CHAPTER 6

"And that's all for today class Princess." The tutor announced as she closed the thick book of History in the World, listening whilst Gou letting out a long tired sigh. The princess slumped herself on the desk bearing the expression of boredom on her usually cheerful face.

"We'll continue the next chapter at the next class Princess so please don't forget to study alright?" Gou nodded and thanked the tutor as she closed the door softly behind her, leaving the princess alone in the room.

A moment of silence and without hesitation, Gou ran out of the classroom towards a place where she can be herself without a care in the world: the training ground.

"Haru-nee-chan!" Gou excitedly called out to the person at the center of the ground which caught the attention of the young queen. Haru smile softly at the newcomer as she put down the bow. "Finished your class already?" Haru questioned and Gou responded with a nod then her eyes move to the bow in Haru's grip.

"Haru-nee-chan, show me how you use this bow!" Gou excitedly requested with eyes causing the queen to chuckle. "Then stay back, don't want to hurt you." Haru command and positioned herself. She slowly breath in then breath out then straighten her left arm as she pull back the string with the attached arrow, eyes focus at the center of the target. Then she released her fingers.

Loud thud echoes in the empty space of the training ground.

"Oh wow! That's incredible!" Gou cheered as Haru stretches her back and arms. "Haru-nee-chan! Please teach me how to use the bow!" Gou leaped forward with excitement but the older woman only shook her head in disagreement.

"Your brother will run amok if he knew I let you use these weapons." At this, Gou look up the Haru with a disbelieve look.

"No way, he treasure you too much to be mad at you," Gou answered in amusement at her sister-in-law answer.

"I want to be a better princess for this country. I've always admired you from when we were little when you trained with onii-chan and from that day onward, I want to be someone like you. Smart, strong and beautiful. You even proven yourself worthy by going to places by yourself that your father had decided for you and safely return." Haru listened to Gou's confession with a smile. Ah, so this is the real Gou that Haru always wanted to know about.

"I don't want to be like those other princesses who just wait to be save by their imaginative hero with a mighty white horse." Gou explained with determination and hope that slowly made the queen to accept her request.

"Alright, alright. But don't tell your brother about this okay?" Haru finally agreed to the princess request and the princess became excited.

"T-Then can we start with this?!" Gou excitedly pointed to a spear and Haru raised her brow. That's a really bold weapon for Gou's size.

"We can practice with spear some other time, but how about we start with this?" Haru suggested as she show the arrow and bow in her hold to Gou and Gou immediately brighten up. She accepted the weapon, eyes sparkling with excitement.

Until she was pulled down by the weight of the bow.

"H-Heavy…!" Gou huffed and she quickly returned the arrow and bow to Haru who's smirking at her sister-in-law.

"Looks like mine isn't suitable for you Gou. Since this bow is custom made by my father." Haru explained and handed Gou another bow which the princess gladly accept.

"Now, try to shoot an arrow to that hay over there." Gou comply to the request as she stretched out her left arm as she pulled back her right arm, then she shoot, but miss. "B-But!" Gou stuttered out words, this is harder then she thought it would be…!

"Gou, pull the bow again." Haru instructed and Gou nodded and positioned herself. "Stay put, don't move." Haru said then she held Gou's wrist which grip the bow. "Too tense, loosen up a little bit," Haru commented and then she straighten Gou's arm. "Aim the hay, here." Haru reposition Gou's arm and look down to Gou's legs. "Your legs Gou… do it like this." Haru guided Gou with the position of the legs and Gou follow.

"Now, try to shoot another arrow." Haru requested and Gou nodded and shoot. And hit.

"Oh wow! I did it!" Gou cheered and throw her arms up in the air. Haru smiled and nodded in approval. "So all you need to do is keep practicing until you can hit various target in different kind of situation." Haru commented and Gou nodded happily.

"Now, keep shooting on the hay until all the arrows is finish. I'll be right back." Haru instructed and Gou nodded as she began her training. Haru walk to the resting side of the field and sat on the wooden chair tiredly. She was parched. The bright sun on top of their head with the lack of wind and rain lately, she was exhausted. Haru took the drink beside her and drank the water. Ahhh… something is wrong. Why is her vision blurry? Why is her head hurt? Her chest hurts. Why…

A loud thud attract Gou's attention and she turned around to the source of the sound. She screamed.

"Haru-nee-chan!"

xXx

Hurried footsteps was heard and the door of the barn suddenly opened, startled the horses as the neigh loudly. Makoto rushed towards her brown horse and slowly rubbed the nose cheek to calm it down.

"Calm down sweetie, it's only me." Makoto whispered comforting words to calm down the horse and the horse let out a noise to tell her its already calm down. Makoto smiled and patted the horse.

