Chapter Twenty-Two

A Brief Respite

The sun shone brilliantly in the small room. Its rays pierced through the paper screens like polished glass. The way the sparkles filled the room was akin to laughter with good friends. The crystalline blue sky was made to match. The only clouds to be seen floated lazily with no destination in mind. The only reminders of the previous night's horror were the charred buildings that were quickly being swept away and solid beams built in its place.

Katani woke with the sun, for the mare's milk still coursed through her. Silently she dressed in her battle garb after giving it a thorough scrubbing and polishing. Light glinted off the mail as she walked to the screen door. Botan snored lightly in the corner, oblivious to everything except her dreams. Sleep tight, grim reaper, she thought.

The hallway was silent as her bare feet slid over the polished oak. The living room was littered with empty wrappers and soda cans. Katani sighed and gathered them all into a waste bin by the door. A servant would be by to pick up later, but Katani always hated the caste system. She promised herself if she made it to a position of high power she would things.

The kitchen was only a few steps away so Katani slid in prepared a kettle of tea. Before long the kettle sang notes of steam. Hastily she removed it so it wouldn't wake anyone. After last night she wouldn't be surprised if they slept till noon. With kettle and cups in hand she set the table and enjoyed a simple breakfast of fruit. In a few minutes she would leave to scout the damage and give aide to her people. It was time she had taken her place among them once more.

A young Hawk poked his head gingerly through the door. His eyes darted back and forth before settling on Katani. Fast as a sparrow he disappeared. Katani giggled at his shyness.

"Don't be nervous, come in. Do you like oranges?" She held up a large ripe one for the boy to see. His short black hair emerged followed by blue eyes filled with curiosity. This child was probably working his way up. He might even be an apprentice for the army but for now he was doing scut work like cleaning and running errands for the higher ups.

"Please come in, I'd like some company on this lovely morning. All my friends are still asleep. What is your name?"

The little boy entered the room and hesitantly sat across from Katani on the hard floor. The cushions seemed to go unnoticed by him. "My name is Jake, Lady Mithril." His forehead grazed the floor in a low bow.

"Much to formal, Jake. Please call me Katani. Here, try this apple. It's very juicy." She tossed him a bright red one.

Jake took a large bite and smiled, it was good. "Thank you Mit-" he stopped himself. "Katani."

She smiled, how cute he was. "Jake can you tell me how the people are faring after the battle last night? I need someone to tell me what's going on."

Jake beamed at the chance to be of use. "Of course! Well Lord Rayson has been telling everyone what to do since I got back. I was taken to a beautiful valley with my friends. It was so scary, we didn't know if everyone would be okay. But when we got back my mother told me how bravely everyone fought." he was smiling. "My mom said you were really brave! And your friends too! She told me that if it hadn't been for you guys lots more people would have died."

Katani put a finger to her mouth and told him once more that her friends were asleep.

"Sorry," he bowed and lowered his voice. "My older brother said that only a few people died. Will you perform the funeral dance for them? Everyone is hoping you do. They say having someone who left the island honor the dead will help their spirits escape and be free."

Katani didn't quite know what to say. As custom a slow dance was performed for those lost. But this was always done by the village head or one of great importance. Katani would have been honored but it had been years since she had ever danced, ceremonially or otherwise.

"I'm sorry, I don't think I can perform such a ritual properly during a time like this." Katani instantly felt bad, the poor kid looked devastated. Trying to cheer him up she said, "Well Jake there isn't really anything that needs to be done around here," mountains of trash and debris aside. "What is your agenda for the morning?"

"Father told me to clean the guest house. I was supposed to do that until it was time for lunch."

"What if you ran an errand for me? Would that be alright?"

"Yes, ma'm. I think I can."

Katani smiled. "I need you to go my cousin Rayson's house. Let him know I sent you."

"Lord Rayson?" The little child's eyes bulged.

"Yep. I need to talk with him on some very important matters. Tell him I'm on my way and that I need to talk with him."

"Right away, Miss Katani ma'm!" The boy dashed out the door before Katani could say anything.

Quickly she straightened up the room and set a large bag of trash outside. Once that was done she combed her long hair and let it hang freely. The long blonde strands fell down her back like water from the falls. Her gold wings were now folded nicely against her back, like a bird at rest.

Just as she was slipping on her shoes she heard footsteps behind her. The heavy stomp told her instantly who it was.

"Kuwabara?" Katani turned. "What in the world are you doing up this early?"

"I'm always up with the sun!" he boasted. "You gotta work hard if you want to be strong like me!"

