"Wars of Light and Darkness"
By: Jade Lightning, a.k.a. Inuyashas-hanyougirl

"The 1st Interlude"

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Verse 19: "The Hope Among the Doom"

   In the middle of the night, desperate cries rippled throughout the village on Spirit Island.  They were so riddled with pain and agony that they could be heard by the bats in their own village.  They knew what this meant without even needing to be there.  Lily had left them and traveled to the echidna village so she could be there when it happened.

   Deannalee's baby was coming that night.

   When Lily arrived there were echidnas wandering around the village, crowded together in small groups, buzzing with anticipation.  Deannalee's father, Renaldo, waited outside her home.  Casselina, Teikaru, and the village doctor were inside the home with her, helping her through each agonizing cry as her baby came closer to being born.

   She looked for Kashkie.  She knew what Deannalee had done to him and could only imagine the great weight bearing down on his heart right now.

   Despite knowing the child wasn't his, Kashkie was still plagued with torment.  He and Teikaru had barely spoken a word over those past months.  He just hoped that seeing his son, and being able to know that he was the father, would ease some of the tensions between them.

   But it was perhaps just a fool's hope, and nothing more.

   Lily had recently married, and was one of the leaders in her village, so the echidnas would bow their heads in greeting as she passed.  She found Kashkie near the edge of the village.  He leaned back against the tree, looking up at the moon and stars.

   A smile flirted with her lips, albeit a sad one.  She had grown closer to Kashkie, the two of them forging a strong friendship.  She wasn't exactly wild about how Deannalee had used him, and blamed her for all that had happened, not Kashkie.  She was better friends with Kashkie now than she was with Deannalee, slightly upset with her for hurting both Kashkie and Teikaru.

   She came up behind him, placing her hand on the tree.  "Hey there stranger," she said.

   "Huh?" Kashkie looked back, smiling immediately when he saw her there.  "Lily, it's good to see you!  …heh, I might as well been a stranger.  I haven't seen you in awhile."

   Lily grinned, her wings flapping gently.  Pulling her hair back she replied, "And I don't live that far away either…for shame."  She giggled, leaning against the tree, folding her wings carefully.  "So what have you been up to?  Too busy kissing Deannalee's ass to come see me?" She rolled her eyes.

   Kashkie's smile weakened a little.  Lily and Deannalee were always so close, but when Deannalee revealed her doings with Kashkie and Teikaru and how she was treating them, it had soured Lily's opinion of her friend.  The bats didn't follow the same customs; they loved one person and one person alone.  Lily now had her own husband, and couldn't stand the thought of Deannalee using Kashkie like she did, hurting both him and Teikaru.

   For this reason she had distanced herself from Deannalee, while growing closer to Kashkie.  She had tried to help Teikaru too, but so far only Kashkie had accepted her kindness. For this reason, they had gotten closer, maybe even closer than Kashkie was to anyone, except Shadow.  He felt comfortable telling her anything, and he knew one day perhaps she would be the first one he could come to with the truth of what was going to happen to the echidnas here.

   He hoped this meant he could save Lily and her people.  But that was for another day.  He knew she didn't come here to see Deannalee and her new baby just for the sake of seeing them.  She came so she could support Kashkie, not privy to the knowledge that the child was without a doubt, Teikaru's baby.

   It was enough to make Kashkie smile, even through the weariness.

   A playful grin curled his lips.  "Kissing her ass or smacking it, either one." He smirked.

   Lily glanced at him, blinking.  A wry smile forced its way onto her face, causing her to burst out into laughter.  "Oh Kashkie, you're terrible!"

   "Just turning a negative into a positive," he said with a chuckle.  "It's how I make it through the days."

   Regaining her composure, Lily sighed, shaking her head.  "Kashkie, you know if that child comes out and she thinks it's Teikaru's she'll go right back to you like she did before.  You just…you can't let her do it.  It's not fair. …why don't you just come and stay in my village?"

   Living with the bats; the idea was discussed before, but would never work.

   "Lily, you know I can't do that," he said with a sigh, "If Deannalee hates me enough to banish me she'll come and do it.  The last thing I want is to cause a civil war."  He paused, grinning weakly, "Besides, I can handle it, really."

   The cornflower bat shook her head, stepping closer to him, almost toe to toe.  "Kashkie, one of these days you must tell me why you're putting yourself through this.  What is so important about these echidnas, Deannalee…this island, that it's worth suffering through Deannalee forcing herself on you?  None of this fair, to you or to Teikaru, or to this child or any that she has later.  It's just…is this really such a big deal, whatever you're here for?"

