Author's notes :

Hello!

It seems I took a risk by going with a kind of "in media res" timeskip. I hope it will be fine this way.

We will see!

Thanks for reading!

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The next morning, Kira awoke in his room within the Tsuchiya household. It was the same room as when he first came around in this world. After he rubbed his eyes, he stood on the floor composed of straw tatamis. The paper walls let the sunlight through and he could hear the joyful peeping of the birds outside. Wearing a white yukata, the young man stretched his body before he went over to a dark brown dresser.

In one of the drawers, Kira found the small bottles of liquor he had looted on his assaulters from the past day. Once again, he focused his senses on the flask to analyze the energy dwelling inside the liquid.

‘That’s definitely not the same thing. It feels too different from the method the priests and physician use to make their medicine. The medium inside isn’t soulsilver.’ He thought as he looked at the picture of a moonlit landscape hung on in the alcove’s wall. His mother had painted it three years ago and had offered it to him.

After some time, Kira looked at the scroll laid next to the bottles.

‘What do I do with that? Should I give it to Ren?’ The young man pondered while he opened the sliding door. He looked at the garden before he read the document.

‘A shipment will be arriving on the new moon. Due to the circumstances, you should soon be able to produce your own. We will provide you with qualified staff.’ He scowled at the words.

Kira took out his shamisen before he sat on the exterior hallway. Facing the greenery, he began to play under the bright summer sky. Though the young man wanted to know how they produced the beverage, he was not sure he could find out on his own. The teenager still had a few days before the new moon, but he had to decide on his approach. He would not ask for the help of the Tsuchiya clan if he could help it.

While Kira was lost in thought, he heard a low voice coming from his chamber.

“Young master, it is Shizuru.” The maid announced from behind the paper door.

“You can enter.” He answered while he stood.

The servant opened the door and bowed. She brought a low table into the room with dishes placed on top of it. She then returned in the hallway to pick up other items.

“You have been summoned by the Elder.” Shizuru declared after she put down a basin of steaming water and a towel on the floor. Her feline green eyes watched him with intensity.

Kira put aside his shamisen and faced the woman.

“I see. How is Mother?” The young man asked before he knelt beside the table.

“Lady Kaguya is as well as she can be.” She answered after a pause.

“Thank you.” He said with a smile.

After Shizuru left, he ate his breakfast with enthusiasm. It was composed of a bowl of white rice with a nori topping, a cabbage salad with beans and slices of fresh fish. Over the years, he had gotten used to the local food and began to appreciate the healthy diet. However he would not refuse a good pastry or a cake if he could get his hands on one.

Kira washed his face in the hot water then he changed his clothes. He put on a fine blue kimono before he stashed his findings inside his drawer. He slid his sword in his belt and left the house by the exterior hallway. Soon, the young man stepped on the flat stones of the pathway crossing the garden. He walked among the trimmed trees and bushes while thinking of the incoming encounter with his aunt.

Eventually Kira reached the pound and he noticed a silhouette standing on the wooden bridge. Kaguya was gazing at the fishes swimming in the water. The carmine kimono she wore contrasted with the greenery surrounding her.

When Kira joined her, her long black hair swayed as she turned to face him. She had lost weight during the previous years. To him, his mother was still beautiful but, like this day, she often wore a weary look. He knew physical strain tired her at a fast pace and she seldom left their domain.

“What is this?” His mother asked after she poked his bruised cheek.

“I slept on my hand.” Kira answered as he rubbed the wound. He was now a bit taller than his mother so they looked straight into each other eyes.

“What have you done this time?” The woman continued with a dubious look.

“I do not know.” He shrugged.

“Is my son a fool or a liar?” Kaguya requested after she gave him a bright smile.

“I have to go. I am already late.” The young man replied while he averted his eyes.

As he reached the next crossroad, Kira glanced back and saw his mother still watching him. He frowned then continued on his way along the rocky path. Soon, the young man reached the garden’s walls. The white fortification was three meters high and dark blue tiles crowned it. When he approached the gate, the soldiers guarding it let him through without any question.

