A/N: Whoever can guess the name of the band who sings the lyrics below will win a guest appearance... *grins* And no... it's not me. Leave answers in reviews!
A 2nd N: This chapter is specially dedicated to... My Googly Bear!! BluEydMnstr!! *snuggles bluey* Because her love of Gohan knows no end *runs from FV* And to Pareathe... Just a 'Go' luver period ^.^
"Leaving again?"
Mik turned suddenly, dropping the articles she was packing.
"Piccolo! Don't sneak up on me like that!"
He, of course, looked dashing in his suit, even with his unfaltering glare.
"I've made arrangements with Fred regarding schedules and monetary dispursements..." She checked the firearm's safety before she put it in the belt holster at the small of her back.
"Are you planning on telling Gohan?"
"I've left him a note."
"Does it say when you will be back and why you are leaving?"
She paused in mid-bend retrieving her fallen garments. "No. And this is the part where you say, 'he's gonna want to know,' and then we'll banter back and forth like that utnil I angrily reveal 'my plan.'"
He didn't respond.
"I need you to hide my ki until I return and I don't know when that will be and I'm not gonna tell you why."
"Gohan..."
"Will survive."
"Will tear apart this planet looking for you."
"No, he won't. You won't let him."
She cinched the final clasp of her knapsack, slung it on her back, and walked out.
Kaiya let out a low whistle and a moment later a little yellow cloud appeared before her.
"What's that?" Mik asked.
"A nimbus cloud."
"Oh. How come it came when you whistled?"
Kaiya smirked. "Because it thinks I'm rude when I yell for it to come to me. Anyway, there's only room for one of us so you'll have to fly yourself where we are going."
Yet one more thing Kaiya knew without having been told or shown.
"Just follow me." She jumped on the cloud and flew off.
Kaiya sat perfectly poised, knees bare with her skirt pulled under and out behind her and the wind jingled the charms on her ankles and toes. Mik stared transfixed at her beautiful calves and worked her way up her cousin's body, past the silky bare shoulders, pale and creamy, and up to her pretty pouty lips and... smirk!? Oh, kami! How embarassing...
"The power to enchant even females is in your blood as well, Mikayla."
"You were coming on to me!?"
Kaiya shook her head. "Preparing you. The village is going to be overrun with enchantments. Steel yourself against them and they shan't affect you."
Mikayla nodded and concentrated on not being aroused by the other's feminimity. Kaiya laughed and the sound was like tiny crystal bells.
She tried concentrating harder.
Mik had always loved flying and would be eternally grateful to Trunks for teaching her. Her hair was longer now and the fine strands around her face tickled her cheeks and every once in a while she scrunched her nose.
She felt the tension leave her body, eased away by the firm pulse of wind whipping around her. Like a not so gentle massage, her muscles were kneaded and cared for, and she felt lighter, the air becoming easier to breath as the muscles around her lungs relaxed.
She was going home. Her birth place. She couldn't believe it. Abadoned to fulfill the belief of some archaic prophecy, she had grown up far away from her blood. Now she was going back to see it through. Not that she believed in supernatural evil, but she was infinitely curious, and wanted to help her family. But deep in the pit of her stomach, she couldn't help but feel a knot, a twist, an uneasiness that something... something was more than it appeared. A feeling the wind couldn't reach or disperse.
Kaiya stopped suddenly and descended into a thick patch of trees. Mikayla followed, landing gracefully, softly, and instantly her guard was up. She glared around sensing the people and sensations that had bombarded her. Kaiya placed a firm hand on her shoulder.
"Relax. We are among friends."
But Mik COULDN'T relax. There WAS something evil hidden here.
It was when the young man appeared from behind a tree did she take in her surroundings and realize she was standing on a path.
"You found her."
Kaiya stepped down from the cloud and it flew away briskly. "Yes."
More people appeared then, slipping from bushes and holes in trees, popping up from the very ground, slight rustling sounds the only indication of their movement. In a moment all was still again.
The man smirked at Mik. "My betroved is home."
Mik glanced at Kaiya.
"He means you, Mikayla."
"THE HELL!?" she responded in pure Mik fashion.
"We will discuss all at the feast."
"NO WAY! I want this cleared up BEFORE I go anywhere! I'M ALREADY PROMISED!"
