Yu Yu Hakusho: New Dreams, Old Nightmares
I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho or any of the characters. I do, however, claim the rights to my original characters, an exact total of none of which will be featured in this chapter.
New Dreams, Old Nightmares
Chapter Five – Lightweights
"Finally, we made it!" Yusuke said as he reached the base of the stairs that led up to Genkai's temple.
Keiko was with him, having changed into jeans and a light blue sweater before she joined them at Yusuke's house. She still carried her bookbag with her, and her long hair was pulled back and tied with a ribbon that matched the rest of her outfit.
Yusuke had changed into the clothes he had bought from the store, which consisted of a brand new pair of jeans, the dark red shirt Kurama recommended, and his red jacket that he never seemed to travel without. He had nothing else on him. After all, he was the guest of honor, wasn't he? You don't bring anything to your own party.
Kurama had made a few changes to his own outfit at Yusuke's, changing from his dress shirt into the more casual rose-design one. It was unbuttoned, revealing a white undershirt that was tucked into his dress slacks.
"You know, you could have borrowed any of my clothes, if you didn't want to wear slacks," Yusuke said as they started the trek up the stairs.
Kurama readjusted his backpack on his shoulder. "None of your clothes would fit me, I'm afraid."
"Figures, you always did have to dress the nicest."
Kurama laughed as the hike continued.
"You know, it never matters how many times I climb these stupid stairs, I always feel winded when I get to the top," Yusuke said as his breathing grew slightly heavier.
"Perhaps the reiki that emanates from the ground is affecting you, with your new yoki powers," Kurama offered.
"Why would it? It doesn't seem to have an effect on you at all."
"It does. I'm just not as vocal about it as some are," he smiled.
"Hey, Urameshi!" Kuwabara's voice rang down the side of the mountain. Way at the top of the steps, they could see him standing there, one hand cupped next to his mouth, the other one waving frantically.
"I'm comin', I'm comin'!" Yusuke yelled back up at his friend. "Poor guy's probably starving and I'm holding him up."
Keiko spoke up. "It wouldn't hurt for us to speed it up a little bit, I'm hungry too!"
"Am I the only one who ate earlier?"
"Unless you count the peanuts on the train, then yeah."
Yusuke sighed.
A few minutes later, they reached the top of the stairs. The entire crew was assembled there. Botan and Yukina were wearing matching kimonos, and Kuwabara had his traditional blue uniform on. Shizuru was wearing an outfit almost identical to the one she was wearing yesterday, with the exception of a red scarf.
"Hey everyone!" Yusuke exclaimed. Kuwabara ran over and punched him in the arm.
"You jerk, making all of us wait!"
"Come on, you can't start a party till the one you're throwing it for gets here!"
"It's good to see you again, dimwit," and old, familiar voice said. The group took a step or two back to reveal the aged master, her hands clasped behind her back and looking up towards her former apprentice with a smile.
"Genkai, you old hag!" Yusuke said as he ran over to her. "You haven't aged a day!" he said with a mischievous grin on his face.
"Just shut up and give this old woman a hug," she smirked. Yusuke complied, laughing.
It was good to see her again.
"I take it you've done well for yourself? Kurama's told us a few details but I'd rather hear it from you."
"Well, I'm nowhere near the strongest guy in Makai, but you know what? I'm okay with that. No matter how good you are, there's always someone better!"
"Looks like you learned more than I'd be able to teach you," she said in the tone he had grown so familiar to.
"Training never seems to stop, does it?" Keiko said with a small smile.
"That's right!" Botan added. "Always something to learn, whether it's how to master a new technique or figure out some problem. Homework never ends!"
"Oh man, I can't wait to taste some of the food you guys made!" Kuwabara said, practically drooling.
"Will you please shut up about the food?" Shizuru said. It was obvious that they had been dealing with Kuwabara all day on this issue. "We kicked you out of the kitchen for a reason, you know."
"I would hope you've learned your lesson, after I hit you in the head with my oar," Botan fumed in mock anger.
"He's taken bigger blows to the head than that," Shizuru chimed in.
"No fair!"
"Don't worry Kazuma," Yukina said, calming him down. "We made enough for everyone. I even made those little octopus sausages you like!"
Kuwabara got down on one knee in front of Yukina, his face turning red as he took her hand in both of his. "Thank you so much, it would be an honor to eat food that you've cooked for me."
The interesting thing that Kurama noticed about Botan's oar was that it never made a sound as it sliced through the air. Normally there would be a whistle as it was swung, but there was no sound until it made solid contact with the back of Kuwabara's head, driving it into the ground. A large lump appeared on the back of his head, and for a few seconds, he twitched like a fish out of water.
"I think I killed him." Botan said, as her weapon and main method of transportation disappeared in a flash of light.
