AN: Sooo...last chapter. A lot of sadness. A lot of me being really mean to Jade.

When the group gathered themselves enough to follow their leader, they found him ordering Noelle to pilot them to Malkuth. He didn't entertain questions and after the first few minutes, they held their peace. It was like he was on autopilot-like the real Jade had checked out.

In Malkuth, Jade explained to the Emperor in clipped tones what had happened, keeping to himself the matter of the Key. Peony's face was slack in surprise as the others in the group added their sides.

"And Kagome?" Peony asked.

Jade didn't even blink. "The effort was too great for her to survive. She dissolved into fonons."

Peony closed his eyes in grief, both for the cheerful woman he'd come to like and for his friend.

"My condolences, Jade," he offered, coming to stand in front of the stoic Colonel.

Jade merely inclined his head. "It was necessary."

Later, when he'd privately informed Peony of Kagome's true nature and abilities, the Emperor cursed vibrantly.

"That's shit," he scowled, unnerved at Jade's continued blankness. There was no darkness, no chasm of rage or destructive grief. There was just…nothing.

At his declaration, the Colonel murmured his agreement and stared into the fire as Peony let loose more invectives.

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Time passed as the planet recovered from the sudden and complete change. Mohs was thrown into prison while Van went down in a blaze of Artes that took his formicry lab and his replicas as well. In the end, nothing was left of him or his plans.

It was Jade that had overseen the operation, having accepted the promotion to General, finally. None of the men spoke of what had truly happened at the final stand; how the General had utterly destroyed the very fonons of both Van and his army. Battle-hardened soldiers had felt an icy hand of terror at the viciousness the necromancer had displayed, all while his red eyes remained frighteningly empty.

The former 'brat pack' kept in touch where they could, but none of them ever heard back from Jade. So, a month after Van had been taken out, the group journeyed to Keterburg, hoping to speak with Jade's only relative. Nephry agreed to the meeting, her expression showing her sorrow as they asked about Jade.

"My brother has accepted a promotion to the rank of General. He's rarely home nowadays."

She paused to offer them tea when a servant entered with a tray.

"Have you seen him?" Natalia asked softly. "When-when Kagome died…it was just awful! Jade fought with everything he had to get to her-to stop her-but he couldn't break the barrier."

Nephry nearly dropped the teapot before setting it down with a thump and staring at them. "She died in front of him?" she choked, covering her mouth in horror. "Sweet Lorelei."

Luke clenched his jaw, but nodded. "She dissolved into fonons after the Lowering. We don't even know if her fiancé has been contacted."

Ion sucked in a breath as he realized no one had ever come clean about that to the group. Nephry was looking at them in disbelief.

"You mean, you don't know?" she asked incredulously. At their nervous shifting, she sniffled and her voice was thick with her emotions as she informed them, "Jade was her fiancé."

Natalia's eyes widened, causing the gathered tears to spill over. Guy hesitantly patted her shoulder, still skittish about females, but no longer suffering from gynophobia since recovering his memories. Anise looked devastated and gratefully took Ion's hand when he offered it.

Luke gave a weak chuckle as Mieu's ears drooped. "Man, they must have really enjoyed winding us up. It's kinda obvious, isn't it? Looking back?"

Tear wiped away her tears as she thought over everything Jade and Kagome had said about her fiancé. A sad smile pulled at her lips when she realized Luke was right. The couple had been so much together and the group had missed it because they were looking for flashy displays of affection. They should have been paying attention to how in sync the couple was, or how Jade always made a point to escort Kagome when they walked anywhere. How Kagome had unshakable faith in Jade, the impish teasing she did amusing him without fail. They should have looked at the adoration in their eyes, buried under quips and banter.

"Oh, that poor man," Tear whimpered.

The governor flinched. The one time she'd seen Jade since the Lowering, he'd been a shell of himself. Quiet, distant, and almost unfeeling, he'd spoken briefly with her about Keterburg troops and then left. The warmth he'd displayed with Kagome was completely absent. It had worried his sister greatly.

"What can we do?" Ion asked.

"Some time has passed," Nephry mused, "perhaps he will react better to a visit now. I believe he'll be back in Grand Chokmah at the beginning of next week."

"We should try, at least," Guy declared. "Kagome was our friend, too. He's not the only one who lost someone."

