A/N: This is unfortunately not the original version of this chapter. I accidentally deleted my whole folder for this story, and had to recover the previous chapters from Fanfiction. However, I didn't have the original Chapter 12 (Which had about 1,500 words) backed up.

Let's see if I can get it as close to what I had as possible.

Something I have added (to all chapters): a dating system. '074' is the year, as in the House's Reigning Year. Akatsuki's Royal House has been in power for 74 years. I find it easier.

Chapter 12 – Miserable Marriage
Osaka Abbey
29 April 074

It had been only two weeks since Akatsuki had alerted Onpu of her future marriage, and here she was, dress fitted, ceremony organized, rooms at court prepared. She was terrified. It was happening far too quickly, and she barely knew the man she was about to wed.

After her wedding, she would stay at Kyoto Palace with Tooru, abandoning her original duties to Momoko. However, both Leon and Fujio, along with their wives, would be returning to Kyoto for a few weeks also. For that, Onpu was grateful; she didn't want to be left in a new place with people she didn't know. Having Momoko there would ease her transition into a new life. It's just as she did when Momoko came from Albany to marry Leon.

As Onpu slowly walked up to the front of the abbey to stand next to Tooru, her long lavender gown trailing behind her, she could hear blood pounding in her ears. It was so loud she could barely hear the tune played from flutes combined with the choir singing. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Momoko, smiling gently. She nodded slightly, as if to push Onpu forward.

She reached her destination; next to Tooru, dressed in deep green robes. Onpu thought it looked a little strange, however, it was not for her to say. The maids that trailed behind her lined along the sides, clearing the aisle. Tooru glanced over at her and smiled. Onpu tried to smile back, but was faced with a wave of nausea.

Onpu barely heard what was said during the ceremony. Tooru appeared highly attentive, regarding every word as if it held all the answers he ever needed. His actions made Onpu hopeful, although that didn't stop her from spending the whole ceremony trying to stammer out her vows and not pass out. When she was finally helped into a carriage for the long journey to Kyoto, she was grateful. A few hours to calm down. Except, she shared a carriage with Momoko, Leon and Tooru.

"Let me be the first to congratulate you," Leon grinned, "If I had a drink, I'd raise a toast. But I'm sure that'll be done back at Kyoto."

Tooru laughed and kicked Leon in the shin, "Thanks bro."

Leon looked at Onpu, who hadn't responded to what he said. Instead, she was looking out the small window of the carriage. "You alright?"

It took Onpu a few moments to realize Leon was talking to her, "Hmm? Oh, yeah. I'm just… tired."

"Rest up. This will be a long day for you." Leon told her, with an over-exaggerated wink aimed at Tooru.

Momoko desperately wanted to say something to Onpu to make her feel better, however everything she came up with could in some way or another be countered with some word of how badly her marriage to Leon was going compared to what was expected. She didn't want to start an argument with Leon while Onpu was terrified about marrying Tooru. She wanted to make it as comfortable as possible.

Momoko and Onpu didn't speak the entire trip. The only conversation came from Tooru and Leon. Small talk about what they've been doing lately; not much at all. It was boring, but it was quiet enough for Onpu.

Kyoto Palace
29 April 074

It was darkening outside when everyone pulled up outside Kyoto. Despite it having been Tooru's wedding, Akatsuki and Doremi were the first to emerge and enter the palace. They were next, along with Leon and Momoko.

Onpu was shown to her rooms, adjacent to Tooru's, which would now become her home. She didn't look at them for long; everyone had gone to celebrate her wedding, and she had to be present.

She made her way through the ballroom and to the table where the royal family sat. Akatsuki and Doremi in the middle, Leon and Momoko to one side, Tooru and an empty chair on the other. Beside the empty chair was Fujio, followed by Hazuki. Onpu slid into the empty seat, her eyes on the dancing couples in front of her. A servant stepped forward and poured her a drink. She nodded a thank you and slowly sipped it, hiding the bottom of her face with the cup.

Tooru smiled and gently pulled the cup away from her face. "Nobody can see you when you're hiding your face like that."

"Maybe I don't want to be seen," Onpu mumbled as she set the cup down.

"You're a Royal Duchess now; you're going to be seen whether you like it or not. You'll get used to it eventually." Tooru said kindly.

Onpu wanted to ask the question that was right on her lips, "aren't you a Prince? Why am I a Duchess?" Instead, she stayed quiet. She didn't want to talk with Tooru when she didn't have to. Perhaps Momoko knew.

