Forevermore ~Gaara~

Chapter 26

Hotaka and Honiji had been together for three years. Everyone in town knew them as one of the closest and most loving couples they had ever seen. They only had a two year age difference, making Honiji sixteen at the time their relationship ended, and Hotaka being eighteen. With the legal marriage age being sixteen, many people believed it was only a matter of time before He asked her to marry him. And in truth, Honiji wanted it more than anything.

She had just packed up her school bag at the end of the day and got ready to leave. With no work, Honiji had made plans to visit her dad and sister for awhile before spending the rest of the evening with her handsome honey. Taiga bounced into her line of sight with a wide grin. "Eyy! Lovin day?"

"No, dad day. Tomorrow is a date night though."

"Watsa plan?"

Honiji let out a light laugh, creating a small light glimmer to run over her fingers. "Hotaka wants to have dinner with my dad and family, and announce in front of everyone a 'special surprise'."

"Oh mai Gawd! He gonna propose!" She threw her arms around Honiji and jumped with joy. "Ya gotta tell me all bout it!"

"Of course. You're the first person I'd call, Taiga."

They spent a few more minutes gushing about the possible proposal, both getting more excited by the second. But it was time for Honiji to get going. She was meeting her dad and sister at the coffee shop near the river. It was just a weekly visit and catch up they liked to do out of ear shot of the ice queen. When she arrived, Ichiharu and Junko were already there, sitting outside with drinks in hand. She joyfully wrapped her arms around her father, receiving a hug in return before doing the same for her sister.

A waiter took her order and they started their weekly visit. "I'm looking forward to the dinner tomorrow." Junko said.

"What could Hotaka want to say in front of all of us, I wonder?" Ichiharu gave his daughter a smirk. He as well was hoping for a proposal. Junko's lack of general emotion told him she would never be very interest in the thought of marriage. So at least one person would be able to fulfill his dream of sitting with his grandchildren in the autumn sun. And Ichiharu liked Hotaka. A kind young man with real love for his youngest daughter.

As they finished up their usual visit, Ichiharu handed Honiji a letter, the name Shizuka elegantly written across the front. Honiji had been acting as a go between for her parents love affair for many years. They have to very careful though. When Honiji'ss mother was found to be pregnant, Ichiharu's wife did everything she could to try to 'dispose' of Shizuka. Ichiharu's protection almost failed a few times. If the queen managed to find out they were still seeing each other, it could be the end

"Be very careful with this my little princess." He stressed to her.

Honiji smiled. "Of course." She gave her father a strong hug and turned to do the same to Junko.

"I do hope everything works out in your favor tomorrow." With those sweet words, the family parted ways.

Honiji could hardly sleep that night, constantly thinking about the day to come. Even at school, she found herself zoning out, eyes to the sky. It was Friday. Nice day, small chill. Winter was closing in making the days shorter. She will never forget that day for as long as she lives. When school was over, Honiji all but ran from her classroom to collect her shoes and get to her dad's house.

"Honiji!" She skidded to a stop at the sound of her name.

Standing just outside the school gates with big smile and a dozen roses was the man who had been on her mind all day. "Hotaka!" She threw her arms around him, laughing softly when he lifted her and spun around. "What are you doing here?"