woohoooooo! i got a new reader, i got a new reader, i got a new reader, their name is Arieva Lefly! welcome to the JtN club! just a little heads up, i have school drama and theater tomorrow and then theater the next day. i've got a busy schedule so i probably wont be able to update until Wednesday. It's really hard work trying to live out your dream! anyways, enjoy this next chapter! Aikka tries to do something to cheer up his beloved Earth princess!

Disclaimer: i've said this 11 times and i'll say it again, I! DO NOT! OWN OBAN STAR RACERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Journey to Nourasia

Ch.12 Sole release

"My dad's dead," Eva whispered as she opened her eyes from her light slumber, "my dad's dead and I can't do anything!" A tear rolled slowly down the starred side of her cheek. She slowly pulled the covers from her body while getting out of bed. Eva bore no expression on her face. She wasn't usually the type to show her emotions. "Molly, are you ok? How are you feeling this morning?" she heard, from, not the door, but the bed. It was Aikka's soft, soothing, voice. Eva turned to see the young Nourasian in her possibly permanent bed. (Maiko: hey! don't you think anything sick of it! he just slept there and that's all he did!) She was a little surprised to see him sitting upright there, staring at her with both curiosity and concern. Crystal eyes met crimson as she gave him a sad smile. "I'm alright, just still a little upset about my dad."

"Will you be attending the morning meal?"

"No thanks, I'm not hungry this morning."

"Very well, I shall send some food to your room, should you feel hungry later." Prince Aikka told his princess as he headed for the door. Before he left, Eva said, "prince," he turned his head as she was about to remark something to him. "Thanks for being with me last night" Aikka just smiled playfully and sadly. He loved her but he hated the sad tone in her voice. The prince gently waved goodbye and walked towards the Dinning Hall.

Shortly after, at the Dinning Hall

"I do not know what to do! It is sickening to see such a beautiful face drown in sorrow!" shouted a flustered prince Aikka. He ran his fingers through his pony-tailed hair.

"Calm down! I'm sure you'll come up with something!" Emimi reassured him.

They heard the Dinning Hall's door slam open, Mina stepped into the room. Her purple eyes sparkled brighter than ever. The aliens could tell she had a good time at Dakka's house. Mina smiled and said, "Hey everyone I'm back!" the two just solemnly smiled as she sat down. "What's going on? Why the melancholy faces? Did something happen?" Mina asked quietly in concern.

"Mina, my dear friend," Emimi started, "What did you think of Don Wei?"

"He was like a second father to me, why do you ask?"

"Mina, Molly's father, just recently died." Prince Aikka told her.

Mina covered her mouth as she gasped. "Oh that's so terrible!" she said, her hand still over her mouth, "poor Eva, I can't imagine how bad she feels right now!" the three adolescents looked down in sadness. An odd silence hung in the air. They all pondered what to do, on how to cheer Eva up. Then Mina suddenly lifted her head. She got a look on her face that said, I've-got-an-idea! Her face turned to Aikka, "prince, don't Nourasians have something like a memorial service?"

"Ah, yes, we call it the Release Ceremony. It is where we gather those who have survived tragic times and honor those who have not. The soles of those who have lingered in this world are set free. What are you thinking?"

"I was thinking that you could do it for Eva's dad, and maybe... her mother."

"That's a great idea! Oh, Eva will love it! The whole thing won't exactly be happy... but still, she'll love the fact that you're memorializing her parents."

"I am only happy as long as my princess is happy. Very well, I shall go prepare for the ceremony."

"Great!" the girls said together. Aikka left to do just as he said and the girls went to get Eva.

In Eva's room

The room was dark and dank. Barely any light emitted into the bedroom. It was as if Eva's mood had become the room itself.

The three girls sat on the big bed, Eva had her hands over her face. Mina and Emimi cooed to her and gently rubbed her back. "Eva, we have a surprise for you after dinner." Mina said.

"Yea! It'll really cheer you up!" Emimi told her. Eva didn't respond but something told them that Eva was going to their little surprise. "Your really gonna love it." Mina said softly, uncovering Eva's face. Molly had a painful expression that sent chills down the purple haired girl's spine. She tried her best not to cringe at the sight and smiled. Again the Martian and the human started to coo to Eva and once again rub her back gently.

