"Are you stupid or... really that dumb?" Akari asked as he fell out of meditation for the millionth time within just five hours. What was it with humans? All morning she could feel him not concentrating on the task at hand. Honestly, it wasn't even that difficult. Just mediating for 48 hours was a simple task. The woman felt she was doing him a favor considering his late teacher's death. Even more so, she needed the quiet. So much for that...
"Listen, you crazy woman! I came here to learn new fighting techniques from a so called powerful demon, and here you are sulking and making me do it with you. I don't need to reflect, I need to do something," Yusuke yelled at Akari until he was near blue in the face. But at least finally she was getting some real emotion out of the man. She couldn't help but just smirk at his outburst.
"At least I got something honest from you. Meditation does more than let me 'sulk' as you put it. It helps me see what needs to be done. What path I wish to take. Genkai was like a sister, even a daughter in some light to me. If I wish to honor her I need to know what she has shown you and then grow upon that. I can do that by mediating near someone, you ding bat." It wasn't like he'd know, but if he really wanted the meat and bones of it she'd give it to him. "Satisfied?"
Yusuke stood over Akari wanting to pick her apart with hurtful words, but somehow he just couldn't. As much as he hated to admit it, maybe the old hag was right. But if Genkai was an old hag... and if Akari thought of her as almost a daughter... he didn't dare think further. Scoffing at her simple question, he looked to the side to the ground.
This wasn't where he trained with Genkai, this was further in the forest. Almost to the place where his first tournament took place against Rando all that time ago. It was green and tranquil though instead of where that crazy Bat-like man was. Memories rushed through him, and it was strange because he could almost feel as if someone was digging in them. Looking back to Akari, her eyes were shut and her body at ease. Sitting with legs bowed and tucked under each other with the top of her hands placed on her upper knees. What could trying hurt... he felt he should have been there more towards the end for his teacher. Maybe this was a strange way of her giving him a chance to be more even if she had gone.
Sitting down in front of Akari, he simply watched her for a short time before closing his own eyes. Mirroring her sitting position, they sat like that for many hours before Yusuke opened his eyes. Before him, for a moment, he saw a woman with long blonde hair and a white goddess-like dress, but the image was gone and replaced with Akari sitting no different than before.
For a moment, time seemed to have stopped. What was that he saw? As if she could feel his confusion, Akari opened her eyes slowly.
"Are you alright?" she asked tilting her head as she saw his widened eyes.
"Just thought I saw something weird is all. You're not blonde or wearing white, so... nevermind," he said turning a slight shade of red. Trying to shut his eyes again, he heard her giggle. It was a strange sound coming from her. It made sense from her body look but from what she did yesterday, it was weird. It would be like Genkai giggling and that... was beyond strange to think of. "What is so funny?"
"You're not right, but you're not wrong either. Sometimes when I'm in a mediation state, I give off my demon projection without realizing. Like Kurama's Yoko form. I too have my own demon form from my past. It just so happens that mine is slightly different in terms of circumstance and when it appears. For now, it appeared when you and I were in a meditating state. I projected and you saw with your demon eyes, so to say," she tried to explain without getting too confusing. But then her past was anything but simple. Even Genkai had a hard time wrapping her head around it for years.
"So... you have another form too? Even though I didn't sense a demonic aura with it?" He asked raising an eyebrow to her. Her only response was a shrug before she closed her eyes and went back into her relaxed state.
Annoyed he wouldn't get anymore from her it seemed, he followed suit. Even if he didn't understand the woman, he thought it couldn't hurt. Thinking was the last thing he wanted to do, but by the time their 48 hours were up, he realized he felt strangely better. Not that he'd admit it to Akari of all people.
Stretching out to lay on the grass, Akari looked up at the sky between the green leaves that covered most of the early morning, blue sky. "Tomorrow we will start something more to your liking. I hope you're prepared."
Standing up, Yusuke stretched to the sky to hear his joints pop satisfyingly. Looking down to Akari as she spoke then up at the sky, he sighed and shrugged. "I owe the old hag to give you a chance I guess. I'm kind of a screwed up case, so if you give up I won't take it personal."
"I won't. I made a promise to her, both long ago and not so long ago," she said as she heard Yusuke take a few steps to leave. "Tomorrow, then? Here?" she asked again not moving from her spot was the wind danced around them.
"Yeah I guess." Walking further off, he found himself wanting to be with Keiko suddenly. As if this longing to be with someone he cared about was unbearable. Walking through town, he felt his feet picking up the pace until he was running to their apartment. Rather, Keiko's apartment. Almost crushing the doorknob, he slammed the door behind him. Keiko was rushing to the door with a confused look on her face. She had never seen him like this.
His eyes were glazed over, sweating and breathing heavy. "Yusuke... are you..." she said as she took a step forward and he lunged forward. Crushing her lips with his, he passionately kissed her as he let his hands wander. Pressing her against the wall, he could feel her tense. What was he doing to her? Opening his eyes, he realized she was blushing, not hating it but he felt... strange.
"Sorry," he said moving a few inches away putting his head on her shoulder. "I'm messed up."
"I'm here for you," she said simply as she wrapped her arms around him. Not to talk of training for two days or Genkai, but to just let him know when he was ready to talk they would talk.
Kurama witnessed Yusuke's slight tear from his human self. Curious, he transported to where Akari's presence was felt. Same place, in the forest looking up at the sky. "So, I see you haven't lost your taste for making men feel helpless?" he asked remembering her demon form.
"It wasn't my intent. That demon side is quelled, I wish to help the boy is all. I promised her that much at least," she said turning her head in his direction, but otherwise not moving.
"I see. Then let it be known that if I feel you are a threat to him, I will kill you myself."
"Deal, if you can. There are many layers to this host and the souls it bears. I will always be a threat, but I am in control. This human body as been around for many years, and it is mine and mine alone. I was born to it and no matter what I have to do I will keep it that way."
"I am curious to see how this will play out, but for now Hiei and I will watch you diligently. What was your demon name? I haven't heard it for sometime," he asked unable to recollect it from his wealth of knowledge.
Akari was taken back by the question. That demon form hadn't shown itself in so long, most thought she was dead. Rising her upper body into a sitting position, she crossed her legs and leaned back on her palms in the grass. "I don't even think I know. Giving it a name would mean it exists, and for now it doesn't. That's my view on it."
"So it is then."
Disappeared. The man had a way of making an appearance, and disappearance at that. Keeping an eye on Yusuke until his homecoming... she felt she needed to turn off the channel. Human affections were not good with fighting. That's when corruption was the most likely to happen. If something were to happen to the girl... it was something Akari didn't even wish to think about. A shiver ran through her before she started home. Tomorrow was a new day, she would not dwell on thoughts that distracted her from that.