It was a long journey, but it finally has come to an end. Without further adieu, let us get to it.

Her green eyes scanned the area, but the siren was gone. She glanced to where the showdown had commenced. She had not fully understood what had happened. Kenshin had leapt at the demon, a spinning blur. He had managed to spin ha air about himself and Shishio until a vortex had come into being. She had not been able to see within. After several a number of seconds, it had slowly disintegrated. The redhead had sat in his crouch, a pile of ash at his feet. When Yumi had called out, she had attempted to waylay the woman. But using her own brand of magic, she had disappeared.

A hand touched her and she looked up. "Are you all right?"

Glancing up at Aoshi, she nodded. "Is it over?"

Overhead, the clouds seemed to move and a sliver of moonlight shone through the mist. "It appears that way."

"its over." She stated, exhaustion threatening to take over.

"Yes."

She looked up at Aoshi to see him watching her. His dark eyes were unreadable. She wondered what this ending would entail for them in the ways of a beginning. A thought came to her and she whirled.

Kenshin had come back to himself. He rose from his position and turned to the late addition to their team. The Alpha of the werewolves slowly made it to his feet. When he had appeared, Misao hadn't known what to think. She had been aware of their existence. When she had asked Okina about it, he had merely stated there was an understanding existing between the pack and the slayers.

Another wolf, this one a dark brown, emerged from the shadows. The redheaded vampire lost interest and turned towards the wall where Kaoru had disappeared. He moved towards it, his fingers searching the solid expanse.

The Alpha cast a glance in the redhead's direction before loping over to where she and Aoshi stood. "We've taken most of them out. Those that remain have fled mostly. Once Battousai destroyed Shishio, it was pretty much over.

Aoshi hesitated, his dark eyes glanced towards the redhead before he approached the man. "You have our thanks; we are in your debt."

"Are you sure you want to make that offer?" His golden eyes darted to where Kenshin was examining the wall. "I would imagine Battousai wouldn't want to owe the likes of me."

"Unless you have a way for us to gain entry into the lower realms?"Aoshi ventured. Saito shook his head. "Perhaps something good to come of all of this."

"I wouldn't quite say we are allies yet. However, currently our purposes align."

"I meant what I said. We will do our best to stay out of pack affairs. If you have need of our assistance, we owe you a debt."

The lanky man bowed his head. "I appreciate the offer but understand when I say I hope there is never need."He glanced at her. "My regards to your grandfather."

Misao nodded her head. The man blurred and then a large black wolf stood before her. She watched him go, not sure when she'd see another werewolf.

"What about Jou-chan?" Sanosuke demanded. "How do we get to her?"

Aoshi looked over at him. "We don't." He finally answered.

"There has to be a way."

"there is no way."

"That's bullshit!" Sanosuke exclaimed. "There must be a hell gate or something."

"There are no hell gates." Megumi answered him. "That's why obtaining the'Heart of Haros' was so important."

"You can not tell me there isn't a way." Sanosuke's voice began to rise with desperation. He looked at Megumi and then at Aoshi. He finally threw his hands up in the air. "We can't stand here and do nothing! Jou-chan is in hell with the demon lunatic. Who knows what he's doing to her right now. There has to be some way down there!"

"Unless you know the ritual to summon Enishi, there is no way for us to track him."Aoshi explained.

"But Jou-chan has the key!"

"Would she even know how to use it?" Megumi wondered aloud.

Misao glanced again at Kenshin. He had stopped searching the wall and had slowly turned to watch them. She turned to the brunette. "There is no hell gate. This isn't some ridiculous episode of 'Buffy the vampire Slayer' even though…you're a vampire and I'm a slayer." She shook her head attempting to focus. "That's besides the point." She turned her attention back to the redhead.

He remained by the wall watching her. Gingerly she took a step towards him. "What was all that before?"

"Before?"

Aoshi had kind of explained it but she needed to hear it fro him "Yesterday. When you came to me and sniffed me and Kaoru lost her head over it, blaming me."

He lifted his gaze to her, his eyes glowing an eery blue in the light. "We claimed each other."

"You love her?"

His eyes flashed. "With every fiber of my being."

Anxiously she licked her lips. Despite every fiber of being telling her to remain silent, she opened her mouth."I know a way to hell."

