The Zenin Clan.
An unforgettable place. The cruelty shown in that place is unspeakable, even if I tried my hardest to explain it.
Death. Torture. Death is a refreshment for the tortured. They beg for death; the cruel thoughts of a Zenin are far worse than anything a God could ponder.
It's been two years since I left the clan.
Yet, they continue to send people after me. It's a nonstop process waking up with a blade pointed at my throat of a Zenin slave begging for my return. It's an annoying process; however, I can't blame them. A slave will never understand the freedom of waking up without an order in their mind.
I gently tap the wooden bar in front of me, staring at the reflection of my eyes reflecting off a murky shot glass, the liquor swirls as I lift it, downing it in one gulp. A burning sensation spreads across my throat, only for a brief moment.
The bartender in front of me slightly turns his head before a gentle smile spreads across his face, and he speaks while I set the glass back onto the bar.
" Seigen. You're always the last one. At this point, I should charge you rent."
" Well, don't count on me paying it. " I respond, as he shakes his head, wiping the glass, before his eyes glance above my shoulders, looking at countless empty tables, the moonlight pouring into the dark bar.
His lips serpate but before he could speak, I stood up from the stool. Slamming a coin onto the bar. " I'll see you in the morning. " He says, grabbing onto the coin, sliding it across the bar, and putting it into his pocket.
The stool scraped across the floor as I stumbled towards a door.
In three steps, I reach the door, I push it open, a wave of freezing air engulfs my body, making my eyes squint as I step onto the crunchy snow littering the ground. My hands shoot into my pockets as snow gently falls onto my shoulders.
My breath hovers in front of me, stuck in the cold, dry air, as I walk across the sidewalk. A smile spreads across my face.
The silence is so peaceful compared to the countless screams rippling out from Naobito's palace, escaping from the wooden boards he uses as a floor. The twisted bastard must use the screams as a fan.
The suffering he causes must help him sleep. That's the only reason I can think of, but to be fair, if I were in his shoes, I would have gone mad too.
I glance down at the snow, walking past a pair of footprints, before I briefly glance back at the bar's door, my eyes narrowing. Until I look back, forward. Naobito. All the politics he's forced into, the threat of Gojo. The egos, the power-hungry, and even the happy cheers of children. The place was simply too loud.
For a man like me. " I prefer the quietness. " I say, stopping. Looking behind me, as the sound of another step stopping slightly too late enters my ears. A woman with long green hair with glasses dangling on her nose stared at me with nunchucks in her hands.
The playful cloud? At least she seems to come prepared. The woman glances me up and down. " Dark eyes, short black hair, with a scruffy goatee, and countless scars running across his fists and neck. You must be Zenin Seigen. "
" Scruffy? I personally think I take nice care of it. " I say, rubbing my goatee. " However, I'm more surprised the Zenin Clan sent a woman after me. However, I guess oddities do happen."
The woman just scoffs, twirling the nunchucks in her palm. The look in her eyes sharpened. " Naobito has ordered me to retrieve you. The name is- "
" I know you. Your Maki... Or Mai? Ogi's daughters look similar...Well, you were twins, so I guess that was a dumb statement. "
Her grip tightens.
" I'm Zenin Maki. " She says flatly, as she slides her feet apart. Her stance is sturdy and tight, her eyes are focused, glaring at my throat. She's grown quite a lot.
" Thought so. Looks like the battle a year ago, caused by that one sorcerer, made you grow quite a lot. Well done, Maki. Have they sent you after me for the same reason? " She just scoffs, leaning forward, putting all her weight onto her right leg.
" The clan doesn't care about my growth. " She says, " They are more upset that you've run away. "
" Running away is usually the right option. " The cold air settles down onto our bodies, as silence engulfs us, the crying winds sweep across the ground, blowing snow up into the air.
" Final warning. Naobito has sent me after you. It's finally a chance to prove myself. I don't know why they sent me after you. I don't know why you're important, but I won't fail here. "
" Every order you complete. Is another shackle placed onto your soul. Until you're stuck in a prison you can't escape. However, I know why they sent me after you, Maki. You're the failure of the Zenin clan; you barely have curse energy. "
...Which makes her a... She exhales sharply, dashing off her front foot, the snow exploding off her body, her figure blurs, appearing in front of me. She twirls her body swinning the nunchucks down towards my skull.
...Terrible matchup for me... It must be serious this time, Naobito. You're the only one who knows of my curse technique. If we didn't make that binding vow years ago, I'm sure you would have told the entire clan by now.
Were you waiting for her to develop into a strong sorcerer? One that could force me back into the clan? I exhale, watching the nunchucks rapidly inching closer and closer until I raise my hands with my palms in the air.
" I give up. "
Her body abruptly halts, the wooden nunchucks dangling mere millimeters from my face, and she snaps her head up at me. " You're joking? "
" Nope. I give up." I repeated. " Congrats, it's your victory. " I keep my hand up as my body relaxes, and Maki stands up straight, cautiously stepping back with a confused look on her face.
My hands fall to my waist, Maki's eyes tracking every single movement until an annoyed look appeared on her face. " Do you think I'm a joke? I know your eyes tracked my attack; you could have dodged or even blocked it. "
" I could have. However, I don't like fighting those who aren't slaves of the Zenin. No Zenin I know of would have admitted I could have dodged their attack. Look at Naobito's son, the cocky bastard rather die then admitted someone is stronger than him, but... Maybe you'll be like him. And break the clan, causing a all fight between us. "
" Like who? " She asks me.
" Toji-Kun. " I respond before I continue. " The bastard was scary as hell. I couldn't even think of a way to beat him, and besides, I think a peaceful street like this doesn't deserve filthy blood like mine to stain it. "
She grows quiet, her eyes glaring at me. " So, now what? Are you coming to the Zenin Clan? "
" Yep. I'll walk there on my own accord. You can follow me if you want. However, if I were you, I wouldn't claim this victory; it would only worsen things. "
I walk past Maki, walking down the street before taking a sharp turn. In mere hours i will reach the place I've been hiding from... for years...
~~~
This is a one-shot. If you like it, let me know. It's something I wrote a while ago, but if you like it i will continue it. f