A.N Damaged Forest Spirit, thankyou for your words. Your wish has been granted!

I'm on a bit of a roll here with this story, and I'm really enjoying writing it. I hope you are too. Any ideas for future chapters/plot points are welcome.

Enjoy seeing Sakura's training!

Chapter 9

Master Shinsuke clapped his hands. The plants parted. Shinsuke led the way to a waterfall behind the vines, stepping through the curtain of water without hesitation.

Sakura closed her eyes and followed, but the soaking she expected didn't come. Instead, she found herself in a cave lit by floating candles that somehow flooded with brilliant light. The walls looked like marble, and there were crystals of every colour imaginable embedded into the rock. Shinsuke spun around slowly, chanting a string of words Sakura didn't understand. A golden ribbon flowed from seemingly nowhere and formed a perfect circle around him.

"Come join me, my dear. This is where your training begins,"

Shakily, Sakura stepped into the glowing circle. Master Shinsuke sat down and Sakura followed suit.

"It is normal to be afraid, Sakura, afraid of the unknown, but you have nothing to fear in this space. Clear your mind. Empty it of emotion and wipe the slate clean. I want you to think of the moment you became aware of your telepathy. What was it that clued you in?"

Sakura racked her brain. "The day Yusuke returned. I felt a curious sensation when we reunited, after he'd explained everything that had happened in Spirit World. Like a tingling in my chest. And later that day, I first read his mind when Botan was pretending to be that fortune teller,"

"That may have been your first conscious use of the ability, but I am quite sure that it activated long before that day. Let us find out. Now, maho no boro!"

Sakura squinted as a blazing ball of light erupted from Master Shinsuke's hands and drifted lazily into the centre of where they sat.

"Look inside the Orakuru, young Sakura. It will reveal the moment your sleeping powers awoke. From there, we shall be able to hone your abilities,"

Sakura gulped and looked inside the light, unsure of what she might see.

The scene that played out was from the worst night of her life. The night she never wanted to relive.

It was the night of Yusuke's wake. She saw herself chasing after Masaru, the little boy Yusuke had saved, and the sight of his mother bowing to her.

"I...I am so very sorry, Miss. I truly am,"

Sakura knelt down to meet her. She swallowed hard. "You have nothing to be sorry for,"

The woman looked up, her face stained with tears and apologies. "Your brother saved my boy, but lost his own life. How can you say that to me?"

"Because it's the truth. My brother saved your boy, so to honour him you should live the rest of your life treasuring your son. Like I should have done with Yusuke,"

"Yusuke? Is that his name?" the little boy chirped.

Sakura turned to the child. "Yes, my brother is...was...Yusuke. What's your name?"

"Masaru, Miss Sakura. Do you think your brother will play with me tomorrow? He was so nice and funny,"

Sakura felt hot tears appearing once again. She pulled Masaru in close and hugged him tightly. After a few moments, she gently moved him to face her. "My brother can't play with anyone anymore, but he saved you, so can you promise to do something for me, and him?"

Masaru nodded. "Sure Miss Sakura. Anything,"

Sakura's throat was tight. "I want you to live your life and be happy, and never forget what my brother did for you, ok?"

"Don't worry Miss Sakura. I will," Masaru hooked his pinky around hers. "I promise,"

Masaru's mother was barely holding it together at this point. "Miss Urameshi, your brother will never be forgotten by me. I promise you that,"

The scene stopped, much to Sakura's relief. It had all taken place a mere three weeks ago at most. Though Yusuke was back to life, she tried to avoid thinking about that night at all costs, especially the breakdown she'd had moments later, though admittedly her memories of that particular point were fuzzy at best. Except for the pain. She would never forget how much agony she was in as long as she lived. Even watching it from an outside perspective made her nauseous.

