Your gaze remained fixed on the wooden ceiling, the moonlight seeping through the window casting eerie shadows upon the surface. Your mind was preoccupied, lost in your thoughts about Sato. Suddenly you heard a voice interrupting your contemplations with words of condolence.
"Sorry for your loss"
How did he know about your loss? Was he a kind stranger, or one of Sakura's students?
With a sigh, you resigned yourself to the fact that you wouldn't be able to sleep. You decided to leave the room, carefully lighting a lantern before stepping out into the chilly air of the night. The cool breeze caused you to shiver, but you continued on, hoping the crisp air would aid in inducing restful slumber.
In the garden, a single cherry tree stood in solitude. It was your favorite spot, a place where you could lose yourself in your thoughts while gazing at the stars. You sat underneath it, and as you looked up at the vast expanse of the sky, you could feel the weight of your emotions bearing down on you. "S/n... wherever you are, I hope you're happy," you whispered, your voice barely audible.
As you sat there, lost in thought, you slowly fell asleep...
--Past/3rd Person--
Y/n's deft fingers worked swiftly, gathering S/n's long hair into a neat bun at the nape of her neck. She meticulously adjusted and smoothed the locks until the bun looked immaculate. S/n eagerly turned to the handheld mirror that Y/n offered her, and her eyes widened in delight. "I look exactly like you!" S/n exclaimed, her eyes twinkling with excitement.
Y/n chuckled at S/n's comment, pinching her chubby cheeks playfully. "Looks like you're starting to take after your big sis, but you're a little chubby" Y/n said with a grin. S/n's eyes widened, their playful banter quickly turning into a faux argument. "Hey, I'm not chubby!" S/n exclaimed, puffing out her cheeks. But Y/n's teasing remark only made S/n cry out in mock indignation.
Y/n gave S/n's hair a final pat, and S/n sprang up from her seat, crossing her arms over her chest. "If I'm chubby, then you're chubby too!" S/n retorted, a sly grin playing at the corners of her lips. Y/n couldn't help but laugh at S/n's playful antics, and she gave in to S/n's poke on her cheeks.
But S/n's carefree demeanor quickly turned serious, and her expression turned glum. "Y/n," she began, her voice soft and plaintive. "When I get better, can we go to the fireworks festival?" Y/n immediately nodded her head in agreement, "Yes I promise to make you the most beautiful girl there. I'll make you a kimono and buy the most expensive hairpins when I get money."
But S/n's tone grew more serious, and a frown creased her forehead. "Y/n, I don't need all that fancy stuff. I just want to go to the festival with you. You don't have to spend so much money on me, you know?" Y/n's sighed, resigned to S/n's wishes. "Okay, I understand," she said, giving S/n a comforting pat on the back.
"Oi brat, what are you doing out here this late?!"
--Present/2nd P.O.V--
You were lost in thought, staring off into the distance, reminiscing about the past when you were abruptly pulled back to reality. Haruka stood before you with her hands planted on her hips, her eyes blazing with irritation. "What are you doing out here at this hour?" Haruka's voice pierced through the silence, demanding an answer.
You simply shrugged, unable to sleep and lost in your own thoughts. Haruka rolled her eyes, her annoyance growing. "Do you have any idea how dangerous it is to be out here alone without any weapons? Anything could happen, you know?" Her words hit home, and you couldn't help but feel a bit foolish.
Your eyes widened as you muttered under your breath, loud enough for Haruka to hear, "Since when did you start caring about me?"
But before you could say anything else, Haruka's face contorted in anger. "What do you mean, 'since when'? Of course, I care about you! We all do! In fact I care about you because Yuri and master does!" Her words were sharp but sincere.
You couldn't help but be surprised by Haruka's outburst. "So you care about me, huh?" A sly smile crept onto your face as you thought about Haruka's true intentions. "Well, that's surprisingly cute of you, even though you're still an asshole."
Haruka's irritation was clear as she turned away, muttering under her breath. "At least I don't talk to myself and swing my sword at nothing." You raised a brow, confused about what she meant, "Huh? What do you mean by me talking and swinging their sword at nothing?"
