Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ FAMILY SECRETS ❯ Reflections ( Chapter 9 )

FAMILY SECRETS

[AnimeJunkie’s Room]

AJ: Okay, Okay. I know there wasn’t much interaction with the other YYH guys.

Yusuke: Tell me about it. Why did Genkai get a whole chapter?

AJ: Uh, maybe it’s because she’s training Gwen to strengthen her powers?

Kurama: That and she knew her parents when they were younger.

Yusuke: OKAY! I get it. AJ, will we be in this chapter?

AJ: Maybe. I guess you’ll have to read to find out. Who knows; a new power might make itself known.

In walks Koenma (in his teen form) and George, wondering where their people have been hiding.

Koenma: *looks around* So THIS is where everyone went to.

George: But who’s that with them? *points to AJ*

AJ: I’m writing a story, and you guys are in it.

Koenma: Are we now? Well, can we take a look at your fic?

AJ: Sure. *gives Koenma and George copies of the story so far.* Um, would you like to do the disclaimer today?

George: Why, we’d be hon...*gets pushed out of the way*

Koenma: He means I’D be honored, miss.

AJ: *Walks up to Koenma and looks him in the eye* Now, look. When I said YOU I meant BOTH of you! Now if you can’t get of your high horse and accept that, you can forget about making any appearances in my future chapters, Mr. Hot Shot Prince of Spirit World! GET ME?!

Koenma: *eyes big as saucers* Yes, Ma’am.

AJ: Good. You AND George can begin now.

George: ‘She told YOU off!’ (Disclaimer) AnimeJunkie does not own Yu Yu Hakusho....

Koenma: Or its MUCH better looking characters like YOURS TRULY. *winks*

AJ: {Ugh, I better finish this before I lose all my reviewers.} Also, I wanna give a HUGE shout-out to B.D.F (from e-fiction.org) for giving me the idea for this chapter. THANKS, B.D.F.!!!

AJ: And now...FAMILY SECRETS...

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LAST TIME on FAMILY SECRETS.....

Gwen: You mean they kept me in the dark to protect me?

Genkai: Yes. They love you very much and want you to be happy. Even if you do have freaky powers. *laughs*

Gwen: *laughs* Speaking of freaky powers, is there a chance you’d teach me that Spirit Wave?

Genkai: Don’t push your luck. It’s bad enough that YUSUKE knows it. *laughs and stands up*

Well, now that you know your family history, are you ready to make your own future?

Gwen: *stands up* Yes, Sensei. But can the future not have so many push ups this time?

Genkai: Again, don’t push your luck. *opens the door* Let’s go! Out in the garden in five minutes. HUSTLE! *jogs out*

Gwen: *thinks about her experience* {That was so wild. My family is charged with the responsibility of keeping two worlds intact. I hope I can live up to that.}

Genkai: *yells from outside* DID I STUTTER?? I SAID HUSTLE!!!

Gwen: YES MA’AM! *runs out ready to shape her destiny*

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[Outside Genkai’s Temple]

Genkai and company were standing outside waiting to start Gwen’s training when Yusuke asked Genkai what they were doing in her room.

Yusuke: *does a little shadow boxing* So, what were you and Gwen talking about so long, Grandma? You don’t look like the type to be discussing recipes for oatmeal cookies. *laughs*

Genkai: *smacks him upside the head* Not funny, Dimwit! If you must know, I showed Gwen her family history and her link to the Nikobo Jewels. I felt it was time she knew the truth.

Botan: So tell us, Master Genkai. Exactly what does she have to do with all this?

Genkai: More than you realize. *looks up and sees Gwen slowly walk down the steps with her arms crossed and deep in thought* Gwen, are you okay?

Gwen: *not paying attention* No, I don’t wanna play.

Genkai: No, I asked if you were okay?

Gwen: *looks up* I guess so. I mean, it’s a lot to take in. I don’t know.....*looks down and lets out a heavy sigh*

Genkai: *gives Gwen a sympathetic look* Seems like you have some things to sort out. If you want, you can take some time to think. We’ll be here when you get ready to train; you need to be absolutely focused.

Gwen: Are you sure? I mean I don’t want to hold anyone up.

Genkai: *looks at everyone who nods in agreement* Yeah, everyone’s okay with it. Take as much time as you need.