"Honestly, Botan, did you have to hit him that hard?" Genkai said.
Kuwabara gave his goofy laugh as he started to regain consciousness.
"Told you he had a hard head," Yusuke said. "After all the times I beat the crap out of him, that should have felt like a mosquito bite."
"Boys." Keiko said with a sigh, as if the word had the power to sum up everything about the situation. It did.
"Let's all go inside, it will just take a second for us to set everything out!" Yukina said as she turned and bounded up into the house to get everything ready. Not seeing any reason to object, the rest of the crew followed suit, kicking off their shoes before heading into the main room.
"Now boys, stay out!" Botan said, sticking her head from the doorway that led to the dining room. She gave Kuwabara a particularly evil glare, causing him to gulp.
There was a large tea kettle placed out on the table, with enough cups for all of them. They all sat down, some cross-legged, some with less dignity as they all started to engage in various small talks. It was a few minutes later that Yusuke noticed Genkai wasn't in the room.
"Where'd grandma go?"
"Can't I be gone for two seconds? Just because I'm in my seventies doesn't mean I'm going to keel over and die the second I get out of sight," she answered, crossing the threshold from the kitchen area into the room where the rest, save Botan, were seated. She had a large bottle in her hands she took her own place at the table.
"I have something for you all," Genkai said. She placed the bottle on the table, causing Shizuru to laugh. "Sake?"
"This stuff is almost as old as I am," the mentor said. "Now, I think it's only fair if you all want to celebrate but you must promise me one thing. I know you're all staying at the compound tonight, and don't tell anyone that I'm doing this."
"All right! You've mellowed out in your old age, Genkai," Yusuke said with a smile.
"Isn't the legal drinking age in Japan twenty?" Botan asked, confused.
"Yes, it is." Kurama said. "But considering that most of us here are much older than that, I can see why Genkai decided to bend the rules."
"Only minors here are my bro and the guest of honor."
"What about Kurama?" Kuwabara asked. "He's not twenty yet!"
"This body isn't twenty yet."
"Borrow some of my years, if it makes you feel better," Genkai said. "Just don't go nuts."
"Hehe, I bet I can drink you under the table, Urameshi!" Kuwabara said.
"You're so on."
"I've never had this type of drink before," Yukina. "What does it do?"
"Some say it reveals the most true form of your personality," Kurama replied.
"It's great, Yukina!" Kuwabara said. "Would you like me to pour you some?"
"And how would you know this, hmm?" Shizuru asked, appearing directly behind her brother with a menacing gaze.
"Like you waited until twenty to try alcohol."
Shizuru punched her brother in the back of the head.
"Ow!" he yelled. "What was that for?"
"If you're going to try and encourage Yukina to drink, then I'm going to sit right here," she said, sitting down on the other side of Kuwabara.
"How do you like that, Kurama was right!" Yusuke said with an evil laugh. "You do have a way with the ladies. Look how much attention you're getting!"
"Humph."
The bottle was passed around as each member poured themselves some of the strong liquid, even Kurama.
"Cheers!" They all shouted as one, before bringing the cups to their lips.
Each person reacted differently. Kuwabara and Yusuke downed the entire contents of their cups in one gulp, while Shizuru, Genkai, and Kurama took a quiet sip. Shizuru welcomed the feeling of the liquor as it slid down her throat. It had been a while since she had a drink with friends, and Kurama partook as a social courtesy. He never did like sake or any type of liquor for that matter, but tonight he would make a small exception, as he sometimes did with family events.
Yukina took an experimental sip, then started when she tasted the strong liquid on her tongue. "Is this some sort of elixir?" she asked.
"Some say there's nothing it can't cure, but those are the idiots," Genkai said. "In small doses it can help one relax, but in large quantities it can turn you into a fool."
"Everyone always did tell me I was an idiot," Yusuke said. "What do you say, Kuwabara? Lets see which one of us is the bigger dumbass!" he exclaimed, holding up the bottle.
"Hell yeah! Say, Kurama, why don't you join us? I've never seen you drink before,"
"I'm afraid I can't. I have someplace to be tomorrow morning," the redhead said. "I'll be leaving later tonight."
"Aw, that's a shame, Kurama. It's been so long since we've all been together like this," Keiko said.
"He's not the only one," Shizuru said. "I have a meeting tomorrow and whether I leave tonight or tomorrow morning, I won't be having much myself," she said, taking another sip.
"So, who's actually spending the night then?" Genkai asked.
Kuwabara, Yukina, Keiko, and Yusuke raised their hands.
"Me too!" Botan yelled from across the house, having overheard the conversation.
"Three girls, two boys, fair enough. Does anyone need a separate room?"
"I don't mind sharing with the girls," Keiko said.
"That's fine with me!" Yukina said. She practically lived at the compound anyway, and Botan stayed there as well when she came to Ningenkai.
