Chapter Eight: Returning home
In a place full of heavy mist three women stood in a circle facing each other. The air around them seemed tensed, as they looked at each other for the first time in years, literally. Suddenly, one of the women broke the tension. "Its been a while girls?"
The youngest of the girls smiled happy someone had spoke. "Yes my queen it has been." She looked at the other girl on her right. "Hasn't it my friend?"
The woman of time nodded with a smile on her face. She had missed her friend so much. She couldn't believe she was here with her now. "How did you remember?"
The woman smiled. "I had help."
"I'm glad you two are reunited." The elder woman whispered as she smiled at both of them. "I will need your help soon." She paused before gazing into the smallest woman. "Please continue to watch them until I'm there."
She nodded. "I will your highness."
The older woman nodded before turning to the other girl. "In exactly one week we both will go and get them."
"Understood."
"Thank you." She paused. "Both of you." The older woman bowed her head in respect. "I'll see you both in a week." She added before she vanished.
Almost immediately the two women faced each other with smiles before they fell into each other's arms. They both held on tight as if they were afraid to lose that person again. They had been separated for so long that they were surprised that their friendship was still strong. "Setsuna." The youngest woman whispered the other girl's name. "I missed you so much."
"The feeling is the same Natsuti." The older woman whispered in her friend's ear.
After a moment they slowly let go of each other and giggled at the silly seen they thought they made. "You haven't changed." Pluto whispered as she made the mist around them dim.
Natsuti frowned. "I take that as an insult knowing how I was before." She said smiling.
Pluto laughed. "I'm sorry." She paused as she regained herself. "I meant to say you've changed a lot."
"Why thank you." The red head grinned. She slowly turned solemn as she looked at her friend. "I see you're the same too? Time hasn't changed much huh?"
The guardian of time only gave her a mysterious smile. "How is she doing?"
"We all love her very much and the men are starting to remember little by little. It's only a matter of time before they can fully remember who they are." She smiled. "And little man is getting more handsome as the time goes just like his father."
Pluto nodded. The prince was and still is handsome but she was afraid for all four of them. "That's good. It was pure genius when you said you had found her diary in one of the shelves." She smiled but soon it disappeared as she thought of someone. "How is Wildfire doing?"
Natsuti smiled. "Surprisingly great. He loves Touya so much." She sighed. "I'm afraid Setsuna. What's going to happen when they meet?"
"You know I can't reveal that Natsuti, but try to keep Wildfire and Halo away from Endymion as much as you can. Until they both cool down."
Natsuti nodded worriedly. "I will." She sighed once more. "I must be going my friend. In a week." She told her before she slowly disappeared.
~*~*~*~
Last day of the week.
"Touya!!!" A twenty two year old Lita yelled as she called for him. She shook her head as she sighed amused. The little man as they called him loved to play, though; he can be quiet as a mouse and serious as an eagle. Lita chuckled lightly as she thought of him. She stood by the door leading to the outside world. In a way Touya reminded her of Darien, Ryo, Sage and Cye put together.
Suddenly, a young man by the age of six came running towards her with white blaze behind him. Running Touya smiled as he spotted his mother. He had heard her calling for him and rushed over immediately. As he saw his mother kneeling down he slowed his pace and gently entered her warm embrace. "Ha-ha"
"My little man." Lita whispered as she giggled. She brought him at arms length and looked at him. "Where have you been all day?" She asked as white blaze rested by her side.
Touya's eyes gazed his mother in delight as he told her all the fun things he had been doing with white blaze while making arm gestures to put emphasis on some of the things he had down. "Before you called me, White blaze and I were waiting for uncle Yuli by the road."
Lita's eyes grew wide at his last statement. "Touya!" She exclaimed. "I told you not to go there by yourself!"
Immediately the young man lowered his head sadly. "I'm sorry mom. I was just excited that uncle if finally coming back." He explained. Lita had made Yuli go back to his family so he could spend time with them before they had to leave for her home. At first her brother refused to go until Ryo had talked to him saying he would regret it later if he didn't go for the last time. The guys surprisingly wanted to go. They hadn't changed their minds like Lita had thought they would but in a way she was happy that they were coming along. She wouldn't want to say good-bye to them and she knew that her friends if they knew it or not would be happy to see them too.
