A/N: I wrote this story like 10 years ago when I was in my first year of college. I just happen to find it when I was looking thought some discs that I had used with an old computer and figured what the hell, I'll share these as well. Please go easy on me, as these are really rough stories. There is a story that comes before this one, but I am unable to find it.
Ronin Warriors belong to Sunrise, I just bring them out to play. I do, however, own Kasha, Dasha, Kristy, Aimee, and whomever else are originals. I hope you enjoy!
TIL DEATH DO US PART
Kristina Cassidy Date, known as Kristy to all who knew her, stretched her arms as she woke up one morning. Next to her, her husband, Sage Date, groaned and opened his eyes. It still seemed impossible to Kristy that she was married to Sage. The past five years had been like a dream. Kristy squealed as Sage pulled her down and started to kiss her. Kristy's hands traveled up her husband's body and ended up in his hair. She absolutely loved his hair. It was so soft and shiny. Just as Sage's hands and mouth started to move down Kristy's body, the door opened and Aimee stood in the doorway.
"Uncle Sai says come down and get some breakfast before Uncle Kento eats it all."
Kristy sat up and pulled the sheet around her. "Go tell your Uncle Sai that we'll be right down, okay?" She asked.
"Okay mom." Aimee said and closed the door.
Sage groaned and rolled off Kristy and lay on the bed next to her. People always seemed to interrupt them at the worst possible time. 'They must have ESP.' Sage thought. 'Or, an armor link.' Reaching out suddenly, he captured someone's mind that hadn't moved quickly enough. Traveling through the person's head, Sage looked to find out who it was. It was Rowen! Feeling mischievous, Sage sent a thought to Rowen's mind that he was being tickled. From downstairs, Sage heard something drop and Rowen started to laugh. Sage could hear Ryo, Sai and Kento asking what was going on. Getting out of bed, he went down the stairs and leaned down over the stairs to see what was happening in the den. Laying on the floor, writhing and howling with laughter, was Rowen. Sage felt the laughter build up. Before he was caught, Sage headed back upstairs. He had to get ready for the day to begin. When Sage and Kristy made their way downstairs after showering, they found Rowen acting like himself again. He was pretending nothing had happened earlier.
"Do any of you guys want anything special next week? I'm going shopping." Kristy said. When Sai and Rowen shook their heads, Kristy kissed Sage on the mouth and left.
Sage blocked Kento's staff with his no-datchi and started his attack. After Kristy had left, the guys had decided to get some practicing done. Even though they really didn't see much battle action anymore, that was no reason to let their skills get rusty. Suddenly, the computer started an illusion. It was of the cave where all the ronin's had been reunited after Sage, Sai, and Kento had been captured by the warlords.
Sage saw Ryo step forward. He was wearing the Wildfire armor. Five feet away, an illusion of Seckhmet appeared. Ryo pulled his swords out of the sheaths on his back and held them in front of him. He was ready. As he began to fight the illusion, they all heard an amused voice call out.
"Fighting an illusion, come now Wildfire, are you afraid to fight the real thing?"
"Computer, pause program." Ryo called out. The computer generated warlord of venom paused as the real warlord appeared right next to it.
"Nothing to do in the Nether Realm, Seckhmet? Tired of putting up with Cale and Dais?"
Seckhmet grimaced. "Don't even get me started on those two. They're even driving Anubis and Kayura crazy and those two can take a lot."
Kento came up and stood next to Ryo.
"Figures," He said. "Dais will never learn."
"I heard that." A voice said. Moments later, Dais and Cale appeared. Before Dais had a chance to say anything, Anubis and Kayura appeared.
"Hello Anubis, Kayura, it's good to see you again." Ryo said.
"Hello Wildfire, ronins," Kayura said. "It's good to see you also."
"Is there anything wrong in the Nether Realm?" Sai asked. Kayura shook her head.
"No, Sai. Everything is quiet. So quiet that we're bored." Kayura turned back to Ryo. "When we sensed that you were practicing, we wondered if we could join you?" Kayura had a hopeful look on her face.
