Preface
Man, it's crazy we are already posting Fate of the Oni! This is the last book in my crazy fan fiction experiment that I've been working on for the last year and a bit (which is insane to me—it feels like I've been writing this story for forever while also feeling like it hasn't been that long.) Not gonna lie, it feels really weird to not be writing for this story anymore—I got so attached to it and all the characters. I'm gonna miss it, but I'm super excited for you all to read Fate of the Oni cuz it is arguably my favorite book of the three!
So Fate of the Oni is split into two parts. Part one starts a year and a bit after Cole and Keyda's binding and there is a lot of time jumping. I hesitate to call it a series of one offs because it does have a continuous plot that is furthered in the second part, but it does jump forward a lot so it is a little choppier than the first two stories. Because of that some updates will be a little shorter and some a little longer, but each will be around 7,000 words (ish). Part 2 doesn't time jump; it's more consistent and the meatiest parts FOTO plot-wise are in Part 2 (in fact, I called the second part "mini story finale" for a little while before deciding to just lump it with part one and call the whole thing "Fate of the Oni.")
My cousin and I are literally so excited for you guys to read this one! As always, reviews are SUPER appreciated so let us know what you think J And she's gonna be posting all her awesome art for the story on her tumblr page so you should definitely check those out! We've both grown so much in our writing and illustrating ability this last year and few months, and it's thanks to this series of stories.
Thanks again for reading! Just remember to hang in there haha—it's gonna get intense… ;)
-NP
I hope you guys are prepared for this... she is def not kidding when she says intense... I was not prepared...
I'm so excited for you guys XD
-MS
Part 1
1
"You should go see Phos."
Keyda looked up to glare at her husband, but he seemed immune to her dirty look.
"I'm fine…" she argued, but Cole just shook his head.
"If I was the one throwing up for two days straight, you would have already transported me to his tent by now…"
"I would not," she argued, though her voice was weak as another wave of nausea set in.
"You would too. C'mon, I'll go with you…"
"I don't want to go to Phos," she pressed, pushing away his attempt to help her to her feet. "I have purposefully avoided that man as much as I possibly could…"
He folded his arms and gave her that determined look she had come to know. She finally sighed.
"If I'm not feeling better by tomorrow, I'll go see him. Alone," She finally relented, and Cole sank down next to her.
"Atta girl…"
She rolled her eyes but then she leaned into him, closing her eyes as she rested her head on his shoulder.
"I'm sure I'll feel better in the morning, though…" she murmured, and he rubbed her neck with one hand as she continued. "How was your day?"
He shrugged, resting his chin on her head.
"Pretty good. You know, for as much as she complains, I swear Vieri has gotten as attached to those orphans as I have. And I think we may have finally found a hoofer large enough to carry Ret…"
She chuckled weakly, eyes closed.
"It only took you forever…"
"Hey, let's be fair, Ret's a big guy," Cole argued as he smiled. "But since he spends most of his time with me on the back of a dragon anyways, he doesn't really need one, I guess…"
"Let's just hope it isn't as stubborn as the one you gave Tolan," she pointed out drowsily. Cole chuckled.
"Hey, he chose that hoofer. That wasn't my fault." He pulled back slightly so he could look down at her. "Are you falling asleep?"
"No," she mumbled sleepily. He shook his head and she opened her eyes as he scooped her up.
"I can walk, Idiot…" she protested weakly as he made his way to their bedroom, but he just smiled and didn't put her down. She gave up and snuggled into him. His right arm was near her head, and she traced the binding mark around his wrist.
They reached their room and she smiled sleepily as he put her down in the bed.
"You getting up early again tomorrow?" she asked tiredly, and he nodded as he pushed some hair off her forehead.
"Ottan's better tempered in the morning…and since I have to bring up illegal trade again…"
"Makes sense," she mumbled, and he went around to the other side of the bed. She was basically falling asleep when he leaned in.
"If I get back and find you sick again and you haven't gone to see Phos, I'm going to take you there myself…" he threatened softly, and she managed a ghost of a smile, her eyes still closed.
"Fine. No pit fights, Cole…"
He kissed her gently on the forehead.
"Deal."
Tolan took one look at Keyda and whistled low.
"You look awful…"
She scoffed, irritated, and managed to get up from her seat.
"I'm just a little under the weather…"
The lanky guard shook his head.
"Cole said that if you looked sick and you weren't going to see that old Healer, I had to make you…"
She flushed and folded her arms. She loved Cole…but sometimes he was a little too paranoid. She made a show of looking Tolan up and down. He had become pretty tall, and she had witnessed enough of his training duels to know that he was strong. But she doubted his ability to make her do anything…
"I was just about to leave," she finally said dryly. "But I'm perfectly capable of going on my own, Tolan."
