Kate wore a dark blue night gown as she made up her bed and hummed happily. Luckily, she had just passed out from exhaustion last night, and it didn't hinder her recovery. If anything; she felt better than ever.
I'm finally going home. I'm finally going to see you again.
Cutter knocked before entering. "You know you don't have to do that." He closed the door behind him.
Kate smiled at the knight. "Good morning! I know, but it's the least I could do..." she bent over and flattened out the wrinkles with her hands.
Cutter couldn't stop his thoughts as he stared at Kate's backside. He imagined what she would-
Cutter snapped out of his trance as Kate stood in front of him, staring curiously at the pink gift bag he was holding.
Kate poked at the bag. "What's this?" She blushed, knowing it was probably for her.
The General blushed in return, shoving the bag towards Kate. "I couldn't find one exactly like it, but it was the closest one they had." He walked towards the door. "I'll let you get changed first." He slammed it behind him in a rush.
Kate slowly opened the bag, pulling out a long white dress similar to the one she had been wearing that day.
The difference was that it had butterfly sleeves and a sweetheart neck line. It was beautiful.
He really is sweet.
Kate stepped out of the room, taking in her surroundings for the last time.
Cutter was taken aback when he saw her. The servants had curled her hair and did her make up. The light coming in through the windows highlighted her beauty.
Wow.
She walked up shyly to Cutter. "Thank you for the dress. It's even nicer than the one I had to be honest." She smiled.
Cutter looked away. "Yeah, sure. Anyways, you ready? I think Kaku is outside waiting for you." He was relieved his bitterness didn't make it through.
Kate felt her heart race once Cutter mentioned Kaku's name. "Yes!" She began to walk towards the front.
Cutter waved a hand as he walked back towards her room. "Alright then. I'll see you around."
Kate pulled on his arm. "Wait, you're not going to walk me out?" As excited as she was to see Kaku-she felt somewhat sad to be leaving.
The General shook his head. "The guards will escort you out. I have to finish off some paperwork before I can leave."
He gasped as Kate hugged him around his waist. "Uh.." he placed a hand on her back, his face a bright red.
Kate closed her eyes. "Thank you for everything. I'll be seeing you around, so no need for a long goodbye." She released her arms and shot him a smile before walking away.
Cutter cleared his throat. "Yeah, see you around, kid."
Kate laughed slightly as she looked at Cutter before turning the corner. "By the way. You're not selfish. Far from it."
Before Cutter could reply- Kate was gone.
Was she...
While Kate's body had given in last night- she was still conscious. She had heard everything Cutter had said.
However, she had no recollection of the moment before.
Cutter smiled, already looking forward to seeing her again.
Kaku waited anxiously outside the gate. He wore a grey suit with brown shoes and an open white dress shirt. It wasn't his usual style, but the shop keep said it suited him best. He wanted to look nice for Kate.
Although he did see her that one time in the castle; it was so short that he didn't count it as anything. He had been without her for almost 2 months.
Kate's heart raced as she exited the castle entrance.
Just a few more steps...
What if Kaku wasn't there? What if he wasn't excited to see her?
Please...
Kaku's jaw dropped as he saw Kate walk out. "K-Kate..." The fact that he thought she had died, her dress, her hair, her makeup, and her smile- she truly looked like an angel.
Kate smiled. She hadn't seen Kaku in so long, let alone dressed up. Tears began to well up in her eyes, and as if her body had a mind of its own- she started to run. "Kaku!" Her tears started to flow freely, wiped away by the wind across her face.
Kaku started running to Kate, panicking halfway through when he calculated that at the speed they were both running at..
We're going to crash!
Before Kaku could stop himself, Kate leapt up in the air and hugged him around his neck. He instinctively wrapped his arms around her waist, staying in that embrace for a moment before slowly lowering her to the ground.
She looked up at Kaku and he laughed before wiping away her tears. "Kate, I didn't think you'd be so sad to see me!" He grabbed a checkered handkerchief from his breast pocket, handing it to Kate.
Kate carefully dabbed her eyes, not wanting to ruin her make up. "I'm sorry. I really missed you." She looked away, trying to control her sniffles.
Kaku sighed happily. "I missed you too, Kate." He examined her body, noticing she was still much thinner than before. "Say, how about we go for a nice bite to eat? My treat." He shot her a wink.
It had been so long since Kate and Kaku had gone for dinner, that she couldn't contain her excitement. "Yes please!" She started to think of where to go, but was interrupted by Kaku grabbing her hand.
He smiled down at her. "I know just the place!" He gently pulled her along.
Kate looked down sadly. "Oh, um, Kaku...there's no one around so, you don't have to do that." She slowly let go of his hand.
Kaku grabbed her hand once again, but this time intertwined their fingers. "That's fine. I just want to." He squeezed her hand 3 times and continued walking.
Kate was left in a happy state of shock.
What's going on?!
Kaku took Kate to a restaurant that floated on the water. From an aerial view, the restaurant was shaped as a heart. The only way to get to it was by row boat, and it could only fit 10 diners at a time.
The inside was just as glamorous. Dark marbled floors were accented by hanging golden chandeliers and red round tables by candlelight. It was all extremely romantic.
They started their dinner by talking about what Kaku had been up to at work. Kate also asked about the kids in the orphanage and . She was glad to hear they were all doing well.
Kate then told Kaku about what happened that day. She then told Kaku about her recovery. "I was surprised that Cutter stayed with me the whole time. He's actually really sweet once you get to know him." She ate a forkful of creme brulé.
Kaku stabbed a piece of his sponge cake, managing to hold himself back from showing the jealousy brewing inside of him. "Well, I would have been there too if he would have let me, ya know!" He pouted slightly as he chewed.
Kate laughed, but stopped upon realization.
Wait... is he jealous?
After dinner, they walked back towards the inn. Kaku held her hand once again, squeezing it three times every now and then.
Kaku suddenly stopped, hitting a palm against his forehead. "I have something for you, but I don't have it with me." He groaned.
Kate shook her head worriedly. "Oh don't worry about it! That's so sweet of you but you didn't need to get me anything!" She felt guilty that he had gone through the trouble of finding her something.
He looked at her apologetically. "Are you okay if we make a stop?" His heart raced, hoping she wasn't too tired yet.
Kate nodded. "Of course!" She held in a frown when he let go of her hand.
Kaku sighed happily as he picked her up princess style. "The Mountain Wind Express has expanded to Monogatari! Hang on tight, miss!" He breathed her in, the smell of her bringing back memories from Water 7.
Kate buried her face into his chest. It had been so long since they were last like this. She hugged his neck, and felt her body relax completely in his arms.
I'm finally home.
Kate fell asleep shortly after Kaku took off.
It was already evening when the shipwright landed. The area was extremely dark except for one light...
He stared at Kate, not wanting to wake her up just yet. He moved a piece of hair from out of her mouth before stroking her head.
My own Earth angel.
He continued stroking her head. "Kate?" He stopped as soon as she opened her eyes.
She looked around, her eyes adjusting to the lack of light. "What the...where are we?" All she could see were tree tops faintly lighted by the moon.
Oh my gosh. I knew it was too good to be true...he's going to kill me, isn't he?
Kaku chuckled as he lowered her onto her feet. "Well, what do you think?" He looked at her anxiously.
Kate fixed her hair as she continued to look around. "Oh, how did I miss that?!" They stood in front of a medium sized cottage, with white tones and brown wooden framing. The door was also brown, with 3 square windows upstairs and one beside the door. "Where are we?" She looked at Kaku, still unsure of what he was planning.
He took her hand and placed a key inside of it. "We're home."