A/N: I can't believe I did it! I finally finished my story after all this time. I hope it was worth the wait and thanks to everyone who stuck with me through it all. I appreciate every one of you!

Riding Life's Currents

Chapter 11

June 9, 2004

The next morning streams of sunlight poured through the cracks in the blinds hitting Toshiro square in the face. The little sunbeams coaxed the prince into consciousness, dancing across his face. Moaning lightly he flung an arm up to shield the light from his eyes. The events from last night slowly returned and he gave a slight sigh of longing. He spent the next minutes reliving every touch, every kiss, every time they came. He began to feel a stirring in his groin, even thoughts of his blonde princess could have that effect on him.

Sluggishly rolling out of bed he stumbled into the bathroom, intent on taking a shower. The tantalizing thoughts of Kira and himself making love last night would not escape his mind. As he stepped into the shower his tension kept on building and he only wished Kira were there to help him release it. Why did life have to be so cruel? He knew that she would be the only one to make him feel so very complete. A loveless marriage was not what he had in mind.

Feeling a little better, he exited the shower and dressed quickly. Thoughts of her creamy body kept teased his mind as he strolled down to breakfast. Toshiro didn't even make an effort to banish the thoughts. This was as close as he could get to her without actually being with her. So he walked as if in a dream into the dining room, dismissing everything around him. Taking a seat he distractedly poured himself a bowl of cereal and began to eat.

All conversation ceased as Toshiro entered the dining room almost floating. Relena and Heero exchanged odd looks while Lavender observed her cousin knowingly.

"Toshiro," Relena addressed her son sweetly, but he seemed too out of it to respond.

"Toshiro," she said again much louder. Her son whipped his head around toward his mother regretfully dismissing his thoughts.

"Are you alright? You're acting a bit strange this morning," she explained. Relena didn't understand her son's actions. Yesterday he was having a fit about his engagement and today he was grinning like an idiot. She just didn't understand him anymore and feared she never would.

"Huh?" Toshiro replied coming out of his stupor. He glanced around the table noticing the worried looks on his parent's faces. Toshiro's happy moody swiftly turned sour as he remembered his parent's arrangement for him.

"Yeah mom I'm fine." He peered down at his soggy cereal suddenly not looking so appetizing. Relena noticed his sudden mood change and frowned.

"Everything will be alright, you'll see. Quatre's daughter is a wonderful person, I'm sure you two will get along delightfully," She explained, hoping to lighten her son's mood. Toshiro's head swung in her direction disbelief written on his hansom face.

"Quatre's daughter? You can't be serious, she's been here the whole time? Why haven't I met her before?!" he stood up quickly flinging the chair back behind him, "wait, don't answer that." Turning on his heels he marched out of the dining room, a determined look on his face. Relena looked at her husband fearfully, uncertain of what to do. Lavender dashed out the dining room after her cousin, afraid of what he might do.

The enraged boy marched through the vast palace toward the east wing, servants dashing out of his path as he went. His beautiful blue eyes narrowed into angry slits and the corners of his mouth curved into a deep frown. His fiancé had been in the palace for nearly two weeks and his parents neglected to tell him. Well he was taking matters into his own hands and decided to march straight into east wing and demand to meet the girl he was forced to be with for the rest of his life. Toshiro rounded the next corner and the front doors of Quatre's suite came into view. Two of his armed entourage guarded the doors looking quite formidable.

Toshiro made to pass the guards, but they stepped in front of the doors barring his entrance. Annoyed, he turned to his left to glare into the guard's eyes, "I'm here to see Miss. Winner. Permit me to enter," he ordered sternly leaning forward menacingly.

"I'm sorry but we cannot allow you to enter without the permission of Mr. Winner," replied the guard to his right unflinching.

"This is my house, I'll go where I damn well please!" Toshiro spat back. His patience was wearing thin and he intended on meeting his future bride one way or another. Still the guard remained unfazed.

"Fine," he began, "we'll do this the hard way." Before the words could register Toshiro yanked the gun out of the man's arms before head-butting him in the skull then twisting around to kick the next guard straight in the gut. Startled the guard dropped his gun to the floor. Toshiro flung the gun in his arms down the hall and advanced on the one guard left standing. The man struck out with his fist at the young prince, but he easily dogged the blow. The pair slowly circled each other waiting for the other to make a move. Rage consumed the prince, he was eager to see the woman he'd be chained to the rest of his life. Crouching on the ground he swung his leg out tripping the guard. With a quiet scream the man fell to the ground on his back. Swiftly Toshiro rolled on top of the man and punched him square in the jaw. Enraged the man bucked him off and the two scrambled apart and up off the floor. Thinking to take the advantage the guard swung first, missing again. Toshiro's hand darted in to grab the front of his shirt. He then bodily lifted the man and threw him over his shoulder toward the doors he had been diligently guarding. A scream issued from inside as the body hit the doors, broke through and slid across the marble floor.

