Heh heh heh... Well, I'm up to Chapter 12. *sigh* No 50 reviews...I try too hard. ANYWAY. A little late for this, but yuki-san, it really is Suzuki. They call him Suzuka in the American dub, but it's Suzuki in Japan. I'll be damned if I put dubbed names in here.
I am very tired right now, but I shall make an effort to rouse myself. This story is almost over...well, I think it is. We're past the halfway mark now. Soo...you can tell me if you want a sequel...or you can simply wait until the end and let me know then. But...onward! I have Chapter Twelve to do!
Kurama: Indeed you do.
Suzuki: How could you be so heartless to do this to us, Kia?
Kia: Umm...that's a good question. But it doesn't really affect you, Suzuki...
Suzuki: All the same-
Kia: Ssh. There are readers. They'll find out later. When we last left off, Kia and Kelsey had arrived in Makai...and been attacked by some very freaky gerbils and chickens...can you say, "radiation is BAD"? Luckily, they were saved by Tsukai, a dragon messenger who is now bringing them to Ashita...
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"Over the rivers and through Makai, to Ashita's house we gooooo!" Kelsey sang.
Kia cringed. "Please...no singing. I beg of you."
"What? The great defender of cookie sheets DARES to beg?"
"Kelsey..."
"Is she always like this?" Tsukai questioned, twisting his sinuous neck slightly to peer down at his passengers.
"Pretty much." Kia sighed. "But we're pretty much used to it."
"Hey..." Kelsey stopped her song. "Remember that prophecy? You think Ashita could tell us about it?"
Her friend looked thoughtful. "I hope so..." Upon returning to Yusuke's house, she had filled her pen pal in on everything that had happened...according to what Jin and Touya had told her.
"Prophecy?" The great dragon sailed into the clouds, making both girls cry out in protest as they were dampened. "What prophecy?"
Kia told it to him. Tsukai listened gravely, then twitched his tail. "Yes, I believe Ashita will be able to help you decipher that." He glanced down, although the girls could see nothing, and dove out of the clouds. "And we are approaching right now."
Kelsey and Kia both followed his gaze. A small, cute-looking blue house was perched on a cliff edge, with a roaring ocean battering at the cliff. Thin wisps of pale blue smoke drifted from the chimney.
Tsukai landed, carefully bringing his forepaws in front of him so as not to squash his burden. His wings folded neatly to his scaled sides, and the girls scrambled out of his claws. "Arigatou!" They said together, somewhat breathlessly. The dragon nodded and closed his eyes, rumbling with satisfaction at a job well done.
As the two approached the house, a tiny panel near the top of the wooden door slid open. A pair of bright green eyes regarded them. "And who might you be?" A low voice questioned. It wasn't demanding, exactly, but the girls felt required to answer.
"Kelsey," the blonde replied, for once serious.
"Kia," the other added, then flushed. "I mean...Satsukiame, but everyone just calls me Kia."
"Ah!" The eyes widened in comprehension. "I've been expecting you both. Come in, come in!" The panel closed with a small snap, and the door opened, revealing a white-haired woman who was taller than both of them. Her cheeks were pink and she bore few wrinkles. Only the hair, and the wisdom she donned like a regal cloak, spoke of her age. She wore a plain blue kimono, with a maroon one under that. Her obi was also maroon. Her eyes were blue.
"Umm..." Kia said awkwardly, after trying not to stare at her eyes. "Was that you at the door? Your eyes..."
The woman chuckled. "Gomen. My eyes change color constantly. I even forget what color they originally were." Indeed, as they looked back at her, her eyes had changed color again...this time to gray.
"Oh..." Kia felt only a little less idiotic, and much more confused. "Are you..."
"Ashita?" Her violet eyes twinkled merrily. "Hai. I am."
"So will you-" Kelsey began, but then a tall, skinny young man came skidding into the room and halted, panting and glaring at the girls. His black hair was cut just below his ears and tied back into a small ponytail. His black eyes stared at them accusingly over the rims of his glasses.
"You will show proper respect to the Mirror Creator! You will bow or kneel on the floor! You will stare at her feet when you address her! You will not address her by her name, but instead call her O Worthy One of Light! Is that understood?! How dare you be so disrespectful!"
Stunned, they stared at him. Kelsey was struggling not to laugh, and Kia was avoiding his eyes, as if by ignoring him, he'd go away.
"Now, now..." Ashita said calmly, laying a hand on the man's arm. He flinched, as if it had hurt him. "Girls, this is Yuichi Yumimoto. He is my assistant. Rather devoted to studying the Mirror, of course." She laughed lightly. "Yuichi, these two are Kelsey and Kia. The two Mirror Holders."
