Misery twisted his heart. The inner torment of what he had to do tore at the very core of his being. It was going to feel like a living nightmare but in slow motion. Not one time in his life had he desired to cause Kaye pain. He didn't want this day to arrive. But what choice did he have? He had to, otherwise. Kento squeezed his eyes tight as he felt an oncoming tear.
Lost in thought, Kento never heard the pilot welcoming them to Japan. He felt a familiar hand grab his. He massaged his eyes with his free hand and then glowered at the person next to him.
Sana leaned in close enough for just him to hear what she had to say. "It's time. I advise you to get yourself together and be ready to do this. My informant told me Kaye was waiting alone for you to arrive. Make this look convincing. You know the consequence if you don't."
Kento's voice was low, "Yeah, I know, you don't need to remind me. I'll do it. I don't want to. It isn't right to do it this way in public."
"Would you rather do what you have to in private? Because we can arrange it. But I don't think it'll be the best option. It'll be safer out in the open, unless, of course..."
Kento shook his head as he yanked his hand away from hers. "Let's just get this done." He let Sana stand. Then he stood and walked out into the aisle with her following him. 'I'm so sorry, Kaye. I wish this didn't have to happen.'
Kaye dodged left and right as she watched for Kento to step into the waiting area. Her heart raced in anticipation of seeing him again. It was a little over a month since he left for his training in China. When she got his message about his arrival, she was the happiest she had been in a long time. The guys promised to let the two of them have their happy reconciliation while they set up for the welcome home party back at the manor. She bit her bottom lip in anticipation and then saw him as he walked into the room. "Kento!"
The orange Ronin looked over to where he heard his name. He felt his heart pound like crazy when he saw her coming towards him. 'Kuso, why did she have to come alone? I was hoping at least Cye would be here.'
Kaye's eyes beamed with excitement as she got close to him. When she got within reach, Kaye leaped towards Kento and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Welcome home. I missed you so much."
"Kaye...I..."
"I advise you to let go of my husband."
Kaye released her hold as a confused expression came across her face. "Pardon? Gomen, but I think you're mistaken."
Sana stood right in front of Kaye, "I'm telling you the truth. Kento and I are married. So I suggest you remove yourself now."
Kaye was surprised by Sana's words. She focused her attention on him. "Kento, what is she saying? It isn't true!" Hurt and confusion were evident in her eyes.
Kento clenched his fists at his sides. He felt his body tense up. He looked over towards her. A severe expression gleamed in his eyes. "It's true, Kaye. Sana is my wife. We were married in China."
Sana studied Kaye closely. She crossed her arms with a smug look on her face.
Kaye took a few steps back as she shook her head in disbelief. Tears were starting to brim in her eyes. She felt her hands beginning to shake. Her heartfelt like it was torn straight out of her chest. Her voice started to tremble, "No...Kento. I can't believe it. I won't believe what you say! We had been going to the next stage of our relationship before you left for China. We love one another. You couldn't have just married this stranger. We went to your family's restaurant and told them we were becoming serious about being together. You even presented for me your mother's family necklace." She reached up and touched it.
"Look, Kaye. It was fun when we were together. Nothing more. When I was in China, I realized you and me. We were never to be with one another. Sana and I found each other, and well as you can see. We are married. Why can't you accept the fact?"
Groups of people started to take notice of the situation. They whispered amongst one another. Sana glanced about and smirked, 'This is working out better than I thought.'
Kaye shook her head as her tears broke loose and streamed down her face. "After everything we've experienced! The promises we made! Didn't they mean anything to you? Did we mean anything?"
Kento clenched his fists tighter. His voice cut even sharper, "No, Kaye, you and I, what we had been just a fleeting moment in time. Nothing more. We are finished. Why can't you accept the fact we are no longer together? I'm married to Sana. Get it through your head. We are over. How many times do I have to say it? Can't you see our wedding rings right in front of you?"
"But we loved one another..."
Kento shook his head, "No, Kaye, I never loved you then. I don't love you now. The main reason I was interested in you was because I felt sorry for you, nothing more."
Sana moved close into Kento. She felt him wrap his arm around her. Sana looked up towards him and leaned in as he looked down and kissed Sana right in front of her. They broke apart and saw Kaye stumble back. She reached for the necklace and ripped it off tossed it to the ground. Kaye whirled around and raced out the front door disappeared through the crowds of people in the rain.
Kento hurried to where the necklace laid on the ground. Kento picked it up and clenched it in his hand as he looked in the direction she ran. 'Kaye...'
The groups of people broke away as they grumbled to one another. Kento was a real asshole for doing what he did. Sana was more than thrilled and impressed by Kento's performance. "You did better than I expected," Sana whispered to him as the two of them started their way to the parking garage.
A scowl played upon Kento's face as he pocketed the necklace, "I don't want to hear it. Not from you. I did what you asked of me."
