A/N: FINALLY! Here is the Third installment out of four for the Villikosto series. This one is Kage's story. It's not terribly eventful, I'll admit but consider it a small intro to the rest of the story. It'll get better next chapter, promise... immediately next chapter :D lol. Hope you like! :D
Disclaimer: I own nothing... except my OCs :D
"No, no, no. That won't work... what if I...?"
Kage Kohn tapped her pencil against her lips as she starred at her essay thoughtfully. She'd been at it for over an hour and been studying intensely before that. She didn't mind school and it didn't bother or annoy her as it did many other students. However, even the best students got bored sometimes.
Leaning back in her chair, Kage stretched wide and sighed lightly as she starred at the blank place on her page where her final paragraph should be. She knew she was close and she knew it was best to finish before allowing herself to get distracted. Then again, the paper wasn't due for another few weeks; surely she could afford to take a small break.
Shaking her head Kage leaned forward again and once more set her pencil to paper. She was so close, no sense in stopping now. Besides, she could always take a break after her paper was finished. She certainly deserved it.
Just finishing up her last few lines, Kage looked up curiously as a tiny ping was heard from her laptop. The ravenette blinked at the screen for a moment as she debated. Normally she would let nothing interrupt her studies but this time the combination of curiosity and boredom was a little hard to ignore. And so, Kage slid her chair over a little, opened the messenger window and stared a little in surprise at the name on the screen. After blinking at the flashing icon for a few minutes, Kage finally smiled and proceeded to send a reply message to the person who'd interrupted her.
Kage: Hello Mariah. Long time no talk. Pardon the pun.
Kage smiled as the pinkette replied back.
Mariah: Kage! You're too funny! How are you girlfriend?
Kage: I'm fine. And you? And how's the team? I must admit, I'm a little surprised to find you on a computer. I wasn't aware you had computers in White Tiger hills.
Mariah: We don't! :) We're staying at a relative's house in the city. She's a bit of a big shot business woman and she's really nice! She lets us use her things and so I decided I'd try my hand at this computer messenger thing... it's hard! We've been here for a while now and I've only now figured out how to use this thing! :P Anyway, are you really wondering about my whole team or just a certain handsome brother of mine?
Kage felt her cheeks flush hotly and was very glad at the moment that Mariah couldn't see it.
Kage: I'm wondering about all of you of course. I consider you all friends.
The ravenette could picture the other girl laughing gleefully and it made her blush hotter.
Mariah: Of course you are. Relax girl, I'm just teasing. :) We're all fine, thanks for asking! So as... fun, as this thing is, I'm still not all that good at it and it is a bit annoying. Do you want to cam with me? I haven't tried that yet?
Kage smiled and shook her head before inviting Mariah to video chat. Her smile widened when she saw the other teen's face appear on her screen.
"Yay!" Mariah cheered playfully. "This is much easier!"
Kage smiled and made to type a response but the pinkette made her pause.
"Wait! Typing is fine for here and now but I have a feeling we'll be seeing more of each other from now on and I'm sure there won't always be a pen and notepad around... Do you think you could teach me to talk like you...? Um that is, can you teach me sign language?"
Kage grinned and laughed lightly before nodding.
Thus started Mariah's lesson and Kage was immensely impressed by how quickly the pinkette learned the basics and some of the more complicated words. It took quite a while but eventually Mariah had learned everything she needed to know to be able to communicate properly and easily with Kage on a daily basis. The rest could come later.
"Alright!" Mariah cheered. "You're an awesome teacher, Kage!"
Kage smiled again.
"Thank you, Mariah. But it's the student's own intelligence that makes him or her a great learner. " She replied modestly. "That was all you. I admit, I'm impressed."
"Awe, thank you Kage!" Mariah grinned. "And thank you for teaching me!"
"You're very welcome."
"Mariah! Have you seen my old kit? I can't find it."
Kage felt her breath hitch as Mariah looked over her shoulder in direction of the extremely familiar voice calling to the pinkette.
"No, I haven't. Did you ask Kevin? You know how he is with borrowing."
Suddenly Lee appeared in the screen a good ways behind Mariah, leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed. Kage's face flushed brighter than ever as her eyes roamed all over the Lion-tamers body. His shirt was open a little and Kage couldn't stop her gaze from shamelessly ogling the handsome Chinese blader appreciatively.
"Yes, I do know." Lee replied in slight annoyance. "And wouldn't you know I can't seem to find him anywhere either."
