This is the last official chapter to this story (an epilogue will follow very soon) and it's only fair to warn you. This chapter is a little steamy so if you are not up to limish contents, just don't read it. For all the others...yes, I know. This is a typical Jojo-everything's-gonna-be-all right-ending! But hey, what can I say? I just love my characters, hehe. I really hope you enjoyed this story! Up till the end it remained one of my favorites and there're a lot of emotions, time and love in it. More later. Now just read and enjoy! Dedicated to Meinz, obviously.

Chapter fourteen

Devotion

Saturday, late afternoon in Osaka. What is a normal girl to do on her last, school-free days when the weather is cold, windy, dark and unpleasant? Easy! Sit on the couch, with comfortable, thick woll- socks, a blue satin shirt over equally comfortable underwear, crème- white cotton-pants, hair tied up with a blue-white slipknot, looser than usual, with a nice cup of tea in one hand, the favorite chocolate in the other and an old love- story on tv. Now honestly, what else does one need at such a time?

Kazuha sighed and snuggled deeper underneath her cuddlely blanket. It was so great! That's exactly what everyone needs, once in a while, to relax and let the stress of life behind oneself. The day had started as chilled as she was now. She was alone in the house, what means she could take all the time she wanted to take a nice bath, eat breakfast, do some minor cleaning and then in the early evening settle herself in front of the tv, relaxed to the limits.

Halfway through the movie, Kazuha's mind drifted away. She couldn't remember the last time that she had felt this relaxed. It was like she had no worries in the whole wide world.

She sighed and for a second was almost made to believe her careless thoughts. Then a little smile came across her lips. Of course she knew that she was never completely free of worries. Not as long and never when a certain detective in her life was out on a case.

He may laugh at her some times when she acts a little over-protective, but she can't help herself. She had this big fear that something might happen to him. After all, his profession was not the safest one and that was widely known. It was as unique as it was dangerous and of course that's what he had to become. Oh yes, Heiji really was one of a kind. He may always complain about her protectiveness but at the same time she knew that he secretly enjoyed it. She knew him by now for the greatest part of her life and she could tell what he was meaning, no matter how hard he tried to play the macho.

Kazuha smiled. It was funny, how even now when she tried to relax herself and clean her mind a little, her thoughts still drifted to that detective- jerk with the huge mouth. Honestly, sometimes it was almost as if he enjoyed making her worry. But she knew it was not like that because she knew Heiji and his good heart. He had, just as much as she had, proven more than once that he'd risk everything he had to save her and deep down she knew that he knew she would, too. And she certainly would, this Kazuha was absolutely certain of. She cared so much for that ahou that she would even give her life to safe him.

A certain scene suddenly popped in her mind, with her hanging on his hand as last way of safety but the branch he had been hanging on was about to creak. So she was ready to sacrifice her life in order to let him life.

A tear run down her face.

It was true, she had given herself completely to him but he had just as much, given everything he got to safe her. He never let go.

Not only had he never let go of her hand on that fateful day that would never leave her heart, but he had not given her up when she didn't know what she was doing herself. When her fears doubts and uncertainity had caused her to walk away from him although she had promised to stay by his side forever..

Kazuha shook her head, trying to get these thoughts out of it. She knew he had forgiven her and they are doing everything right now, together. She won't have to ever be alone again, he had promised this to her. She smiled.

But why wasn't he here right now? -No. Today she promised to make it a relax day, so Kazuha quickly cleaned her tear away and tried to focus on the movie again which suddenly seemed very difficult.

Hadn't he said he would call her as soon as he had finished the case? It's been already three days that he had gone to Tokyo for that case. Maybe something… unpredictable had happened? Maybe something…not good? Dangerous? Health-demolishing?

'No, stop it!' she told herself and shook her head, not wanting to let these thoughts in but she, at the same time, clutched the blanket a little tighter. 'Has he taken his charm with him?' she asked herself, silently hoping he had. He had told her so but had he really?

Because, if really something bad would happen to him, then she… then she… Kazuha shivered. She had never had the courage to finish this sentence, not even in her mind because it was simply too horrible to even think about it. A life without Heiji, what would that look like?

She didn't know nor could she imagine it. And nor did she WANT to imagine it for it was simple no normal life for her without the jerk that held her heart now for so long already. They had fought for each other, promised to life happily ever after together, but how could she marry that jerk when he was dead?

'Oh Heiji, please come home soon!' she prayed suddenly, wishing with all her might for him to come back to her while pressing her hands together and closed her eyes. Her despairingly anger had turned to open fear as she wished with everything in her for Heiji to be all right and come back to her soon.

