CHAPTER 36: Training
"I thought I said twenty minutes," Genkai snapped.
"We're here aren't we," Yusuke retorted.
"Don't get sassy with me, Yusuke. Where are Fay and Kurama?"
"Uhh..." Botan sidled closer to the group. "Fay's taking a little longer than expected to change. She'll be here soon and…Kurama's waiting for her."
"I'll go wait too, then." Jin took off and after a few seconds of hesitation Kuronue followed.
Genkai's eye twitched. 'Boys.' "You two come back here right now!" She commanded.
They stopped. "But…"
"Sorry we're late, totally my fault." Fay waved as she approached the group, Kurama behind her, his green eyes sending them a silent warning.
"About time, those two were about to revel." Yusuke slung an arm around Fay's shoulders. "Ready to be yelled at by an old hag?"
"Do I look like an old hag?" Genkai smirked.
"No, but we all know that inside, you're the same good old Genkai," Yusuke replied.
Fay laughed, covering her mouth when Genkai shot her a glare.
"So, exactly what is this training we're going to be doing? Oh and may I remind you that back home, my name's on the 'do not teach' list. I'm probably number one on their list."
"None of them were Genkai,' Kuwabara boasted. "Just you wait, I bet by this time next week you'll know some neat tricks."
"Okay…so what is this miraculous training?" Fay asked again.
"First,' Genkai turned to the boys. "You boys will be training on your own for a while. I'm sure many of you can learn something from the other."
"As long as no one pairs me up with Kuwabara," Rinku said. "I wanna fight Yusuke."
"Hold it there, boyo," Jin objected. "Yusuke and I have a score to settle, so we do."
"And I said I'm taking him on!" Chu shouted above the sudden argument.
"Why, Yusuke. I didn't know you were so popular with the boys," Fay laughed.
A vein popped in his forehead. "Haha! Why don't you try saying that again, just remind yourself that I'm close enough to do some damage. I do happen to have a marker on me, a permanent one."
"Kuwabara will be helping with Fay's training."
"What?" Fay and Kuwabara echoed, turning to Genkai.
"I guess I understand. Kuwabara's weak enough that he-Hey!" Yusuke dodged Kuwabara's fist.
"Come here, Urameshi! You're gonna pay for that one!" Kuwabara growled.
"Enough you two! Simply put, Fay can defend better against Kuwabara."
"Told you." Yusuke dodged Kuwabara's next strike.
"Perhaps you should reconsider." They turned to Hiei. "If I recall correctly, Fay said she's broken a bone of anyone who tried fighting her, on most occasions. Has it occurred to you that it may be because they were unworthy of the power inside her?"
Kuwabara turned on Hiei. "Are you saying that I'm not good enough, now?"
"Hn! That's right. You'll probably just end up with a broken bone, or two."
'Why I oughta…' Kuwabara glared down at Hiei.
"That's an interesting assumption to make, but there's only one way to find out," Genkai said. "However, Kuwabara will only be swinging a wooden sword at Fay…for now."
"Hold it!" Kuwabara left off his glaring contest with Hiei to turn to Genkai. "I don't fight girls! I don't care if it is a wooden sword, there might be a chance I could hit her!"
"That is supposed to be the point, Kuwabara," Genkai snapped.
"No way! Get Botan to do it," Kuwabara pointed at her. "She's a girl so it should be fine."
Botan shook her head emphatically and backed up. "Sorry, that's not my department."
"Botan is not a fighter, and this is to help Fay, so stop complaining Kuwabara!" Genkai ordered irritation in her voice.
"If Kuwabara is so against it, I'll be happy to help," Touya volunteered. "I do have some experience with a sword."
"Fine, since Kuwabara's being such a dimwit, Touya will be helping. The rest of you, go train."
"Will you be alright, Fay?" Kurama asked still worried.
She smiled and nodded. "Yeah, don't worry about me. I'll see you once we're done training."
"I will be close by if you need me; all you must do is call."
'How sweet, they already sound like a married couple.' Botan thought feeling proud of her accomplishment…or the help and guidance she had offered Fay. 'I definitely outdid myself this time.'
