Disclaimer: I only own what is mine. My OCs and ideas.
A/N: "I'm going to update every weekend" I said, "I'm going to stick to it" I said. Well, you all see how that turned out. But I'm doing my best. So here's this new chapter. I can't wait to get this story finished up. So, let's cut to the chase, shall we? Read, Review, Enjoy!
Reviews:
ArtemisBAMF1218 - Ah, back to updating. It's going to be so much fun to write the wedding, just today I went back and read Danny's coronation. And I'm going to reread prom I guess after I update so I can just go back and enjoy it again. The spell is interesting, and I have somethings that Danny has failed to mention about the spell to Aiko and his experience with it.
Ryu's culture buff comes out again this chapter, while not Indian Culture, it is Japanese. Alright, I'm just going to keep this short so we can get on to the chapter! Let's go!
Chapter 26
"I'll get it." Aiko stood up the minute there was knocking on the door. "It's most likely Danny."
She brushed her hands off and walked over to the door.
Aiko opened the door and smiled at the cloaked figure standing outside. He smiled too, removing the hood from his head.
"Good evening, my lady." He nodded.
"A little late, is it not?" Aiko asked as she allowed Danny to step into the house.
"It seems like when I have plans to go do stuff, someone is always waiting in the foyer for me." Danny sighed heavily. "I would have liked to get her a lot sooner, but one of those last minute things came up again and they were convinced that it could not wait."
"What was it?" Aiko asked.
"It was just a messenger with something from a monastery, regarding what we talked about the other day," Danny said, giving a nod in Ryu's direction.
"Oh," Aiko smiled. "What do you think?"
Danny shook his head. "Nothing much has changed from when we last talked about it. There is, however, something we should talk about in private, regarding this."
Aiko nodded. "Ok, later then."
"Daniel, come in and sit down," Mama called from the table. "Are you hungry?"
Danny looked past Aiko and nodded. "Yes, coming."
He slipped his shoes off and walked over to the table.
Aiko took her seat and Danny took the empty space next to her.
Ryu was on his other side, happily slurping her soup.
"I haven't seen you in a while," Danny commented.
Aiko passed Danny a bowl of soup.
"Thank you." Danny nodded at her.
"No problem." Aiko smiled.
"I've been busy," Ryu said calmly. "I've been staying out of trouble, however."
"That's good," Danny said simply.
Danny took a sip from his soup, closing his eyes and enjoying the peace and quiet.
Ryu caught Aiko's eyes and smiled.
Aiko just nodded her head; she gave Ryu a smile back.
Dinner stayed quiet for a while. The atmosphere at the table was very relaxing, as everyone sat around eating.
Ryu tapped her tail on the ground and looked around the table.
Aiko looked over at her and noticed that she looked like she was curious.
"So…" Ryu began. "I don't want this to come out as rude, but I am going to ask it anyway. Why do you celebrate Raksha Bandhan? No one here is Indian."
Mama placed her chopsticks down. "Well, Raksha Bandhan translates roughly to protection bond. It is a celebration of the bonds between siblings. And it is something we do because it is important to respect family bonds."
"And Ryu," Master Kung stepped in. "We do believe your mother is of Indian descent."
"Right, you've met her," Ryu muttered softly.
"It was only for a few nights, Ryu, and it was also quite some time ago," Mama spoke up. "I am fairly sure she was of Indian descent or something very close to that. She hardly gave us any information."
Ryu just nodded.
Aiko looked over to Danny who didn't say a word. He looked down at his food and took another bite.
"So when do we get to do the little ceremony thing?" Ryu asked.
"When your brother finishes his food," Mama said easily. "Let the poor child eat, Ryu. You know he needs it."
Ryu looked over at her brother, the pair made eye contact for a minute before Ryu sighed, giving in. "You're right. You're right."
"Ok," Ryu rushed over from the kitchen and plopped down on the couch beside Aiko, "you first."
Aiko rolled her eyes and smiled at Davos. "You seem unexcited."
Davos just shrugged. "I don't know why you still insist upon this."
Aiko glared at him. "Give me your wrist."
Davos obeyed, holding out his hand to her so she could tie the bracelet around it.
"I pray for your happiness and peace," Aiko didn't watch her brother as she tied the bracelet, "May this show my love for you and how much you truly mean to me."
Aiko looked up at her brother and smiled. "So, did you get me anything?"
"That's rude to ask," Davos said calmly. He pulled his hand back and it went to his side where he retrieved a small box that was sitting beside him. "Here you go."
Aiko smiled and took it. "Thank you."
"What is it?" Ryu asked.
Aiko opened it looked down, smiling. "Thank you, Davos."
Davos nodded his head.
Ryu leaned over and looked down at the small box. "What is it?"
"A jewelry box," Aiko smiled. "It's really pretty."
Davos just nodded his head. "I believed you would end up needing something, your old one has seen much better days."
Aiko smiled. "Thank you."
"My turn!" Ryu announced grabbing Danny's left hand.
"I pray for your happiness and peace," Ryu quickly recalled and copied the words that Aiko had previously said. "May this show my love for you and how much you truly mean to me."
"You couldn't be more original?" Davos teased.
Ryu glared at him. "Hey! Nobody asked you!"
Davos shook his head.
"Ryu, that was just fine, don't worry about it," Danny assured her. "That was good."
Ryu hugged Danny around the next.
She hugged him close and whispered something Aiko could not hear into his ear.
"You are very welcome," Danny assured her as he rubbed her back gently.
