A/N: OMG, IT'S FINALLY HERE!
Let me just say that this chapter was HARD to write. I mean, I haven't struggled so much with writing something since... Well, I can't remember, but it was that complicated! *cries*
I'm so glad it's over with, damn. I'm so nervous about how it turned out. My brain feels like scrambled eggs.
Anyway, this is one of those chapters that's a necessary evil, but I still hope you guys like it!
Not betaed. Forgive the horrible typos you may find.
From Which We'll Rise
Part XXXIII: Endō Kamui VI
The two days preceding the attack were spent mostly at home with the Endō family, filled with peaceful moments despite the apprehension about what was to come.
Sasuke tried to enjoy those days and not overthink. He also did not put any pressure on Kamui. They would never speak about their upcoming task as soon as they finished strategizing, choosing to focus on the kids and spend time together with them as normal families do.
Sasuke didn't mind. The hecticness of being with everyone and cooking and cleaning for them took his mind off things, and he enjoyed the carefreeness that came with playing with the kids and Kamui. It was nice seeing how happy, smart, and lively those children were despite being so isolated, and yet they were devoid of fear or worry, completely trusting in Kamui's ability to keep them safe and fed.
The suffocating weight of Kamui's responsibility clawed at Sasuke's heart, and the persistent thought that he had to do something about it didn't leave him. He couldn't bear to not know what would become of those children, Oi and Yui.
Sasuke had some ideas, but he wasn't sure they would be accepted; there wasn't much that he could offer. Regardless, at least he could say that he tried if Kamui had no idea what to do.
Sasuke was still feeling hesitant about it, though, because it was, admittedly, a little crazy. They all deserved a good home and a place where they could develop themselves and have proper living conditions, which, in a way, Sasuke could not promise, so Kamui, with all the good things he wanted for his family, would probably reject it.
Not to mention that Sasuke didn't know how he felt about the prospect of not parting ways with them. Rather, he knew how he felt but wasn't exactly sure how to deal with it.
His stupid attachments made everything harder.
However, with this idea in mind, he found that he could be a little like Kamui and wait to see the outcome before doing anything else.
This chaotic yet happy period was enjoyable, so he would not allow himself to ruin it by agonizing over his emotions, the fear of rejection, or the anxiety over someone else's future.
The two men had more important things to focus on, and Sasuke was having a good time appreciating how absurdly simple and humble life could be and how nice things had gotten between him and Kamui despite all that had happened and all that still transpired between them.
Their mutual understanding was quiet and had gotten heavier, yet it felt good. There was no denying that they were getting closer without much effort, and the simple familiarity was overwhelming because it came with a strong desire for things they didn't have but had gotten used to.
The fact was more frustrating than Sasuke cared to admit because these complicated feelings were not something he needed.
They had gone over the plan of the compound's attack back and forth several times. They had also structured everything to perfection, considering the many unpredictable outcomes that they could face. There was no room for error, and failure was not an option in Sasuke's book.
While Sasuke had never wanted to stain his hand with blood for an act of revenge that wasn't his, he knew there was no other way—they couldn't risk setbacks or unwanted delays that could put their lives in jeopardy.
Kamui was adamant that Sasuke didn't kill anyone, but Sasuke ended that idea as soon as it had arisen because everything would be more troublesome and take much longer than necessary, which was out of the question. The quicker they got it over with, the better for everyone involved, so eventually Kamui caved in.
In all truth, Sasuke had decided to kill from the start, and he had made his peace with it. He had no emotional attachment to those men in the compound, and they would all die anyway, so it was irrelevant whether they were killed by him or Kamui.
Either way, he would always be an accomplice, and yet, strangely, Sasuke found himself completely detached from his mission. There was worry in his heart on Kamui's behalf and agitation that came from not knowing what to expect, but his mind was focused on the outcome and nothing else.
Those men had no empathy. They were nothing but vermin, choosing to survive as leeches, unscrupulous lowlifes, and as such, they would have to bear the consequences of their actions. That was all there was to it.
This was something Sasuke knew he had to do. Helping Kamui and setting those children free was something he needed to do no matter what, and if this was the only way, then so be it.
His revenge had not brought him peace, but perhaps Kamui's would. Perhaps it would bring closure for both of them for different reasons, and Sasuke was fine with that.
000
Kamui had gotten Sasuke an outfit similar to the one he used as a spy, with black pants and a black shirt. He had also gotten him a protective dark gray vest and a mask very similar to his, as well as knee and elbow protection.
On the fateful night of the attack, they had dined with Yui, Oi, and the children as if nothing was about to change and waited until everyone was in bed and asleep before heading outside to get dressed and prepare everything.
They would take several weapons with them. Kamui had yet to say a word about what he wanted to do after it was over, but the man said that he would know when the time came, so Sasuke had to trust that he would.
Something inside of him told him what the outcome would be, though. Sasuke knew what he would do if he were standing in Kamui's shoes, but there was no way that he was going to meddle and make that decision for him. All he could do was be there and protect and support him to the best of his abilities.
They got ready in solemn silence, passing each other clothes and weapons. They exchanged a few casual words, and while there was tension in the air, there was a sort of intimate camaraderie that had settled between them that did not allow either to feel truly nervous.
Once they were finished preparing and had everything ready to go, they exchanged a meaningful look that offered each other strength.
"We've got each other's backs, right?" Kamui then said in a whisper as his eyes—that seemed pitch black in the night—freely roamed over Sasuke's features with an inscrutable expression.
"Of course," Sasuke assured him with a firm nod, making sure his katana was firmly strapped to his back.
"No judgment," Kamui pressed on, and while there was nothing in his words to give away his thoughts, his tone sought validation.
Sasuke eyed him back with a frown. "There cannot be judgment between us when we're doing something like this," he said simply.
