(I've decided to change the name of the story, because it doesn't fit well with the direction the story has been going)
The following week came and went, and homecoming came before the gang knew it. In honor of the occasion both the Yukimura restaurant and the Minamino flower shop, were closing at six o'clock, so that Keiko's parents and Kurama, Shiori and Maya could all make it to the game and ceremony.
The game would put the Sariaki bears against the Hibiya tigers, in their first game against each other for the season. Hibiya was always a big rival school to Sariaki, so this homecoming was sure to be a huge event, that would expect plenty of kids who didn't even attend either school.
For Keiko, this night only served as way of placing Yusuke and Shishiwakamaru in yet another position for confrontation. She hoped it wasn't that case, but deep down knew that tonight was doomed for drama.
"Hey Yukimura, excited about tonight?" Lin asked snapping her out of her thoughts.
"Huh?" Keiko asked lost.
"I said, are you excited about homecoming tonight?" Lin repeated. "Voting is a lunch. And just so you know Misa and I have been campaigning hard for you!"
Keiko chuckled, as she closed her locker, "Thanks Lin."
"No problem." Lin replied chipper, as she walked beside Keiko in destination of the lunch room. Both girls dressed in matching Sariaki sweat suits.
They were midway down the hallway when they spotted Ayame approaching them. A mischievous look plastered on her face.
"Oh great." Keiko mumbled. While Lin shot Maya a look of pure attitude.
"Well hello ladies." Ayame greeted. Her fakeness was far from hidden.
Keiko didn't reply. It was apparent that the two girls didn't like each other, so what reason did Keiko have to speak to her.
"I was simply going to wish you good luck tonight." Ayame spoke again, as the two girl went to pass her by.
"Ha! She Won't need it. But thanks anyway." Lin shot back.
"Pretty confident." She replied simply.
"Yep." Lin spoke for her friend again.
"Almost as confident as you were when you thought Yusuke was escorting you tonight?" Ayame added.
This stopped Keiko. "What?"
"You heard me. Yusuke is my escort tonight. Ask your coach." Ayame answered. "You're being escorted by Hagiri Kaname." and with that said she breezed past the too dumbfounded girls.
"I can't believe this!" Lin screeched. "That so ruins everything! We have got to talk to coach about this!"
Keiko gave a weak smile. "It won't be that bad walking with 'Sniper' he's a great guy." Hagiri was a Sariaki basketball player, nicknamed Sniper. He was quiet at times, but still an overall cool guy. Still, Keiko couldn't help but be disappointed in not being able to walk with Yusuke.
"I'm still talking to Coach Washu about this. It's unjust!" Lin continued.
Keiko couldn't help but chuckle at her reaction. "C'mon, let go to lunch."
As the week past Yukina and Kuwabara's relationship remained at a stand still.
Yukina spent most of her time after school with Hiei at Genkai's temple, which was fine with Kuwabara because she was safe.
"I still can't believe Ayame and Yusuke was walking together tonight." Keiko sulked, as she and Kuwabara walked to their government class.
"Aww… C'mon Keiko. I'm sure it'll work out okay. You said yourself, Sniper's cool. And once you win Queen, Ayame really won't be a factor."
Keiko sighed. "Yeah well, enough about me. What's going on with you and Yukina? Any improvements?" she asked taking her seat next to him.
"Nope." he sighed. "I'm sure she'll just go home and change into her uniform and come right back here after school. We usually go out to eat before the game."
"All of this because you won't loosen the leash." Keiko replied.
"There is no leash Keiko, I'm just looking out for her. The situation she's in is dangerous." he explained desperately. "I just care about her and I don't want to lose her."
"You won't lose her by letting her live her life freely. I mean she just got out of a control life and now you're somewhat controlling her to." Keiko reasoned
"C'mon Keiko, you know my intentions are no where near her uncles." Kuwabara argued in his defense.
"I know that, and I'm sure Yukina does too. But still. The way we were all out dress shopping and having fun, you called her and demanded she come home. It was all so similar."
"What do you mean?" he asked confused.
"I just remember days when she would be so close to giving in and hanging out with the rest of the squad after practice last year, only to turn around and go home whenever her cell rang." Keiko explained. Kuwabara nodded. "I know now that that was her stupid uncle."
Kuwabara sighed. Keiko was right. Maybe he did need to lighten up on Yukina. She had Hiei to protect her from harm. Maybe it was his job to keep her happy? He was really confused…
After school Kurama and Botan walked hand and hand to Kurama's car. Kurama still had to work at the shop with Maya until six o'clock.
"So." Botan began, turning towards him and leaning against his car. "I guess I'll see you tonight?"
Kurama nodded, "front and center." he smiled. "and don't worry. I'm sure Maya will sit on the Hibiya side." he added winking.
Botan rolled her eyes. "Good. I'm really getting tired of her."
"I know." he replied quietly. He still hadn't told Botan about the kiss, and wasn't sure when he'd actually do it.
"Well hey, you'd better get over to the shop. Save me a seat to night." she said kissing him on the kisses and walking off. Kurama only stood there, watching her walk away. She was a wonderful person, and he knew he needed to tell her about Maya's aggressive advance, but he didn't want to hurt her.
Botan was one of those quintessential 'love sucks' girls. The last thing he wanted was to be added onto her list of 'boyfriends who broke my heart' list.
He shook his head, in attempt remove the thought from his mind, and got in his car and drove to the shop.
Since Maya would be coming from Hibiya, she wasn't expected to show up until four. So to see her car parked outside of the shop was a total shock.
He walked into the shop and found his mother and Maya chatting casually. But it was the third party that grabbed Kurama's attention the most. The guy had long black hair, and blue eyes.
"Hey Kurama." he smirked, his gothic appearance more present as she advanced toward the redhead.
"Kuronue." Kurama replied shortly. "What brings you around here all of the sudden?"
"Just in town, visiting old friends." Kuronue shrugged.
"Hmm…" Kurama replied. "You and Hiei have a habit of popping up randomly."
"Well my intentions are strictly on an visiting basis. Nothing fishy." Kuronue swore. All the while swinging his beloved pendant around.
"I told Kuronue he should join us at the game tonight." Shiori chimed in.
Kurama nodded, "Sounds like a plan."
"I'm not too sure." Kuronue stated blandly.
"Why not?" Maya spoke. "It's Kurama's school versus mine. It's like the biggest game of the year!" she exclaimed.
"Besides, I have someone special I want you to meet." Kurama added, causing Maya to cringe.
Kuronue raised a brow. "A…girl?" he asked looking between Kurama and Maya.
Kurama nodded, "My girlfriend."
"Interesting." he pondered, "I guess it wouldn't hurt to go." he added smirking at Maya, who was now wearing a frown.
He was never a fan of Maya. From the day he met her, almost four years ago, he didn't like her. She, as well as Hiei, stole his only friend away from him, in his eyes.
"Well I guess you can just stick around here. We're going straight to the game after we lock up." Kurama said, walking past Kuronue. "Mother, you're riding with the Yukimura's right? Or should I come get you?"
"I'm going over there when I leave here." Shiori spoke as she stood up.
"Okay, We'll meet you guys up there." Kurama replied helping her to the door.
Kuronue through a taunting look back at Maya. He knew about Kurama's past relationship with her, and he was sure she had far from moved on. He was actually interested in meeting this new girlfriend.
Yukina hurriedly gathered her uniform accessories from the bedroom. She was supposed to be meeting Keiko at her house to help her prepare for homecoming. She also didn't want to run into Kuwabara. The couple had been ducking and dodging each other for the past week, trying to avoid discussing their argument.
She missed being close to him and talking all night, but at the same time she had developed a slight sense of standing up for herself. She wanted him to understand that she still had a life to live, and that living in seclusion and peeking around corners was not how she wanted to live it.
Her heart dropped when she heard the door open. He was home. 'Just great!' she thought to herself. Sure they didn't have to talk about the fight. But the awkwardness with leaving it unresolved didn't help much. She took a deep breath and walked out into the hallway on to the living room.
She found him rummaging the fridge, mostly likely looking for a soda. He was talking aloud so she could tell he was on the phone.
"Look mom all I'm saying is that you can't act the way you did at Christmas. This is her house too, and she's welcoming you into it just like we are." he said calmly as he emerged from the fridge. His back was towards her, so she took it as an opportunity to sneak past him. Wrong idea. He was almost past him when she felt his strong hand grip her wrist lightly, and began to tug her toward him.
