A/N: It's about time I posted something! Well, here it is: The prequel to Little Miracles! Although I will be rewriting Little Miracles I will try my best not to confuse you. In this case, you do NOT need to read Little Miracles before Two Boys, One Heart.
Before reading, take caution of the warning below, as it explains the content of this story. Younger readers, I suggest you read cautiously thoughout later chapters as some material may not be suitable. Before each chapter, I will always remind you of strong intimate scenes or harsh violence. Seriously though, don't stress! Anything you read will never be overly extreme since I only imply minor themes and I am looking out for younger readers as well.
WARNING Rated T For: hard language, extremely descriptive intimate scenes between characters, and both persistent and intense violence.
(I obviously do not own Lego NinjaGo: Masters of Spinjitzu, or any of the characters!)
One Step Closer
The warm pink glow of a brilliant tangerine sunrise bled through a curtain adorned window and cascaded across the edge of an occupied daybed. Penetrating the shadows of twilight, the vivid rays advanced upon a silvery-gray comforter and melted across the resting frame of a seventeen-year-old girl. Glistening streams of sunlight seeped through her closed eyelids to remind her the tranquility of dawn had prepared the beginning of a new day.
Waking her sleep blurred eyes, Misako Shintani blinked as her pupils adjusted to the unfamiliar brightness of daylight. The long-haired brunette gradually pulled herself into an upright position after kicking back a bundle of flannel blankets. She swept away the tousled mass of hair freely untucked from its messy braid, while lazily swinging her legs over the side of the furniture. A restless lack of slumber heavily dazed the teenager as sleep indecisively faded in and out of her body. Slightly teetering, she closed her weary eyes, nearly losing the battle against the drowsiness invading her body, when a sudden recollection abruptly struck her with reasoning as to why sleep had not agreed with her the night before. In the fullness of time, she arouse in realization.
This was the day!
As a result of several anticipating months of exhilaration and unimaginable excitement beyond belief, the desired weekend Misako had been waiting so unfathomably impatient for was here! A brand-new future in the expansive metropolis of Ninjago awaited her and she couldn't be more anxious. Giddy with excitement, Misako collected her glasses from the night table and bolted out the door of her former bedroom with an unintended slam. The sugary aroma of hot pancakes whirling up the second floor would lead the way down a long, white railed staircase where she met the professionally designed environment of an exquisite foyer. A nearby set of floor to ceiling double doors were left slightly ajar, inviting her straight into a very stunning and well equipped kitchen. Furnished with stainless steel appliances, the room's sleek quartz countertops and ceramic floor tiles bespoke perfection. A glamorous, metallic-pearl textured paper covered all four walls, decorated with several opened windows drawing a honeyed sunrise into the room.
The backside of a comfortably dressed woman appearing in her early fifties was spotted at some small distance from a cluttered stovetop. At the scuffing noise of the kitchen's glass doors widening, the woman wheeled around, shocked to find her daughter strolling through the doorway, "Since when are you awake at this hour?"
"You certainly didn't expect me to sleep in today, did you?" Misako drew back her lips in a radiant smile as she moved into the pair of outstretched arms magnetizing her in for a warm embrace.
Namiko Shintani detached their engage with reluctance. Her clouded eyes took their time scanning the flawless features crafting the young girl's appearance. Her mother blinked the welling tears away and uneasily forced a smile. "I cannot believe how much you've grown..." With a slow shake of the head, her voice broke. "Where has the time gone?"
Taking notice of the glistening beads streaking her mother's cheeks, Misako's brows furrowed with sympathy. "Oh, Mom, please don't cry," she sadly offered a smile while drying the silent tears with her thumb, "I don't want to look back at this day and remember how it turned into a huge crying mess."
"I know, I know. I told myself I wouldn't..." She ran a finger beneath her lower lashes, collecting an overflow of salty tears secreted in the corners of her eyes. "It's just that you've never left home for this long, and I've realized now how quickly you've grown up. Soon you will be getting married and having children, and here I am thinking you're still my little girl!"
"Relationships are not on my list of priorities. I have plenty of time to worry about that later." The seventeen-year-old lightened the mood with a faint laugh before reassuring her mother. "And I will always be your daughter, no matter how old I am or how far away I may be."
An older man with glasses and short-cropped, silver hair shuffled through a propped open set of glass doors with a folded newspaper stuffed under his arm. "Ah, there she is!" The man exclaimed as his eyes fell upon the teenager. He closed his free arm around his daughter, tugging her into his side as he kissed the top of her head. "How is my girl this morning?
Misako giggled and returned his loving affection, "Morning, Dad."
"What are you standing around for? Most of the food is already at the table." Mr. Shintani gave Misako a gentle nudge toward the small dining table near the porch doors, "Why don't you make yourself a plate while your mother and I finish up in the kitchen?"
The dining table was left without a tablecloth, daring Misako to ruin the perfectly polished shine with her unnecessary fingerprints fogging the crystal clear glass. At each placemat stood matching glasses filled to the rim with fresh orange juice. Beside them lay beautifully folded napkins, avoiding the clutter of several dishes containing abundant loads of mixed fruit, bacon, eggs, hash browns, and mounds of fried potatoes. All that was missing was the platter of chocolate chip pancakes. The moment the family slid into their chairs, they served themselves with enormous helpings of homemade food before engaging in conversation.
