Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ The Blessing, The Curse ❯ Chapter 5- Dirty Secrets and Dangerous Conclusions ( Chapter 5 )

Chapter Five- Dirty Secrets and Dangerous Conclusions

 

Shiva stuck her hand back into the water, preparing to attack again. She let her hand linger daintily in the water, fusing her demon energy with the little molecules, preparing to solidify them and fling the at her two targets again. “Not so fast!” Yusuke yelled, jumping into the air. He powered up his fist with spirit energy, preparing to land a vicious attack on Shiva's face. Shiva saw his bold move and smiled. She calmly stepped out of the way to the right, where she knew his right-handed punch would miss her. Completely thrown off from his target, Yusuke shrieked and ended up knocking a hole through the water-filled bin. “Aww damn it!” Yusuke cursed when he realized his arm was stuck. “Kuwabara, help me!”

“Hang on Urameshi!” Kuwabara called to him. “I'll help you get free!” He charged wildly toward Yusuke, but Shiva would not have any rescuing. She tripped him as he ran towards Yusuke, causing him to fall flat on his face. “Owww! Damn it all!” Kuwabara yelled. “Shit Kuwabara! How hopeless are you?!” Yusuke yelled. “Forget it, I'll get myself out!” Shiva laughed at the two. “So much like brothers,” she said mockingly, flinging the solid ice crystals at Kuwabara and Yusuke. Kuwabara covered his head, trying to protect himself from the onslaught of shards. Yusuke used his left arm to protect his face. “Damn it,” he swore. Once the attack was over, he gave his arm a might tug, freeing it from the bin's grasp. Water gushed out from the hole, flooding the area. Shiva looked at the spilling water without expression. “Haha! Don't you feel stupid now!” Yusuke cawed. “You precious water is all over the place now. It'll end up in the city's drainage system in no time!”

Shiva smiled nonchalantly at the duo. Water covered the hole area, two inches deep at least. Yusuke was right about the water going towards the drainage system, but he was in for a nasty surprise. She made her way towards the center of the lot. Once she was there, she placed her hands within the water. The boys stood and watched her curiously. Shiva's eyes glowed an eerie deep blue. A light wind came over the area, chilling the two boys. “Breaking point,” Shiva whispered ominously.

Slowly, the water began to ripple and wave. Just then, right before Yusuke and Kuwabara's eyes, the water beagan to ripple faster, and shot up into the air. It was divided into two halves. “Whoa!” Kuwabara shouted, shocked at the sudden separation of the water. “I'm glad we're on the right side! Shiva lifted up her left hand, and the left portion of water rose as well, allowing the rightmost portion of the water to cover the lot's floor. Surprisingly, the water stopped flowing towards the drain. It was completely under Shiva's control.

“Deep Freeze,” she said, and the water on the right side froze into a thin sheet of ice. Kuwabara and Yusuke began to slip and slide across the newly formed ice. “Daamn it!” Yusuke said. “Kuwabara, what was that you said about being on the right side?” “Leave me alone!” Kuwabara wailed, as he tried to regain his footing. “Hahaha!” Shiva laughed out loud at the two helplessly confused boys. “Dammit! The chic is so gonna get it once I get my ass up,” Yusuke growled. Shiva giggled softly and let her left arm fall gracefully to the ground. To add to the boys' astonished gaze, the water stayed afloat. “Who the hell are we dealing with?” Kuwabara said uneasily. “Your worst nightmare,” Shiva replied in a low, ominous voice. “Water Energy Blast!”

Suddenly, from out of the blob of water, powerful blasts of water were shooting out maniacally. Yusuke and Kuwabara began to dodge the flying bursts of demon-energy-filled blasts of water. “That's it! I've had enough of this girl's bullshit! Jigen Toe!” Kuwabara yelled, summoning forth his most powerful spirit weapon. “Wow, Kuwabara, nice to see you actually mastered that thing,”Yusuke said in mock surprise. “Yeah, I've been working on it for awhile now. Can't let you get better than me, can I?” he said, chuckling. “Yeah, like that'll ever happen,” Yusuke retaliated. “Forget it; are you ready to kick some ass?” “No way, Urmeshi! You know I don't hit girls!” Kuwabara yelled. Yusuke groaned.

