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"Until the End of Forever"
By: Jade Lightning, a.k.a. Inuyashas-hanyougirl
Chapter 14: To be With you Again

   Mikomi could feel his soul fading into nothingness.  It didn’t hurt…but as he slowly began to forget who he was, he realized that maybe this was what falling into the void felt like.  Everything was disappearing, and yet, he felt as though one last grasp on awareness had not left him.

   It was completely dark, and while Mikomi knew he had died and would probably never get home again, he recognized that he was still able to think.  He had not forgotten everything; he remembered what had brought him here, and could feel whatever was left of him feel weak with grief when he realized that he had left everyone he cared about behind when he once again fell victim to the hand of fate.

   His parents…his cousin…his pregnant sister.  He had a niece or nephew he would never get to meet…and worst of all, he had lost his dear, sweet Kate.  They would make it to Heaven…and he would be stuck in this miserable place forever.

   And yet, as it began to sink in that he still had the ability to think and feel sadness, he wondered if it was possible to feel this way in a place like the realm of all that didn’t exist.  He tried to see if he had a body left to move.  Trying to remember how to move his fingers, or how to breathe, he failed miserably.  Still, he felt warm with comfort, as if he was being cradled in the arms of his mother.

   He wondered again if this darkness was the void…or simply his eyes remaining closed in fear.

   Sure, he couldn’t move his hands, or breathe, but he was motivated to try once more to open his eyes.  As he mourned losing all of his loved ones, the light slowly penetrated the darkness.  That feeling of comfort slowly began to expel the sadness.  It was…vaguely familiar.

   His eyes opened completely, and Mikomi could see the light of the afterlife he had dwelt under for so long surrounding him once more.  Mitsukai was the one who was holding him, and as he was opening his eyes, she was sitting him down on the ground below them, outside of the gates to Heaven.

   Mikomi no longer felt pain, and yet…he still could not remember ever being here before, even though he was aware of the fact that he had been.  Mitsukai smiled at him, and said, “Do not be afraid Mikomi.  You are free from the clutches of the void…”

   He could not find the words to reply to her yet.  Instead, as he realized he was still in one piece, still wearing the outfit he did when he was killed, he looked up to see Kashoku standing beside his wife.

   The echidna king laughed softly, and replied, “You see Mikomi…I told you Mitsukai would guide us.  We have accomplished our task, and now the world is safe again from megalomaniacs like Jackie.  Your soul is now free from the chaos power.”

   Mikomi was happy to hear this, and yet, with Heaven’s eternal peace so close, he felt the need to weep.  Trying to wipe the tears from his eyes, he stood up and replied, “I thank you Lady Mitsukai for saving both King Kashoku and myself…but…I cannot be at peace.  I—I can’t bear to lose them all again.”

   He turned away from them, gazing at the endless light, and whimpered, “I know that we’ll be reunited here again, but I—after being with them again, and fitting back into their lives, I—I want to be with them again…right now, not later.  I—I want to be with them again!”

   As he continued to weep, Kashoku and Mitsukai looked at each other.  Never before had a soul ever desired this badly to return to the world below.  Even those who for a minute wanted to return to their loved ones, found comfort in the afterlife, and let those desires go.  It appeared however that Mikomi was the rare exception to this, and yet there was nothing that could be done.  With the Celestial Emerald lost forever, Kashoku had not the power to return Mikomi to the life he was torn away from again.

   Mitsukai, however, looked to her husband, smiling sweetly.  She walked up to Mikomi, hugging him gently and said, “Oh Mikomi…son of Knuckles, I did rescue you from the void, and yet I told our followers that it would be the bond of another that set you free.”

   Mikomi tried to sniff away his tears as he looked to Mitsukai.  She continued, “You see, Mikomi…the instant that Jackie killed you, the last of the chaos power escaped you, and so you became mortal once again.  Saving you from almost flying to the wrong place upon death was simple…it didn’t require the effort it took to save Kashoku, for you were destined to return here.  When I spoke of you being set free, I wasn’t referring to simply saving you from the void.”

   The queen pulled back from the embrace, and as she continued to smile, she continued, “Your body survived the death blow…it is the bond you share with those that remain behind…that beckon for you to go home again.”

   The hybrid echidna’s eyes filled with a bright light of hope.  Mitsukai looked to her husband and said, “For him, returning for the last time will be a simple task.  The yearning of the souls of his loved ones, pleading for him to return, will bring him back in a way that not even the Celestial Emerald could accomplish.”  Looking back to Mikomi, she said, “You simply must decide Mikomi.  You can stay here, or return to your life, and live on until your final day comes.”

   Pausing, she placed her hands on his shoulders and said, “Yet, for some reason I don’t think this is a difficult choice for you.  Still, you are a rare case; the circumstances of your death offer you the chance to go back, as well as the privilege to stay here.  Just remember that no matter your choice, this will remain your eternal home.”

   Kashoku, walking up to them, chuckled softly, and added, “For one who weeps to return to the ones he loves when surrounded by eternal peace, I don’t think you have to offer him an alternative.”

   Mikomi could feel his very being overflowing with joy.  Still, he looked between Kashoku and Mitsukai, before moving forward to embrace Kashoku.  It wouldn’t be the last time he was with his king, and while it would be awhile until they were reunited for the final time, Mikomi knew one day that he would be with them all again.  Until then, however, he knew he had a life to live, and so he said his goodbyes to the king and queen.

   “King Kashoku, I…I’m proud to have you for my king, and even more blessed to have you for a friend.  I know you’ll keep watch over us all until we’re all together again,” Mikomi said.

   Kashoku returned the hug, and replied, “You can count on that Suta-Mikomi.  More honored am I to have you to carry on the glory I wished for the world so long ago.  As I spoke it to the rest of them, it is in your hands to ensure the peace about them will never die.  While it may be challenged and be fraught with struggle and turmoil, the army of brave souls about you, I trust will never let it fall.  One day, we’ll all be surrounded by a peace we will not have to suffer for.”

   Only able to manage a nod, Mikomi slowly pulled back from Kashoku, but only after the king whispered something in Mikomi’s ear, causing the hybrid to smile warmly.  Before he could ask Mitsukai how he would return to his loved ones, a group of spirits emerged from the gates behind them.  Two of them were Mikomi’s grandparents; the third, was Kate’s uncle, Jacob.

   Mikomi’s grandparents ran to him, hugging him tightly and in turn, already aware of what he was about to do.  His grandmother didn’t cry, but one could tell this would be a most tearful goodbye had mortality had hold of their spirits.  She whispered, “Be safe Mikomi dear.  You make sure your father, uncle, and sister know that I love them and that we’re watching over them…let all of them know that.”

   Once his grandmother pulled away, his grandfather embraced him and added, “She’s right, and I second her words.  You’re our link to them Mikomi, and while these events may fade from your memory over time, they will never disappear from the pages of your life.  …Hang in there Mikomi.  I hope you find all the happiness you have coming to you, and more still that will come to you as you walk your path in life.”

   Unable to find words to reply, Mikomi simply nodded again.  Once they pulled back from their embrace, he looked to his grandparents, smiled and said, “I love you both.  I—I know we’ll be together again, only…next time we’ll all be together, including Dad, Uncle Hidama…everyone.  Everyone will be at peace then…and with that knowledge…I won’t have to worry about the fate of all life as heavily anymore.”

   His grandparents nodded as they stood together, smiling strongly.  Kashoku laughed and said, “It should have never been such a heavy concern to you to begin with.  No, instead of depending on one soul to preserve the good fortune of all life, it is the responsibility of all to work together for this purpose, just as I illustrated with the Seven and the One.  All life must work for the One peace.  Now, Mikomi, you need to focus on your own life.  After all you’ve done, you are more than deserving of all things good.”

   Mikomi sighed happily, nodding and said, “I think…you have finally made things right, King Kashoku.  I believe all of us can live on now comfortably.”

   Jacob, who had remained silent the entire time, walked up to Mikomi, and after a brief moment of no words, Jacob sighed and said, “I alone know the depth of what you share with my niece…at least for the moment, and so I know I can trust you to look after her.  Please, let her know that I am at peace now.  I’m with my wife and sons again.  Tell her they’re all okay…and make sure she knows her mother and father are together here, and still loving her as strongly as they did from day one.”

   “Of course I will,” Mikomi replied.  He then hugged Jacob tightly and added, “I can’t tell you how much it pleases me to tell them all that you’re at peace.  They might not understand the true reason why it pleases me so much…but Kate will.  We both know that you’ve been reunited with your twin soul, so please, rest comfortably.  Kate may grieve, but she won’t suffer again…I can promise you that.”

   Slowly returning the hug, Jacob laughed softly, and replied, “I trust you will.”

   After this, it seemed there were no more words left to be said.  Jacob returned to stand beside Mikomi’s grandparents as they prepared to watch Mikomi return to the world below, one last time.  Mitsukai walked up to him, but before she could speak, Mikomi looked to her and asked, “How exactly is this supposed to work?  Last time Kashoku and I were absorbed by the Celestial Emerald as it fell to the ground.  I know it’ll be different this time…but…”

   Putting a finger to her lips, the queen replied, “Shh, son of Knuckles.  Do not speak.  …You can take comfort in knowing…it’ll be just like falling asleep, and waking up again, only this time, you’ll be with your loved ones.  Do not be afraid.”

   Queen Mitsukai slowly knelt down, bringing Mikomi down with her gently.  Holding him in her arms, she smiled at him and said, “You’ll awaken in the world you know, and until the last day comes in the pages of your life, there you will remain, until we’re together again.”

   Mikomi suddenly felt terribly fatigued.  His eyes struggled to remain open, as the urge to sleep began to overtake him.

   “Relax, Suta-Mikomi…do not be afraid.  The bond you share with her, will set you free,” he heard the queen whisper.

