Hey guys, a very Happy New year to all! I would like to thank all of you for reading and appreciating my story, your support really means a lot to me. So, here is the next chapter, happy reading!
Chapter 21: Love you too.
Rin's POV:
I had to blink a few times before I could properly see the roof of my room.
Wait, I wasn't dead yet? But as far as I remembered, my soul was sucked out.
Also, I realized there was someone's hand holding mine, I knew that touch so well. Since I could still feel some pain in my back I didn't get up and just turned my head to find Goku sleeping in a sitting posture on a chair beside my bed, his head lying dropped on the mattress. His face looked so troubled with those bags under his eyes. It seemed he hasn't slept the whole night. Poor Goku, I could tell how worried he must have got.
When I had realized that my worst fear of him not returning my feelings had been right after all, I got so upset and it was going to continue that way for several days if not accounted for the incidence last night.
Flashback-
After half an hour since I had returned home, I was simply sitting in the drawing room still lost in my own misery when the room suddenly became unbearably cold, my senses became alarmed and yet the enemy was way faster than me. Even before I could register anything, a heavy weight pushed hard against me and then the very next moment my soul was getting sucked out. I tried to defend myself, do something, anything, but to no use. I couldn't move a limb, excruciating pain wrecked through me, and I couldn't even see who my attacker was when darkness engulfed me. I knew I was going to die,
"How could it all be ending like this?"
I kept repeating in my mind. The emotional pain of never being able to see Goku or any of my loved ones again, was far more horrible than the physical one.
Now I was so badly regretting for treating him like I did, that too for a mistake he never did. Just because things didn't turn my way I had made him the victim of my wrath. I couldn't even apologize to him and my life was about to end.
With utter pain making every part of my body numb and such sorrowful thoughts running through my mind after a while it was complete black out.
Flashback ends.
Well, whatever took place had shaken me too deeply, all my anger from earlier was obviously gone. And though it still bothered me as to how but nonetheless I couldn't be anymore grateful that I was still alive. Infact I was almost ecstatic! So thankful that it hadn't been my last day after all! And I could still spend many more days to come, with my friends and family. The entire showdown sure had made me realize the true importance of my life and the people in it.
Just a day before I had been mad at him, but now I couldn't express how glad I was seeing Goku lying there, holding my hand and sleeping like an adorable baby.
I kept eyeing him for a while before,
"Goku?" I called out shaking his hand lightly.
He woke up with a jerk, looking around and blinking frantically before his eyes settled on me and widened up in shock,
"Rin!" he yelled before bending down and engulfing me in a hug, burying the side of his nose in the crook my neck.
"Don't you ever scare me like that Rin Toshaka! For once I really thought I lost you." he sobbed.
"Oh Goku, I am fine now." I tried to calm him down.
"Though I myself am surprised how am I still alive. There's no cure if once soul gets sucked out." I said wondering.
"Saber saved you, first she too was of the opinion that you couldn't be cured but even then, for once she wanted to try healing you. So, when she actually got to examine you carefully, she found that though it seemed like your soul was sucked out it was not so. Instead it was something else, something less harmful and which obviously she could cure and she did." Goku told.
"Oh my! But it never seemed to me as if it was something else. I for sure had felt my soul getting sucked out!" I exclaimed.
"Leave it Rin, I am just glad it was not so. I can never afford to lose you." Goku exclaimed looking deeply into my eyes with utmost care and concern.
Again the guilt took over me,
"Goku I am so sorry for how I behaved earlier. You see I was just angry and it was not like I wasn't going to talk to you forever or something, you too know the strength of our bond and that nothing can break it." I said giving him an apologetic sheepish smile.
"Don't mention it Rin. I very well know that." He said retuning my smile.
"And I am the one who should be sorry. I should have put much more effort to stop you but I didn't, instead I got mad at you, I am such a jerk!" he exclaimed.
"No Goku, I think such a reaction from you was natural because I had been acting so distant and rude for a reason…." I couldn't say further as a lump formed in my throat,
Goku took and pressed my hands tightly,
"Rin I am so sorry…" he apologized.
