IR: Broken Generation

At times, a person can't distinguish between love and unfound obsession. Such is the case of this couple, who had gone through a million things and had allowed their feelings for each other to grow more and more. Unfortunately, time can hurt that especially when those emotions no longer exist or seem to be as important. When after many years of living in peace, the need for adrenaline rushing in your body is more than caring for the other. Perhaps that, amongst other factors, was enough to shatter this relationship. Yet you can only ask yourself how such strong ties could be broken so easily. As always, there is a cause that causes the despair.

Another morning, unlike many years past, no more eagerness to wake up and live. The twenty-two year old was taller, and of course much more beautiful. Her blonde hair now long past her shoulders. It was hard to imagine her as she used to be. Her body, as comes with age, was more curvy and voluptuous. She was honestly a beauty amongst beauties. Rain was really a lucky man. Unfortunately, again stated, their feelings were splitting apart. There had been no betrayal or violence. Just bad communication and the occasional argument between them. Couples will argue as it is part of unifying and strengthening a relationship. But when you have no words to express in times of bliss, arguments are the only thing shared. Years before, no one would dare predict something breaking them apart. No more going out together or seeing friends as often. They would live only to live.

"How many times are we going to go through this, Rain?" Asked Machika as she grabbed the house keys. Her questioning was of him disappearing without a word to her that morning.

"You leave, you disappear, and what about me? I'm here day after day while you are out with who knows who."

Rain took the last phrase as an offense and replied to such. "You think I'm seeing someone else, Machika?"

Her green eyes gazed away from him. "If so, what of it? Are you?"

Rain clenched his teeth and shook his head. "Machika, you are making no sense. In my years, never have I betrayed anyone. You, of all the people I've met in my life, should know that. It hurts to hear those words."

Anyone that knows Rain would definitely tell you he is one of most modest of persons and could not have a reason to be any other way. Yet, in a relationship, only two persons are involved and it takes unity, communication and trust for it to work properly.

Machika didn't budge from her accusation. She kept her stare away from his and remained silent. Inside, her feelings kept shifting to and fro. Pros and cons, if you will, of her beloved.

"I don't know what is happening to us it is like a curse. At times, it is one of the worst feelings ever. In between our arguments and the silence, it has been a long time that we've been happy like times before. Yet, day after day, we don't seemed to progress and you judge me like you only met me yesterday."

Machika turned back to him. She felt like Rain was blaming her.

"Maybe it is because you always seem to think about yourself, Rain! Where am I in this picture anymore?"

She shook her head clearing her thoughts. It was pointless to her to continue the argument. She turned around walked out the door leaving Rain dumbfounded.

Outside Ayla, Machika's best friend, was coming out from her store when she noticed her friend coming out the house across the street. She waved and called but Machika didn't turn around. Ayla could make out what appeared to be tears running down her face. She, as probably a couple more of their friends, was aware of the trouble between the couple. There are things in life that are kept between loved ones, but when it comes to problems, these usually become public.

Ayla frowned, saddened for her friend. She had tried to help before, offering advice to both but it seemed that didn't help much. As she saw her friend walk, Eury opened the door and planted a long kiss on his wife before she took notice.

On a side note, Eury, the once upon a time playboy and adventurer, had finally settled down. He knew his love in life was Ayla even after they went through a whole adventure that made them rivals; circumstances and destiny brought them together in the end. Eury, who had data on Calvaria including account numbers, secret locations, projects, and the most precious of all, the Angel Project, sold it all to government officials who in turned used in court against the monstrous conglomerate. His pay was quite a lump sum and enough to distribute amongst his siblings while still being able to provide a way of life for Ayla and himself. He didn't feel bad, Sharem was dead anyways. Ayla smarter and more financially responsible than her husband decided to open a general store on the outskirts of Siren Bay, also known as Arcadia. Rain, Machika, and other friends lived either there or in Siren Bay. Only his sister was the only one that took off after he paid her. She told Eury once that there was something very special she wanted to do if she ever had the chance. This was her chance.

"Eury, you scared me." Ayla playfully slapped her soul mate.

"I'm sorry, beautiful." Eury cuddled behind her trying to gaze at whatever Ayla was staring at.

"Where is the brat heading?" He asked teasingly.

Ayla shook her head and kept her focus.

In a moment, Machika was gone around the corner and just as so, Rain came out but headed the opposite way.

