A/N: I really like Jazz. I think I'll keep her in mind as the series progresses from now on.
Chapter 7
The Destiny's Bounty is actually a very nice-sized ship. The layout of it is very reminiscent of my father's Hispaniola, but I think the Hispaniola was a bit bigger. Traversing through multiple corridors, we finally stop outside a door nestled on the east side of the ship. "And here we are," Nya says, turning the knob. "Welcome to my little piece of heaven, Sasha."
She opens the door and heads inside with me following. Upon entering, we spot Cole and Jay in the midst of a conversation. Jay gives Cole a quick nudge before turning to greet us."Oh hey, ladies!" Is it normal for this guy's eyes to always sparkle like pretty sapphires? Or was something afoot? He picks up what looks to be a tool kit. "Just in time. We're all done."
Cole makes an odd showing of smoothing out the sheets before straightening up to his full height once more. "Yeah, uh…it may be a spare bed, but it's just as new as everything else. Sorry I couldn't find any matching sheets."
I look over at my tri-colored bed: blue pillows with a purple and yellow comforter. The color scheme actually reminds me of my old toy sea chest my parents got for me when I was a toddler. I grin fondly at the memory and lift my gaze to Cole's. "No complaints here. Thanks, Cole."
A hint of red touches his cheeks, but he quickly ducks his head, letting his long bangs once again obscure his face. "N-No biggie, it… It was my pleasure," he mutters, moving to walk pass me. My heart lurches as another memory suddenly resurfaces: An image of a teenage boy with shaggy, black hair and brilliant emerald-jade eyes fills my mind's eye, his smile somewhat shy as a blush powders his rich, olive cheeks.
"No biggie… It was my pleasure…"
The tone was different—lower, smoother—but the cadence was still there. No way… It can't be… At once, my body moves and I'm turning quickly and reaching out to grab his arm. The pain and tiredness I was feeling is pushed roughly away, and instead I'm desperate to embrace the loud thumping of my heart.
"Cole…? Cole…" The name is still foreign and new on my tongue, but the memory of the boy from four years ago wants to connect. The tight muscles along his powerful arm constrict, but he doesn't turn around. He's stock-still. I lick my suddenly dry lips and move closer. "…Cole…" I let go of his arm and instead move my hand to his back between his shoulder blades. The muscles there ripple and stiffen underneath the smooth tough fabric below my fingertips. I can feel him take a deep breath rather than hear it. And he slowly turns to look back at me over his shoulder.
Unabashed, I stare helplessly into his eyes. Searching and even hoping. Momma once told me that the eyes are the reflection of the soul. Thus, it doesn't take long for me to find it, that same kind soul from four years ago. That same kind soul that had once inhabited the body of a teenage boy, but now is nestled deep in the body of this handsome man. I can't believe how elated I feel. I don't even understand why I feel such elation, but I do.
"…It's you…" I breathe, smiling. "…Great Leviathan, it really is you… Cole, you're the one that helped me…remember…? My pearl?"
But to my shock, he doesn't affirm my claim. He just turns away. "Good night, you two," he says quietly, and quickly leaves the room.
"Geez, how uncool are you trying to be tonight, man!" I hear Jay huff from behind me. "Night, ladies!" He says in a rush and follows Cole out the door. Nya comes around and closes the door after them. She then leans against it and gives me an expectant look.
My brain kicks back into gear, and I find myself frowning. "Why did he lie?"
Nya shrugs. "Your guess is as good as mine. He told us about how you two met while you were still unconscious back down in the infirmary." She gets up off the door. "Hold on, I'll grab you some clothes to sleep in."
I stay rooted to the spot as she exits my field of vision. I just can't understand it. If he knew who I was all along, why the subterfuge? It's not like our encounter was a humiliating experience. It was short and sweet at best! So then why? Why did he look so sad and unsure? Did he not want me to remember him?
I suck my teeth haughtily. What the hell…?
My senses suddenly prick and I turn to catch two articles of clothing being thrown at me. I cock an eyebrow at Nya, which she just smirks at. "Fascinating… When you're angered or frustrated, you tend to be more instinctively perceptive and focused. Kinda the polar opposite of Kai. When he gets pissed, he just gets more wild and aggressive."
