doesn't really want to fight you, de
gozaru yo," Kenshin honestly admitted.
Genbu sighed dejectedly. He really wished that the blue-haired girl
was with them right now. Then he'd have some leverage against the red-
haired swordsman. At the very least, the Guardian of the Demon's Sword
wouldbe forced to take him seriously lest the fool risked having his
lady friend suffer the consequences. "Why the hell _don't_ you want to
fight me?"
"For one thing, sessha doesn't really like fighting for the sake of
fighting... which is what you're trying to convince me to do right now.
For another, sessha believes that Genbu-dono isn't really a bad
person... you are actually quite harmless."
That was the single most insulting thing Genbu had heard his entire
life... hell, even including his afterlife. "So you think I'm _that_
pathetic? Eh, samurai-or-whatever?! I'LL SHOW YOU WHO'S PATHETIC!!!"
"Mou... that's not what sessha meant..." Kenshin started as he
tried, strangely enough, to explain to his opponent that he was actually
complimenting him. But the words died in his lips as Genbu melded into
the solid ground, disappearing amidst the pock-marked tiles in an
instant. "But there's no reason for us to fight, Genbu-dono! If you
would allow this lowly one to leave in one piece, then sessha would be
eternally grateful!"
"Just... shut... the FUCK... UP!" Genbu screamed at the top of his
lungs... metaphorically speaking, since it was debatable whether or not
the Tortoise Saint Beast actually had lungs... as he reappeared behind
Kenshin, his balled-up fists literally like boulders ready to crush
the errant rurouni like a gnat.
***
Thin, razor-sharp vacuum hoops abated the ferocity of the Shot Gun
technique, making it easier for Randou to escape its fury. Yusuke, on
his part, also evaded the Zanku Reppuu Jin rings that did get through
his attack with no trouble, but the grimace on his face was still quite
apparent.
"Isn't it fun to reminisce, Urameshi? These were the techniques I
used on you and your friend while I was still pretending to be a Shaolin
Priest. Here's another one... SHAOLIN-KA-SHOU-HAPPA-KEN!"
Countless balls of Human World flames formed on each of Randou's
palms as the pasty-skinned demon easily juggled them from one hand to
the other. He then started to carelessly and gleefully lob them one by
one at a very irritated Yusuke Urameshi.
<What the hell is he trying to do? Singe me to death?!> Yusuke
thought incredulously, not sure if he should be insulted or not by
Randou's little parlor tricks. The sleek-haired young man easily avoided
most of the fireballs... he even intentionally let a few of them hit him
as a way of showing off as he shrugged off their mostly negligible
damage. "Cut the crap, Randou!"
***
Genbu slammed each of his rocky fists hard on either side of the
rurouni, intending to end the fight then and there before it even
started. A light crunch was heard, followed by silence... the stone
tortoise had won, which was the way things should happen.
Except things didn't turn out that way.
"What the...?!" Genbu elaborated as he looked down on Kenshin. The
rurouni interposed his sheathed sword between Genbu's two gigantic
fists, the sheathed weapon acting like a protective jam against the
large, boulder-like appendages. The golem pushed hard against the Demon's
Sword, but to no avail.
"This lowly one apologizes for whatever rudeness you've construed
from his remark... but...." Kenshin pulled the Demon Sword free from
Genbu's two fists, disappearing just in time before the said fists
crashed hard against each other. He then rematerialized a second later
behind his opponent, his back turned as he slowly walked away.
"Sessha cannot possibly remain here... this unworthy one still has
to find both Botan-dono and Keiko-dono so that sessha could keep them
safe from harm. This lowly one hopes you understand."
<S-such speed! I must be dreaming... this guy's speed is
incomparable to anyone I've ever met!> Genbu thought in awe. <The red-
haired plant user's speed was more on smoothness of movement... this
red-haired swordsman, on the other hand, makes use of quick bursts of
speed with reflexes that are... beyond human! So he's been holding
back his strength all this time?!>
The Shiseyju gnashed his teeth hard. <No... NO!!! I still have to
finish off Urameshi... no, this cannot be! I won't let a pacifistic
nobody like him make a fool out of me!> "BAKURETSU-GANSHOU-DAN!"
Kenshin didn't even bother to turn as a large, rising wave of
earth began to approach him from behind noisily. "Sessha does not have
time for this... I've seen that technique, and I already know several
ways to counter it. This is my final warning," Kenshin said, at first
politely, then with a hint of annoyance.
"SHUT UP! It's your kind that I hate... self-righteous, higher-
than-thou shit like you deserve to die!" Genbu stated angrily as he
melded into the ground once again, disappearing instantaneously.
Kenshin narrowed his eyes as he shook his head. <This annoyance
sessha feels... it isn't mine. It must be from Yusuke-dono. He's
probably battling with the pasty-skinned one right now, and it's
annoying him for some reason. I... this lowly one mustn't get carried
away by Yusuke-dono's emotions.> He then easily leapt away from Genbu's
intended surprise grapple from behind, while also escaping the incoming
Explosive Rock Assault.
Kenshin seemed to hang in the air for a moment as he contemplated
the situation further.<Despite Genbu-dono's apparent bravado, he is
still a mostly inexperienced fighter... most of the fights he had were
probably with weaker demons and the like. Perhaps he had one or two
fights with stronger opponents, but not enough to make him into a full-
fledged warrior.>
An instant later, before Genbu could react in time, his own
Bakuretsu-Ganshou-Dan crashed into him hard, shattering his body into a
hundred pieces. Kenshin then nimbly used the air pressure from the
explosive blast to hurl himself away from harm.
Kenshin could only sigh at the pathetic situation Genbu was
currently in as it confirmed all of his suspicions. <He'll probably
hate hearing this... but the truth of the matter is, he's just small
fry.>
The rurouni then looked at Genbu in pity. <Though, sessha has to
admit... Genbu-dono _is_ trying his very best. He even challenged
Yusuke-dono to a fight, despite the fact that he was obviously
outmatched. He kind of reminds me of certain young boy that way. But
still... this lowly one is wasting his time here... sessha must get
going....>
"SAMURAI!!!" Genbu wailed maniacally, his shattered face staring
straight at the red-haired, cross-scarred spirit's visage. "This ain't
over yet!" he spat. "Now get a taste of... the original BAKURETSU-
GANSHOU-DAN!"
***
"Cut the crap, Randou!"
The youkai merely laughed mockingly at the half-demon. "Of course."
Randou then began shouting, "ZANKU REPPUU JIN!" and "SHAOLIN-KA-SHOU-
HAPPA-KEN!" repeatedly as an endless stream of fireballs and vacuum
rings soon bombarded the annoyed Reikai Tantei.
"I said cut the CRAP! REI-KOU-DAN! REI-KOU-DAN!! REI-KOU-DAN!!!"
The multiple arcs of energy effortlessly blasted through the futile
techniques... as expected. Then, unexpectedly, silken threads began to
dance amidst the settling smoke and dust, encircling the impulsive
teenager. "Oh, fuck-- not again!"
"You must have really bad memory for you to forget this particular
technique of mine," Randou derided as he tightened the threads of web
around Yusuke, the errant Spirit Detective acting like a spool for the
demon web. "You may have grown quite strong over the years, but you're
still the same bullheaded, impetuous little boy I knew from before...
quick to anger and quite predictably so. Just like old times, right?"
"Feh," Yusuke detailed as he quickly broke and ripped through
Randou's demonic webbing. "You must really be full of it if you--"
"Jigen Tou," Randou simply said as he quickly slashed the large
ki-blade through thin air.