Just then, a powerful blast grazed past them, knocking them back to reality. “Woah! Oh yeah, the bitch,” Yusuke groaned. Shiva gave the two boys a hard look. “If you two are done socializing, I would like to get back to beating you into the ground,” she said meanly. “Yusuke clenched his fists. “Kuwabara, I don't know about you, but I'm gonna use my spirit energy for reason,” he said. Why the hell did you bother summoning that sword if you're not gonna use it?” “So I can dodge he attacks better!” Kuwabara yelled. “Oh man I can't take this stupidity anymore!” Shiva cried. “Get ready to die!”

 

Sakura stared Kurama down, preparing herself to battle the fox spirit. Kurama pulled out a rose from his hair, holding it tenderly in his hand. Sakura watched his every move, not wanting to be caught off guard. Kurama narrowed his eyes t her. “Last chance,” he warned. Sakura clenched her fists. “You can't win, you know,” she said. “There's no point in trying.” “You underestimate me,” he said, “an error that will prove fatal.” Kurama manipulated the rose with his demon energy. “Rose dart!” he commanded, flinging the rose in Sakura's direction. Sakura saw the attack coming, but couldn't get out of the way fast enough. It connect with her side, knocking her to the ground. “What in the world was that?!” she shrieked. Pain shot up her side as blood seeped out of where the rose was wedged. She pulled it out roughly, causing more pain and blood to pour from the small wound. “Danm it,” she said, cursing her carelessness. At least I had enough sense to not let my fire die out,” She cursed herself. Two months of training with that damn fox, and this is what I reap. “Are you alright?” a voice asked her. “It was only a little attack.” Sakura, realizing she was in a fight, quickly jumped to her feet. “What's the matter, Kurama? Why didn't you attack me while you had the chance?” she taunted, trying to save her own face. Kurama simply stared. “You are in no position to try to bluff your way out of the predicament you put yourself in by mockery,” he retaliated. Sakura blushed slightly at his scolding. “I say to you again,” Kurama began, “you're going against your very nature as a fox demon, as I am. I do not wish to fight you, s I'm sure you don't wish to fight me.” He held out his hand, beckoning her. “Take my hand, and I will help you.” Sakura held her side, looking t the ground. “I can't,” she said sadly. “I don't, have a choice.” “Yes you do!” Kurama said forcefully. “There is always a choice. Believe me I know.”

Sakura. Sakura. What ails you Sakura? Why do you not obey your master?

“Arggh! No, go away!” Sakura exclaimed. “Sakura, what's the matter?” Kurama asked. Sakura's eyes glowed deep red. He cheeks became inflamed. “Get the hell away from me!” she cried, launching a powerful blast of heat from her hands. “Fire torpedoes!” she commanded. Giant fire balls shaped as torpedoes were launched violently at Kurama. Kurama, with amazing acrobatics, flipped out of the way. He landed gracefully on the ground, completely unscathed. She must still be new to her own abilities, he thought. Sakura snickered. “Don't be so confident you completely dodged my attack,” she said confidently. Kurama felt a prickling on his neck. He spun aroud quickly to see Sakura's same attack coming back towards him. He jumped out of the way again, carful to keep his eyes on her attack better. “It's useless trying to dodge the attacks,” Sakura informed. “Once they're fired at someone, there is no escape. They'll follow you until they make contact.”

Kurama began to think frantically. How do I get out of this? He showed no emotion or fear as the raging attack began to make their way towards him. He scanned the area. There has to be something here that can…. Wait…. To his left, he saw a pilar, holding up the ceiling. It may collapse if I execute my plan, but at least amongst all the commotion, I can make my escape and inform the others about this girl. Kurama began to run towards the pillar. The torpedoes began to close in on him, but he never slowed down once. When he got to the pillar, he stood his ground. Sakura smiled. He's smart, I'll give him that much. He wants to try to get the torpedoes to hit the pillar, instead of him. He's hoping that will stop the attack. Unfortunately, his tactics won't work this time.

