Hi folks! Hope you enjoyed the introduction. Things are heating up fast for our friends, but there still a few things to take care of at home first. A little mystery and a little silliness to ensue. R +R!
I do not own any YYH characters
Chapter Two
Kiyo was up before dawn, racing over the surrounding countryside. It felt so good to be back. She burst through the foliage, back at the compound. She impatiently swiped at her long bangs. Sweat trickled down her neck. Something moved.
Kuwabara was being dragged towards the marshes, face an ashy white. Kurama and Yusuke were carrying him, mouths moving alternately. They were clearly going to train. Kiyo smiled to herself and headed to the beach.
Genkai found her floating in the shallows.
"Kuwabara has agreed to enter the tournament. Yusuke convinced him."
Kiyo shrugged, wringing out her hair.
"They'll need a fifth fighter," she added.
Kiyo shrugged again, flapping her soaking shirt. Genkai waited; Kiyo would say something sooner or later. The girl waded out of the shallows, picking up shells as she went and shivering slightly. The sun was barely over the horizon.
She followed the older woman back, her bare feet thwacking the stone. How often had she followed the psychic like this? She hadn't seemed quiet so short then. And she had never been fatigued.
Genkai guessed her thoughts. She glanced back at Kiyo, eyes reflecting a much younger, less coordinated girl. Ten years had passed since then.
After a while, Kiyo spoke. "I'm only going if asked."
Genkai nodded – it was expected.
"You could just show your power," the psychic commented.
Kiyo looked down her nose at the older woman, the very picture of disdain.
"Respected shihan that you are, you will of course remember the first – and only – lesson you gave me. Control. I have never tapped into my reserves and it's stupid to use any of my abilities for fireworks. If I get into the habit, I could be dry when I really need it," she said. After a pause, she smiled, her nobility charade gone. "Besides, mama always taught me to be polite."
"I hate it when you're right," Genkai admitted.
"No wonder you're such a testy hag," Kiyo quipped, grinning. Genkai swiped at the girl, smiling herself.
Kiyo was doing laundry when a soft knock came from the door.
"Come in," she called, concentrating very hard on folding.
Yukina started stacking the carefully folded clothes. "Will you be staying long?" she asked.
Kiyo jolted, not expecting the quiet Koorime to speak.
"That depends," she said shyly. Yukina nodded.
"You're a fighter," the girl observed. Kiyo looked down, blushing slightly.
"What gave me away?" she asked.
"I can see the same spirit in you as in the boys. But it's also different. Shizuru says your soul is human, but your ki feels like Youko, Botan, and Genkai in one," Yukina persisted.
Kiyo smiled painfully. "Shizuru's powers of perception, because she has not trained any other aspects of them, have always been superb."
"Which are you?" Yukina asked.
"I'm human," Kiyo said firmly. Yukina relaxed slightly. She got up to leave and paused.
"We're going on a picnic. Would you like to come?"
Kiyo smiled brilliantly and accepted.
It was well passed noon when they found a suitable spot. Keiko and Yukina spread out a blanket while Shizuru and Botan unpacked the food. Kuwabara and Yusuke were arguing again. Kurama and Genkai were sipping tea. Kiyo sat in a tree reading an original copy of 'The Canterbury Tales'.
After a while, everyone gathered around for the food. Yusuke was just choking down an onigiri when an arrow buried its point in the ground.
A sickly figure emerged. It was a demon, skin off white, greasy brown hair and muddy eyes. Blood caked its pointed fangs.
Yusuke lunged forward when a hard cover book crashed into the back of his head, sending him sprawling into the ground.
"I – hate – English," he growled.
Kiyo was face to face with the demon. He loaded his crossbow.
"Put that down," she snapped, eyes glowering. The demon froze.
"You go back now and I won't tell Mukuro," she said coldly. The demon aimed, trembling, at her heart. He was panicking.
She didn't move, didn't do anything. But somehow the demon looked more frightened than ever. Some unseen force had caused the balance to shift in her favor.
"Who sent you?" she hissed. Two energy blasts came in quick succession, one aimed at the demon and one aimed at her. The demon was obliterated.
Shizuru shivered as a ghostly kekkai enveloped them. It was like a fog, with pale green lightning dashing along. It was coursing with raw energy.
"Urameshi, two hundred yards, north-northeast. Arm level," Kiyo whispered, delicately opening a hole in the kekkai. Yusuke leveled his Reigan and shot. Something screamed and died.
Kiyo opened a hand and reclaimed the kekai's energy. The boys went to see what had been hit. Kiyo carefully dusted off her book cover and walked back to the compound with Genkai and the girls, acting as a rearguard.
