Chapter Fifteen
Forgotten and Buried
Half an hour later Katani stepped from her room with a towel round her shoulders to keep her clothes from getting soaked from her wet hair. With soft steps she tip toed into the kitchen. It seemed no one else was awake yet. Kurama must have gone to bed after their talk last night. What did we talk about? She wondered. All she could remember was the moon and sparkling stars. Fatigue must have gotten the best of her.
The sun rose over the tips of the mountaintops as she pulled some pancake mix from the shelf. With quick hands she prepared a western style breakfast complete with pancakes, sausages, and orange juice. A soft white tablecloth completed the look. Only one thing was missing. She raced to her room and carefully grabbed the soft red rose she found on her windowsill. A tiny vase was perfect for it and gave the table a soft feel.
Everything felt so peaceful. After talking with Hiei about… something she could not recall, she felt incredibly better. With a light heart and cheery mind she hummed a soft tune as platters of food were set on the table. This was much better then any hotel.
"Wow, what a spread. You've been up early, Katani." Ms. Minamino came over and helped Katani dry off the last of the dishes.
Katani returned her praise with a soft smile. "It's the least I could, Teacher. Will Shuichi be joining us?"
Her teacher's eyes danced. "Yes, he should be out any minute."
Katani gave her teacher a confused look. She must just be glad to have her son back at home.
"Katani, dear, what do you say we continue your lessons? It can't help to have a quick tune up before breakfast can it?"
How long it had been since she held the cool metal of her flute. Ms. Minamino handed her the gleaming instrument and the smooth tube felt one with her fingers.
"Play what you feel. I'll correct you should you make a mistake." Her teacher gently urged her.
Katani held the cool metal to her lips and thought of the soft sky and glowing moon she had seen last night. With quick movements she ran her fingers up and down the flute to create sounds that pleased her. The kitchen was filled with her gentle song. In her head she felt the lyrics form in her mind. She played the song that had been in her heart since birth. As her eyelids closed she could see the memories the song held. She saw the water sprites cleanse Tithe's body and she saw the fierce winds from the Tsunami when she had walked from her training with someone at her side. The face was blank and when she tried to recall it she hit a blank wall. The last note of her song was too high as it reflected her thoughts.
Her teacher flinched. "Very good up till that last part. Just a little hiccup. You've improved greatly though. Do you still play?"
"Every once in a while, but not too often."
Ms. Minamino felt her hesitation. "Well that's fine. But if you do begin playing once more I'm sure others will enjoy it. I'm sure Shuichi will too."
"You speak for others too often, Mother."
Katani jumped as she realized Kurama was sitting on the other side of the table. "You heard me play?"
He smiled softly. "Yes, my mother's compliments are rare but well earned. Please, continue."
Katani shook her head. "Sorry, but breakfast will get cold." Gentle hands placed the flute back into its case. With a slight bow to her Teacher and Kurama she began to serve the food.
"Let me help you." Kurama carried a platter of fresh fruits to the table. Katani smiled and let him. Normally she would have insisted on doing it herself. Her smiles seemed hollow, for they didn't reach her eyes. More so, they were indifferent towards him. She smiled the way to his mother as she did to him. The truth stung. She had forgotten.
All ate at the table and enjoyed the rare feast. Ms. Minamino and Katani kept up a stream of polite conversation to which Kurama simply nodded.
"What's wrong dear? You're very quiet this morning."
Kurama cleared his plate. "No, I'm fine mother." He glanced towards Katani. "We should be going. The rest of the students will be expecting us soon."
Katani stood and clapped her hands. "Right!"
Ms. Minamino insisted on doing the dishes so Katani went to her room and collected her things. Kurama made on last walkthrough to make sure nothing was forgotten. In the bathroom he glimpsed a gold hardcover with a sunset on the cover. Inside were words of Katani's tongue. Her journal.
"Hey, Katani!" He called for her.
"Yeah?" She poked her head in.
For a second he almost handed her the book. Quickly he thought better of it and hid it. It might give him so clues to bring his Katani back. If Tithe got a hold of it who knows what he could do.
"Time to go."
After saying some rushed goodbyes the two swiftly ran to the park. Katani pulled out her brother's ring.
"Shall we fly?" She said in the soft tongue of her fathers.
He nodded and Yoko appeared before her. The sight of him sent a slight shiver down her spine.
Yoko's eyes filled with sadness. "We can walk if you like." His mastery of the language still impressed her.
