The day after Yusuke Urameshi had returned home from the Makai Tournament had been one of the happiest moment's of Keiko Yukimura's life. This was the end of demons and tournaments, cases and ghost. Together they were starting a new life. Their engagement took on a formal title after Yusuke had begun his job working at a ramen shop. After nearly a year and a half Yusuke had saved for his own place, and an engagement ring for his intended. Unfortunately by that time Yusuke was urged by his fellow demons to begin training for the second demon world tournament. The 'urging' as Yusuke had put toward Keiko was not so much as Yusuke had meant for her to interpret.

Yusuke had every intention of participating in the following tournament especially if it related to the former barrier that was now down between the two worlds. Keiko, though at the time not thrilled with his decision, had waited again for Yusuke with the promise of their wedding the year he returned. The former detective had arrived back but the wedding had now been postponed for almost another year. Keiko held the feeling of doubt every time a three-year mark came near by, but she had decided not to bring it up this time. Yusuke was here and that was all that mattered. Sure he seemed a bit more distant lately, but that was just cold feet. It was nothing else.

"I was thinking maybe the lace trim around the aisle, and the white taffeta on the drapes."

"Great taffeta, sounds great Keiko."

"…And maybe the bride's maids could have lace trim on their dresses, but it's a bit more out of our price range, from what the seamstress told me."

"A seamstress for your bride's maid, whatever you want babe."

The brunette, known as Keiko Yukimura, sighed casting glaring eyes at her fiancée. "Yusuke are you even listening? …Yusuke!" She tried again delivering a pinch to the former detective's arm.

"Gah! What?"

"You're not even listening to me! We've been putting this wedding off for four years! I even waited another year and half for you to go back to the demon world for that stupid tournament. You promised when you came back we were finally going to be settled. You were finally going to be settled. Do you want to do this or not?"

The ex-detective sighed looking away. "Of course I do."

"…Then why can't you look me in the eye?" She whispered.

"Keiko." Yusuke sighed, grabbing his fiancée's hand and looking in her eye. "You know I want to do this."

"But?"

"…I don't know." The raven-haired man sighed. "I've been going back and forth between the two worlds for how many years now, and I've heard all these stories about my dad-I mean- Raizen and…I guess I've learned everything I need to know."

"Then what's the problem Yusuke?" The brunette sighed.

Yusuke stared running his thumb over his intended's fingers. "…I still feel like I know nothing about who I am. There's a part of me I just, don't feel safe with until I figure it out…I just feel that I can't be with you until I figure out what that part is."

"And how many more years will that take you to figure out Yusuke Urameshi? Because if it takes more than a few months you're going to be off to fight in that tournament again."

"You see this is why I didn't bring it up! You refuse to listen to anything that regards the other side of my blood!"

"How can you even say that Yusuke?" Keiko cried sitting up. "I have waited every time for you, all my life. I want us to be us! And each time Yusuke you run off. You run away from your mother, from this world…you're running away from me Yusuke."

"Keiko." He sighed. "…You're the one thing I always come back to. The only thing I want to come back to. That's why I need to find out what this is."

"I know…I'm just not sure if you're ever going to be satisfied with that no matter what you find out Yusuke…and I'm beginning to wonder…if I need to keep waiting for you while you do that."

"I-" The detective cut himself off. "Keiko…you know I want to."

"…I knew you wanted to three years ago Yusuke…Now I'm not so sure." The brunette said, her voice cracking as she tried to hold her tears back. "I'll tell you what Yusuke." She stiffened gathering up samples left by the wedding coordinator. "You let me know when it's a good time for you, until then I'm going to try to recapture some of the time I've wasted waiting for you to grow up." With that she gathered the rest of her things and left the apartment.

Yusuke remained sitting at the kitchen table, numb and mute from the previous events before reacting. With what appeared to be little effort to an ordinary human he lifted his fist and slammed it down onto the table's surface. Something opposite to human strength, however, occurred as the table cracked perfectly in two pieces sliding to the floor.

"See Kurama, I told you human women were hardly worth a demon's effort."

"I would hardly say this is final, Hiei."

"You two are saying your FINAL words right now unless you tell me how long you've been here." The half-breed growled turning his head to the open living room window where his two aquatinted demons stood. "Since when do you take the 'back door' Kurama?"

"Hiei persuaded me…I'm sorry for us dropping in like this Yusuke. We weren't aware you and Keiko were, well having difficulties shall I say."

"It's nothing new to anyone." Yusuke sighed standing up from the dining room chair and plopping on the sofa in front of his friends. "Not even to three eyes here who hasn't been back to this world in a few years. How are ya, Hiei?"

"Hn. Save your formalities Urameshi. How long are you going to keep up this human façade?"

"Hiei!" Kurama warned. "This isn't the time. Besides I believe you're here as a favor to Mukuro, on diplomatic business from Lord Enki."

