More days went past, weeks and even a month or two, Fujimotos body recovered, but his mind.. arguable so.

Suddenly he spend more times than ever at their library, and there was a new set of questions he asked to any-one whom could possible maybe have an answer.. Questions about the ocean!

He questioned the sailors, the old books, the old people living around whom knew of the old folk tales.

"He got his head in the clouds." Was the most common consent among the people of the foretress and the sailors of that ocean.

"Or under the water is more like it." A sailor commented in a lifted eye-brow.

One night as a great storm hit them, and teared up the ocean did Fujimoto surprise every-body, just.. every-body whom had ever known him just a little bit! As he went out-side, doing the middle of that storm, and climbed onboard one of the ships in the harbour, finding a spot to stand at the very front of the boat, grinning.

"FUJI!" Tatsue yelled as he fought himself through the angry storm to reach his younger brother. "FUJI! WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?"

"ISN'T IT MARVELOUS?!" Fujimoto asked in a big yell as he stood there, secure on the rocking boat spreading out his arms, his wild hair whiling with the wind all around him. "IT'S JUST LIKE THE STORM THAT DAY I FELL OVERBOARD!" he yelled.

"ISN'T THAT ALL THE BETTER REASON TO BE INISDE!?" Tatsue yelled. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING ON A ROCKING BOAT IN THE MIDDLE OF A STORM?! YOU HATE SAILING! IT'S EXACTLY A SITUATION LIKE THIS THAT MAKES YOU SEA-SICK!"

"I HAVE NEVER FELT BETTER THAN THIS!" Fujimoto then yelled, as the rain clashed down on his face, and the wind tore his big mane around. "COME SEE! SMELL IT! FEEL IT!" he breathed deeply in. "HOW COULD I BE SO BLIND BEFORE?!" he asked turning around to face Tatsue in a great wide smile. "THIS IS WONDERFUL! EVERY-THING AROUND US! IT'S ALIVE!" he yelled. "THE OCEAN ITSELF! THE WIND! IT'S ALL ALIVE! CAN'T YOU FEEL IT?!" he asked.

"IT'S A STORM!" Tatsue yelled, fighting himself against the winds. "A DANGEROUS THINGS TO BE OUT IN! FUJI!" he yelled as he finally reached the younger man, and then managed to reach out and grab Fujimotos shoulder.

Only to be left very very surprised, Fujimoto had always had a weak clumsy body, a thing like a storm would be his natural enemy, as the winds would casually be throwing Fujimotos body around and make him loose balance at ones, heavy wind and rain had never agreed with the young man, but as Tatsue grabbed his shoulder now, Fujimoto stood strong and secure as a rock against the very storm, the wind had no chance, no chance what so ever of ever knocking him down, and as Tatsue pulled in Fujimoto, he could might as well have been pulling in the mast of the ship trying to make that go with him, Fujimoto was like planted in the ground, and he barely even noticed Tatsue as he eagerly looked at the ocean, for a moment Tatsue was afraid that Fujimoto was going to jump straight in.

"She's so close." Fujimoto then barely whispered.

"Huh?" Tatsue looked up, it had been nearly impossible to hear what Fujimoto had said due to the storm.

"Granmammare.. the fisherman told me that is her name.. She's right under the surface." Fujimoto told, and then he stiffened as the hairs on his head raised. "Try and be quiet." He asked as he closed his eyes. "She's having fun with her waves, swimming around with them."

"You can hear that?" Tatsue asked stunned looking at Fujimoto.

"More like.. sense it.." Fujimoto sighed as he stood there with closed eyes. "Every-body can, they just have to open up, ones you felt her warmth and light just ones.. you know what it feels like." He told. "It's like.. it's always been there, it's just first now I notice it.. but thinking back! Yes! Yes it's always been there!"

"Honestly I don't feel any-thing but cold." Tatsue told wrapping his arms around himself. "It's freezing out here! And I'm soaked to the bone!"

