And so here it is: the final chapter.

Though there's actually an EPILOGUE so yeah, kinda the last chapter... I call it the last chapter, but that's because I'm cool and it is technically the last chapter because epilogues don't count, they're imposters. DON'T BELIEVE THE EPILOGUES.

But yes, stay tuned for an epilogue, I won't demand reviews (Though I would like to hear what you all think now that the story parts over) but the speed of an epilogue also depends on me as I've kinda been planning an epilogue since chapter 5 or something silly like that and I might have some trouble putting my ideas on paper, but in short...just...stay tuned okay =D

- Laced with Cyanide

25

As the End Begins

Mugen

I felt exhilaration pump through my veins as the end began. The familiar sensation of blood lust felt different this time; it wasn't frenzied or violent it felt justified. It had been so long since it had felt this good. All that time ago with Fuu, and Jin too I suppose, I had fought for her and now that feeling was rapidly returning with such a satisfying ferocity. My fingers itched for my katana which in turn craved the bitter taste of bloody justice. I remembered it clearly, the feeling of fighting for someone other than myself. It was a glorious feeling; a justification for my rage, a reason for their blood.

A person for me to protect.

It was an incredibly warm feeling that I had forsaken when I'd selfishly let her go, though now I wondered whether it had really been selfish or just an act of self-loathing. Alone, that warm feeling had grown crisp and clear in its purity, though fleeting; leaving my damp soul feeling all the more alone than it was before I dared to feel that warmth again in my dreams. There was a time, years before Fuu had joined me, I could fight through dark eyes and kill with a frozen heart though she had lit the torches in my eyes and pierced the ice that encased my heart. She hadn't changed me though she had made me more human.

It was only once she left that I could compare those feelings for the first time. I killed like I always had, doing as I pleased; fighting for my own sake, though the pleasure had become hollow as it yearned for the fleeting days where my sword fought for another purpose. I tried to fuse the shattered shards of ice that threatened to fall from around my heart, put them back together as they had been before she had gave them that first crack that would change it forever. But now I could feel them; the last glassy shards of ice as they dropped down the abyss that lay below it. My heart was open and vulnerable and for the first time in my life…

…I was afraid.

Fuu, I can do it now, I will fight now, my sword is yours and the kids, just please replace the armour around my heart; I'll protect you, if you protect that chunk of meat in my chest.

I could hear her voice already in the distance as it argued arrogantly with her captor, an oddly nostalgic memory from a time gone by. I felt my fingers grip the fabric hilt of my weapon, I heard the familiar smooth metallic sound of a sword unsheathing and my eyes narrowed as I focused. Fuu wouldn't be touched by this blade ever again, or anything else that might bring her harm. I would never let her know the touch of pain again, or her expressions bear the weight of hurt, or her heart the sensation of sadness or the feeling of hate.

Just a little longer now.

There he was, standing over her, his hands balled in fists, his words threatening as he confronted her and countered her petty arguments, though his voice was drowned out by the sound of anticipation echoing in my ears. In the corner of my eye I could see Fuu, her eyes widened as she caught a glimpse of me; my sword raised above my head and my face set in a blatantly animal ferocity as I closed in on my unsuspecting enemy. As I brought his life ever closer to its end. He caught a glimpse of Fuu's expression, finding something strange in her sudden obedience and, to my inconceivable delight, he turned his head.

It was this that I had hoped for, that had made me shed my heathen ways and prayed to the gods in my desperation to make him face me, to look into the eyes of his demise in his final moment. As he turned his head I felt a monstrous smile creep across my face while his eyes widened dramatically, as that single moment of recognition reached his spoiled soul. It was in that single moment as pure, intense fear struck his soul that I felt the ultimate gratification. To him that last moment of his pitiable excuse of a life would be nothing more than me alongside my sword and my animal expression as I sliced him in two and to me it would be the same image though shadowed in fear as I saw it reflected in his eyes.

My sword glided through his neck in a sickly smooth and swift manner, it was a peaceful feeling as it did, as I stole the life of one who had done just that to so many before him. Now no one could ever harm her again, not me, not him nor any other being in this world.

