A/N: Revised.
Part III: Garden of Remembrance
Rain fell as I was imprisoned in my quarters for making her cry. Stupid punishment. Hiromi Botan Tachibana, curse you!
I had to lie to her. I can't believe what I was doing. Holding her hands? Who am I, a prince? I am not her keeper for eternity or her protector! Apologizing was the last resort, even if I meant what I said about her! I can't let this get into me. I don't like her, and never will! Damn it, I'm too old and smart for my own good…how could I have been so STUPID, uttering those empty words just to woo that stupid girl! DAMMIT! I felt my knuckles crack as I punched the wooden wall in of my room.
Why couldn't I tell her to shut up like I'd normally do to other people! It took two easy words: SHUT. UP. Wiping her tears and holding her hands, I can't live this down. I've gone too soft! If my father saw that...unforgivable.
My head rested against the wall, while I breathed hard and long from anger.
"Ano sa…glad to see you're making yourself at home. Decorating your room, now, I see?" Sadayo walked into the room, folded clothes in her arms belonging to me. Plastered on her porcelain face was a fake smile and suspicion clouded her eyes. What was she up to? Icily, I glared at the princess's maid of honour for trudging in my prison like that. She had no right.
"You must think I have no authority to come into your room but I do, Oji-sama." Sadayo couldn't conceal her contempt. I swallowed, with my even stare, as she examined me with those dark brown eyes. H-how did she know? She must be playing mind games. Father told me to be weary of the disguised miko and onna bugeisha within the castle. I guess I have met one of them.
"If you think you can just use Hiromi-hime and her inheritance to reclaim the throne, you have another thing coming to you. I won't let you use my princess like a tool, you hear? The Tachibana family is one of the most highly respected families since Yuki-sama is the head of shiroi yuri no genri."
White Lily Principle?
"I am not a prince. I am merely a son of a nobleman. I will follow my father and train to become a samurai someday." I recited in perfect precision. It was partly true; I aspired to become a samurai. A warrior just like my father. I crave for power. I have a goal that I want more than anything else.
"Do you fancy Hiromi-hime?" she paused for a moment, "It is unfitting for a nobleman, with so many choices and so young, to be coerced into love. Do you like her?"
Did I? Do I? Will I?
I didn't know how to answer her. Hiromi was a little a girl who cried a lot. Her father described her as angelic but all I saw was a baby with a huge forehead. She was so innocent and knew no fear but anger and its tears. She didn't need a protector but a mentor on her anger issues. I belonged back to my own castle, alone with my servants and old maids…those old hags. Now her favourite maid is talking to me…barging into my room…telling me how I should feel? I appreciated the window of opportunity to leave but I have a mission.
"Why are you here?" I asked gruffly.
"Hime will be accompanied by a few guards down the castle garden near the Hijuri Lake around the Mountain of Immortality," Sadayo informed, giving me my new clothes, "She urges you to come along."
I took it, frowning, then retorted, "Why can't daimyo Yuki go with her?"
"Yuki-sama and Susumu-sama have business to attend to in regards to the war between the lower class lords in Gamogun," she replied, turning her heel and heading towards the door. Then she stopped in her tracks and glanced coldly over her shoulder, "Please bear in mind, I am watching, Suzaku."
Stupid wench, I heard you the first time, was the response I had wanted to yell back. "My name is Hiwatari Kai," would suffice. There was something about her that gave me the creeps. I had to watch out around Sadayo, before she gathers enough proof and uncovers my identity.
We sat inside the litter and soon lifted up by the guards in departure. The lake was only two hours away by foot although it had felt like ages had passed. It was uncomfortable sitting inside a wooden box with the Princess with the arrogant noble and his friends in tow, on horseback. Why couldn't I get my horse? I straightened my black kimono while Hiromi, who sat opposite, donned a more elaborate black kimono with white lilies on the bottom and her left shoulder to her chest. Chocolate locks were twisted into two buns, fastened with black ribbons and in her hands lay a bouquet of white lilies. In front of her feet was a small dagger with its sheath shining obsidian.
"I'm so glad you came along to my mother's garden," Hiromi smiled so genuinely, I could swear it was real, "Thank you." It was pleasing, and grateful, something I never got from home. That feeling...was that great satisfaction that filled your heart with leaping joy and content. I felt my lips twitch into a smile. Stop it, Suzaku.
