Chapter 06 Forte (Or, strong)
"Are you going to be all right?" Kurama asked as they got off the train.
Asuka turned toward her husband. "Yes. I love Yukina and I'm so excited for her and Kuwabara. I'd never want to feel anything but happiness for them."
Kurama threaded his hand into Asuka's and gave a gentle squeeze. "You have permission to feel more than one thing. And we can leave at any time."
"I'll be okay, I promise. It's been so long and I want to see our friends."
Kurama's eyes scanned the street. There were different pockets of people walking, talking on their phones, and sitting on benches.
"I know you're thinking about what happened at the concert," Asuka said. "I still can't wrap my head around it. Maybe…they realized I can't see the future anymore?"
Kurama's lips pulled into a tight frown. "As much as I'd like to believe that, we have no way to confirm. Until we have concrete evidence, either way, I will remain vigilant."
"I know you will," Asuka said.
The ramen shop was just in view, and it put Asuka's worries to rest. There was nothing they could do except enjoy tonight.
After Yusuke returned from the Makai to attend Asuka and Kurama's wedding, he took his Jr. High generals and opened his own ramen cart instead of attending high school. Five years ago, Keiko's parents retired and moved to a quieter part of the city. Yusuke and Keiko took over their ramen shop and moved upstairs.
The ramen shop door had a sign on it that said, "closed for private event". Asuka slid the door open.
"Asuka!" Shizuru ran over and pulled Asuka into a tight embrace. "I've missed you."
"I've missed you too," Asuka said as she returned the hug.
"Hello, Kurama."
"Good evening."
They stepped inside and closed the door.
The ramen shop was warm and smelled like broth and comfort. Some of the customer tables had been pushed together to make one long row, and the extras had been exiled to a corner.
Behind the counter at a giant soup pot stood Yusuke. He had on an apron and a headband that pushed his hair out of the way.
"Hey, Asuka!" Yusuke grinned. "Kurama. I'll be done soon. Keiko should be down in a minute. She's putting the demons to bed."
Asuka laughed. "Can I help with anything?"
Yusuke rolled his eyes. "You're gonna come into my ramen shop and ask me that? Seriously?"
"We're family!" Asuka called over a beeping timer.
"We are family." Yusuke turned around and attended to the noodles behind him. He looked back and flashed his signature grin. "So that's why I'm gonna tell you—sit your ass down."
Asuka put her hands up in mock surrender and sat next to Shizuru. Kurama went and sat at the ramen bar while Yusuke cooked.
"How are Tomiko and Tetsuya?" Asuka asked.
Shizuru opened the beer in front of her and took a drink. When she finished, a wistful smile crept across her face. Asuka recognized it as the expression Shizuru made whenever she talked about her children.
"Tetsuya's been into baseball lately," Shizuru said. "I think he's going to join the baseball club in the spring."
"I'm not surprised."
"He doesn't have much ki, but what he has he uses to his advantage in sports. Sometimes I worry about it."
Asuka pushed her hair behind her ears. "It seems like something an eight-year-old would do. He's pretty level-headed, so you probably don't need to worry about it too much."
Shizuru nodded. "Yeah, he is."
"And Tomiko?"
Shizuru stared into her can of beer. "She misses her father."
Asuka placed her hand on Shizuru's shoulder. Tomiko was only four years old when she lost her father to a freak driving accident. The other car's tire had blown on the highway, and as the driver tried to get the car under control, they swerved and hit Shizuru's husband. It had killed instantly him.
A lot had changed in the 1.5 years since. Tetsuya had been a bright-eyed boy until his father died and his personality change pained Asuka deeply. Tomiko was a gentle soul, much like Shizuru. She loved gardening and was always delighted by Kurama's ability to grow plants.
"Where are the children this evening?" Asuka asked.
"My neighbor is with them tonight."
"I miss them," Asuka said. "Let me know when I can come over."
"They miss you too. I think they'd probably prefer coming to your house, though. Much cooler."
Asuka laughed. "We can do that, too."
Just then, the door slid open. "Yo!" Kuwabara held up his hand.
"Good evening everyone!" Yukina said.
