A/N: Hey guys! Chapter 27 will be the last chapter, so hope you enjoy this one!

Chapter 26:

A gasp of pain left Hiyorihime's mouth as she shakily clutched Kagari's okatana, still deeply embedded in her chest. The flow of black ooze from her wound had already left a large pool of the tar-like liquid on the floor. Everyone continued to gaze with fright at the aradama princess, afraid as to what would happen next.

All trace of victory vanished from Kagari's face and she turned pale when Hiyorihime unexpectedly let a heinous smirk crawl up her face. Then she chuckled, before throwing back her head with a peal of cackles.

"Fool," she snarled. "Did you really think you could kill an immortal goddess? I am bound to Juujou Hiyori; all you just did was hurt her."

Kagari swiftly turned around in horror to see Hiyori crumpled on the floor, her teeth gritted in agony. Although no wound was on her chest, the Heijou Toji could feel something like cold metal lodged inside her, along with the excruciating pain that came with it. Done with playing games, Hiyorihime swiftly pulled the blade out of her, drawing a strangled scream from Hiyori.

Looking from the corners of their eyes, Mirja and Mihono could see Kanami tearing up at having to watch the girl she loved suffer. Dreading the worst, Mihono shifted her bound wrists a little before enclosing her fingers around Kanami's hands. The brown-haired Toji gave her Minoseki schoolmate a grateful look before they all turned back to see Hiyorihime and Kagari. Both were now facing each other, their hands and eyes glowing with energy.

"Have you lost your mind?" Hiyorihime snorted. "You are giving up everything, just to be with a pathetic weakling when you can be a princess—ruling this kingdom with me!"

As she yelled, more inky ooze bled from her mouth, staining her fangs. Yet despite how her eyes were literally burning with rage, Kanami could sense something else behind those wrathful blue orbs. As silly as she could sometimes be, the Minoseki Toji had a very keen instinct, and could easily tell that Hiyorihime was feeling another emotion other than just pathological hatred.

Kagari stared at the monster she once looked up to, a small blaze of aradama energy blooming in the palm of her hand. "I really did love you. I never wanted a kingdom. I just wanted a mother—one who loved me for who I really am."

If she felt sorry or had any sympathy at all for Kagari, Hiyorihime did not show it. Instead, she stoically let a razor-sharp tendril of black ooze crawl down her arm into her palm.

"And that is why I'll always be stronger than you!"

Kagari only dodged just enough to avoid a fatal hit to her heart, but the right side of her chest was still impaled through. The orange-eyed girl fell to the floor and clutched her wound, trying to staunch the flow of orange noro. If her eyes were not squeezed tightly in pain, she would've seen Hiyori get up and stand above her as a shield from Hiyorihime.

"Leave. My. Daughter. Alone."

Hiyori's hostile voice had not risen to a shout, but the low warning-like tone in which she spoke made everyone see that she was pissed. Her bleeding hands clutched Chutan Nikiri and Niou Kiyotsuna, prepared to defend Kagari should Hiyorihime try to attack her again. But the aradama princess only seemed all the more amused at Hiyori's apparent anger.

"You must have a death wish," Hiyorihime said. "You can't hurt me without hurting yourself."

"No, but I can at least defend my daughter and my friends," Hiyori said back.

"You want some girl-bonding time? Fine."

The two circled each other, Hiyori with Kofuki's okatanas and Hiyorihime with Shitsuren. More long tendrils of ooze were coming out of the aradama princess's back so that it almost made her look like a grotesque spider. Hiyori and Hiyorihime stared each other down, daring for the other to make the first move.

Swinging Shitsuren at her opponent, Hiyorihime started the duel. Although Kofuki's okatanas weren't even half the size of Shitsuren, Hiyori used them well, shielding offensive attacks from the aradama princess.

"Revenge has always been the only thing that'd drive us, hasn't it?" Hiyori mused aloud.

"You think you're so better off without me. But, deep down inside, you know I'm a part of you! I am you!"

The other four in the room watched with wide eyes. Neither Hiyori nor Hiyorihime appeared to have any sort of advantage over the other. The same moves, the same techniques... They were of one mindset and could easily predict what the other would do.

'Dammit! I can't possibly win this. She can read my moves too well,' Hiyori panicked. 'Getting struck down by her or exhausting my energy—whichever one comes first, I'll lose either way!'

Thinking quickly, Hiyori decided to try and push Hiyorihime towards the stairs in the hopes of making her fall down—when the first black tendril missed her neck by an inch. Energized by a new fear, Hiyori brought Niou Kiyotsuna down to cut off another razor-sharp projectile that Hiyorihime shot at her.

