Day 177: Mei (III)

"How…?" Marjorie's last question took Mei by surprise, she had only told Shino about where she had been all these years, she was sure that Marjorie shouldn't know that, but seeing the old lady in front of her again, she could only sigh and expressed her feelings. "So you knew all this time."

"Marjorie, is that true?" Inevitably, Shino had to ask that question to confirm it, she had always asked Marjorie for any information about Mei, but the only thing she received was her refusal.

Marjorie closed her eyes for a moment before answering.

"Did you seriously think that I would be calm without knowing anything? It was clear that I couldn't sit idly by after what happened, although I feel that you are underestimating me, have you forgotten who I am?" Shino was about to say something, but it was clear that she couldn't stay calm after hearing that, a combination of annoyance and indignation was building up in her and it was only directed at Marjorie, but she didn't have time to express it since Marjorie's voice got there first. "Maybe you have a right to be upset with me, but tell me, what would you have done if I told you the truth?"

And with just that, Shino remained silent as did Mei. Shino knew the answer to her question, but she didn't need to say it…

"Exactly, I had to keep my promise to protect you, but one of you was already wandering the world, I didn't need to lose you both." That was enough for both Shino and Mei to understand Marjorie's reasons and it also made them remember all the problems that had caused her in the past... A new silence appeared in the room while the only thing that was heard was the sips that Marjorie gave her tea since she had finished expressing what was on her mind.

Mei had realized that, but now, she felt that she needed to explain to both Shino and Marjorie what happened that time so many years ago.

"As is quite obvious, I was able to get out of all that alive, the main reason for the decision I made was because the day before that I had received a message from someone trusted within the clan." Those same words made Shino startled a little, but that state did not last long as she was asking the question that was on her mind.

"What exactly did it say?" Shino's expression was quite serious as it was a very touchy subject for her.

"A search party would enter the continent led by the clan leader..." Shino's expression suddenly changed again, not only because of the idea of the strength a group like that must have, but because of the fact that the title "leader of the clan" indicated that was his father… "Obviously a group like that could not go unnoticed, but it seemed that they did not care about that."

Marjorie was silent while listening to the little story, which caused her to feel like everything had happened yesterday.

"It was then that I had made my decision, my plan was simple, go and offer my life in exchange for Shino's forgiveness, as well as eliminate any more clues that lead to her."

"Master!" Shino couldn't bear to think about that, all that situation they went through together was still present in her mind and it was very difficult for her to listen to those words Mei said, especially since she knew that she was serious.

"That was my will, Shino. I thought that if I could achieve at least that, I would feel satisfied even if a fate worse than death awaited me." Mei said all this with a rather surprising calm despite taking into account Shino's feelings. "But in the end, it seemed that Fate had another situation planned for me."

Shino was silent again after that, she still felt hurt, but she was still curious about what had really happened.

"As I had planned, I was able to intercept the group, I had already made my decision, but I was not going to jump to my death with my eyes closed either, surely anyone who was near the place heard the battle that was fought at that moment, I was able to deal of most them, but maybe I was relying too much on my strength at the time…" Mei was watching her hand as it clenched in sign of the feelings she was experiencing at that moment.

"I assumed that you had something to do with the mysterious destruction of the mountains to the east of the empire, now I see that I was right." Mei only nodded a little towards Marjorie's words before continuing.

"I wanted the situation to be as low-key as possible, but there was no reason to hold back when facing the clan leader, even though my chances were slim to none." Shino shuddered a little again, but remained silent. "As I said, I was willing to offer my life, I had not listened to the questions that the leader had asked me and the battle did not take long to happen... In the end, all the injuries had taken their toll on me and I crossed the limit of my runic energy, the last thing I had seen at that moment it was that spear of light descending on me at the same time that my conscience was completely turned off, accepting the destiny that awaited me.

Shino trembled delicately as she imagined everything that Mei went through, although she was upset with her for the decision she had made, Shino was also blaming herself for all that, but that situation could not last long because Mei had realized of that.

"I don't remember training such a sentimental disciple, it seems that becoming a mother made you soften up a bit, where did the smiling little girl who always looked for me to show off her achievements while showing the wounds on her body go? furthermore, I'm not here right now?" Mei now had a warm smile as she watched Shino, she couldn't say that she didn't feel guilty, but she didn't want Shino to feel that way either.

"But..." Shino wanted to refute her words, but she couldn't find a correct way to do it, it was true what she said, despite everything that happened, Mei was in front of her right now, and it was true that the feelings that she was experiencing knowing the truth was overwhelming her, but seeing Mei again and remembering those good moments were enough for that little gray cloud in her heart to gradually fade away...