Rain Child: Hey! Thanks so much for all the reviews! I know it took a while to update, but hey, it's done! Not much going on in this chapter, just some introspection, it's a songfic chapter too, umm…the three grab Picard, and then they go back to Vale. And that'll be the end of Part II, and I'll have to begin on Part III! I can't believe I'm 2/3 of the way done!
Disclaimer/Shameless Plug for band Downhere (edited song for disclaimer, original by them): Writers need money, we can't live on baloney sandwiches, we'd try, but we'd really rather not, you know ((maybe pizza though!)) Writers need money, so please don't sue! (And here's how you can help!) Ooooooooooooo…read our fanfics! Ooooooooo then go and review! Oooooooooooo I don't own Golden Sun, so help me get through the week (by not suing!)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
^_^ Now, on with the story, and once again, thanks everyone! Oh yes, and I don't own the song Dig by Jars of Clay, or I would know why the heck it's called that! And is it just me, or is no one updating right now???
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Chapter IV, Part II
Of Unrequited, a story
Written by The Rain Child
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As the supposed month of traveling dragged on for the travelers, Jenna continued to have little spouts of illness, but felt much better not long after. This morning had been no different.
"Isaac, I promise, I'm feeling fine. It's not like I can't heal myself with Aura," Jenna complained as a worried Isaac pestered her about how she was feeling.
"Okay, fine." He mock-frowned as Jenna laughed, inwardly pushing away wonderings. It was becoming harder and harder to remind herself he didn't really love her.
"I wonder how long it is until we reach Lemuria. I'm sure he'll be glad to come."
"I'm sure. I mean, of course he'd want to leave the paradise that's his home!"
"Don't be weird, Isaac."
"What did I do?"
"Nothing."
Rolling his eyes, the Venus Adept went up on deck to help Ivan through the mist. Jenna sighed, and plopped down on the little cabin's bed.
I had a big idea,
I had crazy eye
I broke the sacred seal
I told a lazy lie…
It seemed so long ago since she had been punching her wall in grief, but what in reality had been a little over a year. The female Adept absently wondered if Isaac thought the same thing. After all, he had made so much progress from his brush with insanity. He could carry a weapon without suicide attempts, and even talk with Garet and Mia now.
I've had my conscience bent,
I've had my patience tried.
I've been up in the desert,
And down by the riverside…
As the gentle swirl of clouds and mist passed overhead and around the ship, a young man with messy blond hair stared forlornly trough the mist and into the deep sapphire waters. Lines of worry were etched in the otherwise handsome, if sad, face. Eyes with enough depth to match the water he stared into were clouded with thoughts. He worried about his wife. Surely Ivan would let him love her, if only from a distance for now, right? Of course, he just had to, had to! The Venus Adept felt as though his last hold on his fragile sanity would shred if he lost her now. And yet, he slowly faded from who he had once been, day by day…
Will the eagle fly,
If the sky's untrue?
Do the faithful sigh,
Because they are so few?
Ivan stood on top of the cabin roof, watching Isaac, yet slowly turning the boat in accordance to the Yallam songs. It was times like this that he sometimes wished against being able to use Reveal to see the future. He was glad to see his friends again, though. The amethyst-eyed Adept often wondered what it was like for those four, so intertwined in destiny. Ivan often wondered what it would be like if Jenna was truly happy again. Even though he'd never known the Mars Adept well, the Jupiter Adept, though much younger and less wise than now, could easily see her affections, and Isaac's likewise, or at least before the Mercury Lighthouse. Ah, yes, that brought him to what was probably Weyward's happiest couple. Garet, the brash and bold, and Mia, quiet, kind, and loving-even Alex had had a soft spot for her. Ivan himself had been waiting for the two to get together, despite his own deep-rooted feelings for Mia. That had been a hopeless cause, he had decided. It was much better just to help all his friends. As a small, yet happy premonition floated in the back of his mind, the Jupiter Adept smiled. Things just might work out fine.
