Another Passing Day ＊ REVISED ＊

Chapter Twelve ＊ REVISED ＊

＊ REVISED ＊

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Arietta's POV
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My eyes were sore as I depraved them of their tears. Limbs shaking, I stood, masking my sorry face with confidence. Tripping a few times, I made it to the hill, hugging the tree tightly. In my few moments of silence, I failed to notice the person behind me.

"Boo!"

I shrieked in terror, my voice shrill and hoarse at the same time. Defenseless and eyes puffy, I turned and hugged the laughing man behind me. It was him. Tears flowed freely as I tried to squeeze the life out of him.

"Stupid Killua! You idiot! Why did you leave me alone?" I stopped squeezing him and hid my face, pulling away.

When I looked up, his face was shocked.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry I wasn't able to protect you or stay with you. I know how much you must hate me now... But-" He began, eyes boring into mine as though he were looking at his wife lovingly.

"Stop right there." I whispered angrily, making him blink. "Who ever said I hated you?! You, yourself! Now look at me and tell me what I need to hear. You wouldn't call me all the way out here after all this time just to say 'Hi', or talk about our lives. I know you better than that. Even after such a long time, you haven't changed-" I then added quietly, "-aside from the hair."

His hair had grown fairly long and trailed his neck. He had gotten to be very handsome.

He laughed, "Of course I've changed! I was training hard to get away from my family..." I laughed as well, but then he changed the mood. "But I have a few questions for you..."

"Arietta, do you love me?" The question caught me off guard a bit.

"Of course I do, you're my--" I was cut off by Kil.

"Not just as a friend, I'm asking you to... I'm asking you to... To... " He struggled, finally managing out, "Marry me!" His face was covered in blush.

Shock was written all over my face, hands twitching in surprise, and my toes wriggling in their shoes. Like a child being told, 'I love you', my face turned a bright cherry red. His smile twitched as no reply came.

"Kil... I love you. I've loved you ever since when we were kids, but I always thought it was unrequited." My voice escaped softly, as I forgot about everything that happened just hours ago. Life had already moved on, making me sorrowful, but filled with hope for tomorrow.

"Then you'll...?" He never finished the sentence, but I knew what he was trying to say.

"Of course!" I hugged him tightly, not allowing him to see my face as I thought of how weird this has been. This seems so quick.

"Now for my second question..." He paused dramatically, making me look up.

He pecked my lips the very moment I looked up and spoke, "Please don't hate me..." Confusion sprawled out across my face as though my face were its bed. "Will you live with me in the Dark Continent?"

"Why would I hate you for-wait-WHAT?! Why... Well, here?!" My voice cracked at least five times as I struggled to contain my frustration.