Disclaimer: This is a nonprofit fictional story, a FanFiction based on Ken Akamatsu's Negima. I do not own Negima, or most of the other characters included in this work, excepting where it is stated in the author's notes. It is not intended or presented for any commercial profit or personal gain; it is simply a story written for personal fulfillment and presented for public enjoyment, and as an honest homage to the fine story conceived and written by Ken Akamatsu, as well as all the

other (innumerable) works that find place herein (and their authors).

Prologue

We open with a bath scene.

Southern Japan, in the metropolitan area around Tokyo, can get chilly in late December but rarely has snow. And so, as the end of the year approached, those few who continued to remain behind at Mahora decided to take time the evening of the 30th to soak in the dormitory hot springs.

"There's a nice dichotomy in it," Momo remarked. "Enjoying a warm bath in the crisp cold air of early winter…."

"If you say so," Mai sighed. "Well, I can't say it's unpleasant…."

"It's an interesting finish to the year," Erika remarked. "What a year it's been!" She giggled slightly. "Just think…at this time last year, we had never met Kain-sensei…we didn't know anything about your past and legacy…really, none of us were all that close yet."

"Yes…what a year," Mai agreed. "And now…the year to come…."

Momo glanced out of the corner of her eye at her friend, concern evident on her face for just a moment. Then her eyes drifted downward, and with a shocked movement she hopped up and turned to focus more intently on Mai. Mai, Erika, Yuki and Rei all looked up at Momo with various degrees of surprise. "Mai," Momo whispered. "Your chest."

"Eh?" Mai self-consciously crossed her arms in front of her and sunk down a little deeper into the water. "M-Momo…from you, of all people…."

"No, it's not that! The mark! The mark of the Obsidian Star! It's gone!"

"Eh!?" This changed the tone and location of everyone's attention, and they all stared at Mai's assets for another reason than their impressive size. Indeed, as impressive as they were, that mark that had always been there no longer accented those breasts.

"That's…incredible," Mai breathed. "It…it didn't even go away after the Prince was killed…after the Star was destroyed. So…why now? What changed?"

"Because the Obsidian Star was not wholly defeated," murmured Yuki. Everyone turned to her in surprise, and Yuki continued, "One Obsidian Lord remained alive after the fall of the Obsidian Star, preserved because of his domination over the localized world of Hueco Mundo. On December 24th he made one final attempt to stop Kain-sensei…but Kain-sensei was able to destroy him and put a final end to the Obsidian Star. There is nothing left of them going forward; you are finally free of their influence, Tokiha Mai."

Mai sat there in the water, musing over this fact. Rushes of relief and joy welled from deep inside her, almost from the same place that all her memory/dreams had come, but just like these, they were somehow distant, muted, and not really a part of her. In this case, it was not because these feelings did not really belong to her, but mostly because, while welcome news, they did not affect her current status and sentiments much. They did not change what had happened recently; they would not change how she would be facing the future.

But, speaking of the recent past brought other thoughts to Mai's mind, too, thoughts she could cling to and express in order to quickly put her companions at ease. "December 24th," Mai murmured. "Right…that's when Kain went to Sendai to get the Gates working again…and he came back…in a peculiar mood…."

"Yes," Momo giggled in recollection. "He was giddy with joy. Somehow, I guess…he fought some last final battle while he was away? And that battle, and his victory, were extremely important to him. And…Sakura-chan showed up there at the end of the day. Did she have something to do with it…?"

They looked Yuki's way, as she seemed to be in the know, but she merely stared out with her empty face, blinking but otherwise unmoving.

They sighed and relaxed back into the bath. "Well, it's…welcome news, in any case," Erika finally put in. "Honestly, I haven't given any thought to them since we made it back…I'd really thought them totally gone before, although perhaps that was a bit foolish. I'm sure Kalan-san and the rest thought the same after they won the war twenty years ago. But now…if Nagato-san insists that they're really gone for good, that Kain-sensei finished it…then that's a relief." She smiled slightly. "Perhaps this next year will be a little more peaceful, ne?"

And that returned Mai's thought to the coming future. "Next year…yeah…" she murmured. Then she suddenly shifted in the water, almost seeming to intentionally rouse her emotions, and she smiled broadly. "Oh, what a year it's been, all right…and now, we have another year ahead of us. More peaceful? I really don't know, but at least we shouldn't see any big battles, right? We can enjoy our few remaining months as regular middle school girls."

"And then we'll be regular high school girls, I guess," Erika giggled. "We'll finally have time to enjoy our youths, right?"

"Yeah…" Mai agreed, her enthusiasm only falling slightly.

"Well, actually not all of us," Momo rejoined.

This startled Mai and Erika, especially Mai. "W-what? W-what are you talking about, Momo!?" She almost seemed unusually spooked.

