-struggling to open a bag of marshmallows- Come on open up. -looks up-
Oh hey there, ummm sorry but no roasted marshmallows today. I haven't had
any flames yet. But if you want these you can have them. Here just grab a
few and pass it around.
Ok anyways on with the thank yous::
Buttered-onions- Thank you so much for telling me about the bold and other stuff. Oh yes and thank you for the review. I just hope that this story can keep you intrigued for longer.
Yami-Aj Yu-Yu-InuCaptor- Thankies for the review.
Jemintra- I hope this was a.s.a.p. enough. It would have been sooner but my friend's sister had a baby, then there was the baby shower, then the cat got sick, then my bro accidentally erased the file then...well lets just say I've been going non stop for a while.
Animefangirl- Thank you for the review.
LadyofAnime- Thank you for the review.
Ok before I begin I just wanted to say that for the long wait and because of the fact that this chapter is not as action packed so that's why I'm putting the next chapter up in two days.
'thoughts', "talking"
---
Chapter 2- Reminiscing
Yusuke rolled over in bed accidentally smacking Hiei in the process. Sleepily he glanced over at the sleeping figure. Gently Yusuke smiled amazed that such a rough demon could look so innocent sleeping.
Carefully Yusuke hopped out of bed and went into the kitchen. Sighing he grabbed the phone and dialed Kuwabara's number.
Quietly he snuck out to the back porch and walked down to the middle of the yard. He sure the hell did not want to face the wrath of Hiei.
After three rings a groggy voice answered the phone.
"Hey Kuwabara I was wondering how Kurama was." Yusuke was quick to get to the point. Even though Hiei was still out cold, Yusuke did not want to get on his hate list for talking to his longtime friend.
Kuwabara turned his brown eyes over to the red head that slept soundly. "He's fine, I guess. Kurama lost a lot of blood but he should be fine." Kuwabara's eyes shifted from the sleeping boy to a group picture. His eyes landed on the angelic face of Yukina. With stinging tears he took a deep breath. "Hey Urimeshi let me ask you something. Is Hiei, uh well, is he mad at me still?"
Yusuke, who had been in the middle of swatting away a pesky bird, stopped in mid swat. He knew what Kuwabara meant. After all Yusuke had been playing peace keeper in hopes of saving the team.
The subject was still a touchy one. That day was the day that he had lost the love of his life and a good friend.
Sighing Yusuke resumed to trying to swat away the pesky bird. "Yeah, I'd haveta say so since I'm out here ready to spirit gun a pesky bird."
The tone that he heard next made Yusuke wince, so much hurt in it. Hurt and anger.
"Oh well then I better let you go then. Tell Hiei I hope that he gets better soon. Bye." Hastily he hung up the phone. Reaching out a calloused hand knocked the group picture down.
If only he could go back in time, he would if only. But the world cannot be built on if onlys! Such a world easily crumbles then the wisher is left with nothing.
Leaning back Kuwabara closed his eyes and reminisced about that day. The day that changed their lives to this hell hole of an existence that they were in now.
---Flashback---
Keiko sat by the picture window wringing her hands. How much longer must she wait. Yusuke should have been back home now. Fear gripped her heart as she thought of everything that could have gone wrong. Her beautiful face became distorted with a look of pure agony. Pictures flooded her mind, all with the same outcome- the death of Yusuke.
Shizuru, Botan, and Yukina sat at the tiny table playing cards and drinking root beers. By their faces it was easy to see that Yukina was winning and Botan was losing. Shizuru looked as though she could really care less. As far as she was concerned they could be staring at paint dry.
Slowly the brown front door creaked open. Four dirty boys snuck in hoping to get past the anxious girls. The last thing that Yusuke needed was to face Keiko. All he wanted was sleep.
"Yusuke your back!" Darn sleep would have to wait until later. Yusuke looked over his shoulder to Keiko's loving eyes. 'Heh much later.' "Where were you? Why didn't you call? I was so worried." Tears started to fill her eyes.
"Hey Keiko it's alright I'm back now." Gently he touched his forehead. Blood still lingered there from a long lightning shaped cut.
"Yusuke you're a jerk for making me wait. You should have called me. What happens if you die? I would have to raise our son by myself." Instinctively she placed a hand over her bulging stomach.
"Not today Keiko. Come on it's time for a new excuse. Think of something a little more original."
Botan and Shizuru sat perfectly still. They knew this would blow over soon. But everyone had to be perfectly still for their tempers teetered on completely exploding.
