We Will Meet Again

Akito understood what Natasha was getting at.

"We found a book from the future among the notorious killer's belongings. If Setsura knew about that, she would get involved for sure. So, why don't you say?"

"That's why I'm not saying," Akito trailed off and whispered. "Say, Natasha. Murderers can become time travelers too? A subject?" he said. It felt like he asked somebody else this question before too.

Natasha nodded, "Yes, that's why we inform the onmyoji or spiritual beings from the time. So, they can keep an eye out on the situation."

"The thing is Natasha if we told Setsura that then she would personally search for the other time travelers. They aren't supposed to come in contact, properly, right?"

"Ah," Natasha nodded. "Right, it's not uncommon for subjects to brush past one another. However, they aren't supposed to get involved as in seeing each other daily. Or speak with them long. Do you know why that is?"

"It messes up the time paradox?"

"Yes, since the subjects all come from different times. A subject comes here from the future or the past, they come in contact with the people who live in this time. That's already messing up the time paradox. But, because of our rules we can bend things. However, if multiple subjects become acquainted, then we will get in trouble."

"I see, so that's why you don't normally send out more than one person."

"Were already messing with time as it is. We can't have people from multiple times meet. Otherwise, it will cause physical damage and harm to the world."

"So, what if it happens?" Akito questioned.

"If it happens, then .. something terrible will occur."

"Something terrible?"

Natasha nodded and opened up one of the boxes, "You see, let's put this way. What if you end up meeting your ancestor from another time?"

"You might cease to exist."

"Right, it's the same as that."

Cease to exist, something similar? Like how his wife vanished? Akito didn't want to think about it that way. However, now that he thought about it. Even long before his wife disappeared, there were times at night where it felt like her hand was disappearing. At first, he thought he was just imagining things. As time went by though, he changed his mind. There was a time where he was holding her hand, and then suddenly it felt like he was holding air. If that really is the effect, then he can't allow Setsura to get involved with this.

The problem here is, Setsura already saw the case files earlier. Most likely, she's already hunting up on whatever lead she found. He has a bad feeling about this entire thing. Maybe he ought to call her, however, if Setsura has found a trail. Would stopping her cause more people to die?

For the first time, Akito hesitated. Does he have to make such choices once again? Choosing between his loved one and saving lives.

What kind of situation is this? This seems to happen to him a lot. Akito placed his hand on his forehead, what a mess. It seems like no matter what he does, the people around him have to get hurt. It's not even funny anymore.

He could remember everything about that horrible night, and stand here and cry about it. Like it'd just happened moments ago. As if she was still right there at his feet. The last person who saw her properly was Chauncey; by the time he saw her, she was injured severely before vanishing. Contrary to what people say, he saw her one last time. It was brief since he came too late. However, he saw her.

Akito remembered the feeling all too well. His legs were shaking and heavy. His chest throbbed due to the pain. He got shot in the leg several times. He bites his lip to stop himself from crying. He had to be strong and not cry. That's the last thing he wanted her to see. Akito wondered if she saw him from that distance. If she did, did she cry too?

He could remember the looks of horrors of the people she became close with as he delivered the news. The students she taught all looked at him with a loathsome glare. The one thing that stood out in their eyes was hate.

"I know, it's hard to accept," Natasha said. "But, when Setsura completes her job. She has to return anyway."

"She said she would stay."

Natasha blinked, "She did? Well, I guess people do make that decision. Still, I'm a bit surprised. Didn't she have someone in the future? Is it okay for her to leave him and pick you."

His sweat fell at that remark, "Hey, what's wrong with me?"

"I'm not saying there is anything wrong. But. You have to admit Akito. It's a tough decision to make. Sacrificing the life she knew just to be with you."

"I know," he mumbled. He knew that all too well. How difficult and how complicated it was. That's why this entire procedure bothered him.

Akito didn't say any more to that and returned to searching the boxes. He was in deep thought. A theory came to mind when he saw which book left at the scene. It seemed familiar to him, this pattern. Exactly what does it remind him of?

No good, no matter how many times he thinks about it. Nothing comes to mind; why is that?

When his wife left him, so many things happened at once. Akito remembered how worthless he felt.

He no longer had a purpose in this world. He was...worthless.

Worthless...

The wrong person had died back then. The wrong person had lived. The one who should have died was him. He should've died or disappeared with her. He deserved death.

No matter how much he repeats it to the point that he would lose his voice. It wouldn't bring her back from the dead.

Dead…

Is she actually dead, or did she return to the place she came from? Now that he thought about it, didn't his wife have a partner from the future too? It seems like he always takes people away from their loved ones. He feels terrible; this entire time, he thought his love for her was pure. The same goes for the love he has for Setsura. But how is it pure?

It isn't pure at all; those two never belonged to him.

"You know, didn't your wife have her own place?" Natasha mumbled.

"Right, you got her one, sir."

Ah, "Maybe she took it?"

....

Outskirt of town - Harbour -

His wife's little safe house was nothing more than a plain building. It resembled her appearance a bit. Small, fragile, and innocent.

Nobody would think his wife was a fighter.

When Akito first saw her, he didn't think that this little girl could be a capable officer since she was shy and didn't believe in herself. But she proved him wrong. His wife and Setsura weren't alike - however...

Akito blinked when he saw the interior, black walls narrow grey stripes in huge intervals rising from the ground to the top, all over the black wall. The floor made of dark wooded. The black-haired boy couldn't believe his wife choose this place. Now that he thought about it, this was one of the places he never went to. He bought it for her, to respect her privacy. He didn't want to invade her little space.

A place like this doesn't suit her, at least doesn't suit the her he got to know.

They skimmed through each room. One was completely empty. Another was a kitchen, but even that seemed abandoned. No kitchen tools whatsoever. Usually, when one enters a place, somebody hasn't entered in so long they would find old dust.

The next room filled with boxes and papers. A sofa and a small table. In the surroundings, there were papers and books.

Both walls contained notes and some drawings. 'So, she was secretly investigating something here?' Akito made his way over to the wall. Quite some time has passed since he last saw her handwriting. He threw away anything related to her at the main house after all.

'Nostalgia,' he brushes his hands across the small notes on the wall. She always had this bad habit of making strange marks whenever she wrote notes.

He heard his companion sighing after a few moments.

"Huh? What's..."

Natasha and Kai looked up, and he immediately recognized the old grey cloak Kai held up. Ah? That's his old cloak, isn't it? The one he had on when they first met. It's a bit surprising, Akito didn't think she would keep something old like this. Then again, it seems like he is learning more about his wife than he did back when she was around.

That woman wasn't as innocent and naive as he thought. Then again, didn't he think the same when he met Setsura? There was something about her that differed than all the others.