I know, I made Youkos horn-dogs. Oh well, I had fun. I worked in some sparing and left it open for a bit more⦠maybe. Reviews rock, thanks.
Standard disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho.
'Thoughts'
/Current aspect speaking to dormant aspect./
/Dormant aspect speaking to current aspect./
Chapter 15
Sensing strong demon energies, Kenji entered his uncle's compound cautiously. The sight before him made him stop and stare in awe.
Long black hair flew around the two demons as they fought. Kenji watched as they dodged and blocked then quickly attacked. Yokuro tried to use the speed Hiei taught him to gain the advantage over the more experienced Kuronue.
Yokuro took to the air just as Kuronue's scythe sailed past him. Diving in for his attack, his sword struck only the air where Kuronue had once stood. Yokuro turned to see his Dad standing with an arm across Kenji's shoulders.
"What do you think Kenji, do you want a shot at the boy?" Kuronue grinned at his son.
Kenji smiled at his cousin's frustration as he answered. "Sounds like fun Uncle Kuro but I can't. Uncle Koenma has a mission for me. I thought with Shina gone Yokuro might like to join me."
Yokuro couldn't hide his excitement as he joined them. "Hell yes I want to go! But Dad, what about you? That would leave you here alone."
Kuronue thought a moment. /I know he's grown and we need to let him go Hiei but do you think he's ready/
/We trained him well Kuro. We have to let go./ Kuronue nodded and sighed.
"Yokuro, if this is what you want I won't stop you. Besides I'm not alone, remember I have an annoying fire demon to keep me company." Kuronue smiled.
/I'll get you for that you stupid Bat/
Before Kuronue could change his mind, Yokuro had cleaned up, given Kuronue a quick hug, and left with Kenji. /Nothing better happen to him Hiei because I'll make you tell Kurama and Shina./
/Kenji is Yusuke's kid. Scary as it sounds, he'll make sure our boy doesn't get in too much trouble./
Kurama and Shina found Saeko working in her garden early the next morning. She was a silver Youko, slender and about Shina's height but older. Shina would never have guessed how old if she had not heard Kurama yesterday. When Saeko saw them she stood and cocked and ear in Kurama's direction. "I heard you were back Boy. It took you long enough to come see me."
Kurama went forward and kissed her cheek. "It's been a long time Saeko. I see you're still as lovely as ever."
Saeko playfully slapped him away. "You always were a flirt. That your kit there Boy?"
He put an arm around Shina who was somewhat amused at her Foxie-Mama being called Boy like an errant child. "Saeko I'd like you to meet my daughter Shina. Shina this lovely lady would be Saeko, an old friend and teacher of mine. I came here to learn how to strengthen my powers when I was just a little older than you. Her son Eljin is the most powerful plant manipulator in the territory."
A look of sadness crossed Saeko's face. "He was the most powerful Boy. Eljin died years ago. He would be proud to know that you hold his title now. I seem to recall he was quite infatuated with you back then. Now let's have a look at this kit of yours."
She stepped forward and took Shina by the chin. "She's lovely Boy. Do I know her mother?"
Kurama and Shina looked at each other and began laughing. They accepted her invitation for tea and told her their story and the reason for their visit.
When they finished Kurama could see sadness in her eyes. "Saeko, are you all right?"
He almost thought she would begin crying as she looked at Shina. "I'm not sure Boy. Perhaps after I tell the two of you a story of my own you can tell me."
Their curiosity was peeked as she began. "About ten years after you left here, Eljin came across a young woman in the forest a few miles west of here. She had been beaten and her hands were tied. She wore strange clothes and spoke a strange language. We cared for her secretly since she was an outsider. Several weeks went by before she learned enough of our language for her to tell us her story. Her name was Rebecca and she was human. She came from a place she called Salem and had somehow fallen threw a portal as she ran for her life. Apparently in her world humans don't have powers the way we do. Anyone exhibiting such powers were executed."
