Wolves of the Pacific

by greenpeach20

In 1902, Renesmee Cullen grew tired of the tedious life of moving around with her family and decided to make the journey west as a mail order bride. Yet a chance encounter with a reddish brown wolf would change her life forever.

106. Chapter 106

Chapter 106

There was an uncomfortable silence in the air. Natalie had accepted Suerro's request to walk her home, but since then she'd said nothing to him. She wasn't walking very close to him either. It was as though she were doing her best to avoid making eye contact. Suerro wondered if he should try to speak or say something, but whenever he even considered to, he always stopped. The only sound was from the few people still up at this late hour and the howls of wolves. Suerro could hear the raven in the distance following them. It would perch on a branch of a tree and then fly closer when they'd gotten too far away. Eventually they reached the woods on the other side of town leading to the tribe. When they entered the woods, the lingering smell of wet dog hung in the air. The pack either was out or had been out recently. The smell was stronger, though. He wondered how many wolves were in the pack now. The boy at the bar was one to be sure. He could tell by his smell, yet even his had been odd. He could swear that boy had the undeniable smell of a vampire, but there was no way that could be. Not in his mind. Natalie glanced at the man and noticed how uncomfortable he looked.

"You don't have to worry," Natalie said and the man looked at him. "So long as you don't attack anyone while you're here, you should be fine."

"So you know what I am?"

"Yes," Natalie nodded.

"How can you be sure they won't attack?"

"They know who you are," Natalie said solemnly. Suerro stiffened a little and said nothing. Neither did Natalie. So another awkward silence fell between them until Suerro eventually broke it.

"Are you one of the wolves?"

"Yes," Natalie nodded.

"How do you not smell like the others?"

"It's anyone's guess," Natalie said. "My mother is a half vampire, so that could affect the smell a little."

"Your….the wolves have mated vampires?"

"Half breeds, yes," Natalie said. "All three of my sisters-in-law are either half or two thirds."

"How odd," Suerro said. "Why would such a thing be permitted?"

"When you imprint, there's really nothing you can do about it except go along with it," Natalie said.

"Imprint?"

"Zoayisak," Natalie repeated in the native language and this time Suerro sneered.

"Zoayisak," he repeated.

"It's the word Chief Taha Aki gave the occurrence," Natalie said.

"I'm well aware what the man called his perversion," Suerro said.

"You have my word it's not a perversion, though I understand why you might think that," Natalie said in a meek tone. Suerro stopped himself though whether it was her words or the sad tone in which she said them he wasn't sure.

"I had not meant to offend you," Suerro finally said. "Taha Aki was the only villain in this."

"He did not handle the situation well," Natalie agreed. "Though to his credit, he did love your sister." Suerro stopped and Natalie looked at him. He'd felt rage at first, but she looked at him genuinely and that calmed the rage considerably.

"Is that what you were all told over the generations? That going against the guardian's wishes and marking her as a thankless whore is love?"

"No," Natalie said. "I saw it with my own eyes."

"How?"

"That raven made me see it," Natalie glanced at the bird that had been following them. "Him and a blue bird that's made its home on my porch. They've been haunting me for years now."

"Haunting you?"

"Yes," Natalie nodded. "I've seen so much of the past. So much of you in fact." Suerro felt a chill go down his spine.

"What have you seen?"

"I saw you refuse Taha Aki your sister's hand. I saw her beg you to reconsider. I saw them marry behind your back and I saw a blonde woman change you to a vampire. And I saw when the third wife gave her life for the tribe. I saw you in the trees and I saw the hurt in your eyes when she reached out to you. You said it should have been Taha Aki. And then you stole his tooth in a snowy tundra."

"He stole much more from me," Suerro said. He and Natalie shared a look a moment. "The boy at the bar said he was your nephew. He'd mentioned you were widowed." Natalie nodded and tears formed as she looked away. "Before I came here, a raven was following me everywhere I went. Then the raven forced me to look into the water and there was a man there. He was injured. He said your name and the raven told me I needed to come home."

"Jae," Natalie said and she cried all the more. Suerro began to approach her, but he stopped. He wasn't sure how long she cried, but it was long enough that they'd been found. He smelled the wet dog before one crept out of the trees. The wolf was as Suerro remembered: larger than any wolf of natural occurrence with a human's alert eyes. But this wolf was different coloring than Taha Aki or his sons had been. This wolf was a pale grey. Natalie looked at the wolf as it growled and began to approach Suerro and Natalie stopped it by putting her hands on its ears. "JJ, it's alright. Calm down." The wolf turned his head to look at Natalie and she petted his nose. "What are you doing on patrol? You should be at home sleeping." JJ made a light growl at Natalie and she swatted his nose before rubbing her eyes. "Don't growl at me. You should know better."

"Your son?" Suerro asked, making the assumption based on her treatment of the wolf. JJ turned to look at Suerro again and growled at him.

"JJ, stop it," Natalie said. "Yes, this is my eldest. Jae Jacob. JJ, this is Suerro." Since he'd been told not to growl, the wolf stayed silent but Suerro could see the glare in his human eyes. "I appreciate you walking me home. Since JJ's here, I'll let him take me the rest of the way."

Suerro nodded. "Have a good night, Mrs. Dauer," Suerro said respectfully.

"Thank you," Natalie said and started walking towards the village again. JJ lingered a moment looking at Suerro. He could feel the burn of the wolf's glare before he finally started to follow his mother, never changing from a wolf. Suerro waited a moment before he turned in the other direction and left, content to return to the east coast and never return.

The following morning, Natalie woke up and saw Jae's picture first thing. She'd not dreamed that night, but she wasn't comforted by it. She felt a loneliness fill her being that was different somehow. She didn't feel a pain in her heart like she always did when she looked at Jae's picture. Now, the loneliness that filled her was directed to someone else entirely. She ignored it. She'd met her imprint. It was done. That didn't mean she had to do anything about it. She hoped that, perhaps now, the nightmares would finally stop. Natalie got out of bed and went downstairs to make coffee and breakfast for the kids. JJ didn't have to go to work until later since it was a Saturday and Salem and Nesia were allowed to relax from Renesmee's schooling. By the time JJ finally came downstairs, Natalie was on her third cup of coffee.

"Who were you walking home with last night?" JJ asked. Natalie noticed the accusatory tone in her son's voice, but she didn't scold him.

"His name is Suerro," Natalie said. "He saw me crying outside after I sang a number at the bar and he insisted on walking me home to make sure I was alright."

"He was a vampire, mom," JJ said.

"Yes, honey, I noticed," Natalie sighed.

"Why would a vampire walk you home? Why didn't you ask Ariel or Gabriel or something? What? Were they being lazy on the job already?"

