Disclaimer: Ok, this is it. I don't own the Ronins, I do own everyone not listed in the Ronin cast, American and Gadain versions.

It had been several months since the last battle with Talpa. The Dark Warlords haven't popped out of no where to torture them out of spite. Everything in the mortal realm was back to normal. Well, almost. No one seemed to remember Jett and Opal, save Jay. Not even their parents. It was as if they never existed.

Shin sighed. This was their last week before heading home. He was in Opal's old room, which was now designed as a study, looking around and remembering things from a while back. He remembered the sleepovers that Opal would have with Jett and Jay in this room. Shin could remember standing outside the door just to hear Jett's voice, only to get chased away by Lilith. Shin frowned. Even the cat had disappeared. It just didn't make sense.

Touma was having a difficult time adjusting as well. He was used to having a room filled with herbs and Witch's tools, not a completely white room with blank walls. Even the carpet was untouched. He tried looking for something, some sign, which they would miraculously return and everything would go back to the way it was, with him and Opal fighting every five minutes.

Over at Jett's former home, Seiji was quieter then usual. He was blaming himself for what happened, that he couldn't save the one person he wanted to make amends to. He was rubbing his temples, trying to meditate to see if he could somehow contact Opal in the astral realm. But he couldn't concentrate. Seiji needed sleep, and that was one thing he wasn't getting. Seiji's dreams were plagued with nightmares of what happened, and what seemed to be her accusing face every time he closed his eyes.

Shuu had dampened spirits, but seeing everyone else depressed made him want to make everyone laugh instead. But when he was alone, he couldn't help but feel bad. He had been a total jackass and he regretted it. He wasn't aware on how addicting those two were when it came to poking fun at them and he missed Opal and Jett greatly. He couldn't understand on how anyone could not remember those two, and apparently even their parents had forgotten them.

Ryu had done his best not to break down in front of the others. His grief was equally great and memories of losing Luna to Talpa as well only caused him to lose sleep. He couldn't believe they didn't tell him that they were going to get caught in the crossfire. If there had to be a choice between killing Jett and Opal, two people who didn't stand a chance against the Inferno's rage, and Talpa taking over, he would have chosen Talpa. The guilt of killing innocents just wouldn't leave him.

***

"I don't know about you," Jett said. "But this place is booooorrring!"

"Ugh..." Opal answered, looking about. "Tell me about it. No monsters to destroy, no Drew to beat up, hell, I can't even yell at Seiji because his mind is totally closed!"

"Want to go bother Jay? He seems to be doing nothing at the moment."

"Hell, why not?"

***

Jay looked at his book, memorizing the Latin name to herbs and other things. He wrote down some things in his Book of Shadows, drawing little designs next to the words in the margin. He sighed, looking at the clock. It was almost dinnertime. He snapped his book shut and put his pen on his desk and stretched. Then he felt something poke him in the sides.

"AHHH!" He jumped, only to hear Jett's laughter. "Jett!" He hissed, not wanting his parents to hear him talk to the 'air'. "What are you doing here?"

"Bothering you. Opal and I got bored of the after life." Jett said, sitting on the floor.

"How is the physical plane, anywho?" Asked Opal. "I kinda miss freaking everyone out. It's dull on the other side and the reincarnation list is like, from here to China."

Jay looked at them both. "Well, the guys are really depressed. They are all like, suicidal or something." He pushed his glasses up along his nose. "Especially Seiji and Shin. They really miss you."

Opal made a noise. "Right, cold hearted Seiji? Actually care? That's a shocker."

"Actually, I had all five of them come up to me asking if there was anything I could do. I'm still trying to figure out how I'm the only one out of the entire school who remembers you."

"Lilith's doing," Opal shrugged. "Who knows with her. Perhaps she can do me a favor and smack Seiji upside the head a few times." She crossed her arms and looked at the ceiling. Then she peeked her head through the wall upon hearing someone coming up the stairs. "Dude, you're mom is coming."

Nick nodded and stretched, signaling he had to go and eat. He left, and Opal and Jett were left in the room, looking at each other. Opal sighed, not wanting to forgive Seiji, but that is what Jett was telling her to do by the looks on her face. Opal shook her head. "Not going to do it. Don't even look at me like that."

Jay came back up the stairs, looking irritated. "Man... Dinner was burned..."

Jett and Opal snickered at him. "Poor Jay."

"Dude, this is like, totally weird... I can like, see through you guys and stuff. Hey Jett, can I see if--"

"No," She said quickly. "You can't. And don't touch me!" Jay was reaching over to her pant legs to see if his hand would go through them. Opal laughed at them. Well, things could go back to semi-normal at least...

***

Seiji sighed, looking around the classroom bordly. He just couldn't get into the story he was supposed to be reading. He looked over where Opal used to sit. The seat was now occupied by someone else, some jock. It really ripped him apart inside to see that seat taken over by some moron who couldn't tell Dickens from Poe. Finally, the bell rung and Seiji left the room, ignoring the girls in the hall who wanted a date with him. He couldn't even look at another girl without remembering what he did to Opal.

He heard Shin call his name. Seiji gave a half-hearted wave. Shin looked like he hadn't had much sleep either. He had been having troublesome dreams as well, though not as bad as Seiji's. "Have you seen Jay?" Asked Shin. "I think he knows something or the other about the girls."

