Running Man Blood in Bandages 2: Survival

Chapter 27: Broken Dreams: Yuu Yamada vs Charming Gold Part 1

"Let's finish this together, Yuu" Kuga says, rubbing his sore throat as he charges his paw for his move. "The Pincer tactic will surely defea-"

"No, this is my fight," Yuu says, eyes never leaving Charming Gold.

"But Yuu, this isn't the time for revenge, we must-" Kuga stopped himself as he took notice of Yuu's eyes as he stared at Charming Gold. The seriousness they had and their determination, it was enough for Kuga to realize just how important this moment is for him. It wasn't about hatred or vengeance, it was to right all the wrongs right. Charming Gold died back then due to his actions and now he's back. Alive and breathing. He can only imagine what Yuu is feeling. Wronged, betrayed, rage. As a warrior of the bars tribe, he knows all too well about drive and redemption. This is Yuu's redemption for everything Charming Gold has done to them and others. "I understand" I was all Kuga could say as he took a step back.

"Yuu, wait! You're acting out again!" Miyo shouted in disapproval. "Stop brushing us off and let us help you!" Kuga then blocked Miyo with her arm to stop her from getting to Yuu.

"It's okay, Miyo. Let him do this" Says the tiger.

"No! He's injured! He's forcing himself again! Salena, help me stop him!" She looked over at Salena who Pala made her drink the potion to heal her. Salena wanted to stop him just as much as Miyo did. To stop Yuu from making stupid decisions he just promised them he would never do it again. But his eyes, so determined, it would be wrong for any of them to get in the way. She only ever heard them talk about what Charming Gold did so she could never imagine how Yuu or any of them have felt and is still feeling now that he is in front of them. So, she lowered her head to look down, unable to meet Miyo's eyes.

"Miyo..." Yuu voices out, gaining everyone, including Akong and the audience's attention. "I know I just promised you I would never play the hero ever again, to value my life just as much as I value yours... But this time... I'm going to have to break that promise... at least only this one time. I need to do this. I never forgave myself for what happened to you and the others during our fight with Ulcus..."

"Nothing happened! You knew that Pala's cane was the real artifact and we managed to convince Ulcus to give us all a second chance! You saved us!" Miyo replied as the rest all gathered around her and Kuga.

"Not the first time..." Without looking at her, Yuu responded, his chest feeling heavier as the bandage soaked the sweat from his palms. His mouth quivering as he struggled to fight it. "You... Kuga... Pala... Lonky and Gai... All five of you died that day while we just... watched"

"What...?" Miyo uttered, eyes wide open along with the others.

"Liu is this... true?" Kuga asked the bug but he bit his lip and avoided looking at any of them.

"Brother?" Lonky turns to Popo, hoping to shed light but he too refuses to look at them.

Intrigued by what was happening, Akong smiled and leaned his head against his palm. Charming Gold rubbed his chin and mouth and remained silent, looking intrigued as well to know more about what Yuu was going on about.

Feeling the weight and stares of his friends and the audience, Yuu closed his eyes, took a deep breath then opened them along with his words.

"When we were trying to seal Ulcus, Pala used the fake cane, and it... killed him" Pala gulps as he clutches his cane tightly around him as if it would protect him. "Gai and Lonky died saving you and Popo... But you and Kuga were crushed to death while I was trapped under rubble and bear witness to everything that happened... We felt hopeless. We couldn't win and Liu couldn't think of anything. Until Popo turned back time at the cost of his age"