"I have to go anyways," he mentioned with a shrug. She frowned and he rubbed a spot on his chest. "Heartburn's acting up."
Keyda sighed. If it was Cole, or even Omar or Jaqah, she'd assume that they were making up an excuse to make sure she followed through. But Tolan never seemed to feel the need to lie about anything, no matter what the reason. She also knew that ever since he had recovered from his poisoning more than a year ago, he had suffered random bouts of heartburn-like symptoms.
"Fine," she relented. She stood and headed to the door, pausing to look in the full body mirror. She did look pretty bad…but she really wasn't feeling up to making an effort on her appearance today. After a few more moments, however, she finally clenched her jaw; no reason to give that cantankerous healer any more reason to judge her.
"Get out, Tolan. I've got to get ready…"
He groaned.
"That's gonna take a while, isn't it?"
She turned to give him a dirty look and pointed to the door.
"I'll just be a few minutes," she argued. "Go get our hoofers ready, if you're so eager to head off quickly…"
The guard shrugged and disappeared out the door. Keyda shook her head and headed to her wardrobe to pick out something to wear.
She made it to the stables and could see that Tolan had already saddled and reined their hoofers. A dizziness spell hit as she walked down the stairs and she leaned up against the wall, holding her head. What was wrong with her lately?
She finally made it down to the lumbering animals and her hoofer nuzzled her outstretched hand.
"Ready for a ride?" she asked. Tolan looked over and shook his head.
"How come you never greet me like that?" he asked his own Hoofer, and the lean, dusty animal replied by trying to bite the guard's hand. Tolan pulled his fingers away in time, tsking softly.
They reached Phos's village in under an hour. Getting used to riding hoofers had taken awhile…but Keyda had to admit it was a whole lot faster than walking, and since she and Cole tag-teamed the many responsibilities in the realm, she rarely had access to rides on his Guardian anymore.
Tolan's hoofer came to a sudden stop outside the village, trying to throw him. The teen's lanky figure merely moved with the rhythm of the bucking until the hoofer finally calmed down and gave up. He slid off and grabbed the reigns and turned to grab Keyda's as well so he could tie them up at the posts by the watering trough.
"It's been months, Tolan…we really should get you a new animal…" she commented, eyeing the disgruntled hoofer. The guard just shrugged.
"Ah, he's fine. He just likes to have a little fun, that's all. Besides….at least I know this beast ain't ever gonna let someone steal him. Couldn't really say the same about your docile creature…"
Keyda looked down at her deep-brown hoofer as she slipped off. The insignia on the saddle and reigns made it perfectly clear who it belonged to….she hoped no one would be so stupid.
They made it to Phos's tent and she could see Hershel and Syn working in their herb garden outside. Nip was nearby napping in the sun, but she perked up as the Ruler approached.
"Oof, get off," Keyda chastised as the fully grown night sniffer ran over and jumped up on her. Nip replied with a whine as Keyda shoved her off again, eyes flashing threateningly. She really didn't feel patient today.
"Hey!"
Syn waved at the two figures and dropped her small spade as she stood to come closer. Her brother glanced up as Syn reached Keyda and gave her a hug. The Ruler stumbled backwards, and the curly-headed girl looked up sheepishly.
"Oops, sorry…"
Keyda just sighed. Even though she had been against the idea of coming to see Phos, she was hoping he could give her something to get her back to her normal, sturdy self.
The younger girl released her and glanced over towards Tolan. The guard winked at her and Syn giggled. Hershel frowned as he drew closer, brushing dust off his hands.
"Is there something you're here for?" he asked coolly, addressing the lanky guard. Hershel had gotten taller as well, but he hadn't grown enough to catch up to Tolan. The guard shrugged.
"Heartburn."
"I'll go get some salve!" Syn offered, and she took off running towards the tent. Hershel watched her go and folded his arms, giving Tolan one last hard look before turning to Keyda.
"You look a little worse for wear…anything I can help with, or would you like to see Phos?"
She glanced at the boy's arms; with them folded, it was easy to make out the dark apprentice tattoo ringing each forearm.
"I don't know, really…" she admitted. "I mean, I'm fine…it's just Cole is being paranoid and wants me to…"
"She's been vomiting for two days straight," Tolan cut in, and she turned to give him a dirty look. He ignored it, scratching his arm. "And also this morning…"
"Best to see Phos then…I'm not as confident diagnosing those kinds of symptoms."
"Makes me wonder why he keeps you around at all," Tolan pestered, and Hershel paused to glare at him.
"Is he inside then?" Keyda pressed, not really wanting to get stuck in the middle of all the teenage angst.
"Yeah…"
Syn burst back out of the tent and came over, holding a small vial of salve.
"He says you can go on in…" she panted, addressing Keyda, and then she handed Tolan the vial. He accepted it with a smirk, but Hershel cleared his throat and the guard rolled his eyes, fishing a few coins from his pocket. He gave them to Syn and then looked over at Keyda.