   At last, he let his eyes close again.  It was dark, and yet, Mikomi wasn’t afraid.  He was simply sleeping.  He knew he would be with them again.

   Back in the ballroom of Jackie’s mansion, the night had fallen into disaster.  After the chaos emeralds were restored, Jackie cackled wildly in defeat, and the Seven Wielders, save Kate, ran to take out their rage on Jackie.  At first she defended quite well, tripping Pyro and slamming the tip of her staff into Kelsey.  Letting out a cry, Kelsey fell to the floor, feeling the pain from being hit in the back.  This caused Zachary and the remaining four to attack her furiously, bringing her down.  The Guardians ran to help, and they apprehended her once more, and this time, they made sure there was no possibility of her breaking free again.

   Sonic and Shadow, though injured, knew that they needed to destroy the soul corrupter.  With the help of Super Tails, they too assumed Super forms and destroyed the machine, including the dangerous elements that allowed Jackie to take over innocent souls.  It was a simple task, and once they were finished, they fell out of their Super forms, and the chaos emeralds remained stronger than ever.

   Cream and Tails led Jackie away as she screamed and cursed at them, and now those that remained had no choice left but to face those that lay dead before them.

   Shadow ran back to Jacob’s side.  The Greyfox was long dead, and as the battle had continued the Brokenstars had moved to watch over him.  The black and red hedgehog, who was shy to show emotion, felt tears forming in his eyes.  He had failed to save Jacob, and while he knew that the King of the Northern Kingdom was now reunited with his loved ones, Shadow could not help but feel like he had failed him in some way.

   As Rouge caught up with him, he looked to her and said, “How can I feel we have achieved victory when we’ve lost so much?”

   Rouge knelt down beside Shadow, putting her arm around him, and replied, “I guess you can’t…unfortunately, Jacob’s not the only one we’ve lost.”

   The couple, along with the Brokenstars, looked to the rest of the group.  Most of them still nursing injuries, had crowded around Mikomi’s body.  Amy held him in her arms, weeping as terribly as a mother can after losing a child.  The only difference, was this was the second time she had lost him, and this time, it was forever.

   Knuckles, who like Shadow rarely ever showed an outpour of sadness, cried out in misery as he had the first time this had happened.  It was a horrible nightmare, coming to haunt the couple once again.  Their son had returned, and with the promise to stay, only now he was lost forever.  Nobody dared try to approach the parents in order to try and console them, nobody except…for Kate.

   Shyly, Kate approached them, looking on in disbelief.  She felt sick, and was still trying to tell herself that it wasn’t true.  Kneeling down beside them, she simply wept along with them; it was her heart that was crying out in distress.  Catching Amy’s attention, Kate pleaded to be allowed to hold him.  The grieving mother granted this request, and as Kate held Mikomi’s body, her breath, short and strained, managed to allow her to speak.  “You won’t understand this…but I grieve him in a way none can, even though it does fall short of your level of sorrow.”

   Amy and Knuckles couldn’t speak.  They simply moved closer to Kate as she held Mikomi, asking each other why this had happened…wondering why, like last time, there was nothing they could do to protect their son.

   The Wielders retreated to each other.  Amberly broke into tears, hanging on to Jeremy tightly as she wept.  Jeremy, who could feel tears coming to his own eyes, simply did his best to comfort her.  Aries and Oliver stood together in a similar fashion, while Kelsey was held by Zachary, as her back pained her from being hit.  Kelsey wept harder than any of them.  These were bad memories that the group of five children that survived that day ten years ago, were happy to have let go of, only to be attacked by them once more.

   Hidama, who couldn’t bring himself to approach his brother yet, walked over to what remained of Kashoku.  Bending down, Hidama reached to stroke Kashoku’s brow, only for that part of his head to crumble into nothing under his touch.

   “Yikes!” he cried out, jumping to his feet.  Delilah, who saw this happen, walked over and touched one of Kashoku’s dreadlocks, only for it to crumble in the same way.

   “Oh my!” she cried.  Looking to everyone around her, she exclaimed, “Kashoku!  His body is turning into dust!”

   Shadow, who, along with Rouge and the Brokenstars, had reunited with the rest of them, shook his head and said, “No Delilah…that wasn’t Kashoku’s body.  His body is long decayed, buried in the cemetery of his old kingdom on the sea cliffs.  What you see there was only a temporary shell remember?  It’s going to fall apart eventually.”

   “But…how come Mikomi’s body isn’t crumbling?” Hidama asked.

   Looking to the group, Shadow closed his eyes, pondered this for a second, and responded, “Perhaps that means he made it to Heaven after all.  Maybe he became mortal without knowing it and was spared from the void.”

   “Or it’s simply because he was starting to become mortal but didn’t,” Rouge offered silently.

   Nobody wanted to speak after this.  All any of them wanted was Mikomi and Jacob to wake up and be alive again, and for Kashoku to revive long enough to say farewell before returning to Heaven.  They knew that wasn’t going to happen, but they would have given just about anything for it to be so.

   Pyro, broken hearted and distressed, approached Amarie, who had witnessed the entire tragedy unfold before her.  She was already weeping, and for a moment had forgotten that she was in labor.  When she felt Pyro kneel down beside her, she looked to him and cried, “Why?!  Why is he gone Pyro!?  I—I won’t lose him again!  I—I can’t!”

   The hedgecat began to panic.  He knew how deeply Mikomi’s death had affected Amarie, and perhaps now he shared the same fears Kelsey and Zachary had from before.  Perhaps…Amarie couldn’t survive it again.

   Before he could try to comfort her, she let out another cry, coiling up into as tight a ball as she could manage, holding her belly tightly.  Another contraction had rolled through her, this time, closer to an hour apart than the last one.

   He looked back to the group and shouted, “We don’t have too much time!  We can’t stay here!”

   Everyone looked at Pyro as he held Amarie.  Now they remembered how dire the situation was for Amarie, in labor four weeks too early, and in desperate need to get back home to a hospital.

   At the same time, however, they had to gather up Jacob's and Mikomi’s bodies and bring them home.  They also had to wait for the proper authorities to arrive and apprehend Jackie.

   Amy and Knuckles didn’t know what to do.  They looked at Kate as she wept, holding Mikomi’s head to her chest, resting her head on his as she cried.  Hidama knelt down beside his brother and said, “Please…go with your daughter and grandchild.  Delilah and I will look after him.”

   The two looked up at Hidama.  They saw Sonic already ready to go with them, and they were already carrying Amarie off to her van.  Looking once more at his son, Knuckles, who wept silently, placed his hand on Mikomi’s head once more, as if unsure of what to say.  He then stood up, not replying to Hidama, but instead extending his hand to Amy.  After gently kissing Mikomi on the top of his head, Amy managed to whisper, “I love you Mikomi…you’ll…always be my baby.”

   She then looked up at Knuckles and took his hand.  Without another word, the grieving parents ran off to the van.  Aries decided to ride back with her brother, and Oliver went with her.

   As they left, those that remained had to split into groups once more.  Aranelion, Elianaron, Camillia and Airelea would ride with someone all the way back to Aranelion’s truck, and Jeremy and Amberly would accompany them on his motorcycle.  Jeremy would then fix the brakes on the truck so they could ride home, while the rest continued on without them.

   With Zachary’s and Delilah’s SUVs ready to take them home, the group that remained after the ones with Amarie departed were ready to leave the frightful night behind them.  Tails and Cream volunteered to wait with Jackie, and get a ride home with the police.

   Zachary helped Kelsey into the passenger’s seat, and then got ready to drive home.  Shadow, Rouge, Camillia and Airelea would come with him, as would Jacob’s battered body.  Aranelion and Elianaron would ride with Hidama and Delilah as far as Aranelion’s truck.  After the twins disembarked, only Kate and Amberly would remain to ride home with them, for Amberly wanted to get home, and so she did not want to have to wait while her husband fixed the brakes on Aranelion’s truck.  Mikomi would remain with Kate on this ride home, for she would not let go of him, even as the last of the blood that leaked from the wound on his back, stained her beautiful dress.

   Pulling away from Jackie’s mansion, Zachary quickly got ahead of Delilah as they drove.  Nobody in either vehicle said anything, even Jeremy was silent as he zoomed along on his motorcycle.  With only an hour until dawn, everyone was tired, most of them were injured in some way, some more than others.  However, it wasn’t pain or fatigue that silenced them.  The death of Mikomi and Jacob, and the tragic loss of Kashoku, couldn’t move them to think anything good came out of that night.

   Now Amarie’s plight worried them all.  Her van was out of sight, and they knew that this could only mean it was being pushed to its limits as it was driven.  They would all meet up at the hospital later to continue to grieve, even as they tried to be happy for the new baby and prayed for its health, for the loss of those three, still stung at their weary hearts.

   Amberly sat on the second row with the Brokenstar Twins.  Not too much time passed before they reached Aranelion’s truck.  Delilah stopped long enough to let them get off, and so they would wait while Jeremy fixed the brakes on his uncle’s truck.

   By the time they got started again, Zachary’s vehicle was lost on the horizon.  Amberly now sat alone in the back seat, save for five of the seven chaos emeralds that now rested beside her.  Hidama had given the red and green chaos emeralds back to Shadow and Rouge, and then resumed protecting all he had left to guard.  The chaos emeralds, now with all of the chaos power within them, were his duty to look after.

   After several minutes, Amberly heaved a sigh, and looked back at Kate.  Kate had not taken her eyes off Mikomi’s face, even as tears continued to leak from them.  Amberly, wanting to comfort Kate, said, “This is just…so mind-numbing.  I remember…last time…we didn’t even have a body to bury.  It’s still just as painful though.”

   Kate wouldn’t reply.  She simply whimpered softly, stroking Mikomi’s brow, as she continued to mourn.  Amberly decided it was best just to leave her alone, so she resumed gazing outside her window as the world rolled by.

