Destiny (Ronin/Witchblade
Crossover)
By: Yin-Yang & JanimeLee
~Chapter Eleven~
"Who's the blonde boy with Lupia?" Cale asked watching his daughter through the window being escorted to the main door.
"That would be Sage," Liana answered from the kitchen. "They're partners in class."
Cale continued to look through the glass and his mouth fell open as he saw Lupia kiss Sage. "What class are they taking together?"
"Geography."
"You sure?"
"Yes. Why?"
"Come here and see for yourself."
Liana walked over to the window and stared down at the kissing teens. "I'm sure they've had health class."
"Did you talk to her?" Cale asked.
"Yes, Lupia and I had the Talk," Liana walked back to the kitchen. "You can give her your version of the Talk after supper if you want to."
"Believe me I will." But deep down he felt something all to different. Lupia was his little girl and he didn't want her to get hurt. He watched as the young girl walked up to the door and waited until the blonde young man walked off before going to the kitchen, a thoughtful look set on his face.
The older woman looked up as he sat at the table and cocked her head to the side, studying him for a bit. Setting the spoon down she went to his side and touched his shoulder. "We both knew this was going to happen one day and at least it was a nice young man," she said softly, rubbing his shoulder some. "We can trust her to make the right choice."
"I know but… I can't help but worry," eh said softly, reaching up to take her hand into his own and squeezed. "It's not that I don't trust her because I do. Its the boy I don't trust."
"Why do I feel like you're hiding something from me?"
"I'm not hiding anything but I don't want to jump to any conclusions just yet." He looked up at her, smiling some and brought her hand to his lips, kissing it softly. "I'll tell you when I know for certain."
"You better or else." But she smiled and leaned down to softly kiss him, happy to have her family back.
"Geez if I didn't know any better I'd say you guys were my age!" Lupia joked as she came into the kitchen, setting her stuff in the hallway against the wall and smiled at her parents.
"That just shows how much we still love each other," Liana said with a smile and hugged her before going back to the stove to get the food ready.
"So how was your day?" Cale asked as she stood next to her, hugging him and looked at her. She was so happy and had a light to her that he couldn't help but smile. As long as she was happy he was happy but if anything happened to her…
"Pretty good," Lupia grinned. "Mom, do you know if there's a place around here that sells grass skirts?"
"What do you want that for?" Cale asked.
"For my Geography assignment; Sage and I are doing a report on Hawaii."
"What's the skirt for?"
"For the demonstrative part of the assignment," Lupia's mouth curved a little. "I'm going to do the hula dance if front of class."
"You'll be doing what?" Cale stared at his daughter.
"I'll have a skin suit underneath it," Lupia assured her father, "don't panic."
"I'm a father, I have the right to panic."
"And I'm a mother, I have a right to tell you not to panic," Liana said as she looked at him. "We can try Dais' shop, he's bound to have a costume or something."
"Oh perfect! And we're going to get an A for sure!" she said happily as she danced around the kitchen.
"Lupia be careful or you'll run into something!"
"Dad, you worry too much."
Cale took her left wrist and looked at the bracelet. "I have a right."
"Lupia, go change so we can start dinner," her mother said.
The young girl nodded and went to her room.
"It's almost back to normal," Cye answered.
Naomi smiled and pulled her tongue back into her mouth. "Yours too," she said when Cye stuck his out briefly. "Thanks for walking me home, Cye."
"Well I couldn't forgive myself if you got hurt. Besides, I really enjoy your company," he said with a smile.
"Hmm has anyone told you are such a flatter?"
"Just you so far."
"Good. Well here it is." She looked at the door then at Cye, telling herself not to blush as she lowered her eyes a bit. "Do you um wanna come in?"
"I appreciate it but I have to get home. My mother's waiting for me." I know that your father wouldn't be too happy if I did come in with your grandmother still in the house. Already things are getting too complicated. "Maybe when we have more time in advance."