"I'll remember that. Well," she stood, "I'm off. I've got a meeting with Rayson."

"Can I come?"

"Uh, well, you're kind of in your pajamas…"

"I can change, just give me a minute!"

"But do you really- oh well there you go." Katani sighed but sat down just the same. She really never spent that much time with Kuwabara so maybe this wouldn't be so bad. Thankfully he could change quickly. "Aren't you hungry?" Katani asked as he laced up his shoes.

"Nah, I can eat when we get back. All right! Kuwabara's ready to get it on!"

"Uh… yeah…" Katani began walking. Despite her predictions the whole village was alive with activity. Men and women were working hard to repair the damage done. It was a moving sight for even the children worked without complaint.

"So, why did you want to come?" Katani asked as they walked the streets.

"I want to do something." Kuwabara said. "Urameshi is the 'leader', Hiei gets to ride your horse, and Kurama does Kurama stuff. I just fight. I like it here, Katani. You're nice and so are your people. I want to help so you can get your memories back and be reunited with your true love!"

"And that would be?"

"Kurama, of course?"

Katani rubbed her forehead. "Don't start with that. I don't think there is such a thing as true love anyway."

"What? How can you say that?"

"Sorry, that's just what I think. And besides, didn't you think only a couple nights ago that Ty was my true love?"

"Nah, I just thought you liked the guy. He wasn't true love material."

Katani looked at the ground. Was he right? "Well… what do you think true love is?"

"When you love someone more then yourself!" The question seemed to throw grass on his already oversized bonfire. "When you would die for them and love them forever! That's true love!"

"Oh. Kuwabara? Would you do me a huge favor?"

"What?"

"Please don't mention love or Kurama while we're talking with Rayson. It'll only upset him and he's really stressed out right now."

"I guess, but he can't stay like that forever. I'll have to have a talk with him about love."

"No, you really don't-"

But it was no use. Well, he was passionate.

In a few minutes they arrived at Rayon's home.

The Prince stood at the door and smiled as Katani entered.

"Are you well cousin?"

She nodded. "Yes. I just wanted to talk with you a bit. I brought my friend Kuwabara as well."

"Ah, yes, Sir Kuwabara. A pleasure once again."

"Yeah, nice to see you and all that."

They stepped in through the doors and took a seat at a large table. A modest meal was laid out before them. Katani noticed it was made of the same food she had found in their house. She also noticed that a plate of half eaten food also remained.

"I'm sorry, did I interrupt your breakfast?"

"Yes, you did. But it does not matter. I would rather talk. However if either of you have not had a chance by all means, help yourselves."

"Thanks!" Kuwabara grabbed an apple and bit into it loudly.

"What's going on Rayson? How much has this attack affected us?"

"Greatly I'm afraid." Katani could see the wrinkles over his delicate brow as he spoke. How hard this must be for him. As long as Katani could remember from her youth on the island the Hawk tribe was run by two. Usually a mated pair or siblings handled the throne but Rayson was single and an only child. All he had was Katani and she had been absent for so long. "The troops are injured and not at their peak. I do not want to take any risks with this attack so I will grant a period of rest. This will give us time to mourn our dead and better prepare the assault. However the attack last night will not go unheard. Our defenses have been strengthened and in a week or two I will send renaissance teams to investigate the area. This will take longer then originally planned. I understand that your allies have lives and families away from this island so they may want to leave and come back at a later date. If they would like to stay they are free to do that as well. No one will question them after their actions last night."

Katani nodded. "I understand. What do you think Kuwabara?"

Her large friend placed the core of the apple he had been eating down and took a large gulp of water. "I'm staying. We've been on missions that have lasted longer then a month before. Besides, it's summer. What else are we gonna do? I don't know about Urameshi or Hiei but I think Kurama will stay and if you do I will too."

"Thank you for your loyalty to my cousin, Sir Kuwabara." Rayson said.

"No problem." Kuwabara picked up a loaf of steaming bread.

"I will stay no matter how long it takes. This separation has to stop. The assassinations have to stop. We cannot sit back as the Phoenix kill innocent people on the mainland. Tell me what I can do today."

Rayson closed his eyes and sighed before looking at her again. "You must slow down."

"Pardon?" Katani didn't quite understand him.

"You are going fast, much too fast. Your heart is still mourning and you seek revenge. Not only that, your mind is confused. Resolve personal issues, they have no place in politics. Stay under the radar and try to remain calm. I realize what I am asking," apparently he didn't because Katani was already planning ways to get around his rules, "but I ask that you listen. Please, Mithril, trust my judgment."

