Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or ideas from the original Yu Yu Yakusho, I do not own any songs that appear here either. However I do lay claim to all insert characters. Ideas, ect.

Temple Grounds

Chapter 12: 150 degrees secret :: Telepathy:: "speech" //thoughts// /lyrics/

Maru looked at her reflection for the umpteenth time that day.. Sighing and thankful that her wings could be hidden by simply using her ki.. Go figure. She had set her mind to work on how to use the scale black wings though she had little info on where to start.. Ten again, it had been the same with her wolf form.. A bit simpler but what the heck surely this couldn't be any different.. Just trial and error-lots of errors, But what about Klai? Was she okay? How did she plan on getting Togasha to talk? Not by using her 'human' form.. After all it was only a 6-year-old girl in basic shape.. Not much to work with there..
Maru walked back to the cafeteria and sat down, not bothering to get anything to eat. She'd been used to having a few meals a week but these three times a day thing was bothersome. Besides who needed to eat that much? Suna had only had one to two a day-Maru had chosen to train and stay in constant motion, and her stomach had shrunk to fit.
"Not feeling well?" Joshii asked sitting down. Maru only nodded, her chin resting on the table and her eyes the same dull red color.. "Want to talk about it?" He asked, nudging her shoulder in an attempt to get her up.. No such luck however.
Maru seemed dead set on ignoring the rest of humanity for at least another 24 hours. Which needless to say she could probably do that very well.. So he finally crossed his arms and leaned on the table, trying to get a good look at her eyes.. "You don't look that well but I don't think that's that only thing wrong."
"Nah dip Sherlock.." Maru muttered, looking away.. She knew her temperature alone would get her sent to the office.. She had blown up an electric thermometer this morning since she had done something to It.. Maybe it wasn't meant to take a temperature that was rising that quickly.
She felt the hair rise along the nape of her neck as he reached over to try to feel her forehead.. She immediately tried to pull back-Too late.. The cool hand connected with the burning flesh and he let his jaw drop.. "Maru, come on I'm going to get you up front.. That's well over a hundred." "I know.. That blasted ningen thing blew up at 150.." She muttered letting a bead of sweat fall down her face. The burning and pain hadn't ceased, and this was the product. Her body was confused and reacting against the different blood types.. Normal beings would have burned away to nothing by now but here she was in school, talking, and still awake for the most part..
"One.. One-fifty?" Joshii asked wide-eyed. But he chose to redouble (sorry I like that word.. 'Don't know why..) His efforts to help her stand. Which he soon saw she needed no help with. He let his eyes stray over her full face and chest, noting her breathing was quick and shallow, eyes dull and glazed over, and her temple was throbbing-probably from the high paced pulse. "How long have you been feeling like this?" He asked trying to turn her toward the door. Yet he soon learned there was more driving her then simple will power. She was a lot stronger then he'd give most high school girls credit for.
"Doesn't matter-I'm fine.." Maru muttered. Pulling back again away from the door.. "No you're not. Maru what's wrong?" She cast her eyes over his for one moment-not able to concentrate then she looked to the hallway and thanked heavens it was empty.. She nodded to it and they walked out. Once out side she turned on the doorknob and melted it closed, with just a flick of her hand. Joshii gawked.. "Wait. You said a 'ningen' thing.. You're not human are you."
Maru shook her head and fell back against the cool cement black wall.. Then slid to the floor. It was getting hotter.. God almighty it was getting worse. "No.. But listen.. I need to get to the roof right now.. I've got something to let out and if I don't I swear I'll burst into flames.." He looked confused but then hardened his eyes and nodded. "Then I think you'd better explain a few things." ```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` ````````````````````````````````
Maru stepped out onto the roof, thankful it was cooler then usual.. A quick look at Joshii and he got the idea.. Stay back. Maru walked forward a good ten feet and took off the horrible blue blouse, leaving her in a skirt and a black tank-top.. Good thing she had picked today to plan ahead. Then after a few moments of focusing as well as she could the gem on her glove glowed a black color and then her wings appeared.. A film a blood covering them.. Maru instantly felt the heat and pain rekindle with renewed strength in her. She whimpered but fell to a crouching position and panted.. Dizzy and sick..
