Chapter Text
"If this is a ghost and if it is Tomo… I'd like to help. This is the first I've noticed anything of the like and I can't imagine why. If the date has allowed him to communicate with me and he's attempting to… it would be wrong to ignore his efforts."
Kazuha was looking away though he hadn't pulled his hand from his.
"Okay. Let me finish eating then and we'll see what we can do. I'm going to talk to my cousin and — ahhh, maybe have to talk to the Miko. She usually hates me around there but I'll deal with it and whatever she has me do for the favor so I can figure out where the ley lines around here are strongest. It should help with communicating. If I'm wrong I'll start my theories over from scratch. Either way we should know by tonight."
Kazuha nodded and stood. "The trip was long. I'm going to bathe and I'll be back shortly. If anything occurs I'll let you know."
He couldn't help his lip turned up in a bit of teasing. "You could call me in too. No need to feel embarrassed."
It was nice to see Kazuha smile back, even if it was weaker than normal. "I will keep that in mind."
Watching him disappear around the corner and hearing the water start running, Heizou debated with himself. Was it really better to tell Kazuha all that? He wasn't sure on his guess though he couldn't justify much else. If he wasn't involved there could be other guesses. Even with his involvement, there were options he didn't voice… they were just so unlikely.
Keeping it a secret would hurt. Even if his thoughts were wrong… it was better to tell Kazuha. If there was a reason he'd like this ghost to hang around, why stop it?
And if he'd like to confront it, even better — well, for him. Heizou wanted to know answers. There were few reasons in this case that he'd want it solved other than to feed his own curiosity.
Kazuha wasn't in danger… At least, he didn't appear to be. So this was Kazuha's choice.
A few things were shifted around the house, as they had been last night. Nothing was destroyed and the stove didn't turn on again. It only gave convinced him more that he'd come to the right conclusion — or something close to it.
Kazuha's hair was down and damp when he returned, wearing lighter clothing than he'd arrived in. "I'm good to leave when you are. It is warm out and my hair will dry on the trip."
"In a rush?"
"No, but I would rather put these thoughts and this ghost to rest if that is what is happening. Tomo is and was a good friend. If he is trying to contact me for some reason now, of all times, and can only do so for a limited time, I would like to see what he has to say. If there is another reason for these visits, that is another answer I would like to have."
The walk would be long and hot so Heizou changed quickly, forgetting he was still wearing his clothes from the day before until he was about to head out. Once he was also in something light and without part of his uniform, he led the way to the temple.
It was a long journey and he thought about packing something to eat but it would only take more time. Neither of them needed much to eat. They'd both gone more than a day without food before — on cases like this no less, when Heizou needed Kazuha's help and he agreed without question.
That had been before he'd admitted to Kazuha that he liked him. Even now, Kazuha's compliments his way were always light and more teasing back than instigating.
Feeling too unsure about taking the trip hand in hand, Heizou placed both his hands in his pockets, where he couldn't be tempted.
Kazuha's eyes were not on him and his look distant. There was a lot on his mind. It was stupid of him to be having romantic thoughts right now when they were in the middle of an investigation that could have something to do with a departed friend.
In all this time, Heizou had never once asked if Kazuha had been with anyone before him. It had felt wrong and the conversation was one he wasn't sure he wanted to have. Whatever the answer, the past was in the past. He let his own stay buried and Kazuha hadn't pried, even if his love life wasn't the reason for it. Still, he couldn't help but wonder how long Kazuha and Tomo had been together and what could have happened between them before he'd met them.
They hadn't appeared to be in a relationship, but anyone looking at the Kazuha and him now could say the same. Kazuha just wasn't… wasn't very obvious about it, and Heizou did a lot to hold back and respect that.
"Something on your mind?"
Heizou missed a step, near tripping over nothing before he righted himself. Of all the people to ask that…
"When is something not on my mind? How about you? Are you truly wanting to meet with him if this is a ghost? I do not know how the afterlife works and hauntings are generally negative from what I've heard."
