/A.N./ Finally! The climax of the entire story /sniffle/ Do you know how long I've been waiting to write this? When I was typing, I was ecstatic! Now...please read...and don't kill me. I know all you die-hard Keiko/Yusuke fans out there are sharpening your weapons as I speak...but please bare with me here! Now, without further adue...chapter 4 of 'envy'! (ps...uh, this isn't the end so don't worry...it's just what the entire story so far has been leading up to! I promise, there should be at least 3 or 4 chapters still to come! Thankx so much for reading this far! I love you all/author to reader/)
4chapter
BAM!
"OWW! What the hell was that for!" Yusuke yelled, rubbing the bump forming on his head. He glared at the broken shards of the coffee cup on the floor beside him. "You could've killed me! You're lucky that cup didn't shatter on my head!"
"Whoops, my bad," his mother replied sarcastically. "I was aiming for the sink...but your fat head got in the way."
"Most normal people put things in the sink, not throw them," Yusuke grumbled, bending down to pick up the shatter cup.
"So...Keiko called," Atsuko started lazily. "Says she's coming back today."
"What!"
Atsuko's eyes narrowed at her son's response. "What's the matter? Afraid Keiko's gunna find out about Nazuna?"
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
"It means I know about your escapades with your science partner!" She slammed her hands on the table, causing Yusuke to jump.
"Uh, mom," Yusuke managed to say once he recovered from the shock, "I think you've got it all wrong..." But it was no use. By now, Atsuko had sat herself down at the kitchen table with a few bottles of booze and was wailing something about her son being a peeping tom. Yusuke sighed and made his way out the door.
"Hey Yusuke!"
Yusuke stopped in mid-step. That voice... Yusuke turned around and was tackled to the ground. Groaning, he slowly opened his eyes and glared at the girl sitting on his chest.
"Sorry Yusuke," Keiko laughed, brushing a few strands of hair out of her face. "I didn't think I'd end up tackling you."
"Yea, nice to see you too," Yusuke said sarcastically, pushing himself up and dusting himself off.
"Hey, where are you going? It's Saturday...there's no school."
"I got that stupid science project that's due Monday. I'm suppose to meet my part–"
"Yusuke!" The call cut him off. Keiko and Yusuke turned around to see Nazuna running up to them. "Yusuke, where have you been? I've been at the park waiting for you for almost an hour!"
"Sorry Nazuna, I was held up..." the two continued to talk and Keiko stared at them. Did I miss something?
"Hi!" Keiko cut in, jabbing her hand out at the other girl.
Nazuna stared at her. "Uh...who are you?"
Keiko gritted her teeth and tried to keep smiling. "I'm Keiko Yukimura. Yusuke's girlfriend." She emphasized the last word.
"Really? How interesting," Nazuna said, not sounding interested at all. "Yusuke never mentioned you."
Keiko felt something inside her snap, and she struggled to keep her composure. "I'm sorry. I never got your name."
"Nazuna," she said simply, flipping her long black hair over her shoulder.
"A pleasure," Keiko grumbled. "And how exactly do you know Yusuke?"
"Oh, we're partners in a science project."
A wave of relief washed over Keiko. "Really? If you're doing research, I can help you."
Before Nazuna could reply, Yusuke jumped in, "That'd be great Keiko!" And thus, the three headed off toward the park.
"You mean you've had all week and you've got nothing?" Keiko was amazed. "What have you been doing all week?" Nazuna's cheeks lit up bright red and she quickly turned away. Keiko turned to Yusuke, her eyes narrowing dangerously. "Ok, I see. I guess I'll leave you two alone," she said coldly.
"No, Keiko-wait!" Yusuke yelled frantically, jogging to catch up to her and placed his hand on her shoulder.
Angrily, she shoved it off. "I'll be over at the bench. You two go collect the leaves you need over there." She stalked off out of sight. Yusuke sighed and watched her go as he ran his hand through his hair. Muttering under his breath, he turned back to Nazuna, who was busily searching the shady ground for specimens.
"Hey, how about this one?" Nazuna walked over and gazed at the plant in Yusuke's hands.
"Naw...that's not right."
