Hey there! I wanted to say thanks to everyone for their support of my fanfics lately, it's been awesome seeing people reading and liking my fics. Writing has been very relaxing to me and knowing people are liking my stories makes me write more!
I think this is my best chapter ever because I wrote a little ditty to make Kuwabara's feelings truly know to Yukina! Let's hope it worked!
So as promised, here is chapter 4! Remember: read, review, and see you on the next chapter!
Disclaimer: I don't own YYH or its characters!
Chapter 4: Rivals
Kuwabara sat at his desk in his bedroom, looking down at the sheet of blank paper. He growled, scratching his head as he couldn't figure out what he wanted to write. His mind was filled with a sense of lingering pressure due to the lack of creativity. He didn't have a single clue on how he wanted to initiate. Then again, he did skip his writing classes, so of course he wouldn't know how to begin.
Upset, he threw his hands in the air, "How does Keiko make this look so easy?! I'm not anywhere as smart as her! Stupid, stupid, stupid!"
As he placed his head down in defeat, banging his head on the desk, Shizuru knocked on his door, holding a tray of cookies in one hand and a lit cigarette hanging on the corner of her lip. She watched as he kept pounding his head onto his desk top, repeating the word over and over.
She started to chuckle, "You finally realized it, huh?" she paused, walking in and setting the tray down on his desk. She took the blank paper in her hand, then looked down at her brother, shaking her head, "What are you doing, trying to give yourself a concussion? What is this, anyway?"
Kuwabara leaned up, feeling a small swelling on his forehead, sighing sadly, "I'm trying to write a poem dedicated to Yukina."
Shizuru blurted out laughing and holding her sides, making Kuwabara flustered.
"Hey, it's not something to laugh about! I'm serious about her!"
Shizuru wiped away a tear, "Sorry, baby bro. I didn't take you as the artistic type, seeing as how you are trying to be a manly man and all."
Snatching the paper back, he pouted, "I can be manly and resourceful too. It's not just about going around being tough all the time and fighting, Shizuru, and I don't want Yukina thinking that's all I do."
Shizuru smiled sweetly as she watched Kuwabara start writing a sentence, then erasing it, grumbling at the frustration. He was really trying his best to impress Yukina; he never shown so much interest to express himself this way before, but with Yukina, he wanted her to see him not as just a fighter, but as a budding romanticist. As goofy as her little brother is, she was very proud of him.
"Well…" she started to say, "Just speak from the heart. Tell her the feelings you get when she's around you, how her smile makes your day brighter, how much you appreciate her. You know, mushy stuff that all girls like. Hell, even female demons would love to hear that. She'll like a hand written words spoken from you than some already pre-written poem any day."
Kuwabara looked at the blank paper, now etched in eraser marks. He tapped his pencil on the desk rapidly, nervously exclaiming, "I know, but how can I put it into words by tonight?! I made plans to hang out with Yukina later after dinner, so I want this to go perfectly and knowing me, I might end up screwing it up!" He took a deep breath and tried to relax, but his mind was racing a mile a minute.
Shizuru smiled kindly, placing her hand on his back to ease his tension when she looked over by his coat hook. A long, white head band had writing on it with Yukina's name all over it and enough hearts drawn on it to make her puke with cuteness. She grinned, walking over and taking it off the hook, returning to dangle it over Kuwabara's head.
"Why don't you put this on? Maybe it'll bring you some inspiration." She smirked, "Plus, I get to see you in it for once."
He then beamed widely, "Yeah! I completely forgot I had an extra one! Thanks, sis!"
Shizuru raised her eyebrow, Is this what he does up here all day, making Yukina love head bands?
He tied on the band, now determined to finish his writing, "Alright, sis! I got work to do! I gotta show Yukina my devoted love for her, so I need some quiet time! Just promise me you won't tell her what I'm doing."
Shizuru nodded, picking up the tray of cookies, then suddenly gasped as he grabbed her wrist, "I didn't say to take the cookies!"
