A/N: Sorry for not updating sooner. I was busy, anyway this chapter's full of more action. More characters from Yu Yu Hakusho and an oc (original character) enter the picture…making things a lot more interesting. Anyway, enjoy and leave a review please. I'm begging you. I might discontinue this, after all the reviews are what motivate me to update.

Till next time,

Emerald Dreams

…………………………………

Longing

Chapter 5: Reunion

As Keiko walked into her homeroom, she settled down into her seat and took out the necessary materials she needed for the drill. The brunette peered at the overhead, examining the directions closely, which were written in black script.

Directions: Attempt to write your first name in English.

'Attempt to write your first name in English? I can barely read English,' she thought to herself sourly. She let out a sigh. Keiko hated this class with a passion; English was by far her worst subject. Kurama had offered to tutor her, but she'd said no. After all, he had to study for his own tests and exams.

The brunette slumped in her seat. Hopefully the teacher would overlook her and call on someone else to explain the answer to the drill. But, knowing her luck she would probably be called on. Whenever Keiko actually knew the answer and sat at her seat with a raised hand the teacher almost always failed to call on her. However, when Keiko was totally clueless and tried to be quiet and unnoticed in her seat, she usually ended up being called up to the front of the class to try to explain the answer to a question that she didn't know.

'Please don't call on me…please don't call on me…' the young girl chanted silently, the phrase quickly becoming a mantra in her mind. 'Please don't call on…'

"Yukimura Keiko?" She cringed, then slowly lifted up her head, her brown eyes meeting the teacher's across the room.

"Yes?" Mrs.Hamazaki glared at her.

"Yes what?" She emphasized the 'what', her tone thick with distaste.

"Yes, ma'am," she stammered out. Keiko sat up more, not wanting to get scolded for having poor posture. The elder woman pointed to the door.

"Go to the main office, the principal wants you." Keiko blinked, then stared back at the elder woman uncertainly.

"Okay…" She gathered up her things and left for the office, eager to get away from her disgruntled sensei.

……………………………

"Hey, Keiko!" The brunette instantly froze like a deer caught in headlights, when she recognized the voice calling her. She sighed, then slowly turned around to face the approaching girl. She gave her a half hearted smile.

"Hey Mizu," Keiko greeted the other girl, who seemed to grin ear to ear at the sheer mention of her name.

"Good, you remembered!"

"How could I forget?" Keiko said softly.

Mizu Takahashi was one of the most well known gossipers in her entire school. She knew about everything. Nothing could be kept secret from her, at least not for very long. In fact, she was the one who'd practically informed the entire school that she and Kurama were friends. Because of her she had to deal with the Schuichi Fan Club practically harassing her on an everyday basis. Keiko nearly sweatdropped at the memory.

"Hey, listen…I'm sorry about blabbing to everyone about how you and Schuichi are friends," Mizu said, rubbing the back of her head. Keiko had a momentary look of surprise on her face, stunned that Mizu was actually apologizing to her, of all people. Mizu and herself never even really talked, so what had lead Mizu to want to say that she was sorry?

"Uh…it's okay. You know those fan girl's threaten me a lot but they're harmless. They only make empty threats." Mizu nodded vigorously, pleased that the brunette had accepted her apology.

"I'm glad you're so forgiving! I mean you know how it is. If I know something that's extra juicy I just have to spill, it's my duty." Keiko nodded, but glanced at the end of the hallway out of the corner of her eye.

"Um…if you don't mind I have to go now. I have to report to the--"

"Oh, yeah! I just remembered something! I also came here to tell you something extra juicy!" Mizu stated enthusiastically. The blonde haired girl moved the same time as Keiko, who attempted to side step around her, blocking her way from escape. The pretty brunette sighed, obviously Mizu wasn't planning on letting her leave just yet. Keiko glanced longingly down the hallway, before turning back to the other girl.

"What?"

"There's a new guy!"

"New guy…?" Keiko stammered. Mizu nodded.

"Yeah! He's totally hot too! He transferred from some other high school in Tokyo…"

'Why is she telling me this?' Keiko thought idly, as she stared at the other girl in silence.

"Hey…uh sorry to interrupt but I have to get going," Keiko stated to the other girl.

"Oh…well maybe I'll see you later?" Mizu said, still smiling.

"Yeah, maybe…uh bye." Keiko walked down the hallway a bit hurriedly. Hopefully, her run in with Mizu didn't cause her to arrive too late to the principal's office.

Meanwhile…

Mizu's smile quickly disappeared and was replaced with a look of disgust, as she glared after Keiko. Oh…how she despised that girl…always hogging Shuichi from everyone else, mainly her!

'That bitch…' she thought crossly, 'She always hogs him! I never get to spend time with my beloved Shuichi!'