"We need to hurry, Haru need us." Makoto spoke as she climb up onto her horse then she turned towards Sousuke who stood beside the horse with dumbfounded look on his face. "What about you Sousuke?" Makoto asked the man and he blinked.

Shit, he just remembered. He came here by legs, not horse. Makoto smiled down at him and jump down the horse which confused Sousuke.

"Let's ride together." She proposed and his eyes widen. "No Makoto, I—"

"Sousuke, Rin and Haru need us now. We don't have time to argue over this." Makoto spoke with a stern tone in her voice, which amazed him. "Well… I guess that it'll be fine—"

"Mako-chan! There you are!" Nagisa called out and ran to Makoto and Sousuke with Rei right behind her.

"We heard about what happen to Her Majesty. Are you going there by any chance?" Rei asked and Makoto nodded. Nagisa looked at Makoto then Sousuke.

"There's no way you both going to fit on that horse. You both are giants." Nagisa bluntly spoke up and Makoto let out a nervous chuckled. Well… the truth has been spoken. "How about Sou-chan use my horse instead?" Nagisa suggested and Sousuke raised his brow.

"You have a horse?" Nagisa pouted at Sousuke's question and she went to a white horse stood not far away from Makoto's. "You can use mine Sou-chan. I'll have Rei to send me back home later." Rei nodded at Nagisa's suggestion.

"Then Rei-chan can take my horse from the palace later on!" Nagisa sang then Rei's eyes widen at her suggestion. "Wait Nagisa!" Rei interfered but got cut off by Nagisa's "It's fine, it's fine!" Rei let out a long sigh, knowing his girlfriend too well that she'll just continue ignoring him anyway.

"You better go now or you'll make His Majesty wait." Rei ushered and they both nodded as they ride their respective horses.

"Thanks Hazuki, I owe you one." Sousuke smiled down at the small woman and the horses carried both Makoto and Sousuke away from the place, leaving Rei and Nagisa.

"You owe me foods Sou-chan!"

xXx

"Yamazaki-sama." One of the guard notice called out as Sousuke and Makoto climbed down from the horse. "His Majesty is currently waiting for you and Young Lady Tachibana." The guard explained and Sousuke nodded in understanding.

"Take care of the horses. We'll be going now." Sousuke commanded and rushed towards the castle with Makoto. Sousuke then noticed how quiet Makoto is. "You alright Makoto?" The question caught Makoto attention and she gave him a weak smile.

"I'm fine. I'm just worried about Haru." Makoto muttered, her brows knitted whilst biting her bottom lips. Sousuke patted her head.

"Her Majesty will be fine." Sousuke whispered and Makoto smiled. Somehow Sousuke soft words soothed her.

They both arrived to the King Chambers and they saw Rin who stood in front of the door of his chamber with agitated look on his face.

"Rin!" Makoto called out to the king and Rin's eyes widen then his tense expression change to relieved looking.

"Makoto, thank God you here. I've been waiting for you." Rin sighed and looked towards the closed door worriedly.

"What happen exactly?" Sousuke asked and Rin shook his head. "I'm not sure myself. I was in my office then suddenly Gou barged into my office and told me Haru passed out while practicing archery." Rin explained to both of them. Makoto looked outside and noticed how hot it was.

"Rin, where's my father?" Makoto asked then Rin points towards the door. Makoto nodded at both men and entered the room.

"Father, Mother, I'm here." Makoto announced her arrival as she steps into the chamber and closed the door behind her. Makoto's mother currently placing a wet towel over the queen's forehead as Dr. Tachibana checking on Haru's pulse.

"Oh Makoto, you here. Perfect timing." Dr. Tachibana smiled up at his daughter as he stood up. Makoto looked at him puzzled. Perfect timing?

"How's Haru doing?" Makoto asked and Dr. Tachibana looked towards the unconscious queen.

"Well, her heart beating is fast, currently her blood pressure is high and her temperature currently is warm. It might be caused by the heat and tiredness." Dr. Tachibana elaborated and Makoto nodded, currently writing down the information in her mind.

"Father, can I recheck her please?" Makoto asked and her father nodded. Makoto placed her fingers on Haru's pulse then check the heartbeat as she placed her ear on Haru's chest.

"It's fast…" Makoto muttered and she opened Haru's eye and check the pupil. "No concussion it seem. But she's pale and hot." Makoto muttered and Dr. Tachibana nodded.

"I called you here to check on her with details. And this is a good opportunity for you don't you think?" Dr. Tachibana smiled and Makoto's eyes brighten by her father words.

"Yes! I'll do my best!" Makoto bowed and stood up straight with a grin. Her father had acknowledge her by letting her treat his patience and this is a huge chance for her career.

"I'll leave everything up to you. You'll have your mother to assist you. Good luck Makoto." Dr. Tachibana smiled as he patted Makoto's shoulder then walked out from the chamber.

