A/N: Please take note. There are many time skips in this chapter. This chapter is mainly focused on Ryoga and Miyabi.
"Ryoga-san, marry me," Miyabi said, staring straight into Ryoga's eyes.
Ryoma stopped chewing her ichigo daifuku (1). Rinko blinked over her cup of tea, watching the interaction between Ryoga and Miyabi while Nanako put a new plate of ichigo daifuku on the table. Yagyuu calmly served himself another daifuku. As for Ryoga, he froze in his process of drinking his tea. The hot liquid spilled out from his cup, soaking his clothes, but he wasn't aware of it. He just glared at Miyabi, gasping and bathing himself in his matccha green tea instead of emtying it inside his belly. The seven people around the table didn't make a move nor a sound. The only noise in the room was from Nanjirou and Karupin.
"KARUPIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIN!" Nanjirou yelled. Karupin had torn one of Nanjirou's precious 'magazines' and Nanjirou was chasing after the feline.
"Meoooooooooooooow!" Karupin swiftly escaped away from Nanjirou's hands.
"Karupin! Damn feline! Wait until I get my hands on you!"
"Mawww mawwwr moeeeeeeeeeew!" The (false) monk and the blue eyed cat ran around the room, unaffected by the silence around the table.
"Marry me, Ryoga-san," Miyabi repeated again, more determinedly.
". . ." There was still no reaction from Ryoga. The Yuuji-Echizen young man became an award-worthy imitation of a fish out of the tank.
"You don't have to answer. Just nod or shake your head," Miyabi said.
". . ." the Yuuji-Echizen fish answered. Karupin and Nanjirou ran past him.
"Karupin! Come back heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeere!" Nanjirou yelled, almost catching the cat tail.
"Meoooooooooow!" Karupin meowed. He jumped away, just in time before Nanjirou grabbed his fluffy attire. And POUUUUNNNND!, he landed on Ryoga's head.
"Ouch!" Ryoga groaned. Using Ryoga's head as a trampoline, Karupin jumped into Ryoma's arms, his nest of security. Karupin knew that Nanjirou wouldn't dare do anything to him because it was Ryoma's time of the month (that was why they had the most traditional Japanese ichigo daifuku as dessert today!). By doing so, Karupin forced Ryoga to do something…
"Ah! He nodded," Ryoma, Rinko, Nanako and Yagyuu stated. That meant that Ryoga agreed (more likely forced to agree) to Miyabi's marriage proposal. Miyabi's face lit up and she grew a smile of happiness.
"Waa! This is wonderful!" Miyabi exclaimed, clapping her hands together as tears of happiness twinkled in her eyes.
"Eh? What?" Ryoga asked, lifting his head up. The ladies around the table ignored him.
"Oh! I'm so happy for you two, Ryoga, Miyabi!" Rinko happily said. "Isn't that exciting, Nanako-chan? We have a marriage coming!"
"Huhuhu! Hai, obaa-san! I'm excited too!" Nanako said, giggling. An innocent (cough cough) tennis ball rolled out of nowhere from under the table and Nanjirou tripped on it.
"Huh? Wuaaaaaaaaaaaaah!" Nanjirou let out a yell and ended up outside the backyard garden, in the small lake. SPLASSSSSHHHHHHHH!
'How dare he chase after my adorable and innocent little kitten?' Ryoma grumbled in her head.
"Meow!" Karupin purred, happy to be safe in his mistress' arms.
"Nanako, which one do you think is better? A Western wedding with a white dress in a church or a Japanese traditional wedding in a jinja temple with a shiromaku and an uchikake (2)?" Nanako grabbed her chin between her fingers, thinking.
"Hmm, I do like the Japanese traditional wedding, but maybe Miyabi-san's parents would prefer a wedding in a church," Nanako commented.
"Indeed. We must also take into consideration Miyabi's parents' preferences," Rinko agreed. Rinko and Nanako started chit chatting over where the wedding should be held. Ryoma turned to Miyabi.
"Senpai, are you sure you want to marry him?" Ryoma asked. "He's a big trouble, you know. He is so obnoxious, clumsy and annoying."
"Huhuhu," Miyabi chuckled. "Don't worry. I will manage him. And you will be my honor maid, nee, Ryoma-chan?"
"Err, does it imply that I must wear a dress?" Ryoma's eyebrow twitched.
"Well of course, Ryoma," Rinko joined in the conversation.
"You will look adorable in a pink dress, Ryoma-chan," Nanako cooed.
"Urgh!" Ryoma's face twisted into a horrible grimace.
