To Break the Chain

Kohari: No comments.

-Chapter 15-

After slipping past the soldiers guarding the gates, she made her way to the forest. No obstacles delayed her and she got there fairly quickly. The happy looks on her comrades' faces cheered her when she entered the clearing, target in tow. The hugs nearly suffocated her as they greeted their teammate, fresh from an escape from Hiei's mansion. Even Mal congratulated her on a job well done, and he wasn't usually the type to admit that to someone.

Kohari turned to Kurama when they had placed the new globe among the collection. The others were too busy celebrating to pay much attention to the girl. "Kurama...?"

He looked at her, and she gained his attention.

"I know this is going to sound a little strange, but I felt that your friend Yukina was with me during this whole fight. Like she was helping me. Somehow, I knew it was her," she confessed, slightly embarrassed.

"It is possible," Kurama informed her, always the wise one. "Maybe she knew what was on the line and decided to help our cause spiritually, though she herself could not help physically. Friends and relatives have a funny way of being with us in times of need."

"Yeah," Kohari agreed. She had almost felt herself regretting that they were about to transform the world back to its original glory. What would happen when they wished it back? Would all this be forgotten? She didn't want to forget the adventures she had had here, though she didn't want to admit it. It was sort of...a part of her now. She had made some friends, and helped save the world to boot. She really would be sad to lose her few memories of them. Even of Hiei.

"Kurama?" she called out to him again softly, for he was right beside her, awaiting the others to come to their senses and make the wish. "What's going to happen when we do this? Will I...forget you all?"

"It's possible," he told her. He had a way of being reassuring in times like this, even while being honest. "But seeing Hiei's behavior, it seems that the one who makes the wish retains the previous memories."

"Shame." He stared at this girl who was behaving sadly. The girl who had always at least tried to find a reason to smile. "I'll be sad to forget."

"To tell the truth, I think we all will be." It was her turn to stare at him (duh, he said it). "As trying and depressing as these memories are, I think we'll all regret having to give them up." Kohari smiled. He really did have a way of soothing people sometimes. She could tell she'd really enjoy having a buddy like him one day.

Finally, the moment came. Everyone gathered around the circle, Elder May, Kohari, Mal, Kurama, Kuwabara, Yusuke, Botan...It was time.

Nobody noticed that in their midst, a certain dragon tamer had joined them. He had spoken true. He had had his fun, but it was time that everything returned to normal. After all, it was a little boring, ruling the world. It was way more enjoyable to criticize and complain about the way Koenma did it.

"Who wants to do the honors?" Kohari asked, somewhat jokingly.

"I'll do it," Kurama volunteered as a hush came over the crowd. Nobody objected. Silence consumed them all as he commanded the wish, knowing that when it was all over, he would have to report this, and that after all, it was Team Urameshi that would keep the memories of this exploit.

"Well," Kohari interrupted, just as Kurama had finished and the spheres started to glow brilliantly. All eyes turned to her. "See you again...on the other side."

Smiles directed them all back to the way things should have been. There was even a smirk on the face of the apparition. The light became blinding, just as it had the first time. Here we go again.

The scene cleared.

Kurama and Hiei sat, lying in wait, in a bush. Yusuke and Kuwabara noisily chased the sprite they were currently pursuing into the clearing, Hiei wasting no time in making mashed 'taters out of the runt. Yusuke and his idiot partner soon joined them, panting like a racehorse on a summer day after winning-...well, you understand.

"Well, mission over!" Yusuke announced after regaining his breath. "Let's go!" He pumped his fist into the air enthusiastically and led Kurama and Kuwabara out of the forest, again leaving Hiei to clean-up duty.

As Hiei got rid of the 'debris,' he looked around him, possibly hoping for some glimpse of the old woman who had started all this. He smirked, then sluggishly followed his team, not perceiving the presence of a certain elder in a cloak.

It looked like another happy ending for the Spirit Detectives. Mission accomplished...Yusuke Urameshi.

Chapter End

Kohari: -anime crying-

Hiei: What are you doing?

Kohari: -sniff- It's not fair. Why does it have to end?

Hiei: -sigh-

Kohari: Anyways, I hope you liked this ending. And there will be an epilogue. And for those of you who like tragedies, I may consider a special ending, just for you!

Hiei: Urgh. Just hurry up and say good-bye already.

Kohari: -sigh; reluctant "Okay"- Bye, everyone! I'll miss you!

Hiei: -thinking- They won't miss you.

Kohari: Don't forget to review! Byes!

Kaimonetstaska: Hey, wait! Don't I get a say in the closing commentar-! (got cut off)