Ranma 1/2: A New Awakening Alternate Continuation (minor crossovers) By: Dani Yanega yanega@mindspring.com Co-author & Concept by: "Jerry" starfire@brainerd.net Chapter Fourteen Nodoka stared out the window to the courtyard worry and fear etched on her beautiful face. She jumped a little when she felt the strong arms of her fiancé wrap around her. She looked back over her shoulder to see the same emotions written on his face. It was Torma who brought the voice of reason to them. "Don't worry sir, ma'am, the blue won't hurt her _now_." They both looked at him with confused expressions. "I have talked with Master Mychol he told me what happen." Torma began to get impatient at their not understanding, shaking his head he continued. "When young Ranko cast that healing spell, she also used her life force, _ki_ I believe is what you called it. A remarkable power I should like to learn it." Torma began pondering what that power would do for his standing in the Gray Elf clan structure. "So Torma what does that have to do with anything Ranko uses her ki all the time with her magic, nothing like this had ever happened before!" Seran's booming voice brought Torma back to the conversation. "Come, come Lord Seran, surely you did not forget your training as a Gray Elf Arcmage?" Torma gets exasperated at the density of his Master's son; he just chalked it up to worry. "She soul merged with that blue, they are now _bonded_, and until the blue is certain your ok he won't let anyone near her." Nodoka and Seran's eyes go wide as they turn and looked back out the window. The big blue dragon is curled around the fountain taking up all of the five hundred-foot square courtyard, and he still looked cramped. In that sea of blue was a red speck on his snout, which slept soundly as though she had no, fears any longer. "Lady Aurora, I have a missive for you from Queen Titiana. She would like to see you as soon as possible. The island is quite far away from her realm though, you will have to teleport there." Seran nodded and took the document from Torma. "She has not learned that spell yet I will take her, when will the island be over her realm?" Seran asked handing the invitation to his fiancée. "I put it at another four days, sir." Torma told him then turned and left, taking one final look into the courtyard to see the blue watching the red spot on his nose. "What are we going to do, I can't leave her here with _that_!" Nodoka cried as she leaned back into Seran's arms. "Don't worry love father will keep an eye on her, and if Torma's correct and I believe he is that blue _will not_ hurt her. He would actually die to protect her." Seran said to a shocked and confused Nodoka. "BUT Seran he is a chromatic dragon you and Raist have drummed it into our heads they are evil and will destroy the Faerie realm if they could!" Seran nodded at Nodoka's statement. "Yes they would _but_ of all the chromatic dragons the blues are the most honorable. Once bonded with another they are very loyal and will protect their new bond mate." Nodoka gasped her face contorted in fear. "Ok, shh my love, maybe _mate_ was not the right word, but that is what it boils down to. There is no romantic involvement just a close link between them now." Seran said to a calming Nodoka. "Come lets go talk with mother and father, they will bring Ranko along later." The two lovers turned and walked away being watched surreptitiously by the newest member to the Aurora clan. /*\*/*\ "Of course we'll watch her, dear! She is such a joy to have around!" Yiri said while patting Nodoka's arm. "_Does_ that include the disgusting lizard too, _Mother_!" The four turned to see Jara standing in the doorway a look of disgust on her face, when her gaze landed on Nodoka. "That _lizard_ is now Ranko's bond mate, I would watch how you treat her and her family Jara! Remember you are only here, now because Ranko pleaded for you to remain! We are still unhappy with Yirko's attempt to harm her!" Mychol told her with a cold stare. Jara's eyes widened then narrowed to tiny slits as she turned and left the room. Mychol shook his head with undisguised distaste. He did not see his daughter enter the room. "Hey what bee got up her bonnet?" Aerial asked the group collected. "Nothing daughter she is just unhappy that Ranko and the blue will be staying while Seran takes Nodoka to an audience with the queen." Aerial broke into a sardonic grin when she turned to face Nodoka. "Oh, this ought to be fun I will stay with Ranko to help mother and father, Nodoka, so don't worry." She hugged Nodoka and the practically skipped out of the room, her long black hair swishing from side to side. Nodoka just watched her leave with a smirk and a little confusion. Seran put his hand on her shoulder; she turned