Title:Keiko's Revenge
Author:Bradybunch4529
Summary: Keiko overhears a conversation between the gang that causes her to leave everything behind.
Disclaimers: Yu Yu Hakusho and everything related is not mine.
Rating: PG-13
Pairings: Keiko/Yusuke Botan/Koenma Kurama/OC
A/N: I am changing things to suit me of course. So slightly AU. At this point Yusuke is not on his way to Makai.
Reviewers:
Kuramalover21: I wondered if the emotions and reactions would work out. Thank you for letting me know that you enjoyed it. Come back again.
Cerridwene: A new reviewer! Welcome to my story. You are right; it's definitely poor, poor Yusuke. But what doesn't break you will make you stronger. So hopefully it will work out that way!
Escptheshdw835: You came back! Thanks for sticking with me so long. My computer decided to eat the chapter and I had to go back and try to find it and then get rid of the virus. It was not a pretty sight; I almost shot the computer. Definitely cried and screamed though. I'm glad that you enjoyed it and thought the chapter was worth the wait. Hopefully this chapter will live up to expectations.
OoOo
Chapter 8: New Faces"..Please return all trays and seats to their upright position. The weather is a balmy 82 degrees with clouds building to the west and forecasters are calling for a thunderstorm by early evening."
Keiko came awake slowly, the voice continuing to drone into her ear. Her seatmate nudged her shoulder and Keiko's chocolate brown eyes blinked open. A frown crossed her face when blue filled her vision. Another blink and Keiko realized that she was staring at a seat cover. For a moment she was confused and then it all came rushing back.
Airplane to America. Leaving Tokyo. Leaving Yusuke. The pain slammed into her and her breath caught in her throat. Keiko bit down hard on her bottom lip to stop herself from crying out. Instantly blood filled her mouth and the emotional pain subsided in the rush of physical pain. Keiko was determined not to think about Yusuke. She needed to get to Harvard Campus and find out where her dorm was and hope that her stuff had arrived on time. The list went on and on; starting with getting off of the plane, collecting her suitcases and trying to figure out which way was up.
The airplane began a slow descent with the engines revving, the floor vibrating under her feet and seeming to tilt upwards. Keiko's eyes closed, head tilted back and hands gripping the seat's armrests. While she had flown with Puu, Yusuke and Botan; flying on an airplane was a new experience for her. There was a bump when the wheels touched down on the tarmac and Keiko was jostled forward a bit. Then the airplane was slowing down and people around her began to move.
Keiko's eyes opened and she looked down at her hands. The knuckles were still white and her fingers were beginning to make impressions into the seat. It took a conscious effort but her fingers slowly released the armrests as the airplane rolled to a gentle stop at the gate. The large gray building seems to sprawl around and behind the many runways. Large windows glinted in the sun, blinding Keiko before she was jolted out of her thoughts by the people moving around her.
Everyone was pulling their carry on from the overhead bins or pulling book bags out from under the seat in front of them and making their way out of the airplane. Even the older lady next to Keiko had already left. Keiko sighed and began to gather her stuff. Her head brushed the ceiling and she had to twist her body slightly to pull her book bag over her shoulder. Her CD player was grasped in her left hand, the music still playing from headphone currently draped around her neck. The familiar Japanese lyrics comforted her, as she was surround by English.
An older gentleman stopped before her seat and motioned for her go ahead of him. Keiko smiled and thanked the man in halting English and received a smile in reply. She quickly swung herself out from the recessed seat and moved up the aisle. Keiko carefully watched her feet in the small aisle way, lit on either side by the emergency lights, as she made her way out of the airplane. She received a smile and a goodbye from the flight attendants, a pretty blond headed woman who had smiled the entire trip. The flight attendant had even taken the time to speak with Keiko before take off, having been informed that it was her flight. Keiko smiled warmly back and thanked the woman before turning and walking up the gates tunnel into the main terminal.
Once there, Keiko was assaulted by images and noise. There were people sitting in the gate area that glanced up at the group leaving the airplane. A voice was speaking over the PA system in French before switching to another language. There were several monitors hanging from the ceilings with a listing of flights and arrival times, departure times and gate numbers. Keiko moved further into the terminal, trying to ignore how nervous she was right now.
