Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Taking Chances and Leaps of Faith ❯ In Which Preparations for Departure are Made ( Chapter 4 )

The years had passed, uneventful. Life had been dull, for Lucca, who continued to wonder and worry for his sister, Adsila. He had not heard from her or of her since their last talk before her departure 18 years ago. Deep inside his heart, Lucca knew that she was okay; it had been the only way he could keep his sanity.

Turning his attention away from the sinking sun, Lucca gazed at his youngest sister. Cira was making fireballs and juggling them, much to the delight of the young members of the Royal Family. She giggled at them and flicked her fingers, allowing the fireballs to mold into people and dance around the little children's heads. Lucca shook his head and walked over to her, touching her shoulder. Cira looked up at him, a chuckle on the tip of her tongue.

"Miakoda," Lucca said, reprovingly, "What have I told you about misusing your gift?"

Much to the consternation of the children, the fireballs disappeared. Cira shooed them away and turned to her disgruntled brother.

"What have I told you about referring to me by Miakoda? I don't like that name!"

Lucca walked away from her and headed down the halls of silver and gold to his office. Cira followed quickly, keeping pace with him, poking him. "Lucca, don't ignore me! I'm not a child anymore!"

The Prince suddenly stopped and grabbed Cira's finger. She gasped from the sudden pain and tried to tug it away. He tightened his grip and Cira stilled.

"If you continue to act in a child like manner, Miakoda, I will continue to refer to you as such. It is time for you to grow up and accept responsibility for your future. A great deal rests on your shoulders…"

Lucca quieted for Cira had stopped listening. Her eyes were roving the halls, windows, other people, anywhere but him. Lucca released her finger in disgust and marched away, shoulders tense.

Cira glared at his retreating back and yelled. "I understand, Lucca! Better then you think!"

Lucca paused, but continued on his way a second later. Disgusted with both her brother and herself, Cira marched in the other direction. No one understood her, not even her own family. They spent so much time concerned with the prophecy and with her future mission that they forgot to live.

Cira slammed open the doors to her room and rushed to her balcony. Leaning over as far as she dared, Cira watched the town below with an appreciative eye. She was rarely allowed outside the palace, her studies took precedence over anything else. These rare moments when she could steal time to herself, she spent watching the townspeople. Oh, how she wished to join them in their joy and gaiety.

Movements outside her room alerted her and Cira moved away from the window and to her desk where she made the pretense of study. Silently, her father entered, watching her. Cira shifted uncomfortably, her father's gaze had the habit of reaching the heart of matters, of ripping away any charade she attempted.

"Lucca has come to me, Miakoda."

Wincing at the use of her atrocious first name, Cira decided it was best to not respond. She could sense waves of irritation coming from her father. If she could sense it, especially from a man who wore armor around his feelings, he was angry.

"Come here, Miakoda, and sit with me." Chayton had taken a seat on one of Cira's couches. Cira moved from her desk and settled on the couch next to his. She kept her eyes lowered, not brave enough to look in his.

"Look at me, Miakoda. You are a Princess of Elrondia and shall never lower your eyes like some coward. You have been raised better then that, or so I thought."

Cira's eyes shot upwards, but she could barely keep them fixed on her father. She didn't understand why he was always so mad at her. She really did try, she just…Cira couldn't even explain it to herself.

Chayton sighed softly and leaned closer. "I don't know where we all went wrong with you Miakoda."

Cira's gaze shot to her fathers. This was not the type of conversation she had expected.

"The Prophecy delegates missions, but it does not tell us how to go about them, sometimes not even when. I feel that we have failed in preparing you, Miakoda."

"No, father…"

Chayton held up his hand. "Please, Miakoda, I have heard this all before. The truth is, despite your wonderful personality, beauty, and intelligence, you are childish, spoiled, and have no care for responsibility. This includes responsibility for yourself, others, and your powers. You were given the gift of an element, a powerful gift which you have relegated to a play thing."

Cira made to speak, but was silenced by her father again. "I have talked with your mother, Miakoda. She does not agree with me, but I have made my decision. I am sending you to Chikyuu."

"What?" Cira cried, jumping to her feet. "I am not supposed to go for another four years. I'm not ready!"

"With the attitude that you have displayed, you seem to be. Obviously there is nothing left for us to teach you."

Cira's lower lip trembled violently. She would not disgrace herself and cry. Tears welled, however, and slipped down her cheek. Cira angrily swiped them away, annoyed at her weakness and livid with her family.

Chayton softened on seeing his daughter's tears and reached for her. Cira backed away and turned her back. "Please, Miakoda, do not be angry. You know you do not travel alone."

Sniffling, Cira retorted. "Of course not, I am allowed to take Lucca along, the one who got me in this mess in the first place."

"No, Cira," Chayton suddenly yelled. Cira turned to him, shocked. Her father never yelled! Not at her! She was the Chosen One. The Special One.

"You did this, Cira, with your disgraceful attitude and disregard for important study. You should be happy I am even allowing Lucca to go. He does not have to leave for another four years!

"Now, you will pack your bags, dry your tears, and prepare to leave in the morning."

The King swept out of Cira's room, slamming her doors behind him. Shaking, Cira crumpled to the carpet in a mass of tears and screams. This could not be happening, not to her. She was supposed to be her father's little girl, her mother's shining light…why? What had she ever done to deserve these terrible things?

"Are you finished with your pity party?" An icy voice asked.

Cira had been crying so loudly, she had not heard the cold woman enter. Raising a tearstained face, Cira glared at the eldest of the members, Raina Alred. Raina was the most beautiful of the members and destined to be the future Queen of Elrondia. It was a well-known fact that Lucca planned to choose her when the time came because she was Queen material. Cira hated the woman because she dominated so much of Lucca's time and was not a warm person.

