Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Worthless Onna ❯ Ambition not Arrogance ( Chapter 13 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

You eventually made it back home, finally noticing how drenched you were as your hand reached for the doorknob. Chuckling to yourself you closed your eyes, feeling the water rise into the air and warmth consume you. You walked in, automatically being surrounded by the others.
[Sweat Drop] “Oi, what’s up?”
“Where have you been? We’ve been worried sick!”
[Anime Dot Eyes] “And this concerns me how?”
At this point Botan interjected, leaping on top of you crying, “Oh, thank goodness! We thought you were dead!” Usually you would’ve broken away, but just then it hit you.
/How long has it been.../ A genuine embrace, not one out of courtesy or pity? However, the childishness of the thought shook you back into reality, with only a small unnoticeable tear falling.
“Okay, okay, I’m sorry already...” you murmured calmly and backed away from Botan. You looked over your shoulder briefly before leaving, seeing the others crowding Botan to ease her worry. /Maybe I do have a family here after all... [Sigh ] I still miss him, though.../ With that, you disappeared up the stairs.


Again, in Hiei’s POV:
I knew it was Amaya opening the door. In fact, I probably should’ve told the others where she’d been all this time, but saw no need to waste the energy. Instead, I sat amused as Amaya was suffocated with questioning. Botan, however, intervened by latching onto Amaya, crying hysterically.
I rolled by eyes with a “Hn”. Knowing Amaya’s usual apathy, I would’ve expected her to reject such direct displays of affection...but she surprised me. She had let her guard down, and the outburst left her exposed and her expression soft. Within seconds her haste returned and she backed away muttering, but was I the only one that saw a teardrop hit the floor? The others crowded her, but my curiosity lead me into her mind.
/Maybe I do have a family here after all... [Sigh ] I still miss him, though.../
[Eyebrow Fidget] /...Him?.../
All I could do was watch her ascend the staircase.


Back to You:
/I thought Kurama was released... I didn’t see him downstairs.../ you thought, walking aimlessly. Reaching the infirmary, you peeked inside only to find it too was Kurama-less. /Kuso! No Kurama, no wise-ass kitsune! Oi!/ You clutched your head, but suddenly something tapped on your shoulder, sending you flying upwards. You glared down at your opposed, finding it was only Yukina.
Your tail frizzed out and you looked more feline than ever with your claws digging into the ceiling, hissing at her, “DON’T DO THAT!” as you jumped back down.
“[Chuckle] Gomen ne. I just thought you might want to know that Kurama is out in the garden,” she said smiling.
/[Eye Fidget] Is everyone around here smiley 24-7?/
/Not everyone./
You narrowed your eyes a moment before you noticed Yukina staring. “[Ahem] So Red’s out in the garden? Arigatou... Yukina, right?”
“Hai, be careful,” she said smiling again.


