Saga 7: Demons, ghosts, & goddesses
Ch.22. Please tell me...
disclaimer: (I'm getting really tired of typing this, but for legal purposes, I need to) I do not own any Yu Yu Hakusho characters except Michiru, Freya, Mara, Lulu, Osho, Jugo, Lenos, Raruna, Shadow Dark, and her sister. Amen.

As Michiru continued to wander around the yard, the day passed by quickly. Just when she had gotten down to the last rose bush, a voice behind her said "You don't have to do that, you know." Michiru jumped and gave an auditory yeep which amused Genkai, who had snuck up behind her. (A/N: Haha! I like the word 'yeep'. Itz funney...) Michiru placed a hand over her beating heart, which was speeding faster than a running cheetah. Genkai smiled, and held her hand out, which Michiru took, and helped her up.

Genkai looked around the yard in slight interest, scanning all the foliage, then turned back to the brunette who had a questioning look on her face. "You watered the entire premises?" Genkai asked in an awed voice. Michiru blinked, then smiled and nodded. "Yes. Oh...was it that...you didn't want the plants watered?" she asked, her smile fading. The old woman shook her head. "No, no. I'm just shocked that you were able to water all these plants within so short of time." Michiru smiled again. "Well, one of my duties back home was to make sure the trees and flowers had enough water." Her face then fell, as her home was mentioned. Genkai noticed as well and sighed. 'This is not going to be easy. I'm going to have to re-train her to get her senses up and working again. However...as of now...'

The reikai master looked at the young woman, who had suddenly found extreme interest in the patterns stitched into her kimono. Genkai carefully chose her words. She couldn't let her know...not yet... "Miss..." The girl looked up and gave a feeble smile, although Genkai could tell she was feeling homesick. "Will you come with me to the prayer room? I wish to discuss something with you." For a fleeting moment, Genkai could have sworn she saw panic reflect in the girl's eyes, but the next moment, they were simply sad. However, the girl nodded. She suddenly bowed, and replied "I am terribly sorry if I am a burden on you all. I will do everything I can to make it up to you..." but she was cut off when Genkai gave her hand a firm tug then began to walk to a small stone structure facing the east side of the house. Michiru blinked in confusion, then slowly began to follow her, taking care not to step on any flora.

Once they reached the small shrine, they both climbed a dozen steps or so, before entering the prayer room. Both sat down on the soft cushions that had been placed there, and were silent for a few moments. Genkai debated on what to tell the girl, while Michiru simply wondered what it was she wanted to discuss. "So...where shall we begin?" Genkai questioned, knowing very well where she wanted to start. Michiru blinked, then smiled "Well, maybe...not to sound ungrateful...or anything...but..." she lowered her head and mumbled something. Genkai sighed. This was going to be very difficult.

"Speak up child. I can't hear you." She half-barked, causing Michiru to jump slightly. The girl then gave a sigh of her own and replied quietly, "I...I really need...to be getting home soon...I'm...worried about my family..." she finished, and nervously twirled a loose strand of hair between her fingers. Genkai raised an eyebrow, then continued. "Well, of course you do. I can understand that. However..." she paused, and Michiru looked up, concern shining in her teal eyes. "You do need to stay here. Your safety is at stake." The old woman finished. Michiru stood up quickly, her whole body tense. "But I need to get back to my family! If I don't get home and protect them, the Black Nahga will kill them!"

However, Michiru suddenly realized her mistake and clapped her hand over her mouth and turned away. Again, Genkai raised an eyebrow to the previous statement. 'How could I be so stupid?!' Michiru thought silently to herself while clutching both arms. Genkai also remained quiet for a moment before replying "I think it would be best if you told me what is going on miss..." Michiru's body tensed once again, but subsided when she turned around and faced Genkai with eyes brimming with tears. "Please...I don't want to involve any of you...all I want to do is protect my family...please..." The reikai master motioned for Michiru to sit (which she did comply), and began the long list of questions she had mentally prepared for the girl.

"First of all...all of the boys have already involved themselves, secondly, they have a friend that is currently watching your house to make sure your family is alright. If anything happened, she would contact us immediately. Thirdly, we want to help you. We not only need information on the Black Nahga, but we also want to help you. It's obvious from the bruises and scars on your arms and legs that they must have done that to you. For what reason, I wouldn't know, but its completely unacceptable nonetheless. Please, let us help you. If you're willing to share information, we can make sure that the Black Nahga will never bother you or your family again." Genkai finished, then looked expectantly at Michiru, who in turn, was silent for a moment while looking at the wooden floor.