A large gash that exposed Yusuke's shattered shoulder blade
immediately appeared, followed by the wet splattering of blood. The
half-demon's annoyed expression then gradually changed to one of
shock and horror.
***
The shattered parts of Genbu's body began to attack Kenshin
individually, much to the vagabond spirit's surprise.
<So this is the original version of his revised technique...>
Kenshin thought in mild interest. He then went into his formless stance,
seemingly just standing in the middle of Genbu's onslaught. But as soon
as his opponent's rocky parts began bombarding him, his image became a
blur, easily weaving through the offensive with little trouble. <This
is getting wearisome, even for sessha... this lowly one must find a
way of escaping Genbu-dono's tedious attacks before sessha wastes any
more time.>
The separated components of Genbu's person then recombined behind
Kenshin. Once whole, the golem shouted, "Now, once again, here's the
revised BAKURETSU-GANSHOU-DAN!"
Kenshin resisted the urge to roll his eyes as he reflexively
readied himself. What technique would be most suitable to disable
Genbu at this point... a mountain-splitting Ryu Tsui Sen or an
earth-shattering Dou Ryu Sen? Oh well... he'd probably just 'play it by
the ear' again, if ever.
But before Kenshin could react his whole world suddenly whirled
into frenzy as a brief lance of excruciating pain tore through his
shoulder, which left him open to attack.
The Bakuretsu-Ganshou-Dan crashed hard against the errant vagabond
as pain erupted from every part of his body... from every pore of his
skin... nothing mattered now except the pain. He valiantly fought
against his agony with all the inner strength he could muster as one
thought kept on recurring at the back of his mind.
<Yusuke-dono... he's in trouble!>
***
Randou's Jigen Tou slashed through Yusuke's injured shoulder even
though the demon was a good ten feet away from the Spirit Detective.
That was the power of Kuwabara's ultimate attack... the special ability
to cut through dimensions and spaces as well as flesh.
<Jigen... Tou?> Yusuke thought as he fell down in a boneless heap.
<How did...?> Yusuke then remembered that Kuwabara had supposedly fought
Randou earlier... so the Jigen Tou was probably just another stolen
technique care of the sadistic demon.
Then, as soon as the tantei's body rested on the ground, pain
erupted from every pore of his skin... nothing mattered now except the
pain. He valiantly fought against his agony with all the willpower he
could muster as he contemplated his current situation.
<What the hell's going on?! That slash couldn't have been _that_
powerful! This pain I'm feeling... it feels like a house fell down on
me!>
Randou looked at the grunting and sweaty Yusuke with mirth in his
eyes as he asked, "What's the matter, Urameshi? Couldn't take a itty-
bitty cut from my sword technique? What a baby."
"Your sword technique?! That's Kuwbara's technique, you bastard!
Fuck that, I doubt that you've actually developed _any_ of the
techniques you're using!" Yusuke's eyes then widened in realization as
he spat, "Damn you, Randou! Kenshin's...."
The red-haired youkai laughed with barely-contained delight. "I
told you before, human... I know all your weaknesses. I saw what
happened to you when I shot the samurai. Because of your spiritual bond
with the sword, whatever happens to this 'Kenshin' happens to you as
well and vice-versa. That's why I sent Genbu to roughen up your friend
for a bit."
Yusuke growled as he attempted to stand up, but he was in too
much pain to do much of anything else but lie in agony. Now it all made
sense... the excessive pain he felt... the fact that he was inexplicably
feeling pity for Randou... it was all Kenshin's fault. "You coward...
you're using the wimp to get to me."
Randou grinned maliciously. "So what are you going to do about it,
Urameshi? Whenever the samurai gets injured, you'll get injured too...
and you can't do anything about it."
"You talk too much. Let me shut you up."
With no further contention or hesitation, Yusuke aimed an energy-
filled finger at Randou.
"REI-GAN!"
***
As Kenshin flew backwards, Genbu suddenly materialized behind him.
"I got you now, samurai!" the rock golem shouted as he cupped his
gigantic hands, intending to catch then squash the flying 'samurai' of
sorts.
Kenshin regained his senses just in time to acrobatically flip
himself over and land on Genbu's palms feet-first. He then leaped up
before the Saint Beast realized what had just happened.
Kenshin narrowed his eyes. The situation had changed... it was time
for some drastic measures.
Genbu looked up the sky and yelled, "DIE, SAMURAI!" as he balled up
his fists with murderous intent.
"Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu--"
In mid-air, Kenshin quickly unsheathed his Demon's Sword, a pale
gleam on its blade. He then spun in a complete arc before he altogether
dove down on Genbu with a quickness and strength that was equivalent to
a thunderous blast of lightning.
"RYU TSUI SEN!"
Kenshin's powerful technique cleanly cleaved the monstrous stone
tortoise in half. Genbu let out a silent scream as the two halves of his
body went down... but his adversary wasn't quite done with him yet.
"DOU RYU SEN!"
Kenshin then followed through with a devastating and earth-
shattering assault that completely destroyed the remnants of Genbu's
body. After the red-haired swordsman was through, all that remains
of his Sacred Beast adversary was half of its face.
Genbu gritted his teeth in pure agony as he struggled to look up
at Kenshin. He then grinned. "So... it would seem that I've pushed your
back far enough against the wall to get a half-decent fight. I've even
forced you to use some of your most powerful techniques!"
Kenshin shook his head at Genbu sadly. "Sessha is sorry, but those
were hardly my most powerful techniques. Also, sessha only attacked
Genbu-dono because this unworthy one didn't want Yusuke-dono to get
unnecessarily hurt on my account. Sessha deeply apologizes for the
mess... but this lowly one has to get going."
"Hey... HEY! DON'T YOU DARE TURN YOUR BACK ON ME! Y-you... didn't
even finish me off, you coward! Take me seriously, dammit! I AM NOT THE
WEAKEST OF THE SHISEJYU!!!" Genbu shouted pathetically, his mask of
bravado slipping as his voice cracked and choked... unfortunately, his
appeals fell on deaf ears.
Kenshin shut his eyes as he started to walk away from Genbu,
feeling deep remorse for what had happened. <Sessha didn't mean to
humiliate you so, Genbu-dono... but what needs to be done has to be
done. This lowly one does hope that someday you'll find your own path to
glory and greatness... but for now, this fight is over.>
***
A thunderous blast of light and energy streaked across the whole
expanse of the dojo, hitting and breaking through columns like they were
made out of gingerbread.
"But of course... this is your most powerful technique... the Rei-
Gan."
The blaze of incredible vigor burned through Randou's vision as it
seared through the air. Wreckage, rubble and debris were flung around
like so many breadcrumbs, the wood and concrete of the shrine easily
giving way to the fiery incursion.
"But it's hardly the most powerful technique of all time."
Randou was soon completely absorbed in an orb of blood red energy
as he chanted, "Kyuuketsuki Gakuen... INNER BLOOD TURMOIL!" Then, as the
Rei-Gan made contact with the energy surrounding Randou, it instantly
dissipated.
"Wha...?" Yusuke gasped.
Randou once again cackled as he pointed dramatically at Yusuke.
"That is the true power of the Vampire Persona. Ancient Vampires
believed that the ki of a bleeding fighter, compared to that of a
unwounded opponent, is weaker and more vulnerable to dispersing. They
have taken advantage of this fact with the creation of this defensive
technique. Your reiki-based techniques are useless against these
sophisticated maneuvers of mine."
Yusuke slowly got up from his lying position, gingerly grasping his
continuously bleeding shoulder, not at all acknowledging Randou's
presence.
"Don't you realize..." Randou began, "that you beat me only through
dumb luck? It was a fluke, plain and simple. But you won't be so lucky."
