Hello...it's me...

Anyways, I just want to say that I don't have a good memory, so if I forgot something, please let me know. ^.^"

Enjoy!

Yona's POV

Suddenly, something engulfed me.

Water entered my lungs and my nose. I was pushed forward and then pulled backwards off the cliff with incredible force.

It was so strong, so quick.

Instinctively, I reached out to grab something, anything that I could get my hands on. My eyes were shut and my senses focused on the gravity pulling me down to my death.

I don't want to die.

Was that selfish of me?

Feeling nothing except the cool water restraining my movements, I pulled my arms back to cover my head, accepting my fate, but then I felt something hard grabbing my wrist.

The air welcomed me back and I coughed, trying to get the water out of my system. My nose burned like an invasion on an ant pile.

After I got back to normal, I leaned back against something firm. I immediately sat up straight and turned around to see Jae-ha's torso. He was dripping wet and winged out his pony tail.

He saved me, again.

"You know, you're incredible. You manage to leave me quite breathless, dear" he said, pushing his bangs away from his face.

I looked down, ashamed of myself. I failed him, the Captain, and the pirates.

I couldn't do a single thing by myself. I was the one who made Jae-ha risk his life for me, and he got wet in the process.

"I'm-"

"Don't get the wrong idea," he interrupted, averting his eyes away. "Treating women is one of my principles."

Then, all my negative thoughts vanished, and I laughed, which was probably the first time in months.

"Thank you."

A tint of blush kissed his cheeks. "Don't tell the captain about this."

"Eh? But-"

He pointed at the pouch that was tied to my waist. "You picked the Senjuso and protected them yourself. You still kept your promise to the captain. What I did was a little bonus. She doesn't need to know about it."

He offered his hand, and I took it. Seeing the cuts on my hand, he frowned slightly.

"We'll treat your hands when we get back."

I nodded, and we went back to the ship.

Pirates of Awa

By the time we arrived, the captain and the others were waiting outside for us.

"Did you get the Senjuso?" She asked.

In response, I untied the pouched and opened it. The white flowers reveled themselves, still in perfect form.

"So it is. Then, as promised, you-"

"No" I interrupted.

Confusion was written on her face. Her eyebrows furrowed, but she waited for me to continue.

Looking down, I informed her of what happened.

It's not fair to her or to Jae-ha for me to bottle up the truth.

"Actually, a sudden wave nearly carried me out to sea, but Jae-ha saved me. I couldn't do it alone."

She contemplated for several seconds. "So are you giving up?"

Without hesitating, I declared that I wasn't backing down. Determination filled me up, and I finally looked into her eyes. "I will go down there again, and I will get them myself this time."

Shock flashed her eyes for a brief second, but then she smiled contently and laughed. "If Jae-ha had let a girl tossed into sea die, I would have tossed him myself."

I glanced back at Jae-ha, and he wore that wow-you-are-scary smile.

The captain took a step closer to me and examined me with her hand tilting my chin up. "You're eyes are red. You must have cried a lot."

"There's salt in my eyes, "I tried to exclaim, looking sideways.

"Hm, you are covered in cuts, and you're legs are shaking." I was about to find another excuse to say to her but then she said, "But you've got guts. Someone like you would never betray their friends, even in the most desperate situations."

She released her hand from me and yelled, "I don't mind idiots like you. Climb aboard!"

She headed back as I stood there in awe, letting her words sink in.

A hand ruffled my short hair. "You passed, Yona." It was Jae-ha.

I passed. I could stay here for now. I wouldn't be alone.

Dazed, my tears brimming my eyes threatened to fall.

Suddenly, the other pirates cheered and huddled toward me.

"Congratulations!"

"Welcome aboard!"

"You did so well!"

"That's great, Yona!"

People shook my hands, pat my back, and said words of congratulations. Everything was happening so fast, and I was so happy. I forgot about my fear, forgot about him.

Then, Jae-ha went under me and hoisted me up on his shoulders. I yelped and placed my hands on his head, unsure of what to do.

"Let's celebrate guys!" He said. Everyone cheered in agreement and we somehow had a party.

After fooling around, Jae-ha set me back down, and the pirates brought out food and drinks. Music was played, and Jae-ha joined, playing the flute.

After several hours, night has arrived and I decided to excuse myself from the party. I found an isolated cliff that viewed the moon's reflection on the ocean. I sat there silently with the noise from the pirates in the background. I sipped on the drink with its alcoholic aroma hanging in the air.

Everyone is so nice. Maybe they aren't so bad after all?

With my legs dangling off the cliff, I inhaled the cool, fresh air. I lied on the ground and stared at the stars twinkling down at me mischievously.

"Mind if I join you?" A voiced asked. I turned my head to see Jae-ha walking towards me.

"Not at all. Please do."

He sat down at lied on his back too, staring at the starry sky. I closed my eyes, and the captain's words echoed in my mind.

"They are good people."

"I'm sorry," I blurted.

Jae-ha turned his head to look at me with confusion.

"Um, I'm sorry about my actions earlier back on the boat when I first awoke. I have bad experience with... guys, so...yeah."

He shuffled a bit. "Do...you want to talk about it?"

After not answering, he shoved his words back to his mouth. "Ah, never mind. It's not my business, I know."

I shook my head. "No, it's not that. I was just thinking. There was...a guy who abused me. That's where my androphobia came from."

At the mention of "abuse", I could see his body tense. His jaw tightened and his mouth was in a firm line.

I finished the rest of my drink and felt light headed. The glass clinked as I placed it back to the ground.

I didn't want to arouse my memories.

Push them down, down, down. Push them in a little dark corner, inside a small black box with a thousand locks, combinations to which are lost.

"I'm sorry," he said gently.

It took me a second to register his words.

Why is he sorry?

"It's okay. It's not your fault," I slurred slightly.

He nodded but I could tell he was not convinced. I smiled; he worries too much.

"Thank you, Jae-ha" I whispered, right before darkness took over.

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QOD: Be blind or be deaf?