[A gust of wind rushes towards Yusuke, making him fly backwards. Slow-motion as he hits the wall, feet first, he bends his knees and rebounds slightly higher than the wind current. Reaching the ceiling, he twists to punch with his opposite hand, sending him back down towards Okiya, punching her head with his energy fist while her eyes are slowly catching up with his movements. The force pummels her to the ground, onto the stalagmites that Yokira had raised earlier. Between the spirit punch and the spikes, Okiya’s body is an unrecognizable mess on the ground. Yusuke lets out a sigh then flops down beside Kurama.]
Yusuke: Whew. I hope there won’t be any more obstacles in our way here.
Kurama: Don’t worry. We already handled everything by the time you caught up.
Yusuke: That last punch took everything I got.
Kurama: As did my attack. Everything both I and Yokira had together.
Yusuke: So before, that head brother of yours was controlling you; how were you able to break free?
Kurama: I could have easily given in, there was nothing to stop me, but I did not want the result of that choice. Before, Remayolo could only control me because I let him.
[Hiei is near passed out from the pain of the burning liquid. His clothes have begun to disintegrate in it. The bandage around his forehead breaks off and his Jagan opens. He is consumed by an intense flame that revives him and evaporates all the liquid around him. Freed, he rushes behind Endoya to grab her in a bind from behind.]
Hiei: Say your choice of death quickly or I’ll choose it for you.
Endoya: I really think it would be in your best interest if I stayed alive right now.
[Hiei releases a hand and it burns with the immortal flame in front of Endoya’s face.]
Hiei: Heated ice turns to water. Heated water evaporates. Try as you might, you can’t hurt me.
Endoya: [sweating yet confident] But you have released my powerful fluid into the air. And air is what you breathe. Kill me and there will be no one to stop it from entering you or your friends’ respiratory systems. You felt what it did to your skin. Just imagine it rotting you from the inside out.
Hiei: I’ll take my chances.
[Hiei clenches Endoya’s throat with his fiery hand. He takes his other hand and clenches it as flames surround it and jabs it into her back. Endoya burns up then falls on her front. She turns her head to the side to get one last glimpse of Hiei.]
Endoya: Too bad we are in such unstable quarters; I could not fight to my full extent.
Hiei: If that were the case, you still would have lost. My dark dragon would have devoured your serpent.
[Endoya stops breathing. Hiei turns and walks over to the side of the tunnel leading towards the crystals.]
Hiei: [to Yusuke and Kurama] Let’s go.
[Kurama stands up. Yokira stirs and manages to raise her head; looking up at Yusuke and Kurama.]
Yokira: And so it ends.
[Kurama turns away from Yokira. Yusuke kneels down to look her in the eye.]
Yusuke: Your pack is destroyed. You are the only one left now.
Yokira: Very well, then hurry up and do it. Kill me.
Yusuke: No can do.
Yokira: You kill my siblings and just decide to leave me? Let me go and I will make sure you pay for their loss.
Yusuke: Honestly, I don’t think any of us have enough energy left to finish you off. Besides, You had the opportunity to kill me before, but spared me. Now call it some crazy code or whatever, but I think it’s only right for me to return the favor.
Yokira: Curse you! You weak-hearted fool! Next time I will kill you.
Yusuke: Now don’t thank me just yet…you’re in a pretty sorry condition right now. [stands up] But I have to say, should you live, if you ever cross me again, I won’t show you mercy. If next time comes [points hand in Spirit Gun position, touching her forehead] it will be for real.
[Yusuke walks towards Hiei. The two travel down the tunnel. Kurama briefly turns to glance at Yokira.]
Yokira: Brother! Please. Kill me.
Kurama: [pause, hidden sorrow] I will not.
[Kurama then follows Yusuke and Hiei. Yokira has flashback images of her and Yoko Kurama from their fox forms up to the present while she thinks.]
