Leo was worried.
Kuri was spending all her time either sleeping or meditating. Leo managed to make her eat, but that was all
She didn't see him. Didn't recognize him.
His beloved was gone.
"What is it that has hold of you?" He asked in a trembling voice.
"It's such a beautiful dream." Kuri said. "My husband and daughter. They are in a beautiful place and asking me to join them. I want to go; but something always calls me back, Le...o..."
She used the name in hesitation, like she'd almost forgotten his name.
In horror, Leo grabbed her shoulders. "Kuri please! I know it is difficult! But your family is gone. I cannot bear to have you go to them now! Please...come back..."
He realized he was crying, but he didn't care.
Kuri jolted as if electrified, and embraced him.
She was back.
Xxx
It was later, and I was sitting at dinner with Leo. I was cleaned up and wearing a hakama and everything.
"It was as if the afterlife was calling to me." I admitted. "I have always had a very strong spiritual sense. But this was...it was different."
"How was it different?" Leo asked.
I shook my head. "Sometimes I can sense when something very bad is going to happen. Other times, the thing is too horrible, too terrifying for me to process."
"Then we should prepare ourselves." Leo said.
Then Leo was quiet.
"Leo?" I went out to the hearth and sat next to him. "Is something..."
"You were almost gone." Leo said seriously. "Worse than dead. You almost lost your soul completely. Whatever you saw must have been..."
I squeezed his hand. "Whatever it is, we face it together."