SWNOVELS Chapter 30: Gathered loved ones
“I can’t believe this is her home,” exclaims Kenji as he looks around. “It…is massive. I think you could fit the entire village here and there’d still be plenty of room for even more people.”
Yukari smiles as she looks around. Her tails swish softly in the air and scraping across the snow. “I would agree, Nonoha-kun.” She takes a soft breath, “It’s been a good long while since we were last here. Over a year in fact.”
“I personally cannot believe it’s actually here,” says Asha. The ryujin smiles, as she shifts around with her scales sliding over the snow. “So many memories here, such beautiful ones.”
Kenji continues to looks around, gazing out onto the lands before him. His eyes simply absorb the immensity of it all. He then turns, seeing the massive house before him. It’s larger than even his high school, yet he’s still in awe that this belongs to the girl he loves. “Is…is she really here?”
Yukari smiles, nodding. “We shouldn’t have anything to worry about. However, if by some chance we’ve already missed them, then we can simply move on to where I think she’s heading next.”
Although, she prays they haven’t yet.
The backdoor then flies open, with me staring at the trio. My heart goes wild with joy, yet I set my eyes firstly on to Kenji. Everyone turns and smiles as charge towards them, instantly transforming.
“Kenji!” I call out.
He grins, “Ariko!”
I then leap into him, tackling my boyfriend into the soft snow. I really can’t believe I just did that. After all my self-control last spring, now I’m really acting like some love-struck girl, beyond happy to see him after so long.
We each giggle as he wraps his arms around me tightly and we kiss. Our kiss is long and passionate, not really even caring that we have an audience watching us. I really don’t even care that’s snow. For this brief moment, it’s just the two of us in the world.
“I’ve missed you, Kenji.”
He grins, pressing his head into mine, “I’ve missed you as well, Ariko. I can’t believe it’s been a year since I last saw you.” I feel his hand tenderly caressing my cheek. “I kept my promise of thinking of you every day while I trained with your aunt.”
I grin as I stare into his amber eyes, now recognizing his new name for me. “Ariko”, I love it. He’s dropped the honorific and basically is calling me his girlfriend, only with my name.
“For me,” I start, “it’s been over four months.”
He tilts his head, his face contorting with confusion.
I giggle softly, reaching up and brushing some snow from his face. “I’ll explain later.”
He nods slowly.
“How’ve you been?” I ask, looking him over. His body is now a lot more tone and muscular than even when I last saw him in the village. “You look beefy.”
It’s not only that, his body his prickling with even more power. I just can’t believe at how much a rapid change he’s undergone in only a year.
He grins, “I’ve been well. My training with your aunt was insane. We trained for nearly the entire day, learning more about our race than I thought possible. I also spent time with the fae in their realms, with a few even coming close to where we were living.”
Uh-oh. If I know the fae like I do, then they would have sensed myself on him. While a few fae know better than to mess with me on any level, that doesn’t apply to those attached to me. Granted, they would never even dream of actively doing anything while in the mortal world, that probably doesn’t apply when in theirs. So if anything, they may have tried to seduce my boyfriend away from me.
Thankfully…I’m pretty sure Titania would have stepped in and harshly dealt with them if they tried anything. I think even a few of the little fae she would send to me would also have stood guard. I still consider those little messengers my friends and fae are very protective of their friends.
He then lays his head back into the snow. “Although, a few months ago we inadvertently were dragged into a squabble that poured into where we were living. Something about another court wanting to deal Titania-sama and her court.”
Oh well that’s lovely. There are two primary courts of fae that rule over their realms. The Seelie or spring fae, which Titania is a part of, and the Unseelie or winter fae. Both are actively hostile to each other. However it’s the Seelie who truly rule over the fae and even over Albion itself.
I sigh, yet smile. “I’m just thankful to see you again.”
He smiles, stroking my face.
My ears then flick back, hearing the chuckling of my mother. “Oh such a wonderful display of young love. It truly is incredible to see.”
