Wow, ok I get it...no one likes the short brunette, I'll just shut up now! If you expect another chapter I better get at least one review! I don't do this for free you know! I like to know whether or not I'm appreciated! I know I'm annoying but this is a little too much! If I get no reviews you get no story and to think I was going to apologize for not updating as quick as usual.
Standard disclaimers apply
Chapter Twenty-Two
(Keiko)
We were waiting for Yukina outside of Genkai's temple to go on a picnic; Hiei was standing on the bottom step of the stairs minding his own business when Reiko suddenly popped up behind him. She placed one of her thumbs on each side of his mouth with her hands fisted a huge grin on her face which led me to assume she had frozen Hiei in place.
"This is the key," Reiko chanted before un-fisting her hands so the tips of them pointed down. "That opens the door," she flipped her hands up bringing the corners of his mouth up as well into a horrifically twisted smile. "To the wonderful, magical toy land!" Then before he could grab her she was off and running, her laughter could be heard as Hiei followed in pursuit.
It was amazing how much she had changed, though she was still quiet and withdrawn she was so much more involved and happy. Without the restraints she could use her energy and special powers to her hearts content. Yukina came down the stairs just in time for Reiko to jump behind her to gain sanctuary from Hiei. Instantly Hiei stopped his chase not wanting to accidentally hurt Yukina in the process. From behind her body shield Reiko crossed her eyes and stuck her tongue out at him. Suddenly Yukina jumped to the side and the hunter caught his prey.
"I give up! Please! No!" Reiko cried as Hiei hauled her up close and gave her a wet Willy. "Ewww, Hiei germs." Reiko stuck out her bottom lip as she was 'contaminated.'
"Please," Yukina laughed. "I've seen you two kiss." Reiko flushed bright red and one of those smiles that only guys can do stretched across Hiei's features, that, I've-done-it-and-loved-it, kind of look.
"Can we please go eat? I'm starving!" Shizuru put in and we all headed off for the spot where we always had picnics. Kuwabara was carrying the food while Yusuke and Kurama carried the blankets and games. The place we were headed to was a field near a small pond with some trees to give a little bit of shade. Junko, the girl who Yukina and I had set Kuwabara up with had brought lunch. She was about medium height with dark brown hair and brown eyes. She was an old friend of one of my friends, she was fun and smart and just seemed to be different than others so I thought she'd fit in nicely.
When Yukina had confided in me a while ago that she liked Kuwabara as a brother and nothing more I knew we had to get him someone. If we left him to his own devices he might never let go so I began the hunt for a new girl. Together Yukina and I gathered a list of all the girls we could try, Junko had been near the bottom. Then one night Yusuke had taken me out to a club and Junko had been there tending bar. She was so nice and warm, she just was Kuwabara, and especially the fact that she owns five cats and didn't like violence. Upon being approached to see if she'd date him she was just fine.
Kuwabara on the other hand was a royal pain in the butt. He had refused to see her and locked himself in his room writing letters professing his true love to Yukina. Even after Yukina explained to him that she didn't love him that way and didn't think she ever would because it wouldn't be right he had still held fast. Shizuru cut off his food supply and wouldn't give him magazines until he agreed to meet her. It took a few months but he finally agreed because he was sick of chips and soda. Now here we were and he was avoiding her like the plague and sticking close to Yukina.
"Junko, have you met Kuwabara?" I tried to get them to connect but Kuwabara was ignoring me and Junko was looking at me with knowing eyes.
"No, I don't think he wants to meet me though." She smiled and began unpacking the food onto the blanket keeping an eye on a smaller basket she had brought with her.
"Kuwabara!" Shizuru hissed elbowing him in the side hard. "Stop being a jackass!" Junko bowed her head but not fast enough for me to not see the smile gracing her lips and sparkle in her eyes. She thought it was funny! She thought it was funny that she was being totally ignored!
"How are you doing today Junko?" Yukina asked politely trying to show the carrot-top that she liked Junko.
"Oh, j-just f-fine." She was choking on laughter as she spoke and her shoulders were shaking as she tried to control herself. "How are you?"
"Good, I'd like you to meet my good friend Kuwabara," Yukina introduced the two and since it was Yukina doing it, Kuwabara had to acknowledge her which he did with a curt nod. Abruptly Junko fell backwards clutching her side laughing hysterically and tears began to roll down her face. Her whole body shook as she rolled around not even trying to contain it. After a few minutes she began to calm down and lay there breathing hard her face bright red as she giggled every now and then.
"What was that about?" Kurama questioned, he had just come back from putting the games somewhere. A huge grin broke out across Junko's face and she groaned lightly as she sat up.
"I'm sorry, it's just…I know you won't believe me but…" she laughed quietly for a moment. "I was just listening to a ghost's perception on what was going on." She rubbed the back of her head as we all gaped at her. "He had an awesome sense of humor, it was like he knew what to say to crack me up when I was trying to make a good impression."
