This is the last chapter.

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ITADAKIMASU! :D

Chapter 6: The dagger

"Have I ever thanked you for all this, milady Ayase?" Aizawa asked me; his eyes full of hope as he repeated that sentence for the fifth time that day. I couldn't suppress a smile.

"Only about ten times…" I said back. Someya smiled at me, her dark eyes shining with happiness. I wondered how it felt to be pregnant. Probably awesome. The thought that your own body could create life and family, made even me felt wonderful.

I stirred in my tea one more time before taking one big gulp. It tasted sweet… too sweet and I wondered where they got the money for this tea…

"It's all thanks too the chickens you gave us. We are able to pay food and better belongings. The three of us now have a place to sleep." he said and I could admit that the big bags that once were under his eyes were now almost fully disappeared.

it made me feel even better then I already felt.

"Mommy…" a voice said. Her long blond hair was still up in a ponytail and she gave me a flustered and rather scared look.

"What is it, darling?" Aizawa's wife stood up, holding her daughter's hand.

"There are people on the street…" she whispered towards her mother. "They're holding torches and yelling… I'm scared mommy." the girl hugged her mother tightly as her mother lifted her up. She gave her husband a scared look. He looked at us, a little spark of guilt in his eyes.

"What's going on?" I asked.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you, your highnesses." he said with a trembling voice.

"The village has been… planning a revolt. Not against the two of you… against the princes." his hands were trembling. Someya gasped for our loudly and stood up.

"What are they going to do?" she asked.

"The sun's shining but still they're carrying torches… I think they'll use it then." he whispered. "I wanted the two of you to be safe. That's why I invited you to come here in the fist place."

"…You mean- but you…" I didn't know what to feel anymore. He knew about them attacking the palace? But Kanou-san was there… and Kuba-san. Everybody I grew to love lately. I stood up in a hurry.

"We have to help them!" I said, standing up together with Someya.

"But… we can't stop them all!" Aizawa-san yelled.

"I don't care. I don't want to lose my family again… how would you feel if your wife was there?" I asked. He looked away from me. I was disappointed in him. How could he do this? I knew that Kanou-san could be a jerk sometimes but… I shook my head.

"We have to go." Someya said. I nodded. Her face looked over worried. I guess that being pregnant of the person that's in danger even felt worse. We ran out off the house, ignoring the useless pleas of Aizawa and his wife to let us stay there.

We didn't see anyone out on the streets, which probably meant that everybody was already on their way to the palace. I couldn't help but start to run.

I knew that Someya-san was right behind me and that a pregnant woman should not be doing something like running, but I had to go home. I had to save Kanou-san.

People were surrounding the entire castle, but were silent, holding the torches tightly. It was like nobody dared to take the step.

I knew I couldn't just force my way through the crowd, they would notice me and probably hurt me. Someya seemed to think the exact same way but it didn't hold her back. She ran towards the crowd, pushing every living soul out of her way and I quickly followed. Weirdly enough, nobody seemed to notice us. Everybody was pushing onto each other and it probably seemed like we were just a part of them.

When we finally passed the crowd we found our ways into the castle. This was it, we had to find Kanou-san as soon as possible.

Kanou's dark eyes were smiling with the thought of me. He sat on the throne, waiting for his father to arrive and tell him that they would get married. When the door finally opened he noticed that not his father entered, but Yamato-kun.

Kanou didn't know what to feel. He felt angry at the boy for touching me but at the same time, who wouldn't touch me? And anyway we were about to get married!

"Your highness." Yamato said, bowing deeply in front of Kanou. "Please don't blame Ayase-sama. It's entirely my fault. He didn't do anything."

"'He'? You know Ayase's a boy?" he asked.

"Yes, I do, sir. But it was pretty hard to notice." Yamato smiled at Kanou and for one time in his life, Kanou couldn't do anything else but smile back.

"You're forgiven. Just don't let it happen again. I won't let you. In case you haven't heard yet. We're officially getting married."

"I know, sir. Congratulations."

"Thank you." he smiled again. "Have you seen my father?"

"No, milord. I think he's in his room, should I go get him?"

"Yes, please." Yamato made another small bow and turned around to leave the room, a wicked smile plastered on his face.

I couldn't figure the first place where to go. As I ran through the hallway I lost sight of Someya-san and with the loud sound of breaking glass, a first lit torch fell right behind me inside of the castle. With a little scream I fell onto the ground, feeling a terrible ache in my hip.

