「Cursed」I7 (DISCONTINUED)

"Tenn-ni. . ?!" 

Riku felt at a loss of words. Had it been 5 or 4 years since he's seen his brother before his eyes? And now, here he was, face to face with him. 

Memories flooded into his mind, as if the chest which withheld them had been unlocked. From the moments they played together out in the field, the times they cried, sang, until the day his brother had left the household with no warning. He remembered that day too well. The heartbreak he felt, the worry, all as if it happened yesterday. He remembered the sounds of his crying mother. 'All men leave the house eventually,' she would say, 'but I never imagined it to be like this.'

The threatening expression on Tenn's face vanished and shifted to astonishment. And perhaps, in the purse of his lips, a tang of chagrin. Tenn had always been difficult to read. But much time has passed. And the look in his eyes has changed to something even Riku couldn't recognize.

"Riku," Tenn said grimly, "What are you doing here."

"Tenn-ni. . . I should be asking you that," Riku's voice was hoarse, "Where have you been this whole time?"

Tenn glared at him, "You shouldn't be here."

"What do you m -"

Suddenly, the tip of a sword is pointed at Riku's throat, cutting him off. Tenn had moved with such speed, he couldn't even see it coming. It threw him off guard, knocking his balance off. Luckily, he managed to only take a step back and hold himself together. 

"Leave. You have no business here." Tenn said, the scowl on his face broke something in Riku, it hurt, deep down.

Riku couldn't respond. It shocked him that his own brother had put a sword at his neck. It shocked him so much, he started to tremble. Was it fear? Sadness? Maybe a mix of both. He couldn't tell, and that only confused him more. 

Too many questions invaded his mind. What was Tenn wearing? The cloak had some sort of design on it, which meant he was working for someone or part of an organization. Where had he gotten the sword from? For what did he need it for and who gave it to him? And what scared him the most was the thought that his brother could be putting himself in danger. Especially since he was armed and outside at night. . . 

Tenn sheathed his sword. His glance moved from Riku to the side. As if he had saw something that alarmed him, Riku was pushed off to the side with such quick force he couldn't react in time. 

Riku slammed onto the cobblestone, luckily his arms had landed on the ground first, protecting his head. Pain seared throughout his body, he let out a small yelp. The hood flew back over his head, blocking his field of vision.

The sound of boots approaching could be heard. 

"Oi, who's this?" asked a low, mature voice.

"The attacker?" asked another.

"No, he's just a traveler. Send him inside. I don't want him getting in the way of our task," replied Tenn. 

"Got quite the heavy pack on him doesn't he. Are you sure he's not the one who has been stealing valuables from the village?" the low voice said.

"Yes. He's just arrived after a long trip, I mistook him for a threat at first but then realized he's just some peddler stopping by. Perhaps we should take him to the Inn."

Riku, lying still as if he were knocked out but still breathing, couldn't believe what he was hearing. Tenn was covering for him. A force at his throat, cut off his breath for a moment as he was lifted up to his knees. The hood over his head was thrown off. A gasp was heard.