From: XHotachanX <xhotachanx@aol.com> Subject: [PW!] "Reflection" and a suggestion for Rayea's Image Song Date: Thursday, September 02, 1999 8:00 PM Hi everyone! It’s me! Rayea! I didn’t fall off the face of the earth. I just never thought of posting anything under my name for a while. But I’m still here. And about to make a...well..a comeback..I guess? This is a ‘flashback/revelation background story help you understand my character wha-cha-ma-call-it’. And it was done without Daitooryoo knowing. :::giggles, whispers ‘suprise Alex!’:: So...on with the episode. Character name(s): Rayea Hibiki Team Affiliation(s): Part of the time with Team Rocket, but the rest of the time with Alex as a good girl again.. Good/Evil/Disturbed, etc.(s): Good Theme song (and the artist): Reflection by Christina Aguilera from the Mulan Soundtrack "Reflection" Night blanketed the sky, masking the surrounding earth in dark blue shadows.The leaves rustled softly. Reeds whispered a quiet song, calling someone from their peaceful dreaming. She held her arms around herself and walked away from the campsite, leaving her friends behind her sleeping. It felt as if she had been walking for hours in the quiet of the wood. Listening to the sound of her footsteps echo in the wind. Crickets sung from all around, then harmonizing with the frogs in the ponds. She looked up into the sky to gaze on the silvery moon, floating in the darkness. 'You always come out at this time...' a voice whispered. She nodded, not thinking about where the voice could be coming from. Her eyebrows furrowed as she lost herself in thought. 'What is bothering you this time, child?' Nearly every night since the group drew closer to Viridian, Rayea stole away somewhere to ponder the journey. And lately, she had been accompained by a gentle voice that would listen to her and offer solstace. “We’re going to be back home in Viridian soon...but I’m afraid of what will be waiting for us,” she answered soffly. Silence replied to her worry as she sat down next to a small river and looked into the rushing water, “First, it was that distress call from Ali-chan that worried me...then Patricia ran away and got mixed up in Team Rocket..then when she got out of it, she was trying to get me to come home...I’ve been trying to run from my responsibilities for so long...” ‘You can only run for so long.’ She turned away and shut her eyes. “I know. But what will Alex think of me..? A coward who kept running from her fears?. I never once went back home to see if it was alright. I was heartless and should’ve gone home immediately. And if there has been damage done to Viridian, it will be all my fault..” 'Dear one, his feelings won’t change. Alex loves you for who you are..he will understand.' “I’m just so afraid..” Her reflection wavered like her heart that wrenched in her chest, “He is so much like Ryu was...they’re both so brave and confiendent...” She looked away and rubbed her eyes with the palms of her hands, “I know Ryu’s gone. But I keep thinking he’ll come back. I still love him very much..” 'What of Alex then..? Don’t you love him as well?' “I ...I...” Rayea was at a loss for words. Her heart pounded harder, driving the stinging venom of her frustration through the rest her body. She shook restraining herself from crying. 'I can see you growing up before me, young Rayea. I’ve seen you growing up this entire journey.' She blinked her eyes open and looked into the water once more. 'You’re not the timid baby that I watched grow up. You’re stronger now. And when you need more strength, turn to your friends. Alex, especially.' Rayea watched as the waves washed her image away and replaced it with the face of a young man. He held a staff tight in his right hand, his dark hair lightly covering his determined eyes. 'He’ll always be there for you. No matter what tribulations you will encounter.' Rayea rose to her feet and ran back through the forest. Her eyes were clear now. Clear of tears and concern. They were now wild and shining, like they should be. ‘Don’t doubt the warrior’s heart you hold inside. Stand strong, dear child, and keep going.’ Once reaching the campsite, she stopped and peered out around behind a tree. From the distance, she watched him sleep, his arm lazily slung over Asuka’s furry head. Quietly, she crossed the grass to sit on the other side of him. ‘And most of all remember, if you always fear sorrow, you’ll never truly love at all.’ Slowly, she leaned forward and brushed her lips over his. Brief flashbacks of the past year danced through her mind. Every memory like a ripple in the river, spreading out from the original spot where the rock had hit the water and leading to something else. Alex was the rock that had hit the river that held her former reflection in the water and changed everything. 'Thank you.' Rayea thought when she got up and walked back into the forest. She turned back for just a moment to look back and smile. Then without another sound, she disappeared into the shadows again. REFLECTION Aguilera Christina Soundtrack From Mulan Look at me You may think you see Who I really am But you'll never know me Ev'ry day It's as if I play a part Now I see If I wear a mask To be myself I can fool the world But I cannot fool my heart Who is that girl I see Staring straight back at me? When will my reflection show Who I am inside? I am now In a world where I have to hide my heart And what I believe in But somehow I will show the world What's inside my heart And be loved for who I am Who is that girl I see Staring straight back at me? Why is my reflection someone I don't know? Must I pretend that I'm Someone else for all time? When will my reflection show Who I am inside? There's a heart that must be free to fly That burns with a need to know the reason why Why must we all conceal What we think How we feel? Must there be a secret me I'm forced to hide? I won't pretend that I'm Someone else For all time When will my reflection show Who I am inside? When will my reflection show Who I am inside?