A Promise Kept

Untitled


A Promise Kept
- Chapter 2 -


Keiko stood alone outside of the entrance to her new high school. Hefting her pack higher onto her shoulder, the brunette girl shifted as she tugged uneasily on the hem of her new school uniform.

Honestly, whoever thought up the design for this was truly a pervert, she thought.

The blue skirt barely managed to brush her mid-thigh, revealing way too much leg in her opinion. She could just imagine the field day Yusuke would have when he saw it. This thought brought a sigh of exasperation to her lips. She had remained awake half the previous night fretting that she had overreacted to what Yusuke had said. After all, he had just been hit by a strong blast of spirit energy. As far as she knew there was no one by the name of 'Kagome' that went to Sarayashiki High either. So maybe it had all been a big misunderstanding after all.

Then why isn't he here yet? She thought sadly. He could at least show up. If not to apologize, then at least to attend the first day of school!

With a ring that echoed throughout the inner halls of the building, the bell signifying that all the students should report to the first class of the day sounded. Reluctantly, the students milling about the halls began to filter into their assigned homerooms for role call. And still Keiko lingered as salty tears stung viciously at her eyelids as she refused to let them fall. She was unaware of the figure observing her from the entrance to the school.

The red haired boy intently watched the young girl from the threshold, his emerald eyes tainted with concern. Yusuke, what could you have possibly bthinthinking. Shucihi Minamino, otherwise known to some as Kurama, thought. Keiko has been nothing but loyal to you. It is indeed a true gift to find one so devoted. Why then do you treat her so crudely? Shaking the thoughts away, Kurama pushed away from the frame he'd been leaning against and stepped forward.

He will be here, Keiko told herself repeatedly. He will be here. He will... Her train of thought broke off as a warm hand settled lightly onto her shoulder. A soft gasp of surprise escaped her lips as she spun around.

"K-Kurama." Keiko stuttered when she found herself staring into Kurama's intense emerald gaze.

"Good morning, Keiko. Why are you out here? Homeroom is starting." He looked at her in concern; he knew she wasn't one to be late to class.

Sighinge loe looked back over her shoulder at the empty school yard. "I was waiting for Yusuke." she spoke softly, but knew he heard her anyway. "But...I guess he's not coming today."

Kurama's jaw clenched slightly in anger. "Perhaps he simply...slept in?" He offered the small explanation to her, even if it sounded weak in his own ears.

A look of defeat entered Keiko's already saddened eyes. "I guess you're right. I mean, this is Yusuke we're talking about." she uttered a half-hearted chuckle. "How could I possibly have thought he'd show up for his first day of high school without being prodded?" She offered the red-head a feeble smile.

Kurama smiled encouragingly. If she was willing to be cheered up, then he would try his hardest. "Yes, he does have a habit of missing many of his classes. He also was hit with that blast yesterday, it might still be causing side affects." He frowned after he said that. He didn't want to remind her of what Yusuke had said afterward.

Keiko nodded, shifting her book-filled pack once more on her shoulder into a more comfortable position. She began to make her way into the school building, Kurama falling into step beside her.

"So...what class do you have first, Kur - ah, Shuichi." Keiko asked, quickly switching to the kitsune's alias as they were now around a few stray students who had yet to make it to class.

Kurama pulled his schedule out his school bag, scanning the paper and reading the first name. "I have Ganjirehto first. What about you Keiko?"

Keiko's eyes brightened when she heard this. "Me too." She replied. "Looks like we're heading to the same class then."

Kurama turned a quick grin in her direction, his step quickening slightly. "It seems we are. But we'd better hurry, it wouldn't do well to get in trouble on our first day, now would it?" His emerald eyes twinkled. Neither of them ever got in trouble.

Keiko returned the grin with a smile of her own, and for the moment her anxiety over the last 24 hours dissipated. Her first day of high school was at hand and she refused to start out on the wrong foot.

