Chapter Twenty-Eight: Family Moments

Last time, Kaori has appeared before me. Why are you helping? I asked. Natasha, don't make the same mistake I did. Kaori replied. What mistake? I asked. She walks into her room that was chosen for her. Dad, what is Kaori's mistake? I asked. Let's go into your room. Jeremy replied. What does my dad mean? I thought. He sat down with me. Kaori was a *renegade. She joined the fight against a guy who was best friend. It conflicted her with fighting him. Then she realized he was inflicting pain upon humans, half-demons and demons alike. She had to stop him. Stopping him meant she had to fight him. Jeremy replied. Fighting him to lead to her killing him? I replied. Yes. I was his next target. He thought that would make her return. It only enraged her and it lead her to kill him. She used her forbidden magic to seal him away. His attacks and that spell drained her life force. She died crying. Jeremy replied. That's so sad. I replied. Dad, may I ask you a question? I asked. Go ahead. Jeremy replied. Do you blame yourself for dying? I asked. His eyes widened. Kaori walked into the room. Jeremy, why blame yourself? Kaoru replied. That is the fate of the Ira Shadow Dragon. Kaori replied. You are lucky. We are all fated to experience some kind of *misfortune. Kaori replied. What do you mean? Jeremy asked. You know exactly what I mean. Kaori replied. I see. Jeremy replied. He touched his left eye in my mirror. Dad, just what did you do? I asked. When you're old enough, I will tell you. Jeremy replied. Let's get off that dreadful topic. Jeremy replied. You are right. Kaori replied. What happened at school? Are you fitting in? Jeremy asked. With just my cousin Sam and her friend Mariah. I replied. I remember my days of hanging out with her rebellious mother, Dawn. When she was a baby, I remember. Rene replied. How? I asked. Simple, Sam and Mariah' s mom had them when they were sixteen. I remember babysitting Aaron and Sam on the regular. Rene replied. Are you serious? I asked. When your father and I were dating, I was still babysitting. Rene replied. Really, that must have sucked. I replied. Yes, but she was young and dumb. Our father still isn't s** t either. Rene replied. You never talk about grandpa. I replied. Natasha, you and aunts don't let your kids around him for good reasons. Rene replied. Let's get off not s**t grandfather. He makes my blood boil. Rene replied. Let's have some strawberry cheesecake. I replied. Cheese cake? Kaori asked. Stop being picky. It's not the cheese you're thinking about, it's different. Jeremy replied. What? I replied. She hates mozzarella cheese from Avarita. Jeremy replied. The taste is unique. I replied. She tried it and smiled. I told you. Jeremy replied. Are there more flavors? Kaori asked. Yes. I think you would like a PB& Chocolate cheesecake. Jeremy replied. My favorite is Caramel Apple Cheesecake. Rene replied. Mine is Red Velvet Cheesecake. I replied. I want to try them. Kaori replied. I'm not crazy about sweet stuff. The sweetest things I eat is this and ice cream. Jeremy replied. He used to eat anything chucked to the brim with sweets. Kaori replied. Until I realized how many cavities I have in my mouth. Jeremy replied. He does not like to pay to have his teeth checked. Rene replied. You know we should do that for her. Rene replied. I should. Jeremy replied. You don't have to, Jeremy. Kaori replied. Even though you may be the oldest. I'm the older one here. Jeremy replied. Wait what? Rene asked. Oh that's right, I never enjoyed bringing it up. Jeremy replied. That seems unreal. Rene replied. Kaori Higashiyama is my older sister. Jeremy replied. I don't look my age because I am cursed. The only way I can truly start aging is if my father gives *it back to me. Kaori replied. Don't tell me it's what I think? Jeremy asked.

Those are events that occur in Book Three.