"JJ, stop it," Natalie said firmly. "Ada offered to send one of them, but I declined. I just wanted to get home at the time and when I was outside and started crying, Suerro found me."

"Still shouldn't have let a vampire walk you home," JJ growled under his breath.

"JJ, don't speak to me like I'm your child. I'm your mother," Natalie said.

"I'm allowed to worry, mom," JJ said and took a sip of his coffee. They were silent a moment. Natalie was staring at her coffee debated if she should tell him. Eventually, she realized he'd find out eventually anyway, so may as well tell him now.

"He's my imprint," Natalie said and she heard JJ choke on his coffee and spit it out. Some of the hot coffee went down his airway and he kept coughing. Natalie put down her cup and rushed to JJ's side to pat his back and make sure he was alright. "JJ, sweetheart, are you okay?"

"He's your what?!" JJ yelled through a cough before he continued.

"JJ, do you want some water?" Natalie rushed.

"No, I don't want water, I want a fucking explanation!" JJ said and released a few more coughs.

"JJ, don't you dare swear at me," Natalie said once he was no longer coughing and was looking at her. "I understand if you're upset, but you will not swear at me. Is that perfectly clear?" JJ was breathing heavily from the fit but he did eventually nod. "Good," Natalie said. "Now, as to an explanation, I don't have one. I saw him in the crowd while I sang and I just knew. He's the same man I keep seeing in those dreams with your father."

"You can't be serious," JJ said. "A vampire."

"He knows about the Quileute wolves, so he knows the rules. I reminded him of them at the very least. So there should be no trouble."

"That's not really the point, mom," JJ said and took a few more deep breaths.

"I suppose it's not," Natalie said. "Anyway, that's why I left the bar crying: because I saw him and I realized instantly who he was. Maybe now that we've met, I won't have nightmares anymore and things can return to normal."

"What's your definition of 'normal' exactly?" JJ asked.

"I don't know," Natalie rubbed her face. She looked at JJ again and saw his face was still a little red. "Did you want that water now?"

"Sure," JJ sighed and Natalie went to get him a glass of water.

Prior to meeting Natalie meeting Suerro, further south in Peru, Scarlet spent every waking moment with Kai. It was the best days of her life. They stayed along the coast of Peru, he'd fish and cook for her, they'd talk and tell stories and one evening, she worked up the courage to prove she could turn into a wolf. He'd not believed her at first though why, she didn't know. Becoming a wolf was no weirder than the existence of vampires in her opinion. Kai had built them a fire for the night out of the beach and the moon was high, the stars vibrant. They'd been together about three days by then and Kai was making her a fish he'd just caught.

"I don't think I've eaten so much fish in my life," Scarlet smiled.

"Your people are salmon fishers are you not?"

"Seasonally, yes," Scarlet said. "We get something called geoduck too."

"I've heard of geoduck," Kai chuckled. "They're the phallic looking clams aren't they?"

"Their name in our language literally translates to water penis," Scarlet said and they laughed.

"I'll bet it does," Kai chuckled. "Is there a name for those in your tribe that can turn into wolves?" She saw the way his brow rose and she smiled at him challengingly.

"You still don't believe me do you?"

"You said you're one of the wolves, but you've still not shown me. And that moon up there's awfully bright, but alas, you're still very much a woman."

"Whether or not we change doesn't depend of the moon. We're not werewolves. We're shape shifters. I can change whenever I want. I just haven't been ready to show you."

"I see," he chuckled again. Taking his challenge, Scarlet stood from away from the fire.

"Alright," she said, smoothing out her dress. "I'll prove it."

Kai grinned as though he was about to see something funny. His grin changed a little when she pulled her dress over her head though. It wasn't a shiteater grin anymore. Rather, it was a grin that indicated a man that liked what he saw. It made her blush and she nearly forgot what she was doing. She breathed, closed her eyes and did what she'd done many times before. When she was in her wolf form, her long hair turning to a full, lengthy coat, Kai actually jumped a little and finally looked surprised. Scarlet could hear several voices in her head from the pack, but they weren't paying attention to her. A vampire had roamed into the area and all their attention was on chasing it away. She quickly changed back so she was back to normal, naked as before and grabbed her dress from the sand.

"Believe me now?" Scarlet teased. Kai nodded, then smiled, and then he started to laugh.

"And here this old man thought he'd seen everything," Kai said.

"Well, for what it's worth, you don't look a day older than me," Scarlet said.

"And how old is that?"

"Twenty five," Scarlet said.

"In that case, I'm flattered," Kai said. Scarlet sat back down, but this time she sat next to him instead of across the fire from him. "How did your people obtain this power?"

"A Chief from centuries ago. Taha Aki. We had control of our spirits and could remove them from our bodies. How that power came to be, I don't know."

"Can I hear the story?" Kai asked. Scarlet smiled and told him the story of Taha Aki and the betrayal that led to the ability to become wolves. "It's no pulling islands out of the sea, but it's impressive," Kai joked.

Scarlet giggled, "Taha Aki wasn't a god. He was a powerful chief that, because of his wolf, ruled for three lifetimes. Or so the stories go."

"Three lifetimes? Was he immortal?"

"As long as you hold your wolf, yes," Scarlet said. "With the wolf comes immortality. To an extent anyway. If we're injured, we heal faster, we're more durable, better hearing, and better sight: everything. We can even take down vampires."

"You don't say?" Kai said and Scarlet nodded. "Well, I'm impressed."

"Thank you," Scarlet grinned.

"I feel like I need to do something to impress you now," Kai said.

"Can you turn into a fish or something?" Scarlet joked.

"No," Kai chuckled. "Can't say a fish's life is terribly appealing. A whale or dolphin maybe, but only because they're smart. My gift is a little different."

"How so?" Scarlet asked.

"Face the water and I'll show you," Kai said.

As told, Scarlet turned around so she was looking out to the ocean. Kai did the same and went a little closer to the water. Once he was situated, he appeared thoughtful a moment as though he were trying to decide what to do.

"What's that story about the guy that parted the red sea?"

"Moses?" Scarlet asked.

"Yes, that was the name," Kai said. He stood up and started walking to the water. As the approached, the water seemed to move to get out of his way. The ocean floor was becoming more and more visible and Scarlet's eyes widened as she watched him, quite literally, part the waters as he walked. "I suppose when he did that, it would look something like this?" Then, the water parted for several feet until he'd reached a part of the ocean that was easily under at least ten meters of water. The splashing and sounds of the water filled the air and Kai turned to face her and motioned for her to follow him. Tentatively, she got up from her spot and followed him. By the time she reached him, there was a wall of water on either side of her but the moonlight made the water to dark to see into properly.

