Another day that may only be a dream, A KuramaXOC
By:~Pinkbun17~
Written: 5/8/23
Disclaimer: I don't own YYH, ya think I'd write this then?
YusukexKeiko, KuwabaraxYukina pairings supported! ^^
Keep this in mind readers!
Story Format as always:
****READERS PLEASE READ MEH!****
Youko's Thoughts: ^At this point in time, who knows when I'll be in one piece? ^
Kurama speaking to Youko in his head/his own thoughts: *Shouldn't I be more concerned about that? *
Inner thoughts of other characters: 'I don't care about that; I just want some snacks...'
Hiei's Inner thoughts/speech when he is talking to someone in their head: ~I suppose not all human music makes my eardrums bleed…~
Anything said in Sinhalese: "Why do you ask so many questions?!"
Chapter 37: Down the Dream Hole
Day 5: 4:10 am
Aisha's POV:
As the familiar cloak of sleep surrounds me, my stupid, silly dream of chasing around giant fluffy bunnies with rainbow laser eyes has me cracking up in a fit of laughter. Sometimes my brain plays me the oddest of scenarios. The weirdest one to date is that one I had about three dancing fruit.
Staring up at the fuzzy cute rabbits, I attempt to ride and pet their fluffiness, and after awhile-end up stumbling and tumbling around, tripping over their massive paws and landing in a pile of bunny fluff.
I cough and brush the white fur off of myself, thankful this isn't one of my nightmares. Suddenly, the fluffy creatures vanish and I find myself standing in a bewildering room. As I glance around at my surroundings, I notice there was both darkness and light in this space.
On one hand, the walls and ceiling were colored in a deep shade of indigo, giving the area a mysterious and almost ominous feel of nighttime. While on the other hand, the floor was made of translucent glass, allowing rays of sunlight to filter through from the room below, mimicking daytime.
"Whoa," I mutter, stunned by the spellbinding sight.
Just then, a gentle yet captivating female voice interjects, halting the ramblings in my mind like a soft breeze.
"It's about time you learn of our story, dear child. You will need to understand our past to navigate your future," A familiar warmth is woven into her speech patterns in both English and Sinhalese.
I shiver slightly, feeling a sense of foreboding wash over me. "What do you mean by challenges? If you mean the shit I've already dealt with, no thanks, lady. Now, where do I clock out?"
Her laughter, velvety and enigmatic, fills the air, "Your suffering has been great," she said, a tinge of sympathy in her voice. "If only your journey could end here, but dear child, there's more to come."
"I don't want to go through any more pain," I say, my voice quivering with unease. "I can't take much more of this."
Once again, her therapeutic voice washes over me, enveloping me in a sense of comfort and security. "I understand your apprehension, my child. However, you must not give up, but instead persevere."
"Persevere? You're spewing the same shit those toxic positivity incels preach." I scoff, a surge of anger rising within myself. "Yau might as well say, "Oh you're depressed? Get the fuck over it and smile! Things happen for a reason! Just who the hell are you, mystery lady?
The voice falls silent momentarily as if contemplating how to answer. But even in the face of my outburst, her calming tone remains unwavering.
"My intention is not to preach positivity, my dear. A tremble of melancholy breaks the soothing nature in her tone.
"I too have faced my fair share of anguish. As you will come to learn."
She inhales deeply and proceeds. "To persevere is to acknowledge your struggles and anguish but not let them consume you. As for who I am, that is a question for another time. Just know that I am always with you."
A gentle warmth envelops my heart and I cast my gaze downward to my chest, noticing a faint pink glow coming from within.
Before I have a chance to respond, the scenery surrounding me suddenly flashes to pitch darkness and I'm whisked away elsewhere.
*＊✿❀ ❀✿＊*
As I fall, the rush of air whips past my face, making my heart race with panic. I frantically reach out, grasping at anything to stop my descent, but it's no use. Suddenly, my stomach lurches, and in comes the motion of freefalling. I let out a startled yelp, but just as quickly, my feet find solid ground and I regain my balance.
