For the Humanity Within

Disclaimer: Megaman is owned by Capcom but the names used here are meant for fictional purposes. If real names appear here, this is out of coincidence.

VII. L'arc-en-ciel (The Arc in the Sky)

Darkness, confusion, pain, warmth; they mingled within the shock that took over her. So much fear has taken its manifestation on that moment. She felt her strength faded, her grasp to her control diminished as she felt darkness take over her sight. The only thing that she could hear within the silence was the pulse that repeated its tempo. The heart and its throbbing pace continued, the deafening stillness taking over her.

How it seemed close, the frigid hands caressing her as everything seemed to fade from her grasp. Loneliness and fear taking over, it seemed eternal that it was about to end. She began to feel light, drifting away. How her mind questioned where she was. Knowing not if it will be eternal silence, a warmth permeating from a drop was felt on her cheek. Then, like a hand clasping her visage, she raised a question in her mind.

Am I alone? It feels empty. Am I going to disappear?

"Ciel…Ciel…"

A voice that made its beckon, reaching out to her, made its grasp of familiar thoughts. She seemed to recognize the voice; it made her utter softly a name that she treasured. A name that came dear…

"Kojiro…"

A teardrop rolled from her eyes, searching its way towards the void encasing her. It rippled and made its echo, letting the light take its dance. Wisps of light flickered like stars in the night sky as she found herself drifting upon the crystalline waters. The azure sky with its veils of white and shade of indigo gave its calm, troubling her no more. The arc in the sky gave its welcome with its spectral craft. Yet the stillness was short-lived, the silence broken once more.

"Ciel…Ciel…" came the still voice. It beckoned, soft yet it began to amplify.

She caught sight of a silhouette slowly approaching her. The long flowing hair of golden shade danced upon its descent, reaching its hand to her. And the voice came once more.

"…Ciel…Ciel…"

"Open your eyes, Ciel."

Ciel stirred, opening her eyes as a gasp left her lips. The sight welcomed her eyes, the hues of blue and white welcomed her sight as the lines became definite with its detail. The golden rays peered through the room, welcoming her as she woke up. She began to question what has just happened.

"A…dream…?"

Her mind searching for answers but the answers seemed blank. A damp piece of cloth rested upon her forehead. Tilting her head to her side, she glanced at the furnishings of the room and taking sight of the door. She felt her body still strained from before. Turning her glance to the other side, she saw the window and the light peering through the curtain of white. She also saw a pair of bags on the desk. She recognized her own beside a familiar looking one as it laid on the floor leaning on the desk's leg.

"This looks familiar...where am I?" she pondered to herself upon whispering to herself those words. As she tried to rise from her bed, the sheet that covered her crawled away as it exposed her fair skin to the light. The only thing on her body that remained was the set of undergarments. Her mind wandered, confused on what took place.

"What just happened?" she whispered with a muffled gasp. Suspicion, confusion and a slight line of distress came to mind when she remembered a voice that called her name during that dream.

The door began to open, creaking upon its motion. It opened in its slow pace as a familiar figure entered the room. She raised the edge of the blanket upon the level of her neck, covering herself. She felt a rush of embarrassment as she caught glance of the lining of the stranger's jeans. Her gaze rose upon the crimson t-shirt and the long flowing hair bound in a ponytail. He carried a tray with him, a meal for her. And upon seeing his face, a flush of crimson rushed upon her face.

"So you're up, Ciel." Kojiro smiled warmly as he walked in slowly with the tray in hand. He went towards the desk and laid the tray as he took his seat on the chair nearby. Ciel felt a number of questions rushing within her, longing to make its break.

"Uh…Kojiro…" Ciel asked, stammering as she spoke.

Kojiro came close to her as he placed his palm upon her forehead. He sighed as he went back to the chair and took the bowl into his hand. "Well, looks like you're getting better. Is there something that you want to ask?"

"Uh, Kojiro…did…uh…did you…see…anything…?" Ciel blushed as she stammered with her words once more.

Kojiro wondered what Ciel mentioned to her. A few moments passed and he blushed soon after. He gulped and turned away. "I saw nothing…"

Silence took over. The shy looks on their faces brought a strange sensation within the air. Ciel's heart raced on that moment as Kojiro gazed at her. He looked at her in the eye, showing his concern to her as he held the steaming bowl of soup. Stirring it to cool it down, he gazed at her and smiled.

"Here, have some of this." Kojiro said to her with a gentle tone as he brought her to sip the warm broth and cream. Ciel drank the serving, the warmth filling her body in gradual state. She could feel her strength return in its slow pace. "So, does it taste good?"

Ciel nodded as she gazed at him. Kojiro stirred the substance as took another and gave it to her. As it went on, she felt well. This act of kindness made her feel secured in his presence. Kojiro brought the half-empty bowl to his desk as he tried to clear his throat and took a deep breath. Ciel felt the urge to speak as she gazed demurely at her form.