Fujimoto didn't even listen or acknowledge him, just stood there, firm in the middle of the storm.

"FUJI!" Tatsue yelled. "FUJI ARE YOU EVEN LISTENING TO ME?! FUJI!"

Up in the fortress, safe behind windows, the man whom called himself the lord of these oceans was looking down at that scene with a frown upon his face.

"Father?" Odan questioned from where he stood by the other end of the room. "Is every-one all-right."

"If Tatsue doesn't soon manage to get Fujimoto inside, I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to pull both of them in." Hiyataka told in a frown looking down at the two young man standing there in the storm. "What would he be doing on a ship?" he asked in a frown.

"That I don't know father." Odan told. "The Fujimoto I know would never even step on a boat willingly, he would have to be almost dragged."

"How different, has Fujimoto seemed to you after he returned to us?" Hiyataka asked as he crossed his arms.

"Father?" Odan asked.

And Hiyataka turned around. "How different?" he asked again, more sternly looking directly at Odan.

"Well." Odan hesitated. "It is difficult to say, it's true, some-times, it feels like he has changed so much, I can hardly even recognise him at those times." He told. "Other times, I have no doubt at all that it is Fuji I am speaking to. He has become very… unpredictable." He at last told. "Does this concern you father?" he asked.

Hiyataka frowned as he rubbed his chin. "Fujimoto was never gifted with the same strength as you or your brother." He commented. "Unfortunately, it was his dear mothers poor health and body he inherited." He sighed deeply resting his hands on the table, then his fingers tightened and he hissed. "Odan, you must keep an eye out for your brother! I fear for him, he might have been lead astray." He commented.

"Lead astray?" Odan asked. "How?" he asked.

"There are many things we humans can't possible understand." Hiyataka told darkly looking up. "The spirits whom lives in this world are not all that pleasant, and not always willing to share the land." He told. "I took these oceans, and created this fortress and this land. Perhaps that angered the spirit that resides in this ocean." he told, as his hands growing even tighter as he spoke. "We are weakened as it is, there are a lot of people having their eyes on these oceans, I can't help it if that angers her. But I will not, I will not let her have my son!" he stated looking up and directly at Odan. "It seems his mind is to weak for her calling, very well then, we must keep him away from the ocean."

Odan exhaled deeply. "Had you said that three months ago nothing would have been easier." He told. "Now though, he walks on the beach beside the ocean each and every-day. I don't know how you would intend to keep him away without locking him up in our dungeon first." He commented.

"Hmm." Hiyataka frowned. "Admittedly that is a problem, neither do I want to keep my own son a prisoner."

"Father, if I may be so bold." Odan then spoke. "You just said it yourself, we are in danger, there are a lot of people having their eyes on these oceans and this land, whom will just be looking for your weak spot. Leave Fuji be, leave him to me and Tatsue." He asked. "I swear to you father, no harm shall come to him as long as I can help it!"

"Good, I want you to remember that promise." Hiyataka stated sternly. "And what-ever it is that is happening, stop it before it comes to far out of reach! Remember, no matter how strange he can suddenly appear, he is still your brother! It's the spirits that are messing around with us."

"Yes father." Odan nodded sternly.

And Hiyataka frowned as he clasped his fist into the palm of his hand. "Be warned, goddess of Mercy, I doubt you have any idea who it is you are messing around with, he shall not be taken!"

Out-side though, Fujimotos eyes had suddenly widened and he had turned around, jumping off the ship down on the ground.

"Fuji?" Tatsue asked. "FUJI WHERE ARE YOU GOING!?" he asked.

Fujimoto didn't answer though, he was running along-side the beach, running as fast as he could, until he reached the big cliff shielding this beach, without even thinking he grabbed the rocks and started climbing, going against both storm and rain until he found and entrance and there he ran inside, till he found himself standing on a tall cliff, with nothing but ocean around him, left right and front, ocean water that was clashing up with the storm, soaking him even more with each wave, but Fujimoto couldn't have cared any less, he was gaping as he reached out in front him.

