As I look toward the fire, it pops and sizzles as it burns the wood to char. Then I turn my gaze to the sky, watching as the stars shine behind the leaves and branches, they themselves sway in a gently and cool breeze. My hair brushing over my eyes and I take in a deep breath. As I exhale I feel the life around me.

'Almost makes me philosophical.'

The moon is higher than what it was before, well past midnight as it starts to sink back toward the horizon. But dawn is a long ways off yet.

Starting to let my mind wonder, memories of the night I became Shinigami swarmed into my memory. Flashes of my mother and father's corpses strewn through out a bloodied room. Chairs and tables flipped over against the walls, some laying in splinters. The fire dead and cold as only a small trickle of smoke escaped the chimney. Then her.... the spirit that made me standing in the room holding my fathers soul...

"Onii-san?" I hear someone call.

My heart starts to slow from it's race as relived those memories over again. Looking around as my hair is now plastered to my face from the cold sweat, I notice Amaya looking at me from her bed roll.

As I turn away, she comes over and sits next to me. "What's wrong? Why aren't you sleeping?"

"Someone has to keep lookout at night, and it's nothing." I reply.  "And I hear it's chivalrous to let the women enjoy their comfort."

"What are you thinking about?" Amaya inquires.

"That night..." I reply. I try to keep up a stern face... but I feel my lip quiver slightly as a tear sheds, the thoughts of my mother and father... that night.

"Onii-san," Amaya says moving towards me as she leans down and hold me.

I start silently sobbing the vivid scenes playing through my mind. My heart sinking and feeling as if it's going to break apart.

'Why am I breaking from this?'

"Onii-san," Amaya coos. "When did you get to mourn over that day?"

As I try to get a hold of myself, I reply. "I don't know...after that I had you to take care of, then everything that went on for my training. Then the ones on my list I had to take care of... I don't know if I did ever get a time to mourn them."

Shaking her head, Amaya continues, "You never change, always keeping things hidden from us. Making yourself seem fine, when you're emotions are running wild with strife, or you injuries have taken more than its toll on you. You still keep things hidden not thinking of yourself, but of us..."

As I start to regain control and wipe my eyes, my face is still red with the signs that I indeed had shed tears.

"I have to shape up. I can't let this take a hold of me."

"Onii-san, you need to learn to think of yourself for a while." Amaya replies.

"If something happened to any of you, while you helped me on my journey... I don't think I could forgive myself. I don't think I'd even want to..." I speak softly.

"Onii-san," Amaya exhales, "we all know the risks of joining you... well Minako, Tora, and I do. I can't say the others do as well, but I would expect it."

"That doesn't ease my concern imouto," I retort. "If I can not keep you all safe... than what kind of person could I be."

"You can't protect everyone," Amaya is quick to say. "You need to understand that and accept it. It's painful yes. But it's not something that can be helped... it's just a fact that you need to accept."

Taking in a deep breath as I think of something to counter her words with, I let out a sigh filled with resignation and acceptance. Slowly coming to terms with the truth that are in her words.

"I have to try though." I reply, "I understand that I might not be successful because at the end of the day I am just one man... but even one man has to try."

Smiling Amaya reaches over and takes my hand. "That's all anyone can ask of anyone, Onii-san."

Looking down to her hand I tighten my fingers that are laced with hers. "Thank you imouto."

"Anytime Onii-san." She smiles.

As I look up into the sky, I see the moon has sank even further down, and the dim lights of the sun are peaking up over the horizon.

We here a yawn and turn to see Tora slowly waking up, and Minako already moving closer to us.

"So is it my turn for watch yet?" Tora asks as she rubs her tired eyes. As she looks to the sky she notices the pink hue starting to take over the black night. "Almost dawn? But I thought we would take shifts every hour?"

"Akio probably stayed up all night again," Minako chuckles as she sits next to me.

"What can I say," I reply with chuckle of my own. "Guilty as charged."

After we all had gathered around the fire to eat, we pack our things and start to move further. Walking a distance again we start to come into familiar lands, looking over to Minako, her eyes shimmer with the same recognition that we are close to her village.

