Rikku: (Stares at hands in disbelief...) I'm... alive? Whoa, you guys didn't kill me! :) Yay! Now I can type more!!

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Rikku: This chapter will reveal the winner, so... enjoy!

Winter of Love

Chapter 18: Just Peachy

I continued to watch the smoke fade away slowly- as if it were trying to torture me with the wait, allowing the anticipation growing in me to eat me whole...

'Who won the fight...?'

The smoke was too thick to see through...

I trained my focus on the outline of the person standing, silently praying that it was Horo. I watched as another outline appeared, running over to the victor and lending him a shoulder to lean on as support.

They walked toward my direction...

'Did he...?'

The winner slowly came into sight with an arm slung over the friend that had helped him. He limped at a slow pace attempting to reach me...

I bit my bottom lip. "Oh, thank Kami-sama! (God)" I broke into a run over to the two, stopping only a few inches away, in fear of embracing him, in case it would have hurt him. "Horo... you won..."

Yoh, the person he was leaning on, chuckled. "Yeah he did, and now Kamui's the one laying limp on the ground."

Horo pulled his arm off Yoh to put his hands on his hips with a triumphant smile. "I won you from that kisama. (bastard)"

"But... Daijobu ka? (Are you okay)" I frowned. His lip was slightly bleeding and his right eye was still shut tight. The cut across his face had begun bleeding and that 'final blow' had produced numerous bruises on his face, arms, and legs.

"Daijobu, (I'm okay)" he nodded, stumbling slightly into my arms. "Just a bit tired..."

"I'll leave you two alone now..." Yoh grinned, turning around to leave. "Try not to work him up too much, Miho."

I watched Yoh leave as the smoke surrounding the area began fading away completely, leaving a clear view of the others. "You look horrible, Horo..."

"But I feel great!" he smirked as I helped him properly to his feet. "That lowlife, Kamui, will never lay a hand on you again!"

'Speaking of which...' I looked past Horo to see Kamui still laying on the ground, with no one but his father by his side. I felt a strong pang of pity as I watched him struggle to sit up. "Shiri-masen... (I don't know) I sorta feel bad..."

Horo narrowed his one eye. "Miho, that's the guy that put you through a living hell! How could you feel bad...?"

"I don't understand it either..." I shrugged, returning my gaze to my boyfriend. I stroked a finger along the cut on his face, until he winced slightly. I quickly withdrew my finger and wrapped one of Horo's hands tightly in both of my own. "You need medical attention, Horo... you're in no condition to even stand!"

"But you..." he frowned, bringing his free hand to my face to brush away a few strands of hair gently from my eyes. "...Kamui didn't hurt you too bad... did he?"

I rubbed the side of my neck that Kamui had held his dagger at, and felt a slight opening in my skin. "Well, he did drive that thing a little too deep into my neck... but it's nothing compared to your injuries, Horo, I-"

"I'm fine, I'm fine..." Horo interjected, a smile returning to his face. He opened his other eye. It was red and the skin around it was bleeding. "What happened to your dress? I liked it!"

"Ugh, you could hardly walk in that thing."

"Miho-chan!"

We turned to see Yoshiko trotting towards us with Akira following close behind. She came to a hault beside me. "How are you two doing?"

Horo shrugged. "Never been better."

"Miho..." I watched as Akira place his hand on my shoulder. "I didn't think Kamui was capable of doing something like that... I want to say I'm sorry... I was so worried."

"Father..." I frowned, releasing Horo's hand. 'Does he really mean it...? Father... did it take this much for you to actually care for me...?' "I'm okay... I don't think Kamui intended to hurt me at all... it was his love, after all, that blinded him... but," I turned to smile at the boy beside me. "Horo was there for me... and I handled it okay on my own, ne? (don't you think?)"

"That's right..." Akira suddenly turned to face Horo, sighing as a sign of difficulty. "Thank you... for protecting my daughter and making her happy... I can now see that her place... is truly with you."

