E.H.

Oh my goosh. So, I had a harder time writing this chapter due to some kinks I had to work out. Still not sure they were completely worked out. But…the ending was so sweet to write. You'll know when you get there what I mean. I actually nearly got teary eyed twice while writing it. :)

Chapter Two, enjoy!

Past Forgetting

Shizuru reached the first landing and ignored the dark-blue haired man waiting for her. He shook his head and held out his hand toward her. She brushed past it without a passing glance. However, he snagged her bag and pulled her back down the step she'd started up. She stumbled slightly and turned to glare at him pointedly before turning her eyes down to his hand. He snickered and withdrew his hand.

"Are you hungry or something?"

She snapped her glare back up to his face. "Excuse me?"

"You looked at my hand like you were considering biting me."

"Tempting."

"If you could please refrain from doing so, that would be preferred for future reference."

"Let me guess, afraid of cooties?"

"No. A little more complicated than that."

"Don't want your boyfriend to find out?"

He laughed loudly and shook his head. "No, not really. Here, let me carry your bag."

"No."

"Let me guess, afraid of cooties?"

"No. It's a little more complicated than that."

His smirk grew into a grin. "Touché, Shizuru."

"Good think I have good aim then, isn't it?" She turned and started back up the stairs. "If you drag me back down again, I can't promise not to drop-kick your ass."

"Noted." Kou continued up and walked beside her. He tucked his hands into his pockets. "Do you always smoke?"

"Do you always ask such stupid questions?" She grunted while flicking her now dead cigarette butt onto the concrete and grounding it out.

"Only when I have nothing better to do."

She shot him a look. "You're an ass."

"I get that a lot. Funny, I don't see it." Sarcasm dripped from him like molasses.

"Try looking in the mirror at the whole image instead of below the hips."

He chuckled. "Why would I do that? I was gifted, why should I be ashamed of it?"

"Pig." She snorted, trying to hide her amusement.

"Oink, oink." He threw back. They neared the top of the stairs. As she stepped up the last few stairs, she spotted Kazuma and Yusuke bickering over something stupid again. She rolled her eyes.

"Sometimes I wonder if they are getting married."

"If they ever do, please warn me ahead of time. I'd hate to see those two doe-eyed and glowing."

Shizuru glanced at Kou, not able to hold back her smirk. "I'll try to remember that."

"Shizuru!" A familiar, obnoxiously cheery voice echoed across the courtyard. She turned back and watched as Botan bounced over to them. "So happy you made it! Oh! Who is this?"

Kou was about to introduce himself when Yusuke came over.

"Holy shit! Kouta? That you, man?"

"Hopefully in the flesh." Kou threw back with a shrug. "Nabi around?"

"Yeah. She's helpin' Keiko decide on where to set up the chairs." Yusuke grinned.

Kazuma came over and frowned at Kou. "Hey sis. Why you walkin' with some guy?"

"We had sex on the way here." Shizuru said in a blasé tone, waving her hand dismissively. Kazuma nearly fell over and turned to Kou.

Kou shrugged. "What can I say? Hard to say no to a woman who practically jumps me."

Yusuke glanced between the two and caught on as the two grinned at Kazuma's brain melt down. He started laughing and shook his head. "Come on back. I'm sure Keiko could use some elder sister advice and all that shit. C'mon, Kuwabara. She was kiddin' you idiot."

"How do you know, Urameshi?!"

"Easy! They were doin' it to watch your head melt down!"

"Whatever, Urameshi! It's still gross and wrong!"

Shizuru snorted and started to walk past Kazuma. "Chill, bro. If I had twigs in my hair, then you'd need to worry."

"Ewww! I don't wanna hear 'bout it!" Kazuma covered his ears shaking his head. "Old people sex is nasty anyways!"

Shizuru spun and pinned Kazuma with a death glare. Kazuma threw his hands up defensively and placatingly but it was too late. "Old? You wanna see old?!" In a flash, she had his shirt front in her fist, Kazuma limp in front of her trying to protect his face while she punched him a few times. Once satisfied, she dropped him and clapped her hands together as if to remove dust. "When you can't take a beating from me and still stand. Now that's old."

Yusuke rolled his eyes and motioned over his shoulder with his thumb. "If you're done killin' him, I'm sure they could use some help."

