Chapter 22
Second First Kiss

Kazuha walked over to the window, sat by it in front of Ayaka, and placed his sword on the ground near him. Then he looked thoughtfully outside. The moon was shining, but it was not completely full, so the stars still made their presence known in the sky. And below, the cherry trees in the backyard shone in their splendor in the night light. Its leaves swayed slightly in the wind, and some of its petals twirled through the air.

The city, in general, felt silent and lonely. The only notable sound was the concordant symphony of various crickets.

After gazing out the window in silence for several seconds, he turned back to Ayaka. She was also looking outside with a radiant smile. Up close, her ethereal image that had enthralled him a few moments ago seemed more earthy but no less beautiful for that.

"You can't sleep either?" he asked suddenly, drawing her attention.

"No," answered the young Kamisato without taking her blue eyes from the sky. "One would expect that I would be exhausted after all the hustle and bustle today, right? But even though my body is tired, it seems my mind is still disturbed. Also, the sky looks gorgeous tonight, don't you think?"

"Yes, it's beautiful. But it is even more so when you look at it from the forest, far from any lamp or artificial light."

"I can imagine it."

A few more seconds of silence followed though it was not particularly uncomfortable for either of them. In fact, there was a certain liking at the time. It was a little reminiscent of those childhood occasions in which, while Ayaka was studying, Kazuha would sit next to her to read or write, and both kept each other company without having to say much.

A gust of wind slightly stronger than the previous ones blew in, sweeping away some of the pink cherry blossom petals and blowing them towards the window.

"Look!" Ayaka murmured, pointing to the petals suddenly entering, floating over their heads, and then falling around them like tiny flakes.

Both Kazuha and Ayaka had the reaction to stretch out their hands and reach for one of those petals. However, their fingers inevitably met, touching against each other. The immediate reaction of both was to recoil, moving their hands away. However, Kazuha noticed at that moment the white bandage that wrapped around Ayaka's left palm and back. The same hand she used to strike Ouji's sword and break it.

"Your hand..." Kazuha murmured, moving a little closer to her. Ayaka merely reflexively moved her hand away, hiding it from the boy's view.

"It's nothing, don't worry," she told him with a half-smile. "With the special medicine, it'll be fine by tomorrow."

Kazuha nodded and carefully sat back down on his spot. If she said it, it must be true.

Ayaka lowered her attention to the floor and took one of the pink petals between her fingers to look it closer. Looking out the window again, she could feel some of that fresh wind coming through it and touching her face.

"Do you remember that haiku we composed when we were children?" she asked suddenly into the air, catching Kazuha a bit off guard.

"Which of all the ones we did?"

"You're right," Ayaka laughed humorously. "There were several, right? But I mean the first one, the one you were working in my yard the day we met. Do you remember how it was?"

Kazuha was silent for a few moments and looked down, looking at the petals on the ground. He seemed to be trying to remember the exact words, but that was not really what he was. It seemed rather curious to him that she was reminded of it just then.

"Fleeting spring flower... you take my sadness with you... flying in the wind..." he recited in a calm, flowing voice.

"That one," Ayaka agreed. That he remembered it so well surprised her a little. "I remembered it yesterday for some reason, and soon after, I saw you. And this morning, someone showed up at the Kamisato Estate with Katsumoto's "Wanted" paper, so I decided to look it up to see if I could get a clue as to whether you were really around or not. It's not a little weird? If any of those things hadn't happened, we might not have ended up running into each other tonight."

"I guess it was fate."

"Or the will of the Archons. That's what Thomas said, at least."

"I wouldn't be so sure about that," Kazuha mumbled thoughtfully, shifting his gaze to the window again.

Again the same silence as before, and perhaps both of them would be partly happy to stay that way. But the truth was that they both had things they wanted to say, especially Ayaka.

"I'm sorry for my behavior earlier," the Heron Princess muttered thoughtfully. "I wasn't… thinking straight, and I shouldn't have been that way with you."

"No, I'm the one who should apologize," Kazuha answered quickly with firmness. "I shouldn't have turned down your offer like that. The truth is that I would love, how you have no idea, to be able to stay a few days with you, spend time together, and remember the old days."

"I guess there is a but on the way, right?" Ayaka muttered with some regret in her voice.

Kazuha sighed. Again her old friend was proving to be quite perceptive.

