Here it is! The long awaited chapter 7! Finally! I got it together! I would have written the scene with Yukina and Touya but I ended up wanted to make that a different chapter so I can make a longer plot, but here it is! Please enjoy while I soak my aching hands!
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho.
Chapter 7: Her Suitor Beckons
"So, shouldn't we say something to him?" Yusuke asked, curiously, "I mean, I like messing around with the big idiot, but c'mon, this is too sad!"
He nudged Kurama's arm for his attention, and pointed at Kuwabara sulking in a depressive state on the couch. Dread had fallen in his eyes, his face strained in ache as he sighed silently. He was too busy looking hopelessly nervous and distracted as his friends talked among themselves in the Kuwabara home.
Kurama slightly irked at the sight of his downed friend. He never seen his comrade this sadden before, "I'm confident Kuwabara will bounce back….he always had before...". He then heard a loud, burden-filled sigh coming from Kuwabara, who then fell to his side towards a pillow cushion.
Kurama smiled anxiously, "...maybe not as soon, but he will."
As Yusuke looked on, he couldn't help but feel a little bad. This was Kuwabara's chance to actually be close to Yukina in a major way, something he didn't think Kuwabara would even do. He then felt the pit of his stomach churn at the thought of Hiei's sneering threat to never reveal the relation between himself and Yukina. Of all the guys to be her brother, it had to be Hiei, the demon Kuwabara couldn't stand since day one of meeting.
Hiei wasn't as fond of Kuwabara either. Knowing Hiei had to be behind this somehow, if Kuwabara found out, he would've flip the living room table in a heart beat.
However, between Kurama and Yusuke, this terrible situation Touya had brought maybe a lesson towards Hiei if Yukina ends up with their saddened friend. He would be forced to learn to start trusting Kuwabara more, and possibly for him to tell Yukina the truth about her brother being him all along.
Hell, it may end up forcing Hiei to stop being so uptight for once, Yusuke grinned, remembering the constant feeling of Hiei's obvious mistrust in him during his early spirit detective days. Its now a sense a healthy rivalry than it is about being enemies on the same side.
"I'm more worried about the issue of Yukina being brokenhearted if she finds out Hiei did this once she learns of their shared bloodline." Kurama whispered quietly.
"Yeah," Yusuke softly spoken, then shrugged, "Hiei won't let that happen, Kurama. I doubt he'll ever give in to telling her. He has too much at risk if she learns about it."
Kurama looked at him sternly, "This is all in whatever happens in the next couple of hours. Who knows what will happen in short time."
They looked away from their disheartened friend to the clock hanging in the living room above the mantle, it was already towards the afternoon, almost time for Yukina's "date".
The following day after the confrontation, the time had come. Yukina was upstairs getting ready for her date with Touya, as promised, with the help of Shizuru and Botan.
Yukina sat in front of Shizuru's vanity mirror, going through her hair with a brush as she anxiously tapped her bare foot on the hardwood floor. Her face of concern came across, causing her to stop brushing.
She looked in the mirror, seeing the stuffed tanuki Kazuma had won for her on their first date. Ever since that day, she would hold it whenever she was alone in the house. It was the most adorable stuffed animal she received in her collection, and she treasured it the most as of lately.
In fact, she started noticing it more than just the first date. All of their time together in the past years was just as meaningful. Kazuma made her feel safe, and the warmth of his comfort was always assuring. She couldn't believe she didn't feel like this sooner in their friendship.
That night was the first she ever felt wanted in a romantic sense from Kazuma and as much as she didn't understand it, she knew she liked it, more than she lead on.
But would I feel the same for Touya?, she pondered to herself. Would we become as close as I was with Kazuma? He'd probably would hold my hand like Kazuma too... Yukina sighed, breathing slowly inward and out, her hand grasping the other in her bosom.
She never met this Touya before, but she remembered hearing about him after she arrive at the Dark Tournament during Kazuma's match. Everyone said some of his team mates were bad people. She didn't know, but she couldn't judge him for what he didn't do. It wouldn't be fair. And he was also an ice demon, which was very rare in Demon World, but that was the only trait they shared.
She relaxed for a minute, then resumed brushing her hair, I can't have any doubts. I have to know what it is I really feel...I'm so sorry, Kazuma…
She jumped slightly at the knocking on the wall, turning to see Botan and Shizuru standing in the door way.
"Oh, Yukina!" Botan cried, "You really shouldn't go through with this date! Touya doesn't even know you, so now he comes into the Human World looking for you!"
Botan continued to scoff, "Besides, his team was a bunch of cheaters in the Dark Tournament! How can we trust him with out darling Yukina?! And poor Kuwabara's so sad! He must be in the worst pain, watching all of this in front of his eyes and-OOF!"