   The yellow echidna looked into Lily's eyes, a vibrant green shade, sparkling under the low light.  He blinked slowly, swallowing a bit.  "Lily, you know, I will tell you.  …you and your people aren't as emotionally attached to the story as the echidnas are.  It has to do with their history, and…"  He paused, lowering his eyes, "I am certain they will hate me for it, and cast me out.  That is why I must keep silent for awhile longer."  He looked back at her, smiling some.  "I will tell you, because I want to save you and your people, and as many as I can.  Don't worry.  When the time is right, I will tell you."

   Lily was silent for a moment, thinking over what he had said.  She nodded slowly, gazing at him still.  She smiled, shaking her head, stroking his brow gently.  "I trust you Kashkie.  You are…such a good, kind-hearted soul.  …I am only sorry that I teased you when we first met, asking Deannalee if you were her boyfriend.  I feel just horrid remembering that now.  I only pray you've forgiven my silliness.  …I am, so happy that we are friends."

   Kashkie tilted his head some.  With a smile he replied, "Of course I've forgiven you."  He laughed, and then continued, "I'm sure she already had her heart set on me before you got the chance to say that.  …no, not her heart, for she loves Teikaru.  Me, I don't know what she feels for me, if anything at all.  She says she loves me but…" He glanced at the hut, the cries coming from it getting louder and more desperate.

   Lily's eyes were drawn to the hut too, where she looked in silence for a few moments.  She shook her head after a long pause, sighing but looking to the yellow echidna with a smile.  "You know, somewhere inside she probably does love you, only now, she can't decide who she loves more," she said slowly, "…she needs to make up her mind, or else it won't be just the two of you that are being hurt by it."

   Just as the words were entering Kashkie's head, more cries rang out in the air, barely giving him time to think them over.  These cries were the loudest and sharpest yet, but as they reached their climax, a new set of them rose up, joining them in chorus.  These cries were much smaller, but no less full of life.  This is what everyone waited on baited breath to hear for these slow, dragging hours.

   The first child of Guardian Queen Deannalee Rodnara was now born.

   Lily, who didn't know that the child was Teikaru's, gave Kashkie a nervous glance, immediately erasing it with an encouraging grin.  "Don't worry Kashkie…even if it's yours you'll be okay, and…," she paused mid-sentence, kissing him gently on the cheek, "I'm always here for you."

   Feeling a wave of tingles roll through him, Kashkie's eyes met hers, blinking slowly.  Under the pale moonlight, he could see no blushing on her cheeks, but rather a friendly smile, slowly working into a grin. That wasn't a kiss out of love or desire, but rather a friendly one, offering hope and encouragement.  He didn't feel dread or the usual pang of worry that came when Deannalee planted her lips on his.  He felt a surge of confidence; he felt the warmth and security of a friend.

   He felt a smile creep to his lips, giving her a nod.  "I know Lily, thank you.  …Your friendship means a lot to me."

   Lily grinned more, and then her ears twitched.  Her eyes were drawn to the nearby hut, as were Kashkie's, just in time to see Casselina step out of it.  The look on her face was one that appeared that she had to struggle just to maintain; feigned joy trying to blot out sheer disappointment.  Still, it must have fooled all of the others, because their chatter was immediately silenced, looking to their former Guardian Queen with anxious eyes.

   Casselina stopped, sorting herself, everything from fixing her hair to smoothing out her dress, doing anything to appear busy as to show how calm and collected she truly was.  She looked up, as though not at all amused or interested in the events that all but consumed the rest of the village with anxiety, as if it was nothing important at all.  After holding her silence for what must have been an amount of time well measured and adhered to so much that it was tradition, she opened her mouth, speaking carefully.  Her words were loud but also laced with fatigue; as if the lack of sleep was not worth the reward she had sacrificed for in exchange.

   "Your Guardian, Queen Deannalee, has just delivered a baby boy, the Prince, Baralai Rodnara.  Both mother and child are doing well and are very grateful for the well wishes, love, and gifts.  On their behalf, and mine, thank you," she said, slowly and smoothly, as if reciting a speech she wrote months in advanced, almost anticipating the let down.  A prince, not a princess; in this society it meant there was a lot less to celebrate.

