And the Snow Fell and Covered the World, a Prétear fanfic

And the Snow Fell and Covered the World: Epilogue

By Soyokaze

The castle was being rebuilt. As a kind gesture, in his first few days of appointment the new Shimo Chieftain offered them all a place to stay until the Pretear Palace could be restored. They had appreciated the offer and taken it willingly, but to the Leafe Knights, there was always something wrong with not being at home. They had waited for two long weeks, and now they were ready to return.

Kei had been his usually snappy self after the battle. He was unable to remember anything that had happened to him- or so he told. None of the Knights could really determine if what had haunted his eyes during battle was completely gone from his mind. It was clear that Kei wanted to hide whatever it was, or at least the effects it was having on him, from anyone else. The other Knights did not press him. They all knew the struggle of dealing with secrets from the past.

The kids were all in perfect health, and they played occasionally, but with none of their previous joy; more as an activity to occupy a little of the copious free time of which they found themselves in possession after Saihi and the Tree had been defeated. Shin and Hajime still sobbed when they awoke to find only six at their table when there should have been nine. There was no Wildfire there to be a mentor, no Goh to be a father to them. Mannen was the one who now comforted the younger Knights, and stood strong as an example before them. He felt very lucky and very- very privileged- to have had that last conversation with Goh. It was almost as if the Knight of Fire knew how the battle was going to end and was passing the baton. For Goh, Mannen wept his tears in silence and was a shoulder for his brothers to lean upon.

Hayate could be found normally watching the children play and spar and absently correcting stances or approaches in the only desperate way he could connect to anything aside from memories after the struggle with the tree. He refused to let any sort of service be carried out for Goh or Himeno until they had returned to the palace. The other Knights understood his sentiment. He was considering the restoration of the half-dead Leafenia. If it could happen to a continent, could it not happen to two single beings? He wanted them given a fair chance to return. He saw Goh die before his very eyes and be sucked into the Tree of Fenril and become part of it, and he saw Himeno rising above them and her body dissipating into pure white light. There was a tiny bit of hope inside of him, hope that he could not afford to let die. It was nearly all he had.

Sasame was hardly seen by the other Knights, but they all understood that in addition to their losses, he had to deal with one of his own. Takako had been put to trial as quickly after the defeat of the tree as possible. People had flooded the courtroom, shoving and pushing each other to get a glimpse of the infamous Saihi who had killed at least one of their loved ones each. It was a tough but short trial; no matter how the Knights stood before them and preached Takako’s redemption, there was nothing to be done about the wrath and hatred the people felt toward her. Whether they truly believed it or not, the Council’s hand had been forced. Takako was scheduled to be executed.

Sasame sat with them every morning, the same smile on his face, acting as if everything were normal, but they could see the tears he had cried for Goh and Himeno and Mawata, and they could hear the tremble of his voice when he told Hayate or Kei of his visits with his fated love. They spent many hours together, trying desperately to make up for so much lost time. The Knight of Wind had yet to visit Takako, but he knew that it was something he had to do before she was hanged, not only for her but for himself as well. Sasame had dropped a few hints that he was not uncomfortable with it, and Hayate knew that those actions were for Takako as well; she would want to leave as little negative emotion in her wake as possible, and would try to repair as much as she could as well as she could. For that, the Knight of Wind had an odd sort of respect for her.

It was finally time for the Knights to return to their home, dark, cold halls full of hard memories, but warm ones as well. The castle was a part of them just as surely as each Knight was a part of their family. The six of them stood before the new Shimo Chieftain and his secretary and advisor, and Hayate stepped forward, now being the oldest of them and thus their representative, and shook the hand of the freshly appointed Chieftain, who was a man about ten years his senior. The new Chieftain was a fine gentleman with firm, optimistic ideals and a glow of youth and kindness about him. Hayate smiled at him in gratitude as well as he could, and the Chieftain took his hand with a good grip and returned the smile fondly.

“We have enjoyed having you all grace our territory,” he said in a quiet, well-spoken manner. “I’m sorry to see you go, but I hope you find your new home just as dear as your old one.”