Kurama quickly jumped into the air, expecting the torpedoes to crash into the pillar. What happened next shocked Kurama. Instead of hitting the pillar, the torpedoes changed direction, following him upward. He tried to move out of the way in the air, but to no avail. The attack connected with his body, delivering a scorching blow. The fire was hotter than anything he'd ever felt before. He gasped and cried out as he came crashing to the floor. His clothes were a dark black, and his skin was extremely red. He trembled, as he tried to get up. “You, I can't believe you would,” he began, as he pulled a rose from his hair, “do something so cruel to someone, you don't even know!” He flung the rose at her at incredible speed. It connected with her arm; she made no attempt to dodge it. “You don't understand,” she said sadly. “One of us has to die.” she pulled the rose out of her arm and set it on fire, burning it to ashes. “And it's not gonna be me who dies.” Kurama stood up shakily. “If you think I'm going to be done In that easily, you've got a lot to learn.”

 

Hiei quickly evaluated whom he was going up against. I've never heard of a wielder of darkness. She controls the night skies stars, as though they were extensions of her own energy. But that's not even close to what I'm worried about. He glanced t her arm. If this arrogant fool is telling me the truth, then that dragon will be what I really need to be careful of. And that tattoo proves she's used it at least once. Yes, that dragon is probably the only thing I'll need to watch out for.

Loret smiled at Hiei. Look at him. He's really something else, trying to strategize against me. This will be fun.

Hiei drew his sword again, using his demon energy to surround the blade in fire. The light from the fire began to light up Hiei's surrounding area, but it wasn't strong enough to light up the entire area. Loret frowned. “Do you think light will stop my attacks from connecting?” she asked. Hiei chose not to answer. “Hmph, fine then. I guess you need to learn from example,” she said. She shot a tiny beam of darkness from her finger at Hiei, but to her surprise, it didn't penetrate the light Hiei's sword emitted. “What the?” she said in confusion. “You were saying?” Hiei smirked. “Now what will you do? With the light from my sword stopping your attacks from getting to me, what will you do?” Loret scowled t his comment. “Well then, what are you gonna do, stand there like a punk all day?” “I'll show you what I'm gonna do,” Hiei said.

He began to charge toward Loret. He moved so fast Loret barely made it out of the way. His sword grazed her side as she dodged the attack. At once, he teleported behind her and hit her with the sword's sheath on her head. Loret fell on her face, then quickly did an upward kick, trying to hit Hiei's face. Hiei flipped out of the way, giving Loret time to get to her feet. Her head was throbbing, but she had no time to tend to it because Hiei was coming back towards her again. Hiei was coming at her from behind. She turned round, fist extended, expecting it to connect with his face. She hit nothing but air. Feeling a presence behind her, she spun around. As she turned around, Hiei roundhouse kicked her, sending her spinning through the air. She crashed onto the ground face first and skidded to a stop. Hiei came toward her again, but Loret had had enough. She spun around wildly, her eyes glowing black. Hiei jumped into the air, preparing to stomp her stomach, but her eyes stopped him. Time seemed to stop as he gazed into those deep pools of black anger, and he seemed to forget he was falling. Once he was in arm's length of Loret's grasp, she grabbed his ankle and slammed him to the ground. The top of the building shook as he collided with the roof. She then picked him up by his shirt and flung him across the roof. He whizzed so far through the air that he began to fall down towards the city. Loret watched as his body fell hundreds of feet down below toward the ground. While he's gone, I'd better use this.

She closed her eyes and focused her demon energy. “Dark Eclipse,” she whispered darkly. In an instant, the sky began to blacken. It grew darker and darker, and darker still. The darkness overcame the lights of the city, and blinded those who could see. Murmurs and screams echoed throughout the city.

