Holy freakin' cows... I'm sorry for dragging out this ending for so long. Even now I'm not sure if I'm completely happy with it, but it just randomly popped into my head the other night when I was trying to sleep. This is it, the final chapter to Loves Bond. So sit back and enjoy! Sorry it's not really to long either, lastly I do not own Inu-Yasha or the song Collide by Howie Day.

CHAPTER 22: FINAL FAREWELLS

Zhen Jaun gave a strangled scream, blood pouring from his mouth and eyes. He fell to the floor in a massive pile of scales and gore. Mino placed a hand on his sisters shoulder, she watched the giant snake's head rise up once again. He started to charge toward the twins, but fell back to the floor moments after.

His giant wide open eyes stared lifelessly at the two, their figures reflected back at them. "It's finally over..." Mino whispered. No sooner did the words escape his lips Zhen Jaun began to break apart into millions of scales, which turned to dust.

"We did it." A smile finally began to form on Rin's face again. "Mi-...?" She turned around, but the only one close to her was Jaken some feet behind her. The imp shook lightly shaking his tiny head side to side. The black fog began to lift, the faces of her long time friends came into view. Their voices broke through the silence that had begun to set in.

"Rin are you alright!" Kagome's face showed extreme relief, the worry instantly leaving her.

"What happened here?" Inu-Yasha asked staring down at the dark spot where Zhan Jaun's corpse had once fell. His nose crinkled up smelling the stench of the snakes blood.

"Rin!" Kari latched onto her closest friends waist. "What is it?"

"My brother... he was here..." She whispered, tears beginning to form in her eyes. Her smile returned as she blinked them away. She turned to her father, he smiled back at his precious daughter. Mino's curse was finally broken, he could finally be free. Even if death was the cost.

"I am proud of you my daughter." He placed a kiss to her forehead. "Everything can finally... become somewhat normal again." He looked at the golden statue of his mate and eternal love.

Ever silent Sesshomaru stood off to the side, watching everyone begin to relax. "I'm glad to see everyone alive." The voice came from nowhere. Still slightly jumpy everyone, but Sesshomaru, looked around slightly shaken.

"Seiryuu..." Sesshomaru looked to the side waiting for the celestial dragon to appear. With a small giggle she stood in the middle of the group of friends and family. "What have you come for."

The dragon woman smiled, but gave a weary and tired sigh. "I suppose there should be no stalling." She began crossing her arms. "There has been a proposal, one that all must agree to, or... well there are only two options."

"What are you talking about Seiryuu?" Inu-Yasha grumbled out not liking being lead around after what just happened. He placed a clawed hand on Kari's head and the other around Kagome.

"I'm afraid to say, we're separating human's and demons. This has gone on long enough." Blank stares and gasps were all heard in succession. "No, no it's not really as bad as you would think."

"What are you implying?" Miroku spared a glance to his friends and companions.

"Firstly, if you chose to remain here, in this world you will become human. Living life as though you were one all along." She held up her hand. "I can strip you of your powers, it will hurt mind you, but if you wish to live here." She gave a non-nonchalant shrug of a shoulder, holding up a second clawed finger. "Or, you come to our realm. Keep all your powers and live out your immortal life."

"Well let's not dally here! Let's go then!" Jaken scrambled to stand as close to the dragon as he could get. Giving a quick gasp, he turned to face Sesshomaru. "That is Mi-lord, if you go I will follow! What other choice would you make!" He began rambling, but was tuned out by the others.

Sesshomaru stood in his spot, not voicing his decision. Jaken was right, his decision would be obvious. He would never live a short, helpless and weak human life. "Sesshomaru... father?" Rin looked to the two waiting for answers.

"Daughter, I will chose what you will." He gave her a strong smile, pulling her in close.

