Author's note: As many have known the extreme delay in further updates upon this story, I must say that I am deeply sorry of this matter. Because of certain situations of school and other engagements, I had no time in continuing the story until now. Please bear with me as I am trying as hard as I can in finishing this story as soon as possible.
Chapter 5
Knelt beside a bending river and the exquisite waterfall that was placed upon the structure of a sheltered cliff, its contents cascading within the water's swift current. It seemed though I attempted in washing away my lingering thoughts as I underwent a process in which never-ending buckets were emptied upon my head.
In this moment in which I found it best to settle matters without interference, I felt that with every passing second I was falling deeper into a pool of indecisiveness, the foresight of my destiny a blue of nothingness. All this time my goal had been to see the demise of Naraku, but now at the turn of the tide as my decisions have shifted, I have found myself idle in which my reasoning for remaining here in this world has so forth been unknown.
My silk underrobe was now completely dampened to the limit in which beads of excess water dripped from the seams. Setting the wooden buckets upon the ground beside me, I gazed outward with my head hung low, noticing a single raven settled at the entrance of the area in which it pecked at the ground beneath it.
Standing, I walked over to the long bird, placing it in my hands with an easy touch, a strategy in which I hoped it would not depart as I came near. When examining it fully, traces of blood were apparent on the tips of its feathers; a sign in which I knew danger lurked afoot.
When recalling that I hear the crow flying from the west, I began strolling into the heavy brush of the forest. Oddly I had found that there was only but a single path that led in the direction of where I was headed, its condition fairly acceptable but covered in overgrowth for the many years of rare administration. With every step there was either twigs or dried brush, which refused in aiding in a silent approach, many creatures in which I neared running away for shelter, not knowing whether or not I was truly a friend or enemy. With the raven perched on my hand, it hopped along my arm until reaching my shoulder, flapping its wings in attempt to rid itself of the crimson liquid.
By the time I had found an opening in the forest, the sky was of now complete darkness, glistening stars giving a somewhat gently essence t the shadowed mystery of the atmosphere above. In the area I found no trace of human existence. When turning my head, the crow flapped its wings violently, pushing against my shoulder as it ascended into the air, soaring ahead as if to lead the way. As I began walking farther, the sound of a crackling fire rang in my ears. At how powerful the bewilderment appeared, I wasn't far from what I was seeking. With every passing moment I found myself growing curious of what had occurred. Over the years forests across the lands were becoming abundant with ferocious demons causing life more difficult for humans. By chance, I may have already been too late.
Pushing away a branch I came to the near end of the forest on the West Side. Before me stood the similar river in which I was bathing in before, the body of water separating the plains of the flower-covered valley and the wood. On its side, a large carriage was covered in flames, its contents spread on the ground and the still water.
By sight, it was obvious that this was the work of demons, which ones I couldn't be sure. Though I was this was no work of humans. If the real culprit were indeed a human, the power of greed would overcome the host's actions, resulting in the theft of the victim's possessions. However, when seeing all contents of the carriage laid in a sloppily manner upon the forest's floor, my superstition was confirmed.
After examining over the complete site, I had found no bodies of the innocent victim's in which their lives had been selfishly spent, except one. Walking through the gentle water's the of the river, I noticed that there was no strong current upon my body, which indeed meant that I was most likely far off from where I was originally. As seeing books in which belonged to the casualties, many had been opened, their pages burnt and discolored from the flames of the violent fire, the calligraphy smeared from the high temperature.
Soon the water reached my waist, my underrobe once again drenched in the cool liquid. As I extended my arms in order to hold the young girl's body, I noticed the expression of fear painted across her face. At that moment I felt remorse, a branch of sadness I could at least obtain the ability of. The child was of the nearing age of Rin, as I could almost see Rin instead of the poor girl's body in my arms. I placed my hand over her eyes, closing her eyelids as I removed my hand to support the lower half of her body.
With my soul catchers circling in the sky above, they soon lowered themselves beside me, gliding gracefully upon the air's soft breeze. When reciting a prayer, the girl's body slowly became an iridescent figment as slowly I found no longer feel the lightweight of the corpse. My soul collectors soon found themselves attached to the girl's lingering spirit, intertwining as they ascended higher into the air until I could no longer see them.
"Be at peace…"
Author's note: I was originally meaning for this chapter to be longer, but when in the process of revising it, I decided this would be the best moment in which I should end it. Further more, other chapters will be added soon, though I cannot guarantee when exactly.