Hello again my faithful readers! I'm back with another chapter of The Sacred Kiss of the Rose Princess! After nearly two years of absence, I found the muse to pick this story back up! I also want to remind you that this will be your last chance to vote if you want this story to be a harem or just plain ole Kagome/Mutsuki with a bunch of fluffy bits with the other characters. The poll is on my profile, so please go and vote, because starting chapter five, it will be closed and whichever has the most votes will be the pairing! (Just to let you know I'd much prefer it to be Kagome/Mutsuki with plenty of fluffy bits with the other Knights, but I will do as my readers like!)

Disclaimer: (Please see the first chapter.)

Summary: Higurashi Kagome was scared of one thing and one thing only. Her Father. But maybe, just maybe he could help her with her fear. If she would only disregard the fact that he had the same eyes as her father...because they were of the same race. Dark Stalkers.


The Sacred Kiss of the Rose Princess


Recap:

Kagome tapped her foot in agitation when Tenjou kneeled before her and presented her with the rose choker from the store.

"Come, milady! Please accept this as a small token as my loyal love for you!" Tenjou said passionately.

Anis drove her fist into the crown of the white-haired kaichou's head. "It was you who bought the necklace!"

The Rose Princess sighed as she glanced over her shoulder at Mutsuki, who stood behind her. She smiled at him and waved, "Konichiwa, Mutsuki-kun!" she grinned at the small blush that lit up his face. She knew that he would pay her back for that, but right now she did not care. Kagome had found something that would keep him from looking so much like her papa. He was alone and had such sadness in his deep red eyes. She sighed and took the choker off the pillow and clasped it around her throat and touched the small rose. 'On the bright side, Mutsuki-kun no longer frightens me...as much...and as long as I wear this fake choker for a while, maybe Papa won't find out that I lost it.'


Kagome was actually looking forward for today. She woke up early with a smile on her face - something that has not happened in a long time, showered and dressed in her uniform. Kagome brushed her hair until it was shiny and silky to the touch. With the smile still intact on her face, the young Rose Princess tied the silver rose choker around her neck. "Yosh! I feel complete!" she grinned at her reflection, but it looked forced and fake even in Kagome's eyes.

Her shoulders slumped. Who was she fooling? Certainly not herself. This fake choker would never replace the one her papa bestowed upon her with the threat of a harsh punishment. Tears brimmed in her eyes. Why did she have to have such a cruel father who made her promise to not take off a stupid necklace? Other girl's fathers were nothing like hers. Her father was cool, calm, and collected with his piercing red eyes and wavy ink black hair,

"Why did my papa do this to me?" the Rose Princess whispered as she tugged on her black school blazer and left her apartment. She forced another smile on her face when Anis greeted her at the bottom of the stairs. Linking arms with her best friend, Kagome felt a little bit better as her father and the punishment he threatened her with faded away into its corner.


"My friends," Tenjou began, his hands swept out formally, "the festival season is finally upon us - a most glorious and beautiful page in our book of adolescence!" He curled his arms in as if he were holding someone within the strong appendages as his clear blue eyes were veiled away by his thin eyelids. A tender sigh left his lips as he clutched his hands against his chest. "My chosen angels," Tenjou breathed, locking eyes with the females of the room, "heed me well! Allow the wings of imagination to spread and take flight!" Touching his lips with his fingertips, he blew a small kiss.

Kagome felt her back straightened when it looked like Tenjou was directing the small show of affection towards her, but luckily her female classmates were too starry eyed to notice. She sank lower in her desk as the vice president stepped forward.

The fukukaichou pushed his black-rimmed glasses up higher on the bridge of his nose. "Domo arigatou for those encouraging words, Kaichou-san. Now then, festival committees, split off into your groups and start brainstorming ideas."

"Hai~!"

Anis hopped out of her desk and grabbed Kagome's hand, pulling the dark-haired girl up. "C'mon! I wanna see who's all in our group!" She smiled when Kagome nodded and gathered her books and followed after the pink-haired girl.


