Well, this is it, people: the final epilogue that just ties everything together. I originally had a whole other chapter before this, but it pretty much just had Lulu's reaction to Haji and Saya in her apartment (which is totally relevant to, like, everything) and explains in more detail everything in this chapter- so I scrapped it. But that's the reason why this last chapter is so late even after promising to lift my game. It may seem like an abrupt conclusion to protracted events, but honestly, I just want the damn thing finished already. -.-'' I lost my inspiration for this some time ago, and I hate it when writing becomes a chore. I may write a sequel, but if I do it won't be any time soon, so don't hold your breath.

Before we get into this last little bit, a reviewer has brought up a question regarding Haji's actions when Saya first awoke- why didn't he feed her the moment he saw her?

Partly this is just because it was convenient to the plot, but there are various other reasons. It seemed to me that in the anime there was a special emphasis on the fact that Saya should remember in her own time, at her own pace. In the anime, Haji first gave her his blood when her life was in danger; there is no such pressure in my story. In my story when Saya had her 'fits', it was far too dangerous for Haji to get close enough for long enough to feed her. That, and with the fits, it just wasn't a priority at that time.

Also, in the anime Haji's blood didn't necessarily bring back memories. It started the process, yes, but it isn't until well after episode thirty that Saya has a clear impression of her past. And even before drinking Haji's blood the anime makes it clear that she still recognises him if her actions in episode one are any judge. So its not that he didn't know what to do- its just that it's my impression that merely giving Saya blood isn't the single solution. This is why it's only much later in my story, once she already has a bit of an idea of what happened, that Haji's blood has any real effect.

I never really explicitely addressed the issue in my story, but I hope that answered your question somewhat. As always, let me know if there are any more issues.

There was a certain cathartic quality to walking up stone stairs. Stepping into the shallow grooves worn by years of treading feet, there was a sense of generations walking in this way and with the same rhythms, stamping footprints in a never-ending tattoo. Life and death mean nothing – all that matters is in the small grooves, the physical and spiritual traces scoured into stone, beautiful and eternal.

The mist between the trees was hazy with ghosts.

Saya breathed deeply, pausing her trek for a moment to rest her hands on her knees, her breathing a little staggered. She wasn't as fit as she used to be, she mused wryly, before a sudden yawn split her cheeks.

"Saya?" Ahead of her, Haji had paused his ascent.

"I'm fine."

It had been raining, and the moss on the stone steps was slick and treacherous. Kai was some ways below, supported on either side by the still youthful Aiko and Aika as he gingerly edged his way. Mao and Akihiro, followed closely by Kunio, were bickering loudly behind the threesome, but still kept a sharp eye on the feeble man between their dramatic gesticulations. At the foot of the long stretch of stairs David, Julia, Joel and his faithful companion, Lulu, were all soundlessly tracking their ascent, their eyes grave and watchful. Saya smiled and waved down at the four of them, her grin softening at their answering smiles.

"Saya. It is time."

Haji's eyes were soft and heavy.

"I'm fine," she whispered again, and kissed his mouth.

The auspicious day had her in a strange mood. She breathed in the mist, and the fog that spilled from her lips when she exhaled made her smile. Soft, genuine. No family would be complete without its ancestors, and even if hers tasted like pink frills, gunfire and boiled eggs, they were hers, her past, her impossibly distant ancestors. Her belonging.

The immortal pair crested the summit, and waited silently for the six behind them to catch up, which they did, slowly.

The silence was broken by a rasping cough. "I think this is the last time I'll ever see you, kiddo," said Kai, and though his words staggered due to the long climb his eyes were still and soulful. A sad smile touched his lips. "I don't know if I can last another thirty years."

"Kai," Saya whispered. She gathered his frailness into a hug that he readily returned, spindly arms enclosing her, long fingers gripping her shoulders. She hadn't planned a goodbye. She'd thought long and hard about it, had been thinking of the right words ever since tiredness had first pervaded her limbs, but nothing had been right. So she simply tightened her hold, and smiled when she received an answering, understanding pressure.

The two drew away, sharing a tired smile.

"Hope you didn't forget about us," Mao huffed, gently elbowing Kai to the side so that she too could envelop Saya into the fleshy folds of her arms. "Knowing Akihiro's pigheadedness and my… firmness of resolve-" "They both mean the same thing!" Akihiro protested "-we'll still be around in thirty years. So I won't make this long and mushy. Just know that we're grateful to you for everything, for being a wonderful friend and so on and so on. Just… Thanks. I don't know that we got to say it last time. Thank you."