Because it ended today.

Fuu

I knew it was over the moment his head touched the ground, rolling away from the rest of his body. I was thankful that his body had fallen sideways, influenced by the push of the sword; I wasn't sure how I would have handled it if it had landed on me. Though, despite my hopes, blood had sprayed on me regardless but I found that I didn't mind too much as there was something much more important to me in this moment.

Mugen.

He stared at the head as it came to a stop near the foot of a tree, wiping his katana on the decapitated corpse's robes before returning it to its place on his back. I stared in awe for a moment; not sure if I was surprised or happy, sad or angry or what feeling I was up to. He turned to me for a moment staring oddly as though I was doing something strange,

"What are you waiting for?" he growled, as though burdened by the situation. I scratched the back of my head pathetically as I stared at my leg, realising that he expected me to stand,

"I kinda…can't walk," he stared at the offending leg before putting his hands behind his head arrogantly, staring at the gaps of sky between the trees,

"You're useless, woman"

"I didn't do this on purpose, you know?" I argued childishly and for a moment I saw him smile, amused before he knelt in front of me, his back facing me. Instinctively I looped my arms around his neck and watched as he readjusted his sword so that I wouldn't be pointlessly uncomfortable before grabbing my legs and lifting me off the ground.

I hugged him tight, out of a fear of falling and my desire for comfort,

"Thanks Mugen," I admitted softly as he began to walk, resting my head on his shoulder, a sudden tiredness creeping over me. He was silent for a time, as if deciding how to respond, or just being ignorant; I couldn't tell anymore. We were walking slowly down the path I had been taken down earlier for about a minute before he finally spoke,

"Sora's back at the shore with Jin," he mumbled,

"Is he safe?" I asked instinctively,

"Of course," he spat, sounding hurt for a moment. I felt his neck arch as he looked up. I stared at him for a moment; the broken light falling on his face through the trees, he seemed hesitant as he thought.

His paced seemed to slow even more as if trying to stall for time. I tightened my grip around his shoulders, my head returning to the crook of his neck where my face seemed a made fit,

"What's wrong?" I asked; suspicious,

"Nothing"

"Don't be stupid, you're acting weird"

"Shut up," He snarled, "or I'll drop you right here and you can find your own way back," I was silent for a moment, unsure how to respond to this delicate situation and feeling a tad odd that I was describing Mugen as delicate,

"You can tell me, you know," I said simply; unsure how else to express the words though the silence went for a while longer regardless. I noticed that Mugen stopped; he began to kick the dirt nervously, as if trying to work up the courage to do something. He readjusted me as I fell down a little. I looked up to see the opening of the forest path, bordered by two arched trees, the light filtering in around them. There was Sora, playing in the boat as he tried to lift the oar that was far too big for him to even contemplate carrying. It was a sentimental sight,

"Hey Fuu…" came Mugen hesitantly,

"What is it," I asked a little too fast, suddenly just as hesitant as he looked, worried about the words I were about to hear, my insecurities returning as I worried about him leaving for good,

"What if…" he took a deep breath and began his sentence again, finding his words, "I'll be leaving soon," I felt the tears threaten to fall from my eyelids and I gripped Mugen's neck even tighter in fear. I don't want you to go, the words were on my tongue waiting to be said aloud, though my insecurities saying otherwise. Please don't go… "What if…you came with me, the kid too," I gripped his neck even tighter, lost for words, "well?"

"Yes!" I exclaimed, "Please, I wouldn't have it any other way, Mugen," The tears fell freely now, though their role now joyful,

"It's settled then," the words seemed final and almost self conscious,

"I love you Mugen," He didn't say anything and began walking again.

Sora

If he could do it then so could I.

I tried to lift the oar with all my might, Jin giving me that same strange look the entire time from the tree he leant against. Then, all of a sudden, the oar flew up with the utmost ease, flying above me and out of my hands,

"Mama, Papa!" my father stood tall above me, my mother on his back and the oar spinning mischievously around his fingers in his free hand. He looked at me, a small smile on his face,

"C'mon, you brat, we're off."

EPIILOGUE SOON...ISH...YEAH