"Stop dodging!"

The battle just took a new turn. Hiyorihime had been simply just having fun with her, now the aradama princess was in no mood for games. Whatever concrete plan Hiyori tried to form in her mind was instantly gone, as she tried to deflect the onslaughts thrown her way. For every deadly tendril shot towards her, it was either act or die.

"I've tortured and killed many people in this castle—but I haven't yet killed a pregnant mother," Hiyorihime crooned.

"And I haven't killed a fifteen-year-old," Hiyori half-remarked, half-taunted.

Her words definitely struck a nerve in the arrogant aradama princess. Hiyorihime let out a shrill banshee-like scream loud enough to make everyone's ears ring, before swinging Shitsuren towards Hiyori again more violently than before. However, her opponent's rage did not make Hiyori waver; she would not back down without a fight.

In her mind, she could imagine the faces of those she knew, urging her to not give up. Kanami and their friends, the Akabane Sword Team, and even the Origami sisters—cheering for her. Knowing they gave up everything to protect her, Hiyori refused to let their lives go to waste.

Just as she was uplifted by this new motivation, a surge of energy swept from her palms throughout her body. Astonished, Hiyori looked at Kofuki's two short blades now shining with energy. No, it wasn't an illusion. Her utsushi had returned.

For a short second, everyone took in the sight of Hiyori's utsushi-clad body in bewilderment. The Heijou Toji was just as confused as the rest when she felt what seemed to be two hands wrap on top of her own.

"Kofuki?"

Before anyone could understand what was going on, Hiyori let out a yelp. Reason why was because she felt her hands being yanked and forced to move, swinging Chutan Nikiri and Niou Kiyotsuna wildly about. Hiyorihime let out a cry of surprise herself as she swiftly blocked the sudden fierce wave of attacks. Whatever different fighting-style Hiyori was using, it was one the aradama princess now had to use her future sight for.

'This newfound strength...'

Seemed like she would have to use a new tactic too. Hiyorihime smirked, before she transformed into a flock of crows, flying deeper into the castle.

"Come back here!" Hiyori called out, chasing after her.

Fearing Hiyori's survival, Kagari tried to get up to only collapse back down with a moan. She could only wait with dread, wondering which mother would return to her. One would most likely finish her off; the other would give her the love she always wanted.

"Mother..."

"Where are you?!" Hiyori yelled.

The hall she had chased the aradama princess into was covered from floor to ceiling with mirrors. It reminded Hiyori of the one time she and Kanami went to an amusement park together. The Minoseki Toji insisted on going into the house of mirrors attraction for the fun of it. Hiyori later regretted it, as both she and Kanami came out later with several bruises from having bumped into the labyrinth's glass obstacles so many times.

"Don't worry, dearie. I'm right here."

Stepping out of the shadows, the aradama princess came out in full view. It was then that Hiyori realized the trap she was now in. Sure, Hiyorihime was visible but there were now dozens of her, reflected in the mirrors all around them. Her head swimming from disoriented confusion, Hiyori couldn't make out whether each aradama princess she looked at was the real one or just a reflected image.

Terrifyingly off-key, Hiyorihime sang in a creepy child-like voice, "Over here! Come and catch me!"

Hiyori let out a "tch" and kept Kofuki's okatanas in front of her, eyes keen with alert. They surveyed the numerous reflections of the taunting monster, before landing on one. With a yell, Hiyori brought Chutan Nikiri down and the image shattered into thousands of glass shards.

"Nope! Over here!" Hiyorihime's voice cackled.

Hiyori only had time to let out a gasp, before a blast of lightning pushed and smashed her into another mirror. Letting out a pained grunt, the Heijou Toji quickly pulled out the few shards that got stuck in her bleeding hands.

"I did everything for you," came Hiyorihime's seething voice. "And yet, after everything we achieved together during our reign as one, you just cast me aside. Like I never existed!"

"Forget still being a teenager; you're now acting like a five-year-old," Hiyori snorted. "Seriously?! All this—just because you want some attention?!"

Then, with narrowed eyes, she asked, "Or is it because of something else?"

When she received no reply, Hiyori continued, "All of this has been strange from the start. You claim you want revenge and yet you still haven't given one valid reason as to why. You say it's because of me, but why bring the rest of Japan into this? What do you really want from them?"

"I don't have to tell you anything!"

