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Chapter 30 - Chapter 29: Heroes Fall

"What else were they targeting?"

Yuriko was standing in the midst of Matsuda's house, staring down Vinhatri with a gaze of vengeful rage. Everyone was there – Akari, Matsuda, Jayce. She was dressed in her usual Wakizashi uniform, but her mask was still down. She was calm, empty, and ready for it all to end.

"Um…" Vinhatri hesitated, glancing away. "They were going after the shrine next."

"Which one?" She asked.

"Antari Shrine," He said. With that, she turned away from him, but he called out. "Wait!" She turned to face him again with a glare, and he flinched slightly. "Are you going to kill them?"

"They killed my grandfather," Yuriko hissed. "My mother. My friends. What do you think?"

"Yuriko," Jayce grabbed her hand. "Please... at least tell the police about the bomb."

"No," She answered. "This is my fight. The last stand. I will either win," She pulled from his grasp. "Or die trying."

"You can't say that!" He argued. "I can't let you say that!"

"This isn't your decision, Jayce," Yuriko turned to him, a sad look in her eye as she touched his cheek. For a moment, she wanted to lean in just a little farther, but she pushed the thought away. "This is mine. And before you tell me you won't let me go alone, I suggest you take a moment to think about the fact you will only be in the way."

He stared at her for a moment, and she heard his thoughts loud and clear. Please don't go.

"I have to," She sighed, letting go of his cheek. Turning away, she picked up the wakizashi blades and walked to the door. Pausing, she glanced back. "If I don't get the chance to say it ever again… then goodbye."

With that, she exited the depths of Matsuda's house, walking out into the street. Wakizashi put her mask up, staring at the sky for a moment. So clear. So dark. So many stars. Looking out down the path, she started walking. Here it was. The night everything would change, so to speak – and the night that would condemn her to either a life of guilt or a painful death.

 

(¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.-> 🖋 <-.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯)

 

Wakizashi stood in front of the tall red arches silently. She could hear them – the thoughts within. Her eyes raised to a camera on the edge of the arch, glaring. They knew she was there, and they knew she knew they were there. Pulling out her wakizashi, she threw the sheath at the camera, knocking it to the ground. She walked over to where it landed and ensheathed her sword, crushing the device under her heel.

Continuing towards the shrine, she stood in front of the water pavilion, taking up the ladle with her right hand and pouring water over her gloved left. Then, she did the same with the other hand, this time holding the ladle with her left. After that, she cupped some water and rinsed out her mouth, spitting it out.

Then she walked up to the shrine altar. Digging in her pocket, Wakizashi pulled out a coin, flipping it into the offering box. She rang the bell there, bowed twice, and clapped her hands two times. Finally, she closed her eyes, and quietly whispered under her breath to whatever gods were listening.

"If I die tonight, please protect my friends so they may live their lives to their fullest."

Keeping her eyes closed for a moment, she sighed out. The thoughts entered her mind, feeling them close in and enter her barrier. With a deep breath, she put her hands down by her sides. As she heard the steps come from either end of the shrine, she pulled out her blades and stood there silently. Then, she turned around to face them diligently. There they were, wearing the same outfits, but without their masks. Flower was grinning, Vin smirking.

"Hello," Flower said, holding the katana. "Still wearing that mask? We all know who you are now, Wakizashi."

She stared at them, knowing they were right. Reaching up, she pulled it down, revealing her face. "That's true," She replied. "But welcome."

"Welcome?" Flower tilted her head. "Welcome to what?"

"The end," Wakizashi said.

She laughed hysterically. "Really? That's what you think? Just surrender now, Yuri, and we'll make it quick."

"I'm afraid that isn't in my blood," She answered.

Flower smirked. "Well, let's see that blood of yours, then."

With that, Vin shifted forms, turning into the large white wolf as it lunged at her. She dodged, rolling down the steps, as he flew over her head and slammed through the building's paper windows. Wakizashi looked up as Flower slashed down at her, and she raised her swords to block. She pushed up and lashed back out, cutting and scoring marks in her dark skin. Alas, the attacks were returned, small nicks here and there across Wakizashi's uniform.

Then, she heard it – the rampant thoughts of the wolf behind her – and she ducked. The monster crashed into Flower, bowling them both over. Wakizashi stood up, circling as they struggled back to their feet. The wolf turned back into Vin, and he shook out his hands, grimacing. She stopped as the two walked around her until they were on either side.

