Reincarnation

Chapter One

I spotted her before she saw me. She was grabbing her bags; she hadn't taken our airplane, and had decided to be difficult and ride in a regular plane. Ah, Kelsey.

I think it was because she and Ren hadn't talked since she left; her doing, more than anything. Ren was a fool; she was too much of a beauty to let her get away. Then again, it wasn't all about her looks. I liked her personality, and she was a fitting match for Dhiren.

She was almost the opposite of Yesubai. Ren and her would have never worked.

I approached silently, and grabbed the heavy looking bag she was reaching for. I hefted it over my shoulder, and she whirled around to snap, but then she paused when she saw me. A big smile broke out on her face, and she laughed as she threw her arms around my neck and hugged me tightly.

"Kishan!" She said happily, and I lowered her back to her feet, smiling. "I thought Mr. Kadam was going to pick me up."

"Well, I'm sorry that you didn't want me to pick you up," I scoffed, rolling my eyes. She laughed.

"It's not like that!" she assured me. She then looked around me uncertainly, biting her lip slightly. "Is He with you?" By He I guessed she meant Dhiren. She seemed worried that he might be. I didn't understand Kelsey and Ren current... predicament. Then again, my brother had taken some time to get out of his pitiful stage, where he acted wounded by Kelsey's leaving. I had bugged him from time to time about it. I think I was the main reason he started getting out of the house; I wasn't sure if I should be proud of that fact or concerned. I going to go with proud.

"No," I assured. "I actually think he's out to dinner. Business."

"What kind of business?" she asked curiously as we headed out of the airport. The place wasn't as packed as I feared it might be, since it was summer and therefor the end of school.

"Well, Ren has made himself pretty known in India since you left," I admitted, fishing my keys from my pocket. "Parties and stuff. But, at this dinner, I think it's a mix of a few businesses who want him to be a donor. Like he is for the tiger reserve. It's weird, but he's very interested in tigers."

"Weird," Kelsey said, rolling her eyes.

I smiled at her, which she stared at me for a moment when I did, and I unlocked my Charger. Even though I could've gotten a nicer, faster car, I liked this one. It was black and shiny - cars almost interested me more than phones. Ever since my... rebirth, lets say, back into society, electronity had hooked my interest the most. It was so much different compared to the messengers on horse back we had.

I took her bag and put all her items in the trunk before I walked and slid into the driver's seat. I started the engine, and it came on smoothly. I put the car in reverse and backed out of the parking space before I started our ride home. I had to pay more attention to the road, now. India was such a packed place, I could hardly believe it. I mean, it had always been big, but presently it seemed too much. Oh well. What are you going to do?

"You still live with Him?" she asked curiously as I took a right. I began to wonder why she refered to Ren as Him. Did those months away from each other not help at all? At least, before she left she could at least say his name.

"Yes," I confirmed. "I don't see why I should move - that place is big enough I can avoid him easily enough." She snorted with laughter, and I grinned. It was partly true, too. Though, the kitchen and the pool were the two places I saw Ren the most. He was usually out now for his six hours, and when he was home, I didn't see him often.

"How is Mr. Kadam?" she asked after a few moments of silence.

"Good," I confirmed. "He's tying up some loose ends on where you and Ren should go next to search for the next gift. First, you have to go to Dura's temple - a different one. It's in New Delhi, about a four and a half hour drive from Jaipur. She might give you another gift."

"Is the Golden fruit and the gada still safe?" She asked.

"Yes," I assured. "Mr. Kadam should retrieve those for you before you and Ren leave."

"Good," she said, and yawned.

I smiled at her. "Maybe when we get to the house you should take a nap, rajkumari."

"Just a little tired, that's all," she assured.

"Well, if you do change your mind, I wouldn't mind keeping you warm," I said, grinning. She rolled her eyes at me, shaking her head. Yes, I might be a flirt, but Kelsey wasn't my type. She was more of a friend that I could hit on and them not get annoyed and played along, knowing I didn't mean anything by it. I'm glad that was a silent agreement between us.