"Don't be, if you do not have romantic feelings for me that's not your fault. I understand that well but I was just upset." I said trying very hard not to break.
Goku seemed at a loss of words and he just hugged tightly. I did the same.
Not able to hold any longer the tears broke free from my eyes.
After how dreadful I had felt last night at the thought of never being able to see him again, it was such a relief to have him with me. I no more was going to let anything come between us again. Though it was sad he didn't love me romantically but I had decided to accept it, as it is that somethings are just meant to be and it's not in our hands to change them. Also, I should be happy considering the positive side that as a friend I was dearer to him than his own life and so was he to me. Only a very few people are lucky enough to have a friendship like ours. I wanted nothing more than for him to be there for me forever, I couldn't lose him for the world. My Goku, oh how so I loved him!
Suddenly I felt something wet near my neck, then I realized that he too was crying! I must say the last he cried was years ago when Sakura was admitted in hospital after the car accident.
"You are crying silly…" I amused with a sad humor and tried to pull apart a bit so as to wipe off his tears but he didn't let me and just kept his face embedded against my neck.
I again tried to pull away but,
"plzzz…" he simply whispered and so I didn't try to move him anymore realizing that may be he needed it, as for how much he cared for me he too must have been quite affected by the feeling of losing me forever. We just kept holding onto each other like that, neither wanting to pull apart anytime soon when the door of the room slid open.
It was Sakura, she stood dumbfounded for a while before her eyes began to sparkle with happiness and she yelled out,
"Listen everyone, Rin has woken up!"
I and Goku giggled, finally separating away from each other's embrace.
Within a while I was surrounded by Sakura, mother, and everyone else. They all expressed their happiness and relief seeing me well and fine. Mother launched herself over me and was almost choking me out in her embrace.
"Oh my sweetheart! I am so happy nothing happened to you." She exclaimed.
"Yeah love you too mom, but you are crushing me." I managed to say amidst her suffocating hold.
"Oops! I am sorry." She chuckled before pulling away.
Then my eyes landed on Archer.
Yes, Archer! How could I forget!
He stood eyeing me silently with a small smile and calm demeanor over his face.
"Archer you alright? Since I was attacked and wounded, you must have got hurt too?
"Right. I was meditating when suddenly a sharp pain sought through me, I figured out you were in trouble, I tried very hard to teleport to you but couldn't. The magic was so strong that all my efforts to fight it and reach you proved to be futile, and within seconds I had passed out. Next when I woke up, I found myself lying in bed in the guest room of your house. Thanks to your friends, they saved us both." Said Archer.
"And I am so sorry Rin I wasn't able to help you." He added.
"It's okay Archer, you did try, so you don't need to apologize for anything." I said giving him a warm smile which he returned.
"Okay everybody, I know you all don't want to leave Rin's side yet, but her wounds still need healing and so we should let her have some rest. And Archer the same applies to you too, get back to bed." Said Saber.
"Yeah, yeah.. mother." Archer rolled his eyes.
Saber arched her eyebrow at him.
"Bye Rin, see you later." He said turning to me, I responded with a bye and then he left.
"Take care my dear." Mom gave a peck on my forehead before exiting.
Sakura, Fujimura and Shirou also left after expressing their concerns and good byes.
"I wish that you get well soon." Illiya said before leaving. Now considering how she and I used to put up with each other only because of Goku, I wasn't expecting anything from her, anyways it was good to see that she was trying to be social.
Saber too began to walk towards the door,
"Saber wait! When I was attacked I really had felt my soul getting sucked out but Goku told that you found out it was something else. So, what was it?" I asked.
"We can discuss that later Rin, for now you should rest." She replied.
"But…" I was saying but she had already left.
"Rin, Saber is right. You really need to take rest, there will be plenty of time to talk about other things later." Said Goku.
Well, considering that there was still pain in my body I agreed and nodded at him.
"Don't worry, everything will be fine. Now just let your mind and body relax." He said with a warm smile as he started to head for the door, but I caught his arm.
