A.N: This chapter was really hard to write, but I'm reasonably happy with it. The next chapter will see Yusuke's return. Don't worry, the Spirit Detective saga is coming after this set up!

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!

I don't own YYH, just my OCs

Chapter 3

In her dream, Sakura jumped about a foot in the air. That voice...where had it come from?

"Who's there?" she cried out.

"It's me, Kura. Who else?"

Sakura looked around wildly. Was this still a dream? Had she lost her mind? Was she really hearing her brother's voice? "Y-Yusuke?"

"Yeah, Squirt. It's really me,"

"Is this some sort of sick joke? Or am I dreaming?"

"Sakura, I'm not joking. I'm here...well, sort of. I'm a ghost right now,"

He appeared in front of her, dressed in the same clothes he'd worn that morning and looking far more serious than she'd ever seen him in life.

"A ghost? Now I know I'm dreaming,"

"Yes, you are dreaming, but that's the whole point. See, it turns out humans are more spiritually aware when sleeping, and because we're twins our minds were already heavily connected, so you're the easiest one to talk to. Besides, Mom's having a total fit downstairs. You should see her, smashing bottles everywhere. I'm not about to even try that,"

"Yusuke, I'm so...so sorry! About what I said before you died. I-I just…" Overwhelmed with emotion and completely exhausted, Sakura began to cry again.

"Relax Squirt, I'm not worried about that. In fact, what you said actually inspired me to save that kid," Yusuke smiled. "I'm not angry at you, so don't beat yourself up about it, ok?"

Sakura reached out to her brother in despair. "How am I supposed to go on without you, Yusuke? I don't think I can,"

"Well, that's why I'm here," Yusuke explained. "See, I've met up with Botan, she's the Grim Reaper here in Spirit World. And long story short, after I go through some ordeal, I'm coming back,"

Sakura's eyes widened so much it was a miracle they didn't fall out. "Coming back? But how?"

"I don't really have time to explain it all, but you've got to keep my body from being cremated, ok? Tell Mom to chill out and not worry, because I'll be back soon,"

"Of course, Yusuke. I'll look after you,"

"I know I've been a complete ass to you sometimes, but that's all going to change. I'll see you soon, so don't worry,"

He reached forward and touched her face. Sakura caught his hand and pressed it against her cheek.

"Make sure you talk to Keiko too. She's incredibly upset,"

"Don't I know it," Yusuke looked sheepishly at the ground. "Between the racket she was making and your complete breakdown, I didn't know what to think. By the way, standing up to Iwamoto and Rat Face like that… you were a total badass,"

"If Takenaka hadn't shown up when he did, I would have slapped them into the middle of next week,"

"Let me know when you do so I can be there," Yusuke grinned. "I have to go to Keiko now, but I'll see you soon. And, uh, try not to cry about me, ok? You're stronger than that,"

Yusuke brushed the hair from Sakura's tear-stained face. "Be safe, Kura. I'll see you really soon,"

"See you soon," Sakura whispered.

With a final squeeze of her hand, Yusuke faded from sight.

She awoke with a jolt. The sunlight was streaming through her window. Sakura slowly sat up and contemplated what she'd just seen.

Could that have actually happened? Or was it just the manifestation of wishful thinking? She buried her face in her hands. Nothing made sense anymore.

Sakura rolled out of bed and began padding downstairs. She groaned at the sight of her mother, asleep with her head on the casket and broken alcohol bottles strewn about the room. She could only guess what had transpired overnight…

Wait.

Sakura could have sworn Yusuke had said something about their mother throwing a fit downstairs? Smashing bottles? Their mother had never smashed bottles before. So how could she have dreamt that detail?

Unless it hadn't been a dream.

"Mother! Mother!" Sakura dashed over just as she heard a knock at the door.

"Atsuko? Kura?" It was Keiko, already dressed for school. She gingerly opened the door. "Hey, are you in there?"

Atsuko opened her eyes. "Sakura? Oh, hi Keiko,"

"Hello. Did I wake you?"

