Disclaimer: I do not own YST/RW…nor do I really want to. Oops, ended with a preposition. *looks around*
DANGER: Not really, but I bet that got your attention. Reviewers for Chapter 11…go back and reread chapter 11, because you didn't get it all. It is now over 2,000+words long, so you better reread or this chapter will feel strange. Okay, reread, NOW!
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CU 12-Epilogue
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It held so many memories. But he couldn't bring himself to hate this place.
Seiji stared at the building that loomed in his sight, his hands fisting themselves into the pockets of his slacks. He needed to stay relaxed, keep his cool exterior. Being calm and collected was a part of him, something that he struggled to maintain within the past few days. The past few days that made him painfully aware of life now. Life that was so much different.
Yesterday, according to the world, he had become a man, eighteen years old, responsible for his own actions. Yet in his mind's eye, he was already a man when he was forced to grow up and fight. He had promised to protect her, and in some ways he failed.
He hated failing, but yet he loved the challenge, despite the visible flaws and bandages. Taking a few steps forward, he stood by the young woman that he failed.
But she had forgiven him. She forgave him as she slowly woke up, lying in a hospital bed after spending a few hours dead to the world. He remembered the feeling of relief as she weakly grasped his hand. It gave him something to hold, when he had nothing else.
It hurt.
But he had forgiven her. It was all he had to do to keep from destroying something. And he couldn't destroy something that was already dead. He was there only to pick up the pieces. Pieces that reminded him of a light bulb- bright, ever-lasting, but only until they shattered or burnt out. He knew that she felt shattered, but he'd be there to bring back the safety, the smiles, and the light. He was Korin no Seiji, he always brought back the light.
She was his light, he mused as he snaked his arms around her waist, mindful of the cuts and bruises littering her small frame. He buried his face in her hair as his hands gently cupped her shoulders, spinning her around to face him.
Yesterday, it had hurt to look at her.
Today, after spending the night in the Yokohama hospital, she was beautiful. Today marked the beginning of a new chapter of her life, and he hoped to the gods that her life included him. But in all reality, it didn't matter, because he'd be there.
He would always be there, even if she didn't ask. He knew that she wouldn't, it was part of her nature. Part of what made him love her.
Nasuti looked up into Seiji's face, her eyes locked onto his. His eves that held warmth, loyalty, and dare she say it, yes, maybe even love. Yesterday, she had sworn that she could never be loved, not like that. That wasn't love. But like this, to be looked at like this, held like this…
Yeah, this was love, or the start of it.
She could get used to this. "Seiji," she whispered, feeling his arms tighten their grip. She could tell that he felt responsible for her now; he always felt responsible for her, so she felt the need to reassure him. Wrapping her arms around his chest, she leaned her face back to look at his face as a whole. "Thank you."
His eyes were a soft violet as he gazed at her face, not seeing the ugly bruises and marks, but just seeing her, Nasuti Yagyu. "You're welcome." Gentle fingers ran down her jawbone to her chin.
She didn't flinch, because she knew that he wouldn't hurt her, not when he protected her like now, like this. Burying her face into his shirt, she inhaled the scent that would hopefully mask the one ingrained in her memory.
She would never forget what happened. It was true that no one would, they were all affected by some degree. Her life was abruptly altered, but now, it looked altered for the better.
A sleepy smile was hidden in the crook of Seiji's neck.
"Seiji," she mouthed against the sensitive flesh, easily getting his attention. Last night she had discovered that his neck was quite ticklish. Naturally, she felt compelled to test out her own theory. He knew that she wanted his attention, even for a fleeting moment.
It was one of the things that made her love him.
"Hai," he muttered, his vocal cords vibrating against her lips.
"Let's go home."
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Fin.
A/N: Well, that's it. Hey, my first finished fiction, whoo hoo! Let's celebrate! Party!
Oh yeah, I'd thank everyone who reviewed here, but there's too many of you, so I'm thanking each and every one of you lovely people on my website… which in all reality makes you want to check out my bio and review for everything else. *grins*
Oh yeah, I forgot.
CG. *hands you Damien* Murder him.
C.G. *proceeds to beat up Damien with a crowbar*
*shrugs* She wanted to kill him, she begged me to let her kill him.
Oh yeah, Mary D. Ever heard of the technique "bait-and-switch"? I used it here when I didn't know the exact term. That and the *Helps* were my helps…because I knew that you'd help…*grins* Aren't I smart?
Now…to work on everything else.