Alright, everyone please take a deep breath now and sigh in relieve. This
post is the last post for 'The Past, The Present And The Future' and I'm
saving you guys a lot of torture from now onwards. This part is an epilogue
for my epic and it takes place after 6 (!!!) years from chapter 4 of Dreams. 

And please! Please send me comments as this will most probably be my *last*
piece of work before I retire from the wonderful world of YYH fanfics...
I'm sorry but I really need to concentrate on my studies. Just imagine, I
have ten subjects (maybe going on to 11) in high school and everyone is
pressuring me to score straight A's... ::SL sniffles:: So I have to leave
this hobby somehow. 

For all chapters before this, please go to my page: 
URL: http://members.xoom.com/hiei 
YYH fanfic page: http://members.xoom.com/hiei/yyh.htm 
PPF direct link: http://members.xoom.com/hiei/ppf.htm 

If you have any problems, just send an e-mail to me at
'wsiewlee@tm.net.my'. ::sweatdrops:: Please don't flame me anyway. 

Now, for more ranting from this demented author: 

THE PAST, THE PRESENT AND THE FUTURE 

A YU YU HAKUSHO FANFIC BY W. SIEW LEE 

Started: 14th of December, 1997 
Ended: 24th of January, 1999 

For the Portuguese version of this fic, please to go 
http://members.xoom.com/silveryouko . Thanks to Rebeka for 
translating the entire thing to be posted on her page. Thank you. 

Author's notes: 

	It has been more than a year since I have started writing this 
monster and I feel really happy since I managed to finish this fic. 
To all YYH fanfic fans, you might like this story, you might not 
like it at all. To be frank, I wrote this fanfic totally out of fun 
and for self pleasure so I don't really take in account all those 
e-mails urging me to write in certain directions. As a fanfic 
writer, I believe that everyone has the right to choose how their 
own story goes. BUT, when I say that, it doesn't mean that I don't 
appreciate comments or such... To date, I have read and replied every 
single fan-mail I received. 

	Here, I would like to record my appreciation to everyone who 
has helped me throughout the production of this fanfic. Of course 
the highest credit go to Rhionae [rhionae@hotmail.com] for 
pre-reading this fanfic or all of my *glorious* typos would be out 
to be read by you guys. The next goes to Sylvia who endlessly nagged 
me on releasing the next part. Without her, I might as well been 
overcame by procrastination. Anyway, I would also like to thank my 
friend, Bulma Briefs for being so supportive of me and thanks once 
again for her inspiration. 

	Anyway, I 'might' write a sequel in time but so far, the 
school isn't very lenient to me. I'm taking all the Pure Sciences 
and Additional Mathematics in my high school so I really need time to 
get things sorted out first. ::Siew Lee shrinks back at the sight of 
her fierce Biology teacher:: Now, quite a few have e-mailed me about 
writing their side-stories to this fanfic and I'll see if the story 
is alright. I don't want my fic to be twisted or violated in any 
sense from its original storyline so please be patient with me. If 
there's anyone who wants to draw a piece of fan-art or write a side- 
story, you are welcome to do so but please make sure that the story 
or picture fits in my timeline perfectly because I won't want to 
delete anything. 

	The last of all, but not the least, thank you to all the 
readers of this fanfic for showing continuous support to me. 

	Thank you. 

	May Yu Yu Hakusho live forever in our hearts. 

Huggies from Hiei, 
Siew Lee 
[wsiewlee@tm.net.my] 
http://members.xoom.com/hiei 
ICQ UIN: #14025577 

'No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader.' --- Robert Frost,
[Collected Poems] 

