Against All Odds

A/N: Sorry to take so long. The plot was hard to put in when the mind is scream 'Goddamn it make them have sex already!'. But hey, I managed a lime! :)


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Chapter 3: Plans and Dreams

“I just can’t believe this,” said the toddler as he paced back and forth. The young demigod sucked on his pacifier as he looked at his assistant. “Are you sure that was what my father said, Botan? That he wouldn’t see me?”

The blue haired female nodded as she looked at her boss. “Yes, Koenma sir. The secretary said that he was too busy to see you.”

Sweat dotting his forehead, Koenma sucked on his pacifier even more as he paced. It was going to be the beginning of the end if his father kept this up. “This is not good- not good at all.”

“I would say that it is not,” said a voice from the door. Startled, Koenma looked up to see Kurama standing just outside the opened doors. The redhead looked at Koenma through studying eyes. “You look well enough for someone who’s been missing or kidnapped. And Botan looks remarkably alive for one that is reportedly dead.”

“Me? Dead?” Botan exclaimed she stared at Kurama. “But I’m the Grim Reaper- I am Death! I ride the river Styx! How can I be dead? I’m not dead, am?”

[She’s as silly as ever] Youko snickered affectionately. [But she’s not dead. Pity, I was looking forward to traveling to the other deva’s palaces- it would be nice to visit them again]

‘Don’t you mean casing the other palaces again?’ Kurama thought, amused by the fox spirit’s wording. ‘After all, you did rob them at one time or another; did you not?’

[You call it ‘to-mah-to’ I call it ‘to-may-to’] Youko said as he waved away the comment. [Just be glad that I have no desire to smell her panties- she reeks of death.]

‘Perhaps I would believe you better if I didn’t have to live with you 24/7 these past twenty years’ Kurama thought with some amusement as he felt the fox’s faint annoyance.

Rolling his eyes, Koenma snorted as he went to his desk and climbed on to his seat. “You’re not dead, yet Botan. So what brings you here, Kurama? Don’t tell me that you were concerned about my health.”

“That would not be the case,” Kurama said placidly. “But I am concerned about Yusuke’s.”

“Oh! And how is our favorite little Toushin? Is he doing well on Ningenkai? He’s not driving Keiko crazy is he? Oh, I must visit them! Is he a daddy yet?” Botan asked eagerly in her usual bubbly way. “Are they still-?”

“Botan! That’s enough!” Koenma practically shouted as he slapped a hand on his desk, nearly knocking down the pile of paper. From the corner of his eye, he saw Botan look at him and Kurama confusedly. “What happened?”

“Yusuke’s youkai blood has asserted itself,” Kurama said shortly. “While he’s been in training to try and control it, we’ve been looking for you- thinking that you were under palace arrest.”

“He was under palace arrest,” Botan said with a shudder. She ignored the annoyed look on Koenma’s face. “It was absolutely horrible- the places they kept sending us! We were sent to the palace of Taishakuten- Do you know how drafty that place is? And all those weapons! Ugh!”

Amused at her diatribe, Kurama glanced at the young prince of Hell, who was looking quite constipated. “As interesting this all is, Botan-”

[Let her continue her rant, Suichi] Youko ordered. [There might be some information to be had from her babbling]

Agitated, Botan continued to wave her arms around as she looked at Kurama- someone willing to hear her complaints. “And they were all so serious and ready to fly off the handle if you looked at them wrong! And the food! I wasn’t sure if that really was what they ate or what they wanted to torture us with!”

“Botan!” Koenma started to say as he glared at her. “That’s enough.”

Ignoring him, Botan continued to wave her arms around. “And don’t let me get started with palace of that Katen! Smoke and fire everywhere! It’s a small wonder that he doesn’t like barbeques! But he had the most darling stories! And such a cute old man- he liked pinching my cheeks! And then-”

“Botan! That’s enough!” Koenma shouted as he slapped his hand on the desk again. His eyebrow twitched as he looked at his assistant. “Don’t you think that you have other duties instead of gossip to attend to? Especially since you’re the main Ferry girl of the River Styx?”

Blinking at her boss, Botan let out a shriek. “Oh! That’s right! I have to find out what happened while we were under palace arrest! Oh, my! How could have I forgotten!”

As soon as the door slammed shut behind her, Koenma let out a sigh of relief as Kurama coughed, “Well, that was one way to get rid of her. You must have had a lovely time with her during your imprisonment.”

“You have no idea what it was like to be stuck with only her and Jorge,” Koenma said with emotion as he shook his head. “It was non-stop blabbering, twittering and complaining about the palaces we were in. I could hardly get things done- let alone stay sane!”

“So King Enma sent you to the palaces of other devas for the past six months,” Kurama said casually. “It was a wonder that we couldn’t find you.”

[But we would have- remember that was our next option] Youko argued. [To look at the palaces of the other devas]

Shaking his head, Koenma sighed, “It was a wonder that I was even able to come back. Or that I was even allowed to.” He jumped off his chair and indicated for Kurama to follow him. “Come on, I have to take a walk and make my presence known or else these ogres will think that they are seeing my ghost. Oh- and I might as well get this supply order in.”

[So where do you think the little prince wants to go?] Youko demanded curiously.

‘Probably somewhere we can talk in private. Now hush,’ Kurama said as he watched Koenma write something down and then stuff it into his pocket.

As the two walked in silence, Koenma occasionally greeted his staff of ogres, guards and ferry girls with a nod. As they exited the gates of Hell, Koenma glanced at Kurama. “So how bad is his blood taking over?’

“According to Hiei, Hokushin and Murkuro, the blood is getting stronger each time he attempts to go through the barrier and it resists all form of control- even the power inhibitors,” Kurama said softly as he picked up a stone and hefted in his hands. “And Keiko is waiting for him on the other side.”

“I see. Dedicated girl, isn’t she?” Koenma mused as he looked at the scene of clouds, pathways and castles. “She’s determined to wait for him, isn’t she?”

“She is,” Kurama said as he looked at the horizon. “But you know as well as I do, life goes on and people change. She was nearly fifteen when he promised to return to her for his eighteenth birthday. They’re now almost twenty and Keiko has a chance to study in America under an internship program for chemical engineering.”

