Standard Disclaimers Apply
Author's Notes: This is the last chapter, and everything is finally done! No more sequels or such. This is complete. After a year, it's over and I'm saying goodbye to this fic. It's time to concentrate on my other fic without thinking about this one.
Reviewers:
JML, ewunia, omochi, koishii sweet, aglaia102—thank you.
--====--
Epilogue: Final Happiness
--====--
Five years later…
"Hey!" Rei tumbled to the dirt, sputtering and coughing as he lay there, glaring up at the red-haired boy looking down at him with a mixed color of blue and violet eyes. "You'll pay dearly for that, Himura Kenji!!!" He roared as his nephew shrieked happily.
Kenshin watched his child run fast away from Rei, his hands tucked into the sleeves of his gi, smiling to himself at Kenji's potential to become a swordsman. His son was running too fast for such short legs and had the sharp wit of a fighter. Honed by training and shaped by beliefs, he knew that Kenji would be better than him someday.
Hoshi pushed open the dojo gate, followed by Kaoru, both holding unto brown paper bags after doing grocery shopping that day. Tendrils of hair fell from Hoshi's once immaculate bun, while Kaoru looked weary and tired out from the heat of the sun and from the crowds in the market.
Kenji appeared before the two and laughed happily when he saw his favorite aunt standing beside his mother. He knew that her Aunt Hoshi always had little presents for him whenever she came and he met them both with a hug.
"Well, well, my little nephew surely knows what he wants, doesn't he?" Hoshi exclaimed, giggling and pulling out a small bag filled with sweets for him. "Now, don't you go eating all of that before lunch, or I'll be scolded by your okaa-san, ne?" She reminded him.
"Hai, Hoshi-obaasama!" Kenji replied, bobbing his head, his small ponytail touching his back. He ran past Rei, who tried to brush the dirt and grime off his gray gi and black hakama. Kaoru saw his disheveled look and covered her mouth to hide her smile. Hoshi wasn't that kind and lifted one eyebrow at her cousin's dirty clothes.
"Care to tell me why you're so filthy?" Hoshi asked. "Tsuki and I have been in the market with all the people and dust there—not to mention the heat of the day—and the kimonos are still clean. While you have been here with Himura-san and Kenji and you look wearier than both of us."
Rei scowled darkly. "Play with the kid and let's see who's talking."
Kenji returned with his father in tow, pulling Kenshin with small child hands. Kenshin saw the two women and smiled sheepishly while scratching the back of his head. "Okaeri nasai." He greeted, moving to help the women with their groceries.
"Tadaima, Kenshin," Kaoru returned the greeting to her husband, placing two bags unto his arms.
He nodded and offered help to Hoshi. She declined with a huff, carrying one brown paper bag to the kitchen. "I'm not helpless, Himura-san, thank you very much! I can carry this one on my own."
Kaoru patted him on the shoulder, noticing his surprised look. "There, there. Hoshi can't help it. Would you like me to help you?" She asked, smiling at him prettily.
"No…" Kenshin hesitated on his answer for a while. He flashed her a smile. "Do you want a warm bath ready before lunch? I can fix it up for you."
Kaoru hugged him. "Oh, thank you! I appreciate it!!!" She squealed and skipped to their room to get her things ready. Rei frowned and took a paper bag from Kenshin without listening to his protest and went directly to the kitchen.
-*-
Lunch was a bit uneventful, since Yahiko was out for work in the Akabeko, Megumi was back in Aizu and Sano currently traveling the world. After they ate, they sat out on the porch, with Kenji on Kaoru's lap and looking curiously on his familiar surroundings like the three-year-old he is. Kenshin was still washing the dishes while Rei decided to walk out for a while. Hoshi was using the bath. Kaoru knew she deserved a good soaking.
A few hours later, Kenji played with Kenshin and Hoshi, who was in another colorful kimono. Kaoru sat on the porch and watched the three play, laughing slightly whenever Kenji tried to look for his father in hide-and-seek. Being the sharp boy he was, he would eventually see Kenshin hiding somewhere in the yard where untrained eyes can't see.
Rei came back from his short walk and saw this playful event. He sat beside Kaoru and folded his hands inside his sleeves.
