Chapter Three: Completing the Team
The day after the tournament, bright and early as soon as the sun was just peaking over the horizon, Genkai had Yusuke and Kainna spar.
"I need to see what you need to improve in," Genkai addressed Kainna and then turned towards Yusuke. "And how fast Yusuke can recover." They were all facing each other in equal distance in a triangle, with Yusuke and Kainna turned towards each other.
Kainna bounced lightly on her feet, the lasting effects of the moon just now going down gave her more energy and adrenaline. She was excited to start. Yusuke was less enthusiastic as he still felt his body aching from the day before. With it being a spar, she disappeared her bow and arrows, just like Botan did with her broom. With what Kainna had seen the day before, Yusuke seemed to be more of a specialist in close combat which meant her bow would only get in the way. She instead gripped her sai daggers, holding one in each hand. The spar started with Kainna taking the offensive. She charged at Yusuke, slicing the air in front of him as he dodged.
"Hey! Why does she get weapons!?" Yusuke complained as he jumped over her blades. Kainna smirked.
"It's not my fault you're too stupid to bring one." Kainna laughed as her comment took Yusuke by surprise. She jumped in the air while concentrating more of her energy into her right leg, kicking him across the field. His body flew through the air before hitting a tree hard, his imprint left in the bark as he slid down to the ground. Yusuke groaned.
"How do you have that much power?" Kainna grinned, twirling her sai in one hand while she waited for him to approach her.
"I'm a moon demon." She stated simply. Yusuke walked back into the centre of the field.
"Yea, and? Is that supposed to mean something." Kainna sighed but before she could explain Genkai did.
"Moon demons have an abundance of spiritual energy, or for demons it is refered to as yoki. They harness their energy from the moon and recharge with it. Most are considered un-killable, their energy could heal them to full strength multiple times in a battle." Kainna thought Genkai's explanation barely scratched the surface of what she could do, but she appreciated not having all her secrets spilled, even if it was to her teammate.
"Glad you're on my team. But I'm not going to get beat by a girl." Yusuke grinned and charged towards Kainna with a fist raised with spirit energy. Kainna backflipped, dodging his fist with seconds to spare before kicking him in the jaw. He went spirling upwards before landing with a loud thud in the dirt.
"Ok, that's enough." Kainna frowned, looking over at Genkai in confusion. Yusuke had plenty of energy left, there was no reason to call the fight.
"Hey I'm still kicking." Yusuke said, getting up with excitement. "Actually, I think I'm finally warmed up."
"Exactly, dumbass. We aren't battling to the death here. I wanted to see how Kainna fights, and I needed you warmed up for our training. It seems you need a few kicks to the head to wake you up," Yusuke glared at Genkai, muttering insults under his breath. "And I already saw what Kainna needs to work on." Kainna's eyes widened, she only attacked twice. "You have great control over your energy, I could sense you were going easy on Yusuke with the level of energy in your kicks." Yusuke now glared at Kainna, annoyed that he got thrown around by someone not even using their full strength. "But it seems speed is your weakness. Yusuke is only a human and your speed barely surpasses his." Kainna looked away with a pout. She hated running, and because of that her speed was extremely slow compared to that of other demons.
"Yusuke, go back to the dojo. It's about time we start our training." Genkai then addressed Kainna. "Kainna, run laps around the dojo until you beat your initial time. Then, do 100 punches in 30 seconds. If you can't accomplish this... don't stop until you do or you pass out. Whichever comes first."
And so, for the next 6 months that was their routine. In the mornings Kainna and Yusuke would spar. Genkai made it increasingly difficult for the two of them. Kainna was not allowed to use her energy during the match, only relying on her speed to dodge attacks and deliver them. Meanwhile, Yusuke was to practice using the spirit gun on Kainna, trying to increase his spirit energy to allow himself more shots. Kainna got hit a couple of times with it in those 6 months, her own energy quickly healing her before her skin could get bruised. But she still felt the pain of it and worked even harder to be able to dodge it.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Yusuke was given permission to go home as he had finished his training with Genkai. Kainna didn't know what was to happen to her now, she didn't want to overstay her welcome however, she felt it was weird to live with Yusuke. Although she was a demon, living with a boy she was not mated to was improper. They could stay under the same roof with Genkai; they had an elder with them and they were training after all. But she had no business following him home.
