The next morning Eichuu prepared his troops for combat. Suki was just coming out of Eichuu's room when she spotted Soi running down the hall to the horse stables.

"Kaen! Wait up!" I shouted out to her. She had a bewildered look on her face as she stopped and turned toward me. "Kaen, what's going on? What's the matter?"

"I was out in the court yard when I heard from Eichuu that their going to kill Nakago!" I lowered my eyes in guilt. I remembered Kaen talking about her affections for Nakago, as I also remembered the conversation with Eichuu last night.

"Yes," I said with my voice lowered, "I heard last night from Eichuu that he was planning to attack him. I'm sorry; I tried to talk him out of it but..." Soi turned around and dashed down the hall. "I can't let this happen!" She yelled back to me.

I felt awful and scared about what was happening. I didn't know what to do; I was worried something might happen to Eichuu. Yet at the same time, I hoped Nakago would survive for Kaen. How ironic it all was, that the man from the same dead tribe as me was going to fight to the death the man that I loved with all my heart and soul. There was nothing I could do but wait.

4 Months Later-

"Suki are you almost done stocking those shelves?" The clerk asked.

"Yes, I'm almost done." I turned to him with a kind smile. I had been working at this food and clothing store for a few months now. It was located just outside the city in a quaint little village. I earned enough money to rent the room in the top part of the shop.

"Good, when your finished with that could you please close up the store?"

"Yes, I will." After I closed up I went upstairs to make some dinner for myself. I tried to eat as many healthy and hearty meals as I could. Being four months pregnant wasn't easy. Between eating enough and saving up as much money as I could for the baby, it wasn't impossible, but things would be much easier if Eichuu was here. I thought back to the day Kaen, or as she finally told me her name was now Soi. Came back one last time to the palace to tell me herself that Nakago was victorious, but Eichuu had fallen. I went into hysterics screaming that she was a lair. She stayed with me for awhile until I calmed down and came to terms with what had happened. She went on to tell me that she didn't witness the battle between the two men. But she saw Eichuu lying there on the ground with a sword wound to his stomach. Soi helped me find a place to stay outside the palace. We both said our good-byes after that and we've never seen each other since. It was within a few weeks after that that I realized I was pregnant with Eichuu's child.

Finishing up dinner Suki put a hand on her stomach and looked out the window at the stars.

"I wish you were here Eichuu." She said contently. A knock came at her door. She wasn't sure who it was, especially being so late at night. Opening the door to a young man in a cloak she stepped back in disbelief. Looking deep into her eyes, just like he did many months ago, he took both his hands and put them on her waist and pulled her in close.

"Suki...I've finally found you." Eichuu pulled back his hood.

"Eichuu, is it...it can't be you. You died...Soi told me you had died..." Suki touched his face.

"I was badly injured, but never dead. I couldn't leave you. Anyway," he said with a grin, "I promised you that we would be together when I got back," he chuckled a little, "even if it took me a few months. I'm sorry...I'm so sorry." Eichuu leaned in slowly and kissed her softly. Suki, who was now crying, held him tightly.

"Eichuu, I missed you so much. I love you, I love you so much Eichuu!" They kissed several times before he ran his eyes up and down her, taking her all in. Before he said anything else she told him that she was pregnant with his child. Now he was the one in disbelief. Both overwhelmed by happiness. Life together was more complete and fulfilling then the two of them could have imagined.