Kagome giggled softly when she saw Anis slam her head onto the desk repeatedly. After watching the Pink Rose Maiden repeat the action for the fourth time, the Princess decided that she should stop her friend before she hurts herself. Placing her hand on Anis's shoulder, Kagome said, "It's not that bad, Anis-chan."

The pink-haired girl looked up at the Rose Princess out of the corner of one of her red-pink eyes before groaning and pointing her index finger at their partners. "But why are we stuck with a bunch of guys!" she stuck her tongue out at the red-haired boy. "Especially Kaede!"

Said boy turned around in his desk, his violet eyes narrowed in a glare. "What? You think I wanna be here?" he growled. "If it hadn't been for that crap during the committee selection I wouldn't be stuck with you!"

"What was that?!" Anis stood up out of her seat, her own eyes slanted sharply as an angry red blush tinged her cheeks.

Kaede butted his head against the Rose Maiden's, glaring into her eyes. "You wanna go?!"

Itsushi looked up from the list of names, spotting Anis and Kaede standing with their forehead pressed together and a scowl on their lips. A smile tilted at the corners of his mouth as his pointed at them. "Ah! Kaede-kun, Anis-kun! Thanks so much for volunteering yourselves as our class representatives for the Festival Committee!"

"What?" they said together.

Usagi turned a smile at Kagome before raising her hand. "Sensei! I nominate Kagome-chan also!"

Reika, a brown-haired girl with hazel eyes smiled in agreement, "That's a great idea! Kagome is on good terms with Tenjou-kaichou, so it shouldn't be a problem." she grinned at the raven-haired girl. "Be sure to tell him to stop by our class event while you're at it, 'kay?"

Kagome sputtered at the blonde-haired girl. Why did she have to go and do that? She sighed when Itsushi-sensei nodded and announced that Kagome and Anis would be co-female-representatives. Shooting a glare at Usagi and Reika, Kagome rose to her feet and walked to the front of the class to stand between Anis and Kaede, mainly to keep them from tearing at each other. 'I swear, they argue like an old married couple!'

Kaede shot Anis another glare before gazing down at Kagome with a tender look in his eyes. Maybe being apart of the committee would not be so bad if Kagome was with them. Discreetly, he reached out and touched the back of her hand briefly, smiling when she looked up at him with those big ice blue eyes that sparkled with the barest hint of silver. His lips twisted down in a frown when Itsushi-sensei ushered them out the door and back to the auditorium. "Man, this sucks!" he grumbled, shoving his hands into his pockets. "You're always getting me into crap with you Anis! You stand out too much!"

Anis huffed, balling her hands into fists to keep them from striking out at the red-haired boy. "And whose fault do you think it was this time, huh!?" she shot him her best death glare. She stopped when Kagome looked at her, wagging her little finger at her.

Kagome had enough of their arguing. It was beginning to give her a headache. So when she threatened Anis with the possibility of of being collared by her whip, she did the same with Kaede, her eyes holding the same stern look she graced her best friend with. "Cut it out, you two." A smile spread over her lips when they entered the auditorium and a familiar black figure posted against the wall came into her line of view. "Kurama-senpai!" she waved.

Mutsuki looked up and saw his dominia walk over towards him and a small ghost of a smile tilted at his lips. "Dominia." he spoke in a normal tone, deciding that he did not want anyone to witness the blush that coated her cheeks when he spoke to her in his true voice.

"I bet you were volunteered because you didn't say anything." she teased, flinching only slightly when he turned those carmine eyes of his on her. Kagome reflectively took a deep breath to calm down. Mutsuki and her papa were two different beings. Her papa's eyes were cool and calculating, while Mutsuki's were depthless and holding a hint of loneliness and sadness. 'Stay calm Kagome. Mutsuki-kun is one of your knights. He won't harm you.'

"Well, well. It seems you four have made it." a voice commented from behind the group, starling them. They turned around and found Tenjou standing behind them with a smile on his face as his long white bangs fell over his eyes. "All according to plan."

Kagome raised an elegant brow until it was hidden beneath her flowing bangs. "Plan?"

Tenjou graced his Dominion with a charming smile. "I requested that the other students in your class would nominate you for the festival committee, Lady Kagome."