"Come on, Kurama. She's not going to another country, and what could happen with Genkai and Touya with her." Yusuke dragged Kurama off, to the red head's surprise.
Jin looked from the departing group to Fay then suddenly hugged her before taking off. "I'll be seeing ye later, Fay."
Fay blinked in confusion. 'That came out of nowhere.'
Touya's lips curled into a half smile at her expression. "Jin…happens to like you."
"Well that's nice to know. I like him too. Actually I like all of you," Fay replied cheerfully turning to look at Touya.
Touya sweat dropped. "No…I don't think you…get it."
Botan moved in between Fay and Touya. "You'll find Fay's a bit dense in that department. That being said,' Botan gave Touya a smile that sent shivers down his back. "Please try not to mess with all my lovely work!"
"Ah…okay?" Touya replied uncertainly.
Botan's smile sweetened. "Good, well then I'll leave you boys and girls to your training, bye." Botan waved goodbye and headed back to the temple.
'That was weird, wonder what Botan was talking about,' Fay thought.
Genkai picked up the two wooden swords she'd brought with her and threw one to Touya, who caught it, then threw the other to Fay, who dodged to the side. "You're supposed to catch it, girl."
"Oops, sorry." Fay leaned down and picked up the wooden sword. "So…what am I supposed to do with this? Besides play billiards."
"You'll be fending off Touya's strikes and retaliating. This way we'll test your reflexes." Genkai stepped back. "Touya, go on. Fay, pay attention."
'I've seen samurai movies so…' If she remembered right, they held the sword with two hands, although she had seen Hiei use only his right hand. Fay decided to use both and faced Touya.
"Your form is wrong." He informed her.
"My form?" Fay looked down at her body. "What do you mean?" Had she forgotten to tie a shoe lace. 'Nope, all tied.'
"No, what I meant is the way you're holding the sword, its wrong." Touya pointed at her hands with his sword.
"Okay…" Fay moved her hands a few inches apart. "That better?"
Touya sweat dropped. "You really don't know any of this, do you?"
Fay smiled cheerfully and shook her head. "Not a single thing."
'I'm starting to feel a headache coming on.' Genkai thought as she watched the girl botch it up even before she began. 'Never mind what I said, she's worse than Yusuke.' At least Yusuke had a talent for fighting, even if it wasn't with a sword.
"Show her how to hold the sword." Genkai bid Touya. He nodded and moved to Fay, placing her hands where they should be, then explained the best stance for her to take. He went on to show her the basic blocks and thrusts, and Genkai made a few adjustments of her own.
"Do you get the basics now?" Genkai asked impatiently an hour an a half later.
Fay nodded, "Yeah, I think so."
"Good, Touya attack her, and don't hold back."
Touya nodded looking uncertain. Still when he attacked, he did as Genkai bid. He didn't land a strike but it wasn't because she blocked, it was because she dodged to the side.
"I told you to block, not dodge!" Genkai barked.
"I'm sorry, I did that on instinct." Fay took on the stance they'd shown her. "Okay, let's try this again."
She dodged three more times, to Genkai's growing irritation, then when she finally stood her ground she closed her eyes and swung out with the sword. Touya easily dodged, but when he thought she would be able to block, she dropped the sword and his strike landed on her wrist.
He dropped his own sword when she clutched her wrist and approached her. "I'm sorry, that wasn't supposed to happen. Is it bad?"
Fay shook her head. "No, I've had a whole lot worse before, no need to worry."
"Touya stop coddling her! She's had giant claws protruding from her stomach. Compared to that this is only a scratch!"
Fay winced. 'Thank you Genkai for reminding me.'
"Both of you pick up your swords and try again, and this time pay attention to what you're doing Fay! Oh and another thing,' Genkai turned to Touya. "You're still going too easy on her! Pick up your pace!"
Touya understood what Genkai was trying to do, and he also understood that this was for Fay's benefit, yet he couldn't help feeling as if they were being too rough on her. Fay obviously didn't know a single thing about combat. He handed Fay the sword and waited while she shook out her wrist and took the right stance. "Ready."