Joshii literally ignored the wings and appeared beside her.. "You're still burning up." "Some of its natural.. Just go back inside. I'm going to try to get out of here and get back to where I belong.." Maru said growling inhumanly.. "Are you crazy? You'd never make it like you are." "And I'd never make it holding these things in and walking down a street either." Maru still had her tongue about her.. He fell silent and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Tell me something. You sure you're not human?" He grinned. Maru cursed. How ON EARTH could he smile at a time like this?! The baka. "Yeah." "Fine. I'll see ya' round." Maru turned away.. Then blinked. "What?!" She looked at him.. And saw nothing.. //Uh.................... // *blink blink* "I.. Don't wanna know.." She said rolling her eyes and sighed, time to take the wings for a test drive. Oh boy this was going to be 'fun'.. //At least I don't have to use my ki to hise them though..// ```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` ```````````````````````````````` Maru sat there, on the steps. Her eyes were half lidded and her heart was racing. "I can't believe I made it that time. Phew!" She sighed and whipped her brow, standing up shakily and glancing at her back-no wings. //That's a relief. Thought I was a goner for sure. //
"Maru, I take you lost control." Genkai said suddenly appearing. Maru growled. //How does that old hag know the EXACT time to show up??!!! // "Yeah, no one was hurt though." "Well, you had better be hoping for a miracle if you plan on keeping this up." "No such thing." "Hm?" "I said, there's no such things as miracles." Maru responded harshly as she stood up, fists at her sides. "And what makes you think that?" Genkai seemed amused, at least in a general manner. Maru however wasn't very amused. In fact she was dead serious. "Because.. I've seen lot's of dead 'beings'.. But no miracles.. ```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` ``````````````````````
"So where did she go?" Yusuke asked, looking at Maru, dead in the eyes. "I mean, you'd think she got lost or something here." Maru however snorted. "She wouldn't 'get lost'." "Okay, then where is she?"
"That's easy... None of your concern." Maru said simply, noting that Kuwabara now seemed interested in the ordeal. "You mean that cat thing right? So how do you two know each other anyway?" The Guardian rolled her eyes and cotinued the walk 'home' in a silence for a few moments. Then just as the two boys seemed to have lost intrest in it.. She spoke in the steady voice, her face not in view since she was a few feet ahead of them. "She was at the Temple Grounds because The Keeper and The guardian need to keep in constant touch at all times."
"So she was like an errand runner?" Yusuke asked, trying to get it into simpler terms. "Yes, in a way." Maru answered simply.. Still in that same cold voice..
"So how come she wasn't there that night?" Kuwabara asked suddenly. It seemed to have just come into view in his head that Klai hadn't been present when they first saw Maru.
"Suna must have had her doing something. She knows how to stop small time intruders with illusions and tricks.. She is a cat after all." Maru spoke as if it were all well thought over and simple.. Almost like she had run the facts through her own head countless times before.
"Then how come she's gone now?" Yusuke it seemed, was serious and hadn't left that topic.. Which made Maru wonder what was running through his head.. "You said she wasn't lost. Okay so where is she?"
Maru turned her head and looked at him. "She.. She went to go 'visit' the person who's sending those stupid wolves.." "Visit?"
"Well yeah.. Anyone from the Ango temple is granted free movement through lands.. My problem is I'm not sure if T.. My... Er... The guy.. Will let that be.." Maru stumbled several times for the correct words to describe the 'guy'. But finally hit a bull's eye. "So why would he do that?" Kuwabara of course was being as slow as ever.. A real pain needless to say. "Because baka, he may try to use her!" Maru lashed out verbally, spinning around and looking at the named person.. Her eyes for a few moments seemed to flare.. But the light faded back to the dull red and she sighed and shook her head. She ignored the two boys who were currently frozen.. One in fear the other in surprise. "Sorry.. I. Just lost my temper.. That's all.." Then she turned around and began to walk off..