"Kazuha?" a deep, male voice called her name out of nowhere. She turned her head quickly and saw a Heiji leaning against the door, looking in her direction with a light grin. "What are you doing?" he demanded and walked slowly around the couch and towards her in his usual cool manner. Kazuha stared at him but could do nothing else and he was soon standing in front of her.

"Hey, are you all right?" he asked her, waving a hand in front of her face, sudden worry swinging in his voice.

She slowly started smiling at him, unknowing that her smile was melting his cool attitude in no time, and touched a hand out to his cheek. As she felt the soft skin there she pulled the other hand from underneath the cover and slowly wound her arms around his neck, hugging him very firmly. 'Confirmation to brain: real Heiji!'

"I was beginning to worry. You took long!" she whispered in his ear. It was incredible, how fast some prayers can come true sometimes.

'Some wishes really do come true!'

Heiji smiled and hugged her back, now kneeling in front of the couch. "Only some complex mysteries. It was a big showdown, keeping us all busy. The whole police from Tokyo and Osaka, me and Kudo and that all because of one little thief. But it was an amazing thing to witness." He grinned and she pulled away to look at him, smiling back but leaving her arms around his neck.

"How did it end?"

"Well, I'll tell you another time. It's a long story. But we did not lose, not really."

"You are the greatest!" she told him playfully, her eyes shining. His heart sang a little at the sight.

"I know!" he tried to joke but his voice had already turned too soft for the usual effect and him staring deeply in her eyes that were enchanting him, again, didn't help either to hold up his jerk facade.

Kazuha took it as a good sign, knowing exactly what was going on inside of him, causing her to laugh softly. She leaned forward in a sudden move and placed a soft kiss on his lips.

"I missed you!" then she hugged him again and lay her head against his shoulder, sighing contently. His arms wound tighter around her body as he pressed her closer to him. He buried his nose in her hair and breathed her in deeply.

"You have no idea how much I have missed you!" he confessed, murmuring the words in her ear. "It was horrible to spend those days without you, mystery or not."

Kazuha tightened her grip on him. "I know what you mean!" she was feeling somewhat… relieved, now that she could hold him again. Relieved and happy, knowing that he was save and that he was by her side again to hold her. And holding her he did, after her agreeing to his words even closer.

"I missed you so much!" he half-conscious of his actions murmured in her hair.

She pulled back and looked at him amused, her eyes wild and playfull, her words challenging in a seducing manner. "Oh yeah?"

"Yeah!" he grinned and played along without thinking about it.

"Well then…" she leaned now so close towards him that her nose was touching his and her breath played playfully across his face. "Show me!" her voice was a bare but seductive whisper that caused the hair on the back of his arms to rise in excitement.

Of course, Heiji being Heiji, doesn't even need this much of an invitation. Not when it comes to her. She needed only to smile at him in a certain way and he'd be all over her in a flash, not able to control himself anymore. And that had only gotten worse over the past week together. But a direct invitation was always nice. Anyway, the heart of our detective skipped a beat at the words that made him shiver and he had his wife to be in his arms only a beat later.

"As you wish!" he whispered and kissed her on her lips. Kazuha's reply was immediate as she wound her arms around his neck and returned his kiss with all the passion that he awoke deep inside of her every time his touch made contact with her skin. As little electric bolts shot through them she moaned her assent against his lips and opened them in the progress, daring him for the second time to follow her invitation. And, again, Heiji didn't need to be told twice. He conquered every inch of her mouth with his lips and tongue and send her into heaven with his touches on her arms and skin as she shivered but returned the kiss wholeheartedly.

She had obviously been building the same kind of… pleasure that needed release since their one night together as lovers, on the end of the day of his unforgettable birthday.

Her taste was intoxicating and driving Heiji insane, every time he got to taste it all over again and he loved it more than he could tell. He could life only from her sweetness and would never complain. Not even think about complaining. As he felt her run out of breath he pulled away and while panting harder than usual, trailed his kisses down her face to her neck where he knew she loved to be touched. He knew exactly which spot to kiss to cause her to lose her senses in a tornado of emotions. Knew exactly which button to press to send her moaning.

Her hand had unbuttoned the top buttons of his satin, green shirt and she had slipped a hand inside to lay it over his heart and on his skin. She felt his skin rise a tiny bit into goosebumbs and after trailing her fingertips and nails over his chest for an agonizing while, trailed her hand down his arm, taking one side of his shirt with her. He sent his hand on a journey up and down her back, pressing her upperbody closer to him. His hands on her back caused her to shiver again and moan out slightly, opening her mouth in a silent groan. He pulled her ribbon out of her hair with skilled fingers, threading them through her now- loose brown mane while playing with the ribbon in his hand.

