Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Eternity ❯ Genkai ( Chapter 17 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

San was impressed. Genkai was truly something, this was the first she had seen her fight. Shishiwakamaru's powers all belonged to her, and she defeated him easily, with the Spirit Deflection Blast, something Genkai had went thru great lengths to teach at her young human age. San also knew the secrets of borrowing powers. It seemed that Genkai split her training in two, the bulk of it for Yusuke, but the rest of the knowledge flowing thru San. Shishi was defeated, and Onji remained. He rolled the die for the Urameshi team, and it landed on Kuwabara, who had somehow managed to return. He was attacking stupidly like he had done with Shishi before, not making any contact with his sword. San wondered if all the training had miraculously disappeared from his thick skull.
"San, here is a test," said Genkai. San looked at her curiously, "Tell me with your mind what is off about this Onji," and San observed the old man. She watched him, knowing that his energy was greater than he was letting on, but there had to be something else, something that Genkai could see but none of the others could, "Hurry up slacker! You would be dead by now if you took this long," Genkai urged. Kurama was staring at the two, trying to figure out the relationship between them, and what exactly the old woman was talking about. Onji had created a black ball, and it was slowly drifting towards Kuwabara.
-It's a mask- San told Genkai, as Kuwabara stood there for a moment.
"Don't do it Kuwabara," said Kurama.
"Is that supposed to scare me?" and he charged right into the ball. Idiot. It trapped him inside.
"I can't believe he walked right into that trap on his own," said Kurama.
"He is a first class fool," said Hiei.
"Agreed. A fool and a moron," said Genkai.
"Don't worry, this is going to feel something like Shishiwakamaru's cape of no return, you do remember what that was like don't you? After that wasn't too long ago and it's tough to forget the feeling of being transported thru a different dimension. Shishi required the piece of cloth I gave him to preform this technique, but since I invented it, I don't need any props," explained Onji, raising the ball, "The other members of my team were merely pillars so I could enter the tournament, but they never amounted to anything without me and my gifts. The steaming spheres, the reverse magic box, the banshee shriek, all specially tailored by little old me," and Kuwabara disappeared. The three fighters walked onto the ring and stood in front of Onji, waiting for the die to roll and the next battle to begin, "Let's see who I'll have the pleasure of humiliating next, I've got a good feeling it's going to be you," said Onji, pulling out the die and pointing at Kurama, "Now I know all the secrets of the reverse magic box and I can turn you into whatever state I want, so sorry, you'll just have to fight me in your human form."
"Presumptive, considering you haven't yet rolled," replied Kurama. Onji dropped the die, and it landed on Genkai. Perfect. If Genkai could see thru his mask and no one else did, or she San thought, then she was the perfect person to fight him. Hiei and Kurama returned to the side, while Genkai stepped in front of Onji.
"So it's the young masked warrior's turn to meet her doom. Isn't this a riot, the battle of the elderly," said Onji, laughing.
"Why don't you drop the tired act and lose the disguise, you won't be fooling anyone else with that crappy mask," she replied. That was definitely unexpected from the rest of them.
"Disguise?" questioned Kurama. But then he looked at San, "Was that your test earlier?" she nodded, focusing on Genkai.
"I don't know who you are, but you're no old man, and in case you haven't noticed, I'm not he kind of person that will underestimate you because of false age."
"You've got a pretty sharp eye there for such an ugly wart passed its prime body. You're the first to notice. I even masked my own energy. You see, disguise is one of my favourite hobbies," said Onji, ripping a part of his bogus face off, "To be brutally honest, there are few things I find more repulsive about old people. That moth ball smell that hovers around them makes me absolutely retch. That's why I chose this get up, I thought wearing the skin of something I hate would all the more fuel my rage!" and then Onji looked like he blew up. He turned into... a clown? A clown? This was his true form? For real? San could not believe this was what really lied underneath the mask. He was better off as an old man, at least then he didn't look stupid, "Yes, free at last! A few more minutes smothered under that mask and I might have got real wrinkles. You see I plan to die before showing any signs of aging. This is my fate, it's the price that artists have to pay. My image is my greatest master piece and so I live on. I must rely on all of you to witness my art to recount to the other generations and to keep me alive. So never forget me ladies and gentlemen, the master of a thousand faces and a thousand tricks, the beautiful Suzuka!" he finished his speech laughing.
"Of course I hate to ruin a piece of art Suzuka, but I have no hold ups with you, you're a piece of trash," said Genkai.