"What?" he asked.
"I want you to stay, please don't go." I said.
"Rin no! you.." but I interrupted him before he could continue with his lecture of me needing rest,
"Pretty please…" I pleaded with puppy dog eyes,
He still was reluctant but finally gave in.
"Okay, okay, I will stay but not for long, alright." He said.
"Okay." I nodded.
"So, tell me in detail how you saved Archer, I am just curious." I said.
"Well, last night when we found you wounded and there was no sign of him, we figured out that he must have got hurt too, the reason he couldn't show up for your help. And as you had told when you had come to stay with us that Archer was no longer going to stay at your home, neither he was going to stay with us, but that he would be residing at the city temple till the war gets over with, I knew where to find him. So while Saber was trying to heal you, I and Shirou went to the temple and found that all the residents had gathered around someone, obviously it was Archer. They told they heard him scream, but when they reached his room there was no one while he was lying unconscious. We told them we were his friends and wanted to take him with us so that he could be treated, thus they allowed us to bring him here." Goku told.
"Okay." I acknowledged.
"When Archer gained consciousness and you didn't, we all were very happy for him but got quite worried about you. Then Saber consoled us that, since Archer had just the effects of your injuries while you had suffered the direct attack it was taking longer in your case, therefore it was nothing to be bothered about and that you would be fine. I am glad that she was right." He expressed with happiness.
I smiled at him.
"You know what Rin, last night I killed those who had hurt you." He added further.
"What!" I expressed in surprise.
"Yeah, I had been so angry after seeing your wounded condition, that after putting you and Archer under Saber's care I used my seeker, which is a device I recently invented, to find the servant and master who had injured you. The seeker showed two energy signals towards the far north from your house, but obviously how was I to know if they were the ones who had harmed you yet I followed the indication and reached an old abandoned house. There was complete silence, I figured they must have sensed my energy and thus were not making any noise, unaware that I could see them well on the seeker, two green dots in the corner of one of the rooms in the house. I broke the door with a kick and even before they could comprehend anything I reached them within an instant. They looked horrified as they would have realized through my energy vibrations just like I had realized from theirs that their super natural powers were no match for me. Though owing to the lack of my magical abilities I couldn't sense how strong they were when it came to magic.
I figured the one in the blue armor was the servant as he had the symbol of a spear over his hand, also some blood was smudged over it, I wiped it with my thumb and looked carefully, it seemed fresh. I had a very strong feeling it was your blood, I threatened them that they were going to pay for hurting you. At this the servant smiled wickedly and said that they were going to make me meet the same fate. Well, as I told, it seemed they knew well they couldn't match me on grounds of supernatural powers which simply meant they were quite confident about defeating me using their magical powers. Anyways whatever was the reason, one thing was clear from such a reaction from him, that my doubt was correct and I had found the culprits.
I lost my temper and punched him in the gut that sent him flying into the wall.
The other one got alarmed and instantly took out some jewels, but before he could use any magic against me, acting quickly I kicked the jewels out of his hands. They both looked quite helpless then, their fearful expression making it clear that without the help of some magical object, like the gems, their magical energy too wasn't enough to harm me. Suddenly the one in the armor got up and charged at me with a spear that materialized into his hand as soon as he came closer to me. I blocked the attack and served him again with a hard blow, he fell back screeching with pain. Meanwhile the other one began trying to collect his scattered gems, it made me so irritated that I finished it once and for all with two Kamehameha waves, one directed at each one of them." Goku told.
"Wow." I expressed with admiration, and a bit shocked that the generally calm and composed Goku had reacted so aggressively.
"Okay now enough talking, I am going to leave now and you take rest." He said firmly.
"Alright, alright, I will take rest but you please don't go." I pleaded to him.
He frowned at me, but then agreed.
"Fine if you promise not to talk and go to sleep then I can stay." He stated.
"Okay daddy, I promise." I giggled, he rolled his eyes.
