Disclaimer: Don't own YYH, nope….
Summary: Yusuke and Keiko broke up, Kurama comes into the picture, Hiei also comes in to put some color to the plot, hm.. who else? Oh, also Yomi! What you think? Will this end YuuKu or HieKu? Hm... maybe YuuHie, or YoKu? :) Readers beware, you're in for a scare!
Scribbles: In this chapter, I'm passing off Kurama as younger than Yuusuke, ok? Sorry if it will inconvenience your set minds… In this story, Yuusuke, Kuwabara and Keiko are 18, Kurama's 15, Hiei's still an adorable dwarf. =p
Names to thank:
Clow Angel – Thanks so much (2x)! Actually, leika's writing style is affected by what she has just previously read. Did anyone notice that the previous chappie was written in an old-fashioned way? That's Mary Renault for you… So beware if leika just read a crappy book… and WAS tempted to leave this for five months… ^_^;
Madam Arrow Foxfire – Another interesting suggestion… hm… evil grin
OOKeariaOo – Few words, but meant a lot! ^_^
iceheart3000 – yup, you got it right! Thanks for your insight!
Kittengrl39 – leika wants more too!!!^_^ (and love complicated triangles…=p)
Leifang – And another great suggestion! It's really one of my options… =p Hm… now, how to fit them all…
Enjoy!^_^
Don't be obtuse. This is basic, geometric
take three points on a plane and connect them
as you would stars, closing a constellation
of three angles. If both of us were Catholic, faith in a
three-personed God would save us. it's just a matter of degree,
in mathematics: it's a true triangle if the sum of all angles
(not summum bonum, nor the Republic's tripartite soul)
is one hundred eighty.
switch to soap operas, if you're sick of scholastics:
triangles form because the restless one strays,
the schemer steals, and the martyr stays,
or slaps either of the two.
~ Study of Triangles, Naya Valdelion
since everyone's talking of triangles ^_^
Chapter 3. White (Part 1) Yuusuke's POVWhat did I get myself into now?
I really didn't mean to kiss Kurama, it was just that… My body moved before I thought it. I guess I felt that if I was able to do the act (just the kissing part, okay?), maybe it meant that my break up with Keiko was just nothing. That I could spring back up from it so quickly, so that I wouldn't be like this anymore. That I was like this because it's the first day. Not even the first day, it's just first few hours. Having this blade against my neck proves me wrong.
I didn't think Hiei's overreacting; he has every right to kill me. I mean if I were in his place – seeing that Jun guy kissing Keiko – I would not have taken such a long pause. I'd have wrung the life out of him, no questions asked, no chances given.
…And still, after telling myself this, I feel tensed up. Scared, even. How would it feel like being impaled or slashed to pieces?
Now that I think about it, I've never been stabbed. Beat up, blasted by ki, run over, name it, I've experienced them. Except being punctured and filleted to minute parts.
I guess I almost had been, when I had to apprehend Hiei, but Kurama took the blow for me.
- Ku…
Strange how just thinking of his name causes butterflies in my stomach. Even stranger is that before this impending death, the scenes that flash before my eyes are of those times I spent with that redhead… Dammit! I'm really sorry for what I did… Kurama…
I guess now, I'm the one who's gonna take Hiei's strike… because of you… no, it's because of what I did to you…
… What's taking so long?
Yuusuke opened his eyes, bracing to see those burning eyes, or maybe even expecting Botan to come pick him up, but what he saw instead, were Hiei and Kurama's retreating backs. Relieved, and yet still feeling guilty, he slumped down to the ground. Slowly, he lowered his head to his hands and whispered, "God… I've got to make it up to them."
It was a silent walk home. Hiei made obvious glances at his companion, which translated to, 'I'm worried. Talk to me.' But Kurama paid no heed. He kept his head bowed, mouth clammed shut. Normally, this would have pissed off Hiei. But this was not a normal night. A lot have happened, so the fire demon kept his cool. Finally, they reached Kurama's window. The two stood still, as if waiting for the other to speak up. Time stretched. It was almost forever, before the half-youko spoke, his hair still covering his eyes, "I'm sorry that you'll be late for your meeting…"
Hiei grabbed the kitsune's arm and turned him around to face him, "To hell with the meeting. If they haven't gotten to an agreement yet by the time I arrive, I'm gonna strangle them until they give in."
