Clouds, grey clouds filling the air above. There are flashes of light at random intervals reflecting off the somber sky – it could be lightning, or perhaps it is the flash of swords.

Their attention however, is not on the grey clouds.

Shallow, hoarse breaths from the one lying in a thickening pool of blood. The grey eyes, barely retaining their lively brightness, stare upwards as the strong chest heaves with ragged breaths. All he can see is grey, a misty fog.

Then a face, a beautiful sad face, fills his vision.

". . . M-miss?"

His voice is soft, barely audible. But the girl by his side can hear it.

"Yes?"

Long silky hair blows softly in the wind. It caresses the young man’s face and he smiles weakly at her.

"I guess . . . you can’t change destiny after all."

The girl’s dark eyes are full of tears. "No . . ."

He coughs and a trickle of blood trails down from the corner of his mouth. It is nothing compared to the blood flowing out of the sword wound in his side. The girl kneels in it, heedless of how it stains her skirt as she grasps his strong hand in her small one. Knowing she is there, he smiles.

"At least I’ll die having protected the woman I love."

The tears fall, glowing pearls of light that break on his face. Despite the growing clouds over his features, he still squeezes her hand playfully.

"Don’t cry," he says softly. "You should never look sad when friends part ways."

The words do nothing to stop the tears. There is no sobbing, no heart-broken weeping from the girl. She is not like that. But he knows that her silent tears speak more than any sound can.

The grey clouds grow thicker, blocking out the sun. The dying man coughs, body rocking with violent spasms and the girl grasps his hand even more tightly as he sinks into growing lassitude.

"Miss Arashi . . ." The grey eyes are becoming dull. ". . . I can’t see your pretty face anymore."

A hand, a delicate hand that hides a secret strength, touches his face gently. "I’m here."

He sighs as the fingers stroke his hair comfortingly. "You know, I never got to see you smile," he says softly, feeling life draining away. "I bet you would look even more beautiful when you smile . . ."

His words trail off into bloody coughs. She holds his hand tightly and bows her head, hiding behind a curtain of silky hair.

"Don’t speak . . ."

Above them, there is another flash amongst the grey clouds.

With fading strength, he turns towards her pleadingly. No more time. The eyes are losing their light as he whispers final words for her ears only.

"Will you smile for me, Miss?"

Another tear touches his face.

"I . . ."

Before she can answer, the bright eyes close. The girl’s tears fall like rain.

"Sorata . . ."

Without warning, a shadow falls over her. Lost in her grief, she does not realise her danger until the angel raises his sword high.

There is no flash of light reflected to the grey clouds as the sword is withdrawn covered with blood.

* * * * * * *

A veil of long, dark, blood-soaked hair blew in the smoky breeze, gently caressing a strong face that had once been so full of smiles and love.

A droplet of liquid light suspended in the air falling, falling . . .

One wish.

I wish that everyone could have been happy.