Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ To Those Who Wait ❯ To Those Who Wait ( Chapter 3 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Chapter 3

"Shopping?" Yusuke asked with a raised brow.

Kuwabara just growled under his breath and went to his room to finish getting dressed and to look for something to make Yusuke somewhat presentable to the public.

Somewhat presentable turned out to be Kuwabara's smallest shirt, which still came down almost to Yusuke's knees, as well as his smallest pants cinched so tight with a belt, the belt had to be knotted. Frankly, Yusuke looked ridiculous. Not that Kuwabara would say anything- it would be just his luck to have Yusuke strip naked right there in men's shoes.

Kuwabara walked along the racks, picking up articles here and there. He stopped, once his arm was full of pants and shirts, and frowned over his shoulder at Yusuke, who was staring intently and idly fiddling a really loud Hawaiian shirt. He cleared his throat, gaining Yusuke's attention. "You know, these clothes are for you. The least you could do is pick some of it out." Yusuke returned his gaze to the floral shirt thoughtfully. "Uh, never mind. Here." He shoved the clothes in Yusuke's hands, burying the smaller boy up to his eyeballs. "You can just carry it." He continued on, Yusuke weaving along behind him, bumping into the occasional stand or person.

"For someone your age, you really have horrible taste in clothing."

"Mphmphmm. Nmphmnmn."

"Really? Even during winter?" Kuwabara shrugged and waited at the counter.

"How many items, please?" A young man with a severe acne problem asked, eyes never leaving a small black and white television.

"Eh." Kuwabara looked over his shoulder. "A lot." He took the red ring handed absently to him and headed down the isle of dressing rooms, stopping before the handicapped stall and opening the door.

"Mmhmph. Ptoo! Wanna help me try them on?" Yusuke asked, all unconvincing innocence. Kuwabara ushered him in, his last shove a little harder than necessary, sending Yusuke and clothes flying into the stall with a yelp and several thuds. He slammed the door and leaned against it. "But how am I supposed to know if they fit?"

"If you can't tell you can come out and show me. Now get started, we've been here long enough as it is..." He shoved his hands in his pockets and waited, straining to hear the crummy music on the intercom system over the hum of shoppers and rustling clothes. 'I so can not believe I'm here, buying clothes for a demon.'

"Done."

Kuwabara raised an eyebrow. "No way- you've only been in there a few minutes!"

"I'm fast."

"Yeah, but..." Kuwabara sighed. He wasn't going to argue. "Any problems?"

"Nope."

"So all your complaining was for nothing?" Kuwabara sounded smug.

"What's the point in parading if I'm clothed? Hey, can you unzip me?"

Kuwabara frowned thoughtfully and turned, about to open the door. "What did you get that has a zipper?" He opened the door.

"Pants." Yusuke purred, posing prettily in tight fitting black jeans and no shirt.

Kuwabara slammed the door again, blushing as red as his hair. He paled when he turned and saw three displeased men staring at him funny. He laughed nervously and waved. "Hi." He pitched forward as the door opened, cracking the back of his skull. Rubbing his head with tears in his eyes, Kuwabara glared over his shoulder.

Yusuke smiled back innocently. "Still have a headache?"

With a growl, Kuwabara lead the way out, tossing the red ring back at the clerk on his way past. It wasn't until Yusuke had dropped a large percentage of the clothes he had tried on onto the conveyer belt that Kuwabara realized this would be more expensive than he had imagined. Five pairs of pants, a dozen shirts, a jacket and two pairs of shoes, underthings and toiletries- he took out his wallet and sweatdropped.

Curious, Yusuke peaked around, nodding knowingly before snatching the cash.

"Hey!" Kuwabara wheeled around, fuming. "Give that-" His eyes widened as the few bills carded in Yusuke's hands magically multiplied to a more than generous amount.

Yusuke winked. "Had to know what they looked like to get detail." He brushed past Kuwabara- not quite a push- and handed the money to their checker. Without a word she opened the register, and the exchange was complete. Kuwabara helped carry the bags, keeping his mouth shut until they had left the building.

"That is *so* illegal! If they find out those were counterfeit!..."

Yusuke looked up at the sweating Kuwabara. "They weren't fake. They were exact copies, worth just as much as the originals."

Kuwabara glanced sideways at him. "If the treasury didn't release them- they're fake."

Yusuke rolled his eyes. "Would you like to be a good little honest boy and go back in to tell them that?"

Kuwabara jumped. "No! Just... don't do that again."

Yusuke shrugged. "If you say so."

