Anger And Tears, Happiness And Joy

Chapter 5

The rest of the tournament went by without a hitch, with Yusuke’s team once again winning. Arriving back to the mainland after the tournament, Yusuke and Kurama were ready to get the wedding plans into full swing. After three months of planning, the day finally arrived, and neither of the young men could’ve been happier. Kurama had bought a house for them, completely paid off using a large portion of his personal savings. Yusuke had paid for a large portion of the wedding expenses, and they would honeymoon at Genkai’s palace, which she had left to them when she had passed on. It would be a perfect secluded spot, and one which held a lot of memories for both the young men.

Because this was such a bright and happy occasion, the hall would be full of white roses and other white flowers. Both of their tuxedos would be the purest white, with Kuwabara and Hiei both wearing black, and Keiko, Shizuru, Botan, and Yukina wearing various colors of blue. Both of the boys would carry a small bouquet of red and white roses, which Kurama would give to his mother and Yusuke would give to Keiko at the end of the ceremony.

The morning of the wedding, Yusuke was up early, while Kurama took the opportunity to sleep in a bit. Kurama had always been a very superstitious man, and had elected to stay at his mother’s home for the night before the wedding, despite Yusuke’s begging for him to stay.

“Yusuke, one night away from me isn’t going to kill you,” he had said. “Just think of it this way. If you don’t have me for a night or so, it will make our wedding night that much better.” Yusuke had pouted, but Kurama had insisted on it. Upon waking up and not being able to hold his Kitsune in his arms like he usually did, Yusuke had not been able to go back to sleep. As much as he would’ve liked to sleep, this gave him the time to get a few surprises ready for his beloved for the reception. Upon remembering about his past, Yusuke had begun to practice singing and songwriting, something which he had been known for in his former life, and had written a few love songs, which he hoped to sing for his new husband at the wedding.

About two minutes before his alarm went off, Yusuke heard a knock on his door. It was Kuwabara, coming to make sure he got up on time. “How long have you been up?”

“About two hours,” Yusuke said. “I wanted to finish up these recordings for the reception, so when I couldn’t sleep I decided to get up and work on it.”

“Feeling a bit lonely without him, aren’t you?” Kuwabara said. “Well, now you have a little extra time, would you like to…” Yusuke froze when he felt Kuwabara’s arms around him from behind. “I know it’s your wedding day, but…”

“Take it back to Yukina, Kuwabara,” he said, pulling away. “You’re right about one thing -- It’s my wedding day, to Kurama, and I don’t think he’d appreciate this come-on from you any more than I do. Let’s just get through this day and you go propose to that girl of yours! She IS carrying your baby, after all.”

“You’re not married yet,” Kuwabara said, then his voice switched to Raizen’s voice. “And I’m sure Yoko would love it just as much as you would.”

“I… I can’t, Father,” Yusuke said. “I’m going to be spending the rest of my life with this man, and I don’t want to feel as though I’ve cheated on him on the day we’re pledging our souls to each other.”

“All right, fine,” he said in his normal voice. “If nothing else, at least give me the pleasure of watching you change.”

“Oh, is that all this is?” Yusuke said, laughing. “You just want to see me in my birthday suit one last time? A little piece of eye candy when you can’t have the whole box?”

“You’ve known me for too long, man!” Kuwabara said. “You take all the fun out of the tease!”
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About the time that Yusuke’s alarm had gone off, Kurama’s alarm went off as well. He could hear his mother downstairs in the kitchen, preparing breakfast for the large amount of visiting family. Stretching, he got out of bed and looked at his cell phone’s messages. On the background was a cute picture of Kurama and Yusuke that they had taken for their engagement pictures, and there was a message from Yusuke. “Can’t wait to see you at the ceremony. Hope you slept well because it’s gonna be a long day. I love you. See you soon. Yusuke.” Kurama chuckled as he read it. Yusuke was incredibly possessive, and reminded him of a little puppy when it came to his love for the fox.

“Suichi, breakfast is ready!” Kurama heard his step-father call through the door. He opened the door and greeting him with a smile.

“Thank you, Father,” he said. “Tell Mother I’ll be down in a few minutes, all right?”

“Hurry, Son, before the family eats it all,” he said before walking away. Kurama quickly grabbed a nice t-shirt and put it on, studying himself in the mirror.

“Are you sure you’re ready for this, Suichi?” Youko said, appearing in the mirror. “This is a big step for us.”

“This is the fifth time we’ve had this conversation, Youko,” Suichi said. “I know that you love Prince Yusuke just as much as I love Yusuke Urameshi. They’re one and the same, and can even remember sharing separate memories with both of us. We both love both of his personalities, and both of his personalities love both of us, That’s all the reassuring you I’m going to do, now cut it out!”

“I just want to make sure you’re going to be happy with the decision,” he said. “As much as I’m sure we both love him, you shouldn’t be bound by my past.”

“Stop it!” Suichi cried. “Your past IS my past, so I am bound by that past. Let’s just make this day a happy one and not worry about whose past is what. You DO want to marry him, don’t you?”