A familiar pain bloomed within Asuka. The last time she saw Yukina, her baby bump was barely showing. But seven weeks made an enormous difference and now her belly was firmly rounded and it complimented her bright eyes and rosy cheeks.
Kuwabara slid the door shut behind Yukina. He placed one hand around Yukina's waist, and his other on her stomach in a protective gesture.
"Oh my goodness, Yukina!" Asuka said as she got up. She swallowed her pain. No. Only happiness for Yukina. Only happiness, she self-scolded. "You are glowing!" Asuka reached her friend.
"Am I?" Yukina smiled.
"You are glowing," Kuwabara confirmed.
"You're glowing too, friend," Asuka said to Kuwabara.
"Huh?! I can't glow!"
"Oh yes, you can!" Asuka teased. "I can already tell you that fatherhood suits you."
Kuwabara ran a hand through the back of his hair. "Well…"
Asuka embraced Yukina. She felt Yukina's pregnant belly as she held her friend tight.
"I've missed you," Yukina said. "I want to hear all about your trip."
"It was exciting, but I'm relieved to be home." Asuka hugged Kuwabara. "Missed you."
Kuwabara's hair was a similar shape to his teenage years, but it was much shorter and no longer pompadoured. His shoulders were considerably broader, and he was a lot taller. The height difference between him and Yukina was striking.
"Missed you," Kuwabara said. "Kurama must be relieved to have you back. He was…uh…cranky. The whole time."
Asuka chuckled.
"I mean it! Completely insufferable. And paranoid. Urameshi and me did our best, but we didn't have much to work with."
"Thank you, Kuwabara."
He grinned. "What are friends for?" He looked past Asuka. "Yo! Sis! Glad you made it."
Kuwabara moved to his sister and left Asuka and Yukina alone together.
"How are you feeling?" Asuka asked.
Yukina smiled and rubbed her belly. "Good. Kuwabara is so nervous, though. He treats me like I'm going to break. It's starting to get a little old. I'm stronger than he thinks."
"You are very strong. I'm not surprised he's being overprotective, though. In fact, I'm surprised he isn't more of a nervous wreck."
Yukina frowned. "It gets worse the bigger I get."
Asuka laughed. "I see."
Asuka followed Yukina's eyes and turned around to see Keiko coming into the restaurant. "Hey, Yukina! Hey, Asuka!" she waved. "I missed you! I'm just going to help Yusuke with the rest of dinner and then I'll come to say hi!"
"No problem," Asuka said. "It's so good to see you."
Keiko kept her hair shorter than she did when she was younger, and her hips had widened considerably with two pregnancies. She was as beautiful as ever.
Yusuke looked up and smiled as Keiko grabbed an apron. "The demons are asleep?" he asked.
"They were so stubborn tonight, Yusuke," she said with a frown. "Next bedtime is yours."
Yusuke laughed and then kissed Keiko on the cheek.
"Meow! Sorry, I'm late!" a voice called from the other side of the door.
"Botan!" Everyone shouted.
She slid the door open. There was a lot of commotion as everyone exchanged greetings.
"Alright, sit down, sit down everyone," Yusuke said from the counter. "Dinner is ready."
Kurama came and sat next to Asuka, who was next to Shizuru.
"Here's yours, Yukina," Keiko said as she placed the vegan ramen in front of her.
"Thank you, Keiko."
"No problem. Here's yours, Kurama. Asuka, Shizuru."
Yusuke set down the remaining ramen bowls in front of the others. Then he got his bowl and sat next to Keiko across from Asuka.
Everyone said their thanks.
"It's about damn time we're all together," Yusuke said.
Asuka dug in and sighed as the soup warmed her from the inside.
Without question, Yusuke made the best ramen in Japan. The broth was rich; the noodles were springy and fresh, and the pork belly always melted in her mouth. Yusuke may not have ever cared about something like school, but he went above and beyond for the things he did care about. This little ramen shop was one such example. His hard work and dedication were earning him quite the reputation.
"So, how is it?" Yusuke asked.
"Delicious, as always," Shizuru said.
"The best," Asuka said.
"Eh, it's all right," Kuwabara said between slurps.
"I'll kick your ass."
Botan laughed. "We should have family dinners more often."
"Agreed," said Yusuke. "How's every third Saturday?"
