~Eternal Wish~
by Narushi

~prologue~

A silver arc sliced through the air, the iciness of the cold steel
blade saturating his surroundings. His opponent gave a small sound of
surprise and stiffened, before crumpling to the ground, arms
clutching at the gaping wound across his chest. The wielder of the
katana looked regretfully at the still form on the ground before
wiping his blade clean and sheathing it. Turning around, the
swordsman walked down the dark alley and into the bustling street. A
look back, and he was lost to the crowd.

Two big eyes, fear written clearly in them peered out from behind
some boxes. A young child, crept out carefully and padded over to the
body bleeding on the ground. Tears welled up as the child knelt down
beside the man and cradled his head gently, the movement eliciting a
soft moan.

"…. Nii-chan?" Silent sobs wracked the child's body.

The man opened his eyes slightly, with visible effort. He reached a
hand up to the child's face but the effort was too much for him, and
his hand dropped limply to his side. Blood trickled out from the side
of his mouth.

".. to..totchi… avenge my death…. Remember his name till the day you
strike him down… nii—Niikura… Kaoru… do not fail me like I have
failed you."

Toshiya shook his head hard, denying what he had heard.

"no… you won't die! You can't leave me!"

"I am dying, Totchi! You know it. Give me your word. Promise me that
you will hunt that man down and avenge me! I will not rest easy if I
do not have you word!"

"hide-nii-chan… "

"Promise me…"

Pushing down the feeling of helplessness that was welling up in his
chest, threatening to choke him, Toshiya nodded his head firmly.

"Thank you… I love you Totchi. I wish I didn't have to go this way,
and that I could take care of you like I promised your mother. But…"
hide sighed. He could feel death creeping up his body, slowly
claiming him as hers. "Take care of yourself, ok? I wish… but it's
too late now…" hide trailed off, a single tear running down his cheek.

Toshiya kissed the tear away gently. "Rest easy. I will hunt him down
and kill him, no matter what the cost."

"I loved him, you know… loved him so much…" With that, hide breathed
his last, eyes closing peacefully.

Toshiya's eyes widened, those last words throwing him into momentary
confusion. He bent his head over hide and wept, mourning the loss of
his friend, protector, and brother. When he looked up, there was no
trace of tears on his face. His innocent look had been replaced with
one of coldness and betrayal. His eyes were reminiscent of the cold
steel of the katana that had struck his brother down. His eyes
followed the path that Kaoru had taken, out to the streets.
Determination was written on his face as he bowed to hide's body, a
final farewell.

"Kaoru. Niikura Kaoru…" A name he would never forget.

To be continued…

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