Chapter 2 hope and winter:
Corrine:
Out of everything I have been through in my life I never thought I would see him again. I know I have to ease into it again and wait for you to really get used to me but I don't mind. I'll wait as long as I have to for you. I promise I won't screw up again. And now when I finally meet your eyes again I am hopeful for the first time in what seems like forever. I have missed you so much. To other worlds and back that's what we promised right? But can that really be the extent of our love? You poor thing, Fai you have no idea who I am yet look at you awestruck. A dream shouldn't be the falling gavel in something as fragile as love.
Just look at your friends, I can tell by their faces they don't want anything to do with me. To them I must be a strange burden. I don't want that kind of feeling ever again. Dammit this is my only second chance! Don't you see Fai? I don't want history to repeat itself! I feel like I might explode with all of these emotions but I can't lose my cool, not now.
"Hello Fai" I said to him. Look at you looking like a lost puppy. What have I become to you? Some ray of hope? Something in me was dreading that, but overall I am glad that I can be your beacon. Mokona stated that we were now in the next world.
I looked around at the scenery around me. We were in the middle of a lush forest with various wild birds chirping and singing about amongst the tree canopies. As I gawked at this new world I grasped for my lovers hand. It was so warm and strong compared to mine. I always have cold and weak hands. I gripped his hand a little tighter so that my hand would warm up and feel a little less numb. He smiled at this. No matter how many times I see him smile I will never get enough of it.
With a swift move Kurogane separated us with the sheath of his sword.
"Who are you?" He said sternly with the furrowing of his brow and a tight grip on the sword.
"Now now Kuro-pu, is this really necessary? I trust her so isn't that enough for you to trust her as well?" Fai interjected. I nodded my head agreeing with him and raised my hands so that he knew I was no threat to him or anyone in his group. Reluctantly he lowered his sword and corrected Fai for calling him by the improper name. Kurogane introduced himself and still looked at me with a stern look. I imagine it will take some time before he warms up to me. Sakura was shocked and skeptical at first but she warmed up the fastest (beside Fai of course). Syaoran also followed Sakura's instincts and welcomed me. Mokona was elated about me and jumped onto my shoulder. She exclaimed of how I looked just like her master Yuuko back at her home. I couldn't help but feel giddy about them all.
We as a new-found group began to walk together about of the thick forest. I sensed something in the air as we walked. A chill was moving through the trees and the pounding of distant thunder ringed throughout the land. We walked and walked not once did we encounter a house or any sign of civilization. I could feel the cold in my lungs as I breathed in this winter's air. I remember Fai and me in Celes enjoying the iciness of our world. This feeling now brings back so many memories, too many in fact. For a moment I stop overwhelmed by my memories. My vision went glassy and my throat clenched and stung. Tear streamed down my eyes and Fai noticed that I wasn't keeping up with the group.
Please don't look back at me. Keep walking you don't deserve me. I am your bittersweet curse unworthy of your efforts. I will only bring you despair and destruction. Everyone in the group stopped walking.
"What is wrong my dear?" Fai said to me gently just as snow began to fall. That short sentence was just like the snow itself fragile and so sincere. Fai stood near me reflecting the pain in his eyes that I was feeling. I staggered back away from him. You can't be with me, I'll destroy you in the end. If you think it is worth the risk I am telling you do not be such a fool! I don't know if my shaking was from the cold or from my extreme sadness. I love you more than I could ever put into words or actions however, I do not want to see you desecrated in the end.
Fai wiped the tears from my eyes and wrapped me in his warm embrace. I could smell his essence in his famed cloak. The clothing of a wizard with great power. This is too much for me bear. I might go insane from these memories flashing like cruel lightning in my mind.
"Whatever your tears are for it is all in vain now. This is a new world and a perfect place to begin once again, my love." His words took my breath away and made my heart warm like a crackling fire. I returned his embrace and turned him around so that he was the last person in the group. I said nothing but I felt like I had no need for words. I let go of him, straightened up my back and walked heavily. Purpose I must have purpose. Fai is right this is the time more than ever to create a new life for myself and for him as well. I got so immersed in my feelings that I didn't know I had passed the group. I was only a few feet in front of them. The light blanket of snow crunched under my feet.
"That's the spirit!" exclaimed Fai. Half an hour went by and Mokona was complaining of hunger and when exactly we were going to escape this dreaded forest. The snow was beginning to soak into my shoes and my feet were cold and wet. I could go into hypothermia any second now. Not to mention the poor Sakura, she must be so cold. I was used to being cold and so was Fai. We know how to handle it. We need to find shelter soon.
"We are all hungry Mokona. Just a little longer and we'll be out of this forest and into a warm bed." Assured Syaoran.
For a second I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me but in the middle of the forest I saw a lodge in the distance.
"Look everyone! A house!" I called out to them.
"You don't have to tell me twice, woman." Kurogane said nudging me as he passed. I thought nothing of this rude gesture, it is just the hunger getting to him.
Knock knock knock went Fai on the large wooden door. A man answered the door, he was tall and quite burly looking. Mokona smelled food and darted for the kitchen. The man was shocked for a minute at the strange creature but shrugged it off and let us into his abode anyway.
"Thank you sir" I said to him. We left our shoes at the fireplace to dry. We all filled our stomachs with hot beef stew and mashed potatoes. It was savory and nothing less than delicious.
"Thank you mister! That was the best meal I've had in ages!" exclaimed Mokona whilst patting her full stomach.
"That's just the hunger talking" I said. Mokona pouted, rubbed her ears and whined "Fai, is being mean to me!"
"Aww my poor Mokona. Come here. You know she was only teasing you. And that's Mrs. Corrine to you." Fai smiled back at Mokona as he cradled her in his arms.
"Mrs? You guys don't even have rings." Retorted a sleepy Mokona.
"That is true! How very observant of you Mokona, we will have to have some made again. Oh did I say again? I didn't mean that. I must be tired from out trek over here." Said Fai.
"What brings you here? Are you travelers? Performers maybe?" asked Ronald the man who had welcomed us into his home.
"We're travelers of the sort. My I use your spare room?" answered Syaoran carrying an exhausted yet fast asleep Princess Sakura.
"Yes of course" said the Ronald and he directed him to a spare room.
I rested my head on Fai's shoulder, I never thought I'd be doing this again. He returned the favor by resting his head against mine. Syaoran stayed with the Princess every night, as if to guard her and watch her while she slept. He reminds me of a lonely man savoring cherry blossoms, because if he didn't the blossoms would be gone before he knew it.
Kurogane grew tired of our conversation and went off to his spare room.
"Thank you so much for letting us in, Ronald. I wish you well sleep tonight." Said Fai as he cradled a sleeping Monoka in his arms. I rose from my chair, Bowed to Ronald and then followed Fai's heels down the hall to our spare room. In our room above the dresser was a photograph of a woman who looked to be in her thirties, and a young girl about the age of ten. Two candles were in front of the dust caked photograph. Poor Ronald he must've lost them.
Sleeping next to Fai was more nostalgic than I ever thought it would be. I was the last to fall asleep. Maybe I'm just like Syaoran? Not wanting this peaceful moment in time to pass. Or at least not have it squandered by sleep. None the less I must sleep for tomorrow is another day.
