Soft waves crashed against my bare feet. The sun couldn't have shone a brighter gold even if it wanted to, it's beams, kissed my flesh as I sat quietly in the sand. For once; it was peaceful. Peter and the boys weren't around when I awoke...I would have been worried but on the dinner table sat a poorly written note. Stating that they had gone off to do some sort of...training. I didn't dare question what training they were doing.

Probably something barbaric...as usual. Having some time to myself, I decided to sit by the water.

I watched as the dry, grainy sand trickled through my fingers. It was relaxing. Though the sight of my ..smaller hands, did trouble me. I was still in this younger form... Peter wouldn't give me any answers as to why I had gone back in time. Perhaps even /he/ didn't know? Nothing made sense here.

I longed to be back in London...despite everything...I missed my family dearly, but then, apart of me didn't want to go back. What would be waiting for me there? a boarding school? most likely-

"Well, well. So the bird survived?" I recognized that...eerily cheerful voice. I gritted my teeth before looking upward. Sitting on a nearby rock rather close to the shore, was Marina. She wore a smile but it didn't match with her eyes. If I could think of one word to explain the look she was giving me, it would mostly certainly be hatred.

"What do you want?" I hissed, crossing my arms tightly over my chest. "If you've brought those filthy pirates with you-"

"Heh, I got bored with those stinky old pirates. It's just me, promise" Marina cut me off. Her smile continuing to linger. "And I'm rather tired of you. Why don't you just go home...if you don't leave soon, you're going to be stuck here...forever." Her aqua optics stared into my azures... even though she was speaking calming... it felt like she was spitting acid at me with each word.

"FOREVER?" I jumped to my feet. "What do you mean forever?"

The mermaid simply chuckled. "I don't feel like answering a little girls questions. You seem pretty calm with the fact you've grown younger...it's more than just a simple little trick...hopefully you get it soon...I'd hate to see you around here any longer...hanging around Peter like you're something special."

I wanted to rip that perfectly styled blonde hair of hers, out of her head by the roots.

"Well excuse me. But Peters the one following ME around. In fact, he basically forced me here. You'll just have to control your obvious jealousy.

Marina's eyes darkened and for a moment I feared I had said too much. But slowly began to realize she didn't have a comeback for that comment.

"I-..." she trailed off. Her tail swished against the water...it almost looked like a cat whom was agitated.

"I'm far prettier than you. Y-You...scrawny little two legged, hussy!" with a growl, she jumped into the waters. She didn't return to the surface so I assumed she left.

I was thankful for that, but now I was filled with more questions... why wouldn't I be able to return? I couldn't stay here forever, there was no way.

I'd never.

"Wendy?"... this time it wasn't that rotten mermaid who called out to me. With a halfhearted smile, I glanced behind me, seeing Slightly walk towards me. I always felt a bit at ease when he was around. He reminded me of my brothers in so many ways.

"Are you guys finished with your training?" I asked, gesturing for him to sit beside me. Slightly complied, flopping next to me with a sigh.

"Finally. Peter had us up at dawn. He wanted us to work on our fighting skills so he had us spar. After the fourth hour it got a bit tiring." examining him closer, I noticed small scratches and bruises on his face and arms, even some on his legs. I didn't understand why they had to be so rough.

"Are you okay? you boys really need to stop doing this to yourselves..."

"Oh, but we like it" Slightly grinned a toothy grin. "Fighting is what we live for!"

"So strange." I muttered, my gaze going back to the sea.

"But, I almost like being around you more than fighting." He added, placing his hand over mine. he truly was a cute child.

"I like being around you too. Slightly...I do." I suddenly felt a lump form in my throat...I couldn't explain this sadness I was beginning to feel.

"Wendy...?" I could hear the worry in his voice. I didn't want to make him upset so I forced a smile.

"Sorry, I'm just really excited about what we're all going to do today-"

"Then...why are you crying?"

It was at that moment that I felt the warm tears fall from my eyes. Then I began to sob uncontrollably. I hadn't cried this hard...in years. Slightly didn't leave...instead he sat there silently...I didn't know what sort of expression he had since my face was buried in my knees. When I was finally able to compose myself, I lifted my head to look at him.

