The shouts between his parents persisted since early in the morning. No matter how many times Michikatsu rubbed his eyes; the wetness continued to appear as his vision remained blurry. His heart continued to race as his breath hitched every time one of his parents' raised their voice.

"He will be raised in the Sanada household, better than that temple!"

"For him to become a wakashu-

"That was for the better since you refused to let him set foot in that temple!"

"Was that not what you initiated, my lord?" Akeno's voice began to raise as her pale face turned redder, she was gently being held by her attendants who attempted to prevent her from further harm.

"Bah! The situation would never been so if you didn't produce those twins!"

"I prayed day and night for a successor, the heavens gave me two! Only for you to be this ungrateful-

"The only thing the heavens brought upon us is calamity! That one couldn't speak has a cursed mark! We have angered the heavens!"

Akeno's body trembled as heat began to seep through her head, the restraints by her attendants were of no help: "The only thing that angered the heavens was you laying your hands on Michikatsu when the boy wanted to play with his-

"He will spread calamity to him, Lord Sanada has agreed to take him away!"

"Don't you dare!" Akeno screeched, guttural screams escaped her throat as she resisted her restraints.

"Send her back to her room," Tadamune finally ordered, only for his wife to flail uncontrollably as she attempted to reach him: "Over my dead body, Tadamune!"

Her screams continued as she was forcefully dragged further away from the man.

Tadamune's deep inhale was shortly interrupted the moment he noticed his male attendant rushed towards him. His face turned pale as the sound of footsteps turned louder.

You knew trespassing was a crime, heck, you were taught to not take, let alone enter places without one's permission. But the page boy who was supposed to deliver the news of your arrival had yet to return. Well, that was you to be blamed; you arrived earlier than the agreed time, and there you were, walking aimlessly at the Tsugikuni compound, with a few of your men following behind your footsteps.

As the small path of rocks brought you to another compound, you halted your steps. A small boy was there standing under a tree, it was the same iris-coloured haori you remembered seeing when you first met Michikatsu three days prior. You eventually furrowed your brows, knowing the older twin's personality, it was rather unusual for him to remain this calm, you immediately deduced something was amiss.

Approaching the boy, you attempted to change your demeanour to a much more friendly one, but then, the voices in your head continued to call you Michael Jackson began to persist.

At this rate, whatever you do is illegal.

"Hello," you started, earning a look from the small boy who gave you a bow. You struggled to suppress your inner screams as you eyed the boy.

So dang small!

You took a deep breath before exhaling, giddiness persisted as the boy watched you emotionlessly. His demeanour was pointing towards your initial guess.

"What is your name?" you questioned, the boy blinked, his eyes fixed on yours. A mixture of unease and amusement tumbled through your mind. The scene was all too familiar. It was exactly how you normally interact with toddlers. They would stare into your soul as if you were an interesting creature. Often times it was them attempting to recognise and make do with your face.

You began to lower yourself to his height as you squatted before him, the boy's eyes followed yours: "Have you eaten?"

The boy nodded.

"Do you have an elder brother?" You attempted, the boy stared at you, seemingly hesitant with his answer before finally nodding.

Bingo.

"Shall we go say hello to your brother then?" you offered your left hand towards the boy, he stared at your large palm and then back at your face before finally placing his tiny one.

You could feel another explosion inside your heart. You took another deep breath before gently bringing the small boy towards the inner sides of the compound.

Your excitement was rudely put to a stop the moment you heard shrieks and shouts coming from the direction you were headed. You looked down at the small boy whose eyes remained on your face, before wrapping your arms around his small body, hoisting him up to your chest as you hurried towards the source.

The page boy finally raced towards you, your expression darkened as you continued your way into the house.

The volume of the shrieks turned louder as you approached the scene only for you to find Tadamune's shocked expression the moment he saw your shadow.

Everyone in the room immediately kneeled before you as your entourage followed behind you.

Oh wow, is this how people in power felt like?

"It seems as though that the Eastern breeze has brought me to this fated event," you announced as soon as Tadamune greeted you.

"Release her," you ordered, before seating yourself on one of the fuuton that was supposedly meant for you.

"Ah, you have already met Michikatsu-

"Mm, your son appeared less lively than he was three days ago, perhaps you should get him checked, no?" your grip on the small boy remained even as he was sat on your lap. The Tsugikuni head remained silent as you continued: "Our ancestors have reminded us that we do not wash our dirty linen in public; you are one of my subordinates, and their wellbeing is something that I should tend to,"

"Your lordship, my wife was saddened to part with her flesh and blood, hence she was reluctant to the decision,"

"It is within reason for her to act as such, especially when she carried him for a very long time,"

"Lord Sanada, my son is still too young, please reconsider when he is of age," Akeno blurted out, pressing her head onto the wooden floor as she bowed.

Fuck

That's what the plan really was all along.

"I feared that this was not within the agreement I had with your husband," you retorted nonchalantly. You could see the anguish, fury and desperation in Akeno's eyes, seemingly the same as Tadamune's. You remembered the two were fairly loving; it was only until the twins were born that Tadamune was blinded by superstition and paranoia that his treatment towards the boys was in stark difference, his demeanour eventually changed once Akeno's death was announced and her diary was read.

But of course, you could not immediately change the flow of the situation. They were victims of circumstances, well you too, forcefully.

"It is as agreed your lordship, Michikatsu will be under your care," the Tsugikuni head reassured, the pitch of his voice demonstrating otherwise.

At this rate, you were not going anywhere, you doubted that the twins's situation would improve, even if you agreed to take "Michikatsu" away, there would be some form of resentment "Yoriichi" would feel towards his parents, and even you.

You took a deep breath, you shifted your focus towards "Michikatsu" whose little hands were still held onto your kariginu: "Once the water leaves the basin, it is expected to splash onto the floor," you concluded, reluctantly.

At least "Michikatsu" would not have to live in that "three tatami room" again, you lamented.

"Well then, it is settled," you announced, raising yourself from your seated position as you made your way to the exit.

Akeno could be seen raising herself, approaching you as she called for your name. Her voice turned shaky, she began to plead at you; she was then restrained by her husband. Your entourage immediately shielded you from the couple.

"No! That is not Michikatsu!" A different voice appeared among the echoes of voices.