Random: Well, I cannot believe it. This is the end. The final stand. End of the game. Short end of the stick. A rainy day. A stic-

Kai: What she is trying to say is that this is the last chapter. and Random, none of those metaphorish things you just said made any sense with teh situation.

Random: Why must you all make fun of me so? Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh. And I didn't want to say it was the last chapter! Ah, you made me say it! Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh (cry cry)

Punkie: okay, okay, we are all sad and stuff. Now,for the last time, here is the disclaimer.

DISCLAIMER: WHY MUST YOU TORTURE ME SO? I OWN NOTHING, HAVE YOU NOT GOTTEN THROUGH YOUR HEAD?

Chap. 16

"Oh my God!" shrieked Keiko.

"Yes?"

Koenma popped out of nowhere. He nodded to them all, his way of apologizing for being late. He looked around, trying to find Mariko.

"Where is she?"

"She just disappeared!" Botan shrieked, "Might you have something to do with this, Koenma?"

"Actually no. I am here for the funeral only. What's going on?"

"She's gone. She got away," Hiei said.

"Got away?" Kurama questioned.

Hiei remained silent, but a slow, very creepy looking grin spread across his face.

"He's lost it…………….."

Five years later

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeee-eeeeeeee! An alarm went off in the main offices of the Reikai. Ogres scrambled around in a panic, all of them trying to figure what was going on. Botan appeared in front of Koenma's office. He looked up.

"What is going on?" Botan had to shout to be heard over the racket of the alarm.

"I have no idea!"

Suddenly the alarm was cut off mid-screech. Botan sighed, thankful the noise was gone.

"Was that the spirit escape alarm?" Botan asked, slamming her tired body down into a chair.

"I guess it was. But it won't turn off until the spirit has been recaptured, so I guess it is okay."

Botan looked out into the clouds. She sighed again, realizing what day it was. She put her head in her hands, wishing she had an aspirin or a day off. Either one would do.

"What's the matter?" questioned Koenma, (A/N: he is in his teenage form, by the way) standing up and walking over.

"Do you realize that it has been five years?"

"Five years? Since what?"

"Since we lost Mariko's body. Since she's been dead."

"Yes, I remember."

"Please, Koenma, can I see her?"

"Botan, you and I both know that I can't do that. We can't trust you. I can't trust myself. We could make a decision that would not help anyone. You know that we would try to let her spirit escape. And her body was never found, so she could go back. And you also know what Dad would do to Earth. He would destroy it if I overruled his judgement."

"But, I just want to see her. Everyone does."

"I know! But….."

"You know that Hiei hasn't talked since that day."

"What?"

"He hasn't spoken one word! Not to Kurama, not to me, not to Mukuro! He hasn't even insulted Kuwabara. He still does the missions, but he won't kill anything. He'll just point out the fugitive and then he will let Yusuke or Kurama take care of it. He disappears for weeks at a time and Mukuro always complains to us that he never shows up for duty. He can't go on much longer like this and we all know it."

"Botan……..I had no idea."

"Mariko would just kill him if she knew what he has been like."

"No kidding. She really had a way with him, didn't she?"

"She loved him."

"I know."

"Quit saying that."

Suddenly there were great pounding footsteps coming down the hallway. Koenma stood and pulled Botan behind him. There were arguing voices, a groan, and then the doors to the office flew open. The room filled with a red aura. Botan peeked out from behind Koenma. A shadowed figure stood in the doorway, long hair dancing about behind the person.

"Who are you? What do you want?" demanded Koenma, ready to defend Botan with his life. (AN: Aw, isn't that cute? I couldn't help it….)

"I want to go home," a familiar voice said as the figure stepped into the light.

Black hair. Red tips. Sparkling eyes and a mischievous smile.

"Mariko!" Botan ran forward and threw herself onto the smiling spirit. (A/N: she can hug a spirit because she is a grim reaper.)

"What are you doing here? How did you leave your realm? Didn't you like it there? Koenma sent you to the best one, I know!"

"I want to go home. I've been training for five years and I broke out. I didn't like it there; it was boring. And I know that my body was never burned. I know that for a fact."

"Mariko! What did you do? You made the body disappear, didn't you!"

"Yeah."

"How?" Koenma demanded, storming forward, "Do you realize how much trouble you have caused?"

"Yeah. I keep things interesting, don't I? Anyway, I asked to be cremated for a reason. See I know some flame pixies that owed me a favor. Long story. So I took it up with them. Since they appear whenever fire is present, the plan was perfect. When I died, they received a part of my demon power in an unwritten will. In exchange, they had to make my body disappear right under every person who would be a suspect noses'. So no one could be blamed. And it worked. My body had no life force, so there was no way any of you could track it. Not even Hiei. It is hidden with the fire pixies watching over it until I return."

"Who says that you will be returning?" Koenma snapped, irked that Mariko had outwitted him again. (A/N: the first time was when she died and came back as a human.)

"C'mon, Koenma, as long as your daddy don't find out that I was here, I escaped of my own accord and Earth is safe, right?"

"Well……..yes….I suppose…." Koenma floundered.

"Botan, hon, I will see you at home!"

With that, she took two steps and disappeared. Koenma stared after her, irritated at how good she could manipulate him. Botan took one look at Koenma's face and began to laugh. She leapt on her oar and soared down to Earth. She had a welcoming party to round up.

