I watched the ending to Wolf's Rain, got bored and came up with this ficlet. If enough people like this or I get bored again, I might write a sequel. Enjoy.
Do the Lights Change?
The traffic light was red. Tsume waited on his motorcycle, his hands ready to twist the throttle. He needed to move. The rain trickled around him, pattering against his helmet. His foot tapped against the pedal. He was going to be late. He could feel passage of time, moving while he stood still. Ten minutes left. The opposing traffic kept moving.
The road was in front of him. Tsume wanted to run, drive when the traffic gave way. Red light? There needn't be any light. He would go on regardless. He wasn't about to miss his appointment. Cars, the wind, they all blew by, whispering as they went along. But like the wind, Tsume could tell when it was about to die. He curled his hand back.
At the sound of his engine, they stopped coming. Tsume's heart roared. His inner fire pounded on drums. Setting off the throttle, he flew. Or almost did.
A kid! Tsume let go of the clutch. The bike skid, marking the ground beneath. Damn, how did I miss that?
"Hey! Watch where you're going!" The kid yelled. His fist was in the air, shaking in frustration. Tsume had seen the gesture before. Tsume had seen the boy before. He lifted up the visor on his helmet, peering in to take closer look. The red hair, the voice, the expression on his face; he recognized them all. Yet, no name came to thought.
The boy glared curiously back. Their thoughts were identical. An old woman stood behind him. She tapped the on the shoulder and murmured something into his ear. The boy laughed, letting his elder lean on his arm. They huddled their way across. Tsume watched them in the breadth of his eye, feigning his forward appearance. Reaching the end, the boy turned his head.
Green Light. The motorcycle tore through the intersection. Wind left a fonder memory.
"See you around, kid," Tsume pulled down his visor, careful as the road dragged under him. He checked his watch. There was still some time left.