"All in a day's work." Horo's smile grew wider. He watched me from the corner of his eye. "Besides, it's not the first time I've had to save your daughter..."

"Oh, spare me," Yoshiko rolled her eyes, groaning. "I don't think I can take anymore fluff..."

My jaw dropped in mock outrage. "Now, Yoshiko, no need to be jealous just because you don't have a man like mine..."

Yoshiko watched me with narrowed eyes as I pranced over to Horo's side, lending my shoulders for support, but at the same time, attempting to rub it into her face as much as possible. "Miho..." she grumbled through clenched teeth. "I think you've endured enough pain for one day... are you sure you really want to push your luck?"

Horo and I laughed. It felt so right to be doing things together again...

"Hey, everything okay over there?"

I turned to see Ayumi still beside Yuki's unconcious body only a few metres away. Anna and Yoh were beside her watching Horo and I closely. You'd think that after being reunited after so many weeks apart, we could at least have the right to do normal couplish things without having people complain at us or be bothered by it... (sigh)

"We're fine..." I sighed. "How's Yuki?"

"Still not concious." Ayumi answered, pulling out a celphone from her purse. "I think I should call an ambulance for her and your boyfriend."

"And Kamui." I put in, biting my bottom lip nervously.

"Nani? (What)" Anna raised a brow. "Why does he need our help?"

"Yeah," Horo nodded. "As far as I'm concerned, he can walk his own rich ass to a hospital."

"It's his and Seiji's own problem, anyway..." Akira grunted.

I sighed again. "I don't know... Kamui treated me well... occasionally..."

"Miho?" Yoshiko waved her hand in front of my face. "You do know who you're talking about... right? He's the guy you've been complaining about ever since you first met him... why the sudden change?"

"Well..." I folded my arms. "I think everyone deserves a second chance... even him."

"She's right," Yoh turned to look at Kamui who was still on the ground, except now he was sitting up. Seiji had left to go God knows where... and he was alone. "Hey, maybe you should talk to him."

"Yeah." I followed Yoh's gaze so that my eyes landed on Kamui as well. "I should."

Horo hastily grabbed my wrist. "Are you sure about this? Do you need anyone to watch your back?"

"Iie, (no)" I shook my head. "I'm okay."

Kamui watched me approach him with a sad glint in his eyes. I knelt down by his side and smiled. "Hi there..."

"Hey..."

"You were good... I mean, in the fight, that is." I could tell my attempt to cheer him up was going to waste, judging by his frown.

"You mean, minus the part when I held you as some kind of hostage... right?" He asked, avoiding my eyes as they trailed to the ground.

I placed a hand on his wrist, speaking in a soft tone. "You did it because you loved me..."

"But I hurt you..." he grimaced. "what kind of person does that to someone they love?"

"You didn't want to lose me-"

"But I did something like that!" Kamui's shout silenced me and I quickly retreated my hand away. "Miho... at that moment... I was desperate... I didn't mean to hurt you!"

"And that's why I'm here," I looked over my shoulder to see everyone else sitting around, but Horo was standing and watching me closely. I smiled at him and turned back to Kamui. "I want to tell you that's it's alright... I forgive you."

Kamui stared at me as if I were crazy, before finally speaking. "Miho..." he sighed and looked deep into my eyes. "I need to know...Right before the wedding... when I met you at Yoshiko's house, I was already in love with you... but the way you acted... did you...?"

I frowned. "Iie, (no) I didn't feel the same way, Kamui. I felt attracted to you... but I was never in love with you... gomen nasai. (I'm sorry)"

"I understand..." he shrugged, wincing slightly.

"Do you need help?" I inquired. "I mean, my friend's calling an ambulance... d'you need to get to a hospital?"

"How can you still trust me?" Kamui asked me, smiling. "After everything I've done to you..."

"Because you deserve my trust." I stood up and helped him to his feet. "Now, c'mon... let's go over to the others."

"Me? Over there... with them?" his eyes widened. "You're not serious."

