Okay! Enough of that! I thank those who have stayed with me for all of this, and hopefully this is a satisfactory ending.
Disclaimer: Me no own, you no sue. Me send thanks onto you.
Chapter 11: Journey's EndKara, Emily, and Adriane sat in a semicircle at Gran's feet, completely enraptured with the story.
"That is all," Gran said, her eyes still far away.
"Wait! There's got to be more! Did Kiana ever come to see you?" Kara asked.
"Please, Gran! That can't be it!" Adriane cried.
Gran looked down at the three girls in turn. "You are right. That isn't all. I did see Kiana again. In fact, I saw her twice. The first time was shortly after I opened Ravenswood. She came with her and Lutheus' son, Sobou.
"The second time I saw her was less than two weeks ago. She had aged greatly; her muzzle tinted with gray and she walked with a limp. But one thing about Kiana hadn't changed: her eyes. They were the same brilliant blue-green they were when I first met her. She had returned to tell me what was going on in Mahou, how she had the feeling that Akuma had returned. She came back before Usagi and Cira were murdered, so she had no idea things were that bad.
"Kiana told me that I would not be the one to go but you three. She also told me that it was her last day in life. She spent the night in the gardens in the back, near my bedroom window. When I woke up, she was gone. On the window sill was the emblem that had first taken me to Mahou and this." Gran opened up her hand and held it out for the girls to see. Resting on it was a faded old bead, that when it was new, it would've been red with silver lines. "I took the emblem and put it in the library. I figured you would find it since you spend so much time there. The next part of the story you already know."
They sat in silence for a moment. Then Emily spoke. "Kiana was a good friend."
Gran smiled sadly. "Yes, she was. I miss her very much. My, look at the time. It seems I've taken up you're whole afternoon. Kara and Emily, you should get home before your families worry."
"Okay. We'll see you tomorrow," Emily said as she stood.
"I know you will. You're always here without fail each day. Now shoo!"
Adriane watched them leave before running out after them. "I'll be right back!" she called over her shoulder to her grandmother.
Gran watched her leave the room. "Oh, Kiana," she sighed. "If only you had a chance to know them."
"Guys hang on a sec!" Adriane said as she caught up with Emily and Kara. "We've got to do something for Gran."
Emily nodded. "Kiana was very special to her. It must've been hard to lose someone like that."
Kara thought for a moment without saying anything, which mildly shocked the other two. Then lightning struck. "How much money do you guys have?" she asked out of the blue.
--
"Gran! Gran!" Adriane ran through the house like wildfire the next morning.
"Child, I'm right here!" Gran laughed. Adriane skidded to a stop and walked back into the living room. "What's all the fuss about? And what were you doing out of bed at one in the morning?"
"Gran, if you'll just come outside for a minute, you'll see. Come on. Oh, and you have to wear a blindfold." Adriane held up a brightly colored bandana. Kara and Emily are waiting outside for us to come."
Gran stood up. "I'm wiling to come outside, but why the blindfold?"
"Because it's a surprise," Adriane snorted. "So, will you?"
Gran sighed in mock irritation. "Fine. But I believe I'm getting too old for these games."
Adriane laughed. "You? Too old for games? Never!" She tied the bandana carefully over Gran's eyes.
Gran smiled. "You know me far too well, Adriane."
"Just a little bit further Gran," Adriane said, carefully leading the elderly woman outside. Gran could hear Emily and Kara giggling from excitement. "Okay, Gran. Are you ready?"
"Yes, now get this thing off me. I want to see what it is you're so excited about!"
The blindfold slid away from her eyes and Gran blinked a few times in the sunlight. They were standing outside of the house, more precisely outside her bedroom window. Kara and Emily were standing there, smiling. In between them was a small magnolia sapling.
"Oh, girls," Gran breathed. She kneeled down next to the little plant. With one hand, she gently pulled a blossom near her and smelled the pink and white flower. "It's beautiful," she said.
"Kara and Emily bought it yesterday after they left, then brought it here and we planted it a little after midnight last night," Adriane said. "Do you like it?"
"I love it. It looks just like the one I said good-bye to Kiana under. Thank you," Gran took from a pocket the bead and several long strands of brown horsehair. She threaded the bead onto them, and hung it from one of the sapling's limbs. "Now this is truly Kiana's. Thank you." She stayed kneeling down next to the tree and closed her eyes.
Adriane motioned Emily and Kara to give Gran some time alone. They walked quietly away from the woman and the sapling. Just before they turned around the side of the house, Emily looked back. A gasp caught in her throat. She grabbed Kara and Adriane's arms and pointed behind them. What they saw amazed them.
Striding towards Gran was a translucent figure. It was a little bit bigger then a horse with long legs and a relatively lion-like body. It's shaggy mane partially covered up one blue-green eye. Around is neck was a silver collar with a ruby set into it. It stopped right behind Gran and watched her for a moment. "I am here, and I will always be here, Nakoda." The voice seemed to echo in their minds. A peaceful smile spread across Gran's face. "I know, Kiana, I know."