Title: Rain
Category: Anime/Manga » Megami Kouhosei
Author: GataFairy
Language: English, Rating: Fiction Rated: K+
Genre: Drama/Supernatural
Published: 05-03-02, Updated: 05-31-02
Chapters: 10, Words: 12,763

AN:
Here —after much putting off and debating with myself— is my AzumaxRill fic! (Has anyone actually seen all the fics I have hanging?? ::blush:: Oi vey… And that’s not counting the ones pending…)

Your basic disclaimer stands: I don’t own anyone here. Maybe the idea, but I’m not even sure on that! (I probably do… Then again, I wouldn’t notice…) I’m using the late afternoon first because I’m doing it the Jewish way, and that means the day begins at sunset. (Just a little FYI so you won’t think my chapter titles are insane ^~)

Chapters have a “present” bit and a “past” bit. And I don’t know much about the colonies, so I’m using personal interpretation. (Guh… reading while writing only works if the fic is serious… -_-; More so when serious is the tone for the fic you’re writing… bleah… I think I’ll stop now…)

On Zion, the time of day would have been far past noon, almost reaching the sunset. Dr. Rill Croford stared out the window. The last star carelessly hung in space, spinning on its axis, some people receiving a sunset, others a sunrise from… What was the name of that star? The one that was Zion’s sun. She knew she’d learned that ages ago. The sudden lapse of forgetfulness struck her as odd. But feeling it really didn’t matter, she shook the thought away and stared out at the black void that was space. Almost regretting it, she wiped a tear from her eye, then told herself not to curse.

Rill always said and thought that it was something in her genetic make-up that made tears spring into her eyes whenever she thought about something philosophical or serious. Sometimes it happened when looking at things most people didn’t take the time to notice or look at, like the way stars pulsated and how they were different colors. It made her think that maybe the Universe didn’t wasn’t a product of random chance or a cataclism. Her heart beat a little faster when she thought about that, and then the tears came into play. That was when she would curse her genes. When she realized that maybe those tears were a good thing, she resolved not to curse her family tree for what could, in fact, be a blessing.

Whatever the significance of the tears was —affinity with simple things or just weakness within herself—, she would not let anyone see it happen. In fact, the only other person that had seen her do so was former Goddess Pilot Azuma Hijikata, now Instructor #09. She hadn’t really regretted it, since they were already so close. It was probably a good thing that he knew. Maybe that way when he saw she was alone, he’d help keep people away. Or maybe he’d tell from her body language when she was just thinking or when she really needed to have him closeby. Either way, she was getting a good part in the deal.

Not focusing on a thing in front of her, Rill let herself have the luxury of feeling the salty water run down her cheeks. For an instant, it let her focus on emotions that were starting to rise within her from looking out into space. Awe, because of the sheer beauty of it all; love, because there was so much to look for on a higher plane; anger, because people didn’t seek the plane; nostalgia, because…

Nostalgia. Why nostalgia? Since when did looking out into space, at Zion, make her feel like she missed something? She searched for the root of the feeling, and suddenly another one came floating through the ocean of thoughts and emotions within her: she felt she had been cheated. Now that she remembered more clearly, that was what she’d felt the last time she came to look at Zion. She nodded once as it all became clear.

For the longest time, she had wanted to see what rain was like. Living in a colony all her life, she’d been denied the chance to see a real cloud, feel a raindrop on her skin, feel a gust of real wind blowing against her. She recalled that her mother had mentioned that one of her great ancestors —one who had lived on a planet— had practically ordered her descendants to pass down “the story of weather,” as it came to be called. It fascinated her beyond comparison, but was forgotten during her time at G·O·A, only resurfacing when she gave in to deep thought.

And that brought her gaze back to Zion. Nostalgia. Exhausting yet soothing nostalgia. The emotion that drove her to look out in anticipation of their upcoming vacation to the lone star of humanity. Just a little bit longer. Only a few more days of waiting left. ‘Just a bit longer…’

Her mother was combing her long golden hair, and she was trying desperately not to miss a single word of the book she was reading. Her father was staring out the window, smoking a pipe.

“But, Mom…” eight-year-old Rill protested. She sighed in resignation and put the book on her lap, scowling as her mother tied her hair into a bun. Her father chuckled softly and shook his head.

“See what you’ve done?” her mother directed to her father. “I was almost done and you know she doesn’t care much for running.”

Yes, eight-year-old Rill Croford would much rather stay inside reading than go outside and play with her classmates after school, on weekends, or on holidays. She would join them on occasion, and would enjoy it, too. But reading was her favorite passtime. Her father knew that, but he would still insist on having her go outside.

“Tomorrow, Daddy,” mumbled the girl as she settled into her book again. Her hair was now in a messy bun with strands popping out here and there.

After a while of silence, Rill, from her place on the floor, joined her father in his gaze out the window. While he looked to the grass and hills, she looked out into space.

“The story takes place on a planet…” she said. “It talks about clouds and snowy mountains… I wish colonies had those.”

The brown haired woman nodded and left to get them. She returned with shots of the planet. There were pictures of cloudy, rainy days, snowfall, blue skies… It was more impressive than the child had imagined.

“One of our great ancestors, I’ve forgotten which one, being that it was so long ago, told us to always keep pictures of the weather and the sky with us,” her mother narrated. “She said, ‘I wouldn’t be surprised if one day humanity loses everything to those Victim. Then the beauty of the weather would be lost forever! So I want you all to remember it well and pass on the stories.’ She had a good reason for saying that, too. She had once lived on Earth and was so fascinated by the weather that she became a storm chaser. She moved to a planet famous for its storms. There, she made a life for herself. One day, she was evicted from her home because she couldn’t keep up with the rent, so she moved in with some cousins that lived on a colony. Days later, the planet was lost to Victim. And that’s when she said it.”

Rill’s wide open eyes caught almost every ray of light, making them look like they themselves were glistening.

“Wow…” she breathed. “That’s… so sad to hear. …But it only makes me really really want to see those things. I wanna see a rain cloud, and feel water falling from the sky. It must be so cool…”

‘I’m going to see the rain, Mother. I’m going to see rain, snow, hail, clouds… I’m going to feel wind, real wind, and look at my reflection in the ocean and in a lake, and I’m going to feel the heat of a star on my skin. I’m going to see a twighlight, a sunrise, a high noon, a sunset, and the night. Real night. I’m going to take pictures… And then… I’m going to pass them on. Zion won’t be lost, and neither will everything you said we have to pass on. I’ll pass it on. I promise I will.’

