To Guest reviewer: Thank you for telling me. The roaring thunder outside was actually just a coincidence but who knows? Maybe Zenitsu will appear soon since my outline of this story keeps changing.
I was afraid Inosuke was gonna hoard this chapter again but thankfully, he didn't.
(Chapter unedited.)
They drives on.
And on, and on, and on. And on.
Just to search for someone who deserved it.
In the corner of his eyes, the lightning flashed from the sky as the roaring thunder echoing in the distance before droplets of rain started to pour down on him, gently prickling on his naked skin. Despite the swirling, troubling weather above him, he heed no thought to it, his thoughts currently occupied with more troubling matter swirling in his mind.
How dare he bring up those words? Inosuke thought, racked with unknown emotion churning in his chest. With Tokitou sharp and blunt tongue, he should have expected to receive those piercing words from him. Tokitou Muichirou was ball of critical mind with dicing critiques who was not afraid to voice his thoughts. And yet, despite seeing it miles away, the former leader still had a lasting effects to him, wounding his pride even though he thought he had already cloaked himself from the past experience, being the constant target of his brutally honest words.
Yes, he was a disappointment. Yes, he didn't live up to his expectation. Just what the hell Tokitou had in mind with him when he passed down the responsibility of leadership to him?
Because I know you're a good person.
Recalling those words, continuously echoing in his mind, he buried his face to his hands as the churning feeling in his chest returned heavier than before. Seriously, what the hell Tokitou planned for him, turning him into a leader of Black Light?
"Do you have an umbrella with you?"
Hearing a feminine voice, he glanced to see the woman he carried earlier in his arms with an open umbrella above her, providing protection at the itching sensation of the heavy rain. He scowled when he saw her.
"What do you see in me? A handful of umbrellas?"
She just gave him a discerning look, with an eyebrow raised slightly as if silently observing him. Apprehensively, he scoffed and looked away stubbornly.
"So, your talk with Tonio already done? That was fast." He started, hoping to shift her attention from him.
"It was a brief talk. He seemed to be in a hurry with Shinigami duties."
"Shinigami, huh?" He repeated indifferently. He can still remember vaguely back then when he refused the position of leadership of Black Light, wanted to follow Tokitou's footsteps as a Shinigami but he had long considered it as an old shame.
"And also, since you weren't there, he gave me the responsibility to relay contents of our talk since the matter also involves you."
"Me?" He didn't expect he would be included.
"Yes. This is how our conversation went…"
Chapter 16: Mystery, Misery, Memory II
"I'm sorry to disappoint you but I have to refuse your offer."
Looking at his reaction, Kanao observed him as she said those words. He wasn't angry nor upset at her response, rather, he still had his indifferent look on him. She saw him closed his eyes as if in likeliness.
"Can't say I didn't anticipated that but it must have come out of nowhere for you, right?"
She didn't response. If he had already expected her response coming, there's no need for further words.
"Take your time. I didn't say you were going to accept the offer now. I am simply giving it to you as an option—a choice, you could say. When you make up your mind, tell your decision to me, I'm not in a hurry to accept it now."
…well, she didn't expect that. A choice, huh? Muichirou must have assumed she was not in the right condition to accept it right now and gave her time to think. She's not exactly sure whether to be grateful or dismayed about it but for now, she's quite relieved at his consideration.
But… now that she thought about it…
"Inosuke, your predecessor, knows about the breathing technique. Why didn't he become a Shinigami when you offered it to him?"
Muichirou regarded her words before he responded. "Circumstances was different at that time. He was like a wild animal back then and he needed someone to tame him so I made him join the Black Light as an offer instead since I still lead the group before. The reason I made him follow my steps as the leader because I know he had the potential but now… I don't know if I made the right decision…"
That… makes sense, she guessed.
"So the reason you made him include in this matter because you wanted offer him the same as mine." The way she said this was not a question, but a realization.
"That's right. Even though I said those words to him, I think it's better for the Black Light to fall on its own, seeing how far low it had gotten under Inosuke's leadership."
…he doesn't even care about the group he formerly lead before…?
"So? You got any more questions for me, Tsuyuri?"
She was about to say it was already more than enough but another one came. "Did someone taught you how to use breathing technique? Seeing that you taught Inosuke when you're still leading the Black Light, I thought it was a bit weird…"
Muichirou suddenly wore a thoughtful look; downcast, narrowed eyes with a pondering distant expression. He was silent for a while before he responded, "I guess it would be fair to tell the reason why I'm giving you that offer. It may not look like it was a simple proposal, there is actually more behind it." He moved closer to her, whispering, "Tsuyuri, no matter what you hear from me, no matter I said to you, promise me don't tell a single soul about this unless I permitted it, got that?"
