My Sailor Man

By: Reall-Goodchild

Chapter 5: Out of Time

Ayame stood in front of a full length, oval mirror, looking down at the floor, trying desperately not to cry. The whole towns gone through a lot of trouble to put all this together, she reminded herself. Breathing wasn't coming easily. No matter how many times she lectured herself, no matter how many times she scolded herself, saying she was being selfish, she just couldn't let go of that dream, that hope, that she could have been with Kouga. That they could have had that house and children. That she could have been truly happy for the rest of her life.

It was a dream, she told herself for the millionth time that morning. She glanced at the bouquet of daisies and lily's on the small table nearby. Nothing more than a dream.

Looking back at her reflection, she noted how perfect she looked. Her hair had been pulled back into a neat bun, only allowing two ringlet's to frame her face nicely. She wore little makeup, a light gloss on the lips, a bit of eyeliner and mascara, with just enough blush to make her look like the blushing bride she was supposed to be, instead of the empty shell she was at the moment. The dress was simple. Plain white, sleeveless with an empire waist, the seam covered in a pastel green. She wore no shoes, no socks, her feet were completely bare. Around her head was a crown of daisies that had been woven together delicately. The only thing missing was a smile.

She heard the flap of the tent she was in open and stiffened. Looking in the reflection of the mirror she saw it was her grandfather. Relaxing slightly she turned to him.

"Look at you," He said, beaming with pride. "You look beautiful." He hugged her.

"Thank you." She said her voice hoarse from trying to hold back tears.

Her grandfather gave her a worried look before sighing. "He'll make you happy, Ayame. He can give you everything you need and more."

"He can't give love." She stated, looking away. "He could never give me fulfillment in that way."

"You'll learn to love him. With time." The old man reassured her. "Just give it time."

"Only one man can have my heart, gramps." She said stoically. "The one man who already has it. And that man is not Naraku Oni."

Her grandfather stiffened. "And who would this man be?" He asked. "Some wealthy man or a lord of some sorts, who doesn't even know your name?"

She shot her elder a cold look. "For your information, he knows exactly who I am and he loves me. He doesn't care about the wealth that would come with marrying me. He doesn't care about inheriting the fleet. He cares for me and only me. Which is more than you could ever say about Naraku."

"Who is he?" Her grandfather repeated.

"One of your sailors." She smiled, an image of him flashing in her mind. "Kouga Ookami."

The old mans heart stopped. "Is that so..." He trailed off. The boy had been right about her feeling. "And you love him?"

Ayame looked down, gripping her mothers' locket around her neck. "With all my heart and soul. I always will. That's why I can honestly tell you I'll never love Naraku. No matter how many years pass."

"You'll learn." He stated firmly.

"Never." Her voice was eerily calm and certain, even though tears were developing in her eyes.

It broke her grandfather's heart. It was far past the point of no return in his mind. "It's time." He stated, picking up her bouquet. "I'm sorry Ayame. It's too late to call it off now. I only wish I had known sooner. I though I was doing what was best for you."

"I know gramps." She said, putting on a brave but sad face. "That's all you ever wanted." The two of them stood behind the opening of the tent waiting for the music to start.

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Kouga sat at the back of the crowd. He had figured it would be best to sit here. He knew he wouldn't be able to see her go through with it. He'd wind up leaving, so he figured he should sit in the last row on the corner so he could leave without disrupting the ceremony. He was away from his friends, who were sitting closer to the front where he should be according to the seating arrangements. He just couldn't stand being near them while they laugh and joked and talked as if everything was alright. Things were not alright, damnit. Not by a long shot.

The music began to play and everyone stood. Kouga watched as the tent flaps pulled back to reveal Ayame and her grandfather. A lump formed in his throat. She was more beautiful than he could have imagined. He was tempted to stare at her as she walked up the isle, but instead he looked down at his feet, at the grass of the field in the park. To look at her would be his downfall. He'd get lost in his emotions. Lost in the fact that she wasn't walking towards him dressed like that. Lost in the fact that he had lost her for good. There was no turning back now.