"I understand," Naomi nodded then leaned closer and gave Cye a butterfly kiss. "I'll see you in class tomorrow."
"I'll be counting the seconds," Cye whispered.
Naomi watched as he headed homeward. Taking a deep breath and releasing it in a satisfied sigh, Naomi walked to the front door.
"Who was that young man?" The young girl started as she looked at her grandmother who was dressed in one of her mother's dresses.
"Grandma! God I thought you were dad for a second!" she said with a deep sigh of relief, closing the door and tossed her books on the sofa. "That guy is Cye. He's been helping me study for math at school."
"He seems like a nice young man," she said with a smile, lifting a hand up to lightly pet the neck that was hanging around her neck that she didn't know was there until it moved. "I take it Sekhmet doesn't know you care for him?"
She quickly motioned her to keep her voice down and took a peek down the hall. There was no sign of him. "No way! All he knows is that Cye is helping me pass algebra, I don't ant to even think how he'd react if he knew we were kinda dating."
Sekhmet frowned a bit as he stood in next to the doorway of the kitchen, quietly listening to his mother and daughter. Of all people... he better not hurt her in any way. Even if his symbol is trust, he thought to himself before making a bit noise before he walked out of the kitchen, pretending he didn't hear a thing.
"Something wrong?" Abigail looked at him and became worried by his expression.
"No," Sekhmet shook his head and smiled. Then he whispered, "I think Naomi has a boyfriend."
Abigail's eyes widened. "Who?"
"Cye."
"Her math tutor?"
Sekhmet nodded.
Abigail smiled and shrugged. "Well, one plus one equals two… occasionally three."
"Better not," Sekhmet looked at her and she smiled.
"From what I know he's a nice young man. She was bound to fall in love one of these days."
"I know but still..." He sighed and ran a hand through his hair, pushing the thought aside for now. "Never mind. Abigail.... would like to see a movie with me, tonight?"
The young woman blinked but smiled at him, her eyes lighting up. "Why Sekhmet, are you asking me out on a date?"
"Yes," her ex answered, "a date, and to let Naomi and mother talk for a while. There's a lot of things I know they want to ask each other and this would be the best way to give them privacy--and us, too."
"Privacy for what?"
"That's for me to know and you to find out."
She smiled and leaned close to whisper something in his ear. When she pulled back he was looking at her wide eyed but soon returned the smile himself. This was going to be a night to remember."
Naomi looked at the case that still held the snake eggs and smiled. "Man I can't wait for the eggs to hatch."
"Well it soon be soon. Your father has been taking very good care of them," Ineisha said as she stroked the python's back.
"Kinda funny though." Naomi pulled herself onto the sofa, holding her knee to her chest and she half smiled. "Mom can handle lion and bear cubs but she refuses to go need anything with scales."
"I just can't handle them," Abigail said as she walked in, looking at the snakes in the glass cases. "Naomi, please don't sit like that when you're wearing a skirt." He daughter sighed but let her leg go. "I just came to tell you that your father and I are going out to a movie so you two will have the place for yourself for a couple of hours."
"A movie?" Naomi raised her eyebrow. "The last movie you went to was when I was five and dad fell asleep through half of it."
"One can only handle the Three Cherry Faeries for so long," Abigail shuddered a little.
"What is a movie?" Ineisha asked.
"I'll explain later," Naomi said.
Sekhmet soon came out, already wearing his jacket and helped his ex-wife into hers. "I'm trusting you two not to burn the place down."
"This coming from you who burned pancakes?" the young teenager said with a smirk.
"It was my first time. Mother, if you need anything just ask Naomi but if something goes wrong call me. My cell number is by the phone.
"We'll be fine Sekhmet. You two go and have a good time and don't worry about us." She walked with them to the door and waved before closing it and locked it behind her, looking at her granddaughter ho looked like the ate that ate the proverbial canary.
"Betcha when they get home they won't sleep the rest of the night."