"Hey, I'll see you tonight okay? Drive safely." he said before hanging up. He sat his soda down and slide his phone in his pocket, before turning towards Yukina. "You got a minute?" Yukina nodded. He motion to the couch. "Can we sit and talk?" Yukina nodded again, and followed him to the living area.
"That was mom. She and dad are driving down now for the game." he began as she sat down next to him, leaving a small space between them.
"Sounds nice." Yukina replied softly.
"They're going to stay the night…" he stated hesitantly, waiting for her reaction. There wasn't one. "They're leaving first thing in the morning." he added quickly.
"Well it will be too late to drive all the way back to the country." she spoke after a few seconds. Of course she wasn't extremely excited, given the way Noriko treated her before.
"I promise mom will be on he r best behavior." Kuwabara smiled weakly.
Yukina thought about it for a second. "Maybe I should stay the night with Botan. We've got to go to Tokyo tomorrow for a college fair at the university. That way there would be more room." she suggested, watching his face twist into confusion.
"Babe…" he sighed, "Why are you acting like this?" before she could speak he spoke up again, "I want you here. Don't run off from your own house because you and my mom don't get along. This is…"
"Its not me" Yukina cut him off. "She doesn't like me."
Kuwabara sighed. "I understand. But I just want you here tonight."
"Why?" she asked softly looking away. "I doubt any murderous goons are going to come looking for me at Botan's." she added.
Kuwabara gave her a look of disbelief. "What do you mean why? Why else. You're my girlfriend. I love you. And I cant stand another minute of this pointless dodging you've been doing around me."
Yukina didn't respond. She couldn't. She knew his words were sincere, but she didn't know how to just give back in. She was lost in her thoughts when he grabbed her. It wasn't frightening or rough, but passionate and smooth. Time seemed to speed up, and before she knew it she was on her back on the couch and Kuwabara was hovering her. They're lips were engulfed in a slow kiss, something the couple hadn't felt in the week that they had spent avoiding each other.
Yukina could feel the oh so familiar feeling in her stomach, as thoughts of her love for the man above her flooded her brain. Yet, she couldn't unleash these thought due to his smothering kiss. This was the type of smothering she needed from him. Not the over-protective, sheltering her was attempting before.
Through her thin plastic sweats, Yukina could feel his hard-on growing against her thigh, and if he could feel the wetness soaking her sweats he'd grow even more.
He must have read her mind, because his next move was just that. Yukina arched her back as she felt his thumb press roughly against her clit through the sweats.
Yukina groaned when he pulled away from her. He looked up at the clock, it was close to four o'clock, he had to be back at the gym before five.
"I've got enough time." he mumbled to himself before proceeding to kiss the girl below him. His hands didn't go back to exploring her body, but instead began to undress her from the waste down.
"So Maya, how do you like Kurama's knew girlfriend?" Kuronue asked in a taunting tone.
Maya gave a fake smile. "She's…okay."
"Hmm.. Figured you have a bunch of negative things to say about her," he paused and looked around to make sure his redhead friend wasn't in ear shot. "Seeing as she stole your love away?"
Maya rolled her eyes and returned to the magazine she was reading. But Kuronue wasn't done yet. He lived to make Maya's life a living hell whenever he encountered her.
"I mean that is the whole reason you asked for this job anyway right?" he added.
She was about to tell him to shut up when she heard Kurama entering the room from the back.
"It's going to be a very slow two hours guys!" he exclaimed. "I honestly don't know what we can possibly do to entertain ourselves."
"Hmm…how about to tell me a little about this new girlfriend of yours…" Kuronue suggested nonchalantly. Inside he laughing at his own mischief, as Maya made another disgusted face.
Kurama shrugged an took a seat in the counter, "Well…her name is Botan." he said, pausing,
"And…" Kuronue urged, "What does she look like?"
"She's pretty." Kurama replied, "She's got blue hair." he added, not too sure just how to describe the girl of his dreams. "I mean, you'd just have to meet her, I can't really describe her."
"You did a pretty good job to me," Maya mumbled, causing Kurama to shake his head.
"Maya she's a good person and you know it." Kurama spoke calmly. "If you have nothing nice to say…"
"So this chick has blue hair?" Kuronue spoke, cutting off Kurama's scolding of Maya.
"Yes, she has blue hair." Kurama sighed, "but it suits her well."
"How'd you two meet?" Kuronue asked.
"Well we've shared the same group of friends through our high school years. Then when she started working at the shop, things kind of just clicked."
"How long?"
"Have we been together?" Kurama asked to make sure.
"Yeah."
"Five months,"
Kuronue nodded, "Think it'll last?" he watched as his question made the brunette behind the register cringe.
Kurama looked over at Maya and noticed her extreme discomfort. He knew Kuronue was purposely trying to get under her skin.
"We just take things one day at a time." he replied simply.
Yukina's chest rose and fell as she lay on the couch catching her breath. Kuwabara had just walked out of the house, after kissing her lips and telling he'd see her tonight. It was a 4:37pm and he needed to rush back to the school before five. The couple had just engaged in an intense lovemaking session on the living room couch. Yet, still Yukina felt some unresolved tension as he walked out of the door.
'And I'll have to deal with his mother again tonight.' She thought as she re dressed and grabbed her purse and keys.
Her relationship with Kuwabara plagued her mind the whole drive to Keiko's. Things were starting to feel awkward, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.
As she pulled up to the Yukimura residence, she decided to consult in her best friend for answers. Keiko might have been a hopeless romantic, but she was excellent at listening and giving advice.
"Hello Yukina," Kotomi greeted her at door. "Come in. Keiko's upstairs."
Yukina smiled and nodded. She greeted hello to both Shiori and Kei, who were chatting on the couch, before walking up the stairs to Keiko's room.
"knock knock" Yukina announced as she walked into Keiko's room. Keiko was laying across her bed chatting on the phone. Yukina walked over and sat down at her desk, while Keiko wrapped up her conversation.
"Yeah that was my best friend…no Yukina…yeah well I guess I'll talk to you another day…yeah Yukina here to help me get ready for tonight….Aww thanks…talk to you later." Keiko hung up her cell phone and sat up. "Hey girl!"
"You seem happy," Yukina replied smiling weakly. "Who was that?"
"Robbie," Keiko shrugged, "Just haven't talked to him in a while."
Yukina nodded.
"What's wrong?" Keiko asked noting the sadness in her friends expression. Yukina only sighed. But Keiko didn't need an answer, she was well aware of the situation at hand.
"Still having problems with Kuwabara?" she asked.
Yukina nodded, "Yeah, but he thinks everything is resolved. He thinks that by having sex things can just…"
"Wait. What do you mean 'by having sex'?" Keiko asked cutting her off.
Yukina sighed again. "Well, we were discussing the issues, and the fact that his mother and father were spending the night, and instead of just continuing to talk about the problems we are facing, he just started kissing me and we… well you know…" she blushed.
"Well my friend that's what you call make-up sex." Keiko announce standing up and walking into her closet.
Yukina giggled, "You sound like Botan."
"I guess I've just learned the ropes from Yusuke. He does that."
"But sex doesn't fix everything." Yukina replied.
"It doesn't." Keiko agreed. Walking out of her closet with her homecoming gown. "but, then again, avoiding the situation doesn't either." she winked at her friend.
"So you're saying…" Yukina stated, before falling short.
"I'm saying you both need to sit down and talk. No attitude, no blaming, no sex. Just understand where the other person is coming from." Keiko explained.
"You should reconsider being a nurse, and becoming a counselor." Yukina proposed with a smile.
Keiko chuckled and flopped down next to her friend, "No. I'd have to learn how to take my own advice first." she sighed.
Yukina nodded and looked at the red dress. It was beautiful, long and form-fitting, with a spilt up the left leg stopping mid-thigh.
"I'm so excited for you tonight!" Yukina gushed. "You're going to look gorgeous!"
"Yeah well, I'm not that good at applying make-up, that's why you're here so c'mon!" she replied grabbing Yukina and pulling her into the bathroom across the hall.