   Poor Kate couldn’t accept Mikomi’s death.  Everything had happened so fast.  Yesterday afternoon she was angry at him, and only moments later she saw that divine peace in his eyes and was moved to help him.  Then after he showed so much care and concern, she was moved to care for him in return.  Only after allowing her to see into his soul did she realize that he was her one true love, and after he had promised everything would be alright, he was killed.

   Part of her was growing increasingly angry.  Why had Mikomi been taken from her?  He was her soul mate!  If the possibility still existed that he was lost to the void, did that mean she would never be with him again, even after he told her that true love survives even death?  She might as well disappear in the void too if they were never to be reunited!  She shouted all these things at herself on the inside, still overcome with grief, and unsure of what she would do now that Mikomi was gone.  She literally had nothing left to live for now.

   And yet…as she wept, her arm, with the sleeves of her dress pulled up, rested just beneath his nose as it lay on his chest.  She laid her head on his, too tired to bother holding it up any more.  Just when she thought she couldn’t stand taking another breath…something happened…

   As she tried to catch her breath, she paused.  Opening her eyes, they stung her terribly, and yet she was able to ignore them, opting instead to pay attention to something else.  She wasn’t one-hundred percent sure, but she could have sworn she had just felt warm breath on her arm…right below Mikomi’s nose…

   She sat up fast, letting out a soft gasp.  It couldn’t be possible…could it?  Was…was Mikomi trying to breathe again?  It had been nearly half an hour since his heart stopped beating…and here he was, trying to breathe again.  Could it really be true?

   Kate gazed at Mikomi, holding him tightly but gently, looking for any sign of life.  Still scolding herself for thinking it could ever happen, she removed one of her gloves, and held her hand under Mikomi’s nose as she cradled his jaw.  After several seconds, she felt another warm breath of air hit her hand.  While she still couldn’t tell if he was inhaling, he was definitely expelling air from his lungs.

   “Mikomi?” she whimpered in a hopeful voice.

   Amberly turned around and saw this.  She shook her head and said, “Kate, his body is probably just getting rid of air left in his lungs.”

   The Greyfox glared at Amberly, and snapped back, “How do you know if he was inhaling when he was killed?  He’s breathing dammit!”

   Slightly shocked by this outburst of anger, Amberly looked again at Mikomi.  Trying to keep from blinking her tired eyes, she could have sworn she saw his chest rise a little bit as if he was trying to breathe again…

   The hedgebat unbuckled her seatbelt and climbed into the back seat as quickly she could, crying out, “Mikomi?!” on the way.

   This finally caught Hidama’s attention as he sat in the passenger’s seat.  Looking back he saw Amberly scrambling to get closer to Mikomi.  Exhausted and feeling defeated, Hidama asked, “Amberly…Kate…what are you doing?”

   Amberly didn’t answer Hidama.  Instead she removed her long arm glove, and held her own hand under Mikomi’s nose.  She too could feel warm breath coming from him, only now she could also feel him inhale it back in.  Gradually, his body was being encouraged to breathe again.

   “Oh my…oh my word!  Hidama!  Delilah!  Mikomi is breathing!” Amberly cried, almost in panic.

   Delilah and Hidama looked at each other.  Reason told them this could never happen…and yet…Hidama knew when put in the hands of the power beyond this world, that anything was possible.

   The echidna unbuckled his seatbelt and climbed as quickly as he could into the back seat.  Squeezing in to what space was left in the third row, the echidna, who could see Mikomi breathing now, stronger with each breath, instead took two fingers, and held them up to Mikomi’s wrist, searching for a pulse.

   Hidama’s eyes widened so wide and so quickly he felt they would go beyond their normal limits.  With a hysterical smile slowly spreading across his face, he felt numb as a pulse could clearly be felt in Mikomi’s wrist.  His heart, which only a little over a half hour ago had stopped beating, was now resuming a steady tempo as it pumped blood through Mikomi’s body once more.  With oxygen in his lungs and blood cells to carry it to his brain, Suta-Mikomi, had found his way to life again.

   “Delilah!  Please!  It’s true!  He’s breathing again!  He has a pulse!  I can’t…I can’t believe it!” Hidama cried.

   Amberly cheered happily, while Kate hugged Mikomi tightly.  She whispered, “You…you said you’d overcome it again…but…I didn’t think you meant it like this.  I—I love you so much.”  Kate continued to cry, only now it was sheer joy that fell with the tears.

   The joy didn’t last long, for after trying to dry her own eyes, Amberly looked back to Kate as she hugged Mikomi.  Now that he was raised up again, Amberly could see that the blood stain on Kate’s dress was now covered in fresh blood.  Brought back to life, the motion of blood flow returning to his veins caused the wound to begin bleeding once more.

   “Oh no!” Amberly cried.  “Hidama!  Mikomi’s bleeding again!  The wound never closed up!”

   The echidna’s jubilation at the return of his nephew was cut short.  He too saw this, as did Kate, who let out her own terrified gasp.  Looking to Delilah, he cried, “Floor it Delilah!  We have to get him to the emergency room before he loses too much blood!  Hurry!”

   Delilah quickly pushed down on the accelerator driving the vehicle to the limits of the speed it could attain.  Mikomi was alive, but needed stitches for the wound on his back before he bled to death.  As they zoomed along, Kate noticed Mikomi wincing a bit, almost as if he could feel the pain returning as he slept.

   She gently rubbed his forehead, trying to be strong, and whispered, “Hang in there Mikomi…you’re almost home.”

   This somehow relaxed the hybrid echidna, and so the final race for town continued, still in silence, but with renewed hope for the future.  Hidama called Zachary on Delilah’s cell phone and told him the good news, but also warned that the emergency room needed to be ready to treat his wound.  Zachary, who already had the town in his sight, promised that they would be ready for him.

   As the last thirty minutes of the ride back to Station Square came to a close, Delilah could see the town on the horizon.  They made it to the city limits as the sun began to rise, and headed straight for the memorial hospital downtown where the others now waited eagerly.

   While Mikomi was rushed into the ER so his wound could be treated, Amberly, Hidama, Delilah and Kate reunited with the remainder of the group.  Everyone now heard the good news, and because their injuries were now taken care of, they could finally rejoice…all except for Kelsey, who complained again of not feeling well and was now resting in one of the rooms, and Amarie, who had gotten news of her brother coming back to life, just before going into the delivery room.

   So now the group was gathered in the waiting room on the fifth floor, waiting for any news of Amarie and her baby, or Mikomi.  Many now took this time to rest, except for Zachary, who worried for his wife.

   He took the elevator up to the seventh floor where she was staying.  He knew she hadn’t been feeling well the past few days, but had his fears allayed when Kelsey laid the blame on her sleep schedule being disrupted.  He too remembered how all nighters in college made him feel like crap, so he let go of his fears.  He just…he had figured that by now she would have adjusted to it.

   Walking to her room, he thought of these things, and it began to bother him again.  Opening the door slowly, he saw that she appeared to be sleeping.  However, before he could fully get in the door, Kelsey opened her eyes and began to sit up in bed.

   “Come on in Zac…I’m not sleeping,” she said.

   Trying to smile, Zachary sat down in a chair beside her bed.  He took her hand in his own, and asked, “Have they told you anything yet?”

   Kelsey yawned, and replied, “They should be back any minute now.”

   His smile weakened, and he murmured, “Maybe while we’re here they can find out what’s wrong with both of us,” with a heavy sigh.

   “Oh Zac,” she whimpered.  Kelsey pulled her husband into a hug and said, “I told you, we’ll get through this.  I have a good feeling about that.”

   Zachary didn’t reply.  He simply returned the hug, and hoped that it would speak for him.  However, before they could pull back from the embrace, they heard a knock at the door, before it was opened by a nurse, holding a clipboard in her hand.

   “Oh I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt,” she explained.

   Looking to her, Zachary said, “No ma’am, you didn’t interrupt anything, really.  …Is Kelsey alright?”

   The nurse adjusted her glasses, and looked to her clipboard, then said, “Well, let’s see.  The injury to her back was minor and if anything will simply feel sore for the next few days.  You two must be very relieved it didn’t complicate things for her.”

   Zachary, who was about to sigh in relief, instead looked at the nurse, confused by her words, as did Kelsey.  “What do you mean, ‘complicate things for her’?  Why couldn’t you just say we’re happy it didn’t break her back?”

   The nurse looked surprised.  Taking off her glasses she asked, “You mean you don’t know?  Mr. Brokenstar, your wife is pregnant.”

   Her words caused Kelsey to let out a happy gasp as she smiled.  The words hit Zachary hard enough to freeze him silent, numb with shock.  Kelsey looked to him and asked, “Zac?  Are you alright?”

   Before he could reply, the nurse added, “I’m sorry, I just thought you knew.  I know that both of you work in this area of medicine and I…”

   “We have had trouble conceiving is what it is…I think Zac is just…shocked.  Shocked in a good way I can assure you,” Kelsey explained.

   Zachary finally looked back to Kelsey, and after regulating his breathing, he smiled warmly, and said, “Oh Kelsey…I…I don’t know what to say.”

   Hugging him, with a smile Kelsey whispered, “You don’t have to.”

   The nurse was happy for them, and with that, she slowly backed out of the room and closed the door, leaving Zachary and Kelsey to enjoy their moment together.

   Back downstairs, Amy and Knuckles had returned with Sonic to the waiting room.  Needing a rest, they found a place to sit with the others as they waited for news of Amarie and Mikomi.  Kate was the only one who didn’t sleep.  Instead, she stared into space, as if she couldn’t find anything to concentrate on except her thoughts of Mikomi.

   It wasn’t silent for long.  Soon, Aranelion, Elianaron and Jeremy arrived to join the others.  At the same time, Zachary came running from the elevator to tell everyone the good news.

    Running to his father, he said, “Dad!  You and Hidama are going to be grandfathers!”