Shizuru shrugged and headed after Yusuke to the back of the temple. Kou walked beside her quietly. As soon as she set foot in the back garden, she could feel all the stress and frustrations of the week drain away. 'Well, most of them.' She mused, taking a quick look from her peripherals at Kou. He met her gaze with his own peripherals. She shot her eyes back to before her and tried not to let his muted snicker get under her skin. 'Right. Mind reader. Ass.'

'Only if you let it get to you.' Kou's light tone brushed over her mind. She shot a sideways glare at him in warning.

'If you'd get the hell out of my head, I wouldn't have to think of you as an ass.'

'That's not what you think of me.'She bristled and stepped off the porch and walked away from him. Nabi turned and smiled at her. Shizuru returned the smile.

"Hey."

"Hello, Shizuru. It has been a little while since I have seen you last." Nabi stated and looked past Shizuru and blinked. "Kouta?"

Shizuru froze. His friend was Nabi? Kou walked up beside her and raised a hand in a lazy greeting.

"I figured I should stop in for a visit here since you told me about it."

"Yes. I am happy to see you. Is all well?"

Kou shrugged. "As good as being freed from hell can be."

Shizuru didn't miss the underlining bitter tone in his blasé statement nor did she miss the minute cringe coming from Nabi. Silence fell awkwardly over them. "So, chairs?" Shizuru interjected.

Nabi flashed a relieved look at her as she nodded and turned. "Keiko has been worried over how to set up for the wedding all week. Every set up is…not quite perfect."

A sigh blew out from Shizuru. "Got it. Where is she?"

"Over by the arch, fussing over where to place it."

She moved away from Kou and Nabi. She came up beside a stressed Keiko. Keiko was mid-statement over moving the arch for probably the hundredth time. Hiei and Kurama both looked ready to kill her. Shiyu stood off to the side, watching with a tense expression as well. Shizuru walked up to Keiko and gently dragged the pregnant bride away from the set up. Keiko sputtered a protest while Shizuru ignored her and pulled her inside the temple and to the kitchen. She pulled out a chair and pointed to it.

"Sit."

Keiko opened her mouth to protest. Shizuru flashed her a warning look. Keiko obeyed and sat. As soon as she sank into the chair, she sighed unconsciously in content. Shizuru began to busy herself making Keiko hot cocoa and something to eat.

"When did you eat last?"

Keiko frowned and stared at the wall. "Um…this morning?"

"Sweetheart, you're going to kill yourself with the stress." Shizuru made a sandwich and grabbed the cocoa. She walked over and sat it down before Keiko. "Eat. You need it."

"I just can't see how this set up will work!" Keiko cried, burying her head in her hands. "We have so many people coming from both sides and I don't even know if it's a good idea! I mean! My parents don't know anything about demons and most of Yusuke's side is demons!"

"Stop." Shizuru sat down with her own steaming mug. She looked at Keiko sternly. Keiko looked up with tear-filled eyes. "How long have you waited for this?"

"A long time?"

"A very long time. So, who cares about all the other crap?"

Keiko blinked, a few droplets escaping. "But—"

"No. Keiko, this is going to be your day. Your moment and Yusuke's. If someone has a problem, they can just shut the hell up and deal with it." Shizuru smirked. "Now, eat before you pass out on us. Lifting pregnant women off the floor isn't my specialty."

Keiko laughed lightly, wiping her eyes. She took a bite and drank her cocoa. They sat back into a comfortable silence as Keiko ate.

…..

Kouta stood with Nabi at the edge of the woods, watching as Yusuke and Kuwabara carried a table while bickering.

"Are they always like that?" Kouta asked with amusement.

Nabi sighed. "Unfortunately, this is the mild version of such."

Kouta snorted. He glanced toward Kurama. "You smell like the fox."

"We are mated now, yes."

"You picked well."

"Thank you."

"This Shizuru—"

Nabi turned to him with a protective look in her eyes. "Do not. Kouta, if your desire is to play with a female and leave, pick another. One preferably far from here."

"You're rather protective of her."

"She has enough pain to deal with. She has…bad luck as the humans call it, with males."

"Fancy that…" He smirked.

"Kouta…"

"I won't play with her, Nabi. You have my word. However, if she chooses to play with me…I won't say no." At her look he shrugged. "I am still male. Ask your mate how frustrating it is to have it dangled before you and be told no, you can't touch."

"I do not have the patience for such." Nabi made a human gesture of tossing her hands up and walking away. He watched her walk away while shaking his head.

