"Too old for dolls" that phrase had always plagued her. It was the last thing she had said before she left behind her first. Ever since then she'd always wanted her back. To be young and think that you always know what you're doing, how she hated herself. She wanted to grow up, to be strong, to win. "Too old for dolls" it still burns. Now she had an army of dolls by her side. She still wished she could find that first one and apologize, or make it up to her in some way.
These thoughts were common occurrences. But she had to continue her existence, and her never ending quest to figure out whatever the hell it was that was sending the witch off on some new convoluted journey.
Maybe she'd take one of her own. Maybe find that doll. Unlikely. It's been how long since she had abandoned it in the first place? Perhaps it's still lying in that field of flowers. Maybe she should pay her respects to the doll that was. She decided she'd go back to the clean hill upon which, she had hoped, rested her doll.
Upon reaching the hill she immediately could tell something was different. Suzuran had completely engulfed the surrounding area. Strange, how could a single variety of flower completely shroud an entire hillside? Then she felt it, the youkai nearby. It wasn't too strong, but it was noticeable. She went in search of it, if it was the reason for the suzuran, then it had certainly been there long enough to have maybe noticed the doll? She confronted the youkai, grimoire at the ready, just in case.
The doll looked at her, stopped for a moment, then glared with pure and venomous hatred. "Too old for dolls" not anymore. She fell to her knees and began to openly cry. She wanted to tell the doll everything, how she had grown, how sorry she felt, how much she was missed, and yet she knew that it wouldn't help. She breathed a heavy sigh, turned and walked away. The doll appeared before her and slapped her, then she hit the ground.