Night of Fate by Kinomi (books to read this summer .txt) 📕

looked at the rose again before taking it in with me.
I made a jar that had small holes in it then filled the bottom with snow. I got rid of the top half of the jar so I could put the flower in it.
As soon as I put the flower in the snow, it crystallized into a beautiful rose.
I lie in my bed while holding the note and fell asleep.

When I woke up, it was sunrise.
I stood up and looked at the rose, still beautiful.
I went to the valley to wait for Shing.
When I got there, he was already waiting for me.
He stood up and smiled. “Good morning, Mikazuki,” he said bowing.
I smiled and went over to him to hug him. “Good morning!” I said laughing.
“You slept well?”
“Oh, indeed! I loved the rose!” I said smiling.
“Thank you,” he said. He let go of me and fumbled around in his pockets as if looking for something.
“Mikazuki,” he started as he kept looking. “I have…a question,” he said checking his back pockets.
I smiled. “Sure, what is it?”
He stopped fumbling around as if he had found it and smiled. “Do you like diamond rings?”
I was confused until he took my hand and slipped it on my ring finger.
“Take it or leave it?” he asked smiling.
I stared at my finger, then it clicked and tears flowed. “I’m gonna keep it!” I said hugging him again.
His lips hit mine like a feather. “Great,” he said. “Are you going to tell Kein?” he asked.
I smiled. “Are we gonna tell Kein?” I corrected.
He smiled. “Yes,” he said picking me up to where my feet were just barely off the ground and gently spun me around once.
“Well, what are we waiting for?” I asked after he put me down. “Wait…I’ll go get him and bring him to the valley, along with my other Great Spirits.”
Shing nodded. “I’ll be waiting.”
I left the valley and got all of my Great Spirits and brought them to the valley.
When we were all there, I stood by Shing.
“I have news,” I started.
Kein looked down. He asked her already?
“Shing is now our guardian,” I said waiting for a response.
They were silent for all of three seconds then they cheered.
“Prepare, our celebration’s tomorrow,” I said smiling. The beginning of eternity starts here.
“Yes, my lady!” they all said bowing.
“Tell the villagers as well,” I said before they all left to prepare.
When everyone had left, it was just me, Shing, and Kein.
Kein smiled before turning around. “May you both live forever in happiness,” he said leaving.
I looked at Shing and smiled. “A celebration that was worth waiting for,” I said smiling.
Shing nodded. “I can’t wait.”


