Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ With Every Drop of Blood ❯ Lamenting Beauty ( Chapter 2 )

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

DISCLAIMER: nope. No YYH stuff...

A/N: well, I have to thank all of you who reviewed for understanding. And I'm sorry if you still don't care for the pairing, but if it counts as anything, I will put a bit of Mai/Kurama fluff in for awhile...

Ps: but I do have to admit that there will be just a little bit of fluffiness between Mai and Yusuke as well...

Thoughts/Dreams (for this chapter)

`Kira'

Fire Angel

::Lamenting Beauty::

Kuwabara marched ahead of the group proudly and constantly crying out promises of his love to his Yukina. The other three only watched in agitation as the red-head continued to frighten the poor birds from the trees.

“How long is he going to keep doing this?” Mai asked as she leaned on the golden-wrought staff in her hands, “I mean does he really have to wear that thing on his head?” She persisted to question about the pink bandana with a giant heart on it.

Botan sighed as if she were embarrassed for him, “Probably not...”

“Hey!” the red-head barked ahead of them, “Hurry it up back there!” he placed his hands on his hips proudly (A/N: is that even possible?), “Kazuma, Warrior of Love must rescue his precious Yukina!!” and he pointed onwards.

Yusuke slapped his head, “Just shoot me now...” he grumbled.

The Guardian stepped next to him and put a hand on his shoulder, “Well let's just think of the bright side, Urameshi; the sooner we get there, the sooner you can beat the crap out of any demons you find!” she grinned reassuringly, her violet-speckled eyes shining merrily.

He stared at her curiously before smiling back and giving her a quick thumbs-up. She did the same and continued after Kuwabara, her staff clinking against the earth. Yusuke watched her go almost sadly as he watched her crimson hair swish from side to side. What the hell?!

-:2:-

Night eventually crept forth from the corners of the world, swallowing the forest around them in an inky blackness. A fading fire crackled in the center of a clearing as the moon and stars twinkled above.

Mai leaned back lazily against the trunk of a dying tree several feet off the ground. She watched as wisps of cloud passed across the moon. It was her turn to take up watch, though it wasn't as if she could sleep anyway...

She tugged her blanket closer around her shoulders as a night chill kicked up. Kuwabara's snoring could be heard below and he mumbled something about his undying love for Yukina.

Man, she thought, When that guy's obsessed, he's really obsessed...

The girl sighed and felt her ears twitch with each movement around her. She irritably clamped her hands over them. Ever since her demon powers had been awakened, all of her senses had pricked up and it was driving her insane. She could swear that she could almost sense someone's thoughts, especially Yusuke's

Figures, she was his Guardian anyway; it was probably natural for her senses to be keener with him...

But it was driving her crazy!

She groaned and tucked her knees up to her chin and stared into the blackness beyond the campsite. But even though it was far off, she could feel the energy of a demon...of what demon, though, she didn't know...

Beneath her, she heard a slight rustling and peered at the ground below.

“You should be sleeping, Yusuke...” she told him sleepily, “It's not your watch for another two hours...”

The Detective shrugged, “I couldn't sleep,” he replied simply.

Mai tugged her blanket around her as the cool breeze whipped around her. He looked up at her from the ground and she gave him a puzzled, but weary look.

“What?” she asked.

“Nothing...” he said quickly.

She narrowed her eyes, “Don't tell me it's `nothing'” she said almost menacingly.

Urameshi shrugged again, “You just looked kind of lonely up there...”

She smiled weakly at him as if that was all, “Would you like to join me then?” she offered, “You'd have to stay up twice as late, though...”

The boy returned the grin, “Ah, well...it doesn't matter I suppose; Kuwabara wouldn't let me sleep anyway with all his constant babbling about Yukina...”

Mai laughed as she carefully lowered herself onto the ground so that she was level with him. She clutched the wool blanket around her shoulders as her hair gently billowed around her. The Detective couldn't help notice the way that the moon shimmered off her eyes. He shook his head as the thought crossed his mind.

Whoa, weird...he thought.

The Guardian sat down along the base of the tree and Yusuke followed her lead. They sat in a silence for a moment before he cleared his throat.

“So...I hear Genkai's been teaching you a new technique...” he said casually as he placed his hands behind his head.

She cocked her head towards him, “Yeah, so?”

“Can I see it?” he asked teasingly.

The girl smirked as he gave her a puppy-dog look, “It's too late,” she insisted, “I'll show you later or something when we run into a demon...” She yawned and closed her eyes, leaning her head against the tree, “I don't have enough energy tonight...”

Yusuke sighed in pretend exasperation, “Fine—“

He froze, however, when Mai's head suddenly fell onto his shoulder. Yusuke glanced towards her to find that she had fallen asleep as her chest rose and fell. He smiled slightly and carefully lifted her head and placed it gently against the tree trunk. The girl stirred slightly, but merely curled deeper beneath her blanket.

Yusuke then lifted himself onto the tree limb above and settled on the branch to begin his watch for the night...

-:2:-

Mai's PoV

I could hear the low murmuring of voices nearby...it was eerie in the fact that no one appeared to be anywhere near me...

They were men's voices coming from a nearby study. Within the room, I noticed a tall glass-pane window stretching to the ceiling; the pale dawn light cascading over the bleak and lonely room.

