Disclaimer: I have no right to anyone or anything in the YYH World.
THIS IS A REPOST. The only change was an embarrassing grammatical error that Skittles was so kind enough to point out to me. And yes, it put me in enough of a FOUL mood that I had to repost the chapter with the correction. I'm weird that way.
Thank you all for telling me how much you're enjoying the story. This next chapter is a bit long, but I already warned you about these sorts of things, didn't I?
No Matter What
Chapter 5
Yusuke softly hummed to himself as he carried the platters of food into the large room, and carefully set them down.
"Ta da! And I didn't spill a single one. Told you I could do it, Keiko."
The young girl just chuckled as she and Yukina set up the table of drinks.
"Yes, yes, I can see. But aren't you missing a tray or two?"
"Huh?" Yusuke counted the food trays and frowned. "Damn it. I'll be right back."
Keiko and Yukina continued with their task, talking amongst themselves.
"So Yusuke told me your big news. You must be thrilled."
The Koorime smiled sweetly at her friend and giggled.
"I really am. I must admit, I had a feeling that Hiei was my brother but I didn't want to confront him because I figured he had a very good reason for not telling me."
"Wow." Keiko shook her head in disbelief as she stacked the cups along the side. "I wonder what made him finally tell you. Did you ask?"
"I have a feeling Yusuke had a strong hand in the matter."
"Really?"
"Yusuke and Hiei are very close and I heard Hiei mumble something about getting Yusuke off his back." Yukina giggled again and looked up at her friend who was just staring, slightly confused. "You are very lucky to have Yusuke, Keiko. He is a good man."
Keiko smiled and nodded, then returned to setting up the table. I had no idea they were so close. Hiei doesn't seem the type to share personal information with just anyone. She heard yelling and looked up to see Yusuke entering the room again with the remaining food trays followed closely by a scowling Genkai. She smiled at the familiar sight. Yes, I am lucky to have him.
Yusuke looked up and smiled at Keiko and just as she was about to say something to him, Hiei and Kurama entered the room and Yusuke's attention was immediately focused elsewhere. Keiko watched as Yusuke's smile brightened even further as he walked over and greeted his friends, throwing arms around both their shoulders and pulling them into a hug. Suddenly, she felt this knot beginning to form in her stomach as she watched Yusuke and Hiei. The fire demon didn't seem to mind being so close to Yusuke. I've never seen him tolerate that kind of behavior from anyone. Just how close are they?
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The reunion orchestrated by Keiko and Yukina at Genkai's temple was in full swing and the guests were scattered all over, laughing, talking, eating and drinking. Due to the remote location, it had been decided ahead of time that with the exception of Koenma, everyone would just stay the night at the temple. Knowing this, and adding his own tormented thoughts about a certain fire demon, Yusuke helped himself to more than his fair share of alcohol.
Yusuke smiled as he spied brother and sister talking quietly in a corner. He really was happy that Hiei had finally told Yukina his secret.
"Yukina thinks you had a lot to do with Hiei's confession."
Yusuke started and looked to his side to see a smiling Keiko.
"Me? No, I didn't have anything to do with it. I didn't even know he did it until afterwards when he stopped by and told me."
"He stopped by?"
"Oh, uh, yeah." Yusuke rubbed the back of his neck and turned to face the young brunette. "He stopped by my apartment, told me I could shut up about his sister and left."
"Really?"
"Yup." Yusuke looked over at Hiei and Yukina again. "That's my fire demon for ya."
Keiko's smile faltered and she hung her head, staring into her drink. His fire demon? He couldn't possibly…?
"Hellooooo? Anybody home?"
Keiko looked up as she felt a tapping on her head to see Yusuke staring at her.
"There you are. Where'd you go?"
Keiko stared for a few seconds, then let herself drown in the warm smile and big amber eyes. She smiled and leaned in, giving Yusuke a small kiss.
"It doesn't matter. You found me, right?"
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Darkness had fallen and still the party carried on. People, demons and gods alike were no longer loud and animated. They had gathered in small groups, talking and working on their second round of eating. Yusuke had returned from the bathroom only to find that Hiei was missing. Figuring no one would miss him, he left the temple in search of his friend.
The cool air on his alcohol-warmed face felt good. It didn't take long to find the reclusive fire demon sitting under a tree, staring at the star-speckled sky above. Yusuke approached him and stopped within a few feet, smiling down at Hiei.