"Why?" the Rose Princess asked warily, afraid of the answer that she would be given.

Of course Tenjou did not disappoint as his face flushed and his light blue eyes clouded over with passion. He moved closer to Kagome, grasping her hand in his and kissing her knuckles softly before leaning in close. "Naturally, because I wish to spend every waking moment at your side! From the moment the sun rises to the second it sets. I want to gaze upon your beauty and see your sweet smile."

Kagome reared back, giving Anis a pleading look for her to come help her.

Within seconds, the Pink Rose Maiden was upon the white-haired kaichou, pulling him away from the Dominion by his collar, grumbling at him all the way before she drilled her fist into his hair. She scolded him, "See, this kinda thing people call "an abuse of power." she flashed Kagome a smile when she took Tenjou away from her friend and put a good distance between them.

Tenjou frowned down at the pink-haired girl. "In actuality, Milady, Anis-kun and Kaede-kun were on a bit on whim." he sneered at the Red Rose Knight before smiling slyly at the Pink Rose Maiden. Tenjou turned and set his eyes on the Black Rose. "As for Mutsuki, I thought he might be lonely all on his own." Placing another charming smile on his lips, Tenjou looked back at the Rose Princess. "After all it is our, the Rose Knights', greatest duty and privilege to always stay at our Dominion's side."

Kagome rolled her eyes, blowing her bangs up with a puff of air. "Anis-chan is right! It doesn't matter if it's your greatest duty to be near me! It's not like I agreed to this!" she waved her hands in the air for emphasis. "I just want you to help find my real choker, if I don't have it by the time my papa comes back, I'll be in deep trouble!" she began shaking as her thoughts from this morning threatened to overcome her. Inside Kagome's head, her father's voice echoed within. Lately he's been massaging her a lot - every single one asking if she's been wearing her 'charm.' Every. Single. Day. "Kyah! Kowai!" she stopped shaking when a firm hand landed on her shoulder.

"Dominia, you are trembling." Mutsuki's low, seductive voice whispered in her ear. He leaned down, hiding her body from view, and took hold of her hand and bringing it up to his cheek, nuzzling it softly. "Your father has frightened you to the point where even your fingers tremble. Be calm."

A red flush settled in the Princess's cheeks as her Black Rose Knight continuously whispered in her ear with his true voice. That sweet, velvety caress of words that seemingly soothed her nerves. Squeezing Mutsuki's hand, Kagome whispered a thanks before turning back to Tenjou. "In the meantime, the look-alike that Tenjou-senpai bought should be enough to get me by as long as Papa's still away." Looking at the white-haired president directly in the eyes, she said, "Anyway, what was so important that you had to go out of your way to get all of us together?"

Tenjou's light blue eyes took on a serious gleam as they narrowed at the closeness of the Rose Princess and the Black Rose. "I was hoping everyone would lend me their cooperation with an extremely essential task." His entire serious demeanor melted as a chipper smile ruined it a he spread his arms outward. "Together let us create the Cultural Festival's main gate~!"

"Are you serious?" Kaede deadpanned, a drop of sweat rolling down his forehead from his hairline. "That's it?"

Kagome and Anis lifted their hands to the back of their heads as they rolled their eyes. "Not this again... He's so gross."

Mutsuki glared at the white-haired kaichou. "I refuse."

None of their negative answers affected Tenjou's mood as he continued to glow with radiance even when he pulled out his notebook, trailing his slender fingers down the page. His hand came up to cup his chin as a thoughtful expression etched into his brow. "However, I had called for the Blue Rose, Asagi Seiran-kun, to assemble with us as well." his light blue eyes scanned over the sheet of paper and a frown tilted his lips down, "But alas, it seems he's taken leave from school recently."

Kaede sighed as he leaned against the railing and tossed his head back, closing his eyes. "Knowing him, he's probably taking some time off because he's sick. His health's never been all that great anyway."

