Authors Note- This is it...The last chappy of Paper Flowers. And to think, this was originally going to be a one shot. I'm working on 'Arms of Grace' again...I got an idea, and it wont get out of the head...I also started a new one called, 'The Bar at the End of the World' Its about Rin, but its not at the same time. She has amnesia in it...until two Jyuunishi pay a visit to her work...


Sohma Isuzu

'Mama! Come look!'

Its been a while since I last wrote.Its been six years, to be precice. I did end up having twins. A boy and a girl. The boy is named Megumi, and the the girl, Akiha. They mostly look like me, but they have their fathers eyes.

Akiha is the new God. Haru and I are doing everything to prevent what happened to Akito from happening to her. So far, our efforts are paying off. She's the exact opposite of Akito.

Time goes on.

Somethings never change.

This New Years is the first one that Akiha will officially precide over. Tori-nii and Ayame-nii will be dancing. Kyou's first dance was interesting. All of those years of karate allowed him to create an intricate dance. But the next year, he had to dance with Kagura...Oh did he not like that...

Sitting here, waiting for Haru to come home from the store, watching my children play...There is nothing more peaceful. In comparison to the chaos of my youth, this seems like a dream.

A dream from which I never want to awaken.


Sohma Akiha

I am writing this for my mother.

She is now 90 years old. The oldest of our Jyuunishi.

The story of her youth is just that, a story. Her true legacy is that of her life.

She once said, that no one would have thought that she would out live them all, based on her poor health from her teenage years. But, she has surprised them all over and over.

All those that she grew up with have passed on. Even those younger than her.

Papa died in his sleep but a year ago. His death hit her hard. Since that day, she has worn nothing but white, in rememberance. She always said that her favorite hair color is white.

Even though its not her year, she has asked to dance. The Dragon and the Rabbit are allowing her to do so.

She knows that her time is coming to an end.

As I write this, Megumi-kun is helping her to put on the flowing white kimono that he made for her. He took an apprenticeship under the previous Snake, Ayame-san. He now makes all the robes for New Years, and for any other occasion.

Its almost time for Mama's dance. I must take a leave.


Sohma Kotone

I am Sohma Kotone, the Cat.

Isuzu-obasan, who was responsible for my even being apart of the Jyuunishi is dancing.

She shows the full grace of a Horse. No music is needed. She is humming her own song.

The song is the same one that she would sing as she raised her children, and as she would interact with the rest of us. She never said the title of it. Its in english, but she would never say what it meant.

She is about to end her dance with the last lines.

In the final moment
This is my time
All in all and I'm
Loving every rise and fall
The sun will make and I will take
Breath to be sure of this
In the end and then
All will be forgiven when
Surrender rises high and I
Gave what I came to give
Say it now because you never know

Isuzu-obasan looked at all of us as she slowed to a stop.

"This is my last New Years with you all. The reign of this Horse is coming to an end. I have seen far more than any of you. All I ask, is that you show each other respect. By now, you all should be aware of the tales of the Cat and Dog. I place not any blame on the ones responsible. They were shunned at their respective times, all because of the mistake of another. I would be saddened if I watched one of you become the new Outcast. I have seen first hand how they are treated. Do not think that you are all innocent of this crime. Please, if not for me, then do it for your own sakes. Any one of you could fall from grace."

And with that, she left the room.

Only Isuzu-obasan would dare walk out of the Banquet. She may be 90, but she could most likely spank Akiha-san, and would, if she said anything about it.

Now that would be a sight.


Sohma Akiha

My mother died that every night.

Its been a month since her death.

The next horse has been born. Its a boy. Out of respect for Mother's passing, his parents are letting me name him.

I have no idea as to what he will be called.

I have no experience in the matter, as I have no children.

Looking through Mother's writing, one name stands out.

"Tohru"

It sounds pleasant. Sohma Tohru.

It suits. Honda Tohru was a confidant of many Jyuunishi. Now, her namesake will be a Jyuunishi.

I walked into see his parents.

I picked him up from his cradle, and spoke to him.

"You are invited to my Banquet, Sohma Tohru."