Written by Miyu, Vampire Princess

AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Ah, a spin-off...cause I don't think it could really pass as a side story. AU to the furuba universe, this story takes place after "That Fated Day" and this particular part takes place about one year after part seven. It's the finale! Let all rejoice! ^^

Part Eight - THE BEGINNING OF THE END

After months of planning and several hours of people screaming at the top of their lungs, I finally realize why I never really wanted to get married.

"Where do these flowers go?"

"We've run out of ribbon! Is the store open?"

"What do you mean the cake only has three tiers?!"

"Mine, where are the pins for the dress?"

"Tell me that's not the right color."

"Where should I put the extra candles?"

It's too much of a pain in the ass.

Call me crazy, but today is supposed to be my day. A special day. Not my day for ordering around 30 some people that are too incompetent to set-up the decorations and settings themselves.

And just where is Shigure when I need him?!

Oh, that's right. He took Saiya over to Hatori's so she wouldn't be in the way of the preparations. No doubt he decide to stay so as not to overwhelm Hatori while he's working.

How convenient, ne?

Saiya turned one yesterday. Shigure decided to have a party, knowing that our wedding would be the next day. We kind of planned it that way, our wedding I mean.

Family came over to pay their respects and give presents. She received so many nice things, I was afraid of what we'd end up with for our wedding. She played with most of the toys, falling asleep on top of a large, brown teddy bear Ayame had bought for her. It was easily twice her size! She's so cute when she's asleep that one will almost forget the holy terror she can be when she's awake.

Ever since we brought her home from the hospital, Shigure and I have argued who she most resembles. The light brown hair on her head indicated that she'd look like Shigure. But it's gotten darker over the past year and it looks more like my hair, and just as fine and shiny. Her attitude, openness and playfulness are all Shigure's though. And her stubborn streak comes from both of us. Boy are we in for it when she gets older.

The terrible twos suddenly look like a scene from "The Exorcist".

I'm surprised Shigure is taking the whole situation well. The situation being that he can't really hug Saiya for fear of transforming (although I'm positive she'll find out soon enough). He plays with her as often as his work will allow...and even when his work won't. He reads her bedtime stories and kisses her good night every night without exception.

I'm in awe of the love he feels for our daughter. Sometimes I get jealous, until he shows me just how much he loves me. He's always got something new up his sleeve and I'm never disappointed.

"Rin, hurry, hurry!" Ayame calls to me from the upstairs room. His usual sing-song voice is dead serious, especially when it comes to his work. "You have to get ready?"

I must've spaced out because the decorators we hired are nearly finished setting up. The back yard never looked so beautiful. The flowers are in exactly the right place. The chairs are set up in uniform rows and the candles are ready to be lit on the tables.

"Rin!"

"Coming," I shout back.

Ayame and Mine are waiting for me in the spare room. There was no way around having someone else make my dress. Besides, I figured it would make a lovely present from Ayame. Fortunately he agreed.

I'm so easy to bargain with sometimes.

The dress is stunning and uniquely a work of my cousin's. It's not too flashy or showy, which is good because I'm not for over decoration. The collar is high and the back is covered by a piece of lace. One zipper. No buttons. Perfect.

I'm aware of how much time it takes me to get ready by the sound of people running around the house. Kagura and Kyo arrive first with Yuki in tow. The boys muddle around outside while Kagura helps me with my hair.

Kisa and Hiro are the next to arrive. They pay me a short visit before joining the others downstairs. Kisa is just gushing while Hiro, with that polite blush on his face, says nothing. He doesn't have to. The longing looks he gives to Kisa are enough. There might be another Sohma wedding here pretty soon.

Hatori brings Saiya upstairs while Shigure greets more guests as they arrive. I'm not sure if Shigure managed it himself or had some help, but Saiya is dressed in the light pink dress and matching shoes we'd purchased for the occasion. I give her a quick hug and a kiss before Kisa offers to take her downstairs. I nod. It's getting far too crowded in this room for me.

My mind wanders as I finish getting ready. I should be nervous, having second thoughts, but I'm not. I've lived with Shigure for a year and survived. I think I can manage for a few more decades.

Kisa sneaks back into the room, Saiya on her heels. "Rin, we're almost ready."

I stand from my chair, fixing my dress with Ayame's help. There's more to the skirt than meets the eye. I don't even want to think about the train.

"Good." I nod to my reflection in the mirror. "Let's get this over with."

There's a hushed silence over the crowd as I join everyone outside. They're either terribly in awe or absolutely horrified. In either case, my attention is on the little girl in front of me and the man standing at the alter.

I dare a glance through the crowd before stepping up to the alter. No Akito. Not that I expected him to show up. He did "exile" us after all.

There's a brief sting, a small pinching in my chest, but it all dissolves as soon as I look at Shigure. He smiles at me like a high school boy as the preacher begins the ceremony. He's actually adorable when he smiles like that and I can't help but smile back, squeezing his left hand tightly in my right.

