The Generation Series: REBIRTH

Hours later, Robbie and Sakura stood in front of the international airport in line at the Japanese airline baggage line; the boys had to travel on foot. The congested airport had them standing in a long line of other travelers. A few exhausted minors play video games on their handheld consoles while their parents haul around massive suitcases. The many scents of expensive to cheap perfumes engulfed the air and assaulted Robbie's nose. The chaos reminded Sakura too much of her high school years. The two dropped off their luggage at the desk and then waited in the following line to pass through the checkpoint. A male security guard stood behind a shielded desk. He gestured to a device, asking them to scan their thumbs first. They temporarily handed the man their passports and other forms of identification.

The security guard kept ajar their passports, squinting as he inspected their identification. 

"Are you visiting Japan for business or pleasure?"

Robbie asked, "Is there a third option?"

Sakura chuckled, nudging Robbie in the arm, dismissing his laughable response. 

She answered, "Ya, we're goin' for a bit of enjoyment. We have."

"You seem pretty confident here. How do you know how to do all this?" Robbie asked.

Sakura glared at Robbie, concerned he had forgotten she flew to America from Ireland. 

"Are ya serious?"

"Oh, right?"

Speaking to the security guard, Sakura stuck her thumb out to point at Robbie. 

"Early onset dementia, this one."

"Okay, enough with the old man's jokes. I'm not there yet."

The security guard ignored them and diligently studied Sakura's passport.

"Where will you be staying?"

Lifting their eyebrows, the two gazed at the guard in silence. Robbie angled his head to face his daughter, rubbing his head. He expected her to respond for him. She reached for her phone and texted Athen the same question. He replied almost immediately.

Sakura answered, "The Shimane prefecture."

The security guard typed the statement on his computer, unintentionally intimidating them. He asked, "How long will you be staying?"

Robbie asked, "Why all the questions?"

Ignoring his answer, Sakura replied, "Not for long, ya."

"Okay, go on."

They quickly proceeded to the airplane, expecting twelve hours of rest and twelve hours of movie-watching. The bathroom door slammed shut every ten minutes as the flight neared its conclusion. Passengers were handed pink forms to complete before landing. When the aircraft's door swung open, Sakura wasted no time stepping out, leading Robbie to the airport baggage claim area to collect their belongings.

The two eventually entered the train station through the airport elevators. To their relief, the airport was directly connected to the station, making their journey far more seamless than anticipated. As Sakura busily navigated on her phone, she spotted the entrance gates. Business professionals streamed through in tailored suits while young parents ushered their children excitedly toward the nearby aquarium. The station buzzed with life, its atmosphere a mix of hurried footsteps and the gentle bing of turnstiles acknowledging payments.

Sakura paused, overwhelmed by the sheer number of people. Her chest tightened as her imagination spiraled into worst-case scenarios—crowds swallowing them, missed trains, or even worse. Her surroundings began to blur, the faces and voices melting into a cacophony that made her palms sweat and her heart pound.

Oblivious to her mounting anxiety, Robbie observed the bustling commuters with a curious smile. "Huh," he muttered. "Looks like no one here knows who I am."

His words barely registered with Sakura. She stood frozen, her eyes fixed on the electronic gates. When she finally managed a response, it was distracted. "Uh..." as if she did not process what he said.

Noticing her distress, Robbie placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, his other hand gripping his luggage. "Hey, take a deep breath," he said gently. "Where are we headed next?"

Sakura pointed toward the electronic gates. "There, but ya need a train pass to get through, da."

Robbie glanced at the gates and leaned in to whisper, "We don't speak Japanese. How do we do that?"

Sakura glanced back at her phone, her fingers working quickly as she navigated her apps. Among the digital debit cards her father had given her for emergencies, she located an option to add a Japanese rail pass. She tapped the screen, loading the pass and transferring funds from one of her cards with a few swift motions. "Done," she said, trying to steady her voice. Her heart was still racing, but her focus sharpened.

Robbie's phone buzzed, pulling his attention to the screen. He glanced at the notification and frowned. "Hey, what did you do? These cards are for emergencies only."

Sakura smirked mischievously and shrugged. "Aye, tis an emergency, alright. I bought meself a train pass on me phone. You might want to do the same, da."

