Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Inuyasha Characters.
Chapter 7:
"What?" Aisha could scarcely believe what she was hearing. But should she be surprised? Nothing was ever free.
Sadiyra smirked. "Kill, Kagome. Take the dagger, shove it in her chest. It doesn't have to be Kikyou. You could be the one who adjusts the hands of time—you could go back to the moment you got separated from your parents. You could sing with your mother again. Wouldn't you like that?"
Oh to be in her mother's arms again, to hear her voice… Her eyes filled with tears at the thought. But her mother, to know that she only returned because she murdered someone—an innocent someone, who'd come to her for help….she'd never be able to live with herself. She'd been betrayed so many times—she'd never wish that on anyone.
But would she ever get another chance to go home, to see her mother?
Kagome had promised to help her…she was sincere in her thoughts—but so was Siobhan at one time. A moment of sincerity matters little if dishonesty shows up when it counts.
"I can't." Her voice cracked.
Sadiyra raised an eyebrow. "You can't or you won't?
"There's no difference," Aisha muttered bitterly as she looked away.
"I'd have never pegged you as a fool."
Aisha gritted her teeth. "Kiss my ass." She spat. Did she think this was easy? This was the closest she'd been to her mother in ten years and she had to turn it down to save a stranger? A stranger that felt like an old friend—like an instant sister, but a stranger nonetheless.
"It's only going to be a matter of time before they abandon you too, Aisha. Once they complete their mission, they'll toss you aside. You can't go with them. You'll go right back to the life you had before, maybe it'll be worse now—they'll tighten the leash because of how chummy you've become with outsiders…"
Aisha rolled her eyes. "I'm going to get away from here—"
"You may be stronger than you were the last time you ran away, Aisha, but you're still not strong enough to be free. This is your only opportunity…go home. You're not wanted here."
Aisha's eyes watered as she listened to Sadiyra's words. This is a test, Aisha. She tried to remind herself.
"The only test is of your intelligence, Aisha. I thought you loved your family? Isn't this what you wanted?" Sadiyra's response to her inner thoughts was unnerving.
"Why do you want Kagome dead anyway?" Aisha exclaimed. "What's it to you whether or not the girl lives or dies?"
Sadiyra's smile turned coy as she apprised Aisha's angered expression. "Well…" she began. "One of you has to. One of you is going to. Figured I'd give you the chance to make the choice."
"I'm not God. I don't decide who lives or dies."
"So you're okay with her killing you."
"Yes."
Sadiyra raised her eyebrow.
"She has a family, a mate, friends…a life. My existence doesn't matter and still—I couldn't take an innocent life, not for my own selfish reasons."
Aisha looked down at her hands.
"Well done, Aisha," she said softly. Her smile was full of warmth and genuine pride. "You have succeeded."
Aisha exhaled. She should be excited. But inside her, her emotions were mixed and crazed—a ball of confusion and turmoil. Her shot at going home, she'd given it up—without a second thought. Without hesitation she did it, to trust someone that she didn't even know.
"Aisha, I know you wish to go home. You've suffered so much." Sadiyra gently brushed her fingers against Aisha's scarred cheek. Aisha jerked away, as if she'd been shocked by Sadiyra's touch. "But listen to me, we are where we are meant to be—when we are meant to be."
Aisha sniffed.
"You were sent to the past for a reason, Aisha. Take full advantage of every moment here," Sadiyra murmured softly.
"You sound like Deka."
"She is wise. This life appears to be a curse, but there is a blessing within it."
"A blessing within Siobhan and his betrayal? The scar on my face?"
"Through suffering, Aisha, comes strength. Never forget that. But, never mind that now. There is much to discuss. The sheath of the dagger is missing."
"Missing?"
"Yes, and when you awaken you will know all that you need to know."
"Did you tell Kagome this too?"
"What she needs to know, she will learn in time. When you wake up, you will know what you need to know to aid your true pack."
Aisha rolled her eyes, I'll take that as a no.
"I don't have a pack, not really—I'm not a wolf."
