Sweet Burden (56 page)

“As you approached your birthday, your powers were beginning to emerge. Somehow someone sensed it. I would assume it was Laebosu himself. But he most likely wanted to try to keep it quiet that Isbian had an heir which also meant a possible threat.”

Hitomi shook her head and then peered over at the bedroom door wondering what was taking Obi so long. “So where do we go from here?” She turned back to Gareth and then looked at her mom. “I just want to be normal. I want to finish high school and go to college.”

Her mother let out a sigh and looked to Gareth. But it was Rediisu who spoke. “It is going to take the Afterworld awhile to figure out what they are going to do. Since you have made it to your 18
^th
birthday, you are now the rightful heir. They could come after you again, but right now that is unlikely. They would be fearful that they would lose the support of those that did come from the Heavens. Now that there is an heir to the Heavens, they need to strengthen the position of the Afterworld. If your wish is to go home, I don’t foresee that being a problem. Of course, Liam, Guri and I will be there to watch over you.” Rediisu let out a deep breath. “As will Obsidian,” he added.

“I disagree. This is the safest place for you to be, my lady. You should stay here. You would be protected and your father is here until you learn to open the Heavens,” Gareth interjected.

“No,” Hitomi shook her head. “I will not hide. If there are more angels and protectors in hiding, I want them to know that I am not hiding. I want them to feel comfortable revealing themselves and knowing that they will soon have the Heavens to return to.” Hitomi’s mother squeezed her shoulder and Hitomi turned to her. “I want to go home.”

Regina nodded her head and kissed her daughter’s cheek. “I am so proud of you.”

Hitomi smiled and looked at the three shinigami. “I would really like you guys to stick with me through this.”

Hitomi was shocked when Liam stepped forward from behind Rediisu’s seat. He had barely said three words to her, but he had put himself in harm’s way for her. “Of course we will,” Liam stated. Rediisu nodded his head and she turned to Guri.

“Don’t even think you’re getting rid of me.” Guri grinned and Hitomi felt even stronger than she had before. She knew she’d be crazy not to feel better having the three of them with her, but again she looked to the bedroom door.

“Thanks you guys.” She stood up and straightened out her t-shirt. “We’ll leave tomorrow. I’m going to go to sleep.” She looked down at her mother. “Goodnight.”

“Happy Birthday sweetie,” Regina forced a smile.

Hitomi walked over to the bedroom door and knocked lightly. She did not hear any response, so she slowly opened the door and peeked in. Obi had made it as far as getting his shirt off before he passed out on the bed. She walked in and closed the door behind her. Quietly she walked over to the foot of the bed and started unlacing his boots. She slid each one off and set them on the floor, and then walked around to the empty side of the bed. As she crawled under the covers next to him he began to move. He let out a slight groan and rolled over towards her. Lying on her side facing him, she couldn’t stop looking at him. Beads of sweat rolled down from his forehead as he stirred again. She knew the poison was still working its way through his body. She wanted to try and help him, but she also wanted him to rest.

Light suddenly flooded the room and Hitomi’s mother stood silhouetted in the doorway. “Hitomi?”

“What mom?” she whispered as she lifted up her head.

“Maybe you should send Obi out.”

“He’s been poisoned and I’m not making him sleep on the floor. I want to be here for him. I assure you mother, nothing else is going on.”

Regina let out a loud sigh. “Fine. But only for tonight. You might have special powers and be the heir to the throne of another world, but you are still my daughter.” Hitomi could tell that her mother was smiling.

“Okay. Just for tonight,” Hitomi agreed and laid her head back down. She couldn’t help but smirk knowing that she and her mother both knew that wasn’t true. The light faded in the room and Hitomi looked back across at Obi. She quickly realized his eyes were open and he was staring at her. “How are you feeling?” she asked.

“I’ve been better.” His body noticeably shivered and he let out a yawn. He adjusted his body so that he was under the covers and he rolled over with his back to her.

She moved her hand up to his shoulder as she scooted closer to him. “Is there anything I can do for you?”

“You’ve done enough.”

“Obi, I know you don’t like for me to see you weak, but I will be with you no matter what. It’s okay for you not to be strong every second of every day. I’ll always love you regardless.”

Obi reached up and placed his hand over hers gripping it lightly. He pulled it around him and she moved even closer to him as she slid her other arm under his pillow. She tightened her arm around him and smiled at the fact that finally he was letting her comfort him.

The next morning Hitomi blinked her eyes open and first thing she saw was Obi’s face. His eyes were closed and there was a hint of a smile on his lips. She couldn’t help but smile herself. She laid there watching him as she thought about how much she loved waking up next to him. All signs of frustration and guilt were gone from his face. He looked so peaceful. His lips parted and he let out a little sigh. She wanted to touch his lips, his cheeks, his eyelashes. Hitomi laid there on her side and watched the sun rays graze his skin making every muscle more defined. She shook her head realizing the sun was out.