Kurama interrupted her. "They were called the Salem Witch Trials. I read about them in school when I was human."
Saeko nodded. "Yes that is what she said they called her, a witch. Rebecca had psychokinetic abilities much like the powers you say Shina has."
Shina's couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Do you think I could be related to Rebecca somehow? What happened to her? I'm only eighteen, as a human she would have died long before I was born."
Saeko cupped Shina's cheek with her hand. "Eljin fell in love with her and took her away from here. He returned a few years later without her. She never fully recovered after the birth of their daughter. Rebecca died when Toshi was just three years old. Eljin brought her here for me to raise. He couldn't bear to see her after Rebecca's death so he left and never returned. I received word years later that he had died, I believe from a broken heart. Toshi was an adorable silver kit. Physically she resembled my son but she had Rebecca's quiet, gentle nature and psychokinetic ability. Rebecca's powers were not very strong but Toshi's powers combined with Eljin's demon energy were very strong."
Kurama took Saeko's hand as she continued. "Twenty years ago a black male named Rollin began courting Toshi. She thought he was wonderful and that he would protect her. She had her mother's gentle nature and had resisted my efforts to teach her to protect herself. After only a few weeks he had marked her and his true nature was revealed. We were always very secretive about her powers, afraid someone might try to exploit them. Somehow he found out about them. He was a thief and wanted to use her to help him steal. I tried to prevent him from taking her but he used her powers against me. I never saw her again."
There were tears in Shina's eyes, her ears flattened back. "Toshi was my mother wasn't she? I've always known about my natural mother but she never seemed quite real. Now that she has a name and after listening to you talk about her it makes me sad."
Saeko smiled. "I was thinking the exact opposite. After meeting you and knowing my son and granddaughter live on in you, it makes me happy."
Shina smiled through her tears and hugged her great grandmother. "You don't have to be alone anymore either. You have me and all of my family now. You will come and meet my family won't you? Especially Yokuro, Daddy and Kuro-Daddy."
Saeko chuckled at Shina's excitement. "Perhaps I will come meet them. I have to make sure they are taking good care of you but who is Yokuro?"
Shina smiled and blushed. "Technically Yokuro is Kuro-Daddy's grandson but we have been raised as brother and sister. When we get home I hope he's going to make me his mate."
Concerned Saeko looked to Kurama. "Are you sure you can trust him with our Shina Boy? I wouldn't want her to repeat her mother's mistakes."
Kurama reassured her beginning with explaining about he and Hiei having two aspects. "As Shina said, Yokuro is my mate Kuronue's grandson. Four years ago he came to live with us as our son and Shina's brother. Yokuro and Shina have loved each other since they first met. He would never harm her. We trust him with her life."
Shina looked at Kurama surprised. "Mama, you knew how Yokuro and I felt all this time?"
Kurama nodded to Shina before continuing. "Between Hiei, Kuronue, Shuuichi and myself, Shina has been raised by four very protective males. She started training with us when she was two years old. Using her powers she can evade and disarm any opponent. Even without powers she can defend herself. We trained her to fight and use many styles of weapons, her weapon of choice being daggers. She fought beside me coming here and is quite deadly with them."
Saeko seemed satisfied. "It sounds like you've done a good job Boy, but I still might come see for myself. You didn't mention her Youko powers though."
"She doesn't seem to have any. I've tried for years to bring them out but with no success." Kurama smiled at Shina.
Saeko held her hand out to Shina. "Come here Girl. It took almost a hundred years before Toshi showed any sign of being a plant manipulator but she never wanted them so she wouldn't try. Shina does have powers, I can feel them. While you're here I'll help you try to bring them out."
Shina ran to hug Kurama, her tail wagging excitedly. "Did you hear that Foxie-Mama? I'm going to be able to talk to your plants like you do. I can't wait to tell Yokuro, Daddy and Kuro-Daddy."
Laughing Saeko shook her head. "Boy it's a good thing you're so pretty, or her calling you Mama would really sound funny."
