Thank you so much for all of the feedback and for following the story up to this point! I hope you enjoy this chapter, and Happy Fourth

of July everyone. :)

Chapter Ten

"Kazuma, you seriously don't have to come with me." I told him for the dozenth time, my headache worsening every minute he was standing next to me. I couldn't talk to someone without him puffing up his chest to look intimidating. I couldn't smile at a stranger without him asking me one hundred questions of if I knew them. I couldn't even yawn without him asking if I was sleeping well or if I wanted to fall asleep on his shoulder because of course he wouldn't mind. My beloved cousin, ever the thoughtful manly man, was ready to be punched in the throat if he didn't calm down and calm down quick.

"What kind of a man would let a girl wander alone in the woods? Plus I owe Master Genkai being able to walk and stuff, so I want to say thanks." He motioned for me to get on the bus that had just opened it's doors, following me to one of the seats in the back that could hold two people. I sat next to the window, feeling Kazuma's body heat radiating into my side as he sat down and rested his hands behind his head in relaxation.

He quieted down quickly once the bus started moving, closing his eyes even to just enjoy the ride to the compound. I smiled at him, poking his cheek. He looked so much younger with his eyes closed, his face relaxed and a small smile on his lips. He frowned, opening one eye to glare at me.

"Are you finished?"

"Nope."

He rolled his eyes and closed them again, shifting to get comfortable after my invasion of his personal bubble. I chuckled, directing my attention outside once more, resting my bag between my legs. Just in case, I had brought an overnight pair of clothes, a book, a notebook, and a pencil with me. You can never be too prepared, I had learned. The scenery outside was pretty typical; large grey buildings that all looked the same and people thicker than weeds in a garden roaming the streets. I loved watching them move around, all of them lost in their own worlds, minding their own business and the younger generations talking to their friends and laughing. It was loud and obnoxious in its own right, but pleasing to be around all the same. I wouldn't trade it for the world.

I took out my book as the scenery began to change to countryside; Kazuma had told me that the busride would go through several of these scenic changes before we got to where we were going, and that meant the ride there and back alone would take up most of the day. If we were seen right away, that meant we might get back in time for supper. If not, well, I was lucky I had an overnight bag and some money for our food and lodge somewhere between here and home.

Reading turned out not to be my best decision, however, as I woke up curled into Kazuma's side. His right arm was around my shoulder, and his head was leaning toward mine. His snores were surprisingly soft, so I could only assume that he was half asleep. He was usually the loudest, most obnoxious sleeper I had ever met. I untangled myself from him gently, yawning. He would get freaked out by our being so close, and I was too tired to deal with that culture clash.

"Kazuma, I think we're almost there." I poked his side, putting my book back into my bag. He started, glancing around and yawning.

"Next stop." He rubbed the back of his head.

As the bus rolled to a stop, I admired the woods we were about to walk in. They seemed dense and adventurous, the steps leading into them promising and worn from years of people trecking up and down. How many people had come to see this Master over the years? How many people even knew where she was?

I stepped off of the bus, following Kazuma to the side so he could check his backpack one more time to make sure he brought all of his things. Like it would make a difference now that we were already here.

"-can't believe she won't train us!"

"Old hag thinks she's so great... stuck up old coot doesn't know real talent when she sees it!"

Kazuma and I stared at two men walking down the path of the woods, both in martial arts uniforms and both of them around Kazuma's height, strong. I looked to Kazuma, and he simply shook his head, looking at them again to hear them.

"'Already has a protege' my ass. Probably doesn't even remember the last time she had a student at all."

Kazuma twitched, but shouldered his backpack again and motioned for me to follow him up the steps. I rested my hands on the straps of my backpack and jogged after him, turning around and walking backwards to walk in front of him up the steps.

"So what's she like?"

"She's a powerful psychic, and really stern. But she cares about other people, even if she doesn't like to show it very much. She healed me when I competed in her tournament; I wouldn't have been able to walk right for the rest of my life if she didn't." He eyed me up suspiciously. "Why do you want to see her? You got weird spirit powers too?"

"I wouldn't say 'weird' or 'powers', really." I blushed, looked down. "I just... I see colors, feel things, when I touch people skin on skin."

He frowned, slowing to a stop and staring at me. "What do you mean you see colors?"

"I mean that you have an electric yellow energy, like lightning. It's warm, good. Like you underneath the crap you put on. I mean that Shizuru has honey orange, and feels warm and hot, and Botan is grey and persistent and happy and Shuichi is pink and cold and..." I took a breath, trying to calm down. I didn't need to lose it now of all times. "I'm sorry. I'm just... overwhelmed. I don't know what's happening, Kazuma. I feel like I'm going crazy. Everytime I touch my dancemates I'm surrounded by so many feelings and so many colors I feel sick."

