Old Promises, New Mysteries: Book 2 of The Kinstone series

The alarm on my phone actually went off for a change. I groaned, sitting up on the bed. I really shouldn’t have eaten that much during the party. My stomach grumbled softly as I slipped out of bed. I twisted and stretched my body, feeling it pop and burn. I exhaled softly, going over to my closet and pulling my running outfit.

I knew the ground was going to be soggy if not incredibly muddy, so I slipped on some running boots. After getting dressed I walked over the balcony, opening the doors. It was still rather dark as I stepped onto the stone balcony.

The air was cool and humid, perfect for after the huge storm we just endured. The wind was gentle and steady. Fog and mist rolled over the Estate, nearly covering all of it. Off in the distance, I could see the sun attempting to pierce through the hazy darkness.

I leaned onto the banister, considering my options for my workout. Running was a duh, but what else could I do? A glimmer of light shone from the east, casting its light onto where I had erected my training grounds.

I smiled. Okay…doing that.

My head then turned at the sound of Fenris yawning as he woke up. The massive wolf’s open mouth bore his gleaming white fangs. His claws softly dug into the carpet as he stretched out his body. I smiled, walking over to him, our eyes meeting.

“Ready for a run, Papa Wolf?”

He curled back his lips into a smile, wagging his tails, “Do try and keep up with me, little one.”

I giggled, “Only if you don’t slow me down.” The wolf grinned broadly.

I smiled to him, slipping on my wrist and ankle bands, setting the weight I wanted. We then turned and quietly left my room and headed out for the forest.

The ground was indeed soggy from the heavy rain. I would find my feet getting caught in the mud a couple of times as I run through the forest. The air was thick with humidity, but refreshing as the breeze hit my face.

The sounds of birds chirping could be heard overhead. My eyes quickly caught a glimpse of a deer off in the distance. I smiled, wondering if I also wanted to go hunting later on with Silvi. The trees groaned, swaying into the wind.

It really was a good day to go running. Fenris trotted beside me, keeping to his usual pace. The sky about slowly began to lighten the further along we ran.

We ran for at least an hour, going slightly off path. I hopped and bounded from root to rock, hearing Fenris doing the same.

My pace quickened as we neared one of the many exits to the forest. My eyes instantly trained on the training grounds. I quickly made a sharp turn for it, grinning, wanting to throw off the wolf. But Fenris easily kept step with me.

Something that kept making me smile is hearing his paws as they struck the ground. They were both heavy and soft, sounding off with every stride.

We left the forest, passing beyond the tree line. The mist was still as thick as when I woke, but thankfully had lessened somewhat. The air was moist and humid. Perfect.

I slowed to a soft jog as I came onto my destination. I stopped and stretched. After finishing, I looked around. Fenris had laid down some yards away, his eyes focused on me. I smiled to him.

I walked a few steps forward and centered myself. I closed my eyes and took long and deep breaths. I could hear the wind as it swirled around me, beating against the trees and the grass.

My body then began to move to the side, starting into my katas that Silvi had taught me. My hands swayed through the air, striking at whatever invisible foe stood before me.

Kicks then burst upwards from the ground, sending droplets of water soaring around me. I flipped and leapt, twirling my body, blocking and attacking at shadows. I swept my legs downwards, imaging myself as a dragon, with a tail behind me.

I launched myself backwards, pushing off of one hand, sweeping a kick forward. I then used its momentum to send me forward, delivering a kick backwards. Water and mist swirled around my hands and feet, I could feel a small shell of moisture forming into a bubble.

I grinned, rolling onto my back. I swung my legs in an arc, and sending the bubble of water over to Fenris, hoping to drop it on him. The wolf, with a soft huff, merely froze the thin bubble, turning it into mist. He gazed at me, his ice blue eyes easily piercing through the fog.

I giggled; this was an attempt at payback from the other day. He however didn’t want to grant me the satisfaction. Shaking my head, I resumed my katas.

“Morning sweetie,” hearing a loud voice echoing in the mist. I turned to see Marron, walking towards me. I had to laugh to myself; she too was wearing workout clothing.