Ryo smiled "You're more than welcome to join us." He twirled his swords around. "Come on Anubis, let's see if you can still fight as well as you used to."
Kristy brought the groceries into the kitchen. She was surprised that the guys hadn't been here to help her. Truer off, that Kento hadn't been here to see what she had bought. She knew they were home because all the cars were in the driveway. As she went back outside to shut the trunk, a car pulled up. The door opened and Sage's cousin Kehleyr got out. It had been at least two months since she had last visited. Kristy had met her right after she had married Sage.
"Hey Kehleyr." Kristy said as Kehleyr came up and stood next to her. Together they went into the house.
"Hey Kristy. I'm surprised that Kento isn't right here wanting to know what you bought."
Kristy nodded. "I know what you mean. He's always underfoot."
Just then Mia came in from the den.
"I thought I heard another voice in here." She said when she spotted Kehleyr.
"Yeah," Kehleyr said. "I thought I'd come and visit."
Mia seemed to think for a moment.
"Hey Kehleyr, would you do me a favor?"
"Sure." Mia handed her a basket full of dirty laundry.
"Go take this downstairs for me and put it in the washer."
"Sure." She said and took it down into the basement. Mia went back into the den leaving Kristy all alone in the kitchen. After putting the groceries away, she left a note on the kitchen counter that she was going upstairs to take a nap and didn't want to be disturbed. As she fell asleep, Kristy wondered where Sage and the other guys were.
A few hours later, as Kristy was taking a nap, she felt a presence in her mind. Ignoring it, she turned over and dropped deeper into sleep. That was, until a voice sounded in her mind.
'Kristy.' A voice whispered.
'Go away.' She whispered.
The voice returned a little bit louder.
'Kristy.' The voice said.
'Who's there?' She said.
'Kristy, I need you here with me. I'm wounded.'
Kristy shot up as Sage's voice left her mind. From downstairs, she could hear voices talking very urgently.
"Get him up on the table." It was Mia.
"Is he going to be all right? I didn't think I hit him that hard." This was a voice that Kristy didn't recognize.
"As soon as I get into his mind and calm him down, he will be." That was Kehleyr.
Suddenly, an anguished cry sounded through Kristy's mind. Sage was truly in pain. Kristy heard a scared tone in Kehleyr's voice.
"He won't let me in his mind. I can't help him if he won't let me in."
There was a hint of defeat when Mia spoke.
"I know that Kristy said that she didn't want to be disturbed, but we need her down here to calm Sage down or else we can't help him. Yuli, will you go upstairs and get her?"
That was her cue. Walking down the stairs, she said. "That's all right Mia. I'm up already. What can I do to help?" She said looking at Sage lying on the table.
Mia sighed in relief.
"Just take Sage's hand and try to calm him down while we take care of his wounds." Kristy nodded and took Sage's hand.
'Kristy, is that you?' He thought.
'Yeah Sage, it's me.' She thought. Sage visibly relaxed. Before he slipped into unconsciousness, he was heard to say, "You are my heart and soul."
When Sage awoke hours later, the sky was dark outside the window. Looking up at the stars, Sage could tell it was about nine p.m. Being able to tell time by the stars was something that Rowen had taught him a long time ago while all of them had been on a camping trip right after the war. Rowen had taken him some ways away from the other guys and had shown him the constellations. Over all the years that Sage had known Rowen, he had taught him so many things. Sage didn't know how he'd ever be able to repay him.
Cautiously reaching out a hand, Sage felt no one next to him. Kristy wasn't there. Sitting up in bed and looking around, Sage finally spotted her sitting in a chair in the corner of their bedroom. She was sound asleep.
Getting out of bed, Sage went over to Kristy and lifted her up into his arms. Feeling no twinge or pain along his side, Sage realized that his armor must have healed the wound that Cale had given him while they were mock battling. Without waking Kristy, Sage transferred her to the bed. Kissing her on the forehead, he went downstairs.
