"Good. Is that where you're from?"
"Yes." I shouldn't have been surprised he had forgotten, but I was. "I need to say thank you."
"What for?"
"Saving my life. Even if it cost you your own."
"It did? I don't remember that."
"Do you remember school?"
"Vaguely. I remember you. And two guys who looked a lot alike. Twins? Maybe. And a guy who had similar features to you but was much darker."
"Roki."
"Yes! Roki." He smiled as he pulled me from his chest so he could see my face. "I am going to miss you. But promise me you will be happy. Don't worry too much about your…me." His face contorted, having difficulty remembering his own name.
"I won't, David," I answered, subtly reminding him.
He nodded, smiling. "I am happy. It is very peaceful here, and after this, I get to join my ancestors on a great hunt, and then I will be reborn."
"That's great." I forced another smile and wiped my tears. "I just wanted to say goodbye and tell you how much I fucking love you." There was no way to stop the sobs that came after that. He knew and wrapped his arms around me again.
"I love you, too, Kaede. It's funny. I have forgotten almost everything, but not you. I could never forget you. I think I'm going to take my memories of you into the next life with me. Every moment we spent together still burns strong in my heart. I will find you if you want me to."
He sounded hopeful, and I couldn't take that from him. "I can wait twenty years or so. I'd wait forever if I had to."
I felt him heave against me as he breathed a sigh of relief. "Well. I think it's time for me to go. Remember not to worry about me. Just know that I love you with everything…I used to be. And will be." He pulled me away again and gave me a weak smile.
All I could do was nod. I was on the verge of an epic breakdown, and he didn't deserve that. He seemed truly at peace, and I was good with that. It made it a little easier. My heart was just torn over everything we wouldn't get to do together.
"I will." I managed to stutter.
He reached out and caressed my cheek, leaned in, and kissed me gently. "I love you. So damn much."
"I'll love you forever."
"And a day?"
"And a night."
I stepped back and quivered a smile, my lip trembling as the tears refused to stop. "Goodbye, my David. I love you."
"Goodbye, my little vixen. Tell everybody I'll miss them, too. Leave out the part where I forgot their names." He winked and started to fade from view.
"David. Be happy. Wherever you are, whatever you do, whomever you become. Be happy. You deserve it so fucking much." My eyes closed, and the epic meltdown came. When his fingers ghostly slid across my cheek, and his lips planted one feather-light kiss on my lips, I dropped to the floor in agony. "I love you," I whispered one last time.
When I finally looked up, he was gone.
"And he shall be reborn not as a wolf, but as the king of the skies, and he shall fly free," I muttered to the empty room, shaking my head to clear the murky numbness that had enveloped it.
Getting to my feet was an arduous task, but I managed and shuffled across the room, knocking three times on the green wooden door.
Chapter 18
"Kaede-sama?"
I opened my eyes in my own room, in my own bed, with my own Roki kneeling at my side and gently stroking my head. "Roke?"
"Hai. How are you feeling?"
"Better. David said to say goodbye."
"You were dreaming?"
I almost blabbed but decided against it. Visiting Asgard, saying goodbye to my lover, and promising to kill a god probably wasn't something he wanted or needed to hear. "Yes."
"Good. If you talk to him again, tell him I will miss him." He gave me a sad smile.
"I won't see him again, but if I do, I will."
"Do you wish to get some dinner?"
I almost said no, but then my stomach wailed the song of its people. "Uh. Sure. I could go for a little snack."
"Or twelve."
"Fine. I'm hungry."
He chuckled and stood, offering me his hand. "Kaede-sama?"
"Yes?" I took his hand and turned to the side of the bed, letting my feet touch the floor. He squatted in front of me, low enough to see into my eyes. "Are you going to be okay? Should I be worried? I know how much he meant to you."
I kissed Roki on the tip of his nose. "You know me."
"That is what I am afraid of. I looked around to see how many bottles of alcohol you consumed today and found none. That is when the worry started."