I paused mid-step, my heart was still beating hard, “Morning Marron,” smiling to her.

She walked over to me with a broad smile on her face, “Up early as usual I see. I guess some things never really do change, do they?”

I giggled, “Nope and are you copying me?”

She grinned, as she stepped closer to me, ruffling my hair, “Still a brat I see.” I laughed. She smiled, “No sweetie. I, like you, also go for runs in the morning. Plus I would often visit your mom during those first few months I had you. So naturally, I would go and run through the Estate.”

I smiled to her, “So that would explain the few times you weren’t home.”

She nodded, “That’s correct. Wait…when I wasn’t there, you didn’t stay at my house did you?”

I blushed and nodded, “It was shortly before Thanksgiving and I wanted to get away for a night.”

She sighed, shaking her head, “Well I did give you that key for a reason.”

I smiled, “I did pick up after myself, even helping to pack up a few things.”

Marron chuckled, “That you did. I was wondering why my house was cleaner than when I left it.” I grinned.

She then looked at me, “Hey, if you ever wanted to come visit me in Seattle, you could always stay at my place.”

My heart leapt into my throat, “You mean it?”

She bobbed her head, “I do. I have a nice little house in the suburbs, it’s a three bedroom, which obviously one being my workroom. Which leaves the last one as yours.”

My face burned hot, picturing myself in Marron’s home again and staying with her. “When do you think I could go?”

She smiled, “I’m not sure sweetie, it’s just a thought. Lord knows I would spoil you rotten.” I laughed.

She grinned, “While you are there, would you mind modelling for me?”

I looked up at her, “Really? I’d be a model?”

She nodded, “Of course, you are so amazingly cute and I think you’d enjoy it.” I blushed softly.

Another thing that Marron loved to do was dressing me up. Lolita, casual, formal dresses, anything. I had to laugh at times because I think she acts like I’m her little doll. I nodded to her, smiling. She grinned, hugging me close.

The idea of being with Marron again was like music to my ears. There were days when I missed those early days, driving to her house and spending a couple weekends with her.

Her offer of staying at her house would be like those days all over again. There would be no way Rachel could say no. Plus I could visit Miriam and Anabelle. A lot of members live in Seattle, so it wouldn’t be like I’d be going there without anyone I didn’t know.

She then hugged me tightly, “I know I keep saying this, but it’s such a crime we don’t get to see each other that much.”

I nodded as I held onto her, burying my face into her chest. I felt her hand stroking the back of my head. I closed my eyes, just standing there with her.

Marron then kissed the top of my head, “Hey wanna see something cool?” I nodded, looking up at her. She smiled, “Good. First, can you freeze the water into air into thin sheets?”

I smirked, “Of course.”

Her smile turned into a grin, “Okay then, would you be a dear set up a few for us then?” I nodded.

I turned and walked a couple steps from her and held up my arms, feeling magic flowing into my hands. Mist then began to swirl into a dozen or more sheets of floating frost.

Marron then tossed little brown colored dolls onto the ground. The dolls soon started to gather dirt and soil, growing into golems much like the ones Rachel had given me to train with.

She then looked to me, “All right sweetie, have the sheets surround the golems. And vary their heights.” I nodded, doing so, carefully floating the thin sheets of ice into position.

Marron then walked over to one, tapping it, “Thin but very hard.”

I smiled, “Have to thank Fenris for teaching me that one.” She smiled, looking at the wolf, nodding to him. He too bowed his head in return.

Marron turned back to me, summoning a white needle. I gazed at it, “Whalebone?”

She nodded, “It’s at least a couple hundred years old. A gift from my mistress, right after she took me in.”

I tilted my head, “She gave you a needle?”

She turned to me, smiling softly, “She knew what I was the moment she first met me.” Again, I wasn’t sure what she was talking about. She chuckled, “You’ll know what I mean in a sec.” I nodded warily.

