Ablaze: Told Twice Book 2

The Villian & The Flash

Sakura wasn't so focused on her own fight that she didn't know what was going on around her. She couldn't be since that wasn't exactly teamwork. That didn't mean that Kaiyo didn't have her attention. The woman, if she could be called that, was a savage. She fought like she didn't care whether she lived or died. There was also something about the way she moved that was familiar but Sakura couldn't place it.

Kaiyo landed a hit in Sakura's gut leaving Sakura momentarily breathless. It made her angry that she got a hit in but that didn't stop her from asking, "Who are you? And what do you want with me?"

"You know who I am." Kaiyo spat out.

"I know who you say you are."

"And isn't that all that matters?"

No. It wasn't. Kaiyo couldn't be her real name because Sakura didn't know who she was. She had no idea why the Chaos Bringer hated her so much. Kaiyo landed another hit on her face when she noted that Metallo had bared his Kryptonite during his fight with Superman. That was bad. Why had they allowed that to happen so soon after his previous exposure to Kryptonite? They should switch villains.

Then Sakura noted that she could no longer see Batman. She didn't know how he was doing. Kaiyo got in another hit.

"What's the matter, Sakura? You don't seem focused." Sakura grit her teeth and let her mind run through a few jutsu that she could use in a confined space with the team present. "Worried about your sweetie?"

Sakura scowled before getting her head in the game.

:::

Kaiyo lay at her feet seconds away from losing consciousness when the ground began to rumble. Sakura frowned realizing that someone hadn't stopped Savage yet. She frowned and looked down at Kaiyo who grinned.

"You don't have much time before Savage destroys the world as you know it. Are you going to waste it here on me or are you going to help your friends stop it?"

Sakura raised her fist to give a finishing blow to Kaiyo but the Flash suddenly appeared blocking her attempt.

"Flash! What are you doing?" Sakura hissed.

"I'll take care of her. The others need you." Sakura opened her mouth to argue. "Please."

Sakura thought about Bruce and Superman noting that she couldn't find them then nodded and darted away.

:::

Kaiyo looked at the Flash. "I'm not your friend."

"You saved us, and you didn't have to."

"No. I saved you. There's a difference."

"Why? Who am I to you? How do you know Sakura? Because she doesn't know you."

Kaiyo looked away. "Do what you're going to do, Flash."

He was silent for a moment before he said, "Okay." Flash stood from where he was kneeling by her side and held out a hand to her. Kaiyo looked at it perplexed.

"What are you doing?"

"You told me 'to do what I'm going to do' so I am." Kaiyo continued to look at him blankly. "Take my hand." He implored.

"Is that some type of metaphor?"

He chuckled. "You saved my life. I can't force you to tell me why, but I appreciate what you did. So one good turn deserves another."

Kaiyo scowled. "What? You think I'm turning a new leaf? I will destroy Sakura Haruno. I promise you that."

"And if necessary I'll stop you but I'm hoping you won't go that route. I'm hoping that you'll just talk to me one day and we'll sort this mess out. I can help you if you let me."

Flash continued to hold out his hand expectantly as he smiled at her winsomely. Eventually, Kaiyo reached out and clasped Flash's hand and allowed him to pull her up.

"We're not friends," Kaiyo said angrily.

"Of course not." But he continued to smile and Kaiyo wanted to wipe that smile off his face. Instead, she turned her back to him. Kaiyo felt his hand land on her shoulder and squeeze gently. "You should go."

Kaiyo stiffened. "So that's it? You're just going to let me leave?"

"Yeah, that's it."

Kaiyo whirled around, "And if I take Bane with me?"

"You'd probably have to get him by Batman, but if you manage that," Flash shrugged. "I'm not going to stop you."

He was serious. Kaiyo could tell. "I don't..." Kaiyo shook her head. "I'm leaving."

"Until next time, then?"

Kaiyo ground out. "Their won't be a next time."

And before the Flash could say anything else to throw her off balance she left. She managed to get Bane as well. He had been surprised she came for him but he didn't hesitate to leave with her. No one wanted a stay in Arkham. Even Kaiyo knew that.

:::

When Kaiyo and Bane were safely away from Savage and the League Bane stopped and looked at her. "Don't think I don't know what you did, Chaos Bringer."

Kaiyo blinked slowly and deliberately. "If you mean my sabotaging Savage's plan...while taking his money then I wasn't exactly hiding it."

"Why did you do it? We would have been Kings and Queens."

Kaiyo shook her head. "No. Savage would have been King—and admittedly I don't care about that one way or the other. The chaos he has the potential to create is delicious. But some of his goals interfered with mine and that's not allowed."

"He's going to come for you and kill you."

Kaiyo laughed. "If my Lord Darkseid couldn't kill me, I doubt Savage can either. You want to know why?"

"Yes," Bane said his accent washing over her and sending chills down her spine. "I do."

"Because I'm a survivor. I will do whatever it takes to live. I have no problem killing or betraying anyone as long as I get to live."

Bane scoffed. "Is that supposed to make me trust you?"

Kaiyo smirked. "No. It was a friendly warning. You can come with me if you like but you aren't a priority."

"Neither are you," Bane replied.

Kaiyo laughed. "Then we understand each other."