An odd emotion flashed briefly through Yuichi's dark eyes, but it was fleeting, and had disappeared by the time Kia had noticed it. "You possess the two halves." They nodded. "The Healer and the Warrior." They nodded again. "I am honored to meet you." He turned stiffly on his heel and walked away, rather like a wound-up toy soldier. Kelsey let a giggle or two escape, before calming down.
"Ashita...err...O Worthy One of Light..." Kia began. Ashita dismissed that with a careless wave of her left hand.
"Please. Just call me Ashita. Yuichi just likes to act a little overbearing to newcomers..."
"'Overbearing' is the understatement of the century," Kelsey muttered under her breath. Ashita merely smiled, and turned back to Kia.
"You had a question, my dear?"
"Tsukai said...you might be able to help...with the prophecy..."
"Ah." Ashita's face became more serious. "Yuumei's prophecy. I should have known that it would come to pass all too soon. But then, when one has had a two hundred and fifty-three-year vacation, I suppose it is time to pay the piper."
"Exactly...how old ARE you?" Kelsey ventured, not wanting to change the subject, but curious all the same.
"One thousand, three hundred and twenty-one."
They gaped at her. She shrugged. "I live a long life." Turning to face both of them, she sighed. "Recite for me the Prophecy." They obeyed. "'Summer rain will descend, and the children of earth and sky shall be united, under the creation of tomorrow, preventing the three worlds from harm.'...I see..." The woman started to chuckle. "Well, my dears, it's quite simple. Let's break it down in parts."
"She reminds me of my old math teacher," Kia whispered to Kelsey. Her friend nodded emphatically.
"I resent that." Ashita gave them a mock-reproachful look. "Let's begin. 'Summer rain'. This could mean two things. First off, it's summer in Ningenkai. And it's been raining frequently, has it not?"
Kelsey nodded. "It was raining when we left."
"And it will be raining when you return." Ignoring their curious stares, the creator went on. "Kia. What does your name mean?"
"Well...in African, 'Kia' means 'season's beginnings'...and it's also the name of a car, and a phone, and a Swedish furniture store...sort of..."
"That's Ikea," Kelsey reminded her. The girl grinned ruefully.
"No, no, I mean your full name!" Ashita clarified.
The brunette shrugged. "I really don't know...I never asked."
"It means 'Summer rain'." Ashita settled back in a worn rocking chair, watching the expressions on the pair's faces.
"But this prophecy is old!" Kia protested. "How could it possibly be referring to me?"
"Next part. 'The children of earth and sky shall be united'. Kelsey." The girl looked at her, startled. "You are a Virgo. An earth element. You control earth. Kia. You are an Aquarius. An air element. You control the skies." Ashita winked. "Simple, ne?"
"It's still old," Kia grumbled.
"And the last part. 'United under the creation of tomorrow.'" The woman rocked slowly, a tranquil expression on her face. "My name, Ashita..."
"Means tomorrow!" Kia exclaimed, catching on.
"And your creation...you created the Densetsu no Kagami!" Kelsey added excitedly.
"Correct. Therefore, the prophecy is basically saying that you two are to defeat Netami, with the help of the Mirror, of course. And Kia's arrival in Japan has triggered it."
"How did Kelsey get here?" The brown-haired girl wondered. "And why were we the ones chosen to hold the halves?"
Ashita smiled tiredly. "Kelsey was brought here, because I summoned her. The two Mirror Holders had to be brought together. For some reason that baffles me, but that I am grateful for, you two already knew each other. It is not very good if the ones who possess the Halves dislike each other." Her eyes (which were now brown) rested on them. "You were chosen to hold the halves because not only did you two have the qualities that the Mirror represents in overflowing quantity, but your pasts were important, your natures, and the fact that neither of you was perfect."
The two stared at her. Kelsey voiced the question that both were thinking. "HUH?"
"For example...the woman who prophesized this...was Kia's grandmother. Aiko was her mother. Kelsey also has some youkai in her, thanks to her own grandparents. Kelsey is courageous; she's proved that. Kia is compassionate, which has also been proven. And I didn't want perfect Holders. No raving beauties..."
"Thanks," Kia said dryly.
"No geniuses, not extremely graceful, not polite, not talented at everything..." Ashita grinned. "My reason was this: Netami was all of those things. If there was to be any hope of defeating her, the Mirror Holders had to be almost exact opposites...except the genders, of course. If you were like Netami, she would instantly nab you both and use you to her advantage. As it were, Kelsey, you have a very strong temper, which rules out politeness. Kia, you're not exactly graceful," (the girl made a face.) "...and you yourself don't always have the best attitude, as proven when you have showed a preference for a cookie sheet as a weapon."
