So like I promised.. two endings.. you get to choose.
it's unconventional, i know, but I like things crazy like that rather than have it open ended. It's closure at the same time, we all get what we want ;)
Majority of course wanted Mikan to live. so this one's for all you guys who took the time to review with the "stay" option
Enjoy!
xoxo Lexi1989
CRIMSON ROSE
EPILOGUE: MYSTERY SOLVED
"Everybody put your hands together for Crimson Rose!"
My hands are sweaty again. I grip the microphone. That initial feeling of nervousness of stepping out on stage after a long hiatus makes me stumble but it's a good thing he is right behind me to catch me. I look up into his crimson eyes and I see him give me a playful smirk.
"Even now you're still a klutz, polka." I smack him on the shoulder and give an embarrassed apologetic look to the crowd. I can hear the snickers and chuckles from the audience.
"Good evening everyone. I'm glad you could all join us today for this special event. Let me introduce to you my duet partner for this song tonight, from Sakuras & Swords, Mr. Natsume Hyuuga." Applause greets him as he steps up to the spotlight.
"I have to say though, it's hard to think of a gift to give your best friend on her wedding day when she's rich enough to buy anything in the world." More light laughter erupts from the crowd.
"But as she is the maid of honor, and I the best man, we decided to give them the gift of music." Natsume added holding the mic up to his mouth.
"Hotaru, Ruka, this is for you." Looking at the bride and groom across the room, I see them both give us a soft smile.
The lights dim and the spotlight is focused on us. The intro starts playing.
[Mikan] ~Time may take us apart, but I will still love you. I promise~
[Both] ~And when the stars, stars are falling, I'll keep calling~
[Mikan] ~I promise that you'll be my one my only everything, I'll never be untrue~
[Natsume] ~And I promise back that for your love I will do anything~
[Mikan] ~I will give you the stars~
[Natsume] ~I will buy you the moon~
[Mikan] ~And even through longest of our nights~
[Natsume] ~And Even through the darkest days our~
[Both] ~Love will find away~
He holds my hand in his and gives it a soft squeeze.
[Both:]~And when the stars are falling, I'll keep calling~
~I will still love you~
~And when your dreams are fading, I'll be waiting~
~I will still love you~
[Mikan] ~You are my summer breeze my winter sun, my springtime soul, my autumn touch of gold~
[Natsume] ~You are my sky my rain a way which my love flows cuz you're all~
[Both] ~The smile of my heart and the breathe of my soul~
[Mikan] ~Even if we find ourselves apart~
[Natsume] ~We will hold out hopes and dreams~
[Both] ~Forever in our hearts~
He turns to face me and I, him.
[Both:]
~And when the stars are falling, I'll keep calling~
~I will still love you~
~And when your dreams are fading, I'll be waiting~
~I will still love you~
[Natsume] ~Tell me how you feel~
[Mikan] ~I finally know how to feel. Tell me if it's real~
[Natsume] ~And my heart is tells me it's real~
[Mikan] ~So real, so real~
The audience is forgotten and we are in our own little world.
[Both:]
~And when the stars are falling, I'll keep calling~
~I will still love you~
~And when your dreams are fading, I'll be waiting~
~I will still love you~
[Mikan] ~I will still love you baby~
Our passion for music and each other evident in the way we sing.
[Both]
~Time will take us apart that's true~
~But I will always be there for you~
~Your in my heart and you'll be in my dreams~
~No matter how many miles between~
~I promise you that I won't forget~
~The day we kissed or the day we met~
~The sky may fall and the stars my too~
~But I will still, I will still love you~
[Both:]~And when the stars are falling, I'll keep calling~
~I will still love you~
~ And when your dreams are fading, I'll be waiting~
~I will still love you~
The song ends and the spell is broken. I give a slight blush as I see the people all cheering and clapping for our performance. We step down from the stage, with him guiding me to ensure I didn't trip over the maid of honor's gown I was wearing. We rush to the presidential table to give our best friends best wishes.