Genkai closed her eyes in thought after watching the two 'fence' and she used the word loosely, for a while. 'He's still going too easy on her. We'll never get anywhere this way.' She also knew none of the others would seriously attack her. Kurama might be a possibility, if he weren't so damn enamored of the girl. Genkai also knew that as tough as Hiei talked, he'd never raise a hand or in his case sword, against Fay. 'Bunch of softies.'
Of course that still left her, but Genkai had the feeling that striking at the source of the power that now dwelt within her wouldn't be the best idea. Which left her with one option.
"Enough, Touya." The two came to a standstill, turning to her. "Stay with Fay, I will return soon." She left.
"Wonder what Genkai's doing now?" Fay dropped the wooden sword and sat down.
"That's going to leave a mark."
Fay looked up at Touya, then down at her wrist. "I told you, it's no big deal. I've gotten a whole lot worse. You do remember how you found me, right?"
Touya sat down next to her and nodded. "Yes, it's difficult to forget your state at the time. Though,' he inspected her. "You're much improved since then."
Fay chuckled, resting her head on her palm. "That's an understatement."
Touya had an idea what Genkai had gone off to do. He knew that with the right words, she might actually manage it. It would not have the best impact on them both. He also knew it wasn't any of his business but in the end…his curiosity and a need to know won out, so he found himself speaking.
"Fay, I have a question. It's a little personal so feel free not to answer."
"Okay, shoot."
"What…I mean…why is it that you love Kurama? What makes you believe that you do?"
Fay turned to him, surprised at the question. Touya was sure she wouldn't answer, but finally she did. "Do you want the fairytale answer or the confusing one?"
"Whichever you choose to give," He answered not really understanding what she meant by that statement.
"Well…' Fay pulled up her knees and rested her chin against them, giving it some thought. "At the beginning I think I liked his looks as well as the way he speaks…no, the way he is. He was kind to me from the very start. So I think I became infatuated. It's strange; I've had other guys say nice stuff to me. I mean seriously flowery stuff that would make any sane person gag." She was of course, thinking of both Astor and Zadkiel, when his memories had been put on backwards. "But I just thought they were weirdos on their own agendas," Which had also proven truth, at least with Astor and a few others. "But all I felt for those guys was annoyance with a healthy dose of disgust."
"I see." Touya was starting to feel bad for both Jin and Kuronue. Neither spoke the way Fay said those others did but…Fay seemed oblivious to them as well.
"It was different with Kurama,' she continued. "It's as if the moment he stepped into my life, it changed, or maybe I began to change. I wanted to see him smile. Even when I didn't believe he'd look at me twice, I think I felt happiest when I could see him smile and be next to him. Of course that posed a problem to me because I wanted to tell him, but I was scared. I think maybe that's why I learned to run. If I ran from him, I ran from my feelings." Her gaze took on a faraway cast. "I also know that I would follow him wherever he leads."
Never having fallen in love, Touya didn't really understand some of what Fay told him. He supposed that some things needed to be experienced to be understood. So he asked his next question. "What…what if he were to hurt you, for what he believed to be your own good?"
"If you're asking what I would do, I can't answer that because I don't know. But it wouldn't stop me from loving him. I don't think I'd know how to go about undoing what I feel for him." She smiled in apology. "Sorry, I guess it doesn't really answer your first question so I'll give you the fairytale one. There isn't one reason why I love Kurama, there are way too many to count, so to make it simple, I love him because he is who he is. I wouldn't change anything about him. It doesn't matter what he does, my feelings will never disappear." Even that didn't feel as if it answered Touya's question.
Fay was curious as to why Touya had had the sudden urge for a heart to heart. Fay thought Botan or Keiko the most likely to drag her into this type of conversation, not Touya.
"So why ask me that?"
"Well,' Touya looked away, his grim silence starting to worry her, but then he turned back and smiled. "Kurama's very lucky to have you. I think you'll be fine."
