Disclaimer: Why must I do these every chapter? I guess because it's protocol and mandatory, I hate it. But then again… I should like it! It gives me more words. I do not nor will not own any of Tamora Pierce's characters, nor her lands, or her plots, or anything made by her!

Chapter 13: Tragedy

Great good gods! What am I to do now? He's seen her, he's heard her!

Looking for my center, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Being surrounded by the lights calmed me down some; they were familiar and soothing. I stifled a groan and dragged my right hand down the side of my face. This was going to be utter misery.

I felt his presence move closer to me, and then his hand grabbed mine. Smiling kindly, bent down a little bit and kissed me on the lips. This kiss was somehow better than the one that we shared earlier. It was soothing, with just a hint of passion. He pulled away, looked me deep in the eyes, then went out the door.

My hand slowly crawled up to my lips to gingerly touch them. Why do I keep reacting like this! I'm supposed to hate him! He's my enemy… I think…

Now what's this sulking about? Just look deep down and you'll find your answer.

See! That's what I'm talking about! When I need your advise, you're not there. But Goddess help me, when I don't you just pop into my mind like it was some kind of open book.

It is an open book. For me that is. It brings me no discomfort to just be here.

But it does me when I know that someone can just go in there and take what ever information that it wants. There is a thing called personal thoughts you know.

Oh I know, but like I said, it doesn't bother me.

Who are you. I've talked… thought to you since I was little and I still have no idea.

Sigh. All right. You will find out soon. How soon, I cannot tell you. Only that you will.

Hello?

…

Sighing, I slowly sit on my bed. I was confused. The last thing I remembered was collapsing onto Sakura's back, dead exhausted. Now I was here in my bed, with him, and I have no idea how long it has been. I shake my head to clear it, but that still does not help.

I slowly stretch, so as not to pull a muscle, like a cat before standing up again. I then take in a deep breath and start the delicate process of transforming into my human image. I slowly made my way to the door. I cautiously opened the door and looked around. Only the pale of water was out there. I stepped out, grabbed it and hurried back inside. I then closed the door and went to the bathroom, dumping the water into the tub.

The water was no longer hot, so I did not lollygag in the water, not wanting to see how long it took until the water became cold. As soon as I jumped out, I tipped it so that it could drain, then went into my room to get dressed. Nothing fancy, I don't care of my cousin is here; I'll be catching up on my learning. She could go ahead and tell who ever she wanted that I was dressing like a boy.

I put on the normal hose, tunic and breeches and shirt. After dressed, I went out side. At first the light blinded me. I stopped and blinked several times. It would not do to get over my sickness only to tumble down the stairs and break something. Most likely my neck.

As soon as the spots cleared, I started my way to the dining room. When I walked in, no one was eating and they all were looking in my direction. It took me a minute to comprehend what happened.

Ooh that… that… that BEAST! He must've told Kel that I was feeling better. Now she has everyone here waiting for me to come in and join them.

They did not look happy. All of them had scowls pointed in my direction with promises of nasty things to come. Sighing, I move to my seat with a plate full of food. I choose a sit between Adianna and Maelin. When I looked up, everybody was still glaring at me, so I stood straighter and held my head up higher.

Kel started the prayer before they eating. When it was finished, it seemed people were in higher regards. They began to eat heartily before I even sat down.

"So, what happened between you and 'Kastu?"

I glance and see the look on Maelin's face. Sighing, I put down the fork that was on its way to my mouth. I then turn to face her and look her solely in the eye.

"Nothing 'happened between' us. I was sick and he… cared for me."

A very unladylike snort was heard on my other side.

"Yeah right! I bet you he just wanted to get into your pants… and your bed. I don't trust that sniveling dog. You should whip him and send him on his way. You never allowed any of those puppies at home to even get near you! Why do you allow this one?"

Good question… Why do I?

"I don't know Adianna, but even if I did, I wouldn't tell you. You'd go blabbering it off to the whole court."

I turn around to see the shocked expression on her face. She then started at an incoherent bluster. She finally got her tongue back, but unfortunately it was before I could get that wanted bite into my mouth.

"I do not blabber off to the court! I'm hurt Diana that you would say such things!"

I sigh and put the fork back down. I then set in an impassive mask before looking at her again.

