Life After Death: The Strength Of Suffering

"Sasaki-kun?" I groaned at Retsu's voice and rolled over facing away from her on the bed. "Sasaki-kun, you'll miss out." I felt her slender hand on my back and shivered from the coldness her touch radiated. Frowning, I rolled over to face her.

"Everything all right, Sasaki-kun?" she asked.

Sighing, I rubbed my face as I stood up. She moved to get out of my way, and I cracked my neck before speaking. "What's my name?"

She tilted her head, placing her finger on her chin. "It's Sasaki—̴̩͔̕-̶̛͈̈́-̸͔̬͑͝-̷͚̊̎."

I closed my eyes, rubbing them before opening them again. Kaede was now standing in front of me.

"Why are you still here, Girly?"

She narrowed her honey colored eyes, placing her hands on her hips as she spoke firmly. "I told one of your people to tell you that I made breakfast for you! And after not seeing you for an hour, I find that you've harmed them!" She pointed to the hole in the wall where the shape of a person was imprinted.

I turned back to her and tilted my head. "And? You aren't even welcome here."

I watched with slight amusement as she twitched before sighing and turning around. "I'll have the breakfast warmed up. I'll be waiting, Sasaki-san."

She slammed the door behind her and I snorted, turning to where my worn black kimono had been placed. I walked over to it but then glanced at the reports from that weirdo.

'The only survivors were those outside the clan. The bodies were mostly cut cleanly and a waterbased technique destroyed the buildings, crushing any bodies hit directly.'

Frowning, I pondered if I knew anyone or any clan that used techniques like that but came up blank. I clicked my tongue in frustration, tying my hair into a ponytail before stepping over a body and heading to the building where I sensed Kaede.

'As of now, I think it's a group of two. One using a cursed tool to cut down the active sorcerers and another sorcerer capable of using a domain to trap the rest and finish them off.'

Looking up, I smirked. 'I wonder how strong they are.'

~Scene Change~

Sitting down on a simple wooden chair, I watched Kaede walk back and forth from the kitchen to the table carrying warm food. I was starting to wonder if there would be others joining us, then I frowned resting my head on my palm. 'Why am I even here?' I watched the bright eyes of the woman who had stayed on my mountain for the past two weeks and had been bothering me relentlessly. 'Even while I'm reviewing paperwork, she's bothering me.' If I was working, she would bring in tea. If I was drinking, she would sit with me. If I was aiding the people on the mountain, she would join me. 'From the reports I've received, she's been helping the farmers and teaching others how to read and write.'

Sighing as she walked back to the table with the final plate of food, she sat down across from me and silently raised an eyebrow.

"What?" I asked.

She hmphed, clasped her hands, said her thanks and began digging in. I decided to talk to fill the silence. "Don't you have a clan to run?"

It was both a snarky and genuine question. 'What kind of Clan Head would just leave their clan to wander and do their own thing?' I watched Kaede stop eating, sigh and then speak.

"My older brother, along with a few of the Elders I trust are taking care of the clan in my stead. Why?"

'She knows why.' I ate some more food before responding.

"This isn't a place for someone like you to be. Not only that but if you and your clan get too involved with me, it might cause—"

She sighed and cut me off. "The end of my clan, like the Sakurazawa Clan?"

I nodded and ate more food. "I'm aware Sasaki-san, that as of now every clan, big and small is keeping an eye on you because of what you did. However, I told you I wouldn't stop."

'Right, her feelings for me.' I sighed as she resumed eating.

"Ume—"

She let out a light cough, and I twitched.

'Damn it.' I sighed. "Kaede-san, did you know that we're about to enter a famine?"

She blinked and I spoke before she could say anything. "I've received reports that the outskirts of the East and a places outside the East are experiencing food shortages. Farmers are forced to pay more for protection against Curses and Sorcerers to be able to farm in "peace". This is just the beginning. As the demand for food increases, so will the desperation. That will lead to small battles that will eventually grow into a full scale war." 

I watched her look down at the food she had cooked. "I don't have time to pursue a relationship. I don't care about a relationship knowing that clans will become desperate and attack those under my protection." I sighed and took another bite of my food. "Kaede-san, you have a clan that you'll need to—"

I stopped as she glared at me with determination and I felt a sweat drip down the back of my neck. 'What is she thinking?'

