Sorry it took so long to update…I had a HUGE science project due, and a math test. Well here is the eleventh chapter. Please don't kill me for not updating for so long!

Chapter Eleven: Fairy-Tale

"Okay," Mitsuru said, stunned by this sudden announcement. "We'll worry about that later. Come on, Misoka, we've got to see the queen!"

Misoka appeared to consider this.

"No," he said finally.

"Why not?" Mitsuru asked in a deadly calm voice. "In case you haven't noticed, Mahiru is dying here!"

"So?" Misoka asked. "The loss of the princess would grieve me just as much as it would you, but she is no longer important. We have all the Teardrops."

"You…dare…"Mitsuru clenched his fists. "I…I love Mahiru!" he shouted. His face was covered with tears. "And you say that she's no longer important? You heartless…evil…"

"I may have a remedy to extend Mahiru's life," Misoka interrupted Mitsuru's rant. "But it will take time to prepare. And there are no guarantees. Or we could try the more traditional way."

"What traditional way?" Mitsuru asked Misoka. "And I thought you said there were only three options!"

"There are," Misoka shrugged. "Three scientific ways. But there are also the obscure ways. Do you know the tale of Sleeping Beauty?"

"Yes," Mitsuru replied, not daring to look at how pale Mahiru's face was, or how shallow her breathing.

"She was awakened by a kiss," Misoka continued. "Her prince battled through many trials to reach her…"

"I know that," Mitsuru growled. "Get to the point!"

"You could kiss her," Misoka said simply. "That might awaken her, might cure her."

"What? Kiss?" Mitsuru turned red. "I'm not like that!"

"But it is the only way out," Misoka shrugged. "Unless you want to beg from the Queen, who possibly arranged the poison in the first place, or kill yourself."

"What about that potion you said you could make?" asked Mitsuru. "That remedy?"

"It takes a month to stew," said Misoka. "Mahiru has two and a half hours left. You will want to make your decision quickly…" When Mitsuru still made no move, he continued, "The Lunar Race were the foundation of those legends. Those legends have basis in facts. You will find that sometimes the unbelievable is actually the truth…"

Mitsuru groaned. "Fine," he snapped. "I'll do it." He leaned over and pecked Mahiru gingerly on the cheek, aware of Misoka's eyes following him. Nothing happened.

"Now what?" asked Mitsuru to Misoka.

"Kiss her again!" was the reply. "You know the tale – the prince kissed the princess, and theirs was the kiss of true love…"

Mitsuru looked at Mahiru's pale face. He knew he couldn't bear to lose her. He softly stroked her hair, and without thinking, leaned over again and kissed Mahiru's lips very softly and deeply.

Mahiru's eyes flew open.