Shizuha (2)

Thankfully, they didn't have to wait long a few moments after Azuma finished talking with Shizuha, Saiga broke through the front door, shouting her name, the moment their eyes met, Azuma felt out of place, almost seeing hearts flying in the air.

"Shizuha!" Saiga yelled and ran towards her, kneeling in front of the sitting woman, Shizuha's eyes, that were still red from her crying earlier, once again released tears, gently smiling at Saiga, "Beloved."

Watching the touching scene Azuma felt it was better to leave the couple alone, Ilona having already left after cooking the food. Besides, he had a woman to look for.

Azuma stood up, "Alright, alright, I will be leaving you lovebirds alone, I already told you my side of the story, Saiga can take it from here." Before reaching the exit, Saiga called Azuma, "Azuma, wait for a second."

Saiga supporting his weak wife walked near Azuma, both kneeled on the floor and bowed to him, "Thank you for saving my wife." "Thank you for saving my life." Both gratefully told Azuma.

Azuma not really knowing what to do, hurried towards the kneeling couple, lifting them, "No, no, none of that, I did what I had to, I'm sure that in my position Saiga would've done the same, right now it's time for you two to catch up. I have to catch myself a girl."

As he finished, he walked away, Saiga yelling at him, "What? Who?" Azuma without turning back only yelled back, "Tell you later."

Leaving a confused Saiga and a giggling Shizuha alone.

After Azuma left the pair, sitting on the sofa only hugging each other, enjoying their presence and warmth. A lot of minutes passed like that, in silence.

Shizuha, seated on top of Saiga, who was caressing her back, asked, "And our daughter?"

Saiga stopped for a moment, sighing, he said, "With my father, he has been taking care of her."

"What? How about you, why didn't you take care of Miu?" Shizuha was confused, not knowing Senzui framed him.

Sadly, Saiga answered her "The world believes I killed you, even my father. Senzui planted evidence to incriminate me."

Shizuha starting to get angry about her beloved situation, "How could they think that? Your brother told me you already knew about me, why didn't you try to approach your father then?"

"And tell him what? That I didn't kill you and I wanted to raise Miu. He would have thought I was lying, and besides, I have kept an eye on her, Azuma has as well. You know my dad is always traveling, never staying in the same place, besides, I wanted to tell him with enough evidence on my innocence, and I have it right here." As he lovingly hugs Shizuha's back.

Smiling at his touch Shizuha continues, "I'm already awake, what are we waiting for, lets go see her, right now!"

"We can't at the moment, dad is traveling right now, and although I've made sure to prepare for your eventual awakening, meeting them in public would not be advised, we need to wait until they return to Ryōzanpaku."

Let's just say Shizuha was having none of that, after Saiga had to talk to her for minutes, trying to convince her, she finally relented, but not before expressing that the instant Miu touched Ryōzanpaku, they would go meet her.

Angrily at the fact that she couldn't meet her daughter this instant, she remembered her husband, "How have you been dear?"

Saiga sighed sadly, remembering the few years he lived believing she was dead, "After news of your disappearance or death, I chose to travel the world, having lost faith in myself, before knowing the truth about Senzui I passed the leadership of OSNF to him."

Not letting her interrupt, "After he received the leadership of OSNF Senzui, disguised as I started merging it with Yami."

Shizuha gasped, knowing well the reason Saiga created OSNF, "How could he? He knew you created it the better the world."

Still saddened about his friend's betrayal and subsequent actions answered, "I know, but at the time I was too disillusioned in myself and the world to care. Right now I have rejoined OSNF disguised as him, from what I know he still hasn't realized I know the truth, which makes it perfect to keep an eye on him."

Shizuha did not answer, it was too soon for the full impact of Senzui's betrayal to hit her, but still, she was saddened by the news, grabbing Saiga's hands, she said, "And what about now? Now that I'm awake and will soon meet Miu."

"Things will stay the same, now that you are awake, I will accompany you to meet Miu and my father, after that, I will stay disguised and keep watching over Yami and Senzui, whatever their goal is, it's dangerous. I will of course visit as often as I can now that I have the chance." Saiga's voice was resolute.

Although not really believing what he just said, Shizuha understood her husband, he cared too much, and as much as she hated his decision, his compassion and nature were one of the reasons she fell in love with the man.

Not having talked in nine years, they kept talking about all different things, about Miu, about him, about Azuma, his father, more Yami, or the most mundane of things. They just kept talking, enjoying their presence, which they haven't done in so many years.

._._._._._.

After Azuma left, the day already over, had to regretfully go back to his hotel. His plan to look for Shigure postponed until tomorrow. After the night left Azuma quickly left.

His plan already formed, release news on one of her father's swords out there, if she were not busy, Shigure would go look for it. More than a few months have passed since their last meeting and Azuma, after realizing his feelings, was anxious to see her.

A few more weeks passed, and Azuma kept the news about the sword fresh, waiting to meet Shigure, until one day, they finally reunited.