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Kazuha settled down on the dirt, reaching out and sliding the pad of his thumb across the surface of the dead Vision.
He remembered how it felt, when Tomo had lent him his own power. To protect the Traveller, it felt as if his friend had come back to life to fulfill his ambition.
A small smile touched his lips, unbidden.
Stubborn.
Tomo was still so stubborn, even after death.
He covered his mouth as a giggle bursted from his lips.
Tama meowed, nudging his thigh with her head, looking up at him curiously.
“You’re laughing?” Tomo said, face contorted in mock outrage. “Seriously? I rarely ever see you laugh, Kazu-chan. You should grace me with that smile more.”
Kazuha smiled at the image of Tomo. “Perhaps if you surprised me more often, you would enjoy this smile more.”
Tomo looked offended, patting Tama behind the ears as he slumped. “I don’t even know how to surprise you. Look at you, you’re barely moved by anything.”
The younger laughed again, and Tomo brightened, watching him a little more intensely.
“It’s sunset again,” Tomo murmured. Kazuha looked up at the setting sun that spilled over the horizon, amongst the broken wood pieces.
“Isn’t it beautiful?” Kazuha whispered, knowing only the winds heard him. “Isn’t the sunset beautiful, Tomo?”
Tama purred.
The sun set, turning the sky from blue to red, just as maple leaves turned from green to red.
Kazuha allowed Tama to climb into his lap and settle down, absently stroking her fur. He watched as the sun went down, his gaze quiet.
“You saved us.” Kazuha mumbled.
He squeezed his eyes shut as a sob tore from his chest, loud and unmistakable. “The Vision Hunt Decree is over, Tomo.”
Tears leaked from the corner of his eyes, his chin wobbling. He lowered his head as if to hide his tears, dripping onto Tama’s fur. The white cat jumped out of his lap, startling him, shaking her fur out.
Kazuha laughed again, a watery laugh that betrayed his feelings. Tama nuzzled her face into his side this time, and he brought her up for a small hug, not unlike what Tomo had always done with her in the past.
“It’s over, Tama.” Kazuha hiccuped, pressing their foreheads together. Tama’s tail flicked slowly.
Beside them, the electro Vision glowed to life — so brief none of them caught it.
Kazuha sighed, dabbing at his tears with his sleeve, forcing himself to remain composed.
He made his prayers towards the grave, solemn and silent, before leaving a piece of fish that he’d skillfully hidden within his haori for Tama, who purred in approval.
With a final look, Kazuha left.