@Ruka Kikuchi: Nope this is the end now
@Yuki88: Don't hurt me! Here's the epilogue! *hands it over quickly* Lol
@gekikararabuACE: Oh hi! I noticed you were gone
Ya sorry, frustration was piling up and I didn't want people to kill me haha. A prequel sounds...really interesting actually. But if I do write one it'd be at the bottom of my list, I'll consider it tho
Oh and btw...I'm hoping for an update on your story as well
No rush but I'm really too exited to find out what happens next
@abcari: It is now, sadly
@junchan: Oh haha I get that
Glad the fluff was good, tried to make it happy after all that angst lol. No don't explode! That's not healthy!
Hope the fluff here is up to yer standards (it's kinda got a little bit of everything actually)
Well guys, here it is, the epilogue I promised
Unfortunately though, this marks the end of the story and I really appreciate you all reading and commenting! Keeps me happy and motivated and makes me wanna write more!
So I guess I'll see ya next time~
I feel like I wrote the entire story just so I could write this epilogue lol
Forgotten MemoriesEpilogue: Falling Into PlaceIt wasn’t happily ever after. It’s never happily ever after. There’s always bound to be some issues that arise and are just plain unavoidable.
Sometimes it’s something (somewhat) big, like how Haruppi had been avoiding Sakura ever since she moved in. It took lots of explaining in detail and pointing out all the hints Haruppi dropped before Sakura would forgive her.
For example, the special dinners they had on the 19th of every month, in reverse sequence of the countries they had met in every lifetime. Most recent was Japan, hence the kimono-like dress and dinner, then many other countries like France, and the last but not least - their first reincarnation - Spain (which was planned for Sakura’s birthday but was skipped due to oversleeping). And another one of the reasons Sakura forgave her was because Haruppi had taken so much care in memorizing each lifetime (and because Sakura forgot about their first life together as a pair of ballerinas, so she figured she’d let Haruppi off the hook).
But then the mention of Sakura’s birthday led to whole other issue about how they missed celebrating Haruppi’s (19th of September) which she didn’t mind herself but Sakura was quite upset about. The thing about regaining your memories after coming of age (at twenty years old) is that you had restarted your life from scratch, and twenty is when you’re just about getting over your hormonal teenage years. So that’s what Haruppi chalked it up to when Sakura freaked out about (a.k.a. slamming the door in Haruppi’s face so she had to sleep in another room) not celebrating her girlfriend’s birthday. Haruppi on the other hand, was a little better off than Sakura. She had gotten her memories back a good two years prior, so she had plenty of time to think and mature (compared to our little Sakura).
And they had different birthdays every lifetime anyways so what did it matter? Haruppi just happened to be a bit older than Sakura this time around (even though this would be the last time).
Also, (luckily) Haruppi happened to have those calming powers of hers to help Sakura relax a bit before she got out of hand. It worked wonders at first, but now that even Sakura had regained her abilities her demonic aura kind of canceled out Haruppi’s angel one. So that wouldn’t do anymore.
But the thing about them is that they always made up. Always. It’s a given after all. And it’s also very helpful in mending their relationship (not that it’s ever that broken anyways, Sakura and Haruppi are both too lovable and cuddly to be without the other for too long). They had too much to catch up on anyways, even recovering their immortality through a long and intimate ritual that Sakura seriously doubted was even part of it. Honestly speaking though, they hadn’t seen each other in over two lifetimes so it might’ve been needed (just imagine the tension after that long of a period!). They spent almost every moment together either asleep or awake, as if they didn’t have all the time in the world (again, too lovable). So half the time was standoffish and the other half they couldn’t get enough of the other, either cuddling in bed (they could never really bring themselves to separate), making dinner together (Haruppi tried so hard to teach Sakura how to cook), taking walks (yes they picked up that habit again), tending to the garden (which actually ended up being a dip in the lake because Sakura pushed Haruppi in, but Haruppi wasn’t all that unhappy about it because she dragged Sakura in with her who happened to be wearing a very thin white shirt).