"Hai, (yes) I am." I said. "They won't mind."

"And your boyfriend?"

"I'll talk to him." I grinned, taking a step forward.

Kamui sighed. "He's one lucky guy, you know."

"And I'm one lucky gal..." I paused as I blushed. "... to have him."

"But..." Kamui began, shaking his head and blushing as well. "you know I'll always feel the same way."

I pouted. "But you can get any girl... why would you keep on loving me?"

Kamui shrugged again, following me over to the others. Horo gave me a quick glare, walked over to my side, and completely made his point by pulling me tightly to his side with his arm wrapped around my waist. Yoh snickered and Anna rolled her eyes.

"Um... guys?" I glanced at Akira and everyone else. "You... don't mind if Kamui comes with us to the hospital... right?"

"Not at all." Yoshiko shrugged, turning to her boss next. "Akira-san...?"

"Where's Seiji?" he asked Kamui bitterly.

Kamui bit his lip. "He's left to get me help... I can go with him instead, if you'd like."

"Honto...? (Really...?)" Horo smirked, stroking his chin in thought.

I nudged him hard in his side. "No, you can come with us."

"Yeah," Yoh smiled. "You can always call your father up and tell him where you'll be... I mean, there's no point waiting- you're way too injured to do so."

Kamui nodded without another word. At that moment, sirens sounded quite loudly and Ayumi stood up. "Um... could anyone help me load Yuki into the ambulance?"

Yoshiko raised a hand. "I'll go."

I watched the two of them carry Yuki away, before my father spoke up. "I think I'll go find Seiji." he said bluntly, turning on his heel.

"Y-you won't hurt him, right?" Kamui asked quickly.

"Iie... I'm just going to talk to him and bring him over to the hospital..." my father nodded and left as well.

I sighed and leaned on Horo's side. "I'm so tired... I think I'm ready to go after all of this..."

"Go where?" Horo asked.

"...Uchi. (home)"

"I think we're all ready for that." Anna said nonchalantly, folding her arms across her chest.

"So... Kamui..." Yoh grinned. "I suspect you're not going to give up on Miho that easily, eh?"

Horo glanced at Kamui expectedly. He smirked. "No, I'm not."

I groaned. "Onegai... (please) not now."

Horo glared. "But you do know, that she'll never be with you, right?"

"Then, I'll settle for someone else," Kamui joked, turning to Anna. "Hey babe."

Anna groaned like I had, and Yoh quickly stepped up. "You're not settling for her either..." he slung his arm over Anna's shoulders again... this time, protectively. "Back off, dude."

Anna looked away, blushing a deep shade of red.

Kamui laughed and turned to Horo and I. "So... since HoroHoro won, you two are getting married, right?"

I gaped. 'Not again...' "Kekkon? (Marriage)"

Horo cleared his throat. "Actually... I don't think we're ready for that... yet."

Kamui shrugged. "You gotta talk to Akira about that."

"Then we will." I said, hastily. Horo nodded. We loved one another... but marriage was a bit of a big step, ne?

"Whatever..." Kamui muttered curtly, putting his hands in his coat pockets and walking away...

And I swore...

... I could still see that sad glint in his eyes.

Horo and Kamui had recovered within a night's stay and by then, I already had my bags packed up. Of course, we were still in the hospital waiting for Horo to be released. And, I guess you can say, having a certain amount of certain people altogether wasn't always the best treatment for a long wait and certainly not good for the patients who were still recovering in their rooms, with their doors open, might I add...

"No!"

"Yes!"

"Yuki, drop those things- IMA! (now)"

"But I need them Ayumi!!"

"I'll take them from you if I have to!"

"Nooo, I told you, I have to have more!"

"That's it!"

"Ahhhh!!"

"Miss, I'd really apprecite it if you didn't attack our patients or make such a scene in our hospital."

"Oh... sumimasen. (forgive me)" Ayumi said, blushing a light pink and bowing to the doctor that interrupted her feud with Yuki.

