Fin walked out of the townhouse she had gotten since the deaths of Saihetei and Ruveila. She had worn all black for the last month. She was still shell- shocked. She didn't even let herself think of Ru's death, it was too traumatic. Though her anger at Sai's assassination forced her to think of it, of him. That sort of thing should have been prevented. As she mulled things over in her head she walked down the lane, a twin in each arm and Yui and Miaka holding onto her skirts as they walked beside her. "Mama..can we get candies?" Little Miaka asked in her soft whisper of a voice. "Yea mama! Can we?" Yuitama had just recently begun to act like her normal self, for the longest time she was as silent as Miaka used to be. "Alright, but you have to wait until after dinner okay?" The girls nodded their heads in unison.

The party walked up to a vendor and the girls picked out the candy they wanted and put it in their pockets for later. Yui then took Fin's purse and took out the exact money her mother told her to before giving it to the man behind the cart. Since the birth of the twins, it seemed as if Fin never had a free hand anymore so the two older sisters had become mommy's little helpers.

As they turned away from the cart, Findabhair heard a familiar voice yell her name and turned to find the source..

Rikash was getting headaches more often. He was feeling like crap,a nd was hating life. IT seemed everywhere he went something bad was going on. Just the other day he found out that death stripped his sister away to nothing. Sir-Pants up my arse, is dead. Sarra wont tell him a damn thing, and he got the information from his mother. SHe told him, that something happened to him on his way to taking his Mother home. She heard it from some possum, who heard it from some weasel, who heard it from a stray dog. Yes, I did have to tell you how he found out, for Daine, wouldn't let him leave until he had the order right. Thus, you get to hear the order.

Anyway. He was to be nice around his oldest sister. He was to be considerate,and think about if he ever lost one of his bloody grilfriends. ANd RIkash tried, but his sister was a Mess, so he choose not to hang around her. And then the deaths of Ru and Sai hit his eyes, and he couldn't believe it. Fin's husbend was dead. Sure he should feel mor considerate about hsi best friend's girlfriend being dead, but hefound himself worryinga bout Fin more. It was just something he found himself doing. Maybe it was the fact that he had grown close to Fin, cared for her as much as he did for one of his sisters, even more. And now she was stuck with Sai's too girls and her own children as well. He could only imagine how furious her mother was. He winced as the thought ran through his head.

Where was our dear Rikash? In the Marketplace of course. walking around, head bent down, watching his shoes, hands in his pockets, and looking gloomy as ever.So his week wasn't going well. Every time he tried to catch up with Fin, to see how she was, he'd miss her. IT was astressful week, and it seemed his Mother once again wasn't happy with him. WHen was the women ever happy with him? He couldn't remember. Rikash sighed deeply as children's voices rung out begging for candy and sweets, and then a mother's voice reached his ears, and there was no doubt upon who it was. I twas his Fin. He smirked as he lifted his head and saw her standing there, as beautiful as ever, inmourning clothes and two babies strapped ot her side, along with two girls on her sides. One was paying for sweets the other still close to Fin.

When she turned around He raised a hand. "Finn!" He called out to her. She turned to look at him, and he picked up his feet, moving over towards her. "Hey." He muttered to her. "Doing Better?" He asked. His eyes looking over at the four children around her, and sorta wishing they weren't about. They always ruined everything in his prespective, but he said nothinga bout this.

As Fin glanced towards Rik, she had to do a double take before a huge smile creeped onto her face, the first one she had worn all month. It was just soo good to see a friendly face. But then he asked how she was doing, bringing her back to the real world. "Hi Rik...yea, just taking it one day at a time. There are a lot of legal stuff I have to take care of." She said with a sigh, legal jargon was really the last thing she wished to hear. "I just got back about a week ago from the islands, I had to select a regent until Aoki is able to become emperor." She said as Yui scowled at Rik, and Miaka walked up to him, holding her hands up to be held."Uncle Rik! Up!" She demanded as naive as any 2 1/2 year old could me. Fin smiled at her child and continued. "Anyways...doubt you wish to hear about the woes of a dowager empress. How is Leon holding up?" She asked, trying to make conversation and not think of Ruveila at the same time...impossible.

