Riya looked out of her bedroom window before heading out to the veranda. Despite the cold morning breeze blowing over the fields, it was still refreshing for her. She woke up earlier than usual for no reason. She couldn't believe how her life drastically changed over the past years. It all started when the weapons began choosing their masters and she transferred to Hanasakura Academy. And that school became a gateway to her destiny.
She sighed after breathing in the fresh air that blew forth. The cool minty scent of the evergreen and the pines calmed her as she breathe them in. Hours from now, she would be celebrating Christmas Eve not just with her family but also with her friends. It would be one of the best Christmas for her ー especially now that she got to celebrate it with Kurama.
The thought of that red head fox demon brought smile to her face as she watched the sun began to rise. She had no idea how long it had been since the Blue Moon War and she couldn't remember how long ago it was. All she knew, her life started after that. Last spring, she graduated with flying colors along with Yusuke, Kuwabara, Kurama, Keiko, Ayako, Akane/Sei and Soujiro. Of course, it made everyone proud. She passed the entrance exam at a prestigious university and took up Horticulturing as her course. Kurama took up Biology ー which she expected. He told her one time that he would help her with the flower farm that she decided to manage when she was just ten years old. Of course, she was happy when she learned that.
As for the rest, well... they definitely chose the paths meant for them. Yumi and Hiei got married more than half a year ago. Now Yumi was two months pregnant, though Hiei doesn't know that yet. The Fire Wielder would tell the news to him at the strike of 12 ー Christmas Day. Now Riya wanted to see for herself how Hiei would actually react once he learned that. Yukina finally learned the truth about her missing brother. Hiei never expected, though, that Yukina would actually take the revelation lightly. But what mattered most to them was the fact that they found each other, at last. The rest of the team learned that, as well. Of course, they couldn't be much happier for the siblings even though the revelation initially came as a shock to Kuwabara. But eventually, through careful explanation, he understood.
A lot of things had definitely happened and she couldn't believe how it changed everything. A soft knock on the door snapped her out of her musings.
"Come in," she said and did a few stretchings as the door opened. When she turned around, she smiled when she saw Mari with a food trolley. She knew her breakfast was placed there.
"You need to get ready, my Lady. Your friends will be arriving in a few hours," Mari reminded.
She nodded and went to the table near the veranda. She then sat on one of the four chairs there as Mari prepared her food.
"What about the others? Have they eaten breakfast already?"
"Yes, they did. In fact, they had breakfast a while back before you woke up. They said that they needed to prepare for the party later," Mari informed while preparing her food.
"I just hope they wouldn't make it too grand. I'll be having a fashion-stress if it's too grand again."
"Don't worry. I heard that it's a family-exclusive celebration this time. Of course, along with some friends that you and your grandfather invited, it will be a private party."
It made Riya sigh. Knowing that, she knew that everything would be okay. But for some reason, her heart hadn't stopped beating weird. Of course, she knew what it meant. Something would happen on that special day; only she wasn't sure what. Nevertheless, she put it all at the back of her mind for a while. Maybe she would be able to figure it out later.
xxxxxx
Somewhere on the road going to the Miyuzaki estate...
The gang had been busy doing their own stuffs as they waited for the bus that they were riding on to reach their destination. Of course, all of them were excited. It had been weeks since they last saw Riya. She actually took a leave of absence in order for her to check on the flower farm she was managing. There had been a few problems since it was winter season, but it was taken care of, according to Riya. Kurama was worried since he knew that Riya had the habit of neglecting her meal time, but Mari assured him that there was nothing to worry about.
He looked outside the bus window and watched the passing trees and fields leading to the estate. But despite the calm, collected expression he was projecting at the moment, he couldn't deny that he was feeling a little nervous. He knew the reason for that. And at the moment, only he knew the reason.
"Hey, Kurama," Yusuke called that disrupted the fox demon's flow of thoughts. Of course, it made him face the Spirit Detective. "I was just wondering. You said to Riya's grandpa that you'll ask for her hand in marriage after graduation. But I never heard anything about a proposal last spring. When do you actually plan to propose to her?"
