𝐃𝐈𝐀𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐃 𝐃𝐔𝐒𝐓

━━   ❝   𝐎𝐎𝐅!   ❞  He felt the basket crashing against his own chest and happily holds it. “It’s alright I can help ya out.” With a smile he showed her towards his own room while holding the basket. Compared to everywhere else, it’s the most decorated room in the house. “This is where I sleep.” The bed itself wasn’t grand, something common that would fit two average people at the very least, the walls were adorned with posters of local wrestling stars and sumo wrestlers. A desk littered with hair care products, avian shower sprays as well as tiny scissors for Puu whenever his little feathers of hair need grooming.

“Here’s the guest room.” It was rather ‘empty’ as it only held a rather bigger bed (which was in the master bedroom) a closet that already had female clothing within them. (Atsuko), a desk drawer and mounted television. “Mom even kinda settled here, I told her t’ leave some clothes and stuff whenever she’d wanna visit she can. Ya know it’d work out for you too when you’d wanna stay over.” He said with a grin. “Though you could make use of the drawers when we’re done..come on I got more t’ show ya.”

He was excited as he guides her toward the kitchen, the ‘best’ room in the house. His refrigerator and stove was already installed. A rather classic stove for now until he gets his bearings financially, as well as the fridge. It wasn’t anything big, in fact it was small and worn which emphasized that it’s been given to him by someone else. “This is where I feel at home. Past that sliding door is the outside, where we’re goin’ but I wanna show you more.”

Now he leads her through a narrow path of the house which had windows with a view outside, One could see the vine-riddled walls that separated the houses and the house net door however not inside. He led them towards another door that led into the bathroom. Which was nice, though there wasn’t enough time to modernize it so it was just your traditional hinoki baths. “Mom told me this is how they took baths in the old days..I do remember seein’ em in samurai movies. But..once the food truck business picks up..I’ll get a shower in here, remodel everything.” 

From there there’s another guest room within the house but Yusuke used it for storage. There’s quite a few canned goods within the room along with boxed containers that held disposable bowls/cups and food boxes whenever he sold them on his truck, as well as chopsticks.

                              Lucky for her, anything that she had in the basket that needed to be refrigerated was surrounded by ice packs so the tour around his home would not end with slightly spoiled food. Ami only saw a little bit of what the house looked like while he was in the process of GUTTING IT & starting over to make it all his own. As much as he didn't like to hear it or believe it, Ami found Yusuke's ability to PERSEVERE really admirable. He used to be a PUNK going nowhere in life. He cared very little for his education, what people thought of him & the help of others. It wasn't until his life was taken & he got to SEE how much he did impact others that he started to SLOWLY turn himself around. Of course, he still needed to guidance & coaxing to stay on the STRAIGHT & NARROW but Yusuke did it his own way, even if it wasn't directly on the path.

                            Nothing got him down. There was always a SOULTION to everything & he was going to get to it no matter the means. It was definitely a treat to see that type of VIGOR outside of a school setting where everyone is kicking everyone out of their way for the top spot. Those on the outside would not think it the same, but the world of ACADEMIA is just as labor intensive & just a cutthroat & bloody as BARE-KUCKLE FIGHTS. The difference being that superficial scars HEALED & FADED, psyoclogical scars will outlast DEATH. 

                           He took her throughout the different parts of the home; the transformation he was making was really coming together. Ami could FORGIVE just how he came across the property & how someone who was just EIGHTEEN was able to afford it (to her, the YAKUZA part of his life was a fever dream), & just admire what he was doing with it. ❝  I  must  admit  Yusuke  ,  you  really  turned  this  place  around  .  At  this  rate  ,  this  place  would  be  BEAUTIFUL  .  ❞ Not to mention, he was making great timing to get everything done.

