It was evening, the kind of quiet hour when the streets of the village dimmed into lantern-light. Sin had hurried back from the academy, keeping her steps light, careful as always... Daichi never came home early, not at this time. He was usually at the tavern, drowning himself in sake and women. Tonight was different.
The moment she slid the door open, her stomach dropped. He was there. Sitting on the floor mat, a half-empty bottle beside him, his eyes bloodshot and wild.
"Well, well…" Daichi's voice dripped with mockery. "Look who finally crawls back. My little secret shinobi."
Sin froze, her breath caught in her throat. How..... how did he know?
Reina rushed forward, placing herself between him and Sin. Her voice was steady, though Sin saw the tremble in her fingers. "Who told you, Daichi?"
Daichi laughed, a cruel, hollow sound. "A friend at the tavern. Seems your little angel isn't as hidden as you thought. People talk, Reina. Everyone knows she's been playing ninja behind my back." His grin turned into a snarl. "And you.... you let her. You betrayed me."
Reina's jaw tightened. "She deserves more than this life, Daichi. More than... "
"More than me?" he snapped, staggering to his feet. He towered over her now, the stench of alcohol heavy in the air. "You think she'll be some great shinobi? She's nothing! Just a burden..... another mouth I never asked for."
Sin's chest burned, but she couldn't move, couldn't speak.
Reina held her ground, though tears pricked at the corners of her eyes. "She has potential, Daichi. She has a chance at a future that you've long thrown away. I won't let you destroy her."
Daichi smirked, mocking, venom curling on his tongue. "What will you do then, Reina? Stop me? You think you're strong enough?" He took a step closer, then another, his shadow falling over them both.
"Stay away from her!" Reina's voice cracked but didn't falter. She spread her arms wide, shielding Sin with her body.
Daichi chuckled darkly. "Pathetic. You think you can protect her forever? Maybe I'll just get rid of you both tonight." He raised his hand high, ready to strike.
The sound of his palm slamming against Reina's cheek cracked through the room like thunder. Blood welled at the corner of her lip, yet she didn't step aside.
Her voice, hoarse but unwavering, cut through his rage. "Not while I breathe, Daichi. You'll never touch her."