"You've come a long way, Kaoru-chan, to attain this picture," Rei said, looking as Kenji eventually found Kenshin hiding in the shadows while Hoshi praised Kenji's eyesight. "The family you know coming together in peaceful terms, even though both was of different races…" He smiled. "Your life has come into full circle."
Kaoru looked at her husband, her son and her cousin. "I still couldn't imagine that this day has come. Everyone is at peace. There's nothing in Kenshin's dark past coming to haunt as, too. It's like everything stopped. It seems too perfect to be true." She said. "Still, I can't help but wonder, would this silence end? Would enemies coming into our home threaten our lives again? I'm frightened, but I know we can make it. We have each other."
Rei said nothing, but smiled even wider. His dear cousin knew what life was like, being the independent woman she was; he knew she would never change. The naivety of her younger years was almost gone now, but there was still in her eyes. He knew that Himura knew himself that his precious wife was still—in some way—innocent. He also knew that the swordsman would protect harshly that innocence in any way.
Both of them watched as Kenshin and Hoshi played with Kenji. Hoshi had dirt smudged on her cheeks and colored her kimono while Kenshin looked dirtier than Hoshi was. Kenshin was protective of his child, as he was with his wife, and he would hurt anybody who tried to hurt his family. Rei knew of that protective instinct, since he had a wife of his own now, and a baby girl to deal with. Hoshi changed ever since she had a husband and a daughter. She had become more patient, more mature and more understanding than ever.
Kaoru sighed in contentment at seeing everyone so at peace. Yahiko would surely be marrying Tsubame when they grew up; he was seen rarely out of Tsubame's side. Rei and Hoshi would continue to live forever unless they were killed. Kaoru wouldn't become immortal—she was only half-vampire, but she was blessed with eternal youth. Kenshin would surely grow old and die like any normal people; even so, Kaoru wouldn't love him any less.
"Okaa-san, come play with me!" Kenji chimed, opening his small hands to her. Kaoru blinked. Kenshin smiled over Kenji's back, supporting their son's invitation to play. Hoshi smirked and tossed over some loose hair, her green eyes glittering in amusement. Rei shoved her lightly to stand, encouraging her to go.
Seeing that she had no choice, she stood up with a bright smile. "Okay, let's go for it then!" Kaoru exclaimed cheerfully, pushing up her sleeves with a determined smile.
-*-
Rei, Hoshi and Kaoru sat side by side on the front porch, watching as the sun set. Their daytime play finally took a toll on the energetic Kenji and slept in the afternoon. Kenshin had done laundry and some light planting in the garden before he went to the bathhouse and soaked himself. The three were left sitting on the porch even after Kenshin had finished his bath and was currently doing dinner.
"The sunset looks like blood," Hoshi said in a lighthearted manner, fanning herself. "It's too red."
"Actually, I was thinking of orange. I don't like red much," Rei commented.
Kaoru blushed. "I…I was thinking of Kenshin's hair…you know, its red, gold and orange at the same time."
Rei and Hoshi stared at her.
"Ooh, you're so fallen," Hoshi teased lightly, the smile playing on her lips. "Ah, love. It does things."
Rei snickered. "Look who's talking? It certainly did something for you, didn't it, Hoshi?"
"Say that again and I'll smack you into pieces, Rei," Hoshi threatened.
"Go right ahead. I'm trembling."
Kaoru giggled, seeing her two cousins exchange words like she and Yahiko had always done every morning. It was a refreshing change.
In the shadows, emerging quietly was a vampire warrior bowing respectfully over the three. Rei and Hoshi stopped their bickering and looked at him, while Kaoru bowed her head in politeness. She was used to having one appearing suddenly; sometimes, Honou-ojiisama or Yume-obaasama sent for them to return.
"Okaasan wants me, doesn't she?" Rei asked.
The warrior was still kneeling. "Actually, both of you, Chosen Ones." He answered. He looked up and looked at Kaoru. "Good evening to you, Tsuki-sama."
Kenshin walked out, wondering who was the unknown ki, but knowing that Hoshi and Rei were here, it was probably one of their warriors. Still, he held a hand on the sheath of his sword. When he spotted the vampire, he greeted him a good evening, which the warrior returned kindly.
