Taka recognized where he was without even opening
his eyes. Konan. In one of the fields outside his native village in that
world. It was spring, and he could smell the perfume from nearby blooming
flowers. The sun warmed his skin as he sat kneeling in the fields, his
beloved's head resting in his lap.
His hands reached down blindly to stroke her hair,
to feel the curves of her face, to know her for all that she was. One of
her hands caught his, clasped it tightly, lovingly, then pulled it down
to rest upon her chest.
There was no breast.
Taka's eyes snapped open. A pair of pale blue eyes
with just the slightest hint of warmth stared up at him innocently, almost
hidden behind a wave of blonde hair. Taka screamed and recoiled in disgust.
"Taka? Taka!" Miaka was leaning over him, worry etched
on her face. "Taka! What is it? What's wrong?!"
Taka jerked up in bed, alarmed, bfore realizing
he was safe at home and falling back again. Miaka's frightened expression
made him smile up at her reassuringly.
"Just a dream, dear one. Just a dream." Taka said.
Miaka frowned, but laid back down beside him.
"A dream? The way you were screaming I thought you'd
caught fire!" The scolding tone in Miaka's voice made Taka wince.
"Sorry, honey. I didn't mean to wake you." Taka
answered contritely. Miaka sighed, and leaned up against his chest.
"What was your dream about?" she asked.
Taka hesitated. Could he explain it to her? Home,
the warmth, the sense of well-being... and Nakago at the center
of it?
"Just... Konan." he answered slowly. "And Nakago."
"That's the third Nakago dream this week!" Miaka
exclaimed. "Maybe it means something. Have you been eating like you should?"
Her voice turned accusitory.
"I'm sure it's not from malnutrition." Taka smiled
at her. "You should know how I've been eating. You've been cooking my meals
ever since we moved in together."
Miaka smiled for an instant, then frowned again.
"I have gotten better, haven't I?"
"Of course, dear." he reassured her.
"So how come we eat out 4 nights a week?" Miaka
pressed. Taka sweatdropped, and she scowled, turning her back to him. "Sukinami
Taka, I am not speaking to you!"
"I'm sorry, my love." Taka sat up and looked down
at her sadly. "Forgive me?"
Miaka couldn't help but grin at his solemn treatment
of such a minor irritation.
"Of course I forgive you, silly! After all..." Miaka
turned, a wide smile still on her face.
Taka watched in astonishment as she turned. Her
hair seemed to grow before his eyes, cascading around her shoulders, paling
to a golden yellow. Her.. no, his eyes opened quietly to reveal
a familiar pale blue. Although it was Miaka's voice, his lips mouthed the
words, and Taka could almost feel his voice echoing in Taka's mind.
"... I love you."
Taka paled, and blinked furiously. There sat MIaka,
still all smiles and innocence. How could Taka have seen Nakago? Yet the
vision wouldn't fade, the soft words still echoed in his mind. "I love
you."
"I love you." Taka responded hesitantly. He felt
arms wrap around him from behind... strong arms.. and he leaned back, to
find himself looking up at that familiar smirking face. He screamed again,
and pitched forward to land in a very confused Miaka's lap.
"W... what?" Miaka stared down, instinctively wrapping
her arms around Taka protectively. "Taka, what is it? What's wrong?"
"Nakago... he's everywhere." Taka moaned into Miaka's
chest. "He won't leave me alone..."
Taka looked up, to see Nakago's face staring down
in concern. Letting out another moan, he closed his eyes tightly...
Taka's eyes stared up at the clear blue skies of
Konan. It was spring, and he could smell the perfume from nearby blooming
flowers. The sun warmed his skin as he lay in the field, his head resting
in someone's lap.
Nakago leaned forward into his field of vision,
and smiled down at him. "Welcome home, Tamahome."
Taka whimpered.
Owari?