Dear Readers,

So sorry I haven't written in a long time!

I've got questions about the Japanese word 'Mitsukai' and it's just a small nickname of Botan I found on the web! Kawaii, ne?

Please review about Hiei. I don't want to leave him out.

Now here's your chapter, dedicated to Yusuke and Keiko lovers!

Love,

Wolf Princess Aya

Lasting Memories

Keiko hummed to herself as she walked quietly out the door and onto the porch, a broom in her hand. It was going to be a hot day, she could tell already, so she decided to get her outdoor chores over with first.

'Though it will be a beautiful day,' she thought happily as she looked up at the sky, shielding her eyes against the bright sun.

Shrugging with a smile, she began to sweep the porch down, never expecting what was going to happen next.

Keiko looked up, slightly startled, as she heard a carriage approaching. 'What's going on?' she thought, shocked, as she watched a royal cart trundle up to her house and stop quite suddenly.

"Keiko!" cried a thrilled Yusuke as he hopped out of the carriage, a large basket in one hand, and jingling walking staff in the other. Keiko stared blankly at the vizier as the carriage rolled away.

"Well? Am I not even going to get a hello?"

"What the hell are you doing here!" Keiko exclaimed, her broom dropping with a clatter.

"Duh, we're going on a pinic!" Yusuke smiled at her, showing her his basket proudly.

". . . Why?" Keiko asked dryly, crossing her arms and staring at him.

"Why? Because I like to spend time with you!" And he sounded truly honest.

Keiko continued to stare at him, but her gaze had gotten much softer. 'Why would he want to spend time with me? Does he mean it? I- I- I-' "I've got chores," she replied lamely, waving dully to her broom. "I can't."

"Can't they wait?"

"No."

"Please?"

"No!"

"Pretty please?"

"NO!"

"Pretty please with sugar on top?"

"WHAT PART OF NO DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND!" Keiko cried, her anger mixed with exasperation.

"The part that implied that it's being said to me," Yusuke smirked as he took a step closer, picked Keiko up with one arm-the one holding the staff- , threw her over his shoulder, and began walking down the path with her like that.

"PUT ME DOWN, DAMN IT!" she shrieked as she banged her fists on his back.

Yusuke pretended not to notice and began whistling a very cheery tune to himself as he walked along, Keiko screaming on his back.

"Will you put me down yet?" Keiko asked dully twenty minutes of walking later.

"Nope!" Yusuke replied casually, still carrying her over his shoulder.

". . . If you're not going to put me down," Keiko said slowly, her voice calm, "AT LEAST GET YOUR BLODDY HAND OFF MY ASS, YUSUKE YOU JERK!"

Yusuke moved his hand quickly. "Such language for a young lady!"

"Shut up."

"Why?"

"Because I'll punch your lights out, that's why." Yusuke shivered happily. She was even cute when she threatened him.

"Okay, I'll shut up. But only on one condition," the vizier grinned.

"And what's that?" Keiko sighed, feeling very defeated.

"You try to enjoy yourself."

Keiko looked oddly at him. "You actually expect me to have a good time?"

"Well," Yusuke grunted, stopping and letting Keiko off of his shoulder, "I'm going to try to get you to have a good time." He smiled like a little boy at her and continued walking along. She just stood and watched him.

"Hey," he called back, stopping suddenly and looking over his shoulder at her, "if you don't come along, I'll carry you again."

In spite of herself, Keiko felt a small smile appear on her lips, and she followed him silently.

"Close your eyes," Yusuke grinned a little while later, as the two of them approached a cave.

It was an odd sight: a sudden, rocky wall that pierced the endless miles of level, grassy fields. But there it was, almost like a mountain range, with a huge cave penetrating through it.

"Why?" Keiko asked dryly, looking at Yusuke out of the corner of her eye. "That cave looks dark enough as it is."

"Please, just do it," he grinned at her.

"No," she replied firmly, sticking her nose in the air.

"Fine," he smirked at her, "I'll do it for you!"

