Echoes of the Past
Chapter 4
It was snowing out lightly as Kurama walked through the city streets early that morning. His dark green trench coat ruffled in the wind and he pulled his crimson scarf tighter around his neck as his brown clad feet took quick but sure steps down the sidewalk. He is visiting the shrine today to give his respects and a donation, something he did often. His red locks often caught the attention of different ones but he had never revealed a name; just that his 'wife' and son had died none too pleasantly around the time she gave birth. He couldn't find it in him to tell the owner of the shrine it was his darling granddaughter that he spoke so fondly of from time to time. He couldn't break the young boy's heart that his elder sister who shines like a hero in his eyes had been slain after coming close to reuniting with them, or break the heart of the hopeful mother who he often caught staring at the well house. He hasn't been able to visit it much this year, he had taken on jobs with spirit world so he could gain more connections and look for a way to meddle with the well, turn the portal to the past in Makai.
He was on the block of the shrine; he need only turn right around the approaching corner and will soon be to the entrance and taking the climb up the steps so he may pay his respects in peace before he continued on with his day. He could hear the laughter of a child, a little boy, and as he heard a young woman yell out after something hit her. Whipping around the corner he was taken by surprise as a snowball flew by and a small body collided with his before they rounded the corner and then he fell back as another body collided with his, sending them sprawling on to the ground. Sapphire eyes looked up at him in surprise; they quickly climbed off him and the young woman quickly apologized, offering him a hand up and bowing to him. Her gaze quickly went to the laughing boy, "Satoshi, come here and apologize to this gentleman. "
That name halted his world; it struck him even further, he couldn't believe it but he had never been one to believe in coincidences and he wasn't about to start now. His heart fluttered when her eyes found his once again. Then the boy was before him with his black head of hair and a single lock of silver near his bangs. The boy apologized to him properly before looking up at him with his slanted sapphire eyes. It was like he was starting at himself the first time as a child but with gold eyes, a head of silver hair, and his demonic silver appendages. He quickly found himself, "It is fine, don't let this accident ruin your good morning."
The smooth reply had her staring at him before that smile he knew so well graced her face if not for the lack of fangs. His heartbeat picked up and for once in his life he was left without anything to say. This had taken his thoughts right out the window as he quite possibly was looking at his mate and son, alive and healthy. The smile after he studied it was not quite the same. Her eyes held a haunting sadness to them and before he could figure out how to approach this whole thing the boy was looking at his mother and tugging on her coat. "Mom, we need to get going or I will be late for school. My teacher wants to talk to you about tonight's play."
"Oh that is right. I hope you have a nice day sir and sorry again." Just like that they were passing him, her tan trench coat covering her form as a rose pink scarf warded off the chill. He watched them until they were out of sight and then could have mentally kicked himself. It had to be them, there was just no coincidence and he knew it. He continued on his way to the shrine but today he prayed for them to be reunited. He studied the shrine and its inhabitants closely, his hearing enhanced as he listened to the conversations. The family looked happy, almost radiant. Her little brother Souta came out of the house, heading to school no doubt. His mother called out, reminding him of the school play tonight, telling him to find his nephew and sister after he finishes school today.
His mate is alive and belatedly he realized his mating mark has been warm on his neck as he held a hand up to it. Then he realized that it had never been there before in this form and he felt confused. Just what was going on? If she has been alive all this time then why did it not come back before? Did their circumstances require that they come in contact with each other? Judging by his son's age they had to have been alive for a long time so why didn't he know, what blocked him from knowing they were alive?
His mind was reeling and he settled for coming back later and following the family to the play. He would not miss his son's performance and maybe afterwards he will finally approach her in his Youko form. All thoughts of trying to meddle with the well had disappeared; he was left trying to figure out how to approach her. He smiled as he put money in the donation box, leaving the shrine happy for once in a very long time. Soon they will be together and he will never let them go. They could have a wedding; he could finally reveal this buried secret of his past to his friends and introduce his amazing mate to them as he got to know his son. Happiness is within his grasp and he will seize it.