Disclaimer: Purely for entertainment.

Chapter 8 of A Story to Tell

Triad Balance

Written by Yen (March 2000)

Shura's eyes narrowed. He frowned, concentrating on the familiar youkai signature belonging to his father. It was extremely weak. Suppressing the urge to rush into the cavern, he slowly, warily entered. The sight of Yomi lying lifelessly on the ground stole away his reticence, and he ran to him. The soles of his boots mercilessly crushed the black stems and heads of dead silver blossoms carpeting the whole of the cave floor from entrance to water's edge.

"Papa!" Falling to his knees beside Yomi's prone form, Shura reached out and shook him. "Papa, wake up!"

To his relief and shock, his father's eyes flickered open, blinked and stared up at him.

His mouth dried speechlessly, and Shura stared back at similar pink eyes. He had never seen his father's eyes. Red-white pupils darkened and narrowed. "... Shura...?"

Shura swallowed nervously. "Papa?" Hesitantly, he brought his hand up and waved it over Yomi's face. Blind eyes moved and followed. "... You can see?"

Yomi blinked again and stared pass his son's shoulders to the ceiling hole. What little of the sky, which can be seen was gray, subdued with storm clouds. Lightning suddenly flashed, and he squeezed his eyes close. The brightness hurt them. Seconds later, he winced when the accompanying thunder roared in his ears.

"... You can see...?" Shura repeated. His tone was higher in pitch and incredulous.

"..." His eyes open again and fastened on his son's face. Shura's eyes were wide and locked on his. A thought wandered into his mind idly. His face is too handsome... beautiful. Unconsciously, he reached up and traced a high cheekbone. He's going to attract the best and the worst when he's grown up... The rest of his musings was forgotten as his hand fell from Shura's face. ... I can see?

***

Shura leaned away as Yomi suddenly sat up. One of Yomi's ears brushed against his nose, and he sneezed. Sniffling and rubbing his nose, he sat back on his legs and sneezed again. His second sneeze caught his father's attention, and he found himself studied meticulously by his sire. He swallowed again. "... What happened, papa?"

"... I don't remember," Yomi answered simply. Both of them turned at a sound and stared at Mukuro who was lying on the ground a meter away and who was waking up.

***

Mukuro groaned and rubbed her forehead. Grimacing at the pain in her head, she attempted to sit up and gave up a few moments later when her muscles refused to work. She felt numb all over. She started when someone helped her up. Opening her eyes, she glanced aside to see Shura staring at her. Yomi's son had an unusual expression on his face that she had trouble identifying. "Thank you, Shura," she said automatically and winced again when her headache worsened. What happened?

"Shura." She turned to see Yomi, his eyes, closed as usual and jerking his head towards the lake. "Mukuro's clothes are over there."

It was several moments before Shura understood Yomi's unspoken order and stood up to retrieve her discarded wear.

It took a few more moments before Mukuro began wondering how he knew she was naked.

Shura returned with her clothes, and while pushing her arm through a sleeve, she discovered her scars were gone.

***

***

Yomi closed his eyes and opened them slowly for the umpteenth time. Each time, he expected to see darkness only to see again each time. He absolutely had no idea what happened.

He looked aside to where Shura was looking over Seran. What happened...? The shadow demon was still unconscious since the time they had found him a short distance from where Mukuro had been lying. Unlike them; however, he didn't wake as easily and remained in a coma-like state.

The last thing he remembered was Mukuro floating on the surface of the Silver Lake. After that, nothing until Shura's face. He disliked not knowing what happened and dislike even more the thought of losing time and memory. Mukuro was in similar predicament.

***

***

She stared at her hand, pushed up her sleeve and looked at the smooth skin. There was not a single blemish. Putting down her hand, her other hand moved up to touch her face. What happened to me?

"The lake is more potent than any medicine I can concoct." Seran's words.

She stared at her hand. So the lake did this to me? She closed her eyes and pressed her palm against her cheek. I am whole again...

***

***

Shura frowned then looked worried when Seran pushed the bowl of soup away and stood up. Without a word, he left the table and exited the kitchen.

What's wrong with him? He looked questioningly at his father who shrugged and continued eating his meal. Opposite them, both seats were empty. They haven't seen Mukuro since yesterday morn.

