So this chapter is a little more serious because a lot of stuff comes out. But don't worry it'll get funny again next chapter. Anyway, I'm feeling evil right now cuz I'll be busy for the next few weeks, so...

BWA HA HA cliffhanger. Enjoy! :D

Chapter 11 -- "I Love You," In Which Naesala Is Caught in a Darkened Room With Leanne

The next day Naesala had made up his mind to tell Leanne everything.

Hopefully that old coot has the garden underway... It better be gorgeous by the time I get back!

He went over to the throne room to look for Leanne, but when he found her she was already talking with Reyson.

Probably not a good idea to pull her away from Reyson... I'll have to find her alone.

He walked up to them and joined in the conversation, waiting for one of them to leave. However, Reyson was keeping a steady eye on him.

"Ah, Leanne," Naesala finally blurted, "would you like to take a walk in the garden?"

Leanne looked down and blushed. "Uh, well..."

"Oh, Leanne, I think Father wanted to tell you something," Reyson interrupted. "Naesala, if you would excuse us."

"Of course," Naesala answered. Okay, if you're gonna play that way...

Later on in the day, Naesala saw Leanne walking through the courtyard.

Perfect! I don't see anyone else around! Try to stop me now, Reyson!

He began to approach her and was ready to call her when Ranulf popped out from the bushes.

"Ready for your lesson, Leanne?" he asked.

She nodded and walked off with him. Naesala could only stare after them in shock.

Damn... stupid... cat!

Sighing, he sat down under a tree and absentmindedly picked on a blade of grass.

I guess I should at least take the time to figure out a way to tell her... He ran a hand through his hair and began practicing.

"'Hey, baby, let's get hitched!' No, that's horribly unrefined... 'Leanne, we've known each other since we were little, and I always knew that you would be the one for me.' Ugh..."

He stood up and nervously paced back and forth under the tree.

"'Leanne, you are more beautiful than any of the treasures I have ever stolen.' Ugh, that makes me sound like a criminal..."

Finally, Leanne and Ranulf reappeared from behind the bush. Naesala rushed over to them to talk to Leanne.

"Leanne! I have something to--"

"Hey, Naesala, how did Nealuchi's raid go?" Ranulf interrupted. "Did he make it there in time?"

Naesala turned to him and glared. "What is this, some sort of conspiracy?" He looked back to call out to Leanne again, but she was already gone. "Stupid cat!" he shouted at Ranulf.

Ranulf stared at him in shock. "What? I'm just asking about Nealuchi!"

"Well, I need to tell Leanne something before I lose my mind!"

Ranulf cocked his head. "You were talking to her and Reyson earlier. Why didn't you just tell her--" Then he figured it out. "Oh! You're going to confess your undying love for her!"

Naesala blushed. "P-possibly... Look, it's none of your business, cat!"

Ranulf grinned. "Aww, are you going to give her flowers?"

Naesala glared at him. "I'm glad you're enjoying yourself," he muttered. However, he quickly snapped off a few nearby tulips and hid them in his jacket. "Why don't you go bother your darling cat Lyre?"

"Ugh, I can't stand Lyre... Fine, I won't tell anyone." Then he grinned. "Now, don't do anything improper!"

Naesala rolled his eyes and walked off. Stupid cat...

He decided to go to his room and fix himself up extra specially for dinner. I have to look sexy to the max! He fixed his hair and looked for his fanciest jacket. Then he bundled up the tulips and looked at himself in the mirror.

I'm... so... SEXY!

He grinned. After dinner he would take her out in the courtyard and confess his love to her in the moonlight. It was perfect. He felt completely suave and romantic. Just then, he heard a gentle knock at the door.

"Yes, yes, come in," he casually muttered.

He turned to the door and was surprised to see Leanne standing there. She shut the door behind her.

"Ah. Reyson wouldn't like it if he saw you in here by yourself. Smart move, my dear!" Naesala finished adjusting his jacket.

"N-Naesala," she whispered.

