Welcome back everyone!
I know its been a while since the last chapter and well I will be honest it is entirely my fault. Writing 6 stories at once on top of college and work haha well lets just say I'm pretty much setting myself up for exhaustion haha. But as a writer and I'm sure many of you will agree, setting time against a heavy schedule is what a writer does. They write even when things around them are going way beyond their control.
Now I would like to thank all the readers for being so patient with me. I truly appreciate it. But I would like to make an announcement for all – My stories are taking a very big stand still off and on. But I'll write as often as I can
Well now on to what all of your readers have been waiting on…
Chapter 2!
XXX
RECAP
"Welcome to your new home."
'Just what exactly have I gotten myself into this time?!'
XXX
I looked at the house that spread out before me. It looked like any normal house should look like but somehow…it seemed different. The house stood about two to three stories tall and was painted with a light blueish color that seemed to blend in with the cloudless sky. It was like a silhouette in the background of evergreens that seemed to reach as high as the sky and grassy greens of the yard. It was actually a very calming sight. As I gazed at the sight of the pretty secluded house, the wind blew and brushed around my body almost in a tickling manner but it seemed to want to soothe, and it felt warm almost careful not to frighten or make rash movements. I smiled at the kindness of something you couldn't see or touch that swarmed all around me. The place had such a calming atmosphere. It was like everywhere you could hear it or see everything taking to a different tune. It was so calming that I almost forgot that Yusuke was still standing beside me and that the others had already gone inside the house. I glanced over at him suspiciously and heard him give a little chuckled and I stepped a little bit away from him, feeling a fiery heat rise to my face. His smile sort of slacked by my actions.
"You know, when you smile this place seems to really calm down quite a bit. Its almost as if its rejoicing." My blush deepened. He laughed open heartedly. It was really quite strange to be in the company of so many men but this one seemed a bit…odd. Normal guys don't usually act the way he has and they don't usually speak about whats around them or the like. It was quite odd to hear it. "Come on, I'm sure Kurama is fixing lunch right about now. After all, we guys need to have every meal. Its not good to see us males without our regular meals." He said laughing as he walked towards the house leaving me behind him. I frowned; after all the things that I've been through in the last few hours, each time he was there to save me and I never once thanked him. I decided then that it was now or never and I would rather take a now.
"Um wait…um…" He turned and gave me a steady even stare, his brown eyes holding a side of warmth and care.
"Yes?" Now or never…Are you a man or a mouse!? Definitely a woman.
"I just wanted to…thank you…for every time you had to save my butt…like from those…things…" I said to him softly slightly hanging my head down. He smiled at me and walked back over to me and placed his arm around my shoulder.
"Its not a big deal! That's what we do! We go around saving damsels like you from demons like those guys! Now come on, we need to get some serious meat on your bones! You look like your halfway starved!" I couldn't help but giggle at his silly notion about how I looked. He obviously didn't know anything about me or my habits which was a good thing mind you. We walked into the house and as Yusuke ran off to what I believed to be the kitchen, I checked out the inside of the house. Kuwabara was sitting on a couch in the living room, yelling outrageously at the TV as he watched wrestlers beat each other up into bloody pulps while Hiei sat quietly in the window seat silent and unmoving almost as if he was a statue meant to sit for hours unmoving. The inside of the house was a lot bigger than it seemed from the outside. The kitchen had an area all of its own and the living room was directly across the hall from the doorway and all around the bottom floor were wide glass windows that were about 10 feet high and about 7 feet wide. It was as if all the sunshine in the world wanted to come into the house at one time and the house was agreeing with it. It was a lovely house indeed, and off to the side was a staircase that swirled up to most likely the second floor but it gave a sense of mysterious and interest to one's curiosity.
"Hey Mae!" I turned at the sound of my name to see Kurama and Yusuke standing in the doorway of the Kitchen. It was quite strange to hear my nickname that my friends usually called me being used by someone I had only just met last night. Yusuke smiled warmly but with a hint of boyish mischievousness in his eyes and Kurama smiled….it almost reminded me of my father's smile…It was a sad, secretive smile, one that didn't reach both ears. But he seemed to be in good spirits, why so sad then?
"Well Maeryn, what do you think of your new home for the next few weeks?" I smiled gingerly and giggled a little. I think the sunshine was making me high or something.
"Completely…not what I had in mind." I giggled again. Gosh was there really something wrong with me? "So Kurama I hear that the food you make is quite excellent." I asked walking into the Kitchen and straight over to the table and sat down.
"Well so they say." He said modestly smiling. Yusuke rolled his eyes and sat down beside me.
"Could I have some?" Yusuke started laughing loudly and patted my back.
"Sure you can! After all the trials you've been through, Kurama you just have to whip up some of your wonderful tasty food for her!" At the very mention of food, Kuwabara seemed to leap over the couch and through the other door to the kitchen beside the dining table, now why hadn't I noticed that before, and jumped into the next chair beside Yusuke almost toppling both boys over in the process. I just stared at the scene. He was practically drooling at the mouth, his eyes twinkling, almost as if he hadn't eaten in days.
