Disclaimer: I, sadly, do not own Rayearth... or the song I'm going to use in this chapter. Nor do I own V6, the WONDERFUL group that did the song that I am using. I do, however, own the little song/poem thing at the end of this chapter.

Wow... I can't believe it's the final chapter already... *sniff* Well, here it is. I'm going to use the song "Jiyuu de Aru Tame ni" or, translated, "For the Sake of Freedom", by V6, in this chapter. I LOVE this song!! Here's how the lyrics'll go:

**italics** = Original Japanese lyrics

[italics] = Translated lyrics

Believe it or not, I'm actually listening to this song as I write this. ^^ OK, well, on to the chapter... finally!

~*~*~*~*~

All of the demons dropped to their knees, their eyes were wide and blank. They fell to the ground limply, and, as the light of the moon began to shine on them, their bodies, as well as all the demon's around them, began to glow.

And Umi's scream pierced the night.

~*~*~*~*~

**Do you... do you wanna be Freedom?**

All of the demons were lifted into the air by an invisible force. Their eyes were closed and their heads hung limply. Their bodies glowed brighter, and their hair seemed to turn a dozen shades lighter as all the blood and dirt disappeared from their bodies and clothes.

Umi kept her eyes on Clef. Around her, human soldiers were beginning to run off in fright. Nearby, Hikaru dropped to her knees, tears streaming down her face. Her ruby eyes glistened with salty tears.

"LANTIS!!!" she screamed, her terrified cry choked with sobs.

Fuu also had tears in her eyes, and she covered all of her face, except for her eyes, with her hands. "Ferio...!"

**Dareka wo yonderu Call yozora ni hibiku** [My call to somebody echoes in the night sky]

**Hitori ja nai to itte hoshii dake de** [I just want to be told that I'm not alone]

Suddenly, wings sprouted from the demons' backs. The force pushed their bodies forward, and their hair flew around them. Umi watched as Clef's lavender hair was tossed into his face. Eagle's wings turned a from a cream colored hue to a pure white, almost iridescent, shade. As more moonlight poured onto them, their wings sparkled brilliantly.

Umi's heart seemed to scream. Questions of confusion poured into her mind and she became engulfed in fear.

**Ima sugu aitai no wa tenshi ja nai** [It's not an angel that I want to be with soon]

**Onaji kodoku wo shiru Somebody** [But somebody who knows the same loneliness]

What in hell is going on?! her mind screamed. Umi's entire body trembled.

Then, the wings on the demons' backs engulfed them. The wings wrapped around their bodies, and the masses grew smaller. Light seemed to emerge from the feathers. When the wings parted, the demons were curled into balls, their knees to their chests and their arms wrapped around their legs. Clef's staff was firmly in his hands. As they slowly returned to a normal position, their eyes remained shut, and the wings unraveled around them, sending thousands of feathers falling delicately to the ground.

**Do you... do you wanna be Freedom?**

The three Demon Slayers gasped as they stared at the demons. Pointed ears, tails, claws, and Eagle's wings—none of them were in sight!

Slowly, they ascended to the ground. The unnatural brightness of the full moon began to fade, until it was just a ordinary full moon in the sky. As they were gently laid on the ground, Hikaru, Umi, and Fuu raced towards them.

**Donna aishita mo osorezu ni** [Without being afraid of tomorrow]

Umi's chest tightened as she ran towards Clef. The last line of the Prophecy rung over and over in her mind, and as raced towards him, she prayed that once she reached him, his heart would still be beating strongly in his chest. Light blue hair trailed behind her, and out of the corner of her eye, she could see Hikaru and Fuu running with her, as well. A stream of tears ran from her eyes, shimmering in the moonlight. Apprehensive fear shone behind watery sapphire eyes.

**Kizutsuku bakari no Lonely Heart** [A lonely heart that's only been wounded]

**Buchikowaseba ii** [It's alright if you break it down]

When Umi reached Clef, she dropped to her knees beside him. She pulled his body into her arms and shook him gently. Tears streamed down her face as she called out his name, again and again.

**Do you... do you know your true Tenderness?**

"Please..." Umi pleaded through sobs. "Please, wake up! Clef, wake up!"

**Sore wa dare nimo nite inai** [That is unlike anyone else's]

When no response was received, Umi broke down in tears and brought Clef's head to hers, burying her face in his chest. Suddenly, she felt soft breathing against her ear. She lifted herself up, joyously relieved, and reached under the first layer of Clef's robes, pressing her hand against his chest. More tears fell from her eyes and a small smile spread across her face as she felt his heart pounding strongly.

