Shi no Ki

The Beginning..

In the midst of a quiet afternoon, the sound of katanas clashing was heard throughout the home, it was enough to wake your mother from her peaceful rest.

"Please rest up, Mother" you turned to her with a gentle smile on your lips "If you say so, dear" your mother complied with your request.

You turned to the door, sliding it open whilst you hear ruffling of the futon and blanket, you halted for a moment "Please excuse me" you spoke before sliding the door closed behind you.

You let out a sigh escape from your lips, turning to the empty hall, you made your way towards the training grounds. Running footsteps slowly grew louder, you stopped on your tracks, seeing where the running footsteps were coming from.

Soon, you saw two little boys, running around, one of them was teasing the other whilst the other one was angry "Give it back!" The angry boy yelled "Not until you give back my snacks!" The teasing boy spoke, you watched the scene unfold, you glanced at your mother's bedroom door.

With a sigh, you parted your lips "Isamu, Itsuki" you coldly called out to the boys, they both froze in place upon hearing your voice, the noise had now gone in silence.

"Front" you spoke, they both still were frozen in place "Now" you spoke again, both of them slowly and fearfully turned to you, averting their eyes to avoid contact with yours.

"I-Itsuki started it by stealing my snacks" Isamu spoke timidly, pointing his little finger against his brother "You threatened to tell mother about how I'm slacking off" Itsuki spoke up and turned to his brother in anger.

"Enough, both of you" they fell quiet once again "I'm sure that you both will give your mother, Ineko, the proper explanation" you told them "..Yes, Big Sister..." they hung their heads low in a form of a bow, you soon walked away towards the training grounds once more.

The clashing of katanas were over by the time that you made your arrival "Father, I suggest that you should take your training elsewhere" you spoke "Who are you to tell me what to do, Y/n?" Your father turned to you, giving a cold glare.

"I am your legitimate daughter, are you not looking forward for mother's recovery?" You returned the cold glare "You insolent brat! Do you have no manners?!" He yelled "Not as insolent as your mistress" you coughed out.

You then hear something sharp flying towards you, you moved your head and dodged it "I preferred your brother than you, brat" He spoke through gritted teeth.

"Tell that on his grave that you dug" you angrily spoke before turning around and walking back to your mother's chamber.

You knocked on your mother's door "Mother? It's me, I'm coming in" you slid the door open, walking inside your sleeping mother's chamber while closing the door behind you.

"Y/n, what made you angry this time?" Your mother spoke with such gentleness "I thought you were asleep, Mother" She opened her eyes, turning to you with a smile "Come" she patted the space beside her.

She slowly caressed your hair whilst you listened to her slow breathing and pounding heart beat "Mother, why are you in this miserable life?" You asked.

"I'm quite certain that you know that the Shikiyama Clan is the most prosperous Jujutsu Clan whilst bearing many talented sorcerers" you looked at the small green gem that only glowed its leftover embers "Life is fragile yet death is inevitable, My child" You hummed at her words, closing your eyes.

"Do you wish to kill the entire clan, mother? They have been unkind to us after all" she let out a giggle "To live happily with you and your big brother alive, that was my greatest wish" she sighed.

"It is no lie that the Shikiyama Clan has been unkind to me, neither you, and your brother.." "What do you wish to do?" You interrupted her, she placed her head on top of yours, letting out a soft smile.

"Once I leave this world, my last wish is for you to live a long life," she placed a soft kiss on your forehead, you slowly felt that slumber had overtaken you and your whole body "My Lovely Daughter.." she spoke with a wry smile.