Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Demon Dance ❯ New Discoveries ( Chapter 12 )

Akahoshi was busy applying oil to one scimitar, marveling at the level of craftsmanship they had achieved. Aka had all the knowledge and memories that Skyre did so it was natural that she knew how to care for a sword. Skyre was "sleeping", leaving control to Aka. The berserker wouldn't do anything while the other slept. They had a trust between each other now and would respect it by leaving one in control while the other "slept". It was a start.

A hand appeared on her shoulder, breaking her wandering thoughts. She looked up to see a young girl bending over her. Chocolate locks of hair fell into eyes of the same hue, framing a face of endless cheer. She sat down next to the wolf demon, folding her legs under her like a swan. Her white blouse and jeans made Aka feel out of place in only a tank top and shorts with bandages all over.

"Hi. My name's Keiko. I heard you were a friend of Kurama," she said.

"Hn." She felt awkward next to a human. "We are not friends. More like allies." Her R's and S's were drawn out slightly, a result from this being her first time to truly speak. Skyre had noted it before in Aka's speech pattern, telling her that it would either work itself out or stay and be like an accent. Aka didn't care either way really, but it was nice to know.

"Oh. I see." Keiko seemed taken aback by the cold reply and fell silent. Aka gave a shrug and went back to the sword at hand, finishing the first to pick up the other.

"Forgive me for being short with you. Speech is a new thing," she said, not looking at the girl. Keiko brightened at the apology, giving a warm smile.

"That's all right. Yusuke told me what happened to you. I guess it is a bit strange." She paused, staring at her feet as Aka continued to work, her ears catching every word. "Say, if you're not busy, do you want to go into town we me?" The wolf put down her rag and scimitar, eyes snapping to lock with the human's. "I know that you're new at this but I thought it would be nice if you got out of this temple for a few hours."

Her ears flattened on her skull and her eyes narrowed. "No. It would not be wise for me to leave. Humans would not trust me." She left it at that, returning to her work. Keiko took that moment to snap a bracelet onto the wolf's wrist. Aka snarled when a light enveloped her for a moment, leaving a perfect illusion behind.

Wolf ears vanished and hair grew long, cascading down her back in flaxen braids. The end of a sash replaced her tail. Her tank top and shorts became Chinese robes of red and black with a dragon on the front. Markings were gone and the bandages too. She could still feel them, but her sight failed in finding such items. "A precious gift. I thank you." Akahoshi took a minute to tuck away her work before standing and offering a hand to Keiko, feeling a smile creep over her face.

The human giggled. "It's from Genkai, so thank her later. Right now lets go shopping." And so they did. The things she saw at the market place, food especially fascinated Aka. She knew of the things she saw, and of how they tasted, but to experience it for herself was an unmeasurable treat. Ice cream quickly became a favorite of hers. The whole time, Skyre slept on, not disturbing them at all. Aka almost felt saddened by this, wishing she could ask questions to the seasoned veteran in her mind.

They did not return to Genkai's until almost nightfall. They were burdened with "spoils of war" as Aka had tagged them and gloated over each item in the haven of the common room. Only the old psychic woman could relate to their feeling of glory. Most of it was clothing for Skyre/Aka to use. Some of it was trinkets and treats to share with everyone. For the first time in Aka's short life, she felt true joy and wished it would never end.

They made short work putting away each item acquired that day before yawning into bed. Curled in a ball and laden with blankets, Aka joined Skyre in slumber with a great feeling of content. She even found herself enjoying this sort of life and secretly hoped it wouldn't end.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Morning broke over the horizon. Gold eyes greeted it as Skyre sat up in bed. She scratched at an ear, indulging in a jaw-cracking yawn. Her mind wandered to the other inhabitant, picking up only a warm feeling of content from the sleeping mind. Skyre grinned at such a feeling and rose to silence her growling belly. Her nose led the way. Kurama was making breakfast for everyone. His bright pink apron seemed fitting as he moved about the kitchen, unaware of her presence. That is, until her stomach gave another growl. He turned and smiled at her, laughing softly.

"Care for something to eat?" Without waiting for a reply, he threw together an omelet for her. Scrambled eggs were mixed with cheddar cheese, onions, mushrooms, green peppers, and spices, all served over a bowl of rice. He handed over the bowl with a pair of chopsticks and a glass of milk. He still held that smile, but something was wrong. Was he sad? It seemed so. Skyre ignored it though in favor of a good meal.

"Thanks." Feeling her face burn, she hide it in the food, her nose twitching all the while by the smells that tempted it. A presence stirred within, showing that Aka was awake.

{:Care for some breakfast?:} she questioned, continuing to munch on the rice and omelet. Only a vague concept was sent in reply, that of who was up and what would happen today. {:Everyone's up. We slept late. I think we set out to try to find a way to fix this.:} A second feeling of a concept, that of understand was sent and the mind went back into slumber, not ready to face the world just yet. As though on cue, the others of the Tantei entered. Genkai led them with her usual somber demeanor.

"We have may have found a way to fix what has been done to you," she began, looking clearly uneasy with what news she had to depart. Skyre reached toward Aka, shaking her awake so she too could hear. The wolf resisted at first, but gave in, taking partial control. The whites of their eyes turned to blood red as both listened intently for the flow of words to continue. "Again, this is only a maybe. We are not sure it if will work, but if you're willing to try it- "

"Yes! Of course," they interrupted. Aka seemed to be holding back her enthusiasm in that declaration. This puzzled the elder of the two minds, making her wonder if Aka enjoyed her time here. {:Aka? Do we need to talk before we go forward with this?:}

{:N-no. I'm fine. Really. I just . . . didn't sleep well that's all.:} Her nervous laughter tinkled in their head, only increasing Skyre's concern.

"I wouldn't fix this just yet though." Everyone turned to the new voice that broke the silence. The silhouette leaned against the door, eyes a glowing white. She moved again, coming into the light to show it was none other than Ifurita.

"IFURITA!" *Pouncetacklehugglomp* Skyre had taken control and done just that, tail wagging happily. For a moment, she was that happy freshman college student the ice youkai had met years ago, all full of smiles and good wishes. She giggled, helping the shorter girl to her feet. "Sorry. I couldn't help it."

"Ahem." Clearly taken aback by such an open show of emotion, Ifurita took a few moments to adjust clothing and reclaim her wayward bag. "As I was saying, there may be a second option to you other then simply destroying you. That is what you were going to tell them about, isn't it Genkai? How Koenma can't help at all but considers them to be such a threat he will only consider their death?" The old woman only nodded, shame written in her every move.

"It is the only solution I had been able to find," she replied at last. Aka growled, and Skyre with her.

"Which is no solution at all," they snarled. "Anyway Ifurita, her name's Aka and I would love to hear this other option."

"And that's what my bag o' tricks is for," the ice youkai laughed, winking broadly. The bag was set on the table with a clink of glass and the contents pulled forth for all to see. Vials of a clear scentless liquid and a metal collar with wires and lights were lain on the table. "I should think you would recognize Camber's hard work. What he doesn't know is that what the right adjustments, it can serve a different purpose."