Chapter 20

Kimme moved through the trees unseen, leaping from branch to branch. It had been less than a week since the fall of the House of Umeki, as she started to call it, leaving her entire world in turmoil. After her so called mother and her entourage’s disappearance and her grandmother’s funeral, many were now looking to her as the new leader of the three families. However, some still believed her to be part of the problem.

The minstrel boy to the war is gone,
In the ranks of death ye will find him;
His father's sword he hath girded on,
And his wild harp slung behind him;
"Land of Song!" said the warrior bard,
"Tho' all the world betray thee,
One sword, at least, thy rights shall guard,
One faithful harp shall praise thee!"

“Sile.” She stopped listening to the song being carried in the wind. Looking up, she spotted the Baobhan Sith sitting high on top of the Skogshaven Historical Center’s roof.

Leaping to the ground, she quickly moved across the street. Before she even stepped on the grass, the Yoaki heard. “Come on up Kimme.”

Impressed that she couldn’t even see Sile’s wards, she hit the porch at a run, swinging herself on top of its roof and quickly made her way towards her girlfriend’s location.

“A little late to be out on a school night.” Sile tilted back a bottle of Dark Island Reserve, a deep chocolate colored brew from Scotland. Kimme knew that someone kept her well supplied with her favorite drinks.

“A little late to be drinking.” Kimme hadn’t been back to school; right now she wasn’t sure if she would ever return.

“Best while you have it, use your breath; there is no drinking after death.”

Giggling, the Scottish Vampire tossed the empty bottle to the front yard. Reaching around, she pulled out another one and opened it with a razor sharp claw.

“Sile.”

“Funny thing this bit of home is brewed in the Orkneys. The bastard Eoghan introduced me to it. I’m sorry I was late, love.”

The two had hardly spoken since Princess Morgan and her troupe brought the compound back to Skogshaven. Her mother and the others were easily put under guard, their fate to be determined later. However, when the household awoke the next day, all of them had vanished. Odder still, their cars, luggage and other items were still in their rooms. Kimme had just spent part of the evening speaking to Morgan Hime about the incident.

“You weren’t late Sile, you still saved me.”

“Mostly.” Sile smiled sadly. “Did you talk with your father?”

The change in subject caught Kimme by surprise. “I did it was one of the strangest conversations I have ever had with him. He’s nothing like before.”

“So you were right, your mother’s influence on him has been broken.”

Kimme nodded. She explained how her father had been immersed, growing up in the Umeki family’s heritage. Marrying her mother, he believed that the two of them could usher in a new age, a rebirth of that ancient power. However, his ideas and her ideas collided. Although there were plenty of stories of conflict, there were just as many where success had been gained through diplomacy, working with the Yoaki not against them. Kaede had other plans.

“Before I was born, after my grandmother Hoshi, his mother, died, my father wanted to free Aya.”

“I gather that didn’t go over too well.” Sile frowned then opened another bottle of Dark Island Reserve and passed it to Kimme.

“No, what’s funny he wasn’t brought up in a traditional household. He didn’t even speak Japanese before they were married. Kaede’s magic turned him into a completely different person.” Kimme took a long pull from the bottle.

“So now what?”

“I’m meeting him in Hawaii over the Winter break.”

“Hawaii?”

“He wants the two of us to personally apologize to Olina’s family and try and make peace. I’m also, at least in his eyes, still the heir to the family’s fortunes. As eventual head of the Umeki Empire, I need to be reintroduced to the Shisaa family that lives there. Plus he said that he really wanted to spend some time to get reacquainted with his ‘new’ daughter.”

Kimme finished off the bottle, and like Sile tossed it into the front yard. “I wish you could join me in Hawaii.”

“You know I can’t leave Skogshaven.”

Kimme continued, as if she didn’t hear Sile’s answer. “I mean, everyone in the compound treats me differently; at least before, they used to fake being friendly, well not true it’s just odd. My mother called me an abomination, or some part of me she thought was an abomination and my grandmother died in my arms. Did she love me? I don’t know….why did this happen to me Sile…what did I do…Katie’s gone…Aya gone…even you…” Tears were now running down her checks. “I don’t even know who I am anymore.”

“Rach-air-muin” Sile growled. The Scottish Vampire had been confused since she entered the Shisaa compound. Was this the person she loved? She was and she wasn’t. Still, Kimme’s mournful cry stabbed deep into her chest.

