Epilog
An old man was sweeping the street just in front of a well-known restaurant. All the shopkeepers smiled at his odd figure as they prepared for a new market day. He had done it every morning for as long as anyone could remember. His eyes were fixed on the small pile of dirt he gathered up, the strange pink bow tied in his beard gently bobbing in the morning air. He would sweep for just a little longer, and then vanish until the next break of day. However, this time there would be a break in his tradition.
Footsteps caused the shopkeepers to raise their heads in surprise as they arranged their wares. Hardly anyone was out at this time - even the laborers had yet to wake. Two figures walked confidently down the road towards the old man. One was a tall man dressed in a well-worn western trench coat. His hands were thrust deep in the pockets and his face was shadowed. His posture spoke of a long-standing hardship that was finally overcome - a traveler finally ready to rest. Yet when he looked at his companion, there was an energy burning in his gaze that countered any thoughts that he was over worn by time.
His companion made everyone pause. It was a woman wearing a Chinese style of dress, her dark blue silk pants peeking out from the high-cut slit of the dark green over-tunic. Her long black hair fell in a braid down her back, swinging with her confident stride. A light blue shawl was slung across her shoulders, partially concealing the handle of a short sword that peeked over her right shoulder. A brilliant smile was on her face, sea-blue eyes soaking in everything as she murmured something to her partner. He nodded, and raised his head. The woman reached out to take his hand for a moment before stepping out ahead of him.
"Jiya!"
The old man in front of the restaurant turned in surprise. The broom hit the road with a clatter. "Misao-mine? Is that really you? And Aoshi?"
The woman laughed and ran the last few steps to embrace him. "We're back! There is so much we've done since we left!"
The old man looked over her shoulder at the figure just behind her with a questioning eye. The other only nodded. The grandfather released the woman and stepped back.
"My how you've grown, Misao! And only in a year? You must have had a late growth spurt."
"Jiya! Don't talk about those things out on the street! Besides, I - we have something else to tell everyone."
The old man only nodded and ushered the pair into the store - his broom still lying forgotten in the street.
The shopkeepers smiled and returned to their daily tasks until another exclamation made them pause once more as multiple voices rose.
"You're married?
The End
