Breathing Fire

Remembrance

                                                                ~~~~~~~First meetings~~~~~~~

                                                               ~~~~~~~~Kenjis' POV~~~~~~

I left the note on her windshield she is bound to get it. I thought as my son impatiently honked his horn, no sense of propriety that boy. I continue at my leisurely pace. To the out of place champagne colored Maserati. I walk up to the drivers side and wait for him to move. It might be his car but I'll be damned if I let him drive. I adjust the seat anticipating his questions. " How can you be sure this one is really his daughter?" Ky asked clearly bothered by my willingness to drag him to the cemetery. They need to meet I  thought to myself. I know her father and I agreed 21 but with the way things are going Ky will likely poison himself before marrying his mothers choice.  Shaking free of my thoughts as we pull out of the parking lot heading to a place I should have gone years ago. " Because instead of relying on my underlings to do a job they clearly were never capable of in the first place. I went straight to the best source."  Ky looked expectantly at me. Waiting for me to reveal my source. After a moment he spoke  " Well, its going to be an awfully long drive without you bothering to answer my questions. Perhaps I should make use of the radio?" I turn briefly from the road to raise an eyebrow in his direction. " You may be next in line but I am still the boss here and I will answer your questions when I am good and ready to." Turning back to the road we travelled in silence for some time before I answered. " My source is that Li girls' father. Apparently he has been getting blackmailed into letting her run wild. Some half fairy female friend of hers' seems to know things about him that only Agael would have known."  "You mean that Delilah is really another loosely behaved halfling? that seemed like common knowledge to me." Ky scoffed I ignored his comment, he is many things but known for his trust of well anything he is not. I do not expect him to understand, but the only reason I know this is the girl. Is because no one else would have the mettle to try and blackmail Mr. Li knowing how well connected he is to me. Unless that someone had no knowledge of his ties. And in this neighborhood that is no easy feat. You would have to be living under a rock not to know. Which is exactly how Ethan kept his precious daughter. It took a lot for him to leave doing so for her protection. What did it amount to in the end... petty insurrection. Removing myself from my ruinous thoughts as we pulled into the driveway of the cemetery. I put the engine on idle and just began to wait. Ever the quiet observer Ky continued to pepper me with pointless questions. " What makes you so sure she will show up here today of all days?" I let out a low chuckle. " Well why do you think she would be here?" Sleep deprived as he was from cleaning up his twins' mess the night before. The circumstances quickly clicked in his mind. " Wait, today is the anniversary of there death?" " I mean usually we mourn at home, why have we never been to there grave? or better yet I have no memory of there funeral? why did we or at the very least you attend?" I turn to face him, and to face the reality of my decisions. " Because I am a coward, I would not have known how to introduce us to his daughter at such an affair. Nor did I have the strength to watch the closest thing I had top a brother be buried." Ky seemed to be studying me as if he was meeting me for the first time.  When his head turned like he saw a ghost. " Is that her?" He pointed through the front windshield. In all the talking we never even saw her car drive past us. But watching her walk by I confirmed what I already knew. Odette was the spitting image of her mother with her fathers' height. Had I not known her mother was already deceased. I most assuredly would have called out Agael. Ky seemed transfixed by her. Watching as she had toward what looked like a secluded mausoleum.  Before I could even stop him. Ky was out of the car following in Odettes' direction. Deciding whether or not to follow him was truly a no brainer. I waited, I wanted to give him a chance to meet the girl her father and I decided would be perfect for each other. Turning on the radio and connecting my headphones I began listening to meditation podcast. Anticipating whatever will happen next. 