                        ❝  Speaking  of  cursed  objects  ,  ❞ She stated as her faced turned to him with a bit of a frown. ❝  You  gave  Puu  &  I  quite  the  scare  the  other  day  with  your  poltergeist  friend  .  ❞ The concern was APPARENT on her face. Yes he had been doing this for a long time and TECHNICALLY he was still under the employment of Koenma until it was deemed necessary to find a replacement. Nicest way of saying: when either Yusuke becomes too much to handle or he up and retires on his own terms.

━━   ❝   𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐧'? 𝐈'𝐦 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞.   ❞  Meaning Yusuke had slept prior to their meeting time, meaning there’s no way he should fall asleep to this movie a third time..there’s just NO WAY, even if..or when the movie proved to bore him. He’s even gotten advice from Kuwabara..well a tongue-lashing on being a jerk that he couldn’t stay awake with his girlfriend but ADVICE NONTHELESS. What’d he would always do is picture the lovey-dovey moments acted out between himself and Yukina.

So, by that logic he simply needed to imagine that it’s him and Ami in these scenes..and if that’s the case there have BETTER BE senseless forms of nudity in this flick. (there isn’t) But the moment he had brought her onto his lap..everything seemed to change for her as well, the stern yet teasing voice that warned him of sleeping on the couch seemed so much shyer now..haha she was cute but he knew she couldn’t be like this ALL NIGHT. Even if she sat n dangerous territory.

“It’s okay Bubbles, ya can relax yourself..” ‘J̶u̶s̶t̶.̶.̶d̶o̶n̶'̶t̶ ̶s̶q̶u̶i̶r̶m̶ ̶a̶r̶o̶u̶n̶d̶ ̶s̶o̶ ̶m̶u̶c̶h̶’ His mind utters. He would say he wasn’t brick pavement..but the LAST THING he needed was to bring up anything hard into the conversation, though on her suggestion Yusuke does grab the remote, playing through the features until the movie began. Yusuke’s hands gently cruises along her lap before wrapping themselves around her, it was like a gentle embrace as the movie started…a slow one at that as they needed to introduce the female lead among her friends.

                      This was NOT the way this was looking to play out. For as long as they have known and been together, nothing but hugging, handhold & kissing has gone on between them--along with the OCCASIONAL (mostly by him) groping. It wasn't as if they signs to move their relationship along to something more PHYSICAL wasn't there nor hinted at, it just....never seemed liked the right time. When was the right time? Ami did not know & found herself nervous at the prospect. For as OLD-FASIONED as she was, Ami did not believe that physical intimacy needed only needed to be had once marriage was established. That chemistry was just as important as everything else & needed to be discussed & explored. It made NO SENSE to wait under they were already legally bound to realized that the likes in those areas were not the same. For some people were VASTLY SUPERIOR commutation skills & patience, that could work. She believed however, in knowing if that will work at well before they picked out the venue & save the date.

                    PHYSICAL TOUCH--a love language that she was still getting used to. ❝  I  -  I  -  I  am  relaxed  !  ❞ She managed to screech out while still sitting as a stiff board with burning cheeks. But she could do this. She will not run away from a want this time. At least...not PHYSICALLY. Mentally though, Ami was wrapped up in not doing anything to STIR any part of Yusuke and give the wrong idea, that all her mental fortitude was dedicated to not moving in a way that would give mixed signals. How AWAKARD would it be if he thought something was finally happening between the two of them just for her to ICE him out again due to her own nerves? That wasn't fair either.

My muse pulls your muse onto their lap with zero warning.

━━   ❝   𝐎𝐤𝐚𝐲, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐧𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬.   ❞  His attention turned towards the backyard. “I’ll go some last-minute feeding and then we can watch our movie.” He suggests before taking a stroll through the kitchen and exits from the sliding door and steps into his spacious backyard. Eyes scan the field, spotting a garden with vegetables not ready to harvest and there..his coop which occupies his chickens and rooster. “Your pops is he-” Before he could get his sentence out his small dogs came yapping rather quickly.

