Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The land surrounding the Fire Daimyo's castle illumined like a beacon in the night, bright flames enclosing the once imposing infrastructure that represent the Land of Fire.

The pillar of fire that seems to pierce heaven brought fear and dread to the people running away from the building--the Daimyo himself have not been spared by the scourge . He died being burned alive—the irony was not lost to its perpetuator.

“H-help!”

“it hurts! Mom!”

“run! We need to run!”

“its those brats! Those demons!”

In the distance, perched upon one of the multiple roof the surround the castle is a person with small stature--a child,  he wears black robe and his hood was placed on top of his head.

 However this only obscure some of his hair . the individual’s bright red hair was very noticeable and  cascade down on the side of his face, swaying lightly from the wind. A smug grin plastered on his face looking down to the fire--to his creation.

"Stop smiling bastard, it's creeping me out."

Another figure appear beside him, swiftly landing with a quite thud. Dusting his similarly colored robe off of ashes, he shoots the other with a dirty look.

Well at least that’s what look like—from the blindfold that is concealing half of his face—starting from his forehead to the bridge of his nose. His lips pulled in a scowl that is wrinkling the fabric covering the bridge of his nose.

The red-haired child glanced at him--smile still on his youthful face then promptly turned away which made the other ticked:

“Stop ignoring me, Kae!"

“what do you want, Kei?"

The other individual--now introduced as Kei made a noise-similar to a kettle on the back of his throat, " what do i want?! You said and I quote ‘lighten up a little’ to signal Me." he took a breath and screech, "which part of it is little?!"

He wildly point at the very-much-not-little-flame as if to emphases the point. Are you blind?! I'm the one who's supposed to be blind! Which part is little here?! Explain to me I don’t understand, hm?!

Kae slowly turn to him and replied blankly, “you’re annoying."

His jaw drop, "annoying? I'm annoying?!"

After one last forlorn look at the blazing castle, Kae turn his gaze away, "let's go."

"No wait a minute" Kei grabbed his shoulder his lips twitching, "do you even realize what you've done!?”

Kae paused, blinked and look at him like he's stupid, "I set fire to that bastard's castle?"

Oddly enough Kei gaze down on the fire at the blazing flame, admiring the way the walls and foundations peeled off, the fire crackles at it burns down, soaking the screams of despair and pain with cruel glee --and almost applaud, almost. Still this is stupid and need to be addressed no matter how appealing the destruction was.

Kei pinched the bridge of his nose and said with a measured voice, " you set fire to the Daimyo's House!"

The heart of the very land you're standing right now!

The gaze that Kae directed to him seems to be asking 'your point?' which to be fair the bastard deserve it. He's a motherfucker down to his bone marrow and Kei has been itching to kill him--but that's not the problem. The problem is that this imbecilic dumbass didn’t seem to realize what it tells. What it signifies.

“Now we will be hunted!" he stresses. Why is this smart person is acting stupid today, he glanced at him and the urged  to slam his head unconscious got stronger at the nonchalant expression on his brother's face—as if being hunted was not a problem at all. His life seems to be easier when he is  murdering and making plots to become god--ah good times.

(His musing, however would not remove him to this maddening  situation)

His thoughts where cut off when Kae the ever bastard snorted, “they can try."

"You--!"

Kae made a face, "Why are you making such a fuse, when we turn into another year we will be sold of to breed like pigs."

He is not wrong of course, the Uzumaki are coveted for their longevity and large chakra pools and that is the primary reason on why they ended up in the Daimyo's care--of course the 'care' is not from the goodness of his heart--that bastard could never. Even if you stick your hands and  claw his chest it would be empty for how rotten that man is

Truly humans where the heights of evil

To be sold off and to produce more Uzumaki is the duty they have been told which i call of the audacity cause no one will ever tell him what to do.

" i know that, you don't need to remind me." he grumbled.

Since the day they have been reborn and learn that they're raised as a cattle for breeding they have plan to destroy it and  i quote 'loot them dry', and this right moment is the fruition of their plan.

Kae hummed, noncommittally, "I heard that there is a good restaurant near the red light district."

"..."

Kae pause, "what, you're not hungry? "

This ridiculous man! Who eats after turning the head of the government of your country into ashes? Isn’t the wise thing to do next is to flee?!

Him apparently.

“Why I’m i not surprise. " Kei sighed.