Rei stretched. "Sorry Himura, we have to go. Okaasan is calling us back." He said, standing and waited for Hoshi. "Kenji still asleep?"
"Yes," Kaoru answered. "He's tired from playing today. I'll tell him both of you said goodbye."
Hoshi sighed when she saw another warrior appearing. "Hmm…it seems like we're needed," She pointed out, tugging Rei's gi. "It's important if there's two escorts. Let's go!"
Rei tugged his sleeve back. "Okay, okay, sheesh. Is it night of the vampires tonight or what?" He asked when another warrior appeared.
"I'm sorry, Rei-sama. It's just that Honou-sama is worried over Hoshi-sama in her condition right now," One of the warriors apologized.
Kaoru glanced at Hoshi. "Condition?" She asked, puzzled. Kenshin just nodded in understanding.
Hoshi rolled her eyes. "Guess."
Blue eyes widened. "You're…!" Kaoru shrieked. "I can't believe I'm going to have another nephew or niece!" She said excitedly, hugging Kenshin tightly in excitement, jumping up and down. "I'm so happy for you, Hoshi!"
"Kaoru, you're strangling me!" Kenshin choked out. Kaoru immediately let him go.
"She's fast, isn't she?" Rei winked at Kaoru. Hoshi whacked him on the head. "Ah, well. We really need to go. I have to take care of little Mizu while Kagami is out to feed. Honou-ojiisama really is worried for Hoshi."
Kaoru nodded. "I understand. Take care." She called out as the warriors left with Hoshi and Rei. She turned to Kenshin and gave him a smile. "You'll be an uncle to another little one soon." She smiled, hoping that Hoshi bore a son. It would be a nice change to have a nephew, for once.
"I'm growing old," Kenshin muttered wearily, shaking his head. "Next thing I know, Kenji's all grown up and marrying, having children of his own. I'd be a grandparent, if that's the case."
Her eyes twinkled. "You're not old," Kaoru murmured teasingly. "You're just right for me." She leaned her head on Kenshin's shoulder and played lightly with his collar gi. "You know, we could have another child for Kenji to play with," She mused, giggling when she saw Kenshin's amusement.
"You little minx," He whispered, kissing her forehead then her lips. "Seductive temptress."
"I'll take that as a yes." Kaoru said, walking to their room and pulling a semi-protesting Kenshin behind her.
-*-
Yume stopped her reading and looked at her older brother, who was looking out the window and staring up the full moon. She sighed, gaining his attention, and placed her book loudly on the table.
"What are you thinking about now?" Yume asked, cocking her head to one side. "You ponder too much about things. I don't think you do take a break." She told him, looking at him with one raised eyebrow.
Honou chuckled, placing a pale hand on the sill. "Tsuki wa kirei na…" He commented, still not averting his eyes from the moon. "Every time I look at the moon, I always remember our Tsuki." He said.
"She has grown up now, a lot different from when she was younger. She has Hikaru-oneesama's features and beauty. She had the same determination and spirit. I wonder if she would be like Hikaru-oneesama when she grows more older." Yume thought aloud. "She's happy now, isn't she, with that mortal she married?"
Honou placed his hands inside his sleeve, smiling. "Yes, she's happy now. She's happier than she's ever been her entire life." He answered. "I don't know what the future brings, but she'll make it. She strong, and so is her mate. She would be just fine."
Picking up her book, Yume gave a small smile. "I know," She replied simply, going quiet once again as she read.
Honou gave one last look at the bright moon and allowed himself to remember Hikaru's face. She was smiling and nodding in his mind. With a large smile of his own, he pulled the window curtains closed.
~Owari
Thanks to this people:
JML, omochi, ewunia, Kamimura Kaoru, SakuraCherryBlossom, willow, onna, dfourthhorseman, Silvertenshi, chibi-angel, Leigh, Shin-chan, Rebecca, Tsuki-sama, Hitokiri's woman, konton, Alana, innocence8, Danielle, Hotaru Yukishiro Tomoe Kamiya, Allyana, shunu no miko1, dralion lily, fey2kim, lei, Relena Maxwell, Michy, soul, Angel. Midori Natari Himura, Sabrina-star, marstanuki, kraci, koishii sweet, aglaia102.