Lita sighed as she stood up. "What am I going to do with you Touya?" She whispered in a fake sad tone. "You are always running off on your own. I guess my little man is all grown up huh?"
Touya looked down words sadly until he heard 'my little man'. Lita always called him that when they were playing around or when she hugged him. Touya was gifted with intelligence when he was young. He had begun to speak at a young age and understand without major troubles. It surprised everyone at first.
With his beautiful sharp emerald green eyes he looked up at his mother with a smile. "Mom!" He giggled as she picked him up. He immediately placed his arms around her neck as they walked away from the door before she closed it.
"Come on White-blaze." Lita said as she looked back. The white tiger purred as if he was answering her. She smiled at him before she looked forward and immediately stopped before she bumped into Kento. "Kento!" She exclaimed surprised. Touya turned around to see the man in front of them and smiled. "Uncle!"
Somebody behind Kento laughed. "God, it's still funny hearing that." The man laughed again before revealing himself to them.
Touya's eyes grew wide in surprise as he looked at the older man. "Uncle Yuli!!!" He immediately got down from Lita's arms and ran to Yuli who picked him up. "I hear you've been looking for me?" The fifteen year old spoke as he walked away. With the tiger following him.
"Yea! White blaze and I went to wait for you by the road but mom got mad."
The little boy spoke and before they disappeared into the hall Lita and Kento heard him laugh.
"Thanks again for picking him up, Kento." Lita spoke as she smiled at him. Over the years they had become close just like the others. Not to mention she had changed the most from the group. She now allowed her hair to fall free and kept it long. The only time she would put it in a ponytail was when she was cleaning or cooking. Her green eyes became slightly darker while her body was firmer from all the exercises and training she made herself do after a month after Touya's birth but.
Kento smiled at her. "Of course." He spoke. "So are you ready to face them again?" He asked her seriously as they walked towards the study hall where everyone was.
Lita frowned. "I have too. Its not fair to them." She whispered as she looked at him. 'Are you ready to face Minako-chan again my friend?' She silently asked him wishing she could talk to him about her but she and Ryo had promised not to say a word until the guys met the girls.
"True, true." He spoke as he nodded in agreement while he opened the door to the study hall. "But are…"
"I'll be fine Kento." She told him as she entered the room first and smiled at him. "Thanks for worrying though."
"Worrying for what?" Cye asked as he looked at both of them while he placed a book on his lap.
"Nothing." Kento spoke as he crashed down on one of the sofas.
Ryo went behind Lita and wrapped his arms around her small waist while his chin was in her shoulder. Lita giggled as his breath tickled her neck as she placed her hands on top of his arm. "Ryo." She whispered.
"Did Yuli surprise Tou-chan?" The man asked her.
"Yea!" Kento answered and immediately received a pillow on his face. Annoyed he looked at Rowen. "What's wrong with you?"
Rowen who was leaning on a wall lowered a book from his face before his eyes made contact with Kento's. "He wasn't referring to you, big mouth."
"You know I…"
Kento was cut off when Sage came in the room and with the looks he saw on everyone he could see that he had just stepped into a Rowen and Kento's fight. 'Again?' He sighed.
"We heard that!" Kento yelled as he looked at Sage who only smirked.
"I meant for you too." He simply replied before he took his stance besides Ryo and Lita. Rowen rolled his eyes and continued reading his book while Kento took the pillow Rowen threw and rested his head on it and closed his eyes.
Lita giggled as she had watched the scene unfold. Cye had ignored everything as he continued reading the book he had set down while Ryo rolled his eyes unknown to her. "You guys haven't changed at all." She sighed.
Sage looked at the gorgeous brunette with a grin. "Sorry to have disappoint you." He spoke flirtatiously as he winked at her.
With this Lita laughed.
The door opened and caught everyone's attention. They saw Mia step in and smiled at her. "Its nice of you to join us!" Kento jested as he grinned at the older woman who only giggled at him. "Is Yuli back?" She asked as she looked at them.
Sage nodded. "I just saw him before coming here." He answered her.
"Great!" Mia exclaimed before she opened the door again. "I'll go say hi to him." She walked out. Seconds later she came back in. "Oh Lita, I brought what you asked for. They are in the kitchen." She said to the brunette before walking out again.
This time all eyes were in Lita. "What did you ask for?" Cye asked.
