Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Snow ❯ Tearful Morning After ( Chapter 10 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Both of them woke before dawn to the sounds of thunder and pouring rain. Souzou didn't want to move, but he knew he had to tell Midori his sad secret. Gently, he nuzzled into Midori's throat, kissing her and tasting the salt of her perspiration. Her eyes fluttered open and she sighed contentedly. Souzou lifted his head from her throat and smiled at her. Midori smiled back, but she saw the sadness in his eyes.

"Good morning," whispered Souzou. "How are you feeling?"

Midori looked up at him, smiling sleepily.

"I think I'm still in heaven," she said softly.

Souzou laughed a little, though he couldn't conceal the sorrow in his eyes. He knew that and he didn't bother to try. Trying to ignore his pounding heart, he leaned his forehead against hers.

"Well come back to earth," he said quietly. "Because both of us need a bath."

Midori started to really get concerned when he couldn't look her in the eye. She tilted her head and kissed his mouth gently, suckling on his lower lip before pulling back.

"Together?" she asked, teasing in her voice.

"You mean like we used to?" he asked, trying to keep his sadness out of his voice.

Midori smiled at her husband, looking up at him through her eyelashes.

"Exactly," she said sweetly.

Souzou ran a hand up and down his wife's back, just to feel her smooth skin while what was left of their happiness lasted.

"I like that," he purred, leaning down and nuzzling his lips against her temple. "I'll go heat the bath."

Souzou got up, put on some pants and headed out to set everything up. As he got closer, her began hoping to goodness that the fire hadn't been drowned by the storm. To his relief, the wind had been blowing against the opposite side of the building and the fire was safe. Well at least one thing would be good today. Soon the bath was steaming.

Drenched from the rain and cursing under his breath, he went back to the house. When he saw his wife pushing herself up off their futon, still nude, he forgot both his anger and his sadness. She hadn't seen him in the doorway, so he sneaked up behind her without a sound. Gently, he wrapped his arms around her and bent to kiss her bare shoulders.

"It's ready," he whispered against her skin. "Are you?"

Midori turned in his arms and looked up at him.

"Of course," she said softly, smiling.

Keeping one arm around her, Souzou reached into the closet to get a yukata for her. He saw one that he had never seen before, a beautiful lavender one. He pulled it out to get a better look. It perfectly complemented her deep violet eyes.

"Gorgeous," he breathed before turning to Midori. "Is it new?"

"Actually it was my mother's," she said quietly. "She said I have her eyes and that it would suit me."

Souzou watched his wife wrap the pretty yukata carefully around her body. Lavender really was the perfect color for her. He hoped that one day, if Toshio had a daughter, that she would have her mother's eyes too.

It was breaking his heart to know that he would never see his daughter's children.

'She was right about it going with your eyes,' he thought sadly.

"She only wore it once," Midori said softly, talking mostly to herself. "It was the only yukata she really treasured... Always did prefer kimono... But this one was a gift from my father. She wore it on the day that would have been their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary... March third I think it was..."

She shook her head and mumbled something about going out of her mind. Souzou smiled at her, trying to hide the sadness in his eyes. He had his arm around her as they headed for the bath house, walking in silence. Midori leaned her head on his shoulder, sensing something wrong.

'She doesn't know that I can feel my heart breaking,' he thought, forcing back tears.

Midori's hands immediately moved to the belt of her yukata as soon as the two of them were inside and the door was shut. Souzou caught her hands in his own, shaking his head. Sad dark brown eyes stared into worried violet.

"Let me," he said softly, his voice becoming a deep growl. "I'm going to take care of you."

"I'm taking care of you too," she reminded him. "I can tell something is bothering you. I can see it in your eyes."

Souzou let out a long, tired sigh, his shoulders falling and giving him a defeated look. He was the perfect image of a man with his heart shattered. Those dark brown eyes looked as if all the brightness and spirit was gone from them.

"Midori," he said, his voice becoming low and deep. "There is something I have to tell you. Something very serious."

Midori nodded, worry now firmly established in her heart. Souzou slipped out of his pants and got in the bath. His eyes were full of tears as he held his hand out to her. Her own hand was shaking badly as she took hold of his and let him help her in. They settled together in the steaming water, resting in each other's arms.

