FY The Kana Chronicles

Title: Sorrowful Goodbyes

Author: Jigoku no Miko

Author’s Quote: A soul is never complete without the love of a friend





We’ve been together

Through good times and bad

You’ve always been there for me

I’ll always treasure

The Best friends I have

Eternally

~Only A Memory Away SM Soundtrack~







The next day Kana and Chichiri were sitting out in the same spot well Chichiri was sitting there Kana was leaning against his shoulder sleeping. Suddenly Kana sat straight up with a gasp and looked around at the sky wide-eyed.

“Hey you okay?” Chichiri questioned looking at her confused.

“What? Oh yeah I guess.” Kana stuttered before Chiriko went walking by behind them.

“Chiriko what’s going on?” Chichiri yelled over his shoulder to the small child with brown hair.

“Miaka is acting strangely.” Chiriko whispered.

“But Miaka always acts strangely no da.” Chichiri yelled back before reverting his attention back to the sea.

“What is it Chichiri?” Chiriko questioned.

“I sense a strange life force ahead of us looming closer and closer no da.” Chichiri whispered trying to recognize whom it was.

‘Soi, dumb bitch can’t she just go fuck Nakago and leave us alone?’ Kana thought looking out over the sea attentively and tense.

“Hey you okay?” Chichiri questioned putting a hand on her shoulder.

“Yeah I’ll be fine.”

“Thanks.” Kana whispered after Chichiri handed her, her necklace.

“How did you get it?”

“Hotohori figured he would forget and you wouldn’t get it if you came with us.” Chichiri explained before handing the locket to Kana. Suddenly black clouds rolled in and lightening struck the mast of the ship setting it on fire.

“AH!” Chichiri yelled covering his face, the two stood up before Tamahome and the others came running out on the deck where the fire was spreading.

“Chichiri what’s happening?” Tamahome questioned coming to stand next to him.

“I think an enormous enemy power is approaching us head on and creating this storm, they’re attacking with lightening.” Chichiri explained.

“Could it be Soi?” Miaka whispered before a large wave crashed over the side of the boat knocking everyone over but they all stayed on board.

“A little water can’t beat us it can’t stand up to my mighty flames! Rekka Shi-ah!” Tasuki yelled before a wave came over and he was pulled off of the boat into the water.

“Tasuki!” Miaka cried.

“Help I can’t swim!” Tasuki yelled before Miaka jumped off in an attempt to save him.

“Miaka! Numskull you don’t swim well enough to save somebody else!” Tamahome yelled before jumping in after Miaka.

“Hang on I’ll throw a line out to you guys!” Nuriko yelled coiling a rope up over his arm. The three got over next to the boat just as Nuriko threw the line over.

“Go on Tasuki you go first.” Tamahome stated before Tasuki began to climb the line.

“Thanks man I owe you one.” Tasuki thanked him before beginning to climb the rope. Another wave crashed over the boat knocking Tamahome and Miaka further away from the boat, when the two resurfaced Nuriko resurfaced next to them.

“Hi ya guys.” Nuriko smiled.

“Oh no Nuriko you fell in too.” Tamahome exclaimed before another wave crashed over them.

“Miaka! Tamahome! Nuriko! I swear to you your deaths will not be in vein.” Tasuki promised from where he was still hanging from the rope on the side of the boat.

“We’re still alive you moron!” Tamahome yelled before they got swept further out to sea. Chiriko, Chichiri, Mitsukake and Kana all went over to the side of the boat to look out at the three.

“They’re getting swept out to see.” Mitsukake stated.

“We have to go rescue them!” Chiriko yelled frozen in place.

“If lightening strikes now they’ll be electrocuted no da.” Chichiri whispered before another bolt of lightening struck the ship reverting their attention from the three in the water that they could no longer see to the ship.

“Tasuki come on!” Kana yelled holding out a hand to the soaked orange haired man before he grabbed it and she pulled him up.

“Thanks Kana.” Tasuki whispered sitting on the deck of the ship.

“No problem but you look like a drown rat, no offense Tasuk.” Kana chuckled before walking off.

