Happy 21st birthday to me and now, the epilogue to Ai no Nitanita!

WARNING: This chapter contains a limey sex scene. While it is incredibly dulled down (compared to most of what I write now, aha), it still has its little moments... And of course, any sex scene has to come with a warning. So, yeah, don't proceed if you don't likey! (Kind of stupid to say considering you've gone this far...)

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Chapter 10/Epilogue:

Ever Blooming, Everlasting

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"It's not just a cold, Nitanita," Hanamori interrupted him with her sharp tongue. It instantly silenced a baffled Nitanita. Hanamori took another moment to collect herself. "This is not induced my weather or the human system or whatever. This... is pneumonia."

"Well, so what?"

"A pneumonia you caused."

Nitanita could only stare at her in horror.

Hanamori continued quietly, "You know about the nekomata legend. With fables and myths... Sometimes, humans have it wrong, sometimes they have it right. You were given extraordinary powers, Nitanita, as a way to make up for all the pain you endured when you are alive. But like most anything with power comes a weakness..."

"W--what..."

"The legend says that when you're around a nekomata long enough, they can cause disease."

"No... no way..."

"The house... the reason it's even more dead than usual..."

"N-no... this is bullshit..."

"The dead energy you're spreading is eating at the live energy and--"

"Shut up!!" Nitanita screamed. He turned around and kicked the living room table across the room. "Shut up, shut up, shut up!!" he wailed. He immediately went about, kicking and punching holes in the walls. Hanamori just watched him with a sad look in her glassy eyes. "I'm not the reason he's dying! I'm not the reason he's dying!!" he shouted heatedly. He broke the vases holding the dead flowers of Igarashi and Nodachi, ripping them apart.

"Nitanita, please--"

"I'm not the cause of this!! I'm not going to kill him!!" Nitanita roared. He then picked up the table, broke it in half, then tossed it across the room, just barely missing Hanamori. Then, panting, heaving and sweating, he fell to a heap on the ground, burying his face in knees and arms. "It's a lie... a fucking lie...!"

"Nitanita, listen to me please," Hanamori begged.

"Your Mistress died from pneumonia, just as that bastard did," Nitanita grumbled. "I don't ever regret hurting them, but if I killed them with disease, then the chances of Yari surviving..."

"Nitanita, LISTEN TO ME!!" Hanamori shouted, reaching down and shaking Nitanita's shoulders. Nitanita regretfully looked up at her, tears of anguish clouding his eye. Hanamori said very quietly, "It is true my Mistress and Nodachi-san died of pneumonia. And it is true you caused their sickness."

Nitanita turned away, hissing angrily.

"But," Hanamori snapped, "you did not kill them."

Nitanita instantly looked up at Hanamori, gaping. "W... what?"

Hanamori let him go and stood again. "I wasn't about to let you kill off my Mistress or her husband. So I tried everything I could, using my powers, to heal them. I had the powers to do so, to save them, but... for some reason, I couldn't."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean divine intervention," Hanamori said. "Punishment. Their bad karma finally got a hold on them. As much as I hate it, Igarashi and Nodachi's lives were not spared because it was their destiny to die from the pneumonia by the orders of the spirits. A punishment for what they did to you, and the pain they put through many people. You gave them the sickness, and it could have been cured, but powers beyond you and I would not allow it."

Nitanita bolted to his feet, getting into Hanamori's face. "Whatever the fuck used the sickness to kill those ingrate humans, won't take Yari from me! You understand!?"

"I'm afraid it's not that easy," Hanamori sighed, shaking her head. "I'm afraid he's on the verge of death. It's too late for you to do anything. Even if you should run far away from here, from him, he's all ready contradicted the disease."

"Don't say that!!" Nitanita screamed, shaking her by the shoulders. "Is there no way I can save him!?"

Hanamori stared at her feet without a word.

"Well!?"

The sakura-onna took another deep breath and removed Nitanita's hands from her shoulders. She squeezed them in her own. "There is a way..."

"How!?"

"I will give you my life-force to transfer into his body. By sacrificing myself, I have the power I lack now. Both Yari-kun, and everyone else, will be immune to you then," Hanamori answered quietly.

Nitanita took a moment to digest what she said. If she gave him her life-force... "But... you'll die," he murmured, awed.

Hanamori smiled. "Yes, but, I don't like to think of it like that."

"How can't you?"

"I'd like to think of it as a thank you," Hanamori answered sweetly. She bridged her hands and shut her eyes, thinking of fond memories. "To save Yari-kun's life would be my thank you to Igarashi-sama. She may have been a cold woman, but she loved her son so much. I know she'd want this just as much as I do. And I'm sure, if she could, she would give her life for her son."