Kamui pressed his lips together, a flash of several emotions crossing his gaze. "If I ask you something while we're there, will you promise me that you'll do it no matter what?"
At this, the youngest tensed in instant awareness. What was this now, when they had already structured everything to perfection? What could the man possibly want to ask him? It couldn't be good, and he didn't like it one bit. "That depends on what it is, Kamui," he said dryly, with little room for discussion. "I can't promise something if I'm not okay with it."
"Well, I won't tell you because I don't want to make you anxious," Kamui replied, offering him a small, yet empty smile. "But you don't need to worry; I'm not going to do anything crazy or put our lives at risk."
Sasuke merely eyed him warningly. "Kamui…"
"Just trust me, yes?" The man said this, winking at him and elbowing his side lightly. Sasuke rolled his eyes but glanced at him. Kamui's outfit was the same as when they had formally met, yet more elaborate with all the weaponry and black protective gear that hugged his torso and adorned his elbows and knees.
The man was an impressive sight. He looked ready to take on the world by force, like a black demon. Anyone looking at him would be filled with dread and instantly sense the impending danger, and for some reason, it upset Sasuke in ways he couldn't explain.
There was a strong sex appeal in his appearance—more so than when they had met—and yet all Sasuke could think about was how much he loathed it and wished that this was the last time Kamui had to wear something like this.
Perhaps because this was such a strong contrast to the man he now knew, who was capable of so much kindness and love and of smiles that should never be erased for the purpose of drawing blood.
Someone who just wanted peace and a safe environment for his family should not have to go as far as he did to survive.
Swallowing hard, Sasuke kept his thoughts to himself. Pretending to be a lot calmer than he felt, he uttered a decisive "Let's get this over with."
000
The night was strangely hot and stuffy, and because they ran all the way there, Sasuke was already perspiring by the time they reached the compound area. There was a slight breeze in the air, yet the sky was so clear that it was full of the most impressive display of stars Sasuke had ever seen.
How ironic. It was such a beautiful night that he could be enjoying a million more pleasant things other than this.
Sasuke had brought a bag with clean clothes, a big canteen, and some medical items, so they dropped by their usual tree to take one final look at the compound, perched on their favorite branch as they drank some water and chewed on some vitamin balls Sasuke had baked.
Everything seemed quiet as usual.
There were torches lit in the main streets outside, and despite the late hour, men that could barely be considered guards were still patrolling, some on the grounds below, others on the roofs. They all seemed to be pretty chilled in their tasks; some Sasuke would even dare say were inebriated because they conversed loudly, with slurred laughs and profanities echoing in the night.
This was an advantage to Sasuke and Kamui, but the fact remained that there were too many men for just the two of them and that devaluing their abilities did not mean that they didn't have them.
Well, they had been observing them for weeks, and they all seemed pretty useless, but Sasuke always thought that it was better to be safe than sorry.
Despite feeling his heart hammer inside his chest with anticipation, he wasn't exactly nervous. If worse came to happen, he would do whatever he needed to keep him and Kamui alive, and that was a decision he had made several days previously. Nevertheless, he had no idea what to expect from Kamui or what his plans were with regard to his uncle. The man had revealed nothing, just saying, 'you don't need to concern yourself with that'.
Their plan involved burning the plantation fields as a distraction to lure as many men out of the houses as possible and annihilate them. Hopefully, with a good number of men taken care of, they could infiltrate the inside of the main house in search of Kamui's uncle and also concentrate on the retrieval of the scrolls Sasuke was promised.
After the two did this, Sasuke had no idea what Kamui's plans were other than to make it out of the property alive without a single man breathing.
They had no way of knowing if things would go downhill at some point, so they had talked all the alternatives through over and over again.
Sasuke wasn't scared, but he did fear that Kamui might lose track of his goals. They knew each other, but not when it came to this. In a twisted way, he was hoping Kamui could switch on whatever heartless button he had gained with his assassination missions so he could keep a cool head throughout the process.
Still, the fact that Kamui had taken it upon himself to dispose of the bodies alone didn't make Sasuke feel at ease. How was he going to get rid of all of the corpses? Was he just going to burn them, just like it had been done to his clan? Was he going to bury them? Probably more than a hundred men? It made Sasuke feel sick just thinking about it.
There was no way he was letting Kamui be alone in this. Sasuke had already given his word, so they were in this together no matter what.
Perfectly ready, Sasuke left his bag on the branch to pick it up later, secured his satchel to his body, and he and Kamui both jumped from the tree to the ground.
Kamui seemed eerily calm as he slid his mask over his face before nodding at him.
His katana securely tightened to his back, Sasuke turned on his sharingan before he, too, lowered his mask and nodded back. Without another word, together they furtively ran towards the farthest end of the compound, where the large plantation fields were. There was a spot no one ever patrolled, so they silently climbed the walls around the compound, and it was as easy as they had expected. They had, of course, chosen the spot farthest away from the main house and its respective connected houses, very close to the plantation fields. Since they had already detected that there were no seals or traps protecting the land and the men only patrolled that area every four hours or so (when they did), that part was a piece of cake.
Once inside, Sasuke felt a little more at ease and mentally checked the first stage of their plan off the list. If they were able to do those steps cleanly, they would be fine.
They silently made their way to the large fields, where long paths of vegetable plantations and trees could be found. It was very dark, and no source of lighting other than the moon could be seen, even if there were lit torches near the houses.
Sasuke knew it would all catch fire rather quickly since it was breezy, the air was dry, and the night was warm. It made him ache that so much food would be wasted, but there was no other way; they had no means to salvage it.
Lifting his mask back up slightly, he performed a few easy seals and brought two fingers in front of his parted lips before a massive stream of fire hit the nearest tree, engulfing it completely. He ran around for a bit, setting fire to as many other trees as he could, also burning soil and food, and doing as much damage in a short time as he could.