“Ha, ha bitch.” Tasuki grumbled leaning back against the railing. Kana went over to where Chichiri and Chiriko were trying to keep the fire under way.

“Kana, can you do a spell or anything?” Mitsukake questioned holding a rope to the mast.

“I… I’ll try.” Kana whispered before closing her eyes and focusing on the storm, reaching out with her mind she joined with its power and Soi immediately knew what she was doing.

“Oh no you don’t.” Soi gritted through her teeth before a wave came up and hit Kana carrying her out over the boats railing but Chichiri grabbed her wrist.

“Kana!” He yelled as she hit the side of the boat.

“Chichiri.” She whispered before she hit the side of the boat again and his grip loosened, Kana watched as he slipped forward. “Chichiri let go please.” She begged.

“What? No way I’m not letting you go.” He yelled as his grip loosened some more. “Kana you have to hang on please.”

“I can’t, I’m not strong enough.” Kana shook her head.

“Of course you’re strong enough, you’re one of the strongest people I know and one of the bravest, please don’t leave me too.” Chichiri choked out before she slipped from his grasp. “KANA!” He yelled. Kana was struck by lightening just before she hit the water and once she did the lightening fanned out over the entire ocean.

“No.” Chichiri whispered backing away from the water. Tasuki came running over when he heard him scream Kana’s name.

“Chichiri what happened? Where’s Kana?” Tasuki questioned but Chichiri didn’t respond he just kept his eyes on the water.



********



A mans voice echoed in Kana’s head.

“Byakko no Miko, Miko, please be safe Miko, you must be more careful of your surroundings and please don’t be mad at Subaru. She has always meant well. Please be careful Byakko no Miko.” A whale swam under her and pushed her body to the surface, blowing water out of it’s blow hole it sent her body into the air before it was surrounded by a white light and she floated down to the deck carefully. Chichiri and Tasuki watched wide-eyed. Chichiri ran to Kana’s side and cradled her head.

“Tasuki she’s not breathing.” He gasped before performing mouth-to-mouth rescesitation on her. Kana coughed up some water as Chichiri held her up so she wouldn’t choke on it again.

“*Groan* Chichiri? What… Sspt owe.” Kana whispered before putting her hand on her thigh.

“Kana? What’s wrong?” Tasuki whispered before looking at her leg. “Holy chité look at how much blood there is!” Tasuki yelled looking at Kana’s blood soaked hand and the puddle of blood under her thigh.

“I’ll be okay really, Chichiri you have to find Miaka and the others locate them.” She whispered sitting up and wincing at the same time.

“I don’t want to leave you alone.”

“I’ll stay with her.” Tasuki volunteered sitting down next to Kana behind the same barrels him and Nuriko had been hiding behind the night before.

“Okay.” Chichiri nodded before getting up and trying to focus on Miaka and the others.

“Chichiri this is the wrong direction, we’re getting further off from the course we set for Hokkan.” Chiriko yelled over the storm.

“There’s nothing we can do about that we need to help Miaka and the other first. Ah, it’s no use these storm clouds are acting like a barrier no da. They’re blocking my ability to sense anything about where Miaka and the others are.” Chichiri yelled back but didn’t give up hope on locating the three.

“He’s strong he can find ‘em.” Kana whispered leaning back against one of the barrels.

“No offense Kana but now who looks like a drown rat?” Tasuki joked trying to get her to lighten up.

“You still do.” She smirked as Tasuki gave her a death glare.

“Miaka.” Chichiri whispered before seeing the rock the three were standing on.



********



“Thank goodness you all made it safely.” Chiriko stated cheerfully.

“It was pretty difficult to find you out there no da.” Chichiri added to the three sitting on the floor of the ships cabin in front of them. Kana sat in the corner as Mitsukake healed the giant wound of her leg.

“You still alive?” Tasuki questioned before Tamahome jumped up and grabbed his collar.

“This is all your fault you started it!” Tamahome yelled before the two began fighting.

“Nuriko, thank you Nuriko you sure impressed me back there.” Miaka whispered kneeling next to the purple haired man.

“Oh that I just said that to keep Tamahome’s spirits up.” Nuriko blushed but laughed it off. Chichiri walked over to see how Kana was.