Not fifteen minutes later, my feet are throbbing in pain and Shigure is planting the mother of all kisses on me in front of family and friends. Tongue and all.

All that work for fifteen minutes worth of fame. The crowd parts, still clapping and cheering, heading for the food tables. I'm not sure if all that trouble was really worth it.

But it was definitely worth the kiss.

Shigure and I walk around together, greeting family and friends. Congratulations are offered all around and after twenty 'thank yous' I give Shigure a kiss on the cheek and head off to search for our daughter. She was with Kisa when I last saw her.

And damn, these shoes are really starting to hurt. I stop at a nearby table, bracing myself on the edge and slip them off my feet. Ah, much better. Now where is Kisa...?

"Congratulations, Rin."

I'm not surprised, only startled, by the man standing in front of me. I didn't catch him or his wife sitting in the audience. He looks no different from when he left more than a year ago, and yet totally different all at the same time. His white hair is shorter than when I saw it last. And if I'm not mistaken he's filled out a little more as well. Not overly muscular, a bit broader in the shoulders and chest.

Haru, you've grown up. Really grown up.

I grasp his hands in mine and allow him to place a light kiss on my cheek. I can't help the smile that comes to my face. I know I'm already lit up from the previous event, but I feel as if I'm really glowing now.

"Thank you."

"You look fantastic," he says, appraising me with his eyes. It's flattering, but it doesn't have the same effect on me it once did. Perhaps I've grown up as well.

"Keep it up and you'll make me blush, baka."

He merely smiles at me, grasping my hands tighter. His eyes grow distant for a moment, as if remembering some far away memory, but he snaps back into the present suddenly.

"I'm happy for you, Rin."

"Are you happy, Haru?"

I'm not sure what forced me to ask that question. Perhaps it's my own curiosity. I so want to know what he's been up to over the past year. Or maybe it's that distant look in his eye. It brings back memories, perhaps too many memories....

He nods, his smile growing impossibly wider. Ear to ear. I want to laugh it looks so funny on his face. Then I realize that I've never actually seen him smile like that.

"Couldn't be happier." His eyes move to the left, over his shoulder. I follow his gaze to a small group of people standing by one of the food tables. Kisa and Kagura are talking quite animatedly, as is a young woman dressed in blue. Saiya saunters over to join the group, immediately latching onto the other young woman's skirt. She looks down at my daughter and smiles gleefully.

That's when I recognize her.

Tohru.

Should I really be surprised? All Sohma are eventually drawn to her.

As if someone had shouted her name, Tohru turns to look at us. Her hair is shorter as well, stopping just above her shoulder. Her eyes, wide with wonder and life, dance at the sight of us. With a smile she waves a hello. Always cheerful that one.

Then my eyes drop a little lower. Either she's gained weight, or she's about six months pregnant. I raise an eyebrow in question and turn to look at Haru.

"She's due in three months," he answers my unspoken question with a chuckle.

"If I didn't know you any better I'd say your worse than my husband." I can't help but smile as the words flow from my mouth. I never thought I'd like that phrase. My husband. "A boy or a girl?"

"A boy, or so the doctor says," Haru replies, waving back to his wife. When he turns to look at me again his eyes are serious. This is more like the Haru I know. "And what about you Rin? Are you happy?"

"Yes." The answer rolls off my tongue with little thought or argument. My eyes quickly find Shigure standing on the porch with Hatori and Ayame, a cigarette in hand. I've asked him several times not to smoke in front of Saiya, but since she's not near him I can't complain.

His eyes meet mine instantly. Just how long has he been watching? Even from this distance I can see the darkness in his eyes, the protectiveness and the love. He smiles at me, rejoining whatever conversation the three of them were having before I interrupted.

Haru's gaze has followed mine. He smiles first at Shigure then at me. "I'm glad. I'm really glad."

"AH! Rin! I think someone needs a diaper change!" Kisa calls, carrying Saiya over to me. "Would you like me to take care of it?"

"That's all right, I'll do it." I've spent all of five minutes with my daughter today. It'll be nice to spend more time with her, even if it is just for a diaper change.

Taking her from Kisa I raise another eyebrow at Haru. "Want some practice?"

He raises his hands in the air shaking his head. "No thanks, this one's all you."

We both laugh, parting ways amiably as I turn to walk into the house. It seems strange, parting ways, but it feels right. For the very first time, it feels...well, right. I can't describe it any other way.

Shigure stops me on the porch to give me a brief kiss before wrinkling his nose. I can only laugh at the sight. That's what he gets for having such a sensitive nose.

He kisses Saiya on the forehead then kisses me again, this time more passionately.

"I love you." He says as we part.

"I love you too."

And nothing else really matters.

"Shigure, what is that stench?"

Save for the diaper change.

~FIN~