I stared at him in shock. Drinking hadn't even crossed my mind. "Yeah. That is weird. Now I'm worried about me, too."
He chuckled. "That sets me at ease." He stood and helped me stand up. "Come. They will start serving dinner shortly, and Rome and Remy-san are meeting us."
"Don't know how great of company I'll be…"
"Just being there is enough. There is no one else I would rather spend time with."
"Oh, Roki." I hugged him and sniffled. "Quit being so damn sweet. I'm tired of crying."
"I imagine you are. Just as I am surprised you have any left."
"My head is mostly liquid. Probably have a few buckets left."
"Huh." He gave me a confused look.
"What?"
"I thought it as mostly air…"
I laughed and slapped his chest, pulling my shirt over my head as I walked to the dresser. Roki snuck up behind me and put his arms around me, burying his face in my neck and inhaling deeply. "With everything that has happened. Should you need to talk…" He trailed off.
I patted his arm. "If I do, you will be the first to know."
"Promise?"
"I promise."
He let me go, letting his fingers slide over my naked tummy. There wasn't anything sexual about it, simply him trying to comfort me. He was staring at me in the mirror over my dresser and giving me a sad smile.
"What?"
"You have not been stuffing yourself the past few days. You need to eat more."
He was right. My cheeks were becoming a bit gaunt, and it really hadn't been that long since I'd eaten. I burned calories like rocket fuel. Nodding at him, I decided to double down. "Eight fried chickens and two Cokes."
"You would split wide open and waste all that food."
"Okay. Five fried chickens and a Coke. But I get dessert, too."
"Cheesecake?"
Nodding, I smiled at him, grateful for just the bit of normalcy he had given back to me with our silly conversations. He ran his fingers up my sides, and I squealed. "There is no tickling!"
"Then you should get dressed. I am finding it difficult not to touch you."
I nodded. "Sorry."
"I know you are far from the mood. Do not worry. I shall behave. But do me the favor of never apologizing for exposing any amount of your flesh. It is far from a hardship to gaze upon you."
"You like seeing me naked?"
"There is not a man on this earth who would not. You are not eye candy; you are a feast."
"You say the sweetest things to me. Thank you."
He blinked at me over my shoulder in the mirror, surprise and worry coloring his face. "Hai."
"Quit worrying. I'm okay. Just extra mushy today."
"Your head or your heart?"
"Bit a both." I chuckled and pulled my bra on.
"Allow me?"
"Yep."
He settled the straps over my back and hooked them for me before sliding his hands around and tugging the front down just a hair. "Perfect."
I slipped my shirt on and Roki reached around and buttoned it for me.
Pulling out a pair of panties, he turned me and knelt down, sliding my boxers off and then holding out my underwear for me to step into. I giggled as his fingers slid over my hips. He was being a perfect gentleman and not staring, but I still felt myself getting a little turned on by the intimacy of the situation.
"Skirt
?"
I handed it to him, and he held it out for me. I stepped into the circle of blue fabric. He pulled it up over my legs as he stood, tucked my shirt in and zippered it up.
"Thank you, Roki."
"My pleasure."
I put my socks and shoes on myself and grabbed my blazer from the closet, twirling it around me as we headed for the door. We held hands as we walked to the Dining Hall, and for the first time in days, I relaxed, even if only marginally. Saying goodbye to David had hurt, but it had also healed me somewhat. I wasn't a blubbering mess, but I definitely wasn't myself.
Who I was exactly, remained to be seen.
Roki looked around for the twins as soon as we entered.
"They shall show up as we pile our plates high."
"Pardon?"
I shook my head, clearing the somewhat familiar feeling. "Nothing."
He gave me a quizzical look but didn't say anything as we got in line for food. I was in the mood for beef instead of chicken, practically salivating at the pile of steaks in the silver serving tray. I took three of them and two baked potatoes. Some meatloaf, green beans, a bit of pot roast. Some sliced roast beef and a hamburger. The hamburger had just rolled off my plate and onto my tray, when the twins crept up behind us.
