Saga 7: Demons, ghosts, & goddesses.
Ch.6. Timid spirit disclaimer: I do not own any Yu-Yu Hakusho characters except Jugo, Lenos
and Shido
Michiru awoke with a gasp. She hyperventilated, thinking about the dream that had plagued her for so long. 'Lulu....' she thought, closing her eyes and putting a hand on her chest, to ease her rapidly beating heart 'Please...be safe...' she silently prayed. Shakily, she pushed two long strands of chocolate brown hair away from her face and checked her neck. She gasped again. 'I...I'm healed!' she thought in shock. Michiru carefully touched her neckline, feeling for any excess blood. There was none. There was still an intense skin abrasion on her throat, but that was it. Nothing else.
It was then that she noticed her surroundings were not what she expected. Instead of in the forest like she last remembered, Michiru found herself in a tidy apaato, (A/N: Apaato- Japanese for 'apartment' or 'small room') decorated with a few sparse pieces of furniture; a small table, a vase with flowers, and a few books on martial arts. Sunlight streamed through, regardless of the shady fusama doors. (A/N: fusama- Japanese door with a wooden frame; you know what I'm talking about) Her teal eyes continued to scan the room until they ran across a kimono next to her. "Huh? What is this for?" Michiru questioned, picking up the soft & elegant silk.
She then looked down at her gi and sweat-dropped. "Oh my. I guess I must have bled all over it. Oh dear." she said quietly. Michiru examined the gi, observing thick blood & dirt stains in one place or another. "My, this is going to take quite a lot of scrubbing." the girl sighed, then started to slowly take off her priestess's outfit.
Without warning, the fusama slid open, causing Michiru to squeak and hastily cover herself, although she had taken off very little. She turned to look at an older, pink haired woman with calm eyes. "Well, I'm glad to see you're awake." the small woman smiled. "How are you feeling?" Michiru paused for a moment, and then answered "Foku, arigato." (A/N: Foku, arigato- 'fine, thank you' Yeah, half of this chapter is probably gonna have a lotta Japanese words.)
The old woman smiled again and realized the girl had started to change. "Oh, pardon me. I didn't know you were changing your clothes. I'll wait outside. Call me when you're done." she said, and exited the room, closing the door. Michiru stood in silence for a moment, blinking. "What in the world is going on?" she whispered. "Where am I?" Deciding to dress first and ask questions later, she untied her sash in the front, letting the green pants drop. She then shouldered off the top gi and gingerly walked to where the kimono was. When she looked up, she gasped.
There in the mirror was the reflection of an unrecognizable woman. Her body was dirty and beaten, and normally sparkling teal eyes were faded into a dull shade. Shiny and silky brown hair had changed to a straggle of a damaged mane. She shakily raised her hand to her cheek where a mark had been made from the slap Lenos had given her. She cast her eyes downward, inspecting the bruises and marks scattered all over her skin. Michiru closed her eyes, trying hard not to cry. It wasn't that she was in pain. She simply wanted the nightmare to end; for her family to be safe. To be able to wake up in the morning, not having to worry if the Black Nahga would strike. To be able to come home and be greeted without worrying what would be in store for her the next day.
A single tear slid from her eye and down her cheek, slowly leaving a trail. When it finally dropped, it turned into a feather in mid-air just like her tears had done all her life. 'Raiden. Please hear my prayer and answer. Please...protect Lulu and grandpa. Please...I beg of you. Protect them with your mighty wings...' she thought, probing her neck for her opal.
She gasped. It was gone! Then she remembered what happened to it. 'Oh. That's right. Lenos took it. I hope he hasn't broken it. It's the only memory I have left of...' A knock suddenly interrupted her thoughts. She hastily dressed, and then called out in a shaky voice "C-come in!" The fusama opened, except this time, instead of the old woman, it was the black- haired boy who had saved her earlier. She stepped back slightly, unconscious of it. The boy noticed, and replied, "Hey, chill out. I'm not gonna hurt ya or anything. I just want to talk to you." Michiru nodded her head slightly.