Hiei shook his head and left through the door. There was no way he was going to stick around for another Keiko/Yusuke argument.
Kurama stared at his friend's retreating back. Hiei still had serious injuries that would kill him if he did not get them treated. Sighing Kurama threw up his arms and walked out of the house. So much for rest.
Kuwabara shook his head and headed into the kitchen. Forget this he was going to eat with or without his friends.
Yukina though, precious Yukina had never seen them so mad at each other. Never before had she seen them fight this bad. Yes they had had small arguments but never anything this horrible. Tears welled up in her eyes as the two kept arguing.
Slowly she stepped over to the angry couple. "Guys don't fight. You love each other so much so please do not fight. How about if we all just go get some food. We could make smores or something like that."
"Please Yukina just shut the hell up." Yusuke snapped. Man this was so damn stupid. Every day they had to go through this. Why could Keiko just shut up and let it go.
Yukina stood still and stared at the spirit detective. Never had anyone ever yelled at her like that. Tearing up she ran for the kitchen.
Botan stared at her hands in her lap. Never before had they been so interesting. Wow look at that line. Right now Botan wished that she had taken up palm reading. Silently Botan kept wondering if that long line was her life line.
An angry Kuwabara came charging in. More words were thrown around.
Yukina stood in the kitchen. She knew that she had started this. Only if, only she were stronger. If she did not cry so easily. Nodding defiantly Yukina walked out of the kitchen determined.
Botan still studied her palms. If that was her life line then was it good or bad.
Shizuru sat trying desperately to light her cigarette. "Damn lighter's empty" she muttered while tossing it out the open window. The one time she really needed one she could not get it lit. If only Hiei was here she could use his fiery temper to light it. Chuckling she thought that would be a total disaster. With his temper her entire head would be crisp in a second.
Sighing she stared at the arguing people. Hell with these emotions her cigarette could be lit easily. Shaking her head she quietly slipped out the front door. She sure did not want to get tangled with this. Maybe home would be better she always could call later to check on everyone.
Yukina stared at the three. Clearing her throat she shouted above them, "I'm going home."
Kuwabara turned swiftly on his heels. Staring at her he tried to make sense of what she had just said. Was it true was Yukina leaving.
Yusuke and Keiko started all over arguing over whose fault it was that Yukina was leaving.
Kuwabara ran outside chasing after the retreating back of his love. Desperately he tried to tell her that everything would be ok.
"Kazuma, it's not because of you or anyone else. I just want to go home for a while. I'll be back someday." With that she was gone.
As Kuwabara stood he stared at the street in a trance. From inside he could hear Keiko's voice ask once again about Caitlyn. Would this never end.
Above him big dark clouds gently let loose a spring rain. Luckily for him the rain came in time, now at least his wet face could be blamed on the rain and not on the tears that flowed past his face.
Later that day Keiko walked out vowing to never return ever again. And Hiei found out about Yukina's leaving. Without listening to the whole story he assumed that it was Kuwabara's fault and vowed to kill him. Kill him slowly and painfully.
--- End of Flashback---
Kuwabara shook his head as he got up to check on Kurama. What was done was done and there was no going back. All he could do now was hope that Koenma could find out about this curse and how to break it.
---
Yusuke sat on the damp grass and stared at the phone. How much disappointment sounded in his voice. Yusuke shuddered at the hollow sound that he had heard in his friend's voice.
'Keiko. I love you so much. Keiko Why did I never tell you that.'
Yusuke shook his head. No he could not let her consume his thoughts. He and his friends were in danger. Yusuke knew that he would have to keep a clear mind if he wanted to protect everyone.
Ever since that fateful day he had become peacekeeper, protector and messenger to everyone. No longer was he able to be his cocky self. For if he did people would die and the team would be lost. Smiling Yusuke shook his head. 'No not the team- my friends would be lost.'
Sighing he got up off of the wet grass. Lightly he dusted off his rear and headed for the house.
Standing at the doorway another shake came from his head. His house. A stupid one story that desperately needed a maid of some sort. Never again would he say anything bad about his mother. Not now that he knew how hard it was to take care of a house.
Well at least not for a week. It would be that long before Yusuke would be able to have another beer, then another, then another. Somehow he knew that this next week would be horrible. Beer would taste good after such a hard week. But hey if one beer would taste good then think how much 12 would taste.
