Unfortunately, I can't type any responses to my reviews…the viruses have completely taken over my Internet windows and I'm unable to open anything beyond Microsoft Word and my messenger. -sighs- I am not a happy person…in fact, without Kelsey, I wouldn't even be writing this…at all. I'd be griping and trying to throw the heap of junk out the nearest window, probably hitting the dog next door…I'm still a bit pissed, but my cousin's coming over eventually to fix it, so everyone at RC won't have to worry about my absence, and I can upload chapters and update my LJ and go to my sites…everything I can't do now. Shout-outs will be given at the end of this chapter. And for now…Kia and Kelsey had good times with their respective male friends, Suzuki offered to adopt them, and life seems to have grown relatively peaceful. -cough- NOT.

Stupid virus. Stupid orcs. And stupid hormonally unbalanced dishwashers who became Hogwarts professors due to the stew brewed from the poisonous glow-in-the-dark mushrooms from Rio de Janeiro because it tastes like soap. Blame me and Kelsey for that one…one of our weirder conversations, I'd say.

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"Kelsey, this isn't working." Kia settled back on her heels, heaving a sigh of utter frustration. "He isn't listening to a thing I say!"

The blonde Mirror Holder blinked. "Who? Jin? Has he finally broken free from the bondage that you currently hold him in, with your awesome womanly power?"

The older girl snorted. "Like you're one to talk. No, I meant Inuki." She gestured to the puppy, who was sitting by her feet, panting lightly. "Inuki, lie down!"

Inuki tilted his head, regarding his companion with a passive lidded gaze, but didn't move.

"Roll over!" Nothing. "Okay, let's try a SIMPLE command. Sit there and…" Kia slowly backed away from the puppy. "Stay."

The small canine heaved himself up and waddled unsteadily towards the girl.

"No, you dork, I said stay, not come!"

Inuki ignored her and ambled closer until he was sitting on her foot.

Kelsey burst out laughing, as she gave a tug on the piece of rope she was holding. Suka, the other end clenched firmly in her jaws, gave her head a shake, growling as she backed up, determined to win this one. "Well, even if he doesn't obey, it's obvious he can't stay away from you."

"I bet he can't even play dead," Kia grumbled, gently trying to dislodge him off her shoe.

Inuki suddenly rose up on his hind legs and flopped limply to the side, pink tongue hanging out of his mouth.

Both girls stared, and then Kia sighed. "I don't believe it. 'Play dead', he knows, but he can't understand 'lie down' or 'stay'! How is that possible?"

Kelsey shrugged. "Selective hearing?"

"Very funny."

"I wasn't joking."

It's nice to know that you two haven't changed much. We'll need that imperturbable good humor of yours, I think.

Looking at the giant crimson dragon crouched in front of them, any other girl would have screamed and fled…any other dog would have run as well.

Kia and Kelsey were definitely not normal girls, and Suka and Inuki could care less, the latter venturing over to pounce on the creature's scaly tail.

"Hello, Tsukai…" Kelsey looked at the dragon calmly. "Why are you here? I really don't think you want to stick around, especially with the nosy neighbors we've got…it was hard enough explaining Rei and Axe to them…but a humongous scaly fire-breathing thing with wings?"

"They'd dissect you like a frog," Kia informed him solemnly. "…A humongous scaly fire-breathing frog with wings, of course, but I think you get my point."

Your concern is touching, Tsukai said dryly, but I don't intend to hang around for very long. I'm only here to pick you up.

The Mirror Holders looked blank. "…Pick us up…for what?" The brunette asked. "Why?"

Upon Ashita's death, you two are the heirs to her place in Makai…which means you also inherit every bit of unfinished business and every item of new business until you are relieved.

"And that would be…?" Kelsey prompted.

It would be at least two years before you finished.

"WHAAAAT?!" They cried out in unbelieving unison.

"But we'd still be able to see everyone…right?" Kia asked hopefully.

Kelsey brightened at this, but the dragon shook his head with a huff of smoke escaping from his nostrils.

You will not be allowed contact with anyone in Ningenkai…the only ones who contact you will be Koenma, Mukuro, Yomi, or Raizen. No one else.

"No one?" The blonde squeaked.

NO ONE, Tsukai repeated patiently.

"NO ONE??" Kelsey echoed incredulously. "But…but…I don't even know who the hell Yumi and Raisin are!!"

