“So... you are feeling better...?”
“Yes, thank you, cousin... I hope I’m not bothering you...”
Chiaki grabbed her cousin’s hand and shook her head.
“I’m glad to have you here, in the temple... You know, I mean, I haven’t see you since... since...”
Her sad voice became muffled... Suddenly, a soft, friendly hand was on her shoulder....
“Chiaki...”
“.... <sob>......... Yakami....... <snif>....”
“Please... don’t cry...”
Outside the shrine, in the branches of a tree near it, a little red demon tried to take a nap before lunch... but it was almost impossible.
“Bah... All this scrumble only for that little girl...”
Actually, since everyone knew that Yakami, Chiaki’s cousin, was coming for a while, they just seemed to get worked up. Zenki didn’t understand, ’cause it was only a girl, not the President or the Pope...
She arrived that morning; a slim, pale, brown-haired young lady, with such black eyes. Her hair was so long and straight, reaching her waist when it was loose. She was perhaps as tall as Chiaki... maybe a bit shorter...
But what Zenki remembered the best of the moment when Chiaki introduced them to each other was her gaze... it was drenched with an eternal sadness...
He had never saw such melancholy eyes... so deep... so dark...
He didn’t like it...
Frustrated, Zenki took another position on the branch.
“How long would she stay...? She’s taking up MY room...”
Chiaki told him about that, and about ‘the little shrine or the roof’...
<Sigh...>
“It’s always the same shit... some newcomer to the temple, fine, take that room, and the shikigami gets the backyard...”
He shivered, but not ’cause of the idea of sleeping in the backyard... Suddenly, it was a bit cooler...
What’s up now...? It was so nice—...
“YO!!!”
“Gwahh!!!” Too much surprise for him in the middle of his thoughts. That high-pitched voice came from right below him, almost scaring the hell out of him. He lost his balance and dropped to the ground... head first.
“Oh... gomen... are you all right, Zenki-san...?”
Zenki stood up, still trying to figure which was ‘up’ and which was ‘down’... He rubbed his head and growled threateningly.
“Who in the name of all the fucking Gods...?! Don’t do that again, you—!!!”
The little demon raised his eyes and stopped...
This was someone he didn’t know...
Leaning on the tree was another girl. No, not another one!!! She was a bit tall, with short pitch black hair and water-clear eyes; She was wearing a white t-shirt and black, long, loose pants.
“Who in the hell are you!?!?”
“Oh... eh, yeah, I mean... I’m sorry if I disturbed you, I really am...” The weird girl looked around and at the temple, a bit baffled... She looked completely lost... “My name is Nishi, nice to meet you, Zenki-san...”
“I can’t say the same... — Hold on, how do you know me...???”
Nishi laughed strangely... in a harsh way...
“Of course I know you... I’ve heard a lot about you...”
Zenki was more confused than before. But the girl didn’t give him more time to think.
“I’m sorry, but I hope you can help me... I’m looking for a person... a girl, actually. She is a bit shorter that me, has brown hair, is quite pretty, and has parents over here...”
Zenki snorted.
“Why are you looking for her...?”
“I should stay with her... I’m sort of... her companion.”
“...? ...”
“... Well, let me put it this way: she came alone, from the house of her uncles, to visit her cousin... See, a young, pretty little girl shouldn’t travel alone, should she...?”
“Mh...” Uncles? She has no father or mother...?
“Did you see her...? Where is she...?”
“Why weren’t you with her...?” Zenki questioned her, wary.
“...Uh... well... <ahem>...”
She seemed to be embarrased, and then giggled.
“I... lost her on... the bus stop... I guess...” Nishi didn’t hold Zenki’s sight any longer.
The demon raised an eyebrow. He finally snorted.
“She’s inside the shrine...”
“Thank you very much...” she straightened, smiling, and passed him, heading to the temple.
What a crap of a bodyguard... — Shit, why it is so cold now!??

Night.
A summer night, with a full moon... but still cold...
Actually, for the summer, it was a VERY cold night...
Chi-a-ki... I-’ll- kill- you- as- soon- as- I- get- the- chance-... <Achoo!!!>
All in the shrine were sleeping... well, all but the little Demon Lord outside in the backyard... She told him twice to go to the little shrine...
