He was happy. That’s all it matters to Mikazuki Munechika, as he seated outside with a steaming hot cup of green tea, he waited patiently like he always do.

Mikazuki is a patient guy, he can wait in the same spot for the longest time and it won’t bother him because he’ll do anything to welcome his beloved back.

Hours by hours have passed and the sun has begun to set, Mikazuki’s eyes  started to feel tired, but he’s still determined to stay awake. But his body is failing to compile so.

“Perhaps, if I lay down on the floor for a good few minutes will help,” he thought to himself and adjusted himself comfortably. His hands placed under his head as he lied down.

What he didn’t the moment he laid down, his eyes slowly began to close and descended into a deep slumber.

—————————————————————————————————–

It was a gentle, comforting stroke he felt against his hair that woke him up. Who knows how long he has slept while waiting.

“My dear…,” the calm voice greeted Mikazuki, “Have you been waiting out here all day for me?,” There was an obvious hint of worry in his tone.

Mikazuki rubbed his sleepy eyes as he turned facing the person who woke him, his vision slowly adapting to the now red-golden sunset sky and a smile instantly broke on his face.

“Tenka, my love. You have returned,” he greeted sleepily, relieved that he has returned. His hands reached out examining his body to see if he bore any injuries from his trip, “Are you hurt?,”

“I’m fine, Mikazuki,” Tenka Hitofuri began, stroking his cheek in a loving matter, admiring his love, “You didn’t have to wait for me out here for my return. What a trouble you have gone through,”

The other sword sat upright now fully awake, “But it’s a duty of mine to welcome my husband back home. What kind of wife would I be if I don’t?,”

“Well, what kind of a husband would I be if I let my wife get ill for keeping him waiting for me? The weather has been chilly for the past couple of days, I can’t let you get sick,”

“Can I at least welcome you home?,” Mikazuki insisted, determined to become a loving spouse to his other half.

Tenka sighed, “I guess it can’t be help. I’m home,” he smiled.

“Welcome back, Tenka Hitofuri,”

—————————————————————————————————–

“How much time has changed since then,” Mikazuki wondered.

Back to the present day, it felt like nothing much has changed since Mikazuki has been living the longest centuries of his lifetime.

Now serving under a new master, there were certainly new faces in the citadel and some old ones.

“Ichi-nii!,” the loud cheery voices of the tantous can be heard.

Mikazuki’s head tilted up at the sound of the familiar name. And there he was, Ichigo Hitofuri happily smiling and laughing with his Awataguchi siblings. The tantous really looked up to him as a respectful big brother.

Still, that radiant smile on Ichigo’s face is still the same as he could ever remember.

He continued watching as Ichigo’s mouth moved telling something to the tantous and the response was an overwhelming cheers as they rushed back into the citadel. For a moment there, they looked like overexcited children than young soldiers who were made for battle.

Just a thought of that made Mikazuki smile and laughed softly.

“Something amusing, Mikazuki-san?,”

He stopped completely, and a sudden spike of his heartbeat began racing. Why is it racing? He didn’t asked for this.

“Ah,” he began. “It’s just…, you’re so kind with the tantous,”

“They are my brothers after all. It is a responsibility as a big brother to take good care of them,”

His response surprised him, and instantly thought back of an old memory.

Ichigo blinked once, “Is something a matter, Mikazuki-san?,”

Quickly, he brushed away that thought, “Nothing’s wrong, Ichigo-san,” he smiled again.

But Ichigo isn’t convinced at all, “Are you sure? Your eyes…, they look sad for a moment there,”

“I assure you it’s nothing you should be concern about, I was thinking of an old memory,”

“Of course, you are much older than any of us here in the citadel. Do you mind me asking, what was it like during that era?,”

“It was certainly very much different. I was never used in battle and always kept as a display because of my appearance,” Mikazuki explained.

Ichigo’s face broke into the widest smile, that triggered another heartbeat spike in Mikazuki’s chest. That smile. Oh, how long he has miss that smile?

“That’s impressive, Mikazuki-san. May I ask, what’s your fondest memory during your time?,” he asked.

