A.N I don't own YYH. This is just a creative exercise, a retelling of the story we all love through a female perspective. I hope you enjoy. Please feel free to comment/subscribe/review. Constructive criticism is welcome.

MARCH 2021 EDIT: The first 3 chapters have gone through significant rewrites to better reflect the story and characters. After spending several months writing the series, I felt like these shorter chapters needed an update!

Chapter 1

"Rise and shine, brother!"

No response. Sakura Urameshi's words apparently fell on deaf ears for the third time that morning. She rolled her eyes and looked at the cup in her hand.

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

Taking a step closer to her twin, she calmly tipped the full glass of water over his sleeping head.

The effect was instantaneous. Yusuke's eyes snapped open. He jumped out of bed with a yell, catching his feet around the twisted sheets and falling over with an impressive crash. Sakura couldn't contain her laughter at the sight of her twin brother's attempts to disentangle himself.

"What the hell, Sakura? What did you have to splash me for, you damn brat?!" Wearing only underwear and an oversized T-shirt, Yusuke's whole body dripped with both rage and water, but Sakura kept giggling, obviously not intimidated.

"I figured it was the only way to get you out of bed. And frankly, you could do with a shower. I did you a favour," she grinned, tossing him a towel.

"Yeah well, don't try that again Squirt, or you'll regret it," snapped Yusuke.

Sakura managed not to roll her eyes, but with difficulty, and started heading out the door. "Sure, bro. Whatever you say. Now get your butt downstairs. Ten days of skipping school is enough,"

"Ah, what's the use?" Yusuke scoffed ruefully. "We all know you're the one with the brains,"

Sakura paused and turned back to Yusuke. His arms were folded and he looked almost defeated. "Yusuke? Is there something on your mind?"

He looked up at her, almost like he was going to say yes, but apparently changed his mind at the last second. He shook his head firmly. "It's nothing," he muttered. "Ok Squirt, ok. I'll come to school, if it'll make you happy,"

Sakura's pale lips twisted into a smile. "'Squirt?'" she chuckled. "Still on that old nickname? You're only two minutes older than me,"

The young boy playfully punched his sister's shoulder. "You'll always be Squirt to me, Kura," Yusuke grinned. "Now beat it, I gotta put some pants on,"

Sakura returned to her own room. She picked up her hairbrush and stroked it through her long black hair before braiding it over one shoulder. A final glance in the mirror showed the impossibly dark circles under her soft brown eyes. She couldn't allow her face to betray the exhaustion she felt from the late nights of waiting up for Yusuke and their mother. Sakura hastily reached for the almost-empty tube of concealer to cover up the lack of sleep. At least she had been able to use the time for studying.

"Sakura!" A monotonous voice floated up the staircase.

Sakura leaned over the bannisters. "Yes, Mother?"

"Keiko's here,"

"I'm coming!" Sakura flew back to her room to grab her school bag. "Come on, Yusuke! We have to go!"

"I have to dry off first, Squirt!" Yusuke shot back. "Just go already!"

Sakura flung Yusuke's door open and glared daggers at him. "You better be at school today,"

"I already said I would, Kura," Yusuke shook his head. "Honestly, it's like you don't even trust me,"

"I wonder why that is?" Sakura said sarcastically. "Just hurry up, bro,"

Sakura ran downstairs, barely having a moment to register the sight of their mother draped over the lounge in the same clothes she'd worn the last two days straight. She hurried through the front door and closed it behind her.

"You made it!" a voice said brightly. Sakura whipped her head around to see her best friend Keiko Yukimura standing on the sidewalk, looking expectant. "Where's Yusuke?"

"Let's just say I got him out of bed and he's agreed to make an appearance today,"

Keiko gasped and smiled. "Does that mean we all get to walk together?"

"He's still getting his pants on," Sakura snorted. Keiko's face fell.

"Oh, cheer up. At least he's coming," Sakura encouraged.

Keiko shook her head slightly and sighed. "I guess you're right. Anyway, we should get going,"

Initially, the day passed uneventfully until the fourth period. Yusuke had vanished, again. Mr Akashi was in the midst of collecting homework when the principal, Mr Takenaka, entered the room.

"Yusuke Urameshi?"

Mr Akashi snorted derisively. "He's not here. Typical behaviour. His sister is though, so you have half the set,"

"I'd expect nothing less from a good student such as Sakura," Takenaka smiled warmly at the 14 year old girl. "Miss Urameshi, where is that brother of yours?"

