Yu Yu Hakusho- Another tale

Chapter 08: Tough Decision

"Why would they target my aunt? I hate her." Akina crossed her arms looking extremely uncomfortable
"I guess they are relying on your kind nature, they were sure you would come to save her." Kurama replied calmly.
"Ha.... What a pain." Akina grumbled feeling even more upset.
Her phone rang.
"Ah? Mama... is everything okay." Akina went to her balcony as the door bell rang.
Kurama opened the door to let Yusuke and Kuwabara in. He could hear Akina softly speak to her mother, but her tone seemed defeated and conflicted.
"So they are now targeting her family members? How low." Yusuke commented.
"They cannot target her parents and brother because of where they are but since her aunt lives near by.... They must have targeted her on purpose." Yusuke reasoned when Akina returned.
She just had a mild smile as she sighed.
"I cannot help it, after all, she is my mother's older sister after all." Akina replied softly.
Kurama looked at her as she just continued to sigh.
"So.... This is the creep who came to forward the message?" Yusuke bang the head of her neighbour who glared at them.
"I wanted to slice him into tiny pieces but unfortunately we need to know where Akina's aunt is." Kurama said coldly as the neighbour looked frightened.
"How about I give him another round of beatings?" Kuwabara threatened as he cracked his knuckles.
"AH...ah..." He turned to look at Akina who just shrugged.
"You were asking for this." Akina muttered.
"Hiiiiiiiii.... I will answer anything! Don't kill me!!!!!!!
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Akina stood in her balcony as she wind undid her long hair. Her eyes were solemn and confused.
"Akina?"
"Even though I don't want to do anything for her, I still want to help her." Akina looked up as she closed her eyes.
"You cannot ignore her plight can you?" Kurama stood next to her when Akina chuckled uncomfortably.
"I cannot even force myself to think she deserves it.... All that I feel is that I need to help her." Akina replied softly.
Kurama smiled softly as she leaned on the railing next to him.
"You cannot ignore someone who needs your help."
"I wish I could but then Aunt has kids also, as much as I don't get along with her, I cannot forgive myself if her kids lose her." Akina sighed and stretched.
Kurama remained silent looking at Akina's unhappy expression.
"Do you find it difficult to forgive her?"
"More than forgiving, its difficult to forget." Akina looked at the stars.
"Okay! Found out where she is! It's a warehouse down in shady part of town" Yusuke barged into the balcony.
"What creative kidnappers" Kuwabara joked when Akina giggled.
"I was hoping in a way they would drag her to demon realm but I was wishing for too much..... and too cruel." Akina muttered
"Either ways, I am sure they were hoping you would be going in there along I guess. Kurama must have surprised them." Yusuke spoke when Kurama looked stern.
"She is not going there alone." Kurama said shortly.
"Loke mate, I don't want to send her alone either but if we need these creeps to show up, we don't have much of a choice." Yusuke shrugged.
"It's okay." Akina replied softly.
"Akina..."
"No, it really is. Besides you guys will be there with me." Akina replied with a smile but Kurama could make out that she was trembling.
"THAT IS TRUE!" Kuwabara said cheerfully.
"Don't do something too extreme." Kurama looked at Akina who nodded.
"I will be needing the bow and arrow I guess." Akina sighed.
"Will that thing even work? You can barely shoot it straight." Yusuke joked when Akina also giggled uncomfortably.
"I hope I will not be needing it." Akina sighed.
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"Looks like she is here."
"What about the others?"
"I don't feel them."
"She still hasn't broken any more locks. Should we still consume her?"
"She is powerful enough."
The voices stopped talking when the warehouse door opened. The squeaking was aloud enough for the whole world to hear.
"Sigh.... This is really a typical kidnapping scene." Akina sighed as she stepped forward.
She was aware of the demons hiding in the shadows. She walked forward feeling terrified but still held her ground.
"I have come as you asked. Please release my aunt." Akina sighed as she stood looking away.
"Keh, you must think we are stupid to let you have your aunt." One of the demons cackled.
"Do you want her that bad?" Akina asked as a sweatdrop formed.
"Hai?"
"As much as I love for you to keep her, unfortunately she has a family and she is after all my mother's elder sister, I have no choice but I have to take her back." Akina stretched.
"For some so cold, you seem to still to care for your aunt." One of the demons stepped forward.
He had blue scales all over body and fins on the side of his arms. Another one came forward, this guy looked mostly human except for the fact he had a long slimy black tail.
Uwa.... I can really see things
"I told you, Unfortunately I have to. She is my mother's older sister." Akina sighed as she repeated herself.