"What?" Sanosuke gabbed her arm. "Then fucking tell us so we can rescue Jou-chan."

Behind her she heard Aoshi growl. Misao jerked her arm from the brunette's grasp. "It isn't that simple." She took a deep breath. "But it is probably why Hiko and Okina were so keen for us to have an alliance."

Kenshin studied her and slowly approached. "The rumors are true." Misao nodded. "You are willing to make that sacrifice?"

She nodded again. "Although given the circumstances, it isn't so much a sacrifice as it is necessary. But I can't guarantee that the portal will open where she is."

Kenshin took his head. "It's a chance I am willing to take. I think I know where he took her. If I can cross through the portal, I will find her."

"Wait a minute." Aoshi stepped between them. "What exactly are we talking about doing?"

Misao turned her attention to the tall vampire. Somewhere she thought she might actually have fallen in love with him. With a shaky breath she looked at the quartet of vampires in front of her. "It's a failsafe if a slayer is found in a compromising position with a vampire. There's a reason why a slayers blood is so sweet in comparison, why a vampire craves it." Her eyes flickered toward Aoshi. He blinked at her, realization settling in. "When you drink it, a vampire is granted certain privileges."

"Provenances?" Sanosuke asked.

"it sustains you longer. Silver doesn't sting or hurt. Even a blow through your heart won't kill you. At least for a time. You become invulnerable, nearly impossible to kill. And you aren't as easy to destroy to begin with."

Kenshin took another step toward her. "you're really serious about doing this?"

"Hai." She answered.

"No."

They turned to look at Aoshi. He moved between her and the redhead. "No fucking way am I allowing this to happen. I've heard the rumors as well."

"Do what?" Sanosuke demanded. "if it gets us to Jou-chan, then we have to do it."

She placed a hand on Aoshi's arm. "We have to."

"Yes! Have to what?"

Aoshi looked down at her, his dark eyes intense. She looked up at them, not allowing herself to look away. "If a vampire bites a slayer, it was one last attempt to take them out. Her blood, his saliva, and the right incantation will open a portal to hell. It's small and it only lasts a few seconds. Long enough that the slayer could fling herself into it with the vampire to prevent him from destroying those around him."

"I don't like this." He told her.

Misao shook her head. "It's the only way."

Out of the corner of her eye she saw Kenshin step towards her. Aoshi looked up at him, his eyes flashing. "I will allow it."

The redhead raised an eyebrow. "You will allow it?" He asked sardonically.

"On one condition." HE waited silently. He returned his dark gaze back to her. "I will be the one to bite her."

Kenshin glanced at her. Misao took in a deep shuddering breath and looked at Aoshi. "He still has to be close. It will only be open for a few seconds."

"Are you ready?"

Misao hesitated. "I guess its now or never."

"Every minute Enishi has Kaoru-dono, is another minute her life is in danger."

She sucked in another breath and closed her eyes. Firm hands gripped her shoulders. She opened her eyes to find Aoshi watching her. "You don't have to do this."

Staring up into his dark blue eyes, she wanted to believe him. "Kaoru is my best friend. Despite everything I've done to her, lying to her about all this, she has been there for me. I owe her this. I'm partly responsible for her being dragged into this life. The least I can do is make this sacrifice to save her. I wouldn't have told you if I wasn't prepared."

He reached up and touched her cheek. "You are a magnificent woman. I value the sacrifice you are about to make and will not take for granted the gift that yo will be granting me to make it happen."

Swallowing, she nodded. Aoshi wiped away the lone tear that fell from her lashes. He looked up at the trio around them. Both Megumi were staring away awkwardly. Kenshin had his arms folded, his gaze on just past them. She took a step away from the vampire. Aoshi's fingers slip down her neck and arm to her wrist. The redhead's attention immediately snapped back towards them.

"You know the incantation?" He asked.

"Every slayer does."

He looked over at Aoshi. No words were spoken between them. The tall demon lifted her wrist to hi lips. He pressed a gentle kiss over the vein. Without breaking eye contact, he bared his fangs and bit into her flesh.

A gasp escaped her, the sting catching her off guard. Then she felt a sense of euphoria as his saliva mingled and entered her bloodstream. No wonder humans were so keen to be bitten. After several seconds, he almost violently lifted his head. The contact between the two of them broken, she shifted her gaze to Kenshin.