Once we clear some trees we look out into a small clearing, and see the village... still wrecked, and slighting burnt. Black soot lies where some homes have been. Animals have started roaming in ruins. Vines and other sorts of plants have taken over plenty of homes, surprisingly, not much plant life exists in this particular stretch of my lands. But I suppose for a couple of centuries it shouldn't come as much of a surprise.

"Is this it?" Tora turns to Minako.

Nodding Minako moves slowly closer to the decrepit gate. As we continue into the village she looks at a wall, somewhat destroyed and decayed.

I watch as she moves closer to it, with me following. Amaya and Tora, both went else where, not noticing that we separate as they explore. When we walk through the doorways that lead into a garden, we see that grounds are scorched in some areas while skeletal remains litter the courtyard here and there, some covered in armor others in tattered skins and cloths. But what Minako is focusing on is the large building in front of us.

It's got a few floors, and is both grand in width and length. The familiar sight is heart breaking, as I turn to Minako she too is feeling the same as I. A tear starts to run down her face, and as that happens I move to her and wipe it away. Turning to me, she stares in silence as I place my hand on her face. Her eyes close, as she leans her head into my touch, then looks at me again. After a moment I lower my hand and take hers in it. And return staring at the building. The visions of fires and screams return to my mind, and as I look at her, I can see them in her stare as well.

"Is this where you lived?" We here someone ask.

We both turn to see Amaya and Tora coming closer to us. To which Minako smiles and nods.

"Yes," she begins, "I was the chiefs daughter. My father and grandfather, were both known to be wise and fair leaders. When our village was small, my grandfather helped them expand and grow as a community. Raising shops, guiding envoys to the closest village, it was a successful time for our village. My father, who had told me of that time, was busy with making sure that everyone was well taken care of. Doctors and apothecaries, were not as abundant as other villages, but some of the best in the world. Experts in their craft. He was a strong leader, and man. But he was also kind of heart."

"Wow," Amaya says, "two generations of good men. You must be proud."

"That's not just the only reason." I add.

Giggling, Minako continues. "My father caught Akio sneaking in our courtyard one night, just outside of my window."

"What?" Tora looks to us baffled. "Akio you snuck into this place?"

"Akio was quite the scamp," Minako laughs.

Nodding I shrug slightly, "yeah, yeah that's true."

"So what happened?" Amaya asks.

"Well they fought." Minako adds.

"Who won?" Tora speaks up.

"I did." Minako laughs.

"Wait what?" both Amaya and Tora asks shocked.

"When they started fighting, it was making so much of a noise, that my mother and I came out to see what was going on, and imagine my surprise when I saw both Akio and my father going at it. My mother was impressed with Akio, no one was able to keep up with my father single handedly." Minako laughs, "I however wasn't impressed with either of them for waking me up so I stepped in and slapped both of them, stopping the fight. You should have seen both of them as I was yelling them, it took all of my power of will to not laugh. Both had bowed heads looking at one another as I was yelling at them. It was a sight to behold."

"Sounds like it." Tora smirks.

"After that my father and mother grew very fond of Akio." Minako continues, "The look of shock on Akio's face when my father invited him over for the day."

"So you got along pretty well with her father huh, Onii-san?" Amaya turns to me.

"We became fairly close sparing partners." I reply.

When I answer, I notice afterwards that the questions stop. As we look around at the place our smiles are removed by the next question.

"What happened?" Tora asks.

I look to Minako, and her smile is now replaced by a sorrowful frown.

"We were attacked," Minako answers. "A massive rouge group came, and started attacking the village. My father, mother, and I fought with our greatest warriors. But the fires were already spreading."

"Where were you in all of this?" Tora turns to me.

"Akio didn't make it until half way through the fight. Him and my father fought as hard as they could... but in the end." Minako replies. After taking a moment to collect herself she continues, "Eventually they were over taken by numbers. I watched as they murdered my father and tried to do so to Akio, the wounds they inflicted on him as he tried to fight them off... well it was never enough to kill him... but due to blood loss he did black out and fall."

"How many were there?" Amaya says placing her hand over her mouth.

