4 years later…

The ship gave a loud "Whooooooooooooooooot" and then, it was off, puffs of smoke trailing behind it. Akizuki glanced backwards as he picked up his suitcase. It was quite a journey and now, he was finally, at long last, home. With a sigh, he walked off the dock and into the bustling streets of Japan.

"Come one, come all! To the Kakunojo Yuyama Troupe performance tomorrow at night! With our newest show, The Heart of the Swordsman! Come one, come all!" Rang out Yuyama's voice. The crowd cheered as flyers fluttered about in the air. Hands reached for them as they came floating down. Yuyama looked back at her troupe and chuckled in delight. Things were busy as usual for them.

"Hey, Chief. When do you think Akizuki-kun is coming back?" asked Benimaru suddenly as the troupe sat down at the table to eat snacks.

"Shh!" Kobako whispered fiercely, "Don't say that…you know what the Chief feels when she thinks of…"

Yuyama looked down on the kids. They're not so little anymore, she thought with a jolt. She smiled and said "It's okay." She glimpsed out the window and poured some tea for herself. "Say…where did Shiranui go?"

The children snickered and Kakashi coughed along with Zagashira.

Meanwhile…

The door of the restaurant slid open.

"Taaaaaaaaaaaaayuuuuuuuuuuuuu!" Shiranui chirped, leaping forward and gave Kotoha, a former oiran, a hug.

The other men in the restaurant grumbled and Kotoha shrugged him off.

"Ah, welcome!" She said and called to another waitress, "Yumi! Come help this customer!" Then, she whisked away, leaving poor Shiranui to stand there alone.

"Tayu!" He complained and sighed as he sat down in chair, smoking a pipe.

The waitress Yumi giggled and asked "What would you like sir?"

Later that day…

Akizuki walked through the crowded streets, holding a hot bun in one hand and his luggage in the other. He glanced down at the flyer at his feet. He smiled. Of course, Yuyama and her troupe had a new show. Perfect, Akizuki thought, I'll be there.

Taking a bite, he walked onwards to the tent flags that waved in the distance.

"Argh! Where is that Shiranui when you need him?!" Zagashira mumbled as he snatched a costume mask.

There was a loud bang and a voice that called out "I'm here! I'll go change into my costume!"

"About time." Kobako muttered, making disapproving tsks.

Once the troupe was all set, Yuyama walked up to the center of the stage in her decorative show costume and kneeled down, bowing.

"Welcome to the Kakunojo Yuyama Troupe's newest show, The Heart of the Swordsman! Watch us until the very end and enjoy our show!" She announced loudly to the audience. The spectators clapped in delight.

The curtains were revealed and the show began.

Ah, just in time, Akizuki thought as he stepped inside the enormous tent that could fit many people, after paying for his ticket. He stood in the back and looked at the person in the spotlight on the stage. His heart skipped a beat.

Kakunojo!

How glad he was to see her well and happy! Throughout the show, he only had eyes for her. Her graceful movements, her strong, dramatic voice that awed the audience. He chortled and thought of the souvenir he had bought for her. I hope she likes it, Akizuki thought.

Soon, the show was over and the curtains were released. The audience clapped and cheered and then filed out of the tent. Akizuki stayed where he stood.

From behind the stage, the troupe entered the spectator's area. Then, Yuyama looked up and saw him. And Akizuki knew that she recognized him immediately by the shine in her eyes.

"Akizuki-sama!"

She ran all the way up to him and flung her arms around his neck. He smiled as she held onto him tightly, tears spilling down from her pale, soft cheeks.

The rest of the troupe gasped and hurried after their chief.

"Akizuki-kun! You're back!" Shiranui blurted out.

"Yay! He's back!" Kobako and Benimaru shouted in delight and hugged Akizuki's legs. Akizuki laughed and staggered back a bit and Yuyama released him. She sniffled and whispered "Welcome home, Akizuki-sama. We've been waiting for you."

Yuyama stared deep into his eyes and her heart pounded. He was here, standing before him. The Eternal Assassin: Akizuki Youjiro.

That night, there was a great celebration and even Kotoha came over and welcomed Akizuki home. After the feast, the children fell asleep and the adults talked and chatted with one another.

"So, Akizuki-kun, what was it like in the West?" Kakashi asked.

"Well, it was a rather nice country. But it was a little cold and rainy there." Akizuki answered after a moment of pondering, "I learned a lot and saw a lot. It is vastly different from here."

"That's nice..." Kotoha remarked, "So what did you see?"

"I saw those horse carriages, men in suits and women in those billowy dresses. The streets were of cobblestone and many stores lined on the sidewalks. I saw many things like…" (Meaning: he continues to talk and elaborate)

After a while, the people made their way back to their beds.

Akizuki walked over to a nearby jetty and stared across the ocean at the setting sun in the orange and red sky.

A soft singing reached his voice and he instantly recognized it.

"One, offer a prayer to the setting sun…Two, the evening primrose of an amulet-offering temple…"

He turned around and his eyes softened.

Yuyama's voice was melodious and soft as she walked over to stand next to him. She squatted down and continued to sing.

"Three, when the magnificent sky dawns…Four, carrying a child who cries in the night…"

Akizuki shut his eyes and began to hum. Soon, his voice joined in with hers. A beautiful duet.

"Ten, far away I have become a child of the demons…"

The song ended as the moon began to rise and shine brilliantly in the night sky. There was a moment of silence as the pair stared out beyond the ocean, sitting down on the jetty. The wind ruffled their hair and clothes. Somewhere, a seagull called.

Somehow, their hands met in the middle and they blushed as they stared at each other. Then, Yuyama smiled and tightened her hands around his and Akizuki sighed in content.

"Will you stay with me and see our future?" He asked quietly.

In response, Yuyama leaned on his shoulder and replied "Always."