The Dreaming Tree

by Spring Lotus

Under unexplained circumstances, Watanuki's existence is suddenly erased from the world, leaving only the "Yume no Ki" behind: a place existing only in dreams where those who loved him can have their questions answered. Post Rou, songstory.

2. Chapter 1

The crisp morning air felt icy upon his withered cheek. The trees themselves looked lonely and naked, their skeletal frames deserted by dried foliage that had since departed to seek whatever warmth was left in the soil. "Soon they will disintegrate, disappearing into the ground forever," he thought morbidly to himself. The wind blew right through his frail bones, but he made no motion to cover himself in protection.

He sighed, his breath clouding before his face. The walkways were motionless, and the lifeless area left a ghostly yet serene impression. He welcomed the silence. This park held bittersweet memories for him, as the condensation in the air reminded him. So many…the most important of which the day he had saved his life.

Albeit that was no distinguished mark; it happened nearly every day. But this time in particular remained special. It was the day he had learned the most about him at once. His loneliness. His sorrow. His compassion. And his fierce and selfless loyalty. He wouldn't have left even if he knew it would have been the death of him. Or rather, he wouldn't leave because he knew it would be the death of him.

But by Inari, he would never have let it happen even if it meant breaking his heart. He understood immediately, but it was still something he would never agree with. He would have made the same choice a hundred times. He was too sensitive for his own good. That fool.

Even though these memories hurt deep in his heart, he would never let himself stop thinking them. They were all he had left now. After everything…was this it? Hitsuzen? What a cruel joke. To tease himself with those visions while he slept…all of it had been a dream. At first he had been thankful, but then too late he realized how strung he was on his own desires…and when they were gone he was left even more hollow than he was before.

There was nothing anymore…not even the Tree. He strolled slowly as his cold bones ached, each step painful. No, even that too, was gone. He was gone.

Standing here, the old man said to me, "Long before these crowded streets, here stood my Dreaming Tree." Below it he would sit, for hours at a time. Now progress takes away what forever took to find.