A/N: One epilogue just wasn't enough. Now, the first half of this is copied verbatim, so feel free to skip down to the horizon line. That's where the difference is. I just felt it would be too unnatural to post it as a piece of text rather than a full epilogue. Anyway, enjoy. And let me know which was your favorite :)

(ALTERNATE) EPILOGUE

Only five of the six faces of Sakura by Kanbi brought in cash. The other one only smiled for pictures with her father. It was clearly the beginning of life for nineteen-year-old Sora, and her own empire had its foundation laid. She was an artist with her father's full support. She had made her own name amongst the elite.

Sora immediately moved into the main estate in Shizuoka, a city southwest of Tokyo along the coast of the Pacific Ocean. Her first adventure there was to the garden to visit her father's special bench beneath the Japanese maples. The weather was still cold, and the garden was certainly not as green, but with gentle snow beginning to fall, it was gorgeous and sparkling, just as Sora always remembered it. A flood of memories of her childhood before eleven-years-old came crashing through the gates of her mind previously barricaded. In those waves Sora found peace and resolution.

Ichiro's suite was emptied out entirely; all of his things were placed in a storage unit in Tokyo. It was then completely renovated, placing a massive window in the largest wall. That wall overlooked a dazzling ocean view, and that suite became Sora's art studio. There was a consultation area developed in one corner complete with furnishings, a desk, and shelves. There was another section curtained off, and behind that curtain all of Sora's incomplete works were stored. Other finished pieces were placed on display throughout the room.

Sora's latest work was entitled "Innocence". Some time after getting settled, Sora visited many rooftops near the Miyabita Production House until she found the one she was looking for. The moonlit view from that place in the sky had been burned into Sora's memory. The feelings she had felt there alone with the Black Reaper were as phenomenal as the cityscape. Kanbimura himself had convinced Sora to sell the painting after making a replica because of the amazing talent displayed in it. Sora had been reluctant for obvious reasons, many that Kanbimura relatively understood.

Three years later, Ichiro spent his days in a Tokyo prison for numerable incomprehensible crimes. Mrs. Kanbimura, or at least the woman formerly known as such, was imprisoned as well for many of the same reasons, although the secreting of a criminal was one of the greater charges. Between the divorce and arrests and criminal charges was an enormous scandal, one that the press couldn't help but long to uncover. Kanbimura, and even Sora herself, made many public statements about the issues, omitting many crucial details as part of their deal with the Public Security Division. Sora was not allowed to make any mention of the Black Reaper, the Contractors, or otherwise as long as she agreed to testify against Ichiro in court and ensure all secrets remain as such.

Cherry blossom branches arrived daily. Even on days when Sora imagined she would have to climb mountains to see the sweet blossoms, a small branch with a black ribbon tied around it in a neat bow always ended up on the front porch of the estate. It appeared Hei had not quite forgotten about the young woman after all. Sora most certainly had not forgotten him. If anyone asked, she was waiting for "Li" to return from an important business venture in the United States. Kanbimura was somewhat aware that the circumstances weren't exactly as Sora told them, but he never inquired much further into the matter. He knew his daughter would tell him nothing. Still, because of the many plans he had laid out for her, he decided to negotiate a deal.

Kanbimura found it time that Sora look for a suitable and relatively prominent man to marry. He encouraged Sora to participate in the selection, but she battled him constantly. Even after Kanbimura chose an ideal mate for her -the son of a world-renowned architect- Sora wanted no part in it. She adamantly refused to marry anyone but "Li". Kanbimura then awarded Sora three years to wait for this special man to return for her. And three years fulfilled, Sora was to be married the following day.

Sora huddled on her bed, her pillow held tightly to her chest as sorrowful tears streamed down her face. She thought of Nekozawa Kawari and how hard he tried to please her. He was certainly a gentleman, handsome, thoughtful, and rather romantic. Still, Sora was sure that even he knew he would never claim her heart. If it wasn't love that kept him trying, it was respect for his father's wishes that did. Sora certainly did not blame him for their upcoming nuptials. She could never love Kawari either.

Sora whimpered as she gazed across the room at Sakura Sunrise. It contained painful memories of two kinds: it reminded Sora of the Cherry Blossom Menace and how petrified she had been that day. More importantly, however, it reminded her of true happiness. She had been a dedicated fan of cherry blossoms her entire life, but she had come to love Li around that time too. And when she glanced at Innocence a few feet away, it reminded her of how quickly she had fallen in love with the Black Reaper. Despite Hei's personalities being like separate individuals, Sora now saw them as the many wonderful facets of one person. As she loved all facets of him, she could not help to love the assassin called Hei.

I hate this. Sora thought sadly. You're so close, yet so far away. Cliche, I know. Everything in love seems cliche. But not the feeling....It's so painful....oh, but love hurts, doesn't it? Sora giggled to herself. I'm such an idiot. Three long years...I should know that you don't want to see me again. Or that you're too busy fulfilling assignments. Why do I keep holding onto you?

