Chapter 1: Invitations and meetings Yusuke read the letter silently, his eyes never skipping a word. His body became stiff with anger as he finished reading. Breathing heavily he slammed the piece of paper down hard on the table, his fingers ripping through the thin paper. "That's the third time dear. I hope you didn't dent the table this time," Keiko said as she looked at her stressed husband. "Why can't Koenma get it through his thick skull that I'm not a spirit detective anymore," Yusuke said through gritted teeth. "Maybe because you never told him," Keiko said as she prepared dinner. Yusuke gave a deep growl at Keiko's response. "If I knew being married was this much trouble I'd..." He started saying under his breath. "You'd what," Keiko said giving him a death glare. "Nothing dear," Yusuke said giving her a fake smile as he got up to go to the bedroom. ~~~~~~~ 'Why can't Koenma leave me alone...it's been 25 years since I last used my spirit gun or even fought a demon for that matter' Yusuke thought to himself as he watched his daughter run up the side walk through the window. He could hear the door slam downstairs and the soft pat of bare feet run up the stairs. "DADDY DADDY LOOK WHAT I MADE FOR YOU AT SCHOOL TODAY," Screamed the little girl as she flung herself into her father's arms. Quickly she pulled out a small piece of paper that was hiding in her pocket and handed it to her father. Yusuke looked down at the piece of paper. On it he saw a rainbow made up of bright reds, yellows, and oranges. Painted underneath the rainbow was a picture of her. Signed in the corner were her name and a message saying 'I love you daddy.' "WOW what a nice drawing...I think I'll hang this up at work," Yusuke said kissing his daughter on the forehead and putting the drawing in to his pocket. "YUSUKE...CHEIE...DINNER'S READY!!" screamed Keiko from downstairs. ~~~~~~~ Keiko watched as Yusuke picked at his food. She had to hold back a giggle for he looked like a little boy who had not gotten his way. His face was pushed in to a scowl and his eyes hinted with anger. Yusuke's thoughts remained only on the letter he had gotten from Koenma informing him that he must come back to the spirit world to fight in a tournament. 'One would think after 25 years I'm not coming back,' Yusuke thought to himself. "Well. Chiori will not becoming home this weekend," Keiko said breaking the silence. Yusuke's eyes never looked up from his plate as his wife talked. "What's her excuse this time," Yusuke asked. "She said that she had to be somewhere," Keiko said getting up to go start the dishes. "Figure," Yusuke said dropping his fork to the side of his plate. "Mommy may I go now? I finished my vegetables," Cheie said showing her mother her plate. "Yes. Go brush your teeth, I'll be up in minute to tuck you in," Keiko said picking up Cheie's plate. Yusuke waited until he heard the water running in the bathroom upstairs to talk to his wife. "You know I have to go," Yusuke said leaning on the edge of the counter watching his wife intently. "I know you have your priorities," Keiko said as she began the dishes, "but can't you just say no. If something happened to you I don't know what I'd do." "Nothing is going to happen. When I get there I'm going to tell Koenma in person that he is going to have to find someone else to fight," Yusuke said hugging her. "When are you leaving," Keiko asked. "Tonight, the boat arrives at midnight to take me to spirit world," Yusuke said. "MOMMY!!" Cheie yelled from her room. "COMING!!" Keiko said drying her hands. "Can you finish for me?" Keiko asked as she quickly walked away so Yusuke could not see the tears starting to form in her eyes "Yes," Yusuke said grabbing the washcloth. |