Well, suddenly, the tab got closed out of nowhere, so attempt two at writing this! Also, I am such a disappointment, every chapter except for chapter five was WAY too short! So this time I'll try to make this longer, even if it's 10.000 words long! Anyways, on with the story!
It's the last day for the reunited gang in America. Quite early as well, 10 A.M. Of course, the gang had to make one last trip before everyone except Kitamura, Sumire, Max and Emily had to go back to Japan. As Emily suggested, they were all heading to the beach.
"Everyone was dressed in fitting attires for the weather, deciding to change into their swimsuits at the beach. Of course, Taiga had that idea. ''Soooo...what were you two shouting about yesterday?'' Max asks as Ryuuji gulps. ''Nothing special. About going home and stuff...'' Ryuuji answers as Taiga bites her lip and nods, trying to keep the fiasco they had yesterday hidden from the others. Of course, the dumb chihuahua had to butt in. ''That's bullcrap, I heard you talking about br-'' Ami says before Taiga suddenly shoves Ami aside a bit. ''Would you look at that, we're here!'' Taiga shouts as she rushes to the beach. ''Way to keep this hidden, you klutz...'' Ryuuji thinks while rolling his eyes and follows his girlfriend, the rest following immediately. Luckily, no one is around the beach today, even though the weather is really amazing. Must've been because it's not the weekend.
Everyone rushes into the changing rooms, changing into their swimsuits, but Taiga somehow took the longest. ''Uh, need some help in there?'' Ryuuji asks as Taiga simply smirks. ''No, I'm good, go join the others!'' She says as Ryuuji shrugs. ''If you say so...'' He mutters before joining the rest. ''Hey, where's Taiga?'' Minori asks as Ryuuji shrugs again. ''Taking her sweet time, I guess, not sure.'' He answers as Max looks around. ''Weird, Emily is taking her time, she's so punctual usually-'' Max says before seeing Emily in her black and red bikini which makes him trying not to choke on his own spit. It's obvious that he has never seen Emily in a swimsuit before. ''What's wrong?'' Emily simply asks as Max's face became crimson red. ''N-Nothing, you look...fine!'' He says, trying to keep it cool. Of course, his wording doesn't help and so he blushes even harder, if that was even possible.
Meanwhile, Taiga comes back as well, wearing the swimsuit she wore two years ago at Ami's beach house. ''Sorry, the system here was weird...'' She says as Ryuuji scoffs. ''Yeah, right, it's not that- Whaaaaaaaaaaaat the...'' Ryuuji says before looking at his Palmtop Tiger, his jaw dropping right then and there. There was something different in Ryuuji's eyes and he knew VERY well that he forgot the bra pads, what, with the disaster yesterday and all that. ''Eyes are up here, perverted dog.'' Taiga says in a stern tone, but she got the reaction she wanted out of her boyfriend, making her happy on the inside. ''Well, well, the glow up is real!'' Ami says with a chuckle which makes Taiga smile. ''A compliment, dumb chihuahua?'' Taiga asks as Ami rolls her eyes. ''Don't get too happy, yours are average at least.'' The dumb chihuahua directs at the tiger. During this conversation, Ryuuji and Max's noses were bleeding onto the towels they brought along. ''We got perverted boyfriends...'' Emily says as Taiga nods with a laugh.
After the two horndogs calmed down, Taiga has another idea. ''Well, I'm gonna go take a swim now.'' She just proclaims as Ryuuji looks up. ''But your swimming skills-!'' Ryuuji says as his Tiger simply jumps into the warm water, not even flailing around. ''Huh.'' Ryuuji simply mutters while thinking to himself: ''Damn, I really did hit a gold mine with her.''. Meanwhile, Ami just smirks. ''Hm. I remember when she wasn't able to swim on her own. They really do grow up fast.'' She says as Ryuuji glares at Ami. ''Give her a break, will ya!'' He says as the dumb chihuahua rolls her eyes. ''Chill out, why can't you ever take a joke...?'' Ami asks as Sumire scoffs. ''Enough, you two.''
