This is a little different from anything else I�ve ever written.  I borrowed the title from a Moody Blues song.  If you have C&C or remarks, contact me at <ddiddl1@umbc.edu>.  Oh, by the way, this is a FANFIC. I don�t own Sailor Moon.  Don�t bother suing me.

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Watching and Waiting

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    The sun hasn�t yet reached it�s apex for the day.  A few fluffy clouds mill around like so many celestial sheep.  As I walk up the stairs to the temple a cool breeze caresses me and carries a few cherry blossoms down to the street below.  They are small pink parachutes flying to a brave new land.  My wandering feet carry me up to the top of the concrete steps to the temple gate.  Turning, I look down the long flight of steps which seem to cut the bustle of the city from the tranquility of where I now stand.
    I look toward the shrine again.  The grass is full and green, and undulates like a sea under the wind.  The cherry blossoms paint the trees pink.  Their soft fragrance seeps into everything around them.  The modest buildings made of the traditional wood and paper are as white as fresh snow.  Although I stand in solitude, I don�t feel lonely.  If I needed anything the shrine�s three caretakers are somewhere around.  Surely the effusive drug of this rare day has pacified their souls as well, for usually the younger two caretakers constantly squabble.
    One of the caretakers, a young man, steps beside me.  I am no judge of men, but I would reckon that him as strong, and perhaps handsome despite his unkempt appearance.  I open my mouth to greet him but he motions me to remain silent.  Together we stand and listen to the whisper of the wind and the songs of the birds.  Then I understand why he kept me quiet.  The second caretaker wanders into my wondering gaze.  Her hair is long and black like the two crows that accompany her everywhere she goes.  Even at this distance I can tell that her sparkling eyes are deep amethyst.  Her full lips were pulled up in a small smile.  We watch as she kneels and rings the bells to pray.  She moves with fluid grace.  Had she known that we watch her the peace of the day would have been shattered.  But the sight of her is enough to make the risk worthwhile.
    We watch her pray.  While there is still peace in my heart, imparted by the day, I envy the man beside me her love.  Silently, I turn and walk back down the stairs to the crowded street below.


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/__\    David Diddlemeyer
/\  /\   Imperial Solnoid Navy
\_\/_/   ddiddl1@umbc.edu

http://homepages.infoseek.com/~centralguard/
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