"I'm out here Muramasa-san!" Kasumi called back into the house as she stretched to reach the clothesline above her.
A few moments later, the sliding screen door a ways behind her opened up, and an old man stepped out onto the patio. He was a small old man; his wrinkled face flaunting twin bushy eyebrows, and a belly length beard that was white as snow. He was dressed in a darkly faded gi, a brown apron, and a pair of geta sandals that clacked on the wooden boards. Kasumi placed the shoulder of a cotton shirt into the clothespin, then swiftly turned to greet the old man with a dutiful bow.
"Good morning, Muramasa-san." she said,
"Good morning, Kasumi." the old man replied, his voice hoarse and muffled. Bent at the knee with his fists along his back, he tilted his gaze to where the sun sat just above the autumn trees. "It's another beautiful day, wouldn't you agree?"
"Yes, the weather is wonderful, even though the leaves have already started to change. The garden is always so pretty this time of the year, so I thought I'd take this opportunity to hang laundry before it becomes too cold to do so."
She reached into the woven basket at her feet, and stretched out another article of clothing along the line. Her hair was neatly tied up in a pony tail that lightly grazed the shoulder of her blue kimono, and she wore tabi socks and sandals on her feet. The old man silently observed her, scratching his beard as she gaily continued her chores.
"You do often remind me of your mother." he said. "She too was able to find joy in even something as mundane as laundry. As long as she was outside in the nature, all was well in her world."
Kasumi felt a smile tug on her lips. She had forgotten the gentle weapon-smith used to care for her mother in his young age. She looked to cloudless skies above her, recalling the memories of days long gone.
"I used to follow my mother out into our own garden back home. She never had to ask for my help, I was always happy to lend a hand. Over time, I found it to be relaxing and it just became habitual. Sometimes, I would even trouble Hayate and father for their dirty clothing, just so I had an excuse to do laundry."
The brunette laughed to herself, remembering how Hayate once referred to her as a 'pest' when she once bothered him during his studies. She thought to spill ink on his clothing to get back at him, but she knew her father would be displeased. So she instead shuffled into the kitchen where her mother was cooking dinner. She was then asked to set the table, to which Kasumi would always set an extra plate, in the hopes that one day her best friend would come join them.
As the memory faded, her smile sagged and she tilted her gaze to basket below her, suddenly feeling cold despite the lack of a breeze.
"I miss them." she said softly.
Muramasa trotted further out onto the patio, stopping on the edge of the three step staircase. His thumbs rolled up and down his indexes as he hummed a sigh.
"Yes, I can imagine how such a tumultuous tribulation could weigh on you. Though I may not always agree with the ways of the clan, those rules have been upheld since before even I was born. What a shame it is to be torn away from family by outdated traditions." He cleared his throat upon noticing her disheartened stance. "However, you have done well in staying strong and fighting for the people you love. Even faced with the fiercest of adversity, you never faltered in your feelings nor beliefs. That is nothing short of admirable and valiant."
A ghost of a smile traced her lips. Although she knew her overarching issue of wanting to return home couldn't be solved, she found happiness in knowing that. someone was even noticing her efforts, let alone willing to them praise them. She let out a breath, and her eyes wandered to the red and orange forest around them
"I have to admit, it feels like I don't know what I'm doing half the time. It seems no matter what I do, nothing every truly gets resolved, so no progress was ever made. I can't help but to feel like I'm doing something wrong, but I'm so at a loss as to how correct my mistakes. It's hard."
She turned back to the old man again, her smile now genuine and bright.
"So I really am happy to hear your praises. It really means a lot t me. I thank you very much for your kind words."
The old man felt the wrinkles along his face grow warm.
"Oh my, making an old man like me blush. With the heart of gold you have Kasumi, you deserve all the praise in the world." he joked, causing them to share a brief a laugh. "But in all earnestness, it has been the pleasure having you here. I feel like you've done more for me than I have done for you, so I'm more than happy to lift your spirits whenever you're feeling down."
