A Promise Kept

Untitled


A Promise Kept
- Chapter 3 -

~*~


Pounding feet echoed throughout the deserted hallway, followed soonafter by the loud bang as the door to the girl's bathroom was flung open, the wood making sharp contact with the plaster wall. Rushing inside, Kagome managed to make it to one of the stalls, throwing up the toilet seat as she fell to her knees, before quite abruptly losing her lunch. She retchedil til there was nothing left, then she pulled down the porcelin seat and cover, folding her arms on the lid to cradle her head. The shocks seemed to just keep on coming.

First, Inuyasha declared his love for her, finally, on the eve of their big battle with Naraku. A battle in which her beloved hanyou lost his life. That had been devestating. Then, she'd had to returned to her time, leaving her friends and the little kitsune cub who had become like a son to her. That had been heartbreaking.

But wait. No, fate wasn't done toying with her emotions yet, oh no. Then, she'd returned to her time to learn that she couldn't go back to her old school due to the amount of absenses she'd had. Okay, so that wasn't a biggie there. She could deal. But then came the clencher. She just happened to get enrolled in the very school that the person whom she'd loved in the Feudal Era's reincarnation atte!
!

She could deny it all she wanted, but those eyes...those golden eyes that had flashed for only a heartbeat, along with the feeling she'd gotten by looking into them, was proof enough. This boy, Urameshi, was Inuyasha reincarnated. There was no doubt about it. An image of the girl, Keiko, flashed in Kagome's mind. The look of utter heartbreak in her eyes as he had reached out to her told her everything. He obviously belonged to someone else.

With a whimper, Kagome laid her head down in her arms and cried.

~*~

For a moment, nobody moved, everyone's shock was evident. Yusuke felt torn and indecisive as he stood before his friends and teammates in the middle of the hallway. Half of him wanted to explain, to remove the accusing looks that were present in the others' eyes. Mostly he just wanted to wipe the look of sheer mortification from Keiko's tear-filled gaze. But at the same time, another part of him, one he had been completely oblivious to before, prevented him from going to her. In fact, he was feeling an undeniable urge to race after the young woman who had just bolted away.

But why, his mind cried out. Who is she and why should I want to comfort her instead of Keiko? Sadly, no answer was forthcoming. Yusuke glanced toward his friends, then back in the direction that Kagome had gone. Kurama noticed this, but remained silent, still reluctant to pass judgement on his friend. Something brushed his arm, and the red head looked down just as Keiko stepped past him hesitantly, her eyes trained intently on her childhood friend.

"Yusuke?" her voice came out a bit weak and uncertain. She didn't want to believe that this girl whom she had just met had such a strong hold over the boy that she, herself, had loved since grade school.

Yusuke slowly turned back to her, his eyes held such sadness and longing that it thoroughly shattered Keiko's fragile heart. It dawned on her then and she knew, much like she had known that day, when Yusuke had possessed Kuwabara's body so that he could speak to her, that he didn't belong to her anymore.

"I'm sorry Yus Yusuke said softly. "But I've got to find out what's going on with me...and for some reason, I think that girl is the key."

Numbly, Keiko nodded, though the shards of her broken heart was screaming out in protest.

Yusuke smiled, then without looking at the others turned and sprinted down the hallway in the direction that Kagome had gone.

~*~

Yusuke rounded a corner of the hallway, intent on finding her. He knew she couldn't have gotten far. His mind wandered back to the episode he had just had a few moments before, in front of all his friends no less. The images had been clear, it had been her he'd kissed, but.... He was just passing by the girl's bathroom when he heard it. The sound of muffled sobs drifted from inside the bathroom. Great.... Yusuke thought sarcastically. Just great.

Looking around cautiously, Yusuke finally determined that there was nobody present to see him and so he quickly pushed open the door and ducked inside. Once he made it through the door, he turned and locked it behind him before turning back around to face the row of stalls before him.

From within the third stall the sobbing sound ceased causing everything to become eerily quiet. For a minute Yusuke worried that perhaps it wasn't the girl he was looking for crying in the small cubicle, but another of his female classmates. The sound of someone standing inside caused him to tense and as the door began to swing open, Yusuke prepared himself for the inevitable scream if he was proved to be wrong.

Kagome had heard the entrance to the bathroom being opened, followed by the distinct click of the lock falling into place. She'd raised her head from her arms at that. The silence that had been unnerving and so she finally decided to pull herself together and investigate. There was obviously someone else in here with her. So why weren't they going to another one of the unoccupied stalls?

Standing up, Kagome warily opened the stall door. She blinked in surprise when she saw just who it was on the other side.

"Y-you!" she gasped.

So it is Kagome... Yusuke thought, then frowned. But... how do I know her name?

Kagome's eyes, which were red-rimmed and puffy from crying, narrowed on the dark haired boy. "What do you want?"

