Ugh. This was such a draining chapter. It jumps around a bit time-wise, but it gives out quite a bit of information that I found necessary. Maybe this is one of those unintentionally-intentionally confusing things I was apologizing for last chapter? *shrugs*

No one said life was easy, and Gwenyth agreed that it wasn't. Though she was pretty sure the person who coined that saying had ever been in her situation before. As if regular old life wasn't enough, the universe decided to pull this on her.

She knew her family would worry. Not only because she was missing, but because her cousin, Hannah, had gone missing before as well. It was about five years before she suddenly reappeared. Though this thought gave Gwenyth little hope, as Hannah had gone completely out of her mind in her absence. She spout out nonsense about having married a Navy man and giving birth to a little girl in another world. Not long after her return, she attempted to kill herself in order to 'see her family again', and her parents put her into a mental institution about two weeks later.

Nobody really talks about Hannah anymore.

Gwenyth wrote her parents a letter since she couldn't call them, seeing how this island was pretty much cut off from the modern world. Which, even then, Gwenyth thought was strange. Even more so these days considering the amount of travelers that visited the island with the latest news. (This week, the merchants from further West claimed that pirates had been spotted coming this way. This was a standard claim made at least twice a month, so no one paid much mind. Gwenyth was also pretty sure that the only pirates still around were in Somalia, so she figured it was some kind of on-going joke the merchants had with the islanders.)

The mail carrier only visited the island twice a week, and it usually took him about three days to get all the way around the island. Which was a direct result of the islanders' natural hospitality, as it took literally less than a day to reach all five villages. Maybe an entire day if you walked really slow. Either way, it took a full week on the island before Gwenyth could even give the man her letter.

Weeks went by with no word from her parents. She continued to get comfortable on the island, keeping rather positive. Mostly, she was trying not to think of all the trouble she might get into once her parents came to get her. After two months, Gwenyth became worried and wrote a second letter, giving it to the mailman half a week later. Still nothing. This went on for quite some time, all the while getting more and more situated with her predicament.

It was about nine months after the first letter when it finally happened. And if she were completely honest, Gwenyth had seen it coming for quite some time.

She had long since become Maaya's official apprentice when the mail carrier entered their shop that day. He handed the young girl a pile of letters with a heavy heart. Atop each envelope in red, was a stamp saying: "ADDRESS NOT FOUND". Gwenyth checked and double checked her handwriting, insisting upon there being a mistake. But the letters had been checked and double checked by every known address, the man told her. They had even sent the address to a postal agency that dealt mostly with the Grand Line, and they, too, found nothing.

She was shocked, but it wasn't too much of a surprise. In the back of her mind, Gwenyth had always known that something was wrong.

When she sang iconic rock songs or famous Disney numbers. Or talked about "The City of Angels". Or talked about anything from her life before Tabi, the islanders would smile. Maybe nod or even laugh a little out of politeness. But there was always a vague look on their faces; a lack of recognition.

Very little of what she said actually made sense to them. It was like listening to a person who would constantly speak in riddles. They smiled, or nodded, or laughed, because they were a kind people; raised on good manners and hospitality from the cradle. She could feel this, and they were known for this. To openly question the oddities she spoke so fondly of would be nothing short of rude. And the last thing anyone wanted was for the girl feel un-welcomed in any way. She could feel this, too.

Despite the people's efforts, she was most definitely aware that she didn't belong here. Not on this island, and not in this world. She was alone. It really wasn't a surprise, re-receiving all her letters. But to hold the heavy finality of such a fate in her hands was still too much. She was utterly and entirely alone.

Fat, salty tears poured down her cheeks and the letters fell from her hands. She couldn't breathe. She fell to the floor, screaming, crying, and flailing in hysterics. She cried out for her mother and father. For her home. And finally for Hannah, though she wasn't sure why. Gwenyth hadn't spoken to her in years, but she cried harder for Hannah than anyone.

At some point, Katsuya had come down from his shop and began to cradle the girl in his large arms. She heard him asking questions, but she couldn't comprehend them in her current state. Maaya cooed and stroked her hair until it calmed Gwenyth down enough to cease screaming. But the tears wouldn't stop. The ache in her heart wouldn't allow it.

"We had a son, you know. His name was Raiden." Maaya's smile shined with motherly love. Her eyes lightly glazed, watching memories pass by. "He was such a good boy, always liked to play the hero, we loved him so much. He joined the Navy after his 18th birthday. He loved it, and we were fully supportive. He was stationed at an island not too far from here and would visit whenever he could, the sweetheart."

Gwenyth continued to cry. Though confused by the sudden story, she noticed Maaya was speaking about her son in the past tense. The older woman continued.