As I stood back up again I ran on, ignoring the still aching place. He had to be somewhere? Maybe inside of the bedroom? No that's not it… my breathing became heavy and as I finally figured he could be on the throne I quickened my pace. I could hear glass breaking behind me and the loud screams of all the people starting to invade the castle was also audible. Guards were running passed me and every time I asked where Kanou was, they just ignored me so the only thing I could do was run on.

With a loud bang I ran into someone, and again I felt the ache in my hip. When I looked up I saw Yamato in front of me. He gave me a stunned look.

"Ayase…" he whispered. I pushed him away.

"Where's Kanou-san?" I asked. He gave me a shocked look, avoiding his eyes to my waist and looking at the spot that was still aching terribly.

"You're bleeding…" he whispered, kneeling in front of me. Again I pushed him away.

"Answer me! I'm fine! Where is Kanou-san?!" he looked rather shocked but looked away.

"I don't know." he said and I could feel myself panicking.

"Go help the other guards… I'll go and find Kanou-san…" he gave me a look.

"I should come with you, to help you find him. But please, Ayase-san. Let me take care of the wound."

"We don't have time… it might already be too late!" he smiled at me but this time it wasn't the smile that showed me love.

"Why are you so worried about him?"

"What?"

"Why aren't you happy that I'm safe? You would send me out to battle, but run away with Kanou-sama? Trust me, if he's really a prince of this kingdom, he's already fighting along with the rest. So the only thing you can do is let me take care of the wound and let him fight."

"But they're after him… I don't want him to die!"

"But you do want me to die?" he asked, setting a tight grip onto my wrists and he pushed me against the wall.

"Here's some news for you, Aya-chan." he said as he licked my neck. "He'll die. If it's not by the invasion, it will be because of me." he stared into my eyes.

"I hate him. He has everything I don't have. A throne, a family, you. Not even you will ruin my plans." he took a look around before pressing his lips onto mine.

"Nnn…" when he removed his lips he placed both of my wrists in his one hand and covered my mouth with the other. He forced me into a small room, locking the door behind us and finally removing his hand. I could feel myself fall onto a soft blanket.

"Be really quiet for me, Ayase…" he whispered and again he kissed me. I couldn't help but to feel disgusted and scared. I wanted to scream, but there was no chance anyone could hear me from here. I could feel his hands ripping my dress, so that the wound was now in clear view for him. He also removed my wig, throwing it onto the floor.

"I like the real you a lot more…" he said and he ripped a piece of cloth from the dress to bind my wrists together above my head, against the wall. I could feel myself shiver. I was freezing but at the same time I didn't feel cold at all.

He pressed his lips onto the wound, licking every drip of blood away and holding my legs open. This was awful. I was unable to move and he was touching me everywhere. Sooner or later the palace would be on fire and I would be unable to escape.

"Now…" he said, ripping another piece of cloth from my dress and placing it over the wound. "… be a good boy and be quiet." he took out a knife from his pocket and held it in front of my face.

"You promise you'll be quiet?" he asked. I could feel myself not and a first tear escaped from my eye. He grinned wickedly.

"That's a good boy." he said, licking my ear once more and than removed himself from me fully. He opened the door, and smiled at me. And at that time he seemed like the Yamato when I met him for the first time. The Yamato who was kind to me and told me that my secrets would be safe with him. I was afraid that his secret would also stay with me. I would never be able to save Kanou-san now.

"Kanou-nii!" Gion yelled at his brother who turned around as soon as he heard his name.

"What is it?" Kanou asked, seeing the panicked face of his brother.

"There's an ambush on the castle! We have to hurry and get out of here!"

"Wait… what?"

"The villagers hate us, you know that, and know they… they started… a revolt. We have to go!"

"We're is everyone? And where's Ayase?!" he asked, in a sort of panic. Gion just shook his head.

"I don't where he is, nii-san. But Misao is waiting at the escape tunnel for us with our parents."

"What about Homare?"

"He's looking for Someya."

"I should go look for Ayase too!" he said.

"Nii-san, if he's in the village, he will be safe!"

"I don't know that. Where's Homare?"

"I want you to be safe." Gion gave his brother a look. "Promise me, you'll come back safely…"

"I will. I promise."