"Trouble between the lovers. Go figure." Ayla came back to her reality and elbowed Eury. "You also have things to confess as well, mister. You came late last night and didn't call me. I should…" She pushed Eury back inside as she continued scorning him.

Machika walked for a long time until she came across some ruble. She crawled up and then went through a small opening through a tall brick wall. It was a nice place, filled with remains of what was going to be a luxury hotel that was abandoned after Calvaria was shut down. Obviously, it was linked the giant corporation and with no more funds, it ended construction. However, lucky for her and anyone that knew this place, they had created and artificial beach that linked through pipe work with the real sea in Siren Bay. It had palm trees, real sand, a shack, umbrellas and seats and even a seaside pool. Fully adorned, yet fully deserted. She sat under an old and torn umbrella. The chair seemed to share the same deterioration from abandonment. It was a hot afternoon and perfect to think about her life to date. Including Rain.

Without noticing, deep into her thoughts and with the noise of the waves, a shadow covered the sun in front of her immediately grabbing her attention. Now, even if she was no longer a bounty hunter, her skill set was still there. Almost like a scared cat, she jumped back out of the chair and feet away from the person and immediately positioned for a fight. It wasn't until a couple of seconds went by that she relaxed her guard.

"You scared me for a moment, Yuca."

The man smiled back at her. Now you may be wondering how Yuca is still alive. Well as it turns out, Yuca did give his life away when he brought back Rain and Kiki. What he gave away, however, was the Spirit of Methuselah, his curse of immortality. Around two years later, they found him in Raimei. His personality was completely different. He was friendly and much more caring. The only thing Yuca remembered was waking up one day and being there. Of course, his memories of everyone were still fresh, like they had just happened yesterday, but nothing indicating how he was there. He was the same age as the day he killed himself in front of Rain. He lived with an elder lady that claimed she took him in when she found him on the street dressed in priest clothes.

"It was like this man had fallen from heaven. He's helped me and others for nothing in return. He only asks that we keep his presence secret."

He eventually left with them back to Arcadia. Knowing everything he did, it was natural he had the skill and talent to help humanity much more, but Rain did not push this on Yuca.

Yuca placed his hands in front assuring Machika he was friendly.

"I'm sorry for surprising you, Machika. I was wandering about and saw you here. I didn't know such a place existed. It is very nice."

The girl smiled and sat back down. She invited him to sit at a chair next to hers. Yuca gladly accepted.

"Yuca," She began while placing her arms behind her head. "You've known rain for a long time, logically. Do you remember him ever being different or having problems with feelings?"

Yuca kept silent for a moment. The reminder of knowing Rain for a long time brought back a lot of memories both good and bad. He took another couple of seconds to reply.

"Rain is a very simple person, Machika. Yet, the world has made him adapt to things he never asked for. A lifestyle of pursuit and dangerous encounters. Keep in mind he was once studying to become a priest and has a heart of gold. Over time, a person can only forgive so much before just giving into his surroundings. Not necessarily meaning he had given up on humanity, I included, but more of the fact that life has a great deal of bad things and traits that it is impossible for a person, even if immortal, to finally accept the fact that making this world understand their bad ways was an impossible feat. Thus, he lived only to wait for me and finished everything. I'm sure you understand his feelings. You've shared so many experiences with him that you guys should have a strong bond that can support anything."

Yuca turned back to the beach after this. He really didn't expect Machika to say anything else. For a long time, there was silence then he finally decided to turn around again.

He noticed the girl had tears in her eyes. He felt sad, almost at fault, for her. He sighed and stood up. "Machika, I understand that you are not going through a good moment with Rain. I can only help you with your questions and nothing else."

Machika smiled through the tears. She also stood up. Once in front of Yuca, she pulled him into a hug.

Yuca felt her body press against his and for a moment, a sense of familiarity took over him. As if he yearned for a hug from her. He placed his arms around her responding to the hug. They stayed like that for what seemed eternity when in reality it only lasted a couple of seconds. Finally, Yuca let go as so did Machika.

"I'm sorry," he quickly said. "I guess no one had given me a hug in a long time."

Machika, who no longer seemed as sad, smiled and punched him playfully in the chest.

"No actually, thanks for that, Yuca. I really needed someone to hold me like that. Rain used to do it so much, now, it is a rarity. Well, it's getting late and I must get a couple of things before heading home. I'll see you around."

The blonde belle started walking away taking Yuca's attention until he could no longer see her. He looked back at the beach and stood there until nightfall. Yuca tried to think of something that wasn't the gorgeous face of Machika. He couldn't.