"I'm probably gonna head out….I'm getting the feeling I'm not exactly welcome here…" he said, shooting Hershel a look as the Healer's apprentice narrowed his eyes.
"You're always welcome, Tolan!" Syn argued, and he turned to wink at her again.
"Thanks, Syn. See you around."
Keyda rolled her eyes and headed towards the tent. She really did need to talk to Tolan again about pushing buttons.
She pushed her way into the tent and looked around. The interior of Phos's home always looked the same to her…it was the one place in the realm that never felt like it changed.
"I know you better than to think you're here for a social visit."
She looked up to see Phos coming into the room. Like his home, the old Healer looked the exact same as he had last time she had visited…and every time before that. He took in her expression and shrugged.
"When you're as old as me, a few years hardly make a difference…" he said. Keyda blinked; she had never understood Phos's uncanny habit of reading minds. He scratched his scruff and frowned at her. "What seems to be the problem?"
She bit her lip and finally gave a half shrug.
"I've just been a little…ill lately. I've vomited a few times the last few days…and there've been these dizzy spells…" She tried not to step back self-consciously as Phos came closer to examine her, grabbing her face as he studied it intensely. She swallowed at his piercing gaze. "I'm sure it's just something I ate….I just have to wait it out. But Cole's being classic Cole and he…"
Phos pulled back suddenly, his eyebrow raising as he started to laugh. She frowned, not sure what he found so funny.
"I know it's a stupid reason to come," she said defensively. "I'm only here because I promised Cole I would…"
"It amazes me how naive you continue to be."
She flushed angrily. She had come to get help… and here was Phos, being his normal patronizing self.
"Is there something you can give me or not?" she demanded and he pushed her down into a nearby chair before going over to his tea kettle.
"What you 'have' can only be cured by waiting it out…" he said dryly, and she glowered from her seat.
"Then what's the tea for?"
"For softening the blow of the news, I hope," he muttered. She swallowed, not sure what he was getting at.
"What do you mean? What's wrong with me?!"
"Nothing's wrong with you…" Phos snapped, handing her a hot cup of tea that she grudgingly accepted. "Though I suppose that's a matter of perspective…"
"What are you talking about?!"
He gestured for her to drink her tea, and she sniffed it suspiciously before taking a cautious sip. The warmth filled her with a comforting feeling, but the anxiety was still there underneath. Phos continued to stare at her, scratching his chin.
"I suppose with your background you wouldn't really know the symptoms well enough to recognize them…"
She slammed the cup down.
"PHOS, so help me….am I dying or what?!"
He scoffed again, shaking his head as he looked down at her.
"You aren't dying, Keyda. You're pregnant."
2
The world froze. Keyda's entire body went cold and it felt like someone was squeezing her heart in a vice-like grip. She finally started shaking her head, trying to keep from trembling.
"I….I am not," she snapped angrily, pushing herself to her feet. "I can't be…"
"Do you even know what pregnant means?" the Healer asked dryly, and she glowered at him.
"I grew up around livestock! I am well aware of the concept, but there's no way that I…that I'm…"
"If you're so well aware, then you should know the obvious symptoms…" he shook his head. "From what I can tell, you're far enough along that you shouldn't have needed me to point it out…"
"NO!" she yelled, but she was trembling harder now. Her hands had gone instinctively to her lower stomach, where she pushed hard. "There's…it can't…"
Her hands felt something hard, and suddenly she was on the verge of throwing up. But instead the world started spinning and she heard Phos curse right before everything went black.
She came to with a start, and the first thing she saw was Syn's worried face looking down at her.
"She's awake!"
Keyda moaned and moved to sit up, and Syn helped her get upright. Nip was suddenly there whining and licking her face and the Ruler pushed the animal away weakly.
"Even the sniffer can sense it in you…" Phos commented, and Keyda turned to see him pounding something in a mortar at the table. She blinked, and suddenly she was hit with a wall of sickness and anxiety as she remembered their pre-fainting discussion.
"Give her the bowl!" the Healer ordered, and Syn had barely gotten the bowl to Keyda before the Ruler was vomiting into it. She hadn't really eaten anything that morning, so much of it was dry-heaving and Phos shook his head from his place a few yards away. Keyda finally stopped and Syn gave her a cloth and the Ruler wiped her mouth with shaking hands.
"So dramatic…" Phos muttered, and she turned to glare at him.
"I can't be like this!" she finally managed, and he rolled his eyes.
"You're pregnant, girl. It isn't the end of the world…"
"I've got…there's a…inside…" she gripped the bowl with white knuckles, but she didn't heave again.
"You're hardly the first Oni who's experienced this," he replied, unsympathetic, and she shook her head.
