Disclaimer: I don't own The King of Fighters…

A/N: Hello, fellow readers and writers. After an unfortunately long delay, this story can finally continue as it draws to a close. I do want to apologize for taking so long and hope to wrap this up in a timelier manner. This is the next to last chapter, so let's not wait any longer. And here … we … go:

The King of Fighters Tournament XVI: Where the Hearts Is

A Long-Sought, Hard-Fought Victory

"I'm … scared for you." Cassandra Murata spoke over the phone, unable to hide her concern.

Her brother's rough prickly voice on either end, Oni responded, "You're worried about me? Do I sound like I need you to worry?!"

Clutching the phone in both hands, Cassandra continued, "It's just… That world you've entered? It's no good … for anyone."It's no good … for anyone."

Oni protested vehemently, "Have you ever met me?! This place is perfect; lots of fights and sad sacks to dish them out to."

Cassandra pleaded with heavy trepidation, "Oni, please… For your sake and mine, get out of there while you can."

Unwavering, Oni replied in determination, "I'm not leaving here; face it, I'm not coming back… I've been taking care of you too long. Time to go off on your own. You've got other friends now; go with them and do what you want to do… Boss Yamazaki's calling. Goodbye…"

CLICK! Cassandra's call had only left her sadder and now confused. Oni had always kept her close but now he was pushing her away, and he never said goodbye. It was even odder that he talked about her friends and what she wanted to do, things that he had never show any interest if not disdain. She could not understand this sudden rejection marked by the peculiar and sad finality in his voice. Left with this apparent farewell, Cassandra could only mourn as she ventured to the event to which she was invited…

On this night in London, a large group was gathering for an event; a victory party was being held at King's 'Illusion' bar for the Gorgeous Team and to unveil the KOF Championship Cup, and every current and former member of team was there to celebrate: King, Chizuru Kagura, Yuri Sakazaki, Mai Shiranui, Blue Mary, who brought Vanessa and Angel as well, Kasumi Todoh, Hinako Shijou, and Li Xiangfei. However, one really recent member arrived quite a bit late.

Leona eventually appeared, clad in full military dress uniform; she wore a dark blue blazer and skirt hemmed just above her knees, dark blue heels that she was very uncomfortable in, medals and badges decorated her jacket's left side, and with her hair styled straight down. In her arms, she carried an intricately-wrapped rectangular box. King, wearing a dark red cocktail dress she had saved for such an occasion, saw the young Amazon and went to greet her…

King happily said, "You made it; I was starting to wonder if you'd show."

Leona replied, even more subdued than usual, "Yes. I'm sorry for being so late."

King spoke kindly, "Think nothing of it. You're here after all; it wouldn't have felt right if you weren't."

Leona managed a smile as she offered, "Um… Hiroshi bought this for you … to congratulate you and others."

King peeked under the present's top, saw two rare wines inside, and said with a smile, "Oh, that guy… he always knows just the right thing to get."

"He wanted to deliver it to you in person…" Leona said before her voice trailed off, "But he … couldn't, of course."

"I heard about the accident." King replied, catching on the concern, "How is he doing?"

Leona relayed soberly, "He's … recovering well. He's moving better; he's back at work; he seems to be in good spirits. He's back to himself though not physically."

"And, how are you holding up?" King asked, shifting her focus.

Leona answered bluntly, "It doesn't matter. My only concern right now is Hiroshi."

King pointed out in unease, "You can't take care of him if you're not in the best shape… It's alright; I'm listening."

Leona paused before slowly revealing, "I've treated injuries, and I've seen many scars … but when I see his and think about how he got them, I just… I mean, I've lost teammates, comrades, and even been forced to watch on occasion, but when I think … I could've lost him, I can't…" Leona stopped momentarily before pushing through, her stoicism cracking into grief briefly, "Honestly, Hiroshi is healing, but his scars still haunt me."

Mai came over, asking, "Leona-chan? What's going on? What's wrong?"

King explained, "She's worried about Hiroshi. His accident shook her up pretty bad."

Mai warmly embraced Leona, reassuring her, "Oh, babe, we understand; it's okay. I know if anything happened to Andy, I wouldn't know what to do with myself either… You just tough it out, okay? He'll do a lot better if you stand by him."

As Mai released Leona, King concurred, "Mai's right, Leona. Just keep taking care of him, and he'll be better in no time. All those feelings you're having are because you care for him so much. Remember, he cares about you just as much."

Mai said finally with a smile, "And knowing him, he's doing well because you're there. Stay strong, girl."