Why should I sleep in that place...??? Tell that visitor girl to do it!!!
That was enough for Chiaki to kick him out the temple for the night...
“Stupid shrine girl...”
He was sitting on a tree, almost underneath HIS room’s window (the room on the second floor, where now that newcomer was sleeping...). Fortunately, under the branches, the dew didn’t reach him.
<shiver>
“If only I had a blanket...”
Hold on... why not...? That girl must be asleep by now... She wouldn’t even realize...
As swift as the wind, Zenki climbed the tree silently; the window-pane was wide open.
Piece of cake...
A jump to the windowsill, and he was inside.
Shit...! It’s colder than outside...!
In the middle of the darkness, he began to search for anything that could warm him...
On the futon, a silhouette was barely visible... her breathing was just clear, too...
Now, THOSE sheets were quite warm, yes...
“Mh...” Naaa, Chiaki would kill me...!
He gazed around; with his cat-like vision, it was very simple to find the blankets...
... The problem was the blankets weren’t there...
Zenki growled softly... of course those weren’t there. The girl needed only one. Result: Chiaki hid them all!
Okay... but he needed something to warm himself!
He turned to the futon again... draped over the girl was the only blanket left...
Well... she’ll still have the sheets...
Very, VERY carefully he slid silently to her side, his hand floating above her to grab one corner of the material. His eyes rested one second on that silhouette. Now he could see her in the dark room; she was sleeping flat on her back, hands crossed over her stomach... She looked so pale and peaceful, that she almost appeared to be—
Something grabbed Zenki’s hand suddenly; something cold and soft.
“Shttt!!!!” He held his breath to stop a louder shriek from escaping his throat.
He became paralyzed, ’cause he didn’t know what exactly had gripped his hand...
And then...
“... I’m sorry...”
That soft, sweet voice came from the futon...
“Are... you... awake...?” Zenki muttered. The girl opened her eyes, and fixed them on him.
“... Yes... Since you came in...”
<sweatdrop>
“Why didn’t you scream...?!”
The girl released him.
“Because I know you are cold, and this is your room... I told Chiaki I wouldn’t mind sleeping with her, but she insisted I have privacy...”
She sat up, and looked at him. The shadows were weaker now.
“I’m really sorry; I didn’t want to bother you, Zenki-san...”
Zenki stood there with an idiotic look on his face.
“You can take the blanket, if you want it...” With careful hands, she folded it quickly and handed the bundle to him with a smile.
The little demon grabbed it, still confused. Finally, he was able to find his voice again.
“Your name is Yakami, isn’t it...?”
She nodded. Her face was visible enough, as the moonlight entered the room.
“Oh, and you can take this, too...” She turned to the other side and handed him some bars of chocolate. “I don’t want them... Please, accept them as an apology for taking your room.”
The begging was unnecessary.
“Chocolate!!!” he almost screamed; he released the blanket and snatched the candies from her hand.
It was only for a second... but the demon skimmed her skin.
He frowned.
“You are cold...”
“No, I’m not... Really... You can take that blanket with you...”
He didn’t know what to do. She had been so nice, the opposite of what he had thought.
“... Girl...”
In that second, a gust of frozen wind crawled in... and just in that moment—
“We need to sleep, Zenki...!”
The demon jolted, his heart almost jumping out of his chest.
That wasn’t Yakami’s voice... and fortunately, not Chiaki’s...
But then... WHO...?
Zenki turned to the corner; something — someone — was lying on the floor, propped back against the wall.
“What the f---!!!!”
And Yakami:
“Nishi, please, don’t scare us that way...! I thought you were sleeping...!”
That short-haired girl!!!!
“I WAS, but you just woke me up, guys...”
“What are you doing here!?” Zenki whispered in a hard tune.
“I’m just keeping an eye on Yakami. You know, I’m her companion...”
And that’s why you are there, so uncomfortable, instead of sleeping on a futon, or in another room...??? You gotta be dumb...!!!!!
Nishi yawned.
“Come on, you two, go back sleep... Yakami, it would be better for you to be calm, and sleep WITHOUT intermissions...” She glared at Zenki half-jokingly.
The demon growled and grabbed his stuff.