The edges of my vision are a bit foggy and I still feel rather sleepy.
'I think I'm still lucid dreaming…No way in hell would I land perfectly on my feet like a damn cat in real life…'
I take a few deep breaths to calm my racing heart but am struck by the breathtaking sight around me. A vast and lush forest surrounds me, with towering trees that seem to scrape the sky itself, their trunks wide and gnarled. The scent of pine, and earthy soil fills the air, mingling with the sweet fragrance of blooming wildflowers.
The soft rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze creates a tranquil melody, and the occasional chirping of birds and the buzzing of insects add to the symphony of nature.
I tread carefully further into the forest, noticing the different shades of green around me, ranging from vibrant emeralds to muted sage. The forest floor is covered in a thick layer of soft moss and it looks inviting enough to take a nap on.
"Well, if this is a dream, it has the most fantastical graphics ever. There's even smell-o-vision included!" I state, sniffing the air again.
Enjoying the nature around me by prancing about, I quickly notice there's a break in the trees ahead. The vibrant green foliage gives way to a small clearing, and nestled in the center of it is a quaint little village.
The community appears to be an extension of the natural environment, all the houses are made of mud and thatched roofs made of dried grass and leaves. The homes blend harmoniously with the earthy surroundings and each boast of a lovely tiny patch of land filled with vibrant flowers and lush vegetables.
The air is perfumed with the fragrance of blossoming flowers and hints of wood smoke emanating from the chimneys of the mud houses.
As I pace closer, the sounds of coughing and crying echo through the air too, and I realize that many of the villagers are probably unwell.
"Well, seems like a place where you'd catch a cold and a curse at the same time."
I dread the idea of dealing with illness or injuries in the past. From what I know about history, there's been a ton of sicknesses that wiped people out faster than a can of Raid does on a bunch of roaches.
'Damn, they probably have their own little plague party going on.'
Sorrow stirs within my gut towards these folks, but at the same time, the thought of catching whatever the hell they have, makes me want to turn around and run in the opposite direction. Being immunocompromised is the same as playing Russian Roulette with germs and god damn viruses.
'Wait, wouldn't my modern immunity make it harder on these people anyway?'
I remember learning that since modern people have been exposed to all kinds of new diseases, if we ever time-traveled the people of the past would be in for a deadly surprise. It's like we're carrying a mobile epidemic with us wherever we go. Talk about bringing some killer souvenirs!
'This is still a dream…right? Maybe I can magically conjure up some modern medicine or something…?'
Inching further on the narrow path towards the village, I suddenly spot a pair of figures emerging from the huddle of homes several feet away from me.
"Excuse me, guys!" I shout, hopping over to them. "Do you happen to know where this place is?"
'Or better yet, what time period we're in?'
The pair don't react to my outburst.
'Did they not hear me or…?'
"I know you are capable and wise, but please be careful Usha("oo-sha"). If only the rest of us were strong enough to help you collect herbs-" Coughs an older male demon with tan skin and sheep-like horns.
'Holy shit, this old dude is wearing a sarong and just spoke in Sinhalese!"
The sight brings me a slight sense of cheer as it takes me back to a time from my childhood before my siblings were born when my daddy used to wear one of those at home. It was the only brief period in my life when he would give me any positive attention.
(A sarong is a type of skirt or wrap that's made from a single piece of fabric that mostly men wear in many parts of Southeast Asia.)
Just then, a gentle gust of wind tousles the hair of a lady and caresses her face. I approach closer, trying to steal a better look at the woman clad in a brownish sari. I'm left awestruck by her divine beauty.
(A sari is a traditional dress worn by women in many parts of Southeast Asia. It's made from a long piece of fabric that is draped around the body and over the shoulder, with the other end of the fabric forming a pleated skirt.)
The woman seems to be in her 30s, her piercing eyes are a hot shade of pink that almost appears red, reflecting a wisdom beyond her years.
Her rounder figure gives her a soft and approachable appearance, which is enhanced by the simple yet elegant brown sari she's wearing.
