An Empty Shell

Chapter 13: Start Anew

Disclaimer: Photo taken from the anime Yuyu Hakusho

A few days after, Hayami has quiet recovered from her injuries, thanks to the help of Kurama's friends. Genkai also helped her restore her lost life energy through her spirit wave. Hayami finally met her but felt a little remorse about it since she has been planning it carefully to visit Genkai to give her proper greetings and offerings for allowing herself to be her legal guardian. Instead, she found out that she was taken to her place in her lowliest state.
Hayami was sitting up with a perplexed look, attentively listening to Genkai without even blinking, with Kurama by her side. Genkai was telling her about the recent encounter and this crisis that they were facing now. She thoroughly explained the situation with Kurama and the plan that they needed to be together so he can protect her, hence, other people as well. Yusuke and the others were still there too.
"Look at this scene, it's like they're already arranging the two's engagement... the old witch is preaching them like hell!" Yusuke leaned to his side to whisper on Kuwabara without looking away on the front.
"Yeah, exactly what I was thinking. It looks like a pre-marriage occasion and Genkai is the grandmother and the only family of Hayami asking for Kurama's hand in marriage to her granddaughter." Kuwabara intensified their wild imagination.
"Pffft—!" Yusuke trying to press-hold his laughter with his knuckles.
"Just like in a drama series! But then Kurama's having second thoughts and he goes like 'oh no, what should I do? I don't want to marry someone in line with this old hag!" Yusuke added on monologuing his imagination of Kurama.  Him and Kuwabara went on with there little chitchats and giggles. When they didn't notice Genkai was already in front of them.
"Are you done with your silly little girly tittle-tattles?!" Rampaged Genkai while the other two just froze to death and flew off the roof. Hayami jolted from that sight and looked at Kurama, horror reflected on her face.
"Don't worry. That's just how they care for each other." Said Kurama with a worn out expression and a sweat drop waiving his hand on her with a nervy grin.
Kurama lend his hand to help Hayami stand up. She approached Genkai who was still scolding the two.
"Excuse me, Genkai-Obachan?" Hayami nervously initiated to talk to the old master.
Then she turned to face her with a stern expression.
"I would like to thank you for accommodating me here, also for letting me have you as my legal guardian. I'm very grateful and honored." Hayami bowed to Genkai to show respect and sincerity.
"It's alright. However, I expect your full cooperation on this mission. You have to always listen to Kurama. You need each other's strength and trust to work together. I don't want to hear anymore selfish and foolish heroic act thinking you could save someone by sacrificing yourself or something to that effect." Genkai gave her a serious lecture that knocked the stuffing out of her.
Genkai noticed Hayami's bewildering look, she let out a sigh.
"Hayami, I know this is all overwhelming for you. But please don't ever think of yourself as a burden or danger to anyone. As long as you stay connected to your new friends and family, you will be alright. Kurama will surely take care of you and I trust him for you." Genkai finally smiled that somehow loosened her hay-wired thoughts.
"Thank you Genkai-Obachan.. I will make a note of everything you said." Hayami bowed again to acknowledge Genkai's words. Kurama was standing in a corner while watching the two and he couldn't help but felt relieved and he just smiled at them. Hayami, you've finally found a new family. I am so proud and happy for you...Kurama's thoughts for her.

