YESTERDAY'S ASHES

Disclaimer: Flame of Recca and Final Fantasy 8 do not belong to me. The characters and opening of this fic don't belong to me either; they belong to their respective producers, artists, whatever. This fic is an original work, so to anyone who thinks that my fic is a rip-off of yours, sorry, any resemblance is purely coincidental. Don't sue me 'cos all my money is going into buying my new uniform.

PROLOGUE

I'll be here…

Why…?

I'll be 'waiting' here…

For what?

I'll be waiting… for you… So if you come here… you'll find me

I promise

-Final Fantasy 8, opening FMV, copyright Square

The birds singing outside his window woke him. He got out of bed and drew the curtains back, letting the morning sun into the dark room. He leaned against the window, gazing absently into the distance, thinking of her. It was their anniversary today – the anniversary of the day they had met…

And of the day she had died.

'Kurenai…'

***

It was night now. A full moon hung low in the clear sky amidst the stars. The air was crisp and cool, perfect for a walk.

He made his way through the garden by the light of the moon, stopping by her favourite rose bush. Its fragrance was intoxicating in the still air. He closed his eyes and inhaled its scent, letting his thoughts turn back to the times when they had stood by the rose bush together. The sound of her laughter, her smile, the way her eyes shone in the moonlight all came rushing back to him. The feeling of her beside him was so real, that he almost believed that when he opened his eyes, she would be there next to him admiring the moon.

He felt someone approaching him and opened his eyes to see a shadowy figure making its way down the path towards him.

"Kurenai?" He whispered in disbelief.

The figure stopped. "Kurei-sama, it's me." Neon's voice drifted towards him.

"What is it?" His voice held a barely perceptible hint of disappointment and hurt in it.

"Nothing, I was just wondering if… Oh, never mind." Neon turned away abruptly. "It's late. Good night, Kurei-sama." She left as silently as she had come.

Left alone once more, Kurei sighed. He knew it was useless hoping and wishing, but still…

He reached out and broke off a rose in full-bloom from the bush before him. A red rose, the symbol of passion, something she was full of. He caressed the silky petals gently as he walked back towards the mansion he called home. As he stood on the doorstep, a petal fell off into his hand, showing up as a dark spot against the whiteness of his palm in the silvery moonlight. He stared at it and said, half-aloud, "I wish we could be together again, Kurenai, and that this time, we would never be apart again."

A stiff breeze swept through the garden suddenly, making the leaves rustle melodiously and blowing the petal off his hand. It danced off with the wind and into the night sky. He watched it until it had blended in with the inky sky above, then turned and entered the house.

Behind him, a star streaked through the sky, leaving a brilliant trail in its wake across the heavens. A shooting star, on its way down to earth.

Insane author's notes:

Ok, I've no idea what's got into me lately. I've suddenly been inspired to write so much serious stuff on my own. Oh well. *shrugs*

This is my second Kurenai fic, no idea why I'm still obsessing over her and Kurei. Hopefully it will be completed before I get over this obsession. Ü In fact, I don't even know why I'm still writing, considering that I've got to take a few major tests consecutively soon, and I haven't started studying, not to mention not paying attention during certain lessons… Btw, if the scene about the flower and Kurei resembles the opening FMV of FF8 (Rinoa and the feather), well… I just realised that it's rather similar. *grinz* Too much FF8, I guess.

Chapter 1 should be up over the next few days if I end up writing instead of finishing my homework. Please R & R! Thanks.