"I've got a realm to run! I can't be pregnant! I can't be a…a…" she couldn't even get the word out and Syn answered softly from her spot nearby.
"…a mother?"
Keyda closed her eyes, willing everything to go away. Phos could be wrong…he had only looked at her….surely he couldn't know it just by looking….
"Keyda."
She opened her eyes to see that Phos had come over, tying the end of a small bag.
"Make this into a tea…it should help with the sickness in the mornings. Don't push yourself too hard …you're going to have to take it easy, especially the closer it gets to your time…"
She accepted the packet dumbly and feebly shook her head one last time.
"I can't…"
"You have to. There's hardly any going back now, is there?"
She swallowed hard, one hand going back to her stomach as she stared at the small packet in her other one. She finally looked up at Phos, her voice barely audible.
"How long?"
He stared at her, as if debating.
"Quite a few months left, I reckon. You're in the beginning stage still…"
She exhaled shakily, suddenly overcome with the desire to get home. She stood, and Phos gestured at her with his head, looking at Syn.
"Make sure she gets to her beast. Can't have her passing out again…"
Syn nodded and came over to wrap one arm around her middle for support. Keyda made no move to turn her away, and they left the tent and crossed the fields outside of the village to make it back to the hoofer post. Syn watched as Keyda numbly boarded the gentle beast. As the Hoofer headed back to the fortress, Keyda kept one hand on her stomach.
She felt a sudden jolt as she realized that she still had to tell Cole.
Cole said goodbye to Ret and headed to his quarters. It had taken a little convincing to restructure the rooms around their bedroom…but it didn't really feel like a home when the only room that was really theirs was a bedroom. Now they had two small rooms attached to the bedroom: one that was basically a living room and another that served as a private study. He used the study more than Keyda did…she had her own office after all.
He spotted a familiar curly-headed guard on his way and gave a wave.
"Hey, Omar. How's Pema?"
"She's…fine," the guard answered, though he seemed distracted as he studied Cole's face. "You've somehow managed to gain another bruise…"
Cole's hand went up to his face and he winced sheepishly.
"Dang it…it did leave a mark…" he muttered. He looked back at the guard and sighed. "Do you know where Keyda is?"
"In your quarters, as far as I know. She got back from the Healer's a few hours ago."
Cole nodded his thanks and headed off again, feeling relieved to hear that Keyda had at least gone to see Phos. He opened the door to their living room and poked his head in. At first he couldn't see anything and almost left, but then he realized that there was a fire going in the small fireplace and could make out the top of Keyda's head in one of the armchairs facing away from the door. He smiled and came in, closing the door quietly behind him.
"Now, before you get mad…you should know that the bruise is not from the pits. One of the traders in custody got a little…physical. The bad news is I think we were right in assuming Ottan's just giving slap-on-the-wrist punishments when…"
He rounded the chair and his thought trailed off when he caught sight of Keyda's expression. She wasn't even looking at him, and she looked so troubled and conflicted that he knelt down, suddenly concerned.
"Keyds?"
She didn't answer, leaning forward to dry-wash her face. His eyes flicked across her face and he reached out to grab one of her hands.
"How are you feeling? You went and saw Phos today, yeah?"
She shook her head as her expression crumpled; she looked like she was on the verge of tears. Cole's heart was pounding now and he swallowed hard.
"Did he say something? Is there something wrong? What happened?!"
"I'm…"
She got the one word out before her eyes filled with tears and her throat constricted.
"You're what, Keyds? You're scaring me…"
"I'm…we're…" she suddenly pushed herself up out of the chair.
"He said that I'm pregnant, Cole!"
He froze in his place next to the armchair as she paced away. He watched her go, his mind frozen.
What?
She paused in her retreat as tears began coursing down her face and she wrapped her arms around herself as she sank to her knees. Her sudden distress snapped Cole out of his shock and he moved quickly to her side.
"Hey…hey…" he said softly, rubbing her arms. He shook his head, a silly grin suddenly spreading across his face. "I mean it's crazy…but Keyds….this is…this is wonderful…"
"I can't be pregnant!" she argued loudly. "How am I supposed to…to…" she shook her head as she trailed off, taking a shuddery breath.
His smile faded as he saw how upset she was and he pulled her into an embrace as she began to shake, the tears coming harder now. He tried to figure out how to respond to her unexpected reaction to something that he thought most people considered exciting news…
"It's unexpected…" he admitted, rocking her a little as she clung to him. "But Keyda…we've handled lots of hard, unexpected things…compared to all of that this is not gonna be that bad…"
"How would you know!?"
Cole fell silent, holding her close as she shook and cried.
"It's nine months, Cole….I can't be out of commission for nine months! And it won't even be over after that because then….then…."
Cole shushed her as she cried harder.
"It's just change…but we can handle it, Keyda…we can handle the change."
