CHAPTER 23 – "THANK YOU ALL" PARTY

Everything finally made sense, which is insane by itself. Before I heard her tell her own story, what I did not know about her created gaps that bothered me. Now, it bothers me that the gaps were filled in the most bizarre way.

Kyoko accomplished the unthinkable: she rose from the tomb to Clan's Master in a few years. The explanation? She is not one person, but six.

I'm in love with a madwoman.

Among so many reasons - the attacks she suffered, the pregnancy, the struggle for survival, being alone and without perspectives - I cannot say what drove her crazy, but in the end, the reason does not matter: she lost her mind and became, in a way as distorted as her sanity, probably the person best adapted to the reality in which we live.

As I heard her speak, I could deduce that Kyoko fragmented herself into several pieces. She recreated herself by molding what was left into five distinct people, each with predominant characteristics useful to the various plans she had elaborated and adapted over time: Kuon was born of her need to pretend to be a boy. Since she did not consider herself cunning enough, she created Natsu, someone who could use malice to her advantage. Mio was born because Kyoko's compassionate nature would not allow her to accept the desire for revenge that grew inside her, while Momiji took the blame for the fact that all the plans she drew involved bloodshed. Finally, Setsu kept her impassive in the face of the violence and madness that surrounded her, and especially of those that grew within her.

Oh, Kyoko... forgive me for not finding you!

She talked about the Five as if they were real people, apart from her. Each "person" she turned before me to convince me of what she was saying added a new dagger to my chest. Not that she really had to convince me: the little contact I had with some of them before she became my procreative was enough to make me accept everything she told me, no matter how eccentric the explanation was.

Each of them is a piece of Kyoko, a face of herself that she does not want or cannot admit that she owns or developed. In short, people she would not be if she could choose, but that life and circumstances forced her to become. They are creatures she created to bear the burden of everything that is too ugly and vile for the part of herself that she refuses to give up, and which would inevitably be corrupted if she did not find some defense mechanism. Well, Kyoko solved the situation by creating not one, but five shields.

"Natsu" discovered my feelings for Kyoko and decided to use them to manipulate me. The original plan was to allow our relationship to flourish enough for me, as a judge, to cover her up when Momiji killed the Fuwas. Kyoko is not a killer, let alone a person who can use the feelings of others for her own benefit. Not to mention that she is too compassionate to do something harmful to someone who she thinks that loves her, but Natsu and Momiji do not share such traits.

"Mio" had planned to use the two years that Kyoko would be my procreative to put the revenge plan into action. "Kuon" determined that Kyoko's abilities would not be used in this period, as the "shadows" strengthen as long as they are not used and "Momiji" would need all the energy possible to infiltrate the Fuwa Palace and kill the entire family. Therefore, I finally understood why Kyoko did not use her skill while she was with me, not even when I surprised her while she was absorbed in thoughts.

Without the Fuwa threat, Maria would be safe. That was all that mattered. She was prepared even for the possibility that I would point her out as the murderess, which would force me to kill her. This would destroy me, but for "Natsu" I would not have the courage and for "Mio" the outcome did not matter as long as revenge was achieved. For Kyoko, death was a bargain if Maria were to be freed from the Fuwa threat.

It was also clarified why I always had to find her or pursue her when she was in the fertile time: for her plan to work, she did not intend to conceive. Thus, Hiou only happened in our lives because Kyoko did not count on the impossibility of hiding from me without the help of the shadows, much less with the betrayal of her own body when I found her.

And I thought that Kyoko was fleeing from me to provoke me, when all she wanted was to avoid the complication of a pregnancy in her precarious plan...

Her plan suffered a considerable damage when the Fuwa entourage appeared in Tsuruga territory. "Kuon" could not resist the enemy's presence and used the shadows, allowing Kyoko to hear what she imagined to be my plans for her. Well, at least I can find comfort in the fact that she did not stage her escape, since by the time Lory and I worked out the plot against the Fuwas she was really too weak to spy on us.

It is a depressing relief, I know, to discover that I really broke her heart on that occasion: first, because it confirms that she feels something for me; secondly, because it is a relief to know that her reaction did not amount to a staging to destabilize me.

To the flight, followed the discovery of pregnancy and a new concern: how to prevent me, the sordid and unscrupulous father of the baby, to claim it. While hiding, surviving and reformulating her plans, Kyoko met Reino and, with him, the perfect possibility of saving herself, recovering Maria and preventing me from staying with our son. After all, who in this world would take a baby from a Clan Master to hand it over to a discredited fellow with a stained reputation?

Placing Sawara in the position of Council Member was a brilliant touch and served to give legitimacy to Sho's death. Kyoko did not need much, since she knew that Lory would take care of facilitating the ascent of his supposed ally. In fact, the only thing she had to do was remind Sawara that he had a daughter about to be forced into the sickly circuit of human reproduction in order for the man to accept the agreement she proposed.

After spending years managing the Love Me Center, no wonder he accepted the agreement without hesitation.

Shit, it sucks to confirm that the woman I love fucked me on purpose!

