Yu Yu Hakusho- Another tale

Chapter 04: Transcending into self

My precious treasure
Akina opened her eyes. She felt exhausted and tired but atleast she could move.
"Good morning."
Akina blushed and looked at Kurama who walked in with a cup of coffee in his hand which he set on the table next to the bed.
"Go ...Good Morning." Akina whispered, her face turning red.
Kurama touched her cheek making her face feel even warm.
"Looks like the effect of the drought has been decreasing." He replied as he sat on the bed next to her.
"Um.. Mhm..." Akina said as she looked away.
"Good morning Akina-chan! You look a lot more lively!" Yusuke entered with a bowl on a tray.
"Eh? Yusuke-san? Eh? Where am I?" Akina looked confused.
"You sure are defenceless aren't you? This is my house. Be a little self aware kid." Yusuke sighed as he placed the bowl on the table.
"But you guys are not going to hurt me right? So..." Akina's rather calm reply made Yusuke fall on his back.
"Do you trust every single person you meet??" He looked at Akina sternly.
"Eh? You are asking me the same question Sumiko and Mikiko ask me everyday." Akina spoke innocently making Yusuke face palm.
"You are a special kind of idiot. I have asked Botan and Kuwabara also to come over, and you!" He pointed at Akina who looked at him.
"Take rest!" He said gently as he left.
Akina smiled as she took the cup of coffee but she set it down, looking worried.
"My aura.. its visible now isn't it?" Akina asked sadly.
Kurama noticed the worry and sadness on her face. Somehow, he did not want to see that expression on her face.
"Don't worry, we don't let them harm you." Kurama said firmly.
"Those demons yesterday... They... They didn't succeed right?" Akina asked timidly.
"Has this happened to you before?" Kurama asked calmly.
"Many attempts but neither have luckily been successfully. That's why Endo-san felt it was important to seal my aura... Otherwise..." Akina wrapped her hands around herself shivering and bowed her head.
Kurama gently touched her shoulder making her look up.
"You do not have to worry about that anymore. We will protect you." Kurama assured her when she shook her head.
"You don't have to do that! Please! You can't put yourself in harm for me!" Akina spoke frightened.
"You don't have to worry about us Kid. We are rather capable." Yusuke who overheard the conversation spoke up.
"But...." Akina looked at their kind yet confident faces.
She smiled back.
"I have to admit, her smile is rather disarming." Yusuke chuckled.
"I agree, it calms the soul." Kurama replied with a smile.
"Ah! You are awake! Are you feeling better Akina-chan??" Botan returned cheerfully and grabbed a surprised Akina.
"Yes I am..." Akina replied quietly.
"Ah! That reminds me, Akina-chan! Koenma-Sama will come to meet you soon! He is intrigued by you." Botan said excitedly.
"Koenma?" Akina muttered.
"You guys should also should come, Koenma-Sama has something to say to you all." Botan smiled.
"Hmmm" Akina just smiled back.
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Akina followed Botan through what looked like a heavy broker's office as ogres ran around like chickens with their heads cut off.
"It's here, don't worry, he is okay." Botan smiled as Akina followed her.
"I wonder how she will react on seeing Koenma." Yusuke whispered to Kurama who just chuckled.
Akina blinked as she entered the room and saw the red cushion chair and table.
"How nice to meet you Matsumura Akina!"
Akina looked down to see a child, around 4 years with a pacifier stand in front of her. Akina stepped back.
"You are no ordinary child are you? You seem to be rather old.... Rather...." Akina muttered.
"You can see through me, you sight is amazing." Koenma smiled when suddenly looked serious.
"Eh?" Akina looked at him confused.
That child, her resemblance..... It's so uncanny but there is no way.
"Ah! Anyways.... As you can see Akina-chan, you are now in danger, even if we try to suppress your aura now, you are still vulnerable, since they now know your face as well. I think its better that you be with Yusuke or Kurama or Kuwabara or Botan.... At least till I can find a way to protect you." Koenma looked at Akina.
"If I am in so much danger, what about my friends??" Akina spoke up.
"They will be fine, so don't worry." Koenma said kindly.
Akina just nodded mutely.
"Either ways, if I am not wrong, since you are almost done with school and entering university, you don't have relatively a lot of free time, so you can use this time to get to know your protectors even better!" Koenma grinned.
"That would be good." Kurama replied.
