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Description
It's the final part of this Slayers story, and the question must be asked: what will happen to Hieko next? The answer must come from others, for better or worse.

And the answer will warm your hearts...!
---

"The Case of the Spider Girl!" -- The Conclusion!

--1--

The Slayers Organization World Headquarters...it was virtually at the same time Lilith was tempting a truly toxic girl, later that day.

In his penthouse office, its owner Hikari Abe Zong and most of the Fighters were there along with Karin Yamazaki and Doctor Leah Masters. Tobikage, one of the two responsible for organizing the super-team from Chiba, asked, "What's going to happen next, Hikari-san?"

Behind his big desk, the executive suit asked with a straight face, "Seriously? Agent Mitsurugi-san of the PSIA was right: for as long as there's no evidence to go on and no way to figure out where Marieta-san could be, there is no 'next' for any of us. Until something changes, all we can do is keep our eyes open, wait..." He finally spread his hands lamely and finished, "...and hope."

Soraya asked softly, "What about Hieko? What will happen to her?"

Hikari answered, "I've been speaking to the Ministers of Justice and Science, and there are concerns about Hieko-san considering how different she is. It's the inclination of some in our government to make the girl into a ward of the state -- !"

Suddenly Hikari was literally pelted by simulataneous, spur of the instant responses from everyone...and they were all in the negative. Homare almost yelled, "HOLD UP, dude!"

Chi asked at virtually the same time, "Is that even necessary???"

Marika pleaded, "Just because she's different doesn't mean she's dangerous, sir!"

Hikari had to interrupt them all with a strong voice: "All of you be quiet! Doctor Masters?"

The redheaded beauty who was the Medical Specialist of the SO nodded and spoke to everyone else. "I've sent my own recommendation that Hieko doesn't have to be kept somewhere like a lab rat to be observed and studied! Outside of not knowing for certain what she could Transform into, that girl is no different from any Demon or any Human born on Earth. Everyone remember what Demons and Humans have in common...just take Soraya and Karin as examples of mortal, Earthborn Demons. Outside of having very different blood types, from biology to eating habits to your capacity to contract disease there's no difference between you both and Humans like me. The same can be said for Hieko. I'm totally sure she won't spread anything dangerous unless she catches some kind of virus, the same as anyone. We certainly don't have worry about Hieko developing a need to eat anything she shouldn't, either!

"By all accounts, that girl can have a relatively normal life, and she will as long as no one is arrogant enough to think they're her caretaker for the sake of deciding what's 'best' for everyone else. With Mister Zong's support, I've made very clear that she should simply be left alone." Leah frowned a bit and began reluctantly, "Still...!"

Much more assertive, Hikari finished, "Still, there are other concerns, and the biggest one is how Hieko can integrate into our kingdom's society. She needs to learn how to do that considering her lack of socialization. And she will need a place to stay since...well, she doesn't have a home at the moment!"

Tobi became very somber in expression as he said quietly, "Someone will still need to be responsible for that girl...show her what it means to live in a world she's only recently become a part of."

Close by him, his girlfriend Soraya nodded...she said softly, "Someone needs to give her a home...love her...and show her how to live in harmony with everyone else." Slowly, deliberately, the kind beauty in green turned to her man. "Tobi. Can I talk to you in private, please?"

The sensei seemed to know exactly what his lady wanted and he nodded with a small smile. "Of course." Raya took his hand, and they both began to leave the big office...

...but they were stopped by a lone voice who spoke. "Raya?" The couple turned...to Karin Yamazaki. The gorgeous blonde Demoness gazed at them both and said slowly, "If you're thinking what I think you are..."

Raya asked with care, "Yes?"

Karin smiled in such a beautiful way as she said, "I just want you to be sure. If you are...then I'll support you completely." And she ABSOLUTELY meant that. Everyone felt it.

Raya smiled with true love back at her dearest friend. "Domo arigato, Karin."

--2--

Not much later. Fubuki and Hieko were talking to each other in a neutral chamber...the pale girl seemed so at ease, but it was the usually fearless leader of the Inazuma Fighters who looked more and more out of sorts with each passing moment! A certain couple arrived and entered, and Hieko blurted with true happiness, "Raya! Tobi!"

