He forgot his disbelief when he took in words of the Digimon Queen that her daughter was in the berry orchard.
Finding his way there wasn't too hard, on account of hearing Mana's distinctive loud laugh.
"Hey Seto!" Mana called as he arrived, "You've got to try these!"
Mana held out a pale pink-coloured, peach-shaped fruit for him to see before taking a bit of it.
"Mmm! Sweeter than honey, I don't know how!"
(Author Note: If any of the berries I describe sound familiar then that's because I'm putting the berries from the Pokémon Diamond/Pearl games in this to go with all the Pokémon I've put in it. Just so you know).
"We call those ones 'Pecha Berries'," a child's voice prompted Seto to look down and saw two young Digimon.
(Author Note: These two are Shade and Lunar, son and daughter of Lillim and BlackWarGreymon, and are fraternal twin BlackAgumon).
Both identical in appearance and both were jet black with bright amber eyes, except for one had a moon-shaped white mark on the snout.
"You're tall!" the male said in wonder.
"And you're almost as dark as us!" the female laughed.
"Thank you to both of you, and your names are?"
"I'm Shade-" the male started.
"-and I'm Lunar!" the female chimed in.
"They're my younger cousins," her soft voice explained as his gaze flew to see her. "Much younger," she added with a soft laugh.
The two young Digimon smiled brightly at their older cousin, obviously happy that she was once again speaking.
"I hope you are well this morning, High Priest Seto," she gave him the Digimon greeting gesture.
"And I you Princess."
Shade and Lunar lost interest in the tall human and returned to helping Mana figure out what berries were what flavour.
"I'm glad to see you again," she said softly so no one else would hear.
"And I you Princess," he repeated softly.
"This is our berry orchard," she gestured to the trees, "Each tree gives a different berry with different flavours. Some more . . . 'hot' than others, and some-"
"OW!" Mana shrieked clutching her head.
Isis ran to the younger woman.
"We told her to be careful with the Yache Berries! They're really chilly!" Shade and Lunar chorused.
"What's happened to her head?" Isis was still worried.
"BRAIN FREEZE!" they laughed together.
"It happens when you eat or drink something really cold really fast," Seto noticed Grey Wolf beneath a Yache Tree.
"Would you like to see more?" Sasami asked him as everyone was focused on Mana.
"I'd be honoured Princess," he bowed his head to her before following her away from the others.
She led him along a path naming the different varieties of berries to him:
"Would you like to try one?"
"Yes, if I am permitted."
"Of course you are!" she smiled.
Once again she flared her white wings, flew to reach the top branch of a tree and returned with a berry.
It was the shape of a wilted flower, and dark violet in colour. Needless to say he eyed it cautiously.
"These are called 'Kasib Berries', some Digimon dry them and keep them as good luck charms. They taste better than they look," she snapped off a 'petal' and offered it to him.
Seeing his hesitance she took a piece herself and took a bite without a second thought. Not wanting to offend her he did the same, and found the plant to be strangely sweet and dry at the same time.
"Nothing like I expected."
"And what did you expect?"
"I'm not sure honestly," he laughed softly. "It's delicious, thank you."
"You're most welcome, Seto."
She set the rest down and was startled when the same baby Lugia darted out of nowhere to claim the rest, purring loudly as it munched. When he had gulped down the last morsel he lost interest, and with one last big-eyed look at Seto and Sasami raced away through the undergrowth.
"I wonder where he goes," Seto thought aloud.
"To find his brother," her soft reply prompted him to turn his gaze to her, "You met him last night, and he isn't his actual big brother. And yes, he is very different from the other Lugia," she knew his questions before he asked them. "The other Lugia and my people all fear him, for the way he looks. They all call him 'Dark Lugia', it's not right though because he's far too gentle to be referred to as dark."
"Then what do you call him, Sasami?"
Hearing his voice say her name gave her a warm thrill, "I chose the name Obsidian, because of his dark colour not because he is dark in any way. It wasn't you by the way," and when Seto raised an eyebrow, "He reacts that way to all strangers, he's been shunned and chased away so often he's become very defensive. This little one doesn't see a monster in him," she nodded down to the purring baby Lugia as he re-emerged from the undergrowth and rubbed his head against her leg, "They were both alone, it's only natural they bonded."
He smiled softly at her as she knelt and stroked Little Lugia's face and long neck lovingly, and with a soft purr the baby pattered off to go about his own business.
"I like it," she blushed as she whispered.
"I'm sorry, Princess?"
"You said my attire looked lovely on me, well . . . you're not even from this world and these suit you down to the ground."
Sasami only just noticed he was wearing a dark blue, Digimon-style kimono with matching dark blue sandals. Both his top and pants had the white markings of Supremedramon adorning them, and unlike his armour his new attire let her see his muscled chest and complimented his deep blue eyes even more.
"I'm glad you like it Princess," he found her shyness charming.
