Epilouge

Winter had a firm grip upon the shrine. Banks of white snow clung to the sides of the buildings and weighed upon the rooftops. Bright patches of crimson peeked out beneath the white as Ilumi ran along the rooftop, melting snow with her fox fire. Rizuma, down on the ground, hurried to hang the last of the streamers. It was possible none of the local farmers would show up; it had only been a few months since they established the shrine. The cleanup had been tedious, and had it not been for Rizuma, Ilumi would have given up and run off into the woods for a romp on more than one occasion. She melted the last of the snow on the roof, and rivers of clear water ran down the top, forming into long dangling icicles along the eaves. They sparkled in the sun, casting multicolored lights on the banks of snow below. "Finished up there?" Rizuma called from on the ground. Ilumi launched off the roof and sailed through the air towards Rizuma. He opened his arms to receive her as she fell into his arms once more in a human form. He spun her around. "I rather like you in your fox form," he said as he nibbled her neck. She purred. "Do you now?" "You look very powerful." She laughed, tossing back her head. Life had been good. The shrine restoration was coming along, and Mikari's blessing had allowed them a measure of protection. Rizuma was not the only reason she decided to stay behind. Mikari was up to something, and being close would help her find out what. In the wake of her affair with the Dragon and her being turned into a human, she could not return to the palace. Not that she wanted to. She was happy with Rizuma. She had seen nothing of the witch. Though she still woke with panic at night, thinking she heard her whispering in her ear. As Ilumi's laughter died away, she heard the tinkling of bells-someone had walked beneath the tori arch in the courtyard. Ilumi turned, ears tilted towards the sound. She lifted her nose in the air. It was a human-not the witch. She exhaled. Would the fear ever go away? she wondered. Rizuma brushed his fingertips across her cheek. "We're safe here. There's no need to worry." She leaned her forehead against his, inhaling his scent and indulging in their private moment just a bit longer. The footsteps drew closer, and from the sound of them, they had a crowd. Rizuma pulled away, although hesitantly, and went to greet the worshipers. She followed him around the corner of the building into the courtyard, which she had cleaned of snow earlier that morning. A small group hovered near the bright red tori arch. Their coats were well made and lined with fur, and she could see from a distance the jewelry and trappings that set them apart from mere farmers. "Welcome," Rizuma started to say, but he stopped in his tracks. Ilumi peered around his shoulder. Her lips pulled back into a growl and she felt the fire in her gut churning. She considered transforming, not that these humans could see her if she did. "What are you doing here?" She tried to move around Rizuma, but he put up his hand to stop her. The humans could not see her if she did not reveal herself. "Brother," Rizuma said. Maruka bowed low, much lower than was required. For the sake of appearances he was treating Rizuma like a proper priest. What does he want? She stood at Rizuma's side, glaring at the unaware Maruka. "We've come to leave our offerings and ask the Deva for their blessing for the new year," Maruka said. There was none of his usual haughty arrogance. His voice seem tempered. There were bags beneath his eyes and a certain weight to his expression that was not there before. Ilumi recognized the members of the Zatesa clan that joined him, all those that were close to Maruka and surprisingly no guards. They could not see her, so she was free to scrutinize them at her leisure. She wondered what brought them this far out. They could have performed the new year's rituals at the family temple just as easily. Rizuma approached his brother, his hands folded in front of him. "I suspect you seek more than the blessing of the Deva," Rizuma said. His voice was not angry, nor cold, more like curious. Ilumi's chest swelled with pride. Rizuma was more generous than she would have been with his forgiveness. His brother had betrayed him and would have had him killed, given the chance. If Rizuma was willing to listen to him, however, then Ilumi would be patient. One wrong move, and she would strike without mercy. Maruka knelt down on the ground, and his household followed. The people of the Zatesa clan one by one fell to their knees and bowed before Rizuma, their heads nearly brushing the ground. Ilumi gasped and covered her hand with her mouth. "I have betrayed you, brother, I conspired against you, but you have received the blessing of the Deva. I have learned the error of my deeds and I seek your forgiveness." Rizuma bent down and placed his hand on his brother's head. "I forgive you. Because I was never the right man to lead the clan and you knew it. This is where I belong." Maruka looked up at his brother. It may have been Ilumi's imagination, but it looked like there were tears in his eyes. He stood up and embraced