Lightning Never Strikes Twice
Warning: This is a Shojo-ai story. Some bad language, violence, and some sexual situations.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of Yu Yu Hakusho's characters. I also don't own the movie The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill. (I've never even seen it. Just on a movie critic show that said it was good)
Chapter 1 Invitation
(Shizuru's POV)
I tapped my pencil impatiently against the solid oak top of my desk. I had writers block. All inspiration seemed to suddenly vanish from even the deepest recesses of my mind. It was ridiculous really. Who thought it possible to have writers lock when trying to divulge your own secrets a small book, affectionately called a Diary?
I hate them. Only when you are forced to solidify your true feelings, and troubles in faint graphite letters do you realize just how bland your life is.
You wouldn't think that my life would be a drag...
My little bro and I share an apartment, and he makes sure that things never get dull. He's a real air head, but don't underestimate his character. He isn't the handsomest thing out there, but he has heart. Sometimes I wish I was more like him. Maybe its his naivetivity, but he always finds the positive things in this world. I'm the exact opposite. Pessimistic I suppose.
Kazuma is all I have to keep me going. I don't have many friends...actually the only people I'm on good terms with are my coworkers, and the Reikei Tentei.
Speaking of which, neither are going great, and I'm too damn lazy to fix that fact. Never have been one to take the initiative.
I did follow my passion for fashion. I'm doing well salary wise, but everyone in the profession makes me feel out of place. I'm not conceited, or a stuck up. I do things my way, and if someone else ends up liking the product then that's great.
My psychic awareness makes it easier for me to predict turns in the market, and that hasn't made me all too popular with the other designers. They are jealous.
Like I said I don't care.
So maybe I'm not on good terms with my coworkers...
Without Kazuma I wouldn't even have friends. I just kind of bonded with his. They are all odd balls, and I guess that's why I can get along so well with them.
Yusuke is just as brash as my brother. He'll throw himself into any situation, and enjoy kicking some ass. The way he used to send bro home with all those bruises you wouldn't expect them to have become so close. I think I saw it coming. I have a way of knowing those kind of things.
Keiko...she is a cute little thing. She is strong too, maybe the only one who could ever control Yusuke. Her intentions are well intended, but she hasn't realized that her over-controlling personality will smother him.
Hiei and Kurama are interesting to study. Hiei is dark and mysterious, except it isn't a mystery when you've pissed him off. A short temper he's got. I like him. He's the kind of bad ass I usually fall for. But no...
I'm sick of being hurt like that.
Kurama is exceptionally sweet. On the eyes. Don't let his calm, good-boy demeanor fool you. He is cold and calculating when it comes to a fight. He has a dark side as well, just better hidden then Hiei's.
They are together. No one else knows. But I do.
Botan is someone who is fun to be around. She's not the type you'd share your feelings with, but the type you'd want to hang out with if you were having a bad day. She has a wicked sense of humor for a person, or rather spirit, who transports the dead every day.
Genkai is how I hope I'll be when I'm old and wrinkled. She's never lost her attitude, and I respect that. I wouldn't want age to steal anything from me. She is so resilient, and she radiates power that demands admiration.
I wouldn't want to forget Yukina, who in my opinion, is closed off in her own nice little shell. I can connect with her well. She is innocent, which is a nice change. I think that's why Kazuma is so head over heals in love with her.
Only she isn't innocent. Not that she's got the same dark pasts as Hiei or Kurama, but isn't as fragile as people treat her. I mean she did last five years of torment, caged for the tear gems she cries.
No she's seen enough not to be innocent, but I think she could still be labeled as pure. Like my brother she has a way of seeing the good in the world. Unlike most demons she doesn't look down on us humans. In fact she may have suffered the most by our hands, and still she is willing to forgive us.
I wonder if the others see her like I do? Past her smiles do they see the same loneliness I do? Perhaps I can identify it because its a feeling I share.
The origins for her feelings I might never know, but in part it probably has something to do with her long lost brother.
If the others could see the loneliness she has, and that truly forgiving heart of hers I wonder...Would Hiei be willing to tell her his secret?
No. He is too hard headed for that.
Strangely despite how dynamic our group is we all fit together.
I look down at the empty lines of my journal. Its always been easier to understand others than myself. I don't really know who I am, or where I fit in. I'm just me.
I shut the small book with a snap. I'll try some other day.
The time on the clock tells me that the day is still young. Its the weekend, but I have no plans. I head to the kitchen to start dinner. On the way I grab a slender cigarette from the counter, and bring it to my lips.
