"What?" I asked in shock.

"It's time you sent the Sohmas home," said my sister.

"But…no, I can't!" I exclaimed. "I…care about them."

"And…I think you have to have your powers bound," Melinda said. "You aren't using them responsibly."

"But…but what about the Source? Melinda, what if one of them gets killed?"

"You can always call us," Melinda said. "It's time you took responsiblility for your actions, Patience. You're too powerful. It's getting out of hand."

"Okay…I'll send them home…but let me say goodbye first," I said softly.

"You have a day," said Melinda. "Chris!"

Chris appeared, grabbed Melinda's arm, and orbed away.

"So that's it?!" Kyo said. "You're just going to send us away?"

"Kyo, I-I have to…" I said softly. "Thank you for being my friend. And I…hope all goes well for you, but…I know it will."

I stepped out of the room and walked back to Shigure's house.

***

How will I tell him? I wondered. I have to tell Yuki how I feel…but what if he rejects me?

I was so lost in thought that I ran straight into him.

"Kuri-san?" he said. "Are you all right?"

He pulled back so he wouldn't accidently hug me.

"Y-Yuki," I said softly. "I…was looking for you. I wanted to say good bye. And I…Yuki…I…"

"Is something wrong?" he asked.

"Yes," I said softly. "Yuki…I…I've fallen for you. But, look, you don't have to reject me…I have to send you home anyway. Let the object of—"

"Kuri-san, wait!" he stopped me. "I'm not going to reject you."

"Wh-What?"

He kissed me softly, without embracing me. I couldn't breathe. When we finally broke apart, I whispered, "Let the object of objection become but a dream, as I cause the scene to become unseen."

The scene vanished, or rather, I did. I felt myself flow into nothing, and then reappear in my own home.

"You came home," My mother embraced me through my tears.