The Forgotten Memories [Chp2]

Chp 1 | Chp 2 | Chp 3 | Chp 4

Genre: Romance – Angst – Hurt – Comfort – Drama

Rating: R15

Pairing: (mainly) Izumi no Kami Kanesada x Horikawa Kunihiro

Side pairing: Yamato no Kami Yasusada x Kashuu Kiyomitsu

Summary:"Kunihiro? That guy has always insisted that he is my partner… but somehow… I can't remember since when… Hell, I'm not even close to him… He is too persistent sometimes."

Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction made for personal satisfaction. Touken Ranbu belongs to DMM and Nitroplus. No connection is implied or should be in inferred.

Chapter 2: Forgotten Memories

Horikawa stared blankly at the ceiling of his bedroom. His eyes drifted to the amulet that Kanesada had thrown away right before his eyes. He put the back of his hand on his forehead, remembering the event from a few days ago.

"Horikawa, wake up."

"Mmn? Master?"

"Kanesada is alright now. You shouldn't be sleeping in front of the refinery door, you know."

The boy didn't even believe what he was hearing. He quickly rose to his feet, hastily opening the door of the refinery for all toudan. There he saw Kanesada sitting in front of the refinery utilities. He looked glowingly healthy and fine again. Horikawa absentmindedly dropped the outerwear clothes which was soiled by blood. His eyes glistened with tears. His broke into a run towards the man of his life, enveloping him in an enormous embrace as he silently sobbed.

"Kane-san! I heard from Master that you are alright! Thank God!" Horikawa murmured, rocking against the man softly.

"I thought… I thought you were done for. I'm glad that you are alright. You were wounded pretty badly, Kane-san." The raven hair boy wiped his tears away.

Kanesada stared at him silently. As soon as their eyes met, the taller of the two slapped Horikawa away from him. The boy let out a surprise yelp.

"K-Kane-san?" He rubbed his swollen cheek, feeling perturbed towards his partner's action.

"Don't just run out hugging me like that. Who the hell are you?"

The statement was enough to make Horikawa look at him in utter confusion.

"W-what?" Horikawa stared at his master who watched over them from the doorway.

"…Master…?" His eyes were searching for an explanation.

"In order to defend you, Kanesada lost his memory. Not all of it; some of them still remained. He was on the verge of disappearing after all."

Horikawa was shaking as soon as the statement went through his head. Kanesada… his partner and the person he looked up to. His other half... He had forgotten about him. It reminded him of the time when he was still level 1. Tears were streaming down his cheeks. He hiccupped twice while sobbing, cupping his mouth to restrain himself from breaking down loudly.

"Horikawa…" The master gazed at him in sadness.

"Horikawa? Huh, are you crying?" Kashuu and Yasusada ran up to him. Both of them coddled the boy as he cried.

The raven haired boy retrieved the amulet. Picking up his sword, he wrapped the amulet around the sword hilt. He examined it for a second before he smiled. The amulet was never replaced with a new one, no matter how many maps they ventured into.

Horikawa rubbed away his tears. He needed to be strong in a time like this. Kanesada might remember something if he kept chasing after him.

The moon was shining brightly. The sky was clear enough for countless stars to be seen gleaming brightly. The young Wakizashi stepped out from the porch, sighing at the cold summer night. He stared at the sky, blue eyes gleaming in hope.

"Are you still awake?"

A familiar voice made him jump, Horikawa turned to look at the figure lurking in the darkness. He breathed a sigh of relief when a familiar silhouette emerged. The figure's light blue short hair seemingly glowed in the darkness.

"Don't surprise me like that, Ichigo-Nii."

Horikawa gave a smile at the Tantous who were following their big brother.

Ichigo Hitofuri laughed at him while scratching the back of his head apologetically.

"Sorry, I'm just surprised to see someone walking outside of the house at this hour. These little guys refused to change their duty hour."

"I'm brave!" Imanotsurugi spoke up.

"Me too! I'll beat them up!" Atsu Toushirou said in a loud voice.

"They won't stand a chance against me!" Namazou Toushirou added.

The rest agreed and Ichigo could only laugh at their antics.

"But if you are too tired and sleepy, they'll easily beat you." Ichigo patted their heads. Some of them pouted at the gesture.

"Don't treat us like a kid!" Midare scolded.

Horikawa chuckled at their reactions.

"Ichigo-Nii is right. You will have to take turns or you'll pass out during battle." He added, helping the big brother in charge. When some of them was about to retort, Horikawa pointed to himself.

"I'll help him too if that is alright with you guys."

"Aah sure… why not." The blue haired man agreed. The little Tantous "all" hummed in agreement with a little disappointment mixed in their tone.

"Now let's send you guys back to your room." He took Midare's hand and the rest followed suit. Seeing Horikawa still rooted to the spot, Imanotsurugi asked Horikawa a question.

"Horikawa-san…" he walked over to him, concern shown on his face. Ichigo glanced in their direction, stopping dead on his track. The others waited for Imanotsurugi curiously.

"What is it?" Horikawa bent down to be on the same eye level as the boy.

"Hasn't Kanesada-san regained his memory?" he asked worriedly. Horikawa looked at him flabbergasted.

"Aah… well, not yet."

"I see…"

"I won't forget you though, Ichigo-Nii." Atsu suddenly said.

"Me too, I'll never forget you!" Namazou beamed.

"Same here." The other Tantous said, pulling on Ichigo's arms and hands. Ichigo chuckled at them, blushing as he tried to pat on each of their head. He thought he was just becoming the greatest brother in the world, fully blessed by the kids around him.

Horikawa chuckled at them in amusement and patted Imanotsurugi on his shoulder reassuringly.

"He will gain his memory back. Don't worry."

Their eyes met before Imanotsurugi returned the smile. He nodded and ran back to Ichigo.

"I'll be back again, Horikawa." Ichigo called, dragging the kids away.

Horikawa waved goodbye at them.

"I'll guard outside the gate I guess." He muttered to himself and walked away.

The gate stood ajar. Horikawa peeked outside of the gate. The person he longed for was staring off into the space, at the dark deserted ground. He looked to his side when he heard Horikawa coming out from the gate.

"So I'm with you, huh?" Kane crossed his arms. Horikawa smiled at him.

"Kane-san! How is your- umm body… after the expedition?"

"You know, I'm getting tired hearing that, especially from you. Why do you have to ask me that every time we met?"

Horikawa gawked at him in surprise.

"Umm… I'm just worried."

"No need to worry, you are not my master."

'Because no matter how much I ask you, you still won't remember our memories…'

Horikawa clenched his sword.

"Is everything alright?" Ichigo walked in, staring at both of them.

"Nothing. Actually, I'm done here. You can take my place." Kanesada said before walking away. Ichigo stared at Kanesada then change his direction to Horikawa.

"Are you alright?"

Horikawa nodded, he tried to crack a smile but failed miserably.

"You can cry if you want to."

The shorter of the two shook his head, gripping his sword tighter.

"I've cried too much. I must stop myself." The raven wiped away his tears.

Ichigo patted him on the shoulder.

"You are strong, Horikawa. You are strong."

His blue eyes gazed up to the clear sky that was becoming cloudy, as if sympathizing with Horikawa's tears.

TBC