Here's the remake :)

~Enjoy

~XIV~

"Will you marry me then?"

Misaki just stared at Takumi with her eyes completely wide. She could practically hear the loud thumping of her heart. It wasn't like she was never proposed to before right? Why was this any different?

She gulped at his closeness and pressed her lips into a firm line. Why was she yearning for him so much right now? Nervously, she dropped her gaze and to her hands that were resting on her lap.

"How do you...feel about me?" Takumi whispered, leaning closer to her. Takumi could feel his warm breath hitting her skin as he spoke. "Do you like me?"

Misaki didn't know why she was hesitating right now. She didn't know what he heart was trying to tell her...she didn't understand why his gaze was melting her. She blushed madly.

"I…" Misaki tried to answer but her voice was clogged up from her heart racing. "I mean...you…"

Misaki squeezed her eyes when Takumi's lips were very close to hers. She expected for him to kiss her but that wasn't the case at that. She heard him chuckle lowly under his breath and slowly moved away from her.

Misaki opened one eye just to see Takumi sitting away from her. She couldn't even see his eyes.

"Misaki, why are you blushing?" He asked without looking at her. "It was a brief thought. I wasn't serious about it."

Just a thought...Misaki thought to herself.

She clenched her chest and creased her brows. Why won't her heart slow down? Why did she feel so disappointed all of the sudden? Her chest hurt.

"G-Good!" Misaki cleared her throat as she fisted both her hands on her lap, trying to stop blushing. Misaki spoke again, except this time, her voice was softer. "Good…"

Beside her, Takumi covered his mouth with his hand and took a small peek at Misaki. He frowned upon seeing her fluster with a bright red face. She was in the same position as the beginning. Tense and awkward but her eyes held sadness.

For the next three hours, the two sat quietly, not saying a single word but stole glances once in while without the other person's knowledge.

"It's getting dark," Takumi noted as he took a quick glance outside.

Misaki looked outside also. He was right. It was twilight even though it was hard to tell since they were surrounded by tall trees, you can see the beautiful colours of the sunset radiating its brilliance.

"Twilight…" Misaki smiled, admiring the colours.

"We should stop for the night," Takumi said. "And make a small camp here."

Misaki watched Takumi knock his fist against the carriage, informing the coachman to stop. Soon, the carriage came to a smooth stop. When it stopped, Takumi got out of the carriage.

Misaki stared after her him as she touched the chain wrapped around her neck. The necklace Takumi got her and frowned. She didn't like how it was suddenly very awkward between them.

Besides that, what if the proposal was real? What would she have said?

Misaki bit her lips. What did she think of him? He's done so much for her in the past few months after all. It felt right to respect and admire him right? She knew that Takumi loved her. He even told her this but...how did she feel about him?

"Misaki," Takumi called out. Misaki looked up, a little startled. "Come out."

Misaki stood up and got out of the carriage.

"We'll stop here and continue first thing." Takumi said to her when she was out. "In the meantime, while we set up, feel free to do as you wish." He smiled before he hopped back into the carriage to grab a few things.

"Alright…" Misaki murmured. Even though he smiled, she didn't see the true care in them.

Misaki pursed her lips in annoyance. Was it because of her answer?

She took a deep breath and turned around. "Your majesty," Misaki said. "If you don't mind, I'd like to take a walk."

He looked her in the eye this time and she still couldn't read his emotions. "Do as you like."

That wasn't the answer she was expecting. Her face turned down in disappointment. Before she left, Takumi said quietly, "Be careful though."

"I'll return in an hour." Misaki bowed, knowing their coachman was listening. She had to be formal.

She walked off with her cloak tight around her neck to keep her warm. When she was out of Takumi's sight, she started tumbling her way inside the forest. It was risky since it'll be night soon but she hadn't strolled through a forest in a while.

She remembered that she used to run inside the forest behind her castle back home whenever she wanted to hide from people. She would hide from her parents, butlers and maids whenever she was in a bad mood.

She also vividly remembered how she ran across so many forests to escape from Hinata. After running so much for weeks, it lead her to Takumi's castle. Maybe she shouldn't have stayed.

Because she stayed, Takumi lent her hand and nearly died.

Misaki clenched her hands at the painful memory. She made her way past branches and fallen trees throughout the forest until her legs gave in and she decided to rest against a large tree.

She sighed and closed her eyes as she laid back. Silence was what she needed to calm her heart.

She suddenly thought about Takumi's proposal which he smoothly claimed it was just a thought. She slumped in disappointment.

As she sat there, it had gotten darker and darker as she sat in the same position. Her tenseness wasn't getting much better. She hugged her knees and sighed. Takumi...probably is very upset with her.

