Apassionata
Disclaimer: Hello, all. Rose is unavailable at the moment, so I will have to disclaim this chapter. Sailor Moon and all its related characters belong in no way, shape or form to the BloodRose. They do, however belong to Takeuchi Naoko, Kodansha and Toei Animation Ltd. Also, the poem I Know I Have Been Happiest belongs to Dorothy Parker. All rights reserved. Merry Christmas, and enjoy.
(Bloody shuffles by, eyes wide)
BloodRose: _ Good ducky... good ducky... you wouldnt hurt me, would you ducky? No, good ducky... yes, good...
A BloodRose Creation
Apassionata:~ Through The Cracks
-
I know I have been happiest by your side
But what's done is done, an all's to be
And small the good of lingering dolefully
Gaily it lived, and gallantly it died
I will not make you songs of hearts denied
And you, being man, would have no tears of me
And should I offer you fidelity
You'd be, I think, a little terrified
-
"Thank you for visiting, and come again soon," Rei said with a cheerful smile as she handed yet another love charm over to a giddy school girl. She watched with a nostalgic smile as the girl hugged the piece of parchment to her chest and giggled as she skipped down the shrine steps. Rei sighed as she looked over the grounds in remembrance and watched the ghosts of yesterday's memories drift over the snow. Many of these ghosts were that of her childhood friends running up the shrine steps to meet her, or of them roasting sweet potatoes in the fall. But most of these ghosts were of she and Yuuichiro. Whether she was chasing him with a broom for neglecting his chores, or walking up the shrine steps after a long day of shopping, Yuuichiro dominated these memories.
Her smile slightly pained, Rei looked up into the gray sky and watched as the small snowflakes drifted down toward Earth. Things had changed so much over the years... Since Yuuichiro left, she had become head Miko of the Hikawa Jinjaa and an achieved concert pianist. Her grandfather had taken ill and was rarely about anymore, but still the happy, fiery man he had always been. Most of her childhood friends had made names for themselves in the world, as well.
Mizuno Ami had become a famous Tokyo surgeon, and had even opened her own hospital. It was now the most famous in Japan, the only hospital where financially challenged families were charged neither for surgeries, treatments or examinations.
Kino Makoto had become a renowned chef and opened her own chain of restaurants all over Japan. Rei still visited the Tokyo chain of Drops of Jupiter often to visit the owner and head chef to reminisce about old times.
Aino Minako was now a famous idol on a tour of Europe and America. She had successfully passed a scouting competition and had just finished her tour of Japan. Though on the road, she continued to write her advice column, specializing in advice on love, Venus Says.
Last but not least, Tsukino Usagi (now Chiba Tsukino Usagi) and her husband Mamoru, worked in Jyuuban Medical, Mamoru as a pediatrician and Usagi as his nursing assistant. It was hard work, but didn't stop Usagi from writing and drawing her shojou manga series about five girls and a mysterious masked man who fought for love and justice. And, thought Rei, looked suspiciously like her old friends.
It's almost Christmas, mused Rei as she stood to retrieve the broom and began to sweep the snow from the Shrine steps. She had a cheerful smile for visitors as they passed and shivered slightly in her robes. The cold was comforting however, and her smiled only grew. Finally she reached the bottom of the steps and turned to walk back up. Halfway there she slipped and began to fall when suddenly she found herself wrapped in a pair of strong, warm arms. Her eyes widened slightly when she looked back into the face of the man who had caught her.
His short golden hair was a bit wild and blanketed by a fine layer of snow, but didn't seem to be wet at all. He had smooth skin, a little pale but with a healthy glow. However, his eyes were what intrigued her- hey seemed to have a hard time deciding whether they were blue or gray. Blond eyebrows knitted together in concern and he leaned forward.
"Are you alright, miss?"
He had a rich, deep voice that sent chills down Rei's spine. As he was still holding her, the shiver was brought to his immediate attention and his concern grew. When Rei tried to reply all that came out was a large sneeze, which did not help her situation.
"You must be freezing! I'll walk you back to the top, I think you've caught a cold."
While she did not protest, Rei kept as much distance between herself and this handsome stranger as possible.
What the hell's wrong with me? she wondered as she walked, and shook her head in utter confusion.
Once at the top Rei walked out in front of the man and turned to face him. Face kept carefully blank, she made a solemn bow.
