Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Aftermath ❯ Lunch ( Chapter 3 )

Noon found a very nervous Yusuke sitting between Kurama and Hiei at a table in the little restaurant that used to sell bad sushi. Now, the décor was that of an Amercian diner from the 1950's, with red vinyl seats, curved silver metal on the walls and a large juke box playing both English and Japanese versions of songs from the time period. The menu boasted an “Authentic American Diner Experience” for its guests, with items like hamburgers, fries and shakes, but also had items such as rice balls and ramen. The three ordered drinks while waiting for Kuwabara to arrive and Yusuke stirred the ice around in his lemon Coke. He looked away from his drink when he felt a hand grip his knee and looked at Hiei with a smile. “You've faced worse, Detective,” the demon said.

 

“Yeah, but I didn't want to be their friends afterwards,” Yusuke answered, his voice tense.

 

Kurama's hand came to rest on Yusuke's other knee, “It'll be alright.” To get through the morning, the two demons had sparred with the boy, finding that preferable to watching him pace the living room.

 

The tinkling of the bell on the door and the entrance of their tall friend drew Kurama's attention from his musings. He withdrew his hand from Yusuke's leg, noticing that Hiei did the same, and turned to greet the newcomer. “Hello, Kuwabara-kun.”

 

“Hey, Yusuke. Kurama, Hiei, didn't expect you two to be along,” Kuwabara returned the greeting as he slid into the vacant chair.

 

“Yeah, well, I asked them to be here. How's Eikichi?” Yusuke answered, talking too fast.

 

Kuwabara eyed his one-time rival, “What's going on, Yusuke?”

 

The dark haired boy was spared having to answer just then by the arrival of the waiter to take their orders. When he left, Yusuke began toying with his glass. “Kuwabara, what do you think of, well, say, three people wanted to, I dunno, be in a, well, in a relationship together?” `Gods! This is so hard!'

 

Kuwabara looked taken aback at the question. “You mean, like three people, all know each other, and wanna be friends?”

 

“No, I mean three people, all know each other, and wanna go out.” Yusuke watched as his friend tried to wrap his mind around that concept.

 

“Uh….well…” Kuwabara found himself at a loss for words, his mind refusing to make the necessary connections. “I dunno,” he finally managed.

 

Yusuke sighed. This was less of an answer than he had hoped for. He was again stalled from asking the next question by the arrival of the waiter with their order. When Yusuke looked up to thank the waiter, he noticed a sympathetic smile, as if the man understood his dilemma. With a polite nod and phrase, the waiter left again. “What do you think of guys in a relationship?” Yusuke asked after a couple of bites of his cheeseburger.

 

Kuwabara paused, fries hanging halfway between his mouth and the plate. Yusuke could see the connections being formed as a look of horror crossed his face. “You? You and the shrimp and the fox? You three?” How he managed to keep his voice down is unknown. “How could you? What about Keiko?”

 

Yusuke sighed, ready, at least, for that question. “I'm talking to her later today.”

 

“How?...When?...What?” the orange haired boy stammered.

 

These were the questions Yusuke had prepared to answer. “Last night, Kurama invited me over and we played this game. One thing led to another, and, well, we found out we really liked each other, as more than just friends. Kurama and Hiei have been together for a while and they wanted a relationship with me and I found I couldn't decide between them. They told me I didn't have to.” With a shrug, Yusuke fell silent, unable to do more than stare at his plate.

 

The fries that had been suspended throughout the explanation now dropped to the plate. “Is this some kind of sick joke?” Kuwabara's voice was too loud, attracting attention from the surrounding tables.

 

“Keep you voice down, Baka,” Hiei ordered.

 

Ignoring the fire demon, Kuwabara continued to yell, “You….you…how could you? How could you do something so underhanded and vile?”

 

Kurama spoke sharply, “He chose to tell you and Keiko, Kuwabara-kun. Hiei and I did not tell you about our relationship before. That could be called `underhanded,' but Yusuke wanted everything to be out in the open.”

 

The venom in the usually gentle kitsune's voice shocked Kuwabara back into awareness of his surroundings. He looked around, noticing the large number of people staring-not staring at the group. Embarrassed, confused, he muttered, “I have to go,” as he pushed himself away from the tale and tossed some money on the table without looking at the other three. Without a backwards glance, he practically ran from the diner.

 

Yusuke propped his elbows on the table and rested his forehead in his hands. He felt Kurama put an arm around his shoulder and Hiei put a hand on his lap. The soft voice of the waiter caused Yusuke to look up. “Excuse me, I don't mean to intrude, but, well, I wanted to tell you that actually went well.” Yusuke could only stare at the man standing across from him, disbelief written across his face. “When I told my friend I was going out with another friend and his wife, I ended up with a broken nose and seven stitches in the back of my head.” The waiter blushed, “It took awhile, but he did come to accept us. I think your friend will return to you.”

 

Yusuke managed a small smile, “Thank you.”

 

The waiter added, gathering up Kuwabara's abandoned dishes, “You have good partners. I hope things work out for you all.”

 

Yusuke's smile grew, “I hope so, too, and they are.”

 

~*~*

 

Kuwabara walked blindly from the restaurant, his thoughts a mass of confusion, conflict, denial, disgust, and horror. Without conscious direction, his feet took him to Genkai's temple. The old woman sat on the porch in meditation, watching the boy approach. From his expression, she doubted he was there to see Yukina. “Kuwabara, what brings you here?”

 

The boy looked around, surprised to find himself standing before the old master. “He…they…how?...why?” he stammered.

