Disclaimer: I absolutely own my plot and my original characters (if there are any). Other than those I own nothing.
Arietta
Ninth Piece…
Night rain…
Tell me… Is there anything that I can deny you?
"I can't sleep."
Anything at all?
"…Come in, then."
…Pitter-patter… Pitter-patter…
She hated rain.
Pushing herself up from the bed, she couldn't help but glared hatefully at the darkness outside and the constant pitter-patter of the annoying rain that kept falling and falling. She hated rain. Oh god, she really did.
"Liar! It's your fault! All your fault! Give her back!"
She grimaced, feeling the all-too-familiar migraine approaching.
But he's not here anymore…
…Pitter-patter…Pitter-patter…
"Oh, shut up!"
That said, she got off the bed, threw a light blanket around her shoulders, and stomped out of her own room.
She hated night rain. She really did.
I know better than to ask this but, just curious, why did you choose to come here, to me, instead of going to Athrun or, perhaps, someone else?
"Sorry. But I really can't sleep…"
Well, not that I mind, really. Maybe it's better that you came to me, because if I were to find out the next morning that you went to him, or anyone else, and did what you're doing now, I'm afraid that I would have to hurt him, or someone, quite badly. But then, even if I did, I always have the excuse of being your brother to use, right? That's my privilege, right?
"I can't go to sleep when it rains…"
You know, you really shouldn't be doing this. Burying your face in my shirt and holding onto me as though I'm the very last line of your life, when we know that I'm not… What you are doing here, it's not quite right now, is it?
"Help me."
And since when I can deny you anything?
Should she go to him? Could she go to him?
…pitter-patter…pitter-patter…
He wouldn't laugh at her, would he? No, of course not. He was too kind to do that. Actually---
She snorted.
---he's usually too kind for his own good.
…pitter-patter…pitter-patter…
Still, he came here to rest, though. She probably shouldn't bother him with this. She had been bothering him with this too many times already…
But the damned migraine had arrived.
She hated night rain. She really did.
If I'm not your brother, I can get killed for this.
"Thank you. And sorry."
Don't sigh so softly. Don't hold onto me. Don't do it as though I can protect you from whatever that you fear. Don't you know that, in all my life, I cannot protect anything or anyone?
"Don't think too much about it."
Just as I'm trying not to think how small and helpless you seemed tonight when you asked me to hold you and, just for this night, to be here for you till the last drop of rain had fallen from the sky and then left you alone to your peace.
"You're not going to leave me alone, are you? You won't leave me like they did, will you?"
I wonder if I'm capable of doing such thing. Or ever will be. As much as it hurts to be near you, I don't think I will be able to bear it if I have to be away from you, never seeing you again.
"I won't. I will never leave you. You will never be alone"
So, don't be sad. Don't be afraid anymore. Although I don't know if I can, but if you want me to, I will try… I will really try to protect you.
"Don't let me go. Don't let it get me… Will you… Will you…?"
I won't deny you anything.
"Don't worry. I will. I will protect you. I promise."
…Pitter-patter… Pitter-patter…
Standing in front of his room, she hesitated. Should she…? She didn't want to bother him. But the headache was…. He had more than enough to deal with as it was. But he was the only one she had now that she had lost…
"It's your fault! It's all your fault! Because of you, she---"
She blinked quickly at the image that had flashed before her eyes. A young girl dressed in black, crying, yelling angrily at a man who also dressed in all black like her.
"Give her back!"
He's all that she had left.
…Pitter-patter…Pitter-patter…
Lightheaded, she put her hand to the nearest wall to steady herself.
"---died! You killed her! I hate you! I hate you!"
The door opened, and she looked up.
He didn't even pretend to look surprised this time.
She looked helplessly into his eyes and said the same phrase she had been saying over and over again, every time when it rained like it did tonight. "I can't sleep."
He regarded her with the same gentle and understanding eyes as always.
And she tried not to notice the light of resigned helplessness that would flit across his eyes every time just before he replied. "…Come in, then."
Because they'd left. Because they weren't here anymore.
Mother… Father…
He's all that she had left.
…Pitter-patter…Pitter-patter…
She walked into his opened arms and buried her face in his chest, clenching her hands around his shirt in tight fists.
He closed the door behind them softly. He understood that such pain and sorrow, this weakness, was not supposed to be witnessed by anyone.
Except him.
She hated night rain for doing this to her. She really did.
Author's Note…
I'm sure a lot of you must be very confused reading this one. This is an old piece that I did for the 'Fifth Piece' but I…didn't continue, until tonight when I found it in an old folder. Just like 'First Piece', this one's supposed to be a part of another long fic project. It's supposed to be about the relationship of Cagalli, Uzumi, and the late Lady Athha (of course I made her up). But that, just like the other one that I have taken out recently, needs a serious revision. Though the ideas for this one, I admit, are rather vague and scattered (embarrassed). Anyway.
Many thanks to:
Danyu, Akirou, mariad, Inulover4eva, and jenniferseedlover for reviewing last piece.
I read the reviews over and over so many times and, god, I was so very relieved! Phew. I thought I wasn't going to pull that off. I think that last piece was my second best piece after the forth but…(shrug) too bad it's not as well-liked. Far too...weird, maybe? Oh well…
I won't be updating for a while after this one. Not until I finish the bonus piece which is intended to be a thank-you gift for special reviewers - Danyu, Akirou, mariad, and Inulover4eva. Thanks for always reviewing my work. I always look to you four's comments every time I update something. They help a lot and they encourage me to continue writing, so thanks!
About the bonus piece… It will either be: 1) set before the forth piece, or 2) set after the seventh piece. Which one do you like better?
I'm not quite sure how to do this but…because the piece is intended to be a gift, I thought I would send to you guys, when it's done, via email. Do you want me to do that, or do you want me to put it up here anyway?
So, that's that.
(handing out cookie) Thank you for visiting and reading "Arietta" this far, everyone!