Epilogue
4 years later
"Do you know that you were seen?"
"I know."
"Do you know that that's going to cause more problems for you?"
"I know."
"Then why are you still doing it? You should be stopped but 4 years on, you're still doing the same thing. You're incorrigible."
"It's not something which I can just stop doing like that."
A frustrated sigh was let out. "You're always putting yourself in danger."
"If I can stop the misery of many more, so be it."
"You'll never be able to stop my misery. Let me go with you."
"No. They're catching on to who you are, since you're never able to hold your cool. Besides, you rely too much on your alice, it's a dead giveaway."
"Tch, so speaks the person who is always rendered useless in a sword fight."
A glare was thrown, "not that I can help it. I haven't been able to practice fighting with a sword. Anyway, I'm better at close combat."
"Yeah that combat which gets you killed faster."
"Stop being so stubborn, I have to go soon. They're meeting in an hour's time."
"Tch, leaving me alone again."
"You have them to look after, stop being a brat. I'll see you in 4 hours' time."
"Yeah yeah, hurry back. I'll be waiting, like always."
It was the dead of night, the air was cool and the only sound that could be heard for miles on end was the sound of the cicadas singing their songs. Occasionally, a croak or two could be heard from the bullfrogs residing in the palace fountain. Further out in the villages nearer Nula, the sound of a horse neighing could be heard.
"Shh…" A voice gently coaxed the horse, "I'll be back soon".
Adjusting the mask that was beginning to loosen, the assassin checked that her throwing daggers were in place before setting off into the town. By this time, everyone was asleep and the only people around were the guards that were doing their nightly patrol. Checking the corners for them, the assassin ran in the shadows and finally reached the house that was appointed. Looking round once again and seeing the flickering of flames pass the bridge opposite the house, she dug her fingers into the roughly build wall.
"These guards need to be more vigilant, it's too easy for thieves to rob someone with their lackluster attitude."
Upon reaching the small balcony, she tested the windows and found them to be unlocked. Opening them carefully so as to not make a sound, she slipped in and landed with a soft thud on the wooden floor. Letting her eyes adjust to the dim light from the full moon, she noted that she was in a baby's room. Looking into the crib from her position, the baby could not be older than a year. Deciding to move from her position once she heard no more noises, she opened the door and walked down the hallway.
This was supposed to be a relatively easy mission; get the document which was sealed and get out of the house undetected. Killing someone was not to occur, but lady luck was not on her side. Just as she found her way to the study and found the required document, footsteps outside the door could be heard.
"Hurry your ass up! Boss said that he didn't want that pesky assassin to get his hands on his documents. You're lucky that I'm not going to report you for slacking off your job and running off to have some fun with the ladies." A voice hissed a little too loudly.
"Sorry… I didn't see anything weird when I came back though. That assassin bloke probably doesn't know that boss lives here." Another voice whispered back.
Stuffing the letter into her waist pouch, the assassin looked around the basement for somewhere to escape, or hide if need be.
"Don't be an idiot and make assumptions like that. Just check the room in case! And do it quietly! Don't want to be waking up the misses and boss."
"Shit!"
Running towards the barrels that were hiding in a dark corner, she crouched low and prayed to any God that was willing to listen to her that they would not look around too thoroughly. The door to the basement study swung open and the bright light from the torch swerved here and there, looking for signs of entry. Not daring to peek out and take a look at the traitors, the light made travelled round the room, ignoring the barrels which she was hiding behind. Letting out a breath of relief, she realised her mistake.
"Boss, there's dust disrupted here. He's been here!"
"He's hiding in the room then! No one got out while I was on watch!"
"Dammit! For hired guards, they're not that stupid. Why is my luck so bad today!They probably changed shifts in that moment when I was looking for the letter. Have I become so tardy?"
The light the shone on the barrels as the guards realised that this was the best place for the perpetrator to hide behind.
Smirking to themselves, one of the guards commanded, "come out from your hiding spot your worm! There's nowhere to run or hide in this place."
The other guard taunted along, "for a well-known assassin, you sure don't seem as legendary as they make you out to be, seeing you you've been so tar-"
Gripping two daggers from her shoulder, the assassin shot up and released the knives from her hands. They lodged themselves in the man's neck and chest, cutting him off midway in his sentence. Gripping his windpipe to stop the blood flow, he collapsed to the ground and died.