“How is she?” Chichiri questioned before Mitsukake stood up.

“She’ll be pretty weak for a while and shouldn’t walk to much but other than that she should be fine.” Mitsukake whispered before the boat shook and everyone went tumbling to the floor, Kana landed on top of Chichiri.

“What was that?” Miaka questioned sitting up.

“It looks like the ship’s been struck by lightening.” Chichiri stated.

“Next comes sinking right?” Nuriko fretted.

“Everyone get down the cliffs are dead ahead.” Chiriko yelled before everyone dropped to the floor, Tamahome protected Miaka while Chichiri did the same for Kana. The boat shook horribly as everyone yelled in fright.

“What just happened?” Miaka whispered.

“This could have been the end maybe we’re all dead now!” Tasuki cried before Tamahome came up behind him with a death glare.

“Your loud mouth voice is getting on my nerves.” Tamahome gritted through his teeth.

“We better go check out the ship no da.” Chichiri whispered before everyone headed up onto the deck Miaka was first followed by Tamahome and Tasuki than the rest of the group. Miaka looked over the wreck on the boat before she spotted a cloaked figure standing on the railing.

“Who are you?” Miaka demanded.

“You actually made it this far I congratulate you but now your journey ends.” The figure stated before a bolt of lightening came down, Miaka jumped out of the way just in time.

“That was close.” Miaka stuttered looking at the hole in the floor a few feet in front of her.

“You dodged that well Priestess of Suzaku.”

“That lightening that struck, you control it?” Miaka questioned standing up.

“I am a warrior of the Seiryu seven Soi, Priestess of Suzaku you will not make it to the Hokkan Empire.” Soi stated matter-of-factly.

“A warrior but you’re a woman.” Miaka gasped.

“I will destroy the entire Suzaku contingent with one fatal blow!”

“Miaka be careful!” Tamahome yelled before Soi released an attack on him and all the others that paralyzed them. “She’s too strong.”

“Can’t move.” Tasuki whispered.

“A captive audience to watch as I diminish your precious priestess to a charred cinder.” Soi stated before preparing another attack, four bolts of lightening were aimed at Miaka but she managed to dodge all of them. “You are quick you little sprig.” Soi whispered before Miaka drew Hotohori’s sword from the hilt on her back.

“No Miaka don’t.” Tamahome pleaded from where he was stuck on the ground. Soi attacked again but the sword absorbed the lightening.

“What? Very clever but that’s not all the electricity I have in store for you. Now you die!” Soi yelled before Miaka swung the sword and a large amount of energy went hurdling towards Soi slicing right through her. Soi screamed at the top of her lungs before the force that had been holding the others was lifted.

“Watch out!” Tasuki yelled looking at Soi before Tamahome got up and ran to Miaka.

“Miaka.” He yelled before pulling her close.

“Tamahome did you see? My first fight did… you see?” Miaka whispered.

“Are you crazy? I thought that you were dead for sure, I was so worried about you.” He whispered.

“I’m sorry Tamahome.” Miaka apologized.

“Huh, looks like she blew a fuse big time.” Tasuki stated once the storm clouds had completely cleared.

“Yeah Miaka you fought her pretty well.” Nuriko stated.

“Mmhmm, I don’t really know what I did but when the lightening struck the sword started flashing.” Miaka agreed.

“Hotohori’s sword is holy, it absorbed all of the lightening and shot it right back at her no da.” Chichiri explained before Mitsukake yelled.

“Look at that!” Mitsukake was pointing up at the rock they had just crashed into before it split open.

“That’s Hokkan! Through there!” Chiriko yelled.

“Are you sure Chiriko?” Tasuki questioned before thinking things through. “All that lightening split the rock and revealed a passageway for us.” He exclaimed.

“There you go Einstein.” Kana muttered under her breath before Tasuki gave her a death glare.

“That’s great! We can make our way into Hokkan the land of Genbu and the Shiinzahou.” Miaka cried anxious to get going on their journey.



********



The boat docked on a small area of sandy land and the large group exited its hull.