Yusuke looked the woman over. She seemed...timid. Fragile, even. Her teal eyes had faded and she shyly peered out from under her strands of clustered hair. She seemed like a deer. Shy at first, but if you careful enough, maybe you could approach it. He decided to sit down first and see if she would too.
Yusuke took a few more steps and sat down next to the end of the futon. The girl relaxed slightly, then gingerly sat down at the other end and nervously brushed away a few strands from her line of vision. Yusuke was about to open his mouth when Genkai's voice growled from behind him. "What are you doing in here you idiot?! Get out!" He turned around and replied, "Listen, ya old bag, I'm the one in charge of this case, so I should be allowed to talk to her!" "I don't care if you're the Emperor! This girl has been through a traumatizing experience, so she should only talk to one person, and especially one who is more wise & experienced in thugs & gangsters! So, out!" When Yusuke didn't budge, Genkai threw a power ball at him, which he dodged. Michiru was shocked. The old woman had magic? 'Amazing...' she thought to herself. 'I wonder what else she is capable of...' she questioned silently as the battle between the older woman and the boy continued.
Finally, they decided (after much shouting and rambling) that Yusuke could stay if he didn't say anything while the woman spoke. They both sat down huffily and Genkai cleared her throat. She had noticed the girl had been politely quiet and patiently waited for their argument to cease. "I'm sorry about that. My stupid apprentice thinks he can do things that he shouldn't." she spoke, giving a glare. The expression was returned. "Well, SOR-RRY granny! I didn't know only old geezers were allowed!" Genkai sighed in annoyance and turned back to the girl who quietly replied, "Oh, he's your apprentice? Are you...a martial arts trainer...possibly?" Both of the strangers exchanged glances, then the old woman said "Yes, unfortunately, he is my apprentice. More like a slacker." Yusuke glared at her and she continued on. "Martial arts master. I suppose you could call it that..." When the woman cocked her head slightly in question, Genkai replied "Never mind. I'll explain later. For starters, I am Genkai and this idiot here is Yusuke." "Listen, ya old bat! I'm tired of you treating me like a noob!" She looked at him calmly. "You are one. Now shut up and let the young lady speak." Yusuke grumbled as the girl looked up.
"Um...where am I...exactly?" she inquired in a timid voice. "You're in my temple. We're about 30 miles from Okayama. This one & some other idiots rescued you from what I hear is a bull demon with fire, correct?" Michiru nodded. "Yes. And I want to thank you for saving me earlier. I am grateful." she softly replied, turning to Yusuke. He blushed slightly and grinned. "Aw, no biggie. All in a day's work." "Yes, aren't we Mr. Hero?" Genkai commented sarcastically. "Stuff it, grandma! I'd like to see you beat that thing!" Yusuke barked and raised his fist. Genkai simply smirked. "I could have probably done it by myself in half the time that all of you did."
"Um...." they both turned back to the girl who clasped her hands in her lap. "What is it?" Genkai said. The girl looked up through more hair. (A/N: She's got a LOT of hair!) "The beast that you fought..." "Yeah, what about it?" asked Yusuke. She focused her eyes on him. "His name is Jugo. And...well, um..." Yusuke sweat-dropped then replied "What is it? Just spit it out already!" Genkai smacked him on the back of the head. "OW! What the hell was that for?!" he shouted. "For being rude. Now don't rush her!" Genkai turned back to the brunette who looked about ready to sprint away at a moment's notice.
"That...creature that you fought...that is, well...it was a...a minotaur." she said quietly. "WHAT?!" Yusuke shouted.
I know, I suck don't I? I keep stopping the chapters at cliffys. Haha. It just makes you want to find out more about it. That's my way of writing. Please send in your reviews! I love getting reviews! Flames are accepted, but please give reason of why you think I should change something or whatnot. Boy, Michiru sure is a mysterious gal isn't she? And tears turning into feathers?! What's up with that? You'll have to wait and see in chapter 7.
