Butterfly Kisses

Yukohana

This is my post-father's day fic. I hope you'll like it! I don't own Yuyu Hakusho, so please don't sue me! I hope I'll be getting some reviews!

*** means a flashback

"With all that I've done wrong, I must have done something right

To deserve her love every morning

And butterfly kisses"

Part I

I rested my back against the wall, the room was just too crowdy and it makes my vision move in circles. I'm already bathing with my own sweat, but the preparations for tomorrow's big event cannot be delayed, the wedding of my only daughter. Yes, my dear Sakura… now she's a complete woman. Twenty-eight years ago, she was just a helpless newborn crying almost everyday as I envelop her on my arms, and her dad would sing for her and dance with this little infant… her dad, Yusuke. Again, he'll miss being a part of his daughter's wonder.

***

I walked to the kitchen to check if there were still enough foods for the coming visitors. Sakura has just turned sixteen and every time I look at her, she is becoming a full-grown woman. Her friends have just left, but Yusuke and I are expecting the Urameshi group by dinner. And for the first time after sixteen years, we will be seeing Koenma again. It's weird but the thought that the prince of Reikai will be coming over leaves me uneasy. Somehow, I feel like there's something wrong, I don't know what is it yet but I'm sure to find out.

"Keiko."

I turned my head to face the owner of that familiar voice. "Hai, Yusuke?"

He smiled. A gesture that instead of making me want to smile back, it made me nervous. "I need to talk to you… It's about… Koenma…" he was obviously confused, that he couldn't find the right words to say. I didn't take my eyes off his, waiting patiently for the next line. "Koenma is coming for dinner tonight." His eyes have never looked that disturbed for the past eighteen years.

"I know." I replied composedly, being careful not to seem as troubled as he is.

His expression didn't change. He looked even more distressed. "He told me… I have to… You have to understand… After dinner…"

"I can't understand." I protested, "How would I if you won't finish a sentence?"

"Keiko, I don't want to do this, but I have to." He marched closer and held my hands.

"Do what?" Suddenly, I felt that everything he wanted to say I have heard before. "But you're not a Reikai tentei anymore."

He was speechless for a minute. Maybe thinking of what to say to make me understand. Almost twenty years ago, he had to leave for Makai. He casually told me all the reasons why he had to go. It was hard but way easier compared today. It is so much different today, he has a lot of responsibilities not just as a best friend, but as a husband and father as well. And I would honestly lose my mind if he leaves Sakura and me. "I will come back."

"First, tell me why." While he was justifying his reasons, my mind seemed to be flying somewhere else, and I didn't notice that I was already agreeing that he would leave. I kept on nodding and sighing and finally told him it's okay. "How long will it take you?"

"Just like before, three years, I can fix the problems there just in three years." He assuredly replied.

"Three years? JUST three years?"

"Three years, and that's a promise."

"But…"

"You trust me, right? Please trust me… I will keep that promise Keiko."

And there was nothing left for me to say, aside from "I do. I trust you. Be back in three years, alright?"

***

"Yusuke, what happened? You promised you'd be back on the third year. It has been seven years without a word from you." I gave out long sigh and stroked the beads of liquid on my forehead as well as the tears that are starting to build up on my eyes. I am happy for Sakura, but every time I think about her father it seems like my whole body is getting weak. Coming to think of it, Yusuke is not just my daughter's father, he is my husband too. And the fact that he hasn't shown up for a long time gives me great pain. The man I thought I would be spending my whole life with, through thick and thin, is like a Canary that flew and didn't found it's way back home.

"Oka-san, doushitano?"

My thoughts suddenly went back to the real world. And there, in front of me is my sweet daughter, always caring and thoughtful. I smiled back at her and assured her that everything is fine. She suggested that I should take a rest. "No." I softly replied, "I want to be a part of this."

She gave me a peck on the cheek, "Thanks. But you have been a big part already and a little rest won't make you a non-participant."

"You're getting married tomorrow, you're the one who should be taking a rest."

"Alright, the two of us should be resting." She raised an eyebrow and shot a big smile on me.

"Alright." I answered. "Shizuru…"

"Yes, I heard and I agree one hundred percent!" Shizuru kissed both of us goodbye as we started to walk outside the restaurant where the reception would take place. "Don't worry! I'll be in charge here!" she shouted.

Sakura hit the break of the car right in front of our house. She pleaded me to take a nap or just sit and relax while she checks some things on the church with her fiancé. After five minutes of discussion, she has finally convinced me to step out of the car and rest, and I get her to promise that she won't be long and when she comes back, she will take a rest with me. She drove off and I went in.

My jaws fall open and my eyes widened in shock when I saw a familiar figure standing with his back facing me. He was posed in front of the piano, staring at the pictures on top of it, while I… I stood there and watched him, not knowing what to say or what to do, my tears flow like a stream running. I was totally speechless, I wanted to utter his name to make him turn around, but I could not make any sound.

Finally, he moved his head and faced me. Tears were also visible in his eyes. "Please, don't throw me out." His voice was husky.

I covered my mouth with my hands. This must be a dream, I told myself. I must be dreaming… Right! I'm taking a nap… But he walked towards me and held me tight. His warm embrace that I longed to feel for years. No. This is the real thing; this is not a dream. All the anger and hatred I feel suddenly faded. I still love this man. "Yusuke." I whispered as my body surrendered into his. I slowly pulled myself from him. I need to hear an explanation. Whatever it is, I have to hear it. "Why?" I asked.

He stared back at me, goodness, he looked just the same when I last saw him. "Don't you want to slap me?"

"Maybe I will after I hear why."

He chuckled, and so did I. I have already forgiven him and I'm willing to accept him once again. But still, I needed to hear why.