He found the guys and Kehleyr sitting in the den, talking quietly. When they saw Sage, a relieved feeling swept through the room. Making room for Sage to sit down next to Rowen, the conversation continued.
"Well, anyway, as I was saying," Kehleyr said. "Both Chad and I have been really bored the past few weeks. One night, he asked how you guys were doing. Immediately, I got the idea to come and visit you guys. I'm never bored when I'm here." A chuckle ran through the room.
Moments later, they heard footsteps on the stairs and Kristy came into the room. When she would have taken a seat next to Sage, he decided to pull her onto his lap. Kehleyr winked at Kristy and the conversation continued.
A few days later, an event happened that would change Kristy's life forever. She was in the research room using Mia's computer when Kehleyr walked in.
"Hey Kristy, can you look something up for me?"
"I can try." She replied. "What is it?"
"Well, it's information that has to do with an Ancient's Clan that was around a long time ago. Try typing 'asteroid of ancient armors: Starfire.'"
"Found it. 'Armor of Starfire. Once worn by Dehleyr D'Shira D'Artai, sister of Kehleyr K'Shira, warrior of Halo. Born in 2,490 B.C.E., Both Dehleyr and Kehleyr were destined for greatness. At the age of 20, Dehleyr received the armor of Starfire. Dehleyr was killed by dynasty soldiers five years later in the year 2,465 B.C.E. Soon after, the armor disappeared and was declared lost.'"
Kristy looked at Kehleyr.
"Wow."
"Wow indeed." Kehleyr replied. "Part of Kehleyr died that day. She and Dehleyr were twins. She hasn't felt the same since."
"Wait." Kristy said. "How would you know that? That happened thousands of years ago. How would you know what she felt?"
"Simple." She said. "That's my sister that you're reading about on the screen!"
Kristy stared at her in shock. "Let me explain. You see, when my physical body died, my spirit didn't and I've moved from person to person over the millennia. Once in a while, I would find a person that I could communicate with. Most of the time they didn't hear me or they chose to ignore me. This all changed when I found Kailei. She was a fellow warrior like me and I knew she would be able to understand what I tried to tell her. For years, she and I have been trying to find a person that could be to Dehleyr what Kailei is to me. We think we might have found that person in you."
Kristy stared at Kehleyr in shock. As much as she didn't want to believe it, it explained a lot. She made her decision.
"How do I receive Dehleyr?"
"Sit somewhere quietly and let your mind go blank. Dehleyr will surface."
"Okay." Kristy said. She came out from behind the desk and sat down on the floor. Kehleyr shut the door as she left. Kristy cleared her mind, slipped into a meditative state, and waited for Dehleyr.
Out in the hall, Kehleyr paced very nervously. She hoped that Dehleyr could join with Kristy. As Kristy had read on the computer screen, Dehleyr D'Shira D'Artai of Starfire had been killed thousands of years ago doing what she had enjoyed most in life: fighting the evil of the Dynasty. She had died in her sister's arms after making her a promise that someday she'd return and they'd be together again. Kehleyr's memories took her back to that day. She and Dasha had been fighting a group of dynasty soldiers and warlords who had insisted that they give up their armor. When they refused, the warlords attacked. Soon, she and Dasha had been separated. Kasha had just killed a soldier and was looking for another opponent when she felt searing agony across her middle. She knew something had happened to her sister. She quickly ran to her. She got there just in time to see a warlord pull his sword out of Dehleyr's back. Letting loose her temper that would someday be hot enough to challenge Ryo of Wildfire, Kehleyr charged. The next thing she remembered, she was cradling Dehleyr on her lap.
"Hang on Dash. You can do it. You can't leave me. How would I be able to live with one part of myself missing? I don't know how to live without you."
Dehleyr smiled a tiny smile. "You'll find a way. You always do." She whispered. "I promise that someday though, I'll come back and you and I will be together again."
"I love you Dasha." Kehleyr said.
"I know." She whispered. "And I love you."