Once about half the field was set ablaze, Sasuke moved to Kamui's side and put his mask back on. He heard yelling in the distance and the sound of metal clanking—the armored guards.
"Fire! There's a fire in the fields!"
"Get water!"
"Intruders!"
"Go search the premises; find whoever was responsible for this!"
"Call Dazai-sama!"
Sasuke turned his head to Kamui and saw that the other was staring at him intensely. He wanted to say something, but the man just nodded and fished out two sharp kunai from the pouches on his waist. Sasuke slowly drew his katana.
The fire was spreading, so they wouldn't be able to linger. It didn't take long for a group of about twenty armored men to show up, running towards the fields, and they quickly spotted the two of them since they were on full display—the perfect bait to get what they wanted.
Sasuke heard the soldiers screaming in anger and making their way toward them with weapons of all kinds in hand. Assuming a fighting stance, he rolled his neck before making good use of Kamui's jutsu to project himself at them at top speed. The adrenaline was such that he wasn't even aware of the usual pain.
From the crackling noise he could hear, Kamui had done the same.
Together, they lashed at the armored men easily, following their plan to perfection. As expected, the men were mostly inebriated and clumsy, and while these men did know martial arts and had a way with the weapons they wielded, they were miles away from Sasuke's and Kamui's skill or ability.
Sasuke didn't want to draw blood, but he soon realized that slicing throats was the easiest and quickest way to get rid of them, albeit dirty. Blood spilled out in every direction as he attacked one man after the other, and it got on his mask, clothes, and hand. The men's armor and their helmets were thick and didn't allow much room for stabbing, but Sasuke still tried to find an alternative, but it was useless. He could always cut their legs and then stab them in the face, but again, it would be a waste of time and unnecessarily troublesome.
It was already challenging as it was, and with each man he killed, Sasuke forced the bile back down his throat and his emotions further deeper into his heart until it became a steady routine.
One, two, three...
Ten... cut, kick, and move on.
It was a question of discipline, and he quickly found a mantra that made it all seem like a tedious task until there was a point when he had stopped thinking altogether.
Don't think, just do.
It worked.
Kamui seemed to have followed his train of thought because he was mercilessly going at the men. Sasuke had glimpsed at him to make sure he was alright.
His friend was efficient and ruthless, his face safely hidden behind the mask. The man was fast, had a strong grip on his kunai, and was able to do some impressive movements to evade attacks.
He was mesmerizing.
Sasuke was so busy watching Kamui move around the soldiers that he almost didn't notice the ones that were coming from the other side, but he was brought back to reality when a soldier appeared behind Kamui with a spear in hand, about to attack him.
Not wanting to let him die, Sasuke quickly lifted his mask and performed a quick jutsu to shoot a fireball at the man and make him fall unconscious before clenching his teeth on the blade of his katana and throwing a kunai at another man who was about to strike Kamui.
Kamui stopped and turned his head to look at him, his eyes cold and his chest rising and falling quickly. He nodded his gratitude and quickly regained his composure, turning his attention back to the remaining men.
Sasuke grabbed the handle of his katana and spat out the unknown blood from the blade that had gotten in his mouth. He only had time for a quick breath before three men launched at him.
The fields were illuminated by the flickering flames, casting eerie shadows and dancing reflections across the chaos that unfolded. The scent of smoke and burning vegetation filled the air, mixing with the metallic tang of blood. With each swift movement, Sasuke and Kamui moved through the skirmish, their weapons cutting through the night and their enemies. It was getting harder to move as more bodies piled up at their feet, but they had found a good dynamic that didn't allow them to get in each other's way.
Despite the intensity of the fight, a strange harmony formed between them as they fought side by side. It was as if they had become extensions of each other's movements, anticipating each other's actions, and protecting each other whenever necessary. The sounds of clashing metal, grunts of effort, and occasional shouts of pain and fury composed a macabre symphony that resonated with their shared determination.
Sasuke found some grounding and solace in Kamui's dependable fighting style. Each movement carried a calculated precision, a lethal dance that seemed almost detached from the chaos around them, and it was both chilling and captivating.
As Sasuke deftly dispatched his opponents, he couldn't help but steal glances at the man, his sharingan observing every intricate detail of him.
Sasuke had witnessed countless battles and fought alongside formidable allies, but there was something uniquely mesmerizing about Kamui's approach. It wasn't just the skillful execution of techniques, but the way Kamui seemed to navigate the mess with a strong sense of purpose.
Breathless, Sasuke's fascination was tinged with a mixture of awe and unease. Behind the façade of detached efficiency, there was a deeper struggle—an internal conflict that mirrored Sasuke's own journey.
As the last of the armored men fell, the crackling of the flames seemed to have gotten louder. They could hear more sounds of an alert coming from the compound as men yelled while they hurriedly prepared to face the assailants.
Sasuke and Kamui stood amidst the fallen bodies, their masks smeared with blood. Sasuke could smell it and feel the sweat dripping down his face and body, but his mind felt oddly clear yet distant as if he were in a dream and none of this was real.
The air had become hotter—suffocatingly so. At least this part was over, he thought, taking a moment to take in a few hearty gasps of air while he could.
Sasuke could feel the intensity radiating from Kamui. He was emotionlessly still despite breathing hard, and his composure was frighteningly rigid.
They locked eyes for a moment, a silent exchange that carried a world of unspoken understanding. Despite the carnage around them, they both knew that this was only the beginning.
Wordlessly, Kamui turned away from the dead bodies and took a step forward, his kunai gleaming in the firelight. Sasuke followed suit as he scanned their surroundings. The compound was on high alert now, the chaos of the burning fields and the fight drawing attention to their presence.