Sadiyra shook her head. "Chike taught you far better than that. Don't let the words of a few jealous and maniac wolves cause you to forget his teachings. It's time you live, Aisha. Forgive, and move on. Someone is waiting for you."
"But—"
"Wake." Sadiyra said softly. Before Aisha had another moment to process anything she'd been told, or finish the questions forming in her mind she felt herself falling.
When she regained consciousness, she was staring into cerulean eyes.
XXXX
"Why is she not awake yet?" Koga growled at Deka. He'd tried being patient, but the moment Kagome woke up, he expected Aisha to do the same. He was both relieved for Kagome, and scared for Aisha. What was taking so long? Was it possible that she'd failed? And if she had failed, what were the consequences? What were they even being tested for? The ability to possess the dagger?
"Koga, she'll be fine," Kagome soothed. She'd been extremely quiet, and pale when she first woke up. She'd almost immediately moved out of the hanyou's arms and despite his pained expression she hadn't touched him since.
That was another reason Koga was worried. He wasn't Inuyasha's biggest fan, and he hadn't been in favor of his union with Kagome in the beginning, but he was often jealous of their relationship. They were affectionate, even through their constant arguing, and they were like magnets. Neither could ever be too far from the other. But there was no trace of that on Kagome's end now, only saddened eyes and unshed tears. Inuyasha looked like he could lose it at any moment. They'd tried asking her about what happened in the dagger but she refused to speak about it. Maybe she was waiting for Aisha… Would Aisha be the same way? When Aisha did finally wake up what would her reaction be? Kagome saw something during that stupid test and it was haunting her. Would Aisha be the same?
Aisha's sharp intake of breath stopped all of Koga's racing thoughts. Her eyes snapped open, and he was there to meet her—like he always would be—by her side. She seemed dazed, confused, and then determined.
"Koga," she murmured.
Her voice was hoarse, but she was okay. She was awake and talking and she seemed fine for the most part-that was fine. And boy did it ever feel good to hear his name on her lips. There was a softness to her eyes as she gazed into his. Did she actually seem relieved to see him? Her eyes hadn't lied to him in the time he'd known her. Despite her harsh words, and behavior, her eyes were always wide open to him—baring their pain, their longing…Could it be that was finally allowing him in? There was no one here to hold her back.
"Aisha, are you okay? Are you hurt?" He asked.
She cleared her throat. "I'm fine." She pulled her eyes away from him and they searched the cave frantically.
"Where's Kagome?"
Koga's eyebrows furrowed. Why was she so worried about Kagome? What was this bond between them, where she fussed over her as though she'd known her for years? He knew it was silly, but he did feel a little jealous. She'd allowed Kagome in so easily, but him-? But he couldn't think that way about it, it wasn't the same—not even close. Perhaps it was as Etowe said—they were both reincarnations, both from a future time…Koga made a mental note to ask Kagome about it later. Being from the future certainly explained the strange clothes she used to wear. He'd glossed over it when they were talking to Etowe, but now as he pondered it, he grew curious. Aisha's voice snatched him from the rabbit hole of his thoughts.
"I'm fine."
Kagome left the distraught hanyou's side instantly and knelt beside Aisha. Koga aided her in sitting up.
"The sheath to the dagger is missing. If you have the sheath you control the dagger," Aisha said quickly. She grasped her head and cried out as a flash of pain shot through her head.
"Aisha?" Koga's response was instant.
"I'm okay. I just." The pain left as quickly as it came. "That must have been the download."
She was vaguely aware of Deka's eyes on her. She met them, quickly and then looked away—a code they'd developed through the years. Siobhan was involved with this.
She couldn't make sense of what she was feeling—but her mind felt so full. She felt like the answers were there, but she couldn't yet decipher them.
"Download?"
"The spirit of the dagger, Sadiyra. She said that she'd give me the answers to what I need to know. She said I'd have them when I wake up, but I don't—I don't know how to describe it. It's there, but I don't know what it is."
"It would appear that perhaps she's sealed the knowledge until the appropriate time," Miroku said thoughtfully.