Yusuke sat in conspiracy with Kuwabara and Kurama. Everyone else had long since gone to bed.
"We need a fifth fighter. I say we ask for a practice match," Yusuke said.
"No way, Urameshi! Did you see that kekkai? It was freaky!" Kazu hissed, eyes darting around nervously.
"Come on Kuwabara! Don't tell me you're scared now! How many demonic asses have we kicked?!" Yusuke exploded.
"Urameshi, in case you haven't noticed, I haven't been training for three YEARS!" Kazu yelled back.
"Kurama, what do you think?" Yusuke snapped. Kuwabara's head swivled to look at the redhead.
"Well, I agree with both points. It is right that Kuwabara is anxious; we know very little about her. However, we do know that Genkai trusts her, and I for one trust her judgment. She could be a valuable asset. Her aura has yet to be visible to any of us, even when she created the kekkai. She can't be an amateur."
Yusuke grinning smugly while Kuwabara mumbled his ascent.
Keiko shook Kiyo awake, looking positively harassed.
"You have a phone call," she whispered. Kiyo thanked her and went into the hall. Yawning, she picked up the phone.
"Mama, do you have any idea what time it is?" Kiyo said sleepily. Her mother had been known to forget time zones. Often.
However, the voice that spoke was not at all feminine.
"Kiyo! What's this about you entering the tournament?" Kiyo stopped slouching – a reaction to her ancestor's voice – the old man was testy at the best of times.
"Jii-sama! I thought you were training with mother- "
"Your mother is sleeping now. What's this about the tournament?"
"I haven't been asked yet," Kiyo said moodily. She didn't bother asking how he knew. Her ancestor had ways of finding out where she escaped to when she wanted to conceal her destination.
"Do they know? Do they know who you are-"
Kiyo froze as she smelled smoke from a cigarette. "They will if you keep yattering on about it!" Kiyo heard several things at once – an indignant gasp from Jii-sama, an extra line going dead, and several pairs of feet scampering back to bed.
Her ancestor sighed. "Kiyo you're just not ready. I haven't trained you at all yet. Your mother hasn't inherited my power, I'm fairly certain now. We must be cautious-"
"Jii-sama, I trained myself. If I have to rely on you for the basics, how could I show true potential?" she said, knowing this was an argument he would be willing to use against her later if she didn't kill it now.
"Kiyo, don't let your admiration for Genkai get in the way of your judgment. I approve of her decision to appoint you guardian, but to send you into a tournament untried…"
Kiyo almost crushed the receiver. "Untried? I've been hunting demonic outlaws for eight years! I know the theory and build up work to all the five trial techniques, have studied all of your techniques and learned them without your help, am developing my own style, and you say I'm untried!" she exclaimed, forcing her voice to an impassioned whisper.
"- is irresponsible on her part." She could tell from the silence that followed that he regretted saying it. It was no secret that she was his favorite descendant thus far; perhaps that was why he had avoided her training at all costs, trying to spare her the pain and suffering that would arise if she showed the potential to be his true heir. When she had shown a spark, he had taken to retraining her mother. He loved to spend time with her, and she with him. But she forgot all that the moment he insulted Genkai.
"Ojii-sama," she said icily, "as much as I love and respect you and my mother, you have no right to talk about responsibility. Genkai took care of me when you shoved me at her when I was five. She didn't waltz off for training while I was here, sending me birthday cards on various dates because you both forgot. Goodnight," she finished savagely, slamming the receiver down. She caught the startled glances of Shizuru, Yukina, Keiko and Botan. They had come back to listen. Her anger ebbed slightly.
"Please don't say anything," she asked as they walked back to the room they shared. Keiko gave her a quick hug while Yukina nodded and Shizuru patted her head. Botan put a finger to her lips in the promise of silence. Kiyo smiled. At least she belonged somewhere.
Kuwabara looked around. He, Kurama, and Yusuke had followed the girls on their morning walk. He twitched as they came to a clearing. Something felt wrong. The clearing had a large hot spring and waterfall. It had been shielded by all manner of thorns and trees. Now, it seemed too secluded, too secret. His eyes widened as they found the five piles of clothes and the five spots on the water now bubbling. Too late.
"Urameshi, look away!" he yelled valiantly, though looking himself. Of course Yusuke and Kurama looked straight at the pool. Kuwabara had frozen in horror until he saw Yukina.
All of them ducked underwater up to their necks, Keiko beat red.
"YUSUKE!" she screamed.
Kurama, a hand clamped tightly over his own (and Kuwabara's as a sign of respect for Hiei) said, "I think it best if we leave now."