Natalia touched her heart. Jade wasn't alone in his grief, she knew, but she feared that Kagome's death had broken him in ways they could never understand. Glancing to the silent Asch at her side, she hoped to never have to.

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Their visit to Grand Chokmah was met with approval from Peony. The Emperor had become increasingly concerned for Jade. Granted, the General was still doing an excellent job in his career, but that's all he did now. There was no life left in him, as if Kagome had taken his soul with hers when she'd departed. Worse, Jade had stopped speaking to him on anything but professional terms. There was nothing to reprimand-nothing Peony could use to shake up the obviously numb man and so he desperately hoped that the group of friends could reach him.

Jade greeted his former comrades blandly when they arrived and then proceeded to neatly avoid speaking of much of anything. After a while, he slipped away, leaving a frustrated and extremely upset group to wonder if it wouldn't have been kinder for him to have died with Kagome.

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That evening, Jade found himself in the Emperor's garden, staring at the supposedly decorative well and trying to ignore the feelings the brats' visit stirred. As if in a trance, he watched his hand rest on the lip of the quiet structure. A shudder wracked his body as the hardness that had settled over him cracked. Swallowing thickly, he closed his eyes and lowered his head as thoughts of Kagome flooded his mind. He hadn't allowed himself to remember, had buried her as deeply as he could in an effort to keep himself together. Now, memories of her bright smile and shy blushes…her clumsiness and her graceful dancing and-and delighted, hesitant touches burst free.

At the memory of her awestruck, loving expression after his proposal, the numb state Jade had been in shattered. With a harsh exhale, he fell to his knees, gripping the edge of the well until the wood groaned. He could feel the echo of Seventh Fonons in the portal, but that only made the pain ravaging his heart burn higher. He hadn't been able to use the Seventh Fonon since…since his soul had died with Kagome.

Pressing his forehead to his knuckles, he panted as the totality of his loss finally overcame him. She'd been his the moment he'd seen her face lit with their combined powers and he'd failed her. He'd lost her because he hadn't been strong enough to shield her, to protect her. Eyes clenching, he tried to block out the memory of her blue eyes when he'd sworn he would take care of her. She was gone-his gentle, brave lotus was gone and he didn't know how to live in a world without her light.

'Have faith,' she'd said.

But, how could he have faith without her?

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Peony had rushed into his gardens as soon as a servant had informed him that Jade had ventured there. He was just in time to see Jade collapse beside the well, his face filled with such heart-rending devastation that Peony hurt looking at him. As the moon drifted across the sky, it appeared that his friend was finally facing his grief.

"Please," Jade whispered, his voice full of torment, "give her back. I do trust her."

A faint spark of Seventh Fonons lighted under Jade's desperate fingers. It danced across the well until it disappeared into the depths. For a long moment, the well was still. Just as Peony was about to go to his friend, blue light blazed up from the portal.

"Dr. Balfour," the Fonons greeted. "It is as we saw: you helped Kagome free Lorelei-free us-and returned our Key to us. Why have you called us now?"

"I would have you restore Kagome," he replied, his gaze open in a way Peony hadn't seen since they were children.

The light flickered. "It is only by Kagome's hand that Lorelei was freed. She is our daughter, the fulfillment of our pact with Yulia so long ago. Would you make a new one?"

Jade dropped his hands to rest on his thighs, his eyes intent. "What would you have?"

"A guardian for our Key. Time stretches eternally before her now. We would not leave her to face it alone. She will be our voice-the voice of the Planet. Will you swear yourself to her, above all things?"

"Yes," Jade agreed without hesitation, his spine straightening as hope began to dawn on his face.

Tinkling laughter came then from the light. "So much devotion in one so dark."

Then, the light was gone, the afterimage burned into the two males' eyes. Jade shifted forward, but paused when a dainty hand wearing a distinct ring grasped the edge of the well. In a flash, Jade was on his feet, pulling an exhausted-looking Kagome out.

Sobbing, she flung herself into him, as if she was terrified of him leaving. Jade was shaking, his emotions so strong and chaotic he could only grip her tightly and breathe in the beloved scent of her. Their powers were flickering against each other, swirling around them to reassure themselves that the other was present and whole. When Kagome stretched up to catch Jade's mouth in a frantic kiss, he made a low sound in his throat and picked her completely up. Neither saw the brilliant pink light that washed over them, leaving behind matching Marks of Lorelei on their faces, just under their left eyes.

