Well here we are. This took way to pathetically long I just had such a hard time figuring it out I had all these long complex ideas in my head until I realized simplicity was the best way to go and thus I present my epilogue. Thank you so much for sticking with me and I can't believe I took so stupidly long to finally write this. Also thanks for your positive comments I wasn't sure how you guys would take my sudden twist and you all seemed to understand where I was coming from. (and between you and me I don't really like BryanxKai either, it just kinda worked though I love TalaxRei hence Financed Love which I'll finally update now that I'm done this.)

Anyway enough blah blah... ta da!

Epilogue
Tears are not Enough

The sapphire metal gleamed with pride as it was fingered gently by its possessor. It reflected the same hesitant strength that the holder was emitting, as if though the power was obvious it was reluctant to appear.

Kai sighed carefully and leaned back against the cushioned leather chair lost in endless though. Dranzer seemed to watch him contently observing the bluenette as he confronted the reality his mind had been forcing away for weeks.

When he had returned from New York he had been a mess, he looked back on his actions with dismay for the shameful way he had acted, he was Kai Hiwatari after all, not some pathetic coward. At first he was unable to shake his detest for the man he had traveled half way across the globe to find, until he had begun to reflect upon himself. Kai realized after much contemplation that his selfishness and arrogance had lost Rei to begin with, so what would make him think that this very same attitude would win him back. The phoenix shook his head sadly brushing his slate bangs away from his face lethargically.

Returning to Russia had also left him with many decisions. Hiwatari Enterprises remained in his possession and even if he didn't want his name behind it, it still proved to be one of his greatest successes. His first step was to reclaim his position and begin climbing the long winded staircase back up to stability. The second decision came in a form he had never expected. The echo of said thoughts sounded from the answering machine as he once again failed to pick up the phone.

"Hey Kai? I know you are there." A brief pause followed completed by an exasperated sigh. " Kai, its Bryan. Listen I errr…" This time the pause was more awkward. "My job is sending me to this stupid convention to report on the cultural values that culinary arts have on one another or something or other." More exaggerated pauses followed by yet another sigh. "I don't want to have to go interview them all alone. I have two tickets. Next weekend. Want to come." It wasn't a question nor a suggestion just a statement. Kai raised his gaze momentarily, eyes flickering to the red flashing light that signaled that he had a message and then shrugged. Might as well.

-----

"Thanks Kai." Bryan told his companion passively, lifting his briefcase into the trunk of his car. These kinds of stories aren't what a usually have to investigate, but the woman who writes the culture columns is on maternity leave. Apparently this culinary convention is some big deal so someone had to cover it." The Russian explained rolling his eyes.

Kai agreed politely but was hardly interested in Bryan's rant about the journalistic magazine he wrote for.

"Do they have these things every year?" The bluenette asked making conversation with the other.

"Err… yea I think so. Chefs get together internationally and have some sort of bake off." The stormy eyed man laughed humorlessly.

Kai smiled slightly amused by Bryan's description of a group of men getting together in frilly aprons to exchange recipes.

"How did you get so lucky." Kai inquired rhetorically.

Bryan just shrugged and took his place in the driver's seat starting the ignition.

Kai was content with Bryan's company and had even begun to piece together the story of the other man's life through dropped hints. It had soon become apparent, though neither man ever spoke of it, that they were both in the same boat so to speak. Bryan had lost Tala near the same way that Kai had willingly relinquished Rei. Together they had come up with the unspoken decision that neither of them deserved what was lost and thus had begun the healing process. Kai was unsure if it would ever amount to anything beyond the companionship he was content with now, nor did he know if he even wanted more from the some what apathetic Russian. He had concluded it was best to just accept the hand that Bryan seemed to deny holding out to him. Kai smiled lightly thinking of the stupid way the older man seemed to withdraw himself from the world unless the world happened to feature something he was interested in. Could Kai ever be that interest?

Shaking his head abruptly to clear his mind of these thoughts he took to staring out the window listlessly.

-----

The convention wasn't really as bad as Kai had assumed it would be. After Bryan explained apologetically that he would have to leave Kai for a few hours in order to meet with some of the cooks for interviews, Kai had thought it best just to explore on his own. He spent most of the morning wandering around and cursing Bryan for dragging him hear only to ignore him.

