The tension within the Yankai headquarters was palpable, a heavy cloud hanging over the members as they processed the aftermath of Kazu's emotional eruption. The echoes of his pain reverberated through the walls, leaving an indelible mark on everyone present. Even Atama Kaku, usually stoic and composed, found herself grappling with the consequences of her actions.
She sat in her office, the screen in front of her flashing reports from recent missions, but her mind was elsewhere. Her brother's words haunted her like a spectre that refused to fade.
*"Why do you always blame me? I didn't kill her! You were supposed to protect me, but you never did."*
A sharp knock on the door broke her thoughts, pulling her back to the present.
"Come in," she said, her tone sharper than intended, betraying the inner turmoil that churned within her.
Unmei stepped inside, his expression cautious but resolute. "Atama, we need to talk."
"This is about Kazu, isn't it?" she replied, leaning back in her chair, bracing herself for the confrontation she knew was coming.
"It is," Unmei said, closing the door behind him. "You've always been hard on him, but this time you crossed the line. He's not just hurt—he's broken. And you pushed him there."
Kaku's eyes narrowed as anger flared within her. "Do you know what it's like to lose someone you love and then be told it's someone else's fault? Do you know how that feels?"
"No," Unmei admitted, his voice steady. "But I do know what it feels like to carry guilt that isn't mine to bear. Kazu's lived with that his entire life because you let him. You should be his sister, his support, but all you've done is treat him like an outsider."
Kaku stood abruptly, her hands slamming on the desk in frustration. "You don't understand what it's like to be the one left behind, Unmei. You don't understand the pressure of holding this family together!"
"And you don't understand what it's like to be hated for something you didn't do!" Unmei shot back, his voice rising with passion. "Kazu has been nothing but loyal to you, and you've treated him like a burden."
Kaku faltered at his words; they settled over her like a heavy blanket of realization. Before she could respond further, the door swung open again, and Daichi entered with Hanzo trailing closely behind.
"Kazu's gone," Daichi announced urgently, his voice tight with concern.
"What?" Kaku asked, her heart skipping a beat as panic surged through her.
"He left a note," Hanzo added, holding up a piece of paper that trembled slightly in his hand. "It says he needs time alone. That he's done trying to prove himself to people who won't believe in him."
A pang of guilt washed over Kaku, but her pride kept her from showing it outwardly. "He'll come back. He always does," she insisted, though uncertainty crept into her voice.
Daichi shook his head firmly. "Not this time. He's not just walking away from you, Atama. He's walking away from all of us."
Unmei stepped forward, determination igniting in his eyes. "If you won't go after him, I will. I won't let him feel like he's alone in this world anymore."
"I'll go with you," Hanzo said softly but resolutely.
"Me too," Daichi added with unwavering support.
Kaku remained silent as the three of them turned to leave; doubt began to gnaw at her heart for the first time in years. Had she truly pushed her brother too far this time? The weight of their departure felt like a fracture forming within their alliance—a rift that mirrored the storm brewing on the horizon outside.
As the trio set out into the gathering darkness to find Kazu, they were unaware that a tempest loomed not only in the sky but also within their fractured alliance at Yankai—a storm threatening to tear apart everything they had built together if they could not mend their bonds before it was too late.