It was supposed to be funny, but his companion didn't take the bait. Instead, silence ensued once more. Sick of the long pauses at a crucial time like this, Hiei opened his mouth to talk (what a miracle), but Kurama beat him to it, "Hiei…"
A pause. This time, the koorime waited. "Hiei, do I look too approachable?"
A longer pause. Hiei looked up at Kurama, still, his marble-like face conveying nothing, and reached out to brush the locks away from the redhead's eyes. A thin sheen had begun to form, but the tears remained unshed. He huffed, "Look at me, kitsune…
"What does it matter if you are too approachable or not? That's what I'm here for. I'm the screech to your soothing melody, the bump in your smooth road."
At least Kurama looked half-assured, "But… you're not always around, are you?"
"Hn. I can always make them suffer horribly after."
This time, the redhead smiled. He glanced at his window for a second, the turned back to Hiei, "Thanks for accompanying me tonight. Oyasumi."
"Hn."
(*leika: is it just me, or are they overreacting to just one kiss? ^_^;*)
Kurama entered his room as quietly as he could, and promptly froze when he saw his stepfather sleeping on his desk. Not knowing what to do, the redhead almost decided to leave Kazuya that way, but chose to lightly tap him awake instead. The guy in his mid-30's slowly woke, and immediately, a look of concern grazed his features, "Shuu-kun, where have you been? How'd you get in, the front door's locked?"
"I… couldn't sleep so I snuck out the window for a short walk."
The older guy grabbed his stepson by the shoulders, "That's dangerous! Next time, just read a book or something. If you want to go out for a walk, I'll gladly accompany you."
The redhead made to look as if he were shamed, "Hai, 'tousan… gomen…"
Kazuya lightly massaged the other's shoulders and gave a soft smile, "That's good. Catch some shuteye okay? We're going out early today. We'll be staying at a resort for a week, that okay?"
"Ah… Okay. Oyasumi."
As Kurama turned, Kazuya reached out to stroke his stepson's mane, then gave him a playful pat, "Rest well."
He could feel the darkness closing in, it's dark tendrils stretching to make him its own. They moved over his body, harshly sliding across his skin, slowly making their way down… He tried to struggle, but the more he did so, the more he couldn't move, for the cold clasps kept him down. He couldn't pull away, couldn't breathe. He wanted to scream but a moist object covered his mouth. He felt pain far beyond anything he had felt before.
Thankfully, he blacked out.
"Boys, we're here."
Kurama slowly woke up and winced when he felt that his back was stiff. He slowly stretched and ended up wrestling with his stepbrother. In the small space of the backseat, the two fooled around, trying to pin each other down to the seats, tickling the other to death, and all others of the like, until Kurama hissed in pain. Shuuichi abruptly withdrew his hand, surprised, and a look of concern crossed his face. Kurama gave a soft smile, "Don't worry, daijoubu. Come, let's help with the luggage."
Shiori looked worriedly at her redhead son. He seemed different today, maybe a bit of sluggish or in pain? As the redhead fished around the back of the car for things he could carry, she called out, "Shuu-chan, daijoubu?"
It took a while for Kurama to register that he was the one being called (which only further bothered Shiori), so he apologized, "Gomen… Yes, I'm fine, just a bit sleepy…"
His stepbrother smiled widely, "Did you have a girl over, 'niisan?"
Kurama lightly threw a towel at him and lifted a few empty Tupper wares. As he headed towards where the rest of their baggage were, he thought of how heavy his arms felt, how his entire body seemed painful. A voice broke through his thoughts, "Abunai!"
