The flower field. It was a place Nana preferred to the hard and rough wooden floors of the dojo. Her weak lungs took in every fresh breath of the air she could. She gently ran her fingers across the beautiful petals. Frail, just like her. Beautiful and gentle, something she wanted to be. Someone she wanted to be. Just as she thought so, she felt hands cover her eyes, followed by an all too familiar giggle.
"Guess who!"
"Kagu-nee!" Nana said without hesitation, her voice cracking with excitement. She spun around and wrapped her hands around the older girl. Kaguya showed a cheeky smile as she patted her adorable sister, ruffling her hair affectionately.
"Hehehe. Figured you'd be out here again."
Nana let out a small whimper sound. She knew Kaguya wouldn't mean it like that…but it sounded like an admonishment. Just like the elders, looking down coldly at her. The weakest of the siblings, the worst of the heirs. Noticing her turmoil, her shaking body, her older sister hummed playfully before changing the topic with the subtlety of a brick.
"Did you grow new ones?"
Suffice to say, it worked with ease. Nana's eyes sparkled as she clapped her hands together.
"Y-yes! I read that these make a…make a good tea!"
Well, there were more uses to them, but Kaguya was not at the age to understand. Not that Nana was at the age to understand either, but she was just…different in that way. Her talents were just geared towards herbs and the like for some reason. Yet another shameful mark in her existence, and yet another thing that Kaguya didn't bother to judge.
"Hmmm…well, you gotta brew me some." She raised two wooden sticks with a smirk."For now…should we continue where we left off?"
They were nothing compared to the high quality shinai at the dojo. Nevertheless, the two sticks that Kaguya once found in the past, were more worthy as treasures than any proper training weapon. She took her stick in her hand, hugging it to her chest before nodding enthusiastically.
"Hm!"
They quickly made their way to their little 'hideout'. It wasn't much of a hideout, exactly. Just a small clearing where nobody came except them for some reason. Either way, the two girls brandished their 'swords' at each other, with Kaguya puffing her chest up with pride.
"Behold, the blade of justice! O villain before me! There is no shame to be defeated by I, the hero of all!"
A natural actress. Or rather, a natural persona for her to don. Meanwhile Nana was…less talented when it came to their role play.
"H-Have at thee, if-if thou wishes to take the princess f-f-f-from me!"
She blushed furiously, but she pushed on, earning a nod from Kaguya. She couldn't hold back the amusement in her eyes, but she didn't comment on the poor performance.
"Engarde!"
Naturally, Nana lost every time. Befitting of a villain, really. But she didn't mind. She'd never hand over the role of the 'bad girl' to Kaguya. She was, unlike everyone else, bright. Like the full moon in the darkness. Gifted by the heavens with talent, yet free of any malicious arrogance. Always a helping hand, like a guiding star of the sky.
But then…one day…that light disappeared from Nana's life. They hadn't met for a while, as Kaguya was inducted into the tasks of the family. Looking back, Nana knew something was off when they met each time. Kaguya would kept up the smile, the easy going nature…yet there was always something forced about it unlike in the past.
If she had realized it sooner…if she had known earlier…maybe she could've done something about it. But that was just a delusional desire born from desperation. For she was just Nana. Weak, old, Nana.
The one who picked up the role of villain after Kaguya ran away.
With the genius heir gone, the Gojouno clan had to make due with the lesser products. They became even more abusive, more cruel, to hurry, to make up for Kaguya's escape. One by one, Nana lost her family, as she was pushed to the brink. Her desire to survive urged her on to advance her studies on medicine to an unprecedented degree. Her talent was looked down upon, but she did not care.
She needed every edge she could. Fortunately...or unfortunately…it was barely enough, her efforts. That day, when she was brought to the isles. Into the depths of the abyss, the ocean. Where they all performed the ritual on her, to create her into a vessel of the ancestor spirits. The main vessel, to be exact. Nana was mentally prepared, tensing her muscles, taking a deep breath even while tied up in front of that shrine.
Then she saw the thing. It was no miracle of the heavens. No gift of the gods.
It was an abomination…and it pierced through her flesh, to inhabit it. Nana had no idea how she could have remained sane at the agony, the torture she was being put through. Her body convulsed furiously, pulling and tearing at the restraint to no avail. Not to mention the state of her mind, as the spirits purposefully made it a point to make it as painful as possible, to make Nana more submissive to them. If she broke? Oh well.
