The Visitation
Kurenai rolls over and stares into the icy cold darkness of her room as her tears fall unbidden down her once radiant face. Her body's cries for sleep are silenced by the dull and thunderous beating of her constantly aching heart.
"Asuma!" she cries softly hugging his pillow. "Oh, Asuma!"
The large red numbers on her alarm clock glare at her ominously reminding her that she has only three hours till morning, but its' solemn warning does little to inspire slumber. Its' icy gaze only pierces her soul like needles reminding her of how long he has been gone as the four walls of her room close in around her like a prison.
Slowly she rises from her bed and rushes into her living room trying to escape this endless nightmare, but the monster's claws dig into her holding her fast as its' searing breathe continues to fall upon the back of her neck. There is no escaping this devilish presence. She sobs uncontrollably as she longs to leave this dream from hell, but alas there is no waking.
"My love!" She calls out as she takes his picture and sinks onto the coach clutching it tight into her chest. "My love! Please come back! Don't leave me all alone!"
Her sobs bounce off of the walls resounding with the hollowness in her soul as weariness finally overcomes her drawing her into a fitful slumber.
"Kurenai...Kurenai...awake, my love." a voice calls out to her in the night.
She opens her eyes and looks up in amazement at the one standing before her.
"Asuma!" she exclaims as tears of joy pour forth. "My love, is this really you?"
"Yes, my dear." He replies taking her in his arms.
She grabs him and holds him tight. "I...I thought that I'd never see you again. They told me you were dead."
He gently wipes the tears from her eyes and kisses her on the forehead. "It's true, love."
"Nooooo!" she moans loudly. "Nooooo! You aren't!! You can't be!!"
"Shhhhh.." He holds hugs her closer and smiles at her. "Oh, love. Please don't feel this way. You know that even though I am gone I will never leave your side."
She sobs harder and holds him ever tighter. "If you have to go, then take me with you. I can't live on alone. I can't make it without the love that you give me!"
Asuma hugs her back and looks into her eyes. "You don't have to, dearest. You are not alone for my memory is always with you, and though you may not feel like it now you will find love again. It may not be mine, but it will be just as sweet."
"I know." she stops crying as his words begin to sink in. "I just wish I could feel that now."
"I understand." His voice sounds sweeter than honey to her. "Listen, quickly I don't have long left here. I must go away soon, and where I am going you cannot follow, but know that I am in a better place now. Also know that one day, my wife, you will join me there."
A radiant white light fills the room behind them as they kiss deeply.
"I love you", she whispers as he breaks her embrace and walks toward the light, "and I promise you I will be happy again. You needn't worry about me, my darling. Go now and be at peace."
He turns and smiles at her one last time before fading from view and as he vanishes he calls out. "Awake now, my dearest! Awake and live on! Be free and happy!"
"I will." she promises. "I will."
She then opens her eyes still holding his picture as the sun shines in upon her. She rises from the coach, places it on the mantel, and looks at it with a teary slime.
"Thank you." She whispers.