"Genkai." Kainna spoke up as she walked into Genkai's game room. Arcade games filled up the space and made it hard to hear. Kainna followed Genkai's energy until she saw her. She was currently playing against Yusuke.
"What is it Kainna?" Genkai asked, her eyes never shifting from the screen. Kainna hesitated, unsure of how to start. She took a nervous breath.
"I don't mean to overstay my welcome, but would you allow me to live on your land during my time here in the human realm?" Genkai paused the game much to Yusuke's aggravation.
"Hey! You only did that 'cause I was beating you, Grandma." Yusuke yelled. "And besides, Kainna. I told you, you're welcome to come live with me. My mom is hardly there and when she is, she's passed out. So, she won't mind." He grinned at her, unaware of her hesitation.
"Idiot, do you not realize how that might look." Genkai spoke to Yusuke. Yusuke looked at the two of them in confusion. It wasn't until he saw the blush of embarrassment on Kainna's face that he understood.
"But it's not like that. Kainna is like one of the guys, I don't even think of her as a girl anymore." Kainna's embarrassment turned to anger as she hit Yusuke in the head with a little more energy than normal. He went tumbling to the wall, hitting it with a loud thud.
"Thanks! I'm glad you can forget my gender so easily." Kainna huffed. It's not like she liked Yusuke in that type of way, but she still would like to be recognized as girl. Genkai rolled her eyes at their antics, after 6 months they seemed to be more like siblings.
"It doesn't matter Yusuke; these are the facts. What Kainna is saying is that she is uncomfortable living with a male she is not mated with." Yusuke looked over at the short demoness, he didn't think demons would care about that sort of thing.
"Yea, and I don't particularly think of you in that type of way." Kainna said and then grinned evilly. "In fact, if it wasn't for your dumb looking face, I'd forget you're even a guy sometimes." She said sarcastically, repeating what he had said to her. Yusuke stood up quickly at that.
"You wanna fight?!"
"You mean I actually get to use my full strength this time instead of babying you?" Kainna grinned as she spoke. She loved to rile up Yusuke, it was so entertaining. She was sure that Yusuke knew she was joking with him, his spirit energy would spark up and even though he was yelling at her he had a grin on his face.
"Who are you babying? I remember hitting you twice with my spirit gun last time."
"Would you two quit it." Genkai delivered swift kicks to the both of them, ending their little argument. "Kainna, you are welcomed to stay here, on the grounds or in my dojo. Although you are not my successor, I did like training with you and wouldn't mind having someone around to spar with. You are also free to go whenever you like, don't feel trapped here." Kainna smiled and bowed.
"Thank you Genkai, I appreciate it." Yusuke huffed in annoyance. He had grown fond of the demoness over these last 6 months and was disappointed to find she was not coming with him.
"Yea well, I guess this will be goodbye then." Yusuke picked up his bag and threw it over his shoulder. Kainna smiled fondly at the human.
"I don't mind coming to visit and seeing how humans live. Maybe in a couple of days? It'll give you a chance to miss me." Yusuke ruffled her white hair affectionately, Kainna huffed and pushed his arm away.
"Sounds like a plan." Yusuke looked over at Genkai, his hair wasn't slicked back anymore and made his face look even younger. He smiled at her. "Thanks, Grandma."
The following day, while Kainna was outside meditating with Genkai, Botan appeared before them. She flew down from the sky in a hurry, wearing a stylish red jacket and light red leggings. She looked ready for battle as she swooped down in front of Kainna.
"Sorry to interrupt but Koenma has an urgent mission for Team Urameshi. He sent me down to get you before I meet up with Yusuke." Kainna quickly got ready, bowing to Genkai as a goodbye.
"I'll see you later, Genkai." She called as she hopped onto Botan's broom, holding on tightly as Botan sped away.
Botan flew over the city before landing on a rooftop. She made her broom disappear before grabbing a metal baseball bat that was left on the floor.
"I'll need this." Botan said before they ran over to the door that led to the stairs and made their way to the ground floor.
