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Description
I’d like to apologize in advance for adding another cliffhanger here despite previously saying this would be the end. Once again I ended up writing longer than I thought that I found it best to split it one final time. Rest assured this really will be the last cliffhanger - and a great thanks to everyone who’s been reading until now. Hope you’ll enjoy these last two parts!
-----

A roar.

It came from above and shook the air and ground Yoshitsu stood on. By the time he lifted his head to see the source of it, his hands unconsciously went fumbling around the dark around him, to look for something, anything to hold onto. But when they found only air, Yoshitsu fell to the ground, his gaze not leaving the sky above him.

The moon was momentarily cut off by a massive shadow sweeping by it.

Flapping of impressive wings increased in frequency and pushed the moonlit grass towards the ground, their owner preparing for landing.

Yoshitsu’s head shook back and forth, the corners of his mouth twitched with an urge to laugh; insanity must have claimed him at last.

I lost it, I lost it now…

Thick hawk-like legs gripped the ground.

A horned head with triangular, perked ears and a dark muzzle puffed heavily when its large body settled on firm ground.

A thorough shaking relieved the griffin-like body of loose feathers, dancing in the moonlight as they twirled towards the ground.

A tail extended from the creature, so impressive in length it gave the impression of a large snake stalking the tall grass behind it.

Yoshitsu’s entire body trembled. His breathing erratic as his mind was trying to make sense of what his eyes were seeing. His hands clenched at the grass below him so hard his knuckles turned white.

Something caught the creature’s attention, and it turned away from the freaked out human to smell at the grass by its feet, not having noticed the presence about sixty feet away yet.

Yoshitsu could still not move. His heart raced. He didn’t dare move, was too afraid to even blink his eyes. Worried that if he did, the creature in front of him would disappear. Get the final confirmation that this was all in his head, the proof that he’d indeed lost his mind.

What he was looking at right now was… Trico. Trico!

There was… no way it could be…!

But when Yoshitsu ultimately had to blink his eyes, and found that Trico was still there, still with his head to the ground sniffing at the surroundings, his feathers reflecting the moonlight even brighter than the field, Yoshitsu breathed and lowered his head. A quiet “No…” escaped his lips. That was all he could think to say. No… it just wasn’t real.

Yoshitsu somehow found it in him to finally move. Slowly, trembling, he shifted his feet to the ground to attempt to stand up. He had to do something, lest he figured he might end up fainting where he sat. His stare still fixed onto Trico. Another “No…” was uttered, giving him the strength to follow it up with more disbelieving words.

“It’s not…. you’re… not…”

Suddenly, Trico jolted.

The wind had carried Yoshitsu’s words this time, and the griffin-like body spun around to see the source of the sudden human voice. Large, glowing eyes met Yoshitsu, and a pressing silence erupted.

Meeting Trico’s eyes seemed to break through the shock that had held Yoshitsu until now, and finally led way for emotions instead. A lump grew in his throat that would seem to nearly suffocate him as Yoshitsu looked into eyes he hadn’t seen since he was a child. Eyes he thought he’d never see again.

If this wasn’t real, it felt real enough that he’d treasure it the best he could, Yoshitsu thought. But the lazy wind embracing his body was cold, grass by his feet pricked at his skin, his heart beat so he felt the pounding in his chest. Much like that moment 40 years ago when Trico had left him, where Yoshitsu hadn’t been sure either, the same realization hit him now, the moment that Trico returned.

This was real.

“Tri…co…!”

Carefully, he spoke the name. Yoshitsu paid no mind to the tremble in his voice. All he cared about was focusing on Trico in front of him so not to risk him somehow disappearing again.
Yoshitsu wanted to take a step forward. He was about to, when he found that this moment perhaps was too good to be true after all.

The sound of his voice made Trico jolt his head. He snorted angrily. His ears flattened and he took a few steps backwards while a growl rumbled in his throat.

Yoshitsu felt a stab to his heart.

“Trico…” he braved himself to repeat, but it only made Trico growl louder, his feathers standing on end like Yoshitsu well recalled he had done with the cursed armours from the valley.

But… why? This was his Trico… wasn’t it? It couldn’t be that what he was looking at was a different Trico?

