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Someday out of the blue
In a crowded street
Or a deserted square
I'll turn and I'll see you
As if our love were new
Someday we can start again
Someday soon
Eiko gasped at what he was seeing, as if for the first time his own vision had betrayed him. Because in one instant he saw his love lying on the bed of rocks, like that eternal sleep would shortly come, and then in the next moment his emerald green eyes beheld the beauty and glory of a true Angel. Was this the same Aashi he had felt so strongly for? It had to be. It just had to. Only one person has ever called him Eiko-sama and showed sincerity whenever she said it. For what seemed like an hour, but only a few minutes Eiko just stood there with mouth agape slightly. From head to toe he looked upon Aashi and the new appearance that she took on. Of course he thought she was pretty as a Fallen, but Eiko couldn't even begin to describe her radiance now as an Angel. Even her eyes were different. Everything about her changed as was part of her redemption, all but her facial expression. There was always something to her face, the way she looked at him, the way she smiled, that always got Eiko to simply remain quiet and gaze at her. Eiko wasn't really sure what it was exactly, but perhaps it was emotions he read on her face despite her attempts to hide them that caught his attention. They were alike in many ways, which took time for both of them to realize.
"You are redeemed..Aashi-sama?" Eiko began finally, "What wonderful news." and with that he rushed to her and embraced her so tightly that not even the deities that resided in Heaven could tear it apeart. The embrace was returned, but for some reason Eiko felt different and for a couple of reasons. One being that showing emotions so readily wasn't in his nature, although the only exceptions were the times spent with Aashi. But even with her Eiko had the hardest time to be as open as he wanted to be. Another reason was Aashi's transformation; he thought of his love now as more of a greater being than himself. A mere mortal in the presence of an Angel? Since Eiko is a warrior who values morals and virtues, it only felt right to him to show Aashi nothing but reverent respect. With that, he broke the embrace, got down on one knee, and bowed his head so that he could only see the ground.
"Forgive me." Eiko said, for he knew his actions caused Aashi to look at him in a puzzled manner.
Here comes the night
Here come the memories
Lost in your arms
Down in the foreign fields
Not so long ago
Seems like eternity
Those sweet afternoons
Still capture me
"For what..? You have done nothing." Aashi asked with bafflement evident in her tone.
"I feel it inappropriate to have physical contact with one higher than myself." came Eiko's reply, robotic-like, and seeing him like this hurt Aashi more than it startled her.
"Nani?" she tried to say calmly, but Eiko could hear hurt behind it. He winced just slightly because of it, "Aashi-sama...you're an Angel now...and I feel that I am no longer worthy of you..."
Aashi was stunned by this, but this time she was able to hide it and keep her composure. She had every right to be upset and walk away from him, but she couldn't. Especially not after returning from the Astral plane for him, after everything they had gone through together. Instead of a cold and emotionless expression, she smiled a soft smile. It wasn't the best she could do, but it was enough for that moment.
She knelt down and placed her hands carefully on the upper part of Eiko's arms just past the shoulders and spoke with a gentle quietness, "Eiko-san, please...rise."
Obediently Eiko got to his feet, but his head still hung and his eyes were still transfixed to the floor. By that time a part of him was saying to stop playing this game and to just be himself. Another part of him was telling him that being apathetic and silent was him being himself. Who would have thought that Eiko harbored inner turmoil? Most would find that rather shocking, considering his more than often cool demeanor and the enigma he made himself to be to everyone. Only two managed to reveal other sides of him unknown to anyone else. One he considered a dear friend, despite her background, and the other, the other...
Eiko felt a finger come under his chin and slowly he looked up to meet Aashi in the eye. There he saw what always took his mind off his personal demons and kept him staring for moments on end. Despite the change in her eye color, Eiko saw in her eyes the reassurance that he did not have to be alone. Aashi was an Angel, that was a given, but that didn't change the way she looked at him and more importantly, he hoped, what she felt inside.
Someday out of the blue
In a crowded street
Or a deserted square
I'll turn and I'll see you
As if our love were new
Someday we can start again
Someday soon
"Eiko..it is still me. I am no different than how I was before." she continued to speak softly.
The warrior did not reply so readily, for once again he took his time to pause and look at her. One would think she would be used to that by now, but Aashi blinked in confusion. She was right, he thought. She really hasn't changed.
Eiko smiled, "You have. You've become much more elegant in beauty."