Kia covered a smile with her hand. "It's Yomi and Raizen…the other two demon lords. Remember? Mukuro called Yomi an "old goat".

Kelsey only looked more horrified upon hearing this. "We're only going to be able to be contacted by a talking baby, Mukuro, an old goat, and a RAISIN??"

"Raizen."

"Whatever. This sucks." The girl whistled to Suka, who immediately released the rope and followed her friend inside. Kia and Tsukai watched them go, the latter turning his great head to look down at his companion.

Will she be all right?

Kia sighed, crouching to pick up Inuki. "I think she just needs time to mull it over…speaking of which, how much time do we have left here before we have to leave?"

The dragon shifted, suddenly looking very uncomfortable. You have thirty minutes.

"Oh, that's convenient!" Now glowering just as badly as Kelsey had, the brunette stomped into the house, muttering small curses under her breath. The next thing she knew, she was hit by a great force, letting out a startled "OOF!" before she toppled over. Inuki leapt out of her arms and dashed away before he could meet the same fate.

"YOU'RE LEAVING?! HOW COULD YOU LEAVE?!" Rei refused to loosen her grip around the girl's waist. "AND WITHOUT EVEN A WARNING OR A CARD OR ANYTHING!!"

"It's not my…fault!" Kia sat up, trying to pry the priestess' arms off. "We…just…found out…so GET OFF ME!"

"NEVER!" Rei exclaimed dramatically, flinging one arm out wide and knocking a vase off a small table. "We shall bar you and Kelsey from ever seeing the light of day again! It's for your own good, you know."

"Rei, kindly refrain from further damaging my house and its occupants."

Kia winced. "It's too late for me, Suzuki…go save Kelsey…"

The blonde inventor chuckled. "I think her histrionics are rubbing off on you."

"And I think I'm glad she broke your vase," the girl grumbled, as Suzuki helped her up…with Rei still clinging to her. "Rei, let go."

"I'll never let go!" ((A/N: Was Rei onboard the Titanic? O.o))

"Rei, release her, or I swear Axe goes out the window!" Kelsey called from the living room.

With a screech, Kia was released and Rei raced to save her beloved weapon. Suzuki watched her run off, shaking his head. "…I'm calling a family meeting."

"With what family?"

Nevertheless, in ten minutes, Kia, Kelsey, Rinku, and Touya (along with the three puppies) were seated on the couch, Hiei and Jin were leaning against the wall, Rei was on the floor, idly polishing Axe, and Chuu and Shishiwakamaru were holding a hushed argument in the corner. Suzuki had gone to the door to let Kurama, Yusuke, the Kuwabara siblings, Keiko, Yukina, and Botan in, and now he returned, with them in tow.

"As you know," he began, ignoring the arguing twosome. "Our own Mirror Holders have been called off to perform their duties as Makai citizens."

"He makes it sound like we're going off to serve in the army," Kia murmured, scratching Kageri behind the ears.

Kelsey nodded, then blinked. "Wait a minute…I was born in the United States, wasn't I? I haven't been in Makai long enough to be considered a citizen!"

Her friend shook her head. "I think they're overruling legality here."

"Are you all packed?" Touya wanted to know.

The girls nodded. "In a sense," Kelsey amended. "Tsukai already sent our stuff there ahead of us…except for the dogs, of course. Hey, Suzuki, are you sure you don't want to keep at least one?"

"I'm sure." The man made a face. "I already have Rei…I don't need three more destructive forces tearing up my house."

"Destructive?" Kia hefted up Kageri, blinking. "How could you refer to such an adorable little creature as destructive?"

"Quite easily."

"Let's send 'em off with a song!" Rei piped up, waving her arms like a wayward conductor. "One, two, three, for they're some jolly good fellows…"

One dark glare from Hiei shut her up…for about a minute.

"WHICH NOBODY CAN DENY…"

It's time to go, Tsukai called from outside.

"So soon?" Rinku wailed, suddenly throwing his arms around Kia. "But--"

Kelsey glanced at the older girl. "I did mention this sucked, right?"

"More than once…"

The group trudged outside with the air one would expect at a funeral service. Botan, Yukina, and Keiko were all teary-eyed as they gave the Mirror Holders hugs, with the former promising to drop by whenever Koenma gave her leave to do so…after all, it was like being contacted by him, only through one of his ferrygirls. That cheered them up slightly.

