Chapter 25 - Decisions

Izumi pov:

"Yo, Zuzu! I heard you needed a cab to take you home so here it is! Driver Shuta, at your service!" Shuta san greeted energetically, having slid open the driver seat window.

"Good to see you too, Shuta san." I said, returning his greeting with a casual wave. "I'm not surprised that you were called to take us home. I hope the cafe wasn't too busy."

"Oh, the cafe has the usual crowd – it's not something the others can't handle without me yelling at them to do their jobs right." He said indifferently while I ushered Ryuusei, Haji san and Kiyori towards the car. "Anyway, I heard you got your butt whooped, Cupcake, and you got shot."

I opened the car door while telling them to get in and Ryuusei, Haji san and Kiyori looked at the enclosed space warily. I smiled and nodded, silently telling them that nothing was going to happen though they hesitated for a moment before getting in and shuffling around a bit so they were comfortable.

"I did get shot but I still completed the mission." I said and bent over the three of them once they were settled to put on their seatbelts. Ryuusei and Haji san tugged on the restraints in displeasure but I shut the door of the car before they could question it.

"Oi Zuzu! Here are the clothes!" Teddy called out, having walked out of the HQ's back door, and threw a bag of his spare clothes to me. I caught it with a grunt, feeling a numbing pain through my back and glared at Teddy once before walking around the front of the car to get into the passenger seat.

When I was seated, I put on my seatbelt and Shuta san began driving. Once again, the three people at the back seemed startled and awed by this 'self-moving carriage' and questioned me on how it works. I wasn't much into cars so I let Shuta san explain the basic concept. I doubt they understood much of it but they didn't ask anything more about the car after that and looked around with wide curious eyes as we got onto the main street and joined the moderate traffic.

"There are so many carriages!" Haji san commented while peering out of the window he was sitting next to.

"This isn't much, actually. In peak times of the day, the traffic is much more." I said and chuckled as they looked even more surprised than before.

"I heard the gist from Rumiko over the phone – so these guys are from the Edo Period? And you actually time traveled?" Shuta san asked while glancing at the three of them in the rear view mirror.

"Yeah...don't ask me how it happened though. I'm no scientist and I have no clue what goes on in the ocean." I said with a shrug.

"Izumi, why is it that you are sitting there? You should be sitting next to me." Ryuusei said with a frown while looking at me.

"I wanted to sit comfortably – not squished up between you guys." I said while glancing at him.

He didn't seem happy about my reason but let it go without further argument. The rest of the fifteen minute drive to my apartment complex was mostly silent. Shuta san occasionally asked questions on what happened in the Edo Period which I answered without giving too many details and we soon came to a stop in the parking lot of my apartment complex.

"Do you want me to come up with you, Cupcake?" Shuta san asked, getting out of the car along with the rest of us. Well, I had to help Ryuusei, Haji san and Kiyori with the seatbelts before they could get out.

"No, you can head home, Shuta san. I'll be fine on my own – I'll just order food for home delivery and we'll get to bed after that." I said.

"Alright, Cupcake. Rest up." He said with a ruffle to my head before driving away.

I shook my head with a light laugh and headed to the apartment building with my three buddies one step behind. They were looking around curiously and cautiously as they followed me up the stairs to the first floor where my apartment was. I let us in after unlocking the door with the number code on the handle and stepped in first before letting the others in.

"Welcome to my humble home. It's not as big as the palace but it's cosy." I said with a smile.

"It looks....odd." Kiyori said first while looking around.

I rolled my eyes and shut the door before walking to the couch and sitting down comfortably. "What did you think I felt when I first came to your time?"

"Your house is simple and elegant, Love. It has many things we have never seen before but it's definitely cosy." Ryuusei said and joined me on the couch without hesitance. He reached out to cup my cheek and I sighed while closing my eyes and relaxing into his hold.