Alone, in a country that wasn't her own, surround by a language that wasn't hers. Keiko took a deep breath and pushed the nervousness to the back of her mind. She hiked her book bag higher on her shoulder and moved towards an empty seat in the corner of the gate wanting to take a minute and get her bearings. She swung her book bag into the low blue padded seat and opened the bag. Keiko pulled the headphones off, ignoring the small twinge when the band caught her hair, and turned off the CD player before sticking it into the bag. She pulled out the water bottle that she had filled up at the last stop over and took a deep pull of the liquid.
Keiko winced slightly as the overly warm water hit her tongue but she swallowed and took another drink, hoping to at least soothe her parched throat. Her legs were slightly unsteady and tight from spending so much time sitting in a cramped seat. Keiko shrugged her shoulders and tried to work the tension from her shoulders and back. She glanced down at the watch on her wrist before returning the water bottle and finally picking her book bag back up. With the bag back on her shoulder, Keiko looked up at the huge signs that hung over the main walkways.
One of the arrows pointed the way to customs and baggage claim. That had to be where she needed to go, Keiko decided and began to move in that direction. Her boots rang on the tiled floor as Keiko walked through the airport. People moved around her and by her talking on cell phones or rushing to make it to their gate. It was a symphony of sounds and Keiko could feel her nervousness slowly disappearing with every stepshe took.
Keiko spotted the customs line in front of her and picked up her pace slightly. The quicker she got through showing her passport and the security check meant she got to a shower sooner. While she had managed to change clothes, brush her teeth and wash her face, Keiko was very aware that it had been almost 48 hours since her last shower. She came to a stop behind a large family and put her bag on the floor. Keiko kneeled down and retrieved her passport and paperwork explaining her pending student visa.
It only took a few minutes before Keiko was finally through the customs check and heading for baggage claim. She was actually surprised at how quickly it had happened, Keiko had been under the impression that after 9-11 that security had been beefed up in the United States. Instead they had checked her bag through an X-ray machine and asked her a few questions before stamping her passport and bidding her a nice day.
Within seconds Keiko had managed to retrieve her two suitcases and was trying to figure the best way to carry them outside. Just as she had decided to just grab them and go a voice interrupted her.
"Keiko Yukimara?" The voice was female and hesitant.
Keiko whirled to face the voice, her hands automatically coming up in defense.
"Whoa." The girl behind her held up both of her hands, with the palms facing Keiko. A smile lit up her face as she continued, "I didn't mean to startle you. I'm sorry."
Keiko slowly lowered her hands and gave a slight smile in return. "No I'm sorry." Keiko's dark brown eyes slowly traced the girls' features. She saw dark green eyes with gold flecks scattered in them. The girl had sunshine blond hair and a wide smile. Another glance showed that the girl was wearing a T-shirt with the Harvard Logo and dark blue jeans with a pair of blue slip on sneakers. Keiko looked back into the girls' eyes and found warmth, understand and a genuine caring in them. She sighed, "You just startled me."
"I understand completely," the girl replied, smiling wider and lowering her hands. "I just didn't want you to get away if you were Keiko Yukimara." The girls' voice was warm and had a softly lilting quality to it. "You are Keiko Yukimara, right?" For the first time a hint of doubt entered her voice. "If you aren't and I scared you to death I will never forgive myself," the girl moaned and cast a pleading glance at Keiko.
Keiko couldn't help but laugh at the girl. There was something so likeable about her. It was if Keiko had known her for years and was completely understood. "No I'm Keiko Yukimara." She offered her hand and was surprised at the warmth and comfort that the girls' handshake immediately provided.
"I'm Cassandra Michealson your new roommate," the girl replied with a smile, her hand tightening around Keiko's. "The registrars' office let me know that you were coming in today and all your flight information." Cassandra released Keiko's hand and reached for one of the suitcases. "Let me get that for you." Keiko opened her mouth to protest, only to shut it again when Cassandra waved a hand towards the elevator on the left. "I'm parked in one of the short term parking garages. I didn't want to wait at the curb and take the chance I would miss you."
