The Red Hand

Chapter 86 – Akagi’s Birthday.

*POP**POP**POP*

"Happy Birthday Akagi!" (Everyone)

A large amount of streamers exploded as everyone congratulated Akagi on reaching her twenty first birthday, in fact today marked the first time ever that she'd celebrated it. Kana always tried to do something each year, but she was only really able to spend time with her older sister and not much else. Shima and Taichi never congratulated her or had a celebration, as they only birthday the cared about was her eighteenth, since that would be when they could legally kick her out. Funny enough, Akagi only knew her birthday because it was needed as part of her personal identification and if not for Kana, she probably would have missed it each year. Her parents attitudes always upset Kana, who tried to do something fun with her sister each year. Akagi never minded the lack of celebration and always told Kana that it didn't matter if no one cared. But she always appreciated the young girl's thoughtfulness, and spending time with her was always a source of comfort.

However, this year was different. Gathered outside, after the use of magic to warm the area, were over one hundred people. Each of them here to celebrate Akagi's birthday and congratulate her on not just another year, but also for surviving FWO. Everyone's faces showed a genuine happiness, and she could tell that each and every one them was happier with her around. She'd never imagined such a spectacle, as even in the game she'd never celebrated and it wasn't until recently that she understood that she was truly loved by these people. Seeing all this warmth and joy truly touched her heart, and reminded her once again that she truly had a place to belong.

"I really don't deserve all this." Akagi laughed. Her face showed a surprising amount of embarrassment. "But thank you. Really... I-I." As she tried to speak, tears came down her cheeks. It seemed the dulled emotions in her heart had burst to the surface. "Huh? What's this?" She tried to wipe away the tears. "That's funny. I thought I didn't give this body tear ducts." Her comment caused everyone to laugh. "It's not becoming of me to cry."

{Though I've done a lot more of that since FWO ended.} Akagi thought to herself.

"It's ok to cry, Onee-chan." Kana smiled. "We're all here for you. And you're wrong, there's nothing wrong with being happy. Holding it in isn't good and you've been doing that for your entire life, its ok to let it all out. After all, you're not alone anymore."

Akagi pulled her into a hug. "You really have to be the best little sister ever. You know that? Who else would put up with all my crap and still love me in the end?" Akagi squeezed her. "Thank you, truly. All of you. I guess I've turned into a bit of a crybaby since we got back, and I hope you can put up with that for a bit. It's just... nice to have people who care about me for once."

"And you're the best Onee-chan I could ever ask for." Kana smiled and hugged her back. "Now then, let's celebrate!" Kana pulled away, and the party began. At Akagi's urging, things were kept to a "reasonable" level, though things quickly got rowdy with music blasting and alcohol flowing like water. Akagi did not want gifts, and told everyone not to get her anything. Though Kana ignored this and gave her a homemade hairpin, which Akagi loved. However, Kana was not the only one to get a gift for her, and Yumi's gift is what truly broke Akagi.

"My Lord." Yumi walked up with a small wooden box in her hand. "Kana helped me pick this out. It's not much, but happy birthday." She handed it over. "I think you'll like it."

"Yumi, you didn't have to get me anything, you know that. Just being around me is the best gift you could ever give me." Akagi was embarrassed. "But thank you. I appreciate it."

"I know, open it. I think you'll like it." Yumi smiled.

{I bet she'll be surprised!} (Yumi)

Akagi slowly unwrapped the box and opened it. Inside was something that took her aback and she had to do a double take at first. In FWO there was a unique item, one that could only be obtained via a rare in-game event. That item was called "The Locket of Hearth and Home." It had no actual effect and did nothing, but was an extremely rare collector's item despite its mundane nature. Akagi had tried to find it, but could never get the quest to fire, and for whatever reason it was not tradeable in game. Akagi slowly lifted it out of the box and inspected it,  and for a moment she was rendered speechless. "Is this real?" She asked.