"What is it, Souzou?" she asked quietly, fighting to keep her voice from shaking.

He tightened his arms around her and guided her head to rest over his heart. His body shuddered and he could have sworn his heart stopped beating for an instant. He stroked her back tenderly, trying to comfort himself with the smoothness of her skin.

"I have to admit," he started uncertainly. "I don't really know where to start."

Midori tilted her head to look up at him.

"It's the Sekihoutai," he said tonelessly. "I have to go find any remaining members and find out what happened. If it's anything like what I think Sanosuke was trying to say... Then it is most likely that I won't be coming home this time."

Tears fell into the bath water and onto Midori's skin. She gasped, her eyes widening and filling with tears.

"But... why?" she whispered. "Why do you have to go?"

Souzou kissed the top of her head and tried to soothe her by stroking her back.

"I'm their leader," he said softly. "If I'm not there, then the survivors, if there were any, would probably die as well. I can't just abandon them."

"Oh..." she said almost inaudibly, tears escaping from her eyes and running down her face. "Souzou..."

"I really should have been there fighting beside Reichi..." he said quietly. "If I had been there, Sanosuke would probably still have a father. I couldn't live with myself if any more of them died because I wasn't there with them."

Midori burst into tears, burying her face in his shoulder and sobbing against him.

"No!" she cried. "Don't you dare blame yourself! There was no way you could have known..."

Souzou ran his hand through his wife's long brown hair.

"Midori..." he whispered.

"You can't just go and walk right into your death!" she sobbed. "I won't let you go! We're a family and we have to stay together!"

The rain came down harder and the thunder grew louder. Midori found that she could no longer speak. All she could do was cling to her husband and cry. Souzou was crying too, his tears falling on her hair.

"I'm sorry, my love," he whispered, his voice choked. "If someone has something against the Sekihoutai, I must be there to lead them. And if it is that someone is after our blood, there is no doubt that they would go after our families too... I have to go."

Midori tightened her arms around him.

"Don't say that!" she whimpered. "Don't..."

"Midori, I don't want to go... I'm terrified," he choked out. "I don't want to die. But I don't want to run the risk of my family and my best friend's son dying with me. If it'll make sure you're all safe, then I don't care what happens to me."

Midori cuddled closer to his comforting warmth.

"What about Toshio?" she asked sadly. "What am I supposed to tell her? And Sanosuke, what's this going to do to him?"

Souzou sighed, his heart tightening painfully.

"I'll tell them both goodbye before I leave," he said softly.

"But what am I supposed to tell them if you---" Midori's voice caught in her throat. "---If you don't come home?"

Souzou rested his head on his wife's shoulder, letting his tears fall on her smooth skin.

"Sanosuke would probably find out on his own anyway, even if you didn't tell him," he said quietly, choking on his own voice. "But Toshio..."

His voice trailed off and he began to sob, holding Midori close to him. His heart pounded so hard his chest hurt. He felt like dying right then and possibly saving someone a stroke of their sword. But he knew he couldn't. If he did, his family might pay in his place.

"God, I can't believe I might only get to see my little girl one more time!" he cried in desperation. "I wanted to watch her grow up and change! I wanted to see her on her wedding day and someday see her with children of her own!"

Midori was crying just as hard as Souzou, only without making a sound. Souzou forced back his sobs, though tears continued to stream down his face. His wife turned in his arms, resting her back against his chest.

"My love," he said, his voice low. "If it happens that I never come home, I ask you one thing as my last wish... Remember that I give my life to save yours. Promise me this, Midori..."

He slipped out from behind her. She turned to face him, tears still on her face and in her eyes. With shaking hands, he took one of hers in one of his. As he kissed each of her fingertips, he looked deep into her violet eyes. Slowly he brought her hand to rest over his heart.

"Promise me," he said softly, holding her hand over his heart with one hand.

The other came to rest on her belly, as if protecting the new life within her. Midori brought her hand to his. Gently, he switched the position of their hands, so that hers was against her skin with his covering it.