“I always have,” Youko said, almost melting at the memory of the first wedding. “You’re right, Suichi. I shouldn’t worry about whose past is what. This will make both of us happy, and that in turn will make Yusuke happy.”

“That’s all I want to do, make him happy,” Suichi said.
********************************************************************“Yusuke, are you nervous?” Keiko said shortly before the ceremony began.

“Incredibly nervous, yes,” he said. “I remember what this day was like thirty years ago, and believe me, I was just as nervous then.” She smiled at him, and he placed his hand on her cheek. “Are you happy, Keiko?”

“Let me put it this way -- If someone had told me a year ago that I was going to be walking down the aisle with my ex-boyfriend on the way to his wedding to another man, and that I would be in a lesbian relationship, I probably would’ve hit them with a baseball bat,” she giggled. “But yes, Botan and I are happy together. I just hope that you’re just as happy with Kurama.”

“Thank you, Keiko,” he said, kissing her cheek softly.

“Suichi’s ready whenever you are Yusuke,” Kurama’s step-father said, walking in from the hall between the two rooms where the two young men stood waiting. “Welcome to the family, Son.“

“Thank you, Sir,” he said. “If my mother was still here, I’m sure she would welcome Suichi just as much into the Urameshi family.”

Yusuke heard the music begin, and he took a deep breath. “Just keep breathing, Yusuke,” Keiko whispered as she took his arm and the doors opened. Yukina and Kuwabara walked through the doors first, followed by Shizuru and her husband Seto from the other side. At the very same time, it seemed, Kurama and Yusuke walked through their respective doors as the crowd stood. Their eyes met and they both smiled lovingly. They arrived at the alter, and the minister addressed Shiori and Keiko.

“Who gives these men to be married,” he said.

“It is my honor, Sir, to give my son away,” Shiori said, squeezing her son’s hand. Kurama turned and kissed her, and she walked away with happy tears in her eyes.

“It is my honor, Sir, to give this man away,” Keiko said. Yusuke looked at her with absolute love in his eyes. He would always love her just as much as he always had, but he also knew that they had both moved on. In a move that surprised even himself, he kissed Keiko on the lips. It was a soft, chaste kiss, but one that would burn into both their memories as one of great sweetness and an eternal bond between them.

“Thank you, Keiko,” he whispered. Kurama smiled at the sweet display, and heard his husband-to-be whisper in his ear. “We finally made it.”

“Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered today to celebrate the joining of these two men in the bond of sacred marriage,” said the minister conducting the ceremony. “While it is true the traditional term for marriage was between a man and a woman, these two, and many others like them who believe that love can exist between two men, or two women, have exhibited the bravery to show the world that it can be done. If I may have you take each other’s hands, we’ll begin the vows.” Yusuke‘s hand tingled when he felt Kurama touch his hand. “Yusuke Urameshi, do you take this man to be your companion in this life and in the life to come, to love, cherish, and treat as your equal in every way, until death do you part?”

“I do,” Yusuke said.

“And do you, Suichi Minamino, take this man to be your companion in this life and in the life to come, to love , cherish, and treat as your equal in every way, until death do you part?”

“I do,” Kurama said.

“And now, ladies and gentlemen, the grooms have chosen to express their own vows,” he said. “Yusuke.”

“Since the day we met, I’ve known you were something special,” Yusuke said. “I never imagined, though, that I would be able to have you by my side for the rest of our lives. You have the feistiness of a bull, but the gentleness and carefulness of a fox. I guess that explains the red hair.” Kurama chuckled, knowing what Yusuke meant although he couldn’t say it in front of the many humans in attendance. “I will always be here to care for you, to hold and comfort you in our troubled times. I love you, Suichi, and I’m so glad you’ve giving me the joy of becoming your husband.”

“Yusuke, you’ve saved my life on multiple occasions, just by being there for me,” Kurama said. “I believe that I first fell in love with you when I wanted so much to comfort you after your mother was diagnosed with cancer. The fact that I couldn’t do anything to either help her or comfort you was torture, because all I’ve ever wanted is to know that you’re happy. I will always love you, Yusuke, and I always want to be here to make you happy.”

“Yusuke, place the ring on Suichi’s hand,” the minister said. “Say these words after me: This ring is a symbol of my love and devotion to you.”

“This ring is a symbol of my love and devotion to you,” Yusuke said.

“With this ring, I thee wed,” said the minister.

“With this ring, I thee wed,” Yusuke repeated.

“Now, Suichi, do the same, and say the same words,” he said.

“This ring is a symbol of my love and devotion to you,” Kurama said. The ring was a little difficult to put on, even though it had been fitted and resized. “Have you been working out, Darling?” Everyone laughed, and then the ring finally went on. “With this ring, I thee wed.”

