Author's Note: Been awhile, huh? Finally got it updated.

Chapter 6 isn't as good as I'd hoped it would be, but I hope you enjoy it. I have some good ideas for 7.

Chapter 6: A Glimpse into the Past

"It's time for me to get out of here."

Nami sat in a small room engulfed by darkness. The light of the moon struggled to find a way in, its feeble light beating on the broken glass on the floor.

She sat across from the window, a few rocks beside her. She picked up another one, her fingers caressing its rough surface before launching it into another window. The shards of glass reflected the light as they feel, gaining, for a split second, the appearance of beautiful crystals.

Yet they flew past the ray of light and into the darkness, losing their sudden beauty and succumbing to the power of the night.

That was her farewell.

Nami picked up a small blue bag and slung it over her shoulder. She bolted out of the room, the glass unable to pierce her boots.

She ran into the night, leaving her home behind. The stars grinned down at her, pointing her towards the docks. Always trusting the heavens, Nami followed their lead.

Luck was on her side tonight. A small boat was left unattended at the dock.

"Thank you," she whispered, smiling at the sky.

The moon smiled back at her, and she hopped into the boat. She looked back at her town for a moment, reliving her past in the blink of an eye.

"This is right," she whispered.

She grasped the oars as if they were her lifelines and began to row away, the water splashing lazily against the boat.

The water always made everything peaceful. Even during her most desperate hour, it helped her to feel at peace, to be one with herself.

The moon was right above her, casting its light upon her, allowing her to row inside of its reflection. She rowed within a pool of pure light until she finally hit land.

Arni…

Nikki sat beside Miki on the beach. She rested her head on his shoulder as his fingers caressed her hair. The cool ocean breeze drew them closer together as it slowly engulfed them.

"Nikki," she whispered, her hands gripping around his arm, her sarong wrapped around her legs, "Please tell me you're not really leaving…"

Nikki gazed into her eyes, his hand leaving her hair and resting on her cheek.

"Miki, I can't stay here," he said, "I need to get out there. I have a talent that I need to share with the world. I can't…I can't be confined, Miki…"

Miki pulled her towel over her red bikini top and buried her head into his shoulder.

"Not even for me?" she asked, tears trickling down her cheek and onto Nikki's hand, "You can't stay for me?"

Nikki pulled her into an embrace and kissed her hair. It felt as soft as a feather.

"Come with me…"

Miki looked up at her, her eyes watery and glossy.

"Come…with you?" she asked.

"Yes, come with me."

"I…I can't…"

She pushed herself away from him, sitting on her knees and staring into his eyes.

"Nikki, there are no guarantees. I can't leave now. I'm not ready."

"So you won't let me leave, yet you won't come."

"Nikki, you should stay, too."

"No, Miki!"

Nikki stood, covered in sand.

"I'm not going to give up my dream because you're not willing to pursue yours. If I don't leave now, I never will."

"Nikki, you're making the wrong cho-"

"What the Hell do you know!"

Nikki stormed off, leaving Miki alone.

That was the last time they saw each other for four years. The next morning, Nikki set off, not even giving her a last goodbye.

It wasn't until recently that Miki made her way onto the ship and into the Magical Dreamers, where she and Nikki saw each other for the first time in a while.

And they realized how stupid that argument had been, and they dismissed it without a second thought.

But nowadays, Nikki couldn't help but wonder.

Was Miki right? Was this all a mistake? After all, being indebted wasn't his plan.

But could Nami also be right? Was this just one of the obstacles he'd need to overcome before receiving everything he desired?

Which one was right?

The morning sun set the Zelbess on course to Marbule. The early birds crowded on deck, while the others stayed in their rooms.

Nikki roamed around on the deck, guitar in hand, strumming the notes the elder had hummed the night before. He hadn't stopped all night, and he could already feel his fingers aching.

But he refused to stop.

He spotted Nami in the same place as the previous night. She wasn't writing this time, but she was staring at the water.

"I wonder…" Nikki murmured.

He walked over to her, strumming a few chords behind her back.

"Still not willing to join?" he asked.

She looked back at him, a sly smile on her face.

"Sorry, Nikki, you can't sway me that easily," she answered, laughing, "but don't think I'm just going to sit here and watch."

Nikki stopped, a little surprised by her last sentence.

"Excuse me?" he asked.

"Oh, nothing," she answered, a mysterious glint in her eyes, "I was just thinking out loud…"

Nikki gave her a weird look before returning to his room. He laid his guitar on the bed and looked into the mirror again.

I'm almost there, he thought, Just gotta keep my cool. I'll pull it off.