Kei

I used to have a master y'know. My master was a child robed in white. He was a quiet one,my master. For some reason, he liked to play along with fellow white hairs. As a ninja sworn to secrecy, I watched him grew from the shadows. I have other friends too of course, my master's father introduced me to the three princes and their pet cat. I was good friends with them. When my master was taken away from me, I was assigned a new master. I used to cry knowing that I failed to protect my first one and swore I will not fail this time. My next master was Koumei.

Koumei was strange. She was an ordinary shopkeeper, medic and sometimes, spiritual healer. Yet, Hinata, my friend and third in line of the throne, was also assigned to protect her. Completely different reasons.

From the prince I found out that Koumei was in possession of the fourth seal, a stone that was rumored to belonged to a great elementalist. Yet, the reason I protected her was a different cause. My master had foreseen the great dangers that would befall the kingdom. To prevent that, it seems that keeping Koumei alive was one of the key. Now one would think that it might be safer for Koumei to be locked in the palace or in a tower, but another condition was to be fulfilled. Koumei must also interact with as much people as she can. According to my master, Koumei was just a link, a bond between two worlds.

I did not think it would end up like this. Katsuo, the water god of the west took part on a plan to destroy the kingdom. I saw their movement, it was too fast. A mortal and an immortal battle was unfair. When I saw Souhell by my side, I thought I stood a chance but-

He vanished mid battle.

I think it was a bit too much to rely on people anyway. I did not think I failed my mission. I did all I could, I made my masters proud in the way that I lived.

"Kei. You did well." that was-

-Master Haruka.

I bowed my head. I was embraced by him and I saw another man was with him.

"Katsuo was one of the ones planning to destroy the kingdom! But there was more. I-I did not know who nor how…" I sobbed.

Haruka soothe me. He was my master that I took orders from. He was. His form now was different, but I knew him in spirit.

"I know Kei. I am sorry. You did well. That is why I am allowed to talk to you before you go on with your life."

I nodded.

"You will see an environment you are most fond of. Be it the rooftop you always sit with Hinata or the bushes you loved to hide in. There, you will meet yourself. Your past self and a recollection of who you was. You may talk to him as much as you like and when you feel that you are ready, he will give you all your past memory and experiences and you began a new life. And you have a wish." The fox explained.

A wish ?

"You can choose the person or any person you wanted to be bonded with once more."

Suddenly it clicked. Koumei was the key but not for this life if any. It was for the next life as a promise of meeting again.

"S-so. I-If I choose to meet Koumei again, will I be seeing you, master Haruka ? And master Itsuki ? And Soujiro-san ? And Hinata-san and Sousuke-san ?!"

He nodded.

I understand.

I did not hoped they would die soon,though. I want them to be happy.

And now, I have my own journey to take.

"I thank you master Haruka."

With that, Haruka and the other man's spirit left me. I saw gardens on the rooftops, an image of dusk which I loved since childhood.

It is time for my next journey.