"Looks like I win." Yusuke saw the raised eyebrow questioning him and he chuckled as he sat down next to Hiei. "There was a pool going to see how long you would last before leaving the temple and finding someplace quiet."
He heard a low growl and smiled even wider. "Don't worry about it. There was one to see how long it would take me to pass out, one to see how long it would take for Kuwabara to declare his love for Yukina, one to see how long it would take for Botan to break out into song, and…."
"I get the point. And I won the Kuwabara pool, by the way."
Yusuke looked at his friend in shock, but it didn't last long. Faced with the sparkling eyes and knowing smirk, Yusuke's shock crumbled into a smile and laughter.
"You really have changed, Hiei."
"Not enough apparently."
"Huh?"
"You won the pool. Obviously I'm still predictable."
"Nah, you can't count that. I just know you really well, that's all."
Hiei returned his gaze to the sky above, wondering just how well Yusuke knew him. I doubt he has any clue about how I feel.
The pair sat in companionable silence for several long moments, lost in their own thoughts, the only sounds being the singing of the nocturnal insects mixed with the soft laughter of their friends within the temple. Hiei found himself relaxing as he concentrated on the sounds around him and the feel of Yusuke sitting next to him. But when Yusuke's quiet, uncertain voice broke the tranquility Hiei felt his body tense.
"I….I want to ask you something."
"Ask."
"Do you feel that there's this…." Yusuke waved his hand back and forth between them rapidly, hitting Hiei and himself each time. "….this….I don't know….something? Do you feel that?"
"I feel you hitting me, Yusuke."
"Huh? Oh."
Yusuke let his hand fall into his lap and he leaned to the side, resting his head on Hiei's shoulder. For his part, Hiei remained still, hoping the move was a sign of tiredness, not one that the toushin was going to get sick. Why did he drink so much tonight?
"Hiei?"
"Hn."
"I really need to tell you something."
"So tell me."
Silence reigned for several long moments and Hiei thought Yusuke might have fallen asleep, but then he heard the toushin's voice, soft, barely audible. And as he spoke, he leaned into Hiei further, burrowing his face into Hiei's neck and wrapping a loose arm around his waist as he turned into the fire demon.
"I care…..and I'm scared….."
Hiei reached up and began to stroke Yusuke's hair, finding it had a soothing effect on the toushin as well as himself.
"Hiei….you're so warm…..don't let go…."
"I won't, Yusuke. I won't ever let go. I promise."
Hiei nestled down a little, getting comfortable and settling in for the evening. He remained awake until almost sun up and when he finally did fall asleep, his fingers were still entwined within Yusuke's hair.
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Yusuke didn't want to face the world yet. He tried to will himself back to sleep, concentrating on the warmth surrounding him and the comfortable bed he was laying in, but the pounding in his head was just getting worse and so he regretfully opened his eyes.
As he slowly blinked his vision clear, the first thing Yusuke realized was that he was outside. How can I be so warm if I'm outside? A few seconds later he determined he was not lying down, but was in a semi-upright position. Why am I so comfortable if I'm not in bed? Finally daring to look around, Yusuke came to a shocking realization which caused his eyes to become impossibly wide. I'm….I'm sleeping on Hiei!
His mind immediately snapped to attention but his body remained very still. He'd been drunk enough times to know that sudden movements upon waking from a night of drinking were unwise. Besides, this was no ordinary "morning after".
I know Hiei is a light sleeper. Shit, I hope I don't wake him up! He's going to kill me when he finds out I slept on him!
As Yusuke slowly and carefully extricated himself from the sleeping fire demon's grasp, he prayed to Kami that Hiei had drank enough to keep him asleep. Once free of Hiei's arm, Yusuke sat there a few moments and looked upon his sleeping friend.
He looks so different…..so peaceful….
Yusuke leaned forward and reached a hand out, wanting to feel the pale skin of a cheek, but suddenly his stomach lurched and he covered his mouth as he raced for the temple bathroom.
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"Yusuke?" Keiko knocked on the door again. "Yusuke? Answer me." She heard a moan from the other side of the door and sighed. Deciding she wasn't going to wait for permission to enter, she opened the door and found her boyfriend sitting against the tub, looking pale and weak.
"Honestly, Yusuke, you'd think you would have learned your lesson by now."
Keiko assisted Yusuke up onto his feet and out of the bathroom.
"Is he alright? Should I get him some tea?"
Keiko offered a smile to Yukina as Kurama took Yusuke off her hands and helped him out to the car.
