Hello everyone!
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho, it's characters or the references that I make. I do own my own characters and the plotline of the story.
This chapter focuses more on Kimora and fleshing her out as a person. It gives some hints to who she is, and who she surrounds herself with. I do promise there will be more of Rika in future chapters, she is a fun character to write. These first few chapters will be a little slow moving, as I want to really set the tone with everyone and establish Kimora with the group.
Next chapter will continue to focus on Kimora, and it will start pushing the story forward a little.
Please note that this is going to be a bit of a slow burn and slow update kind of story.
I do hope everyone who reads this enjoys it and I would have to hear back on what you think!
Entering her borrowed room that Master Genkai was allowing her to use for the night, Kimora couldn't help but release a slow breath. She leaned against the closed door, trying to will her mind to calm down a little. It was harder than she expected to keep her façade up without letting others on. Though she already suspected that her brother's redheaded friend, Shuuichi, knew something was going on with her. His emerald eyes were much more expressive than he probably realized, and she had felt his eyes watching her throughout the night as she interacted with everyone. While he had been cordial and moderately open in conversation, he had kept quiet and observed for most of the night. The only other ones who she suspected had their suspicions about her were the Master of the complex, and the shorter, black haired man that they called Hiei, who disappeared the moment the introductions were finished.
Thinking about her twin though, Kimora couldn't help the fond smile that crossed her face. Yusuke was trying so hard to keep her away from his world, that he didn't even realize how immersed she truly was. Being around her twin again caused her guard to drop more than she realized when she almost commented on something, he or Kazuma said about one of their past fights. She had to quickly adjust what she was about to say before she said something she regretted. In turn though, Yusuke and Kazuma made a few things up to keep her from finding out the truth. Even now, Yusuke was still trying to protect her from his world, a world that she was already familiar with.
"I wonder how he would react if he truly knew…" Kimora murmured quietly, the pit in her stomach twisting ugly in her gut as she stared out the window. "Probably give me an earful or two for keeping this to myself…" she chuckled at the mere thought of her twin doing that.
Shaking her head at the thought, Kimora pushed off the door, making her way towards the bed, only to pause at the sight of her black backpack, that Keiko brought for her. A small smile crossed her face as she picked the bag up and pulled out her pyjamas. She changed out of her leggings into a pair of sleep shorts, and when she went to remove her brother's shirt, she paused. Bringing it up to her face, Kimora inhaled, catching her brother's comforting scent. It had been so long since she had any physical piece of her twin with her, and she was reluctant to take the shirt off.
"I'm sure he won't mind missing just one shirt…" she mused, nodding her herself as if her decision wasn't something her twin would need to know. "Not that he will… if I just pack it away tomorrow, he'll be none the wiser…"
Taking a seat on the bed, Kimora thought back to the night, and reflected on how being around her family and oldest friends again. While it was awkward at first, she realized that despite the years that passed, and though everyone had changed, they were still the people she remembered. It filled her with warmth to know that she still had a place in their hearts. Even with the new people in their lives, and the bonds they had with them, she still mattered to them, and that was something Kimora always feared. The feat that they would forget about her, forget the bonds that they had when they were younger.
Knowing where her mind would go with that line of thought, Kimora shook her head, trying to get the negative thoughts out before they manifested again. Deciding she needed a distraction; she grabbed her phone from the nightstand. She wanted to check to see if there were any updates on the greenhouse or if Rika needed anything from her before she returned to their shared home. Kimora noticed a couple of messages from Rika, mostly teasing her with silly faces. There wasn't anything important for Kimora to really worry about. Before she could put her away, Rika's name and face suddenly popped onto the screen.
"You always seem to know when I'm looking at my phone." Kimora teased the moment she answered. "Impeccable timing as always, Rika."
"Oh, you give me far too much credit, Kim," Rika responded with a playful giggle, grinning ear to ear. "Besides, I had a feeling you'd 'turn in early' after everything," she stated simply, "you're not exactly the social one." She teased in return. "So… how'd things go?"
Kimora couldn't help the snort that left her at Rika's prying, knowing that the younger woman wouldn't budge until she got what she wanted. Rika was the kind of person who was far too noisy for her own good, yet it always worked out for her in the end, no matter what came out of it. But then again, Rika was the social butterfly of the two.
"To be honest, it was like coming home, Rika…" Kimora admitted, her voice soft and thoughtful. "Almost like the last few years apart were nothing more than an afterthought…"
Rika was silent for a moment, processing everything Kimora didn't say before replying. After being around the slightly older woman for the past few years, Rika usually had a good idea of what Kimora was trying to say, but right now, she was stuck. There was so little that was said and so much meaning behind the few words that were spoken.
"Awe, Kimmie!" Rika squealed in excitement, deciding it was the best course of action to take, only to be given a warning growl. "Sorry, sorry!"
Kimora let out a sigh as she listened to Rika's calmer tone as she apologized, probably remembering that she didn't like loud noises like her squeals so late at night.
"It sounds like the reunion went wonderfully!" Rika mentioned softly, and Kimora could hear the smile in her voice. "So, what's got you on edge right now?"
"Nothing too concerning, Rika." Kimora murmured with a sigh, "just keep your energy in check while we're here, alright? Not everyone can keep up with that." Kimora's words had a secondary meaning to them, something Rika had picked up on immediately as she let out a childish raspberry.
"Right, right… I'll keep that in mind, Kimmie…" Rika muttered with a sigh, hating being treated like a child like this.