Kia turned pink. "Why doesn't anyone ever leave me alone about that?"
The woman continued. "BUT. You both have good hearts. Neither of you has ever killed someone intentionally...or at all, for that matter. Kia was kindhearted enough to give advice to Shishiwakamaru, who normally loathes her..." Kelsey glanced at Kia, who was carefully avoiding her gaze and staring, instead, at her sneakers. "Kelsey saved Kia from being overwhelmed by the Zankoku, when all seemed lost...and you both acted to protect your friends from Loki."
"Damn that seagull!" Kelsey growled.
"And even if you aren't raving beauties, neither of you is ugly. Rather pretty, in fact. And you may not be geniuses, but you're both smart. And each of you has her own gifts and talents...not all of them." Ashita smiled. "As for your backgrounds...Aiko wasn't even pregnant with Kia when Yuumei had her prophecy...but prophecies have to be honored. Also, there was a dragon youkai by the name of Tanryoku. Kelsey's grandfather. Yes, the relatives of the two future Mirror Holders were there...but here, allow me to show you. Yuichi!"
The sullen-faced young man appeared. "Hai."
"If you would, please bring me the Teikan Bowl."
Yuichi produced it, laid it on Ashita's knees, and retreated. The woman gestured Kelsey and Kia over, then gently blew on the surface of the shimmering silver liquid inside the bowl. It cleared, and the girls were soon able to make a picture out...the figures pictured within were moving and talking...like a movie. And they could hear it too.
"Youko Kurama has broken into our village!" A tall blonde man with large white bird wings shouted, running into the cottage that Kia recognized from what Touya and Jin had described to her. "Yuumei, he is headed this way!"
"Good," the woman replied calmly, kneading dough in a small wooden bowl. A young woman, no older than eighteen or nineteen, glanced worriedly at her as she sat at a table, working on repairing a kimono.
"But, Yuumei! You and your daughter are in danger! You know that Kurama is ruthless!"
"Let him come." Yuumei finished kneading the dough and dumped it onto a floury board. "I must speak with him."
"Mother..." the young woman bit her lip. "What about your guest, Tanryoku? He should be arriving any minute!" Someone rapped politely on the door, although it had been left wide open from the man's frantic arrival. She groaned. "In fact, here he is now."
A black-haired man, a little younger than Yuumei, walked in, bowing to the old woman and her daughter. He, too, had wings-but these were dragon wings, with no feathers, only scales. His eyes were gray, but also had the shape of a dragon's...cat-pupiled. "A greeting, Yuumei-san...I believe there is some sort of uproar occurring outside at the moment."
"Kurama is here," Yuumei replied. "I suppose that IS cause for an uproar."
"Yuumei, be serious! He'll kill you! He's just a thief-"
"Pardon me, but I am more than that."
The man turned and let out a squeak of dismay. Youko Kurama lounged against the doorframe, silvery tail flicking and golden eyes fixed on the occupants. "K...K...Kurama!"
"That's my name," the Youko said lazily, leaning up and sauntering over to Yuumei, who stared at him patiently. "You must be Yuumei...the fortune-teller..." He yawned. "I would like my fortune told. Before you die."
"Very well," the old woman agreed sagely. Her daughter frowned at her. It was if she'd already known about this...but then again, she WAS a psychic... "Mother..."
"I know what I have agreed to, Aiko," Yuumei said quietly. "Everyone in this room must hear this, for it concerns all of you." She frowned at the blonde man. "Except for you. Go away, Kanja. Leave."
The man bowed himself out. The door closed behind him.
"Now, then." Yuumei smiled slightly. "Youko Kurama, your life will end soon...your life in Makai, that is. Your soul will be released and you will have a new life. Try to change your ways."
"Are you threatening me?" Kurama demanded, his fox ears twitching in suppressed anger.
"Not at all." The old woman's smile did not falter. "One day, your life will be saved...by the child carried within her." She pointed at Aiko, who gasped and accidentally pricked herself with the needle. She popped the wounded finger into her mouth and sucked on it quietly. "And your duty will be to someday guide that child...and the grandchild of Tanryoku..." She nodded at the dragon youkai, whose eyebrows raised slightly, "...Because they will one day be the ones to defeat her. She who seeks to bring all three worlds under her control."
"But I'm not even pregnant!" Aiko protested, drawing the finger out of her mouth to speak. "I'm not even married!"
Yuumei snorted. "I didn't say it would be SOON, Aiko! Patience. These things take time." She then gave the Prophecy. For a moment, all was still. Tanryoku looked thoughtful, Aiko looked ill, and even Youko Kurama seemed subdued.
