Chapter 11 | Regret

- KYOKO POV -

It has been quite some time since I've seen Sesshomaru and Jaken. Ever since that night I have not encountered them on the mountain.

Brushing my hair back I tied it up. Going down to the waterfall I did my routine of cleansing myself. Strange, somehow I feel a bit ... lonely.

As the sun shone down on me, I blocked it's rays with my hand. This ... emptiness I feel is ... similar to that time, but ... it still doesn't come quite as close ...

~- One Year Ago -

"Are you ready?" I said as I turned to Tatsumori. With a grin he nodded. "Leave it to me Kyoko, I did promise to set you free."

I had given in. If anyone could wield the sword it had to be Tatsumori, right?... Scared, I finally got the courage to put my hands together to form unsealing signs. Making signs the barrier went down and as it did, my spiritual energy rushed into back into me. It felt like the air had been sucked out of me and put back in allowing me to breathe.

Struggling to keep up with the flow of spiritual energy I watched as Tatsumori ran into the shrine - I had undid the seals on the shrine beforehand - otherwise he wouldn't have gotten in. Behind me I could hear the cries and yells of demons in the distance rushing towards me in anger. Whipping around, positioned my bow and fended off the demons coming towards me.

After awhile they stopped and making sure they're weren't more, I ran back into the shrine. Stopping outside the entrance, I stood frozen at the sight before me. Tastumori stood still, his breath uneven and harsh as if he was struggling to find air. Around him, a purple aura looked to be surrounding his body; black cracks moving up his hands and face.Was the sword... corrupting him?!

Rushing up to him I went to shake him out of it but pulled back instantly when I did. Looking at my hands they burned from the strong demonic energy.

"Tatsumori?"

Standing there, It felt like an eternity was going by as I could hear Tatusmori start to yell out in pain. Tears brimmed at my eyes as I stopped them. I know ... what I needed to do.

Shaking I took at my bow and trembled putting the arrow to the bow. Easing it up towards him I quivered as his eyes met mine. There was no light in his eyes, he was too far gone. If this goes on any loner who knows what will happen.

Holding back tears I spoke. " Tatsumori ... forgive me, please forgive me ... I truly ... cared for you ... I hope ... you understand."

With that, I released my arrow, feeling something wet run down my cheek as I did.

~-Present Time -

Sighing I rubbed my eye to discover I had brimmed tears. After I ... believed in Tatsumori, the village became a victim to the demons that had retreated when I put the barrier back up. The deaths that day are my fault.

Walking over to the Cherry blossom tress I noticed the weather had gotten colder. Even the flowers were starting to fall. It might snow. As the wind engulfed me, I looked beyond the trees to see if ... they were around.

Finding nothing I retreated back to the shrine. They were gone. That should be a good thing ... so why do I feel ... unhappy?