Child Of The Unseen | GoFushi

The Blue Butterfly's Memories (Part 6)

Toji was the first one to encounter the reincarnation of the White Butterfly after one of his many visits to the Human Realm. She was reborn as a human who was able to see the unseen, having the bad luck to be born in the cursed village.

Afraid that someday she could become a sacrifice for the unseen beast, he decided to keep an eye on her just in case. She was already a full grown up woman, but being a fragile human she would not be able to go against or change such tragic fate if she ended up being chosen.

Toji wasn't planning to meet the reincarnation of his wife or even speak to her, but after being seen wandering around in the village and entering multiple of times the Cursed Forest, the curiosity got the best of her.

Tsubaki wanted to know who was this mysterious man with black butterflies fluttering around him and why she felt an explicable longing every time she saw him. Thanks to her mother, Tsumiki, she was aware of the curses that lives in the forest. Hence, she did not have the courage to enter, waiting outside.

After an hour, Toji finally stepped out of the forest. However, Tsubaki did not move from her spot, instead she spoke. "Inside there are curses, right? It is not dangerous to just walk in?"

Her voice was gentle, immediately catching the attention of Toji. He looked at his right, seeing a woman a few steps away from him. She has spiky black hair and silver eyes, wearing a black kimono with patterns of white flowers.

"You're not wrong," the Black Butterfly simple said, not really wanting to engage in a conversation with the reincarnation of the White Butterfly for different reasons. "Other villagers don't dare to get this close, so you should do the same and leave."

"I'm not planning to stay any longer, is just that my curiosity got the best of me after seeing you a couple of times entering the forest," she confessed, feeling rather shy all of the sudden. "I wanted to know as well why--"

"You probably have heard about the unseen beast, since every twenty years the chief chooses the next offering," he cut her short, knowing what she wanted to know. "That beast is the reason of why this forest became so dangerous and why the curses came to exist in the first place. Following your curiosity will only be the death of you. So you should leave," he took a few steps in order to leave, but he was stopped by Tsubaki, who grabbed the back of his black robe.

"You got it all wrong. I know about the beast and the curses. And that's not what I wanted to ask you."

Toji immediately looked over his shoulder, displeased by such actions. "Then what is it?"

His cold eyes caused for the woman to let him go and retreat a few steps away. "Perhaps this would sound weird," she let out a nervous laugh, touching the back of her neck. "Every time I see you, I feel an inexplicable longing. I'm not really sure how to put it into words, but is like I have meet you somewhere before. I know that it's impossible, since this is the first time we are speaking to each other."

Toji's expression softened, feeling troubled. There was only one reason of why Tsubaki was feeling that way after seeing him from a far for the first time: her soul still remembers. It was impossible for her mind to have memories of a past life, but her soul was different. Her soul was keeping alive the feelings she once had for him!

"If you believe in the circle of rebirth, then it's possible," he turned around, wanting to get closer to Tsubaki but he did not dare to do it.

It would be better for Toji if he just leaves without explaining anything, since for sure it is going to turn for the worst getting involved with a human again. In fact, he should stop himself from being acquaintance even if she is the reincarnation of the White Butterfly. Even if both of them haves the same souls, Tsubaki is not his wife nor look like her in anyway. However, he could not stop his heart from yearning for the love he once had for his wife.