Kaori
I sat in the kitchen in my temple with Wulf, Aimee, Devin, and Mama Peltier in front of me. The Peltier's had brought me soup. I smiled at them. I read and knew about them. I smiled at the soup and the herbs they brought for my symptoms. The food smelt amazing, but I couldn't even stomach eating anything. I looked up and watched the Peltier's with Wulf. The Peltier's dropped everything for Wulf because he asked. That kind of trust was something I didn't have with Inu. I looked down at my hands. It was all my fault.
"Lass?" I looked up at Wulf.
I smiled at him, "thank you for this. All of you."
I glanced back down at the soup. I lifted the spoon and took a bite. It was delicious. I smiled up at the Peltier's.
"Thank you so much. I know you don't know me, but I can't express how thankful I am that you came when Wulf called you." I turned back to my food.
My phone went off. I looked down and saw a text message from Ash.
πΌπππ π ππππ π ππππ πππ πππππππππ’ ππππππππ ππ, ππππππ?
I was confused, but did so. Next thing I know Ash and Tory are walking through the door to Artemis's old temple. I look down at their intertwined hands. I smile and then Tory is next to me hugging me. I rest my hand on her arm and grit my teeth trying to fight the tears that threaten to fall down my face.
"Kaori," I looked up at Ash, "I'll be back, and I'll have Inu with me."
I shook my head, "if he doesn't want to be here don't force him. He's had a month to come back."
I looked down at the soup in front of me. I didn't feel hungry anymore. I just felt sick and tired again.
"No," I looked up at Ash, "you may have lied. You may have kept something from him, but he needs to know that you didn't do it because you didn't want to tell him. You couldn't. You were in a position where if he had been there he would've been in danger. Even I know that. So no, he's done throwing a pity party. He's done hurting someone I care about. I won't let him hurt you anymore. You're my family you are like an older sibling who does everything to protect the ones you love no matter what you have to sacrifice. You gave me something no one else could, Kaori. So please, let me do this for you. My precious little sister who saved me."
Tory let me go and I ran to Ash. I hugged him tight, crying into his chest. I saw a glint of red and saw it glowing. It was the armband from Rhyssa and Apollodorus.
Congrats, Little Sister. I hope your little one brings you joy.
I smiled and closed my eyes. I felt loved and cared for. Cherished in the arms of someone I loved. Even if that love changed. It grew and now we are a family. I pulled away and smiled up at him.
Thank you, brother. For everything.
He smiled at me.
You're welcome, Kaori. Now I'll be right back. With Inu in tow even if it means dragging him by the ear.
I nodded and smiled at him.
Hurts doesn't it?
That's not funny.
I laughed softly.
It is just a little bit. Now go, I'll keep Tory busy. Come back soon, Ash.
Acheron. Please call me Acheron.
I nodded and he left. I turned to Tory, Wulf, Devin, Aimee, and Mama Peltier. I smiled at all of them.
"I can't thank you enough for coming here to help me today," I glanced down at the ground, "it hasn't been easy. Especially not having much of a support system. So thank you all so much. I'm indebted to all of you."
I looked back up at them. I glanced at Tory and I gasped. I saw images. She is pregnant and happy with Ash holding a little girl. I heard someone say Auntie Tory and Uncle Ash. I smile knowing that probably will never happen again, but it makes me happy knowing that my appearance and Artemis's disappearance didn't affect Ash's future. It made it better. I hear a grunt and a thud. I turn and see Inu on the floor. He glared at Ash, and Ash glared back at Inu.
"Go talk to her." He looks at me.
I bite my lip.
Would he listen to me again? Would he be willing to listen to why I couldn't involve him? Will he believe me when I say the baby is his after everything that has happened?