"Holy shit. I see your appetite is back."
It was Rome. Remy was smarter than that. "Hi, Rome."
"Remy."
Okay then, maybe not. "I said Remy."
"Uh huh. How you doing?"
I set my tray down on the rails in front of the buffet and turned around. The three of them stared at me. "New rule. Nobody is allowed to ask Kaede how she is doing. Okay? I'm managing, not great, but not bad, either. I don't expect it to change within the next year. So, please… Do not let that question leave your lips again."
"Hai."
"Sorry," the twins mumbled in unison.
"Don't be. I know you're just worried about me." I turned around, picked up my tray, and headed for the desserts. Two slices of cheesecake, and I was heading for the drinks.
"You have your hands full. You want a Coke?"
I nodded. "Thanks, Remy."
"Rome."
"Whatever." I headed for our normal six-top table and stopped dead in my tracks. My heart heaved, and I closed my eyes, sighed, and turned away. I chose a new table for just the four of us, in a section we had never sat in before. There were far fewer memories, and it was nowhere near the spot David had died.
I sat and let the tears fall, getting them out of my system before the guys got to the table. When I saw Roki out of the corner of my eye, I wiped them away and dug into my food. "Mmm. Food."
"Hai." His tray settled down next to mine, and he sat, his hand patting my knee gently. As far as acting went, I was pretty damn good. It would be a cold day in Helheim before I ever pulled one over on Roki.
"I couldn't even walk over there."
"I found it difficult and unnerving as well. You cannot even tell there was a… What happened."
"Bleach."
"Hai." He nodded and slipped a forkful of rice into his mouth, chewing quietly.
I couldn’t even look over there. Luckily Rome and Remy sat down in front of me, effectively blocking my view of that half of the dining area. And most of the southern hemisphere. The Lateran Wall.
Rome shifted a Coke from his tray to mine and slipped me a smile. "Your drink, madam."
"Thank you, kind sir. Such a gentleman."
"I try."
"Sometimes," I said with a little wink. I really didn't want to start a fight.
A presence slipped into my mind, quietly observing. I knew it was Fenrir. He had a certain feel that I usually only noticed when we were conversing. For me to notice it when we weren't was new.
Can I get you something?
He seemed a little startled that I noticed him and was silent for a moment. Where were you?
Pardon?
Earlier today, I tried to find you and could not. Where were you?
Uncle Tatsuo wanted me to get some rest after everything that happened. He put me in the infirmary under a shield so nobody would bother me. By nobody, I mean you.
His wolfish chuckle rattled my teeth, but he believed my lie. Tell the dragon not to hide you from me again. I do not like worrying about you.
Awwww. You were worried about me? You're so sweet. And you tell the dragon that. He might char my ass.
It would be the last thing he did.
You like my little butt, don't cha.
It is pleasing, yes. You seem to be in better spirits.
The rest did me some good. And the elven nurse gave me some happy pills.
I understand. Time grows short, Little Wolf. It is near the time for you to find me. Enjoy your meal…and the company.
Night, Fenrir.
He slipped from my mind, and I came to with all three of my dinner dates staring at me intently. "What?"
"Did he leave?" Rome looked around the room after he asked.
"Yerp. Went night-night."
"Thankfully."
"Something is weird, though."
"What?" Remy leaned forward.
"I can lie to him now. I could never do that before. Not to a god. They always saw right through it."
"They?" All three of them asked simultaneously.
"Yes? Hel and Fenrir."
"Kaede-sama. What aren't you telling us?"
Okay, maybe Roki wasn't the only one who could see through my bullshit. I set my fork down and debated spilling my guts, but fear of Fenrir overhearing our conversation got the better of me. I mouthed the word, later, and tapped my ear.
They nodded in understanding.
Kaede Tanaka, please report to the headmaster's office.
"Oh, come the fuck on!" I pointed at my food with both hands.