Gwen: Thanks, Master Genkai. I need to let this marinade. *everyone looks at her funny* I mean let this soak in. *everyone goes “Ohhhhh”* I’ll see you guys in a bit. *walks to the garden still thinking about what had just happened*

Kurama: *chuckles* That’s nothing. You should have heard what she said at lunch the other day. *goes into detail of what happened on the day Gwen’s water power emerged in school*

[Genkai’s Garden]

Gwen walks to a weeping willow tree and sits under its slender, hanging vine-like branches. She leans back against its trunk and closes her eyes, taking in the scents of the flowers and the sounds of the animals going about their business. She breathes in and lets out a sigh as she mulls over what Genkai had shown her earlier.

Gwen: This is too wild. My dad was a Spirit Detective and Mom was a descendant of a group of shaman women who kept two worlds from being destroyed. Now it’s MY turn. *looks down at her bracelet that twinkled in the light that poked through the willow’s leafy canopy* I always thought I was weird, but I NEVER imagined this. I never knew I was part of such a legacy. *sighs and closes her eyes again* What if I’m not up to the challenge? What if I screw up and destroy BOTH worlds? *sighs* I don’t know if I can DO this!

She senses someone’s presence and opens her eyes quickly. She looks up and views what looked to be the spirits of seven women in robes. {They look familiar....but where did I see them?} One by one, they removed their hoods to reveal their faces; each one was young and beautiful. Gwen looked in awe as the last one removed her golden hood. {Tamiko!}

Gwen: *points* Y-You’re the Otohime Shaman.

Tamiko: Yes, we are. *kneels down and looks at Gwen* And you seem to be one of my descendants. Except for the hair, we could pass for twins. *smiles*

Gwen: This is incredible; I mean here I am talking to my ancestor....wait a second. Why did you appear to me.

Mako : We sensed that you were having doubts about your ability to wield the jewels’ powers. *she wore the green robe and had short, wavy moss colored hair*

Gwen: Well, there’s that, and whether or not I was worthy enough. I mean why me?

Nari: The jewels would not have come to you if you weren’t worthy. *she represented the ruby and has crimson streaks throughout her long, jet black hair*

Oharu: Believe us, little one. We were in the same position you are in now. *she donned the blue robe and had the most beautiful crystal blue eyes. It was just like looking at the ocean* We didn’t think we were good enough to live up to the responsibility, either.

Gwen: That’s hard for me to believe. YOU have doubts? You’re shaman. I thought shaman were wise and all-knowing.

Ayame: *chuckles* We weren’t always shaman. When we were chosen, we were normal girls just like you. *she had the purple robe her hair was held in a bun with amethyst chopsticks holding it in place* (A/N: I don’t know what those things are really called, but they look like chopsticks to me.)

Gwen: *stands up* {Me? NORMAL?} No offense, but I never thought of myself as normal.

Kaede: (A/N: NOT to be confused with the one from INUYASHA...don’t own.) We gathered that from watching you. *smiles* You’re coming into your powers quite nicely, much faster than we did. *she wore the white robe and had her brown hair tied up just like Kikyo’s*

Shoken: But you need to control your emotions and strengthen yourself, young one. The journey that lies ahead will not be an easy one. *her robe was a darker shade of red than the ruby shaman and she had short black hair just touching her shoulders*

Gwen: But am I gonna be ready? What if....

Tamiko takes her finger and places it on Gwen’s lips to calm her down. This surprised her because she didn’t think that a spirit would feel so tangible; she expected her hand to phase through.

Tamiko: Calm yourself. As we mentioned before, the jewels would not have chosen you if you were unworthy. They have been in excellent hands, generation after generation; you’ll rise to the occasion.

Gwen: I wish I had your confidence. *looks away* I was fine before all of this happened; now I’m not so sure.

Kaede: You have confidence, child. You have a level of strength and courage even your mother did not possess.

Oharu: And if you need a reminder, just look over there. *points to Genkai and her friends talking at the foot of the steps* Genkai believes in you; just as she believed in your mother. They all have faith in you. And from what we’ve seen, that redhead has the most confidence in you.

Shoken: And he likes you, too.

Shaman: SHOKEN! *laughs*

Ayame: The powers that awakened so far were only a taste. Throughout the centuries, a multitude of abilities were added to the mystique of Nikobo’s jewels. Also, every descendant developed a power all their own. As Genkai told you, your mother was an elemental.