"You think you can win this time?" Flower hissed. "You couldn't before. You had to have someone else come rescue you. Like a damsel!"

"Why don't you fight me yourself, then, if you think you'll win?" Wakizashi mused. "You had to get a wolf on your side before I killed you. So face me on your own."

"You wanna face me?" She grinned. "Fine. You'll face all of me."

Flower closed her eyes, raising her arms up wide. Vin scoffed, stepping back into the shadows. She started to shimmer, her form vibrating, before her skin started to stretch to either side. Like something was clawing out of her. Dressed in the same clothes, two Flowers stepped out of her, like duplicates. Then, they split again, and again, and again. Soon enough, ten of the same Flower was standing all around Wakizashi, her horribly multiplied laughter screaming through her ears.

One charged, and Wakizashi ducked, slashing out at a second that was immediately downed by her sword. Pink petals burst into the air, covering the ground as she danced around, cutting into the duplicates relentlessly. They all fought her, some landing hits, bruises that would form later. She didn't stop in her kill streak until she felt a gash form on her back, and she cried out.

Falling to her knees, she leaned forward, watching as the last two Flowers circled her. She panted, feeling the warm blood drip down her spine. The one holding the now red katana grinned, handing a small ball form off to the other Flower. She nodded before Flower turned and started walking away. The duplicate leaned forward, holding a grenade in front of Wakizashi, and pulling the pin.

Her eyes widened. She dropped one sword, grabbing the grenade and shoving it in the mouth of the duplicate, pushing her back until Wakizashi was standing again. She kicked her away, straight into the other Flower, who looked back as she realised what had happened. A scream was about to escape her – but the explosion came first.

Wakizashi was blown back, rolling on her side before she stopped. Watching as the shrine was engulfed in flames, she felt thoughts enter her mind. One Flower was still alive – it didn't matter which, they were all the same. Except, there was someone else. Someone watching the flames rise in horror, and they were with someone. Jayce and Matsuda.

For a while, Wakizashi didn't rise, one sword limply in her hand. It wasn't until she saw Flower exit the flames, walk towards her, and stand over her that she glanced up. The woman was bleeding from her head, her entire arm covered in burns, but still holding the katana. She laughed lightly, then dropped the sword next to Wakizashi.

"I'll let you die with his blade," She sneered. "This fight is over, Yuri." Flower leaned down. "You. Lost."

Flower turned away, cackling as she walked off. Wakizashi watched her, limp, before her eyes laid on her grandfather's katana. A memory struck her. Her grandfather watched her with sad eyes, just the morning after her mother left her. She felt empty, and promised that this numbness would never leave her personality, swearing to not change.

"A promise to never change is a promise already broken."

Yes. That was one of his dojo rules. To remain as a broken, emotionless husk was a lie. She would change, or she would not be human. That was the solid truth of it all. Slowly, Wakizashi rose, dropping her namesake blade as she picked up the katana. Her grandfather's katana.

Wakizashi – no, Yuriko – dashed forward. She held her blade at her waist, screaming in a fit of rage she had never felt before. The woman before her, Flower, turned at the last second in surprise that the bleeding and injured girl was still standing tall. The cry of anger burned brighter than the flames as she stabbed straight through Flower's abdomen.

A sharp gasp came from the white-haired girl, pale blue eyes widening as she stared at Yuriko. They reflected back the image of her furious face, frantic in her mess to kill. Her gaze faded as she looked down, grabbing the blade and trying to step back, wincing before stopping.

Yuriko didn't cease, though. She stepped forward, wavering ever so slightly, twisting the katana into her further as the girl cried out. The woman looked up again, gritting her teeth, tears of pain falling from her pale eyes. Then, she glanced past her, gaze widening before she smiled.

A piercing pain felled her back, and Yuriko screamed. Looking over her shoulder, she saw him – Vin, using her own two wakizashi to stab into her spine. She ground her teeth, the agony writhing, but she quickly numbed it. The fight would not be over so easily, and she refused to lose.

Yuriko pulled the weapon free from Flower's abdomen, stepping back and dropping it. Then, she reached over her head and yanked out the blades, crying out. Stumbling momentarily, she turned around, stepping towards the quickly backtracking Vin.