I sighed. Yuki had been given pills to prevent her from fainting again. Of course, Yuki was so worked up about it, she tried taking more than what was needed. Ayumi had been watching and tried stopping her at the last moment, but that only started a cat fight between the two... (sigh) We really never get a break, huh?

"Miho?"

I turned to Anna. She was standing beside a doctor who seemed to be filling out forms. "Hai?"

She gestured to the man beside her. "HoroHoro's doctor needs you to fill out some forms."

"Me?" I raised a brow. "Doushite? (why)"

"Because you're the only one here that has any kind of close relationship with HoroHoro." she pointed out matter-of-factly.

"Oh," I slowly stood up from my seat. "Right."

I walked over to the doctor and Anna returned to her seat in the waiting room beside Yoh. I had to look up to see the doctor- he was quite tall. "Um... you needed me?" I asked. I could have slapped myself because of how stupid I knew I sounded.

"Hai," the doctor nodded. He chewed on the back of his pen as he stared at the sheet of paper in his hands- as if re-reading it. He then looked at me and pulled the pen away from his lips. "You have a relationship with my patient, HoroHoro, am I correct?"

"Yeah," I tried to crack a smile. "I do."

He nodded again. "Your name is?"

"Miho Sugiyama."

"Okay, Miho-san, what is your relationship with HoroHoro?"

"Uh..." It felt kind of wierd... I mean, I wasn't family and here I was, filling out forms (orally) in Horo's behalf. "...I'm his girlfriend."

The man frowned. "Does he have any kind of family here?"

"Iie... (no) the only family he has that I'm aware of is his sister... and she's all the way in Tokyo."

"Okay, then you will have to do." he smiled. "Do you know the reason for HoroHoro's injuries?"

"Um..." Oh Kami-sama (God), what was I supposed to tell him? I sighed, deciding on the truth. "He was involved in a fight... a physical one."

"Did anyone press charges?"

"Not at all."

"Okay... it says here that he doesn't have insurance..." the man stated. "do you have any idea how much money the hospital will charge?"

"No..." I frowned.

"Well, let me tell you, a lot."

"Between the range of...?"

"Three-thousand to maybe even seven thousand."

I gasped. "Honto? (Really)"

"I'm afraid so." the man said, scribbling down a few words on the sheet of paper.

"Then..." a thought slowly brewed itself in my mind. Question was... was someone willing to participate. "I'll pay the bill for him."

"Excuse me?" the man looked at me in disbelief.

"You know who I am, don't you?" Great, now I was beginning to sound like an arrogant celebrity. "My father is Akira Sugiyama, I'm sure he can pay for a few thousand dollars."

"Yes, Miho-san."

"Charge it on his account." I said, slightly grinning.

"That will be all."

I watched the doctor walk away, and sighing, I turned around, only to find myself within a few inches away from someone's chest... I looked up. "Horo!" I frowned. "How long have you been there?"

"Long enough to hear your act of kindness." he smirked.

"You don't mind, do you?"

"Nope... I think it's really generous of you." he gave me a warm smile. "Thanks."

"Anything for you."

"Well," Horo looked towards the hospital's entrance. "Sorry to say, but... we're leaving now."

"Already?" I pouted.

"Yeah, Pirika called, she wants us home immediately, you know her..." he chuckled. "we can't delay."

"Does everyone else know?"

"Yeah, told 'em already."

"Then how come I was the last to know?" I frowned.

"...Because I wanted to personally escort you."

I sighed again. "Okay then..."

"Just getting used to Osaka, eh?" Horo inquired, wrapping an arm around my waist as we began walking toward the doors.

"Kind of..." I took in a deep breath. "But I think I'm ready to go home."

We walked out of the hospital, Horo slightly limping with a few bandages on his body, and stopped before all the assembled people there- clearly here to say 'goodbye'. Akira had called for two limos to take us back and the chaffeurs were waiting by them.