From my pocket I pull out a small silver lighter. The object itself brings about a rush of feelings. My body sags back against the refrigerator, as I remember the giver of this gift.
Sakyo was just another man to hurt my heart. He was trouble just like all the men I fall for, but somehow his loss wounded me the most. It was the last time I decide to let myself be vulnerable like that.
I flip the small cap up, and allow the flame to light the end of my cigarette. Slowly I inhale the smoke, savoring the way it calms my nerves, and warms my lungs.
Heh. I know I'm killing myself, but who cares.
Life is too short to follow the rules.
I start pulling out food to make for dinner. I'm hoping that my brother will be back home by the time its done. I really don't want to eat alone.
(Yukina's POV)
It was a beautiful Summer day. The air was warmer than usual, causing flower buds to open up, revealing all their splendor. All the pre-dawn dew was already gone. It must have been a break from the rains that had been rolling through. The sky was now perfectly clear with only clumps of fluffy white dotting it here and there.
I wrapped myself in my powder blue kimono and tied it with the stiff cloth of my obi. Then I brushed my hair before clipping it back with my favorite red hair pin.
I've accidentally slept in today. I think it has something to do with the fact that I stayed up well into the night. I just couldn't rest peacefully and now it is past noon. I don't have a clock, but I could feel it was very late in the day.
Everything is silent, like usual, and the padding of my feet as I walked out of my room echoes, reminding me of my solitude.
No one is at the temple at this moment. Even Master Genkai has traveled to the city for the day to buy a few things.
...It is lonely being alone...
But it is something I am used too. Unless there is a mission the temple rarely had visitors.
I went outside, and couldn't help but smile at the good weather. Morning song birds where testing their vocal cords. I walked out across the grass lawn to the small stone bench I'd requested myself.
The bench is still cold, and my bottom is numb within a few minutes. Luckily my friend flies down to distract me from my discomfort. He is small and brown like wet sandstone, but his chirp is loud enough to make you think he is a robin. Silly thing he is.
Every morning we meet out on the bench to keep each other company. He seems a little disgruntled at my late appearance, but nuzzles my cheek in forgiveness anyway.
I've always gotten along with birds more than people. They are so much simpler to understand.
"Hello Riko na. I was wondering if you'd still come. Sorry I took so long, but I slept in." He chirps in understanding, and I ruffle his downy feathers with one of my fingers.
I turn around on the bench so I'm resting on my knees, and lean in close, so I can talk to him in a whisper. "Do you sense that ki? He's watching me again."
Riko na flaps his wings, and I giggle. "He thinks I don't notice how he checks up on me. Poor Hiei always acts so tough..."
He doesn't come by as often as before. Not since he left to be Murkuro's heir in Maikai.
His ki is near by, and its familiarity is the only thing that lessens my loneliness. I'm not sure why he watchers over me like that... I think he feels guilty that he still hasn't found my brother like he promised he would.
What he doesn't know is that I see him as a brother in a way. He is how I always pictured mine to be. I could never tell him that of course. I wouldn't want to offend him.
A second ki tickles my senses, and I smile in delight. I hadn't been expecting anyone to visit today.
"Oh its Kazuma Riko na!" The little bird twitters indignantly at the loud voice calling out of the temple.
"Yukina my Looooooove! Are you here?" His sing song voice makes me giggle. He can be so goofy at times.
"I've found you!" He cries excitedly when he finds me sitting correctly now, on the bench.
"Yes you have Kazuma. Its nice of you to visit."
He smiles, like I've just made his day. Perhaps he was bored as well...
"Well you see Yukina...that is if you aren't too busy today..."
I give him a confused look urging him to get to the point. Sometimes he can ramble a bit, but I'm a very patient person.
"Would you like to come eat dinner at my house?"
The prospect of staying at the temple all day, alone, isn't a very pleasant idea. In fact dinner sounds like it might be a pleasant change of events! I nod my head, and give a small glance at Riko na.
I can't say good bye to him. People just don't understand those kind of things, but my glance is the only way of relaying the message.
He flies off to a Sakura tree twenty yards away, where I know his nest is built.
Kazuma is one of my closest friends, and I'm glad he's come to bring me company. Maybe his offer will bring some joy to my day.
(Shizuru's POV)
I finished making the fried rice when I felt him on his way home. The breaded pork was already done. I started to set the table, but for some reason I felt like I should put another place setting.
I wasn't sure who he would bring home for dinner, but my instincts are usually right, so I put the plate down.
Five minutes later he comes in talking rapidly in that giddy voice of his when he's talking to Eikichi or...Yukina.