"Well," Scarlet said when she had a moment to look around. "I'm impressed."

Kai laughed, "That was the general idea."

"So you can control water?"

"Yeah," Kai said. He took a few steps back and indicated for Scarlet to stay where she was. Once he was further away, Kai reached his hand into one of the walls of water and appeared to pull out a fish, but that fish was surrounded by a large ball of water and continued to swim around in it as though there was nothing amiss. Kai wasn't even holding the water it seemed. After showing her the fish, the ball of water went to the other side and disappeared in the other wall. "Just the water, though. I can't control the things that live in the water I'm sad to say."

"That's alright?" Scarlet said. "I'm sure Action Comics could think of something."

Kai laughed again, "Can't say I care much for comic books, but I'm flattered. Is it strange to say all the books I have are in Japanese?"

"You can read Japanese?"

"Poorly," Kai said. "I speak far better than I read, but I can get by if I need to."

"So how many languages-" she began, but then she stopped and looked around. "Are you alright to talk like this? You won't lose control?"

"I won't," Kai promised. "Can you not swim?"

"I can when the occasion calls for it," Scarlet said. "I can say I'd do very well if the water fell on me, though."

"Fair point," Kai grinned. "We'll go back to the shore, but before we do, I'll show you one more trick." Kai held out his hand to her and Scarlet accepted it. When he had her hand, he pulled her against his chest. "Hold on," he instructed. She wrapped her arms around his waist to do as he instructed and she started feeling water at her feet. She took in a sharp breath and looked down nervously. "Don't be scared. I've got you."

With the reassurance, Scarlet took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down. The water continued to rise up their legs and the walls of the water were beginning to fall. She kept holding on tight and Kai kept his arms around her as well. The water got up to her chest before she felt herself being lifted off seabed. The instant her feet were off the ground, there was a torrent of water that felt as though it was lifting them and they rose as the water around them returned to its normal form. They practically hopped out of the water before falling back in with a splash. Then they were floating in the water as anyone else would. Once they were floating and they were both sopping wet, Scarlet started laughing, likely just from the adrenaline of what happened. Kai was still holding her with one arm while the other was treading the water.

"That was amazing!" Scarlet said.

"I thought you might get a kick out of that," Kai smiled back. They swam back to the shore together and Scarlet went to her suitcase for a fresh desk.

"Do you have something I can hang my dress on?"

"One second," Kai said and went to his boat he had on the shore and pulled on a few things until he was able to have a rod of wood extended. "Toss me the dress and I'll hang it for you."

Scarlet pulled her wet dress over her head and tossed it at Kai. He quickly got it hanging, but after he was done, Scarlet was still nude and was using a towel from her suitcase to dry off her hair and body. Kai licked his lips appreciatively and just sat off the edge of his boat watching her dry off. While she was drying off, she ended up glancing his way and caught him staring. When she did, she wrapped the towel around herself with a humored smile.

"You know, the gentlemanly thing would be to look away," Scarlet said.

"The ladylike thing would have been to go behind the rock," he retorted. Scarlet started laughing and picked up a sand dollar shell in the sand and threw it at him. As if to show off, he guided water from the ocean in front of him and had it catch the shell then take it into the water back to its rightful place. "Commendable efforts, Miss Scarlet." Scarlet glared playfully at him and he started to chuckle. "Now that I've sufficiently teased you. Weren't you about to ask me something when we were out?"

"Oh," Scarlet said. "Right. I was going to ask how many languages you speak. Besides English obviously."

"Let's see," Kai said. "As you rightly pointed out, I speak English. I speak Tokelauan. That's my native language. I can speak Japanese pretty well. I speak a little Indonesian, but it's not very good. I'm better with Pilipino. I'm not fluent in either, though. I can speak Spanish, but again, it's not my best. English, Tokelauan and Japanese are the languages I speak fluently. Oh, and I know a little Korean. Not very much, but I can get by if I need to."

"That's quite a glossary of languages," Scarlet said. "And here I only speak four languages."

"English obviously. I assume Spanish is one too?"

"Those, Portuguese and Quileute."

"All fluent?"

"All fluent," Scarlet smiled.

"Well, I only speak three languages fluently, so you've got that on me," Kai grinned. "However, I can read Korean no problem."

"You can?"

"Oh, yeah. Hangul is ridiculously easy to learn. The emperor that created the written language said 'A smart man can learn it in a day. A stupid man can learn it in ten.' When I sat down and let someone teach me, I figured it out pretty quick. Speaking's another matter, but I can read."

"If you don't understand the language, does that really count for much?" Scarlet giggled.

"Perhaps not," Kai said.

"If you can't speak Korean very well, how did you get someone to teach you?"

"We both spoke Japanese," Kai said. "When the Japanese invaded the mainland, it wasn't unusual for someone to know how to speak Japanese. I wouldn't dream of trying to speak Japanese in Korea right now, though. They're still really sore about the Japanese. Can't say I blame them, but it throws a wrench in things for me."

"From what read, when the Navy invaded Japan, there were people committing suicide," Scarlet said. "The emperor had ordered them to or something."

"I could go on for hours about the emperor if you want the truth, but Japan's been looking towards expansion for centuries. They only really pursued it when they westernized their army and the Emperor was actually an emperor instead of a little puppet that the Shogun let sit there and look pretty and have really nice things."

"Wasn't Japan closed off for a long time?"

"Yeah," Kai said. "So during that time, I was a bit of an illegal invader, but no one worried about me. I was just one guy in a tiny boat. Besides, the townspeople knew me more or less. They call me Umi No Otoko. Man of the Ocean."

"That's fun to have a title," Scarlet teased. "Do they have legends about you?"

"As a matter of fact, yes, they do," Kai chuckled. "None of them are true I'm sad to say. I fear their stories are more exciting than my voyages ever have been. They tell stories of how I fought the Shinto god of the sea, or how I've defeated a giant squid. They have I take a wife every twenty years. That one was interesting. You flirty shamelessly with one girl who ends up marrying a merchant and runs away with him, suddenly you kidnap a new wife every twenty years."

"Have you ever married?"

"No," Kai said. "I've had my affairs here and there, but the truth is my heart belongs at sea."

"Did any of those affairs result in a child?"

"Not that I'm aware of," Kai chuckled. "All the women I've seen I generally met numerous times even after we ended the relationship. If one of them had my child, I would hope they'd tell me so."

"I would think they'd tell you," Scarlet agreed.

"And what about you? You're still very young so I can't imagine you've married more than once. Any children?"

"I would think if I were currently married with children, I'd have said so," Scarlet smiled. "I've never married and I don't have children."

"Never met anyone worth marrying?"