"You did not realise it at the time, but this was the catalyst for unsealing what was buried within you,"

"This conversation? But how? I don't understand. I hardly even remember…"

"You had lost the other half of you, and the grief was more immense than another could ever comprehend. Yet here you were facing the mother and child who had set these events in motion, and you showed them nothing but astounding grace and compassion,"

"But I didn't feel any kind of spiritual movement at the time. How could this be it?"

"I assure you that there was. Here, watch more,"

Oh no...not this. Sakura wanted nothing more than to run. Watching this again would surely be unbearable.

Master Shinsuke looked at her apprehensive face. "Memories can be painful, it's true. But it is only by facing the past that we can learn from it and look forward,"

Sakura trembled. She didn't want to see her moment of weakness. But it was too late. The scene had already begun to play.

Finally, the realisation hit her. The walls inside her shattered like glass. Sakura's anguish filled her heart, taking her breath away. She feared the pain would tear her chest open. How in the world was she meant to go on without her twin by her side? And why, WHY had their last conversation been so hostile, which she could never apologise for now?

"Yusuke," she began to wail, her entire body buckling under the weight of her grief. Members of her class rushed over to her side. "YUSUKE!"

Sakura crumpled to the ground, screaming her brother's name over and over. The words of her classmates couldn't penetrate the fog surrounding her mind. Attempts to help her stand were useless. One of the boys in her class, who she now recognised as Takashi, lifted her into his arms and took her upstairs.

The scene paused. "Do you see?" Master Shinsuke indicated the moment Sakura had begun to fall. It was faint, but in her chest area, right where her heart was, she could see a soft blue glow, the same colour as Yusuke's spirit gun.

"What is that?" Sakura breathed.

"That is your power being awakened, young Sakura. The sensation of it was merely masked by the pain you were in. But as I explained, the key to your power seems to be your great empathy. And such a selfless act as comforting the boy who was saved at the cost of your twin, is the act that broke the dam, so to speak,"

"I think I understand, but I still don't see why it didn't start working right away,"

"An excellent question," Master Shinsuke smiled. "Like any skill, it requires practice. Your act of compassion lit the candle. Yusuke speaking to you in the dream you had that night fanned the flames. The connection between the two of you was strengthened when you reunited in the living world. Every time it has been activated since has been in response to a strong emotional reaction. Now is the time to apply those things. I will now help you learn to channel this and stretch your abilities outwards. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to read minds of those in your inner circle at will,"

Shinsuke waved his hand once more. The orakuru disappeared into thin air.

"Close your eyes, Sakura. Picture your Spirit Energy. See it right in front of your mind's eye,"

Sakura did as instructed. Her triangle shaped Spirit Blast floated into view. The magenta light gently pulsed. It was not surging with power like in the battle with Gouki. Instead it had more of the vibe of friendship. A companion.

"I see it, Master,"

"Good. Now see if you can connect the energy with your heart and mind simultaneously,"

Sakura concentrated with all her might, but nothing seemed to happen.

"Do not try to force it," Shinsuke cautioned. "Very little is achieved with such methods,"

Sakura relaxed her muscles and breathed deeply. She focused on coaxing her energy into the right position. Slowly, the magenta orbs stretched out from the triangle and merged into a spiral that ran from her heart to her mind.

"Excellent work, Sakura! Sit with that feeling. Just allow it to flow,"

The effort to maintain this position was taxing, but Sakura was determined to keep it up.

After what seemed like forever, Master Shinsuke raised his hands. "And release!"

Sakura fell backwards onto the ground. She wasn't completely wiped out, but she certainly felt drained.

"Well done, Sakura. Well done!" Master Shinsuke beamed.

Sakura panted heavily but smiled. "I did it!"

"Indeed," Master Shinsuke placed a gentle hand on her head. "Your heart and mind are interconnected, Sakura. You must do this daily. Every time you practice, it will become easier. Eventually it will become an automatic reflex,"

Sakura nodded in determination. "Let me try again,"

"No, let us move to the next step which will expand your range. Right now you can only see into Yusuke's mind, and only when you are in close proximity to him,"

"Are you going to teach me how to push out my telepathy further?"

