SD: Hey everyone! I know it's been ages since I last updated...but here's chapter two! Chapter three's halfway done, so I'll put that up when I finish writing it..hope you enjoy!
Chapter 2 - Past and Present
"You're 17!"
Ryu grinned. "I may not look it, but I'm older than you,"
Botan stared at him, shocked. "Oh my god, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to call you a kid!"
Yusuke burst into fits of laughter. "A kid! Come on Botan! This guy's taller than Hiei!"
"If you savour your life detective, I suggest you keep your mouth shut," Hiei threatened, his eyes burning into Yusuke.
He sweatdropped. "Chill Hiei!"
Hiei made a noise of disapproval and leaned back against the window sill.
"You've got a nice house Yusuke," Soraya commented, glancing around the living room.
"Glad you like it! But Kurama's house is much nicer," he said with a wink.
"Shut it Yusuke!" Botan cried, flinging her oar at him.
Yusuke ducked and stuck out his tongue. "Missed me, missed me now you gotta-"
Kuwabara punched him square in the face. "That's no way to talk to a lady!"
Kurama sighed. "I don't believe we got together to discuss etiquette,"
"Then why did you call us all together?" Botan asked, sitting down on the couch next to Ryu. "If it wasn't to tell us Soraya-chan's your girlfriend…"
"We're not dating," Soraya finally spoke up. "I just joined his class, that's how we met," she turned to face Kurama. "I'm guessing the reason you asked to meet me was to ensure that I was a youkai,"
Kuwabara stared at her in shock. "Y-you're a youkai!"
"One of the two that killed our opponent yesterday," Hiei stated dryly, not looking up from his position at the window.
Soraya nodded. "I was sent with a companion to defeat the demon you were fighting. Koenma wanted to ensure that the youkai died, so he sent us,"
"Us?"
"My companion and me,"
"And who was this companion?" Botan asked, curiously tilting her head to the side.
"Me,"
All eyes turned to Ryu.
"No way!" Kuwabara cried, staring at him in a surprised manner. "You gotta be kidding!"
"I'm not," Ryu stated flatly, glancing in Soaraya's direction. "She slapped me about 20 times…how else would I know that unless I was the one being slapped?"
"It was 3," Soraya corrected, glancing at Ryu in an annoyed way.
He shrugged, "Whatever,"and pulled out two kunai. "Recognize these?"
Soraya jumped up. "You bastard! I knew you'd kept them!"
Kurama cleared his throat. "Funabashi-san…"
Soraya turned a light shade of scarlet and sat back down, mumbling a sorry in Ryu's direction.
Ryu could only grin. Usually she would have at least kicked him in the shins by now. Life'll be a lot easier if she's around Kurama all the time.
"These are the kunai that were used to kill the youkai yesterday," Hiei turned cold, red eyes at Ryu, holding the kunai in his outstetched palm. "How did you get them…I didn't notice anyone retrieve them from the body of the youkai before you left,"
"I have my ways," Ryu said simply, sitting back down next to Botan. How the hell did he take them from me without my noticing?
I have my ways,
Ryu turned to stare at Hiei in shock. Shit…this guy's telepathic!
Too bad…now you can't undress Botan with your eyes…not unless you want Hiei to see it too,
Ryu made a face at Soraya, who was looking relatively smug.
Perhaps we should involve the others in this discussion? Kurama asked pointedly, drawing the attention of the 3 youkai.
"Oh…right," Soraya sweatdropped and smiled lightly.
Botan sighed. "Mind not using telepathy…?"
Haha!
Soraya glared at Ryu. Just wait…the minute I'm alone with you I'll-
Make love to me?
I was about to say, break your shins, but I think making sure that your reproductive system is smashed would be effective as well,
"Funabashi-san…" Kurama said with a sigh. The whole group was watching Soraya and Ryu as they glared at each other. Or, Soraya was glaring at Ryu, who was smirking back at her.
"Gomen…"
Loser!
Soraya simply glared.
