Title: Unbreakable Strength
Chapter 54: One Last Chance
Authors Note: Can you believe it? We're at chapter fifty four and only four more chapters to go. I bet everyone is wondering what the fate is of Mira, Liv and the rest of the Sohma clan. Everyone sit tight, the next few chapters are going to go like a whirlwind, tossing everyone any way the winds of fate please.
As always, thank you to my faithful readers and reviewers – thank you for the effort you put in reviewing, and for the inspiration and determination you give me to finish out the last words, until the very last the end.
I did not have time to do research on if they have all night chapels in Japan like they do in Las Vegas…so, in Lady M.'s fantasy world…this exists for the sake of Mira and Yuki and the story. ;)
Disclaimer: I do not own Fruits Basket or any of the characters. However, my dear little Mira Liore Nolan is mine and mine alone along with the lovely Liv Cyrene Nolan.
Second Chance by Shinedown & You and Me and All of the People by Lighthouse
It's choice - not chance - that determines your destiny. ~ Jean Nidetch
Could they truly reach out and take this hidden, forbidden but delicious fruit? Surely the pure and innocent love between them wasn't evil. Still, in the shadows of night as Mira clasped Yuki's hand tightly as they raced their way along the empty streets of Japan, she couldn't help but wonder how right this was.
What were they taking tonight? Was this a declaration of freedom and a direct insult at Mana, or was it an assertion of their love? For a moment, Mira questioned their motives, and then Yuki sent back a single look. It was the same face that made her marvel at the imperfect perfections he had. It had her nearly stumbling back from the flow of love she felt charge through her system.
Mira didn't question again.
They loved each other, and that was enough.
"Where are we going?" Mira asked breathlessly as they were swallowed up by the towering shadows attached to the city's skyscrapers and office buildings. Buildings that held normal people, who woke up with average lives, went to a normal day of work and came home to their constant but dotting family.
And they were still foolish enough, to look up at the stars and wish for the outrageous and unexplainable.
"Up ahead, there's an all night chapel, like in many of your cities…" he referred to America briefly.
"Oh, sure," Mira grinned suddenly, "I guess we'd have more of a variety in Las Vegas, this will do though, as long as I have you."
With her words, he gently squeezed her hand and they went through the front doors.
"Ah! Hello there! Hello! Welcome," the front desk receptionist gave a warmer welcome than what was usually customary, unless the visitor happened to be in Ayame's shop, that is.
"Hello," Yuki gave her his usual half smile, and kept his eyes on Mira at all times.
The receptionist didn't seem to mind being ignored, she was used to it, and it was nice to have a glimpse at love, even from an outside party. The way his eyes were always following her!
"Uhm. So, anyways, we have several offers and themes here…" she gave a hesitant smile as she flipped a vanilla colored binder open.
Mira took a few glances down and kept in a snort, "How about something along the lines of…traditional?" She was not having a Friday the thirteenth theme or Star Wars.
Thankfully, Yuki knew Mira would chose something down scale, simple and tasteful.
"Do you sell rings here, by any chance?" he asked, softly.
The receptionist bobbed her head yes and flipped open a velvet red case that held half male rings, and half female rings.
"These are our basic starter wedding rings," she began, "the prices are quite reasonable. In fact it's the best you'll find…" they were so young.
"Something a little more…grand, perhaps?" Yuki asked, ignoring the guarded look that Mira gave him.
She knew the Sohma's were given an allowance by the Main Estate, and she didn't want to look at her wedding band every day and think of it.
"Yuki, we don't have to get fancy," Mira began, and was cut off with a single finger softly brushing against her lips.
"You've been busy lately, so I had to keep myself busy with a job…"
"What type of job pays you enough to buy a wedding band?" Mira asked. It didn't escape her attention how the receptionist backed off, to give them their privacy.