to see him smiling broadly. She then looked at Mychol and Yiri; they too had large smiles. "I take it Jara is not a family favorite?" Nodoka asked quietly of her hosts. "No, we did not want Corsan to marry a high elf, let alone one that was outcast, but he loved her and they were married before we could stop them." Mychol told her. "Well we better get going the sooner we go the faster we can return." Seran told his fiancée who nodded. With a silent incantation the two fiancées were gone. Yiri stared at the area where they had stood with a wistful smile. Mychol came up behind her and encircled her waist with his arms. He tenderly kissed her neck, then whispered to her. "At least one of our sons got it right!" Yiri giggled when Mychol continued to nibble behind her ear. /*\*/*\ Nodoka and Seran were escorted in front of the queen; they both bowed then stood with matching looks of confusion. Before them sat Queen Titiana and King Oberon. The queen waved away her advisors then offered her two guests chairs. When they were seated, they were served orange tea and strawberry cakes. Once the servers left Titiana started the meeting with an introduction. "Nodoka I would like to introduce my husband King Oberon. Oberon dear this is Nodoka." Nodoka rose to her feet and bowed deeply to the king who responded in kind. "So you are the new Sylph I have heard so much about, my lovely wife made her selection well. Am I going to be able to meet your daughter? I hear she is a site to behold?" The king asked of Nodoka, she looked embarrassed then a little nervous. "Is something wrong dear? Nothing happened to Ranko did it?" Titiana asked a little anxiously. "Well not exactly your majesties, there was sort of a little incident on my family's floating island." Seran explained as Nodoka got visibly more nervous and anxious. "What has my pupil done now?" They all turn as the newest guest was escorted in. "Hello Raist, well it seems Ranko used a spell she was not very familiar with, in an effort to save an ancient blue, and in the process soul bonded with it." You could have heard a pin drop in the room. What was heard was the sound of Rohn crashing into one of the tables that lined the room. Raist turned to look at the high elf hate plastered on his golden face. He then turned back to Seran with a wry grin; the others looked at him with confusion. "Leave it to Ranko to charm a chromatic dragon." Raist commented with a snicker. King Oberon looked fascinated at information he heard and became even more interested in meeting this new Sylph. The room suddenly filled with the bell like tones of Titiana's laughter. While Seran and Nodoka stared dumbfounded at her. "Yes Raist I think your right it would be Ranko who could do that. Now Nodoka dear, the reason for your summons, I received word from the earth realm. Your divorce from Genma is final. Your assets are just about nearly liquidated and converted to gems as you had asked. You, however need to go back there and finalize everything. I am told it will take one, two earth days at the most." Titiana told Nodoka. "Raist has asked to join you as he is curious about your world, plus he is going to check to see if the there is enough magic to support the influx of Faeries." She finished with a wistful smile; Oberon reached over and took her hand lovingly. "I can't leave Ranko for that long alone she is only a child, and it would not be safe to take her with me!" Nodoka stated sadly, as she looked to the queen then to Seran. "Well I thought of that, since I am sure Seran will want to go with you!" Titiana smiled wryly at Seran who blushed a little. "She will stay here with me, no arguments, I will teach her court protocols, and it will be nice to have a child's laughter ring through these empty halls." Titiana said sadly, her head hanging low to hide her tear filled eyes. "You will need to leave in three days. That will give you time to bring Ranko from the island. Kajri will go to your home and pack some things for you and Ranko." Titiana commanded dismissing the pair. They bowed then left with Raist behind them. Seran cast a teleport spell taking both Nodoka and Raist to his family home some four days away. When they arrived the sounds of bell like laughter can be heard above the island. They look up and Nodoka nearly fainted as she watched her daughter ride the blue as it did loops and dives to make the most avid flyer air sick. "Don't worry Cerulean won't let her fall. They have been flying like that for hours, ever since she awoke. The blue was nice enough to allow me to ride with her. I am afraid however, that this old stomach of mine can't handle it. Erin did seem to enjoy the ride until Jara caught them." Mychol explained coming up behind the trio. The big blue landed