She almost nodded but bit down. "No. I want to fly." Her eyes filled with resolve. A silent battle was waging in her. She wanted to feel the wings lift her high into the sky but something didn't want her to touch him. It was necessary to make him invisible but something kept her hand down. "No!" she half-yelled.
"Katani?" Yoko gently knelt beside her. "What's wrong?" She couldn't understand. "You don't remember why you're scared, do you?" Her face was growing pale. "You needn't be. I would never hurt you."
"What's wrong with me, Kurama?" Her body shook now as he stepped closer to her.
His sigh angered her. He knew something but wasn't telling. "Kurama, what have you done?"
The wind whispered to her. The color faded from her bright eyes. The shivers left her. "I… want to walk." The battle was lost.
Yoko laid a hand on her shoulder. She didn't move. "Katani! Fight it! Remember!"
Her eyes cleared. The blue covered her whole retina. "Remember what Kurama? Come on!" She smiled and started running. "You don't want to be late do you?"
She spoke the common tongue again. Yoko reverted to the red haired human. How could he fight for her? If her brother was controlling her he would be the answer. But it seemed as though her memories were still buried somewhere. Something had to bring them back. Losing her was not an option. Guilt tore at him as she waved. He was the reason she was like this.
Katani called Feer and Kurama mounted behind her. She felt nothing as he placed his strong hands on her hips. Why should she? If he didn't he'd fall off. With a whisper she urged Feer on. Today they would travel to the island and avenge her brother's death.
For miles they flew till they reached the docks. Since they still traveled under the invisibility from Tithe's ring the others didn't see them as they flew overhead. Hiei and Kuwabara sensed their presence and alerted the others when they landed. Katani waited till Feer had retracted his wings before lifting the spell.
To her shock, Ty stood with them as well as Botan. So many people yet she supposed they needed all the help they could get. Unless Ty couldn't hold his own.
"Hey Katani, I heard you spent the nights at Kurama's house." Yusuke winked at her.
Ty simmered.
Katani joined him. She picked him up his collar and tossed the pervert into the ocean. "Watch out for sharks, detective." She teased.
"You what? Katani what were you thinking?" Ty folded his arms.
"Well I believe my exact thoughts were 'I'm tired.' Maybe on the side I was thinking this would be a place where I could get some rest and not have to deal… that. Maybe my freakin fever kept me from packing up and finding a hotel!"
Yusuke climbed back up and dripped with briny salt water. "Why I oughta…" He reached for Katani's shirt. Ty punched him on the back of the neck but it didn't seem to really hurt Yusuke. No, it only angered him.
Katani sighed as the two started an argument. Botan explained the plan to her. Yoko would fly on his own, as would she. Botan would fly on her oar with Yusuke as a passenger while Kuwabara and Hiei rode Feer.
"Where does that leave Ty?" She asked.
Hiei scoffed. "You don't expect us to bring him along. He's a pathetic human who can't even control his own body."
Ty perked up from the scuffle. "Excuse me? I can handle myself just fine, thank you. I'm not letting you people take Katani on some dangerous quest. From now on where she goes I go. Besides, ever since that thing possessed me I've acquired his powers, and his blood." A flick of his fingers and a large scythe appeared in his hand. With the tip of the curved blade he made a light incision on his forearm. A thin line of golden blood appeared.
"I can give him wings now. That is, if you can endure it. There's a large chance it won't work and even if it does flying will be exhausting your first time. But it's your only chance of coming along. That is, if everyone consents for you to go."
"If he holds us back I'm slitting his throat." Hiei put a hand on his shining hilt.
"If you love Katani then you should come." Kuwabara beamed.
"Psh. I don't care." Yusuke sat on the end of Botan's oar.
Slowly everyone agreed, even Kurama consented with a soft nod. Katani told them to leave and they would catch up. She performed the invisibility spell on Botan, Yusuke, Hiei, Feer, Kuwabara, and lastly, Kurama.
Everyone was in the air when she placed a quivering hand on Yoko's chest. He looked softly into her eyes.
"I will give you your memory back. I promise." He swore in the Golden tongue. "For I love you and you love me, even though you have forgotten."
The words passed through her like rain through an apparition. Yet something inside her heard the words and her hand stopped shaking. For a moment her true self broke through and she breathed,
"Help me."
He became invisible. A gust of wind and all of them were flying in the sky. Yoko held back for a moment and thought how to bring her memories back. For the whole flight he would think of nothing else.