The sun hadn’t been in the sky for weeks. She carefully got out of bed so not to wake him and tip-toed out to the main room. Everyone was still asleep, except for Gareth who was noticeably absent. She opened up the front door and walked out onto the porch where Gareth seemed to be waiting for her. He gave her a bow as she approached him and then motioned up to the sky.

“A birthday present from your father,” he said referring to the sun.

She smiled and glanced around. “Where is he?”

“A short walk away. He would like to talk to you before you leave.” He held her boots out to her. She quickly slipped them on and took his arm as he led her out into the woods. “How is your protector doing?” he asked as they walked.

“His name is Obsidian, or Obi. And he seems to be okay this morning. He wasn’t awake yet.”

“You seem to have quite an attachment to him.”

Hitomi couldn’t help but laugh a little bit. “An attachment? Yes, I guess you could say that. It’s more than that though. I love him.”

“Love…
him
?”

“Yes,” Hitomi answered without hesitation, but wanted to change the subject. She got the impression that Gareth definitely did not approve of the situation. “What does Isbian want to talk to me about?”

“I’m not sure exactly, but you’ll get the chance to ask him yourself.” Gareth pushed back a thick heavy branch that led into a small clearing where Isbian was talking with another man. He was a younger man with bright red hair and tattoos covering his arms and legs. They both glanced in her direction and finished up their conversation as she walked closer, leaving Gareth.

“Hitomi, I’m so happy to see you safe.” Isbian moved towards her and grabbed her hands leading her over to the other man. “I want you to meet Jinx. Jinx, this is my daughter, Hitomi.”

“I am pleased to meet you.” Jinx slightly bowed and turned back to Isbian. “I should get going. But I will take care of what you need me to.”

“Thank you again.”

They exchanged goodbyes and Jinx disappeared into the woods.

“Who was that?” Hitomi questioned.

“Jinx. He’s an old friend.”

“But what was he doing here?”

“Just doing me a favor.” He squeezed her hands and she felt the warmth from his touch travel throughout her body. “So, I know that you are planning on leaving here, but I do hope that you plan on returning.” Isbian effectively changed the subject.

“Of course.” She nodded. “I was hoping that you would be able to help me learn the things I’m going to need to know. Because, let’s face it, I have no idea what I’m supposed to do.”

Isbian grinned. “Absolutely I will help you with what I can. I know this all seems like a huge undertaking for you, but it will come to you naturally. And things that I might not be able to help you with, Gareth can help you. He has been my faithful council for longer than I can remember.”

“I also have Obi, Rediisu, Guri and Liam,” Hitomi added.

“Um hm,” Isbian mumbled as he let her go and turned away from her. “I wanted to talk to you again about Obi.”

“What about him?”

“I know how you think you feel about him, but I hope that you remember to always consider the bigger picture. There are things that will be expected of you. There is a very long road ahead of you.”

Hitomi crossed her arms as he turned back around facing her. “That’s Obi’s decision if he wants to stick around for everything, but I will not push him away.”

“Please consider the fact that he is a being that could never love,” Gareth said harshly.

“He might be part death god, but he is also part protector. I know that he can love,” Hitomi replied. “I know that you are both just trying to look out for me, but please father remember what it was like to love my mother. Then maybe you can see things from my point of view.”

Isbian mashed his lips together in frustration. “I have foreseen that he will cause you much pain. I just wanted to help you avoid that as much as possible.”

Hitomi shook her head and turned away from him. “I will see you soon, father.” She started to walk back through the woods when Gareth hurried up beside her to escort her back.

“I hope that you will at least think about what your father has said,” he said.

“I have enough to think about right now. Obi is not someone I need to worry about in that way.”

Gareth let out a deep sigh. “I hope you will understand, my lady, that I do not plan on returning with you. I would prefer to stay here, if that is alright with you.”

“Of course.” They continued the walk back in silence as Isbian’s words played over and over in her head. She knew that he was unable to foretell the future, but his words still stung her. Any doubt she had in her head disappeared as soon as they cleared the woods and saw the cabin. Obi was on the porch waiting for her to return. Just one glimpse of him erased all her worries. She hurried up to him and he caught her in his arms.

“Where were you?” he questioned.

“I was saying goodbye to Isbian.” Hitomi pushed away and looked up at him. “I just have to pack up my things and then will you take me home?”

“Absolutely.” Obi pulled her tight against him again resting one of his hands on the side of her head. He leaned down and kissed the top of her head. “I’d do anything for you.”