DISCLAIMER: "Maria-sama ga Miteru" and its characters are property of creator Oyuki Konno. Thanks to Nozomi Entertainment, they've come here to the U.S. intact for our viewing pleasure.

AUTHOR'S NOTES: This little piece wouldn't go away. It wanted its 'moment in time' to be shared. Thanks to my Sweet Koi, for the honesty and the beta. Read, review, and enjoy.


To Be with You

My name is Satou Sei and I've come back to the place it all started. I came back to look upon her face once again. Although I am no longer a student here at Lillian, I wonder why I still feel so much like the girl I was then. I look beside me at my love, Mizuno Yoko and I'm thankful for the blessing of her continued presence. As we approach her, Yoko leans up, kisses my cheek, and whispers she will wait for me at the end of the path.

I stand here in silent pain, giving her my most contemptuous smile. It was her fault my first love discarded me. I smile because I can no longer cry. Every time I see her, The Virgin Mary, nothing has changed. As always, she is watching over our every move. To believe, I too, was once under her careful vigil.

Does she think I have sufficiently suffered? Am I now amongst the penitent? I could care less what she thinks; her countenance unchanged by time.

"If you care less, then why have you stopped here?"

This question should be hers, but she doesn't speak. She just stands there as a silent reminder.

Along this path, I've walked, run, cried, and finally healed, so I'm here to walk this path one last time; happy at last. At the end of this path, beauty wrapped in an elegant frame awaits me under a tree; her dark tresses tossed by the wind. As I reach her side, I embrace my most beloved Yoko, aware of every curve. My nerves ignite as she kisses me on the cheek. Even a chaste kiss from her makes me weak, but I am safe.