The Shadow's Heart

Disclaimer: I do not own SkipBeat or Ashita no Ousama nor do I own any of the characters from either original story.

Chapter 59 – One story left to tell

Our story ends much in the same way it began: with a young woman on an airplane…

…well, at least our ending begins the same (her on an airplane), but since she won't stay on airplane it isn't quite accurate to say that it ends the same… but I was trying to be poetic here and then you had to go and point out the obvious and ruin my moment and… Okay, the author will stop ranting now…

(Clears throat) Our story ends much in the same way it began: with a young woman on an airplane. There were other similarities as well. Like Sasaya Yuu, this young lady took her seat in first class and promptly began to attract attention. A part of this was because this young lady was strikingly beautiful… some would say stunning. Another part of this was that at least a few of the first-class passengers were suddenly struck with the feeling that they recognized this young lady. And finally, a part of the reason that our young passenger attracted so much attention was due to the air of confidence and poise that she exuded so naturally. In fact, you might say that she was the consummate ojou-sama, wearing class and power as if they formed a second-skin.

Maria Takarada had booked an aisle seat, of course. Even after years of flying, she could still never make herself love this mode of transportation. She didn't tremble in fear anymore, but she still wished that she could hold onto her big sister during takeoff and landing. She tucked her carry-on under the seat, though not before extracting her Apple* Personal Information, Communication and Entertainment System (PICES) from the bag. While others shuffled down the aisle and took their seats, she thumbed the activator and waited for the E-Mag that she had been reading in the terminal to come up. Maria smiled as she saw her Onee-sama's photo above the headline: "Kyouko Strikes Gold Again."

It was true. Kyouko's newest movie had just passed the two-hundred-million dollar mark in the second week of its release, and it was projected to continue. It wasn't surprising; people had fallen in love with Kyouko as an action star and she had ridden that wave for ten years, but more recently she had been making her impact in more cerebral suspense and dramatic movies. She was now thirty, yet appeared to be no more than twenty-three… though she had played two roles as an elderly person with great success. Maria felt a welling of love and pride for the woman who had changed her life forever, and who was still so dear to her. She could hardly wait…

"Excuse me… Miss Takarada… ummm…" a young female voice interrupted her thoughts hesitantly. Maria looked up to find a young teen girl leaning around the seat. Maria hadn't actually checked to see if the seat beside her was occupied. She hadn't noticed her companion primarily because of the way that the first-class seats on the Boeing* 818 were turned to afford individual privacy… of course there was also the fact that her mind was still struggling with her not-quite-dormant phobia of flying... though Maria preferred the first explanation.

The girl had spoken in English, but she had distinctive Korean features. She was a very cute girl, of perhaps 14 years, with intelligent eyes. "Hello, how can I help you?" Maria asked kindly, a little startled to see the girl's expression. Maria recognized it as the same almost-worshipful expression that she must have worn as a young girl whenever she was around Ren or Kyouko.

"I'm sorry to bother you, Miss Takarada, but could you autograph my PICES?" The girl gulped at her own audacity, but she didn't back down, "I have a copy of Forbes* on here, and if you would sign the cover?"

Maria's eyes widened slightly, "Forbes, hmm? That isn't exactly light reading." The girl extended her PICES and a stylus. Maria saw that the screen was showing her front-cover picture, the one that accompanied the issue all about the up-and-coming children and grandchildren of famous business people. She scrawled her name across the screen and it automatically attached the signature to the magazine cover. Then she handed the device back, "Or do you only have the one issue?"

The girl blushed prettily, but she spoke rapidly, "I always read Forbes* and a few other business magazines as well. I'm going to get into Harvard, just like you… though I'm not as smart as you must be. You're amazing! How did you ever finish you MBA at the age of twenty? And you were Summa Cum Laude for your Bachelors and Masters. That's incredible!"

