Two More
Original



Kaelin finally blew out the breath he had been holding. How long had his lungs been starved of air? He couldn’t remember... He was deathly worried of the outcome between himself and Yami… How would Yami react? What would he say? What wouldn’t he say? Each of the monks’ hands reached comfortingly around two young children. Both had brilliant silver hair and bright golden eyes, with the palest of porcelain skin.

They stood close, the younger trembling slightly under her older sisters’ arm. The younger one looked longingly up at her sister who was staring intently at the other man, the crimson eyed one…the one that the little girl couldn’t tell if he was upset or pleased. His face was so blank…so devoid of any emotion. It scared the girl… He reminded her so much of her big sister… Always quiet, always emotionless, never smiling, never assuring her with a squeeze of a hand, or a hug of comfort, always there, but at the same time so far away…

Yami frowned deeper, staring at the two sisters then up to his husband who smiled uneasily at him.

“This is Trinity,” the blond said addressing the older girl, “and—“

“Kaelin.” The half demon interrupted quietly, coldly. He held the Elves gaze firmly. “What do you think you’re doing?”

“Yami… you know the children are growing up. The triplets are in the academy now, there’s no reason why—“

“No.”

“But—“

“I said no.”

“Yami, will you just listen?” The blond yelled uncharacteristically, his voice shaky with the effort. Yami jerked back slightly in surprise, then frowning deeper he eyed the blond intently. The monk took another deep breath, absently stroking at Christine’s hair, she had begun trembling more violently at the exchange of harsh words. “They lost their family in the last war… They—“

“And so has dozens of other children, Kaelin.” Yami interrupted harshly, having recovered from the initial shock of hearing Kaelin’s raised voice. The half demon turned his back on the three immobile figures staring out the window. It was raining, hard. It wept down the tall arched windows like waterfalls and left the gazing mans searching eyes lost within its tireless gray churning. “Do you expect us to adopt every single motherless and fatherless child?”

“You’re being cruel.” Kaelin whispered softly, fighting back his tears.

“What do you expect of me?” The other replied after a moment, unfolding his arms. He traced his reflection in the window with one finger, his eyes following the movement. The rain clattered nosily against the window, the sound causing the window to vibrate. Yami felt the movement and couldn’t help but relate it to that of a heartbeat… a deathly cold faint heartbeat. He flinched back, pulling his hand away and pressing it to his own chest. The warmth of his body comforted him little; his sickeningly steady heart beat rhythmically against his hand—only emphasizing his harsh existence. 

“Their town was burned to the ground.” Kaelin continued softly. “Only a handful survived, and none of them claimed to be relatives to Trinity and Christine. They’ve been handed to orphanage after orphanage ever since...”

“Why?” Yami questioned tonelessly, turning to look at the monk.

“They’re…different.” The blond replied after a moment, brushing the bangs from Trinity’s face. The girl gave him a blank, vacant stare before turning her gaze back to the Prince of Aurora. Yami stared back evenly, his eyes narrowing.

“I see.” The Prince replied after a moment.

“Trinity is gifted with, what I’ve come to realize, psychic abilities. She can read minds; move things with her will…summon things with barely a thought…” The monk smiled somewhat uneasily. “I hoped we could help her find her gift and help her control it. Well… I hoped mostly you could help them.” The Elf smiled down at the two girls. Christine lifted her golden gaze to the monk and offered a smile as to which Kaelin smiled warmly back. “Christine sees things no one else does… I’ve heard her talk in riddles; speak words far too wise for a little girl like her… I think she has the gift of Prophecy.”

“Why is she afraid of me?” Yami asked.

“Scared for.” The girl piped up in her tiny voice. Yami gave her a look of surprise, then turned his perturbed gaze back to the Elf.

“Why?” The half demon asked.

“I don’t know…” Kaelin answered faintly. “Why are you afraid for Yami, dear?” The little girl seemed to think for a moment, her features strained then reached up, pulling on the front of Kaelins robes. The monk knelt down and the little girl whispered into his ear softly,

“That one dies of a broken heart.” She whispered.

Kaelin stared for a long moment, “You must be mistaken.” The girl shook her head fervently. Kaelin forced a strained laugh, and then stood, shaking his head.

“What did she say?” Yami questioned curiously.

“… I don’t know. It was gibberish.” Kaelin said, chuckling forcefully still and shrugging. Yami stared. “…Maybe it’ll make sense later.” The healer offered.

“What are they? They have a strange aura.” Yami said, stepping forward. Christine gulped, grabbing onto the monks robes and huddling behind him. Yami frowned, then hiking up his robes he crouched down, tilting his head. “There is nothing to be afraid of, little one. I won’t hurt you.”

“His intentions are forced, but kind.” Trinity said, her voice emotionless, like a tape that could be rewound and played back over and over. The older sister turned to Christine, her gaze far away. “Be at ease, sister.”

Yami pursed his lips, eyeing the two and their strange exchange. His gaze lifted up to the monk whose brow was furrowed in thought. “How old did you say they were?” Yami said, tilting his head at the girls.

“Oh, Trinity is twelve. Christine is nine.” Kaelin said absently, he tapped at his chin, then placing his hands gently on each of the girls soft downy hair he said, “Please, girls, be at home. Everyone here is like family…” He paused, “Would you like to see your room?” He glanced slyly at Yami, who didn’t protest, only stared curiously at the girls.

The girls looked at each other, the older soberly, the younger hopeful.

“Perhaps, Christine.” Trinity whispered softly, reading her sisters’ hopeful mind. The little girl pulled at Kaelins hand, her smile wide.

Yami continued to stare from his crouched position. These two really were… odd. The man stood. “Where are you putting them?” He asked.

“Putting? They’re not objects, darling. They’re you’re new daughters.” Kaelin said, smiling dashingly at his husband then taking the girls hands. “Come, dears, I’ll take you to your room.”

Yami watched them go, running his fingers through his long silky hair. Trinity glanced back at him, her eyes narrowed. Yami frowned in response.

The three disappeared down the hall…

It was then that Yami remembered why it was he hated children.

/Imprudent brats./ He thought, turning back to the window and gazing fruitlessly out its drenched glass.

[Ramirez]



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