Saya kissed the elderly woman's plump cheek affectionately. "It's you I should be thanking. For putting up with me, twice now. And for being understanding about everything. I know you haven't seen me at my best."

Akihiro ruffled her hair. It had been clipped two years ago, shortly after the fire, and now just brushed the base of her shoulder blades. The grey-haired man didn't say anything, nor did his son except for a slightly choked "See you", but she understood.

Saya turned suddenly to the twins. "Oh, and give Yusuke, Hojo and Kenta my regards, will you? I know the three of them had planned to be here, but it can't be helped."

Aiko nodded. "Hojo had wanted to be here, but Kenta needed his help," she explained, her tone sympathetic. "Now that Kenta's started regulating the media and burying incriminating evidence against us, the two are always busy."

Aika just snorted. Her own Chevalier, Yusuke, still had no love for any of his mistress' family. But the imposed loyalty he felt toward his creator after his demise at the hands of Red Shield kept him from acting up. It was only a year ago, but seemed like so much longer, that Red Shield had ordered the too talkative Yusuke's death, only for the human to be saved and a compromised reached due to Hojo and Kenta's pleas. It was largely this event that allowed the two parties to strike a deal that was, more or less, mutually beneficial. The policemen were allowed to live; the secret of Chiropteran was safe. Beyond this, death and rebirth had even put things into perspective for Yusuke, and he was no longer the obnoxious character he had been two years ago. That, and Aika had threatened a beating if he tried to throw Haji out a window just one more fucking time…

The twins both kissed the elder Chiropteran's cheeks. "We'll be seeing you soon."

Saya nodded and smiled. "Well then," she quipped, "I suppose this is it."

She gracefully accepted Haji's proffered hand, and together the immortal pair walked toward the old, crumbling crypt that was to house Saya for the next thirty years.

It had been raining.

She breathed deeply, and the air smelt of dampness and of straggly growing things. Here in this morning, at this time, with ghosts at her elbow, walking beside her, Saya could see the future glittering in the dew. And when she stepped in a puddle, muddying her shoes, she caught sight of herself and could see in the distortions of her face what she might become.

Again, and endlessly again.

The two stopped by the tomb's entrance, and the light in Haji's eyes was a star, riveting into place abyss after abyss.

"I love you," she said, seriously.

"And I you." He kissed her once, gently, on the cheek. "I will be waiting."

In the fossil record of our existence, there is no trace of love. The long bones of our ancestors show nothing of their hearts. It made it hard, so hard – the bowl of her skull, licked clean, had to filled again and again with memories, with experiences, with lessons learnt for the first time for the millionth time.

But that was okay.

Her love was a twist in her marrow.

The light in Haji's eyes made it all okay.

"I will be waiting," he said again.

She nodded. She knew. "I'll catch up to you soon."

And then she was walking away – not looking back, never looking back – and the crypt door was closing behind her. Hearts heavy, Haji and Kai turned away from the silent tomb.

Walking back to the stairs Haji paused, and raised a quizzical hand to the dampness on his cheek.

Rain?

He caught sight of his reflection in a puddle, and as he watched the image rippled. And then the sky split and the clouds were torn in two, and roiling clouds the grey of a sullen surf sank low to graze the horizon.

Haji turned his face to the sky, and fancied some of the droplets glinted the pink of a ruffled dress.

But that was just a memory, or a dream, or something else there is no word for. Either way it didn't matter anymore.

Facing forward again, the Chevalier lightly chided Kai for attempting to descend the stairs without assistance, and even gave a small smile at the exasperated cries of the twins. Facing forward again, he began the slow walk down.

And that's all she wrote!! What a bastard of a brain child this story was. It was a long and protracted labour, and my brain child wasn't always the best behaved...but I love it regardless of its frequent tantrums and general recalcitrance. I'm happy to see it finally moving out of home and making its own way in the world, though. XD

THANK YOU to all reviewers, favouriters etc who kicked my arse into gear when I wanted to give the story up for adoption or something equally drastic. I stuck with it thanks to your support! Till next time!!

Quote of the day: I wrapped my Christmas presents early this year, but I used the wrong paper. See, the paper I used said 'Happy Birthday' on it. I didn't want to waste it so I just wrote 'Jesus' on it.

I went into a clothes store and a lady came up to me and said "if you need anything, I'm Jill". I've never met anyone with a conditional identity before - Demetri Martin