Elements United

-Chapter 21-

The next morning, the three of us were in the throne room, per Meku's request.
"I wonder what your father wants," Tori said with a sigh. "I mean, I don't mind if he has something important to tell us, but we still have an ocean and a continent to cross, and a dragon to kill."
I nodded in agreement. "I hear you, Tori, but Meku has a good reason to hold us up. I don't know what it is, but it has to be important."
Sakura sighed. "Yuki has a point. My father wouldn't just hold us up for no reason."
"Okay. I'll trust you two on this. Just be warned, though. If this is some type of set-up, I won't be afraid to action."
I was about to respond to her, but Meku walked into the the throne room. "Sorry to keep you waiting. I had to get a few final things finalized and set. Anyways, the reason that I called you three here is for a very simple reason. I just wanted to tell you that your ship has been moved to the port in Aita Field. I also wanted to ask if you three wanted me to accompany you to the pory."
Sakura nodded. "Of course you can come with us, Father. I doubt Yuki and Tori won't mind, right?" she said, quickly glancing between me and Tori.
Tori and I almost immediately nodded.
"Of course we don't mind if you come with us," Tori said.
"Great," Meku said with a smile. "In that case, let's head out to port. We have no time to waste. The whole world is basically counting on you to stop Moeru from taking over."
We then looked at each other, and nodded. "Right."
With that, we made our way to the port.

The trip to the port wasn't too long, taking three hours at most. Just as Meku had said, our ship was waiting for us in the port.
"So, is our crew also waiting for us?" I asked as we hopped out of the carriage.
Meku nodded. "Of course. What good is a ship without its crew?"
"...point taken," I said with a nod.
"Anyways," Sakura said with a sigh, "It's probably time we head out."
Meku nodded, and slightly hesitated before drawing Sakura in for a hug. "Of course. Just...promise me you'll return safe, okay? I...I don't want to think about losing you."
Sakura looked up at Meku and nodded. "Of course, Father. You know I won't let Moeru kill me. I'm too smart and strong for him."
Meku nodded. "Of course you are. I hope to see you return in about a month or so."
Sakura nodded, breaking away from Meku. "Right."
I looked at Sakura. "Let's get going, shall we?"
She nodded. "Of course. Are you ready, Tori?"
Tori nodded. "You'd better bet I'm ready."
I slightly chuckled. "Then what are we waiting for? Let's get on our ship."
With a nod, we made our way to the ship.

===

About two hours later, the last bits of Shimo were fading over the horizon.
"Well, there it goes again," Sakura said as she stood next to me.
I nodded. "Yeah. I never thought I'd be leaving Shimo, heck much less leaving it twice within a three month period or so."
"I neverthought I'd leave Kaze at all by my self," Tori said, walking up behind us.
"I get what you mean," Sakura said with a nod. "I mean, I've been to Hibana plenty of times, but all of them have been with my father."
I looked at Sakura. "Wait. You've been to Hibana before?"
Sakura nodded. "Of course I have. I mean, Meku is the Captain's Guard, so basically wherever Leo, or Moeru, went, Meku went. And since I'm his daughter, I go with him."
"...I can't say that's ever crossed my mind before," I mumbled under my breath. "Though I do suppose that it makes sense."
Tori sighed. "Well, with Sora being the way she is, I've never left Kaze. She always thought that I would get kidnapped or killed, or some other weird thing. I was honestly surprised that she let me leave with the two of you, but I guess it makes sense."
"Wow, I never realized how much of a sheltered life I lived as a dragon."
Tori slightly chuckled. "Yeah. I know what you mean. Heck, up until five years ago, my mother wouldn't even let me leave the house!"
Sakura raised an eyebrow. "...and to think that I thought that I lived a sheltered life."
Tori and I almost immediately burst into laughter.
"Oh my gods, that's so funny," Tori said between snickers.
I nodded. "Yeah. You can totally say that again."
Sakura then slightly growled, causing both of us to stop laughing in an instant. "It's not funny!"
"Okay, okay," I said, putting my hands in the air. "I get it. I'll stop now."
"Good," she said, crossing her arms. "I hope you understand as well, Tori," she said, shooting a glance at her.
Tori nodded. "Of course, Sakura. I get it. I won't cause any more trouble, and neither will Yuki."
Sakura nodded. "Good. Now, with that out of the way, I think it's about time we start developing a strategy."
"...a strategy? Why do we need a strategy?"
Tori sighed. "Yuki, do you really want to rush into the fight with Moeru, and have no idea what you're doing?"
"...I suppose not," I said, catching her drift.
Sakura nodded. "My point exactly. Now, I haven't memorized the layout of Castle Yugo, but I'm pretty darn familiar with it."
"Castle Yugo...I assume that's the castle in the capital of...wait. What kingdom is this in?"
Sakura sighed. "The only kingdom in Hibana. Jigoku. Castle Yugo is located in the capital, Mogasu."
"I see," I said with a nod. "Well, since you know so much about Castle Yugo, you should lead us in making a plan," I suggested.
Sakura nodded. "That's exactly what I was going to do, Yuki."
And with that, we started devising a plan.