Suddenly the litter stopped moving and we were lowered to the ground. I stepped out first, and placed an arm over my eyes as the sun fiercely beat down on me. I had been in the dark for long. Then I felt the lush grass under my feet through my socks and sandals. A new wave of relief came over as I sighed; I suddenly realized I was standing a hill; a long drop into the lake if I ever lost my footing. Right, like that'll happen.
I warily looked around and noticed the huge blue lake around the Immortality itself, high and mighty as a cloud of gray smoke and ash engulfed the sky over the mouth of the thunderous landmark. But the rest of the sky was blue and the cool air blew…the cherry blossom trees caught my eyes…just like in the castle courtyard…Was this the noble family's cemetery?
(Normal POV)
Hiromi climbed out with assistance from one of the guards, holding the bouquet of lilies tightly with one hand.
"Don't you just love the Golden Week?" she smiled brightly. "The cherry blossoms are in bloom just the way my mother liked it."
"It's a garden," he muttered dully.
"It's a garden of remembrance," she corrected him, with her index finger up in the air.
Smarty pants, Kai shot a glare.
She pointed beyond the forest and there was a stone temple in the heart of the Sakura trees. "Come on Kai!" she chirped, starting to make her way. Slowly, he followed her.
"I'm glad the weather is nice. It has been gloomy as of late," he said slowly, with a hint of concern.
She beamed at him and replied, "I guess it's because Mother is happy that everyone is coming to visit her grave. Maybe she's happy because someone new is here to see her. I'm really happy you came…Thank you so much…"
Tears of joy she shed slowly fell from her cheeks as she smiled once more. She stopped walking and so did he and the harder she cried. Tears never came at the right time!
"Princess…" he said soothingly, reaching a hand to her face. He then froze and his hand stopped mid air. Damn it! Here she goes again!
She giggled sheepishly, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand, "I'm sorry, it's just I'm so happy…"
Just then a smile graced his lips, "Hopeless." He then went on his way… "You are so hopeless."
"Huh…?" she suddenly blushed at the way he smiled. He was enamouring sometimes in his own noble bratty way. Quickly, she sprinted after him.
"How long has she been dea-gone?" he asked as he walked ahead of her, head unturned.
"It has been almost seven years since she passed away. I was only a few months old so I don't remember what she had looked like, but only her name. Midoriko Ayame Hirosaki. In short, "Aya-hime,"" she smiled quietly as she walked. "Father said she was beautiful and good-hearted. In fact, she was the one who tended the Sakura when she was my age!"
Sakura trees were planted outside the castle and down the hill and on the both sides of the moat. They were the first features he noted on his way to the castle on the day Hiromi and he met. The Sakura trees must be the remembrance-the garden of remembrance.
He kept quiet as she spoke, which reminded him of his own mother who killed herself after she had given birth to him. He was a child with blood related to the Amaterasu goddess, a banished descendant and cursed. His mother had feared for her country's honour if they had discovered the bastard-child; their likeness was uncanny. Carmine eyes, snow white skin, a long strong nose and wide mouth; all characteristics of gaijin. His father remembered the hysteria she had gone through, rejecting him completely when arguably, the ladies of the castle found him the most beautiful child born from mixed blood. The hatred she must had felt for his father...
"Kai…?" she whispered as she saw him clench his fists. He tried to hide his sad gaze at her as he looked over his shoulder. "…is everything alright?" she placed a hand over his shoulder.
He nodded solemnly, as he stopped and gazed at the temple. It was thirty times smaller than the size of the Kuro no Suzaku castle and his castle took the entire hillside, and fifty times smaller than the Adzuchi no Shiro or Hirosaki Castle where his future fiancée resided.
"This temple is tiny…"
"Yes! It is!" her cheeks lit up. "I like it, it has a homey feeling."
"Whatever. But why would you want that feeling from a cemetery?" his eye twitched in confusion.
She brought the bouquet up to her face and peered up to his eyes, "Is that strange?"
"Of course…" his voice trailed off as he went into a deeper thought about his mother's grave. A grave under a golden pear tree where they had once thought the great phoenix bird stopped and perched on the same tree. Everyday, he would bring fresh flowers to her grave and no one would know but his deceased mother.
"Oh," she sighed sadly, "You have no imagination."
"Hiromi-chan!" a certain noble breathed as he ran into the heart of the forest. The others came in order, Rei, Max, Daichi and Kyo.
