THE PRICE OF WAR [Taka x Reader]

X. Good News

It was almost dark outside and everybody was getting ready for dinner. Some soldiers cooked while others lighted some bonfires here and there. Kyria and you came out of her tent with a smile and new hairstyles. Kyria had also braided your hair and turned it into a high ponytail and meanwhile you had tied Taka's gem around a string and turned it into a necklace.

"I didn't know tonight was an special occasion!"

You both turned around. Ryota and Tomoya were smiling curiously.

"Oh, you mean this?" you smiled while you shook your hair and laughed.

"Come on, I'm hungry!" Tomoya exclaimed and Ryota shook his head.

You sat down on the floor next to Ryota and you noticed Yrion walking past him. He finally sat down around another bonfire with his fellows, giving you some privacy. You were worried about him. Anyone would be hurt after what happened that afternoon with Taka, and even so he seemed to be very unconcerned about it. As if nothing had happened.

"Hey"

You raised your look and you met Toru's eyes They were as big and scary as usual. And his deep menacing voice didn't suit him neither. You got startled.

"What?" you exclaimed, bringing your hand to your chest.

"Nothing, I was just checking you were alive"

Taka was sitting next to him. You sighed and he chuckled. He then offered you a plate and a wooden spoon and you all started to eat. It was a hot soup with some meat and vegetable slices.

"I can't believe we are finally stepping on our kingdom..." Taka smiled.

"How far are we from Mizumura?" Tomoya asked while he chewed.

"Just some days" Yusuke-senzo replied while he passed behind him.

"So, that means..." you mumbled while you stared at the boys.

"Are we coming back, sir?" Toru finally asked.

Many soldiers had stopped eating to listen to the conversation and now everybody was expecting Yusuke-senzo's answer.

"I was waiting for a better moment to finally tell you all, but..." he implied with a smile.

Suddenly, everyone burst with joy. Mizumura's soldiers hugged each other and some of them even started to cry. They could finally meet their families and hug their wives and children. Ryota and Tomoya, the two parents of the group, hugged each other tightly while Toru toasted with other soldiers showing one of his unusual smiles. Taka, meanwhile, just stared at you with open eyes. You were about to hug him to share his joy when a memory stopped you. He would meet Hatsumi again and they would probably have a long conversation. Your smiles became a look of concern. Ryota hugged you tightly due to the euphoria of the moment, followed by Tomoya. The soldiers continued to celebrate the moment while their cheers bounced in your ears and Taka kept looking you in the eye.

It didn't take you much longer to have dinner and go to sleep. You tried to close your eyes and fall asleep, but all your efforts were in vain. Once in Mizumura, what would happen to you and Taka? You couldn't stop thinking about how Hatsumi would react to his return. What would you do then? Was that all? Was that the end of your story? Your eyes started to water. You remembered how Taka promised you to love you no matter the pain or the war. But still you hadn't spent much time together since then. You gripped your sheet as your tears wet the pillow. You closed your eyes, but you couldn't escape from those thoughts.

After some minutes, you started dreaming about Emmeldris. It was the same dream you had back in Hayltel. There were burnt trees everywhere and many Hayltelians running nowhere as they screamed and cried. Some of them even bumped into you. And suddenly, the noise stopped and a woman appeared through the trees. She was wearing a long violet dress and a crown, but her face was still hidden behind some dark curls. She was caressing a copper-horned deer, the same one that lived in Hayltel's forest. Suddenly, she started walking towards you at a very slow pace. You unconsciously did the same until you finally recognized her. She was the same dark-eyed woman with a mole on the corner of her mouth.

"Who are you?" you asked her.

But all she could do was cry.

"What happened?" you screamed at her.

And suddenly, as if she had just recognized you, she hugged you tightly. Her hug was warm, despite the place surrounding you both being cold and grey.

"My child..."

You opened your eyes and woke up in the middle of the night.

"Mom?" you whispered.