Mariah glanced back at her screen for a moment and did a double-take when she saw the scarlet face of her friend on her screen. Grinning devilishly, she looked over her shoulder again and beckoned her brother towards her.
"I'm sure you'll find him later." She replied dismissively. "In the meantime, come here and say hi to Kage!"
Kage's heartbeat sped up and she found it suddenly very hard to breathe as Lee straightened up from the doorframe, uncrossed his arms and approached the computer with a slightly confused expression. Once he reached it he leaned over a little until he could see and was very close to the camera, giving Kage a very full and detailed view of the toned teen.
"Are you writing an email or something?" Lee asked in confusion, not being very computer savvy himself.
"No. She's right there, on the screen. Don't you see her?"
Lee blinked for a minute.
"Yea, I see her... Why is her face so red? Did she get sunburned or something?"
Kage thought she was going to faint and it was very obvious Mariah was fighting back raucous laughter.
"No, Lee, she's not sunburnt. Why don't you ask her that yourself?"
Lee looked more confused than ever.
"How? Do I just... press the buttons?"
Mariah finally laughed.
"No! Just talk to her, like you're talking to me. She can see you and hear you just like you can see her. Come on, say something, Kage!"
Kage swallowed and it took her a few moments to be able to move, especially with the way Lee was staring at her, but eventually she managed to pull herself together enough to be able to force a nervous smile and lift her hand for a small and shy wave.
Lee jumped when he saw Kage's image move and blinked rapidly in surprise.
"She moved! You moved." Lee blinked once more and stared for another moment before finally grinning broadly and releasing a laugh. "I thought you were a picture! You were so still! Hello, Kage, how are you?"
"I'm well, Lee. Thank you. So how long are you staying with your relatives?"
Lee frowned as a sheepish expression took over his face.
"I'm sorry, Kage, I don't understand."
Kage smiled half-heartedly before typing her message to the Chinese blader. Lee smiled when he read it.
"Ah. Well we're here for the year. Our entire team got the permission to study in the city. You know, to learn some new things, new experiences new environments. Helps learn to adjust in the dish too ya know?"
Kage nodded and smiled and Lee's own smile widened a little.
"I see you've got the same idea."
Kage poised her fingers to type again when suddenly a loud crash from the other end of the computer made her jump and pause. Both Lee and Mariah looked over their shoulders and Lee sighed heavily in annoyance.
"Sounds like Kevin is back." He said in a deadpan voice, turning back to Kage. "I'm afraid that's my cue. It was very nice talking to you again, Kage. Perhaps we'll chat again soon."
Kage nodded and smiled as she waved to the ex-captain and watched him straighten.
"Goodbye."
Kage smiled, watching Lee wave back before he turned and swiftly left the room. Her eyes followed him all the way out and there was a short silence until eventually Mariah's giggling made Kage turn back to the pinkette.
"Someone's got a crush on my brother!" She sang devilishly.
Kage once again felt her face flush but despite herself she attempted to brush it off with a dismissive wave and a small smile.
"Sure, sure." Mariah laughed teasingly. "Anyway, it's getting a little late and I'd better go help Lee before he loses his temp-"
"KEVIN!"
Both girls laughed heartily.
"Too late!" Mariah laughed again. "Talk to you later girlfriend!"
Kage smiled and returned Mariah's wave, shaking her head as the camera feed shut off. Now that her moment of fun was over, Kage turned back to her essay. Picking up her pencil, she set it to her paper and in no time the essay was finished. With a satisfied expression, she held the paper up, read it over and nodded once. Pleased with her work she placed it neatly in a folder and into her school bag. Next was a glance at the clock, and noting it was late, the silent teen decided it was time for bed. Stretching wide, she pushed her chair away from her desk and got up to get ready.
After brushing her teeth, washing up and getting changed, Kage crawled into bed and starred into the darkness at the ceiling. She tried to will herself to sleep, which normally wasn't very hard but try as she might, sleep wouldn't come this night. Her thoughts were plagued by a certain neko-jin and his face continued to loom in and out of her mind as she starred into the darkness.
With a big sigh, Kage rolled over and closed her eyes. With great effort, she managed to clear her mind enough to drift into a not-so-dreamless sleep.
A sunbeam in the eye isn't a very nice wake-up call and Kage wasn't entirely pleased to receive one in the morning. Turning to look at her clock she sighed lightly at the early hour and rolled onto her back.
"Well, I'm already awake." She thought tiredly. "Might as well get up."
Rolling over, Kage sat up and stretched wide.
