Kahina scanned each person in the room and their gloomy expression explain everything. Kahina's heart starts beating rapidly. Ken is really important to her. He has been served her for so many years and there were so many memories she went through with him. Kahina tears started to well up and slowly fall to her cheek. She shook her to disbelieve and biting her lips hoping the pain would wake her up from this unbelievable dream.
"Kahina calms down. He died in honour. Please treat him like one." Takio wiped her tears. He can fight every crime lord in the world but he is too weak to go against Kahina's tears. Never has he wished to have this sight of hers in front of him.
"He died because of me... It's me who killed him... I killed him..." Kahina mumbled in despair. Ken was not the first person meets his death in order to protect her but Ken gave her different emotion. Ken was always there whenever and wherever she wanted. He fulfils all Kahina demands and sometimes he understands what she wanted before she ever has the chance to say it. He was not just her underling but he was her friend. A friend she long to have.
Aomi stroke Kahina's head gently tried to coax her sadness but Aomi gestures make her cried harder. Aomi decided to let her cried to her satisfaction. She believes her grieve will make Kahina stronger.
"Let it out. Cry to your heart content." Aomi didn't stop stroking Kahina's head. Everyone in the room kept their silent and only the sound of Kahina sobbing was echoed in the room.
"I couldn't able to thanks him. He is gone… gone…"
After a moment, she falls to a deep slumber. Her eyes were swollen from too much crying and her heart was too painful for her to be in reality. As she drifts to the dream world, she saw a young man was standing in front of her with a smile on his face. It was Ken. Upon realizing it was Ken, she runs as fast as she could to him but the faster she ran, the farther he stands. She reaches out her hand while running, begging for him to accept it but it was useless. He just kept on staring at her pleading eyes with a soft smile on his face.
"Please, Ken… Come back… Please…" Kahina desperately pleads him again and again.
"Ken! Stop! Come back!" she ran to him with all her might but it was useless. He was still far away wearing white kimono with a gold pleated dragon on it and a tidy hairstyle. His face was so calm, emitting a pure aura. Kahina ran nonstop to him still continue to reach him but suddenly his mouth moves tried to tell her something. She saw it but there was no sound reaching her. She stops running.
She looks at him, tried to understand his words. She felt tired. Too tired.
"Ken… I'm so sorry. I should protect you. Please don't leave me," tears streams down on her face but it didn't bother her at all. The pains in her heart bleed more than the tears, unbearable for her to swallow. She feels so weak, so useless, so hurt. She zeroed to what Ken tried to say. She can't miss it. She needs to know. No! She desperately needs to know. It will be the last words he left for her and she can't miss it.
Ken was saying the same thing repeatedly in a loop to her. Again and again with a doting smile for her. Kahina tried to focus, narrowed her eyes to his mouth.
"Live… Young Mistress, live… you must live happily…" his calm demeanour slowly consoled Kahina.
She clasped her fist to her heart. She tried to ease out the pain in her heart but it was no avail, the pain was still there. She can't run anymore. She doesn't want to.
"Live… Young Mistress, live… you must lively happily…" he still said the same thing.
"Why can't you live too?" she questions him, tried to deny the reality. The reality was too harsh for her.
"My purpose is fulfilled. I'm glad you save but please live Young Mistress. Live happily on my behalf. I will always be with you, wishing for your happiness," his smile still glued on his face.
"No! Your purpose is to protect me! Be with me! Fulfil my demands!" she yelled angrily this time. She wants him back! She doesn't want to live happily for him, she wants him to enjoy their life together. All her yell and screams didn't wipe Ken's smile but this time, he didn't say a word. He just stared at her face like it was the last time he could see her.
That moment, she finally realizes; Ken is gone. He died. He died to protect her. She owes him her life. Her life he wants her to cherish. Her life he wants her to enjoy. She finally gives in. The pain numbs her sense but her realization dried her tears and her eyes suddenly seems determine. She slowly shifts to kneeling posture. Kneel towards him. Kahina slowly bows three times.
First bow,
"Thank you for saving me. I will pay you in my next life,"
Second bow,
"Thank you for your protection. I promise it will not go avail. I will avenge you,"
Third bow,
"I will live happily and cherish my life as you wish. Thank you," and the last bow she let it went for a while to show her sincerity and gratitude. When she lifted up her head to look at him, she saw he bow 90 degrees at her.
"Thank you for letting me fulfil my purpose," he said before he disappeared immersed himself into the thin air.
She smiles. Her eyes filled with determination to live. She will do as she promised. She will cherish her life and she will avenge Ken death.
Bring it on! She is ready!