Down The River

Corpses littered the ground, their blood pooling into the cracks of the concrete.

Even with the overwhelming amount of evidence left, he made no effort to erase anything.

The mission was complete—that was all that mattered.With nothing left to do, he sheathed his katana with a soft click and exited the warehouse, stepping back into the night without a second glance.Along his lonely walk back to the base, a wondering thought came to him.

"Is this it? Is this...my purpose?"

The question remained unanswered.

After hours of walking, Kurashi made it back to Naishotetsu early in the morning, the rising sun hanging over his head. Through the streets and inside the main temple, Kurashi stepped into the main office.

"Oh, you're back," Hikari stated as he looked up from his desk, his eyes softening as he saw Kurashi. "What's your status?"

"The mission is complete..."

There was no trace of pride or relief—just the simple, factual response Hikari had come to expect.

Hikari exhaled deeply as he leaned back in his chair.

"That's great to hear...I'll handle the report, so head back and rest up."

As he turned to leave, Hakari's eyes narrowed on Kurashi.

"Wait a sec!" Hikari spoke out, his voice almost commanding.

Rising from his chair, Hikari crossed the room quickly, his sharp eyes scanning Kurashi. Noticing the blood-stained tear on Kurashi's shoulder, Hikari brushed at the torn fabric to reveal the shallow cut visible just beneath.

"What happened?"

"It's nothing..." Kurashi stated quietly, pulling away from Hikari's grasp.

"Stop moving..."

Hikari frowned as he saw the other cut on Kurashi's side. Though the cut wasn't deep, the dried blood made it look far worse than it was.

"Go to the infirmary...Get it treated before you head back to the house."

Kurashi didn't respond, but gave a faint nod and turned to leave.

As the door closed behind Kurashi, the weight of unspoken words settled in the room.

"Sometimes, I really do wonder what's going on in that head of yours," Hikari muttered to the empty room.

Back at the house, the first thing Kurashi did was take a shower. Steam filled the room as the hot water cascaded down his fatigued body. His wounds, still stained with the dried blood from his mission, began to wash away, the crimson water dissolving into the drain.

After the shower, Kurashi pulled on a loose shirt and sweatpants, making his way to his bed. When his head hit the pillow, he instantly fell into a deep and dreamless sleep.

The next day passed slowly.

The house was completely silent, as it often was when Hikari wasn't around. Just like every other day, Kurashi had no desire to do anything—no urge to eat, no interest in leaving his room. He simply stayed in bed, staring at the ceiling, his mind as blank as the walls around him.

Then, around midnight, an unsettling sound pierced the stillness. A cough so deep and painful, it sounded like it was tearing through someone's chest. 

Reluctantly, Kurashi slid off from the side of the bed. Quietly making his way across the room, he pulled the door open just slightly to peek through. In the dim light of the hallway, he saw Hikari hunched over the kitchen sink. His body shook with each agonizing cough, his face pale and drenched in sweat.

Kurashi paused for a moment, staring at the sight.

No words

No movement

Instead, he simply shut the door, softly and without a sound, and returned to his bed once more. For the rest of the night, Kurashi sat in silence while listening to the faint sounds of Hikari's coughing echoing through the house. 

The next few days seemed to blur together, each one just like the last. Kurashi barely left his room, doing nothing more than observing the slow, relentless passage of time.

10:13 a.m, November 6, 2022...a sudden voice came from outside Kurashi's door.

"Kurashi...I need to talk to you for a bit.", Hikari asked as he stood patiently outside Kurashi's door, "You in there? I have to tell you someth-".

The door slid open, revealing Kurashi standing in the doorway. His shoulders were slumped over and the dark circles under his eyes were even more prominent.

"You good? Have you been getting any sleep?", Hikari asked hesitantly, his expression full of worry.

"What is it?", Kurashi stated, his voice barely above a whisper.

Later in the living room, Kurashi sat on the couch with a black coffee in hand, steam rising from the cup. Hikari stood in the kitchen, cooking lunch over the stove.

"There's a training you're going to have to attend in a few days. On the 11th to be exact...", Hikari said casually while stirring a pan, "It's important, so make sure that you make the most of your time there".

"Where?" Kurashi asked in a flat tone, taking a sip of coffee.

"A training ground further down the mountain range." Hikari replied, turning to face Kurashi, "Also, you're gonna' be staying there for a while so pack your necessities up before you leave".

Kurashi nodded gently and walked back to his room. As the door shut behind Kurashi, Hikari let out a stressed sigh.