Yuki sighed and hesitated for a moment, "Well…Ayame needed some help…and…" of course his brother had been thrilled and quite generous with his paycheck. "It was the only job I could get cleared through the main house." Clearly, that was the end of that conversation.
"I love you," Mira said rather seriously and touched his cheek lightly. "I want you to know that no stronger declaration has ever been made in proving a man's love for a woman. I'll never forget this one," she said solemnly.
He nearly laughed but instead opted to brush her curly locks from her forehead and perch his lips there for a second.
"Your worth it," he whispered softly into her ear before heading back to the front desk. His eyes scraped over the new rings that the receptionist held out. Finally, he picked one of the rings on the far left. The band was classic silver that twisted on the top to frame three diamonds, the middle slightly larger than the other two. They were classic cut and brought a smile to his face when he slid the ring onto her finger and received a perfect fit.
For a moment, Mira could only stare fondly at her ring before she picked out an archetypal silver band, "Do you engrave?" she asked softly.
The receptionist silently nodded, "What would you like to write?"
Mira whispered a few words softly in her ear, and stepped away. "For later," she promised Yuki and took his hand.
"Can we…begin then?" Mira asked softly as the receptionist regarded her muddy jeans and torn t-shirt.
"I won't remember what I wear," Mira protested before she was offered several choices on a wedding gown. All the while she looked into Yuki's eyes.
He was all she needed.
"You'll be in chapel one, I've already secured the room, everything is ready," but were they? Once again the receptionist couldn't believe how young they were…and yet. She smiled fondly as she thought about her husband of eight years, and how they had been young as well.
"Thank you," Yuki regarded her kindly and they stepped forth into the room, forever changing their lives.
She thought she would have felt nervous, but Mira stood there at ease. Beside her was the only man she'd ever dream of, ever talk to and share her soul with.
Yuki seemed to be in the same toned as the minister drowned on about love, and respect and the duties of a husband and a wife. His heart would never stop longing for Mira, and he'd never quite forget how she brought the daylight and the dawn with her, ending the darkness in his life.
They chose to make their own vows, and they did so now as they took each other hand in hand.
Yuki gave her one of his now, not so rare true smiles and started first, "I'll never grow tired of drowning in your eyes, or how you radiate when you smile. I'll always strive to put that smile on your face, Mira. I love you, fully and completely, my heart is yours," he would always protect her. Akito, or Mana, or anyone else for that matter would never make her hurt again.
Mira gave one of her brilliant smiles that had him reflecting one back, "When I was lost, you took my hand. When I was in darkness, you gave me light. When I stumbled, you caught me and took my hand. I'm still holding that hand, Yuki. I'll always be here, holding your hand, standing by your side. I'd give you my heart, but it's already yours."
The minister cleared his throat, and gave a brittle smile. He wished them good fortune in his heart, for it was rare to hear such true and golden words.
"Do you, Yuki Sohma, take Mira Nolan to be your wife, through sickness and health, for richer or poorer, for better or worse, until death do you part?"
"I do," and once again, he found himself drowning in her large brown doe eyes.
"And do you, Mira Nolan, take Yuki Sohma to be your husband, through sickness and health, for richer or poorer, for better or worse, until death do you part?"
Without hesitation, Mira responded, "I do."
"I now pronounce you husband and wife…you can now…continue to kiss the bride," the minister's smile bloomed as he watched the image before him.
Yuki cupped Mira's cheek softly and pulled her softly to his body, his lips crushed over hers. One hand disappeared into the tangles of her hair, and Mira became tangled herself around Yuki's body. Her arms wrapped around his shoulders, stronger than steel.
As they left the chapel, Mira silently grabbed the silver key with a letter three glistening on it. She coyly led Yuki down the corridor, to the row of rooms reserved for a short honeymoon and they both vanished behind the door.
She rested contently in his arms, a part of her never wanting to move. Her heart matched the fluttering of his, and for once both of them were at peace. It was a challenge, to remember the fear and panic that had plagued the both of them for so many dark days. Now they floated in their man-made euphoric heaven that no God could take away.
