Cross gave slow breaths as she lay her head upon the cold ground. It wasn't unpleasant, and it was comfortable enough to allow herself some form of pleasure in her final days.

She was old, so very old. And she could feel it. Ken and George had said goodbye, as did her grandchildren. Mina was taking it the hardest. Her poor sweet Mina. She had recalled the tears in her only granddaughter's eyes. She had tried to remain strong, but even so, she had her breaking points. When the final hour came at last, she hated that her Mina would experience such pain and lost.

Such was the way of things. She had experienced loss and pain when Minnie died, then again with Ben. She hated herself for not feeling intense pain upon hearing of Mao's death. She hadn't been there for her son's life, leaving him when he was oh so very young, but he wasn't the only one.

"Mayu. You're here." Cross breathed.

Mayu stepped into view, her face showing the signs of age. She was no longer a young dog, for she had seen the wear that came with the passage of time. Still, she was lovely by dog standards.

"How do you feel Cross?" Mayu asked.

Cross let out a sigh. "Fine. Now that you're here."

The younger (but still old) dog padded over the Ohu veteran with concern in her eyes. She couldn't hide it anymore. If this had been the past, she would have shown no pity or concern for the old dog, but now?

"You know what? I have no regrets about what is going to happen." Cross stated. "I've lived a full life, my only shame I wasn't able to see you or your brother grow into adulthood. But here you are now, a woman, a mother, a grandmother."

Mayu smiled at that. "Wing's pups are getting bigger by the day."

Cross warmly smiled at the thoughts of her two great grandsons. She considered it a blessing to have lived so long. Considering all of the trial and strife the soldiers of Ohu had seen, how she got through it relatively unscathed was a blessing. And being reunited with one of the pups from her first litter was another blessing, even if their initial reunion was hardly heart felt. Of course, she had deserved it, considering the fact she had left her first babies without a second thought.

"Looking at it now, I'm grateful to you, your children, your brothers, you all gave me meaning, and helped me go on." Cross stated, her voice starting to show signs of weakness. "Mayu, I know you've never really considered me your mother. I don't deserve that title from you, but you have to know, I am proud of the woman you have become. Everything you have gained in your life is all I could have ever wanted from you." Staring up at her dear firstborn daughter, she smiled. "I love you daughter." Then with groan, Cross laid her head down. She had moved too fast.

Cross knew the time was coming, she had used up her reserve strength. But, what she heard next, resonated within her as she drew her last breath.

"I love you too. Mother." Mayu said with no hesitation.

And then, Cross closed her eyes, smile on her face.

Mayu could feel nothing from the dog, knowing she was gone. She couldn't believe what she had just said. For so long, she had denied Cross as her mother, refused to make them bonded by blood, even if it was plainly seen. She wasn't sure herself if she had done it to grant Cross peace in her last moments, or if she honestly meant it? Whatever the case, she had witness the end of one of the greatest Ohu soldiers ever. Even if she hadn't fought in the final battle with Akakabuto, she had held her pride, and passed it on.

And now it was time for Mayu to carry that pride, as a daughter of Cross.

A/N: Okay, I wrote this a long time ago, just decided to post it now. This is a tribute to Cross's voice actress Toshiko Fujita. This kind of gives an insight to the future of the universe I created for Ginga Gaiden Mayu. Enjoy!