   This caught Hidama’s attention as he sat in a light sleep.  Jumping up from his seat, he looked to Zachary and asked, “Kelsey’s…pregnant?”

   Zachary nodded happily, and while Delilah and Camillia walked up to Zachary and hugged him tightly, Hidama and Aranelion could only exchange proud smiles.  In Zachary and Kelsey’s baby, a child from the first union of the House of the Guardian and the House of the Captain would be brought into the world.  That added more delight to the new day.

   Only seconds later, a nurse came looking for Knuckles, Amy, and Sonic.  Spotting Amy first, she came up to her and said, “Mrs. Rose?  Your daughter just gave birth to a healthy baby boy.”

   Now the entire waiting room was talking happily.  Knuckles and Amy, after hugging each other ran back down the hallway with Sonic at their heels.  The first glimpse of their grandson would come when he was placed in his cradle.  Of course, they would be joined by the proud father once he made sure Amarie was alright.

   Once word came that the new baby was in his crib, most of the group filed off to see him.  Zachary was leaving too, but noticed Kate continuing to sit there, with Mikomi’s blood leaving a huge stain on her dress.  Zachary knew why she sat there.  She didn’t feel she was part of this family, and instead waited for any word on Mikomi.

   He sat beside her, looked to her and said, “The way things look…you’ll be part of the family soon enough Kate.  I have a feeling that baby will have another aunt to spoil him as he grows up.”

   Kate looked back to Zachary, trying to smile.  “I—I’m happy for you and Kelsey, Zachary.  I’m happy for Amarie and Pyro too.  I just…I want to wait for Mikomi.  If what you say is true, sitting here waiting for him won’t rob me of too much of the joy.”

   Zachary smiled, and then hugged her tightly before going to join the others.  Kate sat there for awhile, happy that everything was turning out for the best.  Yet, she wouldn’t be able to enjoy the same happiness…until…she was with him again.

   “Excuse me, miss?  Are you with the ones who brought in the echidna hybrid?” a voice asked.

   Kate looked at the nurse who said this, and then glanced down at the bloodstain on her dress, before looking up and saying, “Yes ma’am…his parents and family are with his sister.  She just had her first baby.  I’m…I…”

   “You must be his wife then,” the nurse assumed.  “Well, come along with me, he’s in a room on the sixth floor.  He’s doing just fine.”

   As she followed the nurse, Kate didn’t dare to speak the truth, in fear that the nurse wouldn’t let her see Mikomi.  She was silent all the way up, until finally the nurse opened the door to Mikomi’s room.

   Before leaving, the nurse said, “You can sit with him.  I’ll go tell the rest of them where you are.  He’s just sleeping now.”

   “Thank you…,” Kate said, almost in a whisper.

   As the door closed behind her, Kate took slow steps into the room.  She pulled up a chair beside Mikomi’s bed, and gently took his hand in hers.  She wanted to speak, but didn’t, almost as if they would be enough to wake him from his slumber.

   He didn’t need words, however.  Still possessing his aura powers, he could feel her aura return to him.  This caused him to stir awake.  His mismatched eyes gazed at her as she stared at the floor.  Smiling, he said, “I told you,” in a tired voice.

   A happy gasp was Kate’s reply.  She hugged him gently, trying not to cry, and whimpered, “Oh Miko, I—I was so scared…but part of me trusted we’d be together again.  I’m just…so happy.”

   Mikomi hugged her back, overjoyed just to have her in his arms again.  “I’m happy too.  You don’t know how relieved I was to hear I could come back.”

   At that moment, Knuckles and Amy, taking time away from their daughter to check on their son, entered the room.  Finally able to see him alive, they were overcome with joy, and embraced him just as Kate had.

   Once everything was calm, Kate remembered what Mikomi had said, and asked, “What do you mean?  Who told you that you could come back?”

   Mikomi looked at the three of them, laughed and said, “Oh that.  It was Lady Mitsukai.  She saved Kashoku from the void.  I woke up at the gates of Heaven, and she told me because I became mortal at the same second that I was killed…that I could stay there, or come back.  That was the easiest choice I’ve had to make…ever.  …How could I not come back to my family…and you Kate.  How could I pass up the chance to reunite with my one and only?”

   Knuckles and Amy glanced at each other, still unaware of the full extent of their son’s relationship with this girl.  Mikomi, in slight pain, sat up high enough to kiss Kate on the cheek, before he looked to his parents, chuckled and said, “You won’t understand Mom and Dad…I know it.  Only Jacob could understand because I showed it to him.  In our auras there is a song that is sung, and when one finds the soul whose aura sings in return to theirs, they have found their soul mate.  I found mine in Kate, and I can assure you, you two have found it in each other.  All of them out there have.  I guess now all that’s left is for me and Kate to join the party.”

   His parents smiled at each other.  Kate would have smiled too, for Mikomi had just hinted at marrying her.  However, when he mentioned her uncle, she asked, “Mikomi, does that mean you saw my Uncle Jacob?”

   Mikomi’s eyes widened as he smiled.  “Oh yes Kate!  He…he told you not to worry about him.  Don’t grieve, because he’s with his wife and sons again.  Your mother and father love you too.”  Pausing, he looked at all three of them and said, “They’re all watching over us.  They know that while the peace we have here will be challenged that we’ll somehow manage to preserve it, until we’re with them again.”  Looking back to Kate, he finished, “I promised your uncle I’d watch over you…and I will, you can trust to that.  You said you had nothing to live for Kate, well…now you do.”

   Kate finally smiled.  Then, almost as though they forgot Knuckles and Amy were there, they leaned into another kiss.  Knuckles’ cheeks flushed red as he watched his son kiss Kate.  Amy, however, smiled and said, “You both have a lot to live for, including your nephew…Suta-Mikomi.”

   This caused Mikomi and Kate to pull out of their kiss.  “Whoa!” Mikomi exclaimed, shocked by what his mother said.  He looked to her and said, “Wait a second.  Amarie and Pyro…named their son after me?”

   Knuckles, after the flushing went down, looked back to Mikomi, sighed and said, “She was determined shortly after your death, the first time, to name a son after you.  Before she married Pyro, she asked him if that would be alright, and he said yes.  Even though you’re back now, they saw no reason to change that.”

   For a few seconds, silence prevailed, and so Amy chimed in, “However, they are calling him Suta so there won’t be any confusion.”

   “Ha!  That’s better then,” Mikomi laughed.  Taking a breath, he added, “I have to stick around for Kelsey and Zac too…”

   Knuckles looked at his son, confused and asked, “Wait a minute…how do you know about that?”

   With another laugh, Mikomi said, “Aww Dad, Kashoku knew she was pregnant before they even got to Jackie’s mansion!  He let me in on that secret before I left.  Of course…he kept the really good secret to himself when it came to little Suta.  Heh, I’m gonna miss Kashoku.  While he’s not the perfect king he’s made out to be, he’s still one of the brightest souls that ever lived.”

   “Mikomi…,” Kate murmured.

   Looking back to her, Mikomi hugged her and said, “Aww Kate, don’t worry about it.  We’ll be with him again someday.  Right now I plan on enjoying the life I was blessed enough to return to.  You and I can make our own life together, and at the same time get to experience joy from the ones around us.”  Pulling back, he added, “Now this family will finally be complete.”

   Mikomi looked at his mother and father, the couple that started it all, and added, “That still doesn’t mean that we don’t have a job to do.  Kashoku brought amity to us again, and this time we have to make sure his work was not in vain.  We can enjoy life, with the knowledge that we’ll be at peace forever some day.  But you see, those that await us, have the luxury of endless solace, but still couldn’t escape the knowledge that their loved ones were suffering.”

   “I guess it isn’t perfect peace after all,” Kate said.

   Smiling, Mikomi said, “Yeah it is Kate…infact the only perfect peace can exist beyond, but if we’re giving our loved ones something to worry about, all the work they did here just goes to waste.  Before we leave this world, we accomplish things that will bring some positive effect to the world, but if those behind us don’t do their best to preserve it, all will fall into decay.  We’re meant to enjoy our lives here, and so we will; and at the same time we’ll make sure it’ll be just as wonderful a life to live for those to follow…like little Suta.”

   Sitting up higher, Mikomi added, “I think that’s all Kashoku wanted.  He didn’t want to be remembered…he wanted the peace he gave the world to be cherished, and when that didn’t happen, things went awry.  He felt the need to come back and change our thinking before things got worse…he was lucky to change things before Suta was born into a world ruled under Jackie’s hand.”

   Nodding, Knuckles said, “That alone shows the need for change.”

   Putting an arm around Kate, Mikomi glanced at the sunrise outside his window.  He smiled and said, “The change has come, and I think, because we’re ready to answer it, the peace will last, until the end of forever.  We’ll move from this life to the next, and while those behind us will need to preserve the happiness they live in, we can have comfort in knowing the legacy we left behind will make their lives that much easier.”

   He paused, and then stretched his legs before moving to get up from the bed, as if the pain in his back did not affect him.

   As he walked to the door, Kate asked, “Mikomi?  Where are you going?”

   He looked back to her and smiled.  Taking her hand, he said, “I’m going to be with my family…and so are you.”

   Kate smiled, and after one more kiss, they left the room, and Knuckles and Amy went with them.  After getting to see his adorable nephew, Mikomi reunited with Amarie.  With her brother finally able to live with her again, the birth of her son was finally the happy day it was supposed to be.

   Mikomi would never know which bond had saved him.  He didn’t know if it was the bond he shared with Amarie, the one that allowed him to live again, or the bond he shared with Kate as his soul mate that allowed him to come back to life.  It didn’t matter to him though, for he had a life to live, and instead of questioning why things were the way they were, he took comfort in the knowledge that what is meant to be, will be.

   Until they were all together in Heaven, they would be able to enjoy their lives…

   Until the end of forever, everything would be alright.

