Daichi's screams ripped through the night, echoing across the quiet street until they reached the ears of his closest neighbor. Startled, the man rose from his mat, his brow furrowing.
His wife caught his arm before he could step outside.
"It's probably nothing," she whispered nervously. "You know how he is… always coming home drunk, always shouting."
But her husband shook his head, unease gnawing at him. "No… this sounded different. Too raw."
Against her protests, he pushed the door open and hurried across the darkened path. The closer he got, the more the air thickened with dread. When he stepped inside Daichi's house, his breath caught—his eyes locking onto a sight he could never forget.
Sin stood in the center of the room, her Sharingan burning crimson, her gaze still trembling with rage and grief. At her feet lay Daichi's lifeless body, twisted in agony, and Reina's motionless form beside him.
The neighbor froze, his legs refusing to move. A cold shiver tore through him as Sin's red eyes shifted toward him. He stumbled backward, almost tripping over the threshold. Terror gripped his voice as he finally found the strength to scream—
"Monster!"
His shrieks shattered the night, louder than Daichi's had ever been.
The neighbor's screams faded into the night as hurried footsteps scattered outside. But inside the house, the world had already gone still.
Sin's chest rose and fell unevenly, her breath catching as though every inhale cut her apart from the inside. Her Sharingan dimmed, the crimson glow softening, drowned out by the flood of tears streaming down her cheeks.
She sank to her knees beside Reina, trembling hands reaching for her. Fingers that once clutched weapons now clung desperately to something far more fragile—Reina's hand, limp and cold.
"Reina…" Sin's voice cracked, breaking like glass. She pulled the hand to her chest, pressing it tightly against her racing heart as if she could pour her own life into it, force it to beat again. But there was only silence.
Tears dropped, heavy and relentless, rolling down her face and splashing onto Reina's still skin. The sight blurred as her vision swam with grief, her lips quivering as she whispered:
"I'm so sorry… I couldn't protect you… you were all I had."
Her forehead pressed gently against Reina's, the salt of her tears mixing with the faint trace of blood. Her body shook as sobs overtook her, each one tearing through the room like a broken lullaby.
Outside, the chaos grew..... shouts, whispers, the chant of monster. But Sin couldn't hear them anymore. In that moment, the world beyond the walls ceased to exist.
Clutching Reina's hand like a lifeline, Sin curled against her, tears soaking her clothes. Her breathing slowed, exhaustion dragging her under. Even as fear and hatred circled her house, she drifted into sleep.... one last fragile peace beside the only person who ever loved her .
The night dragged on heavy and cruel. Even in her sleep, Sin could hear them—murmurs creeping through the cracks of the walls, whispers swelling into a roar.
"Monster…"
"She killed them all…"
"Burn it down if we must."
The entire village had gathered, their shadows flickering with torchlight, their weapons glinting in the dark. Hatred filled the air so thick, it seeped through the wooden walls and pressed against Sin's skin.
Her eyes snapped open. For a moment she forgot where she was, until her gaze fell on Reina's lifeless form beside her. The memories came back in a rush—her tears, her screams, her Sharingan.
The chanting outside grew louder, closer. Wood rattled under fists and boots. Fear crawled up Sin's spine, but still… she couldn't let go. She held Reina's hand tighter, pressing her forehead once more against it.
"I don't want to leave you…" she whispered, her voice shaking. "They can call me a monster, I don't care… I just want to stay with you."
A crash outside made her flinch. The villagers were surrounding the house now, their firelight bleeding in through the cracks. Her heart pounded in her chest. She knew what would happen if she stayed.
Her tears fell faster, soaking Reina's hand as she forced herself to let go. Every movement felt like tearing out a piece of her soul.
"You'll always be with me… even if they take everything else away."she breathed.
The crowd's voice thundered like a storm. With one last look, Sin brushed her fingers along Reina's face, then turned and stumbled to the back of the house. She pushed the window open, slipping into the shadows just as flames began to lick against the front door.
She ran....barefoot, trembling, broken.... but each step forward felt like leaving her heart behind..