"I so thank you very much."
She punctuated her appreciation with a bow. Muramasa returned the gesture with a nod before he stepped back into the house with the promise of hot tea.
Kasumi returned to her chores, only to be interrupted when a violent breeze swooped in from the east, causing the surrounding forest to erupt in a applause of shimmering leaves. It seemed to come from out of nowhere; the weather being rather tame just moments ago, and persisted in overstaying its welcome. Kasumi clutched the end her kimono, and turned her back in attempt to keep the laundry from blowing away. The wind let up shortly afterward, but it seemed to have left behind a guest. A sharp spark tingled at the back of her neck, and she could sense someone approaching from the forest. Their footsteps became more apparent the closer they drew near, but Kasumi gave the presence no attention, opting instead to reach back into the basket.
Stiff stomps of boots upon gravel and rock soon became soft shuffles through grass, before suddenly coming to a stop just behind her. Kasumi simply stretched out a woven sheet and held it above her head.
"So, this is where you've been hiding." Spoke the unannounced guest. Their voice was feminine and smug. "I should've suspected as much. Muramasa-san is never one to turn down someone in need. But for you to take advantage of his kindness… I'm utterly disgusted."
Tucking the sheet under her chin, the brunette shimmied over to an open spot on the line and adjusted the clothespins to their proper lengths.
"Although I guess this bodes much better than posing a school girl. That almost got your little friend in serious trouble. It's a good thing she was a competent fighter, otherwise she may have gotten hurt."
Taking one end in each hand, Kasumi stretched the sheet above her one last time, stood on her tippy toes, and hung it high and wide enough so that the other end didn't touch the dirt below.
"I let her go of course, she posed no real threat, nor did I have time for child's play. You're my real target after all, and frankly…I've grown tired of this game of cat and mouse."
Taking a moment to adjust her kimono along her hips, Kasumi heaved a quiet sigh before turning to face her assailant.
"Hello there Ayane." she said calmly, "It's good to see you again."
She watched as the younger sibling unfolded her arms and placed one hand on hips, her ruby red eyes unmoving and staring daggers right through her.
"I'm here to kill you… 'traitor'."
It had been a little over a month since the time on New Zack Island. Kasumi had gone back into hiding under the roof of Muramasa's generosity, all the while trying to track the whereabouts of the bio weapon made in her image. She hadn't heard from Helena, nor had she found clues on her nightly scouting trips outside the village. Without much to go off of, all she could do was wait and occupy her time with chores and training. But even that sometimes proved to be difficult.
Her mind sought distraction in the form of her younger sister, remembering how joyous it was to enjoy her company. Reminding her of the moment they ate dinner, or when they watched the sunrise together. How they fussed about in the living room and shared a laugh after some light-hearted competition. How Ayane unexpectedly retuned her affections when she embraced her. How she then abruptly tore herself away and was seemingly upset with the brunette, despite not ever saying so. How Kasumi awoke the next morning and waited for Ayane to emerge from her room for breakfast, but she never did. It wasn't until that Kasumi knocked on her door that she realized it was ajar, and she walked in to find no sign of Ayane or any of her luggage.
After a hurried conversation with the hotel clerk, she learned that her sister checked out sometime after she returned to her room for the night. With the amount of traffic the island was receiving due to its grand reopening, Kasumi figured it wouldn't be hard for the lavender head to stowaway on one of the many cruise ship that was set for departure. Needless to say, she was crushed.
Even now, the feeling was still pretty dense, and she couldn't help but feel that it was somehow it was her fault that Ayane left. It didn't help that she was also confused as to why Ayane would go to such lengths to get away from her, just as they seemed to be bonding again. Kasumi knew she was far from being Ayane's favorite person in the world, so she couldn't understand why the younger kunoichi endured accompanying her, if she rather get away from her altogether?
