The finale is here! And look at this…I uploaded the final chapter on my birthday, July 12th. Success!

Time for a few words to my awesome readers who motivated me since and after I began writing "Refugee". Thank you so much for the support! This is my second completed fanfiction that I worked really hard to make as exciting and plot-worthy as possible. It's been so much fun. Hopefully, with the things I learned and fixed along the way, I would finally be able to write my own novel en el futuro.

Now for business. I still have another sequel in mind (requested by two of my readers), and that's the thing-it's still in my mind. With college and work, it's going to be hard keeping up with my stories. But it will be written someday so keep expecting it! And I will do my best, folks, I will do my best.

On to the story. Enjoy!

Chapter 26: Paradise

"Do you need help with your bag, Master Aido?"

"No thanks. I can do this by myself if I have to."

"Oh, but I do feel bad," Eden followed him close behind, turning her eyes from his annoyed face to the suitcase that he carefully carried across the airport pavement. "It doesn't seem like you are used to carrying your own things. I'm quite strong, you know, I can do it for you."

Aido sighed as he shook his head again. "Give it up already. The last time you tried to do something, I recall us both falling headlong into the water." He continued. "Besides, I wouldn't have to be doing this if the last guy who brought my luggage didn't break some of the delicate things I have in here!"

Eden merely responded with a chuckle. Her attention was momentarily distracted by the starlit sky above, veiled evenly with a blanket of dark blue. Being out in the airport grounds did have its charm, with commercial planes taking off and landing in the distance, crews monitoring about frequently, and the extravagant view of the airport lights that looked like an intricately designed web of fireflies. It was the one place where activity was no less bustling at night than it was in the morning, and Eden took it all in with fascination.

"You know what else I want to do desperately, Master Aido? Besides doing plays of course." Eden stood perplexed at the heavens above her. "Go into space. Me, an astronaut, that can go much farther than the moon. Mars even. Perhaps even escape the Milky Way to go see other galaxies. I can look for, how humans like to say, life on other planets. Who knows? Maybe they'll have immortal beasts like us too. Maybe they'll be even more frightening, maybe not. The good thing is, I have eternity to find out." She sheepishly looked at Aido's startled face. "You're thinking I'm an idiot, aren't you? That I'm thinking too far ahead into crazy things?"

"I don't really know what to think." Aido raised a brow before putting his bag down where they were requested to near the private jet. He blew a sigh of relief as they both waited for the others to join them. He knew they were still back in the car, making whatever final arrangements that needed to be made. But Eden proposed to make a head start towards the private jet, just so she could enjoy the open space after so much time cramped within the house, and use that chance to talk with Aido before he was gone from her life forever.

"But…do you think it's possible? Do you think I can do it?" Eden searched his face for an answer. "I haven't told mum or anyone about this. She already thinks I'm crazy, and as a matter of fact, I'm not too sure myself if I have the courage to-"

"You are capable of doing anything, Eden." Aido interrupted as he met her eyes with his own. "I said it before, you're really quite something. So don't let your mother or anyone stop you from doing whatever swarms that ambitious head of yours. Unless, of course, you plan to take over the world or something."

Eden laughed again. She was going to miss his effortless attempt at sparking some humor. "Well, I don't know, Master Aido. I've been feeling quite extraordinary after getting my body back for myself. Me, Eden McDellan, the new fearsome queen of this earth!" She pointed a teasing finger at him. "You and your vampire friends better watch your back, you hear?"

Aido returned her threat with a smile. Even though he denied expressing it outwardly, he felt wholly relieved and pleased to see Eden back to her own cunning self. It broke the weight that harbored his mind for a long time now, and knowing that she nor the extra soul within her vessel had to pay their life for the other to exist made him more happy than he ever felt in his life. She would survive, he thought, and not only that, her family could return to their peaceful abode once again without any more intrusion.

Of course, there was still much to think about after the events that unfolded the night before, but he swore to himself that he would not ruin the moment by bringing them up himself.

"By the way," Eden continued. "I think I kind of know now why you were having those nightmares earlier."

"What?" Aido became startled again.

"You know, the ones about 'you know who' in 'you know where'. I finally told Caleb about those dreams I've been having for a long time, but I think he was more surprised to know that you've been dreaming the same thing. It's peculiar, but I think I have an idea."

She rubbed her chin in a Sherlockian manner. "According to my deduction, I would say that it must have happened the first night when you were at our house. I had the dream too, see, and sometime after midnight, I woke up to loosen up my head, and, well, don't take this offensively, also went snooping around in your room."