He stepped closer to her and she shifted her gaze to the blood dripping from her wrist. Aoshi had moved away from them, turning is back. She couldn't focus on what that meant. Instead, she held out her arm. AS the blood dripped to the ground, she closed her eyes, searching for the incantation Okina had made her recite everyday until she had been able to say it backwards. The magic immediately flowed through her. Misao opened her eyes.

As the drops of blood hit the concrete, a small portal blossomed into being. Kenshin took a deep breath and turned to glance around at them. "I will bring her back."The violet eyes came back to her. "Thank you." He murmured. He stepped through the small gate. Before they could follow, it winked out. The redhead was gone. Misao hugged her wrist to her stomach, knowing the redhead would find her friend if anyone could.

After a beat of silence, she turned her attention to Aoshi. He had turned back towards her, the dark eyes unreadable. "Are you okay?"

He nodded slowly. "I was afraid I wouldn't be able to control myself for a moment."

"But you did."

Tentatively he held out his hand. She placed her fingers in his and he lifted her wrist once more to his mouth. Lazily he traced his tongue over her skin. She knew he was sealing the puncture wounds. His throat worked and lifted his head to stare at her.

"So does anyone else want to talk about what just happened?"

Slowly Aoshi lifted his gaze to Sanosuke."What?"

"That guy was a werewolf?"

His question registered. She focused her attention to the brunette. "yes. Saito is a werewolf." Megumi answered him.

"And he just happened to randomly appear?"

Aoshi furrowed his brow in her direction before turning to the brunette. "The werewolves keep to themselves, pack mentality and all. They live by their own very strict laws. The fact he even intervened shows just how serious Shishio's possible reign would impact all those of supernatural blood."

His shoulders fell back and Sanosuke's eyes widened. "You're going to tell me there are more than just werewolves walking the street?"

"Considering, you are now a vampire and your best friend is a siren, I would think so."

"And the most notorious demon assassin just went to rescue his mate from the demon of lost souls from the fifth circle of hell." Megumi finished.

His brown eyes widened. "Are there really multiple circles of hell?"

"Sort of."Misao answered. "More like a series of various realms."

"Kenshin will find her?"

"They're bound together."Aoshi told him. "If anyone will find Kaoru, it will be Kenshin. The only concern is what Enishi will do to her before then."

"Meaning?"

Megumi licked her lips anxiously. "Enishi searches for those who are lost and feeds on their misery. He is more than capable of breaking someone so they are lost."

"Jou-chan won't break."

"You'd be surprised."

He sighed. "So what do we do now?"

Misao cradled her wrist and looked over at Aoshi. "We wait and hope that Kenshin is able to save her."

Somehow he knew where to find her. HE found it odd that the claim he had made still held, that he could track her through to the fifth circle. It was also fitting Enishi would drag her here. Here he had slain Tomoe, or her body. Her spirit had been caught and he had released it. Enishi had believed her to have remained behind, not thinking that her love for Kenshin had allowed her to move beyond.

He landed on the hard ground, and quickly took in his surroundings. The area, usually teeming with lesser demons was empty at the moment. A trace of fear and unease permeated the air, ironic given his location. Ahead he could make out two figures. They stood close to each other and he rose slowly, approaching them.

"That didn't take long at all."

He recognized the sardonic tone of the demon of lost souls. Behind him he assumed stood Kaoru. Her head was down, her essence faded. Kenshin swallowed, hoping he was not too late.

"Let her go. This is between you and me."

"Indeed." Enishi agreed. "But now you've made it about her too."

He stepped to the side and Kenshin fought to hold off his shock at the sight of the woman he loved.

Her usually pale skin gleamed an unearthly pale light, giving her a ghastly glow. Her dark hair hung limply around her shoulders. Slowly she lifted her head. Her dark blue eyes gleamed a malevolent hue that was nearly purple. Kenshin swallowed at the implication. AS she registered his appearance, her lip curled back in a fang baring snarl. The woman he loved had become possessed.

"Kaoru-dono..." Her name was barely more than a whisper. He returned his attention to the blonde. "What the hell have you done?" He demanded.

