Author's Note – Here is the next chapter, sorry about it taking me so long to

      Update this story; inspiration for this one has been a bit slow.

      I'd love all the feedback I can get so either submit a review or email

      Me at web_chick_18@hotmail.com Oh and at the moment when I say

      Earth I just mean Japan.

Chapter 7 – Remembering

      Akina woke bathed in sweat, she hadn't thought of that day in almost a hundred years. The dream was part of her memories of her final day in the Heavens. After their little chat Kisho had immediately gone to the council and informed them of her activities. She wouldn't have known if she hadn't over heard the biggest gossip in the heavens, in fact she was the goddess of gossip, telling everyone within shouting distance only hours later. The news, or rather gossip, spread like wild fire through the Heaves and by day's end Akina was getting disapproving looks everywhere she turned. By that point her temper was burning hotter than any earthly flame. During those last few hours of the day Akina seriously considered killing Kisho and the only thing that prevented his death was that he was her brother. Instead she left the Heavens vowing never to return of her own free will. She had spent her first few years on Earth wandering and learning. That she mused was how she had come into contact with Katsuhiro.

      She had been wandering, not caring where she was going and she had tripped over his sleeping form as he lay by a bubbling brook. The moment she had looked into his eyes she was lost in their chocolate brown depths. She tried to apologize but had difficultly due to her fascination with his eyes. Katsuhiro had understood the meaning underneath all her mumbling and had just smiled. Together they had wandered the Earth becoming friends and learning all they was to be taught. His kindness opened up a new world for Akina, so used to be looked upon with disapproval from her family, and she had explored it with unabashed glee, always with Katsuhiro. Over time the attraction that had sparked to life between them that first day had, over time, grown and evolved to something deeper. They had grown to love each other deeply and had after almost two hundred years of wandering, decided to legitimize their marriage and start a family of their own.

      The memories of those happy times inspired prangs of joy and rage through Akina. Joy at all the good times and happiness and a deep black rage at Murakumo and her brother for taking them away.

      Close to a hundred years after they were legitimately married their family grew from two to three. Nami was the light of Akina and Katsuhiro's life. Watching her grow was the biggest joy in Akina's existence. Most of the Arigami loved their king's daughter as much as her parents and they would often watch her allowing Akina and Katsuhiro chances to be alone while they introduced their future Queen to her kingdom.

      All that changed just after Nami's sixth birthday. The day had started beautifully, with games and laughter. But had ended far too soon. One minuet Nami was laughing and playing with her mother and the next she was gasping for breath. She had died moments later in Akina's arms as her murdering Uncle stood only feet away laughing.

      Nami's last breath had fed the sparks of rage Kisho had created all those years ago in the Heavens, creating a blinding, all consuming rage that no words could describe. Seconds after laying Nami's still from on the ground Akina was after Murakumo. Only divine intervention, in the form of Kisho saved Murakumo that day. As it was Kisho nearly died for appearing, a lucky shot from Murakumo was all that stood between him and a highly permanent death. The two left Akina's unconscious from next to her daughter's still one. Katsuhiro found them like that only moments after Nami's death, having felt the rage of the Arigami and the death of their Princess.

      After Nami's death their relationship, Akina mused, had been more than a little strained as Akina rightly or wrongly bore the blame for their daughter's death. Katsuhiro had never quite believed her about Murakumo's part in Nami's death. And then he had died by his brother's hand.

      Rolling over Akina couldn't hide the love in her eyes as she looked down and found Katsuhiro asleep beside the couch. His death had nearly been her undoing; her was her strength of heart, her reason to keep on living and fighting. After his death she had lived for revenge and now that revenge was within her grasp Akina couldn't help but hesitate and wonder if she truly had the right. Thought of revenge had kept her alive but they were far less appealing with her husband by her side.

      Grabbing the blanket covering her Akina slipped to the floor and into the warmth of her husband's arms. His warmth and love keeping old demons and doubts away as she slept, restoring her great strength for the battles yet to come.