Pre-story note: Well, here goes. I've been ridiculously paranoid about this story for quite some time now, and I've finally given up on the editing phase and decided to post it. So...here it is. Hope you all enjoy it!
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"Meditation"
He was meditating again. He was always meditating. It was supposed to cleanse the spirit, to heal the soul. Why wasn't it working? He still felt the same sense of guilt, the same pain. Maybe it would never go away. Maybe it would always be there, to separate him from the rest of the world, to keep him from her. No. He couldn't think about this. He had to stop. They could never belong together. It just wasn't meant to be, although the very thought of her was consuming his entire being.
He looked down. There she was, umbrella in hand, leaving the temple, leaving him. At that moment a realization occurred in his mind, something that had always been there, but had always gone ignored. She cared for him. The thought had unbelievable force. She cared for him. She might even love him, the one who had abandoned her, who had told her that he never wanted to see her again. And yet she still...
Wait. She cared for him now, but if things kept going this way, she might give up hope. She might leave him forever.
How could he go on without her? How could he live? How could he be happy? How could he even exist without her?
He grew almost frantic (and that never happened to him, never). He had to do something. He had to give her a sign, so that she wouldn't lose faith in him.
But not yet. Now was not the time. He had to wait. He couldn't tell her now.
Wait? But why? He had waited for the longest time, endured what was, to him, eternal torture. He wanted to tell her. He wanted to show how much she meant to him. He wanted to write it in the sky, so the whole world could see.
But he was not ready yet. What could he offer her now? He still had to wait. He had to wait until he was worthy of her.
He watched her walk away, and, only barely audible in the heavy silence of the temple, he breathed, "Just a little longer, Misao. Just wait a little longer. I'll be there soon...I promise."
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A/N:So, what did you think? Love it? Hate it? Don't care? Please let me know. Questions, comments, and constructive criticism are greatly appreciated.
Legal...whatever: This was written strictly for enjoyment, not for the profit of myself or anyone else. (Besides, I doubt I could make any money anyway...--;;)