HEY EVERYONE! I'm back and with a BETTER chapter than the sorry previous chapter. I have deleted "Eternal Dreams" because Romance isn't my department and plus I need more time to work on this fic.
Another change! This story was first to be 25 chapters, however now it's boosted to be around 27 to 30 chapters long. Let's see –thinks about the other thing I was suppose to say but am slowly forgetting so I'm thinking hard right now about the thing I am suppose to say though slowly I'm loosing touch on what I was suppose to say so now I'm thinking once more- O yeah! This chapter will have TONS of Kamme information (on her background, ect.) so enjoy.
Please R&R
Chapter 21: Paradise, Paradise, PARADISE!
As the trio skimmed lightly on the sun dyed ocean as the large orange ball in the sky smiled down on the wild blue ocean, reflecting it's rainbow colored rays of orange, red and yellow across the smooth surface of the sea ahead. Gentle white and fluffy clouds concealed the sun's true identity as Tyson cheered on his best friend Dustin.
"DUDE!" Tyson's eyes flickered as he viewed Dustin's third badge. The blonde had to catch the steering wheel of the boat before his eyes wondered too far off. After Dustin has finished his battle story Tyson was in complete awe.
"And then I won," Dustin grinned as he put up the third badge. "Only one more to go, and then we're off to the big leagues!" he clutched together his right fist and raised it in the air, a symbolic sign of victory.
"Big leagues?" Kamme chuckled. "You still got some training to do," she pulled out her water bottle and started to sip on it, a curve of her lips flashed Tyson's eyes gently as the boat continued to ride on the serene water.
Ignoring Kamme's last comment Dustin wiped out his PokeGear, pressing the correct buttons and conjuring up a holographic map of the Orange Islands on the screen. His dark colored eyes ran up and down the screen as he came to a conclusion, "The next island is Nirvana Island, are we stopping there?"
"You bet," Tyson glanced over at Kamme and smiled while answering Dustin's comment. He looked back and continued to steer the boat through the calm sea, the mighty Halcyon of the sea must have been feeling very good today, for the beautify of the ocean was unmatchable!
"Nirvana Island..." she rammed her index fingers together as her cheeks became red and her body backed up some. The name of the island ran up and down Kamme's mind multiple times with every passing second.
"What's wrong with Nirvana Island Kamme?" Dustin clicked off the PokeGear and put it back up, his face now focused in on Kamme's shaking eyes and trembling lip. "Is there something there? Like a really strong evil Pokemon?" his eyes flashed with bright stars at the thought of such a powerful Pokemon.
"...uh nothing..." she lied as her eyes rolled off into the eternal deep blue sea, with another false truth she withdrew herself back with the other two boys, "There's nothing wrong with Nirvana Island...why would you think there is?" she fake laughed as her brows fell down.
"Don't lie Kamme," Tyson flashed his white teeth. "You can tell me –uh" he glanced over at Dustin's naïve facial expression, "I mean..." he thought about him and Kamme before finishing, "You can tell us anything..." he sweat- dropped as Dustin just smiled, not knowing anything about the two and their relationship.
"Well..." her lips spilled out the truth as her mind was screaming NO, "You see...my grandfather and cousin live there..." she faintly grinned, "And uh...my grandfather runs a um...place there...along with my cousin, Harmony..." she was stuttering some at the thought of her family and their occupation.
"What does your family do?" Tyson asked.
"You see..." she continued without listening to the screams inside her, "My mom and dad are scientist and also run other things at home..." she told the normal side of her family, "While my grandfather runs a Shrine at Nirvana Island...the only Shrine in the Orange Islands...a Shrine where people can view stuff about..." she sighed, "The Legendary Storm Bird, Lugia."
"Lugia?" Tyson echoed.
"Yes," she felt as if a burden was lifted off of her back. "I know some people think it's a legend, but my grandfather is completely bent on proving Lugia is real, see a lot of scientist on the island are talking about shutting it down, but the traditional Orange Island natives refuse to let it be destroyed."
"DUDE!" Dustin jumped up, his brown eyes shimmering brighter than the golden sun above him, "I got to see this Shrine! I totally believe in Lugia! I saw it before! In Johto! And in the Orange Islands!"
"You're one of the few," Kamme only slightly paid attention to Dustin's reply. "Anyways the Shrine has been around ever since the first people settled in the Orange Islands, scientist say the original natives probably worshipped the Pokemon as a storm god, however it's only a theory."
"Then that means we got to stop by there!" Tyson steered the wheel and slowly brought the boat's speed up as his lips curved upwards and a twinkle formed in his eyes, just the thought of Lugia made his heart soar.
