Keiko pines for Yusuke. (Keiko/Yusuke)

Character(s): Keiko, Kuwabara, Yusuke.

I need to study.

I need to see Yusuke.

Seeing Yusuke is impossible right now. He's...

Across time and space in some other plane of existence?

Maybe? I don't know how demon world works...

That's what you should be studying!

Ahhhk! I need to study!

Don't let me stop you.

Ugh. Gotta study!

I wonder if Yusuke is eating well.

'The geological understanding of time is broken up in two parts...'

The geological understanding of time is: when does Yusuke come home home?

'Relative age, and absolute age...'

Relative Yusuke, absolute Yusuke.

OMG CAN YOU SHUT UP!?

Yusuke,Yusuke,Yusuke,Yusuke,Yusuke-

I CAN'T BELIEVE I'M ARGUING WITH MYSELF!

Yusuke,Yusuke,Yusuke,Yusuke,Yusuke,Yusuke,Yusuke-

SHUT UP!

YUSUKEYUSUKEYUSUKEYUSUKE-

"OH MY FLIPPING-UGH!" Keiko shrieked tossing her book across the room, heaving loudly as her geology book hit her bedroom door.

She really needed to be studying, but her stupid mind could only think of one thing: Yusuke. How was he doing? Where was he now? Was it night or day time in demon world? Was their a time difference?...Had he met some pretty demon woman? Was she some badass amazon who could fight just as well as him, and send Yusuke swooning? Where they making out as she sat here FREAKING OUT?

Keiko groaned and dropped her head against her desk. Yusuke had been gone for half a year now...and all her thoughts were consumed of him. What was she going to do if he didn't return soon? Most likely drive herself crazy until he returned...

Was he thinking of her?

Did he miss her?

Did he think of her at all?

Was he happier over there?

Closing her eyes she brought her hands to her face and rubbed her temples. Sometimes she wished she'd fallen in love with someone a little more stable. Someone who would be here for her...She wished she wasn't so selfish. It was good that Yusuke was gone going to find himself. It was good Yusuke was going to learn to understand his new predicament. He would always be Yusuke Urameshi, the little boy she'd met by the sandbox. But he was also a demon with some crazy father (sort of?) and new powers...and Keiko could understand and respect that Yusuke would need time to sort this all out.

She just wished she could be with him.

Sighing deeply she picked up her cellphone, making plans to text Kuwabara.

If anyone would understand her loneliness it would be him. Misery loved company after all. Kuwabara and her had a polite relationship at best, but over the past few months they had grown close. She would have never been able to admit this to Yusuke, but a part of her had always resented Kuwabara. She had been Yusuke's best friend...and then Kuwabara had suddenly taken that position.

Keiko hated to admit it...but she had been jealous.

It was frustrating to no end to be jealous of someone like Kuwabara. Kuwabara was wonderfully sweet, and refreshingly respectful. He'd always been polite, and spoke so highly of her, and treated her with a courteous gentleness that made her think of the kind nobles she would read about in books. It had been a large weight on her chest for her not to be able to return his kindness. But with Yusuke absent, she had been finding herself really relying on Kuwabara. Getting to know Kuwabara with Yusuke gone...well it was actually a blessing and made it easier to get over any last remnants of bitterness she might have felt for the larger hulk of a man. And over the passing months in Yusuke's absence Kuwabara had been her quiet and supportive confidant. She was very grateful that Kuwabara had been kindly seeking her out to keep her company and normally keep her mind off Yusuke.

If there was one good thing that was coming out of Yusuke's absence, it was her growing friendship with the young man.

Before she'd even punched in the number, there was a soft knock on her door.

Turning she was surprised to see Kuwabara standing in the hallway. He had two milkshakes in his hands, and an awkward smile on his face.

"...Kuwabara?"

"I uh...I just had this feeling you might need some company?" Kuwabara offered awkwardly, shrugging a little bit and avoiding eye contact. His ears were a little red, as he shifted from foot to foot, nervous about coming over to Keiko's house unannounced.

Keiko got up, and in a few short strides had wrapped her arms around Kuwabara's waist in a grateful hug.

Why had it taken her so long to see the value in the lovable warrior of love?

You were too busy looking at Yusuke's sweet ass.

. !

End

Notes: I like to think that Keiko was a little jealous Kuwabara at times. Mainly because she had been Yusuke's whole world until he started making more friends, starting with Kuwabara. And not only that, but Keiko would have known Kuwabara and Yusuke fought ever day, so I reason she'd feel really protective over Yusuke when it came to Kuwabara. I do think they'd get closer in Yusuke's absence thought :)