This time it was Maria's turn to blush. People often talked about her acting or her modeling, but this was what she was the most proud of. At the age of thirteen she had become bored with school. One day, while helping in her onee-sama's spacious kitchen, she had been delivering a long oration on the uselessness of school when Kyoko brought her up short, "Well then, Maria, do something about it instead of just complaining."

"But what? Grandpa insists on me finishing high school and going to college!"

Kyoko's look had become stern, "And he's absolutely right! If you hope to run LME, then you have to get trained and you have to earn the right. As your future employee, I demand it."

"So what did you mean when you tell me to 'do something about it'?" Maria had pouted

"Well, you have to go, but who said that you have to go according to the school's schedule? Maria, you have an incredible brain, use it. If you want to be done with high school, then accelerate. In fact, why don't you accelerate as far as you can go?" Kyoko's eyes had held a challenge… and Maria had risen to the challenge. She completed high school at fifteen, a bachelor's at Tokyo University by the age of eighteen, and was now leaving Harvard with an MBA.

Maria smiled at the girl, "I was in a hurry." For a moment, a secretive smile emerged. "I'm sorry, but we haven't introduced. What's your name?"

"Oh, I apologize for my rudeness," The girl extended her hand, western fashion, "My name is Sujon Park. I'm pleased to meet you, Maria Takarada."

"And I'm pleased to meet you, Sujon. You speak English well, but I did note an accent. Are you Korean?"

"My mother is Korean. My father is American. They're divorced, so I go back and forth."

"I'm sorry," Maria said softly.

Sujon shrugged, "They've been divorced for a long time. I've lived in Korea for most of my life, so my accented English is noticeable. But I speak two languages, so that's good. Not like you though. The article says that you speak six!"

Maria smiled, "Wow, you really have read the entire article. Yes, I do speak six languages. I've studied very hard because I want my grandfather's company to expand internationally."

"That is sooo cool." Sujon sighed, "You have an MBA. You speak six languages. You're an actress and a Swan model!"

Maria grimaced, "Sujon, it isn't anything special. I became a model to help pay for college… I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it all without using Grandfather's money. Julie Swan is a dear friend of my family, so it was only natural that she called on me when she did shows on the east coast of the U.S." That wasn't quite true. Over the past ten years, it had become more and more of a distinction to be a Swan Model. Julie had branched off from just designing clothing to also expand her own modeling empire. With Julie's own beauty and fame, it was only natural that she attracted some of the best models. Maria had grown up to be as beautiful, and some argued even more beautiful, than her deceased mother. Modeling for Julie had been a perfect fit. It was the same reason that she was featured on the cover of Forbes even though twenty young people had been written about.

Maria had also made a name for herself as a child actress. Her expanded role as the young Yutsuko in the movie version of The Shadow's Heart had won her acclaim and launched her into a series of roles. "I am more proud of my acting, but only because I got to act alongside someone very dear to me. Do you know who Kyouko is?" Maria showed Sujon the image on Kyoko on her PIES.

"Oh," Sujon said without great interest, "Sure, I know who she is. I don't really care about acting that much… no offense. I want to be a businesswoman like you."

Maria was amused by the irony of this statement. She was still one of the few people anywhere who knew Kyoko's true identity as the heir of the Egami Group… actually, she was the head of the group now, since Yumi had handed over the reins completely. Maria's family might be rich, but Kyoko probably couldn't even list all of her assets. Well, that probably wasn't true either. Just like everything else Kyoko did, she had dedicated every free moment to learning the business of running a dynasty. She wasn't content to be a figurehead. And her work had paid off; the Egami Group was sending tendrils of power and influence into places never thought of before. As always, she was Maria's greatest inspiration. "Oh, you might be surprised, Sujon. Kyouko is an actress, but also an accomplished businesswoman. Remember, in the end all business comes down to people. Nobody can be truly successful as a businesswoman if she is dismissive of others."

Sujon blushed in embarrassment, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to insult your friend."

"No need to be sorry. But do please open your mind. Life is about learning. If you keep your eyes and your mind open, you will avoid a lot of unnecessary mistakes."