I blush as Kenji and I sit up in the snow and look at her. My tails coil around me in sheer embarrassment as the fantasy from before fades away and reality sets in. Behind her I see that not only is Marron standing next to my mother, but she is also joined by Silvi who just flew in. Each are grinning like maniacs as they watch us.
“Rachel,” says Yukari, her voice sounding excited and relieved to see my mother. “You can’t begin to imagine how happy I am to know that you’re truly here.”
Asha sighs, yet smiles greatly. “When we heard what had happened to you, it took us days to get over our shock and focus on our niece.”
Mom smiles, bowing her head to them. “As am I, my dear friends.” She then walks over to us, “I can’t thank you both enough for watching over Aria and her party while they were in Japan.”
They each smile, looking to me. I blush even more, instantly feeling as though we were back in my house, all sharing meals together, and simply enjoying quiet moments in the living room or even on the deck.
“We were glad to, Rachel,” says Asha. “Just having our little niece with us again brought us such relief and joy. We were blessed with new memories and simply seeing her again.”
Yukari grins deviously. “Ah yes, including a few wonderful ones from certain events.”
I blush more at her, yet still smile. Yeah, I still remember them spying on our second date.
Mom smiles, now facing Kenji. “As for you, I’m glad to finally meet the young man who stole my little girl’s heart in person.”
My boyfriend instantly shoots to his feet and bows his head to her. “Konichiwa Rivenfeld-dono. It’s an honor meet you as well.”
She smiles, stepping closer. “And hello to you as well, young Kenji. I see my daughter has chosen well. To be here, willing to leave your own home to fight for her is truly admirable.”
I smile, holding onto him and leaning my head onto his arm.
Kenji relaxes as he wraps his arm around me. He then looks up at the Manor and back out onto the Estate. “You truly have a beautiful home my Lady. I’ve never seen such a place before. Even our tiny portion of Mie in only just as pretty as here.”
Mom grins, “Why thank you, young Kenji.” She then chuckles, “I can see your mother taught you well on how to ingratiate yourself onto others.”
He blushes softly.
I giggle, shaking my head and looking up at him. “There’s a lot more to show you.”
He nods, smiling to me.
Marron grins as she and Silvi walk over to us, and leans over. “I have to say how bold you two are. Just brazenly kissing one another in full view of everyone.” She then holds up her phone. “I enjoyed it so much that I even recorded it.”
I roll my eyes at you. “You always do that.”
She laughs, standing up. “Of course, after all it’s one of my purposes to document your life, sweetie.”
I let out an exasperated groan while feeling my cheeks burn hotly.
Kenji looks to her. “It’s good to see you again, O’Connor-san.”
She smiles, “You as well, Kenji-kun.”
I smile at them both, still remembering him coming to see me after we arrived in Japan. Which is how the pair met in the first place.
Silvi now leans over, easily towering over the both of us. “So you’re the one who captured my little sister’s heart.”
He nods, looking to her in awe. Living near a ryujin in one thing, meeting a western dragon is completely different. Not to mention said dragon is my sister.
I blush softly yet smile, praying she doesn’t do anything crazy.
Silvi then gently rests her clawed hand on his shoulder. “Now, you might already have her mother’s and Marron’s blessing. However you now have to gain mine.” She grins to him, “A dragon’s opinion tends to carry a bit more weight.”
I smirk, looking to her. “Only when you’re gorging yourself on meat.”
She grins, ruffling my hair.
Kenji then lets go and bows to her. “I will try to.”
She smiles to him. “Well, you are definitely starting in the right direction.”
Hehe, she’s not the only one he has to get approval from. I have lots of friends that still have to meet my boyfriend.
We then see a massive body of black fur standing before us. Fenris smiles to us both, still giving his fatherly approval as always.
“Hello, Fenris-dono,” greets Kenji, bowing his head.
My wolf does the same. “Young man. It is good to see you again.”
Kenji then peers as Athena stands beside her mate. He looks to her amazed and surprised, something he should get used to at this point. The silver wolf looks over my boyfriend, eyes examining the young kitsune.
“A…a second wolf,” he says.
Athena smiles, “I have waited to see the young man my little girl spoke of. I am quite happy to finally meet you.”
Kenji looks to me, “Her little girl?”
