Disclaimer: Don't own any of it. All characters (c) Yoshiro Togashi

Well here's the next installment. The duo is older in this one too, and it's happier then the last one-shot. This one's an idea that's been floating around my head for a while, and finally typed it up. No real warnings, just minor innuendo and language.

Enjoy!

Facing The Parents

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He'd never been so nervous in his life. It was ridiculous, but true.

Yusuke slouched against the wall outside the Yukimura Diner, just out of reach of a flickering streetlamp. He was as silent as a ghost, any passerby would not have noticed him there. He lit a cigarette, face tilted towards the night sky. The stars were out and easily seen, despite the lights of the big city.

But he didn't care about that right now.

Dammit. His stomach twisted in knots, the wait killing him, filling his head with angry 'what ifs' and doubts.

He brushed his long bangs away from his eyes. Now he knew why he slicked his hair back so much; it was a real pain to leave down. But she liked it that way, it made him look like less of a punk, and he'd humor her. Hell, they needed everything on their side tonight, that's for sure.

Yusuke expected life to slow down once he returned to the Human world. No more fights, no more youkai, just normal, average living. But he'd forgotten that mundane life can also have it's difficulties. He never got a break in his entire nineteen years of existence, it was always something. 'Course he never really had a typical life, anyway, who was he kidding?

Not that his current problem was bad. When Keiko confessed her situation about a week ago, of course he was surprised. Well, surprised is an understatement. He'd fallen over with shock, banged his head on the table, and was left sputtering at her in confusion, whipping an already nervous Keiko into a panic. Yes, very smooth.

But she had been terrified. She'd been quiet that entire day, avoiding him, no arguments, nothing. He wondered if he done something wrong; well, he knew the truth now.

The yellow light shown down onto the bleak alleyway, and he looked up towards the window. He'd go in through the back door when Keiko came out, if she did at all. God, he hoped that door would open, but then again...

"What if she gets kicked out 'cause of me?"

She loved her parents, it'd break her heart for them to reject her. She'd hate him for it, and he'd hate himself. An ugly chain reaction. Maybe he should've stayed in Makai for her sake. She'd get in alot less trouble without him around.

"Shut up." He was annoying himself with his own whining. If Keiko decided to shun him because of all this, if that was what she really wanted, he'd leave her be without a word. It'd tear him apart, but he would do it. No point in complicating her life even further.

Though if they threw her out, which was a different story, he'd take care of her whether she wanted it or not. No way he'd let her live on the streets alone and hungry. Honestly he couldn't imagine her parents doing that to her. Some people would without a second thought, but Mr. and Mrs. Yukimura were very kind and modern thinking.

If only he could hear what they were saying! He was dieing to peek into that damn window. Keiko warned him not too, she would handle it. Stupid bossy girl.

Yusuke quietly seethed with anxiety for another five minutes until the back door slowly squeaked open.

He whipped his head around to see Keiko standing there, long brown hair framing her soft face. He searched for answers in her expression but found none, she only nodded.

His stomach did a flip as he shoved his hands in his pockets and stood. "What'd they say?" he whispered.

She didn't look crestfallen or angry; just calm. "Not much, but it's safe to come inside. They want to talk to you."

Shit.

They want to talk with him. He was screwed.

"Are you alright?" she stopped him in the doorway. "You look pale." She placed a warm hand on his cheek, which he promptly knocked away. "I'm fine."

Keiko frowned. "Yusuke, they're not gonna murder you, you know."

His scowl faltered. "Hey it's not me I'm worried about."

She sighed, amused smile at the corner of her lips. "No, they're not mad at me either."

She slipped her hand into his, squeezing his palm in reassurance.

They sauntered into the room, Yusuke's heart beating a million miles an hour, the sudden artificial light hurting his eyes.

Keiko's parents sat together at the table. They didn't look like they were ready to throw him out the door, but the mood was serious as Yusuke and Keiko took a seat across from them without a word.