"SHIT!" The other guard ran, knowing that his life was on the line. "Help! HELP! The assassin is here! Someone…" But the assassin jumped on his back and slit his throat. The man gurgled in blood before leaving this world. Wiping her dagger on his clothes, she sheathed it and laid two stalks of lavender on the men. Knowing that time was running out, she ran out of the room, back the way she entered.
Closing the room to the baby's room, she saw that the child was now awake and staring at her. Putting a finger to her lips, she motioned for the baby to remain silent, but the child merely gurgled with glee.
"You'll grow up to be a fine person. I'm sorry for taking your father away. Please do not become like him." The assassin looked at the blonde hair child and left through the window. Climbing down from the balcony, she hid behind a bush as the patrolling unit walked pass her.
"Wow… they're obviously doing a great job. Too bad they'll be sacked soon."
Noting their emblem sewn on the vest, she darted back into the shadows, up the hill where her horse was tied.
The horse looked at the approaching figure apprehensively, not afraid of attacking if someone wanted to steal her but the sound of the usual clicking calmed her down. The assassin untied the horse and mounted her.
"Let's go home." Giving her horse a slight kick, they rode off into the night, returning to their place in life.
"Minister of Trade in the Kingdom of Nula involved in more than trading of goods! Arrested for child trafficking"
"Mysterious vigilante aided in the apprehension of the Minister of Trade"
"2 dead bodies found at the scene of the crime in Minister's home. Accident or assassination?
The headlines screamed with the news of the Nula's trade minister's misdeeds and the whole kingdom was in an uproar. No one could fathom the thought of the man actually conducting child trafficking. He was a reputable man, kind and always willing to help those who are less fortunate, however his deeds have been brought to light and this has left a very bitter taste in the people's mouth.
Having been living under the return rule of the Yukihira family, the kingdom was brought back to its prosperous state. Crime was kept to an all time low for the past three years, however, somehow, crime rates began crawling back up again. People had long forgotten the famous Shadowfox because the royal family was doing a good job at stomping out crimes, but in the recent year, more and more whispered about her. Many wondered if she would turn up again to liberate them from the crimes which evade the government. To the people, her return remained as a mere rumor. To Mikan, Shadowfox was back in business.
Her uncle did mention how he was tied down by the amount of work and could not seem to catch the Minister with enough evidence as he had wittedly evaded each house arrest and trial. Not wanting to be seen merely acting on hearsay, Kazumi requested for Mikan to investigate this in her private time. This cause though, was the largest one Mikan had to handle. Previously, her uncle would give her work regarding small time murderers or drug dealers which had entered into the Nula kingdom and these people were snuffed out quickly, credit going to the royal armed forces.
As the cases grew in importance, so did Natsume's worry for his wife. Soon after giving birth to their second child, Kazumi requested Mikan's assistance and she immediately accepted despite saying that she had retired from the job. Each night as Mikan left the palace in her signature outfit, Natsume would worry his heart out, wanting her to come back unscathed and in one piece. He chided her for her thoughtlessness because now they had a family, but deep down he knew the loyalty she had to her people. Only able to watch over the children so that they do not find out about her 'night career', Natsume always put the children to sleep and made sure they stayed asleep.
But one night, he lapsed into carelessness and Mikan's alter ego was compromised.
"You know Keiko, if you see someone in the dark of night jumping around, you don't have to be scared." The 4 year old prince looked at his 3 year old sister.
"Why?" The crimson eyed girl looked back at her older brother, waiting eagerly for a response.
"Because that person keeps us safe! You know the stories about how someone rescues a villager form a group of thugs and all? The stories that Misaki nee-chan tells us?"
"Yeah… what about that?" The girl twiddled with her brown hair.
Misaki looked at the two younger children and smiled. "Satoshi, come here! Leave that lizard alone! Geez, you're just like your father!" Misaki looked at her own son and motioned for him to join the two younger royal children. Satoshi Andou was 5 years old and was a splitting image of Tsubasa.
"Otou-san said that if I caught a lizard, he'll buy me Holawons!" Satoshi looked at his mother and whined.
"Shush now. Quick eat your bread." Misaki left the room for a while to go get more water for the children.
The 4 year old prince look at his senior at made a face, "HAHA! Satoshi got scolded by his mother!"
"SHUT UP TETSUYA!" Satoshi shouted at the small boy.