Kagome blinked at the Red Rose's explanation of her Blue Rose Knight. He might be sick? The thought worried the Princess and she raised her thumb to chew on the tip of it. Perhaps she should go and check up on him - to see how he is feeling. Her head snapped up when Kagome heard the white-haired president announced that the first-years would go and deliver the printouts to Seiran. 'It's almost as if he read my mind?' Giving Tenjou a strange look, the Rose Princess moved to accept the parcel from him, snatching her hands back when he let his fingers drag slowly along the back of hers.

"Well, let's go, Anis-chan! Kaede-kun!" she smiled up at her classmates before turning to flash one at Mutsuki. Grabbing the pink-haired girl's hand, Kagome followed after the red-haired boy down the path that would lead them to Seiran's house.

They walked for a few minutes until Anis could not take the silence anymore and began to bug Kaede. The Red Rose Knight answered all of the shorter girl's questions in a clipped tone, secretly wishing that it was Kagome talking to him, but the Rose Princess was off in her own little world. Soon the three of them reached a nice-sized...mansion that was fenced off with a wrought iron gate! Kagome gained a look of admiration in her eyes as she followed her two knights through the gate and into the back yard. A familiar scent drifted to her nose and she smiled fondly when they entered a large rose garden.

"Knowing him, he's probably holed himself up back in the greenhouse." Kaede grumbled softly as he shoved his hands into his pants pocket.

The Rose Princess gazed at all the many different colored flowers before a thought came upon her. 'I don't think that there is anything such as a blue rose. At least I know that they don't grow naturally in the wild.' As they entered the greenhouse something caught her eye. Sprouting out of a small glass beaker was a vibrant blue rose. "Sugoi..." she sighed as she touched the soft petals gently. "It's really a blue rose."

"Actually, it's only blue because I've been growing it in a special kind of dye." Seiran's voice caused the princess to jump slightly and almost knock over the blossom. He smiled when she made a quick grab for the beaker and set it right before looking at him. "It isn't a kind of rose that blooms naturally..." His warm honey-colored eyes locked with Kagome's chilly blue orbs, "Kagome-sama, I'm happy that you came all the way out here, just to see me." He crossed his fist over his chest as he bowed, kneeling down on one knee. "Do you have any orders for me?"

Kagome flushed before setting her hand on Seiran's shoulder, signalling for him to rise to his feet. Moving closer she hugged him tightly. "I'm not here to order you to do anything, Seiran-kun." She ran her fingers through his hair and smiled, "I'm here to see if you were okay. I heard that you had gotten sick."

Seiran was slightly disappointed when his dominion did not have any orders for him, but reveled in the fact that she cared about him and was holding him close. Slowly, he wrapped his arms around the Rose Princess's waist and snuggled deeper into her embrace.

A vein throbbed in Kaede's forehead as he said tersely, "Seiran, you sure that you should be movin' around so much if you're sick?"

The Blue Rose Knight peaked open a single eye and spotted two of his five comrades. Reluctantly, he pulled out of the warm hug that Kagome had bestowed him and looked at his childhood friend. "Wow, Kaede. It's been a long time since you came over to visit.." His face flushed as a small coughing fit shook his body. "I'm fine..."

Kaede did not look convinced. He started to move over to where the Blue Rose was but was stopped by Kagome when she wrapped her arms around Seiran's shoulders. Scowling at the sight, the Red Rose growled out, "See, you're not."

Seiran leaned his head against Kagome's shoulder and smiled warmly up at her. "It's just the usual fits." he said gently, trying to reassure the Rose Princess with his words. "The coughing is a bit worse than normal, that's all." Taking the dark-haired girl's hand in his, he squeezed it softly. "I only took a break from school because I didn't want to annoy anyone with it."

Kagome returned his warm smile with one of her own and squeezed his hand back. "You are too kind, Seiran-kun. I'm sure that you wouldn't have annoyed anyone." She looked over at Anis and held her other hand out for the parcel that Tenjou handed them before shoving them out of the academy. With a smile, she said, "Here you go, Seiran-kun. Tenjou-senpai's meddling in everybody's business as usual." She frowned slightly but perked up when the Blue Rose looked at her with curious honey-colored eyes. "He went ahead and signed us all up to be on the Cultural Festival planning committee."

