So we're only one chapter away from the end and...I'm beginning to tear up! I almost don't want to say goodbye to Kaze, I've really enjoyed writing about her and getting into her character. Please enjoy and review for me, thanks!
In the end we didn't tell anyone that Snake and I were now together, I think they just guessed. Perhaps when they saw Snake grab my waist in front of everyone to pull me close to him gave them a hint, I confirmed it when I kissed his mask where his mouth was behind.
Our relationship never affected our missions though, we were always a team, never a couple. It was better and easier that way but whenever either of us got hurt, we kind of flipped out. I got so angry once when Snake was knocked out from behind that the guy who had struck him was flung off the edge of a very tall cliff.
But don't worry, I caught him at the last minute and dragged him back up to face my wrath in person.
Arisu became less and less like a niece to me and more like a daughter as I raised her. She was a knife throwing and wielding prodigy, become a master of the art when she was only fifteen. Her other martial skills took a little longer but she eventually mastered them too. Arisu actually joined the Joes, recruited when she was twenty one where she met her husband, Rafael.
She left the Joes to raise her children, being tired of fighting and Rafael followed a few years afterwards. They had two sons and three daughters together and I spoiled them all rotten. Ghost was always constantly protecting them, a silent and quiet being that went everywhere with them but her first and most important love was Arisu.
It was another three years until I finally became pregnant. When I found out, I was so happy and alive that everyone instantly guessed. I took maternity leave when I was three months along and returned to Japan to continue my Master duties.
As Wind Master everyone suddenly had the deepest respect for me, relating me to the ancient ninjas who used to have similar powers. Apparently that's how the first ninja became ninja in the first place. I taught the students new forms of movements, reflecting wind and sometimes, when they were completely at peace and their inner energies focused, they would cause a tiny breath of wind but no one ever moved on past that.
Snake joined me when it was eight months, Hawk finally letting him go. Faith had never left my side all the way through my journey. She had another litter of puppies, just two this time, so I trained them just like I had trained her. They both had her golden eyes and colouring but the boy was darker than the girl.
The birth itself, however, was traumatic. Pain beyond belief with every contraction, I was beginning to think I would take a bullet over this any day. After a few hours of struggling, I heard the cries of my firstborn baby boy. He was so beautiful, frowning up at the doctor as he cleaned him but before they could hand him to me, another contraction took me.
So followed his little sister. Didn't realise I was going to have twins but I was all too happy just the same. Snake Eyes held them both in his arms as the doctors began to fuss around me. Why were they fussing, just give me my children! I want to hold them.
Then I felt the new pain. It wasn't a contraction or as painful but it was there, in my lower stomach. "She's bleeding still, hurry!" I was bleeding! I glanced to the side, seeing Snake watching and through his visor, I could see his eyes wide with fear.
My vision began to fade as my head throbbed, sweat dripping from my body as I began to sink into the bed, my body beginning to shut down. Turning my head I saw a bright white light shining and I gasped, seeing a shape beginning to emerge. It walked towards me and in the distant I could hear doctors panicking, struggling to keep me awake and the wailing of twins as their mother began to lose control of her breath.
"Storm Shadow?" I whispered as his body blocked the main beam of light that filled the room with radiant rays of warmth. He nodded to me, smiling as he stopped at my bedside and leaned down.
"They are beautiful children, Kaze, but they need their mother. Go back to them."
"I'm so tired." I whispered to him. "I just want to sleep." He reached down and touched his mouth to mine.
"Wake up Kaze, it is not yet your time. Wake up." A loud cry made me turn my head and in the distance I could see my son, wailing. My heart hammered in my chest as I yearned to go to him but when I felt Storm begin to pull away, the warmth fading, I looked back at him. I watched him retreat back into the light, sitting up slightly. "Remember Kaze." He murmured, gazing at me with a heart full of love. "I will always love you." Then he was gone and the light swallowed my vision.
I jerked awake with a deep gasp for air, sitting up. I clenched my fist. "Where are my children?"
"Please, lay back down, we need to make sure you're stable."
"Give me my children!" I cried out. "Snake!" Suddenly he was beside me, the doctor retreating as Snake Eyes hurried to fill my arms with our two beautiful, angelic children. I breathed in awe, cradling these tiny bundles in my arms. They were both wrapped in white and crying but as I began to sing softly to them, they stopped to listen.
Rocking them gently tears left my eyes and I leaned into Snake's embrace, smiling proudly. Our children. They grew up too fast for my liking. Soon they were crawling, walking and fighting like they were born to do it.
