CH 30

Kaede found she liked hopping rooftops. It was faster and she didn't have to pay for taxicabs. She did have to be careful heading back to the loft carrying bags of groceries, but she did it.

Coming to the roof of the building the Dojo and loft were in, she did note a modification that was needed to keep people from coming in from the roof. The ladder up to the top floor, she cut away and laid it on the roof. There, no one else was coming in from that way.

To feed five adults and a child Kaede did have to do a little moving around. The kitchen counter wasn't large enough so she added the school desks she and Uzuki had used to one side. They were a little lower, but worked. Moving the desks, a paper inside Uzuki's desk fell out. Curious what it said, Kaede read it. It was in Uzuki's handwriting.

Kaede,

Happy Birthday! I just want you to know that you are the best sister I could ever have.

Kaede's face scrunched up with emotion, hand over her mouth to keep from crying out. Tomorrow was her birthday. This was from Uzuki. The paper was old, but for some reason, she didn't know how, but she was sure this was the day Uzuki wanted her to find it. "I will always love you, sister, and will never forget you," she whispered in a choke. Despite fighting it, tears came to her eyes. Not wanting to lose this precious message, she put it in her hand bag for safe keeping. If she didn't have to make dinner, she'd be going to Uzuki's grave right now to thank Uzuki for the birthday greeting. Unfortunately, she had cooking to do.

.

Focusing on making dinner, Kaede tried had not to think about Uzuki. She was finishing dinner when Charlie and Brenda arrived. Charlie presented her with a 14 year old bottle of Glen Finnen. She got out glasses and insisted Charlie and Brenda share the first drinks together. Being non-drinkers, she added more water to their glasses with only a half shot and gave a toast to 'friends'. Charlie took it well, Brenda still coughed.

Kaede got out a bottle of red wine to go with dinner. Brenda wanted to help, so Kaede let her do the place settings. Anne, Roger and Beth arrived.

Beth was now a school girl with the same dark hair and pixie face as her mother. Seeing the school desks, the girl frowned at them. "Did you take these from an old school?" she asked.

Kaede grinned at the girl's innocent question. "Nay Lass, me Dad bought them for me an me sister when we were goin ta school."

"You talk funny," Beth told her, causing some chuckling.

"That's cause I've lived in Scotland fer a long time now. It's how they talk there," Kaede told her.

"Hon, it's English, but a different dialect," Roger explained.

"It's called Celtic," Kaede offered.

Beth glanced at the two desks and asked, "Is your sister there too?"

Kaede got a mental flash of Uziki's birthday greeting. Sadly she said, "Nay. She died."

"I'm sorry," Beth offered.

"Aye." Before Kaede broke down again, she forced a smile and added, "That was a long time ago."

"But you still miss her," Anne said softly.

Kaede nodded. "When I was movin the desks, a paper fell out of Uziki's desk. It was a birthday greeting fer me. I was kinda stunned," she admitted.

Everyone looked at her. "You OK, Kaede?" Charlie asked.

"Aye, it just brought back … memories," Kaede said with a weak smile. "And wonderin if Uzuki is still … around."

Charlie nodded slowly. "Your birthday is soon?" he asked.

"Tamorra."

"That's one hell of a coincidence," Brenda said in a breath.

"I doan think so," Kaede replied with a shake of her head. Seeing the long faced looks aimed at her, she quickly added, "But hey, food's ready, so let's dig in!"

.

Brenda noted Kaede was pleasant and forced-cheerful during dinner. Apparently, finding that birthday greeting from her dead sister was affecting her much more than she was trying to let on. The dinner was tasty and well made, everyone told Kaede so. After dinner, Anne and her family had to leave. They all hugged Kaede goodbye and thanked her for the nice time. Brenda stayed to clean up, and pushed Charlie off because he had to work in the morning. Brenda wanted to talk to Kaede alone. Once the dishes were done and dinner cleaned up, Brenda made a point to sit on the couch and drink some with Kaede. Brenda chose to sample more of the wine while Kaede poured a glass of mostly whiskey.