The man snapped a glare at Kaiya.
She repeated, "at the feast." He let it go at that and turned, walking down the path. Kaiya motioned to follow. Mik reluctantly complied, keeping at least ten feet between her and the stranger, in case he tried something tricky. The only thing he did do, though, was glance back, and only once.
Shortly after the trees began to thin and separate, Mik was led into a clearing filled with wagons, wood huts, more people, camp fires, and... children. Children everywhere. Lots of children. And a bright shock of red hair could be seen amongst the predominately brunette village from time to time.
"Welcome to your birthright."
Mik sent the strange man a warning glance at the stress of 'birthright.'
"Come," Kaiya directed with a firm tug on her arm. "We must meet with Kitala."
Mik warily glanced about the campgrounds as she obediently followed her cousin.
The further into the camp they traversed, the quieter it became. They passed more people, fewer now, tending cooking fires, skinning large animals, and generally ignoring the trio. They were spared not a single glance.
Mikayla also noticed their followers were gone. Soon they stopped in front of a wagon at the back of a large clearing, the center of which stood a massive pile of wood. Tables encircled the outer edge of the clearing and wooden stools were set out a few feet from them.
Probably where this mentioned 'feast' is to take place.
"Enter," a loud, feminine voice boomed from the wagon.
But... no one knocked.
The man opened the door and entered first, followed by Kaiya, then Mik. Herbs hung from the walls, along with an array of charms and boxes. A heavy fog of egyptian musk made her feel faint, and she marveled at the familiarity of the scent. Instantly she felt relaxed and drowsy. Another long hidden memory recognized the enchantment carried with the musk and she snapped back to reality.
"She is promised to another." The man's bitterness could not be contained and he clenched and unclenched his fists.
An older woman with silver hair, and a bright red streak that fell seductively over her eyes, met his gaze from the center of the rather large room. Though her skin was still pretty smooth, Mik could feel the years this woman lived rolling off of her in waves.
"Ramon," her voice, deep and strong, held warning. He met her steely gaze, clearly very unhappy, but he backed down anyway and stepped back, allowing Mik to move towards the woman.
"Kitala," Kaiya spoke, "I have brought her home."
The woman studied the younger red-head with an impassive face. "She doubts still."
"I AM right here."
"We have much to discuss. Ramon. Kaiya. Leave us."
Ramon walked out without a second glance, but Kaiya bowed low, her right fist over her heart before leaving with a, 'thank you, old mother.'
"You are confused and curious. You know not why you decided to come, just that you had to. You still doubt. You still desire answers. I have them. We have much, much to discuss."
And discuss they did, all through the night. Kaiya entered once to bring them food, and Mikayla could hear the sounds of dancing, singing, and music outside. It distracted her a couple of times, but for the most part she was listening very intently as she learned of her true heritage.
She still didn't know whether or not to believe. Or if she could.
"Gohan, I feel your anger, I really do, but she was VERY vague with me on where she was going. She left me with a list of instructions and nothing more."
Piccolo sighed. "Put Fred down now, Gohan."
Kitala slowly pulled down her shirt sleeve to reveal the elaborate 'K' shaped tattoo on her shoulder. After the last 13 hours of detailed history, this piece of proof was what convinced Mikayla it was all real. Her own hand flew unconsciously to the exact same tattoo she had worn her whole life on her own shoulder.
"Welcome home, Kayla."
Finally... the tears fell.
"All my life... all that pain."
"I'm sorry. But it was necessary."
"NECESSARY!?!?"
"The prophecy."
Mik searched her brain and remembered the prophecy spoke of in the early hours. The prophecy that she centered in. What is wrong with me? Gohan is making me soft. I'm crying every time I turn around nowadays.
"You have so much filth inside you Kayla. You need to clean it out. Tears are the only way you can get rid of that filth. Cry, my child. Cry for as long as you need. And you need so much."
Mik broke down into sobs then and fell into the old mother's lap. It was at least another hour later that she fell asleep in the position, all teared out, while being soothed by the gentle caresses through her hair.
When she finally woke, she was alone. There was a tray of steaming food, which she gulped down greedily. She also noticed a clean set of clothes next to her. Glancing around and sensing no one was about to disturb her, she decided to change. She pulled on the comfortable brown leather pants, an off-shoulder white peasant's top with a frontal tied black corset and long sleeves, and a red sash, following up with her own black boots. Nearby was also a washing bin which she cleansed her face and hands in.
