367 VISITING ELDER DAM (1/2)

She stared in front of the gate at him. He was still wearing his travel cloak and looked worn out, but as attractive as ever.

He had been talking with Qianru when Senja barge inside the house and made a noise. Both of them were staring at Senja, startled. But, it was only his eyes that held her captive.

Those deep dark eyes, the scar on his eyebrows and his warmth embrace.

”Senja, finally you are home. Tianyao just now came…” Qianru was the first person that spoke when she saw Senja.

However, it was Xiao Tianyao who immediately walked approaching her the moment he laid his eyes on her and felt something off from her behavior. As he marched toward Senja, he could see the tears started to form in her eyes.

He walked faster and hugged her tightly, holding her as though she would crumble. He could feel the thunderous emotion that was forming inside her small body as her shoulder was shaking.

He held her waist to steady her and stroke her back in attempt to alleviate her sadness. He whispered sweet nothing words into her ears, but it seemed nothing of his effort was worked.

Senja wrapped her arms around his neck as she cried her heart out on his shoulder, the feeling that she had been keeping for days now. The muffled sobbing sound from her lips barely heard, but the shaking of her body was visible to see.

”Why are you running?” Xiao Mugi child like voice echoed from the entrance door.

He was panting and breathless, however when he saw Senja was crying in his father arms, he held back his complain.

Qianru approached Xiao Mugi. ”Let's get inside…” She said softly, didn't want to disturb Senja.

Qianru had noticed this from the beginning that Senja was holding back her grievances and that wasn't a good thing. It was good that finally she could vent out her sorrow.

”What happen to her? Why she is crying?” Xiao Mugi kept looking back at Senja when Qianru brought him inside the house.

”It's okay.” Qianru said reassured him. ”She will be fine.”

”Aunty, I didn't do anything bad…” Xiao Mugi said meekly, feeling guilty because he was insisting to stay at the training ground. Probably, Senja was upset at him because of that?

Qianru smiled and stroked his head. ”I know, Senja just feel a little bit gloomy.”

Before they turned on the corner, Xiao Mugi glanced at Senja who still shuddered in his father embraced as his mood turned gloomy as well.

It took long time to calm Senja down and a lot of more effort to persuade her to visit Elder Dam's grave. Yet, she agreed in the end.

They would visit Elder Dam the next morning.

That night, after Xiao Tianyao had settled Senja inside of her room, he walked into Xiao Mugi's room.

His son had slept.

He tucked his small body into the blanket and kissed his forehead. He felt guilty to abandon him and never been there for him.

However there was something uncomfortable inside him every time Xiao Mugi was around, the feeling of guilty and anger that didn't relate to one and another.

He didn't know why he felt that way, but this disturbed him.

...…

In the morning the next day.

Before everyone was up and when the sky still dark, Xiao Tianyao and Senja were walking hand in hand toward Elder Dam's graveyard. Senja insisted to visit as soon as possible before she lost her courage again.

Looking at Elder Dam's grave would be like a final for her. She knew that her grandfather wouldn't be around anymore, but to visit him like this was entirely different thing.

Last night Qianru had told Xiao Tianyao about the location.

Now, both of them were walking in silence, but it was the silence that Senja needed at this time.

Elder Dam's grave was only a mound ground with his sword stuck on the spot of tombstone should be.

When they arrived, both of them knelt.

Senja gulp hard.

**This is it…**

”I am sorry for coming late…” Senja said barely a whisper.

She lowered her head as her tears cascading from her eyes, she cried in silence as all the memories of Elder Dam rushed from the back of her head that she had been trying to block.

All of those overwhelmed her as her body started shaking.

Senja wasn't the type that would scream in anguish to release the pain that she felt. She chose to mourn in silence, let her tears rinsed away her sadness and agony.

She cherished every moment that she had spent with him and she was also grateful for all that he had done for her. She hoped she had a little bit more time to make him happy or to find his real granddaughter.

However, none of that would happen. Because, Elder Dam had gone, no matter what she did she would never see him again.

In the other hand, Xiao Tianyao accompany her in silence as he stroked her back in form of comfort, even though he knew nothing that could comfort her at this time.

It was taking a long time for Senja silent cry turned into a hiccup. When it happened the sun had risen.

”Feeling better?” Xiao Tianyao asked with concerned.

Senja felt her tears had been squeezed out from her eyes and her energy had been sucked dry. But, yes, it felt better. ”Yes.”

”Should we return now?” Xiao Tianyao stood up and reached out his hand.