He grinned. As he spoke, the orb of energy began shrinking dramatically.
By the time his opponent had climbed to his feet, the red light was the
size of a basketball, hovering above Randou's hand.
"I shouldn't be surprised that you've survived my attacks so far...
if it was that easy, then my revenge would have been worthless," Randou
noted. "However, you won't last for long... with this combination of
my blood's life energy and your reiki, get a taste of your own medicine!
Kyuuketsuki Gakuen, BLOOD FIRE WAVE!" he shouted. As he said the last
three words, the ball of energy burst into a thousand beams of
destructive power, all aimed at Yusuke. The attack lasted a few seconds,
and when the smoke that formed had cleared, Randou could make out the
embers of a few fires that singed the young boy's uniform.
"Now you know some of my _other_ skills, as does your friend
Kuwabara. You'll be luckier than him however... as I will now show you
all ninety-nine... no, one-hundred of my tricks!" Randou boasted,
correcting himself at the last minute as he remembered his recently
acquisitioned 'talent', the Jigen Tou.
Yusuke bared his teeth, seething openly at Randou... but no words
escaped his mouth as he fumed in pain and anger.
"Before, I could only use one or two of my techniques at a time...
but now, because of the power I siphoned from the Chojin, I can finally
make use of all my techniques!" Randou spectacularly avowed. He then
addressed, "You seem uncharacteristically silent, Urameshi. You should
be shooting your mouth off by this time. What's the matter? Cat got your
tongue?"
At last, Yusuke spoke. "So you think you're all that?" He then
opened a tightly balled-up fist, revealing a small portion of the blood-
red energy that originated from Randou's assault. "The special attack
Yomi used in the Makai Tournament knocked the wind out of me... your
attack just ruined my uniform! Don't you get it? You're a pathetic
loser! The only reason you're still alive is because I have a fucking
shoulder wound and you don't! So stop bullshitting and give me all
that you've got already!"
Randou sputtered a bit before replying, "Damn you, Urameshi! I'll
show you--"
Soon the demon realized that he was talking to thin air.
Half of a second later a powerful right hook brimming with a unique
combination of ki and blood energy smashed right through his face with
the impact of a many-megaton explosion.
***
To be Continued...
Next: Unleash the immortal wolf.
Wow... I'm really enjoying the collection of fights the
last two chapters had. Why? Well, for one thing, I've been
gleefully referencing a lot of techniques from various
sources. Let me list them down for you. ;)
Hyaku Retsu Ken: Yusuke and Genkai's powerful multi-hit,
close-range punching technique taken from the Yuyu
Hakusho video game (Makyou Touitsusen) for the Sega Mega
Drive. Video game based only (meaning... no such move in
actual Yuyu canon ;P).
Tako Naguri: Yusuke's unblockable desperation move in the
SNES Yuyu Hakusho 2. Also video game based only.
Ushiro-Bakuretsu-Ganshou-Dan, Tetsuzan Kou: Actually, this
move is half made-up and stuff. :P 'Ushiro' simply means
reversed. The word was taken from one of Genjuro Kibagami's
(from Samurai Shodown) moves. Then the 'Tetsuzan Kou' was
taken from one of Yin's (from Street Fighter 3) moves.
LOL... Yin's and Genbu's Tetsuzan Kou, needless to say, are
very, very different from each other. :P
Chou-Bakuretsu-Ganshou-Dan, Genbu no Hoko: 'Chou', FYI,
roughly means 'super'. And no, this is not one of the
author's retarded attempts to make a fan created move...
sort of... :P This was actually based on the tornado-like
desperation move of Genbu no Okina of Last Blade fame. So
Genbu's 'Hoko' is a lot like Okina's... minus the dust and
plus a turtle or two. ;)
The Kaiwan (Arm of Annihilation) and the Byakko Sou: These
are techniqes taken from another 'Byakko' of sorts... Naoe
Shigen, also from Last Blade. I mean, IMO, Byakko (YYH) was
lame... why not give the guy a break and present him with
some bad-ass stuff for once? :P
The Kyuuketsuki Gakuen moves: These are shamelessly fan-made
moves... ain't it obvious enough? :)) The previously unnamed
Inner Blood Turmoil and the 'original' Blood Fire Wave are
the property of my former co-author Danyal Herder, by the
way. Oh, and Kyuuketsuki Gakuen, if you haven't figured it
out yet, generally means "Vampire Persona."
All the rest of the moves (especially the moves Randou used
during the first few minutes of his fight with Yusuke... :P)
are old-school Yuyu Hakusho and Rurouni Kenshin stuff.
LOL... isn't it fun to reminisce? :D
.....
Yes, Genkai's Supine Kick Kougeki isn't a move based from a
video game (ironically enough, it wasn't even used in any of
the Yuyu Hakusho video games, AFAIK... despite the fact that
it sounds a lot like a video game move :P).
As for the next chapter... wait and see. ;)
Disclaimer: Yuyu Hakusho the anime, the manga and its many video
game incarnations are the rightful property of Yoshishiro Togashi,
Shueisha, Fuji TV, Namco, Sega/Treasure and St. Pierrot. Rurouni
Kenshin is the rightful property of Nobuhiro Watsuki and Sony.
Street Fighter 3 is the property of Capcom. Last Blade and
Samurai Shodown are the property of (the now defunct) SNK. Don't
sue me please, I'm very poor.
Ja!
Abdiel
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Youtou Shinnoken
A Yuyu Hakusho/Rurouni Kenshin fic
By Chester Castaņeda
gab_ab@edsamail.com.ph
Original concept by SeventhOne
chadjill@ms3.hinet.net
http://www.fanfiction.net/read.php?storyid=1377336
http://www26.brinkster.com/callie/
Part two's here. :)
I would just like to briefly note that you, the
reader, are about to witness the results of
the Shisejyu's intense training. Enjoy! ^_^
A few more notes before proceeding:
< > indicates character thoughts
" " indicates character speech
_________________________________________________
Chapter 6: To protect loved ones (Part 2)
_________________________________________________
"Kurai yadare."
Randou winced. 'Eat this,' Yusuke had said... it was a very
familiar statement to the red-haired demon. Moreover, he knew what that
particular declaration meant... and what soon followed after it.
Yusuke aimed his pointer finger at Genbu with no hesitation. Soon,
a familiar warmth and energy rush seized his person as he collected his
ki into a concentrated ball of energy.
Genbu could only stare in dumbfounded shock and fright, his planned
counterattack soon forgotten as he winced under the glare of the Reikai
Tantei's impressive reiki.
Then, as suddenly as it appeared, the energy from the tip of
Yusuke's pointer finger quickly vanished. A confused look crossed the
spiritual detective's face as he stared at Genbu in puzzlement.
The stone golem Shisejyu was not one to question opportunities when
they arose. "K-kurai yadare yourself! Chou-Bakurestu-Ganshou-Dan...
GENBU NO--!"
"Stop what you're doing right this instant if you still want to
live."
The gigantic granite tortoise-demon could only gawk in absolute
disbelief as he looked over his shoulder and saw a very annoyed and
irritated Randou. Little wonder, since the pasty-skinned demon now had
his pointer finger aimed at the Saint Beast in the same manner as Yusuke
had before, his fingertip brimming with burning youki. "W-what the hell
are you doing, Randou?!"
"Don't you dare refer to me in such a familiar tone," Randou coolly
stated as he regarded his supposed ally in contempt. "You should know
your place. You've crossed the line this time, Genbu. Your stupidity
knows no bounds."
"W-what are you talking about? I had Urameshi where I wanted him!"
