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
Reviewers:
Apathetic Empath: You are prolific aren't you? I've really enjoyed your reviews. You are always honest with me. What you like and what you don't. I am sorry that most of my chapters seem rushed to you. I hope that this one doesn't. It just flowed from my fingers, so easy and so moving. I do like your username; it reminds me of me. Fighting? Oh you better believe it. Bonding? HMMM. I wonder? I'm really glad you liked the shower scene and Yusuke's reaction. I worked really hard on that chapter. It was wrenching to write and to proof. I didn't portray Annie right if you thought it was too fast. Hopefully she gets explained better in this chapter. If not let me know. As for Cassie's friends, I modeled them after my own group of friends. I know there were a lot of them, but they aren't going to be too big in the future really. Chapter 7 was one of my hardest chapters. And no, I could never hate you. I hope that this chapter meets your expectations.
KatsunoCZ:I hope I got the username right, sometimes I miss them. I'm thrilled you took a chance with my story. Especially since you have never seen Yu Yu Hakusho. The fact that my descriptions are good enough that you could follow the story, makes me blush. I'm thrilled that everything was vivid enough for you.
Cerridwene:Annie and Enma do not get along. We'll have to see about whether or not Keiko is safe with her though.
Kenshinlover2002: I hope that everything gets explained in the chapter. If there are still questions let me know and I'll make sure to specifically answer them in this section.
Arano: You are right. My mistake. Thanks for letting me know. I fixed it immediately after you pointed it out. I hope that this chapter is better. Let me know what you think.
Escptheshw835:I'm glad that you enjoyed the chapter. I've been getting mixed reviews. I'm beyond thrilled that the descriptions worked out in this chapter. Different type of story? I'm ecstatic that you think so. I was afraid I was getting too pat. I hope this chapter meets your expectations.
Donamarine: That is why. Justin was the man killed. Remember that Annie is a psychic and she does see dead people. For her Justin is still alive. This chapter should be a kick in the teeth, I hope.
Silver Eyes Bright: I do adore your username. So very original. There are some really good ones and for the life of me I cannot think of them. There is one in particular that is my absolute fav but I haven't been able to find it. I can recommend that you just start at the very end of the section and work your way back. And I so agree. All the stories are about the boys or Yus/Botan. I just don't get those. Ah well, (huge sigh). You should definitely put yours up, that is why I finally put my own up. I'm thrilled you are enjoying the story. It does have so many possibilities. I may even wind up doing a sequel. I hope you enjoy the newest chapter as much.
Alaskantiger:Hopefully this is soon enough. :P Annie is definitely not someone to cross. Let me know what you think of this chapter.
Chapter 11: BetrayalKeiko Yukimara tilted her head back, delighting in the feeling of warmth from the sun against her skin. Her brown hair spilled around her shoulders, lifting in the gentle breeze. She took a deep breath and delighted in the smell of pine trees and fresh cut grass. The grass under her hands tickled her palms and she couldn't help but smile. There was something to be said for ignoring everything and just relaxing on a warm summer day.
It had been 3 weeks since Keiko had arrived. In that time she had met with the Registrar, finalized her class schedule and got her books for the semester. Cassie and her gang had taken Keiko on a tour of the campus and had shown her where all of her classes were located. They had taken her to the movies, the theme park and on multiple nature hikes but somehow they always ended up at the house.
For the most part Keiko hadn't really thought about Yusuke. She had been too busy to worry about the idiot but late at night she couldn't help but wonder what he was doing. Keiko tried to convince herself that she didn't care that Yusuke hadn't bothered to call, but deep down she knew that she was lying to herself. There was a tiny kernel of hope that he would have called or at least written her a letter. But he never had. And despite Annie's advice, Keiko hadn't been able to bring herself to call or write either.
In fact, Keiko couldn't help but wonder if maybe she was the one who had overreacted. After all, she hadn't heard the entire conversation and she knew Yusuke better than anyone. He covered his feelings up with bravado and bluff, even with her. Keiko had been so upset that she couldn't concentrate on his eyes. For her, his eyes had always told the truth. No matter what he said, she could always see the truth in those hazel depths.
So now she was ashamed. Keiko knew that she should have talked with Yusuke and Botan. Instead she was hiding here and avoiding calling home. Her dark brown eyes flickered open and stared into the brilliant blue sky. Now the question was, what was she going to do next?
"Hey Kay!" Cassie's shout brought Keiko's attention back to the game taking place in front of her.
"What?" Keiko hollered back, a laugh bubbling out at the sight of the group in front of her.