"You can hear ghosts?" Shizuru demanded for, as we know she can see them but can't communicate with them.
"I hear them, see them, and can be possessed by them, talk to them and if they have enough energy they can touch me." Junko sighed giving us a wry smile. "You must all think I'm nuts."
"No, I can see them too." Shizuru pulled out a cigarette and lit it.
"I've died before," Yusuke put in. "And Kuwabara can sense them."
"Really? That's wonderful! I'm not as much a freak as I thought!" Junko dug around in one of the baskets and pulled out some more food. "I always thought I was alone, that I would never find anyone like me." Shaking her head slightly she snickered and rolled her eyes.
"What did he say?" Reiko asked knowing that that had to be the reason.
"Oh no, I can't say, it's too mean and vulgar." Junko rejected the idea immediately, but suddenly her whole body jerked before she winked at Shizuru and turned to Kuwabara. "What I said to the little lady was that why was she hanging out with a yellow-bellied pansy like you who can't let go of his mama's apron stings." Her voice had a definite masculine edge proving my hunch that she had been possessed correct.
"What did you say?" Kuwabara leapt to his feet and towered over Junko's body that lazily looked up at him a smirk crossing her features.
"Am I going to have to add deaf to your very long list of faults? Wow, I thought you couldn't get any worse. I feel real bad for Junko, she was really looking forward to meeting some new people but your sister's right, you're a jackass." She stretched and raised her eyebrows at him. "Oh, I'm sorry, were you trying to intimidate me?" Kazuma was shaking with ill suppressed rage and I began to worry about him smacking around Junko. I knew he wouldn't do it normally but he was a little bit on edge at the moment.
"Look punk, I don't know who you are or who you think you are, but don't push me, I don't want to have to beat you up." Kuwabara ground out and Junko threw her head back and laughed.
"Right, you'd beat up a girl? I highly doubt it, but if you wanna try I can still hand you your ass any day of the week and twice on Sunday." Junko stood up motioning him closer with her hands.
"Hey, hey! Kuwabara, that may be a guy talking, but it's a girl's body! Your code says you can't beat on girls!" Yusuke jumped in not wanting him to do something he would regret later.
"I know," Kuwabara growled glowering at Junko and sitting down next to Yukina.
"Get out of me!" Junko's brown eyes flared with an inner light as she expelled the ghost out of her. "Sorry Kuwabara, that doesn't usually happen."
"Who wants to play twister?" I asked standing up.
"I will," Junko stood up brushing off her loose khakis and heading to where the game was set up. Hiei was given the spinner and we all set ourselves to bending our bodies in seemingly impossible ways. The first one to drop was Reiko who was muttering about stupid matchmaking morons when she went down. I dropped out next and then Yusuke. Sitting on the sidelines I watched the remaining four continue to twist and contort their bodies. Glancing over at Hiei I say him spin the dial and then read off the complete opposite of what it said, he was trying to get Kuwabara in the most uncomfortable positions possible. Kurama dropped like a rock when Hiei forced him to have to slip under Kuwabara to reach a dot on the opposite side of the mat and while keeping his other hand on a dot near his feet on the other side. Yukina slipped and was out leaving only Junko and Kuwabara left and I knew who Hiei would be rooting for.
The game continued on with Hiei guiding the two into a confused jumble of legs and arms where it was hard to tell whose was which. He had no shame and had long ago forgone even holding the spinner which he had handed to Reiko who every now and then gave him suggestions. Finally after many bouts of cursing and distorting of their bodies the final blow was given, which led to Kuwabara falling and taking Junko with him. The position in the end was nothing less than perfect with the two of them eye to eye with their lips scant centimeters apart. Abruptly the silence was broken by the cry of what sounded like a kitten. Gasping Junko scrambled off Kuwabara and hurried over the little basket. From its depths she brought out a tiny, little kitten whose eyes were barely open.
"Shhh, it's ok Athena, Mommy's here," she cooed pulling out an eyedropper small container of milk. Carefully and deftly she fed the baby and when she was done sat there and pet it for a little bit.
"Where do you get such an adorable kitty?" Yukina asked sitting down next to her.
"I found her yesterday, the owners must not have wanted the batch of kittens so they tossed them in a dumpster, she was the only survivor." Junko placed her back in the basket. "I guess it's time to eat, at least that's what Athena thinks." Laughing she put some food on a plate and sat back to eat it.
(time elapse)
The afternoon had been a disaster but at least I had a new friend, Junko was awesome. Flipping through one of my favorite books I searched for the part I was looking for but was interrupted by the phone ringing.
"Hello?" I picked it up and waited.
"Keiko, have you seen Yukina?" Reiko asked on the other end of the line and I detected worry in her voice.
"No, not since this afternoon, why?" I closed my book and sat forward giving her all my attention.
"Because she's missing."
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