At Long Last

The burial grounds were next to the moss garden as Mei had said. A few lone pines stood guard to the small markers that looked like white milestones, Kozakuran writing carved on them. Sarevok liked the lack of gaudiness and pomp - there was such dignity in this solemn acknowledgement of the dead.

A pretty woman in her thirties joined the party. Her hair was long and black, a freely cascading veil like Peri's.

- "Konnichi wa. I am Eiko, the Daidoji family shukenja. I shall perform the burial rites of Tamoko-san," she said in a pleasant, calm voice.

- "Eiko-san," Yukemori said, "I believe that after the burial rite it is possible to commune with the spirits of the dead in the shrine. Is that correct?"

- "Oh yes - Akita-sama pays his respects to the dead ancestors every day," the woman answered.

- "I think Sarevok-san needs to talk with Tamoko after the burial," Yukemori said, looking Sarevok in the eye and craning his neck doing so.

A young man with a shovel appeared and started to dig a hole next to a lone pine, a tentative ray of sunlight glittering on its needles.

- "Allow me," Sareok said gruffly. Daidoji Akita nodded briefly, and the young man handed the shovel to Sarevok, who started to dig, the others quietly watching him.

After he was done, Sarevok dug the ornamental box of ashes out of his backpack.

- "This," he said, swallowing a sharp sob," is what is left of her earthly body." He covered the box with earth and patted the gravesite into a small mound.

When he was done, Eiko stepped forwards. She started to recite something in Kozakuran, her voice an enchanting hum. She switched to common after a while.

- "Be blessed in the Great Cycle of things, daughter of Akita-sama and Katsue-sama. The love of those you left behind will follow you to the sphere you go to. You shall not be forgotten."

Sarevok could no longer prevent crying. He did not care anymore.

- "Tamoko of my heart... I was able to keep my promise at long last. I hope you will be released now where you can find the happiness I was too deluded to share with you myself. I shall never forget you. Good bye."

Everyone else nodded to that, and stood silent for a while. Peri found Sarevok's hand and held it in silent compassion.

- "Where dead?" Umikaze asked.

- "Her ashes were in that box," Peri explained. "She was burned before, like the Khan."

The child nodded in deep thought.

- "Now I shall place the katana in the family shrine," Akita informed.

- "I think that you should talk to Tamoko," Yukemori said to Sarevok.

- "Can I?" Sarevok asked, feeling scared and hopeful at the same time.

- "Certainly," Akita said. "You came a long way to bury my daughter."

- "I would like to talk to Yoshimo, too," Peri said. The old man nodded to that.

A torii gate painted red led to a simple pagoda-roofed shrine. The shrine was nested inside a copse of pine trees and built of unpainted pine planks. Inside there were paintings of deceased family members, beautiful calligraphy scrolls, mementoes on small pedestals.

- "Beautiful..." Jelena whispered.

Akita went to a wall where an assortment of other weapons were hung, and placed the katana next to them.

- "A picture shall be painted of her so that we will remember," he said.

- "I think... that Sarevok-san needs a moment alone," Eiko said. Akita nodded, and everyone retreated, leaving the large warrior alone.

- "T... tamoko?" Sarevok whispered, standing next to the katana.

And there she stood. She was radiant, faintly translucent, but most important of all, the sadness was gone. Her eyes smiled, and she looked like she was at peace.

- "Tamoko..." Sarevok was at loss of words. His heart ached.

- "It is I. I am a shiryo now - a blessed ancestor. My soul has passed to Yomi, and now I get to be at peace forever."

Sarevok smiled, full of emotion.

- "Tamoko... I kept my promise. I hope you can forgive me... I will always love you and no-one else."

Tamoko smirked, her expression a mix of amusement and exasperation.

- "I said to you long ago that I have already forgiven you. The evil taint in your blood could claim you, and I was not powerful enough to fight it. I am glad that you remember me, and it is good if you love me as one loves those who have moved on in the Great Cycle of things... but you still reside in Ningen-do. You need to live, to move on."

- "But..."

- "No buts, loved one. Call the spirit lady Mei here."

Her gaze was insistent.

- "Mei! Please come here," Sarevok called.

Mei entered the shrine. If she was amazed to see a ghost, she didn't show it in any way. She greeted Tamoko by smiling and nodding.

- "I can see the silvery thread combining you. You two are meant to love each other. Sarevok, you have no right to torture yourself anymore. I am happy now, and so should you be. I bless your union, for it is meant to be."