Gwen: {She got the MENTAL part right.} You mean, I’ll have my own unique power? Cool; what is it?

Nari: *chuckles* Patience, child. It will appear to you soon enough.

Just then all the shaman froze as they felt a sudden, foreboding chill in the air. Tamiko tried to pinpoint where the energy was coming from and looked at Gwen with a fearful expression in her eyes.

Gwen: What’s wrong?

Tamiko: I sense evil approaching. *turns around when she hears a loud explosion* Your friends are in danger. They need your help.

Gwen: OH, CRAP! *she runs to where the explosion was heard and stops* It’s been nice talking to you all! *waves and runs to her friends*

Takimo: You’ll see us again, little one. *the shaman fade out*

Gwen ran as fast as she could back to the temple, her ebony hair whipping behind her. {Hang on, guys! I’m comin’!} As she made her way back to Genkai’s temple, she stopped a few yards away and stood behind a large rock. She peeked around and saw that the beings attacking her friends were four scarlet-scaled demons that looked suspiciously familiar. {Crimson Dragons!}

[Genkai’s Temple]

Just as Gwen feared, Yusuke and company were hit with a surprise attack by the Crimson Dragons. Craters were found in the ground and the steps leading up to the temple where energy blasts had thankfully missed. Botan had taken Yukina, Keiko and Shizuru into the temple and hid while Genkai, Yusuke, Kuwabara, Hiei and Kurama tried to fight off their uninvited guests. It appeared as if their energy was sapped from them because they barely put up an offense. Dashi and Koji overpowered Yusuke and Kuwabara using their superior speed. A third dragon called Junzo had destroyed Hiei’s katana and taken him down as if he was a rank amateur. Genkai was about to charge at Junzo and rescue Hiei but was attacked from behind and beat down by what seemed to be a female Crimson Dragon.

Akira: *laughs* I guess I should properly introduce you. Genkai, meet Sata. Sata, Genkai.

Sata has short sky blue hair and piercing yellow eyes.

Sata: *hisses* Pleased to make your acquaintance.....however SHORT it may be.

Sata had Genkai on her back and proceeded to land punches all over her face, each one drawing blood due to the sharp scales that covered the knuckles on her fists. Genkai tried in vain to escape from Sata, but the way she was positioned over her body, Genkai couldn’t even wiggle her fingers. Akira watched his fellow gang members triumph over their opponents and then turned his attention to Kurama, who had the same drained sensation wash over him as the day he was attacked in the alley. The leader menacingly walked over to his prey and began his assault. Kurama did his best to defend himself, but it was no use; Akira’s blinding kicks and punches-plus his ability to suppress his demon powers-proved to be too much for the red-headed kitsune to overcome. Akira grabbed his fallen prey with his clawed hands and brought him to meet his burning gaze.

Akira: So, we meet again. You held up longer than the last time, Red. Frankly, I’m surprised.

Kurama: *sarcastic* I’m glad I lived up to your expectations.

Akira: I said I was surprised, Red; not impressed. *delivers a hard right to the stomach which made Kurama double over* Now, where’s the girl? My friends and I have a bone to pick with her!

Dashi: Boss, don’t you mean, we have to pick off her bones? *laughs evilly as he rams Kuwabara’s head into the steps*

Akira: *looks over to Dashi* I like the way you think. I bet she’s very tasty. *mouth waters* So, you gonna tell us where you have her hidden, or do I have to beat it out of you? *punches Kurama hard in the face, drawing blood*

Kurama: *hatred lacing his normally quiet voice* I won’t tell you anything.

Akira: How gallant! He wants to protect the girl who saved his life. Well, maybe your weakling friends will start singing.

Hiei: Do your worst! *spits blood* She may be a ningen, but we won’t give her over to the likes of you.!

Junzo: Wrong answer, shorty! *knees him in the ribs* (A/N: If Hiei’s powers weren’t blocked, Junzo wouldn’t have survived long enough to FINISH calling him “Shorty”.)

Koji: Are you sure we can’t just finish them off, now? *has Yusuke face down with his knee in his back and working his arm out of its socket* (A/N: OUCH!!!!!!)

