The Tablet

Chapter 3: Disturbing Turns

       Itani was bent low over the desk, studying her notes.  She had been sitting like that for hours, hardly moving except to flip the pages.  Unconsciously she smoothed a lock of hair before dropping her hand back down to the desk, motionless once more.

       “Find anything yet?”

       Itani didn’t look up from her work. “No.  But I’m close, I can feel it.”

       Genkai noted that, though Itani had given no evidence she had noticed the old woman’s approach, she did not seem at all startled by the sudden interruption.  She had observed this sort of unusual behavior in Itani many times in the months the young woman had been staying in the temple.

       “I wish you would wait until Yusuke was here.” She scolded mildly.

       Itani chuckled, “I don’t know why you make him do this – he hates it.”

       “He needs to be here.” Genkai maintained firmly, “Please wait.”

       Itani did not fail to notice the tightness in the old woman’s voice.  She turned quizzically.

       “What is it Genkai?” she asked quietly, “What do you expect, or fear, to find here?” Before the aged psychic could open her mouth to deny the very idea, Itani continued, “You never took such an interest in my studies before now.  There must be something here.”

       Genkai knew it would be useless to pretend. With a small sigh she lowered herself to sit cross-legged on the floor.  “I don’t know.” She said honestly, “It’s just the feeling that this is something terribly, dangerously, important. I can’t even put it into words.” She lapsed into silence, staring ahead in a way that made Itani wonder if she was still in the room or if her mind had taken her somewhere far off.  The younger woman didn’t intrude, but sat waiting patiently while the old woman collected her thoughts.  After a few moments Genkai shifted her gaze to meet Itani’s gravely.  “Promise me you’ll wait for Yusuke.”

       Itani’s face tightened slightly in concentration and then eased as she nodded.  “Alright Genkai, I’ll wait.” Turning back to the desk she carefully gathered her notes and then took them to the safe.  Whatever foreboding the old woman felt, Itani hoped it was only the result of old superstition and legend for she knew that they were very close to unraveling the mystery.

       There was no time to further contemplate this however because at that moment a small commotion sounded outside.

       “Yukina! Hey, Yukina sweetheart – your one and only Kuwabara is here!”

       A loud thump was heard, followed by a groan that sounded suspiciously like Kuwabara.

       “What was that for?” he demanded angrily.

       “Give it a rest.” Yusuke answered crossly.

       A soft knock sounded on the study door.  It opened slightly as Yukina stuck her head through.  “Master Genkai, Itani, we have visitors.”

       Genkai rolled her eyes, “Coming.” She stood and led the way to the informal ‘sitting room’.  As she followed, Itani smiled, first at the old woman’s disdainful look – feigned, of course, for she would never admit her fondness for the troublesome young men – and then again in response to the rising voices in the distance.  Yukina must have let them into the shrine for, as the voices approached the main room, she could hear a third voice, calm and warm with amusement.  It sent a strange sensation through her and she unconsciously quickened her pace, then flushed as she realized what she was doing.  She forced herself to move at a less hurried speed, but she couldn’t stop the strange flutter in her chest.

       <Get a hold of yourself> she scolded, they had arrived in the main room and she took a seat facing the outer door. <You’ve only seen the man three times. So what if he is charming, and intelligent, and handsome, and he saved your life…> She felt herself flush again, and struggled to control it, averting her gaze from Genkai’s knowing look.

       Before she could fully regain her composure the door slid open and Yukina entered, followed by a gushing Kuwabara, an annoyed Yusuke, Keiko, Botan, and a very amused Kurama.  They were too caught up in Kuwabara’s nonsense to even acknowledge the two women in the room.  Except, of course, Kurama.  He gave a respectful nod to Genkai and then shifted his warm gaze to Itani.

       She could have imagined it, but she could have sworn that his eyes softened just briefly.

       “Hello.” He said quietly.  But somehow his voice carried above all the other noise and caused the others to stop talking.

       “Oh!  Hello Itani!” Botan smiled brightly.  She then turned to Genkai, “Hello Master Genkai,” she gave a small bow, “it’s good to see you again.”