Marron then directed the golems to start hopping and dancing around with the sheets of ice. I watched she then threw the need at them, a thin string of thread followed behind it. The thread was so thin, I could only catch glimpses of it as it passed through water.

The needle passed through one golem and then ricocheted off of one of the sheets of ice. Marron moved her fingers, directing the needle to the next golem and sheet. I watched as it passed through and bounced off of every golem and sheet, it appeared to be forming the patterns of a spider web in the air.

My eyes couldn’t look away as I watched. The needle then came sailing back towards us, with Marron easily catching it.

She looked to me, “All right, I would like for you to jump up and grab the center of the web.”

I tilted my head, “Then what?”

She smiled, “Pull it to the ground and infuse magic along the lines.”

I nodded, running to the center of the web, leaping upwards, using a little wind magic to give me a boost. I caught the center of the web and yanked it down, slamming it hard onto the ground.

My hands glowed, sending the magic racing along the strands. Magic raced through the lines, causing the pierced golems to explode. Fenris instantly stood up, becoming worried.

My eyes grew huge with my mouth opening wide in awe. “Whoa.”

Marron chuckled, “I thought you’d get a kick out of that.”

I looked to her, “That was way cool.”

She smiled, “I spent a good six months working on this. It was also something I created with you in mind.”

I looked over to her, “Really?”

She nodded, “Yep, something for the both of us to use together.”

I blushed, smiling at her, “Something to blow up stuff with, huh?”

She laughed, “Well…amongst other things.”

I looked at her, smiling. Marron smiled in return, “Wanna do that again? Maybe get a little sparring in as well?”

A broad grin rose on my face, “You bet.”

She laughed, “Okay then, and let’s get to it.” I grinned even more as we summon more golems, repeating the exercise. After doing it a few more times, we were able to find a sync between us, even moving onto more combinations.

Then, as promised, we moved onto sparring with each other. The two of us laughed and smiled greatly as we ran around the training ground, dodging each spell while hurling more at one another.

I surprised her by transforming into a kitsune, launching kitsune-bi at her. She called “cheats” on me, but with a broad grin on her face. Fenris watched us stoically, his tails swishing softly.

We become so engrossed in the session that we didn’t even notice how much of a ruckus we were making. And if I had to be honest, we didn’t really care. This was something that I’ve been wanting to do with Marron for so long, just spend some alone time with her.

Granted, I think she’d much rather take me out into the city and either go clothes shopping or simply find a nice place to go eat. Hell, she’d love to just take me to a movie.

But with all that aside, it was just the two of us diving into our own little world. I was with the first person I ever met from the new world I now called home. I was with my big sister.

The loud sound of hands clapping finally pierced through the veil of our match. Marron quickly stopped mid-spell. I however was still in the midst of a one of my “rushes” and crashed onto the ground. I rubbed my head, complaining as I sat up onto my knees.

“Well, it would appear that we have discovered the source of the all that commotion.”

I looked up to see Rachel standing before us, arms folded, and tapping her fingers.

I grinned to her, “Morning Rachel. Sorry if we woke you up.”

My mother stared at me, “As you should be. What were the both of you thinking, causing such utter mayhem this early in the morning?” Marron stood silent, almost shaking.

I looked at her, but smiled. Yeah…this whole “You-woke-me-up–and-now-I’m-cranky” routine wasn’t cutting it. It was the same thing she loved pull whenever Silvi and I would get out of hand, only to smile in the end.

My eyes then caught the sight of Asha and Yukari walking up beside her. I grinned at her, eyeing her attire, she was ready for the day. We hadn’t woken her up, she already was up. I smirked at her, rising to my feet.

Rachel walked over to me, yanking up on my ear. “Ow ow ow,” I yelped. Okay…maybe this wasn’t an act.

She looked at me, but smiled, letting go, “Have a good time?”

I looked up at her, rubbing my fox ear, “We did. I knew you were playing that same old act. That really hurt Rachel.”

She grinned at me, “You were acting rather cheeky, my love.”

