Ketsueki's Curse

"We'll call an ambulance!" Yusuke said frantically. "A doctor... can't help me. Just... I need to get home. Quickly!" Ketsueki was able to utter before continuing to cough again. "Kuwabara, call Shizuru!" Hiei barked. "OK!" Kuwabara quickly ran into the school building, then a few minutes later returned saying, "Shizuru said she'll be hear as quick as she can. And to wait right in front of the school."

"OK, we'd better help her walk over there. She can't even stand." Kurama said. Kurama grabbed her hands and lifted her up quickly. More blood began to slowly drip out of her mouth. Kurama had Ketsueki close to his chest, so the blood got on his shirt.Ketsueki's eyes were big, and had one solid bright red color in them.

Kurama threw one of Ketsueki's arm over his shoulder, and Jin did the same. Slowly they made their way to the front of the school. Dragging Ketsueki's feet against the ground.

When they made it to the front, Shizuru was just tearing around the corner in her car. "Where do you live Ketsueki?" Hiei asked quickly. Ketsueki had trouble even uttering a sound, until she was able to say, "Kazu-" then she continued to cough more.

Shizuru pulled up and slammed on the breaks. Kuwabara jumped in the front and the rest found a way to fit in the back. Ketsueki sat right next to Kurama. He had her head pulled close to his chest, her head almost buried in his shirt. "Kazu Dojo, Shizuru!" Jin said frantically. "OK!" Shizuru said, as she teared around a corner.

They got to the dojo, and Shizuru quickly parked in front. She jumped out of the car along with the rest of the gang. Shizuru opened the door for Kurama and Ketsueki fell right out.

She caught herself on her hands and knees. And began to cough again, this time sounding even worse than before. Still on her hands and knees, blood forced it's way out of Ketsueki's mouth. She tried to at least crawl forward, but instead she fell forward right into the puddle of blood.

Hiei lifted her up, and saw that she fell unconscious with her eyes still wide open. Jin lifted her up the rest of the way. They carried her to the front of the dojo, when a woman with black hair and green eyes, and the girl with red hair and black eyes saw them dragging Ketsueki along.

They ran to Ketsueki and the woman said taking Ketsueki, "I'll take her from here." Both of them began to carry Ketsueki to where they had cherry trees. The cherry trees where planted in a perfect circle. They laid Ketueki in the middle of the circle and watched on the outside of the trees.

A gust of wind emitted from Ketsueki and the branches from the sakura trees wrapped themselves around her legs and arms again. Then the sakura blossoms turned white and energy pulsed down the branches and into Ketsueki. "Everything will bOKok form here." The woman said. "Thank you for bringing her here. My name is Kohaku." She continued on. The black eyed girl then said, "I'm Kazu Kosen."

They all introduced themselves then Shizuru said, "I didn't ask before, but who is she?"

"Her name is Ketsueki Kanashimi." Kazu answered to her. "OK, that answers that. What happened though, when she seemed to be dying?"

"I'm not exactly sure myself. It's something that has to do with her energy. Every hour, every minute that passes her spirit energy is sucked away. Probably just to sustain herexistencee. After 24 hours all her spirit energy is gone and it starts to suck away at her life energy. When that happens like any other living being she begins to die. To drain all her spirit energy is a slow process, but when it hits her life energy it needs to take more a lot faster. It seems though, she has some sort of bond between plants. She can actually talk to them. Cherry blossom trees are her favorite to talk to, for trees anyway. The cherry trees then refill her life energy and spirit energy. That's what is happening now. It should be over soon. Then she'll wake back up a few minutes later. You know, though she was mad at you boys, you'd better think of what you'd like to eat."

"Why?" Yusuke asked. Becausee when she wakes up she'll want to cook a special meal for you, to show you her thanks. Don't worry she's the best cook around." The boys nodded then began to talk about it. They came to an agreement on beef fried rice.

They looked over to Ketsueki and saw the branches were putting her down gently. They unwrapped themselves and returned to normal. Ketsueki's eyes were still wide open and full red like before. Ketsueki suddenly gasped and blinked. Her eyes were normal again. She slowly sat up, and wiped away a little bit of blood on her lip. She turned to the boys and smiled. She got up and staggered a bit.

