Home - Kaede

Waking up, my eyes stare at the ceiling, thinking of all the event's that happened these past couple days. I know I can't stay here for long, I need to get back to Fleur and Faye in Azalea... back home. I had no idea if I was found out, or if people are out looking for me, so after some time waking up, I grab my things before making my way out of the inn.

Walking outside, I could see the streets were bustling, with people going in all different directions. Looking at their faces, none of them were staring at me, which seemed like a good sign. If news spread of the murder in Clesbridge to Oakvale, then I'd expect the stares, but there wasn't any. Thinking it was a perfect time as any, I head towards the west gate which leads back to Azalea.

However, a thought entered my mind during my walk. "What if the guards took notice in the direction I was heading and told people where I was?" I didn't want to risk it, In case people really are searching for me, I wouldn't want them to know I was heading to Azalea. So instead, I use my strength to jump over the wall where there was no one around with bags in hand before landing on the other side. The strength I get from human blood is insane. Jumping that high would be impossible normally, as it only makes me reaffirm that I'm not normal at all.

After getting my bearings, I walk into the forest, making sure no one had spotted me as the forest slowly consumes me. I'd have to keep hidden for a while before getting back on the path; at least until Oakvale was no longer in sight.

Time passes during my walk in the forest when finally, looking behind me, there was no sign of Oakvale, choosing to walk back on the dirt path, letting out a sigh of relief.

I'm glad that it wasn't raining today as well, maybe things will turn around once I make it back. I missed Fleur and Faye so much, that I felt my legs speed up, walking faster. I just hope news doesn't spread and I'm forced to leave. "Maybe I should never of left; but then I wouldn't of met Nick or Alice". My heart tightens up like someone is squeezing it, at the thought of everyone I cared for now thinking that I'm a monster.

During my walk back to Azalea, I had to duck back into the forest when caravans rode by. I really didn't want people to see me until I made it home, although I had no idea how far away it was. It felt like I had been walking for the whole day at this point, but the sun was still shining brightly at me. The heat of the sun blazing down above me was getting too much to handle, so I stuck with walking in the tree line; in the darkness where I should be.

To my surprise, I could see Azalea. I guess Faye did say that Oakvale was kinda close to Azalea. I breathed a sigh of relief at the thought of my journey coming to an end, I could finally meet back up with the sisters. I had to sneak past the guards once more, in case there would be trouble, jumping over the walls when no one was looking before landing on the other side. Where I chose to jump was actually at the back of the guild as I could see clearly, the wolf I had left behind. The wolf noticing my surprise visit, knelt down, bowing his head like he was welcoming his master home.

Kaede: "Hey buddy. I'm home"

I give him some neck scratches, as he exposes more of his neck. He probably thought I wanted to drink on his blood, but I was still full from... That man. So I stuck with just patting him.

Faye: "Silver! Got some more left-"

Faye had come out from the back door, walking out before stopping her sentence as her eyes lock onto mine.

Kaede: "I'm home~"

Faye: "Sis! Kaede's back!"

I could hear the sounds of dishes clattering, accompanied by heavy footsteps until finally, out came Fleur next to Faye, her expression in complete shock before a giant smile appeared on her face.

Fleur: "Kaede!"

Fleur pounced towards me, almost collapsing on me as I had to hold her weight up before she brings me into a deep embrace; I had to drop all my things to catch her. Faye quickly came as well, wrapping her arms around me from the side.

Kaede: "I missed you guys"

Faye: "We missed you too"

Fleur couldn't respond as I could tell she was about to cry in my chest, I wrap my arms around the both of them, giving them the first genuine smile I have done in a while.

Kaede: "I'm glad you two are alright. I was worried that the dragon that was sighted may of come from here and hurt you guys."

Fleur: "Oh! Yeah I heard about that from the other guilds. I was so worried to have heard you participated in that fight, but I'm glad you're okay~"

She continued to embrace me, as I let her do as she pleased. I really did feel like her child right now. Faye now after a while, lets go of her embrace before looking towards me.

Faye: "Speaking about news from other guilds. You got a letter today. Talk about coincidence haha"

My heart stopped. Was I found out already? Is it a summons to an execution or something? Did that boy from the other day tell people what I looked like?

