Disclaimer: I have no right to anyone or anything in the YYH World.

Ta da! I would like to thank all of you that have stuck with this story and warm hugs to all who have taken the time to review. Your words, however brief, constructive, misspelled, encouraging, funny, etc….are all appreciated. They really keep me going. Thanks again!

No Matter What

Chapter 14

He couldn't escape the sad faces and whispered words of condolence fast enough. He feigned feeling sick and his son helped him upstairs to his bedroom, but he just stood in the doorway looking at the bedroom. Their bedroom. Finally he took the first tentative steps into the quiet room and lay on the bed with a weary sigh.

"I'll come check on you later, father."

"That's fine, Taro. Thank you."

With an understanding smile and a quick nod Yusuke's son left him to mourn the passing of his wife in private.

Yusuke lay on his side and faced the empty spot that was Keiko's side of the bed. He ran his hand over the pillow and down the flattened area.

"I know I wasn't the best husband to you, Keiko, but I want you to know that I did love you. And I always will. How I ever got lucky enough to find someone who tolerated my bullshit and actually love me I'll never know. But I'm grateful, Keiko, I'm so….damn grateful."

Yusuke turned his face into his pillow and allowed the wet tracks to disappear into the fabric instead of trailing an annoying itchy trail down his cheeks and neck. He was too old to put up with such trivial and annoying things.

When Yusuke turned his gaze back to Keiko's empty spot he smiled.

"You deserved better, Keiko. And everybody knew it, probably even you. But I guess if you had married a nice normal guy you wouldn't have had this much fun, huh? I mean, how many ningen women could say they've attended demon fighting tournaments and met a god and a giant blue phoenix? I'm sure lots can say they're married to a selfish, childish and cheating bastard, but only you could say that same husband was a demon formally hunted down by demons and gods alike. Lucky you, right, Keiko?"

Yusuke let out a bitter laugh and swiped at his eyes, but the laugh turned into a coughing fit and he ended up curled into himself, a grimace on his face. When the coughing subsided he reached out blindly and pulled one of Keiko's pillows to him, hugging it desperately, needing to feel her presence somehow. He inhaled deeply, the familiar scent of flowers soothing his aching heart.

"I hope you're happy wherever you are and if you're not, you just let me know and I'll come up there and give Koenma an earful for you, ok? Sweet dreams, Keiko. I love you."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Botan softly knocked on the door and called out to her longtime friend but didn't get an answer. She knew he wasn't feeling well, but she promised she would deliver the letter and she wasn't about to break that promise.

She slowly opened the door and peered inside the darkening room. It was almost dusk and the shadows were growing long across the room and she followed them to see Yusuke lying in his bed.

"Yusuke? Are you awake?"

As she approached the bed she could see he was asleep with a peaceful smile on his face, hugging a pillow. She smiled down at him and reached out, brushing back the thinning grey hair on his head. Even after all these years she could still see the brash young boy she first met.

"Oh, Yusuke. You really haven't changed, have you?"

Botan leaned down and kissed his forehead before placing the envelope addressed to him on the nightstand and quietly leaving the room.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

To my dearest Yusuke,

When the idea of leaving you a letter upon my death first came to mind I dismissed it, thinking all our years together would speak for themselves. But then I realized that we both left so much unsaid during our time together and I know that part of the reason is that we didn't want to face the other. Well, since I'm dead I don't have to face you so I'm going to say what I never had the courage to say to your face.

I married you because I loved you and I knew that we were meant for each other. I still believe this to be true. But I also know that you shared your heart with another and I married you despite this fact.

I'm telling you this now because I don't want you to feel any guilt. Death has a way of making people deeply regret things in the past that they cannot change. I know you felt enough guilt while I was alive. So do not regret a thing, Yusuke. I stayed with you and you stayed with me because we were meant to be husband and wife and have our beautiful children.

But our time is over and now it's time for you to start living the other life you were meant to lead. Go back to the Makai where you belong and find him and live a happy life. This is my final wish for you, Yusuke. So you better do it or else.