~*~

Mr. Takenaka sat in his office, staring at the clock on the wall. 10:35 a.m. He uttered a long sigh. It was just the first day and as he looked over the mountain of documents and folders that littered his desk he could already tell that the school year would be a hectic one. It seemed that they were getting more and more new students in each year. Since he'd agreed to become the Principal for Sarayashiki High it seemed his workload had increased dramatically. But he didn't mind, not really. He enjoyed knowing that his efforts helped to keep the young people who entered the halls of his school on the right path to good jobs and better futures. He leaned back in his chair, opening a folder to go over the list of new students.

Shuichi Minamino. No surprise at seeing that name. The Principal chuckled good-naturedly.

Keiko Yukimura. Again, no surprise there. He scanned the list further.

Hmm. Well, well. Yusuke Urameshi. You mean he's actually going to try and take on high school? Mr. Takenaka smiled. Good for him! His musings where then interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Come in."

The door opened, creaking slightly, and allowed two people to enter. A woman, obviously the mother, with short ebony hair and nice features, followed by a younger girl who could only be the woman's daughter. They looked so similar, except for the daughter's hair was longer, brushing the middle of her back. And she was dressed in the new school's uniform.

Mr. Takenaka rose from his desk and bowed in greeting. "Good morning, how may I help you?"

"Mr. Takenaka?" The woman queried, returning the bow.

"Yes, I'm Takenaka." The Principal replied.

The woman smiled. "Good morning. I'm Mrs. Higurashi, and this is my daughter Kagome." Pulling the young woman before her, she continued. "I've come to enroll my daughter, I hope I am not too late?"

"Of course not." Takenaka smiled pleasantly. "Do you have her records from her previous school?"

"Yes, they're right here." Mrs. Higurashi said, pulling the folder from her bag and laying it on the desk before him.

Mr. Takenaka smiled. "Thank you."

He retook his seat and then opened the folder, proceeding to look over the important information within. After a moment, an eyebrow raised in curiosity at the amount of absences Kagome had accumulated over the time at her previous school. The other brow soon joined the first at the list of illnesses that had been given as reasons for the absences in the first place.

"Well, this is..." Takenaka trailed off, looking up from the folder, meeting Kagome's gaze. "I do hope you are feeling well enough to attend this year?" The brown eyes, which returned his gaze, were dull, almost lifeless. Not at all as exuberant as a girl her age's eyes should have been. A slight nod of her head was his only answer.

"Very well then." Mr. Takenaka sighed, rising from his chair, he reached across his desk to shake the Kagome's mother's hand. "Thank you for dropping Kagome off, Mrs. Higurashi. I'll just show her around the school since it is almost time for fourth period to let out anyway."

"Thank you, Mr. Takenaka." Mrs. Higurashi gave her daughter a tight hug before departing. Leaving Kagome alone in the strange, new school.

~*~

"How the hell did I get up here?!" A thoroughly perplexed Yusuke, still residing in the tree he'd awoken in, exclaimed. He eyed Hiei as if he knew the answer.

Hiei snorted. "Hn. How should I know, detective? I just arrived to find you out here hybernating."

"Grrr. This is insane!" Yusuke continued to rant, and in the process nearly losing his grip on the tree limb he was balancing precariously on. "WHOA!!"

The near-fall was enough to bring the irate Spirit Detective back to himself long enough to decide that it might not be such a bad idea to get out of the tree. The smirking fire demon watched as Yusuke crawled tentatively across the length of the tree limb and into his bedroom window. Once inside, Yusuke took note of the time on his alarm clock.

"What?!" Yusuke bellowed, snatching up the alarm clock and shaking it to no avail. The time still stood firm at 11:03 a.m. He was late for his first day of high school! "Shit!" Ignoring the amused fire demon who had just entered his bedroom as well, Yusuke scrambled to change into the new school uniform that he'd been given the week before. "Shit, shit, shit! I was supposed to apologize to Keiko first thing this morning! Aw man, she's gonna SIT me!!"