'Now I'm really worried.' Fay pursed her lips, trying to figure out what Touya was talking about. 'Oh well, no sense in worrying too much.'
"So could we change the subject, I'm kinda getting embarrassed now." She said scratching her cheek. She wasn't used to talking about her feelings, especially with a guy. Botan...well it was just easier to give in than argue.
Touya chuckled and nodded. "Very well. What is it that you do as a pastime?"
Fay grinned. "Skating. It's the best ever, and I just happen to be an expert at it."
"You wish me to do what?" Kurama asked in disbelief.
"It's the only way. None of the others will do it, and I know you can put your feelings aside long enough to get results."
Kurama's hands tightened into fists and he shook his head. "I will not. I cannot simply put these feelings aside. I have hidden them long enough."
"Kurama, don't be hardheaded. What you do here may very well save her life at a later point." Genkai's tone turned sterner. "Or do you think you can stay with her every second of every hour? I know you have a brain inside your head, so use it!"
Kurama bit his lip, his expression hidden by his hair. He knew Genkai had a point but…could he truly risk her turning from him? The answer came quickly enough; he would if it meant her safety. But he also knew that he would use any means necessary to keep Fay at his side. He would not let her go, not easily.
"Very well." He finally spoke, his tone cold. "But this will happen only once, do not ask me to attempt it a second time." He walked past Genkai.
"Fair enough." She replied.
"What would he mean by nobler?" Fay asked. "I don't think there's anyone nobler than Kurama."
"I agree, but his words have stayed with me since the tournament." Touya hadn't understood Kurama's words back then but he was beginning too. "This light really makes you feel regret for past actions, past mistakes but…' he'd been looking up at the blue of the sky, now he turned to Fay. "It also makes you want to change. So when the time comes I'll be stronger, and I can stand against my past regrets. I won't forget them but they won't drag me down with guilt."
"That's really deep." Fay was a little awed at Touya, more so because she wasn't exactly sure what he was talking about. She knew that people had regrets, but she doubted that his regrets were anything like hers. Her regrets were small enough; she regretted not doing her homework when it was due the next day, regretted spending her time skating a little more than she should when that project due the next week wasn't even started. Fay doubted those were the types of regrets Touya was talking about.
"Even if you can't change the past, you still have your future. That gives you the rest of your life to become who you want to be," She grinned. "At least that's what my grandma says. Of course…the last time grandma said that she was loading up her sixth hunting rifle and heading for Italy."
Touya sweat dropped. "I...see."
Her face suddenly lit up and she stood. "Genkai's back and Kurama's with her." she ran to meet them slowing down beside Kurama.
'Looks like Genkai convinced him after all.' Touya stood, waiting until they reached him.
"Kurama…" Touya looked up at the red head as he stopped. "Perhaps you should reconsider."
Kurama turned away, an impassive expression on his face. "No."
'I've never seen him act this way,' Touya thought. 'Not even when we fought.'
Fay looked from Touya to Kurama. "Is…is something wrong?" She'd noticed Kurama acting different, he hadn't smiled at her and she'd begun to worry that she'd done something wrong, but he would tell her in that case…wouldn't he?
"Kurama will be replacing Touya as your sparring partner," Genkai explained.
'Is that why they're looking so serious?' Fay didn't mind training with Kurama, but Touya's uneasy expression as well as Kurama's worried her. She bit her lip and nodded.
"Here,' Touya picked up the wooden sword and handed it to her. "You're going to need this, for all the protection it'll give you." He moved away, joining Genkai.
"You realize that this could go wrong," He told her.
Genkai nodded, "I understand what I'm doing, even if the rest of you don't. I believe Kurama understands as well. I suppose we'll have to hope that Fay does too…later on, if not at this moment."
'I still don't get it, why is everyone acting like someone died?' Sure she'd been acting that way not that long ago but they hadn't really known Dante, at least not as anything else than an enemy.
"I understand Touya and Genkai taught you the basics."
Fay turned to Kurama who had reached into his hair and brought out a rose. "Yeah, I can't say I'm doing all that well on it though." Why wasn't he picking up the other wooden sword?