"Very well. I will let you live-for now." He turned and stalked out of the cottage.
"Guard the children well," Yuumei instructed the other two. "I have a feeling that we won't be around to protect them as they grow."
None of them noticed Kanja sneaking away from one of the windows. "Netami must hear of this..." he whispered.
"So, there you have it."
Startled, Kelsey and Kia drew their eyes from the picture, which had faded into silver luminescence again. "So that's what my mother meant when she told me that my parents would have been proud of me," Kia whispered.
Ashita nodded. "Kanja was a spy for Netami. Netami attacked them. Kakushigei, Kia's father, was killed. Aiko, pregnant, and Yuumei were saved by Youko Kurama, of all people. Tanryoku and his wife were also killed, but his half-ningen son had fled to America and wed a ningen, who gave birth to Kelsey. Youko Kurama managed to keep Netami from killing Aiko, but he was killed by a hunter. His soul fled to Ningenkai, where it was reborn in the body of Shuiichi Minamino. About a year after that, Aiko gave birth to Satsukiame. Unfortunately, Netami soon killed her, and little Kia was also brought to America, where she was raised by a nice couple. Well, nice enough. Normal enough, I'd say. And Kia eventually ended up saving Kurama's life...when she was four. But that's another story. What's important now is that you know about the Mirrors, you know about your pasts, and now you know what you must do."
"Find Netami and kick her ass?" Kelsey suggested hopefully.
"Exactly." Ashita grinned. "I couldn't've said it better myself." She rose from her chair, setting the Teikan bowl on a coffee table. "But you're both tired. You can rest here tonight, and tomorrow, Tsukai will take you back. Mind you don't bother the sea monkeys." She gestured to a small glass bowl, where the creatures swam, and Kia was suddenly overcome by giggles. "Bad guys...don't...have...sea monkeys...only...the...good ones!"
"There, there," Kelsey said, patting her friend on the back. "The sea monkeys aren't evil."
"Yuichi!" At his name, the assistant appeared. "Hai."
"Please show the girls to a suitable room. They'll be spending the night here."
Again, there was that odd flash of emotion. "Follow me." Kia and Kelsey exchanged glances, then followed him. He led them to a rather nice room, with cheery yellow walls, a nice view of the ocean crashing against the rocks, and two large beds. "Sleep well." With that, he left, closing the door behind him.
"Well, that was fun," Kelsey said, flopping on the bed closest to the window. "I'm slightly less confused than I was when we first arrived."
"That's progress." Kia flopped onto the remaining bed and stared at the ceiling.
"No tengo gusto de ese individuo de Yuichi." (I don't like that Yuichi guy.)
"Yo ni unos ni otros. Él actúa extraño." (Me neither. He acts weird.)
"Hágale tan." (So do you.)
"¡No como ESO!" (Not like THAT!)
Kelsey threw a pillow at Kia. "Maybe not, but still weird."
Kia threw it back, whapping Kelsey on the head. "I'm not the one who tried to pet the gerbil!"
"How was I supposed to know that it was Gerbicula?"
"Don't ask me. I'm no genius."
"Yeah, Ashita mentioned that, cookie sheet."
"Don't call me that, Shishi-lover!"
"Take that back!"
"Never!"
There soon ensued the pillow fight of the century.
Meanwhile...
Yuichi walked into his room, a harsh contrast to the girls' sunny one. He walked over to a full-length mirror and tapped on it. "Netami-sama. The girls are here. Shall I kill them?"
A chilly voice echoed from the glass. "No, not just yet, Yuichi...I would like to do that little task myself. Just send them back tomorrow. I do SO enjoy a challenge! I only hope they'll rise up to the occasion."
"But what about the other two...the girls?"
"The telepath is at her home. She knows nothing. As for the hanyou...Zyoshi...she's been...restrained. Just continue on with what you're doing."
"Hai, Netami-sama."
*OOC*
Oh, no...what the heck is going on? Yuichi is a SPY for Netami? Just what has she done? Will Kelsey and Kia be able to thwart her plans and avoid disaster? You know they'll try! Stay tuned! Oh, and here's the meaning for some of the names I used in this chapter.
Aiko-distinct.
Yuumei-light/dark.
Tanryoku-courage/nerve.
Kanja- Spy.
Kakushigei- Hidden talent.
Teikan-Clear vision.
Tsukai-Messenger.
Next chapter...
* Kelsey and Kia return home...but what awaits them?
* Kia remembers what happened when she saved Kurama's life at four years old...
* A rescue mission takes place! To save whom from what, I wonder?
Please review! I really appreciate it! Oh, yeah, and really late disclaimer: I only own Kia, Ashita, Tsukai, and the above names with their meanings. Yes, I own the Teikan bowl. O.o Kelsey belongs to herself (I just RP her), and Yuichi came from an idea from DAY-san. Arigatou!!
