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THERE'S A NEW CHAPTER.
Finals are OVER! And now I have a week to indulge in writing before the summer semester starts :P Hopefully, I'll be able to finish SH. I am going home again, so we'll see. I mean, I got zilch done when I went home for spring break, but I have hope.
Reviewers for last chapter include japanese hamm, Q-A the Authoress, quardian of the aura Aurasoul, FiringShootingStar, Rapis-Razuri, Flame-Metal-Heart, and PyronicTao! Thank you guys so much!
And we have a few new anons coming to say their piece! Poohbear4u, LDC, ChibiX, CiL, jasminas1999, and anon make up our total of six anon reviewers! Poohbear4u: Your guess has been noted XD LDC: Don't worry! We still have a few epilogues! And even then, you know I'll be starting another story when this one is done with. Keep your eyes peeled! ChibiX: I guess we'll see, shall we? You'll have your answer by the end of this chapter ;) CiL: While the oneshots won't show anything after the story (more on this in my notes after the chapter), I will be writing something for canon-verse that shows them raising their little ones :) jasminas1999: Yup! You're right! I don't actually speak it, but I am taking a class in the fall :) What does 'Gūsių' mean? I'm of Lithuanian descent, so I've always wanted to learn more about your country XD anon: Thanks! Hehe… I guess we'll see how close your thoughts are XD
And now for the chapter! RobotFish has been busy lately and I haven't really heard much from him, so this chapter is unbeta'd. I apologize for my crappy work :P
Oh, and the title comes from the track of the same name by Bond. It was playing when I was trying to think of a good name for a finale and I was just kinda like, 'M'kay. Let's go with it.' So, yeah. Not really much meaning to the word itself, though I do recommend listening to the track. It's awesomesauce. And kinda captures an ending, at least in my mind.
Sunset Horizon
Chapter 47 – Wintersun
Katsuro sat on the grass by the small lake behind his home, sighing to himself as he cast his fishing rod out to the waters. He had a mountain of work to do, but he wanted a few moments of relaxation. Ever since he had inherited the title, he had been something of a workaholic. It was his father that would randomly drop into his office and talk to him to distract him from working too hard.
And now he was gone.
Sighing once more, he knew he'd be able to retire officially once Senator LeBlanc, Senator Wôdan, and himself got the foundations for the election system in place. In the meantime, he was stressed. Not only did he have the work of roughly four senators to do, but he was still grieving the loss of his father. To add salt to his wounds, he had been forced to kill his best friend from youth, Roman, at point blank after he'd killed Z-one. It was a turn of events he hadn't seen coming.
He knew Z-one was still hurting after the death of his mother three years ago. Hell, he had never fully recovered from Elise's death thirteen years before now. Only for a short while had he wished he could join her. Most of his grief had been spent wishing he could have taken her place instead. He knew Yusei would have been better off if he still had his mother and not him.
He had finally gotten to speak with his son at the end of the year for the first time in nine years. He knew he wasn't the best father and he was sure Yusei hated him after the way he'd abandoned him.
He couldn't help it. The pain he'd felt when Elise died… He hadn't known how to react or what to do. He had known the legends of the Signer and the punishments in store, but he had imagined there would be some kind of warning to prepare. That she would be gradually weakened or something. He was grateful that she didn't suffer, but he had been hurt irreparably. He hadn't known how he could look Yusei in the eye again. He had failed as a father and he deserved to be hated.
"Finally got time to fish and you didn't even invite me?"
He looked up with a start to find his son standing behind him, hands on his sides while his fingers looped through his holster belt. He stared out at the lake, avoiding eye contact while squinting at the morning sunlight.
"Y-Yusei…" he muttered, then turned back to his fishing rod with a light chuckle. "I'm sorry. I remember how you used to ask me to take you fishing when you were younger. Honestly, I don't think there even are any fish in this lake."
He pointed towards the water and said, "There are. You can them swimming around."