“She always was a smart girl. It’s a wonder that she’s always had a thing for Yusuke,” Koenma commented as he watched a small rainbow appear and disappear in the clouds. “With her brains and goodness of heart, she could go real far in life if not for her affection for Yusuke. She could probably be destined to save the world if she wanted to.”

“If she put her heart into it,” Kurama agreed impatiently. “Her activities- joining the archery, softball and chess clubs, managing the festival committees, being involved with the social workers in the poorer parts of Tokyo, taking care of Puu and working at both her parent’s noodle shop and Genkai’s temple- they’re all well and good but even a fool could tell that all she really wants is for Yusuke to come back to her and to be by his side.”

“Is that really what does she want to do?” Koenma asked without looking up. “She doesn’t want to go to America?”

“She’s undecided.” Kurama looked at a cloud as it passed by. “Her parents want her to go because it really is a great opportunity- but they understand her hesitation. She still waits for him- even though he sent a message telling her to not to since he would not know when he would return to Ningenkai. She still waits for him. With Puu by her side.”

[A girl and her bird] Youko snorted loudly. [Bet we could make her happy if her mind wasn’t so full of Yusuke]

Giving a brief smile, Kurama said as he remembered his visits to Makai. “When he first tried the power inhibitor, she was so excited at the thought that Yusuke was coming to visit on Valentine’s Day.”

“And what happened to Yusuke when the power inhibitor failed,” Koenma asked as he continued to look at the swirling clouds around him. “How bad was he?”

“It was not a good sight,” Kurama said quietly.

[Understatement] Youko snorted. [We have never seen Yusuke that bad- until the next time he fails to go through the portal]

“We do not wish to see him fail to go through the portal again Koenma,” Kurama said quietly as he looked at the god ling. “Something must be done.”

“I know,” Koenma said as he looked up and stood. He jammed his hands into his pocket. “But there are things that are even beyond my control. I went against my father once and officially I am not so eager to do it again.”

Lifting an eyebrow, Kurama stared at Koenma as he stepped forward menacingly. “He is your friend and has stood by you since you met him. You know him- do you honestly think that Yusuke is a threat to Ningenkai?”

Jamming a hand against Kurama’s chest, Koenma scowled at the two spirited being in front of him. “What I think doesn’t matter- it is what my father thinks. If he is convinced that Yusuke is a threat, then he will do anything he can to stop him from threatening Ningenkai. It doesn’t matter how many *cases* Yusuke solved or how many *demons* he’s put away- a threat is a threat even from *within* one’s self. And that’s that- now go away and tell Yusuke to get himself under control or else someone else will.”

With that, Koenma pushed Kurama away and stomped back towards the palace. Kurama scowled as he placed a hand on his chest where Koenma pushed him. “Little ingrate.”

[But an interesting way to pass on a message] Youko commented [Shall we see what the little god ling has to written to us when we’re at home? Or should we go to Genkai’s just to be safe?]

‘Genkai’s- she has barriers that not even Reikai can penetrate,’ Kurama thought as he kept his scowl up for any spies that might be around.

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The small one-eyed imp sat at the ledge of the cell’s window and peered into the darkness. “Master? Is Master here?”

“What have to report?” called out a voice from the far wall. The imp gleefully leapt in front of the chained figure and reported the words between the traitorous fox spirit and the god ling.

“So Kurama worries about Urameshi’s spirit,” the figure mused. “It won’t be long now.”

“And it seems that Koenma is back from his banishment and has come back a changed god ling,” the imp said as it concluded its report. “He refuses to go against his father’s will and has seemingly broken with Kurama.”

“Seemingly?” the figure questioned as he lifted his head. “What else did you see?”

“Kurama was most disturbed but did not hit back Koenma when the god ling shoved him,” the imp reported. “Violence is usually seen when Kurama’s person is attacked- but he did call the god ling an ingrate.”

The figure made a pleased sound. “It seems that Kurama is ready to break with Reikai over Urameshi. Keep an eye on him- I wish to be sure of this. Be warned- I want no mistake like there was with Hiei when he was offered a place by my side.”

“As you wish Master,” the imp bowed as it started to crawl away.

“And tell Risho what has occurred and that plans must be made to further damage Urameshi’s spirit,” the figure ordered, “And that he must take care that the girl- Keiko is not to be harmed in any of his plans. She will be destroyed in the final stage of our plans- and at the hands of the great spirit detective himself.”

As the imp left, only maniacal laughter was heard through out the cell block.

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“He is so dreamy- for one that was once a human. Just look at those markings,” purred the female lynx demon as she looked at the fighting Toushin. Her tawny tail swished with delight as her nose quivered with excitement. “And so powerful- he would make a fine mate. Don’t you think so, Rumi?”

“Mm-hmm. Indeed he would, Miri,” agreed Rumi as her own tail quivered at the amount of power the Toushin was expending in his fight. She sniffed the air appreciatively and felt her fur stand on end. “His power feels like a warm fire rolling over me. I can’t wait to see what he tastes like. Is Meri ready with the tonic?”

“It’s done!” called out a voice. The two turned to see Meri racing towards them with a smoky mixture in her hands. Her whiskers quivered with excitement as her tail swished. She stopped in front of her clan sisters and panted as she looked down at the bowl she was carrying. “I mixed it with our refined catnip, freshly picked passion flower leaves with crushed raspberries, some crushed aniseeds mixed with peppermint and a dollop of the honey.”

“Meri- are you sure that the drink will work?” Miri asked doubtfully as she sniffed the concoction. “Other than the catnip- everything smells horrible!”

“Well, the ningen herb book we stole said that every thing was supposed be what enhances a human sex drives,” Meri said as she sniffed the concoction. “The only thing different is that all the plants were grown by us in our garden and the catnip- we must keep ourselves lively if this works with the Toushin.”

“Good point,” Rumi said as she blinked at the bowl. “Now how do we get it to him and not get killed by Murkuro’s guards?”

“We’ll think of something,” Miri said with conviction. “We’ve come too far to get killed. The clan needs his power.”

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The sun shone through the temple as Genkai, Yukina, Kuwabara, Keiko and Kurama sat in a circle and stared at the scrawled message that Koenma gave Kurama.

“So, there are spies all around Reikai? And they are trying to prevent Yusuke-san from coming back to Ningenkai for personal reasons?” Yukina whispered as she looked at Kurama. “I don’t understand why.”

