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the beach was the same as he had always remembered, yet the wind around him whispered otherwise.
he extended a hand over his eyes, blocking the harsh glare of the searing sun. no one else was on the sandy strip of land for now. it was deserted in every way, and the birds no longer sang their seaside songs and the blue waters didn't seem to push up star-shaped conches on the shoreline anymore. maybe it was because of the war, maybe it was because of how there was now only one visitor on this beach instead of the usual two.
"the birds' songs are lovely, aren't they? although this can't even begin to come close, I know of a way we can make our own music." he smiled gently at his companion before plucking a single smooth leaf from the tree branch hanging above their heads, folding it carefully with his fingers.
"what is that supposed to do?" a sharp mouth quipped, though he seemed interested enough to lean in slowly to see what the other was doing.
the white-haired boy only smiled in return before he slowly lifted the leaf up to his lips and blew lightly across the edge. a sound akin to the sea breeze surrounding them filled the space between the two; it was a melodious sort of note that lingered long afterwards.
the boy who listened to the song closed his eyes for a moment and imagined that the birds themselves stopped to catch the dulcet notes that flitted through the air.
"how was it?"
after a brief second of silence, the listener replied hesitantly, "it was...interesting. in a good way." the other boy made a face at him before they both laughed. it seemed like the moment stretched on for an eternity.
the waves sprang up on the shore, bringing sea foam and cool water to soak their feet in. a flutter of wings descended upon them in a cascade of chirping and twittering.
"look," the samurai marveled with a lilt in his voice as a songbird landed on his outstretched finger, cocking its head. "maybe it came here because it saw you."
"no, I think it liked your music, as did I," the listener replied in a rare moment of openness. seldom did the young black-haired lord carry the sort of carefree and mellow expression he currently wore; for anyone else, he would reserve but a scowl and a few choice words. he finally turned his face to his traveling partner and studied his scarlet, autumn-like eyes. ""
"then let's travel all over the world together. all seven nations and beyond until we reach whatever's there at the end. promise?"
"I promise."
there was one last thing he needed to do. he squinted at the horizon to see a towering mast of a ship that had proud, bold red sails and a gilded serpent illuminating the front of it. in just a few minutes, he would leave behind his old life and accept the title of a wanderer, a masterless warrior with nowhere to go and with nobody who would wait for him.
a clink of a bottle, the dip of a brush. the empty crashing of the salty waves against the eroded sea-rock. the name of the secret meeting place passing silently across his lips. the finality of the message being rolled up and tucked away. the jingle of a few mora coins being tossed into the glass. these would be the last sounds he would ever hear in inazuma.
before he knew it, the captain of the ship called out his name and beckoned him aboard with a broad, sweeping gesture. there wasn't enough time, she said, and the guard could get there at any moment. he should hurry, she continued.
kazuha didn't spare a single glance back at the way he came from. instead, he turned his gaze upwards to where the sky embraced the sea and drew his shoulder back, throwing the bottle into the ocean in one fluid gesture. the bottle bobbed up and down for a bit as if it tried to fight against the current before it was lost in the swirling waves.
An old friend of ours came over yesterday bearing ill tidings...
I have not received a reply from you in a long while. Perhaps he’s right, and I should accept reality.
But nonetheless, if you are still wandering this land, should you receive the missive, I hope that you can send me a reply.
Attach your insignia to your letter, that I may recognize you by its presence when the time comes.
Do you remember Uyuu Restaurant? We shall meet there. You will find money for wine attached herein.
I hope that we will one day meet again, old friend.