AN: It’s not the best, but the next chapters’ll be better. I’m gonna explore Azuma and Rill’s Goddess piloting and repairing days and the like… So if anyone knows which Goddess he piloted, let me know!! And if the name he gave it is mentioned, lemme know too so I won’t have to make up creative names for it. *^^*

AN:
First chapter was Rill-ish, and weird, right? Well, this one’ll be a bit more on the Azuma side and not as weird (me hopes). ^^ Standard disclaimers stand. Oh, Kay Willow-san, thanks for the input. (I love bitchy characters. They’re so much fun to write for! ^^ So I wasn’t off in my musings! ^^)

It is not my intension in the LEAST to insult anyone’s beliefs. I have a pretty high tolerance rate, which is why I can write about auras and the like. Take a look and see, but I doubt it’s so much that anyone’ll be insulted. (But the significance of it… You can just derive SO MUCH from “Madonna in white”!!!! *.*) I can think of at least one Madonna that was a virgin, and white is symbolic of purity… (Get it? “White gowned Madonna…”???? Ah, just read. ^^)

The sliding door almost silently closed behind him. Whatever sound it did make, however, wasn’t heard by the other person in the room. He saw her wipe at her eyes as she stared out the window, at the glorious sight of Zion, the last star. He was correct, though. She hadn’t heard him come in. Or maybe that was what she was letting on. He eyed her for a longer while, then realized that no, she hadn’t heard the sound of the door opening and closing. That was a good thing, too. He’d much rather observe the planet from the door, without being noticed, and in silence.

Hands in pockets, Azuma Hijikata stood in front of the door, far from the window, observing space and the other person observing it. Like it could be helped, anyway. The solid gold tone of her hair provided an abrupt contrast in the dimly lit room. And with the blackness of space in front of her, the white coat she wore was hard to miss. A small smile appeared on his features. The “Madonna in white”, she was known as. Giving the name a few seconds of thought, he concluded that it fit her in the physical sense but not in the mental or spiritual sense, whatever that was called these days. The only other Madonna he could think of was the virgin Mary. If she was how he thought she was, then Rill was certainly not a Madonna in that particular aspect of the term. But he always thought that a Madonna was supposed to be very beautiful, and that description fit Rill well enough.

He was pretty sure that neither one of them could pinpoint the first time she was called that, but he knew that ever since it became as much a part of her as at least one white accessory with every ensemble, she was fiercely defensive of her title. The smallest hint of an insult would set her off. Yet another reason she didn’t fit the personality description of what he thought a Madonna was like: her temper. Since their Candidate days, everyone knew to be careful around “the purple eyed blonde chick with the white gloves”. Such was her inexplicable love for white, that she ignored her pink gloves and wore a pair the color of purity. At the time, Azuma thought it was cute. Now that he thought about it and how strict he was with the Candidates he supervised, he realized that he would’ve made her do at least some form of punishment work, be it running or writing an essay, or maybe wiping a window, since she appeared to love them so much. Wiping windows… Maybe he should keep that in mind in case one of the new recruits decided he was funny.

No one else would’ve caught that nod she just gave, or the casting down of her gaze. It could be said that he almost knew what she was thinking. Or, at least, why she looked the way she did. It was probably because they spent so much time together as Repairer and Goddess Candidates #19. They complimented each other well enough, and they got into trouble more than once. It was usually his fault, though. Usually, unless it involved one of the other Candidates —for Goddess or Repairer— saying something about how stupid Rill looked with white gloves and how they clashed horribly with her uniform. No matter how much he wanted to laugh —and he did, too— he was always the one to hold her back and make her stay back while everyone had backed away. Everyone except the challenger. One particular Repairer Candidate got used to this little “performance” and would often proceed to make idiotic remarks about how even her partner thought she was acting like a fool. And that’s when he stepped in —after restraining his partner, who was more than energetic after this second round of comments— and came to the blonde’s defense. He just loved seeing the look on the other Candidate’s face. If he wasn’t there soon enough, however, he could always count on his partner to jump forward and get physical. Yet another reason why he was glad he’d always been bigger than her. Maybe that was what got him her respect. As for his respect for her, well, that was another story altogether.

And in such a swift way that was imperceptible to human perception, the White Gowned Madonna suddenly tensed. No one would have been able to notice that, and even less so from that distance. But he saw it. He saw how she seemed to stop breathing; saw how her fingers stopped moving in the pockets of her white coat. Then, just as suddenly as it stopped, her breathing returned, quick and shallow. If anyone else had been able to see that something was possibly wrong, he or she wouldn’t have had the decency of staying away or waiting to see if she was fine or not. He, however, knew exactly when to stay out or barge in, so to speak. He sighed to himself when he came to his decision, then began his slow walk to her. ‘Here we go again.’

And that was all it took for each soul to know that the other was its counterpart. It seemed simple enough, he thought. Just pass all the tests with his energy at its max. All else depended on his partner. He eyed her as she scanned his wrist. Golden blonde hair that casually went in just about every direction, focused purple eyes that reminded him of grape cough medicine, pale skin that looked like it might glow in the dark. She looked smart enough. That was good. The last thing he needed was an airhead Repairer. Then again, if she was an airhead, she wouldn’t have been recruited, right?

After the physical exam came the Cueval test. The #18 pair was first. That gave him time to ask a question that had settled in since he first saw her.

Rill fixed her gaze on him, then looked at the concolse Repairer 18 was standing in front of.

“I like white more,” she replied. She turned to him again, one eyebrow arched. “You have a problem with it?” she almost barked.

“Don’t play innocent,” Rill continued, not wavering in her accusation and face not denying it. “You just think it’s some girl thing that we’re given pink gloves, don’t you? Well if it is or not, I don’t care. I like white and I’m going to wear my white gloves even if it kills you to see it!”

Teenage Azuma had no idea what was going on. One minute he’s just standing there, trying to make conversation with the girl who’d be his partner for three years whether she —and he, for that matter— liked it or not, and the next she turns on him. These three years were going to be long. Far, far too long…

“No shit, Azuma! The point is that I want you to know that you’re not gonna be treating me like a slave, got it?”

“Well that’s the meaning of ‘partner’, isn’t it?” the dark haired boy retorted in a low volume.

Rill hmphed and turned her head to the direction of the Cueval simulation. She crossed her arms and kept her expression angry-looking; a few seconds later, she let go of her tough mask and cast her gaze down. She shrugged and smirked, raising and lowering her eyebrows as fast as a blink.

“Well I’m glad you know what it means,” she said wryly. “I thought I’d have to look it up for you.”

Azuma sweatdropped. Rill saw him look crestfallen and shocked and couldn’t keep back a giggle. He snapped his head in her direction and semi-glared.

“Yeah… I guess you’re okay,” he said, sounding half-serious. “I mean, who else is weird enough to wear white gloves with their Repairer Candidate uniform?”

Rill fumed and wacked him upside the head, but he saw her smiling and shaking her head when he looked up. Their three years together would be long, but at least they’d be fun.

