Epilogue

"Checkmate." Shikamaru smiled, placing his last move.

Mononoke hummed before falling over, landing on the large pillow behind her. "So that's a draw then." She pouted, gazing at the ceiling. "Just as I thought I was about to win the great Shikamaru Nara in Shogi, in four out of six."

"Yeah, life sucks, but you've improved. So another game?" Shikamaru asks, even though he was already replacing the pieces back to their places.

Mononoke sat up and grinned at him, "Bring it on, Shika." They fell quiet, concentrating as the clicking sounds of the pieces occupied the comfortable silence.

It has been three months since the second war on Konoha. Orochimaru and his people have fell silent, no doubt in hiding. No news of them yet, but Mononoke was adamant that he was probably dead. After all, 'a bitch slap from Gintaro should've snuffed him out'.

Besides that, it turns out that the man, Yuupa, had came to Konoha to help track down Mononoke. He is the current chieftain of the Yorukami clan and also the cousin to Yorukami Daiten. When he was alerted that his niece was in terrible danger, he immediately summoned his familiars and took Jiraiya and Naruto back to Konoha.

Turns out he didn't need to track her since she came by herself. He knew how to cure Gintaro of the sickness, thanks to Tenryu's help, because the dragon god had sent him a vision to do so. Or at least that's what Mononoke told Shikamaru.

When she had recovered enough to speak, Yuupa had brought up a question that stumped Kakashi and Shikamaru, who were at her bedside at the time. "Well, you need to know more about your powers, Mononoke. As well as to becoming a fully fledged Yorukami, before you go back to your own wandering." He had said, his silver gaze kind but firm. "There are many rituals you have missed as a Yorukami child, but you need to do the last ritual when you're sixteen with us. It's to reaffirm your bloodline. And you need to awaken your familiars, of course."

The whole topic was a whirlwind. Shikamaru's mind still spun a little from trying to comprehend it. They just got her back and now she had to leave them. Again. But this time they could know where she is, but it still hurt him a little for her to go.

Finally, he plucked up some courage to ask. "So, when will you be leaving?" Shikamaru asked under his breath.

Mononoke's hand hovered over the board, her silver general still between her fingers. She cleared her throat before placing it down beside his pawn. "Well, Yuupa is still trying to woo Tsunade-sama, so." She looked up at him and shrugged, "I don't know. Maybe soon."

They fell into another silence, but this one was a bit more prickly. As the game progresses, Shikamaru's mind began to hit overdrive as he simultaneously thought of countermoves and other matters.

Shikamaru knew that Kakashi was Mononoke's soulmate, and they had a deep connection that was beyond their imagination. But what the duo had, obviously, was not romantic. Which perplexes yet relieves Shikamaru. Well, he can't exactly run from his feelings anymore. But why on earth was he attracted to this one? He had wanted a simple quiet life but what he had fallen head over heels for was anything but. He wasn't her soulmate, was he? Not that he gave much care of it but, what if he wasn't good enough for her?

He stole a glance at Mononoke. She had her eyebrows scrunched up as she glared at the pieces, her fingers pressed against her mouth in a steeple. Her bright turquoise eyes moved rapidly as she adjusts her strategies. She still bear some wounds from the war. There's a long scar that was diagonally across her neck had faded but is still visible. Eyebags had formed under her eyes, dark circles showing how many sleepless nights she had to endure in the three months from recurring nightmares, even though he was always at arms length. In his eyes, she was perfect.

"Shika? It's your turn." Her eyes looked up to catch him staring at her blatantly. She gave him a confused smile. "Hey, you there?" She asked, her voice gentle.

Shikamaru just shook his head, "It's nothing." He moved his bishop. Mononoke quickly made her move, stealing his bishop with her own bishop.

"Checkmate, Shika!" She yelped happily, before grinning at him. And she found him staring at her quietly again. Mononoke didn't understand the emotions passing through his face. Sad, happy, affectionate, tired…. So many.

Without thinking, she shuffled across the mat to sit across him. She placed a hand on his face, peering into his eyes. They held gazes for a long moment as turquoise dived deep into the dark brown. Then she realized why he was like this.

Mononoke sighed before pressing her forehead against Shikamaru's. He leaned in closer, and their noses touch. They closed their eyes in time and Mononoke took in a deep breath, letting his scent overwhelm her.

"You don't have to overthink, Shikamaru. I'll always be in your heart. As you're always in mine." Mononoke whispered, holding his face, "Everything will be right. I'll be back before you know it." She opened her eyes to see him doing the same. The Yorukami gave him a cheeky smile, "You know you can't get rid of me that easy." Shikamaru couldn't help cracking a smile as he lifted a hand to her face, caressing her cheek gently. Slowly, his eyes travel along her face before resting at her lips. Mononoke smiled a little as he leaned in, before she followed suit.

"Hey, yOU GUYS-" Naruto barged into the room yelling his head off. Shikamaru and Mononoke leaped apart in horror at the sudden intrusion. Shikamaru glared at Naruto as he tried to get his breath back, "What now?"

The blond blinked before looking over to Mononoke, who had a hand over her heart, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. It took a few moments for the rusty cogs inside Naruto's head to turn but he slowly pieced it together. His face broke into a sneaky grin and he snickered, "You guys weren't trying to-"

"Oh, get out, Naruto!" Mononoke jabbed, but she was laughing at the situation.

