Disclaimer: I don't own Yu Yu Hakusho. If I did, I wouldn't have to write fan fics!
Lingo
"Blah" Talking
'Blah' mind talking/ talking in your head, someone quoting someone else directly, or a title of someone that someone else is talking about.
Blah thinking
Chapter 2: Over the River and Through the Woods, to Genkai's House We Go.
Dream
Tara stood in a frosty winter forest, wearing a burgundy coat that fell to her feet and a black scarf that was just as long. Where am I now? This looks different from the usual dream. Tara turned in a wide circle, causing her scarf to kick up a cloud of snowy powder. She began to wander through the new dream universe touching every tree trunk as she walked by.
This is so weird. Normally I'm a wolf and I would have heard a howl by now. Suddenly she came across a clearing. In the center, a large black wolf stood looking at the sky. Tara stopped in mid-step. The large wolf swung its head to regard the girl with indifferent blue eyes.
'What are you doing, wandering in the cold? You are a silly little whelp'.
"I beg your pardon? I am not a whelp. I am 16 and a half years old thank you very much". The large wolf pounced on Tara, lip raised in a silent snarl. Tara's eyes widened to dinner plates.
'You are a whelp in my eyes. Do not disrespect your elders, pup!'
"I'm sorry!" With that said, the wolf got off of her quickly and shook his thick, midnight fur clear of any snow. Tara stood and dusted herself off. She turned to the wolf and opened her mouth to speak. "Do you have a name. I don't want to have to call you IT for the rest of the time being."
"My name is Nightstalker" the wolf growled out loud. "I am going to continue talking in mind speak though."
"What's 'mind speak'?" Tara looked at the wolf, confused. The wolf fixed his icy gaze on her.
'This is mind speak. It is where one communicates with another through the mind instead of through the mouth. No more questions! For now you have to go. Remember: keep your ears up and your nose to the wind. Just howl when you need help and I'll come. Good-bye Little One'. The large wolf disappeared into the wind.
End Dream
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"Tara, time for school" Mrs. Kaita yelled from down stairs. (AN: I don't know any good last names so I just randomly made one up. Please don't laugh at it. BTW-This is Tara's mom!) Tara, who currently lay under her large black blankets and only seen as a lump in the middle of the bed, shot up out of the covers.
"Holy crap! I got school today. Damn that sucks." She ran to the bathroom and jumped into the shower.
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Tara ran out the door and onto the sidewalk. "Bye Mom" she yelled. She wore blue jean flares with a chain dangling from the pocket. Her shirt was a bright yellow tee that had a black phoenix on the front with a sword clamped in its claws and said "Dare to live, Dare to love, Dare to laugh, and Dare to die" in blood red ink on the back. Her shoes were black converses (chucks!) with acid green laces. Around her wrist was a black leather bracelet with a rose design imprinted on the band.
"Great! Today is just not my day" Tara said as she tied her long hair into a pony tail. She ran as fast as she could towards the nearing school. Just as she arrived at the stairs to the front, the late bell rang. Damn it! So much for grand entrance. She walked to the office.
"Oh, I guess you're Tara" a lady said from behind the front desk. She had short black hair and was wearing a typical secretary outfit, knee-length black skirt, matching white top and a black and white sweater. A name tag said that her name was Mrs. Yaruka. "Well here is your schedule and books you'll need. To get to your first class, just walk straight down that hall and the third class on your right will be it" Mrs. Yaruka said, pointing to the hall across from the office.
"Thanks" Tara said as she grabbed her stuff and left. Great, now what did she say about my class. Oh, here it is. Knowing from experience with picky teachers, Tara politely rapped on the door with her knuckles.
A large, portly man opened the door. "Ah, you must be the new student. Come on in. My name is Mr. Haikata." He stepped back and to the side to let Tara in. Does every damn teacher know about me! Geeze.
As she passed the threshold of the door, all eyes turned towards her and the room buzzed with the silent excitement radiating off the student body.
"So tell us about yourself Ms..."
"My name is Tara. I like rock and roll. I like wolves and dogs. I hate sluts, players, and people who don't know how to act right. I know Tae Kwon Do, so don't mess with me. I'm a pyromaniac and I like solitude. Don't try to be my friend cause I don't need any. That's pretty much it." Tara turned to the empty seat in the back of the room and walked to it. As she sat down, she grabbed out her blue Ipod and slid her headphones on.
