"Yes, I am. It doesn't have to be easy, we love each other."
- Takashi Morinozuka, Of Brains & Brawns
•~•~•~•~•~•
So at this point I can't decide whether to do one epilogue or two, so i'll leave that up to you guys, just let me know what you think in the reviews. Anywho! On to the the Finale!
At the end of this I shall reveal what fanfic of mine I will work on next!
Masquarade Ball~!
{No POV}
~Takashi's Birthday Day~
As Early Morning came around Natalia was locked away in her office with the visiting Reese Lockwood from America who was her personal assistant and one of her best friends.
"So what is the rest of the schedule for today?" Questioned Natalia after smiling at the view outside of her window as thoughts of Takashi in a disguise at the party that nght swam through her head.
"So far we've managed to clear off a few items, but so far we still have quite lot to get done... At 9am we have that video conference with the Board Of Investors for our American Branch, at 11am we have that meeting with Yoshio Ootori. At 12pm you have an appointment with Yuzuha Hitachiin about your outfits for the important events coming up soon. At 1pm we have lunch with Shizue Suou. At 2pm you have to work on your daily training Regimen, which you have planned to do with Ritsu Kasanoda. At 5pm you have a meeting with the people who currently own Tokyo Orphanage, At 6pm we have a meeting with the person in charge of arranging for the joint funeral of your legally adopted deceased children Miss Yuki and Miss Kirari. At 7pm you have another video conference, this time with the Board of Trustees of our French Branch. At 8pm you have a business dinner with grants committee that is contemplating funding your latest 'project'. At 9pm you have a visit to your parents's grave planned. And at 10pm you have to finish sign some documents that could take you the rest of the night and you need to have them worked through by tomorrow morning." Reese read off.
Natalia was concerned now.
'So much... Will I be able to even make it?'
She sighed but smiled determined to get everything done.
-With Takashi-
The moment Takashi woke up he was immediately dragged all over the place by his family and his family's servants to make sure everything would be perfect for the party. Which of course left him very tired and drained of energy.
'Will I even be able to make it through all of this to the party?' He thought with a silent sigh.
-With Mitsukuni-
The moment he woke up he immediately went to aid his cousin in the planning so that the poor guy would be able to relax a little more.
-With Haruhi-
As she finished getting ready for her special day out with Tamaki she sighed as she tried to reach Natalia, but ended up getting sent straight to voicemail.
-With Tamaki-
Tamaki being who he was, was ready for his day out with Haruhi, but was extremely nervous so he tried to reach the one close friend he had that was atune with their emotions and could help him best, Natalia.
But he kept getting voicemail, too.
-With Yuri and Miyu-
The girls were sparring for most of the morning until they grew tired and decided to take a break.
Then Yuri's phone rang.
"Hello?" She greeted as she went and took a bite out of an apple.
"Hey Yu-chan! I was just calling to see if you've heard any word from Nat-chan! Takashi is worried since she hasnt been answering the phone for anyone so far today, not even him." Greeted back Mitsukuni.
Yuri looked slightly saddened to have to disappoint the loli she loved so much.
"Didn't you guys know?"
"Know what?"
"She's going to be in and out of meetings and conference calls all day, and she has a mountain of paperwork to get through... According to her personal assistant based on her schedule it's highly unlikely she will even be able to go to the Ball tonight..."
"What?! She's not going?! B-but she promised she would..." Mitsukuni responded.
"Appearantly a lot of the stuff on her schedule today was stuff that popped up last minute. It seems that in her French and American Branches, the boards of Trustees are not very happy with her over how she has been in Japan for so long rather than being in her main branch over in France or at least in her secondary branch in America. A lot of the trustees are actually trying to back their funding out of her business. She has a lot of financials to deal with and paperwork to release those trustees and replace them as well..." Yuri explained.
"It's more like she can't go even though she probably very much wants to go." Yuri finished.
"Ah... Okay... I suppose she has to..." Mitsukuni said as an idea formed in his mind.
"I just had a brilliant idea!" He exclaimed
"What is it?!" Yuri exclaimed excited.
"Well! What if..." He began.
-With Kyoya-
It was late morning when he finally got a group call on his phone from Honey-senpai.
"Did you know Natalia is not gojng to be able to make it to the ball tonight?!"
Kyoya was shocked.
"This is news to me. So what is the plan? I assume you didn't call me if you didn't already have a plan in mind to make sure she goes to that Ball..." Kyoya answered amused.
"The plan is..." Honey-senpai began to explain.
