Happy New Year
I don't own anything.

Starless Nights: Clear Sky

10 years, a small portion of a human's life span. Yet, it's not a short amount of time either. 10 years was enough to turn Umi from a 6 years old boy, into a charming teenager. On the other hand, time did cast its magic on Misaki, but it didn't change her presence at all. Though wrinkles appeared on her face, the independent and strong-willed Misaki from 10 years ago still remains. For these 10 years, Misaki became a teacher in the capital of the Kingdom of Miyabigaoka. As a result, her relations with the Igarashi Royal Family grew closer. To a point, where the royal family would spend a short afternoon every weekend in Misaki's small house for tea. Of course, under the condition where royal guards surround the house.

"You know, if it's Umi, I don't mind giving my daughter's hand to him." Nodding, Tora Igarashi commented as he watched Umi introducing the different herbs in Misaki's garden to his 10 year old daughter..

"You won't want that. In the end, he inherits some cruel and cold blood." Sipping on her cup of tea, Misaki pointed out.

"I don't think Takumi Walker was that cold blooded." Tora Igarashi added.

"I'm referring to myself." Raising one of her eyebrows, Misaki replied.

"Am I supposed to make a comment?" Looking at Misaki, Tora Igarashi asked.

"Why do you always like to challenge Misaki's limit?" The woman sitting beside Tora Igarashi asked. This woman with a gentle smile and long silky hair is Queen Chiyo. The wife of King Tora Igarashi and the mother of the King Tora Igarashi's 10 year old daughter.

"I'm just thankful that he's not a diplomat." Misaki replied.

"Well..." Before Tora Igarashi could make another cheeky comment, the sound of Misaki's doorbell interrupted the conversation.

"Let me check." Standing up, Misaki made her way towards the main entrance of her house.

Standing at the main entrance of Misaki's house was a youth, a youth she easily recognized. This youth is the mail man that is in charge of all the letters around the neighborhood Misaki lives in.

"Good afternoon, madame!" Energetically, the youth greeted.

"Good afternoon." Misaki greeted back. "Letters for me?"

"Yes, here are they." From his durable canvas bag, the youth took out a few letters.

"Thank you. Have a good day." While receiving the letters, Misaki said.

"You too." Scratching his cheeks to hide his secret admiration for Misaki, the youth then left with blushing cheeks.

Walking back to the garden, Misaki looked over the letters that has been sent to her.

"Your usual 'traveling brochure' is here?" Raising one of his eyebrows, Tora Igarashi asked.

"...Yes. Along with letters from Sakura, Satsuki, and Suzuna, and Shizuko." Misaki said.

The 'traveling brochure' Tora Igarashi referred to are the letters sent by Usui. After Usui decided to travel around to different places, he would regularly write to Misaki. Every letter describes his life, his new discoveries, and his growth. From the letters, Misaki felt safe knowing how much Usui enjoys his life as a free traveler. Sometimes, Misaki would bring out some ink and paper and wonder if she should start the letter with 'hello' or 'how are you'. However, Misaki never wrote back, because Usui never had a permanent address. Going through the usual letters, Misaki found one white envelope with a very familiar stamp on it.

"..." Staring at the stamp, Misaki had a rather uncomfortable feeling.

"What's the matter?" Chiyo asked.

"The Walker family sent me a letter." Taking a calm but deep breath, Misaki's hand slightly shivered while opening up the letter. Ever since she left the Kingdom of Walker, she never received a letter or new from them.

"Don't be afraid." Walking towards Misaki, Chiyo said. Then she held Misaki's shivering hands, manifesting her mental support.

"Thank you." Squeezing out a smile, Misaki replied.

After closing her eyes and taking two more deep breaths, Misaki unfolded the paper from the envelop, and began reading. Her auburn eyes scanned through every single line with detail, as her heart couldn't stop its rapid beating from anxiety. After reading through the delicate lines of words, Misaki folded the letter, then walked straight towards the garden, where her son was.

"Umi, pack up. We're going to the Kingdom of Walker for a few weeks." Speaking over her son who was squatting on the floor, Misaki announced.

