Meanwhile, Keiko sat with Meiyuki in a booth in her parent's restaurant, the two of them quietly eating until the latter looked up with a smile and said, "Keiko, what's wrong? You're kind of jittery today. You said you wanted to talk to me about something, so talk to me."
She almost knocked over her drink as she said, "I'm sorry. I don't mean to be jittery. I just…Gods, I don't even know how to begin."
"Something to do with Yusuke?" she asked, and when Keiko nodded, she nodded back. "I think I understand. He told me something about wanting to go back to the Makai to train some more before the next Demon World Tournament. The boy is bound and determined to be the next ruler of Demon World."
"That's just it, though, Meiyuki," she said. "I don't want Yusuke to go back. When he returned the first time, he promised me that he wouldn't go back again unless it was a severe emergency. Surely there's something you can do to stop him, demon to demon? Please, Meiyuki, can you help me? We were going to get married."
She smiled and put a hand over Keiko's. "Listen," she said gently. "I can talk to him, but I can't guarantee that he'll come over to our side on this one. He's hardheaded; you know that. Not that I don't sympathize with you, of course. We all want him to stay here where it's safe. All I'm asking is that you don't get your hopes up if I talk to him."
Keiko shook her head furiously. "No, I won't! I promise! Please, Meiyuki! Please, will you talk to him for me?"
The Tigress laughed and said, "Of course I will, Keiko."
After they finished their dinner and walked out onto the street, Meiyuki looked around carefully, following Kurama's advice and watching for Yomi's spies. She was sure that if any were in the vicinity, she'd be able to feel their Energy right away. Feeling satisfied that none were around, she turned to Keiko as she said, "Okay, so I guess I'm off to Yusuke's apartment."
"Thank you, Meiyuki," Keiko said again. "And good luck."
She nodded and walked toward Yusuke's apartment, arriving just about fifteen minutes later. Atsuko answered the door in her usual euphoric state and said, "Sure, Meiyuki! Come on in! Yusuke! Yusuke, you have a visitor!"
"Geez, Mom!" he shouted, coming out of his room. "The whole block heard you!" He then realized who it was and instantly calmed down. "Meiyuki?" he asked. "What are you doing here?"
She smiled and said, "I wonder if we might speak in private, Yusuke. We have something of a situation on our hands, and I need to talk to you."
He nodded and grabbed a jacket as they walked back outside. They stood out on the balcony, and he was growing restless as she didn't say anything. "Well?" he asked. "What's going on?"
Meiyuki glanced inside to make sure that Atsuko wasn't listening in and said quietly, "Keiko tells me that you're going back to the Makai. Surely you realize that if you do that, you'll be breaking her heart. I think she deserves better than that, Yusuke."
The young half-demon sighed, knowing now the entire reason she'd come to see him. "I know what I'm doing. I know I'm hurting her, but I've already explained that I'll be back after a few years. I have to train harder and--,"
"Did you ever think that a few years is a few years to many?" she interrupted. "Did you ever stop to consider that maybe, just maybe, Keiko doesn't want to wait for you anymore? What if she's gone by the time you get back? You'll be kicking yourself, wishing you hadn't left. Are you really so confident that you're willing to run that risk?"
He gave her an angry look while saying still calmly, "Yeah, actually. I am. I know that she'll wait. She always has. We've been friends too long for her to just give up like that. She knows that I love her, and she isn't going to just throw that away, not while she knows I still have a chance."
She just shook her head. "All right, Yusuke," she replied. She then looked him up and down and asked worriedly, "Are you going alone?"
"I planned on it," he said. "But the others from the tournament are still there, and they said they'd join my at my father's castle to train with me and the priests. When are you planning on going back?"
She shrugged. "I'm not sure. I guess when I feel like the time is right. I was going to let the Makai wind down a little before going back. Besides, Yomi is going to be able to sense it the moment I step through the barrier. I'd rather not run the risk of him catching me just yet. After what happened at the Demon World Tournament, I'm willing to bet that he'll kill me off as quickly as he can without too much of a struggle."
Yusuke raised an eyebrow. "So you're just going to hide here in the Human World? That doesn't sound like you. I hate to say it, but it actually sounds like Kurama. Is he the one making you be this cautious?"
"Come on, Yusuke," she said with a hint of indifference. "You and I both know that he's just looking out for me. I mean, for gods' sake, he's my closest friend now, the one upon whose shoulder I cried when the only two White Tigers left, the demons I loved, were killed. I guess it's really my fault that he's become so protective. I shouldn't have met him before I became so vulnerable. If only I had waited until after the tournament to seek him out…"
She paused for a moment and then went on, "Anyway, he's also older than I am, and therefore wiser. Besides, I kind of like it here. Human World is very nice and so peaceful. It's a welcome change, I assure you."
"You say that like you don't mean it," he said with a smirk. "You know, if you wanted to come back with me when I leave in a couple of weeks, you're more than welcome to."
"No," she said a little too quickly to be believable. "I can't, and I won't. I really do like it here, Yusuke, and I want to stay. Kurama's family is so kind to let me stay with them, and his mother is probably the sweetest woman (of any species) I've ever met. I want to experience more of this lifestyle before going back to that torturous world."
He nodded with a smile. "Sure," he replied. "I get it. I guess you and I are different in that I grew up here. I want to get back to the Makai and see excitement. You grew up knowing nothing but chaos, in which case I guess Human World isn't so bad."
"Not at all," she said, smiling back. "Now, if you'll excuse me, Yusuke. I'm going to go home. I suggest you break the news easily to Keiko. She's sure going to miss you."
"Sure," he replied. "I'll see you, Meiyuki."
"Goodbye, Yusuke. Come and find us before you leave."