A/N: Finally wrapping up this long dragged out tale, indeed this story has come a long way and I owe it to this story to finish it up, here it is now, the final chapter before the Epilogue; let it be that this wonderful story is given its moment of clarity. Without further adieu, I present you with Chapter 23. Enjoy!

(End A/N)

Chapter 23: Feline Sword's Final Fall: A crew forever bonded

It seemed far and few in between as the XGP crew took their time off, it was something of a week or two spent on break. With strange sources providing them with plenty of loot for the mysterious end of the Kei Pirate Lord once again, they would all be able to live comfortably with their minds in focus. Still living the life of an Outlaw, but looking for the light that followed. It was time to decide, would they all stay together? Go their separate ways? As this new chapter had rapidly approached them, the concluding battle in which the proper forces were walking away from. The big question was very simple to put forward: what now?

Everyone took their time, unsure of what to do. Spending their time in port, having fun and good times that followed; but it almost seemed lacking...as if the greatest fear or pain was now the great separation. Was it time? Gene was one of those who briefly thought about it.

He had no idea where to place this or the time they'd spent together so far. It had been a hell of a wild ride. Exposure to more and more action than he'd had in the past couple of years, most of it tied directly to the Ctarl Ctarl that came right back into his life with a bang. It was in a way that he had not hoped to find life could still be: full of troubles of a haunting past. But that door had closed along with the final end of the destructive lord of the Kei Pirates.

"To think that crazy bastard still wanted to rule beyond the grave." Gene couldn't do much more than verbally comment on it, while he slipped back along the pilot's seat; it was one place he liked to be whenever lacking any focus of thoughts.

While the captain of the ship was left to his thoughts, pacing back and forth in the small room that he and Elise shared after the battle; the young protege of the Half Ctarl Ctarl felt his mind swirling over many a thought. Now that he and Elise had more or less sealed a future together, he had no less intention other than fulfilling what he felt that she deserved: giving her a happy life. While her mother was caring for her sleepy daughter, this left him time to think and try to focus on what he would do within the immediate future.

-With Y'tue, in the training hall-

Had it not been for the long sleep endured, Y'tue might have more in mind than just haze. But this was expected given the long need for rest, after all the amazing powers of healing that Elise showed at the end of the battle with Lord Hazanko; there was really nothing less to be expected. She had come a long way in a short period, it was just another reason that he tried to see what he had to offer. What could he give towards a space legend and her daughter who was now mated to him? He could offer his love...fondness that had been born through their interactions was a fact, he had been quickly infatuated with Elise; but it had to be more than fondness. She deserved no less and her mother would likely have nothing less than that.

Perhaps this was why he questioned his worth towards Elise, this had been something up for debate from the time that she'd brought them together through actions. It was just one of the many thoughts leading his mind, the future with Elise and with Hilda; he imagined this would lead to marriage down the line. So many things in a future that he had not expected, but he felt oddly happy at the almost ordinary future ahead of him; he had stumbled upon his old master by sheer happenstance and this was the result!

An explosive time being introduced to the legendary crew of the XGP, meeting one of the oldest legends still roaming space it seemed, meeting the enchanting daughter of that legend (later becoming her mate); the universe certainly could make one's head spin. How else could he think to describe it? While the feline was in thought, he'd never noticed the approach of someone behind him.

"So kid, what's on your mind?" the question asked as politely as it would ever be by Hilda, who stood watching his every action as he thought about things.

Startled at first by the sudden appearance, it took some minor control to not draw his sword; which he had been in the habit of doing with happenings of this kind. Though once he saw that it was Hilda, he forced himself to calm down as the last thing he desired was some kind of conflict with her. After all, even though he believed in the sword; his blade was not as refined as his master's own. He had come a long way along the path and yet still was only just discovering what it was that could be done.

"C'mon kid, out with it already, you look haunted. So you gonna talk or should I help you talk?" the threat wasn't idly, as Hilda would loosen his tongue even if she had to put a little hurt on him.

It was one thing that annoyed her about this kind, this unique 'honor-bound' sword kind of guys. This was why they didn't exist very well in this age, it was hard to believe this junk was still practiced; but she imagined that if he was still alive then it was because he could handle himself. She didn't underestimate a person just because they had some silly beliefs: it was just whatever worked for them. That was the way she looked at it, being the no nonsense kind of person that she was.

"I was just thinking about our life together: yours, Elise, and my own. As it would have it now, fate has brought us together and this will change how we live our lives. I am not really sure how to take it, but I will make Elise happy no matter what." this was all that mattered to him, her daughter's happiness was the biggest thing in his life now.

He would of course try to change, to grow with the times, maybe alter some methods he chose to make life easier. But of course there was nothing more lost in his words: it was direct and held his point up like a candle in darkness.

She grinned at him and patted his shoulder, that was exactly what she had hoped he'd say. He wasn't trying to suck up to her or win her over, the realm of concern was where it mattered.

"Good answer, kid. I was worried I might have to school you in who to be worrying about. You and my daughter are together now, if you ever hurt her; just know you'll be dealing with me. Elise is now in my life and I couldn't care about who or what dares to try to harm her, only if they think they can walk away breathing afterward." Hilda was evenly as blunt as the Ctarl halfbreed, she wouldn't stand for her daughter's emotions being hurt.