“What I can’t believe- or maybe I should considering that they’re all jerks and was willing to kill you guys when we fought Sensui- is that there are defense team members involved with keeping Urameshi there,” Kuwabara grumbled as he looked at Kurama. “What the hell is going on up there, didn’t the toddler say anything in like a code or something to you?”

Kurama blinked at the intense look in Kuwabara’s eye then looked at his friend warily. “What code? What are you talking about?”

[Has he been painting in a closed room again?] Youko sighed mockingly. [Or was he sniffing those markers again? I thought you warned him about the dangers of that.]

“I know that there had to be some code that the toddler told you,” Kuwabara snorted. He pointed a finger at himself. “I’m not that bright of a guy when it comes to things like saying things that mean something else. Men like me don’t do that- we tell it like it is.” He pointed at Kurama. “Guys with mega brains who can do a zillion things at once and with a flowery tongue like you and the toddler can do it- you both can think and do things that mean something else. Kinda like the way the sneaky guys in those spy movies do things.”

[Did he just insult us or compliment us?] Youko demanded.

‘Hard to say’ Kurama answered back. ‘But since he’s a tell-it-like-it-is guy, let’s assume that he’s complimenting us’ “There was something odd about Koenma- he wishes to help Yusuke- but cannot do it officially just yet.”

[Seems like Koenma has his hands tied with the politics of getting Yusuke out of Makai] Youko mused. [Suichi! Didn’t He also mention that he had barely enough time to get some work done while on palace arrest? What work could he have taken? Or done?]

“Do you think that he’s planning something?” Yukina asked as she looked at Kurama. She could feel that his youkai spirit was agitated over something. “Do you really think that he’s worried about Yusuke-san?”

Kurama smiled reassuringly at the ice maiden. “I’m sure he is- other wise he wouldn’t have sent the message that Yusuke had better control himself-”

[Suichi! That’s it!] Youko hollered gleefully. [That’s it!]

“Or some one else will,” Kurama finished slowly as he looked at Genkai. “That’s it! There’s someone pulling all the strings!” He looked at Kuwabara. “Perhaps it’s someone from one of our past cases who have a grudge against Yusuke and want to see him suffer!”

“Which ones don’t?” Kuwabara snorted as he looked at Kurama then apologetically at Yukina. “Are we talking about the bad humans, too?”

“No, I think we can be sure that it’s only demons and Reikai members,” Kurama said slowly as he thought about what Koenma said and what was omitted.

“I still don’t understand how the SDF could be in league with demons,” Keiko said as she shook her head. “I mean doesn’t it violate their code or something?”

“The people of Reikai do things the same reasons humans do things, Keiko,” Genkai said gently as she looked at the puzzled girl. “They’re not gods or should be worshiped as such- they’re just people who happen to live in Reikai.”

“And what are the reasons that make them run? There are so many of them,” Kuwabara asked philosophically. “Not including the doing things for love/hate, revenge, ambition and safety. Urameshi’s never seriously pissed off anyone in Reikai’s SDF to want revenge- with the exception of Otake and that bunch. So why would they want to keep Urameshi there? Ohm… What is the nature of the Reikai? Ohm…”

“Heaven, help us he’s gone philosophical again,” Genkai snorted dryly as she shook her head. She ignored his sputtering as Yukina giggled gently into her sleeve.

“Don’t think to hard Kuwabara- you might fall into the tracks again or maybe have an iron beam fall on your head,” Keiko teased as she looked at him. She chuckled as he turned red.

“Fall into the tracks again? Have an iron beam fall on his head?” Kurama blinked as he looked at Keiko. “What happened?”

[Was someone trying to knock some sense into him?] Youko asked [I’m betting it was Shizuru if it was]

“Nothing,” Kuwabara said as he sheepishly rubbed the back of his head. “I wasn’t paying attention to where I was- I was studying on the crowded platform when I was pushed from behind by accident- managed to jump away real fast before the train hit me. And I was coming home from visiting Okubo and his family and I passed by a construction site- there was a small earthquake and the cable holding the iron beams on the crane snapped. Everyone got lucky ‘cause I managed to hold them back long enough with my sword-net thing.”

“Yes, that was very lucky,” Kurama agreed as he looked at Genkai.

“Where would the rogue SDF even be in contact with demons in Reikai?” Keiko asked as she looked at Kurama. “I mean, aren’t they like put to death or something? And what I still don’t understand is why anyone would want to keep Yusuke in Makai where he can’t do any harm. What’s the use in keeping him there? Wouldn’t an evil demon want to totally destroy the Human World and then blame it on Yusuke?”

“Or the evil demon would agitate Yusuke enough so that his youkai side would run wild and do the destruction himself,” Genkai said softly.

[Both she and Keiko have a point- that could the reason be for keeping Yusuke in Makai. Why not set his youkai self free in Ningenkai to do a little havoc? And what’s even better than to make his powers increase to the point where he’s virtually impossible to stop?] Youko mused [I think we should take a trip to the other palaces and see what Koenma was trying to work on]

‘Agreed’ Kurama thought as he tried to plan out his itinerary. He looked at Genkai. “I think that a trip to the palaces of the other devas should be in order.”

“That sounds like an idea,” Genkai agreed as she looked at Kurama. “Kuwabara and I will make a list of names of all the demons and SDF members Yusuke’s pissed off.”

“That could be a lot,” Keiko said as she looked at Genkai. She was about to add something else when her cell phone beeped. She looked down and winced at the message written. “Eep! I have to go- Dad said that Jin is making Puu and Touya crazy.”

Kuwabara blinked as he looked at Keiko. “Jin and Touya are at your place? Again?”

[Why are Jin and Touya staying with Keiko, Suichi?] Youko demanded with a scowl. [They’re not supposed to stay with her!]

‘I think I see a tinge of green with your silver’ Kurama teased. “I take it that this is not the first time that they’ve been over?”

“More like the sixth or seventh- I think it’s because they like Dad’s noodles and Mom’s sukiyaki special,” Keiko nodded as she looked at Kurama then switched her attention to the phone. “Dad? I’m on my way- tell Puu to not chase Jin or else there isn’t going to be a treat for him when I get home. Okay- bye!”

“At least they’re more helpful in the store than Chu and Rinku,” Kuwabara snorted as he crossed his arms. “And they don’t eat as much.”