The sari further illuminates her espresso-hued skin, which has a natural glow. She's adorned in gold jewelry that accentuates her neck, wrists, and fingers, giving her a regal aura.
Her long jet-black wavy hair cascades down past her back in gentle waves, complementing her striking appearance.
"Excuse me!" I begin to rack my brain trying to remember other phrases I know in Sinhalese, but I draw a complete blank. I begin waving my hands in their faces and attempt to grab the older demon dude's shoulder, but my hand goes right through him.
"Oh, that's trippy." Once again I reach over to the beautiful brown lady, but my hand phases through her too.
"It's okay, Elder," The Usha lady nods, her full pink lips curl up into a slight smile. She reassures him by placing a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"I will be careful. I'll come back with the medicine, I promise."
As I try to decipher why there's a familiarity in her voice-unexpectedly, I hear her inner thoughts echoing in my head, despite the fact that her mouth isn't moving.
'I must seek those herbs, even if it drains the last breath out of me. I cannot falter; losing mother was excruciating enough, and I cannot afford to lose anyone else.'
The elder demon nods back, a look of gratitude on his face. "May the spirits watch over you, Usha," he says, his voice hoarse with emotion.
As Usha turns away from the coughing elder, she drapes a section of her sari over her head, forming a makeshift hood.
It's at this moment that I catch sight of her striking and unique ears. They're large and pointed, with soft, golden fur and black tufts at the tips. Positioned on the top of her head and slightly angled forward, they add an alluring and exotic element to her already god-like appearance.
"Holy mother of macabre!" Glancing down her figure, I a swinging lion-like tail attracts my attention. It's lean, lengthy, covered in soft golden fur, and features a tuft of black hair at the tip, just like her ears.
As I follow her and soon match her speed walking pace, I cannot help but continue to gaze down at her, increasingly intrigued by her appearance.
Getting a closer look, this Usha lady is pretty short, if I had to guess I'd say she stands at about 5' feet even. I stand at about 5'6 so I tower over her shorter frame. Nonetheless, she's utterly bewitching.
On top of the other stunning gold jewelry she's adorned in, I find myself fixated on the lovely hair bindi and the traditional-looking gold nose ring in her left nostril.
(A hair bindi is a decorative accessory worn on the hair by women, in South Asian cultures. It's similar in appearance to the traditional bindi worn on the forehead, but it's designed to be worn in the hair and is usually larger in size.)
The nose ring is gorgeous, showcasing an intricate design, while the delicate and thin chain connecting it to her jet-black hair peeks out of her sari hood. The gold nose ring accentuates her distinguished nose and high cheekbones well.
'This lady looks like she dropped straight outta an ancient Sri Lankan Tapestry.'
Although it's clear she's an animal demon, she also has such similar features to other Sri Lankans I've seen growing up.
As we both step through the dense underbrush, the darkness of the forest begins enveloping all around us. The only light that penetrates the thick canopy are bits of the setting sun. I gaze at her face again, a focused expression cements itself on her features.
As if to fill the silence between us Usha's thoughts blare inside of my mind.
The village is composed of humans, demons, and hybrids alike, including her father and younger sister. It's a dangerous task, but the herbs she's seeking can only be found in the deepest, darkest parts of the forest.
Since Usha's village has been suffering from a terrible illness, she's been venturing into the forest several times every few days for weeks in search of any signs of relief.
Despite the illness affecting everyone in the village, Usha and her sister were miraculously unaffected. However, their human father was not so fortunate and has fallen gravely ill.
The effects of the illness is unlike anything anyone has ever seen before. It starts with a fever and body aches, draining the host of their spiritual/demon energy, but then it progresses rapidly to one's death once further symptoms develop.
Those who are affected begin to experience extreme fatigue, dizziness, and respiratory issues. Their skin turns a sickly shade of green and develops dark purple spots.
They can't keep any food down, and their eyes glaze over with a strange film. They begin to lose their sense of smell, taste, and touch. It's a terrifying disease that seems to be spreading quickly, and the only cure is frustratingly difficult to acquire.
