I loved him…

I really did.

I promise…

But I had to do it.

"We each protect our own."

I'm sorry, Youko.

^%^%^

To be a demon is to live life constantly looking over your back. Never once may you let your guard down for it could become the death of you or the death of the ones you love most.

Losing them was like losing the purpose of my life. I was nothing without them for they were my hope, my salvation, my love… my family. They were everything to me… and now they are gone.

Living was painful but it was my punishment, I was cursed with immortality at birth. When I was younger, I didn't mind, seeing everyone around me was young and healthy. In my eyes, they were immortal as well.

Then I experienced my mother's death… and at first I was happy because I would never inflict that pain on the ones I love. Though, soon the gratitude turned to grief when my father and sister died. I would have to go through an eternity of this.

What had I done to deserve this vile fate?

Then I met this clan; a clan of superior demonesses who were strong enough to beat anyone and, thus, survive in this unsightly world. I joined them in hopes of never facing death… of course I ran away from the problem but I was young and foolish.

I had no clue.

We were the best of the best… no one could beat us.

We stole, did as we pleased, and stuck together through the worst.

But then it hit.

The Takai no Plague…

The plague of death.

We were weakened and many died. It was the worst century of my life and like the coward I was, when death hit again and again… I ran…

To Youko Kurama.

He was charming and witty… albeit sarcastic but I loved him anyway.

He was everything I ever needed and wanted… plus so much more.

But then, as the plague disappeared, he planned to wipe out a rivaling clan… my clan.

That I couldn't allow.

I sent Youko to the human realm… not the bounty hunter the legends tell you all. He made that up to cover all the pain I caused him.

I ran back to my clan, as a second plague hit, and this time helped them instead of cowering.

But it wasn't enough…

This was worse than the first…

And they all died…

I didn't.

^*^*^

Kurama sat in his bed, watching the night sky, as he waited for midnight to come around. It would be her birthday, and he never missed its come around. He lit a candle and, right at the stroke of midnight, it went out…

Just as it always does.

Kurama smiled sorrowfully "Happy Birthday Mahari." He whispered and put the candle down on his desk. He looked into the sky and whispered heartbrokenly

"I love you."

^%^%^

Mahari shot up in her bed as she felt the wind swirl around her. It carried the scent of pine, her favourite, and she growled painfully "He still celebrates my birthday… doesn't he?"

The wind howled its response and her eyes watered "He doesn't get it, that bloody fool!" With that she ducked under her covers to cry… but before anything, she looked at the sky and whispered heartbrokenly

"I love you."