Rikash somehow found the big smile upon her lips inviting. He expected her start scowling at him, start screaming for him to leave her alone, telling him to leave. BUt she didn't say any of that. And Rikash suddenly felt as if he was welcomed. He knew he was anyway, regardless. But her smile seemed to always make him feel warm and bubbly inside. Of course no telling anyone else. If word leaked out, he'd be dead meat. No need for a caress laying upon the side of the Markeplace. He smiled back at Fin, not as big of a smile, but a smile nonetheless. "Hi Rik...yea, just taking it one day at a time. There are a lot of legal stuff I have to take care of. I just got back about a week ago from the islands, I had to select a regent until Aoki is able to become emperor." He instantly felt terrible for even asking such a stupid question. Of course she wans't feeling the best.

"Yah. One day at the time.. best. No wonder I coudln't find you. Hiding at the islands." He smirked at her as he ran a hand through his messy brown curls. Growling some as he pulled upon the curls.

Aoki, he ran the name through his head, trying to remember who it was. But his brain was having breainfarts lately, and he coudln't remember. He shrugged, assuming it was some sister or brother of Ru's. He couldn't tell with the bloody names that came from Yamani whether the person was a boy or girl. He had hard troubles with that. And they usualy had the same hair cuts as well. He remember the time he called a little girl, a boy, and as his sister's laughed, his Mother slapped him upside the head calling him stupid all the while. The love he received from his Mother was certainly like no other. That was for sure.

So you see, he couldn't remember any of the children's names. He was horrible. And he decided just to wait till Fin decided to tell him. Becuase she probably would figure out he forgot them. But he did remember one thing. The oldest one had a problem with being rude to olders. He knew it started with a 'Y' or something. But couldn't tell you. She scowled at him, and he raised an eyebrow back at him. Then his adverted to the attacking youngest one. The girl that seemed to have grown attatched to him from when he helped FIn give birth to the two babies in her arms. She actually liked him, and called him 'Uncle' It was differnt, but he cared not. She came at him, raising her arms, demanding something. Rik wasn't sure what. He raised another eyebrow at her.

Then it came. "Uncle Rik! Up!" she demanded. And Rikash, being as sweet and gentle as any man of his age could, reached down and picked up the small two year old, and put her up high in the air, twirling her around for a moment, before putting her saftly in his arms. Smiling at her as he poked her nose. SUre, children complicated things, but Rikash saw around that at times. He actually didn't mind this one. She was quiet and seemd to actually like Rik, probably one of the first children he ever crossed that did.

He then turned back to Fin as she spoke again "Anyways...doubt you wish to hear about the woes of a dowager empress. How is Leon holding up?" He shrugged, not really answering the first part. He then winced a bit as Leon's name was spoken. The truth? He hadn't seen Leon in a few days. And the last time he had, he didn't look like his same old buddy. And Rikash rather stay away then gain more trouble by invading his personal space. "Ehh. Not really sure. I haven't checked up on him in awhile." A small shrug of his shoulders was all he did as he looked back at the little girl.

Fin smiled as he twirled Miaka who was laughing hysterically. It made Fin feel good to see the little girl happy and smiling. It had been awhile for the whole family. Fin guided the party over to a bench, her arms having grown tired of holding both twins. Yui knew the drill of course and quickly sat down so Fin could place Aoki in her arms. "Which one is this mommy?" She asked, having trouble identifying which is which, having the observation skills of any other 5 year old..aka none."That's Aoki, love." Fin replied as she sat next to Yui and with her now free hand, she patted the seat next to her, indicating for Rik to sit. "Oh I promise, I wasn't hiding. Trust me, I would have been more than grateful to see a friendly face such as yours." Fin finally answered Rik with a smile. "I missed you." She said with a crooked smile, it was true too. Fin and Rik had grown quite close and he was always able to make her laugh. It seemed as though right now, Fin could really use a good laugh.

Fin nodded her head with understanding, she knew Rik liked to avoid complicated stuations if he could. It was just his nature. "Yea, I know what you mean. I don't exactly wish to see him either, as evil as that sounds." She said with a frown, realizing that almost sounded rude. "I'm afraid if I saw him it would turn into a tear fest and...I think I've done enough crying for two lifetimes." Fin said with a smile as Yui scooted closer to her mother, trying to comfort her.

