~~~~(Katie's POV)~~~~
When the light that surrounds Jinoskue and I fades, I open my eyes to see that he is gone. Like vanished into thin air as if he never existed. My form begins to shrink from being full demon to my human self.

As I change back, my strength dwindles dramatically as exhaustion finally catches up to me. The blade glows in my grasp and I can feel the power radiating off the blade. I hold the blade tightly in my hand to the point my knuckles turn white.

So much bloodshed and death have followed the blade since the day of its awakening. I can see the future this blade holds if it stays in this world any longer. More greedy and power hungry people will come after it.

With the last of my strength, I make a final wish with my power.

"There has been too much destruction in the search for this artifact. The power of the demon blade is not needed now and must not exist in this world. Please...disappear." I say letting the demon blade go as it dissolves in the dark sky.

As the last piece of the blade is dissolved, a small orb representing its power explodes. Ripples of the power residing in the blade is now rippling over the land. Extinguishing the fire of the forest and reviving the life that once flourished.

The remaining power from the blade, trickles down to the ground where Jinoskue and I fought. The power creeps down into the soil and a small stem grows, grows into a beautiful purple rose that will forever mark this day.

~~~~(Narrator's POV)~~~~
Everyone watches Katie who is a giant wolf, fights Jinoskue and destroys the blade. When the blade is gone, ripples of energy spreads throughout the land. Extinguishing the flames that burned the forest and villages.

The Ayakashis that were attacking the villagers, stop in their tracks holding their heads or arms stretched out screaming! Then their bodies turn to ashes and crumble to the ground. The villagers and demons watch as the darkness vanishes from Jinoskue's rain.

"Where did they go?" A villager whispers.

"The princess, she did it!" Rax yells and throws his arms in the air cheering. The others followed suite and cheer, the villagers still confused but catch on, joining in on the cheering.

After the rippling is done, Katie's necklace stops glowing and her eyes flutter closed; as exhaustion hits her full force. As soon as her eyes shut, she falls as her levitation gives way to being too tired.

"Katie!" Heisuke shouts and runs to her, catching her in his arms. He looks down at her to see her eyelashes lay perfectly still, and her lips are slightly parted.

~~~~(Heisuke's POV)~~~~
I fear the worst as I gaze at her pale skin and unmoving limbs. I truly would have thought she was gone if I didn't hear her shallow breathing, and her chest barely rising with each breath. I reach my hand up and brush her bangs to the side.

"Katie, please...open your beautiful eyes. Come back to me." I stroke her cheek with the pad of my thumb, hoping that she will wake up.

~~~~(Katie's POV)~~~~
I hear a soft voice call my name but I'm too tired to open my eyes. Something smooth is rubbing against my cheek, which is very comforting.

"Katie, please...open your beautiful eyes." Heisuke? I'm here! Heisuke I'm here! I very slowly open my eyes to see a face not to far from mine. Blue eyes filled with worry and fear peer into mine and a smile appears on my face.

I see relief wash over his features when I smile, which caused him to smile.

"Welcome back beautiful." Heisuke says as he leans his head down towards mine, making our foreheads touch.
(Play the music video)
"S-Souji!" I hear a frantic voice shout. I pull away to see Kim running to Souji's side, kneeling beside him with panic all over her face. Heisuke helps me to my feet, and we make our way over to Souji and the others.

Souji is badly injured from my perspective, especially with a gaping whole in his garments from Jinoskue's attack. Kim is trying very hard to hold back her tears as Souji lie there. Toshizo runs over and kneels next to him inspecting the damage.

"Souji," Toshizo whispered. Souji opens his eye halfway meeting Toshizo's gaze.

"Hey boss," Souji says coughing at the end. More blood coming from his mouth, but when he coughed, his hand loses its grip on something shiny. Hajime picks it up and clenches it in his hand.

"Dammit Souji! You know that stuff kills!" Shinpachi yells. I am curious as to what that vile was.

"What is it?" I ask curiously.

"Ochimizu." Hajime bluntly states, as his eyes look towards the ground or Souji; I can't really tell.

"Ochimizu is a liquid a human can drink, giving them the strength and speed of a demon. Their hair turns white as does their skin, but their eyes are a blood red. They can turn back to human but their lives are shortened, but if they stay as the demon too long, they just turn to ash when they die." Heisuke explains from beside me.

"It's poisonous, no matter if your a demon for shorts amount of time or not." Shinpachi says crossing his arms.