"Food!" I laughed…and laughed…and laughed until tears formed in my eyes and my sides burned from the constant squeezing. I couldn't stop it. It just wouldn't stop, I couldn't stop laughing and it hurt to breath. Yusuke joined in with me after a while and then we all erupted into a fit of laughter with Kurama gazing from across the table and Hiei from afar. It was really…quite calming…it was one of the best feelings that I ever had in my entire life and I truly didn't want it to stop. I never realized it until now just how much fun having guys around could really truly be. Sure I had a father and a brother, but once my brother turned 19, he stopped being much fun and started getting serious and father was well my father. It truly was a refreshing to have a different atmosphere than what I normally did. Kurama turned away from us while our laughter slowed and almost ceased but peaked here and there because of Yusuke and Kuwabara fighting made me laugh. He fixed us all some plates of food to fill us up for that part of the day. For only one meal, it was really delicious and I made sure Kurama knew how I felt about his meal. I leaned back rubbing my imaginary over sized belly and released a big sigh when all the food on the table was gone.
"Oh goodness Kurama! You really should make this into a profession! You would make a wonderful chief! That was so delicious, its unbelievable!" I giggled at my uncontrollable behavior while Kurama smiled sweetly down at me.
"Well thank you for the compliment Maeryn, I'm glad you liked the food."
"Its kind of hard not to like Kurama's food. He spoils us by always cooking." Yusuke commented laughing gingerly. Kuwabara sighed and made lots of noises of delight. It was strange to see so many different personalities all together and they all seemed to get along so well. Kurama was so kind hearted and didn't seem to know how to ever raise is voice while Hiei was so silent it was a wonder that he ever moved. How could so many different people live so well together but yet they argue so much? What could have brought all these boys together? I sighed and got out of the chair I was sitting in. Yusuke and Kuwabara were stuck in their argument about what wrestler was better than the other and I didn't have any part of the argument. It was pointless in my opinion. I stood by the counter.
"May I go to my room and shower please? I still feel quite dirty from last nights horrible transgressions." Kurama's eyebrows knitted together.
"Of course! We have two other floors; the floor for all the bedrooms and a floor that leads to the roof. I'm sure you won't ever go on that floor but yes, I'm sure you'll be able to find it but if you go up the stairs it's the last room to the left." He said smiling. I nodded at him and returned his smile.
"Thank you." I moved off the counter and gave a big stretch before I walked out of the kitchen and made my way over to the stairs. I was oddly curious as to what my room would like. You would think that it would look much like a guys room than anything else, since it was a house with four males. I got to the top step and spotted the door Kurama told me about and cautiously approached the door. Taking a deep breath, I turned the door knob and walked into the room. The room was really big almost like the masters bedroom. The flooring was a soft beige color and the walls were brightly decorated with all kinds of colors; of bright greens to light lavenders and pinks even neon colors were sprinkled all around the room. There was a large French window on the other side of my bedroom and the sunshine that seeped into the room, creating a golden glow. The bed was colored with deep red sheets and blankets and the bed itself was made of cherry wood, its reddish warmth gave me a sense of comfort. On the other side of the bedroom in between two doors was a large Elk dresser with about 5 shelves. If only I had clothes to put in it. I walked over to one of the doors by the dresser and found it to be a closet, a rather large closet. Walking over to the other door, I discovered it to be the bathroom, but I would have to explore that more later. I approached the French windows, unlocked the latch and opened the window as wide as it would go. I breathed in the calming air, trying to relax my anxious nerves that were beginning to rise again as I thought about the situation I suddenly found myself to be in.
"I'm stuck…in a house…with four other guys…I go from staying away from one guy to ending up having to live in a house with four guys all who seem single and are definitely hormonal…Great…this should be interesting…Ryoko would laugh if she could see me now…" I said to myself before walking back over to the bathroom. I didn't know what clothes I was going to change into what with all my clothes being at my house which was probably in shreds or the clothes she left at Tanya's. Either way she was still without clothes and she still needed to take a bath. I opened each of the cupboards and found white fluffy towels and a few white robes made of the same fabric. I smiled, it was something. Turning on the bath water to the temperature that I liked, I got undressed and got into the shower, sighing as the hot water trickled down my body, soothing all the kinks and knots out of my system. I soon became lost in my own little world.
XXXX
"Boys!"
They all turned around to the door to see Botan standing there holding onto several large bags, its contents were all unknown to them. The secret smile she only wore when she had something up her sleeves imprinted in their mind. All except Hiei stared at her with confusion on their faces. His face remained totally blank as if not caring whatever was that she was bringing.
"Whats with all those bags, eh Botan? Going on a trip that we didn't know about?" Yusuke asked her sarcastically. She glared at him and smacked him with arm full of the bags.
"These are not for me you numbskull. These are for your new roommate. That is unless you boys have some sort of odd fascination with wearing girl's clothes." She laughed at Yusuke's red face as she walked in and set the bags down with a sigh of relief.
"What does she need with all these…stuff?" Kuwabara asked curiously. She laughed at the question.
"Well Kuwabara unless you don't mind the thought of a naked girl walking around the house, well then you wouldn't understand." Every face turned red even Hiei's. Kuwabara's nose started to bleed. "If you don't want that to happen, I suggest that you tell me where exactly she is so that I can spare you the embarrassment and give her these clothes." Coughing, Kurama walked over to her and picked up some of the bags from the floor. Yusuke and Kuwabara were still on the floor from shock. Kurama smiled at her, making a light pink color spread across her face.
"She went upstairs in the last open room to the left. She said she wanted to go take a shower since she felt dirty from yesterday. Here, I'll help you bring up some of her new things."
"Uhm… sure. Thank you Kurama."