The spirits were eternal. They could just make more. And yet, despite their callousness, Nana held on, despite her thoughts a complete and utter mess as she screamed her throat hoarse.
Saveherwarnherloveherhatehercondemnher-
Who was her?
Suddenly, a singular thought pierced through the chaotic storm of her mind, as her soul was on the verge of getting lost in the vortex of spirits, of hatred. A voice sounded with curiosity, impressed even. But she didn't notice. Instead, she clung to that one memory. A lost past, a hopeless wish for the future…and yet, an image she reached out for like a lifeline.
The memory of two girls playing with each other, with sticks in their hands. It would never happen again…but what was a mortal, but foolish?
And with such a foolish will surprising even herself, originating from the weakest of the children…A burning desire to live against all odds, to fulfill her last wish…a new vessel was born.
/
The world around her was muted and gray. Not even the light of the torches brought any color into Kaguya's view. It was a miracle she didn't collapse down to her knees yet. Yet she shook her head and tried to push her own despair aside. She sheathed her swords as she saw her sister enter the arena. As if hoping that htis act would make Nana stop advancing. Yet Nana kept moving forward, for some reason her hand on her hilt as she pointed at herself with a snarl.
"That is the curse of our clan, Kaguya-nee! This is what it means to be the heir! A fate you would've gotten, if you didn't throw it back at me!"
Kaguya recoiled at the biting words. It would've been less painful if Kaguya was stabbed with an actual sword. She averted her eyes, keeping a tight grip on her prosthetic that ached, that shivered, that despaired with her.
The most disgusting fact about this entire situation…was that Kaguya felt deep relief in her heart. Relief that she got away before it was too late. Would she have withstood that curse? Would she have given in even easier than others? The idea that her body would be a puppet, to be used against the world, against justice itself…it made her sick. And the thought that she was glad someone else had to be put through…She let out a shivering breath as she looked back at Nana, who came at a stop.
"If it's a curse, we can get rid of them!"
Let her make this right. Please. She begged the heavens with all her soul. There had to be something she could do. Someone in Orario at least, some hidden genius. Fels existed, gods existed, miracles had to exist. Yet Nana slowly shook her head, her lips quivering.
"There is no way out of this. Not anymore. They are too old. Too strong. It's like a taint that will never go away."
"You are free now, aren't you?!" Kaguya screamed, trying to instill hope into her sister, into herself. After all, her eyes were normal. Not ringed. Her voice was normal. Kaguya remembered how Nana fought back, saved Kaguya from dying by the spirits' hands. Yet Nana let out an ugly laugh as she lowered her head, slowly shaking it as well.
"Only because I made a simple deal. I'm surprised they granted it to me, my wish... "
"Nana... ? What are you-"
Kaguya felt her words die in her throat when Nana widened her stance, lowering her center of gravity. An all too familiar form faced her, as her hand hovered over her hilt still. The quick draw stance. Nana smiled wryly at Kaguya, who could only take a step back in shock.
"Ready yourself, Kaguya-nee. We finish this. The right way." A low chuckle escaped her. "There can only be one heir."
Something began to crack in her mind. Kaguya snarled as she stomped the ground, with enough power to make it break.
"I don't want the fucking position!" She saw Nana unsheathe her blade ever so slightly. Her own body went into its own quick draw position, despite the unwillingness the mind possessed. "Damn it, just let me save you! Let me save what can be saved from our clan!"
"There is nothing to save. Not anymore. This clan is nothing more than an undying tumor of existence." Nana closed her eyes, almost remorsefully. "You abandoned me, Kaguya-nee. Everyone. It's way too late for it now."
"I-"
"And that's fine."
The soft words made Kaguya come up short.
"What?"
Nana nodded slowly, smiling gently.
"It's fine. At first, I hated you. Hated the fact you left." She looked up at the ceiling with a regretful breath. "But as I grew up, I realized something... "
She looked back at Kaguya, a determined look in her eyes.
"You aren't responsible for us. You were under no obligation to 'save' us. We had our lives in our own hands. We could've fled to. We could've gathered our courage like you did and fought back. But we never did and that is on us. We never found the strength to live instead of just existing this pitiful life." A small growl escaped Nana's throat. "So stop acting like that. Stop acting like you were our only chance. You live your own life and I live mine."