"No thanks, Yukina. I'm going to take him home so he can moan and groan and sleep it off." She hugged the Koorime goodbye and waved as she left the temple. "Bye guys! It was fun!"
Just as Keiko reached the car Kurama was closing the door on the passenger's side.
"All set?"
"Yes. I gave him some bark to chew on for the ride home. It should keep him from throwing up during the drive."
"Thanks, Kurama, I appreciate the thought. See ya around!"
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"Oh, good morning, brother. We thought you had left already. Would you like some breakfast?"
Hiei checked the growl he so desperately wanted to let loose and just nodded at his smiling sister. He scanned the room and found Kuwabara and Kurama still seated at the table, enjoying their breakfast. He sat down next to Kurama which put him as far away from the orange-haired ningen as possible.
He offered Yukina the barest of smiles as he nodded his thanks when she delivered his steaming cup of coffee. He quickly began to down the hot beverage, welcoming its awakening affects.
"I'm surprised to still see you here, Hiei."
Hiei put down the empty cup and glared at the mischievous green eyes next to him.
"Is there something wrong with my presence here this morning, fox?"
"Not at all. But with Yusuke already gone, I figured you----"
"Yusuke left?"
"Yes, poor Keiko had the unfortunate task of driving him back to his apartment. I hope that bark I gave him works. Otherwise I'm afraid he might get sick again on the way home."
"I wouldn't worry about that, Kurama. Yusuke knows Keiko would kill him if he did that."
Hiei stared down at his empty cup, suddenly very awake and very unhappy. He awoke in a foul mood when he found himself alone under the tree. He knew he didn't imagine Yusuke falling asleep in his arms last night and he was disappointed that the toushin didn't wake him up. He really wanted to finish their conversation. But what if Yusuke didn't want to finish their conversation? Could it have just been the liquor talking?
"Brother? Your breakfast."
Hiei came out of his thoughts at the soft sound of his sister's concerned voice. He looked up at her and nodded and looked down at the plate of food, working on automatic as he picked up his utensil and began to eat.
He couldn't taste the food and if asked, he couldn't even tell you what he ate. His mind was preoccupied with thoughts of Yusuke and why he left without saying anything.
I should stop by his apartment before I go back to the Makai. But what if the ningen girl is there? Kurama said Yusuke was really sick too. Maybe I should let him sleep off the alcohol first.
Hiei heard his name and he looked up to see his sister smiling at him. He offered a half-smile in response and returned to eating and his internal debate.
But what if I show up and it turns out he doesn't remember? Or worse, I've read too much into his words?
Hiei growled and stood up and left, heedless of his sister's voice calling for his return. He stepped out into the fresh morning air and disappeared in a blur of black.
No, I will wait for Yusuke. I'll check back at the temple for him and then wait to see if he brings it up. This way I will not risk looking like a fool. Yes, that is the best course of action.
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"Yusuke! C'mon! What is with you today?"
Keiko backtracked and slipped her arm within Yusuke's and started to pull him along the busy city street. She kept the smile on her face but inside she was worried. Yusuke had been prone to bouts of distraction ever since that party at Genkai's three weeks ago. He was with Hiei towards the end of the party. Did something happen between them?
Yusuke allowed himself to be led down the street, his mind still preoccupied with a certain crimson-eyed demon. Why hasn't he been around the temple lately? I wanted to talk to him about that night. Gods! I have a feeling I said something really stupid. Is that why he's stayed away?
As the pair walk down the street Keiko stops and gazes up at a window display. The lovely white gowns and delicate lace and bouquets of roses and lilies tug at her heart.
"Oh, Yusuke. Do you think I'll ever be able to wear a dress like that?"
The pressure of Keiko's tightening grip on his hand broke Yusuke's thoughts and he looked to her, and then followed her gaze upwards to the display window. He saw the four wedding dresses in the window and suddenly he felt ridiculous. Why am I getting so worked up about Hiei? We're just friends, right? I should be thinking about Keiko. I'm so lucky to have a girl like her by my side. She's stuck with me through so much and she loves me. Yusuke leaned in and bumped shoulders with Keiko and whispered in her ear.
"Of course you will, Keiko. I promise."
Keiko turned hopeful green eyes to the man standing next to her and Yusuke gave her a tender kiss before giving her hand a squeeze and leading them down the street once again, hand-in-hand.
To be continued…..
So….has anyone been the subject of a betting pool before? It's kind of flattering and possibly insulting depending on the bet and the betting options.