She walked over to them and said, "Thank you. I owe you my life."

"Well, we couldn't just leave you there to die." Shizuru said.

"I need to go wash my shirt before it stains. Oh, I'll wash your shirt too Kurama."

Kurama just smiled. Ketsueki then said, "We should have a shirt you can borrow until it's finished washing." Ketsueki went inside and changed. As did Kurama. Kurama was wearing a red button up shirt, with a black fox shadow on one of the sleeves. Kurama saw Ketsueki come out of the room right next to the one he just walked out of. What she was wearing surprised him. She was wearing the same thing that he wore when he was Youko Kurama. He stared at her dazzled by how good she looked in it. "What?" She said confused.

Later she put her shirt and pants into the washing machine along with Kurama's shirt. Then went into the kitchen. "What would you guys like to eat?" They all answered back in unison, "Beef Fried Rice." Ketsueki then began to cook the rice, and the beef, and vegetables for it.

When she finished, she handed out a serving for everyone. The boys, or at least Yusuke and Kuwabara, scarfed it down like there was tomorrow. Ketsueki laughed quietly to herself and began to eat. As she ate something crossed her mind. "What were they talking about an Animal Goddess named Ketsueki. And why does she have the same name as myself. If she does exist." Ketsueki thought to herself as she finished her food.

When she was finished she got up from the table and said before she left the room, "Please excuse me." Then she walked out of the room and went out into the front. In the large area the Kohaku owned there was one place that Ketsueki loved. It was a clearing with a small pond in the middle of it. The place was truly beautiful in the moonlight. She went there.

Kurama began to wonder where Ketsueki was so he went in search of her. He walked into the forest, until he found Ketsueki at the clearing she loved so much. He was about to walk forward towards her until he heard her singing something. He stood and listened to the words.

I don't know what words I can say

The wind has a way to talk to me

Flowers sleep, a silent lullaby

I pray for reply

I'm ready

Quiet days calm me

Oh, serenity

Someone please tell me

Ohhmm, what is it they say?

Maybe I will know one day

I don't know what words I can say

The wind has a way to talk to me

Flowers sleep, a silent lullaby

I pray for reply

I'm ready

She finished the song and just stared at the water. Just as Kurama was about to take a step forward, Ketsueki fell on her knees. Kurama was about to run forward when he heard she was crying. She said to herself then, "Why? Why can't I remember anything? Why can't I remember my past? Why can't I just die? It would be a lot easier. Then I wouldn't feel this emptiness. Why can't I just die?"

"Because there would be people who would be sad." Kurama said, walking froward slowly. Ketsueki quickly whipped her head around and saw him standing right in front of her.

Ketsueki wiped away her tears, and stood up. She looked at Kurama's eyes. She wasn't angry though. Then she hugged Kurama and said, "Thank you. For saving my life." Then she let go and smiled. When she was around Kurama and the others she felt happy, she felt like she belonged with them. She didn't notice how late it was until she saw a fox run by, and heard a wolf howl. "There's a pack of wolves that live out here, and so do foxes and other small animals. But don't worry. They won't hurt us." She looked up at the sky and saw a crescent moon. "It's late." Kurama said. Ketsueki then started walking back to the dojo.

When they got back, Ketsueki walked into the main room and saw everyone sitting around. "Since it's late, and it's Friday night, you guys are welcome to stay the night." Ketsueki said. She walked over to a wall with tons of katanas and other bladed weapons. There were even some wooden swords. Ketsueki grabbed a wooden sword made out of red wood. "Oh, I'd advise you guys move out of the way. I wouldn't want to hit you while practicing. Everyone then moved over to one of the walls and just sat there.Ketsueki pretended they didn't even exist at the moment, and began to practice.

Everyone was dazzled by the way she practiced. Her movements were smooth and elegant. She moved quickly too, probably quick enough to cut clean through someone's bones with a blade. Not one technique or movement was out of place. Everything she did seemed flawless.

"Man, you're good." Kuwabara said. "So you can actually give a compliment." Ketsueki answered back. "Hey!"

"Settle down! I'm just giving you a hard time." Ketsueki then put away the sword and left the room. She went to take a bath. After what had happened that day she needed to relax.