You know, nobody has commented on the first chapter of
Dark Quarter.  

Oh well, I hope you like this one better.

Raye
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Watcher

by Raye Johnsen
raye_j@yahoo.com

*****
     "Angelic Layer" is copyright Clamp and all
associated parties.  This fanwork is for personal
entertainment only.  I have no rights, make no claim
to any, and would appreciate it if Tamayo would please
let go of my neck now....
     For the record, this is an attempt to write a
serious yuri, a genre I have not really attempted so
far, so C&C would be VERY much appreciated.
*****

     I wonder, Sai, if you have any idea how long I
have been watching you?

     I wonder if you remember me staring at your
profile (which was and remains far more interesting
than the standard curriculum) all through middle
school, while you stared out the window.  But then, a
lot of people stared at you.  You've always been so
cool and elegant.

     I do know that you knew of me, at least.  Who
could not know?  The daughter of the head of the
Saitou Corporation attracts attention wherever she
goes.  Furthermore, I was the possessor of a sweet
smile.  

     Did you know that you're the only person who's
seen it for the facade it is?

     Still, I suppose it takes the builder of a facade
to recognise another.  You have never asked me to
explain myself either.  Believe me, I appreciate it.

     Why does it take pain to create understanding?

     Watching you as we walk down the hall towards the
regional finals, I wonder if you are aware of me now. 
Your pain is still so raw - Lin would not have wanted
it so, but I guess it could not be helped.  I wish I
could do more to soothe your heart - but you have
barely let me in. Enough to share your grief, not
enough to do more.  Yet.

     Your body moves so gracefully as we proceed to
the arena and your final battle.  All I will be able
to do is observe; yet you are not objecting to my
presence nor my plans.  I am honoured.  You've never
let anyone do that before.

     Angelic Layer has been a lot more interesting
this year, and it's been exactly what you've needed. 
I saw you lead young Suzuhara out on the dais for the
opening ceremony; I wonder if anyone else saw that
crack in the Ice Machine's faultless shield? 
Compassion for the nervousness of a talented
first-timer?  Tut-tut, Jinohoshi.  You're slipping. 
That was sweet, a move worthy of myself.  Though you
did handle it very elegantly.

     And now you face her in the final round.  I know
you will fight your best, as always; Shirahime is a
powerful Angel and you an exceptional Deus.  Still, at
this stage, so are we all, and Suzuhara's Hikaru has
defeated many excellent Angels.  We will have to see. 
I will have to watch you, Sai, very closely indeed.

     I'm going to be watching you, Jinohoshi Sai, for
a very, very long time....

     "There's no need to walk behind me, Kaede.  You
know the way as well as I do."

     I've fallen a few steps behind... it takes a
little effort to catch up.  "Sure."

     I do not wonder if, but rather hope that we will
always be walking this way, side by side, into the future.

=====
raye_j@yahoo.com
http://www.thejohnsens.com/index.html

"'I run, therefore I am'; more accurately, 
'I run, therefore with any luck I'll still *be*'."
   - Rincewind's philosophy, as explained in "Interesting Times"

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