"But what about your honor?" she asked uncertainly. "I mean... If the worst should happen..."

Souzou moved her hand around on her belly, reminding her of the child he would never see.

"I'm giving myself up to save your lives," he said, his voice firm and choked at the same time. "If I die, I want to go knowing that the people I love can carry on."

"Souzou..." she said softly.

Midori was silent. Her face held a look of absolute despair. There were tears on her face, but not in her eyes. The pain in her heart was beyond tears.

"I can't live without you," she whispered.

Souzou's arms tightened convulsively around her. His face showed all the pain in his mind, body and heart as he brought her hand from his heart to his face. He kissed her hand again and again, tears falling from his eyes the entire time.

"Yes you can," he said, choking on his own breath. "You'll be fine, I promise. And remember this, if nothing else; I won't be gone, not really."

"But how can that be?" asked Midori, her voice almost inaudible.

He leaned in close, his eyes never leaving hers, until their faces were only inches apart.

"I won't be gone as long as I'm in your heart," he said softly. "I hope I always will be..."

Midori tilted her head just right, so that their mouths met, soft and gentle. They could taste each other's tears. Souzou pulled his wife close to his body, pressing them as close together as they could get. As they pulled away from each other, Midori somehow managed a small smile.

"You will always be in my heart," she whispered. "And don't you forget it."

"I won't," he promised, gently taking her in his arms and getting out of the bath.

They dried off and dressed in silence. Souzou slipped an arm around Midori's shoulders and guided her back to the house. He barely noticed that the rain had stopped and the clouds cleared out. It was only a few minutes before sunrise, so they left the door open and stood in the stairwell to wait. They wanted to watch the sunrise together for the last time. Midori rested her head on her husband's bare shoulder, letting the feel of his skin against her cheek soothe her.

Together, they watched a crimson sun ascend the horizon, making the snow on the ground glow red. Soon, Midori couldn't look at it anymore, tilting her head to look up at her husband. Souzou's face was deathly white and his dark brown eyes were wide in fear. Resting her hand over his heart, she felt it racing beneath her touch. The sight of blood-red snow had Souzou paralyzed in terror, his blood like ice in his veins.

Midori felt like she was going to be sick. She buried her face in Souzou's shoulder, wrapped her arms around him and let herself shake. Fear and grief and desperation held her heart in an unbreakable grip.

"Please Souzou," she begged. "Don't go... I lost my father when I was thirteen, but at least I was old enough to have happy memories. Toshio is only four. I don't want her to grow up without a father's love."

Souzou took a shuddering breath and fell on his knees, his heart and spirit broken. Midori knelt beside him and slipped her arms around his neck. The former captain of the Sekihoutai, always so strong in mind and body, now allowed himself to seem weak and helpless. Midori found that all she could do was whisper 'I love you' over and over. Souzou rocked back and forth, trying to ease the pain in his chest. He felt like he was already dead inside, thinking he had failed as a husband and father.

"I'm sorry..." he choked out.

"Souzou, what are you saying?" asked Midori, her voice soft. "You have nothing to be sorry for."

"You're right. Toshio shouldn't have to go without a father's love," he said hoarsely. "So Midori, do what's best for her."

Midori's eyes widened in horror and she pulled him close to her.

"Souzou, you aren't saying..." she trailed off.

"Midori, you'll be fine without me," he said sadly. "Think about Toshio. Do what you think is best for her. And for Sanosuke."

Midori kissed him gently.

"Souzou..." she whispered tearfully.

She drew back a little, looking at her husband. Her heart was being crushed at the sight of him, down on his knees, a broken man. She took hold of his hand and leaned in close to him. With her other hand, she tilted his head up so that he would look her in the eyes.

"Souzou please," she begged. "I understand that you have to go, but don't break my heart before you have to..."

Souzou forced back his sobs, making his chest hurt worse than ever. Slowly, feeling his whole body shaking, he pushed himself to his feet. Gently, Midori reached up and brushed his damp bangs off his face, giving him a sad smile. It lasted only seconds before despair and grief darkened her face. Her gaze fell on the scar that cut wickedly across his stomach. Tenderly, her touch light as a feather, she traced the smooth scar tissue with her fingers.

