The Final Chapter: An Epilogue
Kenshin quietly walked around his own personal hell. He repressed a shiver every time he heard the silent crushing of snow beneath his feet. Blood seemed to be everywhere, marring the supposed-to-be perfection of the countryside with its crimson hue. It would have been better if it were night, where blood could only invade his sense of smell and not much with his sight, but it was stark morning. In fact, it seemed to be noon all the time. The sun, high and merciless, was a stark contrast to the gloom of death that surrounded him. He had already vomited numerous times, but he never seemed to be out of energy. Always his thoughts were coherent and his muscles restless, making him think as he walked through the desertion of the small village he seemed to be stuck in. He was also stuck in time.
Suddenly, an eclipse happened. His brows furrowed knowing this wasn't part of the script made to punish him for all eternity for all his sins. As it became as dark as twilight, the snow melted, and a summer breeze shimmied its way towards him, bringing fireflies and the smell of cooking fish.
Kenshin walked towards a fire that appeared in the corner of his eye. What he saw almost made him regret all he had done.
Facing his master again and enduring his snide remarks was indeed part of the script of his personal hell.
"Baka deshi."
"Shishou…"
"Sit down, moron, and eat."
"Hai."
Silence engulfed them, and Kenshin welcomed the peaceful crackling of the fire. It had been too long since he heard the sound of warmth and… belongingness? Is this real? Aren't I a lost soul? Why is he here?
"Be careful of your thoughts, baka, I can hear them."
Kenshin gulped and resumed his eating the tasty fish. It has been long since he tasted this dish. In fact, an eternity too long.
"So, after taking you up from that worthless life you had on earth, training you to be the god that the counsel needed, and raising you as my own personal slave and make-shift son, this is how you end up, huh?"
Kenshin bowed his head and pouted. "You make it sound so awful, Shishou! At least I stayed until I finished my training this time around."
"Yes, being reincarnated many times seems to teach you something. But does it have to be only one thing at a time? You're such an idiot."
"Mou, Shishou!"
"Don't 'Shishou' me you idiot. You got it right the first time around! Why did you go and ruin it? You could have waited a little longer for consummation and you would have been granted a marriage had you only ASKED!"
"She seduced me…" he whispered meekly, trying to keep from smiling at the mere thought.
"You wanted her to seduce you. You were a little more impatient this time than when you were a Rurouni in the Meiji."
Kenshin scratched his head at the mention of his old persona. "Still, she seduced me."
"Why do you blame her? You did half of the seducing."
Kenshin blushed prettily and downed the sake he was offered, sputtering at its strength and coughing. Hiko leaned over and patted him on the back.
"Well at least you've done right things after that. Whenever it comes to that tanuki, you always lose your common sense. Its like the world ends for you, your judgment is always impaired."
"It's the best high, Shishou, you should try it sometime." Kenshin smirked as he eyed down the bottle of Sake in his teacher's hand.
"Harrumph! Impossible teenagers."
Kenshin laughed long and hard. "You can't possibly tell me you've never fallen in love before." Kenshin said as he took the bottle and poured himself a cup.
"I have, but after the regulations, things became complicated, as you may well know."
"Yes, I was afraid of asking for marriage too."
Hiko nodded, knowing full well the repercussions of coupling in the divine realms during those times. He then smiled mischievously at his apprentice.
"Well, there is one more thing that you've done right."
"What's that?"
"Follow me."
The council was a circle of seated gods and goddesses ready to judge fallen spirits and divinities either to their godhood or punishment. Kenshin was waiting for such a summons in his isolation, he knew that it was the only way to make it official.
But when he walked into the lighted palace, he was taken aback at the apparent joy that was mingling among the beings.
One god was being judged, and Kenshin had to fight hard to bite down his cry.
"Enishi, once the God of Deceit and Illusions, you are hereby released from your punishment having realized and atoned for your wrongs. The murder and spite of the God of Love was due to your own abhorrence of weakness, yet you have repaid for this three times. Three acts of compassion among your other acts of murder was weighted and found true. And since your actions were before jurisdiction of the Law of the Sprites, you are now named God once again, your conscience clean."
"What acts of compassion are they babbling about!!?" Kenshin asked Hiko heatedly. Hiko gave him a smirk before answering.
"He raised his half-bred sister, Tomoe. He spared you and Kaoru for this love of his sister. And even went so far to give up his wish of absolution in honor of this, killing himself early before you died."
"Wha-What!?" Kenshin whispered back as Enishi took a knee in front of Megumi. Megumi destroyed a stone tablet over his head and the council clapped heartily at the now modest and tamed Enishi. As Enishi stood up, his eyes caught amethyst. He nodded, and Kenshin nodded back in silent gratitude.
"Bring Sanosuke Sagara" drawled a voice that Kenshin could have sworn belong to one of his elders.
"Sanosuke Sagara, you are hereby proclaimed God of Fate and Chance, for the recent events have showed this era that there is no such thing as a definite future. Your marriage to the Goddess of Prophecy have granted you to a right of godhood and so this lot befalls to you. May your marriage be blessed and forever be…spiced with your temperaments."