Sujon was flushed, but she recovered quickly. "I did have one question: the article implied that you had a love-interest, but it didn't say who," the young teen grinned and leaned over conspiratorially, "Who is it?"

Maria grinned back, a twinkle in her eyes, but her lips remained sealed. The two girls talked until sleep took them. Maria didn't mind… it distracted her from her fears about what waited for her in Tokyo.

oOoOOoOo

Six hours later, Maria walked out of the tunnel. If people were looking… and many people were… they would have seen strikingly beautiful, perfectly poised young lady. It was difficult not to notice her. She walked with grace and projected a sense of absolute confidence and total self-control… until she saw a very tall man, his much-shorter wife, and a very small girl waiting… then her poise disappeared as she exclaimed "Onee-sama! Ren-sama! Emiko-chan!" as she ran towards them. Maria didn't care about the spectacle she was causing as she suddenly found herself wrapped in the loving arms of her favorite adopted family.

Tiny hands pushed for space and adorable little eyes stared up at Maria. "Maria-onee-sama, are you staying with us tonight?" The little girl gave the same wide-eyed, innocent, pleading look that had already made her face well-known in two different movies and a television drama.

Maria knelt down and hugged the little girl. "I will be, but first I need to go and see someone."

Kyoko smiled teasingly, "I thought that we'd take you home first; to give you a chance to fix up your makeup… " She examined her imouto appraisingly, "Not that you need help. How did you ever get so beautiful? It's a good thing that I caught Ren before you grew up."

Ren scoffed, "You caught me? I think that you've got your history a little skewed, Love of Mine. But Maria, you do look quite beautiful."

Maria beamed with pleasure, unaware of all of the people who were watching the exchange, taking pictures, and whispering. It wasn't everyday that the Hizuri family appeared in public. Ren, Kyoko, and Emiko were all well-known names throughout Japan, but they were usually very private. It was obvious that they must consider this passenger truly special to come and greet her personally.

"How is the Boss?" Ren asked as they led Maria towards Baggage Claim.

"He's riding around the Flying-T with Jelly like he is Buffalo Bill himself…" Maria giggled, "Of course, when I left he was dressed like Pancho Villa. The veterans don't know what to think about him." Yumi married Gunny Hollister seven years before. Shortly after that they returned to the U.S., where they turned the Flying-T ranch into a convalescent and recovery center for war veterans. Hundreds of men and women cycled through every year, recovering from post-traumatic stress disorder or learning how to use their artificial limbs. Lory and Jelly were there now, making their yearly trip to visit and to ride.

Emiko tugged on Maria's hand. "Grandpa's taking me, Juno, Kenishi, Miyami, and Kanami to Disneyland tomorrow. You can go too, if you want?" Kuu and Julie were living almost full-time in Japan now. Five years ago Kuu had been hurt while filming. He recovered well, but afterwards he re-examined his priorities. He had enjoyed years of fame, success, and wealth. Now what he really wanted was time with his family. It didn't take much persuasion to get Julie to agree to sell their California mansion and relocate to Tokyo. Although Kyoko had only had one child, Emiko, Kuu had also become a de-facto grandfather to Kanae and Yashiro's boy and girl, Yuu and Ichii's girl, and even Haruki and Ogata's boy, Juno… who Emiko happened to have an enormous crush on. People wondered how he could walk away from his career so easily, but Kuu never had a doubt

Julie loved Japan as well, but she was still gone quite often, taking care of her fashion empire. Maria also loved Kuu as a sort-of adopted uncle, so she agreed to join Emiko… barring unexpected commitments.

While Ren stepped up to the carousel to collect Maria's bags, Kyoko asked, "Maria, did you get a chance to see Chiori before you left Harvard?"

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the last decade had been Amamiya Chiori. When she completed Oxford, everyone assumed that she would return home to Japan, marry Fujinosuke, and settle down. What nobody knew was that she and the Prince of Kabuki had broken off their engagement after her second year in school. As she explained it, they had simply grown apart… but her friends did notice when Fujinosuke married a very traditional girl from a highly traditional family only three months later. Nobody pushed the issue, and Chiori pretended not to mind, but she also didn't return to Japan.

