Disclaimer: I do not own KWMS... all rights reserved to its owner...

And lo! I brought you...

Epilogue


It was a rather chilly morning, though naturally mornings in Elmswood were chilly, but today's an exemption: it was downright chilly, but not really enough to be considered cold by Misaki; it was, after all, still few days' start of winter.

She had just finished packing some of her belongings and was sitting on her armchair, resting. She reread a letter from her friend, Sakura; it was an invitation to their wedding at Kuuga's parents' mansion, a few miles from her home.

She then heard a sound of carriage stopping by, and for her, it was a signal that she needed to go now. She wore her coat, brought her bag, headed to the door and opened it; she saw Usui in front of her, smiling.

"It's good to see you again, Ms. Ayuzawa," Usui said.

"What are you doing in front of my house?" Misaki asked.

"Oh? Have you forgotten already? I was supposed to escort you to Ms. Sakura's wedding," Usui replied.

"Escort me? I thought the word is supposed to be fetch?" Misaki said in an annoyed tone.

"Fetch? That's a bit harsh, Ayuzawa, tearting me like a dog," Usui teased.

"Shut up, Usui," Misaki said, "And what I meant of asking you 'what were you doing in front of my house' is that you should be inside the carriage; it's dreadfully cold for you rich people."

"On the contrary, it's only a bit chilly for me," Usui remarked.

"A bit chilly?" Misaki repeated.

"Or perhaps you wanted to keep me warm?" Usui teased, "I'm rather curious at your methods of keeping me warm, Ayuzawa, though I prefer body heat, don't you think?"

Misaki elbowed him in the stomach. "You're in my way, idiot." Then, carrying her bag, she walked briskly towards the carriage.

"At least let me carry your bag."

"Just leave me alone, idiot."

"Eh? Can't you at least say my name?"

-0-

It was already afternoon and Misaki and Usui were still riding for hours. They were now passing by the countryside, tough the mansion is a few more miles away from them; both of them are silent for a while, thinking of something to talk about. Then, Usui broke the silence.

"Have you taken any new case?"

Misaki, seated in front of Usui and was staring through the window, looked at Usui in a puzzled face and replied, "I haven't taken since the Blue Rose affair. Why?"

"Nothing. I was... concerned of your being," said Usui, "Didn't Inspector Norris bothered you with a case or something?"

"Well, even though I was being called upon by the Inspector for some, but it would have meant that the task is too much, too baffling, or too dangerous or whatever, for him to handle alone. He is a competent man of his trade, you know," Misaki said.

"Too... dangerous..."

"Well, I do not know what circumstances that makes him need of my help," Misaki said, "though there were times that I don't require to go out of my house and he would ask my opinion at some cases he handled. I just have to do what I ought to do."

"I see."

There was silence again; this time, Misaki broke it.

"So how's London?"

"Pardon?" asked Usui.

"Well, I thought we need something to talk about, since you are about to be bored to death," Misaki replied.

"I'm not bored," Usui said and then smiled, "It's just good to see you again, Ayuzawa. I missed you while I was in London."

"Missed me already? It was only but a day that we haven't seen each other," Misaki remarked, annoyed. "You have been visiting me every day at my house and it's getting on my nerves."

"What can I say? Absence makes the heart grow fonder," Usui teased, "Oh, and London's fine, I guess."

Silence. Then Usui broke it again.

"What is the color of your undergarments?"

"Shut up, pervert!" exclaimed Misaki, whose shout could be heard at the mansion.

-0-

The carriage arrived at the mansion. Usui first came out, and then he assisted Misaki. He instructed the chauffer to bring their belongings inside the mansion and then the driver carried on.

Misaki was staring at the sky when Usui came back to her. She opened her palm; a little white thing fell lightly on her hand and melted. Soon, these white particles were already falling like rain. It was snowing.

"It's my first time spending winter away from Elmswood," she said then she smiled.

Usui smiled and offered his arm, "Well then, shall we go, Ms. Ayuzawa."

Misaki accepted and hel him on his arm, "Why, certainly."

