Chapter 9: True Love's Kiss

The princess was too beautiful to be kept hidden, so a coffin of diamond glass was made for her with gold sealing…

Obachan waited for her brother and sister-in-law to enter the hospital.

Before long, people were clearing a path for her brother. "Where is she?" he demanded.

"This way," Obachan said leading him upstairs. "There's an officer standing guard there. I'm not sure why, but he won't leave."

The officer nodded at them. "Are you…"

"I'm her father," Mr. Nakahara shouted.

The officer opened the door letting him in.

Mr. Nakahara strode over to the bed, followed by his wife.

"Sunako," Mrs. Nakahara whispered, holding her hand to her mouth, "Oh my God."

"Who's he?" Obachan asked the officer, pointing at the man sleeping in the chair.

"Him? He's someone I worked with once. I don't know the connection, but he hasn't left her side since he found out about the accident."

"A name?"

"I can't tell you that," the officer said. "It's a very complicated situation."

"I want his name!"

"Ma'am—"

"Don't 'ma'am' me!" Obachan snapped.

"Kyoko," Mr. Nakahara said. "That's enough," holding his daughter's hand.

The princess's parents, the King and Queen, had hurried to her side when the Duchess informed them of their daughter's plight.

They found the knight and the princess's guards (the two princes and two squires) by her side.

There was a soldier as well, standing from afar.

The soldier had fought King Kira alongside the Knight three years ago.

Though he was unaware of the seriousness of the situation, he dared not leave the knight's side out of worry for his health…

L woke up. The first thing he noticed were three people also sleeping in chairs. A hand was on his shoulder and he looked up.

"Matsuda?"

"We need to talk," he whispered, "hallway."

L stood and followed him out.

"Who is that girl? Why are you so concerned about her?"

"What are you going to do? Arrest me?"

"The only thing I can arrest you for right now, Ryuuzaki, is speeding, running a red light or two, and causing three collisions. And yet, here you are, at a hospital, staying beside a comatose teenager. Who is she?"

L glanced at the door. "If I tell you, will you add that to my offense record?"

"You might actually go to prison, L, depending on your answer. She's a minor—you're what? Twenty-seven? Twenty-eight?"

L was silent. "If I have to go to prison, fine, but all I care about right now is knowing that she's going to live."

Matsuda muttered under his breath. "Alright, I shouldn't do this, but you're going to be paying one colossal fine."

"Not like I don't have the money," L muttered.

Matsuda ignored him and wrote the fine. "And you're car'll have to be impounded."

"Whatever," L said. "I don't like driving anyway."

Matsuda handed the fine to L, who took it and, without even glancing at it, put it in his pocket. "So, all that aside," Matsuda said, "Who is she? Your girlfriend?"

"If I say yes, will you arrest me?" L answered.

Matsuda shook his head. "No, I'm not asking as an officer this time."

L sighed. "Yes. She's my girlfriend."

"Meet the parents yet?"

"No, but it looks like I'm about to," L said.

"L."

Matsuda and L looked down the hall.

Watari stood in the hallway. "There's been an emergency situation downtown; the police are requesting your assistance. Matsuda-san, you might want to join them too."

"Right."

L glanced through the door's window. "Give me a minute," he said, entering the room again. Carefully, he approached the bed.

He took Sunako's hand in his and stroked her head with the other. "I'll be back soon," he whispered, "As soon as I can. I promise you." He kissed her gently. "I'll be back."

L stood and walked out of the room.

As the mourning party bowed their heads to the princess, the knight, his heart deep with sorrow, kissed her once before leaving with the soldier…

The first thing Sunako noticed was a voice. L? Then she felt something press against her mouth. What happened? She flexed her fingers, feeling unease pass through her. She heard a door close. L…L…L! L where are you?

Well...it IS called "Snow White"...I figured you'd figure it out--the heroine can't die in Snow White!