"Are you ready, Ty?" Katani faced him.
"Almost. I have to do something first." He held both her shoulders and kissed her passionately. He took her breath away. All feelings for Kurama erased. He broke to smile at her. "I love you Kitten."
"I… think I might love you too." Tithe planted the words in her mind. Ty beamed and hugged her.
"I'll never let you go. That fox will never have you. We are of the same blood now. You are mine."
Katani almost pulled away at his words. Something in them revolted her but the roots around her mind dug deep. Tithe pushed her back into his embrace.
"Lets begin." She made them both invisible. Ty removed his shirt and Katani's placed her hands on his back. She couldn't help but notice the strong muscles beneath her fingertips. She blushed and glowed like the sun.
"Feel something you like?" Ty teased when he felt her touch.
"Shut up, you cocky American." She slapped his back gently. "Now this will hurt. Try your best not to scream. It would be best not to draw attention to ourselves here." With a simple prick she summoned her sword. The blade was hungry for blood and made the incisions deep and thin. Ty gasped and bite his lip as the blade soaked his blood.
Katani summoned her own wings with a light cut and removed a couple feathers. With quick hands she stuck the tips of the feathers in the cut on his back. The feathers reacted fiercely to the blood and immediately were absorbed.
To stop Ty from screaming she clamped her hand over his mouth. She could not hide the flash of light and only hoped the dock's seclusion would spare them any onlookers.
Voice strong, she recited the words of winging that had been planted in her mind.
Become the wind, shine your light
Grant us O God, your gift of flight!
Flight!
His back brought forth enormous wings of ivory. Even through the haze of her spell she could see these wings. Large and slanted they were, the tips sharp and crocked. Light glistened off the brilliant feathers. They took her breath away. Surely he was strong to be able to hold such magnificent wings of light.
She removed her hands from his mouth and released the spell. Tentatively, Ty gently moved his wings. A smile broke across his strained face. He too thought they were stunning.
"I can't believe it." He gazed at them with wide eyes. "You did it Kitty. Thank you."
Katani shook her head back and forth. "You did it. Those wings were inside of you. I just made the path."
He laughed and flapped his white wings. "Let's go!"
With a leap of the dock he tried to fly. To anxious he was, and did not know how to fly. He hit the water with a splash. Flailing like a fish he found the dock and climbed back up, brilliant wings sopping wet.
"A bit excited?"
He grunted. Water flew everywhere as he beat his wings rapidly. Once they were relatively dry Katani instructed him on the basics. She warned him to watch for dangerous updrafts and to keep guard against storms. Thermals were good and occurred mostly on hot days like this. When riding a thermal all you did was glide and let the cushions of hot air do the work. She stood on the edge of the dock and extended her wings to their fullest. They had grown over the weeks and now they spanned fifteen feet.
Wings this large were hard to get going, but once she did the currents of air were easily navigated. Ty gasped as she focused her shining energy on her wings. On a dock this small a running start was out of the question and she needed something to get her off the ground. Gold blood pulsed through her body and her wings glowed. With a graceful flip she landed in the air. One strong sweep and she hung fifty feet in the air.
"Come on!" She waved to him.
A bit hesitant, Ty tried to copy her concentration. He got a faint glow going before jumping jack knife off the dock. Katani swept down and grabbed the collar of his shirt.
"Flap you idiot!" She created a slipstream for him. A swift pump and he was airborne. His strokes were more frequent then necessary for he had never flown before. Still, there was no denying his skill as a beginner.
For almost an hour they flew in silence. The beat of their wings was the only noise above the churn of the ocean.
Katani let the warm air lift her. Ty flapped awkwardly for a while but once the sea breeze smoothed him it was easy. Never before had the sun shone so brightly. Maybe it was the way the sun reflected off the smooth sea or the way her wings seemed to absorb it but the sun seemed brilliant. Yet its warm rays could do nothing to ease this thing inside of her. Something was wrong yet she couldn't figure out what it was. Like a stranger sent to a distant land she could understand nothing of what her body was feeling.
Search within. Deeper, Mithril. You're stronger then that.
The voice floated in from nowhere. She recognized it at once. It was the same voice that had saved her life when she had first flown. Whoever it was had saved her from plummeting by her death by calming and instructing her. The stranger's voice was unknown but it was familiar at the same time. It felt almost like this person was a part of her in some way. If only she could figure out what that way was. The voice sent with it a jolt. The shock stirred her thoughts and a ghostly figure appeared before her eyes. The boy glided effortlessly through the air though no wings or machinery were assisting him. The day seemed to weaken him and though she could see an outline his specific features were blurred.