"You don't think now is the appropriate time?" Inuyasha grunted.
Koga growled. "Obviously not."
"Shut it you mangy wolf." Inuyasha barred his teeth. He was frustrated beyond belief already. They'd found the dagger, but it seemed that not only were their hands tied once again, but whatever Kagome had gone through in the dagger was causing her to pull away from him, and it broke his heart. She wouldn't even look at him. What if it's about Kikyou? He shuddered. How could he prove to her that it was always going to be him and Kagome. No other could take her place. She had nothing to fear. He'd hoped that their talk had torn away at the stronghold of insecurity within her, and it seemed that it had—but then…
"Aisha, how are you feeling now?" Kagome asked, placing her hand on Aisha's arm. It was strange to see her veiled, after having seen her full face. She had so many questions.
"I'm good. Truly. Kagome, we need to talk."
"Uh uh, no secrets." Inuyasha grunted. He was grasping at straws. The last thing he wanted was for Kagome to be out of his sight, not after what they'd just experienced.
"Will you shut the hell up?" Aisha exclaimed. "You are so annoying."
The tomb was eerily silent as a response to Aisha's outburst, save for Deka's snickering. They had no idea what they were in for. This was Aisha being mild.
"Now wait just a minute—" Inuyasha's response was intercepted by a furious growl.
Koga crouched in front of Aisha protectively, daring Inuyasha to make a move at his mate. In the back of his mind, he knew that Inuyasha would never harm her, but his instincts saw his aggression—normal as it may be for him—as an imminent threat. Kagome rolled her eyes.
"Can you stand?" Kagome asked. Aisha nodded. "Sango, will you help me get Aisha up?"
"Sure, too many inflated egos in here," she grumbled. She helped Kagome get Aisha to her feet, while Koga remained frozen, still ready to protect and attack. Inuyasha sat completely still, knowing that this wasn't the time for games. Even he knew when to back off. Koga wasn't entirely himself at the moment. But more than that, he didn't want to cause Kagome any more distress.
Kagome and Sango helped Aisha outside of the tomb and Deka followed silently, her eyes watching for danger in the form of a fight between Koga and Inuyasha. Shippo followed his mother outside, not wanting to have any part in this.
"I didn't want to be watched," Aisha said quietly when they made it outside. They took seats on a patch of green grass and Shippo climbed into Kagome's lap. "We can speak using my gift. Forgive me Sango, Deka. This conversation involves Kagome and myself. You can stay if you want, but Kagome and I have a few things to discuss."
Sango seemed unsure. They didn't make it a habit of keeping secrets among their group. As if sensing her thoughts Aisha continued, "It's not a secret, Kagome is free to tell you anything she wishes. But I'd like for us to work this out among ourselves before we pass along this information. No need for unnecessary fear."
Sango's eyebrows furrowed but she nodded and leaned against the nearest tree, keeping a close eye on her dear friend. She liked Aisha, more so after hearing her tell Inuyasha off, but she was leery. The girl had barely known them for three days and yet she was already planning to help them against the wishes of her alpha. She knew the story Etowe told them, but still. She'd been with this pack for ten years. If she was disloyal to them then what could keep her from being disloyal to Kagome?
Kagome closed her eyes and extended her hand to Aisha. Aisha took it instantly.
Kagome, it appears we both passed.
Yes.
Aisha's eyebrows furrowed at Kagome's disheartened voice.
What happened? She asked, her tone full of sympathy. Kagome replayed the events for Aisha. Aisha's own eyes filled with tears as she watched, she knew the feeling too well.
Kagome…
I'm so stupid. I know it was just an illusion—a test, but I can't—Aisha I can't shake the fear and the insecurity….the darkness I feel, and now that Kikyou's apart of this Aisha, I just don't know. I can't even look him in the eye.
He loves you Kagome. He chose you.
No he didn't. She died. He didn't have a choice. Look.
Kagome replayed Inuyasha and Kikyou's history, the moments after Kagome had become involved were included in it. It only added to the pain, but she wanted Aisha to see, to understand.
