Me: Hi! Here's chapter 13~ Enjoy~

Edited - 5/12/2024

Beta'd by IHaveNoIdea8.

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Kairi's POV

I couldn't believe I was here with Peony! I was so going to get Jade back for that! I didn't know how, but I was determined to find a way! While I was thinking this, I was dragged to a door on the second floor.

"This was your room," Peony said, "Before you went to become a God-General." I looked at him and back at the door

I hesitated when I reached for the doorknob, a little afraid to see something I shouldn't. I shook my head and determinedly opened the door and walked into the room, looking around it. It was a nice little room, but I still felt like I was intruding. I wasn't the real Selena.

I was walking over to the bed when I saw something sparkle from the corner of my eye. It was a medium-sized box sitting on the desk, glittering prettily from the sunlight coming from the window behind it. I walked over to it and slowly opened it up. The room was instantly filled with a soft tune when I did so. It made the atmosphere in the room slightly more eerie.

"This song..." I said softly, forgetting I wasn't alone. I looked to my left to see Peony walking to my side. He was smiling at me.

"That's your music box - you loved it a lot. You left it to me to keep it safe while you were away, so I have been taking care of it until you got back. Don't you remember?" I nodded slowly, in reality, it was the first I'd heard of this. "When I heard you disappeared I wanted to go out and find you myself since no one else wanted to."

"Peony..." I choked out, "I'm so sorry." I looked down, trying not to cry in front of him. I felt guilty - he didn't know what I was really apologizing about.

"Hey, it's okay. You're here now. Remind me to thank Jade and his friends for bringing my little sister back."

I looked at him with watery eyes before hugging him tightly, letting the tears fall while he rubbed my head in an attempt to comfort me. I knew I had a place that I could call 'Home'. It would be strange at first since I wasn't the real Selena, but I was sure I'd get used to it.

Peony told me after I finished crying that there were some clothes for me in the closet, and I told him I wanted to say bye to my friends before they left.

"Of course. I'll have someone go with you, for protection. I don't want to ever lose you again, even though I know you can take care of yourself...you can never be too careful."

Chuckling I nodded "Sure, I don't mind. If it eases your worry then I'll do it...but who is this person that will be my protector/bodygaurd?"

He smiles "You'll see him and another guard outside in the front, he did ask for this position."

I was confused and even more curious, he left the room as I walked to the closet and looked through each outfit and dress until I found one I liked. I hoped Selena wouldn't mind me wearing any of her clothes. I brushed my hair then took some of my hair behind the back of my head putting it into a small high bun, when I slipped my feet into the white heels then I left the room, and walked down the steps as I lifted the bottom of the dress so it won't get dirty, and right when I step down the last step I look ahead at the front door's eyes widen a bit surprised to see the one person I was not expecting.

I walked to Grand Chokmah's Inn in one of Selena's dresses. When I found them leaving the Inn. I walked over to them, calling out Luke's name. I giggled looking at everyone's faces when they saw me. I stopped right before Luke, smiling broadly with my hands clasped together in front of my chest.

"Thank Yulia I caught up to you guys before you left."

"K-Kairi?" Luke asked, looking flustered.

"Kairi, are you some kind of princess?" Anise asked with a glint in her eyes, I had a feeling she thought Peony and I were together, and it made me feel a bit uncomfortable.

"Kinda... You see..." I paused, trying to think of a way to tell them, "Peony is my adopted brother."

"WHAT?" all of them yelled out, looks of shock on their faces. Jade was the only one who remained quiet. He looked amused as he pushed his glasses up his nose.

"Peony adopted me as his brother before I became a God-General," I explained, "I didn't want to meet him because I was afraid it would make things hard for me." Jade just smirked at my explanation, "Sorry I haven't been truthful, you guys..."

Everyone was silent for a while, but Luke finally walked closer to me, smiling kindly.

"I'm glad you told us that, Kairi. But why are you wearing a dress? It'll get ripped because of the monsters."

I sighed and took Luke's hands, squeezing them in comfort while smiling sadly at him, "Because I'm not coming with you... Peony wants me to stay, Luke. Anyway, I would cause you guys too much trouble if I kept collapsing like I did in St. Binah and when I healed Fringes. I'm sorry but it'll be safer for me and everyone if I stay with Peony. He will send a letter if anything happens to me. And please come by and visit if you can, I have something to give to all of you later - especially to Natalia if you guys meet up with her."

"Mieuuu," Mieu said, his ears drooping. He looked so sad.

"Aww. Come on, Mieu, you can visit me anytime, or send me a letter so I know how you all are doing, and if you need help with something please tell me, I might know an answer."

"Right," Luke replied, nodding determinedly, "Come on guys, let's go to Baticul."

I waved goodbye to them and watched them leave Grand Chokmah.

"Please be safe everyone," I muttered, too quiet for them to hear from the distance they were at. I turned around to see the person who asked Peony personally to be my bodyguard and Peony trusted him to escort me and keep me safe.

"Lady Selena, his Majesty wishes for you to rest so the two of you can speak a little more."

"Alright," I replied, "but Fringes, please call me Kairi."

He nodded with a smile and escorted me back to the palace I wished I didn't have to be escorted like this, but Peony wanted to make sure I was safe.

I went to Selena's room and closed the door behind me. I walked over to the bed. I fell asleep before my head hit the pillow, dreaming of finding Sync alive again. But for some reason when I was between sleep and awake, I felt a hand stroking my cheek...I don't know why but, it felt familiar and safe and I end up smiling in my sleep...but I didn't know if I was imagining it or something, I thought I heard Sync's voice.

"Sweet dreams...Kairi."