Epilogue: Completions
It was many years later, that the paths taken were crossed again. In a small churchyard, a beloved member of the village near it was being laid to rest; and almost everyone there was laying flowers on her coffin as it was being lowered into the grave. On the very outskirts of the graveyard, three riders watched in silence; remaining a respectful distance away from the grieving family.
"It seems she's getting the flowers she never thought she'd get." one rider murmured, as he gently gazed at the scene.
"Yeah. And from a family she'd never thought she'd find. I'm glad we could be here to say farewell." another rider said, wistfully, as a few tears escaped from her blue eyes. The third rider remained silent; remembering, as they did, the final time they had spoken to the woman that was being buried by her loved ones in front of them.
"As you can see, my friend, Dirk has become a fine man, and one of the best Vampire Hunters in the business...I was able to live up to that small promise, at least." the third rider mused, looking down when a movement at the edge of the gathering caught his eye. One of the children had just noticed that they were sitting there, and was making her way towards them.
"Dirk, Belladonna. It's time to go." the third rider murmured, getting a nod from both as an answer to that. And yet, before they could get very far, the little girl called out to them.
"Hey! Wait! Please wait!" the girl shouted, getting the three to pause, and look down.
"Yes? What can we help you with?" Dirk asked, politely.
"Um...Excuse me...But I was just wondering if you knew my grandmother Leila?" the girl questioned, noticing when all three of the riders exchanged some glances, smiled softly, and nodded.
"We sure did. She was a very fiery and compassionate lady." Dirk replied. The little girl smiled at that compliment.
"You three are the ones Grandmother had told us about! I'd be honored if you would come to our house. My dad would be so happy. Please?" the girl asked; giving the three an almost puppy-dog stare that made at least D a little uncomfortable.
"I dunno about you, but I can't find it in me to refuse. Can you, 'Donna?" Dirk said, with a genuine smile, and a soft laugh. Belladonna chuckled and shook her head.
"Nope. Sure can't. 'Sides, the promise of getting some honest to goodness tea seems pretty appealing right now." Belladonna stated, quite aware of the deadpan look she was getting from D in the process.
"Are you trying to say that the tea you have been drinking hasn't been good enough?" D asked, his eyebrow twitching when Belladonna made a grotesque face at the memory of a tea-making fiasco in the recent past.
"After you had burned the last three pots worth? D, I wouldn't even use that to water the horses with!" Belladonna said, then added, when she'd returned her attention to Leila's granddaughter, "Lead the way, kiddo! We're behind ya, the whole way!" With an overjoyed laugh, the girl led the three to where her father now waited, and a flurry of introductions started as the three Hunters dismounted, and mingled with Leila's family.
"Well, here's another human family that has accepted me for who I am...I just hope I can come away from this without any regrets." D mused, his smile, and that of Dirk, turning wistful when they learned their young friend's name...Doris.
"Things have finally come full circle. Isn't that right Mother? Uncle Dan?" Dirk thought, as a breeze wove its' way through the crowd, and caressed his face. They agreed with him, wholeheartedly.
Owari
Author's Note!
And that's that. I hope it has been an enjoyable story (despite the times that it seemed I had abandoned it!) I want to thank everyone who has supported this fic from the outset and I hope, when I start writing a sequel to this (and there is one in the planning stages) that everyone will lend their support then as well! Arigato!
Gemini14