I smile. So my baby bro had finally summoned enough courage to make a move. Subconsciously I searched for any Ki of a certain fire demon around. I knew my brother didn't mean to have a death wish but...
"Sis I'm home! I brought Yukina over for dinner I hope that's ok!"
I'm already sitting at my place at the table with my legs crossed. My cigarette is almost burned out anyway so I put it out in the ash tray on the shelf behind me.
"No, I don't mind. Take a seat." Kazuma pulls out a chair for Yukina, and pushes it in like a gentle men. It really is kind of cute to watch him try so hard.
Yukina says thank you, and smiles politely. I can tell she is oblivious to his intentions.
"Help yourself." I say when I see Yukina hesitating nervously. She takes my lead, and dishes herself out some food.
As we eat I find myself in my usual role of observation. I notice right away she has more manors than Kazuma with respect to dining. She is very good at giving him the attention he deserves. Most girls ignore him because he isn't the brightest, or most attractive. I'm glad Yukina can look passed that. Sadly she still sees him as a friend. Its in the way she laughs when he says his spiels about his undying devotion.
She thinks he's is joking.
What's worse is Kazuma doesn't realize this. When he starts getting too sappy I save myself the trouble of having to witness anymore.
"You're laying it on a little thick, don't you think baby bro?"
He puffs his chest up with dignity to cover up his embarrassment. Yukina just looks confused.
Everyone is too full after dinner to eat dessert right away so we all go to the living room to talk.
(Yukina's POV)
I'm becoming more comfortable by the time we are finished with dinner. To be truthful...I've never been to any of my friends houses, or actually apartments to be exact.
I hardly ever even leave the temple, so it took some getting used to, to be in unfamiliar surroundings.
Kazuma is making it easier for me. All the jokes he make, really eases my tension. I should learn to relax more. Being with friends for just fun is well...fun. It makes you feel like your company is worth something.
After a quick vote we decide to watch a movie. I'm too afraid to say this but...I've never seen a movie before. I'm not sure what to expect.
"Why don't we watch something other than an action film. I think Yukina would prefer something a bit more mellow." Shizuru recommends in that dry tone of hers.
"What do you want to see Yukina?" Kazuma asks over by the movie shelf.
"Um...I'm not sure. I'm sure whatever you two chose will be good."
Shizuru stands up, and pulls a movie off the shelf, and pops it in without even saying a word.
The movie starts to play, and Kazuma complains loudly, "The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill? Why would we-"
Shizuru gives him a warning look, and then directs her attention at me. "You like birds don't you Yukina?"
I nod my head. I'm happy now. A movie about birds? I didn't know ningens could be empathetic towards lesser creatures. I guess I shouldn't have doubted them.
"Oh...well then...This is a great movie!" Kazuma says cheerfully.
To my right Shizuru just shakes her head, and lights up another cigarette. The smoke rises off the end, and I can see her fingering her lighter in her hand. She looks...sad for a moment. When I'm caught staring I quickly look back at the screen with a blush rising on my face. I was being so impolite!
We are barely through the opening scenes when there is a knock at the door. Shizuru pauses the movie, while Kazuma goes to answer the door.
He comes back looking really guilty, and I'm worried for a second that something horrible has happened.
"I'm sorry Yukina, but Yusuke just came buy because there is some mission or something. I'm sorry that I'll have to just leave when we were having so much fun. I can take you home first if you want."
A sinking feeling settles in my stomach. But I was having such a great time. I don't want to leave yet. It isn't fair...
Shizuru shakes her head. "No I'll take her home after we finish watching the movie. She can hang out with me for a while."
My face brightens. Kazuma nods his head. "Sure sis. But don't bore her too much." Shizuru gives him a half glare, and un mutes the movie.
"Good luck Kazuma," she calls.
"Yes, good luck Kazuma," I mimic.
The movie isn't half bad once it starts. The birds really are the cutest things ever. They remind me of Riko na. Maybe Humans can understand me after all. The man on the TV would...
AN: First revised chapter done. Sorry it took me so long to start to repost this story but I'm, well...lazy. I wanted this story to be more in-depth than the original version, so I'll be going into the character a lot more. The events to take place have also doubled.
Kuwabara said twice wards off lighting strikes. Both Shizuru and Kazuma are Kuwabara's...so you can guess where the lightning is going to strike.
Also this story comes right before my other fic Promise Ring (YusukexKurama). I guess you could say they are in the same AU. This is right around the time Yusuke gets together with Kurama.
P.S. If you want to see a pic of Shizuru and Yukina on the couch watching the movie go to http/ don't forget to review!