“Ah, ah…, that I’m afraid I can’t reveal that. It’s a secret,” Mikazuki teased, with a wink and a finger onto his lips.

“Will I ever get to know this secret of yours?,” Ichigo asked back.

“In time, I assure you Ichigo. In time,”

—————————————————————————————————–

Mikazuki loved admiring Tenka Hitofuri. He loved everything about him, his long shoulder length hair, his beautiful features. Since the Tenka is sleeping, he’s going to take the opportunity to admire everything about his husband. And it’s not because of his prince-like looks he has, it’s his radiant personality he bore as well that made Mikazuki love him ever so dearly.

Mikazuki couldn’t help himself, his hand slowly reached out and lightly trace the Tenka’s face. Seeing that he hasn’t woken up by the touch alone, he leaned forward and place the lightest butterfly kiss on his lips.

Like Sleeping Beauty waking up from her deep sleep, the Tenka awoken.

“Mm…,” he moaned sleepily. “Good morning, love,”

“Morning, did you have a good sleep?,”

“I did. I was having an amazing dream, someone was giving me the sweetest kiss ever,”

“And…?,” Mikazuki trailed.

“And when I woke up, I found out you woke me up with a morning kiss,”

“Aren’t I an amazing lover?,” Mikazuki mused.

Tenka sat upright, bringing his face closer to Mikazuki and planting a more formal morning kiss on his lips. “I don’t mind waking up to your kisses every morning, now let me return the favour,” he pecked his lips over and over before pulling Mikazuki back down on the bed.

Tenka’s actions earned Mikazuki a laugh, “Isn’t it too early for this?,”

“It’s never too early to show my love for you,”

—————————————————————————————————–

He doesn’t know what happened when they got separated, all he know was when he woke up Mikazuki was no longer with the presence of his beloved husband. For many years, he became sorrowful and sometimes wept alone for missing him so much. But today, right now, he was very fortunate to be reunited with Ichigo Hitofuri after so long.

The only problem is, Ichigo Hitofuri can’t remember him.

No longer called Tenka Hitofuri, Mikazuki studied him and Ichigo is so much different than he once knew him. Now bearing a shorter hair and height almost close to similiar with Mikazuki, but deep down inside he’s still the same. Ichigo looks much happier despite the tragic past that befallen on Ichigo that Mikazuki so happen to hear from a little bird. Poor Ichigo, Mikazuki thought to himself. He doesn’t deserve it.

But silently he hope Ichigo regain his memories so they’ll be together again just like how they were many years ago.

—————————————————————————————————–

It was late midnight as Mikazuki once again seated outside facing the gardens where you get a good view of the lake, he loved the outdoors as it helped calm his thoughts and also a perfect time to reflect back on his past.

“Mikazuki-san, I didn’t expect to see you here,” a voice spoke from the darkness.

Mikazuki turned to the sound of his name and emerging from the darkness it was Ichigo.

“Ichigo,” he answered with surprise. “I didn’t know you’re awake,”

“Neither do I. Can I join you?,” Ichigo asked politely.

“Please, help yourself,” Mikazuki offered scooting a little for him to sit.

“Thank you,” he thanked and make himself comfortable.

It was silence for a moment and in that silence, Mikazuki thought of something, “This situation now…, it’s just like last time,” Mikazuki thought.

“Lovely night, isn’t it?,” Ichigo asked, breaking the silence.

“Oh, yes. Indeed it was,” Mikazuki commented back, looking out at the night where they could catch a glimpse of fireflies lurking around the night along with a perfect view of the moon tonight.

“May I ask, Mikazuki-san. Why aren’t you at your room?,”

“Ah, well, it appears I have trouble sleeping,” Mikazuki answered. “And yourself?,”

“I had a nightmare. So I thought I would come out and take a breather for a moment,”

“That’s understandable, you need to calm your thoughts before going back to bed,”

“You too as well, right? You must have a lot of things on your mind that keeps you up right now,”

“I suppose you can say that. As an elderly man, I’m not suppose to be having deep thoughts but I guess it just happens,” he joked.