Was she just humoring her, or was it a ruse to lure her into a false sense of security? Kasumi didn't want to believe either one of those things. She couldn't. Mainly because, when Ayane hugged her, it felt real. She didn't get the feeling that her sister was deceiving her, or even held the slightest amount of malice towards her in those moments. It was as if there was a side of Ayane that accidentally seeped out, and apparently Kasumi wasn't meant to see, since the younger sibling was so quick to patch the leak.
In the end of it all however, her brief comradery with her sister only left her with more questions than answers.
She studied the younger kunoichi, and it was clear that she meant business. Her garb was comprised a gray bodysuit and a black tunic that housed the crest of the Hajimon sect right above her left breast. Her shoulders, sleeves, and ever her tabi-style shoes were fitted with armor that was light enough to not weigh her down, but also durable enough to defend even against bullets. Her twin Fuma kodachi dangled at her sides, neatly tucked away within their sheathes.
Staring back into her sister's aggressive glare, she couldn't help but feel this shouldn't be happening. Taking into account the many quarrels they've engaged in before, this instance in particular felt…amiss. Something in the younger kunoichi's eyes caused Kasumi to falter, not out of fear, but of fatigue. She felt the many years of this long lasting battle weighing her down into the dirt, planting her feet still until she was reminiscent of a wilted sunflower. The heated beams of Ayane's scrutiny only served to make her shrivel faster.
Unable to hold the stare any longer, Kasumi uncomfortably latched one arm around the other and adverted her gaze.
"How… did you find me?"
The lavender head let out an irritable breath, resigning to crossing her arms once more.
"It's my job to find you. What, did you think I was incapable? Is that what you're implying?"
"No, not at all."
"So what it is then? That I would just give up and fail my sworn duty as a shinobi?"
"No, that's not -"
"You dare scoff at my diligence? I am the leader of the Hajimon sect, and I will not take such disrespect from a filthy nukenin such as yourself!" Ayane points down at the brunette. "Your time has come, and you will not be leaving this place alive."
Kasumi closed her eyes as she felt a sting in her chest. Her throat felt dry and she could feel her heart beating rapidly. She shook her head, not wanting to believe anything that was happening, but as she reopened her eyes, she came to a compromise with her reality.
"Why?" she started softly. "Why must we go on fighting each other? Why does this keep happening. Why… did you decide to leave… without saying goodbye?"
The sect leader stood firm, her brow furrowing with anger as she clicked her teeth.
"I don't know what you're talking about, nor do I have to sit here and listen to you. You're just another target who has yet to be exterminated."
"… Why do you hate me so much?"
Tears longing to be shed dampened her tone. She tighten her grip on her arm dejectedly. Ayane sneered at the older sibling, repulsed and unimpressed.
"Pathetic. I'm ashamed that our clan has produced such a coward, let alone one of my own blood." said Ayane.
That seemed to put in a rise in Kasumi's demeanor. She slowly released the grip on her arm and met Ayane's eyes with tilted frown. They stared at each other, letting the silence breathe between them as the wind caused a fuss in the leaves.
"Back then," said Kasumi, "I hadn't thought it possible, but… I was finally able to see you smile again. Words can't describe the amount the joy I felt."
The brunette took a small step forward and Ayane immediately clutched the sheathed sword resting upon her hip, making Kasumi stop in her tracks. She was not afraid, on contrary even, but she dared not to take another step.
"Did those moments really mean nothing to you, Ayane?"
She witnessed the sect leader swiftly draw her sword and point it directly at her, making sure to keep stern eye contact.
"There's no one to save you now, and if you think this time is going to turn out like before, then you will be sorely mistaken."
It dawned on Kasumi that asking further questions would be a lost cause. Ayane would not answer her, but even with a sword point directly at her, the nukenin lacked the will to defend herself. She felt depleted, like her life force had been siphoned, and she didn't even care. Her well being was no longer a matter of importance, and she was quick to adapt such rash thinking.
"I see… very well."
