Chapter 19 a turning point
The water swirled around him like a warm embrace, welcoming him into its depths of blue. The ripples caressed him and invited him to partake of its mysteries below its surface. The glassy surface and blue depths were mesmerizing. He glided through it like a fish at home in its watery world. There was nothing else here but him and the water. His mind drifted through the currents as he swam through the minute eddies. The sunlight filtered through the water transforming the surface below into an array of bright ripples. He sighed in ecstasy. The water was his home. Now if only it could stay this way forever . . .
A shrill whistle brought home his wandering thoughts and Cye broke surface to look up at its source, blinking rapidly to clear the sun from his eyes. Coach Mizuno was motioning everyone to the other side of the pool for an impromptu conference. Once Cye's mind finally registered that fact, he quickly eased into a few powerful strokes that brought him to where the other members of the swim team were gathered. He stopped just shy of the edge, preferring to tread water as he listened to the coach's instructions for the upcoming meet.
"I'm proud of the improvements you've all made thus far," Coach Mizuno was saying, "And I'm certain you're all prepared for the meet. I don't need to point out that this is a pivotal one. How well we do will determine our standing and make it possible for us to attend post-season meets."
He blew his whistle and barked out his last instructions for the practice.
Cye finished the last few laps with his mind spinning. So wrapped up in his thoughts was he, that he almost failed to spot a raven haired girl leaning patiently against the wall, watching him with interest.
When recognition dawned on him, he moved over to that corner to greet the girl.
"Hey Autumn, what are you doing here? I thought you had kendo practice with Sage."
Autumn smiled at him. "I did, but we finished early on the account that Sensei wasn't feeling too well." Autumn's violet eyes swept up and down the still dripping Cye and chuckled.
"I thought I'd meet you after practice there's something I need to talk to you about."
"No problem." Autumn stared at Cye's sea blue eyes, as if looking for some answer
"Listen, I'll hurry in and change, Shouldn't take me more than a few minutes."
Autumn waved a hand, "Take your time," he said easily.
"It's nice for me to relax and do nothing for a change," she gave Cye a wink.
Cye grinned back and rushed to the showers and quickly came back out,
"That was quick."
"Told ya." Cye gave Autumn a soft smile as they walked out towards Mia's
Autumn wasn't talking much as she walked along the sidewalk so Cye decided to break the silence,
"Hey Autumn…."
Autumn put her hand up,
"Please call me Kari every time I hear my first name I can't help but think back to all the damage I've done."
Cye gave a gentle nod he understood how hard it was for her to be with the ronins after being touched by the evils of the dynasty. Autumn stopped by the beach and watched as the waves washed up on the shore,
"It's so nice out here wouldn't you say Cye."
Cye gave one of his famous gentle smiles as he silently agreed,
"Kari how did a gentle girl like you get stuck in a place like the dynasty."
Autumn took in a deep breath as she thought of the answer to that question, why did she join then she remembered how the kids use to torment her and treat her un fairly just because she was half Egyptian,
"Let's just say I was treated fairly and all I began to want was revenge."
Cye put a comforting arm around Autumn as she gently leaned against his chest,
"You don't have to worry about other people anymore we're here for you anytime you need someone to talk to come find one of us and don't forget you have a father and a big brother now."
Autumn gently smiled, she had never noticed what a kind and caring person Cye really was until now he seemed even more gentle around the water in fact this was the first time she had felt at peace even with Sage she didn't feel the way she did now,
"Cye have you ever felt like you fell in love with the wrong person but your not sure if they're the one?"
"No can't say I have, but I have been meaning to ask you something."
"What is it?"
"Are you and Sage still going out together?"
"No we broke up during our second date we decided we were better off as friends."
"Oh that must have been hard."
"No it was a neutral feeling, anyway we better head home."
Autumn walked off again as Cye followed closely behind.