"How is it that someone so tasty is related to something so bland?" Another demon who had a single horn on his left temple with red eyes grinned at her.
"Don't worry, I have been asking the same question myself for years." Akina joked awkwardly.
"Do you really hate her that much?" A lizard like demons asked.
"Not really." Akina shrugged.
"Heh? Do you really think so? Because she seems to hate you a lot." The blue demon laughed.
"I would not be surprised if that was the case." Akina replied coolly.
"Then, shouldn't you need to clear your feelings?" The lizard demon laughed.
Suddenly around her smoke filled as she covered her nose with her elbow when she realised she was in something resembling a cage.
"Eh?" Akina looked around when she felt a dark aura from behind her.
She turned to see her aunt standing behind her. Her eyes were wild while she seemed to mumbling something while foaming at her mouth.
"What did you do to her?" Akina demanded as her aunt moved towards her grumbling.
"Nothing much, just gave her hatred some assistance." The horned demon laughed.
Akina's eyes widened as she dodged her aunt.
"Well, this will be fun to watch." The lizard demon laughed as Akina backed to the corner.
"We shall let you guys fight it out after that I will happy eat you up." They laughed.
Akina tired her best to dodge her aunt but she seemed to coming at her really fast.
"AH! Screw it." She pushed her aunt away with force.
"YOU DARE USE FORCE AGAINST ME! YOUR AUNT!" Her aunt suddenly had a strange reddish aura surround her as her teeth and nails grew long.
Akina froze. What should she do? Her aunt grabbed and slapped her hard as she spun and hit the bars of the cage.
"YOU ALWAYS WERE AN UNGRATEFUL BRAT. YOU NEED TO LEARN YOUR LESSON." Her aunt growled as she began to strangle Akina who tried to resist.
She could feel her aunt's aura. The pressure on her throat was starting to get more painful and her body was starting to feel her.
"St..Sto...Stop... Aunt..." Akina muttered when she felt the pressure decrease on her throat.
Her aunt was momentarily shocked. Akina looked at her shocked when she suddenly felt something as her consciousness began to flow.
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"Heh? Is she still alive? Well, it will be more fun to consume her alive." The demons were laughing when they heard footfalls.
"Rather underhanded isn't it?" Yusuke's voice echoed in the warehouse.
"Who's there?"The lizard demon turned when he paled.
Kurama, Yusuke and kuwabara stood behind them.
"We were clear that the girl comes alone!" The blue demon screeched.
"Yeah... and you were supposed to return her aunt unharmed." Kuwabara argued back.
"Well she is unharmed and we are also allowing her to fulfill her darkest wishes." The lizard demon laughed.
"What do you mean by that?" Yusuke growled angrily.
"It seems her aunt seems to be holding a ton of grudges against our little meal. So we thought why not give her the chance? This fold is so soft hearted, she wont even raise her hand or her barrier against the one she cares." The horned demon laughed when suddenly a green whip closed around his mouth.
"Lowlives." Kurama muttered as he decapitated the horned demon.
The other two looked frightened when the lizard demon stepped forward.
"If you touch anyone of us! That girl and her aunt are no more!"
"What!"
"I made the special cage, if you harm me, both the girl and her aunt will be suffocated to death!" The blue demon shouted.
"As for her aunt, I have the antidote for her condition." The lizard man smiled.
"Shit! They really thought this out." Kuwabara grumbled.
Kurama turned to look at the cage. Akina was on the floor as her aunt had her hands around her neck.
Suddenly a bright light filled the cage.
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"Ah! She is doing well. She scared us all." Her aunt was peering down at her as her tiny fists with a kind expression.
"She hasn't started to walk yet? Don't be ridiculous, she just turned 9 months old. I understand Akira start walking at around 7-8 months but don't put pressure like that one her?" Her aunt smiled at her.
"Eh? Akina started to walk...? Wah.... What do mean late... Akina is 10 months old. My daughter started to walk to when she was one."
"Akina... started to read? But she is just turned two....He he.... She is rather a fast learner?
Why? Why? How can Akina.... No NO... I should not think like that Akina is my niece....
Why is Akina able to do everything? My daughter has been able to pain and sketch after 4 years of classes... Akina is only 6, and she is able to even play the piano without guidance...how.... She... This child.... She will....
"Listen to me Saya... Akina should only focus on studies.... All these arts will not bring her any good." Her aunt's smile while evil was troubled.
"Akina is getting into trouble at school? I told you that girl is no good."
"Akina was better not being born, she is troubling you Saya. Just punish her already."