"I *do* say so." Kuwabara stressed, sincerely hoping Yusuke would take him seriously. For someone who vowed to obey his every whim, he seemed to pay little attention to what he wanted done- or not done. And what had he said about not being bad? "Come on. We'll go someplace where you can change and I'll buy us lunch."

"With your own money?" Yusuke slyly asked.

"Yes. And we're going to have a little talk." Kuwabara warned as they walked side by side down the sidewalk.

"Mmm, sounds interesting." Yusuke purred, grinning crookedly up at Kuwabara. "What do you want to talk about?"

"A few ground rules."

"Rules!?" Yusuke dropped his head with a disgusted sound.

~~~~~~~~~~

"Do you do that a lot?" Kuwabara asked around a mouthful of sandwich.

"What?" Yusuke asked, inspecting his own meal suspiciously.

Kuwabara shrugged, taking a deep breath and looking out the restaurant window until he finished chewing. Yusuke glanced up at him through his bangs until he finished his question. "Cause trouble. Do things that will get you punished- me punished."

Yusuke shrugged as well. "I suppose it's in my nature. I don't consciously try, but when a situation presents itself, I use it to suit my needs... Like, with your money. It was a problem, and I fixed it. We have clothes, still have money- so what's the harm?"

He thought he heard 'Wouldn't understand' from his luncheon companion, but the red head wouldn't look at him and said no more, returning to eating his meal.

His silence and apparent disappointment shouldn't have bothered him- it never had before. But with every new moment and new emotion, Yusuke was reminded that this was no ordinary coupling. There was truly a bond here, and he felt his own waves of disappointment and confusion as it was becomgin increasingly apparent the feeling wasn't mutual.

Deciding to put the fate angle behind him, Yusuke studied Kuwabara with his own eyes. He was larger built than the people he had encountered in the past, though admittedly, those were few. Usually it was other apparitions that bore the brunt of his attentions. But of what he had seen, including since his awakening, he could say with complete confidence that Kuwabara was an attractive man. His red curls were eye catching, his features exotic and fetching with his pale skin. His muscles promised great force, his love for his kitten promising that that force was tempered with tenderness. Again, not usually something Yusuke cared at all about, but... He wanted those big hands to caress him the way they caressed that furball. From his glimpses inside Kuwabara's head he knew all the secrets and dreams and feelings the boy had. He was brave and true, but with a rebellious streak a mile wide, brought in part from his growing up without parents and by the great amount of responisibility that demanded at such a young age. Despite the fact that he was a seasoned warrior, he wasn't malicious, and he didn't truly hate anyone. He had a nobility that was nonexistant in this day and age, though he stood by his morals and what he felt was right, no matter what. He was a lot more naive than he thought- never been kissed, never known what love could do.

Perhaps that was why he couldn't sense any love for himself in the teen- because neither of them knew what it was like.

Not to say he was as pure as Kuwabara, but it was always a source of pleasure, with no deeper emotion behind it- he'd had no desire to be tied down to anything, and his lovers always felt the same. He didn't like to admit his shortfalls, but through Kuwabara, he knew that was something humans did- they questioned themselves and learned from it, and through himself he knew he didn't know a thing about love. He hoped, through Kuwabara's anticipations and perceptions, that what he felt for him was love- asumed it was. It had to be. He wanted to be with him, for more than just sex, for them to be happy together.

He was willing to do anything sincerely, even if it meant doing nothing at all, for him. Wasn't love about sacrifice?

And still he could find no love for himself in Kuwabara. It darkened his mood, but heightened his resovle. He had never lost a battle, but for that fated one, and he wasn't about to give up now, not when he was on the brink of something so wonderful- he had a taste, and he wasn't going to give up until he had all his companion had to give him.

"You ready?" Kuwabara's deep voiced snapped Yusuke out of his musings. His eyes focused on the teen as he stood with his tray of wrappers and trash. He looked a bit concerned, for a moment, but it passed and Yusuke wasn't sure if he had seen it at all by the time the red head turned to dispose of lunch's remnants. Yusuke looked down at his own tray with it's untouched food.

"How human are you?"

With question in his eyes Yusuke looked up as Kuwabara returned. "What?"

"Is it just your appearance? Or does your humanity go deeper than that?"

Yusuke thought for a moment, looking for an answer that would best please him. "My humanity goes all the way down. I'm as human as you." It was a lie, but he meant well by it.

Kuwabara nodded and picked up his tray. "Then we'll get a box and take this with us. You'll need to eat later... Because you do need to eat, right? Being human and all?"

So, that was what the question was regarding. Yusuke smiled sardonically to himself. And there he was thinking it was some philosophical question that held stock in any possible future relationship- and it was just about lunch. Ah, well, he did need to eat, despite the depth of his facade- which apparently didn't fool Kuwabara anyway. He followed him to the counter and the two left, Yusuke carrying his sack lunch. He felt the levity of the situation, and could sense how uncomfortable it was making them both. Really, neither knew what they were supposed to do, but Yusuke wasn't the type to show himself. It was something he'd have to get around to- bearing himself, heart and soul to his bond mate, but he hesitated. What if it didn't work? What if he was mistaken afterall and all that he was feeling was doomed? No, it couldn't be wrong. He'd reveal himself. When Kuwabara accepted him and they became truly connected, they would both know each other inside and out. Until then...

"Kuwabara?"

"Hm?" Kuwabara asked, still not looking at his shorter companion.

"Do you... " Yusuke falted, a blush rising then quickly fading. "Do you think these pants make my butt look good?"

