5. Ichhai Tanyan [Blind Man]

"Why are you sending aniki to Konan instead of me? I can fulfil the task just as well. I can do as well as he can." Suboshi shot a jealous glare at his cool, calm older brother, as they both knelt in front of Nakago.

Nakago gave him a sarcastic look. "Suboshi, you are hot-tempered, completely naive, unprepared for a mission such as this, and you ask me why you cannot go? You'll stay here and protect your miko."

"Seiryuu take my miko! I want to go to Konan!"

Amiboshi tugged on his twin's sash. "Calm down and shut up, Shun. You're making a fool of yourself."

"I want to be entrusted with something! I'm not stupid, and I have every right! You both treat me like a child! I'm not so much of one that I can't see that!" His purple eyes turned angrily to Nakago. "Bastard! I am not unprepared! I could do this easily!"

The shogun's own eyes were angry now. "Suboshi, you do not speak like that to me. I require some respect from you, if you wish to stay alive and well."

Even the unsubtle threat did not still the star warrior's childish fury, as he lashed out. "And you, aniki, you never defend me! You're *supposed* to! You're my twin! You know I could complete the mission to Konan!"

"Shun, no, you're too young, yet, and this demands experience - "

"I am your twin," he said slowly, as though Amiboshi were a very small child. "I am your exact age. We have the same experience. I am perfectly capable of doing anything you can do."

He did not see the tears in his brother's eyes as he spoke, but Nakago did.

"Suboshi, if you're really so eager, perhaps you should go to Konan," the older man murmured lazily. "It would be indeed interesting to see if you even made it there."

Suboshi blazed. "I *could*!! I will! Let me go!"

"Very well, I shall."

Suboshi also did not see the amused cruelty behind the slow smile.

Owari ~ End