"I'm going to let you in on a little secret," he said giving a light laugh as he faced the lake again. "I'm terrible at fishing. As many times as I've gone with Z-one and my mother when I was younger or on trips with other senators, I'd be lucky to have caught more than five fish."
Yusei's eyebrow rose as he shifted to sit next to him and picked up a second rod lying in the grass. He moved to bait the hook and cast it into the water, saying, "Really? I've fished five times in my life. Twice when Z-one and Grandma took me out to learn and three times on the road to New Domino. I caught eighteen fish on those five trips, if I remember right."
He shook his head with a light chuckle. "Maybe I never took you fishing with me because I was afraid you'd be better than me."
"You still could've done something with me."
He was silent for a moment as he observed his son and the frown he wore. "Yusei…" he started. "Is it… too late?"
He inhaled sharply and leaned back slightly, relaxing as he held the fishing rod upright. "Tell me something, will you?"
He nodded. "What is it?"
"How far are you willing to go to make it up to me?"
He nodded once and, without thinking, said, "I would be willing to do whatever you ask of me. If at all possible, when my duties here are finished, I would like to go with you to wherever you may end up. I'll be able to retire from politics once we've set up an election system, so I'll have nothing left holding me here. If you'll have me, I want to try to make up for the time I failed you."
He lazily pulled his line in, then cast it back out again. "I'll say this once. I don't care if you follow me, but if you hurt Akiza or my son the way you hurt me, I'll shoot you myself."
He gave a short nod. "I would expect no less. I wish I had been strong enough to support my family so firmly a decade ago."
"Hm," he hummed, offering a wordless response to show he'd heard him.
After a moment, he turned to Yusei and asked, "Your son?"
He nodded. "Akiza's powers have let her communicate on a superficial level with the baby. She's been able to tell that we're having a son."
"I see…" He stared into the distance, trying to find the right words to say. "I… never did offer my congratulations. On both your marriage and your coming child. I truly do wish the best for you."
"Thanks," he muttered. After a moment, he added, "Akiza told me you know about her powers, but she prefers that the fewest number of people be aware and I agree with that. A lot of people just don't understand her gift. Bad things could happen if the wrong people find out."
He gave a brief nod. "I understand what it's like to have a wife with powers that are best kept secret."
Humming a short response, he shook his head and murmured, "I'm not going to keep my powers a secret."
Katsuro turned to look at his son in shock. "But… why?"
Shrugging slightly, he replied, "I'm not planning to tell the church and I'm not about to listen to what they say when they figure it out, but I'm not going to hide it, either. Everything the dragons have said so far point to the purpose of a Signer being there is to bring humans and spirits together. If no one knows about these powers, then what's the point of there being a Signer?"
He gave a slow nod, musing in silence. "I see… Perhaps the dragons made a wise choice in passing the seal of the Signer to you."
Chuckling, he muttered, "Believe it or not, they didn't intend for me to inherit it. It was an accident when my mother died that brought this thing to me."
"Then perhaps it's one of those situations later known as a perfect mistake?" he mused, his eyes scanning the lake ahead. "I'm sure you'll handle it well, Yusei."
He sighed and set down the rod for a second, shifting to push the sleeve of his worn tan jacket up to his elbow and glanced at the mark embedded in his skin. "I guess we'll see."
"Yusei…" he started, his eyes locked on the tether of the fishing line as he tried to figure out what to say. He knew the message he wanted to send, but he couldn't decide on the right way to word it. "I… I want to apologize again. The way I treated you… It was inexcusable and I'm grateful you're giving me this second chance. I promise it won't be wasted."
He nodded once. "I'll hold you to that."
…
Yusei tied the second ascot of the week around his neck, silently grateful that it should be the last one he would have to wear for a long time. He missed his rugged days in New Domino without a shirt. It was so carefree.
He paused, turning to glance at his favorite ratty old jacket lying on the bed. Carefree… He couldn't afford to be carefree anymore. He had a family to care for now. He had to be a responsible adult. It wasn't the end of the world, though. He could be responsible and still have fun now and then.