"I am not one much for ghost stories though I have heard more than a few tales from around Teyvat. Whether they be of monsters, gods, or the undead, I have come to face very few of what I've been told. If this is Tomo and if he is trying to speak with me, I find it currently within my power to do so and within my duty as someone close to him who he wishes to connect with. You would do the same in my position, would you not?"
"I suppose." It was something he hadn't thought much on. There were reasons for him to have been visited by ghosts before and yet none had ever tried. That was enough reason to doubt their existence, even if he didn't want to. Maybe they needed to be closer, like Kazuha and Tomo were. "If it were you… and you had died, I don't know. I may be too afraid to face you."
Kazuha laughed lightly. "Two things I doubt — both that you would run from me, and that you would be afraid of me after I was dead."
"You never know. I might feel responsible if you were to die." That was always a thought on his mind. If it were overseas and something that couldn't be avoided… There were always reasons to quit his job, follow Kazuha to wherever the winds might take him. If he were to know for certain that one day he would die on a trip, Heizou would drop everything easily to be there. As of now, it was hard to justify leaving behind the people here and the work he was doing.
Kazuha stopped and grabbed him by the front of the shirt, glaring at him. "Heizou, look at me."
It was hard not to when he sounded so demanding. "Yes?"
"When, not if, I am no longer in this world, do not blame myself when I leave it. Do you hear me? Not every job I take is without danger and you have enough burden on your shoulders to carry, I could not bare to know I will add to it. "
It was hard to say he wouldn't. Lying to Kazuha was downright impossible. For others in his life it came as second nature as breathing. Many of his cases were only closed due to deception or coercion. For Kazuha, he was able to drop all of that and just be himself, within certain parameters. Teasing was never off the table. It was something he enjoyed doing, if it wasn't always 'true'.
"If I were to die on a case in your absence, would you hold no blame to yourself?"
They were silent for a while before Kazuha shook his head. "Sadness, yes, but blame, I can't say I would. For an instant or so I might indulge in the pain of it. I am only human and I have my faults, the same as anyone. I cannot say for certain, depending on the circumstances, that I would not humor the idea. Mostly, I would feel only grief. I would not want you to know I would carry your life as a burden and not a gift any more than I want that for you."
"You have such a way with words, do you know that?" The gentle smile and the raised eyebrow as he exhaled and started on back on the journey to the temple left him feeling lighter. "You're right. I have been thinking too much."
"And on terrible thoughts. I will do all I can to return to you — every time. If one day I cannot… it will only be suddenly and without my concent."
"Same — I say as elegantly as I can in return to the gift you have given me of your words." Though the bow was in jest, he meant what he said.
It was amazing how Kazuha could tell his lies from his truths. The smile he gave him was warm as he took his hand. It made Heizou blush slightly, the heat hidden by the warm sun.
It would have been nice to have something to drink or eat. By the time they started the climb up the mountain he was already thirsty and, when they reached the top, he was secretly begging that there was a hidden sandwich somewhere — stuffed into one of their pockets. He'd even take it smashed and warmed over at this point.
"We should have packed a lunch," Kazuha spoke, reading his thoughts.
Heizou couldn't help it. He leaned over and licked Kazuha's cheek, watching the man pull away from him and wipe at the area with his kimono. "I don't know. You're pretty tasty."
That earned him a cute chuckle. "Please, do refrain from eating me. I would like to enjoy this life with you as long as I can, as I have said. You may consume me in many ways except for that."
If he was blushing before, Heizou knew he was bright red now, and he could only hope to blame it on the long climb up and need for water.
"I should go find either my cousin or the Miko. One of them should be able to tell us more about the ley lines or something to go off of."
"You know them better than I, so I'll leave that up to you."
Hm. Heizou actually wasn't aware that Kazuha didn't know those on the mountain well. Shrine maidens weren't exactly rare here and he was the type to get around and to the more out there places. This was always one of them, in Heizou's mind.
