Himura Designs & Co Vs Shishio Enterprises

By: Shin Sankai


Authors Notes: Well in just under a decade, by merely two months this saga has finally come to a close. I won't bore anyone with the details of random excuses of why it took so long etc. and instead am just thankful it is a story that has been remembered and I can now proudly say its finished. Of course Chapters 1 to 14 aren't exactly accurate as Chapters 15 to Epilogue are, sorry about that, but it has been a long time after all. One day, maybe I'll get back to fixing it all up, but for now, thanks for sticking around all this time – crap I can't believe I was going on 20 when I started this story – I feel old now. I hope the final instalment is enjoyed.


Epilogue – And so, life goes on...


"Mama, you're falling behind."

"With good reason." A woman in her 30's complained as her family walked ahead of her, heading up what felt like a million concrete stairs. She was slowly loosing the ability to breathe properly and decided to take a break on her way up to where they were headed. Of course 8 months previously she would be racing her youngest child up the steps, but of course seeing as she was round and plump, expecting twins any time now, her current state really couldn't be solely blamed on her alone.

"Do my girls need a hand up Misao?" They had decided to find out what they were having and to think it was twins and girls, both of them were in awe for quite sometime afterward. While her eldest quietly remarked with "cool" it was her youngest that got the entire family laughing when he said "oh no, girls, yuck!". The heavily pregnant Misao lifted her blue eyes to look up at the handsome face of her husband, his hand out to her as he stood a couple of steps above her, that sexy half grin which still sent butterflies scattering about her stomach graced his hypnotizing lips.

"I don't like you right now."

"Oh?" One perfect eyebrow quirked as green-grey eyes sparkled in humour. "If I recall, it was your idea we come here."

"Well yes, but..."

"Seiji, your mum is being a pain again."

"Aoshi!" Misao whined. Of course it was important to come here, she just didn't think today would be so bloody hot. Her ankles were swollen, she looked ready to burst, so couldn't he be a little sweeter to her?

"Geez, will the two of you behave like normal adults." Two pairs of eyes looked further up the stairs to see a 16 year old walking back down the stairs dressed all in black. Misao had been right, Seiji had grown into such a handsome young man, the spitting image of his father, though his hair was longer and held back in a ponytail and of course he still had his bright purple eyes, just like his birth mother's. "Sometimes I can't believe I'm related to the both of you." The teenager complained even though he linked his arm with Misao's and slowly helped her up the stairs. The ex-model, having quit before she even truly got started as she became the designer she'd always wanted to be, beamed a victory smile at her husband who did nothing but roll his eyes knowing his son was such a mama's boy.

Aoshi followed after them. "Shinichirou, don't go too far ahead." The handsome businessman, also dressed in black voiced to his youngest child, his adorable six year old son. They had named him after Misao's father.

He couldn't believe how the years seemed to just slip by in their hectic lives. A dozen years and look at them now, blessed in marriage, blessed with a growing family, life was great.

So much had happened...

Kenshin and Kaoru, after several near misses in their relationship had finally gotten married, a massive and quite lavish wedding, rounded out by an extravagant honeymoon fit for kings and queens. They returned to Himura Designs 2 months later with the exciting news that Kaoru was pregnant. Kenshin tried oh so hard to do everything for his new wife, but Kaoru being Kaoru smacked him around a little informing him she was not dying, she was only pregnant. The stubborn woman also informed him that she would not be giving up on her career either. She worked for as long as she could, family and friends (and a nanny) permanently around her to help raise their son, who was quite a handful at times, as Kaoru returned to work. It was like she'd never been pregnant and though there were some arguments and tough times, the ever patient Kenshin knew everything was going to be alright and nothing would keep the smile from his face now.

It also helped that Yukishiro Enishi was found guilty of three counts of murder and sentenced to death. The redhead, who really wasn't one for showing too much emotion after everything he'd been through had cried tears of joy for his deceased wife and son that day. The short businessman visited their graves to inform them of this news before finally leaving them in peace, returning home to Kaoru.

