I Thought Sprite Was a Soda

They left for Hokkaido Prefecture just after lunch the next day, landing at New Chitose Airport mid afternoon. From there it was just over a half-hour drive to Shikotsukoonsen, the property the boys would be inspecting, and the place they were going to spend the night. Ji had explained that the word onsen in the resort's name meant that it was built over one of the region's famous mineral hot springs. This particular onsen was beside a beautiful lake, where The Society believed an amemasu, a large lake creature, was rumored to live.

As they were unloading the luggage from the rental vans that had transported them from the airport, Kurt noticed that Artie seemed to be abnormally distracted as he stared out across the water. For the briefest of moments, Kurt swore he saw the wheelchair-bound boy's body turn a bluish green, but when he blinked, the image was gone, and the geeky baritone was looking at him with a curious expression on his face.

Kurt shook it off as the resort manager greeted them. While the rest of the group were shown to their rooms and stowed the luggage, Kurt, Blaine, James, and Burt were given a tour of the resort. They were heading back to the office to sign the paperwork when Kurt spotted something along the shore of the lake.

Artie was hovering above his wheelchair.

This in itself wasn't too shocking. With the younger boy's wish for telekinesis, Kurt had expected this type of thing sooner. What had the pale boy gasping and grabbing at Blaine's arm was seeing his friend sprout leaf-like wings as his hair turned bluish green. The color bled out over the rest of his body, which seemed smaller now. The winged creature that was Artie flew out over the lake a short way, and then dove into the blue water.

The others watched, waiting for Artie to surface. It was several minutes before he re-emerged, and skimmed over the lake, occasionally diving below the surface again.

"What is he?" Rachel asked, joining them. Trent, Tina, Mike, Wes, and David were there as well.

"A sprite, I think," Blaine said, not looking away from the bluish form.

"I thought sprite was a kind of soda." That came from Finn, as the rest of the group joined them.

"It is," Lizel replied. "But it is also the name of a race of water spirits. The word sprite actually comes from the word spirit. Is that Artie?"

"Yes," Kurt said, even as the creature in question spotted the group on shore, and dived back under the water.

A moment later, Artie reappeared, floating onto the shoreline and returned to his chair. They all rushed forward to check on their friend, who was grinning from ear to ear, and completely dry.

"Did you know you could do that?" Trent asked, awed.

Artie just laughed. "No idea. I just felt a need to be in the water, and suddenly I was there! I didn't even realize what I had done at first."

"I expect this will be happening more frequently now," Grandpa Chang said. "More of you will feel the calling of your Faerie heritage. Anything can bring it on."

"Yeah, especially water, it seems," Santana said. "First Nick, then Elliott, now Artie, all creatures related to water."

"Understandable, given the amount of water on the planet," David observed.

"Grandpa Chang," Carole addressed the older male, "you don't think all of us will suddenly transform into faerie creatures, do you?"

"Perhaps not all, no. But I sense the potential from many of you. I suppose I could simply read all of your lineages, but that would take time, and leave my energy drained. Besides, it is better to let you each discover your own gifts in your own time."

They continued to discuss the possibility of more of them changing into wild and fantastical creatures as they enjoyed the mineral hot spring before dinner.

"What did it feel like?" Rachel asked Nick, Artie and Elliott.

Nick shrugged. "I just remember feeling like something important was about to happen, and then when the storm finally came, I remember I felt more alive than I ever had before. I might have been a little freaked out later on, but for the most part it just felt…"

"Exhilarating," Artie supplied when the other boy paused. "Like free falling, but knowing you had a parachute to save you, so you don't worry about it."

Nick nodded, but Elliott was frowning. "I just remember being desperate to save Dave, and the need to swim faster, and deeper."

"That's because you're like me," Tina said. "You must be a direct descendant. You've always had the ability to shift, but never needed to before."

"What do you mean?" Quinn asked.

"Well, my mom was kitsune, and her mom, and her mom, they've all been kitsune. One of Elliott's parents must be a merperson."