"Uhh…I've never applied make-up to someone else. I kind of just perfected the 'art of making up Yukina' only." she admitted. It was true, in the many years Yukina spent liking in confinement in Tarukane's stronghold and the mansion, she had taught herself about fashion and beauty. She spent hours of her bored day applying make-up to her face in attempt to teach herself a personal style. She taught her self how to style her hair, how to sew, and many more. She did not have had a love for fashion that Botan did, but she was knew how to take care of herself with no motherly figure in her life.
"I figured you wanted me to help you with some final touches on the dress." she shrugged sheepishly.
Keiko groaned, "Well I don't want to ask mom. I was something hot, and well slightly sexy. She'll just do pretty…"
"I'm sorry Keiko. I can try but…" Yukina began to apologize but was cut off by a voice behind her.
"I can do it." came Fujiko's voice. She was leaning against the threshold.
Keiko looked at her cousin with a raised eyebrow. She and Fujiko, were still none talkative, regardless of the fact that they no longer hated each other.
"Hey, I promise it'll be sexy, yet still classy. Not slutty, like I like it." she joked. Keiko and Yukina both gave her funny looks and didn't respond. "Uhh…yeah guys…that was a joke." she added. "Look just step aside Yukina I've got this. Your dress is red right?" she exclaimed barging into the bathroom.
Keiko kept her mouth shut the whole time, while Fujiko worked on her make-up. She studied Yukina's expressions for confirmation that her cousin was doing a good job. Yukina was impressed. Fujiko was good, and Keiko's face was coming along very classy, not slutty at all.
"There you go girl!" Fujiko announced after she was finished. "Whatcha think?"
Keiko turned are and smiled at the sight. Her eyes were the only thing that Fujiko touched and they looked perfect. They were a pale red mixed with the white and looked very light and classy. Nothing bold and flashy or showgirl-like, it was sexy with a natural flavor.
"Looks good, Fuj. Thanks!" Keiko exclaimed.
"No problem. Can't have a Yukimura out there looking anything but fabulous." she winked.
Keiko grinned. Maybe her cousin wasn't that bad after all.
"Well look what we've got here!" Kei's voice boomed over the sound of the crowded gym. The scoreboard displayed five minutes until the game was to begin. The basketball teams has already made their entrance, and were currently warming up.
"Look who just walked in!" he yelled to his wife and friends, he pointed to the couple entering the gym and approaching the group.
"Is that Taro and Noriko?" Atsuko exclaimed. Kei nodded, "Heavens its been forever!"
"It has," Kei agreed, flagging them down.
"Well hello Yukimuras!" Taro nodded, "Shiori Minamino?" he added noticing Kurama's mother, "Wow you look wonderful!" he exclaimed giving her a big hug. "Atsuko Urameshi, look ate you!" he shouted in disbelief, of seeing her lively and sober for the first time in years. He took a seat on the empty space below Keiko's parents and next to Atsuko and Ben. Noriko approached soon after and greeted everyone before taking a seat next to her husband.
"These seats weren't reserved were they?" she asked looking up at Shiori.
"No." Shiori replied shaking her head. " We're just leaving room for Kurama and his friend, and there enough bench space over here for them."
The gym was pack in no time, with limited space for seating, which meant a lot because Sariaki was home to a huge gym. Kurama and Kuronue arrived just as the crowd began to settle and the teams cleared the floor for introductions of the players.
"Hello everybody." Kurama greeted, while Kuronue , and to his surprise Maya took seats next to Shiori. That left about three feet of space for Botan, Keiko, and Yukina to come up and chat during halftime. Kurama shook hands with Taro and Kei, while hugging Kotomi and Noriko before taking the open seat between Kuronue and Maya, who was sitting right next to Shiori.
"Maya, isn't your side over there," Kuronue pointed to the opposite side of the gym, where Hibiya high was seated.
"No, my side his here. Next to Kurama thank you." she replied snuggling next to him.
Kurama only sighed and shook his head, not wanting to be mean and push her off of him in the middle of a crowded gym. Little did he know a certain blue-haired beauty was watching them.
'Ugh. That slut!' She inwardly growled as she watched Maya snuggle her boyfriend. But what bothered the most that Kurama didn't seem to mind. He didn't push her away, but simply let her continue her flirting in front of everyone.
"Furuga, get those water bottles ready, quit the slacking" the basketball coach called.
"Coming Coach." she yelled back as the announcer began to speak.
"LAAAAAADIES AND GENTLEMEN!" the announces voice boomed causing the whole gym to give their attention to the court.
"Tonight's game is going to place the visiting Hibiya Tigers verses the SARIAKI BEARS!" Both side erupted into cheers.
As if o cue both teams
"And now the starting line up for the visiting team!"
Hibiya's side went wild and their cheerleaders jumped and flipped, as player after player was called from there starting five. For Keiko and Yusuke, only one name stood out.
"And number 34...Shishiwakamaru Owasagi!"
All of the Hibiya girls screamed and cheered. Keiko gave a small smile and clapped lightly as the 6'1 teen sprinted it the center of the court, much to Yusuke's displeasure.
"And now, put your hands together for the SARIAKI BEARS! Number 12: Hagiri Kaname!" the announcer called two of the other starting players after Sniper, while Yukina preformed a round-off for every name and Keiko and the other waved their pompoms and kicked.
"Number 21...Kazuma Kuwabara!" Sariaki's side went crazy. Everyone in the crowd jumped to there feet and applauded as Kuwabara made his way to the court grinning and Yukina flipped backwards across the court, land in a splits.
Noriko watched as the petite girl winked at her son, and Kuwabara returned the gesture. Her stomach flip-flopped, but she kept a smile as she clapped for her son. She knew his love life was none of her personal business, but she couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy.
"And last, but certainly not least…Yusuke Uraaaaameshiiiiii!"
Now here was a skeptical to see. The sound of Yusuke's name cause hysterical cheers from not only Sariaki girls, but every Hibiya girl in the stands. Yusuke grinned cockily and made his way to the center. He gave Keiko a sexy smirk has he walked past her, and then scanned the crowd for his mother. He found her in the middle section and as he smiled at her, his eye caught sight of someone else. Sitting four rows behind his mother and the other parents sat Yuri. She looked beautiful, her face made to perfection and her clothes stylish as usual. Her eyes were glued to him and she waved a few fingers as he stared. Yusuke didn't return the gesture, but he did smile at her before joining his teammates.
The tip-off ensued and the game began in favor of Hibiya. The cheerleaders lined up perfectly across both side of the court. Keiko beamed proudly from the center of her squad, happy with the new additions they had chosen. She, Yukina and their coach, along with some input from Misa and Lin, had chosen six freshman and sophomore girls, along with one new junior transfer student named Ruka. All the girls were excellent. Yukina was still the star performer of stunts, creating a roar of cheers from the crowd as the girls lifted and tossed her during cheers.
Keiko looked over to the crowd when she heard her name being called. She spotted her close friend Asami. She waved and pointed towards her parents, signaling that Asami should sit with the group.
Asami was on her way up the bleachers when she felt somebody wrap their arm around her shoulder. She looked up to find Jin grinning at her.
"Well if it isn't my favorite dwarf." Jin teased in his heavy accent.
Asami laughed, "Shut up Jin." she replied waving at the Yukimura's before taking a seat above them. To her surprise Jin followed sitting next to her. "What are you doing o this side? Don't you go to Hibiya?"
"Yeah, but I'm practically a Bear. I hang out with these guys more than my own classmates." he explained as he watched Kuwabara pass the ball to Yusuke, and Yusuke sink the ball in, scoring the first points of the game. The crowd jumper up and cheered, and once everything was settled down Jin continue their conversation. "So, are you still at that private school?" he asked looking at her. She was pretty, much shorter than himself, dressed casually in jeans and a small hoodie.
Asami nodded, "Yep. But I hardly come on this side of town anymore, since I quit working at the mall."
"I always wondered why I never see you there anymore." Jin replied.
"Yeah, but Keiko called me and told me about her nomination I just had to come." she smiled. "We rarely hang out so I'm going to stay the weekend out here, and go back to Tokyo Sunday night."
Jin nodded and the two continued to watch the game with small talk in between.
"Sorry we're late everyone." Shiori announced casually as she and her boyfriend cross the bleachers to sit below her parents. "Hey mom, hey dad."
"Shiz!" he mother exclaimed hugging her eldest daughter, "I was starting to worry."