Despite the confusion of the sudden discreetness, she nodded in oblige.
He leaned back. "Good. Before I answer your question, let me ask you first. Tsuyuri Kanao—that's your name, right? Do you remember anything other than that, any memory about yourself when you were still alive?"
She shook her head.
"Figured. Then, back when you were still on your own, you had an irresistible urge to search for something? For example, the sudden restlessness to satisfy it but not knowing what to do about it."
Her widened in fraction before she nodded. "Yes."
"It was the same case as mine but it wasn't just me. Tomioka Giyuu from the same Division as mine, the Shinazugawa siblings and Rengoku Kyojuro of Eleventh Division, the Elder Kocho of Fourth Division, Younger Kocho of Third Division, Himejima Gyomei of First Division, Uzui Tengen of Second Division and also, Karonji Mitsuri and Iguro Obanai counts too despite not in Gotei 13, they all got the same experience. Kanzaki Aoi, Murata and Ozaki was a minor case but nevertheless, it's all the same."
"…there were people just like…us?" It was weird for her to say 'us' since she just met him. And also…
The Elder Kocho from Fourth Division…? That's kinda… familiar…
"That's right. And just like them, we have a mission to carry out, not involving outsiders to prevent to find out." He paused as if to prepare himself before he continued in low voice. "To find out the truth of our seemingly amnesiac state when we arrived here in Soul Society."
She listened briskly.
"Apparently, as we found out, some people was aware why we were given that state but they were forcibly shut their mouth for the sake of secrecy, preventing it to come out from hiding. For example…" Muichirou turned his head, trailing his gaze outside. She followed after him and gaze beyond the window as she saw his twin brother loitering outside.
"…your brother…?"
"When I asked him about it, he stubbornly didn't budge. But he told me he was being 'leashed' by powerful figures, preventing himself from answering me. I didn't bother him any further than that. It wasn't loyalty nor dignity why he didn't respond to me, it was a threat from Central 46 for turning my brother into a prisoner of secrecy who unwillingly chained himself to obey them."
Hearing those words, she was… speechless, to say the least. Central 46. As far as she can remember, they regulate the Soul Society as whole, working as a collective rational figures, carrying many jurisdiction with them under their belt. But for them to be involved of their lost memories, for some reason, it felt like they were…
It felt like they were criminals being cleansed of their sins. As in their case, it was their memories they were 'cleansed', preventing themselves from finding who they were when they were still alive.
Why? They deserve to find out who they were, what was the reason Central 46 did that to them?
"Well, despite that, we actually haven't made any progress in our mission and we're getting a bit desperate, opting out to scout other people like us. I actually met you by accident when I was planning to recruit Inosuke. According to Iguro and Kanroji, they met someone who knows the existence of breathing technique. Agatsuma Zenitsu, was it? Whatever. When I'm done here, I'm planning to meet him after you under the guise of Shinigami duties."
…
…now that he said that and all…
"Who taught you the breathing technique?"
"Oh. I nearly forgot about that. The person who taught me was Urokodaki Sakonji. He was a former Shinigami who wore tattered shihakushō* and Tengu mask. He said he was on the run and was searching for someone who defeated the 'living calamity' when he was alive. Though, the way he said it, he seems to be looking for more than one person. Originally, he was our main objective in our mission since he spoke great lengths about when he was still alive but had to rethink our quest. He might be even in the Human World to hide right now and we can't move freely without jigokuchō*."
"…"
"Any more questions?"
"N…no. I think it's already more than enough."
More than enough was actually an understatement. She's gradually having a headache from all those string of words she just heard and moreover, she's having conflicted feelings about Central 46 and her legs is kinda not in a good shape right now, considering its throbbing painfully under her.
"I see." Muichirou stretched his legs and stood up. "Well then, even though it's raining heavily, I still have to carry my duties. You can rest here, Tsuyuri. You're still tired, right?"
She shook her head, standing up despite the excruciating pain. "No. I will go. The siblings I left is waiting for me."
He raised an eyebrow. "That's fine. Grab an umbrella at the door. If you can see a spare, make sure to give it to a certain dumb idiot who standing half-naked outside."
"Inosuke?"
"Who else? Until then, Tsuyuri. And also," he stopped by the door and turned his head to her. "Tell Inosuke about our conversation. Make sure there's no one else around you, alright?"
Muichirou had already made it outside before she can respond to him. She glanced at the window where she can see Inosuke standing outside under the rain. With a heavy sigh, she grabbed the umbrella, opened it and walked outside towards him.
Seriously, everything seems to be increasingly getting chaotic and messy.
"…and that's the last of our conversation as he left."