"Takao," she called softly, smiling sweetly. Takao was her childhood friend along with the rest of the boys.
"Nice day for visiting graves, isn't it, Hiromi-chan?" Takao asked, "You're not having fun while I'm not here, right?"
Hiromi blushed, "Um…well…that is…"
Feh. What's with the sweet, innocent bit? the phoenix glared at the quiet, flushed brunette. That boy was prideful because daimyo Yuki's land was in Kyoto, a district that Takao's grandfather oversaw.
"Well, figures! I had a feeling!" the blue-haired noble laughed.
The phoenix glared at the noble, "Dimwit," he muttered. "Stupid dimwit."
Rei met with them, bearing a dagger around his shoulder, "You forgot to take this with you, Hiromi."
He pointed at it and she nervously laughed, "I'm sorry."
Max tagged along with Daichi who prodded Takao. "Takao and Hiromi…sitting on a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G!"
"Max, will you shut him up! Or I'll do it for him!" Takao attempted to pummel Daichi- "Takao-kun! He's only five!" Hiromi protested - but Rei held him back. Kyo sighed and decided to stay out of the way. Kai just stood frozen, calling each one of the boys an idiot except for the Byakko.
"Everyone's here!" she chirped, 'Hey Mom, look. My friends are here to see you!' She took the dagger from Rei and unsheathed it carefully, revealing its jagged edge…like a key. Etched on the blade was the family crest, a lily flower with the characters of Adzuchi Shiro, White Lily Principle.
With the dagger, she pushed it into the slot of the metal slot and twisted it. The locked clicked and Hiromi slid the door open, "Good morning, mother." With the bouquet of white lilies, she carried them as she went in first. She bowed in front of the gravestone bearing her mother's full name. It was a tall stone monument, taller than the seven-year old Hiromi and the eight-year old Kai.
The temple was clean and warm, just like she had told him. There was a painting of a purple Iris represent her name, Ayame in the further side of the room. The young princess reached for the wooden cabinet, tiptoed, and Kai was inclined to help. He pulled the doors and the butsudan, made from gold, and went face to face with a Buddha statue, also in gold. He carefully lit the candles and placed them into the altar. Hiromi took a scroll, which turned out to be a kakemono of a woman, and hung it onto one of the cabinet doors.
The others dropped on one knee and bowed their heads, "Aya-hime..."
Kai did too and whispered her name in respect. Suddenly he felt a cold wind blow tenderly against his cheek. Terrified, he froze in the spot as he heard whispers of, "Amaterasu…Goddess of the Sun…why have you come?" His cheek grew numb, as if someone was touching it.
"Princess Ayame," he whispered in astonishment. He heard her voice! HER VOICE! The Chinese noble knelt closest to him, a lost look in his golden eyes at the gravestone. Could he…? No, he couldn't have. Rei glanced calmly at his eyes, as if to ask a question. Kai averted his eyes. He could blow the entire mission if he kept Rei close.
"We're here!" she smiled, trying not to cry. She knelt down and placed the white lilies down in front of the gravestone and finally a small vase caught her eye. Ayame. Three purple Iris flowers, Hiromi thought, Papa did have time for her after all… She bit her lip as she held in tears. Father had loved Mother dearly, just like she had.
"…Do you want some help with those?" Kai offered shyly.
"Sure!" she smiled brightly. "These flowers are so wonderful!"
He knelt next to her as she slowly, pulled each lily out, handing three to him. Then she placed the rest on the headstone. Closing her eyes, she placed her hands together into a prayer for a moment.
"What about these?" Kai asked, moving his arms closer to her.
Opening one eye she whispered, "It's for you. My mom would've let you keep three lilies. That's what she gave the rest of the nobles here when they were born." Kai looked behind him and saw each one noble take out an iris flower. She must have been really important.
Her mother is strange… Kai thought, yet kind.
After the next moments spent in peace, Hiromi rose up to leave the temple. Her bangs covered her eyes as she strode pass everyone. He warily looked and the noble boys were all deep in prayer. Quietly, he tiptoed out of the temple and ran after the princess, the lilies in his hands. Hiromi began to run too for she thought it was Takao that gave chase.
He gasped at her speed, Hn, she's good at running away. He grabbed onto her shoulder and she stopped. She was smiling…smiling? This is one weird girl, he thought, were all girls like this? …One minute they're all innocent then happy and then all sad then they're happy again?