Akira: Nah. I rather enjoy seeing them like this; so pathetic and helpless. *punches Kurama in the ribs making him scream and wince in pain* Our master is growing very impatient. He wants the girl and he wants her NOW. So spare yourselves more pain and tell us where she is. Or don’t; it doesn’t matter to us either way. We have more than enough time to beat you to a bloody pulp.

Gwen watches in horror from behind the rock as Akira and his flunkies pummel her friends within an inch of their lives.

Gwen: {They’re willing to lose their lives just to protect me. I can’t let them do that. Think, girl! How are you gonna get them out of this mess? Because it’s MY fault they’re in trouble.}*shakes her head as she remembers what the Otohime said to her* {What am I saying? The Otohime said that they had faith in me and my powers.} *she balls her fists and the jewels on her bracelet started to glow brighter than ever.* AND SO DO I!

With a new found strength, Gwen slowly rose up from behind the rock and walked out into the open. She glared at the Dragons and her gaze fixed on Akira who still had Kurama’s neck in a deathgrip.

Gwen: DRAGONS! *the five demons turned their heads* LEAVE MY FRIENDS ALONE!! It’s ME you want, isn’t it?

Akira: *lets go of Kurama and he slides down the wall and collapses onto the ground* Indeed, it is. It’s nice to know that someone in this ragtag group has a little sense. *walks to Gwen and looks her in the eye* You got guts, kid. I’ll say that much for ya.

Sata: To bad she won’t have them for much longer.

Kurama: *whispers* Gwen, don’t. Get away......

Gwen: I can’t do that, Kurama; I’m not gonna run anymore.

Dashi: Just what were you running away from, girlie? *licks his lips with the forked tongue that slithered out of his fanged mouth*

Gwen: I WAS running from my responsibility to my friends and ultimately two worlds. But after a talk I had with a few wise women, I realized that it was pointless. Too many people were counting on me; namely the ones you were beating up. So I’m gonna accept my destiny and tackle it head on.......just like what I’m gonna do to YOU! {And I won’t even use my hands to do it!}

Akira: *claps dully* How moving. Really. It is. But I’m sick of talking. DRAGONS ATTACK!!!!

Yusuke: *weakly* Gwen, no..... ‘Damn, she’s gonna get killed and we can’t help her.’

As the dragons charge at Gwen with full force, the opal on her bracelet shone brilliantly and the white pinwheel appeared in her eyes. She raised her arms above her head and spun like a Beyblade (A/N: Don’t own.) whipping up a respectable sandstorm around herself and the dragons impairing their vision-just what she wanted to happen.

Koji: Huh? What happened? *tries to see ANYTHING in the thick sandstorm* Boss?

Sata: Where is she? It’s like she disappeared! *she then sees what she THOUGHT was Gwen mocking her* There you are you little.......

She charges at her with her sharpened claws and slashed the figure in front of her to ribbons. Akira saw the same illusion and killed what he thought were TWO Gwens.

Akira: HA! Trying to fool me with illusions. It won’t work NINGEN!! COME OUT AND FIGHT!!!!!

Gwen: *laughs* But I AM fighting.

The wind dies down and the sandstorm clears revealing Dashi, Koji and Junzo dead on the ground from the attacks Sata and Akira mounted on who they THOUGHT was Gwen.

Gwen: *looks at the 3 deceased dragons* Hmmph. Looks like you missed. And here I thought you had better aim than that.

Akira: *growls* YOU FILTHY NINGEN!!! That was very clever of you; now THAT was impressive! But as you can see, your plan only partially succeeded. Sata and I are still here.

Sata: And your cute little sandstorm won’t work on us twice. So unless you have an army stashed somewhere, you don’t have a prayer!

Gwen: No, I don’t have an army. *raises her hands in supposed defeat* I surrender.

Akira: As well you should, my dear. Sata, ATTACK!

Akira and Sata charge at Gwen without realizing that she had another plan hatched. She looked them straight in the eyes and her diamond started to radiate. Her eyes turned white and her hair started to move.

Akira: She’s going to levitate us. Be on your guard!  

But his warning was far too late and premature. Just as they were within a few feet of her, Gwen shouted with an echo to her voice.....MEDUSA LOCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Her raven black tresses took a life of their own and stretched to twice their length. Her hair shot towards the two scarlet demons and the ends fused together to form two spear-like appendages that pierced through their hearts. Their blood seeped from the wounds in their chests and onto the ground; as Gwen’s hair slid out, the ruddy liquid clung to the ends like glue.