She took six of the cookies off the tray and placed them on the desk, "Tell you what; if you make a good, well written poem that'll impress me, I'll give you three more. Until then, they're coming with me. Sorry, little brother, but I'm not going to be the reason for you to get cavities."
Kuwabara groaned as he took a bite of a cookie as an idea popped in his head, letting his hand be guided across the paper.
Shizuru turned out of his room with the tray and headed down the stairs, placing the tray down on the table in the kitchen, when she heard the door open. She returned to see Yukina in the foyer.
"I'm back, everyone." Yukina smiled, holding six bags of groceries as she kicked her shoes off while maintaining her balance.
"Had fun shopping?" Shizuru asked sarcastically as she took a few bags from her and followed into the kitchen.
Yukina sighed with a mix of slight sadness and relief, "It was very busy, but I managed to find what I needed for dinner tonight. The lines at the store was very long, but it was worth the wait."
Both girls started putting the items away in the fridge as Yukina grinned cheerfully, "I hope it pleases Kazuma. I know sukiyaki is his favorite, but just in case, may you assist me? I only made this once before and even though it tasted okay, I want it to taste better this time around and you are the better cook."
"Of course I'll help you, but I wouldn't say I'm better. You're learning, that's all." Shizuru smiled after she closed the fridge. Shortly after, the girls sat on the couch in the living room. Shizuru sparked a cigarette as Yukina allowed herself to stretch and yawn; she didn't think shopping was going to be a pain, but it was worth it.
They haven't had a good, hearty, family style dinner in a while and Yukina was sweet to offer to cook for them. Kuwabara was ecstatic as he always was a fan of Yukina's cooking, even though she never cooked food for humans before she started living with the Kuwabara siblings, but Shizuru noted she was getting better. To think we could be in-laws one day…
Yukina looked around and noticed one other person wasn't with them.
"By the way, Shizuru," she asked, "Where is Kazuma? He was here when I left, unless he went out too?"
Shizuru blew a puff of smoke, "Nah, he's upstairs studying for his high school exams." As unbelievable that sounds, but he DOES have homework to finish anyway. He shoule be doing that, but whatever, this is for Yukina.
"Oh…" Yukina said lowly to herself. She looked down at her hands, somewhat blushing, "I was hoping maybe he would like to come sit and talk with us for a little while before we get started on dinner." She turned her head to Shizuru and smiled, "But it's okay, he needs to study to do well at his school, it can wait."
"Sounds like you miss him already." She giggled, then inhaling and exhaling the smoke out
Yukina tilted her head slightly, placing her finger under the lip of her chin, "Is that a bad thing?"
Shizuru turned to Yukina, grinning, "Don't look worried; he's working very hard to graduate so he could make you proud of him. Isn't that adorable?"
Yukina giggled as she stared out of the window, looking at the streets and cars passing by, along with a few birds on a branch of a tree at the front of the house, "I've always been proud of him. He has such a high spirit about him that makes me feel confident in his abilities, and so I always admire him."
"Do you think you're in love then?" Shizuru asked, "I mean, what else is there do you need to prove how you feel about him? After three years, I think he has proven himself, but it depends on what you feel for him."
Yukina thought about the question in her mind; How much more proof did she need to be in love? Shizuru was right; he told her many times that that he wanted to make her happy and he would do anything to make that happen so long as his love for her kept him going.
"You're right, Shizuru." Yukina uttered, "After everything, I think I understand how this kind of love works so far. At most, I think I get the details on how humans treat love. It's a feeling that most demons don't care to fully enjoy, but…I think I get it."
Hastily as she started to feel good about her new discovery, she then looked down sadly at her fingers clinching her dress before her look of sorrow, "Has he really been in love with me for all these years? I thought he was being silly like this with everyone else, so I…poor Kazuma, I had no idea I was being so rude…"
Shizuru anxiously waved her hands in front of her, nervously laughing, "O-oh no, don't say that, Yukina! You are definitely not rude. If you didn't know, you didn't know. Kazuma's just a confusing person anyway, so don't feel sad, okay? Most of the time I don't understand him either."