He nodded once to reassure himself. After all, with the way they were before, he highly doubted that Akiza would be all right with giving up sex too much. Smiling to himself at the thought, he turned slowly to pull a brooch from his collection as a youth. He didn't see the point in getting a new one for one night. Pinning it to his ascot, he sighed once and shifted to pick his white cloth gloves from the desk. Formality was a bitch.
"I'd almost think it's normal to see you in a suit by now."
He chuckled slightly and turned to face his wife, freezing in his tracks as he took in the sight of her, dressed for the ball. Her gown was cream colored, cut low over her breasts and curving over her shoulders in thin sleeves. A cream ribbon tied below her breasts, forming a line before the long fabric split down the front over her rounding belly. Underneath, a white sequined sheet of satin fell to the floor, glittering in the lights of his bedroom.
Down her back, a long, lacy cape dropped to the floor, attaching to her right wrist with a golden cuff. Long white gloves ran all the way up her arms, hiding her mark as his guardian from sight. She smiled and crossed her arms in front of her gracefully, saying, "Isn't it a beautiful dress?"
He stared dumbfoundedly, recalling a portrait in one of the parlors of his mother wearing it. Akiza made it look much more beautiful, though. All he could do was nod slowly, a nagging feeling deep down telling him that the image of her in that dress made wearing a suit worth it.
She approached slowly, the long fabric of the gown sashaying around her hips with a hint of seduction. The smile on her lips matched the motion as she stopped in front of him, leaning slightly closer to look up at him through her lashes. "I take it I have your approval?"
He snapped back to attention and reached out to set his hands on her hips, tugging her closer and pressing a kiss to her lips. She reciprocated, drawing as close to him as she could and wrapping her arms over his shoulders.
He loved the way she melted against him like that.
Drawing back slightly, he reached up to touch her chin gently and stroke her cheek with his thumb. He'd had uncertainties about fatherhood since the day he found out almost two months ago, but now he was confident that he—no, they—would be all right. He had faith in the woman he loved. She would help him if he needed it and he would happily do anything to ease her burden and make her smile.
He paused slightly, reaching out for the dusky-grey metal chain hanging around her neck and lifted it, unable to fight the smile that crossed his lips at the sight of the rose pendant he'd crafted for her last November. Fingering it gently, he asked, "Why wear this? My family has a necklace with rubies that would look perfect with that dress. Or would you rather diamonds?"
She chuckled lightly and reached up to touch a finger to his lips to silence him. "Haven't you been paying any attention to me? I told you god knows how many times already. I don't want a man who gives me jewels and property. I want you," she murmured, drawing so close that only her finger on his lips separated them. "I want you and all the sweet and romantic things you do for me, like making this necklace."
His lips parted slightly in mild surprise as he uttered, "Akiza…"
She smiled a little wider and said, "You made this necklace for me with your own two hands, crafted it for me to wear because you love me. It's priceless to me. Any man can buy jewels for a woman, but you're the only one who can make a necklace of my favorite flower look so beautiful."
After a moment of silence, she added, "You're my husband, Yusei. You're the man I love, and not because you're from a wealthy background. I loved you before I knew about that and will continue to love you if we leave it."
He fingered the pendant one more time, wearing a smile as he gently let it fall back against her bust. He wasn't sure if he should tell her right now that, even if they did return to New Domino, his fortune would follow them. Instead, he murmured, "Akiza… About that…"
She peered at him with a curious look, humming a short, "Mm?"
Stroking his hand down her shoulder, he said, "Three days ago, you asked me to think about where home was to me. I have an answer for you now."
She nodded slowly and met his gaze. "I'm listening."
Inhaling deeply, he muttered, "It is like you said. I do feel at home here. I don't know what it is about this place that makes me feel at home, though. I hate the formality and the stiffness and all the fakery of people around me, but some part of me still likes it here."
"I see…" she mused, averting her eyes to stare at the floor.