"Yeah I had to clean up some and get ready for you guess to come." she explained. Just then she spotted Yukina completing a round-off and hyping up the crowd, while the teams were in a time out. "isn't she just so cute!" Shizuru comment as the petite girl sprinted back to the courtside. Noriko didn't respond, but simply looked at the girl blankly. Shizuru looked at her mother in disgust.
"Yes she is Shiz." her father butted in before Shizuru could scold her mother. "I can't wait to sit down and talk with her again."
"Yeah Dad. Things have been rough for them." Shizuru revealed. "They've been having some disagreements lately."
Noriko looked over at her daughter curiously. "Really? Why?"
'On so now she wants to talk.' Shizuru thought to herself. "Just Kazuma being too over-protective I guess."
"Hmm… maybe she's doing something she shouldn't," Noriko suggested immediately. "The quiet ones are always….'
"Mom!" Shizuru exclaimed irritated. "Give Yukina a break. She's a wonderful girl. I really shouldn't have brought it up in the first place. It their business."
Taro nodded, "Yes it is. Now lets all just watch the game." Taro Kuwabara was always the piece keeper in his family.
The first two quarter went by smoothly. The Bears were in a small lead of three points. Keiko had disappeared to the locker room in the middle of the second quarter to join the other queen candidates in getting dressed. Fujiko excused herself from the group to help Keiko with her dress.
"Nervous?" she asked her cousin as she zipped the back of the dress for her.
"Not really." Keiko replied shaking her head.
"Looks like somebody's a little too confident." a voice from the other side of the locker room called.
Keiko didn't reply. She didn't even bother to turn her head to see who the culprit was. But Ayame wasn't one to be ignored. She walked over to Keiko and Fujiko, wearing a pretty pink dress that stopped just below her knees and flowed longer in the back.
"Give it a break Ayame." Fujiko stated stepping towards her. "Nobody's going to vote for you. Keiko's a shoe-in to win."
Ayame laughed her signature pig laugh. "Big world coming from a no good sl…"
Fujiko cut her off. "A what? A slut?" Ayame smirked and raised her brow. "well thank you Ayame!' Fujiko smiled proudly.
"Come on guys, lets just drop it. Its not even worth it." Miyuki, one of the candidates for basketball managing, spoke.
"Miyuki's right." Ayame replied. "We shouldn't be fighting. I mean we all have something in common." she paused for a second and smirked at thee two cousin. "We've all fucked Yusuke Urameshi." she giggled.
Miyuki shook her head in astonishment. "That's so not what I meant."
"Of course you didn't Miyuki." Keiko smiled and nodded.
"Yeah, it okay. Ayame just doesn't understand that situation." Fujiko added.
"And what's that supposed to mean?" Ayame folded her arms across her chest.
"That I was an experimental fuck. You were just a pastime, and Keiko is number one." Fujiko replied smirking. "Now if you don't mind, we've got a homecoming to when." she stated before leading Keiko out to the hallway, leaving Ayame red with embarrassment, and Miyuki and the other candidate silently chuckling.
Once outside Keiko turned to Fujiko and gave a weak smile. "Uhh…thanks Fuj. But you didn't have to say any of that."
Fujiko shrugged, "Nobody fucks with my family. Besides it wasn't the first time I'd been called a slut." she added laughing. "Now go out there and look pretty standing next to your king. I'm gonna go back to my seat." she winked walking off. In the back ground a buzzard could be heard signaling the end of the second quarter and the beginning of halftime.
Keiko's student council teacher came and lined all the candidates up with their escorts, while the rest of the team walked into the locker room. She eyed Ayame as she proudly stood next to Yusuke, their arms linked. A wave of envy shot through Keiko's body. That was supposed to be her standing there. The sound of a guy clearing his throat brought her from her thoughts. She looked up to see Sniper offering his arm.
"I know I'm not the person you'd rather walk with but…" he went quiet, not sure what to say.
"Nonsense Sniper," she spoke up with a genuine smile, accepting his arm. "You'll do just fine."
"Well you do look every beautiful." he whispered standing close to her.
"Thank you." she smiled and blushed. Just then the announcers began hushing the crowd and started the ceremony.
"First up, representing the sport of basketball, we have Yanagisawa Mitsunari!" Keiko exhaled as she watched the tall haired teen walk out along side Miyuki. Yusuke and Ayame were next, then Sniper and herself, and then the last couple. Ayame looked back at Keiko winked. Keiko simply rolled her eyes.
"Next, representing the sport of basketball, Yusuke Urameshi!" Again both sides of the gym went crazy as Yusuke and Ayame emerged into the gym.
"Yusuke's parent is Atsuko Urameshi. In his spare time he enjoys hanging out with friends and playing basketball. Yusuke would like to thank his stepfather Ben, for everything. And his best friend Keiko for always sticking by his side."
There were no coos or cheers in favor of Keiko from the jealous girl, who were fully aware of the kind of 'friend' she was to Yusuke. Keiko, however, felt a warmth in her heart at the sound of his acknowledgement of her.
"That was sweet of him," Sniper stated quietly to her.
"I feel terrible Sniper," she expressed, "I didn't mention him in mine!"
"I'm sure he won't be mad." Sniper assured her.
Keiko sighed and nodded as the announcer continued.
"Yusuke is escorting the lovely Ayame Kato! Ayame is representing the sport of track. Her parents are…."
Yusuke tuned out the sound of the announcer and the cheers from the crowd. His eyes were trapped in a staring contest with Yuri. He couldn't shake the feeling he was getting just from knowing she was in the same vicinity. She looked stunning, as she alluring eyes trapped him in. A sexy smirk was present on her face as she blew him a kiss. Yusuke smiled back and broke the gaze as the announce called Snipers name, and he and Keiko walked from the hallway onto the gym floor.
"Hagiri is escorting the beautiful Keiko Yukimura!" again the gym erupted into cheering. Keiko grinned huge as she stopped in the center of the court and the announcer when on. "Keiko's parents are Kei and Kotomi Yukimura. In her spare time Keiko enjoys studying, hanging with her friends and family, and shopping. Keiko would like to thank her parents for everything they've done for her, and to all her classmates and teachers, she would like to say how much she'll miss."
The crowd screamed again as Keiko and Sniper made their way to the side next to Yusuke and Ayame. The next couple was announced and the crowd screamed again. All the while a pair of deep blue eyes watched Keiko intensely. There she was again, in the flesh. She was beautiful. Yuri could tell what Yusuke saw in her. She was a natural beauty despite the make-up she was wearing. Still, Yuri loved Yusuke, and Keiko was in the way.
"Ladies and gentlemen. Your 2008 spring homecoming court!" The crowd gave on last roar before the announcer continued.
"And your new Spring homecoming King is…YUSUKE URAMESHI!"
It may not have been a surprise to anybody, but the Crowd still went wild as Yusuke walked to the center of the court and was crowned. Keiko smiled big as she clapped her hands along with everyone else. She only hoped her fate wouldn't be cure and that she would be joining him.
Yuri remained seated and clapped softly for the man she loved, not wanting to cause too much attention to herself.
"And now, your Homecoming Queen is…" the crowd got quiet, waiting impatiently to see which one of the all popular girls would win. Though Ayame was annoying at times, she was a track star, and mingled with all of her classmates. The announcer stayed quiet for a few more seconds, letting the suspense build, before bellowing out Keiko's name.
"Keiko Yukimura!!!"
The crowd once again erupted into cheers. Keiko gracefully walked to the center of the court with Yusuke, a huge grin spread across her face. The student council member crowned Keiko, dressed her sash around her and Yusuke handed her the bouquet of red roses. Keiko was all smiles as the yearbook kid ran over and prepared to snap the picture. Yusuke wrapped his arm around her shoulder and held her close as the photographer snapped. A kiss would have made the night perfect, but she knew he'd never go for that. He had a reputation to keep.
"Congratulations Keiko." was all the brunette could hear as she made her way to her parents.
"You look so beautiful!" Atsuko gushed as Keiko hugged her parents.
"Thanks Atsuko!" Keiko replied, taking a seat next to her.
"You and Yusuke looked great out there." Kei added proudly.
Keiko grinned, with her head resting on Atsuko's shoulder, as the Kuwabaras commented on her beauty and memories of last seeing her. All the while oblivious to the eyes that continued to watch her.
