Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Kazemaru and Miharu ❯ Chapter 12

Miharu helped Kazemaru into his armor, which proved to be a little complicated. “You do this all by yourself?” She asked in amazement.

 

He smiled and nodded. “It usually takes a little longer, though.” He tied his outer obi tightly, shifted a few of the plates, and then nodded. “You're sure you want to go?”

 

She hesitated, honestly considering his offer, but nodded. “I'm sorry…” she apologized lamely, unsure what to say.

 

He smiled a little. “It's alright. It just gives me another opportunity to snatch you away,” he teased.

 

She smiled half-heartedly. This was all so strange to her. “Kazemaru…” she tugged at the sleeve of her kimono.

 

“Yes?” he studied her nervous actions with interest.

 

“Do you really want to…. What I mean is…. You would really….” She sighed, her face flush from frustration.

 

He had a wry expression on his face. “What you're asking is whether I am sincere in my intentions?”

 

She shifted, looking everywhere but his face. “Well, yes, I suppose that's one way to put it.”

 

He slowly took her into his arms one last time, suddenly serious. “Yes. Miharu, I know you want me to ask your father but I'd rather ask you. Will you be my mate? For life, even though it isn't the custom of my kind. I want that with you. Do you?”

 

Miharu was silent for a long time. At last she looked up at him, her eyes full of uncertainty. “Take me home, Kaze. Please.”

 

He silently picked her up, and walked out of the grotto. Despite the driving wind of their flight, she found it difficult to remain awake, and quickly drifted off to sleep. She woke up again when they reached the palace, and quickly noticed Emi, who had fallen asleep where she sat. As soon as Kazemaru set her down she rushed to her.

 

“Wait—” he whispered. Miharu stopped. “It would be best if I left before she woke up.”

 

Miharu nodded, and came into his arms again. They stayed that way just a moment, and then he raised her chin to kiss her. “Write to me.” He said simply, and she nodded. He stepped back a few feet, and then rose into the air. “I love you Miharu. Remember that.”

 

And before she could respond he was gone.

 

She carefully woke up Emi. She was confused, then relieved, then disgruntled.

 

“What time is it?” she asked groggily.

 

“A little after midway between midnight and dawn,” Miharu offered her best estimate.

 

Emi scowled. “We better get back. I want to talk to you in the morning, though.” She didn't seem very happy.

 

Miharu nodded though, and went with her back to the room, smiling sleepily at the guards as if nothing had happened. They settled back on their beds, and Miharu instantly fell asleep again, her dreams haunted by decisions she didn't want to make.

 

***

 

Kazemaru sighed, hovering above the palace. He silently judged his feelings, wondering what consequences Miharu's decision would have. What did he know of his own feelings? He loved her, of that he was certain. And he didn't want any harm to come to her, at all costs. He hoped she could at least sleep easier, knowing he was watching out for her. He hoped against hope that she could find a way for them to be together without struggle. But he was afraid it just couldn't be like that. He didn't care what anyone else thought, and so it would be her decision to make.

 

Yes, Miharu would have to be the one to decide. Was she willing to give up the life she had for something else, something uncertain? He knew he was. But then perhaps he didn't have as much as she did. But it would be her decision, whether he liked it or not.

 

He spoke to the night air, his voice barely a whisper. “I love you Miharu, and I would do anything to call you my own. As much as I would want to, I can't force that on you. Not truly. I don't want to hurt you. I don't want to scare you. I just want to be with you, if at all possible.”

 

Something inside him sneered at how weak he sounded, and he brushed it away, annoyed. He returned to the island, in a far worse mood than he had left it. Things were getting complicated. It wasn't just a game of communication now, it was a life-altering problem that had to be solved. Somehow it didn't deter his feelings for her at all. They seemed to grow more and more present in his thoughts, impossible to ignore. He threw himself on the feathers, and thankfully, instantly fell into a blissfully dreamless sleep.

 

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AN

I hate this chapter… I re-wrote it so many times… arg. I hate how weak I make Kaze sound. He's supposed to be fairly intimidating, and I feel like I'm just not writing that well enough…. *sigh* Well, this is really just a first draft anyway.