• The ocean water softly washed up onto the sandy beach, a lone figure of a woman stood, staring out to the horizon of the ocean. Her gentle brown hair, blown back by the sweet moist ocean breeze. Crystal hazel green eyes stared out, unmoving and deep sadness rooted deep inside them. She dressed as any commoner would, a simple white dress, no shoes, and a simple hat to block the sun's rays and heat. Her skin a gentle pale peach, the setting sun giving her smooth skin and body the look of a heavenly Goddess.
    When will he return? When? She thought to herself, staring out at the vast open sparkling blue sea. A man that had claimed her heart had set sail, leaving no traces behind that he once held residence there, except in her heart. To her, he was the most perfect man on Earth and alive but to her father he was nothing more than a lowly peasant looking for a quick way to earn gold to take off and live the high life. He worked as a deck hand on a trade ship of goods and other fine wares.
    He had left the shore four days and nights ago. And for four days and nights she would go to the beach and stare out at the ocean, hoping, praying he would return to her. The more she hoped and prayed the more worried she became that something may have happened to him. It was now the fifth day and still no sign of the ship he had left on. "Please, please be alive my love. I wish so long to be held in your arms once more to feel your embrace of your love." She whispered softly to herself, gently raising her hands to her chest, folding her hands and wrapping her slender fingers of her top hand softly around her other hand that was in a soft fist in the middle of her chest.
    The sun continued to slowly set, turning the soft blue sky into a fire red, pink, purple, and other colors as well. The work was as though an artist had created it on a canvas but that was true in a way. The greatest artist in all known history created the work of art that now graced the sky for the people's delight and to bring them peace of mind. Once the night came, the colors gone to a dark rich blue spotted with beautiful white stars to be the eyes of those that had passed onto the next life. The soft ocean tide came in and out, filling the quiet peaceful night with sound.
    "Rin....please....come back." She whispered softly, closing her eyes in a silent prayer, hoping it would go out and return her love to her soon to rest her uneasy mind. Slowly she reopened her eyes, gazing out to the sea. Removing her top hand she placed it open to her lips, bending it out and blew out onto her palm to blow a kiss towards the ocean in hopes her love would receive it. Gently she turned on her heel, walking back towards the town that sat on the land that stood like a cliff wall over the beach to over look it.
    Stepping softly across the warm sand as the warm gentle sea breeze blew her heart began to feel more confident and happy, sure she'd see her love tomorrow as her bare feet touched the dirt and grass that now was the path up to the towns cobblestone streets to return to her home and rest. Her mind set on her love Rin who she felt sure to see tomorrow morning when the trade ship would return.
    * * * * * * * * * *
    Morning came quietly, well it began quiet. Luna rose at the break of dawn, excited beyond compare to anything else in her life, she leaped from her bed, quickly began to brush her hair out before picking out a nice dress to wear. Slipping into a beautiful green and blue dress she ran to her vanity, looking in the mirror as she re-brushed her hair once more before smiling wide. Quickly like a bullet she ran out of her room, racing down the steps and to the kitchen, pulling out a skillet and spatula before moving over to and opening the refrigerator. Looking about she smiled, settling on two eggs and three strips of bacon. She slipped over to the skillet once again, cracking open and releasing the two eggs into the skillet then placed in the three strips of bacon; turning on the gas stove last.
    Luna could hardly wait as the eggs and bacon popped and crackled, the bacon becoming a crispy and lovely golden brown. Once the eggs and bacon would be completed she easily slid them from the pan onto a plate she pulled from the drainer. Quickly placing the skillet and spatula into the sink she pulled out a fork and began to eat quickly in the kitchen, glad her father was a heavy sleeper and could hear nothing she was doing so early in the morning dawn. Birds chirped outside as the morning came upon closer, the sun slowly rising higher into the sky. It would take her little time to finish her breakfast before pouring herself a glass of milk, taking her time on her drink. Her heart raced as did her mind at the thoughts of meeting Rin once again.
    She would finish her milk, rinsing out the glass and quickly made a dash for the front door. Her father slept soundly in his bed, making her grin and whisper "bye father, I shall return later." As she opened the front wooden door, softly closing it behind her as she stepped out. Once closed she'd run down the three steps and down the street, the streetlamps going off as the sky began to become brighter with the still rising morning sun. The cool air felt wonderful to her sweating face. She tried to calm her heart but it continued to race, her palms sweating as well as she was nervous with excitement.
    At the docks people were gathered, awaiting the arrival of the trade ship. Luna wasted no time to make her way to the front, waiting and watching. Minutes passed and no sign of the ship was coming. People began to whisper, becoming worried. "Here it comes!" a man shouted that sat on the rooftop of the harbor building. Everyone's worry became joy as they watched for the ship. Their joy soon became worry once more with fear.
    On the horizon and nearing the ship sailed with another on its heels. The crows nest on fire and the flag burning as well. Cannons shot off loud, ringing out in the once quiet and beautiful morning. Smoke rolled up from the cannons firing at the other and from the burning flames that were traveling down towards the deck in no time flat. "NO! RIN!" Luna screamed, racing to the end of the dock only to be caught by the arm and stopped by one of the harbor helps.
    "No miss you mustn't go out there. You'll die as well. We'll go and retrieve the bodies and any remains if they cannot make it here before sinking. They'll be okay. Trust me." He tried to assure her his voice deep but that, he could tell by her worried scared face, may not happen till she knew Rin was safe and alive. Minutes would pass and slowly three small boats neared the shore, coming to the docks and were tied off.
    Luna raced over, looking to all three boats for Rin watching confused and scared as a body was lifted up, badly burnt and not breathing. "He died trying to save us all. He was brave." One of the crew men said.
    "Any idea who it is?" the harbor hand asked, helping them up and with the body.
    "No sir. We don't know. We think it may be Rin as he was always pulling stupid stuff that we told him would claim his life but he never listened." Luna heard this, tears forming in her eyes. Slowly they spilled over, slipping down her cheeks softly as she began to cry. Behind her a man in a black cloak watched with sad brown eyes, wishing to speak to her.
    He neared her slowly, reaching out to touch her shoulder to get her attention only to fail as she turned, running off with her head in her hands, crying. The man watched, pain in his eyes. He wished to tell her to not worry, to be safe and happy, to know Rin still lived and would see her once more. But that, he feared, may never happen if he could not catch her alone to stay put to be told. Even then, he had his doubts she would believe him after seeing a badly charged, wrapped up body that everyone believed to be Rin.