A/N : I edited this chapter with the japanese names. Since its taking place in Japan, I thought it was only fitting. For the main characters, I got the name just like they're supposed to be but for Coran, i saw it written somewhere. For Cid, Ellone, Raine and Caraway, I tried to write it as I think it should be written. Enjoy!
Epilogue : Start Over
Tokyo, 2002.
A middle aged woman wearing blue jeans, a cream coloured sweater with a hairband holding her long brown hair away from her face, stood down the staircase, looking up.
"Sukoru! Kohran!" she called. "Hurry up, or you'll be late... again!"
"Cooooooming!" both answered from up the stairs.
The woman shook her head with a smile and went back in the kitchen. A black shoulder length haired man was seated at the table in front of a cup of coffee. When the woman stepped in, he looked up his newspaper with a smile.
"I can't believe how slow they are," he said.
"They're definately your children, Raguna Rewaru."
"Ha! Because you're better, maybe? Rain Reonhatto?"
She smiled back and he hid his face behind the papers again.
In one of the rooms upstairs, a 17 years old teen was finishing dressing up.
"Damn uniform!" he cursed.
He put on his black pants and found his black jacket on his chair. He put it on over his grey t-shirt without tying it up. He took his school bag from his desk and hurried to the door before suddenly spin around, his bronze hair falling into his eyes.
"Dammit!" he said pushing it away, brushing the scar between his crystal blue eyes in the process.
He dashed to his desk and snatched his necklace and ring both made of platinium in the same time before hurrying back to the door. He got out and hurried to the closed door facing his room.
"Kohran, hurry!!" he called at the door.
He put on his ring with a winged lion carved on it on his right hand and the lion head necklace over his head. It was heavy but he was used to it.
"Did you hear me?" he asked again.
"I can't find my skirt!" a girl exclaimed in distress. "There it is!"
Few seconds later, the girl came out. She had waist long hair. She was wearing a black knee level skirt, a dark blue vest closed over a white shirt and a black bow on her shest. She was holding her school bag in her hands.
Their hair was the same colour, their eyes were the same colour and they even were as tall. Even though they were twins, it was a bit unusual for a boy and a girl to look so much alike. As a guy, Sukoru was a good height, but for a girl, Kohran was pretty tall.
"Sorry," she said with a wink.
"Let's go!"
Their running steps on the floor and all the way down the stairs sounded more like there was a dozen people coming down. They bursted in the kitchen, causing Rain to startle. Raguna was getting up, about to leave. He was a journalist.
"Hi, kids! Late again?" he teased.
"Not yet, dad!" Kohran exclaimed.
She rushed to the fridge and took out a bottle of orange juice and two glasses from the cupboard. She filled them before putting the bottle back in the fridge. Sukoru past her to put bread in the toaster. She showed him the glass and he gladly swallowed the content in a gulp. Then he put it in the sink in the same time Kohran did. He put butter on the toasts then gave one to his sister.
"Hey, where's Erone?" Sukoru asked.
Erone was his adoptive sister. Her parents were killed in a shooting attack. Since she didn't have any known family, Rain took her in before she met Raguna. Erone was five years older than the twins.
"She's at the orphanage down the street to help that woman again."
"Idia? Again? She's always there!"
The twins ran out of the kitchen.
"See ya tonight!" Kohran said.
"Later!" Sukoru said along.
Holding their toast between their teeth, they were putting their shoes on in the hall.
"Wait!"
They froze and Rain came out of the kitchen with two lunch bags. One was silver grey and the other crustal blue with darker sparkles all over it.
Kohran hurried to Rain and quickly took the blue bag from her, swallowing her toast.
"I love you, mom!" she exclaimed putting a kiss on her cheek.
"Thanks a lot, mother!" Sukoru said granting her one of his rare smiles.
Raguna joined them to leave as well.
"You can still make it if you hurry," he said with his camera bouncing on his chest.
"We're leaving!" Kohran said. "Take lots of pictures of breath-taking sceneries, dad!"
"Ah, Kohran, you ask me that everyday... But I'll try!"
"Thanks! Bye!"
She opened the door and waited for Sukoru.
"Hey, Sukoru!" Raguna called. "When are you gonna introduce us a girlfriend?"
He winked at Rain who giggled when Sukoru blushed. Both knew only too well Sukoru was uneasy with girls other than Kohran, except for Kisutisu who was their personal study teacher and Serufi who was acting younger than she was.
"Give me a break, Raguna!"
The older man frowned.
