Disclaimer: I own no part of Yu Yu Hakusho.
Sunlight was barely peeking over rooftops and in through Kurama's window. He stirs and slowly pushes himself to sit up in bed. Still groggy, arms stretch above his head. He felt significantly better this morning. Kurama had to admit, maybe a good night's sleep was what he needed. A full load of University courses was perhaps taking more of a toll than he thought. Still drowsy fingers rubbed sleepy eyes before continuing up through his bangs with the intention of combing through his hair. Eyes widened when his fingertips brushed against.. ears? He tossed his comforter aside and nearly fell out of bed in his haste to reach the mirror hanging on his closet door.
Damn it. Somehow he had transformed into Youko in his sleep. This has never happened before.
He takes a moment to consider his appearance in the mirror. Taller in his native demon body, night clothes were too snug and short with a silver tail poking out below the hem of his now ill fitting shorts. Narrow golden eyes and untamed silver hair crowned with pointed fox ears. Frowning, he was able to contain his overflowing youki and change back into his human form with more effort than he cared to admit. Unfortunately, with the return of his crimson hair and emerald eyes was also the return of the pressure within his chest and temples. It nearly took his breath away.
Kurama took a few deep breaths to calm himself now that he was thoroughly awake and anxious. Once he was satisfied Youko wasn't going to make any more sudden appearances, he selected a green long sleeve shirt and pair of jeans from his dresser to take to the bathroom. It was still early on a Saturday morning. His mother and step-father would be resting for a while longer and the now teenage Shuichi slept until almost noon if allowed. If he was quiet he would be able to wash up and leave without disturbing his family.
The note on the fridge read: Good morning! Meeting some friends this morning. I will be back by dinner time this evening. Tell Shuichi I will take him to see that movie tonight.
It really was a nice morning despite the layer of early spring frost covering the grass and parked vehicles, however Kurama's thoughts were too preoccupied to enjoy it. A chilled breeze had him zipping up his orange jacket and stuffing his hands in the side pockets. He was headed to Genkai's shrine in the mountains.
Was I emitting my youki all night? The house was thick with it this morning. I wonder at what point during the night I transformed. Mother checked on me sometime after I had first fallen asleep, so it was after that. Surely she would have woken me if something was amiss.
His thoughts were set aside momentarily in favor of seeking coffee, one of Ningenkai's better amenities. Makai had its fair share of stimulating beverages, but they were mostly crude, unrefined indulgences that were too potent to be enjoyed this early in the morning and still find yourself reasonable for the rest of the day. Any of the milder, more enjoyable spirits and refreshments were typically smuggled in from Ningenkai. Kurama was very fond of coffee and wistfully recalled his endeavors in a past life to obtain the beans. Making his way into one of the local coffee shops, he emerged a few minutes later with the comforting morning beverage.
Sipping slowly to avoid burning himself, Kurama allowed himself a brief moment to enjoy the warmth spreading through him. It soothed the ache behind his sternum. He briefly checked the time on his wristwatch. 7:18 am. If he hurried, he could catch the next train to make it to Genkai's place.
Kurama was the only one getting off the train at his stop. He exited the train station to walk the rest of the way to his destination, depositing his empty coffee cup in a nearby recycling receptacle on his way out. The pressure was increasing again to an uncomfortable level. Not pleased by this, Kurama quickly scanned the nearby area. Not seeing or sensing any threats, he cautiously vented the excess energy.
It really wasn't far from the station to the base of the mountain, but those stairs had never looked so daunting before. Somewhat amused, Kurama supposed the last leg of a journey was often the most difficult. With a deep inhale of preparation, he began his ascent.
He paused more than once to catch his breath on his way up the stairs. His lungs felt like they were being compressed and all of his muscles were becoming sore far more quickly than he thought should be appropriate.
I am in far better shape than this. Disgraceful. He chuckled halfheartedly to himself at the thought. Really, this was embarrassing. Finally cresting the top of the immense staircase was a relief, mildly ashamed at how winded he was from the climb.
Genkai was waiting for him in the courtyard, hands behind her back.
"About time you showed up."
"You're supposed to be the intelligent one." Genkai said flatly. She had taken Kurama inside immediately after he arrived and pushed him down on a cushion in her sitting room more forcefully than was probably necessary, demanding an explanation. Oddly, it had taken him more than a few minutes to recover from climbing the stairs before he was able to communicate his dilemma effectively.
The information he shared was alarming, really. Genkai always had tremendous respect for Kurama. That being said, for a centuries old demon known for his intelligence, he sure could be a bonehead. Genkai had been surprised this morning when she could feel the edges of a powerful demonic force approaching, more so when she realized it was emanating from Kurama. She detected the energy suddenly, then felt it slowly dissipate. It was something of a miracle he had not been attacked, slinging his youki around like holiday confetti.
Genkai considered these developments. She had been aware of his transformation during the battle with Shigure during the Makai tournament, but his well-being was threatened at the time. Small changes here and there since then. Strands of hair, eyes flashing gold. Pressure building in his chest, aching muscles. But until yesterday, he was able to manage these episodes and be discreet. Transforming in his sleep was a dramatic turn of events, and he had mentioned mild body aches. Being aware that Kurama had a habit of understating things, Genkai wondered how uncomfortable he really was and much effort it truly took to revert back to human form this morning. He gave no visible clues.
"I admit I have been.. negligent. Truthfully, I have my suspicions but I had hoped you might offer further insight," Kurama replied with a defeated smile.
