Yay! This story finally came to an end. I choose to post it today as it was the last of the 12 days since Tatara's death which is also the day the Red King had avenged him and fans already know what happened next. Let's look forward to the new sequel.
I'll like to thank LovelessDuchess and Tefu Choi for being here to support me. Thanks to them I'm able to finish the story. I hope the rest of the readers have enjoyed reading it as well. Please read and review. Hope to see the overall view since it is the last chapter of the story.
I hereby wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2015!
Chapter 29: A Story of Happiness
*The Future Timeline, 40 years later*
He still looked the same while his elder brother looked old and weary with wrinkles. His brother still kept his trimmed and straight hairstyle while the colour changed to white except it did not come from dyeing. This scene reminded Shiro on Lieutenant's final moment with him.
"It's such a waste to close one's eyes."
"Brother." Shiro stroked his hair gently to comfort him.
"Don't sweat it. Everything will work out, Yashiro-kun. Sorry... can't see through this with you till the end." He said in an inaudible voice. He raised his hand weakly to his younger brother who caught it instantly. Others would have thought the old man lying on his death bed was his grandfather.
"I'm finally going to see everyone again." Tears were seen falling down Totsuka Tatara's also Isana Tara cheek as he breathed his last and his hand fell limp to his side.
In Totsuka's mind, he saw himself in his younger self in a land of light. Tears welled up his eyes as he could see his friends from HOMRA were waiting for him with a smile of their face in a distance. Anna who was still little as he remembered was waving at him. Kusanagi had his hand on her shoulder. Yata who had both his eyes well and intact placed his hands behind his neck. Kamamoto and the rest were welcoming him. Totsuka saw a man with spiky red hair and two "antenna" sticking out appeared right in front of him.
"King." He smiled as tears trickled down his face as Suoh Mikoto punched him in his head. Even though it was not painful at all, Totsuka was happy to be punched. He took Suoh's hand and together, they ran towards the direction where the rest were waiting for him. He was finally home.
Totsuka had passed away in peace. Isana Yashiro closed his eyes in acknowledgement. The seventh King, the Colourless King was gone. He never knew if what he had done was able to bring the other side happiness. He could still hope.
There was never a time where all seven kings were awakened at once when Totsuka was alive. There could be a newly born Purple King or a Blue King together but the Red King would be missing. Or The Red King would be born after the Green King was killed. The Gold King had never appeared at all because Totsuka could not inherit it.
Adolf K. Weismann had lost everything in order to fight this war. His world had fallen apart when Kuroh died along with Neko on the day Anna was awakened and died as the Red King due to explosion from the bomb planted by Hisui Nagare. Hirasaka Douhan and Yata Misaki were the only survivors from that incident. Other than Awashima who had lost her mind, he had no other clansman serving him or rather he did not want to take in anymore. At least no one was worthy to hold his hand.
Totsuka was always encouraging Shiro not to give up. Totsuka had only taken one clansman in the other dimension and no other. The two brothers went into seclusion in order to wait for the birth of the rest of the Kings on Weismann's airship he had hidden on the air all these while. Shiro looked out at the clouds from the airship. It was quiet and peaceful. Shiro was all alone again.
"Ne... Kuro, Lieutenant had mentioned that the country will be destroyed by the war between the Clans. The power I had been searching had been causing people endless sadness..."
It was endless sadness for Shiro for he would wait till the end of time, till he could finally be freed from the curse of his immortality. Isana Yashiro jumped from the airship.
*Current timeline*
Back in Bar HOMRA, a young man in red coat, white shirt, jeans and black scarf around his neck had arrived in Bar HOMRA with the key his partner had given him. Removing his fluffy hood, he revealed his honey brown hair.
He was curious about the Bar he had been talking about since they had become an item. Suoh had been telling him the story of the happiness during his rehabilitation after undergoing the operation. The operation was a success and Suoh had been patient and encouraging despite Tara confessed how much he wanted to give up during the strenuous physiotherapy trying to learn walking all over again.
The decoration remained pretty much unchanged. Totsuka was the one who left them here and Kusanagi was unable to keep them away until now.
"Totsuka Tatara." The slim young man called out the name when he saw a photo. His eyes widened in surprise to see there was someone who resembled him beside Suoh and his arms was hung around a younger boy with chestnut red hair. He was Mikoto's first love. A memory he could never made sense out of suddenly occurred to him.
