It's All a Matter of Time

"Am I back?"

Ok, so this has nothing to do with the contest, it's strictly for the fun of continuing the story because I got inspired (≧∇≦)/
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It's already been two months since my little time travel experience and since then I've been feeling empty for some reason. I don't want to go out, alone or with friends, but I don't feel like staying at home either. I don't want to do anything, I just...want to go back, back to the Heian period, back to Yoshiro's time.

"Morning Natsuki.., are you ok?" Daichi asks as he pats me on the back.

"Morning...I'm ok." I answer lifelessly.

Since we came back I have been hanging out with Daichi quite a lot. He's working on repairing the time machine and fixing the problem he had before. If he manages to solve this I might be able to go back and maybe even stay there or travel between the two time periods so I can see Yoshiro and possibly still live my normal life here. 'I don't even know why I miss him so much, we were only together for an afternoon and we were just friends.' And yet here I am, infiltrating the geek territory to go back there.

"Hey there guys." Takumi greets us as we step into the laboratory.

"Morning." Daichi responds. "How's everything?"

Takumi is one of Daichi's friends, he helps us with the reparations since he's pretty good at engineering and all.

"I'm making progress, I actually think it will work."

"That's great." I exclaim, finally paying attention.

"The bad part is the user may not be able to come back." He continues. 'Oh...' "Also I cannot assure you that you'll be sent to the same time, there might be a difference of a few years, maybe decades, even if I set it to the same time."

"Natsuki..." Daichi turns towards me.

"I'm fine with that risk." I answer timidly.

"Well we're not, what about your family?"

"Are you serious?" Daichi looks at me confused.

"Daichi, Natsuki's parents have been in space for the last twelve years and are not expected to return within this, or the next decade." Takumi explains in my place.

"I don't even remember how they look and I haven't spoken to them in years." I continue the explanation.

"I-I didn't know." Daichi says apologetically.

"That's ok." I say with a reassuring smile. "So, can you guys start this thing."

"Ok, but before that..." Daichi hands me a small necklace. "It works without signal or electricity, if we manage to solve the remaining problem we'll come after you." I take the necklace and smile at the two boys. 'In a way, I'm happy I met them.'

"I'll start the machine." Takumi announces and I give him a thumbs up. 'Let's do this.' And so I am swollen by the nostalgic purple light vortex. "Take care." Is the last thing I hear from the boys before I lose consciousness.

I wake up in an unknown place, a forest with tall trees and thick grass that seems to go on forever. 'I wonder if I'm in the right place.' Thinking that I begin to walk around taking in my surroundings. I walk and walk and walk some more until I finally reach the exit of the forest and I notice a small village in the distance. 'Maybe I can ask someone there.' With that thought in mind I head for the valley in which it is situated

After about half an hour I finally get to the village. As I step in I notice the people being lively and the atmosphere feeling festive. I walk a little more, curious about the scene developing in front of me until I bump into someone.

"I'm so sorry." The person says.

"It's ok, I wasn't looking where I was going anyway so it was my fault." I answer politely then it hits me. 'I should ask this man where I am.' "If you don't mind, could you tell me where I am?"

"Huh? Sure, you're in the small town of Fujirano." 'Great, where's that exactly?' "You have arrived at a great time, we are currently holding a festival in honor of our Lord's twentieth anniversary. Would you like to join us?" The man asks. 'Eh, it won't hurt to have a little fun, it's not like I'm getting anywhere and even if this isn't the right time period I still can't go back.'

"Sure, I'd love to." And just like that I followed the man into the crowd and before long I was having a great time dancing and singing and all of that. Someone even asked me if I would like to sing in public for money as an entertainment and I agreed. Now I have some money from this time to spend.

"Are you enjoying yourself?" The man from before asks.

"Yes, very much so. I think it's been a while since I've had this much fun. Thanks for inviting me ahmm..."

"Hayate." He introduces himself and I do the same:

"Natsuki."

"What a beautiful name, just like the one of the woman our Lord always talks about." He compliments.

"Your Lord?" I ask a little confused. 'He did mention the "Lord" before but that last thing made me curious.'

"Yes, Lord Yoshiro, the ruler of this region. If you wish I can show him to you when he comes back." 'Yo-Yoshiro!?' "He left some time ago for the forest, probably in pursue of the strange light that appeared there." Just then loud horses are heard from the distance and people begin to gather at the town entrance. "Looks like he has returned. Come." Hayate grabs my hand and leads me through the crowd until I am standing right in front of the house and it's rider. 'No way!' Although he looks older I can tell, I can tell it's him.

"Yoshiro!" I shout happily and the rider's attention moves to me, his eyes widening in surprise.

"Natsuki?" 'I'm back, I actually came back.'