Koenma watched as they left the room. He sat on his chair in deep trouble
"Is everything okay Master?" Jorge asked worried.
That child, her aura and her face, resembled them so much... The rumour.... There was no way....
"Anyways, we need to keep an eye on that girl. Her powers are mostly still asleep or locked. If things are as I fear, then those low demons are not our only worry."
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"I feel like I am troubling everyone." Akina muttered as she left her classroom.
"Why can't you just asked for help you idiot? What are you. Being strong for?" Mikiko asked feeling tired.
"You are talking to Matsumura Akina, the idiot who feels that asking help or being helped is equal to being evil." Sumiko seconded while ruffling Akina's hair.
"You both sure love to tease me." Akina complained when she blushed.
Kurama was at the school gates.
"Eh? Why?" Akina blushed.
"He he Akina-chan, looks like you have been progressing well with him aren't you?" Mikiko giggled.
"It's nothing like that!" Akina whined.
Sumiko looked at Akina and rushed forward towards Kurama.
"Ehhh" Akina sweat dropped.
"Hello, how can I help you?" Kurama asked politely as Sumiko looked at him.
"Are you serious about her?" Sumiko asked.
Akina nearly fell on hearing the question while Kurama just smiled.
"If I am?" Kurama answered politely.
"Sigh... It's just that she has never had the shadow of a man before, just don't want her to get hurt. She is rather delicate."  Sumiko looked worried.
"I promise she will not be hurt, so trust your friend in my hands." Kurama assured.
"Ne Sumiko! It's embarrassing... It's nothing like that." Akina grabbed Sumiko by her hand when Sumiko sighed and grinned.
"It's just that he is older than you and you are still a minor, so I need to be sure." Sumiko replied.
Akina just sighed. Sumiko and Mikiko waved as Akina followed Kurama.
"I am sorry about her..." Akina muttered.
"It's fine, besides you are lucky, you seem to have really good friends." Kurama looked at her and chuckled.
Akina cheered up and nodded happily.
You really are a mystery, Akina
They walked towards the train station, where they met Botan and Keiko.
"Yusuke already went ahead! Kuwabara-kun said he will meet us there after his classes." Botan informed them.
"Where are we going?" Akina asked curiously as she followed them to the station.
"Ah! Akina-chan! I took the liberty of bringing your clothes and necessities from your house!" Botan said cheerfully.
"Ah! Thank you Botan-san." Akina took the bag from Botan and on checking the contents she was slightly unhappy.
"Is everything okay?" Keiko asked seeing her crestfallen face.
"Ah! Nothing! My sketchbook is not there..." Akina muttered.
"Sketch book? Ehhh? Then, all those paintings and sketch's were done by you?" Botan asked surprised.
"It's just my hobby... It helps take my mind off things!" Akina laughed nervously.
They were about to board the train when Kurama tapped her shoulder. She looked back him when he handed her a sketch book.
"Eh? Did you get this for me?" Akina asked surprised.
Kurama just smiled and entered the train. Akina held the book close to her and smiled as she followed him to their seats.
"So Akina-chan, I heard you are aiming to be a doctor?" Keiko asked.
Akina nodded shyly.
"You really are shy! You are nearly a university student, you should be more lively!" Botan said cheerfully.
"Mikiko-chan and Sumiko make up for that... Besides... I am more of a bookworm... So..." Akina replied softly.
"What about your family?" Keiko asked
"I don't want to worry now. In childhood, they have already suffered a lot because I made a lot of remarks because what I saw. Although they lost a lot of friends because of me, they still don't blame me... The least I can do is do well in school and study well." Akina replied softly
Botan lurched from her seat and hugged Akina who stiffened in surprise.
"Such a good girl! So innocent!" She yelled as she ruffled her hair as she hugged her.
"Botan, she cannot breathe." Kurama chuckled.
"AH! Sorry Sorry! You really are a wonderful child." Botan hugged her again before returning to her seat.
Akina looked a little disheveled and confused but she smiled and laughed.
"Thank you." She smiled back.
Her smile seems troubled
Akina remained silent during the remaining trip while Botan and Keiko continued the conversation. Kurama just smiled at the conversation when he felt something on his arm. He turned to and smiled softly. Akina had fallen asleep and her head had fallen on his arm. He gently manoeuvred so she was comfortable on his arm.