"And you can see your cousin and grandfather," Dustin nudged Kamme in the side with his elbow. "I really want to see this Shrine! It sounds so cool!"
"Well..." she started pushing together her index fingers once more as her voice grew more uneasy, "We can't stay long...see Harmony is the Shrine Maiden there...where as originally I was suppose to be...but I refused to devote my time to a stupid Shrine for the rest of my youth! I have better things to do!" her voice grew from tender and soft to loud and demanding.
"What does a Shrine Maiden do?" Dustin curiously inquired.
"They guard the Silver Feather. Legend says a pure hearted person holding the Silver Feather will protect Lugia and the ocean's fate until they reach the age of elders," Kamme began, "My grandfather was a Shrine Monk, he guarded the feather until his elder age, now he protects the Shrine and helps my cousin and also runs a little shop in the town part of the island."
"So do you want us to avoid Nirvana Island then?" Tyson asked, "I mean if you don't want to go...we don't have to. I understand if you're feeling a little weird about it, I don't blame you. We can skip Nirvana Island and keep going on."
"Nah..." Kamme laughed gently. "I can handle it," she looked over at Dustin, who was gleaming from ear to ear with large white teeth. "It should be fun, plus I haven't seen Harmony or grandfather in ages! They'll be so glad I grew up," she ghostly smiled and made a victory sign with her right hand.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
The boat parked at the dock, Tyson took out the keys and walked on the peer with his two friends. The trio walked past some boats on the dock and continued their way into the city, beyond the large city was the forest, where the Shrine of Nirvana Island awaited, as well as a large portion of Kamme's unrevealed past...
The trio walked past the Pokemon Center, not needing the help from Nurse Joy they continued their way to the forest, walking through large crowds of people in an unusually strange silence.
Tyson and Kamme weren't sure if they should tell Dustin about their unity, and it seems Dustin would never catch the bait. The shaggy haired mellow trainer wasn't the brightest crayon in the box, despite his shinning and bright personality.
Kamme opened her mouth and went to speak to break the streak of silence however a voice called her first, a voice from the crowd.
"KAMME!"
All three turned around from Kamme's cry from the crowd. To their surprise they saw a girl around the same size as Kamme with flowing midnight black colored hair and matching chocolate eyes, to Kamme's surprise she wasn't in a kimono, instead she wore a pair of khaki short-shorts and a light blue holster shirt, the girl had a natural bronze tan, proof of her Orange Island lineage.
"Harmony?" Kamme walked up to the girl.
"You bet!" she wrapped her arms around her cousin, Kamme replied by squeezing back, both girls giggling and grinning brightly. The two broke apart and continued to smile as Kamme rudely asked.
"Where is your kimono?"
"Oh...uh," Harmony looked down at the ground and crossed her blue flip-flops. "You see...I kind of quit at the Shrine...grandfather said he'd find a new replacement if I truly wanted to travel to Kanto."
"You're traveling to Kanto?" Kamme weakly responded. The thought of Harmony leaving taking her by complete surprise.
"Yep," she winked. "I'm actually leaving today, like in a few minutes. I thought I saw you and had to say hey before I left," She glanced Dustin and Tyson up and down and smiled, "So who's the guys?"
"This is Dustin and Tyson," she introduced her two friends as they waved and said hello. "I'm traveling around with them, Dustin is competing in the Orange League this year while Tyson is training for next year."
"Sounds really fun," she nodded. "Anyways I better get going, my ship should be getting here soon," she hugged Kamme one more time. "Good luck," she winked and started to walk away as the trio waved goodbye.
The three continued their way to the forest, however this time there was no silence, instead a storm of questions from Dustin that Lugia itself couldn't control!
"So she quit..." Kamme ran over the idea once more. "And grandfather is looking for a replacement...this all seems so weird...I wonder who his replacement is...I hope everything is ok!" her voice became weak and almost sad. "We have to go see my grandfather and make sure everything is ok!"
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
The trio ran through the city and followed some road signs advertising the "World Famous Ancient Shrine of Nirvana Island" after running through the forest and following a dirt trail the three came into a large green clearing, surrounded by lush green trees and flowers of every color.
In the center of the circle of trees and flowers stood a large wooden ancient Japanese style temple, with a large stone statue of Lugia at the tip of the building. The shrine was a tall building with many stories, possible larger than Sprout Tower back in Johto. A few tourists were taking pictures of the building while an old man stood outside the building, a smile plastered on his winkled face.
The elder man was dressed in a traditional red and white kimono, a thick and navy colored sash wrapped around his waist while a silver string necklace was placed on around his neck, when his eyes caught wind of Kamme his grin increased in size.
