.

It had been almost six months, and it still hurt Saranya to watch her friends struggle. She had been in the small room which held the waterfall mirror. This particular mirror went from the ceiling to the floor, and shone with the elegance of the Water Goddess that created it. She never spent time in this room before she left and now it seemed like she would never leave it. The waterfall would show the user what they wanted, and Saranya had told them that she would be watching them.

That's all Saranya could do, since she couldn't go to the mortal realm to help them.

Looking at Yusuke, he was still clueless on how to use his energy to become invisible with the Fire Cloak. However, it did save him a few times from heavy flame attacks.

Kurama's new weapon from the Earth Seeds were still disobeying their new owner.

Kuwabara's spirit sword could only do so much as well.

Hiei on the other hand...

"Hiei!" Saranya was looking at a fire ball that was barreling straight towards him. Inhaling deeply, the goddess blew her breath to redirect the blast back at the creature. As it hit the attacking demon, Hiei looked up and Saranya swore he knew where she was. Muttering a quick thanks, Hiei went to deliver the final blow.

Saranya didn't see it, as Verbti stepped into her view of the mirror.

"Verbti? What's wrong?" She tried glancing around him to see the outcome of the fight.

"Mother requests your presence." Verbti moved slightly to block her view of the waterfall once more. "She worries about your health, and so do I, Sister."

"Brother..." Saranya sighed, "Fine, if Mother requests me, so be it. I shall go see her now. At least I know he is safe." The Goddess got up from her seat, for the first time in days, and started heading away from her brother.

"Saranya, you should forget about them. I would rather not see you waste your life with this fire demon of yours." Verbti's words stopped Saranya.

As she turned her head to look at the Fire God, she had eyes almost spilling with tears. "To waste my life with him, I would have to be in the Mortal Realm with him. Not up here just watching from the safety of this tiny room. You wouldn't understand, Verbti."

As Saranya left the room, Verbti let out a sigh of his own. "Oh, Sister. I just want you happy."

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As the corridors faintly echoed her footsteps, Saranya was wondering what her mother wanted. She never really had to go to the chamber where the Water Goddess resided, but when she did it was never good. It's not like she left Himinbjorg at all. Finding herself at the appropriate door, she knocked, only to hear a faint 'Enter' from within.

"You wished to see me, Mother?" Saranya walked over and sat across from Nerthus on the floor.

"Yes. I am worried that you spend too much time in front of that mirror, and watching that fire demon boy." The goddess looked at her daughter with sorrow. "You've grown pale."

"I'm sorry for worrying you, Mother." Saranya sighed glancing away from her mother's gaze.

"Your sighs have become more frequent as well. My daughter, take back your gift. If this boy is to die, let him. It makes no difference to us."

"No, I cannot take back my gift!" Saranya interjected. "Mother, you don't understand."

Nerthus rose from her position on the floor. "Yes, I do understand, child. There are god of protection out there doing their duties. You are a Goddess of the Winds! An Elemental deity does not waste their time looking after stupid, mindless, barbaric, mortal creatures of the Earth!"

Staying silent for a moment, Saranya thought about her mother's words. Sure, she could have another god protect him, but this was her gift. "Mother, with all due respect, you do not understand. He isn't just some stupid mortal. Hiei is quiet, strong, brave, and nice when he wants to be. He is one of the few things that made being on Earth for those last months bearable. You may not see what I do, but you have also not done what I've done. You have never left this place for an extended period of time. You don't know what it is like to miss the people you care about."

Nerthus was going to retort, but the look in her daughter's eyes made her think twice about her next words.

"You love him that much, don't you?"

Saranya was shocked at her mother's words. As a single tear dropped from her eye, she whispered, "I do."

"Oh, Saranya." Nerthus glided over to her daughter. "What would make you happy? What could possibly bring back my daughter's smile?"

"Please, Mother," Saranya gazed into her mother's sapphire blue eyes.

"Let me go back..."


Finally, the epilogue is out and this story is complete. I knew I could have it done before the new year. I am so happy I can either work on a new story or try to plan on the second part to this story. Or both! The sky is the limit if my work schedule didn't suck all the ass.
But oh well. I hope you enjoyed this story that I have been thinking about for years upon years.
Until next time, AprilMae saying farewell for now.

I love you.