"No, it's fine," Sakura assured her. Keiko seemed much calmer than she had last night.

"I just had the strangest dream about Yusuke," Atsuko stated more thoughtfully than she'd ever spoken before. Keiko gasped. Sakura's attention immediately spiked, hanging onto Atsuko's every word.

Atsuko ran a hand through her hair. "Yusuke was living in some other world full of ogres and he kept knocking them down until he became their leader," She chuckled softly. "Sounds like him, doesn't it,"

"Yeah, I guess it does," Sakura muttered, trying - and failing - to keep the disappointment out of her voice.

"I dreamed, too," Keiko said softly.

"Oh? Was it like mine?"

Keiko seemed uncertain. "Um…"

"Then maybe it was true," For someone who'd been up drinking all night, Atsuko was surprisingly lucid.

Sakura shook her head. She couldn't afford to get her hopes up.

Keiko hesitated, then smiled. "Yes, maybe it was,"

With a sad look at Sakura, she quietly shut the door. "Kura, I guess you won't be at school today,"

Sakura looked down at herself, still in the t-shirt and shorts she'd worn to bed. "Um...no, I mean yes, I actually will come, but do you mind coming upstairs real quick? There's something I want to show you,"

Keiko looked confused, but followed Sakura upstairs. "Kura, there's no way you can go to school today, you look like you're about to collapse again!"

Sakura closed her bedroom door. "Keiko, your dream…" she began.

"Kura, take a breath," Keiko shook her head. "And for God's sake, sit down, you're swaying on your feet,"

Sakura hadn't noticed, but now Keiko mentioned it, she was off balance. Potentially a side effect from the sedative she'd been given? Taking Sakura's shoulders, Keiko forced her to sit down on the bed.

"Ok, Kura, what did you want to show me?"

"What did you dream about last night? You dreamed about Yusuke too, didn't you?"

"...Yes," Keiko admitted, flushing. "He made an appearance,"

"And did he...did he tell you anything?"

"Well, I, uh…I don't know if I should say," Keiko faltered.

Sakura grabbed her friend's hands. "Keiko, if you remember anything he said to you, you've got to tell me!"

"He asked me to look after you," Keiko stammered, looking startled at Sakura's urgency.

"And?!"

"Um, he said something about...coming back…"

"I knew it!" Sakura burst out excitedly. "He did come to me last night! And then I told him to go see you, and he did!"

"Kura, for the love of God, calm down and think about this. We both care for Yusuke, and I can't even imagine the pain you're in right now, but how could he possibly come back? He's...d-dead. You saw him yourself,"

"He came to me. I know it," Sakura said fiercely. "My brother is coming back,"

"Look, I...I just don't know, ok? It was a dream. And it felt real, but how could it be?" Keiko hung her head.

"He told me Mother was smashing bottles downstairs. Mother never does that, how could he have told me in a dream unless he'd seen it and was really there?"

"Kura, has it ever occurred to you that you might have heard the glass smashing subconsciously? And since when are dreams ever logical? For crying out loud, I once had a dream that my bathtub started flying, but you sure don't see that happening in the real world,"

"It wasn't a dream, I'm sure of it! Yusuke is coming back!" Sakura shouted, jumping to her feet. "I have to stop the funeral, I can't let them burn him - !"

"Sakura Urameshi!" Keiko said in an uncharacteristically stern tone, the kind she usually reserved for when Yusuke was getting fresh with her. Sakura paused from the shock of seeing her best friend's glare.

"What, Keiko?"

"Look at you, you're a mess. You haven't been sleeping, you had to be sedated last night and you're practically wild with emotion now. Look in the mirror if you don't believe me,"

Sakura reluctantly looked at her mirror. Keiko was right. She was a hot mess. Her hair resembled a bird's nest, her eyes were swollen and bloodshot from crying and the dark circles were more prominent than ever.

"Oh God," Sakura breathed. Once again, her stinging eyes welled up. She threw back her head and stared at the ceiling, as if looking up would make the tears drain back inside her.

