EPILOGUE
Unknown Future

Most of the time, it would be Gabe sitting at one's bedside, comforting them, letting them know that they will be okay, and live through it.

This time, it's Tomoe who sits there silently, as Gabriel Cunningham recovers from his two-story crash in that mall incident. Tomoe does seem to be worried, though she has an odd way of showing it; no tears shine on her pale cheeks this time, but instead, her eyes are focused on the paper in front of her as she leaves marks of ink on the page.

"If that's a love letter to me, stop," says Gabe, with his usual hint of humor. Even on the verge of death, he can still crack jojkes. "I'm still married."

"Oh, are you awake?" Tomoe says, looking up from her letter. "No, I'm writing a letter to my father." Obviously, she still doesn't get Gabe's humor.

"Really," Gabe mutters sarcastically, pushing himself up from his bed, "What, did you guys come to a truce or something?" The last time Gabe checked, Master Yoshikage had tried to make Tomoe marry and dragged her to Japan.

"Isn't it normal for a child to want to talk to her parent?"

"I guess so," Gabe sighs, remembering his son. "It's kind of creepy when you put it that way."

Tomoe's eyes close as she thinks back to those dark and cruel nights, the moonless sky that banished her happiness. "Ever since I left the Tachibana home, I've strained myself. I wanted to be known for my own strength, not my family's. But... I've come to a realization. No one grows up all at once. Instead of acting like someone you're not, do your best... and work your way towawrds being the adult you want to be."

"Sheesh, what kind of a kid are you?" Gabe laughs, not getting through Tomoe's preaching. "That's how life is. Well, the fact that you've realized that proves you've grown. Good for you. Try to take it easy from now on."

Tomoe's face lights up with the smile Gabe is so familar with once more. "Yes!" she grins.

"Now, I'm kinda thirsty," Gabe yawns, relaxing back, reverting back to his old, lazy self. "How about getting me a coffee?"

Tomoe rises, about to give Gabe her own comeback. "Dr. Cunningham, relying on others is not the way of honor. You must do what you can to help yourself."

"You just said that people shouldn't be straining themselves!" Gabe protests.

"Oh," says Tomoe matter-of-factedly, and quickly diverts Gabe's attention to the cast on his arm. "I don't recall your arm being broken. Does it hurt?"

Softly, Tomoe's fingers ease carefully forwards to brush the clean white bandages, but no matter how gentle her touch may be, pain shoots through Gabe like a cow devouring grass. "Ack! Y-You idiot, are you trying to kill me?"

"Oh, I-I'm sorry!" Tomoe cries, her hands withdrawing from Gabe's body, "Are you all right?"

"Gah!" Gabe screams, "Don't touch me! You're doing this on purpose, aren't you?"

"Not at all!" Tomoe exclaims. "If it hurts, then it must be examined."

"Just... leave me alone!"

And the arguments of Tomoe Tachibana and Gabriel Cunningham fade away to a whisper as it drifts away in the morning wind. On the rooftop, Hanzou stands, facing the rising sun, and chuckles softly as he hears Gabe's yells of frustration coming from the open window. "It seems it will be a while before she returns..."

And... that wraps up Tomoe's Story! Next is Naomi, which mockingjayfire will be handling... FINALLY... and she's a bit of a slow writer... though the result is truly amazing. So after about a month or so, she should be done Naomi, and then... by that time, I'll have, like, half of Patient Zero done. So be looking forwards to it! Cheers!

Chronological version: "29. Gabe: Epilogue: Going Away".

~fighterkirby