Laughing softly she met his gaze, his wonderful blue eyes made her heart flutter like flower petals in the breeze.
Seto in turn noted her change in mannerism, she seemed . . . happier yet at the same time something else he couldn't explain.
"I dreamt of you last night," his mouth spoke before his mind could think.
"And I of you," her soft reply let him know she wasn't embarrassed or offended but also made him blush in turn slightly but his tanned face made it less noticeable.
"Did you like the song? I couldn't keep singing for you last night in reality, so I sang for you in the dream world."
"I loved the song Princess," he turned his head slightly trying to catch a glimpse of her expression she was trying to hide.
The sound of a twig snapping faintly alerted him to someone else's presence, not Little Lugia someone else had been watching them-
" . . . Seto?"
"Yes?" he turned his gaze back to her.
"Are you . . . if this is none of my business then I'm truly sorry but . . . are you-"
"SETO!"
Shada's call rang out through over the trees; and Seto found himself cursing his fellow Guardian for having such terrible timing!
"Forgive me Princess, I have to go for now."
"I understand; and there's nothing to forgive."
"I promise, I'll try to come back and see you soon."
"Thank you, farewell for now then Seto."
Before turning to leave, he felt a strong urge to do something to say goodbye to her. Raising his hand he dared to touch her face for a moment, letting her know he was sincere. The smile in her eyes was warm and happy, and seeing this he bowed his head in a final goodbye and turned to see what Shada wanted.
"What is it Shada?" Seto asked with a hint of annoyance as he found Shada at the steps leading to the Royal Garden.
"You recall King Silverbolt saying we would discuss the terms of the Alliance today, do you Seto?"
"My memory hasn't taken leave yet Shada," Seto didn't appreciate his fellow Guardian's tone.
"Then why are you so foolishly endangering what we've planned!"
Seto's eyes widened slightly both at Shada's tone; and the accusation itself.
"If you have something to say to me, then out with it!"
"I can appreciate your guilt over that Kisara girl, but there are plenty of other women back in Egypt for you to amuse yourself with!" Seto's eyes sparked with anger as Shada went on, "So WHY do insist on trying to charm the DAUGHTER of the King whose help we so desperately need to rebuild our shattered country! What are you possibly hoping to achieve?"
"I am neither hoping nor trying to achieve anything, and I won't have her spoken like that by anyone and certainly not you Shada!" Seto kept himself from yelling.
"Don't insult me by thinking me a fool Seto! I saw with my own eyes exactly what you were hoping for!"
"So it was you, spying on us? Can you not find another way to spend your time?" Seto asked coolly.
"You know our customs at least, Seto! One does not touch a woman even on her face like that, if they are hardly more than strangers!"
"Princess Sasami doesn't think me a stranger, and she knows I wouldn't touch her if I felt she was afraid or uncomfortable with me doing so. It was no more than a touch between two friends, not that that is any of your concern."
"You made it my concern, with your thoughtlessness Seto! You're projecting your feelings for this Kisara girl onto the Princess, and the Alliance will suffer from it-"
"ENOUGH!" Seto's yell at that point could be heard clear across the Royal Garden. "I won't be preached to on how I should or shouldn't feel, not about Sasami or Kisara! Not that it's any of your business, but I shall tell you now where Kisara was concerned Shada, that I NEVER have and NEVER will have feelings for her!"
(At the same moment):
Sasami took a last glance at where Seto had stood, and decided to return to the Berry Orchard to her family and the human females she now knew to be called Mana and Isis. Mana was such a happy, free-spirited soul who did make Sasami smile warmly inside at her never-ending smile and Isis was obviously more reserved but still a kind person.
As she walked she wondered what song to sing for him later on that night, perhaps the one she'd sang when he and the other humans arrived and she had fled from them?
No, as much as she liked Seto that was a special song only for her brother and it would be only his even in death.
He'd called her song beautiful when he'd found her by the lakeside with Kyogre, Obsidian and Little Lugia, yes she thought that one would be a nice choice. Or perhaps one he hadn't heard yet?
She smiled while shaking her head, just thinking about him brought a smile to her lips and heart. And even though she knew he probably had an intended female back in his home world, she resolved to ask him just so she could know whether or not her feelings for him were misplaced.
No matter how kind or handsome he was, she knew it would be wrong to have feelings for a married or an engaged male. Her heart's strange feelings aside, he was a wonderful listener and had made her feel at peace over her brothers' passing and even if he could only ever be just a friend to her she would be content with that.
Her eyes darted around as a presence brought her out of her thoughts, similar to the ones that followed the humans around to protect them only different . . . It was a female, that much she knew for certain.
Yes, she remembered now that this presence had been with Seto before . . .
"Argh!" she cried out as a hot pain washed over her head.
Steadying herself against a tree for a moment, she stopped and let her vision come to her . . .
(The Vision):
Sasami's mind was whisked away to a dark desert; and to two humans . . . one a young Seto and the other a young girl with blue eyes and white hair riding a dark brown horse.