"What are you doing here?" she asked softly, plastering another smile.
"Stop smiling," he said harshly, "smile when you mean it." He crossed his arms and looked at her with disgust.
"Do I look bad when I smile? Is that what you mean?" She was so naive Kai swore that he would have hit her head a long time ago.
"No. You look fine when you smile-"
"Then how come you don't want me to?" she asked, despair written in her scarlet eyes. Is she toying with me?
"No, I want you to but—"
"But nothing. I'll smile whenever I want to smile!" Hiromi flushed, furrowing her eyebrows and planted her hands on her hips.
"Look, I want you to smile when you feel happy. I'm sure your mother would've wanted that. My mom too if she hadn't...abandoned, I mean left," his gaze went downcast.
"Your mom is gone too?" she asked, curious. Gently she pulled onto his arm and walked.
"Aa, dead. She left me when I was only two years old." He replied, as he followed her. "I try to forget about it though."
Hiromi stopped and glanced at him worriedly, "Forget your mother? Why?"
"My memories of my mother," he said dully, glaring at her. By then they were out of the forest and back to the grassy hill overlooking the clear Hijuri Lake. Hiromi let go off Kai and breathed in the fresh air. It was far better than being caged inside the castle and its walls of the former Hirosaki Castle, which was once her mother's. Collapsing down the grass, she sighed in relief, "C'mon Kai, lay down!" She laughed as if Kai had three heads. He stood as if he had seen a spirit… "Now I know, you are strange and hopeless," he icily spoke.
"Aw, quit being such a spoilsport and lay down like I asked you to," Hiromi groaned. Reluctant, he sat on the ground, a frown adorned on his face. Damn it, he thought. He swore under his breath for being more like a babysitter than a servant or a future-fiancé! He rested his head over his folded arms, and sighed and left the lilies next to him.
"Which one of your parents is of a foreign nationality?" she asked.
"My mother was from the north. She and my father met when she escaped with the Portuguese traders and arrived in Japan with all her things and some of her riches," he replied, "She was…one of a kind, my father would insist. The most caring woman in the world, the only girl I've ever loved."
"Wow," she muttered. "Why did she abandon you?"
Purely innocent, he thought, an innocent princess who knows no fear. To meet your true love…then marry that true love…and have a baby with your true love…then she finding out that her child was to destroy the lands, salvage the throne and murder the future emperor…what despair would a mother feel? What would the people do if they found out? They would murder her or burn her at the stake for being a witch- giving birth to him.
"She rejected me. She rejected with her whole body. She wouldn't look at me. She was always irritated…hysterical. I could tell she was broken to have me. My parents often fought and I always felt it was about me because I heard my name several times…One day, I told her to leave if she loved me and leave all the miseries behind. So she left. Father told me she was out in the fields and then I waited for her to come back. One day, two days…then three and soon a week passed by and there was no sign of her. I sat outside the gates with the guards…waiting. She never came back. A day later…we found her on the river. Dead. I could remember the smile on her lips and her lovely kimono, soaked in blood. She was happy to have left this world and entered the never world. Away from me…" his voice trailed off. He felt his eyes water and his mouth dry. He couldn't cry, not in front of Hiromi.
"I wonder if I really helped her. Sometimes, I blame myself for asking her to leave…but I thought it was for the best. My father had never lived it down. He accused me of her death…" he swallowed the huge lump in his throat.
Kai… she thought sadly.
"I want to forget everything about her and the bad memories." His eyes disappeared behind his bangs.
"I don't think there are any memories that are okay to forget. None," she sent him an apologetic smile. She took his hand and held it tight, "Live with all live your memories even if they're sad memories. Even the ones you'd rather forget. If you keep them without running away, someday you'll be strong enough to overcome those memories, even though the person wasn't there all your life…to be in your birthdays, attend your first Girl Festival, see your first picture that you drew or the first word in your wrote in calligraphy…I want to believe that…"
She cocked her head and leaned in to his shoulder. Surprised, he looked into her eyes. Tears flowed from her eyes and she was no longer smiling. She hiccupped and choked in her own tears and pulled onto his sleeve. She is too stupid to understand, he thought, finding comfort. She didn't understand at all…but her words touched his heart and made the pain go away. Hiromi revealed her grief…just in front of him and no one else.