Ryu pulled back and Danny smiled at her offering her a small box. "Enjoy."
"What is it?" Ryu asked.
"Open it and find out." Danny prompted her.
Ryu took the lid off the box and studied the contents for a minute. "Kawaii! These are Japanese namagashi!"
"Wow, you know that?" Davos asked.
Ryu nodded. "I've always wanted to try all these different snacks from Japan. These have been on the list for a long time. And this is the real deal stuff isn't it?"
"It is." Danny agreed. "Dr. Strange mentioned it to me last time we spoke. So I thought it would be a nice gift to get you."
"It probably not the same stuff you'd get in the outside world," Aiko warned.
"Yeah, well, this is going to be better!" Ryu declared as she popped one into her mouth.
"Mnnn…" Her tail thumped the ground. "I was right…"
"What did you want to talk to me about in private?" Aiko asked.
Danny looked up at her. "It's about Ryu's mother. "
Aiko sat down next to Danny on the back porch and watched the fields that laid out in front of them in the night. The sky was clear and scattered with stars.
Danny let out a deep breath. "I feel bad doing this to you, but I'm going to leave you here for a few days and go with Ryu to meet her mother. It's my responsibility"
Aiko looked up at Danny. "What?" She rested her head on his shoulder.
"I would be leaving you in charge for a few days," Danny admitted. "I feel really bad about doing this to you, but I felt like I needed to let you know ahead of time. It's not like I'm going the day after we get married or anything. It might be a week or two, but you're going to have to handle K'un-Lun by yourself for a few days."
Aiko sighed and leaned into Danny a little more. "I don't know the first thing about how to run a kingdom."
"I'll make sure to make it as easy as possible for you," Danny promised. "And you'll have the council. And you should not have to make any life-altering decisions. I can deal with the major stuff before I leave. But someone has to stay and be in charge while Ryu and I are gone."
"Fair enough," Aiko sighed heavily. "I understand."
Danny nodded, his hand rubbed Aiko's shoulder. "Don't worry about it just yet. You'll be fine. But I just needed to let you know."
"I love you," Aiko muttered.
"I love you too," Danny replied. "You're not upset or anything? Are you?"
"No," Aiko admitted. "I figured that there will be a time when you are absent from the throne and I will have to fill in. How long do you think you will be gone?"
"Three, or maybe four, days at the very most," Danny provided his rough estimate.
"It will be good to take a few days to practice while nothing too major is going on." Aiko finished.
Danny pulled back from Aiko some; she looked up to meet his gaze in response.
Danny smiled. "I could not have chosen anyone more perfect to be my wife. There is not another woman in K'un-Lun like you. How did I ever get so lucky?"
Aiko smiled at Danny, she looked away from him, just changing her gaze without moving away from him.
She just giggled as she rested her forehead on his shoulder.
"The Dragon Lords have blessed you." Aiko's voice was a whisper. "And me."
"Hey, did you get me a bracelet this year?" Danny asked slowly.
"Why are you asking?" Aiko asked.
"Well, I thought you might get me one, this being the last time we celebrate our more 'brother/sister' relationship." Danny smiled at her.
Aiko nodded her head and pulled a small bracelet from her side. "It kind of got forgotten about. Because Ryu got you one and it was kind of a big deal for the two of you. It's not even been a year yet and you guys are doing really well."
Danny offered Aiko his left hand, which already had Ryu's bracelet wrapped around it.
"Thank you for protecting me in the outside world and for keeping me safe and out of trouble." Akio kept her concentration on the bracelet. "I pray for your safety and for your happiness and wellbeing. And I pray for our prosperous marriage."
Danny smiled. "Thank you, Aiko."
Aiko looked up at him; her two hands held his one rough hand.
"Thank you Aiko, I swear, until we are married, I will continue to protect you as your brother." Danny took her head in his free hand and pulled her close, kissing her on the forehead. "And after that, I will protect you as your husband."
The pair stayed that way for a little while.
"I asked because I also got you a little something," Danny whispered to her while reaching into his pocket. "Do you want it?"
Aiko smiled. "Danny, what happened to not out gifting each other?"
"Well, you gave me a bracelet, so it's only fair I give you something in return," Danny said calmly, he pulled back from Aiko and held out a closed fist. "Close your eyes."
She took a deep breath and help out her hand as Danny easily slipped a cold smooth stone into her hand.
"What is this?" Aiko asked, keeping her eyes shut.
"Guess." Danny prompted.
Aiko felt it with her thumb. "It's stone, and it feels like a necklace pendant maybe? But there is no chain."
"You may look." Danny sighed. "You know your stuff."
Aiko opened her eyes and looked at the small circular green stone in her hand. "Is this jade?"
Danny smiled. "A traditional gift that is given from a man to the woman he loves. A highly valuable gift due to its cost and the difficulty in crafting it. I hope you will wear it during our wedding."
"Why is it missing a chain?" Aiko asked.
She looked up at Danny. "Not that I'm not eternally grateful, giving jade as a gift is a huge deal… it's just."
Danny just smiled. "I figured you would have something you could use. Plus, I have another surprise to go along with it, so you just have to make due for now and wait."
Aiko smiled and passed Danny the jade. "Hold it for a moment."
She slipped off her necklace and tied the jade through the square hole.
She slipped it back on with the jade being the centerpiece and Danny's ring resting on it as it sat on the chain.
Danny reached out and carefully touched the ring. "I can't wait to marry you. I'm excited."
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