"An ingredient to make Nigiri Sushi why?" She asked them curiously. Yet inside she smirked. It was one of there favorite food to eat.
All the guys' eyes grew wide with delight. "Alright!" They exclaimed.
"You're welcome." She spoke before she moved out of Ryo's embrace. "I'll be back." She whispered before she walked towards the door, when she opened the door she giggled when she saw Touya about to reach for the knob. "Just the man I wanted to see." She laughed as she looked down at him.
Touya looked up to his mom as his black hair fell off his shoulder. "What?"
"Time to cut your hair." She spoke seriously.
Immediately Touya's eyes grew wide in horror as his hands went to his hair. "No!" He yelled before he turned way and run, but his legs weren't fast enough for him to escape. Lita had grabbed him by one of his hands and pulled him back. "Come on Tou-chan, you need to cut it." Lita spoke as she looked at him. "I've let you go for to long."
"No!!!! Please!" He pleaded as he looked at her. "Daddy help me!" He yelled as he reached for Ryo."
Surprised at what he had called Ryo Lita had let go of his hand and without wasting time the little boy ran behind an equally stunned Ryo. Not to mention the other three guys. Touya had never called Ryo daddy before or anything else paternal. "What did you say?" Lita asked him as she looked at him.
Touya looked at his mother as he poked his head out from behind Ryo's legs. "I said No please." He whispered.
Lita shook her head. "No after that."
"Ryo help me?" Touya whispered again. "Please don't cut my hair!!!!" he yelled.
Lita shook her head. "I won't" She whispered still shocked. "Go to Yuli Touya."
Obediently the six year old ran out of the room to Yuli's. Lita closed the door behind her and slid to the ground almost immediately. "I knew this would happen." She whispered as she looked at the ground with tears.
"I don't understand it." Rowen spoke as he looked at all of them. "I thought we made it clear by none of us giving him special treatments and the two of you didn't look or act like a couple in front of him."
"I guess not." Kento whispered.
"What am I going to do?" Lita asked as a tear fell to the ground she had kept her eyes on. "How am I suppose to explain?"
Ryo looked down at her before he walked up to her. "Lita." He whispered to her as he knelt in front of the brunette. "It's ok, we'll figure something out."
Lita wrapped her arms around him. "I…I don't want to hurt him Ryo." She spoke as a sob escaped her lips. "What am I going to do?"
Sage looked down at them while his hand closed into a fist out of anger as he could feel the pain running threw Lita. He could tell the others were angered as well. It wasn't fair to their friend to be going through this. He sighed as he tried to relax. "I think you should tell Touya before we leave Lita. It would make it easier on everyone when we get there. Think about it." He whispered.
"He's right Lita." Cye whispered. "Besides, we've been keeping this for to long and we can see it will confuse the boy more and hurt him more if he found out on his own or later."
"We can be there with you if you think you wouldn't be able to do it alone." Rowen offered.
Lita pushed away from Ryo and wiped her tears away. She nodded slightly. "I think you're right." She sighed as she tried to relax. "I'll tell him." She added in a shaky voice as she stood up from the floor. Ryo followed her example and sighed as he brushed his hair with his hand. "I think I know why he called me that." He whispered and gained everyone's attention. "I was talking to Yuli and Mia about your twenty first birthday Lita." He looked at her and immediately they all understood. "He over heard our conversation, I didn't think twice cause I thought he didn't."
Lita closed her eyes for a moment before she opened them again. "Well, we can't change that. I…I'll just have to tell him." She sighed before she gazed at the floor. 'Kami help me.' She thought. "I'll do it tonight."
~*~*~*~
"No!" Touya yelled as tears fell down his cheeks as he rushed out of his mother's room and into his. He collapsed on his bed crying heavily. He didn't even notice the door open to reveal Lita. Her heart broke as she heard her son's cry; quickly she wiped her tears and approached. Outside Ryo, Yuli, Mia, Sage, and Rowen stood by the door.
Lita slowly sat down on her son's bed and placed her hand on his shoulder. To her surprise Touya had threw himself at her and she embraced him in a tight hug. "I'm so sorry my little man. I'm so sorry." She whispered over and over until he stopped crying. Silence enfolded the both of them until Touya whispered. "Did you want me?"