   Still, the villagers didn't seem nearly as off put as Casselina was.  They clamored about, exclaiming and cheering, celebrating the birth of Deannalee's first child.  Even if she did not have a daughter, having an heir at all was of the utmost importance.  The royal bloodline would continue.  Many of the echidnas began preparing breakfast, despite the moon still being high in the sky, the dawn several hours away.  Others began to plan dinner for the following night, celebrating Prince Baralai's birth.  Some of the women scurried back to their huts to finish blankets and other gifts for the prince, while some of the hunters and fisherman began to organize a hunt so there would be plenty of food for the feast.  Men appreciated the births of boys a little bit more than the women, since they were the ones at odds here.  It was a silent party they threw amongst themselves, the only cheering they did showing up in their sparkling eyes and noticeably bigger grins.

   This flurry of activity whirled about, and Casselina only yawned, largely unbothered.  She glanced at Renaldo, who was being congratulated by some of the villagers. With a shake of her head, she groaned.  "Come Renaldo, I am exhausted."

   Lily saw this and smirked, mocking the old queen.  "Come, I'm exhausted, come," she murmured in a voice that sounded like the twittering of birds.  She snickered, shaking her head. "Oh poor woman…you'd think she was the one in labor."

   Holding in a chuckle was very difficult for Kashkie, especially since he had shared the same thought.  His grin twisted very tightly, and noticeably so, for it caught Casselina's attention when she looked in their direction.  He took a deep breath, trying to rid himself of the grin as she approached, though he was failing miserably.  Small chuckles escaped him as he nudged Lily, murmuring, "Now you've done it."

   The cornflower bat only grinned in response, looking as Casselina approached.  The echidna looked at Lily first, nodding her head slowly, as if she had to double check to make sure she was actually doing it.  "Lily…it's wonderful to see you here.  I'm sure Deannalee will be glad to see you."

   "Oh Deannalee?  I came to visit Kashkie but…suppose I can see her too," Lily replied, very coolly, with an air of superiority.  "Wonderful to see you too my lady."

   Casselina raised an eyebrow.  "Yes…Kashkie." She glanced at the echidna, studying him, almost like she was trying to find any fault she could, any reason to punish him for the problems she felt he had caused.  Wrinkles appeared in her forehead, her nose wrinkling in displeasure.  Finally, a deep sigh escaped her, and her piercing gaze was averted as she brought a hand to her head.  "Indeed, I hope you enjoy your visit then."

   Kashkie glanced at Lily, then back at Casselina.  A soft chuckle escaped him, one that attempted to alleviate the heavy tension in the air, thick and angry about them like a storm.  "I'm sure Lily was only joking my lady.  …After all who wouldn't want to see Deannalee and Teikaru's new baby?"

   Both women looked at Kashkie when he said this.  Both for similar reasons.  Lily blinked slowly, as if confused by his certainty.  Moments ago he was worried the child might be his, and now he wasn't.  She tilted her head, thinking about it, drawing the conclusion that perhaps Casselina's relative calmness was signal enough.  Had the child come out looking anything like Kashkie they wouldn't be standing here, not together, not this peacefully, despite the tension.

   Casselina was confused as well, but only for a moment.  She had seen Baralai.  She knew he was Teikaru's son; the gray and blue fur couldn't have come from Deannalee or Kashkie.  However, only she, the doctor, and the baby's parents had seen him; anyone else who had not heard of Deannalee's doings with Kashkie wouldn't have reason to expect any differently, but Kashkie knew, and apparently already had enough confidence to know this was not his son.

   However, unlike Lily who had no problem mocking the old queen, Casselina knew it wasn't just bravado or over-confidence that caused him to say what he did, nor was it Kashkie simply going along with everyone around him.  Deannalee spoke countless times of Kashkie's power, power that Casselina herself could sense from the moment he arrived.  She knew this was another example of his power, and it was beginning to annoy her.  Strong and powerful men were okay, but too much power for any male was not, even a royal one, and with the birth of Baralai, Casselina knew her daughter would only continue to try to have a child with this outsider.  If that child turned out a girl then there would be no problem.  However, if Kashkie had a son with Deannalee, that could throw everything out of balance.

   Casselina's resentment towards Kashkie began to grow.  However, since she was no longer the Guardian, she could not simply banish Kashkie, not to mention his friendship with Lily and the bats guaranteed he'd always have a safe haven on Spirit Island.  It began to turn her heart black with hatred.