After a minute's silence, Michiru looked back up at Genkai and smiled gently. "I know...and I thank you...however...no one should...have to bear this burden...except me..." she responded quietly, and closed her eyes as if ending the discussion. Genkai, however, wasn't about to end it there. "Sometimes...people need help to bear a burden, even if they don't want assistance..." she stated, causing Michiru to open her eyes and look at the old woman. "Listen...it is NOT a sin to ask for help when you need it..." Michiru blinked, then looked down and quietly answered "Yes...but...I feel that if I did ask for aid, I would...simply be selfish..." Genkai felt a cross between a sigh and a growl coming to her throat. Why couldn't the girl understand that she was in danger every waking moment and she should have help? Genkai decided to try and steer the conversation in another direction, as that one wasn't working very well.

"So, how old are you anyway?" She questioned, causing Michiru to blink, then smile. "I am of seventeen years...". She answered quietly. Genkai nodded, then continued. "Where are you living as of right now?" Michiru grabbed a strand of hair nervously and twiddled with it for a moment before replying "O...Okayama..." Genkai then got up and took a gray teapot from a stove in the corner of the room that had been boiling and began to pour into two porcelain cups before returning to the small table and offering one to Michiru, who took it with gratitude. Genkai then began to prepare a list of questions silently while Michiru nervously sipped at her tea. As it touched her tongue, she almost began to feel relaxed. When Genkai noticed she was beginning to look a bit alarmed, she reacted quickly. "Its chamomile tea. It helps you unwind and sleep well. Good for your health in case of stress." When Michiru looked relieved, Genkai then proceeded to the next question. "So...who does your family consist of?" Michiru smiled, then replied "Well...I have a younger sister, Lulu...and a grandfather, Osho." Genkai raised an eyebrow. "A younger sister you say?" Michiru looked at her with a seemingly innocent face before replying "Of course. Are you suggesting I have an older sister?" Genkai shook her head, but in her mind, she knew the truth.

Michiru then sipped at her tea a bit more before preparing herself to ask a question of her own. Genkai could tell she wanted to speak, so she was silent for a bit. Michiru carefully placed the cup on the table, then took a deep breath and looked Genkai straight in the eyes before asking "Ma'am...I was wondering...where you had gotten that mirror..." she finished, but continued to stare into the reikai master's eyes. Genkai knew that question would come, and prepared her answer. "From...a friend. It was given to me as a gift a long time ago..." Michiru was silent for a moment, then replied "If you don't mind me asking...who...exactly?" Genkai smiled slightly. 'She's remembering...' she thought then answered "A very beautiful woman...she gave it to me to keep for a while. However..." Genkai trailed off, then shook her head. "And how, may I ask, do you recognize it?" she added, while Michiru rubbed her hands together nervously, then slowly answered "Because...that mirror...it...used to belong to...my mother..."

Genkai had to repress a chuckle at that point. "Yes, well...the woman I received it from and your mother...are you suggesting they are the same person?" Michiru took another sip of tea before anxiously responding "Well...I don't know...but what I do know is...that mirror was given to...a great warrior...she saved my life...and the lives of my people..." However, she realized she shouldn't have said that either and gave herself a mental kick. Genkai raised an eyebrow again. 'So...she's finally going to tell me...' she thought, before saying "Your people? You...you aren't human, are you?" Michiru looked down for the longest time, then slowly shook her head. Genkai was silent. 'I thought so...' the old woman reflected. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Hey there, hi there, ho there! I am REALLY sorry to all my readers about the wait! I have had writer's block for several weeks now, and believe-yous- me, its been driving me INSANE!! Which is why I went to the nuthouse for a couple of weeks gestures behind to two guys in white outfits holding a straight jacket Anyways, I'm FORCING myself to write, in hopes I can get over this stupid mental block.sigh Whadda life...I knew what I wanted to write, I just couldn't put it down in WORDS!! #%!! Anywhos, I'm gonna go write my next chapter before I lose my inspiration now. Ja ne!