We Will Meet Again

Warehouse

"Alright, I haven't done this in a long time. It's a secret regarding my power returning too. That's why we had to move here."

When they went to search for Natasha, the girl was at Morris's place. Upon hearing the request, she immediately agreed but to move it elsewhere. It seems like Morris noticed nothing peculiar about the girl.

"So, she's the big shot Princess I heard about? She's pretty, but why exile, I wonder.."

"Huh?" Akito mumbled. "That's because she lost her power, right?"

"It's unheard of yes, but you do realize that loss of power does happen? We aren't invincible beings. With all this time, traveling and going against the logic of the world. Naturally, such things occur… It isn't permanent, though. I guess the reason why people over-reacted is because it happened to somebody of her status."

Her status, huh? So even the guardians have a hard time? It's hard to believe.

"Akito? This is going to take some time. Why don't you go to sleep?"

"No, Im fine," he brushed of Natashas suggestion and continued to watch.

_

A month ago

When he saw the girl trembling, he pulled her towards him. That's right, in the end, despite what it looks like, there's nothing more that he can do but this. But even something like this makes him hesitate.

' Just wrap your arms around her.'

' If you tell her you love her, you'll be presented with her most cutest expression. You should try it once in a while.'

Heh, really.. Ever since he entered into a relationship with her, it seems like is all he has does is receive mini-lectures. But perhaps that cannot be helped since he isn't exactly good when it comes to love.

"Hmm?"

"I'm sorry...for being so weak."

Ah...why did he think that his girlfriend was strong? No, although he knew that there was also a part of her, that was weak. This entire time, ever since their relationship started, she has been nothing but strong, and since getting back too, she's been smiling happily.

With her memories and connections gone too, Akito was under the assumption that she would be fine. That she would be able to live her life carefreely and no longer make such expressions on her face. However, he was wrong about that. So very wrong. He made a mistake. " ....You're not the only one who's weak stupid. So don't apologize for that," Akito lectured her.

"Since when could you read emotions?"

"What are you talking about? I'm worse at it than you are."

That's right. Both of them are bad at it; they are both clumsy when it comes to love. "But, I guess this is nice, being hugged tightly in a public area."

"That's unpleasant."

__

Present (1895)

Akito deeply sighed, no use thinking about their memories now. Won't it make this situation worse? But, every single thing reminds him of Setsura. Maybe it's his feelings of longing. He wants to see her so badly. How many hours have gone by since he last held Setsura in his arms? Since he last breathed in her scent and kissed her?

His thoughts broke of when a man with blue hair entered the room. Natasha glanced over, "So, your here."

"Why did you call Chauncey, Natasha? You know what will.."

"Touma is out of town," Chauncey replied flatly. "Setsura is missing?"

Touma went out of town? When did he leave? During this time? It's suspicious. However, Akito didn't get a chance to say a word. "I already sent word around. Somebody spotted her on the west side."

'Fast, as usual.' Akito thought. This was one of the good things about Chauncey.

His former friend is a competent officer. Still, if Chauncey sent word to the mafia. Isn't there a chance for those who side with Touma to take advantage of this moment?

No, they won't. Touma isn't around right now. There is no need for them to suck up to Touma when he won't be around for a while. Whenever Touma leaves town, he ends up doing so, for a long time. At least a week or two.

His gaze darted towards the tattoo, the flower, and the lock wrapped around his neck. It was a symbol that they belonged to each other. Back then, it was something essential for them, too; yet he wonders what sort of meaning it has now. Does it even hold any significance at all? They aren't together after all, yet even after she broke up with him, he did not remove the lock once. It's more like he couldn't.

He was well aware that it was the lock's fault that things went downhill with Mizuna. Because even when he held her in his arms and made love with her, it was the first thing she would see. When she asked him to remove it, and he said he didn't have the key. She remained silent and never asked about it again; it's as though she knew that his relationship with his wife wasn't truly over.

He waited every single day for anyone to notify him that she was still alive. That they found her, he waited for any sign. It didn't matter what. Akito wanted to meet with her.

Because even he wanted to know, will she ever return to him? Or is it completely hopeless after all? The people around them became impatient and, before long, set up more blind dates with him. He just lost his wife, Akito didn't understand why everybody was acting that way. Why were they all acting so insensitive, and trying to set him up with another person?

It never occurred to Akito, that people tried to set him up for his own good. He always believed that they did so because they never approved of him with his wife. Even now, he thinks the same. Aren't there many people who secretly dislike his current relationship? Whether it's with his wife or Setsura, why do people get in the way? When he was having that fling with Mizuna.

People said nothing; they left him be. It happened after the thing with his wife, so shouldn't people call him out on that? For doing something so despicable. However, nobody said anything. During that time, when they should interfere, nobody said a thing. How laughable. Back then, he came up with all sorts of crazy ideas and theories. Why were people so against him and his wife?

They were like any other ordinary couple. At least that's what Akito liked to think; they would confide in each other, hold hands and take walks. But there were some days where they barely spoke to one another. Days where they only spared a glance for the entire day. Days where he would simply get lost in thought.

His wife never complained on those days, though, and he knew what she was thinking. She probably didn't think she had the right to. Of course, she had the right. She was his wife. However, did she ever think that? Akito already knew the answer without even asking.

Akito recalled how she silently cooked their meals during those days. She would still cook him meals, fix his clothes up.

One time when they fought - he accidentally hit her. It was an accident, or so he would like to believe.

__

"Go back."

Akito looks up from the couch at this statement. He was supposed to be sleeping, but when his wife uttered those words.

"What?"

"To the future, go back."

Akito does not immediately reply; he doesn't know what to say. He glanced over and noticed that she doesn't look up to meet his eyes,

"I want to go back.."

At that comment, his body shook violently. Does she want to go back? She wants to leave him. Akito knew it was a stretch, getting her to stay here. However, she accepted his hand, and they've happily been married for the past three months. Why does she suddenly want to return? For what? Did Katakura say something to her? His thoughts naturally drifted onto that man. It's because of him, isn't it? Because that man said something.

He felt the blood rush to his head, and in the next second, she is on the ground. A red mark spread across her right cheeks, her hair a mess.

"...I...I..."

She said nothing but weakly stood up. She wrapped her arms around his neck, "Akito, I'm so sorry. I really love you. But I can't stand it at times. It's so quiet, and some days you don't even talk to me. These days your very overprotective about who I speak to, where I go. It feels suffocating for me. I wish you could trust me more."

So, the reason she wants to leave is because of this restrictive lifestyle? She isn't leaving because of him?

___

Back then, he couldn't see what was right and what was wrong. Jealousy and greed blinded him.