The day had been perfectly mild with a dismal beauty that hugged every smile and every shadow. The weather remained overcast with an occasional ray of hope peeking through the wall of gray until the sun's slow decent into twilight when the clouds finally dispersed. A melody of oranges and reds sprang across the sky like fingers yearning for the darker more secluded corners of the universe. 211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY23dsF9Xuf
Aroko stood on the outlook surveying the valley that was laid out below him. In the place where their village once stood was a lush green open field over growing with wild flowers. There was no sign of the ash or burnt structures that he remembered as if it were yesterday. The valley had recovered so well it seemed as if no one had ever lived there. Just a normal spring day.
He turned to look into the cave he had found perfectly hidden on the side of the nearest mountain, and his eyes laid to rest on Taiga's motionless body. When he had finally dragged her to a place he deemed safe, she had fallen so deep into death that even his very life essence almost didn't save her. Her body had been burned so badly he had had to basicly rebuild her. The process only took him maybe 6 months, and only because he was so picky about making sure he built her back to look like the Taiga he loved, with a few modifications. A rebuilt body never aged or grew and he couldn't bare the thought of her soul being trapped in the body of a girl, so he made her into a woman. He deemed her body's age to be around 23 years, with her beautiful dark mocha skin and black luscious curls, now equip with a perfect hour glass shape and fully developed breasts. A soft smile consumed his face and he sighed, turning back to the rays of the disappearing sun. His body began to flake off the flesh and it disappeared into mid air half way to the ground, giving way to a wide shouldered, seven foot tall translucent body of black flame with no face.
It had been two years.... two whole years and she still refused to awaken. Two years into what he feared would be an eternity of loneliness. It was enough to make anyone go insane. He refused to give up hope. She was strong. She could get through it.
The cold wind flew through his body into the cave and he sighed, letting his shadowed body disappear completely, pretending he didn't even exist at all. Without her he didn't.
* * *
She opened her eyes slowly, the pounding in her head making the adjustment to the light difficult. When she was able to open her eyes completely without wincing in pain, she sat staring at the endless abyss of the cave until the picture became clear. Unable to move her body just yet, her eyes found themselves wondering until they stopped on a figure at what seemed to be the opening of the cave. She squinted. Who was that? Concentrating as hard as she could she took in his every detail and attempted to determine if he was friend or foe.
She had to admit, he was gorgeous. He stood poised and alert, his back leaning against one side of the opening, musclar arms crossed over a wide and taunt bare chest. His skin was of the lightest mocha and reminded her of light tree bark. His hair was short and unruly, sticking up in every direction as if it had never been tamed. He was so tall, at least six foot, but he wasn't quite as skinny as most his size, having more muscle than was natural for his body shape. Upon greater inspection she realized his neck was straining. But why? His face shape was thin and chiseled from stone. Did he have any emotion at all? It was hard to tell at her angle, but she was positive he was clenching this jaw, and that explained the tension she saw in his neck muscles.
She lay there for an eternity, watching him as the light grew and spread it's fingers across the cave floor. He never once moved. She didn't even see his chest rise and fall with what would be normal breathing . Was he even alive?
"Umm..." Her voice was raspy and cracked, scaring her. Could she speak? Was she a mute? The male turned, surprised by the sudden sound. As she slowly raised up onto her elbows, she watched his expression turn from alert readiness, to wide eyed surprise.
"Taiga?" His voice was deep but soft, flooding with disbelief. "God.. Taiga! You're awake. Shit...." He moved so quick she couldn't follow with her eyes. He was just there, beside her, his arms wrapped around her body protectively. He was whispering now into her ear. "I can't believe it. You're really awake. Fuck, Taiga, please.... don't scare me like that again." She heard his voice crack at the very end, paralyzed in his arms.
"Can you speak? How do you feel?" He questioned quickly, pulling away and holding her shoulders up. She was thankful for that, unsure if she would've been able to sit up by herself. Her dark eyes peered into his. They were so many colors, a mixture of blues and greens she had never seen before. They were full of emotion... fear and pain. What had happened to him? She wanted so deeply to know. "Please.... say something?"
She opened her mouth to speak, but was unable. Frustrated, she tried again, coughing harshly after the attempt. He pulled her back into a hug and rested his chin on her shoulder. He was so warm.
"It's ok, take your time."
And then it happened. She spoke.
"Who... who am I?"
His heart shattered.
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