“I see you haven’t seen Chu and Rinku at their hungriest- Anyway, you might see more of them. Dad was talking about making it into a night karaoke bar after ten,” Keiko said impishly. “With Chu as the bouncer. And Rinku’s pretty good as a chef as well.”

As Kuwabara’s jaw dropped at this bit of news, Kurama took the opportunity to ask, “So what happened to Jin and Touya? How did they meet your parents? Were they attacked?”

“Sort of, about five months ago Jin somehow got hurt when he was doing maneuvers with Touya in the mountains- got buried in an avalanche. They came over to see if I could fix Jin up until they could reach O-baachan,” Keiko said as she looked at the older woman.

“Then Mom took a liking to Jin, saying he was like Yusuke but with a foreign accent; and Dad likes Touya because he can cook really good noodles. Plus he’s bringing in business- neighborhood girls like to come in and ogle him when he’s working the counter. Kinda like when you walk in to eat with your brother. Anyway- this time it’s Touya that got hurt- he was doing some training by himself and I think that he somehow stumbled on a nest of fire imps. From what Jin says- Touya was lucky that there wasn’t that many of them- only about a hundred or so,” Keiko said with a frown. She looked at Kurama and Genkai for affirmation. “They said that’s not many- but he looked really bad when he came in.”

“Well, fire imps are not strong on their own,” Kurama coughed. “So Jin was right- a hundred of them in a nest really isn’t a lot. They just bite and scratch more.”

[Naughty, Suichi! Omitting the fact that only if you’re a higher level demon they’re a snap to get rid of and the fact that they’re harder to get rid of when you’re an ice demon like Touya] Youko scolded. [You’re treating he like you do Mother- you shouldn’t do that! Besides she’s not filled with kits! She can take it!]

‘What she doesn’t know won’t hurt her!’ Kurama shot back. ‘And that’s hardly the point if she’s filled with kits or not!’

[But not knowing might get her killed] Youko argued back.

“No wonder he looked like such a mess. Anyway, I have to get going.” Keiko said as she got up. “Hope your mother’s fine Kurama. Let me know when she’s having her babies!”

“I will,” Kurama said as he nodded at her.

“I’ll walk you to your car,” Yukina said as she got up as well.

“You sure that you can do that? Remember, you’re still recovering from that nasty fall you took down the temple steps,” Keiko said as she looked at her friend, concerned. “You’re lucky that Hiei was there to bring you to Genkai so fast to heal you.”

“She just needs to stretch a bit,” Genkai said dismissively. She looked at Kurama from her peripheral vision. “Though I’m still wondering how those lumps of mud got there on the steps.”

“It was probably from the shoes of one of the temple visitors,” Yukina suggested as she looked at her mentor. “They probably cleaned off their shoes on the steps before coming in.”

“Perhaps,” Genkai said as she smiled at Keiko and Yukina reassuringly. “Everyone knows how I dislike mud near my temple.”

[Well now, there’s been a lot of accidents happening all over the place, haven’t there, Suichi?] Youko commented [Kuwabara, Touya and wasn’t Jin hurt earlier this month? From an exploding manhole cover?]

As Keiko and Yukina disappeared out the door, Kurama looked at Genkai and Kuwabara. “Kuwabara- keep an eye on Keiko. I think that she may be in danger-”

Kuwabara nodded as he looked at his friend. “You just thought of something, didn’t you?”

“All the accidents and attacks- they seem random but they’re not,” Kurama said as he looked at Genkai for affirmation. “Touya, Jin, Kuwabara, Yukina- they’ve all been hurt or nearly hurt by these *accidents*. Even I- now that I think about it- I was nearly hurt by a run away cart when I was with my mother and I was attacked by a pack of wild dog demons last week when I was with my family at a hot springs resort.”

“Does anyone know if Hiei was attacked yet?” Genkai asked as she looked at Kurama.

[With him- who knows?] Youko snorted. [Being Murkuro’s right-hand, he’s bound to be attacked with no reason at all.]

“I’m sure he was- but not sure if he knew of the reason or cared for it,” Kurama commented. “But I think that I’ll tell him that there has been a series of accidents and to be aware.”

“Not like the shrimp would care if we were in danger,” Kuwabara snorted.

Kurama and Genkai’s eyes met and they smiled mysteriously at each other. “Dimwit! He might care if we let him in on a few details. Kurama?”

“What details?” Kuwabara demanded suspiciously. He scowled as they ignored him. “You guys are leaving me out on the secret again, aren’t you?”

“I will let Hiei know that he must be on his guard,” Kurama nodded then hesitated as he remembered something. “It just occurred to me- Koenma was interested in not only how Yusuke was doing- but he was very interested in how Keiko was doing as well. He kept mentioning that she would have a bright future ahead if it weren’t for her loyalty to Yusuke.”

“Tell us something that we don’t know,” Kuwabara snorted.

“So she might the culmination of the puppet master’s plan,” Genkai nodded as she immediately understood what the boy was saying. “And the accidents-”

“Will most likely be more lethal, I think,” Kurama said. “Exploding manhole covers, sudden avalanches, being pushed into the train tracks, falling iron beams, tripping down temple steps- they’re all deadly if done to a normal human but to demons and spiritually aware humans-”

“They’re just annoying,” Genkai said as she looked at Kuwabara. “You keep your wits about you- some one is trying to kill you off, got that, dimwit?”

“Yes, O-baachan,” Kuwabara muttered as he shook his head. “Wish I knew why some demon is out to get us- I mean I haven’t seen most of you guys since Urameshi left and I haven’t gone hunting unless I had to. I mean the last time a demon tried nasty tricks on me was at the Dark Tournament and- What? Have I got something on my face?”

[Did he- did he just make the connection?] Youko shouted as he mentally shook Suichi. [I think he just did! Do you get it? It all makes sense! Maybe he is a secret genius!]

“No- not your face,” Kurama said as he looked at Kuwabara strangely. He looked at Genkai. “That’s the connection- we all- Kuwabara, me, Hiei, you, Yukina, Jin and Touya- we all were in the Dark Tournament together-”

“Yeah, and so was Chu and Rinku,” Kuwabara said with a frown.

“But they aren’t having accidents. We are,” Genkai said as she rolled her eyes. “Jin and Touya are- and so is Yukina. So that means that some one of Team Ninja is trying to get even with Team Urameshi. That means either Bakken or Risho.”

“I can’t see Bakken planning something like accidents,” Kuwabara said as he shook his head.