Everyone settled in they're seats when Ayame reached the altar and faced Naraku. Kouga clenched his fist in an attempt to calm himself as the priest began the ceremony. He looked at Ayame to see her eyes were on him. Not Naraku. Not her soon to be husband. Him. He had some comfort in that. In the fact that she was thinking about him as the priest read out the ceremonial speech. At the same time he lost it. He was not the one she was going to say 'I do' to. He was just the man she loved, who loved her, that she could never have, that could never have her, not anymore.

He couldn't breathe. He couldn't stay there any longer. It was driving him mad. Swiftly and quietly he stood and walked away from the ceremony.

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Ayame watched Kouga. She could tell he was struggling. His whole body had been tense. When he rose from his seat and walked away, a piece of her died. Her body went numb. She heard the priest ask Naraku if he would take her as his wife.

"I do." The words rolled off his tongue so easily, it sickened her.

The priest turned to her, asking her if she would take Naraku to be her 'lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, until death to you part.'

Her eyes were downcast as everyone at the ceremony awaited her reply. She felt hot tears begin to fall helplessly down her ivory cheeks. This was it. This was the point of no return. All she had to do was say those two words and seal the deal. Couldn't anyone see? Couldn't any one tell she was doing this against her will? Could they not tell by now that all she really wanted to do was run? Run as fast as she could into the arms of the man who should be standing in front of her right now; into the arms of Kouga, the only man she'll ever love. Was that not obvious?

Her lips trembled as she raised her head slightly, her grasp on her bouquet tightening; turning her knuckles a sickly white. She took in a shaky breath and parted her lips, ready to say those two deadly words; 'I do'.

"Stop this." A voice commanded from somewhere behind and to the right. Ayame's eyes widened as she turned her head to look at the owner of that ever so familiar voice. Her grandfather stood there, a soft look of defeat gracing his features. "I'm sorry," He said walking up to the altar between his granddaughter and Naraku. He turned to Naraku. "I'm sorry Mr. Oni, but I'm afraid the deal is off." He turned back to Ayame with a gentle smile. "I believe my darling granddaughter has found love of her own, and I cannot force her into this marriage. Not when I know there's a perfectly capable man who returns her feelings."

Ayame's eyes lit up, her tears turning into those of joy. Tossing her bouquet aside, she wrapped her arms around her grandfather's neck. "Thank you gramps," She whispered, her smile so big it hurt her cheeks.

He nudged her off of him and smiled at her. "Go to him," He instructed, brushing the tears off her cheeks. Ayame nodded, pecking him on the cheek. She was just about to leave when Naraku decided to speak up.

"Now wait just a minute." He half yelled. "You cannot go back on your word. She's my wife, damnit!"

"Let it go Naraku," Riku yelled, walking out of the crowd to stand beside Ayame and her grandfather. "He cut to deal so back off. She's in love with someone else and you know it. You can't force her to marry you! She hasn't said 'I do' yet therefore you're not technically married."

Ayame looked at Riku in surprised. She recognized him as one of Kouga's friends, but she was still shocked that he would stand up for her like that. She smiled at him and mouthed a thank you. He nodded his head in response.

"Lieutenant Yomishi is right," Ayame's grandfather stated, stepping forward and putting a comforting hand on Naraku's back. "Ayame is not married to you until she say's 'I do' and as of yet she has not. Let's just be happy that she's found someone to love, who loves her back. A love that is not forced. A love that is pure and true and-"

"Don't touch me, you old prune!" Naraku yelled, smacking away the old mans hand before pushing him to the ground. "I won't let you give her to that heathen Lieutenant Ookami!" He grabbed Ayame by the arm roughly and yanked her forward. "Say it!" He yelled in her face, shaking her violently. "Say the words!"

Several of the sailors in the crowd rushed forwards, prying the startled girl from Naraku's death grip. A wave of incredulous remarks came from the crowd holding back the crazed man. "How dare you treat a woman like that!" and "Have you no shame?" were a popular jeers.

Ayame backed away from the growing crowd, accidentally bumping into Riku. She looked up at him startled. He smiled down at her, helping her catch her balance. "You should go," He stated. "You wouldn't want our dear friend Kouga to do something he'll regret later."

"B-but," She looked back towards the crowd with a panicked expression. "Gramps!" She cried heading back to the crowd but Riku held her back.

"Look, I'll take care of the old man," He assured her. "You go find Kouga."

