Author's Note: Greetings everyone! Well, this is it. This is the final chapter. For all those who have continued to read, I thank you. I only wish there were more of you. This may be my last Shadow Hearts story for a while. I think that LizzyRebel might write some more, and I have an idea for her. And I'm sure I'll come back to this one day, but not for a while. As always, please read and give critical reviews.
A miracle born
from the fading light,
guides each and every heart and soul.
To the place that they really belong.
It shows the way,
then disappears.
But all that I can really do right now,
is simply leave you,
oh so silently.
Like the moon that shines down in the night.
Gazing on and protecting you.
Those deep emotions of yours that are so dear.
The bonds that you have always so desired.
If I could become a light that guides you, I would.
But until then,
I just simply…
Pray with all my heart and soul.
That I will meet you,
so I can be right by your side.
As the morning sun rises to welcome us.
We stand to great it,
just the two of us—
"Getsurenka"—Shadow Hearts: Covenant (English Translation)
The Red Scare
Chapter XIII
After the meeting concluded, the women stood up, and informed the men that they were putting their children to bed. Kurando assisted Anastasia by taking Nicky, and Alice—carrying Zachary—prepared to follow Anastasia into Yuri Inugami's nursery. Yoshiko stated that she was going to the Romanov home, and asked Alexei to soon join her.
"Could you wait a moment?" Yuri began. "There's something I want to ask all of you…After I talk with Blanca."
The old wolf perked up, once he heard his name.
Before Yoshiko could answer Yuri's question, Alix began to whine.
"I don't think I can wait, Yuri," replied Yoshiko, while she tried to pacify Alix. "You can see that Alix is ready for her crib. Perhaps Alexei can tell me about it, after he comes home?"
Yuri nodded, and ran some fingers through Alix's hair. "Sure. No problem."
"I'll tell you everything, Yoshiko," Alexei added, while he kissed his daughter's cheek.
After Yoshiko left, Yuri turned to Blanca. "Blanca, would you like to step outside for a bit? I could use some fresh air."
The old wolf followed Yuri outside. The snow came down heavy, and the night was almost moonless.
"Blanca, how would you like to see Domremy one last time?"
Blanca was stunned by Yuri's question.
"Er, sorry, I didn't mean 'one last time' like you're going to die or anything."
Blanca turned, and looked at the faint light of the moon that was trying to break through the clouds.
"Hey, are you mad at me?"
Blanca turned back, shook his head, and looked back at the faint moonlight. "No, I know what you meant. Still, you're right. Age is catching up on me. Who knows how much time I'll have left in this world? Domremy, huh? How long has it been? Too long, I believe. And yet, there's a part of me that wants to see it again. To see the sights that me and Jeanne saw, when I was a pup." Blanca turned back to Yuri and barked. "Yes."
"Does that mean 'yes'?"
Again, Blanca barked.
Two days later, now at the beginning of December, Yuri and Alice—along with Zachary, Anastasia and Kurando—along with Nicky and Yuri, Alexei and Yoshiko—along with Alix, Blanca, and Roger Bacon boarded Bacon Jet for Domremy, France. Alice suggested to Anastasia and Yoshiko that they sit with their children in a location where the effects of take-off would not be as harsh. Nicky chose to stay by the adults, and Nicky thought that Bacon Jet's take-off was fascinating. But his little brother, Alix, and Zachary cried.
At dusk, the party arrived in Domremy. Like Japan, there was snow on the ground—and the clouds indicated that it could snow again. Unlike Japan, Domremy was ready for Christmas. In the village square stood a large Christmas tree, with a nativity scene nearby. A nativity scene was also displayed near the church and in residents' homes. Anastasia and Alexei, as Russian Orthodox Christians, followed the Julian calendar—over the Gregorian calendar; and to them, Christmas was coming too early. Still, Anastasia and Alexei found the decorations to be beautiful. Yuri directed the party to his and Alice's home. The women stayed with the children, while the men—along with Blanca—visited the pub. Blanca received plenty of 'hellos' from residents, who remembered when Blanca was the village guard.
The next morning, light snow descended on the village, while the party gathered in the Hyuga home.
"So what does everyone want to do today?" asked Yuri.
"Well," began Alice, "I can't answer for everyone, but within the next hour I'm going to church."
"Church?"
Alice nodded. "I want to thank God for our victory in Japan. One way I can do that is to attend mass."
Alice's words 'thank God for our victory' had an effect on those, who had been raised Christians.
"I'll attend mass as well," Roger said. "It's been a while, since I've received Holy Communion."
"Yeah, I'll go as well," said Yuri. "I think one of the last times I went to church was at Zack's baptism."
"I haven't been to a Catholic mass in a long time," Anastasia said, "but I haven't been to an Orthodox mass in a long time either. Christianity is practically forbidden in Japan. Still, I think I'd like to thank God inside a church."