He held my right hand into his and sat back into the chair beside my bed. Closing my eyes I snuggled my face closer to our clasped hands. In the comfort of his soothing presence I was soon out.
I walked through the dark woods, the tapping of my boots against the ground being the only sound breaking the dead silence of the night. Suddenly I came across a figure, it seemed to be some girl with her face turned away from me and she was sitting on a tree root scribbling something on to the ground with a stick. What surprised me the most was that she was wearing the same clothes as mine, infact she looked just like me from behind.
I called out to her,
"Hello?"
She stopped scribbling at once and turned to me. To my horror she just didn't look like me from the back but she was me! The only differences being that, in place of my eyes she had hollow dark circles, her face was badly distorted and she smiled at me menacingly.
I wanted to scream and run but I was mortified with absolute fear seeing such a grotesque version of myself.
What the hell was happening!
Then suddenly she jumped at me to attack,
I screamed….
…..
I woke up with a jerk, panting.
What a horrible dream! I thought.
I looked at the clock, it was four in the evening, Goku was not there in the room. I guessed he must have left after I fell asleep.
Though I was fully awake then, the images from the dream kept playing in my mind making me feel quite disturbed and a bit creepy lying there all alone in the room.
I realized that the pain in my back was completely gone now, I tried to get up and I was easily able to do it. Sure Saber's magic was healing me quite fast. Next I got down from my bed and walked towards the door, again having no difficulty in doing so.
I walked out and then into the drawing room. Shirou and Fujimura who were sitting at the table, got surprised seeing me there.
"Rin! Why did you come here? You need to rest!" Shirou said with concern.
"Yes!" Fujimura expressed.
"Guys I.."
But even before I could complete Goku came out of the kitchen yelling,
"What! Rin, why did you get up from bed, go back!"
Next followed my mom,
"Oh dear, Goku is right, you should have remained lying in your room." She said worriedly.
"Goku, mom, relax! I am feeling completely fine now." I tried to explain.
"No, no, no, go back, this instant! I don't want to hear anything." Goku pressed.
I rolled my eyes,
"Well, don't force her for it if she feels fine. Infact the magic I used sure can heal someone within a day, so I think she is ok now." Saber said coming out of the kitchen.
Sakura too trailed behind her.
"See even Saber is saying that I have recovered now." I said supporting my point.
Everyone was quite for a while.
"Alright if the one who healed you is saying its okay then its must be that you are fully well now." Goku finally gave in and others agreed too,
"Oh, I am so glad you got well." Sakura expressed coming towards me and giving a hug,
"Yeah its really great!" Goku smiled and others too looked very happy for me.
"Hey by the way, what's going on? Why was everyone in the kitchen?" I asked.
At this they all started to pass smiles to each other.
"What?" I arched my eyebrow at them,
"We have planned a great feast to celebrate that everything turned out to be fine, we are just so relieved and happy." my mother said.
"Really? Wow, that's sounds great!" I exclaimed.
"Talking of the feast, I think some of the ingredients are not there, Goku, can you bring them from the market?" Sakura asked.
"Sure." he replied.
"Wait! I and Saber can go for the shopping." I came up.
Everyone now eyed me with bewilderment.
Well, them being surprised was obvious, considering that I, who had never put up well with Saber anytime in the past was suggesting something like going out for shopping with her.
"Rin, but what's the need when I can go for it?" Goku asked.
"It's just that lying in that room for long has made me feel a bit suffocated, so I thought a trip to the market would make me feel refreshed." I said, hiding the actual reason because it was something related to Saber obviously, and I didn't want her to know what I was upto untill I actually went about executing it.
Goku, Sakura, Fujimura, Shirou and Saber seem to know well that I was not being truthful yet they didn't question me any further, may be because, though surprising, it was but a petty matter to be bothered about. Saber too agreed to go.
I got dressed up and took the list of the items to be bought, from Sakura.
Saber preferred to go in her usual attire and so we were off.
After walking for a while, I began,
"Then tell me Saber what attack was done on me? And what spell did you use to cure it." I asked her.