"I have to ask," Brenda began as she looked at Kaede. "What happened to Uzuki? And none if this Mc Leod holding back."

Kaede let out a sigh. "It's nay a nice story," she said quietly, and took a long pull of her drink.

"Maybe you need to let it out?" Brenda asked.

Kaede shrugged, looking into her glass. "It'll make nay difference. Uzuki's still dead, and I couldn't save her."

"So, what happened?"

Casting Brenda a sad gaze, Kaede said, "Twasn't fair. We finally had a home. We had been on the street, stealin food an finding places to stay outta the weather fer so long. Dad adopted us and brought us here." Pointing back to their rooms. "We even had our own rooms. Nice clothes, plenty-o food, going ta school and had friends." She drained her glass and frowned. "We had no idea those bastards huntin us would follow us all the way here." With a shake of her head, she added, "Uzuki never did nothin bad. She never kilt anyone and most of the stealin was me so we could eat."

"Sounds like you had a bleak life before Duncan found you," Brenda offered.

"Aye, Dad changed all that," Kaede said softly. "Fer the first time, we was happy. We felt normal, like all our troubles were over. Silly me fer belivin it." Reaching a hand out, Kaede drew the whiskey bottle to her and took a drink straight from the bottle. She then let out a giggle.

"Amanda had come ta see Dad. She thought it horrible me an Uzuki only had normal shirt and pants. She accused Dad o'bringin us up like lads. Only had sheets and blankets on our beds too. Didn't even know what a bed ruffle or blanket chest was, let alone have one."

Brenda had to grin at that. "I take it Amanda was into finery?"

"Aye. She took us shoppin with Dad's credit card. Spend most o'the day gittin all the stuff she thought we should have. We was gitin tired of walkin, carrying around all that stuff," Kaede said with a grin of remembrance. Her face then faded into a blank look.

"The last thing I was expectin was to git shot in the butt with a dart. Men came at Amanda, an shot her again and again til she was on the ground, bleedin bad an nay movin. I splattered them and the ones coming from the other side. I screamed fer Uzuki ta run. I was feeling dizzy, twas hard ta move er think. One's behind me shot Uzuki. I did get-em, klit'em bloody, but I passed out." Kaede took another pull from the bottle then sniffed. "I couldn't save her. Uzuki was finally happy, and I couldn't save her."

Kaede then broke down crying.

Brenda was mortified at what Kaede just told her. A woman and two girls attacked by armed gunmen while they were shopping? That was horrible! "Kaede, it wasn't your fault! You had no idea that was going to happen," she said firmly.

Gasping in a breath in her tears, Kaede cried, "I wasn't aware enough, I wasn't fast enough to kill them all, and Uzuki died right on the sidewalk! They was after me, why kill Uzuki?" she ended in a whine.

"Bad men do bad things," Brenda said vacantly.

"Aye," Kaede said. Her face then firmed up. "I've been killin bad men fer a while now. No matter what I do, Uzuki is still dead. She never got a chance ta grow up an be happy."

"I'm really sorry," Brenda offered. "It's not fair she died like that. How old were you then?"

"Doan remember. Eight, ten? Somehow that doan seem ta matter," Kaede said vacantly. Her voice hardened. "One thing that did teach me, when Amanda finally found me an got me outta that vault, was that ya never let bad people live. Hit'em hard an fast fore they kill someone else, and doan show'em nay mercy."

"What vault?"

Kaede took another long pull on her bottle. "After they had me, they put me in a metal suit and hung me up in a steel vault. Put things on me head so I couldn't use me power to escape. Got bad shocks when I tried. Amanda came an got me out."

Brenda noted something "You said Amanda was shot and killed when you were taken."

Kaede cast her a wicked grin and said, "Aye, but we doan stay dead. T'was only Amanda an me when she got me outta there. Those animals caught me Kouta an his family later. When we came back to git them, we killed everybody. I'd learned me lesson, ya doan let bad people live."

