Disclaimer: The Dash and Spiral don't belong to me.

I wasn't ever planning on writing more for this fic, but I happened to find the poem (finally!) earlier this year and it reminded me of some things. I just now remembered I had found the poem and then decided to write this add on chapter, since I think this is a wonderful poem and wanted to share it.

Please enjoy, and R&R!

The Dash

I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of his friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone from the beginning . . . to the end.
He noted that first came the date of her birth and spoke of the second with tears,
but he said that what mattered most of all was the dash between those years.
For that dash represents all the time that she spent alive on earth,
and now only those who loved her know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not, how much we own; the cars, the house, the cash.
What matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash.
So think about this long and hard, are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left. (You could be at "dash mid-range.")
If we could just slow down enough to consider what's true and what's real,
and always try to understand the way other people feel.
And . . . be less quick to anger, and show appreciation more
and love the people in our lives like we've never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect, and more often wear a smile,
remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.
So, when your eulogy is being read with your life's actions to rehash . . .

Poem by Linda Ellis, copyright 1998

Eyes looked up from the poem on his desk and carefully took off his glasses. It wasn't until the dimly lit room around him began to blur that he realized he was crying. He hung his head, put it in his hands and let the tears out.

Kanone had known he was going to die…but only a few moments before it had happened. Had he wished he could change things? Did he feel like he was suddenly out of control with only seconds to live – live and give a message. That was what his last moments had been spent doing. Giving him and Ayumu a message so that they and the Blade Children could continue to live their dashes.

After a few minutes he stopped crying and noticed that Ayumu had come in the room with two steaming cups of tea. Silently he came over, set down both mugs and hugged Eyes. Wiping the last of his lover's tears away with a kiss on each cheek.

"You liked the poem I suppose?" he asked after a few more minutes of silence.

Eyes nodded once, trying his best not to start crying again.

"It's alright to cry…it happened to me the first few times I read it through and thought about…"

"I liked it. Thank you." I needed it…I needed that sort of reminder.

"Don't thank me, thank the author for being able to put what's true into words."

Nodding again Eyes looked up at Ayumu, "You're right. But we should also thank the people close to us…for being there."

Knowingly Ayumu nodded once and hugged Eyes again, "Of course, we can go tomorrow."

"That would be a perfect way to spend some of our dash."