"One thing China has that Finland doesn't is the best teashops. This place has tea for everything, so I shouldn't have much trouble finding a good wake-up one."
She got up and got a shower, got dressed and ready, grabbed her gear and left the house.
"Hmmm... tea for soothing the nerves, tea for strength, tea for calming, tea to clear the mind." Kage crossed her arms and placed a finger to her lips as she looked over the tea shelf in the store. "Seems there's tea for everything except wake-ups. I guess energy teas are popular."
Deciding to try another shop, Kage moved to the front of the store.
"Hey, you find what you look for miss?" The store clerk asked cheerfully. Kage shook her head and shrugged.
"No? You need help?"
Kage shook her head again and smiled, lifting her hand to wave goodbye.
"Ok. Have nice day. Come back soon!"
Kage left the store, shielding her eyes against the light of the sun as she looked up into the sky. She smiled at the clear day; very much glad she'd gotten up early after all, even if she still was rather tired.
"Kage!"
Turning her head, Kage smiled as she saw a very familiar face approaching her.
"Hey!"
"Hey there!" Kage greeted. "What are you up to?"
"Oh, just doing some shopping." Mariah replied cheerfully. "What are you doing?"
"I'm looking for a pick-me-up tea." Kage replied. "But it seems no one has any."
"Oooh! I know the best spot for tea!" Mariah cheered. "Follow me!"
Kage laughed as Mariah grabbed her hand and allowed the girl to drag her down the street. Not long after, the two arrived at a small and charming little tea house.
"They brew the best tea around right here." Mariah said. "And they're really nice. Come on."
Soon, both girls had their tea and were sitting outside under the shade of the little tea house.
"So, whatta ya think?" Mariah asked with a big smile. Kage smiled back.
"It's wonderful. Thank you Mariah."
Mariah shrugged.
"It's the least I could do. Especially after you teaching me so much."
Kage smiled again and at that moment another familiar voice rang through the air.
"Good morning ladies."
Kage didn't need to turn to see who the voice belonged to but she did nonetheless and her heart did a little backflip as she starred up at the shadowy silhouette now towering over them.
"Lee!" Mariah exclaimed gleefully. "Talk about timing. Why don't you join us? We only just say down."
"Oh I wouldn't want to impose." The teen teased playfully, looking down at Kage.
Kage smiled shyly, very uncharacteristic of herself she thought ruefully, and shook her head as she gestured to the spot beside her. Lee laughed and moved to sit down.
"Well, if you insist." He replied.
The three made small talk for some time until eventually Lee lifted his new tea cup to his lips and looked over the rim as he watched Kage. When he placed the cup down he spoke.
"So, where are you staying, Kage?"
"I'm staying with a friend of Breal's." Kage replied. "It's a little house downtown owned by a young couple. He's a very successful businessman and she's a well-off school teacher so they've got more than enough space and means to room another person. However, they're very busy people and I don't see them much so it is a little... quiet sometimes."
Lee gave Kage a guilty expression but before he could speak his sister translated for him.
"I see." The Chinese blader said thoughtfully.
"That's so... boring!" Mariah said, making a face. "You must be so lonely."
Kage smiled again and shook her head.
"It's not too bad. Besides, I'm rarely there either aside from sleeping and doing school work. When I'm not doing that, I'm usually out training or exploring. And I get to see people at school."
"Still." Mariah replied simply. "I think you should come stay with us."
Kage choked on her tea, taking the time to place it back on the table and excuse herself before speaking.
"What? No, no. I'm fine. Thank you though."
But Mariah wasn't easily deterred.
"But you're all alone! C'mon, you have to come stay with us. No one will mind, will they Lee? And we can all train and go to school together! We'll all be going to the same school as you now as of next week. Pleeeease! It'll be amazing. Right, Lee?"
Both girls turned towards Lee and Kage was a little surprised to see a calm expression on his face.
"Of course." He said simply. "It's not much fun being alone. And there's lots of room. It's only a matter of asking Madame Chang if you like. I'm sure it'll be alright."
Kage blinked for a minute before frowning and shaking her head.
"No. I'm fine, really. I don't want to impose."
Mariah grinned wide and shrugged.
"Sorry, I don't understand. Guess I'm not such a great student after all." Kage gave her a dull expression, knowing full-well the pinkette understood. "So, since I don't understand I'll just have to take that as a yes."
Kage sighed as Mariah jumped up and hoisted the other girl to her feet before proceeding to drag her down the street.
"C'mon, show us where this house is so we can help you move! Coming Lee?"