Brenda swallowed nervously. "You can't die?"

"Fer a moment er two. I got blown up in Mexico. Woke back up and slaughtered those bastards. They ain't hurtin no one, ever again. Yeah, Brenda, me an others, we're immortal."

"How old is this Amanda?"

"Doan know fer sure," Kaede said with a shrug. "Dad's around four, five hundred. Amanda's at least that old. She remembers the black plague in Europe. Kassandra is at least five hundred, as is Uncle Connor." With a snort, she added, "Me and Richie are newbies." She then frowned. "But Uzuki wasn't like us. It just ain't fair."

"Very little is," Brenda agreed as she pondered the existence of people who could never die. "So Duncan is hundreds of years old? Must be nice."

Kaede shook her head. "Nay, it's not nice a'tall. It's heartbreakin. Dad had a tough time acceptin Mom. Over there," she said, pointing to a rack of shelves, "Is a picture of Tessa. The woman Dad was in love with years back. She was shot an killed by bad men fer pocket change. He never got over that. Uncle Connor still woan allow himself to love anyone, his wife died a few hundred years ago. He's pretty lonely. I had ta coax him ta go see his daughter in the old folks home. He didn wanna see her die. I'm lookin at watchin me husband , Nana, Mayu, all of them eventually dyin. Doan know if I kin take it. Yeah, I'll stay with'em to their last breath, but then what? What do I do when me family's gone?"

Brenda watched Kaede drink more, half the bottle so far. She felt sorry for Kaede. What she'd gone through, and what she was facing. What would it be like to live forever, knowing everyone you knew and cared about was going to die? "You'll still have your Dad," she offered.

Kaede nodded. "I'll be there fer'im when mom dies. An I know he'll be there fer me when Kouta dies. I guess we'll just have to go on. Ain't got no choice."

Brenda noted Kaede's eyes drifting shut briefly as her head bobbed. "Ah, Kaede, I think you've had enough to drink."

"I doan," Kaede replied and took another swig.

It wasn't long after that Kaede passed out. Brenda got her laid down on the couch and found a blanket to cover her up. Well, at least she wasn't going to die from alcohol poisoning.

Brenda let herself out, feeling hollow. She had always thought, like many people, that being a 'super hero' was awesome, being invincible and able to take down bad guys would be great. After listening to Kaede, she was really glad that she wasn't saddled with being one.

.

From last night, Brenda was sure Kaede wasn't in any shape to be coherent enough to come to the noon time party with the kids. If she was even awake by then, it would be a hung-over hero arriving. Not a good thing.

Brenda like to do inspirational things for their parties. With Kaede not coming, she got one of the policemen who toured the area to come give the kids a few words of encouragement. Wong was a Chinese man who immigrated here legally and worked hard to earn his place on the force. He agreed to come tell the children about his journey from being a poor boy to police officer.

As the kids came on and gathered, Brenda met with Officer Wong at the end of the room by the small stage, near he door..

"Thank you again for coming, officer," Brenda told him.

"Anything I can do, let me know," he replied. "Of course, a little fore-warning would be nice," he said in a jovial manner.

Brenda winced. "Sorry, I had another speaker today, but I don't think she can make it."

"Things happen," he said. He then looked past her. "Kaede McLeod?" he asked.

"She's married now," Brenda began, then turned to se what he was looking at.

Kaede had just come in, wearing a purple dress and a fancy cloth necklace with a silver eight pointed star hanging from it and looking neat and composed. Kaede turned to the officer. Studying him, she asked, "Wong?"

"Yes! From English class," he beamed. "How have you been? I haven't heard anything from you since you were kidnapped all those years ago."

Cracking a grin, Kaede replied, "Oh, I'm sure ya have, lad. I'm married now. Me name is Dame Kaede Kikumura."

All the murmur of conversations in the room fell silent, all heads snapped to look at Kaede.

