92 My Mocona

Mokona had never appeared so downcast before. In Kurama’s memory, the little one always smiled at him, either brightly or gently, saying things like, “Kurama, don’t worry,” or “Mokona will always stay by your side,” words that were both thoughtful and warm. If Kurama’s determination to find a way home was the purpose and motivation for his long, seemingly endless journey, then Mokona was undoubtedly the source of his strength and confidence to keep going. If not for Mokona’s constant companionship, even someone as resilient to loneliness as the demon fox might have struggled to maintain his original optimism and positivity.

In Kurama’s heart, Mokona had long since become a companion and friend as important as Yusuke and Hiei. Coupled with the white dumpling’s adorably charming nature, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Kurama cherished and spoiled Mokona as if he were his own child. Yet now, the little one, whom the demon fox treasured like a precious jewel, whom he held in the palm of his hand to pamper and protect, was shrouded in unprecedented gloom, unwilling even to meet Kurama’s gaze.

The demon fox was not merely worried in that instant; he was so troubled, he did not know what to do.

“Mokona…”

He leaned in, gently rubbing his nose against the soft, warm little body. Usually, whenever he did this, Mokona would laugh and shriek, squirming and shouting, “Kurama, stop—Mokona’s ticklish!” But this time, Mokona merely dodged slightly, then allowed Kurama’s actions without offering any further response. Kurama’s eyes dimmed, his worry deepening.

“Mokona, are you ignoring me?”

He drew back a bit, keeping close but ceasing his movements, his tone uncertain and a little hurt. His emerald eyes, serene as a lake and full of gentle indulgence, quietly watched the white dumpling in his hands. The calming aura he emanated slowly began to elicit a reaction from the little one…

“Kurama… Kurama doesn’t dislike Mokona?”

Cautiously lifting his eyes to glance at Kurama, Mokona quickly lowered his gaze again, his expression shy and uncertain, and his tone filled with dejection and sadness. Kurama was taken aback by such unfamiliar vulnerability.

After a while, feeling the small body in his hands stiffen and tremble, Kurama finally snapped out of his confusion.

“What silly things you say!”

His first action was to lean in and plant a firm kiss on the dumpling’s cheek. Seeing Mokona clutch his face in disbelief, staring at him wide-eyed, Kurama felt a little relieved, a helpless yet puzzled smile curling at his lips.

“Why would I dislike Mokona? Have you forgotten how many times I’ve said I like Mokona best?”

Mokona’s eyes brightened instantly at Kurama’s words. But soon, he twisted his tiny hands and lowered his head, troubled.

“That… that’s because Kurama didn’t know what Mokona was before.”

As soon as Mokona said this, Kurama began to realize what the little one was struggling with. Before he could comfort him, Mokona closed his eyes, seeming to muster the courage to spill everything at once, words tumbling out like beans from a bamboo tube.

“And Mokona has known for a long time that these worlds aren’t right, but because I was afraid Kurama would dislike me, I kept it secret and didn’t tell you. Kurama hates being deceived the most, right? How could you not dislike Mokona?”

“Mokona knows that back in the world where Xiao Yi was, Kurama was already suspicious. But you didn’t ask Yuuko, nor did you ask Mokona. Kurama, you’re always so considerate. Actually, you didn’t ask Yuuko because you didn’t want her to mention ‘counterfeit’ in front of Mokona, right?”

“But Kurama doesn’t realize—just because you’re so gentle, Mokona knew right away, after you didn’t ask Yuuko, that you’d already figured out what Mokona is.”

“Mokona is happy that even though you know I and Larg are ‘His’ replicas, you still like me, always saying ‘I like Mokona best.’ But does Kurama really know what a replica is?”

Raising his head, the white dumpling’s eyes sparkled.

“Does Kurama think Mokona is a flawless, perfect replica? That’s not true at all!”

“If Yuuko and Clow loved me and Larg so much, why, before Kurama came to Yuuko’s shop, were we sealed away in Yuuko’s storage?”

“It’s not because Yuuko didn’t want to let us out.”

“It’s because she couldn’t.”

Facing Kurama’s shocked eyes, Mokona’s expression was so sorrowful it seemed he might cry at any moment.

“Yuuko, now a being beyond dimensions, and Clow, who is no longer Clow… The price they must pay to let Larg and me stay awake and active in the real world is far too steep. That’s why Yuuko had to seal us both away.”

“But now, Mokona can move freely, and Larg can stay with Yuuko, all because… Kurama, you exist.”

“The price Kurama paid was recognized by the rules, and became the condition that allows Larg and me to move freely.”

“So, as long as Kurama’s journey continues for another day, Larg and I can be free for another day.”

“That’s why, when I realized these worlds seemed to be created by ‘Him,’ I didn’t tell Kurama right away—because I was afraid that if any problems were found, Larg and I would have to fall back into sleep again.”

“Really, it’s nothing—just returning to how things were before.”

“But Mokona doesn’t want to leave Kurama, and I don’t want Yuuko to be saddened again by losing Larg’s company.”

“So I said nothing… Mokona is bad! So bad, so bad! Kurama must hate me now, waah!”

By the end, the little one was nearly bawling.