Hayate inclined his head in respect as their hands fell apart. “Thank you. We appreciate your hospitality.”

The Chieftain’s smile widened. “My men will accompany you as far as the gates.” The man then surprised Hayate by bowing low and reverently. His next words were heavy with so many sacrifices, struggles, and triumphs that Hayate was nearly overcome by them. Such simple words, but so immersed in emotion.

“Thank you.”

Hayate was speechless for a moment, but he regained his composure well enough to stammer in reply, “It is our duty. We’re glad to do it.”

The Chieftain only kept smiling as Hayate retreated to his group, and patted Sasame on the shoulder surreptitiously, as he had been prone to doing just recently. Mannen was chattering away to Hajime while Shin held onto his pant leg and constantly asked for the banter between the two to be repeated for him. Kei put one hand on his hip and made up the rearguard. They were two less, but they were a family all the same.

In a dark cell, the distant echo of footsteps and the dampness of soil ever present, one pale hand slid into another.

“I love you.”

“And I you, Takako. I just wish...”

She put a slender finger to his lips. “No. You don’t. There is nothing to be done for this. I must atone for the mistakes I have made, as we all must. I will pay for my lack of control and my lack of regard for other life, and my selfishness.” Such conviction. She’d had plenty of time to gather her wits about her in preparation. Saying good bye to one whose value she had been ignorant of and whose love and devotion she could never repay would be the most difficult thing she had left to do. She bowed her head, her hold on his hand tightening, and smiled sadly. “I just wish I could avoid causing you more pain, Sasame.”

“Don’t think of that,” he replied, moving nearer to her and wrapping his arms around her, trying to warm her cold body. They did not have much time left.

“You’re right. I’ll think of the beauty this land will have without me, because of Himeno.” A moment of silence. “I’ll think of Himeno.”

He nodded as she buried her face in his robes, welcoming the offered embrace. It was probably the last time they would share a moment like this. He did not want to leave; she had asked that he not come to the execution. He thought she was doing it for him initially, but she did not want the last thing she saw to be the pain and horror on his stricken face. He understood.

They held each other for another hour. At midnight, he left.

It was not that much different. Every stone was new and polished, and seemed to have a whiter color, but other than that silvery sheen everything seemed to be just as they had left it. Even the furniture had been replicated. The smiths of their territories had probably worked very hard at refining their finest pieces, though what imperfections had been erased the Knights could not recognize. Everything was as it should be. Almost everything.

Kei was almost afraid to look into the assembly hall, afraid to see what was left for him to accomplish. The people who were rebuilding for them had already voiced confusion and discomfort upon examining those ruins, but Kei had eased their fears by saying that he would take care of the mess the tree had left behind. He turned the corner, nearly blinded by the bright sunlight pouring in from the skylights, to see the altars of the Hi, the Kaze, and the Oto still standing in the sun, as if in wait. The Knight of Light’s boots clicked on the hard marble as he approached them, slowly, delicately, as if he feared they would crumble before he could reach them.

His dark, slender fingers met the stone concave of the altar of the Hi. It still felt warm, even though Kei knew Goh’s hands had not touched it for weeks, and never would again.

There were small indents in the floor, side by side, to the left and right of the three remaining symbols. The rest of the altars were waiting for him.

Kei rolled up his sleeves, took the few crumpled notes he had brought with him out of his robes, and began a plan.

All their stained glass in the hall where windows honored those who had passed on before them had been replaced, and the pictures were as beautiful as ever. Hayate and Sasame walked side by side through this hall, their eyes falling listlessly on the pictured tales of greatness, and their minds wandering to their lost loves. That morning, Takako had been executed. Hayate felt that there was something happening inside Sasame that he was not allowing the rest of them to see, and to be honest, he was afraid of it. Hidden feelings were the seeds of wickedness, especially when such power was involved. He could never think wickedness of Sasame, but it was something that had to be addressed, something that needed to be addressed. More for the Songbird’s health than anything else.

Hayate had been making small talk, noting pictures on the windows as their pace slowed. The sunlight streaming in the windows made everything seem to glow and diffuse, as if collapsing at some infinitesimal level. Sasame walked over and placed the tips of his fingers at the windowsill of a window depicting the first Knights, their figures proudly displayed in beautiful color as the scene must have played out after the defeat of the first Saihi. Hayate reached out with strong fingers, coming just short of touching the smooth surface.

