For some time, the night sky had been the one constant in Tetsumi's life. Back at the monastery, people came and went, some hoping to begin their training, others giving up. During the morning lessons, Master Jokyou never went over the previous day's teachings. He was always introducing new material, his students barely able to keep up. In the afternoon, the instructors were a little better at reviewing sword techniques that they had demonstrated, but there was always something new to learn. When it seemed as if everything was changing, Tetsumi would look up at the night sky. Almost every night, the moon would appear, presiding over the night. On clear nights, the stars would come out, shining brightly. Tetsumi loved surprises as much as anyone else, but having one thing that never changed in his life was also nice.
Tetsumi needed a calming influence tonight. The moon was high in the sky, most of its face shining brightly. The winds from the eastern ocean were coming in, cooling the unusually warm early spring evening. The stars shone clearly, twinkling in rhythm with each other. The frogs that called his father's pond home were croaking. This night was eerily similar to that night, five years ago. The night when he said good-bye to Iria. The last time he saw her. He could not believe it. Iria was married. When he had left all those years ago, he left with the idea that she would wait for him. Granted, they never said anything about it, but was it not implied? His plan was to complete his training, be a demon slayer for a few years, then settle down and marry Iria. How could she go off and marry this Lord Gouman?
"Tetsumi, are you out here? We need to talk."
"There is nothing to talk about."
"I think there is."
"Fine, talk."
"I don't know how you must be feeling tonight…"
"You're right you don't. When I left, I thought you would wait for me, Iria. When I heard that you were married, I could feel my heart breaking. How could you do this to me?"
"You! How do you think I felt when you left? You were my first crush, Tetsumi. When you left all those years ago, I didn't know what to do. I did wait for you. I waited for four years for you to come back. Everybody thought that I was stupid for thinking that you would come back. I could only hope for so long Tetsumi."
"So why did you marry Gouman."
"I don't know. I guess I was tired of being alone. You broke my heart Tetsumi. You said that you would never forget me. Lord Gouman was a chance for me to start over."
"I did not forget you Iria. I thought about you every single day since the day I left. If I had the chance to come back, if only for a day, I would have taken it. They would not let me leave. It took my father this long to convince the Council to let me come home for a visit! I did not forsake you."
"What was I supposed to do? I waited, but you never came. You couldn't expect me to be alone forever. Tetsumi, all I wanted was for us to have a home and grow old together. Maybe it is time for us to move on."
"If you want to forget the feelings we had for each other, that is fine with me. I will not. If you want to stay with Gouman, fine. I wish you all the happiness that you and I could have had."
Tetsumi had heard enough. As he got up, he felt someone hold on to his hand.
"I don't want to forget Tetsumi. The moments we shared were the happiest of my life. But what's done is done. We can not go back."
"Don't say that. We could run away, right now. Away from the lives we have now. We can still be together. Put your hand in mine and we'll go."
Tetsumi held out his hand, inviting Iria to follow him. She inched closer, moving her hand close to Tetsumi's. Tetsumi could feel the warmth of her hand, their future together nearly assured. But she could not do it.
"I'm sorry Tetsumi. I care for you, but how can I leave my husband? What kind of women would I be if I left him?"
"I see. No, you are right. I was foolish to think that you run away with me. I am sorry that I came back into your life. I was mistaken in thinking that you still loved me."
"Tetsumi, wait… please."
Tetsumi could not hear Iria calling him back. His heart was shattered, beyond repair, so he thought. He could not hear Iria, or notice the tears streaming from her eyes, like a dam that had worn down. He was too busy holding the tears that threatened to break free. His teachers always told him to never show any sign of weakness. He would have too remember this, for his future depended on it. He would be a demon slayer, for the rest of his life. He would forsake all others, for the protection of the world. This was fine, for the one that he loved had forsaken him.
