Kiamo's Secret [A]

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-

What’s this about leaving when I just got back?

KUPO?!?!

Sarima twirled around, dropped the towel and nearly came crashing to the floor, flabbergasted.
I clapped my hand to my mouth.  I wasn’t sure if it was to muffle a scream or damper newly churning bile that threatened to flow forth from the sheer shock.

Ahh you two should probably be alooneee …  Ku-WARP!

Wait!—

With a crack she was gone.  I blinked.  Surely I was hallucinating.  Whatever this was had fooled Sarima and now we were alone.  I sank back into the fountain.

Kiamo…  Why do you cower so?

The figure approached and in a few short steps he was kneeling before me on the floor.  A gentle hand stroking my hair.  My cheek.  A grand sense of joy and calm and peace filled every void in the room and in me.  I turned my face to meet his.  It was different, yet the same.  A full beard grew where once had been clean shaven.  He had traded his long locks for soft, tussled tendrils that only just caressed his ears.  I could only squeak out “Sha” before bursting into tears.

I hope those are happy tears, Kia?

He leaned over the edge of the fountain and pulled me toward him.  Indeed this was Sha-chan.  His scent was unmistakable.  I lingered in his embrace until I remembered that I was taking a bath and completely naked!  I gasped so loudly that I startled him.

Did I squeeze you too tight?

N-  No Sha-chan… It’s… Umm… 

All I could manage was a glance at the water, then back to him.

Oh!  Its bath time!

He grinned broadly as I nodded.

I could probably stand to have a bath, hmm?  Aye, the journey back here was long and I suppose treading through streams and brooks does not exactly constitute as a full bathing, does it? Hahaha!

I was speechless as he stood up and began unraveling his robes, unperturbed.  Not at all what I meant!  But his abrupt nakedness stunned me into silence before I could utter even the beginnings of a protest.  I quickly turned and focused my gaze on my knees, which were bent up before me.
Shagrath stepped into the water and now I could easily see his shins just beyond my knees.  Any moment now he would crouch down!  Any moment now I would see something else!  I screwed my eyes shut and felt his weight displace the warm water as he settled down across from me.

Ah my Goddess!  Naked in the fountain!  This isn’t happening!

My face was aflame with embarrassment.  Apparently I had absentmindedly balled up my fists when I closed my eyes.

Kiamo?  Are you okay?  What’s wrong?  Are you ill?

I shook my head no and again, the water sloshed this way and that as Sha-chan re-positioned himself so he was seated beside me.  Beside me!  I felt his thigh against mine.  Surely any moment now I would just erupt in flames.  But before that happened, he circled his arm around my shoulders and began to softly chant Gayatri Mantra.  That always soothed me and I remembered I am his wife, after all.  I nestled into the crook of his neck, let out a long slow sigh and began to purr softly.

I missed you Sha-chan.

And I you, Kiamo.

Is umm…  The water warm enough?

…blushing again…  Stop it, stop it!

It is perfect!  You’re blushing, my dear.  Still get embarrassed easily I see.  Is that what is the matter?

Nyaaa!  Sha-chan!

I sat up and cupped as much water as I could in my right hand and sent the wave at him.

Oh!  What’s this!  Aren’t you the one who needs to cool off those cheeks?

Chuckling heartily he picked up the sponge that had been submerged and wrung it out over my head.

Gaaahh, nya! I was trying to leave my hair dry this time Sha-chan!

Heh, oh I’m so sorry.

I pressed my hands across my face, sweeping up loose wet hair and tucking it behind my ears.

So um… hehe… how was your journey?

Magical!  Wonderful!  Oh I have so much to teach you Kiamo.

You had so much to teach me before, too…

This isn’t like adventuring, though, Kia.

Actually… I haven’t even been adventuring…

I couldn’t help but let a solemn look wipe the smile from my lips.

Heh, I see.  Not been keeping in shape have you?

Shagrath chuckled and playfully prodded my tummy with his finger.  I winced and slapped his hand away.

Shagrath…

Kia… I’m sorry I was just playing around.

I’m not fat.

You’re not, and if you were I would love you anyway.  No matter what, Kiamo, okay?

No…  Shagrath it’s…

I took hold of his hand and opened his palm and pressed it gently against my belly.

I had to stop adventuring, Shagrath…  Because… 

I bit my lip and met his gaze.  His eyes were full of concern and query.

Because I’m pregnant.














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