A Nagas tale

28 and happy

The mornings seem to get colder rather than warmer. I curl up in the blanket not feeling the energy to go out into the winter world outside. 'ugh what's the hype of snow?' I whine missing the mild days of spring and hot days of summer. "Audrey, we should.." I see Kogen's feet walk into the room. I look up at him "Nope, nope it's too cold." I express my dislike of the cold. He chuckles "It's not a work day." he sighs "I was going to offer to go into the village to buy some sweets and decore for the lunar celebration." he sighs "Lunar celebration?" I ask curiously. He nods "Today is the first full moon of the new year." he explains sitting down. "So normally families gather together and celebrate a new year and make lantern wishes." he explains some more. 'oh my gosh I've heard of these celebrations!' I sit up keeping the blanket around me. "uhm... I don't mind going out for some shopping." I whisper shyly. He gives me a grin "Alright then get ready to go." he stays in his spot. 'uh it's still cold tho.' I frown 'Even though Kogen made good food this morning it was too cold for me to use the energy it gave me. I lower the blanket off my shoulders and sigh. "It's gonna be cold." I sigh looking at him. He nods "You're acting as if I am not here to keep you warm." He frowns. I giggle getting up and walk over to him. I had changed into outside clothes earlier but changing involved fewer layers and more cold air. I get on my knees and hug him relishing the heat his body gave off. "ugh I swear I'd freeze to death If you weren't around." I mumble rubbing my face on his shoulder. "hmm you say the stupidest things." he chuckles. I kiss his neck just to tease him. He lets out a soft groan before grabbing my thighs. I wrap my arms around his neck startled by him. He sits me on his lap with my legs on either side of him. "are you ovulating again?" he asks curiously against my neck. I nod 'Yeah, and the pills seem to work less on these stupid thoughts of mine.' I want to say but opt out of doing so. I press my nose to his neck picking up his bittersweet pine scent. 'hm this is mine.' the thought pleased me as he let me do as I wanted. 'ugh I'd let him take me right now.' The thought is enticing. "Did you take the medicine?" he asks as I pull the rein on my sexual desire. "I did." I nod kissing him on the cheek before kissing him on the lips. This simple freedom in affection helped push away the desire. He tucks his face on my shoulder his nose poking my skin. He sniffs my skin "Hm, your pheromones are still escaping." he points out. 'I know that very well' I put my hand on the back of his head. I start combing my fingers through his hair. 'I need to calm down.' I think to myself as I comb his hair. "Those ceremonies can't get here sooner." He huffs pulling his nose away from my neck. I tilt my head "Hm you said something about the ceremonies a week and a half ago." I remember him saying it. I carefully pull my hands away from his hair. He nods "What are they?" I ask curiously. He tilts his head a bit "It's a gathering of all the bears in the area." he explains. "a gathering." I remember the books before saying they gathered to challenge. He wraps his arms around my back pulling me up so my chest is at his face. I laugh seeing him trying to hide in my miniature mounds. "It's a gathering for bears to marry. It starts with courtship that lasts about a week and a half followed by the marriage ceremonies." he moves his face away from my breasts. I tilt my head to watch his face. He turns his eyes away from me but I can see his cheeks are a soft pink Or, maybe I was just making that up. He looks at me "The ceremony is to show off one's wife." He seemed shy explaining that. "I've heard it a few times from some of the men. Where the women would show them off like prizes." he mutters. I feel like the ache in my body only grew seeing him act so shy. I grab his chin 'a move I know from experience can steal one's heart.' He looks up at me curiously. I give him a wide toothy smile "I will show off the best husband in this forest." I whisper leaning towards him. "Such a strong, yet shy husband." I whisper locking my lips with his. 'so scary but also very cute.' I think to myself as I pull away from the kiss. "hmm, That sounds nice." he answers. I smile both happy that he liked the Idea of me showing him off and feeling stupid for being so headstrong about it. "Audrey!!! Kogen!!" I lift my head hearing Yyvonne call to us. She walks into the room dressed so cutely as always. "guys! hurry!!! they will take all of my sweets!" she demands impatiently. I giggle 'Such a demanding child we have.' I pat Kogen's shoulder and he lets me go reluctantly. I look at the calendar Kogen has by his door. I stop seeing the date 'January 5th.' I feel a bit sad. 