"I'M here," a voice suddenly said coming from the house.

They all looked to that direction and saw Shirayuki just coming out of the house.  She was staring at Dusk, as if observing every nook and cranny of the other's face.  If it was another person, they would have probably already found her action rude.  Heck, if the one before her was the Dusk with no memories of the past, he would have already shouted at her.

But the Dusk now didn't do anything.  He just stood there, letting the other observe him.  But one could see that he wasn't really comfortable by it.  Fortunately, Shirayuki's probing didn't last long.

"It looks like your memories have returned," she commented.  One couldn't feel what her emotion was when she said that. 

"Yes," Dusk responded simply.  "And just like what I promised before, I will explain to you why I did the things I did back then."

Luo Yan glanced at Dusk, he had a feeling that that might be the case.  So, he called Eclipse telepathically to make room for the two.  It wouldn't be good to witness a private conversation like this.

Eclipse received his message.  And although he looked reluctant, he still walked back to where Luo Yan and Shen Ji Yun were.

As if knowing that they planned to leave, Dusk suddenly turned to them and said, "You should stay."

"I agree," Shirayuki seconded.  "It's better for Eclipse to hear whatever he had to say."

What else could Luo Yan do?  Should he still refuse when the people involved didn't mind it at all?  It would just turn into a childish conversation like; 'I'll go', 'no, don't go'. 

"Okay," he could only agree at the end.

Dusk, once again, turned to Shirayuki.  He remained silent for a moment.  As if gathering the words that he wanted to say.  And then, finally, he managed to say those words.

"Back then, I was consumed by too much anger and grief.  All I could think of was to avenge what happened to Kagetsuki.  But I also wanted to honor her last words.  So, in my arrogance, I believed that the beast egg that she left would be the safest with me.  I didn't believe that you or any members of your clan had the ability to protect the beast egg properly.  But as it turned out, I also didn't manage to properly protect it. 

"Instead, I put the beast egg in harm's way.  It's only because of luck that the worst thing that happened was for the beast egg to be trapped in time with me.  But if I was not being selfish and was not thinking too highly of myself, I would have let your tribe protect the egg.  Then, it would break its shell naturally. 

"Eclipse would be born and he would be able to spend his childhood with the only family he had, along with his own people.  He would have become an adult by now.  Maybe he would have already taken over the position of the tribe leader.  But because of me, none of that happened.

"Because of pride and rage, how I viewed a situation also narrowed.  It's probably why I didn't succeed in that war.  Because I was so blinded by revenge that I didn't even notice that I was already being betrayed.  It' just right for me to fail.

"I understand if you couldn't forgive me.  But I hope you could accept my apology."

Dusk then bowed towards Shirayuki.  A ninety-degrees bow that showed his sincerity. 

Eclipse suddenly ran forward and hugged Dusk's waist.  "Uncle is saying nonsense!  Aunt is not Eclipse's only family, you are too!  Mashter and Captain as well!  If- if Eclipse had lived in this village, then, then he wouldn't be able to meet Mashter.  And the Eclipse you know now wouldn't be the same Eclipse.  Eclipse doesn't want that at all!"  Then, he turned to his aunt with tears in his eyes.  "Eclipse is sorry, Aunt Yuki.  It doesn't mean that Eclipse would hate it if he grew up here with you.  But- but—"

Shirayuki walked forward and stroke Eclipse's hair gently.  "I understand.  You don't need to explain," she said, probably to help the little boy because she could see the frustration in his eyes for not being able to explain what he wanted to say properly.  Then she turned to Dusk. 

"You also don't have to apologize.  We all have our circumstances back then.  It was also my fault for reacting the way I did when we met again at the shrine.  I should have been more understanding.  Instead of attacking you as if everything was your fault.  I guess I just wanted to vent all the pent-up anger I felt throughout the years and you just became the perfect target.  For that, I apologize sincerely."

Dusk seemed to be surprised that Shirayuki would forgive him so easily and that the other would even apologize herself.  But he quickly regained his composure and said, "There's no need for you to apologize.  Your reaction back then at the shrine was only natural.  It just showed how much you cared about Eclipse.  It's not something you should apologize for."

Eclipse showed a very joyful expression after the conversation of the two.  He held Dusk's hand with one hand and held Shirayuki's hand with the other.  Then, he put the hands of the two people together.  With his own hand atop of them. 

"Now, we really are family," the little boy said with a big and warm smile on his face.

Shirayuki seemed startled by this but she quickly let out a chuckle and said, "Yes."

Dusk, who was also very surprised, finally showed his very first smile after he had regained his memories.  Evidence that he liked what Eclipse said about being a 'family'.  Because that, the subtle gloom that's surrounding him slowly dissipated.  It's like he was slowly conquering his pain right before their very eyes.

Luo Yan stared at the three and he couldn't help but think in his heart, 'yes, they indeed look like a family'.

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