She closed her eyes. She felt childish for running away like this.

"I should get back…" Misaki finally decided until she looked around and realized how pitch black it was.

Misaki narrowed her eyes in a futile attempt to see in the dark, she settled to head south which was the direction she came from.

20 minutes past and she still didn't see light. Her breathing quickened in panic. Did she really come from this way? Both her body and mind said that she was clearly lost.

Damn! Misaki cursed to herself and mentally slapped herself.

She suddenly began to have bad thoughts just as anyone would be if they're beginning to think that they were lost. What if she couldn't find her way back?

Misaki felt helpless in that moment. She was lost. Lost! How pathetic it was for her to get lost. Misaki shook her head in anger. Maybe it wasn't the brightest idea to go inside a forest.

Her panic turned into sadness and focused on Takumi now. She wanted to see him, she wanted to run back into his arms. She wanted to be comfortable with again and if not being able to be in his arms, at least be in his presence.

She was scared.

She clutched onto the necklace and the cloak for warmth.

"Takumi…" She breathed out as she began to jog. "Takumi…"

It was hopeless. She was just getting herself more lost.

Just then, she suddenly heard a slithering sound and she froze on the spot.

A snake? Misaki exclaimed in her head.

She dared not to move since the snake was probably very close by and if she made one wrong move, it could attack. It was probably poisoned too. As much as she hated to admit it, she wanted Takumi.

Misaki shivered when she felt a cold gust of wind hit her and the snake attacked her right ankle, causing Misaki to muffle a scream of pain. She clenched her jaw and kicked her right leg, attempting to get the snake off her.

Soon, the snake dropped from her leg and slithered away. She could still feel the snake's skin against her leg. She could still feel the fangs digging in her flesh.

She felt tears stinging her eyes in pain. She stood slowly and stumbled away slowly.

Misaki blinked and felt a tear streak down her cheek. She called out weakly, "Takumi…"

"MISAKI!"

Misaki's eyes grew at the sound of the voice she yearned for. The voice that had spoken her name plenty of times to make her heart race. The velvet voice that reassured her many times before.

Her hopes stired up in happiness.

"Takumi!" She yelled out in joy. She sucked up the pain and dragged herself throughout the forest, hoping that she wasn't getting further from her. "Takumi!"

"MISAKI?!" He had yelled again.

"Over—"

She suddenly felt her body falling. She had tripped over a tree root. She shutted her eyes, waiting for the pain of having her face mashing against the hard soil but it never came.

The only thing she felt was the feeling of a reassuring, strong arm around her waist securely. She glanced up the man who had caught her and tears filled her eyes when she found those alluring emerald eyes.

His eyes showed signs of stress, relief and anxiety.

"Takumi…!" Misaki cried when she saw him. She felt her tears coming as she unconsciously wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled herself up so that her head was resting on his shoulder.

He found her…

"Misaki…" Takumi sighed and in response to her embrace, he wrapped his arms tightly around her waist securely. It felt like he was making sure that she wasn't going to escape again. He whispered, "Are you okay?"

Misaki had whimpered out a, "Yes…" as she also breathed his familiar manly scent.

Takumi sighed and rested his chin on her shoulders too. "Thank goodness."

Misaki felt her lips quiver and she trembled. "I...was so scared." She felt many tears fall.

Takumi blinked in surprise when he heard her voice crack. It was one of the rare times he's heard her cry. It took him a moment to wrap his head around the situation but he hated that he could feel her trembling.

Takumi kept one secure arm around her waist and raised on head to the back of her head. He pushed her against against him to bring them closer. She was terrified.

"It's okay...I'm here." He whispered against her hair. He closed his eyes while listening to her whimpering.

Misaki couldn't speak for a few minutes, instead, she kept her arms around his neck, enjoying his embrace as she also blushed that she was so close. It felt...nice and warm.

He found her…

She was crying because he found her. After whatever hell he did to find her, he still found her with determination even though he was angry with her...right?

Her heart felt warm. Other than the small whimpers, she was silent.

She wanted to cry more...but his warmth was hard to deny that her tears dried up and she stopped crying. But neither of them moved a muscle, they were just standing in their embrace.

"It's okay…" Takumi said again.

Later

Misaki stared at Takumi as he treated the wound on her ankle.

She couldn't help but blush because it felt strange. Usually only her maids or mother would treat her wounds, not a man. But she smiled at him. He didn't seem to care that he was treating a wound that he have possibly been poisoned.

After carrying her on his back, back to the carriage, she figured he'll be tired and upset but he was calm and not a bit tired.