AN: Gosh this is moving slow… I promise the next chapter’ll be more interesting. I have an outline for it in my head. ^^;

AN:
A short one this time:
Standard disclaimers apply; also, I’m under the impression that no one lives on Zion. (I had assumed people did live there…) If people don’t live there, then there’s no point in going there, right? Eh, ’nuff said. And!: it seems that lately I can’t write anything without throwing in some supernaturalness into it…

And remember!: giggles are not necessarily high pitched, and are not restricted to just girls. Thank you! ^^

The reverent silence was lost, the calmed soul shaken. Whatever peace had descended upon and settled into her was gone more quickly than it came. Her eyes widened and her whole body went tense as horrible sound echoed in her ears. It was a sound all too familiar, near impossible to forget; a sound which she could hear clearly ever since she was this close to the star that kept mankind’s hopes alive. It seemed that the closer she was to the star of hope, the more clear it became. A cry of blood and cruelty, brute strength, and desire that sent ice through her veins. When the initial shock had subsided, breath was returned to her in a speedy, shallow rhythm. The malevolent screech rung in her mind once again; at once she noticed her palms felt wet and cold. She couldn’t bring a curse to mind no matter how much she tried. Her eyes closed ever so slightly, a mildly evident fear hanging in them. And then reality came into play again, as it did every time. At first she thought she was going insane, but as it continued to happen, it became painfully evident that it wasn’t a dream, that she was gifted. Or perhaps cursed.

The wall that her oblivious self had created was shattered by that familiar voice. She managed to close her eyes, tilt her head down, and swallow, consequently breaking free of the spell the screeching had cast on her. If memory served her correctly —and she was absolutely positive it did— he was the only one she had trusted with the secret. Finally she lifted her head up and breathed deeply.

“Two, I think,” she said, barely above a whisper. She bit her bottom lip as she continued her struggle against the chains of truth, anger, and fear. Then she nodded. “Two. Two big ones.”

‘Stubborn, stubborn idiot! How did I get teamed up with him!!’ Yell as she might, Goddess Candidate 19 had the tendency of ignoring his partner’s warnings. Sometimes he did it to get her angry; other times he just thought what he was doing was best. If it was the latter, the former still applied.

Rill stomped after him, gloved hands made tight fists. He was walking at a normal pace, either not caring or oblivious to his partner’s flaring temper. She growled and stepped in front of him, holding out her hand so that if he didn’t stop on his own, she’d make him do so.

He stopped right in front of her hand and looked at it, then up at her expressive face. An almost evil grin spread across his face.

“You- You- AGH!” she sputtered. “You idiot! You’re supposed to listen to what I tell you and follow my directions!”

“Last time I checked, I’m the one that’s gonna pilot the Ingrid, not you.”

“It’s not all about you, y’know. It’s about me, too. I’m the Repairer; I’m the one who sees the bigger picture; I’m the one you have to trust!”

Her eyes flew wide open and she blinked several times before returning to her angry stare.

‘Is he doing that on purpose or is he really as stupid as he seems?’ She shook her head, eyes closed. ‘Damned be my luck, I think he really doesn’t know.’ She took a deep breath to cool herself down, then began her mini-lecture.

“That’s my point. It may be a simulation, but the habits you develop during your three years of training may be hard to get rid of when you and I get to pilot and repair an Ingrid. And then it won’t be ‘just a simulation’— it’ll be a real battle, with real Victim, in a real Goddess, with a real Repairer relaying valuable information to you.”

She looked back at him and was greeted by an understanding gaze. She smiled and shrugged.

“Afraid because…” Laughter hindered his words. “…in reality, you… you like me, don’t you?”

Her serene façade instantly fled and was replaced by one of disbelief and shock. Whatever light had dawned on her partner and whatever calmness had befallen her had lasted only seconds. Now she felt like strangling him. Again.

AN: Tankiesness, Chevira Lowe-san. ^^ I appreciate it. (I like your fics, though. ^^) Eep… I just realized how many more of these li’l past thingees I have to write to pair up with the present part… But me gots ’em in me head. Er… Oh! I’ve read that Zero reminds Azuma of himself when he was a Candidate. That’s why I’m writing kid Azuma the way I’m writing him. I see him as a Zero-like kid and Rill as a bitchier Kizna. (^^) Okay! Done rambling. (I think it’s going so slow… ::blush:: teehee…)

AN:
Nye… (That sounds funny when you hear it…^^) Y’know why my ANs tend to be long? Because I add to them throughout the writing process. ^^;; Standard disclamer stands. This is where the supernatural bit comes into play. This is also my longest chapter so far. ^^; This one should be better than the others.

When he had first found out that his partner could hear them, he thought it could be an EX ability. But as time passed, he learned to accept this just as she had: it was inexplicable but real, so it was left be. The “spells” often —though not always— included an array of “symptoms”, if they could be called that. Anything from shivers to coldness to physical weakness and the occasional headache was included. This time it appeared to be coldness. Judging by the way she tried to dig her arms into her coat pockets, she was cold. The “symptoms” most probably had nothing to do with the “spells” themselves: it was probably just her personal nervousness.

He stepped beside her and stopped to observe the black vacuum that was space, trying to make out anything in the distance. He didn’t bother to look at her; looking never did anything. If it did something, it was make the atmosphere more tense. He felt her sidestep closer in her search for warmth but did not move himself. After a few seconds of just staring out the window, Azuma felt Rill lean her head on his arm. Just then, the five Goddesses entered the battlefield, one by one. By now they knew there were two Victim invaders; they knew their type and what formation they would use to kill them before they reached Zion.

He turned his head a bit to glance at her, knowing grin on his face and one eyebrow raised. From his perspective, he couldn’t see her eyes that well due to her long blonde bangs. He snorted softly and returned his gaze to space.

“I’m serious,” she continued. “You can’t possibly tell me that you’ve never wondered how kids live their lives if they don’t go through G·O·A’s tests and the like.”

Azuma shrugged.
“Doesn’t really matter what I think. The past won’t change.” He paused. “Besides, you can’t possibly tell me that you don’t like the way your life turned out.”

He felt her pull away and then slap his arm, and, glancing at her from the corner of his eye, he saw she was scowling. He chuckled; then he heard her sigh and watched her —again from the corner of his eye— cross her arms and give in to a small grin of surrender.

The blonde shrugged.
“I really don’t care, as long as they don’t starve us.”

He noticed that Rill was no longer beside him. He turned back and found her a few feet away, frowning with her eyes opened more than usual.

“Hello? Rill, did you hear me? I said that it’s been a while since the Goddesses were engaged in battle,” he said as he walked to her.

The girl shook her head, breaking out of her little trance. She nodded at him.
“But they will be, really soon.”

That said, she grabbed his wrist and ran off, taking him with her to a room with a large window and some greenery. She didn’t stop until they were near the glass panel.

“Hey, what got into you!?” Azuma complained when she released him from her grasp.

He eyed her inquisitively. She was breathing heavily, which came from the run, but her eyes… She looked like was afraid, and her gaze never left the space past the window. He, too, was breathing hard; they recovered around the same time, which was about a minute or so after they stopped running. Seeing that she wouldn’t stop looking outside, he turned to the window as well and saw the five Goddesses flying out to meet Victim. Her words echoed in his mind: “But they will be, really soon.”

She still looked sort of wide eyed, encouraging him to ask that probing question:

Rill closed her eyes and tried to normalize her breathing, but her knees gave way. Seeing this, Azuma held onto her upper arms in an attempt to keep her standing. When he saw that she just couldn’t, he gently lowered her to the floor and sat down in front of her. After a while, her breathing was near normal. She spoke with her head down.

