| The 10th Warrior Epilogue |
| "Sage?" "I love you, Makoto," he whispered suddenly. Makoto's eyes widened as he suddenly leaned down and kissed her soundly before lifting away again. She stared up at him breathlessly a moment and then smiled. "I love you too, Sage," she whispered, pulling him down into a second kiss. When she released, he rolled off of her and helped her sit up before wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "Will you stay here with me forever?" he asked. Makoto's eyes shone with the light of the full moon above and she leaned into Sage's shoulder with a soft smile. "I will. I promise," she whispered. Unseen to the duo near the lake, a human-shaped cloud rose from the dust and watched as they talked together. A dark sense of evil hung about the being as it slowly moved towards the house and looked within at its occupants that sat around in a large room. "Foolish mortals. To think that they defeated Talpa of the Dynasty... No matter. I shall have enough power to begin attacking this dimension and it will fall to the Nigel Empire. As all of the other dimensions have." The dust slowly dispersed and soon only a small pile of dirt was its testimony. Meanwhile, at the lakeside, Sage helped Makoto to her feet and they started towards teh house. Makoto felt as if all her dreams were coming true. She wasn't fighting, she now had a love to call her own, and she lived with a bunch of people who felt like her family. Nothing could disturb this. Sage suddenly froze beside her and she felt him tremble a moment. "Sage? Are you all right?" she asked in concern. For a moment, Sage looked around, his eyes narrowed in search and Makoto held silence till he looked at her. "It's nothing, I think. Probably a chill from the breeze," he reassured her and gave her hand a squeeze. "Let's just get in and warm up." To emphasize his point, he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and kissed her cheek, causing her to blush. She leaned her head against his shoulder a moment with a soft smile on her face and he led her into the house. I hope it was just a chill, thought Sage to himself. ONE DAY LATER - CALIFORNIA, USA Ami sat on the bed, reading an American medical journal, while on the other bed watching the television was Hotaru, trying to watch X-Men. However, her English wasn't good enough to totally understand all of the words and her lack of knowledge concerning Americanisms. There was a soft rap at the door and Hotaru swung herself off the side of the bed. "I'll get it, Ami," said Hotaru sweetly. Ami smiled as she lowered the book to her lap. "Thank you, Hotaru." Hotaru smiled and then unlocked and opened the door. "Hello, Chibi. I'm back," said Haruka fondly. "..and Setsuna too. I think she's gone to see Michiru." Hotaru wrapped her arms arounf Haruka for a brief hug. "I'm glad. How's Mako-san doing?" "She's fine," said Haruka with a sly grin. "She has a guy now." Ami's eyebrows rose as her eyes shone with concern. "I hope he's kind to her. Makoto really needs someone that won't toy with her emotions." Haruka nodded and then held up two small boxes and handed one to each of the girls. "Makoto sends these to you both and told me to tell you to keep an eye on whatever she put in those boxes," said Haruka and then started for the door. "Are you going so soon, Haruka-papa?" asked Hotaru in confusion. Haruka smiled boyishly at her and winked. "I have to go see Michi and Setsuna. I'll return later." Hotaru looked momentarily disappointeed until she looked at the box from Makoto and then smiled. "All right. Bye, Haruka-papa." Ami waved Haruka a farewell that Haruka returned before closing the door with a soft click. For a moment, both girls looked at each other. Then they suddenly smiled at each other and began to open the mysterious boxes. "A marble?" queried Hotaru in surprise when she pulled off a layer of tissue paper to see a dark purple orb with the kanji, Gamen - Patience, on it. Ami likewise eyed her marble curiously, marveling at how clear and ice blue it was and wondering how the kanji, Chishiki - Knowledge, had been placed in it. "These have been vey beautifully crafted," she commented. "No wonder Makoto wanted us to take care of them for her." Hotaru smiled and carefully placed the box containing the marble on the lamp stand between the beds. She yawned slightly and stretched out her arms. "I think I'm ready to go to bed, Ami-chan," Hotaru informed softly. Ami nodded and placed her box next to Hotaru's on the lamp stand. "It's probably best we go to bed now anyways. Usagi said that Mamoru was going to take us to that Disney Land they have here tomorrow." Hotaru quickly stripped of her black jeans and shirt and replaced them with a dark purple nightgown. "Is it like the one Haruka-papa and Michiru-mama took me to in Tokyo?" Ami nodded as she pushed her head though her blue nightshirt and then pulled up her blue shorts that went with them. "From what Mamoru said, it is similar." Hotaru smiled and climbed into her bed. "Sounds like it's going to be fun then. I enjoyed Disney when I was there last." "You'll have to show me around then," said Ami with a grin as she climbed into bed. "I've never been to any Disney parks before." "You'll love it," assured Hotaru as she leaned over to the lamp table and flicked off the light. "Good night, Ami-chan. Sleep well." "You, too, Hotaru. Sleep well," whispered Ami. An hour later, both were breathing softly beneath their covers while on the lamp stand, two soft glows, one purple, one blue, cast shadows on the walls. Author's Note: Hopefully, this was a better ending than "Part 11: Hoopu's Gift." It's also a way to introduce the Dark Wars - the next series I intend to release. However, don't look for it too soon. I want to write some other stories before I worry about this series again. ^_^ --- but I might be convinced to write for Sage and Makoto (and the guys) while the scouts are still in America. BUT that's only if I get reviews to do it. For the normal bit -please review and tell me what you thought. Was this a better ending, ^_^ or did it suck? : ( Let me know via e*mail or review. TTFN! (ta ta for now) |