Mirage Of Blaze Fan Fiction ❯ Cruel Paradise ❯ Epilogue

Disclaimer- Mirage of Blaze belongs to Kuwabara Mizuna.

 

 

 

 

 

Epilogue

 

 

 

 

 

Having finished smoking his morning cigarette on the balcony, Naoe slipped back into bed beside Takaya. He was pleased that his lord hadn't awakened during his absence because he wanted to enjoy the teen's adorable sleeping face just a bit longer. He brushed a wisp of hair from his lover's forehead before reaching for the television remote. He could already guess the media's explanations of the previous day's destruction. Always the same old rationalizations. He sighed and turned on the television.

 

As the news camera panned across the wreckage, Naoe again thought about how fortunate they'd all been that Nobunaga hadn't tried to manipulate Yuzuru via the Seed of Evil Kings during the ordeal. He shuddered to think how much worse things could've turned out with Yuzuru's power under Nobunaga's control. There would've been fatalities.

 

An annoying male reporter at the scene dramatically recounted the devastation with an air of importance, “Fiery destruction in downtown Matsumoto; earthquake, terrorists, or was there something else at work here? Conflicting witness' stories, some outrageous, some not. Sir, would you mind telling me what you witnessed?”

 

A wide-eyed, middle-aged gentleman eagerly spoke, “It was like a scene from a movie; teenagers with magical powers or something! It was amazing! And there was this gorgeous woman; beautiful, slender, with shoulder-length dark hair wearing leather pants and a long, black coat. Her lips were the color of blood. I wouldn't mind seeing her again!” He turned to look directly into the camera, “Hey lady, if you're out there, give me a call. My number is-”

 

“Thank you sir,” the reporter cut in. “There you have it: outlandish claims of possessed teenagers, including a mysterious leather-clad beauty, with magical powers wreaking havoc in downtown Matsumoto. Will we ever know the truth? Local authorities aren't saying much, but they did release a statement in which they attributed the destruction to some unusual local seismic activity, and dismissed the notion of human involvement- claiming that although vandalism is on the rise, most delinquents are just too darn lazy to commit vandalism on this grand of a scale.” He chuckled.

 

Naoe sighed and pressed the mute button. Those idiots in the media could spin anything to look like an earthquake. And it appeared that Kousaka had yet another male admirer. Naoe's annoyance turned to concern as Takaya's sleep grew restless. His lord's legs twitched and he began to mumble incoherently. Naoe lightly kissed his forehead.

 

Takaya writhed beneath the blankets. “Kagekatsu...,” he mumbled fearfully with a grimace.

 

Naoe immediately embraced him, alternating gentle kisses with soothing whispers of reassurances until his lord quieted. His brow furrowed with worry. Eventually all of Kagetora's memories would return, and he'd have to relive all of the mental anguish he'd endured. Anger roiled within him at his own helplessness to ease his master's pain. So many years of helplessly watching Kagetora's soul suffer during battle after battle as he served Kenshin with blind devotion. The only way he'd be able to help his lord is by remaining by his side, loving him, supporting him, fighting alongside him until the end. That was all he could do. He hoped it was enough.

 

Naoe's thoughts were disrupted by the sudden blaring ring of the hotel phone beside the bed, and he quickly reached across Takaya to answer it.

 

“I knew you'd be awake,” Chiaki's voice said. “I just received a call from Haruie. She's just arrived in town, and was upset by this morning's news report.”

 

“Is that so?” Naoe asked, glancing at Takaya.

 

“Yeah,” Chiaki continued. “She wanted to know if the two of you are alright.” He paused for a moment.

 

“There's no need for concern,” was Naoe's reply. He pretended not to hear Chiaki's sigh of annoyance at his words.

 

As the two men continued their conversation, Takaya's eyes fluttered open to the morning sunlight that filled the room and the low drone of Naoe's deep voice. When Naoe leaned over Takaya to hang up the phone, Takaya grasped his shoulder.

 

“Who was that?” Takaya asked groggily.

 

“Chiaki,” Naoe replied. “It seems we have a meeting scheduled in a few hours with Haruie, who has uncovered some information on clan movements during her investigations. And Chiaki will be there as soon as he is finished meeting with Shingen about getting a replacement for his car.”

 

Takaya chuckled sleepily, “With the way Chiaki drives, I doubt this one will last much longer.”

 

Naoe smiled slightly, but he was distracted by the fact that he was still lying across Takaya. He started to move, but Takaya's arm held him still.

 

“Do we really have to get up already?” Takaya groaned. “Couldn't we lie here a little longer? We have time, right?”

 

Naoe lovingly embraced Takaya. “Yeah. We have time,” he whispered as his lord snuggled against him.

 

 

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As the rising sun roused the city, Yuzuru stumbled up to Saori's front door. He could hardly keep his tired eyes open, let alone focused. Although Chiaki had seen him home the previous night, he hadn't slept at all. He hadn't even showered or changed clothing. Instead, he'd wandered the dark, empty streets in an attempt to block out the barrage of terrifying images of battles and bloodshed that had pervaded his mind since the previous day's events.

 

He pounded insistently on the door, praying Saori would be there. He needed answers! He had to know who he was! And one name popped up again and again in his mind. He pounded harder, his fists slamming with painful force. He sighed with relief when he heard Saori's irritated voice calling out from within the house.

 

Saori threw open the door. “What's your prob-” She stopped, her anger fading into concern. “Yuzuru?!” she exclaimed. She hardly recognized the teen. His tattered, crumpled clothes were bloodstained and soiled and his hair looked as though it hadn't seen a comb in days. His dirt-smudged face was sickly pale and his puffy, red-rimmed eyes surrounded by dark circles told her he hadn't slept much in days, either.

 

“What's happened to you?” she breathed worriedly, ushering the exhausted teen into her house. She shut the door behind them. Yuzuru was nearly too weak to stand, so she walked him to a nearby chair where he sat stiffly.

 

Yuzuru looked up at her. “Tell me about Kagekatsu,” he quietly demanded.

 

“K-Kagekatsu?” Saori repeated, confused. Yuzuru didn't look well at all, she noted again. And why would he be beating at her door this early in the morning with a question like that?

 

“Yes, Uesugi Kagekatsu, Kagetora's brother. You're the history whiz, right?” he insisted, becoming increasingly agitated. “Tell me everything....that happened between Kagekatsu and Kagetora.”

 

Saori's eyes widened.

 

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The end.

 

 

 

Author's Note: Whew, the story is finished! Finally! Can you believe it?! So many, many thanks to everyone who's managed to hang in there with me until the end. Thank you so much! *HUGS* I will never forget all of your kind reviews and helpful suggestions. And Nikki, you were a godsend! I apologize for how long these last two chapters took. They were actually finished months ago, but for some reason I couldn't stop tweaking them, and changing this and that... *sighs* Sorry about that. I hope they turned out okay. Take care, and thanks again!