Shayril: Don't hurt me!!! (Dives behind Yue)

Navi: But it's so much fun to watch.

Aliri: (Sighs) Must you keep up the charade of hating her.

Navi: It's so much fun.

Shayril: (Peeking out from behind Yue) Look, I know I'm incredibly late with the epilogue. But it wasn't my fault.

Inuyasha: Feh! It's never your fault, is it?

Shayril: Well, it's true. It's not like I have control over my computer time. I bow to a much greater force than even I.

Inuyasha: (rolls eyes) And just who is that?

Shayril: My mother. (Inuyasha shudders) Exactly. You know how evil she can be. Not only that but I sliced open my thumb pretty badly and it was hard for me to get used to typing with only nine fingers. Plus, I was a little depressed. Kagome: Awww. You poor dear. Aliri: Aren't you supposed to be dead?

Kagome: (Shrugging) I don't know, read the epilogue and find out.

Kalika: You let her read it?! We're your muses and you didn't even let us read it.

Shayril: Yeah, well, the story is about her. Besides, I owed her one. Anyway, on to the final installment of 'Shards and Cards'.

Epilogue – Hidden Treasure

The sound of stones shifting attracted the attention of the old oshou. Cautiously, he approached the ruins of some great castle. As he came to what was once the center of the castle a couple of large stones tumbled down, clattering along the way. Peering into the small opening, he saw a figure moving in the darkness. He reached his hand into the opening.

"Take my hand. I'll help you out of there."

A hand smaller than his tentatively reached up and grasped his. With a little pulling on his part a young woman managed to climb out of the rubble. She immediately tried to stand and walk away, but collapsed after taking two steps. The oshou was at her side instantly.

"Here now. You have to take it easy," he said kindly. "How did you ever wind up in that mess?"

"T... the castle... collapsed around us," she croaked.

"Us?"

"My husband and I. We... we... were attacked. The castle fell. My... my husband..."

"Shhh. It's all right, child. You'll be all right. Come with me. I'll take care of you."

The young blonde offered a weak smile up to him as he supported her towards his cart. He was so preoccupied with trying to take care of the girl that he didn't notice another figure clawing at the opening. As the cart drew away the ebony-haired figure with filthy, battered wings passed out halfway through the opening.

Shayril: Well, there ya go. The epilogue.

Inuyasha: SHE'S ALIVE!!!!!!

Yue: (relieved) She's alive.

Shayril: Well, duh! Of course she's alive. I told you, I can't make the sequel without her.

Yue: Well, will I get her back? When do we get married? When do we have more children? Why didn't you kill Sonya?

Shayril: (Holds up hands) Whoa!!! Slow down. The first three you'll have to wait and see. The last one should be obvious. Who else is gonna be the big bad in the sequel?

Kagome: Makes sense.

Inuyasha: WHEN DO I GET MY GIRLFRIEND AND WHO IS SHE?!?!?!?!?!

Shayril: (growls) DON'T yell at me, DOGBOY. OR YOU WON'T GET HER!!!!!!!! You'll just have to wait and see like everyone else.

Inuyasha: But that'll take forever!

Shayril: (rolls eyes) Stop whining and grow up. Learn some patience. (To readers) I know you're gonna hate me, but I'm not going to start the sequel until I finish 'Of Youkai and Gypsies' and 'Tarnished Armor'. It's bad enough that I have those stories and thirteen or so original pieces that I'm working on. I don't need another. I'll try to hurry it up, though.

Inuyasha: Like that'll do any good.

Shayril: (glares at Inuyasha) Well, I'm gonna go now. Until next time. Ja ne!