He was about to jump out the window, and...
“Good night...” Yakami’s sweet voice.
“Oh... er, yeah, whatever...” he mumbled, jumping to the tree.
The night was still cold.
Weird... out here isn’t as freezing as in there...
But of course... he knew the best solution for coldness...
Chocolate!!!!

“So... you are staying here a while, aren’t you...?”
“Yes... you could say that...”
Seizing the chance provided when Chiaki went inside to prepare more tea, Zenki crawled from the roof and approached Yakami, who was sitting on the wooden steps of the shrine. She hadn’t told Chiaki about the ‘midnight visitor’ <phew!> or anything like that.
But, of course, he hadn’t come to say ‘thanks’... That’s all I needed...!
He gazed around.
“... And where is your bodyguard...?”
“Nishi...?” she pondered, and finally whispered thoughtfully, “... Around, I guess...”
“...? ...”
“... Oh, she likes this place... It’s so peaceful...”
The little demon shrugged. “I don’t think so... there’s always a Beast sneaking around, ya know... And that’s a good thing for me; there’s nothing I like the more than beating those monsters to a pulp...!” he added, kinda proudly.
“Yes, I know... Chiaki has told me a lot about the fights you both faced...” She sighed. “... I hope that it won’t be possible for me to see you in your true form... My cousin also told me it’s impressive...”
“Oh...” <wide proud grin>  “Well... I guess you will have the chance...”
Yakami smiled... sadly... “... Yes...”
Silence. The morning sun shone against the branches, and changed forms and shadows as the wind passed through them.
Zenki eyed Yakami. She looked a bit sad, and her pale skin stood out, contrasting her dark brown hair.
“You know, Zenki-san...” she whispered, all of a sudden, startling him. “... I have a wish...”
Zenki glared at her, baffled.
“What...?”
Yakami woke up from her dreamy travel, and laughed quietly.
“I’m sorry, it’s nothing...”
“But you said that — Damn, here comes Chiaki!!!!!” In a split second, the demon rushed away, disappearing. Yakami smiled, greeting her cousin.
“Yakami, I just thought you were talking with someone...” She frowned, keeping her balance with the dish on her hand. Her frown intensified as she realzed, “It was Zenki, wasn’t it!? Was he bothering you!??”
“Oh, no, don’t get mad with him, cousin, please! He was just talking with me...!” Chiaki sat down, next to her cousin. “... He’s so nice...!”
Chiaki raised an eyebrow... Zenki?? Nice???
But her sweet cousin was smiling... and nobody could argue with that smile...!
“Okay... And tell me, Yakami, would you like me to go with you to that place...?”
“I can do it alone, but if you want...”
“Yes, I want to... believe it or not, I’ve spent a lot of time inside that building, after some battles!” Chiaki smiled half-jokingly. “I know it like the back of my hand...!”

After his escape, Zenki found Nishi leaning on a tree; she was quite a ways away from the temple.
“Oh, hi you... What are you doing here...? Thought you were Yakami’s companion...”
“I’m just wandering around... Yakami is with Chiaki, she’s not alone... Besides, they are going out to some place, I guess...”
“Really...? And are you going with them...?”
“No... It’s not necessary... yet...”
Something in that cold smile made Zenki feel worried... but he didn’t know why.

Since that talk, a week passed quickly... Yakami was another addition to the family, so to speak, and Zenki finally found his place (after some negotiations with Chiaki)... in the kitchen. Of course, the shrine girl sealed the fridge again, to prevent any ‘accidents’ from occurring.
Well... it was better than nothing...
It was another sunny day. Chiaki went shopping with her grandmother; Yakami was still sleeping. She slept a lot more and more, lately...
Zenki was lying flat on his back in the temple gallery, out of his mind, wondering...
A gust of cold wind.
<shiver> “What...?”
He sat up, and glared to his side.
Nishi was sitting there.
“Don’t do that again!! You seem to like to scare the hell out of people...!”
“Oh, sorry... it wasn’t intentional...” Silence.
Zenki sat on the steps this time; Nishi eyed him and coughed.
“Tell me something Zenki, I’m just curious... Hasn’t Yakami told you anything...?”
“...............? ..............”
Nishi coughed again.
