This will be the last chapter in this fic. Thanks so much for everyone who has been avidly reading this fic. I've had such a grand time writing this and I'm so thankful for everyone who supported the story. I couldn't have finished it without your constant reviews. For that, I am more than grateful. I will come up with new stories soon but for now, I'm finishing the ones I've started. I hope you'll read my other stories too!
SakuraSunrise: Thanks do reviewing even while still on vacation! I soooo look forward to your updates too! I badly need to know who found Yui after she got raped!
Michi: Yes, Gi's still single here! Here's the update, I'm just really sorry it's delayed.
ThePinkMartini: Thanks for liking the lemon! I seldom get readers who tell me they like that part. ^_^
Disclaimer: Yuu Watase owns FY. I don't get anything from writing this fic but a creative release—and a string of readers who tell me they like it. :)
Chapter 25: I Just Said You're Beautiful
By Slavedriver2008
We were late.
For the dinner, that is. Nakago emailed me a few weeks ago saying he missed my company and would love to have dinner with me when I got back to Berlin. He would not mind sharing the table with Saihitei, though. He said it was part of the past now, and we knew very well there were instances in our intertwined histories that were better forgotten. I needed not dwell on them, he said, we're wise enough to know the decisions we made were the ones we wanted. To a new beginning, he wrote.
Saihitei was expressionless when I told him about it, a few hours before we left Tokyo, with a string of reporters at our heels. He tried to show very little emotion in front of people he don't know but he could not help but smile hesitantly when I told him I will never talk to him again if he missed the chance of meeting one of my trusted seishis.
"He saved me countless times in the book," I told him at the airport, waiting for our flight. "I never said anything whenever you go out to meet Miaka or Taka—" he silenced me with a kiss and I blushed when I realized thousands of cameras have flashed when we did so.
"I get the idea," he whispered. "Now, let's get out of here, I'm having a hard time keeping my hands off you." I laughed sheepishly, still blushing, and he laced our fingers together as we walked toward the boarding gate.
When we arrived in Berlin, Miaka called to say out little 'act' got into the front pages of the newspapers and she can only guess what my Dad's reaction would be because we were seen kissing in public. I can almost imagine his reactions. I wanted to faint but Mom called me to say she saw the photos but Dad did not, thanks to the fact that he was too busy with operations to check the newspapers for the day. She did remind me not to be too explicit with Sai especially since we're leaving Japan and we can never be too safe in a foreign country.
Oh well, back to the dinner. I knew Sai was having doubts in meeting Nakago. It was the first time, or probably the only instance, he had to meet the blonde shogun as a friend. "He killed me in the book," he reasoned out while we were debating whether to attend the dinner or not—after making love in the hotel.
I rolled my eyes and said. "He's no longer a shogun now, ne. He won't even lay a hand on you." I stood up from the bed and covered my nakedness with the white sheets. "Besides, he never experienced the same circumstances he did in the book. He was raised quite ideally in this lifetime." I made my way to the shower.
"What, no invitation?" he asked and I rolled my eyes.
"Only if you agree to do this quickly—we're already late!" I told him and he stood up from the bed, flaunting his naked body as he walked toward me. "You're so modest." He sniggered and pulled the sheet from me, I gasped as I got bared in front of him.
"Fine, we'll make it quick but just as enjoyable." I blushed all over and the next thing I knew, we were having wild sex in the bathroom. Really wonderful lovemaking. Hmmm... Anyway, after an hour or so, Sai and I got dressed formally for dinner and he drove us to the elegant restaurant at the upper side of the city.
After we gave our keys to the valet, we stood at the lobby together. It then hit me that I was also unsure of this dinner too. Maybe it wasn't the right time yet, maybe we should have waited for a few more months? Saihitei took my hand and placed it in his arm, like a gentleman would, and we walked confidently to the restaurant. I was wearing a white Grecian dress that flows languidly over my body while he was wearing a suit and tie with his hair tied loosely over his shoulders. He was gorgeous and I knew I was not the only one who noticed because as we made our way toward the table where Nakago sat, the women in the house were openly staring at him—at us.