"Sukoru, I told you to call me 'dad' or at least 'father'."
Sukoru scratched the back of his head.
"Sorry, I just can't seem to get used to call you father..."
"Sukoru!" Kohran called.
"Gotta go!"
He ran outside after his sister. Raguna smiled and turned to Rain.
"They're still so young..." he said.
She sighed and looked away.
"Yeah but they're the same age then..."
"Shh!!"
Raguna looked around to be sure no on was listening.
"Don't talk so loud. I think we're not supposed to know. At least not yet."
"What about them? Do you think they..."
He shook his head.
"No, probably not. Not completely at least. From their friends, I'd say they know only deep inside."
Rain tiptoed to get her face closer to Raguna's.
"I'm glad they don't remember," she said. "But I'm grateful life let me live to see them grow up... this time. When I realized I remembered, I was afraid I'd..."
Raguna hugged her tight before kissing her gently.
"I'm glad you're still with me," he said.
They smiled to each other.
"And I hope they won't regain their memory. They're so happy now..."
"Especially Kohran."
Raguna looked at his watch and widened his eyes in horror.
"I'm being influenced by the kids!
I'm gonna be late!"
He hurried outside.
"See ya tonight!"
And he left.
Sukoru and Kohran ran as fast as they could like they did almost everyday. They took a quick look in a dojo's courtyard on the their way.
"Zeru!" Sukoru called.
"Forget him," Kohran said as they kept running.
They were passing by the fence when a scream caught their attention, causing them to freeze.
"Yaaaah!"
A blond teen guy with chicken punk hair style suddenly landed behind the twins. His unique black tattoo on his face which caused him trouble at school was catching everyone not-knowing-him's attention.
At school, tattoos and even punk hair was forbidden but Zeru's family was respected and known for one of the greatest families of martial artists.
He was wearing the same uniform than Sukoru except his vest was tied up and his sleeves were rolled up to his elbows.
He stood up and winked at his friends with his thumb up, smiling widely.
"Yo!"
"I hate when you do that!" Sukoru scolded.
"We'll talk about that later! We must hurry," Kohran reminded.
The boys looked at each other and started running again with Kohran. Zeru ran a little faster to catch up with the girl.
"Hey, Kohran! Why don't you just..." he started.
"What?"
"Huh... Forget it."
The three made it to school yard and into the school. Was it fate but they were all in the same class and they made it just before the bell rang.
Kohran leaned over, her hands on her knees to catch her breath.
"Made it," Zeru said closing his eyes with a sigh.
The teacher wasn't there yet.
"Guess who?"
Someone placed hands over Kohran's eyes from behind.
"Saifaa?" she asked.
She turned around to a smiling blond head face. With blue eyes and a scar between them going diagonally oppositely to Sukoru's, Saifaa had caught her attention for a while.
"I thought you wouldn't make it," he said.
"Who are you taking me for?"
She went to sit down next to the windows, Saifaa next to her, Sukoru in front of him with Zeru next to him. There was a long brown haired boy behind them, hair tied in a ponytail. He bent forward to Kohran.
"Have you seen Serufi on your way?" he asked.
"Sorry, Awain."
He sat back, deceived.
"She should be here soon," a blond girl sitting not far said.
Awain hopefully turned to her. She had blue eyes with small glasses held in her hand. Her hair was piled in the back of her head. She really had the teacher's look.
"You sure, Kisutisu?"
"Yes. She should be here about..."
"Booyaka! Made it!" a little girl voice exclaimed.
"...now."
A curled brown haired girl bursted in. She wasn't very tall but as usual, her cheerful face brought a smile on Irvine's face. He got up.
"Hey, Sefi!"
"Awi!" she exclaimed waving at him with a wide smile on her face.
She stepped in and went to sit down next to him, putting her school bag on her desk.
"Whew! I was afraid I wouldn't make it!"
The blond girl disaprovingly shook her head.
"I told you to get in when the bell rings, Serufi."
The brunette pulled a long face.
"Awww.... Bossy...."
Further in the front, Sukoru was losing patience.
"What's taking so long?" he asked tapping his fingers on his desk. "We finally manage not to be late but this time, it's the teacher!"
Saifaa leant aginst the back of his chair, his hands behind his head.
"Bah... As long as there're no teacher, there's no class..."
"And no homeworks!" Zeru exclaimed raising his fist.
Saifaa looked at his friend.
"For once, I agree with you!"
Usually, Saifaa and Zeru weren't getting along very well. They just couldn't seem to do it. Not that they didn't try, it was as if it was deep inside. Leftovers of their past life. But they were trying. Everyone hanging together wasn't so bad.
