Yuusuke's Return
by Varon

This fic can also be found at http://www.oocities.org/varon_22/return.html. 

A familiar scene retold

varon22@gurlmail.com


What's taking him so long? 

Keiko stood on the shore of the beach that borded Genkai's temple, quietly admiring the sunset as she felt the late afternoon breeze whipping her hair... but on the vivid violet, orange, and pink hues of the sky, where clouds were shaped such that they looked like scoops of ice cream,  she saw only her best-friend-turned-fiance's face.  He slung a duffel bag over his right shoulder as he  turned to face her, looking over his other shoulder  and smiling so charmingly. He raised a thumb  as if to say, "Everything's going to be alright."

But -- damn it -- everything's NOT fine.

He promised to return after three years. Yeah, it's been only two and a half years; but six more months? What if he didn't come back?  He's running out of time.

Yusuke... that was so typical of him.

For Keiko, waiting was torture enough.  But not knowing if he ever will come home safe? That's a bit too much -- even for an eighteen- year-old woman as solid and as strong as her.

The conjured image faded... like Keiko's patience.  She so desperately wanted to wait for him,  wanted to hold on to his promise. But it seemed that her grasp was slipping.

"Urameshi Yusuke!" she suddenly yelled out, cupping her hands on the sides of her mouth. "What's wrong with you? There's no more reason for you to stay in Makai... Kurama's here, and the tournament is over!" She gasped for breath, wanting to release more of her pent-up frustration. "You'd better come back home! I wouldn't be waiting after three years!"

Which she definitely didn't want to do. She wanted him to return, more than anything. She loved him, after all. She would not feel for 
any other man the way she felt for Yusuke. But Keiko wasn't stupid.She didn't want to be left hanging like a loose thread.

She wanted him... but she didn't want to wait forever.

At this her eyes brimmed with unshed tears. Her crestfallen face was enough to make anyone feel sorry for her -- including Botan, Yukina, Kuwabara, Shizuru and Kurama.

"Don't worry, your wait is over."

Keiko's head snapped up at the sound of the voice. The others turned towards it, as well. Shizuru jumped down from her seat at an upturned wooden boat. 

Keiko whirled sharply to her left as a figure approached her, taking slow, measure steps. It stopped about eight feet from where 
she stood rooted to the ground.

Could - could that be you?

When certain all eyes are on him, the newcomer raised his gaze to them... but meeting only Keiko's. Her big, brown unsure eyes, trying to discern if it really was him.

He raised his hand in a slight wave, duffel bag slung over his right shoulder. "How have you been?" Urameshi Yusuke asked, pasting 
a welcoming smile on his lips.

"I'm home now."

So familiar, yet so strange... still full of doubts, brought about by shock and pleasure, Keiko took a few steps toward him. 

Is it really you?

Spending practically fifteen years of her life with him, Yukimura Keiko ought to know.

Thankfully, she did.

His voice, his height, his grin, his build, his visage... nothing about Yusuke has changed. Kurama was telling the truth.

Nothing could mistake the delight on Keiko's face, replacing the downcast look moments ago. Her pretty face glowed with happiness, 
her brown eyes twinkling as she ran the rest of the way to him.

"Yusuke!" Sensing her hug but not prepared for it, Yusuke registered a look of surprise when Keiko jumped up and threw her arms 
around his neck. Thrown off balance, he let go of his bag as they fell back on the sand with a thud, Keiko in a funny position beside Yusuke. (She still managed to fall with grace, however; her legs were tucked close together and a wide grin plastered all over her face.)

Though it didn't hurt that much, Yusuke groaned in mock pain. "What are you doing?" he demanded. "There's a big difference between sandy beaches and matresses! Ouch... My back aches!"

But Keiko didn't mind his complaints. She raised her face above his, her eyes shining with emotion. Yusuke stared back at her, still stunned.

He was even more stunned when Keiko closed her eyes and lowered her mouth to his. So stunned he couldn't even shut his own eyes. He just gawked dumbly at her, and savored the sensation of her lips on his.

It was more than enough a reward for all the ki he used up during his fight with Yomi.

It was a state of absolute exhiliration.

A wave crashed over them, washing away his bag and leaving their captice audience breathless.

"Wow," Botan murmured.

When the wave subsided the couple was about two feet apart. Their hair was matted on their heads, both looking like little tikes who just discovered something new, something they never explored before. They blinked at each other, as if thinking, Whoa, what have we done? But then Keiko smiled slightly, and Yusuke smiled back.

Taking off his green jacket he rose to his feet and began to chase her. Keiko jumped up, seeking the protection of the blue waves. "Come back here!" Yusuke called out playfully. "I'm not done with you yet!" Keiko laughed that soft, musical laugh of hers and splashed water on him. Laughing, he sloshed her back.

Later they were joined by the group (minus Kurama and Shizuru). Yusuke hooked an arm around Kuwabara's neck, pretending to strangle him. Botan and Yukina had their own water fun. 

Then Yusuke and Keiko stood side by side, watching the last rays of the sun in the horizon, holding hands.

Both were content -- and glad -- that they stuck to their promises.


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Author's notes:

I wrote this mainly for myself. This was the last scene of Episode 112 of the anime. I wrote it down primarily so I won't forget the details (even if I have the whole series videotaped, courtesy of my friend Jha).

Of course, we can thank Yoshihiro Togahashi for this wonderful, praiseworthy animation. All charcters (and this time, the story ideas) are from him. Hail to the chief! ^_^;



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