-Back With Natalia, Just after the meeting with Yoshio Ootori-
"I look forward to further collaboration with you Miss Baldoni-Kasanoda." Yoshio said with a polite smile.
I shook his extended hand elegantly and smiled back.
"As do I, Ootori-san..."
"I hope to get to see you later this evening at the Morinozuka's Birthday Ball for their eldest son."
"I unfortunately might not be able to make the event. But I certainly hope you all enjoy the festivities. I have heard it is expected to be quite a wonderful event." Natalia said whimsically.
Ootori, slightly amused but not showing it, was slightly confused.
"That is rather unfortunate, if I might ask, what impedes you from attending? As far as I am aware you were invited by the Morinozuka's eldest son to the event and you are even childhood friends with the boy." Ootori asked hesitantly.
Natalia smiled awkwardly but sadly.
"Unfortunately some very pressing issues have presented themselves with two of my Branches outside of Japan so I have to deal with those issues completely by tomorrow morning... I would have loved to attend the Ball but I am unfortunately a bit preoccupied at the moment with urgent issues to attend to." Natalia explained before excusing herself and leaving.
Ootori was surprised and even slightly saddened for the young girl when his son approached ready to take the briefcase they had switched out for a decoy with Natalia's.
'Phase One Complete' Yoshio and Kyoya Ootori thought in unison.
-At the meeting with Yuzuha-
As she was being fitted for a gala gown, Natalia looked out the window sadly at the pouring rain.
Then a song started playing on the radio that she knew very well.
[Listen to Everything Has Changed with the rest of this chapter. I promise it'll be worth it.]
She smiled as the memory came to mind of when her and Takashi first met officially when they there four.
Flashback*
{Natalia POV}
The all too familiar boy smiled as his eyes brightened and i could feel myself smiling back at him.
"What's...name?" The boy asked awkwardly.
"Nat-Nata-Natalia..." I answered slowly trying not to trip over my words.
"What's...name?" I asked back carefully.
"Ta-Taka-Takashi..." The boy answered.
"Taka-chan" I said excitedly hugging the boy.
"Nat-chan" He said happily back hugging me in return.
Flash Back End*
"There you go that does the last formal event except for the one tonight." Yuzuha said hinting blatantly that she had yet to be asked to make a disguise for her for the Masquerade Ball.
Natalia smiled sadly.
"I won't be able to go to the one tonight... I have too much work to do, unfortunately."
"Very well but how about just in case you are able to find some time to show up, I make you a disguise anyway." Yuzuha proposed.
Natalia relented and Yuzuha cheered.
'Phase Two Complete' Thought Yuzuha excitedly.
Moments later Reese and Natalia were leaving back to the Kasanoda estate to set the outfits in her room.
-With Tamaki, Haruhi, Ritsu, and Yukia-
The two recently formed couples smiled as they watched Natalia and Reese walk inside in a fast pace while they sat on a picnic blanket in the front yard.
"Hey Nat—alia-senpai..." Began to greet Yukia trailing off as they saw the expression on the two older people's faces.
'Something seems to be wrong...'
-With Natalia-
"Those damn bastards! I should've destroyed their livelihoods while I had the chance. Reese! Push back my business appointements an hour! I have to go handle some other matters, immediately." Natalia stated simply as she changed in front of the man into a strange short kimono and put her hair up in a bun with chopsticks.
Once done she opened her second closet via keypad And equipped two blades onto her back.
"I'll be back in about an hour. In the limo i went through a good third of the documents i had to go through tonight. Look them over and sort them out." Natalia ordered.
Reese nodded and in an instant she was gone.
-With Takashi, Noon-
He was exhausted at tis point with all the planning for the party that night.
"Takashi, I wish to speak to you in my office." His father Akira said with Takashi's younger brother at his side.
Takashi nodded and went on to finish what he had been doing before stepping into the office.
"Takashi, I have it understood that you have chosen Natalia Baldoni Kasanoda as your future bride. Am i correct?" Akira questioned.
"I have." Takashi answered monotonously.
"Are you certain of your choice? It won't be easy to be with a woman like her.." Akira questioned in slight concern.
Takashi smiled.
"Yes, I am. It doesn't have to be easy, we love each other." Takashi answered.
Akira and Satoshi smiled at Takashi brightly.
"Well then I gather you will need this... son.." Akira said handing Takashi a small dark blue box.
Takashi opened it to reveal his parents' wedding bands and his mother's necklace.
"Thank you, Father." Takashi said.
