W.I.T.C.H. Dreams of Lusteria
by Galistar07water
Disclaimer: W.I.T.C.H. is owned and copyrighted by the Walt Disney Company Italia and is in no way affiliated with the fictional works of Galistar07water.
Chapter 07: The Sealed Portal pt. III
Earlier that Friday morning, Kimi sighed as she watched her friends leave for the concert, a part of her mind wondering if they'll be able to enjoy themselves. Irma's accusing word pierced her mind, but she tried to brush it away. Unfortunately it still lingers like the black ink on the scroll in front of her. As Kimi continued to write her calligraphy, she could hear Orube and Lady Ngọc Long talking downstairs.
"Kimi should have gone with them," said Orube. "It would do her some good to get out of this house. It pains me to see her so depressed."
"Hmmm… I understand your concern," said the Jade Dragon. "After all, is it not true you forged a bond with her and Kyochi when you first came to Lusteria to train all those years ago?"
"Of course I'm concern for her!" Orube sighed. "As my parents' only offspring, I never knew what it was liked to have siblings before my master, Luba, sent me to Lusteria. After all we've been through, I consider both Kimi and Kyochi as if they were my blood relatives."
"Do not force her, my child," said the Jade Dragon. "Kimi will eventually find her way back to them. We are fortunate that her health is rapidly increasing. Her mind and her heart, however, will take a little longer."
Orube noticed how distracted their caretaker was. The Jade Dragon has been constantly lost in her own thoughts. Before she could ask, Ngọc Long looked up at the door and said, "It seemed we have a visitor."
Sure enough, the doorbell rang two seconds later. At first, Orube expected that Kishimoto boy at the door, most likely hoping to convince Kimi to change her mind about going to his concert. Ngọc Long got up to open the door, but the guest is someone Orube did not expect to see: Kimi's uncle.
"Chancellor Komei," Ngọc Long greeted. "It's an honor to have you here."
The Chancellor was dressed in a different robe with his official hat and signature fan. He came in with an air of grace and majesty as well as power and wisdom.
"Jade Dragon, you do me too much credit. It's an honor to be in your presence. Orube-san, it is a pleasure to see you again, my child."
Orube quickly bowed to him. Upstairs, Kimi paused in her writing as she sensed her uncle's aura in the house. "Chancellor, this really is a surprise. Why are you here?"
"I sensed a few changes in the wind," said Komei. "And I believe it has something to do with my niece and the Guardians' mission on my world. I am also concern over Kimi's health. I've heard of her ordeal against Xuan Wu in Joseon. Tell me, where is Kimi-chan?"
"She's resting in her room. Should I inform her of your visit?"
"No, she already knows I'm here," Komei smiled. "Let her rest for now. After her traumatic experiences these last few weeks, I do not believe she wants to seek my company."
Orube and Ngọc Long offered the Chancellor to take a seat and served him some tea. After a few more courtesies, the three of them began to discuss the situations on Lusteria.
"How are things boding, your grace?" Ngọc Long asked.
"Not well, Jade Dragon," the Chancellor replied honestly. "The Celestial Warrior of Air has been successful in conquering our neighboring islands and nations. Soon, she'll strike in the heart of Nihon. To make matters worse, our emperor is on his deathbed and I fear that he will not last the next few days."
"Who will inherit his throne?" Orube asked. "You're his advisor. Does he say anything to you?"
"His daughter, Princess Kazunomiya, will become Empress upon his death as it's her right. However she is still too young and there will be oppositions who won't accept her due to her age and declining health."
"To have an eight-year-old child sitting on the throne of one of the five most powerful kingdoms on Lusteria would seem absurd to many. Seiryuu will exploit this weakness somehow. But don't forget she cannot take it at a whim. Thanks to the ancient binding law, not even the Celestial Warriors can seize the five monarchies for themselves."
This was true since Byakko tried to force the Emperor Sheng-tsu to hand over his throne and when Xuan Wu tried to blackmail Sŏndŏk into handing over her crown.
"Seiryuu will need the three Sacred Treasures to take Nihon," Ngọc Long pointed out. "But she cannot as you and I are both aware of the treasures' locations."
"Seiryuu will find a way to usurp the Crown Princess…and I fear she will do it through Kazunomiya's brother."
"The Emperor's bastard? He cannot inherit the throne because he is an illegitimate son," Orube pointed out.
"I have heard whispers in the palace walls," the Chancellor replied grimly. "The servants are talking of the bastard's supporters who will try to convince their emperor to legitimize him before his death. After all, the boy is much older than his half-sister and anyone of his supporters will convince him to make a deal with Seiryuu."
"What do you plan to do?" Orube asked. "With the way things are, we cannot handle two Celestial Warriors simultaneously. We could hardly handle Byakko and Xuan Wu on their own turfs."
"No, you cannot," the Chancellor agreed. "Hwang-Ryong is bidding his time while his remaining siblings are attacking Nihon and Annam concurrently. You cannot split your forces to face them both." Turning to face the Jade Dragon, he asked, "I can convince the Watsuki clan to help us. They may be our rivals but both of our clans are the descendants of the first Twin Guardian. General Zhang Yide has already volunteered some of his men to help."
Orube recalled Zhang Yide, the muscular and massive general they've met in Zhong-guo. At first, he mistook the Guardians as evil spirits in disguised, but thanks to Kimi and Orube, he was quick to help them on their mission. During the final battle, he and his two brothers, Lord Ryuu Bi and General Kuan Yi mobilized their forces to help them fight against Byakko's army. After Kohaku's death, the three men paid their respect at their cousin's funeral. As distant relatives of the Watsuki clan, Zhang Yide and his brothers were quick to aid the Imperial family of Nihon. It also doesn't hurt that the Emperor's late wife was a member of the Watsuki clan.
"Thank you for the news," Orube said, sipping her tea. "For now, we can concentrate on defeating Zhu Que without fear of Seiryuu attacking us from behind."
The Chancellor didn't answer her as he looked intensively into his tea. Sensing his uneasiness, Ngọc Long asked, "Komei, what is plaguing your thoughts?"
Komei pondered for a moment, wondering if he should bring up something personal. "Hmm…I am not sure if I should tell you this, Jade Dragon, as it involves my family personally…however, I am uncertain if it has anything to do with your mission lately."
"What do you mean?"
"Kenji Kinomoto, my adopted son," Komei began. "He has become more detached these past few months. He's keen on learning the art of politics and foreign relations."
"That doesn't seem to strange," Orube noted. "Most of your children are trying to follow in your footsteps, after all. Isn't one of your sons a personal bodyguard to your ruler?"
"Yes, but he seemed particularly interested in what the Five Kingdoms and their monarchs are doing to counter the Celestial Warriors' plot. After your last encounter with him, he quickly graduated and asked to be sent to the Joseon's royal court. Upon his return, he seemed shaken by your battles against Xuan Wu."
Orube glanced at Ngọc Long nervously. They didn't see Kenji at Queen Sŏndŏk's court…could he have known something about the spy?
"Chancellor, there is something I must tell you," Orube said and began to tell him what happened while they were in Joseon, from the brainwashed Kiyomi and Kazumi to the suspicion of a spy in their mist.
"You're accusing my adopted son as a traitor and a spy?" Komei glowered. "This is a serious accusation. Do you have any proof?"
Orube shook her head. "You said he came to Joseon but while there, we were attacked by his betrothed and her sister. They claimed we were on the side of evil, but there were signs of them being under Xuan Wu's influences."
