And In Another Life

Chapter 4: You're A Natural Born Killer

Takemichi can leap through time. I can see the future. He puts himself through hell to save us all. I live through hell to save myself from heartbreak and in the end, I can't even do that. My best chance at life is to live without you, but I don't know how to do that. No matter who I love or how far you push me, I don't want to. In this life and the next, you always pull and I push too deep then I fall right back to you.

Hina bit down on her lip, pressing her back against her pink desk chair.

Kiki meanwhile had begun picking leftovers from her teeth. The open window letting in a night breeze to ruffle her bangs.

"What?" Yukari asked, crossing her arms, a mischievous smirk on her lips. "Don't you guys believe me?"

"No, we do." Kiki mumbles, reaching far back into her mouth now, scrunching her nose every so often. "We're just…stunned."

"Have you always had this power, Yukari?" Hina asked, glancing toward her door briefly before further lowering her voice. "I mean…you've never said anything before now."

"That's the thing." Yukari walked around Hina's small low table. Somehow, she could still feel Mikey's grip on her hands even as she pressed her fingers into her arms. The boy was absolute sunshine and yet there was something completely overwhelming about his presence sometimes, like his small frame hid a person twice his size and then some. "I only started seeing things after I met Mikey."

Kiki's face split into a grin. "Oh, really? Sounds like love to me."

Yukari shook her head, the very insides of her stomach quivering. "I'm not sure that's it though."

"Explain." Hina insisted, deciding to walk over to her bedroom door, snatch it open, before glancing down the hall. Once she was satisfied, she shut the door and locked it with a click. Hina's parents weren't home, but there was no telling where Naoto was or when he'd decide to knock on her door, asking questions. Hina was often annoyed by it, but Yukari admired their relationship. The way they teased each other, Hina being overprotective, Naoto being deadpan snarky.

Yukari could always laugh watching them, laugh and feel a sting of jealousy too. Loss. She and Izuru were like that once, years ago when she was five and he was nine. Those were the days when she'd jump around his room in plastic jewelry, clip-ons hanging from her ears, and he'd gladly put on her least favorite styles to play tea with her. Izuru had ninja toys and she'd play his best friend or rival. He'd win the day or she would and they'd laugh and start all over. He'd said they were best friends back then. But that was before though. And then never again.

"Yukari?"

She started, eyes still stuck on the now closed door. Blinking, she cleared her throat, wiping away the strange heat that had gathered there.

Yukari went through every one of her visions with extreme care, saving the very last.

She sat in a room, on a bed, Mikey's head in her lap, her fingers massaging through his locks, soft and silk. His hands came up, gesturing for her to lean down. Their lips met, not once, but twice, three times until he rolled from her grasp and yanked her around to place her on top of him. his hands pressing her hips down onto his while tears streamed from her eyes.

"You were crying?" Kiki gasped, covering her mouth. And then, quieter asked, "Is he that good?"

Hina jerked up, grabbed a book and threw it at her. Kiki ducked it with a grin. "How do you even ask that? She was obviously distressed about something." To Yukari she asked, quieter still, "Did it feel…forced?"

Yukari snorted, shaking her head. "I don't think so, but…every vision I've had is like that. We're so close but one of us is always sad or crying. I've never seen a good vision of us. And Baji is similar. Only he rejects me whereas Mikey…"

"Is trying to get you sideways." Kiki finishes with an eager nod.

Hina reaches for a pen—

"Hey! That was a joke!" Kiki clears her throat. "Look, I get you're confused about your power and you're probably thinking it has everything to do with Mikey, right? Because you have not, even once, mentioned having a vision about either of us, have you?"

Yukari leans against the wooden rail of Hina's bed. "Right, but why is that?"

"Coincidence?" Hina shrugged, "And as you mentioned, it's not just Mikey. You've had visions about Baji as well."

"That's true," Yukari says, "But he's also friends with Mikey. Either way you slice it…they're connected in some way."

Hina hummed, fingers tapping against the desk.

"'You're sweeter than you were before.'"

Yukari paused, lifted her head toward Kiki who seemed to be staring off into absolute nothing, wheels turning behind her eyes. A light chill scraped against Yukari's arms as she observed her. something was coming. Whatever that something was it making Yukari feel dizzy. "Kiki? Are you okay?"

