Author's Note: More junk wrung out from me while I attempt to write the "sort of accompaniment to The Meaning of Joy" (Rurouni Kenshin). I haven't exactly seen this part of YYH, so please don't hate this story for having possible wrong info. Hyum... yep. That's about it, I think. R&R! Standard disclaimers apply.

She stood on the corner of her parent's store quietly, watching couples pass by, laughing, holding hands, and feigning surprise at newly unwrapped chocolate boxes. "Oh my gawd!" they say, "I love you."

Two years. Two years since Yusuke left for Makai, and it's been two years since he promised he'd be back. She was supposed to wait for him.

Only two years.

He said he'd be back in three.

"Damnit Yusuke," she whispered, clenching her fists, "you jerk..." was all she could find.

She sighed again as she walked by her parent's bakery... And her eyes glazed over when they fell upon the heart-shaped cookies, the pink cakes, and the numerous boxes of chocolate piled on top of each other on the counter, each one wrapped to perfection with a frilly ribbon.

She had her own box of chocolates in her room. She had bought it herself—just in case he had decided to come home early—she would surprise him. Of course, she knew he would never miss the fight, and great as he was, he wouldn't be strong enough to beat all those horrible demons in any time less than three years.

And he promised. You don't break promises. So she would wait.

It's just one year to go.

Only 365 days.

That's not long to wait for your true love, is it?

No, it's not, she decided, while she unconsciously played with the ribbon around the box.

"Keiko? Dear?" Her mother's head popped in from behind the door. "Aww, what are you doing all by yourself on Valentine's Day?"

Yes... why am I alone?

Her mother continued, "You seem so lonely nowadays—are you okay? I don't notice you going on dates much anymore."

Why don't I go on dates anymore? There certainly were enough handsome young men interested in her.

"Don't worry about me, mom, I'm perfectly fine," she kissed her mother's cheek, eager to be left alone. Alone...

"Well..." her mother considered, unconvinced, "you'll tell me if anything's wrong, okay?"

"Yes, of course."

"I should go back to the shop to help your father... I'm sure there are many customers today..."

To buy chocolate, no doubt.

She lapsed back into her quiet contemplation as soon as her mother closed the door behind her.

Yusuke.

So selfish of him to go off to some tournament in Makai and leave her alone. And expect her to stay single for three years until he got back.

If he got back.

Of course he'll be back. He promised.

He promised. And when he got back, everything would be perfect, just perfect. They'd take long strolls by the setting sun... and whatever else couples deeply in love would do. Like eat chocolate during Valentine's Day (and White Day).

Until then, she'll wait.

Because he promised, and you just don't break promises.