When my eyes opened, my first emotion was a feeling of surprise.
I was surprised to find that I was still alive.
And this was, immediately, followed by a feeling of relief that brought tears to my eyes.
Kami-sama! Thank you! I was so scared!
I was at the hospital of the village, resting on one of the several beds in a long hall. It was day outside; the early morning. The rain had stopped, and a few rays of sunshine had pierced their way through the clouds.
Gōjun was sitting by my side, facing me.
'Hime, you're awake?!' he said, breathlessly, and slipping his hand under my waist, he pulled me up into a sitting position, his other hand coming behind my head to cradle it, while he held me tightly against his chest in a hug. 'Don't scare me like that ever again! I thought that my heart was going to stop!'
'I'm sorry,' I whispered, pressing my eyes shut and hugging him back with my left arm.
'Already billing and cooing, eh?!'
At these words, my face reddened, and letting go of each other, we both looked at Shunsui who had arrived in the hall. He was grinning widely at us. And by his sides, stood Tsubasa-sama and Saien-sensei. The blonde woman and red-haired male were watching me with tears in their eyes, and running up to me, they sent their arms around me to embrace me.
'You little demon! It has not been such a long time since you have become my heart-daughter, and already you wanted to leave me!' the man chided me. 'It would have been once too often that the lady of my heart was letting me down by abandoning me in this world!'
Oh, Saien-sensei…
'You gave me the fright of my life!' Tsubasa-sama sobbed. 'You deserve to be severely punished for that! Once we're back to Kokubunji, I'm going to teach you!'
Oh Tsubasa-sama…
'I'm sorry,' I told them, apologetically.
When they had released me, I looked at Shunsui who he had drawn up to us by now. He was watching me with tears in his eyes too.
'How are you feeling?' he asked, his voice barely audible, and bowing down, he reached out for me to pull my face against his chest with one of his hands, his other arm coming around my shoulders to hold me tightly there, while his mouth came upon my hair to give me a long kiss on the head. 'I'm so happy that nothing happened to you!'
Shunsui…
These last few months had been difficult for many reasons, especially because of my mother's condition, and the demise of my grand-parents, and yet, I had never been so happy in my life before. And this was all due to my encounter with him, with Gōjun, Tsubasa-sama, Katsura-san, Kenren Shoran, Natsui and Saien-sensei. I wanted time to stop. I wanted this wonderful moment to last forever.
'Hime, you're up!' I heard a familiar, female voice declared, suddenly, and my eyes went wide at the woman who was holding herself there in the doorway of the hall.
It was Katsura-san, and Gōjun's father was holding himself by her side!
'You came?!' I gasped, and Shunsui released me to turn around to face them with a smile.
'How could we not come?!' the brown-haired woman replied, swallowing back her tears, and running up to me, she threw her arms around my waist, getting down on her knees on the floor, hugging me.
I caressed the back of her head tenderly, having difficulty to refrain my own tears anymore.
'But the wedding...'
'We still have some time ahead of us,' Kenren Shoran told me, with a kind smile, petting my head in a fatherly manner. 'I'm glad that you're fine!'
I gave him a smile through my tears.
'And, I like Gōjun's choice a lot!'
At this, I flushed up again, and everyone giggled to themselves.
***
I remained under observation at the hospital during that whole day, and also, the day that followed, after which, we all left to get back for Kokubunji.
After this experience, I was desperate to see my mother, and everyone accepted that we make a small jump at the hospital in order for me to visit her. When we got back to Shunsui's house, a surprise was waiting for me there. The moment I entered the doorway, I heard two popping sounds and confetti fell all over me.
It was Natsui and Yūsei Nishoji who were waiting for us there. They were holding party poppers in their hands. The living room had been decorated and there were lots of food everywhere.
'My god, Hime! You almost died!' the ginger-haired girl exclaimed, as she took me in her arms.
'I'm sorry for the fright,' I apologized.
'We all thought that your survival is worth celebrating and so, we decided to organize a party in your name!' Yūsei informed me when Natsui had released me, and my heart swelled.
'Thank you,' I whispered, gazing at everyone's face, with tears coming to my eyes. 'I'm extremely touched.'