Shizuru had quickly clamped Botan's mouth. As she tried to struggle free, Shizuru quietly pointed at a sadden Yukina, sitting with her ruby colored eyes in the mirror at herself.
"Is Kazuma….really hurt...because of me?"
Botan giggled nervously after being released, waving her hands in front, "N-no, sweetie! Don't say such a thing! I'm sure Kuwabara understands why you're doing this! He already said he's not upset with you, so you don't have to worry!"
She then quickly went to the stairs, heading down anxiously, "I'm going to see what Kurama and Yusuke are up to! Shizuru can help you with the rest! You look really adorable! Bye bye!"
As she ran down the stairs, Shizuru lit a cigarette, slowly inhaled, then exhaled, "I can tell you really do like my brother, and in a romantic way too."
Yukina blushed lightly, turning towards her, "W-what do you mean, Shizuru?"
"Because," she exhaled another puff, "I can see him in your eyes. Or should I say, you think about him more than you believe. I just seen it when you were looking at that tanuki. You looked like a regular girl in love."
She then re-thought about what she said, and inhaled her cigarette, exhaling, "Well, I mean, I 'think' you are, anyway."
Yukina weakly grinned, "It's funny, Shizuru, I've been taught to never trust any males, or anyone outside the village for years, yet I found the sweetest group of friends here in Human World, especially Kazuma. Now, I have to the one thing that would help me sort out everything and see him in pain at the same time."
She stood up, readying to be prepared, "He says he is fine with my decision, but I don't know if Kazuma believes he is fine with this. Can you please tell him that I'm very sorry?"
"Why not tell him yourself, kiddo?" she replied, holding her cigarette limping from her corner lip, "Or are you too scared to see him?"
Yukina looked down, sadly, "You can see right through me, Shizuru."
Shizuru took hold of Yukina's shoulders, "Just keep your head up, enjoy yourself, and don't worry about little bro too much. He may be an idiot, but he'll be fine once he starts gaining some sense back, but he's not upset at you. He's definitely pissed at Touya, but not you, remember that."
Yukina nodded, but Shizuru's pep talk still didn't quell the guilt that rested in her chest.
The girls started heading down the stairs to the main living room where Yusuke and Kurama were standing.
When Yukina peeked up to see Kuwabara sitting on the couch upright with his eyes staring at her intently.
She quickly moved her eyes from his, immediate guilt washed over her. She felt shamed to do this, but she had to know her own emotions. Yet, she couldn't bare to look at him, he was upset all morning but he never scolded her; he just remained quiet the whole time.
Her eyes remained closed, barely getting a word out when she heard him moving off the couch and walking over.
"You look really beautiful in that dress, Yukina." he spoke kindly, "Blue has always looked good on you." He then giggled nervously, "Then again, blue is my favorite color after all, so you must have thought of me!"
She turned to look at him gently looking at her. Her short sleeved, light blue, short skirt dress went well with her white sandals, her hair was in a high ponytail tied with a pink ribbon with her bangs falling just before her eyes.
Yukina turned to him with a smile, grateful for finally speaking to her, "Thank you, Kazuma, that's truly sweet of you to say, blue is good for such great weather like today."
They both looked nervously away from each other in silence.
Shizuru nudged Kurama's elbow, whispering, "So what's the plan?"
Kurama leaned in, "I honestly don't know what else I can say to Hiei, so who knows anymore. We can't play cupid, it is up to Yukina now."
Breaking the silence, Yusuke yawned loudly, taking a seat on the couch as he moaned, arms stretching, "What the hell, this is more awkward than a high school dance!"
"Shut up, Urameshi!" Kuwabara yelled back, "This is harder than it looks! You already got Keiko, so what's your problem?!"
Kurama and Shizuru looked as they chuckled at the banter between the boys as Botan arrived in the living room, hearing all the commotion, "Did I miss anything?!"
"Oh, its just starting." Shizuru smiled as she exhaled her smoke.
Botan looked with confusion while Kurama tried to calm the now hot headed Yusuke down as he started hurling insults. Turning back to Yukina, Kuwabara rubbed his hand through his hair and down the back of his neck as he spoke, "Yukina, I told you not to worry about me. I'll be fine, so don't worry anymore."
Yukina's heart felt relieved, he truly meant what he said. Now she can put the guilt aside and try to have a good evening. Or at least, the best she can.
Kuwabara looked to her with a small smile; as much as he didn't want her to go, he did want her to have a good time. Not too much fun with Touya, but just for herself.
He balled his fist in anger, Touya can go back to Demon World for all I care! I just want Yukina to be safe!
