Finally! You can't imagine how busy my life has been! Still, I'm ashamed that it took me a month to update again T.T

I sincerely hope you like this chapter at least a little. It was, yet again, a painful journey of rewriting the original script to mature it up to par with my current style and better suit my needs. Plus adding a little bit more Kamui and OK interaction to please you guys ^.^

Plenty of love and muffins to my reviewers: Shinichi's Lover, Koatan, Neil (yes, I read every last word of your review happily xD It's nice to get long reviews. Well, this fairytale's á la Gintama, so there's no traditional Prince Charming or Damsel in Distress, but there'll be a happily ever after (maybe) xD I don't want to spoil anyone, so please read this chapter to see about Kyo's fate!), Oxenstierna D. Yuki-Rin, C.A.M.E.O.1 and Only, ayaka chi, domo-chi (thank you so much for your kind words! The reason I didn't pick Kamui as a love rival is simply because I could never write incest. Having siblings myself, the mere thought disgusts me. Sorry for those who like incest, but it's not my cup of tea...), yiseunggi, Alassea (thank you! Here's your update, finally!), RoseFriendships (=^.^= here's your long-awaited update!), Cherryde4th, peep (m'dear, don't apologise for reviewing! Thank you for explaining OTL for me, I'm a bit wiser now ^.^ Glad to hear the last chapter made you laugh and didn't disappoint you! Yes, I'm honored to have such lovely, life-threatening fans), miki negishi I, Zubattack (who reviewed chap 3, but anyway it's too late to add her/him to chap 4 thank yous)! I ADORE YOU!

Please enjoy chapter 10 ^.^

Dueling for a woman is just another way two egos clash

Kagura had been pacing the hallways since breakfast, unable to stay still. It was the day of the duel, and while the people were all more or less excited and looking forward to the clash (those people including Mitsuba with her hopelessly romantic views), Kagura was simply anxious. As much as she despised the present Kyo, he was still her cousin, her family. She had used to treat him like an older brother when she was little, but apparently his opinion on their relationship had always been very different. On the other hand, she had somehow fallen for Sougo, and while she enjoyed a little brawl here and there, she knew that Kyo was going to aim for the kill, rules or not. If Kagura had been asked if she wanted her fiancé killed two or three months ago, she would've payed to get the job done.

Well, things change.

Kagura nervously glanced at a nearby clock. 'Only an hour left...' she thought and bit her lip. 'I wonder how he's doing. I should go and check up on him.'

So, with a new destination, Kagura started heading towards their bedroom. She knew for a fact that Sougo was preparing for the duel in there.

Reaching the huge door, Kagura took a peek in before opening the door fully and slipping in. Sougo was sitting by the window, looking outside. He was already dressed in his military uniform, and Kagura absently thought he looked good in it.

"Ready for the fight?" she asked, hoping she didn't sound too nervous.

Sougo visibly jumped in his seat and whipped his head around to face her. 'He must've been deep in thought,' Kagura thought with a frown. 'That, or he's getting cold feet.'

"China? What are you doing here?" he asked, back to his aloof facade.

Kagura shrugged casually. "Just came to check up on you, make sure you won't chicken out or anything," she joked but sobered up immediately. "You're really going to do this, aren't you?" She didn't even know why she wanted to know his answer.

"Of course I am. There's a huge crowd already gathered at the dueling grounds, it would ruin my reputation if I didn't give them a show," he answered and went back to gazing out of the window.

Kagura blinked at him. "...that's it?" she asked quietly.

Sougo didn't even look at her when he "hmm"ed back.

Kagura felt like someone had punched her in the gut. He didn't care at all that she might actually be worried about his well-being? He didn't care that she might be gone, someone else's bride, in just a couple of hours? Kagura grit her teeth and fisted her hands tightly to keep angry, to keep from crying. She would never cry in front of this cold, uncaring bastard.