As you stood there, confused, Haruka's expression morphed into one of surprise. "Are you serious? You were talking to nobody, swinging your sword aimlessly, and you even fell over for no reason!" Haruka's incredulity was palpable.
You were equally baffled as you responded, "I genuinely have no idea what you're talking about." Suddenly, a realization dawned on you - you had met someone named Sato yesterday. "Wait, were you talking about Sato? He's the only person I met yesterday, and we ended up sparring."
Haruka's eyes widened as though she had just been struck by lightning. She grabbed your shoulders roughly, causing you to wince in pain. "Does Sato have pink hair and purple eyes?" she demanded, her voice rising with urgency.
You nodded hesitantly, still reeling from Haruka's aggressive behavior. Then, suddenly, she released her grip, causing you to stumble backward and fall onto your butt. "Listen closely," Haruka said in a low, urgent voice. "Never, ever mention Sato's name in front of the master. Got it?"
Perplexed, you tilted your head even further, hoping for an explanation. "Why can't you mention Sato in front of Sakura?"
Haruka joined you on the ground, her frustrated glare focused on a small patch of dirt. "Because..." she hesitated for a moment before finally speaking;
"Sato is the Master's younger brother."
You were dumbfounded. The pieces didn't seem to fit - how could the youthful swordsman you had met yesterday be related to the Master, who was undoubtedly older and more experienced? "But that doesn't make sense," you said out loud, more to yourself than to Haruka. "Sato looks like he's my age, not 40."
Haruka seemed slightly irritated by your incorrect assumption, but continued nonetheless. "It's complicated. Sato may not look it, but he's been around for a long time. And trust me, it's better to just accept his help if he offers it. Just don't say his name around the Master, or else she'll get really angry." She then poked your head.
Intrigued, you furrowed your brow in confusion. "But why can't I mention one simple name in front of Sakura?" you asked, hoping to uncover some answers. Haruka's gaze softened as she considered your question. "I don't really know," she admitted, "but it likely has something to do with her past."
As Haruka leaned back against the tree and seemed to distance herself from you, a wave of sadness washed over you. 'She wants me to leave?' you thought, feeling disheartened by the sudden distance.
The air between you two was awkward and tense, the only sound being the soft whisper of the wind as a melodic tune played. The silence was finally broken by Haruka, who seemed to have a sudden change of heart. "I can tell you're mad at me, and I-I guess I'm sorry for being mean to you," she said, revealing vulnerability that surprised you. 'Since when did she become so apologetic?' you wondered.
Haruka must have read your thoughts, because she let out an impatient scoff. "It's not like that! It's just-" she trailed off, her gaze turning away from you, making your curiosity peak. "Haruka, please tell me," you implored, eager to find out what it was that you were doing wrong.
Haruka's voice rose in frustration and anger. Her eyes shut tight and her fist clenched tightly as she paused to catch her breath. "I...I'm," she trailed off before shouting, "JEALOUS, OK?!"
Haruka continued in a teary yet angry voice, her words spilling out like a torrential downpour. "I'm jealous of you! You have everyone's attention and have mastered everything within months while I took years!" As she spoke, she seemed to unravel, struggling to keep herself composed. "I'm scared that I'll become the weakest one. Scared that once you cut open the stupid tree within weeks, I'll be the weakest out of all of the students!"
At first, you were surprised by Haruka's confession. How could someone as strong and talented as Haruka be envious of you? But as you watched her dissolve into tears, you realized the depth of her insecurity and fear.
You tentatively placed your hands on Haruka's shoulder and spoke softly, "Haruka... it doesn't matter who's stronger or weaker." She looked up at you, her tear-streaked face contorted with confusion. Before she could say anything, though, you placed a finger on her mouth to quiet her. "Sakura and the others will always love you, no matter what. Strength doesn't define who you are."
Haruka looked at you in disbelief, her mouth slightly agape as she tried to process your words. You directed your gaze upward, admiring the stars that shimmered brightly in the sky. "You've been here longer than me, Haruka. They all probably love you more than they love me," you said with a small smile, hoping to reassure her.
Your earlier remark had been thoughtless, and you immediately regretted it as Haruka's anger flared up. A veil of bangs obscured her red, tear-filled eyes as she clenched her fist tight. "Idiot," she spat out, her voice laced with hurt.