Yusuke looked at his feet. What he whe want, anyway? Why had he gone after her? I want Kagome to stop crying.... a voice from somewhere within him echoed. "I want you to cheer up." he mumbled, shrugging.

She blinked. He was standing there in front of her, refusing to meet her gaze... damn, I'm still crying... my eyes are all red... his head bowed in an embarassed fashion. Like... he's not used to admitting his feelings... true feelings... His true feelings? Like Inuyasha...

Suddenly, she was staring at the floor, clenching her fists in ... frustration? loss? anger... "You are not Inuyasha! Leave me alone!"

Yusuke looked up at her. "Huh? Inuyasha?" What was this girl talking about? Why would he be a dog demon? Of course he wasn't an Inu Yasha.....she had some serious issues, obviously, but he still couldn't help but feel a strange attraction to her. "And why should I leave you alone?" he shot back.

She felt a strange urge just to shout, I said leave me alone, you insufferable jerk! But no. This was not Inuyasha. She had to make herself believe... It was probably just a coincidence.. some random guy who happened to be rude, human, and a cool looking hunk... Ahh!! where had that thought come from? Slowly, she slid down the bathroom wall in frustration.

"Look," she sighed miserably. "I'm sorry I snapped at you... Thanks for the concern and all, but I'm just having a bad day right now..."

Yusuke stood for a moment, staring down at this girl who, for all intent and purposes, should have been a total stranger to him. One he'd barely met... but instead, he felt oddly close to her. Closer than he'd ever felt to Keiko, and he'd known Keiko his entire childhood. Hesitating for just a second longer, Yusuke Urameshi went over and sat beside Kagome. She stared at him warily, as if she expected him to attack her or something.

"Why don't you tell me about it?" he offered. "I mean, I've always heard that it helps to talk about your problems." he stated, attempting to at least try and figure out what the connection was between them. Maybe it had something to do with the way she was acting around him....

B eye eyes met brown eyes.

"You're being so nice..." she said wonderingly. Blink. Head shake. Arghh. Why couldn't she get it through her head that this boy was not Inuyasha? She had to believe that. She had to! She felt herself blush again as he smiled at her. The poor guy was probably more confused than she was. She had no right to lash out at him like that.

"You see... It's been a weird day, or few days actually..."

"Tell me about it." Yusuke snorted.

With an tiredly ironic smile, Kagome couldn't help but think, you have no idea... At the same time, Yusuke was thinking the same thing as he remembered the past 48 hours and the string of odd occurances that had happened to him.

"It's just that you look... very similar to someone I know- once knew." Kagome continued. "My old boyfriend in fact."

Yusuke tensed. He wasn't sure why her mentioning an old boyfriend caused a sharp pang of jealously to shoot through him, but it did. And damn it, it pissed him off! Why was he feeling jealous over her? "So who was it...? the old boyfriend, I mean..."

How odd. He seemed ticked at her or something. Unless, the walls really were a mortal enemy?

"He went to a different school. Inuyasha and I met one day at Grandfather's shrine."

"Right... the the Goshinboku..." Yusuke murmured idly, his eyes had unknowingly glazed over.

Kagome turned concerned eyes to the boy. She was more than a little alarmed that he knew about the Goshinboku. Wasn't her Grandpa the only person who wanted to remember the legend? And besides, that was her and Inuyasha's tree.

"Wait.. How do you know about Goshinboku?"

Yusuke blinked, his glazed expression fading at the action as he turned to face her. "Uh... I don't know." he said honestly. "The name just... popped in my head. Like your name did."

Kagome stared into Yusuke's eyes a minute longer, trying to figure out if this was really what she thought... what she hoped it was. "Meet me after school, I want to show you something." she said, finally deciding on a course of action.

A bit unsure of the whole deal, but just as curious, nodded in agreement.

~*~

Keiko wandered along the silk, lk, heedless of her destination, her black penny loafers scuffling along the concret with each sluggish step she took. School had passed by agonizingly slow for her and she'd watched with sad eyes as Yusuke had walked away with the new girl immediately after the last bell had rung. She clutched her school books to her chest, as if in an attempt to stiffle the piercing pain now plaguing her heart. Her mahongany-hued eyes stung as bitter tears threatened to spill forth despite her attempt to keep them at bay and the salty moisture shimmered upon her long lashes, which blinked rapidly in her effort to cease the downpour. Because she knew.... She knew once they started, they might not ever stop.

Her mind was clouded with the image of the scene that had been unceremoniously played out before her. The look on Yusuke's face as he'd met the other girl's eyes. The look of recognition... from both of them. Yes, she'd caught the look that had passed through Kagome's eyes and at that moment her heart had shattered. All the years of caring for and coming to love her childhood friend, was going to be for naught. Just as she'd begun to believe that she'd been wrong, that things could go back to normal... One name--her name--uttered from his lips had destroyed all her hope. There was no going back.