The hand that Kehleyr was holding went limp in hers. With tears streaming down her cheeks, Kehleyr held onto the body of her dead twin. She felt like a part of herself had been ripped away. She knew she would never be complete again until she and Dehleyr were reunited. Sadly, Kehleyr took Dehleyr's left hand and slipped off the pinkie ring that she had given her for their birthday and slipped it onto her own pinkie. Kissing her sister on the forehead, Kehleyr sent Dehleyr's body to the Ancient and started on her journey, alone.
Sitting in the hall, Kehleyr wiped away the tears that were making their way down her cheeks. Just then, from underneath the door to the research room, came a light so bright that Kehleyr had to cover her eyes. When the light faded, Kehleyr knocked on the door and slipped inside. Kehleyr found Kristy still sitting on the floor, as she had been when Kehleyr had left.
"Did it work?" She asked quietly.
Kristy got up from where she was sitting and stood in front of Kehleyr.
"Yes, Kasha, it worked."
Kehleyr grabbed her sister and hugged with all her might. Dehleyr returned the hug with just as much enthusiasm. For the longest time, the twins hugged each other. Kehleyr let her emotions flow with tears of happiness. She had her sister back. She hadn't been this complete since the Dynasty had taken Dehleyr away from her. When they pulled apart, Kehleyr saw that Dehleyr also had tears streaming down her face. Looking down at her left hand, Kehleyr pulled off Dehleyr's pinkie ring and gave it back to her. Dehleyr took it and put it back on her pinkie.
'Thank you.' she thought to her sister. She reached up and wiped the tears from her sister's face. Afterwards, they sat down and Kehleyr informed Dehleyr of what had happened in all the time she had been gone.
Over the next few weeks, Kehleyr noticed that her sister kept close to home. For all the warriors, the first few weeks after obtaining armor, were the most tiring. Kailei remembered when she and Kehleyr had become one right after she had received her Halo armor. Kailei had slept for a month straight. But after that month, Kailei had felt stronger and more centered then she ever had.
Kristy would learn, just as Kailei did, that during battle, the experiences and memories of the spirits would help in defeating whatever the Dynasty could throw at them. Kristy would also find pleasure in seeing memories of a time that was thousands of years before her time. It would be unlike anything Kristy would ever experience.
Two months after merging with Kristy, Dehleyr dawned her Starfire armor for the first time. It happened early one afternoon, when Anubis and Kayura had appeared at the ronin household. Only Kasha and Dasha had been home. Mia and the guys had gone to see a movie in the city, and Yuli had been at school.
"Is anyone home?" Anubis called.
Dehleyr looked at Kehleyr. She could see a glimpse is mischief in her eyes.
"We're in the kitchen. Come on in."
Moments later, Anubis and Kayura walked in. They were both wearing normal human clothes: jeans and tee shirts. They both had sandals on their feet.
"What brings you around here?" Kehleyr asked.
"We've been sensing a presence around here that we're unfamiliar with."
Anubis replied. "Do you have any idea what it could be?"
Suddenly, from behind him, Anubis heard a voice that he hadn't heard in almost three and a half thousand years.
"Hello, Anubis. Long time no see. The last time I saw you though, I was kicking your ass from one end of the Nether Realm to the other."
Anubis turned around to see Dehleyr standing behind him. He turned back to Kehleyr in shock.
"How?" He asked. He turned back to face Dehleyr.
"Simple." She said. "My spirit merged with Kristina."
"Have you tried to call your armor yet?" Dehleyr shook her head.
"Why don't we go outside so you can try?"
The four of them went outside to the backyard. Dehleyr stood a little way away from the others.
"Armor of Starfire . . . Dao Ki!"
Moments later, in a giant burst of light, Dehleyr was enclosed in the armor of Starfire. Immediately, she realized that she was missing something.
"Where're my swords?"
"What did they look like?" Kayura asked.
"They were two starlight swords."
After looking at Anubis, Kayura disappeared. Moments later, she reappeared carrying two swords. She handed them to Dehleyr.