There was a chorus of yeses and agreement.
"So, Asuka," Yukina said, "can you tell us about your trip?"
Asuka was about to reply when she heard a loud banging noise from above. Everyone looked at the ceiling at the same time.
The thudding got louder.
"Oh, no," Keiko groaned. "Here they come."
There was obnoxious yelling as Yusuke and Keiko's boys, Raiden, aged six, and Genki, aged four, tumbled down the stairs and into the restaurant.
Raiden had big black eyes and jet-black hair like Yusuke. Genki looked more like Keiko. Both boys were wearing red capes over their pajamas and Genki had a black mask over his eyes.
"Aggghh!" Genki screamed.
"Aggggraaahh!" Raiden screeched even louder.
"Hey!" Yusuke said. "You're both supposed—"
"Rei-gun!" Raiden shouted as he lifted his finger.
"No, no, do not shoot ki in here," Yusuke warned. "I told you—"
Blam! Raiden's rei-gun struck Yusuke on the cheek. It wasn't strong enough to hurt, but it was strong enough to sting.
Asuka knew from personal experience.
"Ow!" Yusuke grabbed his cheek. He stood up and glared at his son, who fell into heaps of manic laughter.
"Got you!"
"Get back here, you damn brat!" Yusuke hissed.
"I don't have a rei-gun yet, so take this!" Genki shouted. He pulled a nerf gun out from underneath his silky cape and began shooting. He shot Yusuke first, then Kuwabara.
"Watch where you point that gun," Kuwabara said. Genki giggled and then shot another nerf arrow. It landed in Kuwabara's ramen.
Kurama gave Asuka an amused glance.
"Raiden and Genki you better get up to bed this instant," Keiko yelled in her best mom voice.
The boys continued to laugh like hyenas. Raiden leaped onto the ramen counter and dashed across, knocking over cups of chopsticks and napkins as he went. Yusuke lunged for his son but missed.
"You can't catch me!" Raiden taunted, as he jumped nimbly on the counter.
"Damn it! Get your ass back here Raiden!" Yusuke shouted.
"Yusuke!" Keiko scolded. "Don't swear in front of or at the children!"
"Ha-ha!" Raiden cackled. "You got in trouble! You got in trouble!"
"I need a net," Yusuke said as he lunged for Raiden again. "Why doesn't anybody in this group have some kind of ki snare technique?!"
Yukina giggled.
On the other side, Keiko had managed to catch Genki and was attempting to pry the nerf gun out of his hands.
"No, it's mine!" he shouted.
"Give it to me now."
Genki dropped the gun.
Raiden used some of his ki to jump from the bar to the tables that were shoved into the corner. He hopped from one leg to the other while he stuck out his tongue and pulled down his eyelid.
"Kurama! Help me grab Raiden!" Yusuke shouted, exasperated.
Kurama flung a seed in Raiden's direction. It landed on the ground and quicker than even Raiden could dash, grew into a thornless rose bush all around, and blocked his path. Yusuke took advantage and hoisted his kid up over his shoulder.
"Hey! Hey! No fair!" Raiden shouted. "Put me down, you old geezer!"
"Who you callin' old geezer? You're in big trouble, mister!" Yusuke said with an angry tone. But from where Asuka was sitting, she could see that Yusuke was trying not to laugh.
Yusuke let go of Raiden, causing his son to slide down his chest.
"Woah!" Raiden giggled.
Yusuke caught Raiden again and put him underneath his left arm.
"Give me the other demon," he said to Keiko.
"All yours." She pushed Genki to his father.
"Hey!" Genki squeaked as Yusuke picked him up and put him underneath his right arm.
"Alright Squirts, say goodnight. It's bedtime."
"No fair!" Raiden whined. "We wanna stay!"
"Yeah! We want to stay!" Genki echoed.
Yusuke turned around so the boys were facing everyone seated at the table.
"Uncle Kuwabara, we want to stay," Raiden said. "Tell my dad he's being stupid."
"Hey!" Keiko warned.
"You're being stupid," Kuwabara said to Yusuke.
The boys laughed.
"But it's still bedtime," Kuwabara said.
The boys groaned.
"Say goodnight," Yusuke said again.