“Like they say, the older you are, the wiser,” Ichigo laughed softly.

He couldn’t help but to laugh as well, “What a beautiful laugh. This really feels like the old times,” Mikazuki thought sadly.

So both of them decided to have a little casual talk since it’s the only thing they can do for now. The conversation was quite pleasant as it went on minute by minute.

“Goodness, we’ve been out here long haven’t we?,” Ichigo answered upon realization. “We should probably head back to our rooms. I feel much better now speaking with you, with that I thank you,” he stood up from his seated position preparing to leave.

Mikazuki felt defeated instantly, he doesn’t want Ichigo to leave. They were both having such a good time, he doesn’t want this moment to be lost again. “Umm…,” he started off, “Please don’t go,” he spoke timidly.

Ichigo turned, surprised, “You don’t want me to go?,”

“I like having you around,” That was certainly no lie in those words.

Ichigo smiled again, “If that’s what you requested, then I shall comply,”

—————————————————————————————————–

It was music in his ears for Tenka Hitofuri, listening to the soft humming of Mikazuki’s as he gently brushed his long locks, once his hair is smooth enough Mikazuki proceed to tie his hair up for him.

“There,” Mikazuki announced proudly. “All done,”

Tenka grabbed the mirror to have a good look, “Impressive, Mikazuki. You’re really good with your hands,” he commented turning back to him.

“Well, I do my best,” Mikazuki added before snuggling close to Tenka.

It’s only the both of them for tonight, together as they gazed up at the full moon that so happened to shine down below the loving couple.

“The moon looks beautiful tonight, doesn’t it?,” Mikazuki asked as he gazed at the bright moon.

“Yes, I agree but…, you’re more beautiful to look at in person,”

Mikazuki is not one to blush but hearing that from Tenka himself causes his cheeks to turn a light pink, “Oh, you…,” he hid his face with the sleeve of his arm.

“It’s true, why would I deny such thing?,” Tenka questioned leaning closer to Mikazuki, his golden eyes locked with his blue, yellow crescent ones. “Your eyes are magical,” he added, “There’s really a moon in your eyes and that’s what’s really unique about you,”

“Please stop, Tenka. You’re making me flustered,” Mikazuki let out a shy giggle attempting to hide more of his face now.

“Don’t you dare hide your face,” Ichigo playfully grabbed both of Mikazuki’s wrist preventing them from shielding his face.

“You’re such a tease!,” Mikazuki expressed, “Tenka!,”

And then their lips collided, in some way Tenka managed to capture Mikazuki’s lips.

It’s one of those moments that Mikazuki enjoyed most, Tenka’s kisses. No matter how many times he receive those kisses, vice versa, Mikazuki would experience the warmness radiating in his heart. The spark never dies.

Tenka pulled away, lightly nuzzled his nose against Mikazuki’s. “See? You even like my kisses,”

“Is that how you treat your wife?,” Mikazuki questioned.

“By complementing and teasing him at the same time? Yes,”

“Cheeky as always, Tenka!,”

—————————————————————————————————–

“Tenka, can I ask something?,” Mikazuki asked tilting his head up that was on Tenka’s shoulder.

“Yes, my dear. Anything at all,” Tenka responded looking down at him.

“Do you think our love can be eternal like our master’s?,” Mikazuki asked.

“Yes, I truly believe our love can last forever. No matter what comes in our way, we have each other, Mikazuki. I promise you with my life,” Tenka vowed with his eyes locked with Mikazuki’s and he raised his hand that held his beloved, kissing it. Such a simple gesture but yet so intimate.

“Have faith in our love, Mikazuki. Have faith,”

—————————————————————————————————–

“Have faith,” Mikazuki repeated softly, remembering yet another memory that he had with Ichigo.

“It’s been centuries. I’m starting to think if I still have any faith left in me. Ichigo, you promised we’ll be inseparable,” he thought again sadly.

Mikazuki was alone by himself again, this time at the gardens outside from the citadel building, Mikazuki wanted to be alone this time away from the public eye so no one would see him go sad again, or shed a tear.