I am very tired right now, but I shall make an effort to rouse myself. This story is almost over...well, I think it is. We're past the halfway mark now. Soo...you can tell me if you want a sequel...or you can simply wait until the end and let me know then. But...onward! I have Chapter Twelve to do!
Kurama: Indeed you do.
Suzuki: How could you be so heartless to do this to us, Kia?
Kia: Umm...that's a good question. But it doesn't really affect you, Suzuki...
Suzuki: All the same-
Kia: Ssh. There are readers. They'll find out later. When we last left off, Kia and Kelsey had arrived in Makai...and been attacked by some very freaky gerbils and chickens...can you say, "radiation is BAD"? Luckily, they were saved by Tsukai, a dragon messenger who is now bringing them to Ashita...
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"Over the rivers and through Makai, to Ashita's house we gooooo!" Kelsey sang.
Kia cringed. "Please...no singing. I beg of you."
"What? The great defender of cookie sheets DARES to beg?"
"Kelsey..."
"Is she always like this?" Tsukai questioned, twisting his sinuous neck slightly to peer down at his passengers.
"Pretty much." Kia sighed. "But we're pretty much used to it."
"Hey..." Kelsey stopped her song. "Remember that prophecy? You think Ashita could tell us about it?"
Her friend looked thoughtful. "I hope so..." Upon returning to Yusuke's house, she had filled her pen pal in on everything that had happened...according to what Jin and Touya had told her.
"Prophecy?" The great dragon sailed into the clouds, making both girls cry out in protest as they were dampened. "What prophecy?"
Kia told it to him. Tsukai listened gravely, then twitched his tail. "Yes, I believe Ashita will be able to help you decipher that." He glanced down, although the girls could see nothing, and dove out of the clouds. "And we are approaching right now."
Kelsey and Kia both followed his gaze. A small, cute-looking blue house was perched on a cliff edge, with a roaring ocean battering at the cliff. Thin wisps of pale blue smoke drifted from the chimney.
Tsukai landed, carefully bringing his forepaws in front of him so as not to squash his burden. His wings folded neatly to his scaled sides, and the girls scrambled out of his claws. "Arigatou!" They said together, somewhat breathlessly. The dragon nodded and closed his eyes, rumbling with satisfaction at a job well done.
As the two approached the house, a tiny panel near the top of the wooden door slid open. A pair of bright green eyes regarded them. "And who might you be?" A low voice questioned. It wasn't demanding, exactly, but the girls felt required to answer.
"Kelsey," the blonde replied, for once serious.
"Kia," the other added, then flushed. "I mean...Satsukiame, but everyone just calls me Kia."
"Ah!" The eyes widened in comprehension. "I've been expecting you both. Come in, come in!" The panel closed with a small snap, and the door opened, revealing a white-haired woman who was taller than both of them. Her cheeks were pink and she bore few wrinkles. Only the hair, and the wisdom she donned like a regal cloak, spoke of her age. She wore a plain blue kimono, with a maroon one under that. Her obi was also maroon. Her eyes were blue.
"Umm..." Kia said awkwardly, after trying not to stare at her eyes. "Was that you at the door? Your eyes..."
The woman chuckled. "Gomen. My eyes change color constantly. I even forget what color they originally were." Indeed, as they looked back at her, her eyes had changed color again...this time to gray.
"Oh..." Kia felt only a little less idiotic, and much more confused. "Are you..."
"Ashita?" Her violet eyes twinkled merrily. "Hai. I am."
"So will you-" Kelsey began, but then a tall, skinny young man came skidding into the room and halted, panting and glaring at the girls. His black hair was cut just below his ears and tied back into a small ponytail. His black eyes stared at them accusingly over the rims of his glasses.
"You will show proper respect to the Mirror Creator! You will bow or kneel on the floor! You will stare at her feet when you address her! You will not address her by her name, but instead call her O Worthy One of Light! Is that understood?! How dare you be so disrespectful!"
Stunned, they stared at him. Kelsey was struggling not to laugh, and Kia was avoiding his eyes, as if by ignoring him, he'd go away.
"Now, now..." Ashita said calmly, laying a hand on the man's arm. He flinched, as if it had hurt him. "Girls, this is Yuichi Yumimoto. He is my assistant. Rather devoted to studying the Mirror, of course." She laughed lightly. "Yuichi, these two are Kelsey and Kia. The two Mirror Holders."