Kiki finished with her teeth picking and leaned back against Hina's pillows, lifting a socked foot in the air. Her face was missing the giggles from before, her voice even as she spoke. "I never told you guys this because…well, it wasn't relevant and most people automatically just shrug it off, but if what you're saying is true then…"

Yukari turned around to fully face her. Hina scooted up in her chair. "Go on."

Kiki nodded, "When my dad was little, my grandma would have all these flashes—images of my dad either being killed or incarcerated. Now, at the time, he was in a gang called the Red Ravens. This was his first year in middle school. So, she decided to enroll him in the local dojo and have him shadow her friend's husband at work—who was a cop. She changed shift hours to spend more time with him and would every night go over his homework with him, line by line. As a single parent, it was hard, but she never cut corners. She was hard, but fair. My dad would then graduate top of his class, go on to University and become a detective—like Hina's dad." Kiki sat up and pointed Hina's math book in Yukari's direction. "She died a few years ago with Alzheimer's, but I always remember her telling me: 'You're sweeter than you were before. I am glad I met you this way before I died.' I'm not saying the situations are the same. But, my dad and I also think that whatever happened to that other us in the 'before' was traumatic. I don't think we turned out very well. Whatever that trauma was, helped her to make us better."

Hina pressed her lips together, "So, you think something happens to Yukari in the future and whatever that something was is causing a ripple effect?"

Yukari considered this. She had been considering it. Having Kiki put it into words felt like having someone else come in and take the world off her shoulders. She fell back, her head hitting the bed. She was suddenly utterly exhausted, her limbs hanging limply around her.

"Ripple effect? Maybe. Or it's a warning. Something bad must happen to Mikey or to both of you. These visions are supposed to help you correct it."

Yukari frowned, "But, if that's true, why show me only intimate scenes between the two of us? I've seen nothing that says something bad actually happens."

"But when we were outside, you said you thought you wouldn't be good together." Kiki prompted.

"I just think our temperaments would clash." She admitted, "right now I'm letting him have his way…but you guys know me. That's not going to last."

"Don't I know it." Kiki mumbled. Yukari rolled her eyes at her.

Hina tapped her fingers against her knee. "And Baji…first, you have what? A breakup? And then he just rejects you? How is that helpful?"

"I think that's obvious." Yukari says. "I think it's telling me not to like him anymore. None of my visions seem to show any romantic relationship with him. None that turn out well. Whereas with Mikey, sure I'm balling my eyes out, but he's hanging on to me for dear life."

Hina's brows furrow slightly, not seeming at all pleased with the phrasing.

Not that Yukari was either but…still, it was curious wasn't it? What was it about him that made that suffering, that constant melancholy so tolerable? Sue me, She thinks. The part of her brain that loves sugar and thrills and rollercoasters wants to know. Hell, it's peaking through the doorway, seconds from slamming open the door. What is it about Mikey?

Or is it not Mikey so much as…me? Is there something wrong with…me?

Yukari doesn't linger on that thought for long, squeezing her arms, she wrings it from her mind. That was scary territory, dark territory and she had business there.

Kiki throws her bang out of her face. "I think your best bet would be to spend more time with Mikey. See what else you can see. But also…remember the mission." Kiki sits up with a wicked grin. "Don't let that face distract you. He's a puzzle…not a love interest."

Hina giggled, "Weren't you just saying that she should jump on him first chance she got?"

Kiki waved her off, unashamed, "That was before we found out Kari could see things. We have to keep that in mind now moving forward. No matter how many smiles he sends your way, no matter how many bedroom eyes he gets or hands he touches you with…remain vigilant!" Kiki nuzzled into Hina's pillow, "The future you depends on it. Don't let her down."

That sounds like a headache waiting to happen. Yukari thought. But there was some lightness there, some relief. At least she wasn't alone in this. And that was the scariest thing about this whole thing. The loneliness, the isolation. With Hina and Kiki here, it felt like she wouldn't drown…

…Not this time.

Yukari stood up, eyes whirling around the room. That voice. "Did you guys just say something?"

Hina had a smile on her lips, but it flicker when she took in how far Yukari had backed away. "We were talking about Mikey's face…should we…not?"