After he passed under the portal, Kira found himself in the busiest area of the estate. The field was clearer than the residential sector of the domain as only a few trees surrounded a huge sandy courtyard where men attended to their business. Merchants, artisans and farmers waited in lines around elegant Japanese-styled buildings to present their grievance. The atmosphere was lively and people often shouted to confirm their presence.

In a corner of the field, a bare-chested man was being tied down on two large wooden poles for all to see. A group of soldiers bearing the crest of the Tsuchiya clan were posted around the yard and watched the scene. They all wore matching blue kimonos and held a katana at their side. A lot of the people also observed the proceedings with eager expressions. Some of them cursed the offender and joked about his situation.

As Kira crossed the courtyard, he saw his sister observing the scene from a wooden platform nearby. Under the shade of a cherry tree, Ren was waving a black fan to cool herself with a detached look. As the young man walked toward her, he could see the silver butterflies embroidered on her white garb. The adolescent stopped at the lady side and faced the display before him.

“Nothing like a good whipping early in the morning.” The adolescent declared in a sarcastic manner. His sister gazed at him, expressionless.

The last time the two of them had brought up the matter, they had not talked to each other for days. Though Kira did not agree with Ren’s beliefs, he still felt deep affection for his sister. He knew she would not resort to needless cruelty or violence. Outside of her duties, Ren was a caring sister and a sensible person. But even after all these years, her impassive demeanor still troubled him.

While Kira looked back at the lady, he remembered their argument two years ago.

“So do you think I take pleasure in inflicting pain? Do you think me ruthless, cruel and wicked? Please leave.” The memory of her distressed expression was still vivid in his mind.

“Sorry. Good morning.” Kira said with a contrite voice while he turned his head to observe the scene before him.

“Good morning.” His sister answered before a wry smile appeared on her lips.

Eventually, the punishment began as a soldier flailed a whip. Every time the lash struck, the man’s body arched and he emitted a muffled scream due to the piece of cloth on his mouth. After the tenth crack of the strap, Ren raised a hand and the soldiers unbound the convict. Two men lifted him under the armpits and they left the courtyard. As the group was moving away, Kira watched the red lines on the prisoner’s back and frowned.

“I heard Aunt summoned you.” Ren stated as she crossed her arms.

“Yes, she did. I am on my way to meet with her.” An annoyed expression appeared on Kira’s face.

“Then I will accompany you. What have you done this time?” She asked with a smirk.

“I am not sure.” He replied after a sigh.

“Does this mean there are several possible reasons for her to request you presence?” The lady added before she hit his head with her closed fan.

After he pouted, Kira followed his sister in the courtyard. Soon, they reached the main building of the Tsuchiya clan’s estate. It was a five-floor Japanese castle with ivory walls and dark tiles on its roofs. The edifice was magnificent and towered above the whole city of Okachi. Its base was made of large beige stones and it was as tall as the trees surrounding it.

The two of them passed under the guarded gate of the rampart encircling the stronghold. After they crossed an empty courtyard, they entered the castle. Inside, the sunlight went through the opened windows and reflected on the white walls. Officials and servants were striding on the polished wooden floor to attend to their duties. At the siblings’ passage, they bowed respectfully.

When they reached the fourth level, they stopped in front of a room. Kira felt his pulse accelerate in anticipation.

“Aunt Amaya, it is Ren.” His sister announced without hesitation.

“You may enter.” A feminine voice answered.

Ren opened the sliding door and her brother followed her inside. The clan head merely glanced at them when they knelt in the middle of the room. For a while, she continued to write on scrolls laid on the low table before her. The woman looked similar to her sister and niece. She had the same slender build and white skin. A strand of her long raven-black hair covered the left side of her face and she had a mole on the lower corner of her right eye.

Eventually, the leader of the Tsuchiya put down her writing brush and stood. After Amaya smoothed her black kimono, she motioned her nephews to rise.

“What did you do last evening?” The woman asked as she stared at Kira.

“I came back from Mizuba Temple like you asked.” The adolescent answered with a carefree smile.

