AN: Hey just so everyone knows this will be the last chapter of the story. So please enjoy, even though it is a bit short. Special thanks at the end alright! Now on with the Fic!

Mariah Sunshine

Dawn loomed over the horizon, casting a bright and cheerful glow on the 4 riders returning home from their ordeal at the lake. The 4 horses paced slowly back, their hooves packing the brown dirt heavily as they continued their journey home. Amelia and Zel were in front, their horses neighing loudly as they chatted softly amongst themselves. In the rear was Gourry and Lina, Lina sleeping soundly with Gourry on his horse, and her horse tied to Gourry's. It was actually pretty hard to handle the reigns, Lina and her horse but Gourry seemed to get the hang of it. Lina was curled under one of his protective arms, the baby tight in her grasps sleeping just as soundly. The reigns of his horse and Lina's were in his other arm as he balanced all three and rode softly to the palace.

Hey... Zel?

Zegaldis paused and turned his horse and managed to get in pace with Gourry's along side of him. Amelia, hating to be alone, took Gourry's other side.

Yea?

How much longer until we get back to the palace?

Judging from the angel of the sky, not more than another half an hour at this pace.

Gourry nodded and they continued walking trying to take it as easy as possibly with Lina sleeping. She had obviously had a rough night. They all had. She was swimming and holding tight to a child in torrential waters. Being hit and slammed by a priestess and a tree, all while standing up to the beastly woman. By the time the Priestess disappeared Lina had fallen to the ground in exhaustion, and probably a feeling of overwhelming happiness at the release of the baby. Gourry had felt the same way. He was desperate to get some sleep, his body slumped heavily. But he knew his first job was to get his wife and daughter home.

Zel. I want to speed the pace up. I want to get Lina back to the palace and fully healed as soon as possible.

Zegaldis nodded, and maneuvered closer to Gourry's side. With his free hand he grabbed the reigns of Lina's horse before pulling off to the side to get out of Gourry's way. With the horse now securely with Zel, Gourry pulled Lina tightened into his embrace and snapped the reigns sending the horse jolting forward at a slow yet steady pace. He experimented going faster, seeing at which pace he could hold onto Lina and still manage to keep the control of the horse. He found a comfortable speed quickly, and Amelia and Zel were on either side of him, mouths tightly closed and their eyes sparkling with the sunrise.

It didn't take long for the palace to come into view and with it, a crowd of town's people cheering in front of it, for their four rulers mounted on white horses. Children were laughing and ducking back and forth waving home made pictures of baby Mariah while others waved pictures of the 4 friends. Women dabbed their eyes while men toasted drink of liquor and wine. Today was to be a celebration in the town. Far and wide everyone would sing the praises of the four rulers who managed to destroy a curse, save a child and destroy the wicked in a single terrible night.

By the time they reached the Palace walls, they were bombarded with fans and subjects screaming and trying to get a touch of the magical rulers. It wasn't until Amelia screamed for security that they stood back and allowed the 4 rulers to enter their homes. Zegaldis whispered to the guard to announce a 5 o'clock celebration that night around the balcony for the towns' people and the royal nearby nations to attend.

Gourry had a hard time maneuvering around the crowd the loudness had long ago woken up his wife, and she had demanded to be put down. The baby had awoken at the sound of its mother's voice and she was crying softly into Lina's shoulder. Needless to say, Gourry was upset, not only with the townspeople for waking his beloved, but with waking his child as well. It was a tiring time, and right now, he didn't think this was necessary. Security managed to escort them inside and away from the screaming public. Of course, Lina and Mariah were never ones to stay awake long if they didn't have to, and they fell asleep just as quickly almost as if it had been a spell. Hm, maybe Mariah is getting a lot of Lina's features.

He carried mother and child into the bedroom and closed the door behind him, settling her down on the white fluffy sheets. He pulled the baby off Lina's stomach and laid her beside her mom, both whimpering and smacking their lips softly. Gourry pulled off his own and Lina's boots setting them down on the floor with a thump. He pulled off his armor and laid it on the chair besides the bed, and pulled off Lina's cape and clothes leaving her in her undergarments on the bed. Then he settled besides her and the baby, pulled the two of them close.

Lina?

She murmured softly about Jellyfish, and snuggled closer to the baby and his arm.

Lina, wake up.

Lina growled softly in her sleep, angry over running her features until she sighed heavily and her eyes fluttered open. The first thing she saw was dazzling blue eyes and the soft smile that was Gourry.