They reached the station and made it to Genkai's temple.
As they walked up the stairs, Kurama fell behind to walk with Akina.
"You seem troubled." Kurama commented.
Akina looked even more down.
"I feel like I am burdening everyone. All of you seem to be going out of your way to help me.... Botan san seems to mistake me for a good person." Akina replied softly.
What exactly is burdening her heart?
"Akina, you don't need to feel like that. We all want to help you protect your self." Kurama replied.
"You don't know the type of demons who look for someone like me or the people I have unknowingly put in danger... Or...." Her fingers gripped the book as they finally reached the top.
Akina was looking down when she felt her chin tilt up. Akina found herself looking into the gentle yet mysterious emerald eyes of Kurama.
"It doesn't matter what kind of demons or people they are, we will be there by your side." Kurama said kindly.
The wind gently ruffled their hair, Akina felt herself grow warm.
"Oi! Kurama! What are dilly dallying for?" Yusuke turned up as Kurama left go of her.
"Come along Akina!" He gently held her hand and let her in.
He is able to calm me down and feel more sure of myself. Do.... Do I like him?
Akina found a smile on her lips as she let Kurama lead her into the temple.
"This place?" Akina asked as she sat down.
"Ah? This place? It was my master's temple." Yusuke said cheerfully.
"Was?" Akina asked timidly.
"She has passed away but now we maintain this place! It's lovely isn't it?" Yusuke smiled.
Akina nodded as she smiled.
"You don't even help us clean this place up Yusuke, what are you being proud of?" Keiko entered with a broom while scolding Yusuke who giggled nervously.
"Ah! I can also help!" Akina stood up.
"No no... There is no need, we do it anyways!" Botan said cheerfully.
"Anou... Please let me help!" Akina asked which made everyone smile.
"We could use extra hands!" Keiko announced.
Akina helped around when she heard the soft sound, she followed the sound and...
"Akina-chan, can you help Keiko with dinner... Ah... I see you found Puu." Botan giggled as she saw Puu nudge its head against a laughing Akina.
"He is so cute! I don't why, but he seems to resemble Yusuke-san a bit." Akina laughed  as Puu continued.
"Well, he is Yusuke's reikaiju (Spirit beast) after all." Botan replied.
Akina giggled as Puu cooed in her ear. Botan knew that Puu was able to feel her kind and gentle aura.
Kurama watched from a distance and smiled.
"You seem to be rather taken with her." Yusuke commented.
"She is a unique girl after all." Kurama replied with a chuckle.
"She seems really naive and trusting though, so I am a little worried. I don't have the old lady's power to teach her to control her aura but hopefully we can figure some way out. Did you find out anything?" Yusuke leaned on the pillar.
"I managed to find out as much as I can about her birth. There is much except that she had been initially pronounced dead when she was born." Kurama replied.
"Pronounced dead?" Yusuke looked surprised.
"From what I understand, she had been born extremely premature and the doctors were not sure if they can save her, they kept her incubated but eventually she was dying but miraculously she was alive within minutes of being pronounced dead... Other than that, she has been abroad for a while. I had Eisuke make her glasses again but her aura cannot be controlled by it anymore." Kurama seemed grim.
"And we don't know what all is she capable of. Her Aura though... its neither Yoki (Demon energy) or Reiki (Spiritual energy)... What worries  me is that we have felt this energy before..." Yusuke closed his eyes.
"Sensui, isn't it? She has that holy power glow but its very different." Kurama muttered.
Yusuke nodded when he suddenly had a sly grin.
"She is rather beautiful isn she?" Yusuke grinned.
"She is..." Kurama smiled.
"A little younger than you though for you to make any move." Yusuke was chuckling.
The comment caught Kurama off guard.
"She is just 2 years younger than me and I am not sure what you mean." Kurama had a rather stiff smile.
"You know what I mean. She is rather innocent and trusting though. I wish you luck." Yusuke was laughing when a broom made a loud contact with his head.
"Yusuke! You are supposed to be cleaning!!!" Keiko shouted at him.
Yusuke picked up the broom grumbling under his breath.
"Well, at least she wont attack you all the time." He muttered as he followed Keiko to the entrance when Kurama chuckled.
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"I have found her, its difficult to miss her aura!"
"I need her, she is the only one who can heal me."
"She is protected by them."
"Destroy them by all means. Capture her."