"I don't know if that could be considered a gift or if you two just wanted to declare your love to the world." Koko joked which earned him a smack from Sumire's clutch (again).
"It was a sweet gesture, baka, but you still owe me two months worth of crabsticks." Hotaru's voice was deadly serious, though her lips did have a slight upward curve at the corners. [A/N: Refer to Chapter 2 of Sakuras & Swords]
I felt Natsume wrap his arms around my waist from behind me.
"How bout a year's supply and we're cool Imai?" He asked.
"Deal. Now let's all dance!" Hotaru pulled a blushing Ruka to the dance floor and we all followed suit. Tsubasa and Misaki. Koko and Sumire. Anna and Yuu (who, as expected, got back together) Nonoko and Kitsu (which was definitely a surprise). Tono, Kaname and Youichi joined us with their dates.
After an hour of dancing, I felt parched and begged off to find some drinks. I grabbed a flute of champagne from a passing waiter and settled myself on the balcony overlooking the hotel's beautiful garden. I thought back to the past few years and let out a huge sigh. I've come so far from where I started. I look up at the stars twinkling beautifully in the sky and thought of my parents.I can still remember my dad's voice and his warm smile.
"You're still at a point where you can choose. If you choose to stay, I won't stop you. Should you wish to come with me, all you need to do is to walk with me into the light."
I remember panicking at the last minute. Uncertainty making me hesitate. Torn between being with my parents or with my living loved ones.
"You don't have much time Mikan-chan."
"I don't know what to do dad."
"Only you can decide. I cannot decide for you..."
I put my hand on my cheek where he had kissed me before walking towards the light. He had whispered something in my ear.
"Follow your heart Mikan."
I looked at him standing near the light, hand outstretched, waiting for me to decide.
I looked at the love of my life at the other side of the door.
"I'm sorry." I had bowed my head down and whispered.
I gave my dad a regretful look and he nodded, letting me know he understood.
"Say hi to mom for me, I'll see you both then." and he walked into the light alone to be with my mother.
As the light vanished, I took a step towards my body amidst the frantic movements of the doctors. And I chose my destiny. I chose to live.
"There you are, I've been looking all over for you." I am broken out of my reverie by Natsume, hugging me tightly in a warm embrace.
"I just needed some air." I said as I kissed him.
"You looked like you were so far away back then, what were you thinking about?" I turned back to the skies where the moon came out from behind the clouds and he leans on the balcony next to me.
"About that time.." I murmured.
"I was so scared to lose you, you know." I gazed into his crimson orbs. I could see the fear reflected in his eyes.
"I don't ever want to lose you again Mikan, once was enough. Never again." He pulled me close to him and I snuggled into the crook of his neck.
"Now come on, it's time for Imai to throw her bouquet." I rolled my eyes as he dragged me back to the party.
"Ok, all single ladies, please proceed to the dance floor. The bride will be throwing the bouquet!"
So there we were, Anna, Nonoko, Sumire, and the rest of the single ladies all being herded into the middle of the dance floor. I caught Hotaru's eye and I glared at her. There was something suspicious in the way she looked. She was staring at me out of everybody in the group. I shook my head.
"Oh no.. no.. no.. this is a set up." I mouthed to her. And she nodded, with a small evil smile.
I glanced to the rest of the squad and they all had similar Chesire Cat grins. I started to push out of the crowd but the 3 had me cornered.
"Ok! On the count of 3, ladies get ready to find out who's next to get married!"
1...
2...
3..
'Darn it Hotaru!'
She didn't even turn around and throw the bouquet behind her back! She straight up aimed it at me and threw it at my head. It hit me hard with a loud *Plonk* and it bounced off my head and into my hands.
"Oh my! It looks like Ms. Crimson Rose has caught the bouquet!"
A loud round of applause is heard and I blushed profusely.
And of course, to no surprise, Natsume manages to catch the garter from Ruka who used the same tactic Hotaru did when he threw it.
'These guys are so going to get it!'
