Chapter Text
She had lost count of the times her pen had slipped and clattered onto the desk while attempting to twirl it between her fingers. Her hands had still ached from hitting her hands against the slab of stone her father insisted would help her tolerance to pain to improve but if anything it had just caused more wounds to open on her knuckles. Her right knee seemed to have heard her silent cries of pain as it bounced up and down relentlessly; the thuds of her heel tapping against the wood floor growing louder and louder in volume with each passing second.
It was only when the sound of her door bursting open and closing had stopped her focus on the suddenly interesting desk which she called hers. The sound of the lock clicking had made her head turn to the person who had entered the room. The deep breath she held had been released into the air when she realized it had been her baby brother, Sylvester.
“Big sister! Can we play hide and seek today? You had promised you would after you were done with your work.”
She was confused on what the boy meant by work until she remembered the reason why she had been sitting at her desk. She had turned to her desk with a small turn of her head to be greeted by paper her parents had placed onto her desk a good hour ago. It had been a test about the things she’s learnt about the way of the sword and the rules of..blah blah blah. She could care less.
She turned. “Maybe…” She looked at the clock on the wall. “In 20 minutes?”
A small bubble of guilt had grown in her stomach when she had received a pout and the crossing of her brother’s arms. But she couldn’t help but quietly giggle under her breath before fully turning her back to finish her little test. She waited until the sound of her door opening and closing had been heard before placing her pen against the paper and continued her writing.
But she started to space out again, thinking of how nice it would be to go out into the street and possibly stop by to get something to eat so she could resume her writing without feeling the weight of her eyelids. Maybe also..go by the bookstore too to get that one book she had seen about California, a place she always wished to see. But she was stuck in Japan..forced to live a life of the oldest daughter and sister and also forced to hold the sword to kill-
“Wallace?” the voice had been tired but sweet
The girl almost jumped out her seat and immediately turned but it had been too fast as her neck popped which made her wince and close her eyes. She opened them after a moment to be greeted by the sight of her mother. She had been holding a plate of cookies with a small tired smile which she always wore when she had been around the girl.
“ Almond cookies again? You know me too well, Mother.”
“Well you did come from me…so I am bound to know my daughter’s likes and dislikes. For example, you like having your hair in your face even if I tell you it’ll block your sight.”
Wallace grew slightly embarrassed as she pushed her scruffy hair back to reveal her eyes better. She had always been insecure about the eyes she had inherited from her father since she turnt out to be the only one who did between her and Sylvester. His is a beautiful brown while hers was a diamond blue..which was something she hated since she could barely stand.
“No need to hide..they are what makes you more beautiful. And beautiful means perfect…” Her mother’s fingertips had grazed her cheek before pulling away.
Perfect…that's right.
She had almost forgotten how her mother behaved. Only acting more caring than usual to only get what she wanted when needed. Which is always Wallace’s perfection. Once, she had given her a cup of tea to see if she would hold it properly. She of course failed and had dropped it due to how her mother’s eyes kept on burning against her own. Her wrist had been bruised for a week after that.
Wallace had slowly looked into her mother’s eyes. “What is it…” she said with a quiet voice.
“Your father needs you in the dining room. He has a surprise.. “
Her smile never faltered as the girl pushed her chair back and stood up slowly, making her way to the dining room with suddenly obnoxious steps. Another pair had been heard behind her which she assumed belonged to her mother. Which means the surprise must have been a big one.
The moment she stepped into the dining room the dull smell of cologne and perfume had now been replaced with the smell of a birthday. She couldn’t help but smile at how exciting it was to experience this again and it seemed like her parents were too.
A hand had placed itself on her head as she began to inhale the strong cologne that had, of course, always belonged to her father.
“Father.”
“Wallace…”
She never understood why she was given such a name. The children that she would try to get along with by the big tall cherry tree in the town had always made fun of her for it and of course of her features. The name ‘oni’ being her nickname which had sometimes split out of her brother’s mouth by accident. He..didn't know any better for he was only 7 and had so much to learn but it was alright in the end since he would always apologize for it.
“How old are you?” Her father asked while leading her to a chair.
“I’m ten years old.” her voice almost sounded as if she was being held hostage but her father always scared her. But her fear had disappeared when she saw his rare smile. “You’re growing. Soon enough you’ll be making blades just like your grandfather..”
Wallace smiled at this as she looked at the sword which had been on display proudly on the wall to her right, Its gold engravings on its blade and handle shining brighter than usual. It had belonged to her great-grandfather who made it from scratch and spent years making it into the finest blade Wallace had ever seen. He had made it into their heirloom which of course, will be passed down to her or her brother when the time comes and then to their children.
