Clang. Swipe. Turn. Pinpoint. Block. Shing.

That was all that was echoing in her mind. It was all she could afford to hear in her head. If anything else got in there, she would lose. She knew it. That's why she spent so many years working up her mind defense. It was all she had.

Shing. Clang. Whack. Backup. Step. Step. Step. STEP. Duck. Pinpoint. Block. Clang.

They were fighting. Fighting for knowledge. For the past. It was something she had never expected to be doing, but it was something she would not lose. Her past was what she longed for the most, and she would not let any chance to have it slip past. After waiting fifteen years, her chance had finally come, and she was intent on grasping it before it flew away.

Step. Move. Duck. Block. Clang. Fwip. Parry. Advance. Thrust. Turn. Step. Clang. Shing. Fwip.

There they were, those brilliant green eyes that had haunted her dreams so many nights before. There they were, right in front of her, staring at her with such concentration and hope, that she faltered. It was hard to stay focused when your dreams were being brought up by a pair of haunting green eyes.

Remember.

Their daggers were held high into the air, pressed against each other in a block. He had blocked her thrust, lifting both their daggers high into an uncomfortable position. She had the strength, the upperhand. She could feel it, her free hand was pressed against the hilt of his dagger, clenching the blade further against hers. His hand was grasping her wrist by instinct, his fingers digging deep into the veins of her hand. She didn't feel it, though. All she felt was the penetration of her soul that his eyes were causing.

Remember. Try.

Her eyes did not blink. They couldn't. Deep in those eyes, she saw a woman. A woman with fiery hair and those same green eyes. And she knew, with just one look, that that was the woman who passed through her dreams. She was the woman who guided her safely thus far. She didn't know why. But she was. And in his touch, as hard as it may have been, she felt a man. A man with messy, black hair and shining blue eyes. He was smiling at her, as if he knew a secret, and was taunting her with it. But it wasn't one that got under her skin. It was one that was sincere.

Remember. Try. Remember.

James.

That was the man's name. James. But she didn't know why he followed her. Or why the woman, his wife, haunted her so. But whatever reason it was, she knew it had something to do with their son. The very same boy she was fighting right then. His eyes were so intense, so unbelievingly emotional, that she felt as though one blink, and she'd break.

So she took action first.

Pull. Step. Step. Step. Turn. Duck. Block. Clang. Advance. Lock. Clang. Block. Clang. Thrust. Clang. Turn. Duck. Move. Step. Step.

She was a perfect match for him, both their determination and honor level. But she had one thing he didn't. She had knowledge. Some, at least. But it still put her in the lead, and gave her the upper hand. But she refused to use it. 'I will not lose.'

Step. Step. Pinpoint. Thrust. Clang. Withdraw. Step. Step. Step. Block. Shing. Withdraw. Circle. Pinpoint. Thrust. CLANG.

As they moved on, a few of her hairs fell to the ground like a feather. Drifting slowly, they parted and seperated from the others, each landing away from the others. Like a memory drifting into an oblivion. Like a dream drifting into a nightmare. So ends the game. So ends the toil.

Step. Block. Shing. Clang. Clang. Hold. Withdraw. Turn. Pinpoint. Block. Clang.

But he had turned, taking her off guard. He thrust out the dagger, and the tip of the blade sunk into her skin. As her flesh broke and the blood began to stain the smooth blade of the dagger, all she could do was smile. She watched as the dagger was pulled out, and she watched as his look of shock reflected in her mind. He had won, and she knew it. She had lost.

He only stared at her, and she smiled an off smile. It was hazy, as if she was slipping into a dream. She took a bow, then extended her non-wounded arm. He numbly shook her hand, and she turned on her heel. As she walked away, a tear slipped unnoticed from the corner of her eye, running until it fell, smashing to its end on the ground. The already faded voices of his friends congratulating him echoed until they were nothing, leaving her empty inside.

Enjoy the past. Enjoy the information you get tonight. Never doubt what is given you, because you might not get a second chance to believe it.

"Congratulations, Harry. You won."

Author's Note: I hope it's not that hard for you all to understand. I got the inspiration for it while listening to Annie Lennox. Don't ask why. Anyways, if you are confused, however, you can email me, IM me, or I guess leave the question in a review, and I'll post again to answer the questions. Thanks.

--renee--