A Mother's Love

Zarathustra stamped his hooves. Areil's presence made him incredibly nervous. He hovered near Kleppa, watching the baby's every move.

"Priire told you what?" Areil asked, sounding stunned. "That I was evil?" The woman shook her head. "I can't believe she lied to you like that."

"So you aren't evil?" Nadine asked.

Areil shook her head. "Of course not! She has it backwards." Shaking her head, Areil continued mournfully, "Why do you think they call her the 'Dark Sailor'?"

The other woman handed her a cup of tea. "I had a feeling that woman wasn't as innocent as she pretended."

Once again, Areil shook her head. "Didn't you wonder why she worse those gloves all the time?"

"I supposed it was just fashion," Nadine admitted. "But I had my doubts."

"She wears them," Areil leaned closer as if it were a grand secret, "because her hands are horribly scarred." At Nadine's horrified look, Areil continued. "I'm not sure where she got them, but there are rumors that she was with a gang and that it was some kind of initiation rite."

Nadine frowned. "That's awful!"

With a sigh, Areil leaned back. "I know, I know. I feel so bad for my little sister sometimes. That's one of the reasons I've been trying to get my daughter back from her."

By this time, Nadine was nodding in agreement. "I'll do everything I can to help you get her back. You're such a nice person, and you deserve to have you daughter with you."

"Well... there's always the whole break-into-the-house-in-the-middle-of-the-night thing."

Ippin shook her head. "She's mad enough to do that without you encouraging her, Tashita!"

Priire almost smiled. "I was thinking that we could all get together and pay them a visit. Try and convince them to give Kleppa back." The blonde shrugged. "If that doesn't work, we can drag them in front of the Jedi Council."

"I don't think they'd come," Kousotsu said. He was sitting next to Priire with his arm around her. Despite the fact that he'd rushed all the way from Alderaan the night before, he hadn't slept.

Tashita shrugged. "Let them have her." Tashita wasn't too fond of the baby, anyway.

A frown covered Priire's face. "I couldn't. What if Mystique or Areil came looking for her? Then what?"

Tashita sighed. "Maybe if we all go talk to them, they'll see the light." The brunette grinned. "And if that doesn't work, you can always shoot something."

"What did I say about not encouraging her?" Ippin yelped, seeing the gleam in Priire's eye.

The doorbell rang again and this time Rue - the elder Shitsuren Zarathustra - answered it. "Mrs. Renjiro... Priire," he ammended.

Next to the blonde, Kousotsu made a strained sound. She smiled and elbowed him. "Hello! We were wondering if we could speak with you."

"We?"

Priire nodded. "Let me introduce everyone. Tashita Seijoutai, Kalil Aman, Fuukou Ippin, Yuri Riku, and... Kousotsu Renjiro," she smiled. "My family."

"What a coincidence," the older man said. "Your sister is here too."

Forcing her face into a non-responsive mask, Priire softly asked, "My sister?"

"Yes, Areil. You told us about her last night." He looked disapproving. "Apparently, not everything you told us was true."

Feeling waves of anger pour off of her, Kousotsu put his hand on Priire's shoulder. "May we come in?" the Jedi asked.

The elder man nodded.

Surrounded by the people she loved, Priire found the strength not to rip into Areil first off. Zar looked relieved when he saw the group walk in. He moved over to where they were.

"Mrs. Shitsuren," Priire said politely. The other woman responded coldly.

"These people are Priire's family, Nadine," Rue said. "Priire?"

Slowly, Priire introduced the people she'd brought with her. When she was done, Nadine frowned. "Kousotsu Renjiro?"

"Yes?" the handsome man responded, smiling.

Nadine looked him over. "What do you do?"

"I'm a Jedi, like Priire," he answered.

The confusion on Nadine's face was plain. "Areil told us that you were a student." The woman looked at Areil.

Kousotsu shook his head. "No, I'm a Jedi Knight."

"Oh." Nadine didn't look convinced. "Why are you here?"

"We've come to ask that you give Kleppa back to us," Priire informed her, desperately trying not to sound harsh. "She belongs in the Temple. You saw her transform..."

The woman looked confused. "Transform? Whatever are you talking about?" Nadine asked. Rue joined her in looking confused.

Priire shot a look at Areil. Her sister said nothing, only smiled slightly. The next being Priire looked at was Zarathustra.

They have been bewitched
By your faithless sister.
I cannot stop this travesty,
Neither can they resist her.

"Sithspit," Priire cursed softly. "Areil... this has always been personal. No lies. And you are not keeping Kleppa. Even if I have to hunt you down - which I plan to do anyway - I will have that child back."

"Her name," Areil said, "is Seiki!"

"Shitsuren Seiki," Priire corrected. "Want to tell them where Shitsuren Zarathustra is?"

Areil waved her hand in a languid motion. "I think you killed him."

Priire laughed. "I think not."

"Wha...!" Ariel looked stunned. The Shitsurens weren't under her power anymore. She glared at Priire. "Stop that."

"It's not me, sister. Besides," Priire shrugged. "You started it." Kousotsu and Ippin were keeping a Force-block an Areil. "Look," she sighed, turning to the Shitsurens. "Besides the fact that she's the incarnation of evil, there isn't any proof that either of our stories are true. What if you heard the story straight from the horse's mouth?"

The couple looked even more confused. "Could you please tell us what is going on?" Rue demanded.

"Sure. Areil and Priire both want to keep Kleppa. Areil's been mind-controlling you so that you'd agree with everything she said. Mom's got her blocked," Tashita smiled. "And now Mom's going to do something stupid."

"Am not," Priire protested, holding out her hand. She rested it on the invisible pegasus beside her. To the Shitsurens, it appeared she was resting on air. "This better work," she sighed. Concentrating, Priire gathered every bit of Force-power she had and focused it on the non-corporeal pegasus.

Slowly - as if he were being filled in with an airbrush - Zarathustra appeared. He looked just as surprised as the humans in the room did. After looking at Priire, he stared at his parents for along moments. Then, the pegasus spoke.

He flicked his tail at Priire and shook his head. The last thing the Force-pegasus wanted was to confront his parents. But for his daughter...

"Zar!" Nadine sobbed. "What happened to you..."

Kousotsu caught Priire as she slumped over. Rue put his hand on Nadine's arm. "Apparently," the man said, taking charge. "This young lady has been tell the truth all along. Areil... where did she go?"

Tashita shook her head. "She's gone. Like always."

With a grin, Ippin held up Kleppa. "But we have Kleppa. That's what's important."

Priire nodded and took the baby. "I love you, sweetheart."

"What happened?!" Annika demanded. "Mori said that someone took Kleppa! We've got to get her back."

Priire laughed. "We did, we did." She held up the baby. "See?"

"Good!" Annika proclaimed. "I'm going to go play with her, see you later!"

The blonde just laughed again. "If she were anyone else, that'd seem pushy. But somehow, Annika mangoes to carry it off nicely." Everyone laughed. "Look," Priire continued, "I have a meeting with a senator. She's got some kind of problem she thinks I can help with."

"Who?" Mori asked.

"Senator Lolece Eliton." Priire shrugged. "Something about spice. Look..." Priire was suddenly serious. "...if the Shitsurens show up, don't leave them alone with Kleppa. Ever."

After a breath of silence to absorb that command, the senshi began running in their opposite directions once again.

Priire smiled, feeling like the world was right once again. As she walked out the door, she sighed happily, "It's good to be home."