After several months of officials going through the rubble which was Shishio Enterprises, it was confirmed only the one body was ever located. Sano came baring the news that it had been confirmed it was in fact Shishio Makoto himself. He'd burned alive...and alone. Aoshi had questioned about Yume, but Sano had no answers for him. Misao too questioned him on the whereabouts of Seta Soujiro, he being the one to kidnap her, but Sano had no leads on his whereabouts either, it was like the two of them had disappeared.

Speaking of the said PI, he and Megumi were still together, much to Misao's surprise. She seriously didn't understand what the beauty saw in her scruffy childhood friend, but who was she to deny their happiness. He was still the best PI she'd ever known, not that she actually needed one these days. Sano was never short of work, travelling around the country and was confident with his wife practically being a single mother. Megumi was a strong independent woman after all and she could handle her son and daughter on her own, but she did love their excited looks on their faces when he returned, showering them with far too many toys and lots of cuddles.

Aoshi's idol and the only man (that he was aware of) that actually loved him (in that way) had changed over the years too. You wouldn't think to look at him that he was in his 40's now. Jin's eyesight in his left eye had never returned, but that didn't stop him from regaining his confidence. He endured several skin grafting operations and the scars on his face had all but disappeared. He'd cut his hair, the shoulder length mass no longer as it was, it now short, wisps of hair falling against his neck while long bangs fell over his dark eyes, much like Aoshi's and to everyone's surprise he became an actor. And he was bloody good at it, which wasn't a surprise to anyone. He'd become an overnight success and travelled around the country a lot, sometimes overseas to Korea or Taiwan as his fans were numerous. No matter where he was or what he was doing, over the years, without fail he would still call once or twice a week for a chat. Jin dove into his work, not worrying about love or involving himself in any flings (male or female) no matter the prodding from Aoshi or Misao. And he was still the cool Uncle. His love life did change, much to the relief of Aoshi as two years ago, Jin confessed to him that he finally got himself a lover and that he was happy. Who would have thought that Nao had been waiting for him all this time.

Misao's family were all well. The restaurants were as popular as ever, Okina deciding to open up some more restaurants. He'd had a busy few years opening in Osaka, Fukushima and Hiroshima and of course he insisted on attending the celebrations. His health was a lot better now, though occasionally he did slip in the odd sake bottle or two, just as long as Misao never found out. After much thought he ended up settling in Kyushu about three years ago. Apparently there were a lot of friendly young ladies in the neighbourhood that he'd taken a liking to. Of course he would come for a visit two or three times a year to see how his granddaughter was doing and to also tell the kids and Aoshi about her adventures and the several near heart attacks she gave him while growing up. He truly was such a character. And then there was Okon and Omasu. Okon was sweet and not as forward as Omasu was. Unfortunately for Aoshi he'd been subjected to Omasu telling wild tales about their days on the streets, when the children weren't around of course. About a month ago the two of them had brought their entire brood with them for a couple of weeks when the children were on holidays. Their large house, it being his old family home he grew up in, was overrun by screaming kids, though it caused many headaches for all the adults, including the retired Hiroshi-san, all the noise and hustle and bustle sent a smile to his mother's face being surrounded by such energetic children.

Yes, even 12 years on, his mother was still battling away. She had good days and bad days, unfortunately more bad then good, constantly being bed ridden, but it was a miracle she was still alive today. She'd been blessed that her illness seems to have stalled for the time being and so with much joy she not only got to see her son marry, she watched Seiji grow into a beautiful young man. Then there was the joyous occasion of having another grandson and how she got to spoil the two boys rotten, much to the rolling eyes of her son. And then there was the day Koya-chan graduated from high school. Ah, so many memories she was blessed with and only every now and then when such moments sent tears to her eyes at the sadness that her husband was not here to witness it. But it wasn't long before she already knew he was watching over all of them. During her bad days, her appetite was non-existent and thus she was sickly skinny, but there was a stubbornness about her that she would still walk down the stairs on her own, pick flowers in the garden, attend any outings to be involved with the children no matter the fact she would be bed ridden for the next two days having over exerted herself or she'd go on short walks without assistance. She wouldn't be a Shinomori after all.