-With Natalia, One Hour Later-
Finally reaching the inside of the Kasanoda Estate, Natalia sighed as her exhaustion began to catch up to her from having been working nonstop since 6am.
(Needless to say she managed break a 30th alarm clock during the process of waking up)
Once changed and in her office once more she was shocked to see Reese looking excited about something. She smiled and shook her head gently in amusement before finally sitting at her desk once more.
"What's got you so cheery Reese?" Natalia questioned as she began preparing everything on one of her computers.
While you were out I was reached out to by a two new backers! Both want to remain anonymous, but that means our backing problems for our French and American branches are over!" Reese revealed excitedly.
Natalia chuckled at his excitement.
"Okay then, what's my schedule now?" Asked Natalia.
"Well in about 30 minutes we have lunch with Shizue Suou. At 2pm you have to work on your daily training Regimen, which you have planned to do with Ritsu Kasanoda. At 5pm you have a meeting with the people who currently own Tokyo Orphanage, At 6pm we have a meeting with the person in charge of arranging for the joint funeral of your legally adopted deceased children Miss Yuki and Miss Kirari. At 7pm you have another video conference, with the director of our French Branch to speak financials, seeing as they were also needing some help with that. At 8pm you have a business dinner with the grants committee that is contemplating funding your latest 'project'. At 9pm you have a visit to your parents's grave planned. And at 10pm you have to finish signing some documents that we have left to go through." Reese read off.
Natalia sigh but smiled and made a decision.
'Time to blow through this work! I just... I have to make it to the Ball tonight!' Natalia thought to herself before working as quickly and efficiently as a dragon.
-With Takashi-
'Please make it to the Ball tonight Natalia...' Takashi thought to himself as he continued working with everyone else in the Estate prepare everything for the party.
-With Natalia, 30 minutes later-
{Natalia POV}
I arrived at the high class restaurant and was quickly greeted by an overzealous kiss up when I entered.
"Hello Ma'am, welcome to la Serre, it is an honor to have such an esteemed lady such as yourself at our humble restaurant..." The man named Jaque greeted sparing a few glances at my breasts and my hips.
I could feel a headache begining to form as i crossed my arms.
"I am expected to join Shizue Suou in her reservation for two... So if you do not mind please refrain from ogling my body... I have no interest in kiss ups and perverts. Much less someone who is both, as you are." I said before snapping her fingers.
A manager showed up at once.
"Ah! Miss Kasanoda! Wonderful to have you in the restaurant again! What can i help you with?"
"Could you please take me to my table with Shizue Suou? I have no time to waste today." I said calmly.
"Yes, of course, right this way..." The manager said leading me away to a table nearby where Shizue was waiting paitently.
In the distance i could her the man and another manager speaking about me.
"Man... She was such a bitch... I mean seriously that was uncalled for! She should've taken it as a compliment."
"Hey! Don't insult that girl! She's a very powerful person in this world. Be thankful she didn't have you fired! That, and she hasn't exactly had very much luck this month. She had been planning to adopt two girls, and they both died before she could adopt them. So she adopted them even after death and is now arranging their funerals and burials. She is one of the kindest rich people you will ever meet. Be thankful she was kind enough to not do anything else except tell you to back off." The manager responded.
I smiled as I sat.
"Good Afternoon Shizue-san" I greeted.
She smiled politely.
"Good afternoon Miss Baldoni Kasanoda..." Greeted Shizue.
"You wished to speak with me about something important?"
"I wish for you to marry Tamaki."
I sighed having had the feeling.
"I won't marry Tamaki, I consider him my little brother, nothing more." I responded calmly.
"Oh, I have no doubts you will choose Tamaki in the end." Shizue said making me pause.
"Is that so?" I asked not bothering to hide my amusement.
"Yes, seeing as you'd loose about 60% of your backing in your French, Japanese and American Branches and be blacklisted as a researcher for life should you officially decline."
'Is she stupid?'
"My answer still stands. I will NOT marry Tamaki. I met the boy some years ago, only once, back in France, I met his mother back then too. The boy looked so sad all the time, and was far too mature for his age. If you think I will get in the way of what makes him happy, or allow anyone else to do do so, than you must be completely off the deep end." I said calmly pausing to take a sip from my tea as it sunk in.
"Also, I will have you know, that you no longer have any control whatsoever over Tamaki or Suou-san. Sometime back i looked into the Suou Group and I found out something very interesting..." I began to explain letting my evilest smile show briefly before beginning to elegantly eat my meal.