That question caught him off-guard, though. Not only that, the other people in that bus suddenly went quite and faced him. It was like they were waiting for his answer to Yusuke's question. But he has to create a safe answer. For now, only Yumi and Hiei knew about his plan for the proposal and the date itself. Telling it to the others now would ruin the plan. Yukari seemed to have an idea about his plan but the Sound Wielder wasn't saying anything. Listening to the sound of his mind, Yukari could read his thoughts as easy as looking at the mirror.
"I believe it wouldn't matter for now when would I actually propose to her. I'll keep it a secret for now," Kurama answered. For now, that was the safest answer he could come up with.
The other wielders seemed to have understood that. As for Yusuke and Kuwabara, who were definitely curious to know the answer, they looked at him strangely. Atsuko, Yukina, Genkai, Shizuru, Botan, Shiori, Kazuya and Suuichi burst out a laugh after that.
A few minutes later, they reached the Miyuzaki estate. Mari and Yumi were the ones waiting in front of the mansion.
"You arrived a bit earlier than expected," Yumi said. "I guess you'll have time to chitchat before the party starts."
"Well, if you have some nice warm tea, then I wouldn't mind waiting for the party to start. Of course, I know it wouldn't be such a grand occasion like how this family used to celebrate this event," Genkai said.
Yumi showed a mysterious smile after that. "You're right. Tonight will be a bit special for the family so they wanted to keep it as simple as possible."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Botan asked.
"You'll find out later. In any case, feel free to do whatever you want until we called for your presence when the party starts."
The others did what Yumi said. But Kurama, however, remained standing in front of the mansion. He was in deep thinking that Mari and Yumi noticed. It was at the time when Hiei suddenly appeared from basically out of nowhere.
"You're still worried about that, Kurama?" Hiei started. "Everything's already prepared for the plan to proceed. You're not exactly thinking of backing out now, are you?"
Kurama faced him with a smile. It didn't surprise the fire demon, though. He could see in the red head's eyes the determination and one other particular emotion that he clearly knew.
"Backing out now would mean destroying Shoutaro-sama's trust that he had given me. Of course, I don't have any plan for that to happen. I will never break that trust. It's just that I've been thinking."
"Of what?"
"Of a lot of things that has everything to do with what will happen tonight besides the Christmas party. But I'll proceed with the plan. Just make sure you and Yumi do your part, too."
"Hn. You don't have to say such annoying things already." With that, Hiei left in a flash. Kurama chuckled at Hiei's uncomfortable expression.
He never changed, even after getting married. But's that's Hiei. I've met him that way. But still, thank you for helping me with this one, Hiei. If this goes well, I'll never forget this for the rest of my life, he thought as he began to enter the mansion. But before he could even take one step, he heard someone playing the guitar. Along with the playing of the guitar chords, he also heard someone singing a song.
And the voice... It was familiar.
That's Riya's voice!
xxxxxx
While waiting for her friends to come, Riya decided to do something to kill the time. She decided to play the guitar that was in her room. The song that was in her mind was actually the one she performed solo during the closing celebration of her first Rose Festival at Hanasakura Academy. Of course, a lot of people watched that performance and she was glad. She did her own rendition of the newly-released English song that she found over the Internet that one time. And the song's meaning had definitely caught her attention.
When it was announced at the time that she was going to perform solo, she was glad despite having evident problem on what song to sing. The theme of the closing celebration was "Thank You For The Love You Gave Me" so she knew she had to choose the right song in order to convey her feelings to the person whom she wanted to thank. And that was when she discovered the song "All That's Left" sang by a male singer. The lyrics of the song clearly expressed her feelings ー how thankful she was to have found a love that was beyond what she expected in her life.
With a thankful smile on her face and an extremely good weather despite having signs of snow about to fall soon, she strummed the guitar's strings and played the chords as the song started to bring back so much memories.