Quickly as it had come the vision vanished and was replaced by a memory. Kurama's hands were resting on her back. He was embracing her and protecting her. The night sky shone above and roses closed their petals to bid the world goodnight. This was something she had forgotten and now it came easily. Katani clung to it tightly so it would not escape her. She wanted to see the rest of this memory. Almost as soon as she had fastened her mind around the thought something tugged at it. The roses vanished and the stars grew dim. Event the moon slipped from view. Katani didn't care. They could have those. She just needed to see Kurama and herself. The rope didn't slacken but pulled tighter until even Katani slipped from view. Now Kurama was standing in darkness embracing nothingness. With a shout Katani demanded the return of her thoughts. The presence seemed startled by her retaliation and only tugged tighter. Slowly the body of Kurama began to materialize. Gripped by fury Katani dug in and fought for her memory. It was a futile struggle and more and more of her dear friend slipped away until only his face remained. Just before everything became black she heard his voice mutter,
"…always be with you…"
Her own voice echoed as if in a cathedral. "…I know."
"Stop!" Katani yelled. "Give it back! What else have you taken from me? Who are you?"
The darkness laughed at her. A deep voice echoed, "This is for your own benefit. You will prosper once awakened. Come, join us Mithril. Your home is here." The voice took the form of a young handsome man. Smooth hazel hair framed a soft face. Blue eyes that seemed to draw her in stared straight at her. Had she not known his comments she would have thought him a very attractive and kind young man. "Once you have rejoined us you will be free. We're family, Mithril. I'm your kin, Ark." He held a finely shaped hand towards her. "Come with us. We want you to be happy."
The voice was so gentle and welcoming that Katani couldn't help but believe everything he told her. "I have family? I thought everyone was dead."
Ark shook his head. Strands of auburn hair fell in his face. "You were merely lost. Hidden for a time. But we have found you and want you back. We were too late for your brother, Sinnark, but we discovered you in time."
Without asking she knew she was Mithril and Tithe was Sinnark. The names unlocked something within and gold blood stirred. A shiver ran down her spine. Ark smiled. "Yes, Mithril is your true name. Guard it well and it will be useful. Now forget everything but your mission."
Her mind fell blank. Ark tugged the string of her memory easily. Katani offered no resistance to his prying. His gentle azure eyes pulled her in till she knew nothing but them. The only thing that reminded her that her body was still flying was the soft flap of her wings. Ark began to speak again.
"We were worried that your wings would not develop on their own but thankfully you found the Phoenix Down." Ark's back glowed and two white wings flecked with brown emerged. It seemed to cause him no pain at all and he didn't even cut his back beforehand.
"How did you do that?" She asked in wonder.
Ark only grinned. After Katani asked a second time he finally said, "All of our clan learn the ways of the wing. Had you stayed on our island you would've too. Yet your isolation from your people has caused great problems. You can become one of us again, yet you must abandon everything else. Can you do that?"
Yes, she could do that. While staring in his mesmerizing gaze she believed she could do anything.
"Can you really, Katani?" A male's voice resonated through her mind. From the shadows stepped Hiei, arms folded across his chest. "Can you simply forget your past? Take it from me, forget your past and you forget who you are. You will be blind and stupid if you chose to run from the experiences that made you who you are."
"Be quiet!" Ark's gentle voice changed to bitterness. He sounded as a wolf who finds another in his territory. "Leave here at once before I destroy you." Katani swore he growled at Hiei.
Hiei scoffed in that arrogant way of his before saying, "Try it. You have already invaded her mind. I am too far away for you to do anything to me. Be warned, Ark, we are watching you." Yusuke, Kuwabara, Kurama, and Feer appeared from the darkness. "We will not allow you to make a mockery of our ally. Step down, Ark. She belongs to us."
"She had already forgotten most of her memory of him. It won't take much to make her forget all else. Soon I will make her into a full-fledged member of our clan. Katani, I will bring you to your parents. Come, take my hand."
"My parents? They're alive?"
"Yes, and they're waiting for you. All you need to do is take my hand and I will guide your consciousness there. Fly with me."
