d i f f i n d o
{ the land between solar systems }


In the distance, he saw her turn round, her brilliant red hair coming lose as her attacker's Diffindo hit her barrette and it clattered to the floor, snapped into two. The thought of what might have happened, had it been her and not the barrette that had taken the hit, sent no shiver running up his spine, did not cause his hands to shake, but it made his eyes still, a stillness that, for all of its chill, seemed to blaze.

He had never doubted her skills as a duelling artiste - she had never given him a chance to - and he did not doubt them now, as her attacker collapsed on the floor in a small, crumpled heap. But he found himself moving like he had never moved before, found himself standing in front of her, found himself acting - for once in his life - a shield.

"Don't." She sounded calm despite the din, the danger.

He picked up her barrette and pocketed it. "Get out of here. Now."

She looked at him, he looked back at her and for a moment, all seemed silent. Dead. Then she nodded, turned round, and he saw her red hair no more.



Song credit: Múm. <3 Yes, the band.