Useless

A/N: Spoliers for… everything from 100-108 (I think?)

He could look (see her glare as she'd snap for him to "get back to work, sir"), but never touch. (stroke her face and finally, finally say those words…)

It didn't matter how he felt, it never mattered. Duty, laws… They all mattered more then his one desire to simply reach out to her. Even the slightest touch of hand was forbidden, not by law, but mutual agreement. It hurt too much.

He couldn't reach out to stroke her face, wipe away her tears. He wanted so desperately to reach her. But she was out of reach, and moving farther. Or was he moving? The distance of time, space… He needed her as close as possible, but they could be close.

If they used her. If they hurt her. He couldn't bear to imagine the pain.

Funny then, that they distanced themselves so much, that they fell right into the trap set for them. Funny, funny that he'd give anything to save her –but he couldn't because giving everything meant abandoning the rest of the world.

But they still survived. It would've been fine. Expect he lost.

Now… he could touch her (lean on her truly, stroke her face), but he couldn't look (see the tears, the pain in her eyes as she talked about his failure).

He always leaned on her, depended on her, but all for not. The future (for them, for everyone) was dropped in water and left to fizzle out. The flames that had kept him going had been stolen. Useless, he was useless. But there was no water in sight.

But then, when all was lost, he was saved. Colors were colors, and blurs became shapes. He had needed her for so long, was this finally his chance?

He could touch (now he knew fear had prevented him more then anything, looking back), but… Where was she? He couldn't see her. Was she taken? Stolen away? De- no, not possible. She was stronger then that. But if he could look, see, find her… Why wasn't she there?

A/N: This is my quick little "summery" of the full manga… I almost cried when it was over! Poor Royai.. they never really get together, do they? Review Please! Unless of course… you want me to wither away…