Back in the dinning room Relena and Heero were exchanging concerned looks with each other.

"Where do you think he went Heero?"

"I can only guess, but I think he went to seek what has been hidden from him," Heero replied, "we'd better go and make sure he doesn't do anything stupid." Nodding her agreement, she stood and followed her husband out of the dining room. Heero could only imagine what his son could be doing. Surely he wasn't foolish enough to dispose of the girl. Together they sped through the halls toward the east wing. Swiftly rounding a corner they crashed into none other than Quatre Winner.

"Have you seen Toshiro?" Heero blurted out before anyone could say anything.

"Huh?" Quatre replied dumbly, "Uh not recently." Heero placed a hand on the man's shoulder.

"Then you should probably come with us. We think Toshiro went to go see his new fiancé." Quatre's eyes widened slightly, "but…"

Heero cut him off sharply, "We'll explain on the way, c'mon."

Kira sighed as she tried to concentrate on the book perched in her lap. Thoughts from last night kept flooding her mind making it impossible for her to concentrate on anything.

"Oh Toshiro," she sighed quietly and her mind went back to the blue haired youth whom had stolen her heart. She couldn't hate her father any more at the moment if she had tried. She hated him for chaining her down, hated him for his money, his wealth, and most of all she hated him because there was nothing he could do for her anymore. Kira sat in the palace that would soon become her prison. At least she would have Jordan near by incase she ever needed to talk. Her mind yet again strayed to the events of the previous night and smiled. If anything, last night would always be theirs and no one could ever take that away. She tucked a strand of pale blonde hair behind her ear that had popped out of place. Her mind flashed back to last night when Toshiro ran his fingers smoothly through her hair. Why couldn't things remain as they were? Why did she have to grow up and change? A faint sound from outside her door caused her thoughts to vanish and she strained to hear what was going on.

Kira shrieked as Abel's body went crashing through the doors and skidded across the floor. She looked down at the limp body in horror then swung her head around to the door. What that hell is going on? She thought then reached for the dagger attached to her hip. Keeping her eyes trained on the door she slid the blade out of the sheath and gripped it firmly in her hand. Just as she moved to hide the last person she expected to see walked through the door. Dressed in a plain white t-shirt, black dickies, and studded belt, it could be none other that Toshiro. Kira's eyes grew to the size of saucers.

He couldn't have been more shocked if a dragon had attacked his home.

"Toshiro," Kira cried looking panicked, "what are you doing here?" How the hell had he found her? Equally shocked he looked straight into her eyes, his mind unable to comprehend his current situation.

"Oh god, what did you do?" Kira leaped off the couch then circled the table to stand in front of the blue-haired boy. Still in a state of shock the boy could say nothing, he just stared into her bright eyes.

"You have to leave! If anyone sees what you did…I don't even want to think about it!" she pleaded with him trying to tug him toward the door. In the distance they could hear the sound of heavy footsteps. Toshiro remained where he was, unmoved by the small girl.

"Please!" she begged her eyes shinning with unshed tears, "they can't find you, my father can't find you here…" she choked on the rest of the words as fear gripped her heart. The last thing she needed was Toshiro being caught. She tried to ignore all the explaining she'd have to do.

"Don't worry," he peeled her hand off of his arm and held it in his own; "Quatre won't do anything." Kira reeled back as if he had hit her and gasped in shock. She moved her mouth up and down a few times before the words left her mouth, "How did you…you can't…"

"It's true then," he whispered, her shocked words were confirmation enough. He never expected this. Behind him he heard the patter of light steps burst into the room. Turning around, blue locked on lavender as he stared into his cousin's pale eyes.

"Great, an audience, just what I need right now," he sighed before his eyes flashed red. Eyes widening in realization he glared into Lavender's orbs, betrayal swimming in his depths. Grabbing her wrist he brought her forward their faces barely inches apart.

"You knew!" he growled, "not only about the engagement, but this!" disgusted he pushed her away from him.