For a while, it was all ups and downs, goods and bads, but of course they had fun all the while and could even laugh about the bads later. And it seemed like everything had settled between the two, but not quite. There were still a few things to clear up that had been left unsaid yet.
So then another thing about them is that they always find something else to bicker about. That’s just what happens when you have so much time to spend with someone.
“We won’t be reborn again, Sakura. This is
it, our last life. No more starting over, no more being lost. We’re stuck at this age
forever.”
“But why does that mean we can’t go shopping? I want to go into to town, take a walk, a change in scenery for once and
you need some new clothes.” Sakura scooted away on the sofa to glance at the outfit Haruppi was dressed in – the same pieces of clothing that Sakura saw often, far too often.
Unfortunately, never venturing out of the estate meant that Haruppi never shopped much and only ordered the necessities. But Sakura was not satisfied with online shopping and demanded to go in person, which was what they were arguing about now.
Haruppi sighed, now a little exasperated from trying to reason with Sakura so often, too often. “We can’t interact with others so much. Eventually, they’ll suspect something. If we keep seeing the same people, they’ll recognize us and then realize that we aren’t aging, aren’t changing. Then we’ll be targeted again.”
It had happened once before, and Haruppi had lost Sakura then. She never wanted a repeat of that anguish again.
“But if we make friends with them, then I’m sure they’ll understand.” Sakura didn’t want to believe her. Surely if they revealed their secret to the right people – trustworthy friends, then they won’t be against them. Maybe it wasn’t obvious to Sakura, but it was obvious to Haruppi who Sakura was thinking of in that moment.
“And then what?” Haruppi was beginning to have an edge in her voice, growing more and more impatient with the naïve girl. “We’re all buddy buddy to the end? You know—that eventually we’ll have to leave them behind whether we like it or not.”
He gaze was cautious and warning, only trying to keep Sakura from getting hurt.
But Sakura didn’t like it.
“So I can’t talk to anyone other than you? Why are you trying to keep me locked up? Keeping me all to yourself? I have a life of my own you know, and right now, I don’t even want to talk to you at all.”
She pushed herself up from the couch and walked away, only stopping in the doorway to glare at Haruppi, then deliberately added salt to her wounds.
“I liked talking to Anna though, at least she was
fun.”
The mention of that name hit her hard. Haruppi could only watch, the mixture of emotions growing stronger with each step Sakura took as she left. Haruppi was angry, sad, exasperated but most of all – jealous.
---
Sakura was rudely awoken the next morning with a loud knock and some clothes thrown at her head (having slept in her old guestroom because she was mad at Haruppi).
“Get up, we’re going shopping.”
She heard more than saw Haruppi before the other girl swept away again, Sakura still pulling the articles off her face (Haruppi had even taken the liberty of grabbing her bra). Then before she knew it, she was in the passenger seat of Haruppi’s car as the said girl drove towards the city.
There wasn’t a single exchange of words during the entire ride and Sakura felt like there was something...off about how Haruppi was acting. Sakura had grown terribly used to the silent and mysterious Haruppi during the first few months they reunited (before Sakura regained her lost memories), but this was somehow different from usual and it made her feel uncomfortable.
And honestly speaking, whenever Haruppi acted like this, Sakura missed the old Haruppi terribly - the one from all the lifetimes before that Sakura fell in love with, the one that would always giggle and talk about the most random things, the one that acted like a child most of the time and ate everything in sight (Haruppi still ate everything but it was more subdued now). Sometimes, that Haruppi would return, like the time when they wasted a whole day messing around splashing each other in the lake (it was probably the best memory Sakura had from this lifetime), and afterwards, they’d trudged inside, drenched in water and dripping everywhere but happy. Then of course, they took a warm bath together (Sakura couldn’t forget that, now that was an experience - they never tried that place before) and spent the night cuddling like always.
But usually Haruppi was so serious now, Sakura understood she was being mature, but she seemed so much more distant because of it.
Sakura sighed, as she took a furtive glance at the girl.