*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧
Abruptly, a big delicate bright yellow flower catches Usha's gaze. Its petals are soft and velvety and a slightly sweet fragrance bounces off of it. As she plucks the flower and stares at it, a sullen expression clouds her features. She strides ahead and thoughts of her mother drift in her mind.
When Usha was a young teenager and her sister a toddler, their mother made the ultimate sacrifice to protect their family. Their mother was a formidable lioness demon who was once respected and dreaded by all who knew her. Despite falling in love with Usha's human father, she never revealed any vulnerability.
Usha rushes further through the dense forest, her mind replaying the memory of her mother's demise.
A vivid image of the goddess-like lady in her youth flashes in my mind. Despite her frail appearance, she exudes an aura of resilience. Her short and plump figure is draped in a bright yellow sari, which is now tattered and torn somewhat falling off of her body.
Her frayed jet-black wavy hair falls in disarray around her shoulders, with her golden lion ears pressed down in exhaustion. Her once luminous espresso-hued skin is now marred by scars and wounds, a testament to the battles she has faced. Her face is pale, and her piercing pink eyes display sheer terror.
Younger Usha quivered and let out a wail of despair, "No! Mother!"
Her strength had been drained by the battle with a persistent menace of a demon, leaving her battered and defenseless. She could barely stand, and tears streamed down her face as she watched the war unfold, her heart heavy with apprehension and grief.
Despite being known as a fierce and powerful demon, Usha's mother had a side to her that went against her public image. Beneath the tough exterior, she had a soft and nurturing heart, always making sure her family was taken care of and protected. Her gentle touch and kind words were a comforting presence in the home, even amidst the chaos of the demonic world. Usha had always admired her mother's strength and resilience, but it was her mother's capacity for love and compassion that truly inspired her.
As Usha's mother fought off the sinister demon who had ambushed Usha earlier when she was in the forest gathering yellow flowers, the scent of smoke, dust, and blood blared all around them.
Usha huddled with her little sister, trying to shield her from the chaos, but, fear trickled down her spine as she listened to the demon's vile words. She could feel her sister's small body trembling against her own.
The demon's taunts and threats continuously echoed throughout the forest, filling the air with a sense of impending doom. Usha glanced up at her father for reassurance but his face contorted with terror and rage.
"Pathetic lioness," the demon sneered, as he circled around Usha's mother, and glared at the rest of the family. "You stand no chance against my power. I will consume all of you, and your delicious powers will be mine to wield."
Usha's father gritted his teeth in anger, but there was nothing he could do. He was no match for the demon's strength. At that moment, he cursed his mortal body and Usha could see the fright and helplessness in his eyes. This only added to her own sense of dread.
But Usha's mother fought on, her movements quick and fluid, despite the injuries she had sustained.
"You won't lay a hand on my family," she spat at the demon, her voice trembling with rage.
Usha could see the resilience in her mother's eyes, and it gave her a small glimmer of hope. But that hope was short-lived as the monstrous foe's attacks grew more ferocious.
The demon let out a menacing laugh, his red wings flapping as he hovered above them. "Oh, I will do much more than lay a hand on your family, I'll slowly rip them to shreds!"
Suddenly, there was a deafening blast, and the ground furiously shook beneath them. Usha warily gazed up to see a bright pink light emanating from her mother's location.
Usha's breath caught in her throat, her muscles tensing with a sense of urgency. She yearned to rush to her mother's side, but her father's firm grip on her arm held her back.
"No, daughter," he urgently warned, "You cannot aid your mother now, you are far too injured, and I need you here with me, my dear child." His tone trembled with concern and fright.
【 】 【 】 【 】 【 】 【 】
After crash-landing into a mud hut, Usha's mother struggled to crawl out, her body weary and it was obvious she had several broken bones from the battle with the demon. She urgently turned to her husband, her voice barely above a whisper,
"My love, take them away from here. Far away. Keep them safe. You all are the light that will carry on after I'm gone."
Usha's father was stunned by her mother's words and couldn't fathom the idea of leaving her behind.