"I'm gonna miss you!" Yoshiko cried, running over to hug me tightly. "Oh, you were the greatest friend ever."

"I'll miss you too." I chuckled. "Thanks for everything... for understanding me and being there."

"You're gonna make me cry!" Yoshiko squealed.

"Good luck everyone!" Yuki chirped, shaking Yoh's hand. I could faintly see the cylinder shaped container that once held a fair amount of pills, half finished.

"Take care you two!" Ayumi trotted over to us, grinning- she was speaking to Horo and I. "And call me, okay?"

I nodded. "I will."

I watched as Akira hesitantly walked over to us. "So you're not going to get married, huh?" he smiled, putting a hand on Horo's shoulder.

"Nah..." Horo shrugged. "Not until we're a little older."

"And we'll invite you, Akira, don't worry." I smiled. It made me glad- glad he could be there for me now... that I could trust him again and he wouldn't try ruling over me again... he could be a real father now.

"Miho..." the man frowned. "there's still one last thing I need to ask of you."

I raised a brow, almost fearfully. "What is it?"

"Please... call me father, once again."

I frowned- oops. I mentally kicked myself. How stupid could I have been to have forgotten that. "Of course, father..." I bit my lip before stepping closer and embracing my father tightly. "Yorokonde. (I'd be happy to)"

I pulled away from the hug just in time to see Anna and Yoh climb into one of the limos- alone. 'Let them be...' my mind told me. 'They've clearly made up during my time away...'

"I guess we'll be sharing our own limo..." Horo grinned, wrapping my hand in his. A dirty glint flashed in his eyes, but he quickly shook his head and chuckled to himself.

The chaffeur came over and opened the limo's door for us to get it. I turned to walk over to it, before a voice stopped me.

"Miho, chotto! (wait)"

I turned back around to see Kamui run out of the hospital, with a bit of difficulty- take note of the cast on his leg-, stopping in front of me and bending over as he panted. Horo watched him suspiciously. "Kamui... what's wrong?" I inquired.

"I couldn't let you leave without saying goodbye." he smiled, straightening up.

"I almost forgot..."

"Well," the boy's smile grew wider. He bit his bottom lip and glanced around to look at everyone before looking back at me and leaning in closer...

'What is he...?'

Time seemed to stop itself again as I felt him kiss my cheek softly and retreat back even slower, now grinning from ear to ear. I felt my cheeks burn hot... "W-what..."

"Kamui..." Horo warned, his fist shaking uncontrollably. He took a step forward, glancing at my shocked expression, to Kamui's grin and back. (Rikku: Heh, this almost reminds me of the whole Inuyasha/Kagome/Kouga situation...)

"Sayonara (goodbye), then." Kamui said, completely ignoring Horo and taking a step back. "I'll come and visit you, okay?"

"Um... o-okay..." I nodded, absent-mindedly. I could faintly hear Yoshiko and Yuki giggle, but then again, my mind seemed to be operating funny at the moment, so I didn't exactly know.

It took a moment before Horo spoke up again. "C'mon Miho, we're leaving." he grunted, pulling me into the limo and allowing the chaffeur to shut the door after us.

...Silence...

"Horo..." I began, breaking the silence. "I-I'm so sorry... I didn't know he would have- I-I was so shocked... I didn't know what to do, I-"

He sighed loudly, interjecting my- well, stammering. "Don't be... that Kamui's just a jerk." he stated, silencing himself again.

'I can justify that...' I smiled inwardly. 'But he can really flatter a girl...'

I watched as he stared out the tinted window at Kamui's retreating back- he was walking back to the hospital. I watched my father leave as well and Yoshiko and the others stay back to continue waving like a cheerleading squad.

My last look at Osaka...

The limo began slowly driving away, and I relaxed into my seat as I watched, through the window, the grounds of the hospital whiz by. "I'm going home..." I whispered with a tone of satisfaction.

Horo put an arm around my shoulders. "Yeah... I'm sure everyone will be thrilled to see you again."