"Too many..." Minako answers. "When I was overtaken they had knocked me unconscious. When I came too, I was in kyuuketsuki hands... and from there it was just trying to survive."

"When did Isao come into it?" I ask.

"Isao was also in chains, along side me. but when she over heard that they planned to use me to hunt you, she helped free me." Minako sighs, "but when she did help me escape, she switched bodies with me. The pain made me black out... and by the time I had awoke, I had found myself in her body. And mine no where to be found."

"Oh." I reply.

"Wait you had your body replaced?" Tora asks incredulously.

"Yes," Minako sighs. "but that's another tale entirely and I'd rather not share."

As we stroll through out where the markets used to be, as we continue Minako talks about life here in this village.

"There used to be so many people here," Minako points out, "stalls were always torn down and the people who brought them would move on, so each day there was a new stall with new wears. It was amazing to see people come together. Even if it was to haggle merchandise."

"Wow so every day was something new to behold. Sounds like there wasn't ever a dull moment." Amaya says smiling as she looks around, probably picturing what it looked like.

We move to a giant black spot with some wood still standing is some form of shape, decaying silently.

"This used to be the tavern," Minako smiles, "I would come here with some friends of mine."

"Wow, so how many guys did you attract?" Tora asks as she looks it over.

"To be honest," Minako starts slightly blushing, "before I knew Akio, I was actually quite the flirt. I used to have a man trying to win me over every night I came here."

"Oh such a party girl were you?" Tora says placing and arm on her shoulder and leaning on her.

"I guess you could say that."

We keep moving onward to other parts of the town, then I notice in a corner of a small garden, one hidden and passed by public eyes. A tall tree has grown, the leaves covering it's trunk and small area underneath it from the sun. I smile as a memory comes into mind. Minako has noticed I stopped and comes to investigate; as she looks towards what I'm focusing on, she smiles.

"What are you two staring at?" Tora asks coming over to look. When her and Amaya come over and look at the tree, she stares at it confused. "What's so special about that?"

"I take it your fascination for sitting in the shade of a tree hasn't wavered Onii-san?" Amaya smiles.

Nodding I turn to Minako, she too is lost in the memory of us resting against the tree. Asleep and shaded from the summers blazing sun. The time was sweet, and one of my closest memories.

As we, once again, walk onward toward another section of the village we see an alley way between a row of buildings, some crumbled, other's still standing.

"What happened there?" Amaya asks.

"That was the first time I saw Akio fight." Minako says coming up behind her.

"Wait you mean he fought while he was here in the village?" Tora points.

"It was the first time people knew he was a serious opponent under the worst circumstances." Minako replies, "he was disarmed by the authorities here. Of course they only brought him back here to have chance to take him down. Maybe abuse him enough to make him leave and never come back... Akio wouldn't stand down."

"What happened?" Tora asks.

"A blood bath." Minako replies with a still tone.

"Wait he didn't-" Amaya starts.

"Oh yes he did... when he finally lost his control... nothing stopped from tearing them apart." Minako continues.

"What made him flip?" Tora inquires.

"I tried to stop them from hurting him... I was naïve to think that they were the threat. But when I tried to stop them... one of them hit me and knocked me to the ground. And that's when he lost it." Minako sighs.

The memory like the others before it, play with clarity. Part for part she was accurate in it's relation to them.

We continue to look around the village more, and then when we leave for the main gate, Amaya turns to me.

"Onii-san?" She calls. "Are we going to.."

She can not finish. Her eyes are trying to hide the sorrow filling them. Moving closer to her, I place my hand on her head and nod.

"Yes, that is our next stop."

Minako comes and places her hand in Amaya's, "are you going to be okay."

Amaya nods, but stays silent as we turn to leave the village. Homeward bound, we move quietly.

We soon make our way to another clearing in the forest as we sit and rest.

"So what was it like?" Tora asks.

"What do you mean?" I call back to her.

As we sit in a circle against some logs, placed by other travelers at some point, Minako and next to me to my left, Amaya to my right, and Tora across from me.

"What was your childhood like?"

