Born To Outlast Blood

IEHRIU KUREHA POV

The estate was eerily silent that night. Too silent, really. Not the soothing calm of rest, but the heavy stillness of finality.

It was the kind of silence that lingers on your tongue just before blood meets the air. Even the wind seemed to hold its breath. The Kureha banners hung motionless in the darkness, oblivious to the night's true intent.

I made my way barefoot down the corridor my boots left behind long ago. No footsteps rang out, though the wood creaked under my weight. I didn't want to draw attention.

But I craved to be noticed. Because tonight, I wasn't just a shadow. I was the embodiment of judgment.

I walked past the children's quarters first. Little Mai was still sleeping, her mouth slightly open. Tomo was snoring, clutching a wooden practice sword like it was a lifeline. I peered at them through the thin sliding doors. They were untouched by the world outside. No burdens, no curses. Just warmth. Just innocence.

I let them continue to sleep. I wanted to believe that meant something. But it didn't. I reached Shimei's room. His door was ajar. The bed was empty, the sheets still warm to the touch. I glanced at the open window and didn't need to guess where he was.

He was at his tree again. Memories of taking him there flooded my mind, and a smile crept onto my face. Always that same tree. Always gazing at the sky as if the stars might feel sorry for him.

I lingered in the doorway longer than I should have. A flicker of doubt. A hint of mercy. I gently closed the door behind me. He wouldn't join the others in death.

Not yet.

The outer temple fell without a sound.

Three elders sat in prayer. They called me "son" just before I ended their lives. Their blood sizzled against the ceremonial braziers. I whispered the rites before they took their last breaths not out of respect, but out of tradition.

Flame may despise me, but I am still part of it. They didn't scream. That let me down. I craved the screams. The guards outside the armory were the first to see me.

Kenta tried to say something. I cut his throat before he could even remember my name.

The second, Sadamari, begged for his life.

He was just nineteen. He had once given me candy during my first festival. I drove the blade into his stomach slowly. Not to inflict pain. But to ensure I felt it. If I didn't feel it, I'd become just like them. Monsters with a purpose.

I passed the shrines next. Mother's chamber. If she was my biological mother, the pain would hit more. She was awake, sitting at her mirror, brushing her hair, and watching the flames outside dance in the reflection.

"You're early," she remarked.

I didn't respond.

"I suppose I should've killed you when I had the chance."

"I suppose you should've loved me instead."

A smirk curled her lips. "You were always a crack in this house."

I opened the door, and light flooded in. Her expression twisted in disgust.

"Don't you dare look at me like I'm part of you."

I didn't. I closed the door. Then I went back and cut her head of clean. And set the entire wing ablaze from the outside. The courtyard was a scene of chaos. Bodies lay everywhere guards, a few elders, and one or two who tried to shield the children.

One servant caught sight of me and dropped her tray, her hands shaking as she whispered my name. I turned away. When she ran, I sliced her body in half.

I reached Shuuno's room. I didn't want to. I opened the door. She stood there, blade drawn. Her face was pale with fear, but her fury was unmistakable.

"You," she whispered.

I remained silent.

"You did this?"

She didn't wait for my reply.

She charged at me, fast and wild, untrained. She fought like Shimei, with all her heart. I blocked her strike. Grabbed her arm. Disarmed her. But I didn't retaliate. She screamed and pounded me with her fists, again and again.

"You bastard. You bastard. You bastard!"

I let her.

Until she finally stopped.

She dropped to her knees. I knelt down next to her.

"You were the only one who ever looked at me without fear," I said softly.

"You treated us like we were your siblings !" she shot back.

I placed my hand on her shoulder.

"Yes I did but I'm not your older brother."

Her gaze pierced through me, eyes wide open.

" To me you all were just easy targets."

Then I struck her. Hard. A single, clean blow. She collapsed.

Alive.

But shattered. Just like I had been. I went back to the office were I had a meeting with father when I arrived. Father was there, waiting.

Of course he was.

He never backed down. He never bowed.

"Iehiro," he said.

I crossed the tatami mats. Blade in hand.

"You sit there as if you've earned that seat."

He poured himself some tea.

"You sit here as if you know anything," I shot back.

He gestured to the second cup. "Sit. You can kill me afterward."

I took a seat. We sipped our tea in silence.

"You were always the sharpest," he remarked.

"And you always despised it."

"I feared it," he corrected me.

I let out a laugh. A bitter, broken sound.

"You raised me for this moment. You just didn't expect me to look back."

He sighed deeply.

"The clan needs monsters. But it always destroys them once peace is restored."

I drew my sword. He didn't flinch.

"I'm not killing you out of hatred," I said.

"I know," he replied.

"I'm killing you because I finally see you for who you are."

He locked eyes with me. And smiled.

"I'm proud of you."

I ended his life before he could say anything more. I didn't want his last words. The roofs came crashing down. Screams filled the air. Ash swirled around like snowflakes. And right in the middle of the chaos, there I stood, covered in blood and enveloped in smoke.

I didn't shed a tear. I didn't let out a scream. I just waited.

Then I heard him.

Shimei.

Running.

Faster than I'd ever seen him. He reached the gate. Looked at me. Saw what I had done. His mouth opened, but no words came out.

And I…

I didn't shy away.

I didn't say I was sorry.

I met his gaze and said:

"You're late, little brother."

I thought I'd feel something. Victory. Regret. Calm. But all I felt… was heat. And something else, too. For the first time in my life I felt truly seen.