Chapter Text
Heavy footsteps echo inside the small house. The screams and shouting that once rang out hung silent and oppressive in the air. Geto slowly crouches near the form of the teen girl as she lays crumpled against the wall. Perhaps he should have hunted down his remaining relatives much sooner. Perhaps then this budding sorcerer could have known the truth long before now. A hand gently straightens her glasses and smoothes the hair from her face, smearing blood across her skin and the glass lens. Straightening, he turns to leave but pauses, looking back over his shoulder. The look in his eyes grows softer as he considers her. "If you survive this, come and find me. You won't ever have to suffer living with these monkeys again."
Leaving the small house, he makes his way back to the temple. He has much to do. Another daughter to prepare to welcome home. Months later, he stares at that familiar girl standing amoungst the rabble his former friend called students. His mouth is filled with the sour, bitter taste of regret as he sees the hand resting on her shoulder. How dare he? Is it not enough that he continues to act as the hunting dog for the higher ups? He should have brought Naoko with him all those months ago. He should never have let her fall into their hands. And later as he lay broken and bleeding while the sun sets, he listens as she speaks to him. He listens as the world grows cold and dark and quiet around him and wonders what might have been if he hadn't left it up to chance.