*

(26 years ago - YEAR 824 - MARLEY)

Not long since word got out of the couple, that fled from Marley and killed two of their main officers in command. Committing such crimes, put the Yamasaki's safety at a risky situation, that left them defenceless without reason. With Commander Reinhardt infuriated, the next bit of news left him pissed off than ever.

Given the deal he made with the Chief, it was now no longer needed, nor wanted.

Ronin stood by his father, eyes hardened while keeping his anger steady inside himself. The commander's shoes tap against the tiled floors, sharply bouncing the closed in walls of his office. The silence was filled such tension, that no matter what you did, no one could slice through.

"Did you......know about this?" Reinhardt questioned, rather temperately.

Chief Hiroshi shook his head, "No, we never even suspected she would do such a thing," his breathing subtly heavy, while Reinhardt comes to a halt from his pacing back and forth. "No one knew of their escape, but I don't know how they managed to--"

The Chief paused for a second, wondering if there was a mole within their clan. He didn't want to believe his own family, would want to even do such a thing. Let alone, how they're under Marley's watch and imprisonment.

"Thirty two years.......thirty two damn years, and this is the first attempt that actually succeeded," Reinhardt reminded the two, before snapping his head towards Ronin, with a suspicious look. "Though they're probably drowned in the storm, or went to some location,I doubt we could find them by now."

Ronin however held a knowing expression, his hand tightening whether to speak up or not. Even Reinhardt picked up on the usual brash, and loud boy, he turns to him with interest.

"You're rather quiet, Ronin,"

The young teen's jaw clenched tightly, raising his head with his usual scowl.

"......"

Scoffing dryly the Commander suddenly swipes across his desk, his papers and equipment scattering while yelling in anger. His eyes snap back to the two, while the Chief tried to calmly assess their situation. "How did a damn couple, and a baby escape this heavily guarded place?!!!!!!!"

His voice bellowed within the room, while Ronin's remain cold and nonchalant.

"Magath! Muller!!!"

Two soldiers walked in with a firm salute, while the Chief side glances with caution.

"Sir!"

Reinhardt turns to Ronin and stalks closer to the teen, "With that bitch not around to punish her, along with her Eldian husband...." He began. "....Ronin will take their punishments, which requires fifty backlashes and any kind of torture, until he confesses who helped the two escaped!"

"Yes sir!"

The Chief's eyes widen with confusion, "Hang on a second, Ronin doesn't know....no one knows!" he explained, while regretting defending his own disappointment of a son. "Commander, at least hear us ou--"

"No excuses, take him to the cells and do as you see fit!!!"

Ronin remained calm, but deep down he began to curse his own sister and especially his niece.....

*

Heavy discomforted grunts echoes within the cold, damp cells.

Torches flicker all around, lighting up where Ronin was knelt down. Bathing in a crimson pool of his own blood, his knees were dipped an inch. His body jerks forward, the shackles clanking together on either side of his large, broad, slumped figure. Clenching his large calloused palms, jaw locked, he tightened his grip while baring the pain.

Sweat beaded against his temple, trailing down to his jawline slowly.

"Answer us, dammit!!!"

Without another answer followed a heavy lash to his bare back, shredded by previous ones done before. Flesh ripped open to the muscle, dark blood coating his back, as the wounds become larger and larger. Ronin knew who it was that aided his sister, but for some time he was beginning to reconsider his options and confess anytime.

The pain was unbearable, but he could endure further.

His grunts lowly sound, as the soldier lashes at him several more time, bloody spraying from every flick. The flesh splitting further, leaving larger gashes covering his entire broad back. He hung his head forward, sweating profusely with blood mixing through, the salt stinging the wounds.

"This son of a bitch really wants to die, huh?!" The soldier retorted, eyes filled with indignation and rage. Provoking the young teenage further, Ronin soon grins ear to ear slowly raising his head. "Answer us, or your life will soon meet's it's--"

The soldier's breath hitched in his throat, staring into eyes that were predatory and filled nothing but a frightening gaze. Chills ran down the Marley soldier's back, almost dropping the whip in hand.