"Good night, Uncle Kurama, Aunt Asuka, Aunt Shizuru, Uncle Kuwabara, Aunt Yukina, and Aunt Botan," Genki said.
There was a chorus of goodnights.
"Well? And you?" Yusuke asked as he shook Raiden, who was still hanging under his left arm.
"Hmph," Raiden said.
"Raiden…" Keiko warned.
"Fine. Goodnight everyone."
"Goodnight," everyone said back.
Yusuke walked up the stairs with the two squirming boys, one still tucked under each arm. When they were out of earshot, Kuwabara burst into laughter. Everyone else joined him.
"Those boys!" Asuka said as she wiped a tear from her eye.
"They're not half as bad as Yusuke was when he was growing up," Keiko said. "Believe me."
"True," Kuwabara said. "But it's crazy how strong Raiden is already. That kid is far past where we were when we were his age."
"That's what happens when you have Yusuke for a dad," Keiko said.
Kurama chuckled.
The conversation was light as everyone chatted as they waited for Yusuke. Twenty minutes later, he came down the stairs.
"Asleep?" Keiko asked hopefully.
"Asleep," Yusuke confirmed. "For real this time."
Keiko sighed.
Yusuke sat down and put his arm around Keiko. "I love those mischievous brats."
"Oh yeah?" she asked.
"Yeah. They're the best."
"I'm glad you feel that way."
"Why's that?" Yusuke asked.
"Because—you're getting another."
Asuka's heart stopped.
Yusuke's head whipped sharply toward Keiko. "Wait. Wait. Huh?!"
"Yep!" Keiko replied cheerfully.
Kurama's hand flew to Asuka's thigh and squeezed. She felt a pounding in her ears. Everyone's voices seemed far away, almost like she was having an out-of-body moment.
Yusuke gaped. "When did you find this out?"
"Oh, I've known for a few days."
"And you didn't tell me?!"
"Nope," Keiko smirked. "I thought I'd tell you while our friends were here."
Yusuke looked around at everyone else before his eyes went back to Keiko. The surprise finally left his face and was replaced with his own smirk. He cupped her cheek. "You really surprised me, Wifey."
"I've been known to do that."
Yusuke kissed her passionately, and everyone else clapped and offered their congratulations.
Meanwhile, Asuka's heart sank to the bottom of her feet. Her gut twisted. She was prepared for Yukina. She'd spent a lot of time talking to herself about being happy for Yukina, and to not be sad when she saw her swollen belly.
And in fact, Asuka was happy for Yukina and Kuwabara.
But she hadn't been prepared for this. For news that there was another baby on the way for the Urameshi's.
Why? Asuka despaired. Why? Why can't it be me!?
Asuka gripped Kurama's hand underneath the table. She had to get it together. She had to keep everything bottled up inside. One movement of her face and everyone would know. And she would not spoil this moment for Yusuke, Keiko, and the rest of their friends.
Her mind refocused on Keiko and Yusuke, who were beaming at each other.
"Wow! Amazing, you two!" Asuka said. "Congratulations!" Be happy for them. Don't be jealous of your friends. Be happy!
"Thanks, Asuka!" Keiko said. "Now that me and Yukina are pregnant, I think it's time for you to join the pregnant party!"
Asuka laughed—if only to keep herself from bursting into tears.
Kurama squeezed her thigh again underneath the table.
Asuka waved her hand dismissively at Keiko. "Who knows if I'll ever have time. I'm so busy with my career."
"You two would make great parents," Botan sang.
Kurama kissed Asuka's hair. The gesture was so comforting it made her want to collapse into his chest and cry. But she kept her face neutral.
"Speaking of your career," Shizuru said, "tell us about your trip!"
"Oh yes, I've been dying to hear," Keiko said. "Tell us."
Asuka was grateful for the change in subject. She breathed in and told her friends some of what happened during the trip. After giving an overview, Asuka looked over at Kurama.
He nodded. "Something happened at Asuka's first concert back," Kurama said. "Something we need to tell you all about."
Yusuke frowned. "What happened?"
Kurama relayed the story and his failed attempt at identifying the ki user at the concert. When he finished, the mood of their dinner had shifted. Everyone was angry and worried.
