53Epilogue: A Wedding for Heroes
The months between Pearl's final battle with Towa and Mira and her wedding to Kenshiro were peaceful. Nothing world threatening happened, Rachel, Bage, Amaya, and Hirohito had a hand in making sure that any warpers that wanted to cause trouble would regret it, with help from Ryo and his permanent destruction of Shadlyn and Yuu. With the peace finally settled, Rachel, with Ryo's help, was able to bring her Mother back from the dead. No one who saw mother and daughter reunite could stop the tears from falling from their eyes. Rachel ensured her Mother, Yumi, was ready for a new life. Yumi chose to move to Cashew Village, along with the Himuras and Takani Megumi. Megumi got to work as a doctor, while Yumi became a teacher, Kenshin and Kaoru divided their time between raising Kenji, starting a farm, and starting a Kendo Dojo.
In time, the day arrived for her and Kenshiro to be married. In accordance with Cashew Village's traditions, Pearl wore a black kimono and veil to represent the cool, dark, and feminine force of Yin, while Kenshiro wore a white kimono to represent the hot, light, and masculine force of Yang. As Kenshiro previously explained to her, she had to go to the graves of Shurayuki and Shiro, Kenshiro's parents, and kowtowed to their graves three times. High Priest Hideaki declared, "Shurayuki and Shiro, this woman, Pearl, wishes to join your family by marrying your son, Kenshiro. If you are displeased with her as your daughter, I implore you to give us a sign!" Hideaki and Pearl were the only ones at the graveyard, all the rest of the guests, and Kenshiro, were waiting outside of it.
Bright light filled the sky, everyone looked up in shock as The Supreme Kai of Time appeared in her adult form, dressed in a shoulder-baring kimono of white and gold, with two people floating down with her. One was Shurayuki, dressed in a sky-blue kimono and looking like a Queen, while the other looked like a slightly older, and thinner version of Kenshiro, dressed in a green kimono the same shade as freshly cut grass. The only major physical difference was this man's eyes were softer than his son's. "SH-SHIRO! SHURAYUKI!" Hideaki cried in amazement. "Greetings," The Supreme Kai of Time said, sounding like a Goddess. "I am Chronoa, the Goddess of Time. Pearl and Kenshiro have loyally served me for a year, and saved this world many times," the Supreme Kai of Time said, as she produced a giant Scroll, and showed Kenshiro and Pearl training, the battles they fought, and the battles Pearl fought and won with help from his training.
"In return for their service to me," the Supreme Kai of Time explained, "I have decided to allow Kenshiro's parents, Shiro and Shurayuki, a day on Earth that they may give their blessing to Kenshiro and Pearl's marriage." Shiro and Shurayuki stepped forward to the still bowing Pearl. "Pearl, stand up," Shurayuki told her. Pearl did and saw the halos over Shiro and Shurayuki's heads. The two dead people embraced Pearl, and said, "Of all the women in the Universe, we're proud that Kenshiro chose you to be his wife." Pearl broke out in happy tears as Hideaki lead her down to the wedding procession.
They were all led to the Village Square, where the whole village was waiting, along with Ryo and all his friends, along with Barit, Taoretta, June, Amaya, Bage, Hirohito, Yumi, Kenshin, a pregnant seeming Kaoru, Kenji, Megumi, Beate, and Rachel, and Soon as well, standing tallest. Pearl's whole family watched as Pearl and Kenshiro stood in front of Cashew Village and she and Kenshiro made their heartfelt vows. Shiro and Shurayuki with Jinbei and Kamiki raised their cups and toasted Buudikka and Glutto with a loud, "KAMBAI!" and as they drank, their families were united as one. The next hours were a whirl for Pearl as she and Kenshiro and their friends shared their stories with all who asked, statues of Kenshiro, Beate, Jade, Shurayuki, Bage, Amaya, Barit, and Brocc were presented to everyone. Food and drink flowed, the only feast that could compare was the one the Supreme Kai of Time wished for after Pearl defeated Towa and Mira.
There was music and dancing, Ryo and Bage entertained people with a sumo match between them and showed off their warper powers to do magic 'tricks'. Barit and Amaya put up a small spar that left the villagers thrilled, along with Buudikka who happily showed her skills that let her be a Tenkaichi Budokai champion. Pearl danced around with Kenshiro in traditional dances of his village, following his lead enough to not miss a step, enough for people to think she had known the dances all along. The celebration lasted well into the night, before at last Kenshiro and Pearl decided it was time to leave. They had bought a cabin before now, nearby Jinbei and Kamiki's own house and farm. Kenshiro floated up and declared, "Thank you! Everyone! This is truly one of the greatest days of my life!" Everyone cheered at his announcement. "But now, my wife and I, must go, to enjoy our honeymoon!"
The villagers cheered again, with a number of saucy people including Ryo and Jade giving hearty wolf whistles. The villagers who were married all lined up in pairs and raised their arms to form a tunnel. Kenshiro floated down and took Pearl's hand. Together, the two of them ran through the tunnel of people, everyone's faces were smiling and wishing them luck as they ran. The last couples they ran past were their parents. Both couples watched their children run with joyful tears in their eyes. Pearl could only laugh during the whole run as she and Kenshiro reached their new home and he lifted her up. She pulled him into a kiss as they crossed the threshold into a new life, and even greater adventure…
The End