Enishi took another step back. "I didn't have to do anything. I merely took what was in her head and showed her the truth of what you are."

"You lying bastard." He gritted taking a step towards the demon.

A low growl emitted from the woman. Enishi grinned and took a step back. Kenshin paused, realizing for the first time his intention. Now possessed with the hatred and bitterness, Kenshin would not be allowed to let her return unless he managed to reach her. The scene before him was so familiar. Kenshin could taste the bitterness in the back of his mouth as he recognized it. Enishi had played him so well.

But she was a siren, he was positive. And who exactly knew what her father had passed onto her. She was not broken like Tomoe, ripped viciously from a safe haven. Kaoru was still in denial about her heritage, not fully realizing it. He wondered if he took the chance, would she find the magic in her veins.

He took the step back, balancing on his feet. The stance felt odd as his opponent merely flipped the blade in her hand. It was crude, her position. Given different circumstances he would take his adversary out easily. Kenshin closed his eyes. 'Please let this work' he pleaded, to who he did not care.

"I'll let you two lovebirds figure this one out on your own." Enishi chuckled before vanishing.

Kenshin growled in frustration and took a step towards where he had been standing. Kaoru moved in front of him. His attention focused on her. With a feral cry, she launched herself towards him. He blocked her attack. She came at him again, her reflexes heightened by whatever brainwashing Enishi had enabled. Easily he deflected her attack again. Instinctively, he dropped, swinging out his leg and knocking her to the ground.

Stunned, she sat up slowly. Something flashed in her blue eyes. She shook her head and Kenshin held his breath. However, when she raised her gaze, it was void of recognition. Kaoru rolled back to her feet and immediately jumped back to attack him. Kenshin merely dodged. If she was completely lost, their bond wouldn't still resonate within him. He could reach her, he just needed to create a moment of nothingness to break through whatever Enishi had done.

AS he fended her off, his mind desperately searched for something. Recalling what he had done to vanquish Shishio, he wondered if it would work. He didn't have much choice, as she barraged him with attacks. He knew that he would have to either defeat her or reach her and he only prayed that his suspicions held true. She dove for him again, and he grimaced as the silver sliced his flesh. Before he could change his mind, he drove her back so he could take his stance.

Opposite him, she took a crude stance. He twisted, bringing his foot back. He lowered himself, sheathing his blade. Before he could question his decision, he moved towards her. Kaoru snarled and moved to attack him.

Kenshin swiftly unsheathed his blade and the clanging of metal reverberated through the still air. He brought up the sheath. She was quick and managed to catch it before it caught her in the stomach. He thought about his attack as he whirled. She had fended off the first two blows surprisingly. The third, as he spun, he aimed low, driving her to her knees. The fourth strike, was more to finish the vortex than to make contact. Still, he swept at her feet, her figure sprawled on the ground. He knocked what little breath she had left, sucking her into the vacuum he had created.

On her stomach, she struggled to her knees, gasping for air, her glaring azure eyes wide, her throat struggling to breath. "Listen to me!" Kenshin cried, dropping to his knees in front of her. "I know you're there. You can fight this. You are the most powerful woman I have ever met. I love you." He told her and reached out against the air to caress her cheek. "You are not lost. You have the power inside you. You just have to find it."

The malevolent eyes looked at him and he wondered if he had guessed wrong. A lone tear slid down her cheek. "Come back to me." He whispered. "please, come back to me, my love."

She gasped again at the lack of air and her lids closed. He felt his heart drop as she slumped forward. "No!" He whispered. He reached for her as the vacuum slowly ebbed to catch her.

Suddenly she gasped in a deep breath. Her head snapped up her eyes wide. She tossed back hack her head, her lips parted. With her deep breath, she flung her arms wide as she let loose a single piercing note.

The melodious note rose, the purity of it causing Kenshin to fall back and stare at her in wonder. IT went on, the pure beauty of it allowing it to find its cadence until it wasn't just one note that reverberated through the air, but a harmonious chord that called to him, called him to her.

The siren had awakened.

Too soon the note ended and Kaoru took in another deep breath, her chin falling forward slightly. Her eyes closed, she remained still, the echo of what she had done washing over them. She glowed an ethereal light, the immortality of her heritage a glimmering beacon to those who would answer.