Haji san and Kiyori took the liberty to sit down as well and the awkward silence lingered until we heard a strained growl. I opened my eyes and looked at Haji san to see him blushing a dark red while holding the fabric above his stomach. I laughed and so did Ryuusei before I stood up and stretched a bit – not enough to feel too much pain in my back though.

"I guess we're all hungry – I'll order some food and in the meantime, you guys can wash up. C'mon, I'll show you how to use the shower and how to put on the clothes I've got for you." I said and headed into the bathroom.

Ryuusei was the first to wash up, followed by Haji san and then Kiyori. While they were busy, I looked up the best place for quick food delivery on my phone and ordered three helpings of miso noodles and one order of fried rice. I sat comfortably on the couch while watching television and quenching my hunger just a bit with some chocolate I had in the fridge. Unlike usual, I didn't watch the news but put some random reality show to play – it was something that I saw no need to actually concentrate on and stress myself out.

"These clothes are rather uncomfortable....how do people wear stuff that's so tight??" I heard Haji san say and I turned my head to look at him and Ryuusei as they walked out of my room, having changed into the clothes I had given them.

However, I nearly choked on my chocolate upon seeing them – my eyes went wide in both surprise and absolute fluster and I couldn't stop from gaping embarrassingly at Ryuusei as he walked towards the couch. He looked insanely handsome in the dark blue t-shirt and black jeans he wore. The scowl on his face made him seem all the more overpowering and a sudden uncalled-for desire to stand close to him, touch his wide shoulders, strong biceps and trace the features of his face bubbled fiercely within me. Haji san too looked handsome but Ryuusei was just out of this world.

"Is this the normal attire men of this time wear, Love? I honestly wonder how they would prefer this over a comfortable kimono." Ryuusei said, breaking me from my daze.

I shut my slightly open mouth and swallowed while averting my eyes and running a hand through my hair to try and quell the fluster I was feeling at the moment. I even straightened up as he took a seat next to me while tugging at the t-shirt near the collar since it didn't sit very properly. I inhaled deeply and looked at him, managing to stay composed, and reached out to help him with the shirt. I adjusted it so it was even on both of his shoulders and then I ran my fingers through his hair before setting some of it over one of his shoulders.

When I met his gaze, my heart did a summersault. I refused to show him my fluster though and I smiled. "You look good."

"Thank you, Love." He said with a light smile that made me get even more flustered than before. I knew Ryuusei was handsome but never before had I observed it so much. Who knew that just a change of clothes could make such a difference?!

I tensed when he reached out to hold my hand in his. He was looking down at our hands and I felt him rub soft circles on the back of my palm. He looked content if not entirely clam about being here in a time he was so unaware about. I relaxed after a moment and lifted my free hand. I was about to reach out and touch his face, giving in to the restlessness I was feeling, but the door bell ringing loudly snapped me out of the moment. Ryuusei and Haji san too tensed and looked around wondering what the noise was. They looked hilarious, getting all anxious about a door bell, and I laughed with a shake of my head.

"Relax guys, that's just the door bell." I said and got up from the couch.

I opened the door to reveal a delivery man with the food I had ordered. I paid him the amount of the bill, thanked him and walked back to the others with the food in hand.

"Who was that man?" Haji san asked with slightly narrow eyes.

"He was a delivery man – he dropped off the food I ordered when you guys were washing up." I answered as I opened the food. "Mmmh....this smells heavenly. Hope you all are ready to dig in!"

"You had gone out to order food? And returned so quickly?" Ryuusei asked curiously and stepped closer to me to see the food I had opened.

"I didn't go out. I just made a phone call – it's a means of communication we've invented so we can talk to people without being physically present close to them." I explained while holding out one of the bowl of noodles to him. "That aside, where's Kiyori? Why is she taking so long to get dressed?"

I walked to my room and knocked on the closed door. "Oi Kiyori, are you done yet? The food is here."

"I-I can't wear these clothes...." I heard her stutter. "I don't feel comfortable....and I can't come out like this."