"But I must be honest with you... or at least as honest as I can," he answered in a dull voice, lowering his face. "We didn't just come to Inazuma for the Festival. The truth is we are here for a delicate matter in which I absolutely don't want to involve you."

Ayaka's gaze turned a bit stern upon hearing him say that, perhaps even a little mistrustful. Even those few words had been enough to give her a rough idea of what he was trying to tell her.

"Are you talking about an… illegal matter?" she questioned cautiously. Kazuha, however, did not answer her. "Are you in trouble, Kazuha?"

"No," the Kaedehara boy hastened to clarify, looking up again. "It's just a favor I'm doing to Tomo. It is nothing dangerous or bad. But it is something that a representative of the Yashiro Commission like you should not be involved in, especially as a Kamisato. And please don't ask me to tell you more. I wouldn't want to put you in the difficult position of choosing between doing your duty or protecting an old friend."

Ayaka was silent, trying to digest those words as best as possible. They were undoubtedly enigmatic enough to captivate her curiosity and make her want to know what exactly he meant. Still, she could understand why he wanted to keep it, whatever it was, as hidden from her as possible. She was a member of the Yashiro commission, after all. Just having him and his friend there instead of handing them over to the Tenryou commission was already against her duty.

And, of course, Ayaka also had her secrets, more severe than sheltering two people with visions for a couple of nights and perhaps more than what Kazuha was keeping from her. And she couldn't afford to share such things with him either; not yet, at least. So it would be unfair, and even hypocritical, to insist him to tell her what his secret matter was.

"I get it," Ayaka murmured slowly, nodding her head. "I respect your position, Kazuha. But if there's anything I can help you with, please don't hesitate to tell me."

"Thank you, Ayaka," Kazuha nodded, though he hoped he didn't have to do such a thing. "You don't have to worry about anything, seriously. After the first night of the Festival, we will leave Inazuma and get this matter over with quickly. And then I..."

He fell silent abruptly, leaving the idea back to its beginning, similar to what happened with Tomo. Ayaka noticed this and looked a little confused at his reaction.

"Then what, Kazuha? "Ayaka asked, a little worried.

There was no immediate response from the red-eyed boy. However, when they had that same conversation, Tomo's deduction earlier was correct. Kazuha was just thinking of going back to Inazuma once they delivered the visions. It was kind of funny if you thought about it. He had avoided going to that place for so long. Still, now he had a compelling reason to want to return, and that reason was precisely the young woman sitting in front of him.

However, the advice, and perhaps warning, that Tomo had given him kept echoing a little in his head: Do not leave these types of things for later; the things that really matter. Right now, she and you are here, together. Tomorrow... you never know...

This hit Kazuha on a deep level. He couldn't ignore that eight years had to pass before he could meet Ayaka again, that they could talk and be together again like at that moment. How much more would he let go? What if it was too late then?

He turned his thoughtful gaze to the window, looking at the pink trees in the garden swaying in the wind.

"Speaking about weird things, the truth is that I was also thinking about that haiku a few days ago when the cherry trees began to bloom. I also thought that once you mentioned to me that you would like to get married in the spring of your eighteenth birthday when the cherry trees were in bloom."

Ayaka flinched, stunned by this sudden revelation.

"Did I say that?" She mumbled, trying to remain calm, although she had to turn her reddish face to the side. "Well… this is actually the spring of my eighteenth birthday," she stated temperately, despite her fingers moving nervously over the fabric of her yukata. "Perhaps, if everything had been different, instead of planning this Festival, these days I would be planning…"

"Our wedding?" Kazuha added quickly, and Ayaka's silence was enough of a confirmation. Then, somewhat hesitantly, he asked her: "Did you ever... get engaged again...?"

"No!" Ayaka answered quickly, perhaps too quickly. "I mean... no. I found out that some prospects have tried to talk about it with my brother over the years, but he turned them all down."

"Why?"

"I don't know. Maybe he didn't want to repeat the same mistake as last time..."

Ayaka flinched a little realizing that she had spoken without really paying attention to whom she was talking to and indirectly calling him a "mistake."

"Sorry, I didn't mean..."

"Don't worry, I understand," Kazuha hurried to clarify. "And you haven't met anyone that you... like?"