A loud hearty laugh filled the room as Megumi rolled her eyes and muttered a "Shut up, Dad," as she offered her hand for Sano to kiss.
Kenshin couldn't believe his ears. God of Fate?! His heart fell and tears were incumbent upon his face. He was so lost in his loneliness that he did not hear his name. Hiko shoved him to up-front and center.
"Kenshin Himura," said the same voice who pronounced all the other declarations. Although at this point in time. Kenshin bowed his head low, letting his bangs cover his face. "Kenshin Himura." The voice repeated forebodingly.
"You have caused the deaths of hundreds, nay thousands, of humans for your own idealism. You meddled with free will of humanity and violated a well-respected goddess." Kenshin winced at the mention of the last one. "In your human form, you declared war, letting your own idealism agree with the will of your humanity. You've even lost control and bled half a human city to death with your own hands. You allowed the death of said city when given the choice to save it. Therefore, I hereby proclaim you forever exiled from this council."
Kenshin nodded.
"Have you anything to say?"
"Only this: That it doesn't matter, for being parted with Kaoru, may it be here or in hell, is the same." He silently whispered and with that he turned around and walked away.
"Halt," said a familiar voice.
Kenshin stopped and turned around to see that the owner of the voice was none other but … Enishi.
"I have been assured by the council, before this meeting, that my wish will be honored. I claim that promise now." Enishi said as he met Kenshin's glare with matching intensity.
"Wish?" Kenshin spat.
"Yes."
"Very well, Enishi, step down. Kenshin Himura, take a knee."
Kenshin's eyebrows shot up in surprise and he was momentarily stunned immobile, before Hiko shoved him to Megumi's feet.
"Due to the wish of a fellow god in his pact on Earth, as is required by the laws, you are hereby proclaimed again as God of Life, Kenshin Himura. The amount of people you saved when you died by your own hand, God, is not considered enough for the amount you have killed. Unlike Enishi, your crime was well past all the amendments and confirmations of the current law. But you have fulfilled the prophecy and have even learned what you needed to learn from your punishment. The value of your own dominion: the value of life. By sacrificing your own remaining precious moments on Earth, forfeiting all other chances to look for substantial atonement, you have brought to life again the city of Carnelia and turned your back on godhood."
Megumi took a stone tablet and broke it over Kenshin's head.
"Please take your place among the council, once again." Megumi murmured as she brought him up by the shoulder, gesturing him to sit by the council.
Still speechless, he looked up to the man who barred his way, unwilling to do anything but stare in amazement.
"Stricken still, Himura? Let me remind you it's for Tomoe, not for you." Enishi nodded as he offered his hand in truce, which Kenshin took and weakly shook.
"The judgment of gods is finished, this council is adjourned."
"How can I repay you?"
Enishi, Kenshin, Hiko, and Sano had taken a walk after the council was dismissed. It was a weird combination, and all could feel the tension and strangeness of the circumstance.
"Baka deshi!" Hiko took Kenshin by the neck. "Allow me the pleasure, Yukishiro!"
"Be my guest" chuckled the white-haired man.
"YOU ARE THE GOD OF LIFE! Think! This is Enishi you're talking to, since when did he ever do anything without a price!"
"Eh? I mean uh...that's why I was asking, Shishou!" Retorted Kenshin, utterly confused. Wasn't Enishi sincere in his wish for me?
"You're still the dense one, aren't you?" chortled Sano. "I would have thought you've caught up by now."
"Tori-atama, don't sound so high and mighty, you didn't get it either at first," Hiko smirked.
"HEY! Only someone like my wife can call me that!"
"Yes and your wife has a brain. We have that much in common, Tori-atama."
"I'm still confused?" Kenshin was immediately regretful that he called the attention of the two warring men. Sano was red in the face and Hiko was just getting started. He was thankful that Enishi found the delicacy to break the silence in his subtle manner.
"It's like this Himura. I have a dead sister and you're the god of life. Bring her back to me."
"Oh! Well you could have just said so." Kenshin nodded and closed his eyes to relax and call to his power. It felt nice to be his old self again.
After a few quiet and thoughtful moments, Kenshin opened his eyes again and in a low grateful voice. "She will be born in the next few minutes, I trust that you can find her on your own."
"Yes. Consider your debt repaid."
"Thank you." Kenshin again shook hands with his mortal enemy… Mortal enemy… "Wait, Enishi, does this make us friends?"
Enishi guffawed and to Kenshin's dismay, so did Hiko and Sano. "Are you and Saitoh friends?" Enishi returned.
Kenshin grimaced at the name and murmured 'No.'
"Well there you have it!" Enishi turned and jogged away, eager to see once again the peaceful smile of a little girl.
"Wake up, Kenshin."
The smell of jasmine filled his living place as he slowly surfaced from sleep.
"Kenshin, council's been called for an appointing."
