Winter Sky Promise

The bells of war had finally calmed down, as finally a victor emerged from the crimson laced battlefield. With snow gently falling down from the serene gray skies of winter, the man stood up, dragging his blood stained sword behind him. And even though the battles had long ended, the cries of war still vividly rings inside his ears as the play of swords came to view inside his mind. With each step he makes, the war would replay itself again, over and over again. But such sight didnt bothered him. Nor the taunting distorted faces of the men he slew, or the dismembered bodies of his comrades that lay down on his feet. Not even the mocking white frost on his bloodstained armor, or the biting pain on his side. Not a single one of them.

As he walked pass by the scattered remains of the warriors from both sides, another memory from before began playing inside his mind. The night of her land was slaughtered. The same land he vowed to protect with all his life. The same land that was once flourishing with life, vibrating with serenity. but now, it was nothing but a barren wasteland. A graveyard for all the innocent souls who perished that night. Those poor souls who suffered in his stead.

If only he did not let his emotions betray his judgement, those people, would be still....

Alive.

Alive and breathing just like him. Not cold and decaying under the charred remains of the ruins of their beloved village. They shouldnt be...

A stray piece of shield caught his foot, sending his rolling down the corpse strewn hill. He was back from where he started.

Lying in a pool of blood and corpses.

He tried to stand up, but the gnawing pain from his side forced him down. He tried again, but with same results. It seemed his body just wants him to lay here, along with his comrades. To watch the Winter sky shed theirf frozen tears for him as he lay there waiting for his Shinigami.

He wondered as the cold began creeping to his lower extremities, if the same shinigami that took her life would come and take his. He was thinking if he cold strike a bargain with that shinigami so that he could ask it to take him to where she is. He's not gonna stay to whatever place she's in of course, he just want to talk to her.

What would you say to her?

"I"m sorry. I'm sorry for not betraying your trust."

Is that all?

"No, I want to thank her the most. She gave me so much, so selfishly, to someone who did not deserve a single drop what she so wholeheartedly gave me. She deserved someone else, yet she continued on believing in me."

Why do you say that?

"I rebuked her feelings, because I was afraid that I'll just hurt her more. And the fact that I was still in love with her sister, and the rage of vengeance inside my heart and mind, I am simply not worthy of her..."

Yet she believed in you right?

"Yes. And I betrayed that trust."

What makes you think you betrayed her trust?

" I caused her so much pain and suffering. I took forgranted her feelings and watched her sold herself to that filthy warlord. I sent her beloved land to hell, and lead her army to their end."

Did anyone blamed you for that? Did anyone pointed a finger at you and accused you of their murder?

"No one did..."

Then why claim such harsh pretenses?

"Because I knew my sins, I dont deserve this life, yet I'm still breathing..."

These people gave their live protecting you, yet you choose to waste their sacrifice?

"I did not deserve this life their giving me..."

Everyone has a right to live...

"I am not one of that 'everyone'..." He closed his eyes, as a warm drop of tear began it journey down his cold cheek. His pale lips felt so cold, and his whole body feels so numb and heavy. Although his mind was getting blurry, he could still see clearly.

Clear enough to see who was kneeling beside him.

Her long dark hair fluttering against the cold winter winds, as the light pecks of snow flakes covered her head. Wearing the same lilac and white cherry blossom kimono she favored so much. Her bright sun gold eyes vibrating with life stared down his, filled with questions yet remained silent with answers. He tried to lift his arm to caress her face, but he was too weak to move. She smiled, as she picked up his near frozen arm and held it close to her warm cheek. With such a simple and gentle act, he felt that same familiar warmth embrace his body, filling his cold senses. Life began to ring loudly in his ears, as her apparition began to fade.

"Live...and find me..."

Those were the words were enough for him to stand up to his feet, struggling fiercely against the blinding pain on his side. He took of his armor and ripped a hem of his suit and tied it across his gaping wound. The pain was slightly quelled as he strapped back his armor on.

Taking a deep breath, he began climbing the hill again with much vigor and enthusiasm.

How can he forget that promise?

The same promise that fueled his fight for life...that same promise that kept him alive...