in the courtyard allowing Ranko to get down. When she spotted the new comers, Raist turned only a split second before Ranko hit him. Both she and Raist were pushed back several feet and tumbled into the fountain. Cerulean stared with shock at the display, his mouth hanging open. A moment later a sopping wet Raist emerged with an equally wet Ranko clinging to him. She was talking a mile a minute as she told him of her adventures. Nodoka watched her daughter as she excitedly talked to a smiling Raist, a soft loving smile on her face. Seran watched Nodoka with a loving smile, then he moved closer to her taking her hand in his, and he turned her to face him. He stared deep into her blue eyes searching deeply for what he needed to know. "Nodoka when you finalize your separation from Genma will you allow me to be the husband you never had and a the father Ranko needs? Let us set the date for when we return with your freedom from him." He watched for any sign of rejection, he saw nothing but total love. Smiling with tears streaming down her face, Nodoka first looked down at her hands clasped in Seran's. She leaned forward slightly and kissed his hand softly. She then looked up into the expression filled eyes of the man she had learned to love. With a soft smile she opened her mouth to answer. When they are both knocked off their feet to land in a heap at the feet of a smiling blue dragon. With a wild hair redhead laying on them both. They look up into her smiling enthusiastic face. "Momma say yes, please say yes!" Nodoka looked at Ranko with a bit of surprise, then narrowed her eyes at her daughter. "Ranko, it is not nice to eavesdrop on private conversation." Ranko bowed her head sadly and a small tear escaped her tear filled eyes. "I didn't mean too momma, I saw you an _poppa_ over here and I came to find out what happened when I heard him ask you. I'm sorry, please don't be mad at me." She finished as more tears began to fall. Seran reached up and put his arms around the young Sylph, making soothing sounds to quite her sobs. Nodoka watched with a satisfied smile, then sat up next to them crossing her arms over her chest and looked at them with narrowed eyes. "You know Seran, _DEAR_ if you keep coddling her like that, _our_ daughter will end up a spoiled brat!" Nodoka said trying to hide a smile that was forcing itself on her face. It took a moment for the words to register in their addled brains, then when it clicked they turned to see Nodoka sitting there arms crossed trying so hard to looked miffed. Raist behind her laughing behind his hand. Mychol stood next to him a big silly grin on his face. They suddenly jumped when a giant blue dragon's head popped up behind them. They looked at each other then back at Nodoka, smiles growing on their faces. Seran then showed he had learned his speed lessons quite well as he and Ranko lunged at Nodoka lifting her up into the air in a big hug. "I love you my little No-chan, thank you for being mine." He leaned in to kiss Nodoka's smiling face. "EEEWWW, mushy stuff!" Cried Ranko as she flew a little back from her new family. Both Nodoka and Seran never got to complete the kiss as they busted out laughing. After they settled down they told Ranko and Seran's parents, Yiri had joined them during the confusion. Why the queen had summoned them. They told Ranko she will be staying at the palace until they returned and that she will be training under Queen Titiana. "I want to go _with_ you and poppa, please don't leave here alone!" She begged holding on to her mothers waist. "You're a big girl now Ranko, and it won't be to long, you wouldn't want to hurt auntie Titiana's feelings by not staying with her would you?" She asked her daughter with a raised eyebrow. "No I guess not, momma." Ranko said with a bowed head, and sad eyes. "Besides your not alone you have Cerulean, and I am sure your grandparents will come to visit you." Nodoka told her with a sad smile. "I must return to the valley of dragons for a while but I will come when ever you need me to, little one." Cerulean told them, knowing as a blue he would not be welcomed at the court of Queen Titiana. With that the dragon bid goodbye and took off toward his home. Ranko waved with tears streaming down her face as she felt a part of her disappear through the clouds. Yiri came up behind her and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. The gray elf guards all breathed a sigh of relief when the big blue finally disappeared. The next few days just flew by as the soon to be new Aurora clan prepared for departure. The night before they were to reach Queen Titiana's realm, Seran sought out his parents. He found them with Aerial in the observatory staring at the stars above them. "Mother, father may I talk with