Looking toward the sky, I remember my father playing with me at an early age. Only to start training a few years later. The times I had with him I'll treasure in my mind forever... but all of that was intended to get me prepared for the Shinigami's life. We would laugh when we had a chance to take a break, but the training was always serious.

"Off in your own little world, Akio?" Tora calls to me again.

"Yeah, you could say that." I reply, then I start to answer, "my childhood was full of training to become the Shinigami, but when I was an early child... I just assumed it was play and fun. When I started to get older maybe around fifty six, it was more serious to me. We trained with swords, knives, poles, bows and arrows, and then finally majutsu."

"Wait you were fifty six?" Tora asks. "But weren't you supposed to be a kid?"

"I was, fifty six is about when a child becomes 8 or nine 9, in appearance at least." I sigh, "it was about seventy five when Amaya was born. So in appearance you could say I was thirteen. But that's besides the point. Training only got harder when she came... of course given as our father was the Shinigami, he wasn't around that much."

"Why all the training? I mean you were just a child." Tora chimes in again.

"Because, my father understood that one of us had to take his place when he died... and all of us didn't want Amaya having to suffer this. So the only other one who could take it was me... and I volunteered to do it."

"Wait but I thought picking the Shinigami was random. Anyone from any race could become the Shinigami." Tora again speaks out.

"You don't know spirit then... and no." I reply. "She only cares about the Shi no Deshi, she will only select from them... and it's only random because she personally selects it. This isn't some divine god. This is a sadistic spirit who holds with them a lot of power."

"But your race worships her."

"Yes... but that's because they do not know her. They only know her product... a being so fierce that they couldn't hope to take it on alone. The strength of the Shinigami is told to every race. Isn't it funny how I do not worship her? And as far as I know most other Shinigami's before me haven't either."

"So your father had to choose a lesser of two evils..." Tora sighs.

"Yes," I reply as I look to Amaya, still clearly remembering the fight I had with her before in Ryuujin lands.

She looks back at me with slight guilt. With her being so young. I don't expect her to remember everything about what was going on... hopefully it was mostly the good sides of the time we shared with our parents.

"What happened to your father?" Tora asks, "I know that you'd not be the Shinigami now if he were alive..."

Amaya and I both look toward her, "you haven't heard?" She asks Tora.

"No, just trying to get people to talk about your plans, both of yours... people have been playing their cards pretty close to their chests...

It's then that it clicks in my mind.

"What did Momaru tell you before I entered the room?"

"What makes you think the pervert told me anything?" She retorts suddenly.

"Please," I scoff. "I know Momaru better than you give me credit for. And in saying that... he probably told you about this little incursion. Probably over hearing it from some of our conversations."

"Actually Onii-san," Amaya calls out, "I told him."

"And who informed you?"

"Minako did," She answers, "She told me that you planned to see the old house again, and offered if I wanted to come that I could."

"So when did Momaru ask you?" I slightly smile.

"He asked me the day that we went to assault Zeno," She sighs, "I didn't want to talk about something that would lose your focus on the battle ahead, plus it gave me time to think about if I was ready to make this journey or not."

Nodding, I reach over and place my hand on her head, "I thank you for coming, and like Minako, I'm pleased you came with us."

She smiles, and I then turn my attention back to Tora.

"So when did he tell you," I ask sternly to Tora.

"Don't give me that tone, I haven't done anything."

"Except hide a truth that I want answered."

"And why? I haven't done anything wrong." She protests.

Letting out a breath, I close my eyes and collect myself from my frustration, "If you wanted to come you could have asked... I just want to know the how and why you chose to do it like this."

Turning to me, she takes in a deep breath and releases it preparing her statement.