“Wow this thing’s in pretty bad shape.” Chiriko whispered inspecting some of the damage that had happened during the big storm.

“Yeah, it’s a good thing we didn’t stay out there any longer or we would have sunk for sure.” Kana whispered before Tamahome and Tasuki stepped up beside her.

“What’d you have to go and say that for huh?” Tasuki muttered.

“Yeah we were almost killed out there and you’re looking at the negative side what’s up with that are some kind of major pessimist or what?” Tamahome questioned eyeing her suspiciously. Kana looked at the two before backing away slowly.

“Cut it out you guys she’s had enough trouble today, she doesn’t need you two ganging up on her too no da.” Chichiri defended Kana stepping in between her and the two.

“Whatever lets just get going.” Tasuki huffed before walking off down a small trail that led up a large hill. Tamahome also vacated the premises short of triggering a slug shot.

“Thanks Chichiri, so come on lets go.” Kana smiled before beginning to walk past Chichiri.

“Didn’t Mitsukake tell you not to walk to much.” He noted before she paused and turned to look at him.

“Come on I’ll be fine anyways I’m just a little sore I’ll get over it.” She shrugged.

“See that’s why he told you not to walk around too much.” Chichiri stated matter-of-factly.

“Because I’m a little sore? Please you two just worry to much I’ll be fine.” Kana waved her hands and brushed off the subject before turning and continuing on the path.

“Kana stop. Kana.” Chichiri yelled after her before catching up to her and grabbing her shoulder so he could spin her to look at him. “You’re not walking all that way or your gonna hurt yourself again.” He ushered as Kana rolled her eyes and gave a heavy sigh.

“What are you gonna do carry me?” She mocked as Chichiri continued to look at her seriously. “You’ve got to be kidding me.” Her smile faded and she looked at him out of the tops of her eyes. “No way, that’s, no, uhn-uh.” Kana shook her head.

“You’ve got a choice you stay here or you go but you’re not walking.” Chichiri shook his head.

“You wanna bet?” Kana spat before turning and beginning to walk off. Chichiri grabbed her around the waist and flipped her over his shoulder before wrapping one arm around her thighs and starting along the path.

“Chichiri put me down! Chichiri! Dammit put me down!” Kana wriggled but couldn’t get loose or down as the case was.



*******



“*Gasp* it’s a meadow and just look at all the fluffy sheep.” Miaka cried once they reached the top of the hill. Chichiri and Kana arrived a moment later and Kana slid off of his back where she had ridden piggyback style.

“They need that wool it’s cold up here. Tasuki use that fan of yours and light us a fire.” Nuriko yelled rubbing his arms up and down.

“I don’t use it for stupid things like that you moron.” Tasuki snapped crossing his arms mockingly.

“How do you think we should proceed from here?” Mitsukake questioned from where he stood next to Chichiri.

“I’m fairly positive the land of Hokkan is three times the size of Konan no da.” Chichiri stated.

“Three times? So how do we find the shiinzahou if we don’t even know what direction to start off in.” Tamahome questioned before a child cried in the background. Everyone looked into the field to see a young boy riding a stallion bareback, the horse was out of control.

“It’s a little boy.” Miaka gasped.

“He’s about to fall off.” Tamahome yelled before running at the stallion and jumping over the horse grabbing the little boy on his way. “You’re safe now kid.” Tamahome whispered setting the boy on his feet.

“Uh… Tamahome?” Nuriko, Tasuki and Miaka all stuttered pointing at the stallion that was on its hind legs behind Tamahome before the horse trampled him.

“Tamahome are you alive?” Miaka questioned weary of the battered form on the ground.

“He looks dead to me.” Kana mocked before Chichiri looked at her hopelessly.

“Kana.” He growled.

“What?” She attempted to act ‘innocent’ but failed miserably.



********



“Oh bless you, you’ve saved my sons life how can I ever repay you?” The mother of the little boy Tamahome rescued questioned. Everyone sat in a little hut where the boy and his mother lived.

“That’ll be 50 gold pieces.” Tamahome smiled and held out his hand before Miaka decked him.

