Stepping off the train and hearing the intercom tell his destination and tightening the grip on his drawstring bag after a few audible steps off of the empty train behind him, Cobalt makes his way to Meiju that laid downhill in the distance. A second home for him, there were many reasons why he had to stop there before embarking on his journey to Ikayumu, the setting for the Tokugawa selection. Arriving sometime later after dozing off on the train ride, he makes his way out of the station and begins his long walk to his teacher's home. Walking through the far eastern style village, he observes the roads he used to take when he was younger while giving brief greetings to familiar faces as he passed through town. The people of Meiju recognized his cobalt blue hair and crimson red eyes to know the young man passing through the town was the second coming of his father, a proud man who once called this same place his home at a point. Hearing his wooden sandals crash against the stone pavement, he stops and takes a look at a downstream river. Viewing his reflection in the clear water, he focuses his attention on the stones at the bottom before giving a weak smile and continuing his way. The dominant colors of orange and red were still evident in the town regardless of the season, Cobalt himself was dressed in a red floral thin unbuttoned shirt with a white shirt under and cargo shorts. In his drawstring bag was none other than his signature carbon blade and his most favorite clothing. Hiking his way through the town, flashbacks of his life before ravages of this world entertained him…
"Ao…? Ao…! Come here, darling. Papa wants to see you." Simone calls to a toddler Cobalt who was playing in the fields. The thick length of his Cobalt blue hair suffocating under being tied in a topknot and dressed in a traditional yukata with a clashing of blue and white, his faces beams upon hearing his mother's sunny voice and quickly he skips to her, leaping into her open arms. Catching her son, she twirls him around while holding him up high. Playing with his mother's frosty white hair with a blue tinge that matched the yukata he wore, Cobalt wouldn't stop with his curious questions. Every time Simone had to ease her way around his question by answering him with the same response, "Because I love you!" she said with a hop in her step, her long white hair bouncing in rhythm and her bangs pushed upwards by her son's hands who wanted she his mother's face completely when he asked his question.
"Mamaaaaa that doesn't have anything to do with going to see papa!" Cobalt whined playfully; Simone giggled holding him in her arms. Her emerald hued eyes couldn't stop trembling with joy, holding a child of her own in her arms...it was bliss. A mother's bliss. Chiming in to the memory, Cobalt recalls the feelings he got from that day, thinking back to that imprinting moment.
I never thought that day would be the day that changed my outlook on life. I didn't think the words my father said to me would have that much power, but it did…
The mother and child arrive at a large building located on the other side of the estate. Putting her son down and taking his hand, Simone led the way inside using her free hand to move the curtain of the entrance. Inside the building was an eastern interior decorated with many different scrolls of art and messages all around. The lighting was dim and there was a smell of incense and made the young Cobalt cough a little as they entered. Sitting in the middle of the room on a tatami mat in front of a table where a black katana laid was none other than Cobalt's father, Arosuke. Dressed in a black robe and black hakama with his bare chest exposed, a white light emitted from his body as he sat in a pose of meditation. Stopping before him was his loving wife and son. Sensing their presence, he opened his eyes and turned to his wife.
"Thank you, Simone. I would like to be alone with him…" he said in a strong and dignified tone like the way Cobalt spoke now. His wife smiled and squatted to her son, nuzzling his nose with hers, "I love you, darling~!" she softly spoke to Cobalt, rising up afterwards and bowing to her husband with a beaming smile.
Arosuke grinned, unable to not curl his lips with joy in seeing how strong a mother loved her child. Turning his attention to the red eyed boy who stared at him blankly, he patted his lap. "Come, son. There are things I want to talk about with you…"
Seeing the same red eyes that he saw in the many mirrors of their estate, Cobalt nodded and obeyed his father's request. Climbing onto his father's crossed left leg, Cobalt takes a seat placing his legs inside the space of his father's leg. Resting his head on his father's chest, Cobalt looked out into space. They sat in silence for a moment before Arosuke gently stroked his son's hair.
"I have notice that you have quite an interest, my son." he said while continuing to gently brush the top of his son's hair.
