A Silent Guardian and Friend

Chapter 7- Realization

Kaze's P. O. V.

A chance for me to redeem my sins. If I can make up for my sins, maybe I can die without any regrets. I will obey every order Masahiro give me and was ready sacrificed my life for him if I need to.

End of P. O. V.

Kaze had been unconscious for a whole week and her wounds had been healing well under Masahiro and Akiko's care. Soon, she will be in top position to fight and hunt.

"So, young one. Where are you going at this late hour?" Asked the once-deity. "Well. I was planning to visit the Takao no Kami at Kifune Mountain. Want to come with me, Kaze?" Replied and invited Masahiro.

"I guess it won't hurt to visit her." Answered the stripless tiger. "And I'm already well enough to walk on my own." Masahiro merely chuckled at her. Kaze stood up and followed Masahiro outside. Kuromanasuke was already waiting outside, it was happy to Masahiro and the tigress getting well. "I... Well... Err... Thank you?" Said Kaze confusely as she being treated like this ever since 300 years ago. The carriage youkai nodded happily and both Masahiro and Kaze climbed into it.

It only took barely ten minutes to arrive at Kifune Mountain. The place held a peaceful atmosphere as they entered the barrier surrounding the area. 'It's weird thought, I can entered the place easily while the others can't. Maybe it had to do with her past... Again.' Though Kaze sadly. Soon, we reached the shrine of the dragon goddess.

Masahiro confidently stepped up to the shrine and bowed. A light burst from the stone structure and a woman appeared sitting on it. "Hello again little boy." She greeted with a smile.

"Goddess Taoko." Masahiro bowed again before sitting on a stair. The position appeared practiced, as if he had sat just like that many times. "Hmm... My. That's interesting." Said Taoko when she noticed Kaze standing in front of the shrine.

"I was surprised that a youkai can enter the barrier. Tell me, who are you and you somehow familiar." Asked the dragon goddess. Kaze mentally sighed before she bowed her head, "I can't blame you to forget who I am. My name is Kazene Mizu, the once-deity who had tainted herself and banished from Heaven."

"Goddess Mizu... The lake deity that broke the rule 300 years ago..." Taoko trailed off after knowing who Kaze really was. "Yes." Answered the tigress.

"No wonder you were able to pass the barrier and your aura felt just like a human and a god." Said Taoko. "Excuse me, Goddess Taoko. You know Kaze?" Interrupted Masahiro confusely.

"You can say that. I used to meet with Taoko- sama here when I was alive as a human." Explained Kaze. "That's true. We were a lot in common in the old days... but why are you calling me with that suffix?" Taoko frowned at the formal tone of the tigress.

"Well, I'm under Masahiro's service now. It's only polite to call you that after that tragedy." Said the once-deity. "Don't. Just don't call me with a suffix. You can still call Taoko like you always have before. I don't believe you are the one who wanted to steal the scared flame of Heaven and Hell. Just call me Taoko." Asked the dragon god in slightly sadden voice.

"But- but I don't deserve any of this kindness." Said the tigress as her eye started to water. She was crying. "No!" That startled Kaze and Taoko. Masahiro was on his feet again, walking towards Kaze slowly and knelt down before her.

"Kaze. You deserved this kindness as long as you are willing to accept them." Said

Masahiro as he lifted the youkai's head up in his hands. "Really? Are you sure?" Now Kaze's eye was blurry as tears flowing down to the ground.

Mokkun had been quite since the conversation started, silently observing the trio. The night was no longer young. Both Masahiro and Kaze bid the dragon goddess farewell and went back home. Kaze had realized that she maybe stained and full of sins, but if she worked hard enough to amend for it. The chains of blood will no longer clinched on her that her was always being cared by her real family.

Kaze's P. O. V.

I realized that maybe I am dirty, but there still somebody willing to look out for me. That makes me happy, really happy. I decided not to clinch on my past any more, I will forget every each of them. I will defiantly watch over the person that had saved when I almost died. I will become his silent guardian and friend, never talks too much and come to his aid when I am needed.

End of P. O. V.

End of Kaze arc.