AN: Hello, sorry it's been so long since i have updated! I want to thank all of you who have reviewed, you don't know how much it really means to me. I hope you like this next chapter and the others that are to come. Again thank you so much for keeping up with this story and for sending me your reviews. Enjoy :)
Chapter 6: What Right Do You Have To The Girl?
Fujimoto could hear the viscous whispers fill the room as he stood there waiting for someone to compose a direct reply.
"Where did he come from?" He could hear one spirit whisper spitefully to another.
Finally an air spirit named Mara stood from her seat and directed an accusing finger towards Fujimoto. "You just sit there quietly for a whole hour while we rattle on and on, and then out of the blue you presume to tell us all what is going to be done? This is outrageous! Never in my life-"
"Mara please …" An old and respected wizard named Wasago interrupted the woman's rant. Turning to Fujimoto, he addressed him. "Forgive me Master Fujimoto, I know you worry for your ocean, but I can hardly see the logic in a water wizard training an air spirit."
"The logic is quite clear Wasago," Fujimoto informed. "If I am correct the only element she needs to master is water. Who would be better than I to teach her?"
The old air wizard took a moment to stand from his seat, his cane shook slightly under his strain but no spirit or wizard dared give him any assistance for fear of offending him. Peering down the table at Fujimoto from under thick eyelids, Wasago spoke once more,
"Do not think I was making a stab at your capabilities as Master of the Sea, Fujimoto. You are the most powerful of your kind. My only concern is that Sora should be taught by an air master … keeping it in the family if you will." He finished motioning to some of the other air spirits around them who nodded their heads in stiff agreement.
Fujimoto's jaw tightened, quickly becoming annoyed with this blatant partisanship. Taking in a breath to calm himself he responded, "Only two Masters had the knowledge of how the great currents work. Shou was of course one of them and as you all know, I am the other. Only I have the power to teach the girl what she needs to know."
The room raised in a sea of voices now, all talking and arguing at once. The air spirits and wizards all eyed the sea wizard, shaking their heads in distrust and contempt.
"What right does he have to the girl?" One of them asked, speaking as if their princess was a piece of property. Fujimoto's brow furrowed at this, but said nothing through the mass of shouts.
An earth spirit then angrily slammed his fist down on the table and shouted, "Fujimoto's telling the truth, listen to him! Are you afraid he'll steal your thunder? Your insatiable greed is going to be the end of us all!" He yelled at the air spirits.
"Enough!" Wasago boomed, sending a fierce gust of air sweeping across the room and silencing everyone. With all the noise and chaos now at a standstill, the old air spirit calmly addressed the Master of the Sea, "Fujimoto, before this decision is made I must ask that I speak with you." The members of the council looked around in shock, not sure what to make of Wasago's words- was he really going to make this decision on his own?
Fujimoto only nodded, "of course." Finally an air spirit who will be sensible, he thought to himself as he pushed himself away from the table.
Leaving the crowed of angry spirits and wizards behind them, Wasago took Fujimoto outside to the floating gardens; a hovering wooden pavilion with many rare potted plants. Fujimoto followed Wasago down the floating stone path and occasionally looked at a plant that caught his eye. He watered the rocks for himself to walk on as he went along; streams of the pure ocean water dripped off the path and fell into the thick clouds far below them. Wasago then stopped and turned to face the sea wizard,
"You talked in there as if this job was a burden instead of an honor. It's not that I think you have ill intentions it's just your lack of enthusiasm unsettles me. In order to survive this disaster we need someone who will be dedicated to the job, unfaltering in their determination. What I'm asking is, do you think this applies to you, because if it doesn't then your plan will not work and we'll all suffer."
Fujimoto, clasping his hands behind his back and straightening his posture, replied, "I assure you, there is no one more determined than I to see the world be set to rights again. You do not have a whole kingdom to watch over. I will admit that it is a burden, but one I will proudly carry until we are all safe again."
Wasago nodded slowly, "then you have my permission to train Sora. I will inform the council of my final decision."
"Your final decision?" Fujimoto asked curiously.
Wasago folded his arms into his long sleeves as turned to walk back down the path towards the council room, "Yes, I am the acting chancellor of the council. My emergency powers allow me to step in and make decisions if needed, and this is as great an emergency as any wouldn't you say?"
Fujimoto only nodded once in agreement as they made their way to the palace. All the while he thought about how Sora was now to be placed under his charge and how he would manage it.
AN: I really hope you guys enjoyed this! Please let me know what you think 3