Hey this is one of my longest chapters, just because I haven't been able to post often. I hope you enjoy!

Chapter 9: Day Trip
"Nox, it's been a while." said Kira Ann. Not had been quite silent since the last time she had control over her body; she had made a few visits here and there, but nothing worth mentioning. "I don't know how I feel about him." said Nox as she sipped her dark black tea. Kira Ann was sitting in a dark garden chair with Nox, demon of the night. They were in a gazebo surrounded by black roses. Outside of the gazebo wasn't very clear, only that the sky was a dark gray and crows could be heard in the background.
"Well nothing was really happening on your side. You were under house arrest, but now it's different...I see the way he looks at you and I can sense your feelings." Kira Ann stared at Nox as she sipped her tea. Nox is notorious for causing trouble, and Kira Ann wasn't goi to take the bate. "Is that all your going to say? Your only popping in because of my love life?"
"Well your children will inherit me when you die. I at least want you to pick a good mate. I did the same thing with your mother."
"And what did you tell her?" It wasn't unknown to Nox that she did not like her father; it was just circumstances that kept them together.
"That your father was a good choice. That he brought a new sense of power into the mix. And you were a good breed child. You defiantly know how to make others fear you."
"Well my power have harmed many people."
"Eh." Shrugged Nox as she finished her last sip of tea. "I see nothing wrong with harming others. You've done it for so many years. I know that side. Your dark side. We both know how intense you can get."
"I did what I had to do to protect my king."
"True, but did you have to do it in that way?" Nox always knew how to push Kira Ann's buttons. Made her question everything she had done in her life. Kira Ann knew deep down that she was no angel, but she also wasn't a demon. After that horrid night, she swore that she would never lose control again. "Well it's been a nice chat, but it's almost dawn and you have work to do." The dark sun began to rise in the back ground as Nox got up from her chair. Before she left the gazebo, Nox plucked a black rose from the bush and handed it to Kira Ann. "Ben is no saint either. I can tell. Death swarmed around him. You two would work nicely together; two crazy people with a dark past and a hopeful sense of peace. Go for it."

After dream...
Kira Ann work up with a start, sitting up gasping for breath, as she looked around at her surroundings. The floors cold, the rain stopped, and the fire was low. To the left of her, she saw Ben laying a few feet away from her; He was asleep, his hair in his face and mouth slightly parted, and looked in a state of peace. For the first time, Kira Ann didn't see any drought, guilt, or sadness on Ben's face. He was perfectly at peace.
Not wanting to make him up, Kira Ann tiptoed to the kitchen table to whip something up for breakfast. She remembered the fresh eggs Ben had picked up the other morning and decided to make omelets. Mixing the egg with some greens and meat, Kira Ann cooked it in the pan above the fire place. As Kira Ann worked, Ben began to stir from his slumber.
Ben opened his eyes a little to see Kira Ann by the fire, cooking; the smell of eggs brought an aroma to his nostrils that reminded him of home. Rolling on his back, Ben rubbed his eyes to try and get the crust out of his eyes. He hadn't felt this groggy in a very long time.
"Morning sleepy head." said Kira Ann give a radiant smile. "Sleeping in?"
"You could say that."
Kira Ann walked over to Ben, handing him a plate and utensil for his omelet. Sitting across from each other, both of them ate in silence. The only sound that came in the room was the sound of birds playing outside. Ben set down his clean plate and began to realize something; he didn't have a nightmare last night. Most of the time, Ben would wake up early because he couldn't go back to sleep. But now, Ben felt so well rested it felt very foreign to him.
"Do you want to take the day off?" asked Kira Ann, "go to the shore?"
"The shore is a day or two away, if we're lucky."
"Well I have an idea, where we can get their in half the time. Do u want to go?" Ben looked at Kira Ann and her eager eyes. Ben could tell that she really wanted to go and he couldn't refuse. Giving a small nod and smile, Kira Ann leaned over and hugged Ben. "I'm going to grab some things. Then we can go." Before Ben could say anything, Kira Ann sprinted off upstairs.

One hour later…

Ben waited outside for Kira Ann. He didn't really know what to bring to the beach, so he just brought his water bottle, expecting it to be hot. Kira Ann walked out of the temple with a small bag filled with food and in shorts and a tank top. She was no less, than excited to get some good sun and a nice swim.

"Are you ready to go?"

"Yes, are you going to tell me how we are going to get there."