"My pleasure." They walked up the stairs, leaving the other boys downstairs to deal with their own embarrassment the way they usually handle everything else. Kurama and Botan walked in silence, but it was a calming silence, a peaceful silence. Botan knew that Kurama wasn't like Yusuke or Kuwabara who took their fair share in spreading obnoxious moments of their perverted minds but he was more conservative, thoughtful, kind. She had grown to enjoy Kurama's company. It was different than the usually rowdy company she shared with Yusuke, Kuwabara and on some occasions Hiei. But that kind of enjoyment that Botan tended to keep to herself, kept hidden away from everyone even Yusuke and she was wondering if she would have to try harder to hide it from Maeryn or if she wouldn't notice it at all. When they reached Maeryn's room, they heard the shower running and saw the window wide open creating a little lightness to the room. They walked in and set the bags down on the floor beside the bed and looked at each other and around the room in an awkward silence. Kurama finally cleared his throat and they both smiled at each other, and the same pink shade rose to Botan's cheeks. Was there a pink tinge on Kurama's cheek?
"Uhm…thanks Kurama for helping me with these bags…You really didn't need to help though…" Botan said a little embarrassed but at least it wasn't silent and awkward anymore. Kurama only smiled even softer at her.
"You are more than welcome, Botan." He looked around awkwardly then began moving towards the door. "Well since Maeryn has had a traumatic day last night, I don't want her to get the wrong impression about where my mind set is." Botan laughed as she walked him to the door.
"You? Have the mind set of a pervert? Never, but you do have a point. She doesn't trust guys easily so it may not be a good start. I'll be down shortly. If you can spare an extra place for me during dinner, I'll be more than grateful." Botan asked Kurama sweetly. Before he walked out of the room, he looked at her and gave her a slightly too-warm-to-be-friends kind of smile causing another blush to rise.
"Theres plenty of room for you to stay and eat with us Botan. We'll be more than happy to have you here for dinner. We'll see you when you come down. Besides, I think Mae will feel more comfortable with having another girl around at least until she gets used to us." He told her, then closed the door lightly leaving Botan almost breathless. It was moments like these where she had to take a moment and calm her beating heart and wish that he didn't notice anything. Or did she want him to know?
Meanwhile in the bathroom, I turned off the hot water after finishing the rinse process for both my body and hair. It was good to feel extremely clean and even though the water was no longer running, I could still feel it's warmth. I wrapped myself up tightly in one of the robes from the cupboard and looked at myself in the full length mirror that hung on the back of the bathroom door. Staring back at me were the same pair of strange eyes that I had always resented or grown to seeing everyday of my life. My skin was still pale no matter how many hours I spent in the sun; I always remained the same pale color I had always been. My hair was still dripping water on the floor unruly and wild as ever. Even though I was clean and still wet from the shower, I was still a mess, a complete and total wreck but the water did relax me and the tension I has stored in my body from the horribly frightening evening to the suddenly finding out that I was a demon called an…Aetheran was washed out of my system. Sighing, I walked out of the bathroom and stopped when I saw Botan look over at me and smiled as she continued some chore of pulling out something from a bunch of bags that sat nicely on my new bed.
"I told you that I would be here as soon as I was let off to come see you." Botan explained noting the probably noticeable state of confusion I was in. But still, I smiled widely, almost reaching ear to ear, and ran over to her, nearly tackling her in a massive hug. After a few maybe hours or minutes with a few boys I was beginning to think that no girls were ever going to be allowed near me. Being around these boys was a complete culture change, even if it was fun, I still wasn't quite comfortable of the idea of living with four boys and me being the only girl.
"Oh gosh Botan, you have no idea just how glad I am to see you!" I began and released her from my grip but I held onto her hands and looked into her pink confused eyes. "Its such a shock to the idea that I'm actually going to be living in a huge house alone with four other guys! Its way different from living with my father and brother! I mean Botan, my father was gone half the time and my brother hasn't lived in the same house as us for the last….4 or 5 years!" Botan laughed.
"It'll be alright Mae, You'll get used to living with them and besides, they're just kids at heart, they really are."
"Except for Hiei. He doesn't seem to have a good bone in his body from where I'm standing…"
"Ah yes…he does come off that way doesn't he…but once he warms up to you and sees that you're not like every girl, you'll see. I've known him for quite a while and he still treats me the same as the first day I met him. Kurama though, hes a sweetheart. When I first met him, he was only stealing a rare artifact to save his mother from her death. It truly was a charitable moment. Kuwabara is just a big giant bear, and he has a thing for kittens. Yusuke…"
"What?"
"Well lets just say Yusuke has come a long way. He used to be a real stubborn, hard headed, delinquent who just got into fights all the time for the heck of it and didn't care about anyone but himself… But hes changed he really has. And I think a few people see it…Quite a few. Keiko just adores him."
"Keiko?"
"Her and Yusuke have known each other ever since they were children. I wouldn't be surprised if they ended up dating sooner or later. I really do hope they do. They're so right for one another." She giggled and I joined in. It was so good to be able to talk to a girl and not think about anything like about 'demon training' or the four boys that were downstairs…Then I finally noticed what she was unpacking from all the bags.
"Clothes?"
"Yes, for you. Underwear, bras, shirts, pants, skirts, sweatpants, long-sleeved shirts, you name it and it'll be there. Lets jus say I went on a shopping spree after I explained to Koenma that you had no other clothes than the ones on your body. He delightfully let me off and I just went wild." She laughed. "But after all, we girls need some variety in our styles." She explained as she continued. I watched for a few minutes and until something occurred to me.
"What about all of my clothes?" Botan's smile faded. She didn't want to remind her of the incident from last night but it looked to be the only way to answer her question.