Tails wagging excitedly at the sight of their father but also extra excited because they’ve also caught Ami’s scent upon him as well, they figured they would have gotten TWICE THE LOVE but they can settle for just their dad. “Tai..Shin, yeah I missed you guys too…even if I just played with you..like two hours ago.” The dogs had gotten their little pats, and the fowl had been fed, from there he’d then bid them goodbye, at least until tonight before he visits them once again.

Now, it was just AMI TIME, she said she wanted to watch a movie, surprisingly it’s a romantic comedy. He always saw her as a mystery type of gal but hey this was okay too. Probably picked out by her more romance-happy friends. He saw the snacks were ready, the DVD inserted and now it was time to enjoy their movie. But..today he wanted to do somethin’ a little DIFFERENT THAN USUAL. 

What would happen is they would simply sit close to one another and cuddle up like this..however..for the sake of teasing her he felt like going AN EXTRA MILE. “Ya know what? Why don’t ya get up here?” Yusuke spoke softly, pulling her gently and easily placing her atop his lap. “This is far comfier isn’t it?” Hahah she must be a red mess by now.” ‘As long as you don’t move around..this shouldn’t come back and BITE ME IN THE ASS.’ He spoke in the back of his mind, but then again the very thought of what he didn’t want happen was influencing his body..or slowly began to.

                          Ami was almost certain at one point that she would only be spending one weekend here, at least until it was done being brought to the glory Yusuke but Ami found herself here whenever she had a break from her studies. They were all OLDER now and while she did still see the scouts, they were all doing their own things after leaving high school. The BIG thing happening was the announcement of Usagi & Mamoru's engagement. So while they kept in touch, Usagi was being swallowed by the beast that was WEDDING PLANNING. 

                        So while their FEAR(FUL)LESS leader was swept up in the frills of CAKES, DRESSES & VENUES, the rest of them catered to their own lives until they got the call to show up for their PRINCESS to shower her in love on what will be one of the HAPPIEST days of her life. But life went on & ami found herself still caught up in her own budding romance. It was with the TYPE of man many sought fit for Ami? No, but that's what made it more special in a way. Truth be told, even she didn't think they'd make it this far. Meeting at FOURTEEN & being in each other's lives either by accident or choice for going on FIVE. She was sure that after essentially BABY-SITTING that would be the end of that. But now, here she was, setting up several different snacks & drinks for them to enjoy. You'd think she was A HOUSEWIFE.

                       The movie of choice was one she had been eyeing for awhile but never got around to until now. While she did give off the vibe of being into MURDER MYSTERY, it didn't always properly translate to film; books were the better median for certain genres. Romance in film did something for her. To see LOVE on the screen & in all forms allowed her to study & learn from. It didn't exist in the home & when it did, it ended HORRIBLY. The love stories in film didn't always end terribly & in some subsect of her mind---she NEEDED it to not end in flames. She needed THIS between them to not end in flames.

                      But everything was set up for the two of them, close enough reach but not too close to accidentally kick anything over. ❝  This  should  be  enough  for  us  to  make  it  through  the  two  hours  .  ❞ She spoke while taking her place next to him ❝  You  promised  you  would  not  fall  asleep  AGAIN  &  I  will  hold  you  to  that  .  If  you  do  fall  asleep  ,  you  will  be  staying  out  here  .  ❞ It was a slight TEASE with some truth behind it. They have tried to watch this TWICE and he fell asleep the last two times. The third offense will not be taken lightly. ❝  Hm  ?  Excuse  me  ?  ❞ & before she knew it, on him she was & ami not only went RED but she also became TENSE.

𝐏𝐎𝐎𝐑 𝐏𝐎𝐎𝐑 𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐓𝐋𝐄 𝐃𝐎𝐄---𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐂𝐊𝐄𝐃 𝐁𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔?

Sailor Mercury and Cinnamoroll, from a Sailor Moon x Sanrio collab.

It was already strange for him to have someone approach and be worried about his fighting. Ranma never really worried how he looked to others, especially when he was in combat. Now suddenly this person was worried and apologetic. This day has been interesting, to say the least.