"Hey, guys!" Awain called.
The gang all turned to him.
"Nida showed me a new card game this morning. With monsters and all. I'll show you later."
"Really?" Serufi asked getting all excited.
"It's really fun."
Saifaa crossed his arms on his chest. He was also losing patience. Do nothing was always fun, but after a while, it was getting boring.
"What's taking so long? If I'd have known, I would have stayed with Raijin and Fuujin longer!"
Raijin and Fuujin were the two completely different friends of Saifaa. They were always around him, even if they weren't saying anything.
The door of the classroom.suddenly opened and a brown haired middle aged man entered. With his small square glasses, Everyone recognized the principal Sido Kurama so they quieted down. He stood in front of the class with his hands behind his back. He smiled to see everyone so straight and silent.
"Good morning, everyone. Sorry I kept your teacher away from you for so long."
"It's nothing, really," Zeru whispered.
But that caused the whole class to burst into laughter. Sido smiled and did as if he hasn't heard anything. He continued.
"You all know Mr. Karawe who's an important member of the military forces. His daughter has been transfered from her private school to this one and in your class. Please welcome her warmly."
He turned to the door and nodded. The teacher came in followed by a teenage girl. She had black hair with brown strands in the front. It was going a little under her shoulders. She also had deep dark eyes. Her hands joined on her skirt, holding her bag, she bowed with a smile.
"Hello everyone. My name's Karawe, Rinoa. I hope I can know you all a little better and make friends with most of you."
Everyone smiled at her. The teacher steeped forward after thankling the principal. Sido left the classroom.
"You can sit in the front over there," the teacher said showing Rinoa a seat.
"Thank you."
The seat was in the complete front and just in front of Kohran and next to Sukoru. Zeru was on his other side. She sat down smiling at him. He didn't realize yet that he was staring at her. Awain was too, but it was more to tease Serufi.
"Awi, stop that," she whispered.
He smiled at her.
Rinoa turned and bent her head to Sukoru.
"Hi, what's your name?" she asked in a whisper.
"Rewaru, Sukoru," he whispered back a bit nervous.
"Nice to meet you."
Her warm smile melt Sukoru to the core. He couldn't keep his eyes off her. But when the teacher called everyone to pay attention, the magic disappeared.
When the bell called break time, everyone hurried outside since it was such a nice day. Raijin and Fuujin were already there waiting for Saifaa. Raijin was a tall dark skinned man with short black hair. He looked like the uniform was too small for him. Unlike Fuujin who was thin and small with short grey hair. She had white skin and apatch over an eye, result of an accident in her younger days. Her free one was red as an albino's. She looked fragile but don't judge her by her appearance. She could be tougher than Raijin.
Zeru elbowed Sukoru playfully once they were seated on the grass for lunch.
"Hey, what did you think of Rinoa?"
"Wh... What are you talking about?"
"Come on! Don't play that with us!" Awain teased along.
Fuujin looked around.
"Saifaa, where?" she asked.
Serufi shrugged.
"Probably with Kohran."
And that was exactly the case. The couple has found a dark and lonely place behind the school. Kohran had her back resting against the wall and Saifaa had a hand on the wall over her shoulder.
"I'm glad," Saifaa said. "This life is great!"
"So you remember?"
Saifaa closed his eyes and smiled. That smile he was showing only to her.
"No... Not completely. It's more like I know but I can't voice it."
"Me too."
She pushed herself off the wall and onto Saifaa's chest. He hugged her.
"But I wish I wouldn't know... When I try to remember, my head hurts and I feel like crying. I don't want to think about it, about what I did... whatever I did, I know it was bad..."
"Shh... I'm sure you did what was right. I'm sure you're much happier here and now."
He held her shoulders at arms length.
"What about your..."
"I don't wanna think about that... I'm not using any strength I have.... I know I have such a strength but that's all."
"That's fine with me."
He kissed her gently. Then they smiled at each other as Kohran's cheeks turned a bit red. Then they decided to join the others. Raijin was the first one to see them coming.
"There you are! We were wondering, ya know!"
Everyone was there: Sukoru, Kohran, Zeru, Kisutisu, Saifaa, Awain, Serufi, Raijin and Fuujin. Kohran turned to Zeru.
"Hey, Zeru what did you try to tell me this morning?"
"What? Oh, I just felt like asking why you..."
"Um, hi!" a voice suddenly interrupted.