   She swallowed hard to force down the lump in her throat, her confused look melding in to one of annoyance and loathing.  "Indeed," she breathed, after a long, deep breath, as if it were a pain simply to have to speak to him.  She glanced up, noticing Renaldo finally coming to join her.  With only a few moments, she moved in close, hissing in Kashkie's ear.  "Don't think I don't know how relieved you must be, for I am ten times as much.  The last thing we need is another powerful male like you around here.  Deannalee may be Guardian Queen now, but she's little more than a foolish, stupid girl.  She is Teikaru's wife, and I swear if you fool around with her any more you will live to regret it.  Do you understand me?"

   Kashkie blinked slowly, swallowing a little to calm his nerves.  Teikaru's wife…that was strange to hear.  Around here usually it was the men who were referred to as a woman's husband.  Casselina had called Deannalee Teikaru's wife as if trying to say Teikaru owned Deannalee's very existence, and that she was off-limits to Kashkie.  This was a difficult position to be in, because if Deannalee was unhappy, then she did have the power to banish Kashkie, separating him from her eventual daughter, the one he needed to protect.  However, if he kept laying with her, he'd suffer the wrath of both Casselina and Teikaru, who now teamed up it seemed, to make sure he was as miserable as possible.

   Not to mention if he kept sleeping with Deannalee he ran the risk of being the father to her daughter, something he didn't want and had to do everything he could to prevent.  He was stuck between a rock and a hard place with no way out.  Half of the hard place stared him down now, waiting for a response, one Kashkie wasn't sure he could give her.

   Still, something inside him gave him reassurance, whether it was Kashoku, or Shadow, or even remnants of Lily's kiss from before, he wasn't sure.  His eyes glanced at Casselina, who continued to glower at him.  Taking a breath he replied, "I promise you, my lady.  …However, I can make no promises on Deannalee's behalf, and you know it."

   Casselina's eye twitched.  What Kashkie had implied, Deannalee approaching him and pretty much forcing him into sleeping with her, was obscene and grossly inappropriate for him to suggest.  That was the way of life here on Spirit Island, women sleeping with whoever they wished, but only freely.  Forcing someone from either side was frowned upon, and punishable in the most painful of ways.  Deannalee was guilty of this, but would never be challenged on it.  That's not what bothered Casselina the most.  What bothered her the most was that Deannalee was more than allowed to sleep with Kashkie freely, but it was something Casselina didn't want, and could do nothing about.  Unable to use Deannalee forcing intercourse on Kashkie against her, and unable to get rid of Kashkie herself, Casselina could only threaten Kashkie for his part, something she knew he had little hope of resisting.  It was her daughter that was causing these problems, not Kashkie.

   Unbeknownst to him, Kashkie had just made the road for Deannalee a lot darker.

   The twitch of her eye relaxed, and Casselina pulled back, her eyes locked in a gaze shared by Kashkie's blue ones.  Lily watched almost anxiously, wanting to say something sarcastic in reply to go along with what he had said, but found she couldn't summon the words to speak.  Kashkie stood his ground, holding the former queen's gaze firmly.  After several moments, with Renaldo getting closer, Casselina simply smirked.  "Oh but Kashkie…women here hardly need control.  Deannalee simply…requires a few, lessons.  I can assure you the only person's actions you need to control are your own," she said at last.  As she pulled back, turning to leave, she glanced at him once more, her eyes half closed in apathy, but on fire with threat and danger, not simply directed at him, but at anyone who challenged her will.  "It is…good, to know that we understand each other."  With a curt smile, her tone icy cold, she bowed her head and whispered, "Have a wonderful night."

   Casselina met Renaldo before he could reach them to add to the conversation.  She whispered something to him, before looping her arm around his and heading for their home.  Renaldo glanced at Kashkie, almost helplessly, like he had wanted to say something but was denied.  Kashkie got the sense that Renaldo would see his side in all of this.  Aside from Teikaru, any male would, since they had to stick together as best they could, even as the women playing with their emotions made this difficult.

   He felt maybe one day he could confide in Deannalee's father; someday.

   "Man she's a wicked witch.  And I thought Deannalee was bad.  It sounds like she'd get downright cruel with Deannalee if she had to," Lily said.  She grinned at Kashkie; "That was an amazing bluff.  You got lucky man.  Sounds like Baralai is Teikaru's son after all.  You must feel a lot better."

   After waiting until Casselina and Renaldo had disappeared inside their hut, a long deep breath escaped Kashkie, who brought a hand to his head, chuckling softly.  "It is Lily, you don't know how much."  He had no idea why he was so relieved, as he knew Baralai wasn't his son all along.  For whatever reason, he was even happier, since he would not have to fake the sense of relief around the people who were looking for it, like Casselina and Teikaru.  However, he would have to work hard to hide it from people like Deannalee, who had been counting on having his child.  He felt the relief regress back into worry when he thought of her.  He glanced at her home, rubbing the back of his neck.  "I suppose I should go see them."