Ayane observed Kasumi lift the bottom her kimono and stepped out of her sandals, presumably preparing for the fight to come, but when the nukenin then proceeded to bend down and sit in a seiza position; eyes closed with her hands in her lap, it caused the lavender head to raise a brow. She became even more perplexed when she noticed the brunette was smiling.
"If that is what you wish… then I will not resist."
Ayane stared in disbelief, only deterring her sight to shake her head free of shock.
"What are you trying to pull?" she questioned, peeved.
"I will not fight you. If I you have come to kill me, then I will make no attempts to defend myself."
Ayane heard herself laugh, but wasn't sure if it was in her head or if she had actually done it out loud.
"You've got to be kidding me. You're begging for mercy now? Have you lost your honor?"
"I am not begging, nor do I find honor in fighting my own sister. If this is the only way to resolve this conflict, then so be it."
"Like hell it is!" Ayane yelled, causing Kasumi's forced smile to fall. "I did not suffer countless embarrassing defeats, just for you to suddenly want to give up. No, you're going to get up and fight me, and I will beat you!"
"You've grown strong Ayane, that much I can tell. I do not see the point in having another bout when-"
"This isn't about you! For once, this isn't about you! God, you're so damn selfish! You have no idea what I've gone through to get where I am today. I wasn't handed my place in life just because I was born like you."
Kasumi paused for a moment, meeting her sister's eye.
"… Ayane… is that what this is about?"
"Shut up!"
The lavender head stabbed the sword in the Kasumi's direction, making the older sibling flinch in place.
"You've got some nerve, but you obliviously no longer have any shame or honor. To think that the 'princess' of the Mugen Tenshin clan would be reduced to greedy coward. You make me sick! How is that someone like you was ever able to beat me?"
"I'm sorry Ayane, but I wish to no longer fight you. I never wanted - "
Kasumi was cut short when the blunt force of Ayane's guarded shin came swiping across her face. Before she even realized what happened, Ayane stepped forward and kicked her again, forcing her onto her back. The nukenin lay sprawled on her back as her sister towered over her.
"You don't get to be sorry." Ayane yelled. "You don't get to be anything! You can't even muster up the enthusiasm to defend yourself. Killing you now would be a waste of time."
Kasumi got to her hands and knees before wiping away the bit of blood that spilled from her lip.
"I'm sorry that I was vain. I thought that, even as a nukenin, I could protect you and the rest of the clan, but I see now I just ended up in your way. This has gone on far too long, and I can't do this anymore. I want you to kill me, Ayane. Please… put an end to this."
"I said shut-up!"
Ayane continued her assault on Kasumi, who cried out in pain from below. An assortment of stomps to head and heavy blows to the body hammered down on her, until she was met with another swift kick to the face. Breathing heavily, the sect leader stared down at her sister's dirtied and bruised face, feeling her anger rising even still at the sight of Kasumi's listlessness. The brunette coughed as she rolled onto her side to clutch her stomach, but Ayane rolled her right side up again with her foot, and pointed the sword to her neck.
"Fight back damnit!" she yelled.
"I will not." the nukenin muttered weakly.
"Fine! Then I'll be sure to bring you back to the village in pieces."
Ayane kneeled down, both hands on the end of the hilt as she daringly pressed the blade against the base of Kasumi's throat. Her head felt on fire and she could feel her blood boiling over, just waiting to explode into a fit rage that would put an end to her sister's miserable existence. However, somewhere in the back in the mind, she knew such a hollow victory would not bring her fulfillment, so she sought to stir Kasumi to rise to occasion one last time.
"This is it Kasumi. There's no turning back and there's no other way out of this, do you understand? If you don't fight now, I will kill you!"
It appeared that, whatever vigor the brunette had left to offer, had fluttered away right in that exact instance. She remained silent, feeling the cold stainless steel tauntingly lap at her skin.
"Say something!" Ayane shouted.
It was then that Kasumi found the energy to bring her hand to her sister's face, just as she did the last night they spent together on the island. She stared directly back at Ayane, her bruised features gradually coming to full bloom.