"I'm afraid not," Scarlet said, but she didn't look at Kai when she answered. She stayed in the towel for now and sat beside the fire. Kai got off his boat and went back to the fire to sit beside her. "I'm surprised in over two hundred years by the sound of it, you've never met anyone you wanted to marry."

"Marriage is a commitment, Miss Scarlet," Kai said. "Seems silly to marry someone I can't spend my life with, especially the way I live."

"You mean with voyaging?"

"Exactly," Kai said. "If I were to marry, I'd not see my wife more than once every other year unless she came voyaging with me. But that would also require I be alright with them being around me every moment of every day for a minimum of a year and a half, save for when I reach land."

"Is voyaging basically just your 'me' time?"

"It is very much my 'me' time," Kai chuckled. "I get a lot of 'me' time as a result. I usually prefer it, but I do get a little lonely sometimes. Assuming you don't dislike me at all, I'm looking forward to having a guest for the trip to Hawaii and then to Washington."

"I look forward to it as well," Scarlet smiled back at Kai. Their attention, however, was demanded when there was a burning smell from the fire. Kai looked at the fire and realized the fish he was making Scarlet was burning and hurried to get it off the fire. Then he grabbed the silver chopsticks and offered them to her.

"Care to practice again?" Kai offered and Scarlet giggled and nodded reluctantly.

A few days later, it was the end of the week Kai had suggested and it was time to get going. Scarlet agreed, after careful consideration she had joked, that she would love very much for Kai to take her home. After she had agreed, they went to the closest town and procured some supplies. Scarlet didn't have any money and neither did Kai, but he was able to barter with the vendors using fish he'd caught. They obtained fresh and dried fruits, bread, fresh water, dried meats and anything else they could take that required no cooking. Once all the food and water was packed in the compartment of Kai's boat, Scarlet made sure her suitcase was secured to the boat and they set sail.

"I'm curious," Scarlet said when they were out on the water. "How do you make sure you don't get lost?"

"Stars," Kai answered. "Once you can see the North Star, it's pretty easy to get your bearings. Constellations help too."

"Sounds rather complex," Scarlet said.

"It can be if you don't know what you're doing," Kai said. "Don't worry, Miss Scarlet. I'll teach you all about it come nightfall."

"What about when it's daylight? How do you navigate then?"

"I use the sun," Kai said. "But that gets tricky. The sun will set further south or north depending on the time of year. The sun always rises in the east, sets to the west, but as to whether that's north or southeast or west depends on the time of year. I've memorized if after all these years, but the stars are a lot more reliable. Storms are the worst, though."

"I thought you controlled water," Scarlet said.

"The water, Miss Scarlet. Not the weather," Kai chuckled. "If there's a storm, there's very little I can do about it. I can generally ensure I'm not tossed from the boat or get turned upside down, but that's still difficult when there are intense winds fighting against me. I can't reorient myself until the storm passes and by that time, I'm always miles off course."

"So delays are a potential hazard?" Scarlet said, but she was smiling.

"I'm afraid so," Kai answered. "If we hit a storm, I apologize in advance, but I'll make sure you don't fall off."

"Promise?"

"Promise," Kai grinned and they shook on it.

"So when did you start doing this? Who taught you?"

"I learned from the villagers," Kai said. "It's a lost art I'm afraid but when I was a boy, the villagers I grew up with taught it to me." Kai chuckled a little. "They used to think I was a demigod."

"Can't imagine what would make them think that," Scarlet joked.

"Yeah, me either," Kai played along.

"So you changed your mother after you were born you said, right?"

"I did," Kai said. "She would have died if I didn't."

"Did you ever know your father?"

"No," Kai said. "But I know of my father. He was my mother's late husband. She tells me that my father had gone out fishing with a few others but there was a storm and they never came home. She says months later, her husband came home but he was cold and his eyes were a stark red. She says he told her he was sorry but he wanted to be with her one last time. The next morning, my mom says she woke up with the room in shambles and bruises on her skin. Then, weeks after, she realized she was pregnant with me."

"Does she miss her husband?"

"She does," Kai said. "We tried to find him, but we never could. She tells me that so long as she has me, she's happy. Aulani was my father's name but she wanted to name me after the sea, hence Kai."

"Your mother sounds like a lovely woman," Scarlet said.

"You said your mother passed away when you were young?" Scarlet nodded. "I'm sorry. I don't know what I'd do if I lost my mother. That woman made me the man I am. Although, to her credit, any and all my shortcomings are entirely my own fault and not hers."

Scarlet giggled, "I'm sure she was nothing short of the perfect mother. Was your tribe accepting of her when she became a vampire?"

"They were," Kai said. "She would never hunt them. She always went to one of the further islands or we hunted whales."

"What?"

"Whales," Kai said. "The beauty of whales is they're enormous animals, so a pint or two of blood isn't a huge deal. I'm always certain to burn the wound so it heals faster."

"I'm sure they're thrilled about that," Scarlet said sarcastically.

"Orcas aren't very receptive as I'm sure you can imagine, but a beluga or humpback whale is easier. They're big enough that one little nick to the skin doesn't really bother them. They certainly don't like the burn, but I try to keep it quick."

"How do you do all that under water? I assume this is under water?"

"I just spread the water away from the area and go from there," Kai said. "I'll drink human blood on land sometimes, but whale blood is plenty if I'm honest."

"Does your mother have tattoos like you?"

"She has a starfish on her back," Kai said. "She said my father had the sun and moon on his shoulders. That's why I have these," Kai pointed at the sun on one shoulder and the moon on the other. "This of course is a map of a victory from when I was young," he pointed to his chest. "I hear the troops would often get tattoos. Did your dad ever get one?"

"He has one on his back," Scarlet said. "It's of all his children more or less. It's a willow tree with red leaves and white flowers. The flowers are for my little sister Ivory. There's a lion cub for my little brother Ariel, a blue bird for my sister Jaedynn, a dove for my little brother Gabriel and there's an imagine of a woman sitting under the tree that's for my stepmother."

"It's good for a tattoo to mean something," Kai smiled. "I didn't see any tattoos on you. I didn't miss it?"

"No, I don't have any tattoos. I've never been interested," Scarlet said. "Do you think you'd ever get another tattoo?"

"I doubt it," Kai said. Kai did something with the rope so the sail was secured the way he wanted it and then sat down beside Scarlet.

"Might I ask you a personal question?" Scarlet asked when they were sitting together.

"Sure," Kai said.

"You said you have your affairs and what not. Is there anyone right now that you're seeing? Maybe some other part of the world?"

"There was," Kai said. "There was a girl in the Philippines that I'd liked but when I'd last been to the Philippines, I found out she'd married a Japanese soldier and had moved to Japan. I may see if I can't check on her next I'm in Japan, but if I don't know where she is, that might be a bit of a challenge."

