Chapter 24
I went back to my room,not knowing what to do know. Wasn't this the part where I run after him? I couldn't. It was too late now. He was already gone. Botan and Koenma would probably freak out again if I tried to leave. I don't want that to happen. But I miss Kurama....and I can't help it. Don't they get that? I love him!
I started to remember a year ago(or more)when we were at the Dark Tournament and Kurama almost got killed by Karasu. God I was so scared. I remember crying and Yusuke holding me back,and yelling because I wanted to be with Kurama,no matter what the chances were,even if it meant having to die. But this felt different. I don't know why,but it just did.
As I sat on my bed,I looked at my ring again. Kurama,do you know how scared I am right now,I thought. Do you care at all? Are you thinking about me at all right now? Are you hoping that I'm not going to do something stupid and run away from here? I felt like doing that before...but I don't know if I can do that anymore. Is it because I'm scared? I just wish someone could answer my questions.
"Nicole?"it was Botan.
"Yeah?"
"There's something I need to tell you."
"What is it?"
She sighed. "King Yama has decided to...."she paused not knowing whether to go on or not.
"Just tell me Botan. If it has to do with me,I'm fine with it."
"It's not about you...It's about Yusuke."
"Oh."
"King Yama has decided to take him off the case. He sent out the Spirit Defense Force out not too long ago."
"Are you serious."
"Yes I am."
"We have to do something then Botan!" I wanted to make a mad dash out of the room,but Koenma had come in.
"There's no point Nicole,"he said.
"And why not?"
"Because you'll never be able to change my father's opinion."
"Have you tried talking to him."
"I did,"said Botan.
"And?"
"I didn't really do anything."
"Well that's just great." Especially since my lover is out there getting killed,I thought. Then you might as well let me leave! "I have to do something."
But Koenma wasn't going to stand for that,so he grabbed my arm. "Nicole,you have to stay here. If you leave now,my father will banish you from this place and you'll have to die like everyone else!
"You think I give a damn about that?!" I pushed him away from me,and started to run from him,but I was stopped by a tall figure. It was King Yama.
"You should be honored to stay here young lady,"said King Yama.
"Yes sir,"I said as I bowed down to him.
"I know how much Kurama means to you. He would want you to get hurt now. That's why he brought you here."
I nodded and didn't say anything. What was I supposed to say?
He smiled and looked down at me and smiled. "You shouldn't be scared of my either,you're a guest here."
"I have a question sir. Why did you take Yu--."
"I will not answer that question on several occasions. That runt has been far too much trouble,"and walked off.
"See. What did I tell you?"asked Koenma.
"Shut up Koenma.
"WHAT?!"
"You heard what I said. Leave me alone."
I went back into my room,hoping that there was another way to do this. How could King Yama do this,I thought. How in the hell can he take Yusuke off the case? Doesn't he know how much Keiko loves him? He couldn't do this at a time like this.
"Hey..."said someone behind me. It was Yusuke!
"Yusuke!"
"Shhh..."
"What in the hell are you doing here?"
"I had to talk to you."
"But...how can I see and hear you?"
"Botan created you,remember?"
"Oh yeah....Right..."
"I need you to do me a favor."
"What?"
"I need you to make sure Keiko doesn't do anything while I'm here."
"Where are you going?"
"I'm going to go talk to King Yama."
"Yusuke,you can't!"
"Why not?"
"Because King Yama wants you off the case."
"Are you serious?!"
"Yep."
"Oh god. You aren't kidding."
He started to head for the door. "Where are you going?"
"I'm going to talk to King Yama. We need to sort things out."
"Yusuke no!"I said as I pulled him back.
"What are you doing?!"
"What if he says no?"
"What do you mean?"
"You know what I mean Yusuke. If King Yama says no then you'll never come back and Keiko will never get to see you again. Lie low for a while."
"You know as well as I do that I can't do that Nicole."
Dammit,I thought. He was right about that. This was Yusuke for cryin' out loud. I couldn't stop him from doing something like this. "All right. Go."
"Promise you'll take care of Keiko for me?"
I smiled. "Yes. I promise."
"Thanks,"and he disappeared.
"Nicole?"Botan asked as she came into the room.
"Yeah?"
"Was Yusuke here?"
"Yes. He just left."
"I thought I heard you talking to him. We have to find Koenma at once."
I shook my head. "No Botan."
"What?"
"Yusuke decided to do this on his own. Leave him alone." Then I thought about something for a second. "You didn't already tell Keiko he was here did you?"
"Well...yes..."
"Oh great! Nice goin' Botan!"I said as I ran to Keiko's room. I ran to her room as fast I could,hoping she was still there. I opened her door,and to my surprise,she was still there. "Keiko...?"
"Nicole...what are you doing here?"she asked.
"Thanking god you're still here."
"You thought I ran off?"
"Well...yeah...I guess so."
"Where is he Nicole? Tell me! Where is he!"she yelled.
"Hey now. Calm down",I said as I walked into her room.
"But I want to see him. I want to see now!"
"I know you do Keiko. But you need to wait."
"Then why did Botan tell me he was here?"
"I don't know why Keiko. But you can't see him right now."
"Does he really care about me Nicole?"
Oh god,I thought. Now she's starting to act like me. I hate it when she does that. "Yes he does Keiko."
"Was it his idea?"
"About what?"
"That I'm here...Was it his idea?"
"I don't know Keiko."
"You want me to talk to her?"asked Botan.
I gave a huge sigh of relief. "She's all yours,"I whispered and I walked out of the room.
"How did he get in?"asked Koenma as I closed the door.
"Oh god Koenma. Don't do that."
"How did he get in?"
"I don't know Koenma. He just came into my room and we talked."
"His talking to my father."
"And...?"
"It doesn't look like they're making much progress."
"Then I'm going to see King Yama,"and I made dash,hoping that Koenma wouldn't follow me.