Alexei nodded. "Same here."
"I'm not Christian," Kurando began, "but I'm curious to experience the mass."
Yoshiko nodded. "I'm not Christian either, but I'll go to the mass as well."
Since the end of the Great War, Domremy's parish church—which was dedicated to St. Jeanne d' Arc—had been repaired. St. Jeanne d' Arc's parish also featured a new priest. Although the priest had not lived in Domremy, when Yuri and Blanca acted as guardians, he had heard the stories. So when Yuri introduced the father to the 'warrior wolf' he was pleased to meet him.
The Latin liturgy was short for a morning mass. And when it came time to receive the Eucharist only Alice—holding Zachary for the priest's blessing, Yuri—who received his first Holy Communion before he married Alice, and Roger received the sacrament. Anastasiaand Alexei were tempted to receive the sacrament, but chose not to. The Catholic and Orthodox Churches had been divided since the Great Schism of 1054, and Anastasia and Alexei thought it would be necessary to receive the permission of an Orthodox bishop, before they received the Eucharist in a Catholic Church. Under Christian Law, neither Kurando nor Yoshiko could receive the sacrament.
After mass, Yuri and Blanca journey through some familiar sights in the village. One location was the church's graveyard. In this hallow ground rested Jeanne—Blanca's former master.
"Me and Alice pay visits to Jeanne's grave often, and Zack is already learning stories about her. Alice told me that she's at one of the highest levels of the saints, praising God next to the Virgin Mary."
Blanca did not know what to think of Yuri's theology, but he nodded anyway. Out of the corner of his eye, Blanca noticed some acorns. He and Jeanne used to collect acorns from Domremy's meadow. Blanca grabbed one in his mouth, placed it on Jeanne's grave, and barked. Yuri slightly understood the meaning behind the acorn, and placed one on Jeanne's grave as well.
Once the two left the cemetery, Yuri and Blanca journeyed to Domremy's meadow, which now had a blanket of snow.
"Remember this place?"
Blanca barked.
Yuri walked over to his favorite tree, and placed his hand on it. "I can remember, when I first came to this village in April 1914, how I used to lean against this tree and sigh. And whenever I was feeling lonely, you and Jeanne used to come and cheer me up."
Blanca nodded. "I remember. You looked like someone, who had lost somebody close to you. I may have been called the 'White Demon of Domremy,' but I had a tender side too. Still, I can't believe than when you came that year, our lives would follow the path that they did."
"Thanks for coming home one last time, Blanca," Yuri said, while he ran his fingers beside the wolf's ears.
Blanca gave a happy sound. "It's good to come home…one last time."
At dusk, Yuri and his party received food from the village pub. Although, part of them would have liked to have eaten inside the tavern, the other part that that it might not be a good idea, with most of their children so small—especially at the hour, when heavy drinking can begin in the pub.
After a hearty meal, Yuri and his party gathered in the Hyuga master room to drink wine—or beer—and tell stories of past adventures, or their previous adventure against Stalin. Eventually, Anastasia Romanov Inugami decided that Nicky and Yuri were ready for bed—while Yoshiko Kawashimo Romanov decided that Alix was ready for bed. Alexei, Yoshiko, Blanca, Anastasia, and Kurando said their goodnights to Yuri, Alice, and Roger, as they carried their sleepy children to the inn—where they had lodgings arranged by Yuri and Alice.
Alexei, Yoshiko, and Blanca walked in front of Anastasia—who carried Yuri, and Kurando—who carried Nicky.
"You know, this may be our last adventure together," Kurando said, while Nicky wrapped his fingers around the strands of his father's hair.
"What makes you say that?" Anastasia asked, while she patted Yuri's butt.
"We're not kids anymore, Anastasia; we're grown men…"
Anastasia gave him a look.
"And women, with families."
Anastasia smiled.
"Besides, I think the princess is right. I don't think we'll have another threat from the Soviets. I think we're at peace now, and we can raise our families peacefully."
Again, Anastasia smiled, and kissed Yuri's cheek. "I think you're right…You know, I just thought of something."
"What's that?"
"We're not too far from Denmark. Maybe we can go and visit Grandma and Aunt Olga in Copenhagen—or maybe Aunt Xenia in London?"
"…That sounds nice, but I think that would be a burden for Roger. Besides, we have to tell your grandma and aunts that we're coming in secret. It might be best if we go home to Japan first and then arrange a meeting."
"All right then," Anastasia said, before she entered the inn. "When we get back to Japan, I'll write a letter to Edgar."
"Good," Kurando said, while he ascended some stairs. "I can't wait to get back to Japan."
"Why's that?"
"It's hard to have some relaxation," Kurando began, while he pinched Anastasia's rear, "with the children so close."
Anastasia giggled, as she entered her room—closely behind Kurando. "Absolutely true."
The End
June 7, 2007