"During one of his visits, there was a big commotion on the island. A young woman had washed ashore. She was confused and spoke of strange things and places, much like yourself. Her name was Hannah." Shock racked through Gwenyth's body, and a loud sob escaped her lips. Katsuya held her closer.

"When she and Raiden met, I could tell right then that they belonged together. And a little more than a year later, they wed. It was beautiful. You would have loved her gown, Gwenyth." Maaya said looking down at the wide-eyed, crying girl.

"They had a little girl not too long after. They named her Sora, after the sky. Her eyes were so blue, just like her mother's, and she had such energy!" She laughed. But Maaya's smile began to waver, and the pain she felt talking about this became all the more evident to Gwenyth. Even Katsuya, keeping quite and giving no physical indications, was deeply hurt by this conversation. Beyond all the shock and heartache she was feeling, Gwenyth could sense their pain just as easily.

"Not more than a few years after her birth, there was a large riot on the island Raiden was stationed at. He was badly injured and had to be brought to the hospital, where he and many others died. Hannah was so distraught, and Sora grew very sick from being around all the death. They returned to Tabi soon after, but there was nothing we could do for poor Sora. Dr. Yamata had never seen such a sickness in someone so young. Not too long after, she passed on as well.

"Then, one day, Hannah was gone. We didn't know where she went. Many of us believe she took her own life to be with her family, though no one has ever said such a thing aloud."

"Nobody really talks about Hannah anymore," Gwenyth murmured to herself. Regardless, Katsuya answered.

"The islanders don't talk about them out of respect, to them and to us. No parent should have to burry their child or grandchild. Who would want to bring up such pain?"

"N-No!" Gwenyth shouted, sitting up, growing hysterical again, "I meant, no one at home! N-No one talks about her anymore because s-she disappeared for y-years! Then she s-showed up at our grandparents house o-one day s-screaming about w-wanting to 'go back'. She said s-she'd been to another w-world and had gotten married a-and had a kid, but no one b-believed her! I didn't believe her! I... I..." She couldn't breath, but screamed out what little air she had.

"She... She's alive?"

She nodded franticly, quickly losing control over her body. "But I haven't heard anything about h-her since I was twelve. When s-she came back. I'm s-so, s-so s-sorry!"

"Shhh... Shhh..." Maaya pushed her back into Katsuya's arms and they tried to calm her once again. "It's alright, Gwenyth. You didn't know. Hush now. It will all be okay, dear."

"C-Can I stay here for the n-night?" Gwenyth croaked. "I n-need some time to think..." She couldn't look at them. So many thoughts and emotions running through her head, she couldn't keep anything straight.

Was that why they had taken her in? She was alone in this world. Because she reminded them of Hannah? She didn't belong here. Or, of Sora? She belonged in another world. Did they even really care about her? Why was she here? How was any of this even possible? Nothing made sense.

"OF COURSE NOT-"

"-Of course, dear." Maaya overpowered her husband with half the volume. "Darling, you still have that couch in your workshop, don't you?"

"Yeah, but-"

"This is a lot for her to take in. She needs time to herself." Katsuya wanted to disagree, but could find no reason to. "It's only one night, darling." Maaya added. He huffed in response, then carried Gwenyth up the stairs and set her down gently on his napping couch.

"Ya sure you'll be okay here for the night, kid?" Gwenyth nodded. Katsuya signed and patted her head. Maaya walked over with a blanket and draped it across the girl. She gave her a kiss on the forehead.

"We love you, Gwenyth. We love you for you, and not because of anyone else. Don't forget that." The two walked down the stairs and headed home in silence. Surrounded by the still of the night, Gwenyth felt even more alone. Maaya's story rang through her head.

Hannah really had married a navy man. Maaya and Katsuya's son Raiden. Her daughter's name had been Sora, which meant sky. Her husband died during a riot at the town he was stationed. Hannah was heartbroken and returned to Tabi with a sick Sora, who later passed away. Hannah stayed with Maaya and Katsuya, trying to recover from all the loss, until she disappeared. None of the islanders knew where she went, but many of them believed she took her own life to be with her family in heaven.

"But she d-didn't...", Gwenyth cried. "She came back to us, a-and we... we didn't listen to her... S-She must've been in so much pain. And we just threw her into a nuthouse!" She shook and gasped for breath several times. "W-We d-didn't even t-try t-to understand! I'm s-sorry, H-Hannah. I'm s-so s-sorry!" She sobbed miserably, unable to control herself.

Much later in the night, Gwenyth fell into a restless slumber. Tears still cascading down her cheeks.

Are those pirates I see on the horizon?