   Lily shook her head, grinning.  "You're a glutton for punishment, going from one witch to another.  Are you sure you don't want to come back to my village with me?  It'd give you a place to kick back and relax…have fun…celebrate," she said, ending with a smirk, knowing what he was celebrating was nothing at all like what everyone else was.

   Kashkie laughed, but quickly stifled it.  He loved Lily's humor.  She could always make him laugh no matter how depressed he got.  She had been what got him through difficult times, and now that Teikaru was against him, she was the one person he felt was truly a dear friend.  He was grinning at her, but it slowly softened into a smile.  "You'll have to celebrate without me then.  Don't worry I'll come at some point.  …I just feel I should go see her."

   Lily shook her head.  "Damn that witch for being so kind to you, making you think you owe her," she whispered.  She walked up to him, putting her hands on his cheeks, stroking the right one gently.  "You're a good person Kashkie, better than her and every single last one of them here.  Please…don't forget that.  …Deannalee's drawn to the power but me, I know you're only powerful because you're very special."  Her expression had softened, her eyes looking lost as she watched her fingers dance across his cheek.  Her touch was so relaxing he had closed his eyes, a soft tremble rolling through him.  As she slowed the stroking to a stop, he opened them, noticing her green eyes still seemed out of focus.  She noticed him looking at her finally, then she grinned.  "And by special I mean you…not whoever's soul you might have inherited."

   A soft chuckle escaped him, while something even rarer, a delicate giggle emerged from her.  They gazed at each other for a moment, her last words hanging in the air.  Kashkie suddenly wasn't sure what to think, only that he felt a great comfort from his friend, one much greater than before.  With a slight shake of his head he murmured, "That's a promise.  After all, there's…only one me, right?"

   When he looked at her, she smiled.  "Right.  Of course," she whispered.  She lingered, looking as though she had more she wanted to say, but better judgment repressed the words.  She shook her head, kissing his cheek.  When she pulled away, she said, "Well you know where to find me if you need me.  See you later stranger."

   Her nickname for him roused him from deeper thoughts, causing him to smirk.  "You bet.  I'm sure you'll see this stranger later so, keep the light on."

   Lily tilted her head, not completely understanding the reference made, keeping a porch light on for somebody coming home after dark, but still she smiled, somehow understanding the meaning behind it.  With a nod, she replied, "It always will be for you."  She then jumped into the air, wings flapping, flying off into the night.

   As he watched her fade into the darkness, Kashkie breathed deeply.  It was times like this that he was so grateful to have her for a friend.  She was often the only support and security he had in times as confusing as this.  It gave him renewed strength to do what he needed to do.  Now, that meant going to Deannalee's hut and facing her, and Teikaru.  As he walked he just hoped the sight of his newborn son would keep Teikaru calm and complacent.

   He had no idea what to expect.  As he reached the home the doctor finally stepped out, wiping sweat from his brow.  "A perfectly healthy baby boy and yet…I've never seen more disappointed people."

   Kashkie frowned.  "Was Deannalee that upset?"

   The doctor looked up.  "Oh no, in fact she appeared quite happy…that is until Teikaru gave her a smirk.  …I've got no idea what's happening between them or what.  It was her mother that looked disappointed.  …Deannalee just looked very tired and…almost lonely."

   He had to think for a moment…tired he understood, but lonely?  Had Teikaru been keeping her at arm's length?  Kashkie himself had tried to avoid her, wanting to remain distant from her emotionally, and in the later months of her pregnancy he had managed that.  He couldn't even remember the last thing they talked about.  He felt a pang of guilt twinge in his heart.  Deannalee wasn't at all a bad person, and he didn't hate her; he just wasn't comfortable around her because of the things that had happened.  She had just become a mother, no small task.  She shouldn't have to feel alone, or ridiculed by her mother for bearing a son, instead of a daughter.

   With a smile Kashkie replied, "I'm sure they're okay.  It must have just been a joke or something.  I'll go see her now, if I may."

   Nodding, the doctor replied, "Yes.  You are her friend, I think she'd like that.  A smile and a little encouragement. …that's one thing I noticed…neither Teikaru nor her mother congratulated her or encouraged her.  Rather they just stood there and egged her on rather…harshly.  Yes, if you would see her that would comfort me enough to sleep.  Goodnight Kashkie."  With a long yawn, the doctor wandered off to his hut.

