Of course, I don't Kuragahime. This story is mine though.

Summary: Tsukimi made a sacrifice to give Kuranoske

something he has desired for so long, his mother,

by giving Shu what he has desired, herself. Now in

a dysfunctional marriage with a public official,

Tsukimi is forced to show a brave face as she

realizes how truly sad she is. Kuranoske, unaware

of her gift to him but very aware of her pain,

wants her freedom almost as much as he wants her.

-(-+++++-)-

Chapter 1 - Her Secret Gift

-(-+++++-)-

Kuranoske sat with his chair balanced on its back

legs, his foot on the leg of the table in front

of him to hold his body steady. With an annoyed arched eyebrow, he watched as Shu danced with Tsukimi Koibuchi, his new wife.

He was doing his best at hiding his dissatisfaction, but he was almost certain he wasn't trying hard enough. Whenever Tsukimi looked his way, he would put on his most brilliant smile. If she was watching, he was going to pretend he was happy. This was her decision and he would stand by her.

He just wished she was dancing with him.

-(-+++++-)-

3 months before

He had been on his way to Amamizukan to talk to Tsukimi about some new ideas for marketing their brand. Seeing that Hanamori was not at the estate, He struck out on foot with an old wagon he found in storage. He almost felt like a kid, strolling to the main gate with the wagon full of 3 boxes in tow. Luckily, just as he was exiting the gates, the Benz came into view. Waving the driver down with a grin, he waited to begin loading the car. As it stopped, his brother stepped out of the car and greeted him. With a quick reply, Kuranoske began putting the boxes in the trunk. After finishing, he found his brother still standing there. "You need something, bro?"

Shu shuffled nervously and adjusted his glasses. "Kuranoske... umm... can I ride with you? I need to talk to you about... something important."

Kuranoske rose an intrigued eyebrow. "Umm, I guess, but I'm only going to Amamizukan. It would be a short talk." He noticed his older brother stiffen at the mention of his destination. "Fine, come on, let's go."

The two got in the back of the Benz and Kuranoske waited as Hanamori started driving. Shu just sat wringing his hands. Finally about 3 minutes later, Shu began. "Kuranoske. I, umm, I ne-"

"We're here," the driver announced.

With a sigh, Kuranoske took his seat belt off. "Look Shu, just help me unload the boxes and tell me what's going on while we do." He stepped out of the car and walked around to the back. "Spit it out already."

Settling his hands on the sides of one of the boxes, the young politician spoke. "I want you to help me get Tsukimi to marry me."

"WHAT?!" The blonde yelled in shock, dropping the box he was carrying on his foot. "OWW!" Rounding in shock and pain, he glared at Shu. "What the hell are you talking about?!"

Shu's face was the very picture of plaintive. "I love her, Kuranoske. I want to marry, her, I just don't know how to reach out to her! You are her friend. Tell me what to do to win her heart," he implored.

"Why would I do that?!," Kuranoske snapped. "Do it yourself!" He picked up his box and sat it by the door, then turned to get the other two when he was stopped in his tracks by Shu's bargain.

"I will tell you where you mother is."

Standing at the back of the car, Kuranoske was silent for a moment, then clenched his fist. Swiftly stepping to his brother, he grabbed the taller man by the collar.

Through clenched teeth, he answered the offer with a terrifying amount of anger. "What kind of sick fuck are you?! How dare you throw my mother in my face like that?! You think I would sell Tsukimi's life out like that?! You're a piece of work, Shu!" With a face of sheer disgust, he roughly released his brother, grabbed the last 2 boxes at one time, and turned to enter the building. Once the door was open, he shoved all 3 boxes in and slammed the door behind him.

Shu stood in shock and dejection at the closed door. He knew it was dirty to bribe him like that, but he was desperate. He needed her.

With a heavy heart, he got back in the car and was driven away.

-(-+++++-)-

Tsukimi watched the Benz disappear down the road with mixed feelings. She'd been drawing and felt stuffy, so she decided to open her bedroom window. As she was turning away, she heard a car door slam. Looking below, she saw the Koibuchi brothers. She was about to call down to them when she heard Kuranoske ask his brother to "Spit it out, already." Not wanting to eavesdrop, she reached to close the window to hear Shu's request for help with marrying her.

She froze as she heard the plea. She'd secretly had a crush on him for so long. To hear that he felt that way about her, and so strongly, was shocking and it made her heart swell.