Rolling my eyes, I let myself in and shut the door behind as I entered. I raised a brow at Kiyori who stood in the middle of the room wearing one of my baggy lounge pants and a loose t-shirt – I assumed that she would be more comfortable in loose clothes rather than snug fit ones like what I was wearing now – and she was relentlessly tugging the shirt down on all sides and pulling the collar up.

"Oi oi....don't pull on it like that – you're going to ruin my shirt." I said and slapped her hands out of the way to set the shirt properly. "You're going to have to adjust in these clothes until we get back to your time. Don't worry – these clothes won't show any of your precious skin even if you jump around like a mad woman. Now let's go outside and join the others – the food has arrived and I'm sure you're hungry, if not as famished as I am."

"B-but how can I present myself in such indecent clothes in front of Ryuusei sama?!" She hollered in panic.

"You call my clothes indecent one more time and I'm going to kick you out of my house." I said sharply, making her flinch. She mumbled out a halfhearted apology before walking out of the room with me awkwardly.

I noticed her glance at Ryuusei while once again tugging my shirt down – I was so sure that it was going to be out of shape the next time I wore it – but he spared her nothing more than a short glance. He was back to slurping his noodles while watching what was running on television in awe.

After handing Kiyori her share of food, I joined Ryuusei on the couch and wolfed down my food blissfully, so happy that my hunger was finally being satiated. When we were done with dinner, we sat in my room to talk about what we had been putting off till now. I sat on my bed while leaning against the wall with a pillow behind me for support, Ryuusei sat next to me, Kiyori sat at the edge of the bed and Haji san sat on my study table's chair. The atmosphere in my room had become tense and the first one to break the silence was none other than Ryuusei himself.

"Izumi, Love, we need to decide how and when we go back to my Empire. We cannot stay here for long – I have responsibilities as the Blood Emperor." He said while looking at me.

"I know." I said flatly, though feeling uneasiness bubble in the pit of my stomach.

"And...." He continued, momentarily hesitant. "You will come with me, will you not? And become my real Empress."

I clenched my jaw while narrowing my eyes at the empty space in front of me. I did want to be with Ryuusei but that would mean giving up on everything I've known my entire life. It would mean leaving this time, retiring from my job as a gofer and living in a time of no technology and away from people I've come to consider as family permanently. Of course, since I was aware of the portal near the docks connecting to Yokobu Shore, I could probably visit the modern era occasionally but....

"What is the matter, Love? Do you not want to come with me? Do you wish to stay here, in your time?" Ryuusei asked gently lifting my chin so I would meet his gaze. He looked mildly perturbed – anxious that I would wish to be here, separated from him.

I took a moment to think of all the possibilities of what I would have if I were here and if I were in the past. Many things would be different – no luxury, no modern entertainment, no fun gadgets to work with and no easy ways to gather any sort of information. But in the past, life in one way was much easier without the complications of modern technology. I would be Ryuusei and I could still have an adventurous life with all the snooping around. I would miss Juri san and the people I have worked with for the last eight years of my life but the weight of what I could have in the past seemed more than what I had here.

When I thought about it, I merely existed here. I pulled through each day without anything particular that I wanted to achieve – well, besides the world tour I wanted to make. Every day was a routine that passed by as a blur and unless I was on missions, the days were dull and boring. But every moment I had lived in the past – from the time I met Kanzaki san, Haruko, Prince Shichiro and Ryuusei to the time I fell in love and actually enjoyed helping Ryuusei because I really wanted to – was exhilarating. They were new, unexpected experiences, exciting adventures to look forward to.

Would it be alright for me to leave everything behind and start anew in the past? Would it not affect the balance of nature?

Well, I doubt that would happen. After all, we had turned up in the present barely a few minutes after the time I actually disappeared. Perhaps the past and present had no link whatsoever – maybe, considering how things didn't seem any different than how they were when I disappeared, we were in an alternate dimension that didn't cause any imbalance in this time. So....it was alright for me to choose Ryuusei over the PDST, right?

