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I must start with a question. It is a simple question, but one that leads to the story of my life.

If you got the chance to create your perfect companion, would you? Would you take this person, and mold them to fit your desires, be exactly what you want? Tempt them with your body and mind, so that all they ever truely want is you?

I did.

I met her as a child. She was a friend of a friend. Entering rooms, she caused people to watch in awe. Her innocence and vibrance cast no doubts as to the reason everyone loved her, myself included. We never talked, but I watched the hyperactive girl play, and looked on in wonder.

We never got the opportunity to talk.

Our mutual friend moved away shortly, and I had no way to find the girl. My family moved all over in the years following that. Even if my friend hadn't moved, I have no doubt that I wouldn't have been able to see the girl.

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We met again, years later.

She was older.

So was I.

She grew up lovely.

Wow.

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Love at first sight.

Who would believe it.

I certainly didn't.

I thought it was just a funny feeling. It would go away. Who has time for love, anyway. I had enough going with my life. She's just keep me from my goals.

Who'd have thought she'd become my goal?

Certainly not me.

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We finally figured it out, and got our act togeather.

We loved each other, and that was all that mattered.

She was perfect for me, as I was perfect for her. She knew my mind and body, and wanted nothing but me. I was the same, but my old love would have to go.

Adventure.

What a lovely lass.

My passion, my life. But, as it is said, all good things must come to an end.

I would give it all up for her. I was going to, truely. I was going to stay home for good and raise a family. Have a normal job.

Just one last quest.

Who knew how true that would be.

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I died.

A meaningless death, from a foolish mistake. To think, that of all the adventures I had had, the one to kill me was the one right before I was going to quit. How ironic. How tragic.

She died soon after, apparently out of greif.

Who knew she'd be reborn first.

Who knew she'd be reborn male.

Who knew I'd end up a petite girl.

What a mix-up.

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I found her.

As I knew I would.

But her body, that was a definite surprise. I never expected for my one-time enemy to become a close friend, and my friend to be my lover, reincarnated. But, as we grew closer and more relaxed aroung each other, I began to notice her habits showing up in strange places.

Unfailing loyalty.

Modesty, to the point of appearing to be unsure of himself.

Innocence, almost to the point of being prude.

That cup of tea that replaced meals.

That always irritated me, made me look like a glutton. She was always the delicate one. Strong of spirit, but appearing like a delicate flower. I always teased her about having an eating disorder. She always told me that she eats more that I know, and that I just don't pay attention.

A fragile flower, now hidden in stone, which I still see sometimes.

I miss her.

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I remember the was she was. Purple hair deep as twighlight. And her eyes. A limitless blue. You could look into them, and her soul shone there for all who knew enough to look.

I miss her eyes the most.

His eyes are a lovely emerald.

But they are cold. Like two stones that gaze back at you, empty and soulless.

But....

Sometimes, when he's lost in thought, I can still see the beauty and depth of her eyes, shining back at the world. But rarely do I get to see this, as he can hear me approach, and shrinks back into himself.

We were a perfect pair, but now......I don't know.

I was a good match for her.

You wouldn't think so, with this scrawny female body. Not exactly the epitome of female beauty.

Well.....

I may not be a lovely lady, but I was one hell of a man.

Lean, and well built. Muscular, but not too muscle bound. Firery red eyes to match an uncontrollable firery red maine. I always thought my hair was funny. It had a way of being perpetually out of controll, its tweaky spikes pointing skywards. She loved it though, and would spend hours playing with my hair. At least somebody liked it.

I wonder if she likes my hair now.

I wonder if he likes it.

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An innocent touch, a gentle, unknowing caress.

I tested to se if he remembered me, remembered what we were. What we are. What we still can be.

But......

Never a true sign. Never anything that couldn't be mistaken for an acciden, or a chance response.

Nothing that could tell me.

Perhaps it was intentional.

Perhaps......he didn't want to repeat the past. The pain and heartache. The nights of wondering where I was, if I was even alive.

But I couldn't believe that.

Because....it was worth it. The passion, the fire we had. Too strong to die, and yet, too powerfull to contain in any reasonable fashion.

I wanted it back.

No more of this knowing and wanting, without having what we crave. No more of these secretive glances when we thought no one, not even the other, the object of the affection, was looking. I was never good at keeping passions secret. At letting fate run its course, and leave me high and dry, without a hope of what I truely desire. Even more so in this new life.

This uneasy silence could not.....would not last.

All that it requires to shatter it is the right time.

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I knew the time was coming soon.

The way he looks at me now, when he thinks I'm not looking.

All that my love knew, and more.

He is perfect.

She was. A perfect love, a perfect lover. Perfect for me.

Soon, I'll have it again.

Soon.....

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A figure.

Standing at the edge of firelight, half covered in shadows.

She seems ashamed at what she's become.

He's sorry.

"I remember."

I took a step closer.

"Do you really?"

A nod.

Another step.

"Really?"

Step.

Lips, a breath away from my own.

"I do. Really"