WRITERFREAK001:

Because I won't be able to work on this story until after my grandfather's funeral next week, I wanted to post an update. I hope you enjoy!

Rescue

~ WriterFreak001 ~

~ CHAPTER TWO ~

"I apologize Keiko for roping your husband into this secret mission, but I do believe he is the only one who can successfully see what we're up against. He may be a dimwit at times, but he's the best at changing tactics at a moment's notice." Koenma tries to explain, most likely hoping I won't clobber him in the process. I mean, it was one thing when Yusuke was going to Makai for silly errands; however, it's something else entirely when he's being sent in without a clue of what's going to happen on the other side. "So, you can see why I need him."

"Why not Kurama or Hiei? They're far better at strategizing than Yusuke. Why not send them?" I try to reason with Koenma even though I know I'm wasting my breath. I just… I just can't understand why it has to be the father of my baby instead of someone else – anyone else.

"Hiei patrols the door to Demon World; his scent is too recognizable. Plus, I doubt he even cares about the power shift. Kurama, on the other hand, is doing some other reconnaissance work for me from a different angle. He is actually the one who suggested Yusuke for the task. So, if you must be mad at anyone, be mad at him." Koenma grins like a mischievous cat, and I can't help but roll my eyes. Obviously, he doesn't want to too much responsibility.

"Just know this," I tower over Koenma's toddler form, and he looks upward, nervously. "If Yusuke dies because of this mission, YOU are going to bring him BACK to life because so help me, I will NOT raise this child by myself."

Koenma takes a few steps back as a sweat drop falls down the side of his face. "Dually noted."

As he scrambles away, I see you smirking in the distance as you bring in my final suitcase. I can't help but grin back. You stop in front of me, sit down my luggage, and rest your large palms on my shoulders.

"You're spunkier than usual," you chuckle softly before nodding forward to kiss my forehead. "Super sexy."

"Maybe the baby is inheriting your attitude," I poke at your side gently, and you laugh loudly, causing me to blush a little. "What's so funny?"

After a couple minutes of continuous laughter, you finally say, "Oh Keiko. No. You've been a fiery pistol since day one. If anything, our child is amplifying what's already there."

Before I can respond, a familiar, soft voice calls my name from behind me. I turn around, and I feel your right arm wrap around the small of my back to keep me steady. A smile warms my lips when I see my friend, Yukina grinning sweetly. She carefully walks up to me and takes my hands into hers. "It's so good to see you."

"And you too," I beam with happiness. "I can't believe it's been almost two years since the last time we met up. How is everything at the temple?"

"Oh, you know. Quiet and peaceful. As it should be." Yukina replies as she releases my hands and latches her fingers together in front of her. "I know it must be troublesome to leave your home at short notice for the time being, but I'm sure you'll see this place as an oasis while you're here. I'll be very thankful for your company." She pauses a little. "Though I must be honest, the native demons to the forest have been acting strange recently. I, too, can sense a shift within Makai, so I think they are also picking up on the atmosphere's disturbance seeping out of Demon's Cave. However, you should be safe here. Puu has been keeping these demons away from the temple. Koenma has also helped with setting up a barrier as an extra layer of security. It will be activated at night while we're sleeping."

"Thank you for the honesty," I lean closer to your side, and you naturally tug me even closer. "I do feel safer knowing that both you and Puu will be here with me while Yusuke is away. I just… I hope it won't be for too long, though. I don't want Yusuke to miss the birth of his child."

"I will try my damnedest to get back before then." You whisper in my ear before kissing my cheek.

"If he can't make it back, please be assured that I am capable of helping with the delivery. Back home, I helped deliver many babies for the women in my village before I left to find my brother." Yukina reaches over and squeezes my left hand softly again. "You're in safe hands."

"Thank you," I smile softly with tears brimming my eyes. I can't lie, I'm worried. I want you home for the arrival of our child, but I have this feeling in the pit of my gut like something bad is about to happen.

"You're most welcome," Yukina grins brightly. "Now, why don't the two of you go to Keiko's room and say your goodbyes privately. I believe Koenma would like to leave no later than a half hour. We'll be out here when you return."

Good idea." You agree as you easily pick up my suitcase. Yukina leaves us to talk to Koenma as you tug me towards the back room where I will be staying. As I am whirled inside the bedroom, you close the door, walk slowly towards me and begin unbuttoning my blouse. "And if I'm going to be gone for a few weeks to a few months," you fling my shirt open and bend down to press a soft kiss above my navel, "then I have a lot to say goodbye too."

I shake my head in dismay. "You're such a perv."

"I'm talking about the baby," you deadpan instantly, causing me to giggle.

"Of course, you are," I dramatically roll my eyes when I feel your mouth gently moving lower, just above my belt-buckle. Our eyes met, and though I don't think anything should distract us from saying our goodbyes, I can't resist the longing in your wavering eyes. It may be a long time before we are reunited again… So I smile, giving you all the consent you need to continue.

oOoOoOo

~ MEANWHILE WITH YUKINA & KOENMA ~

"I don't like this," Yukina frowns the moment she hears the back door close shut. "I think they should know the truth."

