Parting was sweet sorrow, they said. It shouldn't have been if they planned on keeping in contact but it was the way of the world. Nothing could last forever. So, Hokuto and Kotori spent the time they had remaining close and had plenty of fun.

But the day came, and they couldn't put it off forever.

They didn't part completely sad, though. It was a simple affair with a hug and a wave goodbye. Hokuto didn't have her bags to slow her down or Kotori may have felt the urge to travel with her and help her out. Hokuto had said she would leave that up to a separate cart service that would bring them to her home. When Hokuto parted from her and pulled away from her, Kotori wished for something else. But that wish was distant as she walked away. All she could think about was her face and how she wanted to burn the memory of it into her brain. If their relationship would be long distance from now on, that would be the only reprieve she would have. But it had to be that way. That was the way the world worked no matter how unsatisfactory.

They had written down the addresses they would need mail to be sent to. Kotori's was the association in town for undercover vampire hunters. They had to be more low-key about it in this place because of the pressure not to be too hostile in this area.

Kotori glanced at the letter Hokuto had left her. It was a shabby, white envelope, but she had drawn a cute design on the back in the time she had to do so. So, she hoped this really wouldn't be the last time.

Hokuto had gone towards the south. That was the direction she was going, too, so she would wait for her to turn around the city in the winding streets and go towards the mountains before she continued on.

She sighed. She was going to look at it later, but the impish rush within her didn't want to wait that long. She wanted to know where she could start writing her next letter ahead of time so she could plan accordingly. She wasn't that excited, mind… but she was… and she shouldn't even say that she wasn't…

Kotori hung her head in defeat. Seriously! She supposed she didn't have the willpower to wait.

Nimbly, her fingers snuck under the envelope seal and pulled out the letter stored inside. Her heart beat faster and she didn't know why. She unfolded it, and with great anticipation looked at the words on the page. She felt like the bird that soared high in the clouds and practically lived next to the sun.

And then…

Her heart plummeted in her chest after reading the first lines. Her heart may as well have smashed on the dirt road and left her in shambles. Kotori couldn't breathe anymore. She should have known it was not a coincidence, but she had wanted so badly for it not have been… but life was cruel far more than kind.

Palace of the vampire country.
Address to Queen Hokuto
I'm sorry, Kotori-chan

Kotori was truly sorry, too.