I know, I named it after another one of Kurama-kun's songs. This is sooo close to being the last chapter. Well, it is basically, because the next one is the epilogue! Congrats to you guys for sticking through! And congrats for me for finishing. I don't care if you review just to compliment me for actually finishing a story either!

Chapter 14: Goodbye is the Beginning of Tomorrow

Torashi woke up, disturbed by a dream about the end of the world. She tried to figure out what it meant, then she remembered. The day was Saturday, she was leaving. The end of her world, she realized.

Torashi sat there for a while, taking in the clean smell of the house. She wanted to remember it. Her life had changed when she fell into the new dimension. Torashi had improved her fighting, broadened her horizon for thoughts and beliefs, and even met someone she wanted to stay with forever. The only problem was, that was the only thing she couldn't do.

Torashi sighed, shaking her head as she went to go find Kurama. He wasn't in his room, which disappointed Torashi. She at least wanted to say good-bye to him before leaving.

Torashi walked slowly down the almost deserted road to the park. Since she didn't have to concentrate on where she was going, She reflected on what happened.

She knew she had to go, to that there was no question. If she stayed, she'd only cause problems.

Despite all of the shit she had said about the group at times, she had grown to like being part of it. Torashi felt as if she should always be part of it. But leaving would fix any problems she had caused when she changed dimensions. She'd at least have to tell her okasan if she were planning something like that again.

Torashi decided then and there that it would happen again. The next time would be intentional. Torashi would find a way to make it work.

Torashi's thoughts trailed around after that, mostly about Kurama, until she got to the park. She supposed it really was something like love that drove her to think like that.

Torashi looked around the park, trying to find a trace of anyone she knew, especially Botan or Koenma, because they would help the most. She picked up the familiar yoki and followed it to the river. Torashi got closer before realizing she had found out where Kurama had gone. He sat under one of the only trees by the river, seeking peace from his confused feelings.

She walked up quietly behind him; thankful her wish had been granted. "K...Kurama-kun," she whispered tentatively.

He turned around slowly as Torashi walked over, following her as she took a seat to his left. Kurama's eyes were filled with a hopeless sorrow, a surprise for Torashi who usually couldn't tell anything aside from his calmness. Guilt stabbed through her like a knife.

"So, you found me," Kurama whispered.

Torashi leaned against Kurama, seeking some sort of comfort. She leaned her head against his shoulder, looking out across the river.

"Not intentionally. You were where I am supposed to be, so if you wanted privacy, you went to the wrong place."

They sat quietly for a few minutes, taking the moment in as if it were a picture.

Torashi broke the silence, whispering, "I wish I could have seen you in your Yoko form."

"No you don't."

"Why not? I could handle it."

"I'm not saying you couldn't. It's just...Yoko is too different from the Kurama you know."

"Are you worried I wouldn't like you if I saw you as a yokai?"

"Basically. You just wouldn't."

"You don't know me that well, then. But, if you don't want to show me, fine. I still think kitsune ears would look cute."

Kurama smiled slightly, even if his eyes were still sad.

"I'm sorry I have to go. Botan said it'd screw things up in my real life if I were to stay though. I can't stay, no matter how much I want to, because..." Torashi trailed off. Now wasn't a time to express feelings she wasn't even sure of.

"Because of what, Torashi-san?" Kurama pressed.

"Never mind. It's noting. I was just thinking aloud."

"You started something, so finish it. I think I caught a bit of your curiosity."

"You said it yourself, curiosity killed the neko. Besides...it's difficult to say. I mean, you're so smart, so caring, so calm, I think I may have fallen in love with you."

Kurama didn't look surprised, rather smiled a bit more. "Yusuke said that I was over protective of you when you were out cold. He said I might love you as well. I believe it could be, no is true. I've spent so much time with you, I think you grew on me."

"Torashi! Get your ass over here! You know it's time to go!" Yusuke yelled.

Torashi looked back to where she heard the voice. "When did they get here? It's not like I need a parade of something to see me off."

Torashi stood up and walked a few paces away. Kurama stood up as well, catching Torashi's hand. As she turned, he pulled her into an embrace. Kurama hugged her tightly, burying his face in her hair, breathing in her scent.

