Don't forget that there are 2 epilogues! There is also a sequel for this epilogue. More info about that in the part after the second epilogue.

Asami's POV.

I exhaled loudly and watched my breath as it condensed in the air. It was chilly, and a thin layer of snow covered the path in front of us. His hand was cold, and I heard his repetitive puffs as he walked next to me. I buried my face further into my scarf to keep it warm, and looked down, seeing if he had done the same.

I wasn't able to suppress a smile when I saw him having his dark blue scarf pulled up to cover half of his face. It was indeed unusually cold, yet he still wanted to take a walk, and I could understand why. The trees in the forest were beautiful when coated with snow. And we didn't really have anything else to do at the house. We lived alone in the middle of nowhere after all.

''We're almost back.'' I muttered as I gave his hand a soft squeeze.

I heard Kouta whine and he pulled at my hand. ''I don't want to go back yet.''

I pursed my lips. It was too cold for me to stay outside any longer, but if I said no to Kouta, he was going to be persistent and also slightly demanding.

That reminded me of someone.

A small smile spread across my lips, and I looked up to the blue sky, which was filled with grey clouds. Even though Kouta acted the same like his father sometimes, his appearance was different. His hair was a darker shade of blue, his face was more round, and his skin color was lighter. His eyes were completely the same, though, except he didn't have creases under them.

As we neared our house, I put my hand in my pocket and took out an iron key. It would be a miracle if somebody would find the house, but I still locked it to be sure no one would enter. Sticking the key into the keyhole, I turned it, unlocking the door, and then opened it. Kouta let go of my hand and went into our home before me.

I closed the door and took off my jacket and my scarf. My hands tingled from the cold, and I rubbed them together to warm them up. When I came into the living room, which was in the same room as the kitchen due to the smallness of the house, I saw Kouta sitting in front of the fireplace. His coat was lying on the ground and he still had his thick scarf around his neck.

I chuckled and picked up his coat, and hung it over a chair before I went to my son. I crouched down in front of him, making sure not to touch the fireplace, and grabbed the end of the length of fabric, unwrapping it. It was a bit wet and slightly covered in snow that had fallen during our walk.

I stood up again and dropped the scarf over his coat. Knowing him, drying it now wouldn't really help. He was going outside again in a few minutes anyway.

''Kou?'' I called as I walked to the countertop. ''Do you want some hot chocolate?''

I saw him nod as he didn't avert his gaze from the flames, and opened the fridge. At the same time, I heard the door open, and shortly after, I heard Kouta run through the room. ''Daddy!''

I held the cup I just took out of the cabinet tighter. Everytime Kouta called him that, I felt sorry for him, and also for myself. ''Kou, he's not-'' ''It's fine, Asami-san.'' I heard Keiji say. ''I don't really mind.''

Kouta knew that Keiji wasn't his real father, but he was him as a replacement. It was understandable. Keiji was a father figure for him. His real dad was never here, and he has never been here since the last time I saw him, when I gave him my ring. A ring that I would never see again, but that didn't bother me. I treasured the ring, but I treasured the man I gave it to far and far more. I wanted to see him so badly, but that was not possible.

Madara was dead after all.

I bit my lip and dug my nails into the palms of my hands. When the contents of the cup were heated, I carefully placed it on the wooden dining table and put a straw in it so that he could drink is more easily. ''Kou.'' I called, catching his attention. ''Your drink.''

It only took a few seconds for Kou to come sit at the table. I smiled softly and placed my hand on his head, ruffling his soft hair. ''Be careful.'' I muttered as I saw him drinking slowly from the straw. ''It's still hot.''

Kouta nodded and I turned to Keiji. ''Would you like to drink something, Keiji-san?''

Keiji shook his head and sat down at the table. ''I'm fine.''

Keiji's POV.

Asami went outside to get more firewood while I stayed inside with Kouta. It was really weird to think that he was Madara-sama's son. Even though he could be stubborn, just like Madara, he was obedient most of the time. He accepted things very easily, and he never asked things that could be relevant or important like he never asked where his real father was. He just accepted that he was never home, so he will never be home. He was still very young, but he was very smart.