I think she drifted off in the car, but I didn't want to check and risk disturbing her. I made it to the house, and I parked the car, putting it in park and turning the car off. I reached over, and brushed Kelsey's hair back, a stray lock twisting out over her forehead. "Kelsey? We're here."

She blinked her eyes open, and looked out the window, back arching as she stretched. She yawned, covering her mouth, as she asked, "Did I fall asleep?"

"No," I said sarcastically, opening my door. "I... what's it called again? It was in that movie Star Trek, I think..."

She laughed, getting out of the car and we closed our doors at the same time. "Transporting?" she filled in for me.

"Correct," I said, nodding. She rolled her eyes, and waited until I opened the trunk. She got her bag, and I grabbed the larger bag and hefted it over my shoulder once again. I led her into the house, where she looked around comfortingly.

"Welcome home," I said, smiling. She looked back at me, and nodded. This time, she led me up to where she had stayed last time. It hadn't changed, but Mr. Kadam had restocked her closet. She rolled her eyes when she looked in there, and sighed heavily. I had been reading in my room when I had seen Nilima carrying the pants and shirts and dresses of varieties that Kelsey would like. I noted a few more sharara's, more of different colors.

I put her bag down on the floor, near the end of the bed. "So, everything is just how you remember it, I presume. No one has been in here since you left..."

"It's fine," she said, sighing, walking over to her bag. The top was a little bit unzipped, and I found out why when she brought out the Queen of Serpents. The snake was coiled up, her emerald eyes glowing the softest shade, as if she was happy to be back in India.

I smiled at the snake before looking at the young woman. "I think Mr. Kadam is in the kitchen. Perhaps cooking. It's been a hobby of his, besides having his nose stuck into books all day."

She laughed happily, and she hurried out the door. I grinned, and followed at a slower pace. I'm sure she would want to get reacquainted with the grandfatherly figure in her life. I didn't want to hog her... too much. Truth was, I didn't want to go out and socialize. I had even dropped down to asking Nilima to go out with me. Nilima and I got along, but we weren't best friends. She did have an attitude that no one seemed to see but me; she thought I was very full of myself while I would say she was too uptight. Oh well; Kelsey was here now. She'd go out. I wouldn't sink as low to ask Ren, though.

Speaking of... I was actually remotely surprised that Ren wasn't here to greet her as well. For the past few days, he had been tense, but he tried to hide it. Him and I were brothers, but we had different issues and views. We weren't each persons' to come and ask for advice. I would think he would be happy that Kelsey was coming back. No, that sounds harsh. I'm sure he's happy the young woman is coming back, he was just worried if she'd still have the same thoughts about 'them' in her head as she did when she left.

By the time I wandered into the kitchen, I found Kelsey smiling from cheek to cheek, and saw a similar expression on Mr. Kadam's face. I smirked, trying not to drool at the smell of steak, and grabbed an apple. My new addiction; and it was a nice change from eating mango's for every snack. They were crisp, and I liked the loud sucking sound they made when you pulled a big chunk from it. It would amuse me all the while I was eating.

"So, Kishan told me we have to go to another Durga temple?" Kelsey asked, leaning on the counter. I looked up at the sound of my name. I went and leaned on the counter next to Kelsey, biting a chunk of the apple.

"Yes," Mr. Kadam said, and turned back to the cooking food. "It's in New Delhi; it the Kalkaji Temple."

"Make sure I have an offering," she said, and it also sounded like a mental note to herself.

"Oh, did you bring Fanindra?" Mr. Kadam said, glancing at her behind his shoulder. I nodded silently, since my mouth was full.

"I doubt she would have let me forget her," Kelsey said, and smiled. The older man nodded in approval, grabbing the pepper and shaking some into the potatoes. It was curious; he was making what was 'american' food, it seemed. I didn't question; I wanted to sink my teeth into that steak. And it did smell awfully good. Kelsey seemed to be inhaling every so often when another whiff of the food blew her way.