"Who was the one who told the court who I had a crush on? Who was the one who told them what happed when I leapt out of the tree with my skirts on? Who was the one who told them when I fell into that huge mud puddle? Now hush so that I may eat."

Before she could say anything else, I sharply turned away from her and started in on my food. Pork rinds were not my choice of eating when I was just sick for a long while, but they were the only thing I had, so I chowed down. It also gave me sanctuary from those uncomfortable questions that made me question myself. About halfway through, I felt something jump into my lap from under the table.

It scared the crap out me, so bad that I almost leapt up screaming. I know that my face was white and I was shaking. I got myself under control and looked down. It was just Sakura, so I reached down and grabbed her around her ribs and put her on my shoulder. This must have been the first time that the other kids saw her because they all grew quiet and started to stare at me. I pointedly ignored them and went back to my breakfast. When it was evident that I was not going to answer any questions and that Sakura wasn't bothering me, they went back to their chattering. Though they were not as loud as they were so I guessed that they were talking about me.

I felt a shadow fall over me. I knew who it was with out turning around to look. I made it clear that I was not going to acknowledge the person until I finished the last few bites of my food. When I had swallowed it, I stood up and slowly turned around. I glared at Alex for several long minutes before I spoke to her in an uncaring voice and a mask of impassionate.

"What do you want Alex Mandermin?"

She glowered at me, probably wishing that I were someplace far away right now, or better yet, dead. Emily, right behind her, looked at her "leader" and tried to mimic Alex. It was quite amusing to see her try.

"Stop imitating Alex, Emily. You're not very good at it."

I could tell that by the slight frown creasing Emily's beautiful, but empty head, that she did not know what the word "imitating" meant. Stifling a sigh, I roll my eyes.

"It means to stop trying to copy Alex."

"Shut up Di-ana! Emily knows what the word meant."

"I did?"

"You shut up too Emily. No need for you to put in you second sense."

I was tempted to just smack them both right now and get it all over and done with already. Before Alex could really get on a roll, I stepped in.

"I said, 'What do you want, Alex'?"

She glared hate filled daggers into me, but then that expression changed quite suddenly. A malicious grin showed up suddenly, then was replaced by a fake sweet smile. She flipped her over her shoulder and looked at me with 'innocence'.

"I heard that Sosonokatsu has taken to sleeping in your lately. I just wanted to know if that is the truth."

"Soso…? What do you want to know of it? So what if he has, it's none of your business."

"I was only looking out for my Princess, Diana! Why do you always have to be so mean?"

I took a deep breath and was about to snip at her, but a presence made me stop. My spine stiffens and I slowly turn around. I'm staring into a big, muscular chest, a warrior's chest. Gulping, I slowly look up. The nice, shaven jaw, the long black hair. Up farther and into his watchful silver eyes. Gulping, I step back.

"Father! What are you doing here?"

I couldn't help it. He always had this effect on me. He was the only man who could intimidate me. My voice cracked and I started to panic. There should be no reason that he should be here. The look in his eyes was full of… something I did not know.

"Come with me Diana. We need to talk."

Oh boy, the last time someone told me that we need to talk, my favorite puppy ran beneath to wheel of a moving cart. This couldn't be good. Gulping I start to fallow him out the door. But He then stopped suddenly.

"Just who do you think you are taking my pupil away like that?"

I knew the sound of that voice. Startled, I glance up at Lady Knight Kel. She even looked imposing, and this was the first time I've seen anyone, let alone and female, stand up to father.

"I'm taking my daughter someplace private. I… must speak to her."

"What is more important than your daughter, my pupil, finishing up her breakfast?"

"First of all it's none of your business, and second, she was finished eating. Otherwise I wouldn't have called her to me."

With that, he just walked past and I could do nothing else but fallow. Kel made as if to fallow, but I shook my head at her and gave a faint smile. I followed along silently until he got to the place where he believed was most comfortable. We were in a little grove of trees within the menagerie.

As soon as we were away from prying eyes, he disbanded his illusion, becoming a little taller and his hair longer, silkier and the royal sigma oh his forehead shone. His ears grew out like mine did and a huge puffy wolf-like tail sprouted out from behind him. I soon fallowed soot, my long graceful tail was not as bulbous or as nerve-racking as his was, but certainly more useful and flexible than his. My furry cat-like ears grew on the sides of my head and the mark on my head came, but then my mother's little triangle on the side of my face under my right eye came too.

