Author's Note

Status: Coming to terms with, but still not over, the finale.

I do hope you enjoy.

I Exist

Chapter I

Those first few weeks had been blissful.

His family had opened their arms to her and she gladly received them. He had shown her his home, the villagers were overjoyed to have their prince return. They dined together, laughed together; he showed her how to play games with the children of his empire and the best spot in his castle to watch the sun rise over the horizon. They whispered words of affection, hidden beneath sheets as their bare skin became familiar, heated.

He asked her to marry him. She agreed before the words fully left his mouth.

He had never known such peace.

He clutched her clothing in disbelief, tears freely streaming from his eyes. His mother had tried to console him but he could not feel her. All he could feel was... absence. Abandonment.

He had never known such sorrow.

He was laying in bed, on his side, away from where she would lay. Candles were lit, casting a red glow on the room. It made him feel warm.

He shivered as a long finger made a straight path down his spine. He turned over on his side, settling himself down until he was face to face with her. She was naked, a thin white sheet barely covered her waist. They smiled at one another.

"Is this a dream?"

"Not really."

He pulled the sheet down her side and touched her hip, sliding his palm up her narrow waist. She sighed in contentment.

"You feel so real," he spoke softly. She did not respond. Her hand lifted to brush strands of hair behind his ear.

"How long can you stay?"

"Not long."

His hand moved to her face where he cradled her cheek. He felt his throat constrict as his breathing began to elevate. His senses were overwhelmed. In the weeks since she had passed he'd dreamt only of her. But nothing had ever felt so solid. He could feel her, he could smell her. This was real. But it wasn't. It was impossible.

"I miss you," he whispered, his voice cracking.

Ashi smiled at him sadly. "I know." She placed a hand over his and pressed a kiss into his palm. They stayed silent for a long time, touching each other, drinking in each other's presence.

"I don't want you to worry any longer. You will see me again."

"When?" His voice was tinged with desperation.

"Sooner than you think."

His eyes narrowed. "Are you telling me that I am about to die?"

She let out a puff of air in laughter. "You wish."

He laughed at that. She reached up and ran her thumb against his bottom lip, savoring the sound. Jack opened his mouth to gently nip at her thumb. He released it slowly and placed a long kiss on her fingertip.

"Let's just say, the gods owe me a favor," she laughed quietly. "Something about sacrificing myself to help a legendary warrior fulfill his destiny. Oh, and eradicating the world of the ultimate evil."

He paused his caresses.

"You," he said slowly. "You knew? You knew you would...?" He couldn't finish the words.

"Yes."

"Then... why?"

"You already know the answer to that."

"But," he trailed off, his mind was having trouble grasping the concept. "We could have found another way. I could have saved you!"

"Oh, my love," she said softly, stroking his hair. "My whole life was spent in captivity. I never had the freedom to make my own choices. Until I met you. Until you freed me. This. This was my choice."

He couldn't respond. He didn't know how to. His jaw clenched as tears spilled from his eyes. She brushed them away.

"Do not mourn me, Jack. The time I spent with you was the only happiness I'd ever known. I don't want you to feel this way any longer."

"How can you say that?" he whispered.

"You will find your peace. You deserve it more than anyone else in this world. You will live. And one day, you will find love again."

"I don't want to find love. I want yours."

"And you'll have it." She smiled slyly. "I made sure of it."

He sighed, exasperated. "How do you know this?"

She pressed her lips to his in a gentle kiss. He returned it, desperately, pressing himself into her, holding her close. He'd sooner choose death than to release her. His mouth moved to her neck, inhaling sharply, ready to drown himself in her scent.

"Jack," she breathed. "I have to go."

"No," he groaned. He held the back of her head with his hand. He could feel the softness of her hair. This was real. But it wasn't. This was impossible. "Please don't leave me."

"I have to. But just for a little while. I promise. I promise."

"Ashi."

"I love you, Jack."

"Ashi, no. Please. Ashi."

Tears cascaded down Jack's cheeks as he woke up. His eyes opened, the room was dark and grey, a harsh contrast to the warmth it previously held.

He clutched at his chest, his heart so heavy he considered ripping it out to spare him the pain. He reached for her side of the bed, where she had just been, and pressed his nose into the sheets. He could no longer pick up her scent. His cries escalated.

He dragged himself out from underneath his sheets and strode to his window. He wiped the tears from his face as he gazed out onto his kingdom. The dark blue of the skies softened with the approaching dawn. He smiled slightly.

His family was safe. His people were happy. The future was no longer tainted.

Then why did his suffering continue? Why did she have to suffer? She deserved the world: all of the light and beauty it could offer. She deserved happiness.

She deserved better. They both did.

He squared his jaw and set about his rooms to prepare.

Someone had some explaining to do.

Author's Note

Aw, I made myself sad.

I don't know how long Ashi was with Jack before she faded from existence. The SJ wiki says the two didn't get married until years later but... where are they getting their intel? I can't see them waiting that long but maybe they did? Maybe they helped rebuild the parts of the empire Aku destroyed before sealing the deal? I don't know. It's really not important, I'm just curious.

I just know that whether they waited weeks or years, they were intimate before becoming engaged. No way they waited for that. ;)

This could (and probably will) turn into a multi-chapter affair. But, truthfully, I have no idea where this story is going. I just wanted to get this scene out of my head.

All I know is this: Jack and Ashi will meet again. Whether in this life, or the next, their souls are bonded. They will find each other again.

Thank you for reading!