Chapter 17

- In the house-

Ichika is currently helping her mother tend to the chores. The others are out as they all have things to do. Wondering, she can't help but ask her mother.

"Mom, why is Hisashi-nii always with Koyo-nee?" She asked curiously. Her mother just smiles at her for a moment, before answering.

"Well, ever since he was a kid before I gave birth to you, he wasn't welcomed by everyone," Yuna said as she pinched her cheeks.

"Foreigners weren't really a good omen for many people in our country. That's why he failed to make any friends aside from Ryuya. That went on until he got to school where he met Koyori-chan, his first friend." Ichika just looked down in silence and continued with the chores.

"Why? Are you jealous of Koyori-chan for being your brother?" Yuna asks as she noticed Ichika's reaction.

"No." "Then why are you lumped in that?"

"I'm just sad to know that he can't make friends. I thought that he doesn't like other people." Yuna just smiled at what she heard.

"Why do they hate foreigners, mother?" Ichika asks her mother. She pondered for a moment before giving her an answer.

"It's not that they hate foreigners. It's just that, they were taught to hate foreigners. People are naturally afraid of things they don't know, and unknown people are one of those." Yuna explained to her daughter.

…

After running for minutes, Hisashi was now able to see the town. Since the next terrain is a slope, he needs to slow down or they would fall out of balance and roll off the mountain.

Before he can even step downhill, he sensed a condensed amount of yoryoku heading his way. Unable to counter it, he immediately leans back and lets his body touch the ground. Although painful, he decided to slide down the rocky hill and patches of grass.

He grits his teeth as he feels the cuts and bruises caused by his decision. Hisashi knows though, that it is the only way to effectively dodge the attack as he isn't in focus to analyze the magic.

"He dodged it!" Usuma was impressed. For a kid to have such a sensitive sense and dodge his spell, he knows that Hisashi must be the extraordinary kind. Before the other bandits can follow, Kaato managed to prevent them from going down the slope.

"Don't. He's going to call the samurai? Even if we can defeat them, let's find a better plan. In the meantime, let's check up on the others."

…

"Kaato! Shinmu is just knocked unconscious. However, Aoto…" One of the bandits gritted his teeth. Kaato and Usuma just watched as their member hesitates to speak.

"He almost died but I was able to help him in time. His skull was cracked and his brain may be damaged. He lost a lot of blood and is currently in a coma. The time is unknown, but it is sure will be for a long time. Even if he wakes up, he may wake up mentally retarded." His expression became even more serious. He wants to ask Kaato something but he can't force himself to do it.

However, Kaato already knows what he wants to say. "Let's just end him for good. I know it will be hard. However, even Aoto would want that than to live pathetically." Hearing what their leader said, everyone looked at him with poker faces. The reason that they weren't angry by even a bit, is because they agree.

They were bandits. One thing they believe in when they joined Kaato and Usuma was that, they were born to be a bandit, and so, they need to die as a bandit. They relate themselves to war samurai who would rather die in battle than run away from a fight.

"Pack his body. Aoto won't rest in peace if we don't avenge him. After we succeed, let's bury that kid's body before Aoto's and let him get his revenge in hell." They didn't expect to die and go to heaven. However, if there's something they can do for their fallen comrade, it was to give him his turn getting his opportunity for revenge.

Everyone's expression turned serious as they ready themselves for a raid longer than they expected. After all, a hunted animal won't come back to the same place in a short interval of time.

…

Hisashi arrived at their house. Although his clothes were ruined, his back is already clean of scars. He didn't notice his mother and sister and went straight to his room. The two noticed him though and were confused by his actions.

"Why is brother in a hurry?" Ichika asks. On the other hand, Yuna is angry. "Hisashi! Do I have to keep reminding you guys to not run up and down the stairs!?"

No one answered but Hisashi came back down minutes later.

"MOTHER! WHERE'S BROTHER?" Hisashi hastily asked.

"Why are you panting so much? He's with Ryuya on Omuro. I think they're fishing." Yuna said. Hisashi left and the two were left confused.

…

Without a rest, Hisashi reached Sukehiro and Ryuya who were practicing their swordsmanship near the shore.

"Brother! Ryuya! Can I join you?"

The two already felt him before he can speak so they weren't shocked.

"In our sparring? Why not?" Sukehiro said. Ryuya however, asked something different. "What is the problem?"

His use of Ki is more proficient than Sukehiro. Therefore, he can feel Hisashi's disturbed feelings. Hisashi looked at him, then at his brother, who just jerked his head in Ryuya's direction, saying that he understood it already.

Hisashi breathes a few times before saying his case. "I need help."

The two just looks at each other and smiled. "What's it lil' Yami? You bein' hunted or som'n?" Ryuya said. Hisashi just looks at him in a weird way before saying, "Y-yeah…"

Sukehiro just laughs loudly while Ryuya's eyes open wide. "Why?"

"Well, the thing is…" Hisashi then proceeded to tell them the truth about the dungeon. Although he wants to make it a secret lair for the two of them, he trusts his brother and Ryuya to keep it from others. And, he can't make up a lie and ask for help from the samurai authorities at risk of them finding out about the dungeon.

"Don't tell anyone. Not even mother and father, brother." Hisashi said to Sukehiro.

"Don't worry twerp, even I won't. Unless… There's treasure inside!" Ryuya said looking at Sukehiro while smiling mischievously and rubbing their palms. Sukehiro joined Ryuya in teasing Hisashi.

He just looked at them with a disappointed face though as he tried to hit them with his wooden sword lamely.