Tomorrow. Tomorrow is when she will go. She was instructed not to bring anything or anyone with her. Apparently, she didn't need material things. The mafia obviously has influences in the military, as the other instructors already knew that she would leave even before she handed in her resignation letter. Her boots clacked on the tiled floor of the mess hall, though the sound was lost in the noise all the men having dinner were making. Shaking her head quickly, she wordlessly filled her plate with food, though she didn't have much of an appetite anyway. Scanning the room for his familiar face, Lal finally found Colonello sitting in a cluster of his friends, who all seemed to be sniggering about something. She sighed, and summed up some courage to walk up to their table. Normally, she wouldn't bother Colonello if he was already with his friends, and just eat by herself, but... well, today wasn't normal was it?
Quickly, before she could talk herself out of it, she walked briskly over to the table, stopping almost all conversation in the hall. Lal could feel the blush in her cheeks, as she stopped behind Colonello, who still wasn't aware that she was standing right behind him. After a bit of poking and prodding from his friends, he turned, and his eyes lit up with surprise and delight.
"Lal? What is it kora?" His eyes met her brown-red ones, as she cleared her throat and, in the steadiest voice she could muster, asked,
"C-Colonello, could you eat with me today?" Lal knew that everybody's eyes were trained on her, but she couldn't back down now. Colonello's actions didn't contain any hesitation when he nodded.
"Sure kora." He stood up, and picked up his plate. Lal spun towards the exit, as a bunch of Colonello's friends gave wolf whistles. She glared angrily at them, before marching out of the hall, with Colonello at her heels.
"So, where did you want to go, kora?" Colonello softly prompted. Lal's eyes softened.
"The cliff." She looked up at the sky. It was a full moon again. Just like the first time.
"Your wish is my command kora." Colonello smiled, and just like before, grabbed her hand and he led her through the forest, following the invisible path that he knew like the back of his hand. As they reached the cliff edge, Lal was once again struck by the beauty of the whole scene. She knew she would miss it when she was gone.
"You're leaving soon, aren't you kora?" Colonello's voice was sad as he sat down, looking up at Lal.
"Yes. Tomorrow." She replied hollowly, refusing to meet his eye. Robotically, she brought her spoon to her mouth, though whatever was served that day tasted like glue.
"Are you really going to go kora?" He looked up at the sky, seemingly lost his appetite as well.
"Well, I never had the choice. They would have made me go either way." Lal answered, looking over at Colonello. Reaching over, she touched his hand in a rare affectionate gesture. Well, she was going to leave soon anyway, so it doesn't really matter of she's acting out of character. "Don't worry. I'll be fine." Colonello raised an eyebrow.
"I know you will kora." He replied simply, and touched her heated cheek gently, making her blush. Laughing, he set down his plate and lay down on the soft grass.
"I'll tell you as story." He smiled up at the starry sky. Lal frowned.
"I'm not a child." Putting down her place, she followed Colonello and lay down beside him, their hand barely brushing. He smiled, and took her hand into his.
"Just listen kora. Long ago, my grandmother told this to me whenever I ask for a bedtime story kora." Colonello looked at Lal, who had the slightest inkling of a smile on her lips.
"You asked for bedtime stories?" A glimmer of amusement shone in her eyes. Colonello pretended to look hurt.
"I was three kora! Anyway, a long time ago, there was a legend, on shooting stars. They said that if two people saw two shooting stars at the exact same time, their fate shall be entwined." He suddenly looked serious. "But though shall they fall in love, the stars shall mercilessly tear them apart, in the end resulting in a heart breaking tragedy." He quoted, as he tightened his grip on Lal's hand.
"It's just a legend." Lal scoffed, feeling Colonello's uneasiness.
"Sometimes, I think it's true." He murmured quietly, and sat up again. Sighing, Lal followed suit.
"Hey, don't worry about something like that. Besides, you're going to take my place after I leave." Lal hesitated, and lightly slid her hand out of Colonello's grasp.
"You've really made up your mind." Colonello looked down. Lal felt her eyes moisten.
"I- I have to, whether I want to or not Colonello." She tried to steady her voice. Colonello looked up at her downcast eyes, lifting her chin.
"You're scared kora." He gently prompted. Lal wiped at her eyes quickly.
"Idiot, why would I be-"She tried to retort, but Colonello wordlessly swept her into his arms, holding her comfortingly as Lal felt the tears brim, falling like rain.