Maybe there’s a reason Ichigo can’t remember, maybe it’s a sign that they should not be together. They’re not destined to be one or husband and wife.

If fate brought them together, then it must be fate again that tore them apart. For good this time.

A lone tear escaped from his eyelid, unsuspectedly dropped on his hand Mikazuki is not the one to cry. But sometimes, it’s best not to let emotions like this get bottled up.

“Mikazuki?,”

Hearing the sound of his name, Mikazuki frantically wiped his teary eyes “Yes, you summoned for me?,” he asked back.

“Glad I could find you here, I was looking everywhere for you,” Ichigo popped right onto Mikazuki’s vision.

“Ichigo, I didn’t expect a visit from you,”

“Well, it’s kind of important that I must speak to you. Do you mind?,” Ichigo asked.

“Of course, you’re always welcome to join me,”

With Mikazuki’s permission Ichigo sat right next to him.

“So what is it so important that you wish to talk to me about?,” Mikazuki asked.

Ichigo hesitated, “Um… well,  how can I say this?,” he asked almost bashfully, scratching the back of his head in an awkward manner as Mikazuki studied his demeanor curiously.

“I’ve been dreaming again,” he finally began. “And I thought you’re the best person to talk about it since you’re a good listener,”

Mikazuki nodded, “I’m all ears,”

Ichigo took a deep breath as if to prepare himself for a long explanation or maybe calming himself before speaking. “I’ve been dreaming about my past lately, I’m sure you knew when I mentioned about my nightmare few nights ago,”

The other sword listened intently.

“The nightmares are scary, I must admit. It’s almost like I went back in time to experience those horrifying moments all over again, I could feel every cuts and bruises that was inflicted on my body, the pain was real…,” he trailed on and then paused for a moment. His lips were trembling and Mikazuki could see that.

“Then there was the fire. And everything hurts,” Ichigo’s voice cracked slightly.

By instinct Mikazuki’s hands reached out and held against Ichigo’s firmly, “Stop, don’t say it anymore. You’re only going to hurt yourself even more,”

“No, I’m not done yet. You must listen to the rest of the story, it’s important,” he argued back.

The other could only gulped silently and let Ichigo continue on,

“The fire in my dreams. It was terrifying, every time I close my eyes, the scene plays over again,” he went on, his hand that was still on Mikazuki’s gripped a little more firmer.  “But something changed last night,” Ichigo’s eyes soften. “Somehow there’s a light, and then I hear a voice, it sounded all too familiar,”

At this point, Mikazuki’s heart was pounding against his chest.

Ichigo’s gripped hand that was on Mikazuki’s soften, “It was your voice I hear in my dreams,”

Hearing those words, in some way made his chest felt warm, “Ichigo…,”

“I didn’t know who the voice belonged to at first, and then an image. I questioned it as I can’t figure out who it was until it got clearer…, it was Mikazuki,”

Mikazuki was completely speechless at this point.

“Everything was clear at this point and I saw everything that transcends what happened to me before… Mikazuki…,” Ichigo’s fingers now lightly stroking his hands. “I remembered everything,”

“I-Ichigo…, you mean… are you trying to say…?,”

The male raised their hands, his lips lightly brushed against Mikazuki’s affectionately, “My beautiful wife…,”

“Ichigo!,” Mikazuki expressed with so much joy that he burst into tears, “You remembered?,”

He reached out and stroke his cheek, wiping his tears away, “Yes, I remembered everything, I’m sorry it took so long. But I’m here now, the Ichigo you remember and love,” Ichigo leaned forward, kissing his tears away.

“I-I was starting to lose hope that you won’t regain your memories back. How long I’ve been waiting for you,”

“You always have sadness written in your eyes although you have your smile to cover it up, it began to make me question why? Then the dream happened,”

“When you couldn’t remember me…, it feels like you’re so far away…,” Mikazuki answered sadly.

“I admit my memories were not entirely recovered. But you’re my important memory, it always was. Which is why I have one request to ask from you,”

“Anything, anything at all,”

“Create new memories with me, Mikazuki. New memories of us and I can promise you our love can stay eternal forever this time,”

Mikazuki was beaming at this point, happy tears now streaming down his face, “I accept your proposal,”

And with that, they sealed it with a kiss.

