GOODBYES




They are in between destinations, when Isamu falls ill.

Their camp is a stone’s throw from the road and when he dies, she knows she can take him no further. Even in the weakened state the sickness has left his dead body, she can hardly move him off the ground to roll him into the shallow pit, she has dug. His final resting place is humble and unknown to all but her, in a month’s time people will continue on their way down that dirt road and not be any wiser as to what tragedy happened here.

Nearby, a bush of lilies grows, they are not white as would be customary, but she cannot be particular, so Natsu picks a handful of the colourful flowers and spreads them out across the grave, once properly closed. She is grimy to her elbows.

Still, it may be that in a month, no one will be able to tell, but the next week or so, she will ensure that people pass by this place and understand the loss she has suffered.