It was always hard to mourn those you loved. Katori let out a shaking breath as she stared over the memorial that they had set in the back gardens of the manor. The animal sanctuary had been her home for so many years now and she had encountered loss in various ways, but this was the first time that she had lost a familiar like this. The injured sometimes came with risks that they were too seriously injured to make it through the night and the family knew that the chances were slim. Even with medicine and magic there was only so much one could do for the more devastating injuries that the animals came to them with. This time though Katori had lost a raptrix that had been with her family for the last ten years. The pup had been brought in when she was a youngling and had played with her for so long. It had been an accident that took him away from the family, a stray attack and a horrible winter storm that made it impossible to get back in time to save him. Krishna would be sorely missed and the pain of his loss would keep Katori crying for weeks. Even if she felt like she was doing better the girl would suddenly tear up and walk out of a room because of the memory of the golden ball of fluff that had once curled up alongside her in the bed at night. While she knew that others could see it silly to make a stone monument like Zenans made for their dearly departed, the girl wanted something to remember him by. Even if Krishna wasn’t another earthling he had still been family and everyone knew that. He had been a big brother to her, a constant companion and comfort whenever she felt sad. Why not cherish his memory and mourn his passing?

Her uncle had suggested the idea of using a memorial tablet and she was thankful to him for it. Kian had been so supportive and helpful while she dealt with her loss. The pair had picked a dark stone that glittered with golden specks in the sunlight and placed it on the hill where Krishna slept. Katori even made certain to keep golden roses growing there in the spring and during the winter months she left ivy and other little trinkets to remember the familiar. Every time she returned from a trip she made certain to leave a token there. Her uncle had said that having something, some way to just honor their memory would help and Katori was beginning to better understand what he meant. He had truly been devastated when his mentor died and in a way Krishna was her mentor. He had been there with her when she learned to walk, to fight and even when she had learned to embrace magic like the rest of her family. The raptrix had been a big part of her life and had warmed her hearts. While she knew that there were many more familiars at the sanctuary the girl would always have a special place in her heart for the big goofy familiar that followed in her footsteps for so many years. She just felt ashamed that she had indirectly caused his life’s flame to extinguish so many years sooner than planned. “I hope you’re doing fine wherever you are.” She whispered as she left another bundle of flowers on the memorial site. Even if it had been over a year now Katori would never let go of Krishna and would always honor his memory just as her family honored their loved ones that they had left across these hills. Memorial stones would decorate everything, a constant reminder to cherish those you had now and to always treasure those lovely memories of past connections in your heart. Katori could only hope that someone would do the same for her one day when she passed from this world. She wouldn’t want anyone to be sad, but she would appreciate being remembered fondly even if it did sometimes bring tears.

“Time to leave Zena again for a bit. Take care of these hills for me.” She whispered before turning away and slowly walking back down the hill towards the manor. The sunset would decorate the hill in golden hues as well which would only make her imagine that it was his touch across that field full of golden colors and the warmth that he once brought to her life.

[756]