'You're welcome,' Tsubasa-sama told me, with a gentle smile, speaking in everyone's name.
I was still very weak and had to spend the whole time of the party resting on the sofa, but I was very happy to have everyone around me; to see them smiling, and spending some quality time all together. It was the first time that all the people who are dear to me were united in a single room, and nothing could fill me with more joy than this. And at one point during the party, Katsura-san announced to me a news that was going to make me jump to the ceiling.
'Somebody has presented himself to become the new Kannushi of the shrine. Kenren and I will be able to get married at the shrine of Kokubunji itself! I have always dreamed to get married there!'
'Oh, Katsura-san!' I exclaimed, more than delighted, and sending my arms around her neck, I hugged her to congratulate her. Her dream was going to come true. 'You can't imagine how happy I am!'
Kami-sama, I have to thank you for this day as well!
***
A few hours later...
'We're going to leave now!' Kenren Shoran informed Tsubasa and Shunsui Shigeizumi, holding Katsura Hiō by the waist.
'Alright!' the reddish-brown-haired young man and blonde woman said to the couple, accompanying them to the door, with a smile.
Pausing down in the doorway, the dark-haired male called at his son, 'Gōjun, are you coming with us?'
'Well, I was thinking about staying over tonight,' the latter replied, scratching the back of his head a little, and they followed his eyes onto the dark-haired girl who was still resting on the sofa.
'She has fallen asleep,' Katsura whispered.
'It's normal,' Kenren said, almost to himself. 'She must have been very tired after such a long journey. She will need a few more days to return to form.'
Looking at Gōjun again then, the dark-haired male told the teenaged young man that he'd see him tomorrow, and on this, the couple left to find their own home. Natsui Mizoroge and Yūsei Nishoji had already left too, and so had Saien Natsume.
'I think I'm going to stay over just as well,' Tsubasa decided, turning to face Shunsui smilingly, and the latter nodded, returning the smile.
'I'll take Hime to her room,' Gōjun informed them, and moving up to the dark-haired girl, he picked her up carefully in his arms to carry her away.
The mother and the son looked at each other's face again to smile happily.
'By the way, I'll be sleeping with you in your room!' Tsubasa announced to the reddish-brown-haired young man, and on this, she started to run for the corridor.
'What?!' Shunsui exclaimed, his mouth going agape, and he took after her immediately, protesting.
***
She smells so good! Gōjun thought to himself, as he looked down at the dark-haired girl in his arms to gaze at her sleeping face. Her scent was intoxicating.
He had entered the door of her room now, and making for her bed, he lowered her gently onto it, being careful not to make any brusque movements so as not to wake her up.
Getting down onto his knees by the side of her bed then, he took hold of one of the girl's hands in both of his to continue to gaze at her face for a moment, his heart shaking every time he would think of the fact that the girl had almost died, that a little more and he might have lost her.
Brushing her bangs off her forehead, he leaned in to kiss her there.
'Sleep well, Princess!' he whispered, and standing up, he turned off the lights and headed for the door, taking one last glance at the dark-haired girl before he left the room.
***
Ever since our return from Ichibangase, everyone has been very busy. The wedding was for this Sunday. I was a bit sad at being unable to participate in the preparations of the wedding, but as compensation, Shunsui assigned to me a very specific task- the organization of the ultimate surprise that we have reserved for Katsura-san and Kenren Shoran for their wedding reception.
With everything that there was to be done, the days went by very swiftly, and yet, at the same time, paradoxically, it didn't seem to go fast enough, and the reason for this was without any doubt because we were all impatient to be at Sunday, where we will witness two persons who are deeply in love with each other, celebrating this same love in front of all their friends and family.
'How are you feeling?' Kenren Shoran asked me, as he examined the bite mark on my hand.
We were now at the eve of the big day. With the wedding for tomorrow, the excitation was palpable.
Despite his busy agenda, the dark-haired man had come to visit me every day at Shunsui's house to follow up the evolution of my health. I was extremely touched by his attention. He was a man with a big heart.
'Good,' I answered, with a smile.
'You have recovered very quickly. In no time, the mark will have disappeared.'
I nodded, giving the man another smile.