"Get off your butt and get back into the game," Cassie called and waved a hand at Keiko.
Keiko laughed and shook her head, but got up and ran to join the dirt covered and sweaty group. They immediately welcomed her into the group, laughing and joking with each other. It was the 4th of July and Annie had decided that a barbeque before the fireworks would be a great way to celebrate. There were members of the faculty, people from the town and tons of kids running around.
While the barbeque was going, with Annie firmly in charge of that, Cassie had come up with the bright idea of a game of football. Everyone had agreed and teams had been chosen. Even the dean of the university and several of the professors got into the game. Keiko had been confused when a football had been produced, suddenly unsure of the game they were getting ready to play.
Annie had seen her confusion and quickly explained the game. Keiko had been a little nervous about playing, but after the first couple of plays had settled into the game. It wasn't about skill or even who won. They were playing for the sheer pleasure of it. There was laughter and catcalls from the sidelines, arguments about end zones and the downs from the players.
Even Keiko had to admit that the game was exhilarating. The sun beating down, a soft breeze, the smell of grass and summer in the air. The sensation of spinning around opposing players, the snap of the ball through the air and the slap of it as it hit your chest. The shock of getting tackled, the pile up and the instant argument over how far you had gotten.
Hours had passed. People had wandered away and others had joined in. There were people standing around discussing everything from the war, classical literature to the latest gossip. Keiko loved it. At this moment in time there were no worries and no tomorrows right now.
Yusuke Uremeshi knew that getting to America wasn't going to be easy. He just hadn't known that it would be almost impossible. At every corner he had run into another problem. First there was the issue of the passport, which took over 3 months to validate, the price of the tickets and even finding her.
After 3 weeks of being stonewalled, Yusuke was getting ready to start blasting everyone in his path. All he wanted to do was to get to Keiko and explain, no more and no less. Instead, all anyone could do was interfere and tell him no. Yusuke ran a hand through his black hair and wondered how long before he started ripping it out.
Yusuke knew that he could have called her or even wrote her a letter. But he knew his Keiko; she would yell at him and then slam the phone down in his ear if he called. If he wrote, Keiko would probably burn the damn things and send him the ashes for the sheer hell of it. His eyes narrowed, he definitely knew the woman he loved and she was good at making him feel tiny.
Which made this entire situation absolutely absurd. Keiko should have confronted him about this. Any other time and Keiko would have pounded him into the ground. He just didn't understand why she didn't this time. Botan and Yukina had tried to explain that this was a bit different, that Keiko had believed that he was in love with someone else. But Yusuke didn't by that. His Keiko wasn't afraid of anything and had never thought twice about getting in his face.
Puu hooted in his ear and Yusuke looked up, surprised at the thought of company. He had been staying at Genkai's and training to work out his frustrations. The old bitty wasn't taking it easy on him, or treating him any different than she had when he had first shown up. She had been pushing hard, honing his response and instincts. She had even taken to surprising him at odd times, during dinner, in the shower, and at night in bed. So now there were new holes in the walls that he spent most of his free time fixing the next day.
As the figure came closer, he could see that it was Kurama and Botan. Yusuke waved as Puu hooted again, settling on top of Yusuke's head. As he watched them approach, he couldn't help but notice the closeness between them. Over the past couple of weeks, Yusuke had notice that the two of them would get caught in the corner together or talking quietly. Not that it was any of his business, Yusuke decided.
"Hey guys," Yusuke called, smiling at the two.
"Yusuke," Kurama greeted with a smile. "How are you doing?"
"Alright."
"Really?"
Yusuke paused, his gaze turning to stare out into the distance. He wondered how he should respond.
"Yusuke?" Botan spoke hesitantly, unsure if she should disturb the spirit detective.
"I feel like a part of me is missing," Yusuke finally responded, his tone soft and thoughtful.
"I understand," Kurama assured him. "I too went through something similar when I lost my demon partner."
"Buck up Yusuke," Botan smiled at him. "I'm sure that you and Keiko will work this out."
"Thanks guys." Yusuke shrugged his shoulders and turned to head for the temple. "So what brings you guys up here today?"
"Well, Koenma contacted us and said there was something all of us needed to discuss," Kurama explained as he and Botan followed Yusuke to the temple.
"Hmm. Grandma didn't mention anything," Yusuke replied thoughtfully. "Of course I haven't been paying too much attention to her lately." He laughed and rubbed the back of his head with his right hand. "Had other things on my mind."
"Of course you have," Botan agreed as the three of them entered the temple.