"The only thing you had was a death wish," Randou stated grimly,
his imitation Rei-Gan almost fully charged. "You're cowering under my
power now, but imagine what would have happened if you were facing
Urameshi's Rei-Gan instead. I bet you'd have the same frightened and
pathetic expression then as you have now."
The Sacred Beast of stone could only swallow and nod in
acquiescence. As much as he hated to admit it, he had been lucky this
time. If Randou hadn't shocked Urameshi out of his planned Rei-Gan
attack, then Genbu would have been a goner by now. The young half-demon
was simply out of his league. He simply bowed down in mortification and
defeat.
"The Chojin gave you another chance... don't blow it," Randou
reminded grimly.
Yusuke narrowed his eyes as he straightforwardly demanded, "Who
the hell is the 'Overfiend'?"
"You have no right to know the identity of the Chojin," Randou
sneered. He then turned his attention back to Genbu. "There has been a
change of plan." Afterwards, using stolen telepathic skills, be began
to relay his new strategy to all of the Shisejyu.
Seiryu snorted, stating, "Of course. That was what I intended to
do in the first place."
Byakko snarled, not at all acknowledging Randou's orders... his
prey was his only concern, after all.
Genbu's jagged teeth again formed a demented smile. "I like it.
Let's do it."
Kenshin walked towards Yusuke's side in all humility, but the
younger fighter merely gave him the cold shoulder. "Yusuke-dono...
sessha...."
"I know, I know... just don't get in my way," was the Spirit
Detective's impatient and hurried reply.
Randou smirked at the two warriors. "After observing you two for
quite sometime now, I have discovered a number of your weaknesses. As
such, all you could do now is wait for your oblivion. GENBU!"
"At last... this is what I've been waiting for," Genbu cheered as
he prepared his long-delayed technique. "Chou-Bakuretsu-Ganshou-Dan...."
"Keiko-dono, Kaoru-dono! My pardons, but you have to stay back!
There's no telling what Genbu-dono has in store for us."
"GENBU-DONO?! Are you nuts? Don't be polite to your enemy! And for
the last time, my name is Botan! BO--"
"GENBU NO HOKO!"
A large explosion subsequently rocked the entirety of Genkai's
domicile. The clouds of dust from the blast soon formed into a spiral
that shot upwards into the sky, creating a tornado-like sandstorm that
swallowed everything in its path.
***
"Yusuke... Yusuke!" Keiko shouted in panic before coughing
hoarsely. She covered her eyes and ears reflexively as noise and dust
assaulted her senses. As far as she could tell, she was floating off the
ground in unknown heights by a... dusty hurricane of sorts. She prayed
that somehow, somewhere, 'that idiot Yusuke' was safe before she
altogether lost her bearings.
Then, as soon as the earthy tempest started, it stopped. She opened
her eyes tentatively as she patted the ground with her hands... the
solid ground. She sighed a sigh of relief... she was safely back on
Earth. She sat up as she further surveyed her surroundings. It seemed
that she was on a... cliff of some sort, probably on the other side
of the mountain, away from Genkai's place. She wasn't completely sure.
The teenage girl then felt a heavy hand on her shoulder.
"Y-Yusuke?" she queried hopefully as she looked over her shoulder.
She then noticed that the hand felt deathly cold... colder than a
winter gale.
Before Keiko could shriek in panic, time stopped for her
altogether.
***
"What a stupid technique... PTOOOIEE!!" Yusuke spat as he cleaned
the dirt from his mouth with his uniform's sleeve. "Dammit... he even
ruined my pants. Just wait till I get my hands on that walking pile of
landfill...." He then noticed that his surroundings were a bit darker
than before. <Hey... where'd all the lights go?>
"I'm sorry, but Genbu's busy right now," a familiar voice stated
with an undertone of contempt and malice. "Won't you play with me
instead, Urameshi Yusuke?"
Yusuke narrowed his eyes as he searched in the darkness for his
soon-to-be opponent. "Well, if it isn't the King of Cheap Shot
himself... Randou. Only _you_ could come up with cheesy dialogue like
that. Come out and fight!" He then turned around to see a large beam of
light streaming down from the ceiling by means of a makeshift 'skylight'
of sorts. His eyes then widened. <Hey... this is granny's dojo! We've
somehow managed to end up here. But how...?>
The errant Spirit Detective surveyed the area as his sight
adjusted to the darkness. Whole columns of pillars were wrecked...
the floor was pocked with craters and holes. The 'skylight', or
rather the hole on the ceiling, was where he probably fell after the
furious onslaught of Genbu no Hoko had ceased.
Yusuke rubbed his sore shoulder contemplatively as he heard the
sounds of footsteps approach him. Ending up in a place like this...
with _Randou_, of all people... was no coincidence. "Well? Where the
hell are you?"
"Right here," Randou said as he dramatically entered into the
streaming beam of light. "I've been waiting for this for a long time,
Urameshi. Let's settle the score here and now."
Yusuke rolled his eyes, unimpressed. He then immediately vanished
right before Randou's eyes.
Before the youkai could even react, a meaty fist was already
slammed on his face care of the erstwhile half-demon.
Yusuke Urameshi, after all, was not one to dilly-dally.
***
Kenshin rubbed his eyes for a bit as he struggled to get up from
his current prone position. The worst of Genbu no Hoko was over... or
so it seemed.
But where were Keiko and Botan? And whatever happened to Genkai
and Yusuke? Kenshin inspected his immediate surroundings... even though
he was one of those in the forefront of the dust storm, it would seem
that he had never really left his current location. The rurouni could
only scratch his head in confusion. <If the others were carried off to
Kami-sama-knows-where, then why is sessha still here?>
"SAMURAI!" a proverbially loud voice boomed.
Kenshin turned around in time to see a gleeful-looking Genbu rise
up from the dune-filled ground as broken tiles and fragments of rock
scattered all over the Sacred Beast.
"Let us fight!"
***
Darkness. Botan was deathly afraid of it... which was a little
ironic really, since she _was_ Death.
Perhaps it did somehow make sense... Death, despite what other
people thought, was a people-oriented job. She just loved being around
lots of people... in fact, in the Reikai ferry-girl admission test, she
scored the highest on the Social Skills section.
Okay, so she made the 'Reikai ferry-girl admission test' part up...
but if there was one, she knew that she'd have a high score on the
Social Skills section. That was Botan... the 'Miss Lady Death' type of
people-person.
Where was she? Oh yes... darkness. She hated the darkness because
it reminded her of loneliness and isolation... something that just
didn't sit well with her people-person-ness... if that was a word.
But enough of the darkness monologue... all she had to do was open
her eyes to get rid of it anyway. <Du-h.>
But before she did, she heard voices... voices from... presumably
ugly people. Either that, or they were decent-looking people with the
misfortune of having really horrifying voices.
"We made it just in time, big brother! I thought I was going to
die in that hurricane!"
"Shut up! Don't remind me. Most of our band had already fled when
they discovered that Randou-sama has teamed up with those two other
psychos from the Chojin's mental ward... and what little that was left
of our demon minions was sucked up into that stupid dust storm! Dammit!
Dammit all to hell!"
"But at least we got the girl, right?"
"That's only the consolation we had on this trip. Damn Randou-sama
and his pigheadedness... if he only took the Demon's sword as a way to
defeat Urameshi like we've planned...."
Who were these losers? <How'd I end up in this mess? While we're at
it, where are Kenshin and the others? The last thing I remember was that
stupid sandstorm....> Botan sighed, daring to sneak a peek at her two
'supposed' captors. She winced. <Ew... I was right on my first guess...
really ugly.> She then blinked. <Gee... they look awfully familiar....>
"Big brother!" Iehog called out, pointing at the ferry-girl that
he carried on his shoulders like a sack of potatoes. "The Reikai woman
is awake."
