Kiamo’s Secret [B]

I hadn’t been able to adventure for some weeks.  I would have stopped sooner had I been more attuned.
I shook my head, how could I be so stupid?

Kup-oh Kiamo!

Hmm?

Are you getting ready to go out?

No…  Just trrying to rrrelax.

Maybe some fun goldfish scooping?  It is summerfest after all, kupo!

I haven’t anyone to do that with, Sarrima.

Surely Sha-chan will be back soon?  What about your other friends?

I cocked my eyebrow and twisted the corner of my mouth, questioning.

What friends of mine have you seen lately?

Her silence spoke volumes.
I let my head drop back and rest against the cool stone of the fountain as I inhaled deeply then, exhaled an elongated sigh.  A nice warm bath helped to soothe me but one question always butted its way to the forefront of my mind.
How would I manage this without Shagrath?
No matter how much happiness I attempted to cultivate, that one thought alone was a failsafe way to cause my eyes to well up.
Salty tears mixed freely with the fresh water of the fountain as they rolled down my face.

Of all the things I’d ever done, would I regret this the most?
Of anyone I had ever harmed…  Surely the worst of it is when harm comes to one perfectly innocent.
Who could I even go to?  Big Brother Wolf…  I choked.  He was long gone.
I pressed my palms to my face and cried.

I… I want my motherrr!!

Kiki!

Sorry… I…

Kup-oh, Kiamo if I could kup-find her for you I would in a wing beat!

I know Sarriama, I don’t begrudge your efforts.

I shouldn’t have delivered the news of Sha-chan’s brother to you…

It is better to know then wonder…  Like…

Kiki don’t even say it!

I can’t bear to stay here Sarriama.  This world is too crruel!  So full of hate and obsession with material possessions!

Kup-Kiki!  What are you suggesting!  You CAN’T!

No, no… I mean to say.  I should like to go away from here.  To flee…

Kup-no… You would leave me here to tend to an empty mog house, Kiki?

I blanched… My dearest house moogle thought I sought to abandon her?  All I could do for the moment was shake my head no.
It also seemed as though all I could do lately was cry.
I raised myself up out of the fountain some and propped myself up on folded forearms.

Sarrrima…  I don’t think I could bear to jourrrney anywhere without you.

She fluttered over to me with a big fluffy towel.  I could see what appeared to be dew on the fur by her eyes.

I’m sorry Sarrrima…  I think my perpetual state of worry and woe has rrrubbed off on you.  Please forrgive me!

Oh kup…  Kiki.  If you think leaving will help…  Then…

She nodded affirmation as I gingerly climbed out of the water and wrapped myself in the towel.

So much had changed in what felt like the blink of an eye.
Big Brother Wolf passed.
I had to abruptly stop adventuring.
It had been more than six months since I had last seen Shagrath.
And yet he had, in fact, left something behind.  Now it was showing.
I hung my towel on the side of the screen and wriggled into my cotton sleeping shift.  I paused as I tugged it over my belly and peered down to my toes.
Still could see them.  I tapped a finger against the corner of my mouth.
When I could no longer see them, it would be nearly time.

Sarrima…  Do you suppose my training Dark Knight will have harmed-

Kiki, stop.  You shouldn’t wonder these things.  You’ve got to focus on being ready and kup-keeping in good spirits!

I nodded sharply, once.

Right.

And what would Shagrath think should he see me in such a state?  It isn’t what he would want.  He would be happy.  I should be happy.  I was truly, in a sense.  However, I certainly would be happier were he here to physically be beside me.
Never would I have imagined something like this happening.
We were only together one night, but of course, that’s all it takes.  Isn’t it?
The thought of that night caused me to blush so fiercely.
Here I was, sitting in the very place where we had conceived.
In a few months I would deliver his progeny.  Would that, too happen right here?
The reality of having to do it alone… 
Alone. 
That frightened me more than any notorious monster in existence.
I gently pressed the palm of my left hand to my belly and circled slowly.

I will always wrap you in light and love. 
Just as this ring shines with delight, so, too my soul does thanks to you. 
Our bond is eternal.
Sarima.

Yes?

I don’t want to raise this baby here.

The pom-pom atop her head bobbed as she nodded in understanding.

Hopefully Sha-chan returns soon.

Sarrima…  We must make haste.  Soon I won’t be able to travel.  I’ll not subject the life within me to any more peril then I have already.

And kup-go where?

I wish I had the answer to that.

Well…  There is a place, perhaps.

Oh?  Is it peaceful?

Oh yes!  It is a town, nestled in the great wood.

That sounds lovely, so kind of like Windurst?

Kup-kind of, only you can’t really tell where the town begins and the woods ends until you bump into a building, kupo!  There, though, we moogles are guardians of the wood.  They don’t tend to the belongings of adventurers.

That sounds perfect.  After all, I am an adventurer no longer.  You wouldn’t have to tend to my things once we are there.  I think a nomadic lifestyle would be wonderful.  Do you happen to know the way?

Sarima giggled gleefully.

What sort of a kup-magical moogle would I be if I didn’t!

I smiled and clapped my hands together.

Then let’s set out in the morning!

Kupo Kiamo!  So soon?

I tenderly patted my rotund belly and poked out my tongue at her.

This isn’t getting any smaller.

But if we leave…  How will Shagrath find you?

I held back tears.

If he wants to find me, he will.  If not, then there is nothing I can do about it.

As much it broke my heart to admit that, it was true.  If Shagrath had no intention of returning, there was nothing I could do or say to force him to manifest.














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