Disclaimer: I only own what is mine. My OCs and ideas.

A/N: So, I've been on vacation and as there turns out there is no better place to work on Fanfiction than and airplane and an airport with a few hours of layover. The sarcasm is real. Anyway, I loved this chapter and it was fun to write. Some embarrassment, some tension, questions, and awkward Anna. Neon will update soon as well, I just wanted to do this first. I've been playing with Kai's character some; Anna takes note at his behavior changes. Anyway, I like where this is going, I am planning for some fun and then to cut to the chase and the real plot. Enjoy!

Reviews:

ArtemisBAMF1218- I live! I feel like I haven't updated in forever even though I have written a little bit each day. So, got to get back into this. Anna is really sweet and wants what is best for Kai, even if she can't do much about it.
Well... bad news about knowing what comes next. I have finished recapping the last book and now, the future is mostly unknown.
Anyway, I am going to keep this short so I can get to the chapter! Enjoy!

CanisHeroine- Sort of. My sister is a bigger fan than I am.

Nobel Six- Glad you enjoyed this! I enjoy a good heartbreaking scene now and then. Continue to enjoy the story!


Chapter 12


Ok, so it's been a week since Kai turned thirteen. And I swear we are avoiding each other. I've hardly seen him. Although a better explanation is that he is hardly leaving his room because he is still recovering.

After the whole we can't date and I kind of spilled my heart to him, I just can't force myself to face him. That's also part of the problem.

Now I have to face him... I have to drop off some drugs and while I'm at it, I'm going to stay for a while as ask about what I should pack for K'un-Lun. I'm finally going to get around to talking to Kai. And I'm a little panicky right now. He knows how I feel about him. And he could easily break my heart; he's holding it in his hands. It's nerve wracking.

I've been standing at his door for three minutes. I haven't even knocked yet.

The doorknob makes a noise and the door opened. Kai sat in his wheelchair looking up at me.

"Anna, would you like to come in or stare at the door some more?" Kai asks me softly. His tone was confused and hesitant. So different from the screaming recording I still hand on my watch… why do I still have that?

I blink. "I'll come in if that's fine. Don't want to intrude."

Kai wheels himself back into the room and moves so he can levitate himself onto the couch. There was a woman in his living room, she was rather tall and skinny and her brown hair was tied up in a bun. She wore jeans and a loose oversized shirt and she wore nerd glasses. She had her legs crossed and was reading or writing something on a notepad.

"Am I interrupting something?" I ask slowly as Kai levitates himself onto the couch.

Kai looks at me. "No." He replies quietly. "Nothing too important."

"You must be Anna!" The woman stands and places her notes down. She walks over to me and shakes my hand. "I've worked with your mother before! I'm Isabella."

I can't decide if she is a psychologist or psychiatrist. And which is worse.

Ok, the psychiatrist is worse. I think that is the one who does mental illnesses. And Kai doesn't have any mental illnesses. Just loads of trauma. I don't bother to ask. I don't want to be seen as rude.

I just smile back at her.

"What did you need Anna?" Kai asks me. His voice seems rough now that I hear it more.

"I was just coming by to um, drop off some medications from the med-wing. They said that you would know what to do with it." I place it down on the table. "Also if it's not too much trouble... about next week...?"

Kai's look cuts me off. 'Can we talk about that later?' He asks me mentally. He looks over the Isabella hesitantly.

"Just give me a call or text later," I say quickly. Kai had me worried. "Um... so... do you need anything, Kai?" I ask softly. "I can leave if you need me to..."

"That would be nice," Isabella says as politely as she can. "I don't want to be rude but I would like to get back to working with Kai." It's not rude or anything if she is helping Kai that is great!

But... um... is she helping Kai or hurting him? Kai didn't want to tell her about next week...

"Are you all good, Kai?" I ask slowly.

"Yes, Anna." He says softly.

I want to just start being his therapist myself. I know him better than some people. I'm willing to bet he's just making up stuff to tell her.

"Before I go, you don't need your sister or anything right?" I offer him. Am I just awkwardly repeating myself?

Yes, Anna… you are.

