Kataru walked down the busy streets of the marketway not really bothered anymore by the crowds, mostly likely because she wasn't paying attention. She felt lonely and out of place here in Tortall that she felt like she didn't belong here. Her hand was on her stomach where her son was. Kasu's son, his heir. It broke her heart to know that her child would never come to known his father, would never have the love of a father. It was horrible.

Kataru on the other hand was in a bad condition. She looked thinner even though she was pregnant and if her sleeves were brought up one could see the many different scars on her arms from her cutting herself from depression. She hated it, she hated not having a purpose. She found herself standing outside a familiar house. One that she had planned on stopping at since the death of most of the Yamani Royals and nobles. Leon Tegacis' house. Ruveila's love. She continued to stand there looking at the wooden door and found herself raising her hand to knock but it would go. Was it wise to visit him? Was it right to show up out of the blue? She didn't know what to do and placed her hand flat on the door and the other on her stomach. She then found herself knocking. "Leon..." she found herself calling. "Master Tegacis!" she called again, and then waited for somebody to answer if somebody was home.

Leon was sitting placidly at the kitchen of his small home, leaning tiredly against the back of the chair, right arm resting gently on the table while the other hung lifelessly at his side. His shoulders were slumped and he looked the need of a bath, judging by the grease in his curls. He hasn't spoken to anyone since the news of Ruveila's death, his heart hardly healed from the break. The only contact he had recently was with his older sister Phoebe. The mage had been writing a letter, telling her of things, when half-way through he recieved a message from Thom of Pirate's Swoop. Recently, he recieved a return letter from his sister, which was written in one short note 'I'm coming back, three day's time.' It was almost three days.

Feeling a pair of eyes on him, he turned his orange up to a pair of brown. Next to him sat his shadow, his adopted child, Catrina, her gold hair laying in curls against one of his old maroon shirts that the girl had taken to sleep in; Leon was preassuring the girl to dress everyday, but she appeared to be in a better condition then the fire mage was. In her tiny hands was one an adult sized cup, filled with some milk that she was sipping on. Although she was only two, the girl was quite atuned to her gaurdian's emotions, and lately, although she didn't understand why, he was sad, forlorn, and even solemn.

Catrina was doing her best to make the man smile; she loved to look in his eyes, which reminded her of a cat, and his arms when he held her, reminded her of a hearth in winter. When he dried her off with her magic, she could feel a tingling sensation, and even in the air when he lit a fire; it always made her smile, causing a chain reaction. Yet, the smile hasn't been as big, and there's hardly a joyful step in Leon's steps anymore. It worreid the girl; sometimes she believes she does things wrong. Then, a knock sounded in the house, and a call for Leon. Catrina did not know the voice, but they were asking for her foster father, Leon Tegacis. Oh, how she very much did enjoy hearing Leon's name.

"Papa, can I get door?" Catrina asked in a quiet voice as she placed the mug on the table, noticing Leon only glanced at the door. He recognized the voice, even if he hardly heard it often. Quietly, he sat up, watching like a lion as his daughter went after the door, and she tried to pull it open. Except it got caught on the chain lock. Standing on the tip of her toes, she could barely reach it. By that time, Leon was already behind her, lifting her up. Setting her down, Catrina eagerly opened the door, and Leon found him facing the Yamani Warrior, Kataru. Catrina immediately went to his side, latching onto a leg.

"Hello Kataru..." He greeted softly.

Kataru looked up into the face of the mage and couldn't help but grab the door frame to steady herself. It was getting slightly difficult for her as she was in her eighth month. She looked down at the little girl next to Leon and then looked back at the man. "Master Tegacis..." she whispered and took a deep breath. "I..um..came to make sure...that you were doing ok.." she said in a soft tone.

She let go of the door frame and placed her hand on her stomach. "I just...I was worried..that was all..since we both lost people that we very deeply cared about..I was just..um..." she trailed off as tears started to fall from her eyes. The Yamani brought her fingers up and tried to wipe them away but they kept coming. "This is not what...I was..coming here to do..."

Catrina played with a handful of her father's robe's in her hands, twisting and running her hands along as she listened. She did not know why this woman appeared to be heavy in one spot, but she ignored the fact; even the fact that the other woman had eyes shapped differently from her own. What she did notice was that the other looked as distraught as Leon was. Catrina's brown eyes gazed up to Leon as she watched his reaction.