"Then..." I raised an eyebrow as she mumbled to herself before speaking clearly.

"I'll move the Umemura Clan here!" she declared.

"Bwah?"

"And if you won't take in a 'clan,' then we'll become bandits. Then you won't have a choice as you are the 'Eastern Bandit Leader!'"

I blinked, stunned and didn't respond or move as she quickly finished her food, walked away with a smile and slammed the door behind her.

'What the fuck just happened?'

~Scene Change~

Knock knock

Knock— "Come in."

I heard footsteps approach and looked up to see one of my messengers with a paper in hand.

"G-Greetings, Boss."

I hummed, sitting up in my chair, and gestured to the papers. "What's happened now?"

He shuffled nervously. Before I could yell at him he placed the papers on the table, right on top of the current one I was reviewing. As I read, my face paled. 'She's crazy..'

"B-Boss, that came in two days ago a-and—"

I looked up as he stopped and looked away.

"Umemura Kaede... and her rogue clan... are already setting up near the place you fish at!"

With those words he ran out the door. I tried to process what he just said, then looked back down at the paper. I read it aloud.

"Umemura Kaede attacked a government official and declared that her clan is now under the Eastern... Bandit... Leader?"

I groaned and placed the paper on the table, closing my eyes and rubbing them.

'She left four days ago and did this? The world has gone crazy.'

I sighed and reached under my table where a gourd of sake was hidden and began drinking.

'What's done is done. That woman is already acquainted with the other residents of the mountain, so if I wipe her out and her clan it'll sow discord among everyone.'

Sighing again, I stood up.

"She reminds me of Sukuna."

I blinked at the brat's name. 'Wonder what he's doing...'

I shrugged off the thought and made my way out of the building, heading to where Kaede and her clan were setting up.

'I'm sure he's fine.'

~Sukuna POV~

"AHAHAHA!"

I looked down at the group of Sorcerers led by one of the Auspicious Twelve, who was laughing like a madman.

"Brat, you fucked up!" I smirked, twirling Hiten around before jumping down from my perch. As I landed, I blitzed in front of the Sorcerer who only laughed louder and blocked a swing from Hiten.

"Slash"

With a simple cutting motion towards the Sorcerer's leg, I watched his eyes widen before he grinned wider pushing me back with his bare hands. He then grabbed the iron Kanabo from his back.

"You are fun, boy!" he yelled.

I snorted before yawning and pointing Hiten at the ground beneath him.

"You were boring. Vortex of the Drowned."

A massive whirlpool of water formed beneath the Sorcerer and his allies. I smiled as I noticed the Sorcerers couldn't escape, the whirlpool beginning to shrink. The sounds of bones being crushed filled the air.

"How bor—"

Instinct, driven by that man's training made me raise Hiten above my head just as a Red Iron Kanabo slammed into it. I had to grit my teeth and smile at the force behind the blow.

"HAHAHA! Thought I was dead, brat?!"

'How loud.'

"Dismantle"

Pointing both of my lower hands at the brute's arms, a larger and stronger slash cut through both, and I grinned. Grabbing his shoulders I forced him while he was in shock to kneel and stabbed Hiten through his chest.

"What a waste of time."

I watched the Sorcerer's body slump as I ripped the Cursed Tool from his chest. Turning around, I noticed the two other dead members of the Auspicious Twelve who had fought me earlier today.

'Seems like I missed one.'

I could sense someone still alive. As I walked towards them I thought about my promised fight with him.

"Soon, soon I shall show you that I've grown stronger."

Making eye contact with the surviving Sorcerer, I grinned wide feeling my stomach grumble in hunger.

"For now, I'll feast."

~Souta POV~

'They set up fast.' My first thought, followed quickly by another. 'I should've taken over a bigger mountain.'

Sighing, I walked along a newly made gravel path. I could already see homes half built despite the Umemura Clan only having arrived today. After a few minutes, I spotted Kaede directing workers on a building project.

"Girly."

She jumped twirling around and I noticed the others around her hesitate and paling as she ran toward me, trying to grab onto my kimono. 'Not again.'