"Make me."
Grabbing his shadow, Satoshi made the prince slap himself.
"HEY! That hurt!"
Tetsuya then threw a fire ball at him.
"STOP FIGHTING!" The young Keiko screamed, nullified all their Alices and started crying.
Satoshi got up from his seat and grabbed Keiko's cheeks, "neh, stop crying! I'm sorry. I won't fight. Tetsuya! Apologise as well."
"Why should I take commands from you, lousy shadow manipulator?!" Tetsuya looked darkly at Abe with his brown eyes that pierced through his raven black bangs.
Keiko sobered up and look at her brother, "Tetsuya nii-chan, don't fight with Satoshi nii-chan!"
"But he started it!" Tetsuya huffily pointed out.
"Okaa-san said that we should not fight with people…" Keiko sobbed.
"Geez man, you only know how to go around making your sister cry right?" Satoshi looked at the younger boy in a disapproving way.
Crossing his arms and giving in to his sister's pleas, "Tch, fine. Gomen."
"There, he and I apologised so stop crying all right? A smile suits your beautiful face better." Satoshi then gave a Keiko a peck on her cheek before returning to his seat opposite Tetsuya.
"SA… TO… SHI!" Conjuring a flame in his hand, Tetsuya stood up flaming with fury.
Satoshi just looked at Tetsuya and smirked, "Hoho… someone has a sister complex. Wait wait! Before you fry me, continue your story that you were telling Keiko-hime."
Extinguishing the flames, Tetsuya glared at the playboy before turning to his sister.
"As I was saying, you don't have to be scared of that person because… I saw her."
"Don't tell lies Tetsuya. No one knows who that person is." Satoshi interjected.
"I'm not because that person entered my room, without a mask!" Tetsuya defended.
"And who may that be? Who is the face behind the great Shadowfox?"
Keiko imitated Satoshi, "Who is it onii-chan? Who?"
After a brief moment of silence, Tetsuya beamed proudly and proclaimed, "It's okaa-san!"
The two other children looked at him, then at each other before Satoshi burst out in laughter.
"I don't believe you!" Satoshi shrieked in laughter, "how can the kougou be the great Shadowfox?! She's so clumsy!"
"Okaa-san is not the kougou?"
"Watch your mouth Satoshi before I burn you." Tetsuya threatened before turning to his sister, "Okaa-san is both kougou and Shadowfox."
"Ok I believe you. Yay okaa-san! She's so pretty and she's so kind hearted! I'm proud to have such a wonderful okaa-san!" Keiko chirped happily.
Misaki who was standing behind the door smiled to herself, knowing that no one would believe the children even if they told others that Mikan was the legendary Shadowfox because she did not fit the cool, calculative and athletic assassin. Pushing the door open, she gave the children their cups of water before sending the royal children to their parents.
"Tetsuya knows." Mikan told Natsume one night.
The raven haired boy looked back at his wife and dropped the book which he was reading in shock. "How?"
"I climbed in through his window and he was supposed to be asleep, but…"
"That rascal was up looking for the legendary Shadowfox running around."
"Yeah… he saw my face, cause I took off my mask while climbing in."
"YOU KLUTZ!" Natsume burst out. Then assessing the situation, he calmly commented, "no one would believe him even if he told others. No one would believe the kind, beautiful, clumsy and dim-witted crown princess could be such a person."
"HEY!" Mikan hit Natsume in the arm before being pulled down to the large King bed.
"You know… hitting the future king is an offense that is punishable by death." Natsume stared seriously at the brown haired beauty while she giggled at his act.
"As if you could ever punish me." Mikan taunted.
"Oh, we'll see about that." Natsume whispered wickedly into her ears before capturing her lips in a hungry kiss.
"All right all right, I give up." Throwing her hands up in mock surrender, Mikan looked at her dashing husband with a twinkle of mischief in her eyes.
Nodding in silent agreement, Natsume blew out the candle light which illuminated in their room and served as the only light source. Adjusting to the darkness, he pulled Mikan towards him and hugged her tightly.
"Let's have another baby Mikan."
"Another one?!" Mikan shrieked a little too loudly for Natsume's taste.
"What's wrong with another kid? Both Keiko and Tetsuya turned out so beautiful." Looking back at the brown-haired beauty in his arms, Natsume could picture another toddler running around the palace and wreaking havoc.