"It's all right to be." Colonello murmured comfortingly, as silent tears fell, wetting his jacket. Lal suddenly seemed so fragile, so breakable in comparison to the strong and strict image of herself she casts out. Maybe she could be ladylike after all.
In Colonello's arms, Lal felt safe. No, it felt right, like it was supposed to be all along. Though Lal still doesn't know what her exact feelings for Colonello are, she let herself have the little luxury of being taken care of by someone else. She had feelings too, after all even if she rarely showed them. Eventually, in the warmth of his embrace, her body finally relaxed, free of the stress and worry that weighed her down a few minutes ago, making her feel a few pounds lighter. Pulling back, and wiping her eyes on the back of her uniform sleeve, she looked down.
"I shouldn't have cried. I acted weak." She stood up, taking deep breath, slightly ashamed of herself.
"It's fine, kora. It's the only time you act ladylike." Colonello smiled brightly, and Lal scowled, back to her usual 'Commander Mirch' self.
"Not that again." She rolled her eyes and bickered for the rest of the walk back to training grounds.
The morning seemed to come way too fast, as Lal buttoned up her uniform, smoothing out the crisp, ironed shirt in front of the bathroom mirror. Checking that she had her wedge, and her boots were laced up the right way. Even though she technically wasn't part of COMSUBIN anymore, she wasn't told to give back her uniform, and she didn't see why she shouldn't wear it to go and face whatever was supposed to come. After all, the military was her true calling, and it was a little part of her that she wanted to hold on to, no matter what happened. Just like Colonello... she though, but shook her head, clearing it of such thoughts. She promised herself that she wouldn't remember such things.
Taking one last look at the plain and uncustomized room, Lal closed the door with a soft click, a sound of finality as she, with a determined air, turned and advanced down the hall, sunlight barely peeking through the window. It was early in the morning, a long time before anybody would be up. That was probably for the best, Lal figured, as a light drizzle greeting her when she stepped out of the dorm buildings. Shivering slightly, she walked briskly to the gate, before she can somehow try and talk herself out of it at the last minute. A limousine was already waiting for her outside. Nodding at the salutes of farewell from the two guards, she slid into the back seat, heart hammering in her chest, loud in her ears.
As the vehicle lurched forwards, Lal looked out the window, watching the only home she's ever known for years fading into the horizon. So many memories, sweet and bitter, haunt her mind. The minutes seem like eternity, as the rain clouds break, revealing the sun. The towering buildings and city noises were gradually replaced by golden fields, finally rolling into a barren landscape of bleak rocks and skies as blue as the colour of his eyes.
Trying to ignore the horrid void that was fast filling her heart, Lal stepped out of the limousine, as it jerked to a stop in front of a rocky path where all of the chosen had already gathered. Nodding at the others, they unconsciously fell into a line, as they proceeded on the rocky trail. Nobody spoke. Words weren't needed. They were all well aware of their fate. As the group trudged on, the man at the very back wearing the dark fedora hat and a formal suite suddenly stopped. Pulling out his gun, he turned back.
"Just how long do you intend to keep on following us?" His gun clicked threateningly, as a figure slinked around the corner.
"Che, busted already?" Lal's heart jumped as the familiar smirk was plastered on his face. "Just as I though, you guys aren't normal people, are you?"
"C-Colonello! What are you doing here?" Lal lunged forwards, first in surprise and relief, but then anger. The others turned, watching the two with vague interest.
"I'm taking your place, kora." With surprisingly serious eyes, he crossed his arms, rifle slung over his shoulder. Lal gave him a glare before turning her head to the group.
"Go on, I'll catch up." The woman in the strange white hat nodded, and the line proceeded to spiral up the mountain again. Returning her full attention to Colonello, She slapped him hard on the cheek.
"I told you not to follow me! Don't you ever listen?" Her breath caught in her throat, and she could feel moisture brimming in her eyes, threatening to fall again.
"I'm not going to let you take this alone, kora!" Colonello's voice also rose, in a crescendo of frustration. Lal stepped backwards, momentarily stunned. Never, in the two years that she had met him, had he ever raised his voice. Not even when she slapped him on multiple occasions, or even when she assigned him to kitchen duty for a month. Taking a deep breath, she steadied herself.
"I understand what you're trying to do Colonello." Lal swallowed hard, trying to keep her voice steady. "But you have to understand I need to do this. This is my fate."
"That's bullshit! They could have let anyone else do it! You could have refused! You-"Colonello grabbed onto her wrist, holding her so tight it started to hurt. Lal pulled her arm back roughly.