Description
"Until the End of Forever"
By: Jade Lightning, a.k.a. Inuyashas-hanyougirl
Chapter 14: To be With you Again

   Mikomi could feel his soul fading into nothingness.  It didn’t hurt…but as he slowly began to forget who he was, he realized that maybe this was what falling into the void felt like.  Everything was disappearing, and yet, he felt as though one last grasp on awareness had not left him.

   It was completely dark, and while Mikomi knew he had died and would probably never get home again, he recognized that he was still able to think.  He had not forgotten everything; he remembered what had brought him here, and could feel whatever was left of him feel weak with grief when he realized that he had left everyone he cared about behind when he once again fell victim to the hand of fate.

   His parents…his cousin…his pregnant sister.  He had a niece or nephew he would never get to meet…and worst of all, he had lost his dear, sweet Kate.  They would make it to Heaven…and he would be stuck in this miserable place forever.

   And yet, as it began to sink in that he still had the ability to think and feel sadness, he wondered if it was possible to feel this way in a place like the realm of all that didn’t exist.  He tried to see if he had a body left to move.  Trying to remember how to move his fingers, or how to breathe, he failed miserably.  Still, he felt warm with comfort, as if he was being cradled in the arms of his mother.

   He wondered again if this darkness was the void…or simply his eyes remaining closed in fear.

   Sure, he couldn’t move his hands, or breathe, but he was motivated to try once more to open his eyes.  As he mourned losing all of his loved ones, the light slowly penetrated the darkness.  That feeling of comfort slowly began to expel the sadness.  It was…vaguely familiar.

   His eyes opened completely, and Mikomi could see the light of the afterlife he had dwelt under for so long surrounding him once more.  Mitsukai was the one who was holding him, and as he was opening his eyes, she was sitting him down on the ground below them, outside of the gates to Heaven.

   Mikomi no longer felt pain, and yet…he still could not remember ever being here before, even though he was aware of the fact that he had been.  Mitsukai smiled at him, and said, “Do not be afraid Mikomi.  You are free from the clutches of the void…”

   He could not find the words to reply to her yet.  Instead, as he realized he was still in one piece, still wearing the outfit he did when he was killed, he looked up to see Kashoku standing beside his wife.

   The echidna king laughed softly, and replied, “You see Mikomi…I told you Mitsukai would guide us.  We have accomplished our task, and now the world is safe again from megalomaniacs like Jackie.  Your soul is now free from the chaos power.”

   Mikomi was happy to hear this, and yet, with Heaven’s eternal peace so close, he felt the need to weep.  Trying to wipe the tears from his eyes, he stood up and replied, “I thank you Lady Mitsukai for saving both King Kashoku and myself…but…I cannot be at peace.  I—I can’t bear to lose them all again.”

   He turned away from them, gazing at the endless light, and whimpered, “I know that we’ll be reunited here again, but I—after being with them again, and fitting back into their lives, I—I want to be with them again…right now, not later.  I—I want to be with them again!”

   As he continued to weep, Kashoku and Mitsukai looked at each other.  Never before had a soul ever desired this badly to return to the world below.  Even those who for a minute wanted to return to their loved ones, found comfort in the afterlife, and let those desires go.  It appeared however that Mikomi was the rare exception to this, and yet there was nothing that could be done.  With the Celestial Emerald lost forever, Kashoku had not the power to return Mikomi to the life he was torn away from again.

   Mitsukai, however, looked to her husband, smiling sweetly.  She walked up to Mikomi, hugging him gently and said, “Oh Mikomi…son of Knuckles, I did rescue you from the void, and yet I told our followers that it would be the bond of another that set you free.”

   Mikomi tried to sniff away his tears as he looked to Mitsukai.  She continued, “You see, Mikomi…the instant that Jackie killed you, the last of the chaos power escaped you, and so you became mortal once again.  Saving you from almost flying to the wrong place upon death was simple…it didn’t require the effort it took to save Kashoku, for you were destined to return here.  When I spoke of you being set free, I wasn’t referring to simply saving you from the void.”

   The queen pulled back from the embrace, and as she continued to smile, she continued, “Your body survived the death blow…it is the bond you share with those that remain behind…that beckon for you to go home again.”

   The hybrid echidna’s eyes filled with a bright light of hope.  Mitsukai looked to her husband and said, “For him, returning for the last time will be a simple task.  The yearning of the souls of his loved ones, pleading for him to return, will bring him back in a way that not even the Celestial Emerald could accomplish.”  Looking back to Mikomi, she said, “You simply must decide Mikomi.  You can stay here, or return to your life, and live on until your final day comes.”

   Pausing, she placed her hands on his shoulders and said, “Yet, for some reason I don’t think this is a difficult choice for you.  Still, you are a rare case; the circumstances of your death offer you the chance to go back, as well as the privilege to stay here.  Just remember that no matter your choice, this will remain your eternal home.”

   Kashoku, walking up to them, chuckled softly, and added, “For one who weeps to return to the ones he loves when surrounded by eternal peace, I don’t think you have to offer him an alternative.”

   Mikomi could feel his very being overflowing with joy.  Still, he looked between Kashoku and Mitsukai, before moving forward to embrace Kashoku.  It wouldn’t be the last time he was with his king, and while it would be awhile until they were reunited for the final time, Mikomi knew one day that he would be with them all again.  Until then, however, he knew he had a life to live, and so he said his goodbyes to the king and queen.

   “King Kashoku, I…I’m proud to have you for my king, and even more blessed to have you for a friend.  I know you’ll keep watch over us all until we’re all together again,” Mikomi said.

   Kashoku returned the hug, and replied, “You can count on that Suta-Mikomi.  More honored am I to have you to carry on the glory I wished for the world so long ago.  As I spoke it to the rest of them, it is in your hands to ensure the peace about them will never die.  While it may be challenged and be fraught with struggle and turmoil, the army of brave souls about you, I trust will never let it fall.  One day, we’ll all be surrounded by a peace we will not have to suffer for.”

   Only able to manage a nod, Mikomi slowly pulled back from Kashoku, but only after the king whispered something in Mikomi’s ear, causing the hybrid to smile warmly.  Before he could ask Mitsukai how he would return to his loved ones, a group of spirits emerged from the gates behind them.  Two of them were Mikomi’s grandparents; the third, was Kate’s uncle, Jacob.

   Mikomi’s grandparents ran to him, hugging him tightly and in turn, already aware of what he was about to do.  His grandmother didn’t cry, but one could tell this would be a most tearful goodbye had mortality had hold of their spirits.  She whispered, “Be safe Mikomi dear.  You make sure your father, uncle, and sister know that I love them and that we’re watching over them…let all of them know that.”

   Once his grandmother pulled away, his grandfather embraced him and added, “She’s right, and I second her words.  You’re our link to them Mikomi, and while these events may fade from your memory over time, they will never disappear from the pages of your life.  …Hang in there Mikomi.  I hope you find all the happiness you have coming to you, and more still that will come to you as you walk your path in life.”

   Unable to find words to reply, Mikomi simply nodded again.  Once they pulled back from their embrace, he looked to his grandparents, smiled and said, “I love you both.  I—I know we’ll be together again, only…next time we’ll all be together, including Dad, Uncle Hidama…everyone.  Everyone will be at peace then…and with that knowledge…I won’t have to worry about the fate of all life as heavily anymore.”

   His grandparents nodded as they stood together, smiling strongly.  Kashoku laughed and said, “It should have never been such a heavy concern to you to begin with.  No, instead of depending on one soul to preserve the good fortune of all life, it is the responsibility of all to work together for this purpose, just as I illustrated with the Seven and the One.  All life must work for the One peace.  Now, Mikomi, you need to focus on your own life.  After all you’ve done, you are more than deserving of all things good.”

   Mikomi sighed happily, nodding and said, “I think…you have finally made things right, King Kashoku.  I believe all of us can live on now comfortably.”

   Jacob, who had remained silent the entire time, walked up to Mikomi, and after a brief moment of no words, Jacob sighed and said, “I alone know the depth of what you share with my niece…at least for the moment, and so I know I can trust you to look after her.  Please, let her know that I am at peace now.  I’m with my wife and sons again.  Tell her they’re all okay…and make sure she knows her mother and father are together here, and still loving her as strongly as they did from day one.”

   “Of course I will,” Mikomi replied.  He then hugged Jacob tightly and added, “I can’t tell you how much it pleases me to tell them all that you’re at peace.  They might not understand the true reason why it pleases me so much…but Kate will.  We both know that you’ve been reunited with your twin soul, so please, rest comfortably.  Kate may grieve, but she won’t suffer again…I can promise you that.”

   Slowly returning the hug, Jacob laughed softly, and replied, “I trust you will.”

   After this, it seemed there were no more words left to be said.  Jacob returned to stand beside Mikomi’s grandparents as they prepared to watch Mikomi return to the world below, one last time.  Mitsukai walked up to him, but before she could speak, Mikomi looked to her and asked, “How exactly is this supposed to work?  Last time Kashoku and I were absorbed by the Celestial Emerald as it fell to the ground.  I know it’ll be different this time…but…”

   Putting a finger to her lips, the queen replied, “Shh, son of Knuckles.  Do not speak.  …You can take comfort in knowing…it’ll be just like falling asleep, and waking up again, only this time, you’ll be with your loved ones.  Do not be afraid.”

   Queen Mitsukai slowly knelt down, bringing Mikomi down with her gently.  Holding him in her arms, she smiled at him and said, “You’ll awaken in the world you know, and until the last day comes in the pages of your life, there you will remain, until we’re together again.”

   Mikomi suddenly felt terribly fatigued.  His eyes struggled to remain open, as the urge to sleep began to overtake him.

   “Relax, Suta-Mikomi…do not be afraid.  The bond you share with her, will set you free,” he heard the queen whisper.