"Yet, you did not see Kenji there with your own eyes?" Komei raised an eyebrow. "It would not surprise me to know Xuan Wu would stoop so low as to manipulate my nieces, tricking them into attack you."
"Could Kenji have been the one who enthralled Kiyomi and Kazumi?" Orube suggested.
"Unlikely. My son may be patronizing and arrogant, but he is still no-where near powerful enough to brainwash others with magic. His power is only limited to wielding water. His magic pales in comparison with his siblings and cousins. However, I do believe you're right in suspecting a spy coming from within my clan. I will investigate this case discreetly."
Kimi listened and heard nothing. She realized that there was a moment of silence among them and decided to continue her calligraphy. However, the conversation started up again and this time, it was about her.
"Chancellor, I sense there's something else on your mind," Ngọc Long noted.
Komei was doing his best to hide his thoughts and worries with his stoic and calm personality, but it was still easily detected by a member of Kandrakar's Gemini Council.
Ngọc Long chuckled. "It took a few years of constant meditation to earn my human form, Chancellor. I've been around for a little more than twenty-seven hundred years. While that age pales in comparison with most Kandrakar Elders, it's enough to allow me to read the smallest signs. Now tell me, what else plagues your thought?"
Komei sighed and Orube decided to offer him more tea, hoping it would help soothed his troubled mind. Komei accepted the refill graciously.
"I worried for both Kimi and Kyochi greatly," he said. "My nephew has been captured by the Celestial Warriors and his sister nearly died from hypothermia."
"We're all worried, Chancellor. It's only natural, not something you should be worrying about."
"You don't understand. Their mother…my sister, Kotone…she was the light of my life. She was a kind and gentle woman with a great sense of compassion for others. She was very protective of her family, willing to sacrifice her own happiness to do what she must. When the relations between our two clans began to strain, the leaders resorted to an arrange marriage between Kotone and Kohaku. I did not agree to this union, but they insisted in order to keep the peace. Kohaku was already dark and cold to begin with, but for a while after their marriage, Kotone was able to thaw his heart. She always saw the good in others, but I'm afraid it wasn't meant to be."
"Kohaku became obsessed with the power of Darkness and began to experiment it, until he was able to unlock his newfound power to suppress his opponents of their magic and life essences," Orube said darkly.
"Orube, do you know the real reason why my brother-in-law became obsessed with the Darkness?" Komei asked. "He didn't do it because he was power-hungry, but to protect Kotone and his children from the Kinomoto clan."
Kimi's hand stopped upon hearing this revelation while Orube and Ngọc Long gave him a look of surprise. "Surely you had realized how corrupt the Kinomoto clan has become by now."
"I always thought your relations were arrogant by upbringings," Orube replied vehemently. Realizing that she had just insulted Komei, she quickly apologized, but Komei raised a hand to stop her.
"No need to apologize, Orube," Komei said firmly. "I am aware of how presumptuous my clansmen are and they've been for centuries. The Kinomoto clan is the only one that can produce multiple sets of twins in a single generation, but it is not without difficulties. The clan has a deep pride in being the descendants of Kazuhiro and Kazuhiko."
"They were the twin brothers who became the first Guardians of Light and Darkness, correct?" Orube asked.
Komei nodded. "Yes, and they decreed that only twins from their descendant lines would inherit their roles as Guardians, believing that twins have the most powerful bond with one another in order to face evil. The Watsuki clan wasn't able to produce as many pure sets of twins as they would hope, so the Guardianship has always been passed down from the Kinomoto side. The Watsuki became distant and detached from their cousins in the Kinomto clan, and soon went off to discover their own destinies. My clan, however, became obsessed with the power and reputation of producing strong lines of Twin Guardians. Hoping to ensure that Kandrakar would always select their children to continue the tradition, they constantly practiced arranged marriages and pressuring their own women to produce as many children as possible."
Ashamed, Komei buried half of his face in one hand and sighed. "Like her cousins, Kotone was constantly pressured by our family to produce twin offspring or face dishonor and rejections if she fails. This led to an increase in miscarriages and stillborns."
Orube's eyes widened in horror as she realized what he was about to say next. Upstairs, Kimi's could feel her heart pounding faster as she continued to eavesdrop.
"Chancellor, are you saying that Kimi and Kyochi were not the only offspring of Kohaku and Kotone?" Orube whispered.
The Chancellor shook his head. "My sister had several miscarriages during the first few years of her marriage. There was one other child, a boy named Hikaru, who came before Kimi and Kyochi. We thought he would survive, but he had no twin and one day my sister came to me in tears, telling me of his passing after surviving for only one day. Kohaku was devastated as well and grew weary of his in-laws. He thought I was one of the few who pressured Kotone. When I became Chancellor, he became envious of me and feared my powerful influences and sought to find a way to negate me.
"Kohaku became indifferent and cold to Kotone, even after she successful bore Kimi and Kyochi shortly afterwards. He believed that if he could master the power of Darkness, he could change the Kinomoto and make them fear him. When he discovered his power to suppress other's magic, the clansmen feared for their lives and dispatched me and the previous Twin Guardians to apprehend him. I had hoped to convince Kohaku to forget his vendetta against my family and to find a less violent way to promote his progressive ideals. Sadly, you know the rest of the story on that fateful night."
There was a deadly air of silence in the room as the two women tried to take this all in. Finally, it was Orube who spoke up.
"Are you telling us that all of this time, Kimi and Kyochi could have been different?" Orube demanded. "They could have had a happier life together with their parents?"
"What happiness?" Komei scoffed. "Even if my sister and Kohaku hadn't died, Kimi and Kyochi would still be living under the pressure of the Kinomoto clan! Before birth, most of our children's futures were decided for them. They do not get to choose who their spouses are and their childhood is constantly full of strict lessons in combat, academics, and proper etiquette so that the clan will rise higher in Lusterian society! The clan elders had already been plotting who Kimi was going to marry for years, not to mention which university Kyochi should attend and how useful his brilliant mind would be to their causes! I tried to shield them from the influence of the clan as much as possible when I adopted them into my home…but even I could not protect them from the might of my family.
"I cannot tell you how worried I was when Kandrakar chose Kimi and Kyochi to be their next Twin Guardians all those years ago. Instead of treating them with respect, my fellow clansmen only sought to exploit them for their own political purposes."
The Jade Dragon had been deadly quiet these past few minutes. She doesn't judge humans for their selfish mistakes, but her silence and powerful aura says it all. Glancing at her, Komei exhaled, "I understand Kimi has been a rotten child, but you must not blame her sociopathic personalities on herself. My wife and I raised her and her brother together and we knew how unhappy they were…Kimi especially. We do not believe they will ever find true happiness on Lusteria."
"So when Lord Araël ordered Kimi to live here on Earth with Will and her friends…" Ngọc Long said.
Komei nodded. "In my heart, I couldn't be happier. I had hoped that being here on Earth, surrounded by other Guardians who led different lifestyles would bring her a little bit of happiness. I had hoped Vandom-san and her friends would be able to cure Kimi of her problem…what I fool I was! Her brother is missing and her father was murdered right in front of her! How could I think sending her away would be the best thing for her?"