Ayame looked at him for a minute before smiling and nodding. Mouthing a 'thank you' she took off in the direction she had seen Kouga go in.

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Kouga sat on the porch of the house Ayame's father built. He was numb. No tears, no anger, no nothing could change the simple fact; he had failed he. It was too late. The ceremony would be over by now. Ayame would be married to the monster by now. He'd surely lost her by now. So he sat there, staring off into the horizon.

He looked around at the yard; a slow smile etching itself onto his lips as he visualized what things could have been if he had succeeded in convincing her grandfather that they were truly in love. He could see it as clear as if it were real.

The grass was cut and lush, the garden in full bloom with irises and marigolds and carnations. Ayame sat in front of the array of flowers, pulling out weeds and watering the plants. There was a little girl sitting next to her, no older than 5 at most. She had red hair, a few shades darker than Ayame's, pulled up in a high ponytail and innocent blue eyes the colour of the sky. She was wearing a floral patterned dress without socks or shoes. She was attempting to help her mother with the gardening. On the lawn he could see himself wrestling with a boy, about 8 or 9 years of age. He had messy black hair, just like Kouga's, and blue-green eyes. His denim pants was torn with grass stains all over them, his striped polo shirt had remarkably stayed clean through the little brawl. Ayame turned and yelled something at the two boys that stopped the wrestling match dead, while the little girl picked a daisy from garden and began to pull the petals off.

Kouga smirked. Kyo and Hanna. That's what he'd name the kids. Kyo would idolize him, and would be smart, but still athletic and strong. His little Hanna would be 'daddy's little girl', bombarding him with hugs and kisses when he came home from work everyday. She'd be more quiet and reserved, shy, the one who would cling to her mothers skirt around people she didn't know. She'd be just as beautiful as Ayame; he'd have to beat the boys away from her when she got older.

Kouga blinked and it was gone. It was nothing more than a memory of a hope. It could never come true. Ayame was a married woman now. He couldn't help but think... What did that leave him? What did he have to hold onto now that his love was gone? He didn't know how he was going to make it through this torture. He would keep on living, he decided. Ayame would want him to remain strong; for himself and for her.

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Panic was beginning to fill her. He was no where to be found. She had already checked the beach, the pub and his house. But he wasn't in any of those places. She had called out his name frantically and gotten no reply. Several of the men from town had joined in the search for the missing sailor, but so far there had been no word. Her heart stopped as a thought struck her. What if he had done something... something... unimaginable? Ayame clamped her eyes shut and shook her head violently. No, no, she wouldn't think like that.

Taking a deep breath, she started down the old path to the house her father had built. She didn't really expect to find him there but it was worth a shot. She called out his name once or twice, but got no reply. Without any hope she rounded the corner, the house coming into view. She looked up slowly and stopped dead. Her mouth went try and her eyes moistened. "Kouga..." She whispered hoarsely. "Kouga!" She cried dashing forward.

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Kouga could have sworn he had heard her calling him. He just dismissed it as his mind playing tricks on him. It wasn't until he heard the yell coming from the clearing that he looked up. His heart stopped seeing Ayame running towards him, tears streaming from the corners of her eyes. He stood up, walking towards her, worried that something had happened.

He was taken aback when she choked out a laugh and smiled as if everything were right in the world. She jumped up, wrapping her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist, forcing him to take a few steps back and wrap his arms around her waist. "Ayame...?" He asked, confused as to why she was crying and laughing at the same time. Especially since she had just married the biggest bastard out there.

"He called it off!" She cried, squeezing Kouga tighter. "Gramps, he called it off last minute. He finally saw that we're in love." She pulled back to look at him, her smile as bright as ever. "Isn't it great?"

Kouga's heart jumped into his throat. "Are you serious?" He asked, shocked. "H-he really called it off? You're not married?"

Ayame shook her head. "I almost was but Gramps stood up and told the Priest to stop. That I'm in love with someone else and he wouldn't force me into the marriage."

That was enough for Kouga. He pushed his lips up against her, kissing her passionately before spinning her around in delight. Finally he set her back down on her own two feet. He smiled down at her, and took a deep breath. "Marry me Ayame." He said, taking her hands into his and lifting them to his lips and pressing feather soft kisses to her knuckles. "Marry me and we'll live here, just like I promised."