In the main room Genkai and Koenma were talking quietly to each other. Both of their expressions were grim when they glanced at Yusuke before continuing to talk quietly. Yukina and Kuwabara were over in one corner, with Kuwabara laughing loudly at something. Yukina was smiling but her gaze kept flickering from Hiei to Koenma and Genkai.
"Hey grandma," Yusuke called as he headed towards her. "What's going on?"
"Demons," Genkai replied without looking away from Koenma.
"Really?" Yusuke questioned enthusiastically. "I've been needing to kick something's ass. Demons sound like just the ticket." He cracked his knuckles and grinned over his shoulder. "What do you guys say? Up to kickin' some demon butt?"
"You bet," Kuwabara agreed.
"Hn," Hiei didn't glance up from where he was polishing his sword and glaring at Kuwabara.
"It would be a good release," Kurama agreed. He glanced at Botan and found her watching him with worried eyes. He smiled slightly at her before glancing at Genkai and Koenma. "But I have a feeling it's not that easy is it?"
"No it is not," Koenma agreed. His voice was tired and his dark eyes were slightly anguished as met Yusuke's. "The demons aren't in Japan." He paused and took a deep breath.
"O-kay," Yusuke drawled. "Why do I get the feeling you're hiding something from me?" He asked casually, arms folding across his chest and eyes flashing fire at Koenma.
"They are going after Keiko," Genkai admitted when Koenma remained silent.
"They're what!" Yusuke hollered as he charged up to Koenma. His fist wrapping around Koenma's neck and pulling him off his feet. "How did they manage that?"
"My father," Koenma admitted, wrapping a hand around Yusuke's wrist.
"How?" Kurama asked as Yusuke continued to glare at Koenma.
"He wants to break you, Yusuke. The best way to do that is to get Keiko," Genkai explained. "I guess Enma felt that going against Annie was worth the cost to get Keiko."
"We've got to get there," Kuwabara exclaimed. "Uremeshi, do somethin'!"
"Shut up idiot," Hiei ordered from the corner, arms crossed over his chest as he watched Yusuke.
Yusuke threw Koenma away from him, spinning away from the group and heading for the door. Everyone watched in silence, trying to decide what to do now.
"Yusuke. Where are you going?" Koenma asked as he got to his feet.
"To get Keiko," Yusuke replied calmly.
"And how are you going to get there?" Botan asked in exasperation.
Yusuke didn't reply. He walked out of the temple and down the steps and everyone scrambled to keep up with the spirit detective. When he reached the bottom of the steps, Yusuke reached a hand out and Puu hovered in front of me. The two were silent for a long moment, black eyes meeting hazel eyes in silent communication. Suddenly, Yusuke threw his head back and screamed. A bright light suddenly surrounded the two of them.
When the rest of the group could see again, Puu was in his giant bird form and as black as night. His black eyes were a burning red, his feathers and tail resembling black flames, as he screeched his dominance into the air. Yusuke hand was resting lightly on Puu's shoulder, his face titled up to the bird. His black hair was brushing the ground now, spiked around his face. There were designs and patterns etched onto his skin, and his eyes when they turned to face them were darker and colder than before.
His power was a crackling field around him. It swirled around them and merged with Puu as the two of them faced the rest of the group. Yusuke's mouth opened, "Puu is going to take me." His voice was cold and determined.
"I'm going too Uremeshi," Kuwabara shouted and stumbled down the steps towards him. "Don't think you are going to leave me behind."
"As will I," Kurama agreed and walked down the stairs.
"I might as well," Hiei agreed. "It's not like there is anything to do here."
Yusuke nodded. Puu stretched his wings out and kneeled on the ground. In seconds the four boys were in place on Puu. Yusuke looked down at Koenma and Genkai, "I'm going to find your father and kick his ass when this is done."
"I'll help," Koenma promised.
Their eyes held for a long time before Yusuke nodded. "Let's go Puu."
Puu's wings began to flap, dirt stirring as he built up speed to take off. Then with a leap into the air and a beat of his wings, they were airborne. As Puu lifted into the air, a black hole developed before them and in an instant Puu was gone.
"Didn't know the idiot could do that," Genkai commented as she turned back towards her temple.
"Think they'll be in time," Koenma asked.
"It all depends on where the demons find Keiko," Genkai replied, her steps light on the wooden steps. "If she is at Annie's, the boys will have plenty of time. If they manage to get her when she's not around Annie, no."
"What a mess."
"Indeed."