'And why does he look so closed off?' She'd seen that expression before but it had never been this…harsh and never directed at her, not really. It unnerved her.
Uncertain, Fay took a step forward. "Kurama…what's wrong?"
With a flick of his wrist the rose petals fell away and his rosewhip was revealed. "I will warn you only once; take this seriously for I will not go easy on you."
Fay backed away, her eyes widening in understanding. 'Touya must've known about this…is that why he asked me those questions?'
"Brace yourself."
The whip lashed out at her, and she knew that it wouldn't stop if she just stood there. Fay brought up the wooden sword to block the rosewhip. It stopped it, but only long enough for her to duck before the wooden sword broke, the thorny whip passing over her head.
'He's serious.' Fay rolled to her left before the whip managed to hit her. She couldn't really say she understood why he was being so…so…ruthless, but she knew he meant it. It made her want to scream at him to stop it, but he never gave her any chance to do more than dodge his next attack. Even that was beginning to become difficult. 'I really wish I had my skates now.' Actually Fay wished he would stop before she started crying, but that didn't seem all that possible right now.
The whip graced her ankle, tearing at the fabric of her pants. She yelped, stumbling back. Kurama hesitated for the merest of seconds before he continued his attack. The next hit left her right arm bleeding.
"Enough Genkai, you're making both of them suffer!" Touya exclaimed.
Genkai shook her head. "No, it's still too soon."
Gritting his teeth, Touya turned back to the two. 'But…this may very well accomplish nothing.'
Fay slapped a hand to her bleeding cheek, her gaze watery. 'Why isn't he stopping?' He knew she was nowhere near advanced enough to even come close to matching him.
She'd never tried a back handspring without her skates, but Fay knew it was either that or let the whip land another hit. So she did it, desperately trying to make herself believe she had her skates on.
The whip missed even as she repeated her action, creating more space between them.
The next strike had her twisting in midair and she landed wrong, twisting her left ankle. 'Damn it! This is why I don't try this stuff without my skates!'
She didn't move fast enough this time, Fay braced herself for the pain but all she felt was the rush of air as the whip struck the ground to her left, dirt flying upward. It left her feeling frightened even as her mind whirled, trying to figure out what had brought on this change to Kurama.
Fay knew the descending strike would hit this time but, eyes wide; all she could do was watch.
"Enough!" Hiei appeared in front of her, grabbing the rosewhip before it struck and jerking it away from Kurama. "Do you really think this will accomplish anything useful other than her going to sleep for another week?" he directed his question at Genkai rather than Kurama, who stood frozen, as if unable to believe he'd actually gone through with it.
"Why don't you look behind you," Genkai suggested.
Hiei stilled when he heard the crackle of energy behind him. He quickly turned, surprise in his eyes when he saw the aquamarine energy snapping around her. She was sitting up, but for all the awareness Hiei could see in her eyes, she might as well be sleeping with her eyes open. "Fay…" he reached out to touch her but she flinched away.
"Don't touch me!" The scream echoed, turning into another musical note. It swam with emotions that made Hiei stagger back, even as the sound solidified around them in a sphere.
'What…what the hell is this?' Hiei looked at what he thought was a force field. It encircled them like a large sphere, but this was different. It was like looking at the inside of an old clock; Transparent gears and cogs clicked around them, small within large, large within even larger ones.
"I told you it would work, even if we had to do it the hard way." Genkai walked closer to inspect the barrier, Touya at her side. "I will admit that I never expected something quite like this."
Kurama sped past them, stopping only because of the barrier. "Fay!" he shouted striking the barrier with his fists.
'Now we're left with the question; was it worth it?' Touya thought grimly.
Hiei turned back to Fay. She hadn't moved, and her expression was the same. "You can bring down the barrier now, it's over." She gripped his coat tightly but otherwise remained unmoved.
Hiei gritted his teeth. He wouldn't admit it to anyone else, but he was starting to worrying. "Enough! Get a hold of yourself Fay. Believe it or not Kurama did it for your own good, so stop acting like a baby!" That didn't exactly mean he'd liked the method.