Ayame thought her heart was going to explode from the joy she was feeling. A fresh wave of tears flowed down her cheeks. "Yes," She choked out. "Yes, a thousand times yes! Yes, I will marry you, nothing would make me happier!"

Kouga smiled and took her in his arms again, ravishing her mouth with kisses. He was going to have his future. He was going to have his Kyo and his little Hanna. He and Ayame were going to have their happily ever after.

AN: Thats it. Thats the final chapter! I hope you all liked it. There's still gonna be an epilogue it should be out in a few weeks. Depends, I gotta transfer my files onto this laptop.

Ok now, since I think most of you read my other stories, I'm putting up a little poll her. After I post the epilogue of this story, I'm going to start on a new one. And, since all of you are the reason I write these things, I'm leaving it up to you to decide what one you would like me to write. So I'm gonna give you the options and you guys can tell me which one you want in your reviews. Sound good? Ok here are the options.

1) My Happy Ending (Sequel to New Beginnings last enstallment in the Falling Series)
Summary: Sango's got a secret, Ayame's Grandfather is sick and Kagome and Inuyasha are having some relationship problems. What will our group of friends do? - Inuyasha x Kagome / Miroku x Sango / Kouga x Ayame -

2) Meant to Be (sequel to Pieces)
Summary: It's been two years since the two tribes joined together. Kouga and Ayame, after starting from scratch, begin to realize that maybe certain things from their pasts were meant to be. - Kouga x Ayame -

3) Lost Summary: 20-year-old Ayame Herutsu finds herself alone and frightened in a huge unfamiliar city suffering from amnesia. After meeting up with some 'friends' she is now on a quest to discover what happened. - Possible Kouga x Ayame pairing -

4) This ones just a thought that struck me. Turning this story into a sort of Nora Roberts type thing. Have the stories connected. Like say, now that Ayame has found love, it's Kagome's turn and then there would be one for Sango and probably Kagura... maybe even Rin. The Kagura would be with Riku... so Kagura x OC if this were the one you choose.

5) Untitled for now.
Summary: After the wealthiest man passes away, he leaves his estate to his remaining family members, his grandchildren Inuyasha, Sesshomaru and Ayame, each from the city. Deciding to brave the spooky house on a spooky hill in a tiny little town, the cousins come in and shake things up. - Inuyasha x Kagome / Kouga x Ayame / Sesshomaru x Rin / (minor) Miroku x Sango -

those are the options. Please pleas PLEASE on hands in knees I beg you to vote.

My opinions on these if anyone cares... Well, My Happy Ending... I'm not sure. I lost a lot of reviewers on New Beginnings so I'm not sure whether I should bother. It'd be interesting cuz it's a lot more Inu/Kag oriented. Meant to Be, I'm on the fence. I wouldn't mind if people wanted me to write it now or wait. Lost is a different style than I'm use to going more to the mystery and action/adventure... I'm not even sure of romance, but it'll proabably be implied. The other two would be fun. 4) would be a lot of work but again, fun. 5) has a really crappy summary but I'm thinking about it and loving it. It's gonna be 3 romances in it, not my usual, focus on one thing.

Review Responses:

phantomoftheflame: Er... thanks. You'll never be as bad as me though... Yes I agree, I don't like Naraku either.

SkittlesUhbDhm: Well, don't worry, no more Naraku so you don't have to be confused anymore! (P.S. w00t)

Squirrel Legs: Yeah, I know, hense why they didn't get married... shudders I wouldn't put anyone through the terror of kissing Naraku.

Fran KC: You are far too kind. I hope you liked this one aswell.

XInfernal: I'm glad you liked it. I hope the wait wasn't too long.

yellowrosesinateacup: I know. I've got a flare for the sad and dramatic. lol, hope you liked this chappie

Shura: Te Noble Pirate: No problem.There's still the epilogue, that will be out soon I hope. And don't hate the old guy. He save Ayame from Naraku... sure he was to the one who set it all up but he still came to his senses...

AyamexKouga: ACK! Don't die on me! lol. Hope you liked.

Thats all for now. Review and don't forget to vote! Ciao Belle!