~ Chapter 4 ~
~Nine years later~
~Once an unnamed, forgettable outskirt, Now, a fruitful Oasis Village ~
A man, shivering in the shadows. The late evening breeze cuts about. Oblivious to the unseen danger drawing in upon him, the man inches forward from his position. Doing all he can to remain just out of sight.
'Only a bit further...' I can almost hear- It's her again, finally. I can hear her!'
His fixation? The beguiling figure upon the lakeshore.
Not mere songstress, but the "Wellspring Maiden." Sakuya; a veritable "demi-goddess" who calls "the Oasis Village" her home.
Though the entire village has felt her touch, it is this lake itself that has proven to be the greatest testament to her power.
Once a glorified desert puddle masquerading as a pond, in the decade since Sakuya's arrival, her blessed voice gradually expanded the waters into the breathtaking vision before him.
~
The final rays of the setting sun highlight the lush green blossoming anew. Not replacing what beauty remains from her previous nights' songs, but strengthening and solidifying their roots.
Under the Wellspring Maiden's voice, he once mostly barren, sandy soil now rendered fertile and ready to support life.
Nearly sixteen, the power of her voice has brought upon a degree of wonderment and prestige their once outskirt town never dreamed possible.
Today, no longer "boonies" barely getting by, but the beating heart of Wind. An official report released by the Daimyo's people grudgingly conceded that Oasis's trade and quality of life surpassed the very capital.
Even more so since the "Ichibi" (One tail) monstrosity vanished. A phenomenon that left great confusion, but also undeniable relief in the people of Wind. Grateful to no longer suffer its craving for blood.
The intrusive man observes, his (mostly) silent awe palpable.
His hunger is greater than ever. The moon-blessed beauty's worldless aria transitions to a full, haunting soprano.
With her transcendent, other-worldly power vibrating about, emanating the very air and elements about him, the sensations tingle. The man's obsession blooms further.
Unaware a fatal breaking point rests firmly in sight.
To any observer, (innocent or otherwise) the wellspring maiden's orchestrated pitter-patter of descending rain droplets is of no distraction. Sakuya's song is unimpeded.
"Exactly as yesterday and every day before." the man whispered. His breathing was deep and unsteady. To anyone nearby its surely an unsettling sight.
This is not the first night, and if he has his way it won't be the last.
'We all know she's going to be of marital age soon. A few years off, but once the floodgate begins...
'As if I'd have any chance, those brothers of hers... They'd never let me be alone with her.'
Slowly creeping along the sides, the closer he reaches the more certain he becomes. 'I'm not playing fair, but I swear we'll be so happy-' His dark thoughts cut short, the man's world drowns in blackness.
~
Reiji is frowning.
'Disgusting'.
Sakuya's brother whispers. It's all he can do not to spit.
"Good, thank Yuukina for keeping her company. I know Brother, I'll be thanking our guest myself- Look she was YOUR teacher, it's not my fault-
"Shiro, my Ice element isn't like yours. Just because I "CAN" doesn't- No."
"Look it's a matter of practicality. Mother may not have said it, but I think her intention is clear.
"She wanted it to be your "ace in the sleeve" just as Sakuya's Wood surpasses ours and I'm the only one of us with a true Lightning affinity. -"
"You know what? I'm not having this conversation. I hate being the "reasonable" one. It's unseemly."
"Whatever." Restraining a rude gesture, Reiji continues his distant mental dialogue. 'Not that Shiro would have seen it...'
"Yes, everything is clear on my end too. I'll be at the manor soon."
Verifying through their two-way mental link that his brother Shiro has escorted their (perhaps overly) gentle-hearted sister home, Reiji turns his attention to the miscreant.
"Kamui."
Sinking deeper into the moist dirt beneath his boots, Reiji's mood is foul. His grip on the would-be attacker's corpse loosens, the literal dead weight is released without ceremony. 'Unforgivable. You got off too easy. A crushed neck is nothing, not for a cretin like yourself.'
' Fortunately for you, it's best for Shiro and me that our poor Sakuya be unaware."
"She would mistakenly blame herself, overanalyze her actions and a darkness would be born that could surely stain her heart."
"We need her to continue loving this place. Her bubble. A sanctuary to cherish and build a beautiful life. It wouldn't do for Sakuya to pine for its eradication.'
Crouching himself down at the body's side, Reiji smiles.
Never a smirk, Reiji likes to consider himself far too "kind" to ever let out such an unsightly expression.
'Sakuya thinks so.'
Placing his pale glowing hands down on the body, a sinister, blood-red Chakra seeps-forth.
The Biju Chakra which Reiji and his siblings have been gradually siphoning. 'It takes no effort, the scientist ensured the process occurs with or without our intervention.' Reiji remembered with glee.
As Reiji directs the incremental trickle of corrosive energy to devour the man's remains, he maintains the gentle protective face his sister has come to see as the "real Reiji".
Outside his "public mask", a most gentle, loving brother who never harms others without the strongest justifications.
"The Ichibi; Shukaku... Feast to your heart's content."
"I know you are no longer capable of conscious thoughts or feelings, that your power belongs to me and my siblings...
"Regardless, I'm sure any faint lingering remnants of your persona will appreciate my sentiment...
"No need to fear loneliness, sweet Tanuki. Matabi is on her last legs.
"Rest assured, our confused, two-tail kitten will be joining you very soon."
Under the moonlight, Reiji walks home. His pace casual, to any observer, his face has never seemed so beautiful.