Kurama stopped pounding on the shield, his expression pained. This was the first he had seen Fay this…lifeless, he hated it. 'There is no one to blame but myself.'
He had been the one to decide in the end. He could have refused. Kurama stepped back and turned away.
"If you go now there's a good chance you won't be able to fix this," Touya warned.
"I cannot fix what I have broken beyond repair." Kurama replied impassively as he walked passed Touya. However, it did not necessarily mean he would leave things as they stood.
Before he'd taken more than a dozen steps, her arms suddenly wrapped tightly around his waist.
"Don't go Kurama,' Fay pleaded. "I promise I'll do better next time, just please, don't go!"
She tightened her grip when he grasped her hands. "Fay, let go."
She squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head but in the end did as he asked, so she missed when he turned around. Her eyes snapped open when he cradled her head in his hands and leaned close.
"There will be no next time; I will never repeat my actions again." He wiped away her tears with his thumps, leaned in and kissed her.
"I think we're a third wheel now, boys. Let's go." Genkai turned, leading them away.
"You little punk! I swear when I get down there I'm gonna make you cry to your mommy!"
Rinku let out a disgruntled sigh. 'Why do I always end up stuck with him?'
He'd really tried not to end up in this situation, but the others had quickly paired off and he had gotten stuck with Kuwabara.
The taller youth had begun to brag about how much stronger he was since the last time they'd fought. Rinku had quickly grown annoyed so he'd used the same trick, no surprise it had worked…again, and since he couldn't let Kuwabara drop this time, he'd deposited him in the branches of the highest tree he'd found. Too bad he couldn't stop him from talking.
'I wonder where Kurama went.' The red head had been sparring with Kuronue, no big surprise there, but Genkai had asked to talk to him, so Kuronue had paired off with Jin who had been impatiently waiting for Yusuke to beat Chu. 'Maybe I'll just go look for him, that way I'll finally get an actual challenge.' He started off only to stop when Kuwabara shouted down at him again.
"Hey where are you going! You have to get me down from here first you pipsqueak!"
Rinku looked up. "Don't tell me you can't even get down from a tree. I'm a kid and even I can do that."
"Does it look like I have wings!" Kuwabara shouted down, waving a fist. He quickly lost his balance and clung to a branch.
"Think of it as training for your brain!"
"Okay that's it! You're really asking for it brat!'
'Like he could back up his threats.' Rinku rolled his eyes and turned to leave, ignoring Kuwabara's shouts.
"Oh, Touya!" Rinku waved when he spotted him. "Are you done training with Fay?" He didn't see her, and why was Hiei with them too?
Touya nodded looking distracted.
"I haven't gotten in any training in over an hour thanks to Kuwabara." Rinku turned to Hiei. "How about sparring with me, Hiei? I bet I could…" He trailed off when Hiei passed by him without a look. "You're better off fighting Kuwabara."
"You better not be making fun of me, Hiei!" Kuwabara shouted down.
Hiei looked up at him. "I feel bad for the tree, having to put up with your incessant shouting."
"Hey!" Kuwabara shouted down.
"I take it the others are still training?" Genkai's answer came as a blast from Yusuke's spirit gun hurling off into the distance. "Never mind."
They felt the force of another energy blast, this one followed by Chu's raucous laughter.
"Hey, Chu! How does a bunch of trees look like me?" They heard Yusuke shout.
"And I suppose my eyes remind yah of the sky!" Chu shouted back.
"Keep dreaming!"
'At least someone's having fun,' Rinku thought disgruntled.
The wind picked up above them, followed by Jin shouting out his attack. Kuronue flashed past above, avoiding Kuwabara by a few inches. Kuwabara screamed in alarm when he saw Jin's attack headed straight at him. Acting on instinct he jumped down, landing on legs that gave out beneath him while branches fell, covering him.
"Sorry pal!" Jin yelled down as he passed.
