Disclaimer:

Yuu Yuu Hakusho is not mine. Not making any money from this. Only one original character and story line I claim as mine.

Chapter 7 of A Story to Tell

Moonlit Slumber

Written by Yen (March 2000)

Yomi observed his opponent carefully, ears pricked and alert and sixth sense judging the other's youkai level. He could hear the faint rasping of Shura's breathing, the slight noises his son made as he shifted his body ever so often.

It was incredible how fast Shura recovered. It was only one night since the Silver Lake cured him of his fatal condition, and Yomi was more than startled when Shura, himself, woke him up early that morning, filled with youthful eagerness to start the day anew. There was not a single sign nor symptom of the raging madness that had possessed him the night before.

Shura suddenly shouted and charged him, fists alit with energy as he attempted to score a hit on Yomi. He easily evaded the obvious attack and danced out of the way as Shura began a barrage of punches and kicks with an occasional yell.

... So amateur... Yomi suddenly realized as he somersaulted towards him. ... He's fighting like Yuusuke!

Yomi was flabbergasted. Shura's attacks were so much similar to the way he had fought during the Makai tournament then to the more sophisticated style he had acquired during his year's sojourn with Yomi.

"I underestimated the rejuvenating powers of the Silver Lake..." Seran's words the night before flashed through his mind even as he leaped back, away from Shura's flying feet. "I believe it is analogous to a fountain of youth."

A fountain of youth・#060;/P>

He lifted a hand commandingly and winced when Shura in the middle of a flying kick halted in mid-air and dropped clumsily to the ground.

***

Shura groaned silently and rubbed his sore behind. At least the grass softened his fall but not that much really.

Puzzled, he looked up his tall imposing father. Yomi was frowning, and his hand was still in the halt gesture.

Shura blinked and remained quiet, obeying the silent command. That and other signs and signals were what Yomi had taught him to follow without question. It was their secret language. He hoped his father would tell him what was wrong. It was so much fun practicing again.

Seran suddenly appeared from around the garden wall. His eyes lit up when he saw them and was about to call out a greeting when Shura immediately shushed him with an urgent shake of his head. He jerked his chin up towards Yomi.

Seran tilted his head quizzically, but remained quiet. Shura was relieved that his father wasn't disturbed.

He watched as Seran approached them with a thoughtful expression curious expression on his face and frowned. ... There is something weird about him. He couldn't understand why. Seran was a healer and sort of reminded him of old Yoda. ... Typical grump, but something is missing.

Seran was now standing directly behind Yomi. His father was still frowning in deep thought. He tapped his shoulder, and Shura watched shock, as Yomi practically jumped and violently knocked Seran away from him.

***

"Argh!!!"

Yomi paused in mid-strike.

"You imbecile! Idiotic, ungrateful, good for nothing-"

"Oh. It's only you." He commented, lowering his arm and offering his hand instead to help the healer up.

"Ingrate!" Seran fairly spat at him. Yomi could now easily identify the familiar angry aura of the other youkai.

"Stay away from me!" Seran shouted at him, scrambling to his feet and stalking away. "Don't ever come to me for help again!"

As he disappeared around the garden wall, Shura asked, "You didn't sense him coming?"

Yomi faced him and proceeded to explain to his son about Shadow Demons, about their particular habit of camouflaging not only their essences, but including every aspect of their being. Seran, in particular, disliked people seeing him, hearing him, smelling him and sensing him. He is the hermit. "It is not my fault," Yomi concluded to Shura, "that he doesn't deal well with people."

"... He scared you, didn't he, Papa?"

"Absolutely not."

***

***

Seran looked worried. Shura stared at him thoughtfully as the healer paced from the kitchen table to the window and back again. Yomi ignored him, calmly eating his dinner while Shura was already finished with his meal. Seran's own portion remained untouched as well as Mukuro's plate.

"Where is she?" Seran asked plaintively for the third time.

Shura shrugged, echoing Yomi's own action.

"She's been gone all day," the healer complained.

"Maybe she left?" His father sounded pleased with the idea.

Seran glared at him. "If she did, it's your fault, Yomi."

"Hmm... Feeling lonely, Seran?"

"I like her," Seran answered honestly. "She's nice, unlike some people I know."

"Mukuro, nice? Hah! I wager you don't even know who she really is."

The healer's expression turned curious then darkened. "Is she one of your many conquests, Yomi?" He questioned silkily.

Yomi's chopsticks dropped from his fingers. "Whatever gave you that idea?!"

"You know her well."

"Relatively speaking."

"She's a good fighter. You admire such power."

"She's no match against me."

"Whatever. She's intelligent."

"Maybe."

"Kind."

"You have to be joking."

"She helped Shura."

"She had no choice." Yomi's hand reached out and patted Shura's shoulder proudly. His son beamed. "Shura would have beaten her senseless."

Seran crossed his arms and said pointedly, "He would have been very dead."

"Hey!" Shura interjected even as Yomi stood up to confront Seran. "You better rephrase that statement," He informed him coolly.

Seran harrumphed. "I will only if you tell me who Mukuro is."

Yomi smiled. "She is Lord Mukuro."

? "... One of the Three Lords of Makai Mukuro?" Seran looked bewildered. "You mean he was a she?"