   Kashkie blinked, glancing at Deannalee's hut.  "Nobody congratulated her?  She went through all that pain and crying, and there was no encouragement?  From either of them?" Kashkie frowned; Deannalee was far from evil, or rotten, and yet she had suffered through that without a single kiss or a kind word.  He didn't care what she had done, treating her like that was just cold.

   He remembered every scream and cry that had he heard.  If that had been his child, he would have held her hand tightly, arm wrapped around her, soothing her and encouraging her any way he could, no matter what she had done.  He couldn't imagine Teikaru not doing the same.  It was, infuriating.

   It was impossible for him to hate her, despite being uncomfortable at times.  Despite what she did she was always kind to him, especially after the first few times, becoming more than affectionate, almost more towards him than she ever was to Teikaru.  He couldn't abandon her now.  He walked towards the hut, pulling back the flap slowly.

   The room was lit by firelight; Deannalee was curled up in bed, her hair a tangled mess, her face still shining under a layer of sweat.  She was staring in one direction, although her eyes didn't seem to focus on anything.  She looked like an empty shell, a tired, empty shell that, as the doctor said, looked incredibly lonely.

   Teikaru was sitting in a chair in the general direction she was looking in.  His eyes were trained on a bundle in his arms.  Peeking out from this bundle of blankets was a baby boy, Prince Baralai.  His fur was gray, and his hair black, with streaks of blue.  He was unmistakably Teikaru's son, and the new father was bonding with his son very quickly.

   Kashkie wanted to smile, because it should be a very heart-warming scene.  The glaring emptiness coming from Deannalee wouldn't allow for it though, not now.

   "Kashkie?"

   He heard her frail whisper calling his name, drawing his eyes back to her.  She immediately looked hopeful, and he wondered for a moment if she might even be able to smile. He feared she would look at him and only think of trying again but, instead she looked only grateful, overjoyed to see a friendly face.  He felt a smile flirt with his lips as their eyes met. He wanted her to have that smile.

   "What the hell are you doing here?"

   His eyes were immediately drawn to Teikaru, who had also heard Deannalee whisper Kashkie's name.  Deannalee's looked too, the sadness about her coming back.  "Teikaru," she muttered, "I want to see him.  He can stay."

   Teikaru sneered, getting up.  "Fine,  but me and MY son, are not," he growled, putting emphasis on the word "my."

   Deannalee pushed herself up, hissing at him.  "Baralai is my son!  He's not leaving with you!"

   "You can make as many babies with this bastard as you want!  I'm not letting you have mine!" Teikaru barked back.

   "You leave Baralai here dammit!" Deannalee shouted, with great pain in her voice.

   "Stop it!" Kashkie cried, in a hushed whisper.  When they both looked at him, Kashkie frowned.  "They all think you're happy out there, except for Casselina and the doctor.  Please…" He paused, then sighed.  "Teikaru Baralai's a newborn he needs to stay with his mother.  Please, I promise I won't stay for long."

   Teikaru raised an eyebrow, glancing down at Baralai, who cooed softly in his sleep.  He glanced back at Kashkie, sneering, before walking and laying Baralai down in his little woven basket, tucking him in.  "Papa will be back soon I promise," he whispered, kissing his head.  He smiled at Baralai, a sweet and touching smile, which was chased away unbelievably fast by a sneer as he looked at Deannalee.  Her eyes had fallen to Baralai, then met Teikaru's, already empty again.  He rolled his.  "Please, you'll get plenty of time to play with him and try to bear his baby again.  Don't think I don't know how disappointed you are."

   Kashkie brought a hand to his head, sighing.  "Teikaru she just had a baby, please just…please be gentle."

   As Teikaru walked to the door, he grabbed Kashkie's shirt collar, glaring at him.  After a long pause, he shook his head, laughing painfully.  "And to think I used to consider you my friend," he growled softly, "You talked about her seducing you and sleeping you with you against your will and yet you come in here all kind and loving.  Yeah, you're just trying to hide your sins.  You're a miserable liar!"

   Kashkie tried his best to keep from getting angry, but growled low.  "My sins?  Apparently what she did with me was an acceptable thing around here, and why you and her mother are getting so pissed at us both I've got no clue!"  Teikaru let Kashkie go, the two staring at each other coldly for several agonizing seconds.  Shaking his head, Kashkie sighed.  "Teikaru just…go.  I'll only be a moment.  I don't want to take the birth of your son from you but…you shouldn't take it from his mother either."