"You must never refer to me with my proper name without placing beautiful in front of it or you won't live to repeat your mistake! Beautiful is a word made just for me, and we two shall never part."
"Fruit cake."
"This idiot makes Kuwabara seem smart," commented Hiei.
"I admit, I'm embarrassed listening to him," said Kurama.
"I feel like I'm getting stupider by the second," added San.
"Stupider isn't a word."
"Point proven," she stated, turning her attention back to the fight. Suzuka kept laughing while Koto was talking. She explained that Onji had transformed into Suzuka, and then he threw a card at her. It would've easily killed her if she hadn't dodged just in time. It landed in a lesser demon, right between the eyes, and he started spewing blood.
"I've already told you to put a beautiful in front of my name. It's very important," he said, pointing at her.
"For somebody who wants to be known by the world, you sure hide behind a lot of masks. You must be compensating for something," said Genkai.
"The greatest legends are all shrouded in ambiguity. It seems the imagination is more captivated by the unknown. People are simply more inclined to built up in their own minds that which they cannot see or which have multiple incarnations. Look at how they fear the devil and revere god. With mystery comes colossal power. And that power will be mine! In a thousand years people will worship me and each will have a unique vision. One will say the beautiful Suzuka, he looked like this, or he looked like that, no like this, like this! And each vision will be grander than the last and I live in their minds forever!"
"I don't get what's so funny?" said Hiei.
"I thought clowns made everybody else laugh," said Kurama.
"Let it be sung throughout the land that upon my victory of this tournament I'll first eradicate the elderly from this world, in honor of the soon to be late Genkai. And then I shall strike down all who refuse to worship me, the beautiful Suzuka. And that as they say shall be that!" Suzuka continued. San was getting really annoyed, she wished Genkai would just take care of him already. The crowd didn't even like him, and that was surprising. He shot an energy blast near Botan and Shizuru, wiping out a chunk of the audience.
"For once their showing taste," said Hiei.
"I guess I've fired them up," said Suzuka, continuing to laugh.
"Genkai! Just get rid of him already!" San yelled to her mentor.
"Patience San," was her reply. Juri declared the fight to begin, and it was about time. Suzuka was powering up, getting ready to make an attack. He was powerful, that was for sure, but San wasn't worried, and neither was Genkai. He unleashed his attack, a very colourful one. Figures. It made it's way towards the old woman, and knocked her all the way to the edge of the stands, destroying the wall. San smirked, wondering if Kurama and Hiei had caught her move before she was hit. Probably not, they wouldn't know what to look for. He continued to laugh, talking some more, but San didn't care about that. Juri began her count, and as the smoke cleared, Genkai was standing there as if nothing happened. She jumped back into the ring.
"Forgive me if I'm not impressed," said Suzuka.
"I know you play by higher standards, but at least give me credit for the nose," said Genkai. He looked, and then gasped, not believing what he saw. She twirled his fake nose on her finger, "If I had more time I would've taken that big ugly grin off your face to."
"Naturally my eyes could follow every inch of Genkai's movement," said Kurama.
"I saw the whole thing to," said Hiei.
"Whatever you guys need to tell yourselves to fall asleep at night," San smirked at them. But unexpectedly, Kuwabara had shown up.
"Kuwabara!" said Kurama.
"Hn. And only 500 seconds too late to matter," said Hiei.
"Hey, where's that guy I was fighting? I wasn't done yet!" said Kuwabara, out of breath.
"So which is more humiliating? Losing to an old man or to a clown?" San laughed at the question.
"A clown, definitely worse to a clown," was his response. Kurama looked nervous, not really believing Hiei would do that. Genkai threw the nose at Suzuka.
"You lost a nose, who cares? I've ripped off vital organs that are real," she said.
"But I feel so naked without it!" replied Suzuka.
"Stop your whining you joker. I put my whole body threw hell to make it strong enough for my Spirit Wave Orb, and your crying about some nazel accessory? You're not a real fighter, I sure as hell won't waste what little spirit energy I have on your half assed routine," and she took a fighting stance, one that didn't stand still. San knew of this, it was how she began training, the most basic of it, "Why it won't take more than these two bare wrinkled fists to wipe that make up off your face and onto the concrete right next to your rubber nose so come on kiddo! No matter what you throw, I promise to use nothing but my muscles to pound the beauty out of you."
"I'm not scared of an old lady! If you're not going to use your spirit power than neither will I!" declared Suzuka, "Toguro's got nothing on me!" and he flexed, his shirt coming off. Ew. "Will you just look at these magnificent washboard abs. Watch me now as I rhythmically flex my pecks!" wow, did he ever shut up about himself?