Rizuma. Ilumi wiped away an errant tear that escaped from her eye. It was good to know they could live here in peace without the interference of the human world. While the witch remained at large, they would never be truly safe. She took a step in their direction, intent on revealing herself to the humans, when a voice called out to her. "Wait a moment, Ilumi." She spun in place to see the Dragon leaning against the shrine building, with the careless smirk that she loved. Today was a day for surprises. "Master." She fell to the ground at his feet in a bow. He came. Why now when I no longer need his help? He waved his hand. "There is no need for that. Stand, please." She got to her feet, her stomach in knots. "Master, why have you come?" "Why are you so formal, Ilumi? I have told you thousands of times to address me as your equal." She laced her fingers in front of her. "This feels more natural; I am your servant." I never thought myself worthy of you, so I put myself beneath you. Even when we were lovers I thought myself beneath you. He shook his head. "I suppose there has been little to serve, which has led you and the others to distraction." It was not a chastisement, not really. It wasn't an apology either. She had no doubt that no matter how humble he pretended to be or how human he acted, he was still a proud creature. He did not move closer and Ilumi felt more comfortable at a distance. She had not forgotten the fear she'd felt when he tried to kill her. But he seemed unaware. When they had last parted, it had been as lovers, and now their lives had changed drastically. She never thought her life would have taken this path and she was sure the Dragon felt much the same. She still could not believe he had taken a human lover. "I have heard rumors that you and Kato are serving Mikari now." He frowned. "Mikari is rather proud of his acquisition of Kato." He crossed his arms and Ilumi knew it was taking all of his self-control to not go stomping back to Mikari's palace and demand the release of his right-hand man. "Yes," she said, not daring to say more. Lying to the Dragon would keep him safe until she could stop Mikari and get Kato his happy ending after all. The Dragon shook his head. "I'd say I'm disappointed, but…" He sighed. "I cannot blame you. I should have shielded you from the others. I knew rumors would start, but I let you suffer alone." She bowed her head. "Do not blame yourself; it was my choice as well." "You've done well for yourself, it seems. You have chosen this Hanyou?" "Yes, Rizuma and I are wed, and we are caretakers to this shrine." "You love him, this Rizuma?" the Dragon asked. She looked at him without answering. Even now, after everything they had been through, she found it difficult to express her feelings to the Dragon. The dragon petted her on top of her head. She lowered her eyes. "They have a way of creeping into your heart, do they not?" "This one did," she replied. The Dragon sighed. "We live so long, Ilumi, and they live only a moment. It is difficult to love them, they are fragile, but they love more fiercely because of it." He looked down at her. "If you have found someone who makes you happy, I want you to stay here with him." "Are you sure? I swore fealty to you…" "And I release you from your promises. I have made my own decisions, and I will not bind you to me as I chase what makes me happy." "Then I suppose this is goodbye?" Ilumi ventured. He smiled at her. "For now. I am sure we shall see one another again. We do live long lives." She bowed to him again as he transformed into his dragon form. His body filled the small space between the buildings and his back end coiled around the top of the shrine. He grinned down at her, revealing his long white teeth. "Goodbye, Dragon," Ilumi said. He bowed his head before taking off into the sky. She watched him go, closing that chapter of her life. Rizuma came running around the corner. He craned his head back. "Who was that?" His question was more curious than accusatory. "An old friend," she said as she threaded her fingers with his. They held onto one another for a moment, staring up at the blue sky, not even a cloud to mar its perfection. The dragon's serpentine body was like a smudge of paint against a blue canvas, growing smaller as he flew into the distance. She leaned her head against his shoulder and he put his arm around her, bringing her closer. "You know I will live forever," she said. He pressed his lips to her hair. "I've been thinking about that, actually. I know I will not live forever as you will, but I swear I will always find you. No matter how many lifetimes it takes." The fear of his death was real and palpable. It clutched at her heart for a moment. She tightened her grip on his hand. She saw their years stretched out in front of them. For her endless and for him, in the scope of her existence, it was finite. True, he would have a much longer lifespan than most humans. If they were lucky, they would have centuries, but not forever. I have to believe we will find one another again. I know because he was meant for me. She turned and kissed him. "I know you will, and I will be waiting for you each time."