A sob escaped Lita's lips. "Of course I did my little man. I love you and I'll always love you. You're my gift that I treasure so much Touya." She whispered in his ear as a tear ran down her face. "Of course I did."
They both stood in that position until Touya had fallen asleep. Slowly and gently Lita placed him on his bed and brought the covers to his chin. Her hands moved to his hair and brushed the bangs that fell to his eyes away. "I'm so sorry, Touya." She whispered as she kissed his forehead and as a tear escaped her eye. She walked away from him and out side where she was surprised to meet the others. But without wasting time she went to Ryo as her tears began to fall. Immediately the young prince of mars encased her in his arms and allowed her to cry it all out.
Yuli looked away as a single tear fell from his eyes.
~*~*~*~
It was early morning and Amy found her self slowly walked up to the temple. It had been six years since Lita had disappeared and she had still not heard or seen the brunette. She wiped a tear that had escape from her eye and sighed. "Lita, where are you?" She whispered.
"Amy-chan?" A voice spoke.
The blue hair woman looked up to see Mina in front of her. She smiled as she walked closer to her. It had been almost four years since she had seen the blonde. Mina stood there in front of the steps of the temple looking at her. She had become a sharper dresser and her blonde hair wasn't as along as it was before. It was not waist length and her bow was out of her hair. "Mina-chan." She whispered.
The blonde grinned. "Looks like someone has grown." She spoke. Ami had allowed her hair to grow only to touch her shoulders. She had still had her taste in dressing. She was wearing a blue jeans skirt that was all the way to her mid-thigh and wore a sleeveless t-shirt that hugged her upper body. "What brings you here?"
Amy shrugged as she turned to gaze at the stares. "I really don't know." She whispered. "It was like something was telling me to come."
"You too?" A new voice spoke and both women turned to see another blonde that they knew so well.
"Serena!" They spoke with joy.
Serena smiled at them. "Long time no see huh?" She whispered as she looked at all of them, while taking in the changes. She had changed too. She had grown out of her meatball hairstyle and just kept it in a loose ponytail that reached her thighs. She wore tan short shorts and a blue tank top. "Looks like we all changed."
"Well we don't know yet!" Mina said happy she was with her friends. "We still need to see Raye."
Serena giggled. "Of course Mina, of course."
"Well, lets get going."
Far behind them Darien stood and looked at all three women. 'They have changed.' He thought. 'Duh! Darien. It has been four years since you seen them.' A voice inside his mind spoke. Darien sighed. "I know."
~*~*~*~
Lita slowly walked down the stairs dressed for another day. As she thought of the events that happened last night tears gathered in her eyes. Hastily she wiped her tears away and walked into the kitchen to cook breakfast but found out that everyone was already eating. She sighed and leaned against a wall. "How come no one woke me up?" She spoke surprising them.
"Lita!" Mia exclaimed. "You scared me. Here come and eat." She said as she placed a plate full of food down on the table.
Lita slowly went up to it and started eating.
"We didn't want to wake you up." Cye whispered as he remembered what Rowen had told him. "We thought you needed it." He spoke choosing his words carefully as he looked at Touya who sat next to him.
Lita only gave a small smile before looking at Touya who refuse to look at her. Her gaze fell to her food as tears threatened to fall. Tension fell in the room while everyone thought of something to say. Ryo looked at Lita who was playing with her food miserably and to Touya who just stared at it. Before he could say something Lita dropped her fork surprising all of them. "Thanks Mia, I enjoyed it."
Mia frowned as she looked at the younger woman. "But you didn't even…"
"I enjoyed it." Lita whispered in a cracked voice that made Mia look guilty. "Thank you." She whispered again before she stood up and half walked half ran out of the kitchen.
Yuli stood up but didn't go anywhere when Sage grabbed his arm. Sighing the young man sat down.
Touya looked over at his mother's plate before looking back at the door. "Mom" he said before he stood up and walked over to her plate. He reached for it and ran out of the room leaving everyone smiling, as they knew what he was going to do.
Touya ran upstairs to his mother's room. Once there he opened it slowly only to hear his mother's quiet sobs. His gaze fell on her and saw that her face as buried in her hands as she was sitting on her bed, slowly without a sound Touya walked into the room and stood in front of his mother.
Lita feeling something or one was in front of her quickly dried her eyes and looked down to see Touya with a her plate in his hands. "Touya."