"Who would create such a thing?" Kim questions, her voice sounding broken.

"A friend of ours. Her father created it when he went missing. Sadly there is no cure for it." Sanosuke answers. Kim turns to me quickly asking,

"Can you save him Katie? Your healing power should do the trick!" Her eyes pleading. I try to move towards her but almost fall, thankfully Heisuke catches me. I'm still too tired.

"You've used too much power at once. You're exhausted, anymore use of your power, you could do more harm to yourself." Saizo says. Heisuke keeps and arm wrapped around me, so I can lean against him for support. The light of hope in Kim's eyes fade upon hearing Saizo's words.

"Don't wrinkle.....that pretty face of yours.....I was going......to die anyways...." Souji coughs out. I frown knowing what he's talking about.

"W-what?" Kim says holding Souji's hand. I see Heisuke look away ashamed from the corner of my eye. Souji gasps for air before speaking,

"I am sick......the day the doctor came to the temple......when many of ours was injured.....he said I have.....tuberculosis.....gave me a few months....to live.." Souji's coughing is getting worse. Kim holds Souji's hand tighter knowing his fate.

"I wish I had the power to heal!" Kim cries out. Souji eyes Sasuke and Heisuke and asks Sasuke to come closer. Sasuke gets close to Souji, and Souji begins whispering something not comprehendible to the rest of our ears.

After a few minutes, Sasuke moves away after whispering back to Souji. Sasuke looks to Heisuke with a look saying he needs to tell him something.

"Toshizo...I wanted to...say that....it's been an....honor serving....with you guys....as a part...of the shin...Shinsengumi......and protecting.....the princesses....." Souji's coughs are getting more violent. Blood is slipping out of his mouth and landing on his clothes.

"S-Souji," Kim whispers as a stream of tears flow down her cheeks. He turns to her and smiles the best he can.

"Don't stop smiling....it looks good on you...Kimberly..." Souji's voice grows very quiet when he says her name, but his hand fell from hers when his chest stopped rising. We all knew, he has left us with that final breath.

"Souji!" Kim sobs, covering her face with her hands as she cries. Sasuke falls to his knees, pulling Kim to his chest to let her cry. My heart ached upon hearing her sobs, but Souji is in a better place.

I feel a tear slip down my cheek and Heisuke pulls me into a hug for comfort. We didn't lose just a warrior, but a friend. Heisuke rubs my back comfortingly while other soldiers kneel in respect.
***************
I lean on Heisuke as we walk back to the temple, our fingers laced together. I look behind me real quick to see Sasuke still comforting Kim with the other soldiers behind us. Some are carrying the injured or the bodies of our fallen. Even the demons who fought with us are coming back to the temple too.

"Heisuke," I whisper not meeting his gaze.

"Hmm?"

"I'm very sorry that you lost Souji, I heard you were part of the Shinsengumi once with him and the others." He squeezed my hand and pulls my chin up to look at him.

"I was with them for a few years until I noticed my demon powers. That's when I became a part of your mother's guard. Souji and I weren't that close, but we had our moments. It's just sad that he's gone." Heisuke says, his voice even sounds upset.

I lean up on my tip toes and peck his cheek. He looks shocked at first before turning to me and I give him a smile.

"I'm here for you, so don't be afraid to talk to me. Okay?" He nods holding the spot I kissed when I hear a person yell,

"Katie!" I look to see Mikki, Kenji senpai, Sango, Rin, Soji, the villagers and demons waiting at the edge of the village. They were waving at us and cheering. Mikki along with her friends run to us and I open my arms to hug them. I picked Mikki up as Rin and Sango hug my waist.

"You did it Katie! You saved us, Jinoskue is gone!" I smile at her and put her down. She walks with us the the crowd that's been awaiting for our arrival. Kenji senpai walks forward with a smile.

"Great job princess, you have defeated the enemy and saved not just Japan, but the whole world! We are forever grateful princess Katie!" Kenji senpai bows to me, the villagers and demons follow suit. I'm surprised and look to see Kim standing there, like she's out of place.

I hold my hand out to her, motioning for her to come to me.

"I couldn't have done it without my sister, Princess Kimberly. Let us bury the fallen warriors who sacrificed their lives in order for Jinoskue and Nobunaga's defeat!" My small declare was greeted with claps from everyone.
**************
It is finally sunset when the last grave was covered. The field by the village is where the burial ground is for the brave fallen humans and demons. A variety of colorful flowers were laid on the graves.