*Flashback*
"What is your name, boy?" A lady knelt down before an abandoned three years old boy patting his head. The male was holding up an umbrella. It was snowing that day and he was freezing cold.
He stared at them blankly for a moment.
"Ta-tara." He struggled to get his words out with his teeth chattering due to the freezing cold.
"Tatara? That's a really nice name."
"No, it's Tara." The boy wanted to correct them but he was so cold and hungry that he fell limped on the woman's arms. The woman eventually became his stepmother.
"From now on, your name is Totsuka Tatara." The woman said trying to teach him words and how to write his name.
"Totsuka Tatara." He tried to learn pronouncing it. He knew his parents were not coming back and he would stay with this couple from then on.
He would live on as Totsuka Tatara. Due to the circumstance, he grew up as someone who was cold and insensitive until his stepfather said he was heartless.
*End Flashback*
Tears found his way down his cheek. There was no way that was his life, wasn't it? He wiped his eyes as he felt someone tapping his shoulder. He turned to his back to face a young girl with blonde hair in red jumpsuit and black beanie over her head.
"I-sana..." It was a reflex action as Douhan's body knew the man before her before she regained her senses.
"Totsuka-san?" An image of Yata with his eyes widened in disbelief overlapped with Douhan's body.
"Eh? What's wrong, Misaki?" It was a familiar voice which came from a young man in glasses. He was in black jacket and jeans. He was here with the blonde girl, Misaki to pick up her skateboard. He had the exactly same reaction with the girl but he was able to control himself from saying anything.
"You're Saru-kun." Tara found himself calling his name. "She is..." Tara was special. He already saw through him.
"Y-Yata." He turned back to the photo and his gaze fell straight to the young boy with chestnut red hair. Alright, he knew their secret.
Tara smiled. It all made sense now. The Dresden Slate had granted a miracle which caused a time paradox. His uncle's plot, the shooting and the burning. They were all another possibility that his circumstance could play out similar to the original Totsuka had been through for a different reason. Suoh's fire which was supposed to burn him granted him a new life.
"You sure have a lot to answer to me Mikoto! Nine months! You can't even send me a SMS!"Kusanagi started scolding like his mum.
Suoh yawned at the nagging of their mother hen. Today was his birthday, could he just stop that.
"I'm back as promised." Suoh retorted.
"That's not it!"
"It's worth the trip." Suoh smiled wholeheartedly. Kusanagi was surprised to see that. It was a smile he had never seen before, not even during their fun high school days. He must have found something in Germany and Munakata and Anna had a hand on it.
"Do you still have that bourbon?"
"Of course! I almost finished it when I disbanded HOMRA since you..." Kusanagi trailed off and relented with a sigh. He came back and that was all it mattered.
"Ahh Kusanagi-san!" Kusanagi was surprised to see someone else waiting for them with hot and piping buns. He was into baking buns now. He was someone Kusanagi never would have expected to see in the Bar again.
"T-Totsuka!" He just could not believe it.
"Kusanagi-san?" Totsuka noticed something was wrong with Kusanagi as he hugged his arm.
"Alright, we'll drink till we're drunk!"Suoh suggested playfully patting his back.
"Look at him, Mikoto. Kusanagi-san can be so cute." Tara teased.
"You bet!" Suoh added.
"You?" Suoh realised something about his Boss.
"Don't tease me, King. No, Mikoto." Tara finally remembered everything including the old version of him passing away with younger boy with white hair by his side. He had returned to the land of happiness after going through so much. It was a long four years since that night in his persepctive.
Kusanagi had broken into tears before he even realised. Was he dreaming?
"Don't cry. It's your birthday!" Tara also known as Totsuka Tatara hugged Kusanagi with a cheerful smile. Suoh hugged Kusanagi from the back stroking his hair to reassure him that he was not dreaming.
Kusanagi shook his head. Despite not being a King himself, Kusanagi had made the most impossible wish and this impossible birthday wish of his was granted. Of course Kusanagi could not stop crying. Not just Mikoto, even Tatara had returned to them.
Fushimi and Yata had came to visit Aya's grave holding their hands. Knowing them they would not let go one another. They were comforted to know there was such things as miracles when Totsuka introduced himself to them. Even Fushimi who did not seem to care expressed relief when he saw him well and alive. Somehow he had also touched his life.
