Untitled

Is That What You Wanted To Hear?


“It’s for the best.” Keiko said.

At that point, Yusuke felt dead.

“Yeah, maybe for you.” He said, his voice barely above a whisper.


That night, Hiei, Koenma, Kuwabara, Yukina, Shizuru, Kurama and Botan went out to celebrate.

“Yusuke’s late.” Remarked Koenma. They were at a bar, relaxing and enjoying while a band plays onstage.

“He kind of sounded funny over the phone when I invited him.” Offered Kuwabara.

Where could he be? Botan wondered. Shizuru was eyeing her. She smiled a little. Shizuru asked Botan to stay over at her and Kuwabara’s house. She liked the blue haired ferry girl and became endeared with her.

“Yusuke’s probably on his way here. Meanwhile, I love this song so get off your butts and dance with me.” she announced. She pulled Botan and Yukina with her, a drink still in her hand. The three of them headed out to the floor.

“Girls.” snorted Hiei, while Kurama and Koenma chuckled. Kuwabara ordered more drinks for everyone.

The girls came back after two songs. “That was sooo fun!!!” laughed Shizuru. Botan was flushed and Yukina looked slightly embarrassed. Somebody asked for her number. Immediately Hiei and Kuwabara’s eyes darted onto the dance floor.

“Don’t worry about it… We kind of shooed him off.” Said Yukina.

“It’s more like Shizuru scared him off.” Said Botan. They all laughed at that. Shizuru replied smugly, “Well thank you to me. He was an ass-hole.” At that, Kurama spotted their late friend.

“Yusuke,” Kurama nodded. He caught a whiff of alcohol.

He’s drunk already.

“How is everyone?!!” Yusuke shouted. His voice was cheerful. Too cheerful.

“It’s good you could come.” Greeted Koenma.

“Yeah, Good excuse for free booze. Count me in!” He replied and grabbed a bottle. Hiei eyed him for a while. He and Kuwabara exchanged glances.

After a couple of rounds of drinking and dancing and cracking jokes, Hiei stood up.

“I’m gonna go. I’m bored enough, I could sleep on a tree for days.” He said, yawning.

“Where is Keiko? Is she coming?” asked Yukina.

At the mention of Keiko’s name, Yusuke snarled, “Who cares where she is? Do I have to keep track of her location all the time? She’s old enough to make decisions for herself. Yeah. I really don’t give a shit.” and grabbed another beer bottle. Yukina turned pink and tears formed in her eyes. Kuwabara glared at Yusuke while the rest were startled.

“Yusuke!” shouted Botan. Yukina asked Shizuru to go to the comfort room with her.

“I’ll go with you two. That creep can’t have another go at Yukina’s number.” Offered Kuwabara.

“Yusuke, what’s wrong?” implored Botan.

“Run along girly girl. Why don’t you go with your girl friends and leave me alone?” said Yusuke.

“That’s enough Yusuke!” said Koenma, as he stood and went to pay the bill.

“You’re already drunk.” Said Kurama.

“For hours.” Yusuke replied dryly.

“What is wrong with you? Why are you acting like that, you… you jerk!” said Botan.

“Well Keiko left this jerk. It’s for the best. That’s what she says. After all that we have been through, she throws it to my face like I was nothing to her.” Yusuke swallowed and continued, “She was all I thought of when we were fighting… She was all I held on to. And she threw it all away!!! Why didn’t she just tell me before the battle? Maybe I could have given Sensui a chance to finish me off.” He took another swig of beer.

“I’m sorry about that, Yusuke.” Kurama said. Yusuke reached for another bottle. Botan tried to grab the bottle away but Yusuke swatted her hands away.

“Stop doing this, Yusuke.” Botan said.

“You stop doing that!” Yusuke shouted.

“This isn’t worth hurting yourself.” Botan shouted back.

“Don’t lecture me ferry girl. You don’t know anything.” Yusuke retorted.

“Yusuke,” warned Kurama. He still maintained his reserved stance but his green eyes were glowing.

Botan said, “Well I’m not the one who’s acting like a stupid mini bar here!!! So she broke your heart, I’m sorry about that. But that doesn’t give you any right to fucking lash out on us. We’re your friends. We care about you…” her eyes softening to the last bit of what she said.

I care about you, she thought.

“What do you want me to say, huh? Just shut up, Botan, and leave me alone.” Yusuke gritted. He was so angry and confused and everything was whizzing right past him.

Botan couldn’t believe what she heard. Hurt at what Yusuke said, she blurted out, “Well, she’s not coming back isn’t she?”

Yusuke was outraged at her retort. With amazing calmness, he stood and walked over to Botan, his eyes expressionless. Botan couldn’t move.

“I love you.” He said his eyes unreadable. Botan was speechless. Kurama’s eyes widened. Then Yusuke laughed uncouthly.

“Is that what you wanted to hear?” he asked Botan brusquely.

Botan, her voice barely audible said, “I hate you.” and slapped Yusuke across the face. Everyone was returning to the table at that point, and heard what was said. Botan desperately grabbed her things and summoned her oar. She couldn’t see very well as tears were threatening to spill out her lavender eyes.
In a moment, she was gone.

Yusuke fell into a chair. He was dazed for a few moments. He felt a bad taste rising in his mouth and felt sick to his stomach. He lurched forward and vomited onto the floor.


.