Epilogue: Prologue?

The shadows were comfortable.

Quatre sighed, allowing himself to sink into the safety they offered. In intermittent patches, the comfort and silence broke up, allowing bits and pieces of sound to break through from somewhere that seemed terribly far away.

"...Safe?"

"...Now...the trauma...we don't..."

"-Right...was powers...newtype gene..."

"...Effect be...?"

He tried to ignore the sounds, and push himself deeper. Somehow, he knew that something was waiting for him when he woke up; something that he would rather not face.

"...wake up?"

"...n't know. Have to..."

No. For now he was safe. Perhaps later... but until then, he could almost imagine that he had someone holding him, like a mother holds her newborn child. And the further he drifted away from the waking world, the more he was sure he could hear someone whispering to him.

"I'll stay with you..."


Ghost Whisper: For those of you wondering, this 'epilogue' is called 'prologue?' because it's an intro into the next part of the story. I will be continuing it within the same story on however, and will lable it as Part 2 within the story.

As I stated in the previous chapter, you can expect the next update between August 16th, and the end of August, as I have most of it written already. Stay tuned at the end of the story notes for a preiew! (wicked grin) Yes, I know I'm torturing you. XD


Soundtrack

The following was a soundtrack to this story that I compiled, based on music I listened to while writing, or that I thought fit exceptionally well with the mood. I encourage all readers to get a hold of these songs if possible, as they are wonderful.

Shadowed Tears Soundtrack

Chapter 1: Shadow of Death

Weathered – Creed

Splendour – Nanase Hikaru

The Successor – Nobuo Uematsu

Ruri's Heart – Nanase Hikaru

Just Communication – from the anime Gundam Wing

Full of Grace – Sarah McLachlan

Chapter 2: Desperate to Forget

When I'm Gone – Three Doors Down

Passing Sorrow – Nobuo Uematsu

Iris – Goo Goo Dolls

Ancient Secret – Nanase Hikaru

Living Inside the Shell – Steve Conte

Solitude – Joe Hisaishi

Chapter 3: Let Me In

Let Me In – Save Ferris

Terra In Black – Nobuo Uematsu

Duvet – BOA

Prelude – Nanase Hikaru

Rise – Yoko Kanno

Flame – from the Witch Hunter Robin soundtrack

Chapter 4: Build Up Walls

Nothing Else Matters – Metallica

The Glorious Angel – Nanase Hikaru

Loss of Me – Nobuo Uematsu

Somewhere I belong – Linkin Park

Fallen – Sarah McLachlan

Chapter 5: Outside the Bounds of Comrades

Someday – Nickelback

The Sound of Silence - Simon and Garfunkel

Kanashimi Iro no Sunadoke – From the Gundam Wing anime

Is It Real? – Yoko Kanno

Obsession – from the .hackExtra Soundtrack

Chapter 6: Initial Descent

Unknown – Lifehouse

Kuja's Theme – Nobuo Uematsu

Peacekeeper – Fleetwood Mac

Shell – from the Witch Hunter Robin soundtrack

Last Impression – from the Endless Waltz

To Zanarkand – Nobuo Uematsu

Chapter 7: Distance Between Friends

Elsewhere – Sarah McLachlan

Silent Sorrow – Nanase Hikaru

Himitsu – From the Anime Noir

Aeris' Theme – Nobuo Uematsu

Le Grande Retour – From the anime Noir

Numb – Linkin Park

Chapter 8: A Part of Me

Taste – Lorna Vallings

Dive Into the Heart – Yoko Shinomura

Velveteen – Yoko Kanno

Bring Me To Life – Evanescence

Figure 09 – Linkin Park

One Winged Angel – Nobuo Uematsu

Epilogue: Prologue?

Heaven's Not Enough – Yoko Kanno

Epitaph – From the anime Weiss Kreuz

What's It For – Emily Curtis

The Light Before We Land – The Delgados

Gravity – from the anime Wolf's Rain


Story Notes:

1 According to a Japanese/English translator site I consistently use, one of the possible translations for Hitomi is 'victim', or 'sacrifice'.

2 About my version of 'Zero'...I think my Psychology course got to me. I was originally planning on a multiple personality thing for the story, then I scrapped the idea, because I thought it wouldn't fit. Then I decided to bring it back in, and it morphed to what you see now.

3 The ending scene of this chapter was originally intended to be the ending scene of the story, with a sequel planned. It's been sitting in my head for months now. XD Now that I'm finished it, I'm a little confused as to whether I should end Shadowed Tears, and start the sequel, or whether I should continue it as the same story. Either way, it will continue into a new 'part'. I have the equivalent of the epilogue/prologue written, as well as another chapter. I would very much appreciate it if people commented on their preference. It will be taken into consideration.

4 The other pilots will have large roles in subsequent stories/chapters. I haven't forgotten about them.

5 Information regarding multiple personalities was used at various points in this fic, and will continue to be used. Source: 'Psychology And You', Second Edition: McMahon, J; McMahon, B; and Romano, T. Information on Japanese language comes from Jim Breen's WWW JDIC Dictionary (Monash University Site).

6 Thanks to my reviewers!

Stage: You reviewed most of the chapters! O.o Thanks! It makes me so happy to know you thought the story was worthwhile enough for that!

XXrachieXx: One of my long-time reviewers! Great to see you! I'm a sad person too I guess. I've re-read some of my favourite stories over and over in the hopes it will make authors update sooner. I'm not sure if it works though...perhaps I'll try psychic manipulation next... :D I'm glad the scene with pissed off Quatre was good. I wanted him to be angry with good reason, and not bratty sounding. Luckily, I had inspiration - It was one of those 'get up in the middle of the night to write' things. I do that a lot...

shadowofdragons: Heh heh... I'm evil with cliffhangers aren't I? Looks up at end of current chapter. Eep! Don't kill me!

Yo: I hope this is fast enough?

Long de Yunqi: I think Duo is strange too :D Thanks for the review!

Haruka Hana: -Proudly display Evil Authoress' Guild badge- Does this update make up for the evil cliffy? It turned out so much longer than I was planning... but I wrote another evil cliffie. Gotta earn my keep in the Guild, you know. I'm glad you like the journal entry. It has important clues regarding Quatre's problems with Zero, which become more apparent in this chapter. And the cracking the computer scene? -rubs hands together maniacally- That is yet to come...

Star's dreams: You think it is amazing? -Blushes- Thank you!

Minako 9: So you picked up on some of the clues I dropped? I'm glad you did. I was worried that I was the only who could see them, just because I'd written the stories. Hopefully this chapter helps with those tenterhooks. :D

Sakura30: I hope I don't drive anyone too crazy...I don't think they have much in the way of computer access at Mental Institutions... XD

Khinei: Hmm...I'm not sure if I dragged it out enough. Were you expecting more Quatre torture? I do plan to have lots of angsty/drama/supernatural goodness in the sequel/later chapters. I'm thinking of putting at least one pairing into the story in the future, but I won't give it away. And I won't have romance take over the story if I do include a pairing – I don't think I'm good enough at writing it anyway. --;; This story is dedicated to all my reviewers, without whom it could never have existed; and to my Mom, who sat through many hours of discussion and ranting, encouraging me the entire time without ever knowing the plotline of Gundam Wing.


Preview!

Zero is a number meaning non-existent. It is a system, created for battle, to increase a pilot's reaction time. Zero is a consciousness, seeing, but not recognizing the cords that bind human beings together in an intricate play of chance and choice. Zero is a child. It is a monstrosity. Zero...is me...

...

Ghost Whisper: Bwaa-haa-haa