Shuichirou observed his wife for a while, inside the private cemetery of her family. The sun was setting on the horizon and she was sitting on the grass in front of Ren's tombstone. After everything that happened, he was buried without any ceremonies. His body was beside their father's grave.

Oishi got close to Kaori and touched her shoulder.

"It will be night soon. Let's go back and have dinner. You did not eat anything for the whole day."

"I am feeling like a failure." She lowered her face. "I never wished for such a thing to happen to him."

"I know." He kneeled down and hugged her. "But there are things you cannot control."

"I do not think I can look at Sakuno-san for now."

"She was just protecting Ryoma-kun."

"I know. It is just… he was my brother after all. We shared the same blood even before we were born. I wonder if there was something else I could have done for him."

"You did everything you could." He kissed her face. "Let's focus on the future from now. Muramasa is going to be fine because of you. You should be proud of yourself."

She stood up and touched the cold stone, the purple hair in front of her eyes.

"I do not feel proud at all." She said, quietly, before starting to walk away from the place.

Shuichirou took a deep breath and started to follow his wife.

############

Ryoma watched the night sky from the opened shoji of his room at the Muramasa's castle. He was unable to rest for the whole day and ate briefly, not leaving his wife's side.

After Sakuno killed his brother, she passed out on the sand. It was like a switch was turned off inside of her mind. He ran to his wife and held her, calling her name. She opened her eyes that were scarlet again and she whispered his name before falling into a deep sleep.

Putting his hand over her belly, he was finally able to feel his daughter kick inside his wife.

"I am so glad you two are fine." He held Sakuno's hand. "I was so worried."

He kissed her forehead and inhaled the smell of her hair he had missed so much.

"Please, wake up, Sakuno." he whispered. "I am here waiting for you."

###########

Ryoma encountered Shuichirou on the front garden. He was drinking some sake by himself, sitting on a bench.

He smiled at his brother-in-law and offered him a cup.

"Can't sleep either?"

"Yes." He sat down and took the sake Oishi offered in one gulp. "I feel like a sleep walker. I am so tired, but I am afraid something will happen to Sakuno if I close my eyes."

"I feel the same." He took another cup. "But Kaori was able to sleep. She was exhausted."

"How is your back?"

"It is healing just fine. I have a great doctor, you know." Ryoma was the one taking care of his wounds on the past days.

"A great doctor that has no idea of what is going on with his own wife." He said, sadly.

"Kaori told me what happened. So, she can use her scales as protection?"

"It was the first time I saw such a thing." He took a deep breath. "There is so much I do not understand and it makes me so frustrated."

"Aren't all relationships like that?" he smiled gently at his brother-in-law. "There are things we only found out along the way. No matter if they are human or mermaids."

"I think you are right."

"Is the baby okay?"

"Yes." He finally showed a little smile. "Even with everything that happened, she is moving properly. This pregnancy is making me reconsider everything I thought I know. Usually human babies start kicking around the 5 month but she is moving a lot, even being so little."

"Everything will be fine. I am sure." He poured another cup to himself and drank it slowly. "Soon we will have little feet running around the castle."

"My feelings didn't change, Shuichirou-san." He looked at him seriously. "I do not want to be Muramasa's lord."

"What?" he was really surprised.

"I just agreed with Kaori so we could overthrone Ren, but… I have no desires of staying on this place. Especially when our child is born."

"Can I ask you a favor, Ryoma-kun? Could you wait a little to talk to Kaori about this? After everything that happens, she…"

"Of course. Do not worry. Since I need to take care of my wife. I already gave her all the administrative duties for now. She already has many burdens and things to take care of." He stood up and placed the small cup on the bench. "Well, I need to return to Sakuno's side. Good night, Shuichirou-san."

"Good night. Try to rest a little."

"Thank you."