Misaki blushed as she watched his blonde head bobbed back and forth. She never noticed how broad his shoulders were.

"T-Thank you...Takumi." She murmurs, looking down at her lap.

He finished treating her wound and raised her chin with a finger to force her to look at him. He smiled with sad eyes. "You don't have to thank me...I'd go after you no matter what."

"Then…thank you for treating me." She blushes.

He chuckled. "You're welcome."

Everything became a little silent.

He spoke up and Misaki could hear that he was dead serious. "You said you'd be back in an hour."

Misaki bit her lip. She did say that…

"S-Sorry...I lost track of time and I got lost…" She says quietly.

He stared into her eyes, burning the message in them that he was worried. "I know…I was really worried, Misaki."

Before she could say anything else, he continued in a low and strained tone. "I thought something may have happened to you and I was right. Misaki, I was really worried."

"Sorr—"

He took her hand and held it tightly with his cold ones. "If something were to happen to you, I'd blame myself for letting you go! Misaki, please don't be so reckless next time."

"I—"

He gave her no time to speak. "You could've died with this big wound if I chose not to go find you! And it'll be my fault." he was looking at her hands as he played with them .

"Takumi...it's fine." Misaki murmured, blooding rushing to her cheeks.

He shook his head. "I'm sorry that I let my frustration get the best of me. It nearly costed your life."

Misaki began to get annoyed. He was blaming himself for this? Why? She was the one who ran off like a child.

She spoke calmly. "If I died...you would continue your life...as if I never met you."

Takumi's voice went sour. "How do I that?" He finally looked up at her. "Before I met you, my life was a cold mess."

She frowned. "Then imagine someone you love was beside you."

"You're all that I can imagine, Misaki. Everyone who I loved...is already dead Misaki." Takumi forced the words out. "If you died, I can't imagine you because it wouldn't crushed me."

His words were jumbled but his words clearly said that he cared about her and that he loved her. Misaki blushed. "Then I won't die."

Takumi smiled weakly. "Because I'll protect you from now on." He said, still holding onto her hand that seemed to fit perfectly with hers.

Misaki stared into his eyes, they were full of determination and tenderness. "You almost died once because of me remember? Don't try to die again, you idiot!" She wanted to scream that.

"I'm an idiot because I tried to protect you?" Takumi chuckled warmly as he caressed her cheek. "Yea...I am."

She didn't move. She couldn't. Instead, she sat still, allowing him to caress her cheek with the warmest and kindest eyes. She released a sigh.

"You're too kind to me." Misaki whispered, leaning into his touch.

He smiled. "Because I care about you."

"But...it costed you...so many troubles."

"Like?"

"Your friendship with Hinata."

"It's okay...I didn't really like him that much anyway."

Misaki opened her eyes. "Liar, you looked liked you really liked him."

"Not if he's responsible for your stress. Not if he's my love rival."

Misaki narrowed her eyes. "Whose rival!? I don't like him!" Misaki growled, pulling her hand from his to cross her arms.

"I know but he could steal your heart from me." He chuckled. "After all, he's known you longer than me."

"He won't because I won't give my heart to him...you don't even have my heart in the first place, are you an idiot?!" Misaki paused, thinking about what she just said.

He narrowed his eyes into a scheming stare. "I captured your heart a long time ago, Misaki Ayuzawa. Remember that time in the village when we shared that passionate kiss...don't you remember?"

Misaki's face turned red. "S-Shut up!"

"Should we continue where we left off?" Takumi asked with a sly smile as he stood up to hover over Misaki.

"No. We shouldn't." Misaki said firmly.

But Takumi didn't listen, he continued to lean further down at her. She squeezed her eyes shut until she heard him chuckle and placed something on her. She opened her eyes to see a blanket tucked on her.

"We should get some rest. It's really late."

"O-Okay…" Misaki nodded and watched him grabbed a blanket of his own and wrapped himself in it. She watched him lay back in his side of the carriage.

A few minutes past, Takumi had closed his eyes and Misaki was still awake and thinking hard.

About his proposal.

She stared at him with her amber orbs. He wasn't a dangerous man as people described him to her. He was kind man and he loved her.

These past months, she was beginning to fall head over heels for him. She was completely and as much as she hated to admit it, her heart...already belonged to him.

She could trust a man who was about to be killed and accepted it, because of her. She could trust a man that ran into the dark woods, knowing he will get lost himself, just for her.

She blushed as she stared at his handsome figure.

She then thought about Ayame, his maybe soon to be fiancee. She knew that he didn't like Ayame but even if he did, her heart would ache. She felt selfish. Ayame really liked him after all.

How would she feel if Takumi ended up with Ayame?