Kaede: "I uhm. What's in the letter?"

Faye: "Can't tell you. It's your letter after all. We aren't allowed to look at our client's business."

Kaede: "I don't think I want to know what's in it."

Fleur: "Why is that?"

Kaede: "I..."

Do I just tell them? They've known me for most of my life, they are like family to me, I'm sure they can understand.

Kaede: "I might be in trouble."

Fleur had finally stopped hugging me as both of the sisters gave me a little space to continue. Waiting eagerly for me to explain.

Kaede: "I killed someone... In Clesbridge."

Fleur: "...Like murder?"

Kaede: "There was nothing I could do! He was the one that attacked first, I was just defending myself. But people saw me, and now I feel like I'm a criminal. So hearing that there is a letter for me, makes me think its a summons or something."

Fleur: "Hey, don't worry, we believe you. I know you're not some kind of monster that murders people for nothing. You're kind, beautiful, and caring. See even a monster like Silver likes you."

Kaede: "You guys gave him a name?"

Faye: "Mhmm! My idea. He is part of you so in turn, he is also part of our family. He needed a name"

Silver had come up to our legs as Faye knelt down to pat him. They seemed to be on good terms with one another as Silver looked happy being pet by her.

Fleur: "But still. I don't think they would send a letter like that. They would send a person instead, sometimes even multiple. So why don't we come inside?"

Kaede: "Okay"

It made sense, but I could still imagine a letter being sent to warn the guild of a murderer like that... "Wait" If it was a letter like that, then wouldn't it be addressed to the guild and not me? My worries slowly went away as I thought this as we make our way inside.

Inside, Fleur went to the back room as I waited with Faye at one of the empty tables. There was hardly anyone here compared to Maemont, I felt far better now that I was finally home. After some time, Fleur returned, handing me the letter that had the guild seal on it.

Fleur: "Here you go"

Kaede: "Thank you"

I felt nervous. There was still a chance it could be a summons, so after breaking the seal nervously, I took out the parchment inside...

Letter To Kaede: "Lets see the cherry blossoms again. Yui Kimura"

Kaede: "..."

Fleur: "What kind of language is that?"

Faye: "I've never seen it before"

Kaede: "..."

Immediately, I started to tear up. This was in my old language, something that no one from this world would understand. Without a doubt, this letter was from her. Tears continued to build up before finally dripping down onto the letter, blurring my vision that I couldn't make out the rest of what else was written.

Fleur: "Kaede?"

Faye: "What's wrong?"

The tears weren't stopping at all. "So she was here after all..." How did she know I was here?

Fleur: "Hey, you're going to ruin the letter with all those tears. Looks like. The sender is from Inasdale..."

Faye: "You went all the way to Inasdale?"

Kaede: "N-no. I got as far as Maemont"

I could barely speak as my throat felt incredibly tight. Noticing that, the sisters surrounded me once more in their embrace. My tears now dripping all over them, as I cried out loud, I couldn't hold them back no more as I cling onto them, my fingers digging into their clothes. The few people who were around us went quiet as they listened to my cries. I was so happy, happy enough to feel that all the pain I have felt from all these years had been paid off, letting out all my emotions at once.

Fleur: "It's okay~"

Kaede: "No... I'm... I'm happy. This is the happiest I've felt in a long time"

Their bleak faces who thought I was crying from sadness, now turned to gentle smiles as they continued to hug me. My nose felt blocked from all the crying, but I didn't know how to stop. It was like a waterfall at this point. My heart felt like it would burst at any moment from how hard it was pounding.

Faye: "Would you like to write a letter back?"

Kaede: "YES!"

That seemed to do the trick, breaking me out from my tears as I calm myself down. Wiping away any tears that was still in my eyes. Faye went to grab a letter and parchment for me, as Fleur went to attend to the other adventurers who were patiently waiting for us to finish.

Kaede: "Yui..."

I remained seated, motionless as all I could think about was Yui. She's still been on my mind throughout all these years, but to hear that she's actually here in this world as well, she's all I could think about right now.

Kaede: "I'm coming."