“... Something... about a wish...?”
In that second, the demon remembered that day and the sad words of the pale girl.
“... No... I mean, I think she was about to that time, but...”
Nishi seemed disappointed.
“Oh... what a pity... It’s so important to her...”
Zenki now was curious.
“What’s important? Why...?”
Nishi glared at him with her clear, cold eyes.
“Ask her to tell you...”
“............. Who must ask who what.....?”
Zenki turned, taken aback by that soft, sleepy voice. Yakami crept out the shrine, still half-asleep.
Nishi glared at her in a harsh way. “Why didn’t you tell anybody about your wish?!”
Yakami woke up completely when she heard that.
“Well... It’s childish... It’s not important...”
“What are you saying!?!?” Nishi retorted, almost furious. “Of course it’s important!! You’ll never have a chance like this again!!!!!”
Zenki was now absolutely lost.
“..... What wish......?!”
Yakami turned to him and sighed; she sat down next to him, very close. “It’s just... something without importance...”
“Tell him,” ordered Nishi.
“Yeah, tell me... This suspense is eating me alive!” Zenki insisted.
“Well...” Yakami sighed again. “I have always lived in a big city with my uncles. This is the first time I’ve came to a place like this, with such beautiful sights... so peaceful... and...”
“... And?!”
“I never could see the sunrise from the city... the skyscrapers hid it, and the pollution just ruined it...”
“... So?!?...”
“This is a wonderful place... It’s not as crowded as the big cities... There’s a lot of wild forests, and places that haven’t been tainted by men...”
“................................... SO?!?....................................”
Yakami sighed.
“I wish to watch a sunrise from this place... I wish to watch a sunrise without all those buildings and the smog... Just a pure, clean, beautiful sunrise...”
Silence. The wind dragged away some fallen leaves.
“.............. That’s all?.................”
Yakami nodded.
Zenki stood there for a moment... and then almost fell back.
“That’s all!!!??? C’mon, that’s nothing, I thought that it was gonna be something more important!!!!!!”
A cold hand gripped his shoulder, making him shiver.
“It’s important to Yakami, Zenki. Don’t make her feel bad...!”
“Let go!!” Zenki shook the frozen hand off him. “You girls... always worrying for nothing...”
Silence. Yakami looked far away.
“I told you... it was childish...”
Her voice was so endlessly sad that the demon couldn’t help but notice.
He turned to find Nishi’s murderous glare.
<sweatdrop>
“Huh... Okay, I’ll tell you what, girl... If you want it, you can have it...”
Her eyes turned to him, glimmering.
“... I beg you pardon...?”
“... I can show you a sunrise... and a perfect one... I know all the best places around here, and I’ve watched a lot of those in my lifetime... I can show you the sunrise you want...”
Yakami stared at him, lost; then, a warm smile curved her lips, and a bit of red colored her cheeks for a moment.
“Really...? Are you serious, Zenki-san...?? You can show me...??”
“Of course I can,” he answered, proudly. “There’s nothing impossible to me, ya know...”
“Thank you, Zenki-san...” Yakami closed her dark eyes, and the demon was surprised when he realized she was crying silently. “You don’t know how much this means to me...”
“Yeah, right, whatever... See, next sundown, I’ll wake you up, and then I’ll show you the place... Then,—”
“Wait.” Nishi’s cool voice stopped him. “Yakami, remember... Today, I’ll go with you to town...”
“Really... today is my turn...” Yakami smiled softly. “... Are you coming with me this time...?”
“Yes. It’s necessary... I think you’ll be much too tired when you go...”
“I see...” Yakami turned to Zenki, who was there, just listening without understanding... as always. “Maybe tomorrow...”
She took his hand. Zenki trembled; he was unaccustomed to that cold skin. He slipped his hand away from hers.
“... Emm... Yeah, that’s good...”
He got up and walked away, still a bit dizzy. Yakami watched him until he disappeared.
“He’s so nice...”
Nishi studied her companion.
“Don’t worry, my friend; I’m sure we will have enough time for your sunrise...”

Late night...
Rolling on his bed, in the corner of the kitchen, Zenki finally sat on the futon again... that was the twentieth time...
“It’s no use... I can’t sleep...”