"What was her name?"

"Rosemine," Kai said and even smiled fondly. "She had a dominantly Spanish look to her. I always thought it was pretty. Whoever this Japanese soldier was that snatched her out from under me must have been a hell of a guy."

"I hope so," Scarlet said.

"Do you like cats?" Kai asked suddenly.

"Pardon?"

"Cats," Kai said. "Do you like them?"

"I've never really had much experience with cats. Why?"

"There's a coastal town in Japan that's completely overrun with cats," Kai said. "The fishermen will throw the cats fish and some of them are really friendly. Sometimes when I stop in Japan I go there and pet the cats. If I thought a cat could stand the voyaging life, I'd nab one."

"I don't think a cat would much like this," Scarlet giggled. "Did you ever have any kind of pet growing up? We used to have a wolf. Her name was Roxanne. Daddy found her when she was a puppy. Her mother was attacked by a bear they think and daddy took her in. I grew up with that wolf. She passed away shortly before my mother did."

"I'm sorry," Kai said. "I used to have a pet chicken if you can believe it. I stole an egg from a wild chicken and kept holding it to keep the egg warm until it hatched one day."

"Chicken or rooster?"

"Chicken," Kai said. "I named her Kapua. She used to sleep on my chest all the time and if she was out of food in her coop, she would come peck my head."

"I assume this was when you were a boy?"

"Yeah," Kai nodded. "I did take her with me on my first trip out to the ocean, but she didn't like it very much. I'd have to keep her in my compartment if there was a storm and all other times, she wasn't happy unless she was in my lap. Then if she laid an egg, I'd have to crack it so she could eat it."

"Wait, what?"

"You didn't know that? Chickens will peck at and eat their own unfertilized eggs. Imagine eating your own period." Scarlet wasn't sure what face she was giving him, but she was certainly grossed out. "That's probably a bad way to word it," Kai laughed a little. "I mean, really, that's what it is, but verbalizing it does make it sound gross. Anyway, after that first trip, I stayed on the island with her until she passed away an old, fat and happy chicken."

"You didn't eat her after she died did you?"

"Of course not," Kai said. "I know someone had asked if they could but I made clear they weren't allowed to. I went to the volcano and buried her in the volcanic ash. I haven't had a pet since then."

"My stepmother keeps poison dart frogs," Scarlet said. "She feeds them nonlethal ants so their skin isn't toxic. Otherwise, in the wild, they're lethal to humans. The toxin oozes from their skin and can kill a human in less than an hour."

"Don't Amazonian tribes rub their arrow heads on those frogs?"

"Indeed they do," Scarlet nodded and then laughed. "One time when Jaedynn was really little, Ada María, that's my stepmother's name, let Jaedynn hold one of the frogs. I don't know why, but she thought it a good idea to put the frog in her mouth. Daddy had to hit her back so she would spit out the frog and he rushed her upstairs and washed her mouth out with soap. Poor girl was crying the rest of the afternoon. To this day, she won't go anywhere near those frogs."

"Good thing they aren't poisonous anymore," Kai chuckled. "How old is she?"

"She's five," Scarlet said. "I want to say Ivory is….eight? No, nine. I think she's nine now. Ariel's about the same age. Gabriel is four I think. But he's like a half breed, so he looks older than he really is. Daddy was nagging Ada this trip about getting the boys working."

"What does your father do now that he's not in the army?"

"He gets his pension and is a stay at home dad," Scarlet said. "He's basically a professional dad."

"Is there any pay in being a professional dad?" Kai chuckled.

"It's a thankless job most times from what I can tell," Scarlet giggled. "He swears it's worth it, though. Daddy had me when he was only seventeen or eighteen, so he's been a father virtually all his adult life. He and my mother married as a way to bring two tribes together. He loved my mom though. When I ask if he misses her, he says he does."

"So Ada María is his second wife, right? But Ivory and Jaedynn are mothered by different women if I recall your story correctly?"

"Yeah," Scarlet nodded. "After daddy and Ada had their falling out, daddy slept with Ivory's mother as a way to feel better and Ivory was the result. Jaedynn's real mother was a woman daddy met in France. My Uncle Jae had died by the hand of a German sniper and daddy was heartbroken by his death. Never mind that Jae was his brother-in-law. He knew Uncle Jae since he was born. They grew up together. Jae was his best friend. So when he died it killed him a little and he got drunk. So much so, he slept with Jaedynn's mother and they worked it out so she would have the baby in Washington and she'd leave for French Canada once she was born."

"Does your dad plan to have more kids?"

"He wants more children, but Ada's not eager to have anymore. Ada never really wanted to be a mother. I didn't really help in that opinion either."

"I recall you saying you didn't like her very much."

"I loathed her," Scarlet admitted. "It didn't really matter to me that she was my father's imprint. I hated her anyway because she wasn't my mother and it was like daddy didn't love my mother anymore. I know now how silly that was, but it was just me and my daddy against the world for so long. I wasn't ready to give that up. Even now, I miss it so much."

"When you say 'imprint'," Kai said. "You said it's love at first sight or something?"

"That's one way to phrase it," Scarlet said. "It's something the wolves in my pack do. There's one person that, for one reason or another, it your perfect match and they become your world. It's a double edged sword. That person is the one you love more than anyone or anything, but when you lose them, you lose yourself. That's what happened to my great grandpa. He'd imprinted on my great grandma Sara. When she died, he lost the will to live. He refused food and drink and wouldn't do anything but starve to death. Once, he asked my grandpa to just bury him alive so he would die beside her. Grandpa refused to do it."

"I would imagine so," Kai said. "Has he passed away?"

"He died a few months after her," Scarlet said. "He was buried beside her just as he had requested. Normally our tribe practices cremation except for the chiefs. Chiefs are buried on an island off the coast. Great grandpa had demanded Sara be buried so he could be beside her in death."

"Sounds demanding," Kai said.

"Like I said: it's a bit of a double edged sword. You are what that person needs." Scarlet wondered, briefly, if she should tell Kai he was her imprint, but she decided not to. It wasn't the right time. He was attracted to her she was certain, but he didn't love her. Not yet. She'd change that, though. "It's the truest love I know of."

"No one ever said love made sense," Kai smiled. "Do you think you'll ever meet your imprint?"

"I'm sure I will," Scarlet smiled. "You'll do until then." Kai grinned seductively and leaned a little closer to her.

"I'm happy to be of service," Kai answered when he was mere inches from her face. "Would it be forward of me to say I'm desperately attracted to you?"

"I had a feeling," Scarlet said. "It's mutual for the record. Would you not have offered to take me home if you weren't attracted to me?"