But I was too nervous to mind the stares. You see, the table was not just occupied by my blonde seishi—there were many others with him and my breath caught as I remembered who they were. Sai fidgeted a little but he continued to walk toward them confidently, like a true royalty.
"I'm sorry we're late," I murmured as Nakago stood up and shook Sai's hand. When he reached me, Nakago held my shoulders and kissed me once on each cheek. I recognized his cologne, it had not changed when I last saw him.
"There is nothing to apologize for, we were quite late ourselves." He remained standing and introduced everyone. "Kaen Haku and Chuuin Ryo are here—Soi and Tomo in the book. This is Saihitei Seishuku and his fiancé, our Yui Hongo."
"The Prince of Japan? Interesting." Soi raised an eyebrow and rose up for a handshake. Tomo did the same to Saihitei and when he took my hand and kissed it, he smiled. I blushed at his gesture.
"It's been a long time, Yui-sama. You are as beautiful as always," he whispered and I felt warm all over. I blinked at him. Sai tightened his hold of my arm.
"Please, it's just Yui."
"That's Empress Yui for you Tomo," Soi teased. "Stop flirting with the lady, your Highness does not look pleased." She finished the sentence with a loud laughter that filled the restaurant.
"The two of you are making them uneasy," Nakago cut in as we all settled in our seats. He heaved a sigh. "I'm glad you can make it, Yui. It's also a pleasure to have your company, Heiki-sama."
"Let's drop the formalities. You can call me Saihitei, or Sai as what Yui prefers to call me. It's nice to meet everyone." Saihitei laced our hands together under the table and he held me tightly. He was nervous and so was I. It was not everyday you're seated in a table with former enemies. It now dawned on me why Sai was reluctant to attend this dinner, in the same way that I would have hated eating out with Taka and Miaka and some other former Suzaku seis.
Sai meeting my former seis was like going to the lion's den. There was no way of knowing if coming out alive was possible, but I'm glad he took the risk. I was happy to have him beside me. He was the world's way of telling me that what happened in the past no longer remained in our presents. Yes, we have grown and moved on and the dinner, with Nakago, Tomo and Soi, was a confirmation of that fact. We were different people now, living different lives.
"How did you meet?" I asked reluctantly, unsure if I asked the right question. Nakago looked at me and smiled softly.
"We met at the concert," he answered, sadness filling his deep blue eyes. "It's a shame you missed it."
Tomo leaned forward with a knowing smile. "I would gladly perform for you Yui—and to your majesty, I mean Saihitei, of course." He flashed him a smile and I became suddenly unsure whether he was flirting with me or with Sai. Oh goodness.
I cleared my throat and the bishounen turned his attention on me, still smiling. "Looking back, I never saw you perform before. I would love to see you on the stage."
"Perfect!" Tomo squealed, his eyes lighting up. "I have an upcoming concert in a few days. And since you're here, you are obliged to watch."
"Obliged? That's too strong a word, Tomo. You cannot—" Nakago said but Soi cut her in.
"Nakago is too protective—as always," she rolled her eyes. "I'm giving you front row tickets so you better go," Soi winked and I giggled. She was acting like some old friend and the closeness warmed me. "I'm the stage director and Tomo's my best actor." Soi turned to him and the raven-haired man smiled lovingly back.
I blinked. Lovingly. Wait, were they…? Nakago cleared his throat and we all turned our attention to him. "By the way, what are you college plans Yui?"
"Oh, I'm studying in Berlin next semester."
"Studying? Aren't you supposed to get married?" Soi cut in and Sai choked on his drink. I frowned at his reaction. He was acting like he was not ready to settle down. It pained me a bit but I tried to smile. He tightened his hold of my hand.
"No, I…we have not talked about it yet." I flashed my brightest smile and I caught Nakago raised an eyebrow. "I want to be a doctor first and Sai wants to focus on his responsibilities before we talk about…marriage."
