Eternal Melody

YUHI

"I already know about grandfather's condition."

Yuhi blinked in surprise. "You do?"

Sumire nodded. "I know he has a deadly illness that can only be cured by obtaining the blood of the heir of the Ibuki main family. At present, there is only me. But considering the time frame of his hostile behaviour, it seems like I was always going to be the heir."

"You didn't realize?"

"Truthfully, my parents behaviour was so strange. I think my mother did love me but it was much harder to say with my father. He always prioritised my sister, and didn't spare much of as a glance at me. There was a time I was convinced that he forgot I even existed."

At those words he pulled the girl onto his lap and hugged her. Sometimes comforting words don't help, sometimes what others need is to be held.

Sumire laughs weakly. "Even though I said to myself it was already okay. Coming back here, I remember how painful it was to be compared, and how I spent many years feeling useless."

"You useless?"

Sumire giggled. "I know you don't think so my dear."

"Yeah, your too amazing for the world. How can you be useless>"

At those words he felt Sumire's lips on his cheek. "This behaviour is more like you. I have always liked how honest you are my dear."

Yuhi scratches his hair with his free hand awkwardly. "I really am sorry for the last few days, no my behaviour since I got back. I'll keep going to counselling. I'll do my best."

Sumire nodded. "I understand it's been hard on you Yuhi. But, I want you to understand. No matter what happens, I love you Yi."

Yuhi's eyes widened hearing her use that name. "I guess you want to talk about it."

"Mm, I thought I recovered all my memories regarding my past lives. But, there is still a block. In my first life, when I turned seventeen. I was involved in an accident wasn't I?"

Yuhi exhales deeply and nodded. "I'm sure you heard the rumors about a girl visiting the phoenix god that was secluded in the mountains."

"Was that me?"

"I think the main reason why you were so brazen to visit was because you felt the bond. The soul bond is a bond of fate, so before you even came to see me. You must have had prophetic dreams."

At those words Sumire suddenly interjected. "Dreams?"

Yuhi nodded, and seeing her face colour turned pale realizing. "Are you saying Len was-"

"I suspect Lennon was supposed to be your soul bond partner after I cut our bond."

Sumire looked at him livid. "You cut our soul thread?"

Yuhi exhales deeply. "Before you get angry, I'll have you know. I had to do it to save your life."

"Explain."

"You were drawn to me by the bond, most-likely after experiencing numerous dreams. Rather you confirmed it when we met since you mumbled something like me being more handsome in person that in the dream."

Sumire's cheeks coloured. "Ahem, are you sure I said that?"

He raised his eyebrow. "Actually, to be exact you walked in on me bathing and you asked me if my private parts are that large because of my dragon-"

At those words she turned beat red and cursed.

"So, I laughed and told you if you want to find out you could join me in the tub."

He was really surprised when this random girl showed up out of nowhere. He hadn't had company in years, not since he decided to seclude himself. 'I still did my work as Lord of the region, but I never interacted with anyone directly for five years.' So, when she showed up like that he was surprised.

It was surprising, had it been anyone else he would have sent them away. But, he also felt it when he saw the girl. The soul bond. Unlike females, the males dreams are different. They can hear their partners voice, and know their name. But they do not see their faces. 

When he started getting the dreams, it was when he was still residing in his main residence in the town. He felt her presence the moment she was born. But, considering how he was six years older than her, he decided to wait. He decided to wait until she grew up, and came to him. Six years isn't a lot for a god and goddess, there were those with larger gaps. So, Yuhi was thankful that 

"Did I hit you?"

Yuhi smirked. "Yeah you tried to, but then you slipped and ended up in the tub with me."

"Uh, I have a bad feeling about this."

"You landed on my private part that you mentioned."

If Sumire was embarrassed before she was now. "I'm so glad we had normal meetings afterwards."

Yuhi chuckled. "Yeah, the kiss and fondling from the sixth life was an excellent first meeting."

"You hooligan! But I understand, you did that because you knew who I was."

"Yeah, truthfully Sumire. It didn't take long before we got into a relationship with each other. I think it's because you already understood there was something between us."

"Did you take my first time?" Sumire wondered.

"I did, and when you told me it was your first I almost wanted to hold a party." Yuhi chuckled as he traced her red stained cheeks. "You really came across as vicious, especially at the start. You wanted answers to why she was getting dreams about me. I told you to help yourself to the books in the library, while taking the ones regarding the soul bond out."

"Did you not want me to know?"

Yuhi shakes his head. "It's not like that. I acknowledged you as my partner for life. But, I knew with the current situation. I wouldn't be able to court you properly."

"I know you felt bad about accidentally burning a village down, but was there more to it?"

By instinct Yuhi faltered at the question but feeling Sumire's eyes on his, and her hands on his Yuhi managed to speak. 

"I wasn't the one who burned the village down." Yuhi admitted.