"Do you think I wanted this to happen?" Her voice quivered, her usual fiery tone replaced with an almost an eerie calmness that turned her eyes glassy, frozen. Colonello hesitated.
"Then, can I at least come with you?" Helplessness seeped into his voice, as he looked up at Lal, clear eyes begging her, pleading. Lal sighed, and turned away.
"You might as well. But remember, this is the last time I'm making an exception for you." With that warning, she continued up the hill, no once looking back. She didn't need to; she knew he would follow.
As Lal stood in her position in the circle, she could only watch as the bright ball of light glowed, brighter and brighter every passing second. Though her face remained expressionless, a cold dread washed over her body, not unlike when she participated in the countless battles not so long ago. The difference was back then, she was able to control her own fate. Right now, she could not.
Colonello stood on the outside of the circle, a few feet away from those participating in this almost supernatural ritual. If any of them feared what was to come, they didn't show it. Some even had a mildly bored expression. He crossed his arms, viewing the ceremony in a mixture of awe and detestation. So this was what the stars had planned, the cruel scheme of fate.
As the ball of light pulsed, it grew, and finally burst, washing over the seven in the circle. Immediately, Lal felt a searing sensation, as the light blinded her vision, turning her mind into blankness, white. Suddenly, a dark shadow passed, making Lal widen her eyes in shock. She caught a glimpse of blond hair before a slash of red, and then the world returned to a slick nothing.
When the light subsided, Lal gradually opened her eyes. Flexing her arms and legs, she stood up, but in horror, instead of her calloused and worn hand, it was replaced by a pudgy small one; baby hands. Quickly glancing down, she found the ground too close, the sky too far away, the stones ridiculously large in proportion. So this is what had plagued her, a fate worse than death; eternal life, as something weak, breakable. Looking around, she found all of the other seven in a likewise situation, some tottering, unable to stand properly on their wobbly new legs. Looking to her left, she found Colonello who, to her relief, was as all right as he could be when he was turned into an infant.
Taking a few tottering steps, she noticed her uniform wedge lying on the ground. Reaching down, she grasped the familiar fabric, running her hand through it. For a second, she was tempted to keep it, but in the end she let go, deciding to let it rest there, like the rest of her that disappeared that day. Turning around, she found the rest of the seven turning down the path, with various looks of shock on their faces. The only one who was unfazed was the strange-hatted woman, who, in Lal's opinion, knew what was going to happen all along.
She watched them; until they had all left, save for one. It was expected; Colonello would never go without her. As steadily and as quickly as she could, she picked her way down the trail, to where Colonello was waiting. For a while, they just looked at each other, not saying a word, but a thousand understandings passed between them.
When he spoke up, his voice contained the same warmth, the familiar cockiness and smugness that used to irritate Lal, but now she found it comforting. So even when he asked if she was crying, she denied it, because he made everything all right. He smiled like he always does, as if nothing happened at all. Blushing, she snapped back at him, in her usual demeanour. He just laughs, and mentions that he was happy that she would be the one who didn't have to bear the curse forever. Lal just blushed, not knowing what to say.
At times like this, she was in awe of Colonello. Compared to him, she seemed so selfish, so inconsiderate. Sometimes, she was envious of him, his ability to smile, to be able to think of others when he was in the same boat.
When he asked her to come with him, she wanted to say yes. But tsundere as she was, she answered in the only way she knew how. With a light laugh, he answered 'just kidding' and rested a hand on her cheek. Suddenly, the reality of his absence hit her like a ton of bricks. For a second, she wanted to call out to him, to say that she'll stay with him, she would die with him, but he had already vanished around the bend, leaving her alone with the mountain.
But even though they were apart, even if they had to be trapped in this fragile body forever, because they knew that they would never truly be alone. They would live outside time together, as the seven strongest, the arcobaleno.
Even if it was, it would be all right...
Carolily: thank you very much to COLONELA, Dreamsugar, and featherain for reviewing the first chapter! I really hope you guys enjoyed reading this because it sure took me a heck of a long time to write. Curse me and having to make this thing three chapters *shakes head* anyway, for the parting scene, I didn't actually use the conversation, because I've seen that a lot in fics, and I read the same thing a lot of times and I eventually just get bored and skip over it. Plus I am lazy and don't want to write all of it out :P. Anyways, please review! It would mean a lot to me! Next chapter is least chapter, look forewards to it!