And there it was. He had said the only thing he could have said to make Katani listen to him. Without openly saying so, he was asking her whether she trusted him. If she did not follow his orders it would prove her disloyalty. There was no way she could work her way out of that one.

"Alright, I got it." Katani sighed and stood.

"We're leaving already?" Kuwabara asked.

"Yeah, I don't think there's much more to say."

"Mithril," Rayson stopped her as she went to the door. "I understand your reluctance, but surely you can halt and wait a bit. Remember, Tithe was my cousin too."

She had forgotten that. "Okay, I will. I think I'll wander around the village for a little bit."

"Want some company?" Kuwabara asked as they left.

"That's really sweet, but no. I need to think some things through."

"Okay, I'll go back and tell the others."

Katani waved him off and began to walk. Maybe she didn't need to completely take a step back. Maybe if she did, slow down that is, Rayson wouldn't be so strict with her. She was acting like a bull dog on a weak chain but she couldn't help it. He had been her brother, after all.

Many stopped and bowed to Katani as she passed. To each she returned the action and asked how they had fared. Most replied with, "The wind was with us." but a few mentioned the loss of a loved one or property. To them Katani gave her condolences.

"Be there anything you need, come to me and I will do anything in my power to make it happen."

"God bless you Mithril." An elderly woman replied.

"I thank you for your kindness but I do not deserve such kind words. I hope you all can forgive me for abandoning my post for so long."

"You are back, Lady Mithril, with knowledge of the world and you have proven there is life beyond this island. For that we are in your debt. Please be strong in leading. Your people follow your lead as much as Lord Rayson. They will be looking to you in the midst of battle. Watch over my children and grandchildren. This is what I ask of you Mithril."

Katani bowed and gave the woman some seeds for the season after hearing her crop had been burned. "I will see to it that I and some others are helping with the planting. We must all support one another." She added when the woman insisted she move to more important matters.

Katani spent another hour in the main village but then moved to ground zero where Rayson had started the continuing reconstruction. To avoid the formalities and annoying rituals she blended in with the crowd and merely joined a few Hawks building the main frame.

The Hawks working on construction ceased and began to bow to Katani. She insisted they get back to work and asked how she could be off use. With hammer in hand she assisted in construction. She began to bond with her people and felt truly at home, until ten o'clock, which was when Rayson spotted her.

"Dear cousin, what are you doing?" he embraced her.

"I am helping. What would you have me do, Rayson?"

"You should be resting."

"I got enough rest last night. If my people are working, so am I." Her eyes shone with defiance.

"I admire your stubbornness, Mithril. You have won. I need another to pull the main frame in place."

"On it." Katani ran to the line of Hawks and grabbed the thick rope with both hands.

"Ready? Now!" Rayson commanded.

Everyone pulled in efforts to move the large beam. Ever so slowly the beam inched forward. Inch by inch the column righted. Not one Hawk wasn't straining now. Katani thought for a moment that they might lose it, until something from behind seemed to jerk on the rope. The beam slid into the ground, standing straight up. The people cheered and began to secure it.

Katani looked over her shoulder to see where the extra help had come from. Kuwabara slapped his large hands together.

"Good workout, huh Katani?" He wore large work jeans and a white tank top in preparation for the building.

"Kuwabara! You don't need to help, you're not even here by choice."

"No way! We're friends and that's what friends do." His grin faded and he looked serious. "I can tell you're happy with them. I want to help your friends too and not sit on the sidelines like some wimp."

"Yeah, what he said!" Yusuke walked up, white t-shirt slung over one shoulder. "Besides what do you want us to do? Sit inside all day? Come on kid, let's build this house!" He slapped Katani on the shoulder.

She smiled at them. "Thank you," was all she could say. Together with Yusuke and Kuwabara they hammered, sawed, tiled, and lifted until the outline of a two-story house stood before them.

Rayson stopped them all at noon. "My people, this is fine work. You have done well and I thank each of you. Now, let us break for lunch. Together we shall eat and drink in honor of those no longer with us. It is because of them we live. For our fallen!"

"For our fallen!" The people cried. Rayson led them around to where large tables had been laden with food. Seeds, meat, bread, soup, drinks, cheeses, and everything in between lay over white tablecloths. Yusuke and Kuwabara gazed at the spread.

"Now?" Yusuke asked just in case they did some ritual before eating. She nodded and they dove at the food. Katani giggled before picking up a paper plate. There was so much to choose from. She had no idea where to start. It all looked so good. She stood thinking; this was going to be a difficult decision.

