SHAMED
He bent his head in pain. "Kanna . . ." he whispered. "Why are you leaving?"
Kanna lifted her chin. "I won't be forced into a marriage," she said. "For my entire life, I have lived by these—these stupid customs!" She slammed her fist down on a block of ice. "No longer, Pakku."
The moon shone bright above them, as they stood in the city of shining ice. Kanna stood ten feet away from Pakku, and he was on his knees. He said, "You told me you loved me." His voice cracked.
Kanna's face softened. "I do."
Pakku threw his hands in the air. "Then why won't you marry me?"
"Because everyone expects I'll just do it!" Kanna said. "I won't take it anymore. I'm willing to cause myself pain if it stands for what I believe in."
Pakku spat, "Are you willing to cause me pain?"
Kanna's face contorted. "Don't bring that up," she said. "You know I'm sorry."
"If you were really sorry, you would marry me!" he said. Then, he continued in a softer tone of voice, "Why would you bring this pain upon yourself—upon both of us, for that matter!"
Kanna turned her face from the moonlight, shadowing her face. She said, "I can't take the shame."
"What do you mean?"
Kanna turned her face to him. Her eyes were wide, scared, filled with tears. She said, "I'm pregnant, Pakku."
He stepped backward, shaking his head in shock. "No—it couldn't happen to us!" he said. "You promised!"
Kanna snapped, "As I recall, it was your idea."
Pakku began to say something, but then, he caught himself. He said, "It's not worth the fight, Kanna. I will take all responsibility. Just . . . stay."
Kanna said sadly, "I can't."
Pakku straightened, but his form was terse and tense. He said, "Fine. Be gone with you."
Kanna flinched, as if stricken. "Just . . . just tell Yugoda goodbye." She held his firm gaze. "For me."
Pakku nodded stiffly. "Very well," he said. "Farewell—Kanna."
She turned and left in the small canoe, rowing strong and proud. She wouldn't stop. He didn't doubt it. Pakku smiled sadly and walked away.
He never told Yugoda.
Please review. My theory of how Kanna had Hakoda if she didn't remarry. I know it's not perfectly canon, as the canon Kanna (hah, say that five times fast) seemed reluctant to marry Pakku, but oh well!