Officer Wong nodded. "OK, yeah. You sure have made a name for yourself, Mrs. Kikumura. I'm happy to see you are doing well now."

"You also, Officer Wong, and it's still Kaede. Nay need ta be formal," Kaede replied. "I'm happy ta see ya're in law enforcement. A good lad like you, should be."

Noting they were now the center of attention of the entire room, Wong said, "Thank you, I believe we each must do our very best to help everyone."

Kaede noted he flicked his eyes at the room full of stares aimed at them. "Very true!" Kaede agreed heartily. "Working hard ta do yer very best, and yer best fer the community should be everyone's goal. It's nay easy, but nothin worthwhile is easy. Everyone who does their best has my respect."

"Mine also. It can be hard to do the right thing, but if we all do the right thing and do not fall into the easy path or temptation to do bad things, means you are a strong person."

"Aye, just like Brenda here, an Asia. They do such good work, it makes me proud ta know'em," Kaede said.

"You know Brenda?" a starry-eyed girl asked.

"Aye Lass, an her husband Charlie. They be good people," Kaede told the girl. "I woan be friends with those who ain't. Family and community are all people we should all look after."

"But, I don't have a family," a scruffy looking boy said.

"Ya do, lad," Kaede told him. "Family ain't just mothers, dads, brothers and sisters related ta ya. It's the ones who look out fer ya and yer friends ya kin count on. Brenda here, Asia and officer Wong here, the people ya see every day are yer family. I ain't related ta Rachel at the Inn, but we consider each other family. We do fer each other, as we do fer Angus and all the others. I never knew me real mother til a few years ago, but I had Amanda who was like me mother growin up. Even though Amanda ain't me real mother, I will always do me best fer her, as she does fer me."

"Can you be my mother?" another girl asked in a plead.

"Sorry, Lass. I just came by fer a visit. I gotta be other places. Ya need a mother who'll be here for ya."

"Kaede's right," Officer Wong said. "It's the people here who help and watch over each other. That's our family."

"Can you really do magic?" a boy asked.

Kaede faked a sneeze and lifted herself a few feet off the floor. She settled back down and rubbed a finger under her nose. "Sorry lad, what was that?" she asked.

Laughter and clapping filled the room.

Brenda watched as Kaede amused the kids and told some good life lessons to them. Kaede was bright and cheerful with them. The exact opposite of what she was last night. All of them were hanging onto her every word. She also kept Officer Wong included in her praise, as well as Brenda and Asia.

All the children listened closely as Kaede explained she had started out as an orphan, and Officer Wong had begun as a poor immigrant boy to get where they were now. Brenda noted Kaede sanitized her story of any violence that she knew Kaede had been subject to. Kaede stressed doing their best at what they could do, like her and Officer Wong. Stressing hard work and not taking the easy way out, she had their rapt attention.

.

Kaede had a fun time talking to the children. Near the end of the party, Asia brought in a camera and got a picture of all the children with Brenda, Kaede and Officer Wong standing behind them. Seeing a skylight , Kaede wandered to stand under it. She reached up and opened it as she told the group, "It's been nice meeting ya'all. Have a good day, an listen ta Asia an Brenda, an Officer Wong. They got yer best interests at heart. Be good!" She then shot up through the sky light an closed it behind her which earned her applause and cheers from the room below.

By the time word got out that Kaede had visited the Zone, she was long gone, and the reporters were surrounded by a mass of excited kids telling them about Kaede's visit. They also excitedly explained to the reporters that Kaede had grown up right here in Seattle.

.

With an overcoat and wide brimmed hat on to conceal herself, Kaede went to visit Uzuki. The headstone was already cleaned, but Kaede brushed it off anyway. "Ya shoulda seen it," she told the headstone. "All the wee ones were so excited, I even met Wong from back in English class, he's a police officer now. Dad's pickin me up later, so I gotta go. Just wanted to talk fer a bit fore I go. Thanks fer the birthday greetin. Doan know how ya did it, but I appreciate it. Too bad yer not here any more." In a pause, she frowned then added, "If I was the best sister, I woulda saved ya. Really sorry I didn't."