''Is it tasty, Kouta-kun?'' I asked, and Kouta looked up from hit hot chocolate and nodded, still drinking from the straw. Then suddenly, he stopped sipping and stared at me.

''Is something wrong?'' I questioned.

''Mommy cries sometimes.'' Kouta said abruptly. ''I can hear her at night. Mommy was crying when she went outside too.''

I gave him an apologetic look and pursed my lips shortly. She still had it hard, huh? It had to be hard, raising a child alone, especially when you're waiting for someone who wouldn't come back. Asami still held hope when she heard of Madara's death, only for that hope to be crushed. She was depressed and afraid. Living alone with no one to support you every hour of the day was frightening for her. I still remember that I or Kaede stayed here for a few days to help her.

When Kouta was born, it became even harder for her. She needed a lot of support, but she's a fine mother now. Asami must be grateful that Kouta never asked her about Madara. She still found it hard to talk about him, especially in past tense.

''Make sure to treat her well, okay?''

Kouta nodded again and resumed drinking his hot chocolate, and just a second later, the door opened, revealing Asami. She was carrying the firewood and closed the door with her foot. Kouta was right. Her eyes were red. She had been crying outside.

I stood up and held my hands out. ''Let me help.'' I offered, and Asami reluctantly gave me the firewood. She tried her best to avoid my eyes, and did so successfully. I sighed and brought the wood to the fireplace and let if fall into the basket.

Turning around, I walked back to the redhead and stopped when she was in front of me. ''Asami-san.''

She looked a bit uncomfortable, but I pulled her into a hug nevertheless. ''You can always contact Kaede or me when you need someone to be here, you know that right?''

Asami buried her face into my shoulder and gripped the sleeves of my attire tightly. She was shaking, and crying softly. ''I'm sorry for always relying on the two of you.'' she croaked guiltily. ''For bothering you with this.''

I smiled. ''We help you happily.''

Asami sniffed. ''Because I'm the mother of Madara's son?''

I grabbed her shoulders and carefully pushed her away so I could look into her eyes. ''Because we're your friends.''

Asami stared at me in surprise, tears still leaving her eyes, and I glanced at Kouta, who was getting off the chair. When he reached his mother, he tugged at her kimono while looking up to her. ''Mommy,'' he murmured. ''Don't cry.''

Asami turned her gaze away from me, and looked down to Kouta, putting her hand against her mouth and nose. Kouta's words didn't make her stop crying at all, it made her only cry more. She slowly let herself fall on her knees and embraced Kouta tightly. It became difficult to watch. These two lived here all alone, isolated from the social world, all because of a man who was already dead, and they never blamed him for anything.

Not even for leaving them alone.

Asami's POV.

''Don't stay out too long, okay?'' I said as Kouta was putting his coat on. Keiji, who was already wearing his jacket, nodded. ''We'll just walk a small round before coming back.''

I looked back at Kouta, who was about to grab his scarf, which was still wet, and I called his name. ''Kou, you'll get sick if you wear it.''

Kouta pouted at me. ''But it's cold outside.''

I sighed. ''Since I'm staying here, you can lend mine.'' I said as I walked to the coat rack, where I had hung up my scarf, and took it. Mine was still dry because I wasn't playing around with the snow during our walk. Kouta was already standing behind me very eager to see the snowy scenery outside again. I smiled and crouched down, wrapping my scarf around his neck. When I was done, I cupped his cheeks and placed a kiss on his forehead. ''Stay with Keiji-san,'' I said sternly. ''You have to listen to him.''

Kouta nodded and I got up, watching him as he opened the door and went outside. Keiji walked past me but stopped in the doorway. ''I'll bring him back safely.'' he chuckled.

I smiled and thanked him before he left as well.

Now that they were gone, I let my smile disappear.

I cried in front of them. How pathetic. I was only burdening them, and I never wanted them to see me this way, especially Kouta. What was he supposed to think of me now? Like I'm some sort of piteous mother?