you?" Seran asked, Aerial seeing the seriousness in his eyes got up to leave, he stopped her. "This includes you sister as well." Seran told her, while gently pushing her back into a chair. "You know that when Nodoka and I return from her home realm, Queen Titiana is planning to have our wedding." All three nodded at that. "I wanted you to know that when I marry Nodoka, *sigh* I will be taking the clan name of Aurora." Seran cringed waiting for the explosion. When none came, he opened his eyes to see three smiling faces staring at him. "Y..Your not mad?" Seran asked with some confusion. "Well, maybe a little son, but the Aurora clan is just starting and the Queen would not have created a new clan without a reason behind it." Yiri told her son as she rose and gave him a hugged. "You will still be a Gray Wolf as will Nodoka and her daughter, you'll just be the Aurora branch." Mychol told his son. Seran smiled at his family as they all gave him a hug. When he left Yiri and Mychol smiles faded to saddened frowns. Aerial looked at them with curiosity but they turned and left before she could ask what was wrong. When Seran, Nodoka and their daughter returned home they found Kajri waiting for them. She had just served up a pot of honey tea, and cinnamon cakes. Ranko flew forward and slammed into the elderly high elf, giving her a big hug. Kajri expecting the reception tried to brace herself for impact. She was not successful as she landed flat on her back. She then smiled up into the shining face of Ranko, removing a strand of her unruly hair from in front of her face. "Hello little one, did you enjoy your visit." She beamed at the Faerie realm's new energy source. "Yes, gramma, I learned a lot from grampa and gramma!" She enthused at the elderly high elf. Kajri looked surprised at Ranko than at Nodoka who just smiled sweetly, and gave a pleading look not to say anything until Seran and she can announce it. Kajri smiled broadly and nodded. "Queen Titiana would like you to stop by before you left something about some arrangements for when you return." Kajri told them with a sly smile. The two adults blushed as Seran picked up the suitcases and led the trio of ladies out of the apartment. When they arrived at the palace two of Titiana's guards were waiting for them. They led them to the throne room where the queen awaited them. Ranko happy to see her auntie flew toward her, this time however none of the guards drew their arrows. Especially when they saw the glare directed at them by their queen. Queen Titiana scooped up Ranko, and gave her a big hug and kiss then handed her to Kajri who started to head out. Ranko scampered free from a shocked Kajri and ran toward her mother. Ranko hugged her mother tightly, while fighting hard not to cry, when she looked up sadly at her momma. "Please hurry home, ok, I love you." She said and hugged her mother again. "I will my sweet and I love you too." She kissed the top of Ranko's head, then tightened her hug. Nodoka watched her daughter leave with the wood elf. A tear slowly traveled down her face. When they were finally out of sight, she turned to the queen and bowed deeply. A small sad smile on her face. "Please take care of my daughter, she is my life." She felt Seran, as he embraced her from behind, while he looked to the queen. "She is our life your majesty." He then kissed Nodoka's cheek. "I will I promise!" Titiana told them as she walked up and hugged Nodoka. "Come love it is time to leave, is there anything else we need to know before we leave your majesty?" Seran asked the queen, she shook her head no, and gave all three of the travelers a hug before they left. The three Faeries bound for earth left the palace. They took flight and slowly flew toward their training ground. Nodoka's head bowed low as she missed her daughter already. When a thought forced its way into her musings. "How do we get to earth?' She asked with a confused smile. "Well there are junctions to different realms Sylphs can see them all the time and we just pass through, the other Faerie folk must wait for certain conditions before they can see them to cross over. Where as elves must cast spells. Come this way to the gate to earth." Seran explained and led the others to the earth gate. They flew toward the place where they had been training. Nodoka looked around confused as she tried to find this gate Seran had mentioned. Seran headed toward the mountain, he then continued his explanation. "Now most of the gates are here on these mountains, yes I know you can't see them Nodoka it is because I have not taught you how to. I did not want to teach this to Ranko until she was older." Nodoka nodded in understanding that if Ranko could see them she would use them. "There are others all over the