 

“What's going on? Where have the lights gone?” “This is one hell of a blackout!” “Mommy, I can't see anything!” “Now everybody just calm down. I'm sure everything's going to be ok.” “Daddy, why is it so dark?” “Mommy! I'm scared! I wanna go home!” “What are we going to do?” “There's been an accident!” “Who the hell would be driving during this type of tragedy!” “It's too dark to be real!” “It's the apocalypse! It's the apocalypse!” “Shush! Don't say things like that!” “Please! Someone do something! Someone help us!”

 

Loret listened to the cries of panic that echoed throughout the city, growing louder every passing minute. Cars crashing, babies screaming, the tantalizing smell of blood and fear all associated with the pandemonium going on below her perch. It's amazing, what fear can do to a person, she thought. “Mindless beings. I'm glad I'm no longer like them,” she said aloud. “You know, we both have something in common,” a voice whispered from behind her. “What's that, Hiei?” she asked him, her voice calm, not turning around to address him. “We both can't stand the human race and their weaknesses,” he answered. “I would like to stay and get inside your head a bit more, but we've got a fight to finish.”

Hiei was bluffing. He couldn't see a damn thing. The only way for him to tell where Loret was by her energy she emitted. He was still trying to get used to the level of darkness upon him. His senses were going wild, trying to pinpoint where Loret had moved to since his last cocky remark. He didn't dare breathe aloud, in fear of her hearing him. If I can't see her, she can't see me. There's no way anybody could see anything in this blackness. Then, Hiei felt long, dark nails rake against his neck. He quickly spun around like mad, sword in hand, ready to slice off Loret's arm. He hit nothing.

A giggle could be heard in the darkness, and another subtle touch graced his shoulder. He swung again, and missed once more. This continued on for several minutes, driving Hiei dangerously angry. A light touch here, a miss there, Hiei could hardly take it. “Show yourself!” he cried. Loret only giggled and stomped her feet. Hiei heard her stomps and tried to attack in the direction he heard her, but missed. “Oh, Hiei, try to keep your sanity for a little longer,” Loret said cutely. “I'm having fun tormenting you.”

Hiei didn't move. He didn't hear anything. His mind was buzzing, and his mind was going crazy. Before he could regain his senses, Loret side-kicked him, sending him flying once more. “Dark Fury!” Loret commanded, and a brigade of evil demon spirits from her dark waves, colliding with his soaring body. He grimaced again, refusing to give Loret the satisfaction of hearing him scream. “Cry for me, Hiei,” Loret commanded darkly. “Only when I hear you cry in fear will I end your pathetic life.”

 

Yusuke jumped into the air and began a series of fury punches on Shiva. She wasn't prepared for his quickness. After landing a good forty hits, he powered up his spirit fist and hit her hard, causing her to fly backwards, colliding with the wall. Yusuke's landing wasn't so great, as he slipped and fell on his rear. He immediately brought his attention back to Shiva, to see if she survived his attack. He couldn't sense anything. “Well, looks like that's that, Kuwabara,” Yusuke commented, a little relieved. “Uh, Urameshi,” Kuwabara began. “Look out!”

Shiva emerged from the rubble, looking extremely pissed. She folded her hands, letting a blue aura surround her. “Hydrolic pump!” she shouted. Instantly, the water used for the ice melted and collected above her head. But then, Shiva's Hydrolic Pump began to suck up all the water. It all collected above her head. “Drowning Effect,” she whispered, and at once, the water ball began to grow. She let the water ball crash to the ground, and it instantly flooded the area. The water was already up to their knees. Yusuke and Kuwabara began to freak out. “What the hell!” Yusuke cried. “Where's all this damn water coming from?” “Uh, Urameshi, I think it's coming from our main problem!” Kuwabara yelled hoarsely. Yusuke groaned.