Yusuke ran a hand through his hair again, not meeting Mr. Yukimura's unrelenting stare. He wasn't afraid, even if the man decided to chase after him with a butcher knife (which was a possibility), it wouldn't scare him. He only wanted to appear humble, show respect, and force himself to swallow his aching pride. It wasn't like he was ashamed of what he and Keiko did, and he wouldn't deny it for a second. Yusuke only didn't want to give Keiko's family trouble, they'd almost been like relatives to him over the years.

"Yuu-kun.." her father started, pausing with a breath. "you know what this means don't you?"

Keiko's grip tightened on his hand. Being directly addressed, Yusuke looked him in the eye. "Uhhh, it means alot of things doesn't it?"

Keiko elbowed him hard in the ribs, and he suppressed a string of curses. You little-

Her father, unaware of their conflict, only nodded. "Yusuke, I really don't know where to start. We weren't expecting this news tonight, but I can't say I'm entirely surprised. You've known each other for a long time. We only want to know how you plan to handle this."

"I'm gonna marry her." Yusuke blurted. Keiko's face turned pink.

They all watched him blankly, so he continued, "I mean, we've been planning on it beforehand anyway, it's not like this is the only reason. I didn't mean it like that. Keiko's important to me, this whole thing wouldn't have happened if it was different, and-"

"But did you think it was wise to do..what you did, before you married her?"

He felt his own face turn red, matching Keiko's blush beside him. "Well..no..but it just kinda happened. Passion and all that, haven't you ever heard of Romeo and Juliet?" He wanted to gag for saying that, but people usually gushed over that crap.

Keiko just slammed her head on the table in embarrassment, hiding her now crimson face. He was talking without thinking again. "Yusuke, you haven't even read Romeo and Juliet, and that doesn't happen!"

"Well whatever, you get the point."

Mrs. Yukimura covered her mouth, fighting back the urge to laugh.

Keiko's father was unaffected. "You should've asked our permission first, we've never formally talked about marriage."

Tension filled the air again, and Keiko fidgeted as she watched her finance and father stare each other down. She bit her lip.

"I should have asked you. I'm sorry." he said, deep brown eyes sincere.

Keiko raised her eyebrows. Yusuke apologizing? That was a first.

"I'm gonna take care of her, you don't have to worry. And she only has about two months left of college right? We'll be fine. You have my word."

Her father considered him for a minute, then nodded. "You have my approval." Yusuke bowed his head once, then it was over.

The uneasiness vanished as if it'd never been there to start with. Keiko let out the breath she'd been holding in. That went much easier then she'd expected. They got up from their chairs, and Mrs. Yukimura happily pulled Keiko to her and bear-hugged her tightly. She did the same to Yusuke, and Keiko laughed at his surprised expression.

Her father watched with approval, his serious face turning into the usual pleasant smile.

Keiko kissed Yusuke lightly on the lips. "Are you going to be the housewife? Because I'm the one with the college degree." she teased.

Yusuke peered down at her, an amused grin at his lips. "Fine, but you're the one who's gonna miss out on playing with the baby," he brushed his hand against her stomach, "I'll get a better job to earn extra money though too. Hey maybe I should be a hitman, I think I'd be good at that."

"Ha ha, very funny."

Yusuke was still anxious about all this, and he'd probably stay that way for the next few months; but it was a happy anticipation, and all the doubts he had before disappeared completely.

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I have such problems writing Yusuke/Keiko that isn't sappy. XD The next chapter will be darker, I swear, just to break this chain of fuzziness. I'll make it during the series too, not after.

I know her parent's were awfully accepting of her being pregnant, but they seemed to like Yusuke in the series too. If Keiko and Yusuke are older, and she's almost finished with school, then I don't think they'd freak out(yes I analyze things, but I have to in order to write decent fanfiction, lol.)

I hope I didn't make Yusuke too soft, he is still a delinquent. I really tried to keep them in character.

Thanks very much to my reviewers, and let me know if you'd like to see anything specific later on in Punks and Perfectionists(can't be AU, though, I'm trying to stay with the series.)

Thanks for readin.