A year later, Shiro and Kuroh were holding hands and clapping witnessing another couple's happiness fulfilled. It was a wedding ceremony between Fushimi Saruhiko and Fushimi Douhan who was Yata Misaki for those who knew. It was weird for those who knew her identity to see Misaki in wedding dress whole others saw Douhan instead. It was too extreme.
He and Kuroh nodded in acknowledgement at the opposite end where his brother, Tatara arrived hand-in-hand with Suoh. They seemed really happy and loving towards one another. They were finally together after going through so much. Kuroh and Shiro noted their matching ear ring. Given a chance, Shiro wanted to find out if they were actually one and the same. He was just curious.
"Are you tired, Tatara?"
"What about you, Mikoto?"
"I actually like hearing you calling my name, Tatara."
"Mikoto."
"Tatara."
"King." Suoh punched Tatara on his head when he called his nickname by mistake.
Kuroh almost puked hearing the couple calling each other name continuously. Just who was mushier? He would never do that with Shiro. He covered his mouth unconsciously which was noted by Shiro.
"Ne... Kuroh..." Shiro called in puppy eyes seeking Kuroh's attention.
"Call my name." He urged tugging his sleeve.
"That's not funny, now stick out that tongue." He unsheathed his Kotowari threatening to cut his tongue in reflex.
Their "mother", Kusanagi was touched. He was the witness to the Saruhiko and Misaki's marriage. At least they could be married since Misaki was technically female. Next he looked forward to addition of family members so that their kids could play with his kids. That was if the extremely dense Yata-chan ever understood the concept and how it should be done with Saruhiko.
Fushimi was comforted when he saw Zenjou Gouki in his wedding reception which meant he had accepted him. He had been concerned if he was simply a replacement to his late disciple, Kusuhara Takeru that Zenjou did not like him. He had already stated very clear it was otherwise. Fushimi owed it to him that he chose to trust him when he was accused for "assassinating" his Boss. Thanks to him he was released from the chain of vengeance and his sadistic nature.
Munakata was in tears during Fushimi and Douhan's aka Misaki's wedding when the bouquet of flowers thrown by Misaki who was always blushing through the ceremony and poor Fushimi was always rubbing his bruised face being beaten up by his "abusive" wife whenever she got overexcited landed on his hands.
Munakata handed the flowers to Anna in acknowledgment of their relationship. It would be some time before Munakata would finally break free of his loneliness since the little girl was still little.
Yukari had been standing in the midst of the invited guest watching over Yata in Douhan's body. He smiled. That was the reason why he had been stalking her and not leaving. He had found out what he needed back in the Slate during his judgement. He was told that he had a sister he had never met. That was the wish he made. Happiness to his lost sister.
"You can rest in peace now, my sister, Mishakuji Douhan. They will be all good from now on." A part of him wished that he could acknowledge her. They were never meant to be alone.
Shiro, Kuro and Neko remained together as long as they were still in school. Kuroh was an university student working part-time as Shiro's personal chauffeur. Neko was a hyperactive high school student. As for Shiro he would be a student as and when he liked. He was a part-time lecturer in his original appearance if he willed himself to look like that as the remnant of the power from being the inviolable First King. Kuroh could not imagine if Shiro ever become an old man should the effect of his powers wear off.
Neko was still clumsy as ever. She fell attempted to put up photos and ended up crashing on her partners in the special room of theirs. There were photos from people from HOMRA, Scepter 4, Yukari and the rest taken from the pink camera Totsuka from the other future had left.
There were photo of his Tatara having his arms locked over Mikoto and Izumo's arms laughing while tugging them along and another of Tatara taking video of the lazy lion under the sakura tree upon reuniting with his repaired video camera. They were leading a life of happiness and would treasure each and every moment together.
Mikoto remained as Tatara personal chauffeur and full time lover. He supported him at the background with Kusanagi's assistance as Tatara as Isana Tara ran the Isana Foundation on the surface as the CEO helping to create a better future for the people especially abandoned children like himself as Totsuka Tatara.
There was a photo of Misaki in Douhan's body holding up a dog with chestnut red hair excitedly with Saruhiko with his hand on his neck feeling bored in the background. It was said that the puppy was a gift from her husband. They named the female Chihuahua Sarumi.
Saruhiko wanted to have his own children naming them after the same names, Fushimi Misaru and Fushimi Sarumi. His Captain had demanded that he would become his children's godfather as compensation to the loss of his Chihuahua and in order not to lose out to Suoh Mikoto who was already a godfather to the children of his right-hand man. The latter was the real reason. Saruhiko was working on the finances since his wife was hopeless in this and he needed to convince his wife to give up on his dream for their small world of two. They could always expand their small world.