An odd emotion flashed briefly through Yuichi's dark eyes, but it was fleeting, and had disappeared by the time Kia had noticed it. "You possess the two halves." They nodded. "The Healer and the Warrior." They nodded again. "I am honored to meet you." He turned stiffly on his heel and walked away, rather like a wound-up toy soldier. Kelsey let a giggle or two escape, before calming down.
"Ashita...err...O Worthy One of Light..." Kia began. Ashita dismissed that with a careless wave of her left hand.
"Please. Just call me Ashita. Yuichi just likes to act a little overbearing to newcomers..."
"'Overbearing' is the understatement of the century," Kelsey muttered under her breath. Ashita merely smiled, and turned back to Kia.
"You had a question, my dear?"
"Tsukai said...you might be able to help...with the prophecy..."
"Ah." Ashita's face became more serious. "Yuumei's prophecy. I should have known that it would come to pass all too soon. But then, when one has had a two hundred and fifty-three-year vacation, I suppose it is time to pay the piper."
"Exactly...how old ARE you?" Kelsey ventured, not wanting to change the subject, but curious all the same.
"One thousand, three hundred and twenty-one."
They gaped at her. She shrugged. "I live a long life." Turning to face both of them, she sighed. "Recite for me the Prophecy." They obeyed. "'Summer rain will descend, and the children of earth and sky shall be united, under the creation of tomorrow, preventing the three worlds from harm.'...I see..." The woman started to chuckle. "Well, my dears, it's quite simple. Let's break it down in parts."
"She reminds me of my old math teacher," Kia whispered to Kelsey. Her friend nodded emphatically.
"I resent that." Ashita gave them a mock-reproachful look. "Let's begin. 'Summer rain'. This could mean two things. First off, it's summer in Ningenkai. And it's been raining frequently, has it not?"
Kelsey nodded. "It was raining when we left."
"And it will be raining when you return." Ignoring their curious stares, the creator went on. "Kia. What does your name mean?"
"Well...in African, 'Kia' means 'season's beginnings'...and it's also the name of a car, and a phone, and a Swedish furniture store...sort of..."
"That's Ikea," Kelsey reminded her. The girl grinned ruefully.
"No, no, I mean your full name!" Ashita clarified.
The brunette shrugged. "I really don't know...I never asked."
"It means 'Summer rain'." Ashita settled back in a worn rocking chair, watching the expressions on the pair's faces.
"But this prophecy is old!" Kia protested. "How could it possibly be referring to me?"
"Next part. 'The children of earth and sky shall be united'. Kelsey." The girl looked at her, startled. "You are a Virgo. An earth element. You control earth. Kia. You are an Aquarius. An air element. You control the skies." Ashita winked. "Simple, ne?"
"It's still old," Kia grumbled.
"And the last part. 'United under the creation of tomorrow.'" The woman rocked slowly, a tranquil expression on her face. "My name, Ashita..."
"Means tomorrow!" Kia exclaimed, catching on.
"And your creation...you created the Densetsu no Kagami!" Kelsey added excitedly.
"Correct. Therefore, the prophecy is basically saying that you two are to defeat Netami, with the help of the Mirror, of course. And Kia's arrival in Japan has triggered it."
"How did Kelsey get here?" The brown-haired girl wondered. "And why were we the ones chosen to hold the halves?"
Ashita smiled tiredly. "Kelsey was brought here, because I summoned her. The two Mirror Holders had to be brought together. For some reason that baffles me, but that I am grateful for, you two already knew each other. It is not very good if the ones who possess the Halves dislike each other." Her eyes (which were now brown) rested on them. "You were chosen to hold the halves because not only did you two have the qualities that the Mirror represents in overflowing quantity, but your pasts were important, your natures, and the fact that neither of you was perfect."
The two stared at her. Kelsey voiced the question that both were thinking. "HUH?"
"For example...the woman who prophesized this...was Kia's grandmother. Aiko was her mother. Kelsey also has some youkai in her, thanks to her own grandparents. Kelsey is courageous; she's proved that. Kia is compassionate, which has also been proven. And I didn't want perfect Holders. No raving beauties..."
"Thanks," Kia said dryly.
"No geniuses, not extremely graceful, not polite, not talented at everything..." Ashita grinned. "My reason was this: Netami was all of those things. If there was to be any hope of defeating her, the Mirror Holders had to be almost exact opposites...except the genders, of course. If you were like Netami, she would instantly nab you both and use you to her advantage. As it were, Kelsey, you have a very strong temper, which rules out politeness. Kia, you're not exactly graceful," (the girl made a face.) "...and you yourself don't always have the best attitude, as proven when you have showed a preference for a cookie sheet as a weapon."
Kia turned pink. "Why doesn't anyone ever leave me alone about that?"