"Miss Scarlet, don't insult me," Kai feigned insult. "I offered to take you home out of the kindness of my heart. You have my word."

"And you never expected anything in return?" Scarlet teased.

"Certainly not," Kai said. "I did hope for something in return, though. Never expect, just hope."

"I suppose there's no harm in hoping," Scarlet smiled.

Kai's grin sent butterflies flying in Scarlet's stomach and they seemed to flutter more so as he leaned over to her. He certainly wasn't one to waste time she thought. He adjusted so his left arm rested near her hip so their chests nearly touched and he finally pressed his lips to hers. He tasted as he smelled: like sea water and fruity. She'd been able to feel the heat that radiated from his body when he'd approached and his lips were just as warm. When he pressed his tongue to her lips encouraging her to open, she breathed out a sigh and she felt herself growing dizzy. His right hand ventured up to her waist and the added warmth made her tremble on contact. She felt Kai smile against her lips at feeling her tremble. She wanted to touch him, so she lifted her hand to touch his face, but when she did, her other arm went weak and she fell backwards landing on the floor of the flat boat. Kai chuckled and took the hand Scarlet had been extending and kissed her palm.

"I don't think I've ever made someone faint from a kiss. I'm flattered," Kai said.

"I just lost my balance," Scarlet smiled. Rather than help her up, Kai laid down on his elbow so he was still looking down at her and held her hand to his cheek.

"Lying down is more comfortable anyway," Kai answered. He was beginning to approach her again when they both heard a loud squeak. Kai looked in the direction and smiled. "Have you ever been whale watching?"

"It's been a long time," Scarlet said as Kai stood and helped her back up. "My great grandpa on my grandma's side has a boat that he'll take us all out on to see the whales migrating. I haven't joined them in a long time."

Kai placed Scarlet in front of him so they were facing some large whales swimming by that were poking their heads up to breath and then going back into the water.

"I like it most when it's nightfall. Sometimes I'll happen upon them at night. There's nothing more relaxing than a whale's song when the moon's bright in the sky, the stars are shining and you're trying to sleep."

"I have heard them at night," Scarlet smiled. "When I was really little, if I heard the whales singing, I'd run to my parent's room and force them out of bed to listen with me. Roxanne stayed in bed, though. Whale watching wasn't her thing," Scarlet giggled.

"Her loss I guess," Kai said. Once she was facing out toward the migrating herd, Kai wrapped his arms around her waist and rested his chin on her shoulder.

"Does whale watching generally make you this cuddly?" Scarlet teased.

"Only with certain people," Kai said and kissed her neck. Scarlet shivered and she felt Kai's smile against her skin.

"Are you always so responsive or just ticklish?" Kai asked.

"Only with certain people," Scarlet answered and felt his breath against her skin as he chuckled, trailing his hands over her belly and hips. Scarlet sighed and closed her eyes a moment but then put her hands on his to stop them from moving. "Please, Kai, I'm trying to pay attention," she said in a gentle voice.

"You're right, I'm sorry," Kai grinned again and kissed her neck one more time before looking towards the migrating group again. It didn't take long for them to pass through and once the whales had moved on, Kai got the boat moving again towards the islands.

It took a few days to finally reach Maui. When it was nighttime, the temperature would lower and Scarlet would feel cold despite her own elevated body heat. Kai would hold her in the night to make sure she was warm and, sometimes, he'd steal a kiss from her whether it was tame or passionate. But it remained a kiss; nothing more. By the time they reached Maui, Kai made sure the boat went around the island until they reached a little hut outside a nearby populated portion of the island. The hut was tucked into the trees with a coconut tree beside it. There even appeared to be a tree growing inside the hut and the leaves offered an extra roof effectively to the hut. It was old fashioned especially compared to the other homes that were in view. Once Kai got the boat onto the shore enough so it wouldn't drift away, Scarlet saw a woman step out of the hut into the moonlight. She was a stunning woman and Scarlet knew instantly she was Kai's mother. He looked just like her. Her hair was just much longer compared to Kai's shorter hair that didn't go past his shoulders when down. It made her think of Natalie's hair, but with a loose natural wave to it.

"Mama," Kai said and went to the woman to hug her. The two of them began a correspondence, but it wasn't in English. From what little Hawaiian she'd ever heard, she assumed it must be Tokelauan. After a brief exchange, Kai turned so he was looking at Scarlet and smiled. "Mom, this is Scarlet Willow. I met her when I'd stopped in Peru and she needed a ride home. I thought we'd stop here first. I hope that's alright."

"I don't see why not," the woman smiled and approached Scarlet. She smiled shyly and accepted the woman's hands when she approached. "Scarlet Willow? That's a beautiful name."

"Thank you," Scarlet smiled. "Your name is Luana Mahealani?"

"Indeed it is," Luana smiled.

"Kai speaks glowingly of you," Scarlet said. "I hadn't thought I'd meet you, but it's a pleasure to."

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Luana answered. "You must be tired. It's so late. Come with me and I'll get you situated in a room. We have plenty of room."

Scarlet followed Luana into the small hut to a room that was clearly added years after the original hut had been built. There was a nice breeze that could come in through a large window looking out at the ocean and a small bed. Kai retrieved Scarlet's things from his boat and brought them to the room for her. Luana insisted on giving Scarlet a different dress to sleep in and promised she'd help her clean her clothes the following day.

"Thank you so much for your hospitality," Scarlet said to Luana after accepting the dress. "I realize this must be a surprise for you."

"It's no problem at all," Luana said. "I'm happy for the company. I'm afraid since Hawaii became a territory, I've been a touch secluded, especially when Kai's away. No upset to the Americans, but a little of the magic's left the island."

"I don't think so," Scarlet said. "I thought it was pretty magical when I saw it."

Luana smiled, "I'm happy to hear that. Now you get some sleep. I'll bet you could use it."

"Thank you, Lu-" she started but wasn't sure suddenly, "Miss-"

"Luana, please," Luana said. "I have no surname to contend with. Good night, Scarlet."

"Good night," Scarlet said and got herself changed and went to sleep.

The sounds of the shore reminded her of home and it was easy to fall asleep. She awoke the following morning with the sun poking into the room through the window and she heard voices. She could tell they belonged to Kai and Luana, but they were speaking in Tokelau, so she couldn't understand them. She didn't want to wake, feeling as relaxed as she was, and so she pretended to still be asleep while Kai and his mother spoke.

"How did you sleep, Kai?" Luana had asked Kai when he came from the room he used and sat beside her at the entrance of the home where she stared out at the water while working on something for Scarlet to eat once she woke.

"I miss the water already," Kai joked and kissed his mother's cheek. He looked at what his mother was making and she was cutting up a coconut and a pineapple fresh picked from the trees. "The fruit smells wonderful."