Koya-chan was in the process of moving out of the house. Though she loved all the noise and getting up to mischief with Seiji and Shinichirou, she decided it was time for some independence. She was after all about to turn 20 years old. She'd blossomed into a beautiful young woman, the spitting image of her mother when she was in her prime. That actually freaked Aoshi out, knowing very well that guys were staring intently at his little sister. Though with her long flowing hair, her bright eyes and her long slender physique, really, who wouldn't stare at her. She was still a bit of a tomboy, much to Aoshi's relief, but now that she was moving out and into a share house with girlfriends, lord knows what kind of mischief they'd get up to without him being there. He knew she was a very responsible young woman and was pleased she finally decided to go to University having worked several jobs to save up quite a bit of money, not that she really needed it considering her family background, but there was that independence streak in her. She'd be starting next year and was going to specialise in law.

"Why are we here?" Aoshi dropped his eyes from the warm clear blue sky he'd been absently staring up at to look down at his six year old son.

"Because your big brother has something very important to do today." Misao voiced with a sweet smile on her face, hand dropping to brush through shiny black hair.

"At a cemetery?" Aoshi couldn't help but chuckle at the confusion held in Shinichirou's little voice.

He crouched down so he was eye level with his blue eyed boy. "Seiji has some big news to tell his mother."

"But Mama is right here."

"Don't point, its rude. And we are referring to his other Mama sweetie. Didn't we tell you before, Seiji is special because he had two Mama's, me and his Mama that gave birth to him, but unfortunately she passed away awhile ago." Misao tried to reason with her youngest, hand going to pat her stomach as she was receiving an almighty kick from one of her girls.

"But I'm special too." Aoshi couldn't help but chuckle aloud at the pout on his son's face.

"Yes, you are indeed." The pout was so like his mother's as he bent over to tickle torture his youngest, much like he used to do to his oldest, giggles filling the usually silent cemetery as he picked Shinichirou up and sat him in the crux of his left elbow, the three of them watching Seiji head off on his own. "Why can't I go with him?"

"Because this is his moment with her on his own." Aoshi switched places to stand on the other side of his wife, so he could easily wrap his arm around her waist. "So he can tell her he's finally got his first ever girlfriend."

"That's it? I was woken early on the weekend so Sei-Tan can come and talk about a girl he'll share cooties with?" Misao watched Aoshi's shoulders shake with quiet laughter.

"You know Shin-chan, I have cooties because of your Mama." Blue eyes sparkled as Misao watched Aoshi "attack" their youngest with a kiss, she not being able to contain her own laughter as he made several ridiculous anguished sounds like he was going to be diseased as well.

"Ah, should we have gotten a pale of water for him?"

"That is a very nice gesture Shinichirou, why don't you head back down to get it for him." The six year old beamed a toothy smile up at his father as he was placed back on his own two feet and skipped down the steps. The two adoring parents watched him go, hands out like he was pretending to be a plane as he descended to where you could obtain a pale of water to wash the tombstones. "He is so like you."

"I know." Green-grey eyes glanced down at Misao rubbing the side of her bulging stomach.

"Girls giving you grief?"

"You won't need to teach them any of your family's kata, I'm sure they're doing them right now." Aoshi pressed his lips to Misao's lightly sweating forehead.

"Lets move you to a bench, get you off your feet and into some shade." He watched her stubbornly shake her head negatively. Ah, the Shinomori ways were definitely rubbing off on her.

"I want to wait until Seiji finishes and then you can take me out for the biggest ice cream sundae that I can eat."

"Yes Mama." Aoshi winked at her.


Seiji took the relatively short walk towards his birth mother's grave, half listening to the squawks of his younger brother and his parents as they were carrying on like they were at an amusement park instead of a cemetery. Really, this was not the place to do such things, but he loved them dearly so who was he to complain. Of course sometimes he did, but seeing their happy faces, his Obaachan always told him to be thankful for them. And he really didn't like it when his mother pouted at him, it got him every time.

"Oh, I'm so sorry." Seiji had accidentally bumped into another visitor. He bowed slightly to them before stopping in front of the tombstone which read Komagata Yume.

"Visiting family alone?"

Seiji shook his head. "No, my family is with me, but they allow me to have a moment on my own, to speak to the woman who lies here. She was my birth mother."