Ch.6. Timid spirit disclaimer: I do not own any Yu-Yu Hakusho characters except Jugo, Lenos
and Shido
Michiru awoke with a gasp. She hyperventilated, thinking about the dream that had plagued her for so long. 'Lulu....' she thought, closing her eyes and putting a hand on her chest, to ease her rapidly beating heart 'Please...be safe...' she silently prayed. Shakily, she pushed two long strands of chocolate brown hair away from her face and checked her neck. She gasped again. 'I...I'm healed!' she thought in shock. Michiru carefully touched her neckline, feeling for any excess blood. There was none. There was still an intense skin abrasion on her throat, but that was it. Nothing else.
It was then that she noticed her surroundings were not what she expected. Instead of in the forest like she last remembered, Michiru found herself in a tidy apaato, (A/N: Apaato- Japanese for 'apartment' or 'small room') decorated with a few sparse pieces of furniture; a small table, a vase with flowers, and a few books on martial arts. Sunlight streamed through, regardless of the shady fusama doors. (A/N: fusama- Japanese door with a wooden frame; you know what I'm talking about) Her teal eyes continued to scan the room until they ran across a kimono next to her. "Huh? What is this for?" Michiru questioned, picking up the soft & elegant silk.
She then looked down at her gi and sweat-dropped. "Oh my. I guess I must have bled all over it. Oh dear." she said quietly. Michiru examined the gi, observing thick blood & dirt stains in one place or another. "My, this is going to take quite a lot of scrubbing." the girl sighed, then started to slowly take off her priestess's outfit.
Without warning, the fusama slid open, causing Michiru to squeak and hastily cover herself, although she had taken off very little. She turned to look at an older, pink haired woman with calm eyes. "Well, I'm glad to see you're awake." the small woman smiled. "How are you feeling?" Michiru paused for a moment, and then answered "Foku, arigato." (A/N: Foku, arigato- 'fine, thank you' Yeah, half of this chapter is probably gonna have a lotta Japanese words.)
The old woman smiled again and realized the girl had started to change. "Oh, pardon me. I didn't know you were changing your clothes. I'll wait outside. Call me when you're done." she said, and exited the room, closing the door. Michiru stood in silence for a moment, blinking. "What in the world is going on?" she whispered. "Where am I?" Deciding to dress first and ask questions later, she untied her sash in the front, letting the green pants drop. She then shouldered off the top gi and gingerly walked to where the kimono was. When she looked up, she gasped.
There in the mirror was the reflection of an unrecognizable woman. Her body was dirty and beaten, and normally sparkling teal eyes were faded into a dull shade. Shiny and silky brown hair had changed to a straggle of a damaged mane. She shakily raised her hand to her cheek where a mark had been made from the slap Lenos had given her. She cast her eyes downward, inspecting the bruises and marks scattered all over her skin. Michiru closed her eyes, trying hard not to cry. It wasn't that she was in pain. She simply wanted the nightmare to end; for her family to be safe. To be able to wake up in the morning, not having to worry if the Black Nahga would strike. To be able to come home and be greeted without worrying what would be in store for her the next day.
A single tear slid from her eye and down her cheek, slowly leaving a trail. When it finally dropped, it turned into a feather in mid-air just like her tears had done all her life. 'Raiden. Please hear my prayer and answer. Please...protect Lulu and grandpa. Please...I beg of you. Protect them with your mighty wings...' she thought, probing her neck for her opal.
She gasped. It was gone! Then she remembered what happened to it. 'Oh. That's right. Lenos took it. I hope he hasn't broken it. It's the only memory I have left of...' A knock suddenly interrupted her thoughts. She hastily dressed, and then called out in a shaky voice "C-come in!" The fusama opened, except this time, instead of the old woman, it was the black- haired boy who had saved her earlier. She stepped back slightly, unconscious of it. The boy noticed, and replied, "Hey, chill out. I'm not gonna hurt ya or anything. I just want to talk to you." Michiru nodded her head slightly.