Yukina was panicking. Shizuru said, "God, you're such a guy, Kazu."
"Keiko, I swear it was an accident!" Yusuke yelled, his back to the pool.
"YUSUKE, I'M GONNA KILL YOU!" Keiko shrieked.
Kiyo's voice cut through. "Calm down. Yusuke, cover your eyes."
Kurama gasped; his muscles were paralyzed. It gave off the same sensation as Kiyo's kekkai. From Kuwabara's verbal protests, it was obvious it was also in effect for him.
There was a flurry of rustling cloth. Once it stopped, Kurama felt himself released and was able to uncover his eyes. He did so in time to see Yusuke getting the beating of his life.
"HENTAI! I WAIT THREE YEARS AND THIS IS WHAT I GET! YUSUKE I'M GONNA KI-"
Meanwhile, Shizuru was giving Kuwabara similar treatment.
"WHEN ARE YOU GONNA GROW UP? THE MAGAZINES ARE BAD ENOUGH-"
Kiyo and Botan ushered Yukina into the woods before it got bloody.
Once Keiko and Shizuru had finished, Kurama was assigned the task of hauling the near dead bodies back.
Kiyo was reading when Yusuke sat down next to her.
"Look, I'm sorry about earilier," he said grumpily. Kiyo turned the page. "I wanted to ask you – what are you doing in two months?"
Kiyo let him wait a while before turning the page again and saying, "Two timer."
He missed her grin. Instead he exploded. "I AM NOT!"
Kiyo yawned, ignoring him again. Yusuke bit his tongue and continued.
"My team needs a fifth fighter. You interested?"
Kiyo turned another page. "How'dyou know I'm any good?"
Yusuke shrugged. "I don't. At least not for sure."
Kiyo snapped her book shut. He was honest, at least. "Fine. I'll meet you here in six weeks," she said. Yusuke nodded and offered his hand to help her up.
She gave him the book and walked away, whistling.
Kiyo yawned as Yukina helped her pack. She had already packed her fighting clothes and was shoving in jeans and shirts with much less formality than her partner.
"So, will you be coming along?" she asked. Yukina nodded, passing her shoes.
"Yes. Koenma-sama has agreed to reserve us tickets," Botan said from the doorway.
"Also, Kazuma invited me to come," Yukina said shyly. From the blush on her face, she had figured out why Kazuma tailed her.
"How gracious of him, I'm sure," Kiyo said under her breath.
"Mukuro and Yomi haven't entered this year. There are a few teams already formed that are of mostly A-level demons," Botan said.
Kiyo shrugged. "I'm not going to win. I just wanna know who's stronger than me."
Keiko looked up, opening her mouth in objection. Kiyo smiled.
"That doesn't mean I won't try, Keiko." Keiko grinned back. In the six weeks Kiyo had stayed at the compound, the girls had returned every weekend, never seeing any signs of training. In that time a subtle friendship had been made. Kiyo, somewhat an outsider all her life, was finally accepted and was grateful for it.
"Hey, you ready yet? Yusuke's threatening to drag you out," Shizuru said dryly. Kiyo raised her eyebrows.
Firstly, tell Urameshi I'm ready when I'm ready. Secondly, tell him Kuwabara fell asleep in the shower again. Thirdly, remind him that his laundry is drying and Keiko thinks the heart boxers are adorable. And lastly, tell him that he could try to drag me out, but only if he wanted to end his bloodline by inability to sire children," she said, equally dry. Shizuru smiled and delivered the message.
She said goodbye to Yukina, Shizuru and Keiko at the gateway; Botan had gone ahead with the boys.
Genkai was waiting for her just out of sight on the long steps down the mountain.
"Are you well?" was her question as they began walking down. Her anxious eyes betrayed her worry.
"I'm coming with the girls. I'm not missing Yusuke fight," Genkai snapped.
Kiyo ignored the woman's tone. She had always been that way. She hugged the old shihan gently. Genkai stuttered incomplete threats at her.
"Yeah yeah, boil me in oil when I get back, whatever. But take this," she said wetly. Genkai felt a large packet of leaves being thrust into her hands. They glowed with compressed healing energy.
"You'll need to take that twice a day," she said quietly.
"I'm not sick, girl," Genkai growled.
"I know. But it will help. Just take it, please. For my peace of mind," she said, quieter still.
Genkai took the packet resentfully, not wanting to seem complacent. Kiyo would see through it and she knew it. "Fine. But you'd better bring my boy to the finals," she said.
Kiyo shrugged. "I'm not going to win. Yet."
Genkai nodded. "Just keep them from getting killed, then," she said.
Kiyo nodded her agreement. Genkai stopped, and she kept going, taking steps two at a time.