"You never did tell me how you got this," she said quietly.

Souzou closed his eyes and covered her hand with his.

"It was just a lucky hit," he said softly. "Don't worry about it."

A tear escaped from Midori's eye as she looked up and gave him another sad smile.

"That's just like you," she teased half-heartedly. "You almost die and you brush it off like it's just a surface scratch... I'll never understand it... But I love you anyway..."

Souzou kissed her forehead and smiled at her.

"Glad to hear it," he said sweetly as he turned and headed down the hall to their bedroom to find a shirt.

In about a minute, he came back wearing the shirt and jacket that were part of the uniform of the Sekihoutai. The ends of his red bandanna hung down his back. He wrapped his arms around his wife and she again laid her head over his heart. She smiled sadly against his chest. She had always thought he looked so handsome in that uniform.

For a long time, neither of them said anything. A young boy's voice brought them both out of their reveries. They turned to find Sanosuke behind them.

"Captain Sagara?" he asked tentatively, his voice shaking. "What's going to happen?"

Souzou went up the two stairs out of the doorway, a haunted look in his eyes. Slowly, he headed for the kitchen and motioned for Sanosuke to follow him. Midori followed both of them. She knew there were no words she could say that would comfort them. But at least she could offer a shoulder to cry on. They both looked like they would need it.

Souzou and Sanosuke were sitting across from each other, both with extremely grave expressions on their faces. Souzou's eyes were bloodshot and Sanosuke's face was a mix of grief, shock and terror. Silently, Midori went and sat beside her husband, holding her arms out to Sanosuke. The boy tried to get up, shaking, and fell forward against her. She held him close as he cried into her shoulder. Souzou laid a comforting hand on his back.

"No... no... don't..." came Sanosuke's hoarse, barely-coherent whisper.

Midori rocked the sobbing boy in her arms until his cries began to die down. After a few minutes, his tears ceased altogether. He lifted his head from Midori's shoulder and stared at his former captain. His dark brown eyes looked haunted, like something inside his heart was dead.

"I-I meant wh-what I said," he stammered, his voice soft but determined. "N-no matter what, you... Y-You'll always be Captain Sagara... to me..."

Souzou's hand moved to Sanosuke's shoulder and his grip tightened as his heart clenched. The boy took a deep, shuddering breath and continued to look Souzou in the eyes.

"And you'll always be my hero," he said firmly.

"Sanosuke," whispered Souzou hoarsely. "Come here..."

He pulled his best friend's son into his arms and held him close, as he had when the boy turned up that night. Without thinking, Sanosuke threw his arms around his hero and buried his face in his chest. Gently, Souzou began stroking the boy's back, trying to ease his pain. Eventually Sanosuke's cries became harsh and strangled. If he didn't stop soon, he would make himself sick. Souzou drew him back to look him in the eye. He didn't know why, but somehow he was able to smile.

"Sano," he said gently. "I don't know what's going to happen to me. Whatever it is, I can't change it. If something happens and I don't come back, know that as long as you remember, I'll never really be gone."

"I'm still going to miss you," said Sanosuke, his voice choked.

"I'll miss you too," whispered Souzou. "But look at it this way, there's always a chance that I might come back. Either way, I need to ask you to do something for me."

"What is it?" asked Sanosuke.

Souzou looked straight into the boy's eyes, making it clear that he was serious.

"Look out for Toshio," he said softly. "This is going to be hard on her. She trusts you and she'll need you to help take care of her. Will you do that for me, Sanosuke?"

Sanosuke nodded, tears still streaming down his face.

Souzou smiled at him as a tear ran down his own cheek.

"I'll have to go soon," he said quietly to Midori and Sanosuke. "I know I'll be going from here to Tokyo and from there to Kyoto. I'm not quite sure how long it'll take to get there and... there's a stop I'll be making along the way."

"What is it?" asked Midori.

Souzou looked away, his heart tightening painfully.

"I have to say goodbye to my sister," he said, his voice soft and sad.

"Reika?" asked Midori, concern obvious in her voice.