"Oh great... knock her out again. I heard her awhile back before
Genbu-sama's tornado attack started... she's very noisy and irritating.
She's better left unconscious," Iehik offhandedly ordered.
"HEY! Don't I get a say in this?" Botan shouted as she materialized
her oar and shoved it in Iehog's face. Screaming more in surprise than
pain, the large, bearded demon unceremoniously dropped the ferry-girl
down on the ground.
"Owie!" Botan exclaimed as she rubbed her sore bottom. Before it
could even occur to her that _this_ was the perfect time for her to
escape, Iehik was already upon her. She held her oar forward
protectively. "Don't come near me! I have a wooden paddle-like something
and I'm not afraid to use it!"
"Relax, will you? We're all in the same situation here," Iehik
stated simply as he offered his claws to Botan, his smile seemingly
friendly.... as friendly as a grinning crocodile's, anyway.
The ferry-girl looked at the diminutive youkai suspiciously. "What
do you mean?"
"Isn't it obvious? We're all just spectators in this grand battle
of really powerful people," Iehik explained. "We have no power nor
influence in the matter, so in the end we can only do what spectators do
best... watch."
"So what about it?" Botan asked warily, her grip on her oar still
tight.
The large-headed demon smiled toothily. "We have a proposition for
you...."
"No... uh-uh. Not interested," Botan said as she slowly got up from
her sitting position. "I know better than to get into a deal with lower-
class youkai. No dice."
Iehik shrugged. "That's too bad, really... me and my brother have
been searching for the Demon's Sword for ten long years, and have
discovered very important facts about it that not even the Reikai knows
about." He smiled impishly. "And here I was, thinking you would _want_
to help your samurai friend who's now in grave danger...."
Botan easily lifted the small youkai off the ground with one hand,
elicited a yelp of, "Big brother!" from Iehog as the larger demon began
to approach but Iehik held his younger brother back with a wave of his
hand.
"What do you know about Ken-- the Demon's Sword?" Botan demanded.
"I'll tell as soon as you agree to come with us... and after you
put me down," Iehik replied. "All we ask for is your company... then
you'll learn everything you need to know about the enigmatic Demon's
Sword."
Botan actually contemplated this for a while. On one hand, the
weak little demon could be lying through his teeth... on the other
hand, he could be telling the truth. But could she really risk
trusting these two shifty characters?
<C'mon... don't be a fool like Randou-sama,> Iehik thought,
annoyed. <Randou-sama, Suzaku-sama... even Jine-sama... none of them
realizes the true horror of the Demon's Sword.>
<Oh... what have I got to lose? They're right... I have no control
over these 'grand battle' thingies... besides, there are... what? D-
level to C-level demons? What can they do? Shed fur on me? Besides,
Yusuke's always there to bash these youkai into submission if ever...
that is, as soon as I find that good-for-nothing. Other than that....>
She smiled unconsciously as she remembered how Kenshin's finger
touched her lips. <This is all for Kenshin's sake.> She then grimaced in
mild irritation when she realized what she was just thinking. <Get a
grip, girl. He's hung over some other girl... some Kaworu-something-or-
the-other.>
"Well?" Iehik asked, half-annoyed and half-hopeful. "Are you done
with your internal monologue?"
"Oh, what the heck..." Botan relented as she put Iehik down on
the ground. "Let's shake on it... or maybe not," she hastily corrected
as she warily looked at the brainy demon's clawed hands.
"Good, good... Iehog, come. Let's get moving... we have a lot of
ground to cover."
"Oh, one other thing... don't ever let your... pet touch me again.
I am not, I repeat, _not_ a sack of potatoes," Botan elucidated.
Iehog merely growled in response. <What am I? Chopped liver? What
the hell does she mean by 'pet'?>
<She means that you're as stupid as a dog,> Iehik answered for his
brother telepathically... a technique which Randou graciously 'borrowed'
from him.
<I don't understand why you have to go through the trouble of
fooling the girl like that... we could have killed her and be done with
it.>
<Don't be a fool! Do you have a death wish? We need her alive, at
most unconscious... anything other than that would be suicidal!>
<I don't understand,> Iehog admitted, scratching his beard in
confusion.
<Of course you don't.> Iehik rubbed his chin contemplatively. <I
didn't realize it before, but I now know who the guardian of the sword
is... I heard it a while back when the old woman was talking to the
samurai... he's the Hitokiri Battousai! It's his dark soul that made the
Demon's Sword what it is today. The ferry-girl is apparently important
to him... if we don't play our cards right, _we_ will be facing his
wrath!>
<The wimpy samurai? Dangerous? Pigs will sooner fly!>
<What I speak is truth. Furthermore, I intercepted Randou-sama's
telepathic orders for the Saint Beasts... the ferry-girl was supposed
to be used by Genbu-sama as bait for the Battousai. With her around,
the overprotective samurai won't be able to concentrate in battle.
Unfortunately for Randou-sama, we have other plans for her.>
<What other plans? Our only plan was to steal the Demon's Sword
while all the others were busy fighting. You're making things up, big
brother!>
<Shut up! That was also part of the plan, fool! Now be silent and
let me think.>
Botan looked at the glaring brothers in disinterest as she
continued to trudge forward. <Freaky. I sure hope I made the right
decision in going along with these two bozos.> To the two supposed
'bozos', she asked, "Where _are_ we going, anyway?"
"To the other side of this mountain, at the uppermost peak. A great
battle is commencing over there right this minute, and we wouldn't want
to miss it for the world."
***
Just like a pig that suddenly found itself airborne, Byakko gawked
in shock and disbelief as he flew up into the sky despite his enormous
girth. Genkai and her Supine Kick Kougeki... they were a force to be
reckoned with indeed.
The White Tiger Shiseyju landed on his feet hard as the ground
crumbled under his heel. The ice cage that Seiryu created for them had
already shattered in the onslaught of the powerful Genbu no Hoko, but in
its place stood dozens of ice fragments and crystals... remnants of the
aforementioned hoarfrost prison.
The youkai had already tried his previous tricks on the old woman.
The beastly fiends... the Kiyodai Ka absorption technique... even his
vastly improved Mei-Ko-Shou-Kai-Ha... absolutely nothing worked. The
aged martial artist was just too powerful for such low-tier attacks.
Byakko was getting really annoyed and frustrated, which only
served to fuel his burning desire for brutality all the more. His eyes
glazed over once again as a killing instinct manifested itself deep in
his psyche. He became a savage beast, no, even more than that... because
beasts merely killed for survival. He, on the other hand, killed because
he could... and because he enjoyed every minute of it. He needed no
other reason but that.
He was no ordinary beast... he was now a monster.
His right arm then grew and hardened as its muscles hypertrophied.
With a speed that belied his gargantuan mass, Byakko was soon
upon the matriarch of the Rei-Kou-Hadou-Ken style, quickly slashing
downward with his claws as he shredded and tore through the forearm of
one very surprised Genkai. This was the first move of the Kaiwan... the
Byakko Sou, the White Tiger's talon.
The real fight had finally begun.
***
"TAKO NAGURI!"
As Yusuke did another one of his impromptu and improvised
techniques, his arms began striking so fast that for a second it seemed
like he had eight arms instead of just two... hence the aptly named
"Octopus Assault."
The multitude of strikes from Yusuke's iron fists thundered in the
whole expanse of the dojo, sending the hapless Randou flying through the
temple, hitting and breaking through columns like they were made out of
gingerbread. Wreckage, rubble and debris were flung around like so many
breadcrumbs, the wood and concrete of the shrine easily giving way to
the red-haired demon's unceremonious flight.