"I don't want to change!" she moaned. "We're fine the way we are…we don't need to change anymore…"
"But it'll be ok," he murmured into her hair. "I promise…"
"You can't promise that!"
He stroked her hair, at a loss.
"Then what can I say, Keyds? I…I don't even know what to say."
She didn't reply, burying her face in his shoulder. They sat there a while longer and Keyda finally cried herself to sleep. Cole swallowed, trying to work through his own conflicted feelings.
He wanted to be excited; sure, the thought of parenthood was scary as anything, but having a baby…their own baby…
But the excitement dulled to anxiety as he looked down at Keyda's exhausted face. He didn't even know what to call her reaction…terror? Denial? He felt sick as he thought about it. What could he even do to try to help her? She was right…he didn't know what she was experiencing, or what she would continue to experience over the next months. He swallowed, realizing that the closer it got the less Keyda would be able to do. He had a sudden flashback to when Keyda had been down with fever…when masked assailants had burst into her room and tried to kill her. The realm seemed to be getting better, but word would get out that Keyda was pregnant. How many people were out there that would take advantage of that? They still hadn't found Adelaide…
His embrace tightened around Keyda's sleeping form, dread creeping in to join all the other emotions fighting for attention inside of him. He closed his eyes, trying to force the negative emotions back…Keyda needed him. He couldn't fall apart over this…he would make sure everything was ok. Somehow or another, he would.
The fire was going out in the small fireplace…and despite his resolutions Cole couldn't help but feel very, very alone.
3
"How long have you known?!"
Cole's arm tightened around Keyda's shoulders as they faced the four guards. Their expression ranged from surprise to apprehension and Keyda straightened.
"A few months…" she admitted. She could see them glancing down at her waist, where a slowly growing bump was hidden under the loose robes and draping scarves she had started wearing. The guards didn't say anything for half a minute, but then Tolan broke the silence.
"That is going to be one ugly baby…"
Keyda felt Cole stiffen and her hand went to her stomach. Jaqah wasted no time in landing a hard swat across the back of Tolan's head, and he cursed and rubbed the spot ruefully.
"We were all thinking it!" he argued, and Jaqah gave him a deadly look.
"No, Tolan…we weren't. When are you going to learn that there are some things you cannot say?!"
He muttered something under his breath as he continued to rub the spot, and Jaqah turned back to the Ruling couple.
"Have you told the other leaders?"
Keyda swallowed and shook her head.
"Well, it's not like they can really have a say in the matter anyways…" Omar tried. "You're having a baby, whether they like it or not."
"But knowing them, they're generally the angriest at the things they can't control," Cole added softly, rubbing Keyda's shoulder with one hand. Retrevan was staring at Cole with a pensive look, as if things that had happened in the past weeks and months suddenly made more sense.
"How much longer?" Jaqah asked, and Keyda's expression darkened. When she didn't say anything, Cole looked up and answered with a small smile.
"Phos thinks we have about five more months…"
"Plenty of time to get the realm used to the idea," Tolan said dryly. "I mean, it only takes them a couple months at most to get over most changes, and surely this is not quite as crazy as some of the other things you've pulled off."
"When were you thinking of telling the leaders?" Jaqah interrupted, and Keyda sighed and finally spoke.
"Um…probably tomorrow…"
The guards absorbed the information and Jaqah finally gave a curt nod.
"We'll be on standby for any outlashes…but I actually have to agree with Tolan on this one. This is kinda the expectation when people get bound. If they were against this happening, they would have stopped the binding…"
"They did try…" Tolan pointed out unhelpfully, and she swatted him again without even looking over.
"…And they have come to accept you as a bound partnership. Heirs are a natural part of that arrangement."
"Yeah," Keyda relented softly, her expression becoming distant. The guards made wary eye contact, and Retrevan finally spoke, his tone soft.
"You have a trip to Ninjago happening soon, correct?"
Cole nodded.
"We….were actually thinking the day after tomorrow…"
Tolan snorted.
"Tell the leaders, then get the heck of out of town. Nice plan,"
"Just the way it worked out!" Keyda snapped, and Tolan raised an eyebrow at her tone. Silence fell again, and Cole cleared his throat.
"We just wanted to let you all know first and see what your opinion was on how we should spread the news…"
"Starting with the leaders in person is a wise move," Jaqah decided. "We can schedule an official announcement to go out while you are gone."
Cole didn't say anything as he turned to Keyda, but she wasn't meeting anyone's eye. Cole's expression crumpled a little and he finally turned back to Jaqah.
"We'll let you know," He cleared his throat and addressed the other three as well as he continued. "Thanks for coming."
The guards nodded, understanding that he was excusing them to go. After they had filtered out of the office Cole turned Keyda, grabbing both of her hands gently.
"Hey…you ok?"
