Yuu Yuu Hakusho Fanfiction Bookstore

One Week
by Varon

This fic can also be found at http://www.oocities.org/varon_22/december.html.

March 2, 1:03 a.m.

The man wandered discreetly along the deserted streets of Tokyo, his light tread making very few sounds on the cold pavement. He basked in the glory of the moonlight, its pale glow beaming down on him. He relished the feeling of being free once more; it was such a delightful, splendid feeling that even a person as composed as he was would want to jump in the air and click his heels together in a small victory dance.

I got you, Koenma, he thought giddily, imagining the red-faced toddler Prince of Reikai when loudmouthed child finally learns of his escape. All of the Spiritual World would first be in chaos because of the brat's tantrums, then they'd be searching for him, try to bring him back and lock him up in the torture chamber. He made a grave mistake once, which was why he was captured. Well, never again.

A sudden gust blew, and a flyer smacked right into his face. Angrily he took it off, crumpling it in his mighty fist. But not before he saw the word "dance" out of the corner of his eye. Reading the rest of the ad, he learned of the annual junior-senior prom dance to be held in the nearby university one week from then.

Wait a sec. Isn't this the university where ---

He remembered the former Reikai tantei, winner of the Ankoku Bujutsukai who turned out to be Raizen's son. The man rubbed his chin thoughtfully, as he threw the paper over his shoulder carelessly. This kid's name --- yes, Yusuke. Urameshi Yusuke. He was good --- impressive, actually. Surely Koenma and his forces would alert Urameshi-san to help them find the fugitive.

And this university, he learned, was where Yusuke's girl studies.

One week. That would give him enough time.

The man smiled. He would be ready and waiting.

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March 7, 4:26 p.m.

Kuwabara Kazuma's got a huge problem.

He sat alone in a coffee shop near the college where he studies, tapping the teaspoon against the rim of his cup. His other hand cupped his chin, and he seemed to be thinking about something serious.

Two more days, he thought dejectedly. Two more days until my doomsday of utter humiliation.

Maybe it won't be so bad. It's not the end of the world.

Ch. Yeah, right.

Well, the thing is, he still hasn't got a date for the dance.*

Kazuma leaned back on his chair and sighed. He cursed his bad luck silently. Yukina refuses to go with me because Genkai is down with a flu. So even the greatest warriors do get sick sometimes -- I guess old age can do that. I hated to sound selfish, but I pointed out Genkai can take care of herself. But no, Yuki-chan feels a lot grateful to the sensei. So I decided it's best she took care of the old lady. He smiled wryly. Besides, I'm always a sucker for her smile, and her apologetic eyes...

He shifted his position to stretch out his legs. But that doesn't change the fact that I still don't have a date!

Little did he know that a pair of olive-green eyes was intently observing him from outside, the owner of which would affect his currently hopeless situation.

The door of the cafe swung open, and the customers turned to see who arrived.

All the men in the restaurant nearly fainted.

All the women were ready to die with jealousy.

Kazuma looked up and saw the sexiest woman he ever saw in his life -- with her heart-shaped face, fair complexion, tiny waistline, long legs, and really tight clothes, what idiot would use the word plain for her? -- saunter over to him. He looked quite shocked himself.

The woman slid into the booth opposite him. She leaned forward so Kazuma could get a good view of her front. Of course, he played into her hands perfectly.

"You're Kuwabara Kazuma, aren't you?" she said in a husky voice, her words punctuated with a lovely English accent. She coolly reached out her hand. "I'm Carol Trench."

Whoa. This hot British momma knows me? "Y-ye-yeah," he stammered. He recovered quickly and cleared his throat in attempt to sound older than he was. He shook her hand firmly. "Eh-hem, it's a pleasure to meet you, Carol. How can I help you?"

She showed off a set of pearly white teeth** when she smiled seductively. "Isn't it typical for a man as handsome as you would help out little ol' me?" She batted her long eyelashes at him for effect, at which he reddened once more. Continuing with her syrupy sweet voice, Carol said, "See, I'm new to the neighborhood. I moved in two days ago at the old Jushinshu house, two doors down from yours, correct?"

