Title: Why Are You Gone?

Summary: Kirara's musings after the death of Miroku. Can stand alone but is a semi-sequel to 'To Find Your God Within'.

Disclaimer: As usual, I own nothing.

Genre: Angst.

Rating: PG

A/N: Enjoy!!

You are gone, now, human child. I could smell it on your body, on the way you lay so still, so very still. You were strong, human child, and young. Why are you gone? There is blood on you, but no demon-claws, no teeth marks. Your blood is still on you, as is your flesh. You were not prey. You were not old, either, human child, even for a race with such short lives as your own. Your heart did not give out in a hunt; you were not killed for a position in your pack.

So why are you gone, human child?

I do know this: Even though the sorrow that surrounded you is gone, that of my mistress, your mate- though you denied it- has multiplied many times over, as has that of your pack. None of them will speak any more. The kit-child smiles always around my mistress, and sits very close to her and the other female, saying kind words, but I can feel the sorrow around him, as well. The demon-man-child- for he is not so very old, either, has sorrow and anger about him all the time. He has had me spar with him many times since you have gone, ignoring his fang-sword and instead using his claws and feet as a demon should. He is very strong, a worthy opponent, and we often come back to this abandoned den that we have taken over worn and tired, sore and dirty. I have also seen him sneak off through the forests in the night. He goes to the flowing water not far from here and swims, or kneels at the edge, simply staring into the water. Sometimes rain comes from his eyes and his sorrow grows even greater, and he speaks quietly to the water, or screams at the heavens.

One of the times, the kit-child followed him to the flowing water. He sat next to him as he did for my mistress and the other female- her litter sister who was not- and spoke to him as he did to them. The demon-man-child spoke to him for a time as well, and then the rain came from both of their eyes. After that time, the demon-man-child treated the kit-child more as a litter-mate than a disobedient cub.

Perhaps good has come of your death, human child. Pain brings strength, after all, and somehow, your death has hurt them badly. But still, human child…I cannot understand why you are gone.