A Shift in Dimension

Chapter 1: Our lives now

The tiny cafe huddled despondently among the huge city buildings, washed out under the overcast sky as it fought against the drizzle. The door swung open and a gust of cold wind flooded in, capturing several customers' attention. Contrary to its bleak facade, the interior of the café was warm and cheery, sporting bright lights and colorful walls. The customers returned to their conversations as the door fell shut behind the entrant, the cold breeze forgotten.

Keiko looked back at her fiancé, frowning at the worry reflected in his eyes. His forehead was furrowed in deep thought, mouth pulled into a scowl. She had noticed his strange behavior for three weeks now and she really didn't know what to do about it.

He was unusually quiet. The subtle downturn of his mouth and unfocused eyes were always present. He was always gone by the time she returned from work. She tried asking several times about his behavior but his answers were always vague. All he ever said was that he was doing something important, and he refused to tell her anything else. It reminded her too much about his former shenanigans as a Spirit Detective, and that bothered her.

'What's going on? Is he involved with something dangerous again?'

She propped an elbow on the table, her cheek resting on the soft pad of her palm as she observed him. She'd asked him on this date to distract him, but it seemed to be proving futile. Yusuke spoke normally, but his jokes were forced and his smile faints, betraying the thoughts brewing in that troubled brain of his.

Keiko frowned. She had had an idea about what might be wrong with Yusuke, but she did her best not to think about it, hoping the problem to be something else. Unfortunately, if she was right, it would mean that there was nothing she could do to make it better.

She wasn't a psychic or a half-demon, she was just… Keiko. Plain Keiko Yukimura. Human Keiko Yukimura, unable to help him with half of who he was. Half of what made Yusuke what he was. No matter how much she tried, she would never be able to share that half with him. She hated that. She didn't know that she would one day loathe her own origin because the love of her life was a half-demon. She hated feeling useless. If only she could do more for Yusuke. But she couldn't; she was just an ordinary human.

She sighed softly. This particular topic, from the depths of her heart, always made her reminisce. It had been five years since Yusuke officially returned from Makai. During that time, Keiko had still been in college.

Keiko's eyes shifted from her unfocused fiancé to the water droplets on the window glass beside her. Her thoughts flew through the years that had passed in the blink of an eye. So much had happened, so many things had changed, and yet, here she was, still plain old Keiko.

Keiko had been ecstatic when Yusuke returned from Makai. Everything had felt surreal, like a dream she'd wake from at any moment, and that frightened her.

That day, the sun had already been setting, and the pink, violet, and orange-hued sky had collided into the horizon. The ocean, fresh and salty, had clung to their wet clothes as they played at the beach like children who had seen the sea for the first time. It was an unforgettable reunion, considering that she had almost been ready to give up on him. She was done waiting, she was tired—tired of worrying, and tired of being his second choice.

That night, as they had ridden the train back home, she had asked Yusuke if she could stay the night with him in his apartment. She hadn't wanted to be separated from him even for a second, afraid to let him go. He had looked at her like she was losing her mind and was ready to reject her, but when his eyes met hers, he had seen the fear, the longing, the loneliness swimming in them, and changed his mind.

He had stuttered and grumbled his agreement with red ears that he tried to hide by staring at the window beside him, pouting like a child. Keiko had beamed at him and quickly took out her phone to call her parents about the arrangement, informing them of Yusuke's most awaited return.

They were very happy and excited that Yusuke was finally back from 'America'. How they believed that bullshit was something Keiko would never comprehend, considering his level of intellect. With a 'Don't forget to use protection!' that had made her stammer a high-pitched 'Mom, that's not it!', the call ended and she and Yusuke spent the night snuggling for the first time since they realized their feelings for one another.

They only slept together, as in next to each other with their clothes on—there had been no funny business. Throughout the night, she had urged him to tell her about his adventures, what he had done in the Makai, and if he had accomplished his goal. They had talked until dawn and until sleep clouded her senses and his baritone voice that she had missed for more than three years lulled her to sleep.

When she had opened her eyes the next morning, she almost panicked, thinking all that had happened yesterday was a dream. Then she saw him, Yusuke, the love of her life, the man that she had waited years for, snoring beside her with his arm wrapped tightly on her waist, and she was overwhelmed. She couldn't help but cry, and she ended up waking Yusuke in the process. It took her a while to get used to the reality that he was finally back.

That euphoria had lasted for months, especially on the day after his return. She had felt like she was floating on air and had been bouncing happily on her feet.

She had almost refused to go to her university that morning, but Yusuke had laughed at her and told her that he would still be there when she returned. This was quite a shock to her, as it had always been her who would tell him not to ditch in their school years.

Given the circumstances, she was still forced to go to her university the day after Yusuke's return. She hadn't realized how much she glowed with happiness or how her anxiety to leave for the day played across her face, but her friends had. To her chagrin, they pointed it out quite loudly during lunch break at the cafeteria, which caused quite a commotion. Keiko wasn't boasting or anything, but she had been pretty popular, and there were a lot of potential suitors loitering around her, waiting for an opportunity. Unfortunately for them, Keiko hadn't noticed them at all. Well, she had, but she had chosen to pretend she hadn't.

