Author's Note

And here it is, the ending to For You, The Bells Shall Toll. It's hard to believe that I first posted the prologue less than two months ago. It's been quite the task, writing this tale! I can finally mark it as complete. Whew! Thank you so much for all of your support; your follows, your favourites, and your reviews. I hope you've all enjoyed this fanfiction, and that you'll continue to follow and enjoy my other work! Remember to keep an eye out for when the next arc of the Bells trilogy is released!

Once again, thank you all so much!

Disclaimer: Prince of Tennis has never been, is not, and will never be mine.

Epilogue

Fuji walked through the corridors of the castle, the plush carpet sinking below his feet with every step. He smiled at maids as he walked by and nodded respectfully to guards and advisors. He lapsed into thought about the past few days, and how the Seigaku Regulars' long journey had finally come to a happy ending.

A figure joined him while walking down the hall. "Hello Tezuka," Fuji greeted. The captain nodded, eyes shining brightly behind his spectacles. Tezuka had been made a captain of the knights in the kingdom. He led the team into enforcing rules of the kingdom, as well as restoring it to its former glory.

"On your way to another meeting with Inui?" Fuji asked, making conversation. Inui had been employed as one of the top advisors in the castle. He and Tezuka often met, discussing ways to improve the kingdom.

Tezuka nodded. "We're going to head to watch the practice today, to see how everyone is doing."

"Ah, I'll come with you," Fuji said. "It'll be nice to see the others again."

The two were soon joined by Inui, and the three walked outside onto castle grounds.

"Oi, you two!" A voice yelled at. "You need more passion, baby! BURNING!"

Kawamura worked in the castle to help train prospective knights. He trained them mainly in swordplay. The gentle giant also liked to sneak into the kitchen sometimes, preparing elegant dishes for his close friends. Right now, the fire-master was yelling at two knights who were growling at each other, ready to tear the other apart.

"What did you say to me, Mamushii?" Momoshirou yelled, raising a fist at his opponent.

"I'm saying you shouldn't just swing your sword around like an idiot, idiot peach!" Kaidou yelled back, responding to the challenge.

The three walked over to the group. "Good afternoon, Kawamura," Fuji grinned.

Kawamura raised a hand in greeting. "Yo, Fuji! Hello, Tezuka, Inui!" Tezuka gave the powerhouse a curt nod, before turning his attention to the fighting rivals. Inui approached them, his glasses glinting in the sunlight.

"Now, you two, settle down," Inui said, reaching into a pouch by his waist and pulling out a flask. "Unless you'd like to test my newest drink? It's good for the body."

Inui had taken to creating strange liquids that he claimed were all healthy to drink. No one knew what went into the drinks that he made, but already they had sent several unsuspecting guards into the care of Oishi, who had been appointed the castle's head healer, and Kikumaru, who helped as Oishi's assistant. Kikumaru also tended to the animals in the castle, such as the horses that the Regulars now housed in the kingdom stables. He was often joined by Kaidou, who was secretly very soft-hearted. The two healers now ran forward to join the group.

"Oh no you don't, Inui!" Kikumaru said, snatching the flask away. "You're not going to land anyone else in the infirmary, nya!"

Kikumaru handed the flask to Oishi, who regarded the container with fear. "It's warm," he said, unscrewing the top. "And it's bubbling!"

"It's made from healthy herbs and all natural ingredients," Inui said, smiling wickedly. "I'm sure it'll help boost your health, and the health of your patients, Oishi."

"Che, still making those creepy drinks, Inui?"

The Regulars turned to the source of the snarky voice. Ryoma strode towards them, leading Royal by the reigns. He had just returned from riding through the town, making his presence known to his subjects. Karupin and Mada bounded happily around his legs. "Mada mada dane."

Fuji smiled, and went to the prince. "Welcome home, Ryoma," he said, wrapping the youngest Regular in his arms and pecking his cheek lightly. The group snickered as Ryoma's cheeks were dusted with a light pink.

"You know how I feel about you doing that in public," Ryoma grumbled, but he returned the soft embrace. "I'm home, Syuusuke," he whispered in his lover's ear.

Fuji smiled. "Well then, Ryo-chan, let's get to work!" He grabbed the prince's hand and led him into the castle, leaving Royal in Kikumaru's care. Karupin and Mada walked beside their master, occasionally stopping to explore the still-new castle walls. "You have some messengers from neighbouring kingdoms to answer to, and then the feast for the Regulars is tonight, which you still have to decide on the menu and decorations for." He sang the duties off, enjoying his lover's company. Fuji had been appointed as the kingdom's Royal Seer, and he also acted as Ryoma's right-hand man. Everyone in the castle knew, though, that Fuji held another position in Ryoma's life and heart.