Chance wasn't in his favor, as he bumped into someone he didn't know first and had to mentally decide on who he'd rather ask for. Yae Miko won out, but only due to the fact that she likely had more information. He'd go to his cousin for any other matter than one dealing with Inazuma's history.
And wasn't he lucky when she was in and he was lead right to her, the woman stepping out to great them, excepting them before they made it to the door of the main shrine.
"Hello, little ones," she said in her ever cheeky voice, her hand playing around her face as if she was holding a fan. For one with so many secrets, she flaunted herself openly. It was one thing Heizou disliked both in the fact that he knew she was doing it and hating the fact that he did it himself and didn't like seeing it reflected back at him. "So far from home. There isn't much that would bring both of you to my doorstep. Detective Shikanoin, not forsaking work, are you?"
Heizou hide his feelings behind a cheeky smile of his own. "Not today. If you have any need of me I'll be free next week. We have some questions for you regarding the ley lines. I have some basic knowledge but nothing beyond that and we've been experiences something I have never come across before."
"Oh? Such as anomalies? I don't believe I've felt any disorders lately." It was only slight but her tone had shifted and her arm dropped to her side as the woman turned to look over the mountainside. "If it is too far from here, there's a chance it's gone past my perception. What kind of experiences?"
"I can't say for sure it's tied to they ley lines but I have little other thoughts on what it could be. There have been movements around both Kazuha and I. It appears to have followed him from Sumeru and that's something a youkai wouldn't have done, and doubtful that any similar creature from Sumeru would have risked."
"What type of movements? Do know I can't read your minds, as much as you may think I can." There was that laugh again.
"Curtains moving. Footsteps. Items being thrown about. I'd call it a ghost if you'd admit to such things existing in front of me." Heizou raised an eyebrow. He'd asked her before and never gotten a straight answer. His cousin had straight out called him an idiot and kicked him out of her place.
"Odd indeed. Without seeing such things for myself, I cannot say what is going on." She shrugged her shoulders, her garments lightly brushing her earrings with a jingling. "Though it does sounds as if it is not from our land — or at least, not a creature here. Hmm." The Miko was thoughtful for a moment before she gestured further into the shrine. "Many ley lines are to the north and east of here. They connect the strongest underground so, while the sacred tree is more than energized by them, humans have a harder time accesses their energy. If you do believe they are responsible, head to the coast north or east of here. Once you touch the water you will be as close to them as you can be without swimming."
Heizou shared a look with Kazuha who shrugged. "And if it's not something from the ley lines?"
"Then I would be surprised if our great detective's instincts are wrong."
He would have blushed if not for the fact that her words held a mocking ton to them. How she pulled that off, he had no clue. Still, he couldn't ignore the backhanded compliment.
With a short bow he thanked her, taking Kazuha's hand and rushing off.
"Don't like it here much, do you?"
"No," Heizou admitted, once they were on their way down and there were no ears to catch his words. "It's nothing personal. Yae Miko herself has helped me on more than one occasion and the other priestesses are always kind. It's just… I never feel welcome here." It was hard to describe. And his interactions with the Miko herself should have been enough to express how much the two of them — though without animosity — just didn't mesh.
North or east. That was the question. The walk down was easy, even with the crumbling pathways.
The Kamisato estate was one way. Heizou wasn't opposed to traveling past them and their guards but it was also a difficult climb down the mountainside that way. The north had several rogue machines still traveling the open valleys and, while easier to reach the shore, that made it equally a bad option.
"We can bypass the machines." Kazuha reached up to his shoulder, giving it a squeeze. "I have learned to avoid them on occasion. It will not be a problem with only two of us."
"Reading my mind?"
"You paused and were looking over the area. It was not a difficult guess, though I wouldn't mind having the pleasure of reading your thoughts, if I were allowed."
Heizou blushed slightly at the thought of Kazuha in his head and took off north. "That would be creepy."