And there, in the ocean water, was a light, playfully being thrown around by the waves, before at last, the waves cast up a woman made out of the pures light and water.

"IT'S YOU!" Fujimoto exclaimed gladly falling to his knees as he gaped at her, tears running down his eyes. "I KNEW IT! You asked me to go here so I could see you!" he cried happily and then wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. "I'm so happy, I thought I was never going to see you again!"

The waves raised up and as Fujimoto looked up, it was Granmammare, now huge as a mountain raising above him from the water, smiling kindly at him.

"You.. You saw me on the ship didn't you?" Fujimoto asked as a knot tied to his throat. "You came to say hallo.. Thank you so much!" he cried bowing down for her on the ground, as tears kept dripping down from his eyes. "There were times I wasn't entirely sure whether you were real or not, or if I really had gone mad as every-one believed. But I knew it! I knew! You had to be real! You had to!" he exclaimed, just as a large hand, light and warm as it was made of light, cupped itself around his entire frame, making Fujimoto gasp in deep surprise looking up.

The sea goddess looked kindly at him as she lowered her head, resting it on the cliff side, now close to him though her head was three times as tall as Fujimoto was in that moment.

Fujimoto swallowed as he looked at her, her hand still gently cupping his entire body. "So.. Sorry." He swallowed. "Ple-please forgive me." He asked in a stammer.

Granmammare though, merely smiled warmly at him as she retrieved her hand, then turned her head looking towards the ocean.

"Yes, it's beautiful." Fujimoto nodded sitting down on the cliff-side, his legs now hanging there above the big ocean, yet he wasn't the least bit afraid, not now when she was right next to him. "To think I never even realised, and it was right there in front of me. All of this time." He commented. Then he looked up at the sea goddess and offered her an awkward smile. "Thank you for showing me." He then told, before his smile slightly faltered. "No one wants to listen to me though." He then admitted. "I try to tell them, how wonderfull all those things are you showed me, and they just look at me like I have gone crazy." He sighed deeply resting his cheek in his hand. "No one wants to listen to me! They are all acting so! So stubborn! Argh it's so frustrating!" he hissed grabbing his hair with his hands. "Why are they all so stupid!?" he asked, messing up his all-ready very unruly hair.

Then he felt a light touch upon his shoulder, and Fujimoto turned his face to the left, to realise that the kind goddess of mercy was now sitting right next to him on the cliff side, the same seize that he was.. that was except for the dress and hair that seemed to continue all the way down to the ocean, almost like a long running waterfall of gold and red.

"Sorry." Fujimoto swallowed, then looked out in front of him, holding his knees. "Hey I was told your name is Granmammare, is that true?" he asked looking back at her.

Granmammare lightened up in a bright smile and then nodded.

"I see!" Fujimoto grinned. "It's a wonderful name! I never managed to tell you before, but.. My name is Fujimoto." He told laying his hand over his chest. "I.. I am so honoured to meet you." He told.

Granmammare nodded her head, smiling amused as she closed her eyes.

Then Fujimoto swallowed. "Erhm.. Granmammare, I apoligise, I don't want to seem ungrateful." He told. "But.. you are going to leave in a few minutes right?" he asked. "Will…. Will I ever see you again after that?" he asked, his eyes looking deeply painful as he looked at her.

Granmammare merely laid her head askew as she looked at him.

"I mean.." Fujimoto swallowed. "I erh.."

At that Granmammare laid a gentle hand on his cheek, before she smiled at him, then leaned backwards and fell back into the ocean.

