Another day that may only be a dream, A KuramaXOC
By:~Pinkbun17~
Written & Edited: 9/21/23
Disclaimer: I don't own YYH. A simple and sad fact. If I did, I'd make more Kuwabara and Botan merch! (ʘ‿ʘ✿)
YusukexKeiko, KuwabaraxYukina pairings supported! ^^
Keep this in mind readers!
Story Format as always:
****READERS PLEASE READ MEH!****
Youko's Thoughts: ^Grocery shopping: Where the shopping list is long, the lines are longer, and my patience is at its shortest.^
Kurama speaking to Youko in his head/his own thoughts: *I went to the supermarket for a good time, but all I got was aisle disappointment.*
Inner thoughts of other characters: 'When life gets tough, I find solace in the frozen food section. It's my 'chill' pill.'
Hiei's Inner thoughts/speech when he is talking to someone in their head: ~These grocery puns are utterly disgusting. Do you not have anything better to add, human? ~
Anything said in Sinhalese: "Sir, I'm hungry, and making puns makes me feel better!"
⊱ ━━━━.⋅ εïз ⋅.━━━━ ⊰
Chapter 39: Shorely Unexpected: Thyme For Truths & A Lie Part I
Day 5: 12:55 pm
Kurama's POV:
As we finish up the meal Aisha prepared, a soft smile tugs at the corners of my lips. It's a rare moment of tranquility, a respite from the constant barrage of chaos and insults that have plagued the last 5 days of my time here in this world.
I can't help but steal glances at Aisha's serene expression, her content face is a testament to whatever positive shift has taken place. It leaves me pondering, my mind swirling with questions about what could have sparked this change.
^Perhaps she seeks to appease you, in an effort to rectify this situation. After all, she has been rather harsh towards you.^
*Considering several of our actions, we have not always been innocent in this tumultuous dynamic. It's only fair to take responsibility for how we have contributed to this strained relationship between us.*
Time to embrace a cautious optimism, for the last thing I wish for is further combativeness.
"Ooof, we totally forgot about school," Aisha's eyes wander to the living room clock, realizing how much time has slipped away.
"Time to craft a fake email to that awful attendance office! The last thing I want is for my parents to know I ditched school. Asian parents, am I right?" With a playful gesture, she jokingly mimics slicing her throat.
Staring at her exposed skin, gratitude wells up within me, knowing that my healing abilities have successfully erased any traces of scars that would leave painful reminders of last night's attack on her beautiful tanned skin.
"After all, nothing says 'achievement' like successfully avoiding getting everyone pissed off! Woo! Irresponsibility!" Aisha chimes, grinning.
Her outburst elicits a chuckle from me, and I playfully inquire if she's a seasoned veteran in tackling such tasks.
"Honestly, my parents are living in a world where they treat the internet like it's a mystical realm full of sorcery. They're convinced that all tech is beyond them." She sighs, adding,
"Hell, my dad acts like using the oven and ordering shit off of Bmazon is the same as pulling off mind-boggling magic tricks."
I laugh and shake my head in disbelief, finding it hard to fathom that her parents are genuinely like that.
"Broo, I wish I was exaggerating. My dad always calls text messages emails and he gets annoyed when he gets any alerts. Like sir, I can't block the whole world from contacting you! It's really frustrating dealing with anything tech related and it always ends up with us arguing."
With a sprightly bounce, Aisha leaps up from her seat and gracefully makes her way out of the cozy living room. She returns with her worn-out laptop. It's adorned with a multitude of stickers, each one telling a unique story and adding character to its battered exterior.
She types away at the keyboard, her fingers dancing with confidence and familiarity.
As she works her magic, she asks, "Speaking of school, how's it going with that Life Lesson project for English?"
"I was able to get through about half of it. Thankfully, the entire class was granted an extension, so there's no need to stress about the project." I pause gesturing to the door.
"Instead, how about we make the most of our truancy by going for a walk? I know it's a tad chilly, but what do you think about heading to the beach?"
Her eyes light up with a glimmer of hope and excitement, a spark of adventure dancing in her gaze.
"Hell yeah, that would be awesome!" she exclaims, her voice filled with genuine enthusiasm. "It's been so long since I've been to the beach."
I raise an eyebrow, a playful smirk tugging at the corner of my lips.
"Even though it's just a short 10 to 15-minute drive away?"
She nods eagerly, her enthusiasm undeterred.
"Yeah…I guess as a semi-local you tend to forget about going there. Plus, let's be real, parking alone will set you back a good 10 to 15 bucks," she confesses sheepishly.
・・・・✪・・・・✪ ・・・・
Hopping into my car, I ignite the engine and the radio plays "Wonderwall" by Oasis. Its melody fills the air, resonating through the speakers. Aisha, sitting in the passenger seat, joins in the chorus, her voice harmonizing with the music, while her gaze drifts dreamily out of the window, a gentle smile adorning her lips.
