Disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho. This story is following the series so if anythinglooks familiar that is why. I only own my character, Miyuki, Granny Amyah, and Reo. ^-^
Please enjoy.
Chapter 5:
Yusuke Urameshi, the real number one punk at Sarayashiki, was by no standards a coward. So why was he hesitating so much? Did he really want to help this Miyuki chick out? Sure he did. Was he ready to take on another task that might affect Keiko again? Not at all. Every mission he had ended up involving her. She even made him promise to keep her updated when he got a new assignment. So it didn't come as a surprise when he heard his name being called from the other side of the school gates.
"Yusuke! Are you kidding me?! You just got back to school and your already skipping?!" Keiko's brows were scrunched up in frustration and her arms were planted firmly on her hips. Her eyes scanned the group of students he had following him. She wasn't shocked to see Kuwabara, after all he isn't what you would call a "stand up student". To the left of him stood two girls, Botan she recognized but the girl with the dark hair she had never seen before. "And your even influencing a new student!"
"Keiko, it's not-"
"Has she even been to any of her classes yet?"
"Keiko!"
"Where are you guys even all sneaking off too?
"It has some-"
"Is she your girlfriend? Well if she is I hope-"
"Keiko! Shut up for one minute!" Her eyes went wide but she took a deep breath and pressed her lips together. "I have another case." He explained, his voice now holding a softer tone.
Miyuki couldn't believe it. The man on top of the roof was the not the same man that now stood in front of this Keiko girl. She had her mind made up that he was nothing more than an arrogant child. But at this moment, seeing his nervousness and hearing the hesitation in his voice she wasn't so sure what to make of him anymore. He did care for this girl, that much was clear.
"Oh thats right! Botan explained it all to me. You're helping out a small detective agency. I didn't think they would assign you something during school hours though." Before Yusuke could correct her Botan jumped to his side and latched onto his free arm.
"We usually wouldn't ask him for his help at this time, with school being so important and all, but we are really backed up and need all the help we can get. It's been so great to see you Keiko! We really have to catch up some time but we really do have to get going. Bye!" And with that being said Botan tugged the reluctant Yusuke away and the group started the walk to Kuwabara's house.
The living room wasn't huge but had plenty of space for the four people that were currently seated. They sprawled out on the floor directly in front of the television stand, not wanting to miss anything that was to be said on the tape. The white love seat stationed in the middle of the room was left empty, its pillows, which were scattered across the floor, acted as cushions for them. Miyuki resting on the cushion in a kneeling position with her hands tucked in between her thighs. No matter how she tried to calm her self she could not stop her hands from shaking. 'Yukina. How long has it been?'
"M'lady, it will be alright. If this kid was appointed as spirit detective he must have the capability of rescuing your sister. I hate to see you in such a state of disarray." Reo whispered soothingly. He went to place his hand on top of hers and grimaced when it sunk through. What he wouldn't do to be able to comfort the poor girl. He felt strong admiration and respect for her. Many would have thought of her to be weak and timid, but Reo knew she was so much more than that. A couple years ago she was barely able to hold eye contact with anyone and now she sat here, in a room full of strangers, determined to find her sister. "We will find her." Miyuki nodded to Reo grateful for his presence.
"Did ya guys hear something? My ears have been ringing all day." Kuwabara complained.
"Maybe a ghosts been following you around." Yusuke answered. A satisfied smirk stretched across his features at the frightened look that appeared on his friend's face. Miyuki let out a soft cough to cover the laugh that threatened to escape her.
"Oh, shut it Urameshi. Just put in the damn tape already!"
The room fell silent as the tape made a clicking sound signaling the start of the video. "The Great Lord Koenma is nothing more than a mere toddler?" Reo knew he should try his best to stay quiet but this had to be some kind of joke. The moving picture box showed the figure of a young child, pacifier in, and what appeared to be a lions mane attached to his head. How on earth was this video going to lead them to Yukina? He gave a nervous glance towards Miyuki, unsure of how she would react. Her eyes hadn't left the screen and she had pressed more of her weight on to the balls of her feet inching herself closer to the screen, completely unfazed by the image. Kuwabara seemed just as confused as Reo.
"This is exactly why Lord Koenma doesn't like to explain things in person. Grow up you two! Pay attention!" The room fell silent again as the two friends stopped their snickering amongst each other.