"So the time has come?" Standing up from his squatting position, Umi calmly said.

"What's the letter about?" Tora Igarashi asked.

"Queen Patricia's really ill. She's close to the end, and she demands me and Umi to be there." Misaki explained in the most simple format.

"Where are you going, Umi?" Tora Igarashi's daughter who was still squatting on the floor with a few herbs in her hands tilted her head and asked.

"A short trip to visit some people I used to know." Picking up the little girl in his toned arms, Umi explained to the little girl.

"When will you come back?" Tora Igarashi's daughter asked with her innocent tone. "How long do I have to wait?"

"If you know if I will come back, then that's not waiting." Chuckling Umi replied.

Watching her son interacting with Tora Igarashi's daughter, Misaki couldn't stop but continue to feel amazed on the high resemblance between Umi and Usui. As Umi entered his teenage years, he only grew to become more like Usui than Misaki.

...

With the help of Tora Igarashi's carriage (and connections), Umi and Misaki arrived to the Kingdom of Walker faster than they expected. Before having any extra thoughts, Misaki and Umi were sent to the new ruler of the Kingdom of Walker, King Gerald. Entering the palace, Misaki never expected her to return to this place once again. Different from how Misaki imagined, she didn't expect herself to walk down through the long corridors of this palace calmly. Perhaps, time has really soothe her wounds.

"His majesty is waiting for you in this room." The butler who guided Misaki and Umi to the room then gestured and excused himself.

"Do I call him uncle?" Raising one of his eyebrows, Umi looked at his mother and asked.

"You're free of choice, but not consequence." Replying her son with seriously, Misaki knocked on the door.

"Come in." From the other end, a deep voice said.

With no hesitation, Misaki pushed the door open and walked into the room with her back straight.

"How do you do, my majesty?" Politely asking, Misaki curtseyed. Standing straight again, Misaki stared at Gerald Walker. After 10 years of aging, Gerald definitely began to resemble Queen Patricia.

"Thank you for coming." Gerald Walker said.

"It's what we should do." Umi replied.

"You've grown a lot." Staring at Umi, Gerald Walker commented. "You take on your father's look a lot."

"I assume it's a compliment." Umi replied back.

"His personality too." Gerald Walker added.

"How is Dowager Patricia?" Misaki interrupted the uncle and nephew conversation.

"Very ill." A simple but dreadful answer from Gerald Walker. "She demanded to meet you two, and Takumi."

"..." Misaki asked a few questions in her mind. Those questions are questions that she will never ask Gerald Walker directly.

"You two must be tired from all the traveling, Takumi will probably arrive tomorrow morning. I have prepared a place for you two to stay." After finishing his sentence, Gerald Walker clapped his hands twice. "Cedric, bring them to the mansion."

"Yes." From the door, Gerald's most trusted butler, Cedric, appeared. "Please come with me."

"I'll see you two, soon. Good bye." Greeting his farewells to Misaki and Umi, Gerald said. "Oh wait, by the way. He should be arriving tonight or tomorrow morning."

"..." Misaki looked back at Gerald, but didn't make a comment.

On their way to the mansion, Misaki couldn't help but think about the absence of negative emotions that would have filled up the whole palace. Due to everything that has happened 10 years ago and the fact that Patricia Walker may be waiting for the death of her life, Misaki couldn't help but feel puzzled by the lack of depression within Gerald Walker. Perhaps, Gerald Walker has matured over the years.

...

Arriving at the mansion, Umi wasn't surprised that it was the exact same mansion he lived 10 years ago. The exact same mansion where he was living with all of his family members.

"The mansions has been roughly cleaned, please make yourself at home." Opening the large doors of the mansions, Cedric said.

"Did Gerald Walker choose the mansion on purpose?" Walking into the slightly dusty mansions, Umi asked.

"It's the only free mansion." Cedric simply explained. After bringing Misaki and Umi's luggage into the mansions, Cedric was ready to depart. "I'm sure you two know this mansions better than me. I'll leave now. Please rest well."

"..." Watching Cedric leaving the mansions, Umi sarcastically commented. "Well, that's a warm attitude."