With Mariko

Mariko sped across the clouds, glad to be free. She smiled, knowing that this would be her one chance to fly. She flew a loop-de-loop and the n floated on her back for a while, staring to the stars. Then, taking a deep breath, she plunged downward.

Landing softly in a densely wooded area, she clucked her tongue twice and a fire emanated from her fingertips. Fiery pixies flew out of the trees, clinging to Mariko. She giggled. (A/N: yes, she actually giggled. She has to be girly sometimes.)

"Yes, yes. I missed you too," she whispered, "Now, where am I?"

About ten pixies flew out of a tree, carrying Mariko's body. Spirit Mariko smiled and quickly lowered herself into her body. Fortunately, being a self-freed spirit, she didn't need to have anyone transfer life energy. She stole some on the way out from some jar of life thingie.

"I hope they didn't need it," she thought slyly.

A shudder passed through her. Then another. Then she stood.

"Thanks, guys," she called over her shoulder as she sped off.

With Botan and almost everyone else

"Why are we all here?" asked Kurama, sighing, "I have a college exam to study for."

"This is more important."

"But could you at least clue us in?" whined Yusuke.

"Can I? Yes. Will I? No."

"Hey, where is Hiei?" Botan asked, looking around.

"I convinced him to come, but he refused to come in the house. I think he is out by the lake. He watches the sunset every night. I don't know why."

"Ah."

Suddenly the door opened. The lights, which had currently been off (to everyone's curiosity), snapped on. Everyone gasped. The igure in the door looked up, ready for a fight. But that was not what she got. Keiko, Botan, and Yukina ran forward and knocked the person to the ground with hugs.

"Mariko!"

The boys simply stood in stunned silence before Kurama ran forward to join in the hug. Yusuke and Kuwabara looked each other, shrugged, and followed Kurama.

"Okay, okay!" gasped Mariko, laughing and squirming, "I get it! Get offa me, I can hardly breathe!"

They all got up. Yukina was crying tears of joy, gems hitting the floor and bouncing all over the place. Kurama reached out and touched her forehead in amazement.

"The gash! There is not even a scar!"

"Yeah. Courtesy of my little pixie friends. They have a lack of spirit power and demon power, but they are incredibly skilled in healing.

Everyone began chattering all at once. Mariko tried to answer all the questions that were being thrown at her. The girls hugged her again and they all had a good cry. Finally Mariko was able to ask a question of her own.

"Where's Hiei?"

"He's out by the lake," Kurama said quietly, "Mariko….he hasn't said anything since the day your body disappeared. We don't know what to do with him."

Mariko frowned. But hen she smiled again, trying to be sociable and happy, but her mind was elsewhere. They all talked late into the night. Finally everyone was heading off to bed. Mariko checked her room. The gang had cleaned it up since Taru had wrecked it, but everything that had been distributed in the will was still there. Keiko told her that no one could bring themselves to take any of it, except her katanas.

"Do you want to sleep with all us tonight?" Botan asked.

"Not now. I have something I have to take care of," was the reply.

Botan nodded her head wisely. Mariko let herself out the back door and took off toward the lake. She immediately found Hiei. He was perched on a boulder, staring at the moon and fiddling with Mariko's katana. Mariko stepped forward. Somehow, Hiei didn't notice. She walked up to him, without him even saying anything or even turning around.

She placed her hand on his shoulder.

"Hey."

He looked up, angry at first, then he realized who it was behind him. A smile spread across his face.

"It's about time."

"Yeah, I know."

He stood and she latched on to his neck, beginning to cry. He wrapped his arms around her, eyes threatening to fill with tears. But he held them back. He kissed her softly and she cried even harder.

"I missed you so much," she got out between tears.

"I know, Mariko, I know."

Mariko smiled through the tears. Hiei pulled back a little so he could see her face.

"I know that I didn't get it all out before," Mariko said, "But I love you."

"I…I love you too."

Mariko knew how hard it was for him to say that. She pulled away and took his hand, leading him back toward the house. She giggled a little and Hiei gave her the small smile, which had originally been only for Yukina, and he opened his other hand. Sitting in his palm was a single tear gem, the one he had cried for her five years ago. Mariko pulled a silver chain out from under her shirt and held it up. The other tear gem sparkled happily. Hiei stopped her quickly and knelt on the ground. He held his tear gem up to her.

"I know that this is a foolish ningen type thing, but…..Mariko, will you stay with me forever?"

Mariko froze, an expression of pure shock on her face. She pulled Hiei off the ground and shook him lightly.

"Oh, Hiei, of course I will."

"Good because otherwise I would have to kidnap you."

Mariko smiled and leaned forward to kiss him again, but a rustling in the bushes stopped her. Yusuke jumped out, laughing his head off and pointing. Hiei's blade was at his throat in an instant. Mariko smiled. It looked like everything was back to normal…for now………….

Random: Well, I gues this is it. Goodbye, all my faithful readers. Don't be distant! Adieu...

Kai: Don't blather in other languages, Random. Anyway, you know that you are already writing your next story.

Random: (thinks) True, true. Actually, expect a sequel and a prequel! I may do something with Kalachi's past and have her working against Kurama or something. Yes. Well, I suppose this is goodbye for now. I promise, if I do write more, I will update faster. I luv ya'll! Bye-bye! WAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!

Kai: ...it could take a while to calm her down...

Actually, peoples, I really do appreciate that you read and review. Thank you so much. I will try to write again, but no promises. TA!