Cursing Phillip, not for the first time, he had opened her black heart allowing something that she never had before, compassion. Kimme soon found herself in Sile’s embrace.

”Oh ma bien-aimé, everything will be OK. I’m here. Don’t cry; I’m not going anywhere.”

Kimme felt bad that she had awoken the Saito’s so early in the morning; however she hadn’t slept much herself. Most of the night had been spent with Tabitha, which was a bitter sweet reunion. The newly born Vampire had mixed feelings about what had taken place the night of her rebirth. Her old life, full of family, friends and even her religion had been the cornerstone of her life. Now with it gone, she didn’t know what to make of it.

Part of her thought that dying would have been the simplest thing; however she was grateful for Nina. She was already leaning heavily on her new family, and they were more than happy to step forward to help. Where Agwe and Kimme fit into her new life, she didn’t know.

With the sun just breaking over the forest, Kimme stood in front of a Tudor style house, in a wooded development right off the main road. The Saito’s land she noted was much more heavily wooded than most, giving them a bit of privacy. Kimme wasn’t all that surprised that their land butted against the Fae Woods as well.

“I’m sorry Kimme; Kuugen isn’t ready to speak with you. She did say however, that if you wish it you can have her life as one last token of obedience.” Satoshi Saito gave Kimme a sympathetic smile.

“Why would I want that? I just want to see Aya”. Kimme quickly chastised herself because of her tone of voice. The heir of the Umeki family shouldn’t be whining like a little girl. A small part of her was also upset that Aya no longer choose that name to go by, she now used her old name Kuugen.

Hotaru Saito looked at her husband. “She is a bit old fashion, reminds me of my grandmother. But Kimme, you need to give her some time. She’s gone through a lot and has to come to terms with that she has done.”

“But she couldn’t help herself.”

“Child, it doesn’t matter. Besides the other Yoaki she murdered, the Umeki family made her hunt down members of her own clan.” Hotaru frowned. ‘Kimme, do you still plan on becoming the head of that family.”

The young woman sighed. “I’m not sure what to do. My father and Uncle Masanori want me to stay as heir, perhaps lead the family down a different path. A part of me agrees, another part wants to run away and put all of this behind me.”

Hotaru reached over and took Kimme by the hand. “If you need help just ask.”

“Thank you.”

“At least your Uncle is not totally responsible. To think part of the coming of age ritual for the Shisaa was to actually bond them to the Japanese Witches. “

Not too surprising, Katie had recognized the ritual similar to what had imprisoned her hundreds of years before but because she herself was bound, there was nothing she could say or do about it.

The Witches who crafted the enchantment knew what they were doing. Almost impossible to detect, the Shisaa family members wouldn’t disobey a direct order; however they wouldn’t see a real reason why not to. It had been so ingrained in the Samurai tradition that it seemed normal.

What had saved Kimme that day, her grandmother had placed another enchantment on her Uncle, strengthening the already strong bond that had been created between the two of them.

The three didn’t speak for much longer, the children needed to go to school and Satoshi and his wife needed to get to work. With a promise that if anything changed with Aya, she would be the first to know Kimme drove back to the compound lost in thought.

The heir of the Umeki family fortune stood in front of her wardrobe, looking through her clothes; she no longer really had to worry about dressing if she didn’t want to. She could appear in whatever outfit she desired, however one of the things she found most enjoyable since becoming female, was shopping. Perhaps the thrill of the hunt was closer to the truth, still she loved the clothes.

“Strange, I can look like whomever I want, but I can’t seem to take a male form any longer.”

“It’s because you are still at odds with yourself, ducky.” A familiar voice said from behind.

“Katie.” Kimme cried, throwing herself into her beloved friend’s arms. ‘I thought you left me.”

“Now why would I do that, luv?”

“Because you hated us, I mean the Umeki family.” Kimme still held her friend close, afraid if she let go, the Aos Sidhe would disappear forever.

“Can’t say I am fond of them.” Pulling away, she led her to the bed. “However it wasn’t your mother who imprisoned me.”

“Have you been set free?”

“Afraid not luv, her Highness is looking for a way to free me from that accursed Athame as we speak. Unfortunately, I have been bound for so long, it’s more a part of me than I am comfortable with.”

“So she is your master now?”

