Chill

--

She would not mourn any longer.

Oh, it had taken so long. He'd waited, quietly, in the back wings of the world watching her move through the grief, the denial, all the stages of mourning after the death of a loved one. It would have been selfish and wholly unfair to either of them to do anything but.

Kurama watched her walk up and down the stone paths of the temple, past the memorials with fading incense still drifting through the still air, serene. She was a picture, he was sure, of something more than what Kuwabara had seen, something he could not see, or possibly understand.

But, I can see.

Kurama did see, he explored that vision for a long time – how many years hardly mattered – and did nothing but wait. He did not plan, he did not connive, and he did not manipulate. He merely waited, and saw. And today, he walked the stone paths behind her, silent and cool.

"Kurama, do you think he lingers?" She asked, turning her head ever so slightly. She was not staring at the memorials, she was staring at him.

"I doubt it. He has no unfinished business." Except for you. You'll always be here, but… so will I.

Yukina nodded, and continued to walk; Kurama following a respectful distance behind.

"It has been a rather long time… he would have gotten bored by now." She said, stopping again, glancing again. So still, Kurama was unafraid but apprehensive. "I wonder how the dead keep busy." The look in her eyes was more insistent now. You have died. You have seen it, tell me he is gone from here, tell me I can really move on.

"There is always work to be done, somewhere." He said. It calmed her, and she smiled. She walked again, and he followed, this time, just a little closer.

And closer still, soon. Very soon.

He would wait, but not long.

--

04/25/2008

For Digital Dawn