#nmz.gorou

Once he thought it didn't matter how your relationship would play out. It was already a difficult relationship as it is. When the vision hunt decree came about, that's when the communication stopped anyways.

You were loyal to the shogun, through and through. Gorou was a leader in the rebellion. An unfortunate line of events.

On many of occasions, he ran away from the tormented look on your face. Your bow aimin for his body, but your heart too reluctant to let go of the string.

You were a soldier. Luckily enough not significant to be punished for an adequate job. However, he was a captain. He wasn't allowed to hesitate. People received his orders. People went to him for advice. People looked at him.

And so he counts every scratch he's ever left on your arms, legs, your face. Piled up memories he left in a vault deep within his subconscious. Except for one that lingers like the scar left right below your neck.

A knife scar that won't heal and all caused by him in an attempt to let his soldiers flee by using you as bait. Sara was a good leader, but what a cowardly move it was depsite it working.

Those memories may have been the reason he picked up the bow again. More distance meant that it would be harder to figure out who he was targeting. Less times he needed to hit you.

But you could guess that the plan backfired. Being near you meant you were an occupied target. No one else would try to fight you. No one else would go all out.

That must've been why it hurts his chest even now to think of the spear piercing yours. Gorou grips the phantom staff in his chest. Your reaction seconds too late from what had already happened, but your instinct to look for him was not.

He could see your face, the final reactions and thoughts you had. A crying smile already giving into something it didn't want.

Gorou yells for retreat. He needed to get you to safety. He has to help you. He's sorry he- soldiers in enemy clothing are dragging you away.

You were getting so much farther away.

It's too far.

Yet he could still see the wound.

It looks like this one would scar too.

.

.

.

Gorou stands at an informal grave, one he has to keep secret and which doesn't even contain the body that it is dedicated to.

Another letter placed ontop of a growing pile, all seemingly untouched. The first few precariously placed under the stone as if it were meant for a secret exchange, but the fresher looking envolopes carelessly placed ontop of one another as if giving up on the secret.

Maybe someone will end up finding out where this grave is one day. Would that make you happy? Gorou doesn't know any more. All the choices he's made have just become more and more difficult.