Well, first off, I wanna say thank you to all the reviewers. I hope that you all will continue this little story. I'm guessing that this is probably going to be the last time you see William, but that is okay. And the story isn't over yet. Please remember that I still have to figure out what to do with Akito. Right now I'm lost, but I'll figure it out eventually, 'kay? Now, on with the story telling!
I don't own any original characters that belong to Takaya Natsuki. Luna, Cole, Hikari, Dawn, and Kairi belong to Shiara Ramone. And Jade and William and any other subcharacters belong to me.
Chapter 10: Reunion
The many Japanese students walked around the streets of New York, trying to understand the English signs. Momiji looked around, hoping to see Jade somewhere, but he had no luck at all. "I'm sure I'll see her again soon," he said to himself, following Mr. Yotai into the hotel.
**********
Jade was on her way to the video store when she saw a Japanese class walk into a hotel. "I wonder what's going on?" she said, quietly following after them. She stopped at the door and looked in. The blond man inside looked familiar to her somehow, almost like… "MOMIJI!!!" she shouted, catching everyone's attention. She just stood there, watching as Momiji came over to her. "I thought I might find you here," he said happily. "Uh… why are you staring at me?"
"You've grown up," said the surprised teen. "And your voice has gotten deeper too. You're not the same Momiji I remember, but I've changed too." She smiled as she held up her little rabbit. "I still have this little guy, though."
"I hoped you would. Hey listen, how 'bout we meet up later, okay?"
"Alright." Jade held up a piece of paper. "Here's my address. We have a lot to catch up on."
"I agree," said Momiji, walking back inside.
Jade smiled happily as she began walking home, hoping to get there before anyone else did. To think that she actually got to see him today, before she went to Japan, was enough to make her forget about other things.
*********
William stared at his father, who stared right back at him. "After fifteen years of physical abuse, I've finally decided what to do about you."
"Are you going to kill me?" asked the older man, seeing the gun in his hand.
The boy's eyes softened, and a small smile spread across his face. "I was going to, but I decided against it. I…"
"You what?"
"I forgive you."
**********
That night, Dawn and Kairi were glad to finally meet the boy that had stolen their cousin's heart since before they met her. "You seem like a great guy," said Dawn. "No wonder she kept talking about you."
"Precisely," said Kairi. "I am convinced that you can bring her happiness, and that you aren't the kind of guy who would cheat. However, what about the curse? Doesn't it trouble you in a way?"
"I was going to ask about it once I'm back in Japan," said Momiji, blushing slightly. "So," he asked, changing the subject, "you're Hatori's daughter?"
Kairi nodded. She still didn't know much about him, though. She looked over at Jade, who was struggling to stay awake. Well no wonder, she thought, glancing at the clock. It's well past midnight now. "Hey, you should be getting back now."
"Oh yeah, you're right." Momiji stood up and stretched. His aching muscles had fallen asleep during the past few hours. "Um, would you mind dropping me off at the hotel?"
"Sure!" exclaimed Dawn, grabbing her keys, and shaking Jade awake. "Come on," she whispered. "You can walk with him up to the door."
"Oh okay," she yawned.
While sitting in the back of Dawn's lumina, Jade and Momiji quietly talked about how it was back when they were growing up together. They were silent when they remembered about… that day.
"He knows," Momiji said suddenly. "He was just fooling us all before."
"So then… Akito really is one to worry about."
"Not anymore," the young man said quickly.
"What… do you mean?"
"He's loosing his strength. Hatori's doing his best to keep him alive, but his depression seems to be quickening his decrease in health. We don't know how much longer he can hold on, but…"
After not hearing anything for a while, Jade asked, "But what?"
"He wants… to meet you."
Jade couldn't believe what she was hearing! Akito wanted to meet her?! Really?!
********
Akito sat in his room, once again watching his sakura tree slowly die. He barely heard the door behind him open, but knew that Hatori had come in. "How are you feeling?"
Akito sighed, not wanting to answer. He hated the usual question. "Tired… and bored." He was surprised to hear Hatori's soft chuckle. "What is it?"
"That's the first time you ever said that you were bored. You should try going outside more. It might help you."
"Hatori, I know that I am going to die." Akito looked at the ground. "You can't escape death."
Hatori stared at his old friend and relative. Akito's condition was getting worse, and he refused any more medication. This had concerned Hatori, and now he gathered up his courage to ask, "Are you planning to escape your pain by dying?"
This question received no answer, but a slight glance when Akito turned to him, trying to decipher what he meant. Finally he said, "I don't know."
********
Dawn parked in the only empty space, furthest away from the actual building. Jade got out with Momiji, and the two of them walked to the door. They said nothing as they walked, both feeling nervous for some odd reason.
Once they reached the door, they stopped. "Tomorrow's Sunday, right?" asked Momiji.
"Yes it is," said Jade. "Are you busy tomorrow?"
"Only a little. We have to take the entire class to some business building, I guess."
"It was… nice to see you again."
"You too."
They just stood there another few minutes, before their lips touched for the first time ever. And for both… it was a first kiss… with anyone.
(End)
Awww…. Isn't it a cute ending? Well, I'm tired now. It's almost 1 a.m.! I hope you like this chapter. Well, good night everyone!
Hikari Rioki