Both Yomi and Shura nodded while Seran stared at them.

"... No wonder you two bicker all the time?"

"... I do not bicker!"

"This clinches it." Now, Seran looked delighted. "You two are perfect for each other."

Shura smiled at the expression on papa's face.

Yomi - "The very idea nauseates me."

Seran - "C'mon, admit it. She's quite a woman."

Yomi - "She only has half a face."

Seran - "Like you can actually see her."

Yomi - "I do not need sight to know she is ugly."

Seran - "Don't be so picky, Lord Yomi."

A childish giggle broke through the debate, and both men glanced at Shura.

He clamped his mouth shut and fought the grin that stubbornly refused to be denied. He lifted his hands to hide it, stopped when he realized his father couldn't possible see his amusement and grinned openly at them instead. Seran smiled brilliantly at him while Yomi frowned darkly.

Shura coughed, clearing his throat of laughter. "He does have a point, Papa."

"... Shura, you too?" Yomi suddenly sounded morose. He stumbled when Seran punched him in the shoulder. "Don't buy his pitiful look, Shura." He reprimanded Yomi, "Really, that is so pathetic, making your own son feel guilty."

"Shut up!"

Shura barely prevented his father from throttling Seran.

"You were always so violent in nature."

"I am not! You just irritate the hell out of me!"

"That is not true. I was being honest. Isn't that right, Shura?"

Both turned expectantly to him. "... Well, it would be nice to have a mother."

"Shura!?!"

***

***

Mukuro sneezed and quickly dunk her head back underwater, washing the pollen from her face.

The air of the cave was thick with pollen from the Silver Blossoms, and she was thankful that the lake had yet to turn silver.

The water was clear and deliciously cool as she swam lazily through the crystal surface. She doubted the water would feel as fine when it turned silver again. She was there that night to find out.

In a month, the moon is at its brightest only in one night. It was a common error to mistake the night of the full moon with the night before the full moon.

... It feels more beguiling tonight. Mukuro thought as she turned over and floated on her back. How would it feel?

She blinked when moonlight suddenly shined into her eyes. She glanced up and saw the bright rim of the moon appear. The pinpoints of the stars, shining through the cavern's natural skylight, dimmed as the full moon moved slowly and steadily on its path, eclipsing them.

***

***

Yomi grumbled silently as he ran swiftly and efficiently through the jungle. He still couldn't believe how neatly he had been manipulated by both Shura and Seran.

~~~

"I am really concern about Lady Mukuro," Seran said rather solemnly, "I am going out to find her."

Yomi shrugged, unconcerned. "Suit yourself. I'm going to bed now."

Shura piped in, "I'll help you, Seran."

"... No, Shura," Yomi said, "You need your rest."

"I'm not tired at all, Papa. I feel great!"

"No."

"Don't be so stodgy, Yomi," remarked Seran, "though it delights me to no end to see you finally acting like a parent."

"Shut up."

"I don't envy you your lineage, Shura."

"Well... Papa does act grumpy sometimes."

"..." They were ganging up on him.

"Oh well, we better humor your father this time. He's liable to get an ulcer worrying about you."

"... All right," Shura agreed reluctantly.

"Anyway, you are still too young for certain conversation pieces."

?!

~~~

There was no way Yomi could leave Seran alone with Mukuro now. Shura would never jeopardize his position, but the healer could be counted on to be his usual tactless self.

Mukuro would never let him hear the end of it if she ever found out.

... Of course, she might just blow him away for even mentioning such an idea... He slowed down thoughtfully then discarded the idea. For some reason, women have a soft side for the eccentric irritant.

***

***

Seran was worried. Behind him, the grandfather clock struck a single tone. Yomi was taking too long. Neither him nor Mukuro had returned. He closed his eyes, pondering what to do. Shura was sleeping on the couch, having finally dozed off while waiting for his father to return.

***

***

The last of the moon disappeared over the edge. Moonlight flickered then disappeared to be replaced by starlight. On the cave floor, silver turned to black as the blossoms withered away. Their light vanished with the moon. On the shore of the lake, three large crystals cracked and splintered, its fragments dissipating into dust and releasing the contents within. Three forms lay still where they fell.

A light glowed from the center of the lake. It grew and took the silver from the waters. As white and gray turned back to blue, a figure emerged from the light.

***

Sanae stretched and shook out her wings. As they unfurled and twitched the moisture from them, she rubbed her cheek against a wing, enjoying the petal softness of it. I am free.

A smile graced her lips as she floated to them. She stared at them, hoping that her gifts to them were repayment enough. She touched a finger to the female's forehead. This one had been the first. The two males had come later.

As she glided by the first male, a wing brushed against one of his ears. It twitched, and Sanae giggled. She was tempted to play with them; however, there was not enough time.

She landed by the third one, and this time, sorrow tinged her face. He had been the hardest to subdue. His coming was a surprise even though he was the most familiar to her. She couldn't help this one.

I owe you a debt. She looked at him the longest before the light tugged at her. She had to go now.

She pressed a kiss against his cheek before vanishing with the light. It was doubtful they would meet again. No Silver Blossom would ever grow again in this world.

To be continued・#060;/P>

Yen