The Uzumaki clown just sniggered more at Shikamaru's reddening face before blinking in realization. "Oh yeah, old hag Tsunade is calling for you guys. Something about Yuupa-san."

Mononoke and Shikamaru exchanged looks before sobering up. They quickly followed Naruto, leaving their game of Shogi behind in the quiet room.

"But how long will you be gone?" Naruto piped up quietly, just as silence fell upon the group. Yuupa shrugged, "Might be about a few years. Three to four, give or take. After all, Mononoke was brought up well so she just need to learn the more advanced techniques of the clan and she'll be good." Yuupa gave an appreciative nod to Kakashi and Shikamaru. Kakashi soft gaze made Mononoke's heart sunk with sadness. Yuupa took her attention away when he pats Mononoke on the shoulder, smiling kindly down at her, "It's up to you if you want to travel with the clan or come back to Konoha. It's rare but not unheard of for a Yorukami to settle down somewhere." Mononoke smiled back, placing her hand on his, "Yeah, I know."

Yuupa gave her a gentle look, "We'll leave overmorrow. Is it enough time to say your goodbyes?" Mononoke nodded. "Yeah."

Her friends certainly didn't make it easy for her. Not to be offensive or anything but Mononoke almost thought she was at a funeral instead of a farewell gathering.

Kiba gave her the tightest hug possible, almost detaching her soul from her body.

The girls started to weep, even tough as nails Temari. She didn't outright cry but her eyes glistened, which made Mononoke feel bad enough. Tenten gave her a firm hug, which almost made her feel worse and close to breaking down along with Sakura and Ino. And Lee, who bawled his eyes out.

Some of them, like Neji and Sasuke, tried their best to look collected but the pain in their eyes stabbed through her heart. The ones who aren't especially close to her showed raw emotion as well.

Shino and Kankuro gave her words of encouragement, but their smells were heavy with sadness. Gaara did not appear in the gathering but Mononoke knew he wanted to say his goodbyes privately.

She found the Sand ninja in a familiar forest clearing. He was standing on the same spot they sat during the small gathering at the Kaiju festival. Mononoke was glad that Gaara was quiet when she stepped close beside him, their shoulders brushing.

"Will you visit?" Gaara asked after a few minutes of tranquility.

"Of course. I'll make sure I visit you every now and then. I'm part of a nomadic clan, remember?" Mononoke replied. Gaara hummed in reply before turning to her. She mirrored him and they both stood there, face to face. To Mononoke's pleasant surprise, Gaara moved in to give her a gentle hug. Automatically, her hands moved to rest against his back as they held each other. No more words were exchanged but Mononoke was touched.

Before they parted, Gaara gave her the faintest of smiles, "Good luck, Mononoke. I'll look forward to seeing you again." Mononoke was a little starstruck when she saw his smile but she managed to give him one of her brightest smiles with an energetic nod, "You betcha!"

Her last stop was with Kakashi. She was spending her last night in Konoha with her soul sibling. The both of them were in bed talking when the moon was at the highest peak, their foreheads pressing each other's. The moonlight streamed in, causing Mononoke's hair to glow slightly.

"You know I'll be visiting, right?" Mononoke said, as she hugged Kakashi's hand to her cheek.

"Yes. But you'll be very busy as well. You probably won't have time for this old man." Kakashi replied, smiling a little when Mononoke snorted at his silly words.

"First of all, you're not old. And I'll come over even if Yuupa is going to whoop my ass for it." Mononoke pursed her lips, a determined look on her face.

Kakashi just chuckled before rubbing his nose against hers, "I don't doubt that for a second. What a headache you'd be." He breathed out heavily before closing his eyes, "Now go to sleep. Tomorrow is a big day." Mononoke didn't listen, of course. She watched as Kakashi slowly drifted into dreams. She watched as long as she could, until her own eyelids dipped shut and she joined him.

They left in the morning. Mononoke could only managed to give a hasty goodbye to the Nara family and quick kiss to Shikamaru's cheek before following Yuupa out of the village. The poor boy was caught by surprise and almost fell over with shock.

"So, are you excited?" Yuupa asked when she caught up to him, trotting beside him with a skip in her step. She took one last look at Konoha. The village stood strong and tall, even though it was slightly broken. Mononoke took in a deep breath before breaking into a grin, "Yeap!"

She spun towards the horizon, her silver hair chasing her.

YOOOOOOOO IT'S OVER. HAHAHHAHAHAHA. Yea I can finally say how much I love all of you and man, thanks so much again for sticking by me. I am eternally grateful for your support that kept me going. If you ever see random updates again, don't worry, I'm re-editing all the old chapters so it's not so cringey for any new readers!

But man, y'all, I love you guys so much okay. And thank you so much for loving Momo and going on this journey with her until now. Shippuden is a 50/50 chance but maybe a 60/40 now, who knows?

Also I want one more suggestion from you guys. Do you want to see any spin offs of Mononoke with the Akatsuki? (Because i love them all so much okay but it's most likely going to be a crack fic with all my recycled humour in it lololol)

OH OH OH AND ONE MROE THING. I HAVE AN ART ACCOUNT! I'll be drawing lots of Of Ice and Blood stuff there and if there is anyone who wanna do fanart, be my guest! Just tag me and I'll be eternally grateful okei? Okay. It's [fabulous_manatee] on Instagram! You'll see Kiba and Mononoke somewhere along the posts because those two doofus are my happiness.

Bye bye y'all. Until the next fic :D