"Well, after the incident of the club, we had to bring you some where safe which was Yusuke's house and we borrowed some of his mother's clothes to cover you up. Then after the other incident of your house, which was found this morning by your neighbor, we had to do a bit of covering up so your old house is being…fixed." My smile slacked then I shrugged.
"Its alright Botan. It was my fault my house became the way it did. I shouldn't have run off like I did when I wasn't quite sure what was going on. I just hope Koenma isn't too mad at me for not believing what he said." Botan smiled and sat down beside me.
"Mae, you are not the only one who had trouble believing all this at first. Yusuke died when he ran into a car to save a little boy that we up in the Reikai never expected him to do. He died before his time and sadly we had no place for him at that moment so he was actually a ghost per say. During the circumstances of his trials, Keiko and Kuwabara found out also what happened to him differently than we had expected as well." I could only nod. I still felt horrible for the actions that took place last night but I knew I couldn't take them back. Botan didn't seem convinced that I understood. "Mae, your going to have trouble especially when you only found out in one night. You weren't explained all of this nor did you know that any of this was real. Its going to be difficult for you." I sighed.
"I'll tell you one thing though Botan,"
"What?"
"I still don't know what to make of this whole…Aetheran thing… I mean, controlling elements, being able to shield myself….the blue thing really threw me off balance…I just don't know what to make of it all…" I sighed again as she placed an assuring hand on my shoulder before getting back up and finishing the last of her task.
"Its going to be hard for a while, but maybe once you start your training, you'll see that you really are what we're telling you you are." I couldn't help but feel a bit of skepticism about what she had just told me. As if training can bring out my 'powers.'
"There it is! All done! Now go on ahead and change, Koenma wants to see you before dinner." She ordered smiling as she started to fold all the bags one by one and sat down on the side of my bed beside me. Shrugging I walked over to my dresser and pulled just a few basic things out; a bra, underwear, a pair of skinny blue jeans and a purple tank top with speckles of blues and spider webs.
"What does he want with me exactly?" I asked as I put on all my clothes. Personally I liked the clothes Botan purchased for me. They were all better than anything in Ryoko's closest that was a given but they were even better than Tanya's which was full of really great outfits.
"He wants to begin your training as soon as he can manage so hes going to give you all the details." She explained as I nodded. When I finished dressing myself, I presented myself to her with a bit of pizzazz.
"Ta da! Alrighty then, now lets go see Koenma and get his party started." I said giggling. She laughed as we walked down the stairs still talking about what my thoughts were about training. We walked downstairs and found 6 pairs of eyes facing us, we didn't even notice the extra pair of eyes that too stared us down. Under their intense gazes, I felt my face grow hot and I turned away from their eyes…Had I done something wrong??? Was there something on my face? Botan laughed.
"Your fine, you just look cute!" she whispered to me. "They're just checking you out." She explained and laughed when my face grew even redder.
"Where you guys going" Yusuke asked.
"Oh Koenma needs to see her before dinner time." Botan said looking in Kurama's direction.
"What does Binky breath want with her? I thought he was done with her for the day?"
"Nope, afraid not. So now I'll be taking her to Koenma, and we'll both be back for dinner." Grabbing onto my wrist, Botan pulled me towards the door. I looked over my shoulder with one last glance to Yusuke and the others I said "I'm sorry you guys" before we walked through another portal to Koenma's office. All around us were ogres running around carrying huge stacks of papers all waiting to be signed by either the prince or the great King Enma. We walked in a little further towards Koenma's desk where he motioned for an ogre to go away and for us to come over.
"Ah yes there you both are, how were the accommodations Maeryn? Were they to your satisfaction? The house is quite large and you have lots of space where you can go and no one can find you so its quite ideal when you have four rowdy boys living together and they all end up getting into a tousle…" I laughed.
"Oh yes, all the clothes are put up and out of the way, and the house is by far extremely gorgeous and wonderful, I really do like it. By the way, thank you for letting Botan out early to get some clothes for me. They were an extreme life savor but anyways she said that you needed to speak to me about my training?" I inquired. Koenma nodded and sighed.
"Well as you know, you are very rare…and since you are so rare…I don't have any further information on you other than what I told you earlier today. My father should be coming home soon and since he has been searching for an Aetheran for thousands of years, he may know more about your kind. I'll ask him when he returns, in the mean time, I will have someone train you in your elemental powers until we know more of what you can do." He explained. I nodded understanding but I still was having trouble believing that I could really possibly have anything like powers over the elements and such. But I still knew that if I was what he was telling me I was for sure, I was going to need a lot of training.
"Who exactly is going to be training me?" I asked. His eyebrows furrowed in contort.
"Her name is Keaira. There are other and better elementals that could teach you but Keaira as the one that was in closest contact. You have to make appointments with Shu Fang to train with him because so many people want to learn from him. Hes a very powerful and wise elemental and hes lived the longest out of anyone of his kind. Hes lived to see well over three Aetherans in his lifetime and if you can get a chance, you'll be his fourth. So I don't know what else to do but to allow Keaira to teach you, at least for the time being." I nodded but I couldn't help but notice that he didn't seem to have any confidence in this girl. My guard would have to be up whenever or if I ever meet this Keaira.
"When does my training start?"
"Tomorrow morning at 10."
XXXXX
Botan and I returned after our talk with the great Prince and it was needless to say that I wasn't feeling all that excited. Botan noticed that I wasn't all that peppy once we made it back but she didn't say anything which I was grateful for. I didn't want anyone to see that I was really worried about what the next day would bring but that would have to come later. We walked inside the house and saw everyone in the living room, well everyone except Hiei. He was still sitting at the window.