Jealousy he watched as people displayed their life long ambitions for others to taste. They probably had all had dreams, whether those dreams were to be internationally recognized masters of culinary arts or anything else. Most of those he came across seemed content. Kai withdrew from the crowds flushed with self-pity for his insurance company. Why couldn't he have lived for his dream, he wondered briefly. Why was he so self-loathing?

The day wore on with no sign of Bryan and just as Kai was getting fed up and ready to wait for the Russian at his car, nostalgia caught up with him. He felt someone behind him before he heard the bittersweet voice that whispered his name.

"Rei." He whipped around off guard completely in sheer desperation.

And there Rei stood. Afraid and confused and a little hurt. His amber eyes blinked suddenly as if trying to brush something away before he dressed his expression with the fake smile he was so famous for. His lips formed words but then dropped them with a sigh as Rei gave up and looked to the side searching behind him. He was searching for Tala's protection Kai guessed with a pang of hurt. Kai stared at his former love indecisively should he just turn or leave, however it was Rei who had approached him. He supposed he should start with the most obvious question.

"What are you doing here?" The bluenette asked bluntly careful to keep his distance of the barrier that Rei had placed.

Rei looked around as if contemplating an answer for Kai, until Kai noticed his attire. Rei was a chef here. One of those individuals he had been envying earlier for following their ambitions in life and living up to there dreams.

Rei shifted from foot to foot looking awkwardly at Kai's feet while tugging the hem of his white chef uniform searching his surroundings for something to say.

"I… uh…" He attempted before he was interrupted.

"Congratulations Rei." Kai announced suddenly startling Rei from his stutters. Amber eyes fluttered a moment in brief confusion before taking on the first true smile Kai had seen since his Rei. All at once his demeanor changed Rei rid himself of his fidgets and stood up straight meeting Kai's gaze with a smile.

"Thanks Kai."

Kai smiled back, he couldn't help it Rei used to always have this affect on him. Kai thought back momentarily to the past when no matter how bad things had been Rei's simple cheer could always lighten his mood, and now that very same trait that emitted from him now became contagious.

"I see you really made something of your life." Kai offered politely though meaning it full heartedly.

"I did." Amber eyes shimmered joyfully," and you too." He added obviously more comfortable with this new direction. "I read about you and your company sometimes in the newspapers. When I was invited to this convention…" he paused a moment thoughtfully, "I had kind of wished I'd run into you. I didn't think it would actually happen." Rei smiled.

"I guess all things happen for a reason." Kai replied brushing away the truth behind such statement.

The younger man smiled and nodded before his attention was caught by something else.

"Kai. Rei." Bryan's voice came suddenly as he walked towards the companions with Tala at his side. "I ran into Tala and thought you might have found Rei." Bryan explained

"Tala." Rei smiled as Tala came up to him and wrapped his arm loosely around his waist. Kai watched expecting to feel the familiar pinch of envy and yet it didn't come instead he admired the way the red head and young chef met eye contact lovingly, as if no words needed to be spoken between the two and mere contact could explain a thousand words. Kai smiled at the scene and then gestured towards Bryan.

"Well I guess we better be going." He told the older Russian who nodded in agreement. "I'll see you around Rei." He smiled at his former lover. "And Tala," he spoke as an after thought. "Take good care of him."

"Will do Kai." The red head smiled, blue eyes honestly filled with love for the man he held close.

Kai was about to turn away when he felt a tug on his arm and looked over to see golden eyes watching him intently before arms were thrown around him. Surprised he took a moment to take in the feeling then gratefully wrapped his own arms around the smaller figure.

"Kai," Rei whispered so only the bluenette could here. "I love you and I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you too Rei." Kai whispered back holding him close as to loose himself in the moment. "Good luck."

"You too." Rei sighed happily stepping away to captivate the phoenix one last time in the golden pools of his gaze. "Bye Kai."

"Good bye Rei."

Thank you again hope to see you all soon with future stories. Love for Kai and Rei who did live happily ever after as far as I'm concerned. Lol.