"No, I'm fine. She was in here earlier. I've got Orson in here. He'll get her if something happens." Kai says. "Thank you though."

"Well, I'll see you later," I say quickly. "Nice to meet you, Isabella." I give them both a wave and see myself out.

I stand outside the door for a while and then I look at the ceiling. I am a wreck.


"Guanyin, please be patient with me!" Hope exclaimed.

Whoever she is, be patient with me too... I sigh inwardly. Longest flight ever... and Kai had not been much company... I still haven't asked about Isabella. I don't want to upset Kai... he seems to have been really delicate lately.

Kai looked up at Hope and smiled. "I am certain she always is."

"Who?" I ask them confused. If I'm asking her to be patient with me too... this will be some good information to have.

"The Chinese goddess of mercy," Kai explains softly. "It is common in K'un-Lun to speak to the gods of different Asian cultures when you need something. Nothing happens. It's just something that we do. Although they are just symbols, in K'un-Lun they are important." Kai took a breath, "also, Sabrina. It bothers Hope when you call K'un-Lun 'Chinatown,' ok? I have never been to 'Chinatown' but I know K'un-Lun is much better."

This has been a long plane ride. It was almost over. Kai wasn't taking it too well he told me he was likely to spend a day in bed after all of the traveling that he has done.

I felt bad for him. He had fallen asleep many times. And he would be out for hours at a time with his head in Hope's lap and a blanket was thrown over his body.

Not to mention he is still severely underweight. His new attire has been sweatpants and an oversized shirt that had either a band name or something like that on it. Today the pants were gray and the shirt was black and read; "Fall Out Boy" across the top. It's a gift from Piper, clearly. She is into that kind of music.

I think it's cute that he has given up on looking nice. I mean he needs a haircut. His hair is now notably past his shoulders. I think it needs to be cut back to his ears.

I had also been relentlessly teased about Kai when he was asleep. Kai had apparently told Hope what had happened after the party. And then in front of me, Hope replayed it back to Sabrina. And there were stops to tease me throughout the story.

Kai looked at me and tilted his head. I blinked a few times. I had been lost in a trance and missed the conversation.

"What about you Anna?" Sabrina asked.

"What?" I ask. I had missed it.

"What are you looking forward to most?" Sabrina asks again.

"I don't know. It will be cool just to be in K'un-Lun." I reply. "I want to see the architecture and the market or city or whatever."

"On the right days, the market is perfect," Kai mutters leaning into Hope's side and closing his eyes. "我覺得很噁心。" Kai mutters.

"我們將很快回家。" Hope replies to him softly.

I wish I spoke Chinese. I now I will be wishing that a lot soon. When we get there.

"What's the palace like?" Sabrina asks after some quiet.

"Castle," Kai corrects. He seems to be on it so someone so out of it.

"A palace is just where the royal family lives. A castle is that plus a fortified wall and other buildings." Hope explains. "We also have a bathhouse and stables and the servant quarters."

"What's the castle like?" I ask again.

"Beautiful. It is amazing compared to anything in New York. Anything." Hope smiled. "I can't wait to go home and have my old life back for some time. If only a week."

"Yeah. The elegant parties and servants and nobility and the suitors." Sabrina teased.

Hope's face flushed complete red. "Absolutely not."

"你說,安理會希望看到你結婚不久。" Kai mutters sleepily.

"That is none of your concern!" Hope shouts at him. Kai just smirks in response. He groans and tries to make himself more comfortable.

"Yes, it is." Kai mutters.

"What did you say?" Sabrina asked.

"Like Hope said 'none of your concern'." Kai yawns.

I smile. I feel this one is forced. Kai just seems so different now. I can't help but feel he is being the slightest bit sarcastic. Which doesn't fit how I remember him...

Anna, you have to remember he's been through so much. Awaking more powers he has very little control over. And then he spent two months being traumatized and experimented on.

I guess he is bound to change. After all, he's been through... I look over at Kai and watch him as he slowly starts to fall asleep.

He's... changed now. I don't know.

I still love him. Right?

Right! Why am I questioning myself?

I still love him! And that's what matters isn't it?


