The next morning Amye couldn't fully come to grips with her surroundings.

The room seemed not to be the one she had gone to sleep in. As she gazed around

the room, she realized it was nearly as lavish as Kage's...only more so.



Great blue and silver banners draped from the ceiling, to the walls and down to

the floor. She also saw the same chair and lounge couch she'd had trouble with the

day before, only they were here at the same time. As she swung out of bed, a frame

on the wall caught her eye. She walked closer and saw it was an exact copy of the

one she'd seen in Kage's room the night before. She stared at it dumbfounded.

'So that's suppose to be me and Kage...he looks nearly the same as he does now...only

different. And the woman...me? There's no way...I mean, I'd remember something like this...

right?'

She glanced around the room and blinked to make sure it was true. It was.

'I've got to get out of here! I'm starting to have conversations with myself- I can't take it...it's

gone much too far.'

Amye ran for the nearest banner and started ripping them down one after another, throwing them

into a pile in the middle of the floor. Next came the curtains, the rugs, and the dress she'd worn the night before.

She moved her way over to the chair and started pushing it towards the bathroom, running to get the lounge; she pushed it all into the bathroom. Ayme winced as she heard the chair fall into the bathtub, 'Hopefully that didn't cost too much.'

She looked at the small nightstand beside the bed that she hadn't noticed before, and frowned. She reached down

and picked up the necklace. It was in the shape of a heart and had a sword stabbing the heart through the bottom,

'How charming...’ Though upon closer examination, she discovered that it was in fact a locket and on the inside were two pictures; one was of Kage twirling the woman around, and the other was of Kage, sitting on a bench with his legs crossed and his face in his hand.

'Why does he have to be so beautiful? Why couldn't it have been some hag that kidnapped me? Well, maybe it doesn't count as kidnapping if he takes me back...hm that's pretty confusing.'

She looked again at the picture, his long silky black hair draped prettily over his shoulder, and his intense blue eyes.

The way he was sitting made the fact that he had long legs even more noticeable, and the way his face gently rested in his palm, with his serene expression and slightly devious smile that tugged at the corners of his pale lips made him nearly irresistible. Ayme sighed and tucked it away in her shirt pocket, before continuing on with her rampage to destroy all evidence and shove everything in the bathroom.                                                                                                                    She had just enough time to yank the picture off the wall, throw it in the bathroom and shut the door before the door to her room slid open and in popped Kami.

"Morning, Mistress! I didn't expect you to be up so early, but that saves me the trouble of pulling you out of bed!" She grinned merrily.

Slightly put off, Amye flashed her best innocent smile, "..Yeah, it's all those early mornings waking up for school! Can never sleep in..." She finished, forcing a laugh.

Kami nodded and smiled, "Master Kage wishes to see you. Did you two have a good night last night? A good talk?"

Amye deadpanned, "..The night was bearable."

Kami again nodded as though she had said a great deal, "Yes, well let's get you cleaned up and dressed before we take you to Master Kage."

"No! I mean- I already did! And I would like to wear these clothes, I feel more comfortable...in these clothes."

Kami pointedly showered her with skepticism, "As you wish, Mistress. This way."

She turned and headed out the door, as Amye ran to fetch her shoes and hurry after the young girl. As Amye caught up to her guide in the hall she questioned, "Isn't the dining area downstairs?"

"It is Mistress, but Master Kage has asked me to bring you to his quarters directly."

"Oh. Do you know why?"

Kami laughed, "No Mistress, why?"

"No reason."



Kage was there to meet them at the door as they approached.

He focused on Amye and smiled warmly, "Thank you, Kami, I'll take it from here."

"Yes, Master Kage."

"Liliane. please come inside."

With a nod from Kami as she turned and walked off, and a glance at Kage's still smiling face, she felt at ease when she walked past him and into his room for the second time. The door shut behind her and she turned to see Kage staring at her expectantly; she felt her cheeks flush. He looked just as he did in the locket.

