Chapter 7

East Kaioshin had spent the next several days pondering over whether to ask Dai Kaioshin who his parents were, or perhaps ask him what to make of the people who thought he might have been their son.

And every time he asked himself those questions, he knew what Dai Kaioshin would most likely tell him. "East, you know I cannot reveal your past to you," or "They're most certainly not your parents. You don't need to know what happened to them anyway."

East sighed to himself as he lay on the hill in the back yard of the mansion. There were only a few clouds in the sky today, but other than that it was gorgeous outside, like every day.

"You're not still thinking about those people, are you?"

East turned his head to see West Kaioshin standing over him, blocking the sun from his view. "No, of course not."

"Liar." She sat down next to him, and East sat up out of respect for a lady. "You've been here for three days straight."

"Not straight…" East said quietly.

"I'm sorry, you went inside to eat and sleep." She smiled and tilted her head. "There's nothing you can do about it, you know. Can't anything take your mind off of your past?"

East looked at her sparkling eyes. He had always thought of West Kaioshin as his best friend, but she was so beautiful and caring, (when she wanted to be), that he wished, in a way, they could be more.

"I'm fine," he lied again. "Really I am."

"Don't lie, East Kaioshin," she laughed. "I can see right through that thick head of yours."

"That's comforting," he said. It's a good thing you can't see everything in this thick head of mine…then you'd know how much I care for you.

"East…" West said quietly. "You know I'm here for you."

East looked at her suspiciously. "I was just curious about those people, that's all. Wouldn't you be?"

"That's not what I'm talking about," she admitted.

East stared at her, not quite sure what to think. He had never seen this side of her. He liked it in a way, but it was almost unfamiliar to hear West Kaioshin sound so helpless and deeply sincere. She usually had a funny way of expressing her emotions, not so seriously like this.

"Then what are you talking about?" He asked finally.

Another bout of silence washed over them and it almost made an uncomfortable feeling lurch through East Kaioshin's stomach. The way West was looking at him straight in the eye, it almost made him feel like they weren't who they were, but young Kais on a romantic picnic, or maybe just taking a walk on the shore of the lake.

East's mind started playing out scenarios in his head, and he tried to push them aside and remind himself that he was the god of the east, not someone trying to make a girl fall in love with him. He had never been in love—heck, he had never had such a feeling like he was having at this very moment as he looked into his best friend's eyes.

East leaned forward only a few inches, but that was close enough to make him realize that he was pushing his luck and that he had no right to think of anything beyond the fact that they were friends, not to mention the highest deities in the universe.

"Go ahead."

East was stolen out of the trance he didn't even realize he was in. He blinked several times and realized that their noses were only inches apart. East backed up a bit and shook his head. "I'm sorry. I don't know what's come over me."

"I said go ahead," West repeated and took that space he had made back, only now their noses were practically touching. "I want you to."

That was enough to urge East Kaioshin to give into his inner thoughts, although his conscience yelled at him that it was wrong. His mouth locked down on hers and his hand crept up to hold the back of her head as he kissed her.

East was losing all logical trains of thought. A wonderful feeling took him over completely; it felt like he was walking on the clouds high above the ground where no one would ever reach him.

His eyes opened for a split second when he realized West was licking his mouth, her hands holding his shoulders tightly, and she leaned closer to him. He wanted to devour her, but that little voice deep inside his brain finally got his attention.

East pulled his head away and held her biceps gently to stop her incase she lunged back at him. "West…I…"

The expression on her face almost made East melt in front of her. He loved her. He knew he did, but he didn't want to admit it to himself. She's your best friend. Both of you are Kaioshins…you can't be doing this. It's not allowed, for heaven's sake! And where did all of that come from anyway!

"I know," West said. "It is crazy, but I couldn't help myself. I'm sorry if you…I understand if you want to forget I exist."

East's eyes widened beyond their limits and he shook his head quickly, his thick white hair smacking his face at one point. "No, no! That's not what I meant! West, I'd never even consider something like that." A sincere and angelic smile crept across his lips. "It's just I don't want to get caught. I mean, anyone could see us up here."

West seemed to be surprised, but delighted at what he had just told her. "You're right." She got to her feet and started marching back to the house. "We wouldn't want Dai Kaioshin to know…I mean he'd skin us alive if he found out. So I'll see you later!"