I love you, you jerk.

Keiko

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Yusuke sat there on the edge of the bed and finished reading the letter, a chuckle escaping at the end. He folded it back up and replaced it in the envelope, laying it on Keiko's pillow before lying back down and going to sleep. It seemed that ever since Keiko passed away, he easily tired and slept a lot more and his health in general just seemed to decline. He wasn't close to being paid an official visit by Botan yet, but he suddenly felt very old and very tired. You took a part of me with you, Keiko.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"I'm going to make lunch now, father. What would you like?"

What would I like? I've been thinking about that ever since I read Keiko's letter. She knew and still she didn't…..and now she's telling me to go to Hiei. I wonder if she knew it was him? Probably. Keiko was smart. I can't believe after all these years he and I can finally be together. I will keep my promise to him.

Haruna saw the faraway look on her father's face and her brows furrowed. He's been getting that look a lot lately.

"Father?"

Yusuke blinked himself back from his thoughts to see his daughter staring at him with concern. She's been getting that look a lot lately.

"Haruna, would you call Taro, please? I….I have something I want to tell you."

"Sure."

It only took a few moments for Haruna to return with her brother and the two children sat down in the living room and waited to hear what their father had to say.

"I've been doing a lot of thinking since your mother passed away. There's a lot about me….my past, that you don't know and I think it's time you were told everything."

And so Yusuke sat there and told his children the truth of his past. They already knew that Uncle Koenma, Auntie Botan, Aunt Yukina and Uncle Schuichi were "special" in their own right. But they had no idea about their own father's heritage and accomplishments. So he told them how he became a Rekai Tantei and skimmed over a few of his cases and adventures, giving them an idea of what he did and what he endured. He was proud of his past and for the first time in over sixty years, he felt that pride again as he spoke to his children and saw their eyes sparkle at his words.

When Yusuke told them of his demon heritage he was surprised at his daughter's enthusiasm.

"You mean I could be a demon too? How great would that be?"

Yusuke chuckled which sounded more like wheezing in his old age.

"I'm afraid not, Haruna. We had each of you checked by Koenma at birth. You're safe."

"Safe? Why wouldn't we be safe, father?"

Yusuke took a deep breath and turned his eyes to his son. So much like me…..thank goodness he had Keiko to straighten him out just like I did. I wouldn't have made it this far without her.

"I've made many enemies. And the most dangerous of all is Uncle Koenma's father who wanted to make sure my bloodline, my unique demon bloodline, was…..contained."

Yusuke saw the understanding in Taro's eyes and nothing further was said on the matter, but Yusuke could see his son's mind working.

"Father, why did you keep this a secret until now?"

"I….I put your mother through a lot when we were younger. First it was getting into street fights and then I graduated to the big time when I became a Rekai Tantei. I….I almost died many times. Hell, I did die a few times."

A gasp stopped his explanation and Yusuke looked up to see his daughter with her hand clasped over her mouth and staring at him as if watching a horror show. His son was oddly calm and he couldn't help but feel that pride again.

"Not so disappointed at being a human now, are you?"

His daughter just shook her head a few times.

"Anyway…..when I married your mother I made her a promise that I would keep my past away from our family. So you were only told what you needed to know about the others and everyone was under strict instructions by your mother to never mention my involvement in anything."

"Mother sure had a talent for getting her way."

Yusuke chuckled once again and this time it turned into a coughing fit. Ever since Keiko's passing over two months ago he'd been nagged by a cough and aching body. It was as if the life was slowly draining from him.

"Yes, she did. She was an amazing woman."

"I guess I understand why you and mother did what you did, but why tell us now?"

"Because I'm leaving here and returning to the Makai."

"What! Are you crazy? In your condition you won't last---"

"Haruna's right, father. You can't go. I don't know much about this place but I do know it's dangerous."

Yusuke waved a wrinkled hand to silence his children and when he was confident they would listen to what he had to say, he took a deep breath and continued.