Chiori published her first book one year later, a story roughly based upon Akari, her character in The Scarlet Dice. It became a top seller and set the stage for several more books. But none of this constituted the surprise… the surprise was what took place after she settled into a comfortable flat in London. One day she received a call from Fuwa Sho, inviting her to his concert for the new King and Queen of England. Nobody saw or noted her presence, but Sho must have. Over the next year he courted her as he travelled around the world on his fifth world tour… and then one day he announced his engagement to a packed stadium in Tokyo. Only Chiori's dearest two friends and her own mother were unsurprised when she walked out onto the stage to stand beside her famous fiancé… and that was only because she had already told them.

"Yes, actually, Chiori, Sho and I went out after his concert in Boston. He really has changed, Kyoko. And Chiori is truly happy. I have a pre-print copy her latest book on my PICES, if you want to read it?"

"I think that I'd like that… I just wish that they would move back here. I miss her," Kyoko said sadly. Then she perked up, "Oh well, Emiko and I will be travelling with Okaa-san on her next exhibition. We'll visit her then."

Ren returned from the carousel with Maria's bags. "Okay, we're ready. By the way, Maria: Sebastian apologizes for not coming himself. He wanted to, but he's still in Kyoto, managing the work on Hizuri Park. He was going to come, but when you changed your flight date…" Sebastian had refused to reassume his role as the rightful head of the Egami Clan… and Kyoko had reluctantly accepted his decision. And then she had slowly but surely recruited him to help with one project, and then another, until he finally allowed himself to at least be a part of the family again. The Egami Clan welcomed him back with open arms. The renovation in Hizuri Park involved a Japanese garden on one side of the large lower meadow, close beside the giant playground that was built five years ago. Sebastian had never married. Kamachi Isako had given up and moved on, but Niokina still often spent time with Kyoko's father… as a matter of fact, she just happened to be in Kyoto at the moment.

Maria waved it off. "It wasn't his fault. I made the changes at the last minute."

"And why did you make the change, Maria?" Kyoko asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I have my reasons." Maria answered archly, and then grinned.

"I bet you do. And I bet that a certain tall, dark and handsome martial artist has something to do with those reasons."

Maria couldn't entirely hide her anxiety from her big sister. "How is he?" They reached the car now… no longer a sports car, but rather an SUV. It fit better with a family, especially one that often transported the children of friends as well.

"He is fine. Busy. In-demand. Extremely popular… but resolutely single," Kyoko studied Maria's face carefully. Satisfied with what she saw, she smiled. "Well, for now let's get you home and cleaned up so that you can do something about your 'reasons'," Kyoko reached over and smoothed her imouto's golden hair. "You know, I always loved your curls, but straight hair truly suits your adult look."

Maria was hoping that someone else would like it too.

oOoOOoOo

Uesugi Hiou ran straight at the wall with four men in pursuit. At the last second he leaped up and seemingly defied gravity by running up the wall. Just as gravity was about to re-exert its dominance, Hiou executed a backflip that landed him behind his assailants. He took one down before anyone could react, and then he was mixing it up with all three of the others. All were competent martial artists, but he was holding them all off and getting good strikes in as well. Just as he took the last man down, a car sped down the alley towards him. In an instant Hiou executed the same wall-climbing move, only this time he used his momentum to send his body over the brick wall to one side. The men in the car jumped out, weapons ready, but Hiou was gone.

"Cut! Everyone hold in place while we check the film," Director Salinger sang out. Ever since his phenomenal success with the movie version of The Shadow's Heart, he had come to love Asia. He had made films in Japan, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, and even in China. He worked with many talents, but invariably he came back to LME for his top roles. Kyouko and Ren were still two of his favorites, but now Hiou was definitely beginning to attract worldwide attention.