Robbie sighed, reluctantly holding up his phone. "Alright, how do I do that?" He awkwardly poked at the screen with his index finger, scrolling through his limited selection of apps.

"Give it here," Sakura said with an exasperated sigh, snatching the phone from his hands. In a matter of seconds, she set up the same rail pass in his digital wallet and handed it back to him. "There. Now stick close to me, da. Don't wander off."

"Wow, okay," Robbie whispered.

Sakura led the way to the gates, taking a steadying breath. She tapped her phone against the card reader, and the gate beeped before sliding open. Passing through, she turned to wait for Robbie. He hesitated briefly before mimicking her action. The gate opened smoothly for him, and he walked through with wide eyes. "Wow, that's cool."

Sakura rolled her eyes, chuckling softly. "Come on, da, we're almost there."

Her phone guided them through a sequence of transfers: first, an express train to another station, then a switch to a local line, and finally, onto a connecting route. Despite the bustling crowds, Sakura's navigation kept them on track at each stop. Robbie followed closely; his occasional comments met with a mix of amusement and patience.

Eventually, they arrived at their destination after a whirlwind of platforms and train cars. With Athen and his trusted companions waiting to greet them, the group exited onto a platform that opened directly toward the pier. The scent of saltwater filled the air, and Sakura felt relief and apprehension settle in her chest. They had made it, but the journey was far from over.

After a brief walk, they arrived at a serene beach with a lengthy pier hosting an array of vessels of various sizes.

Athen lingered on the gangway of a small cruiser, quietly watching as they strolled along the pier. In her mind, airplanes ranked as one of the most treacherous methods of travel, but now that she was back on solid ground, a sense of relief washed over her. Not precise satisfaction, but Sakura's eyes had an undeniable sparkle.

Sakura trembled beneath the weight of her fears, the anticipation sending shivers down her spine. As she grappled with the importance of the upcoming change, her body temperature grew, along with a steady headache. Just a few days ago, she maintained an ordinary life, and now, she must adapt to a whole new world.

Instead, she focused on the awe-inspiring panorama before them, hoping to cast aside her darkest apprehensions. The salty sea air filled his senses, evoking fond memories of Sakura's childhood in Ireland. Shifting waters wobble the ships toward the deteriorating wooden planks of the pier. Hand in hand, their footsteps resonated in sync with the rhythmic clapping of the water. Athen waved so she knew where he was—standing on a pristine white cabin cruiser. The vessel bobbed gently in the harbor with gleaming chrome accents and a name that sparkled proudly on its hull, 'Paradise'.

With a warm smile, Athen led Sakura up the gangway, leaving Robbie to carry the bags. Their footsteps echoed as they boarded the boat. Sakura's heart raced with uncertainty as they stepped onto the deck. The ship emitted a faint hum, ready to whisk them to the island.

Michael took the bags from Robbie and said, "I'll put these under the ship."

"Thank you, stranger. What's your name?"

"I'm Michael, but I will introduce you to everyone."

A beaming smile appeared on Sakura's face when she detected the ship's view from above. She rushed to the bow to gaze at the picture-perfect scenery. They sunbathed the pier and the boat in golden hues, casting a mesmerizing glow over the surrounding water. Seagulls swooped overhead, scouring for food. The marina bustled with sailors preparing their vessels, adding to the lively atmosphere of the waterfront. The forty-five-foot-long cabin cruiser impressed her.

Unexpectedly, Sakura's fears dissolved into the void. No place on Earth filled her with more profound peace than the soothing melody of the sea or the gentle caress of a forest breeze as it whispered through the trees. All signs of dread vanished from her sight, leaving her in a calm and pleasant moment.

"Come on, I'll give you two a tour," Athen said.

He brought them to the enclosed cabin, which featured sleeping quarters, a compact kitchen, and a small dining area. The polished dark wood furniture was built to be part of the cruiser. Then, he brought them to the cockpit area, designed for outdoor lounging, entertaining guests, and easy boat maneuvering.

Robbie asked, "So the boat's sole purpose is to take you back and forth from the island?"

"Yes, that's right."

"Who captains the boat? Don't tell me it has powers too."

Athen laughed. He said, "The captain will be here shortly; she's taking a break to refuel."

Robbie jabbed a finger in the boys' direction, waving it sternly. "You nearly gave me a heart attack, transforming into those massive wolves like that. Don't ever pull that stunt again!"