He… doesn't know what to say. Inosuke didn't know the truth until now why he was recruited in the Black Light. And then for Tokitou to say it's for the good the group to fall on its own was a bit upsetting yet at the same time, a part of him was relieved at those words despite that. But it wasn't just about that matter. The words this woman spouted, it was all complicated and he had to use his thinking to comprehend the situation. Like, a lot of thinking. He was annoyed when he realized this. What the hell, Tokitou… that bastard… he's making me think in a time like this…!
"Have you gotten all of that?" The pink-eyed woman inquired.
His eyebrow twitched as bulging vein appeared in his temple from aggravation. "Are you making me dumb?! Of course, I did!"
"Well then, I have to go." She said simply in response before she turned her heel and walked away.
"Wait!"
At his loud shout, she stopped her trail and turned around.
"The Fang of Vengeance—don't forget I will collect that from you! Make sure to heal yourself and we'll fight fair and square!"
The woman looked bewildered, blinking as if there was something in her eyes before she responded weakly, "Yeah…" She started ahead to her destination but didn't look away from him as if by caution he would attack her from behind before she was completely obscured by the fog caused by the heavy rain.
"Do you know this thing called metaphor, Inosuke?"
After he heard that, the prickling sensation from his skin disappeared before he noticed the shadow behind him as he looked back. He scowled at the familiar face.
"Meta-what?"
Yuichirou gave him a weird look. "You… did you live under the rock? Did you seriously not know? Fang of Vengeace. That's the example of metaphor, idiot. Don't tell me you're not aware of it? Whatever. I expected that from you anyway."
Inosuke crossed his arms with a huff.
"Well, speaking of metaphor, if we're talking in abstract words, you could say I'm burning right now."
"Ha?" He looked at him up and down. "Are you an idiot? You're not on fire."
Yuichirou's eyelid dropped into narrow, giving him an unimpressed look. He hanged his head and sighed. "Inosuke… you're really hopeless, aren't you?"
"What's that supposed to mean?!" He snapped.
"Exactly what it means. Go home before you get sick."
"I told you earlier, don't treat order me around like a slave in your biding!"
"You may say that and yet you walk away."
"Shut up!"
Seeing that Inosuke walked away without taking the umbrella from him, he sighed once again. Inosuke, what a hopeless idiot you are. But despite that, he never changed at all. He's still the same hot-blooded idiot who constantly seeks for a fight as if he lives through it. Always burning, always passionate.
…speaking of burning, the metaphor he said earlier…if only for Inosuke being hopeless, he should've said what he wanted to say.
Burn, burn, burn… Despite Inosuke's words, he wasn't literally on fire. What a way to say the obvious but that wasn't what he meant. The fire Yuichirou possessed in his heart was a silent, unseen one. It doesn't crackle, it doesn't crumble in literal sense but instead, it gradually corrupts his mind due to a certain emotion, an emotion he possessed since then even he was alive.
Anger.
He is angry. It may seem an understatement because of his current behavior but nonetheless, he is always angry. The reason of his anger was many to count. Being 'leashed' by the certain figures he was shackled, the secrecy he was burdened into hiding because of the said 'leash', the helplessness he was feeling in his heart, his silence to not reveal everything—all of those are just among one of the reasons.
How could have this happen? Yuichirou thought afterlife was supposed to be peaceful and yet, it was stolen, forcing his brother to take once again the way of sword and endeavored himself and few others like him to search for truth.
Why did all this happen when they had finally reconciled? The result—the answer of his question was always imbued with anger but lashing out was never an option. He would never make the same mistake before. Not again.
Why? Why? Why? He wanted screamed in anger, to be lost in its scorching madness. What he longed was a calm, peaceful life with his brother, and yet it was taken away because of them. If only it wasn't for them, he would got what he wanted. If only it wasn't for them, this wouldn't have happen. If only it wasn't for them, if only, if only, if only…!
With all this thoughts running through his head, he walked towards to his home despite the burning anger in his heart. He may obey the Central 46, it doesn't mean he would easily forgive them.
With a tranquil fury running in his veins, he lived a life in Flower District as if everything is normal.
Author's Musing #16:
I don't have a lot to say here but…
I hope in Demon Slayer/Kimetsu no Yaiba movie, they'll announce season two.
Please ufotable.
There are lots of name drops here in this chapter, right? That wasn't my intention at first but I wrote it anyway.
Notice the asterisk(*) after certain words? From now on, I'll elaborate them here.
Shihakushō (Garment of Dead Souls): the black kimono worn by Shinigami.
Jigokuchō (Hell Butterfly): the butterflies used by Shinigami to lead them to the Human World. They are also used as messengers in Soul Society.