Epilogue time! I thought this was a good way to end my Red Light District series so I hope you enjoy it ^^ Thank you all my wonderful viewers for your patience and reviews. Truly! I am humbled!

The sun was bright in the sky and the breeze was cool and soft. Kurogane stood in the courtyard behind the castle, near where the castle guards' quarters usually were. Syaoran stood before him, fitted and dressed in the castle guard uniform. Kurogane looked the kid up and down, gauging him. Syaoran didn't waver under his gaze.

"Can you fight?" Kurogane asked, noticing that the boy's build wasn't exactly as weak as one would think of a serving boy working at a brothel. Either this kid exercised a lot, or he had experience in combat. Without hesitation, Syaoran nodded.

"Yes. I was taught how to defend myself a long time ago." he replied. Kurogane nodded.

"With weapons?" he asked.

"No." Syaoran replied. After a moment, Kurogane unfastened his sword from his waist. He lay the sheathed sword to the side. Hand-to-hand combat huh? Kurogane stared intensely at the kid.

"Show me." he demanded. Syaoran hesitated for a moment. Once he gathered his nerve, he nodded and ran at Kurogane. He surprised the warrior by jumping instead of punching, which was what Kurogane expected.

Syaoran swung his right leg toward Kurogane's head. The warrior easily blocked it with his left arm and pushed the kid away. He didn't land as gracefully as Kurogane had hoped he would but he had to give the kid credit. He probably didn't get much opportunity to practice his fighting techniques while working in that place.

He came at Kurogane again, aiming for a low kick to Kurogane's legs. Kurogane stepped back a couple feet and out of Syaoran's range. Syaoran continued to kick at Kurogane's head, waist and feet, each time Kurogane dodging with ease. Finally, Kurogane made a move of his own. He saw an opening and thrust the palm of his right hand into Syaoran's shoulder to throw him off balance. He hit him, but what surprised him was the kid's reaction.

As Kurogane made contact with his shoulder, Syaoran grabbed his outstretched arm to keep him steady. Without warning, Syaoran used Kurogane's arm as leverage to jump and land a mild blow to the side of Kurogane's jaw. With a quick flip of his hand though, Kurogane was able to throw Syaoran's landing off balance and the boy landed on his bottom in the dirt.

Kurogane rubbed his jaw. For a moment he feared he'd done something wrong and prepared for Kurogane's outburst. Some of the other shocked ninja who gathered there to watch even recoiled for Syaoran's sake. To everyone surprise, Kurogane smirked, looking more impressed than angry.

"Not bad kid. You actually touched me. You say you were taught how to fight like that a long time ago?" he asked, holding an arm out to Syaoran. A little flustered, the boy nodded, accepting Kurogane's hand in helping him up.

"Yes. I understand it's an odd style, but I learned how to fight that way to make up for what I lack." he said. Kurogane looked at him oddly.

"For what you lack?" he questioned. Syaoran nodded. He pointed to his right eye.

"I'm blind in my right eye. My punches are always thrown off but if I use kicks, there's less chance of missing." he explained, straightening himself and dusting off his new uniform. Kurogane nodded.

"That explains it." he said. He observed Syaoran, the way he spoke to him, the way he presented himself. He just tested the boy's attitude in combat. He certainly wasn't trying hard enough to kill Kurogane, but he wasn't taking him lightly either. He could respect that. This kid was young, and was even younger when he first learned how to fight, but there was a lot more room for him to grow as a warrior. What Kurogane needed to know was, what he intends to do with that strength.

"Why did you agree to joining the court-guards?" Kurogane asked him. Syaoran's answer was instantaneous.

"I want to give back to Shirasaki castle to repay all those who've been kind to me."

"Not what I mean. You're blind in your right eye. That could count as a disability. You could have easily refused Amaterasu-sama's request to join the royal guard. If you wanted to repay the residents of the castle, you could have helped out in the kitchens or as a grounds-keeper. Why do you want to serve as a court guard? Why a warrior?" Kurogane asked. Syaoran paused. He remained silent for a moment. He looked away from Kurogane as he contemplated an answer. Off to the side he caught a glimpse of Sakura walking across the other side of the courtyard. She didn't notice him but when he saw her, he knew what his answer was. When his mind was made up, he looked back at Kurogane with resolve.

"I want to become stronger." he said.

"Why?"

"I want to protect the ones I care the most about. I want to protect Shirasaki castle." he stated.

Kurogane grinned. Exactly. This is exactly what he expected from the kid. This is exactly what the kid needed to know. This was exactly what he needed to realize before his training could even begin. This was a promise he made to himself, and it was up to Kurogane to be sure that he would never stray from that promise. It was up to him to prevent the kid from making the same mistakes he did. Kurogane nodded in approval.

"Then let's get started."

And. It. Is. OVER! This story has taken soooooo long to complete! I really hope that I didn't disappoint ^^'

Thank you all! My Red Light District series has finally come to an end and I have all you reviewers to thank for it! If it weren't for all your reviews and support all this time,I never would have finished ^^' Thank you all again! Truly! Writing this series has been fantastic!

I bid you all farewell for now and you can look forward to reading more stories from me in the future!