Since I was an enemy, "Momiji" considered it prudent to spy on me to ensure the success of the new plan in progress. At least in this I was right: in the middle of my lonely litany, Kyoko could hear my explanations, which at first sounded like traps, but that in time began to convince her, until the "message" I transmitted with the death of Sho finally made her believe what I said.

Too late.

I still try to deal with this: Kyoko meticulously calculated my downfall. She used me and deceived me. She, who wanted my dismissal as a Master to ensure that I would not have authority to demand Hiou even being his father, destroyed the work of a lifetime. At the same time, she assured that Lory would have no choice but to return Maria to her.

"Congratulations, you got everything you ever wanted"

"No, not everything"

When she finished her story, she just shut up and looked at me with huge eyes, as if expecting my verdict, but all I could say was that I had a lot to think. Now that I have a child, how can I counter the logic of a mother who protected her baby from a threat she thought existed? How to question the sanity of a woman who survived the unthinkable and still found the strength to fight for herself and her daughter? On the other hand, how can I ignore the hurt and disappointment that plagues me, the feeling of betrayal that consumes me?

It was on purpose. She destroyed me on purpose. Funny, I already knew, but hearing from her mouth made it all so much worse.

###

When the world ended, after the Third Wave devastated the Earth with multiple natural disasters, the survivors boiled down to those already in the shelter built between the first two Waves. In a coordinated effort, the world's civilizations gathered the major fragments of their history and stored them in the Seven Arches, capsules designed to withstand (supposedly) the catastrophes and with sufficient energetic autonomy to reach the shelter, cradle of the civilization we have today.

Arks # 3 and # 7 have been lost forever, I imagine. Invaluable losses. Ark # 1 arrived relatively intact to the destination and had its content fractioned between the leaders of the survivors, ascendants of the Masters of the Clans. Ark # 2 suffered damages in the way, which spread its contents and started the activity of the Diggers. Ark # 6 is intact, but deep in the ocean. With luck, we will have access to it in a few decades, considering that sea level is dropping year by year.

I found the Ark # 4 a few miles from Bridge Rock, while wandering with the nomads and with newborn Maria in my arms. It was thanks to it that I had the means to work out my plans. Finally, Ark # 5 is a few miles into the desert from Kyoto, my territory, and was my trump card against my opponents. After all, as much as they want to see me dead, they cannot ignore the fact that my strange ability is extremely advantageous in locating the relics that will ensure a more comfortable survival for humanity. Of course, they do not need to know everything I know about the Arks. It is always safer to let them think there are many more out there, and that I am the best chance they have of finding them.

The attack on Kyoto was a fiasco. Of the Koenji and Morizumi Clans, only the women were spared. Erika, Kimiko and Yayoi are in prison. There was blood, a lot of blood, but there were also tears of relief. Not many, but enough for me to wash my hands and my soul.

The world could not stand it any longer. From the ugly revolution, a new hope was born.

Without heirs in both Clans and with the inept Council disoriented by the novelty of the events, Kanae assumed the territory Koenji and Chiori assumed the territory Morizumi. After all, I do not know people more capable and educated than the two for the mission of sanitizing and developing the two territories. Not to mention that it is particularly gratifying to see them in charge of the same Clans that condemned them to the old life they led.

Funny, so it was with me. My biological parents sold me to the patriarch Fuwa, and with that, they guaranteed entry into the territory that now belongs to me. If there is such a thing as a god, he has a strange sense of humor!

The rebels of Bridge Rock left the desert and infiltrated strategic points to ensure the safety and success of our campaign. We were fast, quiet and coordinated. The Nobles did not stand a chance. With so many fronts of battle, all the reactions against our coup d'état were pale and useless. The majority of our opponents either surrendered or swore allegiance. Not all of them survived though: Ren, Nick, and Yashiro longed for the moment when they would get their hands on the Nobles involved with the Butcher Brothers.

We had tense and gloomy moments, but also of sinister satisfaction. Now, we openly celebrate our victory and Maria's seventh birthday at a party that we have decided to call the "Thank you all" party. Stupid name, I know, but a jest comes in handy every now and then.

I watch my little girl talking to Lory and making him laugh. She finally called him grandpa, which almost killed him with happiness. When he asked her why she would finally accept him, Maria replied that it was because of the advantages of joining as many Masters as possible: being his granddaughter, my daughter and sister of the first grandson Hizuri, the sky would be her limit.

The man seemed to have a heart attack, so proud he felt. From my side, I felt relief: Maria is on the right track, considering the important figures who protect her and the cunning she already demonstrates.

I feel the weariness fall on me and I sigh, barely able to keep up with the conversations around me. In another corner of the room, I see Ren giving a nasty look at a grumpy Kuu, who probably tried to take Hiou out of his arms for the third time in a day. I cannot help but smile: Hiou is on the right track, too.

In fact, all the people who have worried me, besides my children, are well: Kanae and Chiori, Nick and Hikaru, Reino and the ghouls, Sawara and family, Taisho and Okami, everybody is just fine. Ren is fine, too, as he holds our son and elegantly ignores the drool that soak his shoulder.