If Hilda had been anything, she was very to the point and utterly ruthless where it counted most of all, and her daughter was one of those things she'd kill over. Y'tue did not have any illusions about anything involving his new mate.

"So are you staying with the crew here?"

"Don't you mean aren't 'we' staying with the crew? and why ask a stupid question, this ship was mine before Starwind got it; this hasn't changed one bit. Someone's got to make sure that stupid greenhorn doesn't get her shot up anymore." the intentions were simple; while Hilda had the Horus II at her disposal, she had no qualms about having it only as a secondary ship of sorts. She'd leave it here with a friend, make sure it was cared for and up to date; if ever they needed back-up, they'd have it with the automated functions on board her fine experimental ship.

There was a moment of quiet between the two of them, before it was broken by a happy sounding cry. Something that broke out from behind them, though in mid-turn, Y'tue was quickly overtaken by an excited Elise. She had pounced him over and was sitting on his stomach, her ears twitching happily as she leaned down to peck his lips.

"W-We're staying..I'm so happy! I really hoped that we wouldn't have to leave Mr. Starwind, your crazy teacher and his mate. They are just wonderful to be near, I really hope that I can learn to use a sword!" she was just speaking everything on her mind, to point it seemed to clear away any issue of what she wanted.

The look in her eyes spoke all of it to him: She wanted her mate to teach her the way of the sword.

While Hilda rolled her eyes, the conditions already settled in her mind, she spoke the next words that would be the 'law' of hers on the matter.

"As long as you still use a blaster, I don't expect all my training to go to waste, you here me Elise? This is non-negotiable. He can teach you to use a damned sword, but you are certainly going to keep using those blasters, charges, and every other device like I taught you. If you want, make sure that they are as polished as your sword skill." she made the verdict.

That was all it took for Elise to squeal happily and start rambling happily, looking down at Y'tue with such a sweet innocence. It made it almost hard to believe that she had beatened Lord Hazanko, that with all of his power he could not stop the Leyline Sera...this beautiful girl that was no more or less older than himself. She held a mysterious power deep down inside, and no one else would know the better of it.

While Hilda watched over the two youths, she smiled secretly and turned away, the universe did still need her...it gave a second chance it would allow her to watch her daughter grow up. While she'd never say thank you, even in secret; it was no secret that she would not pass the opportunity up, the chance to see her sweet angel grow into a young woman and to look after the foolish boy that was her mate. It seemed the universe was offering her a chore, well that was just fine with her, she already had another; being a part of this crew and taking care of Starwind's foolishness.

-With Gene and Melfina-

Certainly by now he'd had enough time to think over what had come to pass, still he was left partway in thought at an impasse. He couldn't seem to come to terms with how lucky they'd been this time, had Hilda's daughter not been so special...each of them would've been destroyed. Probably left to suffer in some kind of an eternal hell prison conjured up by the devilish Hazanko's will.

'Damn...I must be one lucky bastard, never running out of luck when it really counts.' even in mind, he knew his luck had yet to run out.

No matter how good someone could be, it did not alter the fact that luck could come in and spare them many a problem. He...was one such person who had lady luck paying him visits like wildfire sometimes. He knew that such luck made him special and just might come back to bite him: that was his current focus...what and when.

"Gene? Are you in there?" the soft voice of the XGP's chief navigator and the love in his life brought him back to reality.

The moment the soft black locks twisted over her face, her features currently filled with some concern over the deep thought of Gene's. She had watched him since the moment they docked, in this deep thought, and it seemed so unlike him.

"Yeah, I'm in here Melfina. Sorry about worrying you...just thinking." by now he knew when he'd worried her, it was something that she didn't bother trying to hide.

He hated to worry her, she took it so personally, as it was just her nature to react in a way that was strong...deeper than even a human could. At least that was what Gene thought of anyway. There was not way that he'd let her worry about him, sure enough it was the thing he'd desired least.

"Gene, do you want to talk about?" the best to ease her nerves was to offer her ear to the one dearest to her heart.

"I-sure...yeah, it might be better just to hear it spoken aloud." rubbing the side of his head, he decided not to hide it from her.

In anticipation for the subject's length, she moved next to his side and sat down in a nearby seat.

"Well, I'll cut to the chase Melfina. Frankly, I don't know how to feel after something like that...I mean how we just managed to survive against that monster. He was a god...even if for that minute, we were reduced to nothing but bloody piles of quivering flesh. Yet luck was on our side, I can't believe it, I mean of all of the tight spots in my life that one is where I felt death creeping upon me. I could see something Mel, I saw the light and felt my body getting that deathly chill just before you die." the tone at which he spoke bordered nerve-wracked, despite the facade he'd put up for everyone else upon docking; this raw almost terror had him clutched tightly within its grip.

