Chapter Fourteen: The end of Team Urameshi

When her wings vanished Amaya was easily able to return to her mortal form and personality. Her hair, however, remained long. "This is getting old," She muttered as she examined the silky strands. "I likemy hair short."

"So long, goddess." Kurama's tone indicated that the acquaintance was still not one he favored to have.

"Bah, I'm not really goddess anymore." Macha said sourly as she tried to fix the wrinkles in her dress.

"Oh?" Kurama asked.

"I am," Macha's eyes twinkled. "A yousei, for lack of a better term, but that's not all that I am." She stood proudly with one hand on her hip and the other over her heart. "From the day I was born until the end of all time I have always been-" She dropped to her knees and bowed to the mortals. "I shall always be humanity's faithful servant." She smirked. "The occasional kick in the ass is just a courtesy call."

"Macha…" Amaya began to say, but her voice trailed off sadly.

Sudden Macha knocked them both over the head with her fists. "Enough. It's not like this is good-bye forever." Amaya rubbed her sore skull and looked at the former goddess resentfully.

"It's not like Rekai is that far away." Macha scoffed. "It takes longer to fly from Japan to America-" Macha stopped speaking as a sudden pulse of power ran through her.

"Macha?" Amaya was startled. It was very much unlike the former goddess to leave a lecture unfinished.

"Uh, heh, heh," Macha placed a palm over her heart and gave a weak chuckle. "Well, well, my, my," The woman shook as she laughed. "My friends I fear that this isthe last time we'll meet. My purpose has been served."

"What's going on?" Yusuke and the rest backed slowly away from the cackling form.

"Isn't it obvious, detective?" Macha asked as her skin began to pale to a shade whiter than bone. "I'm dying."

"How's that…possible?" The mortals stared at her in shock. This devilish woman that had toyed with them, taunted them, and turned their very reality upside down was now telling them she was dying. An immortal now claimed she was able to die.

"Ah, I am no more immortal than a lived long tree." Macha confessed. "There was but one single thread that tied me to this world and now my revenge is complete. I've no more promises to keep me here."

"Revenge?" Amaya asked bitterly. "What that your only reason?"

"The humans…who betrayed me…" Macha's breath was becoming shallow and her body transparent. "Humans are no more… a new…people will…"

It was Amaya's turn to cradle Macha in her arms. With her last breath Macha imparted one last gift on her daughter. A message that made Amaya smile for even in her last moments Macha was forever fond of her tricks.

"Hey, guys." Kuwabara's sixth sense was warning him that the time to leave was quickly approaching. At that moment the false realm Ituski had created was beginning to crumble.

"Time to go!" Yusuke ordered although he hadn't the faintest idea of where the exit was.

"This way!" Amaya pointed in the proper direction. As the realm crumbled around them into darkness a light could be seen at the end of a passage.

"This path will take you back to human world," Amaya told them just before they reached the edge. Being the fastest Hiei crossed over first and was followed by Kuwabara.

However, rather than following his friends Yusuke stopped dead in his tracks. He hadn't missed the subtle clue in the girl's voice. "Excuse me?" He asked as he turned to the girl. He crossed his arms and looked at his female teammate sternly.

"I can't go any further." Amaya replied softly as she hid her hands behind her back.

"And why might that be?" Yusuke demanded as he grabbed the girl by the shoulders and shook her. He wasn't about to lose another teammate. His pride wouldn't let him.

Amaya brushed off his hands and took a step backwards. "You misunderstand, detective. I've had no intention of going back from the beginning." The doorway was beginning to close leaving no time for debate. "I made a bet. If I could solve this case without awakening then I would be allowed to stay in human world. I lost… It's not to honor the bet. I'd never settle for a silly reason as that." She paused and exhaled her breath before confessing. "I simply have no desire to return. It's one of the side effects…I guess. Love and peace cannot exist in the same realm as I, the daughter of war."

"That's…" Yusuke wasn't quite sure how to respond to that. "Do you really have no one waiting for you to return on earth?"

Amaya shook her head. "I said all my goodbyes beforehand. They all knew my chances of coming back were slim and with Ituski gone the other yousei won't make trouble," She paused. "Well, no more trouble than usual."