He grabbed her by the shoulder and held her close, "…I also want to believe that…" he mumbled to no one, a sideway glance, and stroked her upper back. "I want to hold a memory in my heart and keep it…"
…Just for you…Hiromi, he thought. Maybe if he did it for him and Hiromi, he'd be stronger in no time. He closed his eyes and prayed for it to happen. They had something to share after all, besides a castle, a litter and the same courtyard. They would eventually share in each other's sorrow and comfort. Soon they would need to share their lives.
"Next time, when I'm around, you can cry as much as you want," he said. "I won't stop you."
She looked up to him, smiling still tears in her eyes, and choked in her tears, "You've got yourself…a deal."
"Hiromi-hime," a noble called her from behind.
"T-Takao, you're here," she said, a bit surprised and let go of the bluenette. The noble boy just stood there, anger shimmering in his maroon eyes, glaring at the phoenix. He held the key to the temple in his hand, just tempted to come and stab the Russian. Takao wanted to tell Hiromi the truth about his true title but it was too early though the only way to win her and Lord Yuki Naizen-no-jo Tachibana's heart. All the little girls would want the little boy…and it only took five words.
"It's you," Kai grunted, keeping his arms around her shoulders. He sent Takao a withering look.
"Can she come with me?" Takao sneered.
"No." He replied.
"Get your hands off her!" the noble ordered. Steam came off his ears, completely irritated.
Smirking, the phoenix replied, "I only comply to her. You have no right to order a noble with the same level as yourself."
'I AM NOT THE SAME LEVEL AS YOU!' was what Takao wanted to scream then pry his hands off Hiromi. "Oh? I have never heard Grandfather mention the Hiwatari name."
"Likewise, Kinomiya."
"You guys," Hiromi warned, "don't start."
"You wanna piece of me?"
"You're on," Kai got up and ready to fight.
"THIS IS NO WAY TO ACT IN MY MOTHER'S GARDEN! Takao-kun, he didn't do anything wrong! I was crying and—" Hiromi explained.
"—you were crying?"
"I am not anymore. I'm alright!" she eased a reassuring smile. She didn't want to cry in front of Takao or anyone else. She felt secure crying in front of Kai. He cared and gave her hope. He gave her comfort and gave just enough pity for her. She hated it when she was being pitied, she felt useless and too vulnerable.
"Just please, stop, and we can all go home."
Takao turned and walked away, feeling regretful for not reaching Hiromi sooner. Kai stuck around with Hiromi. He picked up his lilies, still beautiful and gave one to her.
"What's this?"
"For your mother, I never gave her anything." He said, nodding his head to the side feeling ashamed. With his hand, he wiped it on his kimono. He touched the princess!
"You'll have more chances," the princess reassured.
The same batallion met up with the group of five children, Hiromi and Kai while Hiromi's guards were allowed some rest. Takao approached one of the members, Kai noted, who was smaller than the rest of the samurai. The o-yoroi was loosely woven with blue and violet dyed leather. The small samurai reached for his helmet and pulled it off, revealing pale blue locks and slightly paler skin than Takao. The boy shook his head, the strain and weight of the helmet made his neck stiff, and looked below to the children. Kinomiya Hitoshi met eyes with the princess and nodded.
Kai held in his terror when Hiromi blushed furiously. Not that he cared...
"Aniki," Takao exclaimed breathlessly. "I didn't think you'd come along!"
The teenage heir smiled at his brother; he couldn't have been older than thirteen years. He steadied his horse as the younger Kinomiya approached him. "Down, Aka."
Hiromi held onto Kai's sleeve as the horse fussed with the reins and stamped. Kai glanced at his sleeve then followed Takao, with Hiromi holding on. The other boys did the same. Kyo kept himself at the very back, his head down.
"Good day, Onii-sama." Hiromi formally bowed. Hitoshi dismounted, his boxy armor clinking and left deep prints on the earth, and Kai flinched at their height difference.
Takao threw his arms around his brother's waist, who patted his nest of blue hair. Max tackled the brothers from behind, laughing. "Hitoshi-nii-san! How was your last mission?"
Groaning a bit from the heavy armor and two little boys grappling him, Hitoshi glanced over to smile at Max, "It was boring. I'm glad I have those meetings over with."
Rei kept his distance and shyly muttered a 'hello.'
After a few minutes, Hitoshi managed to free himself and caught Kai's menacing glare. The rest of the boys decided to play tag as the mounted samurai as the playing field. Unfazed by the gaijin, Hitoshi approached the pair.