I giggle, “Just add that to the long list of things I have to tell you about.”
He nods slowly. He then smiles softly, “I would love have some alone time with you again.”
I grin, “You know I’d love that. Plus I want to show you around my home.”
He smiles, “I will follow wherever you want to take me.”
Oh how someone could easily misinterpret that statement. I smile to myself, knowing what he means and I’m sure he does as well. Let’s just keep things slow for now. To be honest, there is still time and even years before anything really happens or at least should until then.
I then giggle. “There is one place in particular I want to take you. Just the two of us.” I then tap my chin, “Well, there is another, but that’s someplace really special. However the first I have in mind is better.”
He smiles, “Doesn’t matter where you want to take me, it’s fine with me.”
I grin, peering to my family. We no doubt will have everyone watching over us tonight, making sure neither of us does anything “reckless”. A date is one thing, being here at my home is a completely different matter altogether.
I look over to my aunts, eager to walk with them.
Kenji smiles, kissing my forehead, “Go ahead.”
I grin and slip from his grip and step to them.
Both Yukari and Asha quickly pull me into their arms, hugging me tightly. I bury myself into their bodies, oh so happy to see them again. Once more my yokai aunts are here at my home, overjoyed to have more of my family with me.
“Even though it’s only been a little over a couple weeks since I last you,” says Asha, “I missed you.”
“For me,” adds Yukari, “a full year has passed. Quite torturous if you ask me. However I had faith in your sister.
I grin. “I missed you both too.” I look up at Asha. “However, for me it’s been longer.”
She tilts her head, looking to me. “What do you mean?”
I grin, shaking my head, “I’ll let my mom fill you in on the details.”
She nods as she then hoists me into her arms, holding me to her body. Asha in her true form is still massive, even larger than Silvi. While I still feel small when compared to my sister, with Asha, I might as well look like I’m a small child as she holds me.
I then feel tails wrapping around my own, feeling their soft fur. I giggle softly, looking to Yukari.
Asha smiles, feeling her arm under me. “I have come as promised, Aria-chan. Here to fight at your side.”
I smile, clinging to her. “I think the girls must be missing you right about now.”
She nods, “I have little doubt of that.”
If there’s one thing I would never asked anyone else from the village would be to come to fight alongside me. I know the shirohebi are powerful in their own right, however not even Asha would even think of bringing them with. To be frank, it’s not their fight.
She then smiles, “Oh before I left, the villagers all gave me letters to hand to you. Hashibaba said for you to call her if you made it home.”
I grin and blush. I miss my yokai grandmother, still thinking how amazing it is that she claimed me as her actual granddaughter. It’s not just her I miss. It’s also all my friends there, who are probably either in school right now or at home. Yet now I have something from them to read, and I should try and contact Hashibaba. Just not sure when though.
Asha then leans over and nuzzles my head. “I’m happy to see you finally home, Aria-chan. Your journey is now complete.”
I grin, burying my face into her chest. “Not quite.”
She smiles, kissing my head.
I then feel another hand stroking my hair. I peer over to see Yukari to me. I grin to her.
She smiles proudly. “I can’t believe how mature you now look. There’s something new in your eyes, something that only is gained from experience and even schooling.”
I smile to her, still having her tails wrapped around mine. “I went on a journey separate from the rest of my party. While there I gained a great deal, refined knowledge, experiencing something incredible. Yet…I then lost much at the end.”
Yukari nods, stilling stroking my hair. They both then pan over to see Fenris and Athena as the wolves smile as Kenji talks to Mom and my sisters.
“What can you tell us about that second wolf?” asks Asha.
I smile, watching them. “She’s my new bonded wolf, someone who joined me on my journey. She’s also like Fenris, in that she’s my mother as well.”
Both women become shocked at this, looking to each other and then me. I smile, thinking again how there’s a lot to discuss, yet I think Mom and Marron will handle that detail. I can manage some of it, just not the parts I think that would make me cry again.
I pan back to Yukari. “So how did the training go? You have as much fun as I thought you would?”