"I think it would be intriguing. You have been acting strangely."
"This is a strange case. I also don't know how to treat it and can say the same of you."
Kazuha nodded, his steps slowing but he didn't stop. They needed to ease their pace so Heizou didn't complain. Their voices dropped to a whisper as they continued. "I have not noticed, but it would not surprise me if I am. It is difficult to lose someone dear to me a second time and harder still to know he's been around all this time. I do not know why, which keeps me going, and I would like to help whatever is keeping him here… if something is, or if I am somehow the cause."
What? "Kazuha, are you being stupid? What makes you think you did something wrong? Man alive, is that why you've been acting so strange? Because you think you're at fault? We don't even know if I'm correct and if I am, which I may be, then even if he is here for some reason, it is in no way your fault!"
Kazuha's smile was sad and he refused to look at him.
"You say that so strongly but neither of us can be sure, and he's reaching out for a reason. I would like to know why. I will feel better then. Until that times comes, I'm afraid even your words cannot ease this worry."
Idiot. Kazuha was being such an idiot.
Heizou knew that he solving this case and figuring out what was going on was the right thing now. What kind of guilt was Kazuha carrying and why?
Were… were they together? Was that was Kazuha was so torn up about this? And was that why this afterimage or ghost or whatever entity was contacting them was so determined to speak with him?
And what if it was? Was he really that petty to care? Kazuha had a life before him. It wasn't as if he could fault him for loving someone before. Even if they hadn't talked about it, why should they? He could have dated before Kazuha and not spoken about it.
He hadn't — but that wasn't the point. It wasn't wrong to do.
So why did it hurt his chest to think about?
Neither of them were strangers to the land, even if Kazuha was one for the sea now. They easily avoided the enemies (or due to Kazuha's talents than his own, no one had hearing on that level) and it wasn't difficult to find a path down the cliffs before they had to reach the beach.
Another reason both were very familiar with this place and it's dangers was left unsaid.
They had both buried Tomo here after he'd died. It had fallen to Heizou to take care of most of the work, and he'd had to thank his cousin and a few of her friends for their efforts, but Kazuha had remained in Inazuma until Heizou had assured him that he'd have the matter taken care of.
There were a lot of deep wounds from the past they had never brought up. Kazuha wasn't one to to speak about them and Heizou didn't like to see others hurt, so it wasn't strange.
It just made this whole situation more awkward.
He'd buried Tomo as a favor. They were nothing more than two people who had known each other in passing. For Kazuha… he wasn't sure. He'd been so torn up at the time and they'd been more worried about getting him off the island that there hadn't been time to talk.
"Well, we're here." The ocean was calm. The sun was setting. The perfect time for any ghosts was upon them.
"I regret even more that we didn't bring a lunch. You must be hungry as well." Kazuha tapped his shoulder lightly before sitting in the sand. "I do not know what to do other than to watch and wait. There has been nothing strange happening on the way here and I'm a little worried I've troubled you all for nothing."
"Nah, don't say that. There was something going on for sure." Heizou had to think. It was a bit strange nothing went on. They were alone while they were walking both to the mountain and to here. Sure there were a few enemies but they'd avoided most of them. There was time for strange occurrences to happen but nothing had. That was… odd. And something to take note of. "I wonder if it's something to do with where the ley lines are."
Kazuha chuckled. "I doubt they run under your house."
Hm. Yeah, that was odd. He was told rivers and water were where most lay lines were strongest. Trees and other vegetation thrived as well around them. They were at the beach because they were closest to both the tree and the lower elevation into the earth. His house was both away from the ground and in a dense location without plant life.
There were no lights to illuminate the area as the sun set. Heizou let his eyes adjust and stood besides Kazuha.
Whatever hunger and fatigue he was feeling was brief as he mind worked.
