Wings of Desire
By Maria Szabo
Disclaimer: X belongs to CLAMP, its publishers and distributors. This is a work of fanfiction and no profit is being made save that of enjoyment.
Part 8
"Hokuto," he whispered, "I did it."
Her eyes widened in surprise and then she beamed approvingly. "Good for you! How did you manage?"
This same conversation, again and again. He never tired of this dream.
"I've been so quiet, they don't watch me so carefully now. I've got the bedsheets knotted the way you told me…"
"Good, good…" They sat together on a rock near the shore. The waves crashed and the wind sang and the gulls cried, all so very quietly. Hokuto always said it was much louder in the outside world.
"That wasn't easy. I've hidden them, and I know the guards' schedules…even if they do change them, I'll know." He took a deep breath. "I'm ready. It will be soon, I know. I'm just waiting for the right moment."
"And you have my phone number? And the cell phone?"
He nodded. "I'll contact you as soon as I am able."
Her face lit up, then suddenly dimmed.
"Is something wrong?" he asked, concerned.
"It's nothing."
"Is it?"
"Well." She frowned at him, then leaned her head on his shoulder. "Things have been strange, lately. Sei-chan, he's that guy I told you about…Subaru's friend, is in the hospital. Subaru's taking it pretty hard, but I'm thinking it might be for the best. Something about Sei-chan…something's not adding up, you know?"
She looked at him solemnly, then took his hands in hers. "Kakyou, I…need to tell you something. You may not want to meet me after hearing this." She laughed at herself and shook her head. "What am I saying? Of course you'll still want to meet a cute girl like me! And besides, you probably already know…"
"Know what?"
"There's a chance I won't live for very long."
She knew?! he thought. How did she know? She had limited powers, but he didn't think prophecy was one of them.
"Have you ever heard of the Dragons of Heaven? Or the Seven Seals?"
He blinked. "I…yes…"
"I thought maybe you've seen them, in your dreams…maybe even me, for that matter. Love at first sight, huh?" she giggled.
"It was." He blushed a little as he met her gaze.
She blushed a little herself and continued. "My brother and I, we're twins, you know. Actually, I was born first, but he got all the talent. I don't mind, really. He gets to be the head of the clan, and I'm supposed to protect Kamui as a Dragon of Heaven. Grandmother says Kamui has been born, now…and I've even met one of the other Dragons, a guy from the Windmaster Clan." She sighed, looking at her hands entwined with his own. "I'm not sure how good I'll be. I don't have much ability, but there's no help for it. Subaru's so gentle, he'd get fried in about three seconds, I don't care how powerful he is. So it had better be me."
"It doesn't matter." His hands tightened around hers.
"It DOES matter. It's supposed to be this big secret, but I wanted you to know. I might die soon. There are enemies, you know…the Dragons of Earth. Grandmother says I have to be cautious…but then, she says that about everything, doesn't she?" Hokuto laughed again. "But I wanted to be honest with you."
Honest. That was it. He needed to be honest. She needed to be warned. "Hokuto, I need to tell you…"
Her head jolted up, like she'd heard something, and then she disappeared. She never came back. And she died before he could tell her. The seashore faded into darkness.
"Hokuto…" he whispered, "I did it. I finally did it. Kotori-chan was right. You were right. The future is not yet determined…can you hear me, Hokuto?"
The darkness had no answer for him, but in his heart, he knew she was listening.
FIN
Author's notes:
Obviously, this ISN'T the actual end. There's one more story to go, but it'll take some time for it to simmer, plus I've got some other fics I want to turn my attention to.
The title is from Wim Wender's masterpiece "Wings of Desire", a brilliant film that came out, oh, gosh, 15 years ago or so? I love that movie. It's the closest thing I've ever seen to poetry on film. It's all about angels walking the streets of Berlin, listening to the thoughts and emotions of the people, but feeling nothing, until one of them, Damiel, decides he wants to actually become a part of the destiny he's watched for so long. Go rent it today. Skip the boring remake, City of Angels, and go for the good stuff. Yeah, it's subtitled, but ya'll should be used to that by now, ne?
Poor Sorata and Arashi (and Aoki, really) got short shrift on this one, but they will get more screen time in the next story, I assure you. It's tough juggling this many characters! And dreamscapes are heinous things to write!!! No more!!!
Many thanks to Satsuki-chan, who was very encouraging and to Lika-chan, who always give me wonderfully useful feedback. And to the wonderful folks on the Inuki list, who put up with some dud drafts before I got this thing rolling.
