"Wait, where are you going?" the director asked as he jogged to catch up with Kaoru.
She hesitated for only a second, then continued on. "Well, I'm done now, Mr. Disembodied Voice" the hare told him. "I sold enough of the Forget Me Goggles to move on. I told you that it was the last episode."
"No," the director rolled his eyes. "I don't care about the show. Right now, where are you going?" After another second, he added. "And you don't need to call me Mr. Disembodied Voice. I'm right here, not in a booth. Just tell call me by my name."
Kaoru cast a side-glance at him and shrugged. "Okay, Director."
"That's not," he stopped and sighed. "But really where are you going."
Finally, Kaoru stopped and turned to him. "Well, I've collected all the things I needed, so I'm going to get on my ship and head out."
A look of surprise came over the Director's face. "Ship? What are you talking about? Like a boat? Why in the world would you be getting on a boat?"
Kaoru's ears flopped as she shook her head. "Not a boat. A spaceship. The one I built? Didn't I tell you about that?"
"You most certainly did not tell me about that. Why in the world would you build a spaceship? What in the world are you planning on doing with it?"
The scoff escaped Kaoru made it seem as if she had already explained her plan a million times in the past. "The currencies? You remember? We did a whole bunch of weird currencies every episode to prepare? I built the spaceship to create a utopia in the air! I collected all of the things so that people could enjoy themselves! Be happy! Experience life to their heart's desire!" As she spoke, she continued to get louder and louder. "I've collected money from countries all over the world! I've collected humor and games and collectibles! Everything! For people to be happy on my space ship!" When she finished, she was breathing heavily.
"Oh-kay," he drew out the word. "But you made it seem like you were leaving on your own. Did you actually invite everyone to go with you? Will there be a whole community up there that I've never even heard about?"
She shrugged. "I sold tickets, I just don't know if anyone will show up."
His brow furrowed. "Did you neglect to sell me a ticket or do you just not want me up there?"
"I figured you wouldn't want to come."
"But why?"
"I don't know," Kaoru shuffled her feet a little and looked down on the ground. "I thought I just annoyed you."
The director's features softened, and he reached out to take her hand. "You don't," he said sincerely. "You're just, ah," he struggled for a couple of seconds to find the right word. "Passionate."
"You really think so?"
A laugh escaped him, and he shrugged a shoulder. "Sure. Why not?"
"So, you're coming?"
He hesitated, then asked, "Is there a way to come back if I decide I don't like it up there."
"Of course!" Kaoru nodded. "Why wouldn't there be?"
He lifted his eyebrows as if the answer to that question should've been obvious. "Are there any disclaimers or warnings I should know about?"
Kaoru shook her head. "No. I mean, well," she clenched her jaw for a second. "If no one shows up, then it'll be just the two of us, which might be weird."
The director laughed again and gave Kaoru's hand a squeeze. "I'm willing to take that risk. Come on," he started walking and tugged her hand to encourage her forward. "Let's get going."
A/N
And that's it! After eight years, this story is finally finished! The ending might be a little weird, but honestly, after all this time it just felt like the right way to end it, and I can't even explain why. It was just in my head as I sat down and started typing. Eight years ago, I knew that I wanted Kaoru the Hare to get sued over some toy malfunction, but shelved it for so long that I couldn't remember what it was. I reread the last chapter I posted, though, and did my best to move forward. I'm actually strangely happy with it and feel very accomplished.
Thank you to everyone who has made it this far.
I wish you all the best.
DFTBA
