Something There - Akaza x Reader

Between Bark and Leaves

A questionable peace continued to linger over Tatsukawa Village tonight.

The moon, hung brightly above, was beginning to slowly lose its flawless curvature as it started to enter the next stage of its life. A sliver, thin but noticeable, had disappeared tonight, breaking the illusion of perfection upon thievery's light. Nevertheless, its glow continued to shine gently upon humanity below to blanket life with its ethereal, ghostly luster.

By the border of Tatsukawa, next to a humble temple, was a large fenced-off yard. Short, rustic wooden fences lined its perimeter, meticulously maintained and painted to properly keep its structural integrity and grayish white color. The grass within was well kept and bright green, lively beyond any shadow of a doubt. Though there wasn't much else in the form of plant life within the plot of land, it was undeniably healthy and looked after with love. Throughout the yard, paths of large stones lined the grass to guide the footsteps of visiting villagers within the tranquil area.

The paths branched off into several different directions and sections leading to headstones of many shapes, sizes and names belonging to the people of Tatsukawa.

There wasn't much light to be had within the graveyard during these hours of the night, but the moon always kept the darkness at bay to the best of its abilities. It was alit in the evening's whites and soft blues, the shine casting off hazily on the solid rocks the headstones were carved from.

It was lonely there during the night. Most visitors of the temple's graveyard only ever came by during the morning or late afternoon hours, but tonight, things were different.

Alone within the graveyard wearing her Corps uniform, _______ sat upon her knees in front of two headstones.

Incense burned dimly before each of the memorials, placed upon their respective burners. Alongside them, small bouquets of white Chrysanthemums rested within stone vases nestled amongst the healthy grass to the right of the headstones. Compared to many of the surrounding stone monuments, the two before her weren't yet weathered nor chipped nor cracked by the passage of time. They were pristine in condition, having only been carved and placed a few short weeks ago. Etched upon their surfaces in delicate kanji were the names of the Watanabe brothers and a short message Tatsukawa's residents left in their memory.

Watanabe Keisuke

Watanabe Botan

Heroes of Tatsukawa

May they bask peacefully in the kingdom of God forevermore

_______'s eyes traced the outlines of the meticulously etched kanji closely for a long time beneath the watchful gaze of the moon. She had been seated there before the two brothers since twilight first gave way to dusk, but she hadn't muttered a word the entire time she had been there. Her head was thunderously loud, yet she couldn't bring herself to speak her thoughts to life. To her, it felt as though the harsh and sometimes painful thrumming and thumping of her heart did the talking for her as she gazed upon the resting place of her dearest friends. She knew she ought to speak, but when she opened her mouth to try, nothing would come to her. Thus, she simply watched over the brothers as the lively sounds of Tatsukawa's life gradually quieted down until the village eventually fell into its nightly slumber.

She would have to leave soon, she knew. There was much she had left to do, and though she had long since dishonored her blade, she knew she would need to rely upon its strength once more tonight. Her right hand, which had been fisted around her sword's hilt for quite some time now, tightened in resolute resolve.

This blade would become her lifeline again. Despite everything within her which begged for her to finally let herself go, she knew she couldn't die tonight. She needed to live to see the sunrise a few more times – at least until she was able to bring Keisuke and Botan back home to their parents. Their kamon pendants hung heavy around her neck, comforting and protective. They were the last pieces of Keisuke and Botan she had left, and it only felt right to return them to their rightful home since the brothers themselves have already found their place to rest.