Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or ideas from the original
Yu Yu Hakusho, I do not own any songs that appear here either.
However I do lay claim to all insert characters. Ideas, ect.
Temple Grounds
Chapter 11: Keeper, Guardian, Messenger
:: Telepathy:: "speech" //thoughts// /lyrics/
Klai batted her wings in a nervous manner but still remained still and quiet.. It was dark now, had been for a few hours.. Genkai and Yukina were asleep.. But Maru was still sitting up in her room.. No doubt going over ways to get rid of the ward that plagued her so much.. But the cat-demon blinked her coal-black eyes and twitched her purple furred ears testing the air.. Then she drew her purple-black wings closer to her body and jumped out of the tall pine.. After dropping a few feet she opened them and flew soundlessly to the light filled window.. And hovered just outside- watching...
Maru was sitting on her futon, concentrating and glowing slightly.. No that was just the light playing with the red-brown hair.. It was down, and fell about Maru's shoulders in a rather softer looking appearance.. Quiet the opposite of what normally could describe the Guardian..
"Klai, come here.. No sense spying on someone you can talk to ya' know." Maru's voice was strong and steady... Though that commanding tone was still present as usual. Klai listened and suddenly appeared, perching on Maru's left knee sense both were out and the girl's legs in an Indian style position.
"Hey, anything bothering you, Guardian?" Klai's fur was ruffled slightly because of the cold temperature of the room.. But why? Usually Maru radiated so much heat.. Why not now?
"Nothing too serious but tell me something.. What do you remember about the old texts?" Maru asked, eyes narrow and voice still strong..
/I'm never gonna loose my sight..
Never gonna stop this fight.
So much has changed
But I won't get rearranged../ Klai looked confused but turned her head and looked the girl straight in the eye.. "Well, a bunch of things we've proved wrong just by sitting here." Maru gave a soft smile.. and for once Klai saw a tired look in the chaotic orbs.. It was bothersome how the bright gold-red eyes now looked like a dark and sickly raspberry color.. "I know, but not others.. Like the last few." Maru said starring hard at the floor.. Klai resisted the urge to tell the girl to stop playing her mind games but the Guardian wasn't.. "Okay.. 'Forever shall thy thoughts not part from these lands if thou are Keeper, Guardian, or Messenger.' Why? Anything wrong with it?" Klai asked uncertainly. "The Keeper, the Guardian, and the Messenger.." Maru muttered, eyes hidden from view.. /This road's been long and hard.
But it's not over by far.
I may be gone far away.
But strong at heart I'll try to stay. /
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Suna looked at the young child she held in her hands.. Her yellow eyes wavering and flickering with closely shed tears.. But the leather face was dry and stayed as such.. But her voice quivered and her chin trembled.. "Poor child.. I'm going to face many a flame after a die for this.. You don't deserve a life such as this.. Your mother, Sarania was right.. You do deserve a life free of the death that surrounded her birth.. But She also deserves something more then Togasha could ever teach or give her..." Her hands and arms trembled as the child looked at her with it's red-gold eyes.. "She deserves love... And happiness.. And most of all.. A better life then one Togasha has now sentenced her to.. Or any of them. 'The Keeper, The Guardian, and The Messenger." "I told Sarania... Maruka I did.. But she was blind.. Even more so then Togasha.. But why a child to replace the Guardian.. Why a babe that won't even know a life she was sealed from?... Why You, Dragon Eyes?" Suna placed an old hand on the child's head.. Trying to calm it and herself.. Though only accomplishing one.. "But if there is a god out there that can help.. Please let her not die here as I will.. Let her go.. If all of the rules I teach are to break then so be It.. Just let her go.."