"How warm can they be." Misaki added as she ran her finger through the slightly dusty walls of the mansion.

After Misaki and Umi left, Usui left the mansion shortly after them. Without a rightful owner, the mansions has been vacant for the past 10 years. In other words, this mansions lures all those nostalgic feelings within Misaki out.

"I'll be living in the same room as 10 years ago." Carrying his luggage up the stairs, Umi announced. "Are you going to live in the same room too?"

"..." Misaki thought for awhile. "Yes."

"I'll carrying your luggage to your old room then." While walking up the stairs with all the luggage, Umi said.

"My old room" Misaki repeated that phrase in her head. It feels strange, yet not that strange to reclaim that room. Deep down, Misaki asked herself if she had the right to reclaim everything within this mansions, she was the one who decided to give up everything here.

Sinking into deep thought, Misaki began strolling around the mansion she grew up in. Perhaps it was the dim moonlight that shined through the dusted windows, everything seemed grey and dim. Slowly walking down the long corridor, memories flushed through Misaki's mind. Closing her eyes, she could still recall the days when she was a maid, running around the corridor with pile of laundry in her arms. Taking a few turns, Misaki entered the dining room. With one hand, she pulled off the white cloth that avoided dust to occupy the broad surface of the dining table. Touching the warm colored cold wooden table, Misaki sighed.

"It's going to be hard falling asleep tonight." Drawing circles on the smooth table surface with her right index finger, Misaki murmured to herself. "Nostalgia may be stronger than black coffee."

Walking out of the dining room, Misaki walked towards the main entrance of the mansions. She sat down on the short staircase while gazing into the space faraway.

"Are you waiting for him?" Suddenly from the side of Misaki, Umi appeared and passed Misaki a cup of hot tea.

"There's nothing better to do." Misaki accepted the tea and said.

"I know you miss dad, I do too." Umi sat down right next to Misaki. "I'm pretty sure he'll return soon, just like how we returned to this mansion."

"In the end, we all end up in the same place." Misaki chuckled. "You should go to sleep. I know that the trip here has emotionally strained you."

"I can't hide anything from you." Sighing, Umi replied. On the way to the Kingdom of Walker, he had several worries and insecurities running through his mind. Though this trip didn't require much physical work, it strained his mental energy.

"I'm your mother, I know you before you even knew yourself." Smiling, Misaki patted her son's head. "You inherited the part of me that likes to worry about unnecessary things."

"Are you really fine on your own?" Just like how Misaki saw through Umi, Umi also saw through his mother. All this time, Misaki tried to conceal her worries about regarding to Queen Patricia failing health.

"I'll be fine." Misaki nodded.

"Then I'll leave you here." Umi said and stood up. "If you really can't wait, just go to sleep."

"I'll be fine." Smiling, Misaki waved to her son. "Good night."

"Night." Umi then turned around and returned back into the mansion.

Sitting on the staircase, Misaki leaned the left side of her body to the nearest pole. Every time she closed her eyes, her mind replayed every single moment she spent with Usui. The relief she felt when Usui saved her from the wolves, the gratitude she felt when Usui took her and Suzuna in, the anxiety when Usui caught her reading the books from the library, the unrequited love Misaki felt for him, the happiness she felt at their wedding, and the betrayal she felt while Usui questioned her. All these moments in her life has contributed to the current Misaki. In other words, those were the experience that proved that she was alive. Sometimes Misaki would contemplate whether her decision to leave Usui from 10 years ago was a mistake, but her answer would always be no. She does have one regret, she regretted not telling how much he truly meant to her before she left. Opening her eyes again, Misaki smiled as she gazed up at the starry night sky.

"It's a clear sky tonight."

That was what Misaki thought, but not what Misaki said. Shifting her gaze from the night sky back to her normal eye level, she saw the figure approaching her direction. As the figure walked closer and closer to her, Misaki's eyesight became blurrier. Misaki didn't have to attempt to identify the individual approaching her, because her heart already knew who it was.

Dropping his luggage on the floor, Usui opened his arms wide towards Misaki. With no hesitation, Misaki ran towards the open arms. She threw herself into Usui's arms, and hugged him back with all her strength. Misaki knew she missed him, but she never knew she missed him this much. She underestimated her love for Usui.

