A/N: HEY GUYS! Thank you so much for the positive reviews! I love hearing everything you guys have to say! I'm so happy you guys are enjoying the story! Please let me know what you think of this chapter! I won't be one of those authors who says I need ten reviews or anything to continue writing, but I will admit, I do tend to write faster if I have a response from my audience! Anyway, thanks so much for reading, reviewing, favoriting, and following!
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Chapter 04:
"Cliffhanger"
"Lady Hikari, are you almost ready?" Botan's gentle voice called from behind the thick door.
"Y-yes," I whispered straightening the hem of my long sleeved shirt. Three days had passed since my swan dive off the cliff. To my great disdain Master Genkai made good on her promise to help me find more suitable running clothes. I opened the heavy door, blowing my breath out in a large huff. Botan had insisted I display all of my outfits to her, even though they all pretty much consisted of the same pieces: a long sleeved shirt and capris pants. Since Botan seemed to enjoy these outings a great deal, I allowed her to chose all of the colors of the shirts.
"Oh Hikari that blue color is lovely on you!" She purred. "It just dances right off the eyes, don't you think so Kurama?" Kurama nodded his head affirmatively. I could feel heat rising through my cheeks as I shuffled shyly back into the room.
"Can we go home?" I whispered with downcast eyes.
"Yes of course, your highness," Botan tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. I hated it when she did that. The best part of having long hair was being able to hide behind it. Right now I wanted nothing more than to hide. The shopping center we had visited was incredibly large and highly populated. The hustle and bustle of the large crowds had all but shot my nerves. Every time somebody accidentally bumped into me I assumed it was him coming for me. I closed the door, changing out of the long sleeved shirt and back into my purple yukata. Knotting the bow clumsily behind me I once again emerged from the dressing room. Botan took the shirt from my hand and added it to the pile in Kurama's.
"Okay guys, let's pay and head for home!" Botan looped an arm through mine and guided me in the direction of the cash register. With great ease, and greater admiration from Kurama and I, Botan held onto all eight of the shopping bags at once.
I'm too exposed here. I glanced for the umpteenth time over my shoulder. I flinched as I felt a light touch on the small of my back.
"Your safety is assured, you needn't worry any longer," Kurama whispered close into my ear. I nodded believing, but still not fully trusting his words. The others didn't understand how powerful he was. Not even death could stop him, I couldn't help the shiver that ran down my spine.
"Come this way Lady Hikari!" Botan motioned towards the train station. I sighed in relief. Once we were on the train I could finally relax. Thank the Gods, so close to being home. Well not really close. Master Genkai's temple was still an hour away by train, not to mention the thirty minutes of stairs we had to walk up, but none of that mattered. I was just elated to not be in public for awhile. Hopefully I won't have to go back again for a very long time…
Botan collapsed into the seat of our car with an exaggerated groan. Her body was surrounded by a cacophony of brightly colored shopping bags and tissue paper. I had tried to explain to the ferry girl, that I was really only in need of a few things, but she wouldn't hear of it. I gave her my desired sizes and she did the rest. In total, I think I was coming away with over a dozen new shirts, sports bras, socks, and capris pants. My favorite part of the whole trip were the shoes. Typical girl thought, I felt my lips turn up at the corners. My favorite items to shop for had always been books and running shoes; and I had gotten to do both today! While Botan went crazy in the sports store, Kurama had taken me with him into the book shop. He had even purchased three new novels for me. I laid my head against the cool glass of the train window as the scenery whirled by.
"Lady Hikari," a hand shook my shoulder. "We're here," another shake.
I fell asleep? I opened my and gazed around at my surroundings. The train had definitely stopped. With sluggish steps I grabbed a couple of bags from Botan, ignoring her protests. She grumbled something about how it wasn't proper for me to be carrying bags, but I just rolled my eyes. I had lived twenty years on this planet without special treatment and I was damned if that was going to change any time soon.
We walked in comfortable silence for twenty or so minutes before reaching the steps of the temple. I raised my my hand to my eyes to block out the harsh glare of the sun. It was a truly beautiful day. I was kind of sad that I had spent most of it in that mall. Worst of all, I had missed my morning run. Despite the perfect weather I could feel my lips turning downward in disgust.
"Hey Botan, do you think you think it would be okay if I ran the rest of the way up? I missed my run this morning."
"Are you sure you can handle it by yourself?" Botan's bubblegum pink eyes were filled with an annoying concern. Not wanting to spoil the Grim Reaper's fun I looked away from her gaze, "Yes I'm sure." Digging into one of the many bags, I took out a large red box. I could barely contain my excitement as I peeled back the tissue paper wrapping.
The shoes were beautiful. The tops and sides contained a lightweight mesh. Purple and blue plastic pieces ran through the mesh. On the side of each shoe was the shoe's logo in neon orange. As much as I enjoyed the colors of the shoes, my favorite part was the soles. They were reinforced with gel lining and pronation control inserts. The pronation control was essential since I had a pesky habit of turning my feet inward when I ran long distances. Take my pronation and the rocky terrain of Master Genkai's and you ended up with a sprained ankle.
