After Maki died, Kai came home to stay. He spent most of his time crying on the couch. People would come in and out of our house all day giving food and trying to comfort. I refused to eat, and when people came over I just sat there not saying anything. Once Suki got mad and started hitting me telling me that I couldn't just not live. I really didn't care anymore.
Maki's funeral hurt me the most. Her entire family got together....and cried. I stayed at the farthest reach from them. I could hear them say both kind and nasty things.
"That's the man that let Maki die," One would say.
"Naw don't ya know? He's a demon from Hell....Hachimata," the other would answer.
"That b@#Y@#d if he hadn't let Maki stay and had sent her home she would still be alive."
"Ya you're right. If I could I would kill him right here, but he is a legendary nine biju....."
"So strong, but he couldn't even protect our Maki! I hate demons!"
"Ya why do they exist!"
"They should just kill themselves!"
"Stupid demons!"
The chat would continue even after they caught me staring at them. Finally Aki told them to move away and came to me.
"Ya know...." Aki said, "She loved you."
"I....know...." I answered. Those were the first words I had said in days.
"And she was really happy with you," Aki continued.
"But.....I let.....her die....." I said all the emotion drained out of me, "I let her die."
"You look like you died with her," Aki said, "You're paler than usual and is it just me or have you gotten skinnier?"
"A....lot....of me died with her......" I answered, "my heart'sss lying in the coffin with Maki......"
"Ya.....I understand.....but you can't do this to yourself Hachi," Aki answered, "or you will end up in the coffin with her."
"Death....doessss not ssseem sssso bad....." I answered.
"Hachi as long as there are people that alive and remeber Maki she never really died," Aki said, "when we were little....I was so angry when you the great Hachimata let my sister into your mountains.....she seemed like she was no longer my little sister....like you had taken her from me.....but now I see....that she can never be gone Hachi."
I sighed and walked away. Aki's words meant nothing to me. I went home and lay down. Suki came over with cup cakes and I nearly threw up. I hid out in my room away from Kai. He seemed to be suffering as much as I was.
