Two of a Kind
Just before daybreak, the heroes woke up and escorted Atem and Mystery home to the palace. Though the pharaoh and queen spent the night at Cats' Lair, it was the same morning it was when they left.
Kisara was in the storeroom filling a bag with seedlings left over from the food she picked from the Secret Garden. She was going to give them to the Moogles so their village would have new crops to plant once spring would start. After getting her supplies, she went to the throne room. "I'm off to the Moogle village to drop off these seedlings. I may be gone for a few hours."
"Are you going alone?" Atem asked.
"Seto and Bengali have offered to accompany me," she answered.
"Very well," the pharaoh replied. "And take your time while you're there," he insisted. "I know how the Moogles are family to you."
She bows in respect and gratitude. "Thank you, Pharaoh. Come, Kirara." And her nekomata trails beside her at her feet. Once they step outside, Kirara alters her size and becomes a big cat and Kisara climbs on her back. Seto and Bengali decide to ride on Salamence. It had been a while since the white tiger rode on the dragon, but as they were flying, he remembered the exciting thrill of it.
When they came to the village after passing through the secret tunnel, Kisara presented the Moogles with the seedlings. As usual, the Moogles crowded Kisara and called her their queen as they thanked her.
Bengali smiled at the scene. "Those Moogles really love Kisara, don't they?"
"They certainly do," Seto answered. "As you know, before Kisara met any of us, she used to live here with the Moogles. They opened their home to her and took care of her and, well, you know the rest." He looks at the white tiger. "By the way, I heard Joseph and Freya's night together at the Tower of Omens was quite pleasant."
"It was the best night they had," Bengali answered. "When the others and I saw how grand it was, I thought to myself that we should do the same for you and Kisara sometime."
The brunette blinked at that. "Would you really?"
"Hey, if Freya and Joseph can have a date, you and Kisara should be allowed to have one too," the white tiger insisted. "You're engaged too."
It is true that Seto and Kisara hope to one day get married, however, despite their love, their duties will always have to come first no matter how much they may try to find ways to compromise. Still, they hoped that they would find a way. "That would be grand," he was saying.
"But," Bengali asked.
"But you've already done so much for me and my friends by opening your home to us and letting us help you at the Tower of Omens," he answered. "It wouldn't be right or fair of us to just impose on you."
"But you're not imposing at all," Bengali insisted. "We enjoy your company and we appreciate your help." He stopped as he felt Kirara rubbing herself against his legs. He got down and picked her up. "Actually, Seto, I feel like I'm the one who's imposing on you."
The brunette was baffled to hear that. "Care to explain?"
It was actually a little hard for the white tiger to explain, but he tried his best as he talked about his thoughts and feelings. "After the way Kisara and I talked about being like a sibling each other has never had, I started to feel something for her. But I know you're already engaged to her and I don't want it to impact your relationship with her in a bad way or give you the wrong impression that she and I are falling for each other."
As Seto listened, he gave a small smile. "Bengali, you are my friend just as you are Kisara's friend. And if you were imposing in any way, I would let you know. And truthfully, I'm glad you and Kisara see something in each other. I would really be upset if you didn't get along with her." And they both chuckled. "Seriously, though, I think it's nice that you and Kisara have a special thing for each other just as Freya and Lynx-O do. It makes me happy knowing she has someone else she can look up to."
Bengali softly smiled. "Thanks, Seto." He looks down at the nekomata in his arms. "Are you okay with it too, Kirara?" She meows in response and nuzzles his chest. He chuckles and starts petting her.
As if on cue, Kisara walked over to them. "Seto, Bengali, is everything all right?"
"Everything's fine," the brunette answered. "We were just talking."
"Oh," she answered. "I'm sorry for interrupting."
"You weren't," Bengali replied. He set Kirara down. "I was just telling Seto how I didn't want the concept of you and I being more than just friends to have a negative impact on your guys' relationship."
"Oh, Bengali, I know you would never do that," she replied. "But us being more than just friends brings all of us closer together. Like we all said the other night back at Cats' Lair, we're all a part of the same family." She paused, then continued, "I know the concept may seem ridiculous to some people, but that's because they can't see that we humans are not so different from you Thunderians."
"Yeah, you're right," Bengali agreed. "After all, look at us. You and I look like we could be relatives even though we're from different worlds."
Kisara nods, then begins singing, We are two very different people who've learned to get along
And now our hearts beat together underneath one sun
One very special moment can turn a destiny
One that some would say can never change
Has changed for you and me
Because it's all in the way you look through your eyes
And when all is said and done
All of the fears and all of the lies
Are not hard to overcome
It's all in the way you look at it that makes you strong
We were two, now we are one
Bengali took his turn and sang, We are two very different people
With so much to overcome
And we care for one another
Knowing there's so much to be done
Kisara cut in and sang, Because sometimes that's necessary
Just look how far we've come
You could say, my friend, that it's the end
For a new tale has begun
Bengali repeated the chorus and together, he and Kisara sang, One moment in time is all the time we need
Just to make a difference
To make it better for you and for me
If we just believe
At the end of the song, Bengali and Kisara placed their hands together and looked into each other's eyes. They also shared a gentle embrace. Seto saw this and figured that they really did look like they could be related.
Bengali released Kisara. "You're right, Kisara. We may be different, yet at the same time, we're not different. And it's not just in looks. We both had our lives changed for the better with the friends we have and with our heroic destinies."
She nods and adds, "And we're both loyal and devoted and we don't let anything or anyone else define who we are. And we know that the people we love are the ones who are most important to us."
The white tiger nods and takes Kisara's hand. "I may not really be your brother, so I can't give you away when you get married." He then takes Seto's hand. "But I can accept that you two belong together and that your happiness is important to me." And he places their hands together.
Seto and Kisara look at each other for one second before embracing each other and sharing a kiss. Their happiness really was important to the white tiger and he knew they really were happy together.
Seto cleared his throat. "We should probably return to the palace. We don't want to keep everyone waiting." So they all say 'goodbye' to the Moogles and leave the village. It really was true. Kisara and Bengali were two different people who found a way to become one family. And while Kisara and Seto weren't married yet, he was family to the both of them too.