Silently, he crept out the shrine to the forest and climbed a tree, not far away from the house. It was a clear night, with only some clouds; sitting on a branch, he could see almost all the stars glimmering, twinkling without getting tired... as they had glimmered since thousands of years ago...
Suddenly, a very different kind of glow called his attention. He turned and saw a light at a window, in the house...
“... What the...? That’s my... room...”
He jumped from tree to tree until he reached the one just in front the window. Hidden by the branches, he saw Chiaki talking with Yakami, who was half-lying on the futon; they both looked very sad. Sitting on a corner, Nishi watched them emotionlessly...
From where he was, he couldn’t hear a damn thing...
But in that moment, Chiaki stood up and left the room, closing the door. Zenki came out of hiding and jumped onto the windowsill.
Yakami raised her eyes and gave a friendly smiled; she wasn’t surprised by his sudden appearance.
“Zenki-san...”
“Ehm, yo! What you guys doin’...?”
Nishi smirked. “Do we look like we are doing something...?”
Zenki glared at her. “Well; I saw Chiaki leaving this room...”
“Gossip...”
“Bull shit...!”
“Please, don’t fight...” Yakami’s weak voice.
Silence.
“Well... tell me, what were you talking about...?”
“Oh, nothing important... just remembering good old times...”
“Ooohh...” Silence. Zenki realized the room was cold, as always... or maybe cooler...
“Okay, you girl... are you tired tonight...? Or may I come for you this dawn to show you your sunrise...?”
Yakami looked down, sad. Nishi spoke:
“Not tonight...”
Zenki snorted. Yakami gave him a sweet look; “I’m sorry...”
“Oh, it’s not the end of the world...!” he grinned. “We will have another chance...”
“But it must be soon...”
Zenki eyed Nishi; her voice was much too soft and cold.
“... In three days, we will be leaving...”
The demon’s face darkened.
“Three days...? That soon...?”
Yakami smiled. “Yes; we can’t stay any longer... I must go, you know...”
“Yes, I know; your uncles will punish you otherwise...?” He folded his arms. “Humans...”
The pale girl almost laughed.
“Okay, it doesn’t matter... We have two days left, not counting this one... And anyway, if we miss those, you can see the sunrise next time you drop around, can’t you...?”
Yakami held her smile. Nishi coughed.
“Yeah... that’s right...”
“Well, that’s it... See you tomorrow, girls...” With that, he jumped out the window, into the darkness.
Yakami watched him go. Nishi approached her.
“You told him about your leaving... Why didn’t you told Chiaki...?”
“She will get very sad... I know she will...”

Next day. Rainy.
Zenki watched the rainfall, lying on the gallery. He wasn’t thinking about anything.
Suddenly...
Hold on... It’s raining... Tonight, will be too cloudy... so...
He sat up, a bit worried.
No sunrise today either...
He frowned. Only one day left, then... But immediately he relaxed again. It was enough time, after all...

Next day... Only a bit cloudy.
That afternoon, Yakami was sitting at the tea table, having some green tea. Nishi was sitting against the wall, humming. Suddenly, Chiaki came in.
“I’m going to town now; must do some shopping. Wanna come with me...?”
Yakami smiled, tired. “I’m sorry, but I want to stay here...”
Chiaki nodded, understandingly; with a bow, she left the room.
Silence. The breeze came into the room, cool and refreshing.
Nishi sighed.
“Tomorrow, we’ll be leaving, Yakami...”
“I know...”
More silence...
“Nishi... do you believe that Zenki will remember his promise...?”
Nishi snorted. “He’s a demon. Don’t expect too much from him...”
“I really want to see that sunrise...”
“I know... Don’t worry... You’ll have it...”
Yakami sighed, sadly.
“I hope so...”

“WHERE!!??”
“Near the lake!!!!!”
“ARE YOU SERIOUS!!!!!??????????????”
“No kidding!!!!!!!!!!!!”
Chiaki and Zenki stood up from the table. It was supper time... Akira had just run in to tell them...
How timely...
It was the first Beast in weeks...
“We must go, Zenki!!!!!!!!”
“Ya don’t have to tell me, girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What are we waiting for?????????!!!!!”
