Alright, here we go! Kind of a filler chapter, but it explains some things. Enjoy!
I awoke in a familiar white room.
'Hospital…' I thought as I sat up, feeling extremely refreshed. My body still ached and the soles of my feet felt like they had been peeled away they were so raw, but my mind was finally clear.
"Ah, you're awake." I heard Kurama's slightly surprised voice before I saw him. He was sitting in a chair next to my bed, setting a book down on a table. I smiled in response and he pressed something on a remote that was also on the table and stood. "Why don't you try talking?" He asked, taking a seat on the edge of my bed.
I pursed my lips, hesitant that the all-too-familiar pain would come back. Luckily, before he pressured me more, Koenma came through the doors tall as ever, trailed but Yusuke, Botan, and Kuwabara.
"Oh, Suteki!" Botan cried out and leapt forward, throwing her arms around me. "We were all so worried!" She held me out at arm's length, tears trying to work their way from her eyes, inspecting me for Lord knows what. I brought her back close and hugged her tight.
"Suteki, I know this is soon, but we need to know exactly what happened." Koenma had a serious look on his face, while Yusuke and Kuwabara just looked happy as can be. I glanced around for Hiei to route my thoughts, but he was nowhere to be found. I lifted up my hands, knowing that Kurama knew enough sign language to relay the message, but the red-headed fox pushed them back down.
"No, you need to talk." I gave him a desperate look, silently begging him not to make me try.
"Kurama…" I heard Botan protest beside me.
"No, Botan. He's right. The nurse said we need to find out if everything healed properly." Koenma held up a hand to stop her.
I cleared my throat to see if there was any pain, and surprisingly there wasn't.
"I don't…" I started but stopped, shocked at how normal the two simple words felt. They were quiet, hesitant, and slightly hoarse, but it was my normal voice. "I can talk." The voice almost sounded alien after almost two months of not hearing it.
"Now, can you tell us what happened?" Koenma was the only one that wasn't beaming warmly at my discovery.
So I told them. From beginning to end, everything that happened. Even the parts I didn't understand.
"It seems like when your body sensed it was about loose and so it used all the energy it could find to defend itself." Kurama held a finger to his chin in deep thought.
"But how did she heal herself like that?" Kuwabara gestured to the scars running up my arms.
"Well, the energy was low to mid S class. Suteki is half Earth Demon, she absorbs her power from the ground itself. Since she hasn't had proper training, in panic she probably absorbed too much. That attack didn't use all of the energy, and her body couldn't hold it all. So it automatically spent itself in any way possible before dispersing." Koenma paused, thinking that was enough of an explanation, but seeing the look on Kuwabara's face he continued. "With most demons or people, energy is created inside, they never make more than they can handle. Earth demons, however, simply borrow it from nature around them. They have to learn how much to take in, and it's extremely easy to take in too much or too little. Energy is always reluctant to leave the body, that's why it usually takes training to force it out. If your body isn't strong enough to control it, though, it can either destroy the person or do as much as it can before leaving through the path of least resistance. Those burns on the bottom of her feet is probably where it exited." My tender feet throbbed as if to confirm his theory.
"So when can I go home?" I caught what I said right after it came out and everyone stared at me. "I mean, when can I go back to Genkai's temple? I imagine now that I have no reason to stay she'll want me to get my things..." I quickly rambled, trying to act like I owned more than a poster and a satchel of ointment and bandages. I would at least say goodbye to everyone properly before they kicked me out, they couldn't stop me.
"What? Since when do you not have any reason to stay, 'Teki?" Yusuke walked to my side and ruffled my hair.
"I'm-I'm all healed. That's the only reason I stayed there." I tried to keep my eyes off of all of them. I was afraid if I looked at these people that made me feel so happy the tears would start.
"Actually, now that we're aware of how much power you are capable of, we're monitoring you. You'll be under close observation by someone on the team at all times, and Genkai will oversee your training." Koenma grasped his wrist behind his back and gave me a stern look.