---------------------------------------------------------------------

		~~~The Past, The Present And The Future~~~ 

			  ~~~The Future - Dreams~~~ 

			Chapter 5 - Love is Beautiful 
				   (Epilogue) 

---------------------------------------------------------------------

	The hustle and bustle all those years had finally taken its 
toll on everyone, but at least there was still time to have a 
gathering once in a blue moon. The Urameshi team was still working 
with Reikai, but at a much slower pace than before. 

	Everyone had their own life to lead, their own families to 
tend. Even Hiei. 

	After the occurrence of so many events, they had all finally 
decided to meet in a beautiful recreational park in the middle of the 
city. 

	Spring time - such a serene period of the year. The gentle 
scent of cherry blossoms drifted far and wide with little pink petals 
floating down with the wind. 

	Slower and slower they drifted down, until they finally rested 
on the soft green grass below, to the everlasting laughter of 
friendship. 

	It was already the Future. 

---------------------------------------------------------------------

[Kurama] 

	The consistent ticking of seconds awakened me in the middle of 
the night. I still can't sleep after lying here for such a long time. 
Maybe the excitement of the small gathering of Reikai-tanteis 
tomorrow in the city recreational park keeps surfacing in my thoughts 
thus making me unable to rest peacefully in the silent comfort of my 
room. 

	It has been such a long time since the entire Urameshi team 
has gathered for some leisurely chatting and fun. Every time we meet, 
it is surely because of some youkais that have escaped from their 
confinements. There is no time for us to talk slowly and have some 
fun. 

	Hiei is the only tantei whom I constantly see. Alright, not 
only constantly but to the extend of seeing him during every 
single waking moment of my life. I sigh softly to the cool midnight 
air. Hiei is my only love in my life and I would really be lost in 
this world if he wasn't here to support me. He is like my inner self, 
my irreplaceable soul. He cares for me and looks after Sayuri-chan. 
Even my daughter is treating him the way she would treat another 
parent. 

	I immediately conjure a single red rose in my empty hand. 
Gently, I touch the petals, feeling its velvety softness under my 
index finger. Those flashing ruby eyes that Hiei has are deeply 
imprinted into my mind, so much like the shade of the rose I am 
holding now. The way he looks at me is simply indescribable. Those 
eyes are so full of passion and flames for me, burning with a fiery 
fire that only his Kokuryuuha can ever match. 

	Softly kissing the flower, I secretly wonder where Hiei could 
be at the moment. *Perhaps he is in Makai now, working for Mukuro,* I 
whisper silently, breathing in the sweet scent. I trail my fingers 
down my cheek, imagining the way Hiei's slender fingers would caress 
me every night. Suddenly, there is a longing feeling in my heart; I 
realize that I need him. I want him to be by my side every second. 

	Inevitably, I sit up on my bed, my eyes looking out of the 
window. There is nothing outside, only darkness. I stand up and lean 
my body against the windowsill, reminiscing what has actually 
occurred to me during this long span of time. *Six years... It has 
already been six years...* I murmured sadly. Sometimes, we do not 
appreciate the people around us, but when they leave us, we regret 
that it is our fault. 

	Like Arisa's fate. 

	I haven't thought of that name for quite a long time now, but 
Arisa's smiling face is still fresh in my mind. Slowly, I reach out 
for a pencil and my sketchbook lying on my wooden desk. My grip also 
closes around my journal, now a combination of a few notebooks. 
Closing my eyes, I begin to form an image of her in my mind. Her 
flowing white robe, her pale golden eyes, her haunting smile... From 
the moment I saw her fighting with Yamaro and Murashi in her youko 
form during that deadly match, I was deeply attracted to her. 

	In fact, when I come to think of her, it has finally dawned on 
me that I actually like her. No, that feeling is not love yet. I sigh 
softly, it is difficult to explain and I don't think anyone else 
can truly understand it. Arisa has a strong personality. I admire her 
courage to go on after all those things that have happened to her. 
*She even told me to go for Hiei before she left,* I mumbled to 
myself. Perhaps in this wide world, she is the only one who could 
truly comprehend me deep inside, next to Hiei. 

	Opening my eyes again, I stare blankly at the white paper 
before me. Using the tip of the pencil, I begin drawing a rough 
sketch of Arisa. Her beautiful long hair is slightly ruffled by the 
wind and her hand is holding the legendary Lute of Destruction. That 
was my first impression when I saw her in her youko form. Her eyes. I 
loved her eyes the most. Her eyes were the most charming physical 
feature in her. The light in them could change so fast. Hatred, love, 
regret... When she looked at me, I felt my heart skipping a beat as I 
had never imagined her as one of the Music Protectors. 

	For a moment, I see her just in front of me; but I know it is 
only an illusion. It is so real, the feeling. 

