Trails of intertwined stars: Chapter 14

~Chapter 9: Lighthouse~

Zero shook the packet, watching as the dried noodles fell into the bowl; Ponyo watched, picking up her own packet and attempting the same.
"Ready? Careful, it's hot," Sebastian warned, pouring the kettle of hot water into the bowls.
Ponyo watched the water fill in the bowl, her hairs standing on end: the demon putting the lid on top of both bowls before walking back to the kitchen.
"It takes three minutes," Zero explained to the girl.
Ponyo turned to look back at the bowl, the child picked up the piece of noodle that had crumbled off and landed on the table. She gently put it in her mouth, biting down on it; grimacing at the crunch.
"Close your eyes," Sebastian stated, walking over.
Both shut their eyes, Sebastian set something down.
"No peeking!"
There was the noise of lids shutting.
"Okay, you can look now."

They both opened their eyes, Sebastian set his hand on the lids of each bowl.
"Anddddd...presto!"
He lifted the lids, revealing the bowls of noodles. Somehow an egg and two slices of ham had managed to form in the bowl. Ponyo squealed in excitement, jumping up and staring at the bowl.
"HAMM!" She yelled.
"Good for you, Ponyo," Zero smiled.
Ponyo grabbed a piece of ham with her hands, shoving it in her mouth. The girl yelled, bouncing up and down with the piece of ham in her mouth, desperately trying to cool it down.

Ponyo sleepily ate the noodles, the girl letting out a final groan before collapsing on the floor asleep.
"Ah-!?" Zero accidently dropped his chopsticks," Sebastian, Ponyo fell asleep-!"
Sebastian sighed, picking up the girl and laying her on the sofa, draping one of Claude's spare bed blankets over her.
"Ponyo must have come from far away," Zero mumbled.
"I guess so."
The two stood, going over to the window and peering out. The waves had calmed completely, yet the sea level had drastically rose, only a small bit of the road could be seen.
"The sea's calmed," Sebastian frowned.
"Is that because Ponyo's asleep?" Zero turned to Sebastian.
"Look over there," Sebastian gasped, a light flashed in the trees," It's moving. Someone's up there."
"People from the old home?"
Sebastian frowned, that was the light technique he'd taught his children. Which meant.
"It's gone?" Zero sighed.
"That's the peak road and I believe that's Hikari," Sebastian rushed over to the patio, pulling it open," Zero stay there with Ponyo."
Sebastian stood outside, assessing the road. He let out a sharp sigh.
"Maybe I could get through on the mountain road," He turned back to the house, Zero stared at him dejected.

"I'll go with you!" Zero yelled, as Sebastian pushed past him into the house.
"Stay here with Ponyo," Sebastian stated, firmly, grabbing a bag and some things from the fridge.
"I'm going too! Let's take Ponyo with us," Zero argued, Sebastian put the food down on the table for Zero and Ponyo; shoving a flashlight in his own bag," I'm going with you!"
Sebastian sighed, setting his hands on both of Zero's shoulders, getting down to his height.
"Zero, Claude's house is a lighthouse in the storm. It brings light and hope to those in the dark. So, someone has to stay here. Lots of things are happening that I don't understand. But right now, I'm worried about my child. Just knowing you and Ponyo are here will help me. Don't worry. I promise to come back."
"Promise?"
"I promise."
"You promised!"
Sebastian engulfed the entity in a hug, squeezing him slightly for reassurance.
"Here," Sebastian stood up, turning to a shelf.
Zero watched as Sebastian pulled out a captain's hat, putting it on the entity's head.
"You're in charge Zero."
The entity nodded softly, gripping onto the hat.

Sebastian drove in the car, pulling up by outside near where Zero stood at the patio. The demon smiled at him confidently, sticking up a thumbs up. Zero readjusted the captain hat, before sticking his own thumb up. Sebastian did a march on gesture with his fist, driving off. Zero's gaze followed the pink car, as it bounced down the sea filled, windy road. He watched as the headlights broke from the trees, until it could no longer be seen. He sighed, closing the patio door shut and returning to the sofa; wear Ponyo gently snored. The entity sat at the foot of the sofa, staring at the floor glumly. He was the captain now.