"But this isn't home." He flashed a quick smile as she looked back towards him. "It's a place to live, but it's not home. My home is in New Domino. With you. With our friends and my brothers. With your bar and my forge and people laughing because they're happy and not because they feel obligated to. Where kids can walk down the streets on their own and meet new friends and play games in the streets. That's what I want. That's what I promised your parents. I would give this child the life of cheerful freedom that I never had."
Tears filled her eyes she bit down her lip, trying to find words to reply. A moment passed and she still hadn't said a word, causing her to throw her arms around his shoulders and hold him tightly instead. It was all the response he needed as he held her in return, shifting to bury his nose in her hair. All the same, he felt the need to say, "I know New Domino's in some rough shape right now, but we can rebuild. Jack and Crow were leading a search party for survivors and belongings while we're gone."
She nodded against his neck, showing that she heard him before clinging more tightly. Finally, her choked voice sounded from over his shoulder as she murmured, "I love you, Yusei… I can't wait to start our lives together."
…
Yusei walked down the elaborate staircase in the west wing, leading down into the ballroom. He glanced to his side at the woman on his arm, watching for her reaction to the party in full swing. Her jaw dropped slightly, but she quickly covered it up and flashed a smile in his direction, saying, "You weren't kidding when you said this party would be bigger than the one in New Domino…"
He nodded. "The family ballroom is easily four times the size of the one back in the governor's estate." Pointing up, he added, "Two floors on this one."
She glanced around at the fancy balcony level, looking down over the dancefloor. Tables were set up for dining on that level, allowing guests a place to socialize and eat when they tired of dancing. The lower level consisted of the gigantic dancefloor in the middle, while more space for standing was left open under the upper level. Turning to glance at Yusei, she asked, "Can we dance?"
He flashed a smile and replied, "In a few. I have to be the social grandson of the deceased for a little bit first, okay?"
She nodded, but clung closer to his arm as he led her over to the lower level and over to a group of people talking comfortably. A genuine smile crossed his lips as he held his free hand up in a wave, saying, "Long time no see."
The three men turned to see who spoke and he felt Akiza stiffen in surprise as she recognized one of them. Dragan chuckled lightly and said, "Good to see you, Yusei. Miss Izinski."
She gave a little curtsy to be polite as Yusei smiled and said, "Actually, it's Mrs. Fudo now."
His eyebrow rose as he glanced between the two of them. "That was mildly quick of you."
Yusei only shrugged without remorse and instead gestured to the white- and maroon-haired men standing with Dragan. "Akiza, this is Dragan's brother, Captain Broder Lord, and their cousin, Senator Halldor Wôdan. Broder, Halldor, this is my wife, Akiza Fudo."
They bowed, one more deeply and respectfully than the other. Akiza gave another little curtsy, having got a lesson in formality from one of the handmaidens before the ball. Yusei muttered a slight sound of annoyance and waved a hand carelessly in the air. "Oh, come on! You guys were my best friends among senatorial families. Don't be so formal like that."
Broder burst out laughing, slapping Yusei on the arm playfully. "Heh! Our boy Fudo grew up a little over the last few years!"
"Well, yeah…" he countered. "It's been ten years. You, on the other hand, haven't changed at all, Broder."
He stuck his tongue out teasingly and muttered, "Damn straight!"
Akiza chuckled beside him as he smiled and said, "You know, I kinda missed you guys."
Halldor gave a light cough, politely covering his mouth with his gloved hand. "Only when you weren't busy having sex, of course."
The married couple turned to stare at the poised man donning a knowing smile. Giving an innocent shrug, he said, "Senators and former senators talk, Yusei. Your grandfather knew things. May he rest in peace."
Yusei glared and muttered, "And people wonder why I hate the senators."
Dragan barked a laugh and leaned back against a pillar with his arms crossed. "We never did. We always knew you hated the Underground dealings. We all did."
Broder grinned and set one hand on his hip, striking a pose while giving a thumbs-up with the other hand. "But now it's over! I mean, there're still little pockets of Underground, but with no one to fund them, they'll disappear in a flash."