"Homare's looking for you. Just like I was. I don't really know where he is, but he's inside of the castle." With that Kanou turned around, running further and further away from his youngest brother. Gion sighed deeply. He knew that both his brothers had only a small chance of surviving. And they all did it just for love. Deep down he wished he would once find that love too. With a smile he turned around to find his parents at the safety tunnel.

I could feel myself shiver and I wanted to sleep more than anything, but if I fell asleep now, I would certainly not survive. I tried to pull my wrists back, but was unable to move. I couldn't even sit up because of the aching pain in my hip. I had to yell for help… I had to! But what if Yamato heard me before Kanou or somebody else did? I promised I wouldn't yell… he threatened me with a knife. I'm sure that didn't mean he would be kind to me. Still, I had to try…

"KANOU-SAN!!" I yelled and coughed right after. I felt terrible and could feel myself shiver even more.

"KANOU-SAN!!!" I repeated and I heard my voice tremble because of my endless cries.

"Kanou-san…" I whispered now. "Please save me…"

Kanou felt a cold shiver down his spine as he ran through the hall. It was as if he heard me yell his name, but somehow it was impossible. When he stopped to look around he found nothing but an empty hall. Nobody around. Not a soul. Where as the commotion then?

"Kanou-san?" Kanou quickly turned around at the sound of a female voice and he saw Someya standing in front of him.

"Oh god." he said, holding his sister in law tightly. "Please tell me you have Ayase with you." Someya held him back.

"I'm sorry. We were separated. He was out looking for you." Kanou stopped the hug in a quick reaction and noticed his brother standing behind Someya.

"Where is everyone? Please tell me they're all right?" Kuba asked Kanou.

"I don't know. They took the safety tunnel. You two should go too. I'll go and find Ayase."

"I'm letting you go alone!" Someya replied. Kanou smiled.

"You two have to be safe. Do it for Ayase. Just go." Kanou placed his hand on Someya's cheek. She let one tear slip and kissed the palm of his hand while placing her hand onto her abdomen.

"Please be safe." she whispered against the palm as Kuba held her hand and they both ran away. Kanou sighed.

"Damn it, Ayase. Where are you?" he whispered and as he turned around he ran on, missing the third cry of me calling him.

When Kanou ran around the corner he noticed a whole bunch of villagers being held back by guards. The windows were all broken and fire had started to burst out. As he held his hand in front of his mouth he looked around, hoping I wasn't there.

"Your highness!" Somebody yelled and when Kanou turned around he saw Yamato running towards him.

"Your highness! I found Ayase-san!"

"You have?! Where?" Kanou yelled back. Yamato made a sign at Kanou

"Please, follow me." he said as he ran in front of Kanou, happy his plan was about to work.

I really had to open my eyes. I had to. Falling asleep was the one and only thing I couldn't do, but even though I wanted to yell, my voice didn't cooperate. My breathing became unsteady and I could see Kanou's face in front of me. They say that right before you die, you see your life passing ahead of you. Maybe that was happening now. I didn't want to die.

I felt a bright ray of light onto my face and forced my eyes open. I saw a dark shadow in the doorway and I was frightened that Yamato would have returned. Somebody called my name, somewhere in the distance and as the person standing in the doorway appeared closer I moaned softly.

Dark brown eyes right in front of me. I could see dark brown eyes.

"Ka…nn…" I whispered.

"Yes, Ayase. It's me. You're safe." he said as he held me closely against him. I could hear his heartbeat. I sniffed his smell while wondering how he found me. God, I was so happy he was there.

"Thank you, Yamato… thank you for finding him…" Kanou whispered towards me. I could my heart skipping a beat. Yamato? No… No! we had to get away! I pushed Kanou away from me as hard as I could, but it still didn't have so much effect.

"What is it, Ayase?" he asked me and he put me back down, placing his hand on my forehead.

"Ya… mma… nnn…" I had a too big headache, I was tired and unable to speak.

"Yamato?" he said and as he turned around Yamato appeared inside of the room. He pulled out he little knife that was inside of his pocket. Kanou held me tight, standing up with me in his arms.

"What's going on?" Kanou asked. "Step aside, he has to be taken care of!" Yamato only smiled again.

"I can't let you go. This is a part of my plan. Put Ayase back, now." Yamato pointed the knife at Kanou.

"You won't hurt him. You love Ayase." Kanou said. Yamato grinned loudly.

"True, but I hate you more then I love him. Put him down, or he's dead too." Kanou sighed deeply, placing me back where I was. But I understood the situation and held onto his neck tightly. I didn't want him to let me go.