"Correct. We will focus on Yusuke for now, since you have an established connection which will make the task simpler. Using your spirit energy, visualise that. Stretch your mind, broaden it! Use your energy to find your brother and see what he is up to at this moment!"

Sakura shut her eyes again and poured all her concentration into the connection. The energy connecting her heart and mind still required effort, but she was stronger the second time. It didn't take so much strain. Yusuke. Find him. Where is he?

The magenta lights weaved around in fantastical shapes in the darkness until reaching a door. Open! Sakura commanded. The door obeyed, and the scene behind it filled the silence...

Yusuke glanced around the hospital room, wondering what on earth was happening. Kurama was bent over the hospital bed, looking anxiously yet lovingly at the dark-haired woman lying in it. According to the chart, her name was Minamino.

"Please eat, Mother," Kurama pleaded gently. "You'll never get well without nutrition,"

"Yes of course, it's just hard to remember all these things, Shuichi,"

"Well try hard. I need you to get well quickly,"

The strange woman smiled weakly. It was clear that whoever she was, she was extremely unwell.

"Mother? Shuichi? I thought his name was Kurama!" Yusuke muttered to himself. There was something going on, and he was determined to find out exactly what.

The scene dissolved. Sakura was back in Shinsuke's cave with sweat pouring down her face from the effort to hold the connection that long.

"I...did it!" she managed to say.

Master Shinsuke was looking radiant with pride. "I knew there was something special about you, Sakura Urameshi. Normally it takes two or three tries before my students can hold the connection as long as you did. Are you feeling alright?"

"I think so, just a little tired,"

"Easily remedied," Master Shinsuke handed Sakura another cup of his special drink. Sakura swallowed, and regained her mental clarity.

"I am sure that we can continue with this path. I have confidence that you can hold the connection even longer,"

"You...you do?" Sakura questioned.

"I do," Shinsuke looked unusually grave. "But this will not be easy,"

"Whatever I have to do, I'll do it without fear!" Sakura vowed.

Master Shinsuke eyed her carefully. "You are wise beyond your years, dear Sakura. You are strong. Brave. Kind. What I am curious about is how you learned to be those things, when there was nobody there to show you?"

Sakura froze. She didn't know how to respond to that. "I...I don't really know, Master," she said slowly. "I suppose I just wanted to be different from my mother,"

"Your mother Atsuko, who spends her days drinking and flouting her parental duties? That must have been difficult. Feeling as though she didn't care, at least not enough to put the bottle down and raise you two. After all, you're really still a child,"

Sakura bit her lip. It was true. She'd never admitted it to anyone, but Atsuko's neglect had been harder on her and Yusuke than she'd ever acknowledged, even to herself. The pain of practically having to raise herself, without guidance, the underlying resentment of the woman who clearly never expected children let alone twins.

"She never seemed interested in anything until Yusuke was killed," Sakura whispered. A single tear rolled down her cheek. "Never cared to ask me how my day went, to make dinner, to even be home half the time. It's always been up to me to keep the house together, when all I wanted was for my mother to tell me she was proud of me...that she...she loved me. Did she even want us? Did she even want me? Why have children if you aren't prepared to take the responsibility that comes with the territory?!"

The sadness and regret Sakura felt gave way to anger. "When Yusuke died, I felt like I'd lost the only person in the world who understood me, my life. Who knew what it was like to live in a house where you were on your own. All I've ever done is parent my own mother...heck, I've no idea where my father even is," The anger was crackling like electricity, spurring the Spirit Energy on. Master Shinsuke merely watched without emotion.

"How could he leave me, how could he? After all we went through? How did he expect me to live without him? With HER, all alone?"

Sakura's voice had risen to a shout. "And now that he's a Spirit Detective, I worry he's going to get himself destroyed by a demon through his own cockiness. He's not invincible no matter how much he may believe he is! I can't go through that again, do you hear me, Yusuke?"

Without warning, she was back in his mind, seeing exactly as he would see.