"Can you sense Yusuke around here?" Botan asked. Kainna paused, shifting through the different energies of the humans around her before finding Yusuke's.
"He's this way. Seems like he's fighting." Kainna could sense Yusuke discharge the shotgun technique of his spirit gun. They ran through a couple of alleyways before seeing a figure with a trench coat take the corner ahead of them.
"I got this one." Botan said before launching herself at the figure and swinging her bat against his head.
"Now that's teamwork." Botan said as Yusuke and Kuwabara rounded the corner in front of them.
"Hey, it's the cute chick from before." Kuwabara said as he spotted them, his eyes mainly focused on Botan. Kainna grinned at the two boys in front of her.
"Fancy seeing you two here." Yusuke's confused expression turned to excitement as he spotted the demoness.
"Missed me already?' He taunted her. Kainna stuck her tongue out at him playfully.
"I've been shadowing that thing ever since he escaped. But I had to give up when Koenma ordered me to retrieve Kainna for your next mission."
"Wait a minute. I just said goodbye to Kainna yesterday! Which means I just finished my training, I'm not about to go on a mission just yet. I deserve a vacation." Yusuke complained with an angry glare at Botan. Kainna didn't understand why he was complaining, it was getting boring around here lately.
"I guess you want everyone in this city to turn into zombies? Koenma got a message yesterday from an agent with the Four Holy Saint Beasts. They were demanding to be able to go into the human realm."
"So?" Yusuke was quick to be dismissive of the threat. Botan sighed and explained who the saint beasts were. Kainna was familiar with the name however, only by stories she heard from other demons. No one has seen the four beast since they locked themselves away in their castle. She was betting they were all dead. Well, if they weren't they were about to be.
"They are infecting humans with insects that create zombies who want to murder and destroy. The only way to save the city is to destroy the whistle that is enabling the insects to survive in the human realm."
"So how long until the beasts come into the human realm?"
"They can't, we have had them trapped behind a barrier wall. That is what they want us to take down in exchange for the whistle. Instead we will open up a hole inside the wall and let you in."
"And if I can't beat them?"
"I don't have to tell you what will happen, everyone in this city will be dead." Kainna huffed getting their attention.
"I don't know what Yusuke is talking about, but I don't lose fights." Kainna grinned bringing back the energy to the group.
"Kainna's right, we aren't going to let these beasts destroy out city."
"What about me? I'm not going to sit around my house while Yusuke runs around and saves the city."
"I'll also be fighting." Kainna muttered as Kuwabara continued with his speech.
"Cause I'm Kuwabara and I have a sword!"
"Well, I guess there's no point in arguing. Now follow me." Botan led the group to an abandoned warehouse. They opened the back door to see rooms covered in dust and cobwebs. Botan continued to the basement where she got on her hands and knees and started to tap the tiles on the floor.
"It's here somewhere." She pounded twice on a tile before it opened. The four of them looked inside to see an ominous fog of green. Kainna could feel the danger emitting from the entrance.
"You aren't going to give us a rope or something?" Yusuke asked. He couldn't make out how deep the plunge would be. Hell, he couldn't see passed the fog.
"Nope, jumping down would land you safely. Kuwabar, there is no need for you to go. No one would blame you." Botan spoke nicely to the other human.
"I already feel like a spirit detective. There's no going back now." And with that Kuwabara jumped in. They all stared down the hole.
"Maybe he'll be okay alone." Yusuke mumbled. Kainna laughed at his comment.
"Yea, I think he'll be just fine." Kainna spoke with amusement. Botan glared at the both of them.
"Fine I'll go first." Kainna muttered and jumped down into the hole. Kainna knew Yusuke wouldn't like to be beaten by her, she expected he would be jumping shortly after.
Kainna saw a flash of light before she was transported within a spark to the ground below along with Yusuke and Kuwabara, who clearly didn't know how to control their decent. The two boys landed on their heads while Kainna gracefully landed on her feet on top a tree branch nearby. She knew from experience that having the higher ground in unfamiliar territory was important. She glanced down at the humans below her.
"Not use to being teleported, huh?" She asked the two as they rubbed their heads.