"What do you mean, papa?" Cobalt asked, unsure what his father meant.
"Lately you've been showing different behaviors from when you were just a mere infant is what I mean. You're growing up quite fast. See? You're getting pretty heavy for my leg now." Arosuke smiled with a short laugh afterwards; Cobalt smiled, always enjoying when his father smiled. Cobalt loved his mother overwhelmingly as any son should, but his relationship with his father also felt unique in a sense. To Cobalt, his father meant more than just a father. He was many things in his eyes, and even seeing the sometimes-crimson daggers in his that he hid behind his calm nature had somewhat provoked the young child's mind, realizing form young that his father had another side to him, one of great power.
"Do you mean gardening, papa? Because I like to help mama and the others whenever I can. Even sensei Hana likes the flowers I pick for her!" the young boy said as he looked up to his father with a mouth-wide smile.
Arosuke laughed, "No, that's not what I meant." he said with a smiling face.
"Do you mean food? I like the sweet desserts that mama helps make with the others."
"N-no…although your mother is quite the baker."
"Hm? Then what do you mean papa?" the boy asked, genuinely confused by what his father's words meant.
Arosuke's smile faded once he realized his son still hadn't recognized. "I'm talking about your interest in swordsmanship. I've seen glimpses of you wielding my katana…"
Cobalt's face reddened, eyes widening even more, his mouth open but no words to come out. The young boy was stunned to silence, unable to answer to the sharp crimson eyes that stared at him coldly for moment. Arosuke closes his eyes and then returns to the gently gaze he had beforehand. Giving a sigh and smiling afterwards he continues to play with his son's hair, "I knew you would be a special one from the moment you were born. You progressed faster than anybody imagined, and here you are already wanting to wield a blade…"-Cobalt stayed silent- "Son, I recall having told you the story of the family treasure. Could that have possibly sparked your interest in swordsmanship?" he said closing one and leaning his head to the side as he watched his son for a response.
"Yes, papa." Cobalt said in a shameful tone, feeling terrible for doing something behind his father's back.
"What...in your eyes do you see of me? I want to know."
Cobalt stared at his father, "Strong." He said in a different kind of tone from his childlike one earlier. The light in his red eyes shined brighter as he sent a chill down his father's neck with the response. Cobalt, for just a moment resembled his father in every single aspect; that worried Arosuke, who was hoping his son wouldn't possess the same kind of fire that was currently in its ember stage. "I see. So you were seeking strength…"
"A samurai…" Cobalt muttered continuing to stare at his father, keeping locked on the red eyes that showed his reflection in them like a mirror. "A samurai is a strong warrior who protects his lord. Father, you're known as the strongest of them all and yet you don't have a lord." Cobalt said plainly intensifying his stare; his father felt hypnotized by his son.
Dumbfounded for a moment before catching himself-Arosuke shook his head, "My son, my title runs deeper than you may perceive."
"It does, father?"
Arosuke nodded, "My lord is your mother...and you. My priority is taking care of my family and making sure that life is comfortable and that you are jubilant. My second lord is the entire land and society I shoulder with my name. As a Tokugawa and leader of this land here in the east, it is my duty to also protect the land, its people, and its traditional values."
"That's why you're the strongest samurai in the world?"
He nodded again, "It extends more beyond that, but yes. I am the strongest samurai in the world. I am also one the strongest swordsman in the world as well."
"So then, papa. Can you teach me the ways of the sword?"
"No."
"I understand…"
"No, it isn't that I don't want to teach you. I can't teach you."
"How come, papa?"
Releasing his white aura from earlier, he showcased the same barrier of white light that emitted around him; Cobalt's expression didn't change as though he was quite aware of the power. Arosuke looked at his son in his ultimate seishun power state, the legendary white power that could only be obtained from having the purest of hearts, or the mastery of the toughest of disciplines. "Seishun Powa. It is a type of art that anyone in combat should have should they look to become a serious fighter. What you are seeing is a form that I have acquired through the reconstruction of my mind, body, and soul. Cleansing myself of all dark desires, this form was acquired."
"Seishun Powa?"