Kage sweat dropped as she heard Lee chuckle and get to his feet before following after the two girls.
"This it?"
Kage sweat dropped as she watched Lee hoist her bags over his shoulders and head out of her room.
"Yea, that's the last of it…. You really don't have to do that, Lee…"
The neko-jin waited for his sister to translate before smiling and waving her off with a chuckle.
"There are a lot of things I don't have to do that I do anyway."
The three exited the house and Lee piled the last of Kage's things into the taxi outside before holding the door for his companions and following them inside.
Kage starred out the window with mild interest as the car passed many of the sights and scenes she'd already visited, perking up a little when they entered an area of the city she hadn't yet been to.
"Wow…" She thought in awe. "It's so different from Finland….. and America…. And any and every other place we've ever visited."
Kage felt her heart swell as a small smile spread across her face.
"It's… beautiful."
"Like what you see?"
Kage jumped a little and turned to her left, blushing when she saw Lee leaning over close to her. The neko-jin chuckled at her reaction and leaned back a little as Kage nodded.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you." Leaning back in his seat, Lee lifted one ankle to rest over the opposite knee and crossed his arms as he looked absently out Kage's window.
"I'm very glad you like it here but there's much more to China however then this….. Madness."
Kage smiled to herself and looked back out the window again. If Lee thought this city was crazy then she'd hate to see him in some of the bigger city's she'd visited. Like New York for example! Now that was a fast-Pace environment.
As if reading her mind, Mariah turned around from her front seat and wrapped her arms around the back, resting her head against the headrest as she smiled at the silent girl.
"I bet it's nothing compared to some of the thing's you've seen though right, Kage? You've been pretty much all over the world right? Canada, America, Mexico, Egypt, France, Germany… and you from Finland. Maybe lots more! Was it wonderful? Did you enjoy all those places? I bet it's all so exciting compared to here."
Kage turned to the pinkette with a smile.
"Most of it was wonderful and exciting." She admitted. "But I have to admit, though Finland is beautiful, as are many of the other places I've visited, I've never quite seen anything as wonderful as China."
Mariah grinned and quickly translated for her brother before replying.
"Awe you're just saying that!"
Kage chuckled and shook her head.
"Not a word of a lie." She said honestly.
Mariah's grin widened and Lee smiled with obvious pride. He opened his mouth to speak but the slight jolt of the taxi coming to a halt made him stop. Kage quickly pulled out her wallet before either other teen could move and paid the driver with a nice tip, making him very happy before giving him a bright smile and exiting the vehicle.
"You didn't have to do that." Lee said, slightly scolding as both he and his sister joined Kage outside to help her with her things. Kage grinned.
"There are a lot of things that I do that I don't have to." She said teasingly. Mariah laughed and Lee belatedly followed suit when she translated for him.
"Alright, you got me." He replied playfully, loading himself up with as much as he could carry. Mariah was left with a large suitcase and Kage with a smaller one. She lifted her hands to protest but Mariah playfully slapped them.
"Don't start!" She scolded playfully as they made their way inside the rather large building. "We were the ones who insisted upon this so we're more than happy to help!"
"What's this we business?" Lee replied teasingly.
Mariah stuck her tongue out at her brother and Kage grinned at their playful antics, suddenly getting a pang of homesickness as she thought of her own siblings. Brushing the thought aside however, she looked forward and followed her companions inside.
"So, this is where you'll be staying. My room is just down the hall, Lee's is on the other side of the house, first one on the left as you enter the hallway, and Kevin and Gary's in the next one after that. Bathroom is down the other end of this hall at the end. So, any questions?"
"Yes." Kage said with a weary expression. "Are you sure this is alright with your aunt?"
"Except that one." Mariah teased. "Relax girlfriend! We're sure! I was already talking to her and she's totally fine with it! So, enough about that. Next topic of discussion; what to do now. If you want you can get unpacked and we can show you around later, OR you can get unpacked later and we can show you around now."
Kage was thoughtful for a bit as she turned her head and looked out the window. Unpacking and getting settled in was probably a good idea seeing as her fatigue was catching up on her and it would only worsen over time. Everyone knew it was best to work first, play later. However, whoever decided this obviously wasn't faced with the promise of exploring glorious China.
Eventually, after some time, Kage turned back to Mariah with a playful smile and help up two fingers. Mariah grinned.
"Option number two it is then! Lee will show you around and take you where ever you wanna go."
Kage's expression dropped as a look of slight panic crossed her face.
"You're not coming?"
Mariah smiled mischievously.