"I'm sorry, Yukina. I know keeping secrets isn't fun between friends, but the less they know, the better. It's true that I need Yusuke on this mission because we really do need to find out what's going on in Demon World without detection, but if we tell Yusuke about the bounty, then he'll never leave Keiko's side. Once Yusuke is in Makai, I'll arrange for Botan and Shizuru to come here too for extra protection. If needed, Kurama can be here in five minutes. He understands to lay low unless there's an issue." Koenma is no longer in toddler form. "I know Kurama is more suited for the mission in Makai, but if Yusuke stays here and finds about my father's bounty on Keiko and their unborn child, he'll go on a murdering rampage in Spirit World. I won't put it behind him. Especially if it means protecting Keiko and their child."

Yukina bites her bottom lip. "But what if these bounty hunters are too much for us to handle. What if your father sends more than one at the same time? We can only hold off so many at once."

"Then we will execute Plan B."

"What's Plan B?" Yukina asks, not sure if she will like it.

"Send Keiko to Demon World."

"What?! She can't go there!" Yukina shakes her head in disbelief. "She won't survive!"

"But that's the thing…," Koenma crosses his arms and leans against one of the temple's pillars. "Because of Yusuke's offspring growing inside her, I believe she can and will survive over there."

"Then why don't we just send her over to Demon World now?" Yukina turns towards the back room, worrying about her pregnant friend before returning her attention to Koenma, hoping he has a solid answer.

Koenma nods, understanding her confusion. "Because, like it or not, we need to lure the bounty hunter so that we can catch the one responsible for the bounty. That's why Kurama is hiding in the shadows. He'll hopefully counter the bounty hunter first before the hunter has a chance to arrive at the temple grounds. And if that doesn't work for whatever reason, we have the spiritual barriers in place. Keiko should not have any reason to worry while being here, and she cannot know about the bounty situation unless telling her is absolutely unavoidable. Am I clear?"

"Of course," Yukina promises with a nod. "But I still don't like it. Lying hurts people, and Yusuke will be very upset if he finds out."

"You let me handle Yusuke if that ever comes to pass." Koenma says with finality before he walks over to Puu to check up on him.

Yukina softly clenches her right fist and holds it over her heart as she turns back towards the back room where her friends were saying their loving goodbyes. "I sincerely hope everything will be all right."

oOoOoOo

~ BACK WITH YUSUKE & KEIKO ~

"Do you really have to go?" I can't help but ask again because it hurts, knowing you will be in another dimension for a longer length of time again. I really don't want you to leave, but what can I do? How can I beg you to stay?

You pull me into your arms and then rest your right palm over our child. "I'm sorry, Keiko. I have to go – I'm the only one who can, apparently. Hopefully, this mission won't last as long as Koenma expects." I feel your lips on my neck, and I close my eyes to savor your touch. "But I will be back. I promise."

"You better be," I sport a pouty lip as your fingers lace with mine. "I just… I have a bad feeling, you know?" My voice suddenly cracks with a waver. "Like something terrible is going to happen." We sit up on the bed, and you hop off the mattress. You drop down to your knees and lean your forehead against our baby. My fingers comb through your thick, tousled hair as we sit in a numbing silence. I know you wouldn't want to leave if you didn't have to. I know. Which makes your departure so much harder this time. Tears fall from my eyes. I can't hold them in anymore, and you don't hold yours in either. I can feel tiny drops falling down my belly, but you don't meet my eyes right away. And that's okay.

We stay still for many moments before we're calm again. Slowly, you stand up and take my hand, helping me off of the bed. We make ourselves decent again, but as we're about the leave the bedroom, you suddenly stop as if you have just remembered something. And without warning, you march us out of the room, calling for Koenma.

"Koenma, get your baby ass out here right now!" you shout as you stomp through the temple, pulling me in tow. Koenma appears next to Puu as Yukina rushes forward.

"Is something the matter?" Yukina is quick to ask, but your attention is on Koenma only.

"I just remembered something interesting," you start off as Koenma crosses his arms nervously. "Kurama and Hiei told me a year ago or so that higher level demons – like the Mazoku – have powers of premonition or whatever – meaning, they can sense when something isn't right… when things are going wrong… or when bad shit is about to happen."

"Yes, demons have a sort of intuition if you will. Where is this going, Yusuke?" Koenma takes a step backward as you take one forward. I turn towards Yukina, and she looks worried.

"Ever since you told me about this mission, I have had a weird feeling in my stomach. Keiko also feels the same, and I'm pretty sure it's not morning sickness. The fact that we both feel like something is off about this whole mission can't be a total coincidence, can it?"

Koenma frowns and leans against the pillar behind him. He shuffles his feet, and he looks away for a few seconds as if he's contemplating on how to answer. "What the two of you sense is the shift in the atmosphere. It's a foreboding feeling, I'm sure. I can't say I'm surprised that Keiko can sense the disturbance. As we both know, she's pregnant with a demonic child who has undoubtedly inherited the Mazoku bloodline. There's no telling what abilities the child will give her as he or she continues to grow inside."

You don't look convinced with Koenma's answer, but you seem to settle for now. "You better be right, Toddler Breath."

I glance over to Yukina, and she can't seem to make eye contact. I frown when I turn my attention back to Koenma and notice the slight twitch in his left eye before he pulls you away to talk about something else.

Unfortunately, I couldn't tell if Koenma was telling the truth or not.

But one thing is for sure.

Yukina and Koenma are hiding something.

WRITERFREAK001:

Yay! Chapter 2 done! Please let me know what you think!