A/N: Hello everyone, I've been thinking about posting this chapter for a while, and I feel like it is time. Please note, that the voice used in this chapter teeters between my interpretation of Shizuru's character and my own. I hope you enjoy.

Of Impulse and Fey: Spin- Off Edition

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Chapter 8

An Unexpected Curtain Call

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Summer is one of the best times of the year. I think anyway. School is out. The sun is shining brightly, and although the heat can be a bit much, summer is always when I most felt like change could happen at any given moment. And change it did.

I placed another cardboard box into the moving van. I refused to hire a moving company because I wanted to be the one to uproot everything I had done, to be immersed in the nostalgia of this life, my past life.

Reito had gotten married to Chikako and decided to leave my side after the very many long years of mutual servitude to start a new life with her. I met her briefly at my wedding and my baby shower. Chikako was a sweet girl with mahogany tinted hair and calm grey eyes. I liked her despite my initial thought of her when she insulted Reito's kindness about two years ago. Reito had saved much of what I gave him and intelligently stowed it away in hedge funds and other investments to last them and their children a lifetime. Reito no longer needed me, but I didn't need him anymore either.

We had a long conversation over some good wine, about the changes that were taking place. We spoke about the married life, children and how to keep in touch with each other no matter how far apart we were. During this long winded, yet heartfelt goodbye speech, he mentioned that we didn't need each other anymore. Reito and I no longer had to fight off the loneliness not being able to comfort each other romantically and looking to other warm bodies for solace. Not that we wanted to, but having a friend versus having a lover call for different situations, and though we were friends we would never become lovers. However, we were now married to the loves of our lives and we still had our wonderful friendship intact. Reito and I no longer needed distractions.

I dropped another box into the van, slowly taking apart the home I built. The fortress of independence I made to prove to myself that even though I had wealthy parents- who were the greatest loving adoptive parents I had the privilege of having- I could do whatever I set my mind to. I wasn't just some lucky no body. I proved that I would've made it on top on my own even if I never got picked up by a family. Still, I'm super grateful I was chosen. I wouldn't have met my wife any other way. I wouldn't have my lovely daughter Kiyohime either.

Reito's semi-unexpected decision spurred my own decision to leave this wonderful place. It's kind of like turning to the next chapter of a book rather than opening a whole new book altogether. Let me explain. Our lives may be altering, but we are still the same people. We have different roads, but we still plan on checking in with each other along the way. Leaving this house concludes the chapter, but the book is still being written just somewhere else.

A/N: This the end to the spin off series. There was much more that I wanted to write, but I felt myself taking a different direction. Creatively, I want to start writing my own stuff, not fanfictions. The account will still be up, and you can still read the works I've done, but I will not be writing anymore for or A03. I still would love to be able to keep in touch via my tumblr page (that will still be up too), but I understand if you continue to support other future/current fanfiction writers and find that my original stuff just isn't your style. I won't make this too long, but I sincerely want to thank all of the readers who stuck by this fanfic this whole time. Thank you so much.