realm but most are here. Now Nodoka I want you to look at the mountain and clear your mind. You are looking for a shimmering haze, much like heat rising on earth." Nodoka nodded and began to search the mountain. She thought she saw a shimmer of something but it was not what she was looking for. She closed her eyes, clearing her mind as Ranko had taught her when she opened her eyes she began to let her vision blur not concentrating on looking at the spot, or looking at all. Soon a shimmering started to form in front of her, around the edges a rainbow of sparkling colors. As the door became more defined, Nodoka smiled. Looking up the mountain she saw hundreds of thousands of doors. She gasped in awe, wondering where each of the doors went. Maybe Queen Titiana will allow a trade mission to other realms where she can go and visit them. Nodoka turned to Seran with a smile. "The doors are there, how do I know which gate to use?" Nodoka asked looking at the multitude of openings. "Mostly it is trial and error, there is a map in Queen Titiana's castle also." Seran told her. "But since we have a trade agreement with a technologically advanced world, we use this. I will train you on it when we get back." He said as he pulled out a device that looked like a pager with over a half dozen buttons. He tapped several of the buttons, pointing the device at the door. He looked at the read out, then tapped two more buttons. He then nodded his head and with a smile he turned back to Nodoka, and Raist. "This one, will take us to Tokyo. Shall we go?" Seran took her arm and led her through the portal with Raist on their heels. /*\*/*\ Kajri led Ranko down a hallway to a solitary hallway with only two doors. She led Ranko to one of the doors and opened it. Ranko entered looking curiously at the other door. When she entered, she stopped at the door and stared in awe. The room was quite large, about forty feet square, with a raised daises in the center which held a cherry wood, king-size four poster canopy bed, with red velvet drapes and a white lace comforter on the bed, with red and white lace throw pillows. The platform took up about twenty square feet of the over all floor space in the center of the room. The walkway around the bed contained the rest of the furniture. There were two large bay windows with seats. In front of one of the windows were a love seat, two wing back chairs and hassocks, with end tables at each end of the love seat reachable by the chairs. The sofa and chairs are white velour with red satin piping on the skirts. There were three other doors in the room. Kajri showed her one was to Queen Titiana's room, one was to a walk in closet which had shelves and drawers as well as racks. The third was to her own private bathroom. There was a desk, which held a laptop computer. This surprised Ranko. There was also a vanity table and bench. All the furniture was made of the same wood that made the bed. "Here dear go unpack, then we must head back to the throne room, Queen Titiana wishes to talk to you about your training." Ranko nodded and disappeared into the walk in closet. Ten minutes later she emerged, and she a Kajri left her new room and headed for the throne room. Ranko looked around at all the tapestries showing the history of the Faerie realm, which hung on the walls of the palace. She stared out each of the windows as they past to see where to go explore first. When they re-entered the throne room, Ranko smiled as she spotted her auntie Titiana and was about to run to her, when a hand clamped down on her shoulder. She looked back to see Kajri shaking her head. "Your first lesson child is that when the queen has guests we wait till she acknowledges our presence then we walk up with dignity and decorum." Kajri explained with a small smile. "Ok, gramma." Ranko told the wood elf. "Good girl, child, you will make your mother even more proud of you." Kajri praised a smiling Ranko. While they waited for Queen Titiana to summon them Ranko looked around the throne room. It had tall cathedral ceilings, in a dome shape. The beams of the dome were gold plated and separated panels of stained glass. Each panel depicted a different scene with different Faerie folk in each. There were twelve panels in the dome. The dome was only over the center of the throne room with the throne sitting directly under it. The ceiling at the edge of the room sloped up to meet the dome. That part of the ceiling had a mural painted on it of lush green forest and beautifully colored flowers of exotic varieties. The walls were white with beautiful tapestries hanging on them. The floor was a deep sapphire blue, which had patches of color on it from the domed ceiling. The room looked to be about hundred feet square, and over a hundred