Gourry…

We're home now. You slept the whole way… and look, Mariah is here too.

Lina looked down besides her, almost as if she had forgotten the baby was here. Her facial features brightened quickly and a smile slipped over her face as her fingers slid over the baby's cheeks. Her Mariah… she was… home… finally. She thought she would never get her back, and now she was home. Tears filled her eyes and settled on her cheeks slowly as she looked at the baby sleeping besides her. Gourry's arm reached out and brushed away the tears as happiness and pride filling his own heart as he looked down at the two snuggled deep within his grasp. Lina was happy, his daughter home, and now nothing else in the world mattered to him. Nothing. He let her go from his embrace, his arm snaking up to her jaw as he tilted her mouth to his in a kiss. Everything that needed to be said, was said in the kiss and it was like that the two fell asleep.

A small piece of confetti floated from the sky and landed on the head of a small dark haired child. She giggled and pulled at the small sting of blue before throwing it back in the air and joining the claps and laughs of the rest of the crowd. Hundreds of men women and children were in their finest gowns, dancing and clapping to the music of the royal orchestra, singing and cooing to tales passed down from century to century. In the middle of it all was the clumsy Prince Philip dancing to the trumpet while the townspeople laughed at and with him. His heavy black boots clunked with each high lift and forced stomp. His belly shook with laughter and bellows wrinkling and straightening the heavy dark velvet of the suit he chose for the occasion. Amelia wasn't far from her father, dancing and pulling on Zegaldis who refused to even think of dancing. Her long light blue satin dress swinging at her ankles, as her feet glided in glass slippers. Her hair brushed against her cheeks in a sweet black bob as she swung every which way possible. Zegaldis had a strong hold on Amelia. His red satin suit made him look distinguished even though his he was tripping over his own feet trying to get Amelia to settle herself down. The little girl dodged in and out between the feet of the princess, Amelia laughing and clapping with her. She even managed to grab the hand of the distinguished Prince Phil, and swing him a circle or two. But only for a swing or two, after that she pulled away and disappeared into the crowd.

Her hair was a soft billowing black that swung at her lower back while the upper half bounced in a bun on her head. For a town's person she was unusually dressed, much too royally to be from any town. She wore an elegant silk gown, the color of pink roses, and embroidered with strings of gold and silvers, weaving in and out the soft strands of her dress. It was puffed out, not layered like that of the subjects and her hair was decorated with golden charms and dangles. On her arm there were bangles of gold with beautiful gemstones and on her fingers she wore silver and gold rings one of which gleamed especially in the sun. It was a simple gold ring, that held a sapphire and a ruby, both of which were settled next to a tiny diamond. All of it seemed far too glamorous for a child of such a young age as 7, but she sported all of it with the grace and beauty of a queen in her later years. Her face held high and proud, her rosy cheeks and glossy lips glittering in the sun. Today was the day, today was her mission.

She dodged in and out of the crowd, weaving past the hundreds of happy and laughing people as she hurriedly made her way to the alleyway behind the castle. The sun was setting behind her, and fast, and she knew that she needed to hurry. Lifting her skirt and revealing her glass slippers, she darted through the alley and down the palace walls until she came across a walkway through the front of the castle. The white marble walkway made her breathe a sigh of relief for some strange reason as her bright brown eyes followed the path inside. She scrambled up the walkway and into the palace. The maids were thrown into chaos to see a child in their quarters they had never seen before. Rather than stopping, the child merely called and greeted each one by name before turning the corner and dashing up the palace steps. She knew the maids would be confused but she had no time, the sun was setting and she had this time for only a moment, longer. She dashed and ran, ran and dashed until finally she paused at a room on the third floor, and glanced inside.

By the window a woman was seated in a silk green dress, her feet adorned in glass slippers similar to Amelia's. Her hair was tied up in a fiery red ponytail as she cradled a small pink bundle in her arms. Beside her stood a tall, distinguished man, dressed in blue tails, and high black boots. His hair was blonde and pulled back and into a tight braid at his lower neck. Shadows overland their face blocking the color of their eyes from her sight, but she already knew them. Red like rubies for the female and blue like sapphires for the man. It was something she would remember for as long as she lived. Slowly, she made her way into the room, her shoes clicking lightly on the heavy white marble, as she approached the royal ambassadors. Lina and Gourry looked up at the small child, and smiled softly, before looking down again at her daughter. Gourry took a longer note of the girl quietly, before he turned back to his wife and daughter, the sun setting behind them.

