Disclaimer: yadda yadda yadda…. I don't own anything but the plot…and the ADORABLE little kids! oo

A few weeks later (Kassi's POV.)

The young Kassi tossed and turned in her bed. She was excited. She would be leaving for the University tomorrow. She would finally be able to do magical things, with others her age. She wouldn't be left in this ungifted house and would be where others actually appreciated her and her skills. Kassi was proud about how well she knew how to call on her powers. All thanks to Uncle Neal. She momentarily frowned about how she wouldn't really ever get to see her Aunt anymore. Or Daddy. Or even Mommy or Uncle Neal. The last two, however, wouldn't make much of a difference. She never really got to see her mom or uncle, due to the fact that they were always on duty.

She rolled to the side, looking at her brothers and sisters who were in their own beds, sleeping peacefully. She would miss them too. Soon, they would all be gone, leaving her parents all alone. She sighed, and closed her eyes, so that the tears wouldn't come. What are you, four? She thought to herself. You haven't even gone away yet and you're already homesick. Grow up, dolt. You don't need any of them. As long as you have your magic, you should be just fine. Immediately, Kassi was ashamed of her thoughts. She did need all of her brothers and sisters, no matter what that devilish side of her thought.

She calmed herself by doing the well-known 'Yamani Mask', as her mom and aunt had taught her. She remembered the conversation, just after her birthday.

FLASHBACK

"Kassi, can I have a word?" her mom called her from her room, where she was reading a book about how to set flames on a doll without moving. Kassi obediently trotted down the stairs.

"Yes mommy?" She asked. Kel looked at her daughter, examining her every inch by inch.

"You realize that in a couple weeks you will be going to the University, right?" Kassi nodded, before thinking in her head, oh great. Another one of mom's fabulous speeches about how she wished that I was going to try for knighthood. Can't she just let me be who I wanna- "I hope you do well, daughter," she continued, surprising her. What? No 'why can't you be more like your brothers?' This conversation was defiantly not what she expected. "But before you go, I need to speak with you. Not all of the girls are nice, like Vicky or Nolee. Don't think that all of the girls are mean, either. Same with the boys. You're just going to have to accept that. I want to show you something. It's a form of defense that I learned in the Yamani Islands. When you put on this one expression, it will confuse others, and also make them believe that you don't care, which is usually a good thing. Usually. Other times it may not be, and those around you will call you names. Do not let them get to you, my child. For if you break down, none will be there to help you but yourself.

But enough chit chat. Here is what I want you to do. Picture in your mind a calm, serene lake. There is no wind, no children, no sound. Complete silence. Now, anyone who will insult you is just another cloud. Another cloud that will soon pass you by." Kassi felt her face relax, and all emotion vanish. She felt no trouble, no anger, nothing but content. All of her past anxieties went away, and she became that lake. "now, open your eyes, daughter." Kassi heard her mom calling, as if from far away. She brought herself out of her dream-like state, only to feel strangely…refreshed.

Kel watched as her daughters face went from bored to unfeeling, and smiled. It seems as though Kassi had much more ease learning this as she had. She called her daughter, and saw as she slowly came back to reality. "How well you can keep that face will be put to the test soon. But you may not expect it. Also, I called you down to apologize." Kel averted her eyes. "It was wrong of me to have judged you. You, Kassi, can be anything you want to be. It runs in your blood. Anything. Just as long as you put your mind to it. And I will stand behind you, every step of the way. If I'm here or if I'm in Scanra, I will always be with you."

Kassi stepped foreword and embraced her mother. "I forgive you mama. I love you," she said, looking up at Kel with those big, sapphire eyes that reminded her so much of her husband.

ENDFLASHBACK

Kassi imagined the lake, and felt the same things go through her just as she had done the first time.

Kassi held Sandstorm's rains as she waited to leave for the University. She felt sad, yet excited. Soon she would be there, able to study and become a great sorceress. Maybe even learn how to stop death. She watched as her brothers and sister came out along with Vicky, telling her how much they would miss her, and wished her luck. She gave them a feeble smile in return, before turning to her parents. Neal would be accompanying her all the way there, so this was the last time she would see them in the next couple of months before they could visit her.

Dom knelt down before her, giving her a kiss on the forehead and a hug so fierce she thought she might pop. She looked at her mom, and saw her Yamani Mask in place. She immediately slipped on hers, and watched her mom's crumble. Kel swooped her up for a hug, whispering about how proud she was of her, and to watch her back. Kassi bit back her tears and hid her sadness behind the mask before kissing Aunt Yuki and mounting Sandstorm. She rode away, thinking, Its my time now. Time to show the world what I'm made of. Who knows? Someday I'll do something that will make mommy and daddy proud. She grinned before digging her heals into Sandstorm's sides and galloping off towards the rising sun, knowing that behind her, Uncle Neal was following, and that there would always be someone behind her, every step of the way.

A/N: so concludes the story of Kassi's childhood. Be happy that I'm updating, fools. I'm too lazy to thank all of you out there, so I'll do it next time. Love ya'll

Kit