[TWWM] Those Connected by Fate

Location: India (Early Spring)

The two had made their way all the way from Sauvi's forest home, to the home Kaito had left months ago in search for her. As they made their way up the hill the garden wall's came into view. Tall white walls curled around from the back, an elaborate archway signaling the entrance at long last. Kaito's heart rose, and then fell when the walls came into view. No longer tidy and clean, vines tangled the walls, and a greenish mist of lichen clung to the bricks. "Oh..." he exhaled softly, as they slowed their approach. 

Entering the little garden, Kaito's longing was finally satisfied, his heart settled and he felt the connection to this place swell. He was home. A tear slipped from his eye before he could catch it, and he laughed.
"Oh, Ha! I'm sorry Sauvi, I..." he turned away, wiping at the tear.
"Its alright, I can feel how much this means to you. Its lovely here!"
"Ah, It was, no one has cared for it since..." he stopped for a moment, memories rushing back to him. "My father...must of searched for me. Its been several months now, of course no one would be worried about caring for the garden." he laughed softly, as they padded into the courtyard. 

The koi pond was devoid of life, the fish having been moved...or gone. Moss crept at the edges of everything, and green algae had swept across the pristine white sands of the zen garden. The fountain was still, and the bench near the water had been tipped onto its back, rusty legs pointed skyward helplessly. Kaito stood there, resting, feeling quite empty. He hadn't known what to expect, but this made sense. He felt silly for believing that it would still be as he'd left it. Sauvi approached him, feeling a bit awkward and naked without her vines. Her tail felt quite light, the breeze carrying strands of hair around. It made her nervous. She pushed it from her mind again though and tried to help.
"Would it make you feel better if we, like...tidied up a bit?"
Kaito beamed at her, "Oh you know! We could do that, It would be...but... I don't want to keep you here too long. We should return now." He looked towards the archway knowingly.
"No no, I'm okay I promise." He looked at her, she seemed much smaller without the tangle of vines and grapes that usually enveloped her back. She was as beautiful as ever though, but he could feel that she was uncomfortable.
"We don't have to, I got to come back, I'll be fine now, we can go."
"I just..." she stammered, trying to think of a way to get him to do something good for himself instead of her for a change. "I just really wanted to see it...how it was before..."
"You did?" he glanced across the disheveled garden, imagining before.
"Yes... You brought me here before, remember? You showed me your lovely garden when we were still...human. I just... I don't remember very well, and I wanted to see it again."
"Are you sure? You'll be okay to stay a bit?" he looked into her eyes, serious.
"I'm sure. Lets clean it up a bit." 

And so the pair worked together, they carefully scraped the ruined sand from the top of the zen garden, and deftly swept the mossy sludge from the pool. Reaching high, Kaito pulled down the vines from the walls, and carefully stacked the decorative stones as they'd been before. Sauvi righted the tumbled bench, positioning it near the water. Sweeping leaves from the cobblestones and brushing cobwebs from the corners, little by little they pulled the garden back from the edge. They stood beside each-other, excited and proud of what they'd accomplished.
"Thank you Sauvi." Kaito whispered as he looked around the much-more-familiar looking garden now.
"You don't need to thank me my love." she whispered back. Together they walked to the edge of the pool and sat down. The sun was low at this point, and the air once more became chill.
"We can go now." Kaito said, worried still about her being away from home so long.
"No, lets stay a bit longer please." Sauvi whispered, not entirely sure why, but she was quite content for the moment.

They sat, leaning against each-other, as the moon rose, its silver reflection dancing on the surface of the pool softly. "I wish the forest had a place like this." she said.
"What, you don't like the little mossy pool anymore?" he said, a bit shocked.
"Oh, no I do. It just... this place has a lovely calming feel. I just wish we had that in the forest too."
"Something perhaps...from our past?"
"Perhaps that is it." the garden reminded her of happiness, and of being human. She felt connections to this place even though they were not her boundary at all. It was different. A different kind of feeling. 

"Hmm" he pondered, thinking about what she'd said. "Perhaps you're right. Maybe I shouldn't of been so fearful to bring you here. I just thought..."
"I know" she said, cutting him off, "don't worry. I know you're just trying to help me heal. This feels warm though."
"Mmhmm. It felt good, cleaning this all up." Kaito sighed and leaned his head back, gazing up towards the moon.
"Could we... do something like this in the forest?" Sauvi asked, wondering if such a thing were possible.
"What do you mean?"
"Like...could we set up a little garden like this in the forest."
Kaito's brow furrowed as he thought for a moment, and then he turned towards her, his eyes squinted upwards happily.
"Oh, I suppose we could! If you'd want to!"
"Oh I would!" She leapt to her feet excitedly.
He giggled, she looked like an excited puppy. "Now?"
"Oh yes, right now!" 

His soul being replenished by now, and hers longing to return to the forest, and with such excitement, it was surely perfect timing. And so he rose, and nodded in thanks to his home. 'Thank you for repairing our spirits.' he thought silently, before turning to follow the excited girl down the hill.