Yusei hummed a sound of agreement, silently hating the formal feel of the evening. Between the fit of his suit to the snotty noblemen around him, he was feeling out of his depth. Why had his father organized such a regal event for Z-one? This party was supposed to honor his grandfather, but even to the other senators, he was still regarded as a likable rascal. He was probably either laughing at the irony or severely pissed off in the afterlife.
Either way, Yusei was sure he was glad to be back with his wife.
He couldn't help but smile to himself, casting a sideways glance at Akiza. If he had been separated from her by force like that, he knew he would do what he had to for their child. Though he knew he would do his best to keep from abandoning his son as his father abandoned him, he also knew that he would be happy to be with Akiza if she was ever taken from him.
All the same, he would much prefer they both lived long, healthy lives and raised their son together. He was excited to return to New Domino, rebuild their home, and officially start their lives together as a family. Though he had never considered having kids, he had wanted to be with her ever since he had first laid eyes on her at that spring festival almost seven years ago. He was only fourteen when he had watched her dance so merrily at thirteen. As a young teenager, he had fallen head over heels for her.
And now she was his wife. He knew he was lucky to have her love. He may not have anticipated being a father at twenty-one, but now he couldn't imagine his life any other way. Since he had come to accept the idea of fatherhood, he had worked hard to shape himself into an acceptable and responsible adult. It wasn't much, but he found he actually enjoyed helping Akiza with little things. Though the thought surprised him, he found he couldn't wait to be able to hold his son. He was still scared of being completely responsible for another life, but he knew Akiza would help him stay on track, and he would give everything he had to support her.
It was the start of something completely new, with a child they created together. What more could he ask for in life?
"Yuuuseeiii!"
The shrill call gave him only a millisecond to prepare himself before a pair of arms wrapped around his shoulders and hugged him awkwardly from the side. He couldn't help but release a strangled sound as he was pulled to his right before straightening and turning to find Sherry standing there, dressed in a pink gown for the occasion. She smiled and waved as if nothing had happened, saying, "It's good to be home, non?"
He shook his head to both sort his thoughts and reply to her. "I'm not home. Home is back in New Domino."
She smiled and nodded a greeting to the woman standing beside him, saying, "Hello, Miss Izin-" Covering her mouth with one hand, she laughed as if it was the funniest thing in the world and said, "I mean, Mrs. Fudo."
She frowned slightly and asked, "Is there a problem with that?"
Sherry shook her head and smiled. "Not at all! I just find it somewhat depressing that frumpy little Fudo married before me."
Yusei dropped his head into his palm. So he had been a serious kid. He couldn't help it when he had assholes on all sides. "Maybe that tells you something about your own personality."
She scoffed and stuck her nose in the air, then quickly brushed it off with a smile. "Non, non, non! That is hardly the case."
"Uh-huh…" he murmured, nodding slowly. "I'm so sure."
She shrugged again, carelessly dismissing his joke and changed the subject, saying, "Is your father still planning to pass on your inheritance? My birthday was three weeks ago, and my papa has told me he intends to give the fortune and home to me as soon as things settle down."
Yusei glanced sideways towards his wife before murmuring, "Uh, yeah… He already signed it off to me, but I won't have access until my birthday."
He felt Akiza's eyes bore into him as his childhood friend replied, "Is that so? Welcome to the top five richest people in Yliaster."
Beside him, Akiza blurted, "T-top… five…?"
He scratched the back of his head as he turned to face her and explained, "I was going to tell you about that, I swear. My family is third richest, actually."
"Actually," Sherry started, raising one finger to make a point. "You're second richest. With the end of the Goodwin family line and their fortune being taken to fund the new government and repairs, you've bumped up to take their place. Of course, the LeBlanc family is still first."
He managed a weak smile towards his wife. That wasn't how he'd wanted her to find out about that.
She frowned thoughtfully and murmured, "Well. I guess I don't have to worry about asking my father for funds to build a new bar."
He managed a nervous chuckle, grateful that she was taking the news so well. "Y-yeah… I guess so…" He had expected that she would want to rebuild. She had always been happiest when she was in her bar.
"Yusei…"
He looked up when Sherry spoke and hummed a short response, "Hm?"
