Chapter 7
Right in the Kisser
"It's amazing no one was hurt," Goten said.
"Especially Kayko," I said.
"And do you have any idea where that energy came from?" Trunks asked.
I shook my head. "No, not exactly, by I do have an idea."
"Then please, elaborate," Trunks said.
". . . I think it was Yusuke," I said.
"You think that energy came from Urameshi?" Goten asked. I nodded. "You do know he's dead right?"
"Of course you dork, but how else do you explain that convenient energy exploding from inside saving Kayko's life at the last moment? Besides, there was something familiar about that energy. Like, I've felt it before but never knew I did," I said.
"You could be right, though as far as paranormal interference goes I'm gonna have to say that's pretty farfetched," Goten said.
"We've seen stranger things. Dad's talked to us from the other side before," I said.
"Talking is one thing, Kairi. Actually interfering in daily life is another," Trunks said.
"Come on you guys. Nothing about that was daily life. Yusuke's house caught fire. Kayko almost died. Those were extraordinary circumstances," I said.
". . . You really think it was Yusuke, don't you?" Goten asked.
I nodded.
"Well, you're more attuned to spirit energy than we are and I guess you knew Yusuke better too," he said.
I smiled.
"And if Urameshi is coming back, I'm sure he wouldn't let his body or his girlfriend get roasted in a fire," Trunks said.
Goten looked down at his watch. "We'd better get home, Kairi. Mo will have a fit if we're late getting home again."
"Yeah, yeah, okay," I said. "You'd think she'd be happy that I was at least going to school."
"Two full weeks of school does not make up for the other 50 that you skipped," Goten said.
I frowned at him.
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I was confused when I woke up the next morning. I'd had a dream. A strange dream. A scary dream.
I came into school and sat down with Kayko. She was looking rather serious as well.
"Sleep well?" she asked.
"Why?" I asked.
"You look tired, Kairi," she said.
"Oh, yeah," I said. "I had a weird dream last night. That's all."
". . . Was. . . Was it about Yusuke?" she asked.
"Yes. . . Why?" I asked.
"I had a dream about Yusuke too," Kayko said.
"Was he was sparkly glowy?" I asked.
"Yeah, like gold," she said.
"And you, um. . . Did you like. . . You know," I said.
"Yeah. I kissed him. In the dream," she said.
I sighed. So it was Yusuke and not my brain telling me I was harboring some strange affection for him.
"It's a message," I said.
"What could it mean? I stopped by his house this morning and he looked normal," Kayko said.
"Maybe it's a sleeping beauty type deal. Kiss the princess, she wakes up," I said.
"That's weird," Kayko laughed.
"I know," I said. "But whatever it is, it is a message from Yusuke. He is trying to tell us something."
"We just have to figure out what," Kayko said.
The door the classroom slid open and in walked Mr. Takanaka.
"Kayko Yukimora," he said.
"Sir," she said rising to her feet.
"Gather your things and come with me," he said. "There's something wrong with your mother."
Kayko's eyes shot open wide. She gathered her things and started walking away. I gave her an encouraging smile but I knew it didn't help.
"Wow, looks like somebody's bad luck," Rei said.
I turned around to her and glared. "And what exactly is that supposed to mean?"
Rei got up and walked over to me.
"Oh you know. Yusuke dies, his house burns down, and now Kayko's mom is in the hospital," Rei said.
"A series of tragic events and nothing more," I said.
"You know what they say, Kairi, bad things come in groups of three," Rei said.
"Really, because I only see one of you," I retorted.
"Mock me all you want, but I think you're bad luck. Bad stuff happens to people close to you," she said.
"That's not true. Shut up," I said.
"It's your fault, bringing your bad luck on everyone," she said. "Your fault Kayko's mom is in the hospital."
"Shut up."
"Your fault Yusuke's house burned down," she said.
"Shut up," I said. Another word and she was going down.
"And it's your fault Yusuke Urameshi is dead," Rei said.
Blinded by rage I jumped out of my seat and punched her square in the face, twice. When I went in for a third, Trunks grabbed me and pulled me back from her.
Rei's face was bruised on one side and her nose was dripping with blood and visibly broken.
"You're crazy! You don't belong in this school! You belong on the street with the rest of the psychos!" Rei screamed at me before running out of the classroom.
"What is wrong with you?" Trunks asked.
"It's not true what she was saying! It's not my fault he's dead! It was an accident, Trunks! It was an accident!" I said.
I was really upset, forcing back tears.
"I know, I know, Just calm down," he said.
"I may not be the most popular girl in the school, but how can people call me a bad person when she waltzes around telling people they killed their best friend?" I said.
The class was silent and staring at me. I suppose they had never seen me so upset before, at least not seen me near before.
Trunks walked me out of the classroom and into the hallway.
"Kairi," he began, "you' have got to get it together. I know she upset you, but if you don't learn to control your anger you could really hurt someone. Not everyone is as strong as you."
I turned away. "I know. I overreacted. I'm sorry."
"Well you're gonna have some explaining to do. You're lucky if Rei's parents don't decide to press charges and I'm sure Rei would entertain that idea and with your record no one is gonna go easy on you," Trunks said.
I crossed my arms.
"Kairi Son, of course you're the cause of all this trouble." I looked to see Mr. Iwamoto.
I groaned. I'd have preferred Akashi over this lug head.
"And what are you doing out here, Mr. Briefs?" he asked, Trunks.
"I just saw the whole thing. It's not Kairi's fault, honestly," Trunks said.
"And I'm sure you weren't coerced into saying that. You don't have to worry Trunks, after today you won't have to bother seeing Kairi in school for a while," Mr. Iwamoto said.
"No, Mr. Iwamoto. I mean, sure Kairi broke Rei's nose but, Rei was saying these awful things to her," Trunks said. "Look at how upset she is. I know you've seen Kairi after she broken a few noses before, but that look of pride she has on her face after she does it, it isn't there. Her feelings are hurt."
Mr. Iwamoto stared hard at me. I knew Trunks' plea wouldn't work. This school was corrupt.
"You're getting suspended, Kairi. I don't want to see your face today or tomorrow. Do you understand?" Mr. Iwamoto asked.
"Yeah," I said.
"And what about Rei, the instigator?" Trunks asked.
"She'll be dealt with," Mr. Iwamoto said.
"And trust this will be dealt with without the police getting involved," Trunks said.
Mr. Iwamoto glared at him, pushing his glasses up on his face. "Certainly."
Mr. Iwamoto walked away. I turned to Trunks.
"Do you know something about Iwamoto that I don't?" I asked.
"Only that he really likes Capsule Corp.," Trunks said.
"Meaning what?" I asked.
"Let's just say he's bought some things that the school wouldn't exactly say a teacher should be in possession of," Trunks said.
". . . You mean like drugs?" I asked.
Trunks hung his head. "We're a technology business. Not a drug cartel."
"Oh, well then what?" I asked.
"Use your imagination. Iwamoto's not married after all," Trunks said.
