Mizu

Epilogue

Mitsuru stood, shaking at the top of the platform. He gazed at the sea of cheering people, facing them for the first time without his mask. It was a liberating feeling. Why couldn't he calm the butterflies that swam within his belly?

Mahiru squeezed his hand in an attempt to reassure him.

Then it all came back to him.

She was wearing fine silk robes, coloured a deep crimson to hide the bleeding gash across her chest. She was pale herself, but smiling. Mitsuru let go of her hand to move his arm around her waist and offer his body as a support. She immediately collapsed against him.

Mahiru didn't remember much of what happened that evening, but later that night, with his arms wrapped around her naked torso, she would strain herself—trying to remember exactly what had happened.

She remembered the fighting, yelling at Mitsuru to stop his foolish charade. She remembered his clawed hands slicing into her. She remembered feeling no pain, only hatred toward the boy who couldn't learn to face his responsibilities. She tried to bring up that feeling that had become so familiar to her. The feeling of despair, incompleteness, and desire. She smiled. She no longer had to worry.

He had quite thoroughly taken care of that.

After her collapse, she vaguely remembered Mitsuru running to her side, trying to help her, trying to make right his wrong. His face was marred with regret. She rubbed her hand against his cheek, trying to make him understand: he was forgiven; he had no need to worry any longer.

Somehow Keiko had managed to disengage him from her long enough to change her clothing. Her red kimono hid her wound.

The ceremony was a blur. Mitsuru was greeted with applause, but Mahiru only recognized static. Her head was becoming congested and her mind seemed o be disconnected from her body. Thankfully, just as she was fading from consciousness Mitsuru gathered her into his arms and dashed through the castle to his rooms.

He gently placed her upon his bed. Everything was black. The next sensation her mind registered was the softness of his lips upon hers. His hand rested above the gash. Her body began to feel warm and light as he poured himself into her.

The pain receded, and she grasped his hand. His head flew up and Mahiru missed the heat of his mouth. She opened her eyes to find his staring intently at hers.

"Mahiru, I have to tell you something. In order to heal you just now, I had to do something I probably shouldn't have." Mitsuru whispered. Mahiru's eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"What is that?" She asked. He stroked her face with one of his claws and frowned.

"I had to claim you as my intended mate. I know I should have asked first, but I couldn't bear to lose you. I know you'd never want to mate with a Tengu like me, but at least you have your life, and now I've repaid my debt to you. I'm sorry." With those words he rose from the bed and walked out the door.

…Or he would have if she hadn't caught his arm.

"What are you doing, you stupid boy? You can't just leave!" She yelled.

"What was I supposed to do?" Mahiru stopped. Her mind went over the conversation they just had. He wasn't referring to this claiming. Yes, he had reinforced his claim on her just minutes ago, but he was apologizing for that time so long ago. Suddenly she couldn't help but laugh. She pulled his arm with all her might and he toppled down onto the bed with her.

"You stupid Tengu. You think you can make the same mistake twice and get away with it?" She giggled, "I think it's time you finished what you started." His eyes opened in shock.

"What the hell are you tal—" his retort was swallowed by his intended.

Mahiru laughed as she remembered the events of the evening. They would never leave her mind. She could feel his hands exploring her body, his soul reaching out to hers as they completed the ancient Tengu ritual. With Mitsuru's arms around her she finally felt complete.

She rolled onto her side, watching him as he slept.

Not once that night had he spoken the words, "I love you," but in every caress, every glance, every kiss were those words communicated to her. Her Mitsuru was a numbskull and he didn't know exactly how to go about getting everything done gracefully, but his heart was big and his will was strong.

She knew then that Shirogane couldn't have made a better choice for his successor, and though she'd have to be around to help him find his way, he'd lead his people justly and along the right path.

She sighed, finally content.

Mitsuru opened his eyes and glared at her, "Get some sleep you stupid girl. I've got a country to run in the morning and I can't have you keeping me up all night." Mahiru laughed. She'd have to see about that.

A/N: So, that's it. I want to say thank you to everyone who reviewed:

Korii Shoujo, chocomintswirl, Fallen Angel Mitsu, iceboltmage, lilyoftheflames, Jimmy the Gothic Egg, jesusgirl883, Chrysanthemum3, Saiyuki-lvr, kalidra, Outsane, lovely1, ilovekaihiwatari, Manga nut, Elen, Hikari Reizumi, Kage428, ennui deMorte, LadyJasmine282, BlackLadyCharon, lily-petal, L0ve-in-the-dark407, Ariel, Tsuki-no-oni, naishu, anony, cubanitaaloloco, blacktenko, HolyTrinityFox-and-RathGirl89, Mad-4-Manga, Anime Lover, Ivory Nightshade, and MitsukiShiroi.

Thank you all very much! Thanks for sticking around when I was a slowpoke, thanks for saying nice things about my story, and thank you for reading it. You were what kept me going. I hope to stick around in this fandom. I've got a few ideas yet! ; I hope you take the time to read those as well.

I LOVE YOU ALL VERY MUCH!

frcpirate

over, and out.