Balance

"I have been here in this world since the first Mononoke came into this world. What memory I have of my existence before I crossed the barrier between worlds is limited, yet I do remember that I existed peacefully with the Mononoke in the spiritual world. As long as there is the potential for Mononoke to cross the barrier, I remain in this world to combat them upon their arrival.

"For over two thousand years I remained alone in my battle against the Mononoke. I did not think of it as lonely because I knew no better." I paused, gathering my mental and emotional resolve. Kutsuriuri waited patiently for me to continue.

"Fifteen years ago, I met a young boy, and upon my return to him, I placed his life in danger. I spent almost two years of his life protecting him from the Mononoke who wished to destroy him in an attempt to get at me, and yet…my time with him was the happiest I had ever known. He opened my eyes to the people I was protecting. He gave me a reason to keep fighting, even when prospects seemed bleak. I loved him as a father loves a son…but I was not able to keep him safe." I choked, but forced myself to continue. "He died under my protection, and I have never been able to forgive myself."

Kutsuriuri gave me some time to gather myself before he asked softly, "What was the boy like?"

I smiled at the happier memories I had of Aia. "He was such a mature boy. He had been orphaned when he was five, and he lived with other boys from his town in a warrior's temple where he had been coerced into service since his parents had been killed by Mononoke. When his parents were killed, his eyes were opened to the existence of Mononoke, and he forever retained a curiosity about them. He was extremely intelligent; he figured out how to create the very papers that I showed you when he was as young as ten years old. He had such a positive outlook on life, even though he was an orphan and even though he didn't want to be a warrior…in fact, he wanted to be a medicine seller." Once again, I was surprised at the similarities between Kutsuriuri and Aia, and I looked up at Kutsuriuri to see surprise written on his face, as well.

"It seems that your friend and I are quite similar," he said slowly.

I nodded. "He even had a purple headscarf just like the one that you wear," I smiled at him.

Kutsuriuri smiled back at me. "Perhaps it is good that I remind you of him; your loss is clearly still a painful subject, but perhaps our similarities will help you to heal." He came over to me and placed a hand on my shoulder.

I looked up at him and placed a hand of my own over his. "I can only hope so."

So yeah…y'all have been so good with keeping up with this story that I decided to update twice in a single day!...even though this update is less than half the size of the other update, lol. And to all of you who stuck with this story for the yaoi? I'm sorry to say that I don't think it'll happen; I plan on keeping Kutsuriuri and the Golden Warrior as just friends.