❝ I know it seems strange but, it's been this way my whole life. Though I will say, ever since I came back to Japan... it's like every other person has it out for me. I'm just trying to defend myself. ❞ He says with a shrug. Ranma wouldn't turn down a fight, but he would also prefer if he didn't have watch over his shoulder every second.

                                 This stranger would have EVERY RIGHT to deem her weird for flipping emotions like that so suddenly. One would assume that for the scout, it would be SECOND NATURE now. Fights do happen. Humans will sometimes seek it if necessary & yet, she still found it off putting. Why is FIGHTING sometimes someone's first responde to things? Was every other option really EXHAUSTED by this point? Highly unlikely, but who was she to question the motives of those she did not know?

                               This was his whole life. Something about that was internally upsetting but Ami kept his feelings to herself. If it was NORMAL for him that it was none of her BUSINESS. ❝  At  least  you  will  never  be  rusty  ,  I  suppose  .  ❞ The attempt to find the POSITIVE in this situation was hard to say the least & anyone could see through her feeble attempt of buying into the NORMALCY of it all. But at least her apology was accepted, & she was sorry. Chastising a complete STRANGER? What a lack of MANNERS.

━━   ❝   𝐘𝐚 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐝𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐠𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐚-   ❞ Yusuke’s voice and another’s were heard coming from within the house. One of his neighbors had stopped by to hand him a gift..something for his home. 

“Of course do Urameshi-kun…I can’t tell you how much had changed THE DAY you moved into this house. Me and the other neighbors were even talking about it the other day, that ever since you’ve moved in the dreadful presence we felt in our yard just disappeared.” Said the woman.

God she was nice, and when it came to middle-aged adults Yusuke wasn’t used to ‘nice’. Maybe if she yelled at him or something the situation would have seemed soo much more familiar but this?? Definitely a surprise. Although this was a first for Yusuke as he did NOT KNOW the malevolent spirit’s influence stretched that far. A couple of years later and perhaps the spirit would have gotten enough power to curse their land and possess them as well eventually…maybe it IS A GOOD THING he jumped at this place when he did.  “Well thanks for the house plant..if ya don’t mind can I come over t’ your place..say tomorrow or somethin’? Ya gave me a nice plant and I cook for a livin’. I can bring you ramen..if you’re married I can make enough for you and your husband.” He said.

It would have been far easier this way other than showing up at her yard unannounced, that way he’d be able to sense of the spirit’s hold had really left her land..he just needed to get as close to her door at the very least..and then they heard Ami’s call from the front. 

“Oh yeah, you told me you were expecting company, that must be her now. But yes coming tomorrow would be great my husband ABSOLUTELY LOVES RAMEN so if anything he might be the one that would want to keep you over.” She said as she stood up and began taking her leave. “I want to thank you one more time and welcome you in the neighborhood.” She says arriving at the door, and sliding it open to face Ami and that cute little plush she held. “OH, how adorable. I was just here to welcome your boyfriend in the neighborhood (Yusuke’s been talking)” She said with a bow, introducing herself as Mitsachi Karin before taking her leave.

The two were finally alone and once Karin was gone Yusuke and Puu let’s out a sigh. “Bein’ the neighborhood nice guy feels like it’s gonna be a pain in the ass.” The look on Yusuke’s face was incredibly sour whilst Puu could NOT HAVE BEEN any happier as he remained miniature and ontop of Ami’s head. Craving to be around her at all times.

                                   The sound of someone else talking did not catch her attention right away. In fact, it was until the lady was on her way OUT of the home did it catch ami off guard. Her cool was kept even if she was a bit SPOOKED but suddenly seeing someone that wasn't Yusuke. The lady was nice & that in it of itself was refreshing. Ami did not EXPECT to hear that she was openly being called his girlfriend to people in the neighborhood. In truth, it was still SURPRISING to hear, even from him.

