Authors note: What can I say, this have been two productive days. So, after all this time, the end, finally! If you want a sequel let me know.

Untouchable

Epilogue

Dark, dense earth hit the luxuriously lacquered coffin with a sound I could only describe as indefinable. There wasn´t anything to compare it with. The priest placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder as grandfathers remains disappeared from view, and I glared, daring him to keep it there. Of course he didn´t.

It was Friday afternoon in one of New Yorks more exclusive cemeteries. The sky was dark grey, almost black, but it wasn´t raining, and I was standing next to the tombstone, a grand monstrosity of black marble. Initially he was supposed to have been buried in Russia, but then his will had clearly stated that no, he wanted his final resting place to be here, in New York. Why I had no idea. Perhaps he felt just as alienated in Russia as I did, I don´t know. Oddly enough Manhattan was more home to me than Moscow had ever been, although home was something relative. I should know that better than anyone.

The funeral had been rather large; I had given the task to Boris, who had unwillingly fulfilled grandfathers last wish in making the event something to remember. Business associates were present, rivals, supposed friends, the press had of course been excluded, although I could easily tell that multiple law enforcement agents were present. For whatever reason they were keeping an eye on me, and for the time being I allowed it. And then…..my friends. All there to speak to the heir of the great Hiwatari empire.

Rey, Max, Tyson, Kenny and Hilary. Even Robert, Johnny and a few of the other beybladers were present. Lee as well, although I had made a point of ignoring all of them, him in particular. Who he had worked for I didn´t know, and I didn´t really care either. So long as he didn´t say anything, which Tala had assured me that he wouldn´t. Speaking of Tala; he and Boris were standing close by, waiting for any orders from me.

In the aftermath of the fire Tala was the one who had taken responsibility, calling the fire department, and making sure to cover up any incriminating evidence before the police arrived. He had told me later that both him and Lee had believed me to be dead. Everyone had. Unable to stop the flames the fire men had been forced to watch the entire mansion burn to the ground. No one could survive such a thing, no one they said.

And then they had found me, sitting on the ground covered in ash, in what remained of the living room, clothes burned away but otherwise completely unhurt. Even my hair had been intact. No one could explain it. Of course I remembered little of this, having been drugged and then brought straight to the hospital. There they had held me for two days, before finally admitting that there was nothing wrong with me.

My thoughts were drawn elsewhere as I felt another hand on my shoulder. I tensed momentarily, turning.

"I am sorry son, I am so sorry!"

It was Hilary´s father, Eric, and I only nodded in response, realizing that the crowd was starting to disperse.

"I will see you at the reception", he said, smiling seriously at me.

I could see Hilary, Rey and the others a few feet, away, patiently waiting for their turn as I was more or less assaulted by an endless stream of condolences. Predictably enough I pulled away at the first chance, quickly making my way to the parking lot. I wasn´t going to the reception. Perhaps I should have but no, I wasn´t going.

Tala and Boris were following me at a safe distance, already having their instructions. With the exception of me, Lee, and Tala, Boris was the only one who had survived the fire. Like a cockroach he somehow seemed to always come out on the other side. Missing a few legs perhaps, but still alive all the same. I still wasn´t quite sure what to do about him, but for the time being he would watch the company along with Tala, to make sure that everything was going smoothly.

Casually loosening my tie and removing the pitch black suit jacked I entered the 458 without another look, backing up and leaving the parking lot before anyone had the time to intercept me. I could see Rey come running out after me, waving his arms and shouting, but I did not stop. Not this time.

I drove home. My stuff was already packed, waiting at the kitchen table. The dark blue duffle bag didn´t contain much; merely some toiletries, a few clean clothes and of course Dranzer. The Muramasa was resting on top of it, and I quickly changed into jeans, t-shirt and a leather jacket, leaving the suit hanging over a kitchen chair. Then I grabbed the bag, slung the Muramasa over my shoulder and was on my way.

The note Tala had left for me contained an address, simple as that, no names, no nothing. It wasn´t far, only an hour or so from the outskirts of the city. I could only vaguely remember being surprised when I first received the information; that they would be so close. Did they know? Surely they did, how could they not? It had been all over the news for the past week, and they must have been aware of grandfathers presence here for a long time. Which suggested that indirectly they also knew about mine.

Deep down I knew I probably shouldn´t do this, but I needed to know, I had to. Even if what I would see was unpleasant knowledge was power, and in this case I would not find peace with myself unless I did know.

They lived in a homely looking yellow villa, a well kept green hedge surrounding the property, a large, silver land cruiser parked in the driveway. I parked on the other side of the street, content with observing everything at a distance.

There were several people outside, busy trimming the hedge and having some kind of barbecue while doing it. Was this the right place? Tala had insisted that it was, but I couldn´t recognize the two individuals from the dream. A sense of nostalgia hit me as I watched them; laughing and joking around, fighting over who should have the largest burger. They seemed so…..happy. Like I had never existed.

Well, what did you expect? I chastised myself. That they would be full of loss and sorrow, grieving for someone who disappeared 16 years ago? Not disappeared, given, given away, I automatically corrected myself.

One of the grown ups and a girl my age suddenly turned around, looking at the Ferrari with obvious curiosity. The woman looked familiar, and although her hair colour was different I felt pretty certain that it was her, the woman from the dream, my…mother. She looked older, but I was pleased to see that she was still beautiful, especially when she smiled.

Her face was a bit wrinkled, as one might expect, but I could tell that if anything, they came from smiling a lot. She was slender, and her hair, which I remembered as blond, was now chocolate brown, kept in a simple ponytail. The resemblance between her and the girl was striking, and two set of forest green eyes watched the Ferrari intently from across the street. The girl said something, frowning, and the woman smiled, shaking her head.

I almost smiled back, almost, and then the girl got moving, purposefully striding towards the Ferrari. Perhaps I should have stayed, but I didn´t. With practised ease I quickly started the engine, disappearing around the corner on screeching tires. My heart was thundering in my chest, and after one last moment of hesitation I increased speed, following the highway in the direction of the airport.

A sleek, cream coloured jet was already waiting, and after making sure that the 458 was secure I quickly made my way through the VIP entrance, being welcomed onboard by a flight attendant. It was one of the company jets, which were always at my disposal, particularly now that I was the new head of Hiwatari enterprises.

I dropped my bag and sword in an empty seat, seating myself by the window. The flight attendant immediately brought me freshly made lunch, which I barely touched, and then we were moving, leaving New York behind, for a long time I hoped.

"We will arrive in Morocco in approximately 7,5 hours", the flight attendant chirped.

"Is there anything I can get you Mr. Hiwatari?"

The badly hidden offer wasn´t lost on me.

"No thank you", I dismissed, a slight smirk evident on my countenance. Not today at least.

With that I turned, eyes fixed on the deep blue sea. It looked so vast, endless almost. In a promising way. This would be a brand new beginning for me, the opportunity to start anew with a clean slate. I smiled. A big, honest smile.

Wise men say that two wrongs never make a right.

I disagree….

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DO YOU WANT A SEQUEL? THEN PLEASE REVIEW;)