Yeah... last chapter!

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Chapter 23: Akane Explains All

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Riku gave Daisuke a disbelieving look, as if she didn't really think that he would be there. The redhead shook his head in embarrassment until Dark called to him.

Are you going to do something or are you gonna stare at each other forever?! he demanded.

"Ah! "

Blushing, the redhead made his way to his girlfriend, who now inclined her head.

"Niwa-kun... why are you here?" she finally asked.

"Riku-san," he started when he finally stood next to her, "It's about you... leaving tonight... I didn't want you to leave without saying goodbye to you first..."

"Does that mean you're feeling better now?" before he could respond, Riku had placed a hand on his forehead.

"Uh... yeah, I'm fine," Daisuke blushed again at the close contact but didn't pull away. Riku smiled gently, blushing as well, before removing her hand and turning to take a look at the river below the bridge they were standing on.

"I'm glad... Niwa-kun... that you're okay now..." she whispered softly, "And I'm really sorry about doing this to you... we never really had a chance to get to know each other better..."

"It's okay, Riku-san, really," the redhead said in reassuring voice, "We'll have lots of time to get to know each other better, so don't worry."

Riku smiled at this briefly, "Thanks..."

They fell silent as they leaned over the bridge edge, as the water trickled slowly down the river. The moonlight hit the water below them, throwing light shadows off the water, and Daisuke, remembering, pulled out something from his pocket.

"Uhm, Riku-san," he started slowly and she turned to face him, "Well... I thought... well..."

He blushed as he held out the small box to her. Riku blinked at him, confused, but then smiled as she accepted it.

"Thanks Niwa-kun."

She opened it and the redhead took a look at what his mother had gotten for her.

Knowing Emiko, you never know what she could give, Dark pointed out.

Dark, PLEASE! replied Daisuke in desperation, This is my last chance with Riku-san alone before she leaves! Could you at least pretend that you don't exist?

... Fine, but you owe me now.

"Niwa-kun..."

"Wha-?" the redhead turned to face her, but was almost knocked over when she threw her arms around him, "R-Riku-san?"

"Thank you so much! I'll always keep it with me!" she cried out. Confused now, Daisuke turned his head slightly so that he could see what his mother had given him to give to her. Upon first glance, he thought it was just a ribbon, but her hand seemed to be holding something and he shrugged. They stayed in that position for a few more seconds, before Riku pulled back, smiling again.

"Riku-san..."

"Yes?"

The redhead swallowed, "Well... you see..."

---

From above, Satoshi watched as the redhead talked to the older Harada twin. Not knowing exactly why he cared, the blue haired boy just continued to watch the two as they spoke. The air around them all was still and he pulled his glasses off in boredom and gave them a long look before putting them back on.

As he heard the sound of approaching footsteps, he turned his head slightly, eyes narrowing.

"I didn't think that you'd be coming back so soon," he stated in his usual tone.

Akane inclined her head, her hair once more in a plait and she gave him a slightly blank look of innocence.

"I guess that means that you don't want my company," she decided, but didn't go away. Rather, she went over and stood next to him and took a look down at Daisuke and Riku, "It looks like he came in time."

"Why are you here?"

At this, she frowned at him, but he didn't even glance at her. With a sigh, she flicked her fringe back in annoyance, "I thought you might want to know about how I got involved with all this, how I knew Celes, how I'm connected to 'Scarlet'--"

"Are you going to tell us?" cut in Satoshi.

"Why else would I be here?" she replied softly, "It's obvious that no one wants me around anyway, so what was the point of coming here in the first place? Celes made me."

"The priestess?"

"Yes."

Akane sighed again and began to speak; "When I was born, well... there were many problems concerning what blood I held in me, and who I really was... and what people would think of me.

Like I told you before, 'Blood is blood and no more than is the power spread'. Obvious there are many meanings behind it, but it was more focused on who we all are, in reality, and who we try to be in this world."

"How about you and Scarlet?" the blue haired boy frowned.

"Didn't you work it out yet?" Akane smirked, "'Scarlet' was just me in another way. Unlike you or Niwa-kun, 'Scarlet' was merely a nickname that I was given when I was young. It sounds stupid, I know, but you probably thought differently, didn't you?"

Satoshi didn't answer, as he took a closer look at her. A lamppost emitted a dim light over them as she fell silent again, still smirking coldly.

"... Once you began to suspect me, didn't you notice the small differences between the two of us?" she inclined her head and faced him, "But also the many similarities. I also changed my speech pattern for my other 'half'. Why? Because I didn't know how you would react if you'd known the truth."

"So you ran away from it," he concluded.

"You could say that," Akane agreed, "But I didn't know what else to think. Remember that I'm actually a few thousand years old. The only reason that I don't look any older than fourteen is because...

That prison you saw when we were in the Flame's chambers; I was once entrapped in one of them. It kind of freezes us in that time space but we can still watch the world around us, not that the void holds any sort of interesting entertainment. I was always alone there..."

"How about the Flame now?" Satoshi cut in.

"It's fine now. Since the Thirteen Elements are back together again, the balance is back to normal. Because they were separated, the Flame began to lose power, and that's what forced it to do such things.