Looking oddly relieved, Buki greeted, "'Sup, guys!" Then she really got a good look at the expression on Soraya's face. She commented, "You look a lot more serious than usual, girl."

Raya couldn't help but ask right back, "Are you all right, Buki-chan? You look a little...nervous?"

Buki gave a quick yet awkward glance at Hieko before she finally said, "W-we need a minute." The leader asked the Spider Girl, "Excuse us?" Fortunately, it was a big room as Buki quietly urged Raya to join her and move to one side of it as Tobi drew close to Hieko and they began to talk. The bombshell leader asked very quietly, "Raya, has anybody decided what's going to happen to Hieko?"

Raya answered neutrally, "Almost. Why do you ask?"

Buki gave another quick, strange glance to Hieko again before she answered...MUCH more quietly: "Well, this is gonna be the stupidest damn thing you might've heard, but..."

"What?"

"I think that girl's...kind of sweet on me."

Raya really smiled. "I noticed that long ago. How do you feel?"

Fubuki let down her defenses with Raya, one of the few she knew beyond ANY doubt she could trust with her life. The leader, who didn't exactly advertise that she was lesbian, answered with surprising nervousness, "I'm really flattered. I'm really tempted since you know I'm only into ladies...but...!" Buki finally whispered apprehensively, "But she's barely legal and still a virgin to most everything! If I wanted to do anything about my attraction, I'd wanna wait a while."

With relief, Raya smiled big and nodded. "I'm really glad to hear you say that. Me and Tobi would want you to wait, too...but I'm sure you wouldn't have to wait long."

Fubuki blinked. "Why?"

Raya's expression shifted a bit and her smile became inscrutable. "You'll find out...just listen!" Just like that, the kind girl in green parted from Buki to move to the Spider Girl and her man. She asked the pale waif, "Hieko?"

Hieko asked timidly, "What will happen to me, Raya? I've been wondering that a lot. Now that I'm free...I'm not sure what that even means. I have no idea what to do. I don't even have a place to...to call home. Has someone else decided what will happen to me?"

Raya gave her dear Tobi a loving glance before she answered, "Yes, Hieko. Some have thought of putting you into the custody of the imperial government. That would mean you'd be given a home...but I'm not sure what kind of life you would have being administrated by bureaucrats." Hieko was aghast at the thought, but Raya quickly clarified, "But that's not going to happen.

"It won't as long as you're made the ward of people who are willing to help you get used to society. Guide you along when it comes to dealing with everyone else until you've learned enough to decide your own path, and you wouldn't have to be guided for long." Raya gently knelt before Hieko as Fubuki watched and listened with maximum interest. "You would truly be given a home with people who would care for you, look out for your best interests, and keep you safe until you're fully an adult. Would you...mind that, Hieko?"

Her eyes big with desperate need, Hieko answered urgently, "That's what I always wanted. I never simply wanted me and Marieta to be free. I wanted us both to have a real home, where we'd be loved and happy. I never would have wanted anything else!

"But..." The Spider GIrl looked down at the floor with increasing, heartbreaking sadness. "Marieta isn't here. I may never see her again. I should have been stronger and smarter and found a way to -- "

Raya hushed tenderly, "Shhhh. There's nothing you can do for your sister. Not now. I pray that will change one day...but something can be done for you. Someone can give you a home."

"Raya...I..." Hieko almost stopped herself as she kept gazing at the floor. "I shouldn't ask this. I don't have the right to ask. I don't want to trouble you and Tobi and...and anyone."

She never saw Raya and Tobi exchange another glance, one of true love and need of their own. Hieko heard Raya say, "That's all right, girl. I'll ask. Me and Tobi can give you a home if that's what you want?"

Hieko looked at both Raya and Tobi with absolute surprise! "Y...y...y-you...?"

Buki watched with pure, barely contained glee as both Tobi and Raya gently looked upon Hieko. Tobikage told the pale beauty with fondness, "We'll need to talk to certain people in authority, but we've been told the process will be a smooth one. Raya and I can make you our ward, Hieko. We can give you a home."