Night had fallen in Boston. The fireworks were long over and Keiko was lying outside in the grass with Cassie. Everyone else had left, leaving only Cassie, Keiko and Annie at the house. Around them Keiko could hear the sounds of an owl hooting in the distance and of crickets singing in the tall grass. It was hard to believe that just a few miles away lay a busy intersection in the silence of the nature surrounding them.
"Did you have fun?" Cassie asked lazily, her voice strangely hushed.
"I did," Keiko replied, smiling over at the girl laying on her back in the tall grass.
"I'm glad. We can be kinda overwhelming at times." Cassie turned over and rested her head on her hands; elbows bent a placed on the ground. Her legs kicked lazily in the air, as she stared over at her new friend. "Mom's big on gatherings. Lots of people, food, kids and games." Cassie laughed lightly. "Moms' got a lot of different friends."
"I noticed that," Keiko rolled over onto her stomach and struck the same pose as Cassie. But her brown eyes were fixed on the light shining from the window in the kitchen. "Your mom kinda attracts people."
"I have yet to meet someone that Mom considers a stranger," Cassie admitted. "In fact, I've seen people that have just met her tell her their life story." She shrugged, her hand lazily pulling grass and tossing it in the air.
"I wonder why?"
"Never figured it out. But everyone does it."
"Hmm." Keiko paused for a moment, her eyes drifting over the house and the trees. "When I first met your mom it was like coming home. Being here is like a safe harbor after rough seas, you know?"
"What?" Cassie asked surprised. Her brow creasing in confusion; she had never heard that explanation before.
"All your worries disappear, your fears subside," Keiko shrugged, slightly embarrassed now. "I knew that I was safe and your mom cared."
"I suppose that is one way of putting it," Cassie allowed and grinned at Keiko. "And it's a pretty good analogy. I'm impressed."
"Not that good," Keiko demurred, her head shaking slightly. "Was your dad the same way?" Keiko ventured timidly.
"I never met him," Cassie explained. She rolled onto her back and stared up at the moon, her hands tucked under her head.
"I'm sorry," Keiko apologized. "I shouldn't have asked."
"Don't worry about it. Dad died years ago," Cassie explained and looked over at Keiko. "Mom told me that he died right after she found out she was pregnant."
"How?"
"Mom said some kind of accident," Cassie frowned slightly. "She told me that he was her best friend since they were little. I get the impression that he was a little on the wild side."
"Your mom with a hoodlum?" Keiko asked, amazed.
"I suppose so," Cassie looked over at Keiko and they both burst into laughter. "Can you just see it?" Cassie asked through her laughter.
"Oh my God!" Keiko laughed.
"Pretty little humans," a voice rasped out of the darkness.
Keiko and Cassie sat up, eyes scanning the night. There was nothing but shadows and trees. "Did you hear that?" Cassie whispered to Keiko, her eyes still staring into the woods.
"Yes," Keiko responded. Her hand reached for Cassie's, "we should go inside."
"Okay," Cassie agreed and allowed Keiko to pull her up.
"Where are you going?" This voice was closer, almost in their ears.
Cassie and Keiko spun around, hands tightening around each other's. A shadow rose out of the ground in front of them, its red eyes glowing in the darkness. Cassie and Keiko screamed, scrambling backwards away from the figure. They slammed into something standing behind them. A glance over their shoulders showed another shape with gleaming red eyes.
Keiko bit back another scream and glanced around them. They were completely surrounded with no way out. She couldn't understand why the demons would be coming after her here. She pulled on Cassie's hand, spinning her to face the threat behind them. All she had to do was distract them long enough for Cassie to get to the house. Keiko slammed her foot down on the foot of the demon in front of her.
A shrill scream split the silence of the night and the demon began to hop on one foot. Keiko didn't have time to reflect on the sheer amusement of that picture, she tugged on Cassie's hand and pulled her along. Cassie caught on quickly and the two ran past the demon and to the house. Instantly the sound of pursuit came to their ears as the demons regrouped.
Keiko knew there was no way they were going to make it to the house. A demon suddenly appeared in front of the. Cassie gave a small shriek and the two girls drew up short. Keiko stepped in front of Cassie and stared fearlessly up at the demon, chocolate brown eyes glaring at the demon.
"They have nothing to do with this," Keiko told the demon. "Let them go."
"Aren't you a funny human?" Laughter met her suggestion.
The demons began to close in, their hands reaching for them when a new voice stopped them in their tracks.
"You are not welcome here," Annie's voice was cold.
"Another human who thinks she can order us about," one of the demons chortled and the rest laughed.