"But your spirit energy is much lower than the level that the pure youkai had yesterday," Kuwabara stated, staring at Soraya, dumbfounded.
Soraya glanced up, lightly raising an eyebrow at him. That's one sentence I did not imagine could come out of his mouth…
His high spirit awareness makes him seem smarter than he is…sometimes, Hiei explained, not looking in her direction.
Then why was he surprised that I was a youkai? And how could he not have noticed that Ryu was a hanyou?
He's a moron, Hiei stated simply.
Soraya nodded, considering Kuwabara's question for a moment. "I suppose that's because I'm not in my demon form. In my human form, my spirit energy is more enclosed, and I therefore appear weaker,"
Kurama nodded. "Our cases relate…"
"Pardon?"
"Minamino Shuuichi is my human form. My kitsune youkai form is Yoko Kurama," he explained with a light smile.
"A yoko…interesting. Your energy signature's a little different though…"
"I was.." he thought for a moment. "Reincarnated into a human form. This body was supposed to exist as a cover until I was strong enough to break free. After several encounters I have found this disguise to be relatively useful and have therefore not attempted to break free,"
Yusuke sweatdropped. "Right…we'll just let them flirt in their…vocabular ways…" he turned to Ryu. "And what about you?"
"Me?"
"Yeah. You're a hanyou! What's up with that?"
"Be a little more polite," Botan snapped.
Ryu grinned. "Don't worry about it. I'm a hanyou because my mom's a human and my dad was a youkai,"
"Was?"
"He was killed when I was 8. He left my mother and me to protect us and was killed about 6 months later. My mother still doesn't know though,"
Botan looked at him in a concerned way. "I'm so sorry…how did you find out?"
"Koenma contacted me," he explained with a shurg.
"Koenma told an 8-year-old his father had been killed!" Botan looked shocked. "That must have been awful," she gently placed a hand on his.
Ryu grinned. "It was hard at first, but knowing that he died to protect my mom and me allowed me to believe that his death was not in vain and let me move on," he closed his hand around hers. "You're very kind Botan…if I ever need to be consoled, I'll know who to turn to…"
Nice chat up line…pervert,
Aw come on! You're just jealous!
Oh, how did you ever guess? Soraya drolled sarcastically.
I'm psychic!
Psychic my ass!
You have a more extensive vocabulary than I would have imagined, Kurama noted, glancing from Ryu to Soraya.
Well…I...um… Soraya sighed and slumped back into the couch.
Like I said before…loooooooser!
Soraya didn't respond and turned to pet the kitten, which was now sitting in her lap.
"If you were the two that helped us yesterday, why didn't you show yourselves then? I mean, come on! It would have made it all soooo much easier!" Yusuke exclaimed.
"We were under orders not to tell…"
"Then why were you so open just now?" Botan asked. She'd taken her hand from Ryu's after Kuwabara had practically blown up, threatening to make Ryu a head shorter if he didn't stop feeling Botan up.
"The reason for our secrecy, was because Koenma wanted to see if you would discover our identities on your own. I suppose after discovering mine, Ryu found it unnecessary to conceal his any longer,"
"Man…you sound so much like Kurama," Yusuke stated dryly.
Kuwabara scratched his head. "I didn't understand half of what she just said…,"
"That's no surprise," Hiei stated coldly.
"Shut it shorty!"
"Kuwabara…Hiei…please," Kurama said with a sigh. We have newcomers…I do not believe it wise to reveal our powers to them…yet,
"Hn…"
A closed channel…. she glanced at Ryu, whose brow was furrowed in thought. He must have noticed it too…
Yusuke rolled his eyes when the doorbell rang. "Man! Who the hell could that be..?" he didn't make a move to answer the door.
When the doorbell rang a second time, Botan sighed. "Maybe you should answer the door Yusuke?"
He shrugged. "Can't be bothered…if you want to know who's ringing, then open it yourself,"
"Yusuke!" Botan glared. "You're not much of a host!"