"After you were killed, Talpa stole them and later gave them to me to use. I now return them to you."
"Thank you." Dehleyr said.
For six months, the guys were kept in the dark about Dehleyr and the Starfire armor. That was, until Dehleyr had to save them and Kehleyr from a rogue Dynasty Warlord. One morning during breakfast, the Dynasty alarm went off in the warriors' heads. The guys and Kehleyr jumped up and ran out the door. Dehleyr could hear them calling on their armors.
Dehleyr and Mia looked at each other. Dehleyr could see the worry in the other woman's face. It was there every time the guys went off to a battle, and it didn't disappear until they all got back safe and sound. Without a word, Mia got up and started clearing the breakfast dishes from the table. Dehleyr got up and helped her.
Suddenly, Kehleyr's scream echoed through Dehleyr's mind. She dropped the plates she was holding and grabbed her head. Hearing the crash, Mia came out of the kitchen.
"Kristy, what's wrong?"
"Kasha." She gasped.
"What's wrong with Kehleyr?" She asked.
"The Dynasty warlord has her. I have to help her."
Dehleyr ran out of the dining room, into the kitchen, and out the door to the backyard.
"Armor of Starfire . . . Dao Ki!" Dehleyr vanished to Mia's stunned look.
What Dehleyr found when she got to the battle, had her ready to fight. On one side of the battlefield, were the ronin warriors. They were being held by Dynasty soldiers while the warlord had Kehleyr down on the ground at his feet with a sword at her neck. The warlord was gloating that he had finally defeated Kehleyr of Halo. It was now time for Dehleyr to act.
Drawing one of her swords, she vanished only to reappear right behind the warlord. Calmly she stuck the tip of her sword into the warlord's neck.
"I would let her up if I were you."
The warlord was so startled that Kehleyr easily slipped from underneath the sword. She stood up and stood at her sister's side. Together they faced the warlord.
"You ready?" Kehleyr asked her sister.
"Let's do it." Dehleyr replied.
"You." He snarled seeing Dehleyr. "You were destroyed thousands of years ago. How can you be here?"
Calmly she drew her other sword.
"I'm your worst nightmare." She said and charged.
While Dehleyr fought the warlord, Kehleyr freed the guys.
"Who is that?" Ryo demanded.
"I'll do introductions later Ryo. Right now you guys have got a battle to win."
"Right." Ryo said. He turned to his friends. "Come on guys, let's do it."
The guys rushed forward and engaged the warlord. Behind them, Kehleyr and Dehleyr thought to each other.
'Are you okay Kasha?'
'Yeah. I hope I didn't startle you too bad when I called.'
'No, I just dropped two plates. Oh, shit. I just remembered. Mia saw me transform.'
'Well, I guess that means that we'll have to tell everyone now.'
'Yeah, I suppose you're right.'
Suddenly, there was a giant explosion and the girls could hear the guys cheering to the fact that another rogue warlord had been destroyed. Moments later, the guys joined them. They were just wearing their body armors. Both Kehleyr and Dehleyr were still in full armor.
"Who's your friend, Kehleyr?" Ryo asked.
"I'll tell you at home." She replied.
When they got home, Mia jumped up from the steps where she had been sitting. Dehleyr could see that she was still in shock from what she had seen earlier.
"Okay Kehleyr," Ryo said. "Spill."
Kehleyr looked at her sister. Dehleyr nodded.
"Have any of you guys ever heard of the armor of Starfire?" the guys shook their heads 'no'.
"I'm not surprised. Starfire was an armor that was found by the Ancient's Clan 4,000 years ago. Long before he created the nine armors from Talpa's armor. Well, the armor was found in an asteroid that the ancient brought down from space. Along with the Starfire armor was its sister armor, my Halo.
"Three thousand years ago, a pair of twins was born to a family in that same ancient's clan. At the moment of their birth, the ancient declared that the twins were special and when they grew older, they would fight evil forces that would threaten the clan. The twin's names were Kehleyr K'Shira and her twin, Dehleyr D'Shira." At that moment, Dehleyr thought away her armor until she was standing in her body armor.