Raya was so incredibly tempted to burst into tears of happiness, but kept herself contained as she sweetly offered, "I hope we can also help you find your happiness, Hieko. But we'll do that if that's what you want. What do you say?"

It wasn't strictly speaking an adoption, not in the most legal of terms, but for Hieko that didn't matter...it couldn't as she understood the amazing couple she wished had been her parents were basically going to give her the literal next best thing, which was incredible. In this way, her fondest wish had come true, and Hieko knew so much joy as she glomped Raya around her slender waist...she could only moan with unrestrained emotion, "Thank you. Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou!" In this way, the foundation for a loving family was built by the strangest of circumstances...!

But then! The chamber door flew open and Kikyo Sakai burst in...the Telepath in pink almost cried, "Buki!" Kiki quickly registered the loving, intimate tableau and began to say, "I-I'm sorry -- !"

Fubuki encouraged, "It's okay, Kiki, what's up??" At that moment then, alarm klaxons started to sound on their floor...and across the headquarters!

Deeply worried and full of fire to do something, Kiki explained, "Hikari-dono was just notified and he's preparing to mobilize everybody! Takeru Miyamoto has been kidnapped!"

Hieko could only look at everyone with worry as they ALL looked like they got kicked in the gut! Buki breathed, "T.K.!?" Takeru of course was part of the Slayers Organization, a Ryu Ranger...and by the way, most all of the Inazuma Fighters were friends to him!

Tobikage got REALLY serious and asked, "Where did this happen? Who took Takeru-san??"

Kiki answered, "I don't know who took him yet, Tobikage-dono, but it happened right outside of Dragon Village earlier today!" They still didn't know EXACTLY when it happened, but what they did know was really strange. Others discovered T.K. was gone when they found his Hidden Dragon Masamune barely conscious outside of the village! The bond between a Ryu Ranger and their ghostly Hidden Dragon was an elemental one...basically, it would take someone with unusually great power to separate Masamune from Takeru, and worse render the Hidden Dragon helpless! Kiki knew that and only a few other things right now, which gave her all of the urgency to declare, "Every Slayer is going to be deployed, I have to go now!"

Fubuki felt herself burn with righteous anger that rivaled all she felt when dear Rika Tsukino was taken not long ago...she growled, "You're going to have plenty of help, Kiki, I promise!"

"Absolutely." Buki and Kiki looked to the source of that voice, graceful and kind Soraya, as she straightened with Hieko and Tobi.

The beauty in green was COMPLETELY serious, and so was her main man as he simply nodded and said, "Let's go!"

Raya couldn't forget Hieko, though, and looked upon the waif. She began to say, "Hieko, I'm sorry for -- !"

Hieko looked up at the girl with pure understanding and pride as she interrupted, "For doing what's right?? Please don't ever be! I'll wait here for you!"

Tobi suggested to his girlfriend, "We'll ask Doctor Masters to look after Heiko while we're gone."

Grateful, Raya purred, "Okay!"

"Just..." Hieko looked at everyone there, all of these heroes, with more than a little worry, though. The Spider Girl urged them lovingly, "Please come back!"

Fubuki Inazuma nodded and told the girl with a strong, certain voice: "Oh, we will!" Together, they quickly left the chamber not knowing what laid ahead...!

The End!
---
Well, kinda-sorta The End, because if you've been following 's Slayers stories when she was still part of this controlled insanity, then you know this is all leading to her mini-epic "Rescue the Ranger"! That's the story where many heroes go straight to one of the Hells -- SERIOUSLY! -- to rescue Takeru and other captives from the clutches of Lilith. I'm not going to spoil any of it, but I do have something in mind that's going to serve as a 'b-roll' tale that will set up/explain lots of what will happen in "Rescue the Ranger"!

But, if you're too impatient to read a good story, just go here!

www.deviantart.com/kodracan/ar…

Giving credit where it's due!
XNALara created by Dusan Pavlicek; XPS by Dusan and XNAaraL

Models:
Hieko by her mom, !