⊱ ────── {⋅. .⋅} ────── ⊰
After a few minutes, Aisha breaks the silence, mentioning her observation of a dark shadow lurking in the corner of an auto repair shop we passed.
I reassure her that her spiritual abilities are likely growing stronger due to our frequent companionship. I also add that it's not uncommon to encounter spirits, even during daylight, as the realm of the deceased is ever-present among us.
"That's…seriously trippy." She mumbles, mentioning she thinks her home is also haunted.
Aisha's voice carries a hint of uncertainty as she shares her recent experiences, expressing how it has been a while since she noticed some peculiar occurrences, particularly within her old room.
"I mean, I can't help but think I'm losing my mind," Aisha admits, her voice tinged with concern. "Do you really see spooky stuff like all the time?" she asks, seeking reassurance and understanding.
"Unfortunately, it can be a daily occurrence when you have awakened spiritual powers. Even I have been surprised by some of the things I've witnessed," I state, sympathizing with how difficult it can be to deal with the supernatural.
"Fantastic, as if the freakin' ghosts aren't spine-chilling enough, we have demons crashing the party like they're all throwing a paranormal rave. There has to be a way to at least control all this bullshit chaos, right?"
Her words reverberate with some of the same cadences as Yusuke's past comments from when we were assisting him on his spirit detective missions.
I hold myself back from cracking a smile and instead inform her,
"With the current circumstances, our options are unfortunately quite restricted."
A determined expression suddenly crosses her face, "Kurama, can I ask a favor of you?"
I raise an eyebrow, "What is it?"
"I think I wanna learn how to defend myself. It sucks ass always feeling like a helpless burden, and maybe I can protect the people I care about. I still don't think I have much of a power, but I do have all kinds of shit coming at me, there's gotta be something I can do.
Acknowledging her request, I agree to teach her some fundamental self-defense techniques. However, I emphasize the principle that engaging in physical confrontation should always be a last resort.
"And need I remind you, you aren't a burden. None of these unfortunate events can be attributed to any fault of your own."
Bewilderment reflects in her eyes, but she remains silent, temporarily looking away from me.
Soon enough, I park my car on the street, being sure to carefully read the several parking signs.
"They can be a bit confusing, right? I swear it's done on purpose to give out fines to make the freakin' cops some cash." Aisha groans, annoyed.
As we stroll towards the beach, now traversing on foot, she softly murmurs, "Thank you for being so patient with me."
"Absolutely," I reply warmly, "We're in this together, Aisha."
Once again, a veil of silence descends upon us, and I notice a flicker of uncertainty dancing across Aisha's features. Her face bores a hint of doubt as if she's grappling with unspoken insecurities.
^Perhaps she does not trust your word, little Shuichi.^ Youko utters.
*It is of our own fault that she mistrusts us, fox.*
The sound of crashing waves grows louder as we near the beach, the salty scent of the ocean filling the air. A seagull swoops down and lands nearby, eyeing us curiously. Just then, she speaks up.
"I want to give it my best shot, but I can't promise I'll be any good!" Aisha grins and playfully throws me a thumbs-up, showing enthusiasm.
As the sun rises over the horizon, casting a gentle golden glow across the sandy shores, a light breeze carries the salty scent closer, and a wave of nostalgia hits me.
I think back to the time Yusuke returned home from his journey in Demon World and how in a display of affectionate aggression, Keiko tackled Yusuke, knocking him over in a mix of relief, happiness, and unspoken love.
Looking out towards the water, I witness the waves rolling in with a soothing rhythm. The ocean stretches out before us displaying shades of turquoise and cerulean, seemingly extending an invitation to take a dip and embrace the refreshing embrace of the Pacific.
The beach is not yet crowded, probably due to it still being winter but it provides a sense of tranquility and ample space to enjoy the coastal scenery.
Along the shore, people are dotted here and there, engaging in various activities. Some folks are strolling along the water's edge, leaving behind footprints in the wet sand.
While a few surfers take advantage of the calm waves, paddling out on their boards to catch the perfect ride. Their silhouettes bob up and down as they gracefully ride the swells, adding a touch of grace and athleticism to the scene.
The sparse sound of laughter and playful chatter fills the air as families and friends engage in beach games. Volleyballs soar across makeshift nets, and sandcastles slowly take shape as children's imaginations run wild. A couple of kites dance in the breeze, their vibrant colors contrasting against the clear blue sky.
Aisha takes a deep breath, inhaling the salty ocean air, a cheerful smile stretches across her face. "Gosh, this is so nice! Thanks for bringing me out here. It's so beautiful and refreshing."
I smile once more, meeting her gaze, and say, that it's my pleasure and sometimes, a change of scenery can do wonders for the mind.