Hiyori was not going to accept that answer. "You're different than the aradama goddesses inside of you. I still retain the memories of them and I know you do too. That time Ichikishimashime spoke to Origami Yukari, she said, 'In contrast to Tagitsuhime of vengeance and Takirihime of dominance, I am only Ichikishimahime of denial.' Each aradama princess had her own reason for existence. But, what about you, Hiyorihime?"

As she was speaking, her eyes were once again taking in the mirrors all around her. Then, they finally stopped one at the far end of the hall made from an iron frame and ice-like glass. Hiyorihime's reflection on this mirror was different. While the others had frowns of wrath, this one had a frown of an emotion Hiyori knew all too well. A sensation of isolation, separation, and emptiness...

"Tagitsuhime was right about one thing. We were just like her," Hiyori said. "For we shared the same loneliness."

"Shut up."

"You still have a hole in your heart."

"And both of us know that you have that same hole too. The hole that you so foolishly think can be filled with love! Love from those back-stabbing traitors you call your friends! What about everything we worked for? That sole purpose was ours!"

Ignoring the aradama princess's words, Hiyori strode over to the mirror she set her eyes on. "And that purpose is because of the one thing that distinguishes you from other aradama..."

A mix of emotions whirled like a storm in Hiyorihime's heart—frustration, surprise, and even slight nervousness. Never before was Hiyori so persistent. Frantically, the aradama princess shot tendril after tendril at the girl approaching her. The black razor-sharp projectiles sliced through Hiyori's skin, grazing her, but she still continued forward with a determined glint in her burgundy eyes.

Then, something unexpected happened which surprised both of them. Despite the pain she was feeling, despite everything Hiyorihime had done to her and everyone else...Hiyori casually tossed Kofuki's okatanas to the side and enveloped the aradama princess in a hug, refusing to let go. At the sudden contact, the feathered cloak Hiyorihime wore shook on its own, before transforming into a flock of crows that flew away.

"What are you doing?! Let me go or I'll make you!"

Unfazed, Hiyori whispered, "Kiyoka once said to me that I need to love myself—the good and the bad. I'm sorry I didn't realize it sooner. I now know what drives your need for revenge. Hiyorihime...you hate yourself, don't you?"

Hiyorihime stopped struggling all at once and froze, her expression now a startled one. The black tendrils she was about to stab into Hiyori lowered slightly.

"And because I hated you too, you felt so lost. You didn't want me to love or rely on anyone but you, due to your own insecurities," Hiyori said. "Well, I was wrong—you are me and I am you."

"So, you've come to your senses, have you?" Hiyorihime sniffed spitefully.

"Yes. Although I had the love of my friends and those I cared about, I still couldn't fully return their love for one reason—I didn't love myself. Those years of anger and despair, the times when I'd feel misunderstood and afraid, I carried that burden everywhere," Hiyori said. "And after becoming a powerful aradama, I hated what I became...and that's why you have a grudge against me, isn't it? Because all those dark negative feelings are you."

"You really believe you're better than me?" Hiyorihime snarled. "Is that why you loathed my existence?!"

"I hated myself!" Hiyori shouted, angry tears now falling from her eyes. "I was the last person I wanted to love. But now...I'm going to stop that and learn to embrace every part of me. Including you."

Hiyorihime couldn't stop shaking. Whatever words she tried to say couldn't come out of her dry mouth.

Taking a deep breath, Hiyori prepared herself for what she was about to say next. Although it'd sound like a big mistake to anyone, the Heijou Toji knew that it was important to accept not just herself, but also Hiyorihime. It was time to stop feeding her self-hatred to the aradama princess. And there was only one way to achieve that. Not through violence and force, but through peace and understanding.

"So please...merge with me again."

The Heijou Toji released her hold on Hiyorihime and stepped away, trying to meet her eyes. However, the aradama princess had hidden her face with her blue hair, refusing to make eye contact. Then, ever so slowly, her grip on Shitsuren loosened before she let go of it completely. As vulnerable as a lost child, Hiyorihime hugged herself before slowly walking to Hiyori with hunched shoulders. The closer she stepped towards the Heijou Toji, the less erratically her hair flowed and the more she seemed to shrink in size, as her power and strength diminished.

Both of their hearts thumping, the two looked at each other for the first real time, without any hatred or judgement. If either of them was going to back down, now was the time to do it. And yet, both Hiyori and Hiyorihime showed no sign of resistance—only lonely sorrow. Watching the plaintive tears rolling down Hiyorihime's cheeks, Hiyori raised her lips to meet those of the now stable aradama princess.