Jumping over empty boxes Yusuke walked into the kitchen. After looking through the refrigerator he slammed the door shut and banged his head against it.
'Stupid me,' he thought, 'I forgot to get food.' But that was the way it had been since Keiko left.
That was six months ago. Yusuke had not gotten to see his son, Taro, yet. Shizuru had told him about what a charming little boy he was. Beautiful big brown eyes just like his mommy and black hair just like his daddy. Being a great friend Shizuru was able to sneak a picture to him. It was taken when Taro was two months old. He was sitting in his car seat. Yusuke kept it in his wallet right behind the picture of Keiko.
Emotionally worn out and starving Yusuke sat down on the couch and stared at the wall. How much he hated his life. He would give anything to get rid of it and start over from the beginning.
Silent footsteps walked down the hall. The black haired figure stood there staring at the depressed figure on the couch. Lowering his head slightly the injured Hiei slowly made it to the windowsill.
"So you finally decided to wake up huh Hiei." Yusuke smiled a fake smile. He just had to keep up his spirit so that the team would not suffer. Oh how he longed to go back to the way he used to be with not a care in the world. How quickly he had been served the world on his shoulders.
Silence ensued as the two sat and stared each lost in their own little world. The beeping of the purple communicator startled them both. Yusuke fumbled in his pocket and pulled it out. Opening it he saw Botan's cheery face.
"Yusuke Koenma's all ready. He found everything all you have to do is come here with Hiei." She leaned closer to her communicator and whispered, "Kuwabara's going to bring Kurama ok?"
In response Yusuke nodded and shut the communicator. Without speaking he went over to the window and grabbed the back of Hiei's cloak. Reaching over he grabbed the brown handled katana that hung at Hiei's side. Yusuke threw it over his shoulder and dragged a mad demon towards the awaiting portal.
---
Ok guys that was not such a great chapter but I swear that the next chapters are going to be the greatest. So please read and review.
For fun::For fun I'm going to leave a short quiz at the end of every chapter- see how many you can answer- leave the answers in your review.
1.What color are Kurama's eyes?
2.What color is Kurama's hair?
3.What color is Kurama's hair when he's in Youko form? 4. What was the name of Kurama's first girlfriend? 5. How did Hiei and Kurama "first" meet?
Good luck.
Please r&r the next chapter should be out either Thursday or Friday.
Ok anyways on with the thank yous::
Buttered-onions- Thank you so much for telling me about the bold and other stuff. Oh yes and thank you for the review. I just hope that this story can keep you intrigued for longer.
Yami-Aj Yu-Yu-InuCaptor- Thankies for the review.
Jemintra- I hope this was a.s.a.p. enough. It would have been sooner but my friend's sister had a baby, then there was the baby shower, then the cat got sick, then my bro accidentally erased the file then...well lets just say I've been going non stop for a while.
Animefangirl- Thank you for the review.
LadyofAnime- Thank you for the review.
Ok before I begin I just wanted to say that for the long wait and because of the fact that this chapter is not as action packed so that's why I'm putting the next chapter up in two days.
'thoughts', "talking"
---
Chapter 2- Reminiscing
Yusuke rolled over in bed accidentally smacking Hiei in the process. Sleepily he glanced over at the sleeping figure. Gently Yusuke smiled amazed that such a rough demon could look so innocent sleeping.
Carefully Yusuke hopped out of bed and went into the kitchen. Sighing he grabbed the phone and dialed Kuwabara's number.
Quietly he snuck out to the back porch and walked down to the middle of the yard. He sure the hell did not want to face the wrath of Hiei.
After three rings a groggy voice answered the phone.
"Hey Kuwabara I was wondering how Kurama was." Yusuke was quick to get to the point. Even though Hiei was still out cold, Yusuke did not want to get on his hate list for talking to his longtime friend.
Kuwabara turned his brown eyes over to the red head that slept soundly. "He's fine, I guess. Kurama lost a lot of blood but he should be fine." Kuwabara's eyes shifted from the sleeping boy to a group picture. His eyes landed on the angelic face of Yukina. With stinging tears he took a deep breath. "Hey Urimeshi let me ask you something. Is Hiei, uh well, is he mad at me still?"
Yusuke, who had been in the middle of swatting away a pesky bird, stopped in mid swat. He knew what Kuwabara meant. After all Yusuke had been playing peace keeper in hopes of saving the team.
The subject was still a touchy one. That day was the day that he had lost the love of his life and a good friend.