All that's left
All that's left
All that's left of me
All that's left
All that's left
All that's left of me
Realization hit her all at once as she began singing her own rendition of the song. What she never realized, though, that her song and the way she sang it caught the attention of a certain someone who had just arrived from a trip.
You know I'm not alright
'Cause all that I've been through
Has left me cold inside
And feeling like a fool
She was a broken person the first time she met Kurama after their chance meeting on Christmas Eve. For that reason, she isolated her heart from the rest of the world as she covered it with ice. She did it in order to protect her heart from feeling anymore pain enough to destroy her from within. And because of that, she became a cold person.
But even when I don't say a word
Somehow you understand
Despite her cold and aloof attitude, Kurama could still see through her. He never walked away from her no matter how much she tried pushing him away. Even if her classmates had shunned her away, he never treated her the same way. In fact, he made her feel special.
'Cause I've been hurt before
And healing takes so long
Trust shattered on the floor
Pretending to be strong
How her father and brother died caused immeasurable pain in her heart and she bear that pain for so long. She couldn't find a way to let it go. Her cold attitude somehow helped her survive the world. But still, it wasn't enough. It would have gone on like that forever.
But boy, you picked up the pieces
And showed me just how you belong
So I'm to sing this song
You're the best thing
That has ever happened to me
Thought I'd locked my heart
But you found the key
You bring out the best
In whatever's left of me
All that's left of me
She smiled after singing that part. Every word of that song definitely defined what she had felt over time after meeting Kurama. He changed her life as she picked up the broken pieces of her life. He built her life again when she thought no one could do that to her. Everything that she was right at that moment, she owed it all to one special person.
She owed it all to Kurama. He opened her heart's closed door with the love that he had for her. A love that was proven true.
All that's left
All that's left
All that's left of me
I've given up the fight
My heart would never mend
I couldn't see the light
Or find the tunnel's end
With all that had happened to her, with all that she went through for a long time, the pain and loneliness she had felt even in her past life ー they were more than enough for her to give up and live a life in solitude. Her sufferings... Before, she felt that she was destined to suffer for all eternity.
Thought I would never feel it again
And then I met you
But that perception changed now. What she thought was her eternal destiny of solitude and suffering became an eternal destiny of love and gratefulness for living the life that she had at the moment. Feeling the hope to live her life even better than before, feeling the love that truly defied her destined death as she dealt with her fate ー she never knew it would be this beautiful that she was afraid it was all a dream.
And yet one thing made her know it wasn't a dream at all.
You made me realize
What loving's all about
Building each other's lives
Casting aside all doubts
And so I take this leap of faith
'Cause I can't imagine life without you
Feeling that kind of love made her realize a life she wanted to live for the rest of her life. Kurama gave her that love ー a love that chased away her fears and her doubts. And she knew she would never feel such love to any other person. She would only feel it to Kurama and no one else.
At the very least, she was glad she felt that way.
You're the best thing
That has ever happened to me
Thought I'd locked my heart
But you found the key
And when it's all done
Holding you in my arms
Feels just how it should be
Your eyes take me off to a special space
With you, everything seems to fall into place
You bring out the best
In whatever's left of me
All that's left of me
Left of me
The life that she had at the moment never felt so right. It was all thanks to Kurama. She knew she clearly expressed her gratitude to him because he was there for her and for loving her beyond what she actually expected. She tried to think of a life if fate hadn't done anything for their paths to cross. But nothing came up no matter how hard she tried.
As she continued to sing, Kurama followed the voice that he heard from the front door. He wasn't surprised to see Riya sitting on her veranda's balustrade while playing the guitar. That angelic scene was exquisite, he couldn't deny that. And her voice... He guessed he would dread the day she won't talk to him at all.
He listened to the song intently as memories also flooded his mind because of Riya singing.
You bring out the best
In whatever's left of me
You're the best thing
That has ever happened to me
Thought I'd locked my heart
But you found the key
And when it's all done
Holding you in my arms
Feels just how it should be
Your eyes take me off to a special space
With you, everything seems to fall into place
You bring out the best
In whatever's left of me
All that's left of me
Left of me
All that's left
All that's left...