"Kristy?" Sage asked stunned.
"Yes and no." She replied. "Kristy's personality is in here but I'm Dehleyr. I joined with Kristy so that I could live again."
"What do you mean?" Ryo asked.
Kehleyr explained. "In the year 2,465 B.C.E., Dehleyr of Starfire was killed during a battle. Her spirit floated over the centuries waiting for the person that would be an equal and be able to join completely with. She found that person in Kristy. Now they can both surface when they want to."
Sage stood in front of Dehleyr.
"Can I talk to my wife?" She nodded. In the next instant, Kristy's smile broke through.
"Oh, Sage, isn't it wonderful? I can finally join you when you go and fight. I can see what keeps your friendship together."
With that, Sage pulled Kristy into his arms and hugged her. When they pulled apart, Sage looked into Kristy's bright blue eyes.
"What's it like?" He asked.
"It's amazing. I see what life was like back then for Kehleyr and Dehleyr when they were fighting. I can see their family- oh my god." Kristy's eyes filled with tears.
"What is it?" Sage asked concerned. Kristy looked at Kehleyr.
"How did Cam take the news of Dehleyr's death? She was his wife after all."
"It shattered him. Dehleyr was his life."
Suddenly Kristy realized something that Dehleyr had never told her sister.
"Dehleyr was pregnant."
Kehleyr dropped down onto the ground.
"I never knew. I was her sister and I never figured it out."
Dehleyr broke away from Sage and went to her sister.
"I didn't tell anyone Kasha. I didn't want to get everyone's hopes up." Kehleyr looked up at her sister.
"Promise me that you'll tell me about things like that in the future?"
"I promise."
Over the next few weeks, life in the Koji mansion seemed to fall into a pattern. The relationships between Kehleyr and Dehleyr, and Sage and Kristy seemed to grow stronger. Also, Dehleyr's pet tiger, Star blaze had come back to life at the same time she had. Kehleyr had her tiger, Blaze, at the mansion also. Everything was fine until the day that Kehleyr and Dehleyr came home early from the mall and caught Sage and Rowen in bed together.
Kristy had found a sweater at the mall that she thought would be perfect for Sage. Leaving Kehleyr to bring all their purchases in, Kristy bounded up the stairs to the bedroom that she shared with Sage. Upon opening the door, she froze in shock and disbelief. She couldn't believe what she was seeing. Entwined in each other's arms, Sage and Rowen were laying naked on the bed. They were frenching kissing. Before they spotted her, she shut the door and ran downstairs and out to the car.
"Let's go." She told Kehleyr. Her sister didn't argue. She handed the last bags to Mia and got back in the car. As they went down the driveway, through the rearview mirror, Kehleyr saw Sage run outside still trying to put his pants back on.
For the longest time, the girls just took a leisurely ride around the country roads. It gave both of them time to recover from what had happened earlier that afternoon. Sadly, Kristy looked at her wedding ring. When Sage had put them on her finger five years earlier, it had been the happiest day of her life. The rings had reminded her that Sage had chosen her until death do them part. Now, it reminded her that Sage had broken those vows when he had cheated on her with Rowen. It proved to her that Sage didn't seem to care about the vows he had recited to her on their wedding day. At that moment, Kristy realized that for the past two weeks, Sage hadn't been wearing his wedding band. Without feeling a bit of remorse, Kristy took off her wedding rings and put them in her pocket. With that act, Kristy felt a tremendous weight lifted off her shoulders.
When the girls stopped to fill up and get something to eat, Kristy found a piece of paper and sat down to write a letter.