"His mother," Kurt said.

"How do you know that?" Elliott asked.

Kurt frowned, realizing he'd never told them about the shared dreams the boys had had. "The day before you all found out about us, all three of us had a very similar dream. They all started out pretty much the same, just from different points of view. They all ended up with us each in a place that was familiar and comforting to us, but they were burned and scorched. And then a woman appeared."

He paused and looked over at Brittany. "She looked like you, but not exactly. She said that Brittany was one of the names she would use. She told me that I had to find the third, and that I would find him when the Siren's Son called him by his true name."

"Didn't she also tell you how to find The Queens?" Dave asked. "I know in my dream she said something else, but you said she told you how to find them."

Kurt looked startled. He'd forgotten that. "She said something about Autumn falling before Summer, and Spring singing of hope. Why did I forget that?"

"Do you remember when we showed you the prophecy?" Pam asked. "You had to actually read it to remember it. Some dreams contain an element of prophecy in them, so might be forgotten until something prompts the memory."

Kurt's brows furrowed, hadn't there been more to Dave's dream, aswell? But before he could ask, Finn spoke up, and the thought slipped away. "I'm still confused by what Tina said. Why are you and Elliott different?" He asked the Asian girl.

"Faerie DNA works differently than human DNA," Lizel said. "Some Faerie species always breed true, like kitsune and merpeople. Others might produce a true descendant every few generations. Some may have traces of the DNA, but like me, not enough to shift. I can call on some of the abilities of my ancestor, but I can't become them."

"And sometimes," Pam added, "even if you have two parents with traces of DNA, you may not receive any Faerie DNA at all. Blaine's brother, Cooper is completely human."

"And in Nick's case," Lizel continued, "I believe he is a reincarnation, rather than a descendent. His family may not have had a single drop of Faerie DNA before now."

"So, any of these kids might have Faerie DNA in them, and can just shift at will?" Burt asked. "Or they might be some Faerie creature reborn?"

"That's the theory," James acknowledged.

"And almost anything could trigger their transformation?" Carole speculated.

They halted the conversation as an employee of the resort informed them that it was nearly time for their dinner reservation.

For the second night in a row, a local chef prepared a meal especially for their group, only this time they got to watch him cook the food, teppanyaki style. He began with a vegan dish that delighted Rachel and Trent, who didn't eat meat, and even the others had to agree the tofu and vegetable dish was very good.

His next dish was a fish and seafood soup. As Carole was eating, she slowly became aware of a cat trying to slide up beside her. At first she thought it was Lord Tubbington or Peaches, but quickly realized both of their feline traveling companions were at a nearby table with Teddy, and were being fed their own special feast. She figured this must be one of the local strays who had joined them on the outdoor patio, and were seeking out some food.

But when she offered the cat a piece of fish, the cat ignored it, and curled into her lap instead, and began purring loudly in content. The cat remained there throughout the remainder of the meal, and attempted to follow her back to the room she and Burt were sharing, but seemed to be frightened off by Teddy, even though the dog hadn't done anything to scare it.

While Stevie, Stacey, Teddy, Peaches, and most of the adults called it an early night, Paul, Maggie, Lord Tubbington, and the teens enjoyed a movie in one of the resort lounges. Kurt wasn't really interested in the action on the film, and spent most of the evening observing his friends. He smiled when he saw Sam and Mercedes cuddling on one of the couches in the corner. The two were starting to be more comfortable showing affection around the rest of their friends. He was happy for his best friend.

He spotted Santana sitting on the floor in front of Brittany, who sat in an overstuffed armchair and braided the Latina's raven hair. Everyone knew the two girls loved each other, but Santana still refused to acknowledge it. Kurt wished she would just get over her hang ups on labels and just let herself be happy for a change.

Speaking of hang ups, Wes and David were sitting very close together on one of the other couches in the room, but maintained their 'we're just friends' expressions. The effect was marred by the fact that everytime Wes was startled by something on the screen, David would put his hand on the other boy's knee, and murmur soothingly to him.