"That I like?" murmured Ayaka, sounding almost as if she found it difficult to understand the meaning of the said question. "Well... you know how things are when you're in a position like ours... Or I mean, like mine..."

"I know. You can't afford to just like someone, right?"

Ayaka nodded a little surreptitiously.

Each one turned at that moment in a different direction, and there was silence again, although it did become an uncomfortable one. The conversation was taking a somewhat unexpected turn, especially for Ayaka. And this one wasn't sure if she wanted it to continue in that direction. Still, there was a lingering doubt in her mind that pushed hard to get out. And as much as she wanted to avoid it, her own mouth ended up giving her away.

"What about you?" released Ayaka suddenly, breaking the silence sharply. "Have you met someone... special in all your travels?"

Kazuha was caught off guard by that sudden question. Though he quickly thought he had no right to take it that way. After all, he was the one who had started this topic.

"I've met many special people," he answered seriously. "But… nobody in that sense. No one that makes me feel the way I felt when..."

He cut his words short, not finishing his reply.

And there he was again, in the same place as earlier, with the same desire to say what he kept in his chest. And again, he questioned himself about what stopped him from saying it at that moment. After all the damage he had done to Ayaka and her family, what right did he have to even think about those words, much less say them? The right thing to do would be to go back and put that aside. Walk away before doing or saying something that would cause more pain…

Right now, she and you are here, together. Tomorrow... you never know...

Again Tomo's words tumbled through his head. He had to accept that he could show plenty of wisdom and maturity when he put his mind to it. Would it be like having an older brother?

"The way you felt when... what…?" Ayaka whispered, curious and expectant, causing Kazuha to reflexively turn to look at her.

And as his eyes rested again on her beautiful face, bathed in moonlight, and on those pleading eyes that looked directly at him and asked him to say what he had to say… his fear and doubts wholly subsided. And without the slightest hesitation, he replied:

"The way I felt when I saw you yesterday. Or when I saw you tonight. Or how I feel right now looking at you right now."

Ayaka felt her breath hitch, and her entire face began to burn. She could vividly imagine her cheeks painted entirely red, and she didn't know if the night light coming through the window would show her off or not. Still, this time she didn't look away in an attempt to hide it. She didn't want to stop looking at the boy in front of her. She was filled with an irrational fear that if she looked away just a bit, he would vanish in the wind like the pink petals of those flowers.

"What are you... feeling?" Ayaka's lips released without her actually proposing it. It was almost as if her body had chosen on its own to ask that question.

Kazuha then dared to get a little closer to her. He thought that Ayaka would somehow shy away from him as she had brushed her hand away. But it was not like that. Even when he moved a little closer, until he was sitting right in front of her, she remained firm and still in her place. She didn't even seem to be blinking.

"I feel like I could kiss you right now," Kazuha blurted out, and just like her, it was as if his lips moved on their own, though there was no remorse about it.

Ayaka's eyes widened, big as two beautiful bright moons. However, she remained in her place, neither backing down nor stepping aside. Her heart was pounding so hard that she was sure that Kazuha must be able to hear it in the stillness of the night.

"But," the Kaedehara boy uttered shortly after, "not like that kiss we had when we were ten years old, but a real one..."

"That kiss… was real enough for me…" Ayaka uttered slowly, her voice trembling a bit. Of course, she vividly remembered that day. After all, any girl would fondly remember her first kiss, especially one as sweet and tender as hers.

"I know. But back then, I was just a child who could not understand my feelings."

"And now... do you understand them...?"

That was an interesting question, which actually applied to both of them.

Did Kazuha understand what he was feeling right now when he stood before her and said those words that he had kept to himself all day?

Did Ayaka understand what she felt when she heard her former friend and fiancé say that?

Was it clear to Kazuha what was motivating him at that moment to dare to get a little closer to her, leaning his body in her direction?

Could Ayaka define in any way what she felt when she saw how he cut the short distance that separated them like that, or why instead of stopping him or actually moving, her whole body seemed excited and willing him to continue doing it until the end?

Did either of them understand what it felt like to be face to face once again, so close that they could hear and feel each other's nervous breathing? Or were they still, deep down, those little ten-year-olds motivated by curiosity or a more profound feeling difficult for them to conceive...?