The water was getting deeper now, almost to their shoulders. Shiva decided it was enough water, so she stopped her attack. She looked up at Yusuke and Kuwabara, and frowned at what she saw. Those two idiots are swimming in my water! Yusuke and Kuwabara were swimming and splashing around, laughing at the irony of the situation. “Man, to think I was actually scared!” Kuwabara laughed. “I know!” Yusuke laughed. “We're such dodos!” Shiva was not pleased. “That's enough! Stop it!” she yelled. “Ooooh, what's this? The little mermaid's getting angry. What's she gonna do? Throw rubber duckies at us?” Kuwabara teased, laughing hysterically. “Oh no! Not the rubber duckies! Oh dear me, Kuwabara. What are we to do?” Yusuke giggled madly, joining Kuwabara's banter. “Well, whatever we do, we'd better do it fast, before she does her rubber ducky blast,” Kuwabara continued. The boys were in a rolling fit now, holding their sides, while trying to keep from snorting water completely up their noses. Shiva was absolutely furious with the hysteric duo. “Insignificant fools! Disgraces to the human race! I'll show you what it's like to know you're going to die at sea!” she said with such a rage that it snapped the boys back to reality. “Haaaaaaaaaaa!!” she shouted, and the water seemed to howl with her. “Have you ever heard of the Greek god Poseidon?” she asked darkly. The wind blew harder. “Oh the Japanese water god Suijin?” the sky began to darken. “Do you know what it was like to anger one of these mighty deities?” she growled, as the water began to crash into the boys' bodies. “Oh you don't?” she asked, as the water became more dangerous. “Just ask Ulysses, or maybe someone of his crew!” she wind and the water became violent. Yusuke and Kuwabara covered their faces. “Damn it Yusuke, what now?” Kuwabara yelled. “I don't know,” Yusuke cried.

“Ha! What now?” Shiva cried. “I bet you guys aren't laughing now! But I will assure you boys one thing. You will be joining those dead under the sea!”

Keiko stomped her way past the arcade, extremely at Yusuke. That's the second time that jerk stood me up! When I get my hands on him, I swear he won't be able to stand! She thought angrily. She continued her trek through the city, until something caught her eye. She saw a long trail of water, leading up the street. She touched the water cautiously, and it tingled her skin a little bit. “That's strange,” somebody said. “Where's all this water coming from?” Keiko ran up to the person. “Excuse me sir. What do you know about this water?” she asked. “Not much,” he said. “But there's a lot of commotion going on up the block in the abandoned lot. I was thinking about calling the cops, but nobody can seem to get over there.” Yusuke. “Thank you sir!” she said, and quickly ran up the block.

Yusuke and Kuwabara struggled against the storm that Shiva caused. Suddenly, Yusuke's spirit sense alerted him of a familiar presence approaching them. No, it can't be…. Then he saw her. Panic rose inside of him.

Keiko stood, frozen in place, behind a wall. The water led her here, but what she saw terrified her. The place had a terrible storm raging around the area. She saw some female-looking demon with her hands up, apparently controlling the storm. She looked ferocious, and her eyes gleamed with such a blue that she was almost lost in the gaze. That wasn't what scared her the most though. Yusuke was caught in the mess of the storm. He'd seem her a long time ago, she could tell. She became worried for him. The look in his eyes pleaded for her to run, but she was frozen in place. She wasn't going to leave him there, but she didn't know how she could help.

Yusuke could tell that Keiko had no intention of leaving, so he began thinking of a way to keep Shiva's attention away from her. He looked at Kuwabara and Kuwabara looked at him. He had saw Keiko too, and was also thinking of a way to protect her. Yusuke turned back to Keiko, and told her to stay against the wall. Keiko lip-read what Yusuke wanted her to do. “But, Yusuke,” she said, barely a whisper.