"We should move." Kamui's voice was low and decisive. "Let's find the scrolls and take care of Dazai."
Sasuke nodded, his mind focused on the next phase of their plan.
Keep moving.
As they sprinted through the plantation fields, adrenaline kept pumping in Sasuke's veins, the residue of the battle still coursing through him. His stomach was in knots, but his resolve was unshakable, and he would not allow himself to falter.
The fire behind them and the distant glow of torches illuminated the path ahead, marking the outskirts of the compound. Sasuke's senses were on high alert, and as they approached the compound houses, the tension only deepened. Despite knowing Sasuke had studied the compound well, Kamui still led the way, his quick steps nimble like a dark, huge feline.
Suddenly, the night erupted with louder shouts just as they were reaching the houses, intent on hiding themselves and sneaking inside. However, several men had emerged, some from the shadows, others exiting the smaller houses, surrounding them in a supposedly clever ambush. In the blink of an eye, the situation had escalated, but this wasn't something they hadn't planned in advance. Having everyone outside, ready to be slaughtered, was exactly what they needed.
These men were not wearing armor like the previous ones, but they did have protective gear. They had obviously been taken off guard by Sasuke's and Kamui's invasion because they were too loud, too impulsive, like terrified children, and too naive to not try to run away instead of facing them head-on.
Sasuke almost felt sorry for them. This was going to be exhausting.
This time, these men were small, useless fish that barely knew how to hold a weapon properly, but there were many of them, and they kept coming, so it was unavoidably troublesome.
Without hesitation, Kamui used his jutsu again and sprung at them in flickering attacks that no normal eye could perceive—they didn't even know what was coming at them. Taking a deep breath, Sasuke did the same, his mind sharp and his emotions frozen. He didn't even think as he flickered from one spot to the other and mercilessly attacked, his katana gleaming with fresh blood in the moonlight, striking again and again.
The men yelled, terrified over the attack coming at them from places they could not predict. Some tried to escape, but they were faster and sliced them from behind.
This was how Kamui did it. It was easy, really.
Just do it. Don't think.
Worthless.
Keep moving.
How strange that no women could be found.
The battle had intensified, with some of Dazai's men braver and more determined to prevent him and Kamui from reaching the compound. How valiant, but Sasuke could see the fear in their eyes as their companions fell, one after the other, faster than they could blink.
In the middle of this, Sasuke's adrenaline was tainted by an odd sense of calmness as he found his grounding. As long as he focused on the end, he was fine.
Kamui was ruthless yet efficient without fault, and so Sasuke had to be.
They had this. They could do it with minimal damage. It was tough, but they were okay.
As they fought back-to-back, the combat raged on, the air echoing with the clash of weapons. Sasuke's mind was a whirlwind of strategy, each move calculated to keep them one step ahead of their attackers, but they were like ants, they just kept coming. A sense of impatience gnawed at him.
In an instant, Sasuke saw an opening—an opportunity to turn the tide in their favor. As the attackers closed in, Sasuke and Kamui stood back to back.
Sasuke's sharingan mutated, and he whispered a ragged "Amaterasu."
He felt blood trickle down his cheeks, mixing with the sweat on his skin, but ignored it.
The black flames erupted with violent intensity, a searing inferno that engulfed their many attackers. The air crackled with the agonizing heat, and the shocked and pained screams of the men echoed in the night as some rolled on the ground and others ran in every direction to try and put the fire out to no avail. The flames consumed their bodies instantly, and Sasuke and Kamui had to jump out of their way a few times as the men stumbled blindly toward them.
"Don't let the flames touch you!" Sasuke warned Kamui.
Sasuke's heart raced as he watched the horrifying spectacle he had unleashed. The technique was fatal, and the realization of its power sent shivers down his spine. He hadn't used it many times, and certainly not to kill people. The flames devoured everything in their path, leaving behind only ash and smoldering remnants.
Beside him, Kamui stared in awe, his eyes widening behind his mask at the devastating display. The ferocity of the Amaterasu was unlike anything he had witnessed before—a force of destruction that seemed to defy the very laws of nature. And yet, Sasuke could not feel any fear or judgment coming from him.
Kamui turned to Sasuke, his gaze a mixture of fascination, and gratitude. "I've never seen anything like that," he admitted, his voice tinged with disbelief and barely perceptible in the middle of all the noise.
"It's a technique I possess," Sasuke explained, his own voice steady despite the turmoil within him. "It's not pretty, but it saved us some time."
Kamui seemed oddly thoughtful for a couple of seconds as he seemed to truly take in the lengths to which Sasuke was willing to go to protect them both, and for a moment, it almost made it all worth it. "Thank you," he said simply, with a nod. "We should go; this is becoming chaotic."
"Yeah, we should get the fuck away from this."
Side by side, they turned toward the compound once more. Sasuke shook the blood from his katana again, making a face as they dashed towards the houses again. He truly had never seen so much blood in his life, and it was a relief that it was nighttime and now broad daylight.
Disgusting.
Finally, Kamui and Sasuke reached the main house and infiltrated it, entering through a ground-floor window in the back porch that made way to a messy bedroom. Just as they had trained, they masked their chakra signatures by absorbing them into their bodies as much as possible.
Sasuke took a look around the place in search of valuables that could be potentially useful (scrolls, money, interesting weapons), but there was nothing but a mess of clothes, empty dirty dishes, and bottles of booze.
It crossed his mind that, not only was he a murderer, but he was actually considering becoming a thief, too.
"Filthy idiots, these guys," Sasuke whispered to himself, twitching his nose.
"This place looks like a dumpster," Kamui replied in agreement, but he sounded highly displeased, hurt even. "Come on."