“It has to be Risho- he’s got the intelligence and the patience,” Kurama said quietly. “And a grudge against you, Kuwabara, and Yukina.”

Alarmed, Kuwabara stared at Kurama. “Why Yukina? She didn’t do anything to him-”

“Except revive your spirits when he was just about to defeat you,” Genkai said as she looked at Kuwabara with some pity. “Didn’t you say that you were revived by the power of love? And that you love Yukina?”

Alarmed at the paling color of his friend, Kurama started, “Genkai-”

“So- so Yukina is a target because of me?” Kuwabara whispered as he looked at Genkai with horror. “I didn’t mean to- I didn’t want-”

“Get a grip, dimwit! Whatever it is that’s going on, it’s happening,” Genkai snapped at him. She nodded in approval as he got his color back. “That means we’re vigilant and we find out who’s involved in all this and what’s being planned. Risho can’t be working alone- and Koenma said that there are at least two members of the SDF. All that we know is that they want to keep Yusuke in Makai for the time being and Keiko maybe involved in this plan.”

“I’m going to stay here and protect Yukina,” Kuwabara said as he looked at Genkai who shook her head. “Why not?”

“Because then there are two targets in one place,” Kurama said simply. When Kuwabara looked at him mutinously, he sighed. “Think Kuwabara. You, Touya and Jin are a prime targets- your accidents were deadlier than most, while Yukina is an afterthought. If you were to stay here, she’d be at a bigger risk because of your proximity.”

“Fine, I’ll stay away for now,” Kuwabara grumbled then thought of something. “But what about Keiko? How do I protect Keiko if I’m a target? And right now- Jin and Touya are at her place!”

[This just keeps getting better and better] Youko grumbled. [Don’t forget that Mother, Father-san and little Suichi- they can get caught in the crossfire. And so would those kits Mother is about to have! We can’t let anything happen to them!]

‘Indeed what a dilemma,’ Kurama thought. “Perhaps-if we can find them- we can get Chu and Rinku to watch over her for now.”

“Good idea,” Genkai said as she looked at Kurama. “Now think of how you’re going to tell Yusuke and Hiei that Keiko and Yukina might be in danger.”

[It sure keeps getting better and better] Youko groaned.

“I’ll tell him, but I must be home soon,” Kurama said with a nod. “I don’t like leaving my mother for too long a time.”

“That’s right- she’s in her eighth month now,” Genkai said as she looked at Kurama. “How is she feeling?”

“She’s fine, it’s Youko and everyone else that’s going nuts,” Kurama said as he shook his head.

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“So how’s it been going, Yukina-chan?” Keiko asked as they walked to her car. “Has Hiei visited since your accident?”

“He hasn’t, but I have felt his Jagan search for me,” Yukina said as she shook her head. “And when he does come- he doesn’t even come in. He just stands outside- on the roof or the trees.”

“Oh, I could just shake him to pieces,” Keiko grumbled as she looked at her friend’s sad little face. “He knows that you’re looking for your brother- this is just too cruel of him! Why won’t he just tell you?”

“I’m sure that he has his reasons, Keiko-chan,” Yukina said softly with a smile. “Remember- I would not have noticed the resemblances either had you not pointed it out. I would have only thought of him as a kind man doing me a favor- and one that was acting like a surrogate brother.”

“Yeah, but whatever the reasons- I still wish he would trust you enough to tell you that he was your brother,” Keiko said softly. “The world doesn’t have to know- just you two.”

“Unfortunately, I think that it is the world that Hiei worries most about,” Yukina said with an unhappy frown. “I wish he would find some happiness for himself.”

“If you keep wishing it, so will I,” Keiko said as she opened her car door. “See you soon!”

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“SHE’S WHAT?” Yusuke hollered as he looked at Kurama. “WHAT THE HELL DO YOU MEAN THAT SHE’S A POTENTIAL TARGET?”

[Oh- now that was a brilliant way to tell him the news, Suichi] Youko winced as Yusuke let out another bellow and destroyed yet another table.

‘Shut up- you weren’t offering any helpful suggestions, Youko’ Kurama groused. ‘You just said to send him a message ball’

[And it would have worked! Because then we wouldn’t be here and having out eardrums split in two and perhaps our body if he runs out of tables!] Youko shouted back.

‘Yusuke wouldn’t hurt us’ Kurama thought back as he ignored Youko’s snort of disbelief. ‘If he did- then who would watch over Keiko?’

[You have a point] Youko said grudgingly. [No try and calm him down- that was the last table]

“Yusuke- will you please calm down?” Kurama ordered as he looked at his friend. He winced as he saw the marking of his father fade in and out. “There’s more-”

Yusuke glared at his friend. “Kurama- I don’t know if I can take anymore. First, you say that Kuwabara, Jin and Touya are having freaky accidents and now you’re saying that Keiko might have one-”

“I need your help in controlling Hiei,” Kurama said quickly, noting that the marking were starting to appear again. “Yukina is quite possibly a target as well.”

“Oh man, this just keeps getting better and better!” Yusuke groaned as he fell to his knees with his head in his hands. “Hiei is going to go nuts- what do we know?”

“As of yet- we still do not know who is in charge,” Kurama admitted as he knelt before Yusuke. “We only know that Koenma suspects that at least two members of the SDF are keeping an eye on you here- possibly for their own personal reasons- and that there is a strong suspicion that Risho is involved.”

“And where does Keiko fit into all of this?” Yusuke demanded as he lifted his head.

“We don’t know yet,” Kurama said softly. “But there is an agreement between Genkai and I- that she seems to be part of the master plan, but we just don’t know where. Possibly as an instrument of revenge against you- but we’re not sure.”

“And what do your guts say?” Yusuke demanded as he looked at Kurama intensely. “I need to know- is she in danger?”

“Not yet,” Kurama said softly. “She seems to be safe for the moment.” He looked at his despairing friend. “Right now she is being watched by Chu and Rinku as well as Kuwabara and me. Nothing will happen to her Yusuke. But there will be danger if Hiei finds out that Yukina was attacked.”

“Right, he just might go off the deep end and slash everyone in sight,” Yusuke said as he closed his eyes. “I should be there for her, Kurama. I need to be there for her.”