Katie laughed. “Hardly, the first thing the Princess told me was to go on vacation as long as I wanted. No orders, nothing. I can come and go as I please. What I am thankful about, she doesn’t let the knife leave her body. It stays with her at all times.”

Kimme looked hopeful. “Does that mean you’re coming back here?”

The Aos Sidhe looked at her young friend, eyes full of warmth and love. “You’re a little old for me to dress you luv.”

“I guess, I just…”

“I know but things change, it’s part of life. However remember, I will always be your friend. So don’t think I’m going away forever.”

Kimme smiled tentatively. “Want to come to Hawaii with me.”

“Hawaii?” The Aos Sidhe looked thoughtful.

Kimme nodded, explaining what her father planned over the winter break. “As a friend of course, we can lie on the beach, work on our tans. Maybe catch a wave or two.”

“Let me think about it. Now how about I help you dress you one last time, I see that you’re practicing for another festival.”

“New Year’s day, I should be back from Hawaii a few days before.”

Clapping her hands, together Katie started help Kimme undress. “All right then, lets not keep your cousins waiting.”

A cold wind blew over the Shrine as I slowly went through the motions of the ritualistic Kagura dance. My thought before I began had been in turmoil, as I was still coming to terms with the events of the past week. But the dance irresistibly pulled me to my center, giving me peace at least for now.

“Kimme-sama, I am sorry to disturb you but Agwe St. Hill is here to see you.” My cousin stood a respectful distance away with his head down.

Sighing, I would have to do something about that. I waves at Agwe, who stood a few feet away from him.

“Juro, do me a favor. Just let her in next time. She doesn’t need an escort.”

“Kimme.” Agwe ran over and gave me a hug. “So what’s going on? Are the rumors true the entire compound vanished into the Fae?”

Taking a seat on the cold stone stairs, I began to explain as best I could the week’s events. Some of it shocked her, some of it made her cry; in the end, she held me once again as my own tears ran down my face.

“So they really put you in charge?”

“It seems so.” I couldn’t help but laugh.

Agwe looking please, nudged me with her body. “Good.”

I looked at her, a smile on my lips. “Why’s that.”

Agwe’s features suddenly became more animated. “Remember when we spoke about our two families, we now can all get along.”

“Cats and dogs living together.” The two of us started to giggle, remembering out conversation.

“So you’re going to Hawaii.” Agwe looked away, biting her lips she asked. “Do you plan on coming back?”

“Of course.”

“Good.” She raised her arms and stretched before standing. “I have to go, school work you know.”

“I know; I have a ton of things to make up.”

My father insisted that I finish the rest of the year in Skogshaven. Any long term plans, University or an apprenticeship with my father could then be determined later. So for now, I had a least a weeks’ worth of school work, thankfully Principal Byrne had been very understanding.

“I heard a rumor that your family paid the school for the repairs to the pool, and from what else I hear an upgrade to the facilities.”

I looked down embarrassed. “Well, it’s my fault really, as I dumped Eric’s motorcycle into the pool.”

“Still, it’s a nice gesture.” Holding me close one more time, she started to turn away. “I’ll see you around, Kimme.”

Watching her depart, I couldn’t help but notice the tears streaming down her face.

“You know that Agwe knew you were there the whole time.”

My girlfriend had been watching me practice, as we planned on going out to dinner afterwards.

“So, you didn’t tell her?” Sile stepped forward.

“What?” I knew what she was saying but I wanted her to actually say it.

“That you’re not really Kimme.”

I sighed, now that’s not totally true. When I decided to sacrifice my life’s energy to save Katie, little did I know what would happen? I believed that I would simply fade away, like my dreams with the mirrors. To our surprise, we merged, into a new person but really the same. Memories of living high on top of a snow covered mountain were as real to me, as memories of swimming in the Ocean.

I didn’t feel any different, no more than when I switched from Ken to Kimme. I’m still me. So Kimme or Kimiye it didn’t matter anymore. I survived and the people that I loved so dearly were safe.

A part of me still understood that my relationship with Agwe would probably change but as Katie said, that was part of life. However, I would try to continue to be her friend and I hoped she would be mine.

“Doesn’t matter, she knew anyway.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised; there is a touch of the Fae in that girl.” Sile shook her head as Rebecca and Hibiki appeared in the courtyard making their way towards the stairs.

“Sorry we’re late.” The two giggled as they finally reached the Shrine.

