My Future

Final Goodbye

A.N. So I actually had a dream about this chapter. So enjoy.
December 2, 2006
"Hey Draken?! Where do you want these spark plugs?" Over a month and we finally had all the parts in stock to start doing bike repairs. We should have some inventory arriving in later on today as well! Things were finally taking off and the two of us. "I'll take those." He took the box off my hands and walked to the back. I found myself staring at him in his work uniform as he walked away. "Looking good babe!" He turned to me and I winked at him. He laughed before disappearing to the back. I walked over to the reception desk and begin to fill out the dates in the appointment book. The bell above the door rang. "I'm sorry we're not actually..." I turned around and stopped. "Mikey? What are you doing here?" About the same time Draken came up from the back. His eyes grew wide when he seen Mikey standing there. He stood in front of me. "I'm not here to fight or start trouble. I was really just hoping to talk to the two of you."

I looked over to Draken and he looked at me. "You wanna take him to the office? I'll just lock up so nobody else comes in?" He nodded and Mikey followed him. I ran over and locked the door and joined the two of them in the office. Draken sat at his desk and Mikey sat on the chair in front of the desk. I just stood leaning against the wall. "What are you doing here Mikey?" He sat there with a blank expression on his face. He slowly turned to me. His eyes drifted to the bruise on my arm before coming back up to my own eyes. "First and foremost I owe you one hell of an apology Adriana." Him calling me by my first name and not Ari shook me. "I hurt you both physically and emotionally and I swear that was never my intention. My life has been a living hell. Ever since Shinichiro died. I can't do it anymore. The past four years has been nothing but me keeping these dark urges at bay."

He sighed and just stared at the floor. I knew what he meant. I knew of the dark urges. I have them as well. "But I just can't do it anymore. That's why I wanted to see you both and talk to you one last time before I finally lose my mind." He looked up at Draken, his eyes full of emotion. "Thank you Kenny. For always being by my side. It meant more to me than you will ever know. I'm sorry I couldn't be there for you when Emma died. I should have been." He glanced at me and smiled softly. "But somebody was." Mikey got up and walked to the door and turned back to us. "I noticed it. Shortly after Emma died I saw just how close the two of you were becoming. When you left I knew only one person would be able to bring you back. That person was Kenny. And he did. You two helped each other and probably didn't even realize it. Take care of her Kenny. Ari is one of a kind." Just as he was about to walk out of the office his eyes turned dark. "Don't expect any special treatment next time we meet. The Kanto Manji Gang is The Black Moons enemy. I don't want to fight the two of you, but I will." He walked out leaving the two of us just standing there.

Draken laid his head on the desk seeming almost defeated. "Oh Mikey. You didn't have to fight this battle alone." I walked over to him and wrapped my arms around his shoulders. "Your right. He didn't have to, but he chose to. He made his choice Draken. There is nothing more we can do." He placed his hands on mine and sighed. "I know." A horn blowing outside got our attention and we walked into the lobby. "The bikes are here!" I looked to Draken with a huge grin on my face, one that was mirrored on his. We worked with the delivery drivers to set up the bikes and get all the finishing touches done. "Alright! The only thing we lack is the phone line and they're gonna be here to work on that Monday. So... we should be set to open up on Tuesday!"

Draken put his hands in his pockets. "Finally. Are you sure you don't care to help me out with the clerical stuff?" I shook my head. "Of course not. You'll have your hands full with sales and repairs anyway! I'm delighted to help." The bell dinged and we both turned towards the door. In walked Mitsuya, Chifuyu, and Pah. They looked around and Mitsuya spoke. "Looks good in here guys!" Draken took them to the garage leaving me in the lobby on my own. I took out my phone and typed out a quick text to Hina asking her if she wanted to grab lunch tomorrow. I put my phone back in my pocket and joined the others. Seeing Draken so happy filled my soul with joy.

"Hey! I'm gonna head on home, okay?" I said goodbye to them all and rode my bike home. There was three packages sitting on the front step. Two of them I was expecting but the smaller package I was not. I carried them in, one at a time, then picked up the smaller package and opened it. Inside was a letter along with a framed picture. It was the picture we took the day Toman was disbanded! I quickly opened the letter.

Ari,
We may not be friends anymore, but the memories I shared with you, Draken, and the others will always remain close to my heart. I hope you realize now that I left so I wouldn't hurt you. You have them too don't you? The dark urges? Just please don't let them control you. I don't want you to lose against them as I have. Emma would be happy. Knowing you are the one Draken loves. I hope you enjoy the little memento. Thank you for loving me. If only I had met you sooner.

Merry Christmas
Manjiro Sano

I slowly folded the letter up and took it to my bedroom, putting it in my night stand. I took the picture and propped it up on the kitchen counter. I quickly ripped into the other two boxes. I pulled out the beautiful pre lit tree and began to assemble it in the living room. About that time Draken walked in. "What in the world have you gotten yourself into?" I grinned as I fluffed out the branches. "It's a Christmas tree silly. Come help me." The two of us decorated the tree together and he picked me up by my waist and I put the star on top. I stepped back to take it all in. "It's perfect! Absolutely perfect. What do you..." he cut me off as he threw me over his shoulder. "Draken what are you doing?" He carried me into my room and tossed me on the bed. "Isn't it obvious? I'm enjoying my time with my girlfriend." I laughed as he kissed me deeply spending yet another night with the man who saved my life.