Unknowingly, he had headed over the riverbank's edge and was tripped over by a tree's roots. Luggage flying, his entire frame headed over to the clear and still waters, but before he landed, arms had caught him. He turned his head to look at his savior, only to meet Yuusuke's eyes. He reacted instantly, pushing away, and both ended up in the water, the brown-haired guy's arms still around the half-youko's midsection. Kurama's back was on Yuusuke's, and he tried to propel himself forward, hoping to free himself by giving a kick downwards and slicing his arms through the water. But his friend held on. Raizen's descendant pulled him even closer, trying to speak in between mouthfuls of water and hair. The redhead was near panic now, gritting his teeth while saying, "Let go! Yuusuke let go!"
Head finally cleared out the water's surface, he whispered, "Kurama, I'm really sorry about yesterday. I didn't mean it. Kami-sama knows I didn't mean it. I was… I just… Really, Kurama, I'm sorry."
He rested his face on his friend's mane. When the latter gradually stopped struggling, Yuusuke slowly let go and glided backwards. Everything was still. Seconds that seemed like minutes passed. Finally, but unhurriedly, the redhead turned around, the expression on his face really full of uncertainty, but he let his eyes meet Yuusuke's, "Okay… But never, ever do that again. It won't be a sword you'll meet next time, but thorns."
Laughing a bit nervously, the younger of the two scratched his head, "No next time, promise… "
Silence stretched in between them. They were both wading in the water, a few meters from dry land. This time, it was Yuusuke who broke the silence, "Hey, you look like a drowned cat."
At this, the redhead smiled, "You look like a slug."
"That's mean!"
Shuuichi called out from the riverbank, "Oniisan, you alive?"
The one called started wading towards the shore, "I hope so."
At last, the two were out of the water. Shiori approached with a towel in hand, "Oh... it's you, Yuusuke?"
"Shiori-san."
Kurama gave Yuusuke the towel, saying, "You first. My hair's long, so it'll be slopping wet once I'm done with it."
Yuusuke accepted it and dried himself the best he could, then passed the towel on. At the corner of his vision, he could see the human Shuuichi eyeing him suspiciously, looking as if trying to place his face somewhere. Slightly amused, the tantei gave him his gangster look. On cue, Shuuichi 'meeped', "Ne, Oniisan. That's Urameshi! The one who beats people up – badly too!"
Feeling quite mischievous, Yuusuke turned fully to the teenager and smiled evilly, "Wanna find out for yourself how bad they end up?"
Hackles raising, Hatanaka Shuuichi took a half step backward, but suddenly feeling noble and wanting to protect his *cough* frail and gentle *cough* brother, he stood his ground and tried to look butch. One step from Yuusuke, a nervous jump from Shuuichi. Another step, and a very wet towel found its way to Yuusuke's face, "Stop threatening my brother."
Quite horrified now, the redhead's brother looked incredulously at Kurama, thinking that this time, he'll really end up in the hospital for doing such a thing to the gangster (so he hasn't figured out that they're friends). Instead of attacking, Yuusuke sighed and pulled the piece of cloth down, squeezes the water out of it and while the edge was still dripping, swings it at Kurama's brotheri, "There. How does it feel to be beat up?"
"Eh?" As the drops of water hit his face, reality finally sunk in.
"Your oniisan really has me wrapped around his little finger."
Face scrunched up, Shuuichi answered, "That sounds like you're a couple."
At this, Yuusuke gagged, "Nothing like that of course."
"Ei, Urameshi!"
The three turned to see this stocky guy pass through the open gates. Yuusuke scratched his head, "Oh, that's my cousin. The reason why I'm here's 'coz he dragged me along. We'll be staying for about three more days, just arrived two hours ago."
The said cousin walked over, confidence oozing. He was a tall, buff guy, with a hairstyle that reminded Shuuichi of a wet mop, the color brown, and gray-blue eyes that shone dangerously. He would have been handsome, if it were not for the scar that run from the top of his right eyebrow down to his cheekbone. When he got close enough, he paused in delight as he saw Yuusuke's companions, "Whoa, cutie. Now I know what you've been up to cuz. Trying to heal your broken heart?" He gave off a loud laugh as the other three cringed. Shuuichi started when he remembered who this was.
"To –" Yuusuke was cut off when his taller relative spoke up, "Hey there, beautiful. Tori here. You are?"