It sounded like a compliment, but I just don't care at the moment. My thoughts are too engrossed with Cole's unnecessary deception. At my silence, Nya loses her smirk and approaches me with calm concern. "Hey, don't fret about it too much. He probably has his reasons. Just corner him tomorrow. That's what I'd do."
My gaze shifts from the plain t-shirt and shorts combo to Nya's chocolaty irises. My lips pull up into a grin. "Corner him? Somehow, I don't doubt it… But please. That guy could flick me away with his pinky if he wanted."
"Sasha…with the way Cole's been acting around you, I can tell he's only aiming to please. Well, him and someone else…" She points off to the right, and I follow her finger to the nightstand stationed by the head of my borrowed bed. And what sat on top but a beautiful crystal vase with my bouquet of red roses and white carnations occupying the inside.
My heart immediately flutters at the realization. Zane…
Wordlessly, I walk over to the bed and sit down, my eyes still staring at the vase of flowers intently. "You're a bit taller than me, but they should still be comfortable," I hear Nya say. There's a lot of rustling, and I just know she's most likely getting ready for bed herself. I sigh heavily and tear my eyes away from the flowers long enough to place the staff at the foot of the bed and change into the clothes Nya handed (threw) at me earlier.
So much was happening, and way too fast for my liking. My life had made sense up until this point, and I knew what my future would hold. I step out of the dress and remove my heels as well. I then take care of my jewelry, but give pause once my fingers touch the choker with my sister's pearl attached.
Go home…or stay…?
Taking aggravated note of my hesitation, I decide to rephrase the question.
Stay here with virtual strangers…or go home to the family you know and love…?
That should've been easier to answer…so why isn't it? I sigh and resume taking off my choker and laying it down with the rest of my jewelry on the nightstand. "Deixa pra lá!" (Forget it!) I grumble angrily, and tuck myself under the covers with a few more pissy Portuguese phrases. I hear Nya giggle and I spot her just over the rise of the nightstand, her hair clipped back and her body neck-deep under her pretty, violet covers.
My frown unwittingly loosens upon seeing her smiling face. "Goodnight, Sasha."
"Yeah… Goodnight, Nya."
She turns off the lights and I close my eyes. Vibrant emerald-jade taunts my mind's eye, before everything fades to black. Sleep finds me easily.
(Sasha's dream)
Wet.
Rapid drops of water hit my skin.
Rain.
I can't see.
Rush of wind.
Falling.
I can't move.
My descent is gentle and hazardless. And soon…I am engulfed—submerged in the heavy pull of a body of water.
I don't struggle.
Why should I?
The water is a haven.
I know I am safe.
(Life is all about taking risk…stepping out of one's comfort zone and vigilantly facing the unknown…)
The words echo all around me, as if a part of the water itself. I can finally move, and so I shift my body into an upright position and thread the water. I turn my head, feeling the slight resistance, and open my eyes. Blue-green—aquamarine fills my vision. I'm in an ocean and not far from the surface, as I can see rays of sunshine filter through and brighten the depths.
Blood red wisps cocoon my figure, and I grasp at the locks curiously. My mouth opens and I expel bubbles when I try to talk. No words come out, but I can breathe easily. I'm underwater…but I can breathe easily.
Of course… I'm dreaming…
(You have courage…as expected from your lineage… But I wonder if you are brave enough to embark on a new journey of self-discovery, sisterhood…and truth…)
What?
The voice that had spoken was the same one as before: back in the theater at the Marty Op, and back on the bridge on the Destiny's Bounty. A deep, feminine, and soothing voice… Each word breathed was like a therapeutic wave caressing my mind and calming me.
(You are needed here… As Water is needed to nourish the Earth...)
What are you talking about…?
And Earth… Do you mean Cole…?
A deep chuckle sounds all around me, making the water reverberate.
(Young hybrid with dormant blood…do you believe in destiny…?)
I shrug. Call me a realist if you want, but I don't believe in shit until shit happens. I'm no fool. And what's up with you calling me a hybrid? Is it because I'm half black and half Portuguese? Are you a racist voice, or what?
