Beast

Chapter 24

That night she didn't head back to her apartment and instead went to the number one person she could trust. Roy. She knocked on his door and after a few minutes of silence then a bang, a groan of pain and a curse, the door opened to reveal a disheveled Roy in his pajamas a gun pointing to Ash. She didn't give a reaction to the gun and instead pushed her way through the door and onto his couch pulling up the blanket on the arm up to her chin. Roy didn't say anything and instead went to bed leaving her to herself, and would be their when she was ready to tell him. The next morning the two ate breakfast in silence and as they were doing the dishes she finally spoke up.

"He's gone."

"Who?"

"Aki."

Roy was shocked but didn't show it and only stopped for a second before continuing on with the task before him.

"Where is he?"

Roy looked over to her once a minute of silence passed and she was still washing the dirty dishes. She set down the plate she was holding and looked at him, her eyes blocking every emotion that had once been shown to the world leaving the cold and dead.

"Away."

Roy understood. He had once told her this when she caught him mourning over a soldier, a friend.

"I see, how?"

At this the bowl she was holding fell and shattered to when it hit the ground. Roy looked at her and her eyes screamed for help but her body was lax and still her facial expression was dead. He not only knew the answer but was well aware of why. He wanted to here her say it though.

"I shot him."

"Why?"

"Because he told me to."

"Why?"

"Because I made a deal."

"A deal?"

"A deal."

Roy nodded and left to grab the broom and dust pan. He handed her the dust pan and she began picking up the shards and setting them into the pan while Roy swept up the smaller pieces. 

"Why did you make this deal?"

"Because we didn't know we would fall in love."

The rest of the day Ash gradually began to warm up and Roy began to see the girl he had seen when the war first started. It was a beautiful sight.

The two continued their relationship, and Roy soon began to realize that she would never regain the old spark that she once had, but would still shine like always. She continued her life like normal, making non long lasting deals and working at the pub. Just like she always did. That was until he met Sakura. He was shocked when her heard that Ash had picked up a new stray and was eager to meet the person that Ash had let lean on her shoulder. He wasn't disappointed, Sakura was a smart kind young woman who to be honest was the exact opposite Aki. Ash may argue about this but he knew the truth. He saw their differences like how the differences between fire and water. He also noticed their similarities though. He was happy thought, happy that Ash was allowing herself to reconcile with the demons that she had hidden within herself. Because it was what she needed; and secretly what she wanted.

Everyone in the room turned their attention to Roy who seemed flustered by the attention. 

"So did she do it?"

Kuroo asked.

"Roy then slowly nodded. Everyone was shocked and turned to berate Ash with questions but found her seat empty and the door wide open. Everyone turned to Sakura who looked just as shocked and blushed at the stares then got up and left the room to find Ash.

So she did it huh? But that night she told the woman that she hadn't been responsible. So was she just scared? That makes sense, that she would be scared, after all having one of your biggest regrets openly confessed and blamed in your face is scary, terrifying really. So it makes sense, and Sakura can relate. She would be terrified if someone told her mother of what she had really gone and done instead of going to college. So she understood. Now where did she go. Sakura made her way to the kitchen where she was greeted by the chefs and owners of the kitchen who were well acquainted with Sakura by now. She asked where Ash was and they all gave one another a look then the wife ran off for a minute and came back with a piece of paper and car keys. 

"This is the place and map of where she went drive to the address which is a road then follow that map and you will find her. Take the car."

Sakura thanked them then headed off lost in thought.

When she arrived, she arrived at a dirt road like they said that was surrounded by fresh grass which was honestly a rare sight. She followed the path that lead to a hill and at the top sat a large tree, and in front stood Ash who looked down at a rock that sat their. Sakura climbed the hill and stood beside Ash, who didn't bat an eye, and looked down at the tomb. On the tomb was written Aki Dune, and nothing more. Then sat a bouquet of tiger lillies.  Sakura looked at Ash's face which sported a sad but peaceful and excepting look, and smiled. Ash looked to her and Sakura barely caught a glimpse of sadness and a human look in her eyes before it was replaced with the usual blank eyes that hid her secrets. Ash smiled, one of the rare smiles Sakura rarely gets the chance to see, and with the voice of an angel says.

"I'm Sorry."