"And take care of yourself as well," the psychic added as an after thought. Kiyo turned around and grinned, going off the steps down a steep path to her travel companions.
"Such an odd parallel… but for what purpose?" Genkai mused, and wearily began to climb back to her compound.
They met Hiei four hours away from the dock. The short demon glared at Urameshi.
"I hope you haven't gone soft, Urameshi. I don't want to waste my time with a weakling."
"Good to see you too, Hiei," Yusuke said by way of reply.
The demon peered around Yusuke. A look of grudging respect entered his red eyes.
"Kiyo. I hope you intend to fight seriously."
"I always fight seriously, Hiei. It's everyone else that doesn't," she said, grinning. He glowered at her.
"How're things on patrol?" she asked once he had reacquainted himself with Kurama and Kuwabara.
"Well enough, considering I'm babysitting pathetic humans half the time."
"You traveled with Kuwabara for a while, so it can't be that different," Kiyo pointed out impishly.
"Hn. You couldn't find someone other than her?" he said to Yusuke.
"Nope. She seems strong enough," Yusuke said, dropping back. Kurama and Kuwabara followed suit while Kiyo and Botan talked animatedly up ahead.
Hiei gave them and incredulous look. "Strong? She seems strong? Have you any idea what she is capable of? She-" Hiei suddenly flinched as a pebble flicked his cheek.
Kiyo gave Hiei a 'now-that's-not-very-nice-OR-smart' look, and returned to her conversation. Nothing the others said would get him to continue that train of thought.
Botan left them at the docks resorting to her ferrygirl ways and flying to report to Koenma-sama.
A large group of demons had assembled already, waiting. At the sight of Urameshi, mixed reactions were given; outrage, fear, and spiteful respect.
Kiyo drifted away slightly, and felt a demon stroke her back, his hand traveling south. Kurama's Rosewhip beheaded him instantly. He bowed slightly to Kiyo, leading her back to the group.
"The girl's with us. You mess with her, you mess with us. Or which ever of us gets you first. Got it?" Yusuke announced.
One demon ignored him and sidled up to her, hand almost at her neck. Kiyo didn't move. The creature was blown backwards through several trees.
Yusuke grinned as he turned to the crowd, saying, "So, who wants to go to the tournament?"
He was speaking to an empty clearing.
"Come on, Urameshi, stop wasting time!" Kuwabara yelled from the boat.
Hiei and Kurama talked quietly in the center of the boat; Yusuke and Kuwabra were having a fist fight.
Kiyo was at the prow of the boat, leaning over the edge much more than was wise. The wind lifted her ponytail, her hair streaming out behind her. She didn't look it, but she was listening intently. Kurama was asking about her, Yusuke had Kuwabara in a head lock and was messing up his hair.
Kiyo sat on the railing, feeling good as the sea breeze whipped her face. She had been to the ocean before and she had been on a boat before, but never like this.
Storm clouds rolled in, circling a lone island. Kiyo felt a shiver run up her spine. It was there she would show her talents. A second shiver followed; one of sheer deliciousness. She liked being on the ocean! Why had she never done it before?
"Nervous, girl?" Hiei said from behind her. He had seen her shiver. Kiyo leaned back enough to look at him upside down.
"Not really. I've just never been on the ocean like this before," she said, breathing deeply.
What ever answer he had been expecting, this wasn't what he wanted or expected.
"Hn," he said, but didn't move. When she didn't say anything, he said, "Kurama says you're the one who suggested that oaf join our team again. I don't know whether to be grateful to you for seeing a change in him or angry for making me a babysitter again."
"Where strength might fail, emotions won't. The bonds you all share are worth more than power. If he gets angry enough or worried enough, he'll find a new level. It's just a matter of tapping into that," she said softly.
"But how do you know he'll last that long?" a new voice asked; Kurama.
"His pride won't let him quit before he does," she said, not looking at the redhead. She knew that Kurama was very interested in her origins.
"Besides Hiei, I'll help you baby-sit this time," she added, and was rewarded with a slight trembling of the short demon's lips.
"Hn," he said by way of comment and walked away. Kurama stayed behind her. She was content to watch the waves. She had forgotten the other was there until he asked her a question.
"What is your name?"
"Kiyo," she said, giving him a surprised look.
"Your full name, please."
Kiyo thought a minute, and then said, "Kakunoshin Kiyo. But everyone calls me Kiyo."
Kurama shook himself and walked back the center of the boat. Kiyo sighed. She didn't mention that she had given him her father's last name, which she didn't use. Instead, she settled herself on the deck for a nap, dozing off after a few minutes.