Yukari dropped her arms and pulled at her ear. "So, you didn't say, 'not this time'?"

Kiki stared hard at her, "Hell no." she spoke very, very carefully, "Are you good?"

That…she couldn't answer.

Bzzz. Bzz.

Yukari let the vibration wake her up. She walked back toward the bed and glanced down at her phone as it buzzed against the pink bedspread. Chifuyu's name appeared on the small screen, followed closely by—you guessed it—Mikey.

She popped open the device and spotted Chifuyu's message immediately.

Chifuyu: What are you doing tomorrow?

Yukari: It's Saturday so…not a lot. I'm picking up some toys for the boys and then getting some collars.

Chifuyu: Excellent! We'll come too!

Yukari paused. 'We' automatically meant Baji. The Baji she was trying to take a break from? The one she wanted but could not have? Yeah, that Baji.

Yukari groaned slapping a hand over her left aching eye.

Before she could answer, Mikey's name hopped onto her screen.

Yukari screamed and threw the phone at Kiki who took it in the face.

"Ouch! What the hell?" Kiki struggled up and then grappled with the phone, holding it to her eyes. "Ohhhhh…It's lover boy. Wonder what he wants this time of night?" she grinned, wagging her eyebrows.

"I could guess." Hina says, looking pointedly at Yukari. She slipped out of the chair and pressed her arms against the bed, excited for the drama. "Go on! Answer."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah!" Kiki exclaimed, jamming the phone in Yukari's face. "and put him on speaker!"

Yukari begrudgingly took the phone and was surprised it still rang during all this commotion. The boy just didn't know when to quit. Baring Kiki's wild gestures in mind, and Hina's wide, grinning face, she did, in fact, put him on speaker.

But, she took precautions, climbing onto the bed, she grabbed two pillows and jammed them against the two girls' mouths. That should keep them quiet.

"Hello?" Yukari answered, one hand on the bed rail, the other holding it to her ear. The girls crawling closer, little spies they are. "What do you need?"

"Why do you assume I need something?" He asked, a petulant pout in his voice. "That's so mean."

Yukari exaggerated a sigh, rolling her eyes as Kiki's eyebrows flew through the roof."Did you call just to call me, Mikey?"

Silence.

She waited.

He broke into a laugh, light and playful. "Okay. Fine. I do need something. Emma and Ken-chin and I are going shopping tomorrow. I want you to come with us."

Yukari looked to her friends, eyes wide, gestured to the phone, mouthing what he'd just said like they didn't hear it. Hina grinned, shooting her the 'okay' sign. Kiki made and assortment of very aggressive kissy faces. Yukari grabbed HIna's pillow and covered her face with it. "I don't know. I would but I'm supposed to be hanging out with Chifuyu tomorrow…and Baji."

"Oh?" Mikey seemed to consider it, growing quiet before he decided, "Just cancel on them."

She burst out laughing. But he was dead serious. She didn't even hear a giggle. She couldn't believe it, which, of course, made it even more hilarious. "Mikey! I can't just cancel. That's rude!"

She could hear the very smile in his voice on the other end, finally showing its head. "I don't see why not. Wouldn't you rather hang out with us anyway?"

He's so arrogant. And yet, there her dumbass was, smiling about it. Yukari rolled her eyes, another patient sigh. "You don't actually mean 'wouldn't you rather hang out with me' do you, Mikey?"

He laughed, light and sweet. "Whaddya say?" He didn't deny it.

She was grinning but… "I don't know. I'd feel bad canceling. Chifuyu and Baji are my boys…"

"So you're saying Ken-chin and I, aren't your boys?"

She hummed, "I have known them longer."

"But we're way more fun. And besides, who're you going to come on to if I'm not there? Isn't that your thing?"

Yukari almost died. The clever part of her wanted to point out that, besides that one time she wrote on his arm, he'd been the one constantly coming on to her, but that clever girl was currently on vacation and the dumbfounded part could only manage. "I'm actually going to kill you when I see you."