Still listening, Melfina had put a hand on his shoulder and looked at him with some subtle worry. Was this what was eating at him inside? He hid things well, she'd learned this from being alongside him all of these years; since their first scrap with the destructive Kei Lord. All of the Tao Magic in the world had not saved him then, but upon his return in battle they had narrowly been ended in a single sweep of his will. An effortless battle that had somehow been turned against him, by a single girl in a moment of despair. The concept seemed unfathomable and in that instant she knew just what he was feeling.

"I guess what I'm saying Mel is, how in the hell...do you feel after something like that? I mean magically recovered? All of my wounds closed and my body suddenly functioning, I felt it...and then nothing." he slammed his fist against the back of the seat he was in. His frustration at the miracle event had not faded any of his other emotions, it was simply entwined so intricately with them all; he wasn't sure what he should be doing with it.

"I don't know Gene, I don't know how to feel after seeing all of you recover magically. I just...I can feel her power, this was the will of the Leyline Sera. Had she not been there, we would've been destroyed and Hazanko would have shattered the universe with his new power. We would likely be in an oblivion that he spoke of and I don't know honestly what I think of something like that." she spoke as if it were an easy thing to grasp.

Gene turned to her and took her into his arms and squeezed her tightly, what was he supposed to do with these emotions? He felt like a marionette that had lost its puppeteer, he was lost in a dark void with only Melfina's love...her presence; her very being to keep him from being swallowed. He shut his eyes tightly, not shedding tears...but gripping her with every single bit of a true feeling that surged through his heart and soul. He couldn't focus and had simply been with one thought in mind, that she was everything to him. He would not breathe without this angel here in his arms. But he lacked the words or the capacity to say such to her, so he held her with all he was worth.

With nothing that could help the legendary outlaw in this situation he had abandoned himself to his feelings and just embraced Melfina. As the hours passed, the day faded into obscurity for the crew, entwined in their very passions or lost emotions.

This day forever to be remembered.

-Two days later-

As Gene stood at the port, looking at all of his old friends that had returned for this voyage, he sighed a little sadly; this was where they parted ways now, wasn't it? There would be no big good byes, just one final word from him before he left them in port and took off into space once again.

"Well...I guess this is it eh? We go our separate ways this day and all this time, I started getting used to you again." he let off a grin, raising his left hand with his index finger extended and his thumb raised in a gun-style gesture; saying that he'd see them around.

As Suzuka turned from Gene, she smiled calmly to herself and offered no words of good bye. It was doubtful that this was the last meeting that Gene Starwind would have with the 'Twilight' Blade assassin. As she disappeared into the busy spaceport, he turned to watch the others leave, the general thought that everyone was leaving.

to his surprise, the majority of the felines and Hilda were standing there, looking at him intently. What the hell did they want now?

"So...you guys are all going...too?" no sooner had he finished the word, did Hilda give him a blank stare.

"Are you honestly that stupid, Starwind? Who the hell said I'd leave you with my ship once again, eh? You're a total baka if you think I would allow you to damage it, ruin it, or the gods know what else you've done to it over the years. Me, my daughter, and this cat are staying with your idiotic ass. After all someone's gonna need to keep this baby together." her words hadn't even begun to sink into the Outlaw Star's captain, before Aisha spoke up.

"What a moron you are, Starwind. I decided long ago that I wasn't leave you again, after all of this crap we've been through, you still owe me! So me and Hao are staying right here. Besides, I could think of no better place than to raise my child." she spoke these words proudly, rubbing her stomach proudly before feeling her mate's arm curl around her waist from behind her.

Haomaru rubbed the side of his head with his free hand and stroked gently over his mate's stomach, kissing the back of her ear.

"Well, that's the verdict, Captain Starwind. I hope you don't mind our company." this was all he had to say, before his entire attention had come back onto Aisha; while he let his other arm curl gently around her waist.

Gene was dumbfounded for a second, before he'd started to get annoyed at them.

"Now wait here just a-"

"Kyaa! I'm so excited, we get to go on more space adventures!" Elise happilly jumped up and down, holding onto Y'tue gently.

"Who the hell sai-"

"Thank you Starwind-san, this is a great honor. I will guard this ship with my sword, you have the word of Y'tue QlanQlan."

"Hey!"

"Glad to see you're so excited moron. Now get this baby in gear, we're not leaving yet, but I'll see you learn enough about space travel yet!" Hilda said with a hearty slap on his back, while she stepped past him and returned into the ship.

Following suit Aisha led Haomaru after Elise and Y'tue, as everyone seemed to just make their place; Gene was left outside with no say in the matter. It seemed that if anything, he never had a say in the matter no matter how it seemed to go. It was not all that surprising though...inside he had been hopeful that they'd stay.

Gene smirked and looked up at the sky, sure enough his father would be happy to realize that he really did have a worthy crew.

"Hey Dad...thanks for everything." his words were gentle and relayed his sweetest sentiment towards one of the few people in life that he'd ever show it for.

As he headed back into the XGP, he paid one last look to the sky before he let his fingers brush back through his hair; life was wonderful for a change; the crew were one...bonded, forever.

See ya later, Outlaw.

(End Chapter)

And I hope that you've enjoyed this little trip through a faithful flight of love, here the final chapter as the crew remains together...forever.