The familiar searing pain of the blazing impure noro shot through Hiyori's veins, as it entered her bloodstream. But she refused to release her lips until every single bit of her inner demon returned to her. In the mirrors around them, the Heijou Toji could see her wounds slowly disappearing along with her hair growing back to its former length.

The last thing Hiyori remembered was the iron-framed mirror shattering by itself into thousands of pieces.

In her state of semi-consciousness, Hiyori could only register a few things. Her body being lifted and carried, the faint echoes of what sounded like explosions, something being placed around her wrists, and then a woman yelling in anger. Hiyori's ringing ears couldn't make out exactly what the familiar sharp-tongued voice was protesting. But she had the comforting feeling that whoever it was wanted to protect her.

After a long time, the Heijou Toji's ears finally managed to pick up a few distinct words. "Mother? Can you hear me?"

A weary groan of complaint left Hiyori's mouth, as she groggily opened her eyes. Her blurry vision could make out a source of dappled light until she saw that it came from a small barred window. The next thing she registered was aware of being strangely cold when the pale face of Kagari came into view.

"Kagari!" Hiyori gasped, throwing her arms around her daughter.

The sudden physical touch of affection was alien to the orange-eyed girl and caught her by surprise. But there came with it a sense of comfort and motherly-warmth. This was the first hug Kagari had ever received and was fully aware of. Hesitatingly, she responded in kind by returning the embrace.

When they broke apart, Hiyori looked around the cell they were in. "Where are we?"

"Kamakura Prison," replied Kagari, in a matter-of-fact voice.

It didn't take long for her to tell what happened to her mother. The two sat on the hard floor with their legs tucked under them, as Kagari explained the situation.

After the forcefield had been destroyed, President Takatsu and a squad of her Tojis infiltrated the castle, rescuing everyone inside. Shitsuren was now in the safe hands of the Special Sword Administration Bureau. However, although Kanami, Mirja, and Mihono were taken for medical treatment, it was immediately demanded for Hiyori to be detained, due to her obvious signs of breaking sanctions.

"Takatsu Yukina tried to pardon you, but despite being one of the presidents, she still didn't hold enough power to go against Origami Yukari's orders," Kagari said. "She even had a big fight with the Special Sword Administration Bureau, but it was eventually agreed that they won't decide on a proper punishment for us just yet."

"And the war? It's over, right?" Hiyori asked, anxiously.

Guilt made Kagari avert her gaze slightly and she fidgeted with the bandage wrapped around her chest. "Yeah, it's over. The Kokushibyō Army surrendered not too long ago...but everyone's still recovering from the aftermath."

It was as though a ton of bricks that been dropped onto both Hiyori and Kagari, as they uncomfortably sat in silence. In a hollow voice, Hiyori dared to ask a question even though she knew she wouldn't like the answer.

"How many?" The Heijou Toji didn't even have to specify what she was referring to for Kagari to answer.

"About 53,000 dead and 89,000 injured—at least, from what I heard by listening to the guards' conversations," Kagari replied.

Hiyori slumped against the wall she had her back to, momentarily forgetting that she was in the presence of another person. After hearing those numbers, it was obvious that at least half of the Toji personnel must've been removed from the active Toji roster. About 53,000 dead and 89,000 injured...greater numbers than even those of the Great Disaster of Sagami Bay.

However, Hiyori knew better than to blame herself. It was time for her to let go of the past, and stop carrying a pang of heavy guilt with her everywhere.

As they sat in silence, Hiyori recalled every precious memory she remembered of those she owed her life to. Chie's laugh. Kiyoka reading a yuri novel. Kofuki scarfing down a packet of pudding. The Origami sisters having a good-natured conversation. Konoka handing Kanami her pocket-watch. On and on. Every single one Hiyori vowed to keep safe in her heart.

Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard a "Psst!" Hiyori and Kagari jumped to their feet and saw Mai and Ellen through the bars of their cell door.

"No time to explain," Mai said, before fiddling with the lock and opening the door. "Now quickly before all four of us are behind bars."

"I can't believe you're both alive!" Hiyori exclaimed once they were out on the streets.

"Likewise. You don't know how worried we were for you, Hiyoyon," Ellen said.

"And the Elite Guards?"

"They're safe at the hospital, Hiyori-chan. Don't worry," Mai reassured.

"Mind explaining what's going on?" Kagari asked, wanting to get straight to the point.

"The remaining presidents of the Five Traditions enlisted Grandpa to take you girls to my place in America. You'll be safe there," Ellen said. "We just need to get to the harbour."