Yuri sat only five rows behind Keiko, looking down on her with a blank expression, but inside she was green with envy. There she was sitting in the midst of Yusuke's closest loved ones, her head resting on his mother's shoulder as if they were the best of friends. This was the first time she'd every seen Atsuko in person, but for Keiko it was a routine thing.
Yuri hated it. She loved Yusuke. And she was the one that should be sitting next to his mother. Instead she lived in the shadows, anonymous to her.
She returned her eyes to the court. She watched him hustle back in forth. His arms were strong and toned as he caught the ball slamming his palms hard against it, before releasing it again into the basket. She loved his arms; they her favorite part of his body…well…beside…you know… but still they were wonderful. He was wonderful. She thought back to the day she called him, after her, then, boyfriend Rando had beat her up. He jumped up from where he was at, which she later found out was with Keiko, and kicked Rando's ass. Those were the days when she learned that he was the kind of man she wanted. Keiko couldn't handle him. She was too engulfed in her studies, and there were even times when she had turned him down on hanging out, just to study for a test.
Back in those days he'd run to Yuri for affection, or maybe just sex. She would give anything thing to be with him.
Maya was in heaven sitting close to Kurama. Botan had been too busy to come to the stands during half time, but Kurama still managed to bring her up.
"That's her there." he said to Kuronue, pointing to the busty teen as she sat on the bench next to the players keeping score in the record books. She sported a white tank top that red 'Sariaki' and had the mascot bear busting out of a wall.
"Wow…"Kuronue said surprised.
Maya's eyes light up. "I know right she not all that…" she began to bash the girl before Kuronue spoke up.
"She's hot."
Maya frowned and rolled her eyes.
"Uhh…thanks Kuronue." Kurama chuckled.
"I wouldn't expect for you to go for that type." Kuronue added laughing.
"What type is that?" Kurama frowned, "You don't even know her yet."
"I can just tell. She looks like one of those teen queens. The boy crazy, type that's really good in bed, but not too good at homework." Kuronue explained shrugged carelessly. Maya snickered.
"Well she's more like a drama queen, I'm the only boy she's crazy for, and our sex life is nobody's business. And as for smarts, we're actually competing for second in class rank." Kurama explained simply. Kuronue was a well known major asshole, something that in their eight years of friendship, Kurama had learned to get used to.
Kuronue nodded, "Well if you're happy my friend, I'm happy," he smiled sarcastically.
Kurama gave a genuine smile, "I am happy."
The game ended triumphantly for the Sariaki boys basketball team, despite the thick tension between both teams star players. Though there was no on court fighting, Yusuke and Shishi had a silent agreement to stay out of each other's way to avoid problems. Still Yusuke jumped at the opportunity to dunk the ball in Shishi's face, causing a roar from the Sariaki crowd. Shishi gritted his teeth in anger as he watched Keiko cheer wildly for Yusuke. He still hadn't given up on her.
"Good game Yusuke!" a couple of the Hibiya girls complimented as Yusuke and Kuwabara passed by them. The parking lot was backed with teenagers heading to their cars and mingling.
"Uhh…thanks ladies." he said to the two unfamiliar girls, who simply giggled and walked away.
"Man girls are freaking weird." Kuwabara stated shaking his head. He had sent his parents a head promising to meet wit them later at the apartment.
Yusuke chuckled, "Man you sound like a kindergartner." he teased. "By the way how are things with Yukina?"
Kuwabara shrugged, "We had sex this afternoon, if that counts for anything."
"Solving all your problems with some pre-game sex huh? Not a good thing." Yusuke replied.
"I know. I just hope tonight with my parents goes better." he stated. Just then he noticed a figure standing alone against a black Jetta parked next to his Tahoe. "Dude, is that Yuri?"
Yusuke focused his eyes on the being, his heart quickening at the sound of her name. Sure enough it was her.
"Wow, what a surprise." her sexy voice spoke as they approached.
"Not really" Kuwabara state, "You are at our school. And parked next to my truck."
Yuri giggled, looking over at the truck, "Oh really? I thought you drove this civic over here." he pointed to the blue car on the left side of hers. Both boys looked over at the car. It was Keiko's.
Kuwabara rolled his eye and Yusuke bit his lip.
"Don't worry Yusuke, I just wanted to congratulate you guys on the win and on your winning King. You looked good out there." She stated smiling pretty. Yusuke felt the blood rush down to his manhood, a reaction Yuri caused often.
"Thanks Yuri," he replied playing things cool.
"Well hey, it was good seeing you again. I'll call you later" she said, after a moment of silence. She step towards Yusuke and wrapped her arms around his waist. As if on instinct he returned the embrace, wrapping his arms around he shoulders. He felt the vibrations in his chest as she spoke into his shirt. She was saying "I love you". he knew it.
At first Keiko didn't notice the girl, until she walked over and wrapped her arms around him. And then to her displeasure, her return her hug. The hug was long and sensual, giving Keiko a chance to catch up to them.
Kuwabara was the first to spot her. "Uhh…Yeah Keiko." he greeted her, while subliminally warning his best friend.
Yusuke looked up from the embrace. There stood Keiko a frown present on her face as she watched him hold Yuri. He quickly dropped his arms to the side, and backed away from Yuri slightly, causing her let him go.
"Hey Babe." he spoke nervously.
Keiko looked over at Yuri. This girl looked familiar, but she couldn't place a finger on it. She was pretty; rail thin with long legs like a model, standing maybe an inch taller than Keiko. Her hair was cut extremely short in the back, leaving more length to her front. She donned skin tight skinny jeans and a pair calf high leather boots, that matched her black turtle neck sweater.
To Keiko's surprise this girl didn't not snare at her or make any rude comments. Her eyes were sad at the sight of Keiko, and for a split second Keiko felt sympathy for her, even though she didn't know why.
Yuri didn't speak, but quickly walked to her car, and drove away.
"I...was just coming over to see if you wanted to go eat with Asami and Jin and I." Keiko spoke.
Yusuke raised a brow, "Asami and Jin?' he asked curiously.
Keiko nodded in a daze, still watching the girls car drive away.
"How'd that happen?" Kuwabara asked just as confused. Keiko shrugged.
"Well I guess so." Yusuke shrugged as well.
"They're already heading that way in Jin's car." Keiko said finally.
"Okay, I'll drive." Yusuke replied.
"See you guys later." Kuwabara stated climbing in his truck.
"Shall we?" Yusuke stated extending his arm. Keiko took it hesitantly and let him guide her to his car.
"Botan, this is Kuronue." Kurama spoke motioning to his best friend.
Botan smiled at the tall thin teenager. He was cute, really cute, with long black hair that faded into his all black attire. "Hi nice to finally meet you" she greeted sweetly extending a hand.
Kuronue casually shook her hand, "Like-wise."
"Yeah, I saw you guys sitting in the stands. What happened to your friend?" Botan stated more to Kurama, who looked at her confused. "Maya?" Botan added.
"Oh, she's went home. She's got to be at the shop early with Mom." Kurama explained.
"Hmm…she seemed to be enjoying the game." Botan added slightly irritated.
Kuronue chuckled, "Yeah desperately. You have absolutely nothing to worry about. Kurama's not interested. Right?" he said looking over at him.
Kurama nodded.
"You'd tell me if something was going on right?" Botan asked with pleading eyes.
Out of instinct Kurama nodded, but then he thought about the kiss. He got a queasy feeling. Botan still knew nothing about it, and frankly he didn't know what to say.
Botan smile sweetly and gave him a quick kiss on the lips. "So what are you guys getting into tonight?" she asked looking at Kuronue, who shrugged.
"I don't know, I'm hadn't anticipated doing anything. I wasn't even coming to the game, but Kurama insisted I meet you."
Botan's smile grew larger, "Well I'd hate to steal him from you tonight, I know you too have catching up to do."
"Nonsense," Kuronue declined. "I'll be in town for a while. He's all yours." and with that he turned to leave.
Botan gave his retreating form an odd look before turning to Kurama. "He's different."
"Yes, he is." Kurama replied chuckling. "He's like Hiei, with more personality."
"So, wanna come over tonight?" She asked him sweetly.
"Sure." he replied wrapping her in a hug. "but I don't want to have sex."
Botan looked at him confused, "Why not?"
"Its nothing personally Sweetie." he sighed, "I just want to lay with you. Just to feel you in my arms."
Botan thought it strange for him to not want to have sex with her. Not that he was some sex crazed person, but for him to just decline it before it was even offered was weird. Nonetheless, she was happy not to have to lay in bed alone tonight.