"Did you sense anything, Asuka?" Kuwabara asked.
"Only a little. I got the strangest pictures that I can't really make sense of. There were so many bright colors. I think there was a fiery sky? And I saw black yokai like none I've seen before."
Yusuke looked at Kurama. "I assume you talked to Koenma."
"I did."
"And?"
"He had no details about anything strange occurring in the Raekai, or in the Ningenkai."
"That's right," Botan said. "There's nothing we've heard about."
Yusuke was silent for another moment before he said, "Hiei sent me a message saying there have been some…irregularities in the Makai."
Kurama furrowed his eyebrows. "Irregularities?"
Yusuke nodded. "Apparently, a tree that is well over a thousand years old turned back into a sapling and stayed that way for four hours. Then, almost magically, it was back to normal. No other occurrences like that have happened, but it is weird."
"That is strange," Botan agreed.
"Think it has anything to do with your situation?" Yusuke asked Asuka.
"I don't know. Without my Foresight, I can't make any deductions."
"We'll keep you safe, Asuka," Keiko said firmly. "This time, we're going to help you."
Asuka felt tears in her eyes. "Thank you. I love you all."
"That's what family is for," Kuwabara said.
"Yes," Shizuru added.
-* ᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷ *-
That night in bed, Asuka gave over to her tears and sobbed into Kurama's chest.
"I'm so sorry, Love," he whispered as he stroked her back.
"I feel so guilty, Kurama. Why can't I just be happy for my friends? Why do I automatically make it about me? I don't want to feel sorry for myself."
"As I said earlier, you can have more than one emotion. I know you're happy for our friends, and you're sad about us, too."
The hot tears landed on Kurama's bare, muscular chest. He squeezed her closer.
"I want to join the pregnant party," Asuka cried. "That's all I want."
"I know," he whispered into her hair. "And perhaps you will. We have our appointment tomorrow. Let's hear what the doctor has to say."
She nodded.
Kurama sighed. "I know Keiko was only paying you a compliment, but all the same—I wish she hadn't said such a thing."
"She'd feel terrible if she knew," Asuka said as she clutched Kurama.
"Are you sure you don't want to tell them?"
Asuka's hand went further down and ran over Kurama's hardened abdomen muscles. His physical strength comforted her. "Not really. I love them all, but I don't want them to feel like they can't talk about their pregnancies or their children around me. That happened to someone I played music with a few years ago."
"I see."
"Hopefully we'll get some answers from the doctor, and I can stop feeling this way. I hate it, Kurama."
"I know you do. I love you."
"And I love you." Asuka continued to feel his chest and his abdomen muscles. So strong. He's so strong.
Kurama's chest rose and his breathing changed.
"Sorry."
"It's all right, Love. It's amusing that you still don't realize what your touch does to me."
"I was just admiring your strength. It comforts me."
He wrapped his arms around Asuka and flipped her so her back was on the bed. His pajama pants hung loose and his red hair fell forward around her. He kissed her and her body responded.
"I want your strength inside me, Kurama."
"Perhaps I'll draw strength from you," he said as he slid her underwear down. "Because your strength is what I crave, Asuka. I'm lost without it."
There were tears as Kurama sank deep within her.
Make me stronger, Love, she thought as he rocked with her.
Author's Note:
May I introduce...the children!
This chapter was (mostly) so much fun to write and honestly, I could write about the mischief Raiden and Genki get into all day long. Well, maybe not all day long because their chaos translates to chaos in my brain but...they are SO MUCH FUN.
A big shoutout to my friend Rosentic for inspiring me with her story. I always found Yusuke to be a real challenge to write, and I honestly had no idea how to tackle adult Yusuke. What would he be like? What about kids? But after reading her FF I knew EXACTLY what he'd be like as an adult.
If you haven't read her Fan Fiction, it's a real deep dive into each arc of YYH with Yusuke and his twin sister, Sakura. I love their relationship so much. First story is called Sakura Urameshi: Spirit Detective.
ANYWAY, it's hard to believe I've been posting for six weeks already. I started writing Consolation over the summer and have been planning it for longer than that.
Shoot me a comment if you enjoyed this chapter, and I'll see you next week!