A/N: I know it's been awhile, but it's about time I got this posted. ^.^ Once again, reviews are greatly appreciated. So is constructive criticism. No flames please. ^.^
And now for the disclaimer...
Does not own Yu Yu Hakusho, the characters, or anything created by Yoshihiro Togashi. Saiyuki is mine. Please do not sue. ^.^ Thanks!
Day 3
I rose late that morning, because of our day off. Saiyuki of course, was already up and training with Toguro. Picking out her aura from everyone else's, I found the both of them sparring beside the stream she and I were laying beside the night before. In the safe haven of the shaded trees, I observed them. My young fire demon hybrid friend was on the defensive, until she spotted an opening and aimed a punch for his unprotected center. The force of her strike pushed her mentor backward, causing him to grunt in pain. "Good," he praised. "You're becoming much better!" Saiyuki gave a bright smile. "We'll break for now; meet me back here at noon." I observed as she bowed to him and he left. 'I know you're there, her voice filled my mind as her mind linked with mine. I jumped down from the tree I was laying in, landing near the edge of the clearing. "I'm impressed," I complimented while studying her. "You're much stronger than I thought. I was surprised when I learned that you could fight."
"Why's that?" Saiyuki's wine colored eyes met mine. I kept my gaze on her as I chose my next few words. "You seem too gentle of a person for that," I replied. "I can see you being a healer, but I could never picture you as a fighter." No, I definitely could not picture her fighting, at least not until I saw her yesterday. It had always seemed as though she needed protecting, but seeing her out in the arena, wielding that staff with such precision reminded me that she is not the child she once was, nor is she defenseless. I could see a slight smile on her face. "I
see," she commented thoughtfully.
Several hours later, the sun was beginning to set and Saiyuki and I were out on the cliffs overlooking the turbulent ocean waves crashing against the edge of the island. The moon itself smiled down upon us from the starry heavens, illuminating the darkening sky. "You seem to have been better rested than yesterday," I began, casting my attention in her direction.
"Yeah, I am."
"Are you still having nightmares?" I questioned as she sat down in the soft grass. I sat beside her, studying her. Her pretty eyes flickered to me as she responded, "Not as many," I offered a smile.
"That's good," I murmured with a sigh of relief. She moved closer to me and I felt the weight of her head rest itself on my shoulder. I glanced down as she wrapped an arm around mine. Given what I had experienced from her memories, I was shocked momentarily. Wouldn't the thought of touching another man in this manner terrify her? She gave a contented sigh as I rested my cheek against her soft hair. 'I want to protect this girl,' I thought as I closed my eyes to enjoy her presence and her willingness to be in such close contact. 'I want to take away her pain.' I began to realize that I was developing the same feelings for her as I had for someone that I had lost long ago. That day, I vowed to protect her—protect Yuna—and I wasn't strong enough.
Death ferried her spirit to the afterlife that day, leaving my world shattered. I will never let that happen again; I will be strong enough to keep Saiyuki safe.
A/N: I tend to use a line of astrisks to mark a transition to a later time or a different setting. It's saving in my original document but it isn't working when I try to save it here. Any suggestions?