"I hope she'll like it," Luana said. "So tell me about her."

"Scarlet?"

"Yes, of course Scarlet," Luana giggled. "You've never brought a woman home before so naturally I'm curious."

"I admit I don't know her very well," Kai said. "I met her sleeping on the shore off the coast of Peru and we just liked each other right away. She's from Washington, she has four brothers and sisters, her father is remarried to a woman he'd met in Brazil. Her birth mother passed away when she was young and after that, she and her father traveled south as a means to cope with her death."

"How did her mother die? Did she say?"

"I think she said it was cancer," Kai said.

"Poor dear," Luana said. "She seems like a sweet girl. I noticed the little sparkle in your eye when you look at her. You like her I can tell."

"She's definitely something," Kai said. "I don't know what it is about her, but there's something about her that I'm drawn to." Luana looked at her son and grinned.

"My son's finally found someone to love?" Kai didn't negate the comment because, when he'd thought about it, he realized there might be some merit to what his mother said. He was certainly fonder of Scarlet than he'd ever been of any other woman he'd been with in his life.

"You loved my father, right?" Kai asked.

"With all my heart," Luana said. "I still hope one day we'll find him. He's alive I know. He was able to give me you."

"How did you know you loved him?"

"I don't know," Luana said with a gentle shrug. "I'd known your father most of my life but when we got older, I realized there was more to us than friendship and before I knew it, we were getting married on the beach and enjoying being married. I just wish our love affair had not ended, especially after so brief a time. Of course, your father gave me you and that's more of a blessing than I could ever ask for."

"So love it just something you can't describe; you can only feel it?"

"I would say so," Luana said and looked over her shoulder into the room Scarlet stayed in the check on her. She could tell her breathing wasn't that of someone who was sleeping anymore, but she still looked peaceful. "I look forward to getting to know her. You've been good to her I hope."

"I've been the perfect gentleman," Kai said and Luana giggled.

"I'm sure," she responded. She put the basket of fruit aside with the cup of coconut water she'd extracted that morning.

"With a breakfast like that, she'll feel like she's at a five star resort," Kai teased.

"Hawaii's greatest resorts learned from me," Luana joked. "I hate to do it, but I'd better wake her."

"No, mom, let her sleep," Kai protested. "The fruit will be fine."

"I'm not worried about the fruit; I'm worried about cleaning her clothes and getting them dried before nightfall." Luana went into the hut to where Scarlet slept and kneeled down beside her. "Scarlet, dear, wake up," Luana said and Scarlet opened her eyes.

"Is something wrong?"

"Not at all. I just want you to get some food in you and then we'll work on getting your clothes cleaned. Have you ever had coconut and pineapple?"

"I've had coconut and I like it," Scarlet said. "I don't think I've had pineapple before."

"You're in for a treat then," Luana smiled. "Pineapple used to be my favorite."

"Thank you, Luana," Scarlet said and sat up with a yawn and stretching her arms.

"I'll have to brush your hair and get that cleaned for you too. I'll do your hair first before I do Kai's."

"Oh, no, you don't have to," Scarlet said.

"Please, I insist," Luana said. "I'll show you to the hot spring we have and get you cleaned up."

"Thank you," Scarlet smiled. She followed Luana to the entryway where the basket of fruit laid and a husk glass with the coconut water. Kai smiled at her.

"Good morning, Miss Scarlet," Kai said. "Did you sleep well?"

"Very well, thank you," Scarlet smiled. "How did you sleep?"

"It was a little hard to fall asleep. I'm used to the boat's rocking, so I'm adjusting."

"He's a very fussy boy I'm afraid," Luana teased and patted Kai's head. "How is the fruit? It smelled ripe, but taste is the best indicator." Scarlet took a bite of the pineapple first since that was new for her. It was juicy and very sweet. There was even a slight pang on her tongue from the smallest hint of sourness that complimented the fruit's sweetness.

"It's delicious, thank you," Scarlet said. "And thank you for grabbing a young coconut. I like them best when the meat is still soft."

"I'm pleased I got it at the right time," Luana smiled. Scarlet sipped the coconut water and almost moaned at its sweetness. She'd had coconuts for several days since they'd gotten to South America, but it was a new type of coconut that tasted just a little different.

"Thank you again for being so kind," Scarlet said.

"It's my pleasure," Luana smiled.

"Once the clothes are cleaned," Kai said, "how about I teach you how to surf?"

"Surf?"

"You take a board out to the water and ride the waves," Kai said. "It's a popular pastime. If the tides in Washington are enough, you could even surf when you return home."

"I don't know," Scarlet said. "I wouldn't dream of doing such a thing back home. It's too cold. The weather here seems to be far more supportive of the activity."

Kai chuckled, "I have heard of the cold of parts of the mainland. Regardless, I'll make you an expert by the time I take you back. Speaking of which, how long did you want to stay?"

"I guess however long I'm welcome," Scarlet said. "I don't want to be a burden."

"You won't be a burden. Don't worry," Kai said.

When Kai smiled at her, Scarlet smiled back and blushed a little before looking at her food and taking another piece of pineapple into her mouth. Luana noticed right away and held a triumphant smile for a moment. She made Kai go off to attend to a chore she'd given him while she and Scarlet worked on laundry after she'd finished her breakfast. Luana got her homemade soap and put it in a large vat of water and leaving a second one with clean water. Once the laundry was done and Kai had returned, Kai followed through with his promise to teach Scarlet how to surf.

Scarlet felt a little strange being taught to surf with Luana watching them. Kai was often putting his hands on her to keep her balanced and showing her how to paddle out or if he was atop her trying to show her how to do something. She'd never blushed so much in her life, but Luana number so much as grimaced as she watched from the hut, staying out of the sun. By the end of the day, Kai had pushed Scarlet to take her first wave that Kai constructed for her. She fell off the board, but even with the failed attempt, it had been a great deal of fun. When she was hungry, Kai went out to get a fish and returned so he could cook it for her.

"Kai," Luana said when Scarlet was eating the fish. "How about you take Scarlet for a walk around the island tomorrow? Show her the volcano, West Maui and Koolau forest. You can take some blankets and pillows with you and make a two day hike out of it. You'll love the forests, Scarlet. They're full of life and colors and the water is clear as crystal."

"That sounds like a great idea," Kai agreed. "We can always take the boat if you would rather."

"No, I think a walk would be wonderful," Scarlet smiled. "Although, at some point, do you suppose we could go to Pearl Harbor?"

"You want to go to the naval base?"

"I feel like I should," Scarlet said. "One of my aunts is married to a retired Naval recruit and they're survivors of the attack."