He looked at his feet, seeming to think about something, before he looked over his shoulder, checking to see if anyone was there. When he figured no one was coming, he held out his hand. I rested mine in his, watching as my world was engulfed in that yellow electricity, crackling in front of me. I reached out and felt little pulses going up and down through my hand, warmth and kindness flowing through me, protecting me. Kazuma pulled his hand back from me, and put his hand on my shoulder when the world started spinning from the change.

There were no words, just a stern look on his face as he walked past me up the steps. I felt like crying, but followed him forward, tripping up the stairs twice. The compound was so deep in the mountain and the woods in it that even my feet were hurting by the time the pale stone building came into view. I felt odd going up the steps, a sort of tingling in my legs telling me to turn around and walk away. That feeling you get when there's danger. Kazuma kept walking. I swallowed, but kept following, glancing around at the woods.

The compound was a pale color, red trimming decorating it, and a traditional green roof pointed upwards that reminded me of a temple in medieval Japan. the courtyard was made of stone as well, and well kept. It was open, and large, and still gave me that vibe telling me to get out of here while I still could. It was kind of exhilarating.

Kazuma made a beeline for the door, not bothering to slip off his shoes as he cleared his throat. I followed close behind him, stopping just before I got inside, looking around. It was a large, open room, and filled with... games. Lights and noise, punching games, toggle stick games, racing games...

This... was not what I was expecting.

"Master Genkai!" Kazuma exclaimed, laughing as he walked forward to meet an old woman even smaller than I was. She was staring at him, an unamused look on her face as he blathered on about her healing him. I wasn't really paying attention. When she smiled, her face relaxing and her eyes softening just a little, I swear I could see flecks of blue so bright it was almost white dancing around her. Something was different about this place, like there was energy dancing on the air. Whatever it was, it was scaring me.

Kazuma's hand coming down hard on my shoulder brought me out of my trance, and I quickly bowed to show my respect.

"Master Genkai, this is my cousin, Gavriella Kuwabara." He introduced me. When I looked up, I saw her inspecting my small backpack and my loose clothes, that hard look back in her eye.

"I'm sorry, but you know I already have an apprentice. Young lady, you have come a long way for nothing."

"I'm sorry?"

"I've already chosen my student, trained him, and sent him on his way. I have made it perfectly clear to your cousin that I will not be taking on any other students for any reason. I'm very sorry but I'm going to have to ask you to leave."

Kazuma opened his mouth to say something, starting to walk after her as she turned but I grabbed his shoulder to silence him and hopped to get my shoes off, walking after her. I was already frustrated from the scene with Kazuma, and her brushing me off didn't help my mood. I tried calming myself, needing to be mentally sound when I spoke to her.

"Ma'am, I don't know what you're talking about. I just wanted to ask you a few questions-"

"Everyone wants something. You think you're the first person to come to this compound desiring answers for every question they have about things they know nothing about?"

"That's actually why I'm here; something's happening to me-"

"You should go home while the buses are still running. You're young, full of energy; do something productive with your time that doesn't involve pestering old women. The door is behind you, I'm sure you can show yourself out."

"Will you just LISTEN to me?!"

I stamped my foot like a child, too angry to care, causing her to come to a stop. I could hear my blood rushing in my ears, my veins beginning to swell at the heat.

"I didn't come all of this way to train under you and I didn't come because I want you to give me all of the answers for how to live my life. I came because my cousin told me you could tell me what is happening to me. I need to know what's causing this... this... accidenti!"

I bit my lip, the hot tears burning my cheeks. I swiped at them, trying to control myself, control my temper. I was acting like a spoiled child, and in front of the only person that might be able to tell me what these colors meant, what that meant for my future.

Everything was silent. I could hear Kazuma's breathing, the birds outside. The games were like screaming sirens. I took a breath and bowed again, forcing the calm to come back.

"I'm sorry. Thank you for your time. I'll be leaving now."

"Quit being so dramatic."

I jumped, my heart stepping it up three notches, and whipped around to see her staring at me, that solemn look on her face and her hands clasped behind her back.

"Throwing a tantrum for not getting your way, you must be awfully popular. It's not my job to give advice to confused teenage girls." She chuckled, every word hitting it's mark. And she knew it. "However, I could be persuaded to make an exception in your case."

I flushed. Was she for real? "What do you mean?"

"Follow me."

Kazuma stepped up beside me, his jaw clenched tight and his eyes wild with questions. I didn't imagine I looked much better. This Genkai... I swallowed hard, moving ahead of him and almost tripping on nothing in my haste to not make her wait and in an attempt in reconfigure my brain around Japanese again.

Genkai stopped in front of one of the games, a punching bag game, and handed me a boxing glove. I quirked an eyebrow and stared at her. This wasn't normal.

"Punch the target."

When she didn't add anything to that statement, and subsequently stared at me like I was a moron who was wasting her time, I strapped on the boxing glove and too my wallet out of my backpack, inserting a quarter. Here went nothing.

Translation:

Accidenti = Damnit