She smiles. “I am happy to report that it went quite well. Nonoha-kun is quite intelligent and a fast learner. I was correct in that it took the full year in order to bring him up to where he needs to be.”
Her tails flick softly as they rest against mine. “It wasn’t only magic I instructed him in. I tutored him in many subjects, following a similar curriculum as your mother did with you.”
I grin to her. “Guessing you figured out what some of my future plans were.”
Yukari smiles, “I have a rough idea of what you might do.”
Asha then gently lowers me into Yukari’s arms, to which the kitsune quickly hugs me tightly. I feel her stroking my hair, letting her heart beat become known to my ears. She’s as gentle and motherly as she was the day I decided to leave the village.
I still remember her wanting to take Marron and I to spirit realm and for us to become a part of her clan. It’s an idea that I seriously can’t wait to do. Just after everything in the near-future is finished.
“As I said before,” she goes on, “this past year away from you was long and dreary. Not to say that the weather wasn’t unpleasant. However, I was more than happy to train your boyfriend.”
I grin, then look to her. “He said something about you both getting drawn into something?”
She chuckles, nodding. “I believe our esteemed host will explain that little issue.”
I peer around her to see Titania standing some distance away, smiling to me. I grin, happy to see her again.
She’s not here with any guards, in fact she never has since I first met her. Well… why should she? She’s traveled to friendly lands to see me. Now she could’ve brought them with when she appeared in Japan. However I suspect since I called her, she simply went without.
Yukari then leans over and kisses my forehead. “Go ahead, dear.”
“We still have plenty of time,” adds Asha.
I smile and slip from my aunt’s hands.
I step over to the fae queen, who smiles warmly and with open arms. I grin, quickly folding into them, hugging her tightly. I feel her gently stroking my hair and even rubbing the base of my ear, causing me to blush.
She holds me tightly, rocking us slightly. “Oh, my precious little fox. I am truly happy to see you finally home again. Back to where this all began.”
I smirk, looking to her, still remembering her final words to me in Japan. “When do you know my home had returned?”
She’s always been a bit cryptic with me ever since I first met her. Now, her aiding me before I fled was a massive boon for me. Learning to open fairy roads became my greatest asset for traveling without being detected or tracked.
I also suspect the reason why Regulus never found me in Japan, with the time spent away being a factor, is that the fae magic I used dissipated far too quickly for anyone to get a bead on. Plus the wall of fire I put up before I entered the portal may also have bought me time to prevent them from doing anything.
She smiles, continuing to stroke my hair. “It was the moment I felt your glen reconnecting to the fae realms. Whatever seal your mother used even prevented my coming here. That truly astonished me.”
I smile and nod. Pulling the Estate completely from the world, and sealing it in a pocket dimension, would most definitely prevent anyone from reaching here. It’s the same with Dewloura, I think. In my heart I’m praying for a miracle to happen.
“When it did come back, did you try to visit?”
She shakes her head, “No, dear one. I dared not enter here due to not wishing to overwhelm anyone who still may have been recovering.”
I nod. “Thank you.”
That was very considerate of her, yet I know everyone here had mostly recovered by that point. Yet even still, to have a being like Titania simply show up could have caused folks here to collapse under the pressure of her aura. I am grateful she at least checked up on them without actually coming.
She smiles, leaning over and kissing my forehead, causing me to blush. Even a fae’s kiss is gentler than anything one can hope to experience. Well…other than my mother’s.
I peer back, watching as Marron talks with my aunts. All three appear to be talk as if no time has passed since leaving the village. Chalk one up to family. Yet, I do feel another question returning from that same day.
“Did you know the Marron was Celes’ reincarnation?”
She looks to me, eyes flashing wide. I peer back, seeing her smile. “Now, this tale is a bit of an unusual one. Four centuries ago, I happened upon a strange woman traveling through shire far to the north, one I’m sure you should be familiar with.”
I tilt my head, thinking of the only time I was in England was when sprung a surprise trip on me three years ago. There, we traveled to where she was born, a small village near Manchester.
