there you lie, but i must see the world
Things have come to an end, and it's time for goodbyes to be said. The end of an old journey, the start of a new one.
Kazuha found himself leaping forward, a violet flash filling his vision. With a firm grip on the hilt of his sword, his mind filled with an indescribable feeling so strong it fuelled his heart just a bit faster, and he met the Shogun's blade with the edge of his own with great force. He gritted his teeth, feeling the muscles in his legs tighten as he was pushed back down the stone steps.
What he could only chalk down to as pure and utter devotion coursed through his veins- devotion to his friends and family, devotion to the ideals that he believed in so strongly, to protect them all forever. This was for Tomo's sacrifice, for the rebellion's endless effort and for the hope that still shined within the hearts of the Inazuman people.
Blood roared in his ears and the wind and electricity that coursed through his veins was close to knocking him right out, had he not been as trained and weathered by nature as he was, Kazuha would not have been able to continue to push forward. Eyes locked and held the Raiden Shogun's, her deep lavender irises searing into his own as a short battle of will continued to hold tight. Her posture was lax, gaze steely, but his determination only spurred his blade forward.
Swirling leaves and debris flew up and around them, then suddenly, the Shogun had been pushed back in a gust of wind and lightning and Kazuha barely had time to think before she had regained her footing, meeting his blade with her own once again. Then it was over and Kazuha was thrust back down the steps, watching with despair as Tomo's vision fell, pulsing once again, then stilled, never to glow again.
His heart broke once again, shattering like broken glass. No light shone from the discarded vision. He had one thought in that instance- Tomo would have been so proud. Tears threatened to spill from his eyes, and his beating heart gave no way to rest. Kazuha's breath was ragged as he knelt, hands shaking uncontrollably as he continued to grip the hilt of the sword he had just used. He had done what his friend could not have- he faced the Raiden head on and survived.
Time flowed on despite his frozen state, and the resistance surged forward, but Kazuha could not move a muscle. He could only watch in despair as the traveler leapt forward and disappeared into the slash in space the Raiden Shogun had created.
Tomo's strength had taken its final bow- but to keep it alive, Kazuha knew he had to muster up the last of his strength and rise to take his place among the ranks. For friends old and new, he would fight. Kazuha took one last breath, rose, and charged.
It was over, the vision hunt decree, and the suffering of the people. It was all over, and all Kazuha felt was an overwhelming sense of relief and sorrow. He could now return to peaceful traveling, but who was he to travel with?
His eyes widened as he suddenly remembered, there was one companion he could find, one who wasn't bound to this place by duty. Should they have stayed where Kazuha and Tomo left them, all those months ago, they would be a perfect partner.
When he reached the Sacred Sakura Tree, Kazuha searched among bushes and perches alike, calling out a name over and over, voice bordering desperation. When a familiar mew finally answered back, his tears filled his eyes once again.
'I found you, friend. Thank you for waiting for me.'
His reasoning for returning to Tomo's grave was found in his arms, a scruffy white cat- Tomo's cat- one of the only living beings left to share Kazuha's grief. Someone that dearly cared for Tomo and was with the endearingly daft man for much longer than himself. Kazuha was sure that if there was one dying wish of Tomo's, it would be to protect and take care of the life he held in his hands at that very moment.
Kazuha would do just that.
"Let's go little one, we shall leave a final farewell before departing. Tomo's waiting."
Kazuha set the cat down, and it ran to Tomo's grave, gently placing its paw on the stone.
He too knelt next to the commemorative grave, (which had been arranged by Thoma), delicately placing the colourless vision next to the mound, mourning both the loss of its colour and the light in his friend's eyes. If only he could see the glow return to Tomo's eyes just as the violet glimmer had shone bright again for those few short minutes.
It would be a while before he would visit this place again, and Kazuha wanted to savour whatever presence was left of Tomo's being.
Kazuha silently gazed at the grave- what was left of his friend's body lay here, and Thoma had arranged for a way to send some of Tomo's belongings to other nations in memorial homes.
This way, at least, Kazuha knew that Tomo, even if it was after death, would be in places he longed to visit. Kazuha would make sure to pay a visit during his travels as well. But those visits would take place in the distant future.
The cat mewled and rubbed it's nose delicately against the grave, and then returned to Kazuha's side, as if the tiny creature had finally said its own goodbyes. It was Kazuha's turn to say farewell.
So he spoke to the sky, words brimming with heartfelt emotion, in hopes that perhaps his words would reach wherever his dear friend's soul rested, and that for one last time, he would smile down on him before he set off for his journey.
This was a promise that they would meet again, perhaps not soon, perhaps not for decades, but the day would come when Kazuha would get to see, to hug and to apologize to the one who had been a friend and destined connection. He ended it all off with a haiku- those had always been Tomo's favorite, and what better way was there to promise than a poem?
"The day my life fades,
Wind will meet where lightning strikes,
Thus we meet again."
And so such was the story of the young travellers of gale and storm. With one last glance, Kazuha scooped the cat into his arms and turned on his heels, making his way into the sunset and into the future he would forge in loving memory of his late friend- forever alive in heart and undying devotion.
Tomo's loss came with a wound that no one could ever hope to heal, but Kazuha knew his love would leave behind memories none could ever steal, and all Kazuha asked was for Tomo's soul to know; for what's it worth, know I cared.