Ashamed, the Chancellor buried his face in his hands. Orube and Ngọc Long had never seen him like this before. Komei Kinomoto was perhaps one of the most brilliant men alive, his power and tactical skill has been unmatched in countless battles. He was kind and compassionate, but is still a stern and disciplined figure. He has an air of grace and majesty that radiates wherever he goes. Despite not being born with a twin, he was able to rise up and earn his own reputation as a powerful Lusterian. To see him like this, a man who felt as if he has failed in something more important than his career and reputation is admirably depressing.
"Chancellor, you must not blame yourself," Ngọc Long spoke at last. "You did what you could to help your sister's children. But tell me, does Kimi know any of this?"
Komei sighed as he shook his head. "No, I fear the truth would be too much for her. And I cannot tell her now after her traumatic ordeal in Joseon."
"Chancellor, you need to tell her the truth," Ngọc Long said. "She deserves as much to know about any of this. If Kimi has really changed for the better, she'll forgive you."
Komei nodded and stood up, his aura of dignity and command returned. "Yes, you may be right. Kimi needs to know."
Komei came upon Kimi's door. He hesitated for a bit before he decided to knock. "Kimi-chan, it's me."
No answer which doesn't bode well. Her silence concerned him. Fearing the worst, he forced the door open with magic only to find the room empty with a window opened. His niece was gone.
"Chancellor, are you all right?" Orube asked from behind him as she and Ngọc Long entered the empty room. "Where is Kimi?"
"Gone…she must have overheard our conversation this entire time," Komei said. "What a fool I was!"
"Where could she have gone?" Orube asked. "We have to find her quick and explain everything to her."
"No, don't do anything," Ngọc Long said, much to Orube's shock. "There's no doubt that Kimi's in shock, but right now she's trying to discover herself within her own heart. We must not intervene. If fate is kind, Kimi will find herself back to us and I believe she will do it with her friends' help."
"You mean Will and the others?" Orube demanded. "How can you say that? We cannot stand here doing nothing!"
"Indeed we cannot, but you and I are both needed somewhere else, Orube," Ngọc Long said firmly. "I sensed the Oracle calling us in Kandrakar…but before we go, there is something I must tell you."
Kimi didn't know how long she's been running. Since she heard what her uncle said, her heart felt heavier. The reason for her father's obsession for the Darkness was because of the Kinomoto! Not to mention she had another sibling who came before her and Kyochi! All these years, she hated her father for the wrong reason…curse the Kinomoto clan! They were the real cause of her family's suffering. They tried to mask their actions with endless justifications, claiming it was for honor and the good of the family tradition. In truth, they will always put their interests above others' personal feelings.
Kimi stopped running and found herself near the ocean. It was freezing cold now that winter has arrived in Heatherfield. Kimi looked down and realized that she was still in her house robes! It was only luck that she had been running through small streets with no one around to see her. Quickly, Kimi magically changed into something more suitable: a blue dress with a white coat, two scarves, as well as leggings and a pair of boots. This should keep her warm enough and appear less conspicuous.
Kimi continued to walk alongside the beach, lost in her thoughts, occasionally coughing. It appeared she's still a little weak from her fever, but she hardly paid attention.
A part of Kimi wanted to hate the Kinomoto clan for all they've done to her and her family. However, she felt too exhausted to bear any malice, no matter how horrible they had been to her all her life. Not all of them are monsters. Her mother and her Uncle Komei were proofs of that and she did get along with most of Komei's children, despite never being very close to them.
Kimi stopped and suddenly found herself standing in front of Jensen's Dancing Academy. Her reflection mirrored her image on the glass door. Kimi sighed. There was another reason why she doesn't want to hate her mother's family. After her ordeal against Xuan Wu, Kimi began to realize how rotten a person she truly was. She mistreated Will and the others because she was mistreated by her own relatives. If she gives into the hate for the Kinomoto, she'll revert back to her darker self. Kimi never wanted to be that girl again. Irma was right to mistrust her. After all the horrible things she said to them, she doesn't blame Irma for still hating her. She can live with Irma's scrutiny since she's taking it as her own punishment. But from now on, Kimi decided to treat her fellow Guardians with respect.
Kimi's mind suddenly realized why she ended up here. It wasn't just the Guardians who suffered from her rotten behavior, but her teammates as well! Slowly, Kimi opened the door and walked down the hall. She could hear music playing and glanced into the studio on the left to see Sheila and Luke practicing their choreography for the upcoming Winter Festival. Kimi decided it was best to leave them be as she turned her attention to the studio on the right which was currently being used by Sheffield's Martial Arts Club.
Quietly, Kimi opened the door to see her teammates sparring. Most of them were on the bench watching Takuya and his girlfriend, Zoë, as they sparred with one another. Needless to say, Zoë was winning, as always. When it was the others' turn, they were practicing their moves quite badly. Takuya was not pleased as he rolled over on his back in defeat.
"Urgh! We're doomed! We're nothing without a captain!" Takuya cried. Zoë rolled her eyes and shook her head. After all, Takuya was always exaggerating. Sometimes she wondered why she's going out with him. "Maybe we should just call it quits! At the rate we're going, we can't even qualify to go into the semi-finals!"
The others looked at him in shocked. "But we can't quit! This is the closest to the City Tournament as we could get!"
"Why don't we ask Kimi to come back to help us?" Troy suggested.
Jean Phillip groaned. "Troy, we know you have a crush on her, but c'mon, you fall for every pretty girl in school! And besides, do we really need a drill sergeant? We need a team captain!"
"Man, this bites!" Takuya cried. "Why, oh why did Koji quit on us? Why did he have to leave us and go to university?"
"Takuya, get over yourself!" Zoë said. "Koji was your friend but you do realize that he was never really a student at Sheffield? He was just a temporary volunteer when his family first moved here. You just assumed he was! And besides, he has his own life to lead." Zoë sighed and shook her head. "I think Takuya is right you guys."
The boys gave her a look of disbelief.
"I hate to say it, but with Koji in his own team at the university, we do need Kimi back. Unfortunately, we can't just ask her right now."
"I guess the rumors were true," said Michael, one of the youngest members of the club. "Her dad was killed in a police case, right? That explains why she has been so cold towards everyone, including us, lately."
"No one has seen her since last week," Tommy added.
"Takuya and I tried to visit her yesterday to see how she was doing," Zoë admitted. "But we couldn't find her house."
"Great, without a captain, how do we get into the city's Winter Tournament?" Takuya sighed. "We might as well call it quits because I don't see any other way of handling this."
Kimi smiled sadly as she came closer. "Perhaps I could assist you in your dueling quest? But then again, you would probably prefer someone else to help you?"
"Kimi!" the teenagers cried, too awestruck to see her before them. "What are you doing here?!"
"Kimi! I missed you so much!" Troy cried, flinging his arms dramatically around her. To the others shock, she didn't push him away. Instead, she stood there stoically, letting him embrace her. Realizing what he had done, he released her and looked embarrassed. "Sorry, that was rude of me. You, being a lady and all and…um…"
Kimi shook her head, "No, it was I who was rude to you, Troy, as well to your friends." She glanced at the others with a look of sadness that seemed very genuine. Takuya and Jean Phillip dared not yell at her, not after what she's been through, or so they've heard.
"I came to apologize," Kimi said. "There is no excuse for my behavior. In my period of bereavement, I've come to realize of how much I have mistreated you all. You've asked me to help you prepare for your duels, yet I did nothing but scorn and mocked your skills. You were right, Takuya-kun. You needed a captain, not a dictator and I'm afraid I've failed you all…" she paused and smiled sadly. "Kishimoto and his sister came to see me yesterday and he told me of your attempt to visit me. I thank you for your kindness, even though I haven't paid you any in return. I bid you farewell and wished you luck in your endeavor."