Gwen: I’d like to say it’s been fun, but I was raised not to lie!

With that, the last of the Crimson Dragons fell to their long overdue deaths with a resounding thud. Gwen was brought out of her trance by the sound of Yukina and the girls shouting.

Keiko: YUSUKE! *tries to dress his wounds* DON’T YOU DARE DIE ON ME!

Shizuru: HANG ON, BABY BRO!! *putting pressure on Kuwabara’s injuries*

Yukina: HIEI!!!!! *uses her healing powers*

Botan: KURAMA! MASTER GENKAI!! STAY WITH US!! Yukina, can you heal all of them?

Yukina: *weakly* Their injuries are too severe and there are too many to heal at one time. *passes out*

Botan: Yukina!

Gwen: Maybe I can help.

Gwen stood in the middle of her friends and put her hands together in a praying position. She closed her eyes and the sapphire started to luminesce. She parted her hands and held the out on either side of her body, palm side down. A bright blue glow surrounded each of her fallen comrades and lifted them off of the blood-stained ground. Botan and the girls watched as the boys’ wounds closed and their injuries slowly healed and vanished as if nothing happened to them at all. They floated back down and were laid on the ground gently; Gwen promptly collapsed, thoroughly exhausted from ordeal. One by one, Yusuke and the other fighters woke up, unaware of what had just transpired.

Yusuke: *groans* Okay, was it just me or did we just get our tails kicked by some red iguanas?

Kuwabara: Nope, we got beat down pretty good. *looks down at himself* But why don’t I look like road kill?

Kurama: Good question....*looks in front of him* ...Gwen! *runs to her and lifts her head* Say something, please.

Genkai: She’s alright, Kurama. She’s just fainted. That’s to be expected when she used so much power to save us. ‘I knew you had it in you, kiddo. Good job.’

Hiei: *stands up* Hn. I can’t believe I owe my life to this NINGEN! ‘But I do. Thanks, Gwen.’

Genkai: Kuwabara, could you pick her up and take her to my room? She needs rest.

Kuwabara: Sure, Genkai. *picks her up and carries her inside bridal style* ‘After what you did for us, Gwen, it’s the least I could do.’ *he walks halfway up the steps when he trips and almost drops Gwen*

Yusuke: Be careful, you idiot! That’s precious cargo you got there! ‘Cargo that knows how to kick butt. Good goin.’

Kurama: *walks behind everyone into the temple* /Please be okay, Gwen./

[Genkai’s Bedroom]

Yukina: Will she be okay, Master Genkai? *looks at Gwen sleeping*

Genkai: She’s gonna be just fine. She needs to rest after all the energy she used.

Yusuke: That hair moved she used ROCKED! Where did she learn that?

Genkai: *whispers* Be quiet, Dimwit! She’s trying to sleep. Let’s just leave her alone.

Kurama: Please, Master Genkai. I’d like to stay with her if that’s all right.

Genkai: *smiles* I don’t see why not. You can stay; just don’t wake her up.

Kurama: I won’t.

With that, everyone else exits the room leaving Kurama to keep vigil over Gwen.

Kurama: *brushes her black hair from in front of her face* /Looks like I’m not the only one who owes you their lives. We’re all alive now because of you./

Youko: ~She’s quite a woman, Kurama. I, too, owe her my life.~

Kurama: I promise you, Gwen. Even if it takes my last breath, I’ll repay you. *bends down and kisses her cheek, just barely kissing the corner of her mouth.* I’ll protect you with my life. *caresses her cheek* /Because I refuse to live without you./

Yusuke: *peeking in on them* We ALL will, fox. We all will.

Youko: ~Don’t leave me out.~

Kurama: /I wouldn’t dream of it, Youko./

**End of chapter 9***

AJ: So there it is. Comments?

Yusuke: THAT ROCKED! The hair thing was SOOO cool!

Keiko: *runs her fingers through her light brown hair* I wish MY hair could do that.

Kurama: So what will happen next?

AJ: Someone gave me a STELLAR idea, and coincidentally, it involves YOU, Kurama.

ALL: OOOOOOOOO!

AJ: Keep reading and I’ll post it soon. CIAO FOR NOW!