Here's chapter two for you. Please be aware that Japanese is not my native language, so if anyone feels I used a term incorrectly or should've used something else, please let me know so I can go fix it. General feedback is always appreciated as well.
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Chapter II
To be honest, it was a rather nice day outside. The sea breeze felt soothing as it played with my hair in the afternoon sun. Sunlight glistened on the endless expanse of ocean below, while people relaxed on the deck. Children laughed and played with one another, while their guardians watched on with smiles on their faces. This jubilance seemed to infect everyone on board the ship. As I made my way across the starboard side and to my cabin, I spied people tanning themselves on beach chairs and children playing tag with each other.
For all intents and purposes, the
Aurora Night was a huge ship. At least several times a year, it would carry thousands of passengers across the Pacific to their destination. This trip was no different in that regard; granted, I as well as another was on a return trip to San Francisco, and even now, the ship remained packed to capacity. This was one of the few cruise ships today that still operated in the Pacific; in all of my travels on board, we would often make stops in places such as Hawaii, Japan, China, South Korea, and various other islands and nations within the Pacific Rim.
So,*why didn't I just fly? Well... I wasn't a fan of flying. The last time I tried flying to Tokyo, I had a near fatal asthma attack brought on by my claustrophobia. The plane didn't even get off the ground before I had to be rushed to the emergency room. It wasn't exactly what I would call a pleasant experience.
I wasn't a fan of boats, either, but the company at least is much better. Not to mention summer time was the only time I could spend with my relatives in Japan. To be honest, I used to take my visits there for granted. This year was different. This year... I sought my grandmother's assistance regarding a secret almost never spoken of in the family...
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"Concentrate."
I squeezed my eyes shut as I tried to focus. In my mind's eye, I envisioned the cinderblock in front of me beginning to levitate off the dusty floor. I held out my hand, trying to maintain some measure of control. As I heard the sound of concrete scraping against concrete, I became fearful and apprehensive. I felt a hand touch my shoulder.
"Yes, that's right."
"Obaasan...."
I struggled to maintain my concentration. My head began to pound as I began to feel beads of sweat trickle down my face.
"You are doing well, Mireiyu-chan. Now... open your eyes."
I slowly did as I was told, and looked on in shock at the cinderblock. It hovered roughly a foot in the air above her garage floor.
"Don't stop. I want you to keep holding there." My head felt like it was about to explode. I didn't know how much longer I could maintain this as I felt my concentration beginning to waver. I watched as the cinderblock began to dip and waver toward the floor in response.
"Obaasan... I can't... hold it much longer...."
"Keep holding it...."
"It hurts...."
Unable to ignore my growing migraine any longer, I held my head in my hands and heard the sound of the cinderblock come crashing down onto the pavement. I collapsed onto my knees as I was overcome with exhaustion. My grandmother patted me on the shoulder. I nearly cried at that moment.
"You did well, Mireiyu-chan. I am quite impressed with your effort."
"I did not do well," I said angrily, "I couldn't even maintain it for very long!"
"Do not berate yourself. Not even our ancestors could completely control their portion of the gift at first."
"Obaasan... you don't understand. I need to learn how to control this power! I have to learn... I...."
I found myself unable to speak as a tide of emotion swept over me. I felt terrified of this power. Truly, I did not want to have a repeat of the unfortunate events that lead to my parents being comatose. There were only two options- either attempt to learn how to control it... or find a way to rid myself of it.
"Mireiyu-chan, you cannot expect to master anything in a single night. Even a kitten must first learn to crawl before it can become a deadly hunter."
"Obaasan...."
"You cannot hope to maintain any sort of control when you let your emotions rule you like this. I understand that you are afraid of this power; I also understand what you are trying to do. It is never easy to confront something so painful. For that, I believe your heart is in the right place..."
At this point, I didn't know what to say. She was right. She was totally right. I absorbed everything she said with a mind numbing clarity. At that moment, I finally took the blinders of emotion off and saw this situation for the ridiculous scene it was.
"You are right, Obaasan," I began, "I am forgetting myself...."
"The power you possess is a dangerous one. Master yourself and you will master your power."
She helped me up off the ground.
"Let's stop here for the now. We will continue again later." I felt a smile creep up onto my face as I wiped the tears away and made my way out of the garage.
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I opened the door to my cabin as the memory of that visit remained fresh on my mind. Out of everything she taught me in regards to my "gift", that had to be the most important lesson she imparted to me. In the summer that I had spend with my family in Osaka, I attempted to practice that same level of self-control that she had advertised as much as possible.
My concerns, however, remained.
As I walked closer to my bed, I began to feel dizzy. That strange feeling I had been experiencing since my awakening in sick bay gripped me with such force that I nearly collapsed onto the floor. At that moment, I caught a small glimpse of what it was. It was power unlike anything I had ever felt before. It was barely noticeable, but seemed to become ever so slightly stronger. I could feel it in every part of my body- in my heart, in my arms, my legs...my soul. I squeezed my eyes shut as I tried to drown out the alien sensations flowing within me.
Moments later, the episode ended. That strange power receded from all awareness as I collapsed onto my knees. I felt drained and weakened as sweat dripped down my face. The enigmatic sensation became as it was- an eerie resonance that continued to pulsate endlessly. Regaining my footing I glanced up at the mirror to my left.
Long black hair trailed down my back as green eyes stared ever fearfully back at me. My green tank top, drenched in sweat, clung to my lightly tanned skin. I watched as stray droplets of sweat trailed down my flat nose. As I continued to look back at my reflection, only one thought crossed my mind.
What was happening to me?