                        ~~~~~~~~~~  Ky's pov~~~~~~~~

 Taking careful strides to keep her in my sights without letting her know I was there. Watching her walk with such purpose taking in her delicate features. She is absolutely stunning, not like the usually girls who hang around hoping for scrapes from my table. The way her shorts clung to her every curve, made my mind wander in ways my usual booty calls could never hope to occupy me. I followed the path she was on till I observed her sitting by two immaculate marble doors resting beside a willow tree. I couldn't help but wonder why she stopped. When I realized she was crying, you would never know by the solemn silence that filled the air. But you could almost smell her sadness and choking the atmosphere. It made me wander closer to her till I could see even from the small distance let between us, every tear running down her face. I felt compelled to comfort her... What an unusual feeling even for me. I hardly know her and I am contemplating how to proper console her. Before I could stop my self, I found myself walking closer and closer wanting to get a better look a the sad little angel sitting alone in a cemetery.  She was so lost in her own grief, she never heard me coming. She gasped as I came forward " Hello there princess, what's a girl like you doing in a place like this?"  Giving her a moment to gain her bearing's I began to study her face. I've never met anyone with gray eyes before. Well aside from her own father, staring at them was like coming to terms with the duality of nature either bringing the raging storms of the peace of being lost on a foggy day. The small smile playing on her full blood red lips made me want to grab her by the face and see if they taste as good as they look. God she isn't even trying and I am captivated by her. That is very dangerous for us both. " Don't call me princess! I hate that nickname!" she shouted pulling me from my thoughts. The tears from earlier quietly drying on her face as she set an indignant look on me. " Who are you anyway, you absolute lout. You have no business here." She continued. I waited her for to finish "Your a spicy one aren't you? I am Ky-ryu Lam. And my father and I are here to help you with your parents death." She looked as stunned as if I would have said I am your brother. " Now are you gonna keep sitting here weeping like the lonely swan princess or are you going to come with me?" 