"I suggest the grilled salmon. I think that came out quite well." Kurama appeared beside her, plate in hand.

Kurama had spent the morning helping to prepare the lunch. They had welcomed his culinary skills with eagerness. With so many mouths to feed they needed all the help they could get. Not just the workers were eating but the whole village. Not one pair of hands was idle that morning. Ty had tended the battle weary mounts without complaint. Voluntarily he fed, watered, and groomed many war Pegasi. Now he was somewhere among the crowd with other stable hands enjoying their company and the good food. Even Hiei had lent a hand in turning half charred rubble into ash. In this way he had cleared much heavy debris in seconds. Katani had never been more proud of her friends. They had gone beyond and above the assignment and seemed to care genuinely for her people. All doubts were gone. They had earned her trust. Sentence or not, she would stick with them loyally and without complaint.

Katani took small portions of everything in an attempt to sample it all. Once her plate was full she poured a glass of lemonade and sat on the grass with the rest of the boys. Only Ty was still lost in the crowd. Katani was silently thankful for his absence. Yusuke and the others still caused tension whenever he was around. She wondered if he was delaying his apology to Kurama by avoiding him. Everyone was laughing and enjoying the morning. This was how they mourned the lost. Being happy was the only way. What better way to heal grief then enjoying the life you still have? The dead wish happiness for those still alive and all of gold bloods believe this. So everyone ate and drank to life.

As Katani ate she couldn't help but be amazed by the flavor and creativity of the dishes. Every bite was more savory than the last. She then noticed that Hiei had not touched his plate.

"Aren't you hungry?" She asked.

"I don't eat human food."

"Come on, try some! You know you want to."

"No, I don't."

"Oh Hiei, just eat it." Yusuke shoved a strip of meat in his mouth. Hiei glared at him but the look slowly changed as he chewed the pork. He thought for a moment before swallowing then started to pluck the food from his plate.

Katani smiled but said nothing, knowing drawing attention to it would make him stop. As she laughed and ate she didn't notice Kurama's eyes flicker to her. Yusuke saw this and winked at him. He could understand what Kurama was going through. But something was different. A new hope glimmered in the corner of his eyes. Katani seemed changed too. No longer did she ignore the fox. Now she smiled at him and even engaged him in conversations. Maybe she would get her memory back after all. Or she would love him all over again. Yusuke thought how Rayson would take it. Maybe she would be forced to leave. He couldn't imagine people this kind and joyous shunning one of their own. Yet if he understood there were those who rebelled against the normal standards. The Phoenix had started the race of gold blood but these who called themselves Hawks wanted nothing to do with that murderous life. At the same time Yusuke could understand why they so desperately wanted to preserve their bloodline. A people so rare and exotic with a rich culture thrived here. Exposing them to the world would mean an end to such an Eden. If the human world found out about them their would be news crews, scientists, and all other assortments of freaks wanting to see them with their liquid gold and beautiful wings. Their way of life was sacred and hidden. He wondered if Kurama could become one of them by some ritual or magic. Would he want to? He knew Katani would rather die then shun her heritage, was Kurama the same? He could think about that later. All this deep thought was making his head throb and his stomach growl. He and Kuwabara left for seconds.

By now Hiei had cleared his plate but refused to leave for more. He sat with his arms crossed, observing the area. Katani was just about through when she saw Feer trotting towards her, Jake on bounced on his back.

"Katani!" He waved.

She waved back and called him over. After sliding from Feer's back he sat down and told her all he had done.

"Good job. I know you have work to do so I won't waste any of your time. But can I call on you again if I need some good information?"

"Yeah!" All shyness was gone.

Katani grinned. "Good. Now go to your father and get some of this delicious meal."

Jake nodded and dashed off to a tall Hawk with eyes like his son. The break was almost over, Rayson wanted everyone to resume working in half an hour. Kurama said he would be working on cleaning up from the feast. Katani chose to stay with Rayson and continue on the construction. Yusuke and Kuwabara chose that path as well. Hiei was the only one who stayed silent about where he chose to work. Maybe he wasn't going to at all, maybe he would just go back to sitting in some tree and watching everyone else labor. After all, it wasn't his problem.

Before the break was fully over Katani decided to assist in the cleanup. With trash bag in hand she collected the paper plates and cups that littered the blankets. The other Hawks were courteous and thanked her for her help. A few seemed amazed that she was actually picking up other peoples garbage.