"The will of Suou-san's father, stated one very interesting passage. One that stated a specific clause, one that i am certain you have been striving madly to keep hidden, but even as we speak, your... ruse... is deteriorating. Therefore you honestly hold no power anymore. And certainly not over me." I finished explaining calmy.
She gasped.
"I think it's best we leave this conversation here and speak some other time when you have your head out of your arse, and I am not being asked to marry someone I consider a younger brother. Good day to you Shizue-san." I responded after paying the check and gathering my bag once more.
After standing up and heading out i was approached by the other manager the employee nearby.
"Excuse me, Miss Baldoni Kasanoda?" Greeted the guy politely.
"Yes?" I answered politely.
"I just wanted to take the time to tell you that I am terribly sorry for the loss of your adopted daughters and i hope that today goes well for you, despite what i can only imagine must be quite painful, the anniversary of the death of your parents." The man said thoughtfully.
I smiled although a bit sadly at the thought of the four deceased people.
"Thank you, I hope you and your family members all have a wonderful day and that you manage to never have to cope with the loss of one of your children." I responded.
I then handed him 42,000 yen.
"Here, take your family out to a nice restaurant when you get the chance. And take your associate there for drinks after work today. I believe he needs to find himself an equally nice and lonely girl and a bar is a good a place as any on a day like today." I said handing him the money with a smile before walking out, i got into my limo and headedback home.
The song from earlier playing once again.
I could feel my smile as I couldn't help but in my mind see Takashi and I when we first met again after everything that happened ten years ago.
'I will try to make it to the Ball, Takashi...' I thought to myself. 'Yeah... I'll definitely try...'
-11 That Night, Natalia-
{No POV}
Natalia sighed as she sat back for a minute and stretched out her arms.
She was absolutely drained!
She had finally gotten through half of all the paperwork she had to finish by the next morning and she still had another half to go.
She looked at the clock and frowned.
'I'm sorry Takashi... It looks like, I won't be going...'
Suddenly the door burst open and the most unlikely trio dressed in suits was standing in front of her.
Kyoya Ootori, and the twins Hikaru and Kaoru Hiitachin.
"Alright Hikaru, Kaoru! You know what to do! I'll take care of all this paperwork. Get her to the Ball by midnight!" Kyoya instructed with a smile.
Natalia was still too shocked to do anything as the twins picked her up and carried her away.
"TARGET CAPTURED!" They announced.
Natalia then clicked all of the pieces together.
'You've made some wonderful friends.'
She smiled as she escaped their arms and picked them up running top speed to her room.
"You guys are trying to get me to the Ball right? Well then there's no time to waste! Help me get ready!" Natalia said with a bright smile as she pulled out a pair of heels and black dress bag.
The twins smirked and got to work.
-With Kyoya-
'No wonder she was taking too long, this is a lot of paperwork. Far too much for just one person to do on their own normally. She was making good time. Plus she has to remake any paperwork that isn't right and work on her list of people getting fired because they didn't do their job properly when it came to such important paperwork.' He thought grimly.
'And I thought working a budget with Tamaki's Capriciousness and Honey-Senpai's love of expensive snacks and sweets was difficult.' He thought amused at his own ridiculousness.
-With Takashi-
"She'll make it Taka-chan! I just know she will!" Mitsukuni said to his cousin as he noticed the guy was starting to get bummed out.
He perked up a bit and hummed a slight thanks.
-40 minutes later-
"Who knew..." "that your hair would be so indomitable..."
Natalia chuckled.
"Anyone in this estate and Takashi and Mitsukuni." Natalia said with a smile as she finally slipped on her heels.
The boys smiled at the completed look.
"Let's get going!" They said.
The trio then promptly hopped in the limo and raced against time towards the party.
As the clock struck 11:55 and they were only 2 minutes away by car from the Morinozuka estate they ended up stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic.
Natalia growled now officially pissed off.
"That's it! I'm going on foot the rest of the way!" She declared effortlessly jumping out of the limo through the sunroof.
Then she began to jump effortlessly and elegantly without damaging any cars across the roofs of the cars at her top speed.
One minute later she was rushing past the dojo and to the large ballroom where the Ball was being hosted.
She reached the entry way and paused there at the sight in front of her that caught her eye.
It was Takashi Morinozuka speaking and smiling with another girl.
She felt a bit upset at seeing that but she pushed it down and entered the room elegantly immediately catching the attention of everyone.
She was then approached by Tamaki and the other friends she had made.
After another minute, the song from earlier rang out but she could recognize that a spotlight was being placed on her as the song Kids Again began to play in the back ground briefly.