East turned on his legs to watch her jog down the hill and disappear into the side entrance of the grand white house. He felt like smacking his head against a wall at that moment. What did he start? He loved West, but could he possibly love her like that—to risk their position and become exiled from Kaioshin-kai and his happy life as East Kaioshin wasn't worth it, right?

More confused than ever, Kaioshin of the East traced West's footsteps to the house. He needed someone to talk to, but he didn't know where to go. If he asked Dai Kaioshin or even any of the others what they would think or do, he'd be expelled for sure. Asking the servants' his or her opinion was more than wrong; it'd be a big mistake. Too many rumors started up amongst the servants and any slip of information could eventually sound like he had been secretly married, had four kids, and sent them off to boarding schools before anyone could find out.

Good going, Kaioshin, he lectured himself as he entered the mansion. You've managed to create more difficulties for yourself. When will you stop doing this?

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

East Kaioshin was able to avoid everyone he knew for almost a good portion of the day. It wasn't until he finished dinner with the other four Kaioshins that he got caught retreating up the stairs to his bed chambers.

"East Kaioshin, may I have a word with you?"

East slowly turned to face Dai Kaioshin. The mighty deity didn't seem angry, nor did he seem overly serious. However, East had a terrible twisting feeling in his stomach that made him think the heavy Kai had seen what happened on the hill that morning.

"Is there something wrong, my lord?" East asked bowing before Dai Kaioshin once they were in an isolated room.

"Not from my point of view," Dai Kaioshin told him honestly. "I noticed it was you. Something's been troubling you, and I'd like to help."

East stared past Dai Kaioshin's shoulder, as if someone was mimicking to him not to say anything. He figured it was too obvious. He probably had lipstick smeared all over his face, for all he knew.

"Well, there is one thing," East started and then mentally kicked himself. Dai Kaioshin, nor any of the others, was able to read another god's mind. Their mind barriers were too strong to attempt to penetrate, but still East felt uneasy.

"Go on, I'm not going to bite your head off."

East had a small doubt with his master's words, but he started anyway. "The other day when I went to the Kai planet, I met a couple of Kais that seemed so familiar to me." He idly wondered if this was the right course of action, to be telling Dai Kaioshin, of all people. "And it was only a shrug-off in my mind until the woman told me I looked like her son."

"Is that so?" Dai Kaioshin said, his hearty smile never fading for a moment.

"What struck my curiosity even more so was the fact…well, that is to say they told me you took their son from them because you felt he had a special power that couldn't be overlooked. Is that true sir?"

Dai Kaioshin found himself a chair and sat down. He scratched the side of his semi-bald head and then brushed back the poof of gray hair on the top of his cranium. "East Kaioshin, you never cease to amaze me. I suppose it's foolish of me to tell you otherwise. So yes, your assumptions are correct. Those people are your parents."

East could feel his heart skip a beat. He didn't know what to say. He had always wondered where he had come from, who his parents were, what they looked like, but now that he knew, he didn't know what to do with that information.

"You were barely two years old when I took you from them. Your mother was heartbroken, I know," Dai Kaioshin explained sadly. "I wish there would have been another way, but we're not supposed to know our past because we'd be connected with someone personally. That's the reason for us staying alone our whole lives, never taking a soul mate.

"You see, East, if you knew who your parents were before this, you very well could have made it a point to see them. If you knew they were in danger or something could possibly happen to them, you could forget your place in the universe and pay more attention to them. So, naturally if something reckless happened in your quadrant, and you didn't realize it, it could turn out to be a disaster. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

"Yes sir," East said. He wondered if Dai Kaioshin could hear his heart pounding against his chest. Had he mentioned the soul mate part because he knew of what happened between him and West that day? Or was it merely a coincidence?

"You still have much to learn, young Kaioshin," the god said finally. "Never fear though. You'll figure everything out soon enough. Life is an open book from which we read and learn from. It just so happens that our life's book never closes until our time is up thousands of years down the road."

East nodded and felt that he should let this subject rest and go to bed for the night. Yet there was that other part of him that begged him to ask permission to visit his parents. They seemed so friendly, yet so helpless. He couldn't even begin to imagine what they felt like when he was taken.