When she'd first seen the two together, she'd felt nothing but anger, but she'd quickly stamped down those feelings. After all…he was Shuichi…kind and so gentlemanly. Mizu had dismissed it as nothing. But then, the more she saw them together the more angry and suspicious she'd become. They weren't mere acquaintances she'd finally realized, they were friends.

It had shocked her at first. I mean what good qualities did he see in that girl that made her even worthy of being in his presence? Nothing…so she came to the only possible explanation that would explain why they were always together, and why they were even friends.

"That girl is blackmailing our beloved Schuichi!" Mizu remembered telling everyone.

"And it's our duty to free him from her evil clutches!"

Since that day, she and the other fan club members had been scheming…yes…trying to find a way to get rid of that witch once and for all! For a long time they were clueless of how to rid their beloved red head of that evil girl…but then it had hit her.

"I know! We'll set her up with some guy! Since she'll have a boyfriend, she won't have the extra time to torture our precious Shuichi! He'll be free!"

Mizu grinned. Yes, she was going to set up the new guy with Keiko. Then she wouldn't have to worry about her anymore. Reaching into her pocket, the raven haired girl pulled out a walky talky. She pressed a button, then raised it to her ear.

"Yes, this is President Takahashi of Class C…Operation find Keiko Yukimura a boyfriend is now under way…"

Mizu grinned evilly; that Keiko had no clue what she was dealing with… As President of the Shuichi Fan Club, Mizu would make sure their plan was a total success.

'And then…Shuichi will be mine.'

…………………………………………..

Kurama looked on quietly, observing the other members of the student council sitting around him. Everyone was talking heatedly, gesturing wildly with their hands, an occasional giggle filling the air.

However, he was too lost in his own thoughts, contemplating the events that took place last Saturday to pay attention to what they were saying. He was still mystified at how Keiko had accepted everything so easily, as if it were nothing. She'd accepted Youko and his past, seemingly welcoming him with open arms after their heart to heart conversation.

"What about…baked goods or food? Maybe we could sell that?"

"Well, duh Amy it's a spring festival, obviously we have to sell food!"

"How about rice balls and musobis? They're really good!"

"That sounds awfully good to me!"

"What about a theme? What's the theme? Don't we have to have one?"

"Again, Amy it's a spring festival!"

"How about pickled plums or uh-"

"What do you think Minamino-san?"

Kurama blinked. Everyone had ceased their chattering and had turned to face him, staring at the red-head intently. He sat up and smiled politely. Running a hand through his hair he turned to face the raven-haired girl sitting next to him.

"I think selling rice balls and musobis is a wonderful idea, so I suppose I agree with Hikari," he said softly. The younger girl blushed. She raised her hands to her cheeks and looked at the floor, just barely mumbling a soft thank you.

"So it's settled then," piped up another girl, "we sell rice balls and musobis!"

"But who's going to make them? I myself am not very good when it comes to cooking," Amy said quietly. This question led to another argument-er-conversation about who was going to provide the food.

"I can't do it!" Mitsue insisted, "I don't even know how to use a rice cooker!" Shuyin rolled his eyes and stared at the red-head indignantly.

"How can you live in Japan and not know how to cook rice?" he huffed, "I'm sorry but that's pathetic." This lead to yet another squabble between the two seniors who were now yelling at the top of their lungs. Amy and Hikari sweatdropped.

Kurama sighed, shaking his head at the two and turned to Hikari once again. He offered her another charming smile and asked politely if she knew what time it was. She blushed and showed him her watch. When she saw him frown she became concerned.

"What's wrong Minamino-san?" she inquired. He assured her it was nothing and she rejoined the conversation.

"I could make rice balls and musobis. That's if um…nobody minds…"

The kitsune tuned them out and mentally sighed. At this rate he wouldn't be leaving for a very long time. And that would mean he wouldn't be able to walk Keiko home.

Why don't you just ditch'em Shuichi?

'If it were as simple as that I would've already done so. Unfortunately, as the president of the student council I have responsibilities.'

But what about Keiko? Imagine our little wild flower…all alone and forgotten. The poor thing, she'll be so upset to realize that her escort isn't coming to walk her home…

'She's a big girl Youko, I'm sure she can manage to walk home by herself at least once.'

(Gasp) You don't want to walk her home! You're dreadful, horrible, insensitive, cruel, awful-

Kurama rolled his eyes. Of course he wanted to walk her home. Why, he'd rather spend time with Keiko any day than stay here and remain cooped up in this school talking about the spring festival, which wasn't even for another month.

He idly tapped his pencil against the table, with his head in his hand as he watched everyone carry on about the decorations.

This was going to take a while…

……………………………

"It's raining," Keiko said crestfallenly as she stared out past the court yard and at the school gates. She sighed as she watched everyone begin to exit the school grounds, chattering idly with their friends under the bloom of the umbrellas. She herself hadn't thought to bring an umbrella, because well…she hadn't expected it to rain.

