Epilogue (Ending one)

Well, dear listener. I suppose we've come to the point at which this tale ends. Or have we? I don't think so, personally. You might wonder why, but at this point I should hope it's obvious. Everyone knows that an unhappy ending leaves somebody, somewhere, wanting for something. You might say "Life's like that; unfair, cruel, and above all unreasonable. Why play with that?" Well, call me a sap, dear listener, but I prefer to tell tales where as many parties as possible are satisfied in the end, especially if they happen to be true stories.

As it's happened in this case, though, I'm in luck. There was a happy ending for everyone. It just didn't come at the point we've reached. So, for the convenience of us all, I will push time forward a little. Five years, to be exact. Before we begin, I'll fill you in a little on what's been happening to everyone.

Keitaro Urashima finished his undergraduate degree in Archaeology and went on to graduate studies, doing several independent credit studies under Seta Noriyasu. He became well-known about two years into his master's degree when he and Seta translated a stone tablet they found on Pararakelse island. Seta hadn't thought much of it, but Keitaro had insisted they examine it in great detail. Good thing, too, for it had turned out to be the equivalent of a rosetta stone for ancient terrapin civilizations. He currently resides in a house just a stone's throw from the Hinata-sou, in Hinata city, with Motoko and his daughter Yumiko.

Motoko Urashima, formerly Motoko Aoyama, also finished her undergraduate degree, hers being a bachelor of arts with a major in classical Japanese literature and poetry. She didn't have plans to take on any long-term career, but ended up getting back into writing her romance stories. She became fairly well-known, at least in the areas surrounding her home, and published a few novels. They didn't make that much money, but it was definitely a bonus. She is now expecting her second child, and even six months pregnant insists on training for at least an hour a day. "Any less than that would make me soft. I am not soft!" As she herself would say.

Naru Narusegawa finished her bachelor's of education, and currently teaches at the prestigious M-High school in Tokyo. The very same school, dearest listener, where Shinobu Maehara and Kaolla Su spent their later teenage years. She now resides just outside Tokyo, and is currently single. She has dated off and on throughout the years, but has never found anyone she could really settle down with. She retains a bit of sadness about losing Keitaro, but in spite of that fact, they (including Motoko, dearest listener) managed to become good friends again; in fact, Motoko and Keitaro made Naru the godmother of Yumiko, and are planning on doing the same for their next child.

So you see, dearest reader, when we next visit our protagonists, we will see them all cast in the happiest of lights. So, worry not; you will not be saddened by the end of my story.

"Naru-obaasan! Come over here, my sandcastle is collapsing! You've got to help me!" A smiling child, about five years old, peers up at the older, auburn-haired woman in front of her expectantly. Naru smiles, and bends down to ruffle the child's hair.

"Okay, Yumiko-chan, I'll come help you." With that, Naru rises from her seat in front of the park bench and strides over to re-build Yumiko's ailing construction project. Yumiko's parents, Motoko and Keitaro Urashima, sitting at the same bench, chuckle at the sight. Motoko sighs and lays her head onto Keitaro's shoulder.

"Kei-kun, isn't that a lovely sight?"

"Mmm?" Keitaro was woolgathering, and barely reacts to the sound of her voice. She bonks him lightly over the head, and he turns to face her, a smile forming on his face. "Ah, gomen ne, 'toko-chan. I sorta zoned out there, for a second."

"I know you did, you baka." She smiles back at him, and kisses his nose.

"Yes, it's something that at one point, I thought I'd never see." Keitaro's reply rings favourably in Motoko's ears. She decides to press the matter a little further than she usually does today.

"It's certainly a blessing that Naru was able to forgive us." At this, Keitaro gets an odd look on his face. The corners of his mouth curl up in a sort of half-smile, and a knowing expression sparks in his eyes.

"I think... Well, I think this is as much about forgiving herself for everything that ever happened between me and her that was her fault as it is about what finally happened. I'm... I'm very glad it happened anyway, in spite of all the nastiness." Motoko smiles.

"I don't think I could wish for anything that would make me as happy as you and Yumiko do, my love. Aishiteru."

"Aishiteru, 'toko-chan."

"Oi, I think a certain little girl would like the pocky she was promised for coming on this outing with you!" The two look up. Naru and Yumiko are standing in front of them, identical huge grins on their faces, and Yumiko nods fiercely, confirming what her "aunt" has just told them.

"Okay, Yu-chan. You go on ahead, if you'd like. We'll be along as quick as our old, tired legs will carry us, okay?" Little Yumiko grins.

"Papa, you're silly. Your legs are big and strong!" She laughs, and turns to run away. As she gets further away from the trio, Naru turns and looks at the couple. She sighs. (Keitaro-kun... I'm still sorry that it has to be this way, but I'm glad for it anyway. Aishiteru.) Naru's thoughts wax nostalgic for a bare minute, and then she smiles.

"Ready to go, real-parents?"

"Of course, Naru-san."

"Lead the way, Narusegawa." Keitaro smiles at her. She smiles back. Smiles at Motoko. The three leave the park then, where promises once made were broken, but that day, a new one is made.

Promises of yesteryear are gone; replaced by new oaths and new loves. Forgotten, the old are not. They are simply put aside. For what, we know not. It may be another day, it may be another life, one can never tell. They are held onto all the same, however, for such are pieces of our lives; not trash to be discarded. Treasure your memories, dearest listener, for in the end, they may be all you have.

Who am I, you wonder? Who am I, to tell this story of love lost and love found to you? Why that, dear listener, is perhaps the easiest question you could have asked me. I am Kagura Urashima, grand-daughter of Motoko Urashima and Keitaro Urashima. I told you this story because I want my grandparents' memory to live on forever. A vain quest, some may say, but it is my own. Now, you may do this as a service to me, dearest listener. Take this tale, fresh in your mind as it is, and tell it to someone else. Let my grandparents be spoken of for years to come.

Goodbye, dearest listener. Remember what I told you, and remember that fate is usually kind, as long as you're looking in places where most wouldn't.

End Epilogue (Ending one)

((I told you! I told you! I told you everyone would be happy in the end! Didn't I?! Wahahaha. Well, that's the entire story, one ending anyway. So, for all the Motoko fans, I guess the story really ends here. Anyone who can appreciate a Kei/Naru fic had better stay tuned, though, because I'm starting that ending tomorrow. Goodbye, good luck, and as I always say:

REVIEW, PLEASE! :D

-Min))