Drowning In Power (Book 2 of Danny Phantom Trilogy)

Two Sides To Every Story

Kimiko poured out two cups of jasmine tea before taking a seat on the couch next to Nakoda. The smaller and older woman picked up her tea cup with a small smile before blowing lightly over the top of the cup. The two women were sitting alone in the living room around seven in the morning. Nakoda hummed in appreciation when she took the first sip of her tea. "This is delicious, Kimiko. I wonder if it tastes better because you didn't use magic to make it?" Nakoda teased lightly.

"Well, I prefer not to rely on magic to do simple tasks. It's better to do things the old fashioned way," Kimiko answered.

Nakoda scoffed. "I think you're slowly becoming a stick in the mud, Kimiko. You need to live a little."

Kimiko pouted slightly at that. It bothered her more than she cared to admit that a sixty-six year old woman was criticizing the lack of excitement in her life. "I like to feel normal. Like a normal human," Kimiko explained.

"Oh. But Kimiko, you're not a normal human. You're a witch. There's no such thing as living the normal human life when you have magic. Besides, why would you ever want to?" Nakoda replied and sipped her tea.

Deciding to cut right to the chase, Kimiko asked, "Nakoda, please don't be offended by me asking, but... why are you here?"

Nakoda smiled brightly and set her cup down onto the coffee table. "I'm not offended at all! It only makes sense that you would be curious," Nakoda said and waved her off. "Judai came to see me not too long ago. He told me that you'd moved here with the kids."

"Is that all he told you?"

"He also told me that you've moved on with an older man. Personally, I didn't peg you for the type to be interested in older men, but I suppose it makes sense. It's only natural to want a more mature partner after dealing with Judai's immaturity and irresponsibility for so long," Nakoda said with a sigh and roll of her eyes. "That boy, he's more like me than I care for him to be. It's a real shame."

Kimiko didn't know how to respond to that. Instead, she brought her tea cup up to her lips and took a long sip.

"He also told me that Kagome is starting to develop control over her magic. I wondered why you would continue to live in a literal ghost town when this was going on, but then I saw the necklace Kagome had on last night. Tell me. She was having more than just your run of the mill struggles with control. Wasn't she?" Nakoda guessed with a grin.

"Ghosts are already targeting her and he's stronger than I ever was at her age. I'm...slightly concerned for her future," Kimiko confessed softly. A powerful witch was instantly a target for powerful ghosts as well a potential recruit for other witches. Kimiko wasn't sure what she feared more- ghosts constantly challenging Kagome or another witch seeking her out, brainwashing her, and turning her into a ruthless hunter.

"Don't you worry. Once you raise your children right, they'll find their own way. You've been an excellent mother. Better than I ever was to Judai," Nakoda finished sadly.

Immediately, Kimiko wrapped Nakoda in a tight embrace. Nakoda's flighty behavior had been a staple of her personality forever. At twenty-four, she'd walked out on her husband and five-year-old son and never looked back. It wasn't until Judai had become an adult that Nakoda had made an effort to be a part of his life again. "I have to go in early to work today. We're getting some new inventory that needs to be displayed. Can I leave you and the kids alone?" Kimiko teased half seriously. Nakoda was a sweet woman, but she was also a bit irresponsible. Leaving Nakoda alone with her fourteen-year-old grandson was like leaving 100 lit candles in a house with a gas leak.

"Of course! We'll have a great time. Leave it to me," Nakoda said with a bright grin. Kimiko grimaced. Oh boy...

~:~