Kouga Claim Set 2 Theme #78 Gratitude
Letting Go
It was decided that they would hold a ceremony of remembrance for the dead. Well, more like it was decided for them, since apparently, the dead were getting impatient.
The idea was all well and good. The problem was actually getting people to talk about their losses.
Friends.
Family.
Respected figures.
Pain was not something that was shared, much less out loud.
The first to speak out was the Elder. He began by thanking the wolf that scarified himself so that he and the rest of the survivors could escape from the demon-eater. He thanked all those who died trying to protect them.
“Kouga, can you see them?” Ayame asked.
Lights on the surface of the river.
“Yeah, I see them.”
“Those are the souls of the dead,” she said.
Everyone else could see them, too.
The Elder’s strong words created a ripple of whispers.
They kept coming; hundreds maybe even thousands of lights.
He had to let go.
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you all. I’m sorry my vengeance was not fulfilled.”
“We don’t hate you, Kouga.”
That voice was coming from Tsuki.
“You don’t?”
“No. You gave it your all. That’s all we could ever ask for. Besides, you’ve got a good thing going in this clan. Don’t waste it. We know you’ll be a good leader to them. Oh, tell the little maiden we’re sorry we were so hard on her before. We had no idea she was a girl.”
“I’ll tell her.”
“Goodbye, Leader.”
It was nearly dawn when the last soul passed over the water.
“…Aniu?”
He paused. It was faint, but her voice was still…
“Welcome back, Tsuki.”
It was over. Their long ordeal was finally over.