The Sirens called those to their side in times of need. Mythology had made them monsters that preyed upon the unsuspecting souls who would wish to see the creature who made such melodious music. In reality, it was a battle cry. They served the Queen of the Dead. In times of warfare, they were the ones who would summon those to serve. Kenshin felt his eyes widen as he surveyed the area. The call was seductive, irrefutable to ignore, beckoning those to their will. No wonder stories abounded of their mercurial and dangerous nature. No one could deny the call of a Siren. Surrounded now, he stared at the masses, summoned to answer the call of the woman in front of him.

Even Enishi had been unable to resist the allure. Kenshin knew not where he had fled, only that he had been compelled to return. "Well, it appears the bluebird knew how to sing after all." He murmured.

The woman slowly opened her eyes and Kenshin sucked in a breath by what he saw. No longer were they the flat, merciless eyes of a demon. They glimmered with her power. Kaoru looked up at him before focusing her attention to the blonde. Slowly rising to her feet she studied him, her head tilted slightly to the side. Slowly she held her hand out to him. "You have something that belongs to me."

Her voice was a song of compulsion, and Kenshin knew that he would give her whatever she desired if she let loose that tone on him. Mesmerized Enishi took a step towards her. He shook his head, shaking her enthrallment from him. "No." He seethed, though he fought against her bidding.

Kaoru shrugged. "If you will not return it, then I shall just take it from you."

She lifted her right hand. A small winged demon stepped forward. "Bring me the key. Do with him what you will."

She flicked her wrist. Enishi's eyes widened as he realized what had transpired as a hundred demons converged on him. He shrieked as they converged on him. HE vanished under their bodies before they carried him away. After several moments the same small demon reappeared. In it hands, clutched to its chest, it held the 'Heart of Haros'.

"Thank you." She smiled at it. It uttered something in its guttural language. Kaoru nodded her head. The small creature bowed to her. Without a backward glance, it flew off.

Kenshin stared at her, unsure now what to do. The dark eyes slowly swung in his direction. Too much power had converged at once and she slumped forward abruptly. Kenshin moved quickly, cradling her against his chest. "Koishi."

Kaoru clung to him. "I thought I was lost." She cried.

He shook his head, rocking slightly. "I would find you."

"You did find me." She pulled back. "I love you." She murmured.

He kissed her fiercely, hardly daring to believe it. "I love you." Her murmured against her mouth.

She pulled back slightly. "We don't have to stay here, do we?"

"The gate has closed."

"I always said it figuratively that I was going to hell. I honestly never thought I would actually have to live here."

HE chuckled. "You forget, you have the key. You alone can walk between the realms without ritual."

She shook her head. "Im not leaving without you."

"I wouldn't let you."

Kaoru grinned. "You honestly think you could stop me?"

He cringed slightly. "Even knowing that you have an army of demons at your beck and call, it would be a long and arduous fight, but Id' keep you by my side."

She rubbed his nose and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Let's go home."

#&( P*#UP(N*CP(UIH$HIUH$====

"SO I don't understand. If her mother was a siren and an immortal, why did she die?"

Kaoru heard the question through a haze. She was sitting next to Kenshin in the dojo. They had had all gathered here the morning after the ascension trying to ascertain precisely what had occurred.

Hiko shook his head. "You forget that immortal means long life; does't mean they can't die."

"So what happens now?"Misao was the one who voiced the question. She was sitting in a chair, Aoshi stood at her shoulder.

"We continue as we have. But perhaps the alliance doesn't have to end. It appears that would not be in anyone's best interest to end it." Pointedly, the imposing vampire glanced at the slayer.

"how does that work?" Kaoru mused aloud.

"We have our ways of prolonging human lifespan."

"Meaning?"

"The band won't be breaking up anytime soon." Sanosuke stated, grinning. He grimaced and looked at Megumi who was sitting next to him. "But its true."

Kaoru blinked, forgetting that they could communicate telepathically. "She's a siren." Megumi rolled her eyes. "She has immortal blood."

"How does that work?"Kaoru sat forward. "And why did it take so long to manifest?"

"Her abilities had been slowly manifesting themselves the past few weeks. She just didn't fully realize it, that she did not."

"What happened down there to finally trigger the transformation?" Aoshi asked.

