We'll meet again

○Chapter 3: Avenge○

Walking along the grassy sands of Byakko plain, you and Kazuha neared towards the destination of the meeting.

The sky was grey, tinged with streaks of blue, and filled with gloomy clouds. The ocean churning beneath it was dark almost like ink, flowing in a feat of angry turmoil. The winds tasted sharp, hinting an oncoming storm.

You had an uneasy feeling in your stomach. This wasn't gonna end well. Maybe you shouldn't go there after all? You definitely were curious but the anxietic feeling snatched away your curiosity.

"Kazuha..maybe we should go back."

"Hmm..? What? What's with the sudden change of descision?"

"I..don't feel too good."

"Well..we are supposed to be at the destination but no one seems to be here..you sure you wanna go back? You seemed quite enthusiastic not a few noments ago."

"Heh..sorry about that, just suddenly picked up a headache."

"....Well it's getting cloudy anyways, let's head back."

The uneasy feeling still wouldn't go away. It just kept on nagging at you. You just wanted to get this feeling away. You felt frustrated. There was definitely something wrong.

"Wait, I hear someone. Come here!"

Kazuha whispered as he quickly pulled you behind a boulder, holding a finger towards your mouth signaling you to stay quiet.
"Shhh"

You could hear footsteps, several voices and rustling sounds as if few things were being dragged away.
Out of all these voices the only words you could make out was,

"The Balladeer has ordered to clear up the bodies and retreat as quick as possible."

Unbelievable.

How could it be? Is it what you think it is? Are you hearing things right? All of the elders were at this said meeting, each one very skilled in swordsmanship. How could it be?

The bodies on the beach lay stiff in a pool of blood, most of which had been absorbed by the sand. Some of the bodies were still twitching irregularly before dropping lifeless .

Y/n heard Kazuha inhale sharply and turned to look at him. He seemed to be staring intendly at something, his expression, a mask of pure horror. Y/n followed his line of sight and her eyes fell on one of bodies.
It belonged to a middle aged man, with a seemingly burly frame, and short, white hair with red strands. He held a shattered sword in his limp hand. The sword had something dangling by the hilt. It was a vermillion tag with a maple leaf engraved on it. It was the Kaedehara Clan's family crest.Y/n felt her throat close up as realization dawned upon on her. It was Kazuha's father.

Kazuha rushed up from the spot, his body shaking, only to see his father's lifeless eyes look back at him. He had a horrified look on his face. All of the elders seemed to have attended the meeting only to end up. Dead. Kazuha stood there. Not a single movement, not a single sound. He just stood there devastated, tears slowly forming on the corner of his eyes.

"Search the area for any witnesses and get rid of them" said one of the fatui agents.

As dreadful as this was, you both had to get out of here before the fatui finds you.

"Hey, let's go. We're not safe here."

"Father..." kazuha stuttered. His body still trembling.

"I dont wanna leave him..Father!!"

"Kazuha! They've heard us..lets get out of here!"

"No im not gonna let them get away after what they did! Im not gonna leave my father!"
He cried. Pain visible in his voice.

"Hey please understand! We're not strong enough to defeat them Kazuha!! We need to get out of here and head to a safe place" you yelled, restraining Kazuha from pulling out his sword.

"No let go! Let go of me" he said sobbing.
He was completely vulnerable. He couldn't defeat the fatui as he is. Neither could you. The only option was to take him and runaway.

You grabbed his arm attempting to run but he wouldn't budge. He kept on sobbing and screaming. You had no other choice but to

*slap*

"Kazuha! Get back to your senses!"

He silenced. With no response he just stayed silent as you pulled him away. Running towards the straight path which you hoped led to somewhere safe.

Next thing you knew, you were hiding behind a rather large baked-danuki statue in Chinju Forest.
Kazuha was silent this whole time. He did not utter a single word.

"Looks like they finally decided to retreat"

"...i want my father back."

"...hey."
You cupped his face, his gaze still towards the ground.

"Listen to me."

"...shut up! I want my father back!" Tears kept on streaming down his face.

"Kazuha, your father..your father is dead."

"No..." his voice cracked
"No..he's not..he can't be..i'm gonna get him back! I'm-"

"Kazuha..listen, your father can't come back..he can't."

"He can't..?"

"The only thing we can do now is avenge their deaths."

"Avenge..i- i wanna avenge Father's death...i want avenge their deaths.."

He finally looked at you, his lips trembling, his eyes red as tears once more formed.

"I want to..i want..i want my father back" he said sniffling.
You pulled him into a hug, he held you tightly as if he's gonna loose you too.

"I want him back.."

"Im here for you Kazuha..it's okay..im here for you"

"I want my father back.."
"I want him back"
His warm body trembling, his tears making the cloth covering your shoulder wet, he kept on repeating those words till he passed out on your shoulder.