The sun was slipping out of sight. Yusuke and Kurama stood alone on the rooftop of the hospital.

"Shuichi is the name I've taken in my human form," Kurama explained with his back to Yusuke. "That woman is my mother, sort of. My father passed away years ago. For 15 years she has brought me up, while I have deceived her,"

"Sorry, I'm not following," Yusuke's tone indicated he clearly wanted answers, fast.

"My truest name is Yoko. I was a fox, a spirit fox, gaining the powers of a demon over the hundreds of years that I lived. In time, I became bored, and passed my hours learning the art of breaking codes and seals. Ancient treasures were my favourite sport. But 15 years ago I made a careless mistake. I was badly injured by a strong pursuer," Kurama turned to face Yusuke, the shadow of the fox visible in his eyes.

"With the last energy I had, I escaped to the living world and became the child of a proud human family, knowing that if I could withstand humanity for ten years, my spirit energy would have time to safely recover. Then, I would escape without a trace,"

"I take it something went wrong," Yusuke stated more than asked.

Kurama nodded. "My mother fell ill. I know it might sound foolish, but I couldn't leave her. Considering what she had done for me. That's when they appeared," he said darkly, and there was little question who he was referring to.

"Hiei had somehow tracked me down, needing my expertise, and I remembered the powers of the Forlorn Hope," Kurama eyed the mirror. "Let me use the mirror to save the woman's life, then I'll accept my punishment,"

"But...why would a monster do that for a human?" Yusuke was bewildered.

"I don't know," Kurama admitted. "Maybe because I'm guilty? I've caused her great pains. It's hard raising a child who thinks you're inferior. I feel I broke her spirit. Like maybe, in some way, I caused her disease,"

"Why are you telling me all this?" Yusuke asked bluntly.

Kurama chuckled. "Maybe I just needed someone to know. Besides, I could tell that you would trust me. Either that, or your sister would. She's kind. You're lucky to have her,"

Sakura came to her senses, but she was no longer in the cave. Instead, she was back in Master Shinsuke's garden, lying on a soft bed made of plants. He was sitting nearby reading a thick book and sipping from another cup of tea.

"I believe that's quite enough for one evening. We don't want you to overexert yourself, do we?"

Sakura stared. "What happened?"

"Nothing out of the ordinary. In fact, it was exactly what I thought would happen. You became consumed with the emotions kept buried within you, and by doing so were able to maintain a strong telepathic connection with Yusuke. However, it's taken a toll on your body, so I thought you ought to rest now. I've sent for Jorge to come retrieve you. He should be here any moment,"

"I...I see," Sakura murmured. "But Master Shinsuke, what do I do now? I feel as if I've barely scratched the surface,"

"I quite agree," Master Shinsuke nodded in approval. "Which is why this is the first of several lessons. I haven't determined how many will be necessary yet, but you appear to be a fast learner. How does the same time next month sound?"

Sakura didn't know what to say. She was overloaded with the sheer amount of information. "I believe that should suit me just fine," she said.

"In the meantime, you must practice what we learned tonight. Connecting the Spirit Energy with the heart and mind, and remembering the emotional weight which caused you to expand your net, so to speak. You haven't reached the stage where you can communicate yet, but you can hold the connection now. Don't worry, Botan will be fully informed so she can help you,"

A knock at the door momentarily interrupted Master Shinsuke. "Ah, there's Jorge. Get some rest Sakura. You did an excellent job tonight. Be proud of that, my dear. I shall see you soon,"

Sakura merely nodded. She was so dizzy and tired, drained of all energy. So much and yet so little had happened. She knew she'd need to process what she'd been through, but first she had to get back to Yusuke.

"Sakura!" Koenma breathed a sigh of relief when she walked inside his office. "I'm glad your session went well, but there's been a development with Yusuke and Kurama,"

"I'm aware of the situation with Kurama's human mother and his reasons for wanting the Forlorn Hope," Sakura informed Koenma.

