Saga 7: Demons, ghosts, & goddesses
Ch.17. No Explanation
disclaimer: I do not own any Yu-Yu Hakusho characters except Michiru,
Freya, Mara, Lulu, Jugo, Lenos, Raruna, Shadow Dark, and her sister

Kurama continued to stare at the green shimmering figure that stood before him and everyone else. 'Who is this woman?' he thought, his eyes still locked on her. He opened his mouth to voice the thought, plus many more questions that had been running through his mind, but Genkai beat him to it. "Freya. Before you tell us, I just want you to know that I will look after her. I give you my word. I swear by my own life that I will protect your sister during her quest, whatever it may be." she then paused. "Botan..." Genkai started, which made Botan jump back to reality. "Y-yes?" "Please do not breathe the secrets of this girl's past. It is better that they be forgotten. And make sure your boss knows that the woman is essential to the Earth's future." she continued without turning around, eyes still gazing at Freya. Unconsciously, Botan nodded, which somehow Genkai sensed it and went on. Freya couldn't help but chuckle slightly as she noticed all the guys becoming more irritable by the minute. Especially Yusuke, who looked like steam would have blown out of his ears if given the chance.

"And the boys will protect your sister as well. I give you my word." Freya smiled at the woman's kindness, whereas Hiei, who had been silent throughout the whole conversation, snorted and replied "To what point did we decide that all of us have to watch her? I have better things to do than to stay and baby-sit some ningen woman who can't even hardly defend herself. I'm going to look for the damn talisman." "Oh my gosh, the talisman! I completely forgot! I have to update Koenma on that!" Botan said suddenly, and made her oar appear out of thin air and flew away into the sky. Fed up with the conversation, since it was going nowhere, he began to walk out of the room, but Freya suddenly grabbed onto his arm, stopping him in his tracks. Hiei then turned and growled "What do you think you're-" "Did you just say 'talisman'?!" she interrupted, her glowing eyes widened with shock. "Yes." he said frostily, and jerked his arm away. That was when Kuwabara spoke up. "Wait, you know about the Silver Oni Talisman?!" Freya looked in his direction and nodded. "Yes. After all, my sister is its protector." It was then everyone else's turn to look surprised. "WHAT?!" all the boys shouted in confusion. Even Genkai looked shocked. "Perhaps I should explain-" "You're damn right you need to explain!" Hiei barked. Freya's eyes narrowed, then she continued on. "You see, my sister-" however, before Freya could finish her sentence, the glow surrounding her body began to flicker. Everyone blinked and rubbed their eyes to make sure they weren't seeing things.

Freya sighed, and then smiled. "I'm afraid...that my time is up for now..." she said quietly. A loud string of protests sounded through the room, causing Freya to wince slightly from the noise. "Ya can't just leave us hanging like this!" Kuwabara shouted. "Talk, you glittering pixie!!" Hiei hollered, causing Freya to snort and turn away. "Freya..." Genkai began. "I know that you want to keep your sister's origin a secret, and you're running out of time in her body, but don't you think it's a little unfair to leave the boys hanging like that?" The young woman turned around, her gaze respectful on Genkai. "I understand that you and other would naturally be upset, and I'm sorry. But, I don't have enough time to explain, I'm afraid. You see, as a ghost, I can only-" "Wait one cotton-picking minute!! You're a ghost?!?!" Kuwabara shouted again. A look of slight annoyance passed through the woman's face as she nodded. Hiei smirked. "Hn. And to think I gave the fool credit that he knew you were actually dead."

Kuwabara turned around and stomped up to Hiei, his fists in a fighting pose next to his face. "You wanna say that again short stuff?!" he challenged. Hiei smirked. "Gladly." He started, but was cut off by Genkai's "Alright, enough! Settle your disputes later! Let's hear what Freya has to say, then you may duke it out later children!" she barked, then turned back towards Freya who mouthed a 'thank you' and continued on. "Yes, well, as a ghost, I can only control my sister's body for so long before I am exorcised. Or, at least, she regains control." She then turned towards Genkai and approached her until their foreheads could have touched, they were so close. "Genkai. I knew you would look after my sister, and I just wanted to thank you for all that you have done for both of us. And the village as well." Freya smiled, and then looked down. "But...even now, as I am dead, I am still asking things of you when I have nothing to give back in return..." she trailed off.