Yukina nodded, smiling a little, giving a small giggle as Shizuru timidly tried to cheer her up, Crap, I didn't mean to make her feel bad. Damn it, Shizuru, you sure know how to vouch for your kin.
Suddenly, Yukina stood up, walking over to the front window, peering out at the busy neighborhood, she said, "I think…I'm ready to tell him."
"Are you positive?" She asked, stunned at Yukina's statement, "I'm not pressuring you, so its okay if you don't feel the same for my brother, I won't get mad and Kazuma knows that he won't blame you."
Yukina nodded, "I'm sure. I feel happy with him and he does make me feel wanted, more than the way he treats you, Keiko, and Botan…I'm beginning to understand what my mother was feeling. I know she must have been in love as well, enough to bare children such as me and my brother with her lover and defy the rules of our village…"
Shizuru smiled, nodding as she got up and clasping her hands together, "I think this calls for tonight's dinner to a be celebration!" she turned her head to the stair well, raising her voice, "Hey, idiot, come down here and help! Your sweetest Yukina needs her hero!"
"Shizuru, please!" Yukina giggled as they both went into the kitchen and prepared for tonight's dinner, suddenly hearing Kazuma stomping as he rushed down the stairs, clasping Yukina's hands into his as she gasped. She never seen him move so quickly on his feet until recently. Shizuru started to make gagging noise with her fingers in her mouth as Kazuma started again with his long list of endearing pet names, making Yukina laugh.
YYH YYH YYH YYH YYH YYH YYH YYH YYH
"Are you sure, Kurama?" Yusuke erupted as he stirred the boiling tall pot of noodles. His ramen stand wasn't busy, aside from the company of Kurama, as they were talking about the goings on of events. "He isn't stupid, but then again, he's a stubborn bastard, so it does sound like a Hiei thing to do."
Kurama nodded, "I've spotted Touya and Hiei here in the area earlier today. I'm not sure exactly what's going on, but I sense something arising in the air."
"C'mon, Kurama, even I can figure that out!" Yusuke sneered as he gave Kurama his portioned sized bowel of ramen, "Hiei's like those spoiled brats that throws a tantrum when his mom won't get him candy."
Kurama unsnapped his chopsticks as he started to get hold of a few strands of noodles, "Hiei doesn't think Kuwabara won't fight back, and he under estimates him severely. Kuwabara may not be like us three, but he is clever in his own way when it comes to emotional issues than us."
Yusuke smirked, "That big idiot won't let Yukina go without a fight, and Touya is pretty strong too, even when you fought him during the tournament. But when it comes to Yukina, Kuwabara can be over the top but he does truly love her. Yukina doesn't even know a thing about Touya anyways, so it'll be in Kuwabara's favor automatically."
Kurama finished his bowel and handed it to Yusuke, "So what's gonna happen next? Should we warn Kuwabara?"
Kurama shook his head, "We should let this play out. I predict Hiei's plan to back fire, and I warned him that anything he does to try to dismantle their bond will end up hurting her. This will have to play out the hard way."
After Yusuke closed up his ramen stand, Kurama and Yusuke walked along the busy streets heading home until they stopped before going their separate ways.
"Man, I hope Hiei realizes what he's doing." Yusuke rubbed his neck nervously, "Do you really think this is going to back fire? What if she ends up liking Touya after all?"
"Who knows." Kurama said, "It is up to chance now. Let us hope Hiei doesn't go any further than what he's doing."
YYH YYH YYH YYH YYH YYH YYH YYH YYH YYH YYH
"Oh, Kazuma, this sunset looks beautiful!" Yukina cheered happily. Kuwabara smiled wide as he followed behind her, watching her giggle and twirled as her skirt flowed in a circle.
They reached the local park that was only seven blocks down the street from the Kuwabara house. It was empty with only a few kids playing some kind of ball game and an elderly couple sitting together on the park bench feeding birds with crumbs.
The sun was setting over the horizon on the outline of the park, the sky was filled with violet and orange-red colors as the stars slowly sneaking in and taking over the sky.
He couldn't have found a better place to make his love be known than right now. The sky was the perfect setting, they were alone and in a quiet part of the park, just the two of them.