Annie stared up at the demons on her property. She spared a quick glance at Cassie and Keiko and assuring herself that they were both uninjured. Her hands tightened into fists as she contemplated the five demons, green eyes burning brightly as she met their gazes.
"You should never underestimate a human," Annie finally told them. "As I said, you are not welcome here."
"I'd like to see you try to get rid of us."
Annie smiled slightly, a dark twist of her lips. The demon took a step towards her and Annie waited, watching for the moment that the girls could escape. The next step put the demon almost on top of her, "Go girls!" Annie yelled and slammed a fist into the demons' stomach. "Get to the house and do not come out," Annie called as the demon collapsed.
Keiko and Cassie didn't blink, instantly reacting to Annie's command, as they scrambled for the house. They could hear the demons roaring behind them but they didn't stop until the door slammed behind them.
Annie flicked a quick glance at the house. The sound of the door closing brought a smile of satisfaction to her face, she concentrated and a shield dropped down around the house. Nothing was going to get into the house without an invitation.
A fist slammed into her cheek and Annie flew through the air. Distantly she could hear Cassie screaming from the house, but Annie had already twisted around and landed easily on her feet. A hand came up and brushed at her mouth, she smiled at the sight of the blood on her hand.
"Oh goodey," she murmured. "You are definitely going to be fun to kill." With that she reached for a power that she hadn't had to use since Justin's death.
Lightening struck the ground in front of the demons and they paused, blinded. Annie smiled grimly, her hand tightening around the golden staff in her hand. She spun the staff easily, twirling it around her body, losing herself in the motions. Annie knew that if she looked into the mirror, she would find her body encased in white armor.
A demon charged and Annie brought the staff around to meet the attack. Lightening once again struck, slamming into the demon. The demon exploded in an instant and Annie swept the carcass out of her way without blinking. Her gaze fixed on the other four demons.
Her staff twirled through the air, shining brilliantly in the moonlight as Annie moved forward slowly. Her lips were twisted into a smile, "who's next?"
Silence met her question. Then with a roar all of the demons charged at once. Annie took a deep breath and stepped into their attack, the staff swirled around her, striking the demons. She didn't allow herself to think about what she was doing, weaving a dance of death into the air. A fist struck the ground in front of her and Annie paused for a moment, her staff slamming onto the fist. The sound of the bones cracking filled the air and the demon roared in pain, jerking away from her.
She followed it back and her staff spun easily above her head. The wind began to rush around her, lifting her up easily. Her hands tightened around the staff, feeling the warmth of the power pulsing through it. When it began to burn her hands, Annie swung the staff at the demons' head. The blow landed with a loud thunk, the demons' head knocked in the opposite direction from the force of the blow. The side of its head collapsing inward and blood began to spurt from the wound before the body collapsed onto the ground.
Annie floated gently back to the ground, staring expressionlessly at the bodies strewn around her. She spun her staff behind her and heard the thud as it connected with the demon trying to sneak up behind her. She looked over her shoulder, her blond hair gleaming silver in the moonlight, and smiled at the demon on the ground. Her blow had shattered its kneecap and she could see the fear in its eyes.
She turned around slowly, her staff digging cruelly into the demons' skin. Another demon erupted from the darkness in front of her. Its scream echoing through the silent night, claws reaching for her flesh, wanting to render her into pieces. Annie didn't blink, the smile remaining on her face, as a shape suddenly flew out of the darkness and slammed into the demon in front of her.
Several smaller shapes leaped from the larger shapes' back and landed on the ground in front of her. To her left, Annie knew that the talons of the large bird that had flown past her were tearing the demon apart. However, her concentration was on the figures that had appeared in front of her.
Four boys, all looking rather young and innocent and yet there was a power surrounding all of them. She took in the weapons that they were holding; a rose whip, a blade and a spirit energy sword. The last young man didn't have a weapon in his hand, but his finger was pointed at the demon lying on the ground in front of her.
"Don't touch Keiko," the boy gritted out and then, "Spirit Gun!" A flash of light, a huge explosion and when the smoke cleared the demon was dead.
Annie glanced over at the bird creature and felt a grim satisfaction as the bird ripped the demons' eye out of its socket. The bird was perched like a huge bird of prey over its kill, black wings outstretched and red eyes gleaming in the darkness. She smiled at the bird and received a nod in response. She turned back to the boys and smiled at them.
"Hello boys, welcome to the US."
A/N: I know that this one was a really quick update. Two chapters in a matter of days. But this chapter just flowed from my fingers,taking on a life of its own. I hope that this one is better than my last one. Enjoy and let me know what you think of it. Kisses and hugs.