"I…won't be going on to high school with you," Momo replied. "I really should get back to Soul Society. I don't like to run out in the middle of the year—I've already come this far with 3-A, so I should finish—but I did finally agree to become a lieutenant, so I do have duties to assume back in the Seireitei. I'll stay in touch, and I'll probably come back to visit…but my days as your classmate will be over once we graduate this coming March."

"O-oh…so you have to go back…." Mai seemed to relax visibly for some reason, and sank back into the water with a sigh. "Well…I know you'll be missed, but you're right…we all have duties to perform…."

She drifted off into silence, and this seemed to officially end the conversation for the evening. But while they remained, Yuki kept her implacable, inhuman stare on Mai.

8-8-8

"Presenting…Ukitake Jûshirô-dono and Kuchiki Rukia-dono!"

The two big toughs opened the doors and ushered in the guests. Kûkaku Shiba glanced up at them with a smile. "Well…to what do I owe the pleasure of the visit of the top officers of 13th Company?" she teased.

"K-Kûkaku-dono, we are sorry for our imposition, and we humbly beg your forgiveness…" Rukia began, bowing.

"Oy, you," Kûkaku warned her dangerously, scowling. "I know it's been a while since you visited us, but you'll make me angry if you keep up that nonsense. It's annoying for you to act so formal here, so relax, got it!?"

"Y-yes ma'am!" Rukia squeaked, shrinking back and equipping a desperate, fake smile.

Jûshirô laughed. "Well, in truth, our visit isn't exactly social…but it isn't exactly business, either…."

"I'm sure. Well, sit down and have some tea, first. Koganehiko, Shiroganehiko, tea!"

"Of course, ma'am!"

They had the refreshments set out in short order as Jûshirô and Rukia sat across from the woman, Jûshirô in relaxed Indian-style and Rukia in a more formal seiza. After they had all taken their first sips, Kûkaku finally said, "There! Well, now let's get some pleasantries. It seems you guys were busy recently, and I've heard some juicy rumors. You went out there with his son, huh?"

Jûshirô smiled and nodded. "Yes…the boy known as Kain Lockeheart. While he's not so flamboyant and forceful as his father, he's inherited his talents and his heroic spirit. We went to aid him, and I like to think that we did, but it was only because of him that a crisis was averted. He's a remarkable young man…and he'll continue to shape the destiny of these worlds in ways his father never could."

Kûkaku returned the smile. "Heh. It'll be interesting to see where it goes. So, what's your interest here, then? Why'd you come to me today?"

"Well, speaking of rumors," Jûshirô continued, as Rukia still seemed rather cowed. "We've heard rumors as well…that you've acquired a most interesting visitor."

Kûkaku chuckled. "Of course you have. Word travels fast to you guys, after all." She thumped the wall behind her with the back of her fist. "Ganju!"

Ganju promptly slid the door next to her open and revealed himself behind it. "Yes, Onee-chan?"

"Go call the freeloader and bring him in. He has visitors."

"R-right away!" Ganju slid the door closed again and shortly there were heard footsteps pelting away.

"I'd only heard about him and his ilk, honestly," Kûkaku continued. "But I still recognized him straightway when I saw him wandering the streets of Rukongai, and I thought, 'Here is a very interesting thing'. I went ahead and took him in since he had nowhere to go. Whatever's happened to him has…well, affected him, somehow. He seems quite demure and polite and works around the place without grumbling whenever I ask him, so he's been somewhat useful."

As Kûkaku finished this explanation, the door opened again…and a young man stepped through, dressed in a plain blue suit without tie, rather reminiscent of a boy's school uniform, with messy brown hair and shining green eyes. Somehow, there seemed to be more light and life in those eyes than there had ever been while he was alive. Still, his expression was stony and cold as he regarded the visitors without apparent recognition, or at least without any concern.

"P-Pakrov Eminus!" Rukia breathed, almost stumbling as she attempted to switch positions.

"An improper address, really," the once-Eminus murmured softly. "The name was never properly mine, but I claimed it out of the bit of pride I felt since I had no other real appellation. Now I have lost all reason and desire to retain it."

"So," Jûshirô murmured, "it really did happen…a minion of the Obsidian Star found his way to Soul Society after death…."

"I suppose I did," the pseudo-boy agreed easily. "I do not know how or why. But while I know very little right now, I know that even if my spirit lives on here, the Obsidian Star itself is truly dead, and nothing remains of it. If you fear my existence may prolong or restart it, your fears are baseless. Somehow, I sense my rebirth as a spirit itself portends the ending of my ties to that existence."

"I see. That is comforting," Jûshirô acknowledged, still smiling kindly. "Tell me, what are your ambitions now with your second life?"

"Ambitions?" A small smile crept over Eminus' face. "I truly had no ambitions to begin with, nothing but my loyalty to the Obsidian Star. Now…seems somewhat late to begin to find them. I exist…and that is enough. I understand your concern over my new existence…and everything that could mean. If you wish to kill me again to ensure that I pose no future threat to the mortal realms or the Seireitei, you could—you are far stronger than I am in this state, and I could not blame you…."