"Don't worry Ayase. I'll be fine. Just stay awake." he said. And I tried to nod.

"Stand against the wall."

"Yamato stop this, you don't want this to happen."

"What do you know?! Do as I say!" Kanou obediently placed himself against the wall.

"I'm going to make you suffer as much as you made me suffer…" he said wickedly. Kanou grinned.

"Trust me, you can't make suffer." Yamato's smile disappeared. His eyes avoided towards me and the smile reappeared.

"Oh yes I can." he said, throwing himself at me.

"NO!" Kanou yelled while following him.

It all happened in a flash and I could only hear silence. My eyes closed. I could feel breath on my face, warmth around me and I felt a drop of liquid on my face. As I looked up I saw a dagger digging his way through clothes and flesh. Another drop of blood fell onto my cheek and the body fell down next to me. I slowly sat up, trying to focus on the body next to me but somehow I was afraid to look. Somebody sat on his knees in front of me. He had dark hair and green eyes. His body trembled and he stared to infinity, at my face, but at the same time right through me. A tear ran down his cheek and he silently whispered words to himself, constantly repeating the same thing: 'Please forgive me'. I turned my head towards the body next to me.

The dagger was plunged through a fancy costume, through which you could see a muscled body. The small knife sat on the left side of the chest, letting blood soak the white shirt. A big hand touched the knife, trying to pull it out, but retreated when it's owner felt the pain. I crawled towards the body, opening my legs so that his legs were between mine. I placed my hands around the dagger. The big hand covered mine and I looked at the face of the body bellow me. The dark brown eyes stared at me and a little smile appeared on the face.

Kanou shook his head.

"Don't…" he whispered. "…Removing it would… kill me." I shook my head, not knowing what to say or do. I suddenly felt much more alive than I did a few moments ago.

"You shouldn't… have." I said, my voice trembling, but not from cold. Again he smiled, placing his hand on my cheek. His breathing became unsteady.

"I'd… rather die then… live my life… without y-you." he said and I could feel myself starting to cry.

"B-but you're my o-only f-family." I said, feeling the last of his warmth.

"I love you." he said, trying to sound as stern as possible. I smiled towards him.

"I love you too." a tear ran down his cheek as he coughed and a trickle of blood ran out of his mouth. "I-I'm c-cold." he said, closing his eyes.

"No, don't close your eyes, you'll be fine…" he opened his eyes again, staring at me. He smiled. I stroke his hair from his face and looked into his eyes. I took his hand from the ground and pinched into it.

"Pinch me back…." I whispered. "T-that will help you… stay awake…"again he smiled and he pinched my hand softly. I bent forward and placed my lips onto his. I didn't care about the taste of blood, I didn't care about the cold feeling of his lips. It was still him. I loved him.

As I kissed I could feel his pinching hand weakening and I stopped the kiss to look into his eyes. He didn't look back. The dark brown colour of his eyes became black. I pinched his hand and smiled a bit, feeling the tears escape.

"Pinch me back, Kanou-san." I said but I didn't hear or feel a reply. I sobbed once. "P-pinch m… me back." I said but still nothing happened. Though I knew, deep down that he wouldn't reply anymore, that this all was over, I had to try.

"Kanou-san! PINCH ME!" I said, pinching his hand as hard as I could and I dropped myself onto him, avoiding the dagger and sobbing out fully on his neck.

"Don't leave me! You can't leave me! I promised I would marry you!" I yelled, trying to take in his smell one last time. With a shock I sat up, still crying. No more smell.

I placed my head next to the dagger. No more heartbeat.

I snuggled closer to him. No more warmth.

His eyes were still the same. No more looking.

His chest didn't move. No more breathing.

In a flash it came to me: No more Kanou-san.

I lay myself down again, crying down on his chest, my eyes staring at the dagger. I turned my face to look for Yamato and I noticed he was gone. I guess he was just acting again. I hated him. I hated him so much. I looked back at the dagger. Did I want to kill him? Was that it? No. I didn't want to kill him. I wanted Kanou-san back. I grabbed the dagger tightly in my hands and closed my eyes. With a quick pull I pulled it out of Kanou, afraid there would be a lot of blood. I opened my eyes again, and held the dagger in front of me, the sharp end pointed at me. Blinked my eyes once, letting another tear slide down my cheek. Kanou's eyes were still endless. I placed my fingers over his eyelids and closed them slowly.