Remember when I cried,
Remember when you knew
Remember the look in your eyes,
I know I do…
Jenna sighed, ignoring the throbbing from the back of her head, where she'd hit the headstand. What had happened during their journeys that had pulled them apart? Before this whole lighthouse business had started, the two of them, despite a few expectations between her and Garet, had always been very close. Then Isaac and Garet had met that…Mia girl, and left her in the dark. It wasn't that she had anything against Mia, in fact she was thrilled that things had worked out with Garet, and loved having a friend her age to confide in, but still, unintentionally the Mercury Adept had drawn more than just the attentions she wanted. By the time they were to light the Mars Lighthouse, Jenna'd figured it out, and thought often of admitting that she knew about Picard's affections, but something had held her back. She knew why now though—if she had, neither of them would have ever been truly happy, and for that, she hoped he would find someone that would make him happy, and wished him luck. It had always been Isaac. Then seven-year-old Isaac that had known when she was sad; the fourteen-year old Isaac you had cried with her after the Boulder Incident until they fell asleep from exhuastiong; and the seventeen-year-old Isaac who had once looked at her with love in his eyes. Where had that Isaac gone? Did four years really change that much in them both?
So count the starsTo measure time
The Earth is hard
The treasure fine
To the sea,
I crawl on my knees…
As night fell, Ivan and Isaac switched off, both trying to ignore the wafting smells of the cooking dinner, and pushing away the same question, 'since when do fire adepts cook well at all???' Lemuria wasn't far off now. The Venus Adept leaned back against the wall, staring up into the heavens. 'When you're looking at the stars, you're looking at time, you know? It's kind of funny, that the star you're looking at could have been shining that light during the Golden Age, but you still see its light.' Who had said that anyways? Isaac didn't remember. Sapphire eyes scanned the night sky for his star, the one he and Jenna picked out, how many years ago? Seven, it had been almost seven years ago. "And our star's still shining," he murmured.
"Ivan! Isaac! Come on, I've been really bored all day! The least you could do is come eat!"
Grinning, Isaac went inside, thoughts of stars swirling in his head.
Feel it coming in,
Feel it going out.
Water covers sand,
Blood covers doubt…
Ivan popped an ice cube in his mouth after having tasted a small spoonful of the soup. He should have known. Mars Adepts like their spice. And Elements! That soup was hot! He stared wonderingly at Isaac, who had already drained his bowl. Sure, Jenna could take the heat—after all, she was a Mars Adept—but how did Isaac do it? Sighing inwardly, he downed the rest of his soup.
Jenna had outdone herself again, Isaac figured. Ever since he'd commented she should add more spice, the Mars Adept had been trying to add enough spice that he wouldn't be able to eat it. It was payback time, he supposed. But to give Ivan the same soup? He felt bad for the Jupiter Adept.
Speaking of Jenna, she was grinning happily at their shocked faces. Jenna felt a little bad Ivan had to suffer, but the look on Isaac's face was priceless! Personally, she liked the soup, the Adept figured, swallowing a spicy spoonful of soup. 'Hey, I'm only human,' she mused.
So I begin again,
Again, the healing bow
There was a time that I might have surrendered,
But not now…
Picard waved towards the approaching boat. Isaac and Ivan called back. 'Jenna must be steering the boat.' He decided. Grinning, the Adept came aboard the boat. 'In a month, we'll be in Vale,' he thought happily as he greeted his long time friends. Vale had become like a second home to the Lemurian, and he'd only been there once. Besides, he was tired of Conservato, and ready to leave Lemuria. It was time to move on, give up that life. The Mercury Adept figured he could easily live happily for one lifetime and die with his friends instead of living a long, long time without ever seeing them again.
Consult the cards to measure mine,
The Earth is hard, the treasure fine.
To the sea, I crawl on my knees…
Consult the cards to measure mine,
The Earth is hard, the treasure fine.
At the sea, I wait on my knees…
Jenna sighed contentedly as she watched Isaac and Picard spar. Ivan, who was steering, called out, "We're almost there!" Running to the bow, the other three Adepts scanned the horizon eagerly, sparring match forgotten. And there it was, just past the horizon, and growing bigger. Eager to see the others again after so long, Picard urged the water to carry them just a little faster.
As they drew closer, and finally came ashore, the four Adepts fond themselves surrounded by all their friends, and one new to Picard and Ivan. Even Isaac could put off his worries for such a happy home-coming.
At the sea, I'll wait on my knees…At the sea, I'll wait on my knees…
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*Humming song-fic song* Oh, the chapter's over? Heehee, I love that song! Err…anyways…you know the drill, you read, now you must review! Please, it makes me happy and I update faster…hmm…how about when I get 30 reviews total, I'll try and update, okay?
Until then,
Rain Child the Insane