“This is beautiful.”

Sasame nodded, looking past the image, out over the continent. “I think it’s even better than before.”

“Yes.” Hayate withdrew his hand. It fell back to his side limply as he turned to the younger Knight. “I’ve always wondered if we’d ever-” The Knight of Wind stopped himself. That wasn’t what they came here to talk about. “Sasame, I just wanted to make sure that you... that you didn’t need help.”

Sasame smiled softly at his wording. “No, Hayate, I think I’ll be fine.” His eyes fell to the floor. “It will take some time. But I think I’ll be fine. I have the closure I wanted, I guess.” He turned, and Hayate could sense the barest hint of bitterness in his voice, but he realized that Sasame was learning from past mistakes and was determined not to let that bitterness get the better of him. He had no cause for worry, but still he did. They would both be going through something difficult when they finally realized that their loved ones were not coming back. Sasame made to walk farther down the hall, but stopped suddenly.

“Hayate...” he murmured, astonished. Hayate hurried to his side, and saw what had surprised him.

At the end of the hall, a new window had been installed. There was an inscription beneath it, that said something poetically obsolete, but the picture was the important thing. It was a delicately framed piece of work in which Himeno, glowing in a white shell of light, spread her wings around the seven Knights. Goh was right next to her, his flame burning bright in the sun. Mawata was falling from them, and Goh, Sasame, and Himeno were each reaching a hand down towards him. Kei had a hand towards the sky. Hayate was holding his sword valiantly above his head, while the three children held onto Himeno’s feathers, looking less like they were supporting themselves and more as if they were helping her.

Sasame grabbed his arm. “Hayate...” he muttered again. It was an honor they had never imagined would become theirs. And yet it was.

Hayate let out the breath he had been holding as he saw the window, and saw who was standing in the light spilling through it, a white dress falling over her body like water.

Himeno reached out for him. “Hayate,” she began, softly, her eyes shining beautifully. “I’m sorry I took so long.” She took a few steps forward and to the side revealing a second figure. “I ad to pick someone up along the way.”

She looked different; her hair was shorter, her eyes were greener, her skin a healthier shade of pink. But it was definitely Takako. Himeno had worked another miracle.

Sasame ran to her without another thought. As he touched her, he realized that she was real, that somehow she was staying with him. He could feel that a part of her had been changed, but it was not a change she seemed to resent. Takako wrapped her arms around him and they stood there in the light, with that dreaming, diffused look cast on them by the light through the stained glass. It all really was like a dream.

Hayate walked forward, taking Himeno’s offered hand and kissing it softly, still in a degree of shock. The Pretear was not to have that kind of attitude upon her arrival. She grinned mischievously and pounced, bringing Hayate to the floor with her in the kiss she never gave him before they all were healed. Takako saw over Sasame’s shoulder, and realized that she held no jealousy. With Sasame in her arms, loving her more devotedly than she had ever envisioned, she wondered how she ever could have.

Himeno was new, pure, alight with life. Hayate knew something in her had changed as well, but he welcomed it. She was more a Pretear now than ever, but she was also more his now than she had ever been before. Hayate was fond of that, and whispered in her ear the reply he never gave her.

The newly constructed assembly room was full again, overflowing with people of Leafenia, mere months later. Takako hid in the corner of the room, perched on a statue, her face cloaked even though Himeno had changed her appearance. She was watching, smiling, as the Knights, with Pretear in the throne at the center of their group, stood with hands crossed in front of them. In their uniforms, they looked so regal, so poised, so... unlike their normal selves, the girl thought with a giggle. She knew it was necessary to keep up appearances, but that did not make it any less amusing to her.