"I knew you'd find a way," Kagome whispered through her tears as she wrapped her legs around his waist. "I knew it."

Something that would have been a sob from anyone else tore free of Jade before he shook his head. "That wasn't anything but desperate begging, my flower," he countered hoarsely.

Smiling, her face gentle and knowing, Kagome stroked his cheeks and then laced her fingers behind his neck. "That was faith, Jade. You had enough faith in me to allow you to call on the Fonons."

Her expression crumpled, however, as her breathing trembled. "I missed you."

Some of Jade's lost spark returned as he smiled, his eyes more alive than they'd been since the Lowering. Without a word, he turned and began striding toward the palace.

Peony decided not to draw attention to himself. He had a feeling anyone that got in their way would be on the receiving end of a particularly vicious Indignation. Lips pulling up, he silently sent a thanks to Lorelei for giving Jade this. Making his way toward his office, the Emperor rubbed his hands together and got down to the delightful task of planning a wedding.

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A healing hyperresonance swept over Malkuth around eleven that night. It left life and vibrancy in its wake, making even the staunchest pessimist feel hope. Peony cackled when he realized what the cause of the hyperresonance was, planning to give Jade Hell when he next saw him.

In another part of the castle, Kagome kept her eyes on Jade's as he finally claimed the last part of her. Their Fonons twined together, heightening their sensations. Every touch and kiss-every slide of their skin was magnified until Kagome felt as though they were once more holding each other's souls.

"Jade," she breathed, her fingers pressing into the muscles of his back as she arched into him.

His red eyes were fierce: possessive and adoring and driven to eradicate the hellish memory of their separation. Dropping his head, he plundered her mouth, reaffirming his feelings to her. Tears slipped down her face at the rawness of their emotions.

"Kagome," he replied against her mouth just before sending her careening off a mountain of pleasure.

Trembling, she buried her face in his neck a moment and then felt him stiffen above her. Their powers flared again as their souls joined, the Marks on their faces shimmering at the act.

"Never again, Kagome," Jade swore in her ear. "I won't let us be parted like that again. You're mine forever to see to."

Nodding emphatically, Kagome tightened her hold on him when he made to withdraw from her. "I knew you'd find me," she said lowly as she tried to recover from what they'd just shared, "but I was so alone. Even when I could pull myself together enough to see you…it was agony to be kept from you."

Closing his eyes, Jade wrapped his arms around her and rolled them onto their sides, her flush to his chest. Kissing her temple, he sighed and finally calmed. Months of an empty tension left him as every part of her was now connected to him. She'd never escape him; there was nowhere she could go he couldn't follow or find her now.

"The feeling was entirely mutual," he admitted. Tracing the apple of her cheek down to the pulse in her neck, Jade relaxed at feeling the evidence of her life. With it came a resurgence of his humor-his mind once more buzzing with activity. He'd been simply not dying without her and it had been more pathetic and excruciating than he'd ever admit to her.

"What made you say yes that night?" he asked, rubbing his thumb over her ring. "The food? The jewelry? My devilishly good looks?"

Looking up, she giggled at his quip, feeling herself finally home. The worst was behind them if Jade could tease her.

"No, although you know very well how attractive you are, you peacock. I think-I think I'd known I'd say yes to that question since…since you taught me to waltz and then offered to teach me self-defense." Her eyes were wide with sincerity at the memory. "You played with me, but you also saw a need of mine and took steps to fill it. And, you didn't make me feel stupid or like a burden."

He frowned at that, the faint knowledge of how insecure she was at her lack of education flickering in his mind. She'd tried to brush it off and assure people with her happy smiles, but he knew that she felt embarrassed by it. There'd also been a throwaway thought she'd had back when he'd first been teaching her the Artes of how humiliating it was to admit to him that she'd dropped out of school.

"You were never a burden," he stated, his eyes narrowed, "and I know how intelligent you are, Kagome. If you wish to finish your studies, you can do so here. Lorelei has said we have a long stretch of forever together. I believe we can both find the time to study whatever we want as much as we want."

Brightening, she kissed him happily, because she did know that Jade didn't look down on her for not having the degrees he had. He valued her in her entirety and that made her heart swell to near-uncomfortable levels with love for him.