"Hello there! It is I, Lord Koenma. If you are watching this tape it is safe to assume that you have met Miss Miyuki." With the mentioning of her name she perked up growing more and more anxious. "I am going to cut right to the chase! This is a two part mission Yusuke, so listen very carefully. Miyuki belongs to a very rare clan of female Ice Apparitions. Centuries ago they went into hiding for their own protection due to the very rare and very valuable gems they can produce. Many, Humans and Demons alike, have tried desperately to get their hands on them." He took a slight pause and held up one of the pearls.
"Ah the Hiruseki Stones! Those are worth thousands on the Black Market." Botan stated.
Miyuki gave a quick eye roll when Koenma said she "belonged" to the clan. She never once belonged. Elder Fuyu's angry scowl quickly came to mind and she grimaced at the unwelcome memory. Her trembling hands started to form a light layer of sweat on them. She did not like where this was going.
"With that being said, Miyuki is now under your protection. We have reason to believe that she has recently been targeted. Hence why I had her bring you the tape." Koenma's gaze seemed to be focusing right on her. "The Black Black Club already has one of these maiden's being held captive. They are forcing her to produce these pearls at an unnaturally alarming rate. And by force I mean physically. These gems are created through their tears." On the screen a window that looked to be covered in Talismans was coming in to focus. Miyuki had now pushed her self in front of every one covering most of the television. Finally a young woman with light blue hair and eyes that mirrored hers came into view. After all this time her sister had not changed much at all. She felt herself beginning to burn up inside with anger. 'They will pay for what they have done.' "This is Yukina, Miyuki's sister-"
Kuwabara abruptly stood up, a faint blush traced across his cheeks, distracting the gang from the rest of the video. Botan dove for the remote, pausing the tape, the face of a grotesque over weight man was frozen on the screen. His stubby fingers were lined with gold rings adorned with different color gems. His appearance screamed greed.
"I think I'm in love." His voice seemed to trail off as if he were under some form of a trance. Snapping out of it he added, "What are we all just sitting around for?! Move your butts and lets get going! I wont stop until we get your sister back!" Miyuki got ready to pounce up and take a stand next to Kuwabara but Botan grabbed her holding her in place.
"It's too dangerous for you to go. You heard Koenma, you're a target!"
"I will not just sit here! Those monsters! You don't understand what men like him are willing to do for money!" She ripped her arm out of Botan's grasp and stood right in front of Kuwabara. "I am coming with you. I refuse to stay behind."
"Eh, um, Urameshi! This is kinda your call here! Help me out!" Kuwabara scratched the back of his head nervously. He understood where she was coming from, if it were his older sister he wouldn't hesitate to run to her rescue. But at the same time, what could she do? She looked harmless. With her standing up straight she didn't even pass his shoulders. He didn't want to put her in any more danger.
"If she wants to go then let her. It doesn't really look like she's going to listen to any of us." Yusuke shrugged. "Just don't go and get your self hurt, ok?"
Miyuki nodded her thanks, not expecting Yusuke to give in so easily. 'Im not sure if I should trust him… That was too easy.' She gave Yusuke one last glance before turning her attention to Kuwabara.
"Well I believe that settles things. I'm going."
"So what are we waiting for?! Lets go!" Kuwabara grabbed Miyuki's hand and raced them out the living room almost knocking over, who Miyuki assumed was Kuwabara's older sister, Shizuru.
"What's my idiot brother getting himself into now?" She asked in between puffs of her cigarette. She ran her free hand through her hair waiting for their response. Not that she expected the truth from them. Her baby brother was always known for getting into trouble. She could only pray he wouldn't return in the same condition he did last time… She took pride in her calm, cool, and collective demeanor but she wasn't sure she could handle another sight like that. Images of her brother broken down and bloodied plagued her mind and she completely missed the excuse Botan tried to give her. She took another drag. 'Inhale, exhale.'
"Look what ever he's involved in, just look out for him. He isn't always the brightest." She tossed Yusuke a small coin purse filled to the brim. "This should cover whatever the train fare will be." She said with a knowing look. "You might want to catch him before he drags that poor girl in the wrong direction."
"You got it. Thanks Shizuru. They'll realize sooner or later that they have no idea where they are suppose to go. We just gotta finish up this video and we'll be on our way."