"Is there no one in this world I can trust?" he yelled frustrated. Kira gently placed her hand on his arm, drawing his attention to her.

"Toshiro please leave, I don't want to have to say goodbye again." Tears sparkled in her light eyes. He gathered her up into his arms and held her tight.

"Don't worry, we'll never be apart again whether we like it or not," he said lightly and she looked up at him oddly.

"I don't understand, what…" the rest of the words die in her throat as the heavy foot steps grew louder. Soon the room was swarming in palace soldiers, all of which were brandishing guns, with rapiers at their sides. The captain of the guard stepped forward looking a bit confused.

"What the hell is going on in here?" he yelled furiously taking in the presence of the two royal cousins and the Winner girl. Kira clung to Toshiro fearfully squeezing all of the air out of the poor boy. How was she going to get him out of this?

"Well?" the captain screamed impatiently. Toshiro disentangled Kira's arms from around his torso and stepped forward to converse with the captain.

"The situation is under control, we don't need your assistance." He explained politely staring him in the eye. The Captain glared right back disbelieving the youth in front of him.

"Like hell you do, I have one of Mr. Winner's guards knocked out back there with his gun found down the hall and two busted doors. I want an explanation, "he said evenly, his eyes blazing. Why did something like this have to happen on his shift?

Lavender came to stand next to her cousin, backing him up in case he needed the support.

"Will," Toshiro said sincerely," I never treated you with anything but respect and I've never asked you for anything," he paused and lifted a hand to the man's shoulder," but now I'm asking you to leave, there has been no malicious intent today, just personal business." The Captain let out a deep breath, his shoulder's drooping in defeat," Fine, but don't think I'm not going to tell you mother what happened." Will gave a sign and all the men lowered their guns," Her majesty is not going to be pleased." Kira looked on disbelieving everything that just passed between the two men. Her majesty? What the hell was going on! Why the heck did they act as if they knew each other?! Had the world been turned on its head while she wasn't looking? Tugging Toshiro away from the man she looked at him questionably.

"What the hell is going on? What are you doing here in the first place? I want an explanation!" Kira nearly screamed at him. Lavender looked on cautiously; boy was that girl going to get the shock of her life!

Behind her Relena, Heero, and Quatre were pushing through the throng of guards, afraid of what they were going to find. Finally they reached the edge of the circle only to see their children screaming at each other.

"Prince! Why the hell didn't you tell me?" Kira yelled at him punching him in the arm.

"Why didn't I tell you? Why the hell didn't you inform me that you were Quatre's daughter?" He yelled right back at her. She punched him again.

"Well excuse me for wanting someone to see me instead of my wallet!" Her eyes narrowed into tiny slits, her chest heaving while breathing hard. She moved to punch him again but he caught her tiny fist in his hand.

"Quit hitting me, don't act like a child!" If it was possible her eyes nearly glared a hole through his head.

"Me? Act like a child, hardly! I'm not the one who stormed in here kicking shit around in a fit!"

The entire room watched on in shocked amazement. Relena looked ready to faint, Lavender was attempting to contain her amusement while trying not to burst out laughing, and Quatre looked on not knowing what to do, but clucked at his daughter's use of language. Behind them Duo, Jordan, and Aya piled into the room. The arguing seemed to escalate as the shouting grew louder and almost incoherent, that is, until the straw broke the camel's back.

Kira was furious; she couldn't remember a time when she was angrier, even when her father told her about the engagement.

"I can't believe I slept with you!" she spat out loudly and clearly. That did it, Relena promptly fainted, Duo grinned like a Cheshire cat along with Lavender, Quatre looked murderous, Heero didn't know what to think, Aya's jaw dropped to the floor, Jordan bit her lip, and Toshiro truly felt hurt. It was like a dozen little needed piercing into his heart. How had it come down to this? Everything had been perfect before this at least their relationship had.

"Then I'm sorry I ever met you," he manage to choke out before stalking out of the room, failing to notice his parents or anyone else for that matter. Kira's eyes welled up with tears then lightly streamed down her pale face. Jordan pushed through the crowd and enveloped her friend in a tight hug.

"Everybody out now!" she demanded. Slowly the guards filtered out of the room leaving Relena, who was still unconscious in Heero's arms, Quatre, Aya, Lavender and Duo.

"I mean it, everyone out now," she said. Quatre made to go toward his daughter, but Jordan glared at him, "stay away, and don't come any nearer. This has nothing to do with any of you." Kira collapsed in her arms dragging them both to the floor.

