Of Different Worlds-a souoku story

01: Prologue

      As normal, Dazai was walking around the streets, determined to haggle for something to eat, or perhaps take something without cost, as he did often.
      Dazai didn't like to steal. In fact, if he wasn't so dirt poor, he wouldn't even shop for himself. Being near people scared him, and he covered most of his skin with bandages to help it. Somehow, they made him feel like people were staring at less of him.
      A reason that he had no choice but to steal was because of his baby brother. In seriousness, he wasn't actually a baby, that's just how Dazai will always think of him.
His name is Atsushi, and his last name is not known. This is because nine years ago, at the same market tent he visited to buy food once a week, a child, crying softly in a scruffy blanket on the floor appeared in front of him as he walked through an alley.
Dazai was only twelve. He had no idea how to care for a child, and anything he could've learned from him parents was useless, as he had had no parents after four years old. However, he couldn't just leave that poor, crying baby on the ground in the coldness of Yokohama Kingdom.
With a heavy heart, Dazai decided right then and there that if he could learn to be independent as a toddler, he could take care of a one year old.
And that's how it began. That's how he found his brother (ish), Atsushi, who has now grown to be ten, and Dazai twenty-one.
Now, enough with the sappy-ness, because Dazai had just found his target.
Old men had not usually been the ones to run shops, as they were good targets for thieves, and that was correct, because he was about to be Dazai's.
Dazai hadn't been able to crawl on the floor and not be visible for many years, so he had to learn how to manipulate face-to-face. Thankfully, Atsushi helped with this.
Holding his nine-year-old brother's hand, Atsushi looking small and feeble, Dazai used an age-old trick—guilt tripping.
"Excuse me, Mister," Atsushi said.
Confused, the old man looked around, finding the tiny tiger boy on the floor.
"What's a little boy like you doing out in this cold?" The Man said, patting Atsushi's head.
This is where Dazai came in, "Sorry, Mister. Atsushi, what have I told you about asking food from others?"
Atsushi has been trained in the arts...a bit too much, "but, Brother, we're starving at home, and we have no money for food."
'God, he's even better than me,' Dazai thought.
"Oh, no, it's quite alright. Take this bag of sustenance. You skinny boys need it," The lady said as she handed Dazai a hefty bag of food.
      Now, Dazai had actually been caught off-guard.
      "No, this is too much, Mister! We couldn't possibly take this much from your shop!" Dazai explained, looking down at the pile of veggies, and bread.
      "It's okay, boy. It's the end of the day, and I give all my food out around this time to head home. Really, I don't mind, it's not a bother."
      "Mister-"
      "Please, call me Fukuzawa," he said, fishing out some money from his pocket, "and this isn't much, but it can buy your next meal."
      "Mi- Fukuzawa, this is...quite nice of you," Dazai responded, a smile sketched on his face.
      "I beg of you, pay no mind to it. It's only my kind deed for the day. Run along now. Ah, and you can visit any time when things get tough. I rent out this spot."
      It was almost nightfall, and Dazai and Atsushi were counting their money while walking.
      Quickly, five men with weapons appeared from the alley.
      "Drop all your money and food!" One of the men said, pointing his lanky sword at the brunette.
      "Really, men, we don't need to do this," Dazai replied, forcing a smile.
      "Brother, I don't like this," Atsushi said, tugging on Dazai's wrist bandages.
     Dazai bent down to whisper in Atsushi's ear, "have I ever let anyone hurt you, Atsushi?"
     "No, but-"
     A dozen guards turned the corner, all wearing expensive plates of armor, and golden weapons.
    The thieves looked scared, backing away.
    "Those are the prince's guards!" One of the men yelled.
    "Run!" Another one said.
    The thieves ran away quickly, the guards not even bothering to chase them.
     Suddenly, a redhead appeared from the middle of the guards formation.
     "You civilians okay?" The boy asked, arms crossed.

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NEW STORY ALERT! Hey, pooks, please show this prologue some love, because it took me an hour to write. Love you all! See you next chapter! Coming soon.