January 4, 2015

Japan

Graveyard

The rain poured down like fire, soaking anything it touches. A loud storm stroke from a distance. A woman stared down at a grey tombstone, carved into a circular shape with water dripping off the edges. Her wavy orange hair soaked and heaved on her shoulders as shiny drops of water stroked down her cheeks, passing a beauty mark next to her lower lip. The tombstone had a name carved onto the surface.

'Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto. Beloved founder, leader, father and brother.'

Rangiku watched as the somber melancholy surrounded her with ease. Genryūsai was the leader of the Gotei 13 since the discovery in the early 60s. They weren't very popular but they had a wide reputation to this day from not only to the criminals of Japan but the community as well.

Sadly, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto was diagnosed with an incurable disease and had just died three days ago, fighting it while he was still barely alive. It was him who brought her into the clan. He acted like a father to her, did everything her real parents couldn't. He was the reason Rangiku had a reason to be here. Without him, everything would've been hell for her. Now with him gone, she felt like her past was about to come haunt her again.

"ここに出て雨の中に立つのは健康ではありません。あなたは風邪をひいてしまいます。 (It's not healthy to be out here and standing in the rain. You'll catch a cold.)"

Rangiku turned to her right and was greeted by the sight of a blonde woman with a distinguishingly younger face, carrying a handmade umbrella which covered her from the rain.

"松本。 (Matsumoto.)"

"レディ・ツナード (Lady Tsunade,)" Rangiku greeted. "私はあなたがここに来るのを知らなかった。

(I didn't know you would come here.)"

"もちろん。私たちはここですべての友達ですね。(Of course. We're all friends here, aren't we?)" Tsunade said.

Rangiku didn't respond but allowed her to join her. She turned back to the tombstone while Tsunade stood next to her and shared her umbrella with her. The Konohagakure(Tsunade's clan) and the Gotei 13 had been allies for quite some time. Tsunade was the leader of the Konohagakure since the 90s. She and her clan used to owe debt to a previous clan until they were all wiped out by a mob from Russia. They were planning to take full control of their business which the Konohagakure had a problem with.

"山本さんに何が起こったのは残念ですが、(I'm sorry about what happened to Yamamoto,)" Tsunade said. "彼は偉大な男で、すばらしい友人でした。(He was a great man and a great friend.)"

Rangiku remained fixed on the tombstone. It wasn't just his passing that was bothering her.

"私はそれに値するとは思わない。(I don't think I deserve it.)" Rangiku said.

Tsunade looked at her. At first, she didn't understand what she said but a second later, she realized what she was talking about and her expression deepened.

"彼らはあなたにおやぶんを作った。(They made you Oyabun.)"

Before Yamamoto's death, Tsunade had always heard Rangiku declining the request to be a leader. She was only a lieutenant and never intended to be a leader. When the leader passes away, the lieutenant is to take their place. Rangiku was to take his place once he died.

"はい、(Yes,)" Rangiku continued. "山本は死にたい願いとしてタイトルを私に渡した。私はそれに値するものではありません。山本は本当のおやぶんでした。彼を置き換える者は誰もいません。(Yamamoto passed the title down to me as his dying wish. I don't deserve it. Yamamoto was the true Oyabun. There is no one to replace him.)"

Tsunade let out a short sigh. She understood how much Yamamoto meant to Rangiku. All those days when she refused to even accept her role as the leader once Yamamoto stepped down has proved fruitless for her. Tsunade turned to her with the spark in her eyes.

"ランギク、(Rangiku,)" She said. "私はあなたが何を通過しているのか理解していますが、山本はなくなり、理由のためにタイトルが手渡されました。一族は彼らを導くためにおやぶんが必要です。彼らはあなたが必要です。(I understand what you're going through but Yamamoto is gone and the title was handed to you for a reason. The clan needs an Oyabun to lead them. They need you.)"

Rangiku hesitated to respond. She wanted to argue that it wasn't her time but she was right. Yamamoto is gone and someone has to take over and look after the clan. It was now her responsibility to step up and take her job seriously. Rangiku eventually nodded. Tsunade placed her hand on her shoulder with a half smile.

"さあ、(Come,)" She said. "あなたに何か飲みましょう。(Let's get you something to drink.)"

Rangiku nodded again and Tsunade. As Rangiku followed, she looked back over her shoulders at the tombstone.

"さようなら、山本。(Goodbye, Yamamoto.)"

AN: Hey guys WFTC141 here. I want to say thanks to Maximus Hambugerlius for being my editor again. Also to remind you all that this is 7 years later after the events of Brotherhood of Roanapur and my co-author is BloodyDemon666. I'm hoping that you're enjoying the story of Brotherhood of Roanapur so far and liking this story as well. Next Chapter will be out soon. PEACE.