"It's impossible to train with those four trying not to vut off your limbs!" Shishi joined them, tugging leaves off his hair and dirt off his clothes.
Suzuka followed, his footsteps making squishing sounds as he walked. "I don't know what smells worse, the water I fell into or what Dante forced into my lungs." He turned to Genkai. "So how did Fay's training go? Any breakthroughs?"
"Yes, she can now create a barrier. Let's hope she remembers how to do it again."
Genkai then ordered them back to training, Kurama joining them half an hour later.
"I still can't believe Kurama did that! It could have ruined everything!" Botan huffed. She had been going to check on how the training was going when she'd witnessed the fight…if it could have been called that.
"I told you, he did it to help me. Besides, he only grazed me." Fay remembered Kurama saying he wouldn't go easy on her, but in truth he'd held back, a lot. She doubted she'd have such shallow wounds if he hadn't.
Shizuru sat on the cushion, setting the drink she'd brought Fay on the low Japanese table. "If Fay isn't mad at him, there's no reason for us to be."
"Of course there is!" Botan slapped her palms on the table. "A boy just doesn't do that! Especially to someone who has no training in…' she stopped, remembering what she'd seen. "Why didn't you tell us you could do that, Fay?"
Fay thanked Yukina as she finished wrapping the bandage on her arm. "The worse was your ankle but it should heal soon," Yukina said.
Fay nodded in thanks and turned to Botan. "Do you mean the barrier?"
"I think she means those acrobatic moves you pulled." Juri said before biting into the chocolate muffin.
"Don't hog them all to yourself." Koto snatched one from Juri's plate and bit into it, her ears twitching with contentment. "We don't have anything like this back in Demon world."
"Here, have one." Keiko passed one to Fay and Shizuru. "Do you want one Botan?" she asked, feeding Puu a small piece.
"Sure thanks,' Botan turned back to Fay. "Don't think you're getting out of it. Those moves you pulled, you never told us you were a gymnast."
Fay shuddered. "I have nothing against them, but I will never wear a leotard. Ever." She passed Yukina a muffin. She took it with a smile of thanks.
"Well then what do you call what you did out there?" The grim reaper demanded.
"Inline skating tricks." Fay said as if it should be obvious. "As much as I don't like to admit it, one of my sister's life calling is cheer leading, or so she says. I used to watch her and thought some of her moves would look great on skates. So I read a little more into it and a few others, altered them somewhat, and learned them on my skates." It had not been easy. "If I'd had my skates on I would definitely not have twisted my ankle."
Botan sweat dropped. "So…you're saying that…you can't pull of those moves without your skates?"
Fay shook her head. "I can, but not very well, as I proved."
Shizuru smiled, ruffling Fay's hair. "You're one strange girl, you know."
She looked up at her in confusion. "Why?"
Shizuru shook her head. "Never mind." She took a bite of the chocolate muffin.
Fay shrugged and turned to Koto when she spoke.
"Well you're a lot more forgiving than I am. I would have been running the other way, as fast as my legs could carry me."
Juri nodded in agreement. "Yeah me too. Kurama may be cute, but I prefer the gentler type of guy."
"Hey, I'll have you know Kurama's gentle!" Fay said defensively.
'And I definitely wouldn't be defending him.' Koto added silently.
"Then it's a good thing Fay's more understanding than you…' Botan paused. "Hold on, shouldn't you two be out training?"
Koto and Juri glanced at each other. "We were going to head out when we uh...caught the last part of Fay's training."
"And we decided that we're not ready for that type of training," Juri finished. "Especially if it means I might break a nail…or worse."
"You'll never get anywhere with that attitude." Botan warned them.
Both demon girls looked at each other, took a bite of their muffins and shrugged nonchalantly. "It's not important, besides I'd much prefer being a referee and watching the battle to actually being in a battle."
Before Botan could reply, the sliding door opened and Hiei stepped in, followed by Genkai.
"You two, come with me." Genkai beckoned to Koto and Juri. Both girls tensed.
"Uh…if this is about the training, we've changed our minds,' Juri said.