Chapter three: New life


“Ryuu, Hana, come on in and wash up for lunch!” I called.
“Yes mama!” Ryuu said taking his sister’s hand leading her to me.
Hana laughed as she tried to keep up.
Shing came up behind me and put his arms around me. “Can you believe it’s already been twenty-five years?” he asked as he put his head on my shoulder.
I smiled. “I don’t regret that day even for a second,” I said putting my hands on his.
Ryuu and Hana came up to the porch and hugged my legs.
“When will Uncle Kein be coming by next?” Hana asked looking up to me.
I picked her up. “He’s on his way now,” I said kissing her forehead.
Shing picked up five-year-old Ryuu up. “How’s my little man?” he asked ruffling Ryuu’s short crimson-red hair.
Ryuu laughed. “Dad,” he started. “I wanna be big like you when I grow up!” he said hugging Shing’s neck.
Shing smiled then looked at me.
I looked at him smiling. I couldn’t ask for anything better. I thought looking back to Hana.
“Mama, look at this,” Hana said gently urging me to put her down.
I put her down and watched her.
“Brother, come here, let’s show them!” Hana said looking at Ryuu.
Ryuu nodded and had Shing let him down.
Ryuu ran over to his sister then smiled. “Ready Hana?” he asked.
Hana nodded. “I am just as soon as you are!”
I watched my twin children took each other’s hands.
Shing took my hand and smiled. Don’t tell me they already figured something out. He thought looking at me.
A soft wind picked up as they looked at each other with a smile.
“Split!” Ryuu said letting go and vanishing.
Hana vanished as well after a brief pause.
They both appeared to where they were holding hands again.
Hana pointed up and little flower peddles fluttered down as Ryuu made dragonflies flutter around with the flower peddles.
I smiled. “That was beautiful!”
“Fantastic job, kids!” Shing complemented as he went over to pick them up.
I watched and thought to myself. He looks…young enough to be their brother. I thought watching Shing’s every move. Yet he’s over five thousand years old….
Shing looked at my thoughtful face.
Before anything could be said I threw a knife to the side after hearing a shuffle.
Shing instantly went to his protective mode.
“Ow!” I heard Kein’s voice. “I try to surprise the kids and instead I get a knife thrown at me! I thought you knew I was here!” He said coming out of the bushes. He pulled the knife out of his arm then quickly healed his self. “Look! You made a hole!” he complained.
I sighed. I really am getting lax. I need to do what I used to do and be on alert at all times. I thought scolding myself.
Shing looked at me. “No, it’s both of us, Mika. You shouldn’t blame yourself,” he said letting the kids down so they could visit Kein.
Shing had started to call me Mika after we got married.
I put my hand on my stomach which had started hurting this morning. I looked at Kein. “Can you watch them for a while? The food is inside on the table when you’re hungry,” I said.
Kein nodded. “Sure,” he smiled.
“Let’s go somewhere else and talk,” I said taking Shing’s hand.
We went to the valley where we had first met; it had become a place that we went when we wanted to get away.
Shing sat down after me. “What is it? You seem kinda pale,” he said.
“It’s nothing,” I reassured him as I leaned on his shoulder.
He put his arm around me. “You know, I could be really mean right now,” he said smiling.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
He put his hand on my stomach. “You’re starting to get a stomach again,” he said.
“Oh for the love of stars, please tell me this isn’t happening again!” I exclaimed thinking about it.
Shing smiled. “Poor you,” he said with a face of fake sympathy.
“Shing!” I growled.
“Yep, it’s definitely true! You’re getting moody again!” he laughed.
I looked at the sky with a sarcastically pained look. “Oh, why another?!” I groaned standing up.
Shing stood up and put his arms around me. “I hope it’s a boy, so Ryuu will have someone to wrestle with…or maybe a girl so that Hana can dress up,” he said smiling. “I don’t mind either way.”
“Sure, you’re not the one that has to go through all the cravings and morning sickness,” I complained.
Shing smiled. “It’s worth it though, isn’t it?” he asked putting his forehead to mine.
I let a smile come to my face. “I guess. How long did you know?”
“You mean how long you have not been paying attention?” he asked. “About two weeks,” he said.
I rolled my eyes. “Oh, joy. Something to look forward to other than cleaning up more messes than I already am,” I said smiling.
“You’re a great mother though,” he said. He had a face that wanted to tease me. “Eight and a half more excruciating months,” he said.
I slapped the back of his head. “Shut-up,” I said.
He laughed. “No doubt about it,” he said picking me up, making me taller than him.
I kissed his forehead. “We’d better head back, I don’t want Kein to have to deal with the kids too awfully long,” I said smiling.
Shing let me down and we walked back to our house.
Kein and the kids were sitting at the table eating when we walked in.
“Welcome back,” Kein said smiling.
“Glad to be back,” Shing said stretching his arms.
Kein looked at me. “Shing looks like he could run around the world and still be ready to do something…you look like the target after target practice,” Kein stated.
I glared at him.
Shing laughed. “Go get some rest, you’ll feel better,” Shing whispered into my ear.
I mumbled under my breath and reluctantly went to the other room to lie down.
Kein looked at Shing. “What’s got her in such a bad mood?” I heard him say.
In my mind I saw Shing acting like he was cradling a baby.
“You mean to say—again?” Kein asked.
“Shut-up!” I yelled. “I can’t sleep with Kein’s blabbering thoughts!” I yelled at Shing.
I heard Shing laugh.
“Yes mother,” he said bursting out in laughter.
I grumbled then lay down on the bed. I looked at the diamond ring on my finger and smiled. I don’t regret it though.
Neither do I. Shing thought. “Could you watch them a little longer? She’s not feeling well, I’ll care for her.”
“Sure,” Kein replied half laughing.
I heard Shing’s footsteps stop outside our bedroom door. “May I come in?” he asked politely.
I smiled and sat up. “Sure.”
Shing came in and sat on the bed beside me. “Are you okay with it?” he asked.
I looked away. “I don’t really want to have another child yet, but I guess the results are worth it,” I said looking back with a smile.
He smiled then put his legs behind me and lay down. “To have a mother that’s eternally sixteen,” he said smiling. “A father that’s eternally nineteen…those kids are lucky, but I can’t imagine if you went up to a human and said, ‘I’m a grandparent’ in forty years,” he said looking up.
I chuckled. “Yeah,” I said turning to where one leg was on the bed and the other was off.
I moved to the very end of the bed and sat at Shing’s feet. I looked at his simple leather shoes as I ran my hand over the side of it.
We were silent for a long time, both lost in thought.
I silently crawled up beside him to lie down on my side.
He looked at me and turned onto his side. His gently put his hand on my head and took some of my silver hair in his hand. “Thank you,” he said putting it closer to his face and closing his eyes.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
He smiled. “For everything…,” he said opening his eyes and sitting up.
I watched him as he walked to the door. “Get some rest, Mika.”
I smiled. “Okay,” I said after he left.
Later that evening I got up to fix dinner.
When dinner was done and the family was sitting around the table all went quiet.
I looked at the kids who were eating with very proper posture and great manners.
Shing was doing the same, sitting proper and eating with great manners.
I laughed.
They all looked at me.
“What is it mama?” Hana asked.
Shing just waited, trying not to laugh with me.
“We’ve gotten so tight. Let’s have fun tomorrow!” I suggested. “No chores, no lessons, just fun!” I said looking at the kids.
Shing smiled. “We could put their skills