	Carefully, I flip through the journal which I have kept 
dutifully over all these years. I flip through all my thoughts of 
Arisa, Hiei and Sayuri-chan. A simple booklet, it may seem to anyone, 
but it contains some of my most precious memories. The first few 
entries are angst-ridden, for I was fighting an emotional battle with 
myself at that time. A very emotional battle with my principles and 
conscience. 

	Arisa Kino. That name has appeared for uncountable times for a 
few dozen pages from the front. 

	I had been with her for nearly a year and yet I had touched her 
only three times. The first was a mistake initially. Yes, I have 
decided not to tell all this to Sayuri-chan because she is too young 
to know the truth. Even Yusuke and the rest are very secretive of 
this hurting truth. The second was out of loneliness. Again, I 
wronged her. I knew she loved me with all her heart yet I could never 
bring myself to love her back sincerely as there was already another 
person in me. There was only Hiei from the very beginning. 

	At last, the third time was my most sincere effort to treat her 
well. At that time, she was about to leave Makai and Ningenkai 
forever. That was also the last time I ever saw her. I can still 
feel her silky touch and soft kisses from that night until this very 
moment. Her body was very much alive beneath me as I kissed and 
caressed her. No, nothing was in my mind that time except her. Not 
even Hiei. 

	Exactly one month after she left, I asked Hiei to give me a 
chance, and he did. Of course I was overjoyed, but there was a tinge 
of bitterness while I rejoiced. Arisa had to leave with her heart 
scarred with my doubtfulness. I was right, I was a selfish youko. I 
was living happily with Sayuri-chan and Hiei, one dream that I was 
secretly wishing for throughout all these years; but what about 
Arisa? I know Inari-sama will treat her well, but the feeling of 
leaving her mate and child in Ningenkai will be very difficult to 
bear. No, I am not worried about her. She is strong and brave inside. 

	She has led such an unhappily life and I have wished fervently 
to give her a better one; but somehow, she couldn't stay. Hiei lives 
with me now and he is now securely a part of my life. I realize that 
I can't just grieve over Arisa. Sayuri-chan needs someone else to 
care for her, someone to love her other than me myself. 

	The thought of my beloved fire youkai brings a wry smile to 
my lips. I love him, his slender body frame and his obnoxious 
personality. I love everything about him. We have been through thick 
and thin together and the love we share is hard earned and many 
sacrifices were made to achieve this. Too many sacrifices for me; but 
I have finally conquered his heart. Finally. 

	Sometimes, sacrifices must be made in order to obtain 
everlasting love and I understand this point perfectly. My heart 
belongs to Hiei and no-one else. 

	Finally, I finish up the pencil sketch. I look lovingly at her 
face and my fingers touch the paper gently. At the bottom of the 
drawing, a smile lights up my face and I pen my thoughts down in a 
phrase: 

	[Arisa, you shall stay in my memories forever, regardless of 
the time and space that separate our bodies. I shall remember you 
forever and ever.

	Love, Kurama] 

---------------------------------------------------------------------

[Hiei] 

	An owl hoots softly in the cool midnight air as I perch on a 
Makai tree branch. I have just returned from slaying those ruthless 
youkais in Mukuro's territory and the nauseating smell of blood 
stains my body and hands. Below me, there is a stream flowing 
placidly in the darkness and it reflects Makai's full moon serenely. 
I take a deep breath and exhale slowly, looking at the untouched 
image of the silver moon. 

	The image is so serene that I almost feel alone in this whole 
wide world. 

	No, I still have Kurama with me. 

	Taking off my cloak, I jump from the tall tree branch into the 
water below me, letting flowing river cleanse me. The blood on my 
arms slowly drifts off me and it colors the water around me a ghastly 
red color. Slowly, I take off my clothes and throw them onto the 
river bank. I raise my hands up and look at them sadly. 

	They still smell of blood. 

	I let out an agonized scream and my fingers begin scrubbing at 
my skin, rubbing them raw. I know that there is pain shooting up my 
spine like electrical jolts but I am numb from fear and guilt. I 
never enjoy killing anything although many have interpreted me as a 
cold-blooded demon. I am not the emotionless Forbidden Child that 
those youkais are so scared of, the quiet and fierce look is only a 
mask. 

	A mask that I am forced to wear. 

	Those trespassing youkais deserved to die under my sharp sword. 

	At last, I study my hands again. They are finally clean from 
the blood and gore. I was forced to grow up too quickly. I grind my 
teeth angrily as I remember how the koorimes treated me when I was 
first born. I was innocent! I had no power to do anything to them, 
yet they threw me into a swollen river, not wanting to know my fate. 

	The conditions of my childhood have molded me into someone 
cruel and fiendish. *Stupid Reikai, stupid Koenma-sama,* I curse as I 
realize that I have actually softened over all these years. "I am not 