You turned in her direction, tilting your head in confusion. "Huh?" you asked softly, hoping to defuse the situation. But Haruka was beyond reasoning.
"Y-You idiot...w-why do you care so much about me?!" she shouted, her tears streaming down her face. "I-I- You're not supposed to... You're supposed to h-hate me!" She covered her face with her hands, her voice cracking. "W-Why are you like this? W-Why do you have to care about someone l-like me, especially after what I've done to y-you!"
Hearing Haruka's pain makes you feel even guiltier. You realized that you had been instrumental in bringing her to this point, and the weight of your actions pressed down on you.
You reached out tentatively to touch Haruka's shoulder, but she slapped your hand away harshly and stood up. "D-Don't talk to me," she seethed. "I-I hate you! In fact, you're nothing but useless to me!!"
Your heart sank as Haruka whirled around and ran towards the minka. You watched her go, feeling inconsolable. "Why am I surprised?" you asked yourself, tears welling up in your eyes. "Of course she hates me. She always does... I'm an idiot. Did I really think that I'd develop a decent friendship with someone like Haruka?"
Your body was wracked with sobs as you struggled to contain the overwhelming grief that threatened to consume you. Tears cascaded down your cheeks, their salty trails burning your pale skin. Each droplet that fell from your eyes created a tiny stain on your beautiful kimono, forever marking it with the memory of your pain.
Your hands curled into fists, the frustration and devastation building within you. How could this have happened? If only you had stayed home that day, perhaps she would still be here, happy and healthy. The weight of your guilt and self-loathing threatened to crush you.
Your eyes are fixated on the cobblestone floor, its rough surface taunting you. You glared down at it as if it were your adversary, your anger building with each passing moment, 'Why... why... why...
WHY?!'
Before you knew it, your fist was soaring through the air, connecting with the hard stone surface. The impact caused tiny cracks to spiderweb out from your hand, a stark reminder of your pain.
A wave of agony shot through your arm, the sharp sting of your wounds a shock to your system. You couldn't believe what you had done, succumbing to your emotions in such a violent and reckless manner, 'Fuck...! Why did I do that?!"'
Frustration and self-doubt swirled within you as you cradled your injured hand, cursing yourself for your actions.
You winced in pain, and stood up - leaning on the tree for support while gripping tightly on your wrist, 'Gosh... I probably look stupid right now...' You cringed at yourself as you walked towards the minka to treat your wounds, still having Haruka's harsh words lingering in your mind.
'Am I truly useless?'
---
You laid on the futon, wrapping bandages You were just chilling on the futon, wrapping bandages around your bruise. You knew if Yuri caught a glimpse of it, she would go into full-on panic mode and lecture you to death.
Speaking of Yuri, she's been acting mad strange lately. Ever since you gave her some comfort, she's been latching onto you like a koala bear. It's weird because you're not exactly used to this kind of...affection? S/n never acted like this, and you never really had much experience with friends or any of that "husband" or "wife" stuff.
You figure it's probably just a lil' crush on her part. I mean, come on, she's drop-dead gorgeous and you look like a bird's nest with legs. But whatever, you've got bigger things to worry about, like chopping down that tree.
Although, you can't deny that things have been pretty interesting these past few months. You used to hate all the chores and training, but now you're getting the hang of things.
Now you had to cut down a tree to officially become a helper of the village, or so you thought. Even though you helped out with chores on Saturdays, Sakura made it clear that being her official student meant more than just assisting an old lady in finding her missing mice. It meant protecting the village from demons, a job that could be pretty dangerous. And not just the villagers in the village, but also those living in the mountains.
You were curious as to how Sakura knew when demons were attacking, but she always brushed off your questions with an excuse like, "I have to attend to a villager in need."
As you rubbed your aching hand from the recent bee sting-like pain, you hoped it wouldn't interfere with cutting down the tree. You couldn't afford any setbacks on this mission.
And to add to your stress, you had to keep your embarrassing mishap of smashing the concrete floor a secret. No way were you going to let anyone know about that blunder.
You let out a deep sigh of exhaustion and collapsed onto your futon. You desperately needed sleep, but you knew Haruka or Yuri would wake you up in just two short hours. It wasn't much time to rest.