"What about you?" she asked, fingers following the wheat-gold hairs on his abdomen. "We'd known each other such a short time before you were swearing to take care of me."

"By that point, we'd held each other's souls and spent every day and night of that time together," he drawled. "I had very good reason to commission that ring, little flower."

Grinning into his chest, she poked him. Chuckling, he caught her hand and laced their fingers so that she couldn't assault him.

"You were mine the instant our powers manipulated the Seventh Fonon together," he said softly. "However, you'd had my attention from the moment I touched your barrier that first day."

Drawing in a quick breath, Kagome jerked her eyes to his. "That warmth I felt when you touched my barrier-it was like our souls knew each other."

The corners of his eyes crinkled. "Something like that. You became more fascinating when I could arouse you with my arte."

"Oh my God," she whimpered, covering her face at the memory of him probing the shard of the Jewel and inadvertently arousing her with his power. "I was so hoping you hadn't noticed that."

"Hardly something I could miss," he laughed, "when the fonons between us were vibrating so deliciously and you looked like a startled deer. I was half-expecting you to flee to your house, but you played it off nicely."

Blushing, she huffed. "That's so not fair that you didn't have to deal with those things."

Arching a brow, he let his hand rest on her ribs. "Why would you think that? It's a wonder I had the control I did. A lesser man would have taken you that first night on the Tartarus."

"I was surprised you didn't in Keterburg, honestly."

"No, I wasn't going to take you there," he countered, and she understood. Though he'd put the past behind him, there was too much baggage attached to Keterburg for him to have claimed her the way he wanted.

"Tell me what's happened to everyone?" she asked, listening to the steady beat of his heart. The euphoria of their lovemaking-the magnitude of their joining-still sent delicious tingles through her, but the frenzy of their reunion was fading.

"Guy has regained his memory of his family's deaths and is overcoming his gynophobia," he complied. "Natalia and Asch are making a go of it and Tear is sticking remarkably close to Luke, who is throwing himself into charity work. Ion's leading the Order now with Anise stubbornly dogging his steps. Mieu returned to the cheagles, having made amends. He does return to Luke on occasion, however. They actually showed up here today in a misbegotten attempt to 'help' me."

His fingers smoothed back her hair as she continued to return his touches, both of them unable to stop the impulses. Kagome felt sorry for the kids, knowing that it wasn't their fault that Jade pushed them away. He probably hadn't explained anything, either, which meant that she would have to the next time she saw them. Fantastic.

"And the bad guys?" she murmured, deciding not to poke at him on the subject of his friends.

Smiling at her way of downplaying the truly despicable creatures, Jade shook his head. "Mohs was arrested and Van was executed. He'd been trying to wipe out the people of the Outer Lands and replace them with replicas. Unfortunately, something at his base exploded during the last phase of his plans, destroying all of the replicas he'd created. Largo and Sync went down when my men came to capture Van. Arietta was killed when she decided to go after Anise. Legretta took her own life after Van's death and Dist is still MIA." He frowned. "I've no doubt he'll turn up again, the cockroach that he is."

Giggling at that, Kagome kissed the underside of his jaw. "I just can't believe Van thought it'd be a good idea to capture Lorelei and destroy the population. What an idiot."

Feeling his arms tighten around her, she snuggled closer. "We'll go see Mama tomorrow," she declared, shifting gears.

Tracing the ridges of her back, he hummed his agreement. "Get them here and then I'm marrying you."

Lighting up, Kagome eagerly nodded. When his hand slid down to cup her backside, she blushed and shyly hiked her knee up on his hip.

"You totally know what to say to get lucky, don't you?"

A wicked grin pulled at his mouth just before he made her lose her ability to think all together.

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Ion accepted the note from the servant the next afternoon, swiftly reading it while his companions finished their meals. Anise swallowed her bite and paused when Ion's brows rose.

"What's wrong?" she asked as everyone's attention turned to the Fon Master.

"Nothing, I hope," he replied, sliding the note into his pocket. "Emperor Peony has asked for my services and stated that all of you may accompany me."

Luke set down his fork. "That's weird."

Natalia glanced to Asch. "I pray there's nothing wrong with Jade. He looked horrible when we saw him."