He nodded, "It is incredibly powerful and a dangerous art that I am not qualified to teach. As a fellow swordsman, teaching you could hold consequences. In fact, part of the reason why I called you here is because I can sense it beginning to emerge from you. Already you are beginning to develop your own ability of seishun powa."
Cobalt looked at his hands, mesmerized by his father's bold statement. Was it true? Wondering this, he tried to force out the form but to no result. His father's eyes dulled watching his son try to pull off the impossible. "Don't strain yourself. Still young, your body isn't ready."
"But father...I want to be strong like you."
"A man's strength isn't measured by his muscle, nor is it his training. It is the man's determination, his resiliency, his heart. Show your motivation, continue your discipline, and stay resilient in the face of adversity. Then one day you will find the strength you are seeking..."
Hearing that last sentence echo in his mind, he returns from the memory. In front of the gate to the home of Sensei Hanazami, Cobalt makes his presence known as he is greeted by the old man. Without any hesitation, the old man lets Cobalt in and leads him to where his teacher is. Passing through some gardens, Cobalt observes the lovely mixtures of plants and the small river, enjoying the grass tickling his exposed ankles.
"Good Ao, I must express that I am pleased to see you return once more." The old man said with life in his tone. "Master Hanazami has been much different ever since you came back the first time. I believe a massive weight had been lifted off her shoulders once she knew you were safe and sound."
Cobalt smirked and tilted his head, "I am gratified, but I believe it is I who should be most pleased to see you. You appear to be in great health, and that is wonderful."
Exchanging small talk on the way to the main building that served as the residence for Hanazami and her wife, the duo marches up a couple steps of wooden stairs. Passing through the entrance of the home, the old man moved a sliding door. Calling out to his master, he took off his sandals and entered one room. Cobalt took off his sandals and decided to make himself at home by sitting over by a table with a tea set. Observing the porcelain object, he inspected the carvings and paintings of each cup and the kettle. Hearing the lightest of footsteps, his ears twitched. The person coming wasn't his teacher but…!
"Ao-kun~!" A woman's voice sang as she came from another room, before Cobalt could react he found himself buried deep in her chest suffocating from the weight. "I haven't seen you in forever! My, have you grown since then!" She said in a jubilant tone, hugging the boy tighter, Cobalt tapped her arms signaling his defeat. Any longer he stayed, and he might start losing blood. Letting go of him with a beaming smile she got back to her feet and towered over him. Dressed in revealing pajamas with a purple tank top that barely contained her bust and very short pink shorts that showed the shiny glow of her legs and thick thighs, her outfit did well in showing off her incredible figure and also did very well in putting Cobalt in an uncomfortable feeling as he struggled to keep his composure, still sensitive from his night with Tangie. The woman laughed, fixing her glasses. Her pink curly locks of hair bounced the same way her breasts did, and he smile was as bright as the sun's reflection in her glasses.
"M-M-M-M-Madam Reina!" Cobalt blushed furiously closing his eyes, having to turn his body another way and cool off, feeling the heat and scent from her cover him and his airwaves.
"Ohohoho~! You remember me after all, Ao-kun!" she said with a wink, sticking out her tongue.
"It'd be hard not to forget someone as unique as you, Madam Reina…" Cobalt blushed feeling himself calming down, composure in his voice as he breathed in fresh air.
Reina laughed, "Speaking of things that are hard…" Reina smirked while lowering her eyes at Cobalt, slowly crawling over towards him like a predator about to devour their prey; Cobalt scooted back each time she came closer, but the sight of a mature woman licking her lips seductively with an inescapable gaze reminded him well that he was still just a boy, he wasn't ready to handle the responsibilities that came with adulthood.
"..."
A giggle is heard from the other room while Cobalt pleas with Reina to stop her actions before it gets too far. The old man was pouring tea, listening to the entire fiasco-laughing to himself and remembering his days of youth when he was in shoes like cobalt back on the playgrounds. Cobalt makes one final plea before suddenly being hushed...
