The proposal:
"You want to marry Fena I see…" Elder Yukihisa said as he looked at Yukimaru who was practically on the floor begging at this point. "Yes sir…. I love her and I can't imagine myself at this point without her by my side. I please ask you for your blessing elder grant me the permission to take her as my wife." Yukimaru said. "The fact you guys were allowed to come back should be your blessing alone. You all just happen to be lucky that the elder is so kind to forgive you lot for your betrayal and the only saving grace was that you found the artifact and delivered it to us. You owe Shitan your gratitude for that much little brother and the elder most of all. Don't you think you're asking of too much and so soon?" Kei said as he sat there off to the side.
Yukimaru's eyes widen and he said, "I… I understand that I am being selfish but whatever blood tied her to her cursed family line is a thing of the past. Finding Eden set her free from that she's just a normal girl with no memories at this point. Even so, I still love her and I want her by my side. If you won't grant me the blessing then I'll take her and exile myself off this land for good. I'm not using this as a threat but we've come so far from this and don't you think I should owe it every one to man up and start my life with someone? I just want to be happy these ten long years were enough punishment don't you think?" Yukimaru said still keeping himself lowered to the floor to show he meant this from the bottom of his heart.
Yukihisa just stared at Yukimaru and he said, "Please rise." Yukimaru slowly sat up and the elder stared him straight in the eyes saying, "You've grown up well these past ten years it seems Yukimaru. No more are you the scared little meek boy who was afraid to fight with a sword. You've grown quite a backbone I see and I've taken your words to heart. But you are still young and naïve and lack some manners." Yukimaru's head lowered and he had a feeling it was going to be a no fighting back a wave of emotion he braced himself for the worst. The elder continued by saying, "Despite this, you have a heart of good and I'd be a fool to ignore something you're so passionate about. As such you have my blessing to go forward with the marriage to Fena Houtman but you better thank Shitan for this as well."
Yukimaru's eyes went wide and Yukihisa smiled saying, "He's often told me how you're just over the moon with that girl, and only she seems to get through that thick skull of yours. He too came forward asking me to grant you my blessing when you came to ask me yourself. So I've been thinking on the matter for a while behind every strong man is an even stronger woman. Now go on and propose to her as you see fit we can discuss more on the ceremony later."
Hearing a noise outside the doors Kei raised a brow and Yukimaru stood up and swung it open causing not only the twins to fall in but Karin fell in on top of them. All three of them scattered and Yukimaru was steaming he chased down Kaede tripping him first as he cried, "Yikes help me you guys he got me! Ow ow ow, my arm!" Yukimaru smashed his face into the floor and Shitan appeared saying, "Your comrades have forsaken you Kaede your sacrifice should not be in vain." Makaba appeared and did a solemn silent prayer for Kaede as the guy cried, "I'm too young to die help me!" Yukimaru smashed his face into the floor for one good last measure before he let the guy go and turned looking at Shitan who backed away. "Oh my, that look you're giving so scary," Shitan said nervously smiling.
Yukimaru bowed toward him suddenly and said in a soft voice, "You have my gratitude Shitan… I will never forget you did this for me…" Yukimaru's ears were actually pink and the others gathered around as he stood up straight Shitan smiled and said, "No need to thank me just be happy…" Yukimaru nodded and looked at the others and even though they grate his nerves at times he could not have asked for better friends. "But how do I propose?" Yukimaru asked and everyone nearly face-planted at that remark.
"Wow you really are out of touch Yukimaru first you need a ring!" Karin said. "A ring is that how it is done?" Yukimaru asked confused. "Yes come with me we're going to have you pick up the best rare metal we have and forge that ring!" Karin said grabbing his wrist and pushing him along.
"Aside from a ring, you need to come up with a good area to take her to and then maybe have some flowers alongside the ring before you ask her to be your wife. I've read a lot of romance novels and girls love these sorts of things. A ring with flowers along with a promise to be theirs forever more. You can learn a lot from these sorts of novels so thankfully you got me. Now, which would you prefer gold or silver?" Karin asked as they entered the smithy. "Silver seems more her style it makes me think of her former appearance before Eden was found. Gold is way too flashy perhaps a stone to center it as well?" "Let's dig and see what we can find maybe a moonstone perhaps a diamond if we can find one," Karin said as she dragged out some bins. "Sorry to interrupt but Fena is looking for you guys it's dinner time you might want to go to her before she finds out about your project you two!" Enju said appearing.