No… why would a random Trico appear like this, so close to his village, after 40 years?

Yoshitsu realized something else too. It had only been a few days since he’d found and used the shield. It couldn’t be a coincidence that Trico had appeared so shortly after that. There was no mistake this was his Trico.

But then, why was he reacting like this?

The other, and most likely accurate solution just hit Yoshitsu, and he couldn’t help but feel dumb for not having thought of it.

That Trico didn’t recognize him.

Yoshitsu’s brow furrowed again as tears pressed on his eyes now. He briefly looked down at the ground to gather his thoughts somewhat before looking back, Trico still in a defensive stance not daring to take his eyes of him.

Yoshitsu drew a deep breath before he felt brave, or desperate enough, to take a step forward.

“Trico… it’s me…”

But his gesture was not appreciated, and Trico roared angrily before taking several steps backwards, before asserting his discomfort by puffing and clawing at the ground. Yoshitsu was briefly afraid that he had been about to take off and leave, but ultimately he didn’t. Upset as Trico seemed, he remained on the ground, his gaze not leaving Yoshitsu all the while growling warningly and halfway spread his wings in an attempt to seem even bigger than he was.

Yoshitsu’s eyes went blank from the tears still threatening to come out, and he bowed his head in resignation.

Of course Trico didn’t recognize him. Trico had known a 10 year old boy. What stood before him was a 50 year old man.

How could he recognize him?

Gazing down at the ground while trying to calm his breathing from both the shock, thrill and then crushing feeling washing over him, Yoshitsu noticed something about his body. The skin markings on his arms.

… wouldn’t Trico recognize those?

Feeling a glimmer of renewed hope, Yoshitsu lifted his head to meet Trico’s eyes again, still not budging from where he stood keeping his eye on the human.

Yoshitsu couldn’t help but wonder: why didn’t he fly away? Perhaps Trico had come looking for something too, just like Yoshitsu had. Perhaps they had both felt that sensation that made them at unrest and pulled them towards this spot, towards one another. A sign that even after 40 years, they had remained a bond between them that let them know when the other was close.

Only Trico wasn’t able to connect that feeling to the human in front of him.

Yoshitsu slowly lifted his arms, then carefully used one hand to rub at the other in an attempt to pull Trico’s attention towards the markings. He wasn’t even sure if Trico could see them in the dark. There was a time when they would occasionally glow, when he had traversed the valley with Trico, but ever since Yoshitsu came home, they had remained ordinary, lifeless markings. If only they could glow now, Yoshitsu thought, Trico would surely see them and perhaps, no… likely have recognized him. But regardless if he wished so, Yoshitsu couldn’t will them into glowing.

He slowly turned his arms back and forth to properly show the markings, then raised one arm halfway over his head, all while keeping his gaze hopefully attached to Trico’s, looking for any trace of recognition in them. Trico followed his arm when it was raised over his head, but no change in his expression or body language was present. Instead he just looked back and gave Yoshitsu the same glowing, angry stare as before.

With an exhale, Yoshitsu dropped his arm, before holding onto it with his other hand to control his shaking while teeth gritted behind his lips.

There was no other way to get through to him... was there..?

Closing his eyes while taking a deep breath, he exhaled again while a small smile emerged on his lips, before once more returning Trico’s gaze.

“Trico… I still can’t believe this is real… but, I guess this is… enough. To think I’m actually seeing you again… now I know you’ve been alive all this time...”

Yoshitsu felt the first tear break through and roll down his cheek. “…I’m so glad.”

To his slight surprise, Trico didn’t respond angrily to his voice this time, but instead tilted his head a little while one ear perked forward, as if trying to understand what he was saying now.

Yoshitsu heard his words as he said them, but Trico’s expression made his chest tighten and more tears press further on his eyes. He couldn’t believe he was being entirely truthful. That this was really okay.

He wanted Trico to know him. He wanted to touch Trico. To run his hand over his muzzle and hear Trico’s cooing, like he had done as a boy. To know that Trico was alive, living and breathing beneath his touch. To know that Trico had missed him too.

But again, Yoshitsu had to remind himself: Trico was an animal. He couldn’t be expected to have the same memory or feelings as a human, could he? Yoshitsu wondered, even if he could show some sort of proof of who he was… would it do any difference? Trico might just have the memory of a little human boy he knew once, but would he be able to connect it to some adult human decades later?