Then she saw him approaching her.
He was actually smiling and he was holding the hand of the girl from before, that she could now recognize.
'That is...' She thought in amazement and shock.
Then she was handed a microphone and so was Takashi as he left the girl with Mitsukuni and Natalia decided that she would go along with it as the song changed again to one she had heard several times today.
She began to sing at Tamaki and Haruhi's discrete signal.
All I knew this morning when I woke
Is I know something now, know something now I didn't before.
And all I've seen since eighteen hours ago
Is green eyes and freckles and your smile
In the back of my mind making me feel like
I just wanna know you better, know you better, know you better now
I just wanna know you better, know you better, know you better now
Takashi then finally joined in.
I just wanna know you better, know you better, know you better now
I just wanna know you, know you, know you
'Cause all I know is we said, "Hello"
And your eyes look like coming home
All I know is a simple name
Everything has changed
All I know is you held the door
You'll be mine and I'll be yours
All I know since yesterday is everything has changed
Then it was Takashi's solo verse as he finally stood in front of Natalia and held her free hand with his own everyone starting to watch with adoration for the two singing.
And all my walls stood tall painted blue
And I'll take them down, take them down and open up the door for you
Natalia blushed lightly as he suddenly spun her gently before she began singing.
And all I feel in my stomach is butterflies
The beautiful kind, making up for lost time,
Taking flight, making me feel right
Takashi then joined in for the next bit of the song.
I just wanna know you better, know you better, know you better now
I just wanna know you better, know you better, know you better now
I just wanna know you better, know you better, know you better now
I just wanna know you, know you, know you
Natalia and Takashi smiled at each other as they felt all the happy memories and feelings from when they were younger all over again.
'Cause all I know is we said, "Hello"
And your eyes look like coming home
All I know is a simple name
Everything has changed
All I know is you held the door
And you'll be mine and I'll be yours
All I know since yesterday is everything has changed
Natalia looked deep into Takashi's eyes as she began the bridge.
Come back and tell me why
I'm feeling like I've missed you all this time, oh, oh, oh.
Takashi took over.
And meet me there tonight
And let me know that it's not all in my mind.
Natalia then took over.
I just wanna know you better, know you better, know you better now
I just wanna know you, know you, know you
Takashi then joined in once more.
All I know is we said, "Hello"
And your eyes look like coming home
All I know is a simple name
Everything has changed
All I know is you held the door
You'll be mine and I'll be yours
All I know since yesterday is everything has changed
Takashi then back off a bit now having them in the middle of the ballroom, and he got down on one knee and pulled out a small box and a tiny box from his pocket as Natalia carefully sang the last of the song.
All I know is we said, "Hello"
So dust off your highest hopes
All I know is pouring rain and everything has changed
All I know is a new found grace
All my days I'll know your face
All I know since yesterday is everything has changed
Natalia was left speechless as Takashi opened the boxes to reveal a necklace, two wedding bands and a gorgeous engagement ring that she had already seen previously during the midsts of war they faced.
"Natalia... We've known each other our whole lives... and I know we've loved each other just as long. I'm not the best at speaking my mind, and you are one of the very few people that can actually look at me and immediately know what's on my mind. You help me overcome anything that comes my way. I love you, there is no doubt in my mind that no matter what might come our way, you are the one I want to spend my life with. Will you marry me and be mine?" Takashi said looking very awkward but happy.
Natalia smiling and looking near tears.
"I-I..." Natalia began.
"I love you too Takashi... Yes..." Natalia said.
Then she got excited as his shock was evident on his face.
"Yes! Yes, I'll marry you Takashi!" She said jumping into his arms.
He chuckled and hugged her back tightly.
Everyone cheered as they pulled away and Takashi put the engagement ring on her finger. And promptly kissed her lips.
When their lips touched felt complete.
Just as they had ten years previous, and in that moment... they realized the truth.
She was the brains to his brawns, and he was the brawns to her brains.
Theirs truly was a story to remember...
A story...Of Brains Brawns...
~The End~
Comment in the reviews if you'd like One or Two epilogues and what you'd like to see!
Also, the moment you have all been waiting for!
Next, I'll be working on finishing my Water Flames One Piece Fanfic on , while on here I will be trying out a Kyoya x OC Fanfic that I will later on post on wattpad and publish my Water and Flames Fanfic on here.
I will be finishing it with the very last Chapter I remember reading, so don't expect Levelly Arc or further than that.
Anywho.
Goodbye for now, starlets!