**Kimi ga kimi de iru tame ni** [Tell me what it is that you're looking for]

**Sagasu mono wo oshiete** [So that you can be yourself]

"Thank God..." she whispered.

Suddenly, she heard Fuu's ecstatic cry. She looked up to see Fuu fling her arms around Ferio's neck as he regained consciousness, and he wearily returned her embrace. She glanced to where Hikaru knelt by Lantis, and saw her smiling happily, tears glistening on her cheeks. Lantis's hand was against her cheek, and she held his hand happily with his head in her lap as Lantis smiled gently up at her.

**Game wo kitta MONITAA tsumetai Real** [The monitor after I turn off the game holds a cold reality]

**Te ni ireta nowa subete Imitation** [Everything I've ever gained is all an imitation]

**Nanika ga tarinainda to mune ga sakebu** [My heart screams out that something's missing]

**Fui ni jibun wa tada Nobody** [Suddenly, I'm just an ordinary nobody]

Umi glanced back at Clef's peaceful face. She bit her lip and stroked his hair gently. Suddenly, Clef stirred and his eyes flickered open. He groaned slightly as he slowly came back to consciousness, but he smiled wearily when he saw Umi's face staring down at him worriedly. Clef's azure eyes were reflected in Umi's teary sapphire eyes.

**Do you... do you wanna be Freedom?**

"Umi..." Clef whispered.

Umi let out a relieved sigh. "I'm so glad you're alive."

Clef's eyes temporarily lost their shine. "But... how?"

Umi shook her head. "I don't know."

**Donna mirai wo odoritai?** [How bad do you want to dance in the future?]

**Utsumuku dake dewa Broken Heart** [Just looking down results in a broken heart]

**Kirinukerarenai** [That you can't break free of]

Clef lifted his hand and waved it in the air. He positioned it in the air, palm upward, and a small flame danced above his palm.

"I still have my magic," he whispered.

Umi smiled. "I'm glad."

Clef smiled back at her and sat upright. Umi helped him to his feet, and Clef leaned against his staff. He looked around, and saw that Lantis and Ferio were also standing. Both men approached him, smiling.

**Do you... do you know your true Tenderness?**

"We survived," Lantis said, a small hint of relief in his voice.

"And it's a damn good thing, too!" Ferio added.

Clef smiled at them both. "I suppose life will be getting back to normal for us, then?"

"Except for the fact that we're human now..." Ferio pointed out as he scratched the back of his head.

Clef paused to look at his hands, inspecting for any sign of claws. He sighed. He was human. Again.

**Sore wa tashika ni kanau koto** [That's certainly something that will come true]

"I think it's permanent this time," Clef said.

They all nodded and looked around the battlefield. All of the human soldiers had retreated, and the battlefield was full of confused, once-were demons, who were inspecting each other for tails.

Hikaru laughed. "I think it's time we all had a break! I'm exhausted!"

Umi and Fuu nodded in agreement.

"Then it's agreed," Clef smiled. "Back to the castle, then?"

They all nodded happily before happily retreating to the castle.

**Yume wo kuchi ni suru mae ni** [Before you tell me your dreams]

**Dekiru nanika shiritai** [I want to know what I can do]

~*~*~*~*~

Back in the castle, Ferio and Fuu sat, alone, in Ferio's bedroom quarters, once again. Fuu leaned against Ferio, her head laying against his chest. Ferio stroked her golden hair and stared down at her, a small smile on his face.

"I can't believe you're here..." Fuu whispered. "I thought..." Fuu sighed and shook her head as she lifted her weight off of Ferio.

**Do you... do you wanna be Freedom?**

Ferio eyes grew soft. "I guess we've experienced a miracle," he smiled.

Fuu smiled as well. "I suppose so! But, it just doesn't make sense."

"Maybe we found a loophole!" Ferio laughed.

Fuu laughed lightly. "Maybe..." she whispered. She leaned towards him and kissed his softly, and he returned the kiss gratefully. Fuu played with Ferio's forest green hair and Ferio moved his hands up and down her back. When they pulled away, Fuu laughed.

**Donna aishita mo osorezu ni** [Without being afraid of tomorrow]

"What?" Ferio asked.

Fuu laughed again. "It's weird. Your fangs didn't press into my mouth that time."

Ferio blushed hotly. Was... was that really a problem...?" he stuttered.

Fuu giggled. "I was kidding." Fuu leaned in and kissed him again. Ferio smiled as her lips brushed against his. Fuu pulled away and wrapped her arms around Ferio's neck, resting her head on his shoulder. She heard Ferio sigh tranquilly and she smiled softly and closed her eyes.

Not quite a fairy-tale ending, she thought. But... almost.