"No, no, I can't sit up here. I need to go back downstairs and clean up that broken glass...and I can't be late for school…Keiko, what am I doing? What the hell is wrong with me?"

She covered her face with her hands as her body started shaking with sobs once again.

"Shhh, it's ok, it's going to be ok Kura," Keiko wrapped her arms around Sakura. "Now, I have to go to school, but I want you to take care of yourself today. You're number one priority right now. Not me, not Atsuko and certainly not school, understand?"

Sakura nodded, crying too hard to speak.

"Good," Keiko smiled. "Look, I don't know whether our dreams were real or not, but for now just get some rest, and I'll come over tonight so we can talk some more, ok? Maybe you can come stay at my house tonight,"

"Ok, I will," Sakura choked, wiping her eyes. She chuckled weakly. "You know, Yusuke wouldn't be too impressed if he saw what a wreck I am. He'd probably punch me,"

Keiko smiled softly, brushing the wetness from her own eyes. "I'll see you after school, ok?"

"Sure Keiko. Be safe,"

Keiko left and Sakura flopped down on her bed. Keiko didn't know whether Yusuke really had spoken to them, yet something deep inside Sakura told her this was real. She could have sworn she actually felt Yusuke touch her face. Her heart knew Yusuke had communicated with her.

"I know you were there, Yusuke," she whispered.

A knock at the door jolted her attention again. It was Atsuko.

"Sakura? Honey, are you ok?"

Sakura raised herself up onto her elbow. "I'm fine, Mother,"

"Keiko was worried about you when she left, and I think she's right,"

Sakura didn't know what to say. "I'll live, Mother,"

Atsuko didn't look convinced. "Sakura, the doctor left more sedatives for you last night, and I want you to take another one. You look terrible,"

While Sakura recalled the sedative, she couldn't remember the doctor's presence. But to be fair she'd been in complete hysterics at the time. She took the tiny white pill from Atsuko and obediently swallowed.

"Mother, when Keiko arrives after school, just send her up here, ok?"

"Sure, sweetheart," Atsuko nodded, stroking Sakura's hair in a rare gentle moment.

Sakura lay there, enjoying the feeling of her mother acting like a parent for once. Of course, this wasn't likely to be a permanent change, but she'd appreciate it while it lasted.

Before long, the drugs seemed to be taking effect, or was it sheer exhaustion that caused her eyelids to become heavy? Sakura closed her eyes and was out in seconds.

Despite what she'd been hoping, Sakura didn't dream of her brother. Only of darkness.

Botan sighed. "This dream your mother had seems to bring her comfort, and Keiko doesn't want to take that away from her,"

Yusuke gritted his teeth. "Well, while she's comforted I'm going to be a barbecue. But Kura's asleep. Think I can talk to her again?"

"Hmm, it's unlikely at this moment. Those sedatives have almost certainly walled her mind off,"

"Botan, is there any other way to communicate with living people? This dream business isn't going to cut it!"

Botan cocked her head. "I wonder…"

"Kura! Kura, wake up! You have to see this!"

Sakura awoke to hands shaking her. Her blurry vision slowly focused on Keiko, who looked both frantic and excited.

"Huh? Keiko? What's wrong?"

"It's Yusuke! You have to come downstairs right now!" Keiko seized Sakura's hand and pulled her up. Sakura stumbled after her. In the living room, Atsuko was kneeling at Yusuke's open casket, stroking his hair.

"Mother? Keiko? What's going on?"

Atsuko pointed a trembling hand at Yusuke's body. "I opened up his coffin again because… well, I was going to smack him one more time for leaving me, then I saw…"

"Look!" Keiko pointed. Sakura looked inside the coffin and felt her heart stop. Yusuke's face had regained colour. She dropped to her knees and pressed her ear over his chest. It was faint, but unmistakable. Yusuke's heart was beating, and his skin was warm.

"Unbelievable…" Sakura whispered.

"My boy's alive," Atsuko smiled, her eyes full of tears. All three women cried, but this time with joy.

That night in her room, Sakura couldn't sleep. She sat on her bed, turning questions over and over in her mind. Where was Yusuke now? When would he come back properly? What had he meant by "ordeal"?