"Your… brother has died. He lead a battle to the front lines and there were assassins waiting for him."

My fear just dissipated and something else replaced it. I believe at first it was shock an denial. But then something started in my chest. I didn't know what it was.

"I… I'm sorry Diana… I know that you loved Mitsu…"

I wail irrupted involuntarily from my throat and everything was a blur, a swirling mass of color and nothingness. I was getting dizzy and everything felt like it was spinning, falling away from me. Then, all of a sudden, it stopped. I was small and down at my father's feet. Despair still racked through me, but nothing was spinning anymore. I tried to stand so that I could run away, but I fell over. It felt funny, my whole body felt funny. I looked down and see that I have turned into a haku neko mata.

When my father reached down to grab me, a hiss-like-growl tore from my throat. I take off on all fours. Not caring about the bushes grabbing at me and ripping at my skin. I don't know how long I was running, but I saw that I was in a hallway at the palace. Knowing that I was safe, I collapsed right there and start sobbing, tiny mews escaping from me.

I had no idea where I was, but a door opened and someone looked down at me. Looking up through tear filled eyes, I see someone kind, with a heart-shaped face and nice soft brown hair. She bent down and picked me up. Gently cradling me, as if I was a baby, she took me into her room.

"Isn't this Diana's cat?"

I knew that voice from somewhere. It kind of took me out of my despair a little, and my head shot up to her. It was the woman who was with Numair… Dainia…Darleen…Dorchia…Daine, I think, yes, that's her name! Movement made me look to my left, which was in front of Daine, since I was cradled to her chest. My eyes widened a little in brief surprise. He looked kind of hot in the shadows, but a little too old for my tastes. He looked down at me, deep in thought, for a second.

"It looks like it, but the coloring is all wrong. First of all, her coloring is all wrong, her cat is black, not silvery like this one. Second, I don't think she has the shape of a sakura blossom on her rump."

Daine looked thoughtful for a few seconds. She then looked deeply into my green eyes in concentration. My head started to feel funny, like someone was trying to break through my shields to read my thoughts. At first I was confused, but then I got what was happening. I then take down all my sheildings to her.

:Help! I'm stuck:

I guess I scared Daine because she tumbled backwards and dropped me. Luckily, I've practiced landing on all fours and only stumbled a little. Daine was sitting on the floor and staring at me in astonishment and I sat there and looked back at her, not blinking. All this was doing something good for me… it was taking my mind off of my brother's deat.

Translations

Haku: white

Hanyou: half-breed

Inu: dog

Katana: a type of curved sword that Japanese samurai use, or in this case, Yamani samurai

Kimono: a Japanese outfit that the girls wore

Kobodou: fighting in close combat with weapons

Neko: a cat

Obi: the sash around the middle of the kimono to hold it shut

Sakura: the blossoms of a cherry tree

Sensai: a teacher or tutor

Sensu: a flip fan used in Japan

Youkai: demon

A/N: Yeah, chapter 13 is now done! I'm sorry it took a while. I was finishing up an English project and trying to make this chapter long. Like I promised, this is the longest chapter I have written for this story so far.

I hope that you like this. And PLEASE, please, please review.

Angel: I'm glad you liked my chappie, but I hope that you like this one even more! 88) Please review the next chappie.

Ephona: Why would I think you're crazy? To me, crazy and weird are what other people call normal! 88D I'm glad that you like my story! Does a happy dance and scars everyone in the room at school. I will keep on trying, I promise, but it gets harder and harder as it goes on.

Nyasha: I know who you are. 88) I will keep on typing for you as well. I will give you a copy in science like you asked. 88D

Kerichi: -sigh- interesting... how Kerichi. Knowing you, you may not like it. But here's the next chappie.

'Insanity: Really? They are? Places hand over heart. Here's the next chapter so that you don't have to wait any longer. I'm really, really happy that you like it! 88D

Kristiana: Here's the next chapter for you. I hope that you like reading it.

Spider of Shadowland: I do hope that you are enjoying my story. I'm enjoying typing it.

Kagura no Baka: Yeah, I'm running out of things to say to people. The story sucked up all of my creativity. I'm going dry. 880