“Actually we don’t have anywhere to stay so it would be great if you could put us all up for the night no da.” Chichiri explained with his pointer finger in the air as he made his point.

“Of course you must all make yourselves at home here.” The woman smiled.



********



Kana stood behind the small hut thinking about the events. Why had that voice called her the Byakko no Miko, there was no way she could be the new one and there was no need for her now.

“Kana.” She heard a voice whisper on the wind and recognized it as Subaru’s.

“What do you want?” Kana growled.

“You must leave in the morning, returning will make it easier on you and the others. The battle is soon approaching you know that and you know you can’t do anything about it so tomorrow I will send you back when you signal me.” With that Kana sensed Subaru was no longer listening and sighed heavily. Chichiri came out to see if she was okay knowing she hadn’t eaten anything.

“Hey what are you doing out here?” He questioned coming up next to her before she sighed heavily. “Kana are you okay?”

“I’m going back for good.”

“What do you mean? To Konan?”

“No, to my world.”

“What do you mean? Why?”

“Chichiri I’m not even supposed to be here and actually being here screws things up. I know what will happen in the battle, that some of you will die and that’s the last thing I need to see first hand.” She turned and looked at him with her arms crossed over her chest before dropping them with a deep breath.

“I can understand that, so when will you leave?”

“In the morning same as you.”

“Oh.” Was all he said before reaching up to one of his necklaces and removing one of the feathers.

“Listen, Kana I want you to have something.” Kana faced him before he took her hand and held it palm side up. Placing the feather in the middle of her palm he made her hand into a fist around it as she looked up at him with a questioning gaze. “So you’ll remember me.” he whispered an explanation before she nodded and tucked the feather away safely.



********



“What do you mean you have to leave?” Nuriko yelled after Kana had explained things to everyone.

“And tomorrow it’s too soon.” Chiriko added.

“I know and I am sorry but I alone just found out today too.” Kana stood with her hands folded in front of her and her head hung as she unknowingly cried. “I’m so sorry I feel like I’m letting you all down especially you Miaka. I promised I would help protect you and I can’t even do that.” She shook her head as Miaka looked at her sympathetically.

“You haven’t done anything wrong so stop acting like it, anyways I’ve got everyone else to help me out.” Miaka attempted to cheer her up but didn’t help.

“I don’t think that’s exactly what she wanted to hear.” Tamahome whispered in her ear before Miaka sweat dropped.

“Me neither.” Miaka hung her head.

“We will all miss you terribly Kana.” Chiriko whispered sympathetically.

“Maybe for now it’s better if we all just get some sleep.” Mitsukake noted as they all agreed.



********



Tamahome, Miaka, Nuriko and Tasuki all slept in the tiny room the woman that owned the house had given them to sleep in as Mitsukake, Chiriko, Chichiri and Kana all slept downstairs on the living room floor.



********



Kana stood in the middle of a pitch black room a small pin hole of light was straight ahead of her and as she walked closer she saw the silhouette of someone forming in it as the light got bigger. Realizing the silhouette was Tasuki she called out to him.

“Tasuki! Tasuki where are we?” He didn’t respond and Kana broke into a run.

SPLASH

She stepped in something and slowed down to see what it was, looking closely she realized it was blood, it had turned a dark purplish color in the light and a stream was leading from it up to where she had been running. To Tasuki, at realizing this she broke into a faster sprint. The puddles got bigger and closer together until she could see Tasuki perfectly. His tessen had been plunged through his chest; the cloth around the wound was charred and bloodied. A small trail of the red liquid spilled from his mouth before he fell to his knees and the tessen slid out just before he fell flat on his stomach. Kana had no doubt he was dead, the tessen was suspended in the air by a hand made out of smoke before the hand disappeared and the tessen clattered the ground. At that sound the room went black again and Tasuki’s body and tessen disappeared.



“Kana, Kana what’s wrong you look distraught.” A male voice echoed through the darkness before a dim light flickered and Mitsukake stood before her. His hair was down and shabby, his eyes had sunk back into his pale and thin skin. His body seemed that of an old man, his chest seemed to have diminished and his height knocked lower from what at first sight seemed to be osteoporosis, the young man that she had once known seemed to have decayed while still alive.