The shorter of the siblings stepped forward, "Shuuichi. What a coincidence, you're here too, Tori-sempai."
There was a slight pause as the older tried to remember this face. Ah, one of the juniors who compete with us for the gym. "Eh? Imp."
No one moved for a while. The Reikai Tantei leader moved to drag his dysfunctional cousin back, but was brushed off. Tori spoke again, "Pretty redhead, I don't believe you've answered my question yet. I didn't ask for that imp's name. I asked for yours."
Is Yuusuke's family a line of bullies? Coolly, the half-youko answered, "I believe it was given already."
"Wha – ?" But Yuusuke had already grabbed him in a chokehold. The raven-haired youth patted his teammate and bade farewell, "See you around, get some rest, ok?"
"Hey, hey, Urameshi, let go! What's wrong?"
Still dragging the bigger man, Yuusuke gritted his teeth as he muttered, "Shut up. Let's go."
Pushing the one who held him, Tori dusted himself and snorted, "What's going on with you anyway? I was just having fun."
"The person you were hitting on was a guy."
"I know, so what? Anyone with looks like that would be soooo fun to play with in bed."
For some reason, the half-youkai's blood was boiling. Sure, he had always been short tempered with this cousin, but tonight, his patience seemed to be as short as a dragonfly's length, "Shut. The. F**k. Up!"
"Eh? Was that too vulgar for a baby like you? Sorry, Yuu-chan. Just wanted you to know that a scrumptious piece like that – " A punch flew past and landed squarely on his jaw, "I told you to put a sock in it."
The two exchanged a few more heated blows. A couple of punches, dodges, kicks and a few uppercuts, left them both on the rocky floor. Tori was panting heavily as he looked over his smaller cousin, "Why so protective? Is he taken?"
Thinking of Hiei and his blade, Kurama and his warning, the words came out quite vehemently, "Hell yeah."
Kurama looked worriedly at the darkness that enveloped the two relatives. After a while, he glanced at his stepbrother and asked, "Those two are in your school?"
Still not moving, Shuuichi nodded, "Yeah…"
"A miracle it's still standing."
Another long pause. Finally, the shorter looked at the other and noticed something, "Hey, aren't you freezing?"
"Hm? Oh, haven't changed yet… Eh? What's this?"
A piece of paper was encircled by his fingers. The redhead couldn't remember when he had taken it out. He opened it and a thoughtful smile graced his face, When did he - ? In it was a map to what looked like a small lake, and the unmistakable handwriting of Yuusuke, telling him to meet him there at midnight.
~*~^~*~
Kurama removed his shoes and leisurely sat down, stretched, and carefully dipped his feet in the water. Surprised that instead of being as cool as the night air, the water was actually quite warm, he folded up his pants up until above his knees and dunked the entire exposed length. Sighing softly, he looked up at the waning moon, its glow that reached some stars. Should have known that Yuusuke would be late. He felt kind of silly agreeing to this, when last night, the other had *kissed* him –without– permission. Tada… I don't know. I trust him now…
The redhead twirled the water with his right index finger. The wind suddenly blew, caressing his cheeks, and playing with his hair. When a few locks tickled his nose, he reached up to brush them away. Yuusuke was already a few meters away, and he witnessed this scene with awe. Kurama really never failed to move with careless grace, every movement unthought of, yet always came out fluid like. He shook his head violently, Don't go there, Yuusuke. Shut your mind up. But his thoughts seemed bent on staying that way. He still couldn't breathe right, so he stood his ground, watching, observing, devouring every action displayed before him. The half-youkai couldn't believe that he'd never noticed the other this way before…
The spell was broken when a soft voice sounded, "Why do the star's glimmer disappear when near the moon? It must shine brightly, yet… the moon looks simply bigger from here, completely overcoming the small star."
Yuusuke was usually so slow with these things, but his mind began to wander… I f Keiko was the moon, and Kurama the star… then I never noticed Kurama since I was so in love with Keiko. I was blinded by all her good traits to see others'… Meep! Did I say my thoughts out loud? Does he know I'm here?!