"Tenjou-senpai?" He tilted his head to the right, blue hair shifting softly, before realization hit him. "Oh, the White Rose Knight." Seiran gingerly took the parcel from the Princess and hugged it to his chest. "The Cultural Festival committee." he hummed, "I wonder is that means that they've accepted me, the "Blue Rose Knight," too." His large sunlight eyes drew downcast as he slowly took Kagome's hand in his. "I'm so sorry I haven't been any use to you..." he broke off his sentence with a small coughing fit.

Kagome pulled her hand free and wrapped her arms back around the boy's delicate frame. "Seiran-kun, the Rose Knight business has nothing to do with this." she said softly as she held him closely. "Forget about that for now and go get some rest."

Seiran looked up at the Rose Princess with pleading eyes. "But Kagome-sama, you've already given orders to Anis-san, Kaede, and Tenjou-senpai." His voice was low with emotions as he placed his lips closer to Kagome's ear. "And what about the Black Rose Knight."

The Princess averted her eyes. "It was sorta by accident..."

Kaede growled low in his chest at the thought of Mutsuki being summoned by Kagome. Balling his hands into tight fists, he said, "You seriously summoned that creepy bastard."

Kagome gave the Red Rose Knight a disapproving look as she snapped, "Don't talk about Mutsuki-kun like that!" Mutsuki was a Knight just like Kaede and he should be more appreciative that the Black Rose even helped her. She remembered the saddened look in his deep red eyes as he told her just how long he had waited for his Dominia - how long he's waited for her. She blushed slightly at the memory because Mutsuki had actually looked very handsome with the wind from them flying through the skies whipping his hair around his face.

Anis looked over at Kagome with one pink brow arched. Just a few days ago, the Rose Princess could barely look Mutsuki in the eyes because he reminded her of her father, but now she was defending him. With a small smirk, Anis finally figured her friend out. "You're only defending him because he's totally nothing like you'd expect!"

When those words reached Kagome's ear, her blush deepened as she remember what happened when she accidentally smacked Mutsuki across the face with her whip and the low sound that he let out as he wiped the blood off his cheek. 'Just what I did not need! Another M-freak!'

"I really am the only one who hasn't been summoned yet, aren't I?" Seiran said quietly.

Kagome waved her hands frantically in front of her body. "Wait, Seiran-kun. It's not what you think..." she paused when his soft hands encased her in their warmth and she was staring directly into his warm eyes.

Seiran placed one of his hands on the small of Kagome's back and gently pulled her against his chest as he looked into her chilling ice blue eyes. "In that case, please command me as well, Kagome-sama."

The Rose Princess blushed deeply as his face moved close to hers and his hand on her waist tightened. Why did all of her knights have to be so damn attractive? While she was sorta mostly attracted to Mutsuki, Asagi Seiran was a close second, quickly followed by Kaede and Mitsuru. But if Seiran keeps looking at her with those large doe-eyes, she would not be able to hold back.

Suddenly Seiran was pulled away from her by Kaede. The Red Rose barely restrained himself from throwing his comrade across the greenhouse for holding Kagome so closely. With hard violet eyes, he grumbled out, "You're supposed to be sick, dammit! Get some rest already!" He raised his fist in a threatening manner, "If you don't get inside and lie your ass down, I'll put you to sleep myself!"

That earned Kaede a stern looked from the Rose Princess as she pulled out his card from her bag and placed a small kiss upon it. The red-haired boy disappeared briefly only to reappear from the signature giant rose of the Knights with his arm crossed his chest. But before he could say a single thing, Kagome used her powers as the Princess and collared with him with her vine whip. The black thorn covered whip circled his neck in a tight grip as she scolded, "Don't you ever threaten Seiran-kun like that again, Kaede-kun! Or next time I won't be as lenient!"

Kaede bowed his head. "Yes, Dominion."


Kagome wiped the sweat from her brow with the arm that as holding the paintbrush, being careful to not get any of the sparkling red paint in her hair. They've been working on the gate for a few days now and it was coming together rather nicely in her opinion, but apparently Tenjou though differently when he came to see how they were progressing.

"You are making good progress with the gate," he hummed softly as his fingers came up to caress his chin. "What sort of image are you trying to convey with the design? A Shrine gate?"

