The Zodiac: Chapter 27

“Come back here you little brats!”  Vash shouted as he ran through the halls of the castle. He panted heavily as he came around a corner and he watched them dash behind the next.

“God I’m getting too old for this.” Vash leaned his head back against the wall. Taking a deep breath he shook his head. “When did I go from being guard captain to being baby sitter?”

“You’re not a baby sitter Vash. You’re a god father.” Vash turned to owner of the voice and smirked.

“Yeah and you’re a king now.” Vash said as Raku laughed.

Raku shrugged his shoulders. He was wearing robes, royal robes that his father once wore every day.  Raku could remember seeing him in those and wishing that he would one day have them. Now though he constantly worried that he was never going to live up to that man.

“I try to be a good king.” Raku said with a smile. “And I have a good friend watching my back. Not to mention it’s almost like the other never left.”

Vash laughed. “You got that right.”

“Uncle Vash! Come on you gotta find us. That’s how hide and seek works.” The tiny voice shouted from one of the rooms.

“Yeah! If we win again, you’ll have to do what we say alllll day.” Another very similar voice said from a different room.

Vash groaned and Raku pat his back lightly. “I’m going to have some lunch downstairs. When you eventually lose, you three should join me.”

Raku left him to it and Vash nodded. Sighing he started walking, carefully at first. He stepped lively as he went toward the first room where he heard the voice of the child. He opened the door wide and the room was empty. His eyes scanned it and the bed was made, the closet was open and empty and nothing was disturbed.

“Where the hell did he go?” Vash said to himself. Suddenly the door slammed shut behind him and there was an eruption of giggling from the other side of the door. He stared at the door and made a sound of pure frustration. “Fucking kids.”

On the other side of the door they both laughed so much they didn’t notice the tall shape behind them. “Are you two causing more trouble for Vash?”

Both boys straightened up instantly and their faces fell. They weren’t exactly scared but their laughter was gone. They had wild dark hair that reached the napes of their neck. Their skin was a dark tan color, a mix of their parents. Ones eyes were bright amber the other was heterochromatic. They were wearing short sleeves shirts and shorts. They looked exactly the same being proper twins and all.

“Nooo.” One of them said as he turned around to face her.

Leo looked at them with a wary expression. She didn’t believe them for one second. She knew better after all. Putting her hands onto her hips she walked past and then knocked on the door. “Vash you in there?”

“Leo! Teach your brats manners!” Vash shouted from the room.

Leo chuckled, her mouth in a wide smile. She turned to the twins and then kneeled down. “How about we leave Vash here for a little while? Let’s go get something to eat.”

The boy’s faces lit up and she smiled brightly along with them. Holding out her hands they each took one and then pulled her forward. “So, what did you two do today?”

“Gemini and me explored the castle! But then we lost our pendants.”

“It’s your fault Cancer.” Gemini huffing and then looked up at Leo. “Tell him that it was his fault mom! He wanted to hide in the library book stacks! He almost made us fall.”

“You liar. Mom he’s a liar!” Cancer said and tried to get at his brother but Leo easily held the two of them apart. She led them down the stairs but the moment they were on solid ground they were trying to fight again.

She squeezed both of their hands tightly until they squirmed in very mild pain. “Now both of you. I’m going to ask you once to behave or else you can’t have these back.”  She reached into her pocket and revealed a pair of golden necklaces. One with the pair of twins clasping hands and one of a crab.

Both boy’s eyes went wide and they reached up to grab them but Leo held them just out of reach with a dark chuckle. “Now, agree to behave for the rest of today.”

“We promise!” They shouted in unison and she smiled.

“Alright. Lower your heads.” She slid Cancer’s necklace over his head slowly and then kissed his forehead. She did the same for Gemini and smiled at them. It was strange for her. It had been ten years since the war. Ten years since the peace had come to Nerodala. But only four years since she’d been blessed with her twins. Beautiful boys that she fell in love with the moment she saw them. However, it was her surprise when she knew.

