Epilogue
Unseen to the duo near the lake, a human-shaped cloud rose from the dust and watched them as they talked together. A dark sense of evil hung about the being as it slowly moved towards the house and looked within at it's occupants that sat around in a large room.
"Foolish mortals. To think that they defeated Talpa of the Dynasty.... No matter. I shall have enough power to begin attacking this dimension and it will fall to the Nigel Empire. As all of the other dimensions have."
The dust slowly dispersed and soon only a small pile of dirt was it's testimony.
Meanwhile at the lakeside Sage helped Makoto to her feet and they started towards the house. Makoto felt as if all her dreams were coming true. She wasn't fighting, she now had a love to call her own, and she lived with a bunch of people who felt like her family. Nothing could disturb this. Sage suddenly froze beside her and she felt him tremble a moment.
"Sage? Are you alright?" she asked in concern.
For a moment Sage looked around, his eyes narrowed in search and Makoto held silence till he looked at her.
"It's nothing, I think. Probably a chill from the breeze," he reassured her and gave her hand a squeeze. "Lets just get in an warm up."
To emphasize his point he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and kissed her cheek, causing her to blush. She leaned her head against his shoulder a moment with a soft smile on her face and he led her into the house.
'I hope it was just a chill.' thought Sage to himself.
ONE DAY LATER - CALIFORNIA, USA
Ami sat on the bed reading an American medical journal while on the other bed watching the television was Hotaru, trying to watch X-Men. However, her English wasn't good enough to totally understand all of the words and her lack of knowledge concerning Americanisms. There was a soft rap at the door and Hotaru swung herself of the side of the bed.
"I'll get it Ami," said Hotaru sweetly.
Ami smiled as she lowered the book to her lap, "Thank you Hotaru."
Hotaru smiled and then unlocked and opened the door.
"Hello Chibi. I'm back," said Haruka fondly. "...and Setsuna too. I think she's gone to see Michiru."
Hotaru wrapped her arms around Haruka for a brief hug, "I'm glad. How's Mako-san doing?"
"She's fine." said Haruka with a sly grin. "She has a guy now."
Ami's eye brows rose as her eyes shone with concern, "I hope he's kind to her. Makoto really needs someone that won't toy with her emotions."
Haruka nodded and then held up to small boxed and handed one to each of the girls.
"Makoto sends these to you both and told me to tell you to keep an eye on whatever she put in these boxes." said Haruka and then started for the door.
"Are you going so soon Haruka-papa?" asked Hotaru in confusion.
Haruka smiled boyishly at her and winked, "I have to go see Michi and Setsuna. I'll return later."
Hotaru looked momentarily disappointed until she looked at the box from Makoto and then smiled, "Alright. Bye Haruka-papa."
Ami waved Haruka a farewell that Haruka returned before closing the door with a soft click. For a moment both girls looked at each other. Then they suddenly smiled at each other and began to open the mysterious boxes.
"A marble?" queried Hotaru in surprise when she pulled off a layer of tissue paper to see a dark purple orb with the kanji, Gaman - patience, on it.
Ami likewise eyed her marble curiously, marveling at how clear an ice blue it was and wondering how the kanji, Chishiki - knowledge, had been placed in it.
"These have been very beautifully crafted." she commented. "No wonder Makoto wanted us to take care of them for her."
Hotaru smiled and carefully placed the box containing the marble on the lamp stands between the beds. She yawned slightly and stretched out her arms.
"I think I'm ready to go to bed Ami-chan." Hotaru informed softly.
Ami nodded and placed her box next to Hotaru's on the lamp stand.
"It's probably best we go to bed now anyways. Usagi said that Mamoru was going to take us to that Disney land they have here tomorrow."
Hotaru quickly stripped of her black jeans and shirt and replaced them with a dark purple nightgown.
"Is it like the one Haruka-papa and Michiru-mama took me to in Tokyo?"
Ami nodded as she pushed her head through her blue night shirt and then pulled up her blue shorts that went with them.
"For what Mamoru said, it is similar."
Hotaru smiled and climbed into her bed, "Sounds like it's going to be fun then. I enjoyed Disney when I was there last."
"You'll have to show me around then," said Ami with a grin as she climbed into bed. "I've never been to any Disney parks before."
"You'll love it." assured Hotaru as she leaned over to the lamp table and flicked off the light. "Good night Ami-chan. Sleep well."
"You too Hotaru. Sleep well." whispered Ami.
An hour later both were breathing softly beneath their covers while on the lamp stand two soft glows, one purple, one blue, cast shadows on the walls.
Author's Note : Hopefully this was a better ending then Part 11 : Hoopu's Gift. It's also a way to introduce the Dark Wars - the next series I intend to release. However, don't look for it too soon. I want to write some other stories before I worry about this series again. ^_^ --- but I might be convinced to write little stories for Sage and Makoto (and the guys) while the scouts are still in America. BUT that's only if I get reviews to do it. For the normal bit - please review and tell me what you thought. Was this a better ending, ^_^ or did it suck. : ( Let me know via e*mail or review. TTFN! (ta ta for now)