Yukina exhaled deeply as she sat in the parking lot of their apartment complex. Kuwabara's black truck was no where to be found, so she wasn't going anywhere near that house, or that woman.
She really wanted to just stay the night with Botan, but Kuwabara insisted she stay home and visit is parents. She knew this meant a lot to him, and out of the love she had for her Kazuma, she'd have to put up with his mothers foolishness. Beside, she was sure Botan would be with Kurama tonight.
'Its just one night Yukina' She thought to herself. 'Just say hi, listen to them talk for a minute, and then pretend to be sleepy.' Maybe if she was lucky, Noriko would already be sleeping. 'Ha! Fat chance!' she thought sarcastically. She knew Noriko was probably up waiting for the chance to make Yukina feel like shit again.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the lights of a truck pulling beside her. It was Kuwabara. He got out of his car and walked towards the apartments, oblivious to her presence.
"Hey wait up." she called to him exiting her car.
He turned and looked at her as if she were crazy. "Babe? Why are you sitting outside?"
"I was waiting for you…" she replied softly, praying he didn't bring up the fact that she could have been kidnapped. He didn't.
"Why? You've got a key." he asked taking her hand and guiding her to the elevator.
"I just rather face your mother while you're present." she answered truthfully as the elevator acceded.
Kuwabara sighed, "Thanks for staying Babe, I really want you too to get along." he stated hugging her close, "I won't let her treat like shit tonight. She in our house so she has to respect you."
"Kazuma. She's your mother, and as much as I appreciate you standing up for me, I don't want you to disrespect her for me." she stated as they walked to they're door.
"I won't." he replied simply, unlocking the door.
When they entered they found Noriko sitting at the table sipping tea, while Shiori and Taro sat on the couch watching a comedy show, laughing.
"Hey guys." Kuwabara greeted as they walked in.
"Hey." the duo replied not bothering to look up from the TV, seconds later bursting into more laughter.
Noriko grinned widely at the sight of her son. "Hi Kazuma!"
"Hey mom," he grinned back giving her a strong hug. "Enjoy the game?"
"Yes, it was good to finally see you play after all these years. You guys didn't great." she replied. She looked over at Yukina and gave a weak smile, "You're a really good cheerleader Yukina, You looked lovely out there."
Yukina's heart skipped. 'Did she really just compliment me?' "Uhh…thanks. I try my best." she replied softly giving a shy smile.
"Yeah I noticed some of the Hibiya players eying her. But she's all mines!" Kuwabara stated wrapping an arm around her. This caused Noriko's stomach to turn. Getting used to this girl was going to be hard for her. Sure, Kuwabara had had girlfriend before, nut none to this extent. She's never met any of them, and she could tell from his actions that he loved this one.
"Had you're focused on this pretty lady here. That's why you let Yusuke out score you," his dad joked approaching them.
Kuwabara chuckled, holding Yukina closer so that she was now sitting on his lap, while he sat on the chair across from his mother. "Whatever Dad, Yusuke only had me by 4 points. He scored 20, I got 16."
Taro ignored his son's stats and chuckled, "Keep just the good work Yukina. You're helping Yusuke keep his stats up." he said winking at her.
She giggled. "I don't think Yusuke needs my help. He's a great basketball player."
Taro nodded in agreement. "So is cheerleading all you do?" he asked her.
"I dance. All kinds of dance. Ballet, tap, anything." she replied. "I used to do gymnastics also."
Kuwabara smiled as his girlfriend his father held casual conversation. And though it was a pleasant sight, his father wasn't the parent he was worried about. He needed to see this behavior wit his mother as well. He looked over at her and frowned. She paid them no mind, but simply read her book and drank her tea.
"Hey mom, weren't you a cheerleader in High school?" he spoke trying to take matters into his own hands.
Noriko looked up from her book and frowned, "No."
"Oh, well didn't you dance?" he added, trying bring her into the conversation.
"Years ago Kazuma, I stopped when I reached high school." she replied.
"Why?" Yukina asked curiously.
Noriko gave her a hesitant look. How dare she speak to her while snuggling up with her son? This wasn't the way teenagers where supposed to act. "I Uhh, just lost the passion for it."
"Oh," Yukina replied quietly, noticing Noriko's blandness.
"So what are planning to study in college Yukina?" Taro asked. He, too could sense the rudeness his wife was semi-displaying.
"I'm not sure yet." she replied smiling sheepishly.
"That's alright, some people go they're first few years of college undecided." he assured her. "Have any ideas at all? Any secret passions?"
Yukina thought about it and shook her head. "Dancing has always been my only passion." she replied.
"I'm sure you'll find your path." he smiled.
Noriko was becoming annoyed by the bonding her husband was doing with Yukina. He didn't understand the way she did. Soon Kazuma would stop calling, and whenever he'd visit, he bring Yukina and be completely engulfed in showing her off, that he wouldn't take time to be wit his mother. She would lose him to love. He couldn't possibly love another girl more than his own mother!
Shizuru noticed the envy in her mother's eyes. It was ridiculous! How could her mother, a grown woman, be jealous of her son' girlfriend? It was just creepy in her eyes. And for her mother to not even try to get to know Yukina, was petty. She was acting like a child for God's sake!
"Well, I'm going to head over to Hiro's" Shizuru announce faking a yawn. "You two can have my bed for the night. I don't want to put anyone on the couch."
"Thanks Shiz." Noriko smiled, "I'd hate to have you and Kazuma sleeping on the couch." she stated chuckling.
'Oh lord! Here it goes!' Shizuru, Taro, and Kuwabara all thought in unison.
"Mom, nobody's sleeping on the couch." Kuwabara sighed. "I'm sleeping in the bedroom. With Yukina."
Noriko's jaw dropped, speechless. "You two are going to….while your parents are in the next room…I…Kazuma, I thought you told me you two slept in different rooms!" she stammered around her words as she went into on of her overreactions.
"We used to mom, but now things are different. Yukina's more comfortable letting me sleep wit her. He explained. Yukina's face blushed with embarrassment as Noriko began to overreact.
"Excuse me?" Noriko screeched.
"Mom you're acting crazy! We're not going to go in there have sex! We just sleep in the same room. And if we are having sex, its our business! Get with the ages mom, people do that at times!" she snapped out of frustration, he could handle his mother action anymore.
Shizuru just shook her head and Taro remained silent. Yukina had walked over and stood close to Shizuru when her boyfriend began to yell, startling her.
Noriko stared at him for a minute, mouth agate in shock. "You see Kazuma, this is exactly what I was talking about. You would have never talked to me that way before. That…that little home wrecker has changed you!" she stated, tears welling in her eyes.
Kuwabara turned his head to Yukina when he heard her gasp at the sound of being referred to as a 'home wrecker'. Yukina bowed her head and walked into the bedroom.
"Kid…"Shizuru called as she closed the door. She turned and looked at her mother, shook her head in disapproval, and exited the apartment.
Taro walked over to his wife and placed his hands on her shoulders, whole she and Kuwabara continued their stare down. She sat there tears threatening to fall, while she looked at her in disgust.
"Come on Nor." he said lifting her slightly. "Let's just call it a night guys." he said calmly. "Goodnight son, go check on Yukina."
Kuwabara nodded and watched them disappear, into there room.
Contrary to what the other four people in the house believed, Yukina wasn't crying; yet. She was in the bedroom undressing for bed, when he walked in. To his surprise she didn't jump, or quickly attempt to cover her exposed body. Instead, she just continued to slip into the over sized t-shirt that she slept in. His shirt. He smile as he watched her smooth the winkles in the long shirt, that stopped at her calves. It was a Sariaki state championship shirt from his junior year.
"Babe…" he said softly as she climbed into the bed. "I'm really…really sorry about that." he spoke.
"It's not your fault Kuwabara." she mumbled quietly. "Let's just go to bed, I've got to get up early." she added laying her head on the pillow.
Kuwabara sighed, shrugging it off. He climbed in bed a immediately grabbed her and wrapping her in his arms.
Yukina shrieked, before giggling as he ran his hands across her lower back. "Kazuma stop, that tickles!"
Now it was his turn to laugh. "Tickles? Babe its supposed to be sexy!" he replied between laughter.
"Well it still tickles," she replied calming her laughter.
