For The Yin

spoilers: manga vol. 10
characters: Taikoubou, Inchao, Inhon
chapters: 1/1
retrieved from: Bunnyhat

Vol 10 spoiler alert! Do not read on if you haven’t read that yet.

For once, I didn’t do a first person POV (but it could’ve been easily done with this character). This is about Inkou (the older brother), after he Houshined Inkou (the younger brother). That Chuu’oh was one creative genius, huh? O_o;; Please tell me what you think. I may not write anymore after this one... T_T

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He stood there, frozen – everything was put to a stop. The warm wind, his cold blood, the current of time. His mind slowly regained full consciousness, one shattered piece at a time. In the middle of the battlefield where he stood, the pain that once resided in the wet, gaping wound on his leg was forgotten. The weight of the heavy weaponry equipped on his left arm was no more. Sweat collected at his brow and rolled down onto his eyelashes. He blinked – once to break apart the bead of sweat in his eyes, cleansing his vision. He blinked again, to recollect his thoughts – then his sweat turned dead cold. A chill ran down his spine, freezing his feet, as reality struck him in the form of a burst of light, followed by the sound of life literally soaring away into the sky.

He had killed his own brother.

The raging emotion inside him came out as a single scream, breaking the silence. Losing all rationality, his left arm involuntarily swung up, all his energy concentrating on releasing his anger and frustration. Almost immediately, the nameless, worthless faces before him were marked for death. He gritted his teeth and trembled, on the verge of exploding like a madman. The confusion was overwhelming – almost as overwhelming as the painful pressure crushing his heart. Almost. He didn’t understand why the only one left in the cruel world who genuinely cared for him, admired him, loved him, had to side with the enemy. The enemy, whose brains he had to blow out in order to justify his once glorious existence. He felt his heart beating faster, circulating the wild rage throughout his body. He screamed out "Why," once or twice, in a heart-breaking voice. "Why won’t you understand me?!" He gave a choked, broken sound, and redirected his attention to his paopei –

But it was too late.

His arm was pushed up and above his head, before he could exhale. Weakened legs prevented him from being completely knocked over, and the cut, exposed bone of his shin dug back into flesh, causing sharp pain to stall him. He looked down, and saw a pair of brilliant green eyes, which looked right back at him with determination – and regret. Without saying a word, they both knew they were thinking the same thing: it was over. A gloved hand, clutching onto a baton-shaped paopei, drew back, ready to make its kill. A strong but exhausted voice was the last thing he heard before the slideshow.

"Forgive me."

....

A slideshow of his life. Long-forgotten images, flashing before his eyes. Powerful sennins, welcoming him to the strange, mystical world beneath the clouds. A beam of light, picking him off his feet and transporting him there. The sight of a complete stranger, engaging in a dangerous battle for his protection. A red, liquid pool on the floor of his mother’s cell. The vicious glare of the sultry tramp who took over his home. His little brother laughing as he played in the snow. His mother’s beautiful, long hair, swept back in the wind. His father, gazing lovingly at her. His mother, smiling back at him. The look of pride on their faces as they told him he was to become King. He was to become great. He was to become strong. He was to live...

....

With a resounding slash, a blade of wind cut across his chest, drenching him with blood. Staggering, he winced, and felt the blood run down and over his closed eyelids. His muscles soon relaxed, and all the feeling in his body slowly began to drain away. The immense hurt, the unbearable mental torture, was leaving his body. It felt... nice. Finally, he was at peace. The figure that stood before him softly and sympathetically uttered his name as he saw a faint smile spread across his face. It was over. Everything was over. There was no need for him to be standing in that battlefield, dripping with blood, anymore. He had done his duty. He was done. A familiar shower of light surrounded him. As they emitted a glow that lit up his smiling face, there was only one thing certain left in his mind.

He had no regrets.