Ashes of the Black Blade

The sun rose soft and golden across the mountain dojo.

The morning bells didn't ring.The weapons were put away.The training yard was silent.

Because today… was a festival day.

 Celebration of the Black Flame

The village below the mountains held a festival once a year a day of peace, food, and dancing to honour those who survived winter's trials. The dojo had a tradition of its own: no training, no rules just celebration.

For once… the dojo laughed.

Even the older students loosened up, playing games in the courtyard.Kaen ran around with a paper fan in each hand, pretending to be a warrior general.Some of the girls braided flower chains and tied them to the beams.A group lit firecrackers behind the old shed and got chased by Renji.

And Rai?

He… didn't know what to do.

 The Shadow Who Stayed Close

Rai walked quietly behind Jin Shōra, the tall young man who had saved him.Wherever Jin moved, Rai followed like a shadow with legs.

He didn't talk.Didn't smile.Just kept his small hands wrapped in his sleeves, eyes lowered, too overwhelmed to join in.

At one point, someone offered him a skewer of sweet roasted chestnuts.

Rai flinched.Then gently hid behind Jinn's leg again.

Jin chuckled softly and knelt down beside him.

"Still not ready, huh?"

Rai nodded once.

Jin ruffled his hair.

"It's okay. You don't need to rush. Just stay close."

And Rai did.

 A Peaceful Sleep

Later, as the sun began to set, Jin sat by the edge of the courtyard, watching the others play.

Rai was beside him, eyes half-shut.His breathing slowed.His head dipped.

And without a word, the little boy leaned against Jin's back...and fell asleep.

Jin didn't move.

Not even when Renji teased him for being "a human pillow."

Not even when Kaen started doing backflips over nearby barrels.

He just sat there.Calm.Warm.Letting the boy rest — safe.

A Night to Remember

When they returned inside, no one wanted the day to end. So the students pushed all their mattresses together into one giant pile in the main hall.

Laughter echoed. Jokes flew.

Kaen and two others began a pillow war — soft blows thudding, feathers flying.

Even Rai joined, hesitating at first… but then laughing, quietly, as he hit Kaen in the face with a pillow and immediately hid behind Jin again.

But then

SLAM.

The door slid open.

The Master stepped in.

Silence dropped like lightning.

Everyone froze mid-throw.

Rai, not realizing… turned and launched a pillow directly into the Master's face.

Everyone Panics The room gasped. Kaen dropped his pillow.Jin stepped to the side.Even Renji vanished behind the curtain like a ninja.

All the students dove left and right, scattering like ants.Rai stood alone in the middle wide-eyed, breath caught.

The Master slowly removed the pillow from his face.

His stone expression didn't change.

Rai trembled.

His lip quivered.

And his eyes began darting around, searching for Kaen, for Jin, for anyone…

But they were all hiding.

He was alone again.

And Then…

The Master stared at the child for a moment…Then softly, quietly he blushed.

Just the faintest pink across his cold face.

Without a word, he bent down…and lifted Rai gently into his arms.

Everyone stared in shock.

Even Kaen peeked from behind a cushion, confused.

"Wait… did the Master just… pick him up?"

Jin raised an eyebrow.

"That's new."

One Small Question

Rai looked up from the Master's shoulder and asked in the softest, most curious voice:

"What's… an older brother?"

The Master paused, caught off guard.

He cleared his throat, his voice returning to its usual deep tone:

"An older brother… is someone stronger than you.Who cares for you.And will protect you no matter the problem."

Silence.

And then, in the most pure, quiet, and adorable voice imaginable…

Rai whispered:

"...Older brother."

 Everyone Breaks

The Master's eyes twitched.

His lip actually quivered.

He looked away quickly, hiding his face behind his sleeve.

"I… see…"

Every student in the room made the same mischievous expression.

Grins spreading. Eyes gleaming.

Kaen smirked.Renji whispered, "Oh no."Jin muttered, "This is gonna be fun…"

And then like a pack of wolves the kids rushed the Master.

"Big brooooo!""Can you carry me too?""Teach me the way of brotherly love!"

The Master backed up.

"Stop. Stop this madness"

Too late.

The students dogpiled him, laughing, clinging, chanting "Big Brother!" like a battle cry.

And at the center of it all Rai sat quietly in his lap, small arms around his waist

…smiling.