Moi-Moi: Hey guys! This is it! We've made it to the end of the story. "The end!?" you ask while pulling out your pitchforks and torches. Yes, dear friends. The end. Don't worry. There will be more at a later date. ;) I hope you guys enjoy this chapter! :D

~:~

Danny curled up on his side as he tried to gain control of his breathing. His eyes blinked several times as he stared at Kagome's knee. Why wasn't she saying anything? He'd just transformed in front of her. She should be running, panicking, screaming, or doing some combination of the three. Closing his eyes with a shuddering breath, Danny curled up tighter. He almost didn't want to look up at her. He couldn't bear to see the look in her eyes. When he felt her hands on him, he jumped slightly.

"Oh! S-sorry, Danny. I didn't mean to hurt you," she said. With an astonished gaze, he looked up at her. "When you can move again, let me know. I'll help you home," she said with a small smile. Not trusting his voice, Danny gave a small, stiff nod.

The two didn't speak for several minutes. Danny was too busy focusing on a blade of grass, waiting for the impending freak out that Kagome was about to have. Personally, he was freaking out a little bit. She just said some made up words and sent Valerie flying! When he felt her hand touch his shoulder, he tensed. But she was just moving him to rest on her lap. Danny's eyes widened in surprise.

~:~

Sam nearly growled out loud. Where was Danny!? She hadn't heard any noises for a while. It was as if the battle had just ended. But Danny would have at least called. Right? Then again, he had no idea that she was walking around the park while looking for him.

Sam had just pushed a branch out of her way when she heard someone else's voice. "Aw, man!"

"That sounds like Valerie," Sam whispered before creeping forward slowly. Moving away some leaves, Sam looked ahead of her. It was Valerie. The girl was kneeling in a small clearing with her smoking jet sled on her lap. Sam narrowed her gaze suspiciously.

"This thing is busted. What happened!? I had him. I had Phantom right where I wanted him. And then Kagome had to show up!" Valerie bemoaned. "Where'd she even come from?"

Sam pursed her lips in thought. Kagome had found Danny? Maybe they were still around? Then why wasn't Valerie looking for them? Maybe Danny had gotten away!? As quietly as she could, Sam backtracked. Once she was far enough away so that her combat boots wouldn't be heard, she took off back the way she had come. She'd head to Danny's house. He was probably on his way there and needed help.

~:~

"Danny Fenton... Danny Phantom. I'm a little upset with myself for not figuring it out," Danny heard Kagome mutter. He smirked.

Danny stared up at the foliage above him with sleepy eyes. He felt drained, extremely fatigued, confused beyond measure, and a little hopeful. Kagome knew his secret. She knew that he was secretly Danny Phantom. And she hadn't freaked out yet! In fact, she was taking care of him. It was almost too good to be true.

"How are you feeling now, Danny?" she asked him as she rubbed his cheek.

Danny looked up at her from where he was resting his head on her lap. "Better. I'll try to move in a few minutes," Danny said. Just a few more minutes.

"Well, don't force yourself. I'm not an ecto-biologist like my mom. But I'm sure that being injected with blood blossom extract will have some damaging effects on a ghost," Kagome replied.

"...Half-ghost," Danny corrected hesitantly.

"Half-ghost? I... Didn't think that was possible," Kagome responded.

"I didn't think it was possible for people to have magic powers," Danny replied.

Kagome flushed slightly. "Oh... Yeah. That," she started. "Would you believe me if I said that witches are just as real as ghosts are?"

"After everything I've seen in my life, I think I'd be ready to believe anything," Danny joked. When Kagome giggled in response, Danny felt himself relax a little. "How long have you been a witch?"

"Um... My whole life? I was born one. You can't really become one. It's a hereditary thing," Kagome answered.

"So, your mom?"

"And my dad. I guess he wasn't wrong about you being "spooky". But I don't think he saw this coming," Kagome said with a small laugh. "How long have you been half-ghost?"

"Two years. I was downstairs in my parents lab with Sam and Tucker. I was showing them the Ghost Portal. Sam convinced me to go inside and check it out. When I did, I accidentally pressed the "On" switch that was inside. I remember a flash of light and then it felt like I was be electrocuted. It didn't last long, but I passed out anyways. When I woke up, I had ghost powers," Danny explained.

Kagome's eyes widened at him. "So, you decide to use your powers to protect Amity Park? That's... Actually a really noble thing to do, Danny. You put your life in danger on a regular basis. Wow. I've never thought of helping anyone with my magic," Kagome said.

"It just felt like the right thing to do. You know?" Danny said casually. She thought he was noble.

"Everything is starting to make sense now. You and Sam were worried about me hunting ghosts because you are one," Kagome frowned. She looked down at him with such an intense gaze that Danny was left speechless. "I would never hurt you on purpose, Danny. I don't care what anyone says. You're my friend before anything else."

"W-what? What who says?" Danny asked with a puzzled frown.

~:~

Vlad stared up at the Takahashi's front door with uncertainty in his midnight blue eyes. After swallowing thickly, he climbed the steps and knocked on the door loudly. After about a minute of waiting, Vlad was about to turn tail and leave. "I guess no one's home," he reasoned to himself before turning to leave. But before he could step down, the door swung open. Vlad froze.

"Oh. It's you," Judai said with a glare as he stared up at Vlad.

"Hello, Judai. Is your mother home?" Vlad asked, trying to keep the nervousness from his voice.

"No," Judai responded flatly.