Kagome, Aisha began when she'd finished. He chose to live and be with you when he could have followed her in death. He could have chosen to hold to her memory rather than mate with you—marry you. He had a choice.
She will always be first.
But you knew that when you fell in love with him. Didn't you? She will be first, Kagome, because she was. But you are last because what you have with him is lasting. Don't ruin a good thing because of an illusion. He's not going to let her kill you, and neither will I.
Kagome smiled, eyes remaining closed as she wiped a tear away from her cheek. She had no doubt that her husband was upset currently, he could probably smell her tears and was even more aggravated about the fact that he couldn't hear anything.
"Kagome?" Sango asked. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine."
Do we even know if she's a live right now? Kagome's thoughts were soft.
I don't know. But we can't worry so much about that now. Are you going to be okay?
I just need time. That scene was so real. It was like my worst fear, played out in front of me. Everything I felt, every insecurity—I'll never be her equal—as a priestess, as Inuyasha's love—
I know the feeling. But you are Kagome, not Kikyou.
Does he see that? Or does he love me because he sees her in me?
Aisha closed her eyes. She doubted Kagome really understood just how much she could relate to this. The pain of being second best, of being compared and deemed the lesser of the two, watching the other be admired. You were the reincarnation, they were the incarnation, the original, and the originals got everything always, and in Kagome's case, even in death.
She knew Inuyasha loved Kagome, but Kagome did raise a disturbing point. Did he love Kagome for Kagome or was it because of what he saw in her? Was he in love with the Kikyou in her?
I feel so bad, Kagome continued. We had a conversation about this earlier and he reassured me of his love for me, but I just can't shake it, this pain I feel. More tears fell. I don't want to see him, I don't want to be near him…
Aisha listened patiently, wondering how long Kagome had held all of this in.
I'm sorry. She said suddenly. You have it far worse than I do. And you're right, I knew it when I promised to stay by his side—you didn't have a choice.
Aisha shrugged. Don't apologize, Kagome. Our situations are so similar, but they are also very different. I competed with a living woman. Death is another matter entirely—grief masquerades as many things, it confuses the heart.
Kagome was quiet for a moment.
Let's just change the subject. Kagome wanted to hear what Aisha was saying. She desperately wanted to let the entire thing go and move on and be happy with Inuyasha.
Aisha inhaled deeply.
What did you see, Aisha?
Home. Her eyes watered a little bit. Promise me again that you'll help me get home, Kagome. Please.
Kagome's eyebrows furrowed. Aisha, I swear I will. What's going on?
She asked me to kill you. She said that if I used the dagger on you, I could go home.
Kami…Aisha, that was your shot. Why didn't you?
Kagome, I couldn't do that.
They were silent for a while longer. Kagome didn't know what to say. All Aisha had spoken of was returning home, and she'd turned down the opportunity to save the life of a stranger.
Aisha had been through so much and yet she remained so selfless and pure hearted. She deserved to be happy. An idea struck her-
Koga was worried about you.
Kagome…
Aisha, I think he could be falling for you.
It's a crush he'll get over it.
But why not give him the chance? He's a good guy, Aisha. I know him. I know that Siobhan hurt you, but you deserve to live, make friends—be happy. And I can tell, Koga makes you happy.
How the hell would you know that?
I see the way your eyes light up when you're around him. You can't stop looking at him. Let yourself be happy—at least give yourself the chance to be happy.
Sango leaned against her hirakotsu as she watched Kagome and Aisha sitting cross-legged on the ground. To an onlooker it would seem they were engaged an intense staring match. She could feel the spiritual energy crackling through the air. She was leery of Aisha, but even she could sense the connection between the two—like…sisters…connected in spirit. She considered Kagome a sister as well, and she was worried. She'd seen the look on Kagome's face, the pure heart break in her eyes when she first woke up. She felt bad for Inuyasha, she knew he was worried.