"Nope I've got some things to do so I'll catch you guys later. Don't worry though, Lee'll take care of ya! See ya later girlfriend! Have fun!"
Kage frowned but before she could protest, the pinkette was gone. She knew what the other girl was trying to do and she did think it was sweet, but Kage really wished she wouldn't.
"Well, looks like it's just you and me." Lee said with a smile, gesturing for her to follow him. Kage resisted a sigh and instead gave the boy a sweet, albeit nervous, smile before following him out the door.
"And this place is the Kwan Zen Garden."
"Kwan." Kage pondered thoughtfully. "I've heard that word before but what does it mean again?"
Obviously not hearing her thoughts, Lee continued as the two walked through the large and stunningly beautiful garden.
"It's called that because many people believe this garden is the gateway to finding oneself; that is the place where you should go if you are confused about who you are or what you should do with your life. A place to be closer to your religious entities as well as a place to be at peace."
Kage watched Lee carefully, only glancing forward every so often to make sure she wouldn't trip or bump into anything and hanging off Lee's every word. Listening to him was like listening to a soft babbling brook or the gentle roll of the waves at the beach on a beautiful day. His voice was soothing and calming and she felt more at ease with him then she had with anyone other then her sisters in a very long time.
"Many people come here. Some siblings who fight and wish to see eye-to-eye, couples whose marriages or relationships are on the rocks. It's a very spiritual place." Lee picked a blossom off of tree as they passed and turned to offer it to Kage with a small smile. She accepted with a small blush and held it reverently in her hands as Lee turned forward again and once again continued. "Some people also believe that if you bring you lover here, or a person you wish to share yourself with, that they will be able to become in tuned with you and your inner most thoughts and feelings, that you will be able to share things with each other in such a way as to be completely and truly one. Empathy and understanding in its purest and rawest form so to speak."
The thought of this made Kage blush brightly this time and when Lee turned to look at her he chuckled.
"Don't worry. This isn't some sort of weird come on." He teased playfully. "I just thought you might like to see this place. You seem like the type of person who really understands and appreciates true beauty."
Kage smiled and nodded, lifting her hand to her lips and arching it away from her.
Lee made a face.
"Does that…. Mean thank you?" He asked cautiously and a little guiltily, hoping he was right. Kage smiled wide and nodded.
Lee smiled wide as well and took a deep breath.
"So… can you tell me something about yourself?"
He immediately felt foolish for asking as Kage lifted her hands to speak. But no matter how hard he concentrated he just couldn't understand her.
"I'm so sorry…" Lee said softly with obvious guilt. "I just…. I don't understand."
Kage lowered her hands with a sympathetic smile.
Lee sighed and gave her a weary smile.
"You must be getting tired of listening to me talk. Even I'm getting tired of hearing my own voice."
Kage's smile was bright this time as she shook her head. She then lifted her hands and pointed to him before making a talking gesture with her hands, pointed to herself, then her ear. That, Lee understood.
"Are you sure? We can just head back if you want."
Kage shook her head and Lee smiled again.
"Alright…. Let's see, what else can I tell you?"
Kage sighed lightly with a smile as Lee continued talking. This time telling her some old Chinese legends and stories he thought might interest her – and he was right. Lee was as gifted a story-teller as he was a blader and it seemed like only the blink of an eye before the sun had sunken low beneath the horizon and Lee stopped to stare in surprise.
"That late already?" He voiced in surprise, turning then to his companion and smiling again – God how she loved his smile. "Where does the time go? Are you hungry? No doubt the others are waiting on us to eat. Ready to head back?"
Kage smiled back and nodded, following the neko-jin as he turned them around and lead them out of the garden towards home.
Kage was smiling to herself as she walked down the hall towards her new room with Lee. Dinner had been quite eventful and she was glad to have been reminded just how much fun the White Tigers could be.
"I'm sorry about all that madness." Lee said irritably, a vein throbbing in his forehead as he dusted some troublesome spices from his shoulder, courtesy of Kevin and his frequent antics. Kage chuckled silently and shook her head, a gesture to say it was alright.
Lee's mood lightened and he smiled back at her as they stopped in front of her door.
"I'm sure you'll get used to it in no time." He said good naturedly. "In the meantime, I want to thank you Kage, I enjoyed spending time with you today. It's just a shame you weren't able to- uh….."
Lee paused and rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment.
"Well…. It's too bad we couldn't have had a more two-sided conversation then you having to hear me talk so much."
Kage smiled again and brushed it off.