Cale feels like he's about to disintegrate and ascend into oblivion. As he look at the semi-toddler in front of him—holding a toy doll—the light on his eyes died a little.

The said bane of his existence, huffed at him haughtily." what? Stop looking at me you bastard!"

How come the person who’s been the annoying leech on his life became his brother?!

What did he even do to deserve this—this punishment!

Don’t get him wrong, he is  quite elated to have a blood related brother (although he treasured those bond brother of his but a person who is born to be connected to you is different) but why does it have to be him?

Of all the people across the universe why does it have to be this bastard?

Who decided this? He just needs to talk.

No scratch that, he need to produce bloodshed.

"Who said I'm looking at you?” Cale scoff. " Wow, must be very exhausting to be this self-centered no?"

The white Star narrowed his eyes at him, “it’s bad already to be killed by you and now i have been reborn as your kin! This is worse than hell!"

Cale shrugged," the feeling's mutual." he smirked." baby brother. "

It’s been amusing to know that he has been born as the eldest from the set of Uzumaki twins and Cale took pleasure on how that enraged White star he start balding-at 5 years old.

White star's jaw clenched, his face  contorted into a bitter scowl and his eyes narrowed, he looked like ready to throw hands and punch Cale square on the face--which Cale prefer that he wouldn’t. It would hurt like hell.

“Whatever." White Star huff that seem to translate into ‘you’re an idiot and I’m the bigger person’. He turned his head away from him and  despite it looking like it require a great amount of strength to do so which Cale found amazing-who would have been thought that White Star have self-control on his body in response to violence. A mystery really, must be because of the post-reincarnation aftereffect.

"Kei! Kae!"

Cale startled at the call of his new name and at the corner of his eyes he saw that White Star did as well-and yeah that is weird but this is the second time that Cale need to change his name so he doesn't really have a hard time adjusting (to happen it the first time is already strange but to happen again?) and to a person like White Star who have been continuously reincarnated in a thousand years, it must have been easy as breathing.

Right, he become Uzumaki Kae, and White Star-his brother (no matter how unhinged that is ) is newly named as Uzumaki Kei. Real creative. I know.

There caretaker enter there adjacent room and start dressing them , apparently they became a ‘ward’ of the Daimyo as soon as they are born--he is told that their parents sold them to the Daimyo for their bloodline and the Daimyo-being a soft hearted person-take pity to them and take them as wards.

Which of course -excuse the crude language-i call bullshit.

Unfortunately for him, Kae can see the underlying malice and cruelty under the facade of a soft hearted person. After all, Kae is a master at this game.

He can make people run around in circles with a few words, he is formidable on that field.

And-thank god-White Star or rather Kei is not stupid either, he figure it out after a handful of times they are required to meet the Daimyo--just like now.

Later on, Kae too figure out that the story that they have been told about them 'being sold' is a lie as well and they couldn't be more obvious about it.

Twisting the knot and tightening it, the caretaker pat his head a few times. He raise his hands and trace the intricate braid on his hair. He decided to keep the long hair look on his hair—a reminder of his life as Cale Henituse.

"Do you like it, Kae-kun?"

Kae give a small smile, "i like it."

It is reminiscence on how he ties his hair before, it make his chest tighten for some reason. However, Kei have a different idea because of course he does.

"It’s shit."

The caretaker gasp, "Kei-kun! Such language!"

Kae's eye twitch, "no one ask for your opinion baby brother. "

Kei scowled at him but remained silent-glaring at him.

The caretaker awkwardly go between them, raising his hands in a  placating manner, " now, now stop antagonizing you big brother Kei-kun"

Kei look like he has eaten a very very sour lemon, going by the distortion of his face at the mention of his 'big brother'

“He is right Kei-kun stop antagonizing this poor brother of yours." Kae dryly pointed out.

Kei flushed deep red, clenching his fist on his side--he tensed half expecting for it to escalate and became a full blown brawl which Cale would not back down to (not when he finally have a strong body)  and much to his surprise Kei’s feet rooted on the floor.

Silence.

Kae eye's widen slightly. Whatttt??? He's not jumping into violence? What the heck?!

He frowned and blurted out, " This is..... unexpected. "

Still, defying the law of the universe and characterization--Kei stayed still and never taking the bait.

Since when does White Star became so OOC??

