Chapter 3

The sizzling sound of the juicy steak on the old iron pan snapped Haruka out of his deep thoughts. He stared at the steak that was set before him. Medium rare, perfect sear on the outside and tender juicy on the inside. Not his favorite. He likes it firmer; well done, if he may add. He picked a bit-sized piece with his chopsticks and pushed it into his mouth, silently gagging at the juice exploded in his mouth. Haruka let his eyes wandered around his environment.

The main family and the council members were present in the dining hall, minding their own business. The dining hall was silent, with the exception of the sizzling delicacies filling the quiet hall. Nobody said a word. They weren't expected to nor wanted to utter a single syllable. If anything, Haruka could've sworn that he could slice the thick atmosphere with his chopsticks.

After the long meeting, it was expected that there should be an exquisite dinner to make up for all the lost time of the person with authority. In this case, the daimyo's family and the council. Haruka narrowed his eyes at the unearthly sight. Weird, at this time, his grandfather should've spouting out nonsense like a headless roster on the run. But the eerie silence that the whole dinner hall emitted was very uncalled for. Haruka couldn't help but feel the chill down his spine. Even a retarded mind can sense that something was wrong.

"Haruka, is the steak bad?" the boy beside him asked. Kazemaru's dark hair brushed against Haruka's arm as he leaned to the side. Haruka gave a polite smile at him.

"No, not at all." Haruka lied through his teeth.

No, it's terrible. Not that Haruka wanted to say it aloud and have the chef's head severed and rolled into the ground. Haruka turned away from his half-brother and continue to eat his meal.

-o-

The night is still young. The men enjoyed sake while soaking up the moonlight. Courtesans were present in the room, entertaining the men in one way or another. Men's laughter filled the summer night along with the chirping of the crickets. The women and children, on the other hand, were escorted to another room. Servants prepared the tea ceremony for the daimyo's consorts. The children, however, were sent to the inner courtyard.

The raven-headed boy picked up a pebble from the ground and threw it at the koi pond. The pebble skipped five times before sinking into the water.

"Wow, that's so cool big brother - Keishomaru!" the red-headed boy exclaimed as he ran to the raven-headed boy's side.

"But I can do it better!" He also picked up a stray pebble and tried to throw it. But only resulted in dunking his pebble into the pond, causing it to create a ripple on the surface. The red-headed boy pulled his hair in distress. "Aw, man! I thought I had it." He cried.

"Not in a million years, Gakimaru." Keishomaru patted his half-brother's head. Keishomaru had a soft smile on his face as he continued to watch Gakimaru trying to defeat him. They were born three years apart, even though they are from different mothers, he still loves Gakimaru dearly. He was the one who was there ever since Gakimaru was born and delighted that he would have a brother to play with. Even the harsh training from their mentor can't break their bonds.

But what makes him even happier was Kazemaru. Keishomaru and Gakimaru were ecstatic when they saw their newborn youngest brother. Thinking that he would have a new sibling to love and cherish with Gakimaru made Keishomaru treasure the people around him.

"I don't think you are doing it." Haruka approached them reluctantly. His face looked tight, especially with his brows knitted together. Kazemaru was followed right behind him.

"What do you mean?" Gakimaru asked quizzically. Haruka proceeded to explain how to skip pebble academically. Gakimaru listened with an absent air floating around him. His eyes followed Haruka's hand gesture.

Keishomaru sighed.

Keishomaru doesn't know where did Haruka come from. Father never told any of them that they have a new addition in their family. He would occasionally saw Haruka in his father's shadow. Very discreet and silent, Haruka's presence was undetectable until he made himself known. Keishomaru was wary whenever Haruka was within his vision. There was something different from Haruka. The air around him wasn't the same with Gakimaru and Kazemaru.

Even his scent was different.

Both Gakimaru and Kazemaru had an earthy scent. But Haruka has a faint scent of sickly-sweet pollens, which is very confusing.

Sometimes, Keishomaru would spot Haruka sitting on the porch late afternoon, mesmerized by the koi pond. His presence alone mellowed down the weariness of Keishomaru after a long day of hard training. His calm and melancholic air caused the tears to unconsciously fall from Keishoumaru's eyes. And for some reason, Keishomaru felt his soul was old and tired. Ready to retire from all this eternal madness.

That's not what a child should have.

Keishomaru etched a smile on his face. An effusive wave of welcome was emitted by him.

"Why don't you two join us?"