"Kojiro, what happened to me?" she asked softly.

Kojiro froze as he remembered a promise on that moment. He hung his head as he leaned over, his eyes closed for a while. As he opened his eyes, he spoke.

"I…I did all I could to protect you. I fought for your sake…" Kojiro said with a silent tone, he felt regret dancing with his words. "…soon after, Mr. Delacroix came and told me to take care of you…"

Ciel was quiet as she cast her gaze upon Kojiro. As he lifted his head, his gray eyes met her azure shaded eyes. Noticing the fair complexion of her skin being bare to the light, he felt a rush of red into his head. He squinted and looked up as he stuttered.

"Uh…that...well, I…I have to wash your clothes since they're soiled and stuff…and you had that slight fever so you ended up in my room to rest…"

Kojiro bowed his head as he panted. He felt uneasy on that moment but a chuckle of soft laughter filled his ears. Ciel giggled at Kojiro's reaction, raising the sheet near her face as she laughed. Kojiro lifted his head and smiled at her. And on that moment she whispered a phrase with a soft voice.

"Thank you, Kojiro…" Ciel uttered as she wore her smile.

Kojiro became still as those words instilled warmth within. He perused at her and he felt his heart take its beat, its pulse dominant to his hearing. He smiled back as he rose from his seat and took the utensils. As he was about to leave the room, he gave a glance at her once more.

"Ciel, if there's anything you need, call me." Kojiro said to her. "Mana was kind enough to bring a set of clothes. They're right beside the bed. Make yourself at home. I'll be in the balcony if you need me."

Ciel watched Kojiro walk away from the room, the door closing behind him. She then tilted her head as she noticed Kojiro's uneasiness. She rose from the bed, leaving the blanket behind and placing her body bare to the light. Taking a few steps, she went to the bathroom and took a shower.

Kojiro was quiet as he stood on the balcony. The gentle breeze caressed his face as it brushed his hair and his clothes. The earring of sapphire dangling on its tip swung slightly, his thoughts running in a pendulum of recall. The whistling breeze whispered in his ears as he closed his eyes, clearing his thoughts.

The silence seemed deep when the thoughts revolved around Ciel's body, cycling in his mind. He shook his head as he tried to rid of those thoughts. But on that instance, a rush in his body came about. He seemed puzzled with himself as he cast his eyes upon the trees that flow with their leaves made brazen with the autumn air. A query ran into his mind, asking himself quietly as he watched the trees dance, their leaves rustling with the wind.

It seems strange. It feels different than before. Kojiro thought as he gazed at his palm. Well, I guess there's no turning back now. He smiled as he gazed to the sky, the wind passing by as it brushed his long blond hair once more.

Ciel began wearing the pink shirt that was in the set of clothes Mana gave to Kojiro. Stroking her long blond hair out of the rounded collar of the shirt, she grabbed a pair of jeans and wore them. Placing the buttons in, taking the belt and placing it on the denim trousers, a ringing resounded with its polyphonic tune. She turned as she sat on the bedside, taking the mobile phone lying on the bed. He pressed a key and began to answer.

"Hello?" Ciel answered, a smile on her face came soon after. "Rouge,"

"Hey, Ciel, how are you?"

Ciel clamped the phone between her head and right shoulder. "Well, I'm alright."

"I heard something bad happened. I hope you weren't hurt."

"Don't worry about it. I'm fine." Ciel reached for the socks and placed them upon her feet as the cloth rolled upon the skin as it covered it.

"So, can you come here at the mall today?"

Ciel placed her feet upon a pair of sneakers, tying the shoe laces in place. "Sorry Rouge, I can't go."

"Come on, did something happen to you?"

"No, it's a bit strange you see." Ciel held the phone with her hand as she stood. Her hair flowed down upon her back.

"Well, where are you? Are you home?"

"No." Ciel answered as she looked at the window. "I'm not at home right now. I'm at Kojiro's place."

"What was that!? How did you end up there? I bet you were able to 'have' him. So something happened right?"

"That's not it. When I woke up, I was in his room."

"Well, something did happen."

"It's not what you think ok? Well, I'll call you later."

"Hey wait—"the phone hung up as she placed it on the bed, pouting at her. Ciel then gazed at the mirror as she took a deep breath. Her thoughts dwelled on Kojiro as she began to bind her hair. If only it was that simple.

Ciel left the room as she looked for Kojiro. Walking through the corridors of the house, she ended up in a room where the balcony was found. The glass divider brought the light in abundance. As her eyes browsed the room, she took notice of a piano that sat on the corner of the room, near the window. Staring at the black body that gleamed under the light, her curiosity took over as she neared the instrument and opened the cover. She then took her place on the bench and raised the cover on the keys. Placing her hand on one key, letting out a note echoing in the room, she placed both hands and started playing. Her fingers played a tune that resounded with familiarity.

