Author's Games: Samurai

Sponsorship Battle Task: Sanada verses Kato

Clan 13: Ren Sanada

Kira Akio was nothing like his older brother.

He was younger then Sumio, his face less scarred, and he always had always have a calm expression on his face.

However, Kira Akio was even less like his father.

Kira Uda was a strict diaymo of his clan, while Ren saw Akio smile once. His hands never fluttered towards his katana like his father or brother's, as if he had control of every movement he made.

Ren enjoyed watching Akio the most. He was young - perhaps Yukimara's age - but he was the leader that Ren wished the Sanada clan had. Akio knew what to say, he knew when to say it, and he always thought through everything before he did it.

Meanwhile, Yukimara had left his rooms only once in the week since Kira Sumio's assassination. The Kira clan refused to leave until they found the killer of the heir, and without Yukimara talking to them as the diaymo they weren't getting anywhere.

Ren had dared to talk to him only once.

She'd stepped through the door of his bedroom hesitantly, after a servant had told her he was feeling sick.

"Are you alright?" she asked.

Yukimara laid on his bed and stared blankly at the ceiling. He didn't even move as she walked towards him.

"Of course I'm alright," he responded, his voice hoarse.

Ren said nothing as she waited for him to continue.

"I did one thing, Ren. One thing for this clan. I thought it was a good idea. The alliance was supposed to help us, we were supposed to get food for our people. I was so proud of myself for finally stepping up as a leader."

She didn't say anything. She had always assumed that she was helping him lead the clan and they worked together. Yukimara didn't seem to think so.

"I got a little nervous when you were upset about it. You're the older one, so I knew you were right and I shouldn't have arranged your life without asking. Everything was going okay. Then my one thing I did blew up in my face. I'm sorry. I'm sorry I let you down."

His voice was starting to crack and Ren had to close her eyes for a second.

He was so unprepared for the death of their father. Everyone always thought that Yukimara had plenty of time to prepare to lead the clan, but he had become leader at sixteen years old.

Four years later and he still wasn't ready.

Ren could only blame herself. Had she taken too much responsibility? How could she help him anymore? She only wanted to be a good sister, but it was only hurting.