"Apologies, mate," Athen said with a shrug. "We spend most of our lives as wolves—it's second nature at this point."

Robbie threw his hands in the air, exasperated. "I can't believe I'm doing this. Why am I even here?" Shaking his head, he wandered over to the ship's side to view the pier, trying to collect his thoughts.

Athen joined Sakura at the railing, leaning casually beside her. He noticed her frown deepening as she stared at the horizon. "You looking forward to going home for the first time?" he asked gently.

"Not sure how I feel," Sakura murmured, her voice almost lost in the ocean breeze.

"Everyone's excited to finally meet you," Athen said, his tone light, though his eyes searched hers for reassurance.

Sakura shifted uncomfortably. She couldn't shake the instinct to run—a feeling she hadn't experienced in years. Breaking the silence, she asked, "How long's the ride?"

Athen straightened and gestured toward the stern. "Forty-eight hours. Come on, let's head to the lounge and get comfortable. We've got plenty of stories to share with both of you."

He guided her to the lounge, where Michael had already gathered the rest of the group, eager to introduce them to Sakura's father. Sakura sat beside her father on the couch while Athen sat on her left. Michael leaned on the exterior of the cockpit, crossing his arms for comfort. He graciously permitted Jack to sit on the stool across from the booth. The twins sat with the group, enjoying repetitively poking one another, interrupting Athen as he spoke proudly of his role on the island. Robbie was squeamish, clenching his teeth, believing he might have taken drugs without acknowledging it. He recited many times in his head that magic does not exist. Sakura could not ignore how white Robbie appeared. His paleness was a source of concern, given his shock. She silently kept a vigilant watch over his well-being. She worried about encountering more of her own kind. Fellow werewolves lingered in the background, although it now felt strange to refer to herself as a werewolf. It felt like any unsettling adjustments one might face, like moving to a new place or learning to cope with losing a parent or a brother. The vileness of it all was difficult for her to fully grasp.

From afar, Sakura's gaze settled on two figures boarding the vessel, their presence immediately captivating. The first had sleek, straight blue hair that shimmered like the ocean beneath the sun, complementing her deep, sea-blue eyes. She wore a crescent moon-blue crop top paired with black shorts and traditional geta sandals, her gentle smile as serene as moonlight.

Beside her stood another woman, slightly shorter but equally striking. She had short, golden blonde hair and vivid yellow eyes that gleamed like the blazing sun. Dressed in a bright yellow top over short blue jeans, she exuded warmth with a hint of attitude. The two were in a private conversation at the ship's bow.

Leaning forward in her chair, Sakura tilted her head and asked, "Oi, now, who might those two be?"

Athen replied, "The blue one is Lina; she's your advisor. The blondie is the ship's captain, and she's your other advisor. Her name is Sam."

"They have odd eye colors like I do."

"Yeah, I didn't want to throw so much information at you all at once, but I'll allow them to explain when they come over."

Instead of joining the group immediately, Sam headed straight to the cockpit. She turned the key, and the engine rumbled, gradually roaring louder as she prepared to set off. Meanwhile, Lina moved efficiently along the pier, untying the ropes that secured the boat and letting them drop neatly onto the deck. With a few sharp slaps on the metal wall of the cockpit, she signaled to Sam that her task was done. The engine growled louder as Sam maneuvered the vessel smoothly into open water.

Sakura and Robbie sat together, watching the mainland slowly fade into the horizon. The shimmering sea and open sky were a welcome change from the constant glare of city lights, offering a brief sense of serenity. Yet, for Sakura, the tranquility was marred by unease. She was not on vacation, heading toward an island where her mother had reigned as leader. Now, that same weight of responsibility was being placed squarely on her shoulders. Her chest tightened—would she despise the role she was being forced into, or worse, would it consume her entirely?

Robbie noticed her tension and leaned closer. In a low voice, he asked, "You alright, Pipsqueak?"

Sakura gave him a faint smile and whispered, "Aye, Da. I'll manage."

As the boat surged further from the mainland, the shoreline became a faint silhouette, and the people lingering on the pier shrank into specks no more significant than ants. Lina stood at the stern, binoculars pressed to her face, scanning the horizon. She wanted to ensure no prying eyes were following them. Above all else, their safety was her priority.