What the future holds

The sound of the ocean waves was heard hitting the shore, as the breeze swept back and forth the waves from the open sea. The weather was peaceful as it could be as he stood there on the sands of the island. The man was often out enjoying the sea for what it had. He was so lost in thought he failed to notice his friends in the background making a ruckus. "Hey, Yukimaru we're going to leave without you if you don't move!" Karin called out and a hand grabbed him as he turned and looked at the woman who he had given his heart too.

It had been six months since everything had happened and Fena was returned to them without memories but alive. That's all that mattered to him and slowly but surely they were all trying to help her fit in like she did before they had found and left Eden. The group had long returned to the island after finishing their objective on an off chance now they were just doing another quick run to another island for the elder. "Honestly is it me or has Yukimaru become an old man the way he's been staring out at the ocean," Tsubaki asked looking at the group. "You're just imagining it he's become calmer though that's for sure. It seems the only one he's got his attention on is Fena lately. I mean look at the two of them love birds for sure." Shitan said with a laugh.

As Yukimaru smiled at Fena he narrowly dodged the twins as they were horse-playing splashing water on each other and laughing. "You call that splashing you totally missed Kaede!" Enju called laughing. Yukimaru had dodged Kaede's water assault but Enju got him from the back having missed his twin and Yukimaru twitched annoyed. "Oh crap!" Enju cried taking off and his brother followed after him making Fena laugh and Yukimaru sighed calming down. Fena took his hand and said, "Let's go already the others are waiting Yukimaru. You'd scare anyone with that kind of face so try and be nicer."

Yukimaru's face faltered that moment and the others saw him looking rather gloomy as he was being led to the dock by Fena. The woman was confused by what she said wrong and Shitan just laughed. "Poor man he can't help the face he was born with," Shitan said patting Yukimaru on his back. "Oh, I didn't mean it that way Yukimaru I'm sorry. It's just he's always putting on such an aura that everyone stays away." Fena said as they all went below deck. Everyone gathered in the meeting room and Makaba said, "Yukimaru… well he's Yukimaru it's just how he is and we know he's a good guy." "Must you guys talk about my face I was born with while I'm in earshot?" Yukimaru asked and the twins stifled a fit of laughter only to get their heads bonked together by Karin who said, "That's enough you ants leave the poor man alone!"

"So we've finished our errands and got some sightseeing for Fena in at the same time. Looks like our destination is home let's set course for Goblin Island, you guys. We should be there by tomorrow afternoon if everything rolls into place. I'm going to start our lunch." Tsubaki said as he ducked out. The rest of the group ended up splitting off to do their own thing. Yukimaru had finished tending to his blades treating them when he went to find Fena. He had an inkling of where the woman could be as he went above deck and as he figured he saw Fena shooting off arrows.

The man sat there watching her he noticed she had shot off at least a hundred arrows a day as if it was her way of trying to remember everything they had gone through. Seeing she nailed a seagull Yukimaru's eyes widened as he saw her accuracy had improved vastly. "She's been at this every day," Shitan said taking a seat. "But didn't you ask her to do this?" Yukimaru said looking at the man. "No, I did mention when I first started training I shot off this many arrows daily in order to improve my aim and accuracy. But I haven't actually had time to sit down and teach her she just started this on her own. At this point, your beautiful sea flower will callous her delicate hands. She's done this once a day even back at home." Shitan said.

Yukimaru was silent despite the comment about Fena's beauty the man could watch her for hours. He had never thought she'd be able to shoot arrows this well from Makaba's bows but here she was. He was proud to see how much she had grown and Shitan asked, "It's been half a year have you ever considered getting the elder's blessing to make her your own for good?" Yukimaru froze and he went rigid as he had never thought that far ahead. Marriage… was it a possibility. Yes, Elder Yukihisa had allowed her to come live on their island since they had fulfilled the objective and obtained the artifact they were sent to get. Since then Fena has become a part of their world and family loved by everyone.

Shitan saw Yukimaru's ears turn red that moment and he stifled a fit of laughter seeing his adopted brother go into overthinking mode. Yukimaru shot a glare at Shitan though a yelp was heard catching the attention of both the men. Seeing Fena there her hand bleeding the bow's string had snapped it seemed. She then looked at the two men and actually pouted. Shitan stood up and said, "You're doing good Fena, and don't worry you'll break many bow strings on your endeavors of training. Why not let us go back in and get your hand treated?"

