The sun was setting by the time they left the city.
Kanashimi was barely conscious, supported by Senior Kanji and Yoshi on either side. Thick silver threads bound his wrists and ankles, suppressing most of his Special Energy. Every step sent fresh pain through his body, but he didn't make a sound.
Haru refused to leave his brother's side. The little boy walked while holding Kanashimi's bloody hand tightly, his small face streaked with tears that wouldn't stop falling.
Kanashimi's thoughts:
Every step hurts… but this pain is nothing compared to seeing Haru cry like this.I never wanted him to see this side of our world.Yuna… you're walking ahead without looking back, but I can feel your conflict.Thank you… for not killing me in front of him.
Yuna walked at the front, silent and rigid. Her silver threads occasionally flickered, as if reflecting her unstable emotions.
Senior Kanji glanced at her. "Yuna… are you really going to bring the child too?"
Yuna didn't answer at first. After a long pause, she spoke quietly.
"If we leave him behind, he'll be alone. And he'll hate us forever."
Haru suddenly tugged on Kanashimi's hand.
"Brother… are you going to be okay? Onee-chan said she won't kill you… right?"
Kanashimi forced a weak smile and nodded slowly.
Kanashimi's inner thoughts:
Haru… my brave little sunshine.You're holding my hand even though it's covered in blood.You still believe in me.I don't deserve you.
They crossed the invisible veil between the normal world and the hidden territories. The city lights faded behind them as tall ancient trees rose around the group. The air grew thicker with spiritual energy.
Haru looked around in wonder, but his grip on Kanashimi's hand never loosened.
After walking for nearly an hour, Kanashimi's legs finally gave out. He collapsed to his knees with a pained groan.
Yuna stopped immediately.
Senior Kanji sighed. "We should rest for a bit. He's losing too much blood."
They stopped near a small clearing beside a stream. Yoshi helped Kanashimi lean against a tree. Haru immediately climbed into his brother's lap, curling up against his bloody chest like a frightened kitten.
Yuna stood a few meters away, watching them.
Yuna's inner thoughts:
Look at them…That child loves him so much.Even covered in blood, even knowing his brother is a criminal… he still clings to him.Three years ago I wanted nothing more than to see Kanashimi dead.But now… seeing Haru like this… my blade feels heavier than ever.
Haru looked up at Yuna with teary eyes.
"Onee-chan… can you heal brother? He's hurting a lot…"
Yuna turned her face away, biting her lip hard.
"I… don't have healing threads prepared," she lied softly.
Kanashimi gently stroked Haru's hair, his voice weak but full of love.
"It's okay, Haru… Big brother is strong. I'll be fine."
Kanashimi's thoughts:
She's lying.She could heal me if she wanted to.But she can't bring herself to be gentle with me yet.That's okay…As long as she doesn't kill me in front of you.
The night grew darker. Crickets sang around them as the group rested.
Haru eventually fell asleep in Kanashimi's arms, exhausted from crying. Kanashimi held him protectively, even though the silver threads dug painfully into his wrists.
Yuna sat on a rock a short distance away, staring at the two brothers.
For the first time in three years, a single quiet tear rolled down her cheek as she whispered to herself:
"…Why does this hurt so much?"
The journey back to the hidden village of the Special Fighters had only just begun.
And every step forward felt heavier than the last.
The fire crackled softly in the small clearing. The group had been resting for nearly an hour. Haru had woken up again, still clinging to Kanashimi, refusing to let go even in his sleepy state.
Kanashimi looked down at his little brother with tired, loving eyes. His wounds were still bleeding slowly, but he ignored the pain.
"Haru…" he whispered gently.
Haru looked up at him with puffy red eyes.
Kanashimi smiled weakly and nodded toward Yuna, who was sitting alone on a rock a few meters away, staring into the darkness.
"Go sit with Yuna-nee for a while. She's warm… and you're tired. Rest on her, okay?"
Haru hesitated, looking between his brother and Yuna. But he eventually nodded and slowly walked over to her on his tiny legs.
Yuna tensed as the little boy approached. She didn't say anything.
Haru climbed into her lap without asking, just like he used to do with Kanashimi. He snuggled close and rested his head comfortably on her chest, letting out a small, content sigh.
Yuna froze completely. Her hands hovered awkwardly in the air, unsure where to put them.
Then Haru spoke innocently, his voice soft and sleepy:
"Brother… your chest was hard… but Sister-in-law's is soft and warm…"
The words hung in the night air.
Senior Kanji and Yoshi looked away awkwardly. Kanashimi's eyes widened for a second before a painful, bittersweet smile appeared on his face.
Kanashimi's inner thoughts:
Haru… you pure, innocent soul.You just called her "Sister-in-law" right in front of the woman who wants me dead.You have no idea how much those words are stabbing her heart right now.And yet… you're smiling peacefully in her arms.I wish I could stay alive just to see you grow up calling her that for real…
Yuna's body trembled slightly.
She slowly lowered her arms and wrapped them around Haru, holding him gently. Her silver threads had completely disappeared. For the first time since she arrived, her expression softened — just a little.
But her eyes… they were filled with unbearable pain.
Yuna's inner thoughts:
…Sister-in-law?This child really believes I'm still his brother's wife.He doesn't know I came here to kill his only family.He doesn't know I stabbed his brother just hours ago.How can someone so small hold this much trust…?
Haru nuzzled closer to her chest, his voice barely a whisper now.
"Onee-chan… you smell nice… like flowers… Big brother always smells like coffee and blood now…"
A single tear finally escaped Yuna's eye and fell onto Haru's hair. She didn't wipe it away.
Kanashimi watched them from where he sat, his heart breaking and healing at the same time.
This is torture.Seeing the woman I love holding my little brother so gently… while knowing she still wants me dead.But if this is what it takes for Haru to feel safe… then I'll gladly bleed more.
Yuna finally spoke, her voice quiet and hoarse, almost broken.
"…Sleep, Haru. I'm here."
Haru smiled in his sleep, murmuring, "Thank you… Sister-in-law…"
The fire continued to crackle.
No one spoke for a long time.
The journey back to the hidden village felt longer and heavier than ever — not because of the distance…
But because of the three broken hearts walking it together.