Keiko picked up the other case and followed the gregarious girl to the elevator. In seconds both girls were on the elevator with a group of high school students. Cassandra flashed Keiko a smiling look when the girls squealed over a cute boy walking by just before the doors closed. Keiko found herself smiling back, easily reading the other girls' expression. It amazed Keiko how well she felt she knew Cassandra. She was still slightly dazed by that thought when the elevator reached their level and Cassandra moved out of the elevator.
"Anyway," Cassandra continued as she pointed the way down a long hallway. "I figured that it would be easier and nicer if I just came to pick you up. After all, long plan trip, a new country and a language that isn't your own is enough to deal with. Let alone trying to get your suitcases and self to a taxi and finding the dorm." Cassandra laughed and glanced over at Keiko again. "Though by the looks of things you could have handled it. I bet you're the type to always remain on the top of any situation."
"I try to be," Keiko replied slowly, amazed that the girl was such a good judge of character. Suddenly Keiko realized that she could understand Cassandra. Keiko blinked slightly at this realization. There had been no hesitation from Cassandra when speaking to her. Cassandra hadn't tried to talk down to her or even slow her speech and Keiko had instantly fallen into the habit of replying without thought. A glance at Cassandra showed that the girl was watching her with a knowing expression on her face. Keiko smiled when she realized that Cassandra had consciously made her reply without thinking.
"This is it," Cassandra stopped next to a small blue car. The blue Hyundai trunk was popped open easily and Cassandra slid the suitcase she was carrying in before reaching for Keiko's other one.
"Thanks," Keiko offered as Cassandra closed the trunk and moved around to unlock the passenger door.
"You're welcome," Cassandra replied as she slid into the drivers seat. The keys jangled in her hand as she slid the car key into the ignition. With a quick twist of her wrist, the car started and Cassandra reached for her seat belt, absently she clicked the belt into place and reached for the radio. "Sorry," she offered as music filled the car. "Buckle up."
Keiko reached behind her and pulled the seat belt across her body and clicked it into place. She settled back into the seat with a sigh. Her brown eyes curiously looked around the car as Cassandra carefully back out of her space. The console was a dark gray that sparkled like it had been recently cleaned. A notice on the glove box stated that there was a passenger seat airbag. The seat was comfortable, upholstered in a dark gray fabric streaked with blues and reds. The car was roomy for how small it was. The steering wheel was a dark gray but had a brightly colored grip cover placed over it.
Cassandra kept quiet and let Keiko look her fill. She shifted easily into first and came to a stop at the gate. She handed the woman her ticket and waited to be told her total. When it came, Cassandra handed over the money and bid the woman goodbye. In seconds Cassandra was merging with traffic leaving the airport behind them. With the ease of long practice, Cassandra weaved in and out of traffic moving away from the airport. Cassandra took the freeway exit and merged into lunch hour traffic heading for the university.
"So are you hungry?" Cassandra asked after merging into traffic and dodging around a slow moving van. Keiko had been so busy staring at everything that Cassandra hadn't wanted to interrupt. But Keiko had finally relaxed into the seat and was watching the traffic pass them.
"I am but I really just want a shower," Keiko admitted shyly but when Cassandra laughed, Keiko laughed too.
"I understand completely," Cassandra assured her, glancing at her quickly, the green eyes warm with humor. "It will relieve you to know that your stuff arrived two days ago."
"That is a relief," Keiko replied with a smile. "I was worried that it was going to get lost."
"Don't I know it," Cassandra agreed, checking the left lane for traffic before flicking on her turn signal and moving into the faster moving lane. "I hope you don't mind but I went ahead and put some stuff away."
"Really."
"Umm. Just enough that I could get the boxes out of the way," Cassandra smiled a Keiko as she moved into the left lane again. "I wasn't trying to be nosy, Kay. I just couldn't move in the room."
"Kay?"
"Oops. Sorry," Cassandra frowned slightly. "I have this thing about names. I automatically shorten them or give a nickname. Get it from my Mom."