"Did...you know about what happened next?" Koenma asked carefully. She could see the fear in his eyes.

"What happened?" Sakura had a feeling that whatever Koenma had to say, she wasn't going to like it one bit.

"Well, Kurama's mother took a turn for the worse, so he went to use the mirror, but the problem is, the Forlorn Hope requires the user to give up their life. So Botan ran off to warn your brother,"

"Say what now?" Sakura was sure she'd misheard.

"So...now, let me preface this by saying everything is fine, just fine, but Yusuke tried to give his own life instead. However the Forlorn Hope was impressed with his selfless act, and didn't take any life. It just granted the wish. So now we have both artefacts and Yusuke and Botan are celebrating, but I don't really see why. Hiei's got the Shadow Sword so there's no telling how difficult that fight will be!"

Sakura blinked several times. "Yusuke tried to give his own life up, did he?" she asked quietly.

Koenma seemed to shrink a little, though Sakura gave not one hint of the murderous rage boiling inside.

"Y-yes, but nothing happened! Everything's fine!" Koenma stammered.

"I see," Sakura replied, still in that deathly calm voice.

"So...I guess no harm done?" Koenma asked hopefully.

"Wait… " Sakura watched Yusuke and Botan laughing on Koenma's screen. Realisation dawned on her. "If Botan's in the living world, how am I supposed to get home?"

Koenma's head practically exploded as he too made the connection. "Oh no, how could this have happened?! Ogre! Why didn't you go get Sakura when Botan was ready to leave?"

"Mr Koenma sir, Master Shinsuke had already called at that point, remember? I was on my way there and had no idea Botan had left,"

"I remember no such thing!" Koenma squawked. "Don't try to blame me for your incompetence, Ogre! This whole mess with Kurama just got far more complicated. Give me a minute alone to think, and I'll send Sakura home,"

Sakura followed Jorge out of the office.

"I'm sorry you missed your ride, Sakura," he lowered his eyes.

"Please don't feel bad Jorge. It's not your fault. I'm not mad at you for this at all. You know that, right?"

"Oh don't worry about it," Jorge said miserably. "I hate my job anyway,"

On the hospital rooftop, Yusuke and Botan were still in celebration mode.

"To think I doubted the great Yusuke!" Botan teased. "What was I thinking?"

"Nah, Great Urameshi sounds better! Speaking of which, how did Kura go in Spirit World? Did that teacher manage to get her skills up?

"Oh yes!" Botan beamed. "From what I heard before all this went down, Sakura was setting records with learning thanks to Master Shinsuke. You can ask her yourself when she..." Botan's voice trailed off and she gasped. Yusuke looked momentarily confused, then turned white when he also realised the problem.

Botan practically screamed in horror. "I can't believe I forgot Sakura! I'll go fetch her right away,"

"There's no need," Sakura announced from behind Botan. "Koenma took care of it,"

Botan and Yusuke looked over to see the other Urameshi twin standing there with her arms folded, an emotionless face and looking rather pale.

"Oh Sakura, dear… I am so sorry… I'm thoroughly ashamed of my forgetfulness…"

"Don't apologise, Botan," Sakura said dismissively as she walked towards Yusuke.

"Great to see you, Squirt. Look, I got the mirror back. Just the sword now. So how was training - OW!"

Sakura launched herself at Yusuke and proceeded to rain punches on him. "You - complete - idiot - Yusuke - Urameshi!" Every word was accentuated with a blow. Botan watched with her mouth open. For once, she was speechless.

"OW! OW! Sheesh! Calm down Squirt!" Yusuke tried and failed to dodge his sister's flying fists.

"Don't - tell me - to calm down - idiot!" Sakura yelled. Her face was red with rage. "How could you be so stupid? How could you - try to - sacrifice…uhhh," Sakura's head whirled and she started to slide to the ground.

Yusuke cried out in alarm as he caught her. "Kura! What's wrong?"

