I can't face what I've done. I've killed Granny. It's haunted me all my life. I don't know what to do anymore. I need to let go. I bury my face in my hands. Tsume...he would hate me if he knew.
"Kid?" a voice says. I look up. "Tsume. Oh. It's you," I mumble. He smiles a rare smile. "Are you OK, pup?" I shake my head. "No, nothing's OK," I sob. "It never has been." He sits down next to me.
"Hit me," he says. "Well, when I was a pup, I was raised by this woman named Granny..." I drawl on, Tsume, for once, giving me his full attention.
"It's all my fault, Tsume," I conclude. "Everything. It's-" I break off into a sob. He comforts me. "It's not your fault," he whispers.
"Don't hate me," I beg between cries. "Please don't, Tsume." Tsume shakes his head. "It wasn't your fault, Toboe," he tells me softly. "You were just playing." I look up, surprised. "You mean you forgive me?"
"I was never mad at you in the first place." Tsume shrugs. "Oh," I whisper, leaning against Tsume. "I love you," I tell him. "I know you do. And, I love you, too," he replies, hugging me. "Shame, shame, we know your name," Hige teases. "Oh my God, Hige." Tsume rolls his eyes. "Ooh," Kiba adds. "Shut up," Tsume snaps, pulling me close. "Yeah. What he said," I agree.
"Guys, cut it out," Blue scolds. "That's- that's very mature, ya'll," I say. "Well, you're the one that walks around going 'it's the best day ever, it's the best day ever', in a squeaky voice," Hige points out.
I can feel my face turning red. "Since when did I do that?" I raise an eyebrow. "Um. Since you were like, four," Tsume replies. "I like Spongebob. OK?" I roll my eyes and move away. "Spongebob is stupid," Blue scoffs. "What? Are you kidding? He can make a fire under water," I say defensively, and everyone laughs. "Yeah, right," Hige says. "Well, it's getting dark," Kiba says.
"We should get to bed." I nod. "Right," I agree.
We climb into bed. I snuggle closer to Tsume. "Everything will be OK, I promise," he whispers. And, for once, I believe him.
Me: Don't you feel better now?
Toboe: Yeah. I guess.
Tsume: You should've confessed sooner.
Toboe: -tearfully- I didn't know what to do!
Tsume: Don't be so dramatic.
Me: Oh, shut up, you two. Time to review, you guys!