He was happy. That’s all it matters to Mikazuki Munechika, as he seated outside with a steaming hot cup of green tea, he waited patiently like he always do.

Mikazuki is a patient guy, he can wait in the same spot for the longest time and it won’t bother him because he’ll do anything to welcome his beloved back.

Hours by hours have passed and the sun has begun to set, Mikazuki’s eyes  started to feel tired, but he’s still determined to stay awake. But his body is failing to compile so.

“Perhaps, if I lay down on the floor for a good few minutes will help,” he thought to himself and adjusted himself comfortably. His hands placed under his head as he lied down.

What he didn’t the moment he laid down, his eyes slowly began to close and descended into a deep slumber.

It was a gentle, comforting stroke he felt against his hair that woke him up. Who knows how long he has slept while waiting.

“My dear…,” the calm voice greeted Mikazuki, “Have you been waiting out here all day for me?,” There was an obvious hint of worry in his tone.

Mikazuki rubbed his sleepy eyes as he turned facing the person who woke him, his vision slowly adapting to the now red-golden sunset sky and a smile instantly broke on his face.

“Tenka, my love. You have returned,” he greeted sleepily, relieved that he has returned. His hands reached out examining his body to see if he bore any injuries from his trip, “Are you hurt?,”

“I’m fine, Mikazuki,” Tenka Hitofuri began, stroking his cheek in a loving matter, admiring his love, “You didn’t have to wait for me out here for my return. What a trouble you have gone through,”

The other sword sat upright now fully awake, “But it’s a duty of mine to welcome my husband back home. What kind of wife would I be if I don’t?,”

“Well, what kind of a husband would I be if I let my wife get ill for keeping him waiting for me? The weather has been chilly for the past couple of days, I can’t let you get sick,”

“Can I at least welcome you home?,” Mikazuki insisted, determined to become a loving spouse to his other half.

Tenka sighed, “I guess it can’t be help. I’m home,” he smiled.

“Welcome back, Tenka Hitofuri,”

“How much time has changed since then,” Mikazuki wondered.

Back to the present day, it felt like nothing much has changed since Mikazuki has been living the longest centuries of his lifetime.

Now serving under a new master, there were certainly new faces in the citadel and some old ones.

“Ichi-nii!,” the loud cheery voices of the tantous can be heard.

Mikazuki’s head tilted up at the sound of the familiar name. And there he was, Ichigo Hitofuri happily smiling and laughing with his Awataguchi siblings. The tantous really looked up to him as a respectful big brother.

Still, that radiant smile on Ichigo’s face is still the same as he could ever remember.

He continued watching as Ichigo’s mouth moved telling something to the tantous and the response was an overwhelming cheers as they rushed back into the citadel. For a moment there, they looked like overexcited children than young soldiers who were made for battle.

Just a thought of that made Mikazuki smile and laughed softly.

“Something amusing, Mikazuki-san?,”

He stopped completely, and a sudden spike of his heartbeat began racing. Why is it racing? He didn’t asked for this.

“Ah,” he began. “It’s just…, you’re so kind with the tantous,”

“They are my brothers after all. It is a responsibility as a big brother to take good care of them,”

His response surprised him, and instantly thought back of an old memory.

Ichigo blinked once, “Is something a matter, Mikazuki-san?,”

Quickly, he brushed away that thought, “Nothing’s wrong, Ichigo-san,” he smiled again.

But Ichigo isn’t convinced at all, “Are you sure? Your eyes…, they look sad for a moment there,”

“I assure you it’s nothing you should be concern about, I was thinking of an old memory,”

“Of course, you are much older than any of us here in the citadel. Do you mind me asking, what was it like during that era?,”

“It was certainly very much different. I was never used in battle and always kept as a display because of my appearance,” Mikazuki explained.

Ichigo’s face broke into the widest smile, that triggered another heartbeat spike in Mikazuki’s chest. That smile. Oh, how long he has miss that smile?