-0-

The wedding ceremony was over. They were now having a feast in the grand hall. A lot of guest arrived to see the groom and the bride; Sakura, who was beaming with happiness, looked for Misaki until she found her talking with an elderly noblewoman.

"Misaki! There you are," Sakura exclaimed joyously, "I'm glad that you attended my wedding. I'm so happy!"

"I wouldn't miss it for the world," Misaki said.

"Ms. Ayuzawa, I'll see you again later," the elderly woman said, and then to Sakura, "Congratulations, Mrs. Sakurai, and may you have happiness in your life."

Sakura curtsied and thank her, and then she went to Misaki, "By the way, who was she? An acquaintance of yours?"

"She's Lady Chevalier," Misaki said, and then smiled, "You look very lovely in that wedding gown, Sakura."

"Oh, but I have a hunch that you'll be the next one wearing a wedding gown," teased Sakura, "By the way, I hope Mr. Usui treated you well during your way here, eh?" then she winked.

"So, you were the one who forced him to accompany me?" Misaki asked.

"Ummm... well..."

"There you are!"

The two women turned to the direction of the voice. It was Eloise, Gerard's wife.

"Congratulations on your wedding, Mrs. Sakurai," Eloise said, and then turned to Misaki, "It's been a while since we last saw each other, Ms. Ayuzawa."

"It's a pleasure to meet you again," Misaki said and smiled.

"You were such a beauty, Sakura, and I brought you a gift that matches your beauty... wait... oh no!" said Eloise.

"What is it?"

"I, I forgot my gift!" Eloise answered, "Ms. Ayuzawa, can you please accompany me in my room? I must have left it."

"If it's alright for Sakura," Misaki said, but was interrupted by Sakura. "Yes, yes it's alright. Just accompany her, Misaki."

The two women left Sakura, who was smiling at Misaki. 'Well, I hope this works!' she thought.

-0-

"How in the world did I end up here?" Misaki thought aloud.

A couple of minutes ago, she and Eloise were wandering at the halls, looking for Eloise's room. When they found it, the last thing Misaki knew was that Eloise pushed her in the darkness and locked her.

"Of course, it's because I let them do it," she replied to her question. "Anyway, I need to get out of here, and it is getting colder."

The room was not totally dark; it was illuminates by torches attached on the walls, though they weren't enough to illuminate the whole room.

She went towards the nearest torch to keep herself warm, when she heard a familiar voice.

"So you've been tricked too?"

She didn't turn around to see him, but hence she replied, "I never thought that you could fall for their trick, Usui."

"Well, I was just playing along with Gerard, and I ended up here," Usui replied, "I could say that you were doing the same?"

"I knew this was going to happen, and I, too, went along to their childish plan," Misaki said.

"But, it surprised me, Ayuzawa," Usui said, "You didn't try to escape. Are you anticipating me?"

"Heck, no!" Misaki denied, "I just thought I could warm up a little."

"I told you, body heat is the best way to warm..."

"I won't listen to your stupid advices," Misaki interrupted.

Usui laughed. "Anyway, let's just get out of here. Let's go, Ayuzawa."

The two of them walked towards the opposite end of the room. "Where are we?" Misaki asked.

"In the storage, or basement, I suppose," Usui replied.

"I see."

When they reached a wall, Usui told to Misaki to stand back; in one kick, the wall was already broken.

"Well then, shall we?" Usui said gesturing to Misaki to go outside.

-Meanwhile, back in the party-

"I hope you plan worked, Eloise," Gerard said.

"Oh course it will!" Eloise said confidently, "If those two will not progress any further, then it wouldn't be my fault."

"Eh? But I thought you're supporting their pairing," Sakura said, "Even though it is a bit cruel, tricking both of them."

"But isn't it for their own good? We are helping them develop their relationship," Eloise reasoned, "Just think of the scenario: Takumi and Misaki in each others' arms to keep them warm..."

Sakura laughed, "Well, Misaki might not agree on that, but it's nice playing matchmakers on those two."

"Yes, matchmaking," Gerard said, "But I was wondering how come they were too oblivious to this simple trickery?"

Silence befell upon the three.

"W, well, probably they're thinking too much?" Eloise replied.

"Because we planned it?" Sakura answered.