Keiko had to smile. She had never met anyone quite like Cassandra before. There wasn't anything mean or spiteful in her manner, just an honest warmth and genuine caring. Cassandra was the type of person that instantly made everyone feel comfortable and like they were at home. Keiko couldn't tell Cassandra how much she appreciated that aspect of her personality. After everything with Yusuke and the rest of the gang, Keiko had been sure that she wouldn't trust anyone else for a while. Instead, she found a new friend within minutes of landing. Keiko couldn't help but relax even more and allow that warmth to fill her up.
"Kay?" Cassandra's voice was hesitant.
"Hmm?"
"You okay?"
"I'm fine and I don't mind if you call me Kay," Keiko replied firmly, smiling brightly at her new friend.
Cassandra blinked a couple of times, turning to look at Keiko before returning her attention to the road. "Okay then." She laughed and reached over to pat Keiko's knee. "We'll get along fine. My last roommate couldn't handle the gang and ran screaming for the hills." Cassandra moved into the exit lane and took the ramp onto a residential street.
"You that scary Cassandra?" Keiko asked in amusement, turning to look at her.
"Call me Cassie. And no, I don't think so. But my friends and I are slightly unusual," Cassandra replied and came to a stop for a red light. "We have any interesting blend of people with different personalities, goals and tastes."
"And that scared the last roommate?" Keiko asked confused.
"I think it was the fact that half the group are pagans rather than practicing mainstream religion," Cassandra explained as the light turned green and she made a right turn onto another street.
"Pagans?"
"Yep."
"And that scared her?"
"Most people don't like to admit that there might be spirits and demons that don't follow conventional religion."
"I see."
"But other than that I think that the gang is pretty normal. They promised not to descend for at least 2 hours after you landed. But we normally eat dinner together. Tonight we're going to my mom's house for it."
"Your mom?"
"She's a professor here at Harvard, in Philosophy and English Literature."
"But you live on campus."
Cassandra slowed and made a left down an alleyway before replying, "Momma told me that the point of college is to get away from home and have fun." Cassandra laughed and slowed down to pull into a parking lot behind a huge brick building. "More than that she told me that part of the fun is to actually live on campus and be able to take part in everything rather than having to run home."
"You're mom sounds like an unusual woman," Keiko replied as she got out of the car.
"She is." Cassandra locked the car and went around to the trunk to remove the luggage. She handed a suitcase and Keiko's book bag to her before pulling out the other suitcase. She tucked the car keys into her front jean pocket, "this way." She pointed the way to a door partially hidden behind a bush.
Keiko juggled everything and followed after Cassandra. She took a couple deep breaths and was amazed at how clean and fresh the air smelled. The trees were swaying slightly in the breeze, birds were singing and as Keiko watched, a squirrel ran from a bush to a tree. She had to smile at the noise and the sight. It was so unusual to see any type of animals in Tokyo.
"Kay?" Cassandra had stopped at the door, holding it open while she waited for Keiko to catch up.
"Sorry," Keiko called out and hurried to where Cassandra was standing.
"Not a problem," Cassandra assured her as Keiko slipped past her and into the stairwell. "Just go up."
Keiko took a deep breath and a better hold onto her suitcase before beginning to climb up the stairs. Her right hand grasped the rail and her boots rang on the metal staircase. The stairs were well lit and the air was cool, which was a sharp contrast to the heat outside. Keiko could hear Cassandra behind her, as the girl easily climbed up the stairs.
"We're going to the second floor," Cassandra told her as Keiko paused on the first landing.
"Okay."
A few more minutes of climbing and then they reached the second landing. Keiko opened the door and let Cassandra go through first. Cassandra nodded her thanks and led the way to the right before stopping at the third door on the left. Cassandra dug her keys out of her pocket again and unlocked the door. With a soft snick the door swung open and Cassandra stepped backwards and motioned for Keiko to go ahead of her.
Keiko took a deep breath, knowing that she was about to enter the room that was going to her home for the next four years. For a second Keiko was tempted to run away, to forget about Yusuke's betrayal and just go home. Then Keiko shook it off and took that first step forward.
