The samurai: the love across time and space

Chapter three: Affections Touching Across Time

As Allura walked through the forest, her thoughts were consumed by a sense of impending danger. The Great Tree, a mystical entity she was connected to, had alerted her to looming trouble not far ahead. Her heart raced as she wondered if someone was after Keith, one of her old closest companions, back when she was alive.

"The butterflies appeared over the mark where Keith was once pinned... Could it be a sign that Keith is being targeted?" Allura pondered, her concern growing with each step she took.

As Shiro continued his walk through the forest, he couldn't shake off the feeling that someone was ahead of him. He narrowed his eyes, recognizing the familiar figure of Allura standing near the spot where he had freed Keith.

"What is Allura doing here?" Shiro pondered to himself, curiosity and caution simultaneously taking hold.

Allura reached up to the tree, her hands tracing the space where Keith had once been held in a deep slumber. "Keith..."

She abruptly turned, sensing a presence. Her gaze shifted in Shiro's direction, but he quickly retreated, hiding himself from her view.

"Why am I hiding from her?" Shiro thought, berating himself for his apprehension. He glanced back at the empty tree and muttered, "She's gone..."

Meanwhile, Keith continued along the path, with Stats calling out to him. "Stats, Stats?"

Keith paused, acknowledging Stats. "Yes, Stats, we're on a mission to find Pidge, remember?"

Stats repeated his name furiously, trying to get Keith's attention. "Stats, Stats, Stats!"

Keith's eyes shifted, catching sight of familiar figures in the distance. "Those are Allura's soul collectors..."

Stats hopped onto Keith's shoulder, eager to communicate. "Stats?"

In a swift motion, Keith flicked the persistent larva away from his shoulder. "Stats, stay here, and don't even think about following me," Keith instructed firmly before taking off in the direction of the soul collectors.

Stats let out a series of confused and worried chirps, lamenting Keith's departure. "Stats, Stats! Stats!?"

Keith's determined stride carried him closer to Allura and her soul collectors.

As Shiro scanned the surroundings, memories flooded his mind, reminding him of the significant moments he had shared with Keith at this very spot. He couldn't help but think about their connection and how deeply Keith was still embedded in his heart.

"I'm being foolish," Shiro whispered to himself, shaking his head in an attempt to clear his thoughts. "Allura and Keith had their own bond. It's not my place to dwell on it."

Suddenly, something caught Shiro's attention—a small hole in the tree. Curiosity got the better of him as he reached out to touch it, not expecting the sharp pain that followed.

"Ow!" Shiro exclaimed, quickly retracting his hand and inspecting the injured finger. "Guess I shouldn't have poked around."

He took a moment to contemplate his current situation. Shiro had been brought back to the portal to save the world, but there was more to it. The memories and experiences he had with Keith, the feeling of being at home on Altea, all tugged at his heartstrings.

"And especially when I'm with... Keith," Shiro thought, a mixture of longing and confusion evident on his face. He glanced down at his finger, now bandaged with the torn cloth from Keith's jacket.

Just as Shiro's thoughts consumed him, he heard a familiar voice calling out his name. His eyes shot up, and there stood Keith right before him.

"Keith!" Shiro exclaimed, relief and surprise flooding through him as he gently took hold of Keith's hand, kneeling down to be at his eye level.