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Everyone who is reading and enjoying this story…virtual hug to you!

So, here we are…

…..

25. THE REAL DEMON

Misaki examined her sword. She had to get ready…ready to use it in real battle. She looked at her reflection in the mirror of her room. Her face was pale and her eyes looked lost. She pushed the curtain covering the window slightly. Everything was a mess. People were hastily running across the courtyard and warriors were overlooking the evacuation. On the contrary to the chaos…the sky was calm; a cloudless night.

She turned away from that ruckus on hearing a hesitant knock on her door. She opened the door to see Sachi nervously looking around.

"What's the matter, Sachi-chan?"

"May…may I come in, princess?" Misaki moved slightly to let her in. Once she closed the door, Sachi looked relieved.

"I don't know what to say, Princess. This may be the last time I'll be seeing you…" her voice quivered as she hastily wiped a tear from her face.

Misaki placed her palm on her forehead and patted slowly. "Don't say that. Everything will be fine."

She doubted it. No, she was sure everything would be a great downfall. She managed to not let that fear show on her face.

"I hope so…" she looked up suddenly as she remembered something. "I'm sorry Princess! This isn't the time for this. Samurai-sama is waiting for you. He asked me to deliver his message. He wants to meet you near the bridge."

Before Misaki could process everything…she was being pushed out of the door. A thousand thoughts raced in her mind…but only one was certain. This may be the last time she would be seeing him.

By the time she reached the bridge…she was panting heavily. She ran all the way there.

He was standing there; dressed in black. His golden hair was shining in the moon light. His eyes stared into the blackness…

"Takumi…" her voice was barely above a whisper. But he heard her. He looked up and a sad smile crossed his face.

She looked at him, eyes brimmed with tears.

"Must you go?" she whispered.

He didn't look at her for a long time. And when he did, his eyes were speaking more than any words could. Explaining things she never could have understood with simple sentences. His answer was clear and she already knew that. 'Yes, he had to go…'

Before she could say anything, he leaned down and kissed her.

It was a brief kiss. But that was enough to make her shiver from inside. His lips on hers were soft, gentle, and she was lost.

And then, it ended just as abruptly as it began. When she opened her eyes…he wasn't there. She expected as much, but it still hurt.

"I will be waiting for you…" she whispered into the night, tears now falling freely…

She made her way back to the main castle. She already bid farewell to her father. The courtyard was empty. Everyone was gone. The silence here must be the sign of a rampant war waging outside the palace defenses.

She took a torch that was burning brightly on the wall.

Taking a deep breath, she started walking. She turned and twisted along the many staircases and corridors of the palace. She pushed open a heavy double door. It was the wing they never used. There was nothing beyond it…an old storage room. That's what everyone thought. She assumed the same.

But she was wrong. There was a long passageway inside. It was just like her mother said…just before she died. They had a treasure, of what value…she didn't know.

She followed the memorized map and turned many lefts and rights.

She finally reached the painting; the painting of her mother. It was smiling at her and she felt her heart wrench. There was dust covered all over the painting. She dusted it off with her palm and removed it from the wall. She then started counting the bricks and on reaching one in particular, she pressed it slightly. With a slight grunt, the wall parted into two.

She took a deep breath and walked in. There it was…the room filled with all their wealth. The light from the torch bathed everything in the room with an orange hue. There was gold piled on the floor that nearly touched the ceiling. There were stones filled in the boxes that shone brightly. They were stacked up, one box on another.

She didn't find any of this important. She made her way to the corner of the room, and felt the floor. There was a gap, a small one. With her hand, she pulled up and the rotten wooden plank cracked.

Misaki placed the torch on a stand and with both the hands she brought up a treasure box. It wasn't big and was considerably light.

There was a pattern etched onto the lid. It was a heart with wings. On the top, it was adorned with a crown. She placed her palm on the sides and turned two wheels, attached on either side, one to the front and the other backwards. After that, she traced the carving and pressed at the center of the crown. The lid clicked open.

She opened the lid and found many scrolls. This was their treasure; all the great grandfathers' writings. She then produced a scroll from her kimono. It was hers'. She wrote everything that she wanted to tell her beloved bodyguard into this scroll. She couldn't voice out her love on him…but she was able to write it. With a smile, she placed it in the box and closed it.

No one will be able to open it. Only she knew the way. And although one might guess after many trials…they didn't have those many. Once they made three wrong guesses, there was a liquid that would burn all the scrolls inside.

She breathed in relief. Her work was done. Every one of her ancestors has done it…their valuable words to be written and passed on. She did her work…but only thing in hers was a letter to her lover. They were going to be burnt anyway.