"How will I not take that offensively?" Aido raised his voice. "What the heck were you-"

"N-no listen!" Eden put her hands defensively in front of her face. "So…I think it was then when the things that I saw were still deep in my head, and what I might have done when I was in your room was…em…I sort of, implanted them on you." She waited for him to respond, but Aido only continued to stare at her dumbfounded. "I er saw you sleeping and sort of, bent over to touch your head. Not in a weird way but I guess I envied the fact that you were sleeping so soundly. And then whoosh!" She threw her arms out. "We're both seeing the same thing night after night. Makes sense?"

"No." He responded bluntly. "Not at all."

Eden scratched her head in defeat. "Huh, I was sure that was the reason. I've taken so much time to think on it."

"You're lucky I'm being so tolerant with you. Just don't even think about doing public speaking, please." Aido blew an irritated sigh, until another realization quickly overlapped the former. "But the strange thing is, now that I think about it, we never really…saw that nightmare come true...did we?"

Eden cocked her head to the side in thought. "You do have something there. I mean, if that girl on the ground was really Almira, and those hooded people were, I'm guessing, my great ancestors, then well…we couldn't have been there…" She closed her eyes to jog through her memory. "And that man…I can't seem to remember anymore…he was…no, I can't-"

"Don't." Aido grabbed the top of her small head between his fingers. "Don't try so hard when you know it's not going to happen. Just be glad that it didn't."

His strict expression made her face him instantly. She knew he did not want her to struggle after getting her health restored and freedom back. "I know, it's just…one of those unsolved mysteries, yah? When and how Almira became eh…one of your kind, I would never know." Eden paused to shake away the thought. "But oh well, I'm just super duper happy everything turned out so perfectly! Just as how I hoped it."

"Yeah." Aido didn't move his hand from her head. "I'm happy too."

She felt him ruffle her hair with adoration and eased up to his touch. It was not long until her light laughter and affectionate purring led to a forefront realization that made her run into his arms instantly.

"I'm going to miss you, Master Aido Hanabusa." Eden's whisper was like a chime tinkling in the open breeze. She wrapped her hands around his back tightly and kept her cheek still against his chest. They days spent with him had been fun and silly, frustrating and dismal, challenging and difficult, but never ever dull. Aido was as similar to her as he was different; there was always something about his aristocratic yet childish behavior that Eden found amusing. If anything, he was her role model. And she was glad to have met him in the strangest point of her life, even if it was time to quickly let him go.

"I'll miss you too, Eden McDellan," Aido spoke as clearly and straightforwardly as possible. He never knew what it was like to love-truly and affectionately love-someone else. It was not the same way he felt for Kaname, it was not admiration, nor was it the way he viewed Almira either. This time, he had to accept this strange feeling that warmed his heart, and no matter how many times it was in his nature to deny his weakness, Aido had to accept that Eden was the first one to make him see love in its most vulnerable but purest form.

"I suppose this is a bad time to intrude?" A voice spoke teasingly from behind. "I don't want to be left out from being missed either."

"Almira!" Eden quickly let go of Aido in embarrassment and rushed to her cousin with glee. "How could I forget about my sly little vampire relative?"

Almira chuckled amusingly. "I wish we still had more time together. Me, you, and this family that I will not be a part of anymore." She took Eden's hands for support. There was a part of her that still was not used to her new body and another that was trying to adjust to her vampire characteristics. "And yet, I have to sacrifice the love of my kin for the love of my life. But you, Eden, you must promise me to always be strong, alright? Make sacrifices, repent, follow your dreams, anything. But never ever change the way you are…not even for the one you love."

"B-but isn't that what you did?" Eden asked with anticipation. It was hard to believe that Almira seemed so serious on a topic so unpredictable. "Not that I was planning to anyway but-"

"I know. I had to because I want to be next to Kaname-sama and aid him for as long as he needs me. That was always my destiny from the start." She gave her an understanding look. "But you have something different. I always felt it when I shared a part of you. It is one thing that may prove truly worthy in the future someday…for werecats, vampires, and human beings."

Eden shivered at her words. "Woah, that sounds so…so…bloody brilliant!" She turned to Aido with a grin. "You hear that, Master Aido? She thinks I can take over this world like a pro too!"

"Perfect. Just what we need." Aido covered his forehead in exasperation. "More encouragement to miss crazy."

