Chapter 9: Leaving the Skys

Back in her room, Sora despondently shut the lid of her traveling trunk. She was told that she had to leave that night immediately after the funeral and that she could not stay one more night in her home in the clouds. Picking up the luggage lock that lay on her bed Sora noticed that her trunk was too full to be able to simply slip the lock on. Sighing she climbed on top of her bed and sat on her trunk in order to push it shut. Clicking the lock on, suddenly the weight added on top of the trunk caused it to slip forward and tumble off of the bed with her on it. Sora let out a shocked cry as she rolled onto the floor, her feet flying over her head in a scorpion-like pose. Once her feet hit the ground Sora heaved a frustrated sigh, kicking the trunk that now lay on the carpet beside her.

Just then she heard the sound of someone clearing their throat in the doorway. Biting her lip in embarrassment, Sora looked up to see Fujimoto leaning in the doorframe, his arms crossed over his chest. Judging by the look on his face, he definitely saw everything that just took place and he was not amused. 'It had to be him to see me like this didn't it?'

"Your Majesty, we must be going." He spoke to her as if there was nothing amiss about her lying on the floor after tumbling off of the bed, her feet nearly flying over her head. Truth was he was quite uncomfortable by the whole thing, not to mention put off by her clumsiness. That would be something that he'd have to work with her on, he thought to himself.

Sora glared up at him then, tapping her fingernails on the ground, "Then by all means Your Grace, I shall be more prompt in the future." She snapped. Fujimoto just stood there making no move to help her. Biting back her anger, Sora then pulled herself off of the floor with as much grace as she could muster. Grabbing hold of her trunk she heatedly dragged it out the door past him, leaving him no room to get out of the way.

Fujimoto, caught off guard by her rude display stumbled backwards to try and avoid being crushed by her heavy luggage. Staring after her, he agitatedly pulled on his coat and followed her out the door.

Sora stepped out into the cool night air, the wind whipping around her cruelly. Pulling her coat tighter around her she made her way down to the transport docks, her new master following close behind her. Most of the castle had retired from the long day but there was a small group waiting on the dock to send them off.

Silent tears rolled down Sora's cheeks as she approached the transport. She didn't dare wipe them away for fear that someone might see. Turning back to the castle she gave it one last look before seeking shelter in the suspended dock-house. The warm lights glowing from the parapets lit the castle up like a crystal chandelier. It was a brilliant beacon shining against the black velvet sky. She wished with all her heart that she didn't have to leave, and promised herself that she would come back to it soon.

Mounting the transport that would take Fujimoto and herself down to his submarine, she waved goodbye to those who came to bid her farewell. She didn't think she could bear to do more than that.

Before Fujimoto stepped aboard the transport Wasago held him back. Pulling him close he told him, "Take care of her. Her fate is all our fate now."

Fujimoto nodded sternly, Wasago's words chilling him. Once on the transport, he looked at the old man once more keeping in mind what Paren had told him. Wasago was staring back at him, his arms folded into his robes. There were many questions that needed answering, Fujimoto thought to himself.

As the transport left the suspension dock Sora curled up and closed her eyes, conveniently preventing any opportunities for conversation between them. Fujimoto didn't mind, the road ahead of them was long and for now silence was welcomed. He watched her for a minute, taking in his apprentice's appearance. Her skin was like the color of moonlight, smooth and flawless, and her ears were slightly pointed at both ends like a water sprite. Her features were fairy-like which was fitting for her kind, yet there was something exotic about her that separated her from being purely air spirit. Those large blue eyes of hers for one thing, air spirits did not have eyes like those. And her ears, no air spirit or sprite had double-pointed ears. Regardless of her peculiar traits, she was very fare, he admitted to himself.

"More than one would want." He muttered, his gaze now straying out the window. He looked out at the dark night, thinking of how to go about the next step in his mission.

AN: Hey guys! another chapter finished! Yay! I hope you all liked it. Let me know what you all think :) We're almost down to Fujimoto's lair muahahahaha! As always please Read and Review :)