There's no way right?

There's no way that White star was thinking of him as….

He shivered and decided to grab his thoughts, crumple it and drop into the abyss of what he called mind.

The caretaker look at Kei and him unsurely. “ahem, let's not waste anymore time children, come."

He grasp his and Kei's wrist and guide them to the dining room.

For the rest of the night, Kae never stop stealing glance at Kei.

Huh, strange.

Chapter Text

"Hear, hear! The central Capital has issued a new bounty. It is quite the catch as well!"

The ragged person waved a stack of papers catching the attention of many patrons.

This bar is one of the most crowded place in the red light district, a neutral ground for many individuals. Exchange of information happens here daily and that is one of the few reason why Kae and Kei choose this place-aside from the exquisite food of course.

Kae need to know the messy aftermath that resulted to our... venture.

'I have a bad feeling'

He rarely got chills like this and it would always get him in the most annoying situation. Kae had an odd expression on his face as he turn his head and stare at the person. Beside him, Kei stiffened as well.

“Kids? They are searching for some kids?"

" The 'kids' that you’re talking about is the one who burned down the Daimyo's castle, for sage sake!" he exclaimed, "don't talk as if they are weak, did you see the pillar of fire they produce? I haven't seen something that monstrous in my life!"

Kei froze and slowly turning to look at Kae with his eyes narrowed with the expression that translate to ' see what I'm talking about you fucking moron?'. Kei didn't really understand the reason for Kae to do their plans for all to see.

However, Kae have a different thought, his eyes sparkled at the mention of his creation.

He have been practising his Koton ever since he found out that his affinity inclined on that direction, it kind of remind him of the cheapskate that is why he became accustomed to it very quickly.

Kei upon realising that his brother is a lost cause- resist the urge to bury his hands on his face.

A gruff voice joined in at the conversation," not only that but the capital is in chaos right now with the death of the Daimyo." he dragged a cigarette to his mouth, " they need to move fast and select a new one or the Country will be left defenceless and leaderless."

The two patron grimaced even they know the implication of that. It will be chaotic for a few weeks at least, because of the disarray the capital was left with their walls and defence forcibly lowered.

The man with a blue yukata--the one who refute about the criminals being kids and does not discredit their crime spoke, "the central capital has already hired Shinobi from Konohagakuri to hunt them down--we just need to laid down and wait."

"That’s true, those shinobi are competent enough." the other individual--wearing a deep red yukata concede.

'shit this is bad.'

Kae became nervous but he is not really panicking-he expected the chase but to hire a shinobi seem like an overkill-surely they are not much of a threat to let Shinobi on their tail right?

Nonetheless,  they do now have a shinobi on chasing them which is not ideal.

No matter, they have another target. Their retribution is not over yet. They need to find the person that sold them, the person responsible of this mess.

He also need to squeeze dry their vault.

Kei abruptly stand, "let's go, we're not finished yet"

Kae did not protest and leave the bar with Kei.

It is surprisingly easy and a very anticlimactic scenario when they caught the merchant. Despite having guards stand on all side of the carriage they are using they have not expected 2 powerful children to ambush them. Thus, catching them off guard and fall on the hands of Kae very easily. as they should, even he cant help to admit that there appearance is quite cute.

The said man wriggle against Kei's restraining hands and is trembling so hard to the point that Kae worry that he's going to puke and faint. he thinks that he is really overdramatic.

Kae study the man quietly, the man’s stature reminded him of Billios,  but the personality eclipse each other. Compared to Billios this man is disgusting and have committed horrible crimes.

However, Kae doesn’t really understand what cause him to be this afraid when they are not doing anything to him yet.

The he realised the reason of such fright. It is Kei glaring at him and he nod solemnly.

In spite of the cloth covering Kei’s face, Kae can clearly feel the latter’s piercing eyes.

' ah, getting glared at by a person who was once the White Star sure is terrifying.'

He nodded to himself

"tch, why do you look stupid?"

"hm?"

'what's his problem?'

Kae stared at Kei blankly and promptly ignored him because it would cause him headache if he would try to figure out such person.

Kei impatiently tapped his boots on the floor, " what are we waiting for? Isn't it better to just kill this bastard?"

"Not yet."

"Why?"

"Murder wouldn't solve everything, baby brother."

'why does he always jump on such thoughts?'