"Let me tell you what your problem is Suzuka."
"Excuse me?"
"Admittedly, you have talent. You helped scrounge up a team of third rate demons and found weapons suitable enough to get them to the semi finals. You know more about arsenals and techniques than anyone I've met. But like a true idiot you forgot about your strength! You're nothing but surface, a suited up car without an engine to move it. You're even weaker than your front man," Genkai concluded, achieving what she desired. He attacked in blind rage, and it didn't take long for the fight to be over. He didn't even land one hit, she used every ounce of her speed and pummeled him around the ring, practically breaking his back.
"Wow, she's amazing!" declared Kuwabara. San smirked.
"And the fact that he's substandard doesn't help much," said Kurama. It made him think about the training San must have endured. Yusuke as well, they were both students of Genkai, and they must have learned most of her abilities. Genkai continued her beatings on Suzuka, rapidly punching him.
"You just don't have what it takes! That's enough," she yelled, stopping her assault on him, "Oh I forgot to look at that so called beautiful face," and boy was it evil looking. She beat him up really good. He fell to the ground, and Juri declared Genkai the winner. That was it, they were done, moving onto the finals. San was worried about the finals, about the younger Toguro and Genkai, and about Karasu. San left with Hiei and Kurama. She felt she had to be with them, and the old woman they were looking for was near. They were standing in the halls of this new stadium. The three demons stared at the old woman, waiting for her to speak.
"San, Kurama, Hiei, watch team Toguro's fights closely, we'll need a win from each of you," she told them.
"I won't need to if you just don't bother with your stupid schedule," replied San.
"You're fighting the next battle San, so deal with it. There's nothing you can do to stop it."
"Yes there is and you know it. You also know that you don't have to go thru with this, you can just forget it and continue on."
"Enough! If I see you at anytime before the match is over, I will kill you myself!" said Genkai.
"I'm just not ready for him yet!"
"You don't have a choice," Genkai told her. Kurama watched them, not understanding the bond that ran thru them. He wondered what they were talking about, but knew that he should listen to Genkai, and knew that San wouldn't disobey her. She was pack leader, and San was a wolf, this meant a lot to her, "Now come with me, there's one last thing I must show you for you to complete your training," and the two of them walked off.
...
Kurama stood with the crowd as the next match was going to begin. The winners of this match would face his team in the finals, and there was no doubt in his mind that Team Toguro would win. San was there with him, under Genkai's orders. Kurama could tell that she was more powerful than earlier, having completed her training under Genkai. He wondered about the words exchanged between the two of them, but knew he wouldn't get his answer if he even bothered to ask. He was brought out of his thoughts when San hid behind his shoulder, slightly pulling him in front of her. She was still able to see, but she just felt better with Kurama right there. He looked at her with those evil eyes, Karasu, fighting first. It was this green goblin looking apparition he was facing, and San felt sorry for him, knowing that he was going to die in a few minutes. The apparitions attack missed Karasu, and the acid of it melted the members of the audience. Karasu walked casually towards his enemy, and jumped with speed towards his enemy. He touched his shoulder, and then it exploded. His other arm was next and then finally, the rest of the body. Karasu stood and stared directly at San, and the fear returned. She hid completely behind Kurama, and he felt her tremble. It was this one she was afraid of, but why? Bui was the next to fight, and he finished his match quickly. The elder Toguro fought the remaining three at the same time. It was no challenge. He killed them all easily, by extending parts of his body. Kurama was trying to figure out how he could beat them, especially in his human form. The match was over, and the two of them walked away. They were walking towards the exit in the hallway, and ran into two of team Toguro's members. Bui and Karasu stood in front of them. San gasped, he was so close.
"You two are the only ones who watched. Your team must be very confident," said Karasu.
"Either that or in denial," said Kurama.
"Yes, accepting the truth would be easier. The finals will come and the four of you will die."
"Just four?"
"Yes, of course. One of you dies today," said Karasu. Bui drew their attention by bashing his huge fist into the wall. San looked and Karasu had disappeared. They gasped, he was fast. San gasped again, Karasu had appeared behind Kurama, hands just about to touch his neck.
"Your hair is a bit damaged Kurama, human bodies are so frail. I know you fear what my touch can do to you, and yet, maybe you also want to know it," said Karasu.
"Get away!" but San was faster, sending an energy blast his way, knowing it would miss Kurama. Karasu jumped out of the way.