"Have you given any thought to entering the senatorial elections?"
He didn't hesitate as he quickly replied, "Nope."
She frowned. "But why? You'd be excellent."
He coughed a short laugh and shook his head. "Really? I ran away from being senator when I was expected to be one. Why the fuck would I do it when I have the choice?" He shifted to step behind Akiza and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her against him before saying, "I am going to move back out to the middle of nowhere, build a house and a bar with my wife, and raise our son in a peaceful, quiet environment."
She smiled and gave a small chuckle. "That definitely sounds like the Yusei I remember."
He shrugged and moved to press a kiss to Akiza's temple. "That's all I want."
"Admirable," Sherry murmured and turned to glance thorough the room, perking up when she caught sight of something. Reaching out, she seemed to grab randomly into the crowd and pulled a blue-haired man out by the collar of his suit.
Bruno scratched the back of his head and turned away, seeming to be both sad and flustered. "H-hey…"
Akiza blinked at her bartender-turned-operative and asked, "How are you doing, Bruno?"
Sherry shook her head and winked playfully, saying, "Don't worry, Akiza, I'll take care of him." Without waiting for a response, she grabbed Bruno's arm and pulled him off towards the dancefloor, calling out sharply, "Come! We dance!"
Yusei watched as the blue-haired man was dragged off, pitying him all the way. He had been on the receiving end of Sherry's desires to dance at a party before and it wasn't a pretty thing. They had never had romantic feelings for each other, but they had danced together as friends when they were younger.
Next to him, Akiza sighed and gave a small chuckle. "He may look like he's suffering, but, deep down, he's enjoying every second."
Yusei turned to glance at his wife, blinking in surprise. "You think so?"
She nodded and flashed a smile towards him. "He's still grieving for Z-one, but he's glad to have the distraction. Plus, part of him does like Sherry."
He turned to glance back out at the crowd to see them dancing together, Sherry with a dark look on her face as she snapped at him. No doubt she was telling him how to dance properly. "I don't get that at all."
She smiled a little more secretively and tapped her temple, saying, "You wouldn't. It takes a special talent to pick up on these things, you know."
He smirked and reached out, wrapping one arm around her waist and touching the other to her cheek. Twisting suddenly, he moved to lean her back so he was poised above her, inches away from her lips. "I may not be special, but I'm picking up on the fact that you want to dance, too. Am I right?"
She giggled at his antics and cupped his chin, drawing him closer to kiss him quickly. "You wouldn't be wrong."
Straightening them out, he kissed her again before stepping back and extending his hand for her to take. "Then may I have the honor of this dance?"
She smiled and accepted the gesture, replying, "Of course. This is the first time we're dancing after our wedding, isn't it?" She paused, remembering their brief dance in his room three days ago and added, "Well, at a party, anyway."
He frowned as he thought about it, then nodded when he realized she was right. "I guess it is."
As they moved towards the dancefloor together, Yusei couldn't help but notice his father standing to the side, talking to Senator LeBlanc and his wife. Another woman was with them, standing beside Mrs. LeBlanc. Clearly, she was her friend. He couldn't help but frown, watching to see what would happen. It looked as though Sherry's parents were introducing this woman to his father. Judging by the look on her face, she was looking for a dance or something more.
Was his father seeing other women?
He couldn't hear what they said from his distance, but he realized he had stopped walking when Akiza tugged on his arm. "Just a second," he murmured, his eyes still locked on the scene a few meters away.
The strange woman smiled and held her hand towards his father as if she wanted him to take her to the floor, her lips curving flirtatiously. Yusei couldn't help but mentally categorize her as a gold digger. His grandmother had been a whore, yes, but she was blunt with her business and hadn't looked to seduce a man solely because he was rich. She let men come to her, not the other way around. She had also refused advances after she married. She was a whore, but she had morals.
This woman didn't seem to know what morals were.
Granted, his father had been a widower for thirteen years, but Yusei wanted him to stay alone. He had abandoned his son because he missed his wife too much when she died. He didn't have the right to find a woman's company attractive after he'd chosen to live alone instead of accepting his wife's death so long ago.