"Yup!" Yumi smiled. "And Look inside, it wouldn't be a locket without a picture."

Akagi slowly opened the locket. Inside was a small picture of Yumi placed within the center of the locket. Her hair was rolled up, and she was wearing a traditional Kimono. Yumi rarely dressed up so it was truly something special.

"Ta-dah!" Kana said. "One Yumi picture you can keep at your side at all times." She smiled.

"I hope it's to your liking my Lord. It took a few tries to get everything right, but I think it came out nicely." Yumi said.

Akagi just stood speechless, her mind racing as she looked at the photo. She was stunned by this gift, it was completely unexpected and before she knew it, she'd burst into tears. A reaction that neither Kana nor Yumi expected.

"I expected her to like it but-" Kana was shocked.

Before Yumi had a chance to say anything she was hugged tightly by Akagi, who threw her arms around her as she sobbed. "Thank you... Thank you so much." Akagi cried. "You have no idea how much this means to me."

"I knew you would like it, but I had no idea you would react like this!" Yumi smiled as she hugged her back. "I'm glad my feelings got through."

Mika walked over to Kana and asked a question. "Does that locket have some kind of meaning?"

Akagi answered. "The locket... the locket was said to bind the person whose picture is within it to the person to whom it's gifted, forever." Akagi was still crying. "To give it to someone means you truly wish to be with them. Even if you were to die, you would find your way back to me. And that you accept them, all of them, no matter what. It was just a silly little item in the game, but Yumi giving it to me just..." She couldn't finish.

"And its all true." Yumi teared up a bit. "I love you, all of you. It's why I asked Kana to help me find that. To show you just how much you mean to me."

"You already said you would stay with me for eternity, but this..... for some reason, this.... just hit me harder." Akagi smiled. "I'm not sure why, but it did."

Kana and Yumi had been scheming to figure out the perfect gift for Akagi's birthday for a while. After the events of Akagi's shadow and the declaration that Yumi was her [Bonded Soul], the priestess mentioned the locket as the perfect gift. Upon learning its meaning, Kana got excited and contacted Imp, who easily gave it over as she had no use for it. In the game, Akagi merely wanted it for the novelty since it was rare. But now with her accepting Yumi as her [Bonded Soul], the meaning of giving it would be much deeper. She expected Akagi to be happy, but not to this level.

{Onee-chan, you always said you liked to be alone, but you were actually starved for affection, weren't you? You always craved that one person who could accept all of you, even the dark side, and that's just what Yumi is. So I understand just why you're so happy.} Kana smiled internally as she saw her sister weep tears of joy.

"You truly are my [Bonded Soul], aren't you?" Akagi stroked her cheek. "Thank you, and please stay at my side. Now and forever, Yumi."

"There is nowhere else I'd rather be." Yumi's wiped away some tears and hugged Akagi back. Everyone else had gone silent, out of respect, and watched until the two separated. It was a touching moment, and that gift made Akagi certain that Yumi was truly the one she needed to be with. As she looked into the priestess's eyes, all her troubles seemed to melt away as the void within her heart filled just a little bit more. Kana was right, Akagi needed Yumi just as much as Yumi needed her.

{I don't have to be alone anymore, as long as I have her, nothing else matters.} Akagi thought to herself. {Thank you Yumi, for everything. For putting up with all that I am, for accepting me despite my faults and for loving me even if I can't love you back.}

Akagi lifted her up and spun her around. "Yumi! Ha-ha-ha! Yumi." Akagi rubbed her face against hers. "I think you've made me the happiest person in the world!" She placed her down and looked out at the rest of her family.

"I know I said to keep things to a reasonable level, but fuck it!" Akagi yelled. "Let's celebrate until we can celebrate no more!"

"Hurrah!" Everyone cheered.