It was over.

The sound of approaching footsteps barely registered in Keiko's mind due to her being so caught up in her torment as she continued to walk in her trance-like state. She never noticed when Kurama drew up, falling into step beside her. Dipping his hands into the front pockets of his uniform pants, the red-haired teen silently accomanied her to wherever her wandering would take them.

They continued to walk a few blocks more before Kurama began to wonder if Keiko even realized he was present. He was a bit startled when, finally, she spoke, directing a single question toward him.

"Do you believe in soul mates, Kurama?"

Kurama blinked, caught off guard by such an unexpected question. He pondered it for a moment, looking within himself to find the truest answer to Keiko's inquiry. "Yes." he finally replied, a soft smile emerging. "Yes, I do."

"I do too...." Keiko sighed. She paused in her step as a frown marred her pretty face. "At least.... I did."

Kurama ceased walking as well, turning to face Keiko with a surprised look on his face. "And now you don't?"

Keiko shook her head. No.

"And why is that?"

Keiko sighed, her eyes seemingly sightless as she spoke. "It was always Yusuke. For as far back as I can remember, I've always believed that we belonged together. But now.... after what just happened.... I know it's not true. I'm just not sure I'm strong enough to handle being alone." she whispered. "I don't want to be alone, Kurama."

Kurama brought up a hand, cupping Keiko's chin, encouraging her to train her eyes on him as he spoke. "You don't have to be alone, Keiko. Not if you don't want to be."

Keiko's eyes widened at Kurama's words. What had he meant? How could she be anything but alone without Yusuke? "I don't understand." she murmured, her head dipping into Kurama's touch as his hand slipped up to rest against the side of her face.

Kurama's gaze softened upon Keiko. She seemed so lost, so desolate. His slid his hand around to the nape of her neck and drew her forward. Keiko obliged, stepping into his embrace. "Don't worry Keiko. It'll all work out." He smiled, but she didn't see it as her face pressed against the cloth of his shirt.

Sighing, Keiko allowed her arms to encircle Kurama's trim waist, completing the friendly gesture. She'd never been this close to him before and immediately her senses were assaulted with the subtle smell of roses that mingled with a more masculine scent. Keiko was at a loss. When had Yusuke ever been so gentle or encouraging? When had he ever held her so gently? When had he ever tried to make her feel better with soft words? She blinked back more tears. Why wasn't she feeling any better?

She sniffled tellingly and Kurama's arms closed around her. "If you need to cry, don't hold it in."

One small statement and she felt like falling apart. Her tears escaped her, she forgot everything but the hurt falling completely intramarama's arms. Why was he comforting her? Why did she care? Her vision blurred away through her cries and her breath hitched as she sniffled trying fruitlessly to stem her crying. Kurama just held her, one hand rubbing her back comfortingly.

Kurama... she thought. He is so...

The thought trailed off, as did her sobs and she soon came to the realization that, although the pain in her heart was still there, it was not as intense. It was dulled significantly and Keiko wondered if the tender touch of the young man who still held her had anything to do with it.

~*~

Kurama: Hmm, it would appear I have taken an interest in Keiko's welfare.

Buffybot76: *nods* Yep. You're just a little sweetie, aren't ya? *pinches Kurama's cheek*

Kurama: Please don't do that...

Keiko: *in dreamy voice* He is sweet, isn't he...

Kurama: *blushes*

Yusuke: Hey! What about me?!

Keiko: * turns to glare at Yusuke* What do you mean what about you? Are you serious, Yusuke?

Yusuke: *crosses arms and huffs* Ah, what do I care. It's not like you two are getting together or anything.

Buffybot76: *stiffles giggle* That's what you think.

Yusuke: O_O;;;

Keiko: O_O;?!

Kurama: O_O;?!

Buffybot76: What are you so surprised about Kurama? I told you two chapters ago who I was pairing you with.

Kurama: *sweatdrops* Uh, well, yes. You did, but you see.... I thought you were joking.

Buffybot76: Well...now you know otherwise, don't ya fox-boy.

Keiko: *gets misty eyed* Is the thought really so terrible Kurama? Of you and me getting together, I mean.

Kurama: *holds up hands in placating gesture* Oh no, not at all Keiko, it's just that....well, our being paired together is not all that common. What will the readers think?

Buffybot76: You know, that's a good question, Kurama. If they like it, good! If they don't... good! *grins* It doesn't matter anyway, cause you two are still going to get paired! And so are Yusuke and Kagome! So now we know two of the three pairings. Two down, one to go! *turns to readers* Oh hey! Just leave a review and hopefully I'll get the next chapter out soon. You'll soon find out what's going on with Yusuke (though I'm sure some of you have figured it out by now) and who Botan gets paired with!

Botan: Yes! *does happy dance*

Everyone: O.o;;;

Buffybot76: Er... yeah. Anyway, until later. Ja!

~*~