"Reina, did you see who Matsuamo-san said was here…"-looking up, she saw Cobalt lying on the wooden floor with her wife, Reina on top of him, Reina's fingers were over Cobalt's lips. With a stone face and cold stare, she turned around walking back into her room. Coming out a moment later, she saw both sitting obediently with both of their heads lowered. "I figured that if Reina was this energetic after spending the entire day in bed that she must've detected someone important. I should've known it was you, Ao." Hanazami said while sitting across from them. Reina was Hanazami's wife, a noble woman who chose to live a quiet life after the war with her beloved. Although their relationship was stable, Reina happened to have some strange tastes, which all seemed to link back to Cobalt's presence…
"I didn't get the chance to be this way last time since I was exhausted when you came with that friend of yours." she said in a hopeless tone.
"Ah that's right! Madam Reina you work a very taxing job, yes?" Cobalt said hoping to escape the petrifying situation he was in just a moment ago.
"Mhm. I'm one of the council members that watches over the town. It can be tiring having to do so much work, but very reassuring that the town can always be safe." she added nodding her head. "Buuuut…"-swiftly yet gently, she places one hand on his lap and the other right under his chin, "You haven't been doing any impure things, have you Ao? I can tell by your body language that you aren't the same innocent child I remember." she said in a seductive tone, her eyes and lips hungry to devour him as she raised her chin, grinning faintly as she enjoyed his confused reaction. From his youth, Reina always treated Cobalt differently to most people. Whenever he came around, she always did things like this and teased him. Although she claimed one time that it's to make him feel more comfortable around women, Hanazami knows well it just so happens that her tastes swing that way "because she felt a great man would be made out of him one day" when he became older and wanted to have the first taste of the spoils before he got tainted. "You're almost ripe for picking, my sweet Ao-kun~!"
"U-uh…" taking a huge gulp, the red-faced Cobalt felt her warm hand slowly work its way up his leg before…
"Reina, please bear in mind that his mother is also here. Have some respect and cut it out."
Reina stopped, nearly reaching her goal with one hand, ready to play. Lowering her head and closing her eyes, she backed away with a smirk. "Fine, fine. You don't need to remind me why I married you, Hana." she said taking her attention away from Cobalt; Cobalt breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that if anyone devoured him before Tangie, he'd be a dead man when he saw her. Reina opened one, her yellow iris on Cobalt, motioning from up to down. Licking her lips, she whispered loud enough for him to hear but Hanazami to not hear. "One of these days, I'm going to melt you for all the years you enticed me with your potential, Ao-kun. I'll show you the pleasure of older women~!"
"B-beh!?" Cobalt baffled, his face reddening as he turned his gaze forward to his teacher.
Hanazami sighed, "My apologies Ao, she's more worked up than usual."
"I-it's fine...I know Reina is only playing." Cobalt shivered, feeling the blood rush through his body after going pale from the anxiety of what that woman was intending to do in front of her wife.
"So, you think…" Reina whispered with a lecherous glint in her eye, a sense of hunger still present.
Time passes by at Hanazami's residence, Reina got dressed in some casual clothing wearing a lavender colored short sleeved shirt with floral designs and a lime green dress. Hanazami also dressed in casual clothing wearing long sleeved grey sweatshirt with a white design and some black sweatpants. Although they were traditional, they kept up with the trends of the modern youth. Cobalt awaits them in the garden, following them on the route to where his mother, Simone, was resting. Cobalt had various reasons for returning to Meiju, but his biggest was to see his mother before the selection arc since he was unsure if he would ever get the chance to afterwards…
"This is quite a bit of a walk, Hanazami-sensei..." Cobalt commented as they pass through the scenic garden; Hanazami looks back at him with a long stare before returning her attention forward.
"This distance was so that your mother could have the privacy to rehabilitate in peace without any interruptions and whatnot." Reina answered, understanding Cobalt's curiosity.