"That reminds me..." I turned my head to look at him. "Why aren't they here?"

"Well, Yoh wanted to keep it strictly between the people who were really involved in this. He and Anna came because-"

"Because they know Aki- my father..."

"-right, and I came because, well... I had to... I needed to see you again."

"So I guess you didn't live up to that last statement, about you 'waiting for me', huh?" I giggled.

"I guess not..." Horo smirked. "But it doesn't matter now..."

"So... how did you get to Osaka?"

"We took the train... how else?"

"Ah, so that's how my 'Romantic Rescue' started... with a train..."

"What did you expect?" Horo was watching the outdoors through the window without a sign of emotion.

"Shiri-masen... (I don't know)" I brought my knees to my chest and wrapped my arms around them. "But that doesn't matter either... I'm just glad you came."

Horo sighed and turned from the window so that our eyes locked. "And I'm just glad I can be with you again..."

I looked deeply into his eyes as he put a finger to my chin, lifting my head slightly. I put my legs back down when I realised what exactly he was doing. "Horo..."

I watched as our lips moved closer together so that it was only a matter of seconds until we...

Horo's lips touched mine for the first time and I could already feel a blush tingling my cheeks when the feeling began to actually sink in. Completely lost, I allowed my body to think for itself. I kissed back without hesitation, bewildered and unable to think intelligibly. 'Horo... oh my God... our first kiss!!'

As soon as it began, the kiss ended, with Horo being the one withdrawing from it. My blush burned hotter and I quickly looked away. I heard Horo sigh contently and felt him relax into his own spot on the comfy seat. Glanced back, I could see Horo looking out the window again with a satisfied grin. "W-what was that all about?"

"What, you didn't like it?" he looked back with his grin growing wider.

"No, that's not it. I mean," I took a deep breath. "sugoi...(wow)"

"Our first kiss, huh?" he stared ahead without actually acknowledging what exactly he was looking at. I could tell by the dreamy glint in his eyes.

"Yup..."

"And, hopefully, the beginning of more to come." Horo grinned.

"Yeah, hopefully..." I agreed, cuddling up to his side, and shuting my eyes as I lay my head firmly on his shoulder like I had long ago...

A whole month...

That was how long I had been without him...

How would I have done if the time had been longer?

I felt my eyes water up and without warning, tears made their ways down my cheeks...

I had never cried unless it was for Horo...

My eyes still shut tight, I felt his warm hand brush away my tears as he propped his chin on the top of my head, holding me even tighter. "Don't cry..."

"I'm so sorry... Horo, it was too long... I couldn't handle it..."

"But you did... and we're back together again..." I could almost hear him smile. "Everything ended up okay..."

"I know..." I opened my eyes slowly to look back into his. "We're really something together, ne?"

Horo chuckled. "Yeah, we are..."

I lifted my head higher in order to kiss his cheek. "I heard you locked yourself up in your room after I left."

This time, he was the one to blush. "Yeah, I did... so what?"

"So, that's how you faired without me... kinda flattering, when you think about it."

"Haha... so how did you do without yours truly?"

"At least I'll admit that I was..." I paused and frowned, just realising what I was saying. "miserable."

"Hmn... doesn't matter 'nemore," Horo layed back. "Things turned out great, if you ask me."

"You're right..." I nodded, smiling again. "Things are... perfect."

As long as I'm with you, that is...

I knew if I waited you'd come...

I knew that our love would prevail... as long as our trust was strong enough...

And that kiss told it all...

Things did turned out great...

Because I'm back in your arms...

Because I'm back with you.

Things are...

Just peachy.

Rikku: Tadaa! Yay! They're back together again, and rest assure, they'll be more chapters to come.

Hear that?

'Tis not the end!

It was pretty long if you ask me...

Anywho, I hoped you liked it, please review!! See, I told you guys there'd be a happy ending to the whole Kamui saga! :D Thanks for reading guys! Stay tuned for more chapters!

Dewa Mata!

x-Rikku-x