"You're such a good person Kage." Lee stated matter-of-factly. "I'd really like to be able to talk with you more….. So I was kind of hoping you wouldn't mind teaching me your language…. That is… I was hoping you could teach me sign language, like you did Mariah."
A stunned expression crossed Kage's face and she blinked at him for a minute, making him laugh.
"That is, if you find the time and you don't mind."
Kage starred for another moment before finally shaking off her stupor and smiling wide before nodding.
Lee smiled wide as well.
"Great! I look forward to it. Well, good night, Kage! Sleep well. I'll see you in the morning."
Kage nodded and Lee gave a small, polite bow before giving the girl one last smile and turning to leave. Kage felt her chest sweet with excitement and couldn't keep the huge grin from her face as she finally turned and entered her room. Shutting the door behind her, she proceeded to get ready for her night when she saw the screen of her lap top flashing. Walking over and bending down, the amethyst-eyed blader picked the computer up and made her way over to the bed before opening the window which was causing the fuss and opening it. Reading over the short line there-in, Kage clicked the small button in the bottom of the window and immediately Demetra's face popped up before her.
"Someone's in a good mood." Her Captain said with a playful tone. "And what might I ask are you so happy about?"
Kage quickly sobered up.
"Nothing." She replied casually. "Just had a good day."
Brushing the thought aside, Demetra continued.
"Glad to hear it. Where are you now?"
Kage hesitated for a minute, debating on whether or not to tell her Captain but eventually decided truth really was the best policy and replied.
"With the White Tigers…. They invited me to stay with them."
Kage waited for the fireworks, a little more than half-expecting an outburst. But what she got was much more pleasant.
"Brilliant." Demetra stated. "That will be perfect. You should have no trouble learning their strategies and skills."
Kage smiled and nodded but said nothing. Demetra continued.
"It's too bad we have to be apart for so long but it really is for the best."
Kage's smile softened as she watched her Captain.
"I miss you too, Dem." She said with a soft smile. Demetra starred at her for a minute before releasing a tiny, rare smile of her own.
"Always know what I'm thinking." She replied softly.
Before either girl could reply, two more windows flashed and Kage quickly clicked on them, grinning widely when two more familiar faces popped up on screen.
"Ciao!" Victoria, the little brunette fashionista of the group called. "Greetings from Italy! How's it goin girls!"
"I miss you guys so much already!" The little red-headed Keisha said with a playful pout.
"Miss you too." Kage replied, smiling happily at the girls. "How is America? And Italy?"
"Great!" Keisha said with a huge grin. "Maxie and I went to the American BBA facility today. It's HUGE. I went up against a few of their students and I won all my matches! I won one against Emily too….. But then I battled Rick and lost."
The redhead laughed and shrugged. "Oh well, next time! How about you girls?"
"Pretty much the same." Victoria replied in a bored tone, sizing up her cuticles. "Battled Enri, tied. Battled Oli, won. Battled Robert, lost. Battled Johnny….. actually we didn't determine a winner for that match! That dufas! Wait til tomorrow!"
Demetra sighed and reached up to rub her eyes.
"At least you won something." She said, referring to the other brunette, obviously not pleased. Victoria's face turned angry but the sound of Kage whistling loudly stopped them.
"Let's not fight." She said reasonably. "Let's just chat, who knows when we'll see each other again."
"Oh don't say it like that Kage!" Keisha almost whined.
"Yea, it sounds so…. Depressing." Victoria added, making a face.
"Anyway." Demetra spoke. "Tell me about the events leading up to now."
The girls took turns telling the stories of what had happened since their arrivals and it was very late when they finally realized the time and decided to head off to bed.
"Night girls! I love you and I miss you all so much!"
Everyone waved at Keisha as she blew them kisses and left. Next was Victoria.
"Later Girlskis! Don't you dare forget our web date next Thursday night! I want all the juicy deets! Night. MWAH!"
With that she was gone as well.
"Well I suppose all that can be said has been. Sweet dreams Kage... are you sure you'll be alright?"
Kage smiled and nodded before.
"I'll be fine, Dem. Don't worry about me. Sleep well alright? I'll talk to you tomorrow night. Goodnight."
"Alright. Goodnight, Kage."
Both girls left the conversation and Kage replaced her laptop back onto the table across the room before pulling out her night clothes and getting dressed for bed. Unpacking would have to wait, she decided, as a wide yawn escaped her. Walking over and crawling into bed, the silent blader closed her eyes with a smile. She had no doubt sleep would eventually come but it would not come easily, not after the day she'd had.