The Past Bites

Me: And here I am...and this is the final chapter! Whaaa!

Kalaa: WE FINALLY GET OUR HAPPY ENDING!

Me: At least I can take comfort in the fact this won't be the only story I put you four in! (sob) Thank you soooooooo much for all your kind reviews! It really means a lot to me! I can't tell you how happy it makes me to know how much people love my story! (starts crying a river) I'M GONNA MISS THIS STORY!

Kalaa: Oh stop the waterworks Moon! It isn't the end of the world.

Me: BUT IT IS THE END OF THE STORY!

Kalaa: (rolls eyes) As some famous person said, it's only the end of the beginning! Now, BladeofMoonlight does not own TMM or MMP or anything except me and my friends and enjoy the final chapter!

Chapter 11: Forgiveness and New Life

/Kalaa's P.O.V.

"Mommy, there's so much to apologize for." Kalaa broke the silence as she and her mother headed for her grandparent's house. "I was horrible to you."

Ichigo shook her head. "No Kalaa, you had every right to be mad. I shouldn't have left you there, and my stupid mistake almost cost you your life."

"But I hurt you." Kalaa whimpered.

Ichigo stopped walking and picked her daughter up in a hug. "That's in the past now. We were standing in the fire. We're out of it now. Yes, we are still hurting and still on fire, but soon it will burn out." She ruffled Kalaa's hair. "And we can be a happy family."

Kalaa smiled and pushed her head into her mother's shoulder. "Thanks mom."

Ichigo grinned from ear to ear before putting Kalaa down again. "No, thank you Kalaa. Now let's go meet my parents."

They got inside and were welcomed by her mother and father. Sakura was upset, which was understandable. She gave Ichigo a fierce scolding about doing this alone followed by a light whack over the head, earning a giggle from Kalaa. Her father was mad too, but a kitty look from Ichigo smoothed him over. Then Sakura knelt and gave Kalaa a good look.

"Then this little one must be Kalaa, right?"

Kalaa nodded, eyes wide.

Sakura smiled widely. "Oh, she is an absolute darling." She gave Kalaa a big bear hug. Kalaa smiled brightly.

"Thank you."

"Welcome home." Ichigo's father said warmly. "Both of you."

/Kaiyo's P.O.V.

"How'd Ryou take it mom?" Kaiyo asked as Lettuce stepped out of the Cafe were he and his father Pai were waiting. Pai had come earlier, after finding out about Kaiyo. He met with Lettuce and they had found their feelings unchanged. She had gone back inside to settle things with Ryou as gently as she could.

Lettuce shook her head. "He's still raging about you, Kaiyo." Kaiyo shook his head, saddened at being used to hurt her. "He fired me, said he never wants to see me again, and such. I suppose I had it coming, but I don't regret it. It brought me so much happiness." She gave Kaiyo a hug. "Its time you started living a normal life."

Kaiyo nodded. "Hey dad?"

"What is it son?" Pai asked, Kaiyo visibly brightened at being called son.

"Where should we stay?"

"I've bought a house near your new school." Pai replied in his usual practical tone of voice. "We're two blocks away. Why don't we get going?"

"How'd grandma and grandpa take the whole Mew Mew thing?" Kaiyo asked.

"They were more worried than angry." Lettuce replied. "They told me that no matter what genetics I was spliced with, I was still their daughter and they still loved me. They also said that you were just as much a part of our family as me and my cousins are." Her eyes shone. "And they've agreed Pai's proposal."

Kaiyo's eyes bugged out of their head. "Y...You're getting married? That's great!"

"Kish said he was happy for me, but I think he's jealous he isn't at this stage yet." Pai said, an amused tone in his voice. "Although I think Ichigo is finally warming up to him, I don't think they'll be getting married THAT soon after this whole storm."

"My car's down the road. Let's get you home Kaiyo."

"Home." Kaiyo scampered after his parents as they got into the black buggy and drove down the road.

/Azzuen's P.O.V.

"Hello son." Mike said warmly as Azzuen entered the house.

"Hi dad." Azzuen said nervously. After the Master abducted him, he had never met his father. He wasn't sure what to do.

"Your mother said she'd be down in a minuet. Why don't we get some dinner?"

"Sounds great!" Azzuen said excitedly. They both ran to the table and sat down. The family servants got everything ready and Azzuen dug into a plate of rice, mashed potatoes and gravy.

"I finally got the name of the school Kalaa, Kaiyo and Melina are attending." Mint announced, walking down the stairs. "You're all being enrolled in a school for 'special children' Excalibur Grade School. Azzuen, your room's up the stairs to the right. If you ever need anything, let a maid know, and they'll get it for you."

"I got it. Thanks mom. I'm glad I'll be in the same school as Kalaa and the others." Azzuen said through a mouthful of food. Mike chuckled.

"Try not to talk with your mouth full, okay son?"

"Sorry." The family laughed and went back to eating.

/Melina's P.O.V.

"Is there anything I can get you Miss?" Melina turned around, admiring her reflection in the mirrors. Her strapless amethyst dress shone like it was crusted with opals. Her hair had been brushed and styled to have a slight curl at the end, not much but not insignificant.

"May I have a look at the pendants you have to offer?" One of the men handed her a box. Melina gave the jewelry a critical look before picking a bright ruby pendant from the collection. "This will do nicely." She slipped it on.

"Melina! Are you ready for the opening?" Zakuro asked, appearing in the doorway.

"As a matter of fact mom, I am." Melina stood up and walked across the private salon and linked hands with her mother. "I've practiced the song, and I think I've got it down. You sure I'll do okay?"

"Positive, Melina." Zakuro said, kissing her daughter's forehead. "You were born ready." She put a hand on her stomach. "Three more months before the little one comes out."

Melina nodded. "I'm ready for that."

When they reached backstage, their friends were waiting for them.

"Knock their socks off, Melina." Kalaa said, giving her friend a tight hug.

"We'll be watching!" Kaiyo said.

"You look awesome." Azzuen finished. Melina grinned and blushed slightly at the praise.

"Thanks, all of you."

The crowd began to cheer, and Melina smiled. "It's my turn. Here goes."

"Break a leg!" Kalaa hissed playfully before rushing back to her seat.

Melina stepped onto the strage, eyes widening at the size of the crowd. The entire stadium was huge, and thousands of cameras flashed when the bright neon lights focused on her. This felt like genuine adoration, not the forceful and possessive version she had lived with until recently. Her smile spread so far she thought her face would split when she grabbed her mike and took a breath.

"Its the start of something new

it feels so right, to be here with you

and now, looking in your eyes,

I feel in my heart

feel in my heart, oohh

the start of something new..."

End Chapter

Author's Note: And it is done. WHHHAAAA! (starts crying hysterically) Thank you soooo much for reading! It means so much to me! Thank you thank you so much! Until next time, this is BladeofMoonlight, over and out!