Torashi hugged Kurama back, hiding her face in Kurama's shoulder. She wanted the moment to last forever. A single tear rolled down her face.

"Saotome Torashi! Get over here!" That was Botan.

"I love you Kurama-kun. I'll be back. I promise, I will find a way. Sayonara."

Torashi pulled back slightly, kissed Kurama, and then turned, running to where the group was waiting, shouting "Jeeze! For crying out loud, I'm coming."

Kurama watched Torashi's retreating form with depressed emerald eyes, knowing he could have had so much more time with her if Fate had been kinder. But we decide things like fate ourselves. Kurama leaned against the tree, still watching.

"Ok, ok, fine. I'm here now, so what do I have to do?" Torashi demanded as she stopped in front of the group. Everyone was there, including Botan and Koenma in his totally suave adult form.

"What, you gonna leave before saying bye to the rest of us? Fine then, to think even Hiei showed up. Go ahead and leave already." Yusuke joked.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Let me do this properly. Arigatoo, Yusuke. Your training helped a lot. We should try again when we get the chance." Torashi bowed to Yusuke, straitening to look at Kuwabara. "I guess I forgive you, Kuwa- chan. No since holding a grudge right?" She used the nickname she'd picked up from Shizuru. "See ya again maybe. And you too Hiei. Sometimes you may be a creep, but I guess your ok. Thanks for watchin out for me.

"Hn. Maybe I shouldn't have come. Go on and leave already," Hiei replied.

"So, how does this work?" Torashi asked, getting back to business.

"We looked at how you came through, and have discovered a way to reverse the process. We concluded that you should be a neko, and, well, drown. We already pre-arranged things so that you won't die, but the concept will still be the same. You will end up in your dimension unconscious. This only should work after a certain period of time, so that is why we had to go today. Any questions?" Koenma lectured.

"Uh...No not really."

"Good. Let's get this over with. I have better things I could be doing, but this needs my attention." Between Koenma's hands, a little rei bubble formed. It floated over Torashi, enveloping her and making her skin tingle.

"Ok, there. Go on and drown," Koenma said, flipping a hand at her.

Torashi glared at him for a moment.

"Ok, fine. Go into the water and swim to the center. That should wear a neko out. Then you transfer dimensions."

"Yosh! (1) Later guys!" Torashi flipped the 'V' as she walked to the bank of the river.

She flipped off her shoes, leaving them on the dirt, before wadding into the river. Torashi got to her knees before diving in further. Water submerged her, than a cat's head poked through the surface. The neko swam hard to reach the center of the river.

At the shore, Kurama watched, fighting the urge to keep Torashi from going back to her dimension. He tried distracting himself. Kurama walked over to the group, daring to ask the question on everyone's mind.

"What happens if she fails?"

"The self she left in her dimension will disintegrate. There would be nothing left except memories. It would be an unsolvable mystery. We can't allow that on purpose."

They may not have been able to cause it on purpose, but, secretly, Kurama prayed it wouldn't work. He knew he was being greedy, but wanted it all the same.

Torashi swam, breathing hard. Her vision was becoming fuzzy. She finally persuaded herself to let go and slipped off into unconsciousness and oblivion.

Side Notes:

All right. If you watch fruits basket in jap, it's an Aya and 'Gure thing.....

I shall not forget
You by whom this closed heart has been opened

Today's goodbye is the beginning of tomorrow
Even if we take separate paths now
We shall arrive at the same place...

Even if we ran into each other,
Call it a miracle

For we can be proud of the all days
We ran together

I shall walk,
Taking the never-fading star if this heart

Surely a good bye is not a period
If I go on and climb the everlasting hill
I shall meet you again...

Today's good-bye is the beginning of tomorrow
If in my mind, I shall be beside you
Ok, that bit is from the song, A good-bye is the Beginning of Tomorrow. I don't own it, so I give credit. Sorry if I left it at a bit of a cliffhanger. Will Torashi end up in the right dimension, or will she be stuck as a memory in her real time? Read to find out soon!!!!!!

Oh, by the way, only one more to go! Check back soon!