Of course the sensible answer was that he likely wouldn’t.

Yoshitsu let out a silent chuckle, the second tear breaching his eye and wetting his other cheek.

He had to believe it was enough. There was nothing he could force here. Yoshitsu let his gaze meet Trico’s hostile stare again. That’s right. Trico… Trico… was right there. He looked healthy. Alive. Like Yoshitsu had wished for that day he turned 18 and left his home… Trico had led a good life.

It had to be enough.

In that case… this is goodbye again…

Yoshitsu decided. If it had to be this way, he’d rather leave now than stay and watch Trico’s angered expression towards him in the hopes that something would change. As it now was, it was clear that nothing would.

Yoshitsu’s brow furrowed again, a deep breath was taken, and he mentally prepared himself to walk away… when just then, a thought struck him like a lightning bolt.

The shield.

Yoshitsu nearly gasped loud at the realization. The shield!

He turned his head to look behind him, to catch a glance of just how many feet he had walked away from where he left it. At least forty feet.

Even as Yoshitsu couldn’t possibly have predicted this situation, he still felt like beating himself senseless for not having brought it now. True, he had just thought nothing might persuade Trico to remember. But the shield… there was no way he couldn’t try it.

Turning a near panicked gaze back to Trico, Yoshitsu slowly lifted a hand in a placating motion.

“Easy… please stay there.”

Yoshitsu didn’t dare turn his back on Trico, worrying that if he did, it would give him the incentive to finally leave. Instead Yoshitsu walked backwards slowly, not letting his gaze leave his old friend. To this, Trico continued the somewhat curios expression from before, tilting his head again and widening his eyes to better see the human moving backwards all of a sudden.

Please, don’t fly away… please, don’t fly away…

Yoshitsu was terrified now. Terrified of not reaching the shield in time. His body trembled at each step. His heart felt like it was going to leap out of his chest. At one point, his foot hit a rock and he reflexively waived his arms to regain balance, making Trico jolt and let out another angry snort, his ears flattening again. Even before fully regaining balance, Yoshitsu abruptly raised both hands.

“I’m sorry, it’s okay!”

He briefly froze and held his breath. Trico calmed down and lifted his head a little, then started slowly pacing towards the left, five steps, then towards the right. But he still wasn’t leaving.
Yoshitsu turned his head. The shield was there now, only ten feet away. He walked backwards the last steps, slowly kneeled down to take it, and stood back up.

Trico was a good hundred feet away, and Yoshitsu worried if showing the shield now from this distance, before Trico could see it properly, would lead to him mistaking it for something dangerous instead, and perhaps be tempted to leave from that. So Yoshitsu walked closer again, holding the shield sideways by his hip.

Taking the trembling steps back towards Trico who was still slowly taking a few steps one way, then the other way, still with his gaze to the older human, Yoshitsu unconsciously found himself thinking back to the first moment he and Trico had met.

His shock and fear at waking up in a strange cave right next to the so-called “man-eating beast”. His wonder and puzzlement at the Trico not attacking, but accepting his offerings of food and eventually letting him climb and pet his body. When Trico began protecting him from danger. Attacking the cursed armours, or catching him whenever he fell or jumped from a great height. How he had cared for Trico after the fight with the other Trico left his Trico bruised and weakened. The following night he had spent curled up by Trico’s tummy.

When he watched Trico jump and roll in pools of water, resembling a dog, or when he chased birds. When Trico would bend down simply to make Yoshitsu pet him, cooing happily as he did so.

To all those times he had visited the maple tree, calling for Trico to come back to him.

Yoshitsu stopped about fifty feet from him now. Trico likewise stopped his pacing to look back at him, and Yoshitsu saw him glance at the object he was holding in his hands, his nostrils moving as if he tried to catch a whiff of what it was.

Yoshitsu was shaking more than ever. His arms suddenly frozen in place as he realized he became afraid to show the shield now.

What if it didn’t work? What if it didn’t do more good than his skin markings? Yoshitsu found the thought of Trico not recognizing him from the shield either was almost more than he could take. Here he met his childhood friend again that he had dreamed of for so long, only to have no way to make him recognize him, and then Trico would just leave him again, not even knowing he had just met the little boy from 40 years ago.