Souzou nodded, his arms unconsciously tightening for a moment around Sanosuke. The boy's breathing was easing up, sounding less strangled. Gently, Souzou gave him back to Midori and pushed himself to his feet. Without a word, he left the kitchen. Midori got up, holding Sanosuke in her arms, and followed him.

Just like she expected, Midori found Souzou leaning in the open doorway of Toshio's room. Still not saying a word, he went in to sit by his daughter's side. Tenderly, he brushed a silky black strand away from her face. The little girl made a sleepy noise and shifted a bit. Smiling sadly, her father took her in his arms. Midori didn't want to disturb them so she turned and headed back to the living room.

Still mostly asleep, Toshio snuggled in closer to the warmth of Souzou's chest. Souzou found himself fighting back tears once more as he looked down at his little girl's smile. He pressed a soft kiss to her forehead and her big violet eyes fluttered open.

"'Morning, sweetie," he said softly. "How's my girl?"

Toshio yawned and nuzzled into the curve of his shoulder.

"'Morning Daddy," she said, her voice sweet and quiet. "I'm fine."

Gently, Souzou shifted her weight to one arm so that he could stroke her cheek as he looked down at her.

"Toshio," he said, trying hard not to choke. "Daddy has to leave again."

The little girl's smile faded and she looked up at Souzou with an expression that tore at his heart. Her tiny hands tightened into fists in the fabric of his shirt.

"Why?" she asked, her voice wavering.

Souzou's arms tightened reflexively around his daughter and he kissed her cheek softly.

"I'm just going to Kyoto," he said quietly, trying to smile at her and reassure her. "You know I've been there before."

He could tell she was trying hard not to cry when he heard her soft little whimper.

"How long will you be gone this time?" she asked, her big violet eyes full of tears.

Souzou guided his daughter's head to rest over his heart. Gently, he ran his hand through her silky black hair. He almost couldn't bring himself to answer.

"I don't know," he whispered. "But no matter how long I'm gone, I want you to know something."

"What is it?" Toshio whispered back.

"Toshio, look at me," he said quietly.

Bright violet eyes looked into dark brown as she pulled back from her father's shoulder and tilted her face up to his. Souzou found himself once more fighting back tears. No matter how much he tried to convince himself otherwise, he felt in his heart that he wouldn't be coming home.

"I love you, Toshio," he said softly. "And you'll always be my little girl."

Toshio smiled at him and leaned up to kiss his cheek. Then she settled back in his arms, cuddling against his chest. Souzou carried her out of her room and down the hall to where Midori and Sanosuke were.

Midori choked on her own breath when she saw Toshio nestled in her father's arms and smiling as if she couldn't be happier. It was obvious that she felt she was in the safest place in the world. Sanosuke quickly swiped a hand over his eyes, trying to hide his tears.

Souzou actually managed to smile as he gave Toshio to her mother before turning and heading back down the hall. In about half a minute, he was back with Usa in his hand. He placed the worn lavender rabbit in his daughter's arms, smiled at her, and kissed her forehead.

"If you ever feel sad or lonely," he said quietly. "You hold onto Usa, alright? He'll give you a hug and help you feel better when I can't be there."

Toshio smiled at him, held onto her well-loved rabbit, and settled quietly in her mother's arms. In a few seconds, Midori had to set her down. Immediately, the tiny girl latched onto Sanosuke. He smiled sadly at her and squeezed her hand.

Souzou bent down on one knee in front of his best friend's son. He smiled, though his eyes were sad, and pulled Sanosuke into his arms, holding him close. When he released his hold and stood up, he placed his hands on the boy's shoulders.

"Sanosuke, do you remember what I asked you to do for me?" he asked, smiling gently.

Sanosuke nodded mutely. He didn't trust himself to speak. Souzou's hands tightened on his shoulders for a moment.

"Take care of Toshio when I'm not here," he said quietly. "Your father would be very proud of you right now... I know I'm proud of you..."

With a father's tenderness, he ruffled Sanosuke's shaggy brown hair. Gently, he pulled the boy close to him for one last hug. Whan Sanosuke reluctantly pulled back, Souzou looked down at his face. Though there were still tears in his dark brown eyes, Sanosuke was smiling bravely.

