The flames behind us is rising higher. There is nowhere else to run but that's okay, I'm too tired to run anymore. Someone is panting hard beside me, I try to turn my head to see who it is but I am being laid down onto my back. "I'm sorry this is all my fault." A dreamy voice whispers as he gently cradles my face. "I couldn't save you... I wish I was stronger... I wish I was braver and didn't hesitate for even a second to risk my life for yours."
Ahhh, my heart feels so light and wonderful from hearing his words. All I can do is smile, I have almost no energy left. Tears are welling up in his beautiful amber coloured eyes. "I shouldn't have been involved! I shouldn't have listened to... I'm so sorry please forgive me ******!" I want to raise my hand to just touch his face but the action was too great and my hand came falling back down.
Panic is written all over his face, I cough and feel liquid come out of my throat. "Don't leave me! Just look at me and stay awake!" I must be insane why do I feel so much pleasure from his honest pleas? I shiver, I feel so cold, I want to say something to him. I want let him know how I feel but I'm instantly silenced. His lips touched mine, even though I'm so dirty, even though I have their blood running through my veins, he doesn't care.
This feels too real, I want more I crave more. I try to gather all my strength to touch him, I glide my shaky hand onto his cheek and slide it into his golden brown hair, it's so soft. He pulls back slightly, I move my hand and I wipe my blood off his lips and face. That's it's I'm done, I have no energy left.
"I'm sorry! This is all my fault! If I just listened to my heart and not to ****** none of this would have happened..." I just look at him and I can see the flames starting to burn brighter in the background. I want him to run and escape, I want him to live but I'm too scared to die alone. He wants to say something but the smoke is getting thicker and he's starting to choke. His mouth twists as more tears spill out "****** I.... I.... I lo.... love."
Somethings wrong there is light from the flames and light from somewhere else. I need to focus, but something is pulling me back. I feel heat but it's not from the flames, it's something else making my lips burn and my body tingle. "*****?!" I can't stop, I part my lips a little bit and my body is heating up more. "Mmmmh." I moan as the scene before me starts to fade into darkness but the feeling is still there.
.....
Ariana sat up in a cold sweat, eyes wide and breathing erratically. She grabbed the middle of her chest with one hand and another gently touches her lips. "Too real..." She muttered as she tried to calm her breathing. She looked around the room and sighed. It was her bedroom, nothing changed from when she went to bed. A modest looking room but now it was furnished with a more comfortable bed, a small desk for studying, a night stand at the side with a lamp on top and in the corner a giant, fluffy, dog's bed where her Lumas slept peacefully in a pile. She reached over and turned the light on. She wasn't sure what time it was but was certain she wouldn't fall back to sleep any time soon.
She slipped out if bed and tried to stand up but found herself falling back down. Her legs felt weak and she was slightly dizzy. She brought her hand up to her hand and brushed back her bangs. "It was a dream right?" She mumbled to herself but felt her eyes starting to sting. She couldn't explain why but her heart felt completely broken, she dropped her hand and grabbed her pillow. She curdled herself up as she hugged her pillow tightly. "Owen... I'm sorry." She whispered before she cried her heart out into the pillow.
Dawn came and Ariana finally slipped back into sleep from exhaustion. 'Davita, is Master really asleep?' Duko asked as he started to rise. Davita opened one eye and lazily looked at Duko. 'Yes, her breathing indicates she's asleep... you should go back to sleep too.' Davita said as she curled herself tighter and closed her eye. 'I'm worried about our Master... do you think I should ask Loralei to put up a barrier around those unwanted memories?' Aroha's eyes shot wide open and she started to furiously flap her tiny wings as she looked at Duko. 'Don't you dare!' She shouted and Duko instantly became flustered. 'Quiet down Aroha or you'll wake up the Master.' He whispered as loudly as he dared.
Aroha calmed down and looked at Duko fiercely. 'You do realize why we came into existences? Do you really want one of us to disappear because our Master is heartbroken? She needs this experience, she needs to grow stronger, not just in body but in mind in order to remember her mission. We are here to protect her and make sure she succeeds if she strays and goes down the unwanted path of utter destruction you know what we must do.' Duko's tiny ears dropped downwards as he looked back at Ariana.
'I don't want to think about that.' Aroha lightened up her gaze and nestled herself in. 'Go back to sleep. We will talk later on how we can speed up her fate... if only Vasu was willing to help out more her torment would be over.' A tiny ball of pink started to roll and four stumpy legs popped up. 'Don't want too.' Vasu said as he wiggled his legs. Aroha snapped her tiny beak and went back to sleep. Doku looked at Vasu and wagged his bushy tail before he got up, circled his spot and went back to sleep. Vasu rolled back onto his feet and watched Ariana sleep. He noticed that tears still managed to escape under her closed lids.