There was a man, tall and dark, sitting in an armchair. He wore a pair of sunglasses over his eyes, but one could already tell either way that his features were cold and hard. Beside him—or rather perched on his shoulder—was another man...or so it appeared to be. This man was smaller than the first, but nonetheless more frightening. His beady black eyes roamed over the room while is pasty white skin made it appear as though he was some sort of living corpse.

A third man paced back and forth through the study. He was stouter than the other two, but his small dark eyes reflected the greed within him.

The stouter of the three continued to pace as he mumbled to himself for several minutes. It was only until he froze and an evil light sparkled in his eyes did he finally stop.

“I know...” he whispered as a thought crossed his mind, “The intruders; what if I were to let those of the council bet on either them or my demons!” he laughed maliciously, “Yes, yes...Those unsuspecting fools in the forest don't know what I have waiting for them!”

“I would not be so quick to judge them,” the first man said rather calmly, “You obviously don't know what kind of powers they possess...”

The third man whirled on him, his face growing red, “I did not ask for your opinion, Toguro,” he told the other harshly, “How would four mere teenagers be able to withstand an army of demons?”

Toguro—as he was called—folded his hands calmly, “You'd be surprised, Tarukane—“

I jumped suddenly out of sleep. My head struck the tree behind me and I cursed softly as rubbed it gingerly.

Sunlight peeked through the trees and danced along the dew-covered earth. Even the blanket around my shoulders was damp and I shook it off quickly before I stood to my feet. The dying fire remained nothing but ash and Botan and Kuwabara continued to sleep.

Curiosity overcame me as I glanced around looking for Yusuke. I found him quickly, however, when my eyes fell on the Detective sleeping on the tree limb above me.

I tried desperately to force down a grin, but failed horribly when I caught sight of the little line of drool oozing from the corner of his mouth. I shook my head; he was so innocent when he was sleeping, I thought with a small laugh.

After I had found my staff nearby, I quietly snuck out of the campsite when I made sure none of my companions had seen me leave.

I came to a stop after I had gone a little further out from the others. I sighed when I remembered that Genkai had made me promise to try out my `new technique' every day—which, I might have had to add, was quite a pain.

Taking my staff in my right hand, I crossed my arms over my chest. My left hand remained outstretched with each finger extended away from one another. I breathed deeply as I closed my eyes; blocking out any distractions around me.

I cleared my mind; erasing all other thoughts as I felt the energy pulsing through me. I called it forth from all parts of my body; from my blood, and even from the tips of my toes. I squinted through my eyelids to watch as the silver veins coursing through the staff began to glow a pale pink color. The tips of my fingers also began to give off a soft glow as I readied myself.

Already, though, I felt my energy beginning to drain as I moved into the next part of the technique.

The pink glow grew brighter until it was nearly white and I carefully drew it out from within me; creating three vivid rings around my body. I heard the air around me crackle as sweat began to perspire along my brow.

Dammit...I cursed mentally; I couldn't keep it up and I felt my power quickly draining.

I let out a gasp as I reclaimed the attack. The force entering me was so strong that I shuddered and collapsed to my knees.

I stared at the earth as I heaved in the air around me. I clenched the grass in my fists angrily.

“Dammit,” I cursed myself this time, “Why won't it work?!”

Growling, I pushed a strand of my crimson hair out of my eyes and shakily stood. I had to lean on my staff for support, however when I realized that the technique had drained me considerably.

`Calm down, Mai, you're doing fine...' came the familiar voice from the back of my mind.

“Long time no see,” I replied weakly, “Where have you been, Kira?” I inquired to the voice.

I could sense her shrug, `Just around,' she said with a small laugh, `And watching you too, I guess. But really, Mai, you don't have to kick yourself about it; it's a new technique, you'll get the hang of it sooner or later.'

“Well it's been later,” I told her irritably as I started forward, “I don't understand why I can't control it!”

Kira laughed softly, `Don't worry about it!' she insisted, `I don't think I would have been able to do as well if I had been training for even a month! You should be proud of how far you've come!'

I sighed, “Yeah, well...how am I supposed to be Yusuke's Guardian if I can't even muster the strength to fire an attack?”

It took a moment before the former Guardian replied, `It will all pay off soon...' she said rather quietly. I sent her a mentally quizzical look for her odd change of mood.

“What's that supposed to mean?” I questioned.

I sensed her doing a Botan (A/N: you know where she's deep in thought then she suddenly becomes all perky again?) as she laughed nervously, `Nothing, nothing...' she insisted, `I was just thinking.'

“Fine, whatever,” I told her while shaking off the last remark, before a thought crossed my mind, “Hey, Kira? Did you sense that demon last night too?”-

She was back in her solemn-mode—I could tell, `Yes, but just barely...'

“Do you know what it was?”

`No...' she replied sadly, `Listen, just be careful, Mai...I'll stay in touch.'

And I felt her presence flee from my mind. I sighed, and using my staff as a walking stick, I carefully made my way back towards camp.

Even before I saw them, I could hear Kuwabara ordering Botan and Yusuke around, forcing them to kick it up a notch so they could hurry and start for the day.

“Hey Mai!” Botan called when I reappeared from behind the trees, “Where have you been?”

I shrugged casually, “I just needed to take a walk,” I lied and helped myself to one of the leftover breakfast bars from our supply bag. I didn't have time to sit down and rest for even a moment before Kazuma rounded us up and marched off towards Tarukane's mansion.

-:2:-

Hey, sorry it sucked though—once again, I started this fic awhile back so it's still a little choppy (and I'm too lazy to go back and fix it.)

Ciao!!!!!!!!