There had been a time, when her heart betrayed her, when the tower of cards tumbled all the way to the ground. Where she saw hope around every corner, awe in every laugh, and joy in every smile.
It had felt like a new beginning, a path stretched out ahead that she had chosen for herself, and then that path veered off the path. Suddenly trees and an unused road marked the steps forward. And her heart shattered in every beat.
So, Kiki took a deep breath, balanced her feelings, held her own cards close to her chest finally, and took the next steps forward into the unknown.
And there, Hisame found her. An outstretched hand. Someone unafraid to ask questions, but careful to mind the answers. And somewhere in the confusing unknown, some clarity came about finally, slowly.
And Kiki isn't sure when her white knuckled grip eased up, wasn't sure when the cards began to relax against her fingertips, wasn't sure when she first started to fall, to feel her heart begin to beat anew.
But somewhere along the way, there he was. Perfectly aligned as if to serve, as if she'd somehow been promoted: from the one who fell for someone whose heart wasn't swayed to the one who had been fallen for.
And then, she began to fall. Like the first teardrop, it began slow. And then picked up its own speed.
And here, they are. And Kiki pauses, feeling that flush of adventure, that struggle, and she smiles and leans forward. When she kisses him, it's not over the moon frantic or anything, but a spark, the very spark of a new beginning.
And it is here, where love is found and nurtured. Where Kiki begins to trust in that special way that love demands.
She's found a home. A true home. And she smiles, as she looks up into violet eyes, seeing the glimpse of a future with Hisame past their very first kiss. It's okay. Here they are. And here they will go together.