"I love you, Kanou-san." I whispered and I sat back up. Placing the dagger in front of my chest. I wanted to do it more then anything. I wanted to die along with Kanou-san, but I feared the pain of dying. I knew it couldn't hurt much more than the pain of losing the one you love, but I couldn't. I threw the dagger away, lying back down onto his body when I heard somebody standing at the door. I slowly looked up. A woman stood in the doorway, followed by a whole group of other people.

Here eyes slid from the dagger, to me, to Kanou-san's body.

"We have to go!" she said, grabbing my arm. "You did a very good job killing him, but we have to go now, the palace will burn down in a few minutes!"

"I don't want to go! Let me go! Let me stay!" I said, while trying to pull back my arm. "I don't want to leave Kanou-san! I love him!" I said and in a shock the woman let go of my arm.

"You're milady Ayase?" she asked. I gave her a look. "We have to go, miss! The palace will…"

"I DON'T CARE!" I yelled at her. "I'll only leave with him…" the woman nodded at me.

"Girls, taking his body and lets get out of here!" the group of girls held Kanou's body and the woman pulled me up. I can remember me grabbing the dagger quickly and running through the halls. But the only thing I was thinking of was Kanou-san. His name rang through my head. I wanted him back. I only wanted him. I knew I would miss him. I knew it.

Before I knew it I was outside of the palace. The woman ordered her girls to lay Kanou-san down and run, since some guards saw them appearing. I kneeled next to Kanou-san again, stroking his pale face.

"Ayase! Ayase!" I looked up to see Someya and Homare running towards me from behind the guards. Her hands grabbed for her mouth when she saw Kanou-san. She shook her head.

"O my God…" she said and she let herself fall into Homare-san's arms while crying. Homare gave me a pained look and shushed his wife softly, trying to avoid any eye-contact with Kanou-san's body.

After came the king and queen. The guards now realised what was going on too and tried to stop the king from running towards Kanou.

"Let me through… LET ME THROUGH!" he said while pushing away the guards and kneeling on the other side of Kanou. "That's my son!" he said while crying. "It's my boy…" the queen appeared after, just staring at Kanou-san. She didn't even seem like she was about to cry. She only seemed shocked and I hoped that she felt even worse than I did. Now she hasn't only lost her daughter but only her son and I wondered if it pleased her.

I stared at the sight in front of me. The wooden shelves were burning on the wide blue ocean in the distance. Someya stood next to her husband, both dressed in black. The king stared at his son in the distance, letting a tear slide down his cheek.

I didn't notice Gion placing himself next to me. He lay his hand on my shoulder and I knew I was about to cry again.

"I'm so sorry…" he whispered and I lay my head on his shoulder.

"It was Yamato who did it…" I said. "Where is he?"

"Yamato is dead. He has been murdered by the village people."

"I want to sleep…" I said. Gion smiled.

"Then sleep." he said and he looked at his eldest brother in the distance.

"He wasn't able to keep to the promise he made." Gion said. "But I will be able to keep mine." he looked at me and I looked back.

"I promise I'll take care of you, Ayase. I'll be family to you, we all will be. You will always be like a brother to me." I smiled at him.

"I'm sure that's what Kanou-san wants. I'm sure he wants me to have a family." Gion smiled and nodded.

"Ayase-kun." I turned around to look at the queen. Here eyes were wet and red and Gion whispered a soft bye to me before walking towards his father.

"I wanted to say that… you're welcome to be in our family and I would've agreed to you marrying our son, even though you are a boy. I don't care." for the first time she showed me a smile and I noticed it was the exact same smile as Kanou once had shown me.

"You would've been a perfect queen to this kingdom." I smiled back at her and bowed deeply.

"Thank you, you highness." she came standing next to me.

"I feel so terrible. I never said that I loved him in my life." she whispered and I saw that she was crying again. I smiled.

"I feel like I said it too less." I said towards her. "But it's still not too late. Say it now." she looked at me and smiled.

"Kanou-kun… I love you." she whispered and at that moment a wind took her words towards the fire. She kissed my cheek and walked towards her husband.

"Yes Kanou-san…" I whispered. "I love you too." I looked towards the sky and somehow I knew he heard me because the wind replied back at me, blowing a soft wind onto my face.

Yes, I love you Kanou-san. I'll always will.

~ The end

There you go! :D

I hope you all enjoyed it! :D