"Inu-Yasha? What do you chose?" Seiryuu smiled a knowing smile. The half-demon opened his mouth once, closing it quickly giving a look to his wife and child. He looked back to the dragon, nodding his head holding onto the two tightly. He would never leave them either. "Then it will be done." Turning she waved her hand, a giant portal appearing behind her. "Step through when you're ready." But no one made to move. "Take your time to say good-bye." She closed her eyes, waiting patently beside the portal.

"I guess... this is it, huh?" Rin turned to Kagome and Sango.

Kagome and Sango just smiled. "No, only a new beginning." The three women hugged, Kari jumping in the middle.

"Well enough of this! See you on the other side!" Jaken screamed dashing head on into the portal. The women all laughed at the imp, those staying on the human side would all miss his weirdness.

Ying Wu stared a moment longer at his mate's statue. He missed the grin on Seiryuu's face as he turned his back. A tiny cracking sound started, followed by several more; pieces began falling to the floor as a body collapsed under her own weight. The demon lord caught his mate, a strange expression of gratitude and confusion crossing his eyes as he looked to the dragon.

"Well, I can't leave any demon here, dormant or not."

"Mother...? Is she?" Rin ran to her fathers side placing a hand on her mothers face. The warmth in her skin gave her all the reassurance she needed.

"I believe there is one left, waiting on the other side."

"My son?" The dragon nodded her head only once, and tears began to spill from the man cradling the woman in his arms. He buried his face in her hair, her scent filling his being. Standing he took his once broken family to the portal. "Sho, our family is whole once more. I will see you on the other side. Soku?"

"My friend, I request to remain here. And live the rest of my life out as a human." Ying Wu stared at his Admiral for only a moment.

"Then I release you of all your duties, you are free to go wherever you wish."

"Thank you, Ying Wu." He bowed to the man, happy to at least see the tiny family reunited at last. With that said, Ying Wu stepped through the portal to greet the new life in the new realm.

"I guess it's our turn, Sesshomaru." Rin held her hand out to him. Strangely enough he took her hand in his, starting to follow after the others. "Wait, Inu-Yasha, Sesshomaru aren't you going to say good-bye too? You'll never see each other again."

Ignoring Kagome's sudden burst of agreeing with the younger girl, he scowled. "Not happen'!" He crossed his arms, throwing his nose to the air.

Sesshomaru just stared at his brother from the corner of his eyes, keeping his thoughts to himself. Once again he began to lead Rin through the portal, but was stopped again.

"Hey, Sesshomaru!" Inu-Yasha started. "Cya round." He threw a hand up, quickly reverting back to his scowl. Sesshomaru turned slightly to see him again, only nodded his head in reply.

"Let's go, Rin." She smiled up at him, finally able to leave through the portal. Seiryuu faced her old charge, smiled and held her hands out.

"This is possibly good-bye forever. And the last time we guardians meddle in the mortal realm." She back petaled out of view, the portal vanishing with her. And true to her word, it was. Those who agreed to the guardians terms either left for their realm, or became human themselves. Those who didn't agree, and fought back met tragic ends. The world was cleansed of all demonic energies. And the magics that they held with them. Earth became a planet souly for human kind, and their decedents.

The dawn is breaking
A light shining through
You're barely waking
And I'm tangled up in you, yeah

I'm open, you're closed
Where I follow, you'll go
I worry I won't see your face
Light up again

Even the best fall down sometimes
Even the wrong words seem to rhyme
Out of the doubt that fills my mind
I somehow find you and I collide

I'm quiet you know
You make a first impression
I've found I'm scared to know
I'm always on your mind

"What is the worth of this? Rin… that I let you die."

Even the best fall down sometimes
Even the stars refuse to shine
Out of the back you fall in time

I somehow find you and I collide

"If… Rin should ever die… would you please not forget about me?"

Don't stop here
I lost my place
I'm close behind

"Rin, come."

Even the best fall down sometimes
Even the wrong words seem to rhyme
Out of the doubt that fills your mind
You finally find you and I collide

"Coming Lord Sesshomaru!"

You finally find you and I collide
You finally find you and I collide

"He's become like his father in the strangest ways..."