Touya and Shizuru shook their hands, neither one being much for sentimental farewells. Hiei wasn't much better, giving them a curt nod. But Kelsey was daring enough to give him a brief hug before she dashed off to tackle Yusuke, who was ruffling Kia's hair. The brunette was only too happy to escape…only to practically have her ribs cracked by Kuwabara's bear hug.

"Ouch! Yeah, I'm going to miss you to-ouch…please don't squeeze so hard…RUN, KELSEY, HIS HUGS HURT!"

Rinku refused to let go of Kia's leg once Kuwabara had released her and bounded off to give Kelsey the same treatment…so she had resorted to hopping about, dragging the yoyo-er along with her. Chuu finally pried him off and gave both girls hugs…remembering to be gentle, unlike a certain orange-haired somebody. He also offered to smuggle them some Makai whiskey…but they politely declined.

Through it all, Kelsey and Kia managed to remain dry-eyed…even through Rei's tearful duet (with Axe) rendition of "My Heart Will Go On". And then, Suzuki and Kurama came up to say their good-byes.

"You do know you both are like daughters to me," Suzuki solemnly informed them, wrapping an arm around each girl's shoulder and drawing them in for a group hug. "And this is like seeing family go…thank you…for everything…and thank you for freeing Binetsu…"

Kia's brown eyes immediately began to sting and she had to take a deep breath and close them before replying. Unfortunately, when she reopened them, Suzuki had gone off to discuss matters with Kelsey, and Kurama was standing in front of her. Neither one said a word…and then, the redhead hugged her close, and the tears were released…and, judging by the dampness seeping into the back of her shirt, the Youko wasn't immune to tears either.

"I still want to meet your girlfriend," the girl muttered into his chest. "No getting married until that happens, got it?"

Kurama gave a wry chuckle and released her. "You have my word. Just be good, stay out of trouble, and try not to destroy the place."

Kia stuck out her tongue. "If Suzuki's my dad, you've got to be the annoying big brother."

"I aim to please. Take care, Konisou."

"You too, Foxtail."

At least she'd been able to hold a decent conversation with him…after she stiffly shook Shishi's hand and left him and Kelsey to say their farewells as lovers did, she was sobbing too hard to form a coherent sentence in front of Jin.

"Hey, lass…" The Wind Master carefully wiped away the moisture gathering in the corners of her eyes. "It'll be all right! It's only two years…an' besides…" He grinned. "The demon lads'll have ta stay away from you now…they know you've got someone who loves you…"

"I don't want to leave you…" It was all Kia could say before his mouth descended on hers. They stood that way for some time, until Tsukai craned his head around to grasp the Mirror Holder's collar and hoist her up into the air. She kept her hand in Jin's until they were too far apart to keep holding on. The dragon deposited her on his back behind Kelsey, who was sniffling miserably, Suka on her lap. Inuki crawled into Kia's, and Kageri wedged himself between them.

"We'll be waiting for you!" Yusuke bellowed as the reptilian creature took off with a few wingbeats. "Don't forget to wriiiiite!"

"Send a self-addressed envelope!" Kelsey hollered back…and then Tsukai disappeared, taking the Mirror Holders with him.

"We won't see them again…for quite some time…" Shishiwakamaru said softly, as Rei let out a wail, clutching Axe to her chest. Jin and Kurama nodded silently.

"But they'll come back…" the Wind Master added. "I know they will." And he trained his blue eyes on the sky, empty save for a few puffy clouds…where once there had been a crimson dragon and two very special girls.

--In Makai…--

"Does this place come with housekeeping?" Kelsey stared dubiously at the huge stacks of assorted books all over Ashita's cottage, as Kia knelt to pick a few up.

"Somehow…I doubt it." Her friend sighed and started placing them on the emptied bookshelves. Suddenly, she paused. "Hey…what's this?"

The blonde blinked, hurrying over to peer over the other's shoulder at the sheet of paper Kia held. "What's it say?"

Kia didn't speak, only held it up so that Kelsey could read as well.

My dear Mirror Holders…

It's been a pleasure knowing you for these two-plus years…you've both grown so much and I couldn't be prouder if you were my own grandchildren. There's much for you to do here, so I think you won't be bored for quite some time. I could only entrust the tasks of the Creator to the wielders of the Mirror Halves, and I have the utmost faith in your abilities.

