Writer's Notes: Well... this is going to be a short one. I was inspired after seeing this 4-panel comic by Kousaka Minami-san. She's a fanartist for this fandom... and well... What can I say...? That one work really did make me cry. Inspired me to write this on. So yeah... drabble?

Disclaimer: Suikoden and its characters belong to their respected companies (Konami and such) and no money was made in the production of this Fanfiction.

Lament the Wind

By: Chii Motosuwa

A whirlwind of emotions carved into the very flesh of Tir McDohl. After months and month of searching, following rumours... hearing the stories. After having to endure and sift through lies and fact... he had found what he was looking for. Time had stopped within the encased walls of these ruins. The reason was unknown to Tir McDohl, and he did not question it.

Not because it was not intriguing enough... but because they were right there. Auburn eyes looked straight at them lying amongst the pale stone remnants. Both were on the floor as if sleeping, so silent... so serene... a young female and a mere 'boy'. The woman was by his side, her pale hand clasped over his upon his chest. Her head drooped to the side while her back was against a fallen wall. There was no sign of pain or suffering on her benevolent face. There was only a sense of peace... a sense of calm. Almost satisfaction... she was happy.

And there was the boy... just as tranquil as the woman, his head resting upon her lap. The sharp tongue that snipped at everyone was silent. The intense gaze of those emerald eyes was nowhere to be found. The warmth of his touch... the gentle air that followed him despite his usual foul disposition... The kindness he carried in secret and showed only on rare occasions... where has it all gone? Tir could reach to him right now... touch the pale skin of his ageless face, brush his hand through that brunette hair... call out to him and hear his voice in return... But he was afraid...

He already knew what he would feel. He already knew he would not call back. If he touched him... if he called to him... it would confirm it. And that was exactly what he feared. The true rune bearer slipped to his knees, a few meters short of them. But he was close... he was so close.

"I believed that we were comrades..."

The gloves he usually wore were long forgotten after he threw them off while he fought his way through the collapsed passages and the almost impenetrable inner sanctum. His hands were scratched and bruised from clawing through the rubble, heaving pieces of rock out of the way. But even the pain from his hands was long gone. They shook, but not out of agony. He could endure such simple misery... but this before him... All he could see...

"I believed that we were friends..."

...was him.

"And all this time... searching for you for this long... I knew we'd meet again..."

He was right there... and all Tir had to do was reach out to him. But he couldn't... He wouldn't... Now his body began to tremble... He raised his hands to his face, eyes wide and glistened with unshed tears as he still refused to believe this.

"Not once did I doubt it. Not once did my faith falter... I knew I would find you..."

"Luc..." he finally managed to say as the tears fell freely from his eyes.

"I knew I would find you..."