I clenched my fists. Kouta was all I had left, and he was so very precious to me. I didn't want him to think of me like that. Even if the pregnancy wasn't on purpose, and even if I had a hard time raising him in the beginning, I didn't regret anything. I loved him, but I couldn't keep him here forever. I had to let him go one day, and that scared me.

I didn't want to be alone again.

''I won't die.''

I looked out of the window. It had started snowing again.

''Liar.'' I whispered.

~~~~~~~

It was starting to get dark, and Kouta and Keiji weren't back yet, but they should be soon. I trusted Keiji, and I knew he'd keep an eye on Kouta. They got along pretty well after all, but I couldn't help but worry. They have been out for almost an hour now.

Knowing Kouta, he probably persuaded Keiji to stay outside longer, and I hoped that was the case. What was I supposed to do if something had happened to them? To Kouta?

I fiddled with my fingers before I went back to doing to dishes. I'd only scare myself if I kept thinking like that. What was I even worrying about? They were probably just taking a bit longer than intended.

I heard the door creak open, and turned around immediately after. Kouta and Keiji entered the house, and I let out a relieved sigh. I was overreacting after all.

''Was it fun?'' I asked, and Kouta nodded in response. From the look in his eyes, I could tell he was tired. This time, he didn't leave the coat and the scarf on the ground, but gave them to Keiji, who was long enough to hang them up.

''I'll be going now then.'' Keiji announced. ''It's already pretty late after all.''

''Alright, then I'll see you in two weeks.''

Keiji waved for once last time to Kouta before leaving. It only took a few more minutes for me to finish cleaning all the plates, cutlery and glasses and when I was done, I dried my hands with a towel.

Turning around, I saw Kouta lying on the couch, his back turned to me. ''Kou, are you hungry?''

No response.

I sighed and walked to him, bending over him once I reached him. His eyes were closed. He was sound asleep. He did walk a lot today, so it was understandable that he was tired right now. I smiled and ran my fingers through his silky locks. He really was adorable.

I grabbed a blanket and covered him with it, keeping him warm. I bent down again, and pressed a kiss to his temple. ''Sleep well.'' I whispered as I smiled softly.

I turned back around. Kouta wasn't going to wake up anymore today, that was something I knew for sure. That meant that I only had to make supper for myself. I walked back to the kitchen, but froze when I saw an object lying on the table.

An object that was definitely not there before.

I swallowed thickly, and my hands began to tremble. Were my eyes betraying me or was I starting to see things? This couldn't be true, right? There was no way this could ever be here.

I picked it up, and looked at it from up-close. This was, without doubt, my ring. The ring I'd given to Madara. I recognized the pattern that was carved into it instantly.

''H-How?''

Had Madara given it to Keiji? Did Keiji just put this here when I wasn't looking?

This was so surreal, it made my head ache.

My eyes widened when I heard a deep, but very familiar voice. ''I returned it.'' he said. ''Just like I promised.''

I slowly turned around, and saw him standing there. How he put the ring there and got to the other side of the room, I didn't know, and I honestly didn't care. The only thing I cared about now were answers. I wanted them so badly, and I was so very confused. It made me dizzy.

Tears formed in my eyes, and I covered half my face with my hand as my chest tightened. This couldn't be true. After all that time I believed he was dead. Was this just a sick joke, or a very good dream? At the moment, I couldn't tell the difference.

I was still staring at him, while he looked at Kouta.

So many mixed feelings were running through me right now; anger, sadness, relief, happiness, shock, gratitude, hatred, and I also felt betrayed. I couldn't choose one of them. I couldn't feel either happy or angry. My feelings were a mess t the moment.

He looked back at me, and I blinked my eyes. Tears overflowed, and I heard my heart pounding, but I didn't know if it was in excitement, or in fear, or maybe even both.

But the most important thing was, that he was standing in front of me, alive and kicking. This was neither a joke nor a dream. It was reality. He was really here.

He was really here.

''Madara.''