Of course, Ryuuji doesn't miss the chance to rush into the water as well. ''CANNONBALL!'' He shouts as Taiga simply shrieks before getting splashed. ''Stupid mutt, what was that for?'' She asks before lunging at him, making Ryuuji catch her in his arms. Of course, that reaction makes Taiga blush softly. ''Not what I was going for, you know.'' She mutters as Ryuuji suddenly smirks. ''Wait, what's that smirk about- DON'T YOU DARE!'' The Palmtop Tiger shouts before shrieking as Ryuuji suddenly lifts her up. ''PUT ME DOWN, MUTT!'' She shouts out as the Dragon spins the Tiger around in circles.
''Know what's funny? We never saw them like this. Ever.'' Kitamura says with a chuckle as Minori and Ami nod in agreement. ''Exactly. Normally Taiga would kill him then and there.'' Minori says as Emily and Max laugh. ''Y'all told us they're together for two years now, right? Maybe the two years changed them.'' Emily says as Max snickers. ''Considering we're all lovey-dovey now, we probably could try to kill each other in two years!'' Max says as the fresh couple breaks out into a laughing fit. ''Watch out, maybe I'll just poke you in the eyes when you stare at others!'' Emily replies as the laughter continues. Meanwhile Minori just smiles. ''Yeah, about that...'' She simply thinks.
While everyone keeps chatting, Taiga's shouting turns into laughter as Ryuuji still spins her in circles. After a while, they somehow drift away a fair bit from the rest of the gang and land on the sand, panting heavily. Luckily, there still wasn't anyone around to see them. After they caught their breath, with Ryuuji on the sand and Taiga right on top of him, they start to look each other in their eyes. ''How did I get so lucky with you?'' Ryuuji asks with a dreamy expression on his face as Taiga smiles. ''Uh...remember when I almost erased your memory?'' She says as both chuckle. ''Best near-death experience of my life.'' The dragon says as they still stare at each other, Taiga's beautiful eyes meeting Ryuuji's cold, yet charming eyes as their faces draw closer and closer.
The fact that the Tiger X Dragon pair have been missing from the others definitely drew attention to the others, Sumire being the one looking for them. ''How can they both be so clumsy...Hope they haven't been eaten or kidnapped by anything yet...'' She thinks as she keeps walking along the shore, seeing a small figure on top of a taller one. ''There they are.'' Sumire thinks as she draws closer, seeing both Taiga and Ryuuji clearer. Only thing is: Pretty sure she wishes to unsee this soon.
The Palmtop Tiger and her Dragon have been kissing as they lay against each other, though this time has been was way more intense than anyone ever has expected: Their kisses were deep sure, but it was the first time they used their tongues on each other's mouth. ''What did I walk in on...'' Sumire thinks to herself in a panic. After they catch their breath, they finally see the former school council president. ''KANO?!'' Both scream in unison as they get off each other. ''HOW LONG WAS IT SINCE YOU GOT HERE?!'' Ryuuji yells as Sumire scoffs. ''Long enough to see you two going at it like never before. Whatever, let's get back to the others.'' She says as Taiga and Ryuuji stand up, following Sumire. ''One word about this and you're dead.'' Taiga warns as Sumire shakes her head. ''Not even to Kushieda?'' Sumire teases as Taiga growls. ''Shut up...'' She mutters as she bites her lip, Ryuuji not even bothering to look at anyone now.
As the gang gets reunited, everyone notices Taiga and Ryuuji being rather quiet. ''Dude, you okay?'' Kitamura whispers to Ryuuji who nods quietly, Taiga doing the same when Minori asks ''Hey, is everything okay?''. The reaction just makes Sumire smile and try her best to not laugh out loud. ''Can't say I didn't hate that though...'' Ryuuji thinks as his and Taiga's eyes meet again, both blushing harder and looking away. ''Okay, there's definitely something wrong with these two...'' Max says as the others nod.
