Almost instantly after that cold steel had pierced through my skin, I was sent to a vortex of anguish. Angry cries whirled around me; comrades whose faces I recognize shouted words of betrayal, confusion and anger. I was left to remember why I was here, who had sent me to this horrible place, this place where I was dead yet alive, where I was locked away just like I was years ago when I still thought myself a weak, pitiful human. After who knows how long, I was flying towards the sunrise along with my fellow yokai. There was a bright light, a sort of tunnel, then…. Darkness.

Scattered fragments of memory passed me, each showing a bit of who I was and who I failed to be. I then recalled every bit of what had happened, every bit of that horribly cold steel against my skin, crimson staining my blouse, murdered by the one whom I had sworn my loyalty to. Tamazuki…

Yet, even as I replayed these memories in my mind, I wanted to go back. I wanted to be by his side and be his loyal Inugami. I wanted to be able to see his face and lose myself in those gorgeously intense golden orbs of his, those golden orbs that captivated me the day he recruited me into his Night Parade. I knew this day would come, I knew he would get rid of me sooner or later. I just didn't want to admit it, or rather, I didn't want to think about it. But…I swore I would always follow him. I swore that I would follow him until the end. I swore to myself that no matter what would happen, I would always be there with him. This strange sense of loyalty confuses me. Wasn't it the norm to absolutely detest the one who had tortured you and taken your life? Why was I so loyal to him? Was it because he showed me the world of yokai, or was it because of something else?

My thoughts were interrupted when a strange sensation flowed through me. I concentrated all my heart on the thought of being next to him, touching him, serving him, my beloved master, Tamazuki.

Tamazuki…Tamazuki…Tamazuki…Tamazuki…

Who knows how long we've been apart? I have no idea what happened after I was sacrificed to the Devil's Hammer. I can only hope that you were victorious. Either way, victorious or not, I want to return to you.

Tamazuki…Tamazuki…Tamazuki…TAMAZUKI…TAMAZUKI!

...

What is this…? Why am I on the ground? Why is everything so big? What just happened? It feels like there's this gap in my memory…

Never mind that! Where am I? I have to find Tamazuki! I have to tell him I'm alive…that I somehow survived…..

Tamazuki.

Unmindful of what I am, I run as fast as I can. I run, repeating his name until I reach a certain cliff. There he is…standing by the cliffside….Tamazuki. His back was turned to me and his black hair was swaying with the soft breeze.

I decide to say hello, "Tamazuki!"

He turns around, I walk to him, "Oh, Tamazuki…you have no idea how glad I am to see you." But then, despite my unwavering love and loyalty to him…he walks away.

I call him once more, "Tamazuki!"

"Are you going to follow me?"

"Of course I will! I'm Inugami! I'll always follow you! H-hey! Get back here!"

"I won't spoil you…."

"I never said you would! H-hey! Wait, where are you going? Tamazuki, answer me! Please! You're acting like you don't understand I thing I'm saying! And when did you get so tall? Tamazuki, I'm talking to you! Do you have a problem with me? If you're mad, just say so! Don't give me the cold shoulder, you know I don't like it! H-hey! I'm going to follow you! I'm going to follow you forever and ever and ever and ever and ever! Until the end!"