"Should I close my eyes...?" the young blue-haired girl spoke slowly. And as a repetition of that moment eight years ago, Kazuha answered again:

"If you want…"

And in perfect synchronicity, they both closed their eyes simultaneously. Each was responsible for covering their respective half of the short distance that separated them until their lips met once more. But Kazuha was right: that second kiss was totally different from the first. It was more prolonged, deeper, and more intense…

Their lips began to move slowly against each other's, slowly brushing and caressing each other in a way that was simply natural to them, even though neither had much experience with it. They could feel each other's warmth and scent slowly becoming part of theirs.

Kazuha's arms reached up on their own, wrapping them around Ayaka's slender body and pulling her closer to him. Without parting her lips even slightly, Ayaka leaned forward further, unconsciously pressing her body against Kazuha's. Her hands took the fabric of the boy's red yukata with some force. Her injured hand resented this a bit, but she didn't care. The sensations that ran through her entire body at that moment were stronger than the pain.

None of them were thinking about anything at the time or wondering what that meant or if it was anything right. They just let themselves go entirely until it was simply impossible for them to drag it out any longer.

They did not know how long they had been together, but when they separated, both were aware that they were short of breath, almost as if they had been running. Just as they closed their eyes, they opened their eyes simultaneously, meeting each other's eyes. The emotion overflowing in their gazes became somewhat intimidating to some extent. They slowly moved away from each other, and although neither expressed it, the growing distance was a bit painful.

Neither said anything for a while as if their breath had been wholly consumed, and it was impossible for them to even speak. Ayaka suddenly turned her entire body to the side, almost completely turning her back on Kazuha, and even turned her face further back, hiding it from the boy's view. Little by little, her mind began to clear up, and although she didn't want to at first, a deep part of her began to severely question what she had just done.

Did she feel some kind of guilt? Fear, perhaps? It was difficult to describe it. Maybe there was something to that, but it definitely wasn't the only thing. And as she placed a hand on her chest and felt her racing heart more vividly, she knew clearly that this reaction was caused by something stronger.

Kazuha was going through a state very similar to hers. A part of him berated himself for doing such a thing, while another… wished to do it again. And not knowing which of the two sides would win in the end, he had to make the difficult but necessary decision to back down before it got out of hand.

"I should go back to my room," he stated seriously, standing up at that moment with his sword with him.

"Yes... I think so," Ayaka murmured slowly, not looking at him one bit. "I hope you can rest…"

Kazuha couldn't hide so much that he felt disappointed to hear her say that. Apparently, the part of him that didn't regret what had happened was hoping that she would tell him not to go. But he had to respect her decision; it was the best.

"I also hope you can sleep well, Ayaka," he suggested cautiously. He offered her a slight bow before heading to the door.

When she heard the sound of the door sliding open, Ayaka finally reacted, turning quickly in his direction. She saw him walk towards the hallway, and her lips promptly parted, wanting to say something to him. What exactly? She wasn't sure. But in the end, it didn't matter because she ended without saying anything, and Kazuha still left, leaving her alone.

Ayaka felt the strength in her body leave her, and she slowly let herself lie down on the floor on her right side. Her eyes wandered into the shadows in the far corners of the room while her mind wandered far beyond.

The emotion stronger than guilt or fear became more evident as the other two faded away. Said emotion was, without a doubt, happiness…

Ayaka thought she wouldn't be able to sleep at all that night, but exhaustion got the better of her after a couple of hours. She even fell asleep there, at the foot of the window while it was still open. And what woke her up was not the rays of the sun coming in but a pair of swallows that had decided to take her window as a place to stand and sing.

The Heron Princess twirled on the ground a couple of times before fully opening her eyes. The first few seconds were somewhat confusing, and she just lay there looking at the ceiling while the swallows kept singing by her side.

Where was it? What day was it? What time was it? What homework did she have to do first…?

Little by little, she remembered that she was in Komore, in her private room, and had come there to… to…

She sat up quickly, alarmed. The memories of the night before came all at once. And the feel of Kazuha's lips against hers became as vivid as if he had kissed her again right then.

What time was it? Looking out the window, it became apparent that the sun was already fully up. It could well be mid-morning, noon, or even later…

Kazuha, she thought with alarm. If he's already gone...?

"No, no, no," she repeated several times while she quickly stood up and practically ran to the room's door.

