Enemy Within: In the Mourning
In the mourning I can see the signs

Note: I do not own Power Rangers Jungle Fury or its characters. I do own Kiran though and Jarrod's Mother for the time being. This line comes from "Mourning" by Tantric
Prompt: First Funeral(bigthingsinlife)
Genre: ANGST FOR THE LOVE OF JARROD! ANGST
Rating: T (Minor language)

I had no intentions of coming here today; I didn't want to, it was forcing me to admit the only person I've truly loved was dead. She had taken her own life. Everyone was whispering rumors, I didn't stop them, and I didn't have the energy to care. Only RJ, Dom, the Masters and I knew what really happened and that would be the way it would stay. Dom is between RJ and I; his body is shaking as he inhales as his sobs quietly leave him. RJ is snuffling and sniffing from the other side. I can't cry. She wouldn't want me to, a part of me is in denial, still, and I will mourn her in my own time. I refused to be forced to mourn her now. According to Master Mao, they are keeping this funeral private between those who knew her the best. There is no casket, we are gathered around a flat gave marked with her name. There are 6 of us here-Me, RJ, Dom, and the Masters Swoop, Finn, and Phant.

Swoop is stoic and silent; his face is turned towards mine, I feel his unseeing eyes on me. Kiran had once told me, though his eyes cannot see being totally blind since birth, he still can see. Now I feel that sight focused on me. I know he blames me. I don't blame him. Had I realized, had I taken the time to see the signs I had been ignoring. This wouldn't have happened, it shouldn't have happened.

Phant's face shows the agony of loss, of seeing someone so young die before someone has old as he. Finn is silent, his hands folded nearly in front of him and his son was beside him.

Together in silence we stand. I feel all their collective attention beginning to focus on me, and I can't bear it anymore. I leave, heading back to my room, the one place I can be alone. Climbing into bed I huddle myself in the center and slowly sink into restless sleep.

Kiran is not in the ground; I cannot physically see her anymore. When she was living, even to her final heartbeat, I could still see her. Now I see nothing. The Elders have failed. They had instructed that if anything were to happen to her to bring her here, to the underground chamber. I believe her distress attitude; as of late has been their doing. Had Jarrod been able to use half of his lion skills, he would have been able to scent out that she was not there. But unfortunately for him, she is still dead.

The Elders are gathered and silent. They failed. They tried to raise the dead. They've only successfully done it once before. It was a highly dangerous and forbidden technique but they had obviously tried to bring her back.

"So what now?" I asked them. "You couldn't bring her back? Now what we do to with her body?"

"Bring her to the city and bring her to the morgue. Tag her as a Jane Doe. We can't do anything about her now."

Phant and Finn looked to me, besides Phant I was her closest Master and we've had a difficult relationship since I saved her all those years ago. They don't have to say it but I believe they are entrusting me to bring her to the morgue since she would trust no one else. I think they failed to realize one thing.

"She is dead. I cannot see her. I can see everything around but I can't be sure where I'm reaching."

I think all of them just remember I'm blind. Taking pity on me I feel Finn lean over and pick her up and place her in my arms. She's so cold, its haunts me, making me think of all the dead I've felt in my life. The others assure me that the students are in lock down and that it is night so I should not be spotted on campus. Taking flight, I return to the world I've grown to want to be a part of once again.

The hospital morgue is quiet when I enter, as it should be since it's just a holding room for the dead. I find an empty table and lay her down carefully. For once I wish I could see her, to open my eyes and find out that this was an elaborate lie and she is not the one who is cold and still on this table.

She was far too young. The life span for those with her spirit, are short but she still had years to go. I feel so guilty that I couldn't save her.

"I'm sorry Kiran. At least you're at peace now." I tell her softly and leave her there. As I leave, I swear I hear a noise but I know its not possible and decide to walk the night, trying to clear my head of my failures.

Days Later

The Phant family has been in Pai Shuq from the beginning. We have been faithful to the word of the Elders and obedient students as well as Teachers. This time, my wrath pours from me and I don't hold back. The Elders have crossed the line this time and now because of my actions, I am dismissed from the Academy. Gathering my things with the help of my eldest Sister, Lorna, the head Nurse at the Academy we journey to my Youngest Sister's home. She had spare rooms and her door was always open. Even though the sun had passed along ago, we knock on her door, and wait. She opens the door, smiling at us and surveyed the scene before her.

"Finally leaving? It's about time." She says, and helps take some of my bags in. She chatters softly, and I immediately know why. It is late and my beloved Niece is sleeping upstairs.

"Thank you for taking us in Toni," Lorna says, Antonia smiles, she had the biggest heart I've ever seen.

"Anytime! Just be quiet on your way up, Gabby is sleeping."

Through the darkness we head to the guest rooms and set down our things. This room has two small beds and one is already occupied. Lorna mutters her goodnight and heads to the room she was taking down the hall. She was not pleased about what happened and when she is angry, she stays angry. She holds a grudge worse than I do.

After I changed and was about ready to settle down, I hear the soft patter of feet and a light knock on the door. Gabby peaks her head in, she definitely has her Mothers looks. Such beauty even in her young age of 12.

"Hello Uncle Leo!" she said and hugs me tight. Then she peers on the other bed through the darkness and freezes. "Who is that?" she asked, her large eyes fill with confusion. I take her hand and lead her to the bed.

"Her name is Persephone, she's only a few years older than you are. She's…had an accident and is resting now. She was one of my students. She'll be staying here for a while."

"Is that why Auntie Lorna is here?"

"Yes child,"

"Will she wake up soon?" Gabby asks innocently.

"I hope so, Gabby, I hope so."

"What if she doesn't?" She's so curious now and touches Persephone's cheek, instantly drawing back, I'm sure it was in surprise of how cold her skin was.

"Then our efforts were in vain. Say a prayer tonight for her," I tell my only Niece, who nods zealously.

"I will Uncle. I hope she gets better soon." Then focuses her attention on me. "I am happy to see you again!" with one more hug, she heads back to bed. She's still too young to really connect what has fully happened. Her love for me reminds me why I am still alive after all these years. I have seen so much, done many things, good and bad for the great good.

Her head is wrapped in thick white gauze, the Elders were sure that all that would remain from this incident would be a tiny scar on her forehead. We would have to wait if she wakes. If is the big thought weighing on my mind. Then we would wait to find out if she would retain her memories. Most importantly which ones and her fate after rehabilitation to gain what she lost. If. It's the one thing that darkens my hope. If she makes it. She may still die and sometimes I wish she would for her own sake. With a sigh I lie on my bed and utter a prayer, not just for her but also for Jarrod who will never know that she lives and the others who would never know either.

---End...---
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