Remnants of the Sky
By Zell's Girl
Rating: PG-13
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Chapter Nine: Hope
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Is love something that can be found? Is it something that is tangible
to your average person, or is it only for those the Goddess deems worthy?
Perhaps it is just falsehood, an illusion the human mind concocts? Love
is the question and answer, the paradox.
The world seems like a cruel place. People are manipulative, and will do anything for power and money, including hurt each other. In a world like this, where does love fit into our lives? Somewhere between the cracks? In the unnoticed cogs? Love is something that seems unnecessary some days, but it's all that matters on others.
Love is not something to be forced. The heart makes its own decisions. It defies knowledge. It spits upon the greater good. Love seems senseless and stubborn. It seems to fool and deceive the most reasonable of people. But, for every shadow, there is twice as much light. That light is just unnoticed when we're blinded.
But, even the blind can sense things. It does not take much to read a person's eyes. The human face gives us many kinds of signals. Signals can be crossed. Signals can be misinterpreted. Not to mention, there is the hazard of a lying tongue. With all these risks, why do people bother?
I'll tell you, it's not because of pride. Nor is it because of stature. It is not due to selfish needs or self-pleasure. It is not to keep that one, lingering moment of happiness. Love, truly, is a selfless act. As the ancients said, 'The only reasonable act is love'.
Grasp that notion and take it with you. Never lose it. There's something reassuring there. Despite the pain, despite the sorrows, despite the situation, love is there. It's sensible and reasonable and logical to love, to feel. It's not a sin to have a heart.
Love looks past so many things; love is blind. The past, the present, the future; they don't matter—love is timeless. Love makes you believe in yourself and in others. Love can make a believer out of most people, regardless of who they are.
Troubles may arise. Faith may be broken. But regardless, love is there. Love is a wonderful thing. I am happy to have known it. I am happy that you may know it. At least, we have that. Despite dilemma, despite chaos… I know that I have loved.
In your smile I have seen all the love the world has to offer. In your tears I have suffered more then any blow a sword could deal me. In your heart, I have seen more truth then in anything else. And in your eyes, I have seen sparkling rays of hope.
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The attitude in Budehuc was as dark and dreary as the skies. Rain poured down relentlessly, and the people in the castle all seemed consumed and quiet. Even Mel and her obnoxious puppet barely spoke. Everyone just seemed… cloistered.
Yumi and Yuiri had both spent the day quietly, seldom speaking. It didn't need to be said. They were both worried. They were both hurting. After this battle, they knew they both must leave Budehuc and head back the village. Either way, they knew that this was the end for all the relationships they'd formed.
Yumi decided to pack her things. She gathered her books, clothes, and other belongings into her black leather travel bag. Yumi looked about the room she shared with her sister for the past couple of months. It had become a second home. It would be so hard to leave. Yuiri lied on her bed, flipping through her diary carefully.
"Sister, does it pain you to leave this place?" Yuiri eyed her sister as her question staggered in the humid air.
"Oh course," Yumi sighed, "there are many friends I've made that I will miss dearly. I have become quite fond of this town. What about you?"
"I can't wait to get home. I miss Great Auntie and all our people but… I will miss Sir Dios a great deal."
Yumi grinned at her sister. "Does he know that?"
"No…"
"Perhaps you should tell him," Yumi said. She folded up one of her dresses and placing it in the pack. "We don't have much time left here."
Yuiri looked up at the ceiling. "I think some things are better left unsaid."
"But do not think such matters, Yuiri. I don't want you to regret this. I want all the happiness in the world for you, dear sister." Yumi smiled over at Yuiri, continuing to fold clothes.
Yuiri started, "I think I should but..."
"But?"
"I don't know… I just don't know, Yumi." Yumi sat in the small armchair which sat alone in the corner of the room.
"You don't?"