Description
It's the final part of this Slayers story, and the question must be asked: what will happen to Hieko next? The answer must come from others, for better or worse.

And the answer will warm your hearts...!
---

"The Case of the Spider Girl!" -- The Conclusion!

--1--

The Slayers Organization World Headquarters...it was virtually at the same time Lilith was tempting a truly toxic girl, later that day.

In his penthouse office, its owner Hikari Abe Zong and most of the Fighters were there along with Karin Yamazaki and Doctor Leah Masters. Tobikage, one of the two responsible for organizing the super-team from Chiba, asked, "What's going to happen next, Hikari-san?"

Behind his big desk, the executive suit asked with a straight face, "Seriously? Agent Mitsurugi-san of the PSIA was right: for as long as there's no evidence to go on and no way to figure out where Marieta-san could be, there is no 'next' for any of us. Until something changes, all we can do is keep our eyes open, wait..." He finally spread his hands lamely and finished, "...and hope."

Soraya asked softly, "What about Hieko? What will happen to her?"

Hikari answered, "I've been speaking to the Ministers of Justice and Science, and there are concerns about Hieko-san considering how different she is. It's the inclination of some in our government to make the girl into a ward of the state -- !"

Suddenly Hikari was literally pelted by simulataneous, spur of the instant responses from everyone...and they were all in the negative. Homare almost yelled, "HOLD UP, dude!"

Chi asked at virtually the same time, "Is that even necessary???"

Marika pleaded, "Just because she's different doesn't mean she's dangerous, sir!"

Hikari had to interrupt them all with a strong voice: "All of you be quiet! Doctor Masters?"

The redheaded beauty who was the Medical Specialist of the SO nodded and spoke to everyone else. "I've sent my own recommendation that Hieko doesn't have to be kept somewhere like a lab rat to be observed and studied! Outside of not knowing for certain what she could Transform into, that girl is no different from any Demon or any Human born on Earth. Everyone remember what Demons and Humans have in common...just take Soraya and Karin as examples of mortal, Earthborn Demons. Outside of having very different blood types, from biology to eating habits to your capacity to contract disease there's no difference between you both and Humans like me. The same can be said for Hieko. I'm totally sure she won't spread anything dangerous unless she catches some kind of virus, the same as anyone. We certainly don't have worry about Hieko developing a need to eat anything she shouldn't, either!

"By all accounts, that girl can have a relatively normal life, and she will as long as no one is arrogant enough to think they're her caretaker for the sake of deciding what's 'best' for everyone else. With Mister Zong's support, I've made very clear that she should simply be left alone." Leah frowned a bit and began reluctantly, "Still...!"

Much more assertive, Hikari finished, "Still, there are other concerns, and the biggest one is how Hieko can integrate into our kingdom's society. She needs to learn how to do that considering her lack of socialization. And she will need a place to stay since...well, she doesn't have a home at the moment!"

Tobi became very somber in expression as he said quietly, "Someone will still need to be responsible for that girl...show her what it means to live in a world she's only recently become a part of."

Close by him, his girlfriend Soraya nodded...she said softly, "Someone needs to give her a home...love her...and show her how to live in harmony with everyone else." Slowly, deliberately, the kind beauty in green turned to her man. "Tobi. Can I talk to you in private, please?"

The sensei seemed to know exactly what his lady wanted and he nodded with a small smile. "Of course." Raya took his hand, and they both began to leave the big office...

...but they were stopped by a lone voice who spoke. "Raya?" The couple turned...to Karin Yamazaki. The gorgeous blonde Demoness gazed at them both and said slowly, "If you're thinking what I think you are..."

Raya asked with care, "Yes?"

Karin smiled in such a beautiful way as she said, "I just want you to be sure. If you are...then I'll support you completely." And she ABSOLUTELY meant that. Everyone felt it.

Raya smiled with true love back at her dearest friend. "Domo arigato, Karin."

--2--

Not much later. Fubuki and Hieko were talking to each other in a neutral chamber...the pale girl seemed so at ease, but it was the usually fearless leader of the Inazuma Fighters who looked more and more out of sorts with each passing moment! A certain couple arrived and entered, and Hieko blurted with true happiness, "Raya! Tobi!"