“Something about her caught my attention,” she goes on. “Obviously she was a foreigner, given her appearance. This woman was beautiful, despite looking a bit older than the local humans. She exerted a strange aura of nobility unlike anything I had ever felt. Another feature I found striking was her eyes.” She then looks to me, smiling, “A rare shade of deep sapphire with specks of ice blue.”
Celes. She was in England, which is really strange. Titania also said she appeared older, meaning it must’ve been years after the Fall.
“I continued to observe this woman,” she adds, “yet oddly she dared not interact with anyone. Or more accurately, knew not to do so. I could also infer she had recently visited London, given the faint odor of the Thames.”
She then smiles to me, “She also felt much like a fox. Clever, cautious, yet she simply appeared as fox in my eyes.” She then closes her eyes for a moment, no doubt collecting her thoughts. “She then surprised me as she smiled while looking around.”
I tilt my head at this. What were you doing there, Celes? I know my mother was in London at the time and wouldn’t leave for a few more years. Celes also knew this, knowing not to interact with her.
Titania nods, stroking my hair. “After I watched her leave, I never saw her again.”
She then grins, looking to me. “Then a rather curious thing happened. I watched you and your mother strolling through the exact same shire centuries later. I was amazed at how much you reminded me of the woman, no doubt being her descendant.”
She chuckles softly, “You also reminded me a fox; skittish, nervous, ever observant of your surroundings, yet sharing the same spark of cleverness. Yet your eyes weren’t quite the same at the time.”
I giggle, blushing softly.
She smiles, “I knew right then and there I had to meet you, while simultaneously predicting that this was to be your destined form.”
My smile grows. I am a fox through and through, now in physical form. However, I wish I could have told the fae queen to not have scared me half to death during our first meeting. Granted we didn’t have the same relationship we do now and I really didn’t want to offend her at the time.
“Now, as for your sister,” she says. “When I met her for the first time, I was flabbergasted at how much she reminded of that woman. In fact, for a moment I thought I was actually staring at her. I couldn’t believe how connected the pair were to each other and thus bound to you.”
I smile. Even during my first encounter with Celes I could tell they were almost the same person. I guess it made it easier for me to feel more comfortable around her while also still completely being a nervous wreck.
“Celes and Marron are one and the same,” I tell her.
She smiles, holding me closer to her. “I still wish for you to visit me in Tir Na Nog. Oh the wonders I would show to you, the places I would take you to.”
I grin. She’s wanted me to come for a couple years now, and I did say I would. Oh…another question then popped in to my head.
“What about Oberon?” I ask. “Is he like you?”
She grins, gently tapping my nose. “I know for a fact my husband wishes to meet you. However, he dared not journey here with me. Again overwhelming those how live here and yourself. You might have become far more powerful than you were during our first encounter my little one, yet you aren’t quite ready to deal with the both of us here at the same time.”
I grin, nodding. That’s the truth. Now, she has toned down her aura while with me and I’ve also gotten used to it. Yet you add Oberon into the mix, yeah…not really the best of ideas.
She smiles, “He can be a stern man at times, what fae king isn’t? Yet is also incredibly loving and gentle. However with that said, he can become rather obnoxious at times. Often reminding me of Goodfellow.”
I giggle softly. Puck and Oberon both being pranksters or even jovial nuts seems appealing to me.
“I have to ask,” I go on, “both Yukari and Kenji spoke of something that they were dragged into. Something to do with the Unseelie Court?”
Titania sighs, shaking her head. “Queen Mab and her court decided to ‘play’ near where your aunt and beloved were residing, threatening to disperse into our lands. My court had erected a barrier in order to protect them and the surrounding area from danger. Even chasing away would-be fae who had other ideas for your beloved. Oh I still sent them whatever they needed, yet they rarely went beyond it.”
She nods, “When I learned Mab had caught wind of their presence, Oberon and I quickly marched over to intervene hopefully to prevent her from shattering the barrier surrounding them. However…it soon devolved into an outright confrontation that your aunt and beloved were unfortunately dragged into. Although I must say he exhibited great skill during the battle.”
I grin, peering over to Kenji. With as worried as I am for him, at least I know he’s got some combat experience. If I’m really honest, I still don’t want him to be anywhere near what’s to come. Hell, the same sentiment is probably shared with many people across the world at this moment with concern to me.
