Saga 7: Demons, ghosts, & goddesses
Ch.9. Identity found out? disclaimer: I do not own any Yu-Yu Hakusho characters except Michiru, Jugo and Lenos

Michiru's eyes widened. "Y-Y...You can talk?!" she practically shouted. The wolf rolled her ruby eyes. "Oh, you breathe? Of course I can talk, stupid!" she replied sarcastically. Michiru felt a blush creep up on her face. That had been a ridiculous question, after all. She turned back to the wolf, who simply yawned and looked around bored. Michiru sweat-dropped. The canine looked back then said, "Are you so surprised that I can talk?" The young woman blinked then was silent for a moment before shaking her head and replied, "Now that I think about it, not really." The wolf nodded. "Again, I ask do you always talk to animals?" Michiru nodded. "Oh, yes. I can talk to them about anything, and they will listen."

The creature snorted. "How do you know they're listening and not just mindless shapes that make noise?" Again, Michiru blinked. That question she hadn't expected. Suddenly, she knew the answer. The girl looked up and smiled gently before replying "I know because these creatures have a deeper wisdom than humans have. Animals are brilliant beings trapped within simple flesh, living everyday without a voice. But, if one tries hard enough..." she trailed off. "Then I am sure that someone would be able to understand them. Maybe not by words, but more by emotions." Michiru said as she placed both hands over her heart to emphasize her point.

She looked back at the wolf, which, she could have sworn, looked like she was raising an eyebrow. Michiru sighed, expecting to hear the dog laugh. Instead, the wolf gave a grin and replied, "I would expect no other answer from you, Kaoru."

Michiru's head snapped up, her teal eyes wide with shock. "H-h-how...did you..." Again, the wolf grinned. "Let's just say a little bird told me..." The woman drew her hand up to her mouth, completely stunned. 'How does she know my name?! Does she know my...my past?! How is this possible?!' Michiru lowered her gaze to the dried leaves at her feet. It seemed like an eternity before the wolf spoke again.

"Listen. I am here for a particular reason." She was about to continue when the girl cut in. "How...how did you know my name? Who are you?" The wolf sat back down. She sneezed, then replied, "I know many things. As for who I am, that is not important now." Michiru looked back up into her crimson eyes, on the verge of tears. "I must know! No one else knows my...my true self..." she stopped. The wolf looked at her, no emotion showing on her face whatsoever. Several moments passed before she responded. "Calm down. I'm not going to tell anyone. Who would I tell anyway? Anyone I would talk to would either think they're going crazy or that I'm possessed."

When the girl didn't answer, the beast sighed then continued. "If you must call me something, I am known as Shadow Dark to some." Michiru looked up, but still avoided Shadow Dark's gaze. She then took a deep breath and quietly said, "How do you know my true identity?" Shadow Dark yawned again, then simply retorted, "I know many things. However, what I don't know is...are you one of us?" Michiru's head snapped up again. "O-one of you? What on earth do you mean?" The black dog looked at her, eyes scanning hers. "Kaoru. Do you know who you are?" Michiru swept her hair away from her face nervously. "I don't understand..."

She then stood up, brushing dirt and other debris off her gi, and then looked back at Shadow Dark who had also stood up. Her crimson eyes flashed. Michiru's face remained emotionless. "I'm sorry. I must go now..." she replied quietly. "Where are you going? You know they will find you if you wander far." Shadow Dark growled in her throat. Michiru stopped walking, turned around, and smiled a smile that was too sad to even describe.

Suddenly, Yusuke's voice could be heard far off. "HEY GIRL!! GET YOUR BUTT BACK HERE NOW!!! DON'T THINK I CAN'T FIND YOU EITHER!! COME BACK NOW OR ELSE I'LL DRAG YOU BACK BY YOUR RIDICULOUSLY LONG HAIR!!" Michiru blinked then smiled amusingly. When she turned around to say goodbye to Shadow Dark, she saw the wolf was gone. She frowned slightly, then continued back towards Yusuke's extremely loud voice.

Shadow Dark sat up high in a nearby tree and watched the young woman walk off. 'Is she...the one we've been looking for?' she questioned silently. A movement on a nearby branch made her head turn sharply. A familiar female stood right beside her, smiling. Shadow Dark closed her eyes and grinned wolfishly. "What are you doing here? Didn't think I'd be able to handle it?" The girl floated in the air for a moment before positioning herself comfortably in the crevice of the branch. "Oh, no. I have faith in you. However, don't you think this form of yours is a bit nerve racking?" The black canine snorted. "If she can't deal with me, then she's not gonna make a good fighter." The brunette smiled again. "Hm. I don't know. I think you frightened her." Shadow Dark was silent for a moment and then retorted, "It wasn't my form that scared her. I told her I knew who she was." The girl's smile quickly changed to a frown as she stood up. "Blade!! I told you not to do that! You scare them when you play pyschic!" Shadow Dark turned her head and lazily looked up at her sister. "You think you could do any better?" The girl smirked. "How bout a bet? Week's worth of chores for the one that can actually convince her." she finished and put her hand on her hip. Shadow Dark grinned. "You got a deal, sis."

Wow, that chapter was LOOOOONG! I'm glad I'm done with nine! School sucks. I have about three projects due all at the same time, so I have a lot less time to write. *wah* T_T