Chapter Text
The last time Rin of the Matsuoka's visited their village was when they were children. Although both Haruka and Rin were not humans, so they were a bit older than Makoto who was a villager, it was still a very long time ago.
Those three sat on the beach near the village and Rin was looking at the ocean.
“The world is bigger than this” he said, staring into the horizon.
“Than what?” asked Makoto, looking at the elfish boy. He still didn't believe that he was a true elf. He didn't look like one, even if he arrived to their village and introduced himself as Rin of the Matsuoka's, with some of the guards protecting him. The guards looked elvish at least.
“Than Iwatobi. And I'm sure that sakura trees exist somewhere in this world. I want to search for them and see for myself.” Rin said, looking at Makoto and then at Haruka who was sunbathing with closed eyes.
“Knowing you, that's a thing you'd do. But if you go alone, do you think anyone would believe what you saw?” Makoto knew that people often do not believe that somebody found something, as amazing as Rin was describing the tree.
“Well that is the point you know? I can first explore it myself and then come back and take you with me. So you will see the sight I saw.” Rin was certainly smiling, and spoke with confidence, looking from Makoto to Haru, to ensure that both heard him.
He especially wanted to make conversation with the merman descendant. He'd never met a merman before, and there was something enchanting in Haruka's blue eyes.
“That's nice, but don't you think that... I mean... – the human paused, and then continued- considering that Iwatobi is all we ever saw, wouldn't getting out of here, every step of the way be a sight we've never seen? If it is as you say, and sakuras are on unexplored islands, just getting there would take years. And there might be so many experiences that you have on the way that you might forget your goal.” Makoto was obviously wanting to know just what is Rin's reasoning.
And forget about us. Although Makoto didn't say that out loud.
“That is not true. How could I ever forget about you two? You guys did things for me that I will never be able to forget, not to mention I have to repay you... somehow.” Rin was now straching the back of his head, as if he didn't know how he could actually repay them.
“You said that you came to this village because your people were lost, right? Then how do you plan to depart when you lost your way? And we don't know if you will remember how to get back here, if you ever do.” Haruka finally opened his eyes, and both of the boys turned to him.
“Well, yeah. But I think that I will eventually come back here. My people are working on this.”
“Why do you want to see that tree anyway? What's so special about it?” inquired Makoto. He seemed to believe Rin in the tree existing, probably because it was just a tale to him from far away, and something that he will never see, so he might as well humor the newcomer.
“Well according to the legend it's somewhere near a pond. So if you go there when it blooms, you can swim in a pond full of cherry blossoms!“ Rin was smiling usually, but now he was beaming. His eyes were shining and both of the boys knew that this is something important to him.
“So you just want to swim in a pond full of cherry blossoms? That's why you organized a squad of protection, got lost in the Purpleish Forest and landed here? That's why you, being one of the royal elves who eventually has to take care of your clan, disobeyed your father and went for this potentially life threatening journey?” Makoto couldn't believe this.
“It's not like that. I told you that the tree is legendary, so therefore it probably has some magic abilities. And my father asked me to go, because he, being the head of our clan, would also love to go but cannot. So what do you say? Want to accompany me?” Asking the last question, Rin turned to Haruka and stared at him expecting an answer.
“Nah. It seems like too much effort." said Haruka, not looking at them but at the ground.
And you know we still have to take care of the things here. We can't just leave our families like that and go for who knows how long.” added Makoto, albeit less convinced. Probably, being human resulted in less resistance to the elf suggesting something.
“I see. But as I told you I will come back. And then you will have to go with me.” Rin said, sure of his beliefs, and that next time he asks this, Haruka would not refuse him.
“Do as you want.” answered Haruka, still not daring to look at the elf.
…
Haruka, reminiscing the last time the sakura tree was mentioned, decided that the inn was not a good place to discuss the details, so he led Rin to his home.
“So your family is not at home?” asked Rin, while he was looking around the small home. It had signs of only one person using it, despite being designed for a family of four.
“No, they went away. I haven't seen them since 7 years now. They disappeared after my grandmas funeral.”
“I see.”
They went to the kitchen area, and Haruka started searching for something to offer his guest.
“And you? Still traveling alone and not keeping in touch with yours?”
“Hmph. My father is deadly sick and I should go back to him. But not before I show you the tree.” said Rin with confidence.
For a brief moment, Haruka wondered about Rin's priorities. Shouldn't he then rush to his homeland instead of dragging him for an adventure?
“Why are you so stubborn about it? If you are back that means that you found it already.” Haruka couldn't make sense of Rin's thoughts.
“Yes, I did, but it was... underwhelming.” said Rin staring out the window, looking far away from Haru's direction.
“All the more reason for me not to travel with you then.” said Haruka as he finally found some decent cups. Now for something drinkable.
“No.... Don't get me wrong. The sight was amazing. It's just that... I have to show it to you.” Rin seemed a bit shy about it, and neither of them knew why.
“Huh?” Haruka did not know what else to say. Just why was the elf desperate to take him on this journey, even if he already had been there?
“I crossed the world, and met many creatures and human beings. Even mermaids and different elves. I did things you couldn’t imagine. But all of that didn’t matter.
I saw the pond with the cherry blossoms.“ Rin sounded subdued, like that sight did not bring the contentment he wanted to. Then, he added:
“And it was then that I realized that seeing that is not enough. This is why you have to come with me.”
Haruka still did not understand any of this.
“So what you want me to see it and say “told you so?” What if it will be the same, or even worse because I am there?”
“Firstly, it will not be the same because you will be there with me. And secondly it is going to be better. Believe me.” somehow that conviction made Rin more sure of himself. He also got up from the chair he was occupying.
“Now, come. We need to get going as soon as it's possible.”
“Why?” Even if Haruka wasn't sure of his own involvement in all this, he hoped that they wouldn't do any serious decisions this evening. He hoped that Rin would at least stay the night.
“The carriage awaits. It's safer to travel at night. In the morning the only option is to travel by a horse and that will take longer. I assume that you don't want to leave this village for too long.” Rin was now holding out his hand, as if wanting Haru to take it and go with him to the end of the world and one mile further.
Rin's hand was very inviting. Haruka did not understand his own actions, when he neared Rin and took it in his own.
They exchanged a hand shake. After which, Haruka began to pack his things, the ones he thought he'd need, and some that Rin told him to take.
They departed one hour later, leaving a note for Makoto.
Don't worry. I took Haru with me and I'll try to bring him back safe and sound.
I don’t know when though, so be patient.
Xoxoxoxoxox
Rin of the Matsuoka's.