Kuranoske didn't want to help him. She didn't blame him though, how could he help? He didn't have to! She was pretty sure he knew she liked his brother. Nothing needed to be done. She felt her cheeks get warmer as she thought about possibly being with Shu.

Her bliss was interrupted when she heard the older brother offer the location on his brother's mother.

Tsukimi knew that Kuranoske's mother being away from him haunted his life. It was a very sensitive subject for him, especially when he knew that his family was hiding her from him. She could hear his absolute rage as he yelled at his brother for the offer. Her brow furrowed over the fact that he felt like he would be selling her away to take the opportunity.

How could he be so kind to reject his reunion with his mother for her freedom? He really was an amazing person. She stepped away from the window thinking about whether she would do that for someone else. Sitting on the side her bed, she felt like she would, if she could.

Tsukimi and Kuranoske worked on branding and marketing materials for hours. She hoped he couldn't tell she was slightly distracted, and she didn't think that he did, because he was thoroughly engrossed in the things he brought with him. She tried to focus, but her mind kept wandering to Shu's offer. What would marriage be like? Would he be kind to her? Was she ready to get married? She was only 19! She didn't know the first thing about being a wife!

She looked at Kuranoske as his amethyst orbs scanned a potential advertisement for a magazine. His blond hair was pinned back, but a stray stand kept falling back to the front of his face. He had once told her that his mother had blonde hair too. Was she beautiful like he was? She wondered what type of woman she was to have created someone so amazing.

Her thoughts drifted to her own mother. She missed her so much that it hurt sometimes. In her mind, she still would talk to her, even though she knew she wasn't there to listen and respond. She would give anything to see her again, hold her close, tell her how much she loved her...

What about Kuranoske? He was taken away from his mom, but he could have the chance to do what she could not. He had a chance, but he let it go for her. He was always helping her. He never let her down, even when she would give up. She didn't deserve that, and yet, he was always there for her.

She turned her gaze to the moon through her still open window. For once, she wanted to do something for him. Perhaps she could bring him happiness and love from the woman who surely gave him the strength to be her rock.

-(-+++++-)-

Shu sat in his office at home with his head in his hands. He felt like such a sleaze. When Kuranoske had returned, he had acted like he didn't see him and slammed his bedroom door behind him. He deserved no less, he was sure. It was a dirty trade. As a public servant, he should know better than most that being desperate led to poor decisions, but he was acting on emotion.

There was a certain purity about Tsukimi that made him feel whole. Between the constant back end deals that he came across in this line of work, the cut throat choices that left many people in worse situations for what he hoped was the greater good of most people, and Shoko, … Shoko, his life felt like it was caked in mire. He felt disgusting and unworthy of grace.

When he was around Tsukimi, though… He leaned back against the support of his chair as he stared at the ceiling. Tsukimi's presence was like cool water. Watching her innocence and honesty, bashful as it was, made him feel so special anytime her gaze was on him. She felt like the eye in his storm and as long as he could be in the space she created for s time, he would survive. He needed her.

The buzz of his phone broke him from his reverie. He reached into his pocket and grabbed his phone without breaking his staring contest with the sheetrock above him and answered the phone. "Shu Koibuchi."

The soft voice that spoke his name on the other line made him bolt upright. "Umm, Mr. Koibuchi, hello."

His began to thump wildly in his chest. "Tsukimi? Is that you? Hi! Hello! Err, what can I do for you?"

Her request was wavering, but not hesitant. "Well, I was wondering if you could meet me at the park near Amamizukan in about 10 minutes so I can talk with you."

Nodding furiously as though the motion would convey through the receiver, Shu gulped. Finding his voice again, he readily agreed. "Sure. I will be there post haste." His caller said thank you and hung up immediately.

Shu couldn't believe what was happening as he stood frozen behind his desk. Then as if a command had been shouted at him to bring him to reality, he rushed through his adjoining door to his room. He grabbed a cardigan and through it over his dress shirt. Buttoning it as he flew down the stairs of the mansion, his mind was a cluster of wonders and insecurities. He quickly put on his shoes and cleared his mind. With a determined nod to himself, he decided he would take whatever was to come with a strong mind and good composure as he began to walk to his meeting.