He sighed inwardly. He didn't understand what happened and what was happening.

***

***

Yomi cocked his head slightly and parried away Shura's strike. Before Shura could recover, he grabbed his son's sword arm and twisted hard. With a startled yelp, Shura dropped his weapon.

Releasing him, Yomi reprimanded him, "You are not concentrating, Shura."

Shura straightened and rubbed his sore forearm defensively before bending to pick his fallen sword. Tossing his hair back, he resumed his battle posture. Yomi nodded approvingly, seeing the alertness in his son's eyes.

He returned his blade into his scabbard and nodded at Shura. Do not underestimate me.

***

Mukuro watched unseen while Shura attacked Yomi again. The younger youkai was exuberant and impatient in his attacks. Clearly, he still had much to learn about patience, control and waiting for his opponent to attack first.

Yomi sidestepped and tripped Shura.

***

Shura winced as he pushed himself up. His palms burned with raw stinging flesh. He had landed instinctively on his hands. Looking at his grass-stained hand, he rolled over and looked up his father. Yomi was shaking his head at him. "You will have to do better than that, Shura."

He shrugged at him, quite unconcerned. He simply didn't feel like training properly this day. With a grin at Yomi, he lay back on the grass and extended his arms over his head in a stretch. "Let's take a break, papa."

Yomi started, released a breath and sat down beside him. "Perhaps you will do better afterwards." His father sounded wry, and Shura was pleased to see a small smile lighten the older youkai's somber expression. It was a week since the incident at Silver Lake.

Shura took a deep breath and stared at the sky. It was a perfect day. Just the right brightness and warmth from the cloud shrouded sun. Idly, he began imagining shapes in clouds rolling by lazily. There was one, which resembled a Silver Blossom.

He frowned. Mukuro still was nowhere to be seen, and Seran still hadn't spoken a single word. He found himself wondering where Mukuro was and hoped that Seran would be his grumpy self again. A silent Seran was simply too unnatural.

A slight wind started, and Shura blinked when it deposited a leaf on his nose. He blew it off and rubbed at his tickled nose. A shadow suddenly fell over him.

***

"Hello, Mukuro." Yomi stood up calmly and turned around to face Mukuro. She nodded at him while Shura remained as he was, on his back and staring at Mukuro.

She smiled at Shura, who looked flustered much to Yomi's annoyance. "What do you want?" He asked without preamble. He would have to teach Shura to be more alert and make more use of his physical senses. Mukuro was employing a energy cloaking technique similar to Seran's. He could accomplish the same, but decided to do so at a later date when Shura was able to do it as well.

Mukuro glanced at him momentarily. "I was in the area." She shrugged. "I couldn't help but notice your training methods, Yomi."

His hackles rose as she continued. "It is rather inefficient..."

***

Shura stood up slowly and stared at the two warily. His father and Mukuro were in a face-off.

"For your own son, you pick a very impersonal way to train-"

"How I train Shura is none of your business."

Mukuro lifted her chin, her eyes narrowed in stubborn determination. "Shura is my business."

Shura almost fell down while Yomi stared at her speechlessly. "... What?!"

A smile played on her lips, and she walked to stand behind Shura. The smile widened while Shura blinked at her. She placed her hands on his shoulders. "I saved his life," she said softly. Her eyes were serious as she pulled Shura against her. They were about the same height, and her chin brushed against his shoulder blade. "He too is my responsibility."

***

***

Seran looked at the column of smoke rising into the clear sky. From his position at the jungle's edge, he could hear sounds of battle. Yomi's angry curses matched Mukuro's taunting retorts. Shura's shouts could be heard.

Seran sighed. He didn't even want to know what part of his estate they were demolishing.

***

***

Shigure twirled his weapon effortlessly, and a path opened for him and his men into the thick jungle. Saba stumbled, his foot caught on a root. Soon, the jungle fell silent as Saba's curses filled the air.

"Quiet, you idiot." Shigure almost sliced off Saba's head. It was fortunate that Saba was well trained and so were the others. In an instant, all was silent, and time after, jungle noises resumed their songs. It was only then did they proceed further.

***

***

"ENOUGH!!!"

Yomi and Mukuro stared at a seething Shura. "I am not a child! I can take care of myself!"