"See! Told you, you'd rather come with us. If you're worried about Chifuyu and Baji, I'll take care of it for you. Here—" there was some clicking as Yukari patiently waited for him to finish and a buzzing sound. Ringing—

Wait! Shit, is he three-waying? "Mikey—"

"Mikey?" Baji's gruff voice came through the line, confusion bright in his voice, slight urgency too. "What's up?" he sounded like he was gearing up to fight someone, which wouldn't surprise Yukari. After knowing him little over a week, she'd seen him fight more than ten different people. It was like breathing for him. He chased the smoke, even when it was trying to run away.

"Say hey to Kari, she's here too." Mikey happily told him.

"Too? What the hell? Is this an intervention, Mikey?" surprise, mingled with a slight panic in his tone, but Mikey didn't give him time to work himself up.

Mikey cut right to the chase, "Baji, you and Chifuyu don't mind if Kari hangs out with me instead do you?"

Baji seemed to sputter on the other end. "Wait, what are you talking about?"

"She was going to hang out with you and Chifuyu but I asked her to hang out instead. You don't mind, do you?"

The line was quiet, Yukari could hear Chifuyu's voice mumbling something on the other line. "I mean…no? I guess not—"

Click.

"There!" Mikey says, "I'll pick you up at 12. See you then, kay?"

Click.

Just as fast as he got on the phone. He got off. Leaving her no room to negate or negotiate.

That is going to slowly drive me insane.

Then, just as fast a message pops up.

Mikey: I forgot to ask for your address…

Shaking her head, Yukari typed it up and hit send. I'm still at my friend's. Pick me up from here.

Mikey: :) Ken-chin and Emma say hey!

Yukari stared at the face for a moment, and then sighed. What am I even doing?

Yukari:… Hey:)

Mikey: ;) 'night

Not a few seconds later, another message popped up. Unsurprisingly, it was Chifuyu.

Chifuyu: What was that?

Yukari to Chifuyu: Mikey, that's what. He just called me and decided to hang out. I hope you guys don't mind…he made it difficult to say no.

Silence. Then, typing. Chifuyu: Oh, yeah? It's cool. Baji's disappointed though :(

Bing! Baji to Yukari: No, I'm not. He's lying!

Chifuyu to Yukari: We should meet up after, text us, okay? We should talk.

Yukari to Chifuyu: About…?

Chifuyu didn't respond right away, which made her nervous.

Yukari to Baji: Baji, what do you and Chifuyu have to talk to me about?

Nothing, and then. Baji to Yukari: Let's meet at the park at 6. We can help you take the guys back to your house.

Yukari to Baji: You're not going to tell me what's wrong? Is it your mom? Is she okay?

Baji to Yukari: It's not like that. I'll tell you soon, okay?

Yukari to Baji: Okay. Goodnight.

Baji to Yukari: Night

Yukari closed her eyes, and sunk down to the floor, letting Hina take her phone, eyes eagerly zooming over the messages. That unease back and wrecking her insides. Whatever happened to remaining vigilant?

Kiki leaned over the side of the bed, forcing her face close to Hina's as they both rapidly addressed the conversation over the phone and then the subsequent text messages.

There goes my support…

Chifuyu glares at his captain. Baji sits on the floor, hair pulled back from his face, brows knit together, lips pressed. "What the hell, Baji?"

Baji's gaze flew up to him, "I don't know what you want me to say!"

"What was that?" Chifuyu shouted, pointing toward the door like someone had just walked in and trashed the place without warning. "Are you serious, right now?"

"Chifuyu…" Baji began, talking slow, anger bursting out of his voice. "I don't know what you're talking about!"

"You just let Mikey walk in and steal your girl!" Chifuyu exclaimed, standing up on his bed, "and you didn't even put up a fight!"

Baji's mouth hung open, as he could not believe he was having to explain this shit again, "How many times do I have to tell you! She is not my girl. I don't like her like that."

"You just sat here and said you didn't know!" Chifuyu said, "I didn't just make that shit up!"

"Well, now I know!"

Chifuyu's eyes narrowed on him, "Why? Because of Mikey?"

"No." Baji answered quickly, too quickly for Chifuyu's taste. "I don't because I don't."

Chifuyu sat back on his hands, "So you don't care that she ditched us because he said so?"

"No." Baji said, holding his vice-captain's eyes. "I don't. I couldn't give a rat's ass what she does."

