[Kanji_The_Wanderer]

Tatsu : Nozomi's Goodbye


Traveling back west, through the grove towards Aisha's house, I feel a tug on my cloak. I stop moving, and glance over my left shoulder. Nozomi is holding onto the edge of my cloak with her head angled straight down to the ground.

"Nozomi, what's wrong?" I speak out perplexed.

"T-Tatsu...I..." Her eyes are welling up with tears. "I don't want to go back to Aisha's house, it's too hard to say goodbye, and I was never really good at it...I'm bad with emotions as it is."

I turn and gracefully rub my hand down the side of her cheek, wiping a tear as I go.

"This isn't goodbye... It's a see you later. You only say goodbye if you never see someone again.... Saying that, makes it sound like something is over."

She continues to cry, and her shoulders quiver as she sniffles.

"Please Tatsu... It's better if it's just you. I've done enough as it is.."

I grab her by her arm and pull her close, into a gentle embrace. She grabs me around the middle, and squeezes like she's done so many times before.

"Okay." I speak into her ear, as she lay her chin on my shoulder.

"I'll see you off on my own."

Instead of heading west through the grove, we follow the old trail northward, to the edge of Shinkirou. Ahead of us, the desert that was brought on by the barrier spell is visible.

"Well this is it Nozomi... Do you know how to get out, or do I have to cut a hole through it again?"

"No." she spoke quietly. "You can pass through the barrier from the inside, but you can't re-enter once you've left. The moment I pass beyond this point beyond this barrier, you won't be able to see me, and I won't be able to see you."

I didn't say anything.

"It'll be alright Tatsu. I might be alone, but we'll be together, for we walk on the same ground." She smiles with everything she's got.

Shima and Nozomi are both leaving me again. I wish I could be with them forever, but at least I finally found it. I suppose it's okay if I let her go, she's strong, she'll make it through.

"As I promised I'll be sending two of my summons with you..."

I crouch down to the gravel and lay two pieces of parchment on the ground. Quickly, I write out the summon for Gana. The parchment glows hot, and Gana appears, spreading her wings, out of the light.

"Nozomi, I want you to take Gana with you; my most trusted ally. She will deliver you to the Bachuu desert, quickly, and safely... Just in case, there are any dragons in the current airspace, though I strongly doubt it, I'll will be sending with you, another of my allies."

Nozomi raises her brow in curiosity.

On the second piece I write out the summon for Enu. Once again, the parchment glows hot, and a small monkey appears out a light, when the light vanishes, a small creature drops down, in a pile of leaves.

"This is Enu." I explain to Nozomi, with my hand aiming downwards at the little guy.

"Enu is a prince, and as long as he makes bodily contact with you, you will be invisible to all.... If you sit upon Gana, and ride with Enu, all of you will be invisible to the dragons. Gana will have free roam of the skies, with none to impede your journey."

Nozomi looks both surprised, and impressed.

"If this Enu, has such an ability, why not take him with you, if you are going to the Dragon Lair why not make him make you invisible?" Nozomi expresses her worry.

I smile and shake my head. "Do you remember how I told you when you meet a summon, and ask them for their aid, they have certain requirements?"

Nozomi nods.

"Well Enu and I never saw quite eye to eye, and he won't make me invisible. But, he promised to do this for anyone else... He's sort of a wild card in my deck of summons. I figured if I ever had allies, or a group, this would be the best way I could protect them." I grin

"Best be off now. Here let me help you."

I guide Nozomi over to the side of Gana, and give her a boost onto her back.
"Enu, please, lend them a hand would you?"

He chatters something or other in his monkey tongue, and then jumps onto my shoulder.

I then look up, and look Nozomi in the eye. "Good luck." She stays silent.

"Gana! Bring her to Bachuu, as quickly and safely as possible! Please watch over her!"

Enu runs down my right arm, he launches himself from my hand, onto Nozomi's shoulder. The moment he makes contact with her, the three of them vanish.

Gone... I speak to myself. A wind gushes northward, and I know that is the wings of Gana taking off through the barrier.

I stand there paused for a moment, hands in pockets. I raise my hood, turn about, and head back into the grove.