"Judai!" Vlad heard Kimiko's voice call out from within the house. He watched Judai roll his eyes before stepping to the side to let Vlad in. Vlad stepped in, immediately smelling something delightful. "In the kitchen, Vlad!"

Taking his time, Vlad entered the kitchen with Judai on his tail. He spotted Kimiko chopping up something next to a large pot that was bubbling away on the stove. She raised her head to smile at him before returning to her work. "Is everything alright, Vlad?" she asked him.

"They are for right now. But I'm not sure if they will stay that way," Vlad said before taking a seat at the kitchen table.

Kimiko shot him a questioning look before saying, "Judai, why don't you head upstairs for a minute?"

Judai scoffed. "Don't mind if I do," he said before leaving the room.

When she heard his bedroom door close, Kimiko washed and dried her hands before joining Vlad at the table. "You look troubled. Is everything alright?"

"No. Not really. Something that Daniel said has been bothering me lately," Vlad answered. "I haven't been completely honest with you, Kimiko."

"Oh?" Kimiko asked. Her eyes narrowed. "Is this something to do with Maddie?"

"No! Of course not. I was completely honest about Maddie. This has to do with me," Vlad answered. Why was he doing this again? Right. Because he felt guilty and hopeful. Guilty because his entire relationship was based on a lie (thank you very much for pointing that out Daniel). And hopeful that Kimiko would take the news well. Or at least that she wouldn't cast him aside. She seemed very understanding and sympathetic towards ghosts. She wouldn't hold being half-ghost against him. If she did, Vlad would have Skulker track down that wishing ghost and she'd just fix the situation for him. No harm, no foul.

"Is there something wrong?"

"I haven't been completely honest, my dear. It's not that I've lied. I've just... omitted the truth," Vlad answered while wrapping his hands around Kimiko's. "I do hope you won't hate me for this."

"I could never hate you, Vlad. You've been so good to me. You're even trying to form a relationship with my children. Judai may not be exactly open, but I know Kagome doesn't think badly of you. And neither do I. Just say what you have to say," Kimiko replied with an easy smile.

"It's difficult to say. It's better if I show you," Vlad said. "Don't do this! It's not worth it! Get out of there NOW!", a little voice yelled at him. Desiree can fix anything that goes wrong. But nothing will go wrong! Vlad shut his eyes and tensed as he transformed.

He nearly ran for it. He could hear her gasp softly and he was so close to flying off. She wasn't saying anything. He probably shocked her into a catatonic state. He'd been wrong to do this. Where was that wishing ghost!? He'd find her now! She would fix this! Fix everything!

"So, I was right."

Vlad blinked his red eyes confusedly before looking up at Kimiko. She was smirking at him! "What?" he replied unintelligently.

"I was right. I had a feeling that the Wisconsin ghost was a new subspecies," she clarified before patting his hands with a smile. Vlad watched her get up to continue tending to her meal. "Are you staying for dinner, Vlad?"

"You aren't surprised? Shocked? Disgusted?" Vlad questioned, quickly getting up to follow her.

"Vlad, I've known that you were part ghost for some time now. I was just waiting until you felt comfortable enough to say something," Kimiko said.

Vlad's jaw dropped. "Unbelievable! How did you know? Did Daniel tell you?"

"No. I figured it out when I saw the reaction you had to Kagome the first time you touched her. Not only that, I could sense the ghostly energy in you," Kimiko answered.

"But how?"

"Because I'm a witch. And a darn good one, too," Kimiko said proudly.

Vlad frowned. "Witches don't exist," he dismissed.

"So, only ghosts exist? I assure you that witches are very real," Kimiko said and gave her pot a few stirs. "Let me ask you something. Have you ever gotten a strange feeling when you were around me? Like you had to get away as fast as you could?"

Rather than use his words, Vlad nodded once. It had been a puzzling feeling to have. He wanted to stay, but he wanted to leave at the same time. Everything about her physical presence seemed to set him on edge while her personality calmed him to no end.

"It's a survival instinct. Witches and ghosts aren't known to get along. Most witches make it their task to keep ghosts in line. You know? Stop them from terrorizing humanity too much. It's to the point where most ghosts just avoid us altogether. You've noticed the lack of ghost attacks lately.

"When you touched Kagome, the pain you felt was her magic simmering just under the surface. She's still young and hasn't gotten full control over it yet. I'm sure she'll be accidentally shocking you for a little while longer. Luckily, Judai isn't showing any signs of magic yet. I'm afraid to think what he would do to you if he was," Kimiko joked.

Vlad couldn't believe what he was hearing. Did she really expect him to believe that she was a witch? She and Kagome had magical powers that made them a threat to him? He had to admit that what she was saying did explain a few things. But, honestly!

"Vlad, to be perfectly honest with you, it doesn't bother me that you're a ghost. However, I'm not too fond of the things the Wisconsin Ghost has done in this town. But, I'm sure you had a good reason for it," Kimiko suggested with a raised brow and her arms folded over her chest.

Vlad blinked twice before gulping loudly. At the serious look in her eyes, Vlad felt more worried than he had felt before he'd transformed. He frowned. "Butter biscuits," he cursed to himself. At least she wasn't kicking him out.

~:~

Moi-Moi: You've just reached the end of the story. Congrats! :D

As I have said before, this is a trilogy so there are still two more stories to read (and for me, write). Where this story was a bit more dramatic and romance-driven, the other two will be more action orientated. Now that the foundation has been laid, it is time to build a sturdy house of action, adventure, and small dashes of humor. ;)

So, be on the lookout for the sequel: "Drowning in Power" coming soon to ! ;)