"Alright, alright, I get it." Yusuke grumbled as he scratched his head. "See you around, Detective."

Amaya grinned. "It's been a pleasure, Detective."

Yusuke chuckled before he crossed over to the other side. Kurama was the last. He just shook his head not willing to make a mountain out of the matter and stepped one foot through the threshold. Amaya quickly grabbed his arm to hold him back. Her kiss was much gentler than Macha's had been and a blue seal formed in his mind,

Not in this life time warrior, War-cry's voice melted in Kurama's mind like ice onto fire. I am indeed attracted to the man you are. However, what I am most interested in is the man you will be. Until then-

Amaya's lips brushed against his ear. "Your mother," She whispered. "She already knows."

Out of the corner of his eye Kurama saw the girl's face as she shoved him through the portal. It froze in his mind like a photograph, but it was too late. The portal closed and team Urameshi was back standing in the center of the ring. The Dark Tournament was over.

"You gonna be okay?" Yusuke asked his unusually quiet friend. They were all grief-stricken by the loss of yet another comrade. Thankfully the closing ceremonies of the tournament had been put on hold until Araku's people could unravel the mystery of the unusual happenings.

"And the kami wonder why mankind has turned against them," Kurama muttered. To Yusuke he nodded and said. "Yes, I'm fine. We should-"

"Hey! There you all are!" Rinku exclaimed as he found the missing team. "Everyone! They're over here!" He called to the search team made up of none other than the injured parties of the tournament. Team Urameshi exchanged puzzled glances as their youkai friends ran up to greet them not only with big grins, but all of them were miraculously healed.

"What the hell?" Yusuke asked when he saw both Jin and Toya out of their casts and back on their feet. "I thought you guys would be down for the count for another three days!"

"We thought so too, but-!" Jin shrugged and then flexed. "I feel like me old self! Even better actually!" His ears were wiggling in excitement.

"Our guys are in shipshape too!" Rinku nodded. "It was totally weird. One minute they were in the ICU and the next they were up demanding a huge plate of burgers!"

"Heck, I'm ready to fight a whole 'nother tournament by myself!" Jin bragged as he laughed. Team Urameshi laughed too, but after exchanging quick glances they all nodded and then relayed the bad news to their hyped up friends.

"I'm afraid we'll have to sit this one out, Jin, Toya, Riku." Yusuke told them and the rest of his team, even Hiei, nodded in agreement.

"What?" Rinku demanded and the rest of the youkai looked crest fallen. "What's going on?"

Yusuke motioned to his team. "As you can see, we don't have enough people. Team Urameshi is going to have to withdrawal."

"hmf," Hiei scoffed and turned to leave. It was about time he returned to Makai anyway. "I'm tired of babysitting these guys. I'm going to fight on my own from now on." He hadn't forgotten what it felt like having all that power from the goddess within him and secretly he swore he would obtain that power again all on his own.

"Yup it's been fun," Kuwabara agreed. "But legends die young so I better retired before that happens. I don't want to leave Yukina alone in this cruel world." Although, the ice-maiden would hardly be "alone". The other youkai were stunned. Yusuke was actually turning down the chance to brawl? The apocalypse was surely at hand.

Kurama chuckled, "It seems we got a prize after all."

Yusuke waved goodbye to their shocked, but understanding, friends. "What's that?" He asked his fox-like companion.

Kurama didn't answer right away and spared a glance at the sky. "A divine blessing maybe? Whatever the reason, it seems Macha provided us with the one prize the tournament committee couldn't."

"Peace." Kuwabara nodded sensing something too on the breeze. "It'll take some getting used to, but I think we'll like it."

"Yeah," Yusuke agreed. "I think you're right." Suddenly Yusuke's phone buzzed and he picked it up. "Hello? Yeah…WHAT?"

"What is it Urameshi?" Kuwabara asked his friend in great concern. Surely fate wouldn't as cruel as to dump another end-of-the-world disaster on their laps just as they resigned themselves to retirement.

Yusuke's face was deathly pale as he turned to his friends. Huge drops of sweat could be seen forming on his brow. He wiped his forehead quickly before stuttering out, "Keiko…twins…I-I…" He took a deep breath, "I'm a dad!"

"What?"

Part Two: The End