The nearest runway gave way for a commercial plane to make its last landing for the day. The giant vehicle looked enormous compared to the jet that would take the vampires home to Japan on the same course, and while Heinrich, their pilot, did his work making last minute checks for the flight, the others joined together nearby in wait. It was their last attempt at a peaceful reunion, short-lived, but peaceful nevertheless. The vampires found a new land, a new way of life, and new mysteries that shared their immortal world, but at the same time, they found within the McDellans a sense of homeliness, togetherness, and family.

"It has been some adventure having you all in our world, and after everything that has happened, I can only say, 'It feels good to be alive saying all this'." Richard beamed at their guests. "We hope to see you someday, probably in a couple of hundred years or so. If possible that is."

"Please take good care of my niece." Iselda moved her eyes from the vampires to Almira in front of her. "And you, look after yourself in that foreign world of theirs."

"That will not be a problem." Almira smiled. "After all, I have already survived there once in my complicated lifetime."

Caleb slightly laughed. "I'll never forget that." He used both his hands to keep little Roza under control, but she yanked about in his lap in frustration. "Oh boy, I think this little one wants to say something to you."

He allowed Almira to come closer so she could be in level with the young child's face. Just then, Roza lifted her small hand and touched Almira's forehead with a toothy smile. "Ahntee Cat?" She spoke softly.

"Auntie Cat…my mother." Almira whispered with delight. "She and I are one now, you see? Even when I only have her vessel, and am a vampire now... even when I…am someone else from long long ago…I still sense her somewhere within me, do you understand, sweetie?"

"Peesss." She answered loudly.

Peace. Almira nodded inwardly. She was right. There was a sense of tranquility within her that she did not notice before. A wholesome feeling that resulted from what she once was and what she became. Even though time would have to realistically make her adjust to this new being, she knew it would not be too difficult. She knew what she had to be in order for her to take the next step as Kaname's other. His mutual equal. "I will do my best, little one."

"Roza is growing up fast. She will be a young lady someday." Iselda took her in her lap. "Then she'll have to find her own destiny. Whether to love blindly, or make difficult choices. A child does not have that problem, but she will be guided well. I will be the best mother I can be for my children."

Ichijo saw the twinkle in her eyes, and felt himself go numb from shame once again. He did not want to think about that small incident back in her room, even when it had allowed him to see what she was: a woman who loved unconditionally, who cared and protected, and yet was powerful enough to stand up to her kind like she did amazingly in Katra's chamber. But above all, Ichijo knew, she was still a woman with flaws. He admired her for accepting her uncertainties and expressing her pain. She still fought for her place in her clan, still fought to choose sides, just like him. But there was a level of sacrifice on her behalf, to do what was right for her daughters, and he wished-he desperately wished-he himself had the courage to do what was right for his loved ones too.

"Do you want to say farewell, Master Ichijo?" Iselda walked up to him as she let Roza reach out for his shirt. He responded with a nod and caressed the child near his chest, feeling her trumpeting heart, and enjoying the sensation that it brought him; the sensation of almost being a parent.

"Goodbye, Roza." Ichijo smiled. "Be good without me." The child giggled in his arms, but returned his smile with an honest tap on his head.

"Good bye too." Iselda quickly leaned forward and left a tender kiss on his cheek. She moved back slightly to see his blushing face, but even then, she did not mind his reaction. "Thank you, Master Ichijo, for bearing with me, and also for being there when I needed someone the most." She whispered near his ear. "You are a truly good man, and I'm sorry…I'm sorry that this is as far as it could go between us."

"Oh, I…" Ichijo covered his cheek as he looked from Iselda to Richard behind her. "I-"

"No harm done." Richard shook his head. "I've grown used to having such a beautiful wife at my disposal, even if she's quite scary at times. It's a good thing you won't have to deal with that."

"Hey!" Iselda flung her claws at him, and he immediately moved back, laughing and apologizing in a manner so immature. Ichijo smiled at their childishness. They were truly made for each other.

"I have received orders from the control tower. The runway is clear and ready for us to depart." Heinrich stepped towards them and gave a short bow. "We can start boarding now."

There were a few moments of silence that followed to allow them to prepare themselves, whether physically or emotionally. Within final farewells, final instructions, and an overbearing knowledge of what the vampires learned during their stay, Caleb made sure to step in and get his word across.

"Kaname. Zero." He stopped them both and watched as their heads turned at the same time. There was something very similar about them both, Caleb thought, but he knew it was not something they were going to accept so easily.

"Don't forget what we discussed earlier. If there is trouble brewing in your world, or something that concerns our kind, you must not hesitate to inform me." He continued. "In any case, despite what Katra said, I will have to check up on the circumstances from time to time."