He turned his attention to the other side of the room, where Trent was sitting sideways on a couch, with Artie settled between his legs. Kurt had been relieved when the rest of the group seemed to take this development in the younger boy's sexuality in stride. None of them even seemed to be surprised.

On the next couch over, Elliott was massaging Dave's neck and shoulders. Elliott had removed the cast on Dave's arm the day they had arrived in Japan, after Elliott had healed the finger with the healing powers he'd used his coin to gain.

Kurt had spoken with the two men during the flight from Tokyo earlier that day, and had finally learned what powers the two had wished for. Dave had decided healing was a handy ability to have, and had wished for it himself. He had also wished for the ability to be prepared for any situation, and to be sensitive to other peoples' needs and emotions. Elliott had wished for the ability to change people's moods for the better, to anticipate and provide what anyone may need, and to always know the perfect music to set the proper mood in any given situation.

Kurt had laughed at that last one, but had found the gift useful when he'd been trying to nap on the flight, and Elliott had begun playing a gentle Japanese flute melody on his iPod, which had relaxed the pale boy enough to sleep until they had landed in Chitose.

He turned his attention to the elder Karofsky. Paul and Maggie were sitting in the back of the room, talking quietly. Kurt wondered if they were even aware of how often they reached out to touch each other. It wasn't overtly blatant, just casual little touches to the hand, the elbow, the knee. She reached out and removed a loose hair from his shoulder. Their hands brushed as he handed her a cup of tea.

"It is because of your bond with my grandson, Young Master." Kurt blinked at the sound of Grandpa Chang's voice in his mind. The elderly man wasn't even in the room. He'd gone back to his own room when the other adults had. And what did he mean, it was because of their bond?

"I told you there had never been a bond like yours before. The bond you share with my grandson is so pure and overflowing with love, that it pours out over those who surround you, and brings out the pure love in them as well, and makes it easier for them to make the connection with the other half of their soul."

Kurt glanced at the curly-haired boy beside him, and smiled. What he shared with Blaine had felt so right from the very beginning, even before Blaine figured out his own feelings. It did feel so pure. Now he understood why.

Blaine looked over at him, catching him staring, and smiled. Kurt smiled back and leaned in for a kiss.

…

The next morning, when Carole left her room to join the others for breakfast, she found six cats waiting for her. She recognized the black and white cat that had joined her for dinner the night before.

"I see you've brought your friends. I'm sorry, I have no food for you at the moment. Perhaps I could bring you all some milk when I return. I've heard the milk here in Hokkaido is unlike any milk anywhere else."

She was met with a chorus of contented purrs from the half-dozen cats, who followed her to the dining room where the breakfast buffet was served. They tried to follow her inside, but she told them they'd have to wait outside. Surprisingly, they all sat down to wait beside the door.

She filled her plate and joined Burt, Kurt, Blaine, Finn, Rachel, Teddy, and Peaches at one of the tables. As she sat down, the small orange tabby perked her ears forward.

"Your smell is different," the young cat said.

Carole glanced at her. "I used the resort's soap and shampoo instead of my own."

The cat shook her head. "No, not the outside smell. Your smell. You smell like milk, and yummy stuff!"

Teddy moved closer and sniffed her. "She still smells same to me."

Peaches looked at the larger animal in confusion. "No, I'm sure the smell is different."

Carole considered for a moment. "Well, if I smell yummy, that would explain the cats waiting outside for me. They followed me from my room."

"They were sitting by the door when I left," Burt said. "I didn't think anything of it at the time. What do you suppose it means?"

"I believe your wife is in the process of transforming," Grandpa Chang said, having just joined them at the table.

"Me?" Carole asked. "Into what?"

"I am not certain, though I have sensed something familiar since we were first introduced. Ms. Cohen said she thought you may be a reincarnation, and I believe she is correct. I just do not know of who as yet."

"I thought that when people transitioned, it happened quickly," Burt said.

