Retirement wound up being short-lived for the Urameshi Team. After having been put on leave only a few months before, the Team's services were called upon to do battle with some new annoyances threatening the co-existence between worlds. They had been through a particularly grueling battle with three Illusioners, and every member of the team suffered injuries. Kuwabara had received the most life-threatening wounds, so Yukina used all of her healing power to help her beloved, letting the others fend for themselves. Hiei healed himself immediately, and Yuusuke would survive with a couple of extra macho scars. Kurama had injured his neck quite painfully and was trying to heal himself, but it would take a little longer in human form. So when the team took their "dates" on a peaceful picnic in the Ningenkai to relax and recover, Kurama hung back and rested in the shade of some maple trees while the others went for a stroll. The spot the group had chosen was surrounded by lots of trees and hills, and it faced a small pond where Yuusuke and Kuwabara were skipping stones in an attempt to impress their ladies. Hiei tagged along simply for the exercise.
The weary youko had just closed his eyes when he sensed Keiko's aura. She had forgotten her straw bonnet and told the others that she'd catch up. She looked down at the sleeping redhead and smiled.
"I must look a sight, ne?" Kurama's voice startled Keiko.
"Oh, gomen, Kurama. I didn't mean to wake you," she apologized, reaching for her hat. "I just forgot my hat, silly me." As she turned to leave Kurama in peace, he sat up with a groan.
"Your neck still hurts, doesn't it?" Keiko's voice was full of concern for her friend.
"Hai," Kurama replied, rubbing the back of his neck. "I can't believe I let that guy slam me into the ground like that. I gotta' be more careful."
"From what Yuusuke told me, you were only trying to protect Hiei."
"Yeah, well, Hiei let me know how he felt about that," Kurama said with a chuckle. "He warned me not to take my eyes off any of them even for a second, and I did...and...well...here I sit. Like a wimp." He smiled at her rather sheepishly.
"I think it just shows how much you care about your friends, Kurama," Keiko said softly, sitting down next to the battered kitsune. "Hiei is very lucky to have you as a...friend." She felt herself blush as she looked down at the blanket they were sharing.
Kurama smiled as he took Keiko's hand. "Arigatou, Keiko. You're very sweet." As he turned to pick up the book he was reading, he gasped at the sudden stitch of pain.
"Here. Let me help you," Keiko said as she got to her knees and knelt behind Kurama. "This always helps Yuusuke when he gets sore muscles. Maybe it will help you, too." She motioned for Kurama to turn his back to her as he sat cross-legged on the blanket. She parted his fiery mane and then began to massage his neck and shoulders. It felt really good, as the knots and sore muscles begin to relax, the neck bones actually beginning to realign properly again with a soft popping sound. He closed his eyes with a sigh, letting his head hang loose, rolling it side to side.
Keiko leaned forward, noticing how nice Kurama smelled, how soft his hair was, and how strong his body felt under her hands. She let her body rub against his back as she kneaded the stiffness out of his neck.
"Mmm, Keiko, that feels great!" Another pop followed the first and he moaned in relief. "You should do this for a living."
Keiko giggled as she worked the muscles down his back. "I don't do this for just anyone. I only do this for people I lov...." She suddenly stopped and put her hands over her mouth in embarrassment. Kurama carefully turned around and looked at her innocently.
"I like you very much, too, Keiko," Kurama said gently, trying to let her know she had nothing to be embarrassed about.
"Gomen nasai, Kurama," Keiko hung her head. "I know that you and Hiei..."
Kurama touched her blushing cheek and lifted her chin, forcing her to look at him. "It's okay."
"It's just...I wish...I wish sometimes Yuusuke...would be more like you."
Kurama tilted his head with a frown.
Then Keiko did something she never, ever thought she'd dare do but always wished she could. She leaned forward, took Kurama by the shoulders, and kissed him on the lips. The kiss lasted only a few seconds, but it was long enough for Kurama to lift his other hand and tenderly hold the back of her head. As she broke the kiss, Keiko sat back on her heels, her eyes still closed. She opened them with a ragged breath. Her cheeks were warm and there were tears just forming in her eyes. She reached up and gently stroked Kurama's face with her fingertips.
"I hope Hiei knows that he's the luckiest demon in all the worlds," she whispered, looking into the emerald eyes of the human/demon she found so fascinating.
"I know Yuusuke is luckiest human being on earth to have you, Keiko," Kurama whispered, returning the caress with a smile. "I know he loves you, in his own way, and would do anything for you."
Keiko smiled sweetly at her youkai friend.
"I know."
"Oi! Keiko! Are you coming for a walk or what?!?" Yuusuke's bellowing could be heard even though they were out of sight. As they rounded the hill, Yuusuke thought he saw Kurama touching Keiko's cheek. He squinted to get a better look.
Keiko stood up, holding the brim of her hat tightly in her hands.
"Go on. I think Yuusuke's waiting for you."
"Arigatou, Kurama-kun," she whispered, and ran off to join the rest of the team. When she got up to Yuusuke, she wrapped her arms around him in a fierce hug. The startled young man looked down at his sweetheart with a smile.
"Oi, what's this all about?"
"Nothing. Everything. I just wanted to hug you, baka. That's all!"
"Well, I think you should forget your hat more often," Yuusuke said with a grin. "I wonder what you could forget that would get me a kiss." The last thing he remembered before he hit the ground was a fist coming into to contact with his chin.
"Honestly, Yuusuke! You sure know how to spoil a mood!" Keiko marched on ahead in a huff. "Just when I was trying to be NICE to you!"
"Wait a minute, Keiko. I didn't mean anything nasty by it. Oh, c'mon. Wait for me!" Yuusuke brushed himself off and ran on to join Keiko as Yukina and Kuwabara followed. Hiei shoved his hands into his pockets and walked over to the blanket. He looked down at his smiling fox and frowned.
"I don't know what those two see in each other," he grumbled, sitting down next to Kurama. Then, looking over at the youko, he asked, "How's your neck?"
"Not too bad. Keiko gave me quite a massage. I'll have to get her to teach you how to do that, koibito."
"There's nothing I need to learn from a human, arigatou."
"Oh, I think there are many things we can learn from each other," Kurama said with a sigh.
"Hn?"
"Nothing. Say, why don't we join them? My neck is suddenly feeling much better."
The End
Copyright 1998 Julie Farel
Yuu Yuu Hakusho isn't my property *sigh*