The Dark Shadow And His Muse

Chapter Eight - The Challenge

Inside Hatake's home, Tokoyami along with Yaoyorozu and Shoji place the wounded Jiro on a table. She continues to bleed profusely from her injury.

Tokoyami: Momo! We're losing her!

Yaoyorozu: Give me some time! I need to create the equipment needed! Try to stop the bleeding!

Tokoyami placed his hand on her abdomen to stop the bleeding. Fear immediately grips Tokoyami as he can feel the woman he loves slipping away.

Tokoyami: Stay with me Kyoka! Please stay with me!

Yaoyorozu soon used her Creation Quirk to form a first aid kit. She opens the first aid kit and pulls out some sutures.

Yaoyorozu: Tokoyami! Shoji! I need you to hold her down! I need her still if I'm going to stich up her wound. 

Shoji: You can count on us! Ready Tokoyami!

Tokoyami: I....I'm ready. Please Momo......

Tokoyami and Shoji hold her down as Yaoyorozu begin to stitch Jiro's wound. She begins screaming in agonizing pain. Tokoyami could feel her pain. Hearing her screams deeply saddened him. 

Tokoyami: It's all right Kyoka! You're going to be fine!

As Yaoyorozu finishes up stitching Jiro, she passes out from shock. In a moment of tense silent, Tokoyami has a moment of complete fear and horror. He doesn't know whether she was dead or not. 

Tokoyami: Is she.....

Yaoyorozu places her head on Jiro's chest and searches for a heartbeat. She hears it and offers a sad smile to Tokoyami. 

Yaoyorozu: She's fine.....I'll apply the bandages.....

Tokoyami: Thank you.....thank you.....

Tokoyami walks over to the wall and sits down, taking a moment to collect his thoughts. He looks at his hands still covered in Jiro's blood. A tense relief was had as Shoji placed his hand on his best friend's shoulder.

Shoji: She'll be fine Tokoyami. She's going to be okay. 

As Tokoyami was lost in thought, the sound of a ringing cellphone was heard. It's ringtone was a Punk Rock song. He looks to the ground and sees Jiro's cellphone lying on the floor. He sees the caller id as Hatake. He answers it and hears a chilling voice. 

The Ripper(Cellphone): Hey there buddy. 

Tokoyami: Ripper! 

The Ripper(Cellphone): Sorry about leaving you like that, but I had a game to plan. 

Tokoyami: I'm coming for you! You hear me, you son of a bitch?! I'm coming for you and ending this madness once and for all!

The Ripper(Cellphone): Goddamn! Now that's the spirit! I got a proposition for you! I think you might like it.

Hearing that brought great anger to Tokoyami. He wanted now more than ever to find and bring the Ripper to justice. 

Tokoyami: There's nowhere on this Earth you can hide Ripper! I'll find you! No matter what hole you hide! I'll find you!

The Ripper(Cellphone): I don't doubt that my friend! But let me save you the trouble! You know the old church near the bar?

Tokoyami: I know of it. 

The Ripper(Cellphone): That's where you'll find me. Come on to my humble bode if you feel lucky! Feel free to bring your girlfriend if she's alive hehehe....

That chilling laugh only made Tokoyami even angrier. He knew that the Ripper was mocking him. Despite this, he made a promise.

Tokoyami: Hear me Ripper. I'll find you. And when I do, I will bring you to justice. You will pay for all the endless suffering you've inflicted on others. I promise you that Kyoka will be the last person you ever hurt! 

There was an uneasy silence for a moment. The silence was broken by a bloodcurdling laugh following a chilling message.

The Ripper(Cellphone): Good luck. 

The Ripper then hangs up. As Tokoyami was about to leave the house, Shoji stops him. 

Shoji: Easy there friend. You can't just go out there and meet him! It's a trap!

Tokoyami; I know Shoji, but I have to end this! He's evaded justice for too long!

Shoji: Look at your shoulder! Even with Dark Shadow, that wound is going to slow you down!

Tokoyami felt pain from the pucture wound done by the Ripper. Despite this, he powered on through. 

Tokoyami: Please Mezo.....I have to do this. I have to end this. 

Shoji took a moment to think of this. He knew that Tokoyami had always had feelings for Jiro. Seeing him like this was a different scene to Shoji. 

Shoji: Alright....but I'm coming with you. 

Tokoyami was hesitant, but he knew he would need all the help he could get. This was possibly his last chance to finally catch the Ripper. 

Tokoyami: Thank you old friend. 

As Shoji waited outside, Tokoyami walked up to Yaoyorozu who was wrapping Jiro's wound with bandages. 

Yaoyorozu: She's going to be all right. 

Tokoyami: Thank you Momo. Thank you....

Yaoyorozu: You're going to confront him are you?

Tokoyami: Yes. I have to end this. He's taking this too far. Shoji and I will find him in the old church and stop him once and for all. 

Yaoyorozu didn't like this. She thought it was reckless of them both to pursue the Ripper when he desires it. But she didn't stop him. 

Yaoyorozu: Just be careful. I don't want Kyoka to lose you. 

Tokoyami: She won't. 

Tokoyami walked over to the unconscious Jiro. He could hear her shallow breathing. He kissed her forehead and held his hand over her face. 

Tokoyami: It ends tonight Kyoka. It ends tonight. 

Tokoyami got up and began walking, but not before speaking with Yaoyorozu. 

Tokoyami: Please take care of her. 

Yaoyorozu: I will. 

Tokoyami and Shoji then begin making their way to the old church to confront the Ripper. Despite knowing that it's most likely a trap, Tokoyami was determined to end the Ripper's mad reign of terror once and for all.