Knux1511: I forget whether he was aware of that in the manga (probably not), but it would make sense, of course.

Title: Star-crossed

Couple: Hippo/Yuri

Enjoy the story.

Hippo slowed to a stop on the path that led to his destination, huffing and panting with exertion. Just a little bit more, he told himself. Just hold on, he'd be there in a little while. He'd see her again. At the last thought, the blonde, green-eyed guardian's heart fluttered, and the boy started running again towards the bridge that led towards his beloved.

Yuri, I'm coming!

The boy reached the end of his path and finally slowed down, gasping for much needed air as he stared across the ravine that separated him from the other side. Looking up into the sky, the hippocampus clasped his hands together and prayed, calling for his old ward and the new goddess to lend her power to his cause.

Lucia must have heard him, as the stars above the sacred meeting place started gleaming. The waters that filled the gap between the two cliffs surged upwards, glowing a faint white as it twisted and solidified into an intricate design of interweaving flowers and gems, connecting the two sides with a delicate bridge forged under the light of the stars.

Hurry, Hippo. You only have so much time before she has to return.

The boy chewed nervously on his lower lip as he took a step closer to the construct, anxiously testing its strength under his shoe. It held itself, and he sprinted up onto the bridge, scrambling to get to the center point. "Yuri!" he called out as he pulled himself to the center of the bridge, eagerness and anticipation clear in his voice. "Yuri!"

"Hippo!" called the demon girl, a bright spark of hope entering her green eyes as she ran towards him from the other end of the bridge. Her form, an almost misty figure, solidified as her non-existent feet touched the glowing and sparkling bridge, and Yuri beamed at him as she ran up, almost stumbling over her elegant Victorian dress as she ran to him.

Her speed slowed down a bit as she reached him, her bright smile making the guardian's heart flutter in happiness and joy. The demon reached out to him as she gently walked over, clasping both his hands in hers as she beamed up at him. "I'm so happy," she whispered to him, eyes glimmering with unshed tears of happiness. "I'm so happy that I can see you again."

Hippo smiled gently at her, gently squeezing her hands as he reached out to the corner of her eyes, wiping away the tears gently. "Hey, don't cry," he said, sounding faintly panicked. He didn't want to see her crying, even if it was tears of happiness — they only had that much time that Lucia was allowed to impart to them before she was forced to make Yuri return.

None of that time that they could spend together would be wasted on tears and sentiments.

Yuri sniffed, clasping onto one hand tight. ""I won't," she promised softly, suddenly wrapping her arms around him and pulling him into a loving embrace. "I missed you so much," she said quietly, resting her head on his shoulder as she hugged him close to her. "I'm glad... so glad I can see you again..."

The blonde boy returned the hug with a smile, green eyes gently fluttering shut in contentment. "I'm happy too," he whispered to her, "so happy that I can be with you."

Could time stop? If it could, Hippo would have wanted it to freeze permanently in place. He would never have to lose her again, right? He was allowed to be selfish this once, wasn't he? But he knew better than to go against the laws set by the ancient deities. They would have to part at some point, wouldn't they? for such was the way of the world.

Hippo hugged her tight, feeling his eyes start to grow prickly with tears, but the guardian wisely kept them silent. He didn't want her worrying about him, not today, not on the chance that it might be the last time they ever saw each other again.

It felt like both an eternity and an instant later when Yuri slowly pulled back. "Hey... why are you crying?" she whispered, clearly rather surprised when she saw his face. Gingerly, she reached out and rested her hand against the side of his face. "Don't cry, please," she whispered, then rested both hands against his face, eyes slowly growing teary. "Don't be sad."

"I'm not..." Hippo lied, shaking his head. "I... I'm... please, don't leave!" he suddenly burst out, gripping her hands tightly and pulling her back into a tight hug. "Please, don't leave!"

"I won't," Yuri said softly, but she had spoken too soon. Her form suddenly flickered in solidness, and the bridge under them started to recede, forcing the two star-crossed lovers apart.

Lucia's voice, heavy with remorse, filled the hippocampus' mind. I'm sorry. She has to go. Her time is up. You have to leave. I'm sorry.

The blonde boy reached out, barely managing to clasp her hand in his as the bridge between them faded away. "Yuri!" he yelled. "Don't worry, I'll find you, I promise! I don't care what stands in my way, nothing can make me stop looking for you! One day, I'll find you again, and we can be together!"

"I trust you, Hippo!" Yuri shouted out, her vapour-like form clasping his hand with desperation. "I'll search for you! I'll never stop until I find you again! I won't give up until we're together!"

Their hands were forced to part, and Hippo stood, reaching out to her as she vanished on the other side, and as the sun rose at the crack of dawn, he rubbed at his teary eyes. "Yuri," he whispered. "I'll be here. I'll find you; someday, I promise."

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Next chapter: Nikora/Maki (Marriage)