AN: This is the first in the epilogs.  The ACTUAL story is over.  This is just the 'what happens to the characters' bit.  Some characters get an epilog, some don't.  Some are going to be really long and some aren't.  This one is actually really short.  Kinda cute.  Some are not going to be cute at all.  Kouga's ending chapter is going to be particularly bad.  Just a warning.

Chapter 33: Alone together

"That's the last one."  Ban sighed as he tossed the shovel out of the way.  I walked over with one of the grave markers I had managed to make with some bits of wood.  I grabbed my sword and used its hilt to secure the wood into the wet ground.  I took a step back, put away my sword and sighed in frustration.

"It's not very nice… is it?"  I asked Ban.  "Should I carve their names into the wood?"

"No.  Neither of us can write decently, remember?  Ren was the only one who could even manage a simple letter.  Besides, even if we could write, what would we use to carve their names with?"

"I suppose you're right."  I sighed, absently noticing that the rain was beginning to let up.

"Of course I am.  That's why I'm the leader."

"I know."  I grinned half-heartedly, before brushing away one of my tears.  I tried to pretend that it was drop of rain, but I knew Ban wouldn't be fooled.

"Hey, it's going to be okay."  Ban assured me, as he wrapped an arm around my shoulders and moved to stand behind me.  "We didn't cry the first time they died."

"But we were next in line, Ban.  We didn't have time to be sad!"

"Perhaps.  You know, things have really changed."

"Yes.  What do you expect after five hundred years?"

"No.  That's not what I mean.  I mean… here we are.  Alone.  Just us.  We were never alone before.  We even died as a group!"

"But somethings are the same.  I still love you.  I'm still here for you."

"We're still wanted by the authorities."  Ban smirked.

"True.  Do you think Naraku will come looking for us?"

"Maybe; he might.  Of course… he could be dead."

"Do you think that's likely?"

"Could be.  Didn't you feel Tetsusaiga?"

"Tetsusaiga.  Did you ever see what that… what was it called?"

"A gun."

"Right.  Did you ever see what that gun could do?"

"No.  I never got to see what any gun could do."

"Neither did I, damn it.  I had too much trouble avoiding those metal horses.  You know the really fast ones.  What are they called?"

"I don't remember."

"Oh well.  It'll come to me."  I shrugged, before adding.  "Do you know what I would love to do?"

"Me?"

"Maybe later."  I laughed.  "I'd love to make it in this world.  I want to learn about guns and re-frig-er-a-tors and metal horse and history and more English and how to write and…"

"Whoa!  That's a lot of stuff to learn."

"We've got time.  We've got all the time in the world!"

"We do don't we.  You know… we'll never die."

"I know.  We'll never grow old either."  I smiled at him, as I turned around so I could look him in the eye.

"That's good.  I like you… just… the… way… you… are."  Ban told me, punctuating each world with a kiss.

"Ditto."  I smiled, kissing him back.

"Ditto?"

"You like it?  It means 'the same to you'.  I overheard a kid saying it.  Aren't I a good learner?"

"The best."

"CARS!"

"What?"

"That's what the metal horses are called.  They're called cars!"

"You're strange, Ja."

"I know.  But that's why you love me."  I smirked.

"Always."

"Good.  Now come on!"  I laughed, running off.  "We're going to need a place to stay tonight!  I don't want to sleep on the wet dirt and in the rain."