The girl took her place besides Lina and held tight to the back of the chair as she looked down at the child. The baby cooed, the similar brown eyes shining bright and cool to each other as they spoke silent words. Finally, after a few pregnant moments the tiny girl spoke.

Gabriev, she is a very lovely.

Gourry and Lina merely nodded unsure of what more to say.

Do not worry on how you will explain these things to her. She will know when the time is right. Do not fear either, she will know that she is your child. Like you said before, Poppa, the blood does not make the child, it is the parents that make the child.

The child paused for a moment and allowed what she had said to sink in for each parent. Lina was the first to speak but not the question she would expect.

Will there be others?

Yes, but they will look like you Momma, mixed with Poppa. Hair of fire and golden sun rays. None will have my raven hair. But I will always be cherished in your hearts. I am no different from the rest. Neither to the country nor auntie Amelia or uncle Zel. Grandpa Phil says I am the prettiest of them all.

Lina and Gourry nodded, smiles playing on their lips as they watched the child look down at the baby. The little girl brought her hand across and touched the child's face lightly.

I came to tell you, that at first I was confused. But I wished on a star, and now, I understand everything. So, please don't worry.

Don't worry, we won't, but… who sent you?

The priestess by the cherry blossom lake.

Lina tensed and Gourry did as well, as they turned to the little girl. The Priestess! She will appear again? The little girl smiled, a bright grin, before she leant forward and kissed the baby on the head. As the final rays of the sun disappeared behind the horizon the girl began to fade until she too disappeared back to her time. Lina and Gourry didn't flinch nor did they speak. A smile broke from the lips of the two and they stood, baby in arms and went downstairs to celebrate with the rest of the town. Mariah was back, and they have now finally found peace, with themselves and with their child.

AN: Well, here is an end to my second, Slayers fanfic. I'm sorry fi you dislike the ending, but don't feel bad cause I do too. I didn't want to drag it across another chapter so I just decided to end it here. Incase you guys are wondering and didn't understand the child was indeed Mariah from a future time, come to reassure the parents of the weird little child. Heh, don't ask it just came into my mind. Ahh yes, Special thanks right? Okies here goes.

Neo Cristal Serenity- I'm happy you enjoyed my story, and thanks a lot of the support. School is a serious pain! Lol. I hope to hear from you again, which I'm sure I will, and thanks again for the reviews, they mean a lot. Take it easy! Muahz!

Tanwen Whitefire- Hi there! Sorry about the bolds and italics. I know they can be kinda confusing. But this is the last chapter so you wont have to deal with it again, lol. Thanks for the reviews as well, I'm happy you enjoyed the story. As for the line, yeah, that was one of my favorites. Lol. Well, thanks again, see ya! Muahz!

Katana Seishin- Hi there! You've been there through the majority of my writings and I thank you and anyone else who has too. Thanks very much for the encouragement and the consistency, it means a lot to me. If you ever want to chat, and this goes for everyone you can email me, of Im me at TheRightTree weird I'm I know, but I didn't pick it so don't blame me, lol. Well, thanks a lot dear, take care! Muahz!

Encyser- You have always been one that was frequent with me and thank you. I felt so discouraged because I received so little reviews, but your right, the hits really do reflect more than the reviews themselve. Thanks a lot for that. I'm sure I will run into you again, and if not, then im coming looking for you, lol. Cuidate! Muahz!

Me! Hehehe. I'll be happy when I finally learn who the mystery me is! Thanks for the review! Hope to hear from YOU hehhe again. 1 Muahz!

Annie- Aww, my dear dear annie! Words cannot express the gratitude you've brought me through the years! Thank you very much, and continue to stay in touch. Muahz! Te Quiero mucho Colombiana!

SilentMystic- It would be great if you started writing Slayers fanfiction. Pulling your own weight never hurt anyone, hehehe. Keep in touch dear, and please UPDATE those stories of yours. I fear you've begun to grow spider webs on your pages! Muahz!

Hey- Last but most definitely not least there is my dear Hey. I wonder who you are and if you are related to Me. Be sure to hit me up whenever you feel like it. I hope you enjoyed the story and I also hope to hear from you again! Muahz!

To everyone thanks for reading and hopefully I'll hear and read from you in the future! Muahz my dears, thanks for making writing a great experience! Until Next time! CarolinaWhiteRose