Chapter Three: Troubled and Alone

Later that day, Kohaku had pulled herself together and went outside to calm herself down by training like she always did. Her mind was jumbled as she was practicing against an imaginary enemy, being unable to tell anyone that Hades was trying to break her into submission was killing her from the frustration and worry building within her. In her head, she silently tried to figure out how to let the others know what was going on without saying anything at all. Just trying to think of it was nerve-wracking.

'My poor, strong-willed goddess… You should just give in to temptation so this isn't hard on you any more. Being a saint who protects that wretched Athena will only hurt you more then you should be treated.' Hades tried to talk her into listening, his image appearing next to her only to get a windmill kick through the head and almost make his astral form vanish for a moment.

'Sorry, but I'll have to turn your offer down. I was trained to be loyal to Athena and protect her, not even the fact that I'm a goddess myself will change that. So do us both a favor by leaving me alone, by going away and go back to hell, Hades! I got training to do and you're not part of it.' Kohaku retorted back, closing her eyes as she began to perform tai chi and try to ignore him. Although her eyes were closed, she could still feel his eyes starring at her, making her concentration falter a little.

'Don't you know what 'go away' even means, Hades?'

'I know what it means, but I won't since if I do, then I wouldn't have you. So, I won't go back unless you're coming with me.' He chuckled a little, only pissing her off.

"I TOLD YOU TO GO AWAY!" She yelled out as she suddenly punched her fist into a tree that was behind her, landing it next to a scared Hyoga's head and snipping a few strands of his hair off from the impact.

"Y-you didn't have to yell and try to attack me, Kohaku…! I was only going to tell you that lunch is ready." Kohaku then quickly pulled her hand away, starring shocked at what she just did.

"Shit…! Hyoga, I'm really sorry! I'm just really stressed out because of everything. I didn't mean to attack you like that!" He then nodded as he pulled away a little from her, still kind of panicked about how she just yelled out and tried to attack him.

"So why exactly did you say that? I'm not after you anymore, remember?"

"Um… Well, I… I thought you were one of the silver saints or someone else. I'm sorry, I'm just really stressed out."

"Right, let's just go inside and eat… Maybe you should spend some time with Shun or take a nap."

"NO!" She yelled out then gulped when he looked at her in confusion.

"Um… I mean, no but thanks for the offer of napping. I'm not tired so I think it'll be better if I just continue my training after I get something I eat." Kohaku explained with a weak smile, trying not to let him see that something was bothering her.

'How annoying… You didn't do anything but cut a little hair off with that punch. You should've hurt him.'

'Shut up, Hades! He's my friend and was originally my crush when I was younger.'

'Then why didn't you enjoy yourself with him, Persephone…? It would be a one-time fling and then I'll take you back so that we can finish where we started back in the underworld.'

'No chance! And what do you mean by 'we'? THERE IS NO 'WE' BETWEEN US!' Hades then chuckled softly and wrapped his arms about her in his astral form.

'Really…? That kiss you gave me was so passionate. I wonder what your little toy, Shun, would think if he found out about that…'

'You're not anything to me and I will never be passionate towards you. That kiss was only to distract you and nothing more. So drop it and leave me alone.' She thought to him as she sighed, trying not to let Hyoga notice the annoyance she had.

"Is something wrong, Kohaku? It seems like something's bothering you."

"No, I'm fine… I'm actually not hungry at all, so I'll get something to eat when I feel like it." Kohaku said as she turned away and started to run around in the forest surrounding the mansion, trying to calm down again.

'What's the matter, Kohaku…? Can't stand up to your friends anymore?'

'How about you go away for once? I'm sick and tired of you since the first second I was forced into the underworld by your specters and I would like to have my mind to myself now!'

'Touchy, touchy… I thought your mother, Demeter, taught you better then this about being a young woman so you could join me in my kingdom.'

'She died before she could teach me much, you ass hole. Why would I, a saint of Athena, need to act womanly? Besides, my mother raised me as a boy because she lost my older brother… And who he is isn't any of your business!' She yelled back before stopping and leaning against one of the trees. Her eyes closing and she was breathing hard from exhaustion.