"Doctor, how's Haru?!" Rin attacked the doctor, surprising him. Sousuke pulled Rin back by his collar and looked at the doctor.

"How is Her Majesty Doctor?" Sousuke repeat and Dr. Tachibana gave Rin a warm smile.

"Makoto's currently examine Her Majesty so please wait for a moment Your Majesty. I hope you understand." Dr. Tachibana explained and Rin nodded at the doctor. The doctor excused himself and walked away, leaving the two men alone.

It was quiet. Rin tapping his feet with impatience as Sousuke leaned his back against the wall, closing his eyes. The hallway was quiet except the sound that came from Rin which slowly annoyed Sousuke.

"Rin, calm down. She'll be fine." Sousuke said and Rin nodded even though he was clearly worried about Haru. Then he look up at Sousuke.

"So… Any progress?" Rin asked and at this Sousuke raised his brow. Progress? "Don't play dumb. You know what I mean. Or should I ask Makoto myself later?" Rin smirked and suddenly Sousuke understood what he meant and let out a loud groan as red stains his cheeks.

"God dammit Rin… you making it difficult for me to explain it to you…" Sousuke mumbled out words and Rin tilted his head to side. What the hell is Sousuke mumbling about?

"Oi Sousuke—" The door of the chamber opened which caught Rin attention and Makoto's mother stood there with the usual warm smile on her face, somehow soothes Rin.

"Lady Tachibana…" Rin called and walked towards her. "H-How's Haru? Is she alright?" Then she stepped aside. "You can come in now Your Majesty. She's awake now." On cue, Rin rushed inside, leaving Lady Tachibana and Sousuke alone outside. She turned towards the young man and Sousuke startled.

"You don't want to come inside Young Master?" She asked and he shook his head. "It's fine. Let them be for a while, I can go see her later." Sousuke answered and she nodded. "Oh and Lady Tachibana, please don't call me Young Master. I'm not a kid anymore." Sousuke pouted slightly and the older woman laughed at this.

"You will always be Young Master to me dear. Or should I call you Sousuke-chan like I did with Rin-chan and Haru-chan?" Sousuke's cheeks redden at the nickname as she chuckled seeing the young man reaction.

"No need. It'll be better if you only call me Sousuke." Sousuke proposed and Lady Tachibana smiled. She just love to tease young people these days, always get embarrassed by cute nicknames.

"Well now, I will excuse myself Sousuke. I'm going to visit the late Queen. I'll see you later." And with that, the woman left Sousuke alone and he let out a sigh.

xXx

"Makoto!" Rin rushed towards Makoto who's currently packing her supplies and she blinked at the King. "How's Haru? Is she alright? Please tell me she's fine!" Rin questions cause Makoto to panic.

"W-Wait Rin, calm down." Makoto said and Rin finally let out a long sigh. "She's fine. She fainted because she was tired and the hot weather also one of the caused." Makoto explained and Rin blinked with a dumbfounded look on his face.

"Tired? Is she alright?" Rin asked again and at this Makoto gave him a grin. "You should go see her yourself. She's awake already." Makoto suggested and Rin agreed with her suggestion by going to see Haru himself. He pulled the curtain of the bed and his eyes widen.

"Rin…" Haru called tiredly as she reach out her hand and Rin held it tightly to his chest. The look of tiredness is clearly portrayed on her beautiful pale face. He hold her cheek and rub his thumb over her warm cheek.

"You look pale, and you're warm. Are you alright Haru?" Rin asked as he lovingly rub her hand in his, clearly worried about the queen. Haru snort at this.

"You treating me like I'm in my death bed." Haru gave him a pout and Rin chuckled lightly then Haru gently wipe a tear off his eye. "You crybaby."

"Haru shut up…!" Rin whined with red cheeks and Haru laughed weakly. "I can't help it. I had a mini heart attack when Gou told me you pass out at the training field. You who always so strong… It was nerve wrecking knowing you passed out from tiredness and wait something off…" Rin stopped in mid track of his ramblings and frowned. Haru is a healthy and fit person. Yeah the weather is hot and she might be tired from all the works at the castle. But still… something is off.

"Yes something is definitely wrong." Haru spoke up and he blinked. "Something is wrong and it's bad for both of us for the next nine months." Haru confessed and Rin's face pale. Both of them? Is it really that bad?

"W-What is it Haru? Don't scare me like this. What's wrong?" Rin question and Haru looked down, deep in thought.

"But even though it is bad for us for the next nine month, it will become something precious in our life." Haru continued which making Rin more anxious. What is she talking about? Nine months? What will happen in that time?

"Haru, just jump to the conclusion please." Rin pleaded and Haru let out a sigh as she placed Rin's hand over her abdomen. Rin blinked twice and stare at Haru with wide eyes.