“I…” She grabbed her left upper arm after Azuma released her. “I can hear them.”

His chocolate colored eyes widened in shock and disbelief. He couldn’t have heard right. Did she just say she could hear Victim?

“That’s… amazing, but…” He had ducked his head in thought and now jerked it up with an idea. “Maybe it’s EX! Maybe you have EX!”

She shook her head.
“My blood type’s not EO, and girls don’t have EX. Besides, if I did, it would’ve shown up with the test results.”

He nodded, looking around the room. Noting the silence, she looked up at him through her eyelashes, not daring to lift up her head completely.

“You don’t think it’s… I mean, you don’t think I’m a freak… do you?” she tried.

“What? Of course not!” he said, sounding angry at how she didn’t trust him. “It’s weird, yeah, but it’s not like you’re a science experiment gone wrong or something.” He gave her a lopsided grin. “Besides, it’ll come in handy when we get to be with one of the Ingrids.”

“Oh. So you’re saying that it’ll be your skills that get us to the Ingrid?”

She took a playful swing at his arm.
“Oh, stop acting that way! You’re so insensitive!!”

But his laughter was contagious, and he was glad to find that he had worn his partner down to laughing with him.

AN:
I hit a snag… but eventually got through! (*thanks Kami-sama* ^^) The MK manga is a wonderful thing. *nod nod* Because Cain Fisher really existed and that gives me the grounds for being moi. ^^ Silly moi.

Slap the disclaimer in here. ^^; Er… I’m not gonna use perspective much more because the “past” bits are hard to write that way. They’re best if told by an omniscient author. (Bwaha… Behold my power!) Hehehe… *rubs hands together with an evil grin on her face* Oh, and, giggles are not necessarily high pitched. (I think I already said that, though)

Note/translation:
“Madrugada” is a Spanish word that has no English equivalent (methinks). It refers to the time of day (or night, really) that’s after midnight but before the twilight before dawn (which I’ll refer to as daybreak). And yes, it’s necessary for this since I’m going through almost every time of day. ^^;

They settled in to watch the Goddesses fight Victim from afar. Standing, yes, but settled in. The battle was relatively short, considering Victim’s number. There had been no need to resort to the Goddess’ Verdict, thankfully. Zion was safe again, and the five glistening dots that were the Ingrids returned to their hangar to be checked, to be repaired, and to be given the chance to rest.

Azuma nodded, knowing very well who she was talking about. The Ingrid they had been given the privilege to work with.

“Well, don’t just stand there,” said the blonde, cutting into the dark haired man’s thoughts. “Say something. I hate thinking I’m babbling.”

She hmphed and about faced.
“Don’t you think she misses us?” she tried, sounding at least half bored.

“It’s not like it matters,” he replied, shrugging. “She’s had how many other Pilots and Repairers? Two, three…?”

She shook her head.
“You think it’s a stupid topic, but here you are talking about it.”

“Not for the moment, no,” answered the purple eyed doctor. She walked across the room and stopped at the door. “I have to get back to sick bay.” She turned to face him. “But don’t you dare think I didn’t notice you when you came in.”

She whirled to look at the door and he could’ve sworn he heard her hmph again.
“It’s not like it matters,” she said, her lips curving into a smirk as well.

And having said that, the doctor left the room, leaving the instructor alone with space, the stars, silence, and Zion.

Unsurely, Rill stepped into Azuma’s dark room. He heard her, but chose to stay quiet. He wasn’t in the mood for talking.

He didn’t say anything. When her eyes had adjusted, she could see that he was in his bed, on his side. She slowly inched closer, carefully, trying not to step over some unmarked wall he had set up for himself, to shield himself. She lowered her head, feeling shame at not knowing what to say.

“I don’t feel very confident either, Azuma,” Rill stated. “You don’t have to lie. I understand.”

“Fine. Maybe I wasn’t as close to Cain as you were. But I knew him enough to feel the loss—”

“Stop.” He paused to collect his thoughts. “I’m sorry. I just don’t want to talk about it right now.”

“N-Not really,” she said, her voice shaking a bit. “I guess I… I’m just scared.”

Azuma closed his eyes. She wasn’t usually this open about what she felt. That reminded him that he wasn’t the only one who was grieving over the loss of Cain Fisher. Maybe the fact that he was taking it so deeply added to his partner’s pain. Or perhaps she was feeling pain because he was, and she felt it in her own way. They were, after all, very close. He roughly calculated the time and decided that she was afraid of more than just death. It was a ghost that haunted him too, now. Solitude.

“Fine, fine,” he said, letting her know that he got the message. “Get in.”

Rill blushed at how childish she thought she was acting but quickly did as she was told. She climbed into the side of the bed opposite her partner and gave him her back. She felt relieved at not having to be alone, being instead with someone she trusted. She only hoped that he wouldn’t tell anyone else about it. The blush deepened into a redder shade. She was thankful that it was dark and that he wouldn’t see her.

Never did they think that at least one good thing happened that day. The loss obscured the gain. They had been promoted to Pilot and Repairer, but it just didn’t feel the way they thought it would. Would that mean that everyone else who walked the path, who got to become a Pilot or Repairer for a Goddess, would have to feel the same way, experience the same pain? Maybe not the pain of the loss, if the Pilot was a stranger, but the guilt would still be felt. Had it always been this way?

They dealt with their grief in different ways. The next morning, Rill’s eyes were red and puffy, and Azuma had a near-migraine headache. Neither one of them left the room until mealtime, when their symptoms were less severe. A general taint of sorrow reigned upon the Pilots and Repairers, until a few days after the death of Cain Fisher, when Victim attacked again.

AN: *sniff* Series over. *sniff sniff* But me gots the soundtrack now. If you loved the BGM, you MUST get it! The image song (~Get a dream!~) is great! All five main Candidates singing together… (they sound so… *drool*) It has lots of pretty pictures in it too. ^^ (There’s this one pic of Azuma that I just luv to pieces! ^^) Okie I’ll stop rambling about it. R&R please! Even if it is just you two, Chevira Lowe and Kay Willow. ^^

AN:
It gets more AU here. So AU, in fact, that I expect at least some criticism. (Methinks) But it’s AUish, so I hide behind the wall of AUness. (Stupid excuse, ne? ::blush:: ^^ Oi vey…) Oh well. Just a warning… *bows head a bit* It’s sort of ironic how I know what past bits I’m gonna write and how I now find it harder to make up present bits. ^^;

Insert disclaimer here. Listening to Kagayaki while reading a translation for it can put you in an angsty mood, especially for romace-related angst. *wails some more*

The days passed and the length of the wait was shortened more and more by each hour that flew out of the presence and grasp of humankind. Zion turned on its axis and declared night and day upon itself with the aid of the star that acted as the star-planet’s sun. Shuttles came and went from the Goddess Operator Academy. Battles for the protection of Zion were fought. Injuries were treated. Newer recruits were trained. Life bustled about in its normal, busy schedule at the G.O.A. Soon the wait was reduced to a few hours, the day previous to which was spent —partly— gathering things for their trip.