"When I first heard you were the new Shinigami, I had to ask around a lot. But not one person save for Momaru was willing to tell me anything." She starts, "You have no idea how much begging I had to do to get even him to tell me something. At that time it was before I saw you at Momaru's tower, I was still a commander. He told me that your father died and you had to take his place, he didn't give me any details, saying it was 'best to not get involved to deeply'. To make a long story short, I kept asking everywhere, hoping to find out what exactly happened to you. It wasn't long before I found out that your sister was newly appointed leader of the entire Shi no Deshi race, when I asked who had the power all they said was the Shinigami. Not a single one knew your name or if they did exposed that the knew it. Again moving forward, when I asked Momaru again, he was very reluctant to inform me of this little journey, but told me if I really wanted to see the truth then I'd find away to go with you. But it felt disrespectful to ask so boldly, also I figured you would have said no. So Momaru came up with an idea when he was on his sick bed wounded from the battle with Zeno, a plan to make you come in and then appoint me to look after you, I had no idea that he would do it the way he did-

At that moment her arms cross under her chest as if guarding them as she blushes.

"But I recognized the opportunity, he had made for me and went with it." She finishes.

Shaking my head, I look away from her, "to be honest I'm not sure why anyone would want to know the truth behind what happened... the fact of the matter is that it happened. And there is nothing we can do to reverse it."

"I want to learn more about it so that way I can understand the events that took place, maybe understand what has been going on for you when your made into the Shinigami."

"Why?" I turn to her again, "Why do you want to know so much? Can't we just accept that I am the Shinigami, that the reasons don't mean anything now that it's already done?"

"You can say what ever you want about the matter Akio, but I am not the only one who want's this answer."

I turn back to Amaya and Minako, "I take it that you both want this answer?"

Both nod to me. Sighing I turn back to Tora, "And Momaru?"

She nods as well.

Slightly growling out of frustration, I reluctantly start to stand up.

"Where are you going?" Tora asks.

"Shut up and keep up if you want your damned answer."

"So you'll tell us?"

I stop and glare at her over my shoulder, "I said 'keep up'."

We start to walk again back to the old home, complete silence is along the way.

Further down the road we start seeing a dark stone wall and in it a small two floor home, the land has taken it, tall weeds and overgrowth has captured the garden that mother worked hard to keep alive and well. Providing food for us when I couldn't return with fish or any other source of meat.

Looking back to Amaya, her eyes are about to burst into tears, as she tries harder to stifle the sorrow in her heart. Looking back to the house, my attention turns to two small crosses just to the opposite side of the furthest wall. As I walk over my heart begins to sink more.

Coming to my parents graves my mind flashes back to a young boy digging the graves in the rain, slipping in the mud every once in a while, tears mixed with rain as he keeps digging, praying that his little sister doesn't wake up yet. Gritting his teeth as his heart is plagued with agony, my mind keeps watching this boy dig.

That morning I remember taking Amaya to them after I had buried them, she was struck with sorrow, out bursting her crying screams for her mother and father were echoed through the forest surrounding the home... holding her, I made a promise to take care of her as much as I could before I had to begin my task as the Shinigami.

As my mind wondered I didn't notice that Minako came to me embracing me on my left side, as Amaya has come closer taking my hand on my right. Tora to the right of her just stands in silence.

A single tear sheds down my face as I look to my mother's grave, she always stayed on my fathers right. I could never understand it. But my mother always told me that it was because her heart would always be closer to my father.  It took me finding Minako to realize it. Then I turn to my father's grave. Another tear tolls down my face as I stare into his cross. I had always wanted to be strong like him.... but I never wanted it so bad as to get it through his sacrifice.

Amaya turns her head away and squeezes my hand a little. As if wanting to leave.

I turn and start to move away with them right behind me, we then go into the home. And find that the room has not changed in anyway. The scorch marks left on the ceiling from when the fire place went out of control. The stains of blood are still left on the floor, preserved. Wood is rotting in some areas but the ritual circle is still there and this piques Tora's curiosity. She goes to investigate it and is shocked to see the blackened and dried blood pools on the floor near it. Then more so at the symbol in the circles middle.

"He used a Shi ritual?" She asks looking up toward me.

I don't say a word and move on to the kitchen, the smell of rotting vegetables, and the sight of cobwebs scattered all over the place only confirms the fact that it has indeed been a long time before since we have been here.

'The first time in a long time,' I remind myself.

I then turn to see Amaya move up stairs, I immediately follow her. As I come up stairs I hear the wood creak and groan behind me. Looking to see her moving to a doorway I immediately recognize that it's hers, and move to follow.