Kaede got up and walked for the entrance, hands in her pockets.

"You did!" a young girl's voice cried out.

Kaede snapped her head to the sound to see a small girl looking at a teenage boy. "You made me happy! That means a lot to me!" the girl said. Kaede blinked. For just an instant, she swore she saw Uzuki standing there.

Kaede shook her head and walked on. It was just a girl and most likely her brother. Their conversation had nothing to do with her thoughts. It was just pure coincidence. As she thought this, she remembered back when she'd found Uzuki, shivering, hungry and alone. They did come a long way from under the stairs in that alley. Still, Kaede wished she'd done more and saved Uzuki's life.

.

Kaede got her things together and got to the airport early. Going to the private flights section, she found a seat and waited for her folks. Her mind still on Uzuki, she drifted off to sleep.

Kaede was a little girl again, looking at crates stacked all over the place. From beside her, Uzuki said, "It's Ok, Kaede. You don't have to worry."

Kaede turned to her. "But … I…"

"It's OK," Uzuki said again. "You didn't fail me. What happened, happened. I'm fine, I really am. I don't want you feeling guilty, OK? You really are the best sister I could ever have, so stop feeling bad about it! Don't worry, I'll be back."

Uzuki then faded from view.

Kaede didn't want Uzuki to leave. "Uzuki, I love you!"

An invisible hand laid on Kaede's shoulder. A whispery voice said, "I love you."

The hand then shook her shoulder gently. "Kaede?"

Kaede woke up to see Duncan over her.

"Long day?" he asked with a grin.

"Aye, but a good one," she agreed. She got up and got on the plane with her parents. Somehow, she was feeling a little more at peace.

Since Dad and Mom were up in the cockpit, (The tower needed to see a co-pilot for them to take off), Kaede sat down and put headphones on and listened to a local radio station.

While Duncan was waiting for his turn to line up on the end of the runway, the DJ announced, "This next song is a request from Brenda for her new friend. Brenda says thank you for visiting the children, this song is in your honor. Well after she told us what she wanted played, I had to ask WHO her friend was. She wouldn't say, only that her new friend is the best person she's ever met. So for you, new friend, this is from Brenda!"

Heavy rock guitars began playing, the singer belted out.

Here we are

Born to be kings

We're the princes of the universe!

.

Here we belong

Fighting to survive in the world,

with the darkest powers!

.

HEY!

.

And here we are,

We're the princes of the universe

Here we belong

Fighting for survival

We've come to be the rulers of you all!

.

I am immortal

I have inside me blood of kings

YEAH!

I have no rival

No man can be my equal!

Take me to the future of you all.

Kaede's jaw dropped. Brenda was telling people that she was immortal? At first, Kaede didn't know HOW Brenda knew that. Oh, that's right, she let it slip. She caught more powerful lyrics blasted out in her headphones.

No man can understand,

My power is in my own hand!

Feeling guilty about letting Brenda know about her, Kaede shut the radio off. Pulling the headphones off, Kaede grumbled to herself, "Awww shit! Shoulda never opened me big mouth." She puzzled over whether or not to tell Dad she'd screwed up.

.

The evening new in Seattle showed the reporters talking to the people in the Zone. They all had had nothing but good to say about 'Dame Kaede'.

Of course the local station in Glen Finnen got a copy of the broadcast and replayed it during their evening news. Watching it, everyone at the Lenui Inn cheered, even Nana, who was the waitress. By the time Kaede was dropped off by her parents at the local airport on their way to Paris, everyone at home knew the kind thing she did.

Kaede's visit to see the homeless children in the US sparked requests from several places in Scotland for her to come see underprivileged children here. Not knowing where Kaede lived, many places just let it be known that a visit from Kaede to lift children's spirits was eagerly wanted. Kaede was a hero to millions. Whether she wanted to be or not, Kaede was a celebrity.