"Grandfather!" Kamme rushed up to the man as he also ran. The two met and clutched onto each other, increasing the strength in their hug as tears formed in their eyes and parted from their bodies before the two let go of each other.
"Kamme I am so glad to see you," he spoke, his voice stern and yet somehow gentle and majestic, like a spiritual song knowing no end.
"Me too," she wiped away a tear and smiled once more. "I just spoke to Harmony, she was leaving for Kanto."
"Yes," he nodded. "That girl has so much spunk," his eyes came into contact with Kamme's, "Just like you were. I just figured to let her go, I know she'll do fine. Anyways enough about that how are you?"
"Fine," she grinned and then brought her arms around to Dustin and Tyson. "I'm traveling around the islands with these two boys, that's Dustin and Tyson," she introduced the two.
"Nice to meet you," both boys told the elder, who smiled back and agreed.
"Why don't you three come in for some tea?" the grandfather asked.
"Are you sure," Kamme looked around at the multiple tourists.
"Those tourists can take care of themselves," he nonchalantly waved off the idea. "Now come in, I insist." And with that the elder man started to walk up the concrete steps and into the temple, the trio following closely behind.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
All four people sat around on their knees at a traditional Japanese style mat, all having some fresh herbal green tea in front of them with some delicious rice balls and a few spring rolls with some dipping soy sauce.
"So who is replacing Harmony's job?" Kamme asked after sipping up some green tea and wiping away the stain with a white napkin placed in her lap.
"I'm afraid I haven't found anyone yet," the grandfather replied. "I'm just hoping I find someone soon...before I have to give up the Shrine..."
"What do you mean?" she gawked back, almost choking on a rice ball, which was half way chewed up in her mouth.
"The mayor came by yesterday and said unless I give up the Silver Feather soon the Shrine will have to be took in by the government," he sighed after taking in some green tea, "I'm afraid the Silver Feather will be lost as well..."
"Lost?" she gulped down the food and coughed. "How can it be lost? It's a relic of the old times?! The ancient Orange Island natives founded this place and the feather! Our ancestors! Not the mayor, who by the way is from Hoenn!" she slammed her fist on the mat, "I refuse to let this happen! Grandfather we must find someone!"
"Do not fret Kamme," the grandfather spoke. "I am ready to give up this Shrine, it seems the times have changed and what honor this place once held has been washed away, like everything else in this world, however I do not want to give up the Silver Feather to those Government scientist...that is what is important, the feather holds the spirit of our people Kamme, not this Shrine."
"I vote Kamme to have the feather!" Dustin said after eating one of the spring rolls, he had a stain from the soy sauce over his top lips, which didn't seem to bother him. "I think she would be perfect."
"I second!" Tyson smiled over at his girlfriend. "I think you can do it Kamme, in fact I know you can."
"But I would have to stay here..." she looked down at the swirls in the wood imprint of the table/mat, "And I can't do that...it's not meant for me...however I refuse to give up the Silver Feather to the mayor and his lousy scientist!"
"Then take the spirit of our people everywhere you go," the grandfather reached into his kimono and pulled out a silver necklace with the Silver Feather placed in the center as a charm on the sparkling silvery piece of jewelry.
"Wha-What do you mean grandfather?" Kamme was taken back from his offer. "The Maiden of the Shrine must stay here and guard the feather...is that not what legend states?"
"The Legend is slowly being destroyed," he pushed the necklace into Kamme's hands, "Don't let the spirit of our people die along with the rest of the honor of this sacred place, promise me this Kamme." His voice tinkled with a hint of seriousness and yet his eyes glowed gently into Kamme's own.
She cupped the necklace into her hands, as she ran her fingers up and down the feather she realized what duty and honor this relic symbolizes. "I promise...the honor of my ancestors won't be lost!" she placed the necklace over her head, it fell smoothly and fitted perfectly, "I promise grandfather!"
"I know you won't let me, no us, down," the grandfather happily and whole heartedly smiled on his winkled lips, "Now go on and have fun, enjoy your youth and enjoy the natural beauty the Orange Island has to offer."
"Grandfather," she bent over her elder and kissed him softly on the cheek, "I love you."
"And I love you," he replied.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Kamme stood on the dock of Nirvana Island dock, have just leaving her grandfather his voice still lingered in her mind. She creased the Silver Feather up to her heart and a faint grin formed up on her lips. "Grandfather..." she slowly spoke into the silent wind, "I promise!"
DONE! Hope you liked it. It had a ton of Kamme, though it was kind of short...anyways it's late so I'll do reviews in the next chapter.
Please R&R