I see Sasuke having a conversation with Heisuke a few yards away. When they finished, Sasuke went to comfort Kim who was at Souji's grave. Heisuke makes his way over to me, wrapping an arm around me.

"What were you two talking about?" I turn to him with a raised eyebrow and a smile on my face. He smiles at me replying,

"Souji's last request." I frown and turn back to watch Sasuke hug Kim. "He told Sasuke to protect and watch over Kimberly for him. He told Sasuke that I needed to do the same, but to you." Heisuke places his head on top of mine as I lean back into him.

Souji.
************
"Why am I getting so dressed up?" I giggle as Mikki, Sango, Rin, Kim, and Soji sit in my room. Kim helping me with my kimono that is a pink or peach top, a purple bottom with a light bird on it. A white covering with black and yellow decor. A beautiful fan, and that same butterfly piece in my hair.

"Well you are the princess, you need to dress up!" Kim says as the kids giggle. I narrow my eyes at them and smile asking,

"Okay, what's up? Something fishy is going on here and you know something." Kim comes in front of me after finishing my hair.

"Toshizo and the others are going back to the south of Japan. I thought you would want to look nice for their departure." They're leaving?

"How come I'm just finding out about this now?"

"I overheard Toshizo telling Saizo and Kenji senpai." Kim responds quickly. "There, you're all done!" Kim, the kids, and I leave my room to go outside to the yard at the gate to say our goodbyes. I hide my face behind the fan like Kim says to as Mikki helps guide me.

I hear the birds chirping when we get outside, and we come to a complete stop. Kim and Mikki leave my side, giggling and now I'm confused.

"You can put the fan down Katie!" Sango shouts, but she sounds like she's a few feet away. I slowly lower the fan down to see that Heisuke is standing by the gate, smiling at me. I look to Kim and the kids who are giggling more.

"Care to take a walk?" Heisuke asks, his hand stretched out to me. I place my hand in his as he guides me to the trail where we first kissed! He hasn't said a word until we stop at the edge where the trees surround us. I'm scared as he is nothing but silent. Heisuke turns to me saying,

"Katie i-"

"You want to go back with Toshizo and the others don't you?" I finish for him. He looks confused before grabbing my hands.

"That's not what I was going to say." He chuckles, and now my face is heating up as I must look like an idiot now. He continues to hold my hands as he gets down on his knee.

"Katie, from the moment I first met you...something sparked between us. I have been scared when you are in harms way, especially when you faced Jinoskue alone. The moments we had alone, are the ones I enjoyed the most." My heart flutters at his words.

"The night we went to the festival, it felt right. Holding your hand, kissing you, seeing you smile when eat the dango." He smiles as he relives the memory. "I want to feel that everyday, your smile is what makes me smile. Katie Parker, will you stay by my side for the rest of my life?"

Heisuke lays his hand flat, summoning a ball of blue fire that quickly disappears; leaving a ring in its place. My eyes widen at the realization, he's proposing!

"Yes!" I leap into his arms, wrapping mine around his neck.
*************
"Hmmm," I hum as I apply the finishing touches to my appearance, before it's time to walk down the aisle.

'Katie,' I whip around to see Akira standing there, but she looks different. Almost as if she was...glowing.

"Akira." I greet with a curt nod. She smiles at me as she says,

'I'm proud of the princess you've become. Now a new journey is waiting for you, Katie. Today, you face the toughest challenge you will ever face. The choice you made, was the right one dear.' I'm truly blessed by Akira's words. 'You look beautiful Katie, you will be a great queen with Heisuke by your side.'

"Thank you, Akira." I smile with tears in my eyes. I feel like she is saying goodbye, I really hope not as I couldn't have done everything without her.

'We shall see each other again soon my dear. This day, marks a new era. May all be well for you and your friends.' Akira says as she fades away when the door opens. In comes Kim with a small wrapped box.

"What's with that look? Did you see Akira?" I nod my head. Kim smiles too. "I figured, I just saw Akiela. She wanted me to say congratulations on the engagement." Kim walks over handing me the box. I look at her confused with my head tilt.

"What's this for?" She smiles.

"Heisuke told me you should wear it on this special day." I open the box to see that the gift is a hair decor. The silver butterfly with blue gemstones, the exact one I saw when Heisuke and I were at the spring festival! Kim grabs it and places it in my hair.