"Hey you guys we're back." Botan called out with me right behind her. We walked over to the table. I sat down beside Yusuke while Botan went into the kitchen most likely to help Kurama cook dinner.
"So what did Binky Breath want with you Mae?" I sighed.
"He just wanted to tell me about when I'm training and stuff. No big deal." I said smiling hoping that it would pacify Yusuke. I really didn't want to tell him the full truth but then again I knew I should have…
"Dinners done!" I smiled at Botan. 'Thank you my savior Botan!' We all watched at she and Kurama set the table with all the delicious food that Kurama had originally started but Botan finished. While we ate and listened to Yusuke and Kuwabara fight and Botan telling them off, I couldn't help but noticed the blush she wore every time she and Kurama made eye contact. It wasn't a surprise. She was a cute girl, very pretty and Kurama was a very attractive guy, with a good personality and all. I could see why she didn't say yes to any of the guys at school. She had the same idea as I did; she was crushing on someone else. I decided then while I stuffed myself to keep my observations to myself and just let the chips fall where they may. After all if she hasn't said anything to anyone I don't think she would want someone new like me coming in saying things. After dinner I bid everyone an early good night and walked upstairs to my bedroom, hoping that I would get some sleep…I didn't count on that. I didn't really want to think about the girl that I would be meeting in only a few hours and I didn't want to think about what kind of training I would find myself being thrown into. Hours passed and I laid in bed listening to the goings-on of downstairs, listening as they each walked into their own room and listening as everything in the house became silent. Tossing and turning I finally just got out of bed and walked over to the window and opened it wide like I did when I first arrived and sat on the thick window sill. I know it was dangerous to sit on a window sill about 2 stories up especially when I still have yet to know what my powers were like, but I felt that maybe this would calm my over-active nerves. Something about the way Keaira was spoken about and the way her name came off my tongue it gave me an uneasy feeling. And I didn't usually get that uneasy feeling without some kind of plausible reason. It was already midnight when everyone went to bed, but soon midnight turned to one and one turned to two. I still couldn't sleep. It was frustrating that I couldn't somehow get to sleep when I knew that today was going to turn out to be hell. Sighing I got off the sill and rubbed my now numb butt. I didn't see how Hiei could sit there without moving for hours on end but my butt couldn't deal with that. I looked at my clock. It read 4 in the morning. It seemed like time was just going so slowly, causing me to torture myself with the awaiting agony. Finally I just couldn't take to pacing so I laid back in bed…still didn't work.
'UGH!"
I looked at my clock. It read 6 am. I shook my head; I wouldn't be getting any sleep tonight so I figured I might as well get up. Throwing the covers off my body, I got dressed for the upcoming day and preceded to the door. I opened the door as quietly as I could and tipped toed down the stairs. It was odd seeing the house as quiet as it was. I was used to seeing Kuwabara and Yusuke fighting and making a loud ruckus all over the house, which was strange because I usually was around peace and quiet what with my father working and helping to train new recruits and my brother being gone. Still, I didn't move for a bit and just looked around the rooms. It was in these moments where I could just stand and observe that I felt myself at peace. This was how things used to be at home and it felt like I could actually eventually call this place my home. I walked into the kitchen and grabbed an apple from the fruit bowl and just chowed down. I was beginning to feel the nerves rise just as my stomach seemed to rise up into my throat. I had no idea what to expect from Keaira, or how she would go about teaching me something that I had no idea who to do in the first place or that I even was what they were truly calling me. After finishing the apple I threw away the core and just sat back down. I didn't want to eat too much which I tended to do when I got nervous. That was one of the many things that Dad always tried to keep me from making into a habit. Either I would get really nervous about a test that was coming up the next day or some kind of exam and I would try eat a lot but my father would restrain me and tell me its better to be nervous with a slightly empty stomach than sick with a full one and end up throwing it all up.
'Oh Dad…' just thinking about him hurt…so I shook my head free of troubling thoughts and turned to the clock above the front door. It read 8: 45 am. I only had about an hour and a few minutes before my carrier of doom arrived. I sighed and then felt something soft touch my shoulder lightly. I turned to see Kurama smiling beside me.
"Are you alright Maeryn? You seem troubled…" He asked. I didn't speak right away but gave him a quick look-over before giving a response. He was indeed a very handsome guy and when he smiled, (which I noticed was mostly in Botan's direction), it was a kind smile, one that was full of patience. I nodded at him with a slight smile on my face.
"Yes, I'm fine." I lied. I knew lying was wrong but making a person worry over petty things was even worse. He looked like he was skeptical but he didn't press me further and walked into the kitchen, I guessed to start making the other guys breakfast. It was odd…three grown men relied a lot on just one person but then maybe they all of them relied well on each other. It was strange to see such dependability among guys.
"So when does your teacher get here?" He asked her, breaking her away from her thoughts.
"Koenma said that she should be here around 10…Hey Kurama, do you know a Keaira?" Kurama's head snapped in my direction, his face pale with shock. I didn't like that way he stared at me nor did I like the way his face suddenly went pale. My guard went up further. I knew my feelings weren't wrong.