"Fine," she growled, frustrated to find her voice quivering, "Go ahead, give them a show and die like the damn stupid moron you are. See if I care when you get your skull smashed out there." She could feel the familiar itchy feeling in her eyes she always got right before she cried, so without another word or glance, Kagura stormed out of the room and as far away from it as she could.

Inside, Sougo had tiredly closed his eyes.

The duel was finally about to start and Kagura was heading to join Mitsuba at their private seats when Kamui cornered her. He looked even happier than usual, and Kagura dryly thought that it must've been because of the coming bloodspilling.

"What's with that look, sis?" he asked amusedly. "You look like your rabbit died."

Kagura glared at him. "Don't mention Binky in my presence, stupid brother. How many times do I have to tell you that?"

"I never said anything about Binky."

"You implied that."

"Maybe, but you're evading my question."

Kagura groaned. "You're the last person I want to talk to about this, so get out of my way and let me get to my seat. I expect you have a vip-seat, too?"

Kamui grinned even wider. "Of course, I've been looking forward to this for quite a while. Kyo makes a perfect sacrificial lamb for my plan," he hummed contentedly.

Kagura's eyes widened in shock. "A WHAT?" she screeched.

"Enjoy the show, sis. I have to get to my seat, now. See you," he sang and skipped away before Kagura could stop him.

Mitsuba gave her a worried look as Kagura finally made it to her seat. Before she could voice her worry, though, the trumpets began playing and the crowd cheered as two men walked into the arena. Kagura worriedly bit her lip as she watched Hijikata, who was acting as the referee, read out the rules and penalties that came from breaking them. 'Kamui is obviously up to something, and knowing him, it can't be anything good,' she thought anxiously and quickly scanned the crowd, unable to spot her brother. She bit her lip and fisted her hands. 'Oh god, if the idiot sadist ends up dying here I'm going to regret my last words to him for the rest of my life!'

Sougo barely registered the crowd's presence as he stared at his opponent in the eye. He couldn't even bother to listen to Hijikata's instructions, not that he actually wanted or even needed to. He knew the rules already, and Hijikata never said anything important enough for Sougo to want to listen to him. No, Sougo much preferred his own thoughts, no matter how unpleasant those turned out to be at the moment.

Sure, he had basically declared war with Kagura's cousin, and at that moment it had felt really good to rub their engagement in his face and pour salt over open wounds, but he couldn't keep ignoring this little, annoying voice (that strangely reminded him of Hijikata) in his head that insisted that Kagura would be better off with someone similar to her. After all, Kagura and Sougo were always arguing and even full out fighting over every single thing, there was rarely a peaceful moment between them. Those peaceful moments usually required at least one of them to be asleep, anyway.

So would it really be worth it? Would it be worth the insecurity, knowing that no matter how much he wanted to just lock her in a cage and keep her tied to him she could at any moment break free if she wanted to? He was selfish and possessive, self-centered even, but he didn't want to make her cry. He had to laugh at himself for that thought. Okita Sougo, the renowned Prince of Sadists, didn't want to hurt a girl who could easily knock out men thrice her size! How absurd was that?

"Enjoying the thought of dying?"

Sougo refocused his gaze and saw Kyo sneering at him. Sougo smirked as Hijikata started backing away from them. "Nah, I'm an S, sorry to disappoint you."

Kyo glared at him, reminding Sougo of a huge kid whose soccer ball was taken away by a bullying older brother. "I'll wipe that smirk off your face in less than a second, pretty boy. I will take Kagura home with me," he growled and took a stance.

Sougo's smirk grew wider as he readied himself. "Loudly barking dogs rarely are all that tough."

Then, all too soon, the duel began. Kagura flinched and gasped whenever one of them got hit, more so when it came to Sougo. To her they appeared quite evenly matched, but...

"This is odd," Mitsuba muttered thoughtfully, a confused frown on her face.