Kurt looked thoughtful. "Nick's took a while, I think. He was distracted and preoccupied on the drive from San Francisco to the heritage sight."

Carole frowned. "I don't feel distracted or preoccupied, though."

"At the moment," Kurt observed. "Perhaps that might change as the day progresses. Which should be interesting," he added with a mischievous grin.

Carole looked at him warily. "Why?"

"Because after breakfast we leave for Sapporo to visit the last property in Japan, and where we planned on having lunch."

"And why is that interesting?" she asked, looking slightly angry.

"It's a cat cafe," Kurt smirked.

…

Cat Cafe Kitanekoya was a picturesque little cafe that, according to Society records, was once home to a bakeneko, a legendary cat of local folktales, that could be either benevolent, or a portent of doom.

Carole still didn't feel any different as they entered the small establishment, although every cat in the place turned their attention to her immediately. They followed her as the manager showed them around, and circled her legs as she waited for Kurt and Blaine to sign the papers.

Peaches, who was perched on her shoulder, whispered in her ear, "They like the way you smell, too. And they say you radiate comfort and safety."

Carole was glad the cats felt safe around her, but she still didn't feel anything out of the ordinary, nor did she feel anything as they ate their lunch, which was topped off with the most delicious ice cream she had ever tasted. Hokkaido milk really was the best in the world, with its rich and creamy flavor.

They spent the rest of the afternoon just wandering around to various shops, as they weren't scheduled to fly out until later that evening. They had split up into different groups, but planned to meet up at a local night market for dinner.

Carole, Burt, Kurt, Blaine, Pam, and James had wound up browsing through the local jewelry district, and were just heading back towards the market when it happened.

Carole had stopped to pet a local stray that was waiting for her as they exited the last shop, and the others had stopped to consult the map to make sure they were heading in the right direction, when a group of men converged on the small jewelry store. They were all wearing ski masks.

Carole was nearly frozen in fear as one of the men pointed a gun at Pam. What happened next seemed to happen in slow motion. Blaine stepped in front of his mom just as the gunman pulled the trigger. As she saw her stepson's boyfriend fall to the ground with a red stain spreading across his shirt, a rage filled her, and the next second she leaped on the gunmen, knocking them to the ground and ripping the guns from their hands.

The next thing she remembered was attacking the men with a bo staff, although she wasn't sure where it had come from. Before she knew it, all five men were unconscious at her feet, and she was breathing heavily.

She started to drop the bo staff to go check on Blaine and the others, but stopped and stared at her hands in confusion. Instead of her normal, human hands, she was looking at two cat paws, covered in short, greyish white fur. The fur went almost all the way up to her elbows before returning to her usual pinkish skin.

A sound from a few feet away caught her attention, and she looked over to see Kurt clutching Blaine to his chest, tears streaming down his face. The boy seemed unaware of the gold light that began to emanate from the younger boy.

"Kurt!" Pam said, sternly. "You have to let him go, or you could be hurt! He is going to be fine, just put him down and back away for a few minutes!"

Burt pulled his son away from the glowing boy, murmuring to him. "Look! look at him Kurt! He's going to be alright. That crazy magic of yours won't let him die now!"

As they all stood back and watched, the golden glow intensified, and Blaine's body began to float off the ground. There was a sudden explosion of energy that came out of him, temporarily blinding those around, and threatening to knock Carole on her butt.

Once they'd blinked the blindness away, they saw Blaine sitting up on the pavement, grinning at them. "Well, that hurt."

Kurt pulled free of his dad's grip and rushed to the shorter boy's side, immediately checking him for injuries. "Are you alright? I thought I lost you!"

"I regenerated, Kurt! Just like Doctor Who!" The grin on his face faded, to be replaced by a look of concern. "Wait, I regenerated! Do I look different now?" He tried to find a mirrored surface to check his appearance, but Kurt just hugged him.

"You're still the dapper boy I married, honey."

There was a pause as everyone registered what the pale boy had said.

"Married?" Burt asked.