Ch. 15: Leaves in The Wind

He squeezed his eyes shut, bracing himself for the potential impact. A blade flung past him not an inch from his cheek, puncturing the wall behind him.

"Phoo! A bit too close for my liking, but nice aim." Genji wiped a bead of sweat from his hairline.

"I told you, she's getting good. Now if she could only put that into a sword." Asa crossed her arms, staring her daughter down.

"I don't know if I want that, Mom." Kiriko timidly stuck her hands in her pockets.

"I know, I know…" Asa sighed.

Genji interjected, "Aw come on Asa Sensei, not everyone needs to be thrashing around a katana! Those little kunai can do just as much damage in the right hands. I know I certainly wouldn't want this little demon after me!" He grinned while placing his hand on Kiriko's shoulder.

"Demon!?" The teen sneered, pushing his hand off of her.

He cleared his throat, "You know, I'm no good at a distance. But, you know who is? Hanzo! If you aren't interested in the sword, how does the bow and arrow sound?"

"Uhm. Yeah, no thanks."

"Or… you know, he could teach you better throwing tricks and stuff." He paused, "Pretty sure he has mastered every weapon on the planet by now."

"Yeah. That's why he's so pompous and boring, he spends more time with weapons than with people." Kiriko rolled her eyes.

"Oh, don't say that." Genji half-assedly retorted. He spends plenty of time with people, they just… may not live very long.

"Since when do you defend Hanzo Shmanzo?"

"Well–"

"That's enough Kiri. How about you go work on your class material?" Asa cut in.

"Ugh. Fine." She crossed her arms, and walked over to retrieve her kunai from the wall.

Genji gave a sheepish smile, "See ya later little Kiri." He waved his fingers and began to follow suit.

"Actually Genji, how about we go for a walk?" Asa reached over, placing her hand on his shoulder.

His eyebrows raised and he apprehensively said, "Oh… yeah."

"Unless you have something else planned?"

"No– just, it's a tad cold outside. You know?"

Asa stood for a moment staring at her nephew, obviously panning her vision to his neon green hair. "Are you sure you weren't adopted?"

"Not really." He amusingly smirked.

"Go grab a coat and meet me in the front lobby."

He sighed, "Yes Asa Sensei." And gave a flimsy salute as he walked away. Genji thought back to the late night event in the kitchen a week prior.

"Does Asa know any of this?" Genji whispered.

"Yes. Forever ingrained in my memory, are the words she spoke to me many years ago: Hisa is a monster. She is the one who opened my eyes, whether I was ready to see or not."

He pondered as he made his way out, I wonder what she wants?

As Genji hurriedly shuffled along the heated pathways of the castle grounds, desperately trying to reach the warmth of the indoors, he pulled his com device out. He clicked on his brother's contact.

GENJI: Where are you?

Knowing almost certainly that Hanzo would take his sweet time replying, he slid the device back into a pocket instead of anxiously awaiting a reply. Part of their newly found deal to restore the bond once shared between them was regular check-ins, and open communication. It wasn't easy speaking with someone that you once told everything to, and now struggled to tolerate each other in the same room. From telling the other of cracking a nail to whispering things only a diary or therapist should know, the brother's bond at one point was thicker than an idiot's skull.

Now it seemed as delicate as withered leaves in the wind. Perhaps a gust may pick them up and carry them afar to start anew? He wasn't sure, but he knew he needed to try. A difficult thing to do when neither knows what trying even looks like.

Withered leaves. There was a time Kiyomi told him that withered leaves on the ground must be crushed for them to find purpose again. That is how they returned to the earth, by dissolving and being absorbed back into the dirt. He remembered finding it slightly depressing for a fleeting moment, but the sweet sound of crunching them quickly whisked the uncomfort away.

Genji made it into his bedroom, and rifled through his closet for winter appropriate gear. He was always a summer kind of guy, unlike his brother who enjoyed the silence and slowness of the bitter season. He zipped his coat up, wrapped a scarf around his head, and grabbed a pair of gloves before he made his way down to the main lobby.

Genji waved at Asa, who patiently stood awaiting his arrival.

"Ready?" She buttoned her jacket.

"Yep."

"Alrighty, off we go!" Asa cheerfully smiled.

The pair headed outside and took some turns out of castle grounds, finding themselves on a snowed over path in the bare forest behind. It was a quiet day, for the wind decided to behave itself, and the sun stood solidly in the sky. The chirps of birds and the crunching of snow beneath their feet could be heard, with Hanamura's consistent roar in the distance.

"I guess it's not too bad out today." Genji remarked as he attempted to shield his eyes from the snow glare.