the feared Forbidden Child anymore, I am Hiei, a stupid Reikai 
tantei," I yell loudly to the night. Yeah, I am a dumb Reikai-tantei 
and guess what? I'm stuck with protecting Ningenkai. 

	I slowly swim to the riverbank but I do not want to get out 
yet. I just want to sit here alone, feeling the water flow past me. I 
lean against the rocks by the bank and close my eyes. I need time to 
sort out my feelings and thoughts throughout all these years. 

	I begin reminiscing about all those incidents which have 
happened in these few years. One morning, I was resting on the roof 
of an apartment in Ningenkai before a sudden burst of a high-pitched 
whistle completely shocked me to my core. When did it happened? It 
will be seven years ago including this year. *That stupid blue-head 
girl,* I muse to myself as I smile at the image of Botan in my mind. 

	*Botan...* I sigh softly. I miss her light-hearted laughter, 
honestly, although I do not like to hear stupid girls giggle and 
whisper among themselves. 

	Well, I am still not very sure how I ended up in bed with her 
in Genkai's temple, but it happened very fast. So fast that I didn't 
even stop to think when I flew into her room through that open window 
that night. It just came at an impulse, not that I purposely wanted 
to touch her. I smile again, Botan was my first. 

	I still feel that painful ache in my soul when I come to think 
of her. I grit my teeth remorsefully when I remember how she died on 
that battlefield. *Yamaro! Murashi!* I scream internally. They had 
killed Botan! They killed her! I know I shouldn't have stopped 
channeling my ki to support her life or else she would still be alive 
today. She was such a good girl... Even before she left, she told me 
to move on and forget about her in time. 

	Yes, I have moved on, but I will never forget about her. 

	I found Kurama next. I used to feel guilty whenever I was with 
Botan, the two of us enjoying ourselves. I could nearly feel how 
upset he was when I shoved him away that night. I snicker softly. I 
can never anticipate what a heart-broken youko would do to relieve 
his stress. 

	We were meant to be together after such a long string of 
incidents. Maybe it is Destiny at work. 

	Kurama is such a good friend and lover to me. How I wish that I 
could be able to repay him in some way! He has helped me to rebuild 
my life, gather my courage to go on and face the reality. At that 
time, I even forced myself to work non-stop to help me dismiss my 
misery for a while; but he healed my heart that night. He has healed 
me, he has given me the strength to stand up again. 

	The love we share is so unconditional. I never expect anything 
in return when I give him my heart every time I kiss and hug him. 

	I love that fox, but I will never say this to him. Never ever, 
but he knows what I am thinking deep inside. There is no need for 
words. *Stupid Ningen feelings,* I mutter and blink open my eyes. 
There is going to be a small gathering for the Reikai-tanteis 
tomorrow and I find myself looking back in time. 

	Why? 

	Simply because I miss the past; yet I will always look forward 
to the future. 

	After dressing up, I look at the tranquil waters once again, 
hoping that I will be able to come here with Kurama to enjoy its 
beauty. 

	One day... 

	I am sure that time will wait for us. 

	With a flick of my cloak, I flit off into the darkness, leaving 
for Ningenkai; but before that, I have something in mind. I need to 
get something for my beloved fox first. 

	*Kurama, I love you forever and ever.* 

---------------------------------------------------------------------

[Yusuke] 

	The continuous soft tapping of the calculator keys fill the 
air as I sit on my favorite armchair, trying to work out the profits 
from my ramen shop this month. 

	I shoot a simple glance at the wall clock. *Already so late...* 
I mumble to myself when the clock starts to chime twelve times. With 
a soft sigh, I place my calculator down on the wooden desk next to me 
and began thinking. 

	Keiko isn't asleep yet. Her sweet face is laced with sleepiness 
but she enduringly continued knitting that sweater for Shurei-chan 
painstakingly. It has been so many years since we were married to 
each other. In fact, the ceremony itself was relatively simple. We 
just went to the marriage department to register our names as a 
couple and we threw a small dinner party in a restaurant nearby. 

	It has been so many years since we have been friends. When was 
the first time I met her? At seven years old? Or was it eight? I 
shake my head slowly; it does not matter now. We are already happily 
married and we have a warm and cozy home. We even have a daughter 
now and Keiko is expecting another child in six months' time. 

	Keiko is my first love. I know that I am violent and I can 
simply pound anyone into dust, but time has softened me considerably. 
Since when have I become so poetic? Haha! What a joke... 

	Unconsciously, I begin smiling again. My career may be that of 
a ramen seller, but I consider myself as successful in life. Just 
think, I started out my ramen stall by the roadside and now, I am 
already the owner of a large ramen restaurant right in the middle of 
the city, thanks to the loan that Koenma-sama gave me. Somehow, I 
know I must extort some loans from Reikai or else I'll be working as 
