The Better Man

Chapter Seventeen


"Look what do you want me to say?" Yusuke sighed. "It's not like I wanted it to happen dammit." Keiko had her hands fisted at her sides yelling at him once more. They'd gone out to dinner with her folks a few hours ago. It had ended in a disaster. They had always accepted him in Keiko's life, they even liked him. Once again he'd gone out with them on Sunday evening. But tonight had turned out differently, as they were walking to the car several youkai had decided to attack.

Her parents had been terrified, screaming about monsters. He'd had no problem taking care of them but it had left a lot of questions. Why couldn't they have waited until he got home to make an appearance. Now her parents wanted to know how he was involved with monsters. And were making a fuss about whether or not Kieko was safe with him.

He knew Keiko loved him, she accepted him for who he was. But she loved her parents also, she also wanted a normal life. That was the only problem with their relationship, there was that gap. No matter what happened he would be attacked and hunted. He'd made too many enemies to count, he'd always have youkai after his life. So where did that leave him and her?

"Yusuke my parents could have been killed."

"No they weren't in any danger, I wouldn't let anything happen to them or you." He tried to reassure her. "Come on Keiko it isn't that bad, you are worrying too much."

"And I don't think you are worrying enough." She took a deep and looked at him. "I need some time alone Yusuke."

"Alright fine I'll see you tomorrow."

"That's not what I meant, I meant some time alone from us. I love you Yusuke but I need some time to decide if this is what I want before we begin a life together."

He gasped at her, "Are you dumping me?"

"Don't think of it like that, think of it as time apart."

"Riiigghhtt." He turned on his heels and marched off, he would wait for her to call him tomorrow. Wasn't the first time she'd gotten angry at him and said she'd needed time to think. She would always call him the next day.

"She still hasn't called?"

Yusuke sat down next to Kuwabara on the couch and grabbed the controller from off the coffee table. "It's been over a week, she must really be pissed." He glanced over when Kuwabara didn't say anything. "What the hell is the matter with you?"

"Yurameshi can I ask you something?"

"What's bugging you?"

"I talked to Yukina, don't you dare laugh man. I asked her about furthering our relationship." He heard the boy's chuckle. "Dammit Yurameshi I said don't laugh."

"Okay, what did she have to say about it?"

"Said she'd never thought about it." He sighed.

"You're telling me you've been with her for four years and she's not once thought about fucking you."

"She aint that kind of girl." Kuwabara stated trying to defend her actions.

"I'm not saying she is. But four years is a long time. If she was attracted to you then eventually the thought would have crossed her mind. If she desires you that way, she's going to think about it. Sorry man. She might decide to wait but the want would still be there."

Kuwabara got off the couch knowing that his friend spoke the truth. If Yukina saw him as a man and not just a friend wouldn't she desire him? But she had been unresponsive to his kiss. After four years of waiting for it, it left him feeling empty.


Yusuke didn't know what to say to him, not like he could give him advice on relationships. He propped his feet up on the table and turned his attention back to the game. Someone plopped down on the couch beside him.

"Can I join you? Shizuru taught me how to do it."

He looked over at the girl and sighed. "Sure, why the hell not but its going on competitive." The girl grabbed the other controller and leaned back. She mocked him by throwing her feet on the coffee table. He chuckled as she gnawed on her bottom lip trying to concentrate.

Rin heard the laughter and thought about slamming the thing in her hand over his head. She was becoming content in her new life. Everyone was showing her many new things and she was once again enjoying life. Someone had blessed her when Kagome had decided to return to her. If not she'd have spent the rest of her life in that village where no one liked her.

She concentrated on the game in front of her, trying to ignore the guy beside her. He looked depressed and upset, she was sure it had to do with his woman. She'd heard Kagome say that she had broken up with him, whatever that meant. She assumed it meant she didn't want him anymore. Some women didn't have the sense god gave a gnat.

Being with her lord had taught her to respect those that deserved it. Kagome had informed her that he was actually very strong and powerful. Not to mention nice to look at and he had a nice smile. She also heard the man say that his woman was mad about youkai attacking them. She didn't understand why that would make a person mad. Someone attacks you, you kill them. He had defended her and her family, she should have been proud that she had such a strong mate.

"Dammit, I'm dead."

"Does this mean I win?" She grinned when he put the controller down. "Not going to play anymore because I beat you?"

"Nah, heading down to the arcade."

"Can I come? I'll behave." She gave him her best puppy face.

"Fine but don't be getting into trouble. I do that enough on my own."

Kagome leaned her head back and closed her eyes as he drove them home from class. He'd been quiet for the last three weeks, which was unlike him. "You okay? Don't seem like yourself."

"I'm fine." The answer was short but polite.

"Wanna talk about it?" She saw the pained expression across his face, her heart went out to him. "I'm here if you need someone to talk to."

"Okay, since you are a girl. If you liked a guy in that certain way would you think about being with him?"

She had to think about the question for a few minutes to understand what he meant. "If you mean, if I was attracted to a guy would I think about wanting to sleep with him?" She smiled when he blushed at her bluntness. "To be honest yes. I think it only natural that if you like someone that way you imagine what it would be like to have them kiss you and eventually other things. But I'm sure you know that."

"Okay, lets say if a girl has been with a guy for a long time and she's never thought about it. What then?"

"I'd say that she thought of him as nothing more than a friend. If she's attracted to him she's going to feel it. Why all the questions?" She looked at the expression on his face. "You wanna tell me what this is about?"

"Nothing, just forget it." He pulled over and parked in his usual spot.

"No you brought it up, don't get mad at me. Are you and Yukina having problems?" She asked because she was concerned he looked really upset now. "Look if you worried about her wanting you I wouldn't. You're a great guy and even if you haven't gone all the way yet. You should be able to tell it when she kisses you. I think you are worrying over nothing."

"We've never kissed," He yelled not meaning to take it out on her, "I tried she just stood there."

Shock filled her face, so Shizuru hadn't been kidding that night. She had actually given him his first kiss. "Are you serious?" Why wouldn't the girl kiss him, if they'd been together for so long? Kuwabara had to be older than her, atleast twenty if not twenty-one. "I really gave you your first kiss?"

"Dammit, thats right, laugh like everyone else. I'm not good enough for some girl to want me." He got out and slammed the door.

She left her books on the floor and got out. "Wait, Kuwabara." She hadn't meant to hurt his feelings, she'd found it hard to believe. He kept walking away from her, "Dammit I said stop." He stopped in his tracks but had his head down. It suddenly dawned on her how he felt, he felt unwanted. Which wasn't true, not in her case anyways.

She got up to him, she threw herself in his arms wrapping her arms around his neck. His arms went around her waist holding her up. Her mouth crashed over his, he stiffened at first. She softened the contact then felt him respond. She took the lead and ran her tongue over his lips tasting him.

He opened up for her, she plunged inside. She moaned when his tongue quickly came up to meet hers. He soon took over the dominating role, slamming the wet muscle inside her mouth. His arms tightened around her, crushing her breasts against his chest.

A cough caused them to pull apart, Shizuru was standing there with an amused look on her face. "Sorry the neighbors are starting to stare. You might want to take it inside."

Kagome felt him lower her to the ground, his face was red. She wasn't sure what to say, so she said nothing. Her footsteps were heard as she raced up the steps heading for the apartment door.

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