"Ah! Screw it!" Yusuke through the plant down on the ground in frustration. "We've been searching this whole damn area for hours and still nothing!"
Nazuna suddenly laid her hand on top of Yusuke's and gave it a comforting squeeze. "It's okay," she whispered softly.
Yusuke stared at her a minute longer before gently pulling his hand away. "It's getting chilly," he said, looking up at the dark clouds beginning to form in the sky. He stood up and brushed himself off. "It's gunna rain. We should go get Keiko–"
He was cut off as he felt Nazuna's arms slide around his waist and pull him close to her. "Just...forget about her. You've got me now."
Keiko shivered and finished shoving the papers into the bag. I didn't know I'd need a jacket, she thought, looking at the dark clouds in the sky. Suddenly, a fat water droplet fell and landed on her nose. She hurriedly wiped it off and pulled the bag onto her shoulder. It's starting to rain...I better go get Yusuke and Nazuna... The very thought of that wretched girl's name was enough to sicken Keiko.
As she trudged though the shady trees, Keiko's thoughts turned as dark as the rain clouds above her. Who does that...witch...think she is anyway! She's cocky, obnoxious, rude, incredibly immature...just like Yusuke. Ha. Imagine that...and what is going on between them anyway! Not as if Yusuke would be interested in a slut like her...And if she thinks she can have Yusuke, she's got another thing coming!
Yusuke stepped out of Nazuna's embrace. "Look...Nazuna. You're a cute girl...and nice...and I'm sorry for all those times I peeped in on you changing and stuff...but..." He trailed off, unable to put his feelings into words. Slowly, he turned around to face her. His eyes widened at the sight of her.
"I-I see..." she said softly. She gazed up at him, the water from the light drizzle mingling with the tears on her cheeks. "Yusuke...please hear me out! I know I've only known you for a week, so this may sound totally outrageous but...the minute I met you, I felt something click inside of me. And when I'm around you...there's this sense of completeness in my heart." She reached out and gripped Yusuke's hand in her own. "Yusuke...I love you."
Yusuke's eyes widened even further, her confession echoing in his mind. Slowly, he pulled his hand out of hers and brushed his wet hair out his eyes. "Nazuna...I never knew you felt that way...but that doesn't change anything. You're a sweet girl...and I almost wish I could return your feelings. But...I'm sorry. I don't love you. I can't love you."
"I-it's that girl isn't it? Keiko?" Nazuna whispered, her voice nearly cracking.
Yusuke smiled slightly and nodded. Nazuna felt as though her heart had broken in two. Unable to stop herself, tears began to pour down her cheeks. Still sobbing, she let herself fall against his chest. After a few minutes, the tears began to subside and Nazuna managed to whisper, "Yusuke...can you do something for me?"
Yusuke gently pushed her off of him and looked down at her, pity shining in his eyes. Then he nodded.
Nazuna took a deep breath before meeting his eyes. "Yusuke...I understand how you feel about Keiko...and I guess I should move on...please help me get over you...would you...kiss me?"
"Whoa!" Yusuke yelped, pointing an accusing finger at her. "Now you just said–"
"Yes, and I need to know before I move on."
"Know what?"
Nazuna closed her eyes and smiled, "Know what it's like to kiss you." Her eyes flew open again, filling with tears. "Please...the sooner I get over you...the better." Yusuke studied her, the emotions churring inside of him. Finally, despite the screaming in his heart, Yusuke nodded. A sad smile tugged at her lips. Heart pounding in his chest, Yusuke leaned down...and his lips met Nazuna's. She put her arms around his neck and pulled him down, deepening the kiss. As if being controlled, Yusuke felt his arms slide around her waist. Yusuke tried to stop, but it was as if someone was controlling his body.
A dull, wet thump brought Yusuke out of his trance and back to his senses. Quickly, he yanked himself away from Nazuna, who was had a smug look on her face and she was looking at someone behind him. Slowly, Yusuke turned around to find Keiko staring at him wide-eyed. The bag she had been carrying had dropped and the papers inside were scattered all about her. Realization seemed to sink in and Keiko's eyes instantly filled with tears. She opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out.