His free hand had with assistance of his mouth and lips opened her own shirt as well so that he had now easy and direct access to her bare shoulder. He kissed her throat, causing Kazuha to raise her head to the heavens and softly voice her pleasure as he continued lavishing every inch of her skin with light kisses that were not only filled with passion and lust, but just as much with the deep love and pure adoration that he felt for her.

She mewled, her cheeks flushed and pressed with her free hand his head closer to her skin, encouraging him in his explorations and to not stop with his sweet kisses. Without noticing Heiji skillfully freed her from her shirt, pulling all buttons open.

He rose a little on his knees and leaned Kazuha further and further back against the couch, towering above her in a dominant pose, never stopping the rain of kisses on her throat and now with the new position, down her cleavage as well. She slipped her hands out of her sleeves and threw her shirt to the side, returning her hands one on his hand to hold him close while he worried her soft skin with his kisses, the other hand on his back to push him yet closer. Her face slightly distorted in pleasure.

How she adored his touch, enjoyed it and yearned for it deep down nobody would ever know. It was at this moment as if both were trying to show how much they had missed each other through touch alone. But it was Kazuha who was going through the bigger change right now. As much as she was the strong one in real life, the tough and sometimes difficult one and trying to fit in her role model, when she was in Heiji's arms like this, she could let herself go completely. Could be herself without having to be ashamed of it or having to fear anything. When Heiji touched her like this was when she felt the most like a woman.

He sat up a little, reaching over to kiss her again, leaving her breathless. She was panting hard after he pulled back, leaning her head against the cushions. He was now trailing open mouth kisses along her jaw and down her throat, nibbling gently on everything that he could reach on his way. Kazuha pushed her hands inside his shirt and held on his back tightly. He used this opportunity to push his own hands underneath her body and take the barely-clothed woman in his arms with a graceful movement. She wound her hands around his neck and looked up at him with the innocent face of a child.

"What are you doing?" she asked him softly, not breaking eye contact.

He was already walking through the house blindly, looking back at her. "Taking you to bed." He stated quite matter-of-factly, as if it was the most obvious and normal thing in the world. Kazuha raised her eyebrows and looked surprised at him before she started grinning.

"But I am not tired!" she stated in the same way. He only continued staring at her for a few moments, his grin spreading.

"Well, then we have to find a way to change that, haven't we?"

"Hhhrrrrr!" came her surprising response as she started purring softly with her head against his chest. Heiji found that sound and the gentle rumble absolutely adorable and his steps quickened a little more in speed as he finally disappeared through the bedroom door, closing it behind him eagerly with his foot.

Kazuha only giggled at his lack of patience. It seemed like he had missed her over the past days as much as she had missed him.

He looked at her, kneeling on the bed, and had to smile at the sweet and irresistible picture that she presented. She was, due to him, clad only in her underwear, lying outspred on her back, her hands near her head. She was smiling blissfully at him and suddenly stretched her arms and legs, making sweet mewl-noises. Heji couldn't help his giggle.

"What was that?"

She finished her stretching and sighed contently, reminding him vividly on a cat that was satisfied with something and happy and curling on a comfortable couch. Maybe that's what Kazuha was doing as well. Smiling, she held her arms out to him in a silent invitation. 'Come here!' the gesture said.

Without a second though, Heiji followed this unspoken request and lay down on top of her, sinking in her embrace and revelling in the feeling of completeness and bliss that quickly spread through his system. And as she started stroking the back of his head with her fingers, making him feel like a puppy, he gave a sigh.

Now matter how bad, how bloody or horrible a case had been, coming "home" to Kazuha at the end of the day was the greatest bliss Heiji could imagine. She maked him forget everything bad and every problems on the earth with almost no efford at all. Oh yes, it had been the very best thing he had ever done, asking Kazuha to become his wife.

He steadied himself on his elbows, pulling a little away from her although his body was screaming at him for doing so, and looked down at her with a dreamlike, almost thoroughly serious expression.

"Kazuha?" he whispered, brushing a bang out of her face. She smiled at him adoringly, leaning against his touch. "Hmm?"

"Did I ever tell you just how… important you are to me? How much I miss you when I am not by your side? That I feel not complete alone, not anymore? That you make me feel like myself, like the man I wanna be? Or just how beautiful you are and how much I love you?"

Even in the dim light that was illuminating the room he saw her eyes shine at him, saw her whole being beginning to glow even more. "No.." she giggled. "Tell me!" He returned the playful smile and took a deep breath.