'I don't see Kurama anywhere,' Keiko thought as she glanced around, anxiously looking for the red-head. She could hardly see through the pouring rain which was now beginning to fall in thick sheets. Finally giving up, Keiko's shoulders slumped.

'I guess…well today is Wednesday… he must've had a school council meeting or something.'

A light tap on the brunette's shoulder caused her to jump and nearly gasp. Keiko spun around wildly, resting startled eyes on a familiar someone. She inwardly sighed with relief when she saw who it was.

A boy of about moderate height stood before her, well-built yet lean at the same time. He had large eyes, the color of a winter sky, which were now staring back at her intently. He had short black hair which looked silken to the touch.

"You startled me!" Keiko cried. The boy offered her a polite smile.

"I apologize Keiko for I did not mean to scare you," he said mildly.

She shook her head. "No, it's alright, I guess I just wasn't paying attention."

What was his name again? Crow, or something like that? She'd been called to the office by the principal to show him around the school. He was the one the blonde had been talking about. He had seemed nice enough, but he was very quiet. Somber was more like it.

"What are you looking for?"

"Huh? Oh! Well, I'm looking for my friend, you know the one I told you about? Kur-Shuichi? Usually he meets me at the school gates after school so we can walk home together." Keiko remarked, hoping he didn't notice her error. He didn't…or at least he didn't let on that he did. Crow glanced around the court yard then turned back to the brunette standing beside him.

"Well no one's here except for the two of us. The courtyard's empty." he said quietly.

"Yeah, I guess so huh?" Keiko stated lamely. She sighed.

"Do you have an umbrella? Anything to protect you from the rain?" Crow asked suddenly. He sounded concerned. Keiko shook her head.

"Nope, that's why I'll have to wait it out. That'll teach me not to watch the weather report in the morning." Keiko said glumly. Realization dawning in Crow's eyes, he reached into the pocket of his jacket and pulled out a small black umbrella.

'Big pockets,' Keiko thought idly. The boy offered it to her.

"You can borrow it; I have a jacket on so I don't mind lending it to you." Keiko's eyes widened considerably as he held it out to her.

"Are you sure?" she asked, although her hands were itching to touch it and grab it from him. Crow nodded. Smiling, Keiko took it gladly, holding it to her chest for a moment. It was simply a miracle, the gods had answered her prayers!

"Thank you so much!" she beamed at him, a smile touching her lips. He returned it.

"My pleasure." Opening it, Keiko stepped out into the rain and smiled at Crow pleasantly. For a moment he just stood there studying her. Oblivious of his stare, Keiko held out a hand towards him. She giggled.

"Want to walk together, at least until we have to part ways?" Keiko inquired. Crow gazed at her outstretched hand in silence, then slowly nodded. Slowly, he reached out his hand and took hers. They began to walk home all the while under the protection of Crow's umbrella. Keiko chattered away happily, not noticing the way he seemed to be staring at her. Eventually they parted ways and bid each other farewell.

A Little While Later…

'I wish Kurama were here…I know this is babyish and everything but this is the first time he's ever not been able to walk home with me…' She inwardly sighed, as she continued to walk down the sidewalk. It wasn't like it was his fault though. He had meetings to attend to and exams to take. After all, Kurama did have a life of his own.

Still…she always looked forward to spending time with him. Walking home together was like a ritual for the two of them. Keiko also hated walking home by herself. And today was definitely no exception. The brunette shivered, and not from the cold either. She came to a stop and looked both ways, checking for any cars or oncoming traffic, saw none, and began to cross the street. She wondered hat he was doing. Was he having any fun? She remembered him mentioning something about a spring festival.

The young girl was not accustomed to the eerie silence that seemed to hang in the air. It was so quiet; the only things she could hear were the steady fall of the rain and the pitter patter of her small feet as she made her way across the street. Very peculiar…not to mention creepy. She couldn't wait to get home.

Keiko was almost halfway across the road when a feeling of paranoia swept through her. She continued walking, but with every step she took she began to hurry a little more, when another wave of ominous feelings went through her. She felt as if… someone was watching her every move, their gaze burning into her. The brunette glanced over her shoulder, the street was empty. Utterly and utmost deserted. She was alone. She looked forward then nearly froze.

A short man donning a black cloak stared back at her. He had black, spiky hair that seemed to defy the laws of gravity and was wearing a white bandanna. His eyes were a unique color, a dark, blood red crimson. Time seemed to freeze, as they stared at each other, the brunette found she couldn't look away. Then faster then the blink of an eye, Keiko lost sight of the peculiar, little man.

