Yusuke Urameshi gazed around. It wasn't what he remembered, but then, many things could have happened while he was gone.

His hand ran through his slick hair. Grimacing, he realized it was already long. He hadn't had a decent haircut in weeks. 'I hope she'll recognize me,' he thought as he walked through the streets.

There were kids hanging out there, sneering and jeering at him, but he ignored them. He could kill them with one strike, but they were humans, unable to defend themselves. They were weak...and he was different now. He came back for only one person...and he wasn't going to let anyone get in his way.

Finally, he located the building, but it was also different, empty.

The ramen shop was closed. And it looked like for a long time now.

"What happened here?" he whispered to himself.

"Hey, you, kid!"

Yusuke flinched and turned. One thing, he disliked being called "kid". He was older than his looks, although his body retained his teenage form. But he met the man's stare with a blank gaze. "You calling me?"

"Yeah." The man, about in his late thirties, walked up to him curiously. "You looking for something?"

"More like someone," Yusuke replied, grinning ruefully. "Maybe you can help me?"

"Maybe," he agreed. "I'm Yukito."

"Yusuke," the other said.

Yukito put his hands in his pockets. "So, who're you looking for, anyway?"

"Keiko Yukimura," Yusuke supplied. "I was...she used to live here." He pointed at the condemned building. "Her family used to run the ramen shop here..."

Yukito frowned. "Hm. Well, I've lived here for quite some time, and the only Keiko I know lives some blocks away from here, and she's old now. This building has been condemned for almost ten years...has been closed for many years before that."

How long have I been gone? Yusuke mused to himself. "That Keiko you know...can you show me where she lives now?"

Yukito shrugged. "Yeah, sure. She's a little weak, though..."

Yusuke's heart sank. "She may not be the one I'm looking for," he murmured. But he smiled half-heartedly. "But then, I might've been gone for a few years now."

They started walking through the streets, Yukito leading.

"Who IS this girl you're looking for, anyhow?" Yukito asked wonderingly.

"My fianc�e," Yusuke replied abruptly. "Before I left, I asked her to marry me."

"She said yes?"

He hesitated, before answering, "Kind of."

Yukito's eyebrows went up. "'Kind of'?"

"We were...having problems." Yusuke looked away immediately. "And I kinda lost touch..." He stopped, then went on sharply, "I don't feel like talking right now."

"Okay." Yukito glanced at him curiously, before falling silent.

They circled another corner. Yusuke noticed that the neighborhood was more peaceful. A few leaves fell because of the light wind, and a few running children accompanied the whispering breeze.

You'll come back, Yusuke?

I'll come back for you...

Whenever he closed his eyes, he would remember her voice. And yearn for her. But he lost track of time, of the days, the months and years. He didn't know how many years have passed...he had always been busy.

And now, when he came back, could he be too late?

"Hey. We're here."

Yusuke blinked and realized that they had stopped walking. Yukito was looking at him curiously. "Sorry," he apologized. "I was just thinking."

"Don't worry about it." Yukito pointed at the house. "There you go. I'll go with you."

"No, don't worry about it."

"Oh, I'm not worrying about it." Yukito smiled. "I live here. Well, I LIVED here. Keiko's my mother."

"Oh." Yusuke felt a little embarrassed. "Sorry."

"Don't be." Yukito led him to the door. "Kaasan rarely has visitors. My brother and I visit her sometimes, especially after Tousan died." He opened the door. "Kaasan! I'm home!" He removed his shoes. Yusuke did likewise.

There were some clattering, then a slightly old woman with gray hair came out of one of the doorways. "Yukito!" she called out in a surprisingly strong voice. Then, she froze and stared at Yusuke. "Who...who's this?"

"This is Yusuke, Kaasan," Yukito introduced. "He was looking for someone named Keiko."

"And you led him right to me." The woman gave a small smile. "Hello."

"H--hello," Yusuke said uncertainly. He suddenly felt a little self-conscious. "I'm--really sorry for disturbing you...but I wanted to find this certain girl...and I have no idea where to start, Mrs.--uh..."

"Mrs. Nagisa." She went to Yukito, and the man gave her a peck on the cheek. Then, she led them both to the living room. "Why do you think we can help you?"

"Actually, Kaasan, I told him we've lived here a few years," Yukito replied hastily.

She sat down on a couch as her son sat beside her. Then, she motioned for Yusuke to follow suit. He sat down on an armchair. "Where did she live?" she queried.

"In the ramen shop downtown," Yusuke replied immediately. "It used to be a few houses from that empty lot..." He had on a confused expression. "But it's condemned now, and slums live there...and Keiko wouldn't have moved out...I was going to return..."

"How long have you been gone?" she asked.

Yusuke shook his head regretfully. "I don't know...a few years? I lost track of time. Time flies by where I've been."