Ryoma sighed, as he walked into his bedchambers to change out of his riding gear. There was always so much to do around the kingdom, he never got a chance to relax. Ryoma smiled though, looking forward to what he looked forward to every night; falling asleep in the arms of the one he loved. "Let's go, Fuji."

"Hai!" The tensai sang happily, waltzing out the door.

It was well after midnight when the feast finally ended. Fuji had managed to sneak a strange green paste into the sauce plate of Momoshirou and Kikumaru, extracting revenge for all the times the duo had interrupted his alone time with Ryoma. The paste was piercingly spicy, and was something that Fuji had concocted in his free time. He called it "wasabi". His two victims had screamed for water, as Fuji watched them calmly, smiling. "I don't know what you're talking about," he had said. "I love the taste of wasabi."

The sadistic teenager was currently in the bathroom, getting washed up for bed. Ryoma knew that Fuji would be a little while, so he lay down and closed his eyes, willing for icy tendrils to snake up along his skin. It had become routine for Ryoma to enter the Realm of the Dead for he had done it so often. He slipped into the icy world easily.

Walking along the shores, Ryoma gazed around him. He had visited this realm every night, searching for two specific people. Faceless entities shifted back and forth, and Ryoma took care not to disturb them in their passage to the other side. Finally, two familiar shapes made their way to the emerald-haired prince. His golden eyes widened in recognition, and he ran to meet them.

"Mom!" He cried. "Dad!"

Ryoma stopped before the spirits of his parents, wanting to leap into their warm embrace, but knowing that there was nothing physical to hold on to. His parents were positively beaming at him.

"Look at you, my son," Rinko said. "All grown up. What a fine prince you have become."

"Seishounen, you'd better take good care of my kingdom!" Nanjirou teased, unable to keep the pride out of his voice. "Compared to me, you're still mada mada dane!"

Ryoma scowled at his father. "I'll surpass you dad, you just watch!" The late king laughed his familiar booming laugh, and Ryoma couldn't help but smile with him.

Nanjirou's expression sobered quickly. "Listen though, Ryoma," he said, his voice serious. "You may have tamed the beast Chaos, but this isn't the end of your battle. There's something else at work here."

"Something… else?" Ryoma asked, tilting his head in confusion. He looked to his mother, who nodded solemnly.

"An unknown force has been disturbing the realm of the dead lately," Rinko said. "I fear it may be a powerful necromancer."

"A necromancer?" Ryoma recalled the pages he had read about the beings. "They use souls haven't crossed yet, right? Capturing them and bonding them to their will?"

Rinko nodded. "That is why your father and I must pass through the gates quickly, Ryoma."

Ryoma nodded slowly. "I understand." He had known that this time would come. His parents' spirits would cross into the domain of the High Priestess and finally be laid to rest. "I'll miss you…"

Rinko smiled sadly. "We'll miss you too, Ryoma. We love you very much, and we're so proud of you."

Nanjirou grinned. "We'll always be with you, Ryoma. In here." He pointed a finger at Ryoma's chest. The young prince rolled his eyes before pointing on the left side of his chest.

"My heart's over here, dad."

The trio burst out laughing again, but suddenly stopped. "He's here." Rinko said suddenly, eyes wide.

"The necromancer?" Ryoma said, looking around. "Hurry, go!"

Nanjirou and Rinko nodded. "Take care, Ryoma."

"Aa." Ryoma watched as the two turned and disappeared, floating beyond the gates. He walked back along the shore, back towards the door he had opened to arrive in the realm.

An icy shiver ran down Ryoma's back as he felt a strong presence behind him. He turned. A familiar cloaked figure stood before him, his grin dark and twisted. Before Ryoma could react, the figure pushed his palm towards Ryoma and released a pulse of dark energy at him.

"Ryoma! What happened?" Fuji called, dashing from the bathroom to Ryoma's side. He watched as Ryoma sat up, panting and holding his chest. Blood oozed out of a cut made by the necromancer in the other world. The blood pouring out of his injury didn't even register in his mind, the prince was so focused on the only two words the necromancer had spoken as he blasted Ryoma with dark energy.

"Hello, Chibisuke."