I miss Haruppi...She had to get her back somehow.
But how?Sakura sighed again.
This is going to be a long day.---
Surprisingly, things were as awkward as she expected it to be. Haruppi took her to the busiest part of town with all the shops, kiosks, malls, and they went in all of them. Every time Sakura would even look at something, Haruppi would buy it for her. She wouldn’t even ask if Sakura liked or wanted it, she’d just get it with no questions asked until their arms were loaded up with heavy bags and the trunk of the car was filled to the max. It was an immense waste of money, but Sakura was a little scared to speak up about it (and she was also secretly happy about all the gifts because what girl doesn’t love a little pampering?). So it’s a good thing they’re rich after saving up over the centuries.
But besides that, another reason why Sakura just went along with it was because Haruppi seemed kind of happy for once. It’d been a while since Sakura saw Haruppi enjoy herself and it brought a smile to her face.
Haruppi laughed and joked around, like she was worry-free and cheerful, trying all the food in the stands and even offered to feed Sakura (much to her embarrassment). And Sakura swore Haruppi’s lisp came out through a few words – now that brought back memories. Then it got to the point that Sakura forgot about it too, she forgot about all her worries and just had fun spending time with her girlfriend.
They laughed and giggled and stumbled their way into a nearby café for lunch (Haruppi being awfully clumsy today), Sakura tugging Haruppi into a booth. They were that couple – the ones that like to sit on the same side, pressed up next to each other and cuddling.
Sakura ordered quickly, requesting some melon pan (a favorite food she picked up from an angel friend of Haruppi’s she’d met once).
“I thought you like soft pan better.” Haruppi commented.
“Melon pans are good once in a while, and I feel kind of nostalgic today anyways.” Sakura shrugged, prompting Haruppi to turn her attention back to the menu. Sakura knew it’d take Haruppi forever to decide so Sakura had already sent the waitress away with her own order. Now she just had to make sure Haruppi didn’t get everything on the menu.
The café started getting busy but the two were too preoccupied to notice. Sakura was arguing with Haruppi because obviously as expected, she wanted everything on the menu. Sakura was telling her that even though Haruppi was sure she’d be able to fit it all in her bottomless pit of a stomach, it wouldn’t be healthy to eat that much and that’s when a different waitress decided to come over and check up on them.
“Hi! Can I take your order?”
“Oh! Umm...” Haruppi started, still debating over her decision.
“Wait—SAKURA?!”
“What?...” Sakura glanced up from the menu at the startled waitress, meeting a very familiar face. “Aanya?”
Anna had her mouth wide open in shock (no wonder she and Sakura were best friends).
“What are you doing here?” Sakura questioned.
“What am
I doing here?! What are
you doing here?!” Anna pointed at her. “I haven’t seen you in a
year, not a single word to let me know how you’re doing or anything! I thought you were kidnapped!”
That sounded awfully familiar to Sakura, she had said the same thing to Haruppi not long ago.
“Or worse! I thought you were dead!” Anna cried. “You had me worried sick!”
Her loud voice was starting to gather the attention of everyone in the café and they were causing a scene. No doubt the manager or owner would come out soon and it wouldn’t be good for Anna if that happened.
Sakura had to stand by her choice. “Listen, Anna...”
“What happened to ‘Aanya’?” Anna quietly asked, a little emotional after seeing her long lost friend.
“Anna...” Sakura sighed, “I’m sorry. I never meant to do that to you...”
“Why do you sound like you’re leaving again?” Anna was being oddly perceptive today.
“Anna...”
“No, Sakura you can’t do this again...” Anna looked so scared and frightened. And there was a time when Sakura would’ve held her and calmed her down, but not anymore.
“I’m sorry.”
“Why?” Anna nearly sobbed.
There was no choice but to leave her behind, Sakura knew it’d hurt Anna but she couldn’t even see her anymore because Sakura would have to leave her eventually anyways. Better sooner than later. It was the drawback of the forbidden relationship – you couldn’t have any kind of relationship with anyone else.