Silence.. Then darkness but a steady, wizened old voice came to Maru's ears.. "Dragon Eyes... I will give you my word.. You will leave here. But in return.. Do something for this place that a hundred Keeper's never could.. Prove that Telellu was right.. Prove that should something happen.. You'll be able to survive.. I want that for you.. And Sarania did as well.. Dragon Eyes.." And a kind face with a smile came.. Suna in her priestess clothes.. Yellow eyes narrow with a happy smile turning her face back in time. Everything looked just the way it had 5 years ago.. 10 years ago.. Or as far back as Maru could remember.. But she faded away... And that was the last Maru ever saw of the old Keeper.. ```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` `````````````
Maru's eyes came back into focus of the world around her.. But a deep burning in her heart hurt more then anything she'd ever known... Like everything was over.. The one person who had cared for her was really gone. And she had to keep the fact that even though the Keeper had been old, stubborn, a witch at times, a hag, and a head shorter then Maru.. She had been more of a mother then anyone else.. And she was gone..
/I'm not who I wanted to be.
Not a single thing I like I see.
But you did everything you could.
Though from your efforts-nothing good. / Klai could tell Maru was crying and she let her ears droop.. "Maru, she knew what was going to happen.. That's why she sent you to the edge of the lands.. So you could leave and live a life that she wanted for you. I know it hurts.. But everyone looses things and people they care about.. I know... But you'll get over It.. You're free now... And you still have your life in front of you.." The cat used a wing to brush back Maru's bangs.. Revealing two dark red and teary eyes..
"Togasha's my father.. He's the one who's been sending those creatures.. He's responsible for Suna's death, Klai.. And I know he'll do more.." Maru's voice was a whisper.. Either from emotion or because she was clenching her teeth Klai couldn't really tell.. "And he may. But you've got to beat him to it Maru.. You're the Guardian for a reason, Maru.." "I WAS the guardian.. It doesn't matter anymore.. And neither does that name! It means nothing.."
Klai sighed.. "I'm going to Togasha.. I'll try to get what info. I can from him.." She straightened her 'shoulders' and retracted her wings.. But Maru blinked.. "No. Klai you're an idiot.. I'll.."
/But please don't give up on me.
I promise I'll make you see.
Why I've got to fight this way..
Why here I just can't stay../
But the cat lifted herself to the ceiling.. "Maybe you're right.. But Suna was even more right.. 'She deserves a life Togasha.." Black eyes blinked.. Then she smiled.. "Take care Guardian. I'll be fine. It's simple information, not a battle." Then she dove out the window with a wide-eyed Maru going after her.. The girl followed until the cat flew easily over a ward on the outside of the temple but Maru was thrown backwards.. She'd ignored the feeling along her spine that warned her of things like that.. But she ignored it for several more moments.. Still feeling the energy pulsing on her neck and in front of her.. But it didn't matter... Even as the energy danced in front of her.. Klai was flying off.. But everything didn't mater.. None of it did.. Maru suddenly felt small and insignificant.. Like she didn't matter..
/I know you've got to leave Me..
But please don't let this be the true reality..
Please just let me say to you...
That I've got a long way to go-and that's all true..
But I need you there to guide me, laugh at me, and tell me its okay..
Because without someone there..../
But the fact that there was something in front of her that she couldn't get past, the fact that everything had fallen away except the pulsing in her head... She struck out, not paying attention to anything.. Only to the fading presence of reality.. Everything ached and burned.. But it didn't matter..
/I can't get anywhere.
I'm weak and strong,
Right and wrong..
But I can't let you see me like this-no way.
Crying and dying because I can't hear what you say../ She pushed against It.. The gem on her glove glowing with a crimson color.. But the ward instantly activated even more as it struck against the energy seeping there.. And Maru felt everything with in her burn and begin to be torn by the mixed forces.. Almost as if two things pulsed in her veins and her heart and mind were trying, searching, testing for the right one-while her body was caught in the crossfire..
/ So I'll keep my word to you.
I'm never gonna loose my sight.
I'm never gonna stop this fight.
So much has changed,
But I won't get rearranged..
