The Third Queen

Epilogue

18 years have passed since Leia had entered to deep sleep, and Kai had in fact kept his word. Since her absence Kai had taken the role of father quite serious, yes Kai always had that silly side to him but it seemed to be more absent since Leia's departure. Raising little Chise was quite a challenge but not impossible for Kai had raised a strong and beautiful woman. Who's features mirrored her mother so much in fact Kai couldn't help but to stare. It was not odd to find himself hallucinating his sweet wife when Chise was near. So much in fact it was scary. The illusion of Leia would always smile at Kai. A smile of pure happiness that had been absent from Kai's heart for sometime. So much in fact Kai wasn't even too sure he even remembered how to smile like he used to anymore.

Sighing lightly as he chopped vegetables for the day in the restaurant, Kai's thoughts were elsewhere. Lingering in the past, days filled with smiles and laughter. When Leia was by his side. She would always chop the vegetables, and Kai would always sneak up behind her. Nuzzling his face into her neck making her laugh. Oh her laugh was like bells to him he simply couldnt get enough of her. And being without her was no different. He missed Leia. His other half. Everything seemed to remind him of Leia, so much in fact that at times Kai couldn't even look his own daughter in the eye. In fear of being weak in front of her. But what Kai didn't know was that he would never be weak in Chise's eyes. She was a lot more in tuned with her father more than he realized.

The amber eyed teen ran her fingers through her mid back length raven locks before typing it up in a high pony tail. Knowing that at school today she would be running the track and didn't have time for her hair to be in her way. "dad, I'm heading out! " Chise called out as she grabbed her backpack.  "Be careful out there okay? " Kai called out as Chise answered with a loud and boisterous "Okay! " Closing the door behind her Chise ran down the street. The wind whipping at her clothes as she closed her eyes. Enjoying the warm spring breeze of Okinawa. As the smell of sea salt made itself known to the spirited teen.

But something was different today, the wind seemed more active than usual. Howling loudly in Chise's ears startling the young child. Stopping in mid step Chise turned her gaze towards the far off hills on the island. The wind continuing to howl and almost push her towards the hills. Shaking these thoughts from her head Chise turned on her heels to head to school. Knowing that if her dad found her skipping class he wouldn't be too thrilled. But something seemed to be calling out to her.

It was then that the sudden feeling of someone watching her began to creep Chise out. With her eyes taking a startling golden glow Chise called out to whoever it was watching her to show themselves. But the answer she got was not one that she expected. Chise felt a presence nearby that seemed to hold her almost lovingly before the wind itself seemed to whisper. " Find me, Chise. Find me. " the voice so warm and inviting, Chise could have sworn to recognized the strangers voice.

Unable to ignore the voice any longer, Chise found herself climbing up the vast hills of Okinawa. Step after step the voice became louder and clearer, as the amber eyed teen stood before an old crypt which appeared to be sealed shut. Yet the moment she reached out to open it, Chise was stopped by the voice of her father Kai, who appeared beside her. His heart pounding loudly in his chest as Chise had never been to the crypt. So how did she find it? Knowing her father had questions Chise opened her mouth to speak as suddenly the sliding of the crypt door alarmed the two.

Chise ran to her father gripping onto him tightly as Kai's voice became lodged in his throat. As a familiar visage made itself known to him in the crypt doorway.  It had finally happened. After years and years of waiting she had finally returned to him. With happiness swelling inside him Kai reached out towards the woman, who's hand gripped onto his as well. All the while Chise watched in silenece unsure as to why she couldn't help but to shed tears. That was until she finally layed eyes on the woman. Who's beautiful violet eyes mimicked Chise's own. The moment Chise saw those eyes she was overcome with such emotion. For as long as she could remember her father had told her stories about her mother.

How beautiful she was, how she stole his heart without even trying. And of course how brave she was. But none of those stories could compare to seeing her in person. The woman before Chise turned towards Chise slowly, before walking towards her. Taking a deep breathe Chise braced herself as the woman placed her hand ontop of Chise's head all the while smiling at her. "You've grown, Chise. "the woman breathed as Chise immediately ran into the woman's arms sobbing loudly in her arms. The woman smiled as she held onto the crying Chise while Kai held onto his two treasures. Kissing the woman on the lips before slowly pulling away.  "Welcome back, Leia. " Kai informed as he smiled  true smile that hadn't made in appearance in years.

The small family held onto one another, each of them eager to make up for lost time. Kai couldn't stop smiling neither could Leia as she was finally with her family. And she would never let them go. Ever. For they had an eternity to spend together and each day would be more precious than the last. Kai would make sure of it.