Eminus was throttled suddenly as Kûkaku reached up and slammed a hand down on the back of his head and began to grind him down. "Well, slow down on that score," she chuckled. "The interest of the Gotei 13 in this one is obvious, but there's no way I'm letting them kill him—he's my manservant now, and my responsibility, and they won't lay a hand on mine. If this one gets out of line, I'll tan his hide myself…but I'm sure that won't be necessary, eh, my cute little former warlord?"

"Of course not," the golem replied neutrally.

"I see," Jûshirô said finally. "No, I never had intentions of raising my hand toward the boy…I just came to find out a little more about the situation, that's all. In a way, I think I'm rather relieved…even by Eminus-kun's rebirth. Perhaps it is a sign towards changing tides, towards better moments ahead. In any case, now that my curiosity has been sated, we should be going. One more question before I go, however…what would do if you were to encounter Kain Lockeheart-kun once more?"

Eminus' slight smile returned. "I said that I have ever lacked any ambitions…at this time, if there is anything…I can't say it is a goal, but more perhaps the vague wishing of an innocent child. I would like to meet him once more…and Ellis and the rest as well. At my death, I felt a desire to be reborn, perhaps as Kain-kun's friend. I don't know he could ever feel that way towards me, or forgive me for what I've done…but that is my foolish child's dream nonetheless."

Jûshirô nodded and began to rise. "Our thanks for your hospitality and for humoring us, Kûkaku-san. And you as well, Eminus-kun…thank you for answering my questions so honestly."

"It is nothing," the boy replied. "As is that name…as I've said, it doesn't belong to me anymore."

"Then what name would you give yourself?" Rukia pressed suddenly. "I doubt you wish to be called something like 'Remnant', either...and it's tradition for older souls who arrive here who have forgotten their names to name themselves."

The golem gazed to the distance, pensive and serene. "Your society here is markedly Japanese," he noted. "But although I am alien to all the cultures, I certainly do not desire a name from that one. I would choose to be Nemo—'The Nameless'. If Kain-kun and I were to meet, I'm sure he'd appreciate the significance of the moniker. A name like that will suit me just fine."

"Very well, then," Kûkaku put in. "Now, then, Nemo-kun, if our guests are done with you, you have some work to get back to, right? Ganju!"

"Right here!" the burly man said, materializing in an admirable fashion. "C'mon, then, Nemo-san…."

"Of course." The two disappeared through the back door, and Ganju shut it behind him.

As they made their back to the Seireitei, Rukia asked her companion, "Ukitake-taichô…do you really think it's…a good sign that Nemo-dono was reborn here in the Soul Society?"

"I do," her captain answered softly. "A sign of the ending of the greatest threat the mortal worlds have ever faced. A rebirth from a darker past into a brighter future, maybe? Well, the future won't be without its own problems. But with the Obsidian Star finally, completely ended…we can face that future with a memory of what we've overcome and the hope that we can make things better. That applies to us as well as to the mortal worlds."

F I N

Author's Note: The End of the Star

This Prologue highlights two points I wanted to hit, and Ukitake admirably sums them up in his final dialogue with Rukia. The Star and all its marks are over—of course, bit of a troll writer moment, there is one more minor Obsidian Star adventure in the past we have to do to tie up one tiny insignificant loose end I nevertheless have to tie up, but going forward they are ended. Mai is freed of their influence…and….

Eminus, or, rather, Nemo, is being set up for…well, a part that I actually don't intend to write. In the current final arc of Bleach, the Quincies have invaded Soul Society, and during the battle preparations the three Fullbringers who perished at the hands of Ichigo and the Soul Reapers were shown in Soul Society, having been taken and whipped into shape by Kûkaku Shiba. I plan to have the Quincy War, in an altered fashion, be an event that plays a significant part in the background of what happens in the flash forwards we'll get to in Act 20, which will resolve much of the story and such. The place these Fullbringers play has not yet come out in Bleach—the way Kubo writes at times, they may not actually appear at all, as it's seeming less and less likely that they'll get to play a part—but Nemo is going to be their equivalent in the 'background' of that story. As I say, I don't plan to actually write it out, but any references to it once we get to that point will play in.

Perhaps all that is TMI or spoilers for futures we haven't been to, but that's my fault that I've developed over this writing—the explanation of my actions, since I have to brain-dump the whys and wherefores. In any case, he won't play a significant part, but, even putting aside the Quincy War, I did kind of grow fond of Eminus and although I didn't want him moving seamlessly into the hero's camp like Fate did, the thought of him being reborn after death to have a second chance was appealing. Again, he won't have any other significance—we won't see him until those flash forwards in Act 20, and even then likely only in cameos—but I like having the background fillers there.

So, let's get into Act 19, the finish to the full school year Kain spends with his class….