[Oh, dear. This isn’t good- he despairing again, Suichi] Youko said worriedly. [You’re going to have to do something]

‘Agreed, but what?’ Kurama thought back. “Yusuke-”

“Pardon me, sirs, one of the chefs sent me here,” called out a loud voice. Both looked up to see a tawny female lynx demon carry a ewer and glasses. “You ordered some refreshment?”

Blinking at the interruption, Yusuke shrugged as he stood up and grabbed the ewer. He pointed it at Kurama who shook his head. Shrugging, Yusuke poured some of it into the glass, gulped it down quickly and then made a face. “Ugh! What the hell is this crap?”

“A new nutritious tea the chef created,” answered the female demon as her tail twitched in the air. “I am told that it was made to help fortify your strength. How was it?”

“It’s gross,” Yusuke said as he placed the glass back on they tray. “Tell the chef that he’d better find a new profession if he’s making this shit up on his own.”

The girl lowered her head. “I am sorry that it is not to your liking sir.”

“No big, just don’t give me the shit again,” Yusuke grimaced as he turned away and let out a big yawn. He looked at the lynx girl. “Just leave and tell the chef he sucks.”

As the girl left, Yusuke looked at Kurama and shook his head. “I must be more tired than I thought. Look- I’ll watch over Hiei and make sure he knows that he can’t carve up people until we get a clear idea on what the hell is going on. But Keiko-”

“Will be protected by not only myself, Kuwabara, Jin and Touya, but Chu and Rinku as well,” Kurama said smoothly. “And we also have Genkai and Puu on alert. Keiko will be well protected. Nothing shall happen to her.”

“I guess if Grandma and Puu are watching over her, she’ll be safe enough,” Yusuke commented as he looked at Kurama. There was something going on when Kurama mentioned Keiko’s name- he couldn’t quite put his finger on it. “But find out who’s threatening her- I still don’t like the fact that I’m here and she’s alone over there.”

“Understood,” Kurama said as he prepared to leave. “I’m sure that she knows it. We’ll find whoever it is that’s making all this trouble, Yusuke.”

“Good,” Yusuke yawned and strode over to the bed. “Now I’m going to sleep. Later.”

Shaking his head, Kurama left the room. “Night, Yusuke.”

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With Puu resting his head peacefully on her lap, Keiko sat on the porch as she looked up at the full moon. She stared at it, wondering if it would give her the answers she would seek.

“Penny for your thoughts, Keiko,” called out a voice. Keiko looked up to see her mother coming out. She was about to rise when but then sat down when the older woman waved her to sit back down. “Who are you thinking of? Yusuke? Or that internship?”

“Yes,” Keiko said as she stroked Puu’s head. “His birthday is coming up next month. It’ll be five years since he went away, Mama. So much has happened.”

“That it has,” said her mother as she sat next to her daughter. “You graduating from high school, going to college and getting that internship, Mina getting married next month, your father and I meeting Yusuke’s strange but sweet friends. And this little one here.”

“Puu,” said the blue bird as it sleepily looked up at his favorite person’s mother.

Keiko’s mother smiled as she petted the large bird. “But even as so much has happened- a lot still stays the same. Like this house. And your heart.”

“My heart?” Keiko asked, startled as she looked at her mother. She hesitated a second before she looked away. “Mama, what happens when you think that your heart is changing?”

“Then it changes,” her mother said simply. “And life goes on.”

“And love? What happens if the love you feel changes?” Keiko asked as she looked at the moon. “I mean, I know you love Papa. But is it the same love you felt when you first met him?”

“Didn’t I tell you the story? When I first met your father, I hated his guts,” her mother chuckled as she looked at the moon. “He was brash, obnoxious and a pain in my ass. He was a young gangster that always thought he was better than everyone else in the neighborhood. He would have been yakuza if he had any mind to it.”

“Papa was?” Keiko gasped as she looked at her mother and stared. “Papa?”

“Yep, that I was,” said a voice from the side of the house. Keiko stared as her father emerged from the shadows. “I thought I knew it all and I think I would have been a pretty good yakuza if I wanted to. But then I met your mother and she was a thorn in my side since the day I met her. Smartest girl in class. Not too pretty, but just enough to get people to notice her. I just had to bother her- her nose was always stuck in some book or where it didn’t belong. Like when I was hanging out at the local bar.”

“You shouldn’t have been there anyway,” her mother sniffed.

“So what happened?” Keiko asked as she looked at her parents. “I thought that it was love at first sight for the two of you.”

Keiko’s father scratched the back of his head sheepishly. “Well it was for me- your mother slapped me and knocked me on my ass when I tried to steal a kiss from her. No woman had ever done that to me before- except for Grandma. After that, I kept trying my best to keep her attention on me. Even threatening Shin Otagi and Hiroshi Date.”

“You threatened her suitors?” Keiko gasped as she stared at her father’s red face. She looked at her mother as she giggled. “Mama! And when did you fall in love with Papa?”

Her mother smiled at her husband as she remembered. “It was when he wished me good-bye and was boarding a tuna boat.” She smiled at her daughter. “I never knew I was in love with him until that moment, Keiko. Or how much I loved him. It was seven years before he came back to me, Keiko. We were married a month later-”

“And it only took that long because your grandfather was annoyed at me for not bringing him any fresh tuna,” grumbled her father as he crossed his arms.

“No wonder he always complained about the tuna,” Keiko giggled as she looked at her father and mother.

“Well, your grandfather does like his tuna,” her mother blushed as she fixed her hair. “So do you love Yusuke?”

“Yes,” Keiko whispered as she looked down at Puu. “But I don’t know if I can love him like that anymore, Mama. I’m a different person now than I was five years ago.”

“And so is he,” her father replied as he patted her shoulder. “You’re both a little different from what you were yesterday and definitely different from what you were five years ago. It’s neither of your fault- that’s just the way life is.”

“So then what do I do?” Keiko asked as she looked at her father.

He simply shrugged as he looked at his daughter and saw the baby from so many years ago looking up at him with so much trust in her eyes. “You leave the door open to all the possibilities and leaving your foot there to keep it from closing until you’re sure at what you want to do.”

“That was very revealing,” Keiko’s mother commented. At her husband’s baleful glare she shrugged, “I think your food metaphors would work better than you being philosophical, dear.”

At Keiko’s confused look, he sighed. “Kinda like having the menu in front of you- you have all those choices and then you select the one that you want most. Butt you don’t have to have just one dish; you can have many more than that and as much as you want, but everything builds around that one dish. Get it?”

