Will you have me back, Honda-san?

Yuki-kun…

Please give me a chance to repent for the pain I caused you…after I promised myself that I will be the last person on earth to hurt someone as special as you are.

Of course, Yuki-kun! Of course, I will!

"I finally see you smile brightly again," said Ayame as he watched amusedly the singing Tohru, who was working on a green scarf.

"Aya-san, must you notice everything that I do?" she asked embarassedly. "I'm always very cheerful."

"If you say so," sighed the snake, grinning from ear-to-ear. Somehow, he knew something happened between her and his brother when they suddenly disappeared from the wedding yesterday.

"My lord," said Mine, coming in. "It's time for us to go."

"Huh? Go where?" Tohru was puzzled. "Do we have new clients or something?"

Ayame looked away. "Y-Yes. Something like that, sweetie."

Her forehead creased even more so. Why didn't Aya invite her along? He always loved to have her company!

"See you, child. We won't be long," promised the designer before leaving the shop.

Tohru bit her lip. Why was she suddenly feeling a peculiar emotion….like extreme worry for her Aya-san?

She looked back at her sewing, then shrugged. She better finish the scarf, so she could give it to Yuki this afternoon when he visits her.

"Where to now, my lord?" asked Mine after they visited the clinic.

Ayame grinned. "To Gure's house!"

The maid looked down. "How can you be so high-spirited, after what Hatori-san told you?"

The snake sighed. "I might just kill myself earlier by worrying about something that is not happening yet."

Mine looked up at him, but this time, her eyes were wet with tears. "My lord Ayame, you're dying!" she burst out. Her shoulders started to shake. "H-How can it be…that you are not bothered….that you are not worrying as other normal dying patients do?"

Ayame tipped her chin up. "Because I have a different view about life. Because I live for the moment…for the people who are with me right now. I do not think anymore about the regrets in the past, or the wistful thinkings for the future. I live for the present, and I live for my relatives, for my princess, and for you."

"I am happy, right now. I am contented with my life. I am thankful for what I am right now, and that is what matters. So even if I die this very minute, I will not object, for I had been happy."

"B-But you have so much to live for…" protested Mine.

"God knows what he is doing. His will shall be done." Ayame looked up at the sky. "When I was young, I asked myself where is God. Who is God? Why is there a God? But when I met Yuki, you, and then Tohru-kun, everything just fell into place. As if all the events were pulled together by strings and orchestrated in synch by one divine presence."

"I then realized that there is really a God I can rely on. A God I can believe in with all my heart. The God of little ones like me. The God of Serendipity. I found so many good fortunes in my life that I didn't look for. Back then, I was just wishing to belong, but look at me now." He smiled through his tears. "I just don't belong in a family. I am also loved dearly by that family."

"Ayame-sama…"

"I enjoyed my life, Mine. It's not very long, but it's good. If I will be born again, I want to live this life again. I feel no bitterness, only gratitude, for having the chance to live as Sohma Ayame."

Yuki looked surprised to see his brother again. "Come in," he said stiffly, just as the designer entered the room.

"I just want to ask you one thing," said Aya, smiling tenderly at his brother.

Yuki fought the warmth flooding his heart caused by that smile. "Sure."

"How much do you love Tohru-kun?" he asked.

The nezumi blinked.

"I said, how-" Ayame coughed violently all of a sudden, alarming Yuki.

"A-Are you alright-"

Aya held a hand up. "Do you love Tohru-kun?"

Yuki nodded.

"With all your heart?"

He nodded again.

"Good," said Ayame. He turned to the door. "Mine, will you fetch Tohru-kun please? And Shigure and Hatori too."

Yuki heard footsteps hurrying away.

"What is this all about?" demanded Yuki, although he was really getting nervous.

Ayame smiled sweetly.

Soon, everyone were crowded around Ayame, whom Yuki helped to lie down on his bed, in an attempt to make his brother more comfortable.

"Hey, the gang's all here!" said Aya weakly. "Now, let's start the party!"

"Aya-san, what's wrong?" asked Tohru nervously. "Y-You don't look too well."

A sob escaped from Mine's throat.

Tohru was about to ask the maid what was wrong with Ayame when the door opened, and in came Kagura, Kyo, and a…

…priest?!

Kagura took out a veil from her bag. "This must be the strangest wedding of all."

"W-Wedding? What wedding?" yelped Yuki and Tohru at the same time, freaking out.

"Your wedding," said Shigure, grinning. "You caught the bouquet, didn't you, Tohru-kun?"

"Y-Yes, b-but…."

The priest gaped at everyone. "I-Is this a gunshot wedding or something?"

Everyone sweatdropped.

Ayame spoke up for them. "This is my idea." He turned to the still shocked onigiri and nezumi. "I'm sorry if your marriage has to be forced. I just want to ensure both of your happiness…"

Silence.

"You are too slow, Yuki," said Ayame, winking. "It might take you a million years before you finally get to first base with my princess."

The nezumi blushed hotly. "STOP IT!!!"

Shigure and Hatori stood as witnesses to the wedding, while Ayame was the principal sponsor. Kagura and Kyo were the best man and matron-of-honor.

The priest sighed. He thought he had seen all the weddings imaginable in the world…but this?

Tohru and Yuki turned to each other, then looked away, faces blushing. But the nezumi slowly reached for the onigiri's hand and clasped it firmly and affectionately.

Don't worry. I want this too.

"Dearly beloved…."

The wedding was a whirlwind. After the vow exchange and the passionate kiss, the next thing Tohru knew was she was being congratulated by her guests already!

"Take care of her when you do 'it' tonight. Don't be too excited or you might scare her," advised Shigure.

"Shut up, damn dog," muttered the mouse.

"Aya-san," said Tohru, kneeling beside her 'nii-san'. "I-I can't believe this! You tricked us!"

"And it worked," laughed Aya.

"Yes, it worked," laughed the onigiri. "I love you, Aya-san!"

"I love you too, sweetheart!" He turned to Yuki. "Take care of her and love her more than I could."

"I promise," nodded his brother solemnly.

Shigure had dragged the newly-wed out of the room, together with Kyo and Kagura, leaving only Aya, Mine, Hatori, and the priest in the room.

The priest looked down at Ayame. "Is it true that you want me to perform another ministering task for you?"

"Yes," said the snake.

"Very well," said the priest sadly as he sat down beside the dying patient.

"Bless me Father, for I have sinned," began Ayame as Mine finally broke down into tears.

Hatori looked out at the sky gravely. Ayame was going to receive his last sacrament.

Just as the priest gave his absolution, the man smiled weakly, then shut his eyes.

He was happy.

He left the world happy.

And that's what matters.

tsuzuku