Duh... (Chapter 17)

The next couple of weeks ended up being pretty much the same. I would search for a long time, sometimes encountering the strange mind that could create such a strong metal wall. Usually it was near the end of the day, but sometimes I would sense it near the beginning. The problem was, whatever it was, it moved extremely fast. I never got a chance to chase it down and find out what it was.
One day, after another exhausting search, Yosa sat beside me, staring into the fire, while Noiyra and Dyari played mancala with holes in the ground and stone. The two had become an inseparable pair. I never figured out how that worked out, seeing as I was away for almost the whole day.
"Faalan?" I groggily sat up from my sleeping position and looked at the girl.
"Yes, Yosa?"
"You do realize that I can transform into more than one state of water, right?"
"What about it?"
"Well, I've been thinking, and I've actually wondered about this for a while... You realize that it would be easier to just let me come with you, allow me to combine with the ocean, and then find the stupid city?"
"Um... Gee, I never thought of that." I felt extremely stupid. How could I have not thought about that?! All this time, I was thinking about how to protect the girls from Zyri and getting to Fala and I'd missed the very obvious! The answer had been sitting in front of my nose, figuratively and physically!
"Then take me with you tomorrow."
"Alright, I will." I lay back down and closed my eyes, allowing my thoughts to wander.
We'd already run from Zyri a couple of times, this was the 4th island that we'd settled on. I knew I'd only be a little longer before he found us again. And Fala... I missed her so much. I wanted to be with her. Even though I probably hadn't seen her for at least a half a year, my heart, soul, and body ached to be with her. Every inch of me longed to be touching her soft, warm skin.
It seemed almost yesterday that she had gone back to her time. I wondered how she was doing now. Had she learned more about her gift? And- had she gone back to Tahi?
Oh yes, I knew about him. I don't think she ever mentioned him, but I picked up on this through her thoughts. He was her boyfriend, that much I knew, but now that she knew me...what did she do? A feeling of dread clenched my stomach.
She went back because she felt that she didn't belong in this time and now...if she really wanted to let go of this time so much, then she probably was with Tahi. I gritted my teeth. Now I really wanted to pound whoever that Tahi person was. Fala was my girl, my beautiful love, and nothing could stop me from being with her. I would only accept that she was with him if she rejected me completely.
As if someone was squeezing my heart, my chest hurt with the pain of despair, and I knew it would kill me if she were to reject me. There would be no point in my existance without her. I'd already lost Khanna and Kaija, and I couldn't stand loosing any more people. I would probably kill myself if she did that. Of course, it wouldn't matter to her. She would be with him and...
My thought process broke off as hot angry tears made their way down my face. I turned away from my companions, hiding my saddness as I cried.
~*~
"So....are we going now, Faalan?" I'd slept a really bad night and I couldn't think straight. I couldn't even see who was talking to me properly. (I did know that it was Yosa from her voice though.) It was like my whole vision had been shrouded with fog.
"Uhn?"
"You know, to go find that city in the ocean?"
"Yeah, I'm gettin' up" I mumbled, rubbing my eyes and standing up. My legs complained as I walked around to get the sleepy-ness out of my system.
"Are we going yet?!" She sounded annoyed.
"Okay, okay, I'm ready! Jeez..." I held out my hand and she took it. Then we were off.
I gave her a moment as she stared at the giant ocean. Was she surprised at the size or-
"The water here is a different color." I resisted the urge to smack my forehead. She took a good half minute to look at the coean and all she could say was the water was a different color?!
"I'll see you later!" She didn't give me a chance to reply before she jumped into the water and become one with the crashing waves. I sighed and connected my mind to hers.
Seriously, I think my heart stopped for a beat when we were connected properly. She was...everywhere yet only in one place. Her mind was just one, but yet she was the crashing waves against the rock and the deep dark water where dangerous creatures lurked all at once. She was the gentle currents that circled the reefs and the strong treaturous waters that shook ships. It was all so complex and indescribable. I was truly honored to have been able to experience that. It was absolutely amazing sharing her thoughts.
I found it. Her voice rang loud and clear in my mind.
Show me. And then, I could see it. It was beautiful. It was a giant city made of coral with a giant air bubble around it. There were people with gills that left the air bubble and swam with the graceful dolphins.
I'm going to go to Noiyra and Dyari and bring them to where the city is.
Okay.
As quickly as I could, I got myself to the two. I didn't bother explaining before I put a hand on their shoulders and teleported them under the water. (I put an air bubble around us, don't worry.)
They stared, wide-eyed, at Maunti. It wasn't floating in the air, but it sure was floating in the water.
I slowly moved us towards the air bubble that surrounded the city and then when the air bubbles met, they merged. It was only due to quick thinking that I was able to catch us in our fall to the base of the city. A trickle of water leaked into the bubble and then turned into Yosa.
"Wow... It's so pretty..." I looked at Noiyra and smiled. The young girl's eyes were large and curious as she studied the city a little closer.
"Will you two be alright now?" This question of mine was addressed to the two girls.
"I think we'll find our way around. Thanks for everything."
"You're welcome." I smiled at them.
Noiyra hugged both Dyari and me while Yosa watched her younger sister carefully. Then, hand in hand, the sisters walked towards the heart of the city.

AN: This turned out a lot longer than I intended, but I guess that's a good thing. Yes, the moment you've all been waiting for is coming soon. Faalan will be meeting Fala.