Yusuke then flinched as Randou slowly got up from the ruins,
completely unhurt. The demon then began striding across the trail of
crushed and powdered fragments of what was once the floor, a nasty grin
plastered on his face.
"I must admit, your punches have become a bit more... powerful
since the last we fought. I applaud your efforts. Nonetheless, even
the physical exertions of a Class-S half-breed like yourself are
ineffective against my Iron Body technique."
"_Your_ Iron Body technique? Bullshit, it's just another technique
you've stolen from someone who's infinitely more skillful that you,"
Yusuke snorted derisively as he balled-up his right fist. It soon
brimmed with barely-contained spiritual energy. "Anyway, if I can't
rearrange your face with my fists, then I'll just blast it off... SHOT
GUN!"
<That's exactly what I've been waiting for, Urameshi... I want to
see how much you've _really_ improved.> Randou's smile grew even wider.
"ZANKU REPPUU JIN!"
***
Kenshin breathed in deeply as he gripped the hilt of his sword.
<Has it... been _that_ long a time since this lowly one last fought?
Or, at least, since sessha last fought through his own free will? When
was the last time sessha's sword was drawn? Sessha does not know. This
is the first time sessha's going to fight after a long, long time, de
gozaru.>
Genbu began to lumber over Kenshin's direction. "Well? Are you
really the guardian of the so-called Demon's Sword? The Chojin himself
has taken a great interest in that sword of yours... though personally,
I couldn't care less about it."
Kenshin nodded, smiling. "Sessha understands. In this lowly one's
personal opinion, the Demon's Sword does not suit Genbu-dono at all, de
gozaran."
Genbu grunted at the misidentified samurai. Randou convinced him to
fight _this_ loser? What a rip-off. "We're not going to have a tea
party, samurai... _we're_ going to battle, and _I'm_ going to win. So
stop being such a wimp and draw your sword!"
"Anooo... sessha isn't really a samurai, but more of a rurouni..."
Kenshin politely corrected.
"I DON'T FUCKING CARE WHAT YOU ARE! Let's just fight and get it
over with already!" Genbu shouted in a decisively non-friendly manner.
The samurai's... rurouni's... whoever's over-politeness was grating on
his nerves. He just wasn't used to anybody being nice to him at all,
really... it was just too weird for him.
"To be quite frank, sessha doesn't really want to fight you, de
gozaru yo," Kenshin honestly admitted.
Genbu sighed dejectedly. He really wished that the blue-haired girl
was with them right now. Then he'd have some leverage against the red-
haired swordsman. At the very least, the Guardian of the Demon's Sword
wouldbe forced to take him seriously lest the fool risked having his
lady friend suffer the consequences. "Why the hell _don't_ you want to
fight me?"
"For one thing, sessha doesn't really like fighting for the sake of
fighting... which is what you're trying to convince me to do right now.
For another, sessha believes that Genbu-dono isn't really a bad
person... you are actually quite harmless."
That was the single most insulting thing Genbu had heard his entire
life... hell, even including his afterlife. "So you think I'm _that_
pathetic? Eh, samurai-or-whatever?! I'LL SHOW YOU WHO'S PATHETIC!!!"
"Mou... that's not what sessha meant..." Kenshin started as he
tried, strangely enough, to explain to his opponent that he was actually
complimenting him. But the words died in his lips as Genbu melded into
the solid ground, disappearing amidst the pock-marked tiles in an
instant. "But there's no reason for us to fight, Genbu-dono! If you
would allow this lowly one to leave in one piece, then sessha would be
eternally grateful!"
"Just... shut... the FUCK... UP!" Genbu screamed at the top of his
lungs... metaphorically speaking, since it was debatable whether or not
the Tortoise Saint Beast actually had lungs... as he reappeared behind
Kenshin, his balled-up fists literally like boulders ready to crush
the errant rurouni like a gnat.
***
Thin, razor-sharp vacuum hoops abated the ferocity of the Shot Gun
technique, making it easier for Randou to escape its fury. Yusuke, on
his part, also evaded the Zanku Reppuu Jin rings that did get through
his attack with no trouble, but the grimace on his face was still quite
apparent.
"Isn't it fun to reminisce, Urameshi? These were the techniques I
used on you and your friend while I was still pretending to be a Shaolin
Priest. Here's another one... SHAOLIN-KA-SHOU-HAPPA-KEN!"
Countless balls of Human World flames formed on each of Randou's
palms as the pasty-skinned demon easily juggled them from one hand to
the other. He then started to carelessly and gleefully lob them one by
one at a very irritated Yusuke Urameshi.
<What the hell is he trying to do? Singe me to death?!> Yusuke
thought incredulously, not sure if he should be insulted or not by
Randou's little parlor tricks. The sleek-haired young man easily avoided
most of the fireballs... he even intentionally let a few of them hit him
as a way of showing off as he shrugged off their mostly negligible
damage. "Cut the crap, Randou!"
***
Genbu slammed each of his rocky fists hard on either side of the
rurouni, intending to end the fight then and there before it even
started. A light crunch was heard, followed by silence... the stone
tortoise had won, which was the way things should happen.
Except things didn't turn out that way.
"What the...?!" Genbu elaborated as he looked down on Kenshin. The
rurouni interposed his sheathed sword between Genbu's two gigantic
fists, the sheathed weapon acting like a protective jam against the
large, boulder-like appendages. The golem pushed hard against the Demon's
Sword, but to no avail.
"This lowly one apologizes for whatever rudeness you've construed
from his remark... but...." Kenshin pulled the Demon Sword free from
Genbu's two fists, disappearing just in time before the said fists
crashed hard against each other. He then rematerialized a second later
behind his opponent, his back turned as he slowly walked away.
"Sessha cannot possibly remain here... this unworthy one still has
to find both Botan-dono and Keiko-dono so that sessha could keep them
safe from harm. This lowly one hopes you understand."
<S-such speed! I must be dreaming... this guy's speed is
incomparable to anyone I've ever met!> Genbu thought in awe. <The red-
haired plant user's speed was more on smoothness of movement... this
red-haired swordsman, on the other hand, makes use of quick bursts of
speed with reflexes that are... beyond human! So he's been holding
back his strength all this time?!>
The Shiseyju gnashed his teeth hard. <No... NO!!! I still have to
finish off Urameshi... no, this cannot be! I won't let a pacifistic
nobody like him make a fool out of me!> "BAKURETSU-GANSHOU-DAN!"
Kenshin didn't even bother to turn as a large, rising wave of
earth began to approach him from behind noisily. "Sessha does not have
time for this... I've seen that technique, and I already know several
ways to counter it. This is my final warning," Kenshin said, at first
politely, then with a hint of annoyance.
"SHUT UP! It's your kind that I hate... self-righteous, higher-
than-thou shit like you deserve to die!" Genbu stated angrily as he
melded into the ground once again, disappearing instantaneously.
Kenshin narrowed his eyes as he shook his head. <This annoyance
sessha feels... it isn't mine. It must be from Yusuke-dono. He's
probably battling with the pasty-skinned one right now, and it's
annoying him for some reason. I... this lowly one mustn't get carried
away by Yusuke-dono's emotions.> He then easily leapt away from Genbu's
intended surprise grapple from behind, while also escaping the incoming
Explosive Rock Assault.
Kenshin seemed to hang in the air for a moment as he contemplated
the situation further.<Despite Genbu-dono's apparent bravado, he is
still a mostly inexperienced fighter... most of the fights he had were
probably with weaker demons and the like. Perhaps he had one or two
fights with stronger opponents, but not enough to make him into a full-
fledged warrior.>
An instant later, before Genbu could react in time, his own
Bakuretsu-Ganshou-Dan crashed into him hard, shattering his body into a
hundred pieces. Kenshin then nimbly used the air pressure from the
explosive blast to hurl himself away from harm.