Kazuma momentarily recalled the marble-style house of the rich (but horribly irritable) Jushinshu-san. The old man lived alone, and Kazuma would have felt sorry for him had the former not pestered his family for time and stories that seemed to have no end. It was actually a kind of abuse for Kazuma, who would rather spend the day STUDYING (would you believe?) rather than talking with the grumpy man. Apparently Jushinshu went away to live with his family, and Kazuma was glad he was staying out of the way -- for good.

Kazuma nodded. "Yeah, I know the place," he said, not seeing any point in relaying some of his negative insights about the previous dweller.

"Good," Carol purred. "Then maybe you can show how a girl in this town could have a good time?"

Kazuma's eyes grew slightly large. She's the answer! he thought gleefully.

"After all," Carol sensed his hesitation, "you seem exactly like the man I need for livening up my so-far-boring stay in Tokyo."

Kazuma leaned forward. It's now or never. "Actually," he said, smiling foolishly, "there's a dance that's going to be held over at the university two days from now. Do you wanna go with me?"

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March 9, 7:00 p.m.

He carefully tied his black bow, imitating the way his mother showed him --- for once his mother taught him something useful. Then slicking back his hair once more, he smoothed out the wrinkles of the front of his jacket. With a final glance in the mirror in his bathroom, he went back to his room to get the bouquet of red roses he bought earlier.

Yes, with his black tuxedo getup, Yusuke Urameshi looked dashing.

And he was going on a date.

"I'm outta here, Ofukuro!" he yelled.

"Wait a minute!" Atsuko-san called him back inside. "Let me inspect you."

Yusuke stood stiffly as his mother checked him from head to toe. "OK, you look fine."Pushing her son out the main door, she gave him one final advice. "Just don't do anything I wouldn't do, eh?" With one malicious wink, she slammed the door shut.

Yusuke chuckled, knowing what his mother meant. "Believe me, Mom, I wouldn't," he murmured. Duh. As if Keiko Yukimura would even consent to spending one night with him, even if he asked.

Not now --- they were so close to getting married, anyway. They're gonna have time for that. Lots of time.

For tonight, he only had to enjoy being eighteen... and delight in this night out with his fiancée.

As Yusuke was walking along Keiko's street he dug in his breast pocket and felt the cool metal against his skin. He fingered the gold pendant lovingly. He knew what it was, and precious as it looked it's anything but a piece of jewelry. But he didn't care; it passed as a 24-K necklace and Keiko would love to have it as a gift.

Hah, Botan just try to take this baby back and he'll have lots of things to say about it. Like getting Keiko involved in this stupid case in the first place.

Why did he ever volunteer her, anyway?

It had been just yesterday. Botan had frantically told him about an outlaw who somehow managed to flee Reikai's premises a week ago without anybody's knowledge.

"How did that happen? Are your guards more lax than usual?"

Botan's eyes flashed. "Shut up, Yusuke."

Yusuke rubbed his chin, as if in deep thought. "Hm, maybe they were just plain blind! Either way, they sure did a lousy job." He comically puffed his chest. "And it took you so long to figure out who to come to for help, and seven days later you finally decided to approach the invincible Uramshi Yusuke, riiiight?"

"Shut up!" Botan reiterated angrily. "We didn't want to involve you as much as possible, because we know you're not under our absolute jurisdiction anymore!"

"Gee, I owe you my deepest gratitude."

"And it's too dangerous!"

"C'mon, Botan, I've been through a lot more fatal missions when I was younger, and you think of my safety only NOW?"

"And besides," Botan ignored his last sentence, "his escape was nobody's fault! The shape-shifting trick just worked out too well!"

Yusuke forgot about his teasing. "Shape-shifting trick?"

Botan's head bobbed up and down. "The fugitive's name is Bishoku. He was notorious for his ability to turn into any living being he wished. And with that tactic he usually got whatever treasure he had his eyes on -- a real lowlife scum, that Bishoku."

"Well, if he was that smart, how come he got captured?"Yusuke wondered.