"Don't worry Yusuke, she's just exhausted. Master Shinsuke put her to work," Botan reassured him.

"Hear that Squirt? No more attacking me. Besides, you're overreacting. Nobody died. It's all good. Let's get you to bed,"

Sakura forced her eyes open. "I'm still mad at you," she informed Yusuke in a faint voice.

"I know," he smirked sheepishly, lifting her up onto Botan's oar. "You can yell at me more later. But now, just rest,"

With the filthiest glare she could muster, Sakura allowed her fatigue to pull her under.

Atsuko was asleep when the trio arrived back at the apartment. Sakura hadn't stirred once the entire ride home. It was all Yusuke could do to keep her on the oar.

"Is she going to be ok?" Yusuke muttered as he laid his twin on her bed and pulled the quilt over her.

"She'll be fine, she just needs to rest," Botan murmured. "Master Shinsuke is a gentle spirit, but his methods are taxing on the mind and body. It's...complicated,"

Yusuke stretched his arms behind his head. "I'm listening,"

Sunlight streamed through the windows onto Sakura's face. The warmth woke her, and she slowly sat up to see Botan sitting at the end of her bed.

"Botan?"

"Good morning Sakura. How are you feeling?"

Sakura took stock of her body. "I actually feel ok. Just like I exercised too hard or something,"

"I'm certainly glad to hear that, but that's not why I'm here," Botan's normally cheerful face was ashamed.

"You're going to apologise again for leaving me behind, right?" Sakura sighed.

"I am so sorry Sakura! You have no idea how wretched I feel!" Botan wailed. "I just panicked at the thought of what the Forlorn Hope would request and took off without thinking. I'll never do it again, I promise! I -"

"Botan!" Sakura almost shouted. Botan stopped ranting and looked at Sakura with tears of regret. "Will you stop worrying so much? I'm not mad about it, so why are you being so hard on yourself? Yusuke's need was greater than mine. Besides, it's not like you left me anywhere dangerous. I was with Master Shinsuke, and Koenma sent me home, so everything worked out. You don't need to feel bad, ok?"

"I...I suppose you're right," Botan sniffed and dabbed at her eyes.

"Anyway, as long as you aren't feeling guilty anymore, I'm going to find Yusuke and beat the living daylights out of him," Sakura growled and began to get out of bed.

"Please don't do that!" Botan caught Sakura's arm and looked at her anxiously. "He was worried sick about you last night after I explained what you'd done in Spirit World. He thought you'd pushed yourself too hard,"

"But wasn't that the whole point of me going? To push my limits?"

"Yusuke is very protective of you, but you know that. Anyway, how did you find Master Shinsuke's training?"

"Honestly? It was amazing, but I don't feel like I did much," Sakura admitted.

"He disagrees," Botan smiled, pointing to a vase beside Sakura's bed containing a magnificent array of flowers that Sakura recognised from Master Shinsuke's garden. There was a note attached.

Be proud of yourself Sakura. I know I am. See you next lesson.

~ Master Shinsuke

Sakura smiled to herself, then turned serious. "But Botan, how did you know what I went through?"

"One, telepathy," Botan tapped her head. "And two, I didn't tell you this, but Master Shinsuke gave me a few lessons many years ago. I remember how exerting it was,"

"Hold up, you trained with him too?" Sakura's eyes were wide.

"Oh yes!" Botan laughed. "He truly is an incredible teacher, and he knows when someone is talented,"

"He said you'd help me practice," Sakura said tentatively.

"Absolutely!" Botan smiled widely. "If you aren't too tired, I thought we could practice today?"

Sakura shrugged. "Well, I don't have to go to school, so I don't see why not,"

"Mind if I watch?" Yusuke called from the doorway. "Or am I still in trouble?"

Sakura couldn't suppress a grin. "You got the Forlorn Hope back, right? I guess I can't be mad at you for long,"

Yusuke grinned back and took a seat on Sakura's bed. "Then go ahead and show me your skills, Squirt!"