Kojiro caught the sound of the piano from where he was. He turned to his back as he went inside. As he was near the glass door, he found Ciel's form on the piano as she played. Kojiro watched her as her fingers danced on the keys of black and white, playing the tune of a song that Kojiro knew by heart. Time passed on its flow with the music making its path. And she halted with the song, finishing it with grace.

"Regret…" Kojiro's voice caught Ciel off guard. Ciel turned and saw Kojiro's leaning form on the side of the sliding glass door. She gave a puzzled look at him, wondering about what it meant. "The name of that song, Regret…"

Ciel nodded as she replied, "I learned this from my dad. He taught me that song when I was still in junior high."

Kojiro perused at her, noticing the clothes that Mana provided. It suited her well. But he turned his gaze to the sky as he sighed.

"Ciel, I'm sorry." These words came with a dance of regret. "If that incident never happened, you wouldn't have been in trouble. It was my fault."

Ciel looked at him; his profile gave a hint of gloom. She felt gratitude prompting within her for Kojiro. She rose from her seat and took a few steps, stopping midway.

"Kojiro, you made a promise to me." Ciel said to him, her tone gentle yet convicting in nature. "I can still remember those words that you said before the time I lost consciousness."

Kojiro turned his head, shifting his sight to Ciel. A pause of silence took over them as the clock with its ticking motion echoed within the premise. Ciel smiled at him when she ambled to him. She halted once more as Kojiro brought himself in an erect posture, he remembered the promise.

"I made that promise…because I…"

Kojiro felt Ciel fall into his arms, her face embraced upon his chest. He was startled as he felt his heart pound wildly on that moment. Time seemed to have halted, sending its eternal gaze. And what welcomed him was her gentle voice.

"You promised to protect me. I am glad you did. You kept that promise for me."

He was taken in astonishment; he felt his chest being soaked and damp. Soft sobs were heard as the ticking clock made of their form.

"…I was so scared and alone…you have not realized that I felt no one will be there for me….If you could understand my fear…"

Kojiro wrapped her hands around her, receiving her in his arms. He felt the warmth as he whispered to her.

"I understand now….I made that promise for you. It's because I'm afraid of losing someone…I'm afraid of losing you."

Ciel lifted her head and glanced at Kojiro's gray eyes. She could hear his heart beating as it pulsed with its distinct manner. And evident in his eyes, he was being drawn closer to her at every second. Kojiro whispered to her once more.

"I'm afraid of losing someone important…" Kojiro softly said to her.

"I know that…Kojiro." Ciel replied as she felt drawn to him closer. She leaned her head to his shoulder as she heard the ticking clock, an accompaniment of a music box played within the air.

"Well, I will protect you. I promise that."

Meanwhile, two strangers crossed paths. In the garden filled with trees of pine, oak and maple, the two stood underneath the shade and the showering glow of the sun. The wind passed as the sea of trees resonated with their wavelike song. The scarf of yellow adorned on the young man fluttered along the breeze as the linings of his crimson coat followed along. His ruffled hair was brushed by the gust as his eyes peered through the sunglasses that he wore. The other broke with a smile, his platinum hair danced along the wind as he placed his hands inside the pocket of his long black coat. Silence resounded with the wind as a welcome.

"So, Klaha, how are things in your trip?" the man with the scarf asked.

Klaha smiled as he sauntered nearer, his leather boots crunched the fallen brown leaves. "Well, I did what was needed. I have to try what I can in this investigation."

"I see…"

"Now, any news when I was away…?" Klaha raised his query, staring at the ruffled black hair that danced in the windy woods.

"Some strange movements took place. Something triggered them to wake up."

Klaha smirked at him and gazed at his gloved hand, clenching it with its leather surface crackling. He knew deep inside that it was there all along.

"I hope the rest of us know of this." Klaha commented his concern. "So Takenori, I've heard from Mana that they moved to attack them. I should thank Criel for helping. We have to meet them at Criel's house. There's not enough time for any dalliances."

"I'll go ahead and talk to Criel. You and Mana should investigate further in this. It'll be better if you visit the other watchers along the way."

Klaha smirked at Takenori's comment as he went to his motorbike and equipped his helmet. He then made a turn and sped away from the park. Takenori turned his back and flash stepped from the scene as if nothing happened.

(End of Chapter 7)

Author's tête-à-tête

The truth shall soon be told. The dormant humanity shall soon reveal them in a mirror of truth.

By the way, I want your comments. Please I need help, I think I was lacking in the fluff part that my mind killed me there. Suggestions are welcomed….

And the new character is….

Takenori (this guy came out for how many times…guess you know this already now that he has a name)

Please review. I appreciate your words of whatever they are. Reviews, suggestions, comments….even flames are accepted. Thank you again.

Sydney Grise