"Oh no you don't-!" she began, but Yusuke had already placed his hands over her eyes, and she couldn't remove them.

"Trust me," he said, his voice calm and collected. And for some reason, she did. He was warm and friendly and smelt really nice, like cinnamon and pine, and- for all her complaining, whining, and sarcastic remarks- he hadn't giving up on her. He hadn't even lost his patience.

Could he be different then the others . . .?

No. He's not. All men are the same.

And Keiko hated men.

'I hate men,' she reminded herself firmly as she tried not to enjoy the vizier's soft hands over her eyes.

She could feel the temperature drop slightly as they entered the cave, and she could hear their footsteps echo along with the pounding thoughts in her head.

I HATE MEN.

I HATE MEN.

I HATE MEN.

I HATE-

"We're here!" Yusuke cried cheerfully as Keiko felt the sun on her face once more. They had left the cave.

She could hear water rushing and birds twittering softly as she slowly opened her eyes. The girl had to stifle a gasp.

They had emerged in what must have been a wonderland.

Twisting, knobby gray trees with soft, pink and white blossoms were scatter all over. Large bushes of lilacs, roses, and butterfly bushes grew amidst the green grasses and perfumed the air, while other wild flowers carpeted the ground, which now rolled into small hills. Over to the right, a wide, shallow river bubbled lazily through the scene with multicolored rocks lining its bank, and willows sweeping the warm waters with long braches.

"Oh. . ." was all Keiko could manage. She whirled around to stare at Yusuke, her eyes wide.

The vizier looked quiet pleased with himself. "Are you hungry?" he smiled, raising the basket, "because I packed us lunch."

'. . . Did he really plan all of this for me?' Keiko thought her eyes still on Yusuke. 'Could he . . .? No. He- he isn't different. No man is.'

She swallowed. "I- I-"

"So you're hungry?" he chuckled. She could do nothing but nod. Staring blankly, her hand clenched at her chest, she watched Yusuke take a blanket out of his basket and spread it out over the ground near the stream.

Plopping down on it, he motioned for Keiko to join him. Tentatively, she kneeled down next to him, staring at the basket, unsure of what to say.

"I hope you like what I've got," Yusuke said again casually, digging through the basket, "because I wasn't sure what to pack. I know Botan likes sweet stuff, so I thought you probably did too. 'Course, I prefer things with a touch more spice, so I packed a variety of each! Well, actually, Riku did, but what ever."

Keiko smiled. "I like spicy food. . ." she replied softly, taking the container the boy handed her. Opening it, she stared in amazement.

Inside was a small feast. Chicken, salad, potatoes, all spiced and garnished, all ready to eat.

"My gods. . ." she whispered, as Yusuke laughed.

"I hope you think it tastes as well as it looks," he grinned, handing her a fork and taking out a glass.

"Do you like wine? Because it's all I've got."

Keiko glared half-heartedly at him. "What, are you trying to get me drunk?"

"No, I was trying to be classy. And it was all I could find," he smiled sheepishly as he handed her a glass of red wine. She took a silent sip of the liquid. It was sweet and tangy, and greatly complimented the meal. But apart from the splendor of the food, she didn't once take her eyes off of Yusuke.

Questions and feelings bubbled and boiled inside of her until she could take it no longer.

"Why are you doing this!" she asked suddenly, as she slammed down her plate and glass. "Why take the time! I hate you!"

"Well, Keiko," Yusuke replied calmly, not looking remotely hurt, "I don't think you do. I want to see past the little bubble you've placed around yourself, and I want to get to know you."

"You're just another lecher!" she cried, slapping his hand (which had been inching dangerously close to her behind) in emphasis.

"Maybe," the vizier replied, rubbing his sore hand, "but maybe not. You haven't gotten to know me, either, have you?" Keiko didn't say anything, instead taking a bite of her lunch.

"I think," he said thoughtfully, taking a sip of his wine, "that you need me. You need someone who can be there for you, since no one else has been. You need someone to care for you, so you can have someone to care for yourself. You're hurting, Keiko, and you don't even realize it."