She really didn't like the thought.

"Takumi…?" Misaki whispered, hoping that he was sleeping. What was she doing?

"Hmm?" He hummed in response, his chest rumbled. His eyes opened to stare at her. He offered a smile when Misaki blushed. "Can you not sleep?"

"It's not that…" She whispered again.

"Then what?" He asked, then a perverted smirk was placed on his lips. "If you want, you can always sleep on my shoulders...or on my lap….I don't mind."

"Pervert. I said it's not that!" She hissed. Takumi smiled. Misaki didn't feel like admitting that it wouldn't be that bad of an idea or sleep beside him. She mentally slapped herself.

"Then what is it?" He sat up on his seat and yawned.

"Uhm…" Misaki blushed as she sat up as well. She wasn't really sure about it but she had to ask him about something. No matter how embarrassing.

"Yes?"

"Uhm...was your p-propsal...really just a thought?" Misaki blurted out and flinched at the question. She didn't look at him in the eye, she was too embarassed to.

Takumi's eyes grew at her question. Slowly, a happy and warm smile danced on his lips. Those smiles were only for her.

"If you want, I can ask you again." He smirked.

"You idiot! I was only asking!"

He chuckled and ran a hand through his hair. "It was just a thought."

Her heart ached again. That wasn't the answer she wanted… her heart practically sank.

He continued. "It also wasn't just a thought."

Misaki raised her head. "What?"

"I was planning on proposing to you anyways." Takumi shrugged. "In the near future I mean, when we were closer to each other."

Misaki looked up at him, a smile threatened to break out but she pulled it back. "Humph!" Was all Misaki said. "I was serious when I said you needed to marry someone!"

"I know, and that's why I asked you." He chuckled. "Because I do love you."

Misaki's heart felt like bursting when he said that. Her voice trembled. "D-Don't laugh...or say anything but…" she paused as her cheeks began to heat up. "I...I…"

Takumi stared at her red face curiously. He started to smile.

"I...I…" Misaki pressed her lips together and just bursted. "I-I'll think about it!" she exclaimed. "I'll think about your proposal! My answer...I mean...I don't like...I can't…"

Misaki couldn't believe she was actually saying that she was going to consider his proposal. She wanted to die. She wanted to look up at him but if she did, she was really going to die.

It was silent, all except for her her struggle for words and also except for his shifting movement towards her. She braced herself and looked up quickly to say the words she needed to say.

She wanted to tell him how she felt.

"Takumi, I really l—"

Before she could say anything else, Takumi's lips had been crushed onto hers. For a moment, her eyes were wide but when she closed them, Takumi deepened their kiss until their lips were dancing with each other passionately and full of love.

When Takumi pulled back, he whispered against her lips. "Ah….sorry I couldn't help myself."

Misaki's blushed. She bit her lips, she wanted more…

Misaki closed the small gap between their lips and brought him in for another long, passionate kiss that stimulated something between them. There was an electric spark of love between. She hadn't realized that she grabbed a fistful of his hair to keep him closer to her.

Takumi's strong arm was now around her waist also, desperate to keep her to him.

Their lips brushed against one another and soon, the only sounds you could have heard the the sound of their heavy breathing when suddenly, Takumi deepened the kiss to an open mouthed kiss, making Misaki whimper.

Misaki hated to admit that, she loved it when Takumi touched her and kissed her.

"Misaki…" Takumi whispered, his voice was full of eager as he spoke into her mouth.

"Hmm…" Misaki slightly smiled. She was going to pull away in embarrassment but Takumi didn't let her escape, instead, he crushed their lips together again, not giving Misaki time to think.

It took actions for Misaki to now understand how Takumi really felt about her. His kiss was so fierce, telling her that he was serious about them being together and that he would do anything for her.

He touches were gentle, telling her that he loves her.

Misaki could feel him rubbing against her and she whimpered. When she pulled away and gasped for air, Takumi took the advantage of the moment and allowed his tongue inside, catching Misaki off guard.

"Mmmph!?"

His tongue only glazed a bit inside her mouth which made Misaki's face turn an even darker shade of red. Seconds passed and he leaned back with a smirk on his face but his lips never left her skin.

Takumi bought his lips to her ear while having one hand pressed on her cheek. His whispers sent chills down her spine. "I'll wait for your answer, my queen.". He smiled and kissed a small part of her neck.

"Okay…" was all Misaki managed to get out of her heavy breathing. She couldn't help but grin and turned her face so that she could peck his lips one more time and when she pulled back, her eyelids closed and she fell into a blissful sleep.

Hope you enjoyed this chapter ;)

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~WhiteAngel83