"All I know is he arrived at school, sir. I really couldn't guess where he is now,"

Akashi bared his rat-like teeth, obviously unimpressed. "Well, go find the useless layabout!"

Sakura took a breath. "Certainly, if you wish,"

"Go on girl, get to it! Honestly, it's lucky you're easy on the eyes, or the pair of you would be expelled,"

"Mr Akashi! That is uncalled for!" Takenaka admonished, aghast.

Sakura gritted her teeth as Keiko stood up. "I'll go, sir. I'm class rep, and it's my duty,"

"I don't care who does it!" Akashi hissed, his eyes glittering with malice. "Just find that insufferable brat and drag him to the principal's office if you have to,"

"My brother is not a brat!" snapped Sakura, suddenly losing her cool.

Keiko grabbed Sakura's arm. "Let's go, Kura,"

The two girls dashed into the hall. Keiko hadn't missed the tears brimming in Sakura's eyes. "Kura, I'm so sorry,"

Sakura hastily rubbed at her eyes. "I'm fine," she muttered.

Keiko shook her head. "No, you're not,"

Sakura took a deep, shuddering breath as Keiko rubbed her back. "I know Yusuke's a pain, but damn it Keiko, he's not a bad person. He just...hasn't had the proper guidance,"

"I know," Keiko looked sympathetically at her friend. "Akashi was way out of line,"

"I don't care what Rat Face thinks," Sakura waved her hand dismissively. "I just don't know what to do,"

Keiko gasped. Sakura's tears had rubbed off her perfectly applied concealer, revealing the dark marks beneath. "Kura, have you slept at all this week?"

Sakura opened her mouth to deny it, but realised there was no point in lying."No," she admitted miserably. "Mother hasn't been home, neither has Yusuke. Someone has to keep the house together,"

Keiko stood silently, contemplating. "What can I do to help?"

"You already do. More than you could ever know," Sakura gave her friend a watery smile as the PA began blaring.

"Yusuke Urameshi, report to Mr Takenaka's office immediately! Urameshi! Can you hear me?!"

"I guess that's our cue. Shall we go find Yusuke?"

Keiko nodded. "You might not know where he is, but I do," she growled and stalked off, up the staircase leading to the roof. At the top, she turned to Sakura. "You don't need to say anything. I'll deal with him,"

"Be my guest," Sakura laughed.

Keiko pushed open the door and glared around, spotting Yusuke lounging on the roof without a care in the world, or his school uniform.

"Hey," he said. "Nice skirt,"

"All the girls have to wear these, just like the boys have to wear blue jumpsuits, and I notice you're not," Keiko glowered. Yusuke lazily pulled out a cracker and tossed it in the air, only to have Keiko snatch it away at the last second.

"Give me a break Keiko," scoffed Yusuke, who hadn't noticed his sister's presence. "I look better in green,"

"Well, maybe I'd be more tolerant if I could see you in school more than once every ten days, Yusuke!" Keiko snapped.

Yusuke merely yawned in response. Sakura remained half-hidden behind the door.

Keiko wasn't done. "You give our class a horrible attendance average, which gets me in trouble as a class representative. You won't even get to graduate middle school at this rate, and don't get me started on the trouble it causes your sister! Sometimes I think you don't care about anyone but yourself, and then you can't even do that right," Keiko whirled back to face him. "You hear me?!"

"Nice uniform...it's lacy," Keiko's speech was interrupted by the realisation that Yusuke was behind her, checking out something he had no right to see.

Sakura bolted to attention and went to intervene, but Keiko acted swiftly, slapping Yusuke's stupid face as hard as she could. He staggered to his feet, giggling.

"Yusuke, you perv! People like you should be strung up in the street!" Keiko screeched.

Yusuke finally realised Sakura was standing there and grumbled to himself. "What are you doing here, Squirt?"

"What does it look like?" Sakura replied. "I'm looking for your lazy ass,"

Yusuke rolled his eyes and took off down the stairs.

"Dumb boy. Hasn't grown up a bit since he was four years old," Keiko bristled.

"Yusuke! Don't you walk away from me!"

"Leave it, Kura," the sparks were still flashing from Keiko's eyes. "He's just….ugh!" she stomped off down the stairs.