Fena nodded and Yukimaru stood up and led Fena in the woman sat there letting Yukimaru treat her hand. He was gentle as usual as he wrapped her fingers up and the woman smiled. Though her cheeks turned pink when he kissed her palm after he was done and he closed the first aid kit. Yukimaru was caught off guard when Fena grabbed him in a hug and he felt the warmth of the woman. As the two of them locked lips melting in each other's arms Karin appeared not realizing this saying, "Hey food is ready you t- Oh my god I am so sorry!" Yukimaru and Fena jerked away from each other as Karin ducked around the corner hiding her face.

"Let's go eat Fena…" Yukimaru said his entire face red along with his ears and the two walked out as Karin was still there hiding her face saying, "I saw nothing I swear I saw nothing at all!" Yukimaru walked by and Fena followed behind him feeling sorry for Karin. They sat there on deck eating and Karin was actually quiet as she can't believe she did that. "Hey hey, Karin what's got you so quiet you seen a ghost or something?" Kaede asked popping up beside her.

Karin yelped and Enju popped up next to his twin saying, "Worse she saw the two love birds kissing below deck the poor girl." Karin lost her temper and sent the two flying over deck yelling, "Piss off you annoying ants it wasn't on purpose now drown!" Shitan just looked at Yukimaru who sat there eating in silence ignoring the antics of the others. "Take what I said into consideration my friend it would be for the best," Shitan said calmly and Yukimaru's ears turned bright pink again.

The return to the island was uneventful as always. Yukimaru had reported to the elder and left. As he was walking the path the words Shitan spoke rang in his mind Fena as his wife he never dream such a thing could be a possibility. She was his childhood friend and his one and only love and he had never thought of taking her as his wife until Shitan had brought it up. Then the fact she so openly kissed him after her hand was treated. The man was mulling this over in his head over and over all the factors and he was deeply lost in his thought.

Tsubaki watched Yukimaru make a circle for the fourth time and Shitan had a goofy smile on his face as he sat there not far from the other man. "What did you say to him Shitan I know it was you he's like in overdrive mode right now a total space case," Tsubaki asked walking over to Shitan. "So you automatically assumed it was me? Well, then I don't know if I should feel impressed or offended you automatically blame me?" Shitan asked as he sipped his tea. "Don't play dumb with me Shitan. His head is in the clouds and Karin said you were the last one on deck with him while overseeing Fena's bow practice." Tsubaki said frowning.

"My goodness, I merely threw out the suggestion he gets the elder's blessing and make Fena his bride. It seems he's thinking about it quite a bit our little Yukimaru has grown up so much." Shitan said and Tsubaki just gaped at him and then at Yukimaru. "Those two have been getting extra close to one another I can see why you suggested such a thing. Karin was not expecting to walk in the middle of their kissing session. I'm sure he'll make a choice soon enough." Tsubaki said as he saw Fena approach Yukimaru and the man took her hand in his as they walked off together. "We should be rooting for those two after all they deserve their happiness," Tsubaki said crossing his arms across his chest and Shitan smiled nodding.

Walking alongside Fena Yukimaru had his hand intertwined with hers and the man had a smile on his face. Everything about her was warm and kind and brought happiness to him. The two of them were walking the gardens together when Yukimaru suddenly whisked Fena in his arms as a water balloon missed her narrowly. Laughter was heard as Kaede and Enju were chucking the balloons back at each other and a splash was heard. Fena backed up her eyes wide seeing Yukimaru being hit and the man turned on the twins. Two thuds were heard as he clobbered them across the head making them yell out in pain. He then took Fena's hand and marched off dripping wet and annoyed.

It seemed every time he was alone with Fena some outside interference ruined their special moment and Fena stopped him. Making him face her she had her hands on his cheeks as she pulled him in for a loving kiss. Yukimaru's anger subsided as he melted into her lips. Now calmed down he pulled away glad they had a moment alone to do that at least. "Are you feeling better now Yukimaru?" Fena asked smiling and his ears turned red as he nodded. The man had made up his mind he'd speak to the elder that night. He could not imagine a life without Fena as his wife. He had to have her close and he always did want her close. The two of them continued their walk and would be together until dinner time.