Chapter cover: A child version of Lea Stellar looking up at the sky, one hand towards it.
...
It took roughly an hour to get caught by Aozaki Yoko – which is a blessing in disguise, because their punishments were light due to their deals. Jake Stellar and Lea Stellar will work as her errand boy-slash-girl for the duration of their current stay.
At the moment, Aozaki Yoko was dangling her foot in her seat as she watched the two children, although one already technically an adult, bickering with each other.
"You just have to bring Luminous here!"
Jake threw his arms in the air in protest. "It's either that or I travel alone." He paused and took a deep breath. "ALONE!" Lea winced and covered her ears, childishly singing 'lalalala' while the siblings circled around each other.
The alchemist will never get bored of siblings arguments.
On one side, Phantom was reading her past journals with keen interest while Luminous stood at one side – not sure if he was amused or just shy.
There was another reason why she let the siblings off so easily – it is also partly to a promise she intends to keep.
Finally the bickering went to the point of martial arts. Lea somersaulted in the air and kicked Jake in the face. Jake stumbled backwards and with a grim look, he snapped his broken nose back to its norm and flicked the blood with his thumb in a single swipe. He reached for his staff and spun it around before switching to a more defensive stance as Lea kicked and kicked.
They were even, without one single spell. The metal heels on Lea's boots left a nice crack on the tiles, and Aozaki frowned.
Now she has to fix it.
…
…
It was already nightfall, and Lea had to buy some food on the surface. She munched down a soft sausage bun, with one hand carrying their dinner. Jake was exchanging knowledge in the alleys of Magatia while she sat on a bench and waited.
During her waiting, a single cat came to her, and meowed. She looked down with a look of pity.
The white cat was just skin and bones, and its voice was weak. It was filthy – the once pristine white fur was caked with dust and dirt. It looked as if it lost many fights with a partially torn ear.
It tried to rub her leg, instead it fell over her boot and stayed there for a while. Lea was afraid the cat died on her foot, gently, she placed her grocery beside her and gingerly picked up the cat. The only sign of life was its chest, moving up and down – and its brown eyes shining with life. It lets out a feeble meow.
Lea chuckled and fed the cat small pieces of her food. The cat nibbled them gratefully. Once it's finished, it wrapped its tail around her wrist and meowed once. It sounded really happy this time.
Alas, like all meetings, they must part at one point of the time.
Lea kept glancing backwards at the cat who sat on the bench. Its tail went into a slight curve beside it.
"Wait."
Jake shrugged and took the dinner from her arm with a knowing grin. "Go ahead. Aozaki could use some animal companion." The siblings locked eyes and Jake jerked his head to the cat. The cat noticed the movement as it jumped down from the bench and ran towards Lea's arms. Although it would've hit the pavement, hard if it weren't for the timing catch.
Lea cooed the cat. "You will be fine…"
The cat merely meowed happily and enjoyed the embrace. And it closed its eyes, content and happy for the first time in its entire life.
Lea closed her eyes as they walked quietly as possible.
"Hey Jake…" She started, cradling the sleeping cat in her arms.
There was a chuckle. "What isit?"
"Am I getting too attached to people?"
Jake hummed thoughtfully. "Aren't we?"
"…a stupid question…"
Jake hummed again, singing a tune, a lullaby from their parents. It brought back bittersweet memories.
The meeting of people…the meaning of letting go…the conversations that never finish…the unanswered questions…knowing you will forget their faces, their voices – knowing you will never see them again, never hearing them…
It was a difficult experience. And it was heartbreaking, knowing one day, they will part suddenly without warning.
Death is fair to everyone. Some just met it faster – because a blade took them away.
"Hey Jake…"
"What isit?"
"…never mind."
For now, she will enjoy Jake's company and secretly, she was treasuring all the memories she has with her family, with her friends, like Dual.
Unknown to her, she was smiling genuinely for the first time in a long time.
...
A/N: While I was writing this chapter, I remembered the words my teacher used to say about life and death. I was emotional was writing this chapter - I'm not sure how to convey this in words through Lea's and Jake's conversation and Lea's thoughts in this chapter is a reflection of mine. I was intending to put humour in this chapter, but in the end it's more of like contemplating about...well...meetings and partings...
I planned to do an epic chase, but it got too long and draggy that I decided to toss the idea away.