The woman continued. "BUT. You both have good hearts. Neither of you has ever killed someone intentionally...or at all, for that matter. Kia was kindhearted enough to give advice to Shishiwakamaru, who normally loathes her..." Kelsey glanced at Kia, who was carefully avoiding her gaze and staring, instead, at her sneakers. "Kelsey saved Kia from being overwhelmed by the Zankoku, when all seemed lost...and you both acted to protect your friends from Loki."
"Damn that seagull!" Kelsey growled.
"And even if you aren't raving beauties, neither of you is ugly. Rather pretty, in fact. And you may not be geniuses, but you're both smart. And each of you has her own gifts and talents...not all of them." Ashita smiled. "As for your backgrounds...Aiko wasn't even pregnant with Kia when Yuumei had her prophecy...but prophecies have to be honored. Also, there was a dragon youkai by the name of Tanryoku. Kelsey's grandfather. Yes, the relatives of the two future Mirror Holders were there...but here, allow me to show you. Yuichi!"
The sullen-faced young man appeared. "Hai."
"If you would, please bring me the Teikan Bowl."
Yuichi produced it, laid it on Ashita's knees, and retreated. The woman gestured Kelsey and Kia over, then gently blew on the surface of the shimmering silver liquid inside the bowl. It cleared, and the girls were soon able to make a picture out...the figures pictured within were moving and talking...like a movie. And they could hear it too.
"Youko Kurama has broken into our village!" A tall blonde man with large white bird wings shouted, running into the cottage that Kia recognized from what Touya and Jin had described to her. "Yuumei, he is headed this way!"
"Good," the woman replied calmly, kneading dough in a small wooden bowl. A young woman, no older than eighteen or nineteen, glanced worriedly at her as she sat at a table, working on repairing a kimono.
"But, Yuumei! You and your daughter are in danger! You know that Kurama is ruthless!"
"Let him come." Yuumei finished kneading the dough and dumped it onto a floury board. "I must speak with him."
"Mother..." the young woman bit her lip. "What about your guest, Tanryoku? He should be arriving any minute!" Someone rapped politely on the door, although it had been left wide open from the man's frantic arrival. She groaned. "In fact, here he is now."
A black-haired man, a little younger than Yuumei, walked in, bowing to the old woman and her daughter. He, too, had wings-but these were dragon wings, with no feathers, only scales. His eyes were gray, but also had the shape of a dragon's...cat-pupiled. "A greeting, Yuumei-san...I believe there is some sort of uproar occurring outside at the moment."
"Kurama is here," Yuumei replied. "I suppose that IS cause for an uproar."
"Yuumei, be serious! He'll kill you! He's just a thief-"
"Pardon me, but I am more than that."
The man turned and let out a squeak of dismay. Youko Kurama lounged against the doorframe, silvery tail flicking and golden eyes fixed on the occupants. "K...K...Kurama!"
"That's my name," the Youko said lazily, leaning up and sauntering over to Yuumei, who stared at him patiently. "You must be Yuumei...the fortune-teller..." He yawned. "I would like my fortune told. Before you die."
"Very well," the old woman agreed sagely. Her daughter frowned at her. It was if she'd already known about this...but then again, she WAS a psychic... "Mother..."
"I know what I have agreed to, Aiko," Yuumei said quietly. "Everyone in this room must hear this, for it concerns all of you." She frowned at the blonde man. "Except for you. Go away, Kanja. Leave."
The man bowed himself out. The door closed behind him.
"Now, then." Yuumei smiled slightly. "Youko Kurama, your life will end soon...your life in Makai, that is. Your soul will be released and you will have a new life. Try to change your ways."
"Are you threatening me?" Kurama demanded, his fox ears twitching in suppressed anger.
"Not at all." The old woman's smile did not falter. "One day, your life will be saved...by the child carried within her." She pointed at Aiko, who gasped and accidentally pricked herself with the needle. She popped the wounded finger into her mouth and sucked on it quietly. "And your duty will be to someday guide that child...and the grandchild of Tanryoku..." She nodded at the dragon youkai, whose eyebrows raised slightly, "...Because they will one day be the ones to defeat her. She who seeks to bring all three worlds under her control."
"But I'm not even pregnant!" Aiko protested, drawing the finger out of her mouth to speak. "I'm not even married!"
Yuumei snorted. "I didn't say it would be SOON, Aiko! Patience. These things take time." She then gave the Prophecy. For a moment, all was still. Tanryoku looked thoughtful, Aiko looked ill, and even Youko Kurama seemed subdued.
"Very well. I will let you live-for now." He turned and stalked out of the cottage.
"Guard the children well," Yuumei instructed the other two. "I have a feeling that we won't be around to protect them as they grow."