"Everyone please go," the blonde pleaded quietly burying her head into Jordan's shoulder.

"I can explain everything," Lavender said," let's give her some time." She turned and headed out the door followed by Aya, Duo, and Heero with Relena in his arms. Quatre hung back for a moment, and then reluctantly followed them out of the room.

Kira held onto Jordan tightly crying into her shoulder.

"When did it come down to this? I didn't mean it Jordan! I love him!" she sobbed.

"It's ok," she began, rubbing Kira's back, "you both were very angry, it'll pass." She sniffed gruffly trying to contain her tears.

"Why did I say that to him? Making love to him was the best thing I've ever done!"

Toshiro stormed through the castle with a dark look on his face even though his heart was breaking. 'Stupid girl, how could I ever have fallen in love with her?' he thought angrily to himself. 'After every thing that's happened between us I can't believe she thought it was a mistake.' The distraught prince distractedly made his way to his room then swung open the door and slammed it shut behind him. He flung himself onto the bed and gazed at the ceiling. Rolling over on his side, a picture on his bedside table caught his attention. Nestled inside the metal frame were two little children, one with messy chocolate brown hair, and the other with a wave of lavender. They were playing together in a little blow up pool with wide smiles. The prince frowned at the picture. Even his cousin lied to him; she knew all along what was going on. Suddenly he slammed the picture face-down on the table unable to look at the traitorous girl any longer.

Kira's tears had finally managed to cease running down her pale face. Her heart was still constricting painfully and she could barely breathe.

"Kira," Jordan began," you have to make a decision before any of this goes any farther." The blonde girl tilted her head level with Jordan's to gaze slightly into her eyes.

"Do you really love him? If so, you need to tell him. Toshiro needs to know, because things are going to become pretty awkward." Kira nodded in response.

"I do Jordan, I love him!"

"Then go tell him. Whether you want to or not, you are getting married and this sure as hell isn't the way it should begin!"

"You're right, I have to tell him!" Kira stood up suddenly and made for the door.

"Kira, wait!" Jordan shouted behind her. The girl skidded to a halt and glanced over her shoulder at her best friend. Jordan grinned brightly and said, "Good luck!" Kira smiled in return and went in search of her prince charming.

Soon she found herself standing outside the prince's door. 'Oh Allah, I don't know if I can do this!' she thought to herself. She paced in front of his door a few more times contemplating what to say. Feeling as though he heart would burst if she waited any longer, Kira knocked lightly on the door. She held her breathe waiting for a reply. When none came she knocked again, maybe he wasn't here. Trying a third time she rapped harder on the door hoping for a reply. Releasing her breathe she began to turn away from the door. Suddenly she heard a muffled "go away" coming through the door. This time she flung herself against the wood pounding her tiny fists against the door. Her ears picked up some slight movement from inside the room and she stopped her fierce attack on the door.

Toshiro rolled off the bed, intent on letting the person on the other side to "go the fuck away," and yanked the door open, glared at the blonde in the hallway, then paled considerably. The young prince felt as though someone was crushing his heart in their hand. 'Oh why did it have to be her?'

"I have nothing to say to you," he choked out harshly. She expected him to be furious with her, but hearing his words and his tone still hurt.

"Please, I just want to talk to you," she replied softly looking down at her feet.

"Why? So you can rip out what's left of my heart? Forget it." He spat at her. Tears began to gather in the corners of her eyes and she held them back until they started to burn.

"Toshiro," she almost sobbed, "please, what I have to say is important!" When he didn't reply she continued, "Ever since I was born, my father conditioned me with the fact I would some day belong to another man," she began, "every time I went out with anyone, I would be so afraid to get close to them knowing in the end we could never be." At this point her eyes were burning so badly that the tears rolled down her face.

"But when I met you everything changed. I felt as though I could let go, that I could fall and someone would be there to catch me. And they did, you did." Kira lifted her tear streaked face to gaze into the crystal blue eyes.

"I fell so in love with you, before I even knew what lay in store for us I was prepared to throw everything away for you… for us. I'm sorry for what I said, it wasn't true! I care for you so much, I can't believe I could say such awful things." She explained tearfully. For a moment he stared back at her and she was sure she saw hope floating within his depths. Quickly he turned away from her…from her eyes that could read his soul.

"I…I can't accept that. The things that were said, they can't be taken back. It hurts too much, the pain, I can't bear it."

