CHAPTER 17

Dropping Alizarin, Kuon rushed over to his love all limb and flushed. His father followed right after and crouched by his crumbling son, in attempts of comforting him reached out and held Kuon together. Finally the tears came crawling down, one after the other. He cried and held Kyoko's body to him not wanting to let her go. Tarkio walked over with assistance of Ren, both fell to their knees. The king cried where he dropped but Ren continued toward his, seemingly, dead friend then fell to his knees.

"Oh Kyoko, my sweet daughter… why, why has the gods forsaken my family?!" crying out to the heaven Kanae and Yukihito comforted the broken king, as Kanae cried silently.

Tears streaming down Ren's face, he bumped his forehead on Kyoko's shoulder and nuzzled against it. Touching her cheek, he tried ever method he knew to what her up he even nipped at her ear. Yelped at her, barked at her, and bit her… nothing worked. Ren howled and Kuon cried out, both broken they lost their light.

Once Ren stopped his howl, he gently placed the curve of his nose on her neck and he felt a… pulse?! Nugding Kuon whose forehead rested on Kyoko's, he didn't respond.

"Hu… K-Kuon, Kyoko… s-she's still alive," breathless Ren directed the prince's hand to Kyoko's pulse, "j-just s… sleeping…" leaving his hand on her neck, he felt it! It was barely noticeable, but it was there! Kyoko, his Kyoko, was still here… still in his arms, in his reach. But the question remained how to wake her?

"Tarkio, Kanae she's okay… she's still here, and breathing… but very lightly!" Kuon gazed over at the king and his love's best friend. Getting up the king completely ran to his daughter, and possible son-in-law.

"Kyoko, sweetie, wake up please?!" he cried out slightly shaking her shoulder, nothing. Kaena walked over and slapped her, she got no reaction from Kyoko. Shocked glances and two pissed off males was all she received.

"… I don't see you coming up with something better!" she said before crumbling again, Yukihito comforted her.

Clearing their throats the sisters got Kuon's attention, and all four of them touched their lips and gestured it to Kyoko. Staring at them for a few seconds it hit him, square in the face like a punch to the jaw.

"… Sleep spell, broken by a kiss…" he paused, "… of true love?" looking at her, then to her father asking for permission; Tarkio nodded.

"*Kyoko, my Kyoko, my love… my life… it's time to wake up…*" he whispered as their lips grew nearer.

Kyoko's MIND…

I'm scared, there's no one here… its cold here, and dark. I don't like this… what's that? The noise where's it coming from? Agh I have a headache… metal? It sounds like it, a sword? Oh where's it coming from, I can't see… Kuon, where are you?!

I can't get up, what is this?! It's getting colder, *yawn* I getting sleepy… NO! I have to stay awake…

Stay. Awake. Kyoko! Stay awake!

… I can't…

Oh? Warm, all over me… this scent… Corn? Mmmm, on my lips there's more… kissing? Kuon? Ah is this a dream? No it's real, this is nice… kissing Kuon, but I can't move my lips!

I want to taste! Move body!

Oh! Sleep spell, Ooooh that wench! That won't do, I am not weaker then this spell!

Mental spells are for the level of mentality, so my mentality is superior… and plus 'True love's kiss', this spell has no chance… so Kyoko… Move!

Ah finally…

End of Kyoko's MIND…

Kuon's lips landed softly on Kyoko's, somewhat, cold-ish lips. Not getting a response he was going to move away, but then a small response came from her mouth; a downward pressure… a frown? Closing his eyes again, Kuon kissed her more firmly demanding another response, and she did! She allowed him in, forgetting where they were he kissed her longer than was needed… he didn't care. Pulling away for air, Kyoko opened her eyes and was buried under hugs and kisses from her father, Kanae, Ren, Kuon, Kuu, Julie, Yukihito, and Sho; who finally got released by terrified Mimori.

The second last ones to hug Kyoko were the Pure Beings, before they went off to dispose of Saena's remains. Each giving her kisses and whispering promises on returning, and attending her wedding… once Kuon asked that is… flying off, they carried away the bloody beast. The party restarted like nothing happened… well except for the gigantic hole in the corner wall. Smiling at the thought of it left there Kyoko thought of some plans for it. Lost in thought, she walked right into someone… with a nice firm chest. About to apologize she felt two strong arms wrap protectively around her frame, looking up at the arms' owner; Kuon. Smiling brightly she threw her arms around his waist as well.

"Thank you for saving me, my knight-in-shining-armor…" smiling at her little joke he brushed his nose against hers, while everything started up again Kuon was sent to out on different clothing. And this suit matched Kyoko's blue purple ball dress.

"And does this brave knight get a reward for saving the princess twice?" he asked lust filling his eyes, "Once from the dreadful dragon, once from a sleep spell…" whispering as he leaned his head forward more.

She quickly met him half way, pulling his face down as she rushed in, claiming their loves' lips again they lost their thoughts. He focused on her mouth moving against his, and her on his; a passionate kiss, only broken for air. Smiling they walked hand in hand and he stopped at the garden. Where the little earth fairies danced around them and provided a soft lovely light.

"Kyoko, I met you ten years ago at a small clearing in a forest. And we became friends, and over that time that we've known each other… I had grown to like you, a lot. But at that time you liked someone else," placing his hand on her mouth to stop her from talking, "but I continued to like you, even though I knew that. Every day when I went home, I thought about the time we spent together. And my heart would hurt, because back then I couldn't touch you. I would think of you all the time, and would find myself wanting, no… longing to see you, to be near you again."

Watching him patiently, Kyoko had a soft smile on her lips as he continued.

"As we grew closer, it became harder for me restrain myself from touching you, I never wanted to leave, and the thought of you marrying another man… angered me to no end. But I couldn't… wouldn't do anything… I thought it would hurt you if I did something, and I feared losing you more than anythin. I can't tell you how many times I wanted to just lean in and steal your lips… and how many times I wanted to just hold you to me and tell you that… I love you." Stopping as he was watching her eyes tear up and tears fall, he whipped them away and continued.

"And now I should tell you, because today terrified… horrified me… Kyoko Mogami, would you marry me?" he dropped to one knee and pulled out a sliver gold ring that had a sapphire stone sitting in the middle with two aquaria stones on either side. Looking at her, he blushed at the happiest expression he'd seen… her eyes a bit puffy were hazy and soft, her face was lightly tinted pink, but her smile made his breath hitch… it was indescribable, but all that came to mind was god damn happy!

She threw herself at him and kissed him roughly… letting go for only a second or two just to breathlessly say yes and she was back on his lips, kissing him with all the held emotions she kept in her heart. The fairies surrounding them giggled and circled around them, and the crowd came out to see what was going on. Lory, Kuu, and Tarkio all huddled together and cried on young love and their wives, though Kuu's was still alive; he cried mostly because of his son and Kyoko. Maria jumped with glee tugging on Hio's sleeve, and he made a disgusted face, but was blushing on the inside. Sho, Kanae, Yukihito, and Ren smiled with happiness on their good friends' happiness…

And they were engaged…