They couldn't just make these strange things happen. There had been nothing that triggered them (other than Kazuha stating that he'd seen them alone at first and then Heizou seeing them). It was the reason he had considered that it was some aspect of ghost and why he had narrowed it down to the only one who they both knew that was no longer among them.
There were others though. The war had taken more, on both sides. The thing was, they were either friends of just him or just Kazuha. It was a possibility that this 'ghost' wasn't related to them together at all. There was also a chance he was wrong about what was going on.
The longer the night drew on, the longer he doubted himself.
Kazuha sat quietly, watching either him or the ocean. Aside from some unease in his posture now and then that was accompanied by a look in a direction (likely at a sound only Kazuha could hear) the other was far more relaxed than Heizou.
Hours passed.
Heizou patience was hitting the point where he was about to sit besides Kazuha as well when his partner stood, shoulders too straight, eyes too narrow even in the darkness, and look to the left with his hand near the sword at his waist.
It was hard not to force the same reaction from body as Heizou turned with him, trying to catch sight of what drew Kazuha's attention (in such a negative way).
Someone was watching them.
They were off to the side of the cliff, hidden in the darkened night except for small traces of moonlight that was only half full alighting across their hair and eyes.
It was hard to make out who they were. They were too far. The only thing Heizou was certain of was they were looking in their direction and those eyes felt… strange. There was no better word for it. It made him uncomfortable to be looked at in such a way, which was odd for him. Attention didn't bother him — at least, not in a way he could hide.
Kazuha slowly straightened, his hand relaxing back at his side. There was a stiffness that remained, but not to the point it had been. They shared a look with each other before Heizou nodded.
They'd check the situation out.
Both of them walked slowly over to the figure who didn't move at their approach.
Heizou had to admit, he was more excited than worried, but he kept those thoughts to himself.
Kazuha was the one who hesitated a moment before he kept pace once more beside him once they were close enough to make proper eye contact.
The person staring at them was a young man wearing a dark kimono that blended him well into the wall. Heizou was used to ghost stories speaking of all white so he didn't know what to expect when walking up but this wasn't it.
The person wasn't see-through nor were they dressed as Tomo would be.
But those eyes and that sandy hairstyle, tied up messy as if he'd forgotten half of it while drawing it back, were there in his memories again as he looked upon someone who should be dead.
"Tomo?"
Kazuha spoke. The word felt fragile.
"Hiya." An easy smile. The 'ghost', or whatever he was, answered. It didn't appear as if he had difficulties speaking or being in the land of the living. "Didn't think you'd make it here on time. Sorry for the weird shit. Ya know, Kazuha, you really should relax more. After all this time you still haven't learned to take it easy."
Kazuha fell to his knees, tears in his eyes falling down his cheeks.
Heizou wanted to ask questions, take in this miracle in front of him — but Kazuha suddenly breaking down broke his heart. He'd never seen it before, or thought it could happen. Kazuha was strong in many ways and accepted life and death as they came.
This was too much for him.
"How did… why are you…? What is…. Tomo, I don't understand…" The words were more fragile than his last, louder only because there was pain in every one.
Heizou felt his heart break all over. He couldn't… get in the middle of this.
"It's complicated and it's not." Tomo shut his eyes a moment before opening them. "I am dead though, if that's what you're asking. I didn't hide that fact from you. I'm not really here. You know that, right Kaz?"
That was a nickname he hadn't heard in a while. Kazuha wasn't one for nicknames. Heizou had thought about messing with a few after they started dating but it always felt off.
"I don't… I…"
"I'm not here. I mean, I am, kinda? But I ain't. I stayed a bit. I had to. Gotta watch your back when you don't watch it yourself, you know?" Tomo winked. "Where'd ya think that lightning came from when ya needed it? Think you suddenly had two Visions now, did you? You're special, Kaz, but you aren't that special."
Kazuha sank more into the sand as his legs gave out, staring up at the man who shouldn't be there. "What?"