Leon's shoulders had gradually slumped forward, and his eyes seem distant, the pain of the heartbreaking death evident; his heart will ever bear that scar, much like the ones he bears on his back. The mage's voice, however, was sympathetic as he responded to Kataru, "I am fine, but you look worse than I..." The man then paused as he saw the woman was crying. In the quiet footsteps similar to that of a cat, he walked over and placed a hand, still warm with his passionate fire, on her shoulder. Cat followed. "Do not cry... Then I will have to cry, and the day would be more grey than it already is. I've already cried a life time."

"Gomenasei...Leon-sama.." Kataru said softly switching to Yamani. She brought her hand up and wrapped her hand around his wrist as he held her shoulder. Her sleeve dropping down and relieving many tiny scars and cuts from the previous months of being kept in Kasu's house. "I will try not to make the day anymore grey than it already has become.."

Kataru then brought her hand back to her stomach as her grip tightened around his wrist. "Not now..." she whispered. "The child is coming.." she said as she tried to stay standing. She was so unprepared to take care of this child and she did not want it to come now.

Leon did notice the scars on Kataru's arm, for he was more concerned with making sure she ceased crying. He recognized the spoken Yamani, but did not believe a thanks was truely in order. "There's a good lass... No more crying... I think there'd be enough tears for a river if we kept it up." He commented, trying to be as comforting as he could, even though the mage had a leaky faucet every night. "The days will get brighter."

Leon felt odd speaking positively for the first time in awhile, but it was soon gone when he heard Kataru speak. "Wha-what?" His face became pale, and after a moment he tried to gain some composure. "Well, you picked an awefully bad time to start...." He announced, before leaning down and explaining the situation to Catrina. The girl looked up towards Leon, giving him a confused look, but also one that was telling him to be careful. With that, she moved over to the stair case and sat down. She rested her elbows on her knees, and chin in her hands.

Leon was back at Kataru's side, this time with an arm around the woman's waist for support, "You can sit on the couch... And just relax. Um... " Leon knew not what to do next, and he stopped to look around the house.

Kataru winced again and then just as she feared her water broke. "I knew...I should of stayed where I was told..." she said as she tried to keep herself calm. Her hands stayed on her stomach as the contractions continued to get more painful. "I..need Daio-chan.." She tired to say. "I need to go to her..." and she tried to get up off the couch but she was in to much pain.

She felt bad that on the one day she actually went out her child decided to come early, lucky for her though was that she hadn't been in the marketplace and it happen there. Nobody would of paid any attention to a Yamani woman in labor, at least that was her thoughts since she considered herself an outsider anyways.

Leon did not know the woman's water had broke, and probably wouldn't notice until he looked at his couch until everything was over. Basically he was too busy being completely clueless. "But its okay." The mage commented, "There's not much of a difference between my home, or your home. More sanitary than the streets. Yes..." Then he heard her say a name, and he was only more confused. He did not know who the person was.

"Whom? Where can I find her? Him? Nono..." Leon saw her try to get up but he had put his hands on her shoulders to guide her back down on her back. "Just, lay on your back... I'll... I'll... I don't know. Relax, yes. I'll try to take care of you...' Memories that Leon took long to subdue during his adolescent years were resurfacing. He remembered how his mother gave birth... She had not survived... and she was healthy. Kataru was not. The fire mage was in no state of mind

Catrina continued to watch from the sidelines, utterly curious. Never once was Leon a fidgety man, or one for pacing. He looked scared, and no longer appeared to her as a brave man. The girl felt her heart sank, and her stubborn streak began to shin; he would always be noble to her. After all, he was taking in this large woman whom was both depressed and seemed to have an extremely horrible stomach ache at the moment. Briefly, she wondered if it was life threatening. But, no, her Leon saved lives. She will be fine, Catrina concluded.

As Leon placed his hands on her shoulders and guided her back to the couch she laid down like she was told. She would not argue with this man who was obviously very uncertain with what to do as she was. "Daio-chan..." she said as she continued to hold her stomach, "Is at Kasu's Villa...near the University..." she whispered.

She felt horrible for what she was doing to Leon, knowing that she sure as hell shouldn't put this man through this. But what choice did she have in the matter now? Her body decided that her son would come into the world now whether she wanted him to or not. "I'm sorry..." she found herself telling him.

