Chapter 23
--Happy Endings—
"Kagura, you look so pretty!" Tohru chirped cheerfully.
Four months had past since the curse was released. Everyone's lives had changed in such a short period of time because all the Sohma's and Tohru, Uo, and Hana's life was normal or better. The businesses were booming for those who already had jobs, and for the three young women, they opened a nice restaurant near Ayame's place.
The world now thought that the little trial incident was a 'hoax' planned by Akito to make everyone Sohma a failure just like him.
"Thanks Tohru. You really have to thank Ayame for making the dress and Miine for doing the makeup," the bride replied. She looked at herself in the mirror, and she had to agree she looked drop dead gorgeous in her simple beaded white gown and glove. Her hair was curled up with white flowers in it. Everything today was perfect, the weather and the decoration, everything except for one tiny thing: Kyo.
He wasn't going and he made sure of it by not responding to anyone here. No one knew where he was or how he was doing. They didn't even know if he was still alive! Secretly, if she could change the past, it wouldn't have let Kyo go, but it was all over now. She was going to be married to Kenji, someone who
"Tohru, one of these days, I'm sure you'll have your special day." Kagura winked at her who immediately turned red.
"Are the bride and bridesmaids ready yet?" a familiar, perverted voice asked.
"Shigure, go away! You'll see her when we all do!" Yuki shouted from behind the door, trying to make sure he wasn't going to peek.
"I was just asking a legitimate question," he defended.
Yuki raised a brow.
"Fine, fine, I'll leave, but don't you dare do what I was gonna do you sly dog."
Yuki shook his head in disbelief. No matter what, Shigure will always be the same, but that wasn't important now. What was important is today: the wedding.
Since the cat and rat rivalry wasn't really necessary anymore, it was time to make amends, starting with the finding him, which was a hard part, but luckily, he managed. Next, finding out the truth about his feelings for Kagura wasn't so hard, especially with his lawyer skills. Now, after hitting some common sense it him, the last and only move was his if he was going to do it.
"How did you find me, you d--- rat?" the angry man shouted.
"Does that really matter? Look, we're neither a rat nor a cat anymore. I'm here to figure out something."
"What do you want then?"
"The truth."
"Of what?"
"Your feelings of Kagura."
"What? I hate her."
"Do you really?"
"Yes."
"So I'm guessing you're going to enjoy watching her marry someone that she doesn't truly love then."
"…What are you talking about? She loves him. Why else would she marry him?"
"Why do you care all of the sudden? Not like you like her."
"…"
"Admit it, Kyo, you like her."
"No, I love her," he mumbled.
"It's your move, and you know it. Don't let your pride take the best thing you've had away from you. Last chance is coming up or else."
Ding! Ding! Ding!
The church bells were ringing. That only means one thing: the wedding had just begun. Kyo sat in few meters away from the church ground in a tux, debating what to do. His least favorite cousin turned out to be the one who knocked some sense in him. He hated to admit it, but if it weren't for Yuki, he wouldn't even be here, confused as to what to do.
Seconds turned into minutes. After awhile, he got up and began to run.
XXXXX'It was almost over,' Kagura told herself. They had already exchange vows. Now it was time to say the two simple words that will bound them together.
"Kenji, do you take Kagura to be your wife in sickness and in health 'til death do you part?" the priest turned to him and asked.
"I do." He smiled.
"Kagura, do you take Kenji to be your husband in sickness and in health 'til death do you part?"
"…Ah…Ah…"
'Why can't I say it?' she cried in her head. 'Two words. Why?'
'It's because you don't love him,' a voice in the back of her head taunted.
"Kagura, Kagura," Kenji whispered, bringing her back to the real world.
"Do you take Kenji to be your husband?" the priest asked again.
"…I…I d—"
The big brown mahogany doors bang open. The bright sunlight shone strong that it was difficult to make it out who it was, but the orange hair answered the question.
"Kagura, I love you!" he shouted before collapsing on his knees and crying.
Kagura felt butterflies in her stomach when she saw him. Ever feeling she had for him returned, and she loved him even more.
"I'm sorry Kenji, I can't. I can't marry you." Kagura didn't want to see his crushed expression and ran towards Kyo and hugged him.
"I love you too Kyo," she whispered.
Kyo wiped his tears away and took something out of his pocket. It was a small velvet box. Breaking away from Kagura, he opened the case to reveal a diamond ring. "Kagura, will you marry me?"
"Oh Kyo, of course! I'll marry you right now if you don't mind. Don't want to let this wedding to go to waste." She smiled.
"Sure, whatever you want."
Thirty minutes later…
"Kagura, do you take Kyo to be your husband in sickness and in health 'til death do you part?" the priest asked again.
"I do," she replied quickly this time.
"Kyo, do you take Kagura to be your wife in sickness and in health 'til death do you part?"
"I do."
"If there are any reasons as to why these two should not marry, speak now. Now I announce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."
The whole chapel applauded when the two kissed. Before leaving for the honeymoon, Kagura threw her bouquet.
"Soon Tohru will be going away," Uo said, standing next to Kureno.
"Oh my. And then after it'll be you, Uo," Hana smiled as the two of them turn red. "I'll be left alone."
"Nah, I'm sure you'll find Mr. Perfect sooner or later."
"And who would that be?"
Before getting a chance to reply, someone shouted, "Yuki just proposed to Tohru!"
Her two best friends and Kureno rushed to see, and there it was. Yuki on his knees, putting a ring on Tohru's left hand with Kagura's bouquet in the other hand.
"I wasn't expecting it to be that soon!" Uo cursed.
Hana didn't say anything and turned around only to bump into someone and fall.
"I'm sorry, I wasn't looking," she said in her monotone voice.
"Are you OK?" a soothing voice asked, offering his hand.
Hana looked up to see the owner. He was tall with gray hair and eyes. Something mysterious amused her about him.
"I'm fine. Thank you."
"I'm Kazuma Sohma."
"I'm Saki Hanajima."
"Would you like to go for something to drink afterwards?"
"I'd like that. I'd like that a lot," Hana replied, feeling something unusual and hot. 'So this is how it must be like to blush,' she thought.
XXXXXAuthor's Note: I'M SO SORRY IT TOOK ME SOO LONG! It wasn't even worth it because this chapter sucks, but I finished it though. I like so many things and want to do them all that I don't have time to do them.
THIS IS THE END, btw of this story. No sequel or anything.
LAST AND FINAL STORY IS MY CCS ONE THAT I NEED TO FINISH AND THAT IS THE LAST YOU WILL HERE FROM ME.