I don't own Skies of Arcadia

===

A full bellied laugh.

A warm and pleasant voice.

A shoulder to lean on.

Those were the things that Vyse remembered about his best friend after hearing the news that she was missing. He still couldn't believe it. He had thought his best friend, Aika, would always be there with him, sailing the skies forever.

Boy, was he wrong.

The first thought that came to his mind when he heard the news was that Aika had to have been kidnapped. He searched the ship frantically for clues, but to his utter disdain, he found no sign of a struggle.

He knew Aika. She would have put up a fight.

The only conclusion that he could draw was that she left of her own accord. Why would she do that? It didn't make sense. But, after Fina told him about the missing escape pod, he knew his conclusion was correct.

Vyse slammed his fist against the table in anger. The fact that Aika was gone wasn't the reason that Vyse was so pissed off. This knowledge only served to make him depressed. What really made him angry was that she hadn't told him anything about why she was leaving or when she was leaving.

This wasn't like her at all.

Doesn't she trust me? I could help her if she has a problem…like she's helped me so many times before…

He shook his head. There had to be some logic to Aika's actions…although logic and Aika's actions didn't always coincide, Vyse thought with a soft grin.

He remembered her firey temper. She always tended to argue with him about the smallest things, like where they should go and in which direction. He remembered the way her cheeks would turn red whenever she didn't get her way, or the way her lips would pout when he gloated in front of her.

He remembered her determination. Whenever she set her mind onto something, she'd go after it. There was one time, Luke the Raider and Mabel said that Aika would never be able to sail to the Shrine by herself, since Aika was afraid of sailing alone at the time. Two days later, she showed them a thing or two.

He remembered her sweet voice as it sang haunting melodies at night. He used to listen to her singing whenever he could. He even snuck out of his house when he was grounded, just to listen to her sing at a festival.

Aika was many things, but the one thing that she wasn't was disloyal. He knew that she would have stayed by his side no matter what, unless something was pulling her away from him.

So, what in the world made her decide to leave?

Whatever it was, Vyse was determined to find out.

He stormed out of his room and began to prepare for departure. "Fina," he cried out, "we sail for Pirate Isle."

Fina, who had been sitting on the railing and staring out into the endless clouds, wiped the tears from her face and glanced up at Vyse. Like he, she'd been taking the news of Aika's leaving rather poorly. "What's there?" she asked as she followed orders.

Vyse grinned slowly. "Information," he whispered.

===

Aika sat in the middle of the escape pod with her legs crossed and her hands behind her head. She was board. Very board.

There was nothing to do until she reached her destination. That would take a weeks worth of travel in a tiny boat like hers.

A week of being alone…and board.

She hadn't sailed by herself since she was four years old and that was because Luke and Mabel had dared her. Even then, she was bored stiff (when she wasn't scared). After that journey, she made Vyse swear not to leave her alone in a boat by herself.

Aika's lip twitched. Look where I've ended up, Vyse. In a boat and all by myself. You broke your promise.

But, came another voice buried deep within Aika, didn't you break your promise first? You were supposed to be here a long time ago, but you never came.

Aika sat straight up, her wide eyes staring around. There was nothing but clouds and blue sky for miles around. She was safe. That voice that she heard was nothing more than a figment of her imagination. Wasn't it?

Man, she was going insane being by herself. She should have stolen Cupil or something so she could at least talk to someone. Then, that would have made Fina feel sad and Aika didn't want that. She didn't want anyone to feel sad.

Some day, Vyse would forget about her and continue with his dream of sailing to unknown places without her. Soon, Fina would move on as Vyse's second in charge with a smile on her face. They would continue with their lives and find happiness with -- Aika swallowed and forced her thoughts to continue on -- each other.

Aika scratched at an itch on her cheek and was surprised to feel something warm and wet on her fingers. They were tears.

Aika smiled sadly. She hadn't even known she was crying thinking her thoughts.

Maybe she really was going insane being by herself.

===

A weeks worth of travel away, they waited. She promised, so long ago, that she would come and help. She, the red haired girl, made the pact with blood, the highest pact that she could possibly have ever made with another mortal so she could help those she loved.

They stared into the night sky, their dark, black gazes filling with darkness as the sun began to set.

She would come soon to fulfill her destiny.

"Are you feeling alright, lady?" a gruff voice asked. He pushed passed the row of young girls that stood between him and the lady. He was short, although years of work has made his features tougher and stronger than any other person there.

"I'm fine. Nothing bad will happen for awhile. We are safe," replied the lady. Her face, hidden deep within the folds of a cloth, was pale like that of the silver moon. She was watching the skies, hoping that she would soon appear.

"Are you positive," he continued, his eyes filled with worry. He knew her well and she was the type of person to hide her hurts inside of her.

"Of course I am. We don't need to worry. Aika will come. I'm sure of it."

===

A/N: Thank you to everyone who reviewed.