"Rika…" Kimora's tone changed in warning, the headache she feigned to have earlier now becoming more apparent to her as she lightly rubbed her temples. "We'll talk more when I get back." She stated, not leaving any room for Rika to interject or argue. "It's been a tiring day for me, I'll see you when I return."
"And when will that—"
Kimora cut the call before Rika could finish and silenced her phone before tossing it onto the night table again. The last thing she needed was to listen to Rika blowing up her phone with messages or calls to continue talking. Kimora needed some time to herself, and the only way she could calm her inner turmoil and chaotic mind was to get some mediation in before she got some sleep.
"It's been a while since I've had to do this… but it's the only way to get some peace now…" Kimora murmured softly and crossed her legs under her.
Closing her eyes, Kimora knew what she had to do and let out a slow breath as she began attempting to clear her thoughts. It was difficult with everything bouncing around and her internal worries nagging at her every fibre of her being. Slowly she began letting them go with each slow breath and focused on releasing the tension in her limbs. She hoped this would allow her to get some sleep before the sun rose in the morning.
Kurama felt conflicted as he rested in his room at Genkai's, he couldn't help but think over everything that happened that night and wondered if he had judged Yusuke's sister too quickly. The woman hadn't given him any reason to suspect her, yet his couldn't help his analytical suspicions from arising. He wondered if it came from his expecting her to be just like Yusuke, but from what he saw during her time around them, the two siblings were almost completely opposite from one another. It surprised him to see how polite and calm the woman was when she entered the temple after Genaki had snapped at the two to get inside. Instead of snapping back like Yusuke often would, Kimora had been polite, taking the order without question.
Even after the twins had dried off and returned to the group, it was clear that Yusuke was the more animated and extroverted of the two. Though Yusuke could be quiet at times, the man had no issue with speaking his mind and talking to anyone around him. His sister on the other hand was more reserved, preferring to sit back and observe her surroundings. While she had conversed with everyone freely, Kurama couldn't help but feel that was only doing so for the sake of her brother. What truly caught him off-guard was the knowledge that she was a florist and was opening a shop.
"Maybe I should have been more tactful with my words…" he murmured to himself, remembering the way Kimora had reacted to his underlying accusation and suspicion. "Kimora caught onto my subtleness more quickly than I expected. Even Yusuke hadn't understood my meaning to them…"
Even the way Kimora responded to them would have had anyone else believe he was judging her and her career choice unfairly. Though he thought he spotted some mirth in her eyes as she spoke when he shifted in his seat. Luckily his friends knew the type of person he was, and that his words were not meant to harm. He honestly based his response after knowing Yusuke for so long and knowing the type of person he was and projected that onto his sister. Even then, he never expected anyone related to Yusuke to have an interest or passion for flowers or gardening. Kurama suspected that the woman would keep surprising him until he got to know her better.
"Maybe I should start making amends in the morning after my performance tonight…" Kurama mused to himself as he glanced out the window. "I'm sure Yusuke would prefer if we all got along with his sister now that she's here…"
With that thought Kurama began to plan, hoping to gain favour with the newest member of their motley crew. Hopefully they wouldn't reveal their secrets, as Yusuke made it quite clear after his sister went to bed, that he didn't want her involved in their world. It was one thing for Keiko to constantly be in danger, but the last thing he wanted was to get his sister tangled in their affairs and put her into unnecessary danger. Not that any of them tried to put their loved ones in danger, sadly danger tended to follow them no matter where they went, even after everything they had been through. Soon his mind began to settle and eased himself to sleep.
Kimora woke early the next morning, roused by a mysterious soft cooing that seemed to call her through the compound. Opening her bleary eyes, Kimora turned towards the window in her borrowed room, the sun was barely up at that it stirred her curious mind. The cooing continued, and Kimora was surprised to not hear movement coming from the other rooms around her. She had half the mind to ignore the cooing and get a couple more moments of sleep, but her curiosity won out. Pushing herself from the bed, Kimora stretched out her limbs and dressed for the day. Donning a pair of dark-washed jeans, a light pink off the shoulder top, Kimora quickly ran a brush through her hair before pulling her thick mane into a braid over her shoulder.
Before leaving the room, Kimora slipped her phone into her back pocket, and took caution when leaving through the door quietly with a pair of black flats in hand. Her steps were light against the wood flooring in her attempt to keep from waking the others on the same floor. As she approached the stairs, she paused when the cooing started again, and still, no one else seemed to stir from their sleep. Making her way to the main floor, Kimora set her flats on the ground and slipped her feet into them. Her runners were still soaked through from the night before, and she was glad that Keiko had packed another pair of shoes for her.
"There it is again…" Kimora murmured quietly, hearing the cooing again, this time it was slightly louder for her. "Seems like it's coming from outside…"
Sliding the temple door open, Kimora stepped out into the crisp morning air and inhaled deeply. She always loved the morning after a good rain, aside from the fresh scent that lingered, it revived life in the world again. Taking a moment to enjoy the quiet morning, Kimora walked around the temple grounds, taking in the surrounding forests surrounding them. She would admit that it was rather peaceful out here in the countryside, something she missed while being overseas. Inhaling the crisp morning air, Kimora paused near the rear of the temple, her eyes lazily gazing out into the towering trees. She could feel eyes on her in that moment, someone was watching her, but they weren't close by, that much she knew.
Before she could say anything to give herself away, the cooing called to her again, and she turned towards the temple, blinking when she noticed a set of doors that were cracked open. She felt a pull towards them and let her feet guide her. As she grew closer, she could hear something akin to feathers being ruffled and the cooing grew excited as she slowly slid one of the doors open.
"Oh my…" Kimora gasped at the sight in front of her. "Well, hello gorgeous—"