"Dai Kaioshin, I must ask," he began softly and slowly. "Would it hurt to make one visit to them, but not reveal my true identity?"

"If you go see them again, Kaioshin, they will figure out who you are," Dai Kaioshin told him seriously. East nodded and was about to turn away when a chubby hand hooked around his forearm. "Your mother needs to know, though. The passing of your father has left her alone and more than sad. She has nothing left. And I don't think she has much more time with the living."

East Kaioshin could feel someone tugging at him, telling him to get a move on and go see her right away. Then that shock of sadness hit him like a lead ball. "My father…but I just saw him the other day."

"His health wasn't good, my boy," Dai Kaioshin told him. "It never was. I'm surprised he lived this long."

"Then if you would excuse me, sir," East bowed and started for the door. He was thankful that Dai Kaioshin didn't stop him again. He felt that he was racing against the clock, and if he didn't make that deadline, it would be dreadful.

The journey was quick, but finding the right place to be was the hard part. East Kaioshin asked several shop keepers, most of whom were closing up for the night and looking very annoyed that he was bothering them.

Then finally, he met a man that claimed he knew the Toutens very well. He gave East directions, although East knew he was questioning who was so interested. Once thanking the man for his troubles, Kaioshin made a quick appearance at the right house.

He felt foolish standing on the small porch. What would he say to her? He couldn't possibly come out and say mother; such a thing would probably frighten her and he'd never get a chance to talk with her.

He hadn't even realized he had knocked on the door until he had finished doing so and he heard small steps growing closer. Taking a deep breath, he prepared himself for what could happen.

The moment he saw her face, he could tell she had been crying. She looked up at him helplessly, but immediately attempted to wipe her eyes. "I'm sorry, allergies and stuff," she said and welcomed him into her home.

Kaioshin looked around, wondering if this was the same house he had been born in. He followed her into the kitchen, but told her making him a drink wasn't necessary, although she did it anyway.

"My husband would've enjoyed seeing you," she said through sniffles. "Ever since he saw you last week he was set on thinking you were our son."

"Well, honestly ma'am, your son is the reason I'm here," Kaioshin admitted. He kindly thanked her for the hot beverage and she sat down across from him. "Forgive me, I know you just sat down, but would you happen to have a picture of your son?"

"Yes, hold on," Miyabita said and got up to go into the other room. She came back a moment later with a small book. She opened it to the first page and across the top read the name, "Migikai."

"Is this him?" East Kaioshin said smiling, seeing his baby picture. He didn't remember such a full head of hair. Yet, in a way, he could tell that he hadn't changed much at all. She flipped to the next page and there they were him and his parents when they were younger. "He looks just like you," he noted.

"Yes, he did. He had his father's hair…and his spirit."

East could see that this was starting to take its toll on her. "I know this must be hard for you, especially in the wake of losing your husband. But if I had known earlier, I would have made it a point to tell you."

"What are you saying?" Miyabita asked, looking at him longingly.

East swallowed the lump in his throat and looked her directly in the eye. "I know where your son is. I know him very well."

In an instant, Miyabita's dull eyes lit up for probably the first time in twenty years. "Please, tell me where he is? How is he doing? Has he been alright?"

East laughed. "He's fine. He's sitting with you right now."

There was a moment of silence, but East could hear every word her heart spoke. And it was nothing less than pure love and joy. He had known it wouldn't take any convincing to tell her he was Migikai, grown up and now a god; she had known it deep down the day they met.

She reached her hands out to lie on top of his, which rested on the table near the open picture book. "I always knew I'd get a chance to see you again. At least my heart felt so," she said, tears escaping her eyes. "You've grown up so well. You're the handsome young Kai I knew you'd turn out to be."

East Kaioshin could feel himself blushing madly, but the joy he was giving her by just sitting across from her was all he needed right now to be at peace.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

The visit with Miyabita lasted longer than East Kaioshin thought it would, but he gladly spent the time. He told her, however, that although he loved her and would think of her, he couldn't stay with her. She understood. He wondered if she really knew who he was, but if she figured it out it wasn't because he told her.

East returned home, his heart feeling lighter and his mind feeling peaceful and easy knowing that he had changed someone's life and made them happy. If Dai Kaioshin was right, she wouldn't be around much longer, but at least she had a chance to see her son again.

