Greetings from my world, faithful and happy readers. I'm very wrapped up with my Kingdom Hearts fanfic at the moment, so if this story kinda goes down the drain for a chappie or two, please forgive me. Hopefully, once I get a bit more written, the KH fic will be up and good writing will follow for Aly and Zolo. Also, I apologize for any ooc ness from last chapter. Sometimes you can't quite capture the essencsse of Zolo. Wow, I'm speaking like a proper freak tonight... oh well...

Mirathin - Thanks... I'm glad you loved it.

Garra's Pyro RACCOON - Good luck with the marrige thing... I'll send flowers...

DreamergirlxXx - Yes! I inspired someone! That doesn't happen everyday... What you've got looks really good. I can't wait to read the rest.

xX-Avast-Xx - Yes, perfect snogging scene, but not quite yet. Also, Zolo was ment to snog anyone. Just perfect for the job, don't you think. As for Kuina... YES! You wina lifetime supply of life! Make sure you don't use it all in one place... And sorry for the ooc ness. Like I said, sometimes it's hard to get the characters just right, but thanks for letting me know.

So here we are at chappie 11. It seems like just yesterday I was sitting on my couch writing the first chapter in a notebook... Anywho, enjoy and don't forget to review. I'm going to bed.

PS - This is Aly's dream while she sleeps, but it's also a flashback.

Chapter 11

Swords of Peace and Eyes of Gold

Aly's POV

"Sword master Shinto. Your arrival has been long awaited."

"My thanks to you. It is an honor to have been invited to your dojo."

"The honor is ours, to have such an esteemed swords smith in our midst. And who is this young flower?"

"My daughter, Alondra Shinto."

I bowed to the master of the dojo.

"It is an honor sir." I said, waiting until he had bowed and risen before I rose.

"This is your first trip away from the sea I expect. Are you enjoying yourself?" the master asked, looking genuinely interested.

"The land has brought me many unexpected things sir. It is a wondrous place, but I fear my heart lies at my home on the sea shore." I spoke politely.

"Eloquent at such a young age. You have taught her the customs of the land well." The dojo master turned to my father. "Now, let us discuss the business at hand."

The master turned away and began to walk into the next room. My father turned to me and said,

"Go outside and fetch me the sword. You can do whatever you want after that." He turned and followed the dojo master.

Running out to the wagon that had been our home for the six months, I rummaged through the bags until I found the long wrapped bundle. Handling it carefully, I went back inside and soundlessly delivered it to my father. He took it without glancing at me.

Going back outside, I wandered around the dojo until I found a small practicing area. There was someone there with a wooden sword, beating against a thick post. Settling on the edge of the house, I my feet dangled as I watched them. Only when she turned around did I realize she was a girl. She froze at the sight of me, and I stared at her.

"Who are you?" she asked, acting like my better even though she was probably only a year my elder.

"I'm Alondra Shinto. Aly for short. I'm here with my father, who's delivering a sword to the master of this dojo." I said, then pointed at the fake sword. "Why are you practicing? I thought only boys could be swordsmen."

"Well, that's where your wrong." She hopped up next to me, swinging her legs in time with mine. "My father says there's nothing wrong with a swordswoman, it's just not well known. So first, I'm going to become the strongest fighter in the dojo. Then I'll be the greatest in the valley, Then, I'll be the greatest in the world."

Suddenly, the master of the dojo appeared at the door.

"Ah, there you are Kuina. Please, come with me." He cast a glance over me. "You too, if you want."

I followed them into the dojo and into a well furnished room where my father sat at a table. Taking my place at his side, Kuina and the sensei sat across from us.

"Allow me to introduce Kuina, the most promising student in the dojo." The sensei gave her a fond look. "She is also my daughter. She is the one who will be wielding the sword. Have you a name for it yet?"

"No, this sword has resisted any attempt at naming. No one has come up with one." My father said.

"Well then, perhaps Kuina can come up with one." The sensei said, handing the sword to the young girl.

But she only shook her head.

"I might be able to use a sword, but I can't name it. Let her." She put the sword in my hands, looking surprised at my surprise. "Well, go on."

Slowly undoing the wrapping, I revealed a pure white sheath. Grasping the hilt, I pulled out the white katana. I stared at the gleaming sword, remembering the time my father had put into making this. The energy my uncle had spent helping, making sure the sword was as perfect as it could possibly be. This was a the best sword I had seen them produce in my life, and from the rumors running wild around the island, it could well be the last. It needed a name worthy of it's creation, of it's bright future…

"Wado Ichimonji, the straight road of peace." I said softly, handing it back to Kuina. "Use it well."

Later that day, my father was preparing to leave and had sent me away, claiming I only got in his way. I sat on top of the hill over looking the dojo, watching the busy lives of many pass me by.

My mother always told me I was a loner, that I was too deep a thinker for my age of nine. 'You need to let go once in a while.' She said. 'Live a little.'

"Hi." Kuina said as she sat down next to me.

"Hi." I said, closing my eyes to bask in the warm sunlight.

We sat there together for a moment, before Kuina spoke.

"Thanks for naming my sword. I really like it."

"You're welcome…" I paused. "Do… do you think you'll really become the best?"

"I have to believe it, or it will never happen. If you don't believe in yourself, you'll never amount to anything." Kuina said, drawing her knees up to her chest.

"Do you think... I can become a great swordswoman too? My father won't teach me anything, but my uncle will. If I try really hard, do you think I could?"

"Yeah, I think so." Kuina smiled at me, standing up."I have to train some more. There's supposed to be this really strong kid in the next village over. They say he's beaten everyone and now he's coming here to challenge us next."

"You can beat him." I said, standing as she did. "I know you will. And someday, when I'm a great fighter, I'll come back and challenge you."

"It's a promise."

I stood on the deck, watching as home became closer. I could see the villagers standing on deck, waiting to welcome us back home. I smiled. I loved my village, and everyone in it. I loved my island, all the islands around mine. I even loved the warm sea that treated me like a daughter and not a stranger.

"Aly. Come here."

I turned and walked over to my father, who was getting the boat ready to dock.

"Not a word to anyone about the damn sword, you got it? Not one fucking word, or you'll be sorry." He jabbed a finger at me.

"Yes Father." I said, not daring to meet my father's dark blue eyes. Eyes that were usually clouded over in dull fury.

As we docked, the villagers cheered and yelled, glad to have us back where we belong. I pushed my way through the crowd until I found the person I was looking for.

"Mom!" I yelled, running into my mother's embrace.

She held me tight before letting me run to my uncle. I squealed as he lifted me into the air, a happy smirk on his face. My mother's eyes were filled with joyful tears, while my uncle's were sparkling with pride. Their eyes were the exact same shade, identical but different, unique. Eyes that I someday hoped to have. Seeing me staring, my uncle grinned.

"Don't worry Aly, someday they'll be yours. Just like your mom."

I grinned as I stared into their eyes. I looked forward to that day.

The day I had golden eyes.