"I'm sorry that my clothes are dusty." Patting Misaki's head, Usui said.

"I don't mind." Misaki shook her head lightly.

"How are you?" Usui asked.

Looking up at Usui's face, Misaki slowly touched the slightly matured face. With her fingers, she traced down Usui's rigid jaw line while feeling the new grown facial hair running along Usui's chin. She took a good look at him. Usui definitely became more mature, he had a few light wrinkles on his forehead. However the aging didn't make Usui less attractive, the aging only casted a mature appeal which upgraded Usui's attractiveness. While staring into Usui's emerald eyes, Misaki brushed her hair through Usui's slightly long blonde hair. Within his eyes, Misaki saw happiness, a form of happiness was gained through adventure and freedom. Feeling the growth in Usui's heart, Misaki once again confirmed to herself that she definitely made the right choice 10 years ago.

"You need a haircut and a shave." Chuckling, Misaki said as tears of happiness rolled down her cheeks.

"You don't like my new look?" Rubbing the tears off Misaki's cheeks with his thumb, Usui asked.

"You can't go to the palace like this." Misaki laughed.

"It's my turn to scrutinize your change." Playfully Usui held Misaki's with both of his hands.

Misaki saw her own reflection within Usui's eyes. He truly was scrutinizing her change in her looks. The silent staring from Usui caused Misaki to blush.

"Somethings just don't change." Smiling, Usui commented.

Leaning forward, Usui planted a kiss onto Misaki's lips.

"Thank you." After pulling away from the kiss, Usui said.

"I'm sorry." Lowering her head, Misaki replied. She still felt guilty for leaving Usui, though she knew it was the best choice.

"No, because of you I am complete." Once again, Usui hugged Misaki tight into his arms.

For a while, just a little while, the reunited couple just stood there feeling each other's warmth through the embrace. There are so many things they want to tell each other, but they both put those words aside for the night. All they wanted to do was to reassure each other's existence, and reassuring that this reunion isn't a dream. They just wanted to enjoy the moment of reunion, and let the emotions that couldn't be expressed through words be conveyed through eye contact and body warmth.

Peeking out his window, Umi saw his parents near the entrance embracing each other. He sipped onto his tea, and smiled.

"Finally." Umi smiled and watched the sweet reunion.

...

"Are you ready?" Looking up into Usui's emerald eyes, Misaki asked as she tightened Usui's tie.

"Everything will be fine." Smiling, Usui rubbed Misaki's back. He saw the anxiety within Misaki growing. "How is it that you still look attractive with dark circles?"

"That's nonsense." Misaki sighed.

"You look attractive to me no matter what." Pulling Misaki from the hips close to him, Usui leaned his forehead against Misaki's.

Misaki and Usui didn't get much sleep the previous night. For the whole night, they just stared at each other and smiled. They briefly talked about their lives without each other, but most of the time they just appreciated each other's presence. To them, the reunion night was too precious for them to sleep it through.

"How does having a fresh face and short hair feel?" Misaki asked.

"Feels strange." Using one of his hands to rub his chin, Usui continued. "I'm used to that frizzy feeling."

Knock! Knock! Two strong knocks on the door followed with Umi intruding the room without waiting for permission.

"It's about time, the carriage is here." Opening the door, Umi announced.

"Understood." Looking at Umi, Usui said. "You've grown a lot."

"Welcome back." Smiling, Umi welcomed his father.

"Thanks, son." Usui replied back. "For everything."

"..." Umi simply nodded. He knew that his father was referring to him staying with his mother. "I'll go down first."

"It's about time for us to go too." Patting some dust off Usui's suit, Misaki said.

"Don't be afraid, I'm here with you." Patting Misaki's head, Usui comforted.

Closing her eyes, Misaki took a deep breath. After exhaling a large quantity of air, Misaki opened her eyes and cheerfully smiled. "There's nothing to be afraid of."

"You've grown a lot." Usui smiled.

"Let's go." Thinking about the time, Misaki realized that there wasn't much time to spare.