' Dear Sage,' She began. ' I cannot begin to convey to you how hurt I was when I found you and Rowen together. It makes me feel that you don't cherish the wedding vows that we said to each other on our wedding day. It makes me feel that our marriage is not as important as the relationship you share with Rowen. This brings me to the purpose of my letter. You must now choose. Choose whom you wish to spend the rest of your life with. If you choose me, you will have to prove to me that you still love me and that you believe in our marriage. It will take time for my trust in you to be built up again but I believe we can work through it. If you choose Rowen, well, I hope the two of you have a wonderful life together. I will want nothing to do with you ever again. As for Aimee, she is now old enough to be able to decide whom she wishes to live with. The future depends on the choices that are about to be made so make the right ones. Kristy.'
Dropping the letter off with Mia the next morning, along with the number to Kehleyr's cell phone, the girls decided to go to the city for the day and walk around the stores. They allowed themselves to just forget about all their troubles and just have fun. That all changed about 5:00 p.m. however, when Kehleyr's phone rang. Suddenly, all the events of the day before that Kristy didn't want to remember came rushing back. Kehleyr turned away to answer the phone.
"Hello?"
"It's Mia."
"What was his decision?"
"Please tell her that I'm so sorry. He chose Rowen. Aimee also decided to live here because of school."
"Doesn't he realize what this is going to do to her? In one respect, she's losing both her husband and her daughter in one fatal swoop."
"Yeah, he knows. But he seems to feel that he has more in common with Rowen than he does with Kristy."
"Well, thanks for telling us Mia. Talk to you later."
"Okay, Kehleyr. Talk to you later. Bye." Kehleyr turned off her phone and turned to face Kristy.
"He chose Rowen, didn't he?" She asked.
Kehleyr nodded. "I'm sorry Kristy."
"What about Aimee?"
"She wants to stay there. She doesn't want to have to leave the school that she's at."
Kristy seemed to deflate when she heard that. Aimee had always been the one thing that had made life worth living for. Now what did she really have in her life that was worth living for?
"I suppose that's okay. She likes the school that she's at now."
"So what do you plan to do now?" Kehleyr asked.
Kristy smiled sadly. "Go visit my brothers."
Kristy and Kehleyr landed at Dallas International Airport at 1:45 p.m. on the following Tuesday. On the ride to her brothers' house, Kristy stared out the car window at the countryside. It was so different from Japan. But this was home. When the taxi dropped them off at her brothers' house, Kristy paid the cab driver, and followed by Kehleyr, got out of the car.
Going up the lawn to the front door, Kristy tried to think of what she was going to say to her brothers. She was two feet away from the front door when it opened and Pat came out, seemingly on his way somewhere. When he saw Kristy, he stopped for a moment, ran, picked her up, and gave her a giant hug. Kristy threw her arms around Pat and returned the hug. For the first time in a long time, Kristy felt that she didn't have any worries in the world. She felt safe in her brother's arms.
Eventually, Pat set Kristy down. Looking at his watch, he swore. "Shit!
Well, I can go see that movie some other time. Guys," He called into the house. "Look who's here!"
Kristy heard a shout of surprise, followed by being picked up again and hugged. When everyone calmed down, Pat asked the three questions that Kristy knew were coming.
"What're you doing here, where's Sage, and who is this?"
"This is my friend Kailei Madison. Sage is in Japan, and I'm here because he cheated on me with Rowen and I'm divorcing him."
Pat, Kevin, and Shaun's jaws dropped down to the floor. They just couldn't believe what they had just heard. They had thought that Sage and Kristy were perfect for each other.
They thought the two of them would have a long and happy life together. What had gone wrong?
Suddenly, a smirk appeared on Kristy's face.
"So are you going to invite us inside or are you going to make us stay out here?"
Pat blushed and then ushered Kristy and Kailei inside.
"So, what happened?" Kevin asked as soon as everyone was settled in the den.
"Well, Kailei and I had gone to the mall for the day. When we got home, I couldn't wait to see Sage. I had found the perfect sweater for him and I couldn't wait to show it to him. Well, anyway, I ran upstairs to our bedroom, and what should I see but Sage and Rowen in bed together. Immediately, I ran back downstairs and jumped back into the car and Kailei and I left."
"Wait a minute." Shaun said. "Isn't Rowen a guy?"
