In the eternal moment between here and there... something more happened. Perhaps those that designed the gate never intended for two to travel through it at the same moment. Or perhaps not touching one another. Or maybe it was the energy of the Chaos and Master Emeralds that caused the reaction. Or maybe it was intentional. But for whatever reason, it happened.
For in that time, there was not "Knuckles the Echidna, Guardian of the Master Emerald." Nor was there a "Rouge the Bat, Thief, Spy, and Treasure Hunter." There was just the traveler, made of two souls.
Souls that, for better or worse, were bared open to their companion, without illusions, preconceptions, or falsehoods to get in the way.
She saw in him his solitude, and his depression. How long had he existed, with nothing more than his duty as Guardian keeping him from killing himself out of simple loneliness? She saw his frustrations over the modern world, with all its contraptions that he couldn't begin to understand. It made him seem stupid to outsiders, and he hated that. And she saw the nascent attraction he held for a female that could match his own abilities so very well... and the guilt and despair those feeling caused. For how could he claim to be a Guardian if his mind and heart were dedicated to another? And why would a female, possessing such skill and freedom, want to have anything to do with simple-minded dolt of a guardian?
He saw in her bitterness and shame. She was too freakish in her own mind... six limbs and malformed feet, too-big ears and too-little fur. He saw that she knew many males found her attractive, and though she could not imagine why, she was willing to use that to her advantage. He saw that she had tried to convince herself that she was better than other people, more worthy. He saw how she had trained herself to the point that she could take anything she wanted... such as gems, the perfection and beauty that fate forever denied her. And he saw the desire she had for a male that was capable of meeting her as an equal, and even of refusing her something she wanted. A male that, despite what she'd done to him, still helped her, even when she didn't need it. But how could such a freakish and floundering thing as herself find a place in the heart of such a dedicated male?
For that instant, there was no secrets between them... nor could there be. In that moment, the saw, they knew, and they understood.
And then it was over. Bodies reformed as reality returned, and the pair fell to the ground, still grasping one another as they had been when the gate activated.
As the gate closed behind them, Knuckles looked at Rouge, and she looked back, neither certain what to do about what just happened...
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(Posted Tue, 02 Mar 2004 19:53)
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らんま1/2 © Rumiko Takahashi
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