A/N: This is the last chapter of "Blood Vessel". Hope you enjoy it!

Chapter 16: Epilogue

At the Origami National Theatre, a flood of people streamed out, taking ecstatically about the performance they just saw. Following the crowd from behind were Kanami and Hiyori, the former looking irked and the latter rather amused. To anyone who knew the two Tojis well, the sight of them would've been strange. It was as though Kanami and Hiyori swapped their usual facial expressions.

As they exited out the theatre's large revolving door entrance, Hiyori turned to her girlfriend. "I think that murder mystery play was quite interesting."

Still maintaining her annoyed expression, Kanami replied, "No, it was terrible."

The Origami Head's expression became one of shock. "Really? Why do you say that?"

"We did not learn all the facts," Kanami huffed. "It was only at the last minute, during the big reveal that we learned the butler was, in fact, the headmistress's brother!"

"Hm. Well, now that you put it that way..." Hiyori mused, sounding less certain than she had earlier.

The two Tojis walked over to where Hiyori's chauffeur was waiting with the limo. However, their eyes caught another black vehicle approaching. Stopping right next to them, one of the darkened windows rolled down to reveal Mai's smiling face.

"Kanami-chan, Hiyori-chan."

"Eh?! Mai-chan? What are you doing here?"

"I actually dropped by the Origami Family Estate, but they told me that you both would be here," Mai explained. "I just wanted to thank you both for solving my cousin's murder, along with Auntie Momoko's. Take these—they are but a small present of my full appreciation."

She reached out handing them two full bags of cookies. In an instant, Kanami's face lit up like the sun.

Taking pleasure in how her cookies were mint-chocolate flavoured, Hiyori looked back at Mai to ask, "And your family is okay?"

"They are well enough. Uncle Kentaro left for Canada just yesterday, and though I'll miss him, I think it's for the best. He does deserve to seek his own happiness," Mai said. "Mother wanted to ask if you are free next week, Hiyori-chan. Perhaps you'd like to take tea with us on Sunday at four o'clock?"

"Well, I guess I owe her considering how I couldn't come yesterday," Hiyori said with a smile. "Sure. I'll be there."

"She'll be delighted to hear that. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a date with Sayaka-chan to get to," Mai giggled, before ordering Shibata to drive on.

Waving goodbye as the Yanase limo sped off into the distance, Kanami then was forced to answer her phone which started vibrating. "Hello?"

"Kanami?" Tamaki answered. "I'm at the Shonan Kamakura General Hospital right now. Hurry over. Mom just started getting into labour."

Her alarm rising, the Minoseki Toji fought to keep her voice steady. "And Father?"

"I just phoned him before calling you. He's on his way."

"Right. I'll see you there," Kanami said.

The next few minutes felt surreal to Kanami. She couldn't remember any of it afterwards. Not the brief explanation she gave Hiyori, nor their ride in the limo to the hospital. All she could think about in those moments was her worry for Akane and her anticipation for what would soon be her new baby stepsibling.

Looking at the complex emotions on her lover's face, Hiyori held Kanami's hand as they did many times before in the past. "Kanami, it's going to be okay."

The Minoseki Toji gave her girlfriend a grateful smile. A moment such as this seemed to call for a big, dramatic speech of high emotions. However, Kanami could only get out one sentence.

"I'm not going to be the youngest sibling anymore."

Arching an eyebrow, Hiyori internally questioned, 'That's seriously her first thought?'

As the Origami Family chauffeur drove them closer towards the hospital, their ride was becoming more slow-going—mainly due to the large throngs of people congregating outside. Even though they were still a few streets away, the crowd was thick with everyday citizens and Tojis alike. At the sight of the familiar limo, everyone started pointing and cheering. The police officers maintaining order struggled to hold the people back, as they pushed one another to get a closer look at the two celebrities passing by.

'How did word spread this quickly?' Hiyori swore, even though she already knew the answer.

Commanding the best position near the hospital entrance was a large camera crew. The flashes of cameras went off like a series of blinding fireworks as the limo pulled up. Neither Kanami nor Hiyori bothered waving or even sparing a glance at the cheering crowd, once the chauffeur opened the car door for them. The two Tojis were all too glad to see the four Elite Guards waiting for them.

"Finally, you're here!" Kaoru grumbled.

"Your father has already arrived, Etou," Maki said next.

Kanami had no time to make any sort of reply because the Elite Guards literally grabbed her and Hiyori by the arms, before quickly pulling them inside to avoid the microphones being shoved in their faces. All of them were only conscious of reaching Akane as soon as possible.

"The mansion still hasn't been fully babyproofed, has it?" Hiyori demanded, with a pointed look at Maki.

"Well, no."

"She's in there," Suzuka said, gesturing to a closed door.

Bracing themselves, all six of them took a deep breath in unison that it sounded quite strange indeed. Tentatively, Sayaka was the one who knocked. A beaming nurse answered.

"You can all go right in," she said.

Their hearts all melted at what awaited them in the room. Surrounding Akane's bed were Inspector Etou, Sergeant Tanaka, and Tamaki, all silent but with looks of pure joy. Akane had bags under her eyes from weariness, but the sparkling glint in those beautiful aqua orbs was unmistakable. With natural maternal gentleness, her arms cradled the delicate infant swathed in a white blanket.

"There they are!" Sergeant Tanaka chuckled at the sight of Kanami and Hiyori.

Smiling at the Minoseki Toji, Akane asked, "Want to hold your new baby stepsister?"

"Yes!"

With delight, Kanami held out her arms as Akane gently placed the baby into them. The Elite Guards and Hiyori got close to peer into the tiny girl's face. Hopping atop Kaoru's head, Nene let out a "Ne!" of satisfaction. With a yawn, the baby peered curiously at the newcomers.

"She has your eyes, Auntie Akane," Hiyori commented.

"Hiyori-chan, you should hold her too!"

"Huh?!"

"Come on!"

Hiyori had never held a baby before and she couldn't help shaking as Kanami passed the newborn child to her. Even though the window was closed, the Origami Head could still hear the jubilant cries of the people outside. She stared into the baby's eyes. Did she know how special she was to have even been born? Did she have any idea of the future awaiting her? The future of becoming the next Head of the Origami Family?

Turning to Akane, Sayaka asked, "What is her name, Akane-sama?"

They all looked at the Origami woman expectantly. Akane only smiled before holding her hand out to Inspector Etou, who clasped it in both of his.

"Minato."

"Minato..." Inspector Etou breathed, before smiling. "Of course."

A/N: And that is the end of "Blood Vessel". Wanted to end it on a positive note of baby Minato's birth. :) I will be starting the next murder mystery fanfic soon, "Homicide for the Holidays". For those of you who love the Akabane Sword Team, you're in for a treat because they'll be in it! :D