"Kishan?" I looked over at Mr. Kadam. "Is Ren coming back soon?"

"Why are you asking me?" I said, raising a brow. "Have you seen Ren and I have a civil conversation yet?" Maybe that wasn't completely true. Ren and I got along, just different views, as I've said. Our conversations usually ended in him getting defensive, me tease him a bit, and then his quick temper fired at me and he's stalk out of the room like an angry little kitty.

"You could have just answered no," Kelsey stage-whispered. We grinned at each other.

"Fine, no," I said, answering Mr. Kadam's question 'appropriately.' "Though, I'm sure it should be soon. He has three hours left of being a man."

"How long do you have?" Kelsey asked, turning her gaze on me. I paused, glancing at my watch, and calculated in my head.

"Four hours," I said, nodding. "Though, if Mr. Kadam continues cooking at this pace, I'll have to eat outside as a tiger!"

"Be patient," the man said in reply, as if my behavior was usual and he used that line a lot.

Distantly, I heard a door close. I knew who it was, of course. Not everyonce walked into this house with that light step. I decided to keep my mouth closed, and I listened to the person's process through the house, his footsteps getting louder as he neared the kitchen. And then, he walked in.

His blue eyes instantly focused on Kelsey, and both stopped instantly when their eyes locked. Ren looked calmed, but I detected hurt and want in his eyes. Kelsey, on the other hand, seemed to be trying very hard to keep her breathing steady and not to fidget. If it was going to be like this every single time one of them walked into the room, I might die of the awkwardness and the tension. I could cut the tension in the air with a knife.

Mr. Kadam glanced up at the sudden silence, and broke the quiet by saying, "Hello, Ren. How was dinner?"

"Fine," he said smoothly, as if he had not just stopped suddenly. He didn't take his eyes off Kelsey, but both seemed to have broken the spell which had been upon them both. He smiled warmly at Kelsey, taking a few steps forward until he was standing before her. He took her hand, and kissed her fingers. "Kelsey, welcome back. I've missed you."

"Yeah," she said, letting out a long breath. "I've missed you too, Ren."

He smiled, looking pleased. Though, I still saw the stiffness in his shoulders when he touched her - I could relate. How many times had I wanted to take Yesubai in my arms while Ren was away, and kiss her. How I longed to hold her. But I knew that was impossible. I looked away from my brother, trying not to go through all those memories again.

"Dinner is ready," Mr. Kadam said. And so, we went to the dinning table. It was cleared from the books and maps that had crowded it for so long, I had forgotten what the table had originally looked like. This could've been a different table and I wouldn't have known.

Ren sat on one side, and Kelsey sat diagonally from him. I smirked, and tried hiding it while I looked down and sat on across from Ren. I glanced up to see him look irritated, but that was gone when Mr. Kadam brought over the covered plate. He pulled the cover up, and released the scent of the steaks. I resisted the temptation to lick my lips. He also put down the mashed potatoes (something I was fond of) and paan. Kelsey went for the bread as I went for the steak. While I was starving, Kelsey didn't seem all that hungry after all. She got something of everything, including her lemon water, and she cut a steak and half and put one side of it on her plate. Ren, I noticed, grabbed the other half.

"So," Mr. Kadam began after a few moments of silence. "What did you discuss at the dinner?"

"The usual," Ren said, looking away from Kelsey to the older man. "I might throw a fundraiser for a Mr. Rana. His business is fairly new, but I liked the man. He made a good impression."

"What does he do?" Kelsey asked, looking up from her food to look at Ren for the first time since they sat down.

"He's just opened a hospital for the less fortunate."

"Well, he should be thanking our mother, I suppose," I said, after swallowing my last bite of steak. Ren and I had both grown up to be thankful for what we had, and we both thanked our mother for that. While father agreed to her hiding our identity and sending us to play with the poorer class kids, I doubt he would have done so willingly himself. I was proud to have my mother's peice of amulet, that was now worn around Kelsey's neck.

Ren smiled fondly, as did I, at the thought of our mother. "Agreed," he said.