When they arrived, they discovered Richard Friedman waiting right beside his submarine. However, what took Hiyori by surprise was that he wasn't alone. Right beside him was Kanami carrying a duffle bag. A small pile of suitcases had been set on the ground next to her.

"Kanami?"

"Hiyori-chan..."

"What are you doing here? You should be recovering in the hospital," Hiyori said in a concerned tone. "And what's with all the luggage?"

The Minoseki Toji straightened her back and put on what Hiyori recognized as her determined face. The expression she'd use when ready to make a big decision.

"Because I'm coming with you."

"What? Kanami, you can't!" Hiyori protested.

Her objection was met with refusal, as Kanami replied, "I am and nothing you say will stop me. I promised to always share your burden, Hiyori-chan—and that means doing everything I can to be by your side to protect you."

"Kanami, don't you realize what this means?" Hiyori cried. "What about being a Toji?"

"You are more important to me than wielding an okatana, Hiyori-chan."

Flustered, Hiyori attempted to try again. Kanami was basically throwing away everything and everyone for her. It just wasn't right!

"What about your family and friends?" Hiyori asked. "Aren't they just as important to you?"

"Of course, they are," Kanami said. "Which is why I didn't leave without saying my proper goodbyes to my father and my brother. And all of our friends understand and agreed that being by your side is where I truly belong."

Hiyori shook, unable to control the overwhelming feelings inside of her. "There will come a day when you will regret running away with me."

A smirk made its way up Kanami's face. "I've already run away with you before and I didn't regret any single part of it. The only regret I'd have is not being with you if I back out of this. Don't you get it, Hiyori-chan? We were always meant to be with each other. Not just because Chidori and Kogarasumaru chose for us to be connected, but also it's the reason fate brought us together in the first place."

Then, with a teasing wink, she added, "And did you already forget what I said to you before, Hiyori-chan? Where you go, I'll go and where you die, I'll die. Even if the world is your enemy, I'll be a monster with you."

Every inch of Hiyori wanted to continue arguing with Kanami to back out of this. But once the Minoseki Toji took her hand in hers, the familiar warmth of it reminded Hiyori of how much she loved the girl before her and how she did not want it to die.

"I love you, Kanami."

"I love you too, Hiyori-chan," Kanami replied, embracing the Heijou Toji.

As for Richard Friedman and the other girls, they watched with amusement. Except for Kagari, who only had an eyebrow raised.

Covering her mouth with her hand, Kagari whispered into Ellen's ear, "Have they always been this sappy with each other?"

Final goodbyes were said not long afterwards. Hugs were given all around and parting tears wept.

"For the journey," Mai said, pressing a bag of homemade cookies into Kanami's hands.

Then turning to Hiyori, the Yanase heiress said, "I hope you don't mind, Hiyori-chan, but I went to your house to grab something for you. I knew it'd break your heart not having it with you in America."

Reverently passing with two hands, she gave Hiyori the framed photo of Hiiragi Kagari. The last photo of her mother looking dignified and full of life.

"Thank you, Mai," Hiyori whispered.

"Don't worry, Hiyoyon. We'll keep your house spick-and-span for you until it's safe for you to return," Ellen promised.

After waving final goodbyes, Ellen and Mai watched until the last of their friends disappeared through the submarine hatch. With a heaving groan of metal, the large watercraft descended into the ocean heading towards its destination.

Mai sniffed a little before saying with a smile, "Someday we'll see them again."

A/N: This is a quote by Vironika Tugaleva that inspired me as to how to write this chapter: "Let yourself face your demons. Love them, but don't believe them. Then, you will not need to let go. They will get up and leave."

As I wrote this chapter, I remembered my mother once saying to me when I was little, "Arrogance and self-hatred—both come from insecurities. That is why it is important to love yourself before you let them blind your vision as to who you really are."

And here's just a bit of detailed information on the Toji Civil War, if you're interested in the actual numbers and stuff:

Special Sword Administration Bureau:

Commanders: Origami Yukari; Origami Akane; Director Maniwa

Casualties: Tojis—Over 5,000; Soldiers—Over 7,000; Civilians—Over 36,000 (Total Dead—Over 48,000)

Kokushibyō Empire:

Commanders: Hiyorihime; Juujou Kagari; Hiiragi Konoka

Casualties: Tojis—Over 2,000; Soldiers—Over 3,000 (Total Dead—Over 5,000)

Outcome:

Special Sword Administration Bureau Victory