Nitanita was amazed at what he heard. He never even considered Igarashi a human. She was more like a monster. But in Hanamori's glowing aura, he could see her tender memories.

Igarashi had cried for days when her son left her, keeping herself in solitude from the world. When her depression passed, she had asked for a beautiful sakura tree to be planted by Yari's old bedroom. "The beauty of my house has gone away. I want to make it shine again," she had said.

And she took care of her sakura tree, like she should have her son. From that cherry blossom tree sprouted the little child spirit of Hanamori, whom Igarashi named. Igarashi did everything with Hanamori that she should have done with Yari.

One day, while she was helping her practice the shamisen, Igarashi said, "My parents never paid any attention to me when I was a child. They thought I was some sort of toy puppy, to be trained, to become a genius and loved by all. Every day and night, I worked to impress my parents, but they were never happy. I was not perfect, and they hated that. I became bitter and swore I would never hurt my child as they did me. I thought if I had been standoffish with Yari, he would learn to live without depending on anyone but himself. He lived freely. But my anger and bitterness for my life caused him only pain. I wish I could take everything back, but I can't. In a way, when I die, I hope Yari-kun will come back home and say good-bye."

Hanamori loved Igarashi, her caretaker and her mother. Nitanita could now even sense the raging sadness inside Igarashi when she attacked him. Most all she felt was sadness and jealousy, because she knew, he was the only thing Yari loved. She knew Yari hated her, and it tore her to pieces and finally destroyed her.

"Yari-kun is also my friend," Hanamori added, "and even though you may not agree, you too are my friend, Nitanita."

"If you're doing this for pity as well, then--"

"No," Hanamori interjected, "no pity."

"But... I..."

"Listen to me." The sakura-onna squeezed Nitanita's hands. "This is a choice I make on my own free will. One I am happy to make, if it saves Yari-kun's life, and your happiness. It will not only save Yari-kun, but with my life energy coursing through your body, it will purge you of your deadly energy and forever keep you and your loved ones safe." Then, she added with a smile, "Besides, I'll be with Igarashi-sama. Please, allow me to do this for Yari-kun, for you, and for her."

Nitanita stared at her, not sure what to say. Hanamori chuckled, her smile so tender, so sweet. Nitanita, for the first time, truly loved and liked her. "I... I don't know how to repay you..." he whispered, bowing his head.

Hanamori giggled with a shake of her head. Her aura glowed a soft pink. "Thank me by living happily ever after with dear Yari-kun," she replied.

Nitanita watched her as Hanamori stood on her tippy toes and pressed her warm lips against Nitanita. Nitanita closed his eyes, and found energy flowing through his body, curling around his insides and warming him up. Slowly, Hanamori fell transparent, until she completely disappeared, Nitanita's hands empty.

Nitanita dropped his hands and fell against the wall. He clutched a hand over his heart, taking a deep breath. I can feel you inside of me... Healing, absorbing every cell... He shut eyes, a blissful darkness of stars behind his lids. He then slowly opened them and looked up at the ceiling. Outside, he could hear the faint melody of a shamisen playing.

"Thanks, broad," he chuckled, before darting off to Yari's room.

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Yari laid in bed, coughing. Sweat ran down his face, matting his bangs to his forehead. He was as pale as a ghost, and it seemed he'd fall in and out of sleep every minute or so. Nitanita walked quietly into the room, watching him. Yari opened his eyes when he heard footsteps. When he saw his old friend, he smiled.

"I'm..."

"Yer dyin'."

For a moment, Yari looked surprised then sighed. "I won't. I... can't... I want to stay with you..." he grumbled weakly.

Nitanita stared at his feet. There was no time to be wasted. "Hanamori gave me her life to revive you," he informed.

Yari widened his eyes. "She--? How could she--? I wouldn't want that!"

"She didn't just do it for you," Nitanita informed. "But for her mother."

"Mother?"

Nitanita rubbed the back of his neck. "The best way to transfer chi is by having sex," he explained clearly. He looked Yari square in the eyes. "In order to save your life, yer just gonna have to take it..."

Yari considered what he said. Hanamori sacrificed herself to save him and here Nitanita was, looking about ready to fall apart. Never once in his life had he ever been so touched. Yari laid the side of his head against the pillow and smiled. "My Nitanita... I've been waiting for you to take me for a while now," he whispered.

Nitanita stared at him thoughtfully. "Are you...?"

"I don't care if I were to die. I would want to die in your arms. So it's not just a matter of saving my life and thanking Hanamori for her sacrifice..." he whispered.