Then, Genkai did a most unexpected thing. She reached up and gently pulled on the sides of the woman's face, bringing her eyes level with Freya's. Genkai stared deep into the glowing green eyes and replied, "Freya. It doesn't matter what you can or can't give me. I ask for nothing. I do these things for you because you're both like family to me." Freya looked up with a shocked expression, which caused Genkai to smile in amusement. "Freya. You and your sister are very precious to me. I swore to your mother that if anything serious ever happened, I would look after both of you. You and your sister are both very precious to me. I think of you both as my own daughters. Even if you or Mara hadn't asked me to watch out for her, I would have done so nonetheless. I love you both too much. Always remember that." Everyone was completely silent as Genkai pulled her hands away and stepped back.

What happened next made everyone gasp except (A/N: yep, you guessed it) Genkai. All watched as a single tear down Freya's face then changed to a snowy white feather in mid-air. Freya looked up and smiled at Genkai. Not a sad smile, like Michiru's usual one, but a genuinely peaceful smile. The reikai master smiled back and took Freya's hands in hers. "Freya. Will you...tell me one last thing before you go?" The woman nodded, the shine around her body beginning to diminish. "Yes, what is it?" Genkai was silent for a moment, and then replied, "I don't ever remember you dying. How and when did that happen?" All of the guys then fell down at that point.

Freya blinked a few times, and then chuckled. "Heh. Well, in truth, I was unfortunate enough to be under a very large boulder when it fell off a cliff." Genkai raised an eyebrow in question and all the guys sweat dropped. The young woman continued on. "My sister had originally been under it, but I pushed her out of the way at the last minute. So I was crushed instead of her!" she said, and laughed bitterly. Everyone exchanged nervous expressions, even Genkai. It seemed like several hours before anyone spoke again (although it was only a few moments). Kuwabara was the first to speak. "That sounds like a really sucky way to die..." Freya glanced at him, and then gave a slight snort that sounded like a 'hmph'. Genkai rolled her eyes, and then took the opportunity to ask Freya a final question before she returned to the Realm of Souls. "Freya. Why did you turn in your card of Life in place of hers with Death?" The spirit turned her gaze on the reikai master and replied, "Like I said earlier, she takes place in the plot of something much greater than her own life."

The glow on the girl's body had almost dimmed out at that point, so she took the last few moments to try and complete her message. "Her power and eight others will determine destiny's salvation...or destruction." With that said, the green luminescence almost went out, but Yusuke started making motions toward his mouth. Thankfully, Freya noticed. "Oh. Sorry. Let me fix that." And with that, she took her hand and made an opening motion, and then the green light shimmered and went out.

All that was left was a young woman with teal eyes instead of bright green, who was standing and blinking as was everyone else. Michiru sighed, and then started to fall forward. Fortunately, Kurama was quick enough and caught her. He then laid her down gently on the futon and looked at Genkai with an expression of puzzlement. "YES! I FINALLY HAVE MY VOICE BACK!" Yusuke shouted, but his mouth was quickly covered by Kuwabara, Genkai, and Kurama. Although too quiet to hear, right before Michiru passed out, she whispered "Freya..." Then her world went black as she fell into unconsciousness. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------- HOO-RAH!! I AM FINALLY DONE WITH THIS GOD-FORSAKEN CHAPTER!!! YES! YES! YES! I know, I have been EXTREMELY lazy lately, but I've also been EXTREMELY grounded, so it's not my fault I couldn't write. Reason for grounding? Bad grades. I got three Ds! It's not that I'm dumb or anything, I've just been slacking off, so know I'm paying for it. *sigh* Bad laziness! Bad! *bangs head with skillet*