Because, I'll keep my word to you. /
Genkai seemed to watch the struggle with a calm look.. She could tell what was happening with in Maru right now.. It had happened with several half-breeds before.. And was now. Her bloods were reacting differently to the two different wards and Maru's body couldn't decide which form of energy to draw on.. The wolf-clan was known to use more self based styles of fighting and living for that matter.. But the Dragons depended strictly on their power-not their own specialties.. Sure one or two would become known for certain things. But the wolves had always been a clan for individuality... Which was why the clans usually fought..
Maru's eyes were glowing.. A battle ground for the two colors.. Red and gold.. Her body shuddered and ached with every fiber.. But she held on and continued to push against the ward.. Causing the one on her neck to redouble its efforts to keep whatever energy she had inside her.. Though how much longer could she keep this up? //As if pain wasn't enough she pushing out too much energy..// Genkai thought narrowed her eyes against the now brighter crimson glow.. The red and golden light forming a crackling dome..
Close by Hiei watched the scene with mild interest, as long as Yukina wasn't caught in the 'light show'. But Maru seemed to be more focused on forcing the energy out of her toward the wall before her.. Then a deep- throated growl rose, barely noticeable above the constant cracks and pops of the coursing power.. Then the growl rose to more like a faint roar.. Maru opened her mouth and two fangs flashed but she retained her basic human form.. Then it came..
At first it was a faint pulsing along her shoulders.. Then it exploded into pain as Maru fought against a bone racking scream.. But she couldn't see what was happening.. But her blind, light bright eyes couldn't hide the fact that she sensed a feeling begin in her back.. The shirt ripped neatly as the two black slashes across her back split and two black wings appeared.. But Maru seemed to understand that it was nothing she could stop because she didn't try.. Instead she reached to her neck with both hands and calmly tore away the seal as it burst into flames.. Her eyes didn't dim for a moment as the wings turned out to be about 4-5 feet long, a glistening black color as they unfolded and began pulsing..
But Genkai's eyes remained the same and she sighed.. "The Dragon won.. Too bad." She crossed her arms behind her back and watched as the energy seemed to flicker then the gold and crimson colored dome disappeared.. Leaving a panting and shaking Maru on her knees with her wings drooping over her back.. But what kept Genkai and Hiei for that matter where they had been was the fact that Maru's eyes were still glowing the same bright color..
//Stop.. God stop It.. It burns.. *growl* Make it stop.. // Maru thought panting harder-her eyes to her nothing but black pits of the burning pain now that her wings had cooled and seemingly normal.. Yet, it was like an extension of herself..
Genkai stiffly walked to the girl's left side, eyeing her carefully.. Maru only tried to look to where she had heard the human's movements but had to wait as her eyes cooled slowly.. Then with a blink-they shined red with now flecks of a liquid black.. "You had better learn to use those if you're going after Togasha." The old and somewhat 'gravely' voice said plainly..
Maru only offered another growl.. Warning and weak in content and sound.. But it had to be enough.. Because she had little other defenses left.. Yet she glared with her eyes, trying to get her breathing back in order.. But the pain that coursed through her was far from easy to cope with at that moment.. Almost like a fire that constantly burned and raged in her.. Yet it worse, much worse..
"That burning won't go away for several more hours. I suggest you try to get some rest before school." Genkai added with an almost warming tone in her voice.. But that was enough to make Maru try to speak against It.. Though she accomplished little other then a few forms shaking coughs.. "You need help?"
Maru immediately tried to stand and succeeded for a few shaky moments, then her wings seemed to suddenly gain weight and she had to retract them.. Growling in pain and frustration.. But she made her way to her room, and laid down, weak and burning up all over.. No doubt scoring a fever record. But she growled when anyone walked to her door. She would be certain to do everything in her power to keep them away.. She just wasn't sure as to what might happen.. Then she looked at her glove.. The stone was pulsing a golden color.. It was faint and surrounded by dark red and black.. ```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` ``````````````````
LLLLLLLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!! !!!!!!!!!! My god it's.. 4am and I'm tired.. No if ands or buts I'm done.. Review.. Please.. I would say more but my contacts are drying up.. Ja Ne..