a tantei for free. 

	Money is good nowadays. 

	The next success for me was getting married to Keiko. C'mon, 
Urameshi, how many girls out there are willing to fall for you? 
Someone like you who is a school delinquent, a big bully and has 
violent temper? The answer is very simple, only Keiko Yukimura. Keiko 
is currently working as a primary school teacher and she loves her 
job. I love her too and I'll try to like everything she likes, not 
including going out for one of her boring shopping trips. 

	So many things have happened since I was knocked down by that 
stupid joy-rider. Thanks to Koenma-sama again, I was resurrected but 
I was forced to work as a Reikai-tantei. Not that I disliked this 
job, but it could be taxing on my body. 

	Take Yamaro and Murashi for an example. 

	I sigh slowly. These two names bring an instant ache to my 
heart. Yes, Reikai had won this match but we had to sacrifice two 
souls for this hard-earned victory. One was Botan's life, another was 
Arisa's farewell to the team. The team has been getting smaller and 
smaller since Genkai-baasan, Botan and Arisa left. 

	It isn't that bad anyway. I smile a soft smile as I recall the 
times when I stood face to face with Yamaro and Murashi. I even 
wondered to myself if it was a must that I perish in this deadly 
tournament. I survived it against all odds, I was a winner. 

	The most pitiful of all has to be Kurama's daughter. *Sayuri-
chan,* I whisper softly. She was only two months old when Arisa was 
forced to return to that god of Kurama's. What a stupid joke to play 
on them. First, Kurama got Arisa pregnant, then he was trying to act 
Mr. Tough Guy by protecting her at all costs. When they finally broke 
down all the barriers, Inari was calling that vixen to leave Kurama 
and her daughter alone in this world. 

	At least Kurama isn't in that bad a condition yet. At least 
Sayuri-chan is constantly here so that Keiko can look after her. In 
times, she is at the Reikai with Misuko-san, that Empress of 
Reikai's. 

	One thing here, I can sense that Hiei is very protective of 
Sayuri-chan and Kurama. No, he doesn't go around yelling and bashing 
up people because of them. There is a fierce aura around him whenever 
there is anyone who threatens to hurt the two of them. 

	Hiei is so different from me. While I enjoy my friends' 
presence around me, he is so anti-social. In fact, hardly anyone can 
get close to him, save for Kurama. 

	Kurama? Why only Kurama? 

	A thought struck me that day when I saw the two of them on that 
mission to recapture that youkai who ran amok. Hiei has been looking 
at Kurama with that loving look while that red-head bandages his arm 
after he has used Kokuryuuha. Loving look? Love and Hiei do not 
exactly fit in the same sentence but that is what I really feel. I 
guess things must be very tough for Hiei after Murashi killed Botan. 
I know about their relationship after Kuwabara and I *accidentally* 
barged into their room that day in Reikai. 

	Perhaps this is also why Kurama turned to Arisa shortly after. 
Most probably Kurama was also suffering from a serious bout of 
depression judging by how he drank in that poker game before all of 
us left for Ningenkai the next day. When Kurama offered to send Arisa 
back to her room, we suspected nothing. Botan was even joking about 
the duo making a *cute* couple. All of this is falling into place 
like a jigsaw puzzle. 

	Yes, I sense something abnormal between Kurama and Hiei, but I 
am keeping my mouth shut. As long as they are happy with each other, 
I have no qualms about male and male relationships. 

	Just make sure that I do not get tangled in their love web one 
day. I also do not relish the idea of my male friends kissing each 
other passionately in front of me. A bead of sweat rolls down my 
forehead as my mind begins conjuring such a scene. 

	Nah, I quickly shove it away. 

	Besides, I can always look at Keiko instead of those hentai 
magazines, right? 

---------------------------------------------------------------------

	Five adults and a child were seated around a square picnic 
cloth below a huge sakura tree in the middle of the park. There was 
quite a number of people in the park but they had chosen a spot 
furthest away from the center of attention. A few swans were swimming 
in the lake behind them, raising their graceful necks and heads as a 
young boy threw them bread crumbs. 

	They were just normal visitors to the park. 

	On second thought, they were not quite *normal*. At least one 
of them was dressed in a strange high collared robe. Wait, there was 
another being standing behind them and he had horns growing out of 
his head. 

	Yes, even George had come along. 

	"There's Kurama!" hollered a young man in his mid-twenties and 
waved frantically at another young man who was slowly making his way 
through the crowd of picnickers in the huge park. 

	"Ohayo, minna!" greeted Kurama and slapped a hand on Kuwabara's 
shoulder. He hadn't aged much over all these years, only that his 
face had became more mature and well-defined. Well, it wasn't such a 
long time, was it? Only six years since that Reikai banquet. He 
tugged at his Chinese tunic for a while before walking towards his 
friends. 

	"Kurama, don't you know that it is always so tough to get in 