She was about to turn around and leave when Zoë and Takuya stopped her.
"Wait! Where do you think you're going?" Takuya asked. "We have training to do. Don't you want to give us a few points first before you leave?"
Kimi raised an eyebrow in surprise. Zoë smiled and took Kimi's hands in hers, "One of the most important things in martial arts is humility. It takes a lot to admit your own fault to us and I sense a change of air from you."
Takuya nodded as he gestured his friends to come closer. "Kimi, we know that you're sad and we're sorry about your father. But we want you to know that even though we don't really know each other very long, you still have us. We're a team and we stick together."
Jean Phillip and Troy came closer. "We may have gotten off to a rough start, but we think you're perfect as our captain and our new friend."
Michael and Tommy grinned from ear to ear. "We really want you to stay as our captain, if you're still interested."
Kimi looked and felt their auras radiating with feelings of love and kindness…something she rarely felt from the Kinomoto clan. If this is the result of her trying to change herself, then perhaps it's best not to deny it entrance into her heart.
"I wouldn't have any other way," Kimi smiled as she allowed them to embrace her.
Kimi felt somewhat better after her interview with her teammates, but in truth, she still felt a sense of dread and loneliness. Kimi didn't stay with Takuya and the others for long. It was a Friday, after all, and the other club members have their own lives to attend to.
As she continued to walk around Heatherfield, Kimi's mind began to wonder if Will and the others were enjoying themselves. Suddenly, Kimi spotted Will's parents from across the street. Dean Collins and his wife, Susan, were having a delightful conversation while sitting near a window of a restaurant. Their son, William, was giggling as he played around with his spaghetti and meatball, creating quite a mess on himself. His mother laughed as she gently wiped his face clean with a napkin.
As Kimi watched the scene from a distance, her mind began to wondered, Is that what a real family is liked?
Kimi was so deep in thought that she didn't realize she involuntarily moved forward, crossing the street without looking both ways. Suddenly, a motorcyclist was heading towards her. Seeing the pedestrian, the biker screeched to a halt. The startling sound broke Kimi from her trance, causing her to step back and fell. The biker quickly got off and rushed to her side to see if she was injured.
"I'm sorry! I didn't see you! You just came out of nowhere…" he stopped himself once he got a good look at her face. "Wait…you're that Watsuki girl!"
Kimi shook her head, trying to stop her head from spinning. She glanced up at him. She would have asked him how he knew her, but her aura sensing magic revealed the answer. The boy took off his helmet to reveal a familiar face.
"Kishimoto?" Kimi whispered.
Annoyed, Kishimoto grabbed her by the arm and pulled her to her feet. As soon as he was certain she wasn't hurt, he turned around to prop up his motorcycle, parking it against the curb. "Didn't your parents ever tell you to never cross the street like that? What were you thinking? You could have gotten hurt!"
Kimi sighed. "No, they never did and never will because they're dead."
Kishimoto froze as he was about to get the keys out of the ignition. "Even if they are gone, do you honestly think they want you to waltz across the traffic like that?"
Kimi almost wanted to smile. She doesn't like it when people say they're sorry for her loses, because they have no reason to, being strangers and all. It's nothing more than false modesty to her. Kishimoto seemed to think the same thing as he was blunt and honest with his answer. It was something that she appreciated.
"What are you doing around here anyway, princess?" he asked, an eyebrow arched curiously. "I thought you didn't want to go to the concert."
"I needed to be by myself…away from everyone."
Kishimoto nodded as he noticed her change in character. "Alright, I'll bite. What's eating ya?"
Kimi raised an eyebrow. "What sort of a question is that? Nothing is trying to digest me right now."
Kishimoto looked at her and suddenly burst into laughter. Kimi frowned. "Forgive me, but I fail to see any amusement in this."
"Sorry, but your ignorance of certain things around here is quite amusing," he replied. "It's a saying that means 'what is bothering you', that's all."
Kimi glanced back across the street. Kishimoto followed her gaze and saw Dean Collins and his family exiting the restaurant in a happy mood. The look in Kimi's eyes seemed forlorn as she continued to watch them.
"Tell me, Kishimoto, do you have relatives who ever did something terrible to you?" Kimi asked.
Kishimoto blinked in confusing at first. Kimi expected him to saw no, but to her surprise, he nodded. "Yeah, my father was a jerk."
Kimi glanced at him, surprised to see that she wasn't the only person who once hated her own father. "Why?"
"Because he was horrible to my family, that's why!" Kishimoto seethed. "Sorry, I didn't mean to get emotional. It's just that thinking about him boils my blood at times." Kishimoto sighed, staring off into the clouds. "My mother doesn't talk much about her own family, only said that she came from a very rich and powerful one. They cut her off and my dad was the one who saved her. We had a great life, just the five us: Just me, my two siblings and my parents. Until one day for no absolute reason, Dad said he doesn't want anything to do with my mother anymore or even us, his own kids! Things got worse when he wanted a divorce so he could marry another woman! He wanted to kick us out of his life, said that we're not good enough for him!"
Kishimoto paused, his face scowling in frustration. He had never told anyone about his background, not even to his friends since coming here. For years, he's been keeping it private, never knowing that it was eating at him. He knew he would eventually have to spill it out, but he'd never thought he would telling it to a girl he barely knew. But she was a good listener. He glanced at Kimi and could still see the loneliness in her blue eyes, as if she shares and understands his feelings sincerely, enabling him to tell her almost anything. Those blue eyes of hers were like the ocean, washing away the entire burden he's been harboring in his heart.
"After that, we lived with our mother in an apartment for a few years until she decided we should start somewhere new. She chose Heatherfield because it felt…magical to her."
"So you've discovered your destinies?" Kimi asked.
"If you want to put it that way, then yes," Kishimoto nodded. "Mom passed her bar exam and became a lawyer, a damn good one. My older brother found his place in music, and so did I in some ways…"
There was a short silence between them. Kishimoto glanced at Kimi and decided to ask. "So…what horrible things did your relatives did to you and your family?"
Kimi looked at him straight in the eyes and said, "My father killed my mother in front of me when I was three years old."
Kishimoto's eyes widened. He was surprised at how calm she sounded when she said that. It was very awkward and frighten at the same time. Her father was a murderer? And he thought his father was a jerk!
"I…I…" he stuttered before cursing with a very vulgar word under his breath.
"He didn't kill her on purpose, if that's what you were thinking. It was simply a horrible incident that scared us all. Yet, I hated my father for it for years," Kimi continued. "I didn't see him again for years until recently. I was so determined to hate him that I failed to see the truth…in that he has changed for the better and he was sorry for what he did. I forgave him, but then he was killed in front of me by a woman who took pleasure in seeing others suffer."
"You should have reported this to the authorities!" Kishimoto said. "What if—"
"The woman who killed my father has become a prisoner of justice," Kimi replied. "What does it matter? Will and the others were right…it doesn't bring my father back…my mother…and now my bro…" Kimi quickly stopped herself before she could shed any tears in front of this boy. She glanced up quickly to see Dean Collins and his family turning around the corner of the street, taking their son to the park to play. "I wondered what a real family is like here in Heatherfield. I see the history teacher and his family and wondered what it's like to be in a family like his…"
There was another solemn silence between them. Finally, Kimi turned to Kishimoto and asked, "How did you overcome it? How were you able to move on from all the horrible things your father did to you?"