Leon nodded his head continuously as he thought; he never had much of a choice to not know where Kasumoto's home is. Truthfully, he didn't ever like the man either, finding him far to stiff for the easy-going guy he was -- is? It's been so long since he has spoken to Rikash... Too long. The mage realized for the first time since Ruveila passed that he needed a friend with him. Too busy in his thoughts, he already heard her apology. "Everything will be all right. I'll... Be right back. Ask Catrina if you need anything... Water, a... a towel.... Though, she's very shy. Very shy."

Then, Leon was gone and Catrina found herself alone in the home with the distraught woman in pain. Her gaurdian said that she must do what the female asked. Catrina disliked confronting other people; it wasn't that she was beaten, she simply wanted to stay in Leon's arms forever, forgetting all her pains and loss. Safe. Thats what this woman probably needed too, not water or blankets. She debated in her mind to at least make herself known.

Slowly, the golden haired lass stood up from her spot on the stairs, hoping Leon would not be gone long. He seemed to know where he was going anyways. On silent foot steps she moved closer to the couch where the raven haired woman lay. She did not look good, and she could see some scars on the woman's arms. Chewing her bottom lip, put her hands on the armrest and let her brown eyes skim over her knuckles, observing the woman.

Kataru watched as Leon left and she continued to try and keep herself calm, taking deep breaths in and out slowly. She then turned her head to the little girl who was by the armrest. Kataru could tell from when she had first set eyes on her that she deeply cared for the man that was her guardian. The Yamani smiled at the little girl despite the situation. "Leon cares for you deeply..." she said as she took another deep breath. "He loves you very much and keeps you in his heart no matter what happens." she didn't know if the little girl understood her words or if she would pay attention, but for some reason Kataru just felt she had to say it. Was it because the little girl reminded her of herself when she was little with the High Priest at the temple. She understood the little girl more than she truly wanted to.

Leon jogged easily through the streets of the University district, intent on finding the women he needed to help see Kataru through a successful birth. Although he couldn't take the place her husband he had, with all the support and love for witnessing the birth of their own creation that was present. The support and love he wished his younger brother Augustus could have had. Suddenly, he felt a surge of connection for the unborn child he didn't think himself capable of,

Meanwhile, back at the house, Catrina starred at the other women, only slowly nodding her head. She knew he adored her, as she adored him. Still unsure of the woman, she stood up to lean against the wall across from the couch. Slowly, she slid down the wall, knee's at her chest as she continued to watch. Her brown eyes almost bore into the other womans, waiting for a command to help, as Leon had directed her to do. Cat had plenty she wanted to say, but not the courage to ask it.

Leon had found the person he was looking for, for she answered the door when he knocked. He stuttered out the situation to her, and the woman had directed him to lead the way. The fire mage obliged, and made the way to his house swiftly.

Kataru looked at the little girl, she wanted her to be open with her but she wasn't going to push her. She gripped her stomach as the pain was continuing to increase. "The baby is coming..." she said as she tried to keep herself under control. She then remembered something that her adopted father told her about calming herself down and she closed her eyes and started speaking in Yamani softly. She continued to speak to herself and slowly felt her nerves calming down but the pain was still there. "A new life will be brought into the world.."

Just then the door opened and Daio-chan ran in and went to her Mistress. She started looking over her with her gift as she looked at the little girl near the wall and just smiled. She then started talking to Kataru in Yamani and she responded. She turned to Leon and listed some things she needed. She then started to prepare her mistress for the birth of her son.

Catrina slowly tilted her head to one side as Kataru spoke; the baby? What? The little girl did not understand how a stomach ache led to... whatever was coming. It was a concept that didn't connect in the two year old's head. As did the fact that the other woman spoke words she couldn't understand. Yet, the one speaking the odd words seemed to know what she was saying. As a strange woman barged in, the golden haired lass jumped in surprise, immediately calming as she saw Leon.

Easily, Catrina attached herself to Leon's leg, gripping onto the folds of his robe. She gazed up at him, sensing his stiffness about the entire situation. He nodded his head shortly when Daio-chan listed some items she needed. As the fire mage went to walk, he had forgotten that Cat was attached to his leg. Smiling weakly at the two-year-old, Leo gathered her into his arms, and moved to the kitchen. Putting the girl down again, he handed her some of the lighter items requested, and he took the heavier ones. After placing them by his couch and the healer, he backed away, pulling Cat with him. Silently, he listened, for he closed his eyes in an attempt to bloke out his memories.