                                                    ~~~~~~~~ Odettes' POV~~~~~~

Processing everything this man just said was more than I could take after an entire sleepless night. Instinct took over and well. SMACK the sound resonated  through the cemetery.  My hand connected with his face. "I told you not to call me princess and I have never been in the habit of repeating myself." He stood there stunned my red hand print growing on the left side of his face. I panicked inwardly, why did I hit a man I just met. My father taught me to fight but my mother always told me to make sure I know my enemy and I certainly don't know this man.  Before I even had a moment to process what I just did. He moved so swiftly I felt my back slam into the door of the mausoleum before I really saw him move. Holding me against the wall he hissed 당신은 아름답고 당신의 아버지는 플로리스트 였을 것입니다. 하지만 나랑 싸울 계획이있는 사람에 대해 내 자신을 방어하는 데는 문제가 없습니다." (You might be beautiful and your father may have been the florist. But I have no problem defending myself against someone whos plan is to fight me)." I struggled under his grip but refused to speak. When I remembered I am my fathers' daughter after all. I focused my energy on summoning my dragon. Causing my skin to heat up quicker than he could process what was happening. He dropped me cursing at his seared hands. That was when I pushed him as hard as I could. I just wanted him to go away. I came here to grieve in peace and now I am fighting a strange man by my parents grave. I really need to get some sleep. I turned away from him after he flew back from my shove to walk into the mausoleum. I rushed inside not bothering to check on Ky. Looking at the shining emptiness of the tomb broke my heart all over again. I always bring flowers but today sadly I forgot. I mentally kicked myself for it. I am all that is left of us I should take better care of them. I kneel in front of the wall there bodies are sealed in. running my hand lovingly over the names etched into the wall. I began to sob silently not wanting anyone to hear my pain. My problems many though they are. Are my own to deal with. Still crying before them I started to speak to them like they never passed away." My shifts are getting harder and harder to deal with. I mean I used to love the work distraction. But with Casey always lurking it has become so hard to relax." "Massimo keeps telling him to just move on. But the mamas' boy that he is thinks he is entitled to me. Ugh not to mention I haven't sleep right in days. But big news guys I think I have a couple of new leads on your murder. I still haven't mentioned that to anyone so that has to stay between us." I laugh loudly I probably sound crazy to anyone walking past. However I could not care less, this is all I have. My weekly visit to have someone to talk to. No matter how close my friends feel like they are to me. I have never truly felt connected to anyone since there passing.  I continue my maniacal laughter without even hearing the door open or close behind me. In the middle of my crying laughing fit. I just feel arms around my shoulders as I sit cross legged on the ground. I jump at the sensation  of warmth coming from the hands as I realize it is Ky and another man standing next to him. Just a couple of feet taller than Ky. But I could see where Ky gets his features from as I study what I could only assume is his father. The same haunting almond shaped black eyes, smooth ghost like skin. The only real difference between the two aside from the height was his father had pitch black hair but Ky his has was shaggy and chestnut colored. I imagine that was the only mark his mother made on him. He the full soft mouth set in a stoic line on his delectable face.  ( God I just slapped the man and now I am admiring his charms. I definitely need some sleep.) I just keep staring in silence as his father looks down at me. A soft melancholy smile playing on his lips. " You are truly the spitting image of your mother. But your eyes and the still red slap mark on Kys' face tells me your father raised you well. I am Kenji, Ky-Ryus' father as you may have guessed. More importantly I was formerly a very close friend of your parents." I hesitate a moment before speaking " Why should I believe you? All these years I have come here once a week alone. Not to mention the fact that the only people to attend there funeral was myself and my friends and there parents. The funeral had 7 people and you were not one of them. What kind of friend doesn't show up to a funeral?" " Even better what kind of man raises a son to call a woman names and hit her."  Shaking loose from Ky's grip on my shoulders. I began to stand feeling a foreign anger towards Mr. Lam Raising my voice I began to shout at the both of them or maybe to no one. Lack of sleep and stress might caused this or maybe they deserved it. " All these year I have taken care of myself and now two strange men show up pretending to know my parents?! where were you when I was homeless for years I almost dropped out of school. I have had the same 3 jobs since 13 and not once have either of you shown up. Why now? Why?"  I was shaking with rage now tears just running down my face. Mr Lam answered " I was a coward, I should have been there but I couldn't face the loss of my friends. I was even sure how to explain the sudden loss of an uncle to my own children. But I never stopped looking for you. You were your parents best kept secret, your father wanted you to have nothing to do with the kind of life he used to live. So by never meeting us you never had to be at risk. With that level of secrecy coupled with the fact that we have never met before. I went looking in all the wrong places. I never took you for the kind of girl to work in the places you do. Your father made you out to be a good girl. Minus he assholes' you date I never thought to look in the gutter for his precious swan."  I proceeded to open my mouth but found myself left speechless  Ky took the moment and spoke up " For the record we have met before, I could not figure out for the life of me where but you just seemed so familiar. Hearing you tell your parents about Massimo. Now I remember, though how I could forget such fine form as yours is beyond me. At your spring formal Massimo snuck my brother and I in when we forgot the money and the drugs in his locker. Before we could get it the principal spotted us. Massimo opened the door to the gym to let us in as he ran for the locker to grab the goods. To avoid being caught. My brother and I danced with the only two girls without a partner. I grabbed a leggy red head dressed as an angel. My brother danced with Delilah." I gasped remembering that night dancing with a handsome stranger. The stranger who kept Casey away from me the rest of the night before disappearing into the darkness " That could not have been you." I scoffed rolling my eyes and turning towards my parents. I ran my hands over the stones once more. Praying for a sign from my parents that I could trust them.  I let go of a breath I didn't realize I had been holding. As I quieted my mind to listen not for an answer from my parents. But the trick my mother taught me to master and listened to their minds. Mr. Lam knowing just what I was getting to. kept thinking Agael used to do this when she wanted to speak privately, never to eavesdrop on others.  I respond "Does Ky know about this skill? No he does not Mr. lam retorted. I pause whispering into his mind Are you the reason my father would leave every other weekend?. He simply smiled in response. I refocused my energy to peer into Kys' mind hearing him thinking about how long they really have been searching for me. More importantly I could hear him mulling over telling me what they knew about my parents' death.  I turn to face them again finally realizing what I must look like between the lack of sleep and the constant crying. I start to speak as my phone chimes interrupting my thoughts. I pull it out of my shorts to see Massimos' name flash across the screen. WHERE ARE YOU???? I went to bring you breakfast and find the place empty?  I look from Mr. Lam to Ky wondering what should be more important right now. "Okay so last night I met some strange middle age man at my job that seemed to know me or think I that I should know him. Then you guys show up and there is a note on my car. I need answers. I also want to know what the both of you know about my parents death. However now is not the time. Unfortunately I  have more pressing matters to deal with at the moment. Ky-Ryu give me your hand" I laughed probably too hard as he begrudgingly put out his arm. I snatched the pen I stashed in my hair from work and wrote down my number. " Text me later when you are free and we can work something out." I blush as a smirk grows on his face. "If you wanted to give me your number all you had to do was say so. No need for pretense." I scowl " How about another smack to match the one on your left cheek." He chuckled " I like 'em feisty." "Eww" I respond walking past him and his father. "I have to go, I will be busy for a while so please whatever you do, do not call or text me right away or I may be forced to kill you."  "What are you going to do?" Mr Lam inquired. " Going home, that is what I am doing. I have had a extremely long night. With no sleep in sight as a friend is at my place. So I will be unreachable for the next several hours." I explained as I headed to my car. Just when life could not be any stranger for me. I remember my life seems to be permanently ruled by murphy's' law.