Kaede gave the white-haired president a deadpanned look as he arched his eyebrows. "Image? Who the hell cares what it looks like as long as you walk under it?" his violet eyes cut over towards Anis for answers.

Anis shook her head and looked over at Kagome, who lifted her arm in defensive. "Hey!" the Princess said, "Don't look at me. I'm no good when it come to building things like this."

The Red Rose Knight sighed and dipped a piece of newspaper into the plaster and placed it on the column that they were working on. "Too bad." he murmured, "Seiran's pretty good as this kinda stuff."

Mutsuki walked up behind Kagome and placed his hand on her shoulder, frowning when she flinched away from his touch. Why was she still afraid of him touching her. She was his Dominia and he was sworn to protect her from any type of danger. She should not fear him. Being a bit more aggressive, he took hold of the Princess's wrist and tucked her against his side, whispering in her ear with his true voice, "If memory serves, Blue's specialty lies in Alchemy. The concoction of potions, if you will, with the intent..."

Kagome was spared from her sweet torture of hearing the low, seductive tones of Mutsuki's voice by Tenjou when he interrupted the Black Rose with a pleasant smile as he removed the Princess from his hold. "It's called "science" nowadays, Mutsuki."

"Hmph." the Dark Stalker grunted angrily that his Dominia had been taken from him. His bright carmine colored eyes sought out Kagome to see that she was blushing heavily even though she was trying to hide it by resuming her task of painting the pillar. His advanced hearing picked up the heavy footsteps that were quickly approaching them and he slinked back into the shadows.

"Good Lord," the nasally voice of the fukukaichou rang through the air. "This isn't supposed to be our main gate, is it? What a disgrace." he pushed the thin black framed glasses up higher on his nose with his middle fingers. His eyes zeroed-in on the rose choker around Kagome's slender neck and he gained a disapproving look on his face. "Appointing such a rag-tag band of delinquents to be in charge of sculpting the "Face of the Cultural Festival" Certainly a faux pas of the worst sort." He looked down at the clipboard he was holding and frowned. "What's more, the final member of his happy band of rogues hasn't even deigned to show his face. Simply appalling."

Kagome narrowed her eyes at the vice-president, any traces of her blush gone as she snapped, "Seiran-kun is absent because he came down with a cold!"

The fukukaichou turned stern eyes at the Rose Princess before trailing them to the black ribbon around her neck. "Well," he sneered, "Considering the company he keeps, I wouldn't be inclined to buy this "illness" excuse."

Anis had to grab Kagome around the waist to stop the taller girl from ripping the vice-president a new one. He's lucky that the pink-haired girl was so strong because only she was able to hold back the infamous wrath of Higurashi Kagome once said girl was in a rage.

Tenjou held up in hand in front of Kagome face before curling his fingers around her chin and silencing her with a look. His cool blue eyes bore into her and he smiled faintly at the Princess. Once he had calmed the seething rage within Kagome, he turned back to the fukukaichou and said, "Regardless, the main gate is an integral aspect to our festival, so be sure to put the utmost effort into it." his lips twisted up in a charming smile, "You might decorate the facade with a sculpture of my countenance, for instance."

Kagome and Anis both blanched and said, "Gross."


"And there you have it." The Princess said as she handed Seiran the parcel in her hands with a sincere smile. "Anis-chan and Kaede-kun stayed behind to put some finishing touches on the gate, so it's just me. Anyway, here's some more of those contact information sheets, and a few print-outs your homeroom teacher wanted me to give you."

Seiran smiled appreciatively at Kagome as he took the package from her, his finger sliding over her gently as he did so. "Thank you so much. Working on the main gate sure sounds like fun. If it wouldn't be too much of a bother to you, starting tomorrow, I'd also like to..." a coughing fit shook his body and Kagome quickly moved over to pat him gently on the back until it stopped.

"It's alright, Seiran-kun. We're doing fine, don't worry yourself." she said softly as she looked into his clear amber eyes. "Y'know what's funny. Anis-chan and Kaede-kun are actually getting along. They found out that they have some kind of eye for making stuff like this, so they could do it all on their own is they really wanted to." Sweat fell from her hairline down her cheek at her lie. 'That's utter bull. Anis-chan and Kaede-kun would never get along without me around them.'

