Kurai's POV
All my life, I have lived in his shadow. It was always Kazuha this or Kazuha that! He had everything and left me with nothing. Girls fawned over him and his fucking haikus while they rolled their eyes and groaned at the mere mention of my name. What was so special about him anyway!?
'Kurai!' I heard Mei's annoying voice call as she neared my study. 'You're still up?'
Mura quickly disappeared as she opened the shoji.
'Urgh, leave me alone, Mei.' I said tiredly
'Nah, I don't feel like leaving you alone, Kurai.' she said with a small smile as she sat right opposite to me.
'What do you want?'
'Can't a sister just check on her little brother?' she asked me with a kind smile.
Out of all the people in my life...Mei was the only one who was genuinely nice to me. I didn't like snapping at her so much, but it was a sign of strength. I sighed as I heard her previous words of affirmation.
"It's alright, Kurai! I bet you'll get him next time!" or "So what if they don't believe in you! I believe in you, and I know you'll do great things in the future."
'I-I suppose you can sit here as long as you don't bother me.' I said, trying to look stoic
She chuckled in response. I...I didn't know what I'd do to Mei when I destroyed Inazuma. Will I get her killed, too? Her eyes then landed on the Muramasa scroll. Before I could get it, she reached for it. Her eyebrows knitted together.
'Kurai, what is this? "The Cursed Blade That'll Kill You Foe."' she demanded
'It's nothing!' I snapped back, swiping it from her hand. 'Stop going through my stuff!'
'Kurai, you have to let go of your bitterness.' she said, putting her hand on my shoulder. '(Y/n) is Kazuha's wife now, and there are plenty of women out there who would love to be your significant other.'
'Yeah, right.' I scoffed. 'You have Haruhiro, anyway.'
'Just the way I have Hiro, you will find someone too.'
'You don't know that.' I yelled
'K-'
'Mei, he always gets what I want!' I finally yelled
'Kurai...' she said in concern. 'You have to let go of your anger towards Kazuha. Have you ever thought of being friends?'
'Being friends with him?' I scoffed 'I'd rather die.'
'Kurai!' she scolded. 'Don't say such things!'
Mei's POV
They called him the cursed child. The evil one. The monster of Inazuma, but they were wrong...I think. Kurai's just a kid, and he's my little brother. It hurts me when I see him do all those horrible things, but a part of me tells me it's all just the curse. I sighed as I remembered the day that caused Kurai to act out in a terrible way.
***Flashback***
Kurai's POV
Everyone had been affirming Kazuha as usual today. It made my blood boil, and I just...I just wanted him to fail for once, but he never did. No matter how hard I tried to excel, I mastered it before me. Today, however, our master drew the line. It was the first time (Y/n) was there to see my disgrace.
'Master Nakamura, your pupil is so good.' Master Hayashi said, 'You have indeed trained many great warriors. Who are your current students?'
I stood proud. People will know about me for sure now!
'Ah, I am currently only taking one pupil.' he said
He gave me a quick look of disgust before looking back at the young clan members with their sons.
'But Master-' I began
'One pupil!' he said sternly
I gritted my teeth and looked at Kazuha as he smiled and spoke to one of the young girls there. One pupil, huh? Fine then! I'll make sure you have one pupil, and that'll be me!
Mei's POV
I had come to see Master Nakamura praise his students. One of them was my little Kurai. I smiled to myself.
'Hi,' I heard a male voice say, and I flinched. 'Oh s-sorry, did I startle you? Sorry ahah.'
I turned to see a young boy my age. He had soft brown eyes and brown hair. He was kinda cute, if I was being honest. I blushed a bit.
'Hi, I'm Hayashi Haruhiro. Nice to meet you.' he said. 'Say...I've never seen you around.'
'Hello, I-I'm Yamamoto Mei.' I said, 'My f-I mean, I usually stay at home.'
'Nice to meet you, Mei.' he said. 'So what brings you here?'
'My younger brother is Master Nakamura's pupil.'
'Oh really! My best friend and I were his pupils.'
'Is that so?'
'Yup, I beat that Bitchless Cat Whisperer easily.'
'Bitchless Cat Whisperer?' I asked with a light chuckle
'He's known as Kaedehara Tomodachi.' he mumbled
'Oh, I se-' I began when I heard screams
My eyes widened as I saw Kurai attack Kazuha with a delusion. Oh, archons, what are you doing, Kurai? Kazuha was weaponless and dodging his attacks to the best of his ability. I could tell that he was caught by surprise as well.
'Kurai, what are you doing!' Kazuha yelled
'Making sure Master has only one pupil!' he yelled, burning his hand
'ARGH!' Kazuha yelled, grasping his hand in pain
'Yes! This is my moment! FINALLY!' Kurai yelled
Kazuha dodged and tripped Kurai before he ran and ripped the delusion out of Kurai's hand.
'You're a coward, Kurai, attacking your opponent behind their back.' Kazuha said as he held his hand in pain
'I'LL KILL YOU!' he screamed before trying to pounce on him.
Luckily, he was stopped by Master Nakamura, who looked enraged at Kurai. He was about to strike him before I ran in between the two.
'Mei! What are you doing!?' Haruhiro yelled
'NO! MASTER NAKAMURA, THIS IS MY FAULT!' I yelled
'What did you say, girl?' he responded
'I-It was my fault Kurai attacked him.' I said quickly, 'I wasn't paying attention to my brother, and he attacked Kazuha. I will take any punishment you will inflict upon Kurai.'
Haruhiro's POV
Master Nakamura looked at her darkly.
'So be it.' he said before slapping her.
As his previous pupil, I knew how harsh the pain was, and Mei remained quiet with her hand on her cheek.
'MEI!' I yelled before running between Mei and my former master. 'Master, stop!'
'Haruhiro. There is no need for you to interfere.'
'No master! You cannot abuse a woman. I will not stand it.' I said, 'Besides, it'll hurt your image.'
He gritted his teeth before turning away from us.
'Make sure this never happens again, girl.'
'Yes, my lord.' she said, holding her cheek and looking away with tears in her eyes.
'Are you two ok?' I asked Mei and Kazuha once the crowd dispersed
Mei nodded, and Kazuha stared at his burnt hand.
'Kazuha, I am so sorry' Mei said bowing multiple times
'It's not your fault Mei.' Kazuha responded
'What were you thinking!?' I yelled at Mei
'I'm used to it...please don't pry.' she responded
'Fine.' I responded, 'That looked like it hurt as hell. Is there anything I can do?'
'No, I'm fine. Kazuha, come with me. I'll heal your hand.'
He nodded.
***Flashback***
I looked down. Kazuha's hand became permanently scarred. I tried to find a cure, but he told me he was okay. I stared at the scroll in Kurai's hand. How will I protect both of them now? Especially now that I don't have Hiro to lean on.'