Salinger saw movement over to the side, where many of the females were known to congregate to watch this handsome, muscular young man. His eyes went wide for a moment, and then he grinned at Hiou, who had his head down as he checked the screens. "Hiou, I believe that you have a visitor."

Hiou was almost a machine when he worked, and he wasn't too fond of interruptions, so he frowned as he looked up. But when he saw the vision behind the safety fence, his expression changed completely. The other girls who were standing at the fence saw the change and scowled at the intruder. She neither noticed nor cared.

Hiou tried to walk casually at first, then he surrendered all pretenses and ran. In an instant he was over the short fence. In another instant he was standing, almost shyly as he took the beautiful girl's hands in his. "You're back." He said, mostly because he couldn't make his mind come up with something else to say.

Maria's worried expression vanished, to be replaced momentarily by joyful relief. He still loves me! But Maria was never a person to give away too much, so she arched an eyebrow and said, "I suppose that I could leave?"

"Don't you dare! But… I didn't think that you would be back until Thursday… what happened?"

"A certain director told me that you had the next two days off… and then you will be flying to Hong Kong for the next part of the filming…"

"Actually, I don't have to go there for a week, but that doesn't matter. You're here for good now… aren't you?" Hiou asked, almost anxiously.

"You are looking at the newest mid-level business manager for LME, Dear Sir," Maria pronounced proudly.

Hiou tried to find the right words to congratulate her, but instead what he said was, "God, you look beautiful."

Maria blushed and knew that all was well. Theirs had been a rocky relationship. The problem of four years age difference had loomed up over and over again. Still, there was always something there and both knew it. They had each dated others during different times of conflict or separation; at one point Hiou was even semi-serious about someone. But in the end they were always drawn back to each other. When Maria completed her BA from Tokyo University, Hiou had been ready to marry Maria on the spot. When she told him of her desire to complete her MBA at Harvard, he had acted rather childish. Their parting had been strained, to say the least. But then one day she had walked out of a class to find him kneeling on the steps of the building, holding flowers and asking for her forgiveness.

The past year had been an anxious one for both of them. Chiori's story was never far from their minds, and they both worked hard to keep their love alive. Now Maria was back. Hiou released one of Maria's hands so that he could brush a strand of hair out of her face. He was oblivious to the stares and the camera flashes around them as he said, "Maria, I know that you have big dreams… and I want you to always feel free to chase those dreams… but I need you to know that I am never letting you get away from me again… ever."

The nine year old girl of the distant past was long gone, but for a moment Maria felt the same thrill she felt then, whenever that thirteen year old boy looked her direction. But what she felt now was much, much deeper. "That's good, Hiou. Because I don't intend to let you get away either."

She might have said more, but Hiou pulled her into his arms and gave her a kiss that communicated all of the years of frustration that he had been holding bottled in. Hiou pulled back, looked into Maria's eyes, and asked, "You don't have any plans to obtain your doctorate somewhere in Europe that you haven't told me about, do you?"

Maria giggled as she snuggled her face into Hiou's broad chest and shook her head "I'm staying right here."

In life, there isn't necessarily such a thing as "happily ever after"… but if such a possibility existed, it can reasonably be said that there are those in this story who worked hard to make it into a reality. Only they can tell you if they succeeded.

The End –

Notes: There are several asterisks throughout this chapter following different namebrand items. I do not own these companies nor any portion of the products mentioned (mostly because they are all future products)

I am deeply grateful to everyone who had read, reviewed, and favorite my two stories: Patience is its Own Reward and The Shadow's Heart. When I embarked on this project I had no idea that it would span nearly two and one-half years. You have been incredibly patient, and for that I thank you.

I am also aware of the many errors in these two stories. Over time I hope to go back and remedy those errors, but it may be a while. I am currently in the midst of trying to apply for a different job as well as trying to get accepted into an institute of higher learning in pursuit of yet another degree (please don't ask me why, perhaps I am a masochist).

I will now try to complete my three remaining fanfiction stories. No promises as to when that will happen.

Leavesfallingup