'ah it's almost the day I shouldn't have been born.' I turn to Yyvonne who is pulling on my hand. I smile and follow her out of the room 'Forget it.' I shake off the pit that forms in my chest. 'I have a better life, My family loves me and I should be excited for that.' I pick up Yyvonne and walk out after Kogen. I look at the cleared-out path that Kogen made this morning. It made it so much easier to get out of the house. I reach out and grab Kogen's hand he looks at me and wraps his hand around mine. We walk out of the gate and I wonder if I should tell them. I look at Yyvonne who is telling Kogen what she wanted and how much she wanted. I smile as I enjoy her demanding what I was never allowed to demand. "Audrey is something wrong?" I look up at Kogen who looks worried. "Audrey you're crying." Yyvonne points out. I let go of Kogen's hand and laugh wiping my eyes. "haha sorry, just a random thought." I laugh. "a thought that made you cry?" he asks. I nod looking up at him "Tomorrow is the day this body came into existence." I answer. "and thats sad?" he asks. I shake my head "No, it was sad before, when I was Yvonne's age I never got the chance to demand anything despite it being the day of my birth." I giggle as I look up at the grey skies. "Much like those skies, my family seemed to mourn the fact that I was born before." I smile sadly. "But, I learned from people outside that my birth was beautiful and a very happy thing." I remember the small party Aaron threw for me when we were 15. The small cupcake he managed to sneak away from his sister's birthday cake. "I just found it very beautiful that Yyvonne can be free with what she wants." I turn to Kogen. He grabs my hand "Alright, you can get what you want from the shops." he answers leading us to the village with more vigor. I giggle as Yyvonne starts telling me about the sweets she likes and the ones she thought I would like. Once in the village Kogen showed me around the clothing shop and let me pick what I liked. I felt a bit overwhelmed with how many kimonos and outfits there were. I chose two new outfits consisting of long-sleeved shirts, two skirts, and one new kimono robe. After which he leads me to a jewelry shop. I didn't know what I would want from here but he let me look for as long as I liked. He let me look with Yyvonne saying he wanted to check something out himself. I didn't stop him as he insisted I needed to pick out whatever I liked at least one thing. The young lady tending to the shop offered me some items that would look nice. A hairpin made of silver with pink opal flowers. A butterfly bracelet made of silver with garnet stones. I didn't find much of a connection with them. I spot what I thought was a bracelet made of solid gold with eyes made of garnet stones. "this is an anklet! it's in respect to the Naga tribe that started this village years ago." she explains. I nod finding it very appealing. "It will match well with your headpiece." she points out. I look at her and touch the piece on my head. I nod "Alright, I'll take this.." I turn my attention to Kogen who walks over with a small bag. "did you choose?" he asks. I nod "Yeah, I found something." I answered as the lady handed me the bag and waited for payment. Kogen hands her some money before taking the bag. "Come on, we can go check anything you like." he offers. I nod taking his hand so I wouldn't get lost. We walk around for a little while until I find a little pottery shop. I point at the shop "Uhm mind if we check that out?" I ask. He looks at the shop "Alright." he answers before leading the way. I step up to the shop and start looking at the pieces. The old man starts a conversation with Kogen. 'hm they know each other?' I shrug as I walk around. My eyes caught a beautifully glazed set. There are small flower patterns on it glazed with a soft pink color that pops from the black set. "Did you find anything?" Kogen asks. I turn to him "Uhm... yeah." I wait for him to get closer. "Which one?" he asks. I point at the set "That one is very nice." I  point out. "Hm do you like it?" he asks I nod "Yeah, it's cute." I answer. He nodded "Alright, mister Aaron we'll take this set." the name he called out sent a jab of guilt through my chest. I look down at the ground putting my hand up to my chest. 'Aaron would be waiting for me tonight.' I bite the inside of my lip. "are you alright?" Kogen asks. I look up at him and nod "Y..yeah, it's just that name." I whisper turning to the old man. "Hmm? his name?" He asks I nod "I had a friend in that other world." I murmur. He pulled me to him once he understood what I meant. "You miss them?" He asks. I nod "Yeah, Aaron felt more of a brother than my actual brother." I giggle in an effort not to cry. He nods "Do you want to go back?" he asks me. I shake my head "No, not willingly." I answer honestly. 