                                  Quickly finding her manners, ami snapped back to reality. ❝  Good  evening  ,  Karin  -  san  ,  it  is  a  pleasure  to  meet  you  even  if  it  is  on  your  way  out  .  ❞ She was going to be here for an ENTIRE weekend. How many other neighbors already knew of her existence without having to utter a single word? Yusuke was so confident in PROCLAIMING things to world. His confidence shook her world & only fueled her love for him. 

                               With the pleasantries over & the sublet weight of puu on her head again, she was finally greeted by Yusuke; his sour look fading with little effort. ❝  Oh  don't  think  that  way  ,  Yusuke  .  You  want  your  neighbors  to  like  you  ,  right  ?  ❞ She stated, while taping him on the shoulder. ❝  This  is  better  than  an  alterative  of  them  CHASING  you  out  of  town  or  just  OSTRICHING  you  without  any  reason  behind  it  .  ❞ Ami did not BUDGE at the invite into the home.

                            ❝  Hold  it  .  ❞ Make no mistake, she was not ANNOYED by any means but the events of last week still went unexplained & while it wasn't brought up again since the initial event the phone event was still confusing to her. Not to mention puu was more CLINGLY & CUDDLY. He had been that way already but there was an UPTICK since that phone call & she wondered just what had changed.

━━   ❝   𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐝 𝐲𝐚 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰..   ❞  He can feel his hand again, the warmth being a welcomed feeling as he’s able to move his fingers once more. “Looks like it’s summer time already.” He said out of humor, he knew the punchline would have been something she’d like hearing, though he DOES TAKE HER ADVICE TO HEART. She suggested that he should learn tact, might help with his habit of always saying exactly what comes to mind, raw from the top of his head.

                               He could laugh this off for now, so long as he PREVENTED his foot from being his mouth, there was nothing to worry about. Not everyone is born with tact & not everyone believes that what they say can be taken in offense. Yusuke wasn't a dumb man & she will never treat as such. Just hold him accountable, that's all he seem to really need---maybe SOME convincing on occasion when STUBBORNESS ran rampant but that too was becoming rare to deal with. With age comes CHANGE & CLARITY; it is quite interesting how PERSPECTIVE morphs & shifts also with time & experience.

                                 𝚆𝙰𝚃𝙴𝚁

𝐈𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐔𝐒𝐀𝐆𝐈 𝐖𝐎𝐔𝐋𝐃𝐍'𝐓 𝐓𝐎𝐋𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐄, it was anything or anyone attacking her friends. Even if sometimes, the culprits were the very people she was defending. Nobody would ever deny that Ami was smart, brilliant was more like it in her opinion --- but to limit Ami as just that ? Ridiculous ! " Ami, you listen to me ! " Usagi began, a serious tone to her voice as she looked her friend directly in the eye. " You might be really brainy, but you are also really sweet, and pretty and cute. Anyone would be lucky to be your friend, let alone be your crush! They should feel honoured to an amazing and incredible person as you ! "

Did Usagi know who exactly had captured Ami's eye ? Absolutely not, that would be the next thing she focused on. She just couldn't let her continue beating herself up like that, not when Usagi knew that Ami was one of the greatest people you could ever know ? It wasn't that Usagi didn't have friends before her, but it was different than with Naru and the others. When it came to Ami and the other girls, the love and history expanded beyond this current life. Even if she didn't fully remember every detail, there was a warmth and familiarity that surpassed that of her own birth family when it came to them. It was precious to her, and she would spend every moment happily making sure they all knew just how much so. (@sleetsong)

                          How easy it was to IGNORE & FOLD UP her feelings when the rumor mill began to spread again. In fact, it was almost INSTINCUAL to pretend that nothing was happening. & yet, when those around you whom you hold dear learn the sighs & see the whispers, DISSACOCIATION becomes next to impossible. Ami had to be there in the moment mentally in order to answer questions about her wellbeing & satiate those who cared. Emotions were not her strong suit; they HURT & people allowed them to dictate too many things. & for someone who spent MOST of their time putting their feelings away, when they were felt they were felt all at once & much too completely.