After more than a two year absence, I decided to bring this story back because I feel as though this story has caught viewer's attention. Plus, this fanfic is meant to be short. :P And, I was bored. So I'll give you that reason. XD

A full background check for those who are new: Kyle is one of my main characters in my very old series Ice Age fanfiction, Ice Age with Kyle. This story, Hard To Let You Go, is NOT a direct sequel to any of my fanfics. Think of it as an alternate storyline where Kyle manages to live with the herd as a saber-tooth cub during or "preferably" after Ice Age with Kyle 2. The story is another Diego and Kyle moment, but this story has a darker tone than how I usually write.

(If you want to learn more about my character Kyle, feel free to suffer and read my horrendous writing and story of Ice Age with Kyle ML and Ice Age with Kyle 2: Two Worlds. The reason I criticize my stories is because they're about more than five years old, and my writing skills has improved over the years!)

Chapter 3: Regrets

I can never forgive myself what I've done to him. Nor will I ever believe he will ever forgive me. I don't blame him. It was my fault… All my fault. I failed him. He doesn't deserve to have me; I'm a horrible person, I can't be his father… Kyle… I'm sorry…

An orange large saber lies sadly over a cliff, watching the morning sun finally popping from the horizon. His hazel eyes didn't twitch or wince; the sun wasn't strong as how it should be when morning hits. That's how he is now; he's not as strong as he used to be. Not anymore…

"This sun. This morning sun is not strong," he said sadly. "I value nothing. I'm not strong enough to take care of you. I'm not strong enough to protect you. You're better off without me, Kyle. I just...I just cannot forgive myself"

As the sun rises higher to the sky, it got stronger and brighter. Diego lies resting under a shady tree, next to a large pond, feeling free from the pain he has received. His mind is blank and no thought would speak or answer, it was quiet. However, he hears laughter of a young boy. A laughter with joy that is so warm, it heals him. But the laughter makes him frown sadly; his heart slowly crushed and broke into grief and sadness.

"Hey, Dad! Hey, Dad!" a cheerful voice calls for Diego.

Diego moves his hazel eyes to the direction of the voice without turning his head. He sees a young saber with a brown mane approaching Diego with an excited grin written on the cub's face. Diego gulps, thinking to himself, "C'mon, just...talk to him. Tell him…"

Kyle tilts his head in confusion, concerned why Diego has not responded to him. Then another response escaped from the cub's mouth. "Dad…?"

Diego clenches his teeth. Just by hearing Kyle calling him dad gives Diego pain internally. Kyle needs him, however, Diego cannot return this affection since he "failed" the cub's protection. The adult saber trembles slightly, unable to find the words to end his relationship with Kyle. It did not want to, but he has to. It is hurting him. All Diego wants is to protect Kyle from himself.

"Dad, are you o-" Kyle pauses until the adult saber finally spoke.

"Don't call me 'Dad' anymore. Just call me Diego…" the adult saber responds harshly, yet a tone of sadness. Am I really doing this? Is this what I want…? Diego thought.

A small whimper echoes to the saber's ears; Kyle is heartbroken. "B-But why, Dad?" Kyle questions him.

Yeah, why, Diego? Is it because you're afraid? Or just a coward? The saber thought again. Diego tries to fight his emotions; it is making him feel uncomfortable and did not want to discuss the issue. It will hurt him more. The orange saber sighs sadly, "Kyle...listen to me. Don't call me 'Dad' anymore...just don't."

"But-But why?" Kyle cries, his voice whimpering in sorrow. The adult saber feels the cub nudging him, wanting him to look at the cub. "Why are you doing this? I thought...I thought you wanted to be my dad"

Diego agrees. He cares and loves Kyle so much, the only method which comes to mind is to reject him. I'm dangerous, Kyle… I cared about you so much, and yet, I can't protect you. You deserve a better father...not me. Diego could not take it anymore. He did not want his emotions take over his tough-guy persona. Regret is gnawing him. Kyle, forgive me…

The adult saber turns to stare at the saddened Kyle, forcing himself to look menacing and furious. "CAN'T YOU SEE YOU I DON'T WANT TO BE YOUR DAD!" Diego exclaims, giving the distressed cub the message. After shouting at Kyle for the first time, Diego sees the fear in the boy's eyes. What have you done? He thought, regretting more of his decision. The saber turns away from the cub, fighting back tears, guilty that he hurt the one cub he truly cared about. "...Just...leave me alone…"

Kyle sobs, leaving with tears in his eyes, the sounds of his footsteps disappearing the further he goes. Anger. Guilt. Anguish. Sadness. These emotions are running wild. Diego growls at himself, sprinting off into the forest ahead of him. He hates himself. He hates what he has done to Kyle. He hates everything he had done.

His claws unleashes from his paws, slashing the hard bark of the trees. Cutting the branches from the bushes near.

"YOU STUPID, IDIOT!" Diego cries, staring at his reflection at a piece of ice on the ground before clawing it, distorting his face. "LOOK WHAT YOU DONE! HE HATES ME! HE CAN NEVER FORGIVE ME! I AM ASHAMED TO BE HIS FATHER! HE CAN'T LOOK AT ME THE SAME ANYMORE"

He continues clawing the trees and boulders around him, letting his emotions fuel out of his systems. "I'M A COWARD! A STUPID SABER! KYLE DESERVES BETTER!" He lets out a deep heavy roar of anguish as he falls on the ground, exhausted. Tears are visible in his eyes, regretting the choice he made. Diego will not feel happiness anymore. He will not feel love anymore. Everything has ended for him after just a few words. The adrenaline rush begins to decrease; he can feel his paws and claws sore as pain develops.

"...I'm the worst father ever…" the saddened saber silently sobs. "...Kyle… I'm so sorry…"

A drastic change, I see. But what has caused Diego to make the decision to end Kyle's relationship? Stay tuned to find out on the possibly last chapter!

Hope you guys enjoyed! I promise you won't wait for another year just to read the next chapter. I'm just a bad author. But I'll be starting pronto! No need to worry. :)