Once the field was relatively clean Rayson had called the Hawks to gather around the newly constructed frame. The people would split into teams of two and work on building the side panels and technical things like wiring and plumbing. Katani saw Jake with his father working on installing the wiring. The little boy was struggling with a load of coiled wires and teetered dangerously. Katani smiled because even though he was much to small he still tried his best. He would make a fine warrior one day.

By mid afternoon the house was nearly complete. Rayson went through and used some magic to ensure the construction was sound.

"Why don't you just build the whole house with spirit energy?" Yusuke had asked.

"The same reason you do not magically create a sandwich or glass of milk." Rayson had answered. "There are some things magic is good for and some things it's not. Building a house from magic would be like building a sand castle with dry sand. Over time, a short time, it will crumble because the foundation is based on illusion, not good wood and sound work."

Katani nailed two corners together. After its completion all the people thanked each other. It had truly been a miracle. One house in twelve hours was unheard of. Katani made sure to thank every Hawk she could their spirit. The sun slowly went down and each gold blood returned to their home for rest. Tomorrow would be the start of a new kind of teamwork.

Yusuke had called Koenma with a status report and each member of the team had called family to lie and say they were at a friend's house or group trip somewhere. Kuwabara didn't even bother lying to his sister. Her sixth sense was almost as strong as his. She yelled at him to not get himself killed and told Katani if he got in the way to push him off the island. "I don't care if he has to swim fifty miles back, he will not lose another battle!" she had yelled. Yet despite her ranting and ravings she loved her brother and wanted him to be stronger. Keiko was worried for Yusuke, she knew this was another mission but the details had not been revealed. Hiei called no one. Kurama talked with his mother and Katani also called no one. After everyone else was through and eating a modest dinner of fruit and vegetables Katani called Yukina. She went to the porch outside so as not to be overheard.

"How are you, Yukina?"

"I'm fine. I still haven't found my brother though. Sometimes I'm scared that he's already dead or worse. Do you think something terrible has happened to him?" She looked to Katani for reassurance.

Her heart went out to the young ice maiden. Guilt filled her, she knew perfectly well what her brother was doing at this second but could she tell her? In that second she made up her mind. "I know he isn't dead, Yukina. I also know your brother is doing fine. I think I may have found him."

"Really? Who is he? Where are you? Can you bring him to me?"

"Calm down, Yukina. I have to check to be sure. Can promise me you will be safe and trust me to find him?"

"Yes, I'll do anything to meet my brother."

"I have to ask just to know. Would you still love him if he were a criminal or thief? Would you feel the same about him be he crook, clerk, or weakling?"

Silence, and then, "Not knowing is worse then anything. I'd rather know if he is bad then not know at all."

"I understand. In that case I will find him for you. I promise." They talked for a few more minutes about stupid things, the weather, training, and the amount of pets Yukina had acquired with the other ice maidens. Botan called Katani in for a game and Yukina admitted she had some duties to attend to.

"Promise you will tell me when you're sure?"

"I'll do what I can, no more, no less. I swear."

Yukina thanked her and hung up. Katani frowned. Most likely she had just signed her own death warrant. Maybe she could talk Hiei into something. Not. One thing was sure though, she had to try.

Katani entered the living room and took her place on a western style love seat. Thanks to connections throughout the black market those of Gold Blood were able to attain modern comforts like electricity, furniture, and other such goods. The one each treasured the most, male or female, young or old, was chocolate. This was their greatest luxury.

She had long since changed out of her battle garb and now wore a modest cotton nightgown. It barely cleared the ground and was airy, perfect for a cool summer night. The sleeves were designed like those of a tank top and were a great aid in staying cool. The whole outfit was pure white. The only thing of contrast was a gold feather stitched where a breast pocket would be. This was the symbol of royal blood.

Botan wore bright pink pajama pants and shirt. The cotton candy color matched her large bubble gum eyes. At the moment those eyes were rimmed with excitement. Apparently she had come up with another fun group game for them to play. Ty was with them but had said nothing to Kurama. Katani wasn't going to pressure him to apologize in front of the whole group. That would have been cruel. But, like the others, he had insisted on staying even when hearing about the delay. "My sisters can take care of themselves. This is more important." He had said.

As soon as everyone had gathered together, Ty on one side of Katani, Yusuke on the other, Hiei by the window, Kuwabara on the floor, and Kurama in a chair, Botan clapped her hands and declared the name of the new game. Katani could sense Hiei's thoughts but he knew she would fight him in this so he didn't even bother.

"We're going to play, 'Darling I love you'."

"WHAT?"