SSKK Orphanage AU [Working Title]

2

The eldest Akutagawa gazes through the cracks in the stone. The sky's the fullest kind of pure black as if it had gobbled every star whole and is now resting in satisfaction. The only sign of life is the sliver of moon that gazes back at him.

Behind him, his sibling and the peasant boy sleep. He's failed them. He allowed Gin's freedom to be taken from them. Secure in their snores he allows a single tear to escape.

When the moon finally gives in, conceding the staring contest he settles down again.

-

An hour before sunrise that awful gong echoes through the building.

Only half asleep, Ryuunosuke hears the clinking of keys and heavy steps before anyone else.

His ability readies herself, but he clenches it back. 'I must not show it yet, when the time comes, I will kill them all.'

"Hey, brats. You'd better be awake by the time I reach you or I'm caning all of you and you get gutter cleaning duty. You should feel right at home, no?"

Quickly, Ryuunsouke uses the dark ability to rouse his sibling. He frowns a bit when they shake the white-haired boy awake.

"Let him sleep!" Ryuunosuke hisses. Anger burns hotly under his skin, like an infection setting in, eating at him. Acidic. But he doesn't mean it. He of all people knows that no one should be punished just for existing. As much as he loathes to admit it, the cool relief he feels when the boy jolts awake quells the anger.

Gin and Atsushi start toward the door, but Ryuunosuke stops them.

"No. Don't. These people, they want to see you afraid, as pathetic as it is, we must be patient and cower for now if we wish to escape." He whispers, yanking the younger children back into the shadows, just enough so the ribbons of morning light illuminate them.

Atsushi braces for a reprimand, every morning he tries to please them, readying himself at the door only to be hit for his efforts . . . but this time . . . he's met only with a rough hand on his arms, dragging him up the stairs.

And again he's jealous. How did this boy who's been here barely a day understand so easily what The Directors wanted? How is it that he knows how to survive while Atsushi is left to be beaten?

-

He dares to wave at Gin when morning chores separate them, the Akutagawas tossed into the gutter with scrub brushes while he has to finish his work from the night before alone.

-

Breakfast is terrible as usual, something resembling gruel.

But no child is in a position to refuse, especially not the Akutagawas who haven't seen a meal in days. Seething to show his desperation, Ryuunosuke eats as slowly as possible, finishing minutes after Atsushi.

-

Lessons are new for the siblings, having never been to school before.

One of The Directors shoves them in the back of the class saying they'll decide what to do with them by the end of the day.

The siblings try not to dread their fate as they sit through lessons.

The morning work begins with a brief lecture on how useless scum hardly needs teaching because they'll amount to nothing but that building discipline is important. Then the work begins.

Times table drills.

Alphabet memorisation.

Handwriting.

Spelling.

Any answer deemed incorrect resulting in a sharp strike to the hand with The Director's pointer stick. By the end of it, some of the younger charges' knuckles bleed.

The Akutagawas pick things up fairly quickly, but it isn't enough. The siblings have read every book they've been allowed to, still, their handwriting is shaky from trembling hands and Gin's never had a use for times tables before.

Everyone is relieved when Midday chores come around even if the cold water and cleaning fluid burn their raw knuckles.

Gin stares at what little muscles Atsushi has built up from the work, in admiration.

-

Lunch is at least a different kind of gruel, more solid-looking.

-

Afternoon lessons include basic Japanese History and geography.

Naming every prefecture, its capital, districts, and speciality, the ruler once again enforcing correctness.

After lessons Afternoon chores begin, much the same.

-

By dinner, the Akutagawas have almost fallen into the routine. They can't help it, there's nothing else to do and this is the most they've eaten in one day for as long as they can remember. It makes their stomachs a bit sick.

-

Evening chores pass in a blur, and then their back into the cellar.

"We cannot stay here." The "my body can't take it" goes unsaid, but with the way he sways on his feet, clinging to the wall, breathing heavily, it's implied.

"Okay, as soon as there's an opening, we all sneak out."

"No."

"No?"

"No. The two of us, we go tonight. I'll use Rashoumon to make an exit and we get out."

"But what about Atsushi?"

"What about him?"

"He-"

"Belongs here. They do not want us here, if we stay we may get reported to the authorities, and then do you know what will happen."

Gin sinks down with a quiet, "Y-yes."

"Yes. But they do not care about us, if we get out of their way now they will give us no more trouble, however, if we take charge with us they may follow. I can only define so many. It's you and I alone or just myself. You know I would never leave you, Gin. If you stay I will. Do you want me to endure this any longer? You need me, what are you going to do if I become too weak to protect you?"

It's low. Ryuunosuke knows that, but he can't care. He's learnt to do whatever he must to protect Gin, including manipulating them.

They start to cry. "I-I just want to help him."

"What have I told you!? We cannot afford to help others."

"I want to be better than that! I just want to do something good! Maybe if I do then the universe will be kinder to us, to you, Onii-chan!"

He looks at her. Looks into thoes big childish eyes, and he cannot say no.

"Fine. One more night. Only one."