//------------------------------// // Final Chapter- The last Goodbye // Story: The Lone Plum Blossom // by Leoheartxx2 //------------------------------// A week have passed since Jino and Master Kira returned to Ponyville. Although Jino now carries a heavy burden that now weight heavy on him, he did not frow nor show regret. Feeling restless, he went to the town bridge at the edge of town and sat there by himself. As he stares into the water, he can't but help remembering those long gone past he left behind. These few days really got him, sleepless and tired he continue to mesmerise himself by looking into the reflected image in the river .Unknown to him, Fluttershy was observing him from afar. "There's no need to hide Fluttershy...I know your there..." Jino continues to stare at his reflection in the river. "....umm...Jino...is it true....that..." Fluttershy slowly trots toward Jino and started speaking but she could'nt pour out her question. She was afraid of something. " You know what Fluttershy.....ever since I met you...I never really knew how much I change...come to think of it...i kinda forgot what I was really like.....the different side of me....." Jino let out a sigh, but he eyes still lock onto the water below, his reflection sway to the water. " Jino....the time at the hospital...did you really meant it?" Fluttershy finnaly usher herself to speak. That day. Yes. Jino mentioned that one particular sentences even he cannot forget. He had promised Fluttershy that he would never leave her side. But promises are sometime meant to be broken. For the greater good or for lost cause. Jino could'nt bring himself to face Fluttershy. His heart weight heavy, too reluctant to see the probably sadden face of that beautiful mare. Fluttershy stood close to Jino's side. Her face appears on the reflection from the water below the bridge. Sigh. So much had happen, but so little time to cherish them all. They say there is no greater woe than to remember the good and happy times. Memories. Enough said. Kirin....how I wished you were here by my side now. I'm so confuse. " All I ever wanted...was a simple life, with nothing more than to spent my life and all my time with the ones I treasure the most. But fate was not that kind of a mistress." Jino sigh " Jino....what ever you do, is always enough for me. But....." " Fluttershy, do you remember that night of my welcoming party? We stood at this same bridge, under the moonlight? " Jino's face starts to blush a little. It was the night of his life. The kiss from the fair pink mane maiden that change his life.Perhaps it was too soon, but somewhere in his heart he wish he could go back in time and do it again. "Ya....*giggle* " Fluttershy blush a little, but still let out a smile. It was an unforgetable night. Jino finnaly usher himself to lift his head and look at Fluttershy. Her smiles, lighten the dark clouds that hangs over his head. Her eyes, were like an angel's. Beauty beyond all measures. " Hey Fluttershy....if you're not busy or anything? You wanna hang out? I mean like...I'm kinda free and all." " Ummm...sure Jino " She smiles with a wide grin.That angelic smile,how could anypony not fall for that. Jino smiles back and nod in agreement. ******************************************************************************************************************************************* Jino spent another week in Ponyville. But as if time was without mercy, it was already over. Jino stares into the empty cyling on his bed. His eyes fixed a little cobweb at the corner of the room. His mind was empty, but his heart was deeply burden. It might be true it was his mistake to have let Fluttershy take his heart, but he never regret it for doing so. As he slowly turn his head to the side, he notice a very familiar flower on the edge of the window. A plum blossom. " It's time...." Jino slowly gets up from his bed and starts packing his stuff. He packs everything, leaving only the blade he carries all the time. A quick pull, the blade hums once more in the air as he swings it around. But as it return back to it's protective cover, tears suddndly builds up in Jino's eyes. Unable to hold it all back, a drop of tears drops on the floor, breaking the silience in the room. Even the hardest of stallion will still cry, Jino was not an exception. Jino double checks everything incase he left something behind. " Guess it's time ha? " Applejack appears behind him, her hat lowers. " Seem like it. I'm gonna miss this place and everypony, especially you Applejack..." Jino finnaly packs his things and turn to face Applejack. " Awww shots...Ya din't have to say that. No matter what ye do ha' will always rememeber ya by...." " Thanks Applejack. That mean a lot to me...." Jino gave her one long hugs. " Don'tcha forget bou't us here..." " Wouldn't dream about it." Jino and Applejack both took their time walking towards town, where Jino was suppose to meet his escorts. They talk and talk till they finnaly reaches his destination. A row of royal guards gives way for Jino as he walks towards a chariot. As he loads his stuff into the back, he stop to look around. Applejack and her friends were there too to bid him goodbye on journey. It will be long, and no doubt hard. But what must be done had to be done. Right before he depart, he gave everypony one last hugs, before he board the chariot. But he notice Fluttershy wasn't amognst them. As much as he want to see her for the last time, he's already running late of his departure time. Soon the chariot takes flight, with a pair of the royal guards pulling it. Jino peaks outside 1 last time at ponyville. Tears builds as he starts to feel the feeling of missing the place. A deep sigh, he hinders that emotions off his head. Then he catches sight of something tailing behind. As he looks closer, a sigh of relief fills his heart. It's Fluttershy. Jino gesture the guards to lower the chariot for a moment. Relunctenly, they decent to the ground. As soon as it touches ground, Jino leaps out with haste, only to be tackle hug by fluttershy, her eyes building with tears. " Como now Fluttershy.....I know it's hard for you, but it is also the same for me...." Jino embrace her in his arms. " But Jino....when will you come back? Why can't you just stay here? " Her voice breaks a little, her tears starts to wet Jino's mane. Fluttershy knew that this day would come. She looked into Jino's eyes and he immediately knew. She would do everything just to be with him. She would leave her friends, the animals, just for him. But he didnt want to make the same mistake again. "I must go," he turned away. Not wanting the stare to soften his heart. "Do you really... cant you... if you dont mind... ya know... stay here," "My country awaits me," Jino gazed at the sunset. It was beautiful. Celestia was probably knowing this would happen. Damn her. He broke his gazed to see a sobbing fluttershy, crying on the floor. He placed his hoof on her chin and lifted her head so her eyes meet his. "Fluttershy my dear. Do not fret. One day i shall return. And i promise you. I will return after it's all done. I've always been true to my promises, and I plan to leave it that way." and with that they kissed. For the longest moment of his life Jino felt the warm lips of hers, her arms tighten around him.But in the end, even she know that she has to let him go. Jino wipes her tears aways, looking into her innocent eyes once more. Such is the way, of the lone plum blossom....................