Kurama’s reaction, however, was nothing like what Mokona expected—no rage at all. In fact, aside from the shock at hearing about Mokona and Larg’s situation (which he genuinely hadn’t known), Kurama could only feel both amused and exasperated by the rest—what, just because of this, worried he would be hated?

Did he really seem so petty?

Gently wiping away the tears streaming down Mokona’s face, Kurama felt his heart soften.

After all, it wasn’t Mokona’s fault which world they traveled to.

Jumping from world to world, all seemingly created by “Him”—the original black and white Mokona, the god of creation from the Magic Knights’ world—it wasn’t Mokona’s doing. The phenomenon was odd, but it didn’t threaten Kurama. Mokona’s secrecy was selfish, but ultimately…

Thinking of the little one’s tearful face and voice saying, “I don’t want to leave Kurama,” Kurama’s heart melted completely.

He couldn’t recall the last time he felt so tender.

Didn’t this alone show Mokona’s place in his heart, and the answer he should give?

“You silly thing.”

He lowered his head lovingly, gently kissing Mokona’s tear-stained cheek. Standing up with him in his arms, Kurama smiled as Mokona gazed at him through watery eyes.

“How could I dislike Mokona for this? Didn’t I say… Mokona is my favorite!”

At those words, the white dumpling froze, as if someone pressed pause—every movement stopped, even crying, even… breathing.

A moment later, he threw himself into the demon fox’s gentle embrace.

“…Waaah! Kurama… Kurama!”

Having never seen such a scene, Kurama hurriedly caught the little one, patiently soothing him over and over, whispering softly as Mokona sobbed…

＊＊＊

Mokona cried himself to sleep in Kurama’s arms.

Though his eyes were still a bit red, now that everything had been said, Mokona was clearly much more relaxed. Even in sleep, he clung tightly to Kurama’s collar, but his expression had eased, and a peaceful smile played at his lips.

As for the matter of their recent worlds all possibly being creations of the god Mokona from the Magic Knights’ realm, they agreed to contact Yuuko for advice once they left the Fullmetal world and arrived in the next. That way, they could see whether there was truly a problem, or if it was merely coincidence. The reason they didn’t contact Yuuko while still in the Fullmetal world was because the energy field there had just been disrupted by three large-scale alchemy circles; it was very unstable, and communication might be affected, with poor quality.

So, although Kurama and Mokona wanted to consult Yuuko in the world where the god Mokona’s traces were most obvious, they couldn’t wait that long. According to Mokona’s estimate, it would take at least three to five years for the energy field to calm enough for reliable communication. That wasn’t too long for either of them, but the thought of possibly being conscripted by the black colonel to help with the country’s reconstruction made Kurama feel it was better to slip away sooner.

Thus, early the next morning, Kurama found Roy through Hughes. Watching the colonel, energetic and ready to tackle new challenges, Kurama smiled, offered his congratulations and best wishes, then announced his farewell.

The result…

The result, of course, was that Hughes and Roy together tried their best to persuade him to stay. While they certainly hoped he’d join their efforts (==), the genuine bonds formed between them could not be denied.

In the end, seeing Kurama’s resolve, neither Hughes nor Roy pressed further, but Kurama was still dragged to Hughes’s home for a lively farewell banquet.

Edward and Alphonse, finally reunited with his original body, both attended. The lingering sadness and determination that once surrounded the brothers had vanished, replaced by wisdom and calm gained through their trials.

Surprisingly, their father, Hohenheim, also appeared at the banquet. Thanks to Kurama’s intervention in the final battle, the number of Philosopher’s Stones remaining in Hohenheim’s body was not as low as in the original story. While it wasn’t enough for him to remain immortal, it was sufficient to let him stay with Edward and Alphonse until they married and started families.

Edward, though he didn’t say so outright, was clearly pleased that his father, whom he had thought would perish in the final battle, had survived. When speaking with Hohenheim, his words had lost much of their earlier awkwardness.

Mei, preparing to return home with Yao Lin after a few days’ rest, was also reluctant to see Kurama go. Though she no longer worried about family matters, thanks to Yao Lin’s promise and the small bottle of Philosopher’s Stone he obtained, she was still a little dissatisfied that Kurama’s earlier suggestion couldn’t come true.

However, when pressed about what advice Kurama had given her, Mei refused to elaborate. No matter how Yao Lin and Edward pressed her, she wouldn’t say a word, which infuriated Edward enough to declare he would never accept her as an Elric family daughter-in-law (==).

Leaning by the window, Kurama watched the cheerful crowd, every face bright with joy—the living Hughes, Roy with restored vision, Greed enjoying Yao Lin’s company, Hohenheim smiling at his sons, and the entire northern military command, unscathed.

Kurama suddenly felt that his journey to the Fullmetal world was perhaps not merely to uncover the previous secret.

＊＊＊

The lively farewell party eventually ended.

Having already spoken to Roy, with no one else seeing him off, Kurama quietly departed the world with Mokona at his side, slipping away through a forest on the outskirts of Central City on a radiant afternoon.

Meanwhile, in the military headquarters, the black-haired colonel gazed skyward—

He wondered… where would that person go this time?