Kenshin could only sigh at the pathetic situation Genbu was
currently in as it confirmed all of his suspicions. <He'll probably
hate hearing this... but the truth of the matter is, he's just small
fry.>
The rurouni then looked at Genbu in pity. <Though, sessha has to
admit... Genbu-dono _is_ trying his very best. He even challenged
Yusuke-dono to a fight, despite the fact that he was obviously
outmatched. He kind of reminds me of certain young boy that way. But
still... this lowly one is wasting his time here... sessha must get
going....>
"SAMURAI!!!" Genbu wailed maniacally, his shattered face staring
straight at the red-haired, cross-scarred spirit's visage. "This ain't
over yet!" he spat. "Now get a taste of... the original BAKURETSU-
GANSHOU-DAN!"
***
"Cut the crap, Randou!"
The youkai merely laughed mockingly at the half-demon. "Of course."
Randou then began shouting, "ZANKU REPPUU JIN!" and "SHAOLIN-KA-SHOU-
HAPPA-KEN!" repeatedly as an endless stream of fireballs and vacuum
rings soon bombarded the annoyed Reikai Tantei.
"I said cut the CRAP! REI-KOU-DAN! REI-KOU-DAN!! REI-KOU-DAN!!!"
The multiple arcs of energy effortlessly blasted through the futile
techniques... as expected. Then, unexpectedly, silken threads began to
dance amidst the settling smoke and dust, encircling the impulsive
teenager. "Oh, fuck-- not again!"
"You must have really bad memory for you to forget this particular
technique of mine," Randou derided as he tightened the threads of web
around Yusuke, the errant Spirit Detective acting like a spool for the
demon web. "You may have grown quite strong over the years, but you're
still the same bullheaded, impetuous little boy I knew from before...
quick to anger and quite predictably so. Just like old times, right?"
"Feh," Yusuke detailed as he quickly broke and ripped through
Randou's demonic webbing. "You must really be full of it if you--"
"Jigen Tou," Randou simply said as he quickly slashed the large
ki-blade through thin air.
A large gash that exposed Yusuke's shattered shoulder blade
immediately appeared, followed by the wet splattering of blood. The
half-demon's annoyed expression then gradually changed to one of
shock and horror.
***
The shattered parts of Genbu's body began to attack Kenshin
individually, much to the vagabond spirit's surprise.
<So this is the original version of his revised technique...>
Kenshin thought in mild interest. He then went into his formless stance,
seemingly just standing in the middle of Genbu's onslaught. But as soon
as his opponent's rocky parts began bombarding him, his image became a
blur, easily weaving through the offensive with little trouble. <This
is getting wearisome, even for sessha... this lowly one must find a
way of escaping Genbu-dono's tedious attacks before sessha wastes any
more time.>
The separated components of Genbu's person then recombined behind
Kenshin. Once whole, the golem shouted, "Now, once again, here's the
revised BAKURETSU-GANSHOU-DAN!"
Kenshin resisted the urge to roll his eyes as he reflexively
readied himself. What technique would be most suitable to disable
Genbu at this point... a mountain-splitting Ryu Tsui Sen or an
earth-shattering Dou Ryu Sen? Oh well... he'd probably just 'play it by
the ear' again, if ever.
But before Kenshin could react his whole world suddenly whirled
into frenzy as a brief lance of excruciating pain tore through his
shoulder, which left him open to attack.
The Bakuretsu-Ganshou-Dan crashed hard against the errant vagabond
as pain erupted from every part of his body... from every pore of his
skin... nothing mattered now except the pain. He valiantly fought
against his agony with all the inner strength he could muster as one
thought kept on recurring at the back of his mind.
<Yusuke-dono... he's in trouble!>
***
Randou's Jigen Tou slashed through Yusuke's injured shoulder even
though the demon was a good ten feet away from the Spirit Detective.
That was the power of Kuwabara's ultimate attack... the special ability
to cut through dimensions and spaces as well as flesh.
<Jigen... Tou?> Yusuke thought as he fell down in a boneless heap.
<How did...?> Yusuke then remembered that Kuwabara had supposedly fought
Randou earlier... so the Jigen Tou was probably just another stolen
technique care of the sadistic demon.
Then, as soon as the tantei's body rested on the ground, pain
erupted from every pore of his skin... nothing mattered now except the
pain. He valiantly fought against his agony with all the willpower he
could muster as he contemplated his current situation.
<What the hell's going on?! That slash couldn't have been _that_
powerful! This pain I'm feeling... it feels like a house fell down on
me!>
Randou looked at the grunting and sweaty Yusuke with mirth in his
eyes as he asked, "What's the matter, Urameshi? Couldn't take a itty-
bitty cut from my sword technique? What a baby."
"Your sword technique?! That's Kuwbara's technique, you bastard!
Fuck that, I doubt that you've actually developed _any_ of the
techniques you're using!" Yusuke's eyes then widened in realization as
he spat, "Damn you, Randou! Kenshin's...."
The red-haired youkai laughed with barely-contained delight. "I
told you before, human... I know all your weaknesses. I saw what
happened to you when I shot the samurai. Because of your spiritual bond
with the sword, whatever happens to this 'Kenshin' happens to you as
well and vice-versa. That's why I sent Genbu to roughen up your friend
for a bit."
Yusuke growled as he attempted to stand up, but he was in too
much pain to do much of anything else but lie in agony. Now it all made
sense... the excessive pain he felt... the fact that he was inexplicably
feeling pity for Randou... it was all Kenshin's fault. "You coward...
you're using the wimp to get to me."
Randou grinned maliciously. "So what are you going to do about it,
Urameshi? Whenever the samurai gets injured, you'll get injured too...
and you can't do anything about it."
"You talk too much. Let me shut you up."
With no further contention or hesitation, Yusuke aimed an energy-
filled finger at Randou.
"REI-GAN!"
***
As Kenshin flew backwards, Genbu suddenly materialized behind him.
"I got you now, samurai!" the rock golem shouted as he cupped his
gigantic hands, intending to catch then squash the flying 'samurai' of
sorts.
Kenshin regained his senses just in time to acrobatically flip
himself over and land on Genbu's palms feet-first. He then leaped up
before the Saint Beast realized what had just happened.
Kenshin narrowed his eyes. The situation had changed... it was time
for some drastic measures.
Genbu looked up the sky and yelled, "DIE, SAMURAI!" as he balled up
his fists with murderous intent.
"Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu--"
In mid-air, Kenshin quickly unsheathed his Demon's Sword, a pale
gleam on its blade. He then spun in a complete arc before he altogether
dove down on Genbu with a quickness and strength that was equivalent to
a thunderous blast of lightning.
"RYU TSUI SEN!"
Kenshin's powerful technique cleanly cleaved the monstrous stone
tortoise in half. Genbu let out a silent scream as the two halves of his
body went down... but his adversary wasn't quite done with him yet.
"DOU RYU SEN!"
Kenshin then followed through with a devastating and earth-
shattering assault that completely destroyed the remnants of Genbu's
body. After the red-haired swordsman was through, all that remains
of his Sacred Beast adversary was half of its face.
Genbu gritted his teeth in pure agony as he struggled to look up
at Kenshin. He then grinned. "So... it would seem that I've pushed your
back far enough against the wall to get a half-decent fight. I've even
forced you to use some of your most powerful techniques!"
