Okay so since I'll probably have the final chapter done by next week considering how much I want to put into it, I figured I would go ahead and throw this one up here. Sooo...enjoy the chapter. :)

Stargazer
Chapter 6: One in a Million

Out of all those stars in the sky...I managed to get the one I would fall for and I fell hard. But to save his life...I have to do this...something that drains all the happiness and energy right out of me.

Orbs of light dance around Axel lanky frame. His wide eyes connect with mine and they instantly turn to sorrow. Biting his own lip, he tries to smile. But we both know that it's the hardest thing to do at the moment. Rufus taps my shoulder and points up. I follow his instructions and see a pillar of pure white light coming down from the clouds. Aster panics as it closes around Axel, shielding him from us.

Axel's mouth moves, but I can't hear him...much less see him clearly for it looks like the space around him is getting foggy.

For the first time since I've been around him, Aster visibly panics. Not wanting to lose the prey that was just in arms reach of him, Aster lunges forward in one last desperate attempt. Axel begins to hover off the ground when Aster latches onto him. "I won't let you get away this time!"

Axel merely shakes his head, but the conversation between the two is lost to all of us outside of the beautiful glow. About half way to the white clouds above, I notice that Aster looks as though he's smoking...then I see that he's missing from his knees down.

It's burning him as he goes!

I watch as the cotton ball like clouds part slightly as Axel takes Aster out of view. Standing there, I feel my heart clench. The sky appears completely clear of all happenings now and it saddens me.

Why wouldn't it? I love him. He's gone. I should move on.

Across from us, Rex stands dumbfounded because of the fact that he's leaderless. For all the big talk, he's nothing more than a mere minion in the end. I myself am speechless. Turning from them I walk away and toward the cars that I know are parked out front. The second my butt touches the leather of Rufus's vehicle, the rest becomes a blur of commotion.

Rufus wouldn't leave me alone so he went with me and left Tseng to make sure Rex and the two goons were arrested. I was taken to the hospital to get checked out. Once I had been treated and released, Rufus took me straight home. There, he let me know that I could come back to work the second I had the desire, more or less the physical ability, to. Before he left back to the company and to Tseng, I let him be aware of the fact that I would be in first thing in the morning.

Maybe by getting back into the swing of things, I'll fall into my work and get my mind away, if only if it's for a little while.

~_~_~Three Months Later~_~_~

Rude gives a short nod to me as I shrug my jacket on over my white buttoned up shirt. Unlike all the other workers, I leave the first couple buttons undone and the shirt is never tucked in. I wouldn't be me if I didn't. There's just no sense if it's going to get that way by the end of the day, I just beat it to the punch.

Not wanting to go home right away, I decide to take a long walk out of Midgar. Rufus had decided to give me the rest of the day off, I'm not sure why and I defiantly won't question it either. Meaning, the cruel sun beats down on me as I make my way to my destination. My dust covered boots shuffle through the sand as I climb yet another hill. The naturally shaped rocks tower above me, making me feel tinier than an ant. The tracks from large wheels should make me wary of where I'm headed...wary of anyone that wants to get some quick money. But I just don't seem to care. I can't find it in me, honestly.

Once, there was a sword that marked the place where a hero died, the place where I'm headed. Not that long ago...yet it seems forever since then. After our last incident, that I don't care to remember, Cloud moved the Buster Sword into the church in the slums, he even cleaned it up real nice to match the yellow and white flowers growing around it. The flowers that only grow in that church and no where else.

Heaving a deep breath, I gaze out over the city of Midgar from my place on the jutting cliff edge. Collapsing to my knees, I fall forward onto my palms. Inside, my chest constricts and I worry about my health, always at the last moment. Panting heavily, I try to cough it away but it only forces the black spots in my vision to become more opaque until finally the only thing in my vision is black.

Axel...help me...

Groaning, I sit up only to realize that it's dark out. The midnight sky looms over me and the stars glitter, taunting me. I dust myself off as I stagger to my feet. I must have passed out and laid here all day. No one would worry now anyway...especially now that the threats have been minimized. I run my fingers through my crimson tresses and turn around with a sigh.

I'd better head home.

Biting down on my lip, I begin walking. Although, I only get a few paces before headlights cast a glow around my frame. My aching body seems to heal automatically at the thought of getting jumped. The cycle stops next to me and I turn to the figure.

I can't help but grin as I see those blonde spikes. He motions with a gloved hand and I step closer. "What are you doing up here Reno? It's late."

"What time is it?"

"Almost 11:00pm. I've been looking for you."

"Why?"

He bows his head slightly, almost as if expressing emotion is still new to him. Pale lips part and I agreely await his news. No bad news can upset me further.