I am asked to sit on a chair in the middle of the dance floor. I blush as Natsume pulls up the hem of my gown, exposing my leg and pulls the garter up to mid thigh. Then he asks me for the bouquet that I caught. (Well actually, that was thrown at me).
"Why would you want this?" I asked him, puzzled at his actions.
"Just give it to me Polka!" He was adamant so I handed it over. Just as it leaves my fingers, I get blinded by the spotlight.
The bouquet is once again thrust into my hands but when I looked at it, nestled in the middle is a small Tiffany box. I look at him and he is kneeling in front of me.
"Open it." He says into the microphone. It is silent in the hall, you could hear a pin drop.
My hand trembles as I lift the lid and find the most gorgeous Princess Cut platinum ring adorned with small diamonds and a ruby in the center.
"Mikan Sakura Yukihara, I love you so much, will you make me the happiest man alive and marry me?"
I look into his eyes and know that I made the right decision back then that night. To live.
I followed my heart just like what my dad said.
"YES!"
This is Juliana Rancic for E! News! Last night, we just witnessed the wedding of the bassist of former Japanese rock band Sakuras & Swords Ruka Nogi, to his lovely wife Hotaru Imai, heiress of Japan's most successful technology developing company. It definitely was a night to remember for this band.
In attendance as best man was frontman, Natsume Hyuuga, who is known to have declared his love to personal assistant and girlfriend Mikan Sakura Yukihara back in the Grammy Awards after winning the Best New Artist Award of 2015. It was reported then that Ms. Yukihara passed away due to a car accident and the band disbanded shortly after, causing much dismay and sadness to their fans. Years later, he has once again stolen the spotlight during the wedding reception, as he proposes to mystery singer, Crimson Rose.
We have all been wondering about the mysterious singer who's private life has well been sheltered from the public eye. The mysterious and popular Japanese singer rose to fame through a viral video uploaded through Youtube. And now it looks like the mystery of Crimson Rose has indeed been solved. It was confirmed through the proposal, that Crimson Rose is Mikan Sakura Yukihara in the flesh. Looks like these two lucky and talented artists are finally getting their happily ever after!
THE END
Soooo.. I hope you liked the happy ending :)
Song mentioned in this chappie is "I Will Still Love You" by Britney Spears and Don Philip. (from Britney's first album Baby One More Time) No ownership claimed for the song. I just really think it was fitting for them :D
I was so happy to have received your feedback even if most were threatening to murder or rip my head off LoL
It goes to show that you really were interested in my story coz I was able to invoke those feelings from you guys!
thank you for all the support and for following me and my stories. I'll be writing more of them so i hope you guys still follow and enjoy them!
SwordBlossom: You better not hate me :D
MidNightMoon1820 : Thank you so much for the support! And please don't murder me or rip my head off.. teehee (cowers in the corner)
KitsuneSenpai18: No need to flip tables with this ending.
Guest 1: With this ending she is ;)
Guest 2: Thank you so much! And yes, I agree, if given the chance to live, I would do so too.
miamu-chan: Here's your request :)
chewybillabong: NO! don't die! she's gonna live! LoL here's the 2nd ending.
Anilissa : Of course I wouldn't leave you hanging.. ;) thanks for all the support!
RavenAcA3: Ally-chan! your review made me laugh :D thank you so much for always supporting.
Seiren Rindo: Please don't behead me.. LoL.. but yeah, i had two endings in mind and it would be a shame not to share them to the world so I'll let you guys choose the ending you would like for this :) much better that way
cc: here's your request :D
crimsontouches : I couldn't really make her die since a lot want her to live, so two endings and you get to choose which one!
LalaManaka: don't cry now. she'll live.. (in this ending anyways.,)
Guest3: yep definitely taking your advice on that one.. enjoy this ending :)
suenethakchan: Hi sue-chan! thank you! :) love your stories. hope you update Clarity soon hihihi
Once again a big giant thank you!
This concludes Crimson Rose.
xoxo Lexi1989