Through the Darkness Itself

Epilogue - Redemption and Change

I waited.

He never came back, but I waited for him. His cold body vanished in my arms, and the only thing left of him, was a small, dim ball of light. I knew that was all I would ever have of him. His parting gift to me.

I thought I had no more tears left, but somehow I managed to cry until morning, holding his soul tightly to my chest. The sun came up. Shining through my window, I sat up naked holding Akura-Ou in my hands.

He'll never know my answer, I thought. That was unfair… Saying that…

Looking down at the pale red spirit, I felt the drops trickle down my face again.

Will he hear me?

Raising it to my lips, I placed a soft kiss to it.

It flickered.

Akura-ou?

The light shimmered then dissipated, taking the spirit away. I stared at where it had rested in my hands, then closed my fingers to my palms. The soft warmth disappearing without a trace.

"Your fates were tied, that much I had seen."

Mikage sat next to me on the back porch of the shrine. We looked out to the trees in full bloom and took in the fresh spring air. The sweet smell of flowers soothed my anxious heart enough to ask what had been nagging me in the back of my mind.

"…Do you think he will accept it?"

"Mm," he noised. "He changed his opinion once, I'm sure, with time, he will change it again."

With that, I looked at the fox familiar who walked alongside Mizuki, arguing civilly. The two debated over another trivial matter as if no time had passed at all. Three years was nothing to demons, but to us, all of us, it seemed like a lifetime. Before the two could raise their voices to shouting levels, they were interrupted again by the small child in Tomoe's arms. I couldn't help but melt at the sight, even if it also brought the memory of great sorrow. Mikage chuckled to himself and I smiled.

This new beginning couldn't have happened without change.

"Oginaimasu," I whispered.

"What was that?"

Turning to Mikage's still smiling, but confused, face, I shook my head saying it was nothing. Looking back at scene of two familiars with a human child, I thought with mild amusement that seemingly horrible events had miraculously led to something truly beautiful.

Should I thank him?

My eyes met a hazel, innocent gaze. A bright, boyish smile filled with laughter and vibrant auburn hair alerted the two adults that I was watching. Mizuki waved and I returned the gesture, but Tomoe looked at me strangely. Then, after a short pause, he gave me a soft smile.

His quiet communication surprised me and I blushed at the rare expression, not entirely sure what it meant now.

Not to be ignored, my son twisted in Tomoe's arms and swung a bit recklessly, forcing him to break eye contact with me much to his annoyance. Mikage and I laughed at the sight of him attempting to upright the boy as Mizuki chided the fox. As my giggles settled, I continued to watch the serenity before me in happiness.

Looking at the child's gleeful smile, I thought to myself, I'm sure he already knows.

The End

[A/N: That's it! Wowie... not sure how i really feel about this ending, but I think its okay. No, Akura-Ou never said to us, in a sentence, to Nanami, that he loved her, but we'll take it! In this ending, Nanami and Tomoe might have a chance at love in the future, but its uncertain. Akura-Ou, because he turned mortal, lost his demonic powers and such, rendering him like a human. Unfortunately, because it was only one drop, he still looked like an Oni in the end. Everyone loves Nanami! Nanami loves? Oh, Nanami shifted from saying Akura-Ou to Akura-ou a little ways back. I meant it as way to be more informal without spamming '-san', '-sama', '-kun', and '-chan'. I think its safe to say that Akura is forgiven (kind of like in the manga but not? I can't spoil but pretty much its saddening for that last ark) so when Nanami kissed his spirit, he saw the light in the darkness. Good job, Akura *claps*. Mm'k, if there's more questions- WAIT. THE CHILD. Okay, Nanami's family only had girls, so now the long, ever so long, line is finally broken by a boy who strikingly looks very similar to Nanami as a child, but is louder, a bit more danger attracting, and, of course, has a slight tinge of red hue in the hair. fufufu It's a healthy happy child who will drive Tomoe mad and Mizuki to tears. Now, that is all. More questions? Ask away. Thank you all for the reviews. I would have never finished this without so much encouragement. It's been good! Addio~]