"Hahahaha!" Miyabi laughed.
"Hiroshi-kun, please contact a wedding organizer for us," Rinko said to Yagyuu.
"Hai, obaa-san," Yagyuu said to his new aunt, pulling out his cellphone.
While the discussion about the wedding continued between Rinko, Nanako and Miyabi, Ryoga glare fiercely at the Himalayan beast happily purring in his mistress's arms. The oblivious feline had just sealed his fate without asking his opinion. And he couldn't do anything against the petty pet because the furry ball was nesting against a PMS'ing Ryoma. Ryoga reeeeeeeeeally didn't want to end like Nanjirou outside in the cold water.
TIME SKIP
One, two, three. One, two, three. One, two, three. Turn.
One, two, three. One, two, three. One, two, three. Turn.
One, two, three. One, two, three, Ryoga twirled Miyabi before pulling her back in his arms. He looked down at his dancing partner, now officially his fiancée. Tonight was their engagement party. Miyabi looked up to him, her eyes shining with tender love. The way she looked at him made him feel like a he was a god. She loved him from the bottom of her heart and would do anything for him, which immensely boosted his ego. So why not accept the great gift kami-sama had granted him? As annoying and airhead as he was, like Ryoma put it, Ryoga wasn't stupid enough to let this wonderful present from Fate escape from him. He didn't like the idea that it was a damn and oblivious ball of hair on four feet that had sealed his fate, but he kind of liked Miyabi. She was a good girl.
'Not to mention that she is a beauty too!'
Nanjirou's perverted behavior had rubbed off a bit on him. Ryoga looked down again to lock gazes with Miyabi loving eyes. Inadvertently, he smiled at her.
'In the end, I'm more lucky than I thought I was to find such a pretty fiancée,' Ryoga thought, feeling a warm softness envelope his heart. Miyabi's smile brightened more when he smiled to her.
At the other side of the room, Nanjirou and Ryoma were watching them. Nanjirou was smiling like a father proud of his son.
"Once again, he makes me proud to be the father of such a wonderful son," Nanjirou said. Ryoma felt a little twinge bite her heart. "As you make me proud to be the father of such a marvelous daughter," Nanjirou finished, turning to look at her with tender eyes.
". . ." Ryoma gasped and looked at him with wide eyes.
'Did he say…?'
"Even if Ryoga had never appeared in our lives, I would never wish for you to be a boy nor would I exchange you for a boy, Ryoma. Despite all the hardship that has shown up in your path, you have never lost yourself to despair and you have stood up on your own until the end." Nanjirou pulled Ryoma against his chest. "I'm very proud of you, daughter," he said, kissing her forehead. Then, he left her and walked away.
Ryoma stood where she was, frozen and unable to move from her spot in shock. She realized that she had completely forgotten about her first goal from when she had first joined Seiyou Academy. She forgot that she had aimed to beat Nanjirou and Ryoga in tennis. She forgot that everything she had done up until today had only been to win her father's recognition. And now, she realized that she had always had her father's love and recognition, but she just had never seen it.
A big smile spread on her face from ear to ear. She shone so much that everybody in the room turned their heads away from her radiance. She wasn't even aware when Syuusuke walked up to her. It was only when Syuusuke kissed the back of her hand that she returned back to reality. And now that he had gotten her attention, he pulled her against him to join the twirling couples. Ryoma was known to be dreadfully clumsy when she was in a dress - and worst, dancing in a dress -, but today, amazingly, she was a pretty waltzing girl. Of course, the fact that her partner was a Fuji Syuusuke could not be put aside. He was the only one would could avoid having his foot crushed by her.
Nanjirou and Rinko, who were dancing at the other end of the room, watched Syuusuke and Ryoma. Rinko saw Nanjirou talking to Ryoma and she had a very good idea of why Ryoma was suddenly shining. She smiled and stood up on her toes to kiss Nanjirou on the cheek.
"I'm proud of you, anata," Rinko said. Nanjirou blinked and looked down at his wife, blinking.
"Huh? What for?"
"Huhuhu!" Rinko chuckled. Poor Nanjirou. He was looking at Ryoma with sadness and happiness. Sadness because he knew she would soon leave him. Happiness because she had found her own happiness. Rinko knew how hard it was for him to give his little princess to another man, yet he would do anything for her happiness. He deserved a reward.
"Anata, tonight, Ryoma will be staying over at Atobe-kun's place with the regulars. Syuusuke's nephew and niece, Touga and Sora, called me to ask my permission for Ryoma. They were adorable on the phone and I agreed. Ryoga is staying over at his house to do the preparations for his wedding. And Nanako is going in camping with her friends at the university."
