(Author's notes- My first try! Please R&R!)
Dear Esmeralda,
Now you have disappeared from this world, I don't know what to do with my life. I could always join you in the underworld. That wouldn't be too hard, but I know that you will not want me to. Yes, I defeated your father and earned the Phoenix Cloth. But the reason I won it was because of you. You…. You were the only thing on this stupid island that kept me mortal. Not even the thought of Shun awaiting me could've kept me alive. Yet you, who has not even done any training like a Saint… You kept me alive, you anchored me onto Earth when I was about to lose myself in Hell. How can one be so strong without becoming a Saint? You gave me encouragement, you gave me hope. And most of all, you gave me your love, which in turn gave me my life.
I still remember the days when we were younger. I would always come back after training with multiple injuries all over my body, thanks to your father's strictness. You would always look after me, even though your father didn't want you to help me. You risked you father's unimaginable fury, just to help me. And I could not help you… You have left, because I could not help you.
Do you know how much I grieve for you, Esmeralda? All of this was my fault, MINE. If only I could've gained the cloth quicker, you might not be… gone.
I still long to feel you in my arms. But those days will never come back again, will they?
All because you have left the face of the Earth. I know I will not be able to see you again until I, in turn, leave the face of the Earth as well. That is the most painful truth of all. And although I know that I can never give you this letter, I hope you remember me. I hope you treasure our memories together. And most of all, I hope you know that I love you.
Ikki
From Ikki's eyes fell two teardrops, lightly staining the piece of paper. He placed the letter on top of the mound of dirt and the cross that marked the place where Esmeralda lay.
"Goodbye…"
Then he disappeared in a swirl of flames.