Her father…her people…her Takumi…they were all gone…almost. She wiped her tears that uncontrollably escaped her eyes. With a new fire in her eyes…she came out of the room and arrived to the main hall. She will be waiting for her enemies to burst through the doors…

And she'll be waiting for Takumi to take her into his arms.

*…end of vision…*

….

There was a constant beeping sound from the monitor. Misaki Ayuzawa was kneeling beside the bed - lost deep in her own dreams - of a certain someone who seemed to stir in sleep. Usui Takumi slightly opened his eyes. He scanned the room. It was white washed and adorned with sophisticated equipment. And on his right, he saw her face, propped on the pillow.

He slightly lifted his left arm and brought it to her face. With a slight brush of his fingers on her cheek, she opened her eyes.

That's when their eyes met, for the first time.

She saw him looking intensely at her. Her eyes brimmed with tears. The memories from her vision were flooding her mind but they were nothing compared to the joy she felt at present. She was seeing him completely alive for the first time.

"Usui…" she whispered.

He opened his mouth to say something but right then, the door was banged open.

Misaki was rooted on her spot, not moving.

Richard Rachester stepped in followed by Gerald and Tora; one looking pale and the other looking exhausted.

"Takumi?" his voice resounded in the sparsely furnished room. Misaki got up immediately and busied herself with some items on the table.

"Grandfather…"

She heard Usui. His voice was the same. Her heart felt light. It hadn't been some weird dream. This was not a dream. He was really with her and everyone could see him.

"I was really worried…" the duke said, though more than concern there was relief in his voice.

Gerald was sweating. He was about to get the full blow of his sin now. Tora smirked at him. "Be ready, young Prince. You'll be banished now," he whispered.

He glared at Tora.

Usui raised an eyebrow. "Why am I in a hospital?" his voice was impassive.

Misaki looked at him from the corner of her eyes. 'Tell him about your brother already!'

"That's what I would like to know. How were you involved in the accident?"

"Accident? The last thing I remember was Gerald asking me to visit Japan with him…some work related to business. Where are we-"

He stopped speaking when they heard a glass bottle breaking. Misaki was kneeling down, picking the shattered pieces up. She no longer heard the irritated grunting of the duke, nor the surprised gasps from Gerald.

'I'm hearing it all wrong. This can't be happening!' a voice in her head screamed.

She was a stranger to him.

She could no longer tolerate it. She dashed out of the room.

She could hear footsteps following her. Once she was far enough from the room…Tora called her. But she ignored him and headed for the room with her bag. She changed her dress and left the hospital, never looking back.

…..

"It feels weird, Grandfather; you worrying about me…" Usui got up from his bed.

"What is with that attitude? Here I am, trying to be nice to you and…"

"That's what is suspicious."

"Why you…" Richard strained himself because of which a fit of cough attacked him.

Gerald was immediately by his side, all the while stealing glances at his brother. It must be the greatest of his luck that he was saved.

They watched in silence while Usui casually changed to a casual clothing left on the table and left the room.

As soon as he was out, Yuu Hirose stopped him. "Takumi…" he smiled at him and his skin wrinkled in the corner of his eyes. It was a genuine smiled. Taking a deep breath, he continued. "I know you are angry…"

He looked up at his son. He was smiling at him. "No Doctor, thank you for saving me. I'll be leaving now."

"Huh?" is what he could say as he watched Usui walk out of his sight.

…

"Misa-chan, you look so down. Are you having any trouble?" Satsuki's worried voice made he look up from the glass she was cleaning. The café wasn't much busy. It was already closing time. They were inside the kitchen cleaning.

"Is it a boy problem?" Erika chirped from behind.

"Ah…" Misaki sweat dropped seeing their exciting faces.

"She isn't denying it…It definitely is a boy," Honoka smirked.

"Wa-wait! It's not…"

"Hey!" it was Subaru who peeked inside. "There is a customer…he is asking for Misa-chan."

"I'll go and see to it," Misaki half smiled and walked past them. She bowed to the person standing there without even looking at him.

"Welcome, Master! Please take a-" she stopped, words caught in her throat, as she met the emerald eyes glazing with life.

Usui Takumi, standing in front of her, smiled slightly and with a tilt of his head, said, "I'm sorry, Ayuzawa. I lied. How can I forget my little Princess?" he chuckled but immediately straightened when he saw her.

A dark aura surrounded Misaki. She was shaking with anger. Her fists were closed tightly and a vein popped on her forehead.

Usui took a step back. There was definitely someone scarier than his grandfather…

….

Soooooo….what do you say?

Those moments weren't something Usui would easily forget! So, don't worry. *giggle*

And for the readers who are worrying this story would come to an end soon…nope. It'll take a little long! Many Takumisa moments with a little action will follow in the upcoming chapters.

Have a day filled with love! Keep smiiiiling.