“That’s impressive, Mikazuki-san. May I ask, what’s your fondest memory during your time?,” he asked.

“Ah, ah…, that I’m afraid I can’t reveal that. It’s a secret,” Mikazuki teased, with a wink and a finger onto his lips.

“Will I ever get to know this secret of yours?,” Ichigo asked back.

“In time, I assure you Ichigo. In time,”

Mikazuki loved admiring Tenka Hitofuri. He loved everything about him, his long shoulder length hair, his beautiful features. Since the Tenka is sleeping, he’s going to take the opportunity to admire everything about his husband. And it’s not because of his prince-like looks he has, it’s his radiant personality he bore as well that made Mikazuki love him ever so dearly.

Mikazuki couldn’t help himself, his hand slowly reached out and lightly trace the Tenka’s face. Seeing that he hasn’t woken up by the touch alone, he leaned forward and place the lightest butterfly kiss on his lips.

Like Sleeping Beauty waking up from her deep sleep, the Tenka awoken.

“Mm…,” he moaned sleepily. “Good morning, love,”

“Morning, did you have a good sleep?,”

“I did. I was having an amazing dream, someone was giving me the sweetest kiss ever,”

“And…?,” Mikazuki trailed.

“And when I woke up, I found out you woke me up with a morning kiss,”

“Aren’t I an amazing lover?,” Mikazuki mused.

Tenka sat upright, bringing his face closer to Mikazuki and planting a more formal morning kiss on his lips. “I don’t mind waking up to your kisses every morning, now let me return the favour,” he pecked his lips over and over before pulling Mikazuki back down on the bed.

Tenka’s actions earned Mikazuki a laugh, “Isn’t it too early for this?,”

“It’s never too early to show my love for you,”

He doesn’t know what happened when they got separated, all he know was when he woke up Mikazuki was no longer with the presence of his beloved husband. For many years, he became sorrowful and sometimes wept alone for missing him so much. But today, right now, he was very fortunate to be reunited with Ichigo Hitofuri after so long.

The only problem is, Ichigo Hitofuri can’t remember him.

No longer called Tenka Hitofuri, Mikazuki studied him and Ichigo is so much different than he once knew him. Now bearing a shorter hair and height almost close to similiar with Mikazuki, but deep down inside he’s still the same. Ichigo looks much happier despite the tragic past that befallen on Ichigo that Mikazuki so happen to hear from a little bird. Poor Ichigo, Mikazuki thought to himself. He doesn’t deserve it.

But silently he hope Ichigo regain his memories so they’ll be together again just like how they were many years ago.

It was late midnight as Mikazuki once again seated outside facing the gardens where you get a good view of the lake, he loved the outdoors as it helped calm his thoughts and also a perfect time to reflect back on his past.

“Mikazuki-san, I didn’t expect to see you here,” a voice spoke from the darkness.

Mikazuki turned to the sound of his name and emerging from the darkness it was Ichigo.

“Ichigo,” he answered with surprise. “I didn’t know you’re awake,”

“Neither do I. Can I join you?,” Ichigo asked politely.

“Please, help yourself,” Mikazuki offered scooting a little for him to sit.

“Thank you,” he thanked and make himself comfortable.

It was silence for a moment and in that silence, Mikazuki thought of something, “This situation now…, it’s just like last time,” Mikazuki thought.

“Lovely night, isn’t it?,” Ichigo asked, breaking the silence.

“Oh, yes. Indeed it was,” Mikazuki commented back, looking out at the night where they could catch a glimpse of fireflies lurking around the night along with a perfect view of the moon tonight.

“May I ask, Mikazuki-san. Why aren’t you at your room?,”

“Ah, well, it appears I have trouble sleeping,” Mikazuki answered. “And yourself?,”

“I had a nightmare. So I thought I would come out and take a breather for a moment,”

“That’s understandable, you need to calm your thoughts before going back to bed,”

“You too as well, right? You must have a lot of things on your mind that keeps you up right now,”

“I suppose you can say that. As an elderly man, I’m not suppose to be having deep thoughts but I guess it just happens,” he joked.