"No dear," he protested, his voice trembling slightly, "I cannot leave you."
Usha stared on, her heart heavy with wretchedness, knowing that her mother's injuries were too severe for her to recover from. Blood dripped down her mother's face, her chest heaving with exhaustion.
"I'm sorry my loves, I don't think this will fare well." she gasped between breaths.
Usha's little sister began bawling, and she reached out her tiny brown hands out, but her mother began to turn away, tears streaming down her face. "I love you all so dearly,"
Realizing the severity of the situation, Usha's father's tan complexion paled and tears pooled in his honey-colored eyes.
He nodded and spoke, his voice choked with emotion, "I will always love you, my dear. I promise to watch over them. You have my heart and my word."
Usha's father then grabbed ahold of the crying toddler and stared on, helpless to change anything.
With a tiny smile, Usha's mother's eyes sparkled with love and pride. "Thank you," she whispered, before turning back towards the demon with a fierce glare.
˱ 𓈒 𓈊 ┈ 𓈒 ┈ 𓈉 ┈ 𓈒 ┈ 𓈊 𓈒 ˲
As the evil being clashed with her mother, Usha watched as her mother's unyielding determination and smile quickly transformed into an expression of agony. Despite the pain, her mother continued to fight on with ferocity, emitting fierce roars that filled the air.
However, Usha could tell that with each passing moment, her mother was losing more and more of her life energy. The young teenager silently wept as she and the rest of her family fled far from the clashes of battle, powerless to save her dear mother.
✲꘏ ꘏ ꘏ ꘏ ꘏ ꘏ ꘏✲
When the red-winged demon was finally vanquished, the rest of the family returned to the battleground. The air was thick with sorrow. Usha's father collapsed onto his knees, his body wracked with sobs. Usha's heart felt like it had shattered into a million pieces as she gazed at her mother's lifeless body.
Her mother's beautiful smile was gone, and her pink eyes that had shone with love and pride now stared blankly ahead. She couldn't believe that her mother, who had always been there for her, was gone in a matter of hours.
Shutting her mother's eyes with a gentle touch, her heart was heavy with grief. Usha examined her mother's peaceful face, now forever frozen in death. The enormity of their loss hit her hard, and she sank to the ground beside her father and sister, crying uncontrollably. This was a sacrifice that Usha knew she would never forget and a wound that would never fully heal.
⋆┈┈｡ﾟ❃ུ۪ ❀ུ۪ ❁ུ۪ ❃ུ۪ ❀ུ۪ ﾟ｡┈┈⋆
Aisha's POV:
I can't help the tears that spill out of my eyes, and the sinking sorrow tormenting my gut. Seeing someone with a kind mother has me in for a loop since my own mother is the furthest thing from that.. but the fact she lost her mom so terribly eats away at me.
'Ah, yes, just what I needed today - a hefty dose of existential dread and despair. Thank you, mystery lady.'
Perhaps I'm a bit slow, but Usha's voice was super familiar because I literally heard her talk earlier. Though the tone in her voice from this moment compared to before are a world of difference.
'I don't know about future character development, but I'm pretty sure I'm gonna be forced to see a bunch more of PTSD fuel. So there's that to look forward to.' I groan mentally.
Pushing aside the gut wrenching memories, Usha focuses on the task at hand. She walks deeper into the forest, the trees seem to grow thicker around us.
I now hear the sounds of nocturnal animals and the rustling of leaves in the wind, but Usha pays them no mind. She keeps herself focused on those rare herbs that can save her village.
As she walks, Usha begins to see signs of those magical Pokemon rare herbs she seeks. A scarce flower here, a particular leaf there. A flicker of hope crosses her features, and she tells herself she has to be close.
Suddenly, a rustling in the bushes makes us both pause. She tenses up, ready for danger. But then we see the shadow of a brown rabbit darting away. She breathes a sigh of relief and continues on her way.
'Gosh and here I was worried there were a ton of crazy demons out here.'