       Itani observed the interaction with interest.  Though she had known most of them for several months now, she still wasn’t entirely certain what the cheerful woman’s relationship to this group was.  She liked her though, so she smiled back.

       Genkai snorted, “it’s good to see you again too, wish I could say the same for those dimwits.” She thrust her chin toward Yusuke and Kuwabara whose argument had resumed once more.

       “Oh, lay off grandma!” it was amazing how Yusuke always seemed to hear every insult thrown at him, no matter how preoccupied he was.  To a casual observer his response would have seemed angry, but anyone paying attention would note the affection in his eyes.  There was a special bond between Yusuke and Genkai, though Itani couldn’t fathom why. This verbal sparring was merely a sort of game they played. She chalked it up to another of the group’s mysteries and left it at that.

       “You boys stop now.” Keiko scolded and, though they looked unhappy about it, they complied.

       Yukina smiled gratefully, “Won’t you all sit down now? I’ll bring some tea.”

       Obediently they sat, except for Kuwabara who hurried to her side.  “I’ll help you, Yukina my love!”

       She smiled so hugely that her eyes squinted shut, “Thanks, but you stay here with your friends.” She said softly, “I can get it.”

       Disappointed Kuwabara sank back into a chair.

       Kurama smiled, “Don’t feel so bad Kuwabara, she just wants you to relax.”

       “Probably saved our tea too.” Yusuke muttered, and Keiko smacked him.

       “OW!” he yelped, but everyone knew he had enjoyed the touch.  He could be so juvenile at times… most times really.

       Itani found the whole dynamic interesting.  She had met them all before, but she had never seen the whole group together.  She had often wondered how they all managed to maintain a friendship when they were so different, but she could see the depths of that friendship.  It struck her that they must have been through a lot together to be so close.     

       “Itani?”

       She turned to see Kurama studying her, and from the way he had said her name it was clear that he had called her more than once.

       “I’m sorry.” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, “Did you ask me something?  I missed it.”

       He smiled apologetically, “It’s alright.  I’m sorry to have interrupted your thoughts.”

       She shook her head, “Wasn’t important anyway.  What did you want?”

       “I was just wondering how your research was going.”

       She shrugged, “It’s kind of at a dead end right now.”

       He leaned forward, interested, “Really?  How so?”

       “Well, Yusuke has been very busy, and Genkai doesn’t want me working without him.”

       “Really…” this time the word was drawn out, as though he were pondering this new information.  As she had seen him do once before he lapsed into silence, clearly lost in thought.  She had known him a very short time, but she could already tell he was a man of deep thought.  He struck her as an observer, a strategist.  She liked that.

       “You’re doing it again.” She said with a small smile.

       “What?” he sounded truly curious.

       “Going off into your own thoughts.”

       He frowned ever so slightly and she felt a bit saddened because it marred his handsome face, “My apologies… I shall endeavor to remain focused on the conversation at hand.”

       Had anyone else said that she might have laughed at the formal words coming from such a young person, but when Kurama spoke it just fit.  There was something dignified, elegant, and ageless about him.  On impulse she decided to ask him a personal question.

       “What do you do?”

       He blinked, stirring slightly.  “Do?” he echoed.

       “For a living.” She expounded, “what is your job?” she smiled, “Are you still in school? You’re older than Yusuke aren’t you?”

       He quirked a brow, “Why the sudden interest?”

       Itani felt her face grow warm and spoke hurriedly, “It’s just that you know all about me and my studies and I just realized I’ve never inquired about yours.”

       He smiled reassuringly, “It’s alright, I was only teasing.” She nodded and then waited.  For a moment she thought he still wasn’t going to answer her as he just sat there, staring over her shoulder.  But then his gaze shifted to meet hers and he smiled once more, “Yes, I am older than Yusuke, by a year or so.  No, I’m not in school; I’m a private tutor.”

       “Oh.” her tone rose in interest, “What subject?”

       “All subjects.” He replied casually, as though it were nothing.  She had known from the way he spoke that he must be intelligent, but she hadn’t realized the extent of his studies.

       “Do you enjoy it?”