He looked back at his family and sighed. He gently floated upwards and moved his way towards Ariana. He gave her a quick affectionate kiss on her forehead and watched as her tears stopped flowing. Soon a gentle smile appeared on her face and Vasu was satisfied. He floated back and snuggled into his spot. 'Vasu, please tell me you didn't just seal something?' Aroha ask as she eyed him. Vasu turned and gave her a flick of his small tail. 'No... she can't just have the bad, there needs to be balance... just one happy dream.' Aroha sighed and started to slip back into sleep. 'You big softy...' She mumbled before nodding off. Vasu started to wag his tiny tail, as he tried to surpress his smile. He took a quick peek at Ariana before happily falling back to sleep.
Ariana woke up completely energized for the grand opening of the Sugar Apple Cafe. She bounced around her room as she collected her outfit for the day. She couldn't remember the last time she felt this excited and scared at the same time, then it hit her. Her birthday.... she stopped twirling and stood in the middle of the floor, the colour drained from her face. 'Master is everything alright?' Adonis asked as a few tentacle moved strands of her hair away from her face. "I'm okay... just more scared then excited today." She answered as she tried to bring up a smile.
'Why be afraid! If those humans complain about your delicious food cut them down!' Hissed Rahul as his tiny claws moved around in the air. "My dear conqueror, will you get rid of my enemies-I mean upset customers? You do realize it's not good for business." She laughed as she petted her vicious kitty. Rahul was to absorbed in the affection that he toppled over when he heard his Master's response. 'Only if Master commands me! I will never act on my own, there is no honour in dissatisfying my Master!' He said as he straightened up his back.
Ariana giggled again as she stroked his face. "Good! We must stay professional today no matter what! We have people's lives at stake so today must be a success!" Ariana then got up and started to change into her new uniform. A simple long sleeved, button up, white blouse. A three layered, bright pink, ruffle skirt with white lace trim. A matching bright pink vest with capped sleeves. White, knee high, socks with a ruffle trim and a sweet, tiny pink bow on the side of them and to finish it off, a pair of low heel, black, slip resistant dress shoes. She twirled for her Lumas and they all shouted in joy. 'Master is the prettiest girl here!' Loralei said as she flapped her fins in delight.
"What about you? You know you are quite the beauty in your mermaid form." Ariana giggled as she went to hug Loralei. 'Really?!' Loralei asked with sparkling eyes. "Why yes! Aroha and Davita are also beautiful in their original forms too." Davita flapped her bat like wings as two pink ovals appeared on her cheeks while Aroha just turn her head to hide her blushing face. 'Master please do not waste your sweet nothings on us. I want to know what made you so happy this morning.' Aroha said as she kept her gaze away. "Well today is the grand opening, why else would I be happy?" Aroha peeked over and saw that Ariana's face turned a bright red as she nervously petted Loralei. 'Master are you-?!' Aroha started to say but Ariana quickly let Loralei go.
"Well time to get down stairs we will have our first customers here for breakfast and I don't want to-ouch!" She said as she rubbed her nose. Her Lumas couldn't help but worry when they watched Ariana collide into her bedroom's door, face first. "Heh, I gotta open the door to get out." She laughed as she slowly opened the door. "Alright, on we go for real." She said again as she pump her fist into the air. She took one step out and face planted into someone's chest. Her Lumas had no words and decided to look the other way.
Ariana was so embarrassed that she kept her face planted into the person's chest. "You know I love you but if mom were to see this she would think you were bullied." Ariana peeled her face off the person's body and looked up. Her embarrassment quickly turned into fangirl mode when she saw Roy wearing his new chief's uniform. "Eeeeh! Big brother you look so handsome with your new uniform!" She squealed as she looked at him from every angle. He wore a black chef's jacket with a red collar and trim. It had been stitched together with fine golden thread and had shiny black buttons. He wore dark gray slacks with thick, black stripes and a red apron embroidered with a golden phoenix in the right side of it, wrapped around his waist. "Ariana stop your making me feel shy!" Roy said as he rubbed the back of his head.
"Big brother your unbelievably handsome in this outfit! I bet Rin looks handsome too in her matching white outfit." Roy flushed as he looked Ariana square in the eyes. "She looks beautiful! Honestly you can't call a lady handsome, it's, it's insulting!" Ariana blinked a few times before she burst out into laughter. "I love you so much big brother!" She gasped as she hugged her body. "You shouldn't laugh at someone who is trying to properly educate you." He said as he brought his face down, stopping only an inch away from hers. Ariana grinned as she pounced and planted a kiss on his nose then cheek.