The two continued their way to where Sana's limo was parked. "Yes, you did do what I asked of you, but with just her. You still have to tell your friends and family about us as well." Sana replied as they entered the parking garage. "Watching Kaye break as she did was entertaining."
Rage shot through Kento's body as he roughly took hold of Sana by the shoulders and shoved her against the closest pillar. His eyes narrowed, "Don't even mention her! I don't want you to say Kaye's name ever again! What you made me do to her was the worst pain I could ever give her."
Sana locked her gaze with his. There was no remorse evident in her eyes whatsoever. "If you believe I care, then you're mistaken. I will do what I want when I want, and my dear companion has no say in anything. You are to continue to play out as my devoted husband no matter what." She raised a brow at him as he let her go. "Do we have an understanding?"
Kento gave a curt nod as he turned and faced the limo as the driver held the back door open for them.
"Good, now get inside, so we can leave this airport and be on our way," Sana responded as she watched Kento get inside. She strolled her way to the driver and stopped outside the door. Sana leaned close to the driver so Kento wouldn't be able to hear their conversation. "Implement the insurance policy. It looks like we're going to need it after all."
"Yes, Lady Sana. I'll make the call," The driver replied as he waited until Sana settled in the limo. Then he shut the door and walked around to the driver's side. He pushed a button the partition closed off as it separated him from his passengers. The driver started the limo and took off out of the parking garage. He picked up his cell and put in a call. "Lady Sana says to execute the plan. Of course, I'll let her know." The driver hung up and continued the drive.
Kento eyed Sana in suspicion, "What did the two of you talk about before you came in here?"
Sana shook her head, "Nothing for you to worry about."
He raised a brow towards her. He was suspicious of what she meant. An uneasy feeling stirred in the pit of his stomach. Kento didn't like this one bit. He could see Sana wasn't going to be forthcoming with any more answers. So he let it drop for now as he turned his attention out the window. Never once did Kento believe in saying those words to Kaye. In truth, he still loves her with all his heart and soul. Kento closed his eyes and said a silent prayer hoping Kaye would be alright, and she would figure out one day he did it to protect her. He was also hoping she would forgive him once everything came to pass. But the torture he saw in her eyes when he spoke those words cut him to his core. Kento could imagine how the others would take the news. Dread started to fill his mind. A sickening feeling made his stomach start to flip-flop.
Sana glanced over towards her husband, "Feeling sick? Don't worry. We are on our way to the manor. Your family and the rest of your friends are all waiting for you to arrive. We will tell them soon, and then we'll be on our way to our new home."
Kento turned his attention towards her, "What are you talking about our new home?"
Sana laughed, "You think any of them will welcome you back after we break the news of our marriage? Seriously, Kento. Give me a little credit. I had Ammon set things in motion as soon as we took off from China. He has our home all set. So you won't have to worry. Do your part."
"Don't worry. I will do my part. You keep your word." Kento warned as he glared at her from the corner of his eye.
Sana leaned back farther in her seat, "I'm many things, but mostly an assassin. I do not need to lie. I'll keep my word. I have had so far."
"Yeah, you called off your hit, but..." Kento started to say.
"But nothing, besides, it looks like we arrived," Sana responded as she felt the limo starting to slow down, and then the driver lowered the partition to show the front of the manor as he came to a complete stop. "Shall we?"
The limo driver opened the driver's side and got out. He opened an umbrella and then opened the back door.
Kento got out and stood to the side as he waited for Sana to exit. The limo driver shut the door then they made their way to the front door.
The others were finishing up with the welcome home decorations. "I wonder what is taking them so long to get back."
"Don't worry, Cye. Kaye and Kento will be home soon enough. They've been apart for over a month. I'm sure they're still catching up. They more in likely went out or something." Sage suggested as he glanced at Ryo and Rowen.
"I have to admit. It will be nice to see the two together again. I don't remember Kento being so happy with someone before." Mr. Rei Faun stated as he and his wife came out of the kitchen.
"Ah, to be young and in love." Mrs. Rei Faun replied with a smile as she glanced at her husband.
Cye smiled and nodded, "I guess you're right. It isn't like her not to at least call me saying she's running late."
Ryo walked over to him and messed up his hair, "You worry too much, Cye. I'm sure the two of them are fine. You'll see."
Rowen glanced out the front window, "Hey, I think they went overboard and rented a limo. I know it's a special occasion but seriously." He took a second look and then frowned in slight confusion. "Wait, I see Kento, but not Kaye. There are two other people with him."
Cye frowned as he glanced around at the others in the room. He went to the door and opened it. "Kento?"
"Cye..."
"Where's Kaye? I thought she went to pick you up at the airport, and who are they?" Cye asked as he started to get an uneasy feeling.
Kento felt his body tense again when he, Sana, and the limo driver entered the manor.
Sana stepped ahead a bit more, "My name is Sana. I'm Kento's wife."