"Sit you, detective? Have you become her pet?" Hiei's smirk widened.

Yusuke paused, looking at Hiei with a bewildered expression. "Huh?" He asked dumbly, blinking before shaking his head and continuing to dress.

Hiei's smirk faltered. Did he not remember what he had just said? Or that it had sounded odd? Something very strange was going on here. Yusuke was acting weird. Well, more weird than usual, Hiei thought. Though it is none of my concern, so why should I care? I don't care! The insistence behind that thought caused Hiei to clench his fists dramatically. Why should I rationalize whether the detective's words make sense or not?

By this time, Yusuke was fully dressed and headed out the door. Putting on just a small burst of demon speed, Hiei exited through the window and arrived at Yusuke's front door just as the young man was shutting door. He turned, finding himself once again faced with inquisitive red eyes.

"GAAH! Dammit, Hiei. Stop doing that!" Yusuke shouted, charging past.

"Hn." Hiei smirked.

He then fell into step beside Yusuke, who in turn, shot him a sideways glance. "What? You wanna walk me to school?" Yusuke asked sarcastically.

"Why, can you not find the way yourself?" The fire demon replied just as sarcastically.

"Grr, why are you bugging me all the sudden?" Yusuke grumbled, stuffing his hands in his pockets as he headed toward the high school.

Hiei's smirk reappeared. "Because it's just so amusing, detective."YusuYusuke didn't respond, just growled in annoyance as he continued to walk. Silence followed the pair as they walked the first block of a 10 block trek to Yusuke's new school. After the fourth block, however, was another matter.

"You're going too slow. Humans weaker than you can go at a faster pace."

Yusuke's eyes narrowed at Hiei's taunt, but he kept his eyes staring straight ahead. "Why do you even come around? Is it just to annoy me? Cause if so, you're doing a bang up job of it."

"No. But it is quite amusing, now that you mention it..."

"Damn it! Just shut up!" Yusuke growled angrily amidst a few more choice swears. Hiei simply chuckled darkly and they resumed their quiet, somewhat companionable walk to the school.

~*~

Meanwhile....

"Keiko Yukimura!"

The sound of her name being called, made Keiko and Kurama pause as they were making their way to the gym for recess. They had lucked out and had every class together so far. Turning, the pair were surprised to see Mr. Takenaka, their principal from Sarayashiki Junior High . What was he doing at the high school?

"I see you're both surprised to see me." Mr. Takenaka chuckled, nodding politely to both teens. "Well, I've decided to swap jobs with Mr. Kayasaki. I will be your principals yes year." The man smiled warmly at their shocked expressions. He then drew their attention to the dark haired girl standing slightly behind him. "I'd like you to meet a new transfer student....Kagome Higurashi."

Keiko could have sworn her heart missed a beat. Had he just.... Was her name really.... No! her mind protested insistently. It's just a coincidence. She is not the one! It was all a misunderstanding. The girl who's name Yusuke called out does not exist.

At her side, Kurama narrowed his eyes in thought when the girl's name was revealed. Hmm. So it would appear that there really is a Kagome at this school. But she is new, so how could Yusuke possibly know her? It would seem unlikely for this to be a coincidence. The kitsune turned to the girl at his side. Though for Keiko's sake, I pray that it is.

Kagome watched her new schoolmates through lowered lashes as the Mr. Takenaka introduced them. The brunette seemed shocked to hear her name. As if she'd heard it before. The red haired boy seemed to have recognized her name as well.

Oh great. Kagome thought to herself. I'm here ten minutes and already people are looking at me strange.

Mr. Takenaka didn't seem to notice the peculiar reactions his two best students had in regards to the new girl and instead continued to speak. "I was just showing Miss Higurashi around the school grounds, but according to Mr. Fujitsu, I have some important business to attend to before lunch. It wouldn't be too much to ask for one of you to show her around instead?"

"U." K." Keiko stalled, unable to speak after the shock she'd been just dealt.