"Yeah, I mean," Yuiri looked down at her sister, "Sir Dios is really rather busy later. He's going on a mission. He probably needs to concentrate and train, and I am not even sure if Sir Dios…
You know…"
"Hm?" She replied, leaning forward slightly.
She stammered, "I don't know if… he cares about me."
Silence befell upon the room. It seemed to last for minutes before Yumi finally asked, "Are you going to see him?"
"I think… I will," Yuiri murmured. "Thanks Yumi."
Yumi chirped, "Not a problem!" Yuiri quickly took off down the hall to talk to Dios. Yumi remained alone in the empty room and listened to the raindrops fall against the window for several moments before she herself stood and walked towards the door.
Okay, I guess it's my turn.
Yumi walked quickly down the hall, turning towards the Zexen Knights' gathering place. It was getting late; it was already dark outside. Without a thought of what she should say or do, she flung the door open with a loud crash. Alone in the room was Salome, who was sitting on the cedar desk reading a thick book. He looked up at Yumi, smiling happily.
"Why hello, Miss Yumi! You are looking for Borus, I suppose?"
She muttered, "Y-yes… um… do you know where he is?"
"I'd assume he's in his quarters. He said earlier that he wanted to finish up some paperwork before the mission tomorrow."
"I am most sorry for disrupting you, Sir Salome, but would please tell me where Borus' room is?" she asked nervously.
"Oh," he said flatly, "third door on the left down the hall. It has a light blue door."
"Oh, I see," she stammered, "thank you very much Sir Salome." Before he could offer a 'your welcome', the girl was already out in the hallway. Salome sighed. Being alone sure was boring…
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Borus lied on his bed, vacantly staring up at the sword he held. The magnificent blade… How it shined! Too bad it would soon be tainted with blood. Borus and his sword would soon have so much in common.
Upon the chair beside the bed sat the armor he had been issued for the battle ahead. The Windspun Armor was well-crafted and beautiful, shimmering in the candlelight that illuminated the small room. It was clearly new, bought only for the use in this one fight.
The finished paperwork sat alone on the small oak desk in the corner of the room. He had finished everything that was expected of him, apart from the fight ahead. To think, mere months ago the only things that seemed deadly was paperwork.
Tomorrow at noon… Tomorrow at noon everything would end. The Fire Bringer
would enter the Ceremonial Site, fight Luc, and then… either way… it was
over. Hopefully, though, it would only be over for Luc.
The rain pattered against the outer window. It was peaceful, rhythmic.
Borus placed his sword down beside him and closed his eyes. He absorbed
the moment. This could be his last night. This could be the last time he
heard rain.
As Borus sat and thought, a soft knock came from the door. Borus sighed. It was probably Percival, with the usual 'come drinking' proposition. Borus didn't want that. He liked it here. He liked the quiet, the calm. Tomorrow there would be chaos. He wanted to hold onto the peace…
"Borus… Borus are you there?" Yumi asked from beyond the door. Borus felt like an idiot. How rude he was!
"Come in. The door's unlocked."
The petite Alma Kinan girl opened the door and walked in. Her face was panicked, and her eyes seemed distant. Borus watched her as she closed the door, and remained towards the entrance.
She murmured something.
"Borus, I need to tell you something."
Borus looked at her sadly. Her face was usually filled with joy, and her eyes seemed to sparkle brightly. But now, probably because of him, she seemed dark and empty. Borus felt the guilt seep in, knowing this was what he did to the people he cared for. He hurt them.
"What would that be?" he questioned quietly.
"I… well… I think…" she stammered quietly. "I think I love you."
Borus smiled softly at the proclamation. "You think you love me?"
She whispered, "Well, yes. You see… I was never taught about this kind of love back at the village. But, but I am pretty sure I love you."
"I see…"
"It's just… when I'm with you I feel so happy… and when you leave I feel my heart sink. And my heart jumps when you say my name… your lips move forward ever so slightly when you say the 'yu' part and… And when I heard you were summoned to fight, I worried so much, I just wanted to cry…"
Borus stood and approached Yumi as she stood there, trying to express the feelings she couldn't comprehend. She was hurting. Yumi's pained gaze cut through him like knives. She was on the verge of tears, doing her best to explain the problem at hand.