He tilted his head to the side curiously peering at the Rose Princess. "Anis-san and Kaede are?"

Kagome nodded her head readily. "Yep." she said in a chipper voice. "All that's left is getting together early tomorrow to set it up at the entrance. Plus, Tenjou-senpai and Mutsuki-kun are gonna come to help us out, too. So, Seiran-kun, you just leave everything to us and get some rest."

"Thank you, Kagome-sama. You're too kind." Seiran said as he lifted his tea cup to his lips and took a sip of the warm liquid. "Honestly though, I wish I could be useful in some way, too..."

The Rose Princess reached out and placed her hand on top of Seiran's and gave him a soft smile when he looked up at her. "Look at all the roses you managed to grow in here. You've even managed to grow a beautiful blue rose. Not just anyone could pull off something like that."

"Kagome-sama..."

She smiled brightly as she leaned back in her chair, her hand sliding away from his. "Seiran-kun, what are you going to do with so many roses?"

Seiran's eyes filled with curious confusion as he lifted his right index finger to his lips. "I suppose they'll just wither and die." A sincere smile spread over his lips as he reached out a plucked one of the fullest red roses from its vine and presented it to the Princess. "But if you desire, I could take every single one of them, while they are still beautiful, and bundle them into a bouquet. And I would gladly give them all to you, Kagome-sama. I know that you would take care of them."

A blush spread across Kagome's cheeks as she looked into Seiran's warm honey eyes. She felt like she could stare into them forever. He just looked so darn cute! She took the blossom from his hands and smiled, "Thank you, Seiran-kun. But I cannot accept all these flowers. Just this one is enough." At seeing the happy grin the bloomed on the boy's face, Kagome felt her soul leave her body. Why did he have to look so adorable?! "By the way, are you using your greenhouse as some kind of laboratory?"

Seiran hummed his agreement as he rose from his seat. "I'm researching roses. I thought that I might be able to naturally create through crossbreeding the blue rose." He sighed as he walked over to a table that had a small pot with a long stem of a flower sprouting from it. "Although it doesn't seem like I'm making much progress on that front. But even so, I can't help but to wonder, perhaps if I was able to make this flower bloom, then maybe in the process, my own existence might be validated..."

Kagome regarded her Blue Rose Knight with sad eyes as she got up from her chair and walked over to him. Slowly, she wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. No matter what Seiran thinks, he will always be important to her. He was her precious Rose Knight.


Kagome's silvery blue eyes widened as she took in the sight before her. Their project of constructing the gate for the Festival was in ruins. The ribbons were torn to shred and the paper mache columns were crushed beyond repair. Who could have done such a thing to the gate? Why would anyone want to sabotage their work?

Anis shook her head as she moved closer to Kagome and placed her hand on the taller girl's shoulder. "It was already in pieces by the time Kaede and I got here."

Tenjou placed his fingers to his chin in thought. "It appears someone is trying to tell us he wasn't happy with our current arrangement." He summarized easily upon seeing the destruction of the gate that his Dominion and comrades had put together so diligently. It angered him that someone would desecrate something that his Princess worked so hard to construct. "Only two hours remain before the student body arrives. We must absolutely must use this time to erect some makeshift gate."

Mutsuki grabbed his Dominia's hand, noticing that she was trembling with anger and hurt. Whoever dared to make his Princess tremble will answer to him. No one is allowed to make her feel upset. Cupping Kagome's cheek in the palm of his left hand, he said, "Do you wish for me to search for the culprit, Dominia?"

Kagome smiled and placed her hand over the one covering her cheek. She knew that his much taller body was hiding her from the view of the other Knights, otherwise, Mutsuki would never touch her so familiarly. "No, Mutsuki-kun. And I haven't issued an order with your card, so please, call me Kagome." She rose to her feet and slowly removed his hand from her face while looking into his deep, depthless crimson eyes. They same eyes that she feared when facing her father. No. They weren't the same. Mutsuki's eyes were warmer than her papa's cool red orbs. "We have to make a new gate somehow first with just the five of us."