"I see, please, go ahead." Seiji finally turned to watch the visitor walk away.

"I asked Sayo-chan out...and she said yes!" There was the hint of a blush on his face. "She's really cute and short like Kachan, it makes me want to protect her. I hope to be with her for a long time."

"Sei-Tan," Purple eyes drifted to the running figure of Shinichirou, he holding the pale of water, half the contents spilling on the concrete. "You forgot this!"

"Thanks Shin." Seiji poured the remaining water over Yume's grave, cleaning it of dust and leaves.

"Sei-Tan, what's this?" The 16 year old turned to glance down at his short brother.

"It's lavender."

"What's it doing near Sei-Tan's birth mother's grave?"

"I don't know, maybe the lady I bumped into dropped it."

"What lady?"

"That..." Seiji paused as he turned to point in the direction the woman had gone only there was nobody there. "...lady..."

"Sei-Tan, are you suffering heat stroke?" He bopped his younger brother on the head, picking up the empty pale and ladle and headed back towards the stairs where he knew his parents would be waiting. "Mama, Sei-Tan hit me?" Seiji rolled his eyes as Shinichirou complained.

"Seiji..."

"Shin-chan, where'd you get that from?" Aoshi interrupted the lecture his wife was going to give his 16 year old about picking on his brother.

"At the grave, Sei-Tan says its lavender."

"It is lavender." Seiji mumbled as they started walking towards the stairs to head back down them and towards the car.

"Yume had the scent of lavender around her when she was alive."

"Did she have long black hair too?"

"Yeah, why?" Seiji froze on the steps turning back around to look back into the cemetery. "Seiji?" The 16 year old shook his head as he caught up with his family, they stopping half way down the stairs so his mother could take a short breather.

"Did you chat with Yume-san?" Misao was a very touchy feely mother and was always brushing or touching her boys sweetly in some way, this time squeezing Seiji's hand, well the one that wasn't stuffed into his black trouser pocket.

"Mm," His eyes finally met those of his mother's, eyebrow furrowing slightly at the look on her face. "What?"

"Promise me you won't play with Sayo-chan's heart?"

"What's with you?"

"I happen to know a certain someone who played with a lot of girls hearts." Seiji followed his mother's sideways glance as she was blatantly staring at his father.

" Oi, that's not fair, i was very fragile." All three boys listening to Misao snort at Aoshi's comment.

"You look far too much like your father." Misao folded her arms over her ever growing boobs. "And you're too tall for me now." Seiji linked his arm with his mother's helping her down the stairs once more.

"No matter how tall I get, I'll always be your little boy." Misao melted as she rested her head against Seiji's upper arm. She didn't catch the look shared between father and son or the way Aoshi gave Seiji the thumbs up as he mouthed 'good answer'.

"Mama, are my sisters kicking you again?" Shinichirou questioned as he noticed Misao rubbing vigorously at her belly.

"Just a little."

"Stop kicking her!" Eyes widened as the six year old shouted and glared at her clothed stomach. Misao would have told him off if it weren't for the fact that it had actually worked! "Better?" She was rewarded with a grin and nodded affirmatively.

"I cannot wait until the girls are born." Aoshi confessed, having picked Shinichirou up to place him on his shoulders while he wrapped one arm around Seiji's shoulders. They'd finally gotten down the stairs and were heading towards the car park. "That way when they grow up, I can teach them how to have all the boys chasing after them, have them wrap them around their fingers."

"Hey!" Misao waddled after her boys. "That's not funny!"

"Come on my love, your ice cream sundae awaits." Misao beamed as Aoshi took hold of her hand, pressing a kiss to it as they headed for the car. he both of them ignored their kids rolling their eyes at their fathers endearments towards their mother.


"Neesan, who're they?"

"Just a loving family that no longer requires protection anymore." A woman standing at the top of the stairs voiced, long black hair freely blowing in the breeze, a bunch of lavender held within her left hand, she placing it in the lap of the man in the wheelchair. She placed both her hands on the wheelchairs handles as she turned them away, heading towards another exit. "It's time for us to go."


The End.