As he took a stop towards her, she was sure her legs would buckle. Kage reached out and into her front pocket, pulling out the locket with the tips of his fingers. And then came the most brilliant smile as he held it up in front of her.

"So you're staying then?"

"St...staying? What, why do you think that?"

His smile dropped and he furrowed his eyebrows, "So you want to leave then? You've seen nothing to convince you otherwise?"

His expression tore at her heart, "No Kage, I've not seen anything that convinces me that... I belong here, and so I would like to leave...I'm sorry." Ayme made it a point to focus her gaze on the blue and white speckled marble floor.

With deliberate slowness, Kage reached out and tilited her chin up, taking a step closer.

"Liliane," he breathed brushing her cheek with his palm.

He leaned forward and pressed his lips against hers; taking her around her waist, he crushed her to him.

Amye stood limp in his arms when he broke the kiss, and when he leaned in to kiss her again, she completely yielded to his desire. He licked her lower lip and slipped his warm tongue into her mouth. As they kissed and their breath mingled, Ayme was swept away by a torrent of emotions. All she could comprehend was a need, a desire, and a lifetime of hardship, trials, and Kage's love throughout it all. With a moan, she fell into Kage's obliging arms.

With a timidness, she looked up at him with all her strength, "K..kage, what have you done to me?"

Kage looked at her through half lidded eyes, "In time, you will remember all you have lost and soon things will be as they should. For now, share breakfast with me and take back your locket, it's yours after all and it will give you strength."

Kage took her hand and led her to his bed, where she sat trying to regain her strength.

He smiled, "Some food will help you."

Amye nodded as Kage turned and walked to his desk, coming back with a platter of fruits. He came to the bed and sat beside her, sitting the plate down between them.

"So, what will you do, when you get back I mean?" asked Kage quietly.

"I'll go back to school and probably carry on with my life. Why do you ask?"

"Simple curiosity."

"Do you think you'll see me again?"

He watched as a wave of emotion flickered across her face, "No," she answered slowly, "probably not."

"Oh."

"Do you think you'll see me again, Kage?"

"Oh, maybe. There's always the chance of us passing each other on the street, or bumping into one another at a coffee shop or some such." He answered as he picked up another piece of cucumber.

Amye burst into a fit of laughter, "Yeah right! With the world you live in?"

Kage flashed her a wink, "What's so wrong with my world- it's yours too, you know. What says we couldn't bump into each other?"

"Nothing...it's perfectly plausible. Kage, why are you flirting with me?"

He looked at her wide-eyed, "Flirting? I'm not flirting, I have no need to flirt, you're mine, remember?" he pried, his lips dancing about to form a charming smirk.

"I am not yours. I'm mine!" Amye retorted.

"Are you saying you wouldn't like to be mine? That you wouldn't like to have my love?"

At his words, Amye froze and flushed as red as the strawberry she was holding.

"It's alright, you don't have to answer. I already have my answer."

"What's that suppose to mean!" she snapped.

"Nothing...just that I don’t think you'd be holding on to pictures of us and myself if you didn't feel something."

The silence passed on between them for a time, with Amye unwilling to respond and Kage all too willingly giving her provoking looks and tantalizing smiles.

With a soft sigh, he gave her a sidelong glance, "So when do you want to leave?"

"Leave?"

Kage raised his eyebrows, "When do you want to go back?"

Amye nibbled on her lip, "Can we go outside? I'd like to see outside."

"Absolutely. Are you finished?"

"Yes."

He stood and went to the window, "Sit tight, Lady Yuki. Looks like it might be cold," he said grinning.

'Why's he all bubbles and smiles today?' she thought.



Kage opened the door and walked to the hall, leaning over the railing, "KAMI!"

Seconds afterward, the young girl's head bobbed up over the stairs, "Yes, Master Kage?"

"Please bring us some winter clothes."

"Right away." and she bowed out of sight.

Kage turned and walked back to the doorway and leaned against the frame, staring at the young woman standing in front of the large window.