Saber turned and eyed me with a contemplating look before answering,
"Well, it was the Demisious curse. It very much resembles the soul sucking phenomenon but is different and less harmful than that because in case of soul getting sucked out the victim can't be saved while in case of this curse one can be saved if attended to immediately. I cured it with the Anti-Demisious spell, as the name suggest, it's the spell to nullify the effect of the Demisious."
"Strange, I have never heard of this curse and the cure. Surely I can learn a lot from you." I stated.
"Why not." Saber offered with a smile.
"So was that all you wanted to talk about? Well, I don't think it was something you couldn't have discussed with me infront of everyone." She said.
"Your doubt is well placed Saber, I didn't head out with you just for discussing this, but the main purpose is that I wanted sometime alone with you so as to tell you that I am sorry for how I behaved with you all along. I had always been cold to you when you had done nothing wrong. It was just that it seemed to me that Goku had feelings for you and not me. But now, though it still makes my heart cringe, I have come to accept that I can't have him after all and so it doesn't matter anymore whom he chooses as his life partner. And as came this acceptance, the feeling of repulsiveness I had for you is gone now, and now that I no more see you as a hurdle between me and Goku, I realize what a nice person you are whom I had treated badly for such a silly reason. So, I wanted to apologize and make up for the past mistakes. Also, I want to thank you for saving my life and always keep standing with us in our bad times." I said.
Saber looked quite surprised at my admittance and it took her a while before she spoke,
"Rin, it's okay, you need not to apologize for anything as I never took your behavior as offending. And the other thing is that, you are quite wrong about Goku having feelings for me. We are just very good friends and nothing else." She defended.
"Is that so?" I said thoughtfully,
"Well, it sure seem to me otherwise, infact I feel like you too have feelings for him." I conveyed my opinion to her.
"No, I don't know why you think so, but it's nothing like that." She said, I tried to read her face for any hint that she was lying but her expression seemed quite sincere.
Anyways, whatever was the case, whether or not there was something between her and Goku, time was going to reveal all that and so I didn't press her much on the topic. Also, talking about it was making me feel nostalgic because as I had told Saber that though I was now okay with the idea of Goku being with someone else it still made me sad nonetheless, and it was going to take me time actually getting used to it.
Coming out of my thoughts I realized that we had reached the city mall. We entered the section having all the food stuff required. Once I got all the items,
"Let's go and visit the girls' dresses section." I said excitedly, turning to Saber.
"What? But why? I think we had come to shop for the feast ingredients, right." She said.
I rolled my eyes,
"Doing a few things apart from what we had come for, won't harm. Now would it? I said trying to put some sense into her before dragging her along.
As we entered the girl's section, I selected a few dresses for myself and her to try.
"Rin, stop this, we should get going." Saber said with a frown.
"C'mon , learn to have some fun Saber." I tried to cheer her up.
After much more pleading, she finally agreed and entered the dressing room for changing. I took a sigh of relief and entered the room next to hers to try my dresses.
When I was done I came out to find Saber standing dressed in the black and red gown I had chosen for her, I couldn't hold my laugh seeing the way she had worn it. I figured being a person not quite used to fashion and trends she must have got confused with the peculiar designs around the neck portion.
"What?" she asked.
"That's not the way to wear it, move inside the changing room and let me help you." I said between chuckles.
Once I had corrected her dress, she looked fabulous in it and I mentioned that to her. She too expressed that I looked stunning in my black gown.
Then we both went to the mirror where we took photographs of us both in several different poses using my mobile.
The once reluctant Saber now seemed to be enjoying it. We tried all the dresses I had selected and clicked photographs.
After that we moved to the section called the fun zone. What I liked most about this part of the mall, was getting one's pictures clicked by putting your face in the hollow frames with facial features of different animated characters. I and Saber tried a few, like I put my face in the frame of Bugs Bunny while she in that of Yosemite Sam. She looked so funny with a bunch of red hair and a red long moustache while I looked cute with a small pink nose and chubby white cheeks.
