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(I still don't own Monster Rancher, and I realize I only received one review on the first chapter- Yay! I reached my goal!
I wrote the beginning part of this (The first chapter) and had no idea where it was going- then I scanned through the anime section of ff.net until my eyes fell on 'Monster Rancher'... I stopped there... and thought.... "Hey... it fits..." And so here this story ended up. I haven't seen very many episodes of this show, but enough to know the main characters. It was one of the only anime shows I could watch when I first moved to Iowa... Sheesh... they don't have Cartoon Network on regular cable! But thankfully I now have satellite and can get my favorite Anime shows... like Rurouni Kenshin... Oro's are so Kawaii.
Enjoy if you can... I'm going to bed...
Chapter Two
The Winds have risen onto the hills, acting as my guide, my support, and my power... I hasten over the blades of lush green, watching the gleam of the earlier rain shine in the afternoon sun as the Wind combs the grass.
I have no reason to fear the enemy now... for I've left them all behind... This land is sacred... none who are not welcome can enter.
And so I run... onward... faster! My energy is running low... so many miles I've already covered...
I'm panting... unsure of how to finish this desperate race against time... I can make it... I always have before. This is my mission, my obligation, and my duty. I shall complete it to the fullest... the best of my ability.
The present may seem harsh, but the past contained a much greater severity than this journey.
Wait... I see it! His home! The log house... old but sturdy windows that compliment the outside... and the beautiful garden he has raised. Filled with red roses and golden snap dragons, bleeding hearts and violet petals... it was gorgeous... and it was all his...
The mere sight of it brought an image flooding to my mind... it reminded me of Holly... her sweet voice and personality... the smell of luxuriant flowers meshing with the perfect image...
He was there... I could sense him when I first stepped onto his land...
The door was closed... appearing heavily locked and protected... understandable... such a dangerous place to live... High Winds, violent storms and crashing tornados... a well constructed house happened to be the only choice...
It seemed so close now... after all the land I crossed... but the distance was still great... My eyes could make out the pattern designs of the mat in front of the door, and my ears could hear the familiar footsteps of his pace...
I laughed... actually laughed... for the first time in years. It was a weak rumble from my throat... but a laugh nonetheless...
I'd finally see him... again... it had been so long...
I was nearly there... so close... the door... it was opening...
There he was... his brown hair and old, worn out cap attached to his belt, resting on one hip.
I heard him say my name, laughing with joy and arms spread wide as he knelt down on one knee. He said it again, nearly crying...
I slowed my already diminishing speed... retiring to an exhausted lope as I crossed through his breathtaking garden.
I climbed up the few steps... and was accepted by his warm arms...
He was so much older... taller... mature...
Holding me he whispered my name... I knew by his voice tears were falling from his eyes...
"Genki..." I panted... eyes half open and looking at a white wall... There, his old skates sat... a memory from the past... a pair of adventures waiting to be told...
With a light squeeze he buried his face in my furred mane...
I had missed him... even if I refused to admit it to anyone but myself and this man that had grown from a boy...
Tiger of the Wind... that is who I am... and who I always will be... even if I'm not remembered...
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"Tiger... Tiger... I'm proud of you... my First Class Runner..."
"Genki..." I acknowledged his words, emitting a soft growl to show my contentment... I was far too tired to open my eyes and look at him... the bed he had placed me on was far too... too comfortable... heaven...
"The message you delivered... you've been set free... your collar has been deactivated..." His hand scratched my neck... the stimulation spreading gooseflesh along my limbs. I hadn't felt affection in years...
I laughed again... I was free... they no longer could control me... my thousand missions were complete... I was free... finally... no more running...
"You can stay here... with me." His voice said softly, delicately... I appreciated the tone...
"Thank you... Genki... I'm free..."
Freedom... my wish... they do come true after all...
Now I can rest... and stay here... with him...
For I am Tiger of the Wind...
And even when I'm chained... I'll always be free... free as the Northern Winds...
"The untamable Wind rides free in the high clouds..."
~~~~~~~Owari~~~~~~~
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