Seiji hide his surprise. "How would he know? He said he couldn't see people from the other side."

Shin shrugged. "He said meet him in school, but I haven't seen him. I don't know if he means after or what."

Seiji frowned. "Let's wait after school then. He wasn't in lunch was he?"

Shin shook his head. "Nope."

After school, they waited in the main lobby, searching among the crowd of other students for Jay. After about ten minutes, they found him heading outside into the warm spring air. Shin and Seiji raced up to him. "Jay!"

Jay stopped and waved. "Hey! What's up?"

Shin gave a concerned look. "You said something about Jett and Opal..."

Jay nodded and beckoned the two to follow him home. His parents wouldn't notice, they were gone for the while. When they got to his house, he explained to the two Ronins that the Twin Warriors were in the astral realm and how they have been trying to contact them. "But they can't do that when you're minds are closed."

Seiji looked puzzled. "But I've spent the last few months meditating! How-"

"If you try too hard, you miss the messages." Jay said. "They are right here, standing besides me."

Shin looked at Jay as if he was a nutcase. "Come off it, Jay, this isn't funny."

Jett, who was watching quietly walked over at hugged Shin. He didn't seem to notice. She grunted. "Jay, tell Shin to quit being so closed-minded again. He can't feel me if he doesn't"

Jay did just that, but Shin shook his head. He ended up leaving, not being able to take the hurt that was welling up in his chest. Seiji followed, again keeping his features a tight mask.

***

"Ok, that's it." Jett said as she was back floating around on the astral plane. "We find Lilith, and see if she can get us back into the physical realm. I don't care how long it is; I want to see my Shin again!"

Opal leaned up against a wall. She had seen the look in Seiji's eyes, and was wondering if her anger was any longer justifiable. "Sounds good... I think I owe Seiji an apology..."

They spent the rest of the day and into the night searching for Lilith. When they found her, she was in a garden somewhere along the coast of South America. It was a good thing that they could travel quickly in this form. Opal called over to Lilith and waved. "Lilith! How are you?"

Lilith smiled, standing. "I'm fine. And how are you two?"

"Absolutely miserable," Jett said. "I wanted to ask you a favor. Could you give us some time in the physical realm? I just want it long enough to console Shin, then I'll be happy."

"And I just want to tell the others that we're fine," Opal said. "Tell them to get over their damn guilt trips already."

Lilith got a thoughtful expression. "Maybe," She said. "I don't know if I'm allowed to do that. I'll do the best I can."

***

There was a huge welcome home party for the Ronins when they returned to Japan. Their parents and Mia had set it up along the lake. The boys were faking having a good time, telling of the sights they had seen and such. By the time night fell, everyone was tired and returned to their separate homes after thanking Mia for her hospitality. Once home, Shin collapsed on his bed, the lights off. He stared at the ceiling, knowing he probably wasn't going to sleep tonight though he was dead tired. A shadow caught his eye. It was standing in the corner of the room, arms folded over its chest. He jumped up and grabbed a lamp from his nightstand. "Who's there?" He demanded.

The figure came into the light of a streetlamp. "Now Shin, I'm insulted. I thought you'd recognize me."

Shin dropped the lamp. "J-Jett? How... Am I dreaming?"

She walked over to him and placed her arms around his neck. "Shh.... I've come to say my goodbyes. I have some time before I have to go, and I want it to be with you." She kissed him, gently pushing him onto the bed.

***

Opal had visited all the other Ronins, planting a seed of peace in their minds that it wasn't their fault. Ryu was a little difficult, she had a lot of grief to deal with there, but she managed to push the guilt out of his mind and put him to sleep. She hadn't shown herself to anyone while she was there, but now it was Seiji's turn.

Seiji was staring at a computer screen, typing furiously. Apparently he had a project or something to do. Opal stood there, watching him, trying to decide if she wanted to make herself known. She continued like this for ten minutes before she saw Seiji stop typing and place his hands over his face. Seiji was crying.

"Gods Opal.... I'm so sorry..." He said in a hushed voice.

Opal frowned. He hadn't seen her yet, yet he was apologizing?

"If I could change the past, I wouldn't have done it... I was such a goddamn moron! And now you're not here... It should have been me..."

Opal sat on the end of the bed and cleared her throat. "If it weren't for the fact I'm hear to witness this, I wouldn't believe it."

Seiji spun around, surprised. ".... Opal?" His eyes were red and blotchy.

Opal nodded. "Yeah, the one and only. I'm only hear for a few minutes before Lilith takes me back to the astral realm."

Seiji stood hesitantly. "Do you forgive me?"

Opal shrugged in reply.

Seiji let out a soul-shaking breath. "Opal... I am sorry. If I could-"

"Just shut up and kiss me already, huh?" Opal interrupted.

With a half smile, Seiji took Opal into his arms. For the first time in months, he was able to sleep without dreaming.

*****

*Looks at her work. * Damn! I've never written anything THAT sappy. Oh well, I hope you guys liked the fic, it's the longest I've ever written... Now to finish up my others ones... *Looks dumbfounded* Wait... I actually finished a fic! Woo hoo! Party time!