   Teikaru narrowed his eyes at Kashkie, watching as the yellow echidna walked to Deannalee's bedside, pausing as she looked up at him, her eyes somewhat hopeful again.  With a smile he hugged her, not moving as he felt her extend hers slowly, wrapping them around him in return.  Her chin rested on his shoulder; he could hear every breath, deep and tired, coming from her lungs.  Her whisper was barely audible, but he could hear the words, "Thank you," floating into his ear.

   After several moments, he pulled back, their eyes meeting.  He grinned, saying, "He's a beautiful boy Deannalee, congratulations.  He'll make a wonderful prince.  Lily was here too and…," he chuckled, "I just wanted you to know how proud everyone is of you…your dad, and Lily and me, everyone."

   Deannalee blinked slowly, and then smiled.  "Thank you Kashkie.  …I'm…I'm really glad you came to see me.  …thank you."

   She said it again, and it was filled with no less gratitude than before.  He was glad she was smiling, and glad she knew people were proud of her.  He would have stayed and sat with her, but noticed Teikaru out of the corner of his eye.  He didn't want to make things any more stressful than they were, so as he looked back to her, he smiled.  "You're welcome Deannalee.  …I'll come see you again later okay?  You get some rest."  He kissed her forehead, pulling back, "You've earned it."

   A slow nod was her reply as she gazed at him.  She began to understand she had hurt him, but she couldn't let go of the desire to love him, the desire to be with him.  She still wanted to replace Teikaru with him, and only having Kashkie's daughter could do this.  Otherwise, getting the village to accept Kashkie as her new husband would be almost impossible.

   She wanted so desperately to feel love…if only Kashkie understood, then he wouldn't hate her for the things she did.  …or maybe, she needed to be the one to learn to understand.  Maybe…repairing her relationship with Teikaru was the only way, as much as it hurt.

   With another nod she smiled some.  "I will Kashkie. …I'm…sorry if, I caused you any trouble."  She spoke slowly, her eyes drifting to Baralai, who she picked up and cradled in her arms.  "Goodnight Kashkie."

   Kashkie blinked.   She said sorry, and somehow he knew she wasn't talking about Teikaru yelling at him a few moments ago.  She meant all the times before.  Perhaps that meant everything would be alright between them now.  He had hope, and hope made him smile. He bowed his head.  "Goodnight Deannalee, and Baralai too."  A soft chuckle escaped him.  As he turned to the door he fell silent, catching Teikaru's gaze.  He had never left, and eyed Kashkie angrily.  As Kashkie walked past him, he stopped, and whispered, "I know you hate me, and you can forever if you wish but, please, don't take it out on her.  All of this was my fault.  Please, all she wants is a little love.  I know you can give it to her, and then, I won't need to anymore.  Please."  He bowed his head, then went outside.

   Teikaru raised an eyebrow.  "Love?  Feh, she had my love and then decided it wasn't good enough anymore," he muttered.  Teikaru didn't understand why he was so angry.  It was normal for women to have more than one partner, and Deannalee was always faithful to him in every other respect, including saying "I love you forever" only to him.  He wanted to feel love for her somehow.  He wanted to erase Kashkie and make everything the way it was when they were young and would play in the lagoon.

   As he looked at her now, knowing she hoped all this time that Baralai would be Kashkie's baby, all Teikaru could feel was rage boiling inside of him, ready to explode.  No, there would be no love for her, not to night, possibly never again.

   He sneered, walking over to the bed, grabbing her face and forcing him to look at her.  He glowered at her, his face getting closer and closer until their noses were touching.  She glared back, trying to hide her fear and her pain.  After several moments, he smirked.  "Love?  You don't need it.  Besides what do you know about love?"  Growling again, he pulled away.  "Baralai is my son.  The moment you drop a baby that belongs to Kashkie, especially a girl, Baralai is mine.  So if you do have a girl to succeed you, you had better pray it's mine, or you lose him forever."

   Deannalee gasped, frowning, then growling.  "He's my baby!  You can't take him away from me!"

   Teikaru smirked.  "Oh but I can, and I will."  He turned to leave.  "Just watch me.   You just wait and see, if your next baby comes out looking like Kashkie," he glanced back as he was leaving, "You lose Baralai for good.  Maybe that'll convince you to keep your legs closed…but then again you don't know about love so, maybe not.  Hmph."  He snorted, heading outside.