Later in the forest with Aikka (after the nightly meal)

Eva was wearing the Nourasian equivalent to a Japanese kimono. Although, this was tighter and more form fitting. The sleeves were shorter than that of a normal kimono and the large bow was in front. And for color, a deep almost maroon red to match Eva's eyes. "What's going on? Where are we going prince Aikka?" Eva asked glumly.

"Do not fret my little princess; we are almost at our destination." Replied the prince. Aikka was wearing what looked like what a Japanese monk would wear. A lose kimono-like robe and big legged pants. (Think basketball shorts but longer and in a deep brown for color.) Aikka sighed with satisfaction, "Ah, yes, we have arrived."

They had come to a clearing where the trees suddenly circled around behind a mountain, as if man had done it. But no, it was Mother Nature herself. There was a rather large lagoon with a small, rushing, waterfall, just a few feet away from where the couple stood. Between the trees and the lagoon was a wooden table with three shallow bowls on it. One was filled with water, another was filled with small leaves, and the third was empty.

Eva was way passed confused. Aikka, seeing the confused look on his lover's face explained everything. "Now, I want you to close your eyes and think about the best moments you had with your mother and father." Molly did just as requested. Aikka walked towards the table and poured the water and the leaves into the empty bowl. When he finished he raised his hands up to the sky and brought them into a prayer position, his eyes closed. The prince began to mumble a chant, "Un Sekai duma Rama Ketah, Un Sheera duma Rama Ketah. Saynah, sheema gaman. Maya du Don Wei, unag whi notomer sayeer exnar omu doen maka." (translation anyone? ok here we go. 'oh Sekai, help me fulfill this task. Oh Sheera, help me fulfill this task. Set thy spoken soles free. Maya and Don Wei, rise to the heavens so that you may watch over those you hold dear.')

Eva opened her eyes to see two floating balls of light rise from the bowl with the water and leaves, up into the air. They seemed to dance around each other. The balls rose higher and higher and higher still! Until they finally disappeared into the heavens above. She stood there in aw as Aikka opened his eyes as well.

(Maiko: Freeze! Ok, I'm sure you're wondering why Sekai and Sheera are capitalized. Sekai and Sheera are sister goddesses who, according to the Nourasians, created the planet. Like gods and goddesses from most fables, Sekai and Sera took a mortal form. Sekai became the sky and the people's magic, while her sister, Sera, became the surroundings and the creatures that roamed the world, including the Nourasian people. Ok now you know! Now back to the story!)

"Aikka, what just happened?" Eva asked.

"I have sent your parent's soles into the spirit realm. Now they can rest in peace together."

"So, you did that for me?" Aikka nodded yes. He suddenly felt himself locked in his love's arms. His shocked expression turned into a gentle smile. "As long as this makes you happy, I am happy."

"I'm happier than ever!" Eva replied as she rested her head in the crook of his neck. Prince Aikka kissed her starred cheek. Molly let him go and they walked back together, side by side.

As they walked back Aikka held Eva by her shoulder. Something bothered him; it pecked his brain all the way back. "Should I ask her now? No it's too soon! But if I don't do it soon the opportunity may never come again!" Aikka let it go but it occurred to him later.

He lay awake in bed. the prince sat up and rubbed his temples. "What should I do? What if she refuses?" the Nourasian asked himself. He laid back down and finally got some sleep. but the thought still lay there in his subconscious.

ooh, what's the prince up to? only i know and you can do nothing to pry the info from me! no! not that! no, please!!!!! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!

just kidding! ok, this was chapter 12. but really, it was supposed to be chapter thirteen. i combined chapters 11 and 12 last time to make it longer. it seemed to flow a little better too. before i go, i would like to thank those of you who reviewed. Thank you to songofananime an xYuna, my constant readers. your reviews are greatly appreciated. and i shall never forget sangofananime's friend and maybe even mine, ketkitti. your reviews always make me smile and you seem like a very sweet person. and last but certainly not least, the newcomer...Arieva Leflyyyyyy!!!!!!! thank you sooooo much! i appreciate all of you! oh, one last thing! the winners of my ultimate wish contest will be announced in the next chapter! i'm waiting on one person to guess. i think you know who you are. see ya!