Hello again! Today's update is a fun, to the heart piece taking another look at how Yukina and Yusuke's friendship is developing. We've seen how protective she's grown of him - time to see the same from him? Read and find out! My prompt was "Wealth" and please enjoy!

Disclaimer: Togashi lets me play in his fandom because he's awesome like that. lol 'taint mine!


Understood Royalty

Being King couldn't possibly be easy, but after successfully winning the tournament he had begun about four centuries prior, Yusuke was doing just fine during his three hundred and twenty-first reign.

And at his side was not a queen, but his counselor, chief medic and friend – the lovely and coveted Yukina. There had been a great many of demon males, both questionable in character and non that sought her for her a mate, but when her polite refusal wasn't enough, Yusuke was prompt to "handle the situation" for her.

Today he had dealt with another miscreant seeking her hand by using merely one foot to push the scoundrel at least six hundred yards in the opposite direction. His fist would have been used, but that would have meant Yukina's ministrations to his wild hair would have been disrupted, so he chose the safer alternative.

"Ow! Do ya have to be so rough?" Yusuke whined when she found a tangle, the Ice Apparition working at it as gently as possible.

She continued to pick and laughed a little. "This can't possibly be that painful, Yusuke. You've been dead twice."

"But see – there's the point. I was dead! I couldn't feel it!"

"And then how do you compare this to all the broken bones, busted bodily organs, and other such injuries you've had during the course of your life?" Yukina leaned up by his cheek, pecking him softly like she always did when she teased him.

He went silent, recounting the series of fights he'd been through, starting to see her point rather quickly. "Well, you get the idea. This still hurts like you wouldn't believe-OW!" Another tangle, obviously. "Say Yukina… ever wonder if Hiei will try to be King? Since he hasn't fought in the tournament for several years, I'm beginning to wonder if your brother thinks he's lost his edge."

Yukina combed out the treacherous tangle easily while he talked, his thoughts conveniently distracting him from her work. "I'm sure being three things at the same time takes precedence to vying for a monarchial title. Remember, Yusuke – he's playing the role of mate, father and general all at once. You have to give credit where credit is due."

"Oh yeah… keep forgetting Short-Stack has little junior versions of himself running around…" Yusuke's thoughts trailed off, suddenly wanting to ask Yukina a question he had been denying himself the right to ask. But now it was burning in his mind and he couldn't stand it any longer. "Yukina… are you okay being with me like this?"

She brushed some more, though she listened with great intent. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, well…" He rubbed the back of his neck, immediately noticing the distinct softness of his hair, no longer as rough when being tamed by the Ice Child. She made everything seem softer and more appealing. No wonder so many guys were after her. "We've both moved on since Kuwabara… and Keiko… And you've had lots of opportunities to mate again with a demon. What I'm trying to say is, are you happy that we are who we are without being anything more than what we are?"

In his mind it sounded so simple, but he was sure to her it sounded like scrambled communications over ancient military radio. Being without one's mate now in this life used to be a great burden and difficulty – in fact, Keiko's passing is what fuelled Yusuke to victory in his first tournament back after his life as a human reached an ending point. He was saddened and heartbroken, but she gave him renewed strength as he pushed on towards his future. Still, even now – almost three hundred years later – he loved her with every bone in his body.

And then he discovered that Yukina's hands had stopped their work and she was now kneeling in front of him, head touching the floor, humbled to even be in his presence. When she sat up and she faced him, he saw her jubilant smile remind him of the small blessings he had to be thankful for.

"Yusuke, before you were my King, you were my friend. And before that you were my savior." She leaned forward slightly to take his open hands in hers, holding them gently as she continued, "I am more than happy to be in your service, and that will never change."

Finally, he smiled back, relief filling him up and showing in his expression. "Glad to hear it, girl. Still, I kinda like the thought of calling you 'Queenie', just to get all those guys off your case."

Yukina laughed and took up her brush again, immediately finding a stubborn rat's nest in his thick strands, causing him great strains once more. "Nice try, Yusuke, but you'll get the same answer I've been giving all the others. My heart will always belong to Kazuma and no other. No offense."

Trying to ignore the pulling and picking, Yusuke relished in her reassuring words and maintained his smile. "None taken."

Thinking of Keiko the way Yukina thought of Kuwabara brought such a warmth to his heart that he couldn't help but feel as though she was still alive. Maybe part of her was in the air – in Yukina, even.

Though he was the King of Makai, he was Keiko's king first. And likewise, Yukina would always be Kazuma's queen. Yusuke liked knowing these facts. He couldn't feel more solid having those reassurances along with Yukina at his side for the rest of his days. Life was good.


She is so devoted to him, but he's just as dedicated to her, of course! I hope you liked this part and look forward to more! Thank you for your time, Beautiful Reader!