𝑺𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒔 𝑰𝒏 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑫𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 || 𝑲𝒂𝒛𝒖𝒉𝒂𝒙𝑲𝒂𝒃𝒖𝒌𝒊𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒐

𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐍𝐚𝐦𝐞, 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝

Into the somber night they fled. An unbearable feeling of heartache weighing down on one's heart, his visage torn between despair and regret. Witnessing a friend's life forever being taken, he seems like nothing more than a puppet meant to repeatedly face everyone's lies and the losses of his loved ones. For him, it was another betrayal, another heartache, and another regret.. And with each one Kabukimono would fall further into his own eternal abyss of misery. 

Kaedehara would ultimately put an end to his hurried and anxious actions once the two were far enough from what remained of the fierce flame. There they stood, under the lush leaves of a tree. He sighed a breath of relief and finally loosened his hold on the indigo-haired individual's arm completely.

"Are you okay...?" A subtle voice for a genuine question; red eyes filled with innocence and compassion. Major concern could be heard while Kaedehara vocalized his question.

The puppet held the small doll, seemingly identical to himself, closer to his chest. He looked up at Kaedehara, his downcast expression portraying itself to him.

"I could be better..." The unknown's voice was evidently void of emotion, as if he's given up on experiencing the future and what may come of it. His limp body, his darkened expression, his mental drainage, it all seemed like an aftereffect from his own despair.

Kazuha would nod with understanding. Having such a nightmarish experience engraved into his mind must have been quite traumatic. But this person needs someone to be there for him right now, and Kazuha wanted to be that person. He took a breath and exhaled slowly before he spoke:

"I'm Kaedehara Kazuha, a wandering samurai. What shall I call you?" Kaedehara's lips curved into a soft smile as he stared off into Kabukimono's blue eyes that held such tranquility within them.

Kabukimno could feel his heart soften upon seeing Kazuha's smile. Though this wasn't enough to sever the chains that would bind itself to Kabukimono's heart, it was certainly a start.

Before Kaedehara responded, his voice grew softer. Finally being enlightened with a new name for an unfamiliar face, gave him a sense of satisfaction.

"Hey, about your home.. Do you have anywhere to stay?" Kaedehara placed a hand on his chest, his heart, and listened to the heartbeat gently throbbing in his chest.

Kabukimono paused and shook his head slightly as a reply. A muffled sigh of disappointment could be heard coming from the puppet. The small doll that lies between his arms was now being squeezed with slight force.

"Then stay with me, Kabukimono.. For I will be with you until I am no longer needed. Shall I protect you from harm's way, I ask you for nothing but friendship. If you'd accept, may I be known as your companion, your guardian, and your friend?"

With a small smile on his face, Kabukimono gave a slight bow with the intention to show his gratitude. A meaningful declaration; a soft-spoken promise.. There are always possibilities where such promises have a large impact.