Baiyren wilted under his throne’s weight. The day had been a long one, hearing requests, meeting with delegates from Haven, and seeing to Sahqui-Mittama’s reconstruction. As with the basilica at Tsurmak, Regan and her guardians rebuilt much of the damage; making the citizens feel more secure day to day was now up to him. He stretched, wondering if he could find a better, more efficient way to hear petitions. That would be one of the first things he brought to the council. Yawning, he turned, and was about to start down the steps when he noticed one last figure.
“Come forward,” he said, keeping the weariness from his voice. “How may the crown help you?”
“The crown can start by helping itself,” a voice chided. “You really are an idiot, you know.”
A guard appeared from the left, another to the right. They moved a few steps into the room then stopped mid-stride as if frozen.
“Keiko,” Baiyren said, exhaling. “Juno said you could do that. I didn’t believe her.” He ran a hand through his hair. “That seems funny now, considering.”
“Funny?” Keiko said, walking up to the stairs and climbing. “You know what I think is funny? I think it’s funny that a man who’s been looking for attention his whole life can miss it when it’s right in front of him.”
“Juno made her choice, Keiko. She decided to go home.”
“She gave you plenty of chances to change her mind. Either you ignored them – which I doubt – or you were totally clueless, which I think is more likely.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Baiyren was having trouble following anything Keiko said.
Keiko rolled her eyes. “Give me a break. Of course you do. This is about you not asking Juno to stay.”
“I’m really not in the mood for this, Keiko.” Baiyren sat down, not in his throne, but on the first step.
Keiko joined him. “Clueless,” she muttered. “Just like I thought.” She stood and held out a hand.
“We’re going to Earth aren’t we?” Baiyren said.
“Naturally. How else are we supposed to fix this?”
“I don’t–”
“You do. Just ask her. That’s all she wants you to do.”
“I don’t–”
“You don’t have to. You just have to ask. Do you think you can manage that much?”
Baiyren nodded but remained silent.
“Good.” Keiko brought her burgundy shield to life and opened the Portal to Earth. “Let’s hope you can.”
Juno sat at her hotel desk, paging through a sheaf of papers without seeing them. They were all that remained of Baiyren’s last expedition: a list of personal effects, the cost of storage, and a voucher from the American consulate in Guangzhou. The other members of her team, the three who’d survived, immediately contacted the nearest American diplomatic post. They’d broken camp as soon as the fighting ended and sought sanctuary behind what was considered American soil. Juno couldn’t blame them.
The Chinese were very touchy when something this big happened inside their borders, particularly when fifty or so Chinese had died. Juno put the reports down and rubbed her temples. She wasn’t really reading them anyway.
Her mind drifted back to Higo. She missed that world, missed the beautiful vistas, clean air, and strong, hopeful people. Most of all, she missed Baiyren.
Why didn’t he ask me to stay? Don’t I mean anything to him? He certainly meant a great deal to her.
Standing, she paced about the room for a long time. She stared at the clock next to her bed. Nine forty-five. The man from the consulate would be here soon. He’d promised to drive her to the village where she’d find her things. She told him that wasn’t necessary, but he insisted. At least she thought he did; remembering details was difficult. The past few days were a blur of fatigue, tears, and loss. Maybe it was better to have him take her.
She hurried to the mirror, checked her reflection, and headed into the hall.
A quick elevator ride brought her to the hotel’s western-styled lobby. Generic stone columns lined a fairly large space, and she made her way over the gray carpets, past the reception desk, and took a seat facing the windows. After about ten minutes, a nondescript sedan – navy blue, naturally – pulled into the circular drive. A man in a suit that matched the car’s color got out and headed inside. He was tall, well over six feet, and while his features were Asian, Juno thought he looked more Japanese than Chinese.
“Ms Montressen?” he said. His voice was smooth and deep and only lightly accented. He extended a hand. “I’m Matsuda. I’m sorry we have to meet under these circumstances. I imagine you are anxious to be on your way.”
Juno nodded and managed a weak smile. The man’s calm demeanor made her feel better. His card, emblazoned with a US State Department logo, didn’t hurt either. “Thank you,” she said. “I really don’t want to inconvenience you. Like I said on the phone, you didn’t need to do this.”
“After everything you’ve experienced? It’s the least we can do. Come.” He gestured at the revolving doors. “We should be on our way.”
Juno followed him into the sultry air and slipped into the back seat, staring absently out the window as Matsuda pulled into the street. The ride took the better part of two hours, and Juno was starting to get fidgety when she recognized the tall, sheltering cliffs beyond the windshield. They drove through the same narrow tunnel the crew used to move equipment in and out of the site and emerged on the other side.
Grass already sprouted within the blast craters, and rain and weather had worked over the tumbled rocks to the point that they seemed part of the landscape. Everything heals, Juno thought.
A few yards away she spotted the deserted camp. The tents and equipment were gone, the space empty.
Matsuda came up behind her. “Ms Montressen? There’s someone to see you.”
Juno turned, expecting to see one of the expedition’s survivors. She stopped suddenly. “Keiko?” she gasped. “What the hell?” She spun to confront Matsuda, but the man and his car were gone.