Sighing Yusuke resumed to trying to swat away the pesky bird. "Yeah, I'd haveta say so since I'm out here ready to spirit gun a pesky bird."
The tone that he heard next made Yusuke wince, so much hurt in it. Hurt and anger.
"Oh well then I better let you go then. Tell Hiei I hope that he gets better soon. Bye." Hastily he hung up the phone. Reaching out a calloused hand knocked the group picture down.
If only he could go back in time, he would if only. But the world cannot be built on if onlys! Such a world easily crumbles then the wisher is left with nothing.
Leaning back Kuwabara closed his eyes and reminisced about that day. The day that changed their lives to this hell hole of an existence that they were in now.
---Flashback---
Keiko sat by the picture window wringing her hands. How much longer must she wait. Yusuke should have been back home now. Fear gripped her heart as she thought of everything that could have gone wrong. Her beautiful face became distorted with a look of pure agony. Pictures flooded her mind, all with the same outcome- the death of Yusuke.
Shizuru, Botan, and Yukina sat at the tiny table playing cards and drinking root beers. By their faces it was easy to see that Yukina was winning and Botan was losing. Shizuru looked as though she could really care less. As far as she was concerned they could be staring at paint dry.
Slowly the brown front door creaked open. Four dirty boys snuck in hoping to get past the anxious girls. The last thing that Yusuke needed was to face Keiko. All he wanted was sleep.
"Yusuke your back!" Darn sleep would have to wait until later. Yusuke looked over his shoulder to Keiko's loving eyes. 'Heh much later.' "Where were you? Why didn't you call? I was so worried." Tears started to fill her eyes.
"Hey Keiko it's alright I'm back now." Gently he touched his forehead. Blood still lingered there from a long lightning shaped cut.
"Yusuke you're a jerk for making me wait. You should have called me. What happens if you die? I would have to raise our son by myself." Instinctively she placed a hand over her bulging stomach.
"Not today Keiko. Come on it's time for a new excuse. Think of something a little more original."
Botan and Shizuru sat perfectly still. They knew this would blow over soon. But everyone had to be perfectly still for their tempers teetered on completely exploding.
Hiei shook his head and left through the door. There was no way he was going to stick around for another Keiko/Yusuke argument.
Kurama stared at his friend's retreating back. Hiei still had serious injuries that would kill him if he did not get them treated. Sighing Kurama threw up his arms and walked out of the house. So much for rest.
Kuwabara shook his head and headed into the kitchen. Forget this he was going to eat with or without his friends.
Yukina though, precious Yukina had never seen them so mad at each other. Never before had she seen them fight this bad. Yes they had had small arguments but never anything this horrible. Tears welled up in her eyes as the two kept arguing.
Slowly she stepped over to the angry couple. "Guys don't fight. You love each other so much so please do not fight. How about if we all just go get some food. We could make smores or something like that."
"Please Yukina just shut the hell up." Yusuke snapped. Man this was so damn stupid. Every day they had to go through this. Why could Keiko just shut up and let it go.
Yukina stood still and stared at the spirit detective. Never had anyone ever yelled at her like that. Tearing up she ran for the kitchen.
Botan stared at her hands in her lap. Never before had they been so interesting. Wow look at that line. Right now Botan wished that she had taken up palm reading. Silently Botan kept wondering if that long line was her life line.
An angry Kuwabara came charging in. More words were thrown around.
Yukina stood in the kitchen. She knew that she had started this. Only if, only she were stronger. If she did not cry so easily. Nodding defiantly Yukina walked out of the kitchen determined.
Botan still studied her palms. If that was her life line then was it good or bad.
Shizuru sat trying desperately to light her cigarette. "Damn lighter's empty" she muttered while tossing it out the open window. The one time she really needed one she could not get it lit. If only Hiei was here she could use his fiery temper to light it. Chuckling she thought that would be a total disaster. With his temper her entire head would be crisp in a second.
Sighing she stared at the arguing people. Hell with these emotions her cigarette could be lit easily. Shaking her head she quietly slipped out the front door. She sure did not want to get tangled with this. Maybe home would be better she always could call later to check on everyone.
Yukina stared at the three. Clearing her throat she shouted above them, "I'm going home."
Kuwabara turned swiftly on his heels. Staring at her he tried to make sense of what she had just said. Was it true was Yukina leaving.
Yusuke and Keiko started all over arguing over whose fault it was that Yukina was leaving.
