Chapter Text
Youko heard the dolphins chirping from the inside of her cave. She rubbed at her eyes, yawning, turning the other direction. "Five more minutes..." She mumbled into her sea sponge pillow, pulling it on top of her head. The dolphins chirped louder and she sat up abruptly. "Alright, alright, I'm coming," she sighed, her eyelids felt heavy with sleep. She grabbed her light blue coral comb, quickly working out the knots in her hair. She swam out of the healer's cave to meet the dolphins.
The dolphin looked at her, chirping as if ordering her to listen. She nodded in response, gesturing for the creature to continue. Your parents would like for you to meet them at the Sharing Circle as soon as possible. They have some important news for you. The dolphin communicated telepathically to her.
"And what of the injured? I am busy tending to those with serious wounds."
They gave me strict instructions to make sure you receive this message. You must be there as soon as possible, you may return to your duties once you have discussed the matter in question with your parents. I cannot give you any more information than that, I am simply the messenger.
She sighed in exasperation. Her parents were always vague when it came to discussions, something that bothered her deeply. She counted to ten in her head as she left a note on the outside of her cave to alert her patients that she would return shortly. She grabbed the fin of the dolphin and they swam away briskly, leaving bubbles in their wake.
There were many people at the Sharing Circle. Usually, it was a place to share information about neighboring cities or about the village itself. However, there was no sign of the local villagers. The Elders were present, including her parents, and they were arguing in hushed tones. Youko released her grip on the dolphin, thanking it mentally before it swam away. It seemed as though no one noticed her arrival and so she cleared her throat. They straightened up and turned to face her immediately, grim looks on their faces. "Ryouko...We've been waiting for you," Elder Hisani greeted.
She looked back and forth between the Elders and her parents. "What's going on? Why does everyone look as though we're about to go to war?" She twisted a finger around her cerulean hair nervously, failing to appear expressionless and nonchalant. There were awkward sounds of throat clearing before she spoke again. "Why must we go to war? Haven't many people suffered and died already?" Her voice cracked, heavy with emotion. She had seen many injured people in her healing cave and she had also seen death.
"That's precisely why we have gathered today. Too many people have died. Many families have suffered from the casualties, which is why we need you, Ishikawa Ryouko," Elder Hisani spoke again.
Her eyes widened in surprise. "Me? Why do you need me? What could I possibly do? I am a healer."
"Exactly. The young Crown Prince of Aquitas is seeking your hand in marriage. We believe that this union would benefit not only Aquitas but the Guardian's Sea as well. This could stop the war that is to come. Peace could be upon us. I know that this is a lot to take in, but please consider it for the good of the Guardian's Sea."
She felt as though her head was spinning, her heartbeat was pounding in her ears. She staggered back and she asked in a small voice, "You want me to marry that heartless Akira?"
The Elders' expressions hardened and Elder Adelaide was the first to speak up after what seemed to be a long moment of silence. "You must. The security of the Guardian's Sea depends on it."
She shook her head, "And what of Nami? Surely he would like to have another healer. As much as I hate to admit it, she always was the better healer." She looked at her parents and they simply had stoic expressions, which frustrated her greatly.
"The King of Aquitas has made up his mind. He wants you for his son and their nation. You not only have the ability to heal, but you have those offensive skills that you so despise. You can stop the current battles and prevent a war. Nami will oversee your patients. This is bigger than what you desire. The fate of the Guardian's Sea rests in your hands. It doesn't please us to send you to such a person to marry, but one sacrifice is better than all of our people," she said firmly.
Youko scoffed and shook her head in disbelief. "I can't believe this...I need to go. I have patients to care for." She turned to swim away despite their calls. She didn't head back to her home. She simply continued swimming, she didn't know what her destination was, but she knew that it would be better than home.