She hadn't exactly gone about announcing that she was already taken. After all, who would have believed her when the person she had claimed to be her boyfriend was not around? She chose to remain silent about her real relationship status, refusing to join her friends on their dating groups. She had told them that she wasn't interested in dating anyone. 'Anyone but her half-demon boyfriend who went gallivanting in Makai and hadn't returned since then,' went unsaid, although she was tempted to add it.

She had thought that her friends accepted her answer and respected her decision, but it seemed like they had other plans for her. They had set her up on a couple of blind dates behind her back, lying about group assignments and studying. When she showed up at the agreed meeting place, however, there were no friends waiting for her but a handsome guy from their university. That day, her friends learned the hard way that she hadn't appreciated the gesture at all.

So when she had just blurted out that her boyfriend had returned from America, after four years of thinking that she was single, there was a riot.

She hadn't known the number of suitors she had until that day and it creeped her out. All-day long, guys went out of their way to confirm the dubious rumor that had spread so quickly all over the university.

She had no clue how she caught so many guys' interests. Maybe it was her serious personality when it came to studying, her high grades, her sportsmanship in playing volleyball, her looks, or her nonchalant attitude when it comes to men that were interested in her. She didn't know the real reason, but the number of admirers she had was baffling. Frankly, she had been freaked out by the sudden turn of events, so she had run for the gates when the dismissal bell rang and had sighed in relief when she saw Yusuke waiting for her outside the university's gate.

However, her boyfriend's appearance had caused another commotion, accompanied by flabbergasted looks from her friends.

She couldn't help but laugh every time she remembered the look on their faces when she had introduced him to them. She hadn't enjoyed their comical reaction the way she had enjoyed Yusuke's reaction when he found out that all the boys who followed her outside were her admirers.

The half-demon had been displeased by this information and hadn't hesitated to let them know how much he 'appreciated' their attention for the woman he claimed as his own. He had gone so far as to threaten to maim them if they didn't stay away from her. Suffice to say, her admirers learned a lesson that day. Keiko was off-limits. If Yusuke had unconsciously leaked out a little bit of his demon energy at that time, no one had noticed, but Keiko suspected it to be so.

Yusuke had started a small business shortly after his return: a small ramen stand. After a year, though, he closed it down suddenly. It wasn't for lack of customers or popularity because, surprisingly enough, the former spirit detective was a very good cook and the ramen stand was missed by many. At that time, her boyfriend had other plans inside his surprisingly complex mind and went back to the demon world for three days. That had almost given her a heart attack, thinking that it would take him another three years to return.

After his return, though, he assured her that he would never leave her side for so long again. He had then surprised her with a key in his hands, awkwardly asking if she wanted to live with him for the rest of their lives as he scratched his cheek.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, was how her half-demon boyfriend proposed to her.

She had laughed at him, causing him to demand an explanation angrily. And, instead of answering his question, she asked him one of her own. 'Are you officially proposing to me now?' she had asked as she giggled at his crimson face. 'What do you think!? I bought us a house, damn it! You can't be this dense, Keiko. Will you stop laughing!' he had yelled, flustered.

It wasn't very surprising that Yusuke used a house key instead of a ring when proposing. Only he would think that it was normal and acceptable. For all that he had matured, there were some ways in which he was still improving, with romance being one of those ways. She did love him, though, for all his awkward, fumbling

attempts.

During their first few months together, she hadn't bothered to be too hopeful about whether Yusuke would really propose to her since it was almost impossible for Yusuke to do that kind of cheesy stuff—that doofus.

That was why Keiko had taken the liberty of dragging him into a jewelry store so they could choose a ring after they had checked out the house that Yusuke purchased. How much the ring had cost him, the brunette didn't want to remember; the number of zeroes was mind-boggling. But Yusuke had shrugged and paid like it was nothing.

She had asked him how he had so much money in his bank account and he had told her nonchalantly that it was his inheritance. She had stared at him as though he had just claimed to be a millionaire all this time. The man had the gall to shrug her off like it wasn't a big deal. So she never asked again. She just couldn't figure out her fiancé's way of thinking.

She realized after their first anniversary that Yusuke didn't always stay in the human world, particularly after she came home to an empty house and saw a note posted on the fridge saying that he would be gone for three days for a serious meeting in Makai.

When he had returned, she asked him how many times he had gone to visit the Demon world while she was busy at school. That was when she found out that he returned to Makai from time to time to check out how Hokushin was doing, preferably while she was at the university, and went back to Ningenkai before her dismissal. That was also the first time she was introduced to that name. Apparently, Hokushin was Yusuke's 'royal' assistant.

Truth be told, Keiko hadn't believed Yusuke's claim about being royalty. Partly because it amused her to see his pouting face whenever she brushed off his claims, and partly because it was impossible to imagine Yusuke as a prince of an entire country, Makai or not, let alone a king!

The doubts lasted until Hokushin suddenly knocked on their house one early morning, interrupting her much-needed sleep on one of her days off. That was when she realized that her fiancé wasn't actually joking.