"WAIT!" Fujimoto exclaimed crawling towards the edge. "Don't go! I mean… please." He asked. "I'm sorry, I know I have no right to ask any-thing of you. You all-ready saved my life, I just.. I don't know what I'll do if I can't ever see you again." He then admitted. "I can't go back to how things were, I even tried, but I just can't." he told. "Goddess of Mercy, what do I do?" he asked. "What do you want to have me do now?" he asked. "Now when I can't go back? It feels like I'm just cut off from every-one else, like… we don't even life in the same world any-more. What am I supposed to do?" he asked. "I'm so lost, I don't know any-thing any-more." He told looking down on the ground, then he felt that presence above him, and Fujimoto looked up, to see her, that wonderful goddess of mercy, sitting on her own knees in front of him, gently touching his face, lifting it up.

She looked a little bit sad, a little bit apologetic as she held his face like that, almost like she in fact… was apologising to him, then she leaned over and kissed him gently on the forehead, a single tear, that was made out of pure light, rolled down her cheek, and then landed right on Fujimotos astounded face, before she leaned back and gave him that smile, a small blink and a nod, before she turned around and dived back into the ocean. Leaving with her wordless promise that she would be back.

Wide-eyed Fujimoto looked after her, and then lightly touched his chin, the place that her tear had fallen upon him, to look at his finger, that was now wet from her tear, oddly Fujimoto looked at that tear on his finger, then stuck forward his tongue and tasted it, to then winch his face, salt water, she had cried salt-water, just like ordinary ocean water.

"FUJI!"

Fujimoto had been so lost in thoughts, so caught up and stunned that he had been compleately removed from the real world and now fell down as long as he was. "Woooaah!" he exclaimed falling down.

"Fuji! Are you okay!"

Soon Fuji found himself being turned around and held tightly by his older brother. "What on earth were you doing?" Tatsue asked holding Fujimotos shoulders tightly like that.

Wide-eyed Fujimoto looked up at his brother. "Tatsue.." he almost breathed. "What are you doing here?"

"You ran off! I was afraid you would get hurt so I ran after you." Tatsue exhaled a little impatient. "Are you okay, you look pall."

Slowly Fujimoto nodded, then swallowed. "Yes I'm… I'm fine." He told. "So-sorry." He told and then sat up as Tatsue slowly let go of him, and then sat back. Fujimoto was sitting up by himself now, then looked over his shoulder back at the ocean, which was calm now.. but also dark and empty, Granmammare was long gone.

"What were you doing Fuji?" Tatsue asked. "I swear, you were always quite your own, but lately, it has been down-right impossible to figure out what is going on inside of that head of yours." He commented dryly, ruffling up in Fujimotos massive hair.

"Stop it!" Fujimoto exclaimed pushing Tatsues hand away. "I'm all-ready enough of a mess as it is." He muttered annoyed grabbing his long hair to twist it so the water spilled out, and then he got it out of its horsetail, only to collect it all over again, with an annoyed face expression and the string he used to tie it up with in his mouth, before he took it and stuffed his hair into it again. "Urgh, I'm soaking wet." He hissed waving his arms so water drops spilled out all over the place, as it's own little mini rain.

Tatsue couldn't help but smile amused. "That's what happens when you run directly out into a storm, you could have jumped straight into the ocean and the affects would have been the same."

"Was it this freezing cold all the time?" Fujimoto asked wrapping his skinny arms around his lanky frame. "It feels like my bones have turned to ice!"

Tatsue smiled amused, then exhaled deeply. "God I'm so relieved." He admitted.

"What?" Fujimoto asked.

"This is the most at present I've seen you for months." Tatsue told looking up. "Quite frankly, ever since you washed up on shore, you have seemed… adrift some-how, not quite.. there. Like you were slowly drifting further and further away from us, some-times even I was afraid you were going away for-ever or some-thing like that." He told. "It's good to see you back amongst the living! Now keep this up in front of Odan and Father, and they'll just might find a way to relax as well." He commented.

"What a ridicules idea to get into your head." Fujimoto stated in a slight eye-roll. "Where would I even go?" he asked lifting an eye-brow. "The son of the lord of the oceans, I don't think the neighbouring lords would take to kindly to me just walking up their beaches." He snorted.