feet high at the center of the dome. In between each tapestry was a large window which started at the floor and went up to just below where the ceiling started. The tops of the windows are curved and they were designed like stained glass with each window having a different flower depicted on it, but instead of in colored glass, it was done in different densities of frosted glass. From clear to almost white. There were only two sets of dark oak double doors leaving the room, and there were two guards on each side of the doors. There were another ten guards stationed around the room by the windows. In front of some of the windows were plant stands which held potted plants, in beautiful ceramic pots, of bright vivid colors. Ranko felt the hand on her shoulder tighten slightly. She turned and Kajri nodded toward the white crystal throne. Ranko turned to see queen Titiana standing and smiling at her with her arms held wide. The other people were being escorted out the far door. Kajri let go of Ranko and she made a speedy beeline straight for Titiana. A couple of the guards became nervous as the redhead ran toward their queen and were about to notch arrows when Kajri warned them with a look not to even try. Ranko jumped into Titiana's arms and gave her a big hug. "How's my little Faerie today, sweetheart?" Titiana asked the young girl hugging her. "I'm fine auntie, thank you for letting me stay with you." Ranko responded, remembering her mother, telling her to be polite and thank Queen Titiana for her hospitality. Rohn cringed at the familiarity of the young girl, and did a slow burn, as he felt she was unworthy of the praise given her. Titiana set Ranko back down, and looked at her with a questioning look. "Ranko, do you have a more fancier dress?" She asked looking at Ranko in her purple Faerie outfit. "Yeah, momma got me some long dresses, they're in my bedroom." She answered her while looking around some more. "Good you will need to wear those while you're here. Now you can wear those outfits when training but you will need to change into the dresses, please." She added with a puppy dog look, when she saw the girl about to argue, this caused Ranko to agree. "Kajri please take Ranko and get her dressed for dinner." The queen directed the wood elf, Kajri bowed to her queen and nodded. Kajri smiled wryly at her queen, as she directed Ranko to the doors they had entered. Titiana smiled and waved goodbye to her as she was led back to her room to change. There were several high elves still in the room and they watched the display with disdain, but they knew better then to say anything to the queen. They followed Kajri and Ranko out with glares of disgust, scowling as Kajri led Ranko to the most coveted place in the palace the adjoining room to Queen Titiana. Ranko followed Kajri into her temporary room. "I didn't know you had computers here gramma?" Kajri smiled down at the amazed girl. "Well of course we do dear we are linked to places far more advanced then earth, but we did have to modify them to use magic as an energy source, part of your training here will be how to use your magic to power electronics. Your aunt Aerial will be coming to train you in that. She will also teach you how to modify them so that you can take care of your own equipment." She finished as she pushed Ranko toward the bath. While Ranko showered Kajri started filling the sunken tub with hot water and jasmine scented bath salts. When she finished Ranko just finished up, and climbed into the tub. "Now dear while you soak, I will pick what you will wear tonight for dinner." She said as she headed into the other room. Ranko stood at the edge of the tub, she stared at it apprehension written on her face. She stood there remembering when she was a boy when she could change. She felt the rage build in her as she remembered the talk she had with her mother about six months after they came here. The tears were now streaming down her face as she remembered all the pain, and chaos that was her life because of the panda-man. Then a face she had loved flitted in front of her. With the smile that used to turn her insides to jelly. The smiling face then became the visage she usually saw, a face of anger, distrust, and sometimes she was sure she saw hate there too. All she ever wanted was to find love for herself, to be treated as a person with feelings, and not some prize to be won. *SIGH* Ranko shook her head to clear her thoughts and lowered herself into the soothing hot water. She slumped down into the water up to her chin, her hair pooling around her making the water bright red with color. Soon, while she soaked the warmth slipped into her body and slowly she closed her eyes. /*\*/*\ Unknown to her, standing at the foot of the tub watching