Looking oddly relieved, Buki greeted, "'Sup, guys!" Then she really got a good look at the expression on Soraya's face. She commented, "You look a lot more serious than usual, girl."

Raya couldn't help but ask right back, "Are you all right, Buki-chan? You look a little...nervous?"

Buki gave a quick yet awkward glance at Hieko before she finally said, "W-we need a minute." The leader asked the Spider Girl, "Excuse us?" Fortunately, it was a big room as Buki quietly urged Raya to join her and move to one side of it as Tobi drew close to Hieko and they began to talk. The bombshell leader asked very quietly, "Raya, has anybody decided what's going to happen to Hieko?"

Raya answered neutrally, "Almost. Why do you ask?"

Buki gave another quick, strange glance to Hieko again before she answered...MUCH more quietly: "Well, this is gonna be the stupidest damn thing you might've heard, but..."

"What?"

"I think that girl's...kind of sweet on me."

Raya really smiled. "I noticed that long ago. How do you feel?"

Fubuki let down her defenses with Raya, one of the few she knew beyond ANY doubt she could trust with her life. The leader, who didn't exactly advertise that she was lesbian, answered with surprising nervousness, "I'm really flattered. I'm really tempted since you know I'm only into ladies...but...!" Buki finally whispered apprehensively, "But she's barely legal and still a virgin to most everything! If I wanted to do anything about my attraction, I'd wanna wait a while."

With relief, Raya smiled big and nodded. "I'm really glad to hear you say that. Me and Tobi would want you to wait, too...but I'm sure you wouldn't have to wait long."

Fubuki blinked. "Why?"

Raya's expression shifted a bit and her smile became inscrutable. "You'll find out...just listen!" Just like that, the kind girl in green parted from Buki to move to the Spider Girl and her man. She asked the pale waif, "Hieko?"

Hieko asked timidly, "What will happen to me, Raya? I've been wondering that a lot. Now that I'm free...I'm not sure what that even means. I have no idea what to do. I don't even have a place to...to call home. Has someone else decided what will happen to me?"

Raya gave her dear Tobi a loving glance before she answered, "Yes, Hieko. Some have thought of putting you into the custody of the imperial government. That would mean you'd be given a home...but I'm not sure what kind of life you would have being administrated by bureaucrats." Hieko was aghast at the thought, but Raya quickly clarified, "But that's not going to happen.

"It won't as long as you're made the ward of people who are willing to help you get used to society. Guide you along when it comes to dealing with everyone else until you've learned enough to decide your own path, and you wouldn't have to be guided for long." Raya gently knelt before Hieko as Fubuki watched and listened with maximum interest. "You would truly be given a home with people who would care for you, look out for your best interests, and keep you safe until you're fully an adult. Would you...mind that, Hieko?"

Her eyes big with desperate need, Hieko answered urgently, "That's what I always wanted. I never simply wanted me and Marieta to be free. I wanted us both to have a real home, where we'd be loved and happy. I never would have wanted anything else!

"But..." The Spider GIrl looked down at the floor with increasing, heartbreaking sadness. "Marieta isn't here. I may never see her again. I should have been stronger and smarter and found a way to -- "

Raya hushed tenderly, "Shhhh. There's nothing you can do for your sister. Not now. I pray that will change one day...but something can be done for you. Someone can give you a home."

"Raya...I..." Hieko almost stopped herself as she kept gazing at the floor. "I shouldn't ask this. I don't have the right to ask. I don't want to trouble you and Tobi and...and anyone."

She never saw Raya and Tobi exchange another glance, one of true love and need of their own. Hieko heard Raya say, "That's all right, girl. I'll ask. Me and Tobi can give you a home if that's what you want?"

Hieko looked at both Raya and Tobi with absolute surprise! "Y...y...y-you...?"

Buki watched with pure, barely contained glee as both Tobi and Raya gently looked upon Hieko. Tobikage told the pale beauty with fondness, "We'll need to talk to certain people in authority, but we've been told the process will be a smooth one. Raya and I can make you our ward, Hieko. We can give you a home."