Despite going to bed at 5:00 am, you tried to sleep but found yourself tossing and turning. Memories flooded back from years ago when you were a shrine maiden and S/n was still alive and strong. You couldn't be so hard on yourself anymore. It was getting out of hand, to the point where you almost broke your hand.
Seeking comfort, you turned to the colder side of the futon and pulled the warm blanket over your shivering body. Your eyes started to droop as you silently pleaded for just one hour of rest. "Please," you thought to yourself, "just one hour." You finally drifted off into a deep sleep.
--Timeskip 1 Hour Later--
Your eyes shot open, and you bolted upright, gasping for breath. You scanned the dimly lit room, confusion and disorientation clouding your senses. Suddenly, your attention was drawn to Yuri, whose tear-streaked face was twisted in a mask of deep concern.
"I'm so glad you're alright!" she exclaimed, her voice choked with emotion. "Your hands were wrapped in bandages, and...and I was so worried!"
Yuri continued to speak, but her words registered only as a dull murmur in your mind. You felt lost, empty, as though a black hole had swallowed up all your thoughts and left a void in their wake.
"Are you even listening to me?!" Yuri's voice rose, her tears streaming faster now.
You turned to face her, your expression inscrutable. "What?" you mumbled, your voice barely audible. Yuri's right eye twitched in irritation. "Y-You...YOU WEREN'T EVEN LISTENING?!" She seized your shoulders and shook you violently. "Y/n! You're worrying me! Please tell me you're joking! I'm worried sick!"
You blinked rapidly, finally realizing that Yuri was physically shaking you. Dark shame washed over you as you realized the extent of your mental disconnect.
"What are you talking about? I'm perfectly fine," you reassured Yuri, bracing yourself for her inevitable skepticism.
But instead of backing down, Yuri only grew more insistent. "Then what are those bandages around your hand?" she demanded, grabbing your hands with a force that made you wince. You racked your brain for a stupid explanation, feeling your pulse skyrocket as Yuri continued to stare at you with an unwavering gaze.
"Uhm...I...accidentally hit a tree," you stuttered, feeling your face flush with embarrassment.
'Not that stupid dumbass...'
But Yuri didn't seem convinced. Instead, she leaned in until her nose was almost touching yours, her eyes never wavering from yours.
For a moment, you froze, lost in the sudden proximity of this girl you had come to know so intimately. But just as quickly, Yuri pulled away, her face suffused with embarrassment.
"I'm sorry Y/n...I didn't mean to be that close to you," she muttered, her eyes fixed on the floor. "I was just so...worried for you." Despite your discomfort, you couldn't help but feel deeply moved by Yuri's concern for your wellbeing. You put a hand on her shoulder, trying to reassure her with a small smile.
"It's fine, Yuri," you said gently. "I appreciate you always watching out for me, but I can handle myself. No need to worry about me all the time."
Yuri responded to your gratitude with a soft smile, her eyes shining with a lightheartedness that you rarely saw. "Thank you Y/n," she responded, her voice carrying a hint of genuine warmth. "I'll try not to be your babysitter all the time. If that's even possible..." Her words were accompanied by a playful nudge of her shoulder.
You chuckled in response to her jest, appreciating her lighthearted attitude. "Well, let's get going then," you continued with a light hearted tone. "I'm starving as hell!"
Yuri shot you a small glare, but it was laced with amusement. As she bumped you with her shoulder, you playfully rubbed your arm. "Watch your language, Y/n," she scolded with mock intensity.
You pouted in response, knowing that hell was hardly a curse word. "But hell isn't even a bad word!" you cried out, eliciting a laugh from Yuri. As she shook her head in bemusement.
Without a word, Yuri strode towards the door, her body language assertive and confident. You felt a sense of admiration for your friend, her grace and poise captivating you once again. "Are you coming, or not?" she called out, her words laced with amusement.
Blushing slightly, you coughed to hide your embarrassment before nodding. "Yes ma'am!" you quipped back, trying to match her playful energy. You rose from your seat and joined Yuri, reveling in her company.
As you made your way to the kitchen, a wave of nostalgia washed over you. Today was no different as you both shared a breakfast of fried eggs and rice before changing into more comfortable training clothes.