"Haru, you don't mean…"

"You will be a father soon." Haru gave him a warm smile and suddenly Rin wrapped his arms around her small frame then Haru smiled. "Rin, you crying right now." Haru whispered and Rin pulled back with a grinned then he pulled her into a deep kiss.

"I love you Haru, so much." Rin whispered lovingly on her lips as he gave her a loving gaze. "I love you too Rin."

Makoto who stood not far away from them smiled (awkwardly at that) at the King and the Queen.

"Good for you Haru…" Makoto whispered softly, eyes soften as the couple chatting happily for it seem the talk about their future child.

What is it like to have the other half?

It's a question that she constantly ask herself when she look at her surroundings. Her parents who is still in love with each other until now. Rei and Nagisa which is total opposite of each other but still deep in love. Rin and Haru that been in love since their childhood time.

Makoto knew it will be her turn sooner or later, she knew. But with who…?

"Makoto, I love you." Her cheeks redden as the man appeared in her mind. The same man that been lingered in her mind for months that somehow always without failing made her heart beating in uncontrollable speed and causing her cheeks to go red.

Does that mean that she is…

"Makoto." Rin called her out which snapped her out from her deep thought. Rin stood in front of her and Makoto smiled.

"Congratulation for both of you." Makoto bowed and Rin nodded and asked her to raise herself. "Now Haru, no more practice for you and take a plenty of rest alright?" Makoto instructed as Haru nodded with a frown. "And no, do not sneak practicing. I'll know. So no use in hiding." Makoto said and Haru pouted.

"Makoto," Rin called and Makoto look at him. "Will you become Haru's personal doctor?" Rin asked and her eyes widen.

"You know I will even without you asking me to Rin." Makoto laughed as Haru chuckled in agreement.

"I'll come for regular checkup. Maybe once a week will be fine. So I'll excuse myself now. I'll see you guys later alright?" Makoto excused herself and as she was about to step out from the room…

"Makoto." Haru called her and Makoto turned around to Haru. "Thank you." Haru gave Makoto a soft smile and Makoto grinned.

"You're welcome!" And with that, she closed the door of the chamber. Makoto let out a sigh as she lean her back against the door.

"Now… all left to do is…"

"How's Her Majesty doing?" Makoto yelped and she looked to her right to see Sousuke who's been waiting outside alone. Makoto felt her heart beating fast and she began to feel the heat crept over her face.

"Makoto, your face is red. Something wrong?" Sousuke asked worriedly and she let out a soft yelped which surprised Sousuke.

"I-I'm fine…! I-I'm going home now!" She stuttered and walked past the man quickly. Oh no no, she can't let him seeing her like this! She still don't know how to response his confession before and she want to give it a thought.

"Wait, I'll walk with you." Sousuke offered and Makoto startled at this. B-But she wants to take a moment for herself to relax and and and—

"Sure. That would be nice." She softly smiled at Sousuke and he smiled back.

And Makoto let out an internal scream.

xXx

Makoto walked awkwardly besides him as he stays quiet, unsure what happen to Makoto. He looked down at her and notice the tip of her ears redden. He smiled at this and noted how adorable she is when she's flustered.

"So how's the queen?" Sousuke asked and Makoto smiled. "She's alright. She's pregnant for a month now and her practice worn her out so it's no wonder she passed out before." Makoto replied and Sousuke mouthed an O. So that's what happen.

"So did Rin asked you to be Haru's personal doctor?" Sousuke asked again and at this Makoto looked up at him blinking. "How did you know that?" Makoto asked and Sousuke shrugged his shoulder.

"Lucky guess."

They walked through the castle garden and as they walked next to the fountain, Makoto stopped in her tracked which attracted Sousuke's attention. "Makoto?"

"Sousuke, I need to tell you something." Makoto whispered and Sousuke raised his brow and nodded for her to go on. Makoto gulped down a lump in her throat then she kicked a pebble with her feet. Her heart beating fast and she bite her bottom lips nervously. Her eyes wander down to the ground.

How should she tell him? How is she supposed to tell him that he's been weighing heavily in her mind and how is supposed to tell him that she miss him so much when they didn't meet each other for months? How is she supposed to tell him that his presence alone always make her feel warm and secured? Just how is she supposed to tell him that she—

"I love you, Sousuke."

She didn't hear anything from him, so she continues.

"I-I love you too Sousuke. I've been thinking about you for all this time. The weeks we haven't met was lonely and plain, it wasn't the usual when we always met up at the library and chatted all day. A-And…"

"Enough."

"Huh?" She was pulled into a hug and her eyes widen. She slowly wrapped her arms around him and glance to side to see his red ears.

"You being too straightforward dammit…" Sousuke whispered and she smiled.

"I love you Sousuke." She felt his hand tighter on her waist and he pulled back, gaze lovingly on her with a grin on his handsome face.

"I love you too Makoto."

xXx