Kagura instantly whirled around on her seat to face her. "What? What's wrong?" she asked frantically, mentally kicking herself for sounding pathetic.

Mitsuba took no notice of Kagura's unusual behaviour and didn't turn her eyes away from the fighting men as she answered. "I know the opponent is a Yato, but this isn't the first time Sou-chan's fought against one. The difference isn't supposed to be this big. Why is he hesitating?" she wondered out loud, biting her nail anxiously. "Almost like he isn't trying to win..."

Kagura was shocked still. 'He's not trying to win...? He's going to lose on purpose? After that confident speech and outrageous deal, he's going to give up?' Her doubts were answered when the crowd suddenly gasped. Kagura turned back to the duel and felt her heart sink all the way to her toes. Sougo was on his knees, supported by his sword, his head bowed. Kagura could see the blood that was oozing from a wound near his temple. Kyo looked just as battered, but he was still standing, looking incredibly smug as he turned to wave to Kagura.

Kagura completely ignored her cousin's gesture. She refused to believe her fiancé was already done. So, she did what anyone else in her position would've done.

"SOUGO, YOU BLOODY MORON!"

Yes, lean dangerously far over the railing and shout insults at her champion.

Sougo visiby flinched at her shout before snapping his head up to stare at her. His face was priceless, but Kagura would tease him for that later. There were more pressing matters at hand.

"What do you think you're doing? Don't screw with me, dumbass! I know for a fact that you're better than this so get up and fight for real! I'll never forgive you if you let him carry me away like some trophy!" she screamed at the top of her lungs, ignoring the shocked looks everyone present was giving her. Anger and worry clashed in her eyes as she gripped the railing tighter and leaned even further over it. "KICK HIS ASS!"

Kyo was dumbstruck and hurt. "W-why are you cheering him on? I already won, didn't I?" he shouted, sounding like a child who got cheated in a race.

Sougo, on the other hand, couldn't help the chuckle that escaped his mouth as he watched Kagura get dragged back to her seat by Mitsuba and two guards. "Damn you, China," he muttered before forcing himself to stand up, his head hanging low. "Always messing with my head. God I hate you," he chuckled amusedly and raised his voice. "Hey, you!"

Kyo turned to face him and looked surprised to see him standing. "You shouldn't be able to stand!" he cried out in surprise, all confidence and smugness gone.

"Remember the deal? I really did think about it afterwards but, in the end, it's hopeless. I'm too selfish to let her go." He raised his head and Kyo fliched at the look on his face. Who could blame him? One normally didn't see such bloodlust in a person's eyes, not to mention those eyes looked redder than ever.

Kyo wasn't sure what hit him. All he knew was that the prince had drawn his sword and he now had a gaping wound across his front. Blood gushed out and he felt lightheaded. Turning around, he saw Sougo standing tall, giving him the coldest look yet.

"Let me give you one piece of advice," Sougo said with the authority of a king and pointed his bloodied sword at Kyo. "Never lay a finger on anything that is mine. That includes Kagura."

Kyo lowered his head in defeat. "Yes, Your Highness. I understand." He was on the ground even before the words had left his mouth. Medics were already hurrying towards them.

The audience was cheering and laughing happily, yelling out their congratulations, but Sougo didn't give a damn about them. He turned to the private balcony, but saw only his sister. She didn't look happy, though. She seemed to be screaming in horror...and for a good reason.

Kagura had jumped off the balcony and was freefalling from about 15 meters high.

Kagura landed with difficulty and ran over to him, tears in her eyes and an angry scowl on her lips. She started yelling before she even reached him. "You freakin' dumbass! If it was that easy why didn't you finish it sooner? Did you really have to get so beaten up, you moron?"

She had finally reached him and glared at him heatedly. Strange, Sougo found her all the more attractive like this, all teary-eyed and worried for his well-being. He didn't really mind the yelling and insults either, anymore.