"Big day today, huh?" Mr. Shintani raised an eyebrow as he added the finishing touch to his plate with a whopping serving of fruit.
Misako shifted uneasily in her seat. "I've been so anxious."
"It will definitely be quite a change for you, dear," Namiko chimed in, "this is the city we're talking about- it's extremely dangerous and the crime rate is just absurd. You never know what could be out there."
"I'm aware that it's not the safest place in Ninjago, but the career opportunities are endless," she paused to take a sip of her beverage, "And if the museum isn't looking for help at the moment, It's reassuring to know I have plenty of alternatives."
"Yes, even if they are not currently looking to hire, I am certain they would find a way to squeeze you in." Misako's father swallowed and placed his glass down, "So have you and Silvia decided what time she will be picking you up?"
"No, there's no need for her to go out of her way just to pick me up. I'm taking the subway down to the city and she agreed to meet me at the station."
"That's fine, as long as you call me as soon as you arrive to touch base. And you're positive everything is already at the apartment?"
Misako nodded, "Everything except for a few bags of clothes, otherwise I should be set to go."
Mrs. Shintani suddenly set down her silver fork. Misako could see the seriousness shadowing her face. "Now, I don't want you thinking being away from your parents is just an excuse to say 'party all night.' You need to focus on your career and-"
"And stay away from boys." Mr. Shintani sternly blurted. "At this age they are nothing but trouble. Every single one of them-"
Namiko shot her husband a silencing glance and nonchalantly returned her attention to Misako, "And if you ever get homesick, don't ever hesitate to call home. We will always be here."
"Absolutely. The idea of moving out of the house and living on your own is exciting, but leaving your old life and entering a very different one can be rather daunting." Mr. Shintani added while piling a second helping of fried potatoes onto his plate. "And I would like to hear from you at least once a week. Call me every Sunday night, and if for whatever reason you cannot call me Sunday, call me on Saturday to tell me why you could not call me on Sunday."
As breakfast carried on, the threesome savored their time together as a family, chatting and sharing laughs as if it were any other normal day, making their last meal together exceptionally memorable. They cleaned up their remains of breakfast and, before they knew it, found themselves standing in the busy station lines of Ninjago's underground subway system.
Her body trembling, Misako anxiously bit her lower lip as she listened to the screeching tracks of the nearing subway train. Behind her, she felt the delicate touch of her father's hand cupping her shoulder. She turned her head slightly, catching sight of his sad smile, "Are you ready?"
The unwanted tears rushed to cloud her vision as she shook her head. A soft grin masked her terrorized visage and she admitted, "I'm afraid."
"Don't be." The older man murmured, drawing her close to his chest, "Just walk out into the world with confidence, and keep your head up," He gently raised her chin. Green stared into green, "Do what you are there to do, and be the best that you can be. Do not ever let someone tell you that you can not do something. Understand?" Misako nodded, closing her eyes as she tucked her head beneath her father's chin, listening to the piercing roars of the express train violently tearing through the tracks, it's breaks suddenly screamed to a halt. She whipped her head up, watching the disembarking passengers egress the subway cars. This was it.
Namiko tightly squeezed her daughter and pecked the girl's temple, "We will never get used to not seeing you every day." Choking back her sobs, the lips began to tremble, "Keep in touch and don't ever be afraid to call us if you ever need anything. We'll see you for your cousin's wedding, okay?"
Misako returned her mother's kisses and unwillingly left her touch. She then moved into her father, crying as she did so, "I never thought this day would come."
"I did." Her father beamed down at her, "Don't change too much, alright?" Misako found her subtle smile as she pulled away and removed her luggage from the filthy cement floor. Spacing himself from his little girl, Mr. Shintani gently grinned, "I have to let you go now."
Misako carefully took a few steps backward, swallowing her tears to flash a bright smile. The older couple's arms wrapped around each other as they waved goodbye in unison. She turned. The train's doors loudly collided behind her. Taking the first available seat, Misako pulled her bags onto her lap when she slid into the far bench. The train jerked forward, gradually feeding itself through the black mouth of the tunnel. Headphones plugged in, she closed her eyes while leaning her head against the plate-glass window. Her brand new life in the city was only an hour away.
Done already? Alright, lets chat XD I know the first chapter was beyond boring and dragged on for a bit, but thats how most stories begin, so don't quit just because it made you drool on your keyboard-I promise it will get better as soon as Wu and Garmadon make their way into the story. The plot really kicks off after the second chapter, and I doubt any of you will see what's coming so make sure you're watching for an update!
The cover for this story literally took me 33 hours. I kept track of time, yeah that's weird, I know, I was just curious to see how long it would take. Wu, Misako and Garmadon really didn't take as long as I expected, it was the Monastery behind them that killed me. I can't even tell you how frustrating it was to make that thing. If you want to see the full picture, I posted it on DeviantArt.
Well I'm out of here, thank you so much for reading and have an awesome day guys! See you next update!