They hadn't been able to see Jade since their disastrous meeting with him two days ago. There had been a large up-swing in castle activity, but even the Emperor seemed distracted. No one would tell them what was happening, either.

Asch sipped his tea. "I'm surprised he's kept it together this long. Their souls were entwined."

Tear sucked in a sharp breath at that. "How do you know?"

He narrowed his eyes at her. "I could see it."

"Well, maybe it's just a blessing," Guy said with a forced smile. "Baby blessings are always open to everyone."

"Good luck, too," Anise reminded them. "Let's go, Master Ion!"

Perking up at the thought of a birth, the group followed the servant sent to lead them.

"Through here," the servant indicated with a bow.

Luke opened the door and sauntered in, his friends close behind. Inside an eclectic group of people were seated in two rows of chairs, Nephry in one and the Emperor standing at the front.

"Ah, Fon Master Ion!" he called happily, "Join me here. The rest of you brats, find a seat."

Tear giggled at his boisterous manner, suddenly missing Kagome and her way of just getting her silent glances. Some of her mirth faded at the reminder of her friend.

Ion smiled at the Emperor as he stood in front of him. "How may I be of assistance, Your Majesty?"

Peony motioned to the place beside him. "We're about to have a wedding and the couple specifically asked that a representative of the Order of Lorelei be present to bless the union." He leaned over and whispered, "Honestly, I think they just want to make sure I don't screw the ceremony up, or something."

Eyes wide, Ion swallowed his amusement and agreed. "I would be honoured. Who will be unifying today?"

"That would be us," a familiar voice drawled as soft music began playing.

Everyone's attention snapped to the back of the room where Jade was entering in full military regalia. It was the woman on his arm that shocked the audience-either from surprise or sheer emotional reaction. A radiant, nearly glowing, Kagome stood at Jade's side in an elegant and ethereal wedding dress.

Natalia gasped, taking in the contentment and joy in both of their faces, and realizing just how empty Jade had been without her. Comparing the man walking down the aisle now to the shell he'd been two days ago, she couldn't believe he'd still been functioning. Now, his complexion was healthy and his eyes sparkling with that familiar impish delight. When they turned to his bride, they flared with more adoration and light than she'd ever witnessed.

And Kagome was divine, the faint Marks on hers and Jade's faces only adding to their otherworldly appearance. Fonons radiated from them, sweeping through the room with peace and exultation. Even the image of her as she'd been saving the Planet was dim in comparison. Forever after, all who witnessed the wedding would swear that Lorelei himself had filled the couple.

When Ion recovered himself, he knew the thought was more accurate than most could guess. Eyes bright, he stood still as Peony went through the ceremony. When it came time for him to offer a blessing, he sniffed wetly and clasped their joined hands.

"No blessing I can offer could be greater than what you have already received. The trials you have endured far outweigh what most of us will ever be able to comprehend. I've seen your dedication both to each other and to your friends and can only pray that Auldrant will be blessed with more of your mettle. You are an inspiration and my very dear friends. Thank you for allowing me to be part of this miracle."

Kagome-quite breaking with tradition-leaned over and kissed his forehead. Ion inhaled at feeling a powerful blessing in the gesture.

"Go with serenity, Peace-Maker," she whispered.

Jade rolled his eyes. "You kissed the brat at our wedding. Of course."

Giggling, she threw her arms around him and kissed him gleefully, the intensity of her powers fading. Ion touched his forehead, feeling the power of pure fonons. Smiling, he watched as Jade grinned at his new wife.

"Would someone mind filling me in?" Luke asked as the assembled group erupted into cheers. "I'm pretty sure I was there when she-you know-erupted into fonons."

A male bearing a slight resemblance to Kagome heard him. "Jade convinced Lorelei to restore her," he said, tears in his eyes.

Natalia gaped, feeling Asch settle a hand on her back to steady her. It was a good thing, because she suddenly felt faint.

"He did?" she whispered as Kagome dragged Jade over to them.

"Sōta!" she greeted, hugging him tightly before looking to her friends. "This is my little brother. Sōta, these are the brats I told you about."

Guy waved his hands, "I don't mean to be rude, Kagome, but what?"

Laughing, she leaned into Jade, wrapping her arms around his middle. Jade allowed it, resting his hand on her shoulder as she was too happy to deny.