As you gathered baskets full of swords and made your way towards the path where the tree lay.
---
As you looked up, the sun inadvertently blinded you, you glimpsed a figure up on the tree branch, perched like a bird. Struggling to adjust your eyes, you squinted at the sight, your confusion mounting as you noticed something in their hand. A book?
The figure turned their head, revealing themselves to be Sato, and grinned down at you, his expression almost mischievous. "You came back~!" He exclaimed, slamming the book shut before leaping gracefully from the branch, landing catlike and perfectly upright.
Despite the impressive display, you found yourself frozen, your mind racing with the sudden realization that this guy was beyond strange. There was something inhuman about him, something that left you feeling uneasy.
'You carefully set the wooden bucket down, your thoughts swirling around your head. Haruka's words echoed through your mind, and you found yourself glancing at Sato with a newfound suspicion. Maybe it was time to confront him.
"Hey, Sato," you called out, your voice tinged with apprehension. He turned towards you, his expression brightening as he recognized you.
"Hello, Y/n~!" he exclaimed, waving at you with enthusiasm. "Are you ready for your training?"
You took a deep breath, steeling yourself for what was to come. Gripping your own sword tightly, you nodded hesitantly. "Yes, I'm ready. I think," you added, your voice trailing off.
Sato chuckled at your uncertainty, effortlessly drawing out his own wooden sword. "Good, good~!" he said, his eyes piercing into yours. You got into a fighting position, but you couldn't shake off the sense of unease that had settled within you.
You then started wondering how someone like Sato could be Sakura's brother. He looked barely older than you, and there was a reckless energy about him that made you nervous. Why were you even putting yourself through this? You cursed yourself inwardly as you struggled to think
"Hey! Stop spacing out~!"
Sato's playful demeanor transformed into something much darker as he glared at you. His words rang with an eerie truth that made your stomach churn. "It's really bad, you know? If you space out during battle, there's a 70 percent chance of dying," he warned, his tone low and intense.
A sadistic smirk slowly crept onto his face, causing your heart to race with fear. "Now that I think about it...you really don't want to disappoint your dead sister, right~?" His voice dripped with sarcasm, and you felt a cold shiver shoot down your spine.
Without warning, Sato lunged towards you, his sword aimed straight at your chest. You barely managed to block it, your sword clashing against his with a metallic screech. Your heart was pounding in your chest as you gripped your sword tightly, refusing to back down.
"Don't...talk about me or S/n like that!" you shouted, your voice echoing through the training grounds. Sato seemed surprised by your outburst, a flash of uncertainty flickering in his purple eyes. You locked eyes with him, your expression cold and unwavering.
But Sato was quick to regain his composure, expertly dodging all of your attacks with a frustrating ease. He taunted you, a mockingly smirk still plastered on his face. "My, my, you're cute with that angry face of yours~!" he shouted, his words like daggers to your pride. "But you should realize that staying calm should be your top priority. Because Sakura's breathing needs you to be calm."
He clapped his hands together, a wicked glint in his eyes. "That's why one of your training exercises will be to become one with a Sakura tree!" he declared, his voice ringing with a cruel satisfaction.
The anger inside you surged like a wildfire, fueling every movement, every thought in your body. The memory of S/n, the one you held so dearly, kept swirling in your mind, igniting a passion that threatened to consume you whole. How dare Sato speak of them with such disdain, such disrespect.
The sword in your hand felt heavy, but also comforting, like an extension of your own being. With a blur of movement, you were already upon Sato, his surprise clear in his widened eyes. You swung your sword with a fierce determination, ready to strike him down for his words.
But Sato was too quick for you, dodging at the last moment with a mixture of fear and amusement in his expression. His voice taunted you, reminding you of the danger of letting your rage control you.
You felt his arms wrap around your shoulder, trapping you in his suffocating grip. You struggled against him, angered by his audacity, but also afraid of what you might do in retaliation. You didn't want to hurt him, but the fire inside you threatened to consume everything in its path.
"Come on... Use your sword."
Sato's chilling voice whispered in your ear, goading you to unleash your fury upon him. The words cut like ice, stoking the flames of your anger, making them burn hotter than ever before.