Finding the exit to the garden was an adventure, to be sure. And, after several hallways, turns, and staircases, you came outside to the door.
/Okay, I take it back. I hate Spirit World./ you thought panting as you walked into the garden.
It was a magnificent sight. There were rows of bushes trimmed in all sorts of styles and flowers of every kind and color lined the sides of the path. You groaned in annoyance, but your ears picked up at the sound of shoveling. There, in a section filled with roses, was Kurama.
/Not surprised.../ you thought, smirking as you walked over.
Hearing you, he turned and smiled. “Amaya? What are you doing out here?”
“I could ask you the same thing. Why aren’t you resting?”
“I think I’ve rested more than enough and I had to check up on the garden...we don’t exactly have the best gardener around here you know.”
“Eee. Well do you always have to degrade yourself like this? Flowers, really. You might want a new hobby,” you said and Kurama only laughed.
“Hmpf. What’s so funny?”
“[Chuckling] Oh, nothing... Here,” he said handing you a bright red rose.
Memories came flooding in, the image of endless blood dominating your mind. You gritted your teeth. “I can’t stand red... or most bright things for that matter,” you said smoothly. In an instant you shot ice at the plant, causing it to freeze in his hands. It fell to the ground and shattered, but you’d already dashed away, secretly jumping into a nearby tree.
/How long do I have to wait? Come out already!/
Ironically, at that instant Kurama doubled over in pain, clutching his head. Sweat drowned down his face as he panted and feel to his knees. He dug his nails into the ground as silent screams came out. At his final scream he faded completely and a gust of wind picked up, surrounding him in a violent whirlwind of rose petals. When the wind receded, the rose petals fell and so did the dust cloud, revealing that Yoko Kurama had returned. Your eyes grew big and you jumped down near him.
“Hn. Took you long enough.”
He tilted his head for a moment before returning to his usual daze. “Glad you’re happy to see me,” he said mockingly.
“Nice sarcasm, but like I’d miss you, I only need you for a history lesson.”
“Oh really? I wasn’t being sarcastic,” he said and pointed behind you. You raised an eye at him before looking back to see your tail was wagging back and forth excitedly. Your face burned red.
You turned back glaring, “So?”
“[Chuckling] So what’s this about me teaching you anything?”
“Well...I’ve only just discovered I’m a kitsune and you’ve been that way your whole life (kind-of). You’re also fully aware of our legacy as well as the war, and I’m clueless. Do the math.”
“It’s not math...”
“THERE YOU GO BEING A WISE-ASS AGAIN! YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN!”
“Temper, temper.” He smirked, but suddenly both of you turned, hearing the others approach.
/Kuso! I finally get my chance and they ruin it.../ you though and looked at Yoko, but he was already dashing into the forest, towards the lake.
“[Sweat Drop] OI! Wait for me!”
Figuring you’d lost them, you walked and sat next to Yoko at the lake’s edge.
“Do you think you can explain now?”
“But of course, little kitsune.”
“Look, I’m no little kid.”
He grinned, “All right. As you know, kitsunes take pride in the hunt and can be rather protective of what is their’s. Our clans were peaceful and lived in harmony... but everyone has an enemy. Ours were the wolves. And because our land wasn’t exactly plentiful, they would constantly steal our food and it was something we tried to ignore. However, when a wolf killed one of our kitsunes to obtain meat, we were enraged and killed a wolf of their clan in return. This surprised the wolves that we fought back. Apparently the wolves thought we were worthless cowards that didn’t fight back, but proved to be a challenge. Never before were we forced to fight, but seeing the bloodshed of our own, our instincts overpowered us. Yet still today, the war of our clans rages on... and to think it would of never happened if the cowards only hunted for themselves,” Yoko said clenching his fist.
“So that’s why the clans refuse to interbreed?”
“No. That is nothing... The reason is... the clans are afraid...” Yoko said deathly silent, looking at the beach sand lying at his feet.
“Afraid? Why?” you asked as your tail gave a swish.
“[Sigh] Because they didn’t know what would happen. That alone, and the fact that your parents were the crowns of the nature clans, only made it worse. You see... while your mother controls the elements and storms, your father is the earth bound one who would bring earthquakes, floods, landslides... you get the point. Mixing them would bring forth something powerful. In this case both the powers were split, thankfully, but with what little control you have...”
“[Sigh] Basically my brother and I are freaks of nature and no crown is going to change that,” you murmured distantly, but suddenly something occurred to you. “Wait. Elements? This means I can call on fire too, right? Eh? Can I? Huh?”
His ear twitched the closer you came, but finally he gave in and nodded.
“All right! So spill. How do I...?”
He shook his head, amused. “Put your arm in front of you. Now place both your Jupiter and Saturn finger together and leave your thumb tucked under. Have your Mercury finger nearly touching your thumb, and have your Apollo finger slanted in-between your thumb and Mercury finger.” (Author’s note at end)

After much difficulty you managed the positioning, Yoko instructing you afterwards to summon your spirit energy into your Saturn finger.
“A word should come to you. Call it and let the inferno commence.”
Your spirit energy transformed, glowing red, yellow, and orange until forming a violent, dancing flame. A smirk emerged on your lips.
“Incendia!” What seemed like thousands of miniature, orange-red fire bullets were sent flying.
“Next time... Aim,” Yoko said sighing at the sudden lack of trees.
You grinned sheepishly. “Neat trick, but they do say kitsunes are full of tricks, heh.” The evaporating steam was causing your fingers to sting slightly.
He nodded. “It will prove useful in battle...and you will need that kind of power in time.”
“Why?”
“There are rare hunt.... argh...” Yoko tried saying, but found himself in agonizing pain. You turned around and placed a hand on his back.
“Woah, daijobu?”
“I’m fine... Kurama must be getting control again. I felt him resisting.... [Sigh] Well I guess this means goodbye for now, your highness...” he said and quickly took your hand and kissed it (again).
Your face went scarlet as you retrieved your hand. “Yeah, later Romeo,” you said and he smirked at you as he began to fade. /All right Kurama you owe me for this. Now I have to wait... Again./ you thought as you picked up a now unconscious Kurama and carried him back to the garden. You placed him in front of the roses before stepping aside. Little by little Kurama regained consciousness and looked around with a confused expression.
/[Sigh] Hope this works./ You leaped from the tree, “Kurama, what are you still doing out here? The roses are fine already! You don’t expect me to cook every night, do you?”
He blinked, quickly replacing his confused expression with a smile. “Oh... Right. Of course, coming!”
You groaned when you reached the entrance. “Great, I have to go up all those stairs again...”
“[Sweat Drop] Ano... You know Amaya, you could have used the elevator. It’s a lot faster,” he said motioning to the right.

