Epilogue

Yuki was buried on a quiet Saturday morning, the sky was blue, the grass was green and spring was evident with the flowers in full bloom. Even though it had been a short two years since reuniting with Soujiro, every day had been spent in bliss and contentment.

Soujiro was reluctant to let her go, until she finally whispered that she was ready to leave the suffering, finally content that she basked in his love that he told the doctor to stop the morphine.

It had been painful, cutting through his entire being that he contemplated suicide just to ease the pain. But Yuki being Yuki, had made him swear that he would never do such a stupid thing just because she was not around.

"You have the tea shop to look after, and you better look after it well since you named it after me." She warned, with a twinkle in her eyes.

And here he stood in a the cemetery, watching fresh dirt being shovelled onto her coffin. Akira stood behind him, morose and solemn. Yuki had been a younger sister to him and when she had first come with the strange request of asking him to pose as her fiance to shake off Soujiro did he then find out what had happened. He was glad she had found happiness with Soujiro in the end. In fact, somehow his friends had all found happiness in their own way. He cast a glance at Tsukasa who was holding onto a small baby, waving to the small baby who was undeniably and unbearably cute.

The baby squirmed in Tsukasa's arms, gurgling happily as he reached for the nearest lock of hair which belonged to his mother. Tsukasa smiled slightly, shifting the baby. He looked at Shigeru who stood next to him, shaking his head at the bundle of energy.

It had been trying for the both of them to start something but they tried their best, and somehow the arrival of the baby made it easier. There was without a doubt the baby belonged to Tsukasa with the trademark curly hair but the one thing that had made Tsukasa appreciate Shigeru was the 22 hour labour she had struggled with to produce the beautiful son they now had.

He was getting there, and Shigeru knew it. Tsukasa turned to see what his son was distracted with behind his back and saw Tsukushi standing behind him, smiling at the baby. They caught each other's eye and Tsukushi smiled. He nodded back in return and looked ahead again.

Things had been awkward initially and it had stung him a little to see her together with Rui. But the stinging pain faded with time and they now spoke on occasion.

Tsukushi smiled at the little bundle of joy, geniunely happy for Shigeru and Tsukasa. She had bawled her eyes out on knowing the condition of her dear friend, but Yuki had refused to accept her tears, telling her that Tsukushi's happiness would be the best gift to her instead. And so, she married Rui in a quiet ceremony, with her best friend in attendance together with the rest of the F4, her friend shedding tears of joy as she saw Tsukushi's life complete.

She squeezed Rui's hand, her fingers touching the silver band which rested on his fourth finger. Rui squeezed it back, knowing that it was difficult for her to see her best friend buried. But Tsukushi was strong, and she knew Yuki would not have liked to see her crying so she kept her tears. They would come out on occasion but he knew that she would remain strong in the end.

He was finally talking to Tsukasa again, and it took him little to invite him to the wedding. He wanted Tsukasa to participate in his joy, and he was elated when his friend had gruffly nodded his acceptance.

It had taken a full circle for all of them to achieve this happiness. Each had walked right out of another's life, only to enter yet another's. As Soujiro placed a white rose on the fresh dirt that now covered his beloved, each said a small prayer for Yuki and for themselves.

The End.

I couldn't figure out how to drag the story on any further and before it got too soap-operaish, I decided to end it the way I wanted it to end. Thank you all for your lovely reviews and do review my ongoing story Hardball. Thank you once again. :)