"Botan will take me there and I will be staying with a friend. Koenma has informed me that being in the Makai…..I will slowly regain my demon form. And strength."

"H-how….is that possible?"

"Think of my demon side as having been in suspended animation while I've lived out my human life here. By going back to demon world fulltime, my demon side will slowly awaken and resume its life."

His children sat there for several minutes digesting everything they'd heard from their father. Luckily, they'd had enough exposure with demons through their extended family members to not be in total shock.

"Does that mean……you're going off to die?"

Yusuke saw the tears streaming down his daughter's face and he held his hand out and she was instantly kneeling at his feet, her head in his lap. He gently stroked her hair soothing both of them.

"No, Haruna. I'm going to be reborn. When I'm strong enough I'll come back and visit you both. I promise."

"Who is this friend that will be taking care of you?"

Yusuke cleared his throat and faced his son, ready to confess everything should the young man ask, but hoping against hope that he wouldn't.

"His name is Hiei."

"The same Hiei who worked with you and Uncle Kuwabara and Uncle Schuichi?"

"Yes."

Taro picked up on his father's uneasiness at discussing his friend and wondered about the cause. If they worked together, he must be a decent guy. All the others are. But now that I think about it….

"Why have we never met him?"

"Hiei has always lived in demon world."

"Why hasn't he ever visited?"

"He does, just not here. He's Yukina's brother."

Yusuke saw his son's eyebrows rise as if he suddenly had a revelation and understood everything. I feel like I'm facing an inquisition. Now I know how Haruna felt when I grilled her about her dates. No wonder she would get so pissed with me.

"What kind of demon is he again?"

"Fire."

"What does he do in demon world?"

"He guards the border between the human world and demon world. He kicks the humans out."

Yusuke couldn't help but smirk at the image of Hiei grumbling under his breath about "stupid ningens" as he hauled them to the station to wipe their memories before depositing them back in the Ningenkai. He always liked hearing the stories Hiei told about the humans he found. He's so adorable when he's frustrated.

"So…..when are you leaving?"

"Botan will be here in ten days. Koenma is working up the paperwork so I can officially die here and everything will be clean cut for you two. There's a doctor at the hospital that's really a demon and he'll sign the death certificate and oversee my 'cremation'."

"Father, please…."

Yusuke looked down at his daughter and smiled as he pat her head reassuringly.

"I'm sorry. But remember, I'm not going to die, Haruna. I'm going to live in demon world. Koenma says that in a couple of years I should be strong enough to visit, ok?"

Haruna nodded her head and offered her father a brave smile. Yusuke looked up to his son who simply nodded, his face the picture of calm and understanding. But Yusuke could see it for the mask that it was. He nodded to his son and felt a twinge in his chest. Taro….you're just like me. Always looking out for everyone and being the strong one. The protector. Good boy.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

A little over a week later Yusuke was waving goodbye to his children from his perch on Botan's oar as the pair hovered above his house. His children had been very accepting of his decision to go back to the Makai and live out the rest of his days. His daughter made him swear to visit and charged Botan with policing him. After hearing some of the stories of his days as a Reikai Tantei, she figured Botan to be the logical choice.

"Ok, Botan, let's go."

The ferry girl smiled and they disappeared into the clouds to the encouraging shouts of the Urameshi children.

"So what was his reaction when you told him your decision?"

"I haven't told him."

"You what!"

Botan whipped her head around to stare dumbfounded at her longtime friend, but in the process she jerked the oar with her, almost sending Yusuke plummeting.

"Botan! What are you trying to do, kill me!"

"Sorry, sorry! I just…..well, don't you think you should have told him first? I mean, what if he---"

"Look, Botan, I made a promise to him a long time ago and I intend to keep it."

Botan didn't push the subject any further. She had been walking an emotional tightrope for many years between Yusuke and Keiko and even though Keiko was gone, the subject was still very sensitive to those in-the-know.