She ran at him, placing both blades at his neck in an X formation. He let out a squeak, a mutter of pleas, but she didn't listen. She sliced straight through his neck like butter, his head tumbling into the flames. His form quickly faded into pink petals, the blood on her blades merely a memory of his existence.

Yuriko turned around to face Flower, who had watched in horror, then fell to her knees. She whispered something, inaudible, her last words nothing but a gust of breath that dissipated in the smoke. The woman, too, faded into petals of pink. Her smile and tears were nothing but a stain in her mind.

It was over.

"Yuriko!"

She stood there for a moment, trembling, before she turned to look over her shoulder. Blood ran into her eye, making it all a blur in the flames as she saw him. She saw Jayce, running through the embers to find her. When their eyes met, she found her strength waver. He called her name again, ran towards her, and she dropped the swords to the dirt.

Somehow, even though he seemed so far away, she felt him catch her before she hit the ground. He lifted her up in his arms, and she blinked away the blood in her gaze. All she could see was his face, outlined by the fire and smoke, his expression of determination as he carried her out of the flames. Into the street, away from the burning shrine.

"You came…" She croaked.

"Don't talk," He whispered, gasping. "It's okay – you're okay."

"I told you not to come…" She coughed. "Idiot."

A flash of light shimmered in the corner of her eye, and she could barely hear Matsuda. "Is she alright? Here, hand her over-"

"No!" Yuriko cried out, reaching up and grasping Jayce's shirt with an iron grip.

"It's okay, Yuriko, it's okay, he's going to help-" Jayce tried to convince her.

"No," She said again with a groan, panting. "Please don't leave me…"

There was a moment of quiet between them. Then, "Sensei, go get help."

"But-"

"Now!" He shouted.

A moment of uncomfortable silence, save for the screaming flames. Then another flash, and she felt the world growing closer. She was placed on the ground, her head cradled in Jayce's arms comfortably. Her grip on his shirt fell, her hand on her stomach. Warm blood. Everything hurt, the sky was blurry, and she couldn't feel her legs.

"Jayce?" Yuriko whispered.

"Yeah?" He answered.

She sniffed. "I'm scared."

"I know," Jayce mumbled. "I can feel it."

"I don't want to die," Yuriko felt the tears start to well in her eyes uncontrollably. "I haven't done… so many things. I haven't gotten a cat. I haven't built my own dojo. I didn't even get a job yet." She paused. "I want to know… What love feels like."

"It's okay," He muttered. "You won't die, I promise. It's okay."

"Jayce?" She whimpered.

"Yeah?" He said.

"Give me your hand." Yuriko reached up shakily, her hand covered in fresh blood, but she felt his palm touch hers. No gloves. She lowered his fingers to her cheek. "Do you feel it…? Do you know… if it's love?"

"Love?" Jayce matched her eyes in confusion. "Love for who?"

"For you…" She breathed.

He was silent for a few seconds, thinking. "Yeah, maybe."

"Maybe?" Yuriko asked.

"I don't know what love feels like," Jayce sighed, and caressed her cheek. "But I think I feel it with you."

Yuriko sniffed again, took a deep breath, and chuckled. That was right… the thing she wanted to do before. Kiss him. Yes, she wanted to kiss him. Once she got better, once she was healed again by Akari, she would do that. She knew it finally. It wasn't a simple crush like some child – it was true, authentic love, and she felt it for…

Gasping, the numbness started to spread to her fingers and face. "Jayce…" Yuriko choked. "Jayce, I can't feel anything."

"What?" He looked at her sharply.

"I can't feel anything-" Her vision started to turn black. "I can't… I can't see. I can't see you!"

"Hold on, Yuriko," Jayce pleaded, hugging her close to him. "Hold on, just hold on…"

"I can't," Yuriko whimpered. "I'm cold… I'm so cold…" Her voice started to fade. "I…"

"Hold on, please, hold on," He kept saying, but his voice sounded faint.

Yuriko gasped heavily, feeling the freezing temperature rise harshly. Her shaking doubled as she coughed, choked, then inhaled sharply. Her breath ended in a soft and slow exhale, and her trembling ceased. Her grey eyes, dim, stared up at the sky as everything faded into nothingness.

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