"Well, you see, I-" but she cut him off with a simple kiss, smiling against his lips.

"It's okay, I know." And in the look in her eyes he knew that she was serious, that she knew exactly what else he held in his heart and couldn't help but love her even more.

"I love you!" he murmured and bend to kiss her.

"I love you, too!" she whispered back and returned the kiss which was filled with so many emotions that were swirring through them.

"And I missed you really desperately!" he went on quietly and Kazuha nodded, happy to hear him say such things to her. How long had she waited for any sign of affection coming from him, directed to her? Very long…

"Can… can I show you?" almost hesitantly, as if he was scared that she would refuse him or push him back, he leaned down and kissed her deeply and with all his passion. The same intense passion he showed when he had solved a murder-case, complete with the sexy grin and the hot glimmer in his eyes that told bad guys that bad times are coming and they better beware.

She moaned but melted immediately against him, having missed the sensual contact as well. Holding his head closer, she was responding to his passion with her own, the memories of their one night together flying vividly around her head. Suddenly she was feeling more than hot, she felt like she was burning.

"Yes!" she whispered against him after pulling back and looked at him, shyly and with equaly burning cheeks. "But what about my father?"

"He stayed in Tokyo for one more night with my father. They said they had some more things to take care of. That means you are at my mercy 'till tomorrow and nobody will hear you scream and save you!" For a second she could have sworn that Heiji's appearance had changed to the one of a wolf. But that quickly vanished and she looked at her hand as she trailed her fingernails over his torso.

"Who said that I want to be saved?"

His look said everything! It was like an invitation only more exiting. He was all over her, tenderly lavishing her body with sweet kisses, soft caresses and his love for her. Kazuha responded to everyone of his touch in kind, shivering in excitement and anticipation.

After that "attack" no more words were spoken. Not really.

And they gave themselves to their mate completely, again. Without another rational thought in their minds, they opened up, bared and devoted themselves to the other. With devotion.

---

The next morning was everything they had ever dreamt of. They were finally granted their perfect 'morning after' as it is described in lovestories. As she opened her eyes and looked up at Heiji's bright eyes that seemed to have waited for this moment only, she immediately knew what was going on and what had happened. And she did not find any fear in her heart anymore, let alone an doubt. All she could feel was the indescribable happiness that raced through her veins.

She smiled at him and at this smile his consentrated eypression melted away, his features relaxing considerably. All muscles in his body seemed to unclench and he lay down on the pillow again, his arms around her waist holding her tightly.

"Everything okay?" he whispered in her ear, tenderly brushing her hair.

"No." Was her simple answer and she felt Heiji's arm muscles tense slightly underneath her fingertips.

"W-what?" He was incredibly scared that he had done something wrong but she quickly spoke on.

"I didn't get my good morning kiss yet!" she complaint and smiled at him lovingly.

It took him a second to comprehend before a smile planted itself on his face. "I see." He leaned down and kissed her tenderly, then pulled back again to lay his forehead against hers, chuckling while she giggled rolled a little on top of him.

"Good morning to you too!" she giggled cheerily.

"'Morning!" he whispered back.

"I could get used to waking up like this every morning!" she purred. His hands on her back making her the more feel like a kitten.

"Oh really?" he teased, causing her to smile again.

The two lovers played the unique game of love, enjoying the closeness, starting to get used to the new feelings and to the idea of their new life, together.

Later that day, they decided to once and for all settle things with their parents since both hadn't really done so yet. So they were quickly invited for a nice Sunday dinner over at Kazuha's house since it's always easier to talk during or after eating. They had to call up on her father to get him away from his work, but in the end they all agreed to come and Kazuha started preparing a nice afternoon dinner with the help of Heiji. Although, as we all know Heiji, he wasn't really a lot of a help. It seemed more like he could not keep his hands to himself while Kazuha was having stress to finish in time.

After receiving a harsh word, he went to a corner, sulkily, murmuring things like:

"Oh man, not fair… I only want some love… buhu, nobody loves me…"

Kazuha had to giggle at her childish one that she loved so much. He could be so sweet sometimes. She couldn't help but let her work stand for a moment and walked over to him, hugging him from behind.

"Oh, quit being such a baby!"

"A baby?" He sounded offended and quickly turned around to lift her up and sit her on the counter. "A baby could never do this!!"

"Maybe!" she giggled. "But you were sulking like a baby!" at this his lower-lip shot out.

"Not true!" he sulked loudly, protesting against her words. She only giggled more and took his head between her hands, pulling his face towards hers and kissed him gently.

"I am glad you're not a baby because then I couldn't have done that!"