I’m sorry Aanya, but I have to do this. I made this decision because I care about you. Please believe me. But I never thought I’d have to say goodbye this way...
Maybe Anna heard her because she froze for a split second before she put a hand up to her mouth. Sakura was sure Anna would break out crying and sobbing, but someone stopped her, someone who had been quiet this entire time.
Haruppi reached out and just barely touched Anna’s arm, immediately calming her down, her shoulders slouching and almost falling asleep on the spot. Then she did something that Sakura never would’ve seen coming in a million years.
Haruppi wrapped her arm around Sakura, planting a kiss on her on the jaw and smirked at Anna. “Sorry, but we’ll be going now.”
Anna’s eyes widened a slight bit, but she was still under the spell. And they left it at that, making their way out of the café without a backwards glance, Haruppi holding onto Sakura’s hand tightly.
Meanwhile, now Sakura was in a state of shock. She’d never Haruppi so...
possessive. And she didn’t know how she felt about it. Did she like it?
“There’s a park nearby. Let’s go there.”
Sakura didn’t protest and just let Haruppi pull her along and soon they were taking a walk through a serene little park. But the tension in the air was not serene whatsoever. “Haruppi...”
“I can’t believe that happened!” Haruppi suddenly exploded. “I knew that we’d meet someone like that! I knew it! I just can’t believe that it just had to be
her!” She gestured wildly without any meaning whatsoever, but Haruppi was obviously upset.
“What do you mean by ‘it just had to be her’?” Sakura frowned.
“Just that! Her! Your best friend or lover or whatever you want to call her!”
“Haruppi...” Sakura stared at her. They had stopped walking by now and were standing under the shade of a large tree. “...Are you jealous?”
“Wh-What?!” Haruppi stuttered. “Okay so what if I am?”
Sakura giggled lightly, finding it absolutely adorable the way Haruppi crossed her arms defiantly with a visible pout.
“Wh-What’s so funny??”
That only got Sakura to giggle harder and Haruppi started turning red.
“Sakura!”
Then Sakura leaned in and captured Haruppi’s lips in a kiss, effectively shutting her up. Haruppi was a bit surprised as she’s the one who usually does the initiating, but that didn’t stop her from returning the gesture. Sakura’s hands tangled in the short strands of Haruppi’s hair, briefly reminding her of how she loved that Haruppi’s hair was short but just long enough to play with. And Haruppi curled an arm around Sakura’s waist, carefully but pulling her closer tightly while her other hand made its way to the back of Sakura’s neck, pressing their lips together. They were in their own little world, just the two of them, and it lasted for quite a while before both took a break and leaned back against the tree trunk, chests heaving.
“...”
“...I’m sorry.”
“I’m not.”
“What?” Sakura looked at Haruppi incredulously.
“I mean, I quite like the way you got me to shut up.” Haruppi added with a cute wink.
“Haruppi!” Sakura blushed furiously and smacked her on the shoulder.
Then they looked at each other and giggled, before sliding down to the ground and leaning against each other this time. Sakura’s head on Haruppi’s shoulder, cuddling in the shade of that big tree.
“...Haruppi, I’m really sorry.”
“You sure are apologizing a lot today.” Haruppi sighed, having hoped to avoid the subject but wanting to talk about it at the same time. “I’m sorry too.”
“Why?”
“For getting mad. And for not telling you earlier.”
“You mean?...” Sakura obviously knew what she meant, but they had avoided the subject up til now and she wanted to hear Haruppi’s reasoning.
“I just couldn’t. I was afraid. Afraid that after so long maybe you weren’t the same anymore, maybe you didn’t want me in your life anymore.” Haruppi finally spilled out. “I was afraid that you wouldn’t love me anymore, that I’d lost you, and I didn’t want to force anything before your memories came back. I—”
Sakura cut her off with another kiss. It was weird how they never seemed to get tired of each other, kissing never seemed to get old and every one felt like their first.
“...Now I can’t decided if I like being interrupted or not.” Haruppi pouted when the two finally relented, but a smile tugged at her lips and that made Sakura laugh.