The thought was unbearable.

But what other choice did Yoshitsu have? Was he going to leave here without even giving it that last shot? There was just… no way….

Yoshitsu bowed his head again. Drew his breath, closed his eyes. Listened to Trico’s heavy and agitated breathing nearly echoing his. He wondered if Trico’s heart was beating as fast as his was.

Then he opened his eyes to look at Trico again, and raised the shield.

As soon as Yoshitsu did, he felt a tremble through his arms. At first he mistook it for his own body going haywire at last from all the tension, when he realized the tremble originated from his hands holding the shield.

The shield. It was vibrating. By his feet Yoshitsu saw the grass strangely lighting up, and he looked down to see the shield flashing bright circles of light pulsing through its rustic surface. Yoshitsu looked up. Trico’s eyes widened. The glow in his eyes had brightened further, before they too flashed soft flickers of light, answering those of the shield’s. His feathers stood straight up in response, his back hunched slightly, resembling that of a weary cat.

Yoshitsu’s heart skipped a beat.

Just like the first time…!

The flickering seized, both in Trico’s eyes and from the shield, and what remained was almost a deafening silence where even the wind had quieted as if in anticipation of what this would bring.
Yoshitsu let out a breath he didn’t realize he had been holding, and slowly lowered the shield while holding Trico’s gaze.

Slowly, he saw, Trico’s feathers relaxed. His wings folded. Trico’s head lifted, his eyes still widened as he returned Yoshitsu’s gaze just as intensely. Then Yoshitsu saw, for the first time that night, the glow from Trico’s eyes fading, like they would do when he no longer was weary.

Once again, Trico tilted his head, and a confused whimper emerged from his throat. At that moment, if Yoshitsu didn’t know any better, he could swear he saw the thought “Little boy…” go through Trico’s mind.

Yoshitsu couldn’t stop himself anymore, and tears started pouring.

“That’s right.” he said, his breath shaking, the corners of his mouth twitching, before shaping themselves into a smile.

“It’s me.”

------

Description
I’d like to apologize in advance for adding another cliffhanger here despite previously saying this would be the end. Once again I ended up writing longer than I thought that I found it best to split it one final time. Rest assured this really will be the last cliffhanger - and a great thanks to everyone who’s been reading until now. Hope you’ll enjoy these last two parts!
-----

A roar.

It came from above and shook the air and ground Yoshitsu stood on. By the time he lifted his head to see the source of it, his hands unconsciously went fumbling around the dark around him, to look for something, anything to hold onto. But when they found only air, Yoshitsu fell to the ground, his gaze not leaving the sky above him.

The moon was momentarily cut off by a massive shadow sweeping by it.

Flapping of impressive wings increased in frequency and pushed the moonlit grass towards the ground, their owner preparing for landing.

Yoshitsu’s head shook back and forth, the corners of his mouth twitched with an urge to laugh; insanity must have claimed him at last.

I lost it, I lost it now…

Thick hawk-like legs gripped the ground.

A horned head with triangular, perked ears and a dark muzzle puffed heavily when its large body settled on firm ground.

A thorough shaking relieved the griffin-like body of loose feathers, dancing in the moonlight as they twirled towards the ground.

A tail extended from the creature, so impressive in length it gave the impression of a large snake stalking the tall grass behind it.

Yoshitsu’s entire body trembled. His breathing erratic as his mind was trying to make sense of what his eyes were seeing. His hands clenched at the grass below him so hard his knuckles turned white.

Something caught the creature’s attention, and it turned away from the freaked out human to smell at the grass by its feet, not having noticed the presence about sixty feet away yet.

Yoshitsu could still not move. His heart raced. He didn’t dare move, was too afraid to even blink his eyes. Worried that if he did, the creature in front of him would disappear. Get the final confirmation that this was all in his head, the proof that he’d indeed lost his mind.

What he was looking at right now was… Trico. Trico!

There was… no way it could be…!

But when Yoshitsu ultimately had to blink his eyes, and found that Trico was still there, still with his head to the ground sniffing at the surroundings, his feathers reflecting the moonlight even brighter than the field, Yoshitsu breathed and lowered his head. A quiet “No…” escaped his lips. That was all he could think to say. No… it just wasn’t real.