I'm writing this before I go back…I don't know how things will turn out…if you girls will ever read this…perhaps Kia failed, and Kelsey perished…but I know better. With Kelsey's will to live and Kia's determination to save her friend…I'm pretty sure you two won through and all three worlds have been saved.

You will be faced with small tasks and obstacles for the next two or three years…but when you return, there will be one more major trial you will face…but you will not be alone. Youkai, hanyous, and ningens will unite and you will have new and powerful allies. Know that I am always with you, and with your incredible compassion and courage, the Mirror Holders will always live on as their own legend. The Densetsu no Kagami has been united in your hearts.

Hiketsu and Fukumi and I will always watch over you. Live long and happy lives for the sake of those who love you.

Ashita

"She knew," Kia remarked quietly, staring down at the words. "She knew she was going to die…and she knew that we were both going to survive…" Tears made new trails down her face and Kelsey put an arm around her friend, as the three puppies scampered around their feet.

"Well then, I swear on the Densetsu no Kagami that we won't let her down!" She straightened, smiling. "Let's continue our legend, Cookie-sheet. Let's do it for everyone!"

The girl wiped her eyes with careless fingers and nodded. Little did they know that they'd befriend a Koorime girl named Koyuki, Kageri would grow wings, the Shinobi would be involved in a war, their friends woud be stricken with a deadly illness and they'd have to put down a sea-monkey revolt. It was probably just as well.

"Okay, then. Let's get started!"

And with that, the reincarnations of Hiketsu and Fukumi and the holders of the Mirror Halves got to work.

-OOC-

Oh my god…if it hadn't been for Kelsey constantly pushing me to finish this, I never would have forced myself to write. I'm all teary now…so…first of all, the shout-outs.

To every single reviewer who every reviewed any ONE chapter of this series…you made this possible. Every review gave me the inspiration and drive I needed to complete this and I couldn't have gotten this far without you.

To Shin-san, Mai-chan and Bara-chan…who always left such long and creative reviews…I loved those, you guys. And you were all so supportive…I'm glad I started reading Shin-san's and Mai-chan's stories and I can't wait until you start putting yours up, Janis. Thank you all so much!

To KKC-chan, Kota-chan, Melissa-chan, Lobo-chan, Hinooki-chan… any of the poem writers and artists…oh my god. You guys rock. Kota-chan, I loved the fan-art and thank you for coming up with the whole idea of Suzaku and Rei as a couple (stay tuned for that!). Lobo-chan's poems are fantastic…all of yours are…and when KKC-chan did that poem from Jin's POV…I was so touched. Everything you've done means a lot to me. And thanks to Melissa for the kick-ass plushies.

To Lexi-chan and Chloe-chan…the writers of Miss Independent and Kokitsune (both series)…it was because of you two and your awesome mad writing skillz…that I was inspired to try and create something so well-loved, as both your series are. Not to mention you're both awesome RC members! XD Chloe, you're wonderful pen pal and Lexi, I seriously adore you. Piteh da foo who gets stuck with us when we finally meet, I say. Thanks for sticking with me to the end. And using Kaeru, and the co-write will ROCK! Also...you both updated at once! How cool is that? XD

And lastly…to Kelsey, the best friend and pen pal a fanfic writer could ever ask for. The basis and model for the Kelsey here, the creator of Rei, and the co-author of Many, Many Meeses…oh my god, we've had some fun times, haven't we? Enjoy your time at camp, don't let family members get you down (like I'm one to talk!) and keep smiling! Thank you for being with me and this series…without you, none of this would have been possible. And yes, thanks for goading me into writing…you know I probably would've waited til December. XD I 3 you, you know that? Pen pals for…two…three years? O.o And still going strong! W00t! And yes, this thing is 8 pages long…and here I thought it'd be short. -.- Oh, well.

I don't have room to thank everyone, but you know who you are. Much thanks! I'll see you guys in the co-write! Which means you'll see Kia and Kelsey again (and Kaeru!)…eventually…sometime…o.o Yeah. Bye! NEXT chapter! Outtakes! (Which you can still submit, by the way.)

- You thought the Toguro Girl Scouts had left for good? Think again…

- What happens when Kia and Kelsey decide to give Netami a haircut?

- You get to meet a few characters…such as the Mime, The Ringwraiths (all renamed Pierre), Pint, the bats, aaaaand…the Meese! That's right, the characters from Many, Many, Meeses have taken over the DnK series!

The cool thing is, my computer should be fixed soon. XD