Sakura stood quietly on the roof, anger coursing through her veins. She loved her twin, that was never in doubt, but she was seriously reaching the end of her patience with him. They were only fourteen, and he was heading down a destructive path for which she could see no solution.

Just as Sakura stepped back onto the staircase, she spotted Natsuko and Asami nervously talking to Keiko. "Keiko? Is he gone?"

"Why are you ducking around the corner?" Keiko blinked.

"Because we're scared of the Great Urameshi!" Asami whimpered.

Natsuko nodded wildly. "I don't see how you could actually talk to him!"

"Aren't you just terrified of what he might do to you?" Asami was aghast. "Or even worse, what people might say of it?"

Keiko frowned. "Not really. He just wants you to think that he's dangerous. On the inside, he's more like a lamb,"

Sakura breathed a slight sigh of relief. At least one person knew the truth.

Natsuko leaned forward with a secret. "Yeah, but you haven't heard the latest news about him, Keiko! He's super tough, and he kills for fun!"

"Yeah, and if you cross him he'll whistle for two thousand bad guys with guns!" Asami added.

Keiko burst out laughing, and realised Sakura was giggling as well. "Come on, Yusuke doesn't even know how to whistle. Right, Kura?"

Asami and Natsuko flinched at the sight of the Great Urameshi's twin. "Oh no, she heard! We're doomed! We're sorry, Sakura. Please don't set your brother on us!"

Sakura briefly considered the enjoyment she'd get out of scaring them, but decided to show mercy. "Chill out," she sighed. "You're wrong about my brother. The only thing Yusuke succeeds in killing is my sanity,"

Keiko nodded in agreement. "Besides, Yusuke couldn't order around two people, let alone two thousand. He doesn't have many friends,"

"Not what I heard!" Asami shook her head.

Natsuko folded her arms. "Yeah, I think we would know!" she said stubbornly.

"Oh for heaven's sake," Sakura's patience had reached its limit. "I don't have time for this!"

She shook her head to clear her mind and went to run after Yusuke, heavily suspecting he was about to leave the school grounds. Again.

Sakura wasn't the only one who'd had enough. Yusuke was making a beeline for the front gate. The PA was still relentlessly trying to get his attention, and it was driving him crazy.

"Urameshi! I know that you're here today. Come to my office immediately!"

Yusuke rolled his eyes. "Damn it, when is that old man ever gonna give up?"

"No way, man. You mean he just gave you his wallet? That's fresh!"

Yusuke recognised those voices. A couple of losers from his year not bothering to keep their voices low. Maybe now was the perfect time for a beatdown. He followed the voices to the source and found the boys behind a building.

"You bet it is. This guy up town tried hassling me, so I told him I was Urameshi's cousin. He just dropped it and ran!" The boy waved the wallet with a snicker.

"Well, what are you gonna do if either of them finds out you said that cousin stuff?" his bespectacled friend asked. "Not that his sister is a threat, but he'll kill you!"

"Spare me!" Wallet Boy chortled. "I'm not worried about Sakura. She's a mouse. And that blockhead Yusuke will probably think it's true!"

The boys realised too late that Yusuke was standing over them, and jumped up in fright. Glaring, Yusuke advanced on Wallet Boy. "What did you just call my sister, punk?"

"I swear, I didn't mean it!" The boy stammered and held out the wallet. "Take it, take it!"

Yusuke slammed his hand against the wall and drew back his fist. "You think I want your stupid money?"

An imposing figure appeared at the sound of the commotion. "Yusuke, put down that fist!" Mr Iwamoto, quite possibly Yusuke's least favourite teacher, strode forward and Yusuke backed off grudgingly.

"You boys are safe from him now," Iwamoto simpered, and spotted the wallet lying on the ground. "I see. Yusuke was beating you two up for your wallets. Typical scum behaviour,"

"Whatever," Yusuke snorted. There was no use denying anything. Iwamoto had it out for him.

With a sneer, Iwamoto pointed an accusing finger at Yusuke. "No good weeds like you should have been plucked a long time ago. You don't belong here! It's a wonder that your sister hasn't been infected by you yet. But I'm sure it's a matter of time,"

"You shouldn't talk," Yusuke scoffed. "It makes you sound stupid,"

Iwamoto glared, but Yusuke stalked off. He'd had enough. Time to go home. He was halfway out the gate when someone cuffed the back of his head.