Temple Grounds
Chapter 11: Keeper, Guardian, Messenger
:: Telepathy:: "speech" //thoughts// /lyrics/
Klai batted her wings in a nervous manner but still remained still and quiet.. It was dark now, had been for a few hours.. Genkai and Yukina were asleep.. But Maru was still sitting up in her room.. No doubt going over ways to get rid of the ward that plagued her so much.. But the cat-demon blinked her coal-black eyes and twitched her purple furred ears testing the air.. Then she drew her purple-black wings closer to her body and jumped out of the tall pine.. After dropping a few feet she opened them and flew soundlessly to the light filled window.. And hovered just outside- watching...
Maru was sitting on her futon, concentrating and glowing slightly.. No that was just the light playing with the red-brown hair.. It was down, and fell about Maru's shoulders in a rather softer looking appearance.. Quiet the opposite of what normally could describe the Guardian..
"Klai, come here.. No sense spying on someone you can talk to ya' know." Maru's voice was strong and steady... Though that commanding tone was still present as usual. Klai listened and suddenly appeared, perching on Maru's left knee sense both were out and the girl's legs in an Indian style position.
"Hey, anything bothering you, Guardian?" Klai's fur was ruffled slightly because of the cold temperature of the room.. But why? Usually Maru radiated so much heat.. Why not now?
"Nothing too serious but tell me something.. What do you remember about the old texts?" Maru asked, eyes narrow and voice still strong..
/I'm never gonna loose my sight..
Never gonna stop this fight.
So much has changed
But I won't get rearranged../ Klai looked confused but turned her head and looked the girl straight in the eye.. "Well, a bunch of things we've proved wrong just by sitting here." Maru gave a soft smile.. and for once Klai saw a tired look in the chaotic orbs.. It was bothersome how the bright gold-red eyes now looked like a dark and sickly raspberry color.. "I know, but not others.. Like the last few." Maru said starring hard at the floor.. Klai resisted the urge to tell the girl to stop playing her mind games but the Guardian wasn't.. "Okay.. 'Forever shall thy thoughts not part from these lands if thou are Keeper, Guardian, or Messenger.' Why? Anything wrong with it?" Klai asked uncertainly. "The Keeper, the Guardian, and the Messenger.." Maru muttered, eyes hidden from view.. /This road's been long and hard.
But it's not over by far.
I may be gone far away.
But strong at heart I'll try to stay. /
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Suna looked at the young child she held in her hands.. Her yellow eyes wavering and flickering with closely shed tears.. But the leather face was dry and stayed as such.. But her voice quivered and her chin trembled.. "Poor child.. I'm going to face many a flame after a die for this.. You don't deserve a life such as this.. Your mother, Sarania was right.. You do deserve a life free of the death that surrounded her birth.. But She also deserves something more then Togasha could ever teach or give her..." Her hands and arms trembled as the child looked at her with it's red-gold eyes.. "She deserves love... And happiness.. And most of all.. A better life then one Togasha has now sentenced her to.. Or any of them. 'The Keeper, The Guardian, and The Messenger." "I told Sarania... Maruka I did.. But she was blind.. Even more so then Togasha.. But why a child to replace the Guardian.. Why a babe that won't even know a life she was sealed from?... Why You, Dragon Eyes?" Suna placed an old hand on the child's head.. Trying to calm it and herself.. Though only accomplishing one.. "But if there is a god out there that can help.. Please let her not die here as I will.. Let her go.. If all of the rules I teach are to break then so be It.. Just let her go.."