"I was warned you'd be in danger. I had to stay, ya know, to make sure you didn't do anything too stupid. And when you did, well." Tomo shrugged. It was then that Heizou noticed that, besides his clothing being different, he also carried no weapon. "I stepped in. Only problem with that is I kinda got stuck here now."
"I'm… confused…" Kazuha blinked back the tears, looking like he wanted to stand but too weak to do so. "And… thank you?"
"No problem. And don't worry about it. I was confused too. Ain't had any real, solid thoughts like this in a long time." Tomo exhaled. The gestured looked like just that, a gesture. Once Heizou started watching, it was clear he wasn't breathing. "Time's of death, anniversaries, ley lines, and that weird shit around Sumeru when you were there… I don't get it but it kind of let me see you and talk to you again — only I couldn't.
"Do you know what a pain in the ass it was seeing things hours after you did them? Took me ages to figure out that's what was going on. Ya'd talk about things I did way long ago and took me months to figure out you didn't notice what I was doing until way later — like we were running on different times or something."
Heizou couldn't help it. Kazuha was… fine for now. His hand went to his chin as he thought. "Ah, I get it. So you were acting out what you could and we didn't notice it at the same time you were doing it?"
Tomo nodded. "Came to the point I just started trying to do anything to get your attention. We'll, Kazuha's. I didn't want everyone to think he was crazy or anything." The laugh was louder than his words when Tomo chucked, but it didn't echo. It was the oddest thing to hear a sound that wasn't there and was at the same time. "Didn't mind if it was you. Knew you'd figure things out eventually. You're typically good at that sort of thing."
Heizou smirked. This conversation felt nice, easy. He was talk to a ghost! There was so much he wanted to ask and know and the fact that it was Tomo was only slightly biting to his own ego. They'd never been at odds with each other before. They weren't now except in his own mind. "Of course I am."
"This isn't gonna last though. I don't know how long I have to talk and I can't really move." Tomo kicked at the sand. It didn't move. "Surprised it's even working to begin with. Guess it's because we're close to the ley line or something?"
Heizou grabbed something out of his pocket. He'd been holding onto it since they'd left the house. Half afraid it had been the reason that nothing strange had been happening, he didn't want to tell Kazuha he had it. Now, it looked like a good thing.
In his hand was a beaded bracelet his cousin had given him long ago. When he'd begged her repeatedly about ghost stories, she'd handed it to him. Her words had been 'if there was a ghost nearby, at least it would give him the power to see it.' "This might be helping. It's from the temple."
"Ah. Still tricky, aren't ya? That's good." Tomo chuckled. "Didn't see you had that. You know, that might outright kill me instead of help me."
"It's why I'm not touching you with it." Heizou slipped it back in his pocket. "I'm not sure what effect it does or doesn't have, but better safe than sorry. I like to come prepared."
Tomo had been relaxed, his eyes half lidded, and he folded himself more towards the cliff. The land held him, even if he couldn't move it. "I'd like my time back. Had it stopped for too long. So… as much as I appreciate the help I was given to make sure everything turned out all peachy in the end, think I need your help."
Heizou tipped his head. "What do you need us to do?"
Us. It was better to say 'us'. Kazuha was on the ground but he'd been hanging on every word. The tears were dry but the way he was looking at Tomo was hungry in a way that Heizou wasn't used to seeing. Possessive.
"My Vision. I'm kinda stuck here because of it. I'm tied to both it and Kaz. Since we don't want to kill Kaz or anything," Tomo chuckled, "just purify the Vision. Should fix everything. I'm not sure what lays in wait after this but my journey being stopped until he dies isn't good for either of us."
Heizou looked between them.
Kazuha said nothing, staring at Tomo.
"Do you have to go? Why isn't it better?"
The words were so quiet, Heizou was surprised he caught them.
"Because you need to live your life without my non-sense hanging around it. I can't even think most of the time, Kaz. It's nice in a story book but it isn't good for either of us. You have got to know this."