"I thank you for your assistance, sir. Please allow me to repay you for your kindness."
The man was surprised for a moment, then smiled a smile Rei was not sure she liked. He shrugged and took a few steps forward.
"Hey, no need to thank me, it was no big deal. And you don't need to be so formal." He held out a large hand and his smile grew, shifting into something a little more welcoming and infinitely more charming. "My name's Jadeite. Nice to meet you, miss...?"
Rei simply stared at the proffered hand for a moment before realizing it was a gesture of friendliness, a western custom. She extended her hand and gingerly touched his.
"Hino Rei," was her laconic reply and she turned to walk into the shrine. After a moment she stopped and looked back to find Jadeite standing in the same position she had left him, watching her go. "Well, aren't you coming?"
She didn't wait for a reply, but continued on her course. After a moment's hesitation, Jadeite followed.
With a quick gesture for Jadeite to sit, Rei disappeared into the other room. Jadeite felt slightly out of place, but decided to make the best of the situation and removed his coat. After taking a seat at the low sitting room table he surveyed his surroundings as a small, awed smile graced his lips. Frames covered the walls, from one side of the room to another. Everywhere the man looked he saw pictures of a smiling Rei with friends and family, her high school diploma, and even a couple of gold records. A few pictures drew his attention most and he walked over to get a better look. One was of five high school girls in their uniforms. Two were on either side of a girl with long blond pigtails and the strangest hair style he had ever seen, whose arms were linked through a tall brunette's and, Jadeite marveled, a smiling Rei's. There was a light in her eyes in that picture lacking in that of the present woman.
I wonder what happened to make that light go out. He moved on to the next frame. In this one those same girls surrounded Rei, who was dressed in a gown of deep red. She was holding a bouquet of Casablanca lilies and had her arm linked through that of the small girl with the pigtails, who wore a simple dress of white lace. Her azure eyes shone in happiness and pride as she beamed at the camera. The tall brunette was behind and to the right of her, with a gloved hand resting on Rei's shoulder. Her dress was of deep green, a matching ribbon tied her abundant hair and accented her emerald eyes. Just to the right of her was a shorter girl with hair of gold, held back by a large red bow. Her dress was the color of marigolds, her eyes shining like sapphires. To the far left was a girl with hair blue as the ocean with a dress that matched perfectly. Her eyes were closed in a demure smile, one hand on the pigtailed girl's shoulder. Just to Rei's right was a tiny man who beamed proudly up at her, his hand resting on the leg of the man beside him. This one wore a fine deep blue suit and matching tie, hair long and shaggy, pulled back into a low pony tail with the bangs covering his eyes. Even concealed as they were, Jadeite could easily see who they were focused on. On his lips was a gentle smile, head tilted slightly toward the camera, and he faced Rei's direction. It was obvious what Rei meant to this man, ogling her for all the world to see, with no care who noticed.
In love with her. This thought made him shake his head, a slight gesture full of melancholy, for he knew that love had gone unrequited. It was obvious that this man was no longer present at the shrine, and that he had never told Rei, for in that picture the light was still present in those amethyst gems. Jadeite moved on to the next picture, this one of Rei on stage before a grand piano. She wore a black gown and was in the process of giving a deep curtsy. Her eyes were open, and it was easy to tell that the light was already gone.
"Sorry to keep you waiting," Rei's voice snapped Jadeite out of his reverie and he beamed an easy smile at the miko brandishing the tea tray. His smile faltered when he noticed how she held it; he was suddenly worried that she might decide to use it as a bludgeon. Rei cocked an ebony brow at the blond as she set the tray on the table. "See something you like?"
Jadeite cleared his throat sheepishly where he sat, though his smile lost none of its confidence or charm and he winked at the miko as he accepted his tea cup.
"Maybe I do." Rei's eyes flashed and Jadeite thought for a moment that she really would brain him, but she caught her temper and satisfied herself with a glare. With an inaudible sigh of relief Jadeite sipped at his tea and glanced back at the wall of pictures. After what he hoped was a safe amount of time, he turned back to the miko with a charming, "you're Hino Rei."
With sarcastically raised brows Rei turned in her blond guest's direction.
"Yes, as I introduced myself earlier. Did you think I was mistaken?" she asked slowly, as if she were speaking to a stupid child. Jadeite laughed and gestured toward a picture of Rei bowing on stage.
