A/N: This chapter will serve as a good opening for my story, "Longing". Hate it or love it (hey, just like the song by 50 Cent) I would really appreciate a review. If I get enough reviews to know people actually like it, I'll make another chapter, where Keiko and Kurama will be older, more mature. Plus, I'll get to develop their relationship a lot more.
Disclaimer: I don't own Yu Yu Hakusho, nor do I own Kurama-kun or Keiko-chan… life just isn't fair…
Longing
Chapter 1: A Fond Memory
The sky was a dull grayish color, as droplets of rain fell in a steady rhythm, giving the impression of an ominous nightfall. A roar of thunder sounded in the distance, as lightning streaked across the dark, evening sky. Despite the weather conditions voices drifted through the air.
"Kurama-kun how much farther?" cried a younger, smaller Keiko of eleven. She was very much frightened. She hated thunder, it always made her jump. Her heart was pounding, she was getting tired. Any second longer and she felt her legs would give out from beneath her.
Not to mention the fact that her clothes were all clingy, her brown hair was dripping wet, and she was shivering cold.
His grip on her smaller hand tightened, as he spared his best friend an apologetic glance.
"Only a little farther. We're almost there," he said reassuringly. They were running to his house in order escape from the pouring rain. It was the closest, so it was obviously the more logical choice.
Suddenly, a cry of dismay fell from Keiko's lips as she lost her footing. A cold splash assaulted her face and arms with their icy touch, soaking into her school uniform, as she fell back into a large puddle. Somehow Kurama had managed not to get dragged down along with her.
The thirteen-year old spun around, alarm shining in his emerald orbs.
"Are you alright Keiko?" She nodded.
"I'm okay but my butt's all wet," she made a disgusted face, "and I'm all muddy!" The vibrant brunette pouted.
The red head chuckled. Keiko glared up at him. She huffed, and crossed her arms over her chest, how rude of him to laugh at her! She decided to avoid his gaze altogether, instead settling for staring at the ground. 'The nerve of him,' she thought to herself, inwardly fuming.
To Kurama, in that moment, the image she presented could only be described in one word.
Cute.
Mentally shaking his head, he laughed good naturedly.
"I'm sorry if I offended you, but you have to admit it is amusing to say the least," he said in a playful tone of voice.
Keiko looked up, meeting Kurama's deep green eyes, which were sparkling with amusement. She blushed, her cheeks flushing a pretty pink, overwhelmed by the physical proximity.
He held out a hand to help her up, which she gladly, but nonetheless shyly accepted. Taking her hand in his own, he helped the brown-haired girl up to her feet.
"Thanks…" she whispered softly.
"It was no problem at all. Now I do think we should hurry. If we stay out any longer you'll catch a cold, and we certainly don't want that." Without another word they began to run again, their pace quicker than before, both eager to find shelter from the pouring rain…
The Minamino household never failed to amaze her. It was very quaint and it had a nice family feel to it.
"I'm glad you're mom let me spend the night," confessed a grateful Keiko. She plopped down on the couch next to Kurama, whom also donned a look of relief and calm. Sighing, she allowed her body to sink back into the soft cushions.
"Indeed. The weather outside is very gloomy."
"So whatcha wanna do?" asked Keiko lazily, as she cuddled a pillow to her chest, resting her chin on it. A look of contemplation filled the young kitsune's features.
"Hmm… we can watch a movie I suppose, you can choose." Keiko's face took on a thoughtful look for a moment.
"How about…"
Ring!
Kurama speedily leaned over, grabbing for the phone on the wooden coffee table in front of him. Keiko cocked her head to the side as she scooted over closer to the red-head, curiosity flickering in her gaze.
Keiko rested her chin innocently on the kitsune's shoulder wanting to hear the conversation; he couldn't help it, he was momentarily distracted by the action, but nonetheless regained his composure. He lightly coughed.
"Hello?" A voice didn't answer; instead on the other end of the line he could hear deep, breathing. His voice was more insistent this time.