Whatever happened, Mana could not take that moment away. Mira smugly nestled up against the warmth of Yuki's bare skin. She felt his fingers lightly caress her shoulder. All was well. It may not have been a honeymoon in Fiji or Jamaica at some five star, all inclusive resort – but they didn't need that.
As long as they were together, all was right in the world.
"Can we lay here forever?" Mira requested softly, breaking the perfect silence they had created.
She heard him chuckle, and felt the vibrations though his chest. Right now, without looking, Mira could tell he was smiling to himself.
"I don't know what we can do," he spoke honestly. For now they were dreamers, chasing their stars and taking what they wished. It would end soon, Yuki knew this, and still he felt his heart thud happily against his rib cage.
"I think we can do anything we damn well please," Mira spoke out, adamant.
Don't think this will last young one. If anything, Mana may be pleased by what you two have created here. After all, you both come from rich and pure Sohma blood. As does Shigure, Ayame, Hiro, Kisa, Kagura, Ritsu, and Haru. They will no doubt be matched up, and bred for the purpose of re-purifying the Sohma Blood lines.
Unwisely, Mira tuned the Horse out. She didn't want to think of anything ominous at the moment. She shifted enough to see the glittering promise of diamonds on her ring finger. Yuki and she had pledged themselves to each other. That was what mattered, nothing else.
How long do you think you can run with him? They will find you. They will always find you as long as you stay with him. If you want to be free…leave him, leave him and run as fast as you can. He can't catch us…not now.
Again, Mira pushed the horses' voice from her mind. She would never abandon Yuki. After all, he had not abandoned her in her time of crisis and period of darkness.
His fingers brushed up against her bare shoulder again and pleasure rippled through her system.
There was a soft fluttering of kisses along her collarbone and Mira was lost to the sensation, her hands roamed through his silver tresses of hair, and the sheets became tangled once more.
A dull knock on the door interrupted them and much to Yuki's amusement, Mira cursed when he removed his hands and lips from her and grabbed each of them a robe.
"I hope you don't mind, I had called in room service some time ago. I believe you mentioning you were hungry," that had been half an hour ago, and then they had lost themselves to each other.
"I'm hungry for something else now," Mira pouted, as her stomach disagreed. All the same, at least some part of her would be satisfied.
Out of habit, Yuki checked the peep hole, his lips flexed into a frown, and he body went rigid. Panic fled into his eyes.
"Mira, go and hide," he requested softly, his voice was controlled and stressed.
With one eye brow raised, Mira went to check the door, "I will not," she rolled her eyes at the idea of her sliding onto her belly under the bed.
"Please…" Yuki begged, he gave her a half hearted look, and touched her cheek softly.
"Not a chance," Mira retorted. She wasn't going to slink in the shadows well Yuki was taken away.
"I'll protect you this time, I swear it," he kissed her forehead lightly, "I regret nothing," he added in a whisper at her ear.
Mira felt quick, painful pressure under her chin where her carotid artery was, and the room went dark.
Yuki brushed his lips over her pale face for one last time, and apologized before he set her in the closet ground and shut the door. Silently, he clicked the door open, to face Shigure and Hatori. The race was over.
"Where's Mira?" Hatori asked dryly. It was evident he didn't want to be here, didn't want to drag Yuki back to the main house where he'd rarely see the light of day.
"She's gone," there was a dead look in his eyes as he spoke. The boy already knew his fate, and was accepting it.
Shigure sighed, and rubbed his hand through all of the thick dark locks of hair on his head, "You know we'll find her Yuki. It's better if you both come quietly."
"I'm telling you, she's gone," Yuki said more sternly, his eyes turned cold, "What part of that don't you understand?"
"Come along then," Hatori didn't see a sense if fighting. His eyes caught the glinting of the wedding band and sighed. Akito wouldn't like that, not one bit.
There would be repercussions to come.