If there is any boy I would willingly marry, it would be him. Hiromi bit her lip. She held onto Kai's sleeve tighter. But, I don't have a choice.
The teenager bent down on one knee, with a hand against his do and stared at the brunette. "How are you, my lady?"
The princess held out a hand to cup the boy's cheek and the other hand, freed from Kai's sleeve, landed against his forehead. In response, the boy smiled. Takao audibly scoffed.
I hate him the most. I've decided. Kai glowered.
Hiromi grinned, "You don't seem sick from holding up that armor." She didn't care about her tomato-red face. "I missed you, Hito-nii."
She looks different, the phoenix clenched his jaw. That emotion in her eyes was the same as when she admired her father or thought of her mother. She pulled the boy into a hug who complied.
Hitoshi glanced at the little boy next to her, "I'm here." He kept his hand light on her back.
"Not for long," she said sadly.
Hitoshi pulled back and revealed a small branch of dark pink azalea to the princess. "I saw them on my way here."
Kai looked down at his feet. What am I doing? Shaking his head, he pivoted his foot and began to leave. Rei patted the boy's shoulder and Kai briefly stopped.
"This is the second time I've seen you," Rei offhandedly remarked. "I'm Rei." He held out a hand towards Kai. Kai hesitantly took it.
"Don't-" Max cautioned.
"You're it!" the Chinese boy exclaimed, running far from Kai.
"Hmph," Kai grunted. "We'll see!"
"Aaahh," she sighed after drinking from her tea. Seated on her balcony, on a small tatami Hiromi watched the full moon and numerous stars in the purple sky. Near her toes was a thin vase with the azalea branch, flowers in full bloom.
"Hiromi-hime, please call me when you need more tea." Sadayo called, adding more wood into the hearth before exiting her room.
Her father and Lord Susumu were still gone on their trip over the other provinces, leaving Shishou, Shui-sensei, Sadayo-chan, Kai and her behind, excluding the other ladies and guards. Her home was quiet and lonely without her father to light up every room with laughter.
"We had a good visit today," she thought out loud, "I'm so glad I introduced the crude noble boy to you, Hahaue. He has a kind heart inside him, covered by all that hard armour he always wore. Because of him, I don't have to hold so much sadness in." She placed her empty cup down, her gaze lost in the scenery.
"But there is also Hitoshi-nii-sama. He brings smiles to people's faces...I don't think he knew what those flowers meant...'Take care of yourself for me.' He and I aren't lovers."
A cool wind tickled her cheek as she closed her eyes. Hands clasped in prayer, she meditated, Please watch over us once in awhile because I know Papa misses you. There is someone else out there for me. One day, he'll have to take care of me and ask for your blessing…
Minutes later…
Kai slowly slid the door open, checking onto the princess in her bedroom. He was exasperated from announcing his name thrice at the door to enter. It was a clear night, from what he could see from the opened shoji. He looked to where her futon would be. When he didn't find her there, he approached the balcony.
"Hn?" he muttered, "Why is she sleeping here?" There, was the princess in her black kimono and brown hair sprawled out on the floor. He came over her and poked on her head, "Hey. It's windy out here, you'll catch a cold." He shook her shoulder, gently, "Come on. Do I have to carry you in? You're probably heavy! Wake up!"
In response, she turned with her back on the ground and laughed, "Ha…AH HA HA HA HA!"
He placed his hand under his forehead and twitched, "She dreams like a little kid."
She was a little kid treated like a lady. She can't be blamed. How can she be so happy, even in her sleep?
He stared at her for a minute. How peaceful. Once she's out. She's out. He inched in closer to her cheek where he kissed her before and called softer, "Hey…"
Princess Aya had noticed his presence back in the shrine. He blinked. The Azalea branch wafted gently in the air while some of its petals littered the floor. Kai wanted to destroy it.
She is betrothed to me.
"I'm sorry for my poor behavior, Hime."
He ran his thumb along the side of her cheek.
Still sleeping…
The girl I'm eventually going to marry…
Just years away…
More cooties, still I have to go through…
He smiled. Cooties. Kai looked at his hand in amusement.
Gaze: (gets pies thrown at) I'm sorry but it's early. He's only eight for Pete's sake! She's only seven! Do the math! Please review and thank you for reading this!