The room was larger than Keiko had thought it would be. There was a large window on the wall directly in front of her. The window was covered in a bright red curtain with sweeping valiances across the top in the same bright red. The floor was done in a black and white tile, with a diamond pattern. In the center of the floor was a dark red thick carpet. The walls were done in a creamy white, and directly to the right of Keiko was a closet. A quick look to the left showed a matching closet tucked in the corner on the left.
There was built in desks and dressers on the right hand side. There was a lone bare bed on the right hand side, just in front of the closet. The other bed was set up on a wooden frame, just in front of the window. The frame had a desk built into it and with shelves built into the frame that went the entire length of it. The shelves were filled with books, a radio, several stuffed animals and several notebooks. There was also a laptop on the desk with a printer hooked up to it. There was also a refrigerator place under the frame with a beanbag chair there.
On one of the dressers was a TV with a built in VCR and a DVD player already hooked up to it. The bed was itself was made neatly, with a bright red comforter that seemed quite thick. There was a body pillow done in blues and greens stretched along the side of the bed. The pillows and sheets were dark green color. There were several pictures placed around the room, along with framed poems and stories.
There were also boxes everywhere. They were piled on the empty bed, in front of the closet and on every available surface. There was only a path to the occupied bed that was free of clutter. Keiko couldn't help but groan when she saw the mess. All she wanted was a long hot shower and it looked like it would take her at least 2 hours to get everything unpacked and put away.
"Hey don't worry about it," Cassandra soothed as she put a hand on Keiko's shoulder. "I'll help you and it won't take any time at all."
Keiko flashed a grateful smile at Cassandra. "You sure you want to help?"
"Like I'm just going to sit in the corner and watch you go insane," Cassandra teased and nudged Keiko's shoulder. "I'll tell you what, first we'll leave the door open. It's still early so not that many girls have moved in yet and it's fairly common during moving in day. Second, we'll unpack the suitcases first."
Keiko was already nodding and moving deeper into the room. She placed her suitcase and the book bag on top of a box. Cassandra followed her lead before toeing off her shoes and placing them on the welcome mat just inside the door. Keiko decided that taking off her shoes sounded good, so she untied her boots and placed them beside Cassandra's shoes. With a quick smile at each other, the girls turned to the boxes and began unpacking.
It took just over an hour and a half before the boxes were emptied. Both girls were resting against Keiko's new made bed, drinking bottled water still cold from the refrigerator. Sweat was dripping down both of their faces, their clothes were clinging to them, despite the fan that Cassandra had turned on to keep the air cooler. The sun had dimmed slightly, becoming hidden behind the clouds but the humidity had shot up. Cassandra had told Keiko that a storm was rolling in and not to worry too much. Keiko had just nodded and gone back to unpacking.
Now the only thing Keiko wanted was a shower. She rolled her head on her shoulders, trying to keep movement to a minimum. Her muscles were tight and aching from all the unpacking. She looked at Cassandra, who had her eyes closed and was pressing the water bottle to her forehead.
"Hey," Keiko tapped Cassandra on the shoulder.
"Hmm?"
"Shower," Keiko whimpered pitfully.
Cassandra chuckled and opened her eyes to look into Keiko's pleading brown eyes. "Puppy dog eyes, huh?" Cassandra slowly eased herself up, moaning as muscles protested the move. "Come on," she offered her hand to Keiko and pulled her up. Both girls groaned as they wavered on their feet for a moment. The muscles straining and protesting any movements. "Get your stuff and I'll show you where the bathrooms are."
Both girls grabbed their showering caddy, towels and robes. Cassandra led the way to down the hall to the bathroom. The tiles were cool against their feet as they made their way to the back of the bathroom and then turned into another doorway. This room was larger than the previous, with smaller tiles and showers put into recessed rooms. There were 8 different showers, with the one in the back being slightly larger with a bench built into the back wall.
Keiko picked one of the showers and stepped into the recessed room. She found a hook and a small wooden bench in the first recessed room. She pulled the shower curtain back and placed her shower caddy on the granite floor inside the shower, starting the water before pulling the shower curtain closed again. Then she hung her robe on the hook with her towel on top before stripping quickly. The running water was like a siren's call to Keiko and all she could think about was washing away the past 2 days. She could almost feel the water pounding down on her head and shoulders. Distantly she was aware of the sound of another shower being turned on.