Keiko's eyes had widened comically when Hokushin bowed in greeting and called her fiancé 'Lord Yusuke'. No one could blame her doubts, though. After all, Kuwabara couldn't believe it even with Kurama's assurances.

Speaking of Kuwabara, the man was now working in Kurama's stepfather's company—which was practically run by Kurama himself—as Kurama's personal assistant (surprise, surprise!) He was also living in his own apartment with his newly wedded wife, Yukina, to Hiei's utter horror.

Quite frankly, Keiko didn't know why the short demon was so angry. It was a mystery, really, but she was sure that Kurama, Yusuke, and Botan knew; their unsuccessful attempt at laughing at the fire demon's expense had been a glaring indication. Kurama's off-handed comments helped cement the fact that the three of them were privy to a very sweet and juicy secret about the grumpy fire demon and their resident ice maiden.

Speaking of Kurama, she remembered that attractive, smart, and cunning demon who was apparently a big mama's boy. That redhead was like Yusuke, officially staying in Ningenkai, but going back to Makai from time to time to do Yomi a few favors here and there. Keiko didn't know a lot regarding supernatural matters, but Yusuke tended to talk to her a lot when they were alone in their room at night.

After three more years of studying, Keiko was officially a nursery teacher after graduating from college. In high school, she had never foreseen herself as someone who would have wanted to be a teacher, especially a children's teacher, much less thoroughly enjoy being one. Yet, here she was now. She loved being a teacher and taught with a passion. Maybe she was prepared by all the times she had to scold and teach Yusuke during their childhood days, but she had gained a lot of patience, and surprisingly enough, she loved working with kids.

She didn't really have to work in order to pay for their finances since Yusuke was apparently the King of Tourin and he had an endless supply of treasures. Still, she insisted on having her own source of income to be financially independent. Nonetheless, Yusuke made sure that she, her family, and Atsuko were all taken care of when it came to financial needs using his 'undercover detective' alibi. She remembered how she had rolled her eyes when Yusuke told them this and tried her best not to let slip any sarcastic remark. It was rude to be ungrateful to someone who was putting in so much effort to help you and your family, even if he did it in an unorthodox way.

Even now, she couldn't comprehend how Atsuko and her parents believed the lie that Yusuke had spouted on a whim, just to have an excuse from his absence and sudden financial capability. Especially considering Yusuke hadn't even finished high school.

The small group of friends Yusuke had met during his days as a Spirit Detective still had little reunions in Genkai's temple from time to time. Even Hiei was present for most of them. It kind of surprised Keiko since she thought that the aloof fire demon hated socializing, but it seemed that he made the exception for this small group of friends. Despite Hiei being really hard to read, Keiko tried to understand him. She tried hard, but she found it was an impossible endeavor. Yusuke told her that the cranky demon was working as a border patrol in Makai under the command of Lord Mukuro of Alaric. At least he had better things to do now than participating in various crimes.

Keiko absentmindedly sipped on her apple juice as her thoughts continued to wander far away from the present, but was startled by the noisy sounds her sipping had produced. Her glass was empty. How long had she been buried in her thoughts? She heard a snicker; her gaze flicked up to her fiancé to find him staring at her with an amused look on his face, elbow also propped on the table as he mirrored her posture.

"What?" she asked, eyes narrowed at him.

Yusuke smiled at her and shrugged. "Nothing; you seemed so deep in your thoughts. It's pretty funny just watching you," he answered as his eyes sparkled with mirth. She huffed indignantly at him as she crossed her arms under her breast.

"You're one to talk; you were distracted the whole day. I was tempted to ditch you," she said, rolling her eyes at him. Yusuke, on the other hand, laughed, then fell serious and stared into her chocolate eyes.

"We've been having a problem in Makai. It's important," he murmured the word 'Makai' to avoid any eavesdropper from hearing it as he continued to speak to her. "...So they decided to have a meeting tomorrow. You're coming." Keiko's brow shot to her bangs at the information.

"That's unusual. I'm not usually with you during meetings like that." She stared curiously at her fiancé as she regarded the serious look on his face. His eyes shifted away for a few seconds before gazing straight back at her.

"Don't ask questions; you'll know once we get there," he said in a low voice before sipping on his orange juice.

"O...kay…" she agreed slowly, forehead creasing in curiosity. "I'll go with you, but you owe me another piece of cake for now," she demanded, and Yusuke's serious disposition vanished as he rolled his eyes at her.

"You and your sweets," he grumbled, but he stood up nonetheless and ordered another piece of her favorite blueberry cake. Oh, how she loved her demon prince.

She would worry about the supernatural later when they returned to the comfort of their home. For now, she would enjoy her date with her half-demon fiancé.

To be continued…

A/N: I would like to thank the awesome betas who supported this story. The people who helped fix and clean up the grammar and spellings, and the wonderful suggestions that help strengthen the plot of this story, thank you all.

Lolita-chi, Sardonic Grin, Stacy Donnely, Frost Glave, Leulo, Angel-Rias, Starryshi, SakuraSyaoranLiTRC, A.B. Flarain

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