* Disclaimer: Standard disclaimer applies.

In Search of the Lost Sapphire
Epilogue: The Portrait of an Angel

Washington D.C., June 2077

"Not very long after they got married, Kenshin and Kaoru established the Hope foundation. They both endured a harsh childhood; they didn't want the same thing to happen to other children. They would do all they could to help those children in need…" The old man stared at the big photo in front of him. "The first year of their marriage was not that easy for them. It actually makes sense. Most couples get to know each other before they get married; Kenshin and Kaoru got to know each other after they got married."

"It wasn't easy, but they didn't give up on each other. They had pledged their lives to each other, till death do they part; they weren't gonna break the vow they made. So they managed to overcome their differences and develop a strong relationship…"

Everybody was silent as the old man finished his story. Then Lisa Welch, one of the audience, asked, "That Shougo Amakusa… hasn't he been one of the chairmen of the Hope foundation? If I remember it correctly, he was the successor of Kenshin Himura himself."

The old man nodded. "You're right."

The people around him gasped. "But how is it possible…?"

"Nothing is impossible, my friend… as long as you have hope." The old man replied as a smile appeared at his lips. "He wasn't jailed, because Kaoru didn't file any charge against him. But they did send him to a mental institution at her request. She could have forgotten him just like that, but being an angel, she didn't do that…"

"She and her husband visited him often during his therapy at that institution. In fact, they were the reason Shougo ever got out of that institution sane… When he was finally declared mentally stable, he joined the Himuras in their effort to help children in need… Kenshin handed the chairmanship to him not long after that. It appeared to be a good decision. Shougo had more organizational skills compared to Kenshin. Under his leadership the foundation grew larger and larger…"

"Kenshin used his talents in photography to show the world that there are always children in need of help. It had always been his vision. That vision became the driving force of his mission to help children to live a better life. Kaoru stood by his side all the time. She was the source of his strength. She was the harbor from where he set sail and to where he always returned. She was the light that guided his steps in times of darkness. She was his guardian angel…"

The room stayed quiet even after the old man finished talking. After a while he heard Lisa murmuring to herself. "So they stayed in the background… They were truly selfless people, weren't they?"

"You can say that… You know, they never really cared of their own fame. All that mattered to them was the happiness of those children." His eyes tinged with sadness as he continued, "It went on like that. They never stopped caring, serving, hoping and loving until that plane crash 40 years ago. Gone too soon… But even though they're gone, the memories about them live forever. They live in the hearts of the people whose lives have been touched by their kindness and compassion…"

"Grandpa! Grandpa!" A little girl ran to the old man and hugged his leg. She lifted up her head and grinned. "There you are, Grandpa! I've been looking for you…"

The old man smiled warmly and ruffled her curly brown hair. "Is that so, my dear?" Then he cast his audience an apologetic smile. "If you would excuse me, ladies and gentlemen. This little lady needs my service…" And so the little girl and her grandfather went off.

"I can't help but wonder how a single photo could tell such a story…" A tall man in his late 40s kept looking at the photo. His wife, Linda Brown, who was standing beside him, rubbed her eyes. "It was a very touching story… This Kaoru was really a kindhearted woman. So forgiving, so full of hope. Looking at this photo is as if you were looking at the portrait of an angel…"

"I wonder who that old man was. He seemed to know every detail of their story…"

Another woman, who happened to pass by the group, heard this question. "You don't know who that old man is?" The brunette shook her head in disbelief as she watched the retreating figure of the old man with his granddaughter. "His name is Kenji Himura. He was once the chairman of the Hope foundation. He is the son of Kenshin Himura, that famous photographer…"

This revelation shocked the group. "He is Kenshin Himura's son??? Then she…"

The brunette asked. "What's the matter?"

They looked at each other for a while. Then Bryan Welch replied, "No, nothing… We were just having conversation with him. A nice old man, isn't he?"

The other three nodded. "Yeah, you can say that…"

***

Gone too soon indeed… But Father, Mother… you will forever live in my heart, until the day I take my last breath…

"Gramps! Why do you look so gloomy?"

Himura Kenji smiled at his granddaughter and patted her head. "Do I? Well, naite kurasu mo issho, waratte kurasu mo issho…, so why don't we all smile, right sweetie?"

"Huh?" The little girl scratched her head, and then frowned. "Grandpa! How many times have I told you that I don't speak Japanese?! By the way, you promised to teach me…"

"I will, my dear. I will… Anyway, how about an ice cream to make up for my gloominess?"

Her little face lit up immediately as she forgot her annoyance. "Yay!!!"

"Then as you eat your ice creams, I will tell you a story…"

"Great, Gramps! You're the best Grandpa I've ever known! What kind of story is it this time?"

"It all begins with an evening in the winter time…"

- End of Epilogue: The Portrait of an Angel -

Author's Note:

* Well, what do you think of the epilogue? It's short, but is it a lousy ending, a nice ending or whatever else? Tell me by clicking that famous button… *hint* ;-)

* In the last chapter I failed to mention that Shougo didn't treat Kaoru badly all the time. He only did that when he got drunk. And no, he didn't do anything worse than beating her.

* A few of you thought the old man was Kenshin. Well, nowadays people hardly reach until their 100th, do they? ;-) The exhibition was held to commemorate his 100th birthday, but it doesn't have to mean that Kenshin himself still lives, does it?

* I'd like to thank Jaded Sky for beta-reading this chapter! Thank you so much for your help…

* Another special thanks goes to NightRain! I really appreciate it…

* There are risks in naming people, for you might insult the ones you forget. Nevertheless, I'd like to try by thanking the following people:

marstanuki, Aizel, triana, Yukimi, Aryana, Moonwind, Fuuko-san, omochi, Iris, SVZ, Gypsy-chan, Jason M. Lee, Funky~cHiCkEn, rogue solus, bek, Shunu No Miko, Kriska, SwtrkGurlz, nemo, hosi-ni-onegai, ZsubasA, midnighteyes413, Inuki, flaming-amber, Nimbus Rey, Serena, Shojin Takaru, Shizuka, Susan, takezo, lily, Kamimura Kaoru, konton, Blue Moon, supernaturalove, Chri, H.E.R, Isis, Lunar Star, Vesca, april, Joey, someone, Silverstar, Genesis, LittleDragon5, Scarlet Maple, Tanuki (jo-chan, Sweet One, Rei2, Koneko-dono, valerie, Shin-chan, poochy, hotohori, raphie, dfourthhorseman, lieveit1, SAGE, Raziel the Reaver, chibi-angel, Kawaii Ayame, Onna, genocide ex-sync*in, Battousai angel, Fey2Kim

Thank you so much for your reviews and support and for sticking with this lazy writer till the end… Words can't tell how I am grateful to you guys.

* I'm gonna miss this fic. ;_; This is my first completed fic after all. But to all good things must come an end. Well, once again thank you for everything and until the next time I post a new story!