15-Jun-2000
Disclaimer: I don't own GW or FF7 or Ranma 1/2. I'm poor. This fic is for entertainment only. It has yaoi and may provoke actual thought. If you can't handle yaoi or thinking, don't read this. I don't own "Uncivil War" by Martina McBride either. Like I said: I'm poor. Hope you enjoy. Consider this a soapbox fic. It is not meant to upset anyone. During the summer, tempers tend to flare more and people become less tolerant of others. With so much pain in the world, can't we accept each other for who and what we are and be happy with that? Just a silly question from a stupid dreamer.
A young woman is working in her store when she looks up and notices two young men walking down the sidewalk. She gives a long sigh. The two are good customers, especially the small blond, but their closeness will get them in trouble. The one with the braid tends to hang all over his smaller friend. It could be mistaken for more than friendship. Just as she is about to turn back to business a bottle sails out of nowhere and strikes the braided man in the head. He collapses to the ground, blood streaming from a cut in his hairline. A group of men come out of the shadows even as people run out of the shops to help. Three of the men hold the blond as the tallest advances on their prone victim.
There's a silence on the front line you can cut it with a knife
Everyone stops and time seems to freeze as the attacker takes out a knife and tells everyone to back off as he has business with the "fag." The young shop owner freezes as well. Should she interfere? It would be much easier to just leave and let things happen. Safer too.
You can stay and take your chances or you can run to save your life
Caught between what is right and what is safe. The woman pauses. A hand falls on her shoulder and she turns to find it attached to a very tall man with long silver hair and glowing green eyes.
"There's something you should see," he says softly. The street vanishes and they are in a new place; like ghosts they watch the events before them.
One side is retreating and the other's running scared
A group of men are beating another man as people walk away, claiming it has nothing to do with them. A woman is being held to one side; she is screaming for someone to help them, for the men to stop. The familiarity of the scene strikes the young woman as does the hatred in the men's eyes. Behind the hate though, she can see fear. Fear of what is different and change. They are so afraid, they lash out.
And the drums of war are beating even though it's undeclared
Her mind is suddenly filled with images from the news. People on two sides screaming at each other. Anger twisting their faces into a parody of humanity. The hatred remains the same throughout all the images.
And both sides say they're winning and both sides know they're losing
Men and women give lectures to their followers. Telling one and all how right they are and how wrong and evil the other side is. The single-mindedness of it all turns the young woman's stomach, but the man won't let her turn away. Then she sees the leaders reading about murders and violence committed in the name of their cause. She sees the sadness in their eyes, but none of them change their ways. For them, the loss of humanity is a small price to pay to prove they are right.
And neither one knows what they're fighting for
Each side claims to be right, to have heaven on their side. Yet, if they are fighting for what is right, how can they act so wrong? How can violence and hate ever be right? Ever accomplish good? The woman asks the tall man, but he smiles sadly at her and they move on.
And in the quiet little places you can see the little faces
Two children are eavesdropping outside their Grandparents room. They look very young and confused.
Huddled right outside the bedroom door praying for an end to this uncivil war
Grandpa Genma is screaming at Grandma Nodoka. Neither child understands why they are fighting about Uncles Ranma and Ryoga. The two men might not be blood relations, but the kids know they have good hearts and have never done anything bad. Why can't Grandpa Genma accept them? The children creep back to their bedroom. They wish someone would explain.
Poppa needs a new job so he's swallowing his pride
A man is laid off from his salaried job and is now looking through the want ads. Finding a factory job, he applies. It is not what he spent years in college for, but his family needs the money.
oh but it don't go down easy and it eats him up inside
The man does his job, takes home his check, but everyone at work notices his anger. A man pulls him aside one day and hands him a pamphlet. It isn't his fault he is working here, the stranger explains. There are people out there who want to hold down those who are better. All the anger the man has been storing now has a place to go. It is so much easier to blame someone than think there is no one to blame. Hate starts to burn in the man's heart.
and Momma she don't notice little sister's ragged dress
A woman is sitting a dinner table holding a picture. Her daughter taps on her shoulder to get her attention. The woman doesn't react. Around her, the house is in a state of disarray. Nothing has been cleaned in days, maybe weeks.
lately she don't notice much anything I guess
The picture flutters from her hand. It is a picture of a young man. Her son was beaten to death because he was gay. The woman can't grasp the level of hate it takes to kill a young man for nothing more than whom he loved. Tears splash softly on the picture.
They're just fighting off the hunger
People stand in line for food while others glare at them. A woman with a kid stands in line. Several people whisper about taking the child from such an "unfit mother."
Trying to keep from going under
People collect their benefits from a government office even as a news reporter talks about those using the system, making it sound as if everyone there is dishonest. Most these people just want a chance. They are struggling. It is so easy for others to criticize without ever trying to understand.
But the wolves just keep on gathering round the door
Everywhere people are shouting. Fury twisting faces into something frightening. They are so sure those who are different are evil, so certain that everyone wants what they have. The shouting becomes a howl, like one from a rabid animal.
there's no place to run for cover so we're turning on each other
The shopkeeper looks at the tall man. There is so much fear in all these people. They are so afraid, they take it out on others, allowing their hearts to fill with anger and keeping hope out. Is that what this is all about, she wonders.
cause there really ain't no winners anymore
Every side needs to be right; each so desperate for acceptance and love. It has become an all or nothing fight and none see the foolishness of such a thing. Everyone's so obsessed with keeping what they have, they can't see what they have and what they are losing when they strike out in fear and anger. So single-minded, they can't see their own humanity slipping away.
just victims in this uncivil war
Thousands of pictures fly by the woman. They are of men, women, and children. All races, religions, ages. These individuals died because of hate and fear. All dead because people sold their souls to be right and still they are wrong. Tears slowly run down her cheeks.
There's a silence on the front lines you can cut it with a knife
Suddenly, she is back on the street. The young victim is trying to get up, but can't and his attacker has almost reached him.
"It is easier to hate than love," the tall man whispers to her softly. "Love is hard, especially when so many hate. Compassion is not a weakness. Love is not forbidden. Hope is not foolish." Then he is gone and time seems to start again.
you can stay and take your chances or you can run to save your life
The young woman walks past the attacker as if he is not there. In full view of everyone, she extends her hand to the fallen man and asks in he needs any help. Shock silences everyone. She can see the anger in several faces; they wanted to see blood, others have now labeled her as different.
A shout warns her the attacker is coming for her, but he is intercepted and knocked flat by a furious looking Japanese man. The other three find themselves sailing through the air courtesy of another Asian man and a tall man with a strange bang. Seeing themselves outclassed, the thugs run away, fear and hatred darkening their eyes.
The young woman watches as the young men check each other over; they are so concerned for each other and so unconcerned what others may think. The only thing on their minds is their love and friendship for each other. She feels something she hasn't felt in a long while, hope for the future. Turning away from the little group, the woman walks toward her shop and an uncertain future, not the least bit afraid.
Phoenix
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