"Don't think I forgot about you, my Queen," he was standing in front of her. She was frozen, has he used his thumb and index finger to hold her chin up to look into his evil eyes, "It has been years since our last meeting. I'm sure you know once your team is defeated, I will be claiming you as my prize. I was impressed you managed to escape me last time, but I can assure you..." and he brought his lips close to her ear, the mask making no difference, "...this time there will be no escape," he whispered. Kurama could see her trembling, and the urge to protect her kicked in.
"Unhand her at once!" he spoke. Karasu used his agility and stood beside Bui once more.
"No need to get upset, it's just a game. As a fighter, I like you best Kurama. And when I like something, I like to take it away, with the exception of the Queen here. It's just coincidence that you happen to be the thing standing in my way to get to her. I should have known that you were the mate that had such a hold on her."
"What do you mean?"
Karasu laughed, "She never told you, how like a woman she is. Save your fight for me, okay?" and the two of them walked away. San was still shaking as she watched them go. Kurama was angry, knowing he had to revert to his demon form in order to win, but not knowing how. He looked over at San. Her mate? Him? But that would make her Moriko, and she was presumed dead. Youko had sworn to see her yet, this was just San. And she was upset. Kurama walked over to her, and put a hand on her shoulder. She snapped out of it and stared at him. She was scared, fear took over her tawny eyes.
"I'll do everything in my power to keep you safe, San," he told her, even though he wasn't exactly sure how he was going to do that. Tears fell from her eyes and she latched onto him. She was still shaking, it was uncontrollable. Kurama held her, liking the feeling of her body against him. Now was not the time for impure thoughts, she was mated, and he had higher priorities to attend to. He kept an arm around her as they left the stadium. He didn't return to the hotel, but found a clearing in the forest. He sat down, bringing her with him. She seemed to be in a trance, and he didn't quite blame her. He was working out a way to beat Karasu, going thru various scenario's in his mind, trying to get them all to work. He wasn't sure on how much time had passed, but San suddenly snapped out of her trance. There was a massive power surge and Kurama tuned into it. San turned into her wolf form and took off at demon speed, towards the power surge Kurama was sure. He didn't follow her, he wasn't sure he was supposed to. He felt it then, Genkai, she was dead. Her power had disappeared completely, she was no more. That's where San was headed. His suspicions were confirmed when he heard a long sorrowful howl. He decided to follow the sound.
...
San had to get there, she had to do something to heal Gankai. She was sure she would be able to heal the old woman. She ran, as fast as she could. The energy was getting weaker. She wasn't even half way there yet, she pushed herself harder. Genkai knew this was going to happen, she knew that San had a vision about it. Toguro's power nearly knocked San off her feet from where she was, miles away. Genkai was in terrible danger with that much force, and she was nearly dead. She could smell Yusuke, which meant that he was there with her, but he was useless, no healing power. Stupid old woman and her stupid I'm ready to die bullshit. San stopped dead in her tracks. She couldn't feel her anymore, she was gone.
She had died. She teared in her wolf form, and let out a thunderous yet sorrowful howl. Damn it, she could have been there earlier, if she wasn't so afraid of Karasu, if she didn't completely shut down after seeing him. This wouldn't have happened. She breathed in and howled once more, hoping that her mentor could hear her. Her howl died, but continued to echo throughout the forest. She heard footsteps from behind her, and then could smell Kurama. He didn't say anything, just stood beside her, looking down with pity.
He didn't know exactly what the past fifteen years were like for the two. He knew that San and Genkai were close, it was easy to tell, but there was nothing he could say to the girl that would make her feel any better about this. The only thing he knew was how angry San was going to be in two days, when the finals would commence. He was hoping she would recover by then, because now, she had to fight. San must have known that Genkai was the masked fighter all along, and Genkai would have known that she would die. San knew as well, she tried to stop the woman earlier. The two of them must have worked this out months ago, without Yusuke's knowledge. That only proved the bond they shared, which was surprising, given Genkai's reputation towards demons. Even preparing for such a thing didn't make the pain any less, because there was that underlying hope that these events wouldn't occur.
-I'm leaving now. I will come find you later- San told Kurama. She needed to run, to hunt, to do something. She looked into his green orbs, happy that he had followed her. They were friends, good friends from what she could tell. He nodded at her, and then she took off. Kurama watched after her, knowing that she could handle any threat that came her way. If Karasu wanted her, he could have taken her at any time, and that seemed to be her only fear. The fox headed back to his clearing, where he continued to ponder how he would beat his next opponent.

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