Rikash looked over at FIn to catch the smile upon her face as he twirled the little girl, that he was trying to remember her name, he was failing. Obviously, or he would have said something to her. He was horrible with names. That is why he called Fin, Fin. For her real name he coudn't even remember anymore. And if you asked him, he couldn't be able to tell you. He watched as FIn seemed to move, and he fallowed after her, Keeping the child in his arms.. well in his arms as he did so. He fallowed behind the little girl with attitude. The one that thought that Rik was no grownup to ever listen to. Boy did she have another thing coming to her. But he did feel a bit of pity for her. Loosing her mother, then father, and then having to deal with a step mother must be crazy. Rikash knew what it was ilke to loose a father. He missed his Da like crazy. And thought his Da crazy for taking the arrow from his mother. He would have let the old woman die. She had been irritable since his birth.

The girl seemed not to give him any attitude, yet, She sat down, seeming to know what her mother was going to do nect. And Rik's eyes watched as Fin put a baby down into the arms of the older girl. Could she be trusted with such a fragile thing?"Which one is this Mommy?" The girl asked, as if she had trouble identifying her siblings. Rikash didnt' blame her. He would too. And then he heard the name again. Fin went on to tell her "that's Aoki, Love." So we have to wait for the runt to grow up to have someone ruling for good over in Yamani. Well there went everything. With her now free hand, she patted the seat for Rikash to join her. And he did.

"Oh I promise, I wasn't hiding. Trust me, I would have been more than grateful to see a friendly face such as yours. I MIssed you." She told him, smiling that pretty smile that seemed to always get Rik. He smiled as he tickled the girl in his arma dn thens shugged his shoulders. "Didn't think you'd hide from me. I missed you too. With no Leon to bug, I've been terribly bored." Rik muttered. He hadn't played a prank in wweks. I know, hard to imagine, but true. He had been clean from pranks for a couple weeks for right now. It was sort of depressing actually. But he was learning. When your sister wans't willing to do pranks back. it was no fun.

"Yea, I know what you mean. I don't exactly wish to see him either, as evil as that sounds." She said witha frown. "I'm afraid if I saw him it would turn into a tear fest and... I think i've done enough crying for two lifetimes." She told him. Rikash brought his free hand from holding the girl to pat her shoulder slightly. "So don't cry. Becasue Rik doesn't do well under circumstances such as those. So please, don't start crying on me, love. I couldn't deal with it." He muttered as he patted down on her blond hair. Her fine blond hair that he had missed. Feelings came rushing back to him that he wishe dwould stop.

Fin laughed at hs first comment, poor Rikash no friend to play with. "You haven't changed a bit Rikash Salmalin." She teased, her face relaxing into a joyful countenance, something that hadn't been seen in awhile.

Yui observed the two adults talking. This Rik guy seemed to be making her mommy happy, which she could barely do the last few weeks. If mommy liked him, Yui figured she ought to like him too. She offered Rik a smile and leaned over a bit so he could see her since mommy was in between them. "Mr. Rik, my mommy must like you alot. She hasn't smiled this much since daddy and aunt Ru died." She said, ever the blunt one. Fin's cheeks turned rosy in color at Yui's statement. Yuitama had only meant this in a friendly sort of way, but due to Rik and Fin's history, she couldn't help but think of it as more, causing the blush.

Fin was about to say some sort of embarrassed apology when two house servants walked up to them and begged attention with an "ahem". Fin looked at him, recognizing the butler and the children's nursemaid. "Empress Findabhair, It is time fore Yuitama and Miaka to eat." The nursemaid said formally, as all the servants were of yamani descent, they all insisted on calling her Empress, something that really got under Fin's skin. Fin simply nodded as Miaka climbed off of Rik's lap. "Could you take the twins as well? They should have a proper nap." Fin said , as the butler took Aoki from Yui's grasp so the five year old could stand up. "Yes Empress, that's why I brought Misu." Stated the nursemaid, indicating the butler. Fin smiled as the nursemaid took Aisha from her arms and the girls came to hug their mother quickly. "Yui, Miaka, you listen to your nursemaid, as always. Alright? I'll be back in a couple hours." Fin said as the two girls hugged her and said 'yes mommy' in unison. As the party walked away, Fin smiled at Rik. "Sorry about that, my servants tend to think that I can't take proper care of the future emperor and his sisters." She said as she rolled her eyes, it being an obvious pet peeve of hers. "Forget the fact that they're my children..." She grumbled to herself.