Another seven hours later... I was sleep walking in a cave...

Hope explained something about the portal. I wasn't listening. Still too tired.

Hope walked Sabrina and I up to the portal and without any warning shoved me through.

Walking, or more correctly being shoved, through the portal hurt me, actually. It was the most sickening feeling I had ever had known growing in my stomach. I felt awful but I have to go back through the portal to get home.

Needless to saw it was a great wake up.

"Good evening Princesses Hope. Prince Kai. Good to see you both." A voice startled me instantly. I was lying on my stomach on the ground with my bag next to me Sabrina had also landed face first.

"You as well, Master Hiroshi." Hope's voice replied easily. She looked down at us. "Did you to hear a word I told you on the other side?" She asked.

"Sorry, I was busy sleeping..." I grumbled standing up and helping Sabrina to her feet.

"Who are your guests?" The voice asked. I looked up and saw a tall and muscular man standing near the portal. He was intimidating, to say the very least. Completely decked out in armor, and I instantly noticed his swords. He likely had more weapons hidden.

"This is Anna-Grace Parker," Hope replied motioning to me. Then she turned to Sabrina. "And this is Sabrina Olivia Smith."

The man looks us both over. "Royal guests?"

"Yes, Master." Hope agrees.

He stiffly bows to both of us. We look at each other and then quickly and horribly bow back to him. Our hands folded together whatever way we could manage.

"We have a carriage waiting to take you back to the palace." Master Hiroshi says easily. "Knowing of your brother's condition, Hope, your mother sent something for you to ride in."

"That's nice." I looked back to see this time it was Kai who had responded. He wasn't looking too happy. Either tired or depressed.

Master Hiroshi seems quite aware of Kai's condition. He had an eye on Kai, watching him lean on his crutches and looking weak. "Let's start heading home. It is a long way and, Kai, you look like you need a healer. Kasumi is preparing to treat you when you arrive in your room."

Kai gave a slight nod. "Yes, Master." He swayed a little back and forth. Orson, who I hadn't seen earlier, walks up to him and offered Kai some support.

I'm confused. Who is Kasumi? Who is this guy? How on earth does he speak English? I don't hear the all-speak accent. What time is it? When does this sick feeling wear off? And when can I get to bed?

Hope hands Master Hiroshi Kai's bag. And then she turns to him. "你認為你能走樓梯?因為你不喜歡,你可以管理。"

Kai looks at the staircase that looks to be the only way out. "樓梯..." His voice is a strained groan. "我做不到。我會傳遞出我們打前半程。即使我用我的心靈感應。"

"知道什麼時候認輸。" Hope smiles at him.

"你應該教導你的妹妹,啟。" Master Hiroshi adds on.

Kai nods and then passes his crutches off to Master Hiroshi and then Hope picks him up on her back. Kai wrapped his arms around her neck and then laid his head down on her shoulders.

Master Hiroshi started up the stairs first with Hope following him and Sabrina and I follow.

More questions keep piling up in my head as we walked. Concerns about what we were going to eat and stay. And other things like that. What am I going to wear? Where am I sleeping at night? How much of a tourist am I going to look like? And this 'Master Hiroshi' character? Who is he? Did he train Hope? Is that why she calls him 'Master'?

There were well over two hundred stairs. By the time we reached the top Kai was asleep.

Sabrina almost started a loud complaint about how Kai could possibly be tired after being carried but I slapped her before she could start.

When we got the top we were inside some building.

Master Hiroshi spoke to some guards, by the reaction he received- Master Hiroshi must be important. But in the light, I noticed other things about him. He's a pretty big person and he walked with a cane and a limp. I stared at him with a slack jaw but recovered it before he could notice.

When we walked outside there was a carriage as promised. Another person stood there, when he saw us he made his way as fast as possible and help Hope get Kai into the carriage.

When I finally made it over they had got Kai comfortable and the teenager bowed to Hope quickly. He stated bent over and took one of her hands and kissed that back of it.

Hope spoke softly in Chinese. And he replied standing back up normally.

I took a deep breath. I haven't even been here an hour... And I am already confused...


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