Kishimoto looked at her and smiled. "Simple. It's because I have my friends."
Kimi looked at him in surprised. Friends?
"Yeah, if anything, they were more family than my father was," Kishimoto continued. "At first, I pushed them away. I didn't want to have anything to do with them, being a loner and all. I didn't want to get hurt again after what happened in Japan. But they taught me the value of having friends who love and care for you. Even if it means we might get hurt, it's better to find love and friends than never at all. Wouldn't you say so, too, princess?"
Kimi couldn't believe it. Why hasn't she realized it before? Will and her friends had tried to be friendly and welcoming to her, despite having a rocky relationship, no thanks to her part. Still, they were the ones who tried to look out for her when Kimi lost her father, and they tried to go after her when she escaped to Joseon. They even came back to save her from Xuan Wu's grasp. They saved her life and yesterday, they even tried to encourage her to go to Kishimoto's performance with them. Kimi had wondered what the concept of family is liked on this world. Little did she knew it was right in front of her.
"I'm such a fool," Kimi shook her head. "Will…Irma…Taranee…Cornelia…Hay Lin…and even Orube and my host mother…they were there for me during my period of bereavement…and I pushed them away."
Kishimoto nodded and asked, "You know it's not too late."
"What do you mean?"
"If you haven't noticed, I was just on my way to the Heatherfield Musical Hall for the philharmonic's performance," Kishimoto replied. Kimi didn't notice until now that beneath his biker jacket, the older boy was wearing a suit and a blue tie as if readied for a formal demonstration. On the back of his bike, he had a large instrument case tied down tightly.
Kishimoto went back to his motorcycle and opened a compartment at the back and tossed Kimi an extra helmet. "Why don't you come with me? I could take you to the show and you'll be able to catch up with your friends…that is, if you really have changed your mind."
Kimi was about to protest, but then suddenly she felt a pang in her heart, making her jolt. Kishimoto noticed and asked in a concern voice, "Hey, what's wrong?" Kimi knew what it was and quickly turned around so that Kishimoto doesn't see her manifesting the Jewel of Life. It was glowing softly, showing her images of Will and the others in some dense jungle. It looked as if they were being attacked. Her friends were in trouble!
"I'm fine," Kimi replied, turning back to face the boy. "It felt as if my heart skipped a beat…I supposed I was just nervous."
"Well, don't be," Kishimoto said. "After all, it's just a music show. It's not as if you're the one who's doing the performance. So are you coming or not?"
Without a word, Kimi nodded as she put the helmet over her head and climbed onto the vehicle behind him. Kishimoto smiled as he revved up his engine and the two of them speeded down the street.
"By the way, we haven't properly introduced ourselves before," Kishimoto shouted. "My name is Koji Kishimoto. Maybe I could show you around Heatherfield sometime!"
"Kimi Watsuki," Kimi replied. "And you should keep dreaming!"
Kishimoto laughed as they rode drove down the street.
Kimi pondered what she just saw in her magic pendant. If Will and the others are in danger, then Kimi will have to find them. Something tells her that it all began at the musical hall. She'll have to find a way to abandon Kishimoto to search for them and she has to do it without looking suspicious.
After ten minutes of driving, they arrived at the entrance so that Kishimoto could drop Kimi off.
"Here's where you get off. I have to go and park my bike somewhere. Your friends are probably already inside."
"Arigato," Kimi said. "Perhaps we will see each other later."
Kishimoto shrugged and drove off to look for a parking spot. "No problem."
Once he was gone, Kimi discreetly conjured up the Jewel of Life. She quietly asked it to guide her to her friends. A beam of light that only she could see emitted from the magical pendant, guiding her inside. She'll have to show them her ticket at the entrance and unfortunately, she didn't have hers with her at this moment. This wasn't a problem for Kimi as a simple invisibility spell could get her pass the guards.
Once inside, Kimi could hear the sound of musical instruments playing behind double doors. However, the Jewel was pointing to a door far down the hall that would lead her to the basement.
"How queer," Kimi whispered as she opened the door. It led her into the basement located beneath the stage. She could hear Kishimoto and the rest of the orchestra playing above her head. There was another sound like a soft humming. Kimi noticed a purple glow around a corner. The light from her Jewel was pointing her towards it, getting stronger. She came closer and saw the dark, swirling portal.
"Interesting," Kimi noted. "There is dark magic here." This portal is unauthorized and there is a dark aura emitting from it. Whoever put it here must have an immense capability of dark magic. Whether they wanted to put it there to endanger her friends or if by accident, she doesn't know yet. But she is certain that Will and the others are somewhere on the other side of the Veil.
Kimi sighed as she braced herself before going in.
Will didn't think it would end like this as she and her friends found themselves in a huge predicament. Floating before them was the Celestial Warrior of Fire, Zhu Que, in his giant fiery bird form. The scene was biblically terrifying.
After being sucked through that dark portal, Will and her friends ended up somewhere in the jungles of Annam. To their horror, the portal's dark magic has sealed away most of their powers. Irma, Taranee, and Hay Lin were rendered helpless as they were unable to transform. Will and Cornelia were fortunate enough to escape this fate, most likely due to the fact they were the only ones who earned their new transformation and realized their elemental Hearts. After being chased down by Kimi's homicidal cousins, the girls were separated before they could find each other again in a remote mountain village. Unfortunately, they had no time to rejoice, because Zhu Que appeared, in all his might and glory, ready to incinerate them all to hell. Their only saving grace right now was the fact they don't have to deal with him and the twin sisters who were bent on destroying them.
The scene was chaotic. Soldiers and dark spirits came to ransack the village, burning thatched-roof homes and harming those who dare to fight against them. Đạo and Đức did their best to help Thủy and as many of her villagers as possible, but there was little they could do with their small fishing boat. There wasn't enough room and it was impossible to escape.
Their only hope was to use Will's Heart of Kandrakar and Cornelia's Heart of Nature that beats within it! If they could use it to break whatever dark seal is on their three friends, perhaps they'll have a fighting chance. To their horror, it didn't happen. Irma, Taranee, and Hay Lin were still stuck in their human forms and Will and Cornelia's new powers were cut in half.
"No…" Cornelia whispered in despair. "How could our Hearts fail us?"
"Light…" Taranee answered, as she realized the answer. The others looked at her in confusion. "Light…it's the only element than can counter Darkness."
Will scowled. Of course, it makes sense! "Kimi…the light from her Jewel of Life helped activate the Virtues in our Hearts."
"Then without Light…" Hay Lin trailed off.
"We're nothing! Damn it!" Irma screamed in frustration. Why?! Why?! Of all the people in the world, why do they have to depend on someone like Kimi?! It was bad enough that she's getting all the attention, but being forced to depend on someone like her was humiliating!
There was a sound coming above them. The Guardians realized the giant flaming bird was chuckling, as if it was amused. "Forsooth thee want the knowledge and power on how to defeat mine Wrath. I wilt taketh full advantage of it by making thee suffer!"
"What the hell does that even mean?!" Irma snapped at him, giving him a defying glare. "Speak normally! Trying to understand your Shakespearean slang is hard work as it is!"