Yep. That proved it. Chifuyu shook his head, dropping back down onto his bed. "I told you to you to suck it up."

"Shut up, Chifuyu," Baji trailed off, "you don't know what you're talking about. Besides, if she likes me as much as you think she does, then it shouldn't matter. She wouldn't switch so easily."

"Maybe or maybe not, afterall, you said it yourself you're a lost cause. What girl would just wait around for you to get your shit together? Okay—wrong question. But, she wouldn't. She's not that girl." Chifuyu sat back up, turned toward him. "Face it. She's a goner. This is Mikey we're talking about. When has he ever not gotten what he wanted?"

Baji's lips pressed into a stubborn line, his jaw clenching. "You're really starting to piss me off."

"Well, someone should." Chifuyu shook his head, "I'm only telling you this because we're friends. If you don't figure your shit out, this is going to suck in a few weeks, worse than when Mamoru broke up with Usagi and left her in that phone booth crying."

Baji flinched at that visceral memory, but then shook his head. Trying to get the image out of his brain. "Shut up, Chifuyu. I'm done talking about this."

Chifuyu shrugged, and then turned around, "Don't say I didn't warn you."

Baji was silent a moment, but then, "You're assuming he actually likes her like that when he could just like spending time with her."

Chifuyu threw the covers off his legs and slammed his fist into his palm, "Damn! You're right! We're still in this!"

Baji took a moment to really look at his vice-captain. He blinked. stood to his feet and walked to the door, "I'm going home. Don't call me."

When Yukari finally stirs, her eyes open along with the feeling that this day and day after would be long. Her days would be long, probably for the rest of her life, if that made sense.

Yawning, she shuffled from the floor, stepping over Hina and Kiki as they still lay knocked out on the floor, the pink rug creating a giant halo above their heads. A quick glance at her phone and she knew it was still relatively early. Nine at the most.

Picking her way to the door, she eased it open and stepped out into the hall. The Tachibana house was small, three bedroom. But it was a nice sort of smallness. The very walls felt like blankets around her as she padded down the hall, the floor extra soft underfoot, the lighting warm and welcoming. Her house sprawled on and on and yet…she preferred it here. This smallness. It seemed to hold better, brighter memories within its walls. And a trip to get a drink of water didn't feel like such a hassle, a fall through wonderland.

Entering the kitchen, she noticed immediately that the lights were all off, but sunlight spilled through the kitchen window over the sink and provided its lone occupant enough light to read by.

Yukari stepped up to Naoto's side and placed a hand on his shoulder, "Hey—"

Naoto jumped in the air, knocking his glass of milk onto the kitchen island and flinging his book in the air. It sailed over his head, landing with a thud in the kitchen sink.

A beat passed and Yukari laughed, scrambling over to the sink to snatch his book out of it's—thankfully empty—embrace and to steal a wad of paper towels to wipe up the spilled milk. Walking back to him, she started on the mess she'd inadvertently made, "I'm really sorry Naoto." She said, glancing up at him to find his eyes still partially wide on her. "If I had known I was so scary, I would have shouted from the doorway."

His face flamed red and he finally seemed to recover, coughing to regulate his harsh breathing. "You didn't scare me." He said, defensively, "I was surprised."

"And almost took out the window too," Yukari told him, grabbing more paper towels and wetting them to get rid of the sticky residue. "I'm sorry. I should've said something."

Nodding, stiffly, Naoto brushed a hand across his face, fixing his bangs that didn't seem to have a single hair out of place. "It's fine."

Yukari glanced at him, holding out for a little more than just his quiet stare…but got nothing. "Well," she stepped over to the trash and deposited her earnings, washing her hands in the sink before grabbing a glass from the cabinet and pouring herself a drink. "I hope your morning is going great otherwise. How's school?"

"Fine." He said. "I have nothing to distract me, unlike Hina." He meant, of course, that Takemicchi

Yukari laughed, Naoto's face turned even warmer. "Yeah…that is a definite distraction, but, you know Hina. She wouldn't let some boy affect her grades."

"Hmm. What about you? I saw some motorcycle guy drop you off. Who was that? Not your distraction, was it?"