Yet, Leon's past wasn't the only thing that was bothering him: he never had a chance to marry Ruveila... raise a family with her. Out of everything that he could have, the one thing he wanted, ever, was unreachable. There was no way to somehow have a child that was his and Ruveila's. Kataru, on the other hand, would an image, living and breathing, of her husband. Findabhair as well. All he had was Catrina now, and he loved her deeply, but there was just something about having a child that could've been his and Ruveila's.

As the items were brought to Daio she then started the process of getting Kataru ready to birth the child that was ready to come into the world. She then looked at Leon and then at the little girl not really sure if it would be wise for her to see what was going to happen, but it was up to Leon if he wanted to pull her from the room. Kataru was having trouble controlling the pain and soon after much preparing she was ready and soon the birthing process started.

It was a couple of hours later that a cry pierced the air and a baby was born. Diao-chan cleaned the child up and put the babe into Kataru's arms as she then started to heal her so she wouldn't have much discomfort.

Kataru looked at the child in her arms. "Ryukasu..." she whispered softly as she kissed the brow of the baby boy she finally had in her arms. He was the splitting image of his father except for his mother's blue eyes.

Leon did not have to worry about shielding Catrina from everything; he learned early that she was quite good at turning off to situations that she did not like, specifically when it came to fires. She even went as far as burying her face, and squishing her eyes shut to avoid watching. The little two year old wanted nothing more than to stay, and be as brave as Leon is one day. That thought alone had her peak at the scene on the couch, just as the crying sounded through out the house. Slowly, she loosened her hold on her guardian, blinking with slight annoyance and curiosity at the little creature that made that awful noise.

Just as Catrina was hiding, Leon was lost in his own thoughts. So many thoughts were running through his mind; he could've been through all this, only with Ruveila, and he'd have his own child to cradle and name. Not only that but everything reminded of a scene so many years before, when his brother Augustus was born. The argument his mother and father had hours before the birth, the blood ridden sheets when his mother had become exhausted from labor, and there was no choice but to force the child out. The healers had informed them that it was what Francesca wanted - to save the baby. Looking back on it, Leon was not sure which he preferred; his mother alive, or knowing that a baby lay in a cold grave, that could've turn out to be the brother he loves.

Memories started to form in his eyes, and he became distraught, blood preasure rising and his heart pace quickening. Just as Cat loosened her hold on Leo's robes, the man felt his head swam, and as he tried to lower himself to the floor, he passed out. This caused the golden-haired girl to jump in surprise, holding her breath as she gazed down at the thin tyran man, whom had fainted. Getting to her knees, she held out a hand to gentle shake Leon, unsure what was going on, or what happened, but he was not stirring.

Kataru laid on the couch resting, Daio-chan sitting next to her talking to her in Yamani. Tears were in the Warrior's eyes as she held her son close to her. Though everything changed when she saw the mage fall to the ground and pass out.

The warrior slowly moved to the floor and moved over to the little girl who was trying to shake him. Kataru held her son in one arm and gently wrapped her arm around Catrina. She handed her son over to Diao-chan for a second as she brought a hand to Leon's cheek softly. "Leon-sama." she said as she then shook his shoulder. When he didn't wake up she wrapped her other arm arm the little girl. "He'll be okay Cat-chan." she whispered to the little girl.

Leon was out cold, and most likely won't come about until next morning, when it was safe be awake again. Catrina ceased trying to wake him after a few shakes, and heaved a few sigh, brown eyes glancing down into her lap. However, the girl froze when Kataru wrapped her arm around her shoulders. The little girl made no other movement then her figers twitching. She hasn't had any other contact with anyone else other than Leon. He was her savior, in her mind, and it was because of everyone else she can't see her mother, father, or little brother. Her brown eyes automatically shifted to the little boy in the woman's arms, whom was being passed to the other woman.