touch with you?" asked Yusuke who was busy munching on a piece of 
chocolate biscuit. Keiko rolled her eyes and patted her daughter next 
to her. "Yusuke, not so loud... Shurei-chan's asleep!" Just then, her 
daughter let out a yawn and looked at her sleepily. 

	"Gomen, gomen," sighed Yusuke and continued eating. 

	"Well, I have to work also, right?" smiled Kurama and sat down 
cross-legged just opposite Yusuke. He straightened the checkered 
picnic cloth and placed a palm to smoothen it. 

	"Anyway, where are you working now? Every time when we go on a 
mission, I always forget to ask you that," said Kuwabara and studied 
his friend. *Still that same old Kurama except that he looks more 
mature now,* thought the young man silently. 

	"In an architecture firm as a consultant," answered Kurama and 
dug into his pocket to retrieve his name card. 

	"Well, well, I'm finally a doctor now..." sighed Kuwabara and 
pushed back his carrot hair. 

	"You? A doctor?" snickered Yusuke. He simply couldn't imagine 
how Kuwabara, a rugged teenage schoolboy, could actually be working 
as a 'doctor' now. 

	"Yukina-san is so supportive of me," answered Kuwabara and 
sighed dreamily again. Yukina giggled and held his hand. "Hey Kurama! 
Where's that shrimp?" 

	"Hiei's coming but I don't know when," answered Kurama and felt 
his heart fluster a little. To tell the truth, he hadn't seen Hiei 
for a few days already and this fact disturbed him. 

	"Oh, I see..." said Koenma and nodded. That fire youkai was 
never present at this type of gathering. 

	"Oh Kurama, where's Sayuri-chan?" asked Keiko. She was very 
fond of the little girl that she had taken care of all these years 
and the sight of her sparkling emerald eyes could still bring a smile 
to her lips. 

	"Tousan!!!" shrieked a high-pitched voice and a six-year-old 
girl ran towards Kurama and flopped down on his lap. 

	"Sayuri-chan, you are sweating all over..." commented Kurama 
and he wiped away beads of sweat from her forehead with a piece of 
tissue from on the picnic cloth. "Where have you been?" 

	"Well, tousan, I have just tried growing a daisy. See?" smiled 
Sayuri happily and showed Kurama a small seed in her hands. She 
closed her eyes and concentrated for a while. The seed instantly 
sprouted into a plant with green tendrils. Right on the top, there 
was a beautiful daisy, its delicate petals gleaming with dew in the 
morning sunshine. 

	"Kurama, you actually taught her how to use her youki at such a 
young age?" asked Yusuke in awe. 

	"Yes and I want her to be a Reikai-tantei when she grows up. 
Hiei is worse. He even taught her how to play with fire before I 
stopped him. Don't want Sayuri-chan to burn down the entire block of 
apartments..." trailed off Kurama softly. "Show off," he whispered to 
Sayuri and watched her stick out her tongue and grinned playfully. 

	Kuwabara nodded and narrowed his eyes at Sayuri. *Looks so much 
like Kurama but her way of speaking is so different from his,* he 
thought silently. 

	"Koenma-sama? Where's your son?" asked Yusuke cheekily. "I 
haven't seen that boy of yours for about three years. Every time you 
paged us for a mission, we left so hurriedly that we couldn't even 
catch a glimpse, you know..." 

	"I think Misuko took him to see the swans by the lake," replied 
Koenma and leaned back on the grass languidly. 

	"Owww..." groaned Koenma suddenly as a boy of five leaped onto 
his midriff, instantly making him sit up in shock and pain. 
"Hayashi-chan... How many times do I have to tell you not to jump on 
touchan like that?!" reprimanded Koenma sternly and burst out 
laughing when Hayashi made a sad face and refused to look at him. 
"Touchan is so bad to scold me..." complained the little boy and ran 
over to Misuko who was sitting down beside him. Koenma rolled up the 
sleeves of his long robe and rolled his eyes. 

	"Hayashi-kun..." smiled Sayuri innocently and Hayashi instantly 
looked up at her, expecting sympathy from the girl. "Don't cry. I 
know you always cry a lot," continued Sayuri and giggled. Hayashi 
pulled an even longer face and buried his face into Misuko's 
shoulder. "Kaasan... Even Sayuri-chan is bullying me." 

	The entire group erupted into laughter and Hayashi began to 
sniffle. "Koenma-sama! He is so adorable," commented Keiko and 
stroked her daughter's hair. 

	"Hn! Only Shurei-chan is good to me. She didn't laugh at me," 
sulked Hayashi and stomped over to sit next to Shurei. The girl 
looked at him quizzically, but otherwise she ignored him. 

	"Hey Kurama! That sharp and witty tongue of Sayuri-chan's must 
be from Arisa!" said Kuwabara but soon realized that he had said the 
wrong thing. Kurama's happy expression turned dark and he closed his 
brilliant eyes slowly. *Arisa...* 

	"Sorry, Kurama," apologized Kuwabara and slapped a hand on 
Kurama's shoulder, meaning to console him. 

	"It's alright, I'm okay," smiled Kurama and hugged his 
daughter. "By the way, when are you and Yukina getting married? It 
has been quite some time since the both of you were engaged." 

	"Well, Yukina-san and I..." said Kuwabara and felt his face 
grow hot. 

	"Kazuma-san, tell them," giggled Yukina and let Kuwabara clasp 
her left hand. Kuwabara held it close to his face and grinned 