She glanced away and shrugged.
"It's just…announcing it makes it all seem more…"
She trailed off and Cole sighed.
"Real?" he guessed, and she nodded. He gave her a comforting smile.
"But it is real, Keyds…we only have five months, and then we're going to be parents…"
"But I don't know how to do that!" she snapped, her mood making the sudden change to anger. He brushed some hair out of her face so he could kiss her forehead.
"You didn't know how to be a ruler either…and you've done a great job. You're going to make a great mother…"
She flinched slightly and he winced.
"Look, Keyds…I don't want you to feel overwhelmed. If it's going to be too much to go to Ninjago…"
"I'm not worried about the trip, Cole," she snapped. "I'm worried about everything that comes after that….after it's announced here…after everyone knows…"
Her eyes were suddenly filled with tears again.
"What if it does turn out really ugly?!"
He laughed softly and pulled her in. It was hard for him to keep up with her mood swings…but from what he knew about pregnancy (which, granted, wasn't a lot…) he was pretty sure that kind of thing was normal.
"The baby is not going to be ugly, Keyda…"
"How would you know?" she mumbled into his shirt and he shook his head.
"Because we are really attractive people, Keyda. It's just science that our kid is going to look amazing…."
She looked up at him, swallowing. She finally cocked an eyebrow.
"You're attractive? Since when?"
He scoffed at that, pulling off a mock-betrayed look. In reality, he was just happy that she seemed to be in the mood for joking….she had been so quiet and unsure of herself the last few months.
"Wha…. we've been bound for over a year and a half and you don't think I'm attractive?" He shook his head. "Is it cuz I never grew facial hair? Is that it?"
She let out a little chuckle.
"Ew, no…"
"Should I grow a mustache, like my Dad? Then I can be a sophisticated father…"
She physically gagged as she shook her head.
"Don't you dare."
"I dunno….I bet if I did the other leaders would respect me more…"
"They would think you'd lost your mind."
"Would you still love me if I had a mustache, Keyds?"
She reached up and ran a hand through his hair.
"You're such an Idiot…"
He laughed and she couldn't help but join in. He pulled her closer, his voice dropping.
"I've really missed your laugh, Keyds…"
She smiled at him, but he could see something in her eyes…it was like he caught sight of that old spark for a moment, but suddenly something came in and snuffed it out. She glanced away, one hand going instinctively to her middle. His smile faded as well and he sighed.
"Keyds…"
"I'm fine," she said softly, but she pulled away from him. "I just…I need to go figure a few things out before we can leave for Ninjago…"
He hesitated for a moment, but he finally dropped his arms and she headed for the door.
"I love you."
She paused at his quiet words, and turned to give him a small smile.
"I love you too, Cole."
Jaqah was right. The leaders seemed less surprised than Keyda or Cole would have expected.
"Should you really be running the realm…considering your state?"
Keyda's fists clenched as she glared at Ymil.
"I'm fine," she assured, keeping her voice even. "It's hardly a distraction…"
Ottan snorted.
"I don't believe that," he countered, and she flushed as he leaned forward, continuing. "Trust me…it's going to become a distraction if it isn't already."
"I take it this is why he's been pulling a lot of the weight recently," Tala mentioned dryly, gesturing towards Cole. The ninja cleared his throat.
"Keyda is managing everything just fine…" he countered. "But yes, as far as travel across the realm it makes more sense for me to make the long trips right now…"
"I'm not helpless!" Keyda suddenly yelled, her eyes flashing. "I've got five months before anything actually happens…and I intend to be fully functional…"
"Keyda."
She looked over at Heavy Metal as he spoke.
"Don't underestimate the impact of this…you need to be careful you don't overexert yourself…"
"I'm fully aware of the impact…" she retorted, getting to her feet. Cole reached out a hand to touch her arm, but she swatted him away as her eyes blazed again. "I'm not underestimating anything! Maybe it's all of you who are underestimating me!"
Cole had gently caught hold of her shoulders and leaned in.
"Keyds…"
She pulled out of his grasp, face suddenly flushing as she looked at the leader's stares and then back over at her husband's concerned expression. She finally grabbed her head, feeling like the room was closing in...
"I need some fresh air..." she suddenly blurted, pushing past Cole on her way to the door. The Master of Earth blinked and then he went to follow her, but she shook her head furiously.
"Stay and have your little meeting….I'm fine!"
Cole paused at her snap, unsure of what to do. In the meantime she had managed to get the door open and rushed out of it. She caught a snippet of Ottan addressing Cole right before it swung back closed.
"Well…I certainly don't envy you…"
She closed her eyes and took off running.
Cole hesitated outside the bedroom, taking a deep breath. He pushed the door open and located Keyda in the room, sitting with her arms wrapped around her knees on the rug. She was surrounded by scattered clothing and their travel bags. He cautiously walked in, opening his mouth to say something.