 

`So, it has come,' the woman thought. “Go talk to Yukina,” she directed, having a hard time not laughing at the looks of shock that crossed the boy's face.

 

“But, to expose her to…” he protested, only to be cut off.

 

“She is a demon, Kuwabara. Or did you forget that?” The boy continued to stammer, testing the limits of Genkai's control over her laughter.

 

“Of course I'm a demon,” the young koorime in question spoke up, exiting the temple from behind Genkai. “Good morning, Kazuma.”

 

The orange haired boy bowed, “Yukina, I had not forgotten you were a demon. It is just not what a gentleman does, to expose a lady to such….such…things.”

 

“What things?” Yukina asked.

 

“Kurama and Hiei asked Yusuke to join them and he accepted and they told this idiot about it,” Genkai answered.

 

“How…how did you know?” Kuwabara squeaked.

 

“Kurama and Hiei told me they were thinking about it, but they weren't sure if Yusuke would be open to the idea. I suggested they try,” the reiki master answered evenly.

 

“I'm so happy for them,” Yukina smiled.

 

Kuwabara's eyes widened. “But…but…” he stammered, his mind again refusing to function. Giving up momentarily on trying to speak, he sat on the steps of the temple, “I don't understand.”

 

Yukina moved to sit next to the tall boy. “Kazuma, there are those who would not understand why you care for me because I am a demon.” He turned to stare at her, “There are those, both demon and human,” she continued, “who think that your feelings are wrong, especially since I am a koorime. Does that stop your feelings?”

 

“N-no,” the boy stammered, shocked at the frank direction of the conversation. “But…but….they're guys and…and…there's three of them.”

 

“Are you going to tell me you can only care for one person?” she asked, confused.

 

“Well, no….no, I'm not saying that…”

 

“Then why does it matter that they are three?”

 

“It…I….well….” He fell silent, his mind whirling around paths he'd never even considered following before. Slowly, his mind reached a conclusion. “I suppose that doesn't matter,” he said slowly.

 

“Of course it doesn't,” Yukina assured him. “And it doesn't matter that they're guys, either.”

 

Kuwabara began to turn red, “But…well…how…y'know…”

 

Yukina looked at him, “No, I don't know. What is your question, Kazuma?”

 

“Well,” the boy looked down, “how….how would they…well….if they wanted to…y'know…express their feelings for each other….how would they…how would that work?” His face was beet red and his voice barely audible by the time he finished talking.

 

Yukina glanced over her shoulder to Genkai, who nodded, before turning back to the embarrassed youth. “Come with me, Kazuma.” Standing, she walked toward the room she slept in, waiting for him to follow her.

 

Kuwabara looked from Yukina to Genkai in disbelief, his face going white. “What?” he squeaked.

 

“You wished to know how they could express themselves. Follow me.” Yukina waited patiently for the boy.

 

Color returned in full force to Kuwabara's cheeks. “I….I cannot….It wouldn't be….wouldn't be what a gentleman does…”

 

“If you are unwilling to find the answer, then don't judge those who have,” Genkai stated calmly as Yukina returned to sit next to the master.

 

Kuwabara's mind whirled. He rested his head in his hands, elbows on his knees. “Here's something else to consider, Kuwabara,” Genkai spoke as she rose from her seated position. “Kurama and Hiei cared enough for Yusuke's feelings that they agreed to have their own relationship made known to you. Consider that before you go judging them.”

 

The orange haired boy looked over at the old woman, shame written on his face, “I have acted without honor to my friends.”

 

Standing with her hands on her hips, the old woman cocked her head to the side, “Then go make things right.”

 

~*~*

 

Yusuke was pacing the living room at Kurama's house. He couldn't keep his mind focused on anything, anxiety, fear, worry all warring for his attention. Hiei and Kurama had tried to distract him, trying to spar, soothe, even sit on the tantei, but nothing could reach him. A knock on the door caused the dark haired boy to jump, his eyes wide as Kurama moved to open it. His startled “Kuwabara-kun” brought Hiei and Yusuke to stand behind him.

 

The orange haired boy stood on the doorstep, a look of shame on his face. “I acted without honor at the diner. I talked with Genkai and Yukina and they helped me to understand that I was wrong. I don't understand why you feel the way you do, but…” His voice trailed off a moment before he continued, stronger, “But, you are my friends and what should matter is that you are happy. I…I hope you can forgive me.” He bowed, waiting for a response.

 

Yusuke looked at the top of the orange head before him, disbelief ad relief warring for dominance. “You're okay with us?” he asked, breathlessly waiting for the answer.

 

“I…I will be. I am your friend, Yusuke, Hiei, Kurama. I want you to be happy. I don't understand your choice, but…but I will learn to accept it.” He remained bent over, still waiting.

 

Yusuke's hand went behind his head, “There's nothing to forgive, Kuwabara. We did kinda spring it on you, but I didn't want to keep it a secret, y'know. Can you forgive me?” he bowed to the other.

 

Kuwabara remained bent over, “You have nothing to be forgiven for.”

 

Hiei spoke up before Yusuke could, “Enough.” Both boys straightened up and glanced sheepishly at the fire demon

 

Kurama smiled. “Do you wish to come in, Kuwabara-kun?”

 

The boy blushed, “No, thank you. I still need to think about some things first. Thank you.” He bowed again and turned to leave, waving from the end of the walk before Kurama closed the door.

 

Yusuke gusted a sigh of relief as he wrapped his arms around Kurama and rested his head on the red head's shoulder. Hiei moved to hold both of them and they stood in the hallway holding each other until the small grandfather clock chimed that it was time for them to go meet Keiko. “One down, one to go,” Yusuke murmured as they moved apart.