Luca's eyes widened in confusion. "What the heck are you talking about?"
Rin sighed and rolled her eyes, pointing at the ghost caught in the picture. "This man here is your real father. And the reason your 'father' avoids you.", she repeated, emphazising the word 'father'.
"I..." Luca stared at the ghost and his hand started shaking. "He...he seems so...familiar..."
"Melina told me about a certain spirit teaching you and her a little unarmed fighting skills. Her description fits to Senzajin." Rin took the photo and put it back into her pouch. "Maybe that's why?"
"Spirit...?" Luca looked confused. "The one I haven't seen for ages...?"
"Sure sounds like it."
"But...why? How? Did he leave?" Luca's hands were shaking uncontrollably.
"Considering latest pictures he doesn't leave your side anymore.", the young woman replied, handing him another few pictures, showing different parts of his everyday life.

Luca at dinner, Luca taking a walk around Silvermoon, Luca at Yasha's funeral, Luca on the training grounds, Luca in so many parts of his life, Senzajin by his side, always and ever...

"I..."
"It must be hard to take all that. I'm sorry..."
"No need to be. Just...I...I can't come home like this."
"My doors are always open for you.", Rin smiled.
"Appreciated. Can I...spend the night at yours?"
"Sure!" Senzajin could've sworn there was more than a friendly smile going on inside her head.

•▪■▪•

Rin's house was outside of Silvermoon, behind it to be precise, a little into the wilderness next to the bridge to Sunstrider Isle.

Senzajin couldn't help himself but admire the peaceful scenery this place was giving.
He was worried about his son who seemed absent to his surroundings, of course, but this place deserved his attention.
With a little last hope Senzajin bent over and tugged at the top of Luca's ear. "You should look around, Luca."
The boy winced and looked over to Rin who was a few steps ahead. "Did you just say something?"
Rin shook her head. "I didn't. Why do you ask?"
"Someone told me to look around..." Luca rubbed his neck and looked around, trying to find that person.
Again, it hurt Senzajin a little when his look went straight through him.
"Here's nobody but you and me."
"Are you sure?" Rin raised an eyebrow. "After we just talked about your ghost father following you literally anywhere? Can't you see him at all?"
"No...I can't..."
"Feel him?"
"No."
Rin looked confused. "Even I can feel him."
"That's bad then...", Luca sighed and caught up to Rin. "How come you feel him and I don't?"
"I cannot tell you that but I know how I can help your senses to reach out for paranormal again. You will need it if you want to fight."
"Thank you, Rin..."
"No need to. Just doing my...uhm...duty! Yes, duty." The blood elven guard blushed a little but shook her head as if trying to get rid of thoughts.

Luca chuckled and took a deep breath after they entered Rin's one roomed house.
"It seems like you'll have to stay here for a few days.", Rin murmured. "If you don't feel uncomfortable doing so, you can borrow clothes from my father. He...He won't return anyway..."
"Why won't he?"
"He died in the Dead Scar." Rin swallowed and shook her head. "I don't want to talk more about that."
Luca nodded slowly.

•▪■▪•

After Rin finished changing clothes, she and Luca started preparing food.
Senzajin was still able to smell things and wished he could eat it as well, but dead as he was he couldn't even be hungry anymore.

Not able to do anything but bug the two elves he sat down on another fluffy chair, watching them cook something delicious, telling each other jokes while doing so and laughing together.
His heart felt so incredibly warm thinking about how happy Luca must be right now while he was just a restless spirit sent back to the kingdom he cursed to watch over his son.

"Done!" Rin's sudden call pulled him back into the present. "Now we can eat."
"Was about time.", Luca smirked.
Rin rolled her eyes with a smile and filled two bowls with the meal they just cooked.
It looked like a creamy soup with meat, noodles and potatoes, and sure as hell smelled heavenly delicious.
"Thanks for the food.", the two elves said simultaneously and with a following wide grin started eating it.

Senzajin smiled.
He was really happy for his son but it still wasn't pleasing him enough.
He wanted to be there with him, and Rin too.
Impossible, it seemed.