Redemption
She saw him, years after she had left Gaia behind. He was so young, so small. Smaller than she had remembered him, but still as cold.
He was about four years old, the age of youth and innocence, but his gaze pierced through her, and it was old and hateful. She shivered.
She stared and he stared back. Time passed and she didn't notice.
His mother called him and he glanced away, smiling at his mother. But the smile didn't reach his eyes.
She watched his walk away, fear rooting her to the spot.
She came back everyday, watching, waiting for him. He never returned.
She saw him again two years later. She had been walking past a playground and stopped to watch the children running and laughing, playing and talking together. He was sitting farther off. She recognized his white hair, gleaming silver in the sunlight.
She came behind him. He had dolls and mechas arranged on two sides. There were fifteen mechas on one side with corresponding figures. The action figures were in soldier uniforms and painted red. On the other side was an odd collection of dolls, including one in a fuka. The girl in the school uniform was at present being squashed by the mecha on the opposing side. She inwardly flinched.
A small girl came up to her and tugged at her arm. "Stay away from him, he's scary," the child warned and she allowed herself to be pulled away. The boy stared after her, a contemplative look on his face as his index finger slowly stroked his cheek. He smiled sardonically.
She found herself in a model shop looking at the mechas. "Can I help you miss? We just got in a new Gundam Seed shipment.." She shook her head no and continued browsing. She didn't find what she was looking for but she returned every week at the time of the new shipment, determined to find it.
It took her a year to find the right model and another six months to put it together. She painstakingly painted it and made slight modifications. She searched craft stores to find the perfect pink jewel. Her brother came to visit and stared at her as if she was crazy. He asked her why she was putting so much effort into a simple toy and she replied that she knew what is was like to be lonely. He shook his head and left, leaving her to her business.
It was perfect in every way, or as perfect as her memory served. She wrapped it in a red gift box and headed on her way. He was where she had left him years ago. He had a pen and paper and as she grew closer she saw that he was drawing the outlines of a world she had half forgotten. He was alone at first but as she approached boys came out from the bushes. The didn't block her way but they stood by him, as if awaiting his direction. His red eyes stared at her and she handed him the gift. She gazed at the other boys, fourteen in all. He nodded and they shuffled back. He opened the box and he smiled. He nodded his head in acknowledgement and turned back to his drawing. She walked away. When she turned back she smiled. The other boys were crowding around him, laughing and sharing jokes. It was different this time, she realized. It was no longer a dominating relationship, but one of comradery and companionship. It made her happy to realize that he had found peace.
Now if only she to could find the same thing.
A/N: I'm not sure where that came from. Somewhere I suppose. It came from the idea of reincarnation and redemption. I was wondering if Gaiaians would be reincarnated on Earth, and if so who. Although time runs differently on Earth and Gaia, I have assumed that those who died in the Destiny Wars were reborn shortly after Hitomi returned to Gaia and are thus still children. Comments are much appreciated and flames will be accepted as tribute to Dilandau.
Nox