Nitanita bit his lip, his eye glistening. With a deep breath, he crawled onto the bed, over top of Yari like a slinking cat. Yari smiled tiredly at him, raising his shaky hands to grasp his face. "I love you," he whispered.

Nitanita smirked. "Ditto."

The nekomata considered everything for a moment, before leaning down and kissing the pale, dry lips. They were so very cold, but by seconds, they were warm. Like spring time under a cherry blossom tree. Yari laid back as Nitanita opened his kimono, untying the sash from his waist. There, he saw Yari's naked body. So fragile, so pale. Nitanita couldn't help but run his hand down his torso, causing Yari to feel chills.

Nitanita kissed Yari's bellybutton, before straddling him. He reached over and dug in the dresser, producing a bottle of oil. "This might hurt," he mumbled as he poured the oil in his hands.

Yari just continued grinning. "I don't mind..."

Nitanita chuckled and rubbed his hands together. With one moist hand, he pulled down his pants and undergarments. With the same hand, he rubbed his hardness, groaning softly. Yari found this sight erotic, chewing on his tongue. After he finished with himself, the nekomata carefully lifted Yari's legs and spread his cheeks. Yari drew a hand to his mouth, biting into his knuckles as two of Nitanita's wet fingers slipped inside him, opening and closing in scissors-like motions.

Nitanita pulled his digits out a moment later, licking them with his wicked grin. He took hold of Yari's milky hips and loomed over him. Yari spread his arms out to his sides by his head, taking a deep breath. They need not say a word. The looks they exchanged said everything they needed to know.

Then, carefully, Nitanita pushed himself inside Yari. Yari gasped, back arching, body against Nitanita. Nitanita took a deep breath, lowering his mouth to take one of Yari's nipples. He wrapped his tongue around it, then gave it a little nip.

"Nngh..."

Nitanita rocked to and fro inside Yari, at a pace Yari's sick body could handle. Nitanita dragged his lips to Yari's, sticking his tongue into his mouth. Yari groaned, one hand digging into the nekomata's scalp, the other running down his back. Yari broke off the kiss having to catch his breath, laying his head back. Nitanita ran his tongue along his throat, kissing the adam's apple bobbing beneath taunt, red and white skin.

As their bodies intertwined, became one, they began to glow the most vibrant pink. Hanamori's energy coursed through their bodies, cleansing sickness and pain.

Nitanita and Yari could forget all the unhappiness in their lives. Forget the pain, forget the anger and the sadness. It was pure bliss.

Yari took a deep breath, before with a gasp, he came, white seed spilling on his stomach. Nitanita thrust into him one more time before he arched, grunting deeply in his throat as he climaxed as well. He then fell on Yari, the both of them laying together, panting and wet.

"That was..." Yari gulped.

"Fuckin' good," Nitanita snickered. He snaked a hand down between their stomachs, wiping the ejaculation on his hand. He brought it to his lips, licking the white substance from his fingers. Yari could only scowl before smiling.

Nitanita laid his head back on Yari's chest, allowing the both of them to rest.

As they held one another in their arms, they both thanked Hanamori with all their hearts.

---

A couple days had passed since Yari recovered from his sickness.

The storm had come and gone, and now the last of winter was disappearing. The first signs of spring sprouted from the Earth in beautiful, vibrant flowers.

Yari, as usual these days, was woken up by Nitanita's insane snoring. He glanced over at Nitanita, who laid naked, half covered in blankets. He was snoring still, one hand under his head, the other scratching his belly. Yari found him incredibly attractive. Nitanita then turned on his side, snorted and scratched his ass. Now Yari found him repulsive.

As usual, Yari got to his feet and dressed himself, tying back his hair and slipping on his glasses. He picked up a small, white envelope from the dresser and slipped it in his kimono after putting on his slippers.

Stretching, he walked down the hall to the front doors. He pushed them open, getting the first smell of the spring to come. A few flowers had all ready grown from the snow. Yari looked over at the sakura tree. When Hanamori passed away, it had died. But, to his happiness, it remained blossoming ever so brightly, its leaves now a piercing pink. While it would never grow, it would also never change, remaining in bloom always and forever. Yari suspected it was the spirits' way of thanking Hanamori for all she had done for this one human and nekomata.

"Good morning, Yari-kuuun!"

Yari looked up as Suzuki and Kyoko came walking over to him. Kyoko wore a brilliant purple and green kimono with a scarf, while Suzuki just dressed in a simple, gray kimono. In her arms dangled her cat, Arisu. "Ah!" Suzuki gasped when Arisu had wriggled so much, she fell from her hands and ran at Yari.