"Keaira is going to be your teacher?" I nodded. He seemed to space out then looking over to the staircase and then to Hiei's window. "Well lets just hope that she stays away from Hiei…this is not going to turn out well…" I gazed at his suddenly strange behavior. She had a past with Hiei? Mister silent-grumpy-pants? That was a twist of reality that I wasn't exactly expecting. Of all people to have a history with a female I would have thought it would have been either Kurama or Yusuke. They both seemed to be ladies men, Yusuke with a perverted sexual drive and Kurama with his generosity. This was turning out to be more of a state of a soap opera than I thought it would be. I looked over at the clock not wanting to press Kurama with all the questions that were forming in my head. It read 9: 45 am. I only had 15 more minutes until this strange new comer arrived. I suddenly realized that I only had 15 more minutes until I was going to be hurled into the afterlife, oh wait! I was already there! I sighed and got out of my chair. Seeing Yusuke and Kuwabara walking downstairs groggily, I turned to Kurama.
"I'll be outside waiting. You hear someone dying, its just me." I said to him before walking briskly out the front door. I heard a light chuckle from him as the door closed behind me. I walked out a fair distance away from the house and sat down awkwardly cross legged on the soft grass. I started to meditate. It was like I was waiting for death to come and take me away to the afterlife. What a horrible feeling that was but deep down I wasn't scared of death or of dying. Its just another part of life, another adventure. Minutes passed as I sat there breathing in and out, waiting for the girl to arrive.
"So you must be the pathetic insignificant creature that I am suppose to start to train. You look nothing like an elemental and definitely not an Aetheran. You look and smell just like a mere weak human." I turned to see a woman standing behind me, her arms folded across her chest in clear disapproval. I gave her a level look and I figured out why both Kurama and Koenma had bad reactions to her personnel. I was having the same issue. She didn't stand but a little bit taller than me. She had about waist length pink hair and a set of piercing plain brown eyes. I would have to admit she was beautiful but something about the way she carried herself made it seem like she knew it already and that only telling her would add to the ego that's already too big. I knew I would have to keep my eyes peeled and wide open with her and to most definitely watch my back. I stood and brushed the grass off my pants. Honestly I didn't care if I made an enemy out of her neither did I care if I did totally tick her off and after her comment, she deserved to get some kind of reality check, and fast!
"Look, I don't care if you've just met me or not, but I've got a name miss pansy kiss-ass. Its Maeryn. And it would do you well to remember that." I told her flatly keeping my emotions in line. She practically threw her arms down in anger. It was really childish.
"How dare you speak to me like that! Do you even know who I am?!" I sighed knowing what was going to come.
"Yes I know who you are. You're Keaira, a snot nose, stuck up, whiny girl who thinks that shes above everyone and everything and thinks that shes the hottest thing around, which your not." Her anger flared and I braced myself.
"Just for that I'm going to make," I felt something grab my ankle and was suddenly hurled over her head and into the air then back to the ground belly first, "a living hell!" I may have braced myself but I wasn't exactly prepared for that. This was going to be a long day.
XXXXX
For the next four hours, it had been the same thing over and over again. Keaira would tell me to do something and I didn't do it, or did something wrong or didn't produce some kind of result, I got thrown and smashed into the ground. I was tired and in pain as I felt my body slowly succumb to exhaustion, but something about the snickered smirk on her face really pissed me off to no end and jus that burning energy was enough to keep me going. She just pissed me off! Finally Kurama walked outside just as I was getting up from my last smack down, fiery anger flashed in my eyes.
"Mae, lunch. You need to eat before continuing." He said walking over to where we were at. Keaira looked from me to him then snickered and sneered. Thankfully I didn't have to do anymore moving for the time being so I just stayed on the ground where I was. Strangely but oddly predictable me staying on the ground seemed to satisfy her to no end.
"Yes, stay on the ground. Eat the dirt, that's where you belong." She retorted walking away from us. She winked in Kurama's direction before walking over to a boulder off to the side and sat down with a triumphant smile on her face. I sighed. Kurama squat down next to me and touched my back. I couldn't help the wince that I let out but it was too late to take it back; Kurama had seen it.
"Is it just a bruise or is it an injury?" He asked me calmly and softly. I tried to get up but my arms protested from the effort after trying to save some of the pressure from being slammed to the ground.
"I think its just a bruise…"I whispered hoping for Keaira not to hear my comment. He seemed to notice where I was getting at by being quiet because from then on he didn't speak but simply made hand gestures. Hes so awesome for being so understanding. He lightly pulled my arms around his neck and lifted the rest of my body up off the ground and to where my body was pressed tightly against his back and he wrapped my legs around his waist. I was so worn out that I didn't care about the heated glare Keaira gave me as Kurama carried me inside the house. As soon as we walked in the door, Yusuke and Kuwabara both ran over to us and started bombarding us by speaking fast and rather loudly at the same time. I couldn't help but laugh at them even if it hurt to really laugh hard so I gave them a wheezy laugh.
"Guys calm down, I'm fine and I can't understand what your saying when your both speaking at the same time." I told them as Kurama sat me down at one of the kitchen chairs ever so gently. Sadly I was definitely not ready for what they were about to tell me.
"Are you kidding me Mae?!?! We saw you getting thrown 20 feet into the air and then dropped to the ground! We thought you were going to die after the last few of those kinds of throws…" Kuwabara exclaimed drowning out Yusuke rather ridiculous comments. I sighed but still smiled. That was not what I had been expecting them to say, and it certainly didn't feel like it was 20 feet…it felt higher than that. But I knew they were right. Any normal person would have been broken to pieces by such rough handling…maybe I wasn't some weak human after all.
"Look, guys I'll be fine. I only go through this sort of thing every other day so I'll definitely have time to recuperate and work out all the muscle kinks. That way next time hopefully I'll be better than the last." I told them point blank as Kurama set lunch in front of me. "Ahhh food!" I gobbled up the whole plate and then walked into the kitchen for a little bit more. Kuwabara and Yusuke were still making protests.
