Where the Journey Ends

MalaKai sat behind the counter of Kaitown Music Palace, drumming his fingers on the surface he leaned on. Unlike most days, this one seemed to be going unusually slow, and he hated that. MalaKai was the sort who liked to keep busy, even when he didn't appear to be. His mind was always active, and this lack of anything to do was boring him senseless. The Kai perked up a bit when a woman stepped into the store. Sitting up, he watched her browse the selection the Palace offered. Every once in awhile she would glance his way and grin, until she chose a random CD from the rack. Making her way to the counter, she placed it in front of MalaKai. "So, is this band any good?"

Glancing at the cover, MalaKai shrugged. "Never heard of them," he answered honestly.

"Not the best sales pitch I've ever heard," she laughed. "I've seen you in here a lot, what, do you live here or something?"

The Kai grinned. "Not hardly. I live..." a strange nagging feeling tugged at MalaKai's mind, causing him to stop mid-sentence. Scanning the store, he shivered.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I just..." It hit him even harder the second time, like someone beckoning him with their pain. This was the downside to being an empathic being. Someone out there was in a whole lot of personal misery, and it blared in his head like a siren which refused to be silenced.

He looked around the shop slowly, before his eyes returned to his customer. She stood there looking at him concerned, and he could tell easily that what he felt hadn’t come from her. The sorrow was masculine, though he wasn’t sure how he knew this, he just knew.

“Umm, I can recommend someone from the same genre who I know is good.” He temporarily pushed the call to the back of his mind as he helped the woman, gracing her with a smile that seemed to soothe her concerns. He walked to the section of the store the CD had come from and grabbed another band he had listened to and found to be good, placing it before her.

“You should like them, I know I did when I listened to them. Track number 10 is particularly good.” He gave his best Kai smile, and she eagerly bought the offered music. The rest of the day went by much the same. Long spates of boring nothingness, boring with a capitol “B”. Occasionally came another customer, and throughout the day he kept feeling the beckoning sorrow, growing stronger as the night approached.

His shift ended late, and as he stepped outside the store he felt it once more, even stronger. He looked around and found himself almost alone on the late night streets of Kaitown. He sighed heavily before finally giving in.

“Okay, where are you, lead on…”

Haven was it’s usual self that day. The She-cat and Disco argued over some nonsense over money, Genesis holding her back from taking a chunk out of his hide. Raul was wise to avoid their fight, and stay well out of the way of either of their ire. Angel was busy with the children, so when she got home, having nothing better to do Arania went to her room. Running a hot bath, filling the tub with bubbles.

She sank into the water letting the foam cover her to her neck, eyes closing as she relaxed. She had been better, eating, sleeping better, and her thoughts weren’t constantly overwhelmed by missing him. She had been able to live. With a sigh, she reluctantly stood, climbing out of the comforting warmth.

She dried slowly before slipping on a satin dressing gown, and walking out to her vanity, seeking her hairbrush. As she settled onto the cushioned seat she saw it. It was not supposed to be there, it had been left with his picture. It shouldn’t have been sitting there in front of her mirror. As she picked it up she looked to her bedroom door, she saw it was locked, as it had been left. With a frown Ari crossed the room and peered outside, stepping onto the balcony and looking down at the ground below. The fresh new green grass was undisturbed, no footprints giving hint to someone climbing in her window. The presence of that object on her vanity was a puzzle. It didn’t belong there.

She sighed, clutching it in her hand to her chest, eyes gazing out over the yard and to the horizon. She gave a sad smile as she remembered.

"I hope you like it. This is my first Christmas and I wanted to get you something that comes from my heart." He looked up at her hesitantly, shyly peeking through the curtain of raven hair that fell down over his face and shoulders.

She took the box, and took the wrapping off slowly, opening it to reveal a perfect replica of a sparrow, lifelike in detail. It’s eyes were diamonds, the body made in gold and opals. She gasped, and took it out.

"Sparrow, it is perfect." She smiled at him, reaching a hand to his cheek. "Will you?" She bowed her head a little to allow him to put it on her, his fingers drawing shivers over her body as they brushed the nape of her neck.

There had to be a reason it was there, so she put it on, letting the bird nestle just above her breasts as she walked downstairs to join the others for dinner.

MalaKai made his way through the familiar streets of Kaitown, and out into the suburbs. As he got further out away from the city, he realized where he was going. This path out into the country was a familiar one, though he usually didn’t walk it, he had traveled it many times in his car.

“Why out here?” He muttered to himself, thankful for his keen eyesight or there were many times he would have tripped and fallen. He approached the gates and was let in by SilverSteelKai.

After dinner, Ari got a cup of tea from the kitchen and stepped out onto the back porch. As she stood there holding the mug in one hand, the other resting on the necklace she wore, she looked at the gazebo in front of her. Her eyes teared up, but she was able to walk out into it, sitting on the bench there. Again the same sad smile crossed her face as she remembered happier times, the memories made bittersweet by her longing for him.