She knew that the spirits of Cancer and Gemini had chosen her boys. It surprised her and it gave her what she always wanted. To be a mother to her children. After all the Zodiac couldn’t be separated from each other. Maybe it was luck or maybe it was divine intervention. Regardless she had never been happier.

She had been afraid throughout this entire time that she was going to resent Cancer. For the things that the last one had done. She was afraid that she would play favorites with Gemini considering her relationship with the last one. Yet when she saw her twins, she saw her own flesh and blood. Nothing less.

As the two ran through the castle they ran straight to the kitchen. The staff there loved the young ones. They loved to spoil them and the twins loved tasting everything they could get their eager hands onto.

Leo walked into the dining hall where she saw Raku. Despite being young, he was the king now. She couldn’t help but tease him about it. He said the teasing made facing the reality easier to face. She was one of his advisors. She was one of the reasons the people’s voices were heard by their king.

She continued to walk through the hall and she was stopped. “Where do you think you’re going?”

Leo laughed softly, biting her lip. “I was just going to check on the people in the town. See if there was anything new.”

Turning around she stared at Pisces who gave her a skeptical look. He hadn’t changed much in the five years. Still the tired eyes and the warm smile. Still wore the same clothes but there was a small change. Now he proudly wore a golden ring on his finger.

“You mean that you’re skipping a meal so that you can work more. “Pisces said and put his hands onto her shoulders. Turning her around he pushed her back toward a table. “Now sit. Taurus and Aries will be joining us for lunch.”

Leo tried to glare at him but it wasn’t happening. She had calmed down because of her husband. She couldn’t scare him even if she wanted to be mad. So, she did as he requested and sat at the table and folded her arms.

Taurus, Aries, Pisces, and Sagittarius after the war had faced their punishment. Though they were both under Cancer’s influence they both committed terrible crimes. Pisces and Sagittarius were able to be pardoned but Taurus and Aries refused. Whereas Sagittarius and Pisces were prisoners, Taurus and Aries were somewhat willing. At least they believed that.

To atone they became the leading members of the restoration. They had a lot to answer to and this was one of many ways to repay it. Things wouldn’t have progressed so fast without them. Years passed and through their efforts they slowly earned back the trust of the people.

They came back to see their family, mostly to check in on Cancer, but their work was never done. They doted on him and Leo didn’t mind. Capricorn and Sagittarius were fond of Gemini in the same way.

“Yo Leo.” Capricorn shouted as he came forward. He laughed as he slowed and then slid into the spot beside her. Wrapping his arm around her shoulders he pressed his head against hers. “Long time no see big sister.”

“Hey goat.” She replied as she scooted back so that she could face him. “How goes the honeymoon?”

Capricorn’s face lit up and he leaned backwards.  “Lyria’s amazing. Beautiful people and beautiful country. Kali wished you could have been there.”

Leo smiled. “I would have been but I have twins to raise.”

“How are my nephews?” Capricorn asked an eager grin. “Getting into trouble still?”

Leo glared at him. “I hate that you had an influence on them before you left.”

Capricorn’s grin just grew wider and she rolled her eye.

“Uncle Capricorn!” The goat stood and turned to face the little ones. They ran forward and jumped into his waiting arms.

“How’re my favorite nephews?” He asked as he sat down and they climbed onto the bench.

The two jumped into the stories of what they had doing since he’d left. Not so much of anything they learned but of all the games they played and the tricks they had managed to pull off.

Kali and Capricorn getting together had been a surprise to everyone. Everyone thought that she and Vash would be together and after the war they tried. Kali never said why it didn’t work and Leo didn’t press her on it. However, Capricorn, she didn’t see that coming. Capricorn loved her in his own way and Kali saw something in him that she didn’t. Maybe Gemini would have.

She frowned at the thought because she missed him all the time. She missed her little brother. She was always going to miss him and she had to take a long time to accept that.

Aries and Taurus came through the front door and came toward them. Taurus had grown larger, if that were possible, as well as facial hair. It had taken several years for the fear of Taurus to die down and his true colors began to show through. The silent giant of the Zodiac had become a well loved figure in the country.

