Part 1: Hunters and The Hunted
Arc 5: Monster Hunting.
(Sam, Able and Ren are on their way to the cliff where Ichika was pushed off of, Ren is remaining silent and Sam is looking out the window)
Sam: (Leaning his head on the window) I can't wait for this be over with... we just need to burn her bones, the spirit will take physical form, then I can kill it. Then you're gonna tell the police all about what you did, your connection to murder, ain't that right Ren?
(Ren remains silent and merely looks at the floor)
Sam: You better cooperate or else I'm dragging you behind the van for a whole 15 kilometres.
Ren: You're a sadist...
Sam: I'm a man who bring pain to those who deserve it, I don't always enjoy it... but when I'm pushed, I'll enjoy it like a cold ice-cream in the summer.
Ren: You and your friend are no better than Keyaruga...
(Able suddenly hits the breaks and Sam hits his head on the glove compartment, the compartment flies open revealing several switches and a big red button, with a photo of Isabel inside)
Sam: (Holding onto his head) Ah!!! Every time I'm in the passenger seat!!!
Able: (Turns his head to Ren) Say that again bastard!!! I dare ya, I double dare ya!!!
Sam: (Sitting back in his seat) I think I'm seeing triple here...
Able: I will let you know, I watched all 12 episodes of Redo of Healer and...!!!
(While Able is ranting on to Ren, Sam thinks to himself)
Sam: (Covering his face, as if he is ashamed) After this... I'm binge reading JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, again... Yare Yare Daze.
(After several minutes of Able shouting at Ren, they arrive at the cliff edge where Ichika was pushed off, white flowers seemed to have bloomed here, it strangely looks a lot more lively than 21 years ago. The area is being illuminated by the moonlight.)
Sam: (Grabs Ren by his collar and hangs him over the cliff edge) This the place?
Ren: (Uneasy and trying to struggle to get free from Sam) Y- yeah!!! This is it!!
Sam: (Looking down the cliff edge while holding Ren with one hand) Stop struggling, you're gonna make my arm tired then I'll drop you in less than a heartbeat. (He stops the small plateau that Ichika landed on) Luckily it looks like we can still find her remains...
(A sudden and strong gust of wind blows behind Sam, he slowly turns his head and there stands The KuneKune, twisting and turning in the field)
Sam: Able... take this bastard down there. If you find her bones, burn them quickly.
(Sam throws Ren towards Able who catches him and starts slowly climbing down the cliff. Sam takes out The Rogue Scythe from its scabbard and readies for a fight, he holds the Scythe backwards, he faces the blade upwards)
Sam: (He takes a stance, lowering his back, facing forwards, he makes sure his footing is steady) The Musashi-blade technique focuses on quick and precise cuts to vital areas... I put my own little spin on it though. (Looking at The KuneKune head on) Well... we gonna dance or are you just gonna wiggle there for eternity!? (He quickly dashes towards The KuneKune, but it disappears as soon as he comes near it) The hell!? (He turns around and sees The KuneKune) Oh... I see how it's gonna be!
The KuneKune: (Talking to Sam almost telepathically) (It's body is pure white, the mouth is wide open revealing a black void, and the eyes are black.) Hahaha... so you finally came?
Sam: Yeah I did, now if you don't mind... stand still so I can kill you!
(Sam runs towards The KuneKune, he slides towards it and starts doing several sweep attacks, cutting the flowers and grass, but yet again The KuneKune vanishes and appears far behind Sam)
The KuneKune: (Speaking telepathically with Sam) May I ask a few questions?
Sam: Well is one of them, "Can you kill me"? Then I have one answer, yes!
The KuneKune: You were betrayed... why not seek revenge?
Sam: Listen... there's already been a Redo of Healer reference this chapter and the last one. I don't want to make another one!
The KuneKune: Why aren't you... going insane? You've gotten too close to several times...
Sam: I don't know! Maybe because I'm Reaper or I'm special... who knows anymore!? Surely not I, I'm just a fool...
The KuneKune: You are not a fool...
Sam: Gee, thanks.
(As Sam continues trying to fight The KuneKune, Able and Ren are walking through the cave under the cliff, Able is using a torch to light up the cave)
Ren: (Keeping his head low, he is skittish inside the cave) Y- you know... I- I never caught you- your name?
Able: Names are for friends and you're far from that.
Ren: Oh come on... I'm just trying to make some small talk here, please!
Able: Hah... fine! It's Able!
Ren: Like- like Cain and Abel?
Able: A-B-L-E, Like that.
Ren: Oh... did your brother kill you out of jealousy?
Able: Yeah... I'm a ghost! I'm haunting you from beyond! Even though they don't exist...
Ren: Wait... you don't believe in ghosts?
Able: I don't yeah.
Ren: Then why are you basically chasing a ghost?
Able: The KuneKune ain't a ghost.
Ren: Why do you say that?
Able: Because I saw the thing. I've never seen a ghost, therefore they aren't real.
Ren: That's the lamest excuse ever.
Able: Yeah well deal with it...
(They reach the end of the cave and surely enough, Ichika's bones are lying there)
Ren: (Disgusted by the site) I- Ichika...
Able: Well let's get this over with...
(Able throws the torch at Ichika's bones, burning them)
(The cave starts rumbling and rocks start falling from the roof)
Able: Umm... that doesn't sound good...
Ren: What did you do?
Able: I threw a torch, that's all!
(Ren starts running out the cave and Able quickly follows)
(Above the cave, Sam is still trying to hit The KuneKune)
The KuneKune: For how long have you been hunting these creatures for...?
Sam: Alright is this a fight or a job interview... because your questions are really starting to bore me!
(Suddenly The KuneKune takes physical form, it now resembles a 30 year old version of Ichika, tears are rolling down her cheeks and she looks shocked, her eyes are blood red now)
(Sam quickly dashes towards her, he drives the blade of The Rogue Scythe into her chest and as she falls backwards, Sam catches her in his arms)
Ichika: (Looking into Sam's eyes, her face suddenly fills with joy) T- thank you... (She leans in towards Sam and kisses him on the lips, Sam's eyes close as he enjoys the kiss) Don't let him take over, please...
Sam: Let who take over? (Sam opens his eyes and Ichika has faded away) Ichika... I didn't know you at all, but if I could I would've saved you, without any second thoughts on my mind, Sayonara...
(Able and Ren make their way to the top of the cliff)
Able: (Runs up next to Sam) Where'd it-...
Sam: She's gone. Probably for good... let's go home.
(Sam and Able start making their way over to the hunting van)
Ren: (Looking at Sam with a bit of hatred in his eyes) (Thinking) Sweet, sweet revenge... here I come!
(Ren runs towards Sam, but Sam quickly elbows Ren in the face while looking forwards, breaking Ren's nose)
Sam: (Turns around to face Ren) Now... are you gonna go tell the police about what you did?
Ren: (Lying on the ground, holding onto his face) Yeah... yeah. Just give me a few hours...
Sam: Good.
(Sam and Able get in the hunting van, leaving Ren behind. They drive away back to Reaper Hunting Co.)
Sam: (Looking out the window) This has been a long day... thankfully it's over!
(End of Chapter 28)