Epilogue

A little more than a year later…

Kyra pushed open the door to the Odayashi residence with the tip of her foot, careful not to drop any of the bags in her arms. Kicking off her shoes, she hurried down the hallway to the kitchen, almost throwing the groceries down on the countertop. Running to the entrance, she closed the door and ran back, throwing on an apron as she did. She tied back her shoulder-length hair; she liked it at a shorter length and hadn't let it grow out. Glancing up at the clock hanging on the wall, she stared to relax.

I still have enough time to make dinner… she thought, pulling several fresh vegetables out of her bags. After setting a stew too simmered, and the beef to cook slowly, she pulled off her apron and hung it on a hook in the wall. She strode down to her room and pulled out a nice dress from her closet, slipping into it quickly. She zipped up the sides and sighed; the dress was almost too short for her now. Turning towards her mirror, she brushed her hair till it hung neatly down her neck.

"Kyra-chan?" She jumped and stuck her head out of her door; Lee wasn't supposed to be here yet. She spotted the all to familiar pink-haired shinobi standing in her doorway. Yelling for her to come back to her room, she began to rummage around her drawers. Sakura knocked before opening the door; she was carrying a large package in her arms.

"Hello Sakura," Kyra said, pulling out her white silk fan and setting it on her dresser, "Aren't you suppose to be at the hospital late tonight?" Sakura smiled and nodded before holding the large, paperbound package in front of her. Kyra had originally invited several friends, including her sensei's, but they all had missions or work to do.

"I came to drop this off before my break's over," She replied. Kyra took the package gently and looked down at it questionably. "Go ahead and open it," Sakura urged. Kyra set it down on her bed and undid the twine bow. It fell open easily and she picked up a navy silk dress from the wrappings. Her breathe caught sharply and she looked back at Sakura.

"Where? Who? Is-?" She couldn't finish anything on her own.

"Tenten and I picked it out for you," Sakura said, "It's your twentieth birthday after all, you ought to look stunning for Lee…" Kyra turned a deep red as Sakura turned her away from her mirror and helped her switch dresses. After Sakura fastened the back of the dress, she smiled and let Kyra turn around to face her reflection. She gasped; Sakura began rummaging through the package for the matching choker.

The dress wasn't lacy or ruffled; it was a slim dress of the same color of her hair. It was tight around her slim torso, topped with off the shoulder sleeves. Past her hips it hung loosely to her mid calves, moving at the very slightest motion. Sakura fastened a matching choker around Kyra neck; a white carnation pendant hung delicately from the ribbon. Kyra stood speechless as Sakura pulled her into the bathroom to apply touchup makeup, she had never really needed it, and light eye shadow before ushering her back out to the hallway.

"Kyra?" she said; she smiled playfully, "Behave!" She winked and jolted out the door as Kyra stuck her tongue out. After closing the door behind her friend she leaned against it.

Thank you so much Sakura…you're a good friend. She realized that she had left the kitchen unattended and rushed back, nearly tripping over her dress shoes once or twice. Throwing the apron back on, she pulled the stew off of the stove and added the meat carefully so she wouldn't spill all over herself. Grabbing bowls and plates, she set the dining room table, lighting a candle near the center of the table top for a nice touch. She glanced at the clock again as she came back to the kitchen; Lee would be there any minute. She-

There was a loud knock at the front door causing her to jump and she dropped the plate in her hands. It was sent crashing to the floor and she bent down to pick up the broken pieces; Her back facing the kitchen door. She took one of the pieces gently and it slid out of her hand, cutting the tip of her thumb rather painfully. A hand reached past her shoulder and took hers gently.

"Should I ever trust you with a knife?" She looked up at Lee as he brought her hand up to look at it, "your such a klutz sometimes…" She smiled and brought her hand up to knock his lightly.

"Your one to talk," she replied. He helped her up and she gave him a light kiss on the lips. "I didn't think you'd be here so early," she said, opening one of the drawers as Lee started to pick up the glass. She had always kept bandages in the kitchen by experience. She pulled out a disinfectant and dabbed at her thumb lightly; it stung rather badly.

"I would never show up late for your birthday," Lee said, picking up the last of the pieces. He slid them into the trash and stood next to her as she wrapped some gauze around her finger. She smiled as he slipped his arms around her waist, his head over her shoulder. "And I defiantly wouldn't want to arrive late when you look so stunning…" he continued, causing her to blush. She noted a bouquet of flowers on the counter top; he must have set them down before helping her up.

"Thank you for the flowers," she said as she reached for them. She stopped short as her hand brushed the stems; they were carnations just like her chokers charm. But it wasn't the flowers that stopped her…

…It was the glitter coming from the ribbon wrapping them together. She glanced out of the corner of her eye at Lee, but her hair was in the way of his face. Reaching out again, she picked up the bouquet gently and brought it towards her. She kept her eyes fastened on the blue ribbon as the glitter took shape. It was a ring…a tear-shaped ring…

"Lee…" He reached out and undid the bow, allowing the ring to drop into his hand. He held it between two fingers.

"Kyra?" he asked; she drew in her breathe, "Will you?" She turned to face him, her eyes very close to tears. He slipped the ring onto her finger and she flung her arms around his neck, her feet leaving the floor as he swung her around. They both didn't notice the faces of most of their "busy" friends trying to see through the window.

And so the stor come to an end my dear readers, butsoon new adventures shall open up...as young Hotaru takes her place as Heroine in her own set of diary entries. Coming soon!

-Kyra Odayashi

I WANT TO THANK ALL MY REVIEWERS!!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!

Reviews:

NoCareChakara- I hope you look forward to the sequel with Hotaru. Until next we read!

Sariyu-chan and Sayuri-san - Hope you liked it! Thanks for reviewing and being patient with my Writer's blocks!!!

Usagi Toru- How many reviews do you haave to send at once?!?! I had ten in one day form you! You read to fast Gen...

EnduranceInTribulation- I hpe you look forwrad to when I begin Amaya of Wolves updates again and look forward to the sequel to this story. For now this story is under complete...but I will constantly be updating the earlier chapters to make it flow smoother and sound better... Thanks for the reviews!!!