I then look back to her, “If you’re up for it, I have another favor to ask you. A small one.”
Titania smiles, “Very well, my little fox, what is it you wish of me?”
I lean up and start to whisper into her ear.
She pulls back, looking rather astonished. “That is indeed a rather small favor. However at the same time, a large one.”
I stare at her for a moment.
She then grins, “My clever Little Fox. It shall be done.”
I giggle softly, swishing my tails in the snow. “Thank you. And thank you for everything else you’ve done for me.”
She smiles, planting a kiss on my forehead. “I am forever glad to.”
I grin, still swishing my tails. “So…are you pretty much my fairy godmother?”
She chuckles. “I might as well be at this point, my dear. I do find the term both endearing and rather amusing.”
Yeah I know it a bit cliché to suggest having one, given they’re mostly in fairy tales. Yet this is my actual life and I really do have a fairy godmother. She’s basically been helping me throughout my life since I first met her. In her own subtle ways of course.
She then looks to Kenji. “He is a good man, your beloved. I know he will make a fine husband for you.”
I blush softly, feeling a bit more embarrassed that I now have the fae queen of Albion thinking the exact same way of my boyfriend’s mother. That…that’s still something way off in the future. I’m still only sixteen for crying out loud.
She then grins, “I anticipate you having children of your own one day. Oh, the wondrous sight of your little ones playing through these lands brings such joy to me.”
My face now lights up a deep shade of red as I stare at her. Oh now she’s predicting that I’m going to have kids? Just…just wow.
However…I did have similar fantasies last spring. But they were just that, fantasies. I mean…right? I look to my mother, wondering if she’s think that far ahead for me even now. She’d be tickled pink beyond belief to be a grandmother. Not saying that neither of us is in any hurry that is.
Speaking of my mother, I perk up to watch her strolling over to us. A massive, warm smile adorns her face the closer she comes. I think she’s been having a bit too much fun talking with my yokai aunts and my boyfriend.
She turns to the fae queen, smiling to her. “Hello, Titania. I see you’ve been keeping my daughter quite entertained.”
Titania grins, “Indeed I have, Rivenfeld.”
I smile to her. We’re…not going to mention the little conversation we just had. Way too embarrassing.
Mom nods, “I must also thank you for watching over her.”
She smiles, holding me close. “I was glad to. I do hope to have her in my own court for a time. If you’ll be able her to spare that is.”
I look up to her, “I promise to one day.”
She smiles to me, “I await that day, my little one. Now there will be no hurry, for I know that you will likely need time once this ordeal is concluded of course.”
I nod. I’m grateful Titania has a wellspring of patience when concerning this. She’s right, there’s no real need for me to visit her right after this is all over. Things in the fae realms have their own ebbs and flow, always shifting and never really on a set schedule. Hell, for all I know, the day I come could either be a rather dull day (if that’s a thing there) or be in the middle of a major event.
She then gives me another tight hug and kissing my forehead once more. “I must take my leave of you, my precious little one. Before my husband does something foolish in my absence.”
I smile, “Please visit us soon.”
She smiles, stroking my hair before pulling away from me. “I will my dear. Know that I love you and ever shall.”
I blush deeply as she begins to fade into mist. “I love you too, Titania.”
She grins, now completely fading away.
I stand there for a moment, just amazed and in awe of her. We started our relationship with her nearly scaring me to death, to her now basically being my fairy godmother. She’s someone I truly love dearly and have so much to be grateful for. I even finally got some answers from said first meeting which is a feat in of itself.
The wind then begins to pick up, blasting us with chilling air, even kicking up some now along with it. I still grin, knowing I just asked a major favor of her, yet another plan within a plan. Something that no one will see coming.
“We should head inside my love,” say Mom looking to me. “I’m sure our new guests will need some food and rest after their journey.”
I nod and turn, happily waving my tails around. I meet up with Kenji and wrap my arm around his, to which he smiles, holding me close to him. I peer up to my aunts who both smile to me as we all head inside.