I heard another pair of footsteps walk into the room, and they came closer to us. The guy holding me turned us around slowly and I saw a tall man with pure white hair, it reminded me of snow. His eyes were a darker shade of grey than the one holding me, and he wore a delighted smile across his face.

"Wonderful view is it not?" The man said.

Overlooking the fact my throat ached I asked him,

"Where am I..."

He walked right up to us and said,

"You are home, my child..."

"Home..." I mouthed.

I looked up at the man holding me and then back at the other.

"Yes, home..." He said then moved in with his arms wide open to hug me.

The man holding me put me down so I could receive a hug from the other mysterious man. I was a bit puzzled as I tried to piece everything together. Hugging a man who seemed so thrilled to see me and being held by another who made my heart flutter. I could not understand any of it. Normally a person in a situation such as this would be scared and panicked, but I just felt calm overall. A warm feeling that you only feel when you've found the place you belong. 

An awkward smile spread across my lips I looked at the man in front of me as he returned my smile. Reaching for my throat I coughed a bit and tried to clear it from the large lump that had grown in it. Slightly leaning on the younger man I looked up at him, 

"My throat is really dry...can I have a drink, please?"

The older gentleman's eyes softened, and he looked over toward the younger man as he reached for me,

"Zen, could you please pour her a drink? Come, Contessa, we can sit over there."

I watched Zen walk over to a table that had a pitcher and a few glasses on it. His name rang in my head. As if I were a young schoolgirl hearing the name of her crush uttered into her ear. Cheeks flushed, I watched as he picked up a glass and turned it over to pour my drink. He held my attention for a while as I stared holes into different parts of his body. Studying every inch of him as he stood there, my mind wandered, trying to figure out why I was so drawn to him. In the distance, I could hear the voice of the elder gentleman speaking of how happy he was to see me, but my mind wasn't focused on anything. A muffled humming, as if time had slowed down and all my attention was on Zen. Our eyes met as he turned his head slightly, his warm smile sent a ray of heat through me. My face felt hot as I averted my eyes and looked to the other gentleman who sat in the chair opposite me and chuckled a bit. If Zen catching me staring at him wasn't awkward enough, the other gentleman noticing that I wasn't paying attention made it even worse.

"Would you like to speak with Zen alone? I can always come back another time."

I cleared my throat a bit and looked out the window. Part of me was hoping that they couldn't see my reflection and the other thought about how beautiful Zen looked.

"No, It's okay."

The view was breathtaking, looking out into the horizon, everything seemed to go on forever. I swear I could have sat there and stared at it for days in awe of it. Daydreaming endlessly of all the adventures there were to have in such a beautiful city. I looked up at the gentleman who helped me and tried to give a genuine smile, but all I could do was a half-crooked grin and a nervous chuckle. My throat still hurt, but I couldn't sit in silence while they endlessly chatted away. Plus I had so many questions I needed answered. 

"So, his name is Zen, but what might your name be?"

With a smile on his lips, he sat back in his chair.

"My name is Zori."

His eyes were as beautiful and mesmerizing as Zen's. Yet Zori's eyes held something more in them. Not just years of wisdom, but a sea of sorrow with a splash of hope. As if my presence made up for a mountain of sins. I could see the spark of a new fire glowing in his eyes and bringing him back to life.

"Zori... that beautiful. Are all the names here so beautiful?"

"No, there are a few that make many of us wonder."

"I guess it's the same wherever you go."

Zen chuckled as he walked over to me.

"I happen to think your name is beautiful. More precious than any other on Nami."

I blushed as I looked back out of the window and stared at the forest on the horizon. Its blue and purple leaves dance gently in the breeze. I held my head and closed my eyes. It was as if my mind wanted to remember something, yet nothing came to me. They were just familiar strangers to me. Logically I should be terrified of my situation, but my body just didn't react with fear. This man knew my name; they both did. A dull pain crept over me, and for a brief moment, my thoughts became clouded as I tried to remember where I knew them from. Opening my eyes I saw the blue fireballs that captured my gaze once before. I remembered Zen said they could unlock memories. Maybe those creatures could help me remember what I had forgotten, but at what cost, I wondered. My hand touched the glass of the window and I watched as the streets closer to the mansion buzzed with life.