As they approached the exit of the room, Kamui's instincts took over, guiding them with a sense of purpose that was both instinctual and refined. Every step was measured, and every movement was calculated to avoid detection. They could hear people running in hallways and yelling, doors sliding open and closed. Someone was screaming that there was fire everywhere, and it wasn't a lie. While the fire from the fields would probably not advance to the houses for a while because there was a considerable distance, the wind was bringing the smoke toward the compound, and it was getting difficult to breathe.
That had been an option they had considered that did work to their advantage since the remaining people would be forced out of their houses, but it also demanded that they hurry, otherwise they, too, would suffocate.
Kamui led the way, kunai ready in front of his face, but his steps were silent as a shadow. He had a familiarity with the compound's layout that allowed him to navigate it with uncanny precision. Sasuke followed suit as he stepped out into the dark hallway, his senses heightened and his sharingan ever watchful for any signs of danger.
It became obvious that the whole place was poorly maintained. There was trash everywhere—walls dirty and scratched, floors ruined that hadn't seen a mop in years. It was an offense to their culture and to the place itself. Despite having nothing to do with it, it tore at Sasuke's heart and angered him.
Their progress was deliberate, their movements fluid and soundless. They slipped through the corridors like phantoms, blending into the darkness as they evaded any potential patrols. Kamui's gaze flickered toward hidden corners, his keen instincts keeping them one step ahead of any potential threats.
At times, they encountered someone trying to escape or looking for them. Their approach to this was methodical and swift: no man that came across them was to be spared, and each encounter was met with ruthless efficiency. The clash of steel and the muted thud of incapacitated bodies hitting the ground punctuated the night as they carved a path deeper into the house.
As they cleared each room and corridor, their actions left behind a considerable number of incapacitated men.
With every turn they took and every corridor they ventured down, the anticipation grew.
Through it all, Sasuke's attention remained fixed on Kamui, his trust in the man unwavering—he had no other option—yet he still watched him closely for signs of any abnormal behavior.
They moved as one, an unspoken understanding guiding their every move by now.
At some point, from the voices around them, it was clear that men had begun to flee instead of staying to look for them. No sign of Dazai.
They finally reached a dark, dusty corridor, and Kamui suddenly halted. He motioned for Sasuke to stay back as he surveyed their surroundings. The place seemed to be deserted, as if no one had been there in a long time. There weren't even torches lit, so Sasuke sheathed his katana and summoned a small fireball so they could see where they were going.
In a hushed voice, Kamui gestured toward a heavy-looking wooden door at the end of the corridor. Sasuke nodded, and they slowly made their way toward it until they reached it. Kamui's gaze locked with Sasuke's. This was the moment they had been working towards; this was the place they were looking for.
With a nod of shared understanding, Kamui tucked his kunai into the pouch in the belt at his waist before lifting his mask up. He was sweating, with strands of hair sticking to his face, and he looked so focused and emotionless that he didn't look like himself at all.
It didn't frighten Sasuke, but he didn't like seeing it. Kamui had already shown how much of a strong, reliable man he was, and his ability to fight and kill swiftly was terrifying yet impressive.
Still, if he had to be honest with himself, this was a side of him that Sasuke wished he had not known.
Without hesitation, Kamui bit down hard on his thumb so it drew blood, then performed a series of very complicated seals with both hands before pressing them to the thick wooden door. He uttered a few words Sasuke could not understand, and immediately, intricate patterns unraveled, exuding blue light. Only then did Kamui push open the door to reveal a descending staircase leading to an underground chamber.
The descent wasn't long; they easily found themselves in a very small, square room.
Within the room, the air was heavy with the scent of dust and aged possessions. Shelves lined the walls, their contents shrouded in darkness, save for the soft glow from Sasuke's fireball. He raised his hand to see better and could make out the contours of artifacts of all kinds (perhaps valuable ones) as well as menacing-looking weapons that were covered in a thick layer of dust. There were also several scrolls scattered about, but something told him they weren't the ones they were looking for.
Wooden boxes could be seen piled up on the dirty floor, and there were mundane valuables that seemed to have been carelessly thrown into the chamber without a thought. Sasuke could see necklaces, rings, gold coins, and even expensive-looking fabrics that seemed to have been embroidered to perfection but that had been treated as rags.
At the far end of the small place, also on the floor, Sasuke could also see what looked like books, but upon further inspection, he realized those were photo albums that, by their awkward position, had also been thrown mindlessly into the room.
"There," Kamui said, pointing to a small black chest that had been hidden under one of the wooden boxes. "They're in there."
The man quickly moved to easily pick the box on top up before throwing it to the side as carelessly as everything else, exposing the chest that, it turned out, didn't really look like a chest. It didn't seem to have a lock or a lid, more like a perfect cube. Kamui then crouched down so his bloodied digits could gently trace the outline of the chest. There was chakra at the tips of his fingers, and Sasuke could hear a sound similar to a key unlocking a lock. A few seconds later, the chest mutated, and lines appeared to create a lid. Sasuke immediately approached it, standing behind Kamui and peeking over his body at the contents. As the lid opened, a soft glow spilled forth, revealing the several scrolls within.
Beside the scrolls lay several small pouches of golden coins. For some reason, finding the money made Sasuke happier and more relieved than finding the scrolls.
"Get everything in there, Kamui," Sasuke instructed as he made his way to an unlit torch on the wall and used his fireball to light it. He extinguished the fireball and made his way to the albums.
"I don't want those," Kamui said, his voice heavy with the perception of what Sasuke's intent was.
"It doesn't matter; I'm not getting them for you," Sasuke said, rummaging inside his satchel for a blank scroll. He kicked a few things on the floor to make some room and crouched down to unravel the scroll. He retrieved the albums and placed them on top of the sheet. "Come on, give me those; we don't have much time before someone notices we're here."