"Big brother let me educate you. A handsome woman is someone who is tall yet elegant and graceful. Has a defined body figure rather then a delicate one. One who you admire for their coolness and charm rather then their meekness. She has the ability to turn your desires of protectiveness into passion and lust while making you idolize her. I'm sorry brother but Rin is the very definition of a handsome woman which makes her more desirable for someone who doesn't want a wallflower at home but a lifelong partner. So I would step up your game and make her your wife already."
Roy's face became blacker then the bottom of a pot and Ariana regretted her teasing instantly. She wanted to take back her words but saw the fire burning behind his eyes. "Your right! Why didn't I think of it before?! Here." He shouted as he placed a cute red ribbon with pink and white heart stones at end of the ribbon into Ariana's hands. "I will see you soon! Expect a good show!" He yelled as he raced downstairs. Ariana was left standing there dumbfounded when her Lumas decided to join her. "I think Rin is going to kill me." She said as she broke out into a cold sweat.
Davita looked down at Ariana's hand then summoned some wind to tied the big red ribbon into her hair. Pleased with her work, she coiled around Ariana's shoulders and rubbed her head against Ariana's face. Ariana snapped back into reality and cuddled Davita's head. "Thank you." She whispered before she started to descend the stairs, grinning like a fool. When she finally reached the bottom she was pleasantly surprised by the scenery. Everyone was already up and ready to start the day. They all wore the same uniform as Ariana but they all looked better. Ariana looked down at her chest and sighed, instantly knowing what the problem was. She searched the room and spotted the back of Rin's head, leaning against the glass window of one of the kitchen doors.
She knocked and Rin turned to look out the small window. Ariana smiled and Rin looked away. "You can't hide forever, besides I know you look great. I saw Roy and I almost fell in love with him on sight." Rin turned and narrowed her gaze on Ariana, daring her to keep talking. "You know, I kissed him a couple of times just to make sure I hadn't lost my mind but I felt nothing but love for my brother... but then again seeing how he is not here I bet when he shows up there will be plenty of women wanting to court him and probably tie him down. I would even recommend a few to him, he doesn't need a silly little lady to protect, he needs someone willing to become his equal, his partner in life and right now I doubt that's you."
An ugly vein popped out of Rin's cheek and she pushed the door forward causing Ariana to take a few steps back. "You listen and you listen well, princess! I am no delicate flower! I am someone willing to struggle and fight tooth and nail to make sure the one I love is safe and happy! I don't need fancy dresses, I don't need decorative jewelry or a big house. I want love, respect and honesty. Nothing else matters to me. So if you think for one second I am willing to let Roy be swayed by someone else, let alone marry that hussy then he better be prepared to see a bloodbath! Why the hell are you grinning for!" Rin shouted as she towered over Ariana.
Ariana giggled as she pointed to a certain direction. Rin slowly turned and instantly paled. There standing in the middle of a crowd was Roy, glowing a bright red. He gulped and took large strides towards Rin. He stopped a foot away dropped to one knee, stretched his arms forward and opened a small black box. Inside was a gold ring with a medium diamond in the middle and two smaller diamonds on either side. "Rin, I have been in love with you the moment I laid eyes on you.... heh, I am really bad with words and I'm clumsy and a little nerdy.... I am not that manly... honestly you are everything I wish I could be. Strong, courageous, kind, intelligent. You have been my best friend then girlfriend and now I want to make you my-my-my lover and wife.... Rin will you marry me?"
Everyone held their breaths as they watched Rin's face go from deathly pale to a deep crimson colour. Ariana couldn't wait any longer and slapped Rin's behind. "Go on already be his handsome bride and make everyone wish they had a love like yours!" Rin became teary eyed and patted Ariana's head. "Your free to choose your own path... don't miss out because of the past." Ariana whispered as she placed her own hand over Rin's.
Rin's body started to shake and she looked back at Roy. She sucked in a sharp breath and gave a very enthusiastic nod. Everyone exploded into cheers as Roy took the ring out of the box and slipped it onto Rin's left ring finger. Lady Zula walked up to her family and hugged Roy and Rin. "This is an auspicious day!" She shouted as she kissed Roy's cheek. Ariana felt a gaze on her and she looked back. To the side was Cayden standing by the window, the sun's rays playfully bounced off his blond hair making it look golden, his grey eyes looked so comfortable yet had an a allure to it. He smiled in a charming way as he clapped along with everyone else. Ariana could feel something wet coming from her nose as she eyed him in his uniform. "Wow... so handsome."