It had been two days since Enkai had formed a treaty with Ame in her palace.
On this evening, he had decided to stay back in order to ‘work through the finer details’ of the treaty.
Once that was done the media in both kingdoms would have to be alerted. He half dreaded what would happen when both kingdoms found out there was now peace-not real peace but an uneasy one.
Of course had had his own reasons for staying back longer than was called for. Enkai could now remember most of what happened in the other world-well half of it. He did not remember how they came here,nor did he recall the events before that. He did recall ,however, that Ame and himself were once….
He sighed heavily leaning against the balcony that held a view of the garden. Jasmine, himself and Ame had sat together in one of the halls for luncheon that very day. Ame-though tired-was still every bit the woman he remember. Charming,sweet,graceful.
And yet not so the Ame he remembered. She was graver somehow,her face had lost some of his roundness. Her eyes previously would sparkle but they looked deeper. She looked more like a womanly queen than the young maiden he had fallen for two years ago.
And what made him stay was the fact that she had given him no indication that she remembered him too. It had been hard for him to look at her face and not stare. He kept expecting to find the eyes that he had adored so much to look at him. Look at him the same way she had always used to look at him. But whenever she did it was a fleeting second-and it was just as a friend that she did so. He started pacing the room as it grew dark. He was angry at her-how could she forget him so easily?
And what had she gone through while he was not around? He remembered her screams from her fit and sat on the bed heavily.
Those screams of pain-her wails-they were clear as if it was yesterday.
What in the world had happened?
He remembered the panic and agony as he watched his healer take are of her and soothe her.
Enkai clasped his hands together in fear. He was worried about her,but she didn’t recall him. How was it that the love they had had disappeared from her head? He imagined sometimes that he caught a glimpse of quiet confusion on her face. But it was all in his head he knew.
Jasmine did not think so of course-When they had talked in the garden…
He smiled in spite of himself. Jasmine still believed Ame felt for him-somewhere in his heart. He wanted to believe her-he did believe her…but it hurt him seeing Ame look at him like a stranger , just a friend. After all they had meant everything to each other. And after remembering all the time spent together he was at a loss on what to do. He had tried to make her remember-but she didn’t.
Was there really nothing he could do? He sighed as the light came on in his bedroom and restlessly went out to the balcony,leaning on the rail.
Really he thought to himself it wasn’t to be wondered at how beautiful the place was. It really did suit Ame in a way. Back home, he had gone through trouble to try and convince her that pretty things and garments were not the worst thing in the world. He had wished he could shower her with all the pretty things and clothes he saw on the courtesans and empresses in the paintings he saw . But now-seeing her in them-he felt that his old Ame had made a fair point.
She had never been interested in things like that, the one thing she had ever loved to wear was the kimono he had got for her. She had looked like something of a rain sprite herself when she wore it. Now she wore expensive gowns and jewels to match. It made her look as beautiful as he imagined.
And unattainable. She looked less like his Ame and more like queen Ame.
Feeling the breeze on his face he dwelled on the irony that she was so near and yet so far away. How would he ever be able to win her back? This new Ame had skirted his advances and he had foolishly scared her to boot.What was he thinking?
He felt cross with himself. Even in the other world she had been shy to him even if she was kind.
Looking out on the fountain he wondered if she would ever remember.
Jasmine had remembered..so perhaps there was hope.
Wasn’t there?
He let himself out of his room,nodded to the guards at the entrance,informing them he was going to the garden and went for a stroll. Ame had told him he could wander as he liked here and it was somehow soothing to breathe in the scents of the flowers here.It was chilly-Jasmine's garden had been filled with the smell of lily's and crocuses. Sweet,invigorating.
Here however the air was musky and floral.
He heard murmured voices up ahead and froze. Who could be about at twilight like himself?
Then he heard a giggle and recognized it immediately.
He grinned to himself and was about to stroll right up to the sound when he heard a deep chuckle along with the giggle. He stopped in confusion and heard the voices-Ame and someone else- a man-move slightly away. Before he could stop himself,he found himself walking very quietly towards the bushes and peering through the trees.
In one of the gazebos that was now lit with fairy lights casting a glow over the grass was Ame and with her…who? Enkai could not see his face Ame's hair was in the way-they were talking genially-as they sat down on the swing right in the center of the gazebo Enkai saw him.
General Tamahome?
But not Tamahome as he had previously seen him. Tailored blue-black slacks, the sword was at his side but instead of the usual regalia of chest armour he wore a silk shirt with two buttons artistically open. A loose orange ascot finished off the look along with shining styled hair.
Enkai was alarmed-and then saw Ame was also attired in a simple yet beautifully embroidered dress that shimmered slightly in the dim light. He heart beat faster
Was this a date?
He moved closer to hear what they were saying but he could only hear disjointed words as the swing they were seated on swung back and forth. Ame's hair was pinned up a glittering clip and it swayed when the swing moved. Enkai watched with some alarm at this date-in-progress . She shivered and Tamahaome smiled at her and - Enkai watching in amazement and horror-saw him drop his coat over her shoulders.
His jaw dropped.
That good for nothing loud mouthed weasel!
He was going to put a stop to this when he spotted Ame looking at his face ever sweetly and smiling at him.
He gawped. Why didn’t she brush Tamahome off like she had done to him?
Stunned he saw Ame take Tamahomes's hand in hers and smile up at him.
It wasn’t possible…
All the fight drained out of him there and then.
Then it happened. Tamahome-smiling in a way that one would hardly think anyone would fall for-gently pushed her face up by her chin. Ame's hands still coiled around his hand actually snuggled to his side. The swing was still moving when Tamahomes lips brushed her cheek gently.Enkai saw Ames face turn to his-Tamahome's hand brush a tendril of hair from her face. He hovered his lips closely over hers for a moment. Then he pressed his lips to hers and wrapped his hands around her.
Enkai was faintly aware that he had stopped breathing. The image of Ame-his..Ame- finding happiness in the arms of-Tamahome-of all people-made him want to yell,scream and electrocute the the man into a crisp.
He was faintly aware of his heart hurting.
She-doesn’t love me anymore.
The single thought reverberated in his head with the all the doom of a funeral bell. Abruptly he turned and stormed off to his room half angry half unseeing choking.
He lost her.
He had actually lost her.
