Everyone was mourning.
The news spread quickly in the Shimada Castle.
Albeit being a clan of merciless trained assassins, it still hit hard.
She was one of the kindest and most caring women that had ever set foot in the castle. She was a kindred spirit, an inspiration for all, always seeing the positive side of things, believing there was good in everyone and that the only way to find it was to show them kindness and compassion. She had been married to Sojiro since her teenage years, due to an arranged marriage organized and decided by the now long-since deceased superior authorities of the clan.
She was still so young; she had not even reached her 40s yet, but, alas, lady Fate had already decided for her it was time to go. Her disease was something extremely rare that no doctor was able to cure or treat, every day she got weaker and weaker until eventually her last breath escaped her lips.
Genji was only 10 at the time, Hanzo was 13. Hanzo had known about their mother's conditions for quite some time, although his father had kept it from both him and Genji. The older brother was not dumb. For a 13 year old, he was pretty smart as he managed to put all of the puzzle pieces together, despite his father's lies.
Genji, though …
The news hit him like a ton of bricks. He was a lot more carefree and naive than Hanzo, he had never actually questioned his father about anything, he was … innocent. So very innocent.
Out of everyone, Sparrow was the most attached to the Shimama, as she playfully liked to call herself.
It was Hanzo that gave him the news. He had overheard a phone call between clan members. It was all the confirmation he needed.
Hanzo was pretty shaken up himself, but he refused to cry or let it show. He needed to be strong for Sparrow. He carefully explained to Genji the situation as best as he could to hopefully not traumatize his little brother forever.
"Wh-what do you mean … gone?" Genji stuttered, not understanding the gravity of the situation, "when is she coming back? … I miss her already …" he asked, naively.
Hanzo did not know how to respond. He had never had to do such a thing before, but he knew his father would not have been as sensible and careful in explaining this to Genji as him, so he settled his mind on being the one having to break his beloved brother's heart. He sighed.
"No, Genji … I really don't want to be the one telling you this but ... " He said as he held him tightly in a warm embrace. "Mom is not with us anymore. She passed away in her sleep last night ... " Hanzo caressed his younger brother's hair and softly whispered words of encouragement trying to make him feel better.
"It'll be okay"
"Shh"
"I'm sorry Sparrow …"
"I'm so sorry …"
"I'm here with you …" he reassured him.
Genji did not say a word after. Not one. He silently started sobbing into his brother's chest and sniffing. He was devastated. Completely torn apart. Hanzo couldn't help but silently shed a couple tears and sob as well.
The days after were no better. Genji had lost all interest in everything, especially for the things his mother taught him to do and that they did together.
Lady Fate did not just take away a life that night, she also took Sparrow's childhood and childlike wonder with it.