We were now on our way to Clarines. I knew what I was going to do as soon as I had the time... Go see Nosuke!

"Gather 'round, men! Gather 'round!"

They stopped what they were doing and drew near.

"From this moment on, we will no longer be pirates!"

Murmurs started up.

"Shut it and let me finish! We will now be mercenaries loyal to Clarines!"

"How can we trust Prince Zen?! He's killed so many pirates!" one of my men shouted.

"We can trust him because he spared me! Prince Zen is not as unforgiving as you may think! This is also to protect Princess Miko! If you don't like it then you will be free to leave the Phoenix as soon as we dock in Clarines!"

The men were silent.

"Think it over for now! But get back to work!"

We pulled into port and surprisingly all of my men stayed. I was impressed and proud. I made my way with Prince Zen, Miko, Rin, Kiki, and Mitsuhide through the castle. We passed through a large room with plenty of guards.

"Kat?!"

I froze on the spot at the familiar voice calling my name. I spun around and sure enough, it was Nosuke!

I ran to him and leapt into his embrace wrapping my legs around his waist. I planted my lips firmly and passionately on his. He kissed me back with just as much vigor. His hat fell off at some point as my hands ran through his hair to take in everything they could. His hands did the same with my hair.

There were hoots, hollers, and whistles coming from the other guards but I didn't care.

Prince Zen loudly and deliberately cleared his throat.

That snapped me back. I quickly stood on my own two feet, grabbed Nosuke's hat from the floor and helped straighten him up. He did his best to fix my hair.

"I'll come by when I can." I told him.

He nodded and I went back to following Prince Zen with a huge blush on my cheeks.

Everyone went their separate ways, but I followed Prince Zen to his office.

"Do you have any conditions to go along with our agreement?" He asked, getting right down to business.

"I would like any criminal charges to do with the Phoenix to be erased." This way Nahiko could talk freely about his life on the ship and not worry. Also, if any of my men left, later on, they wouldn't have it hanging over their heads.

"Done. Anything else?"

"I want to captain my ship during the war. I know her better than any of your men, plus my men will follow me into battle easier than if you placed one of your men on my ship."

"Very well. Is there anything else?"

"Not that I can think of."

"You understand that as a ship's captain you would still be required to follow my orders."

"Yes, I am aware of that."

Talking with Prince Zen like this was refreshing. He didn't look down on me the same way as before. He was treating me like a comrade.

"Alright. It will take some time to draw up the paperwork but I'll have it ready for you tomorrow morning."

"Thank you, Prince Zen." I bowed and turned to go.

"Kat."

I turned back around and gave him a curious look.

"If we are ever in battle together, call me Zen. It will make things easier."

I had to keep my jaw from dropping. He gave me permission to call him by his given name?! Granted it was only if it was necessary, but still.

"I will."

"You may go. I'm sure you want to see the man you practically tackled on the way up here." He smiled at me.

A smile too?! I couldn't help but smile back. "You have no idea."

I walked up to the door of Nosuke's home and lightly knocked. Sakura opened the door.

"Surprise!" I shouted.

Sakura quickly put me into one of her death grip hugs. Only this one was the tightest yet. "Kat! I can't believe you're back!" She set me down.

"I almost can't believe it myself. Where are Nosuke and Nahiko?"

"They're out but we're going to go meet them shortly."

"Okay."

Sakura disappeared into her bedroom and returned with a white flowy dress embroidered with roses all throughout the floor length skirt. It was a lacy v-neck and only had straps that were an inch thick.

"Put this on!"

I raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

"Don't question me! Just do it!"

I was shocked at her urgency and authority she gave me. I took the dress and went into Nosuke's room to change. I came out and found the dress surprisingly comfortable.

"Oh my! It fits you perfectly!" Sakura enthused.

She was right. It fit me even in the bust.

"Now sit down, I want to fix your hair."

"What's wrong with my hair?"

"I just want to style it."

"You know Nosuke has already seen me, right?"

"Of course! But this is the first time you'll get to spend a decent amount of time together! Making out in front of the whole castle hardly counts as a proper reunion!"

I sat in the chair defeated. I knew I couldn't win this one. "Alright." I simply said.

Sakura went to work on my hair doing it in a fancy braid weaving red cherry blossoms through it as she went.

"There! Now you're ready!"

I felt kind of silly all dolled up like this, but I knew it would make her happy. I'm sure Nosuke wouldn't mind either.

"Now let's go! They will be waiting for us!"

I was practically shoved out the door and we made a quick pace all the way to the oak tree that we frequented for picnics. The same place Miko had joined us for lunch.

As we arrived, I noticed Nosuke was dressed up too. Nahiko was leaning against the tree and gave me a smile. Nosuke was grinning like an idiot. I knew something was up.

"Okay, what's going on?"

"You look beautiful, Kat." Nosuke complimented.

"Thank you, but that doesn't answer my question."

"How about I ask you a question."

"Okaaay..."

"Did you know that the dress you're wearing was worn by my mother and my grandmother?"

"No, I didn't." Why would Sakura dress me in such an important dress?

"Did you know that I would not be able to continue my life without you in it?"

I smiled and my heart warmed at his words. "Yes, I feel the same way."

Nahiko knocked on the tree and out came a man in religious clothes. What was he doing-?

"Kat, will you marry me? Right now?"

My eyes went wide and my hands went to my face as my jaw dropped. I can't believe it! Nosuke wanted to marry me right here and now! I locked eyes with him and he anxiously waited for my response.

"Of course I will! What kind of a question is that?!" I stood facing him and the priest took his spot facing both of us.

I was so lost in Nosuke's eyes that the whole thing was a blur. I was marrying the man I loved, wearing the dress his mother and grandmother wore before me, and on the only piece of land that brought me as much peace as the sea.

We repeated our vows after the holy man and exchanged simple wedding bands as a sign of our commitment. Happy tears leaked out of my eyes.

"... Before God and these witnesses, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

There was no hesitation and our lips met for the first time as newlyweds. The fireworks shot off in my mind and I felt every ounce of love pour out from Nosuke to me.

We broke our kiss and were immediately congratulated by Nosuke's parents. The tears of joy would not stop leaking down my face.

"Kat, I have one more thing to show you."

"More? I don't know if I can take anymore!"

"You'll love it, I promise."

Nosuke whistled for the horse that had been drinking at the small lake. It came as called. Nosuke mounted then pulled me up in front of him.

"Don't wait up." He told his parents and took off full speed away from his parent's home.

After only a short time of riding, I saw it. A freshly built quaint house. It was almost identical to the home of his parents. We dismounted and Nosuke led me up to the house.

"While you were away, I asked my dad to help me get things ready. I wanted things to be perfect when you came back."

"You built this?!"

"It took a few months, but yes. I built our home. Dad even help me set it up so that we can add to it if need be."

The tears were flowing freely now. "Nosuke... it's perfect!"

Nosuke swept me off my feet. "Let's go inside." He opened the door and carried me over the threshold. The inside was exactly the same as the other home, only this time we got the bigger bedroom.

My heart beat wildly inside my chest as he took me into the bedroom. This was my new home. This was the place where I knew I was loved. Nosuke gently placed me on the bed.

"I-I don't know what to do." I admitted out loud.

He caressed the side of my face. "Don't worry. We'll figure it out." He smirked at me before claiming my mouth.

My whole body heated up. I had no idea what to expect but as long as Nosuke and I were together, I knew it would be amazing. Needless to say, the dress didn't stay on very long and we became husband and wife in every way. The love that we shared with each other, no one could undo