The class was dead silent as she did this. Coughing to draw their attention, the teacher began his lesson on DNA.
"Damn she's a little firecracker!" A boy with black hair and a green jump suit said, nudging our very own Shuichi. "I'm glad Keiko forced me to come to class today, huh Kurama."
"Yeah sure Yusuke." She seems different today.
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Brrrrrriiiiiiiiinnnnnngggg! The bell signaled the end of class.
"Remember to turn in your essay about DNA mutations in on Thursday!" Tara walked out the door. Just as she got about 5 feet away, an arm latched onto her wrist. Tara spun around, ready to attack the owner of the stray arm and stopped, staring into familiar green eyes.
"Shuichi! What the hell! You gave me a heart attack. Please don't sneak up on me like that."
"Sorry. I just thought you wouldn't hear me if I yelled so I did the next best thing. What's with the attitude? When I last met you, you were all nice and...well, girly."
"I was just doing that for my mom. Hate to burst your bubble, but this is the true me." Suddenly, the green suited boy called Yusuke jumped into the conversation.
"Hey Kurama! Care to introduce me?"
"What? Who's Kurama? Shuichi, what is this guy babbling about?" Kurama and Yusuke's faces both turned to a sour look.
"Oh it is just a silly nickname. Don't worry. This is Yusuke. Yusuke, this is Tara. Her mom was college roommates with her mom."
"Nice to meet you Tara."
"Whatever, just don't mess with me." Tara turned and walked off down the now empty hall. She barged out of the doors at the end and ran towards the forest behind the school. (AN: I changed the way the school and people are cause I need it to fit my story so hope ya don't mind!)
Good. I lost them. Now I can meditate. I seriously need to learn some people skills though. Tara sat down under a large Sakura tree that was full of tiny pink blossoms. Crossing her legs, she rested her hands on her knees and closed her eyes.
Breathe in...Breathe out...Clear the mind. Her breaths slowed to far from normal as a chilly gust of air knocked several petals from the tree. Unbeknownst to her, another set of eyes watched her still figure. Purple eyes regarded her form with something close to fatherly love. Suddenly, the mysterious figure's pointed elf-like ears picked up someone's steps on the sun dried ground.
Shuichi strolled through the woods, trailing Tara. I hope that she is ok. He abruptly sensed a demon's ki and picked up his pace. Damn that girl for running off. God I hope she's ok or else Genkai'll kill me for not bringing her over sooner. Shuichi skidded to a halt as Tara came into view. Oh thank God! Shuichi silently walked over to where the living statue was sitting.
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Meditation state
Tara felt something large in front of her, but she couldn't see. Black fog swirled around her. Where am I? This has never happened before. Swiftly, Nightstalker appeared.
'Hello young kit, how are you?'
'A little worried. This has never happened to me before when I meditated. Why now?'
'Your true form is awakening. Seek the old one at the top of the mountain. She can guide you.'
'What do you mean? I'm tired of these silly riddles. Say what you mean!' Nightstalker growled at the angry girl as she yelled at him.
'You must walk before you run. Learn patience. I shall see you later whelp.'
'Bye Nightstalker.'
End State!
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Tara opened her eyes and saw Shuichi looking at her funny.
"What are you looking at?"
"Nothing. I've just never seen someone able to meditate for so long, except Genkai and Hiei."
"Who and Who?"
"Just some friends of mine. I would like to take you to Genkai though."
"Now!"
"Yes." Shuichi stood up and offered Tara a hand. She grasped it and Shuichi tugged. Apparently he did it too hard because Tara crashed into him and he had to pretty much wrap his arms around her to keep them both from falling. His arms had wound around her waist and her hands were planted on his chest.
"Sorry. I guess I don't know my own strength." Shuichi said, blushing. A slight rosy color bloomed on Tara's face as she realized how awkward of a position they were in. She stepped back and began walking towards the school.
"Are you going to show me where this friend of yours lives or am I going to have to guess" she shouted over her shoulder. Shuichi had to run to catch up.