Yusei was curious as to what his father felt. Knowing him, he would probably dance with her to be polite, at least.
Across the room, Katsuro smiled lightly towards the woman and shook his head. He turned back to Senator LeBlanc to continue their conversation as if the woman had ceased to exist beyond his rejection, speaking pleasantly with his old friend.
Yusei's eyebrows rose as he took in the scene. So his father did still love his mother greatly. He frowned and glanced down at his own hand, remembering how he had worn the family wedding ring up until he'd passed it on. He didn't take it off because he was ready to move on. He removed it because it was time to pass it down in the tradition of the Fudo family.
It didn't really matter. He was famous and everyone knew he was single for years. As long as he could still speak and say 'no,' he would be fine. Yusei couldn't help but sigh in relief when he watched his father turn to greet Halldor, completely ignoring the woman now.
He was glad to see it.
Turning back to Akiza, he smiled and said, "Sorry about that. Shall we dance?"
She flashed a smile in return and accepted his hand when he moved to escort her out to the floor. She seemed to hesitate for a moment before murmuring, "You've forgiven your father, haven't you?"
He froze as he assumed the proper dance position, then shook his head. "Not completely, no. But I am accepting his decisions."
"And this situation with that woman?"
He averted his eyes and muttered, "He abandoned me because he couldn't let my mother go. He doesn't have the right to find comfort with a woman now. He owes it to me and to my mother to stay loyal to her." Shaking his head, he added, "He has to make up for his decisions with me before he deserves to move on."
She nodded slowly as they started to dance, keeping her voice low in the crowded room so their conversation would stay their own. "If he does make right with you, what then? Will you argue if he finds comfort with another woman?"
He shook his head with a frown. "We'll cross that bridge when we get to it. I'd really rather not think about it."
"I'm sorry," she murmured. After a moment of silence, she quietly added, "Yusei… Just so you know, if, one day, something happened to me, I'd want you to be happy, even if it was with someone else."
He stopped moving and suddenly reached out, pressing his finger to her lips. "Don't. Just… don't. I can't even…" Shaking his head, he whispered, "After what happened to my parents, I can't even think that something might happen to you. I want so badly to just live a peaceful, normal, long life with you."
She gave a crumpled smile as she reached up to touch his scarred cheek. "Yusei…"
"A long life…" he repeated, moving to touch a hand to her rounding belly, and added, "With you and Seero."
…
Akiza stood beside Yusei, biting her lip while gripping his hand tightly. Next to her, he stood with his mouth forming a thin line and a lit torch in his free hand. His eyes stayed locked onto the pedestal in the middle of the room, staring at Z-one's body.
She looked nervously through the crypt, taking in the somber appearances of the other attendees. Dragan, his brother, and cousin stood nearby, along with Sherry and her parents. Akiza figured they would be there, as friends and senators respecting the death of one of their own. Lester, Primo, and Jakob had arrived back from New Domino and were standing in the back, along with Bruno and a few people she didn't recognize, but assumed were from Infinity. Misty stood beside Kalin, looking like she wanted to cry but refused to let herself break.
Next to Yusei, but still a comfortable space away, Katsuro stood with a torch of his own. Though she had always been able to sense his pain, he had never shown the heartache he bore. However, on the day of his father's funeral, he didn't even bother to mask the sorrow he was feeling.
Akiza held back her own urges to cry, her senses picking up the force of so much sadness around her. She was sad for Z-one's death, yes, but, on top of that, she now felt the pain of everyone around her. Add on the heightened emotions of her pregnancy, and she was sure she was going to break down soon.
Alternatively, she felt she had to be strong for Yusei. She didn't want to break down crying for a man she'd known for three months when her husband hadn't even shed a tear over his grandfather; his hero.
Z-one's body lay still on a raised pedestal fashioned out of stone, seemingly for the purpose of a funeral like this. She had never seen such a formal burial before. Out in New Domino, anyone she knew that died was buried in the fields after being eulogized. There wasn't any real procedure to it.