The Time Keepers are a really old sort of cult, when you think about it, but it was really rare, since it included both the blood of the Niwa and Hikari family, who had grown to hate each other. It was possible, of course, but incredibly rare and that was why they were forced to live in the void – if they were to die before someone took their place, then the Flame would also die, as well as the fact that the child would be loathed by both families.

Magic was the key to all of this, and... when I was born, I don't know what they saw in me, but both my parents allowed me to live in the 'Human world' for a few years before I worked out what I was destined to do.

Celes was my caretaker, as you might have thought and she watched me over me from my birth. I didn't even know what my parents actually looked liked. She taught me about the two families, though, and about the magic within them and the items they created. But never, in my fourteen years, did she tell me the truth.

I think she believed that I would just accept it, but when she told me... I didn't want to believe it. And since I didn't want to, she sealed me, with the Flame's help, in that prison, forcing me to wait all this time."

Akane grimaced as she trailed off, lost in thought, "I've been watching the two families since then, and I think both you and Niwa-kun can change the destiny of both Dark and Krad."

"... And what of the Thirteen Elements?" questioned Satoshi, after a moment of taking in everything she had just said, "How were they scattered in the first place and what happens to them now?"

"I don't know how they were scattered exactly," she admitted, "But it's been too long. I don't even know how many sacrifices there were, but it was enough to have both the Flame and Celes believe that it was the only way to go."

At this, she pulled out the necklace, showing him the small shards of crystal that hung from it, "Because they're together again, there really isn't much to worry about now. As long as I keep it with me..."

"So what are you going to do now?"

"I would be going back... if it hadn't been for all of you. I thank you," Akane smiled, "We changed the fate that might have fallen on us, so I'll just live my life here."

Satoshi remained expressionless and turned away, "... How did Celes know about all this?"

"... I don't know. She hold more secrets than I do..."

"Whatever."

"Well, at least you got your explanation," she frowned as he began to walk off, "Can't you at least say 'thanks' or something? A little courtesy doesn't hurt."

"You didn't have to hide the truth," he said shortly, "Niwa would have agreed to help you anyway."

"And you?"

"If that was the only way to save the world, yes."

"... Hiwatari-kun..."

Without turning back, Satoshi left her on her own.

:Why do people always try to make their lives more complicated then they already are?: he asked himself, :Why do they keep punishing themselves even after what is done?:

Akane sighed, "Well... he took it in pretty well..." 'He probably hates me or something...'

She leaned over the rail and watched Daisuke and Riku, who were now silently holding hands as they watched the river. She smiled, 'Oh well, as long as everyone's happy now.'

---

"... Niwa-kun..." started Riku.

Daisuke turned to face her, smiling as she tried to untangle the words in her. Finally, she gave him a steady look and blurted out, "About you and Akane-chan. How come I always see you two together talking? Are you two..."

He frowned, confused yet again, "What are you talking about?"

"I... Are you two going out or something? You seem to go so well... even after less than a few days and you're already friends with her... I just thought..."

"I know what you mean," he squeezed her hand gently for reassurance, "But, no, Takada-san and I aren't doing anything... You're the only one for me, Riku-san."

"Niwa-kun..." catching sight of the time, she jumped back, "Oh no! I really have to go now!"

She hugged him tightly, "I'll call as soon as I get there!"

He returned the gesture before letting her go. But before she did, she kissed him lightly and smiled before running off. Without hesitation, Dark took over.

Well, I guess you got your message across in the end, he told the redhead.

What's that supposed to mean? asked Daisuke indignantly.

"Nothing," laughing, Dark began to walk off, "Well, better find Risa before she thinks I've forgotten her."

... You sound like a pervert.

"Dark-san!" called Risa's voice.

"Risa!"

---

"So they're really going then?" Akane asked herself out loud as she watched Riku run off, "And what made her think Niwa-kun and I...? At least he managed to deal with it."

A harsh breeze swept over them, and whipped across the sky, as dark clouds began to form once more. She watched them passively, one hand still clutching the necklace.

"Celes holds many secrets..." she repeated.

"Akane."

"... That was quick," she turned to face the purple haired thief, who was standing in front of her, "I thought Risa-chan would've asked for more time."

"We were already outta time," he informed her, "But she was happy enough just to see me... Daisuke wants to talk to you."

"Sure."

Once the redhead found himself in control again, he immediately turned to her for answers, "Takada-san, after all this time, you... and Scarlet... and Celes-san..."

She smiled, "Naturally. Your parents probably worked it out as well. Why don't we go to your house first? Since I don't want to explain myself anymore than two times... Hiwatari-kun already knows everything, except for one minor thing..."

"What?" Daisuke blinked as they began to make their way off towards the Niwa residence.

"... I'm like your great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great Aunt!"

"WHAT?!"

Akane's laughter - mixed with Dark's own cackling - spread across the night sky, dispelling the dark clouds while the moon shone brightly as time continued to flow on its own accord.

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Yeah, well... okay, she's taken the spotlight, Akane. Hm... anyway, I don't think I covered all of the topics, so if you can pick them out for me, I'd be most grateful! And, well... let's just move to the epilogue and I'll blab more then!

And about the whole "great great great... aunt" thing... I don't even know if that's the right term. (shrugs) If you know how to explain the family connection, I'd be even more grateful! Either way, that was just something unexpected I wanted to throw in.

Now the epilogue!