"No matter how much you fucking lash me, no matter if I bleed out......." Ronin swipes his tongue against his bottom lip, a metallic taste lingers in his mouth. Arching an eyebrow, ".......no information will be told, whether I know something or not......so reconsider your options now before you piss yourself."

His voice was so dry and hoarse, but with such a provocative tone that confused everyone.

The soldier gripped the whip, seeing the battered and bruised teen, seeing he's already suffered hours of torture and whips. Blood was staining the stone beneath him, and they couldn't predict how long they could keep up. Suddenly, the sound of metal scrapes across the ground, boots echoing and approaching the torturing room.

"Commander, we're trying our best an--!"

The Commander raised his hand, quietening them maintaining his eyes on the bloody mess before him. Reinhardt rested his hands behind his back, coming to a halt before the young boy. His eyes studying his state, seeing the young boys muscle strain from the intensity of pain. Skin reddening, skin shredded to the hot red muscle, dried blood crusted above his temple, as blood trails into the pool of blood.

"Anything?"

The soldier shook his head, "He won't confess, nor will he.........he's a-a monster Commander,"

Reinhardt remains quiet for a moment, before a smirk curls upon his lips.

"How about we make a deal, and change plans?" He suggested, angling his eyes down upon Ronin.

Ronin tilts his chin with slight interest, "I'm listening,"

His cold piercing gaze remains steady, "As you're General of your Military, how about you work under me....." he began, clearly assessing the situation and the options being laid out. "......with your bitch of a sister no longer with us, how about you become our strongest weapon and connection to bind our alliance? We'll let everything go that had happened just now, if you agree to this.....if not....well."

"I will do it,"

Reinhardt was taken back, especially with Ronin's impulsive decision as if he already predicted his suggestion with this deal. Keeping his face less expressive, he indeed was impressed by his decision, despite the risk of losing his position in Commander for allowing to escapees to go off.

"Alright, staring within two weeks.......you begin," Reinhardt informed him, as Ronin heavily breaths through his nose with the pain."With your wounds, you won't be able to fully recover.....but it gives you time to adjust and think of the future of your clan...."

Ronin's eyes pierce into the Commander's, leaving a bone-chilling sensation run down his spine in response.

*

YEAR 825 - MARLEY

A year soon went away so quickly, but Ronin remained close beside Commander Reinhardt. Serving his role through and through, he carefully kept himself in better terms with the man. Though in a year, fifty or more warriors fell from the Yamasaki's Military, that left on less than forty to remain.

Ronin knew that once their military would die out, soon will their alliance.

"The fiances, and demand for more military is still underway," The Chief sighed, troubled and deeply aggravated by it all. Pinching the bridge of his nose, he sat back while placing his brush upon a wooden block aside, not wanting to smudge his papers and scrolls that sprawled around.

His maid remained quiet, not sure what to say about their situation.

General Mihara sighed, "If we gain just some profit, we're able to keep ourselves stable for the time being,"  he suggested, taking a gentle sip of tea that was prepared for the two.

The Chief sighed heavily, "My son.......he's, I have a feeling he's sneaking our finances," lowering his tone, audible for only Mihara to hear. "He's becoming more overconfident, unstable, and ......disloyal. Soon, we'll be left with nothing..."

Miahara sat there with disappointment, lowering his cup before resting upon the small tea table.

"We maybe the same age and cousins, but......his behaviour is uncalled for," Mihara admitted, dreadfully. Grimacing in response, he couldn't help think ill of his own cousin."I thought we would get along, but.......it's like he's a parasite now.....as it keeps growing and growing....."

The Chief raised his head, "He's the only thing, keeping this clan alive.......if we cut him down now..." breathing out such a possibility, but it felt only like a damned wish of theirs. ".....who knows what will become of my wife, this family, our reputation........to our shogun."

~Knock~Knock~

"State your name and business!!!!!"

"Your son, came to discuss important matters!"

General Mihara and The Chief glanced in each others directions for a moment, before the young man stood up bowing politely, "I will allow you to speak with your son--"

The Chief shook his head, "Just wait nearby the maid,"

Hesitantly he obeys and shifts to the side, towering over the young maid that quietly remained still and obedient.

"You may come in!"