"INSOLENT KNAVE!" Zhu Que voice boomed. "I WILT MAKETH THEE FEELETH THE FLAMES OF MINE WRATH FIRST!"
Zhu Que coiled back as he prepared to incinerate them. It came so quickly, the only thing the girls could do was embraced each other and prepare for the worst. They could feel the intensity of the heat coming. To their surprises, their bodies were not on fire!
Curiously, the Guardians looked up and to their surprises, the fire attack was being diverted away from them by a giant hand made out of sparkling light. The hand was attached to an elegant, giant woman with long hair. If Hay Lin didn't know any better, she would have said that this woman looked like Amaterasu, the Japanese goddess of the sun and light. At first, they thought she was a spirit, but then they realized she's an avatar and the person who's controlling her lie in the center, fully transformed in green and purple with a pair of wings on her back.
"Kimi?!" the Guardians cried in surprise. How did you find us? Are we glad to see you!
The Jewel of Life guided me through that dark portal to find you. Its Light was the only thing that protected most of my magic from its sealing powers! Kimi said, sending her thoughts to them. She cannot waste her breath talking right now. She'll need the extra strength to keep her avatar together.
Zhu Que was equally surprised at the sixth Guardian. Kimi's eyes were closed, sweats running down her face to indicate the strain it takes to conjure an avatar this size. Breathing heavily, Kimi focused her control on her avatar. The giant form of Amaterasu glowed with an intense light, forcing Zhu Que's dark spirits to hiss in pain as they recoiled back.
"I can't believe it," Cornelia said. "She's turning them back!"
Realizing what his opponent was about to do, Zhu Que screeched, deafening the area with his shrilled cry. Unable to stand it, the Guardians and the villagers covered their ears from the painful sound.
Zhu Que aimed his attacks on Kimi, surrounding her avatar with four pillars of light. Being the goddess of the sun, the fire doesn't hurt Amaterasu, but the heat was putting a huge strain on Kimi. She commanded the sun goddess to push the fiery pillars away, but it was a trap! As soon as she did, Zhu Que flew towards her avatar at top speed. Before any of them realized what was going on, the fire bird buried its sharp claw into the avatar and pecked mercilessly with his sharp beak.
"KIMI!" the others screamed.
Kimi cried out in pain as she felt her avatar weakening. It was too much…the intense heat, the Deadly Sin of Wrath that was emitting from Zhu Que, and the force of his attack…unconsciously, Kimi transformed back into her human form and fell towards the earth, her avatar shattering away. She didn't get a chance to use her Jewel of Life to help break the spell on her friends as she plummeted towards the ground.
The others gasped in horror, but Will quickly got to her feet and flew towards Kimi, catching her in mid-air.
"Will?" Kimi gasped weakly.
"Kimi, you came back for us," Will said.
"You did the same for me…back in Joseon…" Kimi whispered. "Your…your wings…"
Will seemed confused. "What about my—?" She quickly glance behind and to her surprise, her wings weren't ethereal. Rather, they were solid as her old ones, but instead, they felt stronger, shimmering with rainbow colors. It seemed Will has unintentionally uncovered another aspect of her new transformation.
"Never mind that!" Will shook her head, as she put Kimi's arm around her neck, guiding her back to the others. "Are you all right?"
Kimi shook her head, but then again her head was spinning fast. Will allowed Taranee and Hay Lin to take her and lie her down. Taranee placed a hand over Kimi's forehead.
"She still hasn't recovered enough to fight," Taranee said, looking worried. "And I'm afraid she strained herself too much trying to conjure her avatar to save us."
"I MISPRISE TO BREAKETH UP SUCH A TENDER MOMENT, BUT FEAR ME THY TRANSGRESSION WILT NOT WEND UNPUNISHED!"
Zhu Que gave another shrilled cry as he breathes fire on them. Quickly, Will used her new pair of wings to shield her friends from his flame. Seeing this, Cornelia tried to see if she could switch wings as well. Sure enough, her ethereal wings disappeared, only to be replaced by bigger, and more physical ones. No time to admire their beauty, it was time to put their strength and endurance to the test! They stood between Zhu Que's fire attack and their friends. Their wings were impressively strong, but Will and Cornelia have forgotten that they're still under the dark portal's spell. With their full powers cut in halves, they could feel their wings slowly giving into Zhu Que's heat. They could not last much longer and Kimi is still too weak and sick to transform again.
"Will, I think this might be the end for us," Cornelia cried.
"Don't say that! There has to be a way to get out of this alive!" Will insisted.
The fire stopped as Zhu Que recoiled back to laugh. "I ADMIRE THY NOBLE EFFORT, BUT THEE CANNOT WINNETH AGAINST Me! CHERISH THY FINAL MOMENT TOGETHER, FOR I WILT KILLETH THEE ALL AND TAKETH THE LIGHT GUARDIAN AS PRISONER TO BARGAIN FOR THE SIEGE OF NIHON!"
And with that, Zhu Que beat his wings and unleashed hellfire on time.
"Girls," Kimi coughed. "I'm sorry…"
The end never came for Zhu Que's fire was once again deflected by another ball of green flame. The two fires collided and canceled each other out, creating a curtain of sparks.
"YOU WILL NOT TOUCH THEM, ZHU QUE!" a familiar voice roared above their heads. They looked up to see a giant dragon with jade-green scales flying towards them with Orube riding on its head! "NOT WHILE I STILL DRAW BREATH!"
"Ngọc Long! Orube!" the girls cried.
Orube smiled as she dismounted and landed on her feet. The Basilíadian warrior rushed over to them, checking to see if they were all right. To her relief, they were except for Kimi who seemed to be very tired.
"It's the Jade Dragon!" the villagers cried, peeking out from their hiding places. "The Jade Dragon of Annam has returned!"
"YOU!" Zhu Que cried, his fiery eyes glowing brightly. "HOW DARE YOU?"
"I dare because I know you, Zhu Que!" cried the Jade Dragon. With a burst of green fire, she transformed back into her human form, glaring at the fire bird defiantly. "Come, let me see your face, Zhu Que. I want to see those eyes again."
The girls watched, unsure what is going on. Zhu Que growled and they thought he was going to attack their caretaker, but to their surprise, he transformed back into his human form.
"How long as it been, Zhu Que?" Ngọc Long asked. "Since we've last seen each other like this? A hundred years? A thousand? Not a day goes by when you haven't left my mind or my heart."
"Wait…what the hell is going on? Wh—" Irma asked, but Orube quickly shushed her, warning them all to be quiet.
"What are you doing here, Jade?" Zhu Que growled, his eyes glaring at the woman before him.
"I'm saving my ward and her friends from your Wrath. Strange isn't it, Zhu Que?" Ngọc Long sighed. "Last we met, we were both happy. Now look at us, I am one of the twelve members of Kandrakar's Gemini Council while you…you have changed."
"I merely hath opened mine eyes, Jade! This most wondrous world of ours shouldn't beest enshield in the far reacheth of space! We are one of the most powerful races and should dominate all others in the universe!"
"Even if it means this?!" Ngọc Long gestured to the burning village behind her. "This is our home, Zhu Que! These mortals don't deserve to die for your thirst for power!"
"A necessary evil!" Zhu Que snapped. "Those who stood against our way will suffer mine Wrath! Am I not the son of a god?! Divinity is in our right to rule!" He gestured his hand out to touch her face as his voice became gentler. "Come with me, mine love. With Xuan Wu gone, thee can taketh that lady lodging and rule by mine side. We can beest together again."