"You've got to talk to BinkyBreath, he can't expect you to learn anything by getting yourself practically killed in the process. And she should know better than to treat you the way she is…If she doesn't I'll show her a thing or two…" Yusuke said cracking his knuckles. I laughed hauntingly.
"She doesn't know nor does she care. Besides I kind of did piss her off before we got started." I said getting up for my third plate of food.
"Why did you do that?" Kuwabara asked. I giggled.
"At the moment it didn't really matter, but she acted like she was over the top and I didn't appreciate being called a mere weak human. I do have a name after all, and I do enjoy being called by that name. She needed to know shes not all that grand nor is she all that beautiful. Sure shes got looks but that's about it." I stated with a shrug. Yusuke and Kuwabara exchanged glances.
"Well why aren't you fighting back and isn't that your third plate of food?" I nodded eating the last little bit.
"Yup this is my third plate. Surprisingly I really do have a big appetite but you know…when I'm nervous or anxious I try not to eat a lot. And about fighting back…as much as I would love to whip her butt a bit like she does to me…I can't feel anything… she tells me to feel something I can't…I feel sort of…off balanced I guess…"I looked out the window and saw Keaira getting off the boulder. "I really don't want to got back out there yet… oh well," I said getting up feeling a few of my bones crack, putting my plate in the kitchen I proceeded to the door, "Wish me luck!" then I walked briskly out the door and back outside to face the terror that was suppose to be my 'teacher.' Inside Kuwabara, Kurama and Yusuke all watched the two of us and at each other with worried glances.
"She'll never life to see another day if she keeps going the way shes going. A girl can't handle all that." Kuwabara said, shaking his head in defeat. Yusuke and Kurama stared at him.
"Shes made of tougher stuff than that Kuwabara! She'll make it through! Shes just new at getting the whole power thing but once she starts getting the hang of it, she'll soon be kicking lots of butt!" Yusuke said defensively. She was like a little sister to him now and just like he looked after Keiko and Botan he would do the same for Mae. He didn't know when she became like that, maybe it was when he saved her the second time or the moment she first snapped at one of Hiei's comments but she was part of the family he now had and he would protect her too. Sure he protected Keiko for different reasons, but she was part of the family and that's all that mattered to him. Kurama, on the other hand, was worried that maybe perhaps the way Keaira was going about training was going to eventually end up killing her or maybe that was her purpose; kill the newly born Aetheran, and still try to fight for Hiei's heart. Either way, it was still a worrisome subject.
XXX
When I walked outside and hear the door to the house close, I walked over to where Keaira and I had been training since the morning and examined the damage. There were imprints on the ground from where Keaira had slammed my body hard into the ground. Each imprint looked just as bad as the one before it and the others looked worse. I sat down quietly onto the soft grass. As I ran my hand through the grass, I felt my body slowly become at ease. The wind blew around my face, tousling my messy hair around in all directions making me giggle lightly. The ease I felt turned into relaxation and my mind soon began to wonder and my body slowly gave into nothingness. Keaira didn't seem like much of what I would have expected from someone who was an elemental but I still had to hand it to her, she did have some talent, anger issues maybe but talent nonetheless. Still, something was strange about this girl and I didn't like it. It was one of those things where you just get a bad vibe from and you can see why but not the whole reason. But not only was Keaira was strange to me, but the fact that Hiei had been no where to be seen all day long also striked me as odd.
"Don't you dare walk away from me. I finally get your attention, and you want to walk away from me? I don't think so." Suddenly my senses became alert. I knew that voice, I could tell whose voice that was anywhere. It was Keaira's and she sounded pissed. Getting up from my spot on the ground, I followed the sound and climbed the nearest tree and crawled onto the thickest branch. There below me, I saw Keaira and Hiei in a very heated discussion, literally. Hiei turned back to Keaira. He looked like he was heading back to the house. It was a good thing I was hidden in the trees.
"I will go wherever I deem worthy to go, Keaira. You do not own me." Hiei told her coldly. I could feel the atmosphere around me begin to climb. The leaves on all the trees around me began to shiver as if fearing what could happen. I was so confused at this point. Just what kind of relationship did they have?
"Hiei, I owned you from the minute you and I met. Now tell me what exactly is between you and that slimy little slut?" She demanded. 'Slimy slut!' And here I was being called names when I just got here! I was tempted to come out of hiding when Hiei's temperature rose even more. I decided then it was best to just stay out of the way. I also felt my face grow hot. Hiei seemed to be getting worked up about what Keaira said more than I was! Now here was the beginnings of the twists of things. But still the question nagged me just what sort of relationship did they have?
"I have not nor will I ever do anything to that girl! She just got here and already shes gotten under your skin. Pissed that theres another woman living under the same roof as me are you Keaira?" Hiei sneered at her almost smirking with a demented smile when she threw her fists down at her sides like she did when I made my comment. She must do that a lot.
"You will never have anyone in your bed as good as I was. I could make you sweat with want without even trying." Oh they had THAT kind of relationship, I see. She smirked and folded her arms across her chest. I couldn't help but roll my eyes at her ridiculous attempts. Here she was calling me a slut when she was trying to get a guy horny and remember all the 'fun times' just to prove her point. What a pitiful attempt indeed.