At long last, she spots her awesome prize: a patch of enchanting herbs that glow in the darkness. She carefully picks them, taking some of the roots of the plants (I'm assuming to try to grow some back home too).
Soon enough, after stuffing her cloth bag and tying it carefully, we begin to trudge back towards the village. Usha prays to herself that the medicine she'll make will save everyone quickly, especially her poor father.
Once again, she stares down at the lovely yellow flower, thumbing the petals with care and a slight smile graces her face. Although her mother passed about 15 years previously, she sometimes feels her warmth around her, and Usha is filled a deep gratitude for her mother's love.
'I know I shouldn't feel jealous, but I wish I could relate to that kind of warmth.'
Suddenly, the sounds of an animal whimpering softly makes itself apparent.
'It kinda sounds like a dog crying.'
Following closely behind Usha, the sounds are echoing from inside a huge hollow of a tree. As she approaches the crying, she spots a white fox huddled inside the hole, its fur matted with blood and dirt.
Despite being injured, the fox's beauty exudes an otherworldly quality that makes it all the more striking. Its piercing gaze carries an intensity that seems to reflect a depth of emotion that I can't quite comprehend. Strangely, I feel a pang of familiarity as I stare at the magnificent creature, almost as if I've encountered it before.
The battered fox growls at her, its bright red eyes narrowed with fright and mistrust. Usha approaches the creature slowly and gently, speaking in a soothing tone to calm it down.
"It's okay, little one. I'm not going to hurt you," she says softly, extending her hand to the fox. But the creature backs away feebly, still growling and snarling.
Usha empathizes with the wounded animal and she reminds herself of the times she too had felt misunderstood and anxious. She takes a deep breath and begins to sing a gentle melody, her voice soft and soothing, hoping to ease the fox's fears and calm its growls of distress.
'Her voice is so comforting, it's too bad I can't record it.'
As the enchanting fox's body language starts to relax, Usha inches closer to the graceful critter to examine its injuries and gasps at the severity of them. She tells herself that time is of the essence if she wants to save the poor animal's life or it may not survive the night.
Sucking in another breath of air, she continues singing quietly. Usha then closes her eyes and emanates a rosy pink spirit energy from her hand. Despite the fox's initial protests of pain and attempts to bite her, Usha remains resolute in her efforts to aid the creature.
Gradually, the fluffy creature's wounds begin to heal, and Usha can feel the warmth of life returning to the animal's body. Its fur starts to glow, a sign that the healing process is working.
As the fox begins to relax, it falls asleep, exhausted from the suffering it went through. Usha smiles at the sight, relieved that the animal is finally at peace.
I can't shake off the strange familiarity I feel towards this pretty fox and attempt to touch it, and oddly I can feel its soft white fur. Suddenly, this strange sensation hits me. It's like a deep throbbing that reverberates through my body, and it sends shivers down my spine.
'The only time I've ever felt something like this was with…Kurama.' I stare bewildered at the young resting fox.
'Is this little Youko?' I gaze at the white creature and again at Usha.
'They met before..in the past?'
As the sun begins to rise, Usha knows it's time to go. She gently strokes the fox's fur and whispers, "Rest well, my friend. May we meet again someday."
'Little did she know that the white fox she saved would one day become Youko Kurama, the frightening King Of Thieves. This is insane…'
"And although their paths would cross a few times more over the centuries, I would always remember the day I had first met the little white fox in the dark forest." The mysterious voice of future Usha chuckles.
Before I have the chance to ask further questions, my consciousness slips into darkness once more.
'So much for quelling my curiosity.'
To be continued...
My notes:
Woo! So glad I was able to get this chapter out. Finally, Pink Soul lady gets some backstory! Lots of cultural stuff was added in this chapter and I may have gone a bit overboard (oops!) This chapter is about 16 pages long!
I admit I have been neglecting this story, but I'm hoping to work and complete it bit by bit. It's about time to finish this thing!
Anyway, feel free to leave a comment, it's always nice to see what you guys think!
Rock Out & Peace On!
~PiNkBuN17 :D