'I've found so much here. Even if I do miss Aaron and Milton. I'm sure they wouldn't get angry with me if I chose my happiness.' I assured myself. He said nothing after my answer simply paid the man and took the box that was handed to him. He leads me out of the shop and to the sweets shop where Yyvonne finally got to get the items she wanted. I chose a few things from the selection and let Yyvonne recommend me some other things. We spent the day walking around the village and had some lunch in a small shop that serves food approved by Kogen. The walk home was a bit more taxing with all of the things we got. Once home I watched Kogen take the items and start to get things ready. My feet hurt from walking as much as we did. I walk to the dining room where Kogen is setting up the table. The door is open and I can see the moon is starting to come out. I watch Yyvonne running around outside. I smile 'Yeah I wouldn't trade this life for anything.' I walk over and offer Kogen some help with the decor. He showed me how to put up the decorations. Once we are done it's almost midnight. Kogen leads me out of the house into the backyard. I look up at the large moon above us. The moon here feels so much closer than the moon in the old world. I hold onto Kogen's hand as I look up at the moon. "Audrey! quick! make a wish!" Yyvonne jumped over handing me a sparkler. I smile at her enthusiasm letting Kogen light it for me I hold it till it burns out. I close my eyes and let the moon bathe my face. 'I wish to stay here with Kogen and Yyvonne. To live a better life here with love and warmth.' I feel this deep in my heart. 'All I want is a warm and loving family like this.' I open my eyes as I finish my wish. Kogen hands me a paper lantern with a small boat at the bottom. "Now you let your wish go up to the moon." he tells me. I take the lantern and let it go into the air followed by Kogens and Yyvonne. 'Please make my wish true.' I placed my hope on the floating lanterns above. "Are you ready for some food?" he asks. I nod following him inside where we ate and listened to Yyvonne chatting about her favorite parts of the day. That night we sat outside drinking tea from the new set Kogen bought me. He did not ask me anything as I watched the moon next to him. "This is nice." I whisper as I pull the tea up to my lips. "Did you have fun?" I look up at Kogen who is watching me quietly. I nod "Yeah, it was fun." I assure him. He smiles lifting his arm and offering me refuge from the cold under his arm. I set my cup down and scooted closer. He puts his arm over my shoulder effectively covering me from the cold. I lean on him "I have been the happiest here." I whisper as sleep starts demanding my attention. "With you and Yyvonne in this house, I'm so happy it's stupid sometimes." I huff putting my arm on his lap. "Hmm I can say the same." he answers. I smile when I feel my body start to feel staticky. I frown thinking my body is going numb due to the cold. I sit up and lift my right arm its glowing a bright red color. "W..what the hell!?" I feel the sensation start to move quickly. "Ah!? What's going on!" I stand up trying to take this off. My body starts floating once the red glow wraps around my entire body. "Kogen!" I shout grabbing his arm. He quickly grabs my arm "Audrey what's going on?" he asks. I shake my head "I... I dont know!" I answer as I start getting pulled towards the sky. "Kogen! don't let go!" I feel a deep fear form in the pit of my stomach. He shakes his head and starts moving back towards the inside of the house. I grab his sleeve with my free hand terrified of what's going on. The pull gets stronger and it's painful. Kogen is getting blurry as tears start to well up in my eyes. "Audrey I have you it's alright." he tries to calm me down. 'no I don't want to go.' I feel his grip slipping as he tries to pull me back. My eyes widen as blood starts spraying from his wrists. "Ah! Kogen... your bleeding." I cry horrified watching the red glow slice deep into his wrist. "No!" I shake my head not wanting to see him get hurt. "Stop!" I cry as the attacks keep going. "Audrey!" I turn my attention to the elder who is running from the dining room. I never wanted to say it but this man might know what's going on. "G..grandpa!" I cry out. The fearful child hoped this person who called me his child would help. "Kogen let go! This Aura is a nagas aura!" he orders before tackling Kogen to the ground. I gasp as his sleeve rips and I'm yanked from the house. I feel my heart shatter as they get farther. "Audrey!" Kogen shouts pushing the elder off him and running after me. I struggle against the pull. "Kogen!" I scream trying anything and everything just to get back. "Audrey! I will bring you back!" I look at the elder whose third eye is bleeding profusely. I shake my head not wanting to go back. 