Disclaimer: YuYu Hakusho belongs to Yoshihiro Togashi

What Men Do

"You abandoned the stronghold of Hyouga for the world of men," the Elder declared. "Why should we let an impure thing like you return and taint our sanctuary?"

Yukina pushed the sleeves of her kimono back, exposing her arms almost to the elbow, and silently turned her forearms up to the grey sky.

The Elder nodded, approving: "Men did this." A child once scalded won't touch flame again; snow melted may reform into purest ice. Yukina shook her sleeves back over Tarukane's scars.

As Rui led Yukina home again she whispered in Yukina's ear, choked with emotion, "He was here."

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-Windswift