Birds of a Feather | Soul of Yokai AU

Leave It In The Past

"It's finally over!" Yukio cheered, "Everyone! Come and celebrate! It's all over!"

"Yeah! It's safe!" I called out, "You can come out now!"

Soon, Yokai popped their heads out of the buildings and soon rushed out seeing that Tamen wasn't there.

The Yokai soon all gave cheers and praise to all of us who helped take down Tamen.

"The Yokai World is safe once again!" Sakuya smiled.

I soon started to walk towards the crowd before I heard a crunch below my feet. I soon saw an abundance of masks laying all over the floor.

Soon the souls soon all poured out. Yua, Yukio's father and Mr. Uso all flew out into the air with smiles but however one soul sticked out the most to me.

Miyuna's soul looked at me and gave me a wave.

Soon my cheery mood was now dampened.

"The God is gone! We're saved!" A Yokai cheered.

"All thanks to Yukio and his crew!" Another Yokai cheered.

"Mhm!" Yukio smiled, "That God won't..."

I soon started to walk away from the celebration as the voices soon became quiet and then silent. Soon enough, I was walking down the forest trail. All I could hear were my footsteps, the rustling of leaves and the song of cicadas. I soon saw a single-winged figure in the forest as well.

"Karasu?" I arched an eyebrow, "What are you doing here?"

Karasu soon turned around to me.

"Oh... I just... I didn't want to linger for the celebration." Karasu replied, "I don't think I'm worthy of it."

"I guess that's understandable." I nodded.

"And, while you're here, I need to offer an apology to you." Karasu stated, "I've attempted to murder you and shouted horrendous things to you both in front of you and behind your back. As a result, I won't care whether you curse at me or attack me as recompense."

"No, it's okay." I denied.

"What? Aren't you furious with me?" Karasu asked.

"I am. You've terrorised me constantly throughout the entire time I've been here, reopened wounds I wanted to forget and killed my sister or helped the man who killed her. I utterly despise everything you've done to me." I answered, "But... I can also empathise with you. You were just hurt, abandoned and became paranoid. And I can understand that feeling, even though I never hurt others because of it. But that understanding makes it easier to forgive you. And even if I didn't understand that feeling, what good will shouting or hitting you do?"

"Provide a form of catharsis?" Karasu responded.

"I suppose. But I would prefer to just leave it in the past and move on." I explained, "I just want to spend my time with Sakuya, Yukio and Hayato and keep living my life. I'm hurt but I'll get over it, eventually."

"I see..." Karasu nodded.

Soon flaps of wings were heard above us. We saw Sakuya flying in the air, although he was a bit hard to spot. He soon landed down onto the ground.

"What are you two doing here?" Sakuya asked.

"I was making an effort to leave the gathering. I made the decision to apologise to Nami when she found me." Karasu stated.

"Yeah, yeah. He did actually." I attested.

"But now that it's over, I'll go." Karasu soon started to walk into the woods more, "And Nami, please be kind to my brother. You are aware of the consequences of intentionally hurting him."

"Hey." Sakuya scolded, "I believe that will never be needed."

Karasu responded, "Never say never."

Karasu soon walked into the woods and disappeared.

"Why are you here then?" Sakuya asked me.

"I... can't celebrate." I answered, "Miyuna just died... I can't really be happy in front of everyone and I'm sure that I would ruin the party with a frown on my face."

Sakuya soon hugged me, "I understand. She should be buried at the Shrine of Lost Love, so I'll accompany you there."

Sakuya soon held me and soon flew to the Shrine of Lost Love. Sakuya and I soon split up and tried to find Miyuna's grave. Soon enough, I ended up finding it and I soon got down on my knees. Sakuya noticed me kneeling down and soon, he came as well and kneeled with me.

"Miyuna, wherever you are. I hope you can hear me." I held my hands together and tried to hold back my tears, "You were a good sister and I am forever grateful I got to have you in life. You were always there for me and helped me out through my troubles. I hope you are able to rest beyond the grave."

Sakuya soon offered a prayer as well, "Hello, sister of Nami. We only briefly met, so you wouldn't remember me, but from what Nami told me, you were a splendid sister to her. I want to express my gratitude for being able to provide Nami with a confidante throughout her childhood, youth, and early adulthood. Without you, I don't believe she would be the lovely person she is."

Sakuya soon lowered his hands showing that he was done.

I soon hugged Sakuya, "Thanks for giving her a prayer too but... I just can't believe she's gone... I mean, you were right. She was there all my life and as the older one I always imagined that I'd be the first one to go. And not this early either."

"I understand. Dealing with not having my brother around did take time to get used to." Sakuya held me gently, "So I'm here for you at all times."

"Thanks, Sakuya." I soon sighed, "Do you... Do you think she would've liked it here?"

"Perhaps."