Epilogue

"Bankotsu, Araiya, he's precious." Jakotsu said as he knelt down next to Araiya, watching as she calmed the crying infant.

"You did wonderful, My Lady, just wonderful. Both of you did, he's an absolutely beautiful child." Keiko said softly as she walked over to the exhausted young mother, Bankotsu leaning over and kissing her forehead.

"You did amazing, Love. I'm so proud of you." he said softly and saw the gentle smile on her face, "Jakotsu, would you like to hold him?"

"What? Of course I would, he's the newest member to the Band of Seven as well as my nephew, though not by blood but why should that matter?" Jakotsu rambled as Araiya carefully handed the now sleeping baby off, smiling as Jakotsu's face lit up.

"Love, have you come up with a name for him yet?" Bankotsu asked as she leaned against him and closed her eyes.

"Haru." she answered softly.

"Are you sure?" She nodded and he felt a smile pull at his lips, "Haru it is."

"Alright, Bankotsu, you are the father and have not even gotten a chance to hold him yet." Keiko said as she propped her hands on her hips and looked down at where he sat next to his wife.

"Keiko, I don't think I'm ready yet." Bankotsu answered and Araiya looked up at him.

"Why not, My Dear?" she asked and saw his reddened cheeks.

"Well, I know I'm strong, so what if I handle him wrong, or hurt him?" he asked and Araiya chuckled softly.

"I'll be right here to guide you, don't worry. You'd be surprised at just how tender you become with a baby in your arms, much less your son." she answered as she took Haru from Jakotsu, helping to settle the baby in his father's arms, "Easy does it now." she coached softly, watching as the nervous father adjusted his arms, "See, there you go. Better?"

"He's so small." Bankotsu murmured as he watched the sleeping child's face, "He has my nose." He felt his smile widen as he looked at the two tiny hands that were clutched to the blanket he was wrapped in, the little pout on his chubby face as he slept.

"You're doing just fine, Bankotsu." Keiko said softly as Araiya kissed his shoulder, resting her head against it.

"I told you that you would soften up once you held him." she teased playfully and heard him laugh softly.

"You know, it's hard to think of being cruel at all when your entire world is lying in your arms so small and innocent." Bankotsu said, "I have a beautiful wife, a new son, my brothers, and a village for us all to live and grow in."

"You better not soften up too much Bankotsu. You're still our leader and who knows what would happen if Renkotsu or I became leader. We'd get ourselves killed." Jakotsu teased as all the occupants in the room laughed, Haru becoming startled and starting to cry.

"There there, little one. Mommy's here." Araiya soothed as she took him from his father, cradling him to her chest and calming him down, "You're safe here, Little Haru. Mommy and Daddy and all of your Uncles will never let anyone hurt you."

End of A Mercenary's Mission

A/N: Thank you to all who have read and reviewed, to all of my dedicated readers and my supporters. This has been one of my favorite stories to work on and I'm sad to see it over already. Look forward to more stories that are going to be published, I've already got one that is in it's outlining stage, so it should be up soon! As always, I love you guys and hope you enjoyed it. Let me know what you think! Thank you!