There was an inscrutable expression on Kamui's face, but he did as he was told, picking up the scrolls from within the chest and the money. He placed them on top of Sasuke's blank scroll as well. Sasuke motioned for him to get as much as he could from the gold items and money on the ground. Kamui seemed more than a little reluctant but obeyed without a word, so Sasuke paid him no mind because something within him urged him to get as many possessions and valuables as he possibly could for the sake of Kamui's family.
He had no idea why this was important, but his instincts had never failed him before.
They silently gathered as many things as possible, and once the scroll was full of items, it was Sasuke's turn to perform a few seals. It didn't take long for the sheet to begin absorbing everything until nothing could be seen.
Pleased enough, Sasuke rolled the scroll up and shoved it back inside his satchel.
The room seemed to pulse with the legacy of Kamui's clan, a legacy that was both a burden and a purpose. With their prize secured, they turned to leave the chamber, but Sasuke's arm was grabbed, and he was roughly turned so he was facing Kamui, whose eyes were feral and vivid, letting him know he was not going to like what was going to come. "You have to go, Sasuke."
For a few seconds, Sasuke could only blink at his companion in surprise.
"What?!" he then threw between clenched teeth, violently shaking his arm from the man's grasp. "Are you insane? I'm not leaving you here all by yourself; this is not what we agreed on!"
"I need you to go," Kamui said firmly, his voice imposing and leaving no room for arguments, causing Sasuke's eyes to widen as the affront took over him. "I know where Dazai is hiding; he knows it's me. We took care of most of the men, and you have your scrolls. Whatever happens from now on is my duty and my burden, not yours. I don't want you to see what I'm about to do."
"You think I'm not burdened enough as it is?" Sasuke snapped, shaking his head in disbelief. He knew what Kamui wanted, but it didn't make him feel less agitated. "If you want to find Dazai by yourself and kill him by yourself, fine, then go! But I'm not leaving you here. I vowed to protect you. I can't just..."
"You have no debt towards me, nor is it your responsibility to protect me anymore," Kamui said, and this time, it was soft, almost regretful. "You've done enough, and I've put you in enough danger as it is."
"I knew it would be dangerous, so..."
"Please, Sasuke," Kamui persisted, taking a step towards him and making him tense. Kamui reached out a hand and touched his face with a light caress. "I need you to be safe. I want to do this knowing you are safe."
Pressing his lips together, Sasuke frowned as anxiety and worry filled him. "I vowed to protect you," he repeated slowly.
"To whom?" Kamui asked, offering him a sad, lopsided smile. "What you do in your own mind doesn't count."
Just as Sasuke was going to reply, a string of orders from a hallway close by thundered in the air, and they knew there wasn't much time because the remaining men would find them eventually.
"This is not negotiable, and we're not going to fight about this." Kamui's hand moved from Sasuke's face to the back of his neck, steady and meaningful, and the man eyed him resolutely now, demandingly. "Go to our spot and wait for me. If I'm not back in forty-five minutes, you can come and get me."
"Thirty minutes," Sasuke said resignedly, yet with defiance, despite knowing he really had no place telling Kamui what to do. "That's all you have."
Kamui smiled again, for some reason, and nodded. "Don't look so worried, Uchiha-sama. You know I can't afford to die here. I won't."
"Promise?" Sasuke demanded.
"I promise." With this, he quickly leaned in and pressed his lips to Sasuke's forehead in a lingering yet innocent kiss. When he pulled away, he squeezed the back of Sasuke's neck before breaking all contact. "You have the house map memorized, right? You know how to get out of here?"
"Yeah," Sasuke confirmed, frowning.
"I'm going first to clear the path," Kamui muttered, lowering his mask. "Wait here for two minutes, and then get out of here."
With a displeased but agreeable grunt, Sasuke watched Kamui nimbly turn on his heels to exit the chambers and leave him.
Unbelievable. Sasuke was more pissed than anything else, even if he would've rather not split ways with Kamui, but they really were not in a situation to argue or strategize again.
A part of his brain counted the seconds steadily.
Fucking Kamui; he had planned on ditching him all along so he could take care of Dazai by himself. Sasuke should've known about it.
Despite his better judgment and much to his frustration, he understood Kamui's actions and his need to protect him.
Upset but determined, Sasuke took a few steadying breaths to not let worry and anger cloud his perception. He needed to get his shit together. Kamui would be fine, he knew. He had to have faith; the man was strong and capable, and indeed, there weren't that many men alive to make things difficult. If shit went down, he would be back in the blink of an eye.
For now, he had to do as he was told and get the fuck out of there.
000
Sasuke could barely breathe as he looked down at the compound, now back on the tree branch. His chest was tight with worry and anticipation, and his heart was beating so painfully that he could hear its incessant thumping in his ears.
He'd encountered a few men on his way out, but other than that, his biggest challenge while escaping had been to navigate the chaos of bodies and the destruction that panic had caused.
The fields still burned vividly, spreading closer to the houses, the fire consuming the trees, crops, and bodies fallen by their hands. It was so large, the flames so tall that it was difficult to see anything, but the smell was becoming unavoidably intense and characteristic—too familiar to Sasuke—heating up the night air like a heat wave.
It did nothing to ease Sasuke's anguish.
He could hear people yelling in the distance, and some men—gravely wounded—could be seen dragging themselves to the streets and outside the houses in one last attempt to save their lives, but their state was so gruesome that Sasuke knew they wouldn't even survive for another half hour.
Sasuke knew Kamui was finishing off the men that had hidden inside the smaller houses.
A screech of pain echoed in the air. He was certain there weren't many men alive by now.
The grounds were smeared with blood, and the night painted them black like shimmering ink.
Sasuke swallowed hard and fought the impulse to close his eyes, clenching his fist. He had helped draw this horrific scenario. This was his masterpiece, too, and he felt strangely numb, unable to move a single muscle.
Fuck, he was tired.