   Deannalee frowned deeply, holding Baralai close.  Deep inside she loved them both, she had all along.  She hurt them both, and both reacted differently.  Kashkie continued to try and be warm and loving, despite what she had done.  Teikaru had gotten bitter and hateful, even in the times she tried to apologize.  Her mother had also started treating her poorly, frowning upon her relationship with Kashkie, because Casselina believed Kashkie was too powerful of a man.  Now Teikaru was threatening to take Baralai away if Deannalee had a child with Kashkie, any child, including the daughter that she could use to replace Teikaru with Kashkie.

   Her back was against the wall.  If she didn't want to lose Baralai, she had no choice but to try and patch up her relationship with Teikaru, something that wouldn't be easy, if at all possible.  It would mean giving control to him, and this was something that never normally happened in the female-dominated culture.  It would mean allowing him to be the one in charge, giving her free will over to him, all on the half chance that they could heal their relationship.

   It meant that Kashkie would be free but, it also meant Deannalee would never be happy.  Perhaps she could keep up the relationship with him, but she couldn't risk having a child.  She couldn't risk losing her baby boy.

   She sniffed, feeling a tear roll down her face as she looked down at her son.  Baralai rubbed his eyes, opening them, looking back at her with eyes that were already their permanent hue, the same brown eyes he saw looking back down at him.  He tilted his head, as if curious at the sound she was making each time she sniffed back a tear, watching as those that escaped rolled over a shaky smile on her lips.  After several moments, his lips curled, trying to mimic her smile.

   The softest of giggles escaped her, as she brushed her finger across his cheek gently.  In the most unsure of moments, there was one thing she knew.  She loved her son, and she would do everything she could for him, keeping him with her forever.  Even if it meant sacrificing her own happiness.  Then again, Baralai could be her happiness, and if she couldn't resolve things with Teikaru, she could still be friends with Kashkie.

   She felt Baralai grab her finger, wrapping his tiny ones around it, holding it securely.  More tears spilled over her eyes, a mixture of sadness, happiness, pain, and love.  She raised him gently, kissing his head.  "I love you Baralai.  I promise I won't let anything happen to you."  As she lowered him, he cooed softly, his attention fixated on her finger.  Her smile quickly disintegrated, the pain from childbirth still not willing to leave her.  She closed her eyes, leaning back against the wall, holding Baralai as close and securely as possible.  Her love for her son was strong, but, just as the doctor said, the pain was so great, and she had next to no comfort now that Kashkie was gone, and after Teikaru had threatened her.  She swallowed hard, remaining as still as possible, waiting for dreams to come take the pain away.  She wanted to feel something, anything but this agony.

   Just when she felt it might take forever to fall asleep, she felt something overtake her senses.  An overwhelming sense of comfort swept over her like a blanket.  Her temperature, which was soaring dangerously high began to cool.  Her fur and hair began to dry and feel soft again.  Her breathing relaxed but remained strong.  She felt she had to be dreaming, because she couldn't feel this immediately wonderful outside of a dream.

   She opened her eyes, glancing at Baralai, who now sucked on her fingertip gently with his eyes closed.  She looked around and saw the inside of her home, the same as it was before, and yet she still felt at peace.  The tears that leaked from her eyes felt like they were being wiped away by an unseen hand.  She wanted to stay awake to enjoy the peace while she had it, but these fingers that came from this unseen hand gently stroked her brow, and she found herself unable to keep her eyes open.

   Her lids slowly shut, and the gentle stroking feeling lulled her to sleep. Perhaps it was a sympathetic soul wanting to give the new mother a moment of care, a moment of peace, something she would rarely have in the weeks and years to come.  For as long as either Deannalee or Thaileon walked down a road to ruin, both islands would be doomed no matter the choices made by the other.  Deannalee may have realized her error, but it might not have been fast enough to save the echidnas, for Thaileon still walked down his road, running the risk of yielding to the inevitable doom that loomed ahead of them.

   Unseen hands stroking the trembling forehead of a new mother.  It was a light from the shadows, a light that was slowly fading fast, offering a small breath of hope.  Hope that would be sorely desired and hungered for, in a time where doom was the name of the game, and souls like Deannalee and baby Baralai, were just pieces in it to be used, and inevitably, lost forever.


"Close your eyes, lay down to sleep,
   Within sweet dreams find peace to keep.

For when you wake, when morning comes,
   The sound of doom will beat like drums.

So tired, filled with anguish now,
  Unseen fingers stroke your brow.

Find the hope among the doom,
   Seek the light, beyond the gloom."