"Ok, somebody's dead!" Angrily, Yusuke turned around to punch the person responsible, only to discover who it actually was. "Sorry, old man," He tried to play it off as a joke.

The principal gave him a stern look. "That's Mr Takenaka to you. I've been calling for you all morning on the loudspeaker,"

"Didn't hear it," Yusuke said snidely. "Guess it mustn't be so loud after all,"

Takenaka raised an eyebrow. "I couldn't help but notice you were leaving us,"

"Yeah, I got kicked out," Yusuke rubbed his head.

"Is that a fact, my good man?" Takenaka took hold of Yusuke's ear and began to lead him away. "Perhaps we should discuss it in my office. We'll have tea,"

Sakura reached the school gates in time to see Yusuke give the principal the slip using that stupid fake ear he'd won at the arcade when they were children.

"It's just a toy, old man," he snipped. "Thanks for the visit. Now leave me alone!"

"Yusuke, we can talk!"

Yusuke jumped off the fence, heading in the direction of their house. Ignoring Takenaka's calls, Sakura followed her brother. She caught up to him quickly and grabbed his shoulder.

"Oh hey Squirt, you coming home too?"

Sakura forced him to turn around. "What the hell is wrong with you, Yusuke?"

"What are you talking about? I came to school, didn't I?"

"Yeah, and didn't turn up to class, leaving me to deal with the fallout! Don't get me started on Akashi's wrath!" Sakura's temper was almost at breaking point.

"Rat Face? Who cares what he thinks?" Yusuke snorted.

"I don't!" Sakura shouted. "I care about you!"

"You've got a funny way of showing it," scoffed Yusuke. "I haven't forgotten this morning's wake up call,"

"Oh shut up. You're lucky I didn't drop a brick on your head!" Sakura was on a roll. There was no stopping her now. "Look at me Yusuke. Look at my face. I haven't slept all week…"

"It's not my fault you stay up every night studying," Yusuke snapped back.

"I stay up waiting for you!" For the second time that day, Sakura's eyes filled with tears of frustration. "Waiting for you to come home after spending all hours of the day and night fighting God-knows-who, God-knows-where. Waiting and praying with everything in me that you actually will come home and I won't get a phone call saying you've been found dead in an alleyway! God, Yusuke, I can't do this anymore. You could be so much more than you are, but it's like you just don't care! Do… do you WANT to be a loser your whole life?!"

Yusuke looked as though Keiko had slapped him again. He narrowed his eyes. "Well, when did I ever ask you to worry about me, you damn brat? It's none of your business what I do. Sorry I can't be as perfect as you, but that's just too damn bad. Everyone knows you're the one who has any chance in life, so why don't you go be perfect and stay the hell out of mine?"

"Maybe I will!" Sakura retorted, throwing up her hands in defeat. "God, why do I even bother? Go on you useless idiot, get lost. See if I care!"

Yusuke glared for a moment before turning and walking away as the bell rang.

Sakura slunk back through the gates, almost running into Mr Takenaka.

"Miss Urameshi…?"

"Mother says he was dropped. I think he was thrown," Sakura joked weakly.

"Sakura… it's not your fault," the older man said gently.

"No sir," Sakura mumbled. "I just need to get back to class,"

Yusuke stormed home in a rage, muttering to himself. First Sakura, then Keiko, Iwamoto and Takenaka. What was it, Torture Day?

"It figures that on the one day I feel like going to school everyone wants to push on me and give me their stupid lectures! Why does Kura even bother? I hate that school. I hate this town!"

He pushed the door open to find the TV blaring and Atsuko parked in front of it. No surprises there.

"Oh great. Mother of the year!" he said sarcastically.

Atsuko puffed her cigarette. "Get me a coffee,"

Reluctantly, Yusuke headed to the kitchen and switched on the stove. "I can't believe she's still in bed..."

"Why aren't you in school?" Atsuko frowned. "Shouldn't Sakura be with you?"

"They pissed me off, so I left," he replied. "Miss Perfect is where she's supposed to be,"

Atsuko rolled her eyes. "If you're never going to go there you might as well quit and get yourself a job,"

"Are you gonna give me a lecture too, Mom?" Yusuke shot back. "While you're in your pyjamas?"

Unconcerned, Atsuko changed the channel. "Dear, if you hate preaching so much you should live on your own. But you can't do that, can you?"

