60 Second Vignette Challenge

Don't Run Away

by Celste

Why are you running away? You seemed so surprised to see me at the entrance of the Kamiya Dojo--surprised but glad. The last thing I expected you to do was run away from me...after you read Okina's letter. But what was I expecting? I don't know...somehow, you've grown up so much, while still staying the same. Somehow, I don't understand you that well anymore. Your mind is no longer that of a simple child, easily pleased.

It's hard getting used to. I wasn't there to watch the strong little girl you used to be grow up into an even stronger woman. I wondered if the bond we shared so long ago was gone...broken, obliterated by the years that passed and the dishonourable deeds I've done. But you never cease to surprise me. Just like now. In the months that have passed since I came home from Shishio's abode, I have gotten to know you again.

And I've fallen in love with what I see.

Don't run from me. You never used to. Not even after what I did to Okina, although I asked you to leave. You never liked being separated from me, Misao...even when I wanted you to run so that you wouldn't be drawn into that mess I created when I abandoned my humanity to become a shura (demon), and so that I would not be forced to kill you, you did not. So why do you run now, when all I want is for you to stay? To stay with me, look into my eyes, and see how much you have changed me?

I know I'm smiling...seeing you always returns the smile to my face, for you're my light and my (dare I say it?) life. Don't run...do you know that you take my smile away whenever you go away or cry? Your face is not meant for tears...it never was. You've tried so hard to make me laugh, but all that comes undone whenever you cry because of me.

As long as you smile for me, I'll smile for you.

I want so much to run after you. But I know you will calm down and think it over in a short while...and I know you'll return to Kyoto with me. You've always been like a sudden storm on a sunny day--a flash of lightning and thunder, and all is over, a rainbow of smile lighting up your face, making things so much better. You've always been the rainbow which calms and soothes the storm inside me, adding colour to my dark life.

That storm is fading, welcoming daylight and sunshine into its darkness.

Think it over, I'm sure you'll realise soon enough that Okina never forced me to come to Tokyo. Whatever Okina wrote in the letter that upset you is only part of the story. How can I explain that I came here to bring you home to Kyoto not just because he asked me to, but because I was starting to miss you...starting to worry about you? You know me well enough--I will never do anything I don't want to.

What I really want right now...is for you to stop running away and fall into my arms, just like you did when I came home to the Aoiya...and go back with me.

You try to clue me in to your feelings for me, but I've known about them long ago. It's just that I didn't realise how deeply I feel for you until you went away. I'll make you happy this time, and you'll never want to leave again.

They don't say "Absence makes the heart grow fonder" for nothing. And I never knew how true it is until now.