Naesala looked at her face and noticed that she appeared nervous. "Are you all right? You look scared or something." Then he realized that he only had a small, dim candle lighting the room. "Oh, is it the dark? I can light another candle or something--"

Leanne rushed up to him and grabbed onto his arms. "I... I t-tell you... something."

Naesala could tell that she was really anxious about something. "What is it, Leanne?"

She took a deep breath. "I love you."

At first, Naesala wasn't sure how to reply. Then he wondered if she was just practicing her common tongue. Yeah. That's it. She's practicing.

"Oh, Leanne, you got it! You said it right! Congratulations!" He smiled. "You must have really been practicing!"

Leanne sighed and shook her head. "I love you. I..." She pointed to her lips. "Love..." Then she looked straight into his eyes. "You."

She's serious. She really... loves me? That means... I WIN!! Naesala leaned his face close to hers. "Ah, that kind of love. I see. Well, in that case..." He slowly ran his hand through her hair and pressed his lips against hers. He heard her sigh softly.

Various thought began to run through his head. Well, now we've finally come to an understanding about each other. So what does this mean? Is she going to go back with me to Kilvas? Or does she plan to elope? I don't mind an elopement, although it would leave things in a dreadful mess, not to mention we'd have the entire laguz race chasing after us...

He finally let her go and looked into her eyes. "Leanne... You know I've loved you all this time, right?"

She smiled and nodded. "I... wanting to say for long time... not know right words. Then you teach me right words."

"I'll teach you any words you want to learn, Leanne. Anything." Then he laughed. "You know, Reyson won't like this."

She giggled. "Maybe he will. I... ex-plain to him after dinner."

"That's a good idea. He'll listen to you. If I told him then he'd think I was just planning on messing around."

She leaned against his chest. "In closet... that day..."

"Thank goodness he didn't see what actually happened! Now, you know, I normally wouldn't do that to you on purpose. Unless you wanted me to." He looked down at her and grinned.

Leanne giggled. Then she gazed into his eyes. "I wanting to go to Kilvas."

Naesala was a little surprised. "To Kilvas? Now?"

She nodded. "Soon."

"How long would you plan on staying?" He fingered through her hair. "Just two weeks, like me?"

"For... long time." She reached up and kissed him again.

"A long time? As in... living there?" Naesala was beginning to wonder where this conversation was going, if it was truly referring to her marr--

She giggled. "Naesala... you funny. Of course I live there!" She smiled, as though she knew the question was coming.

"Okay, I see where this is going." He took a deep breath. "Leanne, if we get this all settled out... would you... Wait a minute, I need something first..." He backed away and dug through his stuff to find one of the many rings he had stolen.

However, Leanne quickly hugged him from behind. "I go back with you... forever..."

"Leanne..." Naesala held her close to himself and kissed her, this time with great passion. Finally, he had accomplished his goal. Leanne would go back to Kilvas with him, and soon they would get married. After all, she wouldn't be able to say no at this point. Everything was just as it should be...

Suddenly, the door opened.

"Naesala!"

Naesala looked up and saw Reyson standing at the door in shock.

"Y-you... with Leanne... you were going to..."

"It was just a kiss, Reyson! Honestly! Ask Leanne!"

"You were going to... You filthy crow!" Reyson rushed over to them and grabbed Leanne's arm. "Leanne, I told you not to go near him by yourself! The way he's been acting around you..." He glared at Naesala. "I knew you were planning something like this!"

"Reyson, calm down! All I did was kiss her!" Then he sighed. "Actually, she kissed me. Well, it was more like I kissed her, then she kissed me, then I kissed her again..."

"Enough of your lies!" Reyson pulled Leanne away. "I'll make sure that Caineghis knows about this!"

Leanne was speechless, mostly from shock at her brother's sudden anger.

"Leanne, explain it to him. He'll listen to you."

"R-Reyson... I..."

"Come on, Leanne. We're going to the king. You're safe now." Reyson pushed Leanne out of the room and angrily slammed the door.

Naesala continued to stand in the middle of the room in shock.

Go after them, you idiot! You can't lose her now!

Naesala shook his head and ran out of the room.

"Reyson! Reyson! Get back here and listen to me!"