And when their shuttle arrived, they more than happily boarded it, more than concealing the childish glee from the passers-by. Finally dressed out of their GOA uniforms, they attracted many odd glances. Rill with her long blue jeans and white sweatshirt, and Azuma with his grey jacket and long brown pants.

Zion seemed to expect visitors. Clouds were white, and the blue and green of the sphere provided a beautiful contrast against the pure colored puffs in the sky. It was worse to wait the arrival when contemplating such a sight, but that contemplation was what calmed tension and allowed them to wait. The mighty Zion seemed to tell them to stay calm.

Frantic calls were responded to by an eerie silence. Supporting herself with one hand on the white surface near the cockpit entrance, Rill tried to see beyond the gel-like substance that separated the Pilot from the outside world.

The Ingid had needed to be brought back to GIS with the aid of another Goddess. While the damaged vessel was something to be concerned about, it was not her Repairer’s priority. The status of the Pilot worried her more. The other four Pilots and Repairers were gathered around the nearly desperate Rill; for awhile, the only sounds heard were the Repairer’s yells, which echoed off the metallic walls of the large hanger in such a way that it made everything seem more frightening.

And then there were those Repairers who couldn’t keep a thought out of their minds. One whispered to the other, “And they say they’re nothing more than friends.”

The tears that stung Rill’s eyes burned hotter when the comment somehow drifted to her ears. She turned and gave the two a glare, cheeks pink with anger.

“Tactless idiots!” she yelled in a hoarse voice. Her gloved hands were trembling fists at her sides. She took a step forward and raised one of the bundles of white before herself. “Damn it! How can you say such stupid things at a time like this! Damn you!! Damn you!!”

A black haired Pilot reached out and touched Rill’s shoulder, to which the blonde recoiled.

“Don’t touch me,” she snapped in a low, raspy voice as she whirled back to the Ingrid. The tears in her eyes had already fallen. She looked up at the damaged face of the Goddess, her eyes pleading.

“Please give him back…” she implored, the supplication inaudible to the others. She held back a sob as more water fell from her eyes. “Please.”

She closed her eyes and lowered her head. With a moment’s consideration she made her decision. Not seeking any kind of advice or approval from those around her, she stepped forward, stretching out a hand as her only precaution. Then she pushed herself off the walkway and lept, passing through the gel separator. The other Pilots and Repairers tried to stop her with their words, but by then she had penetrated and could not hear them.

She didn’t feel wet or hot or cold, but she did not feel perfectly fine. She found that it was hard to breathe and felt an immense amount of pressure that made it difficult for her to move. And then she saw him, just a few yards away. Gathering her strength, she pushed herself forward. Her tears felt like beads on her face as they slid off the moving Repairer.

He was bleeding from a wound on his forehead; his head was hung in unconciousness. Now she was about a foot away from him, exhausted from moving through the cockpit. He didn’t respond to her. She let a sob escape her as more bead-like water drifted away. She brought together as much strength as she could muster and gave him a shove in the shoulder, which would’ve been a considerable blow had she not been hindered by the weight pressed upon her.

Though the would-be punch had been more like a gentle push, that and her almost whispered plea made him stir. He lifted his head and gazed at her worry-stricken form.

“Azuma!” She cast her arms over his shoulders and released her sobs. She whispered, “Thank God you’re all right!”

“How did you get in here?” he asked. He waited but received no reply. “Rill?”

He looked at her and noticed that she was not moving. He smiled. One arm firmly wrapped around her unconcious form, he swam out of the Ingrid’s cockpit, leaving the spirit of the Goddess to admire the event.

AN: I wrote the past bit first. ^^ Kagayaki was the BGM, piano solo mostly. (That song is… *wipes away tear* …lovely.)

AN:
Well. That made me feel better. ^^ Reviews of different kinds. ^^ Again, past was written before present. (I’m starting to annoy myself…) Standard disclaimers apply. Melikes Rill’s Japanese VA. ^^ She sounds like she has an accent.

You haven’t the slightest idea how hard it is to come up with the present bits. (They’re not supposed to be funny, but humor is all I can write when I can’t write anything else…!!) I’m having an argument with my muse about whether or not I should start editing every chapter, but Musie’s winning. (It’s a custom muse. ^^; Can we say “bad with names”? ^^ GOOD!) Chapter one messes it all up. (The editing process, that is). But enough about The Boring Chronicles of Me. (-_-) I’m really starting to hate the present bits, and am seriously considering just reloading the fic as a from-here-to-there fic. (All this because I’m letting Zion get to me… Never mind…)

Both thought and spoken. It was their first impression, and, also, the only thing either one thought about for at least half a minute.

She gasped as she felt herself being lifted off the ground and scooped up into strong arms by the brown eyed instructor.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing!” she hissed, eyes wide and cheeks pink from the shock. “Put me down!”

Rill’s glare was far deeper and more imposing than that of the Pilot who had been her partner when they were still Candidates. But that did not make the leer leave his face nor the face of the Pilot he had engaged in a fist fight with only seconds ago. The blonde Repairer took bold, angry steps forward and stopped a few feet away from Azuma, narrowing her eyes more when she did so.

She had seen the dark haired Pilot strike first, and though she had heard everything that had led him to do so —which had angered her as well—, she was in no way applauding his decision to hit his comrade.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” she scolded, voice deep and suggesting being hurt as well as enraged. “What are you trying to prove? Haven’t you— Can’t you learn to let some things go by without notice!?”

She stepped forward with a gloved fist in front of herself and opened her mouth to say something, letting out a sound of it, and then thrust her hand to her side and turned her head to the direction she had come from, tilting it down on the way.

“Damn you,” she whispered. She took a few seconds to sort her thoughts and emotions, during which she seemed to shake, then shot a glare at the Pilot. Spotting the injury his arm sported, she grabbed the corresponding wrist and started to walk away.

But he pulled his arm free and smacked hers with force. She returned his glare with her hurt one, then turned and stormed away. He watched her go and didn’t begin to follow until she was clear on the other side of the room.

His uniform swished at his sides as he followed her to the room with the window. She had entered and exited her room very quickly and only to retrieve a first aid kit. She nearly slammed the white case on one of the seats as she sat down and was none too gentle with opening it. He sat beside her, facing the opposite direction. Both of them wore scowls. Once the necessary effects were pulled and set between them, she roughly pulled his injured arm closer and dabbed at the wound with an alcohol pad. He cringed not only because of the stinging sensation, but at her lack of tact.

“Shut. up.” She emphasized both words, eyes never leaving her work. “I’m very angry at you right now.”

He fought with his pride, knowing that she would not be the one to step down first.

“I said,” she interrupted forcefully, unmoving and with closed eyes, “shut up.”