"It's even bigger than what it looked like from the backyard." She gleamed at the sight. Kuwabara looked at her while she marveled at the sky and his heart fluttered. The sun's orange-yellow rays enlightened her red gem colored eyes, making him blush.
"I got a surprise for you, Yukina." He placed a hand on her shoulder to bring her attention to him.
"Oh?" Yukina turned to him, then she smiled, "You are always full of surprises."
He held her hand and led her to an empty bench for her to sit. She noticed him kneeling before her in a funny position.
"What are you doing on the ground, Kazuma?" she asked, giggling.
Kuwabara took out a piece of paper and smiled, taking ahold of her hand once again, "I wrote a poem just for you, baby. Would you like to hear it?"
Yukina nodded, and with that, Kuwabara cleared his throat and started his serenade;
The light in your gorgeous eyes
The sweet, endearing smile
Wishing you would stay a while
To be with me,
Forever, I can see
My love for you is sincere and true
For all the stars and the moon,
I'd give them to you.
Your beauty and gentle soul
Baby, can't you see my heart glow?
For you, I'd make you happy for days
Just as long as you stay
In my heart, forever more.
Yukina, my dearest love
It is you I'll eternally adore.
Dearest Ice Princess
I am your faithful knight.
Take my hand
I'll keep you safe
from danger and fright.
My sweetest Maiden
I hope you understand
I, Kazuma Kuwabara,
Will always be your man.
After he sighed with relief for not blowing this moment, he looked up into her eyes, placing his free hand over his heart, smiling genuinely, "I hope you enjoyed it. I know it sounded stupid and melodramatic, but everything I wrote is all in honesty of how I feel about you."
He then realized on closer inspection, to his surprise, Yukina's eyes had been on a verge of tears.
This is it! he thought joyously, I got her in tears! Now for the home run!
"Kazuma," Yukina wiped away a tear from her eye, "That was such a marvelous poem! I never heard such phenomenal words before. I really like it, thank you, Kazuma, you truly are a master of words."
He gave her hand a gentle squeeze, "I wanted to pour my heart out and be forthcoming. I love you, Yukina, and I'll say it as many times as possible. Baby, my Yukina, I have one thing to ask: do you love me too?"
"Kazuma," she started slowly. She took a deep breath, and relaxed, "I…I-"
"I think you should bite your tongue on that answer, Ice Maiden Yukina." A voice appeared in the back ground.
Kuwabara and Yukina jumped from their spot, startled from the feeling of being surrounded by a sudden burst of cold wind. Kuwabara's first motion was to cover Yukina from the small pellets of ice with his own body. She suddenly realized that the powers behind such a force was incredible; even she didn't have the skills to create such a cold windstorm.
Very few demons with ice powers can summon so much wind at low temperature, she thought, Who is causing all of this?
"Get behind me, Yukina!" Kuwabara commanded, "This energy feels familiar but just stay near me!"
Yukina nodded, hiding behind Kuwabara, clenching on to the arm of his jacket and closing her eyes.
"Who's there?!" he shouted, "No one scares my Yukina and gets away with it! Show yourself!" he summoned his Spirit Sword and prepared his stance.
Out of the trees, a shadow figure in a full cloak landed in front of them, the wind and ice pellets came to a stop. Yukina peeked with one eye, then quickly gasped as Kuwabara squealed, pointing his finger at the figure, "Hey! I know you! You were part of that ninja team!"
"You are right, Kuwabara." He replied. Quickly, he dispatched the cloak, revealing it to be Touya, just as Kuwabara suspected.
"What are you doing here, of all places? Urameshi's at home right now, not here?" Kuwabara asked.
Touya slowly shook his head, "I'm not here for him."
"Then what?!" he asked again, agitation in his voice.
He then pointed to Yukina, grinning, "I'm here for her hand in courtship."
"WHAT?!" Kuwabara screamed so loud that a flock of birds flew out of the trees nearby.
"Me?" Yukina asked, pointing at herself.
"Yes," he replied, "I'm here to win the hand of my Yukina."