His goofy grin spread. "Yeah, me too!" and he stretched a little to catch her lips again with his own in a sweet and passionate kiss.

"But we really need to finish before they come!" she stated afterwards, trying to put a firm note in her voice.

He looked at her, obviously thinking very hard about it, before he nodded very slowly. "Fine, but… one more kiss?" his eyes were pleading so adoringly that Kazuha couldn't help herself. She sighed and bent down, smiling inwardly, and kissed him again, hoping that their parents wouldn't necessarily be on time for she did know Heiji too well.

Luckily for Kazuha, the meal was done just in time as the parents arrived. It simply HAD to be perfect, it meant a lot to Kazuha and Heiji knew it very well. That's why he had, after a few more kisses, really tried his best to help her for what Kazuha as more than grateful and by the time the others arrived, everything was ready.

They sat down, started a light conversation to lift the tension and began with the meal while Kazuha tried hard to get something down her throat that seemed to have a knot. Heiji secretly brushed her thigh to give her some strength. She looked at him, as subtle as possible and was greeted with a warm smile that told her everything will turn out okay. She was very grateful for this and smiled back, already feeling a lot more confident herself.

All in all, one could say that dinner was a huge success. Nothing went wrong, if one didn't could Shizuka's little remark, that is of course.

"Oh Heiji, I have missed you last night. Where have you been?" Shizuka grinned at Heiji and enjoyed his deep blush. He hated it when people asked question they already knew the answers to. Simply only to tease and see the other squirm, to bathe in his embarrassment. He glared at his mother who chuckled at her plate.

After dinner, with everybody full and happy, Kazuha shot a helpless side-gaze at Heiji who immediately picked up the note. He cleared his throat.

"So… I know we didn't really have time to talk about this with the case and everything but… Kazuha and I were wondering if you have thought about… well, what we have told you on Wednesday…" Heiji dared asking after they had finished with eating. Kazuha looked nervously at her plate.

Shizuka looked at the two men beside her and they nodded. She nodded back and stood up. "Yes, we have indeed. And I am talking now for all of us when I say… Kazuha-chan, could you please stand up for a second?"

Kazuha followed the instruction with a nagging feeling. She stood up slowly but didn't dare moving anywhere. She looked at Heiji who looked back with a small smile, trying to calm her down.

Shizuka stepped towards her and as Kazuha looked up in time to see her, her look of worry betraying her fear, it was already too late. The older woman had the younger already in her arms, hugging her tightly to herself.

Kazuha looked stunned but soon forced her limbs to react and hug her back.

"I am so happy. Welcome to our family, my dear!"

A tear ran down Kazuha's face and not even she knew if it was a tear of happiness or of relief. She clung to her future mother-in-law and suddenly KNEW, that everything would be all right.

And as she held Shizuka, who she had always loved like her own mother, and as she felt a huge weight leaving her heart, she was too drown in her emotions to notice the men in the background. How Heizo was clapping the back of his son a few times and a little harder than necessary, or how Toyama in turn did the same and pulled Heiji for a second in a more silent corner.

"My son…welcome to my family!"

"Thank you!" Heiji smiled and Toyama smiled back. But all of a sudden this smile vanished.

"I only want to have to say this to you once. If you ever hurt my daughter, I will kill you, very painfully, and hide your body in a place only your bones will be left by the time you are found. I hope I made myself clear?"

"P-perfectly clear, Sir!"

"Good!" Toyama's smile reappeared magically and he patted Heiji's back again before going over to have his turn in hugging and congratulating his daughter.

Heiji looked after him, trying to calm his throbbing heart down a little. He made a mental note, to never give Toyama-san a reason to be mad at him, because… well, it would definitely be the last thing he would do.

Never challenge a father. Especially this one. – Memo stored.

He looked over and saw how his father hugged now his future daugher-in-law. He rarely saw his father this happy about something and Heiji could have sworn that he even saw a little smile on his lips.

And as his mother hugged him as well, and whispered in his ear how proud she was of him and that he had made the right decision, Heiji felt it as well as Kazuha. He KNEW, that everything will be all right. That everything simply would turn out for the best.

Well, this was it! Good? Bad? Do tell. As I already told you, I have an epilogue in the backhand. And it's SO FUNNY!! I am still rolling on the floor laughing when I think about it! Well, you'll see SOON. Since another year passed, I also got a sequel to this story which is an adventurous, romantic story and at the same time the VERY first actual "Case" I have ever written and it's even got KAITO!! in it!!!(all three guys, partly half naked too XD) Did your mouth start watering? XD Well well, it will be up soon.