"I mean, so you're Hino Rei, the pianist. I'm a fan."
The sarcasm instantly drained from her pale face, replaced by pleased shock and slight wonder. "You are?"
The blond man nodded and his smile became less purposely charming, and more sincerely friendly. His eyes traveled over the frames, picked out the concert mementos easily. "I've been following your career since you started. You have an extraordinary talent-but the song you've always played best," He turned blue-gray eyes back to Rei's expectant face, his smile warm. "is Apassionata."
Jadeite wasn't prepared for the cold glare that suddenly replaced the innocent wonder on Rei's face. She averted her eyes and fished the stem from her tea cup, ignoring the omen of good luck as she tossed it over her shoulder.
"That was a long time ago," she muttered into her cup before she stood. Back turned to her guest, she seemed to debate something before speaking.
"I hope you enjoyed your tea, but I think it best you leave."
And with that, she left the bewildered man at the table wondering what had gone wrong.
-
I used to dream
Of snow on the lake
I used to know
What made the sky blue
Once I could see
The wide open plain
I used to feel
The wind as I flew
-
Once again, Rei found herself overlooking the Kohaku gawa in the bitter cold of a December night. It was after her latest concert, her last until after the new year. Of this she was grateful, as the holiday was always a very busy time at the shrine. As she watched the frigid water flow beneath her, once again she found herself lost in memory and unable to stem the flood of pain and sorrow that threatened to overwhelm her.
-
The picture of us
Running so free
Over the plains
And into the sea
The call of the wolf
Up to the moon
The small flying birds
Whispering tune
-
A memory of a summer night long past came to mind, a vision of Yuuichiro in street clothes holding a roasted sweet potato out to Rei with that gentle smile he had, for her alone. Fireworks lit the star-filled sky, the bright colors adding an air of magic to the night.
-
A face in the night
Calling to me
Remember your past
And drop to your knee
Raise up your hands
And dance to the sound
Of wilderness life
From all around
-
Before this memory could run its course, a vision of eyes the color of fog over the ocean invaded Rei's tortured mind, bringing her back to the present. She shook her head, tried to clear it, but the vision only grew stronger. Soon it was joined by short hair the color of corn silk, and a devilishly charming smile.
"J..." Her eyes narrowed and a curious mix of emotions flitted across her pale face. "Jadeite-san?"
-
The darkened clouds roll
High in the skies
Rain droplets fall
The almighty cries
Leaves dance around
And whisper these words
Sing like the sea
And wish like the birds
-
The smile widened, causing Jadeite's already handsome face to grow handsomer still. The fact that Rei knew she was alone did nothing to help her peace of mind as Jadeite reached out one pale hand to cup her cheek.
"I'm going insane," she stated calmly and opted to allow this delusion to run its course. Jadeite leaned closer, eyes sparkling like gems as he gazed into Rei's amethyst orbs.
"The song you've always played best," he breathed in his deep, rich voice as a blush suffused Rei's face. "Is Apassionata."
-
Follow the wind
Over the grass
Live for the stars
Let life surpass
The song in your soul
Singing to you
Showing the world
All you can do
-
Tears filled Rei's eyes and spilled over onto chilled cheeks. She wrenched her eyes from Jadeite's gaze and watched as the snowflakes began their dance from high up in the slate colored sky. Soon she closed her burning eyes and simply allowed the hot tears to run their course.
"I... I don't play Apassionata anymore," she whispered to the frigid air, refusing to meet the imagined Jadeite's gaze. "I haven't played it in two years."
Somehow the ghostly hand managed to turn Rei's reluctant face back, and she opened weary eyes to meet smiling gray-blue.
"With your talent, what else can you play? Your passion is too great to be limited to such pieces as the ones you've been playing."
Rei's eyes widened; how could he possibly know that? The knowledge that this conversation was not real was at the back of her mind, but somehow she knew this was something that had to be done. Once again she lowered her eyes, fresh tears falling to join their kin in the new-fallen snow.
"I-I can't play it. That song... it was for..."
Jadeite again gently returned her eyes to his, this time they danced with laughter as he spoke.