"Ah! Does it mean… that we are alone tonight?" Nanjirou said, feeling his heart beating faster in his chest.
"Huhuhu! Yes," Rinko said. Nanjirou flashed a smile. This time, Rinko didn't mind his lechery.
"Why don't we go back home now to rest?" he eagerly asked her.
"Later. I want to spend a little bit more time with them," Rinko answered, watching Ryoga with Miyabi and Ryoma with Syuusuke across the room. Nanjirou's answer surprised her.
"Yeah, me too," Nanjirou said, looking at his children as well.
TIME SKIP
Yuuji house.
In the big garden of the Yuuji house, there were many tables put out for a reception. A small orchestra played music to entertain people as they ate, chatted or danced. Today was the wedding of Yuuji Ryuu with Miyabi Lavinia de Lavoiselle. It was time to take pictures, but the bride was nowhere to be found. The parents and friends went to search for the new bride. It was Ryoma who found Miyabi inside the house. When Miyabi left the water room to go back to her husband and the guests, something caught her attention. Ryoma found her on the second floor, standing in front of a paint portrait. She ran to Miyabi.
"Nee-chan, what are you doing here? We've been looking every where for you!" Ryoma said.
"Ryoma-chan," Miyabi said, turning her head and smiling to her new little sister. "I was looking at this portrait." Miyabi turned her eyes back to the portrait. "I was wondering if I was dreaming, but I'm not. This person, I once saw her in my dream."
"Ah? Who?" Ryoma asked. Miyabi pointed the portrait.
"This woman," Miyabi said. Ryoma brought her eyes up to the painting on the wall. It was the portrait of two people around their mid twenty, a young man and a woman. The man had dark hair with hints of dark blue and purple, a little bit like Yagyuu Hiroshi's hair. He was standing behind the armchair where his wife was sat. His wife had her hands crossed over her lap and was smiling. She had wavy chestnut hair and was looking in front of her. The woman particularly caught Ryoma's attention. Ryoma squinted her eyes at the woman, focusing her attention on the woman.
'Something about this woman…' Ryoma brought her attention to the smile of the woman, that very particular smile. It was the smile of… 'It's the smile of the… SHE'S THE WOMAN WHO ALWAYS APPEARED IN MY DREAMS!' Ryoma gaped widely and her eyes went blank.
"Oh my! Ryoma-chan, are you alright? Ryoma-chan?" Miyabi asked worriedly. She waved her hands in front of Ryoma's face, but Ryoma didn't reacted. Miyabi became worried. "Ryoma-chan, please answer me! Are you alright?"
"Miyabi, Ryoma, what is it?" Ryoga appeared next to them. He too went searching around for his bride and his little sister. He suspected that his new bride would be lost in his big house. And he was certain that his little sister would certainly find a way to get lost again. Thus, he was the only one who could find them.
"Oh Ryoga! Something happened to Ryoma-chan!" Miyabi said. "We were looking at this painting and she completely froze!"
"Huh?" Ryoga went in front of Ryoma, waving his hand in front of her eyes. But like Miyabi, he too didn't get an answer from the black-green haired girl. Ryoma was in shock, in a big shock. Ryoga decided to change tactics. He grabbed Ryoma by her shoulders and, SHAKE SHAKE SHAKE!
"Chibisuke, wake uuuuuuuuuuup!" Ryoga yelled in her face, succeeding in bringing Ryoma back on Earth. Ryoma blinked once. Twice. And thrice, before seeing that her brother was in front of her, holding her shoulders. "Chibisuke, what happened to you?" Ryoma shook her head to get back her senses and grabbed Ryoga by the revert of his smocking.
"Aniki, who are these people!" Ryoma hastily asked, pointing at the portrait.
"Eh? Who?" Ryoga looked up to where Ryoma was pointing. Seeing the couple in the painting, his face softened and he smiled. "Ah, they were my parents, Yuuji Kuchiki and Yuuji Nadeshiko, née Nakayama. This portrait was painted during their first year of marriage." He stayed in silence, contemplating the image of his parents as emotions filled his eyes.
'Otou-sama, okaa-sama…' He put his arms around Lavinia's waist and pulled her against him.
"Otou-sama, okaa-sama, let me introduce you. This is my wife, Miyabi. From today on, she will be staying here with us. Please, give us your blessing," Ryoga said. Ryoga and Lavinia had the impression that the people in the portrait were smiling down at them. Next, Ryoga put his arms across Ryoma's shoulders and pulled her to him too. "And this is my little sister, Ryoma. She is your new daughter," Ryoga said next. "Chibisuke, said hello to your adopted parents."