He took a step backward, only to crush a twig. Immediately, the redhead turned, a startled look crossing his face, but quickly replaced with a soft smile, "Yuusuke, you're late."
"ah… erm…"
"Never mind, what's this meeting about?"
Baka, think fast. Yuusuke himself didn't actually know what came over him when he slipped that piece of paper in Kurama's hand. An idea, "Ah… Just wanted to talk… You know, bond or something. I mean Kuwabara and I always sort things out by throwing insults at one another (like Hiei and him), you and Kuwabara have trips to Genkai-obaasan's temple all the time, but the two of us have never stayed long together. Except last night. Er… and I botched it up. And I can't imagine myself sitting down with Hiei or something… Maybe I should exchange with blows with him?"
The redhead winced, "Nope, bad idea." He twirled the water again. The crickets chirped loudly, along with the song of nocturnal birds. Kurama smiled gently and looked at Yusuke, "Trying to get to Hiei's good book by getting into mine?"
Bull's-eye. It DOES sound that way. "Hm… think whatever you want. But really…"
"I was just joking, Yuu-chan."
"Urgh. So, you're reduced to name-calling? Hey… never really asked how old you were."
"Four hundred plus." This was accompanied by a soft shaking of the redhead's body.
"Kurama! Teasing me again…" Yuusuke feigned being hurt and turned his back on his companion. Kurama, in turn, pretended to be concerned, "Come on, Yuu-chan. I was just kidding. Yuu-chan…"
"Tell me how old you are first."
"Fifteen." Yuusuke gagged, then sharply turned to look at the redhead, "Honestly?"
He half-expected Kurama to laugh, but the latter shook his head, "No, really. I'm fifteen."
"But… Shuuichi's sixteen!"
"Yeah…" Kurama shrugged as if that were normal.
"Then why does he call you 'niisan?"
The half-youko laughed lightly. Yuusuke couldn't help but smile too. "Oh, he calls me 'niisan coz he said I looked more matured. If you stayed with our family longer, you'll notice that Shuuichi responds to 'Shuu-kun', and I, to 'Shuu-chan'."
"Heh? But you're a year higher than Kuwabara and me!"
At this, the redhead's cheeks turned bright red. A realization hit his friend, "So, it was true. That story I read about a 7-yr old kid who was offered to attend college already, but refused and just skipped a few years early. Four, to be exact…"
Okay, forget strawberry and cherry red. Think blood red. This was the color of Kurama's cheeks right now. Yuusuke acted as if he was concerned, "Hey, you okay? You look like you're fainting soon. Don't! People will blame me for hurting the country's most important treasure!"
"Oh shut up, Yuu-chan."
"My, my, little, harmless Minamino-chan has learned foul words…"
Laughing, the half-youko made as if to push Yuusuke, but at the same time, the latter had leaned backwards, so Kurama fell forward. His companion caught him by the shoulders, his red tresses slightly stroking Yuusuke's cheeks. Kurama could smell the musk that was Yuusuke (sweat and dew on grass after rain) , and Yuusuke, Kurama's slightly effeminate scent (like roses mixed with strawberry). The two locked eyes for a while, before the older guy moved and leaned closer to meet the other's lips. Kurama, paralyzed, simply opted to close his eyes. Yuusuke inched slowly, as if afraid that Kurama would break anytime. So close…
Abruptly, the redhead's eyes opened and he scrambled backwards, "Yuusuke, I need to go back."
Agh. The disappointment ate away slowly at Yuusuke, then horror struck him. Agh!! Almost did it again! You were supposed to – "Ah.. here, let me help you up."
The redhead groggily stood, then bent to pick up his discarded shoes. Raizen's descendant couldn't help but stare at the youko's smooth, exposed legs, shimmering with the few drops of water clinging on them. Stuttering, he blurted out the only thing that lodged in his mind, "Um… I hope it will be sunny tomorrow."
Surprised, the redhead looked up from putting on his shoes, then smiled, "Me too. Thanks for inviting me here, Yuusuke, take care!"
With that, he ran towards their resthouse.
What do you think now? ^_^
White Part 2 coming our in a few days… (Hopefully)
Please Review!