The boy, whom we named Kei, was Snake's exact image. He had the chocolate curls, tender brown eyes and quiet countenance. Whenever he spoke it was always worth listening to because what he said shocked even some of the wisest of the masters into a silent respect.
His sister, little Amaya, was everything I was. Black straight hair, midnight blue eyes, stubborn, headstrong and she even had my gift. They both did. Snake and I would spend hours training with them as it was all they ever wanted to do. They grew up with a tighter bond than any sibling pair I had ever seen before.
My family were the only ones who could comfort me when Faith died at a startling old age of fifteen. Even though they were young, my children seemed to understand my pain as they cuddled Faith's last puppies as I cuddled them and Snake cuddled me. The natural lifespan of a Shikoku was only twelve years but Faith held on for that little longer. She had died in my arms, comforted and content as any friend could be.
He puppies mourned her with me. Kei looked after the male, naming him Wolf whilst Amaya took care of the female and she named her Blade. In the next coming years it seemed all that happened around me was death.
Heavy Duty passed away from a heart attack, Breaker was killed in action with Ripcord when they were trying to disarm a bomb, Hawk died from a sudden stroke and the Blind Master, one of the oldest ever, passed away in his sleep. It was almost too much but somehow, we pulled through.
I expected Snake Eyes to be named to succeed the Blind Master but I was shocked when they named me instead. I could feel his proud gaze as I accepted the staff of the Blind Master. That was when I finally left G.I Joe. Unable to continue without my Team Alpha, I focused on producing the next generation of ninja.
Unfortunately Jinx never made it to full master rank. Blind Master felt that she had never found true inner peace and after I succeeded him, I felt the same. She resented me for it and often proclaimed that I was biased against her but all the other masters, including Snake Eyes, agreed with me. She never forgave me.
Occasionally I went back to Joe headquarters to train new recruits at Duke's request, as he took over after Hawk but I was never impressed with the Alpha team, it seemed no matter how hard they tried, they would never hold a candle to how great we had been and everyone knew it. We had a memorial pillar with our names at the base.
My children were great ninja, they became masters at the age of sixteen but I refused to grant them their names yet as they were too young and had little experience. They loved and trusted me enough to not be angry so set on proving themselves to me.
However when boys began to pay attention to Amaya, Snake Eyes was not the only one who became twitchy. One boy in particular had his eye on her, a boy fairly new but extremely talented. The son of Storm Shadow.
He had just appeared out of the blue that when I saw him my eyes went wide in shock as I truly believed it was Storm standing there before me. He was five years older than my little girl, who was just seventeen but she held her own against him. He explained to me that his mother had been a simple village girl when she met his father and he came about by accident. His father never knew about him.
Sympathy was not what he wanted, he respected his father's memory and was proud to be his son. His name was Takeo but when he joined G.I Joe with my children, he took the name White Arrow. Kei chose the name Windlock and Amaya went for something that had made me chuckle.
Tempest.
Another thing that made me chuckle was the way she was around Takeo. It was exactly the same way I had been with Storm when I were younger. She glared at him and ignored him so he took to irritating her just to receive a reaction. Plus he enjoyed it too. Despite all this Takeo and Kei became close brothers and Snake Eyes would often watch them fighting with a soft smile behind his mask. Watching them must have taken him back, the boys a reflection of what should have been between him and Storm.
Walking through the beautiful gardens of the temple of the Hard Master, I stopped when I heard Amaya striding my way. I flew up into a tree and hid, hearing her agitated breaths so I wanted to give her some space. Expecting her to pass I waited but she sat down on the bench under the blossom tree and growled. "Here Blade." Blade barked and gazed up at her.
With a pang I saw Faith down there, gazing up at me like she used to, chasing her tail to then roll onto her belly. I missed Faith so much, it felt wrong not having her at my side but I had gradually grown used to the empty feeling. Besides, Amaya loved Blade almost as powerfully as I had Faith so I drew comfort from that.
"He's such a…argh! I could snap his neck I'm so hacked off." Amaya was saying as Blade sat before her feet. "Pig-headed jackass!" Yup, she was my daughter alright. "I can't believe he defeated me in a fight, I was so angry with him! Make a note to remind me not to go into a fight angry ever again."
Looking up I heard someone coming. With a smirk I shifted on my branch to get comfy. Things just got interesting. "Oh no, not you. Go away! You're a stubborn jerk and I hate you!" Amaya stood, placing her hands on her hips as she glared at Takeo. He smirked at her and I was instantly reminded of the smirk his father used to toss at me.
"Even I know when you're lying." He told her, coming close. "You angry I tossed your rear onto the ground?"