"Hello?" Keiko sucked in a deep breath, whoever it was; they were really starting to freak her out. Kurama sighed in a bored manner, his green gaze all knowing.
"Seven days…" rasped a voice on the other end. "Seven days till…" Kurama interrupted the mysterious voice.
"Really Yusuke, I thought you would've come up with a better joke by now." The voice on the other end, now identified as Yusuke Urameshi cursed under his breath.
"Man how'd you know it was me?"
Keiko blinked. It was Yusuke?
Kurama ran a hand through his hair tiredly. The younger boy, whom was also his best friend, always played the same joke.
'We should've never watched that movie…' Ever since they all had watched The Ring, Yusuke almost always prank called his house reciting the same lines in a hoarse voice: Seven days till you die… It was really starting to annoy him.
"I caught on the first time, why do you think the eighth time would be any different?"
"Yeah I guess you're right… but hey, is Keiko there?" Yusuke inquired, almost with what seemed to be hope in his voice. Kurama looked at the brown haired girl, who shook her head. She mouthed the words "Say no."
He gave her a curious glance, but nonetheless complied with her request.
"No. Keiko for a matter of fact just got picked up by her mother. You barely just missed her." Yusuke sighed on the other end.
"Man… I really wanted to talk to her…"
"About what?" Only silence greeted him on the other end. Then, Yusuke answered, almost in a breathless rush.
"Well IwantedtoseeifshewasbusySaturday!" Kurama raised an eyebrow at Keiko, who merely shrugged her shoulders.
"Please, repeat that for me."
"I… uh…um wanted… to see if she was busy Saturday."
'What…' Keiko's face took on a look of confusion.
"Oh… hey you're my best friend right? Do ya think you could set me up with her?" Kurama spared Keiko another glance, an unknown emotion flickering in his eyes as he gazed at her, before quickly looking away. She blinked uncertainly, searching his features that had been looking back at her only a moment before.
"Yusuke… I'm really sorry but I must go now. My mother said I have to get off the phone." Yusuke sounded like he was about to protest but the red head hung up before he got a chance to say anything.
Click.
Keiko seemed speechless. Yusuke liked her?
Meanwhile…. unknown to her Kurama began to face an inner conflict as he looked at her. Had he just… Did he really just get jealous at the thought of Yusuke dating Keiko?
The brunette sat back up.
"Kurama?" Her soft, melodic voice broke his reverie, and once again he turned green orbs upon the young girl sitting next to him.
"Are you alright?" He nodded.
She sighed softly.
"So what was that all about?" she asked gently.
"It would appear Yusuke likes you," Kurama stated matter of factly. Keiko's cheeks flushed a pretty pink.
"Oh…" The room remained silent… before Keiko spoke again.
"Kurama, what about the three musketeers? How will Yusuke liking me… um as more than a friend… affect our friendship overall?" her eyes sought out his. Kurama shook his head.
"Don't worry about it now… let's just have fun alright?"
"Okay…but even if Yusuke won't still be friends with us… you'll still be my best friend right?"
"Of course… we'll be friends forever…" he whispered to her softly. He couldn't help but smile when he saw her face light up with happiness, and she nodded. Tears almost forming on her brown orbs at the words.
"Forever?"
"Forever," he promised to her, a smile on his own face. Seemingly satisfied with his words, Keiko opened her arms wide… and embraced him. He wasted no time in returning her hug, reveling in the warmth of her body and the perfect fit she made in his arms. She buried her face in the crook of his neck.
In the darkness of the room eyes flashed molten gold that smoldered with possessiveness… before melting away into emerald green. The young girl remained oblivious, as she hugged him tighter.
Both understood that whatever time they could spend together as such they would cherish it. It was then Kurama realized, as they told each other of their hopes and dreams like always, he realized this friendship wasn't enough for him.
And this feeling stayed with him for a long time… this sudden growing of longing whenever he looked at her.