For You Love

By: Kristall

Chapter 12: Proposal

Shan was still lying in bed, completely unaware of what was going on around her. Tasuki couldn't help but worry about her. It had been nearly four days since Shan had once again become mortal. Tasuki shook his head yet again, unable to understand just why someone like Shan would fall for him. Sure, he did have a cute daughter that anyone would fall in love with (in fact, most of the bandits kept on spoiling the girl with little treats), but if he had understood Shan correctly, she had fallen in love with him long before his daughter had come into the picture. What did she see in me? The question kept on repeating itself in his mind, over and over again, and he could not find the answer.

Chichiri poked his head in and sighed. "Is she still out?" Tasuki, deep in thought, hadn't even heard the door open and fell backwards in his chair when Chichiri startled him. Chair and bandit landed on the floor with a loud THUD, and Tasuki glared at Chichiri. "Chiri, don't scare me like that!" He went on to rant and rave at the monk, not noticing that Shan had moaned softly. Chichiri noticed, however, and went over to kneel by the bed. "Are you even listening to me? Pay…" Tasuki finally noticed that Shan was starting to move her hand and hurried to sit on the bed beside her. Shan scrunched up her eyes and then slowly opened them to find Tasuki and Chichiri beside her. She smiled.

"I must have been out of it for a while." Tasuki looked like he was about to cry. "What's wrong, Tasuki?"

"Nothing." His voice was rough with emotion as he pulled Shan to him and embraced her. She smiled and rested her head on his shoulder. "Everything's fine now." Tasuki looked for Chichiri, only to realize that the monk had left the room to give them some time alone.

Shan stayed in bed after she woke up only because Tasuki wanted her to. She was fine for the rest of the day, but by the next morning she was bored to the point of getting up despite the fact that all the guys thought she should stay in bed for at least a week. She got up and pulled her clothes on. Then she went out of her room and headed for the dining room. She hadn't eaten in a while, and hadn't been hungry the day before, so now she was starving. She found some leftover bread and rice with a delicious curry sauce. Happily, she fixed a plate and sat down to eat. She was going back for seconds when Chichiri walked in.

"Shan! So this is where you got to. Tasuki's been looking for you." Shan giggled. She could see Tasuki frantically searching for her while she was here all along, contentedly munching on leftovers. She could hear him calling for her now. She was actually looking forward to this.

"CHIRI! Have you seen Shan? I can't find her any…SHAN! Do you have ANY idea how worried I've been about you?" Shan hid a smile.

"I'm sorry Tasuki! I didn't know you would be so worried! I was just really hungry, and I only wanted to get something to eat. Sorry!"

Tasuki glared at her and then sighed. "Don't make such a fuss. I was just worried, that's all. I forgot that you would be hungry, and that you don't like staying in bed. I should be apologizing to you, not the other way around." He smiled at Shan. "So, now that you've finished eating, what do you want to do?"

"Sleep." Both Chichiri and Tasuki anime dropped, making Shan laugh. "I was only joking! Seriously, though, I'd like to play with Huan." Tasuki smiled at her and held out his hand, which she took as she stood up.

"Huan's outside with Kouji. Come on!" They found Kouji next to the river with Huan. Huan was splashing in the shallows, which were refreshing in the summer heat. Kouji had rolled up his pants and waded in after her, to make sure that she was alright. He looked up, saw that the two were still holding hands, and grinned, blurting out the idea that came to his mind.

"So, when's the wedding, or did Chichiri already take care of that for you guys?" Tasuki grinned back at him, deciding to make this a joke.

"Yep, he just married us!" Tasuki winked to let his friend know he was only playing. Shan and Chichiri, who had just come up, froze. There was silence for about three seconds and then….

Both Kouji and Tasuki doubled over laughing. Huan looked at the two like they were crazy, Chichiri had to chuckle a bit, and Shan just shook her head and looked over at Huan. Huan slowly climbed out of the river, getting the attention of all four adults. She held her arms out to Tasuki. "Dada!"

Tasuki choked up as he picked up Huan and she snuggled in his arms. She then turned to Shan. Don't say it. Please don't say it! Shan's mental plea to Huan was ignored. "Mama!" Shan gasped, and the three men present looked from Huan to her.

Chichiri grinned at her. "You knew it was going to happen someday Shan. Why did you try to stop it? You are her mother, just as Tasuki is her father. There is no changing that." Tasuki looked at Chichiri in shock. To know about the bond between himself, Shan and Huan was one thing, but to hear it voiced by someone was entirely different. He walked over to Shan and handed Huan to her.

"You did say that you wanted to play with her." He grinned and then hugged both girls. "Would you be her mother, Shan, and my wife?" Shan looked into Tasuki's eyes and smiled.

"Oh Tasuki, do you even have to ask? Of course I will!"