"Don't worry," he said, wrapping an arm around Toshio's shoulders and pulling her close to his side. "I'll take care of her."

Souzou smiled at the young boy who meant so much to him, whispering his thanks before turning back to Midori.

"We should talk outside," he said quietly.

Midori nodded, forcing back her tears, and headed for the door, stopping at the steps. Souzou turned back around to say his final goodbyes. This time he went to Sanosuke first. He put a hand on the boy's shoulder and looked him in the eye.

"I don't deserve to be called your hero," he said softly. "But I'm touched that you think so highly of me."

Sanosuke tried to speak, but the words caught in his throat. One little tear ran down his cheek. Souzou brushed the tiny drop away and gave the boy a sad smile.

"Goodbye Sanosuke," he said quietly.

"Goodbye Captain Sagara," whispered Sanosuke, unable to keep his voice from shaking.

Souzou blinked back tears as he took his daughter in his arms for the last time. She wrapped her arms around his neck and hid her face in the curve of his throat. It was all he could do not to break down when he felt her tears on his skin.

"Toshio, even when I can't be here, remember that you'll always be your Daddy's little girl," he said softly, trying and failing to prevent tears from escaping his eyes. "No matter how far away I am, you're always in my heart. I love you, Toshio."

Though he kept his sobs silent, there was no way he could prevent his tears from falling on his daughter's hair. Gently, he ran his hand through the soft black silk, so very like his own. Midori quietly turned and headed down the hall to her bedroom. With shaking hands, she pulled her sketchbook from the sleeve of her bridal furisode. The kimono she had worn when she had become Souzou's wife. Tears fell on the beautiful silk sleeve. When she came back, Toshio was cradled in her father's arms, her head resting over his heart. Her pretty little face was streaming with tears and her violet eyes sparkled with tears yet to be shed.

Even though her hands were shaking and her eyes clouded by tears, Midori set her sketchbook on her knees and started sketching. Souzou had tears on his face, not hiding them or even bothering to wipe them away. He couldn't take his eyes off his daughter, memorizing the sad picture her expression made.

Toshio's small face was sad, her bright violet eyes full of tears. She had never seen her father cry before. She closed her eyes as he tenderly stroked her cheek, hoping this was all a bad dream. Though he was shaking with the force of his emotion, he paid no attention. He was more concerned about brushing his daughter's tears away.

"Toshio, please don't cry," he whispered, trying to smile through his pain. "It doesn't suit you. Your face is too pretty for tears..."

Midori smiled, the expression both sad and bitter.

'I don't understand it,' she thought angrily. 'Toshio loves him more than anyone else in the world. She's her daddy's girl. Why does he have to be taken away from her?"

Souzou shifted Toshio up closer to him. Father and daughter shared their last moments together with tears in their eyes. Midori finished her sketch and shut her sketchbook as a single tear fell from her eye.

"Remember, Toshio," whispered Souzou. "You'll always be Daddy's girl."

Toshio smiled and kissed her father on the cheek. Souzou pressed a tender kiss to her forehead.

"Goodbye sweetheart," he said softly.

He gave his daughter one last hug and set her down beside Sanosuke. He gave both of them a final smile and turned to Midori. He took her hand and both of them stepped outside.

As soon as the shoji closed, Midori fell against her husband, sobbing hysterically. He wrapped his arms tightly around her, resting his cheek on top of her head and rocking her back and forth. She clung to him in desperation as she cried into his chest. His hold on her was just as desperate.

"Midori, I love you so much," whispered Souzou. "More than life itself... Don't you ever forget that. I know you can find the strength to carry on. You are a strong woman, the strongest I have ever seen. I love your spirit. Don't lose that fire because of me."

"I don't see how I can make it without you," sobbed Midori. "Even when you were away with the Sekihoutai, I at least had hope. You promised to come home and you always did. But I can't stand the thought of you never coming home."