"Eat," Rome said simply and pulled one of the stones out of his pocket. He closed his eyes for a moment, then returned the stone to his pocket.
"Wert da ferk?"
"The walkie talkie stones, as you called them."
"They're telepathic?"
He and Remy nodded.
"That's fucking cool. Where's mine?"
"You don't get one," Rome said and took a bite off his chicken leg.
"Why?"
"Because you would overload the circuits with your constant prattle." He winked, just as I had a moment before.
"Okay. I can see that." I cut a piece of steak off and groaned as I put it in my mouth. "Vats fuffin gvood."
"Don't talk with your mouth full."
"You've never seen me with my mouth full. Your brother has, though." I wiggled my eyebrows. Totally worth it to see Rome blush through the red spectrum.
Remy laughed at his brother's discomfort. "She's not lying."
"Knock it off," Rome whispered.
"Aww. You jealous, Rome?" I grinned at him and took another bite.
"Maybe."
It was no fun teasing him when he was being honest like that. I sighed and chewed, savoring the taste of the steak. Until I saw Roki staring at me. "What?"
"I could not help but notice your plate. You are hopelessly addicted to chicken and fish. Why the dietary change?"
"I was craving meat?"
Rome and Remy both snickered.
"Shut up. You know what I meant." I looked back at Roki, who had one eyebrow cocked. "What? You've seen me devour meat before." There were more snickers, but I ignored them.
"Yes, but I have never seen you eat nothing else."
"I put a vegetable, potatoes, and cheesecake on my tray."
"And yet they all remain untouched…"
I looked at my plate, and he was right. I had eaten two of my four steaks, and the rest of the beef on my plate without noticing. Probably when I was conversing with Fenrir. Nor had I noticed when I pointed at my plate when the announcement came to go see my uncle. The rest of the food sat untouched. "Huh. Must be low on iron or some shit." I unwrapped the potato and took a bite. "Fee? Pvotafo."
He shook his head and continued eating his own food.
"If hvot." I waved my hand in front of my mouth, trying to cool it off and opting to take a sip of Coke, letting the scalding tuber cool in a bath before swallowing.
∞ ∞ ∞
"Hello, Kaede. Gentlemen, I do not recall summoning you to my office…"
"I asked them. Whatever you want to yell at me for, I don't care if they hear, and I have something to tell them, and I need you to help."
"I did not call you here to berate you. I just like summoning students without entourages." He sighed and backed away from the door, letting us pile in his office.
"What did you need, Uncle?"
"Headmaster."
"Sorry, what did you need, Uncle Headmaster." I figured a little light banter would lighten the mood he was obviously in. His scowl told me I might have been a little wrong.
"First, tell me why you need me to help you talk to the men who have absolutely no difficulty understanding your gibberish?"
I made a dome motion with my hands and wiggled my fingers at the wall.
He narrowed his eyes, but obviously sucked at charades.
I had a flash of inspiration. "Have you ever seen Star Trek?"
"Yes?"
"What is the first thing they put up when the Klingons are circling their anus?"
"The joke is Uranus."
I growled in frustration. "The anus isn't important!" There was a chorus of muffled laughter behind me. "The answer was shields." I motioned frantically at the walls.
"Shields? You wish me to shield the office?"
I slapped my forehead.
"Yes, Headmaster-dono. She does not wish to be overheard."
He nodded and lifted his hands. We all stuck our fingers in our ears and wiggled them as the shield slammed into place with a thud of displacement.
"Is that better?" He turned and walked to his desk, motioning to the chairs in front of it, not that there were enough for all of us. Instead of sitting he stood beside his chair, which was swiveled and facing the window behind his desk. I didn't think anything of it until it turned around, and I saw Freya sitting in it.
I dropped to the chair I'd been about to sit in, in complete shock. "Freya…"
A Tail of Two Kitties: A Reverse Harem Academy Tail (The Fox and the Hounds Book 2) Page 17