This commentary made Aashi blush and Eiko chuckled within himself. Sure enough, this was the same Aashi Uriana who was the first to attempt to unravel the enigma that was Eiko and the only one to succeed in doing so without any knowledge of the past that brought forth his existence. Aashi saw Eiko for what he is and what he tried his best not to show. To truly understand each other was what added spice in what they shared.
I still believe
I still put faith in us
We had it all
And watched it slip away
Where are we now?
Not where we want to be
Those hot afternoons
Still follow me
Since Aashi was still too speechless to reply, Eiko decided to take intiative, "I am sorry for that display. I didn't mean to upset you if I did, yet I still feel unworthy in your eyes now."
"Do not feel that way, Eiko-sama. You are the reason I have returned from the Astral plane. It is I who is the unworthy one..."
"What do you mean? You have achieved the redemption you have always wanted. You have now what you've sought for.."
The Angel shook her head, cutting Eiko off from his sentence yet being polite about it at the same time, "I was not expecting to be redeemed, however the Elders granted it to me. Why they did so I still do not understand, demo...I think that part of the reason has something to do with what you have shown them."
The tables turned and now Eiko was the one bearing the look of confusion on his face. Aashi's smile became more genuine and not bearing as much sorrow as it had before; the noble warrior didn't know what to make of neither her words nor her facial expression.
Someday out of the blue
Maybe years from now
Or tomorrow night
I'll turn and I'll see you
As if we always knew
Someday we would live again
Someday soon
"The Elders know who you are, Eiko-san, they've seen you watch over me while my spirit was with them in the Astral realm. Kahlack has seen my memories as well."
Eiko blinked, "Then that means they...you...my..?"
The Angel looked down for a moment then looked up, still smiling,"Hai, we saw.." Aashi gently took one of Eiko's hands and brought it up so that they both could see their hands, palms against each other's, "You have shown me so many good things, Eiko, and it has made me see the true value of life, mortal or otherwise."
"That is so because I...I..." Eiko stammered, something not in his nature to do.
Aashi silenced him by placing the finger of her other hand on his lips, "Sssh." However, before she could say more Eiko shook his head and used his free hand to bring hers down from his face.
"Aashi, aishiteru. I want you to know that, for I have never been so certain about it before as I am now." Their eyes met and Eiko intertwined the fingers of the visible hand with hers and used the other one to run through her hair, which was now the orange hue seen in flames. In his mind, Eiko couldn't help but think that that was rather befitting of Aashi.
I still believe
I still put faith in us
I still believe
I still put faith in us
I still believe
I still put faith in us
Aashi leaned her head slightly into Eiko's hand before he brought it around her waist and embraced her much tighter than before if that was even possible. He squeezed her and a bit and could feel her doing the same. Neither of them wanted to remove themselves from the moment so they left themselves content to staying that way for awhile. After that they say down on the rock bed to look at the scenery, Eiko's arm still around Aashi's waist and the Angel resting against the noble's chest. Her brilliantly white wings were folded behind her back until a strong breeze picked up, of which then she extended and folded them about herself and Eiko. The warrior couldn't take his eyes off her, and mainly did so only so it wouldn't scare Aashi. But when Eiko sighed heavily, it made Aashi wonder."
"Is somethig wrong...?" She asked, blinking.
"Iie. I was only thinking. I have never really known fear despite the many awkward moments I've found myself in. Never did I know fear fully until it came to the point where I nearly lost you Aashi..."
The Angel nodded, "I know. I was scared for the same reason as well." she sighed softly before continuing, "but we've made it. There is no longer a reason to fear."
"I refuse to lose you, or nearly for that matter, ever again. Not if it is within my power."
Here comes the night
Here come the memories
Lost in your arms
Down in the foreign fields
Not so long ago
Seems like eternity
Those sweet afternoons
Still capture me
Much time passed, but very little was said. Words were not really necessary for them for the time being, although minature conversations were passed so as to keep each other on their toes. Who knows what the future could possibly hold for either of them, so it would have been unwise to let their guard down and stay too comfortable. Not having their guard down was not within either of their natures anyway. Old habits die hard apparently. It was enough that they were in each other's company, in each other's arms. Eiko had the scare of his existence and was still recuperating from it, although he would probably deny such a notion to himself if he ever let it sink in consciously. As for Aashi, there were still so many questions that she was trying to find the answers for. Curiousity can and tends to be a killer like that. In due time she would bring it up to Eiko, but only until after she could sort them out and make some sense of it herself.