"There, you look magnificent!" I looked in the mirror to see the wedding kimono that is passed down through generations. It's white with blue lining, a purple wrapped around my waist, and blue ruffles at the sleeves; topped with my hair in curls pulled back in a pony, held by the silver butterfly.

As Kim leads me down the halls, my stomach goes tighter with each step. I'm so scared! What if I trip and fall on my face? What if I stutter or say something stupid! I hear a flute softly play when we walk closer to the yard. Kim leaves my side and goes to stand with Sasuke, Saizo, Kortaro, Goemon, and Mikki and her friends.

The Shinsengumi and some of our new demon allies are standing on the other side of the aisle. At the end is Kenji senpai holding his staff and Heisuke standing beside him. Heisuke looked...wow I can't even find the right word to describe him. He's dressed in a black and white ceremonial robe with some purple.

Once I get close to Heisuke, he holds my hands just like he did before he proposed. I tuned out Kenji senpai during the ceremonial speech, by gazing into Heisuke's ocean blue orbs. How did I get so lucky? I think back to the fairytales that I read, just to realize, that I'm living a fairytale.

"Do you Heisuke Toudou, take princess Katie Parker as you lovely wedded wife?" Kenji senpai questions Heisuke. He gives me the brightest smile, staring back at me and says,

"I do." Kenji then looks to me, asking the same thing.

"Do you princess, take Heisuke Toudou as your wedded husband?" I smile at Heisuke thinking this is a dream. I just don't want this moment to end.

"I do."

"With the power bestowed by me, you are now King and Queen Toudou. You may kiss the bride." Heisuke cups my cheek, pulling me to him as he kisses me with passion and love. Cheers erupt as soon as our lips touched, I can even feel the spark every time.

I turn around to throw the bouquet of lagoon lilies that Nevith gave me. I turn around to see who caught it and smile when I see a look of shock on Kim's face. It turns beet red and Sasuke hugs her from behind.

Heisuke and I go to say goodbye to the Shinsengumi as they are getting ready to leave. Heisuke walks over to Toshizo.

"Congratulations Heisuke, Katie." Toshizo bows and Heisuke chuckles.

"No need for that old friend." Heisuke pats Toshizo on the shoulder.

"Do you really have to leave?" I ask him. Toshizo smiles and replies,

"I must get home to my family."

"How is chizuru?" Heisuke asks. Shinpachi comes over patting Toshizo on the back.

"He and Chizuru are doing great! They are working on number three." Number three? Heisuke and I are confused as Toshizo looks annoyed. Oh!

"Congrats Toshizo! I'm so happy for the two of you. Please, come back and visit, all of you!" I say.

"We shall do as you wish, your highness. But we must return to our own damsels in distress." Sanosuke bows at 'your highness', but smiles at the last part of his statement. Shinpachi comes over to Heisuke and wrapping an arm around Heisuke's shoulder.

"Treat her well Heisuke, and make sure you eat so you can grow to be a real man!" Shinpachi says flexing his muscles. I cover my mouth trying hard not to laugh. "You don't want to be short for the rest of your life do you?"

"I'm not short!" Heisuke shouts at him getting upset, but the rest of us laugh. By sundown, we are waving at our comrades who are on their way to the south. The rest of us head inside the temple, which is and will be our home.
************
~~~~(One Year Later)~~~~
I stand outside, staring up at the stars where makeshift lanterns float in the sky; mourning the loss of another great friend. I received news this morning about Nevith's death. Nevith was like a link to my mother. He would tell me about her since dad wouldn't.

"Katie?" I turn to see my husband with worry on his face, as he holds a something in his arms.

"Im alright, just sad that we have lost two allies within a year." First Souji and now Nevith. Heisuke comes over and hugs me and I hug back, but not hard so I don't squish the bundle between us. Heisuke looks down and smiles at the blanket.

"I think she wants you," Heisuke says handing me our daughter. I look down at her, her face lit up by the moon. Her cheeks are red and I smile at her, I let her hold onto my finger. I look to the moon as it glistens with a sky full of stars.

I gaze down at our daughter, who is wrapped in a pink blanket. I smile down at her as I say,

"You're adventure starts now sweetheart." Heisuke and I's foreheads touch as he has an arm wrapped around my waist, and the other is brushing our bundle of joy's cheek.

"We love you Amelia." Heisuke and I whisper together.
_________________
I hope you enjoyed this story as much as I did writing it. I have thought about doing a sequel which will be called, "The Butterfly and The Serpent." I would like to say thank you to GryffindorRebel SamHenning  for the votes and comments!
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