When I reach the doorway I stand there leaning against the frame as I watch Amaya lean down and pick up a molded and torn stuffed bear. She looks up and turns to me.

"It's my stuffed bear," She says slightly smiling tears still slightly streaming her face, looking down at it she continues, "it's Stuffins. I remember watching okaa-san making this when I was little."

She looks back up to me, smiling slightly I nod move closer to her, "do you remember why you called him that?"

Giggling slightly she nods, "we had to change his stuffing so many times, so I started calling him that." Her tears starting to turn into sobs as she holds her old toy, I wrap and arm around her. "I never wanted another toy in the world, even if Okaa-san insisted and Otou-san promised to get me new ones on his travel. I declined them both because I loved Stuffins. I loved him because Okaa-san made him."

"I know," I speak softly as I comfort her. "I know."

After spending a couple of minutes in her room we got to mine. A small bed now tatters, and with the fabric tearing in several places and the inner fibbers rotting away. The walls are cracked and weathered, but I notice the wooden swords on the wall, falling apart and ruined. Same going for the bows I trained with, the strings are nearly degraded entirely. Cobwebs hang in corners and on the ceiling. The house starts to groan as it settles when the wind changes, but my room has nothing new in it. No toys, barren. I was never one for the small things, and that only became more apparent when training started. Sighing I turn to leave when Amaya stops me.

"Are you okay?" She asks.

"What is that supposed to mean." I reply, "Of course I'm fine."

"Akio," She snaps quietly, "tell me the truth."

I sigh as I have tried to hide the fact that my memories haven't stopped rushing my mind since we got here. And slowly traversing these halls and rooms hasn't helped it any.

"No," I exhale in defeat. "I long to return to the time when they were alive."

Nodding she replies, "I know, me too. But that's not going to happen and we both know it."

"Yes, I know." I answer. "Let's go and set up camp for the night."

"You know, maybe one day..." She starts before I could move past her. "Maybe one day one of us can restore this house... make it another family home again."

Smiling, I turn to her. As she looks over to me she smiles as well. "I think that would be an amazing idea. One that, I'm sure, Okaa-san and Otou-san would be proud of."

She beams at the comment and then we join Minako and Tora outside, and start to set up camp. Looking over from time to time to that old home, with memories of a happier place playing in our memories.

With camp finally set up, we look around at each other, eating more of the packed food. Silence has an eerie presence over all of us.

Finally Tora looks up at me and asks. "How did you father die, Akio?"

Frowning a little I look up to see Minako, Tora, and Amaya looking at me with a desire for the answer.

"You didn't figure it out yet?" I say as I try to return to my small meal.

"I have theories but I'd like you to confirm it for me."

Looking to the others I see Amaya staring with the most desire to know what happened.

"Have you ever considered that I have my reasons for not talking about it?" I reply frustration now starting to settle in.

"Onii-san please?" Amaya begs.

Catching her gaze, I sigh and lower my food, "fine... but I want you to know Amaya, I kept this hidden from you because I didn't want you suffer more than you have."

"I want to know," She answers.

"Alright then." I take a deep breath and let it out, preparing my explanation. "In order to fully explain this, I want you to know that this was plaguing Otou-san's minds for a long time. But he wanted to escape being the Shinigami. He wanted to spend more time raising us than being gone only to see we've grown more without him to witness. As you can expect this didn't sit well with him, not to mention taking care of both of us and making sure we survived on our own was taxing okaa-san heavily. The woods and forests of our land is known to be dangerous with a partner, but it's deadly to those who brave it alone. And both me and mother had too. Again with this knowledge father feared the worse and wanted to avoid it entirely, the only way was to get out of being the Shinigami. So the Shi ritual was planned, but there had to be fall backs. Who was to take his place if he should fail it. Again realize this was on fathers mind before even I was born. Since I was the only child, it would be me. But then you came along. Both a blessing and a curse because now you were a candidate for the role of the Shinigami. So they had to beg me to promise, that I would take over if it should fail. Well naturally as you could expect... it did fail... and for his insolence the spirit killed both Otou-san, and Okaa-san. In a very painful way..."