Silence.. Then darkness but a steady, wizened old voice came to Maru's ears.. "Dragon Eyes... I will give you my word.. You will leave here. But in return.. Do something for this place that a hundred Keeper's never could.. Prove that Telellu was right.. Prove that should something happen.. You'll be able to survive.. I want that for you.. And Sarania did as well.. Dragon Eyes.." And a kind face with a smile came.. Suna in her priestess clothes.. Yellow eyes narrow with a happy smile turning her face back in time. Everything looked just the way it had 5 years ago.. 10 years ago.. Or as far back as Maru could remember.. But she faded away... And that was the last Maru ever saw of the old Keeper.. ```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` `````````````
Maru's eyes came back into focus of the world around her.. But a deep burning in her heart hurt more then anything she'd ever known... Like everything was over.. The one person who had cared for her was really gone. And she had to keep the fact that even though the Keeper had been old, stubborn, a witch at times, a hag, and a head shorter then Maru.. She had been more of a mother then anyone else.. And she was gone..
/I'm not who I wanted to be.
Not a single thing I like I see.
But you did everything you could.
Though from your efforts-nothing good. / Klai could tell Maru was crying and she let her ears droop.. "Maru, she knew what was going to happen.. That's why she sent you to the edge of the lands.. So you could leave and live a life that she wanted for you. I know it hurts.. But everyone looses things and people they care about.. I know... But you'll get over It.. You're free now... And you still have your life in front of you.." The cat used a wing to brush back Maru's bangs.. Revealing two dark red and teary eyes..
"Togasha's my father.. He's the one who's been sending those creatures.. He's responsible for Suna's death, Klai.. And I know he'll do more.." Maru's voice was a whisper.. Either from emotion or because she was clenching her teeth Klai couldn't really tell.. "And he may. But you've got to beat him to it Maru.. You're the Guardian for a reason, Maru.." "I WAS the guardian.. It doesn't matter anymore.. And neither does that name! It means nothing.."
Klai sighed.. "I'm going to Togasha.. I'll try to get what info. I can from him.." She straightened her 'shoulders' and retracted her wings.. But Maru blinked.. "No. Klai you're an idiot.. I'll.."
/But please don't give up on me.
I promise I'll make you see.
Why I've got to fight this way..
Why here I just can't stay../
But the cat lifted herself to the ceiling.. "Maybe you're right.. But Suna was even more right.. 'She deserves a life Togasha.." Black eyes blinked.. Then she smiled.. "Take care Guardian. I'll be fine. It's simple information, not a battle." Then she dove out the window with a wide-eyed Maru going after her.. The girl followed until the cat flew easily over a ward on the outside of the temple but Maru was thrown backwards.. She'd ignored the feeling along her spine that warned her of things like that.. But she ignored it for several more moments.. Still feeling the energy pulsing on her neck and in front of her.. But it didn't matter... Even as the energy danced in front of her.. Klai was flying off.. But everything didn't mater.. None of it did.. Maru suddenly felt small and insignificant.. Like she didn't matter..
/I know you've got to leave Me..
But please don't let this be the true reality..
Please just let me say to you...
That I've got a long way to go-and that's all true..
But I need you there to guide me, laugh at me, and tell me its okay..
Because without someone there..../
But the fact that there was something in front of her that she couldn't get past, the fact that everything had fallen away except the pulsing in her head... She struck out, not paying attention to anything.. Only to the fading presence of reality.. Everything ached and burned.. But it didn't matter..
/I can't get anywhere.
I'm weak and strong,
Right and wrong..
But I can't let you see me like this-no way.
Crying and dying because I can't hear what you say../ She pushed against It.. The gem on her glove glowing with a crimson color.. But the ward instantly activated even more as it struck against the energy seeping there.. And Maru felt everything with in her burn and begin to be torn by the mixed forces.. Almost as if two things pulsed in her veins and her heart and mind were trying, searching, testing for the right one-while her body was caught in the crossfire..
/ So I'll keep my word to you.
I'm never gonna loose my sight.
I'm never gonna stop this fight.
So much has changed,
But I won't get rearranged..