As quickly as wind, they both rushed out of the temple. From the window, Yakami watched them go, a shadow of worry across her eyes.
Nishi was at her side. Never in all those days had her face looked so sinister, so dark...

Late, LATE night.
After a fight, a chase, a fight, another chase and another fight, Zenki finally was able to vaporize that slippery beastie, stabbing it with the Diamond Horn and ripping the Seed from its chest. Chiaki and Goki were at his side.
“Fucking thing...” growled the enormous demon, while chewing the Seed; “... Make me miss my dinner...” He shrugged; “... Oh, well... to hell with it...”
In that moment, he turned to his side, and then watched the sky... Some stars started to dim...
“Shit...! Too late again...”
“Late...?” Chiaki looked confused. “Late for what...?”
Zenki yawned, tired...
“Bah, it’s nothing... Your cousin... She wanted to watch a sunrise before she left...”
Chiaki went pale. “... Left...? .... She... is... leaving...?”
“Ya... didn’t she told you...? Or Nishi...?”
Zenki stopped; when he named Nishi, Chiaki’s became full of confusion and fear. He raised an eyebrow and shrugged again.
“Well, it doesn’t matter... she will have another chance next time she comes... Sunrises are eternal... Don’t you think— ...????”
Zenki looked puzzled as Chiaki fell on her knees and started sobbing.
“...Yakami... <sob> is... leaving... Yakami... <sob> <cry>”
Goki looked down, silent. Zenki scratched his head, baffled.
“C’mon... you humans are so stupid... I can’t understand any of your behavior... Shit, stop crying, girl!!!!!!!!!! It’s not the end of the world!!!!!!!!! Next time—”
“THERE WILL NOT BE A NEXT TIME!!!!!!!!!!”
Her crying intensified... More stars dimmed...
“What are you talking about...? What do you mean by that...?”
Chiaki couldn’t stop crying. Goki brushed a falling tear from his cheek away...
“WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT!!!!???!!!!!!”

Nishi poked her head out of the window. The dawn was killing the stars very quickly.
Lying in her bed, Yakami seemed to be sleeping. She never looked so pale, so calm...
Another star dimmed...
“Guess he’s not coming...” Nishi sounded disappointed. She went next to Yakami and watched her. Then she knelt and touched her arm.
“Yakami... he’s not coming...”
Yakami’s breathing increased, and she opened her dull eyes.
“I know you wanted to see it... but it’s too late, and he’s not coming... We must get ready to go...”
The pale girl sat on the futon and sighed.
“I wanted to see it... I really wanted to see it...” Her eyes turned bright with tears.
“I know...” Nishi gripped her arm softly. “But we have no time... It’s too late...”
“NO, it isn’t.”
Nishi didn’t move, her face emotionless. But internally, she was smiling.
Yakami looked tiredly to the windowsill.
A warm smile lighted her face. Although she had never seen that huge being before, she knew exactly who he was...
“... Zenki...”
The big demon had half of his body inside the room;  he could hardly pass through the window.
“C’mon, girl... we must hurry...” He held his hand out to her. Yakami stood up and trudged to him.
Very softly, Zenki embraced her and jumped to the ground. Holding her against his chest, he began a mad run through the forest, as fast as he could...
The dawn was finishing, and the sun would be rising soon...
The demon wasn’t thinking at all... He didn’t want to think... Not after what Chiaki had told him...
Why didn’t you tell me...?
He shook his head and ran faster.
Time was running out...
Finally, he reached the place he wanted; the forest ended, and a few meters ahead, a cliff cutted the path short. Down and far away, another wood and some mountains filled the sight.
Nothing in that view had felt humans’ hands... It was virgin...
Zenki’s eyes glared at the horizon... Some clear light started to rise.
“Hey, girl, wake up...!” He looked down at the pale girl in his arms; shaking her almost limp body a bit and whispering again, “The sun is coming... are you gonna miss it...?!”
A soft moan, and Yakami opened her eyes wearily.
Zenki sat down a tree, right in front of the cliff; nothing would mar the sight...
The girl in his arms turned her head slowly; never in all those days had her skin looked so clear... almost transparent. Her eyes glimmered with the new-born day light...