"Sorry...i don't know what came over me..." he didn't reply. Instead he pulled out something that sort of looked like a handkerchief and began dabbing my eyes with it. "It's okay. I don't mind if you gotta cry. Sometimes I gotta cry..." he stopped talking and glanced at the ground, suddenly becoming interested with a sea shell. I giggled and wrapped an arm around his shoulder.

"Thank you. I needed this." he nodded, then reached for my hand. "Peter...actually asked me to bring you to the hide out. Are you okay to come back?"

"Yeah." I grasped his hand and we both stood. "I bet that boy is already losing the little patience he has."

Slightly laughed, shaking his head.

"He'll be mad if he finds out we decided to sit here instead of reporting to him right away. But He wanted to talk to you about something."

"Really?" I arched a brow.

"Yeah. Don't know what it was about though Slightly shrugged "...said it was Mother- father stuff" and. He was playing that game again. Oh Peter...what did he want now.

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"You want me to what?" My eyes widened staring at the sharp object that sat on the wooden table... was he completely mad?

"Are ya hard of hearing? I want you to learn how to fight. If that codfish and his crew get a hold of you next time, he might do something worse. You need to defend yourself" Peter replied, leaning lazily in his chair. His hazel hues locked on mine as he spoke.

He was right about that... I had been a damsel in distress as of late. Maybe learning a thing or two about fighting wouldn't be too bad...

"But a sword- Peter? do I look like someone who could wield a sword?"

The boy scratched his chin. Taking a moment to respond.

"Yes?" he blinked "You've done it before, even if you don't remember. I'll have to teach you from the basics" He slowly stood from his chair. Pulling out his blade in the process.

"Now. Pick yours up and come at me. Fight me like you want to kill me"

I could feel my face flush... he wanted to start...right now. Right this second? ...he was mad. Completely mad... I grabbed the sword and cautiously held it upward. The light from the sun, shone through the poorly made window, causing it to reflect off the blade.

"Don't be ridiculous this is-"

Slam

Before I could finish my sentence. Peter had struck my blade with his. I backed up, rather startled.

"Did you really, just do that?" I gawked.

"Don't be a chicken, Wendy." he hit my sword once again, this time harder.

The sharp clink of metal hitting metal rang in my ears.

Did he just call me a chicken?

"Oh. It's on." I growled. Hitting him back. Peter laughed and flew upward. Copper locks falling into his face.

"Is that all you got? captain codfish has more in him. C'mon. Wendy"

He was mocking me now. Feeling sudden adrenaline I jumped onto the tabletop, swaying the sword left and right in an attempt to strike him.

"If you'd stay on the ground this would be a fair fight" I retorted. Trying once again to hit him.

Peter laughed and flew backwards, dodging my attack. Taking the opportunity. I jumped off the table and grabbed him by the waist. Being too surprised by my unexpected movement, Peter fell to the floor instead of continuing to fly.

"That's not how you fight for real!" Peter exclaimed before we both hit the floor with a thud.

"OWW. What are you made of, a rock?" during the fall, I had somehow landed on top of the boy.

"YOU'RE made of a rock. Get off" Peter narrowed his eyes.

"Oh...whoa." Another voice could be heard in the room. My eyes darted to the entrance. Standing there was a very confused and blushing Slightly. "Sorry" he paused.

"...You call that fighting?" Nibbs laughed, walking out from behind Slightly.

At this point I was sure my face was as bright as a tomato. I jumped up from Peter, waving my hands frantically.

"Don't jump to conclusions. It wasn't what it looked like" I trailed off while Peter laughed hysterically.

"It's not funny." I snapped at him. He was still on the floor. clutching his sides.

Then like a flash, Tinker bell flew into the room. Her hues narrowing as she approached me.

"Nothing happened." I frowned, glaring into the tiny girl's eyes.

To say the least the room was full of chaos. Peter was still laughing. Tink was chasing me around. Slightly was still staring. And Nibbs was cheering...

Things were never simple and calm...but I was starting to get used to it.

I'm so sorry for the late update. But here it is and on Valentines day. Hope hope you enjoyed it. I'll do my best to update as soon as possible.

Thank you for reading