From that point, the party went into overdrive as Akagi dipped into her stock of alcohol and busted out the best she had. Which naturally everyone loved and the drinking commenced in ernest. As Kana would later describe it, you could practically feel the happiness in the air around them. She and the girls couldn't drink, but that didn't stop them from joining in the fun. Some of the ninja brought out some games and all sorts of entertainment commenced ranging from creative juggling to insane feats of magic.

As the night went on, Akagi brought up the idea of dancing, since around half the people present  could play instruments. After some discussion, it was decided that there would be a slow dance and people began to partner up. Seeing that both Akagi and Yumi knew how to dance, the two took center stage and enjoyed themselves. They'd only danced together once before at an Imperial Noble's party, but they were perfectly in sync. Kana was surprised by how well her sister could dance, as she'd never done so at home. When she asked her afterward, she told her that she'd learned from some Imperial nobles as part of her training in etiquette and social activity. While Yumi said she was taught as a young girl for her priestess duties. Since Hishya was also here, Akagi pushed her and Kana into a dance, which the two stumbled through. Neither could dance to save their lives, but they had fun anyway.

Mika was taken by her two girlfriends and spun between them. While Naomi was captured by Chloe and forced to dance with the cat, who was quite bad at it.

The festivities continued a bit longer than expected and things continued well into the night, the jovial atmosphere seemed to energize everyone and it took a long time until exhaustion settled it. Eventually, things winded down, and Akagi advised people to rest. Luckily with a bit of magic, the aftermath of the alcohol could be avoided, but she wanted to ensure people got proper sleep. Though she proclaimed that all work was canceled for the next day, as to allow for rest and relaxation. While most people could handle their drink quite well, the sheer quantity and quality of Akagi's stock knocked out quite a few people and there was some minor pranking of the sleeping people with some marker. Once everything was cleaned up and the sleeping people were moved to beds, Akagi, Yumi, Kana, Hishya, Naomi, and Mika went into the house to talk for a bit. They'd be sleeping over, so it didn't matter how late they stayed.

Yumi's tolerance for alcohol was quite poor and she found herself sleeping on Akagi's lap, even after having it removed from her system with magic.

"I'm glad to see you and Yumi finally get together." Mika smiled. "I always knew you would."

"Yeah, and here I thought you said you couldn't be with someone." Naomi teased. "But looking at the cute sight on display, I see that was wrong."

"No, it was not wrong Naomi. Despite what you might think I cannot feel mortal love and thus I am not with Yumi as you are using that term." Akagi shook her head as she stroked Yumi's hair. "Yumi is not my girlfriend, nor is she, my wife or my lover, and she never will be. That is simply not the kind of relationship we have."

"???" Naomi, Hishya, and Mika tilted their head. "What do you mean?" They asked.

"You're clearly going out," Naomi said. "Why else would you be acting like that?" She said pointing at the sleeping Yumi. "You sure look like lovers to me. You even picked her up and spun her around earlier."

"Yeah, don't try to deny it." Mika chuckled. "There's no need to get all shy around us."

Akagi sighed. "It's going to be hard to keep people from misunderstanding this, isn't it." She looked over at Kana for help.

"Yeah, it's kinda hard for us to understand, Onee-chan. Even I only partially get it and I was there for the whole explanation." Kana agreed.

"What do you mean, Kana?" Naomi looked at her.

"Onee-chan does not love Yumi," Kana said. "Hence why she said she's not her girlfriend, wife, or lover."

"Ehh?" Mika squeaked. "She doesn't love her? What?!? How does that even work?"

"Is this some kind of Demon thing I'm too human to understand?" Hishya asked with a sigh.

"Funny statement coming from a Dragon, but yes, you are correct in concept. As mortals, you cannot understand what my relationship to Yumi is, since it logically makes no sense to you." Akagi sighed. "Your minds will forever look at things through the lens of love. Whether it be romantic, platonic or sexual, love and all its forms and meanings is the only way you can understand relationships. That's just how you're built."