"'Lo," Ryoma grunted between her teeth, glaring fiercely at the woman in the portrait. Ryoma had the impression that the woman was laughing at her.
'No wonder I found her eyes and her smile familiar. They are the same as aniki's!' Ryoma thought. She glared in the eyes of the woman, her eyes slitted. 'Why didn't you just simply say that you were his mother from the beginning?' her eyes questioned the woman. Again, she had the obviously clear impression that the woman was laughing again.
'I told you you will soon know about me.' Ryoma heard the voice of her ghost visitor in her head.
"Ah!" Ryoma slapped her forehead.
'I should have realized it sooner.'
Flashback
"Certainly, I thought about appearing in front of my son to guide him in his life, but I didn't want to disturb him. Thanks to you and your parents, he learned to make peace with himself and accept my husband's and my departure."
"And I'm so fortunate that my son found me such a cute daughter!"
End flashback
These two hints were directed at Ryoga. Ryoma was the daughter of her mother, not of any other woman. But she was also the sister of her brother, so that meant that she was, at the same time, the daughter of Ryoga's mother. She never thought before that Ryoga could have a biological mother too. It completely slipped from her head.
'He is so weird (and so annoying) that I always believed that he was some alien who crashed on Earth. Not that he was actually born from a human mother!'
Up in Heaven
"Hahahahaha! Hahahaha! Oh she is so funny! Hahahaha!" Nadeshiko laughed, grabbing her stomach and wiping the tears at the corner of her eyes. Her husband Kuchiki too couldn't suppress a smile of amusement.
"What are thinking about, Ryoma-chan?" Miyabi asked, wondering why Ryoma slapped herself.
"Nothing. I just realized something obvious that I should have understood long ago," Ryoma said.
"But aren't you always slow to understand obvious things?" Ryoga asked. (STOMP!) "OWWWWWW! Hmmmmmmmmn!" Ryoga bite his lips, praying to kami to smooth the pain he felt in his left foot.
"Hmph! Ahou!" Ryoma hmph-ed and walked away.
"Urrrrrrgh…" Ryoga grunted between his teeth.
"Hmhmhmhm!" Miyabi laughed behind her hand. "Ryoga, today is Ryoma's first day of menstruation, you know," Miyabi commented, smiling amusedly.
"Heh? What? It can't be! It's still too soon! This month, it's suppose to be next week!" Ryoga replied.
"Huhuhu! Ryoga, girls aren't always predictable, that what makes us so special."
"Ha…" Ryoga sighed. Miyabi giggled, then looked up at the woman in the portrait.
'So that was what you mean when you said that I will find my happiness in Japan, obaa-sama…' Miyabi stopped and thought over again. 'Okaa-sama…' Miyabi smiled. When Miyabi was in France, she met this woman in her dream.
"Go to Japan. Your happiness awaits you in Japan," Miyabi remembered the woman told her in her dream. That was the reason why Miyabi didn't protest when her parents sent her to Japan with Fuji-dono. Once in Japan, Miyabi never saw the woman in her dreams again. Miyabi looked at her husband. As a matter of fact, the first person she met after her arrival to Japan, besides Jenkin, was Ryoga, on that fateful day he helped her. She smiled at the memory. Ryoga, seeing her smile, blinked.
"Huh? What is it?" he asked her.
"Nothing," Miyabi said, smiling. "I just remembered the first day we met." She caught him by surprise, but he smiled back at her too. He bent down and pressed his lips against hers. They shared a kiss. After a long moment, Ryoga slowly detached himself from her.
"Let's go back to the guests. They are waiting for us," he said.
"Hai," Miyabi answered back, smiling. His arm around her waist, Ryoga led his new bride toward the guests for the picture session.
1) ichigo daifuku: strawberry flavor soft cake filled with bean paste.
2) shiromaku and uchikake: The Japanese traditional wedding clothes for the bride consisted of two kimonos: shiromaku and uchikake. The shiromaku is a pure white kimono worn for the wedding ceremony. The uchicake is an elaborate rich patterned silk brocade kimono worn over the shiromaku for the wedding reception.
A/N: I know. There isn't much of Syuusuke and Ryoma. I wanted to finish with Miyabi and Ryoga. Now that it's done, I can focus on Syuusuke and Ryoma for next time.
Post on Wednesday March 24, 2010. Beta-ed on Monday March 29.