Yari smiled as Arisu rubbed against his legs. He bent down to scratch the cat behind the ear. "She really does love you," Suzuki giggled behind a mitten.

"You look perfectly back to normal! I'm so happy!" Kyoko squealed, clapping.

"Thanks to my friends, I was able to recover," Yari said, smiling over at the sakura tree.

"We're so happy we could be of help!"

"Hey, broads!"

Suzuki and Kyoko looked up when Nitanita walked outside in his pair of hakama pants, itching his fluffy hair. "Today, Yari's mine. So go home!" he snapped tiredly.

Kyoko opened her mouth to protest before Yari rose a hand. "I'm sorry, but today, tomorrow and the next day, I'll be spending all my time with Nitanita," he apologized.

"Nitanita?" Kyoko and Suzuki mimicked, Arisu meowing.

Kyoko sighed and shrugged. "Well, then, we'll stop by soon! You better make us an exquisite lunch when we come over!" she lectured, winking and wagging a finger.

"Have a fun time!" Suzuki laughed, picking up Arisu.

Just before the two could leave, Yari reached a hand out and took Suzuki's. Suzuki blinked and turned, before stiffening when Yari caressed her forehead. Nitanita shrieked and pointed. Yari pulled back and smiled tenderly at her as all she could do was gape. "Thank you so much for your help earlier," he said, bowing.

Suzuki's mouth opened and closed before she bowed lowly. "Of--of--of--of course!!"

"Would you mind doing me a favor?"

"Anything!"

Yari took the letter from his kimono and handed it to her. "The address is on the front. It's only half a mile from here, nearby your place. It's to an Inoue-san and Ito-san, telling them I've decided to keep the place," he explained.

Suzuki beamed, eyes glowing. "YAY!!" Kyoko squealed, thrusting a fist in the air. "Yari-kun is here to stay!"

The three laughed before, after saying their good-byes, Yari was once again alone with Nitanita. "All right. Just you and me now," he chuckled, spreading his arms.

"Damn right!" Nitanita cackled with a lecherous smile.

"But first," Yari said, "we have something we need to do."

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Twenty minutes later, Yari and Nitanita walked to the far end of the estate, where the family graveyard rested. They cleaned it up a bit; pulling out weeds, sweeping and paying homage to past ancestors. They returned to the house an hour later; Nitanita repaired the damage he had done to the room as well as Igarashi and Nodachi's portraits.

Yari placed his mother's urn next to her father's; Nitanita then held out Hanamori's shamisen. Yari took it with a smile and rested it against her mother's ashes. Both nekomata and human grinned at the shamisen now laid to rest eternally by Igarashi, instantly reminding them of Hanamori.

The both of them bowed their heads and clasped their hands in prayer. They lit a few incense and said their thanks, before with one last grateful look, they headed for the kitchen for lunch.

"What do you think we should do today?" Yari asked, his face back to looking blank.

Nitanita wiggled his eyebrows. "Let's spend all day in bed. Know what I mean?"

"Are you always so vulgar?" Yari scowled, shaking his head.

Nitanita laughed and wrapped his arms around Yari's neck, pecking his cheek. "Come on, we'll do lots of fun, kinky things! Crazy, mad things!" he sniggered into the others ear.

"I don't want to do any mad things."

"Oh, but you can''t help that, y'know. We're all mad here. I'm mad. You're mad."

"I'm not mad!"

"You are, too," Nitanita snickered, "or else you wouldn't be in love with me."

Yari sighed then smiled. The both of them laughed as they walked into the kitchen. Through all the obstacles, all the pain, sadness and suffering, in the end, this love proved to be something worth grinning for.

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THE END

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After Notes:

Nekomata (cont.): Although it was explained above, the tidbit I left out on the nekomata explanation many chapters ago was they do cause disease if they hang around too long.

Ending Dialouge: At the very end, the dialouge the two exchange is a play on dialouge between Alice and the Cheshire Cat in "Alice in Wonderland." It goes as follows...

"'But I don't want to go among mad people,' Alice remarked.

'Oh, you can't help that,' said the Cat: 'we're all mad here. I'm mad. You're mad.'

'How do you know I'm mad?' said Alice.

'You must be,' said the Cat, 'or you wouldn't have come here.'"

(Expert taken from sabianDOTorg)

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Thank you all for your reviews, feedback, C&C, etc. I am very grateful for every one of you! This was an awesome story to write--I'm glad I wrapped it up nicely, as I'm not used to writing short stories. I'm glad you all liked it as well! I hope you will stick around for more stories to come. :)