We also tried different wigs, that made us look quite comical, and then we went to the mirrors section where we could she ourselves in various sizes and shapes. The one which produced a 'fat and short' reflection was the most hilarious.
By the time we exited the fun zone we were bursting with laughter.
"Well, that sure was great! I always have loads of fun with Goku but this is the first time I enjoyed so much with a girl. You know, being a girl, having to do such crazy things with another girl has its own perks. It's such a girls' thing, like a girls' day out!" I exclaimed happily.
Saber nodded at me, smiling.
"I have come here with Sakura too but she would always be interested in being to the library section and getting her head into books which is just too boring." I stated further, making a face.
"This store even has a library section!" Saber exclaimed with delight.
Oh no, not Saber too!
So there we were, while I stood bored out of my wit, Saber moved excitedly from one shelf to another scanning different books.
Why did I ever mention it! Me and my big mouth! I chided myself mentally.
"Rin don't just stand here, you too try some books." She proposed shuffling through the pages of a book.
"I told you Saber, books aren't my thing." I sighed.
"Have you tried reading fictions?" she asked.
"Yeah in college, every year we have an entire subject on some fiction books." I mentioned with distaste.
"Well, if you found some fictions bad, it doesn't mean all of them are bad. Try this." she said placing in my hands a book which read the title 'Tremors'.
"I have read it many times and must say it's a wonderful story." She stated.
"Saber no, you just get done with whatever books you want and let's leave." I pressed.
"Rin please, I too tried out what you asked me to." She insisted.
"Fine!" I huffed and began to read.
After I was through with the first page, contrary to my expectations, the story was nothing like all the fictions I had read earlier. Infact it was surprising how I had just started, and already was feeling intrigued by it.
Turning to Saber with a smile,
"I will buy this." I said,
"Told you, it's great." She amused.
"Yeah, if Sakura would have recommended something like this to me before, instead of all the boring stuff she is fond of, then I too would have developed an interest for books way earlier." I expressed. Saber chuckled.
It was then that my phone began to ring, it was Goku. I received the call, and even before I could say hello, he began,
"Where are you two? It's more than an hour since you left. Is everything okay?" he asked worriedly.
"Yeah, yeah Goku. It's just that we were hanging around a bit but now we would be heading back home and be there in few minutes." I said.
"Okay." He acknowledged sounding relaxed. I ended the call, then after getting our books we left the mall.
Once we reached home, I and Saber told everyone what a great time we had together. Again, everyone was surprised, and obviously, I knew that later they were going to question me about this sudden change of my attitude towards Saber but nonetheless they were happy.
After our talking was over, everyone got into the kitchen. This time Shirou and Fujimura had also joined in, since they didn't know to cook they helped out with passing the ingredients and other stuff like that. It was such fun, cooking while chatting with each other.
"Where's Illiya?" I hadn't seen her since I woke up." I enquired.
"Saber taught her a new spell today, and it seems it was quite energy draining for her. That's why she has been sleeping since afternoon." Goku told.
"Oh, well that's good as till she is sleeping we can have some peaceful moments without chaos ensuing all around." I chuckled. Everyone laughed.
"And what about Archer?" I asked.
"I checked on him a while ago, he lay awake in his bed. I asked him that if he wanted, he could come and join us but he refused. Typical Archer." Goku told rolling his eyes.
Well, I agreed with him.
With the help of so many people, the feast though comprising of several items didn't take long to get prepared.
Finally, the dishes were put at the table. Goku woke Illiya up, who then joined us, followed by Archer.
As everyone got seated for the dinner and was about to dig in, Goku interrupted us by clinking his glass with a spoon.
"Attention everyone, before we began our celebration, I want to confess something." He said getting up.
Now what was he upto? I wondered, others too looked curious.
"Rin." He turned to me,
"You always have been one of the dearest people in my life. But it was only after last night's incidence that it hit me as to what you actually mean to me. When Saber had said first that you couldn't be saved, I can't express in words how I had felt at that time, it was the worst feeling ever, a feeling of complete emptiness. And as you know how I am when it comes to matters of heart, I apologize to you for being so dumb, that it almost took your death to make me realize the depth of your importance in my life and the fact that I love you, not as a friend but even more than that." He said, his eyes reflecting deep affection towards me.