“Hello, Juno.” Keiko grinned. “It’s good to see you again.” Keiko wore a short white kimono over a pair of plain pants the same hue as the robe. Burgundy slashes accented the top, a matching obi completing the look. “I had a couple of loose ends to tie up before I go back to my training.” She ignited her shield and pointed to the cliff tops. “I’ll be up there if you need me.” With that, she catapulted into the air and disappeared behind the tall rock.
“Wait!” Juno called, running after her. “Come back!” This wasn’t happening. How was she supposed to get out of here? Panic seized her. She looked for some way out: a villager, a child who could fetch a rescue party, even a government official would do.
She didn’t see anyone. Fuming, she started walking. How far was the nearest town? Over ten miles from what she remembered. They’d bought supplies there, filled their jeeps and spare gas cans. Her heart sank when she remembered refilling the cars at least once during their trip. Hoping the Chinese had left guards around what was now the place where foreigners attacked, she trudged on. Where was she supposed to find help, and why would Keiko leave her alone.
You’re not alone, Keiko said in her head. Turn around, Juno.
Juno’s feet faltered. Keiko? This isn’t funny.
Just turn around.
Juno did as Keiko asked and found Baiyren standing before her.
“Hi,” he said awkwardly.
“Baiyren?” Juno drew a deep breath and closed her eyes. She couldn’t let him know how her heart ached at the sight of him. Slowly, she opened her eyes. He looked the same as he had the day she left, the loose gray shirt, the black pants.
“Juno,” he said unsteadily. “I’m sorry. Higo hasn’t been the same without you. The… people want you back; they miss you.”
Juno arched an eyebrow. “The people miss me?”
Sweat dotted Baiyren’s forehead. “You still have the Heartstone,” he added hastily. “It’s one of Higo’s most sacred relics. It has to come back.”
Juno stepped forward. “The Heartstone won’t go anywhere until it knows it’s wanted. It’s perfectly capable of making its own decisions and doesn’t like having them made for it.”
Baiyren flinched. “I’m sorry,” he said again. “I thought you’d want to go home.” He sounded small, deflated.
“So instead of asking – instead of talking to me – you simply did what you thought was best. How do you think that made me feel?” Juno pointed a finger at him. “I told you how I felt about you and you couldn’t do the same. Or wouldn’t. Which is it?” She put her hands on her hips. “Take all the time you need.” An awkward silence dropped between them. “I’m waiting,” she said, timing the words perfectly.
Baiyren shuffled his feet; he couldn’t look her in the eye. “I came back because I knew I was wrong. I’d like you to come back to Higo.” He searched her face, his expression pleading. “I miss you. My life is empty without you in it.”
Juno tilted her head. She walked over to him. “I’ll come,” she said. “On one condition.” Baiyren didn’t say a word; he just dropped his head and nodded. Excellent. “I’m not coming back to just hold your hand or hang on your arm.” Her body moved close to his, and she felt the furious beat of his heart. “I’m not going to just sit around and play house, and you wouldn’t want me to. I know I’ve changed since the last time we stood here, but I’m still the same person inside, and I want the same things.” She placed her hands on his cheeks and pulled him close. “Now that we’ve settled things, I’ll let you kiss me.”
Baiyren relaxed, the tension left his body, and he cracked a smile. “That’s not very romantic of you.”
“I don’t suppose that it is. But it’ll be worth it, I promise.” Juno pulled him closer, guiding his lips to hers. Time came to a stop, and Juno felt as if she was living and dying and everything in between. She let the moment last as long as she could, then reluctantly pushed away from him. “You’re an idiot, you know,” she said, resting her cheek on his chest.
“I love you too.” Though Baiyren’s tone was playful, Juno felt the emotion behind it.
A thrill ran through her; she touched a silencing finger to his lips. “Of course you do. Now…” she said, turning away and tapping her cheek. “The only thing left for me to do is decide what I should pack. Is it warm year-round in Sahqui-Mittama?”
The look on Baiyren’s face melted her heart. Disbelief mixed with wonder and happiness. “You’re sure? You have a life here – a family.”
Not this again. “Yes, Baiyren, I’m sure. Besides, traveling between Earth and Higo has been a whole lot easier than most of my trips. I’ll have to figure out what to tell my parents; the truth won’t work, not right away.” She tried to imagine what that conversation would be like. “What the hell,” she said, tossing her hands. “I didn’t pack the last time, and that turned out okay. New life, new start, new… everything.” The thought sent a thrill through her. She’d seen so little of Higo. Her curious nature demanded more. Living there, making a life, sharing it with Baiyren. She wanted all that and more. “Okay,” she said. “Let’s do this.”
Baiyren grinned, took her hand, and headed for a low hill. Keiko dropped from the larger mountains and met them at the top, smiling smugly. “Why do you people always have to make things so hard?” she huffed. “You’re lucky you have someone like me around.”
Juno smiled back as Baiyren pulled her close. A light tingling filled her body and, as before, the world around her dissolved. When it refocused, she found herself looking at Higo. Lush green forests blanketed the deserts, and organized farms stretched from Sahqui-Mittama’s gates to the water separating the Ridderroque from the eastern lands. Baiyren squeezed her hand and grinned happily.
“Welcome home,” he said.