"Regardless of what happens though, I'll never see you again. I'll have to go back to the village and I won't be allowed to leave. It's over and there's nothing I can do and I don't want to lose you… I…"
Tears streamed down Yumi's face as relentlessly as the rain fell outside. Borus took her hands in his, looking sympathetically into her eyes. She went silent for a moment, focusing on the knight's face. Slowly, his lips move gingerly over hers.
This kiss was in no way like their last. Borus thought only of the woman before him. Her eyes…. Her smile… just Yumi… just this moment. No pain, no sadness. All their sorrows ceased momentarily, melting away into the night.
As the tears dried against Yumi's face, she moved her hands behind his head, feeling his soft, saffron hair. Her thumb lightly grazed his temple. Borus snaked his arms around her, holding Yumi close to him. It would soon be over, before they had a chance, it would be… over.
When they were both short of breath, Borus continued to hold Yumi close to him. She buried her face into his chest. She wanted to take what could be her last opportunity to be with Borus and savor every moment. Yumi loved the blonde knight, despite what he'd done, despite his obligations, despite anything that could be considered wrong. In him she only saw the sweet, wonderful man that had watched over her and cared for her.
She embraced that little ray of hope that they might have a future together.
And the two stayed together into the night, silently holding each other
and listening to the rain fall.
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People gathered at the blinking mirror for the departure of the soldiers. Yumi and Borus walked hand-in-hand to the main foyer, watching the tearful goodbyes that were being exchanged. Yumi hugged Borus one last time before he took his place among the fighters.
Yumi looked over at Yuiri who was quietly watching Sir Dios and Bishop Sasarai talk from the staircase. Despite how the two Harmonians were chatting, Dios' eyes were firmly locked on the elder Alma Kinan woman. Yumi smirked and tapped her sister on the shoulder.
"Good morning, dearest sister! How did things go yesterday?" Yumi questioned, smiling.
Without bothering to look at her sister, Yuiri muttered, "Well. Things went well."
"Oh really?" Yumi chirped.
"Yes." Yuiri stated flatly. "How did things go for you?"
"Whatever do you mean?"
"You never came back to our room last night. I assume you must have been somewhere," Yuiri murmured.
She spat out, "Oh, I went on a long walk yesterday."
"In the rain?" She interrogated without even looking at Yumi.
"Well, yes."
"You needn't lie, Yumi. It's utterly transparent." Yuiri informed her sister.
"That's not a problem then," Yumi chimed, "since it's not a lie."
"Whatever…" Just as the last words were exchanged, Hugo came down the staircase. Every head turned, watching the Flame Champion assume his place amongst his men.
"Has everyone who was summoned been accounted for?"
"Yes Hugo, everyone is here!" Viki called through the crowd.
"Okay, we're shipping out then," the young Flame Champion announced. "Goodbye everyone."
Viki waved her wand and opened the mirror portal. Hugo walked through
first, followed by an excited Fred and Rico. The other warriors seemed
to hesitate. After several seconds, they all took their turns walking through
the magical portal.
Borus turned and stared up at Yumi as he made his way towards the mirror.
He waved cautiously. Yumi waved lightly in return, and watched as her knight
disappeared into the mirror.
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End Chapter Nine
Author's notes:
Bah bah bah dah! This was sooooooo cute,
neh? I know! Yay! I love writing this HOPEFULLY
as much as you like reading this! Since this pathetically
stupid, hopefully ya'll dun mind, and will review. Oh
yeah, Thanks for beta-ing again, I wuv ya Adam! All ya
better check out some'a the Suikoden stuff by Al Kristopher,
my number one Suikoden beta-dude. He writes much
better then me, I promise!
Love ya'll lots!,
Kate