Then, the most terrifying thing Catrina could think of took place - both arms were around her, in a hug, and the woman was offering words of encouragement. The last woman to speak to her died above her. She easily reminded herself that the one holding was alive - weak, but alive. The girl was as stiff as a statue, and she took up a chance of bravery to look at the woman, a small frown on her face. She then shifted her eyes to Leon, and wiggled out of the womans hold to fix his robes, saying nothing.

Kataru looked at the little girl as she frowned when both of them couldn't get the mage awake. She sighed as she felt the little girl pull away from her and went to fix her adoptive father's robes. Kataru reached out and touched the man's cheek once more and still felt that it was warm and it made her feel a little bit better.

She turned to look at Daio and raised her hand to the woman and whispered something to her in Yamani and the woman touched her hand and the two joined hands glowed. Kataru felt strength slowly going into her body healing her sore body from giving birth and soon turned to look at Leon as she got up slowly. She moved over to Leon and gently grabbed his arms and pulled him up slowly and pulled him onto her back as she tried to move him her body straining with the weight. She took one slow step at a time cringing with the pain that it was bringing to her. She then got to the couch and dumped him on there and then straightened him out. She fixed her robes as she dropped to the ground exhausted and in pain.

She looked at the little girl again. "Would you find a blanket for him?" she asked softly. "He might get cold without one." she said with a soft smile.

Catrina let her hands rest over her adoptive fathers heart for a moment, brown eyes quickly glancing at the hand that was placed on his cheek. The picture stayed in her mind for a moment, wondering if the woman had thing for Leon. Catrina resumed mind her own business and feeling her father's heart beat when Daio leaned down to speak with the other woman. His heart was steady, if but a little slow. Yet, it was still comforting.

Brown eyes gazed over Kataru's face as she about, almost sensing the healing magic being used, now accostomed to it after living with Leon. As the one using said much gather Leon's limp form, Catrina understood what was going on and backed up against the wall. She knows she is far too weak to help any grown man off the floor. One day, though, as she always promises herself, she will be, and one day rise in the ranks of the Riders. By then, it will be time to protect Leon, when he is old and gray.

As the woman spoke, she bowed her head, golden curls bouncing a bit, "Yes, ma'am." Cat responded as Leon taught her to do whenever there was company. With a sense of authority, she moved over to the bedroom that her and Leon slept in. Grabbing the spelled quilt and her, rather Leon's, old stuffed animal. Appearing again, she helped herself to cover him up. Finishing, she sat at his feet, holding the stuffed animal to her chest. Her brown eyes then looked over at Kataru, finding the courage to ask a question, "Do you love him?"

Kataru watched as the little girl left and then came back and placed the blanket over Leon and held the stuffed animal to her chest. She smiled as she looked at the little girl. She then sat down on the edge of the couch and looked at Leon and then at the little girl as she asked her question. Kataru bit her lip, and pondered how to answer. "He is a special person to me, though I wouldn't say I love him. I care for him as a very good friend." she told the little girl as she reached out and brushed a couple of blond curls from the girls face. "I admire him, and hope that I can take care of my son just like he has taken care of you. He holds you dear to his heart and loves you as much as any father could. I admire you, Cat-chan, for having such a loving father."

She then looked back at Leon. She knew even with Ru's disappearance that even if she got close to this man, she couldn't take him. It wouldn't of been right of her. She loved Leon as a friend, as one of her very good friends. She admired him for his courage and some of his strengths. She then looked at Catrina and she smiled softly. The little girl was also touching her heart. she was sweet, shy, but sweet. She admired the girl for her love towards her father. Something Kataru hadn't had a chance to have when she was younger. "Out of everything, I admire him."

Catrina brought her knees up, slumping slightly in the couch as she ran her fingers along braided threads of the mane, bangs falling into her eyes. Those same bangs were brushed aside by Kataru a moment later, automatically shrinking a bit from the touch, but she quickly got over it as she listened. She frowned for a moment as she listened. Didn't you require the one you love to be special, to admire, and wish to care for? "Isn't that the same thing?" She asked, not looking the other woman in the eyes.

Kataru looked at the little girl. "To be honest with you Cat-chan...I am not sure. I look at him more as my hero. Somebody I can look up to." she said as she looked back at Leon. She touched his forehead to make sure he was still doing ok as she moved her hand to his cheek once more and than got up. She moved over to the other chair and sat down and looked at the little girl. "Maybe we both should get some sleep until Leon-sama wakes." she told the little girl.