Dark Edge Village

Hideo had been insensed. That the Unicorn had acted like this at the end was an insult, and the women wasn't even important enough to demand such a thing.

He wouldn't accept it.

He hadn't realised until he stopped that he ended up at the stables. Was it a sign? He looked behind him...

Close on his heels, Amaya follows. Her determined but dignified pace keeping her only a few strides behind him. Her eyes are filled with tears, and her face is flushed. Today she is wearing the black kimono decorated with racing horses.

He saw her, and his heart jumped. He moved to her, his arms going round her and pulling her to him, kissing her openly. To Jigoku with appearances, the miai had made him angry and he wanted his lips against hers.

Pushing herself up on her tiptoes, her arms go around his neck, desperately. She met his kiss and hot tears spilled over, coursing down her cheeks.

His anger melted in her embrace, and as the long kiss ended he looked upon her with love.

"They cannot do this. To introduce samurai at the end and allow them to freely pick..."

Her breath trembles, tears streaking her face, "and if they can?"

"I refuse to accept it."

He spoke more firmly "Otaku Jinjing will never be my wife. I will not acknowledge a woman who thinks she can march into a miai, wave a piece of paper and claim whatever she wants."

He looked back at Amaya. "I choose you, and you alone. I earned that right."

Her arms tighten, "I love you Hideo-san, what do we do now?" She gathers her courage, to declare for herself, to anyone who might hear, "I will take no other man for my husband, I have already been chosen by you. Those were the rules."

"it simple. We leave" Hideo said firmly "will you come with me?"

She bites down on her lip and draws back a little, her arms leaving from around his neck. Before she gives her answer, she draws something from her kimono sleeve: it is a simple piece of paper, folded in half.

Hideo looks at the paper, confused. "Amaya-chan?"

She is afraid, trembling, "I will go with you." And she hands him the paper.

Hideo took a few moments to read the note, before carefully folding it and returning it. "It seems the Fortunes have blessed us."

He smiled at her, warmly.

"It may take me some time to grant you all of my provinces, my love, but I will find a way. It won't be an easy time either. Are you ok with this? If so" he held out his hand "take my hand, and we will go and be together, always."

Though she trembles, she doesn't hesitate as she reaches out to place her tiny hand in his.

There is a quite visible sigh of relief as she took his hand. "Thank you.
Thank you so much my love."

He closed his hand on hers.

"Let's go."