Two names. One Family.
Standing by the green grassy hill, where one could see the entire capital from here, crowned by the five towers of Ground Central rising up into the clouds. So both of you can see that which you fought so hard to defend. That which you gave your lives to protect.
Only the sound of the breeze fills the air. A quiet, serene place. It was your ultimate goal, your precious dream. Yet the only place where war and strife are nonexistent… is the place where heroes like you are buried.
I laid the flowers in front of the headstone, my only offering after years of being unable to attend. Wisteria Trellis. I hope you can forgive me; but know that I still honor your memory.
Your family is doing well. Of course, I’m sure your husband keeps you up to date. The two girls we found, once lost and without direction, are now serving with the Bureau in your footsteps, guided by your memory. They have been raised well, and despite their artificial bodies, they are as human as the rest of us, even more so in fact. Spirits of steel, guided by hearts of gold. Because their reverence and love for you is still strong, even after all this time. You are their mother after all.
And in a way, I was also your son. And I thank you for the lessons you have taught me. Harsh lessons for sure, and painful lessons as well. Only now am I beginning to understand the words that you wished for me to learn.
You taught me combat. The Martial Arts. Offense. Defense. The most efficient and effective ways to disarm and defeat my enemies, using only the power of my own strength running through my arms and legs.
But you were not only breaking down my offense, dismantling my defense in our brutal training sessions. Instructor Austin may have taught me how to be strong. But you taught me why. Why I should be strong, why I needed this strength. Breaking my conceptions of why I joined, and why I fought.
I thought it was selfish. I thought it was wrong, pigheaded. I could not reconcile what you said with the person who dedicated her life to save others, willing to give her life for strangers.
Now, as I think back on that time, I understand more now.
“Your power is your own, and only your own. To fight for your own sake, and for yourself alone.”
You may never have said them, but now I hear the words you wanted to tell me.
“Because the people need YOU.”
To help others, at the cost of myself. That was how I used to think. I thought I was selfless, giving.
But even in your death, your life still shines through. A life you dedicated to living as you saw fit, so others may receive your light. A light which now drives your two daughters to strive for their best. A life with no regrets.
To change myself to help others. The realization that to help others, one must first help oneself.
It took your stubborn niece, and my equally stubborn present love, for me to realize that.
There is only one more fear I have to confront now. An enemy whose life is enslaved by death. But I will be safe. With both of you watching over us, I am confident we will succeed. And I have someone who will keep me on my path should I go astray.
I hope both of you are happy where you are. And may Her Light bless both of you.
-----------
There were no tears in his eyes.
Only a sad, yet solemn reverence, as he genuflected by the headstone, engraved with the name.
-Quint Nakajima-
And nearby, the tombstone with another important name to him. A sketch portrait of her, framed in gold, leaned serving as a reminder of the smile she gave to him in life.
-Shinobu Nakajima-
He stood up, and with his right hand gave his best salute. Never had he seemed more stalwart, or confident.
For the both of you. In my own silent way, for shaping this man into the person he is today. Thank You.
“You two!! Carryall’s arrived back at GC! There are other places to make out!!!”
…
Mai, thank you for saving me the trouble of smashing Wesson’s family jewels myself.
“Shall we go then Kay?”
I felt a hand hold mine. A warm and assuring hand. I held his in return.
“Anytime Glock. Let’s go.”