Yoshitsu somehow found it in him to finally move. Slowly, trembling, he shifted his feet to the ground to attempt to stand up. He had to do something, lest he figured he might end up fainting where he sat. His stare still fixed onto Trico. Another “No…” was uttered, giving him the strength to follow it up with more disbelieving words.

“It’s not…. you’re… not…”

Suddenly, Trico jolted.

The wind had carried Yoshitsu’s words this time, and the griffin-like body spun around to see the source of the sudden human voice. Large, glowing eyes met Yoshitsu, and a pressing silence erupted.

Meeting Trico’s eyes seemed to break through the shock that had held Yoshitsu until now, and finally led way for emotions instead. A lump grew in his throat that would seem to nearly suffocate him as Yoshitsu looked into eyes he hadn’t seen since he was a child. Eyes he thought he’d never see again.

If this wasn’t real, it felt real enough that he’d treasure it the best he could, Yoshitsu thought. But the lazy wind embracing his body was cold, grass by his feet pricked at his skin, his heart beat so he felt the pounding in his chest. Much like that moment 40 years ago when Trico had left him, where Yoshitsu hadn’t been sure either, the same realization hit him now, the moment that Trico returned.

This was real.

“Tri…co…!”

Carefully, he spoke the name. Yoshitsu paid no mind to the tremble in his voice. All he cared about was focusing on Trico in front of him so not to risk him somehow disappearing again.
Yoshitsu wanted to take a step forward. He was about to, when he found that this moment perhaps was too good to be true after all.

The sound of his voice made Trico jolt his head. He snorted angrily. His ears flattened and he took a few steps backwards while a growl rumbled in his throat.

Yoshitsu felt a stab to his heart.

“Trico…” he braved himself to repeat, but it only made Trico growl louder, his feathers standing on end like Yoshitsu well recalled he had done with the cursed armours from the valley.

But… why? This was his Trico… wasn’t it? It couldn’t be that what he was looking at was a different Trico?

No… why would a random Trico appear like this, so close to his village, after 40 years?

Yoshitsu realized something else too. It had only been a few days since he’d found and used the shield. It couldn’t be a coincidence that Trico had appeared so shortly after that. There was no mistake this was his Trico.

But then, why was he reacting like this?

The other, and most likely accurate solution just hit Yoshitsu, and he couldn’t help but feel dumb for not having thought of it.

That Trico didn’t recognize him.

Yoshitsu’s brow furrowed again as tears pressed on his eyes now. He briefly looked down at the ground to gather his thoughts somewhat before looking back, Trico still in a defensive stance not daring to take his eyes of him.

Yoshitsu drew a deep breath before he felt brave, or desperate enough, to take a step forward.

“Trico… it’s me…”

But his gesture was not appreciated, and Trico roared angrily before taking several steps backwards, before asserting his discomfort by puffing and clawing at the ground. Yoshitsu was briefly afraid that he had been about to take off and leave, but ultimately he didn’t. Upset as Trico seemed, he remained on the ground, his gaze not leaving Yoshitsu all the while growling warningly and halfway spread his wings in an attempt to seem even bigger than he was.

Yoshitsu’s eyes went blank from the tears still threatening to come out, and he bowed his head in resignation.

Of course Trico didn’t recognize him. Trico had known a 10 year old boy. What stood before him was a 50 year old man.

How could he recognize him?

Gazing down at the ground while trying to calm his breathing from both the shock, thrill and then crushing feeling washing over him, Yoshitsu noticed something about his body. The skin markings on his arms.

… wouldn’t Trico recognize those?

Feeling a glimmer of renewed hope, Yoshitsu lifted his head to meet Trico’s eyes again, still not budging from where he stood keeping his eye on the human.

Yoshitsu couldn’t help but wonder: why didn’t he fly away? Perhaps Trico had come looking for something too, just like Yoshitsu had. Perhaps they had both felt that sensation that made them at unrest and pulled them towards this spot, towards one another. A sign that even after 40 years, they had remained a bond between them that let them know when the other was close.

Only Trico wasn’t able to connect that feeling to the human in front of him.