He is the perfect image of a proud father.

I do not know where my sadness comes from. I must be a horrible person if I can find reason to suffer at such a great time. However, I feel like… I am no longer needed for anything. To anyone.

I can hardly believe that I survived the insane plans I made and, since I was successful, I come across the unprecedented question: what the hell am I doing here? What purpose will it move me now?

If only I knew how to knock down the wall that stood between Ren and me... Hell, ousting two leaders and subverting the world order was easier than dealing with what I feel for him!

###

Kuu and Julie are radiant because they are grandparents. Rick and Tina are radiant because they are uncles. Nick is thrilled to be a godfather. I can barely stay with Hiou in my arms without a doting relative asking to hold him. I thought Kyoko would be as upset as I am, but apparently she is glad for the attention our son is receiving.

After practically growling at Nick (who does he think he is? It's not even two hours since I'm holding Hiou!), I watch Maria run from Lory to Kyoko and throw herself into her mother's open arms. By the way they talk and look at each other, the two seem to be always confabulating. I imagine that it has already become clear to everyone that they share something special, perhaps the unconditional love that the ancestors talked about and that is rarely seen nowadays.

This is not the first time I wonder with whom Kyoko has learned to love like that. Certainly not with her biological parents, who sold her to a man known to be cruel and perverted, and did not even look for her when the Fuwas claimed her disappearance. Even less with the Fuwas. Was it with Maria? Was it with the nomads? Maybe the rebels? Kanae and Chiori?

So while we congratulate Maria on her seventh birthday, I finally understand: the part that Kyoko wanted to protect to the point of going mad is her ability to love. A rare and selfless love that makes her forget about herself to value and protect another person. Something dangerous to give to someone, because there are few who would not misuse it.

Maria and Hiou certainly deserve to be loved like that. Do I deserve it?

Maria pulls me out of my reverie as she pulls me down. I kneel and smile, but she says nothing. Her discomfort is visible and there are tears forming in her eyes.

"... Maria, you know that our abilities are different. I will not know what you want if you do not tell me"

She is restless and fumbling with her hands, but finally decides to speak.

"Hm... Mommy said that Hiou will start babbling soon." He will? Wow, that's exciting! "And it's g-going to be weird... h-he will start t-talking soon and-" Wow, that's amazing! I still had not thought of that! Wait, why is Maria crying? I look for Kyoko, but I do not see her anywhere. Maria's crying is attracting the attention of the closest people and I just do not know what to do. "And m-my b-brother will call you Da-Daddy and..."

Wait, what?

She is crying so hard but all I can do is hug her as I process her words, until the "problem" makes sense: her brother has a father and she does not. She probably did not miss a father until she found herself in a family where she is the only child without one.

"Oh, Maria! I will be honored to be your father too if you accept me as such!"

There is a commotion all around us and I see that Julie, Ten, Tina and Lina are very emotional. I am also finding difficult to hold back my tears, but Kanae and Chiori only display a smile that is almost mocking. I do not know what these two are made of.

To my surprise, Maria moves away from my arms and stares at me with wet, hopeful eyes.

"Really? Truly truth?"

"Of course!"

I have no doubt about what I'm saying, but why do I feel like I'm falling into a trap?

"Um... can we make this official, then?"

Oh-oh. Kanae and Chiori are laughing.

"...Official? What do you mean?"

"Well, if you are our Daddy, you should be Mommy's husband!"

Oh, now everything makes sense. You rascal, this is what you were aiming for! I am surrounded by traitors who openly laugh at Maria's logic and the fact that I fell into the trap of a seven-year-old child. Well, what can I do? Maria is as lovely, smart and maddening as her mother…

"You should not waste time, you know... Mommy is a very beautiful woman!"

"Hmmm... She is, isn't she?"

"Yes! And she controls an entire territory!"

"She does? That's pretty impressive!"

"And she already had two healthy children!"

"Two? Wow!"

"And she's a great cook!"

"Hm... that is fine, I suppose, but I do not have much appetite..."

"Eh? But she... she... she is the best goodnight-kisser ever!"

I cannot hold back anymore, and my laughter joins the others. "Okay, little one. You convinced me. I cannot refuse excellent goodnight kisses" Nor any kind of her kisses.

We smiled at each other, ignoring the screams of encouragement all around us.

"Mommy went to the kitchen to help Taisho. Be convincing, because Mom is being silly!"

"Mom is being silly" I need to save this for later! Maria has just turned seven, but she amazes me as few adults have been able to do.

"You do not do anything by half, do you?"

Her response was quick and precise.

"I would not be mama's daughter if I did!"

A / N - Soon I'll post the epilogue and I can hardly believe this crazy journey has come to an end. Since the story came to my mind, several were the endings: there was the story in which Ren died; there was the story in which Kyoko died (three of them, actually); there was the story in which Nick and Lory died. Anyway, it was blood and tragedy everywhere. In the end, I could not succeed in my challenge of writing a dark story and I sweetened the whole thing. The end, I mean. XD