The Forgotten Memories [Final]

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 4: Reminiscent

The weather seemed nice for a long walk. The troops were practically enjoying the scenery while advancing to their next destination. The current hills had many good spots to spread a sheet for a meal. Horikawa was glancing around in awe throughout the trek.

"It's such a nice view from up here. People are planting vegetables down there," Yasusada pointed at the field to Kashuu. They were holding hands and looking at the small houses they passed by.

"So serene," Hotarumaru crouched down, picking up the grass below his feet with his hands. His eyes gazed at the horizon.

"Let's get moving." Taroutachi picked up his pace. Hotarumaru clicked his tongue before standing up straight and followed him.

"Master said there was Kebiishi spawning somewhere near the last map we went into." Horikawa said, checking the map in his hands.

"We'll just have kill it and go straight home!" Kanesada added, smirking widely. He strolled past Taroutachi with his sword resting on his shoulder.

"Be careful, it was pretty strong the last time we encountered it," he said, tailing his partner.

"Keh! I'm strong!" The long haired man scoffed.

Both Kashuu and Yasusada stared at each other.

"We have to keep an eye on him." Ichigo said, his eyes never leaving Kanesada.

"If he breaks, Horikawa will break." Kashuu said in a quiet voice. Yasusada gave his hand a firm squeeze.

"I'm alright." Kashuu whispered close to his ear. The twins smiled at each other.

"Be safe." Yasusada whispered back. A nod from Kashuu calmed his heart.

The battle grew more difficult as the troops marched further down the deserted ground. As soon as they reached the destination, each of them stood by their positions while the enemies spawned around them. The lightning struck again as the troops clashed their swords with the enemies, deflecting any flying arrows and rocks.

Horikawa guarded Kanesada's back. The taller man was thoroughly enjoying swinging his sword and killing the enemies. Fewer enemies were getting spawned after each of them was defeated. The enemy captain's attacks were pretty fast. Fortunately, Horikawa didn't miss seeing it lurch towards them.

"Kane-san!" he shouted, pushing Kanesada aside abruptly and clashed his sword with the Kebiishi which was twice the size of him. His sword cracked and fractured from the impact. Horikawa coughed up blood from the damage.

"Horikawa!"

The other teammates quickly dispatched the remaining enemies and ran towards their direction.

Kanesada's eyes widened as memory came flooding back to him and attacked him like crazy.

"Kane-san! We did it!"

"Baka, Kunihiro!"

It was a recollection of his last battle before he lost his memory. He had protected Horikawa from the enemy's blade.

"KANE-SAN!" Horikawa's terrified voice could be heard from miles away.

Something similar had happened before he was refined. During the explosion, he was on the verge of breaking and consequently lost his memory during the refinement.

"You bastard... I'LL KILL YOU!" Kanesada shouted as he swung his sword, slicing the Kebiishi.

The party gasped at Kanesada's awakening. The Kebiishi was instantly killed by the powerful blow and disintegrated into dust. Horikawa dropped to his knees, gasping in relief. Kanesada caught him in his arms before he collapsed.

"Baka... You shouldn't have protected me like that. It should have been the other way round." Kanesada muttered, smiling down at Horikawa who chuckled in return. Everyone smiled at the returning of the old Kanesada.

"Kane-san… We did it. And you finally gained your memory back..." Horikawa mumbled weakly as Kanesada carried him up in his arms.

"Stop talking or you'll definitely break down."

"Let's go back." Taroutachi couldn't hold his smile back at the sight of the couple in front of him.

The atmosphere lightened considerably on their journey back home with everyone else surrounding Kanesada and Horikawa.

That night, there was a big feast to celebrate two events – the defeat of the Kebiishi and the recovery of Kanesada. Horikawa set a tray of tea down beside Kanesada with a big smile on his face.

"Here, Kane-san. The usual tea, brewed to your liking."

"Are you sure it's alright to wander around?"

"I'm alright, don't worry." Horikawa assured, swinging his arms slightly to show that his body was fit enough.

Kanesada smirked at him.

"You know, I tried to make the tea on my own and it tasted different than yours." The taller of the two said after he took a sip of his drink. Horikawa giggled.

"Well I know what you like the most." He explained while nodding. Kanesada laughed and patted on Horikawa's head.

"Hey, don't talk. Eat as much as you can!"

The couple chuckled and started digging in their food.

That night most of the Toudans were too full to move. Some even slept in the middle of the living room.

Kanesada went outside to the porch, staring at the nearby fish pond. He took a deep breath of the fresh night air and sighed contently. He was glad that he was himself again. The Uchigatana heard the door that separated the living room slid open before it was closed again. Horikawa sauntered to the porch, approaching his lifetime partner with a smile on his face.

