Tamori Taka: The natural progression of the truest friendship

Author: HS Wift

I have been HS Wift for the longest time now, through some of the darkest hours I have known, and it warms my heart to know that the light that led me through lives on still.

May it never die.

"Ah! That stings!" Taka complained, as Keshintai attempted to clean her wounds with a damp cloth.

"I'm sorry, you were always better at this sort of stuff."

"No, I'm sorry, you're doing your best. Here, I may be able to try something." Taka meditated a moment, uttering a quiet prayer to the Kami. The bleeding stopped, though the wounds remained. Her pain somewhat abated, Taka filled Keshintai in on the bullying that she had endured in her absence.

"Oh, dear Taka, I'm so sorry you had to endure all that. It makes me so angry to think of those pathetic, bitter fools!" Keshintai slammed her fist into the floor. Taka reached out to lay a comforting hand on her friend's shoulder.

"It's okay, for I have known true friendship, and so nothing they can do can inflict any lasting wound."

They paused for what seemed an eternity, gazing deeply into each other's eyes, into their souls. The stillness was broken as Keshintai lunged forward and kissed Taka.

And after a moment of surprise, Taka kissed Keshintai back.