"Huh? What?"
"An appointing. Get up Kenshin and put this on."
The next thing Kenshin knew was that he was wearing a magnificent robe of white as he attended the most important ceremony in the diving realms. He looked around and noted that the chatter was highly energized and there was a certain anticipation in the air. An almost common desire by all the beings for what was to come was almost too intoxicating to ignore.
"Fellow sovereigns. All of us finally understand why we have not attained balance and peace and prosperity with the other worlds and realms. The most recent prophecy is the work of absolute art!"
Here the man in front brought up the hand of Megumi. Beside her stood a proud Sano.
"Goddess of Prophecy, you have done your duty and more. You have saved us from ourselves."
Catcalls went among the crowd to honor the surprisingly blushing Ice Queen. The man who declared waited for silence once again, yet the anticipation, Kenshin noted, was still deafening.
"We have been one god short all this time. And it took the sudden disappearance of power over fate to realize this. Chaos and disorder ensued is momentous proportions, as you may all well know." The man nodded to the agreement of the crowd. " Fortunately, Sagara here has taken that fully under control now. Though his chance at gambling still remains as something to be desired." The court laughed again and Megumi patted Sano's cheek heartily.
"Get on with it!" Shouted an excited Hiko, totally shocking Kenshin who was at his side, fully able to experience the full blast of his well-heard voice.
"Patience Master Seijirou, we know your woman awaits in your bed. Do recall your dignity."
Hiko silenced, his cheeks burned as red as his apprentice's hair—who was at the moment completely on the floor, half-stoned over at the teasing of his teacher.
It was all an appointing should be. Full of joy and anticipation of a new power and peace to fill the room. Kenshin thought he never saw such happier beings around him… If only…
"And so our waiting has ended at last! Fellow brothers and sisters, meet our new goddess!"
The doors behind the man who declared opened silently and out came a blue-clad woman. Her kimono was as blue as a summer-night sky, speckled with petals and butterflies that moved on their own accord. It was as if her kimono was bewitched, for as it rippled along her body, the butterflies fluttered and petals swished in her graceful motions. Her hair was put in a simple ponytail, allowing all who had eyes to be graced by her beautiful face, fair and that of a goddess indeed. She stepped out onto the platform and smiled willingly at the crowd before her.
Kenshin almost didn't hear the words that were said of her, for she immediately singled out his amber eyes in the crowd and stared at him like there was no tomorrow.
"…last known as Goddess of Fate she allowed her body to be taken in the name of love, which we had once believed as false. Yet she proved her claim in her humanity by leaving her godhood in the hands of a murderer, the one she loved, and proved us all wrong. In her pain and suffering, we found our answer to the troubles that have ensued among the mortals and sprites and ourselves. We are all indebted to her. Thus do we all agree that she is to be appointed this power?"
All raised their hand in salutation and confirmation.
"Very well. Meet Kaoru Kamiya, her soul founded as Goddess of Love."
A tremendous cry went up from the crowd to hail the young woman as she smiled even wider.
"CAN WE GET MARRIED NOW!?" Hiko cried, having recovered from his embarrassment and deciding he didn't give a damn if he got teased anymore.
"Yes Master Hiko, do get married and stop your sneaking around with shunga and secret love letters!" said the man in mock exasperation. Many laughed as Hiko realized that his determination wasn't as strong in this aspect, his cheeks maddeningly reddening.
"I wouldn't mind marrying her!" Cried a joker from the crowd, pointing at Kaoru. Laughs hailing the goddess erupted once again. Murmurs of agreement however, was in the air.
"Kaoru Kamiya, marry me!" cried an elated god at the prospect. It didn't matter that he was the God of Wine and Drunkeness, for the joke was carried all around by all the other young men until Megumi stood up to calm the hormonal gods.
"Hey Megumi, why don't you take a second husband?"
Needless to say, that man never spoke again for the remainder of the afternoon.
"I just want to inform all of you that our new goddess here is already spoken for."
Silence ensued and the crowd parted, giving him a clear view of Kaoru. Megumi continued to speak.
"What a god does in human form is taken with him in the afterlife, all his atonement and memories is a part of his identity. That includes relationships. Kenshin Himura, come here and claim your wife in your mortal life and mark her as yours in this life as well."
Kenshin didn't move.
"Baka deshi, I think Megumi is implying that you finally consummate your marriage. You know. Sex?"
Godlike speed was never a more fitting word.
Kenshin, completely overwhelmed, devoured Kaoru's lips in front for all to see (for a very good reason!) not giving Kaoru a single moment to feel alone any longer. Soon enough, the tables turned and Kaoru sat on Kenshin's stomach and was going to do it there had Megumi not pried her off the inebriated god.
"Goddess of Love indeed!" Catcalls again went around as Kenshin swept Kaoru off her feet and brought her out of the room.
They had their honeymoon on an isolated cloud over the sea and lived along the banks of a clear crystal river that was as pure as love itself.
—The End—
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