Speaking of Worrying. Her thoughts turned toward the young wolf-lord. Koga. His reaction to Aisha's discomfort was unsettling. She hadn't expected it but there was no mistaking it. He was feeling the mating pull, and Aisha—from Sango's perspective at least—hadn't returned any of his instinctual advances. This meant she was still available, and until he was actually able to claim her-he was always going to be more on edge. Damn. She thought. She'd watched him fight with Inuyasha over Kagome for what seemed like forever, and now he was fighting again, for a woman who wouldn't give him the time of day. She kind of felt sorry for him.
Sango was torn from her thoughts at the sound of Deka's voice.
"We should make camp here. There's no point in returning before morning."
Sango nodded. "I agree."
"I shall tell your friends," Deka said. "I know you wish to watch over Kagome. I know you worry about her, but I assure you, she's safe with Aisha. Aisha may appear a bit cold, but she is warm and kind. My daughter is like the sun," Deka smiled to herself as she said the last bit.
Sango nodded. She hadn't seen Deka and Aisha truly interact very much. Deka always stayed on the outskirts and the edges, causing Sango to question just how close they really were. But perhaps it was Deka's silence, loyalty, and her constant presence that proved her love for Aisha. Deka herself was a woman of quiet strength, and Sango had no doubt that she'd make a formidable opponent in battle. Still she wondered what it was that Siobhan had done to make four of his pack members—including his mate—defy him. Betraying Aisha was horrible, but surely there had to be more to it than that. She'd find out soon enough. That whole tribe was weird if you asked Sango.
"She and Kagome seem to have hit it off," was Sango's reply. For this she was glad. Kagome deserved good people in her life. She'd been through so much, and she'd chosen to stay in their time—away from everything she'd ever known and loved. Kagome was her best friend, the closest thing she had to a sister. The idea of never being able to see her again had crushed her.
"Yes. Aisha trusts Kagome and that means more than I'm sure you'll ever know." Deka walked away before Sango could respond.
"Hm." Sango pursed her lips.
XXXX
"So the sheath is missing?" Miroku asked, placing his index finger on his chin. The glow of the fire they'd built illuminated his handsome features. "Who could have stolen it?"
Aisha and Kagome shared a knowing glance. They sat beside each other, Aisha on Kagome's left and Sango on her right. Across from her sat a sullen Inuyasha, confused and more than a little hurt at his mate's distance. She'd been quiet and spacey ever since she woke up, and wouldn't even look him in the eyes. He'd been trying to give her space and time even when she returned from speaking with Aisha, but it was killing him inside.
"We think it was Siobhan," Kagome murmured.
"I knew there was something foul about him," Koga grunted. He stared into the fire, doing his absolute best not to look in Aisha's direction, but he could feel her eyes on him, watching his every move.
"You're right. There is something very foul about him," Deka said softly.
"Deka," Aisha admonished.
Deka pinned her with a glare.
"Chief Chike warned us that his death was not as we'd been told by Siobhan. I am—as well as my brother, Amani and a few others—are of the persuasion that Siobhan had something to do with it."
A few gasps came from around the fire.
"You can't be serious…" Sango began.
"I am," Deka murmured gravely. "We'd never had any issues with tribes in the area. The attack had been so sudden, so…unwarranted. When Siobhan would return from his midnight runs, he often smelled of this supposed rival tribe. He thought no one noticed—and most didn't."
"So you think that he planned for this tribe to kill his father?" Koga asked. He tilted his head back, eyes on the ceiling of the tomb.
"Yes." Deka's response was curt and rang with finality.
"If he has the sheath, he holds the true power of the dagger," Kagome said. "Meaning that he can go back and undo whatever wrong he did."
"What he told you about the dagger is true," Aisha said softly. "With it he can essentially command time, but he has to harness the power of a reincarnate and their incarnate original."
Koga looked away, knowing what this meant. Aisha was in danger. Kikyou was long gone, so the only remaining pair was Aisha and Etowe—how convenient for Siobhan. He stood up and walked out of the cave, refusing to hear anymore of this for the evening. Chief Chike, possibly killed by his own son, Aisha being used yet again by Siobhan to fulfill his own selfish desires. He growled lowly. This was all wrong. What he didn't understand was Kagome's role in this. Siobhan had the pair right under his nose, right in the palm of his hands…why then did the "dagger" or "Aisha" or whoever call them there. Why was he here? He sat down on the large root of a nearby tree, staring at the moon. He stiffened when he caught Aisha's approaching scent.
