Short Stories: Love

Yin and Yang

Twin siblings, Kohaku and Hisoka, are the heirs to the Akari clan. Their birth seen as a blessing for them both to rule. Kohaku was born before midnight while Hisoka was born after midnight, thus separating their birth and declaring them the heirs.

The Akari clan, as per tradition, used their magic to gather the light from the moon after the birth of each heir in order to see what their future will hold.

Kohaku's moonlight told of a successful ruler that will guide with strength and wisdom, he will be kind and compassionate yet somewhat distant, he will be the focus of hopes and dreams for the future. Hisoka's moonlight told of a second in a command, someone who will also rule and take over duties with Kohaku, though he will lead in the shadows to balance Kohaku's light.

The clan celebrates and waits for when they will grow.

As time passes by, they learn of how similar the twins are. Their looks are almost exactly the same if not for their eyes. Kohaku's eyes are purely white, as if he was born blind despite him being perfectly able to see. Hisoka's eyes are a pure black, as if the color was consumed by shadows.

Then they continued to grow and they saw even more differences. Kohaku would take natural leadership during games, he would take all the attention of everyone. Hisoka would be at his back, sharp eyes alert and ready to defend. In arts, Kohaku preferred to draw, something people flocked towards in order to see the master piece while Hisoka wrote. Their works balanced each other greatly.

Always, the differences they have compliments each other. Kohaku is stubborn like a stone while Hisoka is flexible like water. Kohaku is guarded of his emotions and Hisoka is seemingly open. Hisoka is good at acting while Kohaku can't pretend.

That's not to say they aren't without their similarities. They both lead. They both make art. They both hide their emotions. They both trust each other more than anyone else. The list is endless.

It's no surprise that when they came of age and gained their individual abilities from the moon that Kohaku got his first.

This is the ability to find truth no mattter what. He is able to see through disguises, hear the truth in lies and most of all, everything he does will hold true to his intentions.

Hisoka on the other hand got the ability to deceive. Shapeshifting and illusions, the ability to lie in the face of danger, he is the perfect balance of Kohaku.

A few days later a war explodes between clans and the Akari clan are dragged into it through alliances of old.

Their abilities come in handy and the clan cares not if Hisoka enters in the form of a woman, looking hurried and tired while holding a scroll with information or if Kohaku's eyes hold the ever present glow of truth as they search the walls for any eavesdroppers.

The war takes a toll on everyone but their leaders first and foremost.

Hisoka comes in wearing one form or another while Kohaku's eyes keep glowing in every waking moment,

The Akari clan discover they are now on their own when their allies have been burned to the ground, their opponent, the maddened and crazed Akitora clan.

As soon as they learnt of this, Kohaku and Hisoka begin to work twice as hard and each battle is another solemn victory as they bury their allies and opponents, the clan stays silent when they see Hisoka burning their bodies as retribution for their allies and Kohaku burns incense for every person that has fallen.

The children do not hear of this but instead hear of the great feats that their leaders have done. They hear of Kohaku's arrows always flying true and hitting their mark and Hisoka's illusions saving hundreds of men from discovery when in hiding for an ambush.