Story Timeline: Based on the Virtua Fighter anime series, this story takes place a few days after episode 35.

New Las Vegas
10:40pm at night

As gang leaders were arrested, the rest of the Koenkan gang scattered. With the Hagakure Ninja clan wiped out, the death of Eva Durix and the destruction of the second Dural, it was finally over. Unfortunately that meant that the group would be going their separate ways, although they would all still keep in contact with each other.

Akira would once again compete in fighting tournaments, Pai would keep up her acting skills and would continue to have a relationship with Akira. Jacky would go back to Indy Car racing and Sarah was heading back to collage with Alexander, her flying squirrel. Lion would return to France and try to patch things up with his parents and try to make peace with them. Shun Di would return to China and continue his work as an herbal doctor. Lau Chan would also be returning to China and continue to teach Koen-ken. But no one knew what Kage-Maru would do next. But before that, they all celebrated on a night on the town and went back to the casino ballroom.

While Akira and Pai were slowly dancing together, Jacky, Lion, Shun Di and Lau were eating shrimp and dirking cocktails. Pai couldn't help but smile at the moment; it was usually Akira who was stuffing his face full of food. Sarah still had her hair in a ponytail but had a few strains of hair down to give it a messy but clean look. She was in a new tight black backless dress with a short skirt that showed off her thighs and legs and long black high-heel boots. She had worn that dress for someone who had become very special to her, someone she was having trouble looking for, "Did Kage-Maru leave?"

While trying to look through a crowd of people, a young Italy man in a dark brown suit with a red vest walked right up to her and with an annoying sly voice said, "Excuse me honey…" Turning around she nearly pulled herself back as he was a little too close to her. With slicked back black hair that seemed to go up, sideburns and a strange goatee, he had the whole "God's gift to women" attitude about him, a behavior that Sarah didn't care for. Looking her up and down but focusing on her chest and legs, he extended his right arm to her, "Hehehe! Lets dance." As if he wasn't a complete stranger to her and he didn't even introduce himself. Sarah was a kind and polite person, but she was going to make sure that she wasn't interested, straight and to the point, but in a nice tone. "Excuse me sir… but I'm not your honey, secondly I'm here with my boyfriend and I don't plan on anyone cutting in." Stating what she needed to say, Sarah continued on her way.

Sarah knew that she had lied about having a boyfriend, but she needed a good excuse to get away from him. The only person who came close to that was Kage-Maru since the two had become close. She couldn't forget there conversion when they were inside Eva Durix's castle in the lower levels, "Once again...you saved my life..." "And forever will it be this way, Sarah. I said it once, I have a mission to accomplish, that is to watch over you."

When she finally spotted him, Sarah couldn't help but simile, being the quiet loner that he was, Kage-Maru was standing in the corner all alone and slowly sipping champagne. In a black suit he looked like a secret agent or an assassin, which wasn't too far from the truth. Walking up to him Sarah couldn't believe she was getting nervous, "dayja" she thought. Pushing that aside she softly placed her hand on his left shoulder, "Kage?" Turning around and looking at her, "Hmm?" Their eyes connected and this was one of the many things she loved about him. Unlike so many other young men, like the person she bumped into, Kage-Maru was a true gentleman. He didn't look her up and down no matter what she was wearing, even when she wore her tight leather blue outfit, his eyes were always on hers.

"Would you like to dance?" At first he didn't answer, looking down at her feet Sarah almost began to feel embarrassed and rejected. Putting his glass down, extending his right arm to her, with a small smile on his face and in that deep voice of his he replied, "I would love to." Taking his hand, they walked over to the dance floor making there way though the other couples. As Sarah puts her arms around his neck, Kage wrapped his arms around her waist and the lights start to dim.

The song Do I Have To Say The Words? by Bryan Adams started to play
"Rescue me from the mire
Whisper words of desire
Rescue me - darlin' rescue me

With your arms open wide
Want you here by my side
Come to me - darlin' rescue me
When this world's closin' in
There's no need to pretend
Set me free - darlin' rescue me

I don't wanna let you go
So I'm standin' in your way
I never needed anyone like I'm needin' you today

Sarah rested her head under Kage's chin. From the crowd of onlookers, Jacky couldn't help but smile at the two couples.

Do I have to say the words?
Do I have to tell the truth?
Do I have to shout it out?
Do I have to say a prayer?
Must I prove to you - how good we are together?
Do I have to say the words?

Rescue me from despair
Tell me you will be there
Help me please - darlin' rescue me

Every dream that we share
Every cross that we bear
Can't you see - darlin' rescue me

I don't wanna let you go
So I'm standin' in your way
I never needed anyone like I'm needin' you today

The lyrics of the song began to resonate with Sarah, everything they had been through flashed throughout her mind. She then found herself slowly and softly kissing Kage's neck. Surprised Kage slightly turned his head and looked at her. Unsure of what to do at that moment, he decided to wait until the song ended.

Do I have to say the words?
Do I have to tell the truth?
Do I have to shout it out?
Do I have to say a prayer?
Must I prove to you - how good we are together?
Do I have to say the words?"

As the song ended, Sarah slowly lifted her head up and there eyes connected again. Kage-Maru brought his right hand to Sarah and began to gently stroke her cheek. Cupping her face in his hands they both leaned into each other and there lips met. A few feet from them, Akira and Pai were locked into a passionate kiss. Kage and Sarah wrapped their arms around each other tightly and deepen the kiss. "I've never kissed a woman before," thought Kage "so kissing the red soft pouty lips of Sarah Bryant… is something that's indescribable."

To be continued