“I get it,” Keiko said softly. “I just have to decide what I want to build my life around.” She kissed her father’s forehead. “Thanks Papa. I’m going to bed- I have a lot to think about.”

As their daughter left, Keiko’s father sighed into the night. “I don’t get it. Why does she get my food analogies better?”

“Probably because she’s your daughter,” Keiko’s mother said as she kissed his cheek then rested her head against his shoulder. “Now, hush and let’s enjoy the moon.”

“Will you let me steal a kiss?”

“What about Puu here?”

“Let him steal a kiss from someone else.”

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“Shh…we don’t want to wake him,” hissed Rumi as she glared at her sisters. “At least not until he’s fully aroused.”

“I wonder what he’ll look like if he’s aroused?” Miri purred as her tail twitched impatiently. “Do you think it’ll be hairy? Or will it be sleek?”

“I don’t care as long as it’s hard,” Meri purred as she hugged herself. “There’s nothing worse than a soft male. Eek! What’s that?”

The three lynx females froze as they saw a glow emitting from the bed of the Toushin and hovered over it. They gasped as the air became thick with hot sexual energy started filling the room, swirling faster and faster around the three, caressing them as they sniffed at the air.

Then suddenly, it was gone.

Stunned, the three raced towards the bed, then hissed as a shock of energy threw them back. They looked at the bed to see the Toushin snoring soundly on his stomach as he hugged his pillow tightly.

“Ouch!” Rumi hissed as she jerked her hand back. “He has a shield up!”

“Why isn’t he awake?” Miri demanded as she glared at the Toushin, her tail swishing in agitation. She hissed at her sister Meri. “I thought that potion was supposed to make him aroused? He looks asleep! Meri! What happened?”

“I don’t know,” Meri wailed as she looked from her sisters to the Toushin. “Maybe I gave him too much and that was his energy that flew out the window?”

“You mean you think that he already had sex?” Miri yelped as she stared at the Toushin. “But that’s not fair! We didn’t have a chance! Isn’t that just like a man!”

“Quiet! Let’s go! Someone’s coming!” Rumi hissed as she raced towards the window her sisters following her.

At their small lair, Meri and Miri cleaned their fur as they complained about the Toushin. “That was absolutely horrible of him! I can’t believe he wouldn’t let us touch him!”

“Do you think he masturbated before we came in?”

“What was that energy? It was filled with lust!”

“Do you think the potion was too much for him? Ouch! Rumi- why did you hit me?”

“Because you made the potion wrong, baka!” Rumi hissed as she glared at her sister. She shoved the book into her sister’s face as her tail twitched. “All the ingredients you put in are aphrodisiacs for humans- except one! Catnip!”

“What?” Meri screeched as she grabbed the book. She looked at it and paled. “Oh no!”

“What? What?” Miri demanded as she grabbed the book. “What does it say? What does it say?”

Rumi hissed as she crossed her arms. “Basically that catnip has the opposite effect on humans than it does on cats. It puts them to sleep.”

Miri stared at her sister. “So that energy thing he emitted-”

“Could very well have been him reaching his climax while he was sleeping,” Rumi hissed as she sat down hard.

“Damn,” Meri hissed as she threw herself on to her pallet. “I hate a waste of energy!”

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Kurama’s head lifted as he sensed a strange source of energy flying through the air. Curious, he was about to follow it when he heard his mother call him. “Yes, Mother?”

His mother emerged to the doorway, panting as she held her very pregnant belly. “Suichi? I think that it’s time-”

[What does she mean it’s time? She’s not supposed to be in labor now!] Youko yelped. [Those kits aren’t fully formed yet!]

“Now?” Kurama yelped as he sprang from the bed and raced towards her. “But you’re not due in another month!”

“But the twins say they want out now,” Shiori panted as she gripped her son’s shoulder. “And I think that they get first say. Oh!”

[No they don’t! They can’t! Those kits cannot come out now! It’s not healthy! The manuals say-]

‘Screw the manuals! She in labor!’ Kurama snarled back at the fox spirit. “Mother-”

[What was that! Suichi! What was that!] Youko yelped as he jumped around in Suichi’s mind.

“Mother! What was that?” Kurama yelped as he helped her to the couch.

“That was a labor pain,” Shiori gasped as she gripped her son’s hand. She looked at his worry filled eyes and smiled as the pain made it seem that they flashed from gold to green. “Call the doctor, your step-father-oh!”

“Suichi! Get down here!” Kurama yelled at the top of his voice. “Now!”

Kurama gripped his mother’s hand as another spasm of pain went through her. He heard his brother’s feet stampeding down the stairs. “What? What’s going on- Mother! Now?”

“Now,” Kurama affirmed through gritted teeth. “Call the doctor and Father. We’re leaving for the hospital now.”

[Breathe! Tell her to breathe! Suichi are you listening to me!] Youko yelped.

‘It’s hard not to when you’re yelling in my mind’ Kurama snarled back. “Mother, start your breathing techniques! One two three breathe; wait. Now one two three breathe-”

“Papa’s meeting us at the hospital!” Suichi hollered out. “I got her bag and I’ll get the car!”

“He’s such a good boy,” Shiori said as she slowly rose to her feet. “I think I can walk-”

[Don’t let her walk! Don’t let her walk!] Youko screamed. [Those kits could pop out of her any second and then they’ll be damaged and might be short like Hiei! Or worse look like Kuwabara!]

‘Highly unlikely!’ Kurama snorted as he gather his mother up in his arms and carried her. “Don’t worry mother- I’ll carry you!”

“But aren’t I heavy?” Shiori gasped as she grasped her son’s neck.

“Not as heavy as a manic fox who thinks he knows everything,” Kurama muttered as he strode out the door.

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The demonic energy swirled around in the night- then flashed towards a small house with a ramen shop below.

Puu lifted his head as he felt the familiar energy then laid his head back down to sleep. There was no danger to his favorite humans.

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Keiko sighed as she twisted in her sleep. “Yusuke…”

“Hey Keiko! How’re you doing?”

Sleepily, Keiko looked up to see Yusuke smiling at her. Joy filled her as she got up and flung herself at him. “Yusuke! You’re back!”

“Yeah! I am!” Yusuke shouted as he swung her around and around. “Isn’t it great?”

