A single star shone in the heavens, a star bright enough to light the entire night. It cast shadows over other stars, made the moon seem pale in comparison . . . if the moon dared to show its face on such a dark night.
He paused for a moment or so, gazing at the bright orb so high above his reach. Its outer edges were a pale blue while its center glowed a brilliant, almost blinding white. The star illuminated the world surrounding him, its light trying to rival the power of the sun.
As he stared at the star and its light, a wave of peace washed over him, and he was reminded of a night from a lifetime ago. In that lifetime, he had found life and a reason for living. She was around then, reminding him of who he had been once and who he could be if given a chance.
His eyes closed, and a light smile touched his lips as he thought of her, the one who saved him from a fate worse than death. She taught him how to love again, how to live, and how to savour each moment.
She, however, had been like everyone else, though she tried to fight her inevitable destiny for as long as she could. She even managed to live longer than most other humans, falling a couple of years short of what she said she would live, and she spent those years with him, aging before his eyes. On the day of her death, she promised him she would find him again, that they would be together once more. Then she was gone, leaving him alone once again, and Rain had done his best to carry on without her, her scythe on his back. Only those who meant the most to him stayed with Rain – Freya's violin, Machika's scythe, and the Doctor's battered teapot – and he carried them with the greatest of reverence. They were the ones he loved the most, the ones who gave him the reasons to continue with his life and to fight against Yuca.
Yet, as he opened his eyes and stared at the star shining above him, Rain did not feel quite as lonely as he had in the years before he met Machika. Her presence remained with him, just as her memory stayed in his heart, and he found the strength to live. It was as if the star high in the sky possessed Machika's spirit, and she was gazing down at him from her place in the heavens, her gentle smile on her features. The image alone was enough to send a jolt of love and happiness straight to his heart.
"Star light, star bright . . . first star I see tonight . . ."
"I will find you again, Machika," he murmured. "I promise."