Genkai's gaze narrowed dangerously. "I'm not asking your opinion, I'm telling you."
"Noo! I don't wanna end up with pale skin. It doesn't suit me." Juri hurried to run away but Botan caught her by the back of the pink blouse she still wore.
"Don't worry; I'm sure Genkai will go easy on both of you." Botan had already caught Koto by the scruff of her shirt and now dragged them after her. Looking a little too pleased, she followed Genkai out.
Fay pursed her lips to hide her smile. 'I think they're overreacting.' She took a sip of her drink, glancing over at Shizuru as she stood. "Come on, Keiko. Let's go show Koto and Juri our support."
"Oh…okay." Keiko stood up picking up Puu, who was happily munching on a piece of the muffin, and followed her out, only stopping to look back at Yukina. "Why don't you join us, they might need your help."
"Of course." Yukina stood up, grabbing the bandages. "We'll see you later Fay. Please try to stay off your feet for a little while."
"I will bye." Fay waved as Yukina walked past Hiei, following Keiko out.
Fay had thought Hiei would follow them out, but instead he went to a corner of the room and sat down, completely ignoring her.
"Why aren't you training with the others?" she asked.
"Hn! Isn't it obvious, someone has to babysit you." He answered eyes closed.
"Oh…right." Fay trailed off finishing another bite of the muffin. "Are you mad at me?"
He opened one eye. "Are we on this again?"
It took her a moment to realize why he'd said that, when she did she smiled. "Sorry, my bad. Why don't you come sit here, the cushions are much more comfortable you know."
He didn't answer his eye closing.
"You want a chocolate muffin? They're really good." She offered holding one out.
He didn't respond.
'He is mad!' Fay fumed. She had known Hiei for a while now that she, at least sometimes, realized when he was and was not mad. 'I just wish he would just tell me so I don't have to try to figure it out on my own!' Fay also wanted to know what she had done to make him mad.
"Hn!"
She contemplated demanding he stop reading her mind, but figured it wouldn't do much good when he hadn't listened before. 'Okay, so if you're reading my mind, mind telling me why you're angry?' He didn't answer, looking as if he'd fallen asleep.
Still fuming, Fay bit into her muffin, staring at him in hope that at least that would make him do something. That usually worked. Meanwhile she went over the last two hours, trying to figure out… "Oh! I'm sorry. Is that why you're mad? I didn't mean it you know. I was just…confused at the time."
"I don't even care about it, why would I be angry?" he scoffed.
'Cause, you remember it?' "So…I didn't hurt your feelings when I shouted at you?" she inquired evenly.
That got his attention. Hiei's eyes snapped open in a menacing glare directed at her. "Why would I give a damn about you shouting at me, besides the annoyance of it? Do I look like a little girl in skirts?"
Fay blinked and shook her head once, her gaze sliding away. "Nooo." She said slowly.
His eyes narrowed. "What are you trying to hide from me now?" He was suddenly beside her, and she quickly bit down on her muffin, trying to think of something that would throw him off.
'I know.' She smiled up at him. "I just thought you look really cute when you're pouting."
Fay watched as his expression went from startled to glaring once more. "I do not pout!"
It was tempting fate, but she took the chance of him having his mouth open and stuck one of the smaller muffins into it.
"Sorry I uh…annoyed you. So is there a chance you'd let me see your Jagan eye now?" she asked the last in a hopeful tone.
He sat down cross legged beside her, his death glare turning into a smirk, after he removed the muffin from his mouth. "No."
'Figured as much.' Fay thought, but this way she wasn't in danger of a close encounter with his sword.
"Since you're kinda stuck looking after me for a while, wanna play a card game?" She asked him.
"No." he answered, biting into the muffin.
"Then I think we should make plans."
"For what?"
"For your happy reunion, when you tell Yukina you're her brother. Though…try not to make it too sappy."
His eye twitched. "I told you this once; I will not be telling her that! So drop it or lose your head!"
"Okay, so we're back to the card game."
"No!"
AN: Thanks for D101 for the continued reviews^^ See you next chapter.
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