Chapter 35: Camping Trip?

'I can't believe Yaki had to remind me of what I was out to grab.'

Aku was in front of his door holding a load of groceries. He set a bag down as he began to open the door.

The door swung open as a cartoon show was heard loudly throughout the home.

"What are you watching?"

"Cartoons."

Yaki's hair was pulled back into a ponytail, her white strip of hair was apparent being as it was the only chunk of hair that was not in the ponytail. She wore an oversize t-shirt and shorts. Aku smiled.

'This is about as close as things can get, to being back to normal for now.'

He saw her eyepatch.

'How long will it last is the real question?'

*BONK*

A mouse slammed a hammer on top of a dog in the cartoon.

"What took you so long the first time anyway?"

"Uh, long story I'll tell you later.'

*BAM*

Their main door swung open as Tarin walked through with a broad smile.

"WE ARE GOING CAMPING AKU!"

***

The two siblings stared at the man with confused looks.

"Hahaha! What are you wearing, Tarin?"

Yaki laughed at Tarin's silly fishing gear and fishing hat. It looked straight out of an old man's fishing magazine.

Tarin turned to Yaki in silence as she giggled. He turned back to Aku.

"SHE LIVES!"

'What?'

Yaki thought to herself in more confusion.

"Of course she does dumb ass."

Aku seemed somewhat annoyed at Tarin's odd apparel.

"What are you on about anyway?"

Tarin smiled again as he couldn't hide his old man's excitement.

"What do you mean by camping?"

Yaki wondered in confusion.

"Well, if I'm being honest, I thought you were dead or at least bedridden, BUT you could come camping too!"

'Is he…okay?'

Yaki saw an insane man in front of her talking about camping nonetheless.

"This is your first impression?"

Aku tried to walk towards him but in an instant Tarin was beside Yaki. He pointed and waved at the ceiling.

"Imagine the sky with all the stars in the world before you. Can't you see it? That is what camping is all about."

Tarin walked over to Aku.

"Get packed, I already put some hats in your room, we leave past dawn!"

"That isn't how you say it."

Yaki corrected Tarin.

"That's cool."

Tarin grabbed Aku by the collar.

"Woah!"

They went out the door.

'He's awfully active for his age.'

Yaki walked to her room.

***

Tarin and Aku made it outside.

"Let go of me!"

Tarin let go of Aku as he had more of a serious demeanor.

"This isn't just a camping trip."

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

"I mean I've taken it upon myself to train you, Aku. The camping trip will be some light fun fishing for you and I will kill some monsters occasionally. I'll even train you how to use your Demon's Aspect."

Aku looked at Tarin in bewilderment.

'He wants to train me, possibly the strongest person I've ever met wants to train me. I shouldn't miss out on this.'

"Okay, I'll go, but why are we bringing Yaki?"

"Kids need some fresh air nowadays, besides she'll have fun, and I am the protector after all If anything happens."

Tarin said with heroic stature.

'Besides, I do want to see what the girl is capable of with a Shiryoku like that…'

"From here on out, Aku, I'll be training you and watching over your sister with all my power!"

"Thanks now, when are we leaving?"

Aku looked up and noticed Tarin was already walking away.

"Hey you old man, when are we leaving?"

"See you later Akuuuuuuu!"

Tarin waved with a smile.

'The nerve of that guy.'

***

Aku opened the door. He walked in as Yaki poked her head out the door of her room.

"So are we going? Your face is saying a lot right now."

Aku, with an embarrassed face, looked up to his sister.

"...Get packed…"