"Can't sleep?" The boy asked his lover.

"Aah well… The quiet night and the fresh air made me want to gaze at the sky all night long." Kanesada patted the porch beside him as he sat down, inviting Horikawa to join him. He felt so content to have his lover sat by his side.

The young Wakizashi leaned against his shoulder, happy to have their life back to normal. Kanesada peeked down on Horikawa's happy face. He caressed his head lightly and breathed out anxiously.

"I'm sorry... that you had to go through that."

"No, it's not your fault. You protected me."

"Yes, but still, I'm not happy with what you are doing back then!" Kanesada retorted.

"Is it wrong to protect the one you love?" Horikawa shot back, a little annoyed. They stared at each other before Kanesada raised his hand in defeat.

"We are worrying over each other's action. Are we children?"

Horikawa burst out laughing. His opponent smiled at his hearty laughter. It was so melodic to his ears.

"By the way, here, I made a new amulet for you." Horikawa handed over the new amulet to Kanesada.

Kanesada eyed at the handmade amulet which was embroidered with Horikawa's name on it.

"Mine has your name on it. Just so we'll remember each other if the same thing happens again next time. I won't forget you and you won't forget me."

Kanesada wrapped his fingers around the amulet preciously.

"I promise, no matter how hard the battle was, I won't break." Kanesada vowed.

Horikawa nodded in satisfaction. He gasped softly when Kanesada pulled him into his arms.

"I promise I won't ever forget you anymore." He whispered to his ear, reassuring him as he rubbed Horikawa's back. His lover blinked back his tears, trying to stop himself from sobbing like a baby. He circled his arms around the larger man, pulling him closer. He couldn't stop himself from silently soaking Kanesada's clothes with his tears. His lover caressed his back and kissed the top of his head while whispering sweet nothings to him.

"I love you, don't cry…" He whispered sweetly, kissing his earlobe. Horikawa was practically clinging on to him as he was brought up to his lap.

"Kane-san… I'm happy that you are back… I love you." he wrapped his arms around Kanesada's neck and peered into his eyes. Kanesada smiled, pecking his lips softly.

"Any welcome back gift for me?" The long hair man chuckled after seeing his lover's cheeks turning red.

Kanesada rewarded Horikawa's warm cheeks with a soft kiss and his lips with a warm kiss, welcoming the longing feeling in his heart. His lover purred when their lips clashed, pressing his body to him as closely as possible as they savored each other, not wanting to break the kiss anytime soon.

Kanesada licked his lips, begging for entrance. Horikawa opened them, inviting his lover's tongue to invade his warm crevice. Feelings surged when their tongue met. It made him moan in delight.

"Umn…" he caressed Kanesada's long hair, squirming on his lap. The friction against his lower belly made him gasp.

"Horikawa" Kanesada whispered, his hand unbuttoning a few buttons of his clothes.

"Ummn? Kane-san?" He opened his mouth and stuttered as his lover marked him on his neck. His eyes widened at realization. "Wait, we shouldn't do anything in here… not on the porch."

"Why not? Everyone is asleep. Just try to keep it down."

"W-wait, Kane-san! It's impossible!" He protested, his face was already as red as a tomato. He was silenced by another kiss from his lover. He could only moan in return.

"Such a clear blue sky." Yasusada said as he gazed at the vast starry sky from the balcony. Kashuu wrapped his arms around him from behind. Yasusada smiled at the affection.

"Kiyo, I'm sorry. Did I wake you up?" His lover shook his head. He could see a few bruises formed on several places on Kashuu's body under the moonlight. He pulled him closer and kissed his forehead.

"It's alright," he replied before his eyes caught something.

"Oh my God!" he exclaimed. Yasusada looked at him questioningly. Kashuu sprinted to the wooden railing of the balcony and squinted his eyes to get a better look at the porch near to the pond. Yasusada gawked at the sight before him.

"Oh wow… maybe we should do that too." He was cut off by Kashuu's punch on his head.

"Don't be crazy!" He rasped out, trying to block out the image that was burned onto his retinas.

"At least they are together again." Yasusada chuckled, walking back inside his room. Kashuu massaged his temple and closed the curtain.

"Just hope no one else is watching them."

Yasusada laughed.

"There will be big news in the morning if someone was watching."

Kashuu grunted and landed on the futon.

What will you do when that someone actually loses his memory of you…?

"Stay strong, don't break and stay sharp."

That was the best advice from Ichigo-nii!

Horikawa smiled happily. He saw Kanesada strolling around the garden tending to his flowers.

"Kane-san!" He chased after his lover.

The End

Back to the beginning ... I will runaway now...