"I remember," Luana said sorrowfully. "I could hear the plans approaching even from here and even here there was mass panic. The attack was in Honolulu but those bombs were loud enough that we could all hear them. I'm relieved to know your relatives were alright."

"Thankfully," Scarlet said. "We were in Brazil when it happened. My father had fused to a wolf shortly after and was told the United States had gone to war and we were going back so he could join to help my uncle."

"Your aunt was a concentration camp survivor you said?" Luana asked.

"She is," Scarlet said. "She's much better than she was, but after so long in those camps, it took a long time for her to become accustomed to the world outside again. It took even longer for her to be comfortable being with my uncle in a romantic way."

"They're married now, though?"

"Yes," Scarlet said. "Anyway, I think it would be worthwhile to go to Pearl Harbor. Patriotic if you will," Scarlet smiled.

"I'd be happy to take you," Kai smiled. "I'll bet your dad will appreciate you went."

"My dad!" Scarlet said suddenly and stood.

"Everything alright?" Luana said.

"I've been gone for weeks! He's probably worried sick! Oh, God, he's going to be furious!" Scarlet said. "I'm so sorry, would you excuse me a moment? I need to shift and make sure he knows I'm alright. Hawaii is 3 hours behind the west coast, right?"

"I believe so," Kai said and then looked up at the setting sun. "It's about 7 now."

"Okay, the pack would be on patrol by now. I'm so sorry, just give me a moment. I'll be right back," Scarlet said and rushed from the hut and into the woods outside until she had some privacy. She took of her dress so she was nude and then changed to a wolf. Once she did, Nathan was there, but as she feared, he wasn't happy at all.

Where the fuck are you?! Nathan yelled.

Daddy, you knew when I changed. I'm in Hawaii. I took a ride with someone.

Congratulations, Scarlet! She heard members of the pack praise hearing that Kai was her imprint. Hawaii sounds beautiful, her uncle Kyle's voice came in.

Shut up, Kyle! When are you coming home? Why wouldn't you tell me where you were days ago?! I was scared shitless!

I'm sorry, daddy, I honestly didn't think to until now, Scarlet said. I have now at least and I'm alright. I'm going to stay here for a little while and then Kai will take me home. I'm going to see Pearl Harbor!

I hear there are plans in place to build a memorial in Honolulu for Pearl Harbor, Kyle said.

Well, I'm going to see it beforehand, Scarlet said proudly.

When are you coming back home? Nathan asked impatiently.

Give me at least another two or three weeks, Scarlet said.

Weeks!? Nathan barked.

Daddy, calm down, I'll be alright. You have nothing to worry about. I promise. I just want a little more time with Kai before he brings me home. I'm not sure where things are going yet.

Nathan, try to relax, Jacob spoke up. We know where Scarlet is and she's safe. Scarlet, if you are going to be as long as you're saying you'll be, you need to at least shift frequently so we know you're okay. You really scared your father when you weren't changing to a wolf and giving him updates.

No! Scarlet, I want you home ASAP! Nathan barked.

Daddy, I'll be home as soon as I finish-

No! ASAP means AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!

I know what ASAP means, daddy, Scarlet said with a sigh.

Then that's how soon I want you home!

Okay, daddy, I'll have Kai take me home right away, Scarlet said.

Thank you, Nathan said, finally relaxing just a little.

Once Nathan was calmed down, Scarlet said goodnight and changed back to normal. With a sigh, she redressed, feeling a little depressed from the sudden enforcement of changed plans, and returned to Luana's home to rejoin them for the dinner they'd made for her. She explained that she'd need to return as soon as possible since her father was worried about her. A few hours later when Scarlet had gone to bed for the night, Kai was still awake with Luana sitting at the shore. While out there, Kai was playing with the water, creating little images and recreating scenes from childhood stories he remembered. Luana had scolded Kai momentarily for Scarlet being scolded that night but said little else. However, she soon noticed how sad Kai appeared.

"What's the matter?" Luana asked, speaking in their native tongue.

"Nothing's wrong," Kai said but Luana saw he was either lying or didn't realize he was sad.

"I assumed you were upset that you would need to return Scarlet home sooner than expected," Luana said. "She's such a sweet girl. I'm sorry to have to bid her goodbye so soon."

"I am too," Kai said. "I was looking forward to having at least another week with her."

"Maybe you could condense that tour and visit to the Harbor to one day and take her on the boat. Then she can have dinner with us one last night and then you can make the trip to Washington and return her home."

"I guess if that's the only option," Kai said. Using the water, he made a small figure from the water akin to an image of Scarlet and made the water figure dance on the water. "I'll miss her."

"I will too," Luana said.

She thought, perhaps, to encourage him to speak more about Scarlet, but his mood was damp so she let him play with the little water figure he'd created. It was well into the middle of the night when Kai finally went to bed. He was still asleep when Scarlet woke the next morning. She walked outside the hut when she didn't see Luana at the entrance like usual. When she stepped outside, she saw Luana on the beach under the cover of some palm trees pulling apart a coconut. Just as Scarlet stepped out of the hut, Luana turned her head and smiled, extending a hand that held one half of a coconut. When Scarlet reached her, she accepted the half and sat down beside her.

"You're up early," Luana said. "I suggested to Kai that he could take you on a tour of the island and the harbor today and use the boat so you can get that done in a day, return here for dinner and then the two of you can start the trip to Washington tomorrow morning."

"That would be lovely," Scarlet smiled. "I was hoping to stay longer, but after daddy blowing up last night, I really should return back soon."

"I understand," Luana said. "So tell me; what do you think of my son?"

"How do you mean?" Scarlet asked as she scooped out the meat of the coconut.

"Do you feel anything special towards him?"

"Oh," Scarlet said. "If I'm being honest with you, I do have feelings for him. I don't know if he feels anything similar for me, but I hope he will."

"He does," Luana said bluntly. "When you told us last night that you needed to return home sooner than you'd originally wanted, Kai was so upset. He was really excited to take you on a hike around the island and to Honolulu. I think he was looking forward to having a little time alone with you again."

"Does he really? Like me I mean?" Scarlet asked.

"He does," Luana repeated. "He's never been so taken with a woman before. I'm sure you being the first I ever met was due to him agreeing to bring you home. Truthfully, if you ask me, he'd have never offered you a ride home if he didn't like you."

"Do you think….do you think he might love me?"

"Are you saying you love him?" Luana asked with a smile. When Scarlet didn't answer and just blushed, Luana giggled. "That's what I thought. You have such a gleam in your eye when you look at him. It's the same way he looks at you."

"Really?" Scarlet grinned eagerly.

"Let's just say," Luana said and patted Scarlet's knee, "I doubt this will be the last we see one another."