There was self-revulsion within him, but no guilt. Even if Kamui didn't want him to see it through until the end, Sasuke still looked because that was all he could do, and despite how disturbing the scenario was, he was still outside of that hell, safe, while Kamui was inside, alone in his anger and grief, making sure those men suffered before meeting their fate.
It hit him then that this was exactly what Kamui wanted and why he was sent away—the man was going to torture Dazai and his closest men, and this wasn't something he wanted Sasuke to see him do because this went far beyond the merciful, clean death they had bestowed upon the helpless henchmen.
Kamui had wanted to protect Sasuke's concept of him, but there was a wave of hatred within him that could only be stopped through violence.
That violence would stay with him forever. It would not be smothered like the meaningless tortures he'd inflicted in exchange for money.
Dazai was Kamui's family.
Realizing this, Sasuke was catapulted into his own grief and all the battles he tried to fight to avenge Itachi. He had been too young and bloodthirsty, but not like this. His purpose had been to eradicate everyone who had been responsible for his clan's demise until his heart was at peace.
What had he known? He had been barely thinking, moving towards what felt righteous at the moment.
Useless. He still wasn't at peace, but he had learned how to live with it.
Sasuke remembered all the things Itachi showed him about his path toward the Uchiha massacre, as well as his suffering.
But Kamui's grief was a mature feeling, rooted in a life of many experiences that Sasuke didn't have when he lost everything. It was conscious, festering for years, and the greatness of his loss was the same, yet very different from Sasuke's and Itachi's.
For the first time, Sasuke wondered if he had ever truly understood what grief was or if he would ever understand another person's grief aside from his own.
Because they were all different. His, Itachi's, Kamui's, Naruto's, the people in Konoha...
Who was to say which one was worse? Who could be blamed for how someone dealt with it in order to find peace and move on?
There was no room for judgment; there could be none.
Despite the gruesome sight, Sasuke could only feel sad for Kamui and, once again, frantically anxious that the man was going through all of this alone.
It felt like a long time had passed until he finally saw a figure below, approaching the tree in the darkness, and he felt Kamui's presence coming closer. The man arrived like a silent shadow, panting. Regardless, Sasuke's relief was immediate. His eyes quickly scanned the area around them, trying to find a potential escapist that could've followed his friend, but no one could be seen, and he felt no other chakra signatures.
Through his exhaustion, Kamui still climbed the tree to stand next to Sasuke, and this time, it was easier to see him. The man didn't have his mask on anymore (it was nowhere in sight, either), his hair was a disheveled mess that had loosened from his ponytail, and he was dirty and bloody everywhere. There was even blood dripping from his hair, and he looked terrifying. Apart from the nasty-looking gashes on the knuckles of both of his bloodied hands—Sasuke could guess why—there were no other worrying bruises, apparently.
"Is it over?" Sasuke asked in a concerned whisper, searching Kamui's face for a sign of his feelings, thoughts, or anything else.
"Yes," Kamui said, but his face resembled a blank sheet, and he wasn't looking at him, instead looking out at the compound. There was nothing in his stance but a cold stiffness in his body—not a single tremor. "Can you do what you did with those men? That black fire you used before?"
Biting down on his lower lip, Sasuke stared at him; his heart felt as if it were being crushed.
What Kamui wanted was clear to him, and he had expected it, but it still pained him because doing such a thing would completely erase every trace of the Endō clan and the life Kamui had.
Apart from the children, Yui and Oi, there would be nothing left.
"Amaterasu cannot be put out, Kamui," Sasuke explained, choosing his words carefully. "It will consume whatever it's burning until there are no visible remains. It might take hours or days, but it's not reversible, and there will be nothing left once it's done. Are you sure?"
"Yes," Kamui confirmed without hesitation, still avoiding his eyes. "Burn it all."
Sasuke eyed him, distressed. There was a tightness around his throat and a burning in his eyes that he couldn't avoid, but this wasn't up to him. He understood Kamui's feelings and where this decision came from, but still, Sasuke ached.
That place meant nothing to him, but it had once been Kamui's home, once the shelter of a healthy, happy family where the man had considered himself whole.
His past was there. Everything he once knew would simply vanish.
"Kamui…"
"Returning and having a normal life would be too complicated, and I don't want the children to go back to a place where so much bloodshed and depravity happened," Kamui said before Sasuke could say anything further. "But I don't want anyone else to take over this place. I don't want people to even think about us from now on or know we exist. I know that now. I just want it all to disappear."
There was only the slightest crack in the man's voice as he said it, but he was resolute, so Sasuke merely nodded.
It was the sensible option, all things considered, but it was still sad.
Sasuke took a deep breath and looked away from Kamui and towards the compound, taking it in one last time, reminding himself of what he had done and for what purpose. This would be Kamui's cleansing. Perhaps his cleansing, too. Some things needed a definite ending so a proper start could take place.
"Amaterasu."
He could feel his eyes sting as tears of blood poured down his cheeks for the second time that night, further staining his clothes, but at once, every spot that his vision focused on was set ablaze with pitch-black fire. He didn't care about the fields, but it took about a minute for him to make sure that everything was perfectly covered with the dark flames.
By the time he was finished, his eyes hurt, there was blood in his mouth, and a metallic taste filled his tongue. He spat it out a few times and used his sleeve to wipe his face and lips.
Sasuke released a shuddering breath that came from a place of physical and emotional exhaustion. Kamui finally turned his head to him, and for the first time since he'd joined Sasuke, his expression changed, and became pained and devastated. He looked so suddenly and genuinely upset while taking in his appearance that Sasuke tensed, concern and self-consciousness filling him.