I giggled. I looked at the yokai, smiling and bowing my head to them, “Ohayo gozaimasu, (Good morning).” They smiled, returning the gesture.

I smiled, looking to Marron, who looked as though she finally let go of her held breath. I giggled at her, reverting to a human. She then walked over to me, resting her hand onto my shoulder, “Raincheck?”

I smiled, “Tonight. My room.”

She laughed, “It’s a date,” hugging me from behind. I giggled, leaning my head against her chest.

Rachel smiled, “Why don’t we retire for a spot of breakfast.”

Marron and I nodded, “Sounds like a plan,” answering in unison.

My mother laughed, shaking her head, “Then let us be off,” turning for the Manor.

We walked behind everyone, hearing Fenris padding beside me. I felt my hand being held, smiling, knowing whose hand mine was in. I felt like a little kid in that moment. Walking along the path, I recalled when she, Rachel, and I walked around the Mall of Georgia after the funeral.

It was a good and simple string of moments between the three of us. My sister in one hand, and my soon-to-be mother in the other. I never told anyone, but I wished that the moment wouldn’t ever end.

After breakfast I retreated to my room and started going over the tomes that Asha and Yukari gave me. I had to laugh, Marron was correct in the fact that I would be diving headlong into the study of each book.

I couldn’t even begin to say how much time was lost, just reading. It got so bad that I didn’t even notice that lunch had been brought up to me. I wasn’t even wearing my headphones. The books were so incredibly detailed that I had to pull out several large notebook just in order to write everything down.

The histories and stories were fascinating, to say the least. Both daiyokai had even included texts on several kami related to each specific race. Even when the tomes diverted towards magic, I couldn’t pull myself away.

My eyes fluttered over each and every word, absorbing everything I could. My hand was writing so fast that I didn’t know if I was writing in Japanese or English. My mind was a jumble of words, stories, and magical formulas.

I felt something yanking on my hair. I yelped loudly as I fell backwards in the chair, hitting on head on the carpet. I groaned, rubbing my head, and then seeing a shadow being cast over me. I looked up to see Fenris standing over me, his blue eyes staring into mine.

“That hurt.”

He leaned his head down, pressing the side of his muzzle against my face, “You have been at your desk for hours, little one. You need rest. There is no need to devote yourself so earnestly, lest you forget to take care of yourself.”

I couldn’t argue with that. I sat up on the floor, peering at the clock on my desk. 3:01 p.m. Seven hours, I’ve been working on this for seven whole hours. Geez, what the hell was I thinking? I rolled and stretched my neck, hearing the joints pop.

I leaned forward and stood up, popping my back, groaning in satisfaction. I slowly stood up, hearing even more of my joints popping. I let out a soft yawn, then eyeing the plate on my desk. I smiled pulling off the cover and nibbled on the now very cold lunch. When I was finished, I covered it up and left my room.

After placing the plate onto a cart in the hallway, I headed down for the parlor. When I passed the library, I heard the doors open.

“Ah, there you are sweetheart.”

I looked in and saw Rachel, sitting with both yokai. I smiled, walking in, “Hey all.”

My mother smiled, “We were beginning to wonder if you were ever going to leave your room.”

I bashfully giggled, “Yeah well…think I got a little too carried away with studying.”

I heard a chuckle coming from the second level, “Looks like I win Lady Rachel.”

I looked up to see Marron leaning over the railing. I turned to Rachel, “Huh?”

She nodded, “A bet is a bet,” looking to me, “Marron wagered that your appetite for learning would take hold immediately after breakfast. And it would seem she was correct. Granted I wagered you would dive headlong into your novel.”

I sighed, “The prize?”

Both women smiled, with Rachel covering her lips with her finger, “That would be a secret, my love.” I huffed, shaking my head. My mother laughed, motioning me over to her. I smiled, walking over to her.

She quickly pulled me close, wrapping her arms around me, and squeezing tightly. “Ready for your lessons tomorrow?”

I beamed, nodding, “Oh yeah.”

She grinned, “Well then, it would appear that I too will have to decide on how to incorporate these new materials into your education.”

