Author's Note: This is part 4 of Cruel Fate, probably the last part. I was planning on making this longer but my break is over and I've been very busy. This is my first attempt at something somewhat sappy so please R/R. I got a huge headache when writing this so some of it might not make sense. Let's just say Hitomi's a very confused person. Written in third person as usual, kind of switches between views so it's somewhat confusing.
Cruel Fate: The Way of Destiny
The tranquillity of the night was broken by the two figures shrouded in the light of the moon. The young woman gazed wistfully at the young man that stood before her. He had changed, he had long since abandoned the boyish frame he had possessed five years ago and adopted that of a man. Yet, he still carried the same insecurities, fears, doubts, he was still the same person she had met and fell in love with five years ago.
This couldn't have been anything more than a sweet dream, he was nothing more than an apparition conjured deep within the recesses of her delirious mind. Soon it would fade away from existence, as it had done countless times in her dreams, leaving nothing but a cruel reminder of all she had left behind.
His image never wavered; he took one step, then another. He slowly made his way towards her. Time seemed to halt its endless march; each step seemed to take an eternity. His footsteps left no sound and yet they echoed so clearly in her ears.
Her mind was a maelstrom of thoughts and emotions; guilt, fear, desire, hope, despair... she didn't know what to feel. They melded together to form one, only to fragment into hundreds of chaotic thoughts and feelings. He stood directly next to her now, the raging storm in her mind intensified. He tentatively reached out to touch her, instinct surfaced, she ran.
The storm in her mind churned as she ran, everything was a blur, the cool air caught in her throat, choking her. Her breaths came out in ragged gasps, her heart pounded violently in her chest. Searing pain shot through her limbs, her body begged her to stop but she didn't. Had she made the right decision? It didn't matter, she had chosen her path, there was no return now.
Their relationship, it was doomed before it even began. Her, the Girl from the Mystic Moon, him, the young king of a ruined country. They were from two different worlds, how could it possibly have worked? She smiled sardonically, it was laughable, she was foolish to have ever though it could have worked between them.
She stood at the edge of a cliff; over its edge lay the promise of eternity. But how had she gotten here... was this the work of fate? Was this the way of destiny, the way of her destiny? The wind gently nudged her towards the brink, silent voices beckoned her. It was strange, she had always thought she was in control of her own destiny but here she was, answering fate's call.
One step forward, and then another, each bringing her one step closer to her destiny, one step away from her past, away from him. The winds howled with anticipation, the silent voices moaned their encouragement. She stood before the brink now, one more step would bring her the calm, the peace, the solace, that she sought. This was what she wanted... wasn't it? Yet why was she hesitating? She had nothing left to hold on to but the memories. One more step, her foot struck air, she fell. The fates smiled their approval.
She was falling; the world spun around her, the ground rose up to meet her. The wind lashed mercilessly, her eyes were wide and unfocused, the darkness was smothering, snuffing out her last breaths. She felt no fear as she plummeted towards death; eternity awaited her, with arms wide open.
The images around her sharpened, the wind ceased to whip against her, she wasn't falling anymore. The vice of the past tightened around her as snowy feathers drifted past her eyes.
She felt his strong arms wrap around her, enfolding her. This must have been one of Fate's cruel games. Fate was a cruel creature, allowing her to taste bliss, offering her hope, only to snatch it away when it was within reach. Why did it deny her the eternal slumber? Was it only to torture her, watch her suffer? Was fate giving her a chance at happiness?
She struggled to escape his embrace; escape from him but his arms refused to yield. Why did he insist on holding on? Holding onto the past, the memories, holding onto her... why? She didn't understand it, surely he felt nothing more for her than companionship. Tears threatened to spill as she turned her head to meet his gaze. His eyes spoke to her, asking her... why?
She could no longer bear to look at him, she turned away. Her tears flowed freely now, leaving salty trails down her face. Shame and self-pity ate away at her, shame and self-pity for being too weak, too cowardly to find out the truth. She couldn't face him, couldn't bring herself to meet his searching gaze.
He didn't understand... why was she crying? Why did she run from him? He wanted, more than anything, to be the one to take away her pain, to be the one to kiss away her tears, tell her everything would be all right. He delicately cupped her face within the palms of his hands, gently tilting her head to face him.
His warm breath washed over her, softly caressing her tear-stained face. He gently wiped away a tear that had escaped from the corner of her eye. Gathering his courage he lowered his face and captured her lips with his own. He was hesitant, uncertain... almost fearful. He had never done this sort of thing before. Would she reject him? Would she try to run again?
She inclined her head, inviting him nearer; he wasted no time responding. Their mouths pressed tightly against each other, spilling into each other the passion and desire they had suppressed for all those years. He kissed her passionately, desperately, every touch, every sensation embedding itself deep within his memory. Her body pressed upon his, her nostalgic aroma, her taste, overwhelming his senses, driving him over the edge of euphoria. Countless nights he had dreamt of this moment, for the first time, he felt whole, complete.
Reluctantly, they parted, only to satisfy the needs of their lungs. They stood there, basking in each other's presence. He opened his mouth to speak but she silenced him by capturing his lips with her own, pulling him into a gentle kiss. Words could only befoul this precious moment that they shared. She didn't need words, didn't need promises, he was here, he was with her now, that was all that mattered.
Notes: Well, that's the end of this little series. I know it's kind of anticlimactic and the ending was probably too abrupt but I didn't feel like stretching it out longer. Anyways, please review, flame me if you want. If anyone wants, I can try to continue this story in a different series. In the meanwhile I'll be busy with my Gundam Wing fic. Thanks for reading!