This was the breaking point for Sumire: Usually she's very serious, but seeing this she just can't help but suddenly laugh hysterically. ''Uhhh...darling?'' Kitamura asks as Sumire grasps her sides from too much laughter. ''These two, oh my god!'' She says as Taiga gives her a death glare. ''Well, that topic is not over yet.'' Emily says as Taiga growls, suddenly blurting out: ''SO WHAT, WE MADE OUT!'' Taiga suddenly shouts, making everyone look at them in shock and making Ryuuji fall over. ''YOU SHOULD HAVE SEEN THEM, THEY WERE LIKE DOGS IN HEAT!'' Sumire shouts as her laughing fit still continues. ''I'm more surprised about the fact that she knows that idiom than the fact that they went at each other.'' Ami mutters as everyone starts laughing now, Ryuuji still sprawled out onto the sand in shock.
It has been five minutes and finally Ryuuji gets back up, glaring at Sumire. ''That really wasn't necessary, you know.'' He simply mutters as Kitamura butts in. ''Hey, I ship it.'' He says with a laugh as Taiga growls. ''Never thought I'd wanna punch YOU in the face...'' She growls at Kitamura who immediately grows quiet. ''S-sorry...''. Nonetheless, both the Tiger and the Dragon look at each other in a loving manner.
The rest of the day of the beach has been going on pretty casually, with everyone splashing each other, tanning and so on. The clock reads 1 PM as they get back to the house, chatting with each other per usual.
''So you planned this trip so you could see my reaction?'' Max asks in a shocked way as Emily giggles. ''Pretty much. And I got the reaction I wanted.'' She says as Max smirks. ''You're a tease...'' He says, Emily pecking him on the lips in return. ''And you love me for that.'' Meanwhile, Ryuuji turns to the Palmtop Tiger. ''Sooooooo...that was why you were all cool about the bra pad problem?'' Ryuuji asks as Taiga simply nods. ''My little dirty secret.'' She says as Ryuuji rolls his eyes. ''The last secret you had got me in a deep depression, you know. At least this secret was more of a good one.'' Ryuuji says, which makes Taiga blush. ''Perverted dog. You're lucky Max and Emily don't understand Japanese.'' She mutters.
As they are back in the house, Minori, Taiga and Ryuuji start cooking up lunch...well, Taiga doing her best at least. During that Minori suddenly sighs. ''Minorin?'' Taiga looks at her best friend, cocking her head. ''Don't you think it's kinda...sad that we're leaving America tonight?'' Minori asks as Ryuuji shrugs. ''Well, we could move to America, but that could be a lot of trouble, with the money and stuff.'' Ryuuji says. ''Meaning we have to get used to our sweet home Japan.'' He adds as Taiga nods. ''He's right.'' She says as she suddenly yelps. ''Ow, cut myself...'' Taiga holds her finger, some blood starting to leak. ''Crap, I'll get you some band-aid!'' Minori says, rushing to the storage room. She looks through every drawer. ''Come on, come on...''. The searching continues before something catches Minori's eye: The box.
''No way...'' She mutters as she looks around, prying open the box once she's sure no one is around. ''Woooow...'' She breathes out as she sees the ring. ''Takasu-kun...you will make my Taiga very happy...'' She says as Taiga suddenly yells out from the kitchen. ''I'M BLEEDING, GET YOUR ASS OVER HERE, MINORIN!''. After putting the ring back into the box, hiding the box and wiping away tears of happiness, she grabs some band-aid.
''S-sorry, the house is big...'' Minori excuses herself as she puts the band-aid on Taiga's finger, smiling at Ryuuji afterwards. Not sure what it was, but Minori's smile somehow told Ryuuji that she saw the ring, making him return the smile. Luckily, Taiga noticed nothing about this.