To the girls, it was simply unnatural to see one of their most terrifying foes like this. How could Zhu Que whisper death and love in the same breath?
Ngọc Long brushed his hand away from her and shook her head sadly. "No, Zhu Que. What you're doing to this world is full of malice and I will not be a part of it. I am the Jade Dragon of Annam. The Oracle and Lord Araël of Kandrakar have tasked me to guide and protect the Guardians in their quest to defeat you and I will. This isn't about us, it's good against evil…Light against Darkness…I know my side…what is yours?"
For a moment, Zhu Que seemed heartbroken, but then he turned to rage. His body emitted a sickening red aura of Wrath and his eyes glowed with intensive heat.
"If't be true thee wilt not join me, I wilt killeth thee whither thee now stand!"
Ngọc Long was unfazed. "Will you, Zhu Que? Will you strike me down right here and forget everything we've been through together? Do the memories of our union mean nothing to you now?" Zhu Que was taken aback by her words. "If you're willing to offer me a place by your side as you did just now, surely there must be some tenderness left in your heart?"
Zhu Que raised his hand, ready to strike her face. The Guardians winced, but to their amazement, he froze and lowered his arm. The fire and Deadly Sin around him died down as he sighed in defeat.
"I wilt not kill thee or thy young ward this time, but next we meeteth, I wilth showeth thee no quarter."
And with that, Zhu Que disappear in a burst of fire, leaving Lady Ngọc Long, Orube, the Guardians, and the villagers alone to put out the flames.
The villagers cheered as they rushed closer to embrace their saviors. They hugged and kissed the girls and fell to their knees, kowtowing respectfully to the Jade Dragon. After many affectionate exchanges from the grateful villagers, Ngọc Long and Orube gestured the girls to return home.
Holding up a hand, the Jade Dragon opened a portal (of normal color) that would lead them all back to the basement of the musical hall.
"Come, it's time we return home," said the Jade Dragon.
"Hold on a second!" Irma said as she rushed forward and barred the portal. "We've been through a lot of crap these past few hours and I think we deserve some answers!"
"Irma, I don't think this is the time to—" Taranee began. Ironic that Taranee's the one who's stopping Irma from trying to find answers from a Kandrakar Elder.
"On the contrary, Tara, this is the right time!" Irma sneered, turning her glare back at their caretaker. "Kandrakar has been hiding a load of crap information from us for years. You didn't tell us about the existence of the Twin Guardians, and now you, our caretaker, our trainer, our mentor…You, of all people, had a history with that hot-headed godling?! Zhu Que is one of our enemies and he was your boyfriend?! You knew him and never told us anything about it before?! Information that could have helped us?"
"Irma, that's enough!" Orube warned, but Ngọc Long stopped her.
"It's all right, Orube. The girls have every right to be angry and they deserve to know the truth. Yes, it's true that I share a very intimate history with the Celestial Warrior of Fire, but Zhu Que isn't what you called my boyfriend."
Irma rolled her eyes. "Oh, really? Then why did he call you his—"
"He's my husband."
Epilogue
"There you are!" said Kishimoto as soon as he spotted the girls. They all managed to arrive at the moment when people were filing out. It's a shame they missed his show, but it seemed Kishimoto didn't noticed their absences. "I am surprised you've all came! Did you enjoy the performance?"
"It was...lovely," Kimi replied. "I regret I have no memory of it. You could say I was lost in another world."
It wasn't a lie. After all, Kimi really had gone to Lusteria to rescue her friends.
Kishimoto nodded in understanding. "Perhaps you and your friends would come to watch us perform again during the Winter Festival?"
Kimi shook her head. "Perhaps, but I believe I will be busy with other obligations."
"Do you mean the martial art tournament?" Kishimoto asked. "Surely, you could attend both as they don't have a conflicting date?"
Kimi sighed. "It was generous of you to invite my friends and me to your concert, but I didn't come here because of you. I came because of my friends."
Kishimoto seemed taken aback by her refusal. Without another word, she turned around to rejoin the others at the front gate.
"Don't you think you were being harsh on him? I mean, he technically asked you out," Cornelia teased.
"After what happened to us today, being courted is the last thing I need," Kimi said, although not out of cynicism. "There are simply too many complications for us to handle now. I don't believe another one would be prudent."
Hay Lin wrapped her arms around herself, wanting to shiver. "Speaking of relationship, I cannot believe our caretaker and Zhu Que are…are…"
"Married?" Orube asked. "I could not believe it myself when she told me. It seemed they were wed long before he was corrupted."
"It was brave of her to stand up to Zhu Que like that," Will said. "We know she did it to save us and the village, but can you imagine how difficult it was for her to see her spouse like that?"
"Do you really think Ngọc Long was right?" Cornelia asked. "Do you think there is still good in Zhu Que's heart? He did spare us, after all."
Will shrugged. "Who knows? When you and I faced Byakko and Xuan Wu in their last moment, we saw their good selves."
"Perhaps there is still a chance for at least one of the Celestial Warriors should the time come," Orube said. "But I sense it will not be easy. The path of both Light and Darkness is a 'grey area', as you Earthlings called it."
"You mean like that mysterious dark portal?" Taranee suggested.
When they came back to earth, Kimi and Will quickly used their pendants to break the dark seal on their powers. They could hear Kishimoto and the orchestra finishing their last few notes above their heads. They were just about to close the dark portal, but as soon as the music stopped, it closed in on itself almost as mysteriously as it appeared.
"Who do you think put it there? And how can we be so sure it won't happen again?"
"We do not," Orube replied sternly. "There are powerful forces out there, most likely playing against us."
"But one thing is for certain," Will said, turning to Kimi, "is that we have Light on our side. I'm glad you came back for us, Kimi. But why did you?"
"You came back for me," Kimi replied. "When I first came here, I thought you girls would do nothing but drag me down. But I was a fool. Growing up, my mother's family taught me to hate my father and to look down on others because they were weak. Yet I see no weakness in any of you. Orube-neechan was right. Coming here to Earth and being with you taught me more than I ever learned on Lusteria. If anything, you are more powerful than any Twin Guardians that came before me and my brother. Seeing you all now, I only wished to better myself and become a part of your family…" Kimi stopped herself. Perhaps she was being too direct? "…If you would have me."
The girls smiled and instantly rushed in to give Kimi a big hug. All except for Irma who stood scowling from a distance.
"Of course we would have you!" Hay Lin cheered. "You came back to save our necks back there!"
"Took you long enough!" Cornelia smirked.
Orube laughed. "Like Basilíadians, Lusterians are known to have very thick heads."
"If you're willing to change and learn, we're willing to teach you," Taranee added.
"United we stand," Will said. "And Kimi, we'll help you find your brother. We may not know him personally as we do with you, but he's one of us."
"Hmph!" Irma scoffed as she turned around to go home. "I can't believe this."
"Irma!" Hay Lin chirped. "Where are you going?"
"Away from her!" Irma said, glaring at Kimi. "I can't believe you're all buying her crap. Do you honestly think that after all the things she did to us, I would forgive her just like that?"
"But Ir—"
"No, it will take more than just pretty words to sway me," Irma said seriously. "Don't ask me to forgive her, Will, and you know why I won't give it. Respect and forgiveness has to be earned and frankly, I don't think Kimi earned it yet. Now if you'll excuse me, I think I would rather go home and be by myself for a while."