'What…' She glanced around uncertainly. Then in a flash of black, the man was suddenly in front of her. He had just appeared out of thin air, like a ghost. Keiko made a small squeak of fear, as he gripped her arms, and stared up at her. She remained paralyzed...noting the firm, and strong grip he had on her. Her eyes shined with fear.

"Baka ningen…" he said, his voice deep. Using one hand he ripped off the white bandanna, revealing a third, glowing eye in the middle of his forehead. She stared transfixed by the phenomenon. Keiko froze even further, feeling something trying to probe her mind.

The umbrella in her hand fell from her quivering fingers, as she was overcome with immense pain. The feeling it evoked in her was unfamiliar, and caused a painful throbbing to shoot through her body. A burning sensation enflamed her skull. A gasp escaped her lips as her vision spun. Something, whatever it was, was probing her mind, and judging by the tense, focused expression on the little man's face she guessed it had something to do with him. He tightened his grip on her, letting out a warning growl.

"Somebody help! Let me go!" she shrieked, the pain intensifying, almost becoming unbearable. It felt like something was ripping through her flesh, from the inside out. Keiko tried to pull away from him, desperate to escape from his clutches.

"Nobody will come to your aid foolish human." Keiko's cinnamon orbs glanced around wildly, and she resisted the urge to gasp. He was right. The streets were completely empty. No one was around. Keiko would not be receiving help from anyone any time soon. She was on her own.

Keiko screamed. She could feel it. Running through her most guarded secrets like a thief in an unguarded castle - opening closed doors, snatching precious memories... She'd never been mind-raped before, and decided it was the most terrifying experience she'd ever had.

"No!" she cried, renewing her attempt to get away from him. "No!"

Suddenly, as she continued to struggle, Keiko's lithe body was bathed in a beautiful blue light. Keiko closed her eyes against the bright light, a loud hissing noise filling the air. It sounded almost animalistic. Still, the little man refused to let go of her.

With her consciousness caught up in a vortex of panic, Keiko was vaguely aware of a disturbance in the air beside her, followed by a grunt from the little man. An arm hooked around her waist and yanked her forward, dislodging her from the clutches of her attacker. Her vision cleared eventually once the light gradually faded, her eyes fluttered open, and she found herself bracketed against a masculine chest. Her savior's heart thumped wildly under her palm, and she could tell the chest she was pressed against belonged to a male. Yes, definitely a male.

She was tired, her energy had been zapped out of her the moment the fire demon had touched her, started to read her mind. She slumped against the man's chest, her small hands clinging to him.

She blinked, looked up, and nearly fainted at what she saw.

'Yusuke…'

Her vision swam dangerously and her body began to revolt. Finally giving in…Keiko passed out, her body going lax in his arms.

……………………….

Hiei's eyes widened, and he scowled as his hands began to burn, almost scorchingly so, as if they were on fire. No…only the skin on his hands that was in contact with hers was burning. His eyes flashed. The wench had powers! But how? He didn't detect any demon blood flowing through her veins.

He stood there for a moment, glaring at the human bitch with such contempt he felt his own ki flaring. Then he froze. Someone was coming, someone with a very powerful aura, but nonetheless reeking the scent of a human. He snarled when the form of the spirit detective came into his view, snatching the bitch away from him. The unexpected appearance of Koenma's groupie would only delay his plans. Damn it! The glow surrounding the girl's body faded as the detective held the brunette tightly against his chest. Yusuke glared at him heatedly.

"This isn't over…" Yusuke whispered vehemently, venom dripping from his voice, "Now you're gonna pay big time. While I'm here to protect her, no one is messing with Keiko."

"Ahh…so you're after the kitsune's woman are you?"

Yusuke looked confused at the fire demon's words but nonetheless met his glare head on.

Hiei smirked, taking a step back. He would not fight him, for it would only be a waste of precious time. Besides… he had already found out what he'd needed to know. And when the time was right…he would take her. Because no one got away with injuring him, and he meant no one. He sneered at them one last time before teleporting.

……………………….

Yusuke wasted no time after that, hauling her up with a desperation that his own friends and family wouldn't have recognized. Gathering Keiko's slight weight into his arms, supporting her against him, he quickly assessed the situation. Keiko was alive, he had to do what he could to keep her alive. Cursing, he ran as fast as he could, her tiny body clasped in his arms like a treasure he would not give up. Keiko opened her eyes and stared jadedly up at him.

"Yusuke…" Her voice was a dry whisper, but nonetheless she looked mystified as she stared up at him.

"I'm here," he said, rocking her in his arms. "I'm right here."

"Kurama…"

"He's…he's not here Keiko…"

She didn't answer. She only reached up to touch his face with the tips of her fingers before she fell asleep. Sighing with relief, he thanked the gods themselves for this gift, this second chance. At this moment, he thought himself the luckiest boy to ever walk the earth. He had come just in time and had found her. Keiko.

He had been given a second chance at life…and a second chance at love.