"I never thought anything like this could happen between us. I never thought this would be our fate. But if it must be, then I'm glad I was able to see you one last time… I love you, Ayane."
A sudden headache struck Ayane: echoes of Kasumi's honeyed words all came flooding back at once. The voices all clamored together into a muddy noise that bounced off the walls of her skull, and visually recreated every scène, every detail, every smile. That damned smile.
She wanted to fall it - oh how she wanted to fall into it. Fall back into the embrace they once shared, and let her sister's warmth and affections coddle as she -
"Ayane."
No.
"Ayane?"
No!
The fire burst and scorched her from within. She felt herself raise the sword above her head, let out a feral growl as she plunged it as hard she could beneath her.
Something wet splashed onto her face. It was hot and she felt it steam against her cold cheek. She let go of a breath she didn't realize she was holding, and she heard her heartbeat coyly announce its return. Her eyes peeled open to find Ayane still kneeling over her.
More hot splashes wetted her face, but the way Ayane was gripping the hilt made it so that she couldn't see her face. Mere inches away to her right was the sword, halfway buried into the earth.
"How dare you.." growled Ayane shakily. "How dare you say something like that to me? Who do you think you are!?"
"Ayane…" Kasumi tried. The younger sibling shook her head.
"You have no right saying that to me, not after what you've put me through! I've endured constant ridicule and scrutiny for years. No one wanted me. Everyone rejected me, and never knew why… until she told us. Until she told us of my cursed conception. The very thing that gave life to me was held a secret from no one, but myself. And no one did anything about it!"
"I never rejected you, you were still my friend!" Kasumi pleaded. "Even after we were told the truth, it didn't change anything."
"It changed everything! Everything was put into perspective. Why everyone treated me like I was some diseased ridden rodent. Why you were always treated like royalty. Not even my own mother wanted anything to do with me!"
"That's not true! Mother loved you, still does, and so do I! I'm sure there's a way to make things right, if you just give me a chance - "
"You idiot, can you not see why that can't happen? I'm supposed to kill you! You, who was always adored, nourished, and praised by everyone while I had no one! I was even forced to kill the man who raised me!"
"But you still had me! I still considered you my best friend, even after you wanted nothing to do with me. I tried to reach out for you, I tried to protect you!"
"I didn't need protection!" Ayane shot back. "Especially not from you! Every day I watched the whole village celebrate just the fact that you existed like you were some goddess, and I hated you for it. I hated that everyone would stop what they were doing and grovel at your feet, just because you shared the same air as them. I hate that your natural radiance outshined any and everything I could've done to finally get noticed. And then you left… Everyone mourned the council's decision, and they hated me more for having to be the one to find you. Your influence was still so strong that even when Hayate joined me to hunt you down, he disobeyed his orders and chose you. You, an exiled nukenin over me! I followed every instruction, every command, and completed every task all to prove myself, but it never matter. I am cursed. I am the unwanted. I am the stained reminder of my father's impudence, and for that alone, I must be persecuted! So I say it gain: you have no right feeling sorry for yourself. You have no right forfeiting your life! You have no right to act like the victim in all this until you have suffered as I have suffered! You have no right to tell me that you love me, because I can't be loved!"
With her arms now too heavy to keep their grip, the young kunoichi let them swing down by her sides, revealing her tearful face. Kasumi choked and her chest suddenly tightened.
Ayane's confession was more than she could've imagined, but it all made sense now. Why the villagers didn't want them to play together, why Ayane could never have dinner with them, why she held such resentment towards her, everything really. Kasumi couldn't believe how blind she was, how unaware she was of her sister's feelings and way of living. It was enough to make her feel physical pain, wanting her to break her down with guilt and despair. But, she held her ground, baring the truth and taking responsibility for her shortcomings.