Akina is my niece... I should be protecting her but.... How can Saya have all the good luck! Her husband care about her while mine only cares about the children and thinks nothing about me, her son is born perfectly healthy and smart while mine was born without an eye, I thought my daughter would be perfect but her daughter is growing stronger everyday. I had another son but nothing seems to match up.
"Akina... Akina...You should not have survived!!!!"
"St...Sto...Stop... Aunt."
Eh?
Akina's eyes widened as her aunt stepped back in confusion and shock. She quickly sat up as her aunt looked at her in fear.
"She... she is my niece... my sister's precious daughter....but... but..." Her aunt was clutching her head.
"Aunt!" Akina called out when she stopped.
"But... But... Why could you not just be a normal child... Why... Why must you make me feel even more inferior?" Her aunt suddenly charged at her.
Is there nothing I can do stop her? Isn't there anything I can do... which will remove the evil and not harm her body?
Somewhere in a dark place in her heart, a chain came apart as a lock fell to the ground
Akina's eyes widened. What was this? In her hand a blue coloured bow began to materialise.
"I understand." Akina pulled a blue arrow from air and aimed at her aunt.
Here goes nothing
Akina released the arrow which sped towards her aunt as a huge blue light spread across the cage.
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They waited as the dust formed by the blue light began to settle.
The demons suddenly backed away.
Akina stood with a bow which seemed to be made of blue fire while her aunt lay unconscious yet unharmed. The cage which was around them seemed to have vanished.
"I did it." Akina fell to her knees when suddenly felt someone draw her up and support her.
She turned to see Kurama smile at her as she supported her.
"You did well." He whispered which made her smile in relief.
"I guess you have no upper hand now." Yusuke grinned as he and Kuwabara advanced on the remaining demons.
"No No NO!" The Lizard demon muttered.
"You are also a yokai! Convince them to spare us!" The blue demon turned to Kurama who glared at him.
"No." Kurama said coldly as he held Akina close to him
"EH! I WILL TELL YOU WHO SENT US! PLEASE SPARE MY LIFE! THEY WILL ONLY SEND MORE PEOPLE AFTER HER!" The blue demon pleaded when the Lizard demon grabbed him.
"Don't betray us! IT BETTER TO DIE!" The Lizard demon screeched when the blue demon suddenly drew his claws into the Lizard demon and slashed him.
"There! Please spare me! I will let you know who sent me!" The blue demon pleaded as Kuwabara scratched his head when the blue demon suddenly sped towards him.
Kuwabara faltered a bit but brought out his spirit sword and slashed the blue demon.
Akina leaned onto Kurama as she felt her body weaken.
"Akina? Are you okay?" Kurama asked worried when Akina smiled.
"I think so... I have never used this kind of power before... so I feel a little weak. My aunt? Is she okay?" Akina looked at her unconscious
Aunt.
Her aunt opened her eyes and looked around as Akina crouched next her with Kurama supporting her.
"A...Ak...Aki...Akina?" She looked at Akina as Kuwabara and Yusuke held her up.
"Are you okay?" Akina asked gently.
"Akina.... You saved me?" Her aunt looked surprised while tears fell down her cheeks.
"You are my mother's dear older sister, I will save you." Akina replied quietly.
"Why?"
Akina's eyes softened.
"Why can't you let me be harmed or kill me? I would have a reason to hate you! You are my niece... yet you are better than my children! Yet.... I don't want to hate you because of that... Please harm me! Please. I don't want to be indebted to you! I cannot live that! I can... I can no longer love you like that! Please... Please" Her aunt grabbed her as she cried loudly.
Akina looked down as she gently held her aunt.
"Kurama... Do you have the pollen of the mugen flower?" Yusuke asked.
Kurama nodded and turned to Akina.
"Is that okay with you?" He asked Akina who closed her eyes and nodded.
"It's best for her." Akina looked sadly at her incoherent aunt.
Kurama sprayed the pollen over her aunt.
"You just had a bad dream which you will forget when you wake up. Sleep well aunt." Akina whispered as a tear escaped down her cheek.
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"Where am I? I was supposed to be at Akina's place?" Her aunt was frantic.
"Mom? Can you please stop going towards Akina's house? It's a pain to deal with her." Her daughter complained as she placed porridge in front of her mother.
"I see. Who got me home?" Her aunt asked quietly.
"Akina and some boys.... Anyways. Stop going there! Akina hates you." Her daughter left the room.
Her aunt just sighed.
"That stupid girl."
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"Akina! You are really good at cooking!!!!" Kuwabara boasted as he stuffed the rice into his mouth.
"Well! I do live alone!" Akina giggled as she placed extra side dishes on the table.
