Hi, everyone! i'm sorry that i have not updated in a long while it's just that i havn't been in a writting mood over my summer holidays, probibly because i had no roteen to my day. but not that schools back and i have my entire morning in a computer class i'm most likely looking at some free time in fron of a computer with only half the net avalible to me. but i make no promisses.

i have one little announcement that i want to make before i get into answering your reviews:

I have finially found a BETA reader for this story. so all say thanks to Dilandau-is-my-boy-friend.

so... yes you guessed it. NO MORE SPELLING MISTAKES! (i hope...) any way, cohocolate chip cookies and milk all round in celibration.

mic- glad i could make you laugh

The Winggoddess - srry nothing i can do about it now...

Keitorin - i like compliments, they're so much better then flames... i like him too, just wait till you see what he does...

Dilandau-is-My-Boyfriend - i cannot thank you enough for doing this.

Baka Deshis - once this story is complete i am thinking about going back through it to fine tune the begging chapters since i'm basicly making this up as i go...

TheElvenHanyou - i like that line too. it was in my head for a couple months to tell ya the truth.

mysisterthinksimasquijum - why thank you

nlightnd - my thoughts exactely

Natsuko Nishi - i'm glad to here that you enjoyed it that much. but i don't think that Kurisu would fit as well as you may think... (i shall tell you in the next chapter)

tear-drowned-angel - glad you enjoyed it, and i will try to update sooner

Yana5 - don;t we all

Macky - hiiiii

Blitz KriegHerr - now that i stop and look at it. it's really western dilog in an eastern setting... meh.

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Chapter 36: "Are Ye Worthy?"

"Now, my worthy advisory, we shall see if ye are worthy for the fair Maiden's hand in this holy matrimony that ye speak of." The fair Maiden in question just rolled her eyes at his dramatics and carried on with her conversation with the remaining friends, standing off to the side. His opponent one Van Fanel was dressed in a newly fitted white beginner's gi, merely took his stance raising his sword in a "striking" pose. "Now then." Kurisu continued in an over confident, dramatic way. "As I do not wish to have your death upon my conscience. I propose that our duel follow the rules and regulations used in International tournaments." Another nod, "Where as the aim to win is not killing one's opponent, but disarming him, or her" he nodded his head respectfully in Hitomi's direction. "of their weapon, and pinning them, where they are at your complete mercy."

He wasn't sure why he felt the need to explain the rules of a regulated duel. Maybe it was in the way his opponent stood: poised on the balls of his feet ready to go at a moment's notice. Or maybe it was the way the black-haired stranger held his sword, with both hands griped around the blue hilt. It was not the awkward grip of someone just starting. Not even like the semi-confident way most intermediates held their swords. No-this man standing before him holding the ancient-looking sword in the grip of one who has held a sword for many, many years; heck, if it was still a sword any more; but a deadly extension of his arm.

But Kurisu had no doubt that his opponent, Van Fanel, would not hesitate to kill him.

Van merely nodded his head indicating that he understood and accepted the rules.

"En garde." Started Kurisu, going into a classic dueller's stance, side-on to his opponent, sword-arm bent with the blade at the ready, back arm raised in a graceful arc, hand dropping from the wrist in open demonstration that no dagger was held in reserve. But unlike the thin swords used in fencing, Kurisu held a simple sword that he referred to as "his long sword". His opponent had not moved from his original pose, with both hands gripping the worn leather around the hilt of his sword. Its deadly looking tip pointed steadily at Kurisu's heart and he felt his heart pump faster, as if the blade was a hungry and agitated viper looking for its next catch.

He had not expected the agility that the raven-haired youth held…he was charging at Kurisu like he truly meant to kill. It was all Kurisu could do to move his sword to block the attack, which pushed him, back an inch or two just from the blow.

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"Now, my worthy advisory, we shall see if ye are worthy for the fair Maiden's hand in this holy matrimony that ye speak of" Hitomi just rolled her eyes. Leave it to a Soap Star to be as dramatic as he could be. And she hoped that Van wouldn't hurt her eccentric friend…too badly.

She was standing with Maketu, Frank, Miruton, and their teacher, Master Kirijini. Her three friends were sizing the two fighters up and placing bets on who would win the childish fight.

Hitomi absently started to roll the pendent –that Van had given back to her before they left- between her fingers, as her nerves started to get the best of her, while she waited for Kurisu to finish all his explanations. She was surprised to find that she had really missed its comforting weight around her neck, these past few years.