'Just like the snow, you drift away from me...' he thought with longing, ' will there ever be a day when I can hold on to you?'

A small cough shattered his thoughts, "Oh, Kami, thank you." he said turning to face her.

She held out the clothes to him, "Does your heart ache?"

The candidness of the question startled him and he laughed, "Not terribly. It is the same as all the other times...getting her to remember our past together, getting her to fall in love with me the first time was the easiest! We're going for a walk outside."

Kami scoffed, "Well, I'd assumed that much."

Kage smirked to himself and taking the clothes he walked into his room, grabbing the door handle and glancing back over his shoulder, "Don't be an ass," he said.



Amye turned as she heard Kage approaching.

"Here." said Kage offering the coat and scarf. She came toward him and took the offered clothes.

"Thanks."

Putting on their clothes, Kage walked over to make sure Ayme was bundled up tight, before leading her out of the immense house. As he opened the heavy wooden doors for her, he heard her gasp.

"What's wrong," he said coming out behind her and shutting the door, "never seen snow before?"

"Not with surroundings like this, it's breath taking."

"Is it? Then you'll love this." He said taking her hand and leading the way behind the house.

"Where are we going?"

"You'll see."

Upon approaching a steep hill, he dropped her hand and swung around behind her, covering her eyes with his hands. He felt her stiffen and he leaned in close to her ear, his breath making clouds of fog in the chill morning air, "What are you afraid of? Do you truly think I'd do anything to you that'd hurt you?

"No," he whispered, "I like you too much."

Amye began walking and he began directing her. When he finally pulled her back against him and dropped his hands, he discovered that her eyes were shut tight.

"You can look now," he sighed.

Amye slowly opened her eyes and gasped in shock. She was standing on a cliff covered in layers of snow. From the cliff hung great long icicles. Below them was a huge lake that was frozen over, the sun's rays striking it dramatically, causing little plays of light to dance about. A magnificent mountain range steeped in shadow sprawled out beyond that, and at the very peaks where the light touched, they shown like beacons. They reminded her of lighthouses; calling two lonely travelers home...only this wasn't her home; that much she'd decided which was why Kage would be taking one final trip with her.

Ayme turned to look at him, and as he smiled, her heart began to ache.

"What do you think?"

"It's beautiful," she said without turning away from him, "it's an ethereal type of beauty, I've never seen anything like it before and the probability of me seeing it again is unlikely."

"Oh?" he said sweetly.

"Yeah."

"That's too bad."

"Yeah?"

Kage narrowed his eyes slightly, "Will you miss me?"

"I barely know you, that I remember anyways, if all you've told me is true."

"So?"

"You know, I think I will."

"Take what you want of me."

Amye circled her arms around him, "Why does it feel like I've known you longer than I have?"

"We've been over this before," he said wrapping his arms around her protectively.

"So we have, it'd just be more believable if I could remember something."

"In time, all that you need will surely come."

"Kage..."

"Yes?"

"Kiss me."

Kage looked at her and blinked.

Running his fingers through her hair he leaned forward, his breath brushing against her lips.

Ayme reached up and caressed the side of his neck; standing on her tippy-toes she pressed her lips against his. Kage's tongue found her's in an instant, and as he tasted the sweetness of the strawberries that still clung to her lips, he let out a soft sigh. As Amye slid her hand to the back of his neck and pulled him closer, she let her other roam freely across his chest. He nipped at her lip and as she yelped he withdrew his kisses, pushing her hood back and going for her neck. As his tongue traced circles over her neck, she was clutching at his finely toned chest and moaning.

He pulled away from her and hovered near her ear, "Please don't forget me," said Kage, his voice low and husky.

Standing up straight, he looked to the horizon, "Take a good look at this place, you won't see it for a while."

Ayme stole a glance at him, before quickly turning to the horizon as well. Kage drew her close once more and brought his hand to his face. Their surroundings shimmered and then blurred, when the world became stable again, Ayme recognized that they were standing at the edge of her neighborhood.