He dressed as he was asked, a simple black dress shirt and pants. His hair was worn in a braid down his back. Sparrow stepped out the door and saw candles lit, lining the path to the gazebo, and he followed them.

The gazebo itself was softly lit, and from somewhere nearby came the soft playing of a piano. A picnic was spread in a soft blanket, the rich scent of the meal filling the air. He climbed up the stairs and looked further into the candlelight. His eyes widened as he saw her, stunned.

She sat on the rail, balanced perfectly. Her bare feet peeking out from under her ankle length skirt, the fabric loose around her legs. Shimmering in the light, the dress clung to her waist, highlighting the soft curves of her body. The low-cut top and narrow straps accentuated her bosom and showed off her shoulders. The soft ivory of the satin choker she wore around her neck matched the gown and her eyes beautifully.

His eyes traveled the length of her body as she stood, walking closer to him.

"Hello SparrowKai. What do you think?" She spun, the diaphanous material swirling around her legs.

He nodded, swallowing loudly. "MusiKai will love it, Lady Arania." Her name a whisper on his lips as she pressed herself so close he could feel the heat radiating from her body.

"I didn't wear it for him." She said with a smile. "I wore it for you."

He couldn't find any words to speak with, they fled his mind at that revelation. He looked down into her face, his eyes seeing the surety in her own. Suddenly she kissed him, taking him by surprise, and he finally got the courage to speak.

"B-but you are bonded to MusiKai. He will be upset." He wanted this with every fiber within his alive-dead body, but would do nothing to hurt his brothers.

"He knows how I feel, how you feel. He has given his consent to bond with you as well Sparrow." She half pouted at him. "Don't you want me?"

He gulped, and nodded. "Very much. You are beautiful. You are kind and generous. I..." He hesitated, looking down at her, his eyes saying things his lips could not brave to speak.

"You love me don't you Sparrow?" She pressed close to him again, wrapping her arms around him. "I saw the painting, it is beautiful. Sparrow. I want you as well, will you have me?"

He nodded eagerly, embracing her, his daydreams becoming reality to even hold her in his arms.

She wiped her moist cheeks, and paused, looking at a pair of legs that stood in front of her. She followed the legs up and found herself looking at MalaKai.

“Lady Arania, are you all right?” He could feel sorrow from her, but it wasn’t the same, though it was very close.

“Hello Mal, yeah, just thinking. Something I can help you with?” She gave him a smile, finishing her tea with a grimace, it had grown cold as she had lost herself in the memory.

“I don’t know. I just feel that I need to be here for some reason. May I sit?”

“Feel free, I could have worse company.” She chuckled, motioning to the bench. “I hope it’s nothing major.”

MalaKai noticed that she had wrapped her arms around herself. “So do I. Are you cold? You can go in if you wish, I do not mind.”

“It’s all right Mal, I….” Her voice trailed off as her eyes widened. MalaKai followed her gaze to a corner of the gazebo.

A soft white light illuminated that part of the shelter, coalescing into the form of a man. Arania rose to her feet, walking across. MalaKai stayed in his seat, his eyes drawing closed as he felt his energy being guided, redirected by the soft voice within his head. He knew this was why he was here, an anchor, a light for his brother to appear here and now, a chance for him to speak.

“Arania….my love..” His voice was as soft as the breeze, yet she hear every word within her very heart.

“Sparrow…oh…Sparrow.” Tears flooded her eyes as she reached out, but her hand went through the mist that made up his form. She looked at her hand and back at him.

“I am so sorry love, this is the only way I can say goodbye.”

“Goo….goodbye…no Sparrow…please..” her voice cracked as the tears flowed freely down her cheeks. “Don’t leave me again.”

“I must, I can not stay. I can hear, I can see my father waiting for me. I came because I had to tell you thank you. For giving me this time of happiness before my life ended. Thank you for loving me, and allowing me to love you. I wanted to thank you for helping free me from the cruelty I knew and filling me with wonderful memories that will last me an eternity. Thank you for giving my brother and I a place to call home.”

She collapsed to her knees weeping as she heard his words, and the form knelt to meet her eyes.

“Arania, you were wonderful, and you always will be. When the time comes I will be waiting for you. I will always watch over you. I love you Arania, and I will for eternity. You are my heart, you will always be so. Please, don’t mourn me forever, I want to know you’re happy. Blue needs you, so do the others. You will always have the memories we made together.”

As she looked up into the form before her she felt, as soft as a feather brushing her cheek, a kiss, and watched as the mist faded. She couldn’t stop the tears searing her skin as she reached out.

MalaKai still sat on the bench, though his eyes were open. Sitting beside him, for his eyes only, was Raven.

“Thank you son of Kai for your help. They needed this, both of them. He needed an anchor to come through to bid her farewell. You were that anchor. He gives his thanks, as do I. Know you have done well son of Kai.” With a smile the woman vanished.

After a long time, Arania rose, her eyes dim and grey. “Goodnight MalaKai. One of your brothers can give you a ride if you need it. Thank you for that.” She leaned over and hugged him before leaving him there to retire.