"Love?" Ryuusei asked, breaking my train of thought. I also realized that in the midst of thinking, I had been staring at him.

I looked away while inhaling deeply, certain about my decision. "I will go back with you, Ryuusei."

For the first time since I met him, his eyes lit up with a childlike spark of joy. He smiled wide and the tense air in the room dissipated instantly. He leaned forward and brought me into his arms in an embrace, loosening his hold with an apology when I gasped at the pain I felt in my back. When he let me go, though still keeping his hands on my shoulders, I noticed that Kiyori wasn't in the least happy about my decision. Haji san, on the other hand, was grinning. I guess he was glad he would still have me around to tease.

"I'm glad, Love. So much that I cannot even express it." Ryuusei said and I looked back at him.

"I can tell." I said with a smirk. It wasn't every day this guy hugged me with such gusto or grinned so wide, after all. "Anyway, we'll decide how to go about with this tomorrow. Let's get some sleep for now."

Making Ryuusei let me go, I stood up and tilted my neck from side to side to release a bit of the strain. I walked to the cupboard and got out extra mattresses, pillows and blankets and Haji san came to help. When we had enough, I spread them out on the floor of the room with Haji san's help.

"Okay....I'm going to sleep on the bed because it's soft and won't hurt my injury. Ryuusei can sleep next to me. Haji san and Kiyori can use the mattresses." I said.

"You don't honestly expect me to sleep on the floor, do you?! And on such thin and uncomfortable looking rags....I'm a consort! I should be sleeping on the bed with Ryuusei sama!" Kiyori said while sending a glare my way.

"First of all, I'm the Empress, Kiyori – I hope you haven't forgotten that. And secondly, this is my house and my bed so I get to decide who sleeps where. If you're not happy with the 'rags' I've provided you with, I'll be more than glad to let you sleep on just the cold hard floor." I said sharply but with an amused smile as she looked absolutely taken aback.

Seriously, was this girl even half as smart as me or was she just trying to look stupid?? I've spoken to her smartly so many times, she's got warned by Ryuusei for being rude to me, she's obviously aware that she's in my world and my house and has to do as I say but she still looks surprised when I state the obvious. If all of Ryuusei's consorts were like this, I can only understand why he didn't want any of them as his Empress – that and the fact that they're a bunch of weaklings who can't protect themselves from the smallest hint of danger.

"N-no....I'll sleep on t-the mattress..." She mumbled while looking down with a flushed face.

"Glad to see you're finally doing things my way." I said and ushered everyone to get under the covers.

Ryuusei had his arm around my waist the moment I lay down next to him after turning off the light. I closed my eyes not really bothering about it because I was too exhausted from everything that had happened today. I'm sure he said something but I didn't hear it as I drifted to much needed sleep in mere seconds.

My body was stiff and sore when I woke. I groaned as I felt worse from the weight of Ryuusei's arm I felt over my torso. Shoving it off in mild irritation, I turned to the side before pushing myself up to sit. After the pain in my back and arm had reduced a bit, I looked around the gently lit room – Haji san, Ryuusei and Kiyori were still asleep and Kiyori didn't look even in the least uncomfortable. After all that drama about wanting the soft bed to sleep on, she sure fared well on the mattress. Well, the mattresses I had given her and Haji san were pretty thick and soft – I never compromised on quality and didn't mind spending a few extra Yen to ensure comfort and durability.

I glanced at the clock on the wall – it was close to seven in the morning. I placed a hand over my stomach as it grumbled. Sighing softly and not bothering to wake up the others, I walked out of the room and to the kitchen to get myself something to eat. I scanned through the cupboards and the fridge because I didn't quite remember what I had stored away – not being around for a year can make one forget what groceries they bought before they left, right?