"You know," I begin, "grounding yourself by standing barefoot in the sand can have a surprisingly positive impact on us. It creates a connection with the earth's energy and can help us find a sense of calmness within."
Curiosity flickers in Aisha's eyes as she listens intently, intrigued by my words.
"Really? I wonder if that's connected to the whole 'Go touch some grass' thing?"
"Whoa! Look at that seagull stealing someone's sandwich! Those little troublemakers," She laughs staring at the soaring beach birds.
"The last time I came to the beach one of those guys stole a bag of chips from me. I even chased after the bird but he already punched a hole in the bag, at that point I just opened it and threw it to him. I swear the little shit was laughing at me!"
"Nature's mischievous creatures, aren't they? Just like us, always seeking excitement and a little nourishment." I chuckle, appreciating the playful spirit of the natural world.
Aisha's gaze remains fixed on the birds gracefully soaring overhead, and she sighs longingly, expressing her desire to be as carefree as they are. I can't help but smile at her wistful expression.
"Perhaps one day you will be," I respond softly, the words lingering in the air. As I speak, I can't help but feel a sense of anticipation, like the calm before a storm.
Stepping out of our shoes, the warm sensation of sand beneath our feet momentarily diverts my attention from the sense of foreboding that whispers in my mind. The grains slip between my toes, grounding me in the present moment.
Suddenly, Aisha's curiosity sparks, and with a gleam in her eye, she rushes towards the swash zone of the waves. She then plunges her hands into the dark wet sand, revealing a tiny sand crab nestled within her grasp.
Surprised, I burst into laughter as she proudly displays her unexpected catch, reminiscing about her childhood days of collecting these fascinating creatures along the shoreline.
"Apparently, they're also called Mole crabs! And get this, you can actually eat them!" Apple exclaims with a mischievous giggle, her eyes sparkling with excitement. In her hands, she carefully captures a slightly larger crab this time and proudly displays it.
As the ocean breeze tousles her curly braided hair, my smile widens, captivated by her infectious enthusiasm. I listen attentively as she continues, recounting interesting facts about these peculiar creatures.
A playful grin dances across my lips as I tease, "That skill of yours would come in handy if we ever get stranded on an island. Sounds like a good source of protein. Who needs a survival guide when we have our own crab-catching expert?"
Aisha chuckles, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "I definitely didn't think of my little trick as a life skill, but good to know!"
Bidding farewell to her newfound crustacean companions, we continue our leisurely stroll along the shoreline, with the waves tenderly caressing our feet and the soft sand gently crunching beneath our steps.
Soon enough, a mesmerizing sight gradually emerges on the horizon. The gentle sound of waves crashing against the shore accompanies us as we approach a magnificent structure, standing proudly at the edge of the sea—the pier.
The time-worn platform is a captivating fusion of cement and weathered wooden planks, stretching out into the vast expanse of the ocean. Its solid pillars rise from the sandy beach, supporting a pathway that rises high above the tides of the sea.
As we draw nearer, sunlight dances upon the water, casting shimmering reflections that paint the pier in a magical glow. The weathered wood tells stories of countless footsteps that have traversed its surface, of laughter shared and memories etched in time. This location exudes a timeless connection between land and sea.
Placing our shoes back on, we step onto the sturdy planks of the pier, the sound of our footsteps changes, from the soft crunch of sand giving way to a solid, resonant echo.
From this vantage point, we witness a kaleidoscope of beachgoers enjoying the wonders of the ocean. But amidst the laughter and revelry, Aisha's attention is abruptly drawn to a peculiar sight.
Her eyes fixate on a piece of rope hanging off the end of the pier's railing, its frayed edges swaying gently in the sea breeze. The sight binds her still, its presence seems to spin an ominous tale, a subtle darkness amid the sunny backdrop.
Sensing the shift in her demeanor, I glance at her with concern. I can't quite put my finger on it, but an inexplicable wave of unease washes over me. My intuition whispers a foreboding message…
"What's wrong, Aisha?" I ask softly, my voice filled with concern. "You seem... unsettled."
Aisha takes a deep breath, her eyes still fixed on the swaying rope. "I don't know... it's just... there's something about that rope. It feels... off."
A knowing nod escapes me, the same sensation settling in my chest. "I feel it too," I respond, my voice carrying a hint of caution. "Let's keep walking," I say, gently guiding her away from the pier.
We slowly move away from the pier's edge, stepping off the solid planks of the wooden walkway.
Despite the sun's warm rays and the cheerful ambiance around us, a sense of foreboding lingers, casting an unspoken sense of dread.
To be continued...
My notes: This chapter is 10 pages long using 13 inch font!
I'm happy to see a few more folks have picked up on my story! Thanks for all the lovely comments and I'm going to try to update at least once a month!
I also edited this chapter again due to some rewording issues. Stay posted fo the next part!
Take care you all!
Rock Out & Peace On!
~PiNkBuN17