"Sorry Kid! You are even treating us to really good breakfast!" Yusuke grinned as he accepted the bowl of rice from her.
"It's the least I could do! You guys came with me to that creepy warehouse." Akina smiled happily.
"In the end you did not need us! You managed to take care of your aunt on your own." Kuwabara commented.
"But I had no energy left to deal with those demons besides, I could hold myself only because I knew you guys were there for me." Akina replied with a bright smile.
"Ha.... What an angel!" Yusuke and Kuwabara spoke together making Akina feel uncomfortable.
"If its okay....can I still train with you guys? This new power, I can use to help you guys more!" Akina asked as she bit her lip.
Yusuke and Kuwabara laughed.
"You are always welcome to train with us!" Kuwabara laughed happily.
"Golden week, why don't you come to Genkai's temple with us again?" Yusuke asked as he drank the tea.
"Un. I would like that too!" Akina replied happily.
They helped her clean up the dishes.
"So how are you doing at school?" Kuwabara asked.
"I am doing fine so far. My grades are enough to get me to medical school plus I completed most of my needed work so its mostly free time for me." Akina replied as she locked the door.
"Medical school, you really are a studious girl aren't you?" Yusuke commented.
"No no... Biology just happened to be something I liked to read plus... I can heal people so..." Akina replied sheepishly.
"Un Un.... Kind, gentle yet hardworking, you really must be a parent's dream come true child." Kuwabara ruffled her hair.
"Not really. I have driven my parents mad.... Especially when I had been in my rebellion stage...." Akina giggled.
"Rebellion stage? Even you had one of those?" Yusuke asked surprised.
"Ah... It's an embarrassing time of my life but.... I was facing really heavy bullying at school and it didn't help that my parents ended up believing them over me and my aunt... so...I kind went out of handle." Akina smiled gently.
"Eh...? How did the bullying the end though?" Kuwabara asked curiously as they walked her to school.
"Eh?...I don't remember well... I had gotten into an accident during that time so I don't have most of my memories properly with me." Akina replied.
"Well, here you are! Have a nice day!" Kuwabara and Yusuke left as Akina waved back.
"AKINA! Good morning!" Mikiko rushed and hugged her.
"Akina! Good morning." Sumiko smiled at her.
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Akina spent the rest of the day in a daze. Her heart was not in class nor in anything.
I don't want to be indebted to you! I cannot live that! I can... I can no longer love you like that! Please... Please
I wish.... I wish you had not survived!
Akina looked down as she walked towards the gate. Her eyes were on the ground as she tried to control her tears.
"If you walk like that you will fall."
Akina looked up to see Kurama smile at her. His figure in the setting sun made her feel better but her heart was already sinking.
"Sorry....."
Kurama noticed her sad expression.
"Akina? Do you want to take a detour?"Kurama asked her surprising her.
She was sitting on the bench in the park as Kurama watched her while purchasing from the stand. He could see that she was trying her best not to crumble.
"Her aunt's words must be affecting her more than she is letting on." Kurama grimaced as he watched her.
"Thank you for your purchase."
Akina looked towards the water which was flowing from across them.
"Here you go." Kurama placed the yogurt up on her knee.
"Eh?" Akina looked at him.
"Mikiko-san told me that you often eat green apple frozen yogurt when you are upset." Kurama smiled at her.
"You know I am upset?" Akina asked softly as she set the yogurt cup on the seat next to her.
"Your aunt's words hurt you." Kurama said simply.
Akina got up as she walked a little in front.
"When my mom had become a little mentally unstable, she told me that she wished that I did not survive.... I was hurt...and that time she revealed how much all my relatives hated me... if I had not survived, then I would not have to live with such emotions, that's what she meant but for me... It took me time to understand that....but hearing my aunt's words yesterday..." Akina now could not stop herself as tears rushed down her cheeks.
"When she said that... I felt like... is this my life... living as someone who will always be... seen as a obstacle...as a .... I ...just..." Akina shut her eyes tightly.
She turned to Kurama as she tried not to looked at him.
"Sorry... But this kind of shook me... I.." Akina bit her lips when she was suddenly she felt a pair of arms embrace her.
"Akina. Don't hold back." Kurama whispered in her ears as he embraced her, his hand gently hold her head close to his chest.
Akina returned the embraced as she bawled her eyes out.
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"She broke another seal." She looked at the pair in the park.
"You seem to be following her a lot." Hiei stood in front of her.
"You again. I don't have time to deal with you." She grumbled.
"Who are you?" Hiei demanded as he rushed at her
She smirked when's he suddenly jumped out of the way.
"Kazeha."
She laughed as she disappeared.