You felt like a caged animal, cornered and desperate, as Sato tightened his grip, cutting off your breath. The pain in your chest was intense, making you gasp for air as panic set in. You needed to get away but didn't know how.
In that moment, you were both predator and prey, ready to strike or flee depending on the circumstances...
'Fuck...Y/n...
USE YOUR FUCKING SWORD!'
Summoning every ounce of strength within you, you raised your sword and sliced at Sato's right hand, the blade connecting with a sickening thud. He shrieked and let you go as excruciating pain shot through his body.
Collapsing to the ground, you gasped for breath, your body wracked with spasms as your lungs struggled to draw in oxygen. Desperately gasping, you clutched your stomach, trying to quell the burning pain that gnawed at your insides.
Slowly you raised your eyes, fixing them on Sato, who was staring at his hand in disbelief. "So that's what true pain feels like..." he murmured, his voice carrying to your ears.
As you watched him, guilt gnawed at you, just like what you felt yesterday with Haruka. Determined to make amends for your actions, you mustered what little energy you had left and scrambled to the nearby basket that held the medical kit. Digging through it, you found the supplies you needed and hurried back over to Sato.
His hand bled heavily, and he grimaced as you helped him sit down, beginning to wrap the wounds with the bandages from the kit. Irritation flared in you, you then glared down at him even as you tended to his injuries: "I-Idiot! Why didn't you let go of me?!"
Glaring daggers at him, he just chuckled, "Sorry, but my hands must've slipped?" As you finished wrapping his hand, you karate-chopped him on the back of his skull, causing him to wince in pain as he touched the spot you'd hit him. "OW! WHAT WAS THAT FOR?!" Sato yelled, rubbing the back of his head.
You let out a deep huff, frustration etched across your features as you glared at Sato. "Why are you such an idiot?" you asked, shaking your head incredulously. "Why didn't you just let go of me? Why did you want me to hurt you?!"
This was the first time you could remember being THIS mad at someone - at least Ms Kaki had never tried to kill you!
Sato rubbed his forehead, wincing as he winced: "I was curious. Curious about what pain felt like." You leaned back, startled and beyond freaked out by Sato's words. "Excuse me?" you said, struggling to keep your voice level. "Did you just say you were interested in what 'pain' feels like?"
Sato nodded, still looking pained. "Yes," he admitted. "I'm curious about what pain feels like. And I didn't expect it to not hurt, unlike what multiple books represent."
You couldn't believe what you were hearing. It was as if the boy had no sense of self-preservation. "That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard," you retorted, gesturing angrily at him. "Do you not care about yourself? What about the danger you put others in?"
"You're scaring me, Sato," you deadpanned, your eyes never leaving his face.
Sato chuckled softly, his eyes apologetic. "I'm sorry if I'm scaring you, but it's not like you d...t k... the t...h al...." he said, the words tumbling out of his mouth in a barely coherent jumble.
You cocked your head to the side, eyeing him warily. "What did you say?" you asked, your voice was clear and strong. Sato sat up straighter, his hands moving restlessly on his lap. "Nothing," he said, his eyes bright and clear.
You sighed, feeling your irritation with this guy growing by the second. "Is your hand better now?" you asked, eager to change the subject. "I don't have much time to chit-chat; I need to train."
Sato nodded eagerly, his gaze falling on his now-bandaged hand. "Yep! Thank you for the bandages. Now we're twins," he exclaimed, grabbing your hands in his, "Twinsies!"
You rolled your eyes, feeling a headache coming on. "Twinsies, huh?" You pulled your hands free, hoping to disengage from the bizarre situation.
'How can this weird ass hoe be Sakura's brother?'
---
2 MORE CHAPTERS AND THE KNY CAST APPEARS WOOOHOOO!
SORRY IF IT TAKES LIKE 5 CHAPTERS!
I know y'all don't probably care about the oc, and want to skip to the kny cast, sorry :(
I just want Y/n to develop some relationship with her teacher and the students (Including Sato) before setting her off to a different journey with the kny cast. Yayayzysys
I promise though! 2 more chapters and it's Kny's turn to be obsessive over Y/n 🥹
Edit: Rewritten