Chapter Ten: Is This The End?

Ryus leaned against the wall and looked at Einar's hunched form. He was well bound and they'd be taking him back to the city soon. Einar would be held under a sort of 'house arrest' for the rest of his life, which was the only way they could be sure that he wouldn't create another uprising.

Arrietty was standing over Einar's broken form. The old man's once well-kept hair was falling in his face and his once steely eyes looked like a cloudy gray. Ryus didn't know why Arrietty had wanted to speak to the man who had nearly killed her, but she'd insisted.

Spiller stood behind her, keeping a watchful eye on Einar, just in case he'd try to attack Arrietty.

Ryus didn't plan on marrying Arrietty now, he knew full well he could be a jerk, but he still wanted Arrietty to be happy and if that meant Spiller was her true love, then so be it.

He felt someone nudge his shoulder. He looked over and saw Mayella looking shyly up at him. Her brown hair fell around her oval face in smooth waves. "You know, I heard there's a family of borrowers that needs a guide to the cities." She said.

"Is that so?" Ryus replied, fairly certain he knew what she was suggesting.

"Well, I plan on being their guide, and I was wondering…" She looked at him.

"Yes?" Asked Ryus as he turned to face her.

"Would you come with me?" Ryus put his hands on Mayella's shoulders.

"Well I suppose I could stomach another adventure with you." Ryus laughed sarcastically Mayella punched his arm softly.

Ryus smiled as he looked down at Mayella, maybe he wouldn't be out of a fiancée for long…

~:~:~:~

"Why would you do this?" Arrietty asked Einar gently. The old man looked up at her with weary eyes.

"My wife and daughters… They were killed by 'beans'. My family was poisoned by bug spray." He looked away, staring into space. "I just needed to make it up to them… I needed them to forgive me, for not being able to save them."

Arrietty knelt down next to the man and wrapped her arms around the man, "I'm sure they already have." She felt Einar's body shaking with sobs. After the old man finished crying Arrietty called over to the borrowers in charge of returning him to the city.

"Take him home, he's suffered enough." The borrowers nodded and led Einar away. Arrietty stood up and was greeted by Spiller wrapping his arm around her waist. She looked up at him and smiled, allowing her body to lean into his. He grinned back at her and rested his head on hers.

Arrietty looked out over the rest of the borrowers who had already begun to file out of the house, Arrietty had told them to borrow some food for their journey so they wouldn't starve.

Soon a familiar face stood in front of Arrietty, "Hello Ryus," She said.

"Hello Arrietty," He replied. "I just wanted to tell you that our engagement is officially dissolved" He smiled.

Arrietty returned the grin, "Thank you so much Ryus!" She exclaimed as she looked up at Spiller, who looked just as, or even more enthusiastic than Arrietty did.

"Don't worry, it wasn't that difficult." He replied looking away. Arrietty followed his gaze and saw a small brunette borrower waving to him.

Arrietty smiled, "Have a safe journey."

"Same to you." He turned to Spiller and offered his hand. "You're a lucky borrower Spiller."

Spiller shook Ryus's hand and smiled "Spiller know." He replied. Ryus turned and made his way down the stairs with the other girl.

Arrietty looked up at Spiller, his shaggy black hair fell in his face as he looked at her through his hair.

He smiled at her and leaned towards her. Arrietty closed her eyes and leaned towards him as well, allowing their lips to meet.

Kissing Spiller was warm and tender. Arrietty felt him run his fingers through her hair. The two pulled away to catch their breath, but Spiller snuck a small kiss on Arrietty's nose. Arrietty giggled.

"We should probably go tell Sho we're leaving today." Spiller nodded and the two made their way to Sho's room.

~:~:~:~

It had been about an hour since Arrietty and Spiller had left. He felt a familiar ache in his heart that longed for his first friend, but he also felt overwhelming joy at the fact that he'd seen her again.

He could be content with that.

When they'd said goodbye Arrietty had returned the hairpin to him, saying it had saved her life, and she thanked him for it. She's also told him to keep it to remember her by. Sho had smiled and nodded.

Arrietty had asked him for a type of boat they could use. Sho had searched the house high and low, but he found nothing they could use. "How long will you be sailing?" He'd asked.

"By boat it's only one day's travel from here." Arrietty replied. Sho nodded and built a decent sized boat of aluminum foil.

"I'm sorry, you'll probably only be able to use the boat once" Sho said apologetically.

"Don't worry, we'll be able to use Spiller's kettle once we get home." Arrietty replied.

They sat in silence for a moment looking into each other's eyes. "Goodbye, Arrietty." He finally said.

"Goodbye, Sho." She'd replied before Spiller pushed the boat off the stream's bank, and then they slowly drifted away.

Sho slowly made his way back to the house. I should probably get the mail… He decided. Once Sho had reached the mailbox a girl on a bicycle stopped him.

"Hey, you're name is Sho isn't it?" She said pointing a finger at him. Her long black hair was tied in twin braids.

'Yes," Sho replied, for some reason this girl looked familiar to him.

"Oh, hi! I'm Ayumi, we'll be in the same class next year."

"Oh hello," replied Sho "It's nice to meet you" he reached out his hand.

"It's nice to meet you too." She replied, taking his hand.

~:~:~:~

Arrietty and Spiller had been sailing in the boat for some time now.

"How long do you think it will take us to get back home?" Arrietty asked.

Spiller thought about it then replied, "Few hours." Arrietty nodded and down into the water. She saw a flash of green.

"Oh look Spiller, a fish!" She turned to him and pointed to where she's seen the flash.

Spiller smiled at her cuteness and joined her at the side of the boat, which reflected small rays of light that danced on the water.

"Hey Spiller?" Arrietty asked.

"Hn?" he replied.

"Well, I was just wondering if this was the end of our adventure."

Spiller looked at her curiously then wove his fingers through hers.

"Hn-uh" He said while shaking his head 'no'

"Your right." Arrietty replied letting her head fall on his shoulder. "This is only the beginning.

Well, this is where our tale ends! I'm glad I got to share this story with you wonderful readers :D I hope you loved reading this story just as muchas I loved writing it. Special thanks to all those who reviewed, I can never thank you enough. Now, time for the Last Review Responses!

London Bai: Thank You! ^_^ I appreciate you taking the time to review :)

yunadance6: I'm not sure what " – "means, but I hope it's something good ^_^' thanks for reviewing!

Fluffy's Lady: Thank you for reviewing! I'm glad that even though you're a Sho/Arrietty fan that you still thought this chapter was cute :) thanks for the review!

superfan8: Thank you for the kind review :) I would also agree, Spiller is ripped :D lol thank you for reading

Guest: Thank you! Your review was kind! This is the end of Return to the Secret World, but I plan on writing another Spiller/Arrietty story soon :)

Guest: I agree! Spiller and Arrietty foreverrrrrrr! :D

goldacharmed: THIS is the last chapter! Thanks for reading and reviewing! Thank you, thank you!

Thank you for all who've read this story and reviewed it, you've made this a great experience for me!

SparklingGem