Angrier than ever, Yusuke stormed out of the house.

Sakura spent the rest of the day in silence, head down and working diligently without a word. As soon as the final bell rang, she raced off before Keiko could catch up. Regret and guilt were twisting Sakura's stomach and mind. Behind Yusuke's tough exterior, she had seen deep in his eyes how much her words had hurt him.

I...I was angry. She told herself, making her way down the street. We were both angry. Yusuke just needs to cool off. When I get home, we can talk.

Who was she kidding? He wouldn't be home. She'd be lucky if he came home tonight at all.

Yusuke stalked through the open mall and kicked a discarded can out of the way. "I swear, could this day possibly get any stupider?!"

Several people scattered at the sight of him, but Yusuke's body tensed. He could feel it. They had found him.

He was surrounded on all sides by the three gang members. Komada, Okubo and Miyamoto weren't letting him move any further until their fearless leader had his shot.

"Urameshi!" A huge orange-haired street punk stepped forward, ready for action. It was none other than Kazuma Kuwabara, Sarayashiki Junior High's resident blockhead and Yusuke's favourite sparring rival/punching bag.

Yusuke groaned internally. When was that moron going to get it through his head?

"Hey Kuwabara. You're conscious. I'm not used to that,"

Furious, Kuwabara grabbed him by the collar. "That was a cheap shot last time, and I was only knocked out for a little bit, ok?" he insisted, looking around for Sakura. "I only held back because your pretty sister was with you. But she's not here now, and I'm gonna beat your face up so bad even kittens won't look at you!"

Yusuke shrugged. At least Sakura wasn't going to get caught up in this one. "So sorry you caught me on such a bad day," he grinned. "It makes me a real jerk!"

Yusuke proceeded to vent his pent-up anger and frustration by pounding Kuwabara's face in. Despite the size difference, Kuwabara never stood a chance and soon he was on the ground.

Okubo held up a hand in self defence. "You win!"

"Don't hurt us!" Miyamoto begged.

Yusuke chuckled. Beating Kuwabara had apparently been the outlet he needed. "I feel better!"

Whistling, he slipped his hands back in his pockets and sauntered away.

Komada gingerly approached Kuwabara, who still hadn't gotten up. "Kuwabara, maybe you should stop picking so many fights with Urameshi,"

"That makes zero wins and one hundred fifty six losses!" Miyamoto squeaked.

"No!" Kuwabara howled. "I almost had him that time!"

Having bested Kuwabara in yet another street brawl, Yusuke walked down the street feeling slightly happier, although his sister's words turned over and over in his mind.

"You could be so much more than you are, but it's like you just don't care! Do...do you WANT to be a loser your whole life?!"

Damn brat. What did she know? He'd much rather she quit worrying about him and focus on her own life. She deserved so much more than he could ever hope to be.

A soccer ball bumped into his feet. Irritated, Yusuke picked it up as the cute little boy who owned it approached him.

It didn't take Sakura long to reach home. She just wasn't sure what she expected to find there. With any luck, her brother. She opened the door.

"Mother? Yusuke? Are you here?"

She was greeted by silence, though she could see her mother asleep in front of the TV. Sakura kicked her shoes off and headed for the kitchen.

The kettle had just finished boiling when Sakura doubled over, arms wrapped around her torso. Without warning, she felt a sudden chill pass through her, immediately followed by a sharp pain.

What on earth was that?

"Kura!" Keiko rushed to her side. "Are you ok?"

Sakura clutched at the table for support. "Keiko?"

"You ran out of school so fast, I was worried about you," Keiko sounded breathless. "I let myself in. What's wrong?"

The pain disappeared as quickly as it arrived. "It's nothing," Sakura smiled and took out two coffee cups. "Want some tea?"

"Sure," Keiko came over to help just as the phone rang. "Go on, I'll get the tea, you answer," Keiko smiled.

With a sigh, Sakura picked up the phone. "Hello, this is Sakura Urameshi...yes, that's my brother. If you're looking for him, I'm afraid he's not here right now...what?!"

The horror inflecting Sakura's tone caused Keiko to look up sharply, just in time to see Sakura drop the phone.

"Kura?"

Sakura's face was white. She stared as if in a daze. "It's Yusuke... something's happened..."

She fell to the floor and everything went black.