East was touched with the story of his parents' lives, especially the joy they felt when he was born. He held her hand the entire time she spoke to him, and he told her that everything turned out all right.

Now he was back on Kaioshin-kai, and there was one more thing he had to fix before he went to bed. And it seemed he wasn't the only one anticipating the visit.

He had made his way down the west wing of the house, where he would find West Kaioshin's bedroom. He knew it was late, but he had to see her. He had to know once and for all that night, if there was anything more than friendship for her in his heart.

That logical part of East's head told him repeatedly that whether there was a deeper love for West or not, they couldn't play out with it. It was the rules. They were Kaioshins, destined to live long lives of guardianship and loneliness in their eager hearts.

By the time he was halfway down the hall, the door to her room opened and she stuck her head out. "Come here, quick. Before someone sees," she whispered loudly to him.

East snuck into her room, but before he could say anything to her, his eyes had to jump ahead and look her over. He had never seen her dressed in anything quite so...breathtaking. She wore only a silky white nightgown that reached the floor. With her white hair, it made her look like an angel.

"West, we need to talk," he said in a hushed voice, but she didn't give him much of a chance to explain himself.

West Kaioshin had made her way over to him and she gently rested her hands on his shoulders, her eyes meeting his. "Do you think anyone would find out?" she asked quietly as she brushed her lips over his ear.

"I…" East was beginning to lose himself again. He held her waist with his hands and brought her closer, which only gave her the urge to kiss him. Their mouths worked with each other and their hands started exploring. East starting pushing her over to the bed and West searched for the knot on his orange sash.

He knew what was going to happen if they kept this up. And now that it had started to lead to it, he didn't know if he wanted it to go on. He would have rather fought the strongest enemy in the universe at that moment if he didn't have to go through with what he knew he had to tell her before it was too late and someone regretted something later on.

"West," he said into her mouth, but she hadn't heard him. Her mouth trailed kisses along his chin, jaw, and down his neck, but finally she heard his plea for her to stop.

They had ended up with East lying on her bed, with her legs straddling his waist. The moment she stopped, she fell off to sit next to him and East brought himself to sit up. "West, we shouldn't be doing this. It's not right." He looked at her, and to his astonishment, she didn't look like she was ready to burst into tears. "Don't take it wrong though! You're a fantastic person! And I do love you, but you're my best friend and well—"

"Its too weird for best friends to be acting like this," she finished for him. "I know East. I guess we both were just getting caught up in the moment. I'm glad you said something though first. Because knowing me—"

"You would've let it gone all the way and regretted it later," this time finishing her sentence. She nodded. "Well, at least that's settled."

East got off the bed and started making his way towards the door. "East…" He turned around to face her and she had followed him so she was only a foot away. Her face was flushed with pink and her eyes sparkled like they usually did. "Just one more kiss….goodnight?"

East didn't answer, but his expression was enough to tell her yes. The kiss was calm and graceful and longer than he thought it would or even should have lasted. When she pulled away, she said goodnight as if expecting him to leave.

"West," he said turning back. "You're not mad at me, are you?"

West Kaioshin laughed. "Mad at you? Of course not, silly. But get some rest. You look tired."

East nodded and disappeared from her room through the door. He slyly made his way back, passing a servant who looked at him with that question of, "why were you down there?" on her face.

He didn't care. They could think what they want, but he knew that nothing could be proven. He had a good feeling that West would never tell anyone about their short-lived affair, even to South Kaioshin, who she confided everything to.

Before going to bed, East Kaioshin stood outside on his balcony, looking up at the night sky. Every moon in the luscious navy ceiling of the planet shined like a silver coin and every star flickered like the flame of a candle. It had turned out to be a good night, and although he hadn't had many troubles in his life, he felt like every opened story in his life had been finished and closed.

East looked from each moon and then into the direction of the Kai planet, which he could see as the smallest circle in the night sky. He wondered what life would bring him next and what the outcome would be.

The next thousand years would be simple enough for East Kaioshin, having only to deal with on major crisis in his eastern quadrant of the universe, which he would handle with little stress and solve the matter before it erupted into an all out war between the races of six planets. Little did he know, however, that his own personal life was about to change forever by the time he turned 1,042.