She wondered if every senator was buried in such casual clothes, or if Z-one was dressed in them because of his free spirit in life. It seemed to her that senators would have a class issue and would probably be buried in a suit. She imagined Yusei had something to do with the fact that he was now dressed in casual leathers.
Out of pure custom, a priest stood by his head, chanting some sort of prayer over his body. The church was rather deeply linked with the government of Yliaster, so it Akiza figured it was more out of tradition than Z-one's faith in the Crimson Dragon. In the short time that she'd known the man, she had gathered that his views on the church were somewhat similar to Yusei's.
She bit on her lip, squeezing her husband's hand as tightly as she could. Whether it was for his support or hers, she wasn't sure.
The priest closed his book and took a few steps back, stepping out of the spotlight so the next part of the ceremony could take place. Akiza didn't know what it was, but felt Yusei squeeze her hand more tightly than before. She squeezed back as he took a few steps forward, moving over to Z-one as his father walked up to his opposite side.
The psychic watched as the two men shared a brief glance filled with the pain they both felt, then slowly tipped their torches closer to Z-one. His clothes caught fire, burning quickly as the flames spread across his body.
Misty finally gave in and collapsed to the floor, one hand covering her mouth as she burst into tears. Akiza felt her own knees start to shake as she caught sight of a single tear slipping down Yusei's cheek, his eyes not leaving the burning body of his grandfather.
Some of the acquaintances of Z-one's started to leave, the funeral itself over. Yusei had told her that this was the end of the funeral and that the crypt keeper would move his ashes to an urn when the fires went out.
Slowly, everyone started to leave, Kalin reaching out to help Misty up. Akiza waited until the end when only she, Yusei, and Katsuro remained. The two men still stood over the fire, watching as the last blood family they had disappeared forever. Yes, a new generation of Fudos was coming, but it didn't seem fair that one should have to leave to make way for the next.
Biting her lip, she slowly approached her husband and reached out, setting her hand on his arm gently. He turned to look at her, the sorrow clear in his gaze. The fires reflected in his eyes, making them appear much darker than usual as he slowly reached out and set his free hand on her side. Looking towards his father, he murmured, "Let's go. The old dog needs his rest."
Katsuro nodded, giving one last glance at his father, and turned to follow his son and daughter-in-law out of the crypt. Z-one would be able to rest, right alongside his wife. He would be reunited with his brother and parents.
Akiza glanced towards her husband as he shifted to hold her hand. Now, it was time for them to return to their lives. They had a town to rebuild, a child to prepare for, and a life to live.
This was only the beginning.
Act III – End
Sunset Horizon – End
Don't panic! There're still five epilogues to come :) We'll see a little of their lives after this and what happens to each character. I have plans for where they'll all end up, so they'll each get an epilogue to show what they do and where they go.
And, yes, we'll see the baby :P
Anyways…
So, I mentioned writing some SH oneshots and I just wanted to clarify a little bit. I won't be writing any post-SH oneshots. These would be to expand on things in the story that seemed kind of vague or to see something from another character's perspective. Or even something from before the story, such as someone's childhood. I want to leave the ending open for two reasons. One: I want to leave it so you guys can decide what you think should happen. Two: Just in case I get a wild hair some day and decide to write a sequel. It might happen.
So, yeah. That's my reasoning. Right now, it's looking like some oneshots or the headcanon might be next, but my brain decided to cook the Stardust/Black Rose and medieval ides, too… I guess we'll see.
Oh, a quick question about the headcanon. I'm writing it to show scenes of their emotions and interactions during the show and I'm wondering if there are any scenes that come to mind that you'd like to see written out. This is pretty much a wide-open thing for requests, really :P And you already know that 154 will be in there ;)
…I'm tired. It's come to my attention that I talk a lot when I'm tired. Just sayin'.
Anyway, please visit my Facebook! I'd love to hear thoughts and ideas! facebook.c!om/OCValkyrie
Please review!
-Valk