AN: When I first came up with this idea, I thought that the legend of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl was Japanese. But while writing, I did some research and found out I was wrong, it's Chinese. So if you're wondering why a guy in a world inspired by Ancient China wouldn't know a Chinese legend, well that's just Tokaki for ya.
Legends
"I'm telling you, you and he will not be together in the end." Tokaki shook his head in pity. "It isn't meant to be, and the two of you would be better off if you had just listened to me. Why does no one listen to me?" he whined as an afterthought.
"I don't know, Tokaki," Suzuno said with a chuckle. She soon grew quiet again, gazing into the flames before her.
"In my world," she began softly, yet in a voice that instantly commanded Tokaki's attention, "there's a legend we have. My dad actually used to tell it to me as a bedtime story, back when I was a little girl." Suzuno breathed in deeply and continued. "The story goes that there are these two stars that fall in love with each other. But their relationship is forbidden, and so they are punished as a result. Yet despite all obstacles, the two still manage to be together, for a time at least. Eventually though, the Heavenly Empress punishes them by creating a galaxy to forever divide them."
"So they were separated in the end."
Suzuno shook her head. "Not entirely. For you see, the birds took pity on the lovers, and come together once a year to form a bridge between the two, allowing them to cross the stars."
"But they were still separated in the end," he pointed out.
"…yes. But even though the parting must have hurt, I'm certain that they never once regretted the love they had for each other. Not for an instance."
Tokaki stared at her in silence, pondering all that she had said. Then he snorted in disdain. "This isn't a storybook-land, girl." Yet his reproach sounded rather half-hearted.
"I found you," a voice said gently.
Suzuno turned away from the pagoda's view of the setting sun, the wind gently whipping her braids. "Tatara," she greeted him, smiling. "Want to join me in watching the sun set?"
"There's nothing I'd rather do," he whispered, coming to stand beside her. They fell quiet, content to enjoy the other's company.
"Are you ready for tomorrow?" he asked eventually, breaking their silence.
"Yes. But… I'm a bit scared," she admitted.
Tatara's eyes met hers. "Please don't be."
Their faces leaned closer. Together, the two of them were bathed in the light of the setting sun as their lips met on the pagoda.
So it came to pass the next day that Suzuno Osugi summoned the beast god Byakko. And that her dearest wish, to stay in this world with her beloved, was denied. With a heartfelt goodbye, the lovers were parted by worlds, seemingly forever.
Yet not long after, a legend began to spring up. A legend detailing how if two people kissed on the pagoda at sunset, they were fated to be together. A cruel irony at first, it grew to be an appropriate legend.
For neither the worlds nor death could prevent the lovers from reuniting in the end.