Children…maybe something to think about another time. Right now she just wants to celebrate her birthday. Yeah…her 10th birthday. She turned back to the cupcake in front of her which had a small lit candle almost stabbed into it, as if her father was in a rush. She looked to her parents who were standing next to her, patiently waiting for her to blow the now melting candle.
So she closed her eyes.
And wished before blowing it out.
But for some reason a sad feeling covered her excited and beating heart once she opened her eyes to be met with a put out melting candle which had been dripping its wax on the frosting of her cupcake. It had done the same for her past birthdays which always ended the same.
She heard small murmurs she couldn't bother to pay attention to as footsteps around the room were heard. She finally turned to be met with her parents holding a long case which was perfectly wrapped in a red wrap. Wallace was surprised to see such a big present as it was put in front of her as eyes were now set on her.
She carefully unwrapped it, slightly biting her lip to hide her excitement. But it died down slightly when all she saw was a case. But she opened it and it was as if her heart dropped and shattered.
“I had told you when you had been old enough you'd have your own.” she heard her father say following with her mothers soft giggle. But Wallace didn't laugh as well like she always did but instead let out a small grunt of shock.
It was a blade. Something she of course loved but it was something she despised holding. It had an almost blue color as she touched it with her fingertips, feeling the handle. She turned to look at her parents' faces. They were smiling and weren't fazed with her lack of speech. They only grabbed her wrists and made her hold it. Which almost made her jump out of her own skin with the cold contact.
“We wanted to also give you a choice…since you're ready for..you know-”
The sound of a chair almost sliding backwards and the katana clattering against the floor had filled the room as a panicked Wallace shuffled back from the table and her parents.
“I’m not ready. I…I almost died when you both sent me to kill that fisherman. What did he even do?!”
Questions were filling her head as her vision almost blurred from tears which had come from her fear.
Her father walked toward her and grabbed her shivering shoulders. He inhaled and exhaled which made Wallace scrunch up her nose in slight disgust when she smelt alcohol in his breath. “Remember when I said how one day you’d do my dirty work? How…bad men are after me?”
She had remembered how her father said he made bad people upset and he had been trying to make them go away. But she had forgotten how he wanted help…she wasn't aware it was her help he needed.
“I’m not ready! This thing is so heavy, how can I help you kill those bad men?”
Her cries of questions were cut when a sharp pain was inflicted on her face which caused her to fall onto the ground, onto her knees and hands. She almost yelped but all that came out was a small noise of defeat. “Remember…you have a choice. So silly…always forgetting things too easily.”
Her mother said with a small laugh in between her words which almost made Wallace want to push her down to the floor too. But all she did in that moment was stay and take in her punishment.
“You either take that sword and do what I say or I'll make sure I treat you like a dog.” her father said in his booming voice. It felt like it shook the home. She however only whined and stayed silent “You have a week to decide.” her father finally said.
She slowly stood up once she heard her parents finally walk out the room, touching her face with a wince. Quietly grabbing the sword and the case she placed it back neatly and slowly walked back to her room as she wiped her tears with each sniffle.
A week felt too short for a choice like this. To choose a path of blood or the path of living like some animal was a heavy stone to carry but she already had enough of them on her back. Gently closing her door behind her she walked to her closet and placed the case inside but she paused when she spotted the haori and obi her mother gifted her on her 8th birthday which didn’t fit her at all.
A small idea started to bloom but she pushed it aside since it was an absurd one. Her foot started to tap against the floor at a fast pace as she looked at the piece of clothing on its hanger. But again it was only when her door burst open and the sound of hurried footsteps towards her had stopped her nervous thinking. “Wallace! What's going to happen now…”
Poor Sylvester…he was just confused as she was. “Don’t worry about me. Go back to your room. I promise I'll be there to play hide and seek with you..”
That was a lie. She had other things on her mind instead of a game and it was a way to prevent herself from getting blood on her hands. To escape her duties as a Yasuda. The thought of it made her blood almost turn cold.
Sylvester hesitated with a small nod and smile as he left quietly. The pitter patter of his small feet echoing slightly until all she heard was her own uneven breathing. She had sat down in front of her closet to drown in her thoughts to try and conceive a plan. But all she could think about was that stupid piece of attire and her blade.
She had heard of a fisherman offering boat rides to a city that had been growing popular according to the people in town. That could be a fresh start for her as well..and maybe her brother. If he hadn’t been corrupted by their family’s words. Wallace had stood up and looked out the window and noticed the sun had already said goodbye to her and let the moon take its turn in the sky which reminded her how she needed to keep her promise and play hide and seek with her brother.
So she made her plan along the way.
Dressing herself in the haori and obi which now fit her perfectly as she grabbed the case that contained her blade to sling it onto her back. Wallace planned to sneak outside to meet Sylvester so her parents wouldn’t notice and ask questions and then take him to go see the fisherman afterwards if he agrees with her choice. The goodbye to her home was sudden but it was what she needed to do to get to freedom. Even if it meant losing her brother.