She slowly pulled her hands away and placed the no longer steril pad next to the white case it had been in, after which she pulled off her right glove. She tore open a small packet, squeezed its contents onto her index and middle fingers, and proceeded to apply it to the superficial cut. He saw a distant look in her shining-with-tears eyes, and he definitely noticed the sniff she tried to sneak past him; but he said nothing, not wanting to irritate her more and make things worse.

“My God. You’re such an idiot, Azuma,” she said, voice trembling. “He wears a ring with pointy edges. Didn’t you stop to thi—”

“Isn’t it obvious?” he interrupted. He gently placed his hand on hers, but she jerked hers away before his fingers had circled it. Looking at her, he noticed she was frowning again, this time with her head tilted down, eyes closed, and one eyebrow twitching.

“I don’t blame them for what they think,” she said in a low volume, “but I do blame you and myself for giving them the grounds to think it. I honestly don’t care, though. Sure, it bothers me, but I let it go, because I don’t want things to get worse. I thought you thought the same.”

“Well start acting like you do.” Her scowl visibly deepened when she said this. She wiped her fingers on her pants and made both her hands tight fists. Tears seeped past her tightly shut eyes, and it became obvious that she was trying not to cry.

The blonde shook her head from one side to the other, more clear liquid falling from her eyes.

“Idiot,” she repeated. She said it again and again, more tears streaming down her cheeks as she shook her head. And when he placed his hand on her shoulder, her violet eyes shot wide open and filled with fear.

Pulling back his hand, he drew in a gasp and stared into the now small purple circles just before she shut them again. Her hands flew to her ears and she lowered her head more; her slender form shook. It was them. She was hearing them again.

It took a few seconds for her to regain her composure, after which she wiped the wetness from her space and gave the taller Pilot a somewhat embarrassed look.

“God, I…” She shook her head. “Forgive me.” She cast her gaze to the side, away from him.

He gave her a compassionate glance and smile and nodded once. And for the first time since she broke up the fight, she smiled, though for a very short time.

They waited until the other Pilots and Repairers were rushing to the hangar before going there themselves, not wanting to seem clairvoyant or anything of the sort. Battle. Victory. It was that simple. Victim had not been numerous or strong this time.

Later they walked together, as was common practice. Maybe it was boredom, or maybe it was just a quest for silence. Perhaps a break from everything around them. The outside world would never know. There was usually some tension in the atmosphere, be it because of an upcoming or passing battle, disputes —usually just for fun— between Pilots and/or Repairers, or a simple feeling, a look that said, “Be careful around me. I’m not in the mood, and I despise you at the moment.” And though whenever the latter occured those affected would rather be left alone, Azuma and Rill preferred to be in each other’s company.

It was inevitable that rumors floated between and amongst the others, but it was something of little importance to the former Team 19. Those girly voices had an unmistakeable pitch to them; such a pitch, in fact, that the two being spoken of did not need to be confronted and told what was being said. They heard it with complete ease. When one of them was seen alone, the indiscrete few would huddle up and whisper, casting glances within the group and out of it at the one who served as their prey. But they didn’t let it bother them, because if anyone knew the truth, it was them; and since no one dared to go and ask, they didn’t bother to answer the question that was so obviously inscribed in their looks and faces.

Already their height difference was a glaring contrast. The blonde Repairer was nearly a head shorter than the dark haired Pilot. That was obviously one of the last items on their list of worries. Right now, they were mulling over the events that occurred before the last battle. One hand tightly in the other’s, they silently stepped through the corridors. It was very long before one of them spoke.

Her grip on his hand seemed to lessen, and her already downcast gaze flickered a degree lower.

She shifted her weight from one leg to another and looked at the ceiling. It was easy to be edgy about this particular thought, but if there was only one person she trusted enough to talk about it with, it was him. She looked down and hid her hands behind her back.

She began, almost inaudibly, “I just…” A heavy silence hung in the air as both of them waited for her to continue. Finally, she decided to lift her head and just get it out. Her violet eyes were unreadable this time. “Have you ever wondered if the rumors are true, and we don’t even know it?”

“Not that, y’know, I want them to be true or anything,” she said quickly. “I just wonder.” She shrugged. “That’s all.”

He said nothing in fear that he would sound completely and utterly moronic, and soon he saw that there was really no need to say anything else. They were on the same train of thought and therefore, they both knew the only way they would be able to know if the others’ thoughts were true or false. A kiss. And reluctant and proud as they were, they let their lips touch, the Pilot insinctively holding the Repairer with one arm through the short duration of it. Afterward, they smiled at each other and continued walking.

AN: AAH!! NUU!! I have done the unspeakable!! -_-; No more sap. I promise. It’s so stupid to write. I hated it. (And if you wanna know if they got their answer, you’ll have to wait ’til the very end of the fic. ^_^ Mwaha). So go ahead and say it. You hated it. ^^; I don’t blame you. Gah. I feel like taking the whole thing down and rewriting it. I can’t seem to write the present bits anymore! (You should be allowed to walk into Gata’s Hall of Musings one day… No wait. You’d run away screaming. Musie snatched my seriousness!! EVIL!) I made a stupid mistake concerning Zion. (*shudders at the thought of it*) But I guess the AU rules cover me…

Somebody help me… I don’t wanna lose to myself!! *sniffs and huddles in a corner*

AN:
Sorry ’bout Friday. I was on a low. A severe low. I finished Sunrise and a chapter for another fic I have going and decided that I needed to write something. So I was desperate for ideas. Fortunately, I’m at least partially recovered and currently struggling with two ideas. (So if you have any suggestions, I’m open. ^^ **rare event**) Your usual legal thingees stand.

On a grassy knoll, Rill sat cross-legged, looking out at the vast plain that stretched out infinitely before her, while Azuma lay back on the hill, hands behind his neck, looking up at the sky. Wind, a real breeze, blew through the area, making the grass, the woman’s hair, and the man’s hair sway with it.

The blonde shot him an almost annoyed glance, but it was hard to be angry when in such a place.

He chuckled softly and returned his gaze to the pristine clouds that dotted the blue sky. He caught a few strands of gold floating to the periphery of his sight.

“You’ve been sitting like that for an hour,” he said. “Come here and look at the sky.”

Heaving a sigh, she complied, leaving her arms to stretch out past her head as her eyes locked on the pure blue heavens. She was mesmerized for a few seconds, watching the white puffs move and change in shape around and at the zenith.

“Cain would have loved this…” said Rill, gaze not shifting from a passing cloud that looked like a hat.

She turned her head a bit to regard him, then moved an arm so that her hand came in contact with his shoulder. It hadn’t been her intention to bring sadness into the conversation, or silence, whichever the current situation deserved to be called. Bringing her hands behind her neck, she looked up, ignoring the clear beads of tears that were at the corners of her eyes.

She sighed. There was still time for it to happen today, if not tonight or tomorrow.

They had avoided asking themselves that when they were leaving GIS, but the question in itself was inevitable. What were they going to do now that they were no longer Pilot and Repairer?