"Enki, huh?" The dark haired man sighed reclining on the couch with his arms folded behind his head. "That can't be good."

"With the tournament over a year away Lord Enki is worried that a seemingly small group of rebels will try to take over." The ex- thief informed.

"Rebels?"

"Demons who are opposed to the democracy you proposed, and that Enki now leads for his second term."

"So, what's the problem?" Yusuke stretched. "These small groups have been in the background cowering and bitching, but they know they can't defeat an S-class guy like Enki, not to mention Mukuro and Raizen's old friends who are at his side and in his cabinet."

"Normally yes, but the several assassination attempts these past few months have not been settling their nerves."

"What the fox is leaving out is that they have a well known ally on their side." The Jagan user added taking a seat on the windowsill.

"That hasn't been proven yet, Hiei."

"Are you defending a man who once threatened your precious human family if you did not join his alliance?"

"Whoa, whoa, hold the phone." Yusuke waved sitting up. "You're talking about Yomi? His ass has been MIA since the end of the first tournament. What's he doing now? Finding a way to take over by force?"

"We have no proof of that Yusuke." The fox stood, casting a glance at the silent fire demon in the corner. "No one has proof of that. However some demons have witnessed Yomi meeting with a few leaders of these organizations. Or so the rumors say…Yusuke I understand you are having problems here in human world with Keiko-"

"You don't need to remind me of that."

"But Enki has requested a few days of your time to help him make a decision, on whether or not he should take action. As a member of his council he wants your opinion."

"I took that position on the condition that Enki knew my life is here in human world."

"Well is that true detective?" Hiei approached, coming to stand in front of the half-breed. "As of late I seems your problem is more in this world than ours."

"Hiei." Kurama hissed.

"Don't referee fox. My message here has been delivered for me so I'll be on my way. But I will say this Yusuke. I've told you before…The human world cannot be your home forever. Eventually your blood will call you back." With that cryptic message uttered the jagan user disappeared in a black flash seeming invisible to the naked eye.

"I'm sorry about that Yusuke, after Kuwabara and Yukina's recent wedding, his being in the human world causes him to be-"

"A pain in the ass? He's just being himself Kurama…Right now I'm not sure if I should ignore him or believe him."

"Yusuke-"

"What brings you here anyway. Or were you and three-eyes out on a joy ride?"

"I actually also came as a messenger." With that he reached into his pocket and handed his friend a small, blue, glowing orb.

"The hell?" Yusuke stared, crinkling his nose. "Ohh yeah, I've heard of these it's a spirit tape recorder right?"

"A spirit of words."

"Yeah, whatever…First time I've gotten one. Who's it from? Enki?"

The redhead smiled, gesturing to the wall. "Why don't you open it and see?"

Shrugging the man gently threw the object against the wall watching it shatter, the glass began to dissolve and slowly trickle up the walls forming a familiar looking shape.

"Jin?!"

"Oy…is it record'n?" The thick familiar accent cut through the air.

"Yes it's recording. Now hurry up my beautiful self has better things to do!"

"I'll say, that new sword of mine isn't going to build itself. Now hurry up, I have a date in twenty minutes."

"OY simmer down now mates so Urameshi can hear us!"

"ALRIGHT!" The red head shouted before grinning back at the detective. "I hope this reaches ya Yusuke! We all sure miss ya, so much in fact we've arranged a little somth'in! I realize right now it's boil'n summer there in ye human realm but back here in the Makai it's the middle of winter and colder than Touya's balls! OW-aiaiaiai! Sorry, sorry, mate! Ahem anywho Yusuke we be look'n forward to celebrating Saturnalia!"

"Also known as Christmas to you Yusuke." The ice master's voice could be heard.

"What he said, or what them people took from the pagans…but anywho we would like to be invit'n ye to join us. It's a weeklong celebration…and we hope to be see'n ya! Take care Urameshi!"

"We'll throw back a few and have a good Yule get-together!"

"Happy Holidays!"

"Tell Kurama we have a first aid kit."

"Bye!"

Yusuke watched the black lines that made up his friend's face slowly evaporate, leaving the man grinning ear to ear. "Oh man…I think this is just what the doctor ordered."

"I do agree that you could stop in on your way to complete you political business Yusuke, but aren't you forgetting something?"

"What?"

"Keiko."

"…Shit."

And cut. Wow I have been dying to write this story for so long. And I'm sorry it had a serious tone through most of it but I promise to make it more comedic and dare I say festive tones within the next chapter. I always think the best cure when you're down, especially in your love life, is friendship. And that is just what I'm trying to give Yusuke. So what do you guys think? Please let me know your reviews keep me going especially with the holidays, the end of the year, and my recent hospitalization...I need the support of my fellow fan community. Thanks a lot everyone for the words of encouragement, keep it coming. Review, I own nothing, and Happy Holidays!!!

-Siren