       He paused, as though considering, choosing his words, “I find it – rewarding, I suppose.” He said slowly. But before Itani could ask him what he meant by this the two were interrupted.

       “Hey, Kurama!” It was Yusuke, “Quite monopolizing Itani’s time!”

       Kurama winked at Itani, his emerald eyes glinting mischievously.  “I’m sorry, Yusuke, did you wish to speak with her?  I would have thought you spent enough time with her, but if you don’t think Keiko will mind…”

       Yusuke growled, “Knock it off, fox!  You know Itani and I aren’t like that!”

       Kurama’s eyes widened in assumed innocence, “Then what did you want?”

       Yusuke shifted uncomfortably. “I don’t know.  I just thought she might not want to spend all of her time with you.” He sat up defensively, “You were probably just discussing work anyway!”

       Itani and Kurama smiled – they couldn’t deny it, they had been discussing work.

       “I don’t know, Yusuke,” Botan interceded, giving them a thoughtful look, “she didn’t seem to mind much.” Itani ducked her head slightly to avoid Botan’s gaze.  Truth be told, Botan had been watching the two with some interest.  And she was a little suspicious.  She’d never seen such a look in Kurama’s eyes, nor known him to sit so close to a conversational partner.

       Kurama seemed about to respond when Yukina reentered the room. 

       “Tea’s ready.” She still wore that same, familiar, smile –the one that made her look like a young girl.  It seemed constantly in place, even when Kuwabara went to her and started blustering around, offering unneeded help.  Though she did sweatdrop as he fell, nearly taking the teapot with him.

       “Nice going, moron.” Yusuke threw an arm over the back of his chair, rolling his eyes.

       “Hey!” Kuwabara turned, brandishing a fist, “Back off man!  At least I’m trying to be helpful.”

       “Right,” Yusuke closed his eyes, obviously unperturbed by the threat of the larger man.

       Kurama chuckled and then stood, approaching Yukina.  With an easy grace he took the teapot and began to pour.  “Let me assist you,” he offered.

       “Thanks.” Yukina said gratefully.

       Kuwabara’s face fell briefly, but then lifted in the next moment as Yukina took him by the hand and led him to a seat, leaving Kurama to pour the tea alone.  She turned to come back to the table, but Kurama waved her away.

       “I can finish, Yukina.  No sense both of us standing.”

       Yukina bowed in gratitude and then sat beside Kuwabara.

       Keiko and Botan exchanged knowing smiled.  Itani wondered if Kuwabara even realized what the red-head had done for him.  Watching him, she doubted it.

       Genkai stirred her tea solemnly and Itani absently wondered why – she never put anything in it, so why stir it?  Finally the old psychic turned to Yusuke.

       “When are you going to come over to help Itani with her research?” she asked abruptly.  Itani was a bit startled by the accusation in her tone.

       “I don’t know – work’s busy right now,” he said in a careless tone, seemingly unaware of the tension in her voice.

       “You should be here.” She snapped.

       Yusuke pulled back as though struck, “Look, Grandma, you can’t expect me to drop everything anytime you want to come running for your little projects – I have to live ya know.”

       “You need to be here!”

       Yusuke’s voice raised further in response to Genkai’s rising voice, “Well, excuse me – I didn’t realize she needed a babysitter!”

       “You need to be here!”

       “You’ve said that!” he shouted in frustration.

       Everyone in the room was shocked as the two were now very close, shouting a mere foot from one another.  They hadn’t had a shouting match like this in quite some time.

       “What is your problem, you old hag?”

       “You have no idea how important this is, do you dimwit?”

       “Then maybe you should tell me!”

       There were several moments of intense silence as Genkai visibly collected herself.  When she spoke again it was calm, quiet.

       “Promise me you’ll be here tomorrow.  That this will get done now.”

       Yusuke’s brow furrowed in confusion, but he became calm as well.  “Okay, I’ll be here.”

***

       Everyone found Genkai’s outburst more than a little disturbing, and no one more so than Kurama.