There was complete silence as he finished. I clasped my hands over my mouth, shocked that Goku just admitted he loved me the romantic kind of way!
Please tell me this was not a dream. I pleaded in my mind.
Others too seemed absolutely taken aback.
My mother was the first one to break out of trance,
"Oh my! I always used to imagine you two together and finally the day has come when I am actually witnessing it happening infront of my eyes." She exclaimed, as tears filled her eyes, and she had to wipe it off with her handkerchief.
Gradually others too seemed to be regaining their composure back as they began giving their respective reactions,
"Wow Goku, you sure had a surprise there!" exclaimed Sakura. Goku scratched his head and laughed.
I still sat dumfounded when suddenly Fujimura came and pulled me up.
"Congratulations Rin, your dream came true!" she exclaimed with eyes dancing with joy before giving me a push towards Goku.
I blushed before looking him into the eyes. He bore a calm smile over his face and nodded at me, making me realize that it indeed was happening for real. I couldn't hold any longer and threw myself in his arms.
He hugged me back lovingly, but
"Stop!" suddenly Illiya yelled, making us pull apart alarmingly.
She looked quite angry.
"Illiya, what happened?" Goku asked.
"What about me! I also love you! She pouted.
Goku rolled his eyes and laughed at her silliness before going and picking her up in his lap,
"Hey, don't be sad kiddo. I too love you a lot but it's not like you are the only one in my life whom I adore, there are many others. And if I love them it doesn't mean my love for you would get reduced or something, you still would remain my favorite little buddy. Okay." He tried to cheer her up,
"Promise?" she asked with a puppy face.
"Promise." Goku nodded and instantly a smile came over face as she hugged him. He too returned the gesture gladly. I had to say my usual disliking for Illiya was going away gradually. No doubt she was a troublesome child but nonetheless quite adorable. Now that she seemed fine Goku placed her back on floor and came to me.
"Goku, today you truly have given me the biggest gift of my life, I had lost all hopes of us being together when you so unexpectedly….." I was saying but paused abruptly, overwhelmed with emotions. Tears of happiness began to flood my eyes.
"Oh Rin, now don't cry." He said wiping off my tears and hugging me again.
Claps and cheers filled the room, Shirou began to whistle.
I was beyond ecstatic!
"Now the celebration would be even more special, as it gets the additional meaning of two beautiful people coming together." Sakura exclaimed.
"Right sis." Goku said pulling away from me, but still not leaving my hand. We both took our place beside each other at the table. Suddenly my eyes fell on Archer, others being lost in the bliss of the moment didn't seem to notice that he seemed quite uncomfortable with everything going on. I guessed it was because he was a one who didn't believe in love, and also the idea of me getting paired up with the person he had an unusual dislike for was going to be hard for him to accept. Though considering, the kind of aggressive person he was, I was thankful that for my sake he was putting up with things which weren't of his taste. As if feeling my eyes on him he looked in my direction, instantly he managed a small smile which I returned.
"To Goku and Rin." Everyone else cheered which drew my attention back to them. So finally the dinner began and it was absolutely delicious. When everyone was done with it, Archer once again congratulated us both and then left saying that he was feeling quite sleepy. On the other hand, for the rest of us it was such a memorable night that passed dancing, singing, laughing and celebrating to the fullest.
Just a day before how things were so messed up who could have thought that a bad happening would eventually take such a nice unexpected turn. Well, as goes the saying that everything happens for the good, I now had the love of my life and I couldn't be happier!
It was around four in the morning that our enthusiasm and excitement had exhausted our energy. We were so tired that no one bothered to head back to their beds and fell asleep in whatsoever position they were in, and at the very spot they were sitting or lying at. My head dropped over Goku's shoulder who sat beside me,
"I love you." he whispered,
"Love you too." I whispered back before falling into a deep nice peaceful slumber.
TBC….