"He made a mistake. Stupid for his part, a lucky break for us. Imagine, he was standing outside the glass window of one of Rei Kai's treasures when he changed into Koenma, because he heard footsteps behind him. Only, he came face to face with the real Prince of Reikai himself!" Botan chuckled, but her laughter gave way to a sigh. "We locked him up (in the torture chamber) with very tight security, but we didn't take away his powers. I guess that's our stupid error. On his free time -- Reikai gives the prisoners an hour of free time each week -- he got the new guard to believe he was Pamela Anderson and tricked the oni into getting the keys for him."

Yusuke raised an eyebrow. "I can't believe such a dumb strategy actually worked!" He began laughing all over again.

"Could you cease howling for just a second and listen to a few more details?" Botan asked sarcastically. After Yusuke calmed down a bit, Botan continued, "Bishoku's main interest is to claim rule over three worlds -- "

"Yeah, we've had a lot of those already." Yusuke rolled his eyes.

" -- And he knows you."

Yusuke waved his hands dismissively. "Sure, sure. Many people know me, though most often their knowledge has a negative connotation. Trust me, he's nothing special."

Botan gestured wildly. "Knowing you means wanting to kill you, you moron. Don't you get it?"

After a beat, Yusuke's mouth formed an "O".

The Deity of Death sighed once more. "Do you now see the danger?"

"No." Yusuke closed his eyes arrogantly. "He sounds too weak! He's got no special powers or anything! He just -- OW!" Botan whacked him on the head.

"You really don't get it, do you?" she screamed at him. "You don't even know what he actually looks like! He's a shape-shifter; he could be ANYBODY! He could even pretend to be somebody you know just to mislead you! And you say he's WEAK?!?"

"OK, OK, you're right." You've made your point, too. Rubbing the sore spot, Yusuke next inquired, "So that means, if I go through this assignment, I'll just get myself killed?"

"Yes, but fortunately there's an alternative."

"Which is?"

"You have to get someone to help you."

"What are the four of us Reikai tantei doing here?"

"Bishoku knows all of you -- Kurama and Hiei, especially. Makai leaves no room outside that cheapskate's memory." Botan fished inside her kimono, then produced a locket-like piece out of it. "This object is called the Wipeout Amulet." Yusuke took it and scrutinized it like an expert jeweler. "When worn by the rightful person, this object can generate enough force to pinpoint the target' s actions and counterattack them. Pretty neat, huh?"

Yusuke nodded, so Botan went on. "This could be quite a helpful tool. Only, someone with a pure heart -- and someone whom Bishoku doesn't know -- could make this thing function accordingly."

Yusuke gave her a lopsided grin. "That line sounds like something out of a Sailor Moon S episode."

"Call it whatever you want," Botan huffed, "But that's how it works."

"OK, OK, just kidding." Yusuke tucked the amulet safely inside his jean pocket. "Hhmm, let's see... The only person I could think of with that description is..." Yusuke's eyes widened. "Yeah! Maybe I can let Keiko in on this!"

"Keiko's a great choice," Botan said. "But, uh, Yusuke, she's not supposed to know anything."

"My goodness, Botan, she knew about my being a tantei, my second death, and my youkai inheritance. There's nothing she doesn't know."

"What I mean is, she's not supposed to know if you plan on letting her help you." At Yusuke's puzzled look, Botan explained, "For the amulet to work, the one wearing it must be feeling some kind of pleasant emotion. Her state will trigger the destructive effects of the amulet."

"Isn't that kind of ironic -- for something baleful to operate, a favorable reaction must be involved?"

"Yeah." Botan held out her hand and her oar appeared. "Well, good luck, Yusuke. If you need us, just holler." She hopped on her "vehicle" and was about to fly away when she suddenly turned back. "By the way, your last words were sure kind of intellectual-sounding. I guess finally having Keiko as your girlfriend is starting to have some effects!" Laughing, Botan ducked to avoid Yusuke's fist and was gone before he could attempt a second punch.

"Baka," Yusuke muttered under his breath.

