FD: I always wondered what would happen if Elie went away for a while and come back and found Haru is already engaged. Even better, found him on his wedding!

Well, this story is a lot like that! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Groove Rave Adventure.

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Return

She returned once more to this land, year after year. She swept across the earth who has shed her jade colored dress and now covered herself with red and orange patterns. She picked up several of these ornaments and sent them across the sky, leaving a shower of crimson and gold. She swirled in delight and descended, gently embracing the earth. Such is the nature of the autumn's breeze.

Then she found an object of interest, a human boy with hair the color of purest silver. She rushed forward, eager to play with the locks that held such rare shade. She twirled and glided her hand through the boy's wild mane and giggled softly. She felt a smile forming on her invisible lips, the boy held a scent she loves but rarely appeared on humans, the scent of magic.

The one unwittingly attracted the interest of the autumn breeze walked slowly toward the cliff that provided a magnificent view of the island. His hands tucked securely inside the pocket of his dark jacket. He sat down on the ground and fingered a small trinket around his neck, a trinket in the shape of a cross. His gentle violet eyes showed age that should not be present in the eyes of one so young. He is indeed young. Not so young that he could be mistaken for a child, but young enough that the look of his eyes should only belong to one who is decades older than him. He had seen death too many times; so many times that no one his age should ever experience such. Yet, his eyes is devoid of bloodlust and insanity that normally taint the eyes of those who seen death as many times as he did.

However, he is not a normal boy. He is the Rave Master who saved the world from perils using his Ten Commandment Sword and the power of Rave. He had been fighting for his life, his ideals, and the world ever since the day Shiba, the first Rave Master, has gave him the Ten Commandment Sword. Cliché as it might sound, power does come with a price. He, the Rave Master, has lost a precious bit of his heart.

Flashback

Soft light that seem to come from nowhere, yet everywhere, illustrated the dimension that they had fell in.

Haru Glory, the second Rave Master, stared in astonishment.. He should not be here. He should be on the battlefield, fighting Lucia with his last breath. But now he is here, a place that seems out of this world, but felt familiar to him at the same time.

"Haru." A gentle feminine voice called out to the confused Rave Master.

Haru quickly turned toward the voice in delight, recognizing the identity of the speaker. A familiar face is always good in strange places, especially this familiar face. His face melts into a sincere smile as his indigo eyes focused on the young girl beside him. "Elie." He called out, the nervous feeling he had before had dissipated at the appearance of his comrade and close friend.

"Where are we? I thought we are still battling Lucia?" Haru asked quickly as Elie sat down beside him.

Elie smiled reassuringly at the silver haired boy and patted his back. "It's over, Haru." She said quietly, her eyes down cast. Then as if sensing the questioning looks from Haru, she tilted her head up, "the battle with Lucia is over. You won. You saved the world." Then she grinned mischievously, "again."

Haru felt his face flushed in embarrassment as Elie laughed merrily at his discomfit. Then the laughter fade away and they sink into a companionable silence. Haru felt his every worry slip away until he felt completely relaxed for the first time in weeks. Well, no surprise here. He has finally defeated the enemy that has haunted him ever since he first made his appearance. Now everything is over. Haru leaned back and let a long content sigh. Finally peace.

Closing his eyes, Haru let his thought wander randomly. He found himself thinking the most mundane things in the world. After all the excitement, he found the thoughts that normally bored him comforting. Slowly he begins to notice that the soothing silence between Elie and him has changed to an uncomfortable one. It slowly crept up on him until suddenly he noticed there is underlying tension in the atmosphere. Haru rose and stared at Elie curiously, noting her shoulders are positioned uncomfortably. 'That'll hurt a lot in the future.' He thought, wincing slightly.

"What's the matter, Elie?" he asked gently, reluctant to let her silence continue any longer.

"Haven't you notice, Haru?" came the quiet reply.

"Notice what?" Haru asked cautiously, there's a nagging feeling at the back of his mind.

Elie stood up and moved in front of Haru, "Look at me, Haru."

And he looked.

"Elie, why are you wearing that?" his voice grew alarmed at the sight of the dress that was worn by Resha Valentine in her various pictures. He didn't know why he is so alarmed, but for some reason, his heart raced in fear at the sight of that dress. His eyes widen in almost unreasonable panic at the sight of a sorrowful smile on Elie's face.

He wanted to shake her, to force her to drop that smile that seem to fueling his fear. "Elie?"

Elie's golden hued eyes darkened in distress and regret. "I have to return now."

At once, Haru wished he hadn't asked. His throat tightened as sharp stings attacked the corners of his eyes. He heaved heavily as millions of thoughts passed through his mind. But nothing came out of his mouth, only loud heavy breathing.

Flashback end

Haru Glory putted his left hand over his eyes, shielding his expression from anyone passing by. Why, oh, why did he have to remember those memories now, it has been so long already. He should forget about it. It has been years now, exactly eight years four month and twenty-three days since he last saw her. He should not recall so clearly of how her hair swept across her shoulder. How her lips curve into a grin after she won another round in the casino. He should forget all about it. A low mocking chuckle escaped his throat. No, he would never forget about it. Not her, not ever.

That day, he lost her. She told him that the Memories of the Stars are where Resha and her come from. It's a place the guards the world and keeps the balance. If there's anything that should threaten that balance, her people will sent one of them to be reincarnated on earth. Once their mission is finished, they will be call back to the Memories of the Stars.

Flashback

"I have to return now, Haru." Elie lowered her head, letting her wheat colored hair cascade down her shoulder. Her eyes and face are hidden from the curtain of tresses.

Haru couldn't speak. He couldn't even utter one word. He willed his mouth to open, to plead for her to stay. However his lips betrayed him and remained silent.

Flashback end

Haru pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed heavily. She had disappeared after he awoken from the dream realm. He had been so stupid then. Refused to see her importance, so he kept silent until she walked out of his life. He is a coward also. So afraid of rejection that he didn't dare to do anything. Everything had felt surreal afterwards. He had walked around in a daze, seeing her shadows everywhere. He always believed that she'll just turn up one day and everything will return to normal. That moment never came.

Haru let out a low laugh that held no joy only regret and sorrow. It's at times like this, he really appreciate the existence of alcohol. At least then he can forget about his mistake and pretend everything is normal again.

"Haru-kun?" a gentle feminine voice shook him out of his stupor.

Haru Glory turned; his dark amethyst eyes melt a pair of brown eyes filled with worry. "Akari?"

"Haru-kun, what happened to you?" Akari Mariachi step forward and lays a gentle hand on Haru's shoulder.

Haru turned away from her touch, "I'm okay." He said curtly then looked apologetic at the hurt on Akari's face. However right now, he doesn't have the energy to pretend like he normally does, to pretend that there isn't a black hole of pain in his chest.

"Let's go, Haru-kun." Akari said after a moment of awkward silence.

Haru Glory nodded and followed his fiancée back to the town.

……….

FD: What do you think!

This is a little short, but it's the appropriate place to stop.

Next chapter is when Elie came back! Please Review!