-o-

Haruka shivered as the cold water splashed against his bare leg.

Once again, Gakimaru failed to skip the pebble. He's not making much progress, either.

"You're doing it wrong altogether." Kazemaru pointed out. A tiny pebble shot out of his hand and skipped seven times before sinking.

"You didn't hit the water surface; you just shoot it diagonally right into the water."

Gakimaru fell on his knees in defeat.

"How can you guys be so much better at this than me?" he shrieked. Keishomaru chuckled slightly as he ruffled Gakimaru's fiery hair.

"You should practice more."

"What, no way!" Gakimaru retorted.

Haruka watched them bickering with each other on the sideline. He wouldn't have approached them if it wasn't for Kazemaru. To think a five-year-old was able to push him to the edge and had him talk to his other half-brothers.

He is damn persistent.

Haruka slipped into the corner and covered himself in the comfort of the shadow. Staying away from the piercing gaze of his half-brothers.

Even in his previous life, he was very introverted and tends to hate social gatherings. Just seeing people trying to advance toward him made him sick in the stomach. That's why he rather huddles himself inside the grand library in his town or hides inside his cozy bedroom with books surround him.

But it wasn't any good for him nor his family. Since his community was very tight knitted. If anything happens, everyone will know in an instant. Not even an ounce of privacy was given. But since the war is still rampaging in the city next to their town, they had no choice other viable choices other than to stick together.

Not after a few minutes, Haruka heard the grass crunched as someone approached him. With a pebble in between his fingers, Keishomaru stalked towards Haruka.

"Here." He grabbed Haruka's hand and place the pebble on the open palm. "You're missing out on the fun."

Haruka stared at this palm for a good second before tilting his head to face Keishomaru.

"Fun? I'm having fun just by standing here. I don't think I missed out on anything, big brother." Haruka replied with a wry smile. "Big brother, Gakimaru, and Kazemaru are certainly elated even without me being there. I am merely just an observer."

This kid, Keishomaru, is more perceptive than he thought. To think that he was able to notice Haruka's disappearance way faster than the other two. Haruka needed to be cautious now. Sooner or later, that kid will follow him around like a lost puppy.

Keishomaru's face turned downcast, but he still insists on Haruka playing with them. Haruka, having enough of his half-brother's pestering, finally agreed to at least stand beside them while they throw pebbles.

It wasn't long until they were called back for bedtime. Keishomaru, Gakimaru, and Kazemaru bid Haruka goodbye as they left with their respective mothers. Haruka stood there as he waits for his father to come and pick him up. But instead of his father, three men dressed in dark attire appeared behind Haruka.

Haruka immediately stepped back as his eyes locked on one of the men.

"Haruka-sama, it's time for you to be asleep." The man said as he raised his arm to grab Haruka.

But Haruka dodged in the nick of time.

"Preposterous, how can you be so sure that you are the one who will tuck me in? For all I know, father forbids all of you from interacting with me." Haruka jeered, hiding his anxiety behind his brave mask. "You are under no circumstances of having verbal communication nor physical interaction with me."

This is bad. Things could get out of hand if there's no one there to witness. The servants had already retired to their quarters. His child servant wasn't around his vicinity either.

There's no way he can stall that long until someone passes by to save his ass. Sweats dripped down from Haruka's brow as he tried to figure out how to sedate the situation. The suffocating condition had his heart in his throat.

"Enough of this unheeded commotion. Seize that brat before any atrocity is committed." Their leader ordered.

Haruka went pale as a sheet when the men vanished. Despite the chilling fear creep into his throat, Haruka ran away from his previous position, shouting for help in hopes of someone come to save him from a bunch of lunatics. His cold, hard rationality was immediately defeated by the unsolicited feeling of terror. Haruka tried to gasp for the air, but only to engulf the tense atmosphere.

As soon as the sole of his feet touches the ground, his vision was blocked by a dark cloth. His chest thrummed and squeezed with suspense. Just one hit on his neck, Haruka's eyes rolled back into its sockets.

His body slumped on the ground with a soft thud on the wet dirt. All of his attempts to save his sorry ass were good as none. His eyes slowly shut, cursing himself mentally before going unconscious.

One of the men picked Haruka's body up and threw the boy onto his shoulder like a sack of potato.

"Retreat." A single command, and they were gone in a blink of an eye.

Without them noticing, a jade amulet was dropped onto the dirt.

It gleamed under the moonlight.