Chaos of Elements

The Truth and Decision

*Flashback*

While the pack was resting, Rosalie then got up as curiosity led her to a gentle exploration. Aqua's ear twitched upon hearing her movements, leading her to join her in wherever she was heading.

The daylight melted into dusk as they strolled. Rosalie's eyes twinkled as she noticed something at a distance. "Did you see that flying little creature?" she mused, her smile playing on her mouth. Aqua's ears perked up at the mention of the winged being, remembering the conversation she had with Sparrow.

"Ah, you mean a butterfly."

Surprised by her knowledge, Rosalie gazed at her with admiration. "How did you, a water wolf, come to know the name of such a delicate creature?" she inquired, her curiosity piqued. They came to a gentle stop, and Aqua began to recount a tale of their past journey with the pack.

"Throughout our journey, there was this time when responsibility landed upon me and Sparrow. We needed a fresh supply of water to rejuvenate Yuna. Luckily, we stumbled upon a lake. That was when a curious itch of curiosity nudged me forward, sensing there was more to discover beyond the surface. So, I ventured ahead, unveiling something, a delicate view. It was then an ethereal creature alighted on my nose before flitting away. After seeing it flutter, my eyes fell upon a cluster of white buds, emitting a fragrance so enchanting it stirred my soul", she exhaled, remembering the scent.

"When we pressed on, I couldn't shake off the curiosity about the little flying creature, so I broached the subject with Sparrow. At first, he seemed surprised about my question, but he began to recount a story about a long-lost friend who had once corrected him for using the term "flying flower" and that it was called butterfly", she continued.

"I taught my white bud well", Rosalie chuckled, not knowing that it triggered that deep thought Aqua had hidden in the back of her mind. With thoughts weighing heavy, she finally gathered the courage to confront her. "Rose, can I ask you something?" Taken aback by the sudden request, she nodded gently, encouraging her to speak her mind.

In a timid voice, she stumbled over her words, "I couldn't help but overhear your conversation with Sparrow that night at Vizel... about the white buds. Was it true?"

Rose's expression shifted subtly at the mention of the white buds, her eyes betraying a hidden emotion. "What do you mean, Aqua?" she inquired, tilting her head slightly. Feeling her heart racing, she took a deep breath and blurted out, "When you mentioned wanting a few white buds...it wasn't just about flowers... right?"

The silence that followed felt like an eternity as she waited for Rosalie to respond. Finally, she met her gaze and replied quietly, "Yes..." Realization dawned on her, connecting the dots. She recalled the fleeting expression on Rose's face that night, a look of longing and hope that hadn't gone unnoticed.

Aqua managed a smile and replied, "That's great! I'm genuinely happy for you. I wish you and Sparrow all the happiness in the world." She felt her mouth wanting to tremble, but she controlled it and excused herself, leaving Rosalie behind.

A pair of eyes collected the scene.

*End Of Flashback*

Sparrow's words lingered in the air, heavy with unspoken truths. His gaze stared at the ground. "She wants a family with me," he repeated, his voice tinged with disbelief. Shadow could see the conflict painted across his face. The weight of his words was evident in his furrowed brow.

"The problem is, I only see her as my little sister. Nothing more," His voice cracked with raw honesty. Shadow could see the sadness in his eyes, reflecting his heart torn between duty and desire.

The bonds between Sparrow and Rosalie were unbreakable, forged through years of shared laughter and tears. But now, the lines between familial love and romantic desire seemed blurred, tangled like vines. It was a mystery, an enigma.

He was unsure of how to navigate this delicate balance yet his heart ached at the thought of hurting Rosalie, someone he cherished deeply, a precious gem in his otherwise chaotic world.

Now, his feelings once suppressed, now clamored for attention threatening to upend the equilibrium of their relationship. Her words echoed in his ears, causing a turmoil of thoughts and emotions to swirl within him.

But it wasn't just Rosalie who occupied his thoughts. No, there was Aqua, the other piece of this twisted puzzle. He remembered the look on her face when she mentioned the words of Rosalie, the pain and hurt that flickered was evident in her gaze. Excusing himself, Sparrow chose to be in solace as his mind was preoccupied enough.

Instead of finding a place to be alone, he found himself walking towards the edge of the meadow, the withered grass crunching beneath his paws. A figure laid huddled in the distance, the silhouette starched a contrast to the dying landscape. His breath caught in his throat as he approached the small form.

"Aqua?" he called softly, uncertainty lacing his voice. Her head snapped up. He noticed her eyes glistening in the dwindling light and she hastily wiped her face with delicate paws. Her voice was barely above a whisper, breaking the silence, "I didn't expect you to find me here."

His strong frame moved closer to her. "I just wanted to say... that... I overheard your conversation with Rosalie. You were right all along", he sighed. Feeling her eyes watering again, she quickly stood on her paws, which made Sparrow had a questioning look as his eyes searched, but her gaze looked somewhere else.

"Well, now you know the truth. So, congratulations. I wish you and her a wonderful life in the future", her voice filled his ears, noticing something was off. "Once this is over, I won't be a bother......I'm going to leave the pack. And all of us will go out separate ways..." Surprised to hear her response, he wondered why she was doing this to herself.

"Aqua. Why are you doing this? What has gone into you?"

"I'm grateful for this pack and I'm grateful that everyone looks out for each other, but I think I should depart when the time comes", her tone saddened.

"But why?"

"Please. I don't want to make this harder for you and me", the tremble in her voice was evident. As she walked away, he couldn't shake off the feeling of unease. There was more to her decision than she was letting on.