"Koga," she murmured.
"Aisha," his eyes immediately turned to her drinking in her beauty. He wanted so badly to remove the veil, to see all of her. Though she shared Etowe's face, her beauty remained unique to him. She'd always stand out, always be different to him. He could pick her out of any crowd, choose the real her out of any illusion.
"I wanted to thank you for helping mw," she said as she laced her fingers together behind her back. "And to ask if you were alright?" Her nervousness was easily detectable in her scent.
"You don't ever have to hank me for that. I'm just glad you're okay," he smiled softly at her. "And to answer your question," he took a deep breath. "I'm fine," he replied, his voice rough. It betrayed him. He was far from fine, but having her there with him helped. He tried to conceal his surprise at her gentle tone—far warmer than the coldness he was used to from her.
"May I sit with you?" She asked. Her doe like eyes were hopeful, but cautious. He nodded and she took a seat beside him, leaving plenty of space between them.
"You're not fine," she said. He smiled weakly at her.
"It's papa Chike isn't it?"
Koga nodded.
"We don't know that this happened for sure," she soothed.
"Yeah, but what if it did…" Koga clenched his fist.
"Then he will suffer," she murmured. Koga felt her eyes on him then, assessing his every move.
"You really cared for Papa Chike, didn't you?"
"Yeah, he treated me like a son during the time I stayed here. I learned so much from him." He looked toward the moon again, wondering. He was happy that Chief Chike had acknowledged Aisha, spoken to her, soothed the guilt she felt for having to disturb his remains—but in a way he was a bit jealous. He'd give most anything to speak to him again, hear his wisdom. It was Chief Chike who'd given him confidence as a leader in one of his darkest moments.
"This is the testimony of many," she agreed. Aisha sighed then, seemingly lost in her own world of thought.
"How are you?" He asked, the thought occurred to him that this must be as distressing to her as it was to him—perhaps even more so.
"I'm fine," she mimicked his earlier tone. "I miss him."
"Me too…"
"Do you feel guilty for not being here?" She asked.
Koga paused. Yeah. That was one way, perhaps a perfect way, to describe the heavy weight he felt. Had he visited more, like he promised he would, perhaps Chief Chike would still be alive.
"Suppose Siobhan did kill him," she began.
"Then I kill Siobhan. It's done." His tone rang with authority and finality. A solemn vow. He'd already deserved to die for how he'd treated Aisha, but to find out that he'd killed Chief Chike? He'd better not find out. Aisha didn't respond to his statement. Instead, she stared out at the forest before them.
"Aisha, may I ask you something?" He had many questions, but which to ask first…
She nodded. "Go ahead."
"What do you have against me?"
He heard her sharp intake of breath. "N-nothing."
"You said you didn't want to be wanted by my kind…I feel like that's something."
She lowered her head. He'd have given anything to know exactly what she was thinking.
"Koga, you are a lord—a shape-shifter, or wolf-yokai as you call it. I have already been down this road before—"
"No you haven't. Not with me."
Aisha's eyebrows shot up to her hairline. "Koga, I'm human."
"I know."
"Why waste your time?"
They locked eyes, her fear evident in them. He could tell that she honestly bwlieved the words she spoke. But how could she not? After all that she'd been through with Siobhan, he couldn't blame her. "I get the feeling that you're anything but a waste of time."
She looked away, refusing to meet his smoldering gaze any longer. "What do you want from me?"
"A chance." He placed his hand on hers softly. "I am not Siobhan. You can trust me."
It was quiet for a moment as Koga watched her eyebrows knit together as she mulled over his words. He rejoiced inwardly as he noticed that she hadn't pulled away from him.
"Why bother? You're just going to leave after this is over and so am I."