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"How. Long. Do. We. Have. To. Walk." Tara panted as Shuichi continued to walk down the trail that they had been on for an hour already. Shuichi turned to look at the exhausted girl.
"If your tired we can rest or I could just carry you." Tara stood straight.
"There is no way your carrying me!" Shuichi walked over to her and threw her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. Tara squirmed in his grip and pounded her fists on his back.
"Put me down now!"
"No. I don't want you passing out before we get to Genkai's." Growling, Tara crossed her arms and pouted. They walked like this for another half hour before Shuichi stopped. Tara turned her head as best as she could and was surprised to see a very large river winding across their path.
"How are we supposed to cross that?" Tara said as the boy set her down.
"Well, I am sure there is a bridge around here..." Shuichi's sentence was cut short by a loud splash. He turned to see Tara swimming across the rapids. She'll never make it all the way, unless she was in demon form. However, he was shocked to see her begin to reach the shore on the opposite side. Suddenly she slipped on the muddy slope and went under the foaming white rapids. Damn! Kami please don't let her drown. Shuichi dove into the water and gasped at the temperature.
"For it to be early fall, it is really cold." He unexpectedly saw Tara's head pop up 5 ft. from where he was. He paddled over to her and saw she was barely holding her own against the pounding water.
"Tara, hang on!" Shuichi shouted over the roar of the rapids. Tara turned glossed over eyes to the boy that was now grabbing on to her waist. Shuichi began dragging her over to the shore and managed to find a less slippery slope. He pulled Tara and himself out of the water. Tara lay limply on the slippery grass. Shuichi gasped for air and glanced over at her.
"Tara, are you ok?"
Coughing, she turned her head to face the boy and smiled. "I'll live." She sat up to prove her point.
"Don't do stupid things like that again, ok? Your mom would kill me if anything happened to you." Tara glared at Shuichi.
"Why? I thought I could make it and I would've if I hadn't slipped."
"Never mind. We should continue to Genkai's. I fear there is going to be a storm soon." Tara and Shuichi stood up and the boy continued to lead the way to the temple that was now in sight.
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Tara gazed up the large staircase in awe. She was too mystified to realize that her companion was waiting for her to follow him.
"Tara, are you coming?" Snapped out of her thoughts, Tara trudged up the stairs after Shuichi. The two of them walked up the stairs for what seemed like hours. Suddenly Tara squeaks in delight and flies past the boy. (AN: not literally geeze! lol)
"Come on pokey! I see the top of the stairs" After hearing this, Shuichi picked up his pace.
As the two teens topped the stairs, a mysterious voice called out to them.
"Welcome Kurama. I see you've brought a friend with you." Tara searched the room only to have her eyes land on a short, pink-haired woman who looked old enough to be her great-grandmother.
"What is with everyone calling him Kurama? His name is Shuichi!" Tara shouted at the old woman.
"Sit down Child! Apparently Kurama and Yusuke didn't tell you, so I guess I'll have to." The lady beckoned to a nearby table and chair set. Tara plopped down in the seat and glared at the bossy lady.
"My name is Genkai. I'm sure Kurama hasn't told you what I really am, has he?" Tara shook her head and cast a suspicious look at the boy. "Well, I am a psychic. Your friend here is not really Shuichi. He is really the famous thief kitsune, Yoko Kurama. Several years ago he was almost killed, but he hid himself inside the body of a ningen baby, meaning he was inside a human baby. That baby grew into Shuichi Minamino. That is who stands next to you now."
Tara stood up and backed away fearfully. "That can't be. Demons don't exist. How can I believe you?" Genkai raised a hand for silence. She stood up and walked over to the terrified girl and stared into Tara's amber eyes.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. I don't know what lies you've been told, but they are wrong. You yourself are a demon. A very rare and powerful one at that. A wolf demon. One who is related to the infamous 'Shyrikon of the White Desert'. I am surprised you don't know your own heritage." (AN: I am making this up as I go so please don't laugh! And I am now going to refer to Shuichi as Kurama for simplicity's sake!)
Kurama's eyes widened when he heard the name Shyrikon. The infamous wolf demon ruled the white tundra that was out of the northern ruler of Makai's border. He was known to be a ruthless, bloodthirsty demon with fur that was as dark as the midnight sky and red eyes that were just as cold! There is no way she is related to him! I can't believe that.
