. . .
Momoko comes back from her distant slumber and lifts her torso from the bark-bed.
"… Momoko?" Taro, still holding her hand, gives her a sincere look.
"Uhn-uhn. Rou!" A feminine child's voice bellows from Momoko as she stands.
Iado steps forward with a few tears welling his eyes. "My little girl… You're still alive!"
Rou runs over to her father and wraps her arms around his torso. "Daddy!"
He bends down and latches onto her, caressing her hair. "I thought I'd never get to say goodbye after they'd taken you. I failed you as a father, my little girl."
"But that isn't true!" Rou breaks from his arms and spreads her arms out.
"You were a great daddy to me. I wouldn't trade you for any other, so please don't beat yourself up! What happened in the past is history; I'm with you, here and now!" She warrants a wide smile.