"No!" I slowly began to grin as she shifted uncomfortably as Takeo continued to approach her. Looking down Amaya backed into the blossom tree, gasping softly as Takeo closed in on her.
"Liar." He murmured huskily. She pushed past him then looked to Blade who was beginning to growl.
"Hush Blade, he's not going to do anything stupid. For once." Takeo grinned then turned around to face her again.
"You are terrible at hiding your emotions, you know, I can read you like an open book." Yes that does sound familiar, Storm always said that I was an open book. Even Snake says it, in his own way. I preferred Snake's way, he gives me kisses.
"Cannot." Amaya shot at him.
"Oh really? How about this." He reached forwards and brushed his fingertips along her face and neck. She shuddered ever so slightly. "You see? You can't help but enjoy it."
"Oh go shove that sword of yours up your ass." Ha! That was one I taught her. By accident of course. Takeo bristled slightly, clenching his fist tightly. He carried his father's sword, the one I had presented to him when he had earned his place in the clan. I knew Storm Shadow would have wanted his son to have it.
"I'm not going anywhere, Amaya." He sighed softly, looking at her through his fringe which he flicked aside. He stepped towards her but when she backed away she backed into the bench and she was stuck for a moment. She lifted a hand, wind wrapping around her fist but she paused, her lips parting as Takeo stood before her without flinching. "You can't hurt me."
"Sure I can." Her eyes narrowed but she did not move.
"Really?" He teased her and she bristled. She went to strike him but his hand curled around her wrist, stopping its flight. "Really…" He murmured and leaned towards her. With a sly little smirk I wiggled my fingers then snatched my hand back into a fist. Amaya gasped as a strong wind pushed into her back and the gap between her lips and Takeo's closed.
She stood there in shock for a moment, Takeo a little taken aback also but he quickly moved in for the kiss, pulling her tightly against him, one arm around her waist as she gasped softly again then slowly wrapped her arms about him, passionately answering her kiss.
Well this is awkward. Here I was watching my daughter kiss a guy for the first time. Politely I looked away, watching the sunset until finally they pulled apart, gasping for air. Neither of them said anything for a while, simply gazing into one another's eyes until finally Amaya smiled softly, touching his face with tender fingers.
"You're mine." She whispered to him. "You arrogant, vain, irritating and vile son of a…" He cut her off with another kiss which she gladly answered. Well at least we know who's in charge there, good on you Amaya, I taught you well.
Amaya pulled away then whistled to Blade who was frowning up at them in confusion. "Come Blade." She murmured, a rosy blush on her cheeks as she turned back to Takeo, smiling timidly before walking away.
Once she was gone I flipped out of the tree, falling to the ground before Takeo who paled considerably then bowed. "Wind Master." He stammered slightly and I chuckled, waving my hand.
"It's alright."
"How long were you there?" I tossed him a knowingly look.
"Longer than you were." He paled even further and he tried to speak but he didn't know what to say. "I am happy to allow you to be with my daughter, Takeo, if you promise me that you will be good to her. If you break her heart, you shall face a mother's wrath." He nodded and bowed again.
"You have my word, I am not playing with her feelings."
"Also, she is only seventeen. I expect you to not taint her innocence." This time my eyes narrowed at him as I gripped my staff tightly until my knuckles were white. "Even if she gives her consent, I do not. Not until she is eighteen."
"Yes Master." He nodded again, beginning to look slightly worried. I relaxed and nodded to him.
"You may go. Just be wary of my husband and her brother. I would talk with them also before you consider being to forward with Amaya again." He bowed and walked away and I watched him, smiling slightly. He would look after her, I was confident in that.
Reaching down I was about to call for Faith when I remembered again, like so many times before, that she was not beside me. Pain flashed across my face and I looked down to the spot where she would have sat, gazing up at me with those warm golden orbs.
Strong arms slipped around me from behind and I sighed, leaning back into Snake Eyes as he touched his brow to the side of my head for comfort. "The cost of love so strong." I whispered to him and he nodded. "Watch the sun with me?" He nodded and lifted me up into his arms, cradling me as he sat down on the bench and lay me on his lap.
Putting down the bamboo staff beside him we turned to watch the red sun fall below the blossom trees, turning the pastel pink shades into a flaming brazier, their embers fluttering in the wind in a serene moment of peace and tranquillity. "I love you Snake Eyes." I murmured to him and he held my hand tightly, answering the same.
A little kindness towards Storm Shadow, I'm glad Amaya and Takeo eventually saw sense in how they feel for one another. Remind you of anyone else?