"You don't trust us?" Kaname gave him a mocking smile.

"Trust is not an option here, Kuran." Caleb grinned back. "If you had let Yuki live alone within a new society as a new being where danger can strike at any time, you wouldn't be at rest either."

Kaname, for once, had nothing to say in return.

"Do whatever you have to do. But we're wasting time not being there." Zero added before looking at Kaname. "The Hunter's Association will not back out from a query. I hope you can explain yourself."

"I will. To the hunters and the new council." Kaname answered plainly. And without a further word, he turned around to follow the others inside the plane.

It was true that what he had in mind was not going to be easy. Not only did he have to fulfill Katra's order of keeping their exchange and existence a secret, but he also had to explain the new presence that was going to occupy their lands. Along with him.

"Oh wait. I almost forgot." Aido turned to Eden one last time before taking something out from his bag. "Here. This is for you." It was the geisha bobble head he had bought at the airport, partially cracked from being cluttered inside his luggage.

"Er, thanks. You're so thoughtful." Eden took it in her hands. "Oh, don't forget my gift." And with the only chance available, she took his cheeks and planted a soft kiss on his lips. Aido stepped back slightly startled and highly red, even though he liked the sweet warmth of her skin against his. "I'll cherish mine forever if you cherish yours." Eden giggled back.

Within minutes, the McDellan's private jet was well on its way out of the small parking area reserved only for personal aircrafts in the airport. The lights glowed dimly in the distance as Kaname watched in silence through his window. It was hard to believe that he had viewed the same scenery several weeks ago when they first departed Japan to come there. It did not seem that long ago. Not long at all. But there was a change. Back then, he had only one goal in mind and what he needed to do to attain it, no matter how impossible. Now, with one chapter in his immortal life left behind him, and the girl he always sought for by his side, he had no other worries but one alone.

The descendants of Bastet themselves would always thrive to be the most ancient and ambiguous beings to roam earth, but Kaname knew then that once he returned, his own world would need to be attended to. He knew that there was much work to be done, for co-existence, for Almira and Yuki, and other matters of his ancestry. He was grateful to have the answers about his human past, grateful to realize what he had been searching for for ten thousand years. But the future still waited to be written, to be mended. And it was his duty, if not his alone, to get the pieces back in the game.

"You seem troubled." Kaname looked to see Almira finally take her seat beside him. "Are you homesick already? Or nervous?"

"Both, naturally." Almira smiled. "But I don't feel troubled, just…anxious. Yuki and I…we just had a little talk. A small woman-to-woman bonding you might say." She fidgeted with her fingers nervously. "She said she accepts me and is happy to be my mentor, but I feel so…em, well…"

"Do you feel hesitant to be with me in front of her?"

Almira covered her face to keep herself from blushing. "I only want for us to get along. To know each other truly and honestly. Yuki Kuran…she is special to me too. I want for us, if anything, to be like sisters. Not adversaries."

"Yuki is not like that." Kaname let his hand slip through her fingers. "You know how dear she is to me, and for a good reason. She understands her place very well, and I'm sure that she will understand you too."

"I do hope so." Almira said as she turned her head back to take a quick glimpse of Yuki a few seats behind them. "More than anything."

The young pureblood already sat like a stiff block at the only place available in the cabin-next to Zero Kiryu. He had not turned or spoken to her since they got on the plane, and it made the situation even more awkward when they had to be that way for another few hours. Not only that, Yuki could not get out of her head their sinful exchange in that little greenhouse in Rappenzell, or the dismantled affections they shared when she had saved his life. That moment when she had expressed something she did not know herself-that she did love him-it now seemed like a dream.

Yuki knew that Zero was thinking about more important things, especially after today when he had to return to his role as a vampire hunter once again. It made her feel terrible inside, but she could not deny that it was a fate that they had to accept. Their vacation was a challenging experience, but it was time to return to the darkness.

But not without hope. Whether they were still enemies or simple strangers, Yuki did not care. She had a duty to fulfill. If not only for her loved ones, but also herself. She had to be strong and become more mature; she had to be the lady that other vampires could admire. For co-existence, she had to play her part, as well as the hunter next to her. And having the small chat with Almira earlier made her realize what she had to do.

"I have decided to live with Kaname-sama and Almira-san," Yuki said without looking at Zero. "I need to do some things that are very important."

"Like?" He asked with only a shift of his eyes.