~~~~~~~~~~

"What are you doing?" Yusuke asked, laying sprawled on his back on Kuwabara's bed.

Kuwabara didn't answer him, still upset. Although their first night together had passed without incident, he had woken up that morning with Yusuke tucked snuggly against his side. Worse yet, the smaller boy was naked. It took a good ten minutes to pry himself from his iron grip, then another ten to get his nose to stop bleeding, and by now, he was running late for school. He should have known the demon was up to something, with the way he was all quiet and thoughtfull all last night. He tugged on his blue uniform jacket and started buttoning it, when Yusuke's hands were suddenly in the way.

Kuwabara felt his temper rising again, blood rushing to his face. Frowning, he roughly yanked Yusuke's hands from him and tossed them away, hopefully pushing the pest away in the process. What part of NO didn't he understand??

"It's early. Come back to bed." He managed around a yawn.

"I don't suppose you care that that bed is mine and not yours?" Kuwabara asked, finishing getting dressed and grabbing his bag. He dropped it off at the front door next to his shoes, then headed back to the bathroom to comb his hair. Yusuke was already sitting on the cabinet, wearing Kuwabara's blue-striped pajama top. Kuwabara tried to ignore it and the possessiveness he felt at the sight. "Didn't we buy you clothes of your own?" He ground out as he gelled his curls into his usual hairdo.

Yusuke swung his bare legs as he watched. "Why do you go to school, if you dislike it so much?"

Kuwabara tossed his comb back into the drawer. "Because I have to. I gotta graduate."

"But you already have a job."

"But if I graduate I might be able to get a better one. One without demons OR shovels." He answered pointedly, turning out the light and heading for the front door. Kuwabara found himself surprisingly accustomed to the fact that Yusuke was already there, leaning against it, one leg propped up on it behind him.

"But why? For money? Because I can-"

"No." Kuwabara interrupted him, stooping to slip his shoes on. "We already agreed you wouldn't do that again. Besides, it's more than money, it's... fullfilling. Gives a person a sense of duty and accomplishment. And my sister won't kill me." He added under his breath.

"Ah, duty. You do love that, don't you." Yusuke asked, stepping forward to stand inches in front of Kuwabara. "Speaking of which, where is your sister?"

Kuwabara looked up from his shoes to see kneecaps and then the hem of his shirt dangling before his eyes. In fear of catching something else dangling, he quickly stood up. Unfortunately, an errant wind- courtesy of Yusuke, no doubt- billowed the shirt so that when Kuwabara rose, his head snagged under it and brought it all the way up to Yusuke's chin before it slipped free and fell back down.

Face red, eyes wide and brain buzzing with an image now burnt into his memory, Kuwabara retreived his bag and pushed Yusuke aside.

Yusuke had an innocent and yet smug expression on his face as he turned to watch Kuwabara leave.

"Stay." Kuwabara held his palm out for emphasis. "Just stay here, and don't do anything until I come back. Got it?" Yusuke nodded. "I mean it. This would 'please me' so just... stay." Both nodded together and with a sigh, Kuwabara closed and locked the door behind him.

Yusuke stood at attention until the sound of his host leaving faded entirely.

"Mwoar?" Eikichi voiced, slipping out from behind the island in the kitchen. She gazed up at Yusuke, catching whiff of something not right.

"What?" He asked her innocently. "Staying here and doing nothing is a cat's job. I'm supposed to be human, remember?"

"Mao."

"Whatever. I think Kuwa-chan would be more pleased by my proving him I can fit in." With a self-satisfied smile, Yusuke cocked his head and grabbed the door handle.

