Okay, the only reason I'm updating so soon is because the spirit of the keyboard has overtaken me! I was struck with the inspiration to continue as soon as I posted the last chapter! I really like this chapter, probably because it came so easily. I didn't reread this one at all, so I'm really sorry if there are any typos.
I sat under the tall cherry blossom tree, eyes closed. A cold breeze fluttered by. It tasted like snow. It had been a month and a half.
So many things had happened in that month and a half.
Keiko had taken me shopping. It was an odd experience. Botan, Shizuru, and Yukina had even tagged along. I had mainly spent the entire day shoved into dressing rooms. Botan and Keiko had wanted to buy me nothing but dresses, but Shizuru threw some pants in the piles when they weren't looking. Yukina spent the entire time comforting me when the crowds of people almost became too much. Botan had insisted that I buy a stoutly scented perfume. When I tried it out the next day, the only person that seemed to notice it was Hiei. His nose had wrinkled up in disgust and he told me never to wear it again. Needless to say, I didn't.
Kurama had also been teaching me about what he learned in the human schools. It was a relief to finally have something to learn again. The last time I had the opportunity was with Mimi. I was also teaching Kurama the basics of sign language. He caught on quickly, much quicker than I caught on with calculations and numbers. I did seem to have a knack at understanding classic literature, though. After he gave me a book called Romeo and Juliet and I read it, I quickly deemed it to be horrible. I much preferred the one called Frankenstein.
It didn't take me long to realize that Yusuke and Kuwabara were fun to be around. The taught me how to play their video games, and even though I was horrible at them, they still wanted to play with me. They also tried to get me into that so called sport where the big men pushed each other around until one fell over. I didn't like that very much.
I was slowly regaining the use of my throat. I could eat rice now, and soft bread. I could also make a variety of soft sounds without too many repercussions.
"Suteki! You're slouching. Straighten your back and lift your chin."
I felt a sharp tap on the middle of my back and quickly followed orders. Genkai had started me on a light training regimen as soon as she got back from the meeting with Koenma. So far she just had me meditating, climbing trees, and jogging around her territory. My appearance had also changed drastically. I was gaining weight. Where my ribs and spine used to stick out profusely, now they were almost smooth. I could still feel them easily, but they were less noticeable. Botan had almost burst into tears when she first saw the bones as she helped me zip up one of the many dresses. There were also muscles forming over my stomach, arms, and legs. They were slight, still stringy instead of strong, but I could feel them. I could also tell that my chest was slowly growing. I assumed that the regular feeding was to thank for all of these changes.
I couldn't tell if it was the petals from the tree or the heavily awaited flakes of snow that tickled by nose, so I opened my eyes. Snow. I smiled and quickly stood. I had always loved the snow. As soon as I reached up to try and catch a flake, I felt Genkai's staff hit the back of my knee. It brought me down quickly. On my knees, I looked up at the cold, pink haired woman.
"We're done here." She smirked, walking away and back to the temple. My smile returned and I practically flew into the tree I was under. Climbing quickly, I reached the top in no time. A silent laugh bubbled from my stomach and through parted lips. I reached to the sky and welcomed the snow wholeheartedly as it brushed against my bare face and arms.
"Are you sure it's hers?" Koenma asked Jorge harshly.
"Yes, sir. We've check five times now." The tall ogre handed the tiny prince the thin manila folder.
"This only has one page." Koenma narrowed his eyes. "It only has one paragraph!" He screeched. Had he really spent all of his energy, well, Jorge's energy, on one measly paragraph?
"Yes, sir. But we ran the energy sample Genkai gave us against the one imprinted on the file and it matches." Jorge shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot as Koenma read furiously.
"Born in Moriko, Makai. I've never even heard of this village! Says it's in Yomi's territory… Mother's name is Najwa: deceased, Father's name is Nirav. Well I suppose we could notify her father, I'm sure he'd like to know where she's at. Jorge, go send out a letter." Koenma waved the ogre off as he continued reading. He quickly obeyed the prince's orders without hesitation. "Earth demon father, with a wolf demon mother. I suppose I should inform Genkai of that part… I can't believe that's all the information on her. Ridiculous…"
As I sat in front of Yukina, her fingers probing my throat, I wondered when she would be done. I wanted to go outside, and I wanted to do it now. Human winters were so fascinating, so much colder than the Makai's.
"Suteki, could you please hold still?" Yukina's soft voice drifted to my ears. I readily obeyed, but kept my eyes locked on the whirling snow outside the window. I relaxed as the familiar warm feeling spread. The scab oozed less now, but it was hardening, making my neck stiff. Soon, I was clearing my throat and spitting into the bowl next to me. I stood after she applied the ointment and wrapped me back up. Giving the Ice Apparition a grateful smile, I ran outside. A shiver ran down my spine as the cold nipped at my arms. The world was blanketed in white. I bounded down the steps and skid as I took a sharp turn after reaching the bottom.
I wanted to run, to bolt, to feel the wind so tight across my face that it burned. And so I did. I zipped through the forest, losing track of time and where exactly I was. When I stopped to take a breath, another silent laugh was rolling from me. I fell backwards into the snow and sighed. I stared up at the sky and noticed that there were no trees. I was in the clearing. Just as I was about to start panicking, a figure blocked out the sun. I squinted my eyes and relief flooded over me as I realized it was Hiei. His presence alone made me relax.
"You'll catch a cold, On'na." Hiei never spoke much, but the silence was comfortable, I often watched him train while the others were gone to their schools, envying his strength and speed. I no longer felt the anger from our first encounter. I sat up and watched as he took off the jacket he was wearing and dropped it in my lap. I smiled softly, and held the warm fabric close. The snow that hit Hiei's arms hissed and evaporated on contact. It melted around his feet. I could see and feel the heat radiating off of him.
I tried to say thank you, but my throat protested, and he was gone before I could properly express my gratitude. I knew that he knew, though. My smile widened slightly as I slipped on the jacket. It still had his scent all over it, the softer version of brush burning.
I laid back and closed my eyes, thinking that maybe clearings weren't all that bad.
I must have dozed off, because I was roughly awaken by a strong grip on my forearm. Something was forced over my head before I had the chance to open my eyes. I struggled, but was promptly hit hard in the stomach. I gasped and tried to double over, but the arm held me up.
"Come on, now. Time for a family reunion." A gruff voice came from behind me. He tied my arms and tossed me onto his shoulder. I growled, pushing past the thick blood that started to form in my throat. I bit for the first thing I could through the fabric, a shoulder blade. He snarled, but before he could knock me out, I let out a piercing scream. It started gurgled, but finally it broke through, a splatter of blood accompanying it. The pain was too much, I hadn't felt it since the first time that mousy nurse had changed my bandages. The hard hit to the temple only rushed the darkness taking over and fogging my mind.
My last thought before it overtook me was a silent prayer that someone, anyone, in the temple had heard me.
"Oh my gosh, an actual plot!" I know, it took me by surprise too. Alright, so let me know what you think!