Kurama, sensing Keiko's unease, stepped forward. "It would be our pleasure, Mr. Takenaka." The red haired young man said, smiling.

Kagome smiled at the two. "I hope I won't be too much trouble." Seeing how you seem to be weird around me anyway...

Keiko seemed to snap out of the daze she had been in ever since Kagome's name was revealed. Forcing her lips into a friendly smile, she shook her head. "Oh, no trouble. We were just on our way to the gym for recess. We can start the tour there."

Mr. Takenaka smiled brightly. "Excellent. Well, I'll just leave you young people to it then. Have a good day." And with that, the Principal left to return to his office.

"Great," Kagome sweat dropped, seeing the hesitation on Keiko. She waved farewell to Mr. Takenaka. "So... is the school big?" The least I can do is try to make conversation...

Kurama and Keiko turned in the direction of the gym, Kurama motioning for Kagome to follow their lead. "No larger than your average school I would suspect." Kurama said, his tone was polite but Kagome could tell he was wary of her. She'd been with Inuyasha long enough to notice the slightest facial expressions.

"Okay, what's with the weird looks you two have been giving me? Have I met you somewhere before or something?" Well, she usually did speak her mind.

Keiko gasped at the directness of the questions and shot a look at Kurama. Kurama, however, met the girl's look head on. "No, we haven't met. Though a friend of ours mentioned someone named Kagome just yesterday. We're just surprised at you showing up the next day is all." Kurama said smoothly.

"Oh, that's it," Kagome sighed in relief. "I was afraid something more weird was going on. If it calms you, I'm really new here, so I don't know anyone but you two."

At this reassurance, Keiko gave her first real smile of the day. "I'm sorry. We seemed to have got off on the wrong foot." She said, halting her steps and stretched out an open hand. "I'm Keiko Yukimura, and this is Shuichi Minamino."

Kuwabara turned the corner as they began to acquaint each other. Kagome took her hand gladly. "Kagome Higurashi." She said, causing Kuwabara's ear to twitch. Kagome. . .huh, that sounds familiar. . . the orange haired teen thought. Then it struck him. "Hey! You're that chick Urameshi was dreamin' about!"

Startled, Kagome glanced at the newcomer questioningly before turning back to the others. She noticed everyone's previous expressions of shock had returned. Great... one step forward... two steps back, she thought.

Suddenly curious, Kagome asked, "Who's Urameshi?"

"A friend of ours." Kurama replied, he then addressed the orange haired boy who just arrived. "I think are mistaken, Kuwabara."

"Huh? No, I'm not. You both heard him plain as day, just like me." Kuwabara protested.

Keiko remained quiet the whole time, thinking. How do you know her, Yusuke? Is she an old girlfriend? Or maybe a childhood friend? But... she asked who he was. If she doesn't know, then how could Yusuke be dreaming of her?

Kagome just stood there. Urameshi? I don't know anyone by that name... Finally, she spoke up. "If it helps any, I don't know a Urameshi."

At that moment, Kagome felt a demonic aura and looked towards the direction it was radiating from. She saw two young men making their way over to the little group she was currently talking to.

"Hey! Keiko!" Yusuke exclaimed, waving his hand in the air to get the group's--mainly Keiko's--attention. Ah geez, hope she's not too upset with me, he thought.. He could see Kurama, Keiko and Kuwabara standing with another girl with long dark hair. Huh, must be new here, she's wearing the new school uniform.

Almost as one, the group turned in Yusuke and Hiei's direction. As the two got closer to the group, Kagome took this time to study them. One had slicked back hair and was wearing a blue uniform. He must go to school here, Kagome thought, as she studied his form.

Looking over to the guy next to him, she was surprised when she saw him staring at her. His abnormally red eyes seemed to be sizing her up. His outfit consisted of all black so obviously he wasn't a student. She saw something sticking out of his cloak. Upon closer inspection, she found it to be the hilt of a sword.

A sword... Reading his aura, she found that he had no intention of hurting her whatsoever, so she let it go.