Yusuke looked the woman over. She seemed...timid. Fragile, even. Her teal eyes had faded and she shyly peered out from under her strands of clustered hair. She seemed like a deer. Shy at first, but if you careful enough, maybe you could approach it. He decided to sit down first and see if she would too.
Yusuke took a few more steps and sat down next to the end of the futon. The girl relaxed slightly, then gingerly sat down at the other end and nervously brushed away a few strands from her line of vision. Yusuke was about to open his mouth when Genkai's voice growled from behind him. "What are you doing in here you idiot?! Get out!" He turned around and replied, "Listen, ya old bag, I'm the one in charge of this case, so I should be allowed to talk to her!" "I don't care if you're the Emperor! This girl has been through a traumatizing experience, so she should only talk to one person, and especially one who is more wise & experienced in thugs & gangsters! So, out!" When Yusuke didn't budge, Genkai threw a power ball at him, which he dodged. Michiru was shocked. The old woman had magic? 'Amazing...' she thought to herself. 'I wonder what else she is capable of...' she questioned silently as the battle between the older woman and the boy continued.
Finally, they decided (after much shouting and rambling) that Yusuke could stay if he didn't say anything while the woman spoke. They both sat down huffily and Genkai cleared her throat. She had noticed the girl had been politely quiet and patiently waited for their argument to cease. "I'm sorry about that. My stupid apprentice thinks he can do things that he shouldn't." she spoke, giving a glare. The expression was returned. "Well, SOR-RRY granny! I didn't know only old geezers were allowed!" Genkai sighed in annoyance and turned back to the girl who quietly replied, "Oh, he's your apprentice? Are you...a martial arts trainer...possibly?" Both of the strangers exchanged glances, then the old woman said "Yes, unfortunately, he is my apprentice. More like a slacker." Yusuke glared at her and she continued on. "Martial arts master. I suppose you could call it that..." When the woman cocked her head slightly in question, Genkai replied "Never mind. I'll explain later. For starters, I am Genkai and this idiot here is Yusuke." "Listen, ya old bat! I'm tired of you treating me like a noob!" She looked at him calmly. "You are one. Now shut up and let the young lady speak." Yusuke grumbled as the girl looked up.
"Um...where am I...exactly?" she inquired in a timid voice. "You're in my temple. We're about 30 miles from Okayama. This one & some other idiots rescued you from what I hear is a bull demon with fire, correct?" Michiru nodded. "Yes. And I want to thank you for saving me earlier. I am grateful." she softly replied, turning to Yusuke. He blushed slightly and grinned. "Aw, no biggie. All in a day's work." "Yes, aren't we Mr. Hero?" Genkai commented sarcastically. "Stuff it, grandma! I'd like to see you beat that thing!" Yusuke barked and raised his fist. Genkai simply smirked. "I could have probably done it by myself in half the time that all of you did."
"Um...." they both turned back to the girl who clasped her hands in her lap. "What is it?" Genkai said. The girl looked up through more hair. (A/N: She's got a LOT of hair!) "The beast that you fought..." "Yeah, what about it?" asked Yusuke. She focused her eyes on him. "His name is Jugo. And...well, um..." Yusuke sweat-dropped then replied "What is it? Just spit it out already!" Genkai smacked him on the back of the head. "OW! What the hell was that for?!" he shouted. "For being rude. Now don't rush her!" Genkai turned back to the brunette who looked about ready to sprint away at a moment's notice.
"That...creature that you fought...that is, well...it was a...a minotaur." she said quietly. "WHAT?!" Yusuke shouted.
I know, I suck don't I? I keep stopping the chapters at cliffys. Haha. It just makes you want to find out more about it. That's my way of writing. Please send in your reviews! I love getting reviews! Flames are accepted, but please give reason of why you think I should change something or whatnot. Boy, Michiru sure is a mysterious gal isn't she? And tears turning into feathers?! What's up with that? You'll have to wait and see in chapter 7.