Kaoru pressed her lips together. She and Kenshin had thought it best not to go into the details. Knowledge of her heritage would spread. Who knew who might come looking for her. Better to keep the full extent of her capabilities secret. "Let's just say that Enishi attempted to twist her memories, but we managed to persevere." Kaoru said.

"True love prevailed." Misao sighed.

"Something like that."

"So back to life as normal?"Kaoru asked.

"Whatever the new normal is."Sanosuke snorted.

A knock sounded on the door. Kaoru lifted her head from her laptop. She had been researching drinks for a new cocktail menu at the restaurant. Kenshin was making dinner, the smell of garlic permeating the kitchen. He also looked up from where he was chopping vegetables. "Expecting company?"

She looked over at him. "no."

The redhead immediately grew still. "The Accession is over. No one stupid enough would just show up here."

His violet eyes glanced at her. "And yet someone is knocking on your door."

Kaoru rose from her perch on the stool. She waved a hand dismissively at him. "If you want to come too." She chided. She moved trough the living room, sensing him behind her though he didn't fully follow her to the door. Her hand hesitated on the doorknob as she sensed a powerful presence on the other side. However she sensed no malice and opened it.

In the fading daylight Kaoru was surprised at the woman standing on her doorstep. She seemed to glow an ethereal gold. Her pale blonde hair fell down her back, her cornflower blue eyes were large. A simple pale blue dress adorned her figure. "Are you Kamiya Kaoru?"

Kaoru suddenly saw the figure behind her. Her dark blue eyes darted to him and back to the blonde in front of her. The woman seemed to sense her distress. She glanced back at the figure and waved a hand dismissively. "Don't worry about him. He means you no ill."

Her eyes darted back to him once more. The shadows seemed to cling to him, his dark beauty emanating despite the darkness that grew around him. "Quite a bodyguard." Kaoru laughed uneasily.

"Coming from the woman who claimed a fearsome demon as her mate."

"Touche."

"I've come to thank you. And perhaps also to apologize."

"Apologize?"

"Its' been so long since the sirens have sired a heir, that I had stopped looking. Forgive me for not being there to explain your role."

"Oh." Kaoru still wasn't sure who the woman was. "It's fine. I kind of figured it out on my own."

"Still. Your mother was friend." The woman sighed and glanced once more at the man behind her. "I have to go." She reached out a touched Kaoru's cheek. "Keep it safe. And trust him to keep you safe."

"its time." the man's voice was deep and silky.

"It is ironic that you found each other. "I gave it to the sirens to protect it; He allowed the creation of the vampires to protect you."

As her words sank in, Kaoru gasped. "My lady."

"Stop." She leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her cheek. "Perhaps our paths will cross again." Then she turned and strode toward the man in the shadows. He reached out a hand and the blonde accepted it. His dark eyes glittered lovingly as he kissed her hand. As the shadows grew, they disappeared into the gloom.

"Who was it?"

Slowly Kaoru closed the door and turned to the redhead. Her love for him threatened to overwhelm her and she strode to him, flinging her arms around his neck. He caught her up in the kiss. He pulled back. His brow furrowed. "Who was it?" He asked again.

"I think it was the goddess."

"Persephone?"

She nodded. "And Hades."

"What makes you think that?"

"She told me to keep it safe. And to trust you to keep me safe."

"And do you?"

Kaoru grinned at him. "I trust you with my very being."

"I love you." He murmured kissing the tip of her nose.

"And I you."

"Dinner should be ready. Or perhaps you might want to work up an appetite?"

She leaned forward and whispered into his ear. "Surprise me."

And there it is.

Much love to everyone who has stumbled upon this tale and stuck through it. Its interesting to think back on the years and recall where I was as I got back into the groove. I vividly recall the afternoon I spent in the New York library, researching and after following numerous threads, came upon the myth of the Sirens being the handmaidens to Persephone. I've always had a mild obsession with greek mythology. The ending came to me in a dreamAnyway, it is curious to see how this story evolved. I'm almost a little sad that it has finally come to an end.

Full thanks to Nobuhiro Watsuki for the creation of these characters. Thaks for allowing me the indulgence to place with them for a brief while. They do not belong to me.

Kisses until next time!