happily. "We are going to have the wedding by the end of this month." 

	"At last!" sighed Yusuke and rolled his eyes. "I thought you 
two were never getting married." 

	"I wanted to concentrate on my studies first, not like you who 
is so simply distracted by a stack of 'Sukebe's," teased Kuwabara and 
stuck out his tongue at Yusuke. 

	"What are you trying to say?" asked Yusuke innocently but 
Keiko's blushing face already gave him away. 

	"What 'Subeke's? Is there something that I do not know here?" 
asked Koenma curiously, his eyebrows knitted in a half-frown. Yusuke 
glared at him dangerously but Kuwabara ignored his look. 

	"Yup, this guy couldn't wait until he was married," blurted out 
Kuwabara and laughed maniacally. Yusuke's eyes widened in horror and 
he pounced on Kuwabara, his fingers tightening around his friend's 
neck like a viper. "Don't you dare to say anything like that!" 
threatened Yusuke. 

	"What?! Yusuke! Kuwabara! Stop this at once and tell me the 
truth!" screamed Koenma impatiently and pointed at the fighting duo. 

	"Alright, Urameshi, let's go," gestured Kuwabara after Yusuke 
released him. "Koenma-sama, come over here," said Yusuke and the trio 
walked off a few hundred feet away. 

	Keiko looked at them worriedly and turned her focus on Misuko. 
The young Empress smiled back at her. "Keiko-chan, how's life 
nowadays?" asked Misuko, intending to bring up some chatting. Kurama 
was busy trying to coax Sayuri into finishing her packet of drink and 
he took no notice of the rest. 

	"Quite good... Yusuke has finally opened his own ramen shop," 
smiled Keiko wistfully. Shurei and Hayashi had run off to play 
somewhere else with George but they were always in sight under their 
mothers' watchful eyes. 

	Suddenly an angry scream pierced through the air. Misuko and 
Keiko looked up in shock and saw Koenma running after Yusuke, shaking 
his fist in the air. 

	"Ah, they are always like that," sighed Keiko and rolled her 
eyes. 

	"Yup, let's continue our chatting..." smiled Misuko and ignored 
their husbands while Yukina giggled at Kuwabara affectionately. 

	Kurama sighed and focused his attention back on his daughter. 
At last, Sayuri stood up and smiled at him. "Tousan, I want to go and 
play with Shurei-chan and Hayashi-kun." 

	"Alright, but don't bully them, okay?" advised Kurama and 
watched his daughter run after her friends and George who was giving 
them a piggy back ride. He gave a small sigh as he recalled the times 
when Sayuri always used her youki to attack those little youkais who 
attempted to kidnap her. *She is such a headstrong girl.* 

	Suddenly, a black shadow flitted past out of the corner of his 
eyes. *Hiei,* whispered Kurama softly and stood up, his hand reaching 
out after that shadow. 

	"Keiko-san, please look after Sayuri-chan for a while!" half-
shouted Kurama and in a flash, he was already running after that 
shadow. 

	"Kurama-san, wh..." stopped Keiko and sighed when Kurama was 
far beyond earshot. She shook her head a little and turned her gaze 
back on the playing children. 

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	"Hiei..." whispered Kurama softly, knowing that Hiei would be 
able to hear him. He was surrounded by tall bamboo stalks, the 
pointed green leaves facing downwards. He knew Hiei was somewhere 
around, even though he couldn't see him now. 

	"Kurama..." a deep voice answered behind him. Kurama spun again 
to stand face to face with a fire youkai, one that he had known for 
so long. Hiei's eyes were closed as he leaned against a stalk of 
giant bamboo effortlessly. 

	"Hiei, where have you been these last few days?" asked Kurama 
and stepped forward, getting nearer to the fire youkai. Hiei's eyes 
snapped open and fixed his ruby pupils on Kurama's emerald eyes. 

	"It doesn't matter, does it?" asked Hiei softly, his black 
cloak wrapped around his slender body frame snugly. The gentle breeze 
blew past them, ruffling their hair a little. He flashed a half smile 
and folded his arms. 

	"Ittoshi, Hiei," murmured Kurama and reached out to hug Hiei 
around the waist. 

	"Get off me, stupid kitsune. I have something for you," growled 
Hiei and pushed off the half youko. Kurama looked up in shock and 
raised an eyebrow in confusion. "Something for me?" he repeated 
slowly. 

	Reaching into his clothes, he retrieved a small object. "Take 
it, fox," mumbled Hiei and looked away, his hand holding something 
for his beloved fox. Kurama slowly pried open Hiei's grip around the 
object and studied it on his hand. 

	It was a wooden paperweight with a fox carved on a stand. 

	Kurama's jaw dropped a little and he looked up at Hiei 
strangely. Slowly, his fingers closed around Hiei's gift and his eyes 
adverted their focus on the paperweight once again. Yes, it was made 
out of wood but it was unusually heavy. *Diamond wood, the rarest 
type of wood in Makai,* whispered Kurama inwardly. He then gazed at 
the fox lovingly. It wasn't perfect as there were rough edges around 
its body, but to Kurama's eyes it was the most beautiful carving he 
had ever seen in his life. 

	Hiei had carved it with his own hands - that was what really 
mattered to him. 

	There were two Ningen words engraved on the stand. 

	"Kura... Ma..." read out Kurama slowly and glanced at Hiei. 