Enjoy this night out? Hah. Who was he kidding? He's got a detective assignment to accomplish. He was actually thankful that Bishoku hadn't attacked within the past 24 hours; otherwise he would have heard from Botan. But at least he can still spend some time out with Keiko. That's something to look forward to.

He rang the Yukimuras' bell twice. Two minutes passed by, and still no aswer. Turning his back on the door, he glanced at his brand-new gold watch (being a Makai King sure has its benefits). Five minutes past seven. The dance wouldn't begin for another twenty-five minutes.

Behind him he heard the door swing open, and Keiko's voice calling out to her father that she was leaving reached his ears. He turned around to face her.

And practically dropped down on his knees to worship her.

Before him stood a goddess -- no, of course it's Keiko. But she was more lovely than anything he'd ever imagined. Heck, he thought she was beautiful when her hair's tousled, like that when she just woke up; now that she's completely made-up, she's... she's...

She's sublime. Gorgeous. Way beyond words can describe.

Her hair was slightly curled, so her long auburn locks cascaded in waves past her shoulders and framed her heart-shaped face. She wore just the right amount of make-up, nothing too fancy, nothing too light. Enough to make her natural beauty more conspicuous. Her light blue strapless evening gown, ending just beneath her ankles, hugged every curve of her body -- a piece of clothing with a very low neckline and a slit up to her thigh. She completed the look with a pair of strappy white sandals and a silver bracelet with star-shaped charms.

Noting Yusuke's stunned expression, Keiko smiled, making his insides melt. "Yusuke, you may pick up your jaw from the ground now. You're letting in flies."

Yusuke flushed, embarassed. But he covered it up quickly with a grin. Leaning forward he planted a kiss on her cheek. The scent of her Victoria Secret perfume wafted through his nostrils, mesmerizing him. This girl drives me wild!, Yusuke thought. And I love it.

"Sorry," he apologized as he pulled back. "It's just that you're... well, beautiful is an understatement."

Keiko blushed. "Thank you."

He looked adoringly at her. Then he presented her with the bouquet, watching her pretty face light up at the sight of her favorite flowers. "These are very nice, Yusuke. Arigatou."

"Wait," Yusuke said, reaching into his breast pocket. "There's yet one more gift I've to present to you."

He pulled out the amulet. The moonlight caught it, and so it shone like a precious gem. Keiko's eyes grew larger. "Yusuke..."

"May I?" he asked, gesturing for her to put it on.

Keiko nodded. She turned around, gathering all her hair and holding it up, so Yusuke could fasten the clasp around her neck.

It's a good thing she did, so she wouldn't have seen Yusuke suffer another blushing attack. Actually, his nose was threatening to bleed -- he couldn't get over the size of her bust.***

His hands were shaking, as he barely got the clasp to work. It's a wonder Keiko didn't notice.

Keiko felt the cool metal on the center of her chest, and she fingered it, examining it more thoughtfully.

Yusuke watched her. "Do you like it?"

Keiko looked up. "Of course! I love it! It's exquisite, Yusuke. Where did you get it?"

He shrugged. "One of Makai's treasures," he lied. "I brought it home just for you."

Keiko's eyes shone. "Yusuke..."

He loved looking at her like that, appearing so vulnerable and lovely. The side of Yukimura Keiko he knew was solely his.

Pulling her close, he dropped a light kiss on her mouth. "Ai shite iru," he murmured, his breath tingling her lips. "And I'm not going to get tired of saying that tonight. And for the days that follow."

Keiko cocked an eyebrow. "Really now." It was her turn now to kiss him. "Well, I love you too. But you know that already."

Yusuke smiled happily. Then, looking once more at his watch, he muttered under his breath, "It should have arrived by now."

As if on cue, a blue sports car suddenly stopped in front of the ramen shop. Yusuke knew she loved the color and noticed that she eyed the vehicle with interest. "Well, our ride's here." Yusuke motioned for her to climb in the backseat as he held the door for her.

Keiko shook her head in disbelief -- and admiration. "Yusuke, you have outdone yourself this time."