   At last, he let his eyes close again.  It was dark, and yet, Mikomi wasn’t afraid.  He was simply sleeping.  He knew he would be with them again.

   Back in the ballroom of Jackie’s mansion, the night had fallen into disaster.  After the chaos emeralds were restored, Jackie cackled wildly in defeat, and the Seven Wielders, save Kate, ran to take out their rage on Jackie.  At first she defended quite well, tripping Pyro and slamming the tip of her staff into Kelsey.  Letting out a cry, Kelsey fell to the floor, feeling the pain from being hit in the back.  This caused Zachary and the remaining four to attack her furiously, bringing her down.  The Guardians ran to help, and they apprehended her once more, and this time, they made sure there was no possibility of her breaking free again.

   Sonic and Shadow, though injured, knew that they needed to destroy the soul corrupter.  With the help of Super Tails, they too assumed Super forms and destroyed the machine, including the dangerous elements that allowed Jackie to take over innocent souls.  It was a simple task, and once they were finished, they fell out of their Super forms, and the chaos emeralds remained stronger than ever.

   Cream and Tails led Jackie away as she screamed and cursed at them, and now those that remained had no choice left but to face those that lay dead before them.

   Shadow ran back to Jacob’s side.  The Greyfox was long dead, and as the battle had continued the Brokenstars had moved to watch over him.  The black and red hedgehog, who was shy to show emotion, felt tears forming in his eyes.  He had failed to save Jacob, and while he knew that the King of the Northern Kingdom was now reunited with his loved ones, Shadow could not help but feel like he had failed him in some way.

   As Rouge caught up with him, he looked to her and said, “How can I feel we have achieved victory when we’ve lost so much?”

   Rouge knelt down beside Shadow, putting her arm around him, and replied, “I guess you can’t…unfortunately, Jacob’s not the only one we’ve lost.”

   The couple, along with the Brokenstars, looked to the rest of the group.  Most of them still nursing injuries, had crowded around Mikomi’s body.  Amy held him in her arms, weeping as terribly as a mother can after losing a child.  The only difference, was this was the second time she had lost him, and this time, it was forever.

   Knuckles, who like Shadow rarely ever showed an outpour of sadness, cried out in misery as he had the first time this had happened.  It was a horrible nightmare, coming to haunt the couple once again.  Their son had returned, and with the promise to stay, only now he was lost forever.  Nobody dared try to approach the parents in order to try and console them, nobody except…for Kate.

   Shyly, Kate approached them, looking on in disbelief.  She felt sick, and was still trying to tell herself that it wasn’t true.  Kneeling down beside them, she simply wept along with them; it was her heart that was crying out in distress.  Catching Amy’s attention, Kate pleaded to be allowed to hold him.  The grieving mother granted this request, and as Kate held Mikomi’s body, her breath, short and strained, managed to allow her to speak.  “You won’t understand this…but I grieve him in a way none can, even though it does fall short of your level of sorrow.”

   Amy and Knuckles couldn’t speak.  They simply moved closer to Kate as she held Mikomi, asking each other why this had happened…wondering why, like last time, there was nothing they could do to protect their son.

   The Wielders retreated to each other.  Amberly broke into tears, hanging on to Jeremy tightly as she wept.  Jeremy, who could feel tears coming to his own eyes, simply did his best to comfort her.  Aries and Oliver stood together in a similar fashion, while Kelsey was held by Zachary, as her back pained her from being hit.  Kelsey wept harder than any of them.  These were bad memories that the group of five children that survived that day ten years ago, were happy to have let go of, only to be attacked by them once more.

   Hidama, who couldn’t bring himself to approach his brother yet, walked over to what remained of Kashoku.  Bending down, Hidama reached to stroke Kashoku’s brow, only for that part of his head to crumble into nothing under his touch.

   “Yikes!” he cried out, jumping to his feet.  Delilah, who saw this happen, walked over and touched one of Kashoku’s dreadlocks, only for it to crumble in the same way.

   “Oh my!” she cried.  Looking to everyone around her, she exclaimed, “Kashoku!  His body is turning into dust!”

   Shadow, who, along with Rouge and the Brokenstars, had reunited with the rest of them, shook his head and said, “No Delilah…that wasn’t Kashoku’s body.  His body is long decayed, buried in the cemetery of his old kingdom on the sea cliffs.  What you see there was only a temporary shell remember?  It’s going to fall apart eventually.”

   “But…how come Mikomi’s body isn’t crumbling?” Hidama asked.

   Looking to the group, Shadow closed his eyes, pondered this for a second, and responded, “Perhaps that means he made it to Heaven after all.  Maybe he became mortal without knowing it and was spared from the void.”

   “Or it’s simply because he was starting to become mortal but didn’t,” Rouge offered silently.

   Nobody wanted to speak after this.  All any of them wanted was Mikomi and Jacob to wake up and be alive again, and for Kashoku to revive long enough to say farewell before returning to Heaven.  They knew that wasn’t going to happen, but they would have given just about anything for it to be so.

   Pyro, broken hearted and distressed, approached Amarie, who had witnessed the entire tragedy unfold before her.  She was already weeping, and for a moment had forgotten that she was in labor.  When she felt Pyro kneel down beside her, she looked to him and cried, “Why?!  Why is he gone Pyro!?  I—I won’t lose him again!  I—I can’t!”

   The hedgecat began to panic.  He knew how deeply Mikomi’s death had affected Amarie, and perhaps now he shared the same fears Kelsey and Zachary had from before.  Perhaps…Amarie couldn’t survive it again.

   Before he could try to comfort her, she let out another cry, coiling up into as tight a ball as she could manage, holding her belly tightly.  Another contraction had rolled through her, this time, closer to an hour apart than the last one.

   He looked back to the group and shouted, “We don’t have too much time!  We can’t stay here!”

   Everyone looked at Pyro as he held Amarie.  Now they remembered how dire the situation was for Amarie, in labor four weeks too early, and in desperate need to get back home to a hospital.

   At the same time, however, they had to gather up Jacob's and Mikomi’s bodies and bring them home.  They also had to wait for the proper authorities to arrive and apprehend Jackie.

   Amy and Knuckles didn’t know what to do.  They looked at Kate as she wept, holding Mikomi’s head to her chest, resting her head on his as she cried.  Hidama knelt down beside his brother and said, “Please…go with your daughter and grandchild.  Delilah and I will look after him.”

   The two looked up at Hidama.  They saw Sonic already ready to go with them, and they were already carrying Amarie off to her van.  Looking once more at his son, Knuckles, who wept silently, placed his hand on Mikomi’s head once more, as if unsure of what to say.  He then stood up, not replying to Hidama, but instead extending his hand to Amy.  After gently kissing Mikomi on the top of his head, Amy managed to whisper, “I love you Mikomi…you’ll…always be my baby.”

   She then looked up at Knuckles and took his hand.  Without another word, the grieving parents ran off to the van.  Aries decided to ride back with her brother, and Oliver went with her.

   As they left, those that remained had to split into groups once more.  Aranelion, Elianaron, Camillia and Airelea would ride with someone all the way back to Aranelion’s truck, and Jeremy and Amberly would accompany them on his motorcycle.  Jeremy would then fix the brakes on the truck so they could ride home, while the rest continued on without them.

   With Zachary’s and Delilah’s SUVs ready to take them home, the group that remained after the ones with Amarie departed were ready to leave the frightful night behind them.  Tails and Cream volunteered to wait with Jackie, and get a ride home with the police.

   Zachary helped Kelsey into the passenger’s seat, and then got ready to drive home.  Shadow, Rouge, Camillia and Airelea would come with him, as would Jacob’s battered body.  Aranelion and Elianaron would ride with Hidama and Delilah as far as Aranelion’s truck.  After the twins disembarked, only Kate and Amberly would remain to ride home with them, for Amberly wanted to get home, and so she did not want to have to wait while her husband fixed the brakes on Aranelion’s truck.  Mikomi would remain with Kate on this ride home, for she would not let go of him, even as the last of the blood that leaked from the wound on his back, stained her beautiful dress.

   Pulling away from Jackie’s mansion, Zachary quickly got ahead of Delilah as they drove.  Nobody in either vehicle said anything, even Jeremy was silent as he zoomed along on his motorcycle.  With only an hour until dawn, everyone was tired, most of them were injured in some way, some more than others.  However, it wasn’t pain or fatigue that silenced them.  The death of Mikomi and Jacob, and the tragic loss of Kashoku, couldn’t move them to think anything good came out of that night.

   Now Amarie’s plight worried them all.  Her van was out of sight, and they knew that this could only mean it was being pushed to its limits as it was driven.  They would all meet up at the hospital later to continue to grieve, even as they tried to be happy for the new baby and prayed for its health, for the loss of those three, still stung at their weary hearts.

   Amberly sat on the second row with the Brokenstar Twins.  Not too much time passed before they reached Aranelion’s truck.  Delilah stopped long enough to let them get off, and so they would wait while Jeremy fixed the brakes on his uncle’s truck.

   By the time they got started again, Zachary’s vehicle was lost on the horizon.  Amberly now sat alone in the back seat, save for five of the seven chaos emeralds that now rested beside her.  Hidama had given the red and green chaos emeralds back to Shadow and Rouge, and then resumed protecting all he had left to guard.  The chaos emeralds, now with all of the chaos power within them, were his duty to look after.

   After several minutes, Amberly heaved a sigh, and looked back at Kate.  Kate had not taken her eyes off Mikomi’s face, even as tears continued to leak from them.  Amberly, wanting to comfort Kate, said, “This is just…so mind-numbing.  I remember…last time…we didn’t even have a body to bury.  It’s still just as painful though.”

   Kate wouldn’t reply.  She simply whimpered softly, stroking Mikomi’s brow, as she continued to mourn.  Amberly decided it was best just to leave her alone, so she resumed gazing outside her window as the world rolled by.