I got out some bread, cheese and vegetables to make myself a sandwich. After cutting the vegetables, I piled everything in between two slices of bread and put it in the sandwich maker. Ten minutes later, my breakfast was ready. Just as I sat down on the couch to eat, I heard shuffling and saw Ryuusei walking out of my room while running his fingers through his bed hair. He looked mildly irritable but he relaxed upon seeing me.

"Good morning, Love." He said with a genuine smile.

"Morning." I responded and sat on the couch, only to be joined by him after he had washed his face and brushed his teeth – something that I had taught him, Haji san and Kiyori last night.

"Did you sleep well?" I asked and took a bite out of my sandwich.

"I did, Love. I hope you were able to rest well too....how do you feel today?" He asked and wiped off a few crumbs of bread that had stuck on the side of my lips.

"I slept well but I'm completely sore. My back is going to take a while to heal." I said with a hint of displeasure.

He hummed while nodding and we settled into the silence soon after. Fifteen minutes passed in the silence, in which I finished my sandwich while pausing every now and then when Ryuusei reached out to caress my hair or face or hands. It was strange to see him so touchy with me and it was even stranger that I enjoyed his affectionate gestures – after all, the two of us were people who had always been so reserved and not in the least lovey-dovey. But I suppose, as I had heard many times but thought to be stupid, that love does change people in unexpected ways.

I leaned back on the couch with a sigh after putting my plate on the coffee table, every last crumb of the sandwich now in my stomach. I met Ryuusei's eyes when he cupped my cheek gently. His eyes were swirling with vivid emotions and looked so bright at the moment. He leaned towards me and I closed my eyes lightly, waiting and anticipating what as to come. He placed his lips on mine and I felt an electric shock run through my veins. I parted my lips as he did, involving and indulging myself in this fiery kiss.

I lifted my hand and held his hair at the roots while parting my lips again to return his passion with as much as I could and I shuddered when he placed his hand on my exposed waist, running it lightly over my skin, while the other held the side of my head firmly. Seconds later, he wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me flush against himself, kicking up the passion in his kisses. He let out a barely audible guttural groan into my mouth making my head spin for a moment. He pulled away from my lips, letting me replenish my lungs with much needed air and lowered his head to treat my jaw, neck and visible collar bones with nips and kisses, leaving burning trails in their wake.

A gasp of pain that left my lips snapped us out of our moment of passion. Ryuusei immediately let me go and I leaned back on the couch with my eyes tightly shut and my breath ragged. I held my right shoulder that was throbbing and took a few deep breaths to ease the strain I was feeling.

"I'm so sorry, Love....I-I just couldn't control myself. Are you alright? Did I hurt you?" Ryuusei asked in worry.

"I'm fine....I think I have to stay still until I'm healed." I mumbled. "And what do you mean you couldn't control yourself?? It's not like we've never kissed before...."

"I know, Love, but today, just now, I nearly lost my mind. If we had kissed for just a few more moments, I doubt I would have been able to resist from making you mine." He said, his voice coming out slightly weak and airy.

I looked at him dumbly for a moment before my eyes went wide. Make me his?? Sure he didn't mean....

"Ohh? Did my words fluster you so much, Love?" Ryuusei asked with a smirk growing on his lips.

"Fluster? I didn't....I mean, I wouldn't get flustered just because you said something like that..." I said and cursed under my breath noticing that my heart beat was haywire.

"Hmm....it's hard to believe your words when your face is flushed so darkly with color." He said with a chuckle and leaned in so his lips were right next to my ear. "You look adorable, Izumi, and don't worry, I will make you mine soon."

"W-what the...?!" I stuttered, unable to snap back at him like how I usually easily would have. I could feel the heat of my cheeks increase and my heart go even crazier – oh goodness, why was he being so embarrassingly open today?!

"Izumi san, You're Highness." We heard a voice and we looked to the side to see Haji san and Kiyori there. "I apologize for oversleeping. How are you feeling, Izumi san?"

The annoyance I felt with Haji san's formality alleviated my fluster and I frowned. "I already told you to stop being so formal with me, Haji san. It feels really weird."

