Here is the last chapter! I'm hoping to have the next update to If There's Hope up tomorrow, so be on the look out for that :)


He took a step back, looking at her as if he hadn't heard correctly.

"Miss Isuzu, that …that is a very big decision. What about your Father? Your friends? Your entire life? No, this isn't something you can decide right now."

Isuzu jerked her grip from his hand, feeling completely affronted. Her eyes narrowed in anger.

"Rundllehaus Code, don't you dare insult me." She said harshly.

"You think I don't understand what kind of choice I'm making? You think I haven't spent an eternity agonizing over this decision?"

She took a step forward, poking him in the chest with a finger. "You honestly think I would do this on a whim, without saying goodbye to my family? Just what do you take me for, huh?"

Rudy's mouth dropped open, clearly taken aback by her anger and her words.

"I came here today with every intention of staying if you returned my feelings. I didn't want to leave the first time, and I certainly don't want to now."

She withdrew herself, closing her eyes and drawing a breath in an attempt to calm her fury.

"But it's fine. If you don't want me, then I'll just leave."

Isuzu stepped around him, still shell shocked from her outburst.

"We should head back."

"Don't!" He suddenly snapped out of it, grabbing her by the arm to prevent her from leaving.

"You…you've thought this through."

"I have." She huffed, angry and refusing to look at him.

"And staying here is what you truly want?"

Isuzu jerked her head around in disbelief.

"Yes! God, isn't that what I just-"

Her words were cut off by his quick movements. He pulled her into his chest, wrapping an arm securely around her body while the other cradled her head. Then he stooped down and kissed her, capturing her lips full and flush. Her anger disappeared in an instant as she melted into it, this kiss which was oh-so-different from the first. It was raw, passionate, and full of promise. It was the culmination of years of wanting and waiting for one another. Rudy leaned into her, angling himself to kiss her deeper. She instinctively pulled closer, standing on her toes to return his affection with equal fervor.

With a gasp, her lips parted and he didn't miss a beat. Rudy's fingers knotted in her hair and he slipped his tongue in to taste her. Their tongues began to dance, fighting for the lead and eventually falling into a regular rhythm. Isuzu could feel a passion she didn't even realize she had ignite from the intimacy of their kiss, and it made her knees weak. Their lips parted for air every so often only to dive back in again, capturing each other up. Her entire body felt shakey as she clutched and leaned against him. He began trailing kisses around her mouth, down her jawline, all over her neck. Her knees almost gave out, and she gripped him harder. If he let go she would fall, she knew this without a doubt.

His lips found hers again, she could feel the contented smile on his face without seeing it. Rudy pulled away, leaning his forehead on hers, an involuntary whimper escaped from Isuzu at the loss of his lips. Their breathing was heavy and ragged, and they still held desperately to one another.

"Now, we can head back." He whispered, smiling a teasing smile at her.

"Okay." She breathed and rubbed her nose to his.

"Can you walk?" He teased again, a haughty expression on his face.

Isuzu narrowed her eyes at his obnoxious utterance.

"Oh no, you must carry me." She responded sarcastically, rolling her eyes at him.

He chuckled and kissed the top of her head.

"Let's go, my lady."


It wasn't long before they arrived back at the Silver Leaf tree. It was about 10:30, and Isuzu could see most people congregated near the Tree's base where Shiroe, Naotsugu, and Maryelle stood. Maryelle was talking animatedly about something, and Shiroe looked completely exasperated, while Naotsugu simply lauged. She glanced at Rudy, who was also observing the scene and giggled lightly. As they got closer, people began to noticed their approach. Isuzu could tell by the whispers and elbow prodding to draw other people's attention to them. She sighed and glanced at Rudy again.

"I suppose we should tell people to stop avoiding you now."

Not waiting for his response, she took a couple quick steps in front of him and waved to get Maryelle's attention.

"You can call everyone off now!" She said loudly once she had it, doing her best to talk over everyone.

Maryelle looked around nonchalantly, tapping a finger to her chin.

"What?! Oh Isuzu, how's the party?"

"Don't 'how's the party me.' We're on to your scheme."

Isuzu paused to look around at the crowd of people, all of whom had become suspiciously silent.

"You can stop ignoring him now."

Everyone was silent for a moment longer, before a Crescent Moon member finally spoke out.

"Hey, but we have specific orders from Maryelle! There's no proof that you settled the matter!"

"The matter is settled." Rudy responded automatically, stepping forward to stand beside Isuzu.