Aries on the other hand kept his distance from the people. Though he did as much help he never felt comfortable amongst the people he helped to subjugate. Maybe a long standing guilt. Regardless his distant demeanor always disappeared at home, especially around Capricorn.

“Oh the goat’s back.” Aries said dryly as he slid into a seat.

Capricorn turned to face him and smirked. “Come on sheep. You missed me while I was gone. It’s alright to admit that.”

“It seems the wisdom of Lyria hasn’t grown on you at all.” Aries shook his head.

“Wow, I didn’t expect a crowd.” Libra said as she brought forward a huge pot. It was nearly the size of her and probably just as heavy. She had a hair net over her ponytail. Pulling off her mittens she ran back into the kitchen before fetching more bowls. The youngest of the Zodiac had started to grow into her own. She took Virgo’s death hard but she vowed to become someone he would have been proud of. “Tell me how you all like this. It’s a new recipe I wanted to try out.”

“Gladly. Hand me a bowl.” Capricorn said taking the ladle. He filled his bowl high before giving the ladle to Leo. She made a bowl for Cancer and Gemini first before a bowl for Pisces. She set it aside for when he joined them. As she poured her own Gemini toughed on her sleeve.

“Hey mom.” he asked as he stood on the table seat. He was pointing past her toward the door. “Who’s that?”

Leo turned around and her eyes widened slightly. She watched Aquarius walk toward them. She was smiling and for the first time in a long time it reached her eyes. At her side was another girl, no older than three holding tightly to Aqua’s hand as she looked around. Her skin was dark with blonde curls and curious blue eyes that took in everything she could see.

The sixth year after the war Aquarius left. She told them that Cancer always wanted to travel beyond their borders and Gemini would have wanted to go with him. So she would do it for them both. But they all knew that it was her way of grieving for them both. She had said that she would be back when she was ready.

“Aqua. Welcome back.” Aries said softly.

“Yeah, it’s good to see you again.” Capricorn said, putting his bowl down and getting up quickly. He moved to hug her when he saw her companion and paused. “Who’s this?”

Aquarius smiled as she encouraged the girl to take a few steps forward. She didn’t let go of Aquarius hand. She looked at them all curiously before reaching reached out toward Libra, a bright smile forming on her face. Libra’s eyes widened and her lips parted slightly.

“Virgo.” She whispered and the child nodded quickly.

“Libra,” she said, stumbling over the worlds but her voice was light.

Aquarius nodded. “It seems she recognizes you too. Go on.” Walking toward Libra, she let go of Aquarius hand and held hers out. Libra took it gently and both girls gasped into smiles.

“Is she yours?” Leo asked and she shook her head.

“No. I found her in my travels. She was abandoned at an orphanage in a place called The Sanctum. Well not entirely abandoned. She was being protected by someone.” Aquarius turned to the door as Sagittarius entered. The archer had gone to become a diplomat for to their immediate neighbors. The ones beyond Nerodala were especially difficult.

There was a young girl with her. She had short buzzed black hair and was frail. She had sharp blue eyes and dark skin. Her features were sharp and face blank. Even though she was young, barely six years old, she was still tall.

“You don’t have to be shy Scorpio.” Aquarius said beckoning her forward. “You’re with your family now. Your real family.”

Scorpio didn’t speak as she looked at them. She merely watched and then went to stare at Virgo. Virgo saw her and laughed happily. Scorpio didn’t smile or say anything in response but the intensity of her stare showed where her priorities were.

Pisces finally came forward sat beside Leo and whispered to her with a chuckle. “So, this is everyone. The twelve of us. Together again.”

Leo’s heart skipped a beat but he was right. Capricorn was teasing Aries while Taurus inquired about Sagittarius’s travels. Aquarius was meeting Gemini and Cancer for the first time. Libra and Scorpio were doing their best to make sure that Virgo ate.

“I guess you’re right.” Leo said and picked up her bowl. Her family was together and she would never let anything tear them apart again.