Speaking of which, I rotated the ankle back and forth, tracing numbers with my toes. Against my pleas, Yukina had healed it to perfection. While all of the pain was gone, I was left with an uncomfortable stiffness.
Kurama threw me a pair of socks from another bag. "Are you sure you don't want us to accompany you?" I thought hard about ignoring his question as I took off my wooden geta sandals and tabi socks.
"Yes Kurama," I couldn't help but roll my eyes at his over protective nature as I slipped on my socks. Honestly he was worse than stark white purity of the socks almost seemed to disappear against my own paleness. Usually my skin held a golden glow from all of my outdoor activities. Usually, but not anymore, I couldn't help the negative thoughts that came rolling through my head. I wanted so bad to be the careless, strong willed woman I was before. Crowds, loud noises, men; none of those things used to phase me before my abduction.
Kurama's hesitant stare interrupted my musings. I flashed him a Master Genkai worthy glare. He gave me one last glance over his shoulder before resuming his walk up the stairs. I stretched for a few minutes and then jogged in place, before following them up. The stiff cotton of my yukata chaffed my arms, but the discomfort of it felt good. It felt right.
I can't explain and I know how silly it sounds. Something that causes a person discomfort or pain shouldn't be a fond experience but for me it was. I had been numb to the world for so long that any kind of stimulus, good or bad, made me feel so alive! With each stride I take, I can feel myself becoming the woman that I want to be.
I ran the first fifteen steps before slowing down to a walk. Botan and Kurama were a little ways ahead of me. Man, I'm so out of shape. Coach would kick my ass! I placed my hands behind my head and inhaled deeply. I could feel a stitch tugging at my side. Come on Asano, let's go! I kicked my legs into high gear, pumping my legs and arms as fast as they could go. In minutes I had caught up and surpassed Kurama and Botan. The competitive part of me roared in approval. I knew that I wasn't engaged in a race of any kind (Kurama would most surely have bested me) but my pride didn't care. The more steps I put between myself and the twosome, the lighter I began to feel.
Against all of my training, I collapsed at the top of the stairs. My quads and calves were constricted so taught from the strain that they could no longer bear my weight. I was a panting heap of limbs when Kurama and Botan finally came up the steps.
"Lady Hikari!" Botan bounced her way towards me.
"F-fine," I took the hand the ferry girl offered. With ease she tugged me to my feet.
"Did you enjoy your run?" Kurama asked softly. Amusement danced within his eyes as he took on my bedraggled appearance. I nodded my head fervently taking a few bags from his shoulders. "Perhaps you should get cleaned up, I believe your brother will be joining us for dinner tonight!" Kurama remarked. I stared at him in shock. Lord Koenma hadn't been a frequent visitor at the temple lately. Everyone told me that it had something to do with his impressive workload, but I had the feeling it wasn't. Being near me wounded him. I was not the doting, affectionate sister that my incarnate had been. I knew he was disappointed to be related to a woman as beaten and broken as I was. I can't even hug him for Gods' sake!
"Hey," Botan tapped my shoulder lightly, "He misses you. He wants to spend time with you." I forced my lips upwards into a small smile. Sure, he does.
"Train her? I don't think so!" Koenma slammed his hands angrily on the kotatsu. The mugs of tea rumbled in response to his fists.
"Koenma, she is not a child anymore and you have no right-" Genkai began.
"I have every right!" He slammed his fists against the table again.
"Brother," I called softly. Koenma's jaw dropped so low that the pacifier he usually kept clenched between his teeth, fell onto the kotatsu and rolled onto the floor. "Perhaps we should just listen to what Master Genkai has to say." Koenma's eyes softened.
"It is so good to hear your voice again, Hikari." Koenma reached a hand to trace my cheek. I tried not to dwell too hard on the pained look in his chocolate gaze when I flinched at his touch. Using his fingertips he traced the subtle curves of my face. I leaned into the gentle contact.
"Koenma," I grabbed his hand, "I want to know more about myself...I want to know more about us."
"Listen Koenma, the fact of the matter is that Hikari needs to access those memories if she ever hopes of controlling the crystal," Genkai's voice rasped.
"I don't want her to control the crystal!" Koenma ripped his hand from my own.
"Listen, you may not want to face reality right now, but the truth is that girl over there, could very well be our only savior. You know as well as I do that those beings will stop at nothing to get their hands on it. Giving her protectors is simply not enough," The old woman rasped.
"I won't hear of it. Father won't hear of it. The answer is no!"
"I guess the good news is that its not up to you," I said into my tea. Swirling the last of its contents, I downed it in one gulp. "Excuse me Brother, Master Genkai, but its time for my run." I bowed my head as a sign of respect before slipping through the paper door.