Kei huffed in annoyance and dragged the man to the nearest tree and roughly tying him up.

Kae ignored his piercing gaze and the pitiful whimpers of the merchant and look at the almost broken carriage. Surrounding it are bodies that guarding the merchant-broken and bloodied on the floor-and then his gaze shifted to a number of sacks.

These sacks were bloated and full-full of gold. Kae picked a piece and it glint as the light hit the coin. He cannot contain his smile at the things before him.

Despite that he frowned and glace at merchant who look like he would piss himself.

'surely he have many of this'

Kae was thinking about the wealth of a very highly regarded merchant.

The merchant flinched at the expression of the long haired child  (demon)  and the hair at the  back of his neck rises

He walks over to the trembling man and put his hand on his shoulder. The merchant followed his hand and flinch.

Kae address the man, "hey old man, let's go to your home yeah? Doesn't that sound good?"

The old man was openly crying now, tears tracing his cheeks. Kae seems to be put upon on this expression and he steal a hesitant glance at his brother.

'Huh he really seems terrified with Kei-argh why am I always with this annoying person'

However, his eyes were meet with a blank stare—the look of a person when they are looking at a child doing something stupid. He felt  offended somehow.

Despite this scene, Kae currently don't feel any sympathy for this man. He captured their 'parents' and thus sold them as well by association-because of him they almost became an animal for breeding.

This man is no innocent and Kae is not forgiving enough for his sin. Kei surely isn't.

Kae's lips curled up, "since we have captured you, your wealth is ours now."

Kae inclined his head, satisfied at his conclusion

"......"

"hm?"

"are you sure you’re not dropped on the head as a babe?"

"What are you talking about?"

Kae frowned at Kei. He's acting really strange, saying words that didn't make sense. No matter, Kae can easily ignored that-it’s not his problem that he is going insane, as long as he is rational enough-to plan and scheme with then its fine.

" mpphhhhp mmhpj"

Kae tilted his head and undid the gag around his mouth. "speak."

"hah, hah, you're that useless rat! You killed the Daimyo, don’t you know how many money I’ve los—“

‘oh he was not crying for mercy’

The old merchant was crying in anger.

"speak nonsense and your tongue will be useless."

Kae's voice was cold and his face was devoid of emotion, The merchant gasp and his body shook. Kae sighed and resisted to pinch the bridge of his nose.

"Let’s visit your home is so that we can ransacked it."

his initial plan was just to leave the merchant poor so that he would experience misery but now, he change his mind. He was going to loot this person dry and after that he would hang his corpse on the gates in the Daimyo's castle. This person was unrepentant at all-he does not value life as it is, he sold them for his greed-Kae have no mercy to such person.

among other things, Kae hated slavery and human trafficking. Specially child trafficking.

However, the merchant despite facing horror didn't seem so inclined to even let go of his greed. He laugh in a deranged manner.

" ha ha ha, just you wait, when the capitol get a hold of you ill-"

Kei interjected, "how are you sure that you'll live pass that point?"

The merchant's eye shook and his breath quicken, "you wouldn't--you"

He smirked cruelly, "we killed the Daimyo, the audacity to think that your are different is laughable."

the merchant's shook with fear. however,the merchant seems to overestimate their value to them and keep blabbering. "Hah! You need me, you couldn't possibly waste such Opportunity where you?"

"if you speak one more time you'll lose your value." Kei warned, annoyed at his chattering.

he can clearly hear Raon's voice on his head if he would hear something like these. he would probably say something like, "why do this puny humans think that he is some bigshot? does he want to die?" , or " human, do we really need this bastard? isn't it easier if we just kill him? knowing you, it would be easy to find their house and loot them!"

however, he quickly erase those thoughts and interjected: 

"don't flatter yourself, you're not as important as you think you are." 

The merchant's jaw liked shut as his situation finally washed over him and transform into a bone deep horror. "I'll tell you, please spare me!"

" I'll think about it ." Kei drawled, " I'm certain that you don't need those unnecessary limbs to point are you?"

The merchant paled further-if that's even possible. Kae sighed at the spectacles

'why does he associate with this vicious person again?'

Kae took pity at the merchant and spoke in an even voice,

"no need."

"... What?"

"i already know where you live."

Kae look down on him  and smiled cheerily-but for the merchant it look like the reaper of death himself descend on him.