A few days had passed since Yusuke, Kuwabara and Kurama had left to seek the help of the Ice Apparition, Yukina. I had made it back into my room after Aunt Atsuko returned home and found me on the couch. She didn't care how I got there, but I was getting back in bed where I belonged. She did put the TV in my room, though. So, I was back in bed watching Jerry Springer when I was awake, dreaming of Kurama when I wasn't. The taste of his kisses, the feel of his arms around me, that smile on his face... all were constantly on my mind. What I'd give to be back in his arms again.
It had taken Yusuke longer than he had thought to get to her and he was praying I was still alive. As was Kurama, who couldnt wait to see me again. Kuwabara was just happy to see Yukina and told her that a lot when they finally found her. He also told Yukina why they had come, much to Yusuke's surprise. He figured the big dork would continue blabbing on about Yukina's eyes or something. But he got right to the point after two or three flattering compliments. Yukina looked at him sadly then looked down at the ground.
I would love to help you, Kazuma, she said. But, I can't leave home right now.
Why not?! asked Yusuke, angrily. My cousin could die if she doesn't get help! We don't even know what's wrong with her! Yukina's head suddenly shot up, intrigued.
What are the symptoms? Yusuke told her what had happened to me and that I now slept most of the time, ran an extremely high fever and seemed to get worse every minute.
She also coughs up blood, if that helps. Everyone turned around to see Hiei leaning against a tree, the same expressionless look on his face. I went to check on the Baita today, he replied to the unasked question of what the hell are you doing here.' She told me that you three weren't home and... asked me to come find you.
In all actuality, I'd blackmailed him- if he didn't go find Yusuke, Kuwabara and Kurama, I'd tell Botan all about him comforting me after my nightmare and Botan would most likely tell all of Spirit World. I wouldn't do that, but Hiei believed I would. Yusuke knew this. Hiei knew that he knew this, but Yusuke made believe that he didn't know and Hiei made believe to believe that he didn't know, but knew that he knew. And he sent Yusuke a message with his eyes: One word and I'll slit your throat.
Yukina suddenly let out a gasp. The symptoms I had... could it be?
she said. Your cousin, what is her name... how old is she? Upon hearing my name and age, Yukina's suspicions were confirmed- I was indeed the one she was looking for. Let us be going then. Kuwabara gave her a confused look.
But you said...
I'll explain on the way, Kazuma. But we have to hurry. This girl can not die- not yet anyway. Yukina quickly grabbed some supplies and they started off, with Yukina explaining as she had promised. What your cousin is going through, Yusuke isn't an ordinary sickness.
What was your first clue? came the reply. Most sicknesses get better after time, not worse. Kurama put a hand on Yusuke's shoulder.
I think we should let her explain, he said. Go ahead, Yukina. Yukina nodded her thanks and went on.
Your cousin's sickness isn't to be fully blamed on her recent experience- that was merely one test to see if she was worthy of a certain task. The second test is yet to come, but the fact that she has survived this long with the sickness says that she has passed the first. Hiei raised his eyebrows.
What kind of task is the Baita worthy of? he asked.
She has been chosen to be the Kori Guardian of Powers. Yusuke gave her a confused look.
She's the who of what? Yukina let out a sigh, but before she could explain, Kurama did it for her.
There are five elements of Earth, he said. Okibi (Fire), Kori (Ice), Ichijin (Wind), Raikou (Lightning) and Daichi (Earth). Each of these elements has a Guardian for their powers, a person destined from birth to learn these powers and protect them with their lives. Yukina nodded.
The Powers always choose their own Guardians, Yukina said. They believed that humans were less likely to abuse these powers, so these individuals have always been humans- well, all but one. She turned to Yusuke. If I remember correctly, you know the Ichijin Guardian very well, Yusuke. My cousin smiled.
Jin the Wind Master, eh? I was hoping I'd meet up with him again.
Wait a second, said Hiei, stepping towards the group. You can't honestly believe that the little Baita is the Kori Guardian- shes not qualified. Yukina shook her head.
We'll soon see, she told him. The Kori Guardian has always had three specific traits, other than the tests: it's always a girl; she has an ice blue heart birthmark on her neck and she is always named Kaira.
It can't be Kay, Yusuke said, matter-of-factly. She hates cold- she's told me herself that she'd rather burn to death than freeze to death. Yukina shrugged her shoulders.
No one said she had to like it.
Back home, I had been continuing to drift in and out of sleep, having the craziest dreams the entire time. One was about a demon circus, where Hiei was a knife thrower and Kurama was a fire-eater. But the dream that really caught my attention was about me. I was standing in front of a woman at least ten times older than me. Her black hair was streaked with gray and her dark blue eyes were soft and kind. On her neck was what I assumed to be a birthmark- an icy blue heart. She looked at me and smiled.
It is your time, Kaira Urameshi, she told me. Your time to learn the ways of the Kori Guardian. She put her fingers on my neck for a brief moment, then pointed behind me- there was a mirror there. I looked into it and found a mark where she had put her fingers; an blue heart. My eyes went back to her- her mark was gone. They will come for you soon, Kaira. Seconds later, I woke up and instantly went to my mirror- the blue heart was still on my neck. I took a deep breath and let it out in a sigh.
Okay, I'm officially creped out now.
So, Yukina, said Yusuke as they made their way back to my room. How do you know so much about the Kori Guardian? Yukina looked at him and smiled.
From the Guardian herself, was the reply. She is nearing her one hundred sixtieth birthday...
Her what?! cried Kuwabara.
And believes that she doesn't have much time left, Yukina finished, while she ignored Kuwabara and the groans he received. She wishes to pass on her knowledge to the next Guardian while she still can.
Yusuke was immediately reminded of his own teacher, Genkai, and a sad smile covered his face. She had pushed him almost to his breaking point and constantly referred to him as but she believed in him, believed that he was capable of mastering her techniques. And when she had died... Yusuke damn near lost it.
Kaira Sonique has been the Kori Guardian since she was Kaira Urameshi's age. The voice of Yukina brought Yusuke back to reality- he wanted to know just what his cousin was getting into. She has followed the code of the Guardians perfectly...
And pray tell, said Yusuke. What exactly is the code of the Guardians, if I may be so bold? Yukina looked at him, puzzled.
Why must you know?
Because I want to know if my cousin is going to be able to handle it. Yukina nodded- she had never seen Yusuke care so much about one person... well, she had seen it, but she had never heard him actually come close to admitting it before.
The code of the Guardians is simple: They can not kill the other Guardians, they must not use their powers for evil and they are forbidden use their powers for personal gain.
said Yusuke. Is there anything the Guardians can do?
Oh yes, said Yukina. They are encouraged to assist anyone in any way they can... I believe your cousin is a Spirit Detective, yes? Yusuke nodded. And they are also encouraged to lead normal lives- falling in love and stuff like that. She paused. I believe that our new Guardian will do just fine.
***Kuwabara here. So Kaira has been chosen to be the Kori Guardian of powers... yippee for her. I can't wait to see if she can actually survive Zani, the Okibi Guardian, Laxor, the Raikou Guardian, and Fox, the Daichi Guardian... she'll probably enjoy Jin. And then there's her training. Can the lady Spirit Detective survive the task before her? We'll find out next time on Yu-Yu Hakusho!***