Engraved in Flesh

The Ocean at Night

Aru was concerned. She was on her way to Xena's house so that she could stay the night when she heard the news. Some creature had appeared on the beach and had scurried away somewhere. People murmured that it was probably five or six times the height of the average man. Whether this was true or not, it terrified Aru. A part of her wanted to go back and check on her mother. Having her husband and son go to war for a month now was already straining her mother, but having to worry about her daughter being attacked by a giant beast was going to break her. Aru ran back home and reached out to open the door. As she put her hand on the knob, however, she froze when she heard talking.

"I just want her to be happy."

"Ji-a, do you really think sending Aru out everyday will make her truly happy?"

Aru couldn't bring herself to open the door. She stood in silence as the voices of her mother and aunt spoke freely, believing she had already left.

"Min-seo, I know my daughter. Ever since her brother and father left for war, she's become vacant from everyone's lives."

"And what about you? They may have been her brother and father, but they're your husband and son."

"I'll be okay, I have you and Aru. But Aru, how do I put it? She feels as if she has nobody, I know this. She's doing everything she can around the house to keep herself from breaking even more. She's in a depression, and I'm scared for her. Going out to spend time outside and with her friends is exactly what she needs."

Aru's hand fell to her side as she let out a soft side. She couldn't go back home, not now. Giving her house one last glance, she went off to Xena's house in silence. Had she really fallen into a depression without realizing it? She had been so busy around the house that she didn't stop to ask herself why she made herself so busy. She didn't realize that she was scared to be hopeless at a time like this. When was the last time that she went on and on about her soulmate? When was the last time she willingly went outside to greet people and shop at the markets and stores?

When was the last time she smiled or laughed?

Before she knew it, she was in Xena's yard and climbing up the steps of her front porch. Trying so hard to contain herself, Aru knocked on the front door. It was a very faint knock, but she knew that Xena would have heard it. When Xena opened the door, she gasped at Aru.

"Aru, what's wrong?"

Aru seemed confused at the question. That's when a cool breeze blew, making her face colder than what it should have been. She gently touched her face, eyes widening when she realized that she had streaks of tears on her face. Had she been crying this whole time?

"Oh, come in before you get sick. Let's clean you up."

Aru numbly followed Xena indoors and allowed her to sit her down on the sofa. Aru quietly explained everything she heard to Xena, who listened quietly and patiently. When Aru was done, Xena gave her a minute to collect herself.

"She's right Aru. You've gotten more gloomy."

Xena watched as Aru's eyes focused on the ground. Her friend really hadn't been herself lately, not that it was her fault. Deciding to put a smile on her friends face, Xena stood up and pulled Aru to her feet.

"Alright then, the sun is setting and we haven't a moment to lose. Get dressed for the occasion."

"Occasion?"

"We're going to go pick sea shells with the stars as our guide."

"But we haven't done such a thing since we were children!"

"Exactly."

The sun was nearly gone when the two girls ran out the back door and out the gate towards the beach, a bucket for each girl. They waited for the moon and the stars to shine before beginning their search. Aru made it her goal to get more than Xena, despite Xena having the upper hand. The two became extremely competitive, trying to sabotage each other's buckets whilst trying to lead each other away from possible finds. Their time outside felt like minutes had passed by, despite the the moon moving across the sky through the hours. The moon had reached midsky when the girls decided to search a few more minutes before heading back to the house.

Aru wandered over to a small and secluded area near big rocks. Xena dared to enter the water, something Aru refused to do at night. Rolling her eyes, she careful climbed to the top of a big boulder, careful to not slip and hurt herself. That's when she saw a lump on the sand. Curiosity filled her as she made her way done and towards the lump. The closer she got, the more the lump began to take shape. When she was close enough, she let out an audible gasp. It was a young man around her age.

Quickly getting on her knees, she rolled him around and looked for a pulse. Relief fell over her when she found one, but other concerns filled her as she examined the unconscious person. He was extremely cold. How long had he been out by the water? How did he get there. Deciding that she needed to help, Aru took a deep breath before hoisting herself up with the guy's arm around her shoulder. Using her free hand to hold both the bucket and the guy up, she carefully made her way back over the rock and to the other side of the beach.

"Xena! Help! I've found somebody washed ashore!"

When Xena arrived to her aide, she helped her carry the guy back home. After situating him on the guest bed, they took the time to get a good look at him. Seeing his military uniform, Xena quickly grabbed the pistol her father kept nearby and pulled Aru back. The two made their way downstairs, Xena refusing to let go of their only defense.

He had a Japanese military uniform on.