Valentine's Day... Disaster?

Valentine's day had arrived, and the Shiba house was nearly empty. Only Takeru and Jii were left in the house after he had finished his training and Mako hadn't arrived yet. Chiaki and Kotoha had left together, causing Takeru to suspect that they were going out on a date, but he decided not to say anything out of mutual respect. Ryuunosuke had returned to his village and Genta flew back to Paris for a week to concentrate on the rushes that he would have to handle at his restaurant in this popular period of time.

Takeru pulled out his ShodouPhone and sent Mako a message to come to the bridge at which they had battled the Gedoushuu after he fled into the night while the war was going on, and left for the same destination. He arrived early, and stared at the sky. Not only did it remind him of Mako, it brought back memories of his father, and faint thoughts about his mother whom he never really got to know.

"Otou-san, I never thought I'd actually be doing something on Valentine's Day, because since I was a child, the prospect that I was being raised to deceive four people had always haunted me. To me, lying is the greatest punishment one can be bestowed, and I've suffered because of that. I've been hurt that people would put their lives on the line for a person like me, who didn't deserve to be protected, a person who was disguising his duty of protecting to look like he needed to be protected."

He smiled, because now, he could be himself, yet do what he felt gave him a purpose to live. He could be himself, yet protect the world from the Gedoushuu. His thoughts began to trail away, but then he caught sight of a familiar figure approaching through the corner of his eye. Mako stood next to him, gazed out at the city and asked him casually,

"Isn't this place the same bridge where we found you fighting Nanashi after you ran away from the mansion?"

"Yes, I know it's weird for me to tell you to come here of all places on a day like this, but I have my reasons. You see, I ran away because the thought that my lying, although for the greater good, had put Ryuunosuke's and Kotoha's lives at risk. I wanted to confess right then and there and apologize for my sins, but to do that would put the Shiba Clan at risk, along with the fate of the rest of the world - the burden you always asked me to reveal. And the reason why I didn't have to come back here to pity myself and try to forget my loneliness when Juzo questioned my strength as an independent warrior was because you stopped me early enough and knocked sense into me. Now I'm not in the state I was in when I first came here and I'm grateful to you for that." he explained.

"I figured that out on my own, but now, hearing you tell me this from your side of the issue although it happened two years ago really makes me wish I could have helped you sooner, perhaps mitigate and reduce what you had to go through," she told him affectionately, massaging his shoulder.

"I hated it, and I hated life itself at that point, but I'm not upset to have gone through that because that was when I really began to appreciate you."

Takeru stopped speaking, averted his eyes from her, and began to speak softly.

"Mako, I'll tell you this directly. I don't know how to present flowers, write poetry, sing romantic songs, or even cajole and talk sweetly. But I do know one thing - to speak the truth confidently. This mindset was what made it exceptionally difficult to carry out my duties. But I'll be honest with you. I love you, and I'll only love you. I'm not sure if I'm actually ready to get married and legalize this relationship yet, but I want to be by your side, because I like how you are always very open with me about who you fundamentally are deep down inside, and I strongly believe that with your help, I'll be able to discover who I am on the inside. You're... fine with waiting for me right?" he asked her.

He couldn't bear to look at her, but suddenly Mako felt her emotions overcome her and she kissed him on the cheek. He lifted his face and turned to look at her and they locked their lips.

When they finally broke away, Mako whispered softly,

"Takeru, I had to wait for my parents for 17 years without a clue of whether they would come back at all. But all you are asking for is time. I still have you by my side, and I would wait for you more than I would for anyone else in this world."

Both the Fire and Heaven Samurai could no longer control their emotions. They hugged each other and locked lips once more. And as the Fire of Love burned in their hearts, both knew that this was a match made in Heaven.