"Sue me.." he stated dryly, leaning back and putting his hands behind his head.
Then it rang a third time…a fourth, and then a fifth.
Everyone, except for Yusuke, was looking relatively annoyed now. "Won't you please just answer the door Yusuke?" Botan asked, exasperated.
"No…." he turned to look around the room. "Why don't you answer it Soraya?"
"Me?"
"Yeah, why not?"
"Umm…ok…" she slowly got up and walked to the door.
"Can you walk any faster?" Kuwabara called after her when it rang 4 times in rapid succession.
Soraya rolled her eyes and opened the door.
"Yusuke! Where were you? I waited at the school for an…" Keiko's voice trailed off when she noticed she was not yelling at Yusuke, but rather at a raven haired girl she'd never before seen.
Soraya sweatdropped and smiled lightly. "If you're looking for Yusuke…he's in the living room.."
Keiko stormed past her without saying a word. She was beyond pissed…she was in rage. "Yusuke! It's one thing to stand me up, but to...to...I would have never-"
Kuwabara jumped to his feet. "Urameshi! You cheated on her?"
Yusuke opened one eye, looking from Keiko to Kuwabara. "Chill Keiko…I have no idea what you're talking about…"
"No idea what I'm talking about!" Keiko's hands shook. "What kind of a denial is it when the girl's standing right behind me!"
"I think she means Soraya…" Hiei stated flatly.
"What? But I thought she was dating Kurama!" Kuwabara cried, turning to face Soraya. "Are you cheating on him?"
Soraya looked at them, a little taken back by the accusation. "Um…I.." she thought for a moment. There was no point in trying to get Kuwabara to understand that she wasn't even dating Kurama…not that she minded the assumption. "I'm not," she concluded.
Botan sweatdropped. "Keiko dear…you really don't need to worry. Yusuke is 100 loyal…and lazy,"
Keiko blinked for a moment, letting the words sink in. "Well…if that's the case…" she turned to Soraya and bowed. "I'm so sorry about that..really, I am! I should have known you wouldn't date a bum like Yusuke,"
"Hey! You're the one dating this bum!" Yusuke snapped, finally sitting up. "And I think I deserve an apology too!"
Soraya smiled, both in relief for having been spoken innocent, and because of Yusuke's reaction. "Don't worry about it…it's really alright,"
"I'm Keiko by the way,"
"Nice to meet you. I'm Soraya,"
"And I'm Ryu…I heard Yusuke stood you up…I'm sorry to hear that. He's not worth it, you should forget about him and move on. Find someone else," he grinned. "I'm still free,"
Yusuke had Ryu in a headlock a split second later. "What did you say?"
With Yusuke's arm wringing his neck, there was not much he could do in response.
"You say something like that one more time and I swear I'll make you a head shorter! Even without feeling Botan up!"
Soraya suppressed her giggles behind her hand, while Botan and Keiko both gave Yusuke flat looks. Kuwabara was rolling on the floor laughing, Hiei simply sighed, wondering why he was wasting his time with such imbeciles, Kurama was watching the scene with a sigh and Ryu was desperately trying to breath.
"Do I make myself clear…?"
He managed a nod and Yusuke dropped him.
Now who's the loser?
Always there to dish out the sympathy, aren't you?
Soraya smiled brightly. At your service!
Really?
No…
Aww…and I had my hopes up..
Pervert,
Flirt,
Excuse me?
Oh nothing…
"Hate to interupt your silent conversation guys but….is someone's phone ringing?" Keiko asked, looking around.
"It's not mine and it's pissing me off…"
"Everything pisses you off…"
"Watch it Ryu…" Yusuke glared.
"I'm watching it, I'm watching it,"
"Oh!" Soraya reached into her handbag and pulled out a cell phone. "I didn't realize it was mine…sorry!" the annoyed look Yusuke was giving her told her she should answer the phone. "Hello?"
"Hey hun!"
"What do you want Kai?" Soraya asked dryly.