Kenshin shook his head at Genbu sadly. "Sessha is sorry, but those
were hardly my most powerful techniques. Also, sessha only attacked
Genbu-dono because this unworthy one didn't want Yusuke-dono to get
unnecessarily hurt on my account. Sessha deeply apologizes for the
mess... but this lowly one has to get going."
"Hey... HEY! DON'T YOU DARE TURN YOUR BACK ON ME! Y-you... didn't
even finish me off, you coward! Take me seriously, dammit! I AM NOT THE
WEAKEST OF THE SHISEJYU!!!" Genbu shouted pathetically, his mask of
bravado slipping as his voice cracked and choked... unfortunately, his
appeals fell on deaf ears.
Kenshin shut his eyes as he started to walk away from Genbu,
feeling deep remorse for what had happened. <Sessha didn't mean to
humiliate you so, Genbu-dono... but what needs to be done has to be
done. This lowly one does hope that someday you'll find your own path to
glory and greatness... but for now, this fight is over.>
***
A thunderous blast of light and energy streaked across the whole
expanse of the dojo, hitting and breaking through columns like they were
made out of gingerbread.
"But of course... this is your most powerful technique... the Rei-
Gan."
The blaze of incredible vigor burned through Randou's vision as it
seared through the air. Wreckage, rubble and debris were flung around
like so many breadcrumbs, the wood and concrete of the shrine easily
giving way to the fiery incursion.
"But it's hardly the most powerful technique of all time."
Randou was soon completely absorbed in an orb of blood red energy
as he chanted, "Kyuuketsuki Gakuen... INNER BLOOD TURMOIL!" Then, as the
Rei-Gan made contact with the energy surrounding Randou, it instantly
dissipated.
"Wha...?" Yusuke gasped.
Randou once again cackled as he pointed dramatically at Yusuke.
"That is the true power of the Vampire Persona. Ancient Vampires
believed that the ki of a bleeding fighter, compared to that of a
unwounded opponent, is weaker and more vulnerable to dispersing. They
have taken advantage of this fact with the creation of this defensive
technique. Your reiki-based techniques are useless against these
sophisticated maneuvers of mine."
Yusuke slowly got up from his lying position, gingerly grasping his
continuously bleeding shoulder, not at all acknowledging Randou's
presence.
"Don't you realize..." Randou began, "that you beat me only through
dumb luck? It was a fluke, plain and simple. But you won't be so lucky."
He grinned. As he spoke, the orb of energy began shrinking dramatically.
By the time his opponent had climbed to his feet, the red light was the
size of a basketball, hovering above Randou's hand.
"I shouldn't be surprised that you've survived my attacks so far...
if it was that easy, then my revenge would have been worthless," Randou
noted. "However, you won't last for long... with this combination of
my blood's life energy and your reiki, get a taste of your own medicine!
Kyuuketsuki Gakuen, BLOOD FIRE WAVE!" he shouted. As he said the last
three words, the ball of energy burst into a thousand beams of
destructive power, all aimed at Yusuke. The attack lasted a few seconds,
and when the smoke that formed had cleared, Randou could make out the
embers of a few fires that singed the young boy's uniform.
"Now you know some of my _other_ skills, as does your friend
Kuwabara. You'll be luckier than him however... as I will now show you
all ninety-nine... no, one-hundred of my tricks!" Randou boasted,
correcting himself at the last minute as he remembered his recently
acquisitioned 'talent', the Jigen Tou.
Yusuke bared his teeth, seething openly at Randou... but no words
escaped his mouth as he fumed in pain and anger.
"Before, I could only use one or two of my techniques at a time...
but now, because of the power I siphoned from the Chojin, I can finally
make use of all my techniques!" Randou spectacularly avowed. He then
addressed, "You seem uncharacteristically silent, Urameshi. You should
be shooting your mouth off by this time. What's the matter? Cat got your
tongue?"
At last, Yusuke spoke. "So you think you're all that?" He then
opened a tightly balled-up fist, revealing a small portion of the blood-
red energy that originated from Randou's assault. "The special attack
Yomi used in the Makai Tournament knocked the wind out of me... your
attack just ruined my uniform! Don't you get it? You're a pathetic
loser! The only reason you're still alive is because I have a fucking
shoulder wound and you don't! So stop bullshitting and give me all
that you've got already!"
Randou sputtered a bit before replying, "Damn you, Urameshi! I'll
show you--"
Soon the demon realized that he was talking to thin air.
Half of a second later a powerful right hook brimming with a unique
combination of ki and blood energy smashed right through his face with
the impact of a many-megaton explosion.
***
To be Continued...
Next: Unleash the immortal wolf.
Wow... I'm really enjoying the collection of fights the
last two chapters had. Why? Well, for one thing, I've been
gleefully referencing a lot of techniques from various
sources. Let me list them down for you. ;)
Hyaku Retsu Ken: Yusuke and Genkai's powerful multi-hit,
close-range punching technique taken from the Yuyu
Hakusho video game (Makyou Touitsusen) for the Sega Mega
Drive. Video game based only (meaning... no such move in
actual Yuyu canon ;P).
Tako Naguri: Yusuke's unblockable desperation move in the
SNES Yuyu Hakusho 2. Also video game based only.
Ushiro-Bakuretsu-Ganshou-Dan, Tetsuzan Kou: Actually, this
move is half made-up and stuff. :P 'Ushiro' simply means
reversed. The word was taken from one of Genjuro Kibagami's
(from Samurai Shodown) moves. Then the 'Tetsuzan Kou' was
taken from one of Yin's (from Street Fighter 3) moves.
LOL... Yin's and Genbu's Tetsuzan Kou, needless to say, are
very, very different from each other. :P
Chou-Bakuretsu-Ganshou-Dan, Genbu no Hoko: 'Chou', FYI,
roughly means 'super'. And no, this is not one of the
author's retarded attempts to make a fan created move...
sort of... :P This was actually based on the tornado-like
desperation move of Genbu no Okina of Last Blade fame. So
Genbu's 'Hoko' is a lot like Okina's... minus the dust and
plus a turtle or two. ;)
The Kaiwan (Arm of Annihilation) and the Byakko Sou: These
are techniqes taken from another 'Byakko' of sorts... Naoe
Shigen, also from Last Blade. I mean, IMO, Byakko (YYH) was
lame... why not give the guy a break and present him with
some bad-ass stuff for once? :P
The Kyuuketsuki Gakuen moves: These are shamelessly fan-made
moves... ain't it obvious enough? :)) The previously unnamed
Inner Blood Turmoil and the 'original' Blood Fire Wave are
the property of my former co-author Danyal Herder, by the
way. Oh, and Kyuuketsuki Gakuen, if you haven't figured it
out yet, generally means "Vampire Persona."
All the rest of the moves (especially the moves Randou used
during the first few minutes of his fight with Yusuke... :P)
are old-school Yuyu Hakusho and Rurouni Kenshin stuff.
LOL... isn't it fun to reminisce? :D
.....
Yes, Genkai's Supine Kick Kougeki isn't a move based from a
video game (ironically enough, it wasn't even used in any of
the Yuyu Hakusho video games, AFAIK... despite the fact that
it sounds a lot like a video game move :P).
As for the next chapter... wait and see. ;)
Disclaimer: Yuyu Hakusho the anime, the manga and its many video
game incarnations are the rightful property of Yoshishiro Togashi,
Shueisha, Fuji TV, Namco, Sega/Treasure and St. Pierrot. Rurouni
Kenshin is the rightful property of Nobuhiro Watsuki and Sony.
Street Fighter 3 is the property of Capcom. Last Blade and
Samurai Shodown are the property of (the now defunct) SNK. Don't
sue me please, I'm very poor.
Ja!
Abdiel
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