Afterwards, they arrived at a relatively large building that seemed to be the place where his mother was staying, located in the heart of the estate. Taking off his slippers, her the moved the curtain right after Hanazami entered with Reina right behind them. The room was dimly lit by candles with a relaxing scent in the room, it smelled like a fruit, or was it a flower? Either way, Cobalt felt his nerves calm the moment he stepped inside. Looking around at the many red pillows on the floor, he slowly turned his sights to the woman laying on a mat wrapped up in blankets sleeping face up, her head slightly tilted to the left. His eyes widened as he observed her features: clashing of white and blue hair from the roots of the head to the ends, a paler complexion than what he remembered, and a peaceful expression that must've meant she was sleeping. Cobalt froze with trembling eyes before his knees began to buckle. Falling to the floor, he casts his gaze on the wooden floor, unable to lift his head and see his mother's sleeping face. The pain she had to endure in the war, losing her husband. None of these things he could figure out or predict if she'd experience it based on how peaceful she was asleep.
"On your feet, Ao." Hanazami said in a sharp tone, not wanting to see any weakness in her former student. She didn't train him to be this emotional, but she was aware that he was only a child. A child seeing their mother in pain was an unbearable feeling, that much she could sympathize with. Cobalt obeyed and quickly rose to his feet with a nod, his face twitching as he forced back tears after having a glance at his sleeping mother.
Coming closer to his sleeping mother, he drops next her on his knees to rest on one of the red pillows. Staring at his unawake mother, drops of tears stain his cargo pants as he began to crack up in his voice. Making an unbecoming face of a warrior, Cobalt cried as he clenched his fists. "Mama...I'm sorry." he said lowering his head with a bow. If his mother ever knew he was about to compete in a competition where is life was on the line, she'd probably be broken. He continued to snivel, wiping away tears as new tears form when he heard a groaning voice from the sleeping beauty. Perplexed, he turned to his teacher and her wife for an answer. Hanazami had been keeping her gaze on her student.
"She's been recovering well over the last few weeks. I didn't want to tell you when she initially got here because she was in a much worse condition beforehand." Hanazami said in a straight tone.
"She's been asleep this entire time." Reina added.
Bewildered, Cobalt couldn't react. His mother had been sleeping ever since? Just how bad was the war? The war ended years ago, so she shouldn't have been this beaten up for her rest to take that long, at least that's what he initially thought. But it didn't matter to him either way, seeing her in one piece was all that mattered. Looking at his mother, he saw her begin to make slight adjustments with her head, turning slightly to the right and facing directly up. Cobalt froze, amazed to see his mother showing more activity when…
"Ao…?" she groaned as she turned her head in his direction, her eyes still closed. Cobalt felt his heart sank, was she talking in her sleep? Or had she awakened? Either way, the fear in his mind became a reality now that he knew his presence might be a terrible thing. If she had awakened, he'd have to tell her of his participation in the family selection. He'd have to break her spirit immediately after waking up, the horror of what might happen afterwards haunting his mind. Cobalt sighed and closed his eyes. Rising to his feet, he decided to leave immediately and spare his mother of any worry.
"Thank you, Hanazami-sensei...Madam Reina. Thank you for allowing me to see my mother again." He said giving a deep bow of respect; both women showed different responses with Reina smiling warmly while Hanazami kept her usual aloof face.
Leaving the room, they followed him-deciding to let Simone get more rest. As they left however, the mother slowly opened her eyes. Fully awake, she called his name under her breath. "Ao...that was...Ao." Awakening thanks to her motherly instincts, she sensed her son's presence, and he was getting farther and farther away the more she came to realization. Her voice was nearly gone, her body sore all around. Sitting up, she felt a sharp pain in the back of her neck that immediately made her lay back down. She felt trapped among all returning feelings. No doubt, she heard her son's cry. She felt his pain. But what troubled her, was his words. "I'm sorry…"
Time had elapsed since then with the trio having tea in the patio surrounded by the garden. The white noise of birds chirping, and the running river were soothing to the ears the same way the honey tea was soothing for the mouth. Cobalt was explaining everything to them: his deal he made with his uncle, the reason why-in saving Azule's life, and a third goal…in which the couple's response was genuine surprise. Taking a sip of tea, it was now the turn of his teacher and her wife to give their input on his decision.
