Saga 7: Demons, ghosts & goddesses
Ch.7. Memories of another disclaimer: I do not own any Yu-Yu Hakusho characters except Jugo, Lenos,
and Michiru

"WHAT?!" Yusuke shouted, causing the woman to flinch. He rushed up to her and replied, "How do you know that?! Did you know he was a youkai?!" Michiru was startled. Yusuke had almost jumped on her. Genkai pulled Yusuke back by his collar and snapped "Sit down, loudmouth." She then turned to Michiru. "Like he said, were you aware that the thug was actually a demon?" The girl nodded, eyes downcast. Genkai was quiet for a moment, then asked "How?"

Michiru was also silent. 'I must not tell them...' she thought, eyes shut tightly. 'I cannot tell them...the boy...I should warn him and his friends. I must!' the woman strongly gripped at her lap, wrinkling the kimono. Genkai raised an eyebrow in question. "Never mind that for now. Would you tell us your name?" Michiru looked up, eyes seeming clouded, as if in thought. Then she shook her head slowly. "I...cannot." Yusuke jumped up again but was quickly yanked back down again by Genkai. "Ow! Dammit, you old bag! Why can't you tell us your name?!" The girl remained silent. Genkai reached over and lifted the woman's chin to get a better look at her face. Teal eyes looked up shyly under long thick lashes. Genkai smiled on the inside. 'My, she's changed since I last saw her...' she thought.

Yusuke was just irritated. He could barely get any answers out of this woman. Although he had a feeling that she wasn't telling him anything for a good reason, it still made him mad. 'Argh! Is she just too freaking shy to say anything or is she just high?!' he thought irritably. Genkai swiftly turned around, letting go of the girl's face and said, "Yusuke. Leave now." "WHAT?!" he shouted, jumping up. The woman behind him flinched again. Genkai remained calm. "Listen it's nothing you did. But she needs to talk to a woman. A guy being here is making her very uncomfortable. You need to leave the room."

Normally, Yusuke would have argued, but he saw a certain fierceness in Genkai's eyes that he had only seen once before and that was when she was about to give him the orb that contained the rest of her fighting knowledge and abilities that had nearly killed him. Somehow, he knew that something was wrong that only Genkai would probably be able to help the girl with. He then nodded solemnly and left, shutting the fusama behind him. Genkai stood watching until he left, then turned back to Michiru and sat back down. A few moments passed by before she spoke. "Will you tell me your name please?" the girl looked up, her expression speaking of trouble. "I don't know. I....I mean no disrespect, but....I cannot reveal my title." Genkai sighed. This was going to be a bit difficult.

"Alright. Tell me why you cannot reveal your name." she said. The girl looked back down, grasping her hands tightly. "B-because...um...well...I-if I do..." she mumbled. "Speak up child. I can't hear you." Michiru looked up, her eyes sad. She then took a deep breath and slowly unclasped her hands and swept another strand of hair away. Genkai waited patiently while the woman readied herself. She then looked up, less timid and more serious. "If I tell you my name...you will surely die."

Michiru waited for the old woman to gasp or her eyes to widen in horror. Instead, Genkai gave her an odd look and replied, "That's it?". She was taken aback. The elderly woman that sat before her had no reaction whatsoever. Instead, Genkai merely sighed and then continued. "And why would I die? Is your name cursed or something of that sort?" Michiru shook her head and looked down again. "Because...of...well..." The reikai master leaned forward. "Does it have to do with the Black Nahga?" Michiru's head snapped up. "H-how did..." "Yusuke & the others told me everything while you were unconscious. Although they didn't have much to tell." Michiru was quiet, contemplating what the woman just said. 'How can this be? How could anyone else know about my past with the Black Nahga?'

As if in answer, Genkai replied, "I do not know what your connection is with the Black Nahga, but you should know that they are involved in very dark businesses. Drug-dealing, murder, thievery...just about any crime you can think of." Michiru continued to think, then responded "I know. But I'm afraid I cannot tell you anything. To do so would put your life in danger." Genkai shrugged. "My dear, believe me when I say that a situation like this is nothing new. I've cheated death many times, and I'm already past my death date anyway. In fact, for me to die would be a blessing." she gave a small smile. "She's got that right!!" a voice sounded down the hall. Genkai stood up and said, "Excuse me for a moment." she then left, and a stuffed "OW!" could be heard not too far. It was then followed by her voice shouting "I told you not to eavesdrop you fool! Go outside before I beat you senseless! NOW!" Much shuffling then could be heard from several bodies along with Yusuke shouting obscenities at Genkai. She returned shortly, only to see that the young girl wasn't there. Genkai raised an eyebrow and opened the back fusama that led to the yard. Her eyes scanned the area, looking for the young woman.

At first, she didn't see anything. However, in the corner of her eye, she caught a brief flash of movement. She closed her eyes and smiled. 'Still as shy and afraid as I remember her. I should go tell Yusuke. Those demons are after her, so it would be best not to let her wander far. But...she is still very young. She will eventually find the mirror. And then...' her thoughts trailed off as a breeze blew threw, ruffling her hair and the dead leaves around the temple. 'I just hope...I can teach her what she has forgotten...' Genkai thought and then turned back into the house, quietly shutting the door behind her.