“Like they say, the older you are, the wiser,” Ichigo laughed softly.

He couldn’t help but to laugh as well, “What a beautiful laugh. This really feels like the old times,” Mikazuki thought sadly.

So both of them decided to have a little casual talk since it’s the only thing they can do for now. The conversation was quite pleasant as it went on minute by minute.

“Goodness, we’ve been out here long haven’t we?,” Ichigo answered upon realization. “We should probably head back to our rooms. I feel much better now speaking with you, with that I thank you,” he stood up from his seated position preparing to leave.

Mikazuki felt defeated instantly, he doesn’t want Ichigo to leave. They were both having such a good time, he doesn’t want this moment to be lost again. “Umm…,” he started off, “Please don’t go,” he spoke timidly.

Ichigo turned, surprised, “You don’t want me to go?,”

“I like having you around,” That was certainly no lie in those words.

Ichigo smiled again, “If that’s what you requested, then I shall comply,”

It was music in his ears for Tenka Hitofuri, listening to the soft humming of Mikazuki’s as he gently brushed his long locks, once his hair is smooth enough Mikazuki proceed to tie his hair up for him.

“There,” Mikazuki announced proudly. “All done,”

Tenka grabbed the mirror to have a good look, “Impressive, Mikazuki. You’re really good with your hands,” he commented turning back to him.

“Well, I do my best,” Mikazuki added before snuggling close to Tenka.

It’s only the both of them for tonight, together as they gazed up at the full moon that so happened to shine down below the loving couple.

“The moon looks beautiful tonight, doesn’t it?,” Mikazuki asked as he gazed at the bright moon.

“Yes, I agree but…, you’re more beautiful to look at in person,”

Mikazuki is not one to blush but hearing that from Tenka himself causes his cheeks to turn a light pink, “Oh, you…,” he hid his face with the sleeve of his arm.

“It’s true, why would I deny such thing?,” Tenka questioned leaning closer to Mikazuki, his golden eyes locked with his blue, yellow crescent ones. “Your eyes are magical,” he added, “There’s really a moon in your eyes and that’s what’s really unique about you,”

“Please stop, Tenka. You’re making me flustered,” Mikazuki let out a shy giggle attempting to hide more of his face now.

“Don’t you dare hide your face,” Ichigo playfully grabbed both of Mikazuki’s wrist preventing them from shielding his face.

“You’re such a tease!,” Mikazuki expressed, “Tenka!,”

And then their lips collided, in some way Tenka managed to capture Mikazuki’s lips.

It’s one of those moments that Mikazuki enjoyed most, Tenka’s kisses. No matter how many times he receive those kisses, vice versa, Mikazuki would experience the warmthness radiating in his heart. The spark never dies.

Tenka pulled away, lightly nuzzled his nose against Mikazuki’s. “See? You even like my kisses,”

“Is that how you treat your wife?,” Mikazuki questioned.

“By complementing and teasing him at the same time? Yes,”

“Cheeky as always, Tenka!,”

“Tenka, can I ask something?,” Mikazuki asked tilting his head up that was on Tenka’s shoulder.

“Yes, my dear. Anything at all,” Tenka responded looking down at him.

“Do you think our love can be eternal like our master’s?,” Mikazuki asked.

“Yes, I truly believe our love can last forever. No matter what comes in our way, we have each other, Mikazuki. I promise you with my life,” Tenka vowed with his eyes locked with Mikazuki’s and he raised his hand that held his beloved, kissing it. Such a simple gesture but yet so intimate.

“Have faith in our love, Mikazuki. Have faith,”

“Have faith,” Mikazuki repeated softly, remembering yet another memory that he had with Ichigo.

“It’s been centuries. I’m starting to think if I still have any faith left in me. Ichigo, you promised we’ll be inseparable,” he thought again sadly.

Mikazuki was alone by himself again, this time at the gardens outside from the citadel building, Mikazuki wanted to be alone this time away from the public eye so no one would see him go sad again, or shed a tear.

Maybe there’s a reason Ichigo can’t remember, maybe it’s a sign that they should not be together. They’re not destined to be one or husband and wife.

