Disclaimers: I don't own YYH

See? I've updated right? This is one way of expressing my regret for not updating. Anyways, this should make up the short story of Chap 7.

In this chapter, you'll see how I open another chap of Yusuke's life and his partner. Or so it seems...


SERENDIPITY

Chapter 8

Reminiscence

Leaves began to swirl around his feet as he walked by. It has been two years; two years since she left. And everyday, he has to battle with life as he struggled to move on again. Her memories were what were left to him. Memories he couldn't get away every time he looked at where they used to go. He looked up as cherry blossoms rain down on him slowly. And beyond the cherry blossoms… were laughter he longed to hear, smiling face he longed to see, and warm hands he longed to feel. But as what his friends encouraged him to do… move on…

He was standing at the park when suddenly a face appeared by the sidewalk.

"Yusuke!" she called. He gave her a small smile. It was Izumi, the girl he saved two years ago, from the same car that destroyed anything in its path.

"Hey! You're early today. Ready to go?"

He answered with a nod.

It was Izumi who made a huge progress in rebuilding his life again, after his own friends Kurama, Kuwabara, Yukina, Genkai-obaasan, Shizuru and Hiei. For some reason, Botan had not been sighted, to Kurama's dismay. But he reasoned she must be doing something else and have not yet known Keiko's departure – which was another puzzle for them since she is the death herself. Izumi was the one who neared Yusuke. Only during their conversation did she know about his girlfriend's death. Izumi was filled with sadness when she knew this. She kept on dropping by Yusuke's house everyday, bringing all sorts of food and other comforting things. Atsuko was grateful about it but she didn't really like Izumi more like she did to Keiko. Even his friends were grateful for her presence. Kuwabara suggested dating with Izumi and he almost found himself dead by the streets if Kurama did not intervene. Hiei was likely to imitate him too but Kurama balanced them both. Yukina, though sweet as she was always, didn't want to talk about Izumi because she said she felt something different from her.

"Maybe, its because of the fact that its Izumi who's coming after Yusuke and not Keiko." Reasoned Kurama during their meeting at Genkai's place.

"Yes. You are all just being new to her. Since she is new literally." Added Genkai.

But Yusuke wasn't bothered. He knew what he feels about her. And she was like a sister to her. But her efforts were becoming… obvious.

"How about having a nice rest in that coffee shop?" Izumi pointed at the coffee shop where he and Kuwabara used to go.

"Yeah." He agreed. They ordered cappuccino and a cake.

Izumi drank hers first. "Yummy. Try it Yusuke." She called to him. He drank it next. It was warming. Then, Izumi took one of the magazines from her shopping bag. She was peeling the plastic when Yusuke saw something. It was on the cover…

"Hey! Princess Yin is getting engaged with who? Wow…" she said and opened the page. There, standing with her back at the camera man was the princess in royal blue dress. She was obviously trying to avoid cameras. Somehow, Yusuke felt something lurched in his stomach but ignored it. The next page stood a man in princely suit, handsome blonde hair and an all-season smile. Yusuke raised a brow. How could women fall for that smile? He looks arrogant!

"Its Prince Rick of Western Areas! Can you believe it? Princess East meets Prince West! Its so romantic!"

But what was romantic about it, he didn't know because he chose to ignore. Izumi noticed his sudden silence, though he had been silent since the time she met him, and knew what it means. She felt pain shoot to her but tried her best not to show it.

"You still miss her, don't you?"

Yusuke was brought back to reality with painful creak of neck. "Oww.. what?"

Izumi played with her cake. "When would you try to move on, Yusuke? Have another girlfriend and move! She's dead and you're alive, and you should do something about it other than sitting there with me and looking over nowhere like I don't exist at all!" She stood up and began to leave. Yusuke didn't have the heart to stop her. For he knew, she was telling the truth.

"You should know Yusuke, there are others who are waiting for you!" And then the door slammed shut. People looked from the girl to him. Then, the door opened once again. This time, it was Kuwabara.

"Hey Yusuke! Why's Izumi fuming?" he asked him sitting down then jumping up when he sat on something.

"Hey! What's this? You reading a magazine now, Yusuke?" he asked, shoving the magazine under his nose without looking at it. Yusuke took it, thinking of returning it later and maybe… do something else.

"So what happened?"

Yusuke shrugged. Then, for once in his life, he understood.

"You're still thinking of her, don't you?"

He didn't reply.

"You know Yusuke, I reckon you're cracking up."

He rolled his eyes and looked at him.

"Yeah. You are cracking up. I never thought I'd see you really in that state. I'd thought it was impossible. But seeing you now, I finally knew that nobody is perfect."

He didn't move. But his hands were itching to wring Kuwabara.

"I know all you want to do now is kill me, Yusuke. But before you do, could you just move on? Izumi is quite a catch. She's lovable and caring. What more could a man ask for? If you're worried, you could talk to her about these things."

"You saw her! I can't just walk in there again and talk about her!"

He bonked Yusuke's head. "Hello? Is there still brain there? I didn't mean talk to Izumi! I meant Keiko!"

He looked at him with disbelief.

"Talk? Are you going nuts?"

It was Kuwabara's turn to roll his eyes.

"Like in the movies, y'know! Talk to her tomb, maybe she would hear you there. Then, you could ask for permission and go! I bet she wouldn't even say no to you. All she would want is you to be happy Yusuke. Trust me."

Yusuke sat up straight and leaned. "How did you know these things?"

Kuwabara leaned closer. "I read it in a book!"

Yusuke's brow raised. "I didn't know you could read and understand, Kuwabara!"

A cross mark appeared on his head and his ears protruded smoke. "Why you !"

From outside, Yusuke began to run out of reach from Kuwabara, who chased him.

"For the last time, I'll kill you Yusuke!" he called. Yusuke laughed.

"Hahaha! If you could catch me, fool! And don't worry, I'll try it soon!"

A smile appeared on Hiei's lips as he saw his opponent regain his atmosphere back. From there, he jumped back and out of sight.


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Sneak Preview:

"I'll be seeing you in the streets then, miss!" he called.

"And remember! Preserve the smile, okay!" he added wittingly.

Yin raised her head and halted. How could he manage to make her laugh? She looked back to have a clear picture. A breeze passed by and lifted her skirt to the left and her hair created a beautiful wave at her back.

"You're very funny, you know that?"

The guy in jeans and denim jacket froze in sight… "Keiko?" he muttered breathlessly.