The Castle in the Sky

Chapter 5

The sun shone brightly through the window of Pazu's house. The sun hit Pazu's closed eyes, causing him to stir.

He yawned and rolled over on the blanket he slept on, on the floor. A book, and an estingued candle next to him. He rubbed his bleary eyes against the sunlight. He sat up on his side and looked at the girl- who laid his bed.

Still sound asleep, the girl slept peacefully her mouth slightly parted, swaddled beneath Pazu's blue blanket.

With his yellow hat at a tilt, Pazu smiled to himself as he hauled himself to his feet and walked to the ladder in the center of the small room. The ladder led to the roof, and soon, Pazu was on top of it.

Pazu's house was quite small, attached to a slightly bigger silo. Little bricks stuck out on the side of the silo, somewhat resembling a staircase to the top.

Pazu stretched his arms high above his head as he pulled out his trumpet. He opened a hatch in the silo, and let the doves inside, fly free. He watched dreamily wishing he were with them as they flew a ways away, then into the bright blue sky. Pazu closed the hatch then used the brick staircase to the top of the silo. The light wind ruffled his hair as he side stepped to the edge of the silo. Pazu wet his lips and began to play.

The doves continued to glide through the air as Pazu played a version of "Bugle Boy." He hit every note perfectly, his lips flowing on every note.

It was a glorious sight, really. Looking down at the small town from atop the hill where Pazu's house sat.

The sunlight shone brighter than ever hitting Sheeta's face with a brilliant glow. She stirred, groaning a bit before slowly blinking open her tired eyes. She looked around, realizing she wasn't dead. Her eyes shot open on full alert taking in her strange new surroundings.

Sheeta sat up in the bed she had found herself in, continuing to look around, confused. There was a bed, a table and two chairs and a stove, all in the one small room, a ladder in the center of it leading up and down.

Sheeta could hear the sound of a trumpet coming from above her and became curious. This little house did not seem to be a threat, so she slipped out of bed and walked to the ladder.

She tilted her head up and squinted at the sunlight pouring in from above.

Slowly, Sheeta climbed her way up the ladder, poking her head out of the hatch.

She looked to the East, and was startled to see twelve doves fluttering straight toward her.

Sheeta shrieked and ducked her head back down, waiting until the doves passed over her. Once they did, Sheeta lifted her head once more, nearly jumping out of her skin at the sound of a boy's voice.

"Hello!" A boy with brown hair and dark chocolate eyes said. "'Bout time you got up."

He laughed as the doves landed on him, tickling him with their soft feathers.

Sheeta slowly brought herself out of the hatch, laughing along with him.

"How are you feeling?" Pazu asked her as Sheeta brings herself to her feet. He ran down the steps of the silo, rushing to meet Sheeta. He grasped her hand and shook it.

"Hi, there. I'm Pazu, nice to see you're up, you had me worried there." Pazu takes the bottom of Sheeta's hand and gently puts a pile of bird seed in her palm. Sensing his own palms beading with sweat, he quickly let go, his cheeks burning a little.

"Uh," Pazu stammered. "Go ahead, feed 'em, don't be shy."

Sheeta laughed as the doves dove for her hand, flapping and chirping madly.

"These guys are really happy we have a visitor." Pazu said as Sheeta continues to laugh.

"Thank goodness." Pazu breathed, pulling out his own handful of bird seed. "You laugh like a real person. The way you fell from the sky- I thought that you were an angel or something."

"Thank you so much for saving me." Sheeta said gratefully, then realizing she never actually said her name, adds, "Oh, I'm sorry my name is Sheeta."

"Sheeta." Pazu echoed softly, liking the way her name rolled off his tongue. "What a beautiful name." He paused a moment before realizing how embarrassing that sounded. Clearing his throat he said, "Yeah, I had to catch you, you were just floating."

Sheeta's eyes widened. "Floating?" She looked down at the little town. Pondering it over. "I remember an airship." Sheeta said softly, her mind somewhere else. "But I can't remember anything else."

"That's really all you remember?"

Sheeta nodded. "I'm not sure how I survived." She almost looked worried for a second, but it disappears just as quick as it came.

"Well," Pazu said, throwing the rest of the bird seed to the ground, taking the doves with it. "I'm not so sure about that. Can I see your necklace?"
Sheeta held the pendant in her palm. "This?"

Pazu nodded. She was hesitant at first, but seeing his beautiful brown eyes, and the way he saved her.... She has the feeling she could trust him.

Sheeta took off her necklace and gently dropped it into his palm. "My grandmother gave it to me." Sheeta said. "It's been in my family for generations."

"Wow." Pazu awes, handling the pendant more gently. "It's beautiful. Here." Pazu held out his trumpet. "Would you hold this?"

Sheeta nodded and took hold of the trumpet.

Pazu lifted the necklace to his neck and struggled to get it clasped. Sheeta smiled and came up behind him, clasping it.

"Oh!" Pazu said, blushing. "Thanks." He flashes her a pearly toothed grin, before walking to the edge of the roof.

"Get a load of this!" He said. "Watch! Here I go!" With a bounce of his heels, Pazu jumped off the roof.