On the Boundaries of Reality
epilogue
by M.E.
Epilogue: Best Man
By: M.E. (Magnificent Entity)
([email protected])
In the back of a church a figure sits uncomfortably, tugging at the brown dress jacket they wear and nervously
adjusting their tie. Around them people watch the ceremony taking place, rapt expressions on their faces.
Yusuke smiles, glancing at the person standing next to him
out of the corners of his eyes. He listens to the words that the minister rambles off, a smirk of amusement forming on his lips as he wonders how the religious man would react if he knew that the death he speaks of so earnestly is the blue aired young woman in the third row, crying into her handkerchief. And that the young man comforting her is the (demi) god of Life and Death. Some things in life could be so ironic.
Standing tall and proud next to him, Keiko looks breathtaking in her white, western-style dress. The flowers she clutches loosely in her arms offset her deep brown eyes wonderfully, the entire sight making Yusuke's heart skip a beat.
Finally finishing his speech, the minister says those words that end the dreadfully dreary ceremony, drawing them out in his impish voice, "Yew may naw kith de bwide."
Leaning forward, the groom lifts the cream-colored veil, still smirking, "This time," he whispers, "you won't hit me, right?"
Frowning, Keiko glares at him, "Yusuke no ba-mph!" A loud cheer rings out as the newly-wed couple seal the agreement.In the pews the spectators have a hard time standing their ground as Yusuke and Keiko walk down the aisle. Caught up in the excitement, few notice the figure in the back row.
Said person smiles at the touching scene, but quickly slips out of the pew, not waiting to see what happens, though the can't help but laugh when they hear loud shouts from inside the chapel. <Yes,> they think quietly, <it was worth coming, even if...> A shadow of sadness passes over their eyes as they recall the couple in the row across from them- a young man with red hair, who possessively held the hand of what appeared to be a ten year old child with black hair.
Casting one last look over their shoulder, their hands make strange gestures, and a glowing circle formed of pure energy stretches out. Leaping, they disappear through it, orange-red ponytail waving a final farewell, and it closes behind them.
***
I flop out of the portal, wincing as moisture from the wet grass streaks my suit, possibly staining it. A rough brown
hand comes into view, and I grasp it, letting it drag me to my feet. "Hey." His ruby eyes wink at me, and a fang hangs
out from his mouth, giving his grin an edge that would have made most people look for a rock to crawl under. Not me
however, those fangs are one of the many appealing features of the youkai in front of me.
Flinging my arms around him, I feel him flinch in my embrace. Sighing inwardly, I loosen my grip. In a lurching motion he allows his arms to move upwards, not quite returning my hug. He still hasn't warmed up very much to public displays of affection- or even those displays of affection that aren't public. I'm not worrying though, I figure that he still needs some time to adjust to what has happened. "How was the ceremony," he mumbles in my ear, breath tickling the curls around it.
"Nice. Touching. Romantic. Stereotypical." Pulling back from him, I allow my shoulders to dip into a slight shrug, and a sly grin finds its way onto my lips, "You were there. With Kurama."
Now he eyes me, his twin red orbs speaking in several different levels. He still isn't comfortable with the idea of other worlds like his own, but he's going to have to learn to deal with it- after all, I'm from one of those worlds. "If that fox could get you to go, then I think I can convince you to come to the wedding tomorrow," I watch his face carefully, waiting to see his reaction. "After all, if you didn't then that would mean that the other you is much braver..." That does it. The effect of my words can be seen in the features of his face, after all, he couldn't llow there to be such a jab at his pride. I'll think about it," he growls, letting his arms fall to his sides releasing me from the embrace. For the first time he notices the bag that I dropped when I came through the portal. "What's in there?"
"Stuff from my aunt's apartment. I figured that this time I didn't want to impose on Yukina's generosity- especially after what I did to her kimono..."
"So you're staying?"
A strange question for him to ask, and I let my disturbance show in my expression, "...of course..."
"Good."
***
...the end...?
COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER: Most of the characters in this story are the property of Yoshihiro Togashi, Shonen Jump Weekly,
Studio Pierrot, and Fuji Television. No infringements of their rights are intended. Those that are not, belong to
M.E. and cannot be used without my express permission.
© November 29, 1999 M.E. also known as Lady Manday of the Orange Root also known as Manda Hunter who can be reached
at [email protected]. Comments, criticisms, death threats, etc. are encouraged and welcomed. Flames *will* be
accepted, butif you send me a flame, I might send one back at you. All tessen wielding bandits from Konan will be
forwarded to Blue Jeans after being liberally doused with sake. Don't say I didn't warn you!