Hours passed, the court continuing to be alive with activity, Akatsuki holding the toast Leon predicted. The highlight of the evening was when Onpu and Tooru danced before the crowd. Not long after, some of Momoko's ladies approached Onpu, asking if she was ready to go to her chambers, to prepare for her wedding night. She went pale, forcing a nod. She slowly stood, the wooden chair dragging on the marble floor. Glancing over at Akatsuki, who looked in her direction after hearing the noise, she curtsied and left, the ladies following her.

Akatsuki stared at Tooru, an expectant look on his face. Tooru was contentedly watching the dancing couples, a drink resting in his hand. Fujio nudged his shoulder, causing him to turn towards his older brother, "Yeah?"

"Are you going as well?" Akatsuki gestured to where Onpu had gone.

It took Tooru a few moments to realise what was going on, "What? Oh, yeah, I guess I should. Night." He stood and left.

Doremi smiled, "Look at that, all your brothers are married now. Well done."

"Yes," Akatsuki said, looking pleased with himself, "It was something Father never bothered with. It was number one on the list of things to do as King."

"You mean marrying me wasn't number one?" Doremi said with mock hurt.

Akatsuki laughed, "I was wrong. You were number one, organising these marriages was number two. And let me tell you, it wasn't easy. I'm lucky they were so co-operative."

Doremi hesitated, "Akatsuki, there's something I've been wanting to do for a while. Poppu is almost fifteen, and I'd like to find her a husband. I haven't asked you about it because I know you've been busy with Tooru."

"Don't worry," Akatsuki placed his hand on her arm, "I can have a look if you'd like. Fifteen you say? I cannot make any guarantees, but I'd do anything to make you happy."

Doremi's face filled with happiness, "Thank you so much."

To her right, a few seats over, Fujio stood, stretching slightly, "I think I'll call it a night." He nodded his head towards Akatsuki and Doremi, then Hazuki. "Brother, Your Majesty, Wife."

"How has married life been?" Akatsuki asked Hazuki as Fujio left.

"Oh, it has been wonderful," Hazuki beamed, "I thank you so much for allowing me to marry your brother. Have you been told that we are expecting our first child? It will be here in October."

"I am glad to hear it. Fujio has always wanted a daughter. It sounds strange, however we had three sisters, two of them were younger than him, the youngest being the cause of my mother's death. They both married a few years ago, and he misses them dearly. He wasn't that much older than them, although he cared for them however he could, and I can tell he would love to do that again. A daughter is the best way to do that, isn't it?"

Hazuki nodded, hiding the sudden worry that filled her, "It is." Now she wanted nothing more than to give him a daughter. He would be pleased with a son, but she wanted to make him happy.

"And how about you, Princess? How is your son?" Akatsuki asked Momoko.

"He is very well," Momoko's face lit up, "He is growing so quickly, you wouldn't believe it. I would've liked to bring him to court, however Leon thought it'd be best to leave him at Tokyo this time around. He says next time when he's a little older we'll bring him."

"Perhaps Christmastide. I'll definitely be excited to see him. I can understand Leon's point of view though; he is only a few weeks old."

Leon leaned in to the conversation, hearing his name mentioned, "What's going on?"

"I was just saying that I agreed with you deciding to keep Hikotaro at Tokyo. He's too young for travel." Akatsuki explained.

Leon nodded, "I don't want to risk his health. All he does is sleep anyway." A slight chuckle was added at the end of the last statement, causing Akatsuki to shake his head with amusement.

Leon looked over at his wife, "I think it's time for me to retire to bed. Will you join me?"

Momoko nodded, no words coming out of her mouth. She stood, waiting for Leon. He leaned over to Akatsuki, "Physician says I can return to her bed." Akatsuki nodded. News such as that didn't really concern him.

"Well, seeya tomorrow," Leon said, slapping Akatsuki on the back.

"About two weeks," Doremi said suddenly a few moments after the pair left.

"I'm sorry?" Akatsuki asked, confused.

"The physician said we must wait another two weeks until you can return to my bed. That isn't too long, is it?" Doremi told him.

Akatsuki smiled, "No, of course not. It's been hard sometimes, I'll admit, but you are the only woman I will lie with."

A smile grew on Doremi's face and she kissed him on the cheek.

Kyoto Palace
01 May 074

Yabu strolled down the large hall, lined with tapestries and portraits of monarchs passed. He heard a door slam and glanced up from the floor, seeing Momoko rushing out of her chamber, running down the hall, away from Yabu. A few moments later, Leon opened the door, emerging from the chamber, "I don't know what your problem is; you're my wife!"

Yabu gave his half-brother a confused look when he turned in his direction. "What just happened?"