“Mitsukake what’s happened to you?” Kana stuttered looking him over but still couldn’t accept what she was seeing.

“You did.” Mitsukake spat before disappearing. Once again the light disappeared and Kana was left in solid darkness.



A young girl laughed as Kana stood emotionless, the laugh came again and she turned to see a young girl with purple hair standing their just looking at her with a questioning gaze. Kana walked towards her and kneeled in front of the little girl.

“Hi, what are you doing here?” Kana questioned but the little girl just looked at her blankly. “Do you have any family?” At the mention of family Nuriko stepped forward from the shadows between Kana and the little girl.

“Oh Nuriko thank goodness what’s going on? Who is she?”

“Korrin stay back this woman is dangerous, she kills people.” Nuriko stated putting an arm out to warn the child to stay behind him.

“What do you mean Nuriko you’re scaring me. I don’t understand what’s going on here?” Kana whispered but Nuriko just glared at her before ushering the little girl off into the darkness and the two disappeared.



“It’s okay really Kana I didn’t want my childhood.” Chiriko whispered from a few feet away. Kana turned and caught a glimpse of him before he disappeared.



Kana turned again and was in Tamahome’s house. Yuiren, Chuei, Gykuran and Shunkei were all scattered on the ground just as they had been after Suboshi attacked except Tamahome stood in the shadows glaring at her.

“Are you satisfied? Because of your foolishness I lost everything that has ever mattered to me, my whole family. I ask you are you happy now?” Tamahome yelled before Yuiren moaned softly.

“Murderer, murderer.” Kana put her hands over her ears and turned before running out of the house in tears but ran into someone and fell backwards onto the ground.



Kana looked up to see Miaka, her clothes were bloodied and dirtied, the largest red spot was over her heart and she was pale.

“Your so pathetic I don’t see why Hotohori killed himself.”

“What?” kana whispered as more tears fell lightly.

“Watch for yourself.” Miaka disappeared.



Kana saw Hotohori kneeling a few feet away from her his sword was drawn before him.

“Kana why couldn’t you have told me? I wouldn’t have given you so much responsibility but all I asked was for you to protect Miaka but you couldn’t even do that so now I join them.” Hotohori picked up his sword before holding it up with the point facing his chest. He sat like that for a moment before stabbing himself through the heart.

“NO!” Kana yelled stretching a hand out to stop him but she was too late.



The scene faded out and another appeared.

“No more please no more.” Kana shook her head as she cried but forced herself to look up. It was a beautiful sunset, a cliff was to the right a tree on its ledge its branches out stretched over the edge and from one hung a figure lynched. His golden staff was still in his hand and it dropped slowly out of his cold hands. Kana watched as the staff clattered to the ground the sound rang through the air and she cried out in pain. “CHICHIRI! Not you too.” She leaned forward and punched the ground.



********



Kana sat up with a start and a small scream, she was sweaty and cold, and crying. Chichiri heard her and sat up.

“Hey are you okay?” He questioned when he noticed she was shaking.

“No.” She shook her head before leaning up against him and sobbing. “I had a dream, I saw it all… Tamahome, Miaka, and all the others including you. You were all gone and it was all my fault.” Kana choked.

“It was just a dream it wasn’t real. We’re all still here Kana look…”

“No.” She shook her head but he forced her to look over at Mitsukake and Chiriko.

“See they’re fine…” He clutched her hand in his own. “And I’m fine we’re all okay it was just a dream you see. It’s okay everything will be okay just try and calm down.” He rested his chin on top of her head.

“I don’t want to lose you.” She snuggled deeper into his chest as he held her reassuringly not letting go of her hand.

“It’ll be okay, shhh.” Chichiri soothed her as she began to calm down.



********



The two sat there for a while after she had calmed down just holding each other.

‘What’s wrong with this picture? Oh I know I’m holding Chichiri! Hane no Eien Kanashimi what the hell are you doing? But still I do have to admit I feel safer when he holds me… but I do leave in the morning so I should just forget about it. We’re just friends. Aren’t we? Hai, of course we are and that’s it isn’t it? I am not going to do this to myself I am not putting myself through a one-sided relationship. And even if I did lo… not going there but if I did why would he care about me? I’m just a royal pain in the ass but have no fear Chichiri! I’ll be gone in the morning.’ Kana thought to herself shaking her head lightly as to not disturb him.

