Chapter 8: Getting to Know You… In a Roundabout, Impersonal Way

The memorial was held in the council room where the great debate over Sora's new tutelage took place. There was a banquet spread out on the large table. Ornate purple flower arrangements and large white candles were spread across the room, artfully designed by the castle staff. This event starkly contrasted the native funeral ceremony that was held in the mountains. It was clear what Shou had specified in his final wishes and what the council had a hand in.

Fujimoto nursed a glass of ocean water in the corner, calmly watching Sora somberly walk around the room. She was trying her best to be polite and greet the guests but she was failing miserably. She looked like a ghost hovering around dejectedly, as if the funeral were her own. It was a sad sight, but Fujimoto did not watch her out of pity, instead he was curious to find out more about the strange spirit he was taking home with him. The air spirit's eyes were blue, not like the sky as they ought to be, but like the sea in violent storm. She has water in her, Fujimoto thought as he watched fixedly at the raging tempest in her eyes, and much of it.

Fujimoto slowly approached Paren who was watching Sora from over the rim of his wine glass. It took the air master a few seconds to notice Fujimoto next to him, when he did he just smiled.

"Who were her real parents?" Fujimoto asked, motioning to Sora. There was no illusion that the girl was the object of both their thoughts.

"You mean her real parents?" Paren asked with a snide smirk. "Nobody knows. Master Shou never spoke to anyone about them. Why do you ask?"

Fujimoto shrugged calmly, taking another sip of his water, "I was just curious."

Paren snorted at Fujimoto's answer, he knew he was fishing for information. "She does have an odd way about her doesn't she?" He said fully catching the Sea Wizard's attention. "I mean surely you've noticed." Fujimoto did not answer him, but kept his eyes on Sora who was too busy talking with Abril to notice them. "It was rumored that one of her parents was a demon."

Fujimoto's brows shot up at that, "An air demon?"

"What else would it be, a fire demon?" He said, a snarky grin spread across his face. "My guess would be it was one to cast hurricanes since her temper flairs up like one… Shou kept it a secret because he wanted his daughter to be able to take the oath and not one of the elders on the council."

"Meaning you I assume?" Fujimoto said pointedly.

Paren smirked, "Perhaps, however I wouldn't flatter myself so much as to think that. Master Wasago was Shou's real enemy."

Fujimoto furrowed his brow, it certainly didn't seem like Wasago had any ill feelings towards Shou; none that he showed anyways. Besides it was he who decided that Sora would become Master of the Winds in the first place.

Paren laughed at the surprised look on Fujimoto's face, "You mean you didn't know? The two have been enemies for ages. Shou would have killed himself ten times over rather than see Wasago take his place as Master of the Winds."

"That is rather odd considering Wasago gave the girl to me to train. He could have claimed the title himself if he wanted to, yet he didn't. He seemed perfectly obliging and even friendly."

Paren just shook his head, a snarky smile still plastered on his face, "You have no friends here Master Fujimoto. Everyone is out for blood."

Fujimoto's brow furrowed in concern as his gaze fell on Sora once more, his heart was now beating heavily in his chest.

Paren placed a hand on the Sea Wizard's shoulder, "Good luck." He said, before he walked away into the crowed of mourners. Fujimoto's eyes then drifted over to Wasago who was drinking a glass of wine and laughing with a group of spirits.

If Paren was telling the truth about was ago and Shou, then he would have to get to the bottom of why Wasago approved his training of Sora. There was a piece to this puzzle that didn't quite fit and Fujimoto had to figure out a way to piece it all together.

AN: hope you liked this! The plot thickens... hope everything turns out okay for Fujimoto ) Thank you to all who reviewed my last chapter! Keep um comin' :D