"Besides helping Almira-san, I am thinking of…" she took a deep breath, "restarting the Night Class. For the young vampires to understand the pacifist society we are hoping to put forward."

"Don't be stupid," Zero said. "There's no way you can do that on your own."

"It's just a thought, but I will do my best." Yuki turned to him. "Please have faith in me, Zero."

He paused to think over her words. "In that case, I have to watch out for you more often."

"Of course." Yuki hesitantly put her hand on top of his. Just like he had done before. "I wouldn't have saved your life if I didn't want you to."

Zero kept his face towards the window and only let his fingers underneath her cold ones flinch a little. But even with the darkness penetrating the runway area, one could have easily caught a glimpse of the smile that crossed his lips. It was one of the things that he hardly expressed to the public, and even when he knew he had a better chance at getting closer to Yuki now, he was going to wait and let time take its course. There would be more chances for him to see her again.

It was, after all, true what they said—enemies could try to escape each other all they wanted, but fate would certainly pull them back together.

If not today, then someday.

"Aido-chan, don't look so down and gloomy," Ichijo said teasingly as he patted his companion's head a few rows up. "I know you're going to miss her, but at least now you know she really loved you."

"Ichijo-sempai…" Aido sighed as he pushed his hand away. His face was still red. "And what about you and Iselda-sama, eh? Were you really flirting with a married woman?"

Ichijo blinked in coy denial. "Oh Aido-chan, that's a horrible thing to say." He closed his eyes to smile inwardly to himself. "I just did…what my heart told me to do."

The late hours of twilight stood majestically in the horizon as it waited for the next aircraft to become lost in its abyss. The plane soon took speed on the runway, zooming past every man-made and natural element that marked Zurich, Switzerland, going and going until with a great and powerful heave, lifted off the grounds effortlessly. Gravity took its turn to pull an uncanny weight down in the stomach for a few minutes while the aircraft ascended, but slowly after, the motion disappeared, replaced by a weightless sensation compared to that of being on clouds.

"Look, Master Kaname." Almira pointed outside to the enormous chain of gold and white lights that flooded across Europe below. "Just like little jewels. Isn't it beautiful?"

"You're right." Kaname answered as he suddenly remembered what he had wanted to give to her for some time now. And with a quick maneuver of his hand within his pocket, he pulled out the unforgettable object that, in ambiguous ways, had connected her to him throughout their journey. In his world and hers.

"Katra also gave this to me before we left the cave. For protection and guidance, just how it always meant to you." He put it around her neck, letting it contrast well against her black hair. "It is yours to keep forever."

Almira smiled as she touched the cerulean beads of the Die Mutter Worte, clean from any impurities that it once contained. "Thank you…" Her eyes became wet from the nostalgic thoughts. "Thank you for retrieving it for me. I feel…so much better now."

"How much better?" Kaname leaned towards her face.

"Pure bliss." Almira responded with a kiss on his lips.

"Bliss as in…" he continued, "the night when you and I made love…so long ago?"

"Perhaps, Kanim." She blushed at the distant memory. "Or perhaps something more."

"Such as?"

"Eden." Almira whispered plainly and clearly, making Kaname give her a look of confusion. "The garden of Eden, Kanim. Paradise on earth. That is where…I feel I am in now. You, and me, lost in the starlit heavens. The cosmos, our only place of peace, like what Katra said. But she was wrong. I feel at peace just being with you, guiding you, following you, helping you through time and space." She ran her palm down his cheek. "My cousin made me realize that in the royal elder's chamber and gave me a reason to become a vampire. You are my Eden, Kanim, and I will be there with you…always and forever."

Kaname gave a faint chuckle, but he took her words to heart. "How poetic."

"It sounds a bit strange, I know." Almira hid her face behind his shoulder as she held on to his arm. A yawn slowly escaped her lips. "I cannot help being just a little romantic…"

He watched as she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep. The cabin became quiet as the only sound came from the deep comforting hum of the engines. He felt the others lie deep in their slumber as well, and without any further reason to break the silence, he placed his cheek gently on top of her head.

The cool breeze of the desert night blew against his face. Dust and sand, specks of an everlasting landscape underneath him, and his Amirah by his side. Two children lost within nature's shelter.

Kaname could not help but agree.

"Goodnight." His eyes drooped to a close. "My eternal paradise."

Ah, I'm finally done! Well I hope the ending suffices with all its lighthearted exchange. Endings are so hard to write, I can't tell when to stop! Haha.

Anyway, it's been a blast writing this story. Hopefully, at some point in time, I can start the next sequel. For now, thank you and good day!