"It's not bad most days this time of the season, I'm assuming you simply just don't grace the outdoors with your presence enough though." Asa quipped.

"Heh. Maybe." Their walking pace slowed to a stroll, as Asa seemed deep in thought. Genji began wondering why on earth she dragged him out here. "So what are we doing again?"

"Going for a walk." She smiled slyly at him before continuing, "Well, I've noticed you and your brother have been acting differently towards each other recently."

Genji's eyebrows raised, "Yea?"

"Yes. It seems less volatile."

Genji stopped in his tracks for a brief moment, she really pays this close attention huh? "Uhm. I suppose." He really hadn't had experience opening up to Asa much, but he knew from Hanzo that she could be trusted.

She turned around and met his gaze with a sad smile,"I'm happy. You two have been through so much together, it really hurt to see you guys struggle to see eye to eye."

Genji sighed, sticking his hands into his pockets. He scanned the seemingly endless rows of trees. "Yea. I suppose I realized some things recently, things that I probably should have known before." He kicked some snow.

Asa crossed her arms, nuzzling her hands close to her chest. "To be honest, I believe both of you have things to realize about each other. You both have become so distant, and misunderstandings seem to be wedging you apart."

Does she have some secret mic on one of us? I barely know anything about her. The momentary thought made him slightly uncomfortable, perhaps he should pay more attention to his loved ones. "I know. Hanzo really opened up to me, which I'm glad. He told me about our mother and… Kiyomi." Her name was still heavy on his lips.

Sympathy fell on Asa's face, "It's cumbersome knowledge Genji, the weight of knowing is not easy. Though it was something you needed to learn."

The burden of knowledge. "Yes, and I feel horrible he felt like he needed to carry it all. I guess there's a lot I have been blind to." There certainly was, but what he wouldn't admit was that he seemed to have chosen to not see any of it.

"Your brother hasn't had it easy. Truly. It's not a complete excuse for any behavior on his behalf but… it's a window into why."

"Yea… great family huh?" He sarcastically chuckled.

"This family has generation upon generation of secrets and trauma that has been buried deep within your blood, our blood." Asa sighed, "Hisa didn't do you two a favor by adding Sojiro's bloodline in."

A broken bloodline. Nice.

Still looking away at anything but Genji Asa continued. "You know, the pain doesn't go away. The trauma felt by every ancestor simply doesn't vanish, but is passed on through every relative. This generational pain, it demands to be felt and it will be felt, willingly or not." She paused for a moment, sucking her lips in, "Someone is born along the line that will have to bear the consequences of the unhealed trauma of their family. Someone will be forced to feel every tear, every ounce of rage that was shunned and swallowed down."

Genji stared, processing the words that came from his aunt's mouth.

She turned her eyes, filled with concern, back onto him. "I am worried about Hanzo. He truly does need you Genji. More than either of you may realize. I see the burden of our family's darkness harrowing his being, and that is not a job fit for one person."

He nodded in response. It was time for him to step up and be the big brother, this is the conclusion that he drew from the recent events. The two finished their walk in mostly silence and made it back to the castle. Before leaving the forest Genji placed his hand on Asa's shoulder, stopping them in their tracks. "I will be better Asa, don't worry."

She gave a wishful smile and nodded, hoping to whatever was out there that he would hold this true.

After parting ways Genji took his com device out to check for a reply from Hanzo and was met with disappointment. Fucker must've left it in his room. He sighed, I know he's not on a job. It's past lunch time, and he's obviously not training with Asa. It's not quite dinner… He put a mental bet on where his brother would be and headed over.

Click click wrrrrrp…

Hanzo's eyebrows furrowed.

"Ah I figured you would be here." Genji's eyes fell upon his brother, seemingly meditating in the shrine.

"I was meditating." Hanzo remarked in annoyance.

"I see, I texted you hours ago though, brother." Genji sat next to him.

Hanzo sighed, "Apologies. I… left my device in my room and didn't exactly make an effort to retrieve it."

Genji chuffed and gave a smirk, "Yea. I figured."

Hanzo shifted and stretched his legs out in front of him and his arms behind him for support.

"So. What's wrong?" Genji asked.

It wasn't easy for Hanzo to open up, especially to his little brother of all people. He had to take a moment and muster the courage to actually tell him what was on his mind. He anxiously grinded his teeth around. Hanzo so badly wished he could just say "nothing" and broodily storm off in his typical style. He grumbled, why is this so damn difficult?

Genji raised an eyebrow, intently looking at his brother stewing. "You good dude?"

