Death and the Swordsman

Chapter 12

By: Leelei

Author's Note: I thought the last chapter was a little off (I guess that's what happens when you get a little blocked halfway through it), but I'm definitely more assured of this one. Oh wow….you guys have been making predictions about the ending to this story for a while….

…and all I can do is bite my tongue! ; ) I think you'll like it. Or at least, I'm hoping you will! Until then, here's the next step getting there.

Archived at: Ransomed Heart's Fan Fiction Page

"Man, I really didn't have a life outside of school…" muttered Ulrich as he and Death stood just outside the grounds of a school for yet another time. He looked up at the entrance gate and noticed that he was back at Kadic again. The two saw a small group of students walking along the sidewalk and picked up on their conversation as the young pre-teens waited for the busy street to clear before crossing the road.

"Are you going to that city championship soccer game between the schools this weekend?" one girl asked.

"Maybe," a boy shrugged. "But Lincoln West is gonna win, like always. I usually just don't bother going."

"Hey, doesn't Kadic have a chance this year?" another girl asked.

"Pfft," the boy gave her a disgusted look. "Are you kidding? Kadic's soccer team sucks. They didn't even make it past the season."

"Hey!" Ulrich exclaimed angrily, balling his fists as he glared at the boy.

"At least they have a soccer team this year," the first girl spoke up again.

"What do you mean?" asked the second.

"I guess, like five years ago, Kadic had a really good soccer team, and they even beat Lincoln during that regular season, but one of their players was killed in a car accident," the first girl explained. "After that, they either can't get a team, or the players they do find aren't that good. It's kind of sad," the girl added. "The kid who died was their best player."

The street finally cleared. "Hey, let's get going," the boy announced and the small group crossed the street, leaving Ulrich's and Death's hearing distance.

Ulrich watched as they left. "They were talking about me, weren't they?"

The ghost nodded. "Yes. And everything they said about your team was true."

"What happened?" Ulrich asked, turning to the apparition. "My death should have helped them…I was doing horrible. But I bet Theo was finally able to play; he couldn't wait for an opening on the team so he could get into the games."

"Theo refused to join the team after your death," the apparition replied bluntly.

"What?"

"In fact, many of the players quit during that season," continued Death. "They all thought it was too awkward to play without you."

"What do you mean? They all wanted to win…"

"But they couldn't without you." Death stared at Ulrich. "They tried to play the game with you missing that following weekend, one of the players from the bench filling in your spot, but the team felt empty because of your permanent absence. They lost, of course, but then after loosing again and again, the members started to quit, complaining that it felt wrong to play after what happened to you. Finally, the entire team went to the principal and announced that they were over for the season, only a few of the players picking up the sport again later in high school."

"But what about the teams after that?" Ulrich asked. "Jim loved coaching soccer, he wouldn't have let the team at Kadic just die like that."

"He tried his best, but even he thought it was hopeless without you." Death replied. "He had lost a lot of his stubbornness and persistence after he wasn't able to chase you and your friends around looking for 'secrets.' His change influenced his willingness to keep the team together, and he barely held practices even when there were enough students interested."

"And what about the other players on my team?" asked Ulrich. "I thought soccer was my entire life, but they were even more into it than I was. You mean to tell me that they all just quit?"

"Yes." Death replied simply. "And it's a shame…three of those players would have received scholarships to follow your friends into the local boarding high school. Without them, their parents couldn't afford the expensive schooling, and the students had to return home to public schools and local colleges. Now, there are two less neurosurgeons in this world, and one less candidate for the presidency of France."

"What?" Ulrich asked, the statement surprising him unexpectedly. "Who would've ran for president?"

Death seemed to have missed his question. "We have to move on. I need to show you another image, and we are running out of time." The apparition waved her arm again and they stood on another sidewalk, just outside a small Parisian apartment.

Ulrich looked around them and noticed that they were on the other side of the city, closer to his gravesite. "Death, where are we now?" he asked.

"Look up and you will see," the spirit responded, already gazing up at the second story window.

Ulrich looked up and gasped at what he saw. A thin, older woman walked out onto the small balcony overlooking the side street outside the old building. She carried a small flowerpot, setting it inside the plant box attached to the twisted iron barrier surrounding the ledge. She sighed and pushed her graying, dark brown hair out of her forlorn eyes as she turned away, walking slowly back into her home.

"Death…" Ulrich tried to find the strength to speak through a quivering voice. "She….She…." Finally he cried out, "She's my mother!"

"Yes, Ulrich." Death confirmed his answer.

"But…but…" Ulrich continued to stutter. "But why is she here in Paris?"

"She lives here now," answered Death. "She has ever since your funeral."

"…What?"

"She just couldn't think of leaving you after your death," explained Death. "The reality of loosing a child was so harsh for her, and she felt that her life was meaningless without you."

"No way!" Ulrich snapped, emotions refueling his strength. "She and Dad sent me off to Kadic like it was no big deal! Don't tell me she was that affected."

"Ulrich, do you doubt your mother's love for you?" Death asked.

"Well…no," Ulrich thought again. "But she would've gotten over it by now. It's been, what? Five years now since I died."

"And five years of long, lonely days for her."

"What about my dad? Where is he?" Ulrich asked.

"Your father divorced your mother early on in the year following your death," the spirit said, noticing the shock appear on Ulrich's face. "He did move on, as you said your mother would, but wasn't as willing to put up with his wife's sulking and mourning, as you saw Odd was with Yumi. He returned to his then empty home after your funeral, your mother remaining in Paris after renting an apartment, never wanting to leave your grave."

"Why didn't they bury me at home?" Ulrich asked. "It probably would've been hard for my friends to go to the funeral, but that was where I was born and where my family is."

"Your father didn't want you to be buried with your ancestors," answered Death. "He wanted to move on."

"So he just left me behind in France with Mom?" Ulrich's voice rose, upset elevating with it.

"Yes." Death replied, sadness peeking through her tone.

After a long absence from them, tears began building in Ulrich's eyes. "I thought he cared about me… I never thought I was that big of a screw-up…In fact, I know I wasn't that big of a screw-up…"

The bell tolled again, seemingly louder in its second time. Ulrich looked to Death, who held a downcast look. "We only have time for one more image," she told him sullenly, his mood affecting her.

"Then please," Ulrich begged. "Let it be peaceful."

Death looked back to him. With a pause, she seemed to be searching for the right words. "I promise you will find some comfort in it."

With a small smile on his face, Ulrich watched as she waved her arm one last time.

Like I said, very proud of this one. Kind of made Ulrich's dad look like a scumbag, but hey- it happens. Next chapter is written, so it should be up shortly. After that, I think there's only two left. Until next time, au revoir! (and please drop a review on your way out! ;D)