A Taste Of Payback

Do You Remember

That night she had a strange dream that sent Tenochtitlan way back int the past. Before the Spanish came and everything went wrong.

She was running through a prairie in the northern lands with a young boy her age. He was a bit taller then her and had blazing blue eyes that hypnotized you if you stared too long and dirty blond hair with a stubborn strand that stuck all the way up. The kids laughter seemed to fill the air with delight. The grass was yellow and long with little daises sticking up every here and there. They ran from nothing in particular. They ran because they were worry free and were able to have fun whenever they wanted. They boy playfully pushed her down a hill as she was inspecting a daisy. She screamed in surprised but her fast reflexes made her grab the boys hand as they both tumbled down the hill in delight. They landed on the bottom of the hill with grass and daises stuck to their hair. The two walked over to an oak tree and sat under it. The boy subconsciously started picking off all the daises out of her hair. She giggled softly as he concentrated on the little flowers. He laid down taking her with him and wrapping an arm around her. She was about to fall asleep when the boy opened his loud mouth. "Hey Xochi," he called her by her Aztec human name. The little girl looked up at her friends face. The face that was usually bright and cheerful, was hard and distant. His crystal eyes seemed thoughtful. "Do you ever, oh I don't know, think about the future?", she thought over his question for a while as he softly rubbed her back, a thing he usually did when they would have sincere moments. She looked up at the clear sky, then back at him. "No. What do you mean?", she wasn't sure where the sudden seriousness was coming from and it through her off because her friend wasn't a serious person. He was always easy going and a ball of sunshine. "Well...have you ever stopped to wonder about what we would be like in the future? What the world would be like?". The two kids knew nothing of the world so she wondered why he was thinking about this. He carried on. "If we'd be all alone, if we never grow to be adults, if we get overthrown or die! Or if we get conquered and can never escape!". The boy was now obviously panicked. She grabbed his face in between her hands and cooed him. "Hey, don't worry. We are perfectly fine. As long as we stick together, everything will be just fine", she lightly kissed his forehead and went back to her spot lying on the ground. He calmed down and wrapped her around him. "Your rite Xochi. As long as we stay together, forever. I will never leave you and i'll make sure to protect you from horrible villains and big scary things!", the little girl couldn't help but laugh as she laid in the boys protective arms. "And i'll do everything to make sure your happy because me and you, we're a team. We are one and besides...", he paused to give her a light peck on the nose "I love you". The little girl snuggled closer to his chest. "I love you too", she said as she finally fell asleep. Then everything faded away.

"Alfred". She woke up with a start as the boys name escaped her lips. The memory was still very clear in her mind. She hasn't seen the boy in ages. The dream was the last time she ever saw the boy she loved so dearly. He was like a brother to her. Always there for her and doing everything in his will to keep her happy. Soon after that, the Spanish arrived and she was never free to go visit her precious Alfred and he wasn't allowed to visit. Another reason to yet hate Spain, he took away her best friend. After a while, she didn't have time to reminisce over the boy, but she never forgot about him. He was just stored away in the back of her mind. Esmeralda could feel nostalgia creeping up on her. She missed him so much. He was her pride and joy. Everything was forgotten when they were with each other, like it was just the two of them. She looked around her room as she thought about how Alfred was doing and what he looked like, if she would ever see him again. She kept seeing those shining blue eyes smiling at her lovingly. She sighed deeply as she got out of bed to look out the window. The sea was a calm deep blue and it was already morning. She could hear the crew's voices outside and a growling stomach told her she was starving.  She walked outside the door only to be face to face with Spain's door. She rolled her eyes and walked along the long hallway. She opened another door and was confronted by the sunlight. She had to blink a couple times before she was OK. Everyone stopped to look at her. A cheerful Spain popped out of the crowed and ran up to her and crushed the poor girl in a bear hug. She clamped up not able to move or breathe with her arms pinned to her side. "Esmeralda! Oh my dear Esmeralda! How was your night? Good rite? Of course it was!" She was finally able to push the man away and put her hands on her hips. "I'm hungry", she said bluntly. Spain gave her a questioning look, confused by the randomness. Then his face lit up as he caught up with the situation. "Oh! your hungry!" he let out a laugh as he bent down to look at her stomach. "Is that true tummy? Do want some of Spain's food?" . Esmeralda looked at him disgusted before pushing him away hard. "Yes I am. Now stop making a damn fool out of yourself and get me some damn food." Spain stood up and straightened himself up. "Um...OK then. Right. Follow me!". He led her  to the kitchen so she could have some food. she sat and watched the cooks prepare her breakfast as Alfred's laughter ran through her ears constantly. She couldn't help but smile at her memories with the American.