"No, please…Toshiro." She pleaded with him.

"Go, just go! I don't want to see you, leave me alone!" a sob escaped Kira's lips as her heart shattered into a million pieces.

"You don't mean that!" she cried back at him. He turned back toward her and before slamming the door in her face softly whispered, "Goodbye."

Kira staggered down the hall toward the front entrance as the tears continued to flow down her face. Her mind was completely jumbled with incomplete thoughts as the conversation played over in her head. Even as someone bumped into her she kept moving, un-noticing everything around her.

"Kira!" she heard someone shout behind her. Flipping around quickly her heart began to race only to be met with Jordan's frowning face. The purple haired girl swiftly caught up, a frown painted on her lips.

"Its over." Kira sighed and continued toward the entrance. Jordan's anger flared as she turned on her heel and head the direction Kira had come from.

"Like hell it is!" she yelled stomping through the corridors.

Slightly at first the walls began to shake and the prince thought there was an earthquake. Sitting up in his bed, he slid off and headed for the door. Before he could open it, the door came flying violently open and smashed into the wall. One look at the fuming girl before him and he knew he would have preferred an earthquake.

"You fucking pompous ass!" she screamed at him, "How dare you! How dare you say no to her?" In a blink of an eye Jordan raised her arm and nailed him right in the chin with her fist.

"You think that after everything that's happened between you two, you can just forget it?" she swung again, but this time he was ready and caught her fist easily.

"She broke my fucking heart Jordan! What the hell do you expect me to do?"

"Be a man! Admit that what happened was wrong. After all I've done for you, making sure everything would be ok between the two of you." She growled.

"What are you talking about Jordan? You didn't' do anything!" he released her fist and stepped away from the raging female.

"Like hell I didn't. I love you Toshiro, and not just as friends. Even though I knew you would never feel the same way, I couldn't stop caring. Every time you were obsessed with the new flavor of the week it broke my heart a little more each day."

"Jordan…"

"Shut up and listen to me god dammit, just listen! But when Kira stepped into the picture I knew everything would be ok. I didn't feel bad stepping down to let her take the place I always wanted because I knew she would take care of you!" Toshiro moved toward the girl, but she stepped away.

"Jordan… I never knew." He explained quietly.

"Don't touch me; I don't want your sympathy. The fact is I won't have you break her heart too." She glared at him again and he stepped back.

"Fix this Toshiro, because it's not just between the two you anymore." He considered her words for a moment and remained rooted to the spot.

"I can't…"

"You'd better get you ass moving before I really give you something to regret." She yelled and left the threat hanging, but Toshiro didn't stick around to find out the rest. Quickly he inched around the girl and headed out into the corridor. 'Oh god, she could be anywhere.'

Hours passed and he still couldn't find the girl he had so viciously turned away. As he searched the castle every memory he possessed of her surfaced in his mind. Oh what an idiot he had been. He couldn't have asked for a better fiancé. The prince just hoped that it wasn't too late to repair the damage.

The blue-haired boy had just about given up hope about finding his princess and continued to the last place she could be. As he strode up the grassy hill overlooking the ocean to the place where everything started, he prayed she would be there, but when he walked over the crest of the hill all he could see was green. She wasn't here. Toshiro watched as the sun began to set and the breeze began to pick up.

"Beautiful isn't it?"

Toshiro jumped as a voice drifted from behind him and turned around quickly. There standing before him was a blonde goddess, shinning brightly in the setting light. As he took a looked closer, he noticed her eyes were slightly swollen and red. He felt a tug on his heart and could help but think it was his fault.

"I can think of something better." He said shyly.

"Toshiro…" she began, but he cut her off," I'm so sorry Kira, for everything. I couldn't ask for a better wife. I acted like such an ass." He looked off to the side and breathed in the fresh sea air.

"I couldn't ask for anything more." His eyes settled on her once more and smiled gently. Kira smiled brightly back at him and jumped into his arms. He picked her up in his arms and twirled her around on the soft grass in the setting sun. Finally feeling dizzy, he put her down and held her close. Resting his forehead against hers he breathed deeply.

"I love you Toshiro." She whispered to him.

"Marry me." he asked simply.

"What? But we're already getting married!"

"Yeah, but I want it to be because we want to." He explained. She smiled back at him and met his lips with her own.

"I couldn't imagine living with anyone else."

-Fin

Completed August 17, 2004