Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Price of Kindness ❯ Of Bats and Springs ( Chapter 3 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

 

Macha stood up and glared into the darkness. She listened carefully... nothing. She sat and breathed a sigh of relief. Good, I didn't want to disturb Youko-sama while he bathes.

 

All of a sudden, a cool metal surface was pressed up against her neck. Fear coursed through her as a voice whispered in her ear.

 

"Where's Youko?"

 

Macha's eyes widened and she jerked back her elbow and hit the being behind her in the stomach. She heard and 'oof' then the weapon was removed from her neck. She quickly jumped away, drawing her kodachi and spinning to look at the newcomer.

 

He had long black hair that was held in a high ponytail and a hat perched atop his head. The vest he wore looked too small and strips of black cloth were wrapped around his arms. He swung his curved scythe around on its chain and a necklace with a red jewel dangled from his hand. Large black wings protruded from his back and he glared at Macha as he rubbed his gut.

 

"Who are you?" Macha asked as she put the fire between the stranger and herself. The stranger looked at her and cocked his head to the side, smirking.

 

"You don't look like Youko's type. Why are you traveling with him and what's your name?" the stranger interrogated as he sat down in front of the fire. Macha glared at him.

 

"Tell me your name stranger." she said. The stranger raised an eyebrow at her attempted toughness.

 

"It's Kuroune. Now tell Youko I want to see him." the stranger waved her off and Macha set a defiant face.

 

"Kuroune-san, are you a friend or foe of Youko-sama?"

 

"Youko-sama? Oh gods, that's funny." Kuroune chuckled. "Just tell him the 'big bad bat' is here to see him now. He'll know what it means."

 

Macha, not seeing any other options, turned and walked to the hot springs.

 

I hope Youko-sama won't be angry with me for disturbing him. She sheathed her kodachi and sighed. I wonder who this bat demon is. She spotted Youko's fox ears peeking out from behind a rock in front of her. She cleared her throat and knelt next to the rock, not peeking over; it was above her head when she knelt anyway.

 

"What is it, kiddo?" Youko asked when he heard her.

 

"I'm very sorry to have disturbed you Youko-sama," she started, "but someone is here to see you, sir. He calls himself 'the big bad bat'."

 

Youko chuckled and splashed the water in front of him playfully. "Oh Kuroune? You don't need to worry about him, kiddo, he's a friend. Tell him he can wait a few more minutes."

 

"Yes Youko-sama," Macha replied and stood up. At last! I'm of some service to Youko-sama! I'm so happy! She smiled as she turned around only to crash into something. She looked up and saw a pair of black eyes smirking at her.

 

"You are the first I've seen to travel with Youko and not be in a bath with him," Kuroune said. Startled, Macha stepped back only to bump into the rock. Losing her balance, she fell over the rock--right into Youko's lap.

 

"Eek!" Macha yelped as she fell into the water and closed her eyes as she went under. She felt strong arms lifted her head from the water and she opened her eyes.

 

It took her a minute to realize what actually happened. She tried to keep her eyes from wandering, but alas did not work. She blushed at Youko's shocked face and bare chest and...

 

She jumped up and over the rocks. "I'm sooo sorry Youko-sama!" she yelled over her shoulder as she ran off.

 

Youko watched her run off and sighed, looking at a laughing Kuroune. "You didn't have to do that."

 

"But it was so much fun!" Kuroune said as he sat on a rock next to Youko. The fox demon rolled his eyes and went to gather his clothes.

 

"You can't tell me you weren't thinking the same thing." Kuroune said, looking at the sky and stretching his wings.

 

"That's none of your business." Youko said coldly as he stepped behind a bush to change.

 

"Oh come on, Youko. It's always been my business." Kuroune chuckled splashing the hot water with his foot then an evil grin crossed his face. "She's a cutie, Youko... so have you... ya know...."

 

Youko stepped out from the bushes, fully clothed and stood behind Kuroune. "No," he replied simply and pushed Kuroune into the water.

 

"Gah!" Kuroune cried as he fell into the water. He spit water out of his mouth and glared at Youko. "What was that for?!"

 

"Cause it was so much fun." Youko quoted as his eyes danced with playfulness. "I'm heading back to the fire. Are you coming?"

 

"Yea, yea..." Kuroune shook out his clothes as they walked. "Why is she traveling with you? I've never seen her before; she's not part of our band, is she?"

 

Youko shrugged. "I saved her life and she insists on paying me back."

 

"Good luck to that." Kuroune put his hands behind his head and looked at the tops of the trees. "I've still yet to pay you back for that one time."

 

"I told you before: you don't have to."

 

There was a moment of silence as they neared the camp site.

