#redwinteredit

“When you said … that night, when you said you would have kept me forever… and loved me until the very end, did you mean it?” His eyes darkened, burning her soul. “I meant every word.”

“As a wave caught her, splashing her legs, she gasped and whirled around with a laugh. Shiro watched her from a few paces away and she paused, uncertain and self-conscious. He crossed the sand to join her, and as she blinked up at him, he raised a hand, his thumb brushing the corner of her mouth. "Don't stop smiling", he murmured.”

Her heart gave an odd little flutter. “Yes, I promise.” 

She stopped, a half-dozen paces still separating them. The frantic thudding of her heart filled her ears as she met his vacant crimson stare. “Don’t forget me, Shiro,” she said hoarsely. “You’re not allowed to forget me.” He blinked slowly and something shifted in his gaze. His lips curved in his familiar crooked smile. “You’ll forget me someday, little miko.” His voice was even hoarser than hers, rough and coated in a hint of an animal growl. “I’ll never forget you,” she told him. “I’ll remember you to my last day.” “Do you promise?” Her heart gave an odd little flutter. “Yes, I promise.”

All these human fears and worries would become meaningless. Her future had been written by the kami, and her destiny awaited her.

What about death is to be feared? The burdens of life can be so great that it would be a comfort to know that someday it will end…that someday, we will have earned final rest.

YA LIT MEME: 5/10 Books - Red Winter, Annette Marie

Actions change our course, influence our futures, but intentions define us, empower us. Without intent, we are nothing.