"What are you doing up there? Don't you see where the castle is?" Kuwabara called up to her. Before Kainna could reply they were interrupted by hissing, whiny voices as figures started to emerge from the ground, surrounding Yusuke and Kuwabara. The things jumped the two boys, clawing at their bodies and trying to take bites out of them.
Kainna watched for a moment as the two fought off the things in trench coats, kicking them off their bodies. She could hardly feel the figures' spiritual energies, Yusuke shouldn't have a problem...
"Hey a little help? It would be stupid to die like this!" Yusuke yelled for Kainna to interfere. She rolled her eyes and charged her right hand with energy.
"Genkai would be disappoint with you, Yusuke!" She yell as she jumped off the tree branch. Her fist was raised over her, her energy became visible as a white aura that encompassed her hand and turned bright as it crackled like lightening. As she descended into the ground two more flashed of light entered the atmosphere, the flash startled the figures and distracted them from continuing their attack. Kainna smirked, too easy. Before they could run away, Kainna punch the ground below. Her energy discharged into the ground created waves of lightening to travel through the soil and any thing who touched it. The figures fell to the floor quickly as her energy traveled through their nervous system and stunned them. Yusuke, already having been hit by this technique before, recognized it and jumped into the air to avoid contact. Kuwabara was not so lucky. He got shocked, which stunned him along with the others, but only for moments as his own spirit energy were stronger than the figures'.
As the attack subsided, and Kuwabara complained loudly about being hit as he finally got on his feet, two figures appeared in the flashes of light on the same tree branch Kainna had jumped from.
"We thought you two might need a hand." A mellow, kind sounding voice came from the taller of the two.
"If you two needed help with those things, its clear how shallow your powers run." The shorter figure spoke with a blunt annoyance in his voice. Kainna ears perked at the insult thrown towards the two humans, a smirk covered her face. Lightening lit up the shadows on the tree as they jumped down to meet the trio.
Kainna observed the two, they seemed to move in sync with each other, indicating they were both partners on a team. They jumped and landed at the same time in front of them. The mellow voice belonged to another red head, one with long straight hair and emerald green eyes. Kainna thought he looked...pretty. Almost elegant...but something about him screamed danger to her senses, like he was hiding something.
The harsher voiced one had a bored expression to his face, as if it was a nuisance to be there. He stood with his hands in the pockets of his long black jacket. His red eyes pierced through Kainna's own teal ones. He was impressed by her attack, one that took out most of the things on the ground. Kainna felt uncomfortable with his stare, it felt like he was looking right through her. She felt something stir in her stomach. She was nervous. She had never been nervous like this before. She stood her ground, resisting the urge to move further back from the two strangers.
"Well, well, well, the thieves," Yusuke greeted the two with sarcasm. Kainna glanced back at Yusuke whilst keeping her body poised towards the two new males. Come on Yusuke, be more direct. Friend or foe? Kainna thought to herself as she wasn't sure if she could let her guard down yet. Calling these two thieves really didn't let her know what side they were on.
"What are you guys doing here?" Yusuke continued, his voice still not at ease.
"Even Koenma knew it would take more than two humans to beat the saint beast. Even if you do have a demon." The demon with the spiky black hair spoke to Yusuke but addressed Kainna with his last statement. Kainna's teal eyes met his red ones yet again. He was looking at her with interest, she guessed Koenma neglected to tell them of her.
"Koenma said we can clear our slates by participating in this mission." Kainna snorted and dropped her arms to her hips, letting her guard down completely.
"Koenma seems to like sending demons off on missions a lot these days. Fulfilling his promises... I can't say so much." Kainna spoke to the sky knowing somehow Koenma was listening to her. Hiei looked at the demon in front of him, her yoki almost seemed to glow white with energy. She was wearing a fighting version of a kimono, the skirt ended mid-thigh showing a glimpse of thick smooth thighs before being covered again by knee-high stockings. The kimono itself was black with red flowers and long sleeves that hung loosely off her naked shoulders. She wore a red tank top underneath that brought attention to the black lace chocker she wore. It was a thick band of black with a small white gem in the center, it wrapped around her neck complimenting the dark black eyeliner that matched and enhanced her bright teal eyes. The colors contrasted nicely against her white hair which was tied half up with red ribbons. Dual sai daggers were strapped onto her back in a cross cross formation. Hiei didn't know why, but he couldn't look away from her, she was entrancing. Her teal eyes snapped back over to him and immediately found his. He narrowed his eyes; she was a problem.