 

"Why'd you do it?"

 

Youko looked questioningly to Kuroune. "What?"

 

"Save her I mean. Why'd you do it?"

 

Youko thought a moment, putting a hand to his chin. "I don't know. I guess I just didn't want her to die."

 

"Right." Kuroune said pushing aside the bushes. They stepped into the camp site to find it empty. Well the fire was still there, but Macha wasn't.

 

"Kiddo?" Youko called out looking around. Kuroune tapped his shoulder and pointed up. Youko followed his finger to a tree branch above where they stood. Macha was sitting in the tree leaning against the trunk.

 

"Kiddo? You ok?" Youko called up to her. Macha peered down at them, and then buried her face in her knees shaking her head.

 

He turned to Kuroune and motioned for him to stay on the ground then he jumped onto the branch. The branch shook a little as he landed in front of her. Her knees were against her chest and her face buried in her knees. Her shoulders shook slightly as she cried. Youko saw that she was holding her sword across her lap. Was that blood leaking across the kodachi?

 

Youko reached out and pulled her knees down on the branch. She held the sword in both hands, right hand on the hilt and the left clutching the blade. Blood ran from her palm and trickled down the sword. Tears from her eyes dripped onto the blade mixing with her blood.

 

In an instant, Youko ripped the sword from her hands and glared at her.

 

"What do you think you're doing, ahou?!" he yelled.

 

"Self inflicted punishment." she answered softly, not looking at his face. She hiccupped from her crying.

 

"Why?" Youko asked, wiping the blade clean of blood.

 

"Because I saw...." She shook her head, blushing and tried to take the kodachi back, "It doesn't matter, Youko-sama! I must be punished!"

 

Youko put a hand to her forehead as she swung her arms at him. His arms being so long and her so short, he kept her sword from reach. He swiped the sheath from her back and put the kodachi in it. He placed it behind him, balancing it on the branch.

 

"Give me your hand." he commanded holding out his own. She reluctantly put her cut-up hand in his and wiped her eyes with the other. He reached to the back of his neck, behind his hair and pulled out a small leaf. He put it on her hand and she yelped, pulling her hand back to her.

 

"It stings." she explained softly. The leaf began to leak out a liquid and she looked questioningly at Youko. "What is it doing?"

 

"Healing you, kiddo, what else?" he leaned over the branch to Kuroune. "Can I have one of those strips on your arms?"

 

"Whatever." the bat demon untied a piece and tossed it to Youko. He caught it and turned back to Macha. He took back her hand and wrapped the cloth around her palm and the leaf. He tied the bandage and grabbed her chin. He looked firmly into her eyes, blood shot from crying.

 

"No self inflicted punishment allowed, kiddo," he said. "At least tell me when you feel you need to be punished," he smiled. He wiped away the rest of her tears with his thumb. "And no crying either."

 

"Hai, shukun." Macha said, eyes brightening. She smiled and Youko rolled his eyes.

 

"You're hopeless." He jumped down and kicked Kuroune who was rolling on the floor in laughter. "Quit laughing," he grumbled. Macha jumped down.

 

"I don't think I introduced my self to you, Kuroune-san." she bowed. "My name is Macha."

 

"You can just call me Kuroune." he said as he stood up and dusted himself off. "As long as your traveling with us, there's no need for formal honorifics, Ma-chan" he smiled.

 

Macha shook her head. "You are an ally of Youko-sama and shall be treated with respect, Kuroune-san."

 

Kuroune leaned down and peered into her face, causing her to back up slightly. "You're a stubborn one, aren't ya?" He put a hand on her shoulder and grinned evilly. "You won't be so stubborn when I'm done with you."

 

Suddenly Kuroune disappeared from view and Macha saw him, face-planted into a tree. She looked and saw Youko rubbing his knuckles.

 

"Ahou," he muttered sitting next to the fire. Macha cocked her head in confusion and sat down.

 

"What did he mean?" Macha asked as Kuroune pulled himself from the tree and sat next to her. He put an arm around her and whispered in her ear.

 

"I'll show you what I meant..."

 

Suddenly he pulled away from her and laughed nervously. Macha looked at Youko and saw him glaring at Kuroune. Macha laughed and thought to herself: I still don't get it.

 

 

Did you like? I hope you did.

 

Translations:

-san (sahn): suffix used as an equivalent of Mr., Mrs., or Miss

-chan (chan): suffix that can be used as a diminutive (ex. Yahiko-chan: little Yahiko) or to express endearment (ex. Sakura-chan). It's mainly used for girls (like "-kun" for boys) and in this case Kuroune is calling Macha "Ma-chan", or "Little Macha"

 

 

As always...

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