Yokira Voiceover: Yoko…Kurama…dear brother. Where has life led us? You have changed so much. This heart you have…the kindness you’ve shown me. Curse your kindness…how long am I to endure this pain…but I shall live…do you think that I will not come back to avenge our siblings? Why did you let me live? Why? I partook in your suffering…I delighted in tormenting you…yet…our bond. Ever since I found you in the human realm…you have shown me continual kindness…where did that kindness come from? How? How did you turn into a completely different person in so short a time? Is it possible for anyone to change? …Can even a wretch like me change? Can I become a new person like you? Heh, you’re a pesky little runt…but…the best teacher… [Fade out]
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[Kurama catches up with Yusuke and Hiei in the tunnel.]
Yusuke: Welcome back. So, what about your sister?
Kurama: [downbeat] I can’t imagine Yokira will last for long in her condition. Remayolo was controlling her at the time. Taking him out like that for her was like removing the spinal cord. But she lent me the power to do so, even if it was solely meant for me to save myself. She intended to die.
[They reach the end of the tunnel with an archway into a grotto and cautiously walk in. The walls softly glow florescent blue. Looking around, the room is empty except for a sparkling piano in the center. The trio is taken aback from their find.]
Yusuke: That’s it? A piano? What about the crystals?
Hiei: They’re coalesced in the piano.
Yusuke: Well that will make things difficult.
~*~ Listen to "Kurama's Loss" ~ by Cassie ~*~
[Kurama walks up and sits on the bench. He lightly brushes some fingers over the keys. He plucks a note that resonates. He positions his fingers and plays a full chord that fills the room. He moves to a second chord, and then continues playing a sad tune that echoes down the caverns. Yokira is dragging herself, but stops to listen. She clenches her eyes shut and sighs through her teeth. A shadowy leg appears in front of her. Outside, across Demon World, Kurama’s tune carries on. Thunder sounds and clouds gather as rain cries from the skies. There is a ghosted layer of Kurama’s closed eyes and swaying while different sets of demons look up at the sky: Hokushin and the other monks; Mukuro; Kokou and Enki; Koto; Juri; and Yomi. The shot of Kurama solidifies as he finishes with a forlorn chord that vibrates to the very soul.]
Yusuke: Since when did you know how to play piano?
Kurama: Oh. My mother had me take lessons as a child. [rising] I forgot to ask why you two are here.
Yusuke: Well we’ve been investigating this demon club and they had us run a little errand to pick up these crystals.
Kurama: [reaffirming question] The Ziberian Crystals?
Hiei: [shocked] Ziberian?!
Yusuke: Huh, what?
Hiei: [just realizing Zerk’s goal] They’re legend to containing all the power that upholds Demon World.
Yusuke: [whistles, patting piano] Wow, they really aren’t your average gem at the store.
Kurama: This was what my brother was after.
Hiei: Apparently this is what Zerk is after as well.
Kurama: Knowing that, we should decide on what we are going to do about it.
Yusuke: Sorry. I forgot to bring my chisel; we’ll just have to take the whole piano.
Kurama: Really, Yusuke.
Yusuke: Just kidding. If these really are powerful, I’d say we should just keep them put. No telling what that mysterious bunch will do with them.
Hiei: So after all that. We go back empty handed?
Yusuke: Seems a shame.
Kurama: If anything, we can say we gained experience.
Yusuke: Hey, how many others do you think have come this far to the crystals?
Kurama: Considering Demon World is still in balance, I would say none except the powers that created the caverns; them or only those smart enough not to tamper with the delicate balance.
Yusuke: I can feel that balance just by that music you played. Besides, getting these for Zerk probably won’t get us what we want. I thought it was funny how they sent two of us and offered to reward both us where one of us could have done all the work but both come back with the prize.
Kurama: That is unusually bright for you Yusuke!
Yusuke: [offended] Hey!
Kurama: [sweatdrop] No, not like that. It’s okay, I’m proud. [explaining] You’re not blinded by greed of power that you could use the crystals for yourself.
Yusuke: Yeah, well, even if I could use them for good, Demon World’s balance would be upset, right? [walks back to the tunnel] Let’s go.