"Always at the worst possible time fine let's go eat and leave the ring design to me Yukimaru. I'll whip up such beauty in two days tops you'll need protective eyewear just to gaze upon that ring." Karin said puffing her chest out proudly. "I'll trust you with it then," Yukimaru said and the two of them head out. Seeing Fena setting out servings with Tsubaki she smiled saying, "There you are Yukimaru you vanished for a while now and had me worried. It's time to eat let's dine yes?" Yukimaru nodded and sat down next to Fena and the two sat side by side eating their meal together.
Shitan whispered something to Tsubaki who did a double take and a smile broke out on his face when he heard the good news about the elder's blessing. "Open up Yukimaru I made this try it," Fena said and the man leaned over letting her give him a bite of the dish. His eyes went wide and he said, "It's good…" "Really Tsubaki taught me well it seems," Fena said smiling. "She's a better student in cooking than Shitan I have to say I am happy to teach her," Tsubaki said. As they finished up the meal Fena was going to help with the dishes but Tsubaki shooed her out saying, "Go with Yukimaru take an evening walk to enjoy the summer air."
Fena walked out and saw Yukimaru talking with Karin as their voices were low she couldn't make out what they were saying. Yukimaru looked up and said, "Any way that sounds good Karin I trust you'll handle it." He came over and took Fena's hand and Karin smiled seeing the two walk off they stopped as Brule was dragging the twins by as they had been playing fetch with the fluffy dog. Going out to the gardens the two of them sat on a bench side by side and watched as the fireflies came out. Yukimaru held out his hand and stayed completely still. Fena watched in awe as a firefly floated down and landed on his finger. A smile came across her lips and she rested her head on his shoulder her eyes closing content.
The woman could not be any happier as she spent a good portion of the evening with Yukimaru close to his side before they both head on to bed when it got late. At sunrise, Yukimaru and Karin were not at breakfast as Tsubaki set aside food for them and ended up sending Shitan to the smith instead of Fena. The man walked in and saw Karin flashing paper after paper of ring designs and Yukimaru shook his head at nearly all of them. "So none of these here's my final last ditch effort I see you want this one to be special. I present to you the braided band it does practically weave like a braid." Karin said. "I see you guys are hard at work I see that design seems nice it basically seems to symbolize the weaving of love between you two." Shitan said and Yukimaru looked up and he said, "This design works Karin thank you…" "You can't skip meals you'll make Tsubaki said so he sent me here to bring your food," Shitan said setting their bowls down.
Yukimaru took his bowl and chopsticks only to see the face in his meal looking at him. "Fena's doing she wanted to greet you with a smile so she's getting creative with her meals. See even your breakfast is happy to see you." Shitan said stifling a fit of laughter. "So as long as she made a couple of primates for the two banana munchers that drive me bonkers," Karin said rolling her eyes. Yukimaru ate his meal quickly trying to ignore the fact that it had been staring at him weirding him out. Fena meant well but still, it was jarring to see your breakfast grinning at you.
"Yukimaru have you decided on a stone to be put into her ring if not I might have something that you might like," Shitan said looking at the man. "We were thinking of mother of pearl but what do you have in mind," Yukimaru asked. "I'll give it to you when I fish it out. But I have a raw amethyst you can have it's a lovely purple." Shitan said as he took their empty boys. "Happy designing you two I'm going to drop these off and oversee Fena's arrow shooting." Though Yukimaru stood up and said, "I'll go to her as well I heard the twins they were going to teach her how to use a short sword. I'm a little worried they might not be able to hold back." He then nodded at Karin who said, "Time to get to work I'll have it ready by nightfall."
Going out to the archery grounds the twins were already there watching Fena shoot her daily quota of a hundred arrows. "What's the count so far?" Yukimaru asked coming to sit next to the two. "Seventy-nine so far ah there goes eighty she's slowing down though!" Kaede said. "At this rate will she be able to hold her sword her hands must be raw," Enju said. "Let me sword practice with her you two can't hold back," Yukimaru said. "What that's not fair we need to teach her too Yukimaru!" Kaede complained.
"What the heck you know we hold back with women if anything you're the one who'd hurt her," Enju said but Yukimaru gave them a dark stare and they backed up and a thump was heard when Fena's bow bonked Yukimaru's head. "Be nice it's fine they can teach me Yukimaru. You know how they are with women and it looks like I won't reach my one hundred in one go my hands are on fire. How can Shitan do this daily?" Fena whined softly.
Yukimaru took Fena's hands and looked at them and said, "You're blistered let's bandage them up before you start with your sword practice." Enju ran off to get the first aid kit and handed it over to Yukimaru and he went to work cleaning off Fena's blisters his hands gentle as always. "Eventually my hands will become calloused like yours Yukimaru. It's strange to think really I never thought I'd pick up any sort of weapon." Fena said softly. "In my honest opinion, I wish you'd just stop training altogether Fena. You're a beautiful girl I have no issues with fighting to protect you. Seeing your fair hands like this worries me in more ways than I'll admit." Yukimaru said and Fena's eyes went wide. Her cheeks actually turned pink as he finished wrapping her fingers and said, "Yukimaru… I…" She was pulled close in his arms and the twins both whistled.