Realizing she had sort of gone off in her own little world, Fin smiled up at Rik again. "Well, I seem to have forgotten about you. How's Rik and Monty?" She asked, mentioning their little inside joke.

”You haven’t changed a bit Rikash Salmalin.” She teased him, and he saw joy criss-cross her face. And he had a feeling it was because of him. Whether this was good or bad, he wasn’t sure, but he smiled all the while. "That better be a good thing, Love." He muttered as he then looked down at the child in his arms, and poked her nose again. Wondering if little girls liked that or not. He wans't sure. He wans't updated on children. Actually, he wasn't really around children at all. None of his sisters, well besdies Sarra, had children, so he wans't around them. ANd when he was in the marketplace, he usually leant the boys a hand at playing ball and what not. That was about it. Other thenthat Rik didn't really... do that much of playing with kids.

As he turned to look back at her, he saw th elittle face of the stubborn one. The one that wasn' too fond of Rik. Yet it seemed she was getting ready to speak. "Mr. Rik, my mommy must like you alot. She hasn't smiled this much since daddy and aunt Ru died." He winced at that a bit, and looked at Fin, she was blushing. He couldn't help but smirk at this. Trying not to tease Fin he looked back at the girl. HIs eyes sparkling. "I've had a long experience of making people happy. Your Ma knows that. He smiled some at his response, thinking it was lovely as he then looked back at Fin. Just as he was about to speak again, someone interuppted them, he turned to see a Yamani Butler and Nursemaid. He grinned some and nodded his head at them.

The seemed to be whisking the children away. The little girl upon his lap, climbed down and walked away from him. He smiled as he watched them coverse, and then the babies and girls leave. He brought up a small hand and waved at them as they went away. Smiling some as Finthen began to rant. He turned his head to look at her and see what was going upon her mind. "Sorry about that, my servants tend to think that I can't take proper care of the future emperor and his sisters. Forget the fact that they're my children..." He smiled some. SHaking his head at her ramblings. It was quite interesting.

"Awe. I think they are beautiful children, and your doing a wonderous job. All by yourself, aside from the servents." He muttered to her, putting his input in before looking away and tapping his hands lightly upon his legs. "Well, I seem to have forgotten you. How is rik and Monty?" She asked, mentioning something Rik hadn't heard in awhile. His eyes adverted over to her, raising a small eyebrow. Monty was an invisable monkey that like Fin. Quite a lot, actually. He smirked some and shook his head.

"You know Monty. He is fine. Off rumaging through grabage cans right now. Scaring the hell out of people as we speak." Oh yah, and Monty wast the only animal he assosiacted with. Try that one for size.

Fin smiled at him sweetly. "I have wonderful helpers. Yuitama and Miaka help when I've got my hands full with the twins." She said with a proud smile. Fin didn't know what she would do with those two girls, she didn't even want to think of life without them.

Fin laughed outright at this, imagining a monkey doing just as he described. "Well don't you think we should go find him? We can't have a monkey terrorizing the city. Especially since he's our monkey." She said with a crooked grin. "And what of Rik? Does he go dumpster diving with Monty or is he living a more respectable life now-a-days?" She asked, playing along. "Oh, I'm sorry. I forgot Rik doesn't know how to be respectable." She teased before sticking out her tongue.

"I have wonderful helpers. Yuitama and Miaka help when I've got my hands full with the twins." Her smile was sweet, and reminded him of old times, before Sai, he tried to spush the thought away but it seemed to be wanting to make him mad, wanting to invade his horrible mind, But he seemed to look past it as he smiled. "Yui is the oldest and Miaka is the youngest, right?" He asked. Wondering if he was correct. He was pretty sure he was, but don't counto n Rik to remember the names next time he sees them. Knowing him, he'll forget as soon as he crosses their pathes once more. But that was just Rik for you. He was a forgetful man. Always had been. Especially with names. If it wasn't for him growing up around his sisters, he probably' forget their names as well.