"Are they there!" he'd called as they rode the stallion through the night.
"They're gone!" she'd replied with obvious relief after looking back.
"Then my work is done, take this horse to the next town! The people there will help you, ride through the night if you must!"
With a yell he jumped off the horse and with a slap to its hide willed it to move faster.
"Who are you!" she cried out.
"Seto!"
"GOODBYE SETO! THANK YOU! I SHALL REPAY YOU SOMEDAY!" the girl called out as she rode away leaving Seto in the middle of the desert.
FLASH!
Sasami knew this part had taken place not long ago, as Seto looked the same as he had when they'd met. And the white haired girl; was also grown up . . . and was cradled in his arms.
"Kisara!" Seto had cried out as he'd caught the young woman. "Kisara please wake up, I'm sorry!"
Sasami could hear the fear in his voice and it made her own heart ache at the obvious love he had for this young woman.
"It's not your fault . . ." Kisara reached up and touched his face softly before her life force left her and she died.
FLASH!
The vision ended and she gasped deeply, the female presence was still with her though. She understood now, his love had been killed and now that same love was following her trying to ask her to leave him be . . . how could she be so foolish!
"I'm so . . . so sorry," her voice heavy with guilt and pain said to Kisara's spirit. "He was meant you be yours, I understand now . . ."
Walking on she allowed a few tears to show in her eyes, but steeled herself now that she knew what she had wanted to know.
Still the female presence persisted, following her and getting more and more desperate in her efforts to try to communicate her true message to the Digimon Princess.
"I understand! I won't go near him again, please know I won't try to steal his heart from you!" she whispered as the pain from that knowledge filled her heart.
She could sense Kisara's spirit become more frantic, confusion, fear, all these emotions Kisara was feeling were now being felt by Sasami and finally she could bear it no longer.
LEAVE ME BE! she screamed in her mind using her own powers to silence the spirits voice and drive her presence away, to be with Seto.
Sighing deeply, her heart more heavy that it had been the night before as she'd sang trying to rid herself of her pain. But her head reasoned that this was the right thing to do, Seto was married and her peoples' laws forbade taking a mate whose former mate was deceased.
The knowledge didn't make her better though as she walked silently, passing by the area with the marble steps to hear:
"I NEVER have and NEVER will have feelings for her!"
She looked up to see Seto yell out at the older male she knew to be named Shada, stepping back so she was out of sight she listened.
"Yes," Seto went on, "She was beautiful, but I know my responsibilities and she won't affect them in any way because I have no feelings of love for her!"
From her vision and they way he'd spoken to Kisara, she knew he wouldn't speak of her like that.
With a half-hearted sob as her heart shattered knowing he was speaking of her, she flared her wings and was gone with neither human knowing she'd been there.
"So you have no feelings whatsoever, for Kisara?"
"No! She was someone I knew long ago, I saved her from some bandits and when we met again she sacrificed herself to save me, to return the debt," Seto finished warily.
"And what of the Princess?"
"I'm not even sure what my feelings for her are Shada, but . . . they make me feel so wonderful inside. I'm no fool, I know she's the Princess of this world, and I also know that just being a friend to her cannot harm the Alliance. After all, isn't that what this Alliance is about? I'm leaving; I'm wary of this conversation and would appreciate it if you held your tongue about matters you know nothing about in future," he finished sharply as he descended the stairs again.
'Perhaps she still in the clearing,' he thought.
He stopped, catching a breath of something on the breeze . . . her scent. It thrilled him and confused him at the same time; he'd only caught a breath of her sweet natural perfume before when she'd flown by. Why would it carry from where she was to here so clearly?
Carrying on he found the area he'd left her, and was greeted not by her but by Little Lugia who squawked at his arrival turning to face him after looking the other way.
'She went this way,' he thought before noticing the infant looking up at him with smiling eyes obviously curious about the human male who'd been with Sasami before.
"Hello little one," he knelt down and reached out a hand cautiously remembering his older brother's reaction to him before.
Sniffing at him slightly, the baby purred and nudged his hand signalling he wished to be petted. Laughing slightly Seto obliged, stroking the infant's head and long neck as he'd seen Sasami do before.
With one last scratch behind Little Lugia's crested head, Seto stood to follow her before:
"Seto!"
'Oh, what now?' he groaned in his mind before recognising Pharaoh Atem's voice.
Casting a glance down the path sadly before going to his Pharaoh, he remembered he'd promised to meet her that night and would do so later . . . He would also tell her how he felt for her, and thank her for the wonderful feelings she had given him.
"My Pharaoh," he bowed his head as he found Atem.
"King Silverbolt has arranged a meeting to outline the Alliance plans, would you care to join us or would you rather be somewhere else?"
Atem looked at him coyly as he finished causing Seto to blush slightly.
"No my King, I shall be there."
"Very well, come then it's just starting."