Yomi shook his head. "You need more training."

Mukuro tilted her head slightly. "As much as I dislike agreeing with Yomi, he is right." She smiled reassuringly at Shura. "Don't worry. With my help, you will be a great fighter."

"Your help?!"

***

***

"Mukuro, Shura is my son, not yours!"

She paused in mid-strike and flitted off before Yomi could hit her. Reappearing out of arm's reach, she stared at him. "I saved his life, Yomi." Her eyes flickered to Shura, who stared back at her with wide eyes. "In doing so," she concluded softly, "I became responsible for him."

"..."

Why am I doing this...? Mukuro watched Yomi warily. The look on his face was dumbfounded. Shura looked embarrassed. Am I this desperate for company...?

She couldn't deny the fondness she felt for Yomi's son. Shura tugged at her feelings. The only other individual who inspired similar emotions from her was Hiei, who had left her service for Ningenkai and Kurama.

"Thank you." Mukuro looked at Shura who uttered the words. He was smiling at her. "Thank you for your concern, Mukuro." A nod. "And for saving my life. I am indebted to you."

A noise from Yomi distracted her, and she was surprised to see the reluctant acceptance in his face. "... I too owe you Shura's life." His eyes closed. "Until I or Shura can repay you, I will allow your presence."

Mukuro bit her tongue, forcing the automatic comeback down her throat. Matching Yomi's tone and expression, she bowed slightly in acknowledgment. ... This will be quite entertaining.

"Lady Mukuro!"

Without warning, the air shimmered. Shigure and several other youkai appeared before them.

"I found them in the jungle," Seran's disembodied voice informed them quietly. "It was necessary to shroud them after a while. They disturbed the jungle too much. Do you know them, Mukuro?"

"... Yes, I do."

"I will leave them to you then."

***

Shigure stared at his lord. Lord Mukuro was healed. The mask over the right side of her face was gone, and her sleeves were pulled back, exposing the lean long muscles of her arms. "... Sir?"

She smiled at him. "Hello, Shigure." ... She is beautiful.

He must have shown his emotions too openly for Yomi had groaned out aloud. "Would it help your tongue if a bag were placed over her head?"

Shigure glared at the former lord of Gandara angrily. The sharp elegant face with its ever-sealed eyes proved irritating. Normally, he could handle his adverse feelings easily enough but not now. Not when so much was at stake.

Ignoring Yomi, he kneeled before Mukuro, his men following suit. "My lady, we need you back in the kingdom."

"... Why? When I left, all was well."

"It was. When you left, and Enki's emissary took control, the ruling system fell apart." Shigure looked at her earnestly. "We were not ready for a leadership other than one by your strong hand. The whole of Makai is now in chaos. Gandara has fallen to the generals. They took control as soon as you disappeared and Enki went on an inspection tour. He has withdrawn with his men to Raizen's former stronghold. Our kingdom has been left unsteered. Gandara's army approaches even as I speak."

She took in the news calmly. Yomi looked sardonic, and Shura exclaimed, "Our Gandara in their hands?!"

"Makai was not ready for unification, and Enki is too inexperienced as a leader," Mukuro summarized.

"You have to return, Sir."

"We may be seeing Gandara sooner than expected, Shura."

"We have to get our kingdom back!"

Mukuro ignored them, staring unseeingly at nothing in particular. I must do what is right.

***

***

The reestablishment of the Three Kingdoms of Makai occurred fairly quickly. In the first place, the majority of the citizens in each kingdom favored the rule by their respective lords. Gandara had reached it's heights under Lord Yomi's leadership, and Lord Mukuro was favored in her kingdom as well even though she was female. Only the kingdom so long under Raizen's rule lacked its lord and its successor. Enki, who was neither ambitious nor proud, accepted his mistake in establishing a united Makai under his rule. He confessed, he would rather go on a adventure then sit on a throne. Enki was persuaded to rule the desert kingdom of Makai until he found a suitable replacement. The Makai tournament, which was to be held every third year had for its price instead the throne of the third kingdom rather than the whole of Makai.

To be continued or finished that remains to be seen.

Author's note:

From now on, each succeeding chapter will be a story in its own right. I prefer it that way.

Yen