"Knowing those two dimwits," Genkai observed, "they'll probably sleep where they fall." Yusuke and Kuwabara were on their fourth sake bomb at this point, with no signs of slowing down.
"Everyone! The food is ready!" came Botan's call from the dining room. Fortunately, nobody was too inebriated to migrate to the new room.
A few hours later, the party was winding down. The talks had drifted everywhere from the politics of the three worlds to what everyone was doing with their lives, and what their plans were for the future. Yusuke had won the drinking contest with Kuwabara, and the two of them had distended stomachs from all the food they ate. Shizuru and Genkai smoked cigarettes in the corner, while Kurama and Keiko helped Botan clear the table. Yukina had ended up having a rather high tolerance for the alcohol, but her own cheeks were flushed. Yusuke and Kuwabara, on the other hand, were completely shit-faced.
"Toldja I would beat you at yer shtupid challenge," Yusuke said, his words slurred.
"Yer right, I lost tuyoo again, yurmesh(hic)i."
"So dimwit," Genkai asked with an ever-knowing smirk. "How does it feel to be a winner?"
"Not sho good," he said.
"Yusuke, I swear, if you pass out or throw up I am never going to forgive you for this," Keiko said, coming back into the room and drying her hands on a towel.
"Try regulating your reiki," Kurama offered as he walked in behind Keiko. "It will help you sober up faster."
"Howdja know that, fox-boy?" Kuwabara said, lifting his sluggish head.
"When you live for a thousand years, you learn these things at one time or another."
"You're going to hate yourself tomorrow though," Keiko said, placing her head on Yusuke's shoulder.
"That's why I'm glad I don't have to go anywhere tomorrow," Yusuke said, as he blinked a few times. "Wow, that is starting to work…"
"I told you it would. You should be fine in a few minutes. Didn't Chu teach you that technique?"
"That crazy guy? Nah, I don't think he ever wants to kill a buzz he has going."
"Unfortunately, I know what you mean."
"What a fine young man you've turned into, Yusuke," Genkai said in a sarcastic tone, but one that had no bite and was meant as a joke. "You've just proved you can hold your liquor better than anyone here."
"You trained me well, what can I say?" Yusuke laughed in response. Kuwabara was trying to sober up as well, but with not nearly as much success as Yusuke.
"Oh, I can't take all the credit. I would say…forty five percent. Kurama, say, oh, seventeen."
"I would think Keiko deserves the most for having to put up with him," Botan said. She was always bubbly, and nobody could tell if the liquor was having any effect on her.
"Okay, lets give her the last forty eight percent then," Yusuke said.
"What about me?" Shizuru said, pouting in mock indignation.
"You and Yukina can have ten percent each of mine," Genkai said, trying not to laugh.
"Yusuke's skills at math still lack, I see. We have a total of one hundred ten percent," Kurama pointed out, enjoying himself.
"Hey, what about me?" Kuwabara protested. "That is so not fair, how come I don't get anything?"
"You're probably that extra ten percent that jumped the shark," Shizuru said, enjoying the look of anguish on her brother's face.
"You can have five percent of mine, Kazuma!" Yukina said, hanging onto his arm.
Kuwabara's face instantly brightened, as much as possible through its red complexion. "You really mean it?"
"Sure!" Yukina said, smiling and tilting her head to the side in that oh-so-cute adorable way she always did.
"I am so…honored by you, Yukina-chan!" he said, practically weeping tears of gratitude as he went to hug her. Shizuru grabbed his ear and pulled him back before he made it, since he would have practically toppled on top of her with how drunk he was.
"That's it. No more alcohol for you. Ever."
"Ever? Or ever ever?" Kuwabara asked with emphasis.
"Well, I must say this night has been entertaining, if nothing else," Genkai said, silently watching the entire proceedings.
"I'll be right back," Keiko said, standing up. She was completely sober, and was getting enough amusement from basking in everyone else's radiant glory. She headed off in the direction of the bathroom.
Kurama saw this as an opportunity as he stood up. "I'm going out for a bit of fresh air. Would you care to join me, Yusuke?"
"Huh?"
"A breath of air might do some good."
Yusuke knew Kurama well enough to know that he was hinting at something else.
"Umm, sure, I guess."
A moment later, the two of them were standing outside, listening to the ambient sounds of the nightlife around the compound. The sound of the wind moving through the trees was mixed with the laughter from inside intermittently, and the chirping crickets completed the symphony of the beautiful night. Yusuke was curious as to what Kurama wanted out here, as both of their features were softened in the pale moonlight.
"Tell me, do you still plan on talking to Keiko tonight?" the redhead asked, placing his hands in his pockets and looking up at the countless stars there.
Yusuke suddenly felt pretty uneasy. "Yeah, I do."
