The White Tower
This story is rated PG-13 for sexual situations
Chapter 10 - Secrets Revealed
"What is your idea?" Bya asked, worried about his daughter.
Taiki motioned for the group to follow him upstairs, into the library, which was the densest of all the rooms. "I will take Jae to the hidden valley. I doubt that even a Great Dragon could pierce the combined magic of the herd and the barrier that Bakura created to conceal the valley."
" Unfortunately, Jae will still give off the mating scent. The Dragons may find the general area, but they will not be able to pinpoint her location. And they will not be able to see her. This may give us time for Lady Jaal and me to create a spell or potion that would seal Jae so that the Dragons can no longer sense her." Bakura added.
"I know the spell that Jodah used to seal Tasuki. That will be a good place to start." Jaal said.
"Yes, we should be able to create something -- as long as we have enough time." Bakura agreed. "We can use the mirror to go to the herd and test the potions on Jae. Can you sense her, Taiki?"
"No." Taiki shook his head.
"I can. I was not aware of what I was sensing until Kyo arrived." Bya said. "It was a scent I had never known before and since it did not call me like it did the other Dragons, I did not realize what it was."
"Then I will help Jaal here at her tower. Let me go with you to pick up some items and then I'll return here by portal."
"I will go with you." Aara said. "I don't think there is any need for Kurama and I to be here. There is nothing we can do against the Black Dragon. Please keep me informed, Jaal. I will send what help I can if you need it."
"Tennu, will you stay here and keep an eye out on the Black Dragon?" Kurama asked. The Bobcat nodded. He was still shaken from Raike's death and strange resurrection. He had gotten to know the young man very well in the short time they had been at the White Tower and considered him a friend.
Kyo appeared in the middle of the courtyard to the surprise of the guards. He asked that news of his arrival be given to the Queen, and then he headed for one of the unoccupied bedrooms with Raike/Shun. Vara arrived a few minutes after he entered the bedroom and helped him turn down the bed so that he could slip the sleeping boy in between the covers.
"Is this Raike? His hair is green?"
"Yes," Kyo said and then told her of the events at the White Tower, of Raike's death and Shun's sacrifice. "Vara, I didn't want to leave you. Please forgive me. And now because of this, my best friend is gone." Kyo hung his head and Vara sat next to him, cradling the sorrowing Dragon in her arms.
"It will be alright, my love." She crooned, "Shun is not lost; he is part of Raike now. And you cannot blame yourself for any of this. Your nature compelled you."
"Vara, I am afraid what will happen when he wakes up. Shun has been forced into a human body and Raike now has a Dragon sharing his life force. I do not know if the two can co-exist. I fear that one will cease to exist completely."
"Shush, my love. Don't think the worst! Shun has given Raike a chance for life. Everything will turn out for the best." She said her voice soft and gentle. She wished that she could use her power on him, to comfort him.
Kyo lifted his head and looked directly into her eyes. There was something in them that she had never seen before. "I have never been one to settle down with one person or one home. I am restless and I get bored easily."
"I know that. And I accept it. This is your home whenever you want to be here and I am waiting for you always."
"Vara, I want you to know…"
"Yes?"
"That even when I am apart from you, I think about you. I …" Kyo turned away, the words caught on his tongue.
"It's alright, Kyo." Vara murmured, surprised by the depth of emotion in the Dragon's voice.
He sighed heavily. And whispered something which she did not catch. "What was that, Kyo?"
"I love you."
The words were just a tiny bit louder, but she heard them. Her heart stopped for an instant, and then joy flooded into her. Vara wrapped her arms tightly around him and leaned her head on his shoulder. Never had she dreamed that Kyo would come to love her! "Thank you! It means so much to me!"
"Does it?" Kyo looked at her and saw the joy written on her face. "But Tekken loves you."
"And I love Tekken. And I love you, Kyo. There is room in my heart for many loves. Do you think that my mother does not love each of her males? And Vash? And me? A person's heart can have many rooms."
"There is only one room in mine."
"Not true! You anguish over your friend. Is that not love?"
"It is not the same as what I feel for you." Kyo insisted.
"And there are many types and degrees of love. What I feel for you is not the same as what I feel for Souten. Or what I feel for Tekken. But it is all love. And each of you makes my heart sing." Vara smiled at her Dragon and took his hand. "You make me happy, Kyo. You always have."
Taiki and Jae stepped from the mirror on the road near the Castle. Darkness was beginning to fall and soon the moon would be high. He took her hand and quickly moved from the road toward the hidden valley and the Unicorn herd. "What you are about to see is a secret from all but the Princess and her males and only the most trusted Protectors. You must keep our secret. Our lives depend upon it."
"I'm not sure I understand, but I swear I will never tell anyone what I am going to see." Jae promised solemnly.
Taiki pulled her up a hill and stood at the crest. A beautiful valley spread out below them, pristine and untouched. He walked forward, still holding her hand and started down the hill to the valley. As they walked, a strange mist began to surround them and Jae heard the faint neighs of horses. Then, like unsubstantial ghosts, outlines of horses began to show through the fog.
When they reached the end of the hill and stepped into the valley, the mist disappeared and the faintly drawn horses became Unicorns. They were so beautiful that Jae just stood there staring at them.
"They are wonderful! How do you know about them?"
"I am also a Unicorn. Well, a half-Unicorn as you are a half-Dragon. Look! There is my brother!" Taiki said pointing.
Standing proudly on a rock overlooking the herd was a tall Unicorn. He saw Taiki and started galloping towards them.
He was the most beautiful one of them all. A long mane and tail of iridescent gold gleamed in the moonlight and his white coat glistened. When he reached them, a white light enveloped him and then dissipated to reveal a handsome young man with fair hair and large green eyes.
"Kiri, I'd like you to meet Jae."