"You're joking right. Shuichi, please tell me this is one big joke." Kurama sadly shook his head.
"I'm sorry Tara, but we're not kidding."
"To prove we aren't, Kurama, Please change form." Kurama slowly changed from the kind looking red head to the fierce looking Yoko Kurama. Fangs poked out from his lip, a long silver tail wrapped behind him, hair turned to silver, and his eyes turned colder. Tara took one glance at the stranger and took off running. "Tara, wait!" Kurama changed back and ran after the fleeing girl.
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Tara ran through the woods, thorns digging into her arms, legs, and face. I can't believe him. This isn't fun anymore. Now I don't know what to think. Damn him for dragging me into this mess! I don't even know if I can call him Shuichi anymore. Tara's thoughts came to a halt as she crashed into a short, black haired man with a white starburst in the middle. (AN: 2 guessed as to who it is!)
"Stupid ningen onna! Watch where you're going." He stood up to look at the fallen over girl while dusting himself off.
"What! Why don't you watch where you're going shrimp!" The stranger glared daggers at Tara and pushed her to the ground with a hand wrapped around her neck as a katana came out of nowhere to point at her neck.
"Insolent little whelp! You will watch how you talk to me." Suddenly something inside Tara's mind snapped. Her eyes went from fearful to blazingly angry. With some unknown strength, she threw the man into a nearby tree trunk and stood over him.
"Don't ever call me a whelp!" With that, she turned and continued running from her original pursuer.
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"What are you doing on the ground Hiei?" The short fire demon glared upside-down at Kurama.
"Some little ningen threw me with godly strength!" Kurama looked incredulously at Hiei.
"No, seriously. What happened."
"I'm telling you the truth. I didn't expect it so here I am. The girl had the strangest aura and the weirdest amber eyes."
"That was Tara. She took off after Genkai tried to tell her what she really is. I'm trying to get to her before she gets too far." Kurama began running in the direction he was heading before he found Hiei.
"Well, are you going to tell me more" Hiei shouted after the boy.
"Go to Genkai. She'll explain" the red head shot over his shoulder.
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Tara continued to run. Unbeknownst to her, tears glided down her cheeks. All of a sudden, she just stopped. Where am I? She glanced around only to see everything was bathed in a gloomish red light. Looking at the sky, Tara saw it was blood red.
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Kurama stopped in front of the portal to Makai. She didn't come through here did she. Shit! She doesn't have any idea of what danger she's in now. Kurama ran through the portal and sniffed the air for Tara's scent. Once found, he began to follow it throughout the Makai woods.
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Damn! I have no idea where I am and I can't shake the feeling that something is following me. Tara whipped her head around as she heard a twig crack behind her. She walked faster as she heard another snap. What's out there? Oh Kami! I hope that it isn't hungry.
Tara came across a clearing as she sped away from her mysterious hunter. She stopped short, seeing a very familiar, very large black wolf in the middle.
"Nightstalker! I'm so glad to see you" Tara cried as she ran towards the wolf.
"Do you know what danger you have put yourself in?" Nightstalker snarled with ivory fangs glistening. Tara stopped in front of him. The wolf pounced on the girl and placed his heavy paws on her shoulders. "You've just waltzed right into Makai! You could've been killed. You are such a silly kit!" The wolf continued to grumble to himself.
"Are you done fussing cause if you are, I would like to breathe" Tara said quietly. The wolf walked off of Tara and sat with his tail wrapped around his feet. Tara sat up and looked at her moody friend.
"So...What's so dangerous about this place?" Nightstalker snorted.
"What's so dangerous is that this is the demon world. You could easily be killed."
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Kurama caught scent of Tara again, but he realized it was drenched in fear-smell too. Quickly he called out hoping to find her.
"Tara! Tara, where are you?"
Damn that girl for running into Makai. I swear she is like a child sometimes. Kurama began searching nearby bushes, praying for his mom's friend's daughter to be alright.
Out of nowhere, a blood curdling scream echoed through the forest. That was Tara! Kurama ran toward where he thought it originated.
