Forgetting you would make life easier...
Forgetting you could make my pains go away..
Forgetting you would be like dying...
On a normal term, Yusuke would have been excited to fight, ever since he took Raizen's place as Leader of his makai territory, fights seldom broke out; which obviously disappointed Yusuke. Right now, was a different situation, there was something far more important then money or pride. The demons in his territory, along with Mukuro's territory who were leading revolts had now found a small portal that opened to ningenkai. Of course it was not nearly large enough for the true threats to enter Ningenkai, but Yusuke and Mukuro knew very well of the capabilities of the demons in their territory.
The moment Fred told him about the portal, Yusuke's mind landed on one person: Keiko.
Yusuke was sure he never let the demons in his territory know about his connection with ningenkai, so one of his servants must have watched him as he watched through a one way-mirror. It reflected what Keiko was doing, but only at certain times of day; therefore he had made a point of never being busy at that point in time.
"My Lord, what are we to do?"
Yusuke glanced down and realized he had never answered Fred's question.
"Yeah, sure, guard the portal, I'm going to meet with Mukuro-san"
"Yes my Lord."
And with that Fred was gone and Yusuke was already almost to Mukuro's headquarters. He curtly nodded at some of the glaring demons in the territory until he came onto one demon he couldn't mistake.
"Short-stuff!"
-
"I can handle myself! Let me help!"
"Keiko-kun..." Mitarai said gently, "I'm just as excited to see Yusuke as you are but..-"
"-but? Yusuke could be in danger, and- and he needs anyone who can help him win this revolt does he not?"
"Yes but.."
"So then won't he need me? I can fight just as well as you or Kazuma now!"
"Keiko, fighting demons are different from being in a nice dojo, with your sensei... or even slashing your sword at targets... These are real living youkai who will stop at nothing to overthrow both Mukuro and Yusuke. You would... get in the way of-"
"I'm sorry, are saying I would get in the way Mitarai?"
"Yes- er.. no, Keiko-kun! Come back!"
Too late. Keiko had raced off, leaving her prom preparation papers scattered in the wind. Kurama gazed gravely at her departing figure, as Mitarai tried to run after her. Kurama put his hand on Mitarai's shoulder, "Let her be. She needs to think this over."
Mitarai sighed and glanced up where Keiko had just stood. He'd always been especially protective of her, as well as Kuwabara. Kuwabara had once warned him...
-
"Hey Mitarai man?"
"Yeah Kuwabara?"
"watch out for Keiko you know? Yusuke's girl"
"I thought Yusuke said he didn't have a girlfriend.. and Keiko never-"
"It's called reading between the lines man. Can't you see those two?"
Kuwabara pointed out towards the field where Keiko had just slapped Yusuke, and was blushing furiously. He got up and tried to chase after Keiko but Keiko was too fast, and was already in the building by the time Yusuke caught up.
"I guess I see what you're saying Kuwabara..."
"Thanks man... I can't always be there for Urameshi, but see, I figure takin' care of his girl is just as good as taking care of Urameshi himself right?"
-
Mitarai glanced back at Kurama, "Is Kuwabara already at the lake?" Kurama nodded, his expression unreadable. "I guess we should go then..." Mitarai sullenly glanced up at Kurama, who was now gazing off into the distance.
-
"So Urameshi-sama, I see you have found Hiei."
Yusuke rolled his eyes at Mukuro, who was now eyeing Hiei questionably.
"Yeah, big whoop. We have to close the portal. Now."
"I am far ahead of you in the planning Urameshi, currently my loyalist troops are ridding us of our revolters. I hardly think the portal would be something for you to worry about right now.."
"What do you mean 'not something to worry about'! Ningenkai could be swarmed with demons, and you don't think that it's worth-"
"I don't think you are thinking clearly. As always. You-"
"What's that supposed to mean!"
Mukuro rolled her eyes and Hiei narrowed them. "I think you understand precisely what I'm trying to say."
Yusuke narrowed his eyes slightly at Mukuro, "so humor me, I'm a little thickheaded"
Mukuro glanced up at Hiei, and for a moment and unknown emotion flitted across her wounded eyes. Hiei grunted a "hn" and disappeared into another chamber, as Mukuro led Yusuke to her office.
"Please, sit." it was more of a command then a suggestion, but Yusuke chose to ignore it.
"What are you trying to say to me Mukuro?"
She sighed and then glared coldly at Yusuke, "Your woman. She has my heart."
"What the heck! Mukuro, what kind of-"
"You misunderstand me Urameshi-sama." Venom dripped dangerously on each of her words as she continued in an eerily calm serenade of words.
"Your woman holds the power to purify a memory.". Yusuke let out a sigh of relief and then continued staring at Mukuro, "that has nothing to do with your he-"
"Quiet." Mukuro's voice sliced the air, silencing Yusuke immediately.
"Let me explain. Memories lie in the heart. Some immendable, no matter how true the love someone has." Mukuro turned away from Yusuke and glanced out one of her vast windows, before continuing.
"Each of these Makai territory are only to be ruled by a pure soul. A pure heart. Anyone with the ability to purify a heart is very highly valued"
At that phrase, Yusuke's mind jumped to two conclusions:
One, 'Mukuro? Raizen? Me? A pure heart! That's a laugh and a half. ', and secondly, 'Keiko? My woman?'