The warrior had thoughts that he could have bothered him too if he allowed them to, but he consistently shoved it to the farthest reaches of his mind. Nearly losing Aashi has made him realize that all good things should never be taken for granted nor wasted. Much has happened to have changed this normally nonchalant man of honor into an honorable advocate of good things about life. The things that which are most abused by those who do not know how to apprieciate the simple matters that mean so much. Such as comfort in being with others, not living a hermit's life of loneliness.
Someday out of the blue
Maybe years from now
Or tomorrow night
I'll turn and I'll see you
As if we always knew
Someday we would live again
Someday soon
The day passed quicker than it had seemed to both Aashi and Eiko. Not like the passage of time mattered for either of them anyhow. Aashi was an Angel, thus mortality was not even minutely in question and Eiko was created with technology that allowed his longevity to be something desired by normal humans. Yet, Time was still an important factor in their lives. As Fate would have it, who knows what is in store. When it was only himself to take care of, Eiko completely disregarded time as being on his priority list. But as he knows very well, things have changed. -He- has changed. And he has yet to find a reason to regret it. Because of the person he loved, he saw no reason to ever regret anything he has done for that matter. Why put an end to a good thing?
Back at Eiko's humble abode in the nexus forest, T.K. was thrilled to hear about Aashi's redemption and to see that all was well. By the time they came back, he had already prepared dinner and so they dined and were under the warmth of each other's company, as if nothing had changed. As usual, T.K. ate more than Eiko and Aashi combined mainly because of his voracious appetite but also because he needed the nourishment more than the other two. Neither Aashi nor Eiko minded anyway. The first several hours of the evening was spent with conversation and laughter, the latter was the compliments of T.K.
T.K moved a few of his long blonde-streaked bangs away from his face and behind his ears, "Eh, I'm bushed. Oyasumi nasai you two."
"Oyasumi nasai, T.K.-san." Aashi said with a smile.
"Hai, rest well. And thanks for the dinner and entertainment." the warrior grinned.
T.K. chuckled, "It was nothing. You two probably have much to talk about anyway so I'll leave you birds be." he turned out of the dining room and went into one of the rooms which belonged to him but he still considered a guestroom.
Someday out of the blue
In a crowded street
Or a deserted square
I'll turn and I'll see you
As if our love were new
Someday we can start again
Someday soon
Eiko felt that to the best way to end the night was to spend it near the ocean. He knew Aashi would like that and she did. The dark waters were tranquil and the stars sparkled like any other night. Nature payed little attention to the affairs of people and yet on most occassions it behaved at the right times. Eiko, a man who speaks little of demands, wanted nothing to intrude them on this day. At the very least a day and a night to be with the one that meant the most to him and always would.
"Eiko-sama.." Aashi began while walking barefooted on the sand, "you do not have to..."
"Hound you like a dog?" they both laughed, "Am I that obvious?"
"Hai." And the Angel smirked, "Very obvious."
The warrior's tone turned serious, "I know, but I have my reasons. I still cannot bear the thought of losing you again." Eiko knelt down to write some complex kanji charactars into the sand. It caught Aashi's curiousity and she blinked before walking over to take a look.
"The virtues I have followed over the years of my existence." and he pointed each one out to her although this wasn't the first time he has shown them to her, "As abstract as they all seem: Honor, Integrity, Dignity, Confidence, Hope, and Wisdom."
"Demo, Eiko-san, there's one more that you're writing."
"I know." After writing the last character he sat down by his written work and stared out at the ocean. Aashi glanced over what he wrote with her eyes, all of kanji she knew and recognized, but the last one was not there the first several times Eiko had shown her what he lives by. This last one was a recent addition, and Aashi understood why. She smiled warmly and sat down next to Eiko.
Before he wrote down that last kanji, Eiko lived solely for doing the right things. Rarely had he gave himself much concern since he was able to survive under nearly every condition that a body can withstand and then some. With all the advantages Eiko has for being created, inside would've traded all of it to be normal. Not a creation of technology. He never considered happiness as a necessity for his life. Now he realizes that that is what has made his life worth living.
A long period of silence passed between them. Eiko seemed to be lost in thought, possibly his own thoughts that pestered him whenever they pleased. The burdens of his mind lessened by a kiss on the cheek and the fact that he was holding an Angel in his arms. Literally speaking as well. Eiko was fortuneate and he knew it; not very many men can say they've expereienced what he was.
"Eiko-sama?" Aashi asked in a whisper.
"Hai?"
She closed her eyes and tightened her hold on Eiko, "Aishiteru mo.."
The warrior leaned his head so it rested on top of Aashi's as he whispered back, "Thank you. For everything..."
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