Yoshitsu slowly lifted his arms, then carefully used one hand to rub at the other in an attempt to pull Trico’s attention towards the markings. He wasn’t even sure if Trico could see them in the dark. There was a time when they would occasionally glow, when he had traversed the valley with Trico, but ever since Yoshitsu came home, they had remained ordinary, lifeless markings. If only they could glow now, Yoshitsu thought, Trico would surely see them and perhaps, no… likely have recognized him. But regardless if he wished so, Yoshitsu couldn’t will them into glowing.

He slowly turned his arms back and forth to properly show the markings, then raised one arm halfway over his head, all while keeping his gaze hopefully attached to Trico’s, looking for any trace of recognition in them. Trico followed his arm when it was raised over his head, but no change in his expression or body language was present. Instead he just looked back and gave Yoshitsu the same glowing, angry stare as before.

With an exhale, Yoshitsu dropped his arm, before holding onto it with his other hand to control his shaking while teeth gritted behind his lips.

There was no other way to get through to him... was there..?

Closing his eyes while taking a deep breath, he exhaled again while a small smile emerged on his lips, before once more returning Trico’s gaze.

“Trico… I still can’t believe this is real… but, I guess this is… enough. To think I’m actually seeing you again… now I know you’ve been alive all this time...”

Yoshitsu felt the first tear break through and roll down his cheek. “…I’m so glad.”

To his slight surprise, Trico didn’t respond angrily to his voice this time, but instead tilted his head a little while one ear perked forward, as if trying to understand what he was saying now.

Yoshitsu heard his words as he said them, but Trico’s expression made his chest tighten and more tears press further on his eyes. He couldn’t believe he was being entirely truthful. That this was really okay.

He wanted Trico to know him. He wanted to touch Trico. To run his hand over his muzzle and hear Trico’s cooing, like he had done as a boy. To know that Trico was alive, living and breathing beneath his touch. To know that Trico had missed him too.

But again, Yoshitsu had to remind himself: Trico was an animal. He couldn’t be expected to have the same memory or feelings as a human, could he? Yoshitsu wondered, even if he could show some sort of proof of who he was… would it do any difference? Trico might just have the memory of a little human boy he knew once, but would he be able to connect it to some adult human decades later?

Of course the sensible answer was that he likely wouldn’t.

Yoshitsu let out a silent chuckle, the second tear breaching his eye and wetting his other cheek.

He had to believe it was enough. There was nothing he could force here. Yoshitsu let his gaze meet Trico’s hostile stare again. That’s right. Trico… Trico… was right there. He looked healthy. Alive. Like Yoshitsu had wished for that day he turned 18 and left his home… Trico had led a good life.

It had to be enough.

In that case… this is goodbye again…

Yoshitsu decided. If it had to be this way, he’d rather leave now than stay and watch Trico’s angered expression towards him in the hopes that something would change. As it now was, it was clear that nothing would.

Yoshitsu’s brow furrowed again, a deep breath was taken, and he mentally prepared himself to walk away… when just then, a thought struck him like a lightning bolt.

The shield.

Yoshitsu nearly gasped loud at the realization. The shield!

He turned his head to look behind him, to catch a glance of just how many feet he had walked away from where he left it. At least forty feet.

Even as Yoshitsu couldn’t possibly have predicted this situation, he still felt like beating himself senseless for not having brought it now. True, he had just thought nothing might persuade Trico to remember. But the shield… there was no way he couldn’t try it.

Turning a near panicked gaze back to Trico, Yoshitsu slowly lifted a hand in a placating motion.

“Easy… please stay there.”

Yoshitsu didn’t dare turn his back on Trico, worrying that if he did, it would give him the incentive to finally leave. Instead Yoshitsu walked backwards slowly, not letting his gaze leave his old friend. To this, Trico continued the somewhat curios expression from before, tilting his head again and widening his eyes to better see the human moving backwards all of a sudden.

Please, don’t fly away… please, don’t fly away…

Yoshitsu was terrified now. Terrified of not reaching the shield in time. His body trembled at each step. His heart felt like it was going to leap out of his chest. At one point, his foot hit a rock and he reflexively waived his arms to regain balance, making Trico jolt and let out another angry snort, his ears flattening again. Even before fully regaining balance, Yoshitsu abruptly raised both hands.