“Hahaha~ Ahaha ha...” The sound drifted off and both of them leaned back against the tree with a sigh.
“...”
“...”
But Haruppi had to confirm something. “About Anna...Did you...”
“Honestly? I don’t know, Haruppi...” Sakura sighed yet again, hands falling to her lap in exasperation. Now it was her turn to confess. “I did kind of miss her at first, but when I saw you, I don’t know...you just filled my mind. And then I got my memories back and Anna just...faded away.”
That sounded so sad, Haruppi knew that it could’ve easily been her that faded away like that instead of Anna. And if that happened, then Haruppi wouldn’t know what to do with herself.
She couldn’t live without Sakura.
“Ugh I feel so horrible for saying that!” Sakura groaned and buried her face in her hands. Honestly, it was really impressive how Haruppi could control herself for so long, keeping their memories secret, never touching Sakura until she had come of age - maybe it was due to her angel nature, but Sakura was a demon and she knew that she could never keep herself in check for all that time. “Bmffprmsheeshmnhwthaninsht.”
“What was that?” Haruppi only heard a muffled sound coming from Sakura.
Then she lifted her head and met Haruppi’s gaze sincerely. “But I promise I didn’t mean it when I said I didn’t want to talk to you and that I liked talking with Anna instead.”
That was something that had been haunting Haruppi for a while – those words that Sakura told her yesterday. Admittedly, Haruppi was jealous, but more so she was worried that maybe Sakura didn’t love her anymore and it pained her terribly. She loved Sakura more than anything, but what was she to do if Sakura liked someone else? Could she let her go?
But it seems that it wasn’t
only haunting Haruppi – Sakura had been worried about it too, and that reassured Haruppi more than she would ever know.
“...Then it’s okay.”
“...What?” Sakura looked at her with wide eyes.
“I said it’s okay.” Haruppi repeated, a small smile breaking out. “It doesn’t matter anymore. Even if you still like her now, I won’t stop you.” She shook her head, “I won’t put you in a cage like that, I refuse to. I love you, Sakura.”
Seeing Haruppi smile like that, Sakura suddenly remembered why she fell for Haruppi in the first place, everything she loved about Haruppi flooding her mind and falling into place so perfectly that Sakura couldn’t help but smile as well. Haruppi didn’t fade away, and she never would from Sakura’s heart. She was simply...forgotten, but Sakura would never forget again. She would cling to all those memories with everything she had. Sakura loved Haruppi no less than that fateful day when she saw the beautiful angel wandering around alone and lost in the forest.
Sakura finally understood now - why Haruppi did what she did. Haruppi had always been the one protecting her, even when she was trying to protect Haruppi. Keeping Sakura safe, keeping Sakura happy, even at a cost for herself.
Everything Haruppi did was for her and only her.
Sakura couldn’t even begin to pay her back, but she could start now, and she had all the rest of eternity to try.
The place they currently resided was littered with flowers, and all of one kind – daisies. Strawberry pink daisies.
“Gerbera Daisies symbolize a number of things. For instance, the pink color represents admiration or adoration. The daisy itself symbolizes happiness, innocence, gratitude...”
“So all the things I feel for you...” Sakura leaned in to nuzzle Haruppi’s nose playfully, earning a cute giggle from the other girl.The distant memory came back to her for a split second, and it made Sakura smile too. She used to think daisies had to be white, but then Haruppi explained it to her. And now she doesn’t think of them as tainted, just simply...dyed.
“Haruppi...”
“Hmm?” Haruppi watched her expectantly, waiting for an answer.
“You can’t compare us to anyone else...because what we have is special. Because...” Sakura leaned over once again, nuzzling in Haruppi’s neck once again and breathing in her calming scent. She felt like she could stay there forever – just with Haruppi and Haruppi alone – and Sakura wouldn’t mind, not in the least bit.
“We’ve both been dyed by the color of taboo.”
Topic: Forgotten Memories [SakuRuppi] - COMPLETED (Read 21422 times)