'what's waiting for me? I must have lost my job! my mothers probably going crazy and my apartment is gone.' I watch the world turn black around me. I curl up around the only thing that I managed to bring with me. A portion of Kogen's ripped sleeve. I gasped shocked by the sound of banging. I sit up seeing the familiar sheets I had bought. The banging comes again "Audrey!" I hear Aaron. I quickly get out of bed and rush to the door. I open the door with all of the force in my body. Aaron quickly bum rushes me "Oh my god!" he screams as Milton stands behind him. His eyes look bloodshot as he holds a cake. "Audrey!" Aaron cried loudly. The world outside is covered in snow still. "Where did you go!?" he asks grabbing my cheeks. He looks at me relief being the only thing I can find. "Aaron..." I whisper as I realize I have been brought back. I feel the strength in my legs give out before I let out the pain. "Honey!?" he follows me down as I cry. Aaron stayed there with me till I couldn't cry anymore. "Audrey honey we should get inside it's cold." He tries to help me up. I followed him up as he led me into my living room. "So what happened? I went to your house and your dad was going crazy on your mom." he tells me. I look at him 'Dad? Was going crazy on mom?' I  found that hard to believe. "Last I heard he divorced her and had a few  DNA tests run for your siblings." I turn to Milton who hands me a cup of coffee. "DNA testing?" I ask he nods "Yeah, turns out your mother was a cheat and had a vendetta against your dad for not including her in his fame or whatever." I was startled by the information they gave me. "w..when did this happen?" I ask curious about the reason. "Hmm it was I believe about three months ago after you went missing." Aaron explains. I look at my coffee questions now coming up about him. "Tell me where you went for three months!? What with the odd fit?" Aaron asked. I look at the Kimono robes I had changed into before. "so tell me honey what happened? Everyone at your job said you were always showing up but neither us nor your family could locate you." He sighs. I nod wondering if telling them would make me look crazy. "I was taken to a different world."  The room falls quiet. Aaron gave me an unsure smile "A different world?" he asks. I nod "That world seems to be where I came from. I met my grandpa and a really nice guy." I think of what would matter in this context. "It sounds crazy I know but this world is just as advanced as ours but maybe a few years behind on technology like cars and communication. They evolved differently than we did, where people can turn into animals whenever they want." I can see Aaron grow worried."I..is that a new story you're trying out?" he asks. I frown shaking my head "No, I'm telling you. this happened." I look at the cup of coffee in my hands. "Are you sure you didn't just dream it after your long vacation?" Aaron asks skeptical of what I had just told them. "Okay so you were abducted from this world by some animal aliens and you lived with them for three months." he asks. I frown "Aaron, I'm not lying!" I lose my temper feeling a small mocking tone in his statement. "Audrey it will be hard to believe what you are saying! A parallel world where people can turn into animals? This world just so happens to be where you were supposed to live in?" He asks with understandable skepticism. I stand up and look at them both. Milton never said a word just silently listened to me. I shake my head "f...forget it." I whisper walking back to my room. "Audrey! I... I was just..." I shut the door to my room not wanting to hear it. I sit on the floor next to my bed. I lean on the bed as I try to understand what happened. 'I wanted to stay... stupid moon.' I frown as I close my eyes. 'Dimensions, I can find somebody that can do this!' I open my eyes as a soft knock sounds from my door. "Audrey." Milton calls my name. I stand up and walk to the door. I open it seeing Milton standing there. "I trust your word but, is there any proof that it happened?" he asks. I look around my bed spotting the piece of cloth from Kogen's clothes. 'no, it's too precious.' I decide to keep it away from them. I remember my eye "h..hold on." I whisper walking to my mirror. I can see a soft bump and the crease. I close my eyes and do as Kogen told me before. I can feel my aura it's there but it's being sealed. I take a breath 'Let my soul go.' I frown as my aura pushes against the seal. I flinch as it feels like my skin is shocked. I step away from the mirror and cover my third eye. 'ugh that hurts.' I want to scream but that would be crazy. "Audrey! Are you okay!?" I look up at Milton who walked into my room. I nod moving my hand from my forehead. His eyes widen before he covers his mouth. "T...that." He points at my forehead. I look back at the mirror seeing my third eye is open. Seeing the familiar eye I smile "Yeah, this is my third eye, proof of my lineage." I whisper before the world wobbles around me. I fall onto my knees grabbing my bed sheets. 'fuck, this world is so void.' I touch my eye before I pass out.