Keiko glowered. "I am NOT hurting! I don't need you! I DON'T NEED ANYONE!" Yusuke smiled at her, despite her glaring face.

"You and I both know that's a lie." Keiko glared, but her gaze softened slightly.

"Humph," she grunted, taking a swig of her drink. 'It was a lie. . .' she thought to herself, trying not to let her horror show on her face. 'How does he know? Does he actually care- - -?'

She stood up quickly, dusting off her dress and crossing her arms. "How do you know how I feel?" she snarled, looking down her nose at him. "What I fear? You speak of something you know nothing about!"

Yusuke looked calmly up at her. "Keiko, what you fear most is someone else leaving you. Wither it be Botan or your brother or another man- you fear being alone. I can see it in your eyes." Keiko's lip trembled. 'How does he know- - -?'

"But Keiko, this is what I don't know," Yusuke grunted as he stood up and took a step closer to her. "What I don't know is why you won't give me a chance. I'll always be there for you, I promise."

"And you're not the first to do so," Keiko growled, but her voice cracked as her eyes filled with tears. She looked away, glaring at the stream.

"Keiko. . ." Yusuke whispered as he tilted her chin to look at him, "Give me a chance. . ." Keiko looked at him through tear filled, glaring eyes as her lip trembled.

Could there be a different ending to the same old story?

'Cause you're not the first to say you're going to be there for me

I need to know what's in your heart

can you finish what you start?

How can I be sure I won't be sorry?

If heartaches and tears

and shadows of doubt

Are part of the deal

you can count me out.

But if you're talking about

A game I can win

you can count me in

"I just. . . I just can't trust anyone!" Keiko cried, turning her head forcefully away again as she turned to stomp away. "I- I hate men! You're no different then any of the others!"

"But I am!" Yusuke pleaded as he grabbed her wrist. She turned around and glared at him, the tears in her eyes pouring down her cheeks.

"Let me go!" she cried as she hit him hard across the head. So hard, in fact, that he staggered backwards, still holding onto her wrist.

"Eep!" Keiko cried as Yusuke accidentally tripped, and the two began tumbling down a hill. 'I just can't trust him!' she thought as the two of them rolled over and over. 'I can't!'

'Can I . . .?'

When you tell me you're the one I've always needed

You don't know how much I'm wanting to believe it

But I've heard it all before

Now I'm needing something more

A promise is no good if you can't keep it!

The two landed at the bottom of the hill in a patch of flowers, Yusuke on top of Keiko. Butterflies fluttered out of the flowers as the two stopped, both grass stained and panting.

"Are you okay?" Yusuke asked softly as he ran a hand gently down Keiko's tear streaked cheek. She nodded, gulping. She glared for a moment more, but then looked away, fresh tears beginning to pour down her face.

"What's wrong?" he asked, surprised and worried. "Did you get hurt?"

"No. . . ." she whispered, sniveling. "But. . ." She looked up at him, drowning in his eyes. "Do- do you mean what you say?"

"About . . .?"

"About me! And- and about you! And- and-" She was struggling for words as she looked up at him with her tear filled orbs. "Damn it!" she cursed to herself as she gave up. "I don't know. . ."

If heartaches and tears

and shadows of doubt

Are part of the deal

you can count me out.

But if you're talking about

A game I can win . . .

". . . Will I always be there for you? Do I mean what I say?" he whispered, drying her tears with his thumb, "Is that what you're asking?" Keiko nodded. Gods his hands were soft.

"Yes," he replied simply. And she believed him. Leaning down slightly, Yusuke placed his lips gently against hers, in a kiss that sent shivers down her spine. As his kiss ended, she looked up at him and smiled a watery smile before kissing him herself.

You can count me in

That was great, ne?

I'll update as soon as possible, and I'll do more especially on November 2- 3 since that is my birthday!

Wish me a happy birthday and I hope you enjoyed 'Lasting Moments! Review! Ja ne!

Aya-chan