Author's Note: Ah! The last chapter is here, and forgive for any lack of closure you may feel it has (I sure don't). Anyhoo, I've already started cooking up a new fic, and it should be out soon. However, I need to do more! Writing is what keeps me sane in the summer. Thank-you for reading!
Neko looked out the window and sighed. She was back. Her grandmother had kept her room exactly the same during her latest absence, but Neko would be leaving soon. Now that she and Hiei had managed to convince everyone they were serious about getting married, her family was willing to let her go back to Hiei's world to live. She would always think of this place fondly, but it just wasn't where she felt she belonged. Her memories had returned, but she'd managed to maintain an air of innocence using her alternate lifetime as a barrier against unwanted wisdom. When she became a grandmother it would be okay to let that go, but for now she would keep her delusions.
The Kurai were no longer a threat. Upon Neko's return, she had confronted Eriol and convinced him his neutral actions tended to help the Kurai. When they successfully confronted the Kurai at their home base, they had ensured the survival of Neko's family and kept the world in the dark about the whole matter. A few letters to Mrs. Kelly and Aki had explained her prolonged absence and awakened a lasting friendship.
There was a knock at the door. "Come in," Neko said. The door opened and Yelan came in. Neko sat up and smiled. "Grandmother, please sit down."
Li Yelan sat in Neko's desk chair thankfully. Her years were beginning to catch up, but she wasn't quitting before she got to see her great-grandchildren. Yelan looked at Neko and smiled. "Your eyes are greener today, I wonder what color your children's will be." Neko felt a little squeamish. She hoped her grandmother hadn't come in to talk about…that. "I do hope you'll visit every now and then, and not just me. Eriol plans to leave everything to you once he dies—which won't be for a while, but make sure not to estrange yourself from him and lose the favor you have. I think you are the only one he really cares for in this family…"
Neko looked at her dresser with its pictures. "Don't forget Meilin." Lately, 'Uncle' Eriol had been showing an interest in the magic-less Meilin, who had grown up with him and Neko's parents.
Yelan smiled. "Yes, that may happen, but probably not with any great speed. It really is a pity they didn't notice each other earlier, they aren't getting any younger." She picked up the picture of Neko at her high school graduation from Sarayashiki High School. Neko had maintained her other life so she could be near Hiei. Their romance had sparked when they thought no one else was watching. Then came the day their friends threw them a party on the anniversary of their first date—which had ended with a demon chase. Now A nineteen-year-old Neko was preparing to move to her other world life instead of commuting every day.
Yelan stood and set the picture down. "I guess I'll let you keep packing. Come say goodbye before you leave." Neko nodded and Yelan left the room.
Neko jumped across the room to her desk and took out her purple book. It looked like the Sakura Book, but with a few key changes. One was the color, now purple, the other was what was inside. Neko opened the book and tapped the front page. A living image appeared of Hiei. "Hi! I'll be coming over soon, hopefully before my grandmother has another opportunity to look tragic."
Hiei nodded, his face blank. "I'll be waiting at the usual place," he said, and the picture faded into a blank page. Neko set the book down and brought out the bags she'd been packing. An hour later, she wiped the sweat from her brow and pointed at the packed luggage. It shrunk to a fraction of its size, and she dumped them all into her purse before picking up her book and heading down the hall. She popped her head into her grandmother's office and found almost everyone there.
They stood and waited. Neko slowly came in and closed the door. Then she ran around giving people hugs and promising to invite them to the wedding and to keep in touch, etc. Finally, she faced her grandmother once more. Yelan wasn't the kind of woman you would typically want to coddle, but Neko managed to give her a warm hug and a tearful farewell before leaving the room and going to the patio out in the garden.
She held out a hand, calling her staff. Neko swung it around her head in a circle and pointed it straight up into the evening sky. A dark portal with green lightning appeared and she jumped through.
Neko landed in Hiei's arms. He bent his head down and they shared a quick kiss in greeting. He set her on her feet and she looked up the street to where their apartment was. It had been a literal gift from above, Koenma's thank-you for giving him a growth spurt. Of course, their real home was where Kennichi's mansion had been. Through their combined efforts, Hiei and Neko had built a new home there and revived the grounds. It was where they were planning to live, along with any little demons who came along—including Yusuke and Kayko's twins of terror, Leto and Ghanima. (If you recognize these names, I salute you.)
Hiei gave Neko a look that filled her stomach with butterflies. "You know what's going to happen now, right?" he asked.
Neko nodded. "Yes, but I have to wonder if Galfin will hold off his revenge on us until after Luraelon is born." Hiei chuckled and held Neko close under the darkening sky. She could feel him silently probing her body with his mind, reassuring himself that the life growing there was real. Neko sighed and leaned back into him. "Our son the tadpole! You won't be able to make any telepathic connection for quite a while, you know."
Hiei took her hand and started for their apartment. "I know, but it never hurts to check." Neko began to silently wonder if Hiei was going to be this protective for each of her pregnancies. If her versions were true, then she could look forward to spending a lot more time with him.
She personally felt there was nothing wrong with that.
That's it! It's over! Done! Ended! FINALLY! This has taken so much of my time, I don't know what to do with it now that this is done…Yes I do! I'll write another! But what to do it about…Any ideas? I always appreciate inspiration.