“[Eye Fidget & Anime Vein] Oh really,” you said sarcastically. Both of you entered the elevator, but you noticed Kurama was still contemplating over what had just happened. You sighed inwardly, hoping you could get him to believe another lie. “What’s wrong?”
“Uh, nothing! Just a...headache,” he lied.
“Sou desu ka. You fainted, didn’t you? Told you to rest, but it’s your own damn fault for not taking my advice.”

/Who would take advice from you?/
/Coward.../

You shook your head and looked back at a sighing Kurama.
“I suppose you’re right. Maybe I need to take it easy for a while...”
The door then clicked open you both walked out. When you were approaching Kurama’s room, you put your arm in front of him.
“Ah, ah. You’re going to bed. I’ll make dinner again I guess, but you owe me one,” you said and before he could protest, you put your finger to his lip. “Now unless you want your lips frozen together, I suggest you get in there and take it easy for once.”
Kurama’s eyes widened, but then went back to kind. He blushed a little, nodding as he went inside his room, shutting the door behind him. You sighed and walked away and down the stairs ready for another lecture. Kuwabara and Yusukue were the first ones to it.
“Amaya! Where’s our dinner?” they yelled in union. You had your back turned to them that entire time, but looked at them over your shoulder, baring your teeth. As you passed the common room, however, Hiei glared.
“So where did you go this time?”
“That’s my little secret,” you said putting a finger over your lips and Hiei raised an eyebrow. You felt him trying to pry into your mind again so you put up a barrier. /Not this time./ you said to him. You then walked back into the kitchen ready to cook dinner for the gang. Feeling worn out, you decided to keep it simple. Kuwabara and Yusukue ate the hamburgers joyously, but Hiei turned away from the grease in disgust. Completely drained, you slumped groggily as you did the dished.
“Amaya? Why don’t you leave the cleaning to us tonight? You look tired,” Yukina and Botan suggested worriedly.
“Nah, I’m great!” [FALLS TO GROUND]
Big [Anime Sweat Drops] appeared on their heads as they laughed, carrying you off to bed. You slept all night, waking early the next morning feeling refreshed. After getting a pair of shorts and a tee on, you walked quietly downstairs to find only Hiei up training. Before heading out left a note:

“Hey guys. There’s cereal in the cabinet (don’t expect Kurama and I to cook all the time, do you?) Help yourselves and milk’s in the fridge. Ja ne.
Amaya.”


Once out you crept past Hiei and ran toward the lake. You dove in, swimming in circles at as much speed as you could muster. After, you jumped out and pulled out your daggers. You concentrated and formed ice at the tips to make them sharper, swerving and practicing. After you completed yet another turn, your dagger caught onto another blade. You looked up seeing an all too familiar smirk on an all too familiar cocky fire demon.

“What’s up Jaganshi?” you said tacking away your dagger.
“Training. It seems you have the same idea too...and stop calling me by my last name.”
“[Eye Fidget] All right... Hiei. Better?”
“Hn. Giving in already? Worthless.”
“I’ll wipe that smirk off your face. Draw your katana!”
“If you wish it.”
You lunged at each other eagerly, but suddenly a holographic image on Koenma appeared between you.
“GUYS, THIS IS NO TIME FOR FIGHTING! GET TO MY OFFICE, NOW!”
The image disappeared and you grunted in annoyance, putting away your daggers.



Japanese Translations:
Gomen: Informal way of saying "Sorry"
Pronunciation: Go-men.
Sou desu ka: "Is that so?" "Really?"
Kuso: "Damn it!" or "Shit!"
Daijobu: Informal way of saying "Are you ok?"
Pronunciation: Da-e-joe-boo.
Ja ne: "See you later"

Author's Note:
I can just imagine all the "WTF?" expressions at the part where Amaya uses fire. Basically all the Jupiter and Saturn gibberish is related to Palmistry. I made up the finger positioning at random otherwise.

Fingers:
Jupiter - Index
Saturn - Middle
Apollo - Second to last
Mercury - Pinky
Thumb... stays the same. Nothing special.

Hope you enjoyed and I'd love some reviews!