“It’s wonderful!” Keiko cried as she kissed his cheek and pulled back.

“Aw, don’t I get a better kiss than that?” Yusuke whined as he lowered his face and caught her mouth with his.

Keiko moaned as she felt his tongue enter her mouth and start to duel with her own. Sensations started to engulf her body as she gripped Yusuke closer to her. She felt his mouth break away from hers and start a trail down to the valley between her breasts. She gasped as his mouth latched on to a hard nipple and started to suck. “Yusuke!”

“Keiko,” Yusuke muttered as his tongue played with her pebbled peak. His eyes started to gleam as he looked at her aroused face. “You look so beautiful- I missed you.”

“And I missed you,” Keiko murmured as she brushed back his hair and traced the markings on his face. “I missed you so much, Yusuke. I was lonely without you.”

“How lonely were you?” Yusuke asked as he laid her down. “Were you really lonely like me?”

“Yes, I was lonely like you,” Keiko whispered as she wrapped her arms around his neck. She felt his hips rest against hers, and an unfamiliar ache started to fill her. She wrapped her legs around his waist, cradling him closer to her. “I kept wondering if you met anyone new- someone you liked better than me-”

“There’s no one better than you Keiko,” Yusuke said as he rolled his hips into hers. “There’s no one I want more, Keiko.” He traced the curve of her breast with his finger. “I’ve imagined you in so many ways- wanted you in so many ways. But I like you best this way- under me and wearing that pretty bikini.”

Keiko smiled at him as she flipped him over. “And I like this better with me looking down at your pretty face, Yusuke. And-” She looked down at the bikini she was wearing. “If you’re good I can take- wait a minute. I don’t own a bikini.”

“So? You still look good in one,” Yusuke said as his fingers crawled up under the bra of her bikini. He grinned as he felt the hard pebbles of her breasts. “And these feel real nice.”

“Yusuke,” Keiko shivered as she covered his hands with hers. She glanced down and smiled at him when her eye caught the multi-colors of the bikini. Cold water washed over her as she realized whose bikini it was. Her hand came down and she heard a resounding slap.

The next instant she was standing apart from him. “You hentai! You baka! You bastard! How could you, Yusuke Urameshi!”

“What? What did I do?” Yusuke demanded as he held his cheek. “What did I do?”

“You’re in my dreams you baka!” Keiko screamed at him. “And you’re horrible!”

“I am?” Yusuke blinked as he looked at himself then at her. “Hey this is great! This means that I can see you whenever I want!” He looked at Keiko who had tears running down her face. “But you don’t want to see me?”

“You monster! How could you!” Keiko sobbed as she glared at him then started hitting him. “I dream and dream of you and then you do this! You hentai!”

“Ouch! Keiko! Ouch! Keiko!” Yusuke shouted as he tried to avoid her hits. Finally he caught her hands. “Tell me what I did that was so horrible! You don’t want me to touch you? Okay, I won’t do it again but you seemed to like it! Ouch! What are you hitting me for? Ow!”

Shoving him away, Keiko glared at him. “You perfectly know why!”

“No I don’t!” Yusuke roared back. He looked at her pleadingly. “Tell me?”

Anger filled her as she pointed at her bikini. “This isn’t my bikini! I don’t own a bikini! It’s Aoi-chan’s bikini!”

“Who the hell is Aoi-chan?” Yusuke asked as he looked at the bikini.

“Aoi-chan is one of the girls that I went to the beach with! Near O-baachan’s! I was there with her, Kura-chan and Yuki-chan!” Keiko seethed as she smacked him. “And Puu was there too! You Hentai!”

“Ow!” Yusuke shouted as he was hit again. “Puu was there too?”

“Yes!” Keiko shouted as she smacked him again. “You used Puu to spy on us when we went swimming! And now you have the nerve to put me into Aoi-chan’s bikini! You were looking at her, you hentai!”

“I was not!” Yusuke shouted as he tried to avoid her smacks. “I don’t even know her! Keiko! Don’t be mad at me! I wasn’t using Puu that way! Really! Ow! Really!”

Keiko stopped hitting Yusuke to look at him suspiciously. “Really? You didn’t know that you could do that? He is a part of your soul after all.”

“But I didn’t know that it could happen,” Yusuke said as he looked at her. Then a thought hit him as he looked at her with gleaming eyes. “But-”

Looking at him suspiciously, Keiko frowned. “But what?”

“But if it means that I can connect with Puu,” Yusuke said brightly. “Does that mean the dreams of you in a sea green teddy are real or not?”

“Hentai!” Keiko screamed as she smacked Yusuke and sent him flying into the air. “Stupid boy!”

“Keiko! Keiko!” shouted her mother as she shook her. “Keiko- are you all right?”

“Where’s the hentai?” her father said as he raced into her room with his clever. “Where’s the little bastard that was looking in my little girl’s room?”

“Mama? Papa?” Keiko said sleepily as she wiped her eyes. “What’s going on?”

“You tell us,” her mother said sternly. “You screamed ‘hentai’ and we came racing in here. What happened, Keiko?”

Remembering fragments of her dream, Keiko blushed. “Nothing- just dreaming of how Yusuke used to flip my skirt.”

“Well, as long it was just a dream,” her father said as he scratched his head.

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“Ow!” Yusuke groaned as he felt his cheeks. They felt red as if they really were smacked by Keiko. “Damn that hurts.”

“Yusuke! Are you all right?” Hokushin asked as he knelt by the bed. “There was a huge dispersal of energy and then we heard some noises and then you shouting- were you attacked?”

“Only in my dreams,” Yusuke said as he worked his jaw. He looked at his trainer. “What?”

“Were you fighting while sleeping?” Hokushin asked as he touched the young Toushin’s cheek. “You look like you were in a fight.”

“I was?” Yusuke asked as he got up and looked at himself in the mirror. He looked at his face- and it looked as if Keiko had indeed slapped him. He remembered flashes of the dream of her in his arms. How she felt so right there. He saw a grin form on his lips. “Well, well. Now this brings about some possibilities.”

Puzzled, Hokushin looked at Yusuke. “Are you all right?”

Grabbing his friend by the neck, Yusuke gave him a happy noogie. “Hokushin, I’m as happy as a clam can be! Yes sir! I really am!”

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TBC...

A/N: And now the plot shall thicken and hopefully the lemons shall come...