"I…" She stepped forward. Ark smiled kindly once more. His grin changed from benevolence to anger as Hiei stepped in front of her, sword drawn. With liquid movements he snapped a red chord that went from Ark's arm to Katani's. Ark screamed in pain as the red coil wrapped around him. The blackness faded and Katani found herself flying once more.
With quick breaths she released the spell of invisibility from the others. Her whole body felt exhausted and continuing to shield them all would take to much effort. Ty's white wings flew him to her side as she struggled to remain airborne.
"Are you all right? I heard you screaming something a bit ago and you looked like you were about to pass out."
"No, I'm not fine."
Before Ty could reply she heard a sharp whinny as Feer and the others raced towards her. Yoko was the first to arrive and put himself between the two.
Hiei and Kuwabara on Feer were second and Botan with Yusuke were last. Everyone gathered around her. When Feer stopped skittering she could see that Hiei looked quite pale. The effort of entering her mind from such a distance must have been a struggle for him.
"Hiei, are you okay?"
"How can you ask how I'm feeling when you look as if you could drop from the sky?"
"Yeah, Katani. You look like death."
"Hey!" Botan seemed to take offense.
Katani shook them off. "I'm fine. Please, let's just get to the island as soon as possible."
"We're no going anywhere until we have an explanation." Hiei kept Feer still in the sky. "I was there. I saw Ark."
Everyone else seemed puzzled as Hiei kept his gaze focused on Katani. It was no surprise that he could be so concentrated when everyone around him pestered with their questions. He ignored them all and said, "I banished him for now. But he will be back. I think you should go home."
"Where would that be? I don't have a home anymore, Hiei. My home is wherever I happen to be at the moment. I'm going to that island, Ark or not. So don't even try and stop me."
Everyone was still. Katani had practically challenged Hiei. From the look of it he wasn't going to back down. In quick, short sentences Hiei told them what Ark had said. The only thing he left out was the mention of him.
"Hiei's right. We'll avenge Tithe for you. We should take you to Genkai. If anymore can remove that invader from your mind it's her." Yusuke said.
"No. I'm staying." She flew away from them and towards the island.
"She's as stupid as she is stubborn." Hiei said.
"Just like Yusuke." Botan sighed.
"Watch it!"
"In any case we should press on." Yoko's smooth voice said. "The island is an hour away and once there we can find different ways of… subduing her."
"Still have the handcuffs?"
Yoko pulled the shining metal from his pocket.
"Yeah!" Yusuke punched the air with his fist. "This mission keeps getting better and better."
"You are despicable." Botan pulled her oar in Katani's direction. The others followed and kept pace.
For fifteen minutes they flew in silence. Everyone worried for Katani, mainly Yoko and Ty. From what Hiei had secretly shared with him he found that Ark had been erasing her memory of him. Tithe must've found his clan after death and brought the information of Katani to them. Such a restless spirit was planning discourse between them. Ark was of the same blood of Katani and from Hiei's description, very powerful. When Katani pulled up to scout he followed until the group below them were small specks. Ty made to follow but one gaze from Hiei kept him rooted to his spot.
Yoko flew steadily beside Katani. The paleness had faded and she seemed herself once more. Hiei told him Katani had fought for her memory of him. So she still cared about him.
"If you keep making that face it'll stay that way." He teased.
Katani turned on him. "Who are you? My mother? I'll make whatever face I want to make, Yoko. If I want to plunge into the ocean and make a snow cone then I will!"
"A snow cone?"
"All I could think of." She folded her arms.
"Surely you have better things to think of then a snow cone in the middle of the Sea of Japan."
"You're right. It'd be much better for my mind to dwell on the fact that whenever I acquire something precious somehow or another it seems to slip away. Let's discuss the fact that my memory is being torn from me bit by bit. Maybe you can explain to me why my parents are still alive yet haven't contacted me since I was five. I'll write an essay on why my life is a living hell."
"It all isn't that bad."
Tears welled in her eyes. "Shut up." She reverted to her tongue. "Just shut up. You have no idea what it feels like to know that there is something more important to you then anything only to not be able to know it. I know that Ark stole the most precious things from me but even now I can't recall what they are."
Yoko flew as close as wingspan would allow. "I can tell you what has been taken from you. Yet I doubt you would believe me. What's more I know the second I tell you that memory will be snatched away. Forgive me. I cannot do anything more for you at the time. But I am trying. I do know. Let me help you."
She involuntarily backed up at the closeness of him. Hurt flickered in his gaze. Before she could mutter an apology, it happened.