Inari-san was just taking out her garbage when Kuwabara's apartment door opened. 'Funny, I thought he'd already left...' She dawdled, wondering if he had forgottne something and returned or if someone had broken in. A young lad with slicked back hair and blue uniform stepped out, shutting the door behind him with a bidding farewell to the cat. Her eyebrows rose. "You a... cousin?" He turned to face her, and she clutched her robe tighter about her breast. "Cutie?" She added.

He smiled charmingly. "No, I'm Kazuma's lover."

"Oh." She nodded, looking him up and down and then nodding. "Well, nice to know he's got somebody." She smiled at the memory of the last time she had seen the broad shouldered boy. "Congrats. You're a lucky boy." She winked and headed back inside.

Yusuke beamed. "Thanks! I know!" Whistling, Yusuke skipped every other step on his way down. The sidewalk proved to be too busy this early in the morning. After colliding a few dozen times with other pedestrians, Yusuke leapt up onto a fence with a growl. Hands behind his head, Yusuke walked along the top, making his way towards Kuwabara's school. Along the way, he had time to contemplate 'fashion.'

"And he says I have no taste." Looking down at his copy of Kuwabara's uniform, he began to change it. He shortened the jacket, to show off his rear- a sure way to get Kuwa's attention. Finally deciding blue was a mundane color, he switched it to a vibrant green. He smiled, satisfied with the color. He never noticed the shocked stares of the few who witnessed the transformation, but he wouldn't have cared anyway.

Yusuke caught sight of the large building where his love was- he loved saying that word! Love love love- his mood had improved, like he knew one night in those arms would do. He jumped off the wall and made his way over to the entrance. Once through the gate and empty courtyard, Yusuke looked up at the massive structure. He could still feel a great deal of the negative emotions Kuwabara associated with this place, and he began to doubt his coming there. Listening to mean, old, ugly people talk all day about boring, useless crap... He shuddered. Floating up, Yusuke flew from one window to the next, remembering to make himself invisible after passing one window and hearing the outcry. Finally catching sight of his red head sitting in the back of the class, looking half dead, Yusuke entered through the wall, floating to sit on the empty desk behind him.

His brow furrowed- Kuwabara could not sense him. That was not right- the bond made it so that... Yusuke shook his head. To hell with what he believed the bond meant. He pressed his hand to the back of Kuwabara's skull, pressing his index finger to the point where the shovel had landed. The bump was much smaller now, almost completely gone. With some concentration, he pressed his finger further, phasing into his head until he reached his brain. He sent a tiny pulse of energy to his finger, and the reaction was immediate and strong.

With a yelp, Kuwabara jumped in his seat, his knees knocking loudly against the underside of his desk. The teacher paused at the chalkboard, glaring at Kuwabara, who blushed and sank deep into his seat, before continuing with the lesson.

Something was not right. His brain just felt like it had been jumpstarted. And he had the niggling sensation in the back of his head that someone was behind him, though he knew Mokuba was gone today. He couldn't resist turning and looking anyway.

Yusuke smiled. *Now* Kuwabara could sense him. Perhaps that blow to the head was the cause for all of this. Or not.

Kuwabara looked directly at him, shivered, then turned back around in his seat.

Yusuke was shocked. He leaned back, thinking on it. So, Kuwabara could sense him, but couldn't actually see him. 'Well...' His smirk turned devious. 'This could be fun.'

~~~~~~~~~~

"What is up with you, man?" Kuwabara sank as far as he could into his seat, but being a bench he didn't have far to go before he would fall off.

"Yeah, you just started flippin' out last hour. What happened, you get a spider in your pants?"

He had something in his pants alright. He didn't know how, he didn't know why- well, sort of why- but somehow Yusuke had come to school. He couldn't see him, but he just knew that was who kept rolling his pencil off his desk, flipping pages in his book, nibbling on his ear and finally, when his reactions had been dampened by his fear of getting in trouble again, playing with his zipper. He never actually got in his pants, thankfully- that was an embarrassment he didn't think he'd recover from, but Kuwabara had wound up wrestling with his pants in front of the eyes of the back half of the room.

Kuwabara sweatdropped. Okubo hadn't come back to school after junior high, his family needing him to work more than go to school, his other junio high friends had gone to different schools, and his one true new posse member, Mokuba, was gone today... and he could really use someone to back him up.

He noticed everyone looking at him oddly, then looking behind him. Turning, he felt a new sensation that he was beginning to quickly despise. Before he ever laid eyes on him, he knew Yusuke was there, walking towards him with a grin and a tray.

"Hey, mind if I join you?"