Everyone looked up to the dark haired girl.
"Hi!" Serufi greeted cheerfully. "Your name's Rinoa, right?"
She nodded.
"Mind if I join in?"
Everyone accepted heartfully. She sat down beside Sukoru who stared at her again. While the others were talking, she turned to him.
"Is there something on my face?" she asked with a smile pointing her nose.
Sukoru blushed shamefully and looked away realizing he was staring... again.
"N...No, it's just that..."
He turned back to her.
"Have me met somewhere before?"
"Hmm, I don't think so," she answered thoughtfully. "At least not in this lifetime."
"Huh?"
"Oh, it's just that I believe in reincarnations. This déjà-vu may be from a past life."
"Maybe..."
Kohran was trying to get Zeru to talk again.
"Say now what youwanted to say before we're interrupted again..."
"Why do you insist so much? Huh... I don't remember anymore!"
The bell rang the return in class so everyone hurried back in. Before entering, Zeru caught Kohran.
"Oh yeah, I remember now! I wanted to ask you to use your powers and zap us here instead of running...."
She faced him her back.
"I didn't want to... I don't know why I have them but I don't want them, so I'm not using them..."
"Relax, now! I don't even understand why I felt like asking that! That's why I told you to forget it. It came in my mind but then it sounded so dumb!"
He went inside scratching the back of his head. Kohran traced him a moment, thoughful, then followed .
Somehow, everyone knew the truth about their past life they just didn't stop to think about it. They deeply knew they belonged with each other like Sukoru and Rinoa. Fate was generous with them, just like Haine (Hyne) used all her powers to give them that chance.
Back in class, Sukoru once again couldn't keep his eyes off Rinoa. He had to ask, he just had to.
"Hum, Rinoa?"
She turned to him with a warm smile.
"Yes?"
"Hum... Why were you transfered here?"
She smiled even more. Sukoru blushed not even knowing why.
"Are you asking if I was thrown out?"
"N...no!"
"I asked my father..."
Sukoru's red face came back to normal.
"I felt like I was called here. Something dragged me here."
Then she started laughing with a clear laugh from Sukoru's serious face.
"It's silly," she said.
"No, not at all!"
She smiled again.
"You're nice..."
The teacher came in and class began.
At the end of the day, Kohran told Sukoru she was leaving with Saifaa. Zeru had to go to the library (so he said but everyone knew he had a crush on the girl working there) Kisutisu wanted to go study and Awain left with Serufi since they were neighbours, leaving Sukoru alone with Rinoa.
She was walking by his side, her shcool bag held by her two hands on her thighs. Sukoru was holding his over his shoulder.
"That scar you have," she started, "how did you get it?"
They stopped in the school yard. Sukoru turned to her.
"Did you see Saifaa's?"
She nodded.
"We had a fight earlier this year and we hurt each other."
"Oh? I thought you were friends."
"We are. We were just training, improving our skills and... we just went a little too far."
They were near the school gate, facing each other. They were to leave on opposite ways to go home.
"Will I see you again?" Rinoa asked.
"Of course, we're in the same class!"
"That's not exactly what I meant..."
Sukoru looked at her curiously.
"In fact," she said lowering her head, "I'm not sure what I meant."
Sukoru turned to the street, looking to the sky.
"I'll be here."
Rinoa looked up to him.
"Huh? Why?"
"I'll be waiting... here," he said with a nod.
"For what?"
He turned to her and smiled.
"Tomorrow. If you come here, you'll find me..."
He lowered his head.
"I promise..."
Their lips met and locked together as they closed their eyes and let go of their school bags, not caring about the people staring at them and blushing from the street...
The End
Note: Finally the epilogue found it's place in my story!! I wrote it a while ago! Long before the story was even started! I just didn't want to forget it.
Thanks to all my faithful readers! What do you think of this ending? You didn't really think I was gonna leave everyone dead were you? Personnally, I think it's cool but maybe a little confusing... Like everyone knows of their past life but don't know in the same time. It's more like they don't realize it.
So?? Was it good?
Hey, I've been thinking of something after I came up with this ending... What about Ultimecia??? The world ended before she would even show up!!! And I got a killer idea about this! The story would occur in Tokyo again and everyone would end up regaining their memories... Want me to do it?? It won't be like a sequel, more like another chapter... Should I do it? Give me comments!!
Read my other fics! I've got more to come yet!!
Thanks for reading, I really appreciate!
Carole M.
Epilogue written march 28 2001
Fanfic finished February 1 2003 at 10:44 A.M.