       Genkai was rarely so emotional, always in control, even when yelling at Yusuke.  While the two often bumped heads, the desperation he had heard was hardly her style.  There was something about this project that had her on edge.  It was one of the many things about it that disturbed him.  It was part of the reason he had been so persistent in questioning Itani – though, if he were honest, it was far from the primary reason.

       He wasn’t sure which unsettled him more, the mystery surrounding the tablet, or his own reaction to the young woman studying it. 

       When she had walked away from him two months ago, he had thought he would never see her again – it was a fairly large city after all.  The image of her smile as she thanked him had been difficult enough to shake from his mind then.  But after seeing her again he found it positively impossible.

       <What is it about her that captivates me?> he wondered as he stared out over the forest.  This was his favorite spot.  It was a large, old tree, very near the clearing Yusuke had first found Hiei, Gouki, and himself in.  The tree spoke to him of history and security.  It had endured so much and still it stood.  It was an inspiration, and a calming influence.  Here he felt his thoughts flow most freely, deeply, and clearly.

       He was standing on a mid-level branch, leaning against the sturdy trunk, hands in his pockets.

       “What is wrong with me?” he asked aloud.

       He wondered who he was speaking to.  The tree?  The only other person who came here was Hiei, and Hiei hadn’t been seen since he went to the Makai a few years before.  Kurama found that he missed the koorime.  They kept in touch, but it just wasn’t the same...  not that he didn’t know what Hiei would say at this moment.  He could almost picture the man, arms crossed, face and tone disdainful.

       <Hn.  Baka kitsune.  Only fools fall in love>

       “I don’t love her.” He defended, “I hardly know her.”

       He sighed.  Hiei wouldn’t have bought that, and neither did he.  After all, here he was having a conversation with himself about her.  He had to admit that he found her more than a little attractive.

       Still, what right did he have to pursue a romantic relationship?  He who had committed so many sins in his long life?  She didn’t even know the truth about who he was – what he was.  True, she had seen a portion of his power that day in the underground arena.  She had never questioned him, but she was no fool – she had to know that wasn’t normal.

       Shifting his weight, Kurama closed his eyes, allowing the soft breeze to caress his face and gently stir his hair.

       What did it matter? 

       His mixed up emotions were the least of his worries.  He should be focusing on Genkai’s behavior.

       There was an ominous foreboding in the air.  The kind that told of dark change, and Kurama was certain it had something to do with that tablet Itani was studying.  He didn’t know what would happen or when, but he would be prepared.      

***

       The shrine was once again quiet as the group had all returned to their homes, and the hour was growing late.  Itani walked through the shrine searching for her hostess.  After several minutes she found the elderly woman meditating in a small side room.   Hesitant to interrupt she pulled back, only to be stopped by Genkai’s soft, but clear voice.

       “Itani – come in.”

       Itani had long ago become accustomed to the old woman’s strange ways and didn’t stop to wonder how Genkai had known she was there.  She stepped forward and sat across from Genkai when the woman motioned her closer.

       “Something is bothering you?” she didn’t open her eyes.

       Itani was quiet for a few moments, considering.  Finally she drew in a breath, “There’s something strange about the tablet.” She confessed.  There was no reaction from her companion so she continued hurriedly, “Most of it is written in a single script, and by a single hand.  But I realized earlier that one portion... it’s different.”

       “This is unusual?” Genkai questions mildly, seemingly unperturbed.

       Itani, forgetting for a moment that Genkai was not watching her, shook her head.  “Not really.  I mean... it is a little odd.  But... it seems as though it was written by another person, at a later date - isn’t even written in the same language.”

       Genkai’s eyes finally opened and Itani saw a flash of worry before it was replaced by calm.  “This troubles you?”

       Itani shifted, clearly uncertain, “Not troubles really. But... it makes me wonder.”

       Genkai smiled – a rare thing – and placed an aged hand over Itani’s.  “You’ll figure it out.” She comforted, and Itani tried to smile in return. “But not without rest.” Genkai said sternly.  “Go to bed girl.” As usual, when uncomfortable, she reverted to her typical attitude.

       Itani nodded and stood, headed to bed.  Tomorrow would likely be a long day.  She sighed – working with Yusuke was like pulling teeth, except not nearly as pleasant.