Stay back, go away…

Yasuo wished he could scream that to his brother, to tell him to turn away and go back to their vilalge. There was nothing to find here but a sad end. Yet honor kept him from, even as it cut his heart deeper for each step Yone took in his direction since he first spotted him nearby.

Please, go….

Neither could walk away from that. Fear was too strong, the crushing tension of knowing what was going to happen. From the second Yasuo had broken out of this sad room used as jail in the sword school, he deeply knew it would happen. His brother would come for him and there would be no happy ending for them.

No way to run away. It would be such hypocritical move. All this time taking down anyone that wanted to stop him from finding the culprit, only to flee at the first person that mattered ? It would only convince his brother further. Did he truly believe these lies ?

Standing there, in that end of afternoon, not a single breeze to soothe this suffocating atmosphere. Yasuo could just watch him come closer, frozen on the spot in one these damned valleys that made it so easy to find him. Hand on the hilt of his blade, for he knew this was the only way. No words could get him out of this mess.

Why did he come… ?

His dear brother, coming to slay him. The gods had a sick sense of humor. Step by step distance was closed and fear became slow horror. Probably it showed on his face but as they said, he was never good at hiding his emotions.

No use in arguments, facts and possibles lies. What did they even tell his brother ? That he killed Elder Souma ? There was no proof against and for it, a completely even case. They surely accused him because he was hated by half the community and he was gone at the moment. But could he explain that to Yone ? No doubt he had been fed their lies and now nothing could change it. If Yasuo tried to change his mind it would show he was in the wrong and seeking to escape. He was many things but surely not a coward.

Oh how could he hate so much to see his own brother ? Now they could clearly see each other, face to face. Many things struck Yasuo and none of it was good. Yone looked tired, at least as much as him and there was no happiness in that gaze. Eyes that saw too much. Neither seemed ready to accept this moment, reluctance so obvious in both their presences.

A lot of bitterness and anger came up, at the limit of breaking free. How could they be pushed to that ? The only family Yasuo ever had and now they tried to took that from him.

The latter came to a stop at respectable distance, silence ruling the area. So heavy silence, it might have been another world.

Go away…

« Yone… » When was the last time he adressed his brother ? It seemed to long ago, Yasuo couldn't remember. Now his voice betrayed the many emotions he had, a bit of despair for this terrible situation.

Yone shook his head no, grief so slightly hinted in his expression. Then his stance moved for a duel, hands on hilt and sheath as he seemed to steele his expression with determination. That was all it took ot break Yasuo's heart.

Honor pushed them both to do it, they couldn't escape. It urged Yone to slay the culprit that fled a murder, it forced Yasuo to take down any obstacle between him and truth. Life was unfair, so much unfair for two brothers that already suffered the worst in this world.

Yasuo did the same, mirroring his brother's stance. Please no… Deeply he knew who would win. It had been a long time since he was able to best his brother and now the outcome of a lethal duel seemed already settled.

A perfect circle, slow moves as they got ready for the end.

Don't…

May justice be swift and impartial.

No no no no….

A reflex. Both ran to cut the other down but only one blade found the way. A single flash of steel, bitting through flesh, and it was done. As simple as that. It hadn't been as easy than against his previous opponents but there was no match. Yasuo heard Yone fall before he could even turn to face him. Barely a gasp.

NO

Justice was served.

As quick he dropped his blade and rushed to join his brother on the ground. It hurt so much and Yasuo couldn't realize yet the extent of his actions. It was over, both knew it. No way to recover of such a wound. He held Yone as he could, already feeling life slipping away when he searched his gaze.

« No no no…Yone, please… » How could he do that ? Blood poured freely, along his first tears for witnessing the consequences. It stained his hand when he tried to press and cover the wound, uselessly.

It was too late. Nothing could change this. There was still a sort of struggle, some life in Yone's gaze when he managed to find him. The weakest grasp over Yasuo to keep him close. A few choked breaths, obviously it hurt even to pretend.

« Yasuo… » So familiar voice yet so foreign tone.

Time was running out, blade cutting everything until there was nothing left unhurt. Yasuo only held him closer, clinging to him as he would to life itself. He never meant to hurt family and yet here he was, blood staining his clothes. His brother's blood.

« W-Why… ? Why did you come… ? I never killed Elder Souma…Please forgive me… » It hurt even in his voice, at the limit of breaking between two sobs. Shakily he tried to soothe the harm and it wouldn't work, no matter how much he tried.

« It was…it was a wind technique—that killed him…only you could have done it… » Such effort to speak in the last instants. That same voice that gave hima dvices when they were boys, that defended him when no one else would. That now accused him of the first crime.

« No ! Never ! Please, Yone, I'd never do that… » Tears fell forever, as if it could wash away the raw violence he just committed. Nothing could excuse that.

That gaze told many things, despite the veil of death approaching definitely. It could be trust and acceptance of Yasuo's truth, it could be sadness for this whole mess. Yone seemed about to speak, gathering his last strenghts but nothing came out but a soft exhale and his gaze went still.

« Yone, no… Ahhh… » He shook him gently, as if it would keep life for a bit longer.

No matter his efforts, the spark of life was gone and Yasuo's world crashed down. Ah… Ahhhhhh… His own brother, slayed by his hand just because of honor. Blood stained his hands as he clung to Yone, reality tearing his heart apart.

Between sobs and pleas, pain became too much. Blinding, unbearable. A cry got ripped from him and it couldn't even translate the wreck going on his mind.

Yone was gone. Because of him. For now Yasuo cried his loss and crime. No honor or justice would bring him back.