The Senbonzakura wanted to refute her words. That there had to be something she could've done…but then she remembered Oryou's words, forcing her to face reality once more. She was just a kid at the time. What could she have done back then? But knowing in her mind and knowing in her heart were two different things. It galled her, this weakness, this…acceptance of current affairs. Not only that…if Nana forgave her just like that, undeserving as it was…!
"So why do we have to kill each other?! This is idiotic!"
"Enough talk!"
A shiver went down her spine. Her body and mouth moved on instinct. The two sisters moved as one, performing the very same move.
""Art of the Draw!""
The swords were fully unsheathed with one breath.
""Flash!""
Steel met steel in mid air. To Kaguya's shock, their swords clashed with the same speed and power. But it wasn't that surprising, judging from the snarl that formed in Nana's throat.
"Damn it, is that all you got?!" Nana pushed Kaguya away, before moving the hilt towards her face with rapid speeds. "Fight, damn it!"
Kaguya leapt backwards, only for Nana to chase after her.
"What do you think I'm doing?! You know you can't beat me, drugs or no drugs!"
The swords hit each other a few more times, parrying and slashing alike. Like a flow in a river, it moved without interruption, without jarringness. Under normal circumstances, without the 'blessing' of the ancestor spirits, Nana should've been a level five at best. And yet, here she was equally moving with Kaguya. The explanation was quite simple, as Nana created distance herself this time with narrowed eyes.
"I'm already beating you in will...and technique."
The same position as the start. Kaguya mimicked it herself immediately. Then, as one, they breathed out as their swords were unsheathed.
""Art of the Draw!""
Kaguya pulled her sword.
"Fla-"
Yet Nana did not do the same.
"Calm Crescent Moon."
One sword was drawn. The other was flicked up, spinning in the air, in Kaguya's vision. Her eyes widened as she had to swing blindly, missing empty air because of it.
"Shi-!"
Nana grasped the handle in mid spin and slashed down without hesitation. It was only thanks to her reflexes that she avoided getting her eyeball cut out. Instead, the gash was across her eyebrow instead. The blood seeped into her eye, messing with her depth perception. It was an opening that Nana didn't miss, once more flicking her sword up once more, higher this time.
"Art of the Draw."
Kaguya this time leapt away in time, creating enough distance between them instead of making the same mistake as before.
"Fool me once!"
Alas, Nana was also not the time to do the same thing twice. Instead of grasping the handle, she let the blade fall down, almost letting it touch the ground…before kicking it with all her might.
"Last Summer Rain!"
Like a thrown spear, it flew towards Kaguya's mid section. The woman parried it, with the tip barely touching her skin. Yet with her sword drawn out, she was open for Nana aiming for her legs, almost sliding over the ground with her knees. Swiftly, Kaguya drew her second blade as well, slamming her sword into the ground to block the quick strike.
"Hmph. A crude style, born out of desperation. A second sword will do you no good in this fight," Nana snarled as she back flipped away from Kaguya's second sword, who used the blunt side. Twirling her steel, Nana cracked her neck before raising her katana next to her head, the other hand acting like a guiding rest for the tip of it.
"You were the most talented of us all. But talent or no talent, it doesn't change the fact that unlike you, I have learned all the techniques!"
"Shut it already, you brat!"
"Fine! Art of the Thrust!"
Nana let go of the hilt and instead pressed her finger at the bottom of it. Then, with her other hand as an aiming help, she shot the sword forward, less like a thrust and more like an arrow being set loose.
"Heron Strike!"
Kaguya intended to smack the sword away, yet Nana grasped the handle at the last second, giving it much needed stability. Kaguya swayed to the side, as the thrust barely budged. However, Nana smashed her leg into her side, causing her to gasp for air.
"Now stop insulting me, and fight!" Over and over, Nana slashed at Kaguya, against her dual blades as the latter was on the backfoot once more. "Show me what life you found after escaping this hell! I am your enemy, damn it!"
"You're my sister!"
"And so are they, aren't they?! The ones you choose to replace us with?!"
Kaguya froze. The sword cut into her shoulder, into the flesh just before the prosthetic connected to it. She didn't even flinch as the blood flowed out. Nana's eyes were wide before she barred her teeth with anger.
