Protector

Ch. 4

The sound of a beeping monitor drew Yusuke's attention to the white room. It lacked all character with nothing but white linen against white walls and thoroughly sanitized floors. The spirit detective heard a low groan and turned his head slightly. Kuwabara struggled to lift his body, grunting. His knuckles matched the room as pull himself up with the help of a metal sidebar.

"Kuwabara, you look like shit," Yusuke moaned with a light chuckle.

"Like you can talk," the taller teen responded.

Yusuke was sure he wasn't lying. He could feel the tight bandages on his chest and down his arms and assumed his burns had been extensive. A nurse glanced in the room.

"Oh, both of you are awake! I was afraid you weren't going to pull through for a moment."

The nurse checked over their vitals briefly, writing something illegible on her pad.

"One moment, you two. You've had quite a few visitors since you've been out. I think a couple of them are in the waiting room now."

Just of quickly as she came in, the nurse left. Kuwabara slumped back in the bed.

"Hey, Urameshi. Do you remember what happened? Everything is kind of a blur for me."

"Well that loser, Gemuchenja, came back and with one hell of a power boost," Yusuke said aloud, "The last thing I remember are the beams of the haunted house crashing on us."

Kuwabara grunted, "When I get my hands on that freak! He caused all that chaos and it was all just to get some weird stones."

"Stones from our bodies," Yusuke clarified, "I still don't get what that's about or what Gemuchenja meant when he said he knew our weaknesses."

"He said he was doing it for his client though so are we on some demon hit list?" Kuwabara inquired.

"Wouldn't surprise me. Whoever this client is, he's a real coward not facing us himself."

"Yusuke!"

Keiko dashed in the room followed by her parents and Shizuru. Keiko nearly crashed into bed, scanning over the boy for more wounds.

"Ow, Keiko. I'm fine, see?" Yusuke lifted his arms as proof.

Mr. Yukimura frowned, "What happened, Yusuke? We saw the fire on the news and heard there had been some explosion at the park."

"No idea," Yusuke lied, "Maybe it was some faulty gas leaks or something. I'm just glad the girls and Sawamura made it out alright."

"It's a miracle you and Kuwabara made it out as well as you did," Mrs. Yukimura said, brushing a stray hair away from Yusuke's face. Yusuke nodded, blushing a little from the tender action.

Botan poked her head through the door frame, "Yusuke, Kuwabara, you ARE awake!"

Botan scurried in with Atsuko staggering behind.

Yusuke propped himself with a grunt, "Hey Mom."

"What did you get yourself into now?" Atsuko groaned.

"Nothing, we didn't do anything," Yusuke retorted.

Keiko chimed in, "We were all at the park having fun when the explosives went off. Yusuke and Kuwabara went to make no one was hurt."

Atsuko eyed the two teens curiously, "Is that really the truth?"

"Yusuke's action's are pretty questionable, but Keiko's good. She never lies," Kuwabara confirmed.

Atsuko nodded in agreement, "True. I was hoping Yusuke hadn't influenced Keiko to become some delinquent like him."

Yusuke frowned, but Keiko gave him a playful slap on the chest.

"Don't look like that, Mr. Grumpy. You wouldn't have that kind of reputation if you didn't go looking for trouble."

The group had a laugh at Yusuke's expense. It felt nice to ignore the looming tragedy that seemed imminent for the teens, if only for a moment.

Yusuke chuckled at Keiko, "I guess I'm the troublemaker and you're just perfect."

Yusuke's fingers ran up her thighs, cupping her butt. Keiko shrieked and slapped him. The group turned to Keiko who was panting and cradling her trembling hand.

"Keiko, Yusuke is hurt! What's wrong with you? What happened?" her mother asked.

"Yusuke, you jerk!" Keiko turned to him, fuming.

"Keiko, what happened?" her father inquired.

A prominent blush appeared on her cheeks, "He knows what he did," she stammered.

Yusuke cradled his cheek and scratched the back of his head, feigning innocence. He sported a bruise, red and tender.

"Geez, Keiko. I'm already in the hospital. Are you trying to keep me here?"

"From your actions, you aren't that hurt!" Keiko shot back before mumbling, "Perverted creep."

Atsuko punched the back of her son's head. Yusuke bit his tongue and cradled his head.

"What was that for? Is this just 'gang up on Yusuke Day?'"

"Can you at least try to stay of trouble? Ya know, Yusuke, I don't work my ass off just to replace your uniform and pay your medical bills!"

"Gee, Mom, nice to see you too. I'm glad you're so concerned," Yusuke huffed. The sarcasm dripped off his words.

Atsuko scoffed, "Give me a break. I would run myself crazy if I worried every time you didn't come home or got a bruise."

Botan spoke up, "Not to cut this reunion short, but I was wondering if I could speak to Kuwabara and Yusuke separately. It's work related."

The teens had all decided it was easier saying that they worked with Botan, after disappearing so long for the Dark Tournament. The Yukimuras seemed to buy Botan's lie when she claimed that they were all counselors for some out of town camp, so Keiko kept up with the farce. Atsuko never even asked where Yusuke had been.

Mr. Yukimura nodded, "We probably need to get back to the shop. The nurse said you two should be released in a few days so you boys come by for some ramen on the house when you get out."

Mr. and Mrs. Yukimura filed out. Atsuko casted one last skeptical look at the teens.

"I'll see you at home Yusuke. Get well, you two."

Shizuru leaned back against the white-washed wall, "So what's up, Botan?"

"Uh, Shizuru? Botan said she needed to talk us, not you and Keiko. It's secret business."

"Your lives are our business, right Keiko?"

Keiko nodded firmly.

Botan shrugged, "Well I suppose this concerns the both of you so here goes. Hiei found out some critical information on our demon friend. He's a Class B thief, well known in Spirit World's underworld. We've wanted him for years, but he's kept a low profile until now."

"So if you know who did this to Yusuke, can't Spirit World just arrest him now?" Keiko queried.

Botan bit her lip, "I wish it were so easy, but he's sought asylum in Demon World. The balance of Spirit World and Demon World are on shaky ground and we really don't want to upset Gemuchenja's boss."

Botan handed Kuwabara and Yusuke a small photo of a man. His eyes were closed, but what the demon lacked in sight, he made up in hearing with six ears. The man sported long, black hair and two prominent horns that jut down from his forehead. Yusuke set the photo down on his lap.

"Are we supposed to know this guy? Why are you showing us him?" Yusuke asked.

"That guy is one of the most powerful demons to ever live, Yusuke, and he's the reason you're in the hospital now. His name is Yomi."

This chapter is short, but I hope to get another quick chapter out soon. Please fav, follow and review. Thanks for reading!