"Keaira, I could get a thousand women a million times better than you ever where. And they would probably last for a while unlike you and I, if that's what you want to call us just screwing twice." That barb even made me shiver. I may not have slept with anyone, but still that was a barb any girl would feel, virgin or not. I figured it was about time that I walked back to the training field and act as if I never saw a thing. Once I reached the spot I left, I sat back down and my thoughts began to cloud my mind yet again. So there were a few things to review in my mind; obviously they had a past together just as Kurama had said but it was a short past. Keaira was pestering Hiei about either continuing the past or what he was doing with another woman in the same house. That sounded so just like her. She did seem to be the kind of girl who would get jealous about other girls being around the guy she wanted dibs on. I laid on the soft grass and felt my body once again slip into a state of enjoyment. Something about the connection to nature even in the littlest way gave me a moments rest. But the connection didn't feel whole, it felt sort of….shut off…Then I felt something kick me hard in the side. Opening my eyes I looked up and saw Keaira staring me down, obviously still pissed about the thing from earlier.
"So are you just going to lay there or what? I don't have time for naps, get up!" She demanded before moving away. After taking a few minutes to slowly get up, I began to wonder just what exactly had Hiei seen in her!? She had shit for eyes, literally. I decided then that it was time I got serious and started to buckle down. Maybe my training from long ago would help me now. It didn't use any kind of 'powers' but it was still training and that was something. I stood prepared for anything. It was time she learned I was a force to deal with. She didn't smirk this time around.
"Oh so your actually thinking about getting serious with me? Oh I am just so scared. A human is getting serious." I then changed into my old fighting stance. I used to take defense classes when I lived in India and while it didn't count for anything like Karate or Kung Fu, it was still useful. I smirked this time; she was obviously catching on because she raised an eyebrow in clear questioning.
"I'm far from that, Keaira. I was just getting warmed up. Let this party begin." Training than began. This time around I got in a few good hits here and there, landing a kick into her back or her sides or in any place she left open. She would use her elemental powers to give her the advantage but I was right; using my training that I had remembered from those years ago was helping me tremendously. She would go down with a surprise kick to her side and give me a look of shock and anger then I would soon find myself being flung into the air or smack by something. I couldn't help it but the way she was treating Hiei as if he was property instead of a person really pissed me big time. Out fight went back and forth for hours. I still felt disconnected from the energies that were practically screaming out at me but I couldn't think long enough to figure out what it was that was screaming or what whatever it was was trying to tell me. This sort of elaborate dance continued on and on well into the night. Finally Yusuke stepped outside and walked over to us. Keaira stopped in mid action and seemed to undress him with her eyes. I was disgusted and in her daze, I knocked her legs out from underneath her and sent her to the ground like she had me do a thousand times over. I looked straight in her eyes.
"Don't you even think about it, bitch. Hes already taken and hes my brother. Touch him and you'll be wishing you never saw him in your life. And besides he doesn't go for sluts like you with overly obnoxious attitudes." I told her before I walked over to him. Smiling, he ruffled my already messy and wet-from-sweat hair.
"Dinner time kiddo. Awesome job dropping her ass to the ground. And that was a pretty nice come-back." I giggled as we walked back towards the house, leaving Keaira to pick herself up.
"Thanks, that means a lot."
Dinner went along as usual only the atmosphere was more relaxing than it was last night. I had found myself slightly more comfortable in their company than I had ever felt with both my father and brother. Watching them laugh and joke about something seemed to make this all seem so natural, as if I had been with them my whole life. I adored Yusuke's company so far the most, even more than my own brother's company. With Galvin, it was always touch and go about the conformability but with Yusuke, it stayed. Remembering what I had told Keaira before I came in about him being my brother, somehow I couldn't help but feel that somehow that statement was in fact the truth. These boys were like the family I had always dreamed of and always wanted. Kurama was like a father figure to me, he held everyone together in his own special way and he had a kind, gentle heart, just like my own father. Kuwabara was like a little brother who was always doing something to make everyone laugh and he just happened to be 2 feet taller than I was! But deep down he was still like a kind giant. Yusuke as the encouragement, he was the one that could make anyone keep going no matter what the odds were, or what the stakes were. He seemed to be the kind of person…that I could see being the glue to the whole group. Hiei…there was so much I wanted to know about him, there was so much to learn but he distanced himself from those who he wasn't exactly close with. If anything, it seemed that Kurama and Yusuke were the only ones that he was really what you would called close to no matter how cold he acted towards them. It made me curious as to what or how he thought or about. It was like a big puzzle or a secret mission of mine. A new determination coursed through my body. Even if Keaira wanted him just to get into his pants, I wanted to simply get to know him. Who was the real Hiei? Who were these boys? How did they all of a sudden come together? Just what sort of things did they go through to become who they were today? And why did I feel so disconnected from the energies I could feel all around me? Who was screaming at me? What were they saying? I knew I had so much to learn, so much more than what was laid out before me.
XXXXX
There you have it! Maeryn is becoming more and more at ease but why was she feeling so disconnected? That's for the upcoming chapter to explain!
I hope you all enjoyed that chapter, it was lots of fun to type especially when you have bands like Rent, Avenged Sevenfold and McFly helping me to stay focused!
A/N Chapter 9 for Will You Have Me? For all those who are reading that story as well as any of the others, has been put on a momentary hold. I'm trying to write the other stories new chapters so that I can have a certain variety with my stories.
Either way I do hope you all liked that story. I'm not sure when the next chapter will be posted but I am going to try to write it/type it as soon as I can. In the mean time, please everyone REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW! Please and thank you!
Upcoming – Chapter 3 Secrets Revealed!
~:Tigeret:~