None of them noticed Kanja sneaking away from one of the windows. "Netami must hear of this..." he whispered.
"So, there you have it."
Startled, Kelsey and Kia drew their eyes from the picture, which had faded into silver luminescence again. "So that's what my mother meant when she told me that my parents would have been proud of me," Kia whispered.
Ashita nodded. "Kanja was a spy for Netami. Netami attacked them. Kakushigei, Kia's father, was killed. Aiko, pregnant, and Yuumei were saved by Youko Kurama, of all people. Tanryoku and his wife were also killed, but his half-ningen son had fled to America and wed a ningen, who gave birth to Kelsey. Youko Kurama managed to keep Netami from killing Aiko, but he was killed by a hunter. His soul fled to Ningenkai, where it was reborn in the body of Shuiichi Minamino. About a year after that, Aiko gave birth to Satsukiame. Unfortunately, Netami soon killed her, and little Kia was also brought to America, where she was raised by a nice couple. Well, nice enough. Normal enough, I'd say. And Kia eventually ended up saving Kurama's life...when she was four. But that's another story. What's important now is that you know about the Mirrors, you know about your pasts, and now you know what you must do."
"Find Netami and kick her ass?" Kelsey suggested hopefully.
"Exactly." Ashita grinned. "I couldn't've said it better myself." She rose from her chair, setting the Teikan bowl on a coffee table. "But you're both tired. You can rest here tonight, and tomorrow, Tsukai will take you back. Mind you don't bother the sea monkeys." She gestured to a small glass bowl, where the creatures swam, and Kia was suddenly overcome by giggles. "Bad guys...don't...have...sea monkeys...only...the...good ones!"
"There, there," Kelsey said, patting her friend on the back. "The sea monkeys aren't evil."
"Yuichi!" At his name, the assistant appeared. "Hai."
"Please show the girls to a suitable room. They'll be spending the night here."
Again, there was that odd flash of emotion. "Follow me." Kia and Kelsey exchanged glances, then followed him. He led them to a rather nice room, with cheery yellow walls, a nice view of the ocean crashing against the rocks, and two large beds. "Sleep well." With that, he left, closing the door behind him.
"Well, that was fun," Kelsey said, flopping on the bed closest to the window. "I'm slightly less confused than I was when we first arrived."
"That's progress." Kia flopped onto the remaining bed and stared at the ceiling.
"No tengo gusto de ese individuo de Yuichi." (I don't like that Yuichi guy.)
"Yo ni unos ni otros. Él actúa extraño." (Me neither. He acts weird.)
"Hágale tan." (So do you.)
"¡No como ESO!" (Not like THAT!)
Kelsey threw a pillow at Kia. "Maybe not, but still weird."
Kia threw it back, whapping Kelsey on the head. "I'm not the one who tried to pet the gerbil!"
"How was I supposed to know that it was Gerbicula?"
"Don't ask me. I'm no genius."
"Yeah, Ashita mentioned that, cookie sheet."
"Don't call me that, Shishi-lover!"
"Take that back!"
"Never!"
There soon ensued the pillow fight of the century.
Meanwhile...
Yuichi walked into his room, a harsh contrast to the girls' sunny one. He walked over to a full-length mirror and tapped on it. "Netami-sama. The girls are here. Shall I kill them?"
A chilly voice echoed from the glass. "No, not just yet, Yuichi...I would like to do that little task myself. Just send them back tomorrow. I do SO enjoy a challenge! I only hope they'll rise up to the occasion."
"But what about the other two...the girls?"
"The telepath is at her home. She knows nothing. As for the hanyou...Zyoshi...she's been...restrained. Just continue on with what you're doing."
"Hai, Netami-sama."
*OOC*
Oh, no...what the heck is going on? Yuichi is a SPY for Netami? Just what has she done? Will Kelsey and Kia be able to thwart her plans and avoid disaster? You know they'll try! Stay tuned! Oh, and here's the meaning for some of the names I used in this chapter.
Aiko-distinct.
Yuumei-light/dark.
Tanryoku-courage/nerve.
Kanja- Spy.
Kakushigei- Hidden talent.
Teikan-Clear vision.
Tsukai-Messenger.
Next chapter...
* Kelsey and Kia return home...but what awaits them?
* Kia remembers what happened when she saved Kurama's life at four years old...
* A rescue mission takes place! To save whom from what, I wonder?
Please review! I really appreciate it! Oh, yeah, and really late disclaimer: I only own Kia, Ashita, Tsukai, and the above names with their meanings. Yes, I own the Teikan bowl. O.o Kelsey belongs to herself (I just RP her), and Yuichi came from an idea from DAY-san. Arigatou!!