It had been a while since they’d been on GOA. Nostalgia kicked in, covering their arrivals, meeting, graduation, departure to GIS, and their time on that shuttle. It had been roughly four years of constant interaction, and now it was all over. Azuma could no longer pilot the Ingrid, so another Candidate assumed the position. It could have happened a different, more painful way. He could have just died. But he didn’t, and both of them were glad he was alive. That gave them more to think about, and it became painfully evident to both of them, though they refused to admit it, that they liked being together and did not want to say good-bye.

“I don’t wanna leave. It seemed like it was all just too short, y’know?”

Azuma lowered his eyebrows in thought.
“Well…” He paused to gather his thoughts, then nodded once and continued, “I made a lot of mistakes in our first year. Stupid mistakes.”

He cast her a playful glare, one eyebrow lifted.
“I think… Yeah. I’ll be an instructor,” he finished, nodding again. “I’ll keep stray ones from going more astray, and those not astray from going astray.”

“Well, if you’re going to be an instructor,” Rill said, “you’d better expand your vocabulary.”

“If you did, you could have sweet revenge for our sufferings… Then again, that can be achieved without the look.”

“You were reckless enough to get yourself both seriously and and not-so-seriously wounded,” she began, tapping her cheek with her right index finger, “and I had previous experience dressing wounds. The sight of blood doesn’t sicken me, again, thanks to you—”

She giggled.
“I don’t want to be an instructor, because it just seems so… boring.” She paused to lock her fingers together and stretch out her hands, her knuckles cracking when she did so. “I guess I can be a medic.”

“Dr. Rill Croford,” Azuma tried. “That doesn’t sound bad. Scary beyond all reason, but not bad.”

“Hey! Watch what you’re saying!” She gave him a soft backhanded smack to the chest. “Or I’ll tell the Candidates about the time you snuck into the mess hall at night and—”

“All right! Stop it. Geez,” he interrupted, though she was about to stop because of the laughter coming up.

“Instructor Azuma Hijikata,” Rill said after another silent moment. There was a hint of nostalgia in her voice. “That’d be great.”

He didn’t need to look at her to let her know that he understood. She wanted him to be an instructor. She trusted him to be a good one, too, no matter what happened.

“Because… I’m sure you would teach them everything they need to know,” she finished.

“So…” he said, putting his hands behind his neck. “Will they be battling soon?”

“You don’t sound too serious…” Her voice took a sing-song tone near the end of the statement.

He laughed and patted her head, knowing well how much that bothered her. They walked in silence until they reached a large doorway. Then they stood there, in silence and a twinge of insecurity. Determination took over when their gazes met, and they walked inside the room.

AN: *does dances in praise and joy* ^_^ Kami-sama, arigatou gozaimasu! ^_^ Goddess Academy has part ii of "The 13th PRO-ING" translated! ^^ Now I have a bit more info on the Cain Fisher incident. ^^ *sigh* That’s why there was more hinted-at sadness in this chapter. *dances for Kami-sama some more*

AN:
Yay. I’ve started yet another fic. (Yes, Rorie-san. That was the angsty one. ^~ Be afraid of me, not the disease…MWAHA!) Anyway… Standard disclaimers apply.

*sniff sniff* It was so much more fun to write for them as Candidates and Pilot and Repairer… *sniff SNIFF* I loved that part… *snivel; runs away, wailing*

As noon drew closer, Rill and Azuma realized that being in the shade was, in fact, cooler than being out in the light of a star. That left only a few things were checked off the blonde’s mental To Do list. The silence felt healthy and reassuring, relaxing the senses and soothing the soul.

Childhood curiousty kicked in at a nearby seashore, where, barefoot and vulnerable to the star-sun’s rays, she traced squiggly lines on the wet sand and felt the waves pull away the grains under her feet.

He watched in silent wonder, pondering about what it would have been like if Rana Relain and Cain would have been with them. He could almost see them there, running, laughing. Then his focus fell upon the horizon, where the bright blue sky met the darker blue sea. His gaze wandered back to his oblivious-to-all companion, who by now had gotten quite a distance from him. He followed, even though he knew it was very unlikely that she would get lost.

Casting a glance to one side of the sky as he walked, he saw a dark patch of a cloud that threatened to come their way. Rill would be pleased, he immediately thought. Now he followed not only to watch over her, but to eventually let her know that what she was most expectant of would probably arrive this very day.

Azuma let himself fall back on the comfortable chair in the lounge. It had been a tedious, tiring day for him, and he desperately needed the chance to light a cigarette. He did so, gratefully breathing in the warmth of it.

His position at GOA was First Class Instructor #9. He ferried new recruits from colonies to the Academy, and acted as their instructor as well. It had been quite a few years since he got the post, and even more since he made the decision to be such. A hectic choice it was, he would admit, but at least it was never boring. Watching the Candidates brought back memories, and scolding them did, too, but not very happy ones. More like embarrassing ones, situations he and his partner had been in.

She, too, had lived up to her words to become a medic. She was a doctor now, and was quickly climbing up the steps to being the best known one in the Goddess Operator Academy. Sure enough, Rill had the drive, determination, and projection for it. She knew it, and she was very proud of that. She walked with her head heald high, but when she didn’t, her violet glance and small, dark wine smile were enough to keep anyone from thinking she was “just another medic.”

She raised an eyebrow at him, casting him a sideways glance before sitting next to him and pulling the cigarette out of his hand.

“Not bad,” she said, taking a puff of it afterwards. “How ’bout you? Have you felt the urge to hit someone yet?”

Azuma coughed up a sarcastic chuckle as he slipped the lit stick out of her fingers.

She shrugged and hmphed, and he pulled in air through the smoking roll of white.

“I got my assistants today,” the blonde said, hinting only a bit at what he guessed was enthusiasm.

“Yes. Two. Two very bubbly, suited-for-the-job young women,” she stated, stealing his cigarette again.

He rolled his eyes and sighed smoke as he watched her enjoy a few millimeters of the softly burning stick.

“Or that I’m not a power-hungry person,” she retaliated. “But enough about me. Do you see any promising Candidates as of yet?”

“A few,” he said. “One of them’s reckless, and there’s another one who’d be better off a tactician than a Pilot. But, then again, that’s a necessary skill.”

“Sure…” said the doctor, eyeing him inquisitively. She kept quiet for a while and then reached for the cigarette. This time, however, he saw her coming and batted her hand away with his free one while stretching away the one holding the sought-after item. She pouted and crossed her arms.

“This from the person who wanted me to grow up?” he said in disbelief. “Tisk, tisk. I was inclined to thinking that you were happy. You’d better make up your mind lest you drive someone up the wall.”

“Ah, cut the big words,” she snapped, smirking a bit. “Just… don’t let anyone get killed.”

There was a pause for silence and thought gathering, which the instructor broke.

“Newbies, Top Candidates, Pilot and Repairer, and now Instructor and doctor… We’ve dedicated our lives at GOA, but for what, truly?”

“I wanted to be a Repairer to help mankind as much as I could, and because it seemed so fascinating,” said she.

“Same reasons I wanted to be a Pilot,” said he, “except I wanted something more.”

