SEPARATION

Disclaimer: I don't own anything you recognize from 'Soukyuu no Fafner'.

Warning: Spoilers from the last episode.

A/N: I wrote this two years ago. I decided to revise and re-publish it. Enjoy!

Summary: Kazuki's thoughts in the last episode. Spoilers. Oneshot. No dialogue.

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When Soushi started talking about existence and nothingness, I didn't understand him at first. Hearing his familiar voice made me feel calm despite everything that had happened, yet part of me was not really listening: the part of me that didn't want to accept where this was going. When he explained to me how his body was literally dissolving into thin air, for the first time in my life, I refused to believe in something he told me. Soushi, who would never lie to me, who would never decieve me. But I just couldn't allow mysef to trust his words! When Soushi quietly spoke to me about how he, this once, will go to the Festum's side, I lost hope. To my ears, what he was really saying, was that he was leaving me. That he was no longer going to stand by my side.

Suddenly I could no longer hear his voice, and I felt scared. In the darkness, the aching feeling of loneliness started to overwhelm me, and I desperately called out for him. Then I could feel him with me one last time. His entire being blended with mine. He was me. Somehow we had finally become One, if only for a moment. His voice was back. He was still there. And he was still leaving. But he told me, confidence colouring his voice, that we would meet again. "Until that time, won't you wait for me?" And the silence returned. I looked around, wildly, with unseeing eyes. Nothing can compare to what I felt as I the last pieces of Soushi's existence slipped out of my hands.

I managed to get back to the island. I was back, and it felt unreal. A black mist threathened to smother my brain, my heart, my entire self. Grief and loneliness fought with the relief of being back. But as I set my feet on the ground, the relief gave way for a strong wave of disappointment. The island that should be my paradise, my safe haven, felt strangely empty. What made this 'a home' was no longer with me. He was gone. Soushi. At that point, I could only think of him. I mentally prayed that he would hear me, as I told him I that was there; I existed, and I would wait for him. I prayed for his safe return. When only silence answered my prayers, I couldn't stop the tears from falling.

I only cried that once.

I felt more than heard someone approach me, and I turned to where I could sense Toomi's eyes on me. I had no desire to deal with her at that moment, and trusting her to realize this I stayed silent, closing my eyes in an attempt to hide from the heavy feeling of loss in my chest. Trying but failing to chase away the sorrow in which I was currently drowning. Just then, as the winds blew, I could've sworn I heard him. Soushi, telling me that he understood now. That even if it led to pain, he'd choose to exist... in order to meet me again. That as long as I believe, he'll surely return someday. To where I am.

That's when I opened my eyes again, a small smile gracing my lips. Yes, I will wait for him. I will wait for him in this empty paradise, until the day he returns. And somehow, I know my thoughts reached him, because the black mist clouding my heart suddenly vanished. I felt a familiar presence embrace me with the wind, before slowly disappearing, this time with a promise to never truly leave my side.

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Owari. End. Please review after reading.