Kurama smiled. "Then you might need this," he said, reaching into his hair and pulling out the single red rose he kept there.
"Aw, you did get me a flower!" Yusuke said, revealing he still wasn't completely sobered up yet.
"I told you I would have one for you later tonight. But I would recommend giving that to Keiko," he said with a smirk.
"Thanks. You know, you've really been saving my ass a lot recently," Yusuke said as he turned the thing of beauty in his fingertips, admiring it. It was flawless, even under the moonlight.
"I would do the same for any of my friends, and I know you would to," Kurama said. "Shall we be going back inside? I figured I best give that to you out here, since I see how mercilessly you're ganging up on Kuwabara this evening…"
"It's not like it's my fault he can't hold his liquor," Yusuke said, hiding the rose in his jacket.
"I suppose I can't argue with that…"
Yusuke slid the door open and the two of them rejoined the party. Yusuke sat down next to Keiko again. Kurama, however, did not take a seat.
"I'm afraid this is where I must take my leave," he said, bowing to everyone in the room. Yukina and Botan pouted with an "Awwww!" that only made him laugh.
"I'll go with you," Shizuru said, standing up. "We can head home together, it's getting late and I need to get going myself."
"Heeeee, I just bet you want to get some time alone with him, don't you sis?" Kuwabara said jokingly. Another knock on the head, followed by his fourth lump of the day, ended his train of laughter as he hung his head crying.
"Idiot. Who would protect me if some big strong man decided he wanted to sneak up on me and mug me or something? I feel a lot safer traveling with our resident fox here," she explained to her brother.
"I'd be more than happy to escort you," Kurama said. Kuwabara's house was about a mile away from his, and he enjoyed the walks in the brisk night air.
"That settles that then," she said, grabbing her coat from near the door. "Aren't you going to be cold in that thing?" she asked him, referring to the silk shirt he was wearing.
"I'll be fine," he assured her. "I can use my yoki to keep myself warm."
"I need to get me some of that. Well," Shizuru said, turning towards the others seated on the floor, "it's been a great night. We'll have to do it again sometime."
"Thank you for having us over, Master Genkai," Kurama said, bowing towards their gracious host.
After a round of goodbyes and a final warning from Shizuru ("If I hear about you trying to pull anything funny I will kill you."), the two stepped out the door and slid it shut behind them.
"And with that, I think I'll call it a night too," Genkai said. "You all know where the rooms are. I'll leave the couples to themselves," she finished, rising to her own feet.
"Hey, what about me?" Botan asked, completely unnoticing the fact that Yukina and Keiko were both blushing in response to Genkai's comment.
"Stay here and egg them on, like you always do."
"Who, me?" Botan said, flashing her cat face and feigning innocence. That drew a sigh that ended as a chuckle from the old woman as she headed off to another portion of the large house.
"I don't think that's going to be an issue, Botan," Yukina said. "Kazuma's fast asleep."
It was true. He was on is back, and had quite distanced himself from the waking world.
"Guess he didn't get a hold of that sobering technique," Keiko said as a sweatdrop moved down the back of her head.
"So, should we move him or throw a blanket over him?" Yusuke asked.
"That's not very nice!" Botan scolded.
"He should be fine! Just place a blanket over him and in the morning, if he hasn't moved, we can pull it up over his head," Yusuke joked.
"God, you're impossible at times, you know that?" Keiko asked him.
"I was only kidding! Come on, let's move him…"
A few minutes later, Kuwabara was sleeping peacefully in one of the spare rooms, snoring loudly. The other four shut the door behind them.
Yukina yawned. "I think I'm going to head off to bed too, I'm pretty tired."
"Sounds like an idea," Botan said. "Moving Kuwabara took the last bit of energy I had from this evening."
"He felt like he put on a few pounds," his best friend said. "Hey, while the two of them tuck themselves into bed," he said as he turned towards Keiko, "do you want to go someplace and talk?"
"Like where?"
"How about by the pond next to the shrine where Puu is?" The large spirit beast had taken up permanent residence at the compound, and used one of the old buildings as his nest.
"Okay, I suppose. Let me get a coat, it's chilly out."
As Keiko disappeared down the hall towards the closet to get one of the coats she kept at Genkai's, Yusuke sighed.
Keiko, how am I going to find the words to tell you what you probably won't want to hear?
That's the end of this chapter! I apologize in advance – it's 6:30 in the morning here, and I was up writing through the night because I was inspired. Maybe some of the concepts and dialogue didn't come out exactly as I intended, but I'll proofread and correct it in a few hours after I get some shuteye, if it needs it ;-)
One more chapter left before we get to the action! Hooray! Thanks for putting up with me so far. And thank you for the reviews. I honestly get as much if not more joy out of reading them than I do from writing the story itself.
Kusanagi