I giggled, “It seems I’m always keeping you busy don’t I?”

She looked to me, pinching my cheek with glee, “That you do, my mischievous little fox.” I giggled loudly.

Asha looked to me, “We’ve decided on who shall be teaching you first Aria-chan.”

I craned my head to her, smiling, “So who’s up the bat first?”

The ryujin smiled, “I shall be the first to teach.”

I looked over to Yukari, “So you and me tomorrow then?”

The kitsune smiled and nodded, “That is correct.”

I grinned, if they were going to follow Rachel’s model that meant a full day with each yokai. This was going to be great. It also meant the coming days were going to be long and grueling. But I was ready for it.

As both women told me last night, this was just going to be a teaser for when I came to Japan. And teasers with me tend to grow into impatience. I couldn’t wait to get started, and the evening couldn’t come any faster. Rachel smiled, stroking my hair.

I looked at both yokai, smiling to them. For the next couple of days, I was going to be their student. Part of me wondered if my mother was going to be jealous as she watched. It kinda made me giggle to myself.

Something else entered my mind, what else would I be doing in Japan? Aside from my training, could I get to go back to Akihabara? I had no idea what else these to women had instore for me.

As promised, Marron and I spent the night together in my room. More time with her is always good. We talked for hours about how life for me has been since I was adopted by Rachel. There’s nothing that truly can match being with someone face to face.

Sure, Marron and I would talk to each other as often as we could. But it just wasn’t enough. Deep down, I still clung onto the hope that she could move back to Texas. Even if she wasn’t in Austin, at least she’d be close by.

I sat on the bed, clutching my nine-tailed fox plush, with Fenris laying behind me on the bed. Marron sat in a chair across from us. This was probably the first real time she and I were actually in my room, with it just being the two of us.

I watched as she scanned my room, eyeing my ever growing collection. “Planning on going to Ikkicon this year?”

I lowered my head fox doll, resting my chin onto its head, “Not…really. I haven’t been to a con since you and I went together.”

Marron looked to me, “Don’t want to go alone or is it something else?”

I shook my head, “Think I lost my interest in going to cons. Plus, with the fact that I’m going to be in Japan in a few months, kinda makes going a little superfluous.”

She nodded, getting up and crawling onto the bed with me. Her hand gently stroked the top of my head, “Just conserving your energy huh?”

I nodded, looking up at her, “Wish you didn’t have to leave next week, wanted to go out with you. We haven’t done anything like that since New Orleans.”

She smiled softly, lowering her head to mine, “I know Baby Ahri, I know.”

Marron then lied down onto my bed, patting a spot beside her. I smiled, curling up into her. She smiled, wrapping her arms around me. I sighed into her chest, just letting myself melt into her.

She held me softly, humming a tune she did during any one of the nights I stayed with her. I felt her kissing my forehead, letting a smile curl on my lips. I didn’t want this moment to end.

We heard a chime go off on my phone. I sighed, knowing that it was Rachel’s doing. Marron smiled, “Sounds like it's bedtime for you, sweetie.” I nodded to her, fingers still clinging tightly to her.

She then helped me under the covers, pulling them onto me. “Have a good rest. You’ve got a couple of heavy days ahead of you.”

I giggled softly, nodding, “Okay.”

She leaned over, kissing my forehead, “Goodnight sweetie.”

“Night Marron.”

She stepped back and walked towards the door. I saw her then turn and flipping off the light. I had laugh to myself. I really was too much a child at heart. And in all honesty, I didn’t care.

She then continued to look at me for a good moment or two. I stared into her eyes, it was though she were looking me over for some reason. A gentle curiousness floated in her emerald eyes, as if she were trying to solve something.

I looked to her, "Something wrong Marron?

She smiled, shaking her head, "Nothing sweetie. Just get some sleep."

I stared at her unconvinced, but nodded, "Night Marron."

"Night Baby Ahri." She then quietly backed out from the room and closed my door.

I slowly closed my eyes, listening to the ceiling fan as I slowly fell asleep.