"I'm not going."
He paused, his heart dropping.
"To…Ninjago?"
Her expression hardened as she curled in further.
"I can't do it….I can't go…"
He came and knelt next to her, swallowing.
"You don't have to, Keyda…but the break may be nice for you…and everyone's excited to…"
"I can't afford to take breaks right now!" She snapped. "It's only going to get harder from here on out. I can't waste the time…"
"Is this about the meeting today?"
She fell silent, glowering at the carpet. He sighed, not sure what to say. After a few quiet minutes he started picking up the clothes that had been tossed in heaps on the ground, carefully folding them to stick them back in their dresser.
"I've…kinda been wanting to talk to my dad…" he finally admitted softly. Keyda's jaw clenched, and she didn't look over at him as she replied.
"You could…just call him…"
He paused, glancing over at her rigid posture before answering.
"…Yeah."
She must have heard the disappointment in his voice because she bristled.
"Just go without me, Cole!" she shouted, but he just shook his head. She finally pushed herself to her feet.
"I can handle myself here. You don't have to…to treat me like I'm some fragile thing! I just can't go to Ninjago…" she swallowed hard, her hands lingering in their usual spot on her stomach as her voice dropped. "Everyone there…they stare at me enough as it is…"
Cole slid the drawer closed, his back still turned. He closed his eyes for a moment and when he turned he was wearing his characteristic half-smile.
"We don't need to go Keyds…really. It's ok."
She narrowed her eyes, not believing him, and he came over to rub her arms.
"Let's just take some time together this weekend, ok?"
"But you won't get to see your friends…or your dad…" she pressed, and he shrugged.
"You were right. I can just call them tomorrow."
She still looked regretful, but he also saw her sag in relief. She rubbed her face, sighing.
"I'm so tired…why am I always so tired?"
He gave her arms a small squeeze.
"It's getting late…you should head to bed…"
She looked up at him, looking drained.
"Mkay….are you coming?"
He kissed her forehead in reply.
"I've got to go take care of a few things…then I'll come in…" he promised, and she nodded wearily. Keyda moved towards the dresser to fish out a night robe and Cole headed towards the door. He closed it softly behind him and then turned to face the long, empty hallway. Rather than head off, however, he slowly fell backwards into the door. His calm expression crumpled, and he put one hand to his eyes. He wasn't sure how much longer he could keep this up.
4
It was so frustrating to Keyda that after all the work she had put into gaining self-control, her emotions were once again all over the place. Even when she was asleep in the mysterious dream world she couldn't seem to get a handle on them. Echo rubbed her back while she fought back the tears…she was so sick of crying.
"Oh Keyda…it won't be so bad…"
The younger Oni shook her head, her sadness mixing with frustration.
"How do you know?! Were you ever pregnant?!"
Echo's hand paused and Keyda heard the horned Oni sigh.
"No…but I do know a little about unexpected motherhood."
Keyda looked at her quizzically, and Echo's eyes misted slightly as she smiled, recalling some memory.
"The Child was a mystery…and a miracle. But he was our Child. And it was hard…there were so many difficult things about that situation…"
Echo's hand dropped and she sighed.
"But it was also so…wonderful. I wouldn't trade those memories for anything. I don't know how to explain it, Keyda…but when that little Oni comes into the world, you'll know…"
The older Oni rested a hand on Keyda's, who bit her lip.
"It will be so… fragile. How on earth could I take care of something so delicate? And how could I learn to love it, Echo?! I don't think I ever could feel towards it what I feel towards Cole."
"Trust me, you'll be surprised." Echo assured. She rubbed a gentle hand on the bump that had started to show through Keyda's clothing and the two sat lost in their thoughts for a while.
"How's Cole doing?"
Keyda frowned at Echo's question.
"I think he's just worried about me, more than anything…" she admitted, and Echo smiled.
"But how does he feel about the baby? About being a father?"
"I…" Keyda paused, thinking. "I'm not sure…."
Echo laughed.
"It's been months, Keyda…you haven't talked about it?"
"We've talked about it…" she said, gesturing to her stomach. "Just not…not that…" She fell silent again, suddenly feeling awful. "How could I not have asked him?"
"It's been a busy few months…you've had a lot on your plate, Keyda."
"He wanted to go home this weekend," Keyda cut in. "I can't…I just couldn't face everyone…but I told him to go without me and he wouldn't…"
"He probably doesn't want to leave you," Echo mused, and Keyda's expression darkened.
"But he could…"
"But you don't want him to. And he knows that."
Keyda punched the ground in frustration.
"This whole situation is just so…stupid…"
"Hey."
Echo's tone had becoming slightly sterner and Keyda looked up at her intense expression.
"I get that it's scary…and you may not believe me, Keyda…but you're lucky."