Ronin soon walks through swiping both doors open, wearing a thick cloak over his broad shoulders. However his aura was obviously different, which frightened the Chief only for a second. What the two didn't know, was that Ronin listened to their entire conversation. Every word still lingering in his head, staring into the old eyes of his father.

"I've come to report,"

Reluctantly the Chief listened to his Son's report, but even though it was a short meeting, something felt off to Mihara. He eyes down Ronin, headed to toe, when something glints at the corner of his vision. Clearly he wouldn't dare wield a weapon inside, it was prohibited and illegal to do so.

So what is his intentions, of this sudden report in?

*

NEXT DAY - AT THE COMMANDER'S OFFICE

"So, you recorded all whereabouts on your men?" Reinhardt implied, looking out of the window that faced the ocean below. In the reflection he stares at Ronin, as the young adult stood with confidence.

"Why are you cautious of my actions?" Ronin tilted his head subtly up, hands at his side. "You think I'll betray you, tch......some trusting man you are."

Reinhardt shook his head, "No, of course I trust you.......it's more of your father......"

Clearly this wasn't a usual meeting, but Reinhardt felt left in the dark with Ronin's suspicious actions since a few months ago. He kept himself quiet, not wanting to pressure or alarm him. Observing the matter, Ronin clearly knew that Reinhardts suspected something's up.

"The numbers have decreased, Ronin!" Reinhardt announced. "Your Military, they've gone down by at least six since our battle with the Eastern country......so, anything to say?"

Ronin steadily remains nonchalant, wondering what he truly was implying. Does he know? Or is he try to provoke him, in speaking up?

"No, but that is strange......I shall look into it," turning on his heel, Ronin went to head out grabbing the handle.

"If you do find out, please inform me immediately," Reinhardt turns his head slightly, eyeing from the side. "I need your military's strength in our battles, but if you lose every soldier of your clan......our alliance will surely break and death will only come to your family's extinction."

Ronin didn't seemed rather fazed by his threat, but paid no attention turning the handle.

"Understood,"

*

A WEEK LATER

"All Soldiers, forward!!!!!!" General Mihara ordered, standing sharply at the front.

Chief Hiroshi walks to the front of the remaining men, as they dropped their training weapons and gear, before standing in a few rows. Exhausted by their extensive training, they all still remained loyal and quiet before their chief. Clearly some were confused to why he was here, especially whilst training.

He never usually attended their training sessions, unless something has come up.

However the Chief was counting his men, one by one, steadily not losing the number he reached too. His eyes discreetly narrow towards General Mihara, taken back by how little men they were down too. Though he knew a murderer was on the loose, he didn't have the proof to accuse anyone at this point. Clearly this person knew where they were, and trained.

"Chief?"

He cleared his throat, "Uh, yes......" turning to his men, they all waited his order. "....as you may have already known, that we've been losing men.......and now we're down to at least twenty men. Make no mistake, I will find the culprit and--"

He noticed a soldier sweating profusely before him, a sudden guilt wavering behind his eyes.

Stepping closer to him he leans closer to his ear, "Got anything to say, soldier?" The young man swallowed thickly in response, "If you know something, it will prevent further losses......no bribes....."

Taking a step back he faces the rest of them, knowing interrogating them will do nothing but cause false rumours. Waving his hand he dismisses them, allowing them to resume training as he began to grow more unsettled. Watching over his men, General Mihara walks up beside him and sighs.

"I've been looking into it, and so is Ronin," He informed him, troubled at the thought their men are being taken one by one. "This has gone on for too long, but my question is..........how can our men be murdered so easily? We're meant to be a force to be reckoned with here, so--"

"They either figured our weakness, or he is one of us," The Chief assumed, turning to Mihara firmly. "Marley are weaklings compared to us, but we only lost our men to their damn titans........clearly Marley likes to take that opportunity to annihilate as much as possible."

"Sir?"

"We can't retaliate nor fight against them, with how little we've become," He continued on. "All we can do is be patient, chin up and bare the weight of our clan and that's it."

Mihara bowed to his Chief, as the older man smiled at his second best man.

Placing a warm hand upon his broad shoulder, he smirked, "Thanks Nephew, having you with me brings me ease at these times......" shaking his shoulder with a chuckle. ".......anyway, you almost ready for your big day?"