"M-mortals?" Mika stammered, hearing that term just thrown out.

"My kind does not have a concept of love, romance, or sexual attraction," Akagi stressed those words. "They do not exist for me, and as a result, the idea of loving Yumi the way you would boyfriend or girlfriend is not possible. It's not that I do not want to feel love for Yumi. It's that I am incapable of doing so, even with conscious effort. I told her that when I asked her to stay with me, that no matter how much she loved me, I am incapable of returning it. Now, because I was raised human for so long. I have some quirks in my mindset, such as my preference for women, or my sisterly bond with Kana, but those are anomalies. Ordinarily, my kind does not differentiate between the sexes. However, despite these abnormalities, I still cannot feel mortal love, that emotion or process is simply impossible for me, and it explains why I always struggled with those emotions in the past. Though, in my opinion, the bond between Yumi and I is much deeper than anything two mortals can experience. So while I do not love her, she is the single most important thing in my life and I'd do anything for her. She simply means that much to me." Akagi smiled as she put a blanket on Yumi. "Love is not the be all end all of things."

"That's interesting." Hishya tilted her head. "You say you lack the capacity for love, but then why are you acting like that?” She pointed at Akagi petting Yumi's head. "And your face tells me your enjoying yourself. Are you certain you aren't feeling love when you're happily petting her head as she lays on your lap? I mean, as you said, love can take all sorts of forms. So perhaps what your describing is simply another form of love unique to your species?" It was a good point.

"It's hard to explain, but I am certain that our relationship bears no connection to mortal concepts of love. Sadly, I don't think I can explain it. In fact, Yumi herself probably doesn't really understand it, because even though she's bonded to me, she is still a mortal. Though she probably understands a bit more of what our connection is. Sorry I can't explain it better, but I simply lack the words to articulate it to you." Akagi sighed.

"And to answer your point about my skinship with Yumi. Lacking the ability to love does not mean I cannot enjoy having Yumi here with me, does it? Touching her and having her close feels good to me and I know she feels the same way. Since we both enjoy, non sexual, skin-to-skin contact and snuggling is our favorite activity. For whatever reason, my kind very much enjoys physical contact with our [Bonded Soul]. I'm not entirely sure why, but I suspect it's because I want to be as close as physically possible with her." Akagi chuckled. "I actually very much enjoy having her cuddle with my real body, that feels very good."

"I guess...." Naomi was still having a hard time understanding it. "The idea of a relationship with no love like that is, really hard to understand."

"Just don't think about it too much. It's not worth the headache." Akagi smiled. "She's important to me and that's all you need to know."

"That term, bonded soul. What does it mean?" Mika asked. "You've called her that a bunch, can you explain it a bit."

"A bonded soul is simply the term my kind use to define our connected partner. My kind do not mate or take partners as mortals do. Instead, we look for a soul to spend eternity with. Not out of romantic or sexual attraction, but because we feel that the other completes us and provides that which we are missing. Take the idea of soul mates and multiply it by eleven." Akagi looked down at the sleeping girl. "In my eyes, now that Yumi has accepted me she has become an integral part of me. Not in a literal way mind you, as while our souls are connected, were are still distinct and separate beings. However, my perspective is that we are one, for lack of a better description. The information I received is incomplete, but from what I can tell, once my kind bond with someone, that bond is intended to be permanent. And, while Yumi and I are technically considered equals under the bond, my power and status gives me a senior role in the partnership. This means that I view her as someone I can no longer live without and that I will protect her, no matter what. And should anything happen to her...." Akagi's face grew dark, and her left eye began to glow as the room turned cold.

"Well, let's just hope for the sake of the world that no one ever harms her." Akagi looked up and laughed, completely doing a 180 from her attitude just a moment prior.

{EEEP!} (Mika, Naomi, Kana, and Hishya.)

The four of them understood that if anything happened to Yumi, the world would probably end.