Kristy nodded.
Kevin whistled.
"Sage is gay?" He asked.
Kristy nodded. "He was actually in a relationship with Rowen before he married me. I guess I should have known he would go back to Rowen eventually."
"Then why did he marry you in the first place?" Shaun asked.
"I don't know. I used to think it was because he loved me. Now I think it was because of Aimee. Maybe he felt obligated to help me raise her because he got me pregnant with her. I just don't know anymore."
"Don't worry sis." Pat said. "Everything will work out in the end."
At that time, Kristy didn't know how true his words were, but she would find out. It was a year after Kristy's divorce to Sage was finalized, that she met a man that would fill her heart with love once again. She was at a bar with Kehleyr, when a man walked over to the bar to order a drink. He looked just like Jason David Frank, the guy who had played 'Tommy Oliver' on "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers." When he spotted Kristy, he came over to talk to her.
"Hello ladies." He said. "My name is Kristopher. Can I but you a drink?"
Kristy felt herself melting into his beautiful blue eyes. She had just met him, and already she could feel herself falling in love with him. Two months after they met, Kristina Cassidy -Date and Kristopher Jason Stevenson were joined in holy matrimony.
Kristy snuggled up against her husband's side. He threw his arm over her shoulder and she laid her head on his shoulder. For the first time in a long time, Kristy felt secure in her love of her husband. When she and Kris had been married, Kristy had invited Ryo and Mia to the wedding. Ryo was not told the reason why he was coming to America until he and Mia had arrived. By then, he had no choice. He had to stay.
Kristopher and Kristy had a beautiful wedding. It was on a bluff, overlooking the ocean, with the sun setting in the distance. After the wedding, Kristy, Kehleyr, Mia, Ryo, Kris, and his friends, went out to dinner at a restaurant before Kris and Kristy left on their honeymoon. Kris and his friends were at another table. Mia, Ryo, Kristy, and Kehleyr were sitting together. It was there that Kristy and Kehleyr caught up on events with Mia and Ryo.
"Well, first thing, Sai and Kento have opened a Faun family restaurant right in downtown Tokyo. It's as popular as the one in Chinatown."
Kristy grinned. "Let me take a guess. Sai's the head chef." Ryo returned the grin and nodded. Suddenly, he turned solemn and looked Kristy in the eyes.
"Sage and Rowen are celebrating their one year anniversary this weekend." He said quietly. Kristy felt all the happiness drain out of her. She knew that eventually she would have to face facts of Sage and Rowen together.
Just as Kristy was about to respond, their food came and so conversation had to be set aside.
10 MONTHS LATER
Kris and Kristy were driving back home one afternoon after visiting his parents. They stopped at a stop sign, and when they saw no one coming, they inched out into the intersection. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a dodge ram pickup came flying down the road and slammed into the driver's side of the car and it went flying. Kristy lost consciousness as the car started to flip over. When Kristy woke up again, it was to the urgency of the hospital paging system.
"Where's Kris?" She heard herself say. But nobody was there to answer her question. A few minutes later, a nurse came over and checked the needle that was in her arm. She then looked up at Kristy.
"The doctor will be in to talk to you in a few moments." Just as she said that, a woman wearing a white lab jacket and a stethoscope around her neck came in.
"Mrs. Stevenson, I'm Dr. Michaela Peterson. I was on call down in the emergency room when the ambulance brought you and your husband in."
"Where's Kris? Is he okay?"
The doctor lowered her head and sighed. She looked up at Kristy again.
"I'm sorry. Your husband was pronounced dead on arrival."
Kristy felt a punch to her gut. She didn't want to believe that Kris was gone. It wasn't fair. The sadness came in waves. She could feel it starting to pull her under. Before she succumbed, she said to the doctor. "Call my family in Japan, please." When the doctor nodded, Kristy let herself go. Deep inside of her, she felt a piece of her that was Kristy, break away and fall leaving only Dehleyr. With this, she succumbed to the unconsciousness that was flooding her body.