Hanzo sighed and unclenched his jaw, "Hisa is returning and requested my audience tonight." His head fell back, now staring into the ceiling. "I'm sure she had a fit listening to the cameras that night, and has since been plotting how to handle it."

Genji darted his eyes around the shrine and whispered, "Can't she still hear us?"

"I truly don't care. Cat's out of the bag already." He closed his eyes as he already felt tired, though it wasn't even dinner yet.

Genji shifted uncomfortably, this was all still so new to him. He knew there were cameras all around the castle, and figured his parents watched them. What he didn't know is that his mother was a snake, slowly suffocating the ones he loved. And her eyes were everywhere. She unfortunately had a tighter grip on Kiyomi that fateful night, and he wasn't going to allow anyone else to succumb. "I'll be around, don't worry." Genji reassuringly said.

Hanzo chuffed in amusement, "Thanks." He wasn't sure how that would help, though a small part of him did feel comforted by those words.

"And please keep your damn com device on you, we had a deal. I'm going to grab a pre-dinner bite." Genji sat up and began walking away.

"I know, I'm sorry. I'll grab it when I head up. Give me another 30 minutes or so." Hanzo laid flat on the wooden floor. He just needed a few more minutes to himself, that's all. Though, the longer he gazed into the eggshell ceiling, the more he felt like he was being pulled into it. Maybe he needed more rest, his mind was wandering astray. Perhaps Genji was actually on to something this whole time, the floor does feel awful nice.

As Genji finished shoveling the last of his late night curry, his com device buzzed.

KAZU BRO: Broooo what's happenin!? You comin into town tonight or what?

Hm. I didn't say anything to him recently.

GENJI: Nah dude. I told you, I'm taking a break for awhile.

He swiped over to Hanzo's conversation.

GENJI: Hmu when you're done.

He slid the device back into his pocket, and stood up to drop his dishes in the kitchen. After doing so, he turned the corner and carelessly bumped straight into someone. "Shoot, sorry–" He looked up and it was none other than his father. He immediately straightened up.

"It's fine, Genji. How are you doing this evening?" Sojiro stood tall, and was adorned in a red and black robe with gold accents. His graying hair was let down from his normal half bun. By the heavens did he look every bit exhausted.

"Uhm." Genji was thoroughly caught off guard, not only has he never seen his father near the kitchen, he couldn't remember a time he asked him how he was doing outside of meetings in his quarters. "I'm fine. You?"

Sojiro cleared his throat, looking slightly nervous. "I am well. I'm sure you're wondering why I am strolling around here, especially in my nightwear."

Uh huh.

"I know we spoke recently regarding your… social life. And I have noticed you have certainly cut back tremendously already, which is very much appreciated. It's nice to see your respect for this family."

Good god where is he going with this?

"How about you hit the town tonight as a reward? I couldn't imagine how dreadfully bored you are kept up in here, and it is important for a man your age to be well acquainted with others in your age group." Sojiro could hardly maintain eye contact.

Genji stood and blinked a few times, did he just hear that right? "Uhhh… I'm good Father. I don't even think it's been a week. Thank you though." What the fuck is going on?

Sojiro sighed, "I understand that Genji. But I truly insist, you do not have to save face in front of me. I am your father after all and I was once your age."

This is just getting weird. "Yeah. I'm good, truly."

"Well, son. Your uh– friend actually reached out to us." A twinge of desperation in his voice.

Genji shot an eyebrow up.

"I believe his name is, Kazu. He was worried about you, so your mother and I realized what I said may have been a bit much. The last thing we would want is to hinder your friendships."

Suddenly it clicked. Mother, of course. God they must have access to my com device too… I've been so naive. "Yea? Well, I guess if Kazu really wants to hang out." Genji buried his gaze into his father's deceitful eyes.

"Wonderful then. Have fun tonight." Sojiro's body language instantly relaxed.

"Will do, thanks Father!" Genji turned away, and went a different route up to his room. He was sure there would be eyes watching to see if he truly left the castle. He'd simply have to fake it, which was like stealing candy from a baby to him. Genji shot Kazu a text confirming his presence that night, threw a jacket on and took the most visible route possible outside. He did something he rarely did, which was exiting through the front gate, to ensure he was seen. Though as he approached he couldn't help but stop in his tracks for a moment. His eyes diverted their attention to a particular spot up against the concrete wall of the front gate.

He always wondered how they removed the blood so quickly from that spot. One of the many reasons why he seldom used the front gate anymore. Genji sighed, and took a step forward.

Crrrunch!

His head shot downwards, as he carefully moved his foot off to reveal what he stepped on. A perfectly dried up leaf, how strange, in the dead of winter.

Genji hiked his scarf further up his face and stepped into the night.