   Poor Kate couldn’t accept Mikomi’s death.  Everything had happened so fast.  Yesterday afternoon she was angry at him, and only moments later she saw that divine peace in his eyes and was moved to help him.  Then after he showed so much care and concern, she was moved to care for him in return.  Only after allowing her to see into his soul did she realize that he was her one true love, and after he had promised everything would be alright, he was killed.

   Part of her was growing increasingly angry.  Why had Mikomi been taken from her?  He was her soul mate!  If the possibility still existed that he was lost to the void, did that mean she would never be with him again, even after he told her that true love survives even death?  She might as well disappear in the void too if they were never to be reunited!  She shouted all these things at herself on the inside, still overcome with grief, and unsure of what she would do now that Mikomi was gone.  She literally had nothing left to live for now.

   And yet…as she wept, her arm, with the sleeves of her dress pulled up, rested just beneath his nose as it lay on his chest.  She laid her head on his, too tired to bother holding it up any more.  Just when she thought she couldn’t stand taking another breath…something happened…

   As she tried to catch her breath, she paused.  Opening her eyes, they stung her terribly, and yet she was able to ignore them, opting instead to pay attention to something else.  She wasn’t one-hundred percent sure, but she could have sworn she had just felt warm breath on her arm…right below Mikomi’s nose…

   She sat up fast, letting out a soft gasp.  It couldn’t be possible…could it?  Was…was Mikomi trying to breathe again?  It had been nearly half an hour since his heart stopped beating…and here he was, trying to breathe again.  Could it really be true?

   Kate gazed at Mikomi, holding him tightly but gently, looking for any sign of life.  Still scolding herself for thinking it could ever happen, she removed one of her gloves, and held her hand under Mikomi’s nose as she cradled his jaw.  After several seconds, she felt another warm breath of air hit her hand.  While she still couldn’t tell if he was inhaling, he was definitely expelling air from his lungs.

   “Mikomi?” she whimpered in a hopeful voice.

   Amberly turned around and saw this.  She shook her head and said, “Kate, his body is probably just getting rid of air left in his lungs.”

   The Greyfox glared at Amberly, and snapped back, “How do you know if he was inhaling when he was killed?  He’s breathing dammit!”

   Slightly shocked by this outburst of anger, Amberly looked again at Mikomi.  Trying to keep from blinking her tired eyes, she could have sworn she saw his chest rise a little bit as if he was trying to breathe again…

   The hedgebat unbuckled her seatbelt and climbed into the back seat as quickly she could, crying out, “Mikomi?!” on the way.

   This finally caught Hidama’s attention as he sat in the passenger’s seat.  Looking back he saw Amberly scrambling to get closer to Mikomi.  Exhausted and feeling defeated, Hidama asked, “Amberly…Kate…what are you doing?”

   Amberly didn’t answer Hidama.  Instead she removed her long arm glove, and held her own hand under Mikomi’s nose.  She too could feel warm breath coming from him, only now she could also feel him inhale it back in.  Gradually, his body was being encouraged to breathe again.

   “Oh my…oh my word!  Hidama!  Delilah!  Mikomi is breathing!” Amberly cried, almost in panic.

   Delilah and Hidama looked at each other.  Reason told them this could never happen…and yet…Hidama knew when put in the hands of the power beyond this world, that anything was possible.

   The echidna unbuckled his seatbelt and climbed as quickly as he could into the back seat.  Squeezing in to what space was left in the third row, the echidna, who could see Mikomi breathing now, stronger with each breath, instead took two fingers, and held them up to Mikomi’s wrist, searching for a pulse.

   Hidama’s eyes widened so wide and so quickly he felt they would go beyond their normal limits.  With a hysterical smile slowly spreading across his face, he felt numb as a pulse could clearly be felt in Mikomi’s wrist.  His heart, which only a little over a half hour ago had stopped beating, was now resuming a steady tempo as it pumped blood through Mikomi’s body once more.  With oxygen in his lungs and blood cells to carry it to his brain, Suta-Mikomi, had found his way to life again.

   “Delilah!  Please!  It’s true!  He’s breathing again!  He has a pulse!  I can’t…I can’t believe it!” Hidama cried.

   Amberly cheered happily, while Kate hugged Mikomi tightly.  She whispered, “You…you said you’d overcome it again…but…I didn’t think you meant it like this.  I—I love you so much.”  Kate continued to cry, only now it was sheer joy that fell with the tears.

   The joy didn’t last long, for after trying to dry her own eyes, Amberly looked back to Kate as she hugged Mikomi.  Now that he was raised up again, Amberly could see that the blood stain on Kate’s dress was now covered in fresh blood.  Brought back to life, the motion of blood flow returning to his veins caused the wound to begin bleeding once more.

   “Oh no!” Amberly cried.  “Hidama!  Mikomi’s bleeding again!  The wound never closed up!”

   The echidna’s jubilation at the return of his nephew was cut short.  He too saw this, as did Kate, who let out her own terrified gasp.  Looking to Delilah, he cried, “Floor it Delilah!  We have to get him to the emergency room before he loses too much blood!  Hurry!”

   Delilah quickly pushed down on the accelerator driving the vehicle to the limits of the speed it could attain.  Mikomi was alive, but needed stitches for the wound on his back before he bled to death.  As they zoomed along, Kate noticed Mikomi wincing a bit, almost as if he could feel the pain returning as he slept.

   She gently rubbed his forehead, trying to be strong, and whispered, “Hang in there Mikomi…you’re almost home.”

   This somehow relaxed the hybrid echidna, and so the final race for town continued, still in silence, but with renewed hope for the future.  Hidama called Zachary on Delilah’s cell phone and told him the good news, but also warned that the emergency room needed to be ready to treat his wound.  Zachary, who already had the town in his sight, promised that they would be ready for him.

   As the last thirty minutes of the ride back to Station Square came to a close, Delilah could see the town on the horizon.  They made it to the city limits as the sun began to rise, and headed straight for the memorial hospital downtown where the others now waited eagerly.

   While Mikomi was rushed into the ER so his wound could be treated, Amberly, Hidama, Delilah and Kate reunited with the remainder of the group.  Everyone now heard the good news, and because their injuries were now taken care of, they could finally rejoice…all except for Kelsey, who complained again of not feeling well and was now resting in one of the rooms, and Amarie, who had gotten news of her brother coming back to life, just before going into the delivery room.

   So now the group was gathered in the waiting room on the fifth floor, waiting for any news of Amarie and her baby, or Mikomi.  Many now took this time to rest, except for Zachary, who worried for his wife.

   He took the elevator up to the seventh floor where she was staying.  He knew she hadn’t been feeling well the past few days, but had his fears allayed when Kelsey laid the blame on her sleep schedule being disrupted.  He too remembered how all nighters in college made him feel like crap, so he let go of his fears.  He just…he had figured that by now she would have adjusted to it.

   Walking to her room, he thought of these things, and it began to bother him again.  Opening the door slowly, he saw that she appeared to be sleeping.  However, before he could fully get in the door, Kelsey opened her eyes and began to sit up in bed.

   “Come on in Zac…I’m not sleeping,” she said.

   Trying to smile, Zachary sat down in a chair beside her bed.  He took her hand in his own, and asked, “Have they told you anything yet?”

   Kelsey yawned, and replied, “They should be back any minute now.”

   His smile weakened, and he murmured, “Maybe while we’re here they can find out what’s wrong with both of us,” with a heavy sigh.

   “Oh Zac,” she whimpered.  Kelsey pulled her husband into a hug and said, “I told you, we’ll get through this.  I have a good feeling about that.”

   Zachary didn’t reply.  He simply returned the hug, and hoped that it would speak for him.  However, before they could pull back from the embrace, they heard a knock at the door, before it was opened by a nurse, holding a clipboard in her hand.

   “Oh I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt,” she explained.

   Looking to her, Zachary said, “No ma’am, you didn’t interrupt anything, really.  …Is Kelsey alright?”

   The nurse adjusted her glasses, and looked to her clipboard, then said, “Well, let’s see.  The injury to her back was minor and if anything will simply feel sore for the next few days.  You two must be very relieved it didn’t complicate things for her.”

   Zachary, who was about to sigh in relief, instead looked at the nurse, confused by her words, as did Kelsey.  “What do you mean, ‘complicate things for her’?  Why couldn’t you just say we’re happy it didn’t break her back?”

   The nurse looked surprised.  Taking off her glasses she asked, “You mean you don’t know?  Mr. Brokenstar, your wife is pregnant.”

   Her words caused Kelsey to let out a happy gasp as she smiled.  The words hit Zachary hard enough to freeze him silent, numb with shock.  Kelsey looked to him and asked, “Zac?  Are you alright?”

   Before he could reply, the nurse added, “I’m sorry, I just thought you knew.  I know that both of you work in this area of medicine and I…”

   “We have had trouble conceiving is what it is…I think Zac is just…shocked.  Shocked in a good way I can assure you,” Kelsey explained.

   Zachary finally looked back to Kelsey, and after regulating his breathing, he smiled warmly, and said, “Oh Kelsey…I…I don’t know what to say.”

   Hugging him, with a smile Kelsey whispered, “You don’t have to.”

   The nurse was happy for them, and with that, she slowly backed out of the room and closed the door, leaving Zachary and Kelsey to enjoy their moment together.

   Back downstairs, Amy and Knuckles had returned with Sonic to the waiting room.  Needing a rest, they found a place to sit with the others as they waited for news of Amarie and Mikomi.  Kate was the only one who didn’t sleep.  Instead, she stared into space, as if she couldn’t find anything to concentrate on except her thoughts of Mikomi.

   It wasn’t silent for long.  Soon, Aranelion, Elianaron and Jeremy arrived to join the others.  At the same time, Zachary came running from the elevator to tell everyone the good news.

    Running to his father, he said, “Dad!  You and Hidama are going to be grandfathers!”