He was putting his medical equipments back in his bag when, Gōjun and Shunsui came to join us in the living room.
'We have something to announce to you,' the reddish-brown-haired young man declared at the older male, with a large grin, taking a seat next to him on the armrest of the sofa.
Gōjun and I looked at each other, grinning too.
'What is it?' the man asked, holding his breath in anticipation.
'Well, as we all know, today it is Saturday, and the wedding is for tomorrow. We have discussed it with your future wife and we have decided that we are going to keep the would-be-married couple apart from each other for the night. You are going to stay here tonight with Hime, Natsui, and my mother, while Gōjun, Yūsei, Saien Natsume and I are going to stay with the future bride. At first, we had thought that the boys should spend the night with the groom, and the girls with the bride, but then, we told ourselves that it'd be more fun if we did just the opposite! Oh, and let me inform you that the girls have planned something special for you for this evening, and we, guys, have done the same on our side for the future bride! We hope that you are going to like what we have planned for the two of you!'
A smile came to the man's lips; his expression moved.
'Thank you!' he murmured.
'It's a pleasure!'
***
A short while later, Tsubasa-sama and Natsui arrived. The blonde woman had brought the dark-haired male a fresh suit, and once we had all gotten ready, we went on to spend the evening together; Gōjun and Shunsui leaving on their own sides.
It had not been possible for me to participate in the organizations for this evening, but the blonde woman and ginger-haired girl had kept me informed me of all the arrangements. And the result was absolutely fabulous!
We had arrived on the roof of the Karaoke building where the boys and I would usually go. The whole terrace had been decorated with colorful lights; musicians had been called in; and a table for four had been set; a dinner served.
'I told myself that you would prefer a quiet place,' Tsubasa-sama said to the man, with a gentle smile.
'It's absolutely perfect, Tsubasa,' he told her, returning the smile.
I couldn't help but gaze at the two of them.
Tsubasa Shigeizumi and Kenren Shoran were the two persons that I admired the most in this world. They had made Shunsui and Gōjun the marvelous young men that they are.
We all moved to take a seat at the table and we dined in good humor, while we talked about the wedding and Katsura-san.
The dinner was excellent, and after we were done eating, Kenren Shoran invited me to dance. I accepted very shyly. And when the song ended, the musicians changed the tempo, and Tsubasa-sama and Natsui joined in, and we all enjoyed dancing together.
Okā-san, I wished you could see me. This is my life now. I have found a family and I am happy with them. Tsubasa-sama, Kenren Shoran, Katsura-san and Saien-sensei are like parents to me. And together with Gōjun, Shunsui and Natsui, they are my family. Only you are missing. Come back very quickly.
***
In the meanwhile...
'A night club?!' Katsura Hiō exclaimed, as they arrived in front of the building, her mouth hanging open. 'Wah! I'm not going in!'
And turning around, she was about to get back into the car, but Shunsui didn't allow her to. Sending his arm out in front of her, he caught her by her shoulders, stopping her.
'Come on! Come with us! I promise you that you won't regret it! There's a surprise awaiting you inside! It's also a little something for Gōjun!'
'Eh?'
The brown-haired woman was intrigued now. She looked at Gōjun's face. The latter gave her an encouraging look.
'Alright,' she gave in.
Grinning happily, Shunsui began to usher her towards the entrance door, keeping his arm around her shoulders, while Gōjun, Yūsei Nishoji and Saien Natsume followed them closely from behind.
'Is it normal that we are the only people I can see around?' the brown-haired woman inquired, becoming even more intrigued.
'That's because I've reserved the whole nightclub for tonight. There's going to be a private concert.'
'A private concert?!' she asked, looking up at Shunsui's face.
'Hm-hm!' the latter replied, with a nod.
They had arrived at end of the long, dark corridor now, and pushing the door open with his hand, he revealed the singers who were on stage.
Katsura couldn't believe her eyes. It was the band which has composed and sung all the opening and ending theme songs of the anime "Extreme West". And they were here to perform only in front of the five of them!
'Oh my god! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!' the woman cried out, ecstatically, sending her arms around the reddish-brown-haired young man's neck, as well as that of Gōjun.
'I told you that you won't regret it!'
Thank you for reading!