Indeed, life wasn't really easy. For everyone. Yasuo had no luck from the start, taken as responsible for a matter beyond his own birth. This was the destiny of bastards, blamed for existing.

It didn't start that bad but so to say, it would never leave him alone. Born from a widow already raising a young son, he had literally no use to be there except bringing trouble to this small family. Was it his fault ? No. But nonetheless he was the living proof his mother welcomed a stranger and found comfort before winter. Even desperation for company could be blamed by the other people.

The ones who kept his mother away, heavy stares and hushed judgment.

Difficult to grow up in such environment but he did it. Innocence could protect so much, just like their mother did as she endured the whole blame. Children had no need to know that, she loved them with all her heart. Yasuo and Yone, so different but sharing the same blood.

This small family lived, her two sons oblivious to the tension around them. Until they were old enough and even that was too young to face cruelty. To see parents keeping their child from playing with them. That memory sticked with Yasuo, since he was the most avoided kid of the village.

Adults thought they could say whatever they wanted in front of young children, they wouldn't understand. But even with that, it stayed. At first a feeling of discomfort then emptiness when age gave understanding.

A mistake that couldn't be undone. How could someone say this to a child ? It was unfair, no one should ever be blamed for their parent's crimes or errors. Yet Yasuo was still held responsible for the dishonor of their family, by everyone except Yone and his mother.

Family meant everything, since he had close to no one else to interact with. And it was enough, he was loved, despite whatever the world would say. He wasn't a mistake, she wasn't a disgrace.

The other comfort was his soulmate. No idea who or where they were but he had someone. He and Yone would sometimes wonder who theirs predestined could be. No one from their big village, that was a relief. Yasuo simply wished they would love him, for what he was. Unlike anyone else that took pleasure in reminding him of his 'status'. Someone from elsewhere.

Difficult to spot when one didn't know where to search, his mark stayed inked over his arm. Mere words but it brought bright hope to know that someone out there waited for him, meant to know him truly.

« You idiot, stop talking. »

If the first years he was still a bit upset to be called an idiot by his soulmate upon their meeting, Yasuo changed his mind little by little. Because it was true, as his family pointed out. He could do some dumb things sometimes, all too reckless and he risked much depending on the prank done. Maybe the reason he was hated by half the village but one more wouldn't hurt, they would hate him anyway.

Except this one. His soulmate was supposed to love him. Would they start bad, on a misunderstanding ? Was it fondness instead ? Already ? So many possibilities and Yasuo couldn't imagine for shit.

Maybe his soulmate would be the first to say their words, by accident.

Innerly, he wanted so much to travel a little, see in the other villages of the island if he would run into his soulmate. That would be so dumb of him, exactly how they are supposed to meet.

Although their mother asked him not to leave the village so young, it could be dangerous outside. And knowing their situation, he was unlikely to be helped if he found troubles.

Difficult childhood but not the worst. He still received some love, enough to carry on under the bad comments from everyone else. They weren't even that cruel to Yone, how nice to hold a double standard. Calm, serious Yone, following what he was told and good student. Also because he was a legitimate child, born of love. No, he wasn't the 'bad' one.

Yasuo was, even if it wasn't his fault. To be kept away and laughed at growing up, it pushed him to reply, fight back. So the noisy kid, up to no good since they wouldn't be his friends anyway. Why be nice ? Little by little he gave another reason to be disliked by the whole community, such a pain. Maybe all he wanted was some attention, to be acknowledged for anything except his birth condition. Was it so difficult to understand ? Even himself wasn't aware of this process to cope.

Soon Yone was old enough to go to the sword school. So of course Yasuo craved to be recognized too, to be able to learn the ways of the blade. Making a show of rare determination and stubborness, he stood in front of the school until they would accept him too.

In the end, he won and was given the occasion to prove his worth. What a great day for him. Another step on the way to recognition.

In the steps of his brother, Yasuo became too a good swordman. So much he caught the attention of the Elder Souma, ready to teach the wind techniques to such youngster full of potential. He still had to work on his patience and respect but he could pretend to master what only one managed in this village.

Just like the wind, prompt to be violent but kind in very rare occasions. One that couldn't be tamed.

Who knew ? Maybe in a few years he would be respected as well, at least not to be insulted or laughed at anymore. This was all he craved. Secretly, Yasuo also wanted to clear their mother's honor, by proving he wasn't the mistake they called. He wasn't meant to bring desolation to this village.

So close to his goal, he had so little time to think about his soulmate. Except at night, alone. Reaching for his mark, Yasuo left his thoughts wander a little. A few dreams, about meeting them at last. But he was so bad at imagination, no way to give a face.

It was going to happen, soon enough. Once he was recognized as a warrior and able to travel far from his village.

Sometimes it was better not to wish so hard, for it made everything happen too fast. One day, Noxus invaded and the call for war was heard throughout their lands. Time to fight and defend.

For Yasuo, this was clearly his occasion to prove himself. Yet he couldn't join the other warriors since he was bound by duty to protect Elder Souma. In no way he was to leave the school.

War raged, words of many victims and blood running the valleys like their rivers. It couldn't possibly end soon. Yasuo waited and waited, doing his duty but innerly burning to join the fights. This was what he was made for, honor of protecting these sacred lands and the thrill of the battlefield. Nothing he really knew from before but he could just want to fight too.

Until words ran about an attack in a village not so far. His occasion to seize. Letting his duty and hesitation aside, Yasuo ran to the battlefield, ready for everything.

Little did he know about the turn it would take.