Tatsue chuckled amused. "Oh you seemed muuuuch farther gone than that!" he stated. "I was that close at going, halloooo any-one home?!" he asked as he banged a fist at Fujimotos head.

"STOP IT!" Fujimoto exclaimed. "Urghh, some-times you're just as thick-headed as Odan!" he exclaimed.

Making Tatsue laugh. "Hahaha! Some-times? I suppose that's a compliment." He chuckled amused.

Making Fujimoto pout as he sat there holding his knees in his arms, making that annoyed very childish face-expression. Then he sighed deeply, very deeply, if there was some-thing he had learned now, it was that if he tried to tell his brothers or father about what he had seen, they would call him crazy.

Fujimoto had no choice, he just had to keep quiet about it, but it seemed a lot less hard now, now that he knew Granmammare would come and see him from time to time, she had just promised him that. He wasn't alone in his knowledge any-more, which did indeed make it, a lot easier.

Still there was very little changing the fact, that Fujimoto had now seen another world in front of his eyes, a world he knew excisted, so very close to his own, so close he could almost touch it.. but he couldn't, because it was a different world than his own, and far enough away that no one would believe him no matter what he said.

No, Fujimoto decided. He had to keep quiet about the wondrous things he knew, at least for now.

Willingly he followed Tatsue back, and was met by his father and oldest brother by the door, only managing to give them a kind of apologetic shrug as he smiled a bit awkwardly at them.

And at last Hiyataka ended up laughing. "So enjoyed the storm did you Fujimoto! Well, nothing wrong with a man of the ocean enjoying a good storm! HA HA HA HA!" he laughed dashing Fujimoto on the back.

So harshly that Fujimoto tripped and landed on the floor as long as he was, head-first and every-thing.

"Seems like it was a bit to much for him any-way." Odan commented in a amused smirk as Fujimoto groaned.

"Urgh…"

And Tatsue… chose to just look the other way completely, deciding to keep it to himself how strong and stead-fast Fujimoto had seemed out there on the ship in the eye on the storm, it was the complete opposite picture of how he looked now laying halfway down on the floor in a pretty awkward position showcasing a very awkward face-expression… yep, it was Fuji all-right, it was all Fuji.

As Odan very casually grabbed the neck of his shirt, and pulled the lanky young man back up on his feet's. "OI!" Odan called as he let go of Fujimoto. "Some-body start heating some water so Fuji can be warmed up, it's not that long since he was ill!"

"Urgh, I'm not ill any-more." Fujimoto groaned rubbing his forehead. "Though a hot bath does sound nice." He then admitted. "And some warm tea." He sighed gesturing in the air with his long thin hand.

It was a very innocent hand gesture, what no one noticed though was, that with that hand gesture, the small drops of water on the floor, dragged in by Fujimoto and Tatsue, seemed to slightly rise and then fall down again, almost if they took a slight breath themselves.

It was to little for any-one to notice, not even Fujimoto noticed, but it was there, the water had moved on his simple hand command.

How that could be or what that mean though, was its own matter entirely.

Safe to say, that some-times, the tiniest smallest of actions, that seems to be so inconsequential at first, can some-times, blow out of proporations.

A sea goddess saving the life of a young man, whom just happened to float down into her arms.

Asking for his help to what seemed like such a simple little task before he returned to his own life, though in the process, that young human ended up seeing a world no human were ever supposed to see, and what had been seen could never be forgotten.

He had become her responsibility after that, he was no longer just another ordinary human, and then in a thoughtless little action, he had tasted the tear of a sea goddess.

Such a small action, so very thoughtless, it had been nothing more than a tiny little drop really.

Who could have ever known?

But the wheels were now in motion, the clock was ticking forward, and there was no stopping it now or going back.

Soon, a choice would have to be made, a final choice, that would decide the life that the young human Fujimoto would lead.