"I'm sure," Mrs. Nagisa replied dryly. Then, touched Yukito's arm and whispered a few words. He nodded, got up, and disappeared through another door. Then, she turned back to Yusuke. "Why are you looking for her, if you don't mind me asking?"

"We're engaged." Finally, Yusuke let out his frustration and leaned forward angrily. "Look, I just want to find Keiko Yukimura, okay? Tell me if you can help or not!" His ki began to rise dangerously.

Mrs. Nagisa was silent for a while. Then, she looked at him directly. "That building has been closed for forty years. And it's not a neighborhood everyone will like to go to now. It has sorts of people you'll stay away from."

"I can go wherever I want to," Yusuke retorted.

"I used to live in that part of town," she went on. "And I know that other girl Keiko. Their family business began to run downhill after she got into college. She began to work in a nearby grocery store as a cashier to help support her family. All the while, the streets of that town weren't becoming safe anymore. But for some strange reason, they never moved out. They were one of the very few who stayed. Then, there was a murder case. The victim was Keiko Yukimura's father. He was killed while Keiko...was away at work. They said there was a brawl in his shop, and he got caught in the middle." Mrs. Nagisa's breathing was already ragged as she rubbed her eyes. "It's been fifty-four years, and the details are still too shocking for me."

Yusuke's hands clenched and unclenched. He slumped in his seat, dazed. "Koenma..." he breathed softly. "Koenma never told me..."

"After that tragedy, they moved away, and I heard that the girl Keiko went to another country abroad," Mrs. Nagisa finished quietly.

Yukito came back, carrying a tray with glasses and saucers with him. He offered one to Yusuke, his mother, and kept one for himself.

"Did--did she ever come back?" Yusuke asked in a small voice. He sipped his drink of Coke, waiting for the answer.

Mrs. Nagisa shrugged. "I don't know. There were rumors that she married abroad, got divorced, then came back here. Nobody knows for sure...she might have changed her name."

Yusuke hung her head. "Over sixty years," he murmured. "I've been gone for almost sixty years. I was too late..."

"You don't look sixty," Yukito remarked.

Yusuke looked away and didn't answer. Just when he came back...he was too late! Keiko was gone. Kuwabara and Kurama might have some information, but he doubted Keiko would keep in touch with them after what happened. She was too proud...damn that Keiko!

But why didn't Koenma inform him? It was important. He should have known, should have been there, dammit!

Then, he remembered. He had been working so hard, trying to rebuild the kingdom his ancestors have built. Nothing mattered much. Hell, he'd even lost contact of Hiei! All because of his obsession.

And now, when he returned, it will all be useless. The kingdom he had been building for Keiko and himself would be meaningless. Everything had just been for nothing.

If only he'd come back sooner...

"Yusuke-san?"

Yusuke flushed, realizing that for the second time that day, he had spaced out. In his hands he was holding an empty glass. "I'm sorry," he apologized. "I was--"

"We understand." Mrs. Nagisa smiled, her face lighting into a smile. Her face was wrinkled, but once could have been very lovely. "Don't worry about it."

Finally, Yusuke put the glass on the tray and stood up. "I wouldn't want to impose on you much longer. The sun is coming down, and I have to go home."

The two stood also. "Where is home, Yusuke-san?" Yukito inquired.

Yusuke hesitated. "Far away."

Mrs. Nagisa laid a hand on Yukito's arm. "You clean up here and I'll show your guest to the door."

Yukito nodded and began to gather their glass as Yusuke went with the old woman to the hallway.

She wasn't slow in walking, but she wasn't fast either. She seemed like younger than her age, except for her appearance, Yusuke observed, noting the gray hair.

Finally, Mrs. Nagisa opened the door for him and he stepped out.

"Oh, and Mr. Urameshi?"

Yusuke turned. "Hai?"

Mrs. Nagisa hesitated, then went on: "I also heard that when Keiko Yukimura got back after the divorce, she got married again and had two sons."

Yusuke nodded. It seemed pointless looking for her now, since she has married and remarried... He frowned. "Wait...how did you know that my last name's Urameshi? Yukito didn't say..."

Keiko Nagisa looked up at him and smiled a soft, sad smile. "She waited and waited," she said softly. "But he didn't come."

It was then Yusuke saw her eyes closely. Brown...with the first stars shining in them...with tears. "Keiko," he whispered.

Keiko, an old woman, smiled and blinked. The tears were gone. "Goodbye, Yusuke Urameshi."

And, gently, the door closed in front of him.

Dazed, Yusuke walked away to the road going back to Makai. His head hurt, not to mention his heart.

She waited and waited. But he didn't come.

He stopped and looked up at the dim sky.

He came back. He was just too late.

Yusuke bowed and walked on. "Goodbye, Keiko."