“As usual.”

“Hey, we are allowed to be fashionably late you know.” Rebecca stood with her hands on her hips.

Hibiki leaned over and said to Sile. “Rebecca couldn’t decide on which bathing suits to bring to Hawaii.”

Rebecca grinned. “Guess I’ll have to buy a few new ones.”

“Sounds like a plan, shopping this weekend, Kimme?” Hibiki jumped up and down excited.

“Practice first.” I had to stop myself from jumping down with her. Motioning to the others, we began to walk towards the front of the Shrine. Looking back, it came as no surprise that Sile joined in. If I knew anything about my girlfriend, she loved to dance.

Slowly the four of us began to move, our forms as one as we performed the ritual for the New Year, a dance of hope, good fortune and new beginnings.

Epilogue:

Countess Sianna strolled through the halls of a large Irish estate that sat on hundreds of acres inside the county of Armagh. As the mistress of the Dunkelheit, she wasn’t used to being ordered. However, this person’s request was simply that, an order and it was not to be ignored.

Two well-dressed and armed Aos Sidhe opened a large mahogany door allowing her entry into a large beautiful furnished chamber. Antiques worth thousands of pounds adorned the room, over a large fireplace hung a painting of a beautiful lady dressed in a long white gown. Behind the desk, the woman still garbed in white, her dress more modern, sat with her ear to a cell phone. Motioning with one hand, she beckoned the Countess to approach.

“Of course Lady MacLice I would be happy to attend the charity ball, in fact put me down for a sizable donation. Yes, please contact my secretary with further details; a pleasure as always speaking with you, Lady MacLice”

Pushing her black silky straight hair over one ear, the Dutchess of the Unseelie Court set her phone down on the desk. Without a word, she opened a brown folder and began to look over a series of documents. Satisfied, the woman in white looked up; regarding the Countess carefully, she clasped her long fingers together on top of the desk,

“You have done what I asked?”

The Countess went down on one knee, unable to look into those deep blue eyes. “Yes your grace; the Count has been slain, as you commanded.”

“No trouble I take it?”

It was a rhetorical question, if there had been trouble the Countess would have already paid dearly for it.

“No, your grace, everything went according to plan.”

Leaning back, the Duchess smiled as she motioned another a servant, who held a silver try with two crystal glasses and a bottle of Champaign , to approach.

“A drink perhaps, to celebrate you accomplishment.”

“Thank you your grace.” The Countess watched as the Sclabhai walked across the room, setting the tray in front of her mistress. She then approached curtsied low while offering the crystal glass full of the bubbly liquid to Sianna.

“This one is new.” She could fell no power from this mortal, how strange.

“Not really, the one has been mine for over a decade but alas unlike you dear Sianna, she failed to do as I requested. Now at least, I take pleasure in her presence.”

Countess Sianna nodded, not really caring one way or another, as long as it wasn’t her.

“Isn’t that right Kaede, you love me don’t you.”

“Yes Mistress.” The former head of the Umeki family shivered in pleasure as the Duchess ran her hands over her body. All that was once the powerful Witch was gone, now replaced by the Sclabhai who would do anything for her mistress, even die if commanded.

“What about the Princess.”

“What about her? She doesn’t concern me; although perhaps we will continue to apply pressure. Let’s see what the Daughter of Mab is made of shall we? I’ll contact you later, you’re dismissed.”

Watching the Countess retreated from the room, as quickly and polite possible, the White Duchess laughed. In the future the Princess would become a worthy adversary. However right now, she wasn’t interested in an Arbitrator. Years in the making, her well thought out plans were slowly coming to fruition and her target was no mere Princess, but a Queen.

Authors Notes: A big thanks to everyone for reading, I hope you enjoyed Kimme's journey. As you might have noticed there are still several plot lines not finished, keep an eye out for them in Pixie's Honor and an upcoming story called Daughters of the Flame.

Thanks to EOF, Maggie and Donjo for their insightful comments, and suggestions and for EOF for creating such a fun Universe to write in.

Finally, as always a great big thanks to djkauf for a little elvish editing, adding those evil commas that I always forget to add.

If you like the story please leave a Kudos, if you have the time I would love to hear from you. Thanks to all for reading! - Huggs!! Elsbeth

PS Click The Moreen if you wish to hear what Sile is singing.

 © Copyright - Elsbeth2011/2012