Yusuke blinked, recovering.. something was up.. Maru was more afraid of this guy and for klai then she was letting on.. But stleast she had kept reign on her energy and kept her wings hidden.. "So go after her."
Maru halted.. Ears twitching.. "Nani?" She turned around, eyes wide and that faint hit of gold there.. The wolf was awake.. "We'll help." Yusuke said smirking.. He was being the nice guy..
The Guardian blinked a few times. The facts and words were going through her head as usual.. Then her eyes seemed to fighting within themselves.. Red and gold flashing brightly.. "You'd.. Do.. Do that?" She asked..
"Yeah." Sure." "Gotta go find Kurama and Hiei but they'll help." Then for the second time in the time she'd known them.. Maru smiled.. Not a scowl or anything fang-filled.. A true smile.. "Thanks.. I've gotta go get my blades and then I'll be ready.." ```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` ``````````````````````
Genkai couldn't help but give a small smile.. Maru's eyes had told her all the things she had needed to know. //There is a chance then..// Truth be told she had been dissapionted that Maru had allowed the darker and dragon side of her to take over.. Dragon's were powerful, but they lost all conections in life. The perfect weapon and often drivin only by the desire to kill and distroy.. The wolves however went out of their way to maintain a villiage or pack.. And had retained many of the older ways and the now rare ability to care for other creatures.. But it would be impossible for Maru to balance the two bloods equally. Instead there had come a time that one had to 'over come' the other.. And that had been triggered by the two different wards.. Now her emotions over her friend had one again allowed the wolf blood to gain 'ground'.
Often things like this would last throughout a half-breeds life.. Or in the end kill them. But some had been known to drive the opposite qualities to deep within themselves-thus sealing it. Perhaps Maru could do the same. If not.. The dragon would control her and she may even turn herslef to Togasha as a source of power..
"Genkai-san.. Where is Maru going?" Yukina asked smiling and walking in the room. "She's going after Klai.." "Oh.. Is something wrong with the Neko?" "Nothing now that Maru has a hand in it.. Nothing.." ```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` ``````````````````````
OOOOOOOOOKKKKKKKKKKKKKKAAAAAAAY!!!! Just to anoounce.. I HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN there is to be romance.. Nothing lemon for all the pervs.. Just light and maybe hints of what could come later.. I will not say the couple. But if you haven't atleast guessed take a shot at it. IT IS NOT YUSUKE, or any other human there. Thank-you and now that that's clear I realize now that the story had been Maru baised. Well a warning to everyone I do that alot.. I'll try to stere clear of a pure Maru chapter and truth be told I'm very bad about that. However.. (don't skip this annoucement. Keep reading. THIS MEANS YOU WITH THE MOUSE MOVING!) I came up with a little something that'll turn the tables a bit. There will be light romance but not until the characters get.. ER... uh... Aware of the whole thing. Which will take a while.. If you know who the guy is going to be you'll understand why i'm saying this. Of course we all know Maru won't have much patience when it comes to dating.. *shudders*
Anywho this story seems to be picking back up.. And just when i had guessed another 2 chaptes to finish it.. Ugh.. Oh well for your enjoyment we're going into over time!! (Turns cap around backwards and cracks knuckles.) Let's get this baby started!
Because. I've never seen anything like a miracle. But I've seen my share of dead people and demons." Maru said it simply and plainly. Which was answered by a slight smile on the old one's face.. One which reminded her strongly of Suna.. ```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` ```````````````````````````````` Okay, kinda short I know.. But I've got softball and soccer practice.. Ugh nothing like a sunny afternoon..