Keiko stepped into the shower after folding her clothes and placing them neatly on the bench. She sighed in ecstasy when the hot water rushed over her. She tilted her face up and let the water run over her face. For several seconds Keiko just relaxed in water, letting the water wash away the tension, sweat and aches. Then she turned away and reached for her face wash.
20 minutes later Keiko was back in the room getting dressed. She sighed at the feel of being clean and pulling on clean clothes. As she finished pulling her shirt over her head, the door suddenly burst open.
"Hey Cassie!" Several voices called at once, laughing together.
Keiko turned to face the group as they came to a stop just inside the room. There were a total of 6, 2 boys and 4 girls, all of them seeming to be shocked speechless at the sight of Keiko. The boy in front was around Keiko's height, with shaggy brown hair and loose clothing. The girl next to him had long black hair that was pulled back from her face. Glasses were perched on her nose, showcasing her sparkling brown eyes. The girl just behind her was shorter than Keiko and had short dark hair, with glasses hiding her blue eyes. Directly behind that girl was a taller girl with long dirty blond hair, hanging loose around her face. The tallest girl in the back was slightly heavier than the rest, with her light brown hair loose down her back. Another boy stood out in the hall, seeming to be well over six feet tall. He had short blond hair that seemed to be streaked with lighter shades of blond. He had broad shoulders and bright blue eyes.
"Hello," Keiko offered when none of them spoke up.
"Hello," the girl responded quietly. "We apologize. We were looking for…"
"Hey guys," Cassandra's voice called from behind all of them.
Keiko looked over the group and met Cassandra's laughing green eyes. She was standing next to the guy in the hall, hair still wrapped in a towel dressed in her robe. She patted the guys' arm and began to make her way through the group into the room. The gang got out of the way and smiled a greeting at her.
"We're sorry Cassie," the boy in front offered. "I know that we're early but we got hungry!"
"It's okay Jeff," Cassandra assured the boy. Just let me and Keiko get finished dressed and then we can head for Momma's."
"Okay." The group offered Keiko an apologetic smile before stepping back into the hall and closing the door.
"Sorry about that Kay," Cassandra offered as she rubbed briskly at her hair after putting her caddy in the closet. "The gang is so used to it just being me and I never lock the door, so they just burst right in."
"Don't worry about it," Keiko smiled at Cassandra and reached into her closet for her tennis shoes.
"I'll introduce you before we head to Momma's."
"Sounds good."
The room fell silent as Cassandra quickly got dressed and Keiko finished tying her tennis shoes. Within minutes Cassandra had pulled on another pair of jeans and a different t- shirt, leaving her hair loose down her shoulders. Cassandra pulled on her slip on tennis shoes and smiled at Keiko.
"I'm ready how about you?"
"Whenever you are."
"Hungry yet?"
"Starving," Keiko replied with a small laugh.
"Don't worry about it. Momma will have a big dinner waiting."
Cassandra smiled at Keiko and pulled open the door. The gang had waited for them in the hall and they smiled when both of them walked out. "Time for introductions gang," Cassandra called and everyone nodded.
"Keiko I'd like you to meet Jeff," Cassandra stopped next to the boy who had been the first in the room. "The girl next to him is Jane, his girlfriend." Keiko nodded at the girl who had first spoken. "Next is Lee." Cassandra pointed to the girl with short brown hair and glasses. "Then there is Lori." The girl who nodded was the one with long dirty blond hair and a sweet smile. "Next to her is Deanne." Deanne was the tallest girl with long brown hair down her back. "And last but certainly not least is Jacob." The tall blond hair boy smiled and nodded at Keiko.
"Anyways this is the gang. Gang this is Keiko."
"Hello Keiko. Welcome to the gang," the group spoke as one, their smiles warm and welcoming as they stared at the girl.
Keiko couldn't help but smile back and enjoy the thought of being a part of the gang.
OooOA/N: Well there's the next chapter. I hope it was worth the wait. And that it wasn't too confusing. It ran into a bit of writers' block. I'll do better next time I swear! Let me know what you think. Next time we'll meet mom and see how Yusuke's doing.