the sleeping girl is a dark shadow with flashing blue fire for eyes. The shadow stared at the young girl's tear streaked face; waves of anger could be felt coming from this unknown visitor. It gracefully moved to the side of the tub and kneeled down, it rested its chin on its crossed arm, which it placed on the edge of the tub and stared at the sleeping beauty before it. Slowly it stretches out a hand and gently caressed Ranko's cheek, taking its finger and following the path of her tears. To Ranko it felt like a gentle breeze, to the shadow, it felt like electricity. Its hand slowly went up to the top of her head as the visitor stroked her silky hair. Its hand followed down her hair into the water. Hidden beneath the red tendrils it began to caress her tenderly. Ranko moaned which brought a smile to the fiery blue eyes of the shadow. /*\*/*\ Ranko snapped awake at the pounding on the bathroom door. She looked around the room confused and breathing heavily. She had the feeling she was not alone nagging at the back of her mind. Seeing nothing she rose from the tub and began to dry off. The door opened and Kajri stepped in, with a warm smile. "You have been in here for a long time dear. Did you fall asleep?" She asked the redhead. "Yeah, I did. Look I'm all wrinkly!" Ranko responded holding out her hands. "That's fine dear it will go away shortly come let us get you dressed for dinner." Kajri smiled down at the inquisitive girl, as she examined her wrinkled fingertips. She led Ranko into the main room, laid out on her bed was the kimono her mother made her out of white Faerie silk, embroidered with silver dragons, along with her white satin slippers with silver trim. Kajri helped her get dressed curious as to how the _robe_ would look. She was surprised at how elegant the outfit looked. "Ranko what is this called? It is not a robe, but is very beautiful." She asked while she walked around the redhead. "My momma made it for me, we call it a kimono, they have them for men and women to wear at special occasions but some women like to wear them all the time." She explained as she adjusted the silver obi. While Kajri led Ranko to the vanity table the shadow hovered over them watching the young girl closely. Desire blazed in the fire of the blue orbs that were its eyes. It watched as Kajri brushed out Ranko's floor length candy apple red hair. Then marveled as the elder wood elf deftly coiled the hair into a long twisted rope design. When she finished she placed a ring of babies breath with silver beads on Ranko's head. "There you go all done and as pretty as a picture, too." She told the young girl, with a sincere smile. Ranko smiled back as she took the extended hand of the elf, and the two of them left the room, leaving a slowly disappearing shadow. By the time the door was shut the room once again became empty. The voices of Ranko and Kajri heard as they faded away in the distance. /*\*/*\ When Kajri walked into the dining room Ranko had moved behind her, being nervous at the amount of people there. She was also trying to behave as Kajri had instructed her this morning. She peeked around Kajri's waist looking for anyone familiar to her. She spotted Queen Titiana quickly but frowned when she saw the six dignitaries around her. Titiana spotted Kajri and tried to hide her smile when she saw Ranko peek around her. She motioned for Kajri to join her, and waited nodding absently at the conversation going on around her. When Kajri arrived to the group, they barely acknowledged her presence. Kajri glared at them, then began spinning the wedding ring on her finger, reminding them who she was married to. They then quickly bowed to her showing her some sibilance of the respect she deserved. Kajri reached behind her and pulled a nervous Ranko forward. She placed the young Sylph in front of her. With her hands placed firmly on the girls shoulders. Ranko's eyes flitted from one of the elves to another, she then looked up at Titiana and gave her a timid smile. Ranko then bowed deeply to the Queen. "Thank you aun..your highness for allowing me to stay with you." When she finished she straightened and Kajri gave her shoulder an approving squeeze. "Thank you Ranko, my dear, my what a lovely outfit. What do you call it?" Titiana asked smiling sweetly at her. "It is a Japanese kimono, my momma made it for me." Ranko said glad for the distraction, from the stares she was getting. Titiana put her hand on Ranko's shoulder and pushed her forward as she began to introduce her to those present. High above them in the shadow of the dome's darkness. The shadow being stared down at the scene playing out before it. Its blue orbs glowing with the fire of wanting, desire, and a little bit of lust, when it looked at the redhead.