“Now that you have expressed vows of love, and exchanged rings as tokens of your devotion to each other, seeing that there are no objections to the joining of these two men, I now pronounce you beloved husbands,” said the minister. “If I’m not mistaken, this is where you kiss.” Yusuke moved in slowly and kissed Kurama, who wrapped his arms around Yusuke’s neck. The crowd applauded and cheered, and they then looked out at them as about twenty different flashes went off in our faces. “Ladies and gentlemen, may I present for the first time, Yusuke and Suichi Urameshi!”

After the reception had begun, Keiko came over to where Hiei stood, and tapped him on the shoulder. “Hiei, can I talk to you for a minute?”

“Is there something wrong, Darling?” he said, forgetting himself for a moment.

“I just wanted to tell you that I’m expecting a baby,” she said. Hiei looked over at her in absolute shock, and then a small smile played over his lips.

“Is it mine?” he said hopefully.

“Yes, it would have to be,” she said. “The only times that Yusuke and I made love were shortly after he returned from Demon World, and that was months before you and I were together.”

“Thank you, Keiko,” he said. “Not many people would be as honest as you are with someone they despise.”

“Hiei, I don’t despise you,” she said. “Hang on a second. Botan, would you come over here for a minute?”

“What is it, dear?” Botan said, walking over.

“I just told Hiei about the big news,” Keiko said. “But I wanted you both to be here when I said this, just so there’s no misunderstanding.”

“What’s going on, Keiko?” Hiei said, suddenly becoming uncharacteristically nervous.

“Hiei, you said that you think I despise you,” she said. “To tell the truth, I still love you just as much as I did before when we were together.”

“You do?” he said in shock.

“Yes, I do,” she said. “And Botan knows because I tell her everything. I found it very difficult to forgive you for cheating on me, but I realized that I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions or gotten so upset at you for giving in to your past. If I really despised you, I probably would’ve gotten rid of this baby as soon as I found out I was pregnant. But it deserves a chance to live, and know who its father is, and have him be part of its life.”

“This really means a lot to me, Keiko,” Hiei said. “And believe me, I still love you as well.” Botan said nothing, nor did she appear to have any objections when Hiei took Keiko’s hand, and kissed it softly. “If at any time, you need me for anything, whether it’s because you are in danger or you just need someone to talk to, just call me.”

“Thank you, Hiei,” she said. “Would you come and walk with me?”

“Certainly, as long as your Lady doesn’t mind,” he said. They looked over at Botan, who smiled and nodded. As they walked out into the courtyard, Hiei stopped to admire this young woman next to him. “You look lovely as always in that dress,” he said.

“Thank you,” she said, sitting down on the bench. “I don’t get to see you the way you are very often, in this very nice tuxedo. I think that the last time I saw you this way was at Shizuru’s wedding.”

“I would’ve loved to have been able to dress this way for you,” he said. “If we were still together now, I would have asked you to marry me long ago.” Sitting down next to her, he pulled a small ring box from his pocket, and Keiko gasped. “What’s wrong, Darling?”

“I never would’ve expected this,” she said. “Do you really wish to marry me?”

“I do, and I have for the longest time,” he said. “My heart will always be with you, no matter where either of us are.”

“Yes, Hiei,” she said, and he stared at her with a look of utter puzzlement.

“Yes what?”

“Yes, I will marry you,” she said.

“Bu… But what about Botan?” he asked. “Surely she’ll feel as though she’s been left out in the cold.”

“She’s already told me that she won’t be able to stay here for very much longer,” she explained. “She’s happy for me that I’m having a baby, even though she won’t be here to help raise it.”

“I’m so sorry for hurting you, Keiko,” he said, wrapping his arms around her softly. “I promise not to ever betray you again, and to make you the happiest woman in the world.” They kissed, and Keiko’s heart began beating wildly. The sun shone down through the trees like a cascade of thousands of lights on a Christmas tree, and as they sat together, they both admired the beauty of their surroundings. “Beautiful…”

Kurama and Yusuke had been able to steal away from the crowd of people for a few minutes and walked out into the courtyard, and now stood watching their former lovers cuddling sweetly with their backs turned to the two men. Yusuke was about to say something, but Kurama shushed him quickly, speaking through telepathy. “No, Yusuke, let them be. They’ve finally come to terms about their feelings for each other, and I don’t want to make either of them upset or embarrassed.”

“I can hear you, Kurama,” Hiei spoke in his mind, but gave no outward appearance that he knew they were there. “Don’t worry, I’m not angry, but please leave me to spend some time with my fiancee.”

“Yes, of course,” Kurama said. “But you should probably hurry, or there’ll be no food left.”

“Goodbye, Kitsune,” Hiei said with a small laugh. “As much as I’m here to support you two in your marriage, something has happened to me that I never imagined possible.”

“Good luck, Koorime,” he said. Just then, there was a tap on Kurama’s shoulder.

“Forgive me for interrupting, Sir, but we can’t start serving the rest of the guests until the wedding party has been served,” said one of the caterers. “And the two of you are the two most important members of the wedding party.”

“Thank you, Jason,” Kurama said. ‘Hurry and come in for dinner, Hiei.’

‘In a few minutes,’ he said.