“I’m sorry, it’s okay!”

He briefly froze and held his breath. Trico calmed down and lifted his head a little, then started slowly pacing towards the left, five steps, then towards the right. But he still wasn’t leaving.
Yoshitsu turned his head. The shield was there now, only ten feet away. He walked backwards the last steps, slowly kneeled down to take it, and stood back up.

Trico was a good hundred feet away, and Yoshitsu worried if showing the shield now from this distance, before Trico could see it properly, would lead to him mistaking it for something dangerous instead, and perhaps be tempted to leave from that. So Yoshitsu walked closer again, holding the shield sideways by his hip.

Taking the trembling steps back towards Trico who was still slowly taking a few steps one way, then the other way, still with his gaze to the older human, Yoshitsu unconsciously found himself thinking back to the first moment he and Trico had met.

His shock and fear at waking up in a strange cave right next to the so-called “man-eating beast”. His wonder and puzzlement at the Trico not attacking, but accepting his offerings of food and eventually letting him climb and pet his body. When Trico began protecting him from danger. Attacking the cursed armours, or catching him whenever he fell or jumped from a great height. How he had cared for Trico after the fight with the other Trico left his Trico bruised and weakened. The following night he had spent curled up by Trico’s tummy.

When he watched Trico jump and roll in pools of water, resembling a dog, or when he chased birds. When Trico would bend down simply to make Yoshitsu pet him, cooing happily as he did so.

To all those times he had visited the maple tree, calling for Trico to come back to him.

Yoshitsu stopped about fifty feet from him now. Trico likewise stopped his pacing to look back at him, and Yoshitsu saw him glance at the object he was holding in his hands, his nostrils moving as if he tried to catch a whiff of what it was.

Yoshitsu was shaking more than ever. His arms suddenly frozen in place as he realized he became afraid to show the shield now.

What if it didn’t work? What if it didn’t do more good than his skin markings? Yoshitsu found the thought of Trico not recognizing him from the shield either was almost more than he could take. Here he met his childhood friend again that he had dreamed of for so long, only to have no way to make him recognize him, and then Trico would just leave him again, not even knowing he had just met the little boy from 40 years ago.

The thought was unbearable.

But what other choice did Yoshitsu have? Was he going to leave here without even giving it that last shot? There was just… no way….

Yoshitsu bowed his head again. Drew his breath, closed his eyes. Listened to Trico’s heavy and agitated breathing nearly echoing his. He wondered if Trico’s heart was beating as fast as his was.

Then he opened his eyes to look at Trico again, and raised the shield.

As soon as Yoshitsu did, he felt a tremble through his arms. At first he mistook it for his own body going haywire at last from all the tension, when he realized the tremble originated from his hands holding the shield.

The shield. It was vibrating. By his feet Yoshitsu saw the grass strangely lighting up, and he looked down to see the shield flashing bright circles of light pulsing through its rustic surface. Yoshitsu looked up. Trico’s eyes widened. The glow in his eyes had brightened further, before they too flashed soft flickers of light, answering those of the shield’s. His feathers stood straight up in response, his back hunched slightly, resembling that of a weary cat.

Yoshitsu’s heart skipped a beat.

Just like the first time…!

The flickering seized, both in Trico’s eyes and from the shield, and what remained was almost a deafening silence where even the wind had quieted as if in anticipation of what this would bring.
Yoshitsu let out a breath he didn’t realize he had been holding, and slowly lowered the shield while holding Trico’s gaze.

Slowly, he saw, Trico’s feathers relaxed. His wings folded. Trico’s head lifted, his eyes still widened as he returned Yoshitsu’s gaze just as intensely. Then Yoshitsu saw, for the first time that night, the glow from Trico’s eyes fading, like they would do when he no longer was weary.

Once again, Trico tilted his head, and a confused whimper emerged from his throat. At that moment, if Yoshitsu didn’t know any better, he could swear he saw the thought “Little boy…” go through Trico’s mind.

Yoshitsu couldn’t stop himself anymore, and tears started pouring.

“That’s right.” he said, his breath shaking, the corners of his mouth twitching, before shaping themselves into a smile.

“It’s me.”

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