At about that time, the damned thing went off, leaving me stranded on the other side of the bed.
I groaned, pulling myself across the bed and slamming my fist on the button. The ear-piercing, shrieking beeps finally stopped, only to be replaced by a knock on my door. I sighed, rolling my eyes up, then called, "Yeah?"
"Can I come in?"
I sat up with another wince. "Of course." The door slid open, and Yukina walked in, looking upset. "What's wrong, Yukina?" She walked over to the bed and hugged me tightly. My eyes bugged at the firey bolts of pain that raced through my body, but I said nothing.
"I'm going to miss you so much, Becca!"
My eyes widened again, but this time in surprise, and I held her. "Don't be upset, Yukina; I'll write to you every week, and I'll call you, too," I assured her. "Maybe I'll even come visit." But it was a lie. I never planned on coming back to this place. Once I left Genkai's, I was done with the Reikai and the Makai. I was done with being some 'legend' that I didn't even know about.
The lie, however, worked; she pulled back slightly and smiled a bit wider. "That would be wonderful."
I smiled and nodded. Now, to cheer up completely. "How about I let you ride 2K one more time before we leave?"
Her eyes lit up, and she smiled brightly. "Would you really?" she asked excitedly.
"Of course. Go change and I'll meet you down in the barn."
Five hours later I was frowning slightly, watching Koenma. "So, you're saying your excuse -all this time- for me being gone was that I was a private military school?" I was almost mad.
"Yes."
"And you're also saying that four years have gone by, but you can make it seem like only two?"
"Yes."
"And you can put me back in my house in America and restablish my life there with no problems?"
"Yes."
"And 2K and Tomahawk will be there because the people who bought our house bought them back but have to leave them there?"
"Yes."
"And you're also going to give me those five wishes I never used."
"Y-" he stopped. "That's right. Yes. I will."
"Hope you have a good memory. One, I want a nice house with a huge horse facility near where I live currently. Two, once I get back to America, I want to move there and be able to live there with no real protest from my parents. Three, I want money to never be an issue." I paused. I could make him brainwash me. I could ask him to remove the part of me needed for the legend and give it it to someone else. But I said nothing. "And I'll save the other two for another time."
"Another time," he agreed. Our eyes met, and I knew he knew that I would probably never use them.
A car honked, and I got up. I quickly walked to the door and began to gather up my belongings. I hauled a backpack onto my shoulders, hefted a duffel bag strap over my right shoulder, and grabbed the handle of a rolling suitcase. I opened the door and trotted out to the taxi, throwing all but my backpack into the back of the already-open trunk. I turned around, and the gang stood there. I watched them as I closed the trunk, then returned back to them.
Yukina, Botan, and Keiko were crying.
I hugged them and promised to write.
Kurama's green eyes were sad, and he hugged me so tightly I couldn't breathe.
I reminded him I had the flower seeds he'd given me and would grow them the moment I got home.
Hiei seemed indifferent, and we shook hands. Suddenly my left hand had a mind of its own and lightly touched the headband over Hiei's Jagan. He started, glancing at me uncertainly. My fingers felt warm, and we both jerked back in surprise. His now-free hand touched it tentively, and he seemed to...relax. As though something that had been bothering him was gone. He smiled. Actually smiled. I giggled and suddenly saw what Kurama saw everytime he looked at the little demon. I hugged him, and though he was slightly awkward, he hugged me back.
I straightened and shook hands with Genkai. We had never really gotten along, after all.
I hugged Kuwabara, and I heard him sniff as he hugged me back. He was dense, but he'd always been good to me.
And then I think the world stopped, for when I looked at Yusuke, he was crying. His tears forced mine to shine in my eyes, and we hugged tightly. Idiot! Dumbass! Don't do this! Don't leave him! my conscience screamed at me. But Yusuke loved me enough to understand...he loved me enough to still love me even after I told him we couldn't go on. "I just want what's best for you," I whispered shakily.
"I know. But it doesn't make it any easier."
"I know."
I held him for a moment more, then pulled myself away. I kissed him on the cheek, and he returned it. "Good luck, Yusuke." I glanced at the group of humans and demons, then walked to the taxi. I shut the door and waved back as it took off.
I glanced over at my sister. She was asleep, listening to her music, and I turned off mine. The hum of the jet engine was soothing, but it wasn't enough to entice me to sleep. Not yet. I sniffed and swallowed hard, hugging my stuffed rabbit to me tightly. Tears began to roll down my face, and I closed my eyes.
My heart was breaking, but this time, it was my own fault.
The end! I have an interlude and a few pages of a second book written to this, but I guess no one liked this one too much, so I doubt I'll post the others. If you do want to read them, just e-mail me or something, but I doubt I'll ever finish the second book. Thanks to everyone who read it this far! Later!