"I love you Yukina." he spoke softly, after rolling over so that she was resting on his chest.
Yukina smiled serenely, "I love you too." she whispered back.
The two drifted to sleep shortly after, wrapped in each others arms.
In down the hall Noriko, sat up in Shizuru's bed, listening to what she though was the sound of the two teens 'fooling around', her husband to the left of her, sound asleep.
'He just doesn't get it.' She thought again to herself, 'Kazuma's going down a destructive path. What if Yukina becomes pregnant?' That mere thought sent her mind on a spiraling vortex of even more bad thoughts of her son's girlfriend. 'That's it! She trying to get pregnant! Sure, she comes from a broken home, and a hard life, but that more the reason to try and stay with Kuwabara. He's going to be rich someday!' Noriko spent the remained of her thought mentally hating Yukina. She wasn't going to stand by and allow another woman to steal her only son away. She thought of how Kaziharu now spends the majority of his time with Zuki, leaving his mother, her sister, alone. She couldn't possibly let that happen to her and Kazuma.
Keiko sighed as she looked up at the man she loved with all her heart. He was smiling as they walk to his car from the diner, not a care in the world, relishing in the earlier successes of the day.
Dinner was great, Asami and Jin had undoubtedly some kind of attraction going on, and Yusuke spent the whole dinner cuddling Keiko. But she just couldn't put the scene of watching him hold that girl out of her head. She had watched him hug and flirt with many girls before, but this time was different, the hug was deeper than just flirting. It was sensual.
She could no longer hold it in. She had to know. As they cruised down the street, destination unknown to her, she allowed herself to bring it up.
"Who is that girl Yusuke?" she spoke softly, not bold enough to look him in the eye.
Yusuke sighed, frustrated already, "What girl?"
"You know who I'm talking about Yusuke." she replied frowning out of the window. "The one you were holding after the game."
"She's just a girl I know," he replied shortly.
"From where?" Keiko pressed,
"I met her years ago. She just so happened to be at the game. I haven't talked to her in years." he lied.
Keiko turned to him. "What school does she go to?"
"She's from the suburbs," he stated truthfully.
"So she goes to a private school?"
"Yeah." he replied simply.
"You two must have had something special, I can tell by how you were holding her." Keiko stated, the gloom present in her voice.
He looked over at her, "Seriously Keiko?" he said sucking his teeth.
"What?" Keiko snapped back, "You're the one that was holding her."
"It was a hug." he stressed, "Nothing more."
Keiko was about to comment back calling him a liar, when she heard her cell phone ring. Both she and Yusuke looked at the digital clock on the dashboard, wondering the same thing; Who could possibly be calling her at one thirty in the morning?
She raised a brow. It was Shishi.
"Hello?" she said softly, trying to let the music drown out her conversation. Not luck, Yusuke instinctively turned the CD off.
"You looked beautiful tonight," his charming voice came from the other end.
"Umm…Thanks," she replied, failing to suppress her smile. This made Yusuke's blood boil, he knew who that caller was. "You played well yourself. Too bad you guys weren't good enough to beat us though." she teased, laughing as her fake tears.
Yusuke remained silent as the she continued her conversation. At first they were just talking about the game, nothing harmful, but still Yusuke couldn't believe she would actually carry a conversation with Shishi in his presence.
It wasn't until he heard Shishi, further comment on how sexy Keiko looked, and begin to express is wanting of her that Yusuke butted in. He pulled over into a parking lot next to their willow tree by the lake, and snatched the phone from Keiko's ear.
"Look you bastard, stay the hell away from my girl. Don't call her anymore, if you see her in public don't fucking speak to her. I let you off easy last time Shishi, but I swear I'll murder you if I catch you messing with her!" with that he slammed the phone closed, tossed it back at her, and got out of the car, slamming the door behind him.
Keiko just sat there in shock. She watched him walk slowly over the willow tree. She frowned and followed him.
"What the hell Yusuke?" She yelled at him approaching.
"No." he growled back, "More like what the hell Keiko? What the hell are you think. You know what Shishi wants, how can you be stupid enough to fall for this shit again?"
"Don't call me stupid Yusuke," she replied calmly, despite being completely insulted by his statement. "At least I do know what he wants. Its more than what I can say about you!"
"Don't compare me to that son of bitch!" Yusuke snapped stepping closer to her.
"Why not?" Keiko taunted, holding her ground. "Scared you might find some similarities?"
"Fuck you!" he mumbled loud enough for her to hear. He began walking off, but she grabbed him.
"Really Yusuke?" she replied, hurt by his words. "You really feel that way?" he didn't answer. So she continued, "What's her name?"
Yusuke shook his head not turning to her, "What the hell are you talking about." he asked, snatching his hand away.
"That girl from the parking lot." She explained. "What's her name."
"Why?" he asked irritated.
"You just snapped on me for receiving a phone call from Shishi. But you can be caught practically loving another girl?" she whined, tears welling in her eyes.
"Loving?" he said whipping around. "The only girl I love is you! You, Keiko!" She didn't respond, but simply lowered her head. "And I snapped on Shishi, not you. Her name is Yuri, and she's an old friend. If I loved her I'd be with her right now." he continued still lying. "Not at a dinner double dating with you and Jin. Not here now under our tree, with you!" he explained motioning between the two of them, the frustration heavy in his body language.
Keiko felt terrible. To accuse him of something so serious as being in love with a girl she had just seen him hug? She could understand his anger.
"Yusuke, I'm sorry." she apologized softly, reaching for his embrace.
He sighed, "Yeah." he replied shortly, as she wrapped her arms around him.
"Come one baby, lets sit down." she offered looking up at him sweetly.
"Na, I think I'm just going to take you home." he replied breaking the embrace by walking towards his car.
"Why?" Keiko asked desperately following him.
"Because, I'm tired," he stated getting in the car. Keiko climbed into the passenger seat and remained silent the whole ride home.
When they arrived at her house, he wrapped her into a hugged and kissed her cheek. "Good night Babe." he stated softly.
"Good night Yusuke, I love you." she replied, turning and kissing him full on the lips.
"Love you too." he replied into the kiss.
Yukina awoke the next morning to the sound of Botan's assigned ring tone.
"Hello?" she said groggily.
"Hey girl, wake up!" Botan's chipper voice came. Yukina rubbed her eyes and looked at the clock on the wall. It was a little after 9:00a.m. 'How does she mange to be so lively at this time!' "The college fair starts at eleven, I'll be there to pick up in about forty five minutes." Botan replied.
"I'll be ready." she replied, stretching. After hanging up the phone, she looked up at Kuwabara. He was out cold, snoring softly with his mouth open. She giggled softly, before rolling out of bed slowly so not to wake him up.
She walked out of the bedroom and into the bathroom, to brush her teeth and wash her face. She grabbed the brush from the counter and walked to the kitchen for a glass of orange juice, brushing her hair on the way. She paid no attention to the living room as she opened the refrigerator and poured her glass.
"You, there are men in this house." a voice spoke from the couch, causing Yukina to jump. Noriko sat on the couch, a newspaper in one hand, and coffee in the other. She didn't bother to look up at the girl.
"Excuse me?" Yukina asked timidly.
"Its not lady-like to walk around in nothing but a t-shirt, when there company in the house. male company." Noriko spoke again.
"I wasn't expecting anybody to be up." Yukina replied. She looked down at herself. The shirt practically swallowed her.
Noriko didn't respond. Yukina sighed and walked back into the bedroom. She slammed the door, causing Kazuma jolt awake.
"Hey Babe." he greeted with a stretch and a yawn. "What's wrong?"
"Your mother insisted I change clothes before I go in the kitchen." Yukina replied, anger present in her voice as she pulled out her outfit for the day.
"Huh?" Kuwabara asked in a raspy voice, not quite understanding.
Yukina sighed, "Nothing Kazuma."
Kuwabara groaned and rubbed his hands down his face. "C'mere Babe." he called to her as he rolled out of bed. His chest was bare and below he wore black flannels.
"Its not a big deal Kazuma. I'll be out all day anyway. Just spend the day with your parents. You don't have to even bring me up." she stated.
Kuwabara was listening, but his mind was elsewhere. He smirked as he swiftly lifted her up and sat her on the dresser.
"Kazuma!" she shrieked.