‘What’s going on here? Does she care about me, as I do her… no don’t do this to yourself Chichiri it’s not right. She’s so tender and loving but has her sarcastic moments, I wonder what would happen if I just kissed her once. Watch it Hojun you’re making yourself out to be Hiko… but still I wonder if she would return anything. Forget it man you’re not her type just her friend.’ Chichiri thought.

“Chichiri?” Kana whispered breaking the silence between the two.

“Yeah?”

“Can I tell you a secret?”

“Of course.” He took his chin from where it was resting on top of her head and looked at her with care in his eyes.

“I feel safest when I’m in your arms.” Kana whispered before both their eyes went large.

‘Did I just say that?’

‘Did she just say that?’ They both thought simultaneously.

“Ka-Kana.” Chichiri whispered surprised.

‘Say something.’ Kana thought before looking up at him. ‘Say anything.’ She continued to look up at him as silence was shared. ‘Alright there is nothing you could say right now that could make things worse or embarrass yourself further so just say something.’ She urged her self before stuttering.

“I-I… uh, you see… um, what I… meant, uh… just making sure you’re still awake.” She stammered before looking to the ground and leaning away from him.

‘Oh that was a good cover up Kana “Just wanted to make sure you were awake.” You dumbshit now he probably thinks your playing with his emotions… like he’d ever have any towards me in the first place.’ She closed her eyes before rolling them.



********



The next morning after breakfast everyone was gathered outside ready to set out on two separate journeys.

“Nuriko take care of yourself please.” Kana whispered before hugging him tightly. Kana had already said goodbye to Chiriko and Mitsukake.

“You do the same we expect to see you after all of this is over.” Nuriko laughed and Kana gave a weak smile but tears were in her eyes.

“Miaka you take care of Tamahome and don’t let him around any large amounts of money.”

“Hey I resent that.” Tamahome huffed with a smile.

“Tasuk… take it easy on Tama okay? Don’t fry him too much… or the others for that fact.” Tasuki hugged her lightly.

“Don’t worry I’ll keep ‘em in line.” He whispered before Kana looked around.

“Where’s Chichiri?” She questioned not seeing him anywhere.

“He’s over there, he said he wanted to talk to you alone.” Nuriko whispered before Kana began walking over towards him with sorrowful eyes.

“Chichiri.” She whispered once she was but a foot away from him. “Nuriko said you wanted to talk to me alone.” He kept silent looking up at the sky and leaning against a tree. “Well what did you want to say?”

“What is there to say?” He whispered with a heavy sigh.

“Uh… goodbye usually works but I could be wrong.” She let out a small laugh but Chichiri didn’t respond at all. “Look you know how you gave me that feather? Well I wanted to give you something too.” She whispered quietly before he pushed off the tree and turned to face her. “Just don’t yell at me okay?”

“Why would I yell at-“ Before he could finish his statement Kana rose and brushed her lips against his ever so lightly before backing away. “You.” Chichiri finished his sentence while looking at her surprised.

“To remember me by.” Kana explained before he stepped close to her and slid one arm around her waist and cupped the back of her neck with his other hand before kissing her deeper than before but just as softly. Kana slid her arms around his neck and held him close.

“You wouldn’t believe how long I’ve wanted to do that.” Chichiri whispered after he broke the embrace.

“I knew I shouldn’t have done that, that I would regret it.” Kana whispered more to herself than to him.

“You regret it?” He whispered out of shock.

“No… not that we, it’s just that now it’s going to hurt even more to leave you.” Kana whispered backing away.

“Than you should leave now before anything else happens that you’re going to regret.” Chichiri whispered backing away unknowingly on the brink of tears.

“I… you know what you’re right goodbye Chichiri.” Kana held out her hand and they shook hands. ‘Now Subaru.’

“Goodbye Kana.” Chichiri whispered and then she was gone.