By that time, Yusuke and Hiei had joined them. "Hey." Yusuke said awkwardly, not exactly meeting anyone's gaze.

"About time you showed up, Urameshi. What'd you do? Oversleep?" Kuwabara's gravelly voice was chastising. "You were supposed to apologize to Keiko this morning!"

"It's alright, Kuwabara." Keiko said quietly, embarrassed.

By this time, Kagome was trying to move inconspicuously away from the growing tension but her movement caught Yusuke's attention. Turning toward her, their eyes met and held for only a second, but it was enough. Yu suc sucked in a deep breath as suddenly, for the first time, he was conscious as the memories hit.

~*~

"I love you, Kagome." The voice was barely above a whisper, but audible all the same.

A gasp of surprise was drawn from the young woman as she spun around suddenly, caught off-guard by words she had never thought would be directed at her. At least, not by the one she wanted to say them.

"Inuyasha.... I... I love you, too." She breathed, astonished that she had the will power to actual respond. She watched as the hanyou approached her slowly, his silver locks floating around him as he moved. Drawing nearer, he paused only when there was barely an inch of space between them.

"When this is over," Inuyasha spoke, his lips hovering a hair's breath from her's, "When we've beaten Naraku...then we will be together, forever. I promise, Kagome."

And with that, he sealed the promise with a soul-rending kiss. One that would eventually have to last Kagome centuries...

~*~

The group all stared in dumb-struck awe as they watched Yusuke's eyes begin to glow an alarmingly golden color. The four friends all having the same thought run through their minds simultaneously. Oh no, not again. Yusuke took one step, then another toward the new girl as he reached one hand out to her, as if in a trance.

"Kagome?"

The multitude of gasps were joined by Kagome's own as she stared wide-eyed at the boy in front of her in wary apprehension. How does he know me? His eyes... they.... they look so familiar... Could it be...?

"NO!"

Yusuke was startled out of the trance he'd been thrown into with the flashback and his eyes--which had resumed their normal chocolate color--focused just in time to see the new girl whirl around and flee the vicinity. Dumb-founded, Yusuke watched until the dark-haired girl ...Kagome... was out of sight..

Lifting a hand to nervously rub the back of his neck, Yusuke turned back to the others. He winced inwardly at the looks of various emotions his friend's were sending him. Fury, complete bafflement, dark stoicism, and worst of all, heartbreak.

~*~

TBC....

Buffybot76: Well now, that sure was interesting...

Yusuke: What the hell are you talking about lady? I totally blew it with Keiko!

Keiko: *sobs* Why, Yusuke? Why are you doing this to me?!

Yusuke: Hey! Don't blame me! It's all her fault! *points to authoress*

Buffybot76: O.O;;

Kurama: Really, Yusuke. You need to be a bit more sensitive to Keiko's feelings.

Yusuke: Stay out of this, fox-boy!

Keiko: *with hands fisted on hips* Yusuke Urameshi! Do not pick a fight with Kurama-kun, your fight is with me!

Hiei: Yes, it is indeed a good time to watch you being beaten, detective.

Yusuke: Watch it, runt!

Buffybot76: *sweatdrops* Um...guys?

Hiei: *draws katana* You want some of this, detective?

Buffybot76: Hey guys!!

Yusuke: *powers up spirit gun* Bring it on!

Buffybot76: *narrows eyes* GUYS!!!!!!

Hiei and Yusuke: *stops fighting* WHAT?!?

Buffybot76: CUT IT OUT!!!!!!!!

Hiei and Yusuke: O.O;;;; Yes, ma'am!

Kurama and Keiko: *suppressed snickers*

Buffybot76: *sighs* Anyway, thanks for the reviews you guys. I really appreciated them. Let me know if this chapter went off as well as the first two and if you want to read more, okay? *sees Hiei and Yusuke starting to fight again* Eek! I'd better go now before these two kill one another! PLEASE REVIEW!