"Kuwabara, Kainna, let me introduce you guys. That's Hiei and this is Kurama."
"Pleasure to meet you two." Kurama greeted the two with friendliness while Hiei stared without a word. Kainna bowed her head respectfully as a greeting.
"Well, I don't have a clue what's going on but, it's great to have help." Kuwabara thanked the two. Kainna held back her laughter at Kuwabara's stupidness. His statement seemed to snap Hiei out of his thoughts as he interrupted the human.
"Don't make the mistake in thinking we are equals just because Koenma put us on the same team. Once we get in the castle, let us do all the work. As far as I'm concerned, we are merely babysitting." Kainna grinned at the word he used, remembering her arguement with Yusuke just yesterday,
"It seems I'm not the only one who thinks you're a baby." Kainna teased Yusuke who gritted his teeth at her. He ignored her comment for now and focused on the two in front of him, one of which Kuwabara was already arguing with.
"Listen here you puny little jerk face, I'm going to have to beat you up if you keep talking down to us that way." Kuwabara was talking to Hiei, whose eyes snapped over to his with annoyance.
"Let's avoid fighting, you're not worth it." Hiei stated much to Kuwabara's displeasure. Kuwabara cursed under his breath and swung at Hiei. He missed completely, Hiei moved so fast it seemed as if he teleported. Kainna blinked.
"Wow, you're fast." She spoke, astonished. She had never seen a demon move that fast before, and she bet he was faster considering Kuwabara wasn't exactly speedy. Hiei looked over at the Kainna when she spoke, his eyes naturally moving towards the source of that voice. His eyes narrowed, annoyed that he didn't stop his gaze from drifting. He looked back at Yusuke.
"Yusuke, I plan to take my revenge on you. So, consider this fair warning." Kainna's eyes narrowed to slits hearing what Hiei was saying to Yusuke. No, she didn't like that threat. Kuwabara took that as a chance to try and attack Hiei again, who only dodge backwards into his original position. Kainna took that opportunity to use her own speed to set herself in front Yusuke, her aura giving her a light glow.
"Who do you-" Kainna started, her eyes catching Hiei's. However, Yusuke's hand covered her mouth before she could continue to confront the demon.
"Hiei means a rematch, it isn't a death threat Kainna." Yusuke spoke nervously, already feeling her trying to bite his hand. Hiei watched with interest, who was this demoness and why was she so protective of this spirit detective? Hiei didn't like it, he couldn't explain why. He didn't like the idea of her protecting Yusuke, maybe he just didn't like that she was protecting a human. Demons should stick to their own.
"Ow, ok! Damn, I think you drew blood!." Yusuke yelped as he removed his hand from her mouth. Her annoyed stare now went to Yusuke.
"Don't you ever do that again or I'll cut it off." Yusuke backed up nervously at her threat, holding up his hands as a surrender. Kainna rolled her eyes at his antics, he was being dramatic.
"Look, as long as you don't kill him, I don't care if you beat him senseless."
"Oh, thanks Kainna, what a friend." Yusuke interrupted. Hiei watched as her eyes narrowed, hearing Yusuke complaint but kept her eyes on him, ignoring the human behind her.
"You have orders from Koenma, so do I." Kainna finished, explaining herself in that one state. Hiei now understood, even though they seemed friendly enough her real purpose in protecting him was Koenma, it was his orders for her.
"I'll still have my fight." Hiei answered, Kainna could respect that. Whatever revenge he had won't kill Yusuke at least.
"Don't worry three eyes," Yusuke stepped in front of Kainna, now taking back control of the conversation. "If we survive this I'll take you on." Kainna looked over at Hiei, her eyes straying towards his white headband. Three eyes?
"Now," Yusuke exclaimed, all friendliness. "Isn't this a perfect team or what?!" Kuwabara groaned in annoyance, Hiei and Kainna's eyes locked for a moment before looking away. Hiei grunted as his response.
"Yea, perfect."