Chapter 14: Epilogue

"We didn't do anything but stand there!" Riku protested. Shu was sitting inside the now-lit Yan's fortress, holding a saber. She wanted to knight the Shikon as ladies and lords of the court.

"You were fated, from the beginning, to do exactly as you did," Molly said, smiling happily in her human. "That was all. I tried to tell them, of course, but...you know how people are."

"The four of you placed Nekopolis back on its own track, allowed light to enter here again, and did it without picking up a single weapon," Shu said. "That is good enough for me. Should the three of you wish it, you may stay here and be members of my parliament. From now on, I am but a figurehead. I wasn't meant to rule."

"That's all right," Sora said. "Kairi, Goofy, Donald, and I are travelers. We want to go to other worlds. And, of course, find King Mickey. Riku, coming?"

"No, I'm good," Riku smiled. "You guys go on by yourself. That Gummi Ship will be full, anyway. I've got one of my own."

"Okay. See you!"

"Yeah. See you later."

Criss smiled, too. "What, are you all other-world-ed out, Riku?"

"No...I just want to get to know this world a little more. Help rebuild it."

Criss nodded. She had somehow found her black cloak again, though it was a little worse for the wear. Riku was once again in his trademark yellow clothes, thanks to YaYa. The young commander was also now a member of Nekopolitan parliament.

"You are free to stay with me. I've had a few changes done to my house since you stayed there last."

"I think I will. Thanks." The duo walked out of the fortress and down the streets to Criss' new home, a two-story home that had two bedrooms added in.

The underground dwellers of yesterday had found an abandoned plain north of the original city and were building there. Although the old city was still where most preferred to live, some had joined them, leaving room for building new homes. The new Nekopolis was still covered in cats, as the old had been. People used the ancient magic of the Ages more and more around the city, which was as of yet unnamed. The old name, before it had been Yan-Shu, had long ago been forgotten.

In the field where the "battle" had taken place, the giant cat, now its full size again, stood in ceremony and remembrance of what had been. The sun rose high in the sky, where it hadn't been for five long years. People basked in the warmth and light, letting their pale skin grow dark again.

"So, what'll you do?" Criss asked as they entered the house. "I mean, you're no farmer."

"I was thinking...of becoming an anthropologist," Riku said. "Studying and recording the cultures and customs of worlds. Starting with Nekopolis, of course."

"When you're through here, where will you head?"

"I don't know yet," he shrugged. "But...I was...I was..."

"What?"

"I was hoping, perhaps...maybe..." he sighed. "Do you remember what I said, when we were headed for the battle?"

"About how you and Yan were similar?" Criss asked. Crisply, she added: "Yeah."

"I didn't really mean that there was something about this place that made me forget my love," Riku traced a pattern on the floor beneath his feet. Red oak planks covered what had been merely dirt. "It was...that...well..."

Despite the tension, Criss turned to her new stove and started making some boiled eggs.

She smiled at how cute he sounded. "Just say it, Riku."

"I found something else I loved more. And I found out that even though I loved it more... there were other things I needed to have in my heart, too. My friends, my home... But I loved it most of all. It's just that I had room in my heart for other things, too."

"Riku, what are you trying to say? That you love cats?" She carefully dropped the eggs into the water.

He chuckled nervously. "Molly was right...you are naïve. I love cats, too, yes. But that's not what I love most of all. I love you, Criss."

She dropped the remaining five eggs in her hands on the floor. "Wh-What did you say?"

"I love you, Criss. And...I want you to come with me, to see all the other worlds out there. I know it sounds sudden, but—"

"Of course I'll go with you." She threw her arms around his broad shoulders. "I love you, too, Riku."

"FINALLY! I thought you two would never confess!" Molly burst out from Criss' closet, pulling a mop off of her head. "Now, when's the wedding and can I please be the ring bearer?"

And that, my friends, was the first wedding on Nekopolis that included a cat. But believe me, that was not the last. At fifteen, the two were also the youngest newlyweds in Nekopolis. That, as they say, is another story. We'll save that one for another day.

THE END!

The reason they didn't kiss is because Criss is a little afraid of being touched, and Riku respects that. Can we say AWWWWW....or bleh? Review? I can't believe I finished it!!!!