"He should be formal with you, Love. You're the Empress, after all." Ryuusei stated.

"I don't like being treated as an Empress by Haji san. We're good friends and I don't want some title to affect our friendship in any way." I said sternly and stood up.

"So you're saying that you don't mind it if he calls you Sweetheart?" Ryuusei asked, now sounding possessive.

"Surprisingly enough, I'd rather have him call me that than Izumi san. Of course, that's when we're not among trouble causing audience." I said. "Well, enough of that for now. I'm sure you're all hungry so I'll get you breakfast."

Before I could walk to the kitchen, there was a knock on the door. I opened it and Juri san walked in with Urumi sensei – a middle aged woman with round glasses framing her sharp green eyes. She looked at all of us for a moment before shaking her head with a sigh and walking to the couch to take a seat.

"Do you plan on sitting down in front of me anytime soon, Izumi? I don't think I need to tell you that and I don't have all day." Urumi sensei said sharply.

I twitched but resisted from openly reacting to her. She was a really good doctor with a really bad temper. If she was annoyed with something, she could be really snappy and it looked like I was stuck with that side of her today. Well, it was expected that she would be snappy today considering how she always got angry when I was reckless and got hurt and she had to be come to check on me at all odd times.

Inhaling deeply, I walked to her and took a seat in front of her. I glanced at Juri san who shrugged but gave a smug smile, waiting for Urumi sensei to scold me. She was enjoying this a bit too much....so much for calling herself my adoptive mother. She should be pampering me! Not letting my get yelled at!

Then again, she wasn't the cuddly sort and neither was I.

"Okay, strip." Urumi sensei said and I rolled my eyes.

I took off my shirt, leaving me with just a chest wrap on and I heard startled gasps from our audience. Upon looking at them, Haji san had turned away and his ears were red, indicating that he was downright flustered, Kiyori was looking to the side awkwardly and Ryuusei was watching me with wide eyes, his jaw tightly clenched and his eyes locked with mine in an intense gaze. My heart skipped a beat and I felt thoroughly flustered as I remembered what he had said mere minutes ago and I averted my eyes immediately to make sure I remained composed in front of Juri san and Urumi sensei.

"What are you day dreaming for? Turn around, brat!" Urumi sensei snapped. "I can't treat your injury if I can't see it!"

"O-oh, yeah." I said and turned so she could look over my back.

Despite her rough words, she was extremely gentle while looking over my injury. She removed the bandage wrapped over it slowly and looked over it for a moment before reaching into her bag for medicine and supplies.

"You're really lucky, Izumi." She said, her voice now softer than before. "The wound isn't too deep and none of your organs have suffered damage. It's good that you're slightly muscular than just lean – anyone with an injury like this wouldn't have made it out without complications. And whoever took out the bullet did a good job. There's no extra damage done."

"That's a relief." Juri san said with a sigh. "Even though she looked okay yesterday, I was really concerned about the seriousness of her wound."

"But still!" Urumi sensei yelled and slapped me hard on my back on the left side, away from the wound. "Why are you always so reckless?! You're always causing me and Juri trouble and worry!"

"Oww!!!" I yelped and looked back at her with a glare. "What the heck, Urumi sensei! You're not supposed to be hitting your patients! I'm already in enough pain and I don't need you to worsen it!"

"I would suggest you watch your actions, woman." Ryuusei said, having stepped close to me. "I have been lenient until now, not commenting on how casually you all are talking to Izumi but I will not tolerate it if you hurt her in any way."

"Stay out of this, Hotshot. I heard all about you and your two friends here from Juri and honestly, I don't give a damn if you're an Emperor. We've known Izumi for much longer than you have and we have all the right to beat some sense into her when she does something stupid." Urumi sensei said and went back to wrapping my wound. "You're not even married to her and you're getting all worked up."

I glanced at Ryuusei to see him taken aback. His eyes were wide and he was speechless – looks like Urumi sensei had hit a nerve. I snorted to hold in a laugh and looked back at Urumi sensei while failing to hold in a smile of amuse.

"Stop being rude to him, Sensei." I said. She merely huffed and I shook my head to Ryuusei, silently telling him not to take it seriously.

When my wound was wrapped and I had put my shirt back on, I headed to the kitchen to make breakfast for Ryuusei, Haji san and Kiyori and tea for me, Juri san and Urumi sensei. We then sat down in the living room to talk seriously about what had to be done now. Of course, Ryuusei sat next to me and even put an arm around my waist to hold me close to himself. Juri san, Urumi sensei and Haji san sat opposite to us and the air in the room got tense.

"Alright, now that your injury has been checked on, we need to discuss what we're going to do about your three friends – one of which I find to be annoyingly clingy." Juri san said while looking at Ryuusei.

"That's because he's my boyfriend. I thought I told you that yesterday."

"You did but I'm yet to believe the ridiculous story you told us about them." She said while motioning to the three of them. "Besides, I know that you're fully aware that any person you know shouldn't know about you being a part of the PDST. You not only let these people know but you got them involved in one of your missions!"

"PDST? What is that?" Haji san asked curiously and it was followed by a moment of pin drop silence.

"Please tell me he's joking." Juri san said with a huff.

"They don't know what the PDST is and they wouldn't understand it even if I told them. And the 'story' I told you yesterday is a hundred percent true. These guys are from the past, from an era almost six hundred years ago." I said flatly.

"That's enough, Izumi. I don't want to hear these fantasy stories from you. This is a serious matter!"

"You think I'm joking around, Juri san? I'm being completely serious here! You know that I'm not the kind to joke around in a serious matter!" I said, my voice getting loud. "I know it sounds unbelievable but it's the truth! I don't have any proof besides the clothes we were wearing to prove that I did end up in an alternate timeline and....wait a minute. My glasses!"

"Your glasses? What about them?" Urumi sensei asked.

"I took pictures in Sei'an when I was going around gathering information for Ryuusei! It should be saved on the memory card!" I said. "If we can look at those pictures, I'm sure you'll believe me."

Juri san looked to the side with a scoff. "I can't believe this....alright, we'll look at the pictures on the memory card. I'll tell Teddy to transfer the pictures onto the system and we can go look at it in the Headquarters. Although I doubt they will prove anything, there's no harm in looking at a few pictures."

"Well, aren't you so generous?" I said sarcastically with a nod.

"And now, for the most important question." She said in a dread filled voice, completely ignoring my sarcasm. "Let's say, hypothetically, that you did travel to the past and end up with an Emperor as a boyfriend – what do you plan to do now? Are you going to go back?"

"Yes." I said instantly. "I do plan on going back. I'm going to retire from the PDST and go back to Sei'an and be with Ryuusei."

"We will be officially wed once we return." Ryuusei added and I overlooked the expressions of surprise on Juri san's and Urumi sensei's faces.

"Marriage?? You're going to marry him when you go back?" Sensei asked. "You're eighteen, for heaven's sake!"

"Of course. Izumi is my Empress in name already and we will hold a ceremony in public to make it official. Besides, eighteen is the right age for marriage, even for men." Ryuusei answered.

"So your sons and daughters will be princes and princesses...." Juri san stated slowly.

"Sons and daughters? Juri san, we're not thinking that far ahead yet and besides...."

"Of course. That is a given, is it not?" Ryuusei interrupted and I looked at him with a mix of a blush and glare. "And our first born son will be the heir to the throne."

"Ryuusei, that comment is absolutely unnecessary at the moment." I muttered, still feeling warmth linger on my cheeks.

"Well, he's thinking ahead." Sensei said with a teasing grin. "He's way ahead of you, Hon, and I'm pretty sure he's already sure of how many kids he wants since he found it necessary to comment on that matter."

"Would you guys stop it with all the 'having-kids' talk?! Jeez!" I hollered and Ryuusei chuckled along with Juri san and Sensei. I was also rewarded with an unexpected kiss on the cheek to which I reacted with a startled gasp.

"Anyway....what will you do about your world tour plan? You saved up so much money for it too." Juri san said.

"I guess I'll just give the money to charity." I answered with a shrug.

"Are you really okay with that?" Juri san asked softly. "You were really looking forward to that world tour...."

"I have a feeling that I'll have much more fun in the past than that in a world tour."

"She does seem to have a lot of fun when we go out for missions." Haji san spoke up. "She's always so excited to sneak into places and snoop around. Although, I think she enjoys beating up the bad guys the most."

"How right you are, Haji san." I said with a laugh.

"That is definitely like Izumi." Juri san said as she stood up. "Well, I expected you to leave the nest someday. I always hoped that it would be for love and my wish was granted. I'm glad you found someone you wish to be with, Izumi, and I hope that wherever you are, you will always be happy with Ryuusei. And Ryuusei? Whether you're an Emperor or not doesn't matter to me – I want you to take care of Izumi like she's the most important thing to you in the entire world. She's strong physically and mentally but that shouldn't be a reason for you to show her anything short of protectiveness. Love her like there's not a moment to waste, protect her as if she is your own life and make her happy....always."

"Okay, who are you and what have you done to Juri san?" I asked, finding her change in deamenor strange.

"I may not show it, Izumi, but I really do care about you. I already told you that you are like my own daughter and it's only natural for me to want you to be happy." She said with one of her rare heartwarming smiles.

"Still, you're change in personality is creepy. I like you better when you're yelling at me." I said and she laughed.

"I will take care of Izumi." Ryuusei said, his voice deep and confident. "She is the first and probably the last person I will ever come across with complete transparency in her actions, words and thoughts. I do not intend to lose her to anything the world has to offer to me."

"Woah....I am so touched, Ryuusei." I said dramatically with a hand on my chest. I then laughed and so did the others.

"Those are strong words, Ryuusei, and I hope you don't forget them." Juri san said, her smile still wide. "Okay then, enough of all this talking. Let's head over to HQ so we can see those pictures! And I'll treat you all of lunch after that!"

"That sounds great! I vote for Italian!" I said and stood up as well.

"Italian? I doubt your friends have eaten that before." Sensei pointed out. "Are you sure we should go for something other than what they're comfortable with?"

"Hey, it's a chance for them to try something different. They're not going to get a chance to eat anything besides traditional Japanese cuisine once we're back in Sei'an and neither will I. So Italian it is." I said firmly.

"Alright then, let's go."

With a coaxing nod to Ryuusei, Haji san and Kiyori, we headed out of the house and to the PDST's Headquarters.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Woah woah woah!!! Isn't Ryuusei totally hot in modern clothes?! He's sure to have tons of fans if he ever goes out in public like that and then Izumi is going to have to save his butt.....again XD

Izumi has decided to go back with him and become his Empress and Haji is happy too - best friends stick together after all, don't they? Of course, Kiyori isn't all that happy but who cares, right? XD Goodness, I'm being mean today XD

So! This story is almost at its end with just a couple of conclusive chapters :) After this story is complete, I will work on and complete Beautiful Imperfections (the Madara fanfic) before starting a new book! Yay!! :D

I am yet to decide what new fanfic to work on - I'm debating between Jugram Haschwalth (Bleach 1000 Year Blood War Arc hottie), Trunks (DBZ) and Jean Havoc/Scar (FMA 2003). I'm yet to decide who to write the fanfic for and I haven't started brainstorming on the possible story boards either. I have some time to think and get requests/suggestions though since I don't plan to publish a new book until Beautiful Imperfections is over ^^'

Anyway, I hope you guys will read and support my upcoming works just as you have been doing till now! Thank you so much for all the love that motivates me to write more! <3

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