Akuma no Futago (悪魔の双子)

Fracture

Steel clashed sporadically as Kuroki sparred with an older woman. She darted from attack to attack and swiftly dodged every counterattack. The noise ended with both weapons touching. "That is all of your training for today. You must have sufficient rest for tomorrow." they bowed to each other and went their separate ways. After a moment of rest, Kuroki stood and turned around. She found and approached her father but stepped behind a wall upon seeing him mid-conversation. "Is Shiroizu ready?" "Completely. She is as lethal as ever." "What about Kuroki?" "She is in the best form that I have seen her in." "Very good." "Yes..." she trailed off. "What is wrong?" "Well—if I may ask—what is to happen if Kuroki succeeds over her sister?" Kuroki leaned in closer. "I doubt that will happen, but if it does, the funeral will be the same." Kuroki pulled back and slapped her hand over her mouth. Her katanas soon started to rattle in their sayas. She held them and walked away, placing each step carefully.

"...the funeral will be the same." the phrase weighed on Kuroki's mind while she sat in bed. "Is something on your mind?" Shiroizu enquired. "...if I tell you, you must keep it a secret." "What?" "You must. Father cannot know I told you this." "I see... you have my word." Kuroki inhaled deeply then sighed. "After I finished training, I overheard Father having a conversation with my trainer." "You listened to a conversation not meant for you-?" "Please listen. I know it was not meant for me, but in that conversation, I heard him say we are meant to fight each other tomorrow; should either of us be defeated in the battle, he would hold a funeral." Kuroki watched as her sister turned and quietly stared ahead. "You must have misheard him." she finally spoke. "I heard no one and nothing else." "It-it cannot be true." "Shiroizu, please-" Shiroizu laid her hand on top of her sister's. "Everything will be all right, Kuroki. I have seen you fight. There is no doubt in my mind that you are capable of winning." with that, the light was turned off and they both went to sleep. Memories of Shiroizu's wild stare and flashes of her kunai filled Kuroki's head through the night.

Tying a bow around her torso, Shiroizu reported straight to her father who paced from point to point. "Is something wrong, Father?" "Wait in your room. I will call for you when I need you." only a few minutes passed before she was called. "Where is Kuroki?" "I have not seen her today." "Not at all?" "No, not at all." "How did she slip from your attention?" he questioned. Shiroizu clutched the bow tied around her. "I assumed she had prepared before I did." he turned his back to her. "Afraid to face her demise..." he grumbled under his breath. Shiroizu raised her eyebrows. "Return to your room." she scowled and stormed back to her room yet again.

Shiroizu stood over Kuroki's side of their bed as anger flooded her mind. A silver frame caught her eye. She plucked the photograph and cradled it in her hold.