Maketu noticed this, "Hey that's a really nice pendent, is it new?"

"Oh, This?" she asked, "NO, It's not new. It was my grandmother's, it's a good luck charm."

"Oh really? I've never seen you wear it before."

"Well…" she blushed, "I gave it to Van the last time we saw each other."

"Like a love token?" teased Miruton winking at her, which caused her to blush even more.

"Your Grandmother's pendent?" their Sensei asked.

"Yea."

"May I?" he asked, and held out his hand.

"Of course." She slipped the long gold chain over her head and placed the trinket in his callused hands.

Nimble fingers traced the chain, then slowly over the teardrop shaped jewel, telling him the information that his eyes couldn't.

"May I speak to you privately in my office?"

"Al…right." Was her hesitant answer.

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"Who exactly is our guest, Hitomi?" he asked bluntly, not knowing how long the volutes outside would leave them to talk.

"He is Van Fanel, Sir."

"Yes, yes, you have told us that, m'dear. But a name alone does not make a man." He handed back the necklace. "You know full well that I was a close friend of your mother's. What I haven't told you is that she –your mother- has told me stories that she learned from her mother –your grandmother- about a world where you can see the Earth hanging in the sky…the place where that pendent came from. Now, I ask you again, who is that boy?"

There was a long pause before Hitomi spoke. Master Kirijini waited patiently, knowing that she was just finding the right words to describe the man in question.

When she found the words, she looked him straight in the eye; "He is Van Slanzar de Fanel, King of Fanelia…on Gaea."

"And you're not really married yet are you?"

They both turned to ward the door, to find that they were not alone. Maketu, Frank, Miruton, Kurisu, and Van all stood by the door.

"W-w-w-what?"

You're…not …yet…married…yet…" Kurisu repeated slowly as he came into the little room.

"Why do you think that?" Hitomi asked, hoping that she didn't sound as nervous as she felt.

"I know so." He told her. And seeing her look of disbelief he explained. "When you introduced him you didn't speak in your usual 'this is the way it is, so there's nothing that you can do to change it.'

"No, you spoke like the way you used to; 'this is what I'm saying it is, so this is how it's going to be, eventually.' Therefore, you are not yet wed in holy matrimony, but you will be soon."

"Why did you lie to us, Kanzaki?" Miruton asked.

Hitomi sighed and closed her eyes, 'why can't I ever keep a secret from these people?' "I have my reasons."

"Awe, come on…" Kurisu wined, "couldn't you give us a little bit of credit?"

"How much did you hear?"

"All of it." Frank said.

"And do you believe it?"

"Of course." Maketu told her.

"But why do you believe?" she asked them.

"Because Sansei knows about it."

"Exactly." Hitomi pointed out. "If I had walked in here and told you all that my new fiancé –someone you've never meet- was some guy from another planet that science hasn't discovered yet…" She slipped the pendent back over her neck. "Your first reaction would be to call my brother and tell him that he was right and ask him if he could send his friends from the Asylum to come and get me. You wouldn't even think to ask Sensei."

The four looked at each other, at Hitomi, over to Van, then back to each other. "You know… she may have a point there." Miruton pointed out.

"Yeah." The other three agreed.

"Well, no matter." Said Kurisu, breaking the sombre mood. "One way or another, we believe you. "

"When you first started coming here, we all agreed that you were very different then the rest of us –not counting obvious anatomy parts."

"And…would you consider have a wedding here on Earth, for us humble commoners?" that this last remark Kurisu swept down in a low bow, and stayed like that hiding his face from her.

Hitomi looked over at Van, making eye contact for the first time since she knew that they were all standing there, and silently pleading with him to say yes, but knowing that they did not have much time at the moment.

"If" Van began, "it can be arranged before we have to leave tomorrow night, then it would be my honour to have you all as our witnesses."

Happy would be an understatement at what Hitomi felt at hearing those words…being able to have a wedding with her friends and family -even if it was a little after the fact- would be wonderful. For she could not fathom being able to plan a whole wedding in just one night? With the getting of, a cake, a dress, priest, chapel, food, tux, favours, flowers, and reception hall. Not to mention sending all the invites out to her friends. But that happy feeling dulled when she saw the look of pure scheming, on Kurisu's face when he stood up.

He turned to Van; "How does tonight sound?"