The Princess's thoughts travelled to the hundreds of roses that Seiran had grown in his garden. The beautiful blossoms would look gorgeous around the frame of the gate. Nudging the Black Rose out of her, Kagome went over to the table that held her bag and pulled out the Blue Card from the pocket he kept them in. After giving Tenjou a stern look when he reached for his cell phone to call a 'few' of his church's devotees. she said, "I'll call Seiran-kun." She pressed her lips against the blue rectangle and watched as the card began to glow white.

Blue petals began to swirl out of the card and formed a giant blue rose as Asagi Seiran burst through with a wide smile nestled on his cute face. "Kagome-sama!" he said happily as he pulled the Princess into his arms in a soft embrace. "You called for me, Kagome-sama. Thank you so much!"

Kagome blushed as she returned the gentle hug she was graced with and ran her finger through his soft blue hair. "You are one of my Knights. My precious protectors." she whispered and she nuzzled closer in his warm embrace. The Rose Princess gently removed herself from Seiran's arms as she asked, "Seiran-kun, do you think we could use your roses to help us build a new gate?"

"For you, Kagome-sama, I'd be glad to!" He looked at his fellow Knights. "Would the other Rhode Knights lend me a hand?"

Everyone got to work, Kagome used each of her Knights and her Maiden and they each used their unique abilities to construct a new gate for the festival. Since Anis was around, the Rose Knights did not have to use so much of Kagome's blood and she was able to help out with the project more and not worry about being anemic from over using her Knights powers. Soon a beautiful gate made completely of roses was constructed. The blossoms were every color possible - Red, White, Violet, Black, and Yellow. But what surprised everyone the most was the single blue rose nestled in the center of the giant bow.

Kagome grabbed Seiran's hand. "Hope you don't mind me using your blue rose for the centerpiece."

The Blue Rose Knight shook his head and smiled brightly. "I think it looks beautiful resting upon the gate." He held up a smile vial of silver liquid. "I also took the liberty of dousing the gate with a concoction that will make it glow on the final day of the festival."

Anis grinned up at Kaede. "It looks way better than that other one we made."

Kaede looked down at the short, pink-haired girl next to him and sighed softly. "Yeah, I guess." he walked over to his best friend and placed his hand on his shoulder, pulling him away fromt the Princess in the process. "You sure, you're feeling alright?"

Seiran nodded his head and smiled at the concern that Kaede was showing him. "It's strange, but I feel like, I've been completely revived. I feel absolutely fine." He walked back over to Kagome and took her hand in his. "Somehow, I feel like it's all thanks to you, Kagome-sama."

"Seiran-kun..."

The Blue Rose smiled brightly as he tilted his head to the side cutely. "You've been calling by my first name for a while now. You used to call me 'Asagi-kun' when we first met. What made you change?" He asked, watching the warm blush spread over the Princess's cheeks when she realized that she was indeed calling him first name. "Kagome-sama," he waited for her to look at him before continuing. "Would you let me always be by your side, for as long I live? Possibly forever?"

Before Kagome could even formulate an answer to his questions, rose petals, blown by the wind, circled around them. Seiran immediately began to cough violently, startling the Princess and she went to pat him on the back when the wind stopped blowing. The Blue Rose Knight stopped his fits almost the second the petals stopped swarming around them, but as soon as it picked back up, he began coughing again.

Anis watched this display with a deadpanned look. 'I think Asagi-kun just has an allergic reaction to the roses.'

From the shadows, a lone figure growled lowly. "Tsk." he snorted as he held up a walkie-talkie. "Operation "Destroy the Gate" has failed. Proceed with plan "B!"


It felt good to pick the fic back up. I finished the final pieces in just a day and half. Why couldn't I do that sooner? Blame all the other plot bunnies inside my head! Hopefully, I'll keep this muse to write on this fiction because its such a beautiful plot-line that I have constructed in my head! I would do my usual response to the reviews, but I want to work on the next chapter as soon as possible!

Ja ne,

~Kirei Ai Tenshi