Raya was so incredibly tempted to burst into tears of happiness, but kept herself contained as she sweetly offered, "I hope we can also help you find your happiness, Hieko. But we'll do that if that's what you want. What do you say?"

It wasn't strictly speaking an adoption, not in the most legal of terms, but for Hieko that didn't matter...it couldn't as she understood the amazing couple she wished had been her parents were basically going to give her the literal next best thing, which was incredible. In this way, her fondest wish had come true, and Hieko knew so much joy as she glomped Raya around her slender waist...she could only moan with unrestrained emotion, "Thank you. Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou!" In this way, the foundation for a loving family was built by the strangest of circumstances...!

But then! The chamber door flew open and Kikyo Sakai burst in...the Telepath in pink almost cried, "Buki!" Kiki quickly registered the loving, intimate tableau and began to say, "I-I'm sorry -- !"

Fubuki encouraged, "It's okay, Kiki, what's up??" At that moment then, alarm klaxons started to sound on their floor...and across the headquarters!

Deeply worried and full of fire to do something, Kiki explained, "Hikari-dono was just notified and he's preparing to mobilize everybody! Takeru Miyamoto has been kidnapped!"

Hieko could only look at everyone with worry as they ALL looked like they got kicked in the gut! Buki breathed, "T.K.!?" Takeru of course was part of the Slayers Organization, a Ryu Ranger...and by the way, most all of the Inazuma Fighters were friends to him!

Tobikage got REALLY serious and asked, "Where did this happen? Who took Takeru-san??"

Kiki answered, "I don't know who took him yet, Tobikage-dono, but it happened right outside of Dragon Village earlier today!" They still didn't know EXACTLY when it happened, but what they did know was really strange. Others discovered T.K. was gone when they found his Hidden Dragon Masamune barely conscious outside of the village! The bond between a Ryu Ranger and their ghostly Hidden Dragon was an elemental one...basically, it would take someone with unusually great power to separate Masamune from Takeru, and worse render the Hidden Dragon helpless! Kiki knew that and only a few other things right now, which gave her all of the urgency to declare, "Every Slayer is going to be deployed, I have to go now!"

Fubuki felt herself burn with righteous anger that rivaled all she felt when dear Rika Tsukino was taken not long ago...she growled, "You're going to have plenty of help, Kiki, I promise!"

"Absolutely." Buki and Kiki looked to the source of that voice, graceful and kind Soraya, as she straightened with Hieko and Tobi.

The beauty in green was COMPLETELY serious, and so was her main man as he simply nodded and said, "Let's go!"

Raya couldn't forget Hieko, though, and looked upon the waif. She began to say, "Hieko, I'm sorry for -- !"

Hieko looked up at the girl with pure understanding and pride as she interrupted, "For doing what's right?? Please don't ever be! I'll wait here for you!"

Tobi suggested to his girlfriend, "We'll ask Doctor Masters to look after Heiko while we're gone."

Grateful, Raya purred, "Okay!"

"Just..." Hieko looked at everyone there, all of these heroes, with more than a little worry, though. The Spider Girl urged them lovingly, "Please come back!"

Fubuki Inazuma nodded and told the girl with a strong, certain voice: "Oh, we will!" Together, they quickly left the chamber not knowing what laid ahead...!

The End!
---
Well, kinda-sorta The End, because if you've been following 's Slayers stories when she was still part of this controlled insanity, then you know this is all leading to her mini-epic "Rescue the Ranger"! That's the story where many heroes go straight to one of the Hells -- SERIOUSLY! -- to rescue Takeru and other captives from the clutches of Lilith. I'm not going to spoil any of it, but I do have something in mind that's going to serve as a 'b-roll' tale that will set up/explain lots of what will happen in "Rescue the Ranger"!

But, if you're too impatient to read a good story, just go here!

www.deviantart.com/kodracan/ar…

Giving credit where it's due!
XNALara created by Dusan Pavlicek; XPS by Dusan and XNAaraL

Models:
Hieko by her mom, !