At that moment, Yukina slid open the door and set down a tray with tea and cups between Genkai and Kurama. She poured one and handed it to Genkai, who mumbled her gratitude and blew across the hot drink. Yukina poured another and handed it to Kurama, who accepted politely but only held the cup in his lap.
"Can I bring you anything else, Master Genkai?" Yukina asked pleasantly. Genkai appreciated that Yukina had continued to stay at the shrine with her. She was a pleasant girl and had been extremely helpful.
Genkai sipped quietly. "No, we are fine. Would you sweep out front?"
Yukina acquiesced without complaint, leaving the room. She seemed to enjoy the small tasks around the shrine. In truth, Genkai knew this matter was very personal to Kurama and did not want any intrusion. So she had sent the girl out. Kurama wouldn't mind if Yukina was present, but it was simpler to have this difficult conversation kept between the two elder individuals for now. She scowled inwardly at how someone could be as old as Kurama without being elderly was infuriating.
Genkai raised a thin gray eyebrow when Kurama set his tea back down on the tray, untouched. Her expression softened a fraction. Generally unflappable, Kurama would have seemed as composed as ever had Genkai not had an experienced eye for subtler cues. He typically did not allow himself to give others insight to his true feelings, surely a very old habit he developed to protect himself. Not normally one to dwell on things, Kurama was clearly having difficulty processing this new reality so he was seeking confirmation and counsel. Granted, his case was unique from all perspectives, so any insight she could provide should be taken with a grain of salt.
"It seems like you already know what's happening, bu-" Genkai was cut off by familiar shouting. This time she scowled outwardly. Not the distraction she needed right now.
"Yukina, baby!"
Genkai thought she felt her eyelid spasm.
Genkai's eye still twitching, she rolled her eyes as two teenagers crashed through her door as tactlessly as ever. Shouting.
"Grandma!" Yusuke exclaimed boorishly. "Hey Kurama."
"Watch it, Dimwit." Genkai mumbled into her tea.
Kurama managed a pleasant wave. "Hello."
"Yukina told us to come on it. Didn't realize you were on spring break too, Kurama. Its good to see ya, man!" Kuwabara was thrilled that his teammate, if former, was home for a little while. He missed hanging out with everyone.
"Yeah, dude, how have you been?" Yusuke added, he and Kuwabara each finding seats on either side of Kurama and Genkai.
"I am doing well, thank you. Just busy with University classes, really." Genkai took note of how Kurama omitted travelling back to the demon plane between classes.
"I think you've been busier than that, " She offered wryly.
Kurama grinned sheepishly. "Among other things. You two appear to be doing well."
After two of her other dimwits had barged in on her private conversation with Kurama, Genkai had managed to keep Kuwabara from dragging Yukina inside, she supposed at this point any hope of keeping their discussion any level of confidential was lost.
Kuwabara's high school was also on spring break and Yusuke had the weekend off from the Yukimura's restaurant. For the life of her, Genkai could not understand how two eighteen year old boys had nothing better to do on a Saturday than bother an old lady. She had to smile though. They might be idiots, but they were her idiots.
For the sake of hopefully finishing their discussion, Kurama and Genkai summarized their conversation after exchanging greetings and pleasantries. Yusuke and Kuwabara only looked marginally confused. Kurama had to chuckle.
"I thought you were a half demon kinda like Urameshi." Kuwabara said, jabbing his thumb in Yusuke's direction. Yusuke shrugged, grinning.
Genkai rolled her eyes, having just had this conversation, but Kurama humored his friend,"That would indicate a mixed human and demon parentage at some point in my lineage. As it happens, I am a full blooded demon. I inhabited this body nineteen years ago. It has since merged with my demon soul and will eventually be completely overtaken. Sooner rather than later at this rate, I'm afraid."
"... Oh." Kuwabara said quietly. He and Yusuke both now appeared to comprehend fully, faces full of trepidation at the implications. Kurama's attachment to his mother was no secret.
Kurama was thankful that Yusuke broke the tension.
"Well, all this thinking is making me hungry. Who wants lunch?"
Looking at his watch, Kurama realized he had been talking with Genkai longer than he had thought. Not particularly hungry, he probably would still benefit from a break.
"Sure, Yusuke." Kurama agreed with a weak smile. The pressure in his chest was beginning to increase again.
Genkai had clearly had enough. "Good. The three of you should go. Take Yukina with you." Not as young as she used to be, a break from such heavy subjects was welcome.
She locked eyes with Kurama. "You can't run from this anymore, Kurama. You need a plan."
"I fear you are right. Thank you for your counsel, Master Genkai. I'll be in touch." Kurama stood up stiffly, nodding his appreciating to Genkai.
A/N: I want to thank everyone who took the time to read and review the first chapter. I certainly hope you enjoyed chapter 2 as well. Hopefully everyone is pretty in-character. Probably 1 or 2 more slow chapters after this before we get a little action if I manage to stick to my outline. The next chapter will probably go up tomorrow, it was written in conjunction with this one so its almost complete.
So, real quick, I figure this is the school year after Yusuke returned from Makai. The anime isn't clear on an exact timeline. If Yusuke was 17 or 18 when he came back, then its easy to think the first Makai tournament was maybe a year or so before that. So for my purposes I am assuming its been approximately 2 years since the Makai tournament and this is sandwiched nicely between the first tournament and the upcoming one. Shuichi Minamino is 19.
Also, did anyone else find it weird that when Yoko appears, his clothes change? I like the idea that his human clothes are inconvenient when he transforms, hence his loose fighting fighting uniforms.