Kurokumo Clan Wakashu: Heathcliff's Story

... What a mess.

When one thinks of an assembly, their brain might conjure the image of a forum for discussion, a place to hash out each other's differences with words...

... but that is a rare sight in this City.

There's no need to look very far for an example. This child is sitting in one.

Let's get one thing straight. It's the Teppu Family's fuckups that caused the local merchants to jump ship. Yes, or no?

Fundamentally speaking, the Kurokumo Clan has the responsibility to pay a greater share of the tribute we send. They're raking it in with their 'protection' business, aren't they?

The Knots does not wish to be a part of this argument.

My fault. Your fault. You should pay more. No, you should.

People sitting in a room hazy with cigarette stench, barking impractical, meaningless boasts at each other.

The child looks at them with open exasperation.

I am in agreement, but we are currently here in an official capacity - don't be so rash in your speech.

I doubt those sods can hear us over that bloody racket.

... How did it come to this?

If you're so mad about it, go tell 'em yourself.

Have you forgotten? An overwhelming majority of the Syndicates that have gathered here are the Thumb's subsidiaries.

I am but a Wakashu; I am in no place to talk, unless someone were to bestow me with the appropriate authority.

It seems that even Captain Ishmael... is unwilling to join the cacophony.

The Kurokumo Clan, the Syndicate the child was a part of, was not exactly in a great position among those present.

The Patriarch had, after an unfortunate incident, excused himself for a moment. And the former Captain, who entered the Library, was never heard from again.

The only one with any degree of authority left was the newly - and hastily - appointed Captain.

Though she was technically the acting head of the Syndicate, an authority given by the Patriarch... it was inevitable that the other Syndicates would look down on them.

Well, I'm sure the lass can handle this.

... Your faith in the Captain seems to have grown since the last time we met.

You seemed to be bickering endlessly with her at the last assembly...

Can't say I'm on good terms with her, even now. But goin' out for drinks together helps mend some things, build rapport, and what have you.

It's a bit of solidarity, innit? We've both wandered for a while before joining the Syndicate. We both have right bad bastards to get back at... see the picture?

But I suppose that's no longer true, now that she outranks you.

Couldn't you have been a tad nicer about that jab...? Tsk.

Oh, well. She does deserve to be up there.

I don't know what I'm doin' anymore. I remember making a promise with myself that I'd go back there as a successful man, a man of quality, but now... I'm not so sure. What was I doin' all this for, anyway? Why even go back?

Someone once told me that... only people with a clearly defined goal get to the top. Like the lass.

Seems like a sensible sort, this 'someone' of yours.

Yeah, bossman Matteo. Used to rely on him back at T Corp.

Oh. The assembly's breaking, I think?

Looks like we're just going in circles. Let's reconvene tomorrow.

... Agreed. We'll never come to an agreement at this rate.

Seconded.

Heathcliff.

Huh? Whassit? Whisperin' all of a sudden...

Make sure that the boys and girls stay on high alert tonight. Something's brewing.

... You serious, lass?

They've got to be a screw loose in the head to attack the Kurokumo Clan on our own turf.

... I got this feeling from the conversation that they're trying to hone in on one of our 'businesses'. Besides, they asked me where we were staying. Multiple times.

Huh. These crazy bastards. Fine, let 'em try. I'll tear their heads from their -

It's just a suspicion at the moment. Don't get too worked up yet. Anyways... I'm trusting you with this, okay?

Some time passes, and dark clouds shroud the moon in shadow.

The child's suspicions had been true...

A few suspicious figures quietly stepped into the child's bedroom.

They loomed over him for a moment before unsheathing their blades...

... and stabbed, aiming straight for the child's un-tattooed neck.

... Huh.

She weren't kidding.

But the blade could not break his skin.

Black tattoos, drawn over various parts of his body, quickly crowded around his neck like tufts of cloud...

... and the sword, clashing with the tattoo, slid off harmlessly.

This ain't the first time, but... blimey, so that wasn't the end of it, yeah?

What the hell? What is that -

Kurokumo Clan tattoos, lads. Your little knives won't work.

Or do you not have these where you're from?

The child's own blade flashed in the dark and struck the assassin' in the neck, felling him to the ground.

As soon as their death was confirmed, the child leaped from his bed and joined the others in the streets.

There...

Weren't you the one who warned us to stay alert? How come you're the last to join us?

Was luring 'em in there, I don't want to hear your nagging about - nevermind. Anyways...

... just how many of 'em are there?

... More than we expected. More Syndicates were in on this alliance than we'd thought.

Various Syndicates had gathered in the streets to challenge the Kurokumo Clan.

Underestimating the Kurokumo Clan, eh? Bastards...!

The Captain'll be here soon.

We just have to... hold out until she...

Nope.

Holding out ain't like the Captain... we'll fight our way through them.

I bet they're planning to go for the 'Showdown' with her, anyway.

The Showdown.

Syndicates of the eastern region often employed this tradition when making important decisions.

Of course, losing or refusing did not result in consequences of any 'official' capacity...

... in the eastern part of the City, where Showdowns have become a part of the culture. In a way, defeat often meant that the morale of the allies would be severely dampened.

And... as morale was quite an important element in battles with high headcounts...

Looks like we're gonna have to pave the way for her to accept their boss's challenge!

... the child rushed forward, blade in hand.

Weaker attacks glanced off his enhancement tattoos,

as he focused on furiously cutting down the endless swarm of enemies.

But his powerful charge eventually came to a grinding halt.

The enemy Syndicate's boss had blocked his path.

Gah!

The child fought to the best of his abilities, but after having cut through countless enemies, he was exhausted.

One. Two. Three.

The child's form began to break with each clash...

... and when even the enhancement tattoos couldn't block their onslaught, the child fell to his knees.

Shite...

I... I'm almost there...

And that's when...

Why didn't you wait? Just look at you. You're a mess.

... light footsteps approached from behind him.

... Oi, Captain.

There was a shitload of 'em... Heh, I did quite alright considering the odds, didn't I?

Oh, are we past giving a shit about respect, now? This is hardly the time to be facetious.

Yeah, whatever you say... If I zipped up and acted all serious, you would've scolded me for tryin' too hard to look cool.

True.

... Just the same ol' lass, ain't ya.

His vision began to grow faint like gathering clouds under a clear sky, but her voice was coming through clear.

My name is Ishmael, thirty-fourth Captain of the Kurokumo Clan.

She'd never lost a fight she began with that line.

The child grinned with relief even as he felt his consciousness leave.