Yusuke was glad Botan didn't take the conversation any further and he relaxed, enjoying the ride over the landscape of the Makai. Koenma and Botan had explained to him that once he returned to the Makai fulltime, his body would gradually absorb enough spirit energy reverting him into his toushin form. And he would have to re-learn how to manipulate spirit energy to regain his former self.

"But only through proper training, Yusuke. Don't think you can spend twenty years in the Makai and suddenly be your old self again. You'll be like a newborn demon for quite awhile. I just wish Genkai was still around to whip your butt back into shape."

Yusuke chuckled at the junior god who was trying to sound like his father.

"Training, huh? I think I know someone who would be willing to help me with that."

Yusuke felt them change direction and he looked down to see a very familiar fortress coming into view. Suddenly his heart constricted and for the first time since making his decision he second-guessed himself. What if he's happy with his life and I'll just be intruding? He has a daughter and responsibilities. What if he doesn't want to be my babysitter until I fully regain my strength? And what about Mukuro? This is her fortress. She doesn't have to let me stay. Oh gods, what was I thinking!

Yusuke sat there staring at the large entranceway, his heart pounding in his frail human body. Botan stepped down from her oar and looked back for her friend when she realized she was alone.

"Yusuke? Is something wrong?"

"Maybe…..maybe this was….a mistake."

Botan smiled and walked back to Yusuke who was staring wide-eyed at the looming fortress. She took his arm in hers and gently guided him off the oar and led him towards the fortress entrance. Before they could even make it halfway, a familiar black-clad figure emerged. The threesome stopped within a few feet of each other and silence reigned for a few moments before Botan spoke up in her typical cheery voice.

"Special delivery!" Crimson eyes never left amber and suddenly Botan felt like an intruder. "Well, my job here is done. Good luck, Yusuke. Call me if you need anything!"

"Botan." The pretty ferry girl turned around, her smile warm as always. "Thank you. For everything."

Before he knew what was happening, Yusuke found himself tackled to the ground and hugged fiercely and he could have sworn he heard a sniffle or two.

"You take care of each other, ok?"

Botan stood, brushed herself off and waved goodbye as she hopped on her oar and sped off. Hiei looked down at Yusuke who looked a little worse for wear. There was no question he was reaching the end of his human years. Despite having the appearance of a sturdy body, Hiei could see just how tired Yusuke truly was. Now that Keiko is dead, he is free to visit me openly. But….he looks weak. Has he come here to spend his last days with me?

"You're getting old, Detective."

"What gave you that idea?"

Hiei reached out and offered the elderly human a hand up which was gratefully accepted.

"You let a mere slip of a girl knock you down."

"Maybe I just wanted a cheap feel."

Twin smirks met and Yusuke was the first to start laughing in his wheezing manner, soon followed by Hiei's deep chuckle. As they walked towards the fortress, Hiei put a supporting arm around Yusuke's waist and was delighted when Yusuke laid his head on his shoulder.

"So. Do you think Mukuro might have a spare room she'd be willing to let me use?"

Yusuke felt Hiei stiffen and he stopped to look at the demon, his misgivings coming back with a renewed force as the fire demon kept his gaze forward, his face unreadable.

"Yusuke….are you saying…….?"

"I came here to be with you, Hiei. You and only you." Hiei still wasn't showing any reaction to his news and in his nervousness, Yusuke began to ramble. "And don't worry, I won't stay this way. I just need to regain my spirit energy and then I'll be able to assume my full toushin form and Koenma told me that----"

Hiei turned to face Yusuke, his almond-shaped eyes almost round with shock and Yusuke's words died in his throat. As the pair remained staring at each other, Yusuke's insides were threatening to revolt. I've made a mistake. I've overstepped my bounds.

In the blink of an eye, Yusuke was pulled from his internal strife as Hiei enveloped him within strong arms and soft, warm lips pressed against his own. It took him a few seconds to understand what was happening, but when he did, he returned the kiss fully. Hiei moaned as Yusuke's tongue came live and delved into his own mouth.

"Yusuke….are you truly…..mine?"

"I told you, Hiei. I will come for you no matter what."

The End.