I couldn't help but break into a smile. Because of the possibility of being dangerous, I got to stay. I never would have thought that I would ever be seen as a threat.
"Thank you, Lord Koenma." I bowed my head. His cheeks flustered and he quickly cleared his throat.
"Yes, well. They said you'll be able to leave this afternoon. A healer will come to see to your feet." With that he turned at left the room.
"We're going to head back to the temple, Botan will come back to get you when you're released." Kurama smiled and patted my knee before getting up and leaving with the others.
"See you later, 'Teki!" Kuwabara hollered, throwing a wave over his shoulder and stealing Yusuke's nickname for me. The doors swung shut and all was quiet.
"Bye, guys." I mumbled through a small smile. I looked over to the table beside my bed and picked up the book Kurama had been reading. I scowled, seeing it was yet again Romeo and Juliet and sat it down. Instead I laid back on the soft bed and fell back into a deep sleep.
I jerked awake when I felt someone touch my shoulder. Eyes wide, I raised my fists and prepared to swing. It was Botan, now holding her arms up in defense and laughing awkwardly.
"S-sorry…" I mumbled, lowering my fists. I didn't even know how I expected to defend myself if it had been a threat.
"It's alright. Are you ready to go?" She smiled brightly, gesturing towards the awaiting portal.
"Yes, thank you." I lifted myself out of the bed carefully, taking note of the way my feet no longer hurt, but my legs and arms shook from the effort. Botan went to help me, but I shook my head in protest. Looking down I noticed I was still in the now ruined sundress Keiko had bought me. I guess I didn't stay long enough this time for them to clean me up.
We walked through the portal, well, Botan walked, I hobbled pathetically. I was greeted by the solid oak door, the best greeting I could have possibly received. I smiled and walked though, and immediately took back my previous thought. The smell of onions, beef, potatoes and a number of other foods filled my nostrils.
"We're here!" Botan yelled out. The sizzling in the kitchen stopped and Yukina walked into view. I smiled and closed the distance, embracing her tightly.
"I'm so glad you're okay!" She exclaimed, holding me out at arm's length like Botan first did and frowning at my newly formed scars.
"Thank you." I murmured, suddenly shy at her close inspection.
"I'm making braised meat and potatoes, with dorayaki for dessert. I hope you're hungry." She smiled, finally letting go.
"I finally get to eat!" I beamed, wanting to scarf something down immediately. The little weight that I had put on thanks to her broths and soups had all but vanished during the seven days, leaving me ribs peeking through once again.
"It'll be ready in thirty minutes." Yukina gave me one last hug before heading back into the kitchen.
"I'm going to take a shower really quick." I told Botan, holding up a greasy strand of hair and scowling at it.
"Alright, I'll make sure no one tries to eat without you." She laughed and went into the kitchen with Yukina.
I was headed upstairs when if felt a tingle run up my spine. Then it felt like something in my mind slid into place. I smiled at the familiar sensation and continued on my way. At the top of the stairs, Hiei was leaning on the wall next to his room.
"Hello." I bowed my head slightly and made for my own room. He stopped me by grabbing my arm. His grip was tighter than necessary, but I didn't flinch. I watched him curiously as his eyes moved up and down my arm, taking in the swirled scars.
Then his thumb pressed on my wrist with surprising force. I yelped, feeling the joints strain, and swung a fist towards his face. He caught it easily with his free hand and glared at me. Using only the pressure on my wrist, he brought me to my knees. At first I was shocked, but then I became angry.
"Let go." I growled, baring my fangs.
"Hn." His eyes seemed to laugh at me, goading me on. My wrist screamed in protest as I tried to pull free. When he felt like he made his point clear enough, he let go. "You're weak." He stated before casually going down the stairs.
I sent a scowl after him, getting up and going to my bedroom, slamming the door behind me.
I didn't need a reminder of just how powerless I was. It seemed like my whole life could have been a manual depicting the exact way a weak coward should live.