Soon came a rapid knocking at the Kuwabara residence door. Kurama looked into the peep hole; it was Touya wearing regular street clothes, a black short sleeve shirt and blue jeans. His hands were tucked into his pocket, his stance showed his disinterest for whoever was behind the door.
"Touya's here." Kurama noted as he opened the door, questioning him outside with heavy suspicion, "I thought we were to meet at Genkai's temple?"
"Well, I figured it would be best to pick her up from here." he replied unconcerned, "Besides, I got sick of waiting for lady Yukina."
"I see..." Kurama astonishingly raised his brow. How did he know where to find her? Hiei…its definitely your scent on him…
"Hey, Touya!" Yusuke simply waved a hand up from the couch, smiling, "I haven't seen you or Jinn in a while!"
Touya smirked back, "Jinn's training the new shinobi tean currently, but I'll tell him you said hello. You know you still owe us a rematch?"
Yusuke grinned back, showing his folded fist, "Any time works for me!"
He stopped suddenly, "Huh? What's this?"
His demon energy felt something outside, somewhere across the street in the tree tops, but he couldn't pin point it. However, he knew the energy he felt was familiar.
Yusuke chuckled quietly to himself, Kurama was right after all.
He looked beyond Kurama's shoulder, peeking around to see Yukina; he grinned slyly in approval for her appearance.
"You look just as beautiful as the legend says." he complimented. Yukina nervously gulped the ache in her throat; the way he was looking at her made her feel off putting. It didn't feel right, not because he was a bad person, seeing as how he gained friendship in the Urameshi team.
He just did not feel genuine at the start. But, maybe it is his personality. Hiei was the same way, and everyone seems comfortable around him as well, or so it seems.
Kuwabara growled in anger, not holding back anymore as he stepped up to Touya, leaping back in time to dodge Kuwabara's clumsy punch and onto the sidewalk with great speed, "You better respect Yukina and try nothing dirty to her, you punk!" Kuwabara yelled, raising a fist in the air, "Or I swear I'll come and kick your butt!"
"I have no time for fools." Touya replied back, he looked to Yukina, "Are you ready?"
Yukina sighed nervously, turning to Kuwabara, "Please, don't get upset, Kazuma. I don't think he's that type of person to do any harm towards me."
Kurama nodded, placing his hand on Kuwabara's shoulder to calm him down, "Yukina's right. He has a code, just like you, Kuwabara."
Kuwabara groaned, crossing his arms in front of his chest, "Well, I still don't like him!"
Yukina walked ahead and out the door, then turning to face everyone, "I'll be seeing you all later, then."
She looked to Kuwabara for strength; he smiled slightly, his heart trying to be keep a demeanor of encouragement for her, yet breaking at seeing the woman he told he love going with another male, a demon even Kurama had struggled with back at the tournament.
Kuwabara spoke softly as he smiled, "Just have a good time, Yukina!" he then flexed his arms, posing for her, "I'm pretty sure you'll choose me over that loser anyway!"
She giggled, "Thank you, Kazuma, I'll being seeing you soon."
As she started to wave to everyone, her eyes met with Kuwabara's gaze. He smiled and waved to her, while glaring angrily at Touya. The ice demon just shrugged it off, not caring for opinions.
Touya sighed, rudely, "Time is wasting, you know."
Kuwabara started to growl and yell until Shizuru placed her hand on his shoulder, shaking her head in disagreement.
Touya suddenly scooped up Yukina into his arms, scaring her with the sudden gesture. He grinned confidently as he bent his knees, "Hold on to me."
As Yukina wrapped her arms around him, she took one last look at Kuwabara, looking disgust at Touya, before leaping and disappearing into the trees.
Kuwabara, no longer having to hide his depression from her, went back to the other end of the couch next to Yusuke and sulked once again.
Botan sighed at Kuwabara's quick mood change, "Oh, poor Yukina, we should have stopped her from going."
"She wanted to go." Shizuru said as the girls started heading back into the house, "Its now up to her."
Yusuke rose up from the couch, watching the whole transaction, and stood outside with Kurama, "Did you feel that little interruption earlier?"
"I didn't have to sense it," Kurama replied, "I smelled a scent of Hiei on Touya when he arrived. Hiei was watching the whole time."
"He tried to mask his energy from us." Yusuke moaned, "Does he think we're stupid? Why did he make it obvious?"
"Because it was a warning." Kurama replied, walking back in the house with Yusuke, "He did that to warn us we're interceding into his plan."
"So, we got his attention. That's cool." Yusuke sarcastically stated as he walked inside.
Kurama looked at the roof top across the street, seeing the silhouette of the fire demon looking back down at him. They remain in a tense stare for a few moments before Hiei vanished.
Remember that broken rose, Hiei. You won't have to be kept a secret for long.