Penumbra
Noun: shadowing of the sun
by Aki no Ryu
At eight years old, Cloud Strife already had a definite opinion about his name. He thought it was terrible. Who named a boy after something so fluffy, wispy, and girly as a cloud? His father and mother didn't seem to be bothered by it but he sure was. His classmates shared his sentiments when they giggled during introductions in class. She didn't though and later told him she thought it was a nice name. Whatever, girls had cooties and their opinion didn't count. He would never admit that he thought her name was as pretty as her.
x-x-x
In his senior year in high school, he flinched a little when he wrote it in the application form. Would college admission officers see potential in someone named after one of the most insignificant phenomena of nature? He shuddered to think of introducing himself in college. She bumped his shoulder at the scowl on his face and merlot-tinged eyes sparkled as she shook her head at him, silently scolding him for his worries. It's not a bad name, she would say, and if they think it is, who cares? He'd feel better then and a just little bit silly for still being hung up on something like his name. She'd kiss his cheek and that would banish any other thought but her from his mind.
x-x-x
College was an eye-opener for him. People didn't really care if you were eccentric or unusual, they looked once then took it in stride, as if it wasn't such a bad thing to be different. He was surprised, but he liked it. See? I told you, she would tease. They began to talk about the future, their future. Together. He knew he would ask her to be his forever. She knew she would say yes when he did. War broke out before the question could be asked or the answer given. He enlisted. She volunteered. He on the front, she behind the lines. He would listen intently for his own whenever the messenger walked through the camp, calling out names on the letters he brought from mothers, sisters, sweethearts, and wives. He would imagine her saying his name in her warm voice and it was like a soothing breeze to his heart.
x-x-x
It only lasted for a few short years but to those who fought in it, it was a few years too many. He was still a young man but his eyes were burdened with the weight of years. He had already seen and done things that someone thrice his age should never had had to see or do. He had had his share of witnessing death, saving lives; experiencing grief, and joy. There were days when he would wish he had a different name, a different life, one that was not tainted with so much darkness. Then she would say his name with all the love that only she could hold and his heart would lighten. No, he wanted this life, if only because she was in it. His love, his life, his wife. She was reason enough for him to embrace his life with all its darkness because she was his light. She would wrap slender arms around him and he'd kiss her hungrily. She would smile and whisper his name against his lips. Cloud.