"Keiko..." Yusuke thought frantically, "It's not what it looks like."
"What...what is that supposed to mean?" Keiko finally snapped. Tears continued to stream down steadily and the rain began to come down harder. "What? That you weren't going behind my back and making out with that...that bitch!" Yusuke and Nazuna's eyes widened at Keiko's rage. Yusuke opened his mouth to reply, but Nazuna stepped in.
"Look Keiko, I can understand how you feel. I was so sad when I saw you and Yusuke this morning–"
"That you decided to try and break us apart!"
"Is that what it looked like?" Keiko paused at Nazuna's words. "Did I grab Yusuke...or did Yusuke kiss me?" Yusuke and Keiko both stared, stunned, at Nazuna's words.
The meaning sunk in and Keiko felt the most horrible, wrenching pain in her chest, as if her heart had been ripped out. Her vision became blurry with tears as she felt herself whirl around and sprint out back through the trees. Yusuke's calls didn't reach her ears; Nazuna's words were the only thing echoing through her mind. Did I grab Yusuke...or did Yusuke kiss me? The pain in her chest doubled and Keiko began sobbing harder.
Suddenly Keiko slipped in the rain and she saw the ground rushing up to meet her. She braced herself for the impact...but it never came. Gently easing her eyes open, Keiko found herself in the middle of the street, resting in some stranger's arms. Panicking, Keiko pushed away, but only succeeded in falling over again, but this time taking the stranger with her. She groaned and pushed herself up from the wet street. Looking over she was shocked to see her classmate, Daichi Aromu.
"Oh-ah...I'm so sorry Daichi!" She said, jumping to her feet and helping him stand. Daichi laughed and bent down to pick up his fallen umbrella.
"Let's get out of the street," he said simply, tugging at her arm. She quickly followed him to the bus stop bench and stood by him under his dark blue umbrella. "You sure gave me a scare out there."
Keiko blinked. "I...oh! So it was you who caught me!"
Daichi nodded. "Yeah, you came outta nowhere, sprinting your heart out. So...what were you running from?"
The past rushed back to her, causing her eyes to fill with tears again. She opened her mouth to speak, but only a sob escaped her throat. Without warning, a pair of strong arms wrapped around her.
"D-Daichi..."
"Shhh, don't speak," he murmered, pulling her against him. "It was that damn Urameshi, wasn't it?" Shocked, Keiko jumped and whirled around to face him. She opened her mouth to ask him how he knew, but she wasn't given the chance. His mouth crashed against hers, stealing her breath away in a passionate kiss. When he finally broke off, Keiko felt her legs turn to water and she fell against him, and didn't object when he wrapped his arms around her once again.
"You don't have to worry about him anymore," he muttered into her hair. "I'm here for you now."
The sun crept lazily over the city, its light streaming in every window, waking the sleepers inside. Yusuke yawned and threw his pillow over his eyes as his blinds were yanked open by his mother.
"Get up you lazy ass," she said, whacking him with her free hand. "I got a letter for ya."
"Since when does the mail come this early?"
"Well Keiko came and gave it to me herself."
Yusuke shot up at the mention of Keiko's name. He greedily snatched the envelope from Atsuko's hand. He ripped the envelope to sheds and his eyes quickly scanned the note, his heart sinking at every word. With a snarl, Yusuke torn the note to shreds and scattered the pieces on the floor along with what remained of the envelope.
Atsuko snorted. "You'll be cleaning that up ya know." She tighten her bathrobe and yawned as she walked out the door and back into the kitchen. A few minutes later, a fully dressed Yusuke walked in and threw a piece of bread in the toast.
Atsuko finally broke the uneasy silence. "So...you finish your project?" She took his silence as a no. All the same, she found it unusual that Yusuke was actually quiet. "What happened at the park yesterday?" Yusuke snorted and grabbed the toast as it popped up. Shoving on his shoes, he opened the front door and began to walk out. "Hey! Yusuke! Is...is everything okay with you and Keiko? I mean, I can understand boyfriend-girlfriend problems–"
"Keiko..."Yusuke softly started. "Keiko and I aren't together anymore."