Yusuke pondered this for a moment; it was almost an unspoken agreement that Keiko was his, and no one dared touch the girl of Yusuke Urameshi. Yet at the same time, Keiko had a fighting spirit in her, even though she obviously cared for Yusuke, whenever it came to something like Valentines day, she always choked up. That only make Yusuke care for Keiko even more; knowing that only he could protect her. Hold her. Comfort her. Love her.
"Urameshi-sama."
"huh?"
"You will go to ningenkai through the portal. You will protect your woman, and finally you will await until I come into contact with you again."
"Whoa, hold on there Mukuro, I can't just get up and leave my territory!", this only caused Mukuro to smirk, "I thought you wanted to see Keiko-chan". Yusuke had to hold back from punching Mukuro into next week, as he nodded curtly and clenched his jaw, excusing himself from the room.
Yusuke made his way back to the spirit world, his hands still clenched fists of embarrassment, until he punched down Koenma's door.
"KOENMA!"
"what! Yusuke! I thought I told you-"
"Hitch me up a portal to earth. Now." The seriousness in Yusuke's voice shocked Koenma, causing him to stumble around the stack of papers that now flitted around his desk.
"Yusuke, we've gone over thi-"
"NOW!" he barked out the command, but Koenma would not back down.
"Why the sudden change in heart Yusuke? What happened in the-"
"You failed to mention that a Makai ruler needs to have a pure heart. You also failed to tell me that Keiko was able to purify hearts."
Koenma glanced around nervously, wondering who could have told Yusuke this information, but it didn't take long for him to realize; "Mukuro."
"Yeah, she told me, and I'm freakin' happy she did! Get me a portal now."
Not another word was spoken as Koenma nodded and waved his hand, causing a swirl of light to appear. Yusuke did not bid him farewell, he didn't even send him a warning glare; he just jumped through the portal without looking back.
Koenma let out a breath of relief as Botan came bounding in, just in time to see Yusuke leave.
"Koenma-sir?"
Koenma sighed again, "You have to hand it to Yusuke... he can be downright cold sometimes..."
-
" ' I'll just get in the way' will I!" Keiko let out a frustrated scream as she punched her pillow with as much force as she could possibly use. Her eyes watered but she blinked back tears. No. Nobody; not even her reflection was allowed to see her cry. She curled up onto her bed and hugged her pillow; dearly wishing that Yusuke was alright.
"oh Yusuke... May kami be with you..."
'knock knock'
"Go away Mitarai!"
"Keiko-kun, come on! Kuwabara-san said-"
"Go away Kuwabara! Go away!"
Keiko plastered her hands onto her ears to block out any sound. "...no...no... no...!"
-
Mitarai sighed, "Kuwabara-san, are you sure we should have come here-"
"Yes! We can't let Keiko feel bad! Sheesh Mitarai, I can't believe you said that stuff to her! ...wait.. what did you say to her?"
Kurama put his hand on Kuwabara's shoulder, "Calm yourself, Keiko will come around in due time. We are most fortunate the lake is starting to slow down on sending out apparitions."
Mitarai nodded in reply, and opened his mouth to say something, when Yusuke came barreling down the hallway.
"Why the heck are you all standing outside of Keiko's room! Is she sick or somethin'?"
"Urameshi! Why have ya been away so long!"
"What's wrong with Keiko!"
"Calm down Urameshi, she's just moody." Yusuke glared at Kuwabara, and muttered something along the lines of "moody my ass".
"Well, I'm not just gonna stand here all day, I'm going in!"
"No wait Yusuke, you really ought to-... nevermind.."
Yusuke had already broke the door down.
-
"Hey... "
"no... no... NO! go away!"
"Hey.. come on.. it's me Keiko-chan.."
Keiko glanced up and nearly fainted, it was Yusuke. She took a sharp inhale, and then smacked Yusuke across the room.
"Ow! What the heck was that for!"
"For leaving me completely clueless for almost half the year! Yusuke you know that-"
"Keiko, I told you, there's business in the makai that I needed to-"
"You could have been dead for all I know, but- but you-" Yusuke put his hands on Keiko's quivering shoulders, calming her down a bit; he gazed down into her bright brown eyes, and she broke down.
"...Yusuke... I-You it could have- and Botan with-.."
"shh... It's okay Keiko-chan.."
Keiko buried her head in Yusuke's chest, letting his warm embrace fill her with serenity. She inhaled his strong husky scent; the scent that she missed so much... "Yusuke..."
"shh shh..." Yusuke embraced Keiko tighter, never wanting to let go. He leaned his head onto hers and gently placed his head onto her tussled hair; her hair always mesmerized him.
Eventually Keiko fell asleep in Yusuke's arms, as he made his way to her bed and sat down, with Keiko still sleeping in her arms. Mitarai and Kuwabara glanced in, "Is she okay?" Yusuke nodded, and Kuwabara let out a breath of relief.
"Yusuke, why are you here? Botan informed me that you were not allowed to travel to ningenkai"
Yusuke shifted Keiko and glanced up warily at Kurama. What was he going to say? He couldn't say he was worried for Keiko's safety; no that would be a weak answer. At the same time, he felt he could never lie to Kurama, so he did the next best thing; "I dunno."
Kurama prodded Yusuke no longer, but from the expression on Yusuke's face, the reason why he had come back was evident: He cared for Keiko.
-