Sougo grinned a little. That's his China, after all. "I told you, didn't I? I had to give a good show to the people," he answered nonchalantly. The world was starting to sway oddly...

Kagura let out an angry screech before continuing her yelling. "Didn't you think about your own safety at all? You huge moron!" She looked like she would hit him if he wasn't injured already.

Sougo chuckled and unsteadily reached out his bloody hand to stroke Kagura's cheek, delighted to see her blush and stutter. "That's exactly why it's got to be you, China. No one else..."

The last thing Sougo heard as darkness swallowed him was Kagura frantically calling his name.

The next time Sougo opened his eyes, he was greeted by the ceiling in their bedroom. He blinked a couple of times and carefully started to turn his head to his left. 'Bad idea,' he decided as his vision blurred and pain shot through his head, so he eased his head back to its original position. He had caught a glimpse of red, though...

"China?" he called out, his voice raspy and barely above a whisper. By the surprised yelp he was sure she had heard him, though.

Sure enough, Kagura's anxious face appeared in his still blurry field of vision in two seconds. She stared deeply into his glazed over eyes and prodded his cheek with her finger. "You're really awake?" she finally asked.

Sougo huffed, wincing at the pain in his side. 'Don't tell me I broke a rib...'

Kagura sighed and visibly relaxed. She even smiled a bit at him. "You're a real mess, you know? Broken bones, serious wounds, a head injury...it's a wonder you're alive at all!"

Sougo rolled his eyes, ignoring the way it hurt. "How long was I out?" he croaked.

Kagura leaned back for a second and returned with a glass of water. "About a week. It's the sixth night now. Or early morning, since the sun is rising," she answered as she helped him drink. Sougo noticed the way she was far more gentle than ever before when it came to him. 'China has motherly instincts. Who would've thought?'

She set the empty glass back on the table and sat down on the bed next to him, refusing to face him and opting to stare at the wall she was facing as she leaned on his uninjured leg. "Mitsuba-san's been worried sick. You've been the talk of the city for all this time, it's all about you wherever one goes. Kamui told me to tell you that "it was worth the wait, I was right about you all along", whatever that means. Oh, and Kyo's fine, Kamui told me that he's gone on another long mission to get away from here. His injuries healed in a couple of days, so -"

"China," Sougo interrupted her tiredly. "shut up, your rambling's giving me a headache."

Kagura turned to give him a glare before returning her gaze to the wall. "Well, sorry for wanting to fill you in on things!" she pouted.

It was silent for a few minutes before Sougo spoke up. "And you?" he asked, noticing in relief that his vision was slowly clearing.

Kagura jumped at the sudden question and turned her wide eyes to him. "What?"

"What have you been doing while I was out?" he asked. He wanted to make sure Kyo hadn't broken the deal.

Kagura, surprisingly, blushed and turned away from him. "N-nothing much. You know, speaking with Kamui and Mitsuba-san, annoying Gin-chan...just normal stuff."

Sougo didn't quite believe her. He smirked. "Oh? And you just happened to be sitting by my sickbed at the crack of dawn?"

'Bullseye,' Sougo thought victoriously as Kagura's blush darkened. "F-fine, maybe I've spent some of my spare time sitting here! So what? Don't read too much into it, stupid!"

Sougo's laugh quickly changed into violent coughing, making Kagura reach over and pull him up so she could rub his back. She was being so caring that Sougo couldn't bring himself to humiliate her more for now. "Nice relatives you have, by the way. Your father's obsessed with his hair, your brother with killing and your cousin with you. I can't wait to meet more," he said as his coughing calmed.

A relieved smile spread on her lips. "Well, now you have no choice but to meet them. You're still stuck with me, after all," she said with good humour and stood up, saying something about going to inform the doctor.

'Stuck with you? Oh well,' Sougo thought and closed his eyes for a nap. 'That doesn't sound too bad.'

I'm not sure if I'm satisfied with this, but it's way better than the original, trust me on this.

~poakkis