At lunch, everything has been going on pretty nicely, until Ryuuji asks something out of place. ''Uh, Kitamura? You said the plane is going to arrive at 6:30, right?''. Kitamura simply nods to that question. ''You're right. 6 PM is when we should be there.'' He says as Ryuuji suddenly smiles. ''Can we get there half an hour earlier?'' He asks as he gives Kitamura a knowing look, his friend nodding. ''You got it, bro.''. Once again, everyone who doesn't know about the plan to propose, meaning Ami, Sumire and Taiga doesn't understand what's going on.
After lunch, everyone who's going back to Japan starts packing. Ryuuji and Taiga are next to each other as they pack their bags, when suddenly they hear two voices behind them. ''Hey.'' A male and a female voice say in unison as the Tiger and the Dragon turn around, Max and Emily simply standing at the door to Ryuuji and Taiga's room. ''This is gonna be boring without y'all being around, you know?'' Max says, Ryuuji and Taiga chuckling as a response. ''Yeah, we'll miss you...'' Ryuuji replies as Emily smiles. ''Well, I actually had an idea...'' She says, giving her phone to Taiga while Max gives his phone to Ryuuji, both immediately knowing what to do and typing their phone numbers into their new friends' phones. ''That's more like it. So we'll keep in touch, you know?'' Max says as both the Tiger and the Dragon nod.
The time is drawing closer to 5:30 and everyone is walking to the airport. ''Kinda convenient that the airport is nearby...'' Ami says with a chuckle as Taiga smirks. ''Yeah, don't wanna get your paws dirty, chihuahua.'' The Palmtop Tiger teases as Ami rolls her eyes in an annoyed, yet amused manner. As they go into the airport, they start walking around, buying some souvenirs, trying food, doing everything they can before they should check in.
After a while, they see an outdoor courtyard, being alone as usual. The rest of the people in the airport must've been busy...well, checking in or drinking coffee inside or something, since only the gang is around.
Seeing that no one else is around, Ryuuji's heart begins to beat rapidly, looking at his Palmtop Tiger. ''Crap, how should I do this-?!'' Ryuuji thinks to himself as Kitamura ''accidentally'' pushes him, pushing the box with the ring outside of his pocket. ''Good job, dumb mutt, why do you keep a souvenir right in your jeans pocket-'' Taiga says as she was about to roast Ryuuji hard, yet she sees that it, in fact, hasn't been a souvenir. In fact, the name of the jewelry Ryuuji got the ring from is engraved on the box.
''It's happening...'' Minori whispers to Ami with a happy smile, Ami giving her a weird look since she doesn't know about anything of this.
''It's not a souvenir.'' Ryuuji suddenly replies and picks the box back up, making Taiga look at him in surprise. ''Ever since ancient times the Dragon and the Tiger have been the only beasts to be equal with each other. Two years ago, I noticed you were the tiger to my dragon. You love me for who I am, even though my life isn't perfect. Even though you have been gone for an entire year, the fire of my love for you still hasn't burned out, because that's the way it's always meant to be.'' Ryuuji says as Ami, Sumire and Emily, somehow Emily took the hint even though she doesn't understand a word, look on in shock, Minori cries and Max and Kitamura simply smile proudly at their friend.
''The point is...'' Ryuuji adds as he kneels down before his Palmtop Tiger and asks the question he has always wanted to ask: ''Will you marry me?''.
Taiga would simply stare on in shock as tears would start to form in her eyes. ''Stupid...Stupid mutt!'' Taiga says with a shaky voice as she runs towards him, giving him a slap to the face.
Aaaaaaand a cliffhanger. You might hate me now, muahahaha! The funny thing is, I almost cried while writing Ryuuji's proposal to Taiga. Again, just my opinion, your opinion counts more though! About the last chapter, I sort of had a writer's block right in the middle of it...hope I'll get over it soon though. Until then, stay healthy!