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"Tara, get behind me" Nightstalker growled as he faced the large demon in front of him. The demon had thick, purple skin and claws covered in what Tara hoped wasn't blood. Yellow fangs poked out from his upper lip.
"Move old dog or I'll gladly wipe you from this earth" The demon said in a raspy, deep voice. Nightstalker laughed a wolf-laugh.
"I'd like to see you try dung face!" At that moment the lizard-like man sent a blade of light at the wolf. Dodging it, Nightstalker pushed Tara out of the way of a second blade.
Tara just watched as her friend battled the demon. Horrified, she saw the wolf get tossed against a tree and watched his body slump to the dirt. The demon advanced on the terrified girl and raised his claws as if to strike. Tara closed her eyes, waiting for the blow to land.
After a few seconds, she opened her eyes to see what happened and saw Kurama holing back the hand with a whip made from a rose. In one flick of his wrist, the whip changed to shred the demon into pieces, spattering the ground with greenish blood.
"You alright Tara" Kurama asked while crouching down to be eye level with the girl. Tara only launched herself into the boys chest, sobbing. Kurama, not really knowing what to do, just carefully wrapped his arms around the girl. He realized that the girl was quivering so bad it made him shake as well.
"Come on. Let's get you out of here." Kurama picked the girl up bridal style as she wrapped her arms around his neck to keep from falling.
"Kurama" Tara asked in a trembling voice.
"Yes?"
"What was that horrible thing?" Kurama looked down at the girl in his arms.
"It was a demon. One of many that live in Makai. Not all are like him. Some are nice. Most are mean though."
"Are they all that ugly?" Kurama, after hearing this, chuckled.
"No. I am a demon. I hope you don't think I am that ugly."
"Goodness no. If you were, I wouldn't have let you come near me. You know, I can walk on my own now."
Kurama set the girl back on her own two feet. "We should leave now." Tara looked up at him and smiled, sending shivers down the boy's spine. What are you doing to me Tara?
"Ok! Sounds good to me. I'm getting hungry." Tara and Kurama walked together and out of Makai.
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"So Hag, you are telling me that I was tossed into a tree trunk by Shyrikon's daughter. Well that is interesting." Hiei leaned against a wall in Genkai's house. His red eyes glared at the old lady as she answered his question.
"Yes Hiei, I am. She is more powerful than you think."
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Kurama and the girl stopped as they noticed that their path was blocked by two demons. One had black hair and grey dog ears sat on top of his head. The other had blonde hair with light tan dog ears. Both were wearing black-blue armor with silver spikes sticking out of the shoulders.
"Hello Princess Tarasri. Your father sends his regards." The black-haired demon said as the two of them bowed to the confused looking girl.
"What are you talking about? I'm no princess. And my name is Tara." The blonde stepped forward.
"Oh, but you are. Your true name is Tarasri. Sadly, that treacherous witch hid your true form. We're here to bring it back. Lazan, hold the boy." The black-haired one called Lazan disappeared, only to reappear, holding Kurama down on the grass. The blonde pulled out a needle filled with a bluish-purple liquid and grabbed Tara.
"What are you doing? Let me go." Tara squirmed in his grasp.
"Let her go! She didn't do anything to you" Kurama yelled out as he tried to get free.
"Relax. It won't kill you, hopefully" the blonde whispered into Tara's ear as he stuck the needle into her neck. After injecting the odd mix, he pulled the needle out and both of the strangers disappeared.
Tara slumped forward as Kurama caught her. "We have to get you to Genkai's. Don't worry Tara." Kurama picked her up and sprinted towards the old temple.
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"Is that what happened?"
"Yes." Genkai's face turned grave as Kurama replied.
"Then this is serious. Put her on the bed. I will do the best I can. She is morphing into her true demon form and it isn't exactly painless."
"Will she live?"
"If she is as strong as she seems, then she might."
Kurama set Tara down on the bed nearby. The girl writhed in pain and her face was covered in sweat.
"Please hold on Tara. Please."
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Dun Dun Dunnnnnnnnnnnnn!
SGK: Another cliffy! Sorry it took so long to update! I had major writers block. Smashes block with a large mallet But it left on vacation!
Aya: You should dye your hair blonde.
SGK: What's that supposed to mean?
Aya: rolls eyes Anyway... Read and Review!