"Jade found me. I told you to have faith," she chided. "He convinced Lorelei to give me back to him."

Tear wiped her eyes and gave a wet laugh. "I've missed you, Kagome. You, too, General."

"I guess you guys can't mess with us anymore, though, can you?" Luke smirked.

Covering her mouth, Kagome looked at them unrepentantly. "Oh, we didn't intentionally start that, but you were so determined in your passive match-making and nosiness that we never bothered to correct you."

Natalia crossed her arms. "I had begun to think you must be engaged to the Emperor for Jade to be unable to get you out of your betrothal contract."

Jade pushed up his glasses. "Such confidence in my abilities. It brings a tear to my eye."

Anise scowled. "You totally had us worried, General! We were making plans for a serious intervention."

Asch snorted. "Which would have been pointless."

"He thinks you two are soul-bonded," Anise said, jerking her thumb at the former rival.

Biting her lip, Kagome glanced to Jade, who shrugged. "I'm shocked any of them noticed it, really."

Wrinkling her nose at him, she shook her head. "They're young, not stupid, Jade. And, you did look pretty half-gone while I was."

"True," he relented, smirking at the group. "Asch's assumption isn't inaccurate."

"One day, you're going to tell us about all this soul business," Natalia declared to Kagome. But, then, her face softened and she clutched at Asch's arm as she sniffled. "I'm just so happy to have you back."

Reaching out, Kagome drew her into a hug, which prompted Tear and Anise to join. Jade glanced to Asch as the females gushed to each other.

"Are you going to tell her how close she was to losing you?" he murmured. Because he'd been broken-not blind-and had seen what the others hadn't with Asch. Fomicry was often deadly to the orginals.

The ginger's lips thinned as he shook his head. "It's over now." His eyes slid to Jade's. "And I believe I probably have you and your wife to thank for that."

Jade's face was angelic with innocence. "Oh, you mean that hypperresonance phenomenon that swept through here a couple nights ago? Whatever gave you the idea that we had anything to do with that?"

Crossing his arms, Asch arched a brow, but let himself give a faint smile. He had enough tact to leave that alone.

"Jade!" Kagome called, holding out her hand.

Stepping forward, he didn't hesitate to take it. He'd been subjected to two separate interrogations from her two sets of family on Earth when they'd finally gone back. Even that couldn't lessen his thrill and sheer joy at having his other half home.

Across the room, Nephry smiled at Mrs. Higurashi. "I understand that you grilled Jade when he finally brought Kagome home yesterday."

The older woman smirked mischievously, wishing that she'd been able to tag-team the General with Inuyasha. She just knew her daughter's best friends had given the man a much rougher time than she had.

"Ah, not terribly. He's wanted her from the beginning. I knew it when he couldn't ignore her pain that first night." She shrugged. "All I could do is let him know that Kagome is loved by us as well."

Nephry glanced to where Jade was drawling something that had Luke flushing in embarrassment and Kagome was chattering excitedly to Sōta and her grandfather. Peony joined them, pulling the newlyweds into a tight hug, causing Jade to sigh and endure it. Kagome laughed gaily when the Emperor loudly kissed her cheek, prompting Jade to shove him away-ruler or not. Grinning, Peony winked at Kagome and then turned to address the rest of the group.

"I think that he can't help but be aware of that," she murmured. "Kagome draws people in wherever she goes and Jade-regardless of his protests-is the same way. They just fit."

Jade scooped Kagome up and spun on his heels to exit the room, making Kagome throw her arms around him and break into delighted laughter. As he smiled down at her, everyone felt the jubilant fonons pulsing in the room in reaction to the newlyweds' emotions. It made the crowd warm with a slow simmering happiness most would never witness again.

Dabbing at her tears, Mrs. Higurashi agreed.

AN: The End! Haha. You didn't really think I'd leave you with such a broken ship, did you? It's been a long road to get here; I hope that you've enjoyed it and that the ending was to your satisfaction. (I'm a sucker for happy endings, you know. I think I've written one thing that doesn't have at least a hopeful ending and I'm rather embarrassed by it, honestly.)

All of you who have reviewed this rather unlikely crossover and unlikely pairing-THANK YOU SO MUCH! You keep my creativity going. It's because of you that I venture into these odd-ball crossovers.

Let me know what you think. As always-all my love!