"Can't a person just mope in peace?" Cira screeched. "I have been continually interrupted today and I would like some time alone!"

Raina merely watched Cira with hardened eyes. "Cease this nonsense at once," she commanded in a sharp voice. Cira gasped, and then leapt to her feet.

"Listen here, you interloper, just because you happen to be a Royal Member and the future Queen does not give you leave to order me around yet! I am still a Princess of Elrondia and you listen to me!"

Something akin to respect flashed in Raina's eyes before they shadowed. She bowed her head and said, "At least there is some backbone to be had. I was afraid it had all been passed to your other sister, Adsila and skipped you completely."

Cira had begun to rant again, but her voice faded when she heard Raina's words. "What? What do you mean?"

Raina raised her head and looked down at Cira. "I was purposely provoking you, Cira. If you're going to take my fiancée away to Chikyuu I want to at least know he will be protected."

Growling Cira said, "I am almost positive Lucca can take care of himself."

Laughing coldly, Raina said, "I am confidant he can, but make sure the Prince doesn't decide to stray when he leaves. His homecoming would not be so gentle if he brought home a wife."

"I hope he does," Cira yelled. "He may forfeit his right to be King, but at least you won't be Queen!"

Raina sauntered to the door, flipping her onyx hair she called back, "Don't be so sure," before disappearing down the hall.

Disgusted, Cira forgot to feel sorry for herself as she pouted on the couch. `I have no idea what Lucca sees in that witch. He should just wait for one of the other girls to reach age and marry them.'

Sighing, Cira remembered her father's words and began to pack. It was simple because her mother had been making clothes of Chikyuu fashion for years so Cira could blend in. The outfits were absolutely horrendous as well as confining. Cira adored the loose fitting robes and dresses of Elrondia so much more.

`Well, I guess I can pack a few and change the style on Chikyuu. Once they see how beautiful I am everyone will follow me.'

Cira finished quickly and decided it would be best to visit the Royal Stables one last time. She would be unable to bring her mare, Sera with her, and the horse would surely miss her.

The Princess did not encounter anyone of importance on her way. She wasn't sure if she was banned to her rooms, but it probably didn't matter since her departure was set for tomorrow.

Entering the stables, Cira felt a sense of calm wash over her. The scent of sweet hay and horses was like a balm to her stretched nerves. She adored the stables, especially the horses. Secretly, Cira would have given anything to possess her brother's gift of tongues with horses. Elrondians were not supposed to covet, however, so Lucca probably had no idea, unless evil Raina had told him. No one, not even the King could keep his or her feelings from Raina. She was very powerful.

Sera stuck her sable head out of her stall and greeted her mistress with a loud whinny. Cira ran to her mare and cradled Sera's soft face against her own. Sera snuffled and Cira giggled, stroking behind the mare's ears.

"Oh, Sera, I shall miss you dearly. I will return for you though, I promise. Hopefully this mission will not take long."

Lucca watched his littlest sister gloomily; he too had come to the stables for comforting. He felt terrible for going to their father like he did, but Lucca was at a loss on how to make her grow. It was past time for Cira to blossom into adolescence. He made his way to her side and stroked Sera's neck sensing the joy from the horse. There was a deep bond between Cira and Sera, but then, Cira developed a deep bond with everyone she liked.

"Is she happy?" Cira asked quietly.

Lucca nodded. "Oh, yes, Cira, very happy."

Despite her efforts to hold them back, tears leaked from the corners of Cira's eyes. Lucca wrapped his arms around his sister and pulled her close. "Oh, Cira, please don't cry. You know what that does to me."

"Why, Lucca? Why did you go to Father? Why didn't you talk to me?"

Lucca pulled away and looked Cira in the eyes. "Be truthful, Cira, would you have listened?"

Cira was silent then shook her head. "No, I would not have listened."

"Then this is going to be the first difficult lesson of real life for you."

Suddenly hopeful, Cira said, "I have learned my lesson! I will study hard and prepare myself, just please, give me another chance."

"I can't," Lucca said softly. "The King has made his decision and he will not go back."

"I don't like this lesson," Cira muttered, leaning against the stall, "I don't like it one bit."

Lucca leaned next to her and put his arm around her shoulders. "Oh, Cira, my little sister, you will not like most of your life lessons, believe me."

"What was the hardest you have had to face?"

He was silent, as he thought back to that first terrible day that led to terrible years. "Letting Adsila go. That was the hardest lesson I have ever had to learn. I had to let her become her own woman and leave me behind."

"Well," Cira said, some of her natural cheerfulness returning, "Maybe we will meet her on our travels."

Lucca smiled. "Oh, we will, I know we will. Besides, Raina told me of a vision she had concerning us."

Cira's good mood dropped, and her mouth thinned. Lucca sensed the change and shook his head. "I know you don't like Raina, Cira, but she is a good woman. There is a part of her she just doesn't wish to share."

"Oh," Cira said snidely, "And I suppose she shares it with you?"

"Yes," Lucca replied solemnly, "She does."

Cira was silent then said, "I am sorry, Lucca. I really shouldn't judge her so harshly, but she is so mean to me!"

Lucca laughed loudly and hugged Cira roughly. "Oh, Cira, she doesn't know how to deal with your personality like the rest of us, that's why. You two are like oil and water, you do not mesh at all!"

"Humph," Cira pouted. "There is absolutely nothing wrong with my personality…."

The two siblings made their way back to the palace and their laughter filled the surrounding area with a light joy. The Chosen One was happy once more and the world seemed to breath a sigh of relief.