The Guardians watched her go in disappointment.
"Urgh, that Irma," Cornelia seethed. "I knew she was always stubborn, but this is just going overboard!"
"It's like she's not herself," Hay Lin said.
"I've had enough of this!" Will started. "I'm going over there and give her a piece of my—"
"Will, don't," Kimi interrupted, placing a hand on Will's shoulder. "Irma's right and she have every reason to hate me. I was horrible and treated you all terribly. If being hated by her is my punishment, I will accept it. But please, do not force her to apologize to me. It will only cause a bigger rift between us."
Orube nodded. "I sense Irma will be the next to face her ordeal. Let us hope that by then, she'll be as she was before, if not better."
Will sighed. "I hope you're right."
The servants trembled in fright as their lord and master, Zhu Que, returned to his palace.
"My lord, Hwang-Ryong and Seiryuu are asking for your report on the situation," said his first lieutenant, a high ranking general who accompanied him to the village hours earlier. "How will you explain to them that you let the Guardians go?"
Zhu Que eyed him darkly. "I shall say nothing for nothing hath happeneth!"
"But my lord!" he said. "The Jade Dragon appeared! No one has seen her on Lusteria in centuries! And to think that she's your treacherous and betraying spouse—"
"Telleth me the truth, my faithful servant," Zhu Que interrupted darkly. "How didst thee knoweth the Jade Dragon is mine wife?"
"I was right behind you, my lord," his lieutenant replied. "As your right hand man, I have to be by your side in battle, even when our foolish followers cowered away from that girls' blinding light."
"So…thee was the only one who hath witnessed everything that transpired in that village?"
"Corr—URGH!"
He didn't get to finish his confirmation before Zhu Que unsheathed his talisman, a long and elegant sword, and hacked his head off. The door burst opened as his other general, a dark fire spirit, and a foot soldier came rushing in upon hearing the commotion. They starred in horror as blood stained the floor.
"Let no one speaks foul of my beloved," Zhu Que whispered. "You! Congratulation! Thou art now mine new first lieutenant. Thy first order of command is to clean up that mess."
Kimi and Orube parted ways with the others as they made their way back to their magical house. Their caretaker had returned to Kandrakar first to tell the Oracle and the Gemini Council what happened in Annam, leaving the Guardians to return to Earth on their own.
"Your uncle is still waiting for you," Orube said.
"I know."
"You've overheard everything he said earlier, didn't you?"
Kimi nodded.
"You know it's not his fault. He really cares about you and Kyochi—"
"Hey, princess!" said a familiar voice behind them followed by the sound of roaring engine. The two aliens turned around to see Koji Kishimoto on his motorcycle. He quickly turned the engine off as he parked in front of the gate.
Kimi turned to Orube and said, "Go on, I'll be inside shortly."
Orube glanced at Kishimoto suspiciously, and gave him the I-got-my-eyes-on-you-look. Kishimoto seemed unfazed as he took off his helmet to reveal that good-looking smirk on his face.
"What do you want, Kishimoto?" Kimi asked, crossing her arms.
"Did you really think I was going to let you leave me at the end of the show without a reply? I was going to drive you home," Kishimoto laughed. It was starting to annoy Kimi a bit.
"I went home with my friends," Kimi said. "And frankly, I do not need a man's help like that. I can take care of myself!"
"I wasn't offering because I think you're a damsel in distress," Kishimoto said. "Far from it! In fact, I already know that you are anything but that kind of girl."
"Then why are you here?" Kimi asked. "No games."
"Touchy, aren't you? I don't get you. One minute, you're somber, and now you're vexed. Are you always this infuriating? Hmph! As you wished," Kishimoto shrugged. "I just wanted to make sure you were okay and that you've made it home safely."
Kimi raised an eyebrow. "What are you? My keeper?"
Kishimoto shrugged. "Call it what you want, but let's just say that after running into you again this morning, I don't feel at ease thinking you might be run down by another guy on a motorcycle. I might just find him and kill him myself if it did happened."
Kimi was taken aback. She can tell that he was being sincere, but at the same time, she can't help but be irritated by him. And to think she spilled her sob stories like some common little distraught child to him earlier! She didn't know whether to cry or to laugh. Rarely had Kimi ever get mixed feelings.
"But since you've ditched me at the concert hall to walk home with your friends, I take it that you've made peace with your problems?"
Kimi glanced behind her at her home. She turned around, ready to face her uncle. "Not yet. I have one more person to face."
"I take it you're going to leave me out here in the cold without wishing me a proper good-night?" Kishimoto asked. "We're not done yet, you know! I'd expect to see you again, sooner than you might think."
Kimi glared at him. "And why is that?"
Kishimoto revved his engine and shouted. "Because, you're not the only one who's competing in the upcoming city's Winter Tournament!"
He winked as he rode away, smirking that handsome, annoying smile of his. "I look forward into beating you! Talking to you has been stimulating. I'm sure fighting you will be more interesting! Saying hi to Takuya for me!"
Kimi stood there on her door step, speechless. His words rang in her head, and she realized that the boy who was the former captain of her team was none other than Koji Kishimoto, Takuya's old friend!
"What mess have I gotten myself into," she mumbled to herself as she let herself in.
Upon hearing the door opening, her uncle quickly got to his feet. He noticed she was avoiding his gaze, her mind lost in thought.
"Niece! Are you…all right?" Komei asked.
"I'm fine, Uncle…just weary."
"Kimi…please, listen," he began. "What you've heard this morning…I am truly sorry. I know you and your brother have suffered. Your family may have been used by our clansmen, but you were never worthless to me. Not you, your mother, or your father. If anything, you are more precious to my heart than our family's tradition of keeping the Guardianship in our bloodline. I am sorry I didn't tell you any of this before. I thought I was protecting you, but it was selfish of me. I am no better than the rest of my kinsmen. If you hate me and the rest of the Kinomoto clan, I will underst—"
Kimi could feel the tears coming and shook her head. She couldn't take it anymore and did the only thing she could: she threw her arms around her uncle which startled him, a task not easily done.
"I could never hate you, Uncle!" Kimi sobbed. "You and Aunt Getsuei took me and brother in and raised us! You did your best to protect us from our clansmen's corrupted influences. You tried to save my father's life by convincing our clan that he was dead, even though he killed your sister. How could I ever hate you for any of your kindness?"
"Kimi…"
"I'm sorry that I've been such a selfish, horrible child to you all these years. I may not have known my father for long before he was taken away from me again, but if anything, you aren't just my uncle, or my mother's brother…Uncle Komei…you're also my adopted-father."
Touched by his niece's words, Komei gladly let her hold onto him and returned the gesture by hugging her. "And you, Kimi Watsuki, are not just my niece…but also my adopted-daughter."
To be continued…
Cultural reference:
Yes, Zhu Que and Ngọc Long are husband and wife. In most Asian culture such as China and Vietnam, the dragon and the phoenix is the symbol of the emperor and empress. Today, their images can be commonly used during wedding celebration, the dragon symbolizes the husband while the phoenix is for the wife. Notice that I intentionally switched it for these two powerful characters as Ngọc Long's true form is a dragon while her husband's form is that of a fire bird.
Story trivia: Originally, Kimi's uncle wasn't supposed to reappear again until much later. The decision to bring him back earlier here caused the chapter to be much longer than anticipated.