She stood on the top of the cliff the cold wind blowing her hair into whipping her numb cheeks. The moonlight glinted off the black strand as her right hand hooked her hair behind her ear her entire attention focused on the tiny village below her, her home. Most of the lights in the windows were out so her eyes were drawn to a small one off to the side of the village where a man was moving inside. When his light finally went out she turned her back on the village that had turned it's back on her so long ago. She silently faded into the darkness of the forest eventually curling at the base of a large oak between two roots that blocked the worst of the frosty wind.
She jumped alert at the sound of a twig snapping, the world was the yellow orange of sunrise. The man she had been watching was standing in front of her. His hair shone like pale spun gold in the morning light, his light eyes seemed shocked to see her, but instead of taking a step back he took a step towards her. She recoiled, quickly backing herself into the tree shaking and frightened.
"I won't hurt you" He almost whispered trying not to startle her more. Her dark eyes watched him disbelieving, but his eyes were kind and crinkled in the corners as he smiled down at her. She narrowed her eyes wincing as he extended a hand towards her cheek. She was surprised when the back of his warm fingers merely stroked her cold cheek tenderly, his thumb tracing her cheekbone with a gossamer touch. Without meaning to she tiled her head into his hand closing her eyes and enjoying the feel of human contact. Years had passed since the last time anyone had touched her and much longer since she had been touched with any form of kindness.
"I've been waiting for you," He continued, running his fingers under her chin and tipping her eyes up to meet his. "I knew you'd come." Her eyes widened as hope sparkled in the depths. Tears formed in her eyes as her whole body started to tremble. Her eyes never left his, her entire being focused on him. A small hand was lifted as she used her fingers to trace the line of his lips trailing them slowly onto his neck. She felt his pulse strong beneath her fingers and closed her eyes allowing the tears to trail down her cheeks as she was consumed by his heartbeat.
"It's you," she choked out through her tears. "It's really you." She shook her head opening her love filled eyes into his. "I thought I made you up."
He smiled and laughed shaking his head in delight. "Never" He giggled. "Like you could make this up." He kissed the shocked girl hard on the lips. She leaned into him wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him closer.
"How is this possible? We've never met, but I've been dreaming of you my whole life." She said softly as he ran his hand slowly through her long beautiful hair.
"Like a silly thing like death could keep us apart." He paused considering then added, "I love you Naruko."
It wasn't her name but somehow, it felt right. Instinctively she replied "I love you too Alex." He smiled so wide his face could crack in two as tears formed in his eyes.
"You have no idea how long I've been waiting for you to say that." He kissed her again soft and so tenderly she could feel his love through every nerve in her body. As he pulled away he felt her light tickling touch as she wiped his tears.
"You can explain tomorrow," She said kissing him back her soul responding to his "and you have a lot of explaining." She smiled brighter than she thought she even remembered how.
"Do you trust me?" He asked in a low tone pulling her onto his lap.
She bit her lip looking up into his eyes and she nodded knowing mere seconds after meeting him that she could deny him nothing. He held her close, tight against his chest, she could feel sobs wracking his body and she held him closer.
She whispered "I'm here, I'm here now, I found you as fast as I could."
They sat for hours tangled in each others arms until his tears of joy finally subsided. She had never felt so safe or so warm in all of her life. He kissed the top of her head standing up and lifting her into his strong arms and she responded by snuggling into his warm chest. He carried her back to his home, a small modest farm near the village she was born, though she hadn't been back in at least ten years. He laid her down on the bed and her cheeks got warm as her eyes widened, but he just took her hand kissing the back of it before walking to his humble kitchen.
"Can I get you some tea to warm you up?" He asked kindly. She bit her lip blushing nervously and nodded. She watched him as he wasn't looking, he grabbed a bottle from his fridge and drank while he waited for the water to boil. He was strikingly handsome, thin but muscular, in his loose tattered old jeans and a tight black T-shirt. He looked young, about her age, but something in his eyes made him seem infinitely older. He moved in silence when the water was ready making her tea and walking back towards her placing it gently in her cold hands.
"Thank you," she said quietly taking a sip and letting the warmth spread inside her body. He just smiled sitting in a cozy old chair next to the bed picking up an ancient book from the side table worn form years of reading and re-reading. He touched it reverentially, his eyes meeting hers.
"This will explain everything, when you're ready." He said putting it back down on the table. He took her empty cup walking it back to the sink, turning out the light, then sitting next to her on the bed.
"Get some sleep," He suggested seeing the lines of exhaustion around her eyes while stroking her cheek gently. She was so tired but she was terrified of waking up and finding out he was just a sad girls dream so she grabbed him tightly and held on. His eyes widened shocked, but he recovered quickly by kissing the top of her head and wrapping his arms around her and petting her hair slowly. He felt her whole body relax against his, so softly and slowly so as not to startle her he laid down pulling her with him. She was asleep before her head touched the pillow but he stayed holding her, stroking her hair for hours more, until finally sleep claimed him as well.
She woke up in the dead of night as he rolled over in his sleep. The room was quiet but the bright moonlight allowed her to see. Her eyes locked on the book curiosity taking over. She turned her head to make sure he was still sleeping before getting out of bed and walking over to it. Her fingers traced the cover already feeling intimately familiar with the object. She sat in his chair reading the glittering gold letters on the cover: For Alex.