*Hiei actually wrote my name with his own hands!* smiled Kurama. 
Hiei's handwriting wasn't exactly the best around yet Kurama 
appreciated it. 

	"Doumo, Hiei," thanked Kurama and hugged the fire youkai. Hiei 
looked at him and mused. *Why is Kurama so happy about such a small 
present? Stupid Ningen feelings but I like it somehow.* 

	"Hn," growled Hiei and hugged his fox back, feeling his 
fragile body. "Why is your name so difficult to write in Ningen 
letters?" 

	"C'mon Hiei, the rest are waiting for us," sighed Kurama and 
released him. Giving the carving one last look, he kept it inside his 
robe and took Hiei's hand before walking together to the entire 
group. 

	He still took Hiei's hand although Hiei would pull away from 
him once they saw sunlight again. 

	He would appreciate every single moment he had with his beloved 
fire youkai - Hiei. 

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	"Kurama! Where have you been? We were looking everywhere for 
you for the entire day!" shouted Yusuke and waved at him. Kurama 
nodded slightly and ran over to the group. 

	"Where's that shrimp?" asked Kuwabara, looking around. "I 
thought I just saw him somewhere out there." 

	"Who are you calling 'shrimp', moron?" hissed Hiei and appeared 
behind the young man. Kuwabara gave a goofy grin and put his left arm 
around Yukina. Hiei rolled his eyes and picked up Sayuri who was 
clinging onto his trousers. He always hated the sight of that stupid 
Kuwabara hanging onto his dearest sister like some type of super 
adhesive. 

	"What are we going to do now?" asked Kurama curiously as Koenma 
and the rest posed themselves into two lines. 

	"We are taking a photo, quickly get into a place!" half-yelled 
Yusuke and hugged his daughter as he quickly knelt down on one knee 
in front of the camera. 

	Kurama's eyes lit up with mischief and he hurriedly dragged 
Hiei to stand beside him. Hiei rolled his eyes and hugged Sayuri. 
"Hiei-jisan, why are you looking at tousan like that?" asked Sayuri 
innocently as Hiei muttered something under his breath. Kurama just 
grinned a little and pulled the fire youkai even closer to him. 
Putting an arm around the fire youkai's shoulders, he smiled again as 
Hiei winced under his touch. *Still can't get use to my touch after 
so long...* thought Kurama and squeezed the fire youkai's shoulder a 
little. 

	George began focusing the camera on the tripod. Koenma was 
standing at the far left corner with Misuko and Hayashi while Kurama 
and Hiei stood next to them, the fire youkai's arms holding Sayuri. 
Yusuke and Keiko were crouching at the front with Kuwabara and Yukina 
while Shurei sat on Yusuke's lap. *What a perfect picture!* thought 
George and sighed happily. 

	"Ready? One, two, three and say cheese!" announced George and a 
blinding flash of light shot past them. 

	"Alright, the Polaroid's done!" shouted George and ran forward 
to show them the picture. It was a perfect picture of the Urameshi 
team with their children. All of them were wearing a smile, even 
Hiei. 

	Hiei?! 

	Alright, even a sulky youkai also had his happy days. Hiei was 
a brave warrior for he had the courage to face the past and fight the 
future. Although many incidents had marred his life all these years, 
he still lived his life to the fullest. 

	At last, there was harmony and peace again in three worlds 
where this team of Reikai tanteis waged their everlasting battle to 
eliminate evil. There might be a hint of bitterness when they lost 
someone they loved dearly, but there was always a happy ending for 
all of them. 

	They were the best and they deserved the best. 

	"May joy reign forever in Makai, Ningenkai and Reikai," wished 
everyone in their heart secretly as they looked at the setting sun. 
The reddish hue marked the end of another day, the end of one of 
their most memorable adventures. 

	The past, the present and the future - all of them held a 
secret key to memories, vengeance and dreams. 

	Perhaps the Future might be better than the Past and the 
Present, but it didn't lie in the hands of Fate. 

	Face your Past, accept you Present, fight for your Future. 

	Forever. 

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The Past, 
The beginning of love, 
The starting of Memories, 
But what secret does it hold? 
No-one knows its darkest thoughts. 

In the mists of loneliness, 
A ray of love shines through, 
As days seem like years to injured souls, 
What hidden meaning does it protect? 
All for the love of a single person. 

The Present is an era of revenge, 
A millennium of hatred and regret, 
Love is lost, minds are tormented, 
In the sea of mirth, 
There is always a mistake made. 

Misty eyes, injured hearts, 
Shattered dreams, broken souls, 
What do they promise? 
Only Vengeance for the Present. 

Look into the Future, 
Look into your Dreams, 
For they hold the key to joy, 
Turn your head to face your Past, 
You will be blessed with everlasting peace. 

Love is beautiful. 

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				~~~Owari~~~ 

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Copyright reserved 1999 W. Siew Lee 

All standard Yu Yu Hakusho disclaimers apply to this fanfic. 

E-mail: Siew Lee [wsiewlee@tm.net.my] 
URL: http://members.xoom.com/hiei 
UIN: #14025577 

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