Looking back at Natsume, Mikan snuggled in Natsume's warm embrace and muttered, "it's too soon. Keiko is only 3 years old."
"It's never too soon, come on, you can imagine another child. This time one with your brown eyes since both Tetsuya and Keiko inherited mine. The child will have my dashing good looks and my intelligence."
"So basically you're saying that our next child will be an exact replica of you." Mikan coated her words with a tinge of annoyance. "Are my eyes my only redeeming trait?"
"We can't have our child inherit your intelligence can we. He'll be the shame of the kingdom, clumsy as who knows what and so blur that he could be cheated of anything just for a packet of Holawons."
"HEYYYY… I really craved for them since they're not sold anywhere in Firenze, and… who said the next baby will be a boy? It's going to be a beautiful girl."
"With my looks and intelligence." Natsume interjected.
"With MY looks. Isn't that why you fell in love with me?" Mikan emphasised.
"That… will be a bad thing. I don't want those skirt chasers anywhere near my daughters. That reminds me, tell Misaki to keep her child away from Keiko. He's too touchy feely for my liking, just like his damn father."
"They're only children Natsume, don't need to lock Keiko up in a tower. Let her experience these things while she can."
"Not under my watch. Who knows what that damn Andou is teaching his kid… Tetsuya told me that he pecked my Keiko on the cheek! They're not supposed to know such things at this age Mikan!" The raven haired prince was clearly fuming with fury at a boy coming within a hundred feet of his precious daughter.
Mikan lifted her hand to stroke Natsume's cheek which was glowing in the moonlight, "now I know why Tetsuya acts in such a haughty manner when Satoshi is in the same room as him and Keiko. You should keep your jealousy to yourself. He's developing a sister complex."
"He should. No one is good enough for my daughter."
Liking how she could hear Natsume's growl in his chest, Mikan pushed herself up and kissed Natsume on the lips.
"Worry about Keiko when she's older my dear husband. Now, weren't we discussing about another child? If you have such a strong reaction to our daughter, I don't think you can handle another child." Mikan mischievously toyed with the fabric on Natsume's chest.
"Hm…" Natsume kissed Mikan back, "don't worry, I'll just have to train Tetsuya's alice so that he can burn people from a further distance. Just like how I used to keep your suitors at bay."
Hungrily kissing each other, Natsume's hands roamed towards Mikan's nightgown and removed it or almost, before Tetsuya barged into their room with Keiko holding his hand.
"Okaa-san, Otou-san… We can't sleep, can we sleep with you?" Keiko whimpered as she hated the dark.
"Sighs, once again we're interrupted."
"Hop in little ones!" Mikan got out of Natsume's embrace and carried her children to the bed.
Tucking them in between herself and Natsume, both parents gave their children a peck on the forehead. Seeing his children closing their eyes, Natsume glared at them in annoyance as they disrupted the little time Mikan and him had with each other.
"You know, even though you glare at them, you still love them. So just be glad that they are still children. You can save those glares for Keiko's suitors." Mikan telepathically transferred her thoughts into Natsume's mind. He looked up and saw how Mikan slowly stroke the head of their daughter while humming a soft lullaby. Turning to look at the peaceful face his son was giving as he slipped into dreamland, he softly chuckled to himself before snuggling in beside him.
"Oyasumi, Tetsuya… Keiko…" Mikan gently cooed at her already sleeping children.
Seeing how Natsume had slipped off to sleep, she noted how he protectively laid his arm across both his children.
"I never knew he would turn out to be such a good father. I am truly blessed and wouldn't give this up for the world."
Sliding down in the large bed, she too laid a protective arm across her children and held onto Natsume's warm hand before closing her eyes and drifted off to sleep.
Annnnddddd, that is the end to Enigma Sonata people! I hope you had a great time reading this fanfiction as much as I had writting it.
Thank you to all those who have constantly reviewed and those anonymous reviews! They really pushed me to deliver a plot which is the best as it can be.
Thank you to all those who favourite-d and followed this fanfiction as well! You people always let me know that I'm going in the right direction in this story!
This will not be the end of my writing career! Do look out for the next few fanfics which I'm planing! There will be a (hopefully) one-shot SumireXKoko for those who love this pair and there will be another longer MikanXNatsume. :)
Please review this for the last time and thank you all so much!