Dear Ikko, 114
Today is a day to rejoice, but also a day to be sad. I have finally reached the Village Hidden in the Leaves, but my journey has come to an end. Right now, I'm sitting outside the village gate. I got here around midnight so the gate wasn't open. I believe there is something I must put in writing: over this long journey, I have learned many things—discipline, trust, determination, fear, hope, heartache, even love; I have faced Death and put him under me; I have had many times I've wanted to take my own life, or just give it up all together, but I have refused to do so. I know now to never give up! When I think about it, I'm not sure how far I would have made it without those challenges. Death could have taken me sooner if I was not prepared for what was to come. It all started when the village burned down. Without that loss, without that pain, I know I would not be writing this right now. I've become so weak, I can hardly write it now anyway.
Whatever happens after this night, whoever challenges me, however long I have to wait for the exams, whatever disaster comes my way, I know that I made them proud—Kisho-sensei…Yuri…and Sora. For my village, my people, and the people of the Land of Ice, I conclude this journal with pride and satisfaction. I made it here…and in this final moment, that is all that matters.
-Shigure Nomura
And that is it! The end of the Traveling Journal!
Shigure: Good…I think I need a bath…I need to scrub all this ink off my hand.
Ha ha, very funny Shigure.
Shigure: Stop laughing at me! You took a plane, remember!
Oh yeah, I did…but I was being sarcastic.
Shigure: Hey! Don't use your Jedi mind tricks on me! I can see through them with my magica—…litical canine energy field!
Umm…what? Did you hold on to some of those meds from the hospital?
Shigure: NO I DID NOT! (hides in a random bush)
Well, obviously Shigure needs some rest. So, back on subject…
The last section of this story is written in normal story form.
Welcome to…The Final Reunion.