Keyda scoffed softly and looked away, and Echo raised her voice slightly.
"I mean it! You've got someone who loves you and a precious child on the way and a future that's…" she paused, and Keyda glanced over to see that the horned Oni's eyes had filled with tears. Echo cleared her throat to continue. "You've got a lot going for you, even if it didn't fit into your plan. Just give it a chance, Keyda…" She smiled softly and gestured to the Ruler's stomach. "Give them a chance…"
Keyda clenched her jaw as the world around them faded. Echo pulled her into a hug and Keyda embraced her tightly.
"Give yourself a chance…" Echo murmured before everything went black.
Keyda inhaled sharply as she woke up. She was on her back, and she stared up at the ceiling with her hands resting on her torso. She was lost in thought for a few minutes, but then she realized that the room was silent. She turned to see that the spot in the bed next to her was empty.
Keyda padded up the stairs, desperately hoping she would find him out here. She walked out onto the roof and sagged in relief when she caught sight of the form leaning heavily on the wall that bordered the area.
"Cole?"
She saw him stiffen, bringing a hasty hand to his face. He spoke without turning.
"Keyds. Are…are you ok?"
She took in his rigid posture and his light tone and shook her head, heading over to him.
"Oh Cole…"
He still wouldn't look at her when she got to him, so she reached up and gently turned his head to face her. His face was wet and her own eyes filled with tears as she got a good look at him.
"Cole…I'm so sorry…"
He shook his head, clearing his throat as he hastily wiped his face again.
"Nothing to be sorry about, Keyds…I'm…I was just…"
"You don't have to make excuses," she interjected. His expression contorted and he turned away again.
"I just want to be…I was just trying to…" His voice constricted and he leaned forward, resting his elbows on the walls so he could cradle his head. "…I don't know what I'm doing…"
She wrapped her arms around him, resting her head on his back.
"You've been perfect, Cole…you don't have to try to be anything else…"
"But I do!"
He finally turned to face her, wearing an expression she couldn't pin down.
"The truth is, Keyds…"
He paused, as if he was reconsidering. She grabbed his hands.
"Tell me…" she pressed, and he looked away and gave a half-hearted shrug.
"It's just…it is scary….all of this. I mean…in five months I'm going to be a father...and it all came out of nowhere…and I don't know if I'm going to be a good dad or how to be a dad or anything. But…" he trailed off again, swallowing, and Keyda reached up to brush away some of the hair that was plastered to his face.
"But?"
"I'm excited too," he admitted softly. "And I want to be excited…and I want you to be excited. But I get that it's just too much and I don't want you to feel like you have to be but I mean the baby is coming and I just..."
His face contorted again and he reached out to put a gentle hand on the bump, shaking his head.
"I just can't wait to meet them…and I wish it wasn't so terrible for you…"
The tears were coursing down her face as well now, and he looked stricken as he glanced back at her and realized he had made her cry.
"I'm sorry…"
She wrapped her arms around his neck, cutting off his apology as she moved to kiss him. They stood there for a while before she finally pulled back.
"I'm terrified…" she murmured, and he wrapped his arms around her protectively.
"I know…."
"I don't think I can be a mother…" she admitted, her voice breaking as she ran her hands through his hair. "But…but the fact that you're going to be its father…" she swallowed. "Cole, it's the only thing giving me hope right now…because it means that someday they'll be like you."
His expression contorted, and after a few moments he gave her a wavering smile.
"I wish you saw the same you I see…" he finally managed. "Because you are going to be a great mother Keyda…you're the strongest person I know."
She scoffed before leaning in to kiss him again.
"Only because I met you."
With the arrival of dawn, Keyda had come to a decision. She turned on her side, moving in closer to Cole's sleeping form.
"Cole…"
He didn't react and she nudged him.
"Coooole…"
"whasamattr…" he murmured, rolling over. He opened his eyes to see her face hovering over his and gave her a tired smile.
"Hey Keyds… you ok?
She smiled in reply, running a hand through his bed-mussed hair.
"Time to get up, Idiot…"
He pouted a little, his eyes closing again against the light in the room.
"Why?"
"Because we still have to pack…"
"Hmmm?"
She couldn't help grinning at his half-conscious speech.
"Pack for what?"
"For our trip to Ninjago."
"Oh."
She waited a few moments, and sure enough, his eyes flew open as he turned to her.
"Wait…I thought…"
Her smile grew bigger as she shrugged.
"I changed my mind," she said simply, and he moved to sit up on one arm.
"But…are you sure? We don't have to…"
"I'm sure," she murmured, leaning in to kiss him. As she pulled away she saw his expression soften with relief and she realized that he looked more relaxed—like some weight had been lifted off of him that she hadn't even realized he was carrying. She gave him a little shove.
"C'mon, get outta bed. We don't want to be late."