Hayami walked outside on the porch of the temple to get some fresh air. Her eyes were fixed in amazement as the beauty of the place impressed her. There stand beautiful landscapes of glorious mountains dressed with verdant trees and supple grass that no one has ever touched. She envied the peacefulness of the surroundings, her heart seemed to be taken away, revitalizing her. She gasped and let out a deep sigh closing her eyes to feel the serenity of the place. Then, suddenly a huge winged, blue creature barged upon her eyes. Strong gust of winds almost blew her away as the creature flapped its enormous wings and slowly descended on the ground. Hayami was speechless starring at this magnificent creature in front of her. It perked and gazed upon her then leaned its head close to her. She held her hand up attempting to touch its feathers. It flinched a little for this was the first time it seen her.
"Hush.. hush..It's okay. I'm a friend and I won't hurt you.. My name is Hayami, where did you come from big fella?" She introduced herself and carefully approached the creature without averting her eyes on it. Then the creature finally allowed her to caress its feathers then she patted it's head.
"Puu..." Sounded the creature, showing fondness of her while she petted him.
"I see you have found Puu and gotten to know each other." Genkai came to find them in front of her porch.
"Genkai-Obachan, so his name is really 'Puu' ? He's so beautiful.." Asked Hayami and turned to face Genkai while still petting Puu.
"Yes, he is Yusuke's animal spirit guide. I take care of him here. Yusuke can't bring him in his house for his size, even at Keiko's." Genkai further explained.
"Wow! He's Yusuke's animal spirit guide? That's amazing! And uhm, who's Keiko?" Hayami was excited to find more about Puu.
"She is Yusuke's childhood friend and fiancé. She took cared of Puu when he was just like a plush animal." Genkai answered while she approached Puu and petted him as well.
"Puu is more attached to Keiko than Yusuke. That's why she's the one who took cared of him ever since he was hatched. I remember when Puu had to leave Keiko's side because he was getting huge, Puu had to sneak out in the middle of the night just to be with Keiko. Yusuke gets a good amount of scolding from Keiko for letting him escape each night the very next day she finds it out." Genkai proceeded while recalling the past with a smile. Hayami awed the way she told her the story with such loving expression on her face.
"But why is Puu more attached to Keiko than Yusuke?" Hayami finally asked and Genkai faced her, suggesting something.
"I thought you'd never ask. Puu is Yusuke's other self, an extension of himself. Whatever emotions, thoughts, intentions, instincts or behavior Yusuke have, Puu experience and feel them too. Keiko is the person Yusuke is most fond of and cared for, that is why Puu feels the same way." Genkai expounded her answers to Hayami.
"That sounds amazing. And I bet Puu likes you too because you're also close to Yusuke's heart. I see you and him are very close." Hayami gave her observations to Genkai without a clue on what Genkai was indicating.
Did she really forget she also have a spirit guide? Genkai just let out a sigh and shook her head.
"Well, you're maybe right. Yusuke is the closest idiot to me that I always consider him as my thickhead kindred." Implied Genkai with a peevish look. Hayami chortled a little at her in response to her comment.
Just when they were about to go inside, Kurama went to where they were that seemed to have been looking around to find Hayami.
"Oh, there you are. I see you've already met Puu." Kurama approached them and noticed Genkai that gave him an inkling of what their discussion was about.
"Hello, Shuichi. Were you looking for me?" Hayami let go of Puu to face him.
"Yeah, I came to tell you that everything is set back home. So we can now go home anytime, whenever you're ready." He was delighted to bring the news to her. Hayami was utterly in disbelief from what she just heard from him.
"Everything is set back home?..We can now go home?" Hayami didn't realize she was just repeating what he said. She was in a daze and at the same time confused.
"I'll go get Puu something to eat." Genkai excused herself as she rolled her eyes at Kurama from noticing the cringeworthy of their situation then she rode on Puu and took off.
"Uhm, yes. We have discussed this before with Genkai, remember?" Shuichi responded after letting Puu and Genkai leave, scratching his cheek now that he realized he might've given her a wrong impression from how he delivered his message.
"Oh, yeah..right. So, I will be staying with you?" Hayami diffidently acknowledged but also wanted to make sure they were on the same boat while rubbing the side of her arms, looking away.
Shuichi sensed her agitation and nervousness from her gestures and tone. He went closer and stood by her side, holding on the fence facing towards the front of the porch.
"I apologized if this wasn't made clear to you. But I assure you, I don't have any intensions other than to protect you. However, if you feel uncomfortable about this, that's okay, I understand and we can always think of another way." Shuichi's supportive assurance to her, to let her know that she can put her trust on him.
"No no no! I get it really. I'm sorry I didn't mean it that way. How selfish and inconsiderate of me if I still wouldn't trust you after everything you have done for me. I promised Genkai-Obachan that I would listen to you and that you will have my full cooperation. I might be conveying another impression but those are just irrelevant with the situation that we are in right now." She was rattled and immediately justified her inclination. She was so embarrassed, she turned beet red and looked away so Shuichi couldn't see her.
Shuichi turned to face her and smiled with that fetching look of hers that she thought he wouldn't notice.
"I'm so glad to see you like this. This feels so much better.." Shuichi implied to her not letting her know what he really meant.
"Huh?" Hayami just looked up at him with a baffled expression.
"Come on, let's get inside. They are already preparing for dinner." Shuichi simply avoided her curiousness and led her inside the temple.

The next day, Shuichi and Hayami decided to go home. Botan couldn't get them to their place using the portal since they went to school early with Yukina. Shuichi let Hayami sleep it through some more since she was still regaining all her strength and energy from the last confrontation. Genkai was outside tending Puu.
She's awake..Shuichi smiled when he felt her conscious spirit. He was at the kitchen preparing for breakfast. He decided to go to her room to invite her to eat.
"Hayami? Ohio, sumimasen, breakfast is ready." He greeted as he knocked on the door to acknowledge his presence.
"O-ohio Shuichi. I'll be there in a minute, thank you." She responded sounding like she's still dressing up.
"Okay, I'll see you then." He signaled that he will be waiting for her. Shuichi felt glad knowing that the morning was right for her.
"Thank you for waiting and I'm sorry I woke up late.." Hayami finally showed up with a beaming face. She was wearing a smocked midi dress with light green floral print. Then her long jet black wavy hair simply cascaded on her shoulders and down to her back.
Shuichi was setting up the table when he noticed her. He gazed upon her with admiration of her beauty that he had never laid his eyes before. There eyes met, locking in like blending their earthy colors. The viridescent green eyes like a sweet hue of forest in summertime. And her sensitive amber eyes that polished the hue of every tree with the rays of a setting sun. Time stood still for them while they connected, staring intently and steadily.
"Ahem! If you two would like to spend eternity just starring at each other like a doped couple then be my guests." Genkai suddenly barged in between the two and caught in their awkward situation. They snapped and blushed at the same time.
Shuichi looked away, covering his face with his open hand letting his eyes avert back to her. Hayami looked down, tucking some locks behind her ears, still flushed. Shuichi saw this and knew she's uncomfortable, so he finally offered their seats to shake everything off.
"You look lovely." He pronounced smiling at her. Hayami looked up at him then swiftly turned away.
"Thank you. And thanks to Botan, she lent me some of her clothes." She timidly responded trying to avoid his eyes.
"I see. It suits you...Go on and eat well. You need to regain your strength. We have a big day ahead of us." Shuichi offered to start her breakfast and to remind her that they will be going home today.
Genkai was also with them on the table, taking sips on her tea cup but really just observing them.

After their breakfast, they finally get ready to leave going back to Kyoto. Genkai was sending them off in front of her temple.
"I increased your reiki temporarily so you won't get easily claim by any roaming spirits around. But you have to be extra careful for stronger evil spirits are more drawn to people who have heightened spiritual energy. This way we might be able to track the dark kitsune easily because I have the feeling she is also looking for you." Genkai forethought giving them a fair warning especially on Hayami.
The two bowed to acknowledge and honor the old Master's last piece of advise.
"Thank you so much for everything Genkai-Obachan."
Shuichi and Hayami left Genkai's territory heading back to their place in Kyoto where they would start an uncustomary life together.