"I am going to kill your entire Familia when I am done with you! They will suffer because of y-"
A metal hand grasped the sword. The next instance, Nana felt a shiver down her spine. Kaguya's form didn't change whatsoever. Yet for a moment, she thought she was staring at a barely restrained beast, a ghostly veil of crimson aura surrounding her. Nana jumped backwards, just in time, as her front was sliced open by a vicious swing from Kaguya's other sword. The little sister winced, gasping for air as her own blood intermingled with Kaguya's on the ground. Leaning forward, the Senbonzakura's eyes glowed red, with manic bloodlust, with the desire of the Manslayer urging her.
"Don't you touch them... !"
Despite the pain, Nana let out a laugh, grinning wildly.
"That's better!"
It was enough to snap Kaguya out of it. The killer instinct disappeared, replaced by shame and wide eyes. It served to enrage Nana, as her smile was replaced with an ugly look.
"You just had it! Stop holding back!"
"Why do you want us to kill each other?! What's the point?!"
"Because it's all I-Geh…!"
All the outrage that Kaguya felt died when Nana was coughing furiously, enough to spit out blood. She doubled over, grasping her collar as she heaved for air, only to let out more blood. Kaguya wanted to step forward, to comfort and help her, but Nana swung her sword blindly when she tried to take a step forward. Then, the little sister stared at Kaguya.
Noticing her look, Nana let out a dry laugh, blood dripping out of the corners of her mouth. It was then that Kaguya realized what her sister wanted. Truly wanted. It was not to kill her. It was not to prove she was the strongest Gojouno. Such things did not matter to her.
All Nana desired…was to die on her own terms. To perish by the blade of her beloved sister.
She went into a cough fit once more, before she rammed her hand into her clothes. With swiftness, she pulled out a vial filled with pills…and downed them all into her throat. Kaguya's eyes widened at the sheer amount of it…and how it calmed Nana's lungs immediately. Yet she was no fool. While she was no healer either, she did not like the crimson color Nana's skin was taking, as well as the bulging veins. Memories and logic dictated…that Nana was burning her life span just for the sake of a better current performance. With panic, she tried to step forward, to tear the pills out of her somehow.
"Nana, spit those things out, now! They-"
The air was cleaved in half, almost taking off Kaguya's flesh arm. She hissed at the cut across her palm, as she barely managed to pull it back in time. Nana laughed calmly, as calmly as she could with the drugs in her system running rampant.
"-will kill me. I know. After all, I made them myself."
"You…you…!"
Nana shook her head as she rolled her shoulders, getting used to the boosted performance of her body. Acting all too calm at the face of the poison she partook in.
"There is no need to cry. I only had about two years to live before taking these anyway. Maybe I could've stretched it out to five…but that is me being generous…"
Kaguya choked on her own breath. Two years? Five years at best? She knew that Nana was not the most healthy of them all…but that was just too little time. So even if she managed to save Nana, or even never rejected her…she would've only had-
"What did you expect? So many souls in one body…if all they did was talk…I would've been fine," Nana explained in a wistful tone as she shook her head. "Alas. They did not just talk. Would you believe I am one of the longer lasting ones? Haha…if nothing else, that strain on my flesh gave me motivation to find a way to live a bit longer…"
For a moment, Nana hesitated. For a moment, all Kaguya saw was the same girl that cried after a too harsh of a training session. Of a girl that disliked fighting the most of them all. But that moment disappeared all too quickly, as Nana took a deep breath and raised her blade once more with a determined look.
"But no more. The drugs I took just now are all for the sake of fighting you." She let out a laugh as she twirled her sword before holding it in both her hands, its tip pointing at Kaguya. "There is no past for me. No future. I only live in the present right now. Right now... I am strong. Strong enough to threaten you!"
With the last word shouted, she raised her blade before furiously cutting it downwards. Kaguya crossed her blades to catch it, the force behind it forcing her down to one knee. Pushing against each other, with gritted teeth, Kaguya still felt her spirit waver with despair.
"You really are the worst... ! Who would use their own family to commit suicide?!"
Nana's eyes widened for a moment. An opening big enough for Kaguya to throw her sister off herself. Sliding over the ground, Nana rose to her feet once more, smiling weakly.
"A little sister oughta be a little bit selfish." Once more she pointed the tip of her sword at her sister. "Enough talk. Before I perish, I want to know the level of us both!"
Left with no choice at the renewed assault, Kaguya screamed as she parried the next flurry of blows as best as she could. Wracking her brain to find some way out…and failing.