"And can you honestly say that's the only reason you haven't played it in so long?" The miko was shocked into silence, and the specter continued. "You're scared, scared that if you do play it, it won't be hard." His hand caressed the woman's cheek tenderly as his other arm circled her waist. "That you've let him go, and you no longer need to hold onto your love for him."
Rei bowed her head forward to rest on the chest of her imagined conversational companion as her tears flowed with renewed fervor. How could this be happening? How could one chance encounter with a man she barely knew nearly a week before have such an affect on her?
"He never knew..." Rei whispered into his coat, the gray wool soft against her forehead. She managed to open her eyes, but they were blinded by tears. "I never got to tell him how I felt."
Jadeite's arms tightened around her and he raised a gentle finger to lift her chin once again.
"He's been gone for a long time. You're a woman now, Rei-san. It's time to let him go... It's time to reclaim your heart."
And with that, this figment of Rei's imagination bent and laid a gentle kiss on her chilled lips, his hand tenderly sliding through her abundant hair. Although she knew this was all in her mind, the joy she felt was very real.
-
You need to dream
Of simpler things
Untie the ropes
And see what life brings
Fly to the God
Who calls you to rest
Live for the dream
Continue the quest
-
Rei opened her eyes to find herself still standing on the bridge over the Kohaku gawa. It had indeed begun to snow, and when she brought a hand to her cheek, it came away slick with tears. She looked down at herself in a slight daze, and found she was still holding the bouquet of yellow roses she had received after the concert, traced a finger over one, almost smiling when she found them partially crystallized by the falling snow. The young pianist heard footsteps behind her, but it didn't faze her, and she returned her gaze to the river.
"Hino-san?"
Her head snapped up when she recognized the voice and turned around to face the man. Three meters behind her stood a man clad in a black suit and a gray wool trench coat. A white scarf was tucked behind the lapels, glistening with melted snow. His short hair was tousled by the rising wind, and on his handsome face was an expression of mixed irritation and concern.
"Jadeite-san." Rei breathed, wondering if this was truly him, or another flight of her fancy. "What are you doing here?"
Jadeite walked forward and stopped within half a meter of the raven haired miko. He seemed to have a difficult time grasping at the words in his mind as he studied her.
"I, uh, went for... a walk after the concert..." He brushed some of the collected snow from Rei's shoulder in an absent gesture, his concern growing. "How long have you been out here..?"
Rei's still watery eyes lit up and a small smile graced her crimson lips.
"You came to watch me play?"
It was then that Jadeite noticed the tear tracks down her flushed cheeks, and his eyes widened. Slowly, he raised one hand to brush the moisture from one of her cheeks. Rei's eyes widened at the tenderness of the action and stood speechless. The blond man's eyes narrowed slightly and shone with a strange light Rei thought she recognized and after a lingering moment, he dropped his hand.
"Let me take you home." Noticing how cold she was, he circled her shoulders with one arm as they walked.
Before they left the bridge, Rei dropped one rose over the railing and into the water. Jadeite saw this, but said nothing. After a moment they continued walking in a silence that was somehow pregnant, but in no way unpleasant. Rei glanced over her shoulder before the bridge was out of sight and smiled a small, melancholy smile.
Perhaps... it is time, to say goodbye. She glanced at the man walking beside her, and her smile grew. Maybe now I can let someone else in, if only through the cracks of my heart.
-
Yet this need of woman, this her curse
To range her little gifts, and give, and give
Because the throb of giving's sweet to bear
To you, who never begged me vows nor verse
My gift shall be my absence, while I live
After that, my dear, I cannot swear
Apassionata:~ Through the Cracks:~ End
BloodRose: So what did you think? I hope it was worth waiting for ^^;; I'm sorry it took so long, but well, stuff happens, right? Well, here's some good news! There's only one chapter left! Yay! ^.^
I'd like to thank anyone who's reviewed so far. And of course I wanna thank my wonderful editor, silver bubbls! Without whom, you probably wouldn't be reading this. Cuz it would suck. And special thanks to my lil sissy numbah 2, Nessa!
*shungglzz her*
She's the author of poem number 2 in this chapter, "Dream." This chapter is dedicated to her ^.^
All questions, comments, whatever can be sent to bleeding_rose12986 (at) yahoo (dot) com
And don't forget, minna!
All flames will be used to roast the marshmallows!
Come back soon, and remember to review!
January, 2004
Revised April 7, 2010
~:~EXEUNT~:~