AN: I am so sorry for the delay on this chapter. I got busy with other fanfics. Well, I am here now, and I am ready to finally finish this story! I hope you enjoy!

Chapter 8 A New Family

Love has my hand in hers as she leads me through the park. The moon is shining, illuminating our steps. The air smells good, like freshly mown lawn. I can see fireflies flittering about. They look like glowing jewels, earrings that are worn by the sky.

I giggle again. There I am, using metaphors again. Love hears my giggle and turns to me.

"What's so funny?" she asks.

I smile and shake my head.

"I've just...I've found that I've felt different ever since my death. I feel...I feel happier."

Love smiles at me, a playful look twinkling in her eyes.

"Well, I guess that means that the red heart is the proof of happiness!"

I cast her a weird look.

"What?"

"Well, you know. Your theme color as Cure Passion is red. And once you became Cure Passion, you've found a happiness that you didn't know about before. So, I think that the red heart is the proof of happiness. It is proof that you've changed."

I think about this.

"I suppose that is true. But I don't know if what I feel is happiness."

Love looks at me curiously, asking me with her eyes to explain myself. I take a deep breath, trying to grasp the right words. This is difficult, as the words are currently humbling around in my head. It's kind of like my head is a magic 8 ball, and my thoughts are the cube that rests inside.

"What I feel is so much deeper. When I feel this way, it is like my whole soul is singing. It is like it is rejoicing."

Love smiles at me.

"There is a name for that. That is called joy."

Joy. What an interesting and playful word. I let that sink in for a little bit.

"Joy."

"Yeah," Love a nod. Suddenly, she looks forward. "Oh look, my mom is over there!"

I look forward. I see a woman approaching. She has blonde hair that is even darker than Love's hair. In fact, it could be described as being caramel in color. She also has beautiful, dark brown eyes. I can see the resemblance between her and her daughter.

"There you are, Love," she says. "I've been looking everywhere for you!"

Love laughs sheepishly.

"Sorry, Mom. I've been a little busy." She gestures toward me. "Have I introduced you to Setsuna?"

"Hmm. No, I don't think you have." She extends her hand toward me. "I am Momozono Ayumi."

Suddenly, a wave of timidity hits me. I slowly and hesitantly extend my hand and shake Ayumi's.

"It's...it is very nice to meet you," I say shyly.

Ayumi smiles warmly at me.

"I can say the same thing about you. Are you a new friend of Love's, Setsuna?"

I slowly nod. Love wraps her arms around me in a happy embrace.

"Yep, she is. She is from another country!"

"Another country?" Ayumi asks.

I kind of laugh. Another country is kind of inaccurate. I think a better term would be another dimension.

"So, how did you come to Japan, Setsuna?" Ayumi asked.

"It's complicated," I say as I twiddle my thumbs. I don't think it is a good idea to tell her that I tried to destroy her daughter.

"She needs somewhere to stay, Mom," Love says. "She has been sleeping on a park bench for the past few days."

Ayumi's eyes grow wide with shock.

"You're kidding."

Love and I both shake our heads.

"That's horrible!" Ayumi says. Then she puts on a smile. "Thankfully, I know just the place for you!"

...

Before I knew it, I was in Love's room. I was dressed in a beautiful pair of red pajamas, and I was happy. Happier than I have ever been in my life.

"Thank you, Love," I say to her. "You've done so much for me."

Love smiles back.

"Well, what are sisters for?"

I smile and turn out the light of my new room. I settle into my new bed.

"Good night, Love."

"Good night, Setsuna."

I smile as I close my eyes. Setsuna. It has such a nice ring to it.

AN: Well, there you have it; it is finished. Thank you so much for reading. :)