I dodged with that thought in mind, watching her fly past me before skidding to a stop. She turned and glared at me with a pout. I raised an eyebrow in response.

"You chose a good spot."

She blinked, then smirked, puffing out her chest. I sighed.

"I found out that you like to fish around here." she said. "So I thought that if I build my clan's compound here, you'll have no choice but to see me if you want to fish here!"

Cracking my neck, I nodded at her reasoning before shooting her down.

"A shame that this isn't the only fishing spot." I said amused.

I watched her freeze, blink then frown. She mumbled something under her breath that made me twitch.

"I'll have to see if I can get any clans allied with me to go rogue and join me."

I cleared my throat, bringing her back to reality. She turned to me hands on her hips.

"Sasaki Souta, I have a request—"

"I refuse." I cut her off before she could say more. She pouted in response.

"Hear me out—"

"No."

"You—"

"I don't want to."

"There's—"

"Sounds boring."

"Say—"

"Can't."

"Saynoifyouagree!"

"N... Yes?"

She beamed and I twitched as she giggled, twirling as she passed me.

"Since you've agreed, you and I will go to the festival."

I frowned about to speak, but she cut me off.

"I decided to create a festival to mark you being the Eastern Bandit Leader, so make sure you have nice clothing."

She turned her head toward me, and I froze at her smile.

"See you tonight."

With that, she walked off leaving me stuck, unable to say anything except think one thing.

'What the fuck?'

~Scene Change~

For the past four hours, I had been lying at the top of the mountain, contemplating these past few years, something I hated doing. 'But it's something I have to do.'

Sighing, I looked up at the blue sky and was reminded of the baby from the Sugawara Clan. 'That child will grow to be strong, probably.'

I watched as one of the clouds seemed to trick my mind, morphing into a woman who, within a few weeks had turned my thoughts into a chaotic mess. 'Retsu...'

"I'll follow you, but if I decide to leave, you will not try to stop me."

I sighed softly at the memory. 'Seems like I was the one to leave you instead.'

Placing a hand over my face, I tried to reason with myself. A reason to keep Kaede Umemura away from me. 'But there isn't one, is there, Sasaki?'

Removing my hand, I stared at the cloud shaped like her. 'Maybe, just maybe, I can try it once more.'

~??? POV~

They're all imperfect beings. 'That is why I was born.'

Glancing down at the pit of fire, I saw the battle between Mikazuki and that man. 'Even after I gave him my blessing, all he could do was singe his skin slightly? A waste of my divinity.'

"My Lord."

I turned my eyes from the fire to one of the imperfections under my rule.

"A messenger from the East reports that a clan attacked an official from the Imperial Court and has taken refuge under the Eastern Bandit Leader."

I hummed tracing my fingers over the golden inlays of my throne. "And what of that man's vile aura? Have you discovered why it was able to overpower my own?"

He kneeled, bowing lower at the end of the stairs. I tilted my head as he spoke.

"No, my Lord. The only thing we have found from the aftermath is that it somehow weakens Cursed Techniques and erodes whatever it touches."

I hummed again, standing and descending the stairs. The sound of my unmarred feet was the only thing breaking the silence.

"What is the strongest thing humans can use?"

Without hesitation, the man answered sweat beading as I drew closer.

"Fire."

I nodded. "Correct, Fire. If a fire is big and hot enough, nothing can extinguish it. So tell me... why was something weaker able to extinguish my fire?"

As I made the final step, I observed the man's labored breathing from the heat radiating off me.

"I-I do not know, my Lord!"

I clicked my tongue, raising my left pinky finger toward him. Before he could speak or lift his weary head a small ball of condensed flames formed at the tip of my pinky and shot toward him.

"Celestial Ember"

The moment the miniature ball touched his clothing, he burst into ashes.

"Aoi, clean up the filth."

I turned to head back to my throne and from the shadows, a figure emerged, sweeping the ashes away with a broom. 'Disgraceful.'

"Aoi, head to the East and see the soul of that man. Understood?"

A nod was all I received before I directed my gaze back into the pit of fire. 'Do not worry, Mother. I will show these imperfect beings your pure flames.'