Suddenly, Kira Ann started to levitate above the ground. Ben stepped back and observed the moment. Ben remembered Kira Ann stating that she could fly, but he had never actually seen it happen. Kira Ann wasn't much of a flyer; she much rather walk than fly, but if the situation demanded it she didn't mind. Offering her hand, she hoisted Ben up against her hip to balance him. Ben's muscles tensed a little, but he trusted Kira Ann knew what she was doing. Rapping her right arm around Ben's waist, Kira Ann began to rise up into the sky, trying to get him used to the sensation of flying.

"Are you ok?" asked Kira Ann. Ben gave a quick nod in response. Taking it as his permission, Kira Ann began to move through the sky flawlessly, she began to head to the shore. Looking below, Ben observed the jungle below. It felt nice to get a new view of his home for the last year. It took Kira Ann and Ben about two hours to land on the beach. The waves were perfect and the sand was pure; it reminded Kira Ann of her old home in Hawaii on the island of Niihau.

Placing her bag down and taking off her shoes, Kira Ann ran to the ocean and stuck her feet in the water. It was cold, but it was fresh and crisp. Ben watched her from the distance under the trees. He couldn't help, but notice how happy she looked. A smile on her face as she went further and further into the water. Kira Ann turned to see Ben in the shade, giving her a small smile. Getting out of the water, Kira Ann rushed over to Ben.

"Are you coming in?"

"I'm not really a water person."

"Come on it's our day off. At least dip your toes in. Relax." Ben shrugged. This was his first time going to the beach. Both his parents weren't beach people, and it wasn't like they had time anyway. He was only here, because Kira Ann wanted to be here. He would do anything for her. After a moment of silence, Kira Ann began to take off her shorts and tank top, showing her very modest bathing suit she had packed with her. "I'm going to go out a little further." Kira Ann sprinted out to the ocean and dived in. Ben sat down near a tree, watching Kira Ann go up and down thru the water, usually taking two minute intervals.

There wasn't much under water for Kira Ann to see; just simple water vegetation and small fish, but the sensation of being in the water was rewarding enough. As Ben looked out into the ocean, he noticed that Kira Ann had not come up from the water yet. Ben stood up from the tree and walked to the edge of the shore; she was no where to be found. Panicking, Ben threw off his shirt and began to swim where he last saw Kira Ann. Ben's heart began to race.

"Kira!" Ben yelled. Nothing happened. Ben was about to yell again, before he heard a familiar voice behind him. "Ben I'm right here." Kira Ann swam closer to Ben, but was met by un wanted hostility. "Where were you? I couldn't see you!" Ben's voice was raised, filled with anger and fear. "I found something cool underwater," she said as she pulled out of the water a beautiful light purple pearl in her hands. Ben's cheeks began to turn a tint of red; he felt like an idiot. "Sorry, I should go." Ben began to swim back to the shore, but Kira Ann followed him.

"Ben wait!"

Kira Ann finally caught up to Ben as she began to stand up in the water. Gripping his arm, she turned Ben around and looked at him. Ben didn't make eye contact with her at first, but looked up when she called his name again.

"I thought you drowned. I got worried." Ben stated quietly.

Then it all clicked to her. All these past months and weeks spending time with Ben, it all made sense; what Nox was talking about, the occasional flutter in her chest; everything became suddenly clear to her. Kira Ann walked past him and headed to her bag. Quickly grabbed some string and a needle, she quickly went to work. Ben waited patiently behind her. After she was done, Kira Ann walked back with her left hand behind her back. They stared at each other for a little while, before Kira Ann grabbed Ben's left hand and placed the pearl bracelet she had just made for him.

"When I was two, my mother took me swimming in the ocean and we found a peal. My mom took it, put a string around it and gave it to me. She then said Aloha kāua."

"What does that mean?"

Kira Ann leaned in towards Ben, kissing his cheek ever so gently. "It means… may there be love between us." Kira Ann began to pull back, but Ben wrapped his arm around her pulling her in. Eyes locked on each other and hearts beating fast, the two didn't want to to ruin the moment, so they took their time. Ben casually pushed back Kira Ann's hair from her face as he gentle crested her cheek. Leaning in, Kira Ann moved closer to Ben's lips, just centimeters away. Ben finally caved in and lightly kissed her. The sensation was new for both of them and they had no desire to stop. The kiss was gentle at first, mainly because Ben didn't want to be too ruff, yet, but Kira Ann wanted to get a little feistier. Lightly gripping his hair, Kira Ann pulled Ben closer to her deepening the kiss. Ben's hands rested on Kira Ann's hips, but he still pulled her closer to her, not wanting to let go.

When the two finally parted, Kira Ann in the back of her head heard Nox's voice. She was saying 'Its about damn time!' and she couldn't help but chuckle.

"What's funny?"

"Nothing I was just…happy."

Ben leaned in again and spoke softly against her lips. "Me too."