Kaede was home three whole days before a messenger from her new contact went to the Lenui Inn and gave Rachel a sealed envelope to pass to Kaede. The envelope held the wax seal of the Queen. Rachel called Kaede and let her know the letter was here.

The day was overcast and rainy. Not wanting to take Kanae out on a cross-country trip overland in bad weather, Kaede bundled her up and took one of the Land Rovers to drive down to the Inn. Richie and Roberta had been babysitting for her while she was gone and she didn't want to burden them further. Besides, it had been a while since she had visited the Inn.

Kaede drove easy on the way. At times, the rain was pouring down and the wind was up pretty good also, partially obscuring visibility. Luckily, there weren't many people on the road. Getting to the Inn, she got Kanae in her baby sling and wrapped her in a raincoat and used a mind shield to cover them both to make it into the front door.

Going inside, there were a few patrons, a couple of them soaked. "Hey everyone," she greeted going in. They returned her greeting cheerfully with waves.

Rachel frowned at Kaede. "Ya didn have ta come right away lass! Coulda waited til the rain died down."

Kaede took her raincoat off, exposing Kanae. "Nay matter, got protection," she said and went over to the bar.

Nana came over. "Mom, I coulda brought it home fer ya!"

Kaede eyed Nana and asked, "How'd ya git here?"

"Over the hills like usual."

"And how ya gittin home?" Kaede asked.

Nana looked outside and frowned.

"I'll take ya home," Kaede told her.

Nana nodded. "Thank ya Mom. I woan be done til nine."

"I kin wait," Kaede assured her.

Rachel smiled at little Kanae who was watching her. "Such a cutie," she said and handed Kaede the envelope. "This came fer ya."

Kaede popped the seal. Inside was a letter on parchment. Taking it out, Kaede saw the top had the Royal letterhead. She also noted Rachel was leaning over the bar expectantly, and a few patrons, including Doogal, were eyeing her expectantly.

"Well?" Doogal prodded.

Kaede cleared her throat and did her best to peak in a royal tone of voice.

"To the most honorable Dame Kaede Kikumura,

You are hereby invited to a gathering of the Royal Knights and Commanders at Buckingham Palace on the 24th of October beginning at One PM, along with your spouse or significant other. RSVP on or before the 16th so proper arrangements can be provided for you. Arrival at Buckingham Palace will be by Limousine…." she then said, "And it gives the hotel location and our reservations will be taken care of. Signed, Lord Chancellor."

"Hobnobbin with the royalty now, are ya, Kaede?" Doogal asked with a grin.

Kaede returned his grin. "I'll say hi fer ya Doogal."

A younger man raised a fist. "Tis bout time we got recognized up here in Glen Finnen!"

"Aye, Clarence, I'll say hi fer ya too," Kaede told him.

"Yer goin?" Rachel asked.

"Aye, it's worded nicely, but it's pretty much a command from the Queen ta be there. Learned that," Kaede told her. "Now I gotta git Kouta a new tux. Can't show up lookin shoddy."

"Nay! Doan make us look bad," Doogal agreed. A couple others nodded.

"I'll git all gussied up just fer ya," Kaede assured him.

"An tell the Queen we need our own Queen, you!" another man said, pointing at her.

Kaede let out a snort. "Nay lad, I ain't gittin inta that mess."

The patrons laughed.

It was a few hours before Nana got off. That just gave Rachel time to get better acquainted with Kanae and for Kaede to call her contact and RSVP for the meeting. Of course Angus arrived with Fred to have 'one brew', all the doctor allowed him to have, and Rachel ensured the doctor's orders were followed. Luckily, there were no dart games going on, at least until the night girl, Sally came in.

Getting home with Nana, Kouta waited to have dinner with them. Sitting down to ea, Kaede told him, "We need ta git ya a new tux, hon."

"Why a new one?" Kouta asked.

Kaede handed him the letter and said, "Cause we're going ta see the Queen."