Leona managed a nod of agreement as her former teammates left, but her heart sank within her in spite of the support. It was obvious that her friends thought it was a simple accident. Though the advice was helpful, they were unaware of the circumstances, and Leona shuttered to think of their reactions if they were. Her pain and doubt marked her still, with little relief available…

On the outdoor patio of 'Illusion', Chizuru sat alone, deep in thought and trying to make sense of all she was sensing. Her concentration was momentarily broken when she vaguely sensed a person sit down across from her, a woman wearing a sun hat that vaguely resembled a sugegasa. Chizuru was unaware of this person's identity … until she spotted the sky-blue bangs just underneath the hat…

Chizuru casually said, "I didn't know if you would come."

Shinobu responded, keeping her eyes hidden, "I wasn't sure that I should. I'm afraid this meeting will be very disheartening."

"So then … there is bad news?"

Shinobu shook her head negative and revealed, "Worse; there is no news. I haven't heard from my brother at all since the encounter… In truth, this silence is much more frightening."

Chizuru shared, "My senses are offering no solace. Though we're celebrating, I can't help feeling that we've merely altered the course not changed the destination… My defenses are still tense. My dread still persists."

Shinobu thought for a moment before suggesting, "In times of battle like this, it's best to avoid becoming scattered and thus easier to overwhelm…. I think we should regroup, come together, and remain close to the seal, so we can respond."

Chizuru offered, "I agree. I'll try to gather Hiroshi and Adel, if possible Kyo and Iori as well. You should try to contact your brother one more time before you join us. Adel's ship is equipped to last for weeks in case of emergency; I don't think this could be any more urgent."

"Very well; I'll make a few preparation, and I will see you again shortly."

With that, Shinobu rose to her feet and vanished, disappearing as quickly as she appeared. The brief meeting meanwhile only troubled Chizuru even more, her tension quickly growing large. However, this did bring some of her senses into perspective. What she felt was the danger hovering over them all but not advancing; it had already arrived but not started. She was anxious over the uncertainty of the strike, fearful of the damage when it did arrive, and unsure of their ability to even stop it when the time did come. It was clear that they had won for now, but Chizuru was still at a loss… Suddenly, Chizuru's focus was again broken by a person approaching, this time a woman in a long white coat open over her midriff and long white pants.

"Chizuru Kagura? You invited me here?" Cassandra asked.

Chizuru shook off her concerns and replied, "Yes. I understand you've had some contact with one of my contemporaries, a Hiroshi Amaterasu?"

Cassandra nodded as she said, "Yes, he, uh ... 'helped' my brother."

"I see. I also understand that you're a skilled fighter as well?" Chizuru added, garnering another nod from Cassandra, "Okay, in that case… My colleagues and I are taking on a very dangerous undertaking, and we can use all the help we can get."

"Ladies, ladies…" Mai said as she went around the bar, "It's time. Come on in."

As they were called, all of the guests gathered in the center of the establishment, and there stood King next to a structure covered under a dark sheet…

King spoke candidly, "Okay, I just wanted to say… This is almost too good to be true. Yuri, Mai, we were there from the very start, and we went back every year, with … many different teammates. We trained, planned, and fought every time. And we were not deaf; we had to hear everything said about us: 'Why do they keep coming back'; 'what's their purpose anyway'; 'even when they win they find a way to lose'… I've personally had to hear all of that my entire life, and I've never accepted it. And Mai and Yuri never let me, and they didn't take that either.

Now, this is what all those long fights were for, and … damn if it wasn't worth it. I would take every punch, kick, cut, and bruise again, this feels so good. Mai, thank you for never letting me give up. Yuri, thank you for keeping us focused and excited. Chizuru, Yuri, Mai, anything you want to do, count me in; I wouldn't miss it for anything. And for all of you, this wouldn't have happened without any of you; this belongs to you just as much as it does us. Ladies … we did it; no one can take it away from us, and no one can deny. We … are all the queens of fighting!"

Finally, King emphatically whipped the sheet away and revealed the trophy cup, beautifully placed and lit in a clear display case, to a chorus of cheers, swoons, whistles, and shouts. Upon closer inspection, the newest fixture to the 'Illusion' had something extra special: while the team name was 'The Gorgeous Team', all the women's names were engraved underneath! The entire group quickly huddled around King, Mai, and Yuri and showered them with hugs of admiration and gratitude. The celebration continued anew with laughter, smiles, multiple toasts to the achievement, and beyond numerous pictures of the cup, with the cup, and around the cup. For Chizuru, the joyous occasion broke her anxiety in reminding her of a very important fact: a victory can be won by a few but shared and benefit everyone.

End Chapter

A/N: That'll do it. Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoyed it. I know it's a little short, but it is important. In any case, we have one chapter left that is coming along very nicely, and will be delivered shortly. Again, thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed it, and I hope you come back for the conclusion. Please R&R, and, as always, Rant, Rave, and Review.