Another beautiful chuckle sounds.
(Calm yourself, Sasha… My words were not meant to be derogatory… I only speak the truth…)
Before I can retort, a blissful sensation enraptures my body and I close my eyes and relish the feel of warm water currents as they envelope me in a palpable hug. I'm left breathless and tingly by the end of it. And I pant the last raptures of pleasure into the tranquil aqua.
Wha…? What was that…?
(Such a gratuitous reaction… Just like your father…)
Shock replaces my gratification in an instant. What did you just say? What about my father?
(Sasha, what do you think would happen to the earth if there was no water?)
I purse my lips in annoyance and frustration. So, what? Am I supposed to just forget about her mentioning my father? Obviously this isn't any ordinary dream, and I'm not the master of my own domain here. Plus, I can feel things. No, this is the voice's territory. And I'm just a visitor. I guess I'll just oblige her for now.
…It would lose its fertility and become barren. It's a textbook answer, but it's the truth.
(Yes, it is. Every element has another that correlates with it in some way. You now know of the brotherhood of Natural Elements, but you and Nya only make up half of the Counter Elemental Masters. Your kinship with her is only the beginning… You must help find the others…)
Others…? But why me? What makes me so special?
(Oh, you are very special, Sasha… You and your sister…are very, very special…)
My sister…? My hand instantly reaches up to touch my most precious possession. First my father, now my sister? What is it? Why are you bringing them into this? What aren't you telling me!?
(All will be made clear to you…when you are ready to embark on this new path… For you play a pivotal role in this realm's future…in saving it from corruption and evil… To protect those most precious to you, you must first embrace your element… You must embrace me… I will help you find the truth…)
The truth…? What is "the truth"? Why can't you just tell me?!
(Because you are not ready… When you are ready…come find me… Let the one imbued with ice guide you…)
Come find you…? I look around the expanse of shimmering aquamarine, but can see nothing but water—not even a fish. Where are you…? Who are you?
A convergence of water suddenly spirals into a funnel before me. And in a flash of bright aqua light, the Bo Staff of Waves appears amongst a swirl of bubbles.
(My kind are simply known as The Four… And I am their leader…Waves… Come find me, daughter of Miguel Graciano… Come find me…and embrace me…)
So many thoughts hurricane through my mind, but I do as she asks and reach out towards the staff. But just as my fingertips curl over the horns of Esmeralda…the Bo Staff of Waves disappears in a starburst of bubbles.
(End Sasha's Dream)
"Wait!" I jerk awake with a shout, my eyes wide open and blind to white light.
"Sasha? Sasha, are you okay? Whoa…"
All I can see is white! What's going on?! Am I blind now?! My breath comes out short and fast, and at once I feel hands on my shoulders. "Sasha! Sasha, calm down. Can you hear me? It's Nya."
"N…Nya…?" I take a moment and blink my eyes multiple times. And gradually, the white fades to produce color and shapes. Nya's expression is a mixture of concern and wonder, her chocolaty orbs locked securely with my own gaze.
"Are you okay?" She asks, but my mind and my ears feel clogged—like I'm still under water… My blood immediately starts rushing through my veins and gives me a shot of adrenaline. I cut my eyes quickly to the foot of the bed where I had placed the Bo Staff of Waves last night. My mouth falls open in shock.
"Wh—Where is it?" I gesture in utter bewilderment towards the blank space at the foot of my bed.
"Huh? Where's what?" Nya turns her head to follow my hand, releasing my shoulders in the process.
"The Bo Staff of Waves!" I clarify frantically. "I put it right there last night! Where is it?!"
Nya turns back to look at me, confusion written clearly on her face. "Well it's not there now apparently." She moves to the floor and peers underneath the bed on her hands and knees. "Maybe you kicked it off while you slept. You did do a lot of tossing and turning last night, and I wanted to wake you… But Tempest told me not to."
I furrow my brow at her. "Tempest?"