"He tried to leave for us?" Amaya says her hand clasped over her mouth, tears filling her eyes and flowing down her face.

Nodding I sigh, "yes. Yes he did."

"So what happened next?" Tora asks hesitantly. "How did you become Shinigami and not Amaya."

"She was particularly interested in me for some reason, so she struck a deal with me." I reply. "If I took my fathers place, Amaya would be spared."

All of them look at me shocked.

Minako is the first to speak, "Sp-spared? As in-"

"As in she wouldn't kill Amaya yes." I reply.

"But I thought you took it to save me from being the Shinigami," Amaya cries out.

"I chose to put it that way to avoid pity, and to not feel yourself to blame." I answer.

"But you just said she was a candidate-" Tora starts.

I interject, my frustration starting to settle in, "She was, or so we thought at first. But for some damned reason when she saw me, it was very clear to me that she didn't care for Amaya anymore. She found her next pawn, and she wanted it more than anyone else."

"But wh-"

"I don't fucking know why!" I start to voice loudly and fierce, "If I had some damn clue, do you think I'd still be asking myself that?!"

After my out burst, silence fell upon us all again. Finally, I speak out after a resigned breath leaves my lunges. "Now do you see why I've hidden it from everyone?"

"I'm sorry for prying," Tora mummers.

"Are you happy with the answer?"

She shakes her head, Minako is next to speak. "Akio, no one is happy about this entire situation you're in. We all want to help much as we can, but without proper information... we don't know where to start."

"I don't want you to try and help... I don't want you to be burdened by any of this... especially you Minako."

Again silence falls over us, and I look around to see my closest friend, my love, and my dearest Imouto, all have come with me on my journey through choice. Each came at their own time, but they came none the less. I smile slightly as my attention turns back to the fire.

"All in all," I say to them. "It felt good to visit these places again."

They start smiling, each nodding.

"Yes it was," Minako coos.

"Hopefully one day-" Amaya starts, but then smiles. I know that what she meant and I hope one day she can start a living there again, at the old home. I know she would feel the pride of our parents if she did.

"We should head back to the inn." Tora says. "It's been two days."

"Yes," I reply. "We have our friends to return to."

"I know Tora can't wait to get back to Momaru." Amaya teases.

"HEY NOW, DON'T YOU DARE GET THE IDEA THAT WE'RE AN ITEM!"

Minako and I laugh as those two go at it. Tomorrow, things will return to our own form of normal.

HEY GUYS, IT'S ME AGAIN! SORRY THAT THIS CHAPTER WAS SO MUCH SHORTER THAN THE OTHERS, I PLAN ON GOING STRAIGHT BACK TO THE USUAL LENGTH IN THE NEXT CHAPTER. AGAIN I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU IN THECOMMENTS, I DO READ THEM AND RESPOND TO THEM. ALSO I ASK YOU TO VOTE IF YOU LIKED IT. I ALSO WANTED TO PERSONALLY THANK KarlieArnold, AGAIN SHE IS ANOTHER WATTPAD WRITER, WORKING ON A BOOK CALLED CURSED EYES. IT'S A GREAT READ AND I'D RECOMEND IT WHOLE HEARTEDLY. ANOTHER WATTPAD WRITER I'D LIKE TO THANK, AND I KNOW YOU MIGHT KNOW HER, AT LEAST MOST OF YOU, Cupcake3313. SHE'S GOT SERVERAL BOOKS OUT. BUT BOTH OF THESE PEOPLE HAVE HELPED OUT ALOT WITH THIS BOOK. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK ALL OF YOU WHO READ THIS CHAPTER AND THE CHAPTERS BEFORE IT. AND AGAIN I KNOW I SAID I'D PUBLISH THE ANOTHER BOOK I WAS WORKING ON ANOTHER SITE, I'M MAKING SOME TWEAKS TO IT AS WELL AS PARTIALLY TYPING IN IT. SO HOPEFULLY YOU WILL SEE IT SOON. AGAIN THANK YOU ALL FOR READING SON OF THE SHIMIGAMI AND FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT.