Descendants

It’s a few months after Kazumi’s sixteenth birthday that they visit Yuuei again. 

There’s nothing special about their time in town. The kids compare how well they managed to master their magic, the adults use the time to relax and take some time off from their duties and catch up with old friends. 

It’s different though because while Takeo, Misaki, Raidon and Kazumi spend most of the time together, the fact that two of them are a couple changes things. 

So the evening before Kazumi is supposed to fly back home, Takeo asks Tetsutetsu to bring them to the lake in the woods where they first bonded two years ago. 

“It’s been two years already.” He mumbles as he slowly moves his feet through the calm water. 

Both of them are sitting on the small dock that was built a year ago, their bare feet dangling into the water below. 

Kazumi glances at him and smiles. “Yep. Two years and we’ve barely been able to spend time together.”

Takeo nods and watches the water below as he slowly reaches out to place his hand right next to Kazumi’s on the dock. “I talked to my father today.”

Kazumi’s gaze drops to their hands. “Okay…”

“You can have your own room.” He says hesitantly, his eyes slowly moving over to look at her. “Well, your own chamber.”

Her eyes widen as she takes in his serious expression. “My own...what? Are you asking me to move in?”

Takeo frowns briefly before a blush creeps up his face at the implication. He quickly turns away. “What? No! I...uh…”

“Really?” Kazumi chuckles as she leans closer to him, not so accidentally placing her hand on his. “Sounds like it.”

“That’s not what I’m trying to say!” Takeo tells her quickly as he forces himself to face her again. 

They come face to face and Kazumi smirks up at him. “Then what are you trying to say?” She purrs. 

He shuts his eyes for a moment and leans forward as well until their foreheads are touching, catching the warrior Princess off guard. Her smirk disappears, making way for confusion at such an intimate gesture. 

“I just...I know we’re still young and you have your own throne waiting for you one day but...” He pauses and opens his eyes. 

Forest green meets crimson. 

“I really like you. You’ve been the only one who never treated me like I was weak or deserved pity and…” He babbles nervously. “And I know my father is already tired of doing everything on his own. I’ll have to step in and help him at some point and...I...I would like to do that with you by my side.”

Kazumi stares at him in shock and slowly moves away to look at him properly. “Takeo, are you...asking me to be your Queen?” She chuckles nervously. 

His gaze drops down to their hands, his blush coming back full force. “I know it’s stupid and we’re still just teenagers but...maybe I am?”

“Things change. Feelings change.” Kazumi tells him quickly with a shake of her head. 

But Takeo surprises her once again by suddenly leaning in and wrapping his arms around her tightly. “I don’t think they will. You’re the bravest person I know. You may be bold but I think that only shows how honest you are all the time. You never pretend and I love that about you.”

Kazumi is still hesitant as she places her hands on his back, her chin resting on his shoulder. “Did you just say…”

“I love you. Stay?”

~ ~ ~

The room seems to freeze for a moment after Takeo’s words. 

Shouto raises his glass but the crowd seems more confused than anything. 

“His...what?” Raidon mumbles before turning to look at Misaki, who appears to be just as shocked. “Did you know about this?”

She quickly shakes her head, still staring at Sumi, who is still standing at the top of the staircase, fiddling with her hands nervously. 

“He...he didn't tell me.” Misaki says hesitantly. Then she turns to face Kazumi. “I swear I didn’t know!”

But Kazumi isn’t listening to them. She’s too busy staring at Takeo, who is looking up at Sumi with a small smile. 

“What?” Kazumi gasps. “But...I...I…”

Raidon exchanges one more worried glance with Misaki before stepping in front of his best friend. “Kazu, maybe we should get out of here for a moment.”

But Kazumi doesn’t acknowledge him. She slowly raises her hand to push him aside, her eyes seemingly never leaving her target. 

“Your girlfriend?” She asks, her voice echoing through the rather silent hall. 

Shouto lowers his hand again and frowns at Kazumi before looking at his son in question. The witches start to whisper as Tamaki, Mirio and Neijire look around in confusion. Most of the other guests remain quiet as they wait for someone to speak up. 

Takeo turns around and his eyes scan the crowd briefly before he steps over to Kazumi, who is staring up at him with wide-eyed betrayal. “What is this supposed to mean?” She asks, her voice breaking at the end. 

“Takeo, you better have a fucking explanation for this.” Raidon growls as he takes his place by Kazumi’s side. 

“I knew she would be here.” Misaki chimes in as she joins them, a sharp glare directed at her brother. “Her mother is supposed to redo the protection spells tomorrow and she usually comes with but...when did this happen?”

Takeo looks from his sister, to Raidon and eventually Kazumi, who is desperately trying to hold back tears. 

“I’m confused.” He tells them quietly as he glances back over his shoulder at the crowd. “I thought we ended things.”

Misaki raises one hand to cover her mouth in shock as Raidon’s eyes turn to slits for a second. Kazumi’s face falls, all emotion draining from it. She blinks up at him blankly, tears starting to run down her cheeks. “Did you now?” She asks, her voice low. “What you said before I left, that we were special and you needed some time...that wasn’t because you were planning something. You broke up with me.”

Takeo glances back once more and crosses his arms defensively. “Well, yes. I thought that much was obvious.”

“Why?” Kazumi hisses and points up at Sumi, who is watching the scene in confusion. “Because of that witch?”

“What? No. Sumi and I were just friends back then.”

“Then why the fuck did you break up with me in such a shitty way?! And why didn’t you fucking tell me properly! I wouldn’t have come today! I came because of you! Because I thought you were planning something for us!” She yells, pushing her index finger into his chest. “You told me you wanted me to be your Queen, that you loved me!”

Takeo grimaces and carefully takes hold of her wrist to lower her arm. “That’s it. That’s the reason you’re looking for. Ever since I told you that, it went downhill.”

Fresh tears well up in her eyes at that. “What? I...I don’t understand.”

Takeo sighs and takes her hands into his. “I have a question for you. Did you ever even love me or did you just love the idea of becoming Queen of Yuuei?”

She frowns and her gaze drops down to their hands. 

She doesn’t answer. 

Takeo smiles sadly and steps back, dropping her hands in the process. “That’s what I thought. I’m sorry it had to end like this. It wasn’t fair of me and I’m sorry.”

As soon as the last word leaves his lips, a small explosion makes him stumble back. 

“Kazu!” Raidon calls quickly. He waves his hands through the air to clear the smoke and steps in front of her, grabbing her shoulders as his worried expression meets her furious one. “Calm down.”

“Don’t fucking tell me what to do!” She barks and pushes him away, stumbling back and into Misaki, who attempts to talk to her as well but Kazumi just shakes her head and rushes towards the doors. 

Both Misaki and Raidon charge towards her but she pulls the doors open and rushes through as fast as possible. The last thing they see is her running down the hallway at full speed before both doors slam shut. 

No one dares to even breathe after that. It’s dead silent in the great hall for at least two minutes before Raidon whirls around and storms towards Takeo. “You fucking piece of burnt shit!” He growls, his eyes sparkling with electric energy as he fists his hand in the Prince’s shirt, ripping the fabric. “How dare you pull a stunt like this?!”

“Rai, calm down.” Misaki says behind him. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m really pissed at you, Takeo, but we have bigger problems right now.”

Raidon’s angry gaze never leaves Takeo’s anxious one. “Oh, I know. I’d still feel better after frying his pathetic ass.”

“You’re in public.” Misaki hisses quietly as she looks around at all the faces watching them. “Go find your Princess.”

Raidon glares at Takeo for a moment longer before roughly pushing him away. The Prince gasps and struggles to stay upright. 

“I knew you were trouble. I never liked you. She thought you put the stars up into the sky. Do you even know how much time I spent listening to her ramble about how awesome you are?” Raidon growls. 

To his surprise, Takeo just rolls his eyes in annoyance. “You poor thing. Let me tell you a secret. Everyone knows you’re in love with her! Good news! You can have her now!” He yells.

“You little rat!”

“Boys!” Misaki screams. “Are you even listening to yourselves?! You can brawl it out all you want after we found Kazumi!”

Raidon sends a last hateful gaze Takeo’s way before slowly stepping back to Misaki’s side. “You’re right, okay? Or you would be if this was anyone else.” He tells her. “It won’t be any good if any of us try to talk to her now. She needs to be alone for a while, break some stuff to get it out of her system.”

“Break some stuff?” Takeo asks. 

Misaki glares at him. “Hopefully your stuff, asshole!”