A flurry of whispers began, but no one seemed completely convinced.

"If it's settled then, I guess you wouldn't mind proclaiming your love right here and now."

Isuzu wheeled around, knowing exactly who's self-satisfied voice that had been. Tohya stood in front of them, a Cheshire grin on his face.

"Go on now." He teased. Isuzu's face turned beet red.

"Tohya, that is no way to speak to a lady." Rudy, who also turned around, admonished his friend with a frown.

"But allow me to proclaim mine."

He wrapped and arm around Isuzu's waist, and her head snapped up to his.

"What are you-"

In a smooth motion he pulled her into him, kissing her deeply. She had no time to react to the situation. All around them were the sounds of cheering and cat calling, ringing in her ears in stereo. Rudy pulled away and clutched her into his chest, his gaze scanning the crowd of people in their business.

"We both love each other. The matter is settled." He repeated with a smile.

It took a while for everyone to calm down after the drama and hype of the situation. The evening was spent in flurry of conversations; everyone was dying to know what Isuzu would be doing now. She wished she had a gold piece for every time someone jokingly asked, "When's the wedding?"

The final hours ticked away far too quickly. At 11:30, she gathered with her guild mates to say good bye. She hugged them each and promised to see them again when they returned next year. She thanked Minori and (begrudgingly) Tohya for their support that day. The elder members ganged up on Rudy, telling him to take care of Isuzu.

"I better hear that you treated her with care next year!" Naostugu teased, poking him in the ribs.

"Yes, nya. You must cherish your bond with each other. Be sure to support her, nya." Nyanta nodded, gripping the younger man's shoulder.

"Keep her safe, Rundllehaus." Shiroe commanded. His face was set in a serious manner.

"Don't be so uptight, my lord. Besides, Isuzu-chan can take care of herself." Akatsuki nodded sagely.

"She can. But I will always be at her side. You can rest assured of that." Rudy responded graciously to everyone.

More hugs were exchanged all around, then one by one they disappeared, leaving their Adventurer bodies to return to the other world.

When they were mostly alone (beside the stray Adventurers in Crescent Moon who already called this world home), they settled on a log beside the dying embers of the fire. The quiet of the night was encompassing them, and Isuzu could definitely feel the effects of constant stress wearing on her. She was exhausted.

Rudy slowly draped an arm around her shoulder, unsure if it was too bold a move. Especially after the reprimand he received over that public spectacle earlier. Rather than pulling away, she leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder. He took that as his okay and pulled her even closer, Isuzu's head now leaning into his chest.

"Isuzu?" He whispered after several moments of silence.

"Hmm?" She responded, sounding sleepy.

He pulled away just enough to look at her, guiding her chin up to meet his gaze.

"It's 11:58."

"Mmmhmm." She nodded, disinterested.

Isuzu attempted to lean back, feeling far too tired to want to sit up by her own effort. Unfortunately, Rudy was not done and help her upright. She blinked and looked back at him with a bewildered expression.

"Isuzu, I love you so very much. But if you have any doubt in your heart about this, then you should return. I would never hold it against you. Please…"

Anything further he was going to say was silenced, as she pressed her lips to his. Her hand came up to caress his face, and he couldn't help but grip her tighter, unsure whether this was it and she was truly going to return.

She pulled away from him slowly, still holding his face close to hers.

"I'm not leaving." She whispered back, her voice firm despite its quiet volume.

They stared into each others eyes for what felt like an eternity. With a resounding noise the time turned to midnight, the sound of whooping and hollering echoing all around them. People all over the city were celebrating the end of another successful anniversary of the May Incident. Rudy gave her a look which spoke of his relief and crushed her to his chest.

They walked together back to the guild house, Isuzu holding tightly to his arm as he led her along. She wasn't sure what the next year would bring and how exactly she would adjust to being back. She needed to find some sort of job to fill her time and some way to use her passion to make others happy in a way only she could. There were tons of ideas floating around in her head, all of which would take a lot of work to attain. She glanced up at Rudy, not able to help the smile that appeared. She wanted to be worthy of him, this amazing man who was doing so much to service the people living in Akihabara. He caught her eye, smiling back as he gestured toward the large building they were now in front of.

"We have arrived, my lady." He said graciously.

He held the door open for her, in his gentlemanly way, and Isuzu thanked him whole heartedly. She glanced inside the dark building and took a deep breath. Then she took a step, her first step, into her new life.


Thank you so much for reading guys!