They day Miko was laid to rest was a spectacularly beautiful one. The sun glittered in a cloudless blue sky, and a little breeze rustled the trees every now and then. In the cemetery below the pretty sky, the funeral for Miko Nakadai Kiromatsu was somber. The lines of folding chairs were waiting to be collected as the funeral goers stood up to leave. The people were all in dark colors, reflecting the sadness of the moment. In the front row sat Haru, his brother, and her husband. Jack and Raf sat behind them, silent. None of them could bring themselves to leave, because if they did, then it was over. Miko was truly dead. The group could almost believe this was just some elaborate stunt.
But no.
"I can't believe she's gone," a voice murmured in the crowd.
"She was a ray of sunshine," another agreed.
"Crazy," someone laughed.
Jack and Raf moved toward the stone engraved with Miko's name, her full, married name. It seemed so weird that she wasn't just plain ol' Miko Nakadai, but had a whole new name: Kiromatsu. Life passed to quickly, and the boys lowered their gaze to the rest of the engraving
A happy friend, loving mother, true wife, and all around amazing rock star!
"I bet she wrote that herself," Raf laughed.
"I bet she did," Jack agreed.
"Goodbye Miko," Raf whispered. "I'll miss you."
"You were a part of something that no one would ever believe, so very you," Jack smiled.
With the lines of cars waiting for funeral members to return sat three cars no one could claim:
A hummer, motorcycle, and Camaro.
"I'm glad we got to say goodbye," Arcee whispered through their com links.
"It's surreal," Bee finally beeped.
"Even after the war, I didn't think I would watch another friend. I know it's part of life, but still..." Bulk murmured.
The Cybertronians fell silent, watching as the funeral members talked and remembered Miko, and as they finally got to their cars and drove away. Haru took his time getting up to the vehicles, stopping by his alien friends.
"That night when I kissed her goodnight, Mom said, 'Tell Optimus I said hi.' Would you make sure he got the message?" Haru asked aloud, knowing he sounded crazy to be talking to seemingly random cars.
Bee's headlights flickered on and off, and Haru knew the yellow alien would pass the message along.
"She loved you guys," Haru continued. "I just wanted to make sure that you knew. And in twenty years, I hope to fulfill my mother's wish. I will return to Jasper. I know Jack and Raf will return as well. This is not the end, and I hope it's not the end for you either. I wish luck upon you and your return journey."
Haru didn't wait for their reply, instead moving past the three vehicles and heading toward his family. Haru's dad embraced his, the older man's shoulders shaking with emotion. Jack and Raf walked up to them, their grief plain for the family to see.
"She was a friend," Jack told the widowed man. "The greatest friend a guy could have."
"Thank you," he nodded. "I am Kiromatsu Eri. If you were a friend of my wife's, then you are a friend to me. Call me Eri."
"Jack," the American nodded back. "This is Raf," he gestured to his friend. "When Miko was in America, we became really close."
"And years later, your friendship hasn't waned. That is a true friendship. And yet, now it is a time for goodbyes," Eri shook his head.
"I got to talk to her before she died, she hadn't changed a bit. Still as happy as ever. Did she try to make trouble for her doctors and nurses?" Raf asked.
"More than was appropriate," Eri laughed. "No one is quite sure how she managed to manipulate her file to say she had a clean bill of health when she was in stage three of her disease. Or how she managed to reorganize the entire hospital staff. The doctor of medicine was reduced to an intern, and the lunch lady ended up in charge of the nurses. No one is quite sure. But we know it was Miko."
"That sounds like her!" Jack laughed. "Always causing trouble."
"My wife had a spirit unparalled on this earth," Eri smiled.
"And one day we'll see her again," Raf smiled back.
"Thank you for coming today, it was good to meet you. Both of you. It is comforting to know she wasn't alone on that night."
"We didn't know it was," Jack shook his head. "Or we would have stayed longer."
"I think it was fate for us to be there, and see her after so many years," Raf nodded.
"Whether fate or luck, I am still grateful. You must excuse me, many guests are returning to our home for a wake. You may come if you wish," Eri offered.
"I'm afraid we have to leave," Jack shook his head. "Be safe."
"May fortune smile upon you," Eri replied, and he and his sons went to their car to drive away. Jack and Raf waved once, and then moved to their own rides.
"I guess it's time for us to go," Jack said softly, getting on Arcee.
"Time to go home," the femme agreed.
The Cybertronians backed up and drove off, leaving the quiet cemetery and their friend who now rested there.
Back in the Jasper desert, the two remaining humans looked at their three Cybertronian friends sadly.
"It's time, isn't it?" Raf asked quietly.
"I'm afraid so," Arcee replied. Her eyes were dimmed, saddened.
"Have a good trip," Jack smiled.
"I guess we'll see you in twenty years," Bulkhead chuckled.
"It won't be the same..." Bee chirped sadly.
"Nothing ever is," Arcee shrugged.
"Tell Optimus we said hi," Raf said.
"We will," Bulkhead nodded.
"I guess that's it then," Jack said finally.
"I guess."
"I would hug you if I didn't think you'd crush me," Raf smiled.
"Raf..." Bee trailed off. "I'll miss you."
"What did he say?" Jack asked his fellow human.
"He's going to miss us," Raf said sadly.
"It's time," Arcee said. "Ratchet," she spoke into her com link. "We're ready."
"Hi Ratchet!" Raf called out, hoping the old medic would hear him. Arcee smiled, hearing the delighted laughter of the medic on the other side of the line.
"Ratchet sends his greetings," she translated.
"Goodbye, guys," Raf waved one last time as a swirling ground bridge burst into existence.
Jack felt a tear slip down his cheek as he waved, and he could hear Raf sniffling beside him. Both were trying to hold back the deluge of emotions as their friends departed from their world.
"Bye," the Autobots called back, and then turned to walk through the portal. They didn't look back, it would have hurt to turn around.
The ground bridge closed with a snap, breaking the connection between Earth and Cybertron. The two men looked at the emptiness before them for a moment, before Raf finally spoke up.
"You know, if Miko was here she would have run straight through that portal."