SailorStar9: After getting Chapter 37 out, this is Chapter 38 of this fic. (Sighs) Guys and girls, is it too hard for you to leave a review other than just simply putting this fic up on your favorited list and story alerts?

Disclaimers: I own nothing, except for the plot and pairing.

Chapter 38: Goodbye

"Awesome..." Rin was awestruck. "What?" he turned as the flesh around Gedōin started withdrawing.

"It's shrinking." Yukio gaped.

"Was it enough to kill him?" Miwa wondered.

"If he's a success from the elixir experiment, he won't die from something like that." Kamiki assured. "Besides, I will have to talk... with this guy..." she trailed before passing out.

"Izumo!" Rin yelled.

"Seems like she just lost consciousness." Miwa reported. "That's a relief."

"Kamiki's rescue mission is complete." Yukio declared. "Let's withdraw and wait for reinforcements to arrive. We'll fix the rest later."

"Wait, there's still Shima." Suguro reminded.

"That's right, we have to bring Shima back, too." Rin recalled.

"I understand how you are feeling, but..." Yukio voiced.

"As expected from you guys." Shima chuckled, the black flames of Yamantaka burning a hole in the wall. "Even though I say that, we're enemies now. I don't suppose you won't take my praise lightheartedly. Oh right." he blinked. "We can't keep talking like this. I have to run away."

"Wait!" Suguro shouted before Shima turned. "Is it my fault?"

"You're wrong." Shima corrected. "It's for my sake. Well then. Everyone, take care."

"What was that about?" Rin wondered after Shima retreated.

"Everyone, we have to escape right away!" Yukio barked, firing off his bullets at the incoming zombies. "At this rate, we'll be surrounded by zombies. And I ran out of bullets." he added.

"Leave it to me." Rin stepped forward.

"Bon, so you were all right." Kinzo beamed, his K'rik having stabbed the zombies before Rin could attack. "Leave this place to us, the Kyoto Branch's Bon's rescue team." he declared, fighting off the gathering zombies. "We're the reinforcement team."

"Advance team, thanks for the hard work." Mephisto's voice sounded over Yukio's communicator. "The joint team from the Kyoto MIE and Matsue branches will take over. We've already taken control of Inari's perimeter."

"Thank god that's over." Ami breathed in relief. "If this is going to be a normal occurrence, I'm so calling in the remainder of my paid leave for the year."

"I really hope that won't be necessary." Yukio let out a mild chuckle.

"I... let Gedōin run away." Kamiki muttered, sitting up on her hospital bed.

"The Illuminati's laboratory was seized by the Knights." Takara informed, peering from the curtain. "Everything is over."

"Nothing's over yet." Kamiki corrected. "I still couldn't find Tsukumo's whereabouts."

"Five years ago, in order to escape, you and Tsukumo relied on a woman from the Illuminati." Ami stated. "Where did you think the client she chose was from? The client was from the True Cross Order. But the woman was killed and you were imprisoned. Only Tsukumo could be put in safety."

"Then... you mean... Tsukumo..." Kamiki stammered. "Is still alive? Where is she?" she demanded. "Why didn't you tell me until now?"

"This is a key that will lead you to Kamiki Tsukumo." Ami produced a crescent-moon-shaped silver key. "My father was Tsukumo's case officer, so he entrusted me with this after he died. Now, how about you try and make sure of it with your own eyes?" she tossed the key to Kamiki. "Takara, can I leave the rest to you?" she asked the puppeteer who nodded.

Grabbing the key, Kamiki used it on the keyhole of the hospital room door.

"Morning." Shiemi muttered, awakening to find Kamiki at the door. "Kamiki, is your body fine already? My body is still hurting everywhere."

"I have a little sister I was separated from." Kamiki voiced. "Her name was Tsukumo. For the last five years, I always imagined the worst. But she was safe all along. She looks happy with a father and mother who looked kind." her tears started flowing. "I'm truly glad. But she doesn't remember me anymore!" she wailed. "She was only three when we were separated. It can't be helped. For five years, saving her was my only reason to live. I know that, but... I can't accept that it was all for nothing! This is too cruel! How could you possibly understand?" she glared at Shiemi. "Someone like you, who is surrounded by your family and grew up carefree... you don't understand this pitiful feeling! Don't cry!" she snapped, seeing Shiemi's tears. "You always cry too easily! If I hurt you, you can talk back to me, you know? It's bad for me to be screaming wildly like this, so just say it. That's what I hate about..."

"I'm glad." Shiemi smiled. "Nori, when she came to send us off, she told me to take care of Kamiki. That's why if Kamiki can cry, laugh and get mad at me, I'm glad."

"Paku..." Kamiki muttered. "That idiot! What is she telling everyone? When I get back, I'll beat her up."

SailorStar9: Now that's done, read and review.