"Mommy I'm sorry I made you cry." Touya whispered as he looked up at her sincerely. "I didn't mean it."
Both son and mother gazed into each other's eyes before a smile graced his mother's pretty face. "Its ok Touya." She whispered.
Touya smiled for the first time since yesterday while handing over her plate, which she took gratefully. As both of them sat together Touya had asked her to describe his actual father to the shock of her. Hesitantly Lita did. She told him everything about Darien, how they first met and also how he was going to a king in the future and such. Touya listened carefully to his mother and found out a lot about his other parent. Throughout the conversation Touya found himself confused on what to think of his father. He was a nice person yet he seemed distanced and the thought of what he did to Lita wasn't setting well with him either.
~*~*~*~
The girls had reached the temples floor and smiled as they saw their long time friend who still wore the same kimono. Serena cleared her throat to get the girl's attention and succeeded when the raven beauty turned her head. Raye was the last person she had seen in the many years that had past. She remembered when she had rushed into her room when she felt her body tiring apart. Serena smiled when she saw Raye smile at them.
"So, you three strangers decided to show up." She casually said with slight amusement. "It's been a while."
Mina giggled as she looked at Raye. "It sure has. So what have you been up to for four years?"
"The usual." Raye simply answered.
Serena looked around and sighed neither when she noticed that Lita wasn't here nor Darien. She couldn't exactly hate him; it was more like she couldn't trust him anymore. When she had found out that Darien wasn't really her prince to be she was relieved because she knew from day one that something was off with them. She wouldn't lie to herself; she did want to see him again just to see how he was holding up. She looked at her friends in front of her and took in a breath knowing her question would bring back old memories they didn't like. "Have any of you seen Darien?"
"What???" The three girls yelled in union, surprised that she would ask them that.
"Why would you care?" Raye asked slowly as she looked at Serena with an eyebrow up.
The blonde shrugged. "I just wanted to see how he's doing." She replied. "That's all."
Silence covered the area like a blanket before someone spoke. "I'm fine Serena." A voice behind them spoke and immediately they all turned around.
"Darien!"
~*~*~*~
When an image of Lita coming down stairs with an empty plate in her hand and Touya's hand in the other a woman whispered, "Now Pluto. Send them." Her eyes never leaving the image.
"As you wish your highness." The solitary soldier uttered quietly.
~*~*~*~
As Lita set her foot on the floor a blinding light engulfed everyone. Fearing for her son safety, Lita dropped her plate and pulled Touya close to her before closing her eyes shut.
~*~*~*~
Before any of the girls or Darien could speak a light behind them suddenly appeared scaring them before their warrior instinct came in. They quickly prepared themselves for an attack but they were not prepared for the surprise they received when the light had dimmed. Slowly, they stood up straight while their eyes grew teary from the site they were looking at.
Cye slowly opened his eyes when he felt the light had disappeared and blinked for a couple of times before he actually could see clearly. His eyes grew wide when he saw trees and such instead of sofas walls and windows. "Where are we?" He whispered.
"What?" Kento asked as he opened his eyes. He gasped at the sudden change of scene. "What the hell?"
"Kento please watch your mouth." Rowen quickly spoke slightly irritated. "Touya might hear you."
"Hey, are you ok?" Ryo asked, as he walked to where Lita was when he finally could see. Lita was behind the group with Touya, as the boy stood close to her while looking at the unfamiliar settings. Turning around to face him, Lita gasped as she saw the familiar temple in front of her. She alerted all the boys who turned to face her, none seeming to be paying attention or knowing that a group was staring at them.
"What's wrong?" Sage asked.
Lita shook her head as she smiled. "We're in Tokyo." She whispered, "We're here."
Serena's eyes were the first to grow wide as she realized who spoke from behind the group. She took a step forward before she chocked out. "Lita?"
The group in front of them turned around when they heard the small voice. As they did they had unconsciously paved a path for the tall brunette who stared ahead with tears. "Minna."
~*~*~*~
Author's note: Hey!!! Well here you go. Chapter eight! This fic will be drama only and the votes for couples are now closed. Review and tell me what you think. Six reviews recommended for the next chapter!!!!
::Sighs:: I really tried with the grammar and slip ups. Please pay no attention to those!
Have a nice day!
Keiko
