L'espoir
By SMYGO4EVA
They weren't supposed to be outside at this time, especially in the warring times of the country Shara, but it was too hot to sleep and it honestly wasn't likely that anyone would catch them. After all, whoever would think to look for those of different faiths down by the lake late in the night?
That was where Souseki and Suzuran were though, sprawled out by the banks of the sparkling lake. Suzuran was sitting with her feet in the cool water, while Souseki sat under the branches of a weeping willow tree.
"I love summer nights, they're so peaceful." Suzuran said, staring up at the sky, the infinite night glittering and sparkling with the stars, accompanying the white moon as it was the only light provided for the two.
The summer nights have proved to be cold and dark, but as far as Souseki was concerned, those nights were the most comforting amidst the warrior countries. The nights have changed in the past year; they had always been dank and lifeless. Not like the rest of Shara: the rest of the great country used to be alive, but now it too is dead.
He and Suzuran go down to the lake sometimes when they felt as though they couldn't cope. They wouldn't let anyone else know, of course, and they won't let each other consciously know either; one of them just has to head off in a direction and the other will automatically follow.
That's what they get for having been together in secret rendezvous for a while.
"I'm afraid, you know." Those words left Suzuran's mouth before she realized what she was saying.
"So am I," Souseki replied solemnly. "I just want this all to be over, the war between where we come from, where our respective deities reside in the sacred temples."
"No, Souseki…. You don't understand. I'm afraid of what will happen when this is over," Suzuran uttered sadly, sighing heavily.
"I don't know what you mean. Why would you be afraid of the war's end?"
"Because I've become so used to the war that….I've….I've forgotten what peace feels like."
Souseki closed his eyes sadly and Suzuran sighed once again; the only way for them to feel peace once again was only hope. Two of different faiths were reunited once more, but the night reflected what they felt.