"Just wondering if you were coming home any time soon,"
"Um…no?"
"Right…wait, I'll go get mom,"
"Kai? What are you…Kai!" Soraya sighed when the other end went quiet.
"Soraya?"
"Hi mom…"
"Where are you?"
"At a friend's house…"
"Well you better get home quick…why didn't you tell me you were going somewhere?"
"Gomen.."
"Honestly Soraya…I don't expect you to report all your whereabouts to me, but today was your first day at the new school…do you know how worried I was?"
Soraya cast her eyes down. "Alright…I'll be there in about 15 minutes…"
Kurama watched her, concern reflecting his eyes. She looked upset, and the fact that she'd lowered her voice and turned away from everyone else only made his suspicions stronger.
Soraya ended her phone call and turned back to the group, smiling lightly. "Gomen to cut the visit short, but I have to go,"
"You're mom tell you off or something?" Yusuke asked, with a nod in the direction of the cell phone.
"Yusuke!" Botan and Keiko both exclaimed.
"Would you stop asking her personal questions?" Botan asked, crossing her arms.
"It's all right. My mother's a bit upset with me, but it's nothing to worry about," she stood up and bowed. "It was nice meeting all of you, and thank you for having me over,"
Kurama made a move as if to stand up. "Would you like me to walk you home?"
Soraya turned back, a little surprised by the question. "I…well…if it's not a problem for you…"
Kurama stood up and shook his head. "I was the one who asked you to meet us after school. The least I can do is walk you home,"
Soraya's smile grew and she nodded. "Thank you,"
Ryu shook his head. She must be on cloud nine by now… He glanced at his watch and stood up. "I didn't realize it was so late. I should get going too," he turned to Botan with a grin. "You wanna walk me home?"
Kuwabara jumped to his feet and grabbed Ryu by the collar. "Stop making passes at Botan! You only want to get her to bed and it's not gonna work!"
Ryu raised an eyebrow. "Wow there….I think you took one huge step too far…"
Kuwabara narrowed his eyes, inspecting Ryu carefully.
"I don't think you should worry….as much of a pervert he is, he wouldn't try something like that. He's honest and respects the feelings of others..to a certain extent at least. Unless Botan has any intentions concerning Ryu's bed, nothing along those lines would happen," Soraya explained calmly. As much as she would love to see Ryu get pummeled, she decided that pulling Botan into the conflict like that was going too far.
Kuwabara thought a moment and then let go of Ryu's shirt. "Fine…but only because Soraya-chan said so," he smiled at her.
Soraya sweatdropped, smiling in a somewhat uncertain way.
Ryu nodded at Soraya. I owe you one…
She smiled. I'll make a note to add that to the long list of things you already owe me,
Botan sighed, relieved. "I'll have to take a raincheck Ryu…Koenma asked me to help him with some paperwork,"
Ryu nodded. "I understand. I'll see you guys later then," he waved and left the apartment, leisurely making his way down the stairs.
"We better get going too,"
Soraya nodded. "Thanks again, for everything. I'll see you all later," she turned and followed Kurama to the front door, who held it open for her.
Yusuke shook his head after they'd left. "If you ask me, Kurama just wanted to spend time with her himself,"
"You should know Kurama long enough to realize that his actions do not revolve in the least around human emotions, such as infatuation,"
"Come on Hiei! You can't call it a human emotion. After all, you love your sister, don't you?" Yusuke grinned.
"Incest!" Kuwabara cried, pointing accusingly at Hiei.
"Hn," without another word, Hiei turned and left Yusuke's apartment through the open window. He couldn't be bothered to argue with someone like Kuwabara now.
"He admitted it!" Kuwabara cried, staring atfter Hiei.
"Right…no comment," Yusuke muttered, rolling his eyes at Kuwabara.
Keiko sighed. If she didn't decide to leave soon, this would be a long evening…
SD: and, did you like? It's not the best thing I've ever written, so I'll put an extra shove of effort into chapter 3! Love you all! sends kisses