An hour later, with a new set of clothes, curtesy of Shizuru, and train passes in hand the group sat quietly in their seats, the only sounds were the hushed conversations of the other passengers. Miyuki never ridden on a train before. The random screeches the wheels made on the tracks when they came to a stop made her feel jittery. She hugged her knees to her chest as tight as possible and kept her eyes pointed to the floor. The cream colored sweater she had on was one size too large, and was constantly falling off her shoulder and covered her hands. The closer they got to their destination the more and more she pulled on the material. The train made another screeching sound signaling the arrival of another stop. The train was no longer hosting anyone else. Kuwabara noticed the way Miyuki kept fidgeting and how her eyes stayed casted to the floor. Now that the train was no longer in motion, he took the opportunity to stand up and take the seat next to her.
Before Miyuki could warn Kuwabara he took a seat right next to her. The same seat Reo was occupying. Kuwabara instantly tensed up and his face went pale. She shot Reo an apologetic look as he floated to the spot behind her, an annoyed scowled worn on his face. 'That's odd. I only get like that when theres a gho-'
"Is something the matter Kuwabara?" She asked, worry in her voice. He quickly dispersed his thoughts and focused on her. The last thing he wanted to do was spook her with the talk of ghosts. He rested one hand on her shoulder and used the other to stop her hands from pulling on her sweater.
"I need you to trust me. I wont stop until you and Yukina are reunited. Urameshi and me are going to make that scum bag pay for taking her!"
She sat, deep in her thoughts before planting her feet back on the ground. She had no doubt that Kuwabara meant every word he said. Her face slowly broke out into a grin. "My sister will be very pleased to meet you." His face turned a bright red as he gave a nervous laugh.
"You really think so?"
30 minutes later
"Lets see, according to this map if we continue to go straight on this path we'll run right into the place." Botan continued to look over at the map, praying she was reading it right.
"Forget the damn map! My love will point us in the right direction!" Kuwabara charged to the front determined to take the lead. Miyuki followed suit right after.
"Her blind faith in that idiot doesn't seize to amaze me." Yusuke muttered.
Following Kuwabara's directions was actually a big success. The tip of the mansion was now peaking through the tree tops and the sun was only just now beginning to set. "Stay alert M'lady. Someone is following close behind." Miyuki froze in place gaining the attention of everyone else.
"What's the matter?" Yusuke's hands went from resting behind his head to balled up on the side of his hips.
"Someone is coming."
"How do you know?"
"She's right Yusuke. Miyuki, Botan stand back." The two young men stood side by side taking a fighting stance. Within seconds a man dressed in a formal business suit sporting a pair of sun glasses stepped in the middle of the path.
"This is private property here. I suggest you hurry up and leave."
"Come on man give us a break. We got a little lost. I'm sure your crime lord boss has enough room for all of us in that big fancy mansion of his."
The man narrowed his eyes and gave the group another look. "You guys sure seem to know a lot for someone who's lost."
Before anyone could respond a giant green snoot sprouted from his face. His body began to expanded as more and more tentacles ripped free from his bottom half. The center of his chest held what looked to be a Venus Fly Trap. Botan gulped loudly and pulled Miyuki back with her.
"You're disgusting! Yukina is a demon and your helping a human keep her captive! What happened to looking out for your own?" Kuwabara spat.
The demon let out a loud bellowing chuckle before answering, "If humans can sell their soul to the devil for power, why cant us demons? Don't look at me like that. I bet my life you would switch over to our side for the right price."
"Don't you dare group them in the same category as you!" Miyuki yelled out.
"Ah and what do we have here? I thought it would be a lot harder to find you Miss Miyuki. Once I kill these guys off Ill deliver you straight to the boss and get double the pay!" The large demon sprang into the air wanting to make this as quick as possible.
"Spirit Sword!" Before he could even land Kuwabara made a large surge of orange energy expand from his hand in the shape of a sword. Three swift motions and he was cut down into pieces.
"You don't get to have all the fun! Spirit Gun!" Miyuki was taken back by the amount of power Yusuke let out. "No ones going to lay a hand on you Miyuki." She nodded her head taken back by the soft tone of his voice.
"Lets get going guys! Wait for me Yukina! Your true love is coming!" Kuwabara, once again, took off with Miyuki following his every move.
"He sure did get over you fast Botan." Yusuke whispered. The two of them staying further back so their conversation wouldn't be over heard.
"Don't you think we should tell him about the rest of the video?"
"And burst his little happy bubble? I'm good."
Once again, thank you so much for taking the time out to read my story. Please do not hesitate to leave a review. Constructive criticism is always welcomed.