Yukari fiddle with her glass, trying and failing to hold her smile back. "No. That…was a friend I guess. A very pushy, very familiar friend."

And friend was even pushing it. She'd barely known him a day, but he'd probably already decided they were supposed to be friends when he decided to walk up to her table. That was both the most annoyingly arrogant and coolest thing she'd ever seen. Baji had done the same thing with her too. Just decided.

She'd like to do that for herself one day. Just decide. Flip a coin and go. It seemed to work out well for both of them.

Afterall, wasn't she hours away from hanging out with Mikey? Wasn't Baji currently one of the people she talked to the most? They made it look so easy. So simple.

Any time she wanted to do something she had to put thought into it, or let impulse lead the way. And impulse wasn't always a good thing. Sure, it had earned her a few new friends, but…she was sure one day it would get her in deep.

Unbidden, Mikey's words fell around her neck like a scarf. "Do you believe in destiny?"

Yukari bit down on her tongue, shaking his words from his mind. Everything seemed simple to him, everything that wasn't. What did that even mean? Destiny? Well, she knew what it meant, but what did he mean? Not her? right? Not them?

Naoto's shoulders sunk down as he nodded, "Good for you. You're way too smart for that."

Yukari snorted, If only you could read my mind. She was on a tightrope now, trying to rinse her affection for Baji out of her soul while also dissecting Mikey's advances with a broad sword. It felt like having a big balloon in your stomach, taking up space while not being filled with much at all. "We'll see, Naoto. I can't promise you anything."

Silence again, Naoto turned back to his book and Yukari finished up her glass, washing it in the sink before replacing it in the cabinet.

Naoto looked funny this way, a little adult reading his morning paper, sipping milk and preparing for the day. Adorable. Yukari ruffled his hair as she walked by him, "Don't work too hard, kay?"

He didn't reply as she left him to his morning.

Right at 12, Yukari walked down the steps of Hina's apartment building having just had the two of them go over the mission in fine details for the last twenty minutes.

"Remember!" Hina told her, hands on hips, still clad in pink pajamas, "You're there to gather intel. Touch his hand as much as possible without rousing suspicion—"

"But DON'T," Kiki cut in, "let him distract you because…he'd distract most people with that face of his and you're on a rebound too! A recipe for failure. After being basically friend zoned by your dream guy only to have this equally hot, but maybe not so dreamy guy go for you so hard its kinda painful to watch? Anyone with any sense would succumb. But you're not going to do that! Take that common sense and toss it, you understand? Right out the window!"

Hina slammed her foot down. "Right!"

"Thanks," Yukari deadpanned. "I'll keep that in mind."

"And if you need help, remember our lines are always open." Kiki nodded.

"I added myself as your number one speed dial." Hina said depositing Yukari's phone in her hand like she was handing off a diamond. "If you're in trouble, use it."

"Guys," Yukari began, "I'm not going to be alone with him. Draken and Emma will be there too."

"Have you tried touching Draken and Emma?" Hina asked, her eyes suddenly wide with realization.

Kiki frowned, "Ew. Don't say that. It doesn't' sound right."

Hina tuned her out, "Nothing sounds right to you."

Yukari had in fact, touched the both of them…but no dice. "I didn't see anything."

"Hmm." Hina mused. "Well, be careful. Remember the mission."

"Don't let that face distract you." Kiki said sternly, "That boy is natural born killer. He'll get you, guard up or not."

Yukari spread her hands down her skirt one last time, trying not to let their words overwhelm her. For the umpteenth time that day, she repeated. "I'll keep that in mind."

Author's Note: Man! I've really had too much fun with this chapter! Love Kiki and Hina being both for and against her interactions with Mikey (they've given up all hope of her getting her feelings reciprocated with Baji) I love the silliness. Again, Love Chifuyu and Baji, I wasn't supposed to include them, but I love writing them. I love the idea that Baji would come to Chifuyu with woman troubles and still adamantly deny he's having them. I think it's hilarious! Also, Chifuyu is literally the best, he wants everything for Baji even if the boy doesn't even know whether or not he wants it.

But, yes, this Yukari's new mission! Figure out Mikey's significance and what happens in the future. But, wait, hold on, Are those voices? *surprised pikachu face!*

Anyway, let me know what you guys think.