"Mom! Dad! I'm home!" Zenida called as she walked through the front door with Rowen in tow. She couldn't believe that she had practically dragged him inside of the house to meet her parents.
"Hi, sweetheart," Delia walked into the hallway and hugged her daughter. "Ah, this must be Rowen. It's nice to finally meet you."
"The pleasure is all mine, Mrs. Koma," Rowen smiled and bowed politely.
Delia smiled, impressed with the young man. "Oh, Zenida, your father is working late at the museum. The Board of Directors is having a meeting about the new funding options, and he said it's going to take a while."
"Oh man... I hope it goes well then," she sighed softly and turned to Rowen. "Sorry about this but I guess we'll have to take a rein-check on meeting dad."
"Its alright, I can always meet him another time," he smiled and actually sighed in relief inwardly.
"Well Rowen would you like to stay for dinner perhaps?" Delia asked as glanced into the kitchen to make sure everything was alright."
"Sure, if it's not a problem."
"None at all. Everything will be ready in a little while. Why don't you two go into the living room and relax for a bit."
"Okay; thanks mom."
"May I use your phone to call my parents and let them know where I am?" Rowen asked.
"Of course," Delia nodded. "There's a phone in the living room."
"I'm going to get changed first," Zenida said. "I'll be right back."
Rowen walked into the living room and called his house. "Hi, dad. I'm having dinner at Zenida's house so you don't have to wait for me."
"All right, son," his father answered. "Ryo called not too long ago. It's about Kayura."
"How is she?" Rowen lowered his voice so that Zenida and her mother wouldn't hear him.
"Not good, I'm afraid. There is a little good news though; Mia is pregnant."
"Really?"
"Only a couple weeks," said Mr. Hashiba, "but she is."
"Wow," Rowen leaned against the wall. "So what are they going to do?"
"Ryo and Mia are going to get married this weekend," his father answered. " It'll be a small ceremony, and they want the four of you there."
"Oh I'll defiantly be there," he said with a small smile, running a hand through his blue hair, "do the others know?"
"Pretty sure. If they don't find out tonight then they'll more than likely find out tomorrow then. You have a good dinner and call before you leave so I know what time to expect you."
"I will dad, talk to you later." Slowly he hung up the phone and went to the living room, smiling a bit at the bit of news. Ryo and Mia were going to be parents but… Kayura didn't have a lot of time left. Sighing deeply he rubbed his hands over his face, closing his eyes tightly.
"Rowen? Are you okay?" Zenida asked as she came into the living room, having changed from her uniform into a comfortable pair of sweatpants and t-shirt, concern in her teal eyes as she went over and sat next to him. "You look like you just lost somebody close."
"I'm about to," Rowen looked at her. "She's an old friend of my family. She's not doing too well. They think that she has less than a year. It's a miracle she held on this long."
"Oh Rowen, I'm sorry."
"I never thought I see her go. I always believed that she'd live forever. But then this thing hits her a few months ago and she's just wasting away slowly. I hate seeing her suffer."
"How long have you known her?" Zenida couldn't help asking--a little out of jealousy.
"Since I was in diapers," Rowen smiled. "She used to baby-sit me."
"She must be really close then... I wish there was something I could do to help," she took his hand in her own, squeezing tightly and looked deep into his beautiful starry eyes, "but the only thing that I know is to just try and be there for you. I don't know her but I would like to."
"Thanks Zenida, that means allot to me." He smiled his thanks, reaching up to gently brush some of her hair from her eyes and leaned forward to kiss her on the lips. It just felt so right and natural with her he couldn't imagine this with anyone else. But then again he would never want to hurt her. For the time being all troubles were set aside so he could enjoy this moment better.
Delia silently mad her way to the den, wiping her hands on a mini-towel. She stopped just before the doorway, taking a moment to look at the scene before her and couldn't help but smile. Hiding it behind her hand she lightly knocked on the doorway to get their attention. "Dinner is ready you two."
