"Kick harder."
"Lift your arms."
"Hold your stance."
"Do better."
The cold air stung at Katsu's skin yet her body burned. Sweat dripped down the side of her face as she sent another kick towards the log. Pain shot up her leg as it made contact with the wood. Splinters from the log broke off and Katsu fell down backwards.
"Get up."
Her father's voice rung throughout the air. It was colder than the air. Katsu was used to this now. She was used to the unimpressed voice of her father. She was used to the strict voices of others.
It didn't bother her no more.
Yet, after the words passed through her ears, she obeyed his commands. Her bloody legs got back to work, holding up Katsu's heavy body. Her breaths were fast and uneven.
"Again."
One kick.
"Again."
Two kicks.
"Again."
Three kicks.
Katsu stumbled forward, her head buzzing in pain. She couldn't feel her legs anymore and her body shook from the cold.
"... That's enough."
Katsu looked up, her hair in a mess and sweat dripping down. She caught the stare of her father.
"Go back home and prepare dinner."
Katsu's eyes glazed over and she nodded her head. No words could come out her mouth. Her father turned around and walked away, leaving Katsu behind.
Katsu glared at the grass which was covered in her blood. Cursing to herself, she got to her feet and stumbled her way off the training grounds.
The rain poured down from the sky, the air becoming suffocating. Blood mixed with the puddles that laid on the gravel ground.
"You have to stay awake!" A desperate voice of a man ripped through the air. His voice was hoarse and weak as blood stained his clothing.
"T-Takeshi…" A blonde haired woman cried out, "Pl-Please… Le-leave me here."
The man gritted his teeth, tears flowed down his face. His eyes flashed towards the forest in front of him.
They were alone.
"Never… Please Rieko… I need you." He clutched the woman tighter, "Katsu needs you."
The words made Rieko tense up. Her hands twitched slightly as she reached up to caress Takeshi's face.
"I'm sorry Takeshi…" Rieko let out a sad smile as the life began to drain from her eyes, "I can't hold on forever… T-Take care of Katsu. Sh-she's a smart girl…"
Soon enough, her body went limp and her hand hit the floor. Takeshi shook her cold body, trying desperately to get her back.
"No… Please wake up Rieko…" His voice cracked with sadness, "You need to come back…"
Takeshi's shaking hands caressed Rieko's cold face. His blood stained hands dripped with red. He gave her another shake.
"Wake up…"
Nothing. Takeshi gave another shake.
"Wake up!"
Nothing. His hands gripped her bloody clothing, his sobs filling the air. With one last shake, realization set in.
Rieko was gone.
She was never coming back.
A loud shriek of sorrow echoed through the night.
Everything about his daughter haunted him.
Her hair. Her eyes. Her face.
They were the same as HER…
Yet he tried to remind himself. She was just 3 years old. A young naive child that didn't know the sins that lied on her body.
"Otou-san!"
The girl's hands latched onto Takeshi's pants. Her eyes burned with brightness. It had the same shine as his dear Rieko.
He hated those eyes.
Takeshi lifted the girl into the air, holding her in his arms/
"Katsu-chan. How are you?"
Behind the voice laid a hatred far stronger than himself.
"Good Good!" Katsu giggled, her chubby face scrunching up into a smile, "Otou-san! I made a star for you."
Katsu held out a paper cut star. It was perfectly cut into a symmetrical shape. She always had a way to make things better than what a 3 year old could do.
"Pl-Please… Le-leave me here."
Takeshi took the star into his hands.
"T-Take care of Katsu. Sh-she's a smart girl…"
He ruffled the girl's hair, "You did great."
"T-Takeshi…"
"R-Really!" Katsu grinned.
"T - . . . "
"Yup." Takeshi clenched his fists, holding back his emotions, "It's perfect."
"RIEKO!"
A/N- This one is a bit shorter than usual but I though ending the chapter here was best. Anyway, this was more of a look into Katsu's father's thoughts and backstory I guess. There's going to be more about him in the next chapter too. I also had a lot of fun with this chapter. I thought of this through many times so getting it typed out was fun. Also, I might rewrite the prologue. I really don't like it after looking back at it.
FUN FACT- After reading the first few chapters again, I noticed I never gave Katsu's father a name. I was a bit frantic with this cuz I it would be weird if I started using it randomly. Gladly, I was able to add it in without any bumps. At least, I hope so.
Thanks to Seshaddict for the review! Honestly, your reviews make me really really happy. It brightens up my day by a lot and encourages me to continue writing.