CHAPTER 5

Keiko remained depressed, still longing for their lost child, still hugging the pillow and it was clear for Yusuke that there is nothing he could do about it. He just cried with her, hugged her tight, watched over her and prayed. But things got on it's worst when Keiko's depression lead her to be distant from her own environment, even for Yusuke. She stopped eating and talking. She was always at one corner staring at the atmosphere. And then she got sick…but still didn't want to take in some foods, and Yusuke trying to bring back his Keiko begged and tried to convince her to consume foods. He also talked to her even if she's mind seemed to be flying on the other world. Even if he knew that it was hopeless for them, he still did his responsibility as her husband, her bestfriend. But Keiko never recovered, instead, she got worse on each passing days. She was bedridden, was obviously weak and has lost a lot of weights. Yusuke as well lost weights, he became weak as she did, he tried to be strong but she was the source of his strength…Without her strength, there wouldn't be his.

"Keiko, you have to eat…You have to be better. You have to be strong! I can't be strong without you. We're in this together remember? Don't you dare try to leave me…I can't go on without you. Keiko…We can still have our children…We can still start once more…Who knows, we might be able to go back to Ningenkai…Who knows, we might see our parents again…our friends…don't you want that? We wanted that remember? When we get back to the human world, we will have a better life…we will live happily and peacefully…we will have many children…We can also put up our own ramen shop… Keiko…" Yusuke tells to an absent minded Keiko.

One day, out of the blue, Keiko spoke, "Yusuke, I'm tired." almost inaudible.

Yusuke was dumbfounded, yet he was so happy he wanted to scream…It was as if she had woken up from a very long sleep. He missed her voice he was dying to hear for so long. "What is it?" he wanted to hear more.

"I'm sorry." She whispered to him.

He tilted his head near her mouth to hear clearly, and he whispered back, "For what?

"For giving up." Keiko was weak and her voice was faint.

"Don't say that. It's not yet too late."

"Maybe someday we will live our dreams…together…"

"Someday soon, Keiko."

"Thank you Yusuke…for loving me."

Yusuke smiled at her. "Hey! You love me too…and because of you I feel so complete."

Keiko chuckled. "I feel so weak, yet happy."

"I'm glad that you're happy."

"I'm happy because of you."

"No. I'm happy because of you."

"Yusuke…Aishiteru…"

"Aishiteru, Keiko." He kissed her softly on the lips.

As they broke apart, a tear fell on Keiko's cheeks. Yusuke stroked his thumb on it to wipe away the liquid that fell from her big Sepia eyes. Her eyes locked with his, full of pain and fear. Her face was cold and so were her palms as they touched his face. "Remember that…Yusuke…" the voice that Yusuke loved so much faded, like the frigid breeze of the night. Her radiant eyes slowly shut, as she moved her lips to smile at him for the last time.

"No!!!" Like a roar of a wild cat, Yusuke's howl enveloped the stillness of the night and roused every creature on the land. For his beloved Keiko went and left him alone on the land where the two of them belonged.

In Betweens. In between the three worlds their love had grown. In between the happiness and heartaches, together they grew strong. In between the sorrow and emptiness he felt, he knew Keiko would be there for him to hold.

She was gone, and with her did Yusuke's strength flew to the skies. His compassion for life slowly faded. His hopes and dreams he used to make disappeared. Everything vanished with Keiko's life, even his, and what's left for him was his undying love and faith that have kept them intact. Not long after, Yusuke followed her path. He left the land to be united with her. He died of sorrow and loneliness, he didn't want to live without her after all. After he buried her body beside their child's grave, he never left the place. All he wanted to do was look after them, cry and talk to them, he did not eat nor drink.

Keiko stood before him, clasped in her arms was a small figure clothed in white, so was she. They were like angels from above. She reached her hand to him. "Yusuke, don't be sad now… We're here, we won't leave you… never again."

Yusuke marveled with the beauty that surrounded his family. His eyes were teary with all the joys his heart suddenly felt. It was like a dream, a fantasy that came true… Maybe there was forever still and all… "Keiko." He extended his hand and she took it, a soft but passionate kiss was shared. The child moved and giggled, the lovers stared at little Keisuke, who seemed like a little cherub, who brought into their hearts, bliss and sereneness. Undoubtedly, his time finally came to be with the one he truly loves. And so they flew away from this lonely land…the land of In Betweens.

Botan jumped from her oar as it dissolved on her hand. She took a deep breath hoping that it will lighten her feelings. She pushed the door of the familiar shop open. Almost three years had passed since she last visited this place, and she wasn't surprised at all to see that nothing much have changed, the Yukimuras are one of the simplest people she had ever met. A smile greeted her as she stepped into the ramen house, it was Keiko's dad, and her mom was there beside him, with Atsuko, Yusuke's mom, having a warm conversation with Koenma and Kurama. They probably have explained everything to them, they probably have told them the whole story. Although she was expecting to see them wailing for the tragic ending, she was glad that they can still afford to smile.

"Kuwabara, Shizuru, Hiei and Yukina are on their way." Botan said.

Koenma nodded at her. "We should go now. Yusuke and Keiko are waiting for us."

As they all stood and walked to the door, to meet with their children and friends once more. No tears were visible on anyone's eyes; they were all trying to be strong. And since the tears can't really measure the pain inside, because it's the heart that cries so wild.

Yes, losing someone you love is painful, more so, if the one you lost is a child you have given birth to and spent almost half of your life with, loving him or her and pampering them. It was indeed a great pain for the parents of the two to hear the sad story of Yusuke and Keiko's life, but deep inside they knew the two have somehow been happy to share a love that is rare and one of a kind. Their death? It was in fact easier to accept than knowing that they have a life that fate is playing with.

Their bodies lie at the temple of Genkai, where their friends and families bid their last goodbye. But for Yusuke and Keiko, there was never goodbye…

AUTHOR'S NOTE: A bit short…sniff sniff…and sad too! Reviews please…thanks!