Tomo bent down. He rested his forehead against Kazuha's. There was no physical touch, parts of his bangs disappeared, but both of them shut their eyes as if there was.
"We'll meet again, kay, Kaz? Promise."
It felt wrong to watch as Kazuha nodded and more tears fell. Looking away, Heizou stared at the sea instead. This was private, their final goodbye, something neither of them got to say to each other.
And he was a third wheel, ruining the moment, and feeling his own heart hurt as he could do nothing to make the situation better.
Tomo stood, his hand out a moment as if he were going to touch Kazuha before taking it back and smiling a cheeky smile. "This time, take care of yourself so I don't got to worry about you so much! And, Shikanoin, you watch out for him too, kay?"
"No worries there."
"I figured." Tomo raised his eyebrow. "Been watching a bit, even if my timing has been off. You two are kinda cute together."
Heizou snorted, unable to stop. It turned into a cough as he blushed. "Thanks?"
Kazuha laughed, wiping away his tears as he struggled to get to his feet. He wasn't very steady once he was up and he was half covered in sand he didn't bother brushing away. "Thank you, really. I didn't know you were here… and I don't want you to leave. I understand but in other ways, I do not. I don't think I can. Tomo, I miss you, I have missed you. It's been difficult…"
"Life is never easy. That's why it's life. There are always ups and downs. The important part is that you live it the way you want to live it. That's what you're doing, right?" Tomo didn't wait for an answer, nodding. "So nothing is wrong. You're doing fine without me. I know it'd feel better if I could stay forever, but, hey, you ain't alone. Even if I'm gone, you're never alone. You know that, right?"
Kazuha sniffled a little, nodding. He looked so much younger than he was. "Of course."
"Take care then. And I'll see ya in the next life, kay?" Tomo grinned.
And then he was gone.
There was no vanishing, no slow transparency. It was like he blinked and the world shifted.
Kazuha let out a breath that shook.
Then he was running into his arms, embracing him with more strength then he ever had before as he hugged him within an inch of his life, crying into his shoulder int he most indigent way Kazuha had ever done.
They stayed like that for a while before he calmed down, the night around them quiet. The sea helping to sooth both their nerves.
"We have to… kill him again?"
"Not kill, free." Heizou brushed his hand through Kazuha's damp hair, feeling the tears sticking to it as he pulled it back. "Something trapped him here and we're freeing him. It's a gift, not a curse. Don't think of it that way, Kazuha, please. Neither of us would want you to."
Kazuha took a while more to fully settle.
Once he had it was clear his energy was gone. The dawn was coming soon and neither of them had slept or eaten in a while. That and the emotional toll were obvious on Kazuha's overly pale face.
"Let's free him then. I left his Vision at the grave. Are you able to cleanse—"
"I'll get my cousin to do it. She'll be fine." He wasn't any holy worker. He doubted he could pull something like that off with just the bracelet he was given. Better to do things the right way. "After we get some food and some rest. He can wait another half day. I'm sure she wouldn't mind sparing a few beds."
Kazuha was silent before he nodded. "It would be better to care for ourselves first."
"Now you're using your brain."
That got Kazuha to smile. "I always do. You are the one that lacks proper rest and nutrition when you wrap yourself up in a case like this. I am glad… that we were able to figure out what was going on, and that he can find what he was looking for."
"I am too."
Heizou wanted to ask but, again, now didn't seem the time to question Kazuha on his past relationship with Tomo. Maybe there never would be a good time.
And it really didn't matter.
Kazuha was Kazuha and he loved him no matter what.
Now if he could just hold onto that feeling forever and not worry about the jealous thoughts in his head. Or he'd deal with them forever. Life was life, and apparently love came with a bunch of weird feelings and complications.
It made Heizou laugh.
"Kazuha, I have to say, meeting a ghost for the first time really sucked and I'm really tired and I would like it very much if you stayed over tonight and I didn't let you go for the next day or so."
Leaning in gently, Kazuha kissed him. "That sounds wonderful."