"Or is it that they knew all along this was going to happen?" Gerard suggested.

Yet again, silence befell them. It was Sakura who broke it. "That's impossible!"

"Yes, and if they knew, the two of them could have brought something that could let them escape," Eloise said. "Let's just enjoy the party, pretend that we do not know anything, and then we'll come back for them later.

-0-

"Ayuzawa, aren't you cold?"

"No, I'm using my willpower," Misaki replied.

Usui laughed at her statement. "As you have always."

They were standing by the nearly frozen lake beside the mansion. After they have escaped the basement, luckily, they found two more coats inside their carriage and wore them. They decided not to go to the party yet, making Sakura, Eloise and Gerard believe that their plan was working.

While Misaki stood by the river and looked at her direction, Usui suddenly hugged her from behind.

"What is it again, Usui?"

"Just making you warmer," he replied. He was waiting for Misaki to push him, but instead she doesn't do anything. "So, I take that you accept my warmth?"

Misaki didn't answer; instead, she said, "I was just thinking."

"What is it?"

"Why me?"

Usui turned towards Misaki in such way that his face was a few centimetres away from hers. Misaki continued, "I'm dangerous."

"Why so?"

""Usui, you are aware that trouble always finds me wherever I go, and it'll lead others to danger as well; who knows you'll be the next one to be killed..."

"And that's exactly why. You intend to run into trouble, and I figure out that one day, you needed help." Usui interrupted in a whisper, "And don't worry, I won't get myself killed, rather than that, I'm worried about you. Besides," he then held her left hand up and showed Misaki the diamond ring on her finger, "I wouldn't give this ring to any other woman I deem worthy to be by my side, Misaki."

"Idiot Usui," Misaki said. She could feel her cheeks were getting warmer.

"I know, and soon you will be too," Usui said and chuckled with her response. "Shouldn't we tell them?"

"All in good time," Misaki said.

"It must have been hard for you to hide our engagement for three months," Usui said.

"Four, in the next few days."

"I bet even your sister didn't know."

"I'll tell her when she goes home," Misaki said, "I still cannot think how to tell Inspector Norris, though."

"Don't worry, we will tell him," said Usui. Then, with his right hand, he held her chin, drawing closer to it until their lips almost met.

Bang!

Both of them were startled by the sound of a gunshot; they deduced that it came from the woods nearby.

"Usui, I..."

"I know. Let's go."

Usui freed her from her grasp and the two of them ventured in the woods to check things out. It was not far from where the entered that they saw a man bathing in his own blood, with half of his body hidden in the bushes.

"That's interesting, considering the amount of blood," Misaki said.

"A single gunshot wouldn't have been enough for this damage," Usui said.

"Post mortem, I should say," Misaki said, and then pulled the body from the bushes, rfevealing a headless corpse.

"So, this is the reason for the amount of blood," Usui remarked, "I wonder where his head was?"

"Care to join me to find out?" Misaki said and smiled.

Usui replied, "Yes, but first," then, he held Misaki by her waist, pulled her near him and locked his lips to hers. When he finally let her go, he continued. "Then, shall we proceed?"

"Idiot Usui."

_END_


And my friends, you have just read the final chapter of Blue Rose. I really have little time to update this, since I've got a lot of school work to do, and I need time to rest to make up the time I lost for resting. Tomorrow is when my classes resume, but I find time to do fanfiction; actually, I am currently writing a new fanfic, a crossover of KWMS and SA, (cough 'Back In Time'cough), and I hope you'll support not just mine, but to all the stories and their authors in the crossover section... :) oh, and by the way, my new fanfic is not actually part of the fic that I told you chapters before, and I'm not quite sure if I'm going to do it; the new fic is just something that occurred in my mind after I saw a movie trailer, and I explained in there... :)

I am terribly sorry for my grammar, my typos and mistakes... and I hope I'll see your reviews in my next fanfictions...

Lastly, I would like to thank all those people who reviewed my stories. Without your support, I wouldn't have continued on and on, and here we are! :) To my parents, classmates, friends, and above all, to the Almighty for giving me these ideas :D

Adios, amigos! And have a good week :)

~otaku911