Mihara nodded, "Yeah, I'm prepared," clearing his throat, glancing over his men. "I wish cousin Katsumi was here.......her and Ayaka were so close as friends. Why did she have to leave?"

The Chief scowled thinking of his selfish daughter, while shaking his head.

"We do not speak of that wretched girl," He bitterly dismissed, turning around. "Right now, we must find the person who is murdering our men.....and soon."

Mihara glanced in his uncle's direction, and bowed before he leaves his sight. He grew concerned for his Uncle, seeing how much he's trying to hold their clan together. Ever since Katsumi fled only to save her daughter's life, he for once blamed someone than himself.

He blamed Katsumi and her child, for screwing their clan til they're left with nothing, especially her husband.

*

A WEEK LATER

Rain heavily showered across Marley, as mist began to drift lowly to the ground whilst it was night. Pelting down against the metal roofs, the Chief was meditating outside on the verandah. Overwhelmed and under the pressure in reviving his clan, all he could was hope and pray for a miracle.

Soft footsteps approach him from behind, as his wife places a tray of warm tea beside him.

His hand latched around her delicate wrist, noticing how pale and skinny her skin was becoming. His eyes trailed up worriedly to meet his wife's gaze, only find her looking more lean and tired, with dark bags beneath her eyes. Giving him a soft, tender smile she covers her other hand over his larger one.

"You keep meditating, alright my love," She assured him, her voice cracking slightly. "I'm alright, just tired.....I need to go check on Ayaka and prepare a few things for the ceremony...okay?"

He grew hesitant, but slowly nodded in understanding.

"Alright, don't over exert yourself in anyway,"

She chuckled, "Thanks, see you in a bit,"

Watching her leave he soon turns back to meditation, allowing the peace of the rain to calm himself. His anger was steadily surfacing, but he's to at least allow patience to help him calm his nerves and the tension. Minutes fly by, his eyes closed, smelling the sweet candles that was lit in a few spots within his room. The fusuma doors wide open, as he began to decide whether to finish up and head inside in the warmth.

Suddenly a heavy breeze blows the lanterns and candles out, leaving the place completely black.

Hiroshi turns his head behind him for a moment, only to see nothing but pitch black. However, lightning flashes only to see a figure standing above him, a katana blade in hand. Slowly his eyes began to adjust to the darkness, when he senses the blade about to strike him.

Commando rolling to the side, he dodged the attack hearing the tea set shattering from where he was.

Searching for his katana blade his hands frantically search through the darkness, but to his dismay, he couldn't find it. Whipping his head to the mysterious man, he noticed two Katana blades in hand.

"Come on father, you should know by now......that I know your weaknesses," A familiar voice, chuckled feeling the room go cold. The rain showers down heavier than before, feeling his heart pounding against his chest.

"Son?"

"Now, you decide to call me son?" Ronin sarcastically asked, before tapping the blunt edge of his sword against his shoulder. Playfully he slowly approached his father, who was on the ground without his sword. "What a way, to realise I'm something to you..........when you only called me a dog!"

Hiroshi locked his jaw, "Stop this damn nonsense!" he demanded, pushing himself to his feet. Finally their visions adjusted to the darkness, only to see Ronin grab his ponytail and sliced through the thick locks. Strands fall, while the Chief stared at him in confusion.

Arching an eyebrow he tilted his chin, "Finally cutting ties with you, means...whatever I do will no longer matter," Ronin stated confidently, confirming his rebellion. "Also, if you decide to call for our bodyguards and warriors...they won't come, so.......yeah....."

The Chief's eyes widen, feeling every part of his body go numb. Fear.

"Let's....talk this out, s-son,"

Ronin shook his head, "No, there's no need........I already know I'm this clan's delinquent as you would say........how I'm not worthy as this clan's Chief and that i deserve only death!!!!!!"

"Son, listen to me!" Hiroshi pleaded, stepping back. "If you kill me, you know this clan will fall."

A sadistic grin curls upon his face, as Ronin scoffed dryly.

"Exactly,"

Without wasting a second, Ronin slashes across his throat. Flesh tearing through, as blood