"You're right…" she spoke softly. "I have no right to feel sorry for myself. I had no idea of the pain you've endured all this time. I had no idea of the loneliness I made you feel. I'm sorry for that. I'm so sorry I've never noticed, and I'm sorry I was never able to make things right… But you're wrong about one thing. You can be loved. I never accepted a fate to which I always fought someone who meant so much to me. So even if you hated me, I never stopped loving you all this time."
"…Shut up…" Ayane muttered.
Kasumi reached for the younger girl who quickly shuffled away from her, which incidentally gave the brunette enough room to sit up again. She scooted close enough to feel her shaking.
"I'm sorry I wasn't there before. I'm sorry I left you alone. And I'm sorry that I never told you any of this before it was too late. I beg for your forgiveness. I beg you to please believe that my feelings are real."
"Shut up, you're lying!"
"I am not."
"Yes you are!" she snapped back. "It doesn't make any sense! I was jealous of you. I knew it wasn't your fault, but I was still jealous. I resented you. I tried to kill you! How can you ask me for forgiveness? How can you love someone like me?"
Kasumi scooted closer still until she was able to wrap her arms around Ayane, embracing her from behind. She lay her head along her shoulder and squeezed her tight.
"Because we're family. We've always been so." she cries, overcome with emotion. "But even more than that, you're my best friend. I've always held you dear in my heart. Nothing will ever change that. I swear to you. I love you!"
Ayane's eye widened; "The laws of the clan cannot break the bonds of blood."
Lady Ayame's voice resonated in her ears, Kasumi's warmth flooded along her backside, and the hurricane of emotions swirling in utter chaos threatened her to tear apart… she was rendered helpless. Small whimpers escaped from her as slight shudders coursed throughout her body. She attempted to tear out of Kasumi's hold, but the brunette only held on tighter to thwart her escape.
"Let go of me! Let me go!"
"No, not this time. I won't let go!"
The sect leader struggled for a bit, but her attempts were futile. She was wearing herself out, and the tears still refused to stop. She gave in, letting it all overcome her. Small whimpers became a full on sob as she sunk into the embrace, turning in her sister's arms to place her head just below her own and returned the favor. She cried, and kept crying.
"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry Kasumi! I'm so sorry!"
The brunette straightened her back and reposition themselves, so that she could hold her sister more firmly against her.
"It's ok, it's ok now. I'm here for you. I'm here." she replied with her own tears.
"I don't deserve this! After everything I've done, I don't deserve your love. I've done so many horrible things."
"Even so, my feelings never faltered. This is all I've ever wanted. Just this."
"But I hurt you Kasumi! I can't be forgiven so easily."
Kasumi shook her head.
"We've hurt each other, sometimes without even knowing it. What's important now is that we're honest with one another."
"But-"
"Ayane."
The younger sibling looked up from her sister's chest, staring apologetically into orbs of majestic bronze.
"Do you hate me?" Kasumi asked.
The answer arrived immediately in her heart but, as she kept her gaze locked with the brunette's, words seemed to have temporarily escaped her.
"I - I don't hate you. I don't hate you Kasumi!" she blurted, forcing out the response. Her reply was received with a genuine smile, the one that always filled Ayane with adoration.
"Then there's nothing fret over." Kasumi bent forward just enough to lay a chaste kiss on her forehead. "I promise."
Feeling another swell of emotion take over her, Ayane tighten her grip on her sister's kimono and buried her face in her sister's bosom.
They held one another even long after their tears subsided, amply moving from sitting in the middle of the yard, to leaning up against the wooden porch steps. Kasumi's hand brushed through Ayane's short hair while the other rested on the small of her back. The lavender head's grip never loosened, not even during their relocation. She stirred a bit, propping herself to get more comfortable, only to resubmit herself to Kasumi's soothing touch. This brought a delighted gleam to the nukenin's face, and she settled herself more comfortably against the steps.
Not far from where they sat stood an old man whose back was pressed against the sliding door. It appeared that he was successful in keeping his presence hidden, and his mustache turned up into a grin as he marched off into the kitchen to make some fresh tea.
-tbc