She didn't know, and staring at the walls yielded no answers. Getting up, she opened her window, feeling the cool night air on her face.

Yusuke, where are you?

Suddenly, the hairs on the back of her neck stood up at attention. She wasn't alone in the room anymore. Maybe she never had been.

"Kura," That voice. It was unmistakable.

"Yusuke? Is that you?"

"Yeah, Squirt, it's me," The words floated into her mind, though they registered as if spoken aloud.

Sakura slowly turned around. There he was, transparent and floating above the ground in front of her.

"Bro, if that's really you, then tell me something only you would know," Sakura hated doubting, but she had to know.

"What?! You're kidding, right?"

"Please Yusuke, I just have to know if I'm losing my mind or not!" Sakura pleaded.

"Ugh, fine Squirt, but this is stupid. You started wearing a bra when we were eleven,"

"Wait, what?! How could you possibly know that?!" Sakura nearly yelled. She heard her twin laugh in response.

"That means I'm right, not that I needed your confirmation, Miss B Cup. You didn't exactly have high grade security on your laundry,"

Sakura gritted her teeth and made a mental note to pummel her brother into oblivion if he did come back.

"Ok, fine. It's you. I just had to be sure,"

There was no denying it. The green outfit, that mischievous grin - no, right now his face resembled a thunderstorm - the brown eyes, just like hers.

"Kura, I'm really not in the mood for this, ok? I've spent the whole day trying to get hold of Keiko so she could convince Mom not to cremate my body,"

"Why didn't you just come to me in my dream again? Didn't you say something about humans being more spiritually connected during sleep?"

Yusuke looked mortified. "I would have, but unfortunately for both of us, you were so strung out on those chill pills you were a brick wall. I had to hitch a ride in Kuwabara's body and talk to Keiko that way,"

Sakura blinked and began howling with laughter, mainly at the irritated scowl Yusuke was wearing.

"Shut up Squirt, it's not that funny!" Yusuke snapped angrily.

"Speak for yourself!" said a high, clear voice.

Sakura looked around wildly. "Who was that?!"

"It's Botan," Yusuke grumbled, as a young woman floated lazily into Sakura's room. Her blue hair was swept into a high ponytail and had an infectious smile on her pretty face. She was riding on what appeared to be an oar, wearing a pale pink kimono.

"Pleased to meet you, Sakura," she said politely. "I'm Botan, pilot of the River Styx!"

"Well, that explains the oar," Sakura muttered.

"Quite!" Botan laughed in a silvery tone. "I suppose you could also call me the Grim Reaper, but the point is, I'm helping Yusuke back into Living World," Yusuke rolled his eyes in response.

"I feel like I owe you an apology for having to put up with his attitude," Sakura said to Botan, who merely smiled.

"Well, he's certainly irritable, but I can handle that. I wonder though, how did he end up having such an attractive twin sister?"

"According to Mother, I sucked the beauty out of him in utero," Sakura grinned. "Poor Yusuke never had a chance in the looks department. Or the brains department, for that matter,"

"I'm right here, you damn brat!"

"It's nice to see at least one of you has manners. Hopefully this ordeal will beat some into him," Botan chirped. Yusuke looked as though he was ready to explode.

Sakura realised something. "Wait a minute, if I'm not asleep, how is it I'm able to see you and talk to you like this?"

"An excellent question!" Botan pulled out a small notebook and began flicking through the pages. "It seems because the two of you are twins, your minds already had a natural connection, and therefore easier to communicate with in terms of Spirit Energy,"

"Spirit Energy?" Sakura asked blankly. "What on earth are you talking about?"

"It's far too complicated to explain in detail now," Botan closed her book. "But it's definitely something you'll both learn more about when Yusuke returns. I assure you this connection will be of utter importance,"

"O...K?" Sakura was more lost than ever.

"Well, it was lovely to make your acquaintance, Sakura. I'm sure I'll be seeing you soon, but we must be off. Lots to do before Yusuke can come back!"