Though one glare from Yukimaru had them back away and Fena said, "I appreciate the sentiment than at least let me train to protect myself. If I can do that much when and if the time ever calls for it I'd feel like I accomplished a goal in my life." Yukimaru pulled away and said, "You're up monkey's go easy on her or I'll kill you." "You don't have to worry Yukimaru we mainly block and evade for her sake!" Enju said. "Yeah what Enju said we could never raise our weapons on Fena," Kaede said. "In that case, I'll show you the proper stance to use your Nodachi and you can assault the twins as much as you like," Yukimaru said and both Kaede and Enju drew their swords getting into position.
Copying Yukimaru's posture and stance Fena got into position as Yukimaru said, "After me." In one swift moment, Yukimaru had kicked forward and swung down striking Kaede's blade. Kaede got sent flying and Fena did the same to Enju and landed on her ass after being blocked and bounced back. "Jeez would it kill you to go easier Yukimaru that strike could have messed me up." Kaede said flipping onto his feet. Yukimaru said, "You can handle it, you weakling." He then pulled Fena up and Enju said, "You should try the two-step technique instead Fena. " "Two-step technique?" Fena asked confused. "You kick forward as you did now on Yukimaru's follow strike down and then slash upward disarming your opponent. But you need more force I could block your hit with one hand. This is a good technique to render your enemy useless by disarming them."
Fena looked beyond confused just trying to comprehend all that and Yukimaru said, "Let me show you." "He's all yours Enju I am not losing my arm!" Kaede said shoving his twin forward. "What you've betrayed me Kaede really fine let's get this over with I'll use both hands for my own sake," Enju said getting into position. "Now watch Yukimaru closely Fena," Enju said as Kaede backed off to the side. Yukimaru got into position once more and kicked forward the sound of the metal was heard clashing. Enju had to dig his heels to avoid being sent sliding. Yukimaru then swung his blade slashing upward and Enju yelped as his blade went flying from his hand. It hit the ground behind him a few feet away and he fell on his ass. Yukimaru had his blade at Enju's throat to show he had won. Fena smiled and said, "I see now it makes sense."
"Ow I got burns from the roping of the sword when it was ripped from me you're brutal Yukimaru now I see why Kaede wanted no part of being your opponent," Enju said rubbing his hands together and wincing. "You guys are so strong though I could never hope to have the fraction of strength you all have," Fena said. Footsteps were heard and Shitan appeared saying, "I see you guys have been keeping busy. Nice movements Yukimaru I saw your last demonstration from across the area impressive as always. Did you meet your quota of one hundred arrows today Fena?" "No but I'm getting better I think once my hands become a bit rougher I'll be able to acclimate myself and not be sore from shooting the bow so much," Fena said.
"I see well practice hard you'll be a whole new league better if you do. Kaede and Enju the elder requested you come to see him. As for me, I think I'll go relax for a bit have fun you lot." Shitan said walking off. The twins scurried off after that and this left Fena and Yukimaru alone. Yukimaru took Fena by her hand and held her close. "You had such beautiful delicate hands and soon they'll be calloused from training. Even so, the rest of you shall stay fair and beautiful to me always…" Yukimaru said softly. Fena blushed and rested her head against his chest.
By evening Karin had pulled Yukimaru to the smithy and said, "Shitan dropped off the amethyst earlier this afternoon now that needs to be polished and carved but the band itself is done." Holding it out in her palm Yukimaru took the finished band and saw it was weaved beautifully and even had a groove in it to set the gem once it was done. He smiled and said, "It's beautiful so far Karin. I know she's going to absolutely love it. I still need to figure out the flowers any advice on that from your novels?" Karin seemed to be lost in thought and said, "Either roses or camellia flowers are the best to represent your love for someone. You should decide between those two and figure out which suits Fena best. You got a spot in mind to propose to her?" Yukimaru nodded and said, "The west cape of the island overlooking the ocean. I'll have her meet me there tomorrow evening before sunset if you think the ring can be done in time?"
"I like a good challenge I should get to work grinding that stone then," Karin said giving a thumbs up. Yukimaru nodded and said, "Thank you." Come morning Karin had shown up for breakfast with dark circles under her eyes and everyone had a feeling why. But Kaede laughed and said, "Karin you look like a raccoon with those dark circles." He got nailed in the face and Karin went right for her breakfast concerning Fena but the girl didn't dare to ask. Once Karin had eaten she glanced at Yukimaru and left and once Yukimaru had finished his breakfast he went to the smithy. He saw Karin there and she looked up before grabbing the finished product. Presenting Yukimaru with the ring Karin said, "It's a beauty is it not." Yukimaru was speechless and he had never seen such a fine ring as he took it in his hand.