The reunited family of three rode on the carriage Gerald sent, and headed towards the palace. Once they entered the palace, Gerald's most trusted butler Cedric appeared in front of them. They didn't exchange any conversation, Usui, Misaki, and Umi just silently followed Cedric to one of the rooms located deep inside the palace.

"Please." Gesturing at the large wooden door, Cedric signaled the family of three to enter.

Hand in hand, Misaki and Usui walked into the room. Within the room, a group of people surrounded a large bed. On the bed was a frail old woman, Dowager Patricia, previously known as Queen Patricia. The moment the family of three walked into the room, everyone had their eyes located on them. A few people started whispering, but none of those stares or whispers bothered Misaki, Usui, or Umi. Without any hesitation, they all walked towards the old woman lying on the bed.

"So... you're all here..." With a trembling voice, Dowager Patricia spoke. "Gerald... tell the... others... to... leave us for... a while."

"Understood." Gerald replied and soon excused the unnecessary people in the room.

After the room was cleared, there was only Misaki, Usui, Umi, King Gerald, and Dowager Patricia left.

"Come closer..." Dowager Patricia pleaded.

As instructed, everyone walked closer towards the bed.

"Mi-Mi-saki..." Raising her hand, Dowager Patricia reached out for Misaki's hand.

"Yes?" Approaching closer towards Dowager Patricia, Misaki held onto the wrinkled the skinny hand.

"I'm sorry for everything I've done to you." Squeezing ther words with her husky voice, Dowager Patricia apologized. "I don't have much time left... hurting you in that was the largest regret of my life..."

"..." Misaki didn't say anything, she just continued to hold onto Dowager Patricia's hands.

"I don't expect you to forgive me, but please..." With her other hand, Dowager Patricia reached for Usui's hand. Immediately, Usui held onto Dowager Patricia's hand. Slowly, Dowager patricia joint Misaki and Usui's hands together. "Please do not let go of Takumi's hands..."

Looking at each other, Misaki and Usui nodded. They both turned to face Dowager Patricia and smiled. To Misaki and Usui, in front of them was just a mother who wanted the best for her son and a guilty individual pleading for forgiveness. Towards the end of life, authority, luxury, and pride has no meaning. In the end, you can only leave memories for your loved ones to remember, but there's nothing you can take with you after death.

A few days later, Dowager Patricia passed away. She left the world while peacefully falling in sleep. There wasn't much sorrow within the palace, since everyone knew about Dowager Patricia's failing health. It was just the matter of time. Without much depression and mourning the funeral proceeded. As a farewell gift to Dowager Patricia, Misaki placed a white tulip into Dowager Patricia's coffin.

As part of Dowager Patricia's last wish, she asked for her body to be cremated. Half of her ashes will be placed in the royal tomb, and the other half will be sprinkled into the ocean. She wanted a part of her to rest in the sea, the same place where her beloved Yu Hirose rested for eternity. After the funeral, King Gerald and some other family members sailed on a ship to sprinkle part of Dowager Patricia's ashes into the ocean.

Standing on the shore, Misaki watched the large ship sail away into the sunset. She crossed her arms and silently witnessed Dowager Patricia's last journey. Before Misaki noticed, Usui already stood right next to her. They exchanged some eye contact, then held onto each other's hands. Locking their fingers together, they watched the ship sailing into the orange flaming sunset.

Feeling the warmth from her palm, Misaki was sure for one thing. This time, she won't let go of Usui's hands ever again. As if Usui shared the same thought with Misaki, Usui strengthened the grip on Misaki's hands. Looking into the distance, the couple was ready to proceed into the future with each other.

The End.

Thank you for reading this story to the very end. Thank you for the support and putting up with all the irregular updating schedules, the missing words, and weird sounding sentences. To the readers who has been around since my other fanfictions, thank you for sticking around in Starless Nights too.

For a change in my writing, I decided not to write a romantic comedy fanfiction. Unlike the other stories I wrote, Starless Nights was the hardest story to write. I took several long breaks while writing the story.

For future plans, I have two fanfictions I'm working on right now, but I haven't published them yet. They might pop up on the site around mid-February or later.