Botan swept out the window, dragging Yusuke along with her.

"What do you suppose this ordeal is?" Keiko asked Sakura quietly.

Sakura didn't answer right away. She stopped walking and gazed out over the water, feeling Yusuke's presence somewhere close by. The sun was slipping out of sight and the two girls were making their way to the Yukimura's for dinner.

Sakura's first day back at school had been harder than she thought. The mutterings, finger pointing and awkward looks in the halls were beyond irritating. It seemed everybody expected her to snap and become a delinquent in Yusuke's absence, as Akashi had loudly predicted in front of the class.

"I'm not sure," Sakura said at last. "But I can't wait to see the look on everyone's faces when he comes back to life,"

Keiko smiled. "Akashi won't be happy. Nor will Iwamoto,"

Sakura giggled. "Rat Face? He'll have a heart attack. Now let's go eat. I haven't had a decent meal since before this whole mess started,"

"Are you in the mood for ramen?" Keiko turned to keep walking, but suddenly stopped with a shriek.

Whipping her head around, Sakura could see why she was scared. Blocking their route were three boys, and judging by the uniform they were from Kasenagafuchi Junior High.

Sakura took a step back. "Do you mind?"

"Not at all," The first one said coolly. "Think of it as a toll road, ladies. You give us five hundred dollars, we let you pass by,"

Sakura's heart was racing. Usually, no-one would dare approach her for fear of Yusuke, but that wasn't an option this time. And she'd never been in a real fight before, let alone three against one.

"Do we look like we carry that much? Just get out of the way, losers. I'm not in the mood,"

"No toll, no luck," the first thug sneered. "Looks like you're going nowhere,"

"Or I'm sure we could find other ways for you to pay!" The second thug wearing a surgical mask grabbed Keiko.

"Don't you touch me!" Keiko screeched.

The masked thug smiled. "Maybe I'll let you see what's under my mask!"

"That's easy, bad breath!" Keiko snapped.

Lunging forward, Sakura swung her book bag with all her might at the thug's face. "Let her go!"

The thug holding Keiko ducked his head, easily avoiding Sakura's makeshift weapon. Sakura lost her balance and ended up on the ground where the third gang member twisted her arm behind her back.

Oh crap, we're in trouble. Yusuke, what do I do?!

"Hands off!" a furious voice commanded. Kuwabara was standing there, flanked by the rest of his gang. None of them looked happy, but Kuwabara was livid.

The thugs backed off and Sakura jumped to her feet. "Kuwabara?"

"Hey there, Sakura," Kuwabara and his friends walked forward. "I take it you guys are from Kasenagafuchi Junior High," he growled at the three bullies. "That's where all the idiots go to school,"

They meant business. Keiko and Sakura drew close to each other. Neither of them were sure of what they were supposed to do.

Kuwabara smiled at them. "It's ok, just go on home now,"

"But…" Keiko stared in amazement.

"Let's just call it an apology for yesterday," Kuwabara muttered.

Sakura didn't know what to say. "Thank you," she whispered, and pulled Keiko away from the inevitable punchup.

Kuwabara glared at the boys who'd attacked them. "You know, I really can't stand it when guys pick on people weaker than them. But I guess I'll do it to you anyway!"

The two girls ran off, letting the sounds of the brawl fade into the distance.

It wasn't until later on when Sakura was studying for their upcoming physical science test that she stopped to wonder why Kuwabara had been so quick to defend them. As far as she was aware, Keiko and Kuwabara didn't really know each other, and she was the twin sister of his arch rival.

Before going to bed, she slipped downstairs to where Yusuke's body waited. He looked peaceful, but so vulnerable. It seemed impossible that this lifeless body would soon be alive again. But Sakura couldn't help trusting what her heart said.

Yusuke was coming back. Life was irrational and truth was stranger than fiction.

"See you soon, bro," she ruffled his hair and switched off the light, not knowing that he was already there.

Botan glanced at Yusuke. "You're very lucky to have a sister like her,"

Yusuke smiled. "Damn right I am,"