All For You

Training To Find You

Kichirou's Pov

Seven years have now passed.

About six years ago, we were moved to a secret location only a handful know about. The giant mansion is surrounded by Wisteria trees, more than there was at the dojo. It was beautiful to say the least. It's also cut off from the outside world, there are no surrounding buildings or villages for miles.

Otou-san had mastered everything Sōhei-sensei had tought him a few years ago. Though, I have only mastered some of the teachings, to an extent. I started training with Sōhei-sensei at the age of 10, now I'm 15.

Even though otou-san mastered everything, he can't do as he vowed. The curse had caught up to him, like it had to aniki. Now he lays on a futon most of the time. And when he wants to walk, okaa-san has to help him around.

Sometimes, otou-san helps train me with Sōhei-sensei. I think he does it in hope that I could do what he could not. Save aniki and kill that demon Muzan. I have gladly taken up otou-san's vow. He had no need to convince me, I already made up my mind about it a long time ago.

Right now, I am doing 1000 sword swings. And as I do, I think of my aniki.

I remember a lot about him. I remember his warm, loving nature. I remember his bright smile and the nice head pats he would give. I remember how great of a aniki he was to me and Ako.

And I also remembers letting Muzan in to heal him, and I blames myself for that incident.

~Flashback~

As otou-san kneeled on the ground, clutching aniki's old hoari, I ran to him with crocodile tears falling down my face.

He caught me as I hugged his waist. "I'm sorry, otou-san! It's all my fault! I let Muzan-sama in!" I sucked in a big breath and continued. "I thought he could save aniki! I'm sorry!"

Otou-san looked down at me with gentle eye and patted my head. "It's alright, Kichirou. You only did what you thought was best." I looked up at him, still holding him around his waist with crocodile tears falling from my eyes. This caused otou-san to smile a little, to sooth me. "You wanted to save your brother. There is nothing wrong with that. In fact, it was an admirable thing to do."

I could see otou-san's own tears starting to fall. Then he hugged me back. "Hinode wouldn't blame you. So don't blame yourself."

~End of flashback~

After that, otou-san had aniki's old hoari mounted in a glass frame. It hangs on the wall in the dei. I think it's a reminder to him of what he has lost and what he vowed to do.

And even though otou-san told me not to blame myself. I still do. I blame myself for aniki's misfortune. And I'm determined to fix it.

I train hard everyday, I train until I drop. I am going to save aniki or die trying.

As I swung the 1000th sword swing, my imōto walked in with a pile of neatly folded towls.

She saw me and smiled. "Kichi-nii, I brought towls and rags!" Then she ran up and stopped in front of me. A huge smile still plastered on her face. "Let's clean the dojo together!"

I placed both of my hands on my hips, and looked down at her. Giving her a playful smile and a raised brow. "You want to clean the dojo with me? I thought you had important letters to write, Miss Strategist."

She puffed out her cheeks with a cute angry face. "I don't have any today! Jeez, and here I thought I could help you clean!" She quickly turns around and starts walking away. "Fine! If you don't want my help, I'll just leave!"