“Sylvie? I’m…here to play hide and seek now. You can stop messing with me now.” Wallace said once she arrived at the garden next to their home. It contained flowers the four of them had picked out and fruit and vegetables she helped grow with her mother. It was perfect for her and Sylvester to play their silly games.
“Found you!” Small hands had found their way on Wallace’s eyes which she found comfort in. She couldn’t help but giggle and turn around to embrace her younger brother tightly, fearing he’ll slip away if she lets go. “You can let go now.” The boy said awkwardly after a moment or two which Wallace did with a nervous giggle before clearing her throat.
Sylvester titled his head and pointed at the case on her back. “Why do you have your birthday gift with you and why are you all dressed up?” The questions slightly overwhelmed her but she tried her best to lie her way through without revealing too much of her plan. “I just wanted to look cool..” She said with a monotone voice but surprisingly Sylvester believed her.
“You look great!” He said in response before grabbing her hand. “Can we play now? Papa said he’d teach me how to use a cool sword like yours tomorrow so I want to be quick!” Wallace almost felt her heart drop at this. Her overthinking about Sylvester becoming corrupted had been true..in a way. He wasn’t yet but eventually he will be.
She doesn’t want that with her. She doesn’t need a limping puppy on her journey that will just beg every minute for help. She’d rather die.
“Sylvester…let’s go to town. I know a shortcut so we’ll be back in time.” she forced herself to say. She watched his expression change from confusion to excitement before he nodded and let her lead the way. The shortcut was just a simple trail with a bit of climbing so it wasn’t intense. She shared a look with her brother who simply smiled.
It now oddly disgusted her to smile back. It must have been the betrayal she feels that’s keeping her back. She’s sure if her parents made Sylvester feel special for years just to be dropped when he shows a little bit of refusal would also make him feel the same way.
The walk to the town was quiet as the sounds of people closing their stores had filled both of their ears. She stopped in the middle of the town square and bent down slightly to Sylvester’s height with a smile that was slightly genuine. “I want you to count to 10. Then come find me..after that we’ll go home okay?”
The boy nodded and turned around to cover his eyes to start counting. This was now her chance to put her plan into action.
She looked behind her and saw the docks not too far as she made a run for it, only sparing a glance back at her brother who was halfway done with his counting already. She ran a bit faster until she felt her blood pumping from excitement. She was almost a step closer to her dream. Her dream to be an actual person.
Not a half-breed or an Oni. But to be herself.
“Ready or not, here I come!” She heard Sylvester say in the distance. She cursed to herself and almost tripped once she stepped foot onto the dock, frantically looking for the fisherman. She had heard the sounds of the water in one ear and Sylvester’s giggling and running in the other.
Once she found a fisherman who had been sitting on his boat with a simple hat and yukata on which fit the description she’s received from people, she gladly ran towards him.
“Excuse me? Are you by chance Mr. Nakamura?” She asked shyly, hoping her Japanese was good enough for him despite speaking it almost everyday. “Yes. Can I help you?” He asked, his voice sweet and gentle. But he never turned around once.
“I was wondering if you can give me a ride to uhm..” She took out a piece of paper from her pants pocket and unfolded it to reveal a few English words. “The…Big Apple?” Her accent was thick but he understood as he nodded slowly. “Hop on..the quicker we go the sooner we’ll be there.”
Wallace looked behind her and noticed a confused Sylvester staring holes into her face from afar. He must’ve almost picked up all the pieces of her plan and was putting what he could together. So she only smiled.
The boy shook his head and started to speed walk up to her as if she would wait for him. But he was wrong as the young girl stepped onto the boat carefully and took her seat the moment Nakamura started to set off. This caused Sylvester to start dashing. Yelling out his sister’s name as tears started to come out his eyes.
“Wallace! Come back! Why did you lie!? Why did you have to lie??” His screams didn’t do anything however as the only that came out of it was a shift of Wallace’s position. He had inhaled heavily to let out more screams but was cut off when he fell into the water and frantically grabbed the ladder and pulled himself up halfway before staring at Nakamura and Wallace sailing away.
But he froze when he saw Wallace turn around to look back at him one more time. The lighting made it seem her blue eyes had been glowing. Making her look inhuman.
Maybe the townsfolk were right.
“Who was that?” Mr.Nakamura asked after a while. “A kid who bullied me, that's all.” She said quietly which only got a small hum out of him. She couldn’t bother to call him her brother anymore. She is an only child now. She could care less about him and everybody else now.
“What’s your name?”
“It’s Wallace…”
The man chuckled, probably aware of who she is. “Wallace what?”
“That’s all. I don’t carry that burden with me anymore.”