7:47 a.m, November 11, 2020...It was now time for Kurashi to head out. With his bag packed and his Katana strapped on his back, he opens the main door, the outside breeze flowing through his hair.

"You know where you're going?", Hikari questioned as he stood in the hallway, his hands resting in his pockets.

"Down the river bed...", Kurashi responded softly as if he had heard the question multiple times already.

Hikari sternly nodded and stated, "Good luck man...And as I before, this is important so really do make the most of it".

Kurashi nodded in acknowledgement, closing the door behind him.

Outside of Naishotetsu, Kurashi followed a path alongside the river that streamed out from beneath the base. The gentle sound of the river streaming down was soothing for the lonely walk, its clear waters revealing both pebbles and small fish. After walking for a while, Kurashi had reached the training grounds. The grounds itself consisted of a group of buildings that surrounded a vast open field. Though the field was expansive, the grass remained lush and well-maintained. The buildings, resembled to the buildings inside the base, were of traditional Japanese architecture. Scattered across the training grounds were many other members that had come for training. Also there were instructors, dressed in a distinct black uniform, shouting directions and corrections so all could hear it. Kurashi walked over, blending into the crowd around him, to listen to what the instructors were saying.

"Boy dormitory on the right! Girl dormitory on the left! Take your time settling down. You all will begin your training tomorrow morning.", a female instructor commanded, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Entering the dorm's main lobby, where trainees were already forming bonds, he walked through the crowded entrance to the right wing of dorm rooms. Through the narrow hallway, the wooden floor creaked with every step. At the end of the hall was Kurashi's room, a deliberate choice to ensure minimal disturbance. He opened the door and stepped inside. The room was small yet sufficient, furnished with a single bed, a wooden desk, and a chair. Kurashi set his bag down on the bed, unpacking the necessities that he brought. After unpacking, Kurashi sat at the edge of the bed, his gaze fixated on the single window in his room.

The next morning, an announcement was made.

"All trainees, please report to the field at this time. All trainees, please report to the field at this time.", the voice of a woman commanded over an intercom.

With all members tunneling out of the dorms, the trainees filed neatly into symmetrical rows along the center field. At the front of the assembly was an old man, the cane in his right hand holding up his weight.

"Welcome...to your annual training. Over the coming month, you will be pushed to your limits...physically...mentally...emotionally. All to become the strongest person you can be.", the old man stated, his voice raspy yet filled with wisdom, "Though you're not alone...those around you have the same goal. Support each other, learn from each other, and grow with each other. At this training ground, failure is not an option".

The trainees kept quiet, listening deeply to what the old man had to say.

"Here at Naishotetsu, we follow a strict set of rules.", the old man continued with his speech, observing the members readiness, "Number one: the mission always takes priority, no matter the circumstances. Number two: one must not use ryokukami for any personal gain nor selfish desires, only ever fighting as a member of Naishotetsu. Number three: to remain out of sight from the public at all times, never to be seen by citizens. Is that clear...".

"Yes sir!", the trainees said in sync.

"Now...let's do a simple practice.", the old man stated as he walked up to the first trainee on the far right of the first row, "I want you all to tell me your name and your age...Simple"?

The old man walked up to every member individually, each giving there name and age. Though there were some that the old man had high expectations for, one member stood out from the rest.

With his hands tucked in his pockets, Kurashi stated quietly as the old man stood before him, "Kurashi Ito...Age 17".

The reaction was immediate, the members turned their gaze toward Kurashi. The old man slightly narrowed his eyes when regarding Kurashi.

"So you're the one Hikari has been keeping under his wing, huh? To think a member of the Ito clan really does still exists...I haven't heard that name for nearly a decade.", the old man had stated in nostalgia before placing a firm hand on Kurashi's shoulder, "You have a lot to live up to kid. I have high hopes for what you will become".

The old man gave a small nod of approval before moving on, his hand sliding off Kurashi's shoulder as he continued down the line. Despite the old man's departure, the members attention continued to linger on Kurashi. The mention of the Ito clan had clearly caused many whispering conversations.

"The Ito clan? I thought they were gone years ago.", one boy murmured.

"He's under Hikari's wing? He must be something special.", another added.

With introductions over, the trainees were given a tour of the training grounds. Surrounding the large open field were 6 buildings, each holding their own importance. the instructor's building, the girl's dorm, the boy's dorm, the dojo, the gym, and the cafeteria.

When night time came, everyone made their way back to the dorms. Though, the next morning would be when the real training began.