Alright, so, theory exams are over and school is starting! Now, we're are ready to publish. Sorry for the really big delays. It's been months! Well, it feels that way. We're all working on them. Don't worry, we'll post more often!
When Jack had returned home, his scowl had faded. His eyes landed on Akiko and his worries faded away instantly. The whole group was sitting around the living room area, talking in Japanese. If they were in a different setting, it would feel just as if they were in Japan again.
"Hi," Jack smiled at the group of friends and joined them. Jess was on her way down the wooden stairs, carrying something for Jack. A little toy soldier.
"Jack! Jack! Remember when dad made this for me? I still have it!" Jess was already 12 and she still had every right to act like a complete child. That toy soldier held a lot of sentimental value. It was the last thing he carpentered. With a grin, Jack remembered when his father had called him to help out with the toy soldier. It was painted with a red uniform and had bright blonde hair and blue eyes. It looked just like father.
"You miss him, don't you?" Jess said sadly, her eyes turning to the toy soldier.
"Yes, I do."
"What happened in Japan? How did it happen?" Jess sounded ecstatic to hear of the wonders of Japan. Every time she was with Akiko, it would be the only thing they'd talk about. The only thing that she didn't know, was the history of her father.
Jack felt surprised about how she was so eager to hear the story of their fathers death. It wasn't something he enjoyed talking about, but at this point, he had no choice. Jess had her rights to know what happened to her father. It was easier to explain to her, now that she knew of the samurai and ninja. She had seen them on the deck and how dangerous they were, but she had also seen Jack and how he didn't act like the 'clumsy' Jack she use to know. But inside, she knew that it was him.
"You might want to sit down." Jack walked over to the couch with Jess, sitting next to Akiko. Oddly, Jess preferred to sit next to Yori. Jack didn't bother questioning that. Yori was easily… likeable.
Everyone seemed to lean in forward to listen about the death of Jack's biological father. Nobody dared ask him about what had happened, seeing as he still mourned him, year after year. But now that Jess had asked, Jack went ahead, and let everyone listen. Instantly, as Jack's voice invaded the still house, flashbacks began to rush through his mind. There were many ways he could tell how it had all happened, but he decided to make it short no matter how long his flashback was.
I stand on the ship, walking as quietly as possible. But that is until I'm seized by a dark clothed man, holding a cursed blade at my neck. I can't move, until I see father, down on the decks. No. NO. I attempt to run up to him, but I'm pulled back by the collar, cut by the blade. The man holding me speaks in a different language, one I've never heard before. By the tone of his voice, I can see that he wishes me not to reach my father. And then, I mid-hear my father speak. I try to read his lips through the rain. Nothing. The man holding him speaks, but again, I cannot hear. I cannot help at all. Then just as my father finishes speaking, the man slices him. The dark masked man releases me, beating me brutally everywhere. I feel numb limp, nothing. Paralyzation? I do not know. I must get to father. My sleeves are stained red, my whole body aches, but just as the dark clothed men leave, I reach for my father. They assume I am dead as I lay still before they left. My father mouthed me a few words, his last words. It is to protect the rutter at all costs. I listen to him, and obey him. Then, all goes black, except for a green eyed masked man, that watches over us.. (Sorry if we get this wrong. Haven't really read that part properly. Doing it all by memory)
"And that's how father was murdered." A few tears had rolled down Jess's cheeks. She couldn't imagine her father being so protective. He did everything in his power to keep it safe, and there it was in Jack's room, locked up in a safe.
"I- I can't believe it." Jess buried her face in her hands, trying to hide the tears. It was impossible.
"I couldn't at first either. But then, I couldn't believe I would survive either. I may have lived up till now, but still. I also couldn't believe that I have met such great friends of mine." Jess nodded. "Go up to your room and get some rest, okay? We'll talk tomorrow." Jess nodded again and made her way out of the living room, back up the stairs, holding the little toy soldier by her chest, stroking it dearly.
"You okay?" Akiko asked Jack
"Yeah. I'll be alright." That was the first time in years since Jack had spoken of his father so intently. He couldn't take it much himself.
"How did it go with your friends?"
"Not so well either." The three Japanese exchanged looks. "I've had a long day. I'm going to bed." Jack went up first, leaving the trio behind. The group couldn't help but feel sorry for Jack. Tomorrow, they were making him go back to school. No excuses.
Jack had a strange dream. He couldn't tell whether it was a nightmare, or a fantasy paradise dream. He was in the palace, sitting next to his father on the throne next to him. His uncle, now King James, had bowed down in front of him. Jack looked at his father. He nodded back at him. Jack could see the uncertainty in his eyes, the fear of what his kingdom would have thought of him, stepping down and letting his brother take control… it didn't seem believable. Everyone knew that their king had enjoyed the sea life. He hosted celebrations along the shores very often, he'd even hold informal meetings there if he had the choice to. Jack had learnt to love the ocean as much as his father did. They had travelled together from time to time across to different part of England. However, Jess was far too young so she often stayed behind. Still, Jack would always stand by her side whenever he could. He knew what his father's plans were, and being only 12, the age that Jess was now, he hardly understood his motives.