Kusanagi family were expected to be very active. Of course, Shiro could not miss out a photo of a disgruntled Kusanagi Izumo running after a falling glasses knocked over by his daughter Izuri and Makoto was bowing and apologising to his bar on behalf of his sister. Seri was pulling her husband's ears on one and another of Seri dancing around the grassland while Izumo held a flower in the background planning to give it to her. Not to forget one with Izumo and his twins kneeling and bowing with a dreadful expression when Izumo's wife, the twins' mother served them with new gross looking red bean dessert.
There was also one of Mikoto and Makoto lying on the sofa yawning in unison.
Photos of HOMRA members came in pairs while the singles of Scepter 4 attending matchmaking session in order to make more friends were put up by Neko next.
A confused DouhanMisaki had an awkward pose for photos with a satisfied Yukari making her head leaning on his shoulder. Her possessive husband dropped their ice-cream in the background with a dark expression seemingly wanting to kill that man who touched his cute wife.
Anna was sitting on Munakata's shoulder holding up a book posing for victory. They managed to obtain another limited edition book. There was another photo of a birthday party Munakata, well known as a lolicon among the members of Scepter 4 and HOMRA had arranged specially for his little close-to-girlfriend, Anna. He had made his men give her the roses overdue to Anna for years. He made this task as Key Performance Indicator (KPI) in order to make this work. The Silver Clan was invited.
As for HOMRA, they held their own party under the night sky in the rooftop of Hirasaka Building suggested by Tatara much to Kusanagi and Fushimi Douhan's horror. Nevertheless they had fun. Suoh could not burn the building down anyway. Anna managed to see the view Tatara had wanted to plan for her to see in real time this time.
"I'm sorry, Anna to put you through so much nightmare. I'm glad that I'm able to tell you Happy Birthday!" Tatara patted Anna on her head. Anna burst into tears with her emotion all released as she cried on Tatara's arms reminding Suoh that even Kusanagi done that on his birthday. He could not help but to continue to tease him about this in revenge of his constant teasing.
Totsuka gave her the tailored red dress he had finally resolved to finish when his dearest lion king decided to remind him on the half-way completed dress back in his old apartment he was staying now. Totsuka was glad that he had a teacher to guide him. As it was not his hobby at that moment, he would have given up if it was not for the strict guidance by his "brother-in-law" and to adjust the sizing to fit a growing teenage girl considering he had left the dress hanging and undone for four years.
Neko had specially took her out to shrine in New Year day to make their wishes in their beautifully made Kimono by Totsuka's so-called "brother-in-law" who urged Shiro to say goodbye to his tongue for calling him his wife before the innocent young girl when he gave a set to Anna.
Shiro was comforted to have found a family photo with Isana Yashiro, his brother and his late mother from the effect of time paradox. They were still kids when they had the photo taken.
Of course, not to forget the photos of KuroShiroNeko combo during their travels. They would travel the world during their vacation with Kuroh planning their lodging and food. It was hassle free for the two of them. This was Shiro's wife he had chosen.
"I'll cut off your tongue if you keep saying that." Kuroh would always threaten him but Shiro never took it seriously.
"The power you had been searching had given them happiness." Kuroh had his arms over Shiro's slim waist as both of them looked at the wall of photo gallery. "If it wasn't for what they had been through, they might not have realise that happiness is right in front of them."
"You're right, Kuroh." Shiro turned to face Kuroh with a smile as he leaned his back on his shoulder. Shiro felt proud after putting up the rest of the photos of the friends he made throughout the time since he left his airship. They were all happy being able to find their happiness one-by-one breaking through all the obstacles.
"Hey, Kurosuke, you can't always have Shiro all to yourself! I want hugs and kisses from Shiro too!" Neko pouted as she hurriedly had her arms over a flustered Shiro's shoulder shoving away Kuroh. Kuroh could only sigh.
"Can you both behave yourself? You're a girl and he's a boy!" Kuroh said yelling at the two kids. They were a handful.
Their happiness was witnessed Adolf K. Weismann who came 40 years from the future. He was the only King in his dimension after the rest died off one after another. Standing at the ground floor of the school building where Shiro's room was and hearing all the ruckus made by the two "kids". He smiled feeling happy that his brother's effort from coming from their future to this dimension had paid off.
This was the story of happiness.