"Fuck, Sasuke," Kamui uttered, turning to him fully and reaching out with both hands to cup his face before urgently trying to wipe the blood from his cheeks with his thumbs as if it would do anything to make it better somehow. His fingers shook as he did this. "I'm so sorry. I didn't want to... I hate seeing you like this. I'm sorry…"
"I'm fine; it's nothing," Sasuke assured, still scrutinizing Kamui's face as a feeling of foreboding hit him. The man had started to shake openly now. He looked heartbreakingly upset. "Are you alright?" Sasuke had to ask softly.
Kamui's frantic hands went rigid at the question, his body tensing. "No," he said, and the tone of his voice was unknown and brought a chill down Sasuke's spine. "I'm not alright at all."
Taking in a sharp breath, Sasuke's eyes followed Kamui as the man looked away from him and towards his burning home, hands sliding from Sasuke's cheeks and heavily falling at his sides. The expression in his eyes was indescribable and filled Sasuke with sympathy. "Yeah," he whispered gently, so his voice would not betray him as he placed a careful hand over Kamui's shoulder. "It's okay. Take your time."
Kamui's fists clenched tightly, and his shoulders tensed as he struggled to contain the torrent of emotions surging within him. Still, this only lasted a second, because tears were betrayed by the flickering light before rolling helplessly down his cheeks, revealing the depth of his sorrow.
Despite the sadness he felt on Kamui's behalf, Sasuke swallowed down his own emotions and the tears that stung his eyes and simply stood next to him, his gaze turning to the compound as well, unwavering. All he could do was offer his presence as a steadfast anchor amidst the storm of Kamui's emotions. He understood the pain of losing something irreplaceable, the desolation that came with witnessing a part of one's history disappear. His purpose wasn't to offer empty words but to communicate through his mere presence that he understood the man's suffering and would be there for him through it all.
000
Sasuke didn't know how long they stood there, simply watching things crumble and fall apart. At some point, the smoke and stench of bodies became too intense, and he told Kamui that they should leave. It would reach Jōmae soon, and they shouldn't be there.
The man was a complete mess; he looked pale, his eyes swollen, and so much older than he was, but he still nodded. He had stopped crying already, but that didn't seem to have relieved him at all.
Sasuke knew he looked like hell, too, but he couldn't afford to be too emotional or give in to exhaustion; they couldn't go home yet.
In silence, both made their way to their designated beach to wash up. The moon still shone brightly in the sky as they stripped completely. Sasuke started a small fire where they threw their bloodied clothes, and Kamui went through the motions like a machine, as if his body knew how to respond to external stimuli but there was nothing inside.
His expression had somehow become calmer, though, tired yet vacant, strangely contemplative, and Sasuke couldn't tell if his mind was filled with thoughts or completely empty. Either way, he wasn't going to push the man's buttons because he knew he needed time to process everything.
While Sasuke himself felt like shit, he knew that it was nothing compared to Kamui's state, so he took it upon himself to take care of him and keep him moving.
Grabbing Kamui's hand, Sasuke pulled him gently towards the tranquil sea that he so loved. It was dark, like an infinite pool of sparkling blackness. He could feel Kamui's eyes glued to him with that unnerving empty look, but he obediently followed Sasuke into the water until they were waist-deep.
The older man did start washing himself off with painfully slow movements. Sasuke was quick to go underwater to get himself fully wet. He thoroughly washed his face first and then made sure to rid himself of any traces of blood and sweat from his upper body before turning his attention to Kamui. Without thinking too much about it, he still took it upon himself to help him get cleaned up.
Of course, they would have to take a proper bath the next morning, but they couldn't go home all dirty and risk being found by the kids.
Sasuke told Kamui to put his head underwater, too and made sure to scrub his hair properly because blood had started to cake on the tips of the strands. As soon as he had started cleaning him up, Kamui went very still, his relentless gaze fixed on him as if he were the only thing he could focus on to keep himself grounded. Even if it made him feel tense, Sasuke didn't say a word as his hand made good work of rubbing the man's chest and neck. The proximity was more than a little intimate, but there was truly no meaning to it other than what it was.
Kamui released a soft sigh and touched the side of Sasuke's waist. There was no ulterior motive other than the need to be in contact with something warm and stable, and Sasuke perceived it for what it was.
Compared to some of the things they had done, this was nothing.
Their faces and bodies were close, yet it was a sort of solemn, comfortable intimacy, completely devoid of sexual tension or intention. At some point, Sasuke felt Kamui's face coming closer, so their cheeks came into contact and brushed against each other. Then, a small, chaste kiss was pressed to Sasuke's temple, so innocent it was almost childish. It was an act of silent gratitude, and Sasuke could only touch Kamui's shoulder and squeeze it gently as if to wordlessly express that he accepted it.
Sasuke just wanted them both to go home safely and as calmly as they could. Kamui wasn't himself just then, but he would be; Sasuke would make sure he beat him with a reality check soon if he had to.
Once they were both properly clean, Sasuke dragged Kamui out of the water. They sat side by side by the fire to dry up since they had no towels. They washed the few wounds they had with clean water and treated each other without saying a word.
The two remained there only long enough to be able to put clean clothes on. Then, just as quietly as they had gotten there, they put out the fire and made their way back home.
The night had been long enough. For now, all they needed was some rest and proper healing.
Life was about to change drastically for Kamui and his family, and Sasuke only hoped that he could see it finally turn out for the best.
TBC…
I didn't really feel like it was relevant for us to meet Dazai since this is a "filler" story, but we'll know a little bit about him in the next chapter.
Also, the next chapter will be the final one of these "Endō Kamui" parts, so you can expect several scenes and probably a time skip.
I want to thank everyone for reading this story and for all the wonderful comments you leave! I've been receiving the nicest and most heartfelt messages about the fic on social media platforms, and I swear, they fill my days with joy! I am honestly so grateful to you all for keeping up with this story and loving it for what it is.
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