A deep breath followed the last strum she did on her guitar. It felt so good for her to sing such a song. With all the feelings of gratitude that she had in her heart, it was a song that she would never get tired of singing over and over. In fact, it had become one of the most memorable songs she sang her entire life.
A smile carved her face as soon as she saw Kurama smiling at her from down below the veranda. She placed her guitar on one side and leaned down to have a better view of the man.
"You never get tired of playing that song, huh?" Kurama commented as he looked up for some seconds before jumping up to the branch of the tree of the tree facing her room. "But I guess I can understand why."
"You came here early," she said instead of saying something with regards to his statement. "And I guess you feel yourself like Romeo now, huh?"
Kurama laughed softly before sitting on the branch. "Well, I don't mind feeling a lot like Romeo if that would make you my Juliet, then. Of course, you need to remove the part about the family feud and the deaths."
She couldn't remove the smile on her face after he said that. She could feel her cheeks heat up a little, too. She should get used to Kurama's random sweet talks since they've been a couple for a long time. But she couldn't do so. Besides, she liked that about him.
"Who would've thought that you're actually Yoko Kurama if someone hears you talking like that?" she asked.
"No one will, that's for sure."
Both of them laughed at that before Riya's face turned a bit serious. She looked at him intensely from her spot which, of course, Kurama found a bit strange.
"What's wrong?"
She gently shook her head. "Nothing. I still can't believe I'll be spending a Christmas with you. I'm still thinking that it's just a dream... which I hope not."
"Well, it's not. I'm here and will never leave you forever, okay? So you don't have to say that it's just a dream. This is real. Everything about us right now is real," Kurama said seriously that rendered her surprised. But it was just for a while.
She smiled at him and he returned it. "You're right. I believe you."
"Why don't you save your sweet talks for later, huh?" Yusuke interrupted, immediately putting a halt on the sweet moment between Riya and Kurama.
Riya sighed exasperatingly and rubbed her temple while Kurama shook his head in disbelief.
"Yusuke! What do you think you're doing? Don't you have any romantic bone in your body for you to disturb these lovebirds here with your nonsense comments?" Keiko blurted out from inside one of the rooms two doors from Riya's room.
Yusuke shrugged. "I can't help it."
"You're one hopeless person, you know that?" Keiko said resignedly. But before Yusuke could say anything more, Keiko pulled him away from the window as she pulled his ear. Despite the Spirit Detective's complaints, it would appear that Keiko didn't want to let him go until she made sure that he won't disturb Riya and Kurama anytime soon.
The couple just laughed at that.
Despite that, Riya loved Yusuke since he was really being a good teacher to her. He was really doing what he could to fill the void that Hiroto left in her heart when he died. But Yusuke didn't know that the particular void Hiroto left in her heart was already filled a long time ago ー when she met the Spirit Detectives and the Wielders, even the two demon shinobi who helped her all the way.
"Yusuke does have a knacks for ruining sweet couple moments," she commented before she looked at Kurama.
"He already has that habit ever since he learned that you transferred to Hanasakura Academy. He was even stalking us in some of our dates, right?"
"Well, stalking is completely different from bluntly interrupting a moment. He already has a girlfriend and yet, he's still acting like a kid."
"That's Yusuke, alright. Maybe one day, you'll miss that about him," Kurama said.
Riya raised an eyebrow for a while. But he knew it was a joke. "Yeah, maybe you're right." And then she remembered something. "In any case, do you have something in mind about how will you spend the rest of the night here? Any plans at all?"
But what surprised ー not to mention, confused ー her was Kurama's mysterious smile. "You'll know then."
It made her frown, though. Was something about to happen tonight? I wonder what could that be.
xxxxxx
I know I haven't been able to update this even though I only have two chapters left to post. But hey, the next one will finally end this story. I ended up changing the title of this chapter, by the way.
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