She got old. He didn't. He was a demon. She wasn't. He visited her every year on the anniversary of the day they completed their quest. He never noticed the wrinkles on her face, or how every year it got more and more difficult for her to move around. They loved each other. Which was why she refused him. She knew what would happen someday. She couldn't tie him to that fate. Her fate. He didn't understand. He felt betrayed. But he could never leave her. He never noticed the wrinkles. Until the day she died. She wasn't where she always waited for him. He searched for her. He found her. She looked like she was just sleeping. But she wouldn't wake up. He understood now. But that didn't stop it from feeling like a thousand knives were turning in his heart. He understood the curse of immortality. He understood the stupidity of wanting to be full demon. He understood what he was really giving up. Her. He could have turned human for her and they could have lived a short but blissful existence. Or she could have become a demon too and they could have explored the ages together. They could have grown old together instead of her living alone. She had given up so much for him and he couldn't even give her his life. He couldn't even give her a lifetime of happiness. She gave up her home and a place in the village. All so she could stay close to him. And he was too caught up in his own selfishness to see her how tired she was growing every day. Now he would have to face it all without her. Her loneliness would now be his burden to carry. It was only right. She had carried it for so long without a complaint. Damn him. Damn him. Damn him! Damn his pride. Damn his stupidity. Just damn him to hell! Please. Please just let him go to her. Like he should have all those years ago. He should have just crushed that damn jewel into powder and lived out his life with her. The woman that deserved the world as a necklace. She'd finally had enough. Her heart couldn't take the strain of beating just for him. Every year he came to her he should have noticed the extra grey in her hair. Or the extra crow's foot under her eyes. But to him she would always be the most beautiful creature to ever set foot out of heaven. He should have told her that. She deserved to hear that everytime she awoke. But instead she waited for him. His mistake. His shame. He was accepted as a powerful full blooded demon now. But he was always accepted by her. When he wasn't visiting her on their anniversary he was traveling around. Something wasn't sitting right and he couldn't place his finger on it. That was why he was in such a hurry to come here this year. He had finally figured out what was missing. Her. He hadn't been paying attention to the years. After all they were but moments compared to his lifetime. Now he felt every second of those years staring full in the face in the form of this old woman. Just a moment ago she was a young vibrant girl just on the edge of womanhood. Not this abandoned husk. Why? Why did he blink? A lifetime had passed him by in a blink. He stood there staring at her body wondering what would happen now. Then he blinked.