Koga growled. "Woman, you're out of your mind if you think that I'm going to leave you behind. As long as you want me, I'll be here." He debated on telling her about the pull, but he feared her response. He'd gone in guns blazing with Kagome—telling her that she was his woman. In retrospect he'd realized how Kagome seemed repelled by that action. Perhaps "I want you" wasn't much better, but it was a step up. At least, Aisha could choose to be his woman…if she wanted. And yet, he'd never never been so grateful that Kagome had turned him down for that mutt-face.
"Wait, what do you mean? Where are you going?"
She met his eyes again. "Home. I'm sure Etowe told you I'm not of this age."
His eyebrows furrowed as he considered this. How could she even be sure that she'd get home? Would he be able to be without her? His pack was small—Ginta and Hakkaku were excellent betas, but could he leave the pack to follow her to her time? Could he step down? Would he give up being alpha to her home. He didn't know the first thing about her time. But who was he even kidding? It didn't matter—he was incapable of living without her, it would be like living with half a heart. He could take someone else as his mate, but he'd never love another. He'd be lonely—in the deepest sense of the word—for the rest of his life.
"That doesn't matter," he replied resolutely. In it there was only the promise of his devotion to her. No matter what she chose, that wouldn't change. He couldn't give her the details yet, but he'd figure this out. He had to.
Finally, she murmured, "We'll see."
"That's better than 'no,'" he conceded. "But you will. You'll see." The two sat in comfortable silence for a moment, Koga grinning at the chip he'd made in her wall. It's a start. He thought. He wanted to ask her why she'd decided to come to him tonight, but he feared that she might take it the wrong way, so he settled for another burning question instead.
"Aisha, you don't have to answer if you don't want to. But, what did you see inside the dagger?" He asked. He'd already prepared himself for a snap, an answer along the lines of "none of your business." Instead, she stiffened a bit, her hand gripping the root of the tree. He kept his firmly in place on top of hers. It must have been bad, he figured. I'm here, even if she doesn't want me to be.
"My mother," she said finally. "I don't want to talk about the dagger anymore."
He nodded. "Okay. Will you tell me about her then?" he urged softly.
She looked up, surprise coloring the features of her face that were visible to him. "You want to know about my mother?"
"She seems very important to you."
"Well, her name was—is, Loretta. People often said I looked just like her," Aisha's eyes brightened. "She makes the best food…at least I hope she still does…and she has the most beautiful voice on this side of the Mississippi river." Her voice filled with child-like wonder as she mentioned her mother's singing voice. Koga's heart broke for her.
"Mississippi river?" Koga tilted his head to the side, confused by the expression.
Aisha paused for a moment, opened her mouth to explain, then thought better of it. "It's a saying, we have back where I'm from. But," She crossed her ankles. "She could sing heaven to earth and I…I loved singing with her."
Koga thought back to the night at the river when he'd heard her singing. He'd been so focused on seeing her that he hadn't even paid attention to her singing. He allowed himself to imagine what it would feel like, to lay his head in her lap while she sang to him—to inhale her scent and be completely at peace with her.
"She sounds like an incredible woman, Aisha. You enjoy singing? Like her?"
Aisha nodded. "Yes. We used to sing in church together all the time?"
"Church?" Koga tried the word on his tongue, it was foreign to him and seemed out of place amongst the other Tiji words.
"It's like a temple. We'd sing together there, and then at home when family would visit, we'd sing while my uncle Geno played—" she paused for a moment—"instruments."
"Would you sing something for me?"
Another pregnant pause. "I don't—I haven't-" she stuttered.
"You don't have to," Koga quickly amended. "I just…the night I saw you by the stream, I had heard you singing I just—"
"Maybe," she murmured, effectively ending his babbling. She said nothing else and he had no idea what to say.
Koga blushed. Idiot. He chided. She finally opened up and you ruined it. His mental tirade was interrupted by the feel of Aisha's head, hair still subdued and hidden by her scarf, against his shoulder. Is she really? He couldn't stop the stupid grin that broke across his face.
"Is this okay?" she asked sheepishly.
He gently rested his head on top of hers.
"Perfect."