A Moment in Time
A RahXephon fanfiction by regie27
Standard Disclaimers Apply
Note: Spoiler heavy. Based on the events of Episode 24,"Doorway to the tuning."
-O-
"You passed me."
Haruka's voice sounded bright, extracting him out of his thoughts. Kamina Ayato knew he was about to step to the point of no return yet he felt there was one more thing left unresolved. Following her voice, he turned around to face her. Shitow Haruka made a gesture with her hand. It was for a small difference, but he indeed stood taller than her. It stroke him as funny how in the moments he had relied on her strength and steadfast determination, she seemed larger than life, like an angel on his shoulder who always came to his aid, her weapons her endless capacity to care and her iron-willed persistence. But she was right. He was taller.
"I guess so." Ayato replied. The boy's face was serene, stoically hiding the fact that he wanted to drown in the depths of her auburn orbs and forget about his destiny. He silently cursed his blood for condemning him to a fate he never had the chance to choose, but was willed by others even before he was born. Suddenly, he noticed her eyes brimmed with emotion. Her words were carefully spoken in a gentle and slightly nervous voice:
"You know, I've loved you for a long time. We were a couple back then we were 14. You don't remember right, since they messed up with your memory. But its okay, I just wanted to tell you because you were my first love."
Kamina's spirit rose to heights he never thought existed. It had at last been said, and he felt his chest couldn't contain his heart from bursting out. He understood that he too, had to say what he felt out loud, to acknowledge to her and to himself what it had been silent for the longest time.
"I can't recall things from the past but I do know the present. The person I love is the current you. I'm sorry for making you suffer all this time."
Haruka stood in awe, silently assimilating the impact of what Kamina had just said. Ayato sensed the emotion in the air, the restlessness and doubts inside giving way to a sense of peace. Her face was such a beautiful sight to behold he wished he could immortalize it in a painting. He understood that even with the words said out loud, the burden of so many years wishing them to be said made her stand in the brink of doubt, as if she dreaded it was all a dream. There was only one way for him to demonstrate that this time it was real. His body closed in on hers, her face reflecting the surprise and the fear of being this the product of a cruel illusion. Kamina's gaze held hers as his hands came to hold her cheeks. The skin felt silken beneath his fingertips, soft and warm as he had always imagined. He inhaled deeply, as his head initiated a path downwards to the place he knew he was going to be welcomed.
Mustering courage to allow live this even if it was conjured by her mind, Haruka slowly parted her lips, smiling inwardly as their noses brushed on the way. His lips touched hers, slowly and hesitant first, then determined. The initial contact created a spark, then a bonfire as the caress deepened. It was a gentle flame that menaced to grew higher until it consumed all, waiting to be ignited again. Years of waiting and longing came to a close. The path towards love and hope was at last bridged with just one kiss.
He could perceive her scent, a sweet yet somewhat slightly brisk aroma that spoke of her gentleness as well of the lively, almost childlike quality that made her so intriguing. He could feel her warmth engulfing the both of them as she finally linked her arms around his waist, her alluring softness eliciting the need to keep her close to him, to feel more of her. He silently prayed he never had to let go. It felt like the world had come to a stop for a brief yet intense moment but alas, too soon it had again begun to move forward, leaving them and their newfound happiness behind. Just two more casualties that time left in its inexorable wake.
"I've always loved you, Kamina-kun," Haruka said, her voice drowned in emotion as she held him close. Long tears of unabashed happiness dampened her cheeks.
Kamina couldn't muster any words to come out. His emotions came crashing as the waves of a tempestuous sea to the shore. It is too soon, there are so many things I have yet to do…with you, he thought relishing the moment that he understood bitterly was about to end. His eyes shut tightly and his mind tried to block out the cacophony of the Lilia Litvyak's sirens to no avail. Reluctantly, he forced his lids to open, knowing that doing so meant returning to the bitter reality at hand and away from the safety and warmth of Haruka's arms. As he pulled away ever so slowly, he caught a glimpse of silvery beams of piercing light materializing at the feet of the RahXephon.
"Itxli," Ayato murmured.
Ayato moved away from Haruka and towards the RahXephon and his other self.
"Ayato?" Haruka looked at him with a quizzical expression. The gusts of air that blew over the deck felt cool over her skin, already missing his comforting warmth.
Ixtli met halfway with Ayato, a small smile curving her lips. Her voice was melodic. "The Ollin has attained Yolteotl, yet his human heart refuses the trappings of a god. You have made a wish deep inside your soul and you know you possess the tools to see it through. Do you wish to?"
"Yes, I want to. I wish it with all my might. For me…and for the one I want to protect."
"Remember Ollin, even if this wish is granted, it will only delay the inevitable."
"Even if it is that way, I have to. There's still one more thing for me to do before I can move on without regrets."
Ixtli smiled again, amused by the vehemence in his words. Turning around, the yellow scarf of her dress floating about with the wind that swept over the aircraft carrier, she softly said:
"Go then Ollin, the RahXephon awaits."
Haruka was observing Ayato, who was in the trance-like state like she had seen many times before and ran towards him. She caught his hand as he turned around to acknowledge her presence.
"Captain Shitow, please hurry!" the evacuation sergeant yelled. The hum of the last lifeboat droned, signaling her imminent departure, their imminent separation. Again, the forces of fate confabulated to keep them away from each other.
"Ayato." A single tear ran down her cheek. His fingers caught it before it fell down. "I…"
"No. Don't leave. Come with me!"
"Where, I don't understand?"
Determination crossed his face. "I want you to trust me on this."
His eyes beckoned her to follow. She nodded.
"Aishiteru, Haruka," he whispered. Then, at the top his lungs Kamina exclaimed:
"RAHXEPHON!"
And then all that Haruka saw was the blinding light that swept her away.
To be continued...