It only took a few seconds for her to process what he’d said, after which she smiled reached for the cigarette again.

“You’re too late,” he said. “It’s gone.” He took the final puff and tossed the remainder of it to the ground, where a mechanical clean-up device picked it up and trailed away once again.

“Don’t you dare think I give up that easily,” she said, giving in to a small grin. She turned so that she was almost facing him, then kissed him. And when she pulled away, she blew smoke out of her mouth, unable to hide a smirk as she did so. He laughed; she laughed.

AN: You can blame Musie for any crappiness, since she’s the one that goes draining my confidence and then expects me to produce more… Little slave driver… (And yet I keep her…^^) *has just come back from reading wonderful reviews; hugs Rorie-san and Kay-san* You two are just wunnerful! *sniff* ^^ *releases*

Li’l tidbit for you all:
That “past” scene was originally planned to be a short one-shot when I was new to MK and wanted to put up my first fic in the fandom. I never thought I’d get to post it, and yet here it is. ^^ *sniff sniff* This is truly an emotional moment for me~! (Add to that the fact that “Soar” is playing in the background… *cries* That song is from the Sailormoon S movie soundtrack, and I used it for my monologue in drama class, and I’m babbling so I’ll just stop… You can read the monologue if you wanna… It’s Kanojo no Kanashimi, and I could never make myself cry for it. -_-; But I made a friend cry! ^^)

I got a DeadJournal account. ^^; I tried to get a LiveJournal one, but I don’t have a code. ^^; Oh we~ll…
.com/~soubou/

AN:
*sniveling* I-I-I-I-I don’t wanna write this… b-b-b-b-b-b-b-because… it can only mean one thing…

What little star-sunlight was left was at the horizon, and the large stormclouds were already threatening to seal off those last rays. The wind that blew through the plains was cold and refreshing, coming from where the storm had already begun and carrying with it the coolness of the air. The immense shadow cast by the dark clouds —which, in reality, seemed like one large cloud—, offered a comforting shelter from the previously intense heat. It was a sight that would have made Rill’s countless-times great ancestor proud.

Observing the almost imperceptible movements of the thunderheads was impressive enough on its own. But the fact that it meant that she would finally get to see rain… Well, that was another joy in itself. She felt a twinge of guilt, though, when it came to mind that Azuma may have thought that she was merely ‘dragging him along’ because she didn’t want to be alone. But that was far from true. She knew very well that he wanted to see Zion, and that it had, in a way, stemmed from his deceased friend’s wish to be at the star-planet as well. She couldn’t clearly remember if Rana Relain, Cain Fisher’s partner, had wanted to come as well, but in all probability she did, all things taken into consideration. Quietly, the blonde lowered her head in respect for the gone Cain and for Rana, wherever she might be now. She found herself closing her eyes and murmuring a prayer to whichever deity existed, asking for their souls to be at rest and peace.

Something tapped her head. She shot a glare at the instructor, which he returned with a shrug and a look of disbelief and confusion. When it happened again she blinked and turned her gaze to the clouded sky. And when another tap touched her forehead, it was as if the cloud had acknowledged her presence. She absently wiped the wetness away and lowered her gaze to the horizon as she gathered the facts.

Her gaze was unwavering as she blinked and slowly and carefully made her statement.

He looked up, and, as if on cue, the clouds released the clear, crystaline drops they held. Slowly, gradually, the shower increased in area and intensity and became a downpour. The dirt on the ground, now mud, splashed about itself with every drop of water, but neither doctor nor instructor made a motion to move. By the time the rainfall had become intense, both of them found themselves soaked. At first she could barely tell if she was in tears or not, the only indicator being her vision and her eyes stinging a bit. She smiled then, and closed her eyes, feeling tears pass to the corners of her eyes and fall, only to mix with the rain.

“It’s like…” he began, “like being inside the cockpit of a Goddess.”

“I don’t think so,” she disagreed. “It doesn’t make me feel heavy or tired. Gravity does that.”

She obliged. Blocking the sense of sight, her ears picked up many sounds that she never would have noticed had she not listened so intently. Rain hitting the ground, the leaves, themselves; the distant, very distant rolling of thunder; the whisper of the wind; trees and branches moving in the cold breeze; and, mysteriously, through it all, a sort of silence that emanated peace.

Something tore through the tapestry of beauty and serenity that had afixed itself around them. A vile screech, a piercing screech. It was like a lightning bolt and a clap of thunder crushing the silence that was so soothing and miraculous, with the only exception being that the lightning and thunderclap were miracles in themselves. This was not a miracle. This scream, this cry of destruction and desire to kill and mutilate, was a nightmare turned real, the incarnation of humanity’s greatest fears. It stained the wonder, tainted the awe, shattered the calm created by not chance, but a Creator, and replaced it with turmoil and war. A place as peaceful as this should not have to be the object of a conflict, but with such peace, it was inevitable. That something, that cry, spoke of the almost insane battles that had been waged for countless decades.

She gasped rather loudly and, realizing the truths the cries encompassed, shook with silent sobs. He posed as her support and protector, and pulled her closer, refusing to let go. He lowered his head in respect of and for her misery, and waited until a few seconds had passed since she had managed to regain her composure before he asked.

She looked up, casting her gaze to no particular place, a distant, sad look in her violet eyes. She tried to process an answer, but ended up shaking her head.

Remembering the ‘feeling of being inside a cockpit’, she closed her eyes and, much to her surprise, the image of Victim played before her. She opened her eyes and pulled herself from the transe, and then breathed deeply to calm herself.

But he shook his head, cutting her off completely and gaining her full, undevided attention.

“They won’t, because one of the Candidates I once trained just recently became a Pilot.”

Thank you, O Sovereign of the Universe, for giving me the gift of the written word. Through words I grow in knowledge, love, and peace, and for that I thank You and adore You even more.

Thank you, Chevira Lowe, for putting up with me from the start, and for pulling me out of the holes I fell into every so often.

Thank you, those who read and reviewed this, because you have no idea how much better and happier reviews make me feel.

Thank you, all of you who will read this after its completion, because your reviews will be treasured as well.

Of course they did. The better question would be ‘Were the rumors true or not?’ And here’s the answer:

It’s really a matter of personal opinion. Judging from the series, there is no ‘proof’ that they are a couple, dispite the fact that they are together a lot. But that same fact can prove otherwise. Seeing it from a non-romance/angst-loving point of view, they have a relationship of deep trust. After all, they went through many, many experiences together. One would doubt very much that said trust were never established. To come as far as they have, they really must be close. I’d say the trust can let them do simple things such as kiss, as they did in the previous chapter, without any meaning except friendship. (But you know me! Azuma/Rill is a wonderful thought! ^^)

As for the ending, I can’t help it! I like Zero very much, too. ^^ *hopes she didn’t shatter anyone’s hopes*

I rarely have any ‘finished’ fics, so this is a real moment for me. I almost cried when I was writing it. I hadn’t expected to be able to write such large paragraphs. But that just goes to show you that you never know until you try. God bless, much love, and THANK YOU!! ^_^