This story was inspired by Crystal's watercolor painting of Shitan. I just had to write this when I saw her work. Talk about inspiration! ^o^ Help me bug her for more great paintings!
Coincidentally, Crystal told me that the name she had in mind for her painting is "AME." It's the Japanese word for rain. ^^ After you see her work, you will understand why both of us thought of falling precipitation.
Technically, Rain is a part of the Lahan Chapter in Rebuilding. However, for now, I will post this part separately from Rebuilding.
Rain is a one-shot fanfic. It can stand on its own, but better
understanding comes with placing it in context with my other Xenogears
fanfics; especially, Worlds Collide. However, unlike WC, Rain doesn't
need a warning label. *sweatdrop* Really!
Rain...
by Yen
version (2/12/2000)
Rain... It was raining. He stood there silently, feeling cold droplets ran down his clothes. The material was not soaked though. His favorite wear was water-impermeable and dust-resistant. He, on the other hand, was getting wet.
"Hyuga?"
Citan turned to see Yui walking towards him, one hand lifting her skirt; the other, holding an umbrella over her head. She looked worried.
"Hyuga?" She asked again when he didn't answer her. His wife suddenly stumbled, failing to see a lone rock jutting out from the grass-covered ground.
He caught her automatically, preventing her from falling, but the
umbrella soared off when a strong gust snatched it from her surprised fingers.
Now, they were both getting wet.
"Darn," Yui muttered as she regained her balance by using Hyuga for support. She placed both her hands on his chest and pushed herself up before moving away from him. She sighed when she saw her umbrella flying away as free as a stringless kite in the wind. It was raining harder now. She looked back to her husband.
"Why on earth are you doing out here in the rain?" She asked with more irritation than concern. Now, she had to take another bath when they returned, and so will Hyuga.
Since the destruction of Deus, there was and will be fallout in the atmosphere for some years to come. Truly, the particles barely deserved the danger label, but it was not fortuitous to take chances, especially when there were reports of inexplicable mutations still occuring.
Hyuga still looked at her silently, an unreadable expression in his dark eyes. Yui finally looked at him questioningly. "... Are you all right?" Still, there no answer.
Deciding on a wise course of action, she grabbed his hand and tugged him towards the direction of the city. "We shouldn't stay out here lo-"
Her statement was cut off when his hand tightened around hers, and
a sharp pull forced her into his arms. ?! "Hyu-" Again, she
was unable to complete her words when he kissed her.
Hyuga didn't react when Yui pulled away from him. She kept her head down, refusing to look at him. Her voice trembled when she spoke. "This is not the right place to be doing this, Hyuga." She frozed when he placed his hand under her chin and lifted her face up. Her beautiful golden eyes met his regard reluctantly.
"Lately, Yui, no place or time has been right." She paled at his words, her eyes flickering away.
"... I'm sorry, Hyuga." She pushed his hand away and lowered her head again. He could see her shoulders tense then slump down in defeat. Regret clouded her words. "I have something to tell you," she whispered.
"Tell me what, Yui?"
Yui hesitated. Every part of her was tormented by what she was about to do. Her muscles clenched with determination, and she forced herself to look back at him. Her confession died soundless in her throat.
Hyuga was looking at her with blatant sexuality in his eyes. He had removed the ribbon holding his hair and now, long thick raven locks lay strewn over his shoulders. Even as she stared at him helplessly, he unbuttoned his tunic and shook his head, shaking off the excess water like a puppy does after playing in a puddle.
Yui instinctively backed away from the splattering droplets, fighting to keep her balance despite the weakness in her knees. Again, strong arms held her in a warm embrace.
Guilt shrouded her desire for him. Just once more, she begged
her conscience. Let me have him one last time before I lose him.
Citan breathed in sharply when she finally returned his kiss. Delicate fingers traced on sensitive skin. The cold rivulets were nothing compared to the warm softness he held.
The want, the need to take her then and now, even in such adverse conditions, burned into his psyche, but he held it back for a reason. She still had not told him.
Unwillingly he removed her hands and holding them still, moved one step away from her.
"Yui," he whispered raggedly as her eyes looked at him with befuddled
disappointment, "tell me what happened in the Merkava."
Wounded. Fear caused her to pull away, and she would have run had he released her hands. Tears wet her eyes as she struggled to release herself from his hold. Hyuga held onto her stubbornly. "Hyuga, let me go."
"No," he said calmly, "not until you tell me what happened." She kept quiet.
Unnoticed, unobserved, the rain fell on them steadily. It
was a gentle rain, soft falls of the sky's tears to the earth.
Hyuga shook his head, wondering and exasperated at her stubbornness. "Tell me, Yui."
Yui wished desperately she never came out into the rain. "I can't, Hyuga!" Tears were indistinguishable from rain drops.
Hyuga paused then sighed. He pulled her back against him. As she stood unmoving, the top of her head brushing against his chin, he sighed again and chuckled.
"Idiot."
Yui took offense at that, and Hyuga was hard put to keep her there. He forced her to look at him and repeated, "Idiot, did you really think I didn't know?"
Pain flooded her features, and Hyuga shook her gently. "I must have done something very wrong," he said with wry amusement, "if you think I have such a large ego."
Her eyes were sad. "You are hurt, Hyuga." Finally, she dared to read his thoughts. She had been too frightened since her return to risk knowing how he felt.
Cool warmth brushed her mind, and she leaned against him with undisguised relief. He still loved her.
Hyuga held her protectively. "Of course I'm hurt," he said solemnly, "anyone would be." He rubbed his cheek against her hair. "I am angry, and I am hurt by what happened to you." He touched her face in a tender caress. "It will take us both time to recover, but we will survive. There is no other alternative I will take and accept."
"I love you, Yui."
"Ai shiteru."
Author's note:
GO AND SEE CRYSTAL'S SHITAN PIC!!!
Yen^^
alex@gsilink.com
