Chapter 39: Siblings Argue

Aku looked at his sister's lifeless but powerful body as it was almost like she was waiting for him to make a move.

'She's running off pure instinct, anything else with an Aspect I bet is a target, brother or not, that includes me.'

Aku could feel his Aspect as it was still out of control like a rush he'd never experienced before.

'My body isn't equipped for this kind of thing. Still, I have to try to get Yaki back to her senses!'

*Screech*

Yaki's Shiryoku activation made Aku shiver as he felt the ground beneath him disappear.

'Shit.'

Aku looked around beneath him as the distance below wasn't much, maybe a story, but if he remembers anything from the last time, this is nothing.

'What is she planning?'

Aku looked up to see Yaki standing in the air. She slightly raised her hand with a quick motion of her hand.

*Scree-*

*Rumbles*

Aku was being dragged, causing a cratering trail in the ground.

'I can't move!'

*Screech*

Aku, once again in another spot, was being dragged across the ground.

'I have to think fast, come on, come on!'

Aku thought as hard as possible about what to do. His Aspect was ever so fluctuating he couldn't handle it, his options seemed like zero.

'...I got it!'

He focused all of his energy on his Shiryoku and hand at the same time.

'Come on…Come on!'

*Screech*

'Shit, NOW COME ON!'

***

Yaki's demon state looked as if it realized it had not moved Aku position where they put him.

*Electric crackles*

Yaki's body looked over as it saw a sight of black and white.

*Electric crackle*

Aku's hand being fully engulfed in the same technique he used against Tarin. He smiled intensely as Yaki was sent flying into the ground.

'I hit her…I HIT HER!'

*Screech*

Yaki appeared behind him as he turned to her slightly.

'Focus this technique on more than just your hand…'

She raised up her hand to him as her palm faced her brother.

'What the?'

Aku was being held in place in the air.

"Boom."

*Boom*

Multiple trees fell and broke down as Aku's body was thrown through them.

*Crash*

Aku landed and seemed to be wedged in the ground. The black lightning was gone now as his Shiryoku was also faded.

'What the fuck was that? It's like she condensed her Aspect into a tiny explosion.'

*Swift*

"You know, you're truly a demon."

Aku sat his head up a little looking at Yaki's demon state who was standing in front of him with her palm facing him again.

"But I'd like my sister back now!"

His facial expression was mad as his Shiryoku was back, as was the black lightning that spread from his eye to his arm being connected.

"Boo-"

*Light Tap*

Tarin tapped Yaki's neck as she slumped over. He caught her before she hit the floor. Aku was in shock.

"You did good, kid!"

Tarin smiled with a thumbs up as he threw Yaki over his shoulder. Aku's Shiryoku receded, as did his Aspect.

"What the hell were you thinking?"

Aku was angry as he got up.

"Think clearly, Aku."

"What is that supposed to mean? This is some kind of test drugging my sister to cause her to turn into that thing again?"

"Precisely Aku. If I could drug your sister with only one slice of bacon made from a monster, think about what others could do to truly spike her Aspect's true nature. A state like that is rare, yet many demons in that state are either dead and, if able to go into it willingly or unwillingly, it doesn't take much for someone who is smart to get her Aspect running into overtime."

Tarin turned around as he started to walk away with Yaki.

'I never thought of that.'

"That is where you must come in Aku. Others will kill her. You swear to protect her! So you must do so no matter what state she is in. You will be the only one to save her out of that state with her still being alive."

Tarin stopped as he turned around to a now moping Aku.

"You coming?"

"Teach me."

"What do you mean?"

"TEACH ME!"

'The kid's coming around.'

"Teach me how she did that technique. I know you were watching."

"Hurry up then and follow me."

Aku looked up to Tarin's smile.

'There isn't a doubt in my mind anymore.'

Aku started to stand up and wiped the blood off his face. He looked at Tarin who was carrying Yaki on his right shoulder.

'He is the strongest person I've ever met.'

***

-A Few Hours Later-

"I will tell you right now, I'm not going to give it to you for free."

"I wouldn't expect anything easy from you."

Aku sat on the grass as he watched Tarin stand in front of a tree. Aku had bandages all over his body and scratches.

"What your sister did is an impressive feat. Yes, destructive too, but it was far from accurate. I could teach you that now and move on easily, but I'll leave you with something a little bit better."

Tarin stood still as he pointed his finger at the tree.

*Shink*

The tree was cut clean as it slid off.

'What the?'

Tarin turned to Aku with a smile.

"It's as easy as that."

'I have a feeling he doesn't know what the term "easy" means.'

"The only thing you should focus on in the first 10 days is forming your Aspect into something. A shape, a feeling, something you know is in front of you. After that, go wild with it!"

"Great advice."

Aku scoffed under his breath.

"Hey Tarin?"

"Don't worry about it, I'll keep her busy, besides the fishing thing was real!"

Aku smiled as Tarin suddenly disappeared. He looked up at the sky and then back at the trees.

'I'm sorry I'm not spending time with Yaki.'

He stood up with a determined, relaxed face.

'But I have to do this.'

***

Yaki sat at the campsite alone.

"You guys might think I'm dumb, but I'm not."

Yaki sat with an oversize T-shirt and leggings. Tarin stood close behind her.

"You're gifted Yaki."

"All I am is a calamity."

Yaki looked at the destruction around the campsite.

"Yaki, can I tell you something?"

"Sure."

Tarin sat next to her.

"I used to be a tool for some bigger man in a chair. I was used as a calamity to show strength. One day they pushed me too far. I became what they wanted me too. That's when I realize that I'm not bound to the ideas or views of other people. I realized my destructive power could be used for good."

"I'm not like you."

"How so Yaki?"

"I don't want to use my demon stuff at all. I don't even want to be a demon."

Tarin stood up and walked in front of Yaki's view.

"You don't have to. As long as I am breathing Yaki, I promise you will never have to use your abilities again."

Yaki looked up to this pillar of hope and safety.

'Being around someone like him definitely makes me feel a lot more normal.'

"Now let's make some food for your brother. Have you ever cooked chicken and rice before?"

"No."

"Well, today you're going to learn!"