First, the sky was just dark blue, almost black... then some white, cold light touched the mountains and the tops of the trees; a golden ray burst forth, and then another and another... the thin clouds that passed through the sky became gold, slowly turning to a soft pink, as the sky itself turned from that blackness to a clear turquoise, spilling over with gold and pink...
Yakami held her breath...
The rays were now countless; the light almost unbearable...
And then, the sun came over the mountains, spreading its light and heat...
A chill ran up and down her spine, as the warmth hit her sweetly...
Zenki looked down... Her eyes were filled with tears...
She was crying...
“Why are you crying now...? Isn’t this what you wanted to see...? I know there were more sunrises, and some were more precious than others, but...”
Yakami looked at him, smiling, still some tears rolling down her grey cheeks...
“No... it’s beautiful... I never thought... it could be... so beautiful... Thank you...”
Her breath slowed a bit, calm. She turned again to the light, smiling.
Zenki glared at her, at that slim, pale little girl lying on his lap, her head on his chest.
“Why didn’t you tell me...?”
Silence.
“I didn’t want to make people sad... I didn’t want Chiaki to get sad... I didn’t want you sad...”
The sun was almost beyond the horizon. Yakami turned to Zenki and cuddled up to him; her hands floated to his chest.
“That was beautiful, Zenki-san...” Her soft voice... “... Thank you...”
Zenki felt a pang in his stomach as he gazed down...
Yakami had closed her eyes... she was smiling...
She was breathing slowly... much too slowly... and her heartbeat...
The demon felt a cold touch on the back of his neck... He softly shook her limp body.
“Yakami... C’mon... Wake up... This is not over yet...”
“...Yes... it is...”
Zenki growled as he turned his head to the cold voice.
“I’m sorry, but we must go now...”
Nishi approached them. Zenki was not surprised by how quickly she found them. She knelt at their side, with a sad look in her clear eyes.
Zenki embraced Yakami tightly, as he glared murderously to Nishi.
“No... Neither of you are going anywhere... SHE is not going anywhere...”
Nishi went silent... Then, she bent over them and caressed Yakami’s head. The demon tried to flinch away as she approached, still growling.
“Zenki... look at her...”
He looked at her...
She was still smiling... so peacefully... so happily...
Zenki’s eyes couldn’t leave her...
“She’s fine... she is happy...”
“But...” the demon mumbled, confused...
“She will be fine... I promise...”
Nishi took Yakami’s arm softly.
“She is very grateful to you, Zenki...” she smiled. “She is taking a nice memory from here...”
Then, she shook her arm sweetly. Zenki couldn’t move; he knew it was useless to try to stop her... He never could stop her...
The sun illuminated all, warm and welcoming...
Nishi’s voice was soft and friendly...
“Yakami... we must go now... it is time...”

When Chiaki finally managed to find the place, she found Zenki lying against a tree, silent... In his arms, Yakami was sleeping... a very, very deep sleep...
The one that never ends...
Zenki felt Chiaki’s steps, but he didn’t turn.
“Zenki...?”
Chiaki’s voice was near to crying; her cheeks still had the trace of dry tears.
Zenki didn’t answer. She reached them and knelt at his side, looking sadly at Yakami; the sunlight gave some kind of angelical glow to her sleeping face...
But she was not breathing...
Her heart had stopped...
Forever...
Chiaki gripped her limp hand, and caressed her forehead, crying...
“Don’t cry, Chiaki...”
“The doctor said he couldn’t do anything... He said we must wait for the end... but it was too soon... too soon...”
“Don’t cry...”
“She was so happy to be here with us...”
Zenki turned to her; his voice was emotionless... but his eyes...
“She was happy to be with you on her last days... She received what she wanted the most, and she left this world happy... You must not cry for her... She didn’t want you to cry for her...”
Chiaki lifted her eyes, baffled... Zenki turned to the other side.
No tear fell from his eyes...
“She’s fine... An angel came for her, I can assure you of that...”
It was useless to tell her about Nishi... She never saw her... She didn’t know she was around...
Chiaki brushed away her tears and smiled sadly, trying hard to suppress her crying.
Zenki gazed at the horizon... at the sun... at the forest... at the mountains...
Then he gazed at Yakami’s pale face.
... She was still smiling...