"I see you mind is clouded with plenty, Ao. I won't tell you to not participate, for I see the resolve in your eyes resembles your father's will. I have the utmost faith in your skill and discipline to win the competition." Hanazami encouraged with a tiny smile appearing. Although she had not sparred with her student in the longest of times, she could sense that more and more he was becoming like his father. A dragon waiting to roar at sunrise and show his true strength to his foes, Hanazami knew that Cobalt was nearing his potential that he exuberated as a child.
"I'm a little concerned…" Reina voiced after taking a sip of her tea. "This competition is going to be broadcasted to all of the eastern land and parts of the west. This is a major tournament between the strongest in the Tokugawa family. And now you're saying that even more candidates will be competing? Doesn't the selection usually decide the heir of the household?"
Cobalt was about to answer when Hanazami interjected, "The Tokugawa family is the most powerful and influential family in the eastern world. They are so powerful that not any other family of martial artists, ninja, or samurai dare to combat them. Their power is absolute. The winner of the selection usually becomes the heir to the family throne, becoming the head of the family and dictating the power and future of the eastern land and its tradition. That feeling of power also stems from fear, for the Tokugawa family are not afraid to lose one of their own. In the selection, the children of the previous head compete to take their throne when either the head has stepped down of died. Only one can hold that seat. Anyone competing in the selection must die at the end to pay for their price for competing against the new head."-turning her attention to Cobalt to remind him of what he'll be facing, she narrows her eyes- "Arosuke, Ao's father was the previous selection winner. He did the unprecedented by not killing his opponent as punishment, that opponent was none other than his brother, Ao's uncle."
"Uncle…"
"From that point onward, Arosuke looked to make great changes, and that he did. He helped modernize the eastern land in retaining their traditional values while at the same time encouraging change and modernizing with our fellow city kin. Now that he is gone...I fear for what becomes of the east…"
"That...along with other reasons are why I must go. My Father's will must carry on. My Bushido is to protect the people and land that I know my father would've done without hesitation. The same way my father protected me and mother, I must carry his burden. Whether it means life, or death. This is for honor. For the future."
"Shut up." Reina said plainly, clenching her fist. A moment of silence passes, stunned reactions from Cobalt and Hanazami. Neither of them thought Reina's voice could ever reach such a harsh tone. "Don't go talking about dying on me, child. You're still young. You have a life to live that extends beyond violence and your name and tradition. A child shouldn't go to do an adult's task before thinking like one. For honor? Understand that you're still wet behind the ears, so don't go talking all big when your knees are shaking with fear." Reina said roughly as she dissected Cobalt's state of mind. She knew the boy better than Hanazami, understanding that the false bravado in his tone was nothing more than the fear of a child who was scared for what the future entailed. "It's fine to be afraid of the unknown, Ao. You don't need to grow up so fast. Live in the moment and enjoy the life you're living, because it can be taken away from you at any moment."
"Reina…?" Hanazami muttered in slight surprise to Reina's mixture of harsh comments and heartfelt advice; she wasn't holding back any punches on the boy and was giving him a solid lesson on life.
"If you're going into this competition, then the attitude needs to be adjusted. That doesn't mean to abandon the feelings that make you who you are, but that means to use those feelings as motivation to be able to experience them again. That's the beauty of life." she said firmly with her glare on Cobalt. She wanted no part in hearing his reasons and self-doubt. "If you're thinking of failure, then the result will be exactly what you thought. Don't accept failure under any circumstances, and trust the strength blessed to you. You have the tools capable to produce remarkable things."
Cobalt leaned forward still finding some doubt, "But this competition..."
"You have people you love and care about, don't you?"
Letting her question sink in, chills started creeping down his spine as the thoughts of his many friends he'd made entered his mind, the smiling faces of Squidcom, his dearly beloved Tangie and her citrus personality, his sleeping mother whom he hadn't seen in ages. He realized that death can't be the only outcome left for him in battle, and instead there was a place he had to come back to, people he needed to see yet again. If he had breath in his body, he could still do something. Defaulting towards death meant to be as good as dead. Shaking his head rapidly to destroy those thoughts, he looked up to Reina, who still wasn't done.