The three nodded but said nothing. "I see. Have you found a place to stay?" Nakago asked again.
"I actually haven't done any preparing yet." Everyone laughed and I blushed.
"Can you help her settle down?" Saihitei asked Nakago and I gasped. "I might not have the…freedom…to accompany her as I wish." There was sadness in his voice and I knew it was not easy for him to ask a favor, especially to someone he hated in the past.
Silence filled the table and I thought I was going to have a heart attack. "Of course. I will look after her while she's in Berlin. You have my word for it." I laughed out of relief and stopped immediately when I realized I was the only one who did. It dawned on me then that I was actually more nervous of this dinner than Sai. It was not easy to have dinner with two loves who were once mortal enemies.
Luckily, the dinner arrived and we occupied ourselves with the food. Nakago, I found out, has such a fine palate—a quality he shared with Sai. After the way I blurted out laughing, the atmosphere in the table have been more relaxed. The wariness was gone and we were suddenly comfortable of each other's companies. Like old friends meeting after a long time. The evening felt magical.
After desserts, good music rolled in and the group urged Sai and I to dance. I wanted to say no—we've never danced together before! In the end, we agreed and I was surprised to know Sai was actually quite a good dancer. We glided in the dance floor, me giggling apologetically because I missed another step and he was laughing whenever I accidentally stepped on his foot.
"Remind me to not dance with you again," Sai whispered and I slapped his shoulder. I wrapped an arm around his neck and our noses touched. "At least the looks made up for it."
"You're horrible," I breathed out, smiling.
"Why? I just said you're beautiful." I blushed and I accidentally stepped on his foot again. He winced and I bit my lip. I looked at him intently. "I'm ruining the moment, ain't I?"
Sai laughed and pulled me closer, nodding slowly. "I love you," he whispered and I felt warm all over. He seldom said it out but whenever he does, I feel like a little girl who was had just received the bestest candy in the world. I felt like I have done something good to deserve it. I stepped on his foot again out of nervousness. "Even though you keep on damaging my feet." He smirked.
"I'm sorry. I swear I'll do anything to make up for it." I smiled reassuringly, earning a wide smile from him. I knew what he meant, it was the exact one on my mind. "Are you really letting Nakago take care of me?" I said, changing the subject. It was not a good idea to talk of sex in such a public place.
"Why not? He's a friend now."
"Are you sure you're okay with that?" I frowned and he planted a soft kiss on my lips. I blushed and smiled. Gods, did someone saw us? What if we end up in the newspapers again? Whatever. I don't care.
"Of course. He's a decent man." Sai looked down on me intently. "Unless you don't want him around—"
"No—I mean, it was…very nice of you to trust him so quickly." Sai pulled me closer and I leaned on his shoulder. "I love you so much Saihitei…" He smiled and ran his fingers in my hair. I accidentally stepped on him again and he laughed lightly.
"Should we go back now?" I looked up to him and nodded vigorously. We walked hand in hand back to the table and I thought the ordeal ended with us sitting down. But it did not.
"Twelve," Soi said out and Sai and I looked at her, puzzled.
"No, it was fifteen. I've watched intently," Tomo stated and I looked at him questioningly. He laughed at my reaction. "You should tell them," he told Soi and the woman made a face.
"Oh, it's the number of times you, uhm stepped on him." Soi smiled widely. Tomo laughed and Nakago was shaking his head. My face flushed and I swore I would have melted then and there after Sai laughed along. I was red with embarrassment but after awhile, I found myself laughing with them.
"But it was a very pleasant scene to watch," Tomo commented. "And the kiss just sealed everything." He winked and I blushed again.
"Don't you just love this dinner?" Soi said as the wine glass emptied and the dinner slowly ended. "It's so serendipitous."
Yes, it was.
A/N: There will be an epilogue and I will post it soon! It will be in Hotohori's perspective so I hope you'll read it. Please don't forget to drop reviews! Thanks much!