Kuwabara ran outside chasing after the retreating back of his love. Desperately he tried to tell her that everything would be ok.
"Kazuma, it's not because of you or anyone else. I just want to go home for a while. I'll be back someday." With that she was gone.
As Kuwabara stood he stared at the street in a trance. From inside he could hear Keiko's voice ask once again about Caitlyn. Would this never end.
Above him big dark clouds gently let loose a spring rain. Luckily for him the rain came in time, now at least his wet face could be blamed on the rain and not on the tears that flowed past his face.
Later that day Keiko walked out vowing to never return ever again. And Hiei found out about Yukina's leaving. Without listening to the whole story he assumed that it was Kuwabara's fault and vowed to kill him. Kill him slowly and painfully.
--- End of Flashback---
Kuwabara shook his head as he got up to check on Kurama. What was done was done and there was no going back. All he could do now was hope that Koenma could find out about this curse and how to break it.
---
Yusuke sat on the damp grass and stared at the phone. How much disappointment sounded in his voice. Yusuke shuddered at the hollow sound that he had heard in his friend's voice.
'Keiko. I love you so much. Keiko Why did I never tell you that.'
Yusuke shook his head. No he could not let her consume his thoughts. He and his friends were in danger. Yusuke knew that he would have to keep a clear mind if he wanted to protect everyone.
Ever since that fateful day he had become peacekeeper, protector and messenger to everyone. No longer was he able to be his cocky self. For if he did people would die and the team would be lost. Smiling Yusuke shook his head. 'No not the team- my friends would be lost.'
Sighing he got up off of the wet grass. Lightly he dusted off his rear and headed for the house.
Standing at the doorway another shake came from his head. His house. A stupid one story that desperately needed a maid of some sort. Never again would he say anything bad about his mother. Not now that he knew how hard it was to take care of a house.
Well at least not for a week. It would be that long before Yusuke would be able to have another beer, then another, then another. Somehow he knew that this next week would be horrible. Beer would taste good after such a hard week. But hey if one beer would taste good then think how much 12 would taste.
Jumping over empty boxes Yusuke walked into the kitchen. After looking through the refrigerator he slammed the door shut and banged his head against it.
'Stupid me,' he thought, 'I forgot to get food.' But that was the way it had been since Keiko left.
That was six months ago. Yusuke had not gotten to see his son, Taro, yet. Shizuru had told him about what a charming little boy he was. Beautiful big brown eyes just like his mommy and black hair just like his daddy. Being a great friend Shizuru was able to sneak a picture to him. It was taken when Taro was two months old. He was sitting in his car seat. Yusuke kept it in his wallet right behind the picture of Keiko.
Emotionally worn out and starving Yusuke sat down on the couch and stared at the wall. How much he hated his life. He would give anything to get rid of it and start over from the beginning.
Silent footsteps walked down the hall. The black haired figure stood there staring at the depressed figure on the couch. Lowering his head slightly the injured Hiei slowly made it to the windowsill.
"So you finally decided to wake up huh Hiei." Yusuke smiled a fake smile. He just had to keep up his spirit so that the team would not suffer. Oh how he longed to go back to the way he used to be with not a care in the world. How quickly he had been served the world on his shoulders.
Silence ensued as the two sat and stared each lost in their own little world. The beeping of the purple communicator startled them both. Yusuke fumbled in his pocket and pulled it out. Opening it he saw Botan's cheery face.
"Yusuke Koenma's all ready. He found everything all you have to do is come here with Hiei." She leaned closer to her communicator and whispered, "Kuwabara's going to bring Kurama ok?"
In response Yusuke nodded and shut the communicator. Without speaking he went over to the window and grabbed the back of Hiei's cloak. Reaching over he grabbed the brown handled katana that hung at Hiei's side. Yusuke threw it over his shoulder and dragged a mad demon towards the awaiting portal.
---
Ok guys that was not such a great chapter but I swear that the next chapters are going to be the greatest. So please read and review.
For fun::For fun I'm going to leave a short quiz at the end of every chapter- see how many you can answer- leave the answers in your review.
1.What color are Kurama's eyes?
2.What color is Kurama's hair?
3.What color is Kurama's hair when he's in Youko form? 4. What was the name of Kurama's first girlfriend? 5. How did Hiei and Kurama "first" meet?
Good luck.
Please r&r the next chapter should be out either Thursday or Friday.