"The longer she's with them, the more she becomes like them." He glanced at the temple. He wasn't sure if he should follow after where he felt Shizuru to be. "Oh, what the hell?" He crossed to the temple. He followed her unique energy into a room where there was a table and much food. Another female, a pregnant one at that, stepped past him with a smile and soft pardon. He moved to let her past him and moved into the room. He sat down in one of the chairs. "So what is this room referred to as?"

Shizuru looked up at him with an upturned brow. She definitely intrigued him with her unique expressions. "Haven't you ever seen a kitchen before?"

"No. I've heard of them. I grew up in the village without indoor plumbing, Shizuru. Then the last part of my life has been on the run and in captivity. I haven't had much time to learn these things." He watched her topaz eyes soften just barely. He threw his hand up. He hated pity. He despised it in her eyes. "Don't. I don't feel sad or upset."

"Who said I felt anything?"

"Your eyes said it all."

She snorted and looked away. "Then don't look."

"Kind of hard not to look when their rather enticing to look at."

She glared at him. "Stop it."

"Stop what?"

"Flirting."

"This is flirting? Since when are compliments flirting?"

"Look," She turned to meet him head-on. "You may not know simple things, but I can tell you know your way around women. Flirting isn't something I do."

"And the trip up the stairs was…?"

"Joking."

"Teasing."

"Fine. Teasing."

"Teasing and flirting are hand in hand, no?"

She smirked. "Damnit, you catch on quick."

"If you don't want my advances, just say the word." He said sincerely, sitting back in the chair.

Shizuru watched him making him feel rather…warm. And bothered. "Funny thing, Kou. I do. I just don't want the complications of dealing with the aftermath of relationships ending badly."

"I agree whole heartedly. I really don't need another female trying to kill me."

"Then we agree."

"I suppose we do."

…..

Shizuru weighed her options. She knew she should walk away. But damnit, if she tried she'd just walk right back to him. He was drawing her in like bait. An idea kept flitting across her mind.

"What would you say to a...mutually beneficial arrangement?" She started.

"I'm listening."

"I don't want a boyfriend or romantic crap. I want someone who will come over in the middle of the night if I call and just…shut the hell up and listen to me bitch about anything. I want to be able to watch stupid kung-fu flicks without bitching and moaning. I'm willing to trade some physical action for some simple companionship. No strings attached."

Kou eyed her and a slow smile spread over his lips. "In other words, you want a friend with…certain benefits."

"That's exactly what I'm asking for."

"I agree to these terms. However, I do have to ask…are you sure you want to be physical with me?"

She rolled her eyes. "Didn't I say that?"

"Yes, but you see…once you sleep with me, I don't think you'll be able to find another quite like me."

She snorted. What was it with men? Were they all so cocky? She fought down the chuckle at her thoughts. "Aren't you a little full of yourself? Yes. I'm sure."

"If you say so." Kou chuckled. "You realize Nabi is probably going to try to kick my ass over this right?"

"Why would she?"

"She tried to make me swear not to pursue you."

"Did you?" Why did everyone try to protect her? She was a big girl, damnit! She could take care of herself.

"…I promised to leave it up to you."

"Good answer."

..…

Shizuru stood in the back courtyard with Yusuke in the cool night air. Cigarette smoke floated up from her lips as they stared into the woods absently. Yusuke had been dying for a smoke after giving it up cold turkey when he'd found out Keiko was pregnant. They both had ignored the glares thrown at them from not only Kurama, but also Shiyu and Keiko. It was obvious Yusuke needed the wind-down. He'd been like a freaking coiled time bomb. Any wrong move and he'd spring into action; that action would probably lead to events he'd really regret later. Shizuru had dragged him outside mid-hollering match with Keiko by the back of his shirt. Damnit these idiots couldn't live two damn weeks without her babysitting them. She sighed and flicked some ash onto the dirt ground at the edge of the wooded area. Yusuke glanced at her.

"'sup?" He asked while taking a long drag and holding it just long enough to sting before letting the smoke roll out of his lungs again.

"Thinking."

"About?"

"Stuff."

He snorted with a chuckle. "Yeah, and?"

"Shut it, kid. I may not be a demon, but I can still kick your punk ass." She smirked.

Yusuke laughed. "Yeah, yeah." He scratched his ear. "Older and wiser and all that shit."

"Damn right and don't you let your sorry ass forget it."

"Wouldn't dream of it."