"Wow! How can you stand living with so many brothers and sisters under one room?" Dini asked Kento, swinging her bag back and forth as they headed to her home.
"Yeah well it's kinda hard but I love them," he said with a smile, holding his hands behind his head as she grinned at her. "They're not so bad."
She giggled softly and shook her hair behind her shoulders. "They seem nice. Hey! Maybe I can meet them and you can meet my dad! In fact," she paused and look around the area, "his shop is close by. C'mon he has the best stuff for costumes and jokes and please! I knew he'll like you!" she pleaded, looking up at him with bright blue eyes, giving him the sad eye routine she sued on her dad. "Pretty please?"
Kento seemed to waver under her gaze. "Oh, all right," he finally broke.
Dini and Kento walked hand in hand into her father's shop. "Hi, Akira," Dini greeted the employee behind the counter. "Is my dad here?"
"You just missed him," the red-haired man said. "He had to make a delivery for a bunch of actors at the theater in the next town. He won't be back for a while."
"Oh that would be my luck now," she pouted but brighten as she gestured to Kento. "Akira this is Kento, fellow classmate and my boyfriend." She blushed lightly but was happy.
"Boyfriend? This coming from the girl who said she'd rather marry one of the Three Stooges?" he teased and ducked a mini pom-pom that belonged to a cheerleader costume. "Hey you know better than to throw stuff around!"
"Geez Akira I was a little kid when I said that and now I'm all mature!"
"That was last year." Frowning she stuck her tongue out at him. "And you haven't changed one bit," he chuckled and nodded to Kento. "I hope you have a good sense of humor."
"My friends say I do," he smiled and bowed to him some. "Nice to meet ya."
"Same here. Well feel free to look around, Dini knows this place like the back of her hand."
"It's my second home," she said brightly, going through the costume happily.
Kento took a wide brimmed hat with a fluffy-looking plume attached to it and placed the item on his head. "Milady," Kento stood straight with his right hand up to his chest, "would thou grace me with a dance."
Dini turned and looked at him, giggled. Then she placed a long pointed medieval lady's cap on and curtsied. "I shall honor thy request."
They two of them danced around the shop, laughing but having fun at the same time. Akira only smiled; glad to see her very happy. She was a good kid and that Kento kid seemed all right, so as long as she wasn't hurt everything seemed just right.
"It wasn't that bad."
"They did not have to drag us on stage."
"You told me you loved The Rocky Horror Picture Show."
"I do, but when did the stage performers begin pulling audience members on stage?"
"Sekhmet, all they did was toss black and silver confetti around us. We didn't even move."
"All right, Abigail, you win."
She smiled and swung their hands back and forth a little between them.
He smiled down at her, squeezing her hand and held her close. "But as long as you had fun I'm happy. So where should we go now?"
"Well how about we grab something to eat?"
"Hmm okay. Tonight, it's all about you." he stopped them for a moment, pressing his fingertips along her cheek and sweetly kissed her. It was just like the times they would do out on dates.
"I have something to tell you," Abigail said when they moved apart.
"What?" Sekhmet asked.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned her forehead lightly against his. "Why did you make pancakes for me?"
"Because you told me you were…" Sekhmet's voice trailed off and his eyes widened.
Abigail smiled. "I hate throwing up in the morning."
"You... I..." He looked down at her before hugging her tightly and swung her around in a circle. "I don't know what to say! But--this has to be the happiest thing I have heard in a long time."
She smiled happily, looking into his eyes as she said, "Me too. I admit, I was kinda nervous to tell you but now I'm glad I did."
"So am I, god so am I." Hugs her tightly once more, nothing could make him any happier.
"Now you better marry me," Abigail said in a threatening tone, but smiled.
Sekhmet laughed. "I will. There is just one person I have to ask, though."
Abigail frowned a little. "Who?"
"Naomi."
~End of Chapter Eleven~