Slowly, the wind died down, and the waters began to calm itself. Everything quieted. Shiva ceased her assault and promptly evaluated her surroundings. She heard something, barely, but she heard it. Yusuke and Kuwabara froze, not looking or making any kind of gestures towards Keiko's direction. All was quiet until Shiva spoke. “What was that sound?” Shiva asked the boys. Damn it Keiko… Yusuke thought. Neither boys answered her. “What was it?” Shiva asked again. “Come on, I know you guys know, you sure are acting strange.” Shiva looked towards the wall Keiko was close to. “It sounded like someone whispering.” Both boys still didn't speak. Keiko proceeded to slowly back up against the wall, sweat trickling down her forehead. Her heart was pounding. How could she hear me over all that noise? Shiva saw a glimpse of a person slip behind the wall. She snickered. “You know, little girl you may as well come out now.” Keiko gasped in shock. “Yusuke…” she said warily, as she watched Shiva walk on the water towards her. “Keiko! Run now!” Yusuke yelled, beginning to panic. Keiko slowly backed away from Shiva's approaching body. “But, Yusuke, what about you?” she said, her voice trembling. “Damn it, Keiko! How the hell can you help me?” he asked, growing more and more frustrated. I'll distract her, so they can get away. Maybe her presence will cause a scene in the city.

“Hurry up, Keiko! She'll kill you!” Kuwabara yelled. A glimmer of amusement was in Shiva's eyes as she watched the bold young women before her. “Girl, why do you not run like they've asked you to?” Shiva asked. She received no answer from Keiko, except a deep, defiant frown that showed no fear. Shiva smirked. “You care so much for these two,” she said. “And one of them stood you up for me.” “WHAT?!” Keiko bellowed as loud as she could. “You mean you left me at the library waiting because you were chasing this girl's skirt!” Yusuke groaned. “I told you about that, Urameshi,” Kuwabara said. “You know how jealous Keiko can get.” “Urgh! Keiko, not right now!” Yusuke yelled, covering his ears. “That's it! I'm leaving! And to think I was worried about you this whole time. I was going to risk me life for you two, but screw it!” Keiko yelled, beginning to stomp away. A wet, cold hand stopped her. She froze instantly. “Nice try, Keiko was it? You see, I know you're smart, and I know you know the two demons, Hiei and Kurama. I can't risk you trying to alert one of them on the boys' situation, not that it would matter. I would just be here longer,” Shiva said, catching on to Keiko's plans. “How did you know…” Keiko whispered, her stomach turning. Shiva tightened her grasp around Keiko's neck. “Lucky guess,” Shiva said, as Keiko gasped for air.

Keiko didn't move. She was so angry at Yusuke for following this girl and getting into this fight. Shiva dropped Keiko to the ground. “Keiko! Stay down!” Yusuke cried as he leapt into the air, shaping his fingers into a gun. Keiko immediately ran out of the way, into the street from whence she came. Shiva turned around and saw Yusuke's stance. Oh no…. “Spirit Gun!” Yusuke cried, and blasted a huge ball of spirit energy at Shiva. Shiva was trapped in the little corridor-like space leading into the lot. She had no room for escape. The energy attack hit her dead. She had no time to scream, the attack knocked her out completely. Yusuke fell back into the water, and waited for the attack to die down. Everyone in the streets marveled at the blue light that erupted from the lot. “Damn. This is definitely gonna make the headlines,” a bystander said.

Once the attack was over, Yusuke picked up Shiva's limp body and threw it into the water. Kuwabara jumped out of the water, landing next to Yusuke. “Good job, man,” Kuwabara grinned. “Yeah, let's just get the hell outta here,” Yusuke said.

 

Sakura powered up to prepare for another assault on Kurama, but for some reason, she was overcome with a sudden emotion of sadness and pain. She felt gold and tired. Something's wrong, she thought. Suddenly, she fell to the ground. Her head was pounding, and she was seeing flashes of white light. Flashes of pictures began to accompany them. Kurama watched her from a distance.

Loret was on her hands and knees, clutching her head. “What's going on with me?” she whispered. “Is this one of Hiei's tricks?” Pictures danced in her head, pictures of blue hair, blue eyes, and pain. Water, water was everywhere. Drowning, not being able to breathe…. Shiva!

