Love's Untimely End

Nostalgic Echoes

A/n another Rewritten chapter!!!!

End of flashback 

Present time

Several days passed, and amidst the vast fields, a scene of tender reunion unfolded. There, beneath the open sky, lay Kazuha and Kunikuzushi, their bodies cradled by the verdant earth. It was a sight that stirred emotions within the hearts of those who discovered them. Lady Guuji, her voice carrying a mix of compassion and awe, recounted the events as her catalyst gradually closed.

"We discovered you both, locked in a peaceful slumber amidst nature's embrace," Lady Guuji revealed, her eyes reflecting the weight of their remarkable journey. "We took it upon ourselves to bring you back to the palace, where you would be tended to with utmost care."

Silence enveloped the room, pregnant with anticipation, as Lady Guuji continued her tale. "For two weeks, you both remained in a deep coma, your spirits caught between the realms of dreams and reality. During the first week, we reached out to your concerned family members, ensuring them of your safety and allowing you the chance to recover in tranquility."

A tender smile graced Lady Guuji's face, her gaze shifting towards the bewildered yet amazed countenance of Kunikuzushi. "Yet, it appears that the threads of fate wove their intricate tapestry, intertwining your lives once more. Despite the initial intentions to return you to your peaceful existence, it seems that destiny had different plans in store for you."

Amusement danced in Lady Guuji's eyes as she observed the mixed emotions flickering across Kunikuzushi's face, a testament to the unfathomable nature of their reunion. Fate, in all its enigmatic splendor, had indeed conspired to reunite these two souls, defying all odds.

As Kazuha's gaze remained fixed upon the sleeping form of Kunikuzushi, a sense of bewilderment and frustration tinged his voice. He couldn't help but express the puzzling reality that had unfolded before him. "All of this is truly astounding, but why is it that my memories remain shrouded in darkness? Why am I unable to recollect any of these extraordinary events?"

"Listen closely, dear Kazuha," Lady Guuji's voice resonated with a blend of wisdom and compassion. "The smoke wielded by that cunning mage served as a temporal amnesiac, meticulously designed to erase both your memories. However, fear not, for the tendrils of recollection can be coaxed back to life through various triggers. We shall embark on a journey to uncover the key that unlocks the hidden chambers of your mind."

Her gaze shifted to the serene figure of Kunikuzushi, still locked in a slumber veiled by the dance of rediscovery. "my dear Kazuha, take a look at your beloved Kuni. He lies in peaceful repose, immersed in the ethereal realm of his resurfacing memories. His recollections, intricately entwined with your own, have been stripped away, leaving a void that yearns to be filled. Know that in his past, he and that very mage shared a profound friendship, a bond forged during their vibrant teenage years." Kazuha's eyes widened with a mixture of curiosity and realization, absorbing Lady Guuji's words like a spellbinding tale.

"I must say, it is quite intriguing, albeit tinged with a touch of melancholy," Kazuha murmured, her expression slightly furrowed.

With a graceful motion, she raised her delicate hands, and like a shimmering apparition, her catalyst materialized once more. The pages of the ancient book unfurled before her, as if yearning to reveal their hidden secrets. But instead of words, they showed blank canvases, inviting the ethereal dance of imagery.

Suddenly, the stillness was shattered as vivid images burst forth from the void. An assortment of photographs materialized, capturing the essence of the mage he had encountered earlier, along with glimpses of Kunikuzushi. Yet, what struck him most was the astonishing youthfulness emanating from the scenes, as if they had been captured in a bygone era.