Fluctuating
by Yuchan
(INSERT YYH DISCLAIMER)
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I breathed deeply. It was beginning to work, and I was feeling that light headed euphoria. I smacked my lips lazily, and called for another one.
The bartender stared at me with a look of mixed concern and wonder. His slender fingers trembled like a vibrating violin string as he fixed me with another one of his "specials."
"Here you go mister." he said in his thin, nasal voice.
I gulped it down, and it rolled over my tongue and glided down my throat. The clock struck seven.
"Seven.." I mused. "What's so familiar about that..."
I jolted back with a start. My challenge! My challenge to Urameshi! I was late for my own challenge!
"Hey mister, where are you going?" I heard the bartender call after me as I strode toward the door.
"To meet a man I owe a debt to." I replied.
* * *
"115...115.." I frantically searched the houses for that number. I blinked as they swam slowly before my eyes.
"Er...um...." I turned left and right, and finally spotted it.
"I-I-5." I read off the small brass plate.
A smile of triumph spread across my face. Grabbing the doorknob, I stormed in.
"Oi! Urameshi!! I'm here!" I yelled.
* * *
Atsuko looked up. "Who are you?"
The man gave her a funny look. "Where's Urameshi?"
She laughed. "You're staring at her right now."
* * *
"Urameshi?!" I thought. I gaped at the woman, who glared back at me.
"Anyways, as long as you're here, make me a cup of coffee will ya?" she ordered. Flopping back onto the couch, she turned her attention to the TV. Dazed, I made my way out of the room and into the kitchen.
* * *
"Back so early?" Atsuko asked as the man ambled back in. "Where's my coffee?"
The man held up a mangled coffee machine. "Don't work."
Atsuko sighed. She walked into the kitchen and pulled out a few beers.
"Catch."
The man fumbled with the cans and managed to drop them all over the floor.
Giggling, Atsuko scooped up them up. "C'mon," she teased gently.
He eyed her nervously.
She held out her hand, waiting eagerly.
The man was glued to the spot. He froze, seemingly captivated by her dangling hand and patient gaze.
Finally, Atsuko broke the spell.
In utter exasperation, she grabbed him firmly by the nape of the neck, and dragged him to the living room.
* * *
I rubbed my sore neck thoughtfully. This woman obviously knew Urameshi. She had claimed to be Urameshi herself. So how did she relate to that black haired rascal? I stewed over the logic for a while as she downed another bottle of sake. I suddenly has a moment of inspiration. Could it be that she was-
"You're no fun." Her voice cut my train of thought.
"What?"
* * *
Atsuko glared at him. " I SAID, you're no fun." she pouted. "Wipe that sour look off your face and start partying!" she blasted off the stereo and started dancing drunkedly.
He hesitated.
Atsuko grinned at him, and winked seductively.
The man's face lit up, and he got up to join her.
The two swayed, their heads lolling in time to the pounding music.
* * *
The gentle curves of her hair rippled like a shimmering pond. I paused, afraid to touch the sacred strands.
She turned aprubtly. Her eyes..fierce, ferocious, and determined, was softened by the effects of the sake. I gazed into them, those dark brown pools overflowing with troubled thoughts and worries. I could see all the incidents she had witnessed, the horrors, the heartrending moments. I wanted to shield her, to protect her.
The music screeched, rising higher and higher. It was exhilarating.
Overcoming my anxiety, I put my arms around her stiffly.
My heart beat in time with the drums.
Relaxing my battle crazed mind, I softened my grip on her. I was her shield now. I could protect her now. Because, I knew, that I felt for her. Hell, I loved her.
* * *
Atsuko pressed her cheek against the strong chest. She snuggled closer into the envoloping arms. Her mind whirled with the thrill of the dance, the alcohol, the man. She closed her eyes. Somehow, she felt truely happy.
* * *
I felt the warm body go limp. "She's asleep." I realized. I gently carried her to the couch. Her breathing was soft and even. I pressed my hand to her breast, and felt it rise up and fall down at each breath. I carressed her pale face. My breath caught in my throat as my fingers passed over her lips. Without a second thought, I leaned over and kissed her. I lingered there for a few moments, and reluctantly seperated.
"Thank you. For everything." I whispered.
* * *
"Ma! I'm home!"
Atsuko's eyes snapped opened. "Finally!! Where'd you go to now?!"
Yusuke sighed and frowned slightly. "I went to meet an old friend. He never showed up."
Atsuko snickered. "Your ugly face probably scared him away."
Yusuke shoved her playfully. " Are those the words that a mother says to her son?"
She swatted at him. "Oh go off and get your beauty sleep, you monster."
He grinned and sauntered off to his room.
Atsuko watched the door close behind him. She smiled and touched her lips.
Staring out the window, she whispered her reply to the man.
"You're welcome."
* * *
Rinku's brow creased with worry. "Chuu! Where were you?"
"Don't you remember? I challenged Urameshi to a rematch."
Rinku concerned countenance broke into a cheeky grin. "Heh! We all know who won, hm?"
I nodded absently, too busy with thoughts of her. "I'm not going to tell anyone about her." I decided. I smiled at the thought of actually keeping a secret. Me, Chuu. actually keeping a secret! I glanced back in the direction I had come from.
"Chuu, Chuu. Come on!" Rinku tugged at my hand.
I hauled him up on my shoulders. " Okay. Let's go home." I told him.
"I'll be back someday, woman." I declared silently in my mind. "I'll come back."
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Writer's Ramblings: The idea of this fic has been stewing in my mind for a long time. I created a whole entire saga out of the whole thing, for goodness sake.
But to spare my reluctant readers the torture that would put them through, I just wrote one part.
I would have liked it if I could've had someone edit this fic before I posted it up. Like point out some of the gaps and illogical parts in the piece.
(Besides the fact that Chuu loves Atsuko, and she loves him back...)
This became a very tiring piece to write, because unlike my other fics, I kept on switching the plot, erasing, adding on, proofreading it, bit my fingernails, and so on. It took a lot of effort and I'm drained. (I think I know how other fic writers feel when they say that.) Though all my efforts didn't show very much I think, I hope some of you liked or (gasp!) ENJOYED this fic. Please give comments! ^-^
Sincerely,
YuChan
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KURAMA AND YUSUKE: Conversation about "Fluctuating"
Yusuke: You know, I actually sort of miss YuChan's "old" fics.
Kurama: What do you mean?
Yusuke: Fics that didn't concern with me dying or my mom falling in love with Chuu.
Kurama: At least she doesn't chase you around in them.
Yusuke: (nods) So true. Well, at least she didn't carry on with that saga idea.
Kurama: (shudders) Mukuro as a flower girl? What was she thinking?
[NOTE: No offense intended to Mukuro-sama or Mukuro fans.]
Yusuke: I just felt a sudden jolt of relief.
Kurama: Me too. The thought of YuChan being a mostly non-yaoi fic writer.
(The two are silent for a few moments.)
Yusuke: Kurama?
Kurama: Hm?
Yusuke: How in the hell do we end this fic?
Kurama: Easy. (snaps fingers) Bye everyone. The End.
(It's black. VERY VERY black.)
Yusuke: It's dark.
Kurama: Where's the door?
(Thumps and clonks and clangs.)
(The turning of a doorknob is heard.)
YuChan: (opens a light) What in the heck are you guys doing in my closet? Alone?!
Yusuke: Oh nothing.
Kurama: Yes, absolutely nothing.
(The two run off.)
YuChan: (sighs) Handsome, bishonen guys these days....