If fate brought them together, then it must be fate again that tore them apart. For good this time.

A lone tear escaped from his eyelid, unsuspectedly dropped on his hand Mikazuki is not the one to cry. But sometimes, it’s best not to let emotions like this get bottled up.

“Mikazuki?,”

Hearing the sound of his name, Mikazuki frantically wiped his teary eyes “Yes, you summoned for me?,” he asked back.

“Glad I could find you here, I was looking everywhere for you,” Ichigo popped right onto Mikazuki’s vision.

“Ichigo, I didn’t expect a visit from you,”

“Well, it’s kind of important that I must speak to you. Do you mind?,” Ichigo asked.

“Of course, you’re always welcome to join me,”

With Mikazuki’s permission Ichigo sat right next to him.

“So what is it so important that you wish to talk to me about?,” Mikazuki asked.

Ichigo hesitated, “Um… well,  how can I say this?,” he asked almost bashfully, scratching the back of his head in an awkward manner as Mikazuki studied his demeanor curiously.

“I’ve been dreaming again,” he finally began. “And I thought you’re the best person to talk about it since you’re a good listener,”

Mikazuki nodded, “I’m all ears,”

Ichigo took a deep breath as if to prepare himself for a long explanation or maybe calming himself before speaking. “I’ve been dreaming about my past lately, I’m sure you knew when I mentioned about my nightmare few nights ago,”

The other sword listened intently.

“The nightmares are scary, I must admit. It’s almost like I went back in time to experience those horrifying moments all over again, I could feel every cuts and bruises that was inflicted on my body, the pain was real…,” he trailed on and then paused for a moment. His lips were trembling and Mikazuki could see that.

“Then there was the fire. And everything hurts,” Ichigo’s voice cracked slightly.

By instinct Mikazuki’s hands reached out and held against Ichigo’s firmly, “Stop, don’t say it anymore. You’re only going to hurt yourself even more,”

“No, I’m not done yet. You must listen to the rest of the story, it’s important,” he argued back.

The other could only gulped silently and let Ichigo continue on,

“The fire in my dreams. It was terrifying, every time I close my eyes, the scene plays over again,” he went on, his hand that was still on Mikazuki’s gripped a little more firmer.  “But something changed last night,” Ichigo’s eyes soften. “Somehow there’s a light, and then I hear a voice, it sounded all too familiar,”

At this point, Mikazuki’s heart was pounding against his chest.

Ichigo’s gripped hand that was on Mikazuki’s soften, “It was your voice I hear in my dreams,”

Hearing those words, in some way made his chest felt warm, “Ichigo…,”

“I didn’t know who the voice belonged to at first, and then an image. I questioned it as I can’t figure out who it was until it got clearer…, it was Mikazuki,”

Mikazuki was completely speechless at this point.

“Everything was clear at this point and I saw everything that transcends what happened to me before… Mikazuki…,” Ichigo’s fingers now lightly stroking his hands. “I remembered everything,”

“I-Ichigo…, you mean… are you trying to say…?,”

The male raised their hands, his lips lightly brushed against Mikazuki’s affectionately, “My beautiful wife…,”

“Ichigo!,” Mikazuki expressed with so much joy that he burst into tears, “You remembered?,”

He reached out and stroke his cheek, wiping his tears away, “Yes, I remembered everything, I’m sorry it took so long. But I’m here now, the Ichigo you remember and love,” Ichigo leaned forward, kissing his tears away.

“I-I was starting to lose hope that you won’t regain your memories back. How long I’ve been waiting for you,”

“You always have sadness written in your eyes although you have your smile to cover it up, it began to make me question why? Then the dream happened,”

“When you couldn’t remember me…, it feels like you’re so far away…,” Mikazuki answered sadly.

“I admit my memories were not entirely recovered. But you’re my important memory, it always was. Which is why I have one request to ask from you,”

“Anything, anything at all,”

“Create new memories with me, Mikazuki. New memories of us and I can promise you our love can stay eternal forever this time,”

Mikazuki was beaming at this point, happy tears now streaming down his face, “I accept your proposal,”