Epilogue: Someday

When Gelato awoke, he found himself in a hospital bed with Spauracchio present.

"Hey, how'd I get here?" Gelato said groggily.

"I found you next to the Final Bridge," Spauracchio answered.

"What about Tony?" Gelato asked.

Spauracchio reached into his suit pocket and pulled out a green tie that had been ripped with the Foglia family crest torn in half. "This was all I could find of his."

Distraught, Gelato looked away. "And the others?"

"Miss Megara's trying to heal Palermo as we speak," Spauracchio stated. "He apparently ate some magic beans that have severe side-effects. Zanna and Rosso are hurt, but they'll recover. Some Healing Alchemists are treating Voluta's wounds, which were pretty bad, and Capriolo only has a broken finger."

Just then, the door opened and Capriolo entered.

"Sorry," Capriolo apologized. "I couldn't help but overhear your conversation as I was passing by. So…Tony's gone for good?"

Reluctantly, Gelato nodded. "Guess he must've recovered from our fight faster than I did."

"What happened exactly?" Capriolo demanded, clenching one fist.

"I'm not sure Gelato's ready to tell us yet," Spauracchio interrupted before Gelato could speak. "Let him rest for a while first."

Sighing, Capriolo said, "Fine."

Then Capriolo left as quickly as he came while Spauracchio followed.

A few moments later, Rosa came in.

"Hi, how are you feeling?" Rosa asked politely.

Holding back tears, Gelato muttered, "I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"Not bringing Tony back, like I promised."

Hesitating, Rosa shook her head. "It's okay. You tried your best."

"But my best wasn't good enough!" Gelato snapped, sitting up in bed though his body ached all over. "He still got away, and now he's with Typhonragazzo...spilling all kinds of secrets about the Foglia family to him."

"Well, regardless, there's nothing we can do about it."

"Maybe, but someday…I will fulfill my promise to you."

As Gelato lay back down groaning, Rosa looked astray. "There's no need to take that burden on yourself, Gelato."

Confused, Gelato glanced at Rosa as she started to walk away. "Why?"

"Because…you won't be alone next time," Rosa replied and left the room.

She stormed down the hallway with a determined look on her face, causing people to get out of her way. Outside an operation room on the second floor, Rosa found Megara (Tsunade) who was looked exhausted.

"How's Palermo?" Rosa demanded.

"He'll live," Megara responded bluntly. "But that's not why you're here, is it?"

Rosa flinched, and looked down. "Miss Megara…"

"Yes?"

"Will you teach me…how to become…a Healing Alchemist (Medical Ninja)?"

"For what reason?"

"Because…I don't want to lose anyone close to me ever again."

Megara's brow furrowed, and then she nodded. "Very well, but it won't be easy and it'll be more demanding than any previous training you've done up till now."

"That doesn't bother me," Rosa admitted. "I'll still do it!"

###

Sometime later, Hercules (Jiraiya) stopped by Gelato's room.

"So I heard what happened, and I've been doing some thinking," Hercules began with a stern look on his face. "Because you've caught the Alba Rossa's (Akatsuki's) interest, it would best if we left the Foglia family territory as soon as you recover."

"And go where?" Gelato wondered.

"Oh, around," replied Hercules. "And I'll be training you along the way, of course."

"For how long?"

"About…three years," Hercules stated. "That's when I figure the Alba Rossa will try to come after you again."

"I'm not sure if I can go," Gelato responded. "I was hoping to go after Tony."

"If you're worried about his body being taken over by Typhonragazzo in that time, he won't."

"How do you know?"

"Based on Capriolo's account, that guy you fought who could control bones said Typhonragazzo had chosen a temporary host until Tony could be brought to him. Now depending on how strong this temporary host is, Typhonragazzo probably won't try to switch bodies for at least another three years. That gives you plenty of time to get strong enough to bring Tony back, but…Tony's a lost cause at this point."

"Because he's with the Suono family?"

"No, because it's clear he didn't want to be saved by you guys. Otherwise, he wouldn't have gone with the Suono Four so willingly. Only a fool can persuade him now."

"Then I'd rather be a fool than let him be!"

Hercules chuckled. "You're a funny kid, Gelato. We'll leave when the mood suits you."

With that, Hercules left to go flirt with a nurse that passed by the door while Gelato decided to take a deserved rest.

###

Several months had passed, and while everyone within the Tony Retrieval Squad had physically recovered by that point the scars of their battles still haunted them mentally. Palermo had regained the weight he had lost after eating the beans, though he was training harder than ever before. So were Zanna and Rosso, along with Voluta who was working on improving his Bianco Occhi (Byakugan) eyes' blind spot with his uncle. Even Beni Niro decided to improve himself by going with Scar Face (Might Guy) on several trips to improve his Chemistry (Taijutsu). Rosa was also busy as she was studying to become a Medical Alchemist under Megara's tutelage. Capriolo, in the meantime, had resolved to not fail another mission again and saw the Rena Siblings (Sand Siblings) off before they went back to their territory.

It was also around this time that Gelato finally decided to take leave of the Foglia family territory. Packing his essentials, Gelato decided to give the apartment to Rosa who gladly accepted it. Then he went to the park where Tony spoke with Rosa for the last time and met up with Hercules there. They got within a few feet of the edge of the park when Aurora (Hinata) suddenly appeared.

"Wait, Gelato," Aurora muttered.

"What is it, Aurora?" Gelato asked.

Aurora's cheeks flushed red, causing her to look away. "I wanted to, um…"

"She wants to say goodbye to you," Hercules grinned, pushing Gelato towards Aurora. "I'll be waiting on the other side of the street."

Hesitantly, Gelato walked over to Aurora.

"So I…appreciate that you came all the way out here," Gelato began, rubbing the back of his head. "Since we won't be seeing each other for about three years. But when I do come back, I'll be stronger than before!"

"Yeah," Aurora responded, looking Gelato directly in the eyes. "I'll become strong too!"

Smiling, Gelato gave Aurora a thumbs-up. "All right, see you then!"

Aurora smiled back and waved as Gelato ran across the street to join Hercules. Then together, they set off until their forms vanished into the rising sun.

The End