   This caught Hidama’s attention as he sat in a light sleep.  Jumping up from his seat, he looked to Zachary and asked, “Kelsey’s…pregnant?”

   Zachary nodded happily, and while Delilah and Camillia walked up to Zachary and hugged him tightly, Hidama and Aranelion could only exchange proud smiles.  In Zachary and Kelsey’s baby, a child from the first union of the House of the Guardian and the House of the Captain would be brought into the world.  That added more delight to the new day.

   Only seconds later, a nurse came looking for Knuckles, Amy, and Sonic.  Spotting Amy first, she came up to her and said, “Mrs. Rose?  Your daughter just gave birth to a healthy baby boy.”

   Now the entire waiting room was talking happily.  Knuckles and Amy, after hugging each other ran back down the hallway with Sonic at their heels.  The first glimpse of their grandson would come when he was placed in his cradle.  Of course, they would be joined by the proud father once he made sure Amarie was alright.

   Once word came that the new baby was in his crib, most of the group filed off to see him.  Zachary was leaving too, but noticed Kate continuing to sit there, with Mikomi’s blood leaving a huge stain on her dress.  Zachary knew why she sat there.  She didn’t feel she was part of this family, and instead waited for any word on Mikomi.

   He sat beside her, looked to her and said, “The way things look…you’ll be part of the family soon enough Kate.  I have a feeling that baby will have another aunt to spoil him as he grows up.”

   Kate looked back to Zachary, trying to smile.  “I—I’m happy for you and Kelsey, Zachary.  I’m happy for Amarie and Pyro too.  I just…I want to wait for Mikomi.  If what you say is true, sitting here waiting for him won’t rob me of too much of the joy.”

   Zachary smiled, and then hugged her tightly before going to join the others.  Kate sat there for awhile, happy that everything was turning out for the best.  Yet, she wouldn’t be able to enjoy the same happiness…until…she was with him again.

   “Excuse me, miss?  Are you with the ones who brought in the echidna hybrid?” a voice asked.

   Kate looked at the nurse who said this, and then glanced down at the bloodstain on her dress, before looking up and saying, “Yes ma’am…his parents and family are with his sister.  She just had her first baby.  I’m…I…”

   “You must be his wife then,” the nurse assumed.  “Well, come along with me, he’s in a room on the sixth floor.  He’s doing just fine.”

   As she followed the nurse, Kate didn’t dare to speak the truth, in fear that the nurse wouldn’t let her see Mikomi.  She was silent all the way up, until finally the nurse opened the door to Mikomi’s room.

   Before leaving, the nurse said, “You can sit with him.  I’ll go tell the rest of them where you are.  He’s just sleeping now.”

   “Thank you…,” Kate said, almost in a whisper.

   As the door closed behind her, Kate took slow steps into the room.  She pulled up a chair beside Mikomi’s bed, and gently took his hand in hers.  She wanted to speak, but didn’t, almost as if they would be enough to wake him from his slumber.

   He didn’t need words, however.  Still possessing his aura powers, he could feel her aura return to him.  This caused him to stir awake.  His mismatched eyes gazed at her as she stared at the floor.  Smiling, he said, “I told you,” in a tired voice.

   A happy gasp was Kate’s reply.  She hugged him gently, trying not to cry, and whimpered, “Oh Miko, I—I was so scared…but part of me trusted we’d be together again.  I’m just…so happy.”

   Mikomi hugged her back, overjoyed just to have her in his arms again.  “I’m happy too.  You don’t know how relieved I was to hear I could come back.”

   At that moment, Knuckles and Amy, taking time away from their daughter to check on their son, entered the room.  Finally able to see him alive, they were overcome with joy, and embraced him just as Kate had.

   Once everything was calm, Kate remembered what Mikomi had said, and asked, “What do you mean?  Who told you that you could come back?”

   Mikomi looked at the three of them, laughed and said, “Oh that.  It was Lady Mitsukai.  She saved Kashoku from the void.  I woke up at the gates of Heaven, and she told me because I became mortal at the same second that I was killed…that I could stay there, or come back.  That was the easiest choice I’ve had to make…ever.  …How could I not come back to my family…and you Kate.  How could I pass up the chance to reunite with my one and only?”

   Knuckles and Amy glanced at each other, still unaware of the full extent of their son’s relationship with this girl.  Mikomi, in slight pain, sat up high enough to kiss Kate on the cheek, before he looked to his parents, chuckled and said, “You won’t understand Mom and Dad…I know it.  Only Jacob could understand because I showed it to him.  In our auras there is a song that is sung, and when one finds the soul whose aura sings in return to theirs, they have found their soul mate.  I found mine in Kate, and I can assure you, you two have found it in each other.  All of them out there have.  I guess now all that’s left is for me and Kate to join the party.”

   His parents smiled at each other.  Kate would have smiled too, for Mikomi had just hinted at marrying her.  However, when he mentioned her uncle, she asked, “Mikomi, does that mean you saw my Uncle Jacob?”

   Mikomi’s eyes widened as he smiled.  “Oh yes Kate!  He…he told you not to worry about him.  Don’t grieve, because he’s with his wife and sons again.  Your mother and father love you too.”  Pausing, he looked at all three of them and said, “They’re all watching over us.  They know that while the peace we have here will be challenged that we’ll somehow manage to preserve it, until we’re with them again.”  Looking back to Kate, he finished, “I promised your uncle I’d watch over you…and I will, you can trust to that.  You said you had nothing to live for Kate, well…now you do.”

   Kate finally smiled.  Then, almost as though they forgot Knuckles and Amy were there, they leaned into another kiss.  Knuckles’ cheeks flushed red as he watched his son kiss Kate.  Amy, however, smiled and said, “You both have a lot to live for, including your nephew…Suta-Mikomi.”

   This caused Mikomi and Kate to pull out of their kiss.  “Whoa!” Mikomi exclaimed, shocked by what his mother said.  He looked to her and said, “Wait a second.  Amarie and Pyro…named their son after me?”

   Knuckles, after the flushing went down, looked back to Mikomi, sighed and said, “She was determined shortly after your death, the first time, to name a son after you.  Before she married Pyro, she asked him if that would be alright, and he said yes.  Even though you’re back now, they saw no reason to change that.”

   For a few seconds, silence prevailed, and so Amy chimed in, “However, they are calling him Suta so there won’t be any confusion.”

   “Ha!  That’s better then,” Mikomi laughed.  Taking a breath, he added, “I have to stick around for Kelsey and Zac too…”

   Knuckles looked at his son, confused and asked, “Wait a minute…how do you know about that?”

   With another laugh, Mikomi said, “Aww Dad, Kashoku knew she was pregnant before they even got to Jackie’s mansion!  He let me in on that secret before I left.  Of course…he kept the really good secret to himself when it came to little Suta.  Heh, I’m gonna miss Kashoku.  While he’s not the perfect king he’s made out to be, he’s still one of the brightest souls that ever lived.”

   “Mikomi…,” Kate murmured.

   Looking back to her, Mikomi hugged her and said, “Aww Kate, don’t worry about it.  We’ll be with him again someday.  Right now I plan on enjoying the life I was blessed enough to return to.  You and I can make our own life together, and at the same time get to experience joy from the ones around us.”  Pulling back, he added, “Now this family will finally be complete.”

   Mikomi looked at his mother and father, the couple that started it all, and added, “That still doesn’t mean that we don’t have a job to do.  Kashoku brought amity to us again, and this time we have to make sure his work was not in vain.  We can enjoy life, with the knowledge that we’ll be at peace forever some day.  But you see, those that await us, have the luxury of endless solace, but still couldn’t escape the knowledge that their loved ones were suffering.”

   “I guess it isn’t perfect peace after all,” Kate said.

   Smiling, Mikomi said, “Yeah it is Kate…infact the only perfect peace can exist beyond, but if we’re giving our loved ones something to worry about, all the work they did here just goes to waste.  Before we leave this world, we accomplish things that will bring some positive effect to the world, but if those behind us don’t do their best to preserve it, all will fall into decay.  We’re meant to enjoy our lives here, and so we will; and at the same time we’ll make sure it’ll be just as wonderful a life to live for those to follow…like little Suta.”

   Sitting up higher, Mikomi added, “I think that’s all Kashoku wanted.  He didn’t want to be remembered…he wanted the peace he gave the world to be cherished, and when that didn’t happen, things went awry.  He felt the need to come back and change our thinking before things got worse…he was lucky to change things before Suta was born into a world ruled under Jackie’s hand.”

   Nodding, Knuckles said, “That alone shows the need for change.”

   Putting an arm around Kate, Mikomi glanced at the sunrise outside his window.  He smiled and said, “The change has come, and I think, because we’re ready to answer it, the peace will last, until the end of forever.  We’ll move from this life to the next, and while those behind us will need to preserve the happiness they live in, we can have comfort in knowing the legacy we left behind will make their lives that much easier.”

   He paused, and then stretched his legs before moving to get up from the bed, as if the pain in his back did not affect him.

   As he walked to the door, Kate asked, “Mikomi?  Where are you going?”

   He looked back to her and smiled.  Taking her hand, he said, “I’m going to be with my family…and so are you.”

   Kate smiled, and after one more kiss, they left the room, and Knuckles and Amy went with them.  After getting to see his adorable nephew, Mikomi reunited with Amarie.  With her brother finally able to live with her again, the birth of her son was finally the happy day it was supposed to be.

   Mikomi would never know which bond had saved him.  He didn’t know if it was the bond he shared with Amarie, the one that allowed him to live again, or the bond he shared with Kate as his soul mate that allowed him to come back to life.  It didn’t matter to him though, for he had a life to live, and instead of questioning why things were the way they were, he took comfort in the knowledge that what is meant to be, will be.

   Until they were all together in Heaven, they would be able to enjoy their lives…

   Until the end of forever, everything would be alright.