**Kizutsuku bakari no Lonely Heart** [A lonely heart that's only been wounded]

**Buchikowaseba ii** [It's alright if you break it down]

~*~*~*~*~

Hikaru sat with Lantis, gently tracing the frame of his face with her hand. Lantis took her hand in his, and touched it gently to his mouth, kissing her fingers softly. Hikaru smiled gently at him, tears brimming her eyes. She bit down on her lip, willing herself not to cry. Lantis looked at her kindheartedly and wiped a tear from her cheek as it fell from her eye.

"Why are you crying?" he asked softly. "Are you sad?"

**Do you... do you know your true Tenderness?**

Hikaru shook her head, a small smile on her face. "I'm crying because I'm happy!" she laughed gently.

Lantis smiled.

"When the eclipse happened, I was so sure that you..." Hikaru cut off, she couldn't say it.

Lantis embraced her tightly and Hikaru's tears fell against his black shirt.

"But... you're here!" Hikaru wept happily. "You're here..."

Lantis smiled, then reached up to his ear, tenderly feeling the top of his ear where it had been pointed before.

Hikaru lifted herself from Lantis and stared into his violet eyes. "I'm so happy that I'm here with you," she whispered.

**Sore wa dare nimo nite inai** [That is unlike anyone else's]

"Me too," Lantis replied.

Lantis leaned towards her and their lips brushed against one another's. Tears glistened on Hikaru's cheeks as she cried. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he slipped his arms around her waist. The sun, just beginning to rise over the horizon, shone pink through the window, reflecting against any metal in the room and bouncing off glass. A rainbow of colors blazed around them, and seemed to join at the glass ornament in the center of a nearby table.

Forever, Hikaru thought. I'll always be with you.

**Kimi ga kimi de iru tame ni** [Tell me what it is that you're looking for]

**Sagasu mono wo oshiete** [So that you can be yourself] ((!!END SONG!!))

~*~*~*~*~

Clef smiled down happily at Umi, who was leaning against him, resting her head on his chest. He stroked her hair gently, and she moved away, taking one step backwards, to stare into his eyes. The brilliant azure hue of his eyes sparkled, and Umi smiled and leaned towards him, kissing him gently. Clef wrapped his arms around her waist, and when they parted, she spoke.

"I think I've figured it out," Umi told Clef.

"Figured what out?" Clef asked.

"Why you didn't... die," Umi said hesitantly.

Clef's eyes softened.

"You remember that last line of the prophecy," Umi said. "And, when the moon has turned into a ring of fire, blazing in the blackened sky, the demons shall fall, and as the moon is reborn, the demon race shall perish."

Clef nodded.

"And all of your demon qualities are gone?" Umi asked. "Instincts and all?"

Clef laughed. "Yes."

"Then the demons truly did perish, and you became human."

Clef laughed softly again. "Clever!"

Umi smiled and giggled before kissing him again. Umi ran her fingers through Clef's lavender hair as Clef fingered Umi's light blue tresses. Clef's free hand folded around Umi's, and they gripped each other's hands tightly. When Umi pulled away, she rested her head of Clef's shoulder.

"Aishiteru," she whispered into his ear.

"Aishiteru," was his soft response. "Itsumo."

Umi smiled softly and closed her eyes. She wrapped her arms around Clef's shoulders, and felt him move his hands to her back. As the sun rose over the cliffs, he light shone upon them, and, among the soft calls of the birds, Umi could hear the familiar tune of that beautiful song.

"O, hunters of the night

Never sleeping, always watching

Please watch over me

Guardians of the Night

Never resting, always listening

Please light my path

Night hunters..."

~*~*~*~*~

OMG... It's over... *cries* ;_; *sigh* Thank you SO much to EVERYONE who reviewed, and a special thanks to those who reviewed so devotedly, blazingIcEph0eniX, hyper*italian*gurl, Virginia Choir, shazzam, inu87yasha, Momentum, Iarly, and to any others whom I have not listed. You guys are awesome! All of your reviews have given me the confidence to keep writing this fic—it's my first fic, after all.

I'm kinda sad that's it's finished already... I really enjoyed writing this, and I hope you enjoyed reading it! ^_^ Maybe I'll post a new fic soon... (or not... you never know) If you have any questions, feel free to put them in your review, and maybe I'll make a little section on my FF.Net profile called "Ryoushi no Yoru FAQ"! LOL Anyways, just a quick question for everyone: Do you think I should write a sequel or epilogue? I have considered this, but I would like others' opinions, so please tell me in a review if there should be a sequel. Anyways, this has been so much fun! Thank you all! As for now, PLEASE REVIEW!!!