-(-+++++-)-

After hanging up with Shu, Tsukimi and looked in the mirror on the back of her closet door. Questions rolled through her mind as she looked at her own image, as though she were having a telepathic interrogation session with her own mind. Nervously, she took down her braids and began to brush her hair. Pausing mid-stroke, she looked at her sweat suit with dismay.

'Even if She is interested, he probably would change his mind seeing this.' She clutched the bottom edges of the top and pulled it over her head. Hurrying to her closet, she looked around at the garments inside. She knew she didn't have a very strong sense of fashion, especially when nervous, so she chose the outfit Kuranoske put together the first time he took her an the other girls to a cafe. Shrugging off her pants and underwear, she made quick work of putting on fresh underthings and the components of the respectable get up. Looking at her hair once more, she decided to braid it into a single ponytail and twirl the end around itself into a bun.

Satisfied with the improvement, she left her room and made her way to the door of Amamizukan. She shouted salutations to the inhabitants of the living room, and stepped out to head to the park.

When she arrived, she looked at it in nostalgia. As she chose somewhere to sit, she avoided the bench that her and Kuranoske had first shared. She decided it would always be a most special place that would be a monument to the best friend she'd ever had. Instead, she picked a small picnic table on the other side of the play area in it's view. She sat in silent contemplation until she heard approaching footsteps.

-(-+++++-)-

Shu saw the silhouette of Tsukimi's thinking form rise at his nearing stride. She waited for him to get 3 feet away from her before she spoke.

"Mr. Koibuchi, I'm sorry to bother you tonight."

Shu quickly raised his hands and shook them in a way to signal dismissal. "Tsukimi it's a pleasure, do not apologize. Also, call me Shu, please."

She nodded in acknowledgement, then cleared her throat. "Shu, I would like to answer your marriage proposal." Unable to speak, Shu swallowed thickly and let her finish. "I heard what you offered Kuranoske. I will marry you if you give me the location of his mother. I will get it to him anonymously, and I ask that you never tell him that I did this." Her eyes dropped to her wringing palms. "After everything he's done for me, this is something I can do for him. Besides," she looked back up at Shu with a bashful blush, "I get to marry you, if you hadn't changed your mind."

Momentarily stunned, Shu stared at her. He felt like he wasn't inside his body, like he was watching a movie version of a dream come true. Finally the soft breeze on the night air and the sound of Tsukimi's shoes softly shuffling on the ground brought him back to the fact that this sweet moment was real. He dropped to one knee as though the realization was a physical blow and gently coaxed her hands free to hold them in his own. "Tsukimi Kurashita, please give me the honor of having you as my wife."

With a soft smile, Tsukimi nodded and gave a humble yes. A close embrace followed afterward, the new couple engaging in a tight hug to seal their engagement.

-(-+++++-)-

The wedding plans were begun seemingly overnight. Tsukimi and Shu told Kuranoske together the next day over lunch. He congratulated them after a very sudden need for a bathroom break that seemed to involve a lot of muffled shouting and loud bangs. He really tried his best to be helpful and supportive, but deep in his chest it burned a whole of barely restrained agitation.

Giving up on this offensive display, Kuranoske returned all his chair legs to solid ground. He stood to his feet and grabbed his half finished glass of champagne. With a sour face that matched his perception of this conservative wedding for a politician, he drained the liquid down his throat and slammed the glass back down on table.

He strolled over to the dancing newlyweds, and placed his right hand over the back of Tsukimi's. As she turned her head to meet his gaze, she released Shu's hand and allowed Kuranoske to kiss her knuckles. "Good night, Mrs. Koibuchi. Congratulations." Tsukimi thanked him and kissed his cheek. Her father came and whisked her away as soon as she'd removed her lips. She waved goodnight as she departed.

Wordlessly, he gave his older a pat on the shoulder as he past him by to leave. If Shu, responded, he didn't hear nor care. He made it to the entrance and flagged down one of the designated family drivers. As he was driven home, he absent-mindedly traced the outline of the lips he still felt pressed there.

-(-+++++-)-

Finally home, he stepped into the manor. A maid greeted him and offered up a sealed envelope. He thanked her and went to his room. Once inside he shrugged off his jacket and opened the letter.

After a nearly insufferable day, his night was met with indescribable joy as he read his mother's telephone number and address underneath a small photograph of his mother's visage. Tears sprang to his eyes as he sank to his bed with gratitude for the unidentified stranger who made his dream come true.