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Kazuha couldn't remember the last time he gazed at cherry blossoms.
The final scenery he saw in his homeland was the red maple forest on his escape route, followed by the view of the high mountains from the departing ship. He traveled many places, saw many sights, and it seemed there were few moments when Kazuha truly believed he would have the chance to return home.
Yet, after wandering through the mist and wind, the sword in hand, the young ronin found himself once again standing beneath the cherry blossoms of old.
"Do you know what we're missing right now?"
Kazuha heard in the wind the sound of a distant past and instinctively looked to his side.
There once was someone there in the twilight.
"A bottle of sake and a plate of sakura mochi. Oh, but you can only have the sweets."
That person laughed heartily, ruffling Kazuha's hair with one hand, then casually held the little cat nestled in the fold of their scarf.
Spring breeze blew, swirling thousands of petals into a brilliant vortex. Kazuha saw the pink-padded paws trying to catch the falling petals, saw the hand of the person in his memory cradle the white fur, and more than anything, he saw the person's sparkling eyes in the twilight.
Kazuha was lost in thought, unintentionally blinking amidst the old memories.
And then, when he opened his eyes, only he remained under the magnificent sky.
-&-
The sakura mochi, purchased from a famous restaurant recommended by Naganohara's daughter, was so delicious that Kazuha decided to buy another portion to take home.
Cherry blossoms still bloomed along this road, yet the night wind brought a familiar chill. Kazuha smiled softly; he never thought the final resting place of that person would be so serene.
"I brought sakura mochi, my friend."
Until the sail is raised again, until the sun wakes, perhaps it will still be a long time yet.