It was just right in her opinion and Karin said, "Does it please you Yukimaru? I have to say it's the best design I've come up with yet." Yukimaru nodded and he said, "It's perfect. I can't wait to ask her. I've decided on camellia blossoms to propose to her with. Now then we need to get the others together and I'll need all of your help to pull this off. Let's have a group meeting immediately and we can discuss how to lead Fena to the given location where I'll be waiting for her." "You got it let's do this," Karin said. As everyone gathered together after much discussion they had planned out every aspect of who'd be where in order to bring her to Yukimaru. After that, the meeting was dismissed and the next day went by without any incident. Come evening Fena had shown up for dinner only to find Tsubaki nowhere to be found and she was confused as it was usually mealtime around now.
"Tsubaki are you there I'm here to help you with dinner!" Fena called. Tsubaki appeared and said, "Oh hello Fena today is kind of hectic I think we decided to skip dinner but I got a favor to ask of you. You mind delivering this to Shitan for me?" Handing a basket to Fena the man said, "It'd be much appreciated he's the only one who opted to eat so I made it to go." "Sure I can do that let me go find him," Fena said as she took the basket and headed in that direction. Going to the archery area she did not see Shitan anywhere and she found Kaede and Enju horsing around. "Hey, you guys have you seen Shitan I was told to bring him this," Fena said holding up the basket. Both twins looked at each other and Enju said, "Why not ask Karin she was last helping him with his sword and they were both last seen at the smithy!"
Fena bowed saying, "Thank you both of you." She then walked off in that direction and entering the smithy she saw Karin hard at work drafting blade designs." "Hey, Karin have you seen Shitan I was told to deliver this food to him. It seems he's not here though," Fena said looking around. "Last I was told he was going for a walk in the garden I'm sure he'll be there if you look," Karin said turning from her rough sketches Fena headed on in that direction and found Makaba sitting on the bench in the gardens and no Shitan at all. "My goodness how big can this island be that I can't find one man," Fena said shaking her head.
"Are you looking for Shitan I believe he went out that way a while ago Fena?" Makaba said pointing to his left by now the sun had started to set as Fena hurried in that general direction. As she walked up the winding path out to the cape overlooking the ocean the woman froze seeing someone standing at the cliff edge but it wasn't Shitan. It was Yukimaru. The man turned and Fena saw him holding an array of camellia blossom flowers as he smiled saying, "You came…" Fena wasn't sure what to say but Yukimaru walked forward and gently plucked the basket from her hands setting it down. Handing her the flowers then gave her a gentle kiss on the right cheek. Fena found herself blushing she was speechless.
The woman felt a fluttery sensation in her chest and she smelled the beautiful flowers wondering what was going on. But she'd be answered about that quite fast as Yukimaru got down on one knee. Meanwhile, the others were well hidden in the area watching the two and Makaba whistled saying, "Smooth he's good." "Are you sure we should be here spying on them it doesn't feel right. "It's fine we're here to give Yukimaru our moral support!" Enju said. His twin nodded and Shitan said, "Hush it's getting to the good part, you guys."
Everyone went back to watching as Fena said, "Yukimaru I… what is this?" "Fena for the longest time since we were separated due to the incident involving the hope I never once stopped thinking about you," Yukimaru said. He then continued saying, "I know you don't remember what happened and everyone here including me has done everything to make you feel like you belong. Each day we've spent together has been the happiest day of my life. I cherish our times together and I always have and always will. Now there is something vital I must ask you and you alone."
Yukimaru pulled out the ring presenting it as he said, "Will you do the honor of being my wife Fena." The others watched with bated breath as Fena's eyes went wide and she was speechless. The woman swallowed she didn't know what to do after being asked so suddenly but she finally calmed down. He wanted to marry her and how could she refuse? Nodding Fena said, "Yes I will."
Yukimaru hugged her close after that and slid the ring on her finger. The others were cheering as they popped out from the sidelines and Fena just held onto Yukimaru saying, "You guys were acting weird and now I see why." Fena said smiling. "Well when Yukimaru came to us asking for us to help guide you to this point, how could we refuse he's our friend after all," Karin said. "Now as for dinner let's get this Oceanside picnic started yeah you still got the basket right Fena?" Tsubaki asked.
Kaede and Enju spread out a blanket as Yukimaru handed the basket to Tsubaki and they all sat around eating together. It was times like these that Fena cherished the most and she couldn't be happier as she sat there with everyone eating.