The people around in the throne room stood as witnesses to Jack's father' decision on stepping down from his seat. Jess looked to Jack and Jack looked to Jess. They both were uncertain, yet they couldn't change their father' mind.
"It's yours." Those were his last words when he still had the crown. Uncle James then became King James and he ruled from that day froward, gaining tips, advice, and guidance from his brother before he had set sail. Jack had said his last goodbye to his sister and swore that he would have one day return. And then there he was, kissing Akiko on the deck, sailing the seas, passing treacherous storms and whirlpools, and finally, just finally, they had set foot at the pier.
In the morning, Jack found no one beside him. All he saw was a clean set of clothes sitting at the end of his bed, and Akiko, obviously dressed up and out. Jack got up groggily and fought his way into making himself look presentable. He was a sort of perfectionist from being a Japanese, but he was still slightly disorganized from being the man he is.
"Morning Jack!" Jess greeted on the landing. Jack nodded in return. Jess seemed to have already gotten over the story he had told her last night. Good for her. Jack still wasn't over it.
"Where is everyone?" He asked Jess, assuming that she was awake long before everyone else was. It was typical Jess. She loved watching sunrises. It was one of the main things their dad did with her.
"They all went out. Something about you friends and whatnot." Jess skipped down the landing, leaving a confused Jack outside his bedroom door.
"HEEEELLLLOOOOO!" A fat Saburo made his way through the front door and yelled out in Japanese.
"Saburo, I'm right here," Jack sighed, replying in Japanese.
"Everyone is outside. Come on!" Saburo immediately slammed the door and let Jack curiously follow. He could hear rustling outside, but that was it. Jess gestured for him to go. She was going to be taking care of old Mrs. Winters for the rest of the day anyways. It was the only way they had income, not including the knight job that Jack held. Though as a princess, Jess volunteered. She was being the loving princess she was and looked out for anyone anywhere. She would make her way around the neighbourhood, going to help out the elderly. It was just in her nature to help out.
Jack stepped outside the door and found Saburo and Akiko talking by the sides of the front door steps. But what surprised Jack the most was how Damien, Silas, and Anthony were standing at the bottom of the steps. Their faces were all tired out, and yet, they held their backpacks for school. What was going on?
"I know what I said last night was wrong, I really shouldn't have talked about you like that. Could we show you that we still care for you by taking you to school? I mean, that's what friends to right? When we're together, we stick together." Jack could only grin. It was a setup.
"Fine, I'll go. But, if I look stupid, you're going to save me." Silas smiled and held out a knapsack for Jack. Jack went down the stairs and took it.
"I'll see you guys after school then?" Jack looked at the group of 3 Japanese.
"Yeah, sure. Whatever." Saburo and Yori said simultaneously.
"The wall, after school." Akiko quickly kissed Jack and went up the stairs inside the house. She didn't even give him a chance to say 'yes' or 'no.'
"Okay, then. Let's get going. We're going to be late." Damien patted Jack's shoulder and forced him forward. It wasn't long before things were back to normal. It didn't sound as if Jack had even gone to Japan in the first place. They talked about girls mostly. That was the only difference.
"Well, well, well. Look who's back. It's the phoney boy claiming to be a samurai. HAH!" Jack looked away from his friends and saw who he was looking at. Jack remembered the buff person that stood in front of him. Langkowsky. He was just over three inches taller than Jack. Not as big as he seemed. Next to Jack, he looked average.
"You really don't want to go there," Jack said strictly, attempting to walk away from the bully. But, a large hand blocked his way like a gate.
"I believe I do," came back Langkowsky. His fist was about to strike when Jack's curved fingers and palm stopped hid fist from colliding with his face. Quick reflexes had saved him this time.
"No, you don't." Jack thumb locked the bully and let himself fall slowly to the ground in what looked to be nothing, but searing pain. "I've faced ninja's, brutal samurai teachers, and I've even been at war. You really don't want to mess with me." Jack slowly bent down to his level and hissed in a whisper by his ear, "You're lucky I'm not armed. That's is barely a percent of what I can do to you." Jack let go of his grip and began to walk towards the school. Every girl was talking about his abilities as he walked across the school yard. At least five pairs of eyes were on him. Girls, thought Jack. His friends seemed to be reading his mind and snickered playfully behind his back. This was going to be one very long school day. Jack couldn't be any more looking forward to it.