"Well, here we are."

"You didn't say we were leaving, I didn't think it be right away."

"There's never a right time for 'good-byes', it’s better this way."

"Why are you such a jerk?" she inquired, pushing him away.

"I'm not Amye, you just keep toying with me and pushing me away, just like so. I'm merely returning the favor. I refuse to be taken as a fool. Let's go, I made you a promise I intend to fulfill." Stated Kage, his voice like the icicles she had just been awed by.

Ayme set her jaw defiantly as she began leading the way down the sidewalk to her house, Kage falling into step a pace behind her.

"What? Are you upset?" he asked bluntly.

"I didn't say that." she replied evenly.

"I didn't say you did." scoffed Kage.

"Do you enjoy being obnoxious?" Ayme asked, suddenly turning on him.

"Sometimes."

"Are you enjoying it now?" she glowered.

"Eh, not so much. Personal interest?"

"You wish." she spat.

"I do." he replied playfully winking at her.

"Ergh!" screeched Ayme, turning on her heel and stomping off.

Kage continued following her, "Now what's wrong?"

"You think you're such the romantic!"
"I am. Although you seem to try to be taking advantage of the fact that I'm still in love with you and that's not very endearing. I still remember you! I am still in love with you! But me? I'm nothing! I'm nothing more than an insignificant pet to you! For you to toy with and judge. Is this very romantic? Do you like me now? Am I being clear enough for you? Are you listening to me now?" he sneered.

Ayme unwillingly choked back tears that she believed had no reason to be falling.

Kage watched her as her body trembled; he felt no pleasure about what had be said, however true or not.

His footsteps fell silently as he walked in front of her and waited for her to look up. When she didn't, he picked her chin up and glared coldly at her for a long time.

When she lost her nerve and tried to look away he held her fast.

"What is your problem!" he raged.

"Are you going to leave me or not? Because I'm telling you right now, that you're going to need a lot more nerve than you're showing if you are going to leave. You want nothing to do with me? Hate me! Despise me! Or do you love me and just not want to admit it, because you're weak? Is that it? What is going through your head! Why don't you say anything, you just stand there sobbing!"

"Because I like you and I can't explain why! Don't you see! I'm not toying with you, I'm simply trying to understand and I can't. I'm lost. With you I feel safe and strong, but I don't know you and nothing changes that. It's not that I'm weak, it's that I'm uncertain. Maybe if I had the chance to get to know you, to figure out who you are, but I can't love you the way you want me to simply because of memories you tell me of us that I can't remember, no matter how badly I want to believe them."

Kage's support on her chin turned into a gentle caress of her cheek, "Well at least I know a little of what's going through your mind now, why don't we keep walking, I need to think."



They continued walking down the street and upon reaching a house with a green door they suddenly stood facing each other once more.

"So...this is it." said Ayme slowly.

"So it is, are you ready for it all to go back to how things were?"

"I guess I'll find out." She said with a small laugh.

"Eh, don't worry about it too much," he said taking his hat off and running his long fingers through his hair, "I have a lot of thinking to do. Don't worry about the clothes, it's a little warm here for them now but here in a little bit I'm sure you'll be glad you have them. Just do me one thing.” he said, tilting his head to the side gazing at her.

"Hm?” inquired Ayme, slightly raising her eyebrows.

"That locket you have...wear it for me and think about me now and then, huh? I'm sure we'll each other again, it'd be really nice to see you in it when we do." said Kage.

With that he turned and started to walk off when he stopped, "I almost forgot," he said reaching into his coat and pulling out a small clutch that had keys pinned to it and tossing it to her.

"I believe this is yours."

"Thank you," Ayme said thoroughly relieved.

Kage raised his hand to his face, and the space around him shimmered and seemed to shake around him as though reality itself were being altered and ripped apart at them seam, and then he vanished.

"Good bye, Kage." whispered Ayme softly.