Because, I'll keep my word to you. /
Genkai seemed to watch the struggle with a calm look.. She could tell what was happening with in Maru right now.. It had happened with several half-breeds before.. And was now. Her bloods were reacting differently to the two different wards and Maru's body couldn't decide which form of energy to draw on.. The wolf-clan was known to use more self based styles of fighting and living for that matter.. But the Dragons depended strictly on their power-not their own specialties.. Sure one or two would become known for certain things. But the wolves had always been a clan for individuality... Which was why the clans usually fought..
Maru's eyes were glowing.. A battle ground for the two colors.. Red and gold.. Her body shuddered and ached with every fiber.. But she held on and continued to push against the ward.. Causing the one on her neck to redouble its efforts to keep whatever energy she had inside her.. Though how much longer could she keep this up? //As if pain wasn't enough she pushing out too much energy..// Genkai thought narrowed her eyes against the now brighter crimson glow.. The red and golden light forming a crackling dome..
Close by Hiei watched the scene with mild interest, as long as Yukina wasn't caught in the 'light show'. But Maru seemed to be more focused on forcing the energy out of her toward the wall before her.. Then a deep- throated growl rose, barely noticeable above the constant cracks and pops of the coursing power.. Then the growl rose to more like a faint roar.. Maru opened her mouth and two fangs flashed but she retained her basic human form.. Then it came..
At first it was a faint pulsing along her shoulders.. Then it exploded into pain as Maru fought against a bone racking scream.. But she couldn't see what was happening.. But her blind, light bright eyes couldn't hide the fact that she sensed a feeling begin in her back.. The shirt ripped neatly as the two black slashes across her back split and two black wings appeared.. But Maru seemed to understand that it was nothing she could stop because she didn't try.. Instead she reached to her neck with both hands and calmly tore away the seal as it burst into flames.. Her eyes didn't dim for a moment as the wings turned out to be about 4-5 feet long, a glistening black color as they unfolded and began pulsing..
But Genkai's eyes remained the same and she sighed.. "The Dragon won.. Too bad." She crossed her arms behind her back and watched as the energy seemed to flicker then the gold and crimson colored dome disappeared.. Leaving a panting and shaking Maru on her knees with her wings drooping over her back.. But what kept Genkai and Hiei for that matter where they had been was the fact that Maru's eyes were still glowing the same bright color..
//Stop.. God stop It.. It burns.. *growl* Make it stop.. // Maru thought panting harder-her eyes to her nothing but black pits of the burning pain now that her wings had cooled and seemingly normal.. Yet, it was like an extension of herself..
Genkai stiffly walked to the girl's left side, eyeing her carefully.. Maru only tried to look to where she had heard the human's movements but had to wait as her eyes cooled slowly.. Then with a blink-they shined red with now flecks of a liquid black.. "You had better learn to use those if you're going after Togasha." The old and somewhat 'gravely' voice said plainly..
Maru only offered another growl.. Warning and weak in content and sound.. But it had to be enough.. Because she had little other defenses left.. Yet she glared with her eyes, trying to get her breathing back in order.. But the pain that coursed through her was far from easy to cope with at that moment.. Almost like a fire that constantly burned and raged in her.. Yet it worse, much worse..
"That burning won't go away for several more hours. I suggest you try to get some rest before school." Genkai added with an almost warming tone in her voice.. But that was enough to make Maru try to speak against It.. Though she accomplished little other then a few forms shaking coughs.. "You need help?"
Maru immediately tried to stand and succeeded for a few shaky moments, then her wings seemed to suddenly gain weight and she had to retract them.. Growling in pain and frustration.. But she made her way to her room, and laid down, weak and burning up all over.. No doubt scoring a fever record. But she growled when anyone walked to her door. She would be certain to do everything in her power to keep them away.. She just wasn't sure as to what might happen.. Then she looked at her glove.. The stone was pulsing a golden color.. It was faint and surrounded by dark red and black.. ```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` ``````````````````
LLLLLLLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!! !!!!!!!!!! My god it's.. 4am and I'm tired.. No if ands or buts I'm done.. Review.. Please.. I would say more but my contacts are drying up.. Ja Ne..