Sakura understood. More pictures now. a giant blast of blue energy, an impact, then pain. Shiva, blue energy, impact, pain. Shiva, blue energy, impact, pain, then water.

Loret's eyes were shut tight. What is all this? Shiva, boy, blast of energy, impact, pain, water. A girl trying to escape, falls, Shiva, boy. Yusuke! That boy is Yusuke!”

Sakura's eyes shot open, surprising Kurama. “That energy…. That was Yusuke's….”

“Spirit Gun!” Loret exclaimed. “Shiva was fighting Yusuke, when some girl unexpectedly shows up. She threatens her life, Yusuke fires his spirit gun at her in retaliation. Then she somehow ends up back in the water….”

Sakura snaps out of her trance and immediately runs towards the exit. “We'll finish this later!” she calls to Kurama. Kurama just stood their, dumbfounded. Loret was way ahead of Sakura, heading towards Yusuke's and Shiva's battleground, leaving Hiei shrouded in darkness. Hiei calmed down once he hadn't felt Loret's touch, but he still couldn't see anything. He slowly walked towards the edge of the building, wanting to feel where the building ended. Once he got to the end of the building, he looked down. There was nothing but pure blackness as far as his eyes could see. He could hear the pandemonium that was going on below. He took a deep breath, gripped the side of the building, and slowly climbed down.

 

Yusuke and Kuwabara walked down the street with Keiko lagging behind. Yusuke glanced back at her without completely turning his head. Keiko had the angriest face he'd ever seen. He hung his head low. “Man, she must be really pissed at us,” Yusuke said sadly. “Whoa! What do you mean us, Urameshi! US didn't DO anything!” US didn't stand HER up at the library! US didn't stand her up for another girl! US....”

“Geez, Kuwabara! Ok, I get it damn!” Yusuke yelled. “Goodness, I didn't know you could be so bitchy!” “Hmph, whatever,” Kuwabara muttered.

The house they went to first was Kuwabara's. “See ya later man,” Yusuke said tiredly, doing their handshake. “Yeah, if Keiko doesn't kill you before later comes,” Kuwabara said with a smile. Once Kuwabara was inside, Yusuke and Keiko looked at eachother. Yusuke sighed. “Come on, Kieko, I'll take you home.”

Their walk was silent, and Keiko still had on that angry face. “So did you find anything good from that place that needs to be burned down and turned into a new arcade?” he asked in a light, carefree voice, trying to break the ice. Keiko nodded. Well, at least she's responding to me, Yusuke thought. “Let me see what you got.” Keiko reached into her backpack to pull out some books she borrowed from the library, but she felt a sly hand traveling up her leg. “That's not what I meant,” Yusuke said huskily, winking at her. Keiko smiled and pushed him away. “You're so gross!” she yelled. Yusuke laughed at her. “Yeah, you say that now!” he retaliated. “Just remember you said that when I'm in your room tomorrow!”

Keiko acted as if she didn't hear him. Yusuke snickered and continued walking her home. Once she was home safe, Kurama came around the corner. “Yo fox boy!” he called. “What brings you around here? And what the hell happened to you?” Kurama grimaced. “A woman happened, that's what. I came to make sure that you were ok.” “Yeah, I'm ok, but you look like you were thrown onto a barbeque grill” “Haha! You don't know the half of it.”

Sakura reached the water first and jumped in. she grabbed Shiva and swam back to the surface. Loret ran to the water's edge, and saw a red mass swimming towards her. “Good, Sakura's here,” she whispered in relief. When Sakura pulled Shiva out of the water, Loret ran to their side. “Will she be allright?” she asked, her voice full of concern. “She will be, but we'll have to take her someplace safe though,” Sakura said. “How did you know to come here?” Loret asked. “I saw her struggle in a dream. Or at least, it was like a dream,” Sakura answered. “That's what happened to me too,” Loret said, mystified. They both stared at each other in awe. None of the three had fully understood the hand dealt to them. And deep down, neither of them were sure they wanted to.