Disclaimer: For the last time, I don't own Escaflowne or Rurouni Kenshin!
Here we are at the finale! Will things turn out all right for our trio?
Enjoy!
Van stroked the back of his hand across his wife's cheek as she held their newborn son against her breast. The baby was asleep, tired after the whole ordeal of being born. He had shiny, messy black hair, skin the color of a white lily, even though his cheeks were rosy. He was very tiny for a newborn, according to the midwife, being only five pounds and the length of Tenshi's forearm, which made him appear more breakable than the other babies that had been around the castle for Van to kiss.
"Little Azure, he's perfect, though very small," he cooed, running a finger down the fair cheek of the infant. "Is this normal?"
"For demons, yes. Especially my kind. Petite is more beautiful than large and bulky. I was born around this size, according to my mother. Also, by the sound of his breathing, he'll be able to breathe underwater, but not transform. By his aura he'll have wings and be able to fly, just like you, my love," the new mother breathed, not wanting her precious one to wake after just getting to sleep.
"In two weeks we should have his christening and coronation. I suppose the women nobility and royalty will be pleased that you have had such a healthy baby boy, after helping them have their children."
"Of course they will, particularly when they found out it's a boy."
They shared a brief kiss before a maid came rushing in. "My lord and lady, what should I do about all the women who have come to see Lady Tenshi today?"
Tenshi winced a little, but knew what her duty was. "I feel fine now. Van, would you hold Azure for me while my lady's maids dress me for the day?"
Van looked hesitant, but did as she asked, going outside while the pale queen stood and let the four maids dress her and make her look beautiful for the public, even though most of that was just brushing her hair and dabbing off the sweat that had collected on her face. She didn't need make-up, because it would only mess up her features instead of amplifying them.
"My lady, this is so wonderful that you've been able to bear a prince for Lord Van!"
"Now everyone in the kingdom will be thrilled! And the little prince is so cute!"
During all this gushing and praises, Tenshi had to agree with them. Van looked much happier now that their baby had been born and that she had been right that it was a boy. She just knew what the baby's gender was, and they had picked out a name, although it was final when he'd at last come into the world.
"There, that should be good, my lady. You look radiant as usual."
"Thank you for your services yet again," the female monarch murmured, standing and stepping out so she could do her queenly duties.
For the next two weeks it was the same, every woman and man of the kingdom cooing at the newborn prince, congratulating the king and queen, especially the queen. Nobles and royals started arriving at the castle, but wouldn't see the baby boy until the ceremony.
And so the day came, and a priest took Azure into his arms, sprinkling him with holy water before lifting him above his head and announcing, "I now present to you the new crown prince of Fanelia, Azure Folken de Fanel, son of Lord Van Salazar de Fanel and Lady Tenshi Kuroko de Fanel, king and queen of Fanelia!"
The audience and people in the courtyard cheered, the residents of Fanelia shouting, "Long live King Van! Long live Queen Tenshi! And long live Prince Azure!"
Tenshi took her son back into her arms, her husband waving to the people, who were still shouting their approval and happiness for the royal couple. She felt uneasy, but didn't know why.
"You look a little nervous, my dear," Van observed as they walked through the guests, greeting each of them in turn.
"I just have a feeling that this day isn't going to end peacefully. Almost as if someone's waiting to crash the party," Tenshi explained, holding Azure closer to her bosom, as if protecting him from the unknown person.
There were sudden exclamations of pain and objections, before a man that Tenshi had never thought she'd see again came through the nobility that had been ogling the prince at the time.
"So you thought you would get away from me? Especially after our marriage, Himura Tenshi?" Kenshin demanded, eyes burning with anger.
Tenshi huffed. "I have no idea what you're talking about. We never married. I am the wife and queen of Van Salazar de Fanel, and this is our son, Azure."
Kenshin looked down at the boy and paled. "He has…Kaoru's eyes!"
Azure had been named for his beautiful blue eyes, like the sunshine on the ocean. It hadn't been until Kenshin made the connection did Tenshi see that they were exactly the same. And now that she thought about it, her father did have the last name Kamiya…but how?
Van looked confused, but Sano came up and pinched Tenshi's cheek. "Good for you! Though Kenshin's right, he does have her eyes…"
Pondering more, she knew the reason. Her father, Koshiro Kamiya, had to have been Kaoru's father too, though it was obvious he'd had a marriage before he'd had a fling with her mother, and Kaoru had died around two hundred years ago… So that was why Kaoru had been able to transfer the demon disease, because she had been half demoness! She had thought that it had been odd, since Kaoru had looked human, and only those with demon blood were susceptible to demon diseases. It all made sense now!
"I understand perfectly. I just happen to be the half-sister of Himura Kaoru, but I took on a new name because my mother didn't want anything to do with my father. Didn't you ever consider why she was able to take the disease from you?"
Kenshin's eyes widened. "No wonder I thought you looked similar…"
"Do you still want to try for me, even though I'm already married?"
Those fierce amber eyes softened, as he almost reached for her lustrous hair. He shook his head. "I'll now always think of you as my sister-in-law. I'm sorry for troubling you."
She smiled. "It's all right, Kenshin, none of us could've known."
He smiled back, before stroking a finger down his nephew's cheek. "He's so beautiful, and tiny, just like Kenji was…how I long for him now."
"If you wish, you can visit whenever you like to see Azure. I plan on having a girl, too. I suppose she might look more like Van, though."
"He's a beautiful baby…" he cooed.
Tenshi grinned. Everyone fell in love with Azure, even the harsher nobles. They cooed just like Kenshin, thinking the tiny prince was precious. She supposed that Van's and her daughter would be the same, as well. She could feel that it was time for them to part again, so she said one last thing.
"Oh, I want you to hear this before you go, Kenshin. I think you'll like it."
Lay down
your sweet and weary head
Night has fallen
you have come to journey's end
Sleep now
and dream of the ones who came before
They are calling
from across a distant shore
Why do you weep?
What are these tears upon your face?
Soon you will see
all of your fears will pass away
safe in my arms
you're only sleeping
What can you see
on the horizon?
Why do the white gulls call?
Across the sea
a pale moon rises
The ships have come to carry you home
And all will turn
to silver glass
A light on the water
All souls pass
Hope fades
into the world of night
through shadows falling
out of memory and time
Don't say
We have come now to the end
White shores are calling
you and I will meet again
And you'll be here in my arms
Just sleeping
What can you see
on the horizon?
Why do the white gulls call?
Across the sea
a pale moon rises
The ships have come to carry you home
And all will turn
to silver glass
A light on the water
Gray ships pass
Into the west
A bright beam surrounded the pirates, and Kenshin waved to the royal pair, a soft smile still on his face.
"Do you think he'll ever give us any trouble again?" Van asked.
"No, because I think that he's given up on me," Tenshi replied, smiling all the brighter.
"So I've won the ultimate prize: you."
"And vice versa, my love."
What did you think of the ending? Was it fitting? I thought so.
The song Tenshi sings is "Into The West" from Lord of the Rings: Return of the King! I thought it was good since Kenshin's a sailor and she's bidding him farewell!
Please review!