In the corridor, it didn't take long to find one of the waitresses, who was carefully carrying some plates of food.

"Yuki," she shouted to get her attention, quickly approaching her. "Where is Mr. Kaedehara?"

"Who, my lady?" asked the young woman, a little lost.

"The boy who came with me last night, with beautiful platinum blonde hair and deep reddish eyes…" She stopped short when she realized what she was saying and how that girl looked at her, a little surprised. "The... boy with the shoulder injury."

"Oh, yeah," the waitress said cautiously. "He's downstairs having breakfast."

Ayaka couldn't help but smile with joy and relief upon hearing it. So he was still there; she still had time.

"Thank you," she pronounced quickly and immediately turned to the stairs, starting to run towards them.

She almost jumped down each step and then went straight to the hall that had been indicated. Its doors were closed, but when he was close enough, he was able to hear the voice of the person he was looking for pronounced clearly:

"...I think we'll have to withdraw in a while. I just want first..."

Ayaka didn't hear anything else as, at that moment, she stood firm in front of the doors and quickly opened them wide, pulling them to the sides.

"Kazuha…!" she uttered loudly once she peeked into the room.

And indeed, Kazuha was there, sitting at the table eating his breakfast just like the waitress Yuki had told her. However, as would have been logical if she had only stopped for a few seconds to think about it, he was not alone... And Kazuha, Tomo, Thoma, and even the little cat Tama, turned to look at her at the same time, a little alarmed by her sudden presence and especially by her sharp cry.

The young Kamisato's face turned completely red with embarrassment.

"Good morning, Lady Ayaka," Thoma murmured after quickly swallowing his mouthful.

"Good morning, everyone," Ayaka answered quickly, trying to reflect as much temper as possible. At the same time, she adjusted her hair and her yukata with her fingers. "I beg your pardon for my untidy appearance."

"That is an untidy appearance for you?" Tomo muttered in an amused tone. "You look ready to go to a party, Miss Kamisato. You should see how I usually wake up in the mornings."

"Tomo," Kazuha murmured slowly beside him, accompanied by a look of clear reprimand. The wandering samurai immediately understood that he had better keep quiet, so he focused back on his plate.

Kazuha stood up at that moment and looked attentively at the newcomer to ask her:

"Are you looking for me, Ayaka?"

The blue-haired girl felt embarrassed again. That she was looking for him was a logical deduction, considering she had entered screaming his name. So backing out at that point would certainly be foolish.

"Yes…" Ayaka replied, breathing slowly to regain her composure. "I need to talk with..."

Sudden screams interrupted Ayaka's words and grabbed everyone's attention, including hers. It seemed to be an upset person, but it sounded far away. The safest thing was that whoever it was, was at the main door of the establishment.

"What's that hustle?" Thoma questioned, jumping to his feet.

"The Tenryou Commission?" Kazuha muttered worriedly, instinctively picking up his sword from the ground.

"No," Ayaka clarified quickly, raising a calming hand in his direction. "Or at least I don't think so. Stay here; I'll go see."

"Better let me go," Thoma said, starting to leave the room, but Ayaka stopped him.

"No, it's better that I go. If they are Tenryou guards, they will pay more attention to me if I ask them to leave. You stay here, and if anything happens, take them out by the back exit, okay?"

"All right, my lady," Thoma replied, nodding.

Ayaka started to head for the door. Before she left, however, she stopped for a second and looked again at the person she had come so desperately to find.

"Kazuha…" she said slowly, with some consternation in her voice. But without needing to say more, the boy understood.

"I'll be here waiting for you," he declared firmly, almost like a solemn oath.

Ayaka smiled back, nodded gratefully, and then walked away to take care of that matter.

Kazuha sat back at his post. At once, however, he noticed both Tomo and Thoma staring at him. And although the feeling in their eyes was somewhat different, they were united by the certainty that there was a part of the story that seemed to have been lost.

"What?" Kazuha muttered gruffly, picking up his plate again to continue eating.

"Nothing," Tomo muttered wryly, with an annoyingly sly smile. And he prepared to continue eating too.

Author's Notes:

I guess the chapter title ended up being a bit of a spoiler, huh? But the important thing was not what happened but how it happened. I don't have much to say, just that I really enjoyed writing this chapter, so I hope you all enjoyed reading it.