The sky was overcast and gray, with air so thick I needed to swim through in order to make forward progress. This was going to be a miserable run, but I oddly enough I was looking forward to it. I frowned at my appearance. I was still dressed in the thick layers of my kimono. My long blonde locks had been swept up into a more traditional Japanese style and was pinned all over. I don't care, I need to get out. Normally I would have just gone up to change into my new running clothes, but since I had stormed out so abruptly I felt that it would negate my entire argument to go grumbling back through the parlor so I could change. This would just have to do. In a fury I ripped off my obi and obi-jime, throwing the beautiful garments onto the porch. My outer two kimono layers were next. Eventually I was left standing in my geta sandals, tabi socks, and yukata.
Not the best to work with, but not the worst. I didn't care what I was wearing, I needed the exercise to clear my head. The conversation with Lord Koenma filled me with unease. Without hesitation I flicked off my sandals and peeled away my socks. The earth was cold and moist between my bare feet. I couldn't help but relish in the mucky sensation. Rolling back my yukata sleeves I headed off in the direction of my normal loop. Yes, a solid three miles is just what I need.
Dinner had gone almost well. Lord Koenma was seated at the table when I had come down from my shower. It must have been a big deal to have him for the occasion because Yukina and Botan were scurrying around the house wildly setting everything up. Yukina had helped me dress in my most formal of kimono; a beautiful light blue silk garment with swirling patterns of dark blue, silver, and gold. Small koi fish splashed at the bottom of the robe and on the sleeves. The obi was the same dark blue as the swirls, and the obi-jime had many beautiful gold beads on the cord. Yukina had styled my hair up, and placed a beautiful dangling gold pin on the left side.
Master Genkai, Kurama, Botan, Yukina, myself and Lord Koenma had sat down to a large dinner. Yukina had prepared curry, apparently it was Koenma's favorite. The conversation staggered along. Kurama tried to involve me and my newfound voice as much as possible, but I mostly just nodded and kept to my plate.
It was after dinner when things became more heated. Master Genkai, Koenma, Kurama, and myself sat around the kotatsu with our mugs of tea.
"Alright, let's cut to the chase, we all know we didn't invite you all the way down here for dinner," Genkai had said. That woman sure wasn't short on tact, I can remember flinching at her words. In truth, I had no idea that Koenma hadn't asked to come of his own accord, but it would make sense. It did seem to fit with the theory of him not wanting to come visit me.
"I summoned you here, because I would like to discuss Hikari's training." From that point on, the conversation devolved to arguing. Kurama did his best to referee between the two sides, but I could tell that he had his doubts as well.
Not that I blame him, my bare feet slapped the ground, I don't even know if I want to be trained in the first place. I dodged a fallen tree limb. But I do know that I didn't like other people making my decisions for me. When I was in that place, I hadn't had any control of my life, and I'd be damned before I let that happen again. With those thoughts as fuel, I tackled my run harder than ever.
I was at a dead sprint now. My feet pummeling the ground. Faster, faster, just a little more...I egged myself on. Eventually, I lost my steam and had to stop for air. The sweat dribbled down my brow in salty rivers. I tugged the hair tie out of my head, my hair flowing down my back in a cascade of cornsilk. Running my hand through it roughly, I cleaned out all of the brambles and sticks before throwing it over my shoulder. A small gurgling sound signaled to me that a stream was nearby. I looked around at the beautiful forest before me and realized that I hadn't a clue where I was. I didn't even know how long I had been running.
The sun was barely visible on the horizon. A noticeable chill hung around the air. Oh great, I stormed out like a jerk and now I'm lost like an even bigger...bigger jerk! Unleashing a groan of frustration I headed off in the direction that I had arrived in. I had run aimlessly through Master Genkai's trails. I hadn't even noticed when I had begun to deviate from the normal trail I usually took. Oh well, I just need to find the cliff. I can follow that all the way back. I tugged my hand through my hair. All around me the forest seemed to come alive in the darkness. Swallowing hard I quickened my pace. I could hear mysterious calls from the creatures in the woods. After walking for what felt like two miles, the sun had completely disappeared from the sky, leaving me blind. I stumbled around the forest, grasping onto trees for guidance. This was going nowhere fast. My best bet was to stay put, until someone (if anyone) came to find me. I sat on the ground. Tugging the chain from around my neck free, I gazed at the crystal. It glowed with a familiar, comforting warmth.
"I am the biggest idiot in the world," I groaned again.
"In three worlds," A harsh voice growled. My heart completely stopped beating. Slowly I turned my head over my shoulder. It didn't look as though anyone was there. Squinting against the darkness, my eyes finally locked on a shadowy figure. A bead of sweat trickled down my brow.
Please Gods, don't let this be him.
A/N: HAHAHA. CLIFFY. Yes, I'm evil. No, I'm not sorry. :)