"Remember, that as long as you have a goal you want to reach, giving up isn't an option. Failures can be learned from or even avoided, and they come in many forms, so be vigilant. Life is a never-ending lesson, and we're all students."
Absorbing her wisdom, he gave a deep bow of gratitude. The trio sitting together shared tea for what would seem like a moment filled with heavy nostalgia. The young son of their close ally who left him in their care to grow as a samurai was now giving his final goodbye before he'd embark on his journey to reclaim the fallen honor he'd lost. Unlike before when he arrived with seemingly meekness regarding his future, his outlook changed. He knew he wasn't going to lose, he knew he wasn't going to falter, he knew that the ultimate goal would be achieved in one way or another. Departing shortly after, Cobalt left with more gifts than he'd imagined, having received a specially crafted wooden blade that was gift from the entire village who wanted to thank Cobalt for his return as well as tons of new gear and outfits.
At that same time in Inkopolis, Azule was walking home after doing a solo run in salmon run when he felt a jolt of electricity shoot down his spine. Feeling his instincts become keen, he knew he couldn't stay there for long, sensing a familiar vehicle approaching him from out the corner of his eye. Without any time to look back, he sprints away as fast as he could. High stepping and turning the corner he changes his running form to that of a professional, tightening his calves and changing his mode of breathing. Sweat blowing off his face from his pace, he turns another corner; the car tires scream in excitement as the blue car drifts around the corner chasing after the cool blue Azule. Feeling the distance close between them, Azule felt his life slip away from his grasp as he heard the car glass window roll down behind him.
"Azule~!" A girl's familiar voice sang in a sadistic manner from behind, her short sky-blue hair fluttering in the wind.
"I'm sorry big sister!" Azule cried with a mixture of fatigue and fear from his elder sister catching up to him.
Pulling up next to him, she accelerates and then cuts off his path to block him. Azule freezes and falls to the floor, his legs wobbling in fear as he submits to the predator before him. Sky steps out the car, a demonic aura emitting from her as she sneers at him with a devilish smile as though the demon was on her shoulder. Eyes closed, and head tilted, she laughs sadistically.
"Fufufufufufufufu..." she laughed as her shoulders jumped up and down. Dressed in a red jacket, white tank top, grey jeans, green shoes, and wearing a leather choker, she slowly makes her way to her cowering little brother who was already saying his prayers with his hands clasped together.
"I'm sorry big sister! Please have mercyyyyyyy!" Azule bowed heavily, slamming his head onto the sidewalk. As Sky towered over him, he kept his head lowered-body shivering in fear. Sky drops her right foot on his head, enjoying every second of his apology.
"More." she said demonically, her face darkening with dangerous intentions for the boy.
"I'll do better next time, promise." he squealed.
"You know, I was looking for a proper way to punish you…but I think it'll have to wait for when we go home."
"W-what?"
"Because…"
"Y-yes?"
"There's too many people here, and it looks awkward with me stepping on you like this." she said with a blank expression, observing that people passing by were watching the siblings. Indeed it seemed weird seeing Sky's shoe pressed squarely on the back of his head, and after hearing the whispers from people nearby, she helped him up to his feet and told him to get the car.
"Oh...oh no." he said under his breath as the fear became a reality, understanding he was in for a butt kicking when he got home.
Sitting in the car together, Sky didn't say a word to Azule as she kept her eyes on the road. Although Azule hadn't realized it initially, Sky was a big advocate for education. She cared about his education more than anything. And although it seemed harsh that she set standards so high for him, he had to live with it. Taking a huge sigh, he was quickly hushed by a glare from his sister. Swinging into the parking lot of the apartment complex, Azule got out the car first and began walking without Sky, unaware of the distance between them when suddenly…
THWAP!
Sky's feet connect with the back of Azule's head, sending him flying a couple feet from the heavy impact. Sky gave Azule a strong dropkick in return for avoiding her while knowing he failed her. Although she had unconditional love for her little brother, she wouldn't tolerate failure, especially in education. Refusing to even let him get home for his punishment, she already knocked him unconscious with that ferocious kick.