No one had returned by the time she was done so she decided to go for a walk and get to work. She had a purpose. She meant to see it through.
The first sight that greeted her as she left the wagon was Ramon. She suddenly felt sad for the man. He had been waiting his whole life for her return. And she could not be his.
"Kayla..."
"Ramon... I am sorry... but I cannot fulfill that obligation."
"Give me time!"
"I love another! And no amount of time will change that."
"You are so beautiful."
She couldn't help the blush that creeped up on her cheeks and she pulled a stray strand of hair behind an ear. "I need to get to work." She walked past him, eyes downcast.
As she TRIED to brush past that is... he caught her arm and brought her attention to his eyes. She started to feel very... funny before she realized he must be trying to enchant her. She shook her head and broke his hold, walking quickly away. He stared after her until she disappeared.
Her task was confusing. There was a spell controlling the spells of the hidden vale, from an enemy. An enemy that was unknown and had been growing since her birth. They had no suspects. But as an outsider born on the inside, she was the one that was to bring about finding it and destroying it.
She had, in her session with Kitala, basic spell casting lessons, enchantment recognitions, and herbal/floral knowledge. She had decided to walk around to get a feel of the daily lifestyle of this nomadic troup.
Her real name was Kayla. She was one in a long line of spellcasters, healers. Her mother had died giving birth to her, her first child, which was highly unusual. Her father had died shortly after that from a broken heart. Kaiya was the daughter of her mother's sister, and was older by a few years. Kayla had been shipped away when she was still a baby to be the one to fulfill the prophecy. She wasn't fated for it. She was chosen.
And even though it appeared that the clan was thriving, it was in fact, slowly dieing off. She was the one that was supposed to stop it.
It wasn't long before Gohan entered her thoughts. What he was doing, what he was wearing. Was Pan getting enough to eat, was she doing her homework. Did they miss her.
At that moment another thought struck her. She didn't dream last night. Gently caressing her arms, she had awoke with no wounds. She felt safe, and protected, and knew that whatever evil was haunting her would not find it's way to her while she was here in this secret place. And Kitala did promise her answers when her mission was over.
So for the remainder of the day, she wandered about, playing with children, joining in with meals, and getting introduced from everyone, while she used her senses she learned with Vegeta to feel out for anyone unseen. She did detect another clan not far from them currently. She made a mental note to check it out the next day and to ask Kitala tonight about it.
What was REALLY strange through, even though she caught glimpses of Ramon all day... she never once felt his presence. It was an enchantment she just couldn't figure out. And she didn't feel comfortable with that.
It was dinner time now, one day later from when she landed and a whole mental world from everything she thought she knew. She found it a little disconcerting how easily she fit into this place, but she paid it no real heed. She helped with the evening chores and became very aware of Ramon watching her. As everyone sat to eat with their plates, he sat beside her, and for awhile, said nothing.
"You tried bewitching me earlier."
"And I'll try again. I'll try anything to get you to listen to reason. To realize where you truly belong."
"This is not where I belong. I will not be staying."
"You may yet change your mind. I have time yet."
"I told you. Nothing will change. I love whom I love." (A/N: Guest appearance for the person that can tell me what literary creation, later animation, that line comes from. Bluey doesn't get to play =P)
She became dizzy then, a feeling not unfamiliar by now, and her plate dropped to the ground. She swayed a bit until she was in his arms, and his lips were upon hers without mercy. Beautiful woman, you are mine, swam in her head. When his assault ceased, she found she was straddled across his lap, facing him.
"Nothing you can say or do can take his image from my heart. I love whom I love."
"We are ordained. We WILL be."
With that, he stood, and slid her down his body 'til she was seated facing the fires once again. She let him go without another word, but she couldn't stop the shivers from her body."Gohan..."
"Baka onna!"
"Go to sleep, dad!"
Ta da! BOOM BUBBLE!! I mean! BOOM BABY!! *kicks patomon out of the room* Anyway... there's two contests in here, leave your answers in a review... winner gets a guest appearance (of my chosing *muahahahahahaaa*) in the next chappie.
PS. Hey Shad... 2700+ words... is THAT an update?