She gets back up and settles on my bed with a negative shake of her head. "Yeah, Tempest…" She shows me her wrists and I jerk back in surprise when in a vibrant flash of royal purple, two wicked but very cool-looking clawed gauntlets appear strapped onto them. "She's the spirit that inhabits these weapons here," Nya explains. "We've only been acquainted for a short while, but…for some reason I feel like I can trust her wholeheartedly." She smiles down at the platinum weapons fondly, and in another flash of violet, they're gone. She looks at me on tenterhooks. "I'm guessing it's the same with you?"
I suck my teeth. "Tch! I don't know about 'trust' right off the bat," I grouse, and snap my fingers to gesture towards the foot of my bed. "As you can see my weapon just up and bailed on me! But that dream, though… No way in hell all that was a coincidence…"
"Your weapon…?"
I stop and blink at Nya. I had just said that, huh? So then, had my mind been made up? Although I'm anxious to get home and see my family again, I feel vexed about what "Waves" had said. My father… My sister… And what of this "truth" among other things? Too many questions, not enough answers. My life had been put on hold, but it didn't have to stop completely. Not with this other path titillating my curiosity.
I've decided…my dream can wait. Family will always come first in my book. And also, I find that I want to stay, and not only for my own reasons. But for her too. For some reason, I feel that Nya somewhat needs me to be here. Kinship huh… I grin at her inquiring visage and let out a mock-disgruntled moan. "I gotta find that stick. It owes me some answers." But then I hold her gaze seriously. "And…I don't know what the whole 'kunoichi' or 'Elemental Master' thing means, but…I'll learn and do what I can…for all of you."
Nya's eyebrows instantly shoot up and disappear into her bangs. "You're…actually staying…? I mean, I heard what your friend said last night, but…what about your family back in Poseidonia?"
"The main reason why I'm staying is for my family. I'm sorry, but it's something that I'd like to keep to myself for now."
"Oh no! I understand! It's just uh…well…" She has the decency to look humbled. "…Um, never mind… C'mon, let's freshen up and head to breakfast. I didn't wake up smelling smoke, so Kai must've succeeded in not setting the kitchen on fire. My guess is Zane kept his word."
Agreeing entirely, we take turns in the bathroom and complete our morning ablutions. I feel no aches or pains. Not from my back or anywhere else. Curious, I turn around to show my bare back to the mirror, expecting to see the white gauze taped over last night's wound. But lo and behold…all I see is a faded-out, diagonal line of a scar. It looks healed and smooth—a process that only occurs after weeks of normal care.
I stare at it. What in Leviathan's name…? I just got here and already freaky things are happening to me! But not wanting to call attention to it, I go about my business. And soon, I'm decked out in another pair of booty shorts (well booty shorts for me at least) and a light blue tank that hugged my bust a little too tightly and showed a sliver of my midriff. I move to retrieve the black chocker from the nightstand, but am immediately shocked to find it gone. I let out a small gasp, my hand flying to my neck…and that's when I feel it. My beloved pearl.
What the hell…? It wasn't there while I was in the bathroom…was it…? Did Waves… Am I being fucked with…? My thought process is garbled, the strange happenings disjointing it. Pensively, I try again to go about my business. ...Freaky… Really freaky… Just wait til I find that stick!
Nya has on that skin-tight, violet number again, and I take the chance to really appreciate the kick-ass style of the suit. It certainly had a nuance of danger and sexiness to it, and Nya pulls off the look well. Even the amethyst brooch is a sleek and stunning addition.
After the shower—despite the weirdness—I feel a hundred times better and more optimistic, the feel of water on my skin always giving me that extra pep in my step. As of now, Nya helps me comb my hair out at her vanity. "Wow, your hair is so beautiful, Sasha. And no offense, but I don't really see a whole lot of people with red hair that have your skin tone."
I run the other comb through my hair meticulously in a practiced effort to work out the knots. "Yeah, me neither. But I guess my dad's hair color was a dominant gene or whatnot. My sister's hair on the other hand is a blend of both my parents—reddish brown. And it's naturally curly. Lucky lil' twerp-fish…"
Nya giggles. "Yeah, I can definitely tell you care a lot about your family. Me and Kai are the same way too."
"You and Kai are related?" I find myself genuinely surprised. "But you two don't look anything alike."