“Do not be insolent.” The clan head bid after she backhanded him. The hit had been light but it had surprised the young man. “We do not have time to waste on irrelevant matters.” Amaya went over to the balcony behind her desk and placed her hands on the wooden railing. She gazed at the city below.

“We are busy enough these days without having to clean after your mess. I hope it is not one of your ridiculous quests for righteousness.”

“No. I did provoke them a little but it should not have come to arms. They may have been drunk. I was able to overcome them with Setsuna’s help.” He declared after he rubbed his cheek.

“Your version fits with Setsuna’s. Well done.” She said in a sarcastic tone.

“Is it linked to those apparitions people are talking about?” Kira questioned with interest.

“You not knowing is part of the problem.” The Elder added with an expression full of rebuke.

“In the countryside, people are seeing yōkais everywhere: onis, kappas, tengus, inugamis and so on. Of course, we know the real cause of the matter but that is beside the point.” Ren answered before she stared at her brother.

“Telling the truth would make things worse.” The youth commented after he glanced at his sister.

“Yes, it would cause greater panic.” The lady continued after she nodded. “We have been spared for years due to how we handled the matter in Namuya. But it seems the problem has diffused from the neighboring regions and is now within our lands.”

“Those incompetent fools always make things worse.” Their aunt commented with disdain.

“We are trying to prevent this plague from spreading however the task is arduous. The creatures are sly.” Ren continued while she crossed her arms. “We have deployed a large part of our forces to uncover their whereabouts.”

“As a preventive measure, you are bound to the Tsuchiya estate. The Kitano clan is in an uproar due to last night events. We will take care of them after the current matter is settled.” She snickered. “The minor clans of the region have gotten more confident since Kaguya’s condition has been made public. It really is a bother.”

“You cannot bind me.” Kira declared while he scowled. Upon hearing his words, his aunt stared at him and her lips curved in a malicious manner. Then Amaya laughed heartily and drops appeared in the corners of her red eyes.

“What are you going to do?” He asked with visible annoyance.

“I am not going to do anything.” The clan head answered after she wiped her tears with a handkerchief. “To you.” She turned her back on him and gestured them to leave. “You may leave. Ren, stay.”

Kira scowled and a tint of anger appeared in his eyes as he understood Amaya’s words. The Elder had one person under her total control that he cared for. It was his friend Setsuna who worked under her direct orders. He gritted his teeth and bowed.

“Wait for me outside.” His sister whispered as he went past her.

When the young man stepped on the hallway, he watched the two women’s back and closed the sliding door. His heart was pounding while he went down the staircases. Kira ignored the people around him as his mind was focused on his aunt’s words. Once in the courtyard, he took a deep breath and gazed at the clear sky.

Some minutes later, Ren joined him in the yard. She put a hand on her hip and sighed.

“If you had kept a low profile, Aunt would not have reacted this way.”

“So I should just hide somewhere and stay put?” Kira asked after he faced her.

“It is not the right place to talk.” His sister declared before she started to walk. The young man followed her and soon, they found themselves on the garden near their residence. The siblings stopped on the wooden bridge. For a moment, they stood side by side without uttering a word.

“She had great expectations of you.” Ren eventually said without looking at her brother. “When you were younger, you were so diligent in your training and studies. You were so talented that your tutors could not keep up with you. When you wanted to learn the shamisen, she hired one of the best masters of the Empire of Iroha to teach you as a reward for your efforts.” She shook her head.

“Soon after, your interests strayed. You wanted to learn with a physician. Then you went to the priests. You wanted foreign books and scrolls. You never cared about your position and worked on your own without explanations. She does not understand you. She is disappointed.”

“Are you?” Kira asked after he turned his head toward the woman.

Ren’s lips became a thin line and she gazed at the pound. As the young man observed his sister, he felt sadness at the lady’s silence.

“You are now seventeen however we do not have the slightest clue on what you want to become.” She shook her head. “But you do know. You simply do not tell us. Why, I wonder?”

‘If I tell you, it will just become one more piece for you to control.’ He thought as he clenched his fist.

“Would it harm the Tsuchiya clan?”

“No.”

“I believe you.” She said with a smile.

“It has been a month since we last trained together. Let us see how you fare with a blade.”

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