Gently, Souzou pulled back from his wife and tilted her head up so she could look him in the eyes. There were tears streaming down Midori's face. Smiling at her, Souzou leaned down to kiss her tears away. With each tender caress, another tiny crystalline drop disappeared on his lips. At just the right moment, Midori tilted her head so that their mouths met each other again. Once more, they tasted each other's tears. Reluctantly they pulled away from each other. Souzou leaned his forehead against Midori's.

"You're beautiful," he purred. "Just as beautiful as the day I met you."

"You still remember that?" she asked, a faint blush staining her cheeks.

Souzou smiled at her and touched the tips of their noses together.

"How could I forget?" he asked, laughter in his voice. "I had been trying for so long to work up the nerve to talk to you."

"Why did you hesitate?" asked Midori, genuinely curious.

Souzou gave her a quick kiss and a little squeeze.

"I was just shy," he said softly.

Midori looked at him skeptically.

"You? Shy?" she asked, one eyebrow raised.

Souzou kissed his wife's cheek and looked down at her with sad eyes.

"I didn't even know your name and I figured you wouldn't want anything to do with me," he said sadly. "I mean, I was nothing but trouble for most people. A walking disaster. I figured I had no chance."

"Would that explain why you were in a tree that just happened to be right next to where I always went swimming with Nanaka?" asked Midori with teasing in her voice. "Would that also explain why, the next day, I tried to talk to you and you turned bright red and ran?"

Souzou turned several shades of red. Even his ears were pink.

'I can't believe I did that,' he thought embarrassedly.

"I can explain that..." he ground out between clenched teeth. "It was Reichi's idea..."

"Reichi's idea?" asked Midori, sounding like she didn't believe him in the least.

'This should be interesting,' she thought.

Souzou couldn't meet his wife's eyes and his face was still red.

"He figured out that I was gone on you," he said quietly. "When I said I was too nervous to talk to you, he got the idea for me to... Well, you know... Damn, I thought I was a dead man when that branch snapped..."

Midori laughed a little. She remembered the whole thing like it was yesterday. Souzou slowly looked into her deep violet eyes.

"It was just luck that you had gone by yourself that day," he said in a voice barely above a whisper.

"What!?" shrieked Midori. "You mean you did that more than once!?"

Souzou eased his arms around his wife's waist and pulled her impossibly close to him, smiling seductively.

"I was only sixteen," he growled into her hair. "Of course I did."

Midori sighed and shook her head, nuzzling against his shoulder.

"You're impossible," she said softly, sighing once more. "But that's why I love you."

"Do you remember what happened the next day?" he asked with teasing in his voice.

Midori slid a hand up to run through his hair.

"You mean how I ran into you, trying to talk to you, and you turned and ran?" she asked. "Straight into a wall?"

Souzou turned red again.

"Alright, so that wasn't exactly a brilliant idea," he said under his breath. "I just thought you were going to tell me off for watching you."

"Well, I was," Midori said sweetly. "But then I saw just how cute you were. Anyway, everything turned out alright in the end, right?"

She reached up and wrapped her arms around Souzou's neck.

"I'm so glad I was able to spend what was left of my life with you," he whispered. "I only wish my life had been longer. Even so, I can promise you that my spirit will be with you always. Forever and a day."

Tenderly, he pressed his mouth against Midori's. Her grip on him tightened and a single tear escaped her eye. Slowly, giving her plenty of time to enjoy it, Souzou trailed his tongue along her lips. Parting them gently, he slipped his tongue into her mouth. Her tongue curled around his, knowing how to drive him wild. Their kiss became deeper and more desperate. But no matter how fierce their passion became, their caresses remained soft and tender.

Finally the need for air forced them to separate.

"Do you remember our first kiss?" asked Midori, her voice soft as she ran a finger along her beloved's lips.

"I certainly do," he whispered in her ear. "It was snowing that day too..."

Midori could see it in her mind.

"Out in that beautiful garden," she breathed, closing her eyes and resting her head on his shoulder. "All those frozen ponds... The snow in the sakura trees... That little hidden corner by one of the ponds..."

"Don't forget the lanterns," said Souzou. "And that little stone bench under the tree..."

"Especially the little stone bench," whispered Midori, running her fingers through his hair and kissing his cheek softly.

Souzou held his wife close as that snowy day, so many years ago, played through his head.