"Ain't that the truth…" Nya smirks and I catch her expression in the reflection of the mirror. Oh wait…never mind… "But the thing is, we're just carbon copies of our parents. Kai looks exactly like Dad, and I look exactly like Mom. Just switch the eye colors, and boom! You got us."
Going off that logic, I have to ask. "Are any of the others here related by blood?"
"Nope. But we are a family. We're a clan."
There's a pulse of sadness in her words, but feeling that I have no right to pry, I don't question her. Instead, I smile at her reflection. It was a nice prospect, after all. "…I see." The rest of the task is done in amicable silence, and I brush and tie my hair up in its usual high ponytail to keep it from trailing on the ground. Deciding to forego the sandals, I pad after Nya barefooted as we leave the room to head towards the dining room for breakfast.
"Mmmm, sure does smell good…" I observe, scenting the air hungrily. My belly rumbles in neglect of my skipped dinner and light lunch from the day before. And now begs to be satiated. My mouth waters at the appetizing smell. Steak! Steak, steak! STEAK!
"Sure does," Nya breathes. "Get ready for a mouth-watering feast, Sasha, because I just know for a fact that Zane did most of the cooking."
I cock an eyebrow at her. "Oh? Not so confident in your dear ol' brother's culinary skills?"
She laughs easily. "If you recall last night, Kai and cooking don't really go together. He's good in some areas, though, just not all. Back in Ignacia, before all this, our meals mostly consisted of rice and fish. And he cooked all the time back then. Not to stereotype myself or my brother, but traditional Japanese and Chinese cuisine is our specialty. Though I do dabble a bit in Korean too."
I hum my understanding, but nevertheless stay silent after Nya finishes her brief telling of her family history. I have no idea where Ignacia is, but I think I've at least heard of it somewhere before. We enter the dining room and find everyone else already seated with two spots open for me and Nya to sit. Everyone stops chatting and takes notice of our arrival. All the guys have varying reactions to my appearance. But I have to admire Kai, for his is the most confident and suave: just a little wink at me while his sips his orange juice. Jay's is absolutely adorable and innocent: he looks at me for maybe half a second, then immediately diverts his attention to Nya, a little pink on his cheeks. And like her brother, Nya takes his involuntary blush in stride and saunters forward to place a sweet kiss on his cheek.
I find myself even more curious about Zane, as no flush of red touches his face. In actuality, his expression is difficult to ascertain. All I can tell is that he's unabashed in his staring. I wonder if he knows how rude that is. But suddenly I recall what Waves said in my dream: "Let the one imbued with ice guide you…" Zane is the Master of Ice, right? So it's only logical that I assume it's him that she was referring to. I make a mental note to talk to him later…as well as thank him for taking care of my flowers.
My gaze drifts from Zane to Cole and settles. His posture exudes relaxation: his arms on the table with the knuckles of one gloved hand pressed casually against the side of his mouth. But the way he's clenching that napkin in the other…and the apparent redness on his face, undoubtedly contradicts his otherwise leisured demeanor. I remember our encounter last night and can't help but frown. Why did you lie…? A pang of hurt enters my chest, and in my anxiety I reach up to fiddle with Sophia's Pearl. Those deep, emerald-jade eyes enrapture me. I got words for you, buster… Just you wait…
I break eye-contact with him, and instead divert my attention to the head of the table. The eldest and Clan Head—and soon to be my Clan Head—looks calmly at me, a modest serving of eggs, steak, and peppers on his plate. He takes an indulgent sip from his cup and smiles. "Good morning, Sasha. I hope you had pleasant dreams last night?" There's something shrewd in those dark eyes of his, like he already knows about everything that I've experienced, and is only waiting for my confirmation.
For some reason, that calms my nerves some and my hand drops from my pearl. "More baffling than pleasant, but I'll get to that later." I swallow. This is a big decision—one that will undoubtedly change my life to an extent. And I made it all under twenty-four hours, just because my family was mentioned by a sultry water spirit…or whatever the hell Waves is. But I need to know... "Sensei Wu…I will join your clan. I will become your Kunoichi of Water, and the next Elemental Master."
(…A wise and courageous choice… The truth awaits…)
A/N: I think this story will run twelve chapters instead of the original eleven. I think anyways.