Leon shook his head in reply and started walking in the direction Yabu had come from, "I seriously do not understand women. No wonder the men are in charge here; the women are too weak and feeble minded." He paused, his mood suddenly changing, "I'm hungry. You coming with me?"

"Nah," Yabu replied, "I just wanted to… you know… walk around."

"You aren't going to talk to Momoko are you? Just leave it, it's none of your concern."

"Of course I'm not," the lie rolled smoothly off Yabu's lips, "I can't understand women either. That would be too much of a hassle."

"Good," Leon said, turning and striding off to the kitchens. As soon as he had disappeared from sight, Yabu headed after Momoko. One of the large doors leading to the gardens was left ajar, leaving a huge hint as to where Yabu would find the princess. He was right; she had sat herself in a very unladylike manner under a sakura tree, the recently fallen petals scattered around her.

She felt his presence and glanced up, "Lord Kawasaki." She looked embarrassed.

"I heard what happened before," Yabu said, plopping down beside her, "with you storming out on Leon."

"It was irresponsible of me. Leon was right; I am his wife." Momoko saw Yabu's confused face and explained, "On the night of Prince Tooru's wedding, Leon wished to resume our marital duties, however I told him I was too tired and I didn't want to. Yesterday I didn't see him, as I spent most of the day with Lady Onpu. Leon told me I couldn't keep putting it off."

"He… didn't force himself onto you did he?" Yabu asked, his voice hard. Surely Leon wasn't such a person to do that.

Momoko shook her head, "No, I allowed it. I was just not fully accepting of it. My physician had only just told me I could resume my marital duties. Leon did not need to be so urgent about it. I have already given him a son."

"I see where you're coming from," Yabu said. "Do you wish for me to talk to Leon about it? I don't mind."

"No, that's alright," Momoko raised her hand to wise her face with her sleeve. Yabu whipped a handkerchief out of his pocket and offered it to her. She took it gratefully.

"Anyway, Lord Kawasaki," Momoko said, changing the topic, "How have you been lately? I have not spoken to you for a while."

"Yabu," he smiled, "I have been well. Nothing interesting happens to me though, Princess. All I do is keep Leon company."

"I'm sure you do much more than that. I would have thought a man like you would be spending most of their time courting women."

"That's far too much effort for me. Besides, there aren't many ladies at Tokyo Castle."

Momoko stood, smoothing her skirts, "Well, we are at Kyoto now; there are many more ladies here. Perhaps you will find one."

"Maybe I will," Yabu rose also. Momoko dipped a curtsey and he returned the gesture with a nod of his head, before she ventured off, back to the palace.

It took Yabu a few moments to remember the original reason for that conversation; Leon was being a dick. Again. Who knew that marriage would change someone that much.

Momoko and Onpu sat in Onpu's new chamber. They both had their own sewing in their hands, however neither of them were doing it. Momoko was telling Onpu the same story she had just told Yabu; about Leon.

"That is quite rude; he should respect you as his wife. You are not some breeding bitch."

Momoko gave a helpless shrug, "There is nothing I can do about it. I am a woman; nobody will listen to me. I must bear it. I am so grateful Tooru is kind to you; I would not want you to experience this."

The previous day, Onpu had told Momoko about her wedding night; she had said the Tooru could sense her fear and was gentle about it. He told her he would not sleep with her everyday if she did not wish it; only as protocol demands. Onpu had said she wished to sleep with him frequently until she conceived a child. Momoko was relieved to hear such positive news.

"It'll be alright once you conceive another child," Onpu told Momoko, "Then Leon will leave you alone."

"Then I'll also have to deal with his infidelity."

Onpu frowned, "There's always a negative isn't there? What about Hikotaro having a younger sibling? Another Prince or Princess."

"I would love a daughter. Named after my mother, of course."

"Your mother is a wonderful woman. It would be an honour to be named after her." Onpu said with certainty. "I too would do the same if I have a daughter."

It became silent for a few moments until Onpu spoke again, "So you're just going to let Leon get away with it?"

"I guess I am. Lord Kawasaki said he would talk to him, but I told him he didn't need to."

Onpu's eyebrows rose, "You've been talking to Lord Kawasaki again? You don't like him, do you?"

Momoko rolled her eyes, "No, not in that way. He's just always… around."

"How convenient for you," Onpu giggled.

"Besides, even if I did, nothing could come of it. I could not betray Leon like that."

Onpu picked up her sewing, "But he deserves it," she remarked absentmindedly.

A/N: I wanted to continue and make this chapter longer, however I got completely stuck and just decided to end it here, since I really need to update.