"Jusye..." I whispered.

Zen handed me a glass with a strange liquid inside it.

" We are on planet Nami. This is your hometown, Jusye. Don't you remember?"

A little hesitant I looked at the drink and then at Zen. A bright orange liquid looked back at me as I held the cup up in front of me. I took a sip and the cool sensation felt like heaven. I smiled up at Zen and his cheeks flushed.

Zori chuckled at us. He cleared his throat and looked at Zen.

"Zen, we have plenty of time to discuss these matters. Let us all just enjoy this precious reunion."

He sat in the seat opposite me, and Zen stood beside my chair as they watched me inspect the cup and the last drop of liquid. I looked up and realized how weird I must have looked to them and put the cup down in my lap then cleared my throat. The pain had all but vanished making it easier to talk. 

"What did you mean by precious reunion? Have we met before?"

"It's a bit complicated to explain, once you have gained your strength, we will talk more about it."

"It's just the last thing I remember is me sitting in my office crying because Alex wouldn't pick up the phone."

Zen stepped forward and kneeled beside me. His eyes were blank as he stared at me and asked,

"You mentioned this name before. Who is Alex?"

I looked up at him and for a brief moment hesitated with my answer. I could feel the tears wanting to come out, but I fought them back. It wasn't like I had any confirmation that things were over between Alex and me, but what else could be the reason for him being so distant? Captivated by Zen as he stared at me I thought about how it might have been having him be my lover instead of Alex. So attentive and caring, but Alex was my boyfriend, not Zen. Or could I still call him my partner? How else could I describe him, we hadn't ended it officially. I sighed as I let the tears roll down my cheeks. 

"Alex...is my boyfriend."

Averting my eyes from Zen and down at the cup in my lap for a moment then back at him to force a smile.

Zen's face went red, and his fist clenched at his side as he inhaled slowly. I glanced over at Zori who was looking at Zen sympathetically.

"Were you intimate with him?" Zen asked.

My face flushed red as I hung my head so as not to meet his gaze. Maybe that was the reason Alex had distanced himself. But was our relationship only of the physical benefits? Plus how could Zen ask such a question so easily? Peeking up at him I exhaled slowly and then said,   

"I don't see how that is any of your business."

Zen walked over to Zori and looked down at him. His fist was shaking and he looked as if he were struggling with something.

"General, I ask permission to excuse myself as of right now."

Zori looked at him and sighed heavily. He waved his hand gently towards the door and Zen left as quickly as his feet could walk.

I looked at Zori after watching Zen storm out of the room and he was frowning as if he knew that what took place would happen.

"Did I say something to upset him?"

With a wary smile on his face as he scratched his head, he nodded.

"Well, maybe in a sense."

My brows knitted as I looked back at the door.

"I didn't mean to offend anyone, but that question was a bit personal."

Zori placed a hand on my leg to get my attention.

"It is no fault of yours, mind you, but please let us keep the relations you've had while on Earth private from now on."

My face felt hot as I held my head down and rolled my eyes a bit.

"But he asked a rather rude question. Did he expect me to answer that?"

"Well, I cannot blame him for being upset, he is, after all, your future husband. What they call a fiancée back on earth?"

I nearly dropped the cup in my hand as  I was ready to leap forward out of my seat

"My fiancée, how could that be we've only just met!"

"I was hoping to ease this on you, but it seems I have no choice now; let me explain from the beginning."

I sat back in my chair and sighed.

"Okay..."

He sat and looked out the window and for a moment it looked as if his eyes were asking for something. His gaze turned back towards me, and he exhaled slowly.

"Then let me begin with this...you have been missing for thirteen years now."