He shut her up with his lips. "Good morning Babe," stated with a grin after breaking the kiss. His stands stroked her thighs as she sat there looking at him as if he'd lost his mind.
"Good morning," she smiled back. "But I've really got to get dressed, Botan's on her way here to get me."
Kuwabara made a sad face. "But its Saturday! Our day!"
"Well this Saturday I'm going to be Tokyo with Botan, and you are spending the day with your parents." she replied sliding down off of the dresser. She gasped as her pelvis bumped his harden member. Kazuma smirked as she face went red.
"Why…is it like that?" she stuttered.
"Its just early in the morning Babe," he chuckled, "And seeing you in my t-shirt is helping a little." he added.
Yukina blushed hard. "I need to get dressed," she murmured, walking away.
Kuwabara laughed and grabbed put on a shirt, before walking into the living room to join his mother.
"Good morning beautiful." he greeted her, giving her a kiss on the cheek.
"Good morning sweetie." she replied chipper.
"Mom, what did you say to Yukina? She pretty upset." he stated, flopping down next to her.
Noriko sighed and looked up from her newspaper. "Sweetheart, I simply suggested that she not parade around the house in a little t-shirt." she explained sweetly. "It's just not ladylike."
Kuwabara chuckled, the thought of Yukina not acting like a lady was funny. He sometimes wished she'd come out of her shell and be somewhat unladylike, but only in their intimate encounters.
"What's so funny Kazuma?" Noriko asked, a looked of confusion present on her face.
"Yukina, doesn't know how to be anything but a lady, mom." Kuwabara stated with a smile. "and this is her house too. So she'll walk around in her t-shirt if she wants." he wasn't being rude or confrontation, just calm and collected. "beside, she was wearing my state championships t-shirt. Look at the size difference between us mom. Her shirt wasn't that short."
Noriko sighed, "Why must you always stand up for her, and against your own mother? What is she doing to you to make you act this way?" Noriko wined, afraid of his answer.
"No mom, what has she done to you to make you act this way." he stressed. "Why do you hate her so much. She's harmless. I've already explained to you her hard life, why would you continue to treat her like shit?" he stressed, starting to become angry.
"Kazuma, this girl is trying to trap you!" Noriko stated frantically in a whisper, "She's only wants you because you're going to be huge someday, and rich and wealthy! Why else would she come to you for help!"
Kuwabara looked at her mother as if she'd lost her mind. "What the hell mom? Okay, first of all, Yukina has her own money, her own wealth now. And she didn't come to me for help, I came to her. I voluntarily helped her, because I love her. I have, for years." Noriko's mouth dropped. As the words 'for years' repeated in her mind.
"Mom, look, Yukina made me promise not to discuss all of this today. She wanted me to just take you and dad out and have a positive Saturday as a family. So let's just drop it, and get dress and go get some lunch." he stated in his usual calm voice.
Noriko bit her lip and nodded, just as Yukina emerged from the hallway, dressed in a pair of light blue jeans and a pink hoodie, matching snow boots donned her feet.
"Is Botan here?" Kuwabara asked looking back at her. She looked beautiful, her flowing midway down her back. She nodded and walked to the door. He hopped up from the couch and grabbed her wrist, pulling her into a hug.
"Be safe," he whispered.
Yukina nodded, "See you later." and with that she was out of the door.
"Keiko, here table three." Kotomi called out to her approaching daughter, who was just returning from taking another order. "Hey Fuj, here's six."
Keiko took the tray and delivered it to the table. She smiled weakly, just to please the regulars, but inside she was down. Yusuke hadn't return her calls this morning, and when she texted him he wouldn't text back. He was really pissed.
She didn't mean to accuse him. Everything just looked suspicious, and given Yusuke track record for girl, what made this girl different.
She'd be lying if she said she wasn't flattered by his irate reaction to Shishi's phone call. The way he roared into the phone at Shishi, dominantly proclaiming Keiko as his, was just…sexy!
"There that beautiful smile!" an elderly lady commented as Keiko placed her food on the table. She didn't even notice she was smiling so big at her thoughts.
"Here you go. Enjoy." Keiko said cheerfully before walking away.
As she made her way back to the counter to pick up her next order she began to feel her cell phone vibrating in her apron pocket.
'Oh my gosh! Maybe this is Yusuke!' she thought frantically. She reached in her pocket and slid her slider phone up. It was Shishi. She sighed and read the texts.
Shishi, 01/24/2008, 11:45a.m.: Good morning.
She sighed and shoved her phone back in her apron pocket. He could wait, she had work to do, the shop was overly crowded/
Yukina and Botan scaled the large campus of the University of Tokyo. It was a beautiful campus, so after turning in there applications, and picking up scholarship information, they decided to take their own tour.
"This is going to be so great Yukina!" Botan gushed as they walked through the girl's dormitories. "We'll be living together over here, and Kurama and Kuwabara will across the campus at the boys dorms."
"I wish Keiko was joining us." Yukina replied softly.
"Yeah me too." Botan stated smiling weakly, "But she'll be living her dream."
Yukina nodded. Her thoughts reverted back to her relationship. She and Kuwabara were still on edge, his last words before she walked out slightly irritated her. He was always worrying and it was taking the fun out of they're relationship. And his mother's attitude towards their relationship wasn't helping.
"How are things with Kuwabara?" Botan asked as if reading Yukina's mind.
Yukina shrugged, "We still haven't come to a compromise about his overprotection."
"Really?" Botan asked in shocked, "But its been like three weeks."
"Yeah, I mean, we haven't been arguing, but there is some tension there. And Noriko…" Yukina fell short of her words simply shaking her head.
"She's still being a bitch?" Botan asked and stated.
"Basically." Yukina giggled at Botan's choice words.
"Well, to hell with her. Its her loss." Botan stated as they walked into the student union building.
"What do you mean?" Yukina asked looking up at her friend."
"I mean Kuwabara loves you. And I know you're going to be together for a while, so if she wants to miss out on forming a relationship with the future mother of her grandkids, then to hell with her. She'll just be miserable, because you and Kuwabara are going to be perfectly happy." Botan explained nonchalantly.
"I wish she was more accepting like Shiori." Yukina sighed.
"Well she's not, and that's no reason for you to let her get you down like this." Botan shot back, "You should consider yourself the privilege. Not her."
Yukina smiled and nodded. Botan was right, she was spending too much time worrying about Kuwabara's mother not liking her, when she should be working things out with her boyfriend.
She was just about to replied when she heard someone hesitantly speak her name.
"Yukina?"
Both girls turned to face, a shorter male, with short blue hair and green bangs. His icy blue eyes were intense as he stated at Yukina. Botan thought he looked completely ridiculous.
'Eww…he's making blue hair look bad!' She thought frantically, as she looked over at her friend.
Yukina's jaw dropped at the sight of him. "Touya?" she asked softly.
He nodded. "What a surprise to see you here! Do you attend here?" he asked confused.
Yukina shook her head, "No, we were just applying." she cut her sentence short, still in complete shock. "Wow. I, Uhh…really can't believe I'm seeing you again. Its been like three years."
Botan sat back confused. Who was this guy? An old boyfriend maybe?
"Oh gosh where are my manners." Yukina fumbled. "Touya this is one of my best friend Botan." she stated pointing at her friend. "Botan this is Touya. We went to the private school together, Before I came to Sariaki. He was a close friend of mine."
"It's a pleasure to meet you Botan," he spoke like a gentlemen, but he kept his eyes contently on Yukina.
"Same here." Botan replied quickly.
"Well, I have to be in class in about fifteen minutes. I'd really like to see you again Yukina." he stated looking at his watch, "Can we exchange numbers?"
Yukina didn't think twice about it. "Of course, here." she said handing him her cell phone, and taking his. After the two quickly typed in their numbers, Touya bid them farewell and went on his way.
"Who was that guy?" Botan asked looking at her friend curiously.
"Let's grab some lunch. And I'll tell you the story." Yukina stated, walking into the food court.
Okay so this is a pretty long chapter, so it should make up for the month I spent writing it lol!
Read/review.
I'm changing the name of the story to, "The definition of Love"
Its simply because my original plan was to MAINLY focus on Yusuke and Keiko's problems. But now I've noticed that every couple has its own separate storyline all dealing with trying to hold on to their relationships despite obstacles. So I'm changing the name to suit everyone! So the next time you receive a new chapter email remember I changed the name.
Until the next time….