"Good. You need to take it easy, kid…" She flicked some more ash.

Yusuke looked at her puzzled.

"You're stressing her out, you know. She's worried to the point she isn't eating."

"Keiko?" He looked toward the temple with a worried look. "Fuck…"

"Yeah, fuck is right. If she gets too stressed, the baby could suffer. You're lucky she's only two months and three weeks out from being due or she could lose the kid from stress." She shot him a look. "I want to see my niece or nephew healthy. Got it?"

"Yeah, I got it." He turned back and used a foot to scratch the back of his other leg. "I'll tell real good care of her. I promise."

"You better."

Yusuke stared at his half gone cigarette with longing. "Aw…shit." He flicked it to the dirt and ground it out. "I'm gonna miss doin' stupid shit like this."

"We're all gonna miss seeing you do stupid shit." Shizuru chuckled. "But you're smart, kid. You're going to make a good dad, punk."

Yusuke smirked but couldn't hide his beam of pride. "Ya think so?"

"I know so." She sighed and gestured vaguely over her shoulder. "Now get your ass inside and grovel. She might forgive you and let you off easy now if you do it quickly."

"Damnit." He turned and stocked back toward the temple grumbling. Shizuru saw through it though. He may have looked like he was upset, but she could tell he was pretty sure of himself. She smiled as she finished up her cigarette. She held up her lighter and ran her thumb over the engraved initials. SN.

"Was he special to you?" Her eyes flicked quickly to where Kouta was walking up to her. She glared.

"Rule one, stay the hell outta my head."

"I'm not in your head." He stopped beside her and motioned to the lighter. "I assume a man gave you a lighter like that."

"Yeah." She turned away ignoring him slightly. "He died."

"How?"

"He blew himself and an entire arena up."

He gave her a look. She would have given someone the same look too.

"And you…kept his lighter for…?"

"Remembrance."

Kouta shook his head and looked away again. "Women make no damned sense."

"Back at you."

"It's getting pretty late out. Are you coming in? Nabi sent me to ask."

"I'm a big girl. I think I can handle standing outside in the dark."

"I can see that. That's why I'm not using Nabi's wording. She's become a worrier. It's a bit…what's the word…irksome?"

"Annoying."

"That one sounds more applicable."

"That's how I'm feeling." She flicked her cigarette butt and stamped it out. Tossing her hair over her shoulder, she turned and headed for the temple. Kouta watched her go before following leisurely.

…..

"Can someone help me zip this thing up?" Shiyu cried as she came out from the bathroom, holding her dress closed. Botan was busy helping Nabi zip up her own dress. Shizuru crossed over to her.

"Turn around, kid." Shiyu obeyed and Shizuru zipped the dress up. "There."

"Thanks." The short pregnant woman sighed and turned around. "I was almost afraid it wasn't going to zip."

Shizuru smiled at the younger woman. "You look good in it. Blue's a good color on you."

"So is red!" Botan giggled. "And black…"

Shiyu stuck her tongue out at the blue-haired reaper.

"Really? I thought Hiei was a good look for her." Shizuru grinned as Shiyu turned bright red.

"Shizuru!"

"What? I'm not allowed to make jokes now? Tough crowd." She chuckled.

Yukina giggled into her hand.

Keiko walked into the room from the side room with her mother. "Well?"

A hush fell over the room as they watched the bride step into the room. Keiko's mother was already puddle eyed. Keiko bit her bottom lip lightly and looked at them hesitantly. Shizuru gained her lungs back and breathed first.

"Wow, sweetheart. You look absolutely stunning."

"Even though I look like a balloon under this?" Keiko joked lightly, hugging her bulging stomach affectionately.

"Are you kidding?" Botan burst. "Keiko, you are GORGEOUS!"

Keiko laughed lightly. She then looked at Shizuru sheepishly. "Shizuru, I know you left the hair business a while back but…I was…kind of hoping…that you'd do my hair for this special day…"

Shizuru felt emotion wash over her and quelled a large sum of it. She smiled. "For you, sweetie, anything…"

See what I mean?! I can't really see Shizuru getting too teary eyed. I mean, a little yeah...but not nearly like what the other girls will be. I can only imagine how stunning Keiko looks! I promise dress descriptions and wedding happiness next chapter! :)

Please leave me a review and let me know how I'm doing! I feel like Shizuru is…halfway there halfway not.

Erika Hearken