truth

Heavy pants from his mouth were heard. The cold, arid breath visibly exited his mouth, and his tongue lolled on the side. Strangely though, Ryura did not return to the camp where the other wolves were. He was, before, given orders as a watchman for the night, but immediately refused the job. Running farther and farther away, he bounded across the high cliffs, where the moon shone, and approached a small clearing up ahead. Ryura let out a soft growl and fixed his gleaming eyes upon what lay in front of him, as the moon lit up the fascinating sight.

It was a large garden, not any common garden, but one vibrant in color. The garden was as blue as the distant sea, filled with the iris flower. Stretching over twenty yards, the flowers populated the soil, leaving no empty space between them. Even in the condensed space, the flowers grew well. All of them looked as if they have been treated well, with care and comfort needed to grow. The wind once again picked up, and Ryura, in human form, stepped out of the clearing. He strolled along the middle of the garden, letting his hand swim through the soft blueness of the patch of flowers. Ryura closed his eyes, and let the scent of the flowers overtake him, engulfing him in fragrance that enlightened his entire body. He was happy, filled with aesthetic joy, as if he had no care in the world. He opened his eyes and laughed, imagining the days in which he was once a child. He finally stopped laughing. Heaving a sigh, he walked into the middle of the field to come across a small slab of stone in the center. He knelt down, stroking the stone with his index finger, tracing the marks that were scratched clearly onto the surface: アヤネ.

"Thirteen years. It’s been a while, hasn’t it? I haven’t visited this wretched paradise for some time." Ryura paused. "I’ve kept the flowers just the way you wanted." There was no response, only the sound of silent rustling leaves from his surroundings. Ryura only laughed and held an iris between his fingers. With delicacy, he tore it from the root and placed it upon the foot of the stone.

Stepping back, Ryura’s countenance immediately shifted. "Why did you have to leave anyways? You know, you mock me in ways. I hate this, I hate everything. You always told me that the Yokai Wolves were built to lead in packs, as groups. Why the hell would they forget about me? They never acknowledge what I can do. And you said they would soon learn to accept me. When? When exactly will this happen? Answer me!"

Ryura slumped in a heap upon the ground. Huffing, he paused as he regained his breath. "What would you have done, if you were still here?"

He kicked the dust upon the ground once he stood up. And he stood there; for at least two full hours. Minutes passed quickly and Ryura did not move, nor did he stir in the slightest gesture. Thinking of his childhood, his face grimaced. Visions of an iris drenched in blood clouded his mind along with dead bodies. Ryura closed his eyes, shuddering from the past nightmares. Time flew by as a distant light rose from the east. It hit the surface of the earth, vanquishing the darkness that was there. The rays crept along the garden, having the irises gleam in morning light, at the wake of dawn. Ryura did not notice such until the sun’s rays hit his eyes; he blinked, finally coming to his senses.

"It’s morning already? Heh, I’ve been out too long." Quickly scurrying for his equipment, he transformed back into the wolf he was before. He ruffled his fur, as the sun’s rays flashed upon his skin. Ryura was irritated, hating the sight and feeling of the sun. His jet black fur burned from the immense heat. Ryura tried his best to ignore it. However, it proved to be a difficult task, no matter how hard he tried. He turned to the stone once again, and lowered his head.

"Goodbye, mother."

With a swift turn, he headed back into the forest. The sun still beat its strong rays upon the forest, as if it was trying to desecrate the trees along with its inhabitants. Ryura quickly ran. Disappearing into the depths of the trees, he sprinted back towards the camp, where the other wolves were. Ryura never stopped to look back. In seconds, he was gone, out of sight of the garden.

The sun continued to glare.