Prompt: Waterfalls/Reunions

Phoenix hurried down the path, the suitcase's wheels clattering against the stone tiles. He ignored the encroaching shadows of foliage; he barely registered the distant rumble of water. Maya's scream still echoed in his mind, as it had in his car left in the States, the commercial plane to Khura'in, the rickshaw he ordered to halt outside this wooded area. He hadn't stopped moving since her phone call. Somehow, he managed to put together descriptions and directions, leading him to the Lotus Pool, a training site for spirit mediums.

He glimpsed the bottom of the winding way down, a flat terrace with a painted symbol pointing deeper into the trees. That was when he heard the bell from above, and a small voice asking. "Hey! Who are you?"

"I'm Phoenix Wright, I'm looking for Maya Fey!"

Whoever it was, they were rustling and scrambling, the reply diminished. "She's…her…wait!"

But he was through with waiting, and he broke into a sprint. He pushed past the trees, the air becoming thick with moisture and incense. The waterfall was visible first, sheer motion from towering cliffs; ripples lapped against the stone tiles, and Phoenix's gaze was filled by a scene of pink lotuses. At the far edge of the pool, a silhouette separated the thundering base of the waterfall. Hands held palm to palm, chin dipped, dark hair plastered under the spray.

Oh. She was alright. For the first time in over twelve hours, he could breathe.

Maya's head slowly lifted, and she immediately began moving in his direction. She was wearing a thin white robe, her sleeves dragging across the water's surface. A light breeze carried her voice. "Nick!"

He was about to jump in, to meet her halfway, when something pulled at his arm. A young boy's fingers clutched his elbow, as he frantically shook his head.

"You may be Mystic Maya's friend, but outsiders can't enter the pool. Unless you're training as a spirit medium too?" Round eyes stared at the magatama.

"Sorry. This one was lent to me." He glanced back at Maya, who was much closer than he expected.

…Her clothing isn't waterproof.

"It's fine, Ahlbi. You can go back to the temple bells. He'll help me." She winked and the boy ducked his head, scurrying away. They were alone.

Phoenix cleared his throat, shrugging off his suit jacket. He kept his focus on her face, not that it was much easier. It was probably the sheen of water or the lack of a spotty connection blurring her features, but her full lips glistened. He draped the jacket over her shoulders. "I thought you were in trouble, and here you are, having a nice swim."

"Well, I got some help at the last second, but my phone broke. The new one won't be ready until the end of today." She twisted the weight of her dark hair in her hands. "In the meantime, I'll show you a good time."

"Huh?!"

"You've never been to Khura'in before! Since you're here, you might as well be a tourist. We'll head out as soon as I'm done."

"O-oh, yeah. Wait, done with what?"

She gave a pointed look. "I need to change. Into drier clothes. Unless, do you actually want to help me?"

The offer was strangely tempting. Despite his jacket, it wasn't enough to conceal her body. Slender legs, generous hips, the faint outline of a sarong under her robe. But her breasts were unbound, the damp cloth outlining perfectly formed curves and peaking at the tips.

Realizing he'd been quiet for too long, he grasped for a response. "I could only do that if you give me a blindfold."

The jet lag was frazzling his mind, it probably was a failure because her cheeks reddened and she abruptly tossed his jacket back. "In that case, you'll work best as my guard." Her robe slipped and he caught a flash of creamy skin, her bare shoulder, before he remembered to turn.

Thankfully, the wait was brief, and when he was permitted to pivot again, she was tying up her bun. He took hold of the handle of his rolling suitcase. "You really had me worried, but I'm glad you're okay."

She smiled. "And I'm glad you're here. So, let's go!" With that, she grabbed his hand and led him away from the waterfall. Nevertheless, staring at her swaying figure, he gulped.

Somehow, I get the feeling I won't be taking in much of the sights…