At hi talk of Monty, it seemed that Fin had missed him, for she began to laugha t his statement, fallowing it with. "Well, don't you think we should go find him? We can't have a monkey terrorizing the cirty, Especially since he's our monkey!" She stated with a crooked grin. And Rikash shrugged. His shoulders slid up and then down as he looked a tFin and smiled some. "Who said he was yours?" He asked, making a face at her. "Plus, love, he comes when I call. Watch." He said proudly as he sat up straight. "Monnnnty!" He called like a fool, and he leant his ear out, and acted like he was listening forthe animal. "And what of Rik? Does he go dumpster diving with Monty or is he living a more respectable life now-a-days? Oh, I'm sorry. I forgot Rik doesn't know how to be respectable."

He made a face at her as he pretended to pet a monkey upon his shouilder. "See he came. I do not dumpster dive, M'dear. I am much more respectable then that. Thank you very much." He told her, scrunching up his nose and sighed deeply as he did.

Fin looked Rik in the eye as he spoke. Something seemed to be buggin him, and she asked him about it. "Rik, dear, is something wrong? Your mind seems to be..elsewhere." She said, a bit worried.

At his question, Fin nodded. "Yes, Yui is five and Miaka is 2 1/2. Then there is the twins, Aoki and Aisha." She said, refreshing his memory. Fin made a pouty face when he said Monty wasn't hers too. "That hurt. I love Monty..." She said, pretending to sniffle. "C'mon Monty, show him how much you love me." She said, holding her hands up for the invisible Monty.

Fin's eyes looked at him. ANd he knew then he couldn't hide anything. He wasn't sure why, but he hated to admit that Fin knew more about him then he'd like her to. He hated to admit it, but it was true. Too true. "Rik, dear, is something wrong? Your mind seems to be.. elsewhere." she sounded worry, but was she really worried? Who knew. HE sighed deeply and laughed his silly laugh, as if he'd just pulled a joke on someone. "You have a nice chat with Ma and tell me if somehting is wrong. Mm'kay. I promise you, your life will never be the same. Possums tell other badgers, and the badgers tell squirrels. It is all very confusing, darling." He muttered, smiling as he did.

It wasn't like he was going to say anything to Fin. she must be out of her mind. He wasn't just going to open up to her about all feelings and gushy stuff like htat. That was not Rik, it was soooo not like Rik, and if it was, well let us shoot ourselves now, because the world be going to hell with Rikash. Rikash smirked some as something among those lines crossed through his mind. He sighed deeply as he brought his hands behind his head and looked at Fin as she spoke about her children. "Yes, Yui is five and Miaka is 2 1/2. Then there is the twins, Aoki and Aisha. That hurt. I love Monty..." A preten sniffle came out of her mouth as she went on "C'mon Monty, show him how much you love me." she looked like a crazy women holding her hands out for an invisable creature. ANd it made the man want to laugh, but of course, he didn't.

"Five and Two, what lovely ages..." he muttered, first about the children, and then a smile seemed to form upon his lips. Making more then one line in his face. He was starting to show that age was going to catch up with him. Maybe not today, but maybe in a few years. "Love Monty, you do? I see how it is. Love the invisiable monkey over the real pearson sitting in front of you. Plus. Monty isn't going to go to you!" He told her, smirking at himself as he patted the imginary head upon his shoulder. "Good, Monkey, stay with thy master!" He muttered.

Fin loved it when Rik spoke of his ma, she seemed like a very...interesting person. "Well then why don't you let me meet your ma? So I can take you up on that offer." She said, smiling sweetly, she knew how unlikely it was for that to happen.

Fin gave a pouty 'awww poor baby' face as he ranted about not feeling the love. "Aww, looks like someone is jealous of an invisible monkey." She teased, caressing his cheek with her hand as she kissed the other. In all honesty, Fin didn't even think of what she was doing. It was just too easy for her to slip into this sort of comfortable setting with Rik. "I love Monty's master as well...I just love Monty more." She tease before giggling as he spoke to Monty.