The room was dark, but the numbers on Sora clock were glowing red. She was due to get up in six hours to prepare for her wedding. Sora climbed out of bed and wandered over to her desk at the opposite end of the suite. A key dangled from a chain about her neck; she yanked it free and unlocked the cupboard there, removing a decent-sized, wooden box. Inside were the many cherry blossom branches Sora had accumulated over the years. She set the box down and dug toward the bottom beneath the dried twigs and withered petals, and produced the mask. It was the most precious of all things that reminded Sora of Hei.

There was a sudden banging at the big window in her bedroom. Sora frowned, quickly replacing the mask in its box. She had seen Mao leaving the cherry blossom branches on the front porch from the library window before, but she couldn't imagine it was him this time. It wouldn't make sense for him to be there.

Sora slowly crept toward the window and noticed that the curtains were flapping. She hadn't left her window open. This made Sora nervous, but she continued toward it anyway. Pushing the curtains aside, she found a familiar blade sitting on the windowsill. It had a black ribbon tied around the hilt, just like the ones tied around the daily cherry blossoms. However, this ribbon had words painted on it. You know what it's good for. Sora cringed, leaning out of the window. She saw nothing, but taking the precious blade, she moved to close the window when she was grabbed from behind. A gloved hand went over her mouth to keep her silent, but Sora had no intentions of screaming. The figure spun her around, and Sora's tears began flowing once more upon seeing the Black Reaper before her.

"Hei," she whimpered, throwing the knife onto the floor. She smacked his mask off of his face, throwing herself into his arms. Hei kissed her hungrily, thoroughly enjoying her soft lips as he felt Sora's slender fingers move up to his hair.

"You've been crying," Hei said after pulling away, licking the salt from his lips. Sora nodded silently, burying her face against his chest. "Tell me why." Sora looked up at him in shock.

"Do I have to?" she demanded, breaking free from his embrace.

"Please tell me you didn't cry every night," Hei whispered sympathetically. "Not for me." Sora turned back to close the window.

"Not every night," she whispered softly. "But enough times."

"Why?"

"Because I love you," Sora wailed, trying hard to wipe her tears away. "I've missed you so much. The way you left...it seemed so unfulfilled. Our time was cut short without a resolution."

"I thought you'd be angry with me," Hei admitted. He gently brushed some of Sora's hair from her face.

"I think I expected to be angry, so I made myself act that way for a minute," Sora explained. "But it only took that minute for me to realize that I was...happy to know that you and Li were the same person. I know it doesn't make sense."

"I understand."

"I'm supposed to get married tomorrow," Sora said suddenly. Hei didn't appear surprised. Sora glanced over at the bowl of fresh water that rested on her nightstand. She smiled.

"Yin told me," Hei confirmed, removing his coat. "That's why I came back."

"To stay?"

"I can't do that, Sora." Sora hung her head, gripping the front of her shirt nervously.

"I suppose the hope was nice."

"What are you wearing?" Hei asked, frowning. Sora smiled at him before glancing down at the white, button-up shirt she was wearing.

"I went back to Li's apartment and found lots," Sora replied. "I like the way it makes me feel. Still, I went back to all the places I could remember because of the way they made me feel. I like the way you make me feel." Sora pointed across the room to Innocence. Hei appeared to recognize it immediately. Sora's journey had been comparative to that of an orphan's, trying to understand their past.

"Even with all the clues it hardly makes sense."

"Are you still going to marry Kawari?" Hei asked.

"Depends," Sora replied. "You have to talk to Otousan. You can lie; tell him that your job requires you to travel a lot and that's what took you so long. But then Otousan might insist..." Sora trailed off.

"What?"

"That you marry me," Sora finished. "That is only if you're truly committed to me."

"I told you that I came back because I don't want you to marry that man," Hei said firmly. "I don't know how committed I can appear, but...I do love you. I can't promise anything else."

"Just stay the night and talk to Otousan," Sora blurted, wrapping her arms around Hei's neck once more. "It won't matter to me if you're gone often. I just want to know that you'll always come back to me." Hei kissed her lips lightly once more.

"I only have until my next assignment," he reminded her somberly, allowing himself to be intoxicated by her sweet perfume once more. "Sakura." Sora smiled.

"It smells even better the second time, doesn't it?" she whispered, kissing his neck. "There's something I've wanted to do for a long time." Hei looked deep into Sora's eyes.

"What is that?" he asked, concerned. Sora broke free from him once more.

"Don't make that face," she teased. Hei's eyes widened as he watched her hands move to unbutton her shirt. "It's a good thing, I promise." Hei stepped closer and shoved her onto the bed. Leaning over her, began to kiss her neck.

"Let's get married then, while we're at it," he said, allowing his kisses to trail down her neck toward her exposed chest.

"'While we're at it'?" Sora laughed, squirming with pleasure. "That's your proposal? You're such a romantic, Hei!"

"You didn't expect me to get on one knee, did you?" Hei teased. He sat up somewhat to remove his shirt and the bowl of water on Sora's nightstand caught his eye. He quickly knocked it onto the floor. Sora frowned. "We don't need an audience."

"I guess you aren't such a naughty thinker after all," Sora said between giggles.

A/N: This is officially the end. Like I said, it's been a long journey for sure, but a good one. Thank you so much for your support and reviews and following.

Also, Kawari means "replacement" - "Li" hadn't returned yet, so Kawari was mean to be, in a way, his replacement...