The Chieftains were entering through the small aisle that had formed amidst the throng of people, leading from the door to the throne. They marched single file, each approaching the throne and bowing to the Pretear. Himeno would nod in return, and Takako could see the laughter barely contained between her lips as she struggled to maintain her stern composure. The Chieftain would then walk to the side, and turn at a sharp angle to end up facing the audience in front of the elevated level which held the Knight of their territory, before the shining altars Kei had reconstructed for them. The altars were still mostly shells, but Kei was proud to have resurrected the symbols and the people’s confidence, even if the process was still far from done. The altar of Hi remained untended. The Chieftain of Hi was preparing to do something about that.

He entered, a short blast of haughty, uncharacteristic music hailing his entrance, and in response Himeno stood, folding her hands as the Knight and Chieftains next to her had done. Behind the Chieftain of the Hi followed a small boy, only about seven or eight, whose short legs had to double their paces in order to keep up with the older man. Himeno could not resist a smile as the two approached the altar, and the Chieftain of Hi gave the small boy a little nudge. The boy blushed, obviously embarrassed at having to be prompted, and climbed the few stairs to the Pretear’s throne. Himeno held out her hand to him, and he took it. A wave of heat made the throne shimmer.

Himeno broke contact, grinning and putting her hands on the boy’s shoulders. “You’ll be great!” she complimented him in a whisper, earning a bright, less uncertain smile from the boy. A little of his self-consciousness vanished. She cast her eyes over the crowd, commanding and warm.

“We welcome this child, Akako, as the Seventh Knight, the Wildfire, wielder of the flame!”

A vociferous cheer went up in the throne room as the sun shone down on them and the six Knights rushed forward to meet their new brother.

Just outside the window, hidden in the rose garden that had somehow weathered the storm of Saihi and bloomed copiously through all that hardship and suffering, some heartfelt, tear-stained words had been carved in a large arched stone that protruded from the soil. There was no body beneath the earth, only eight flowers above it, scattered there to honor a memory that would never be forgotten.

And a thousand years later, a coral-haired girl charged out of a shrubbery and trampled her lover-to-be.

NO! It can't be over! (sniffle)

Well, it's been fun, guys. I want to extend a hearty thanks to all reviewers, especially those who stuck with me for the long haul. You guys are the reason I kept on writing and worked so hard, so you all deserve a part of the credit for this piece. And don't be afraid of e-mail!

I want people to continue reading this story. I'm damn proud of it. Spread the word! It only took me... holy crap, this has gone on for almost a year? Whoa. And now it's over... gosh.

But don't worry! Sequel ideas are in the works... and I'm open for submissions...

Until then, check out some of my other pieces, if you feel like it. There are a couple of good ones, but I must say, this is my baby. Thank you again, and see you soon!

Jeez, I sound like I'm accepting an Oscar or something.

Last review replies:

Katana-Seishin: Thanks so much! I hope the epilogue was all you expected.

moongirlSelene99: And that was a fabulous idea! I just hinted at it, but it was a nice way to tie the two stories together. Thanks a lot!

Sakura Blossom-Cilla-85: She's back! It's okay!

Kaeru Soyokaze: She is awesome. It's seldom in anime that we find a strong female character who doesn't have huge boobs or no brains. Himeno kicks serious ass! (update... just a hint...)

keiluva: Everything's great, isn't it? Candy time, yay!

KeyQuis: Wow, thank you. I'm sorry you're sick, but I'm glad you found my fic.

flurorescentpinkfairies: I'll miss it too, sigh. Yes, it was quite sad, but I hope the super-long finale was happy enough! HIMENO'S BAAAAACK!

Leo of the stars: Thanks so much for your loyal reviews and constant praises, but I'm really not up for a real person-insert in this tale. Probably not a good idea. But Sasame ended happy!

Athina Dark-Angel of Death: Not weddings...or family issues... yet. (mischievous grin)

himeno-kagome: Thanks for pointing out my mistake. I feel stupid, I promise I can count... oops.. But Goh couldn't come back because he became part of the tree. His memory willendure, though.

Demonic Silence: Aw, I'm sorry I made you cry, but I'm glad you were touched! (waves bye)

kaiba-queen: Wow, thank you for the compliments! The fic's never been called incredible before! Yay!

Lovegoddess567: Thank you so much, and I appreciate the review!

Kazumi Tachikawa: Aww, don't be depressed. Everybody's happy now!

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