As he made his way through the familiar corridors, Akihiko couldn’t shake the feeling of isolation that had settled over him in recent weeks. The burden of leadership was heavy, and though he was surrounded by advisors and retainers, he felt like he needed someone to give him the unvarnished truth. He felt like Kaito, who had always been blunt, unyielding, and honest to a fault would be a good person to have as his support.

When Akihiko finally reached the room where Kaito awaited, the tension between them was palpable. Kaito stood by the window, his back to the door, his posture rigid. The late afternoon light cast long shadows across the floor, adding a somber tone to the already heavy atmosphere. Akihiko hesitated for a moment, then cleared his throat softly, announcing his presence.

“Kaito,” Akihiko greeted, his voice carefully controlled.

Kaito turned slowly, his expression closed off. Akihiko could see the tightness in Kaito’s jaw, the way his brother’s claws flexed slightly at his sides, as if he were restraining himself from saying something he might regret, annoyance at the summons for tea.

“Kaito,” Akihiko repeated, his voice softer this time, more tentative.

“Akihiko,” Kaito responded, his tone cool, as if this were just another meeting. He crossed his arms over his chest, the sharp tips of his claws tapping lightly against his sleeves, his gaze unwavering as he looked his brother in the eye.

“So, what are your plans, Akihiko?” Kaito asked, his tone carefully neutral, as if discussing matters of state rather than the personal turmoil that had been brewing between them. “How do you intend to lead us forward?”

“I want to continue building on what our father started,” Akihiko replied slowly, choosing his words with care. “But I also want to correct his mistakes.”

Kaito’s gaze sharpened, his eyes narrowing slightly. He remained silent, merely nodding as if weighing Akihiko’s response. The silence that followed was heavy with unspoken tension, the air thick with unresolved conflict. Akihiko could feel the weight of Kaito’s scrutiny, the way his brother’s eyes seemed to bore into him, searching for any sign of weakness.

Suddenly, Kaito leaned forward, his fangs briefly visible as he spoke with a sharper edge to his voice. “And am I one of those mistakes, Akihiko?”

The question struck Akihiko like a blow to the chest, knocking the breath out of him. He had anticipated tension, even anger, but the directness of Kaito’s accusation left him momentarily speechless. Kaito’s eyes, once so familiar, now bore into him with an intensity that was impossible to ignore. The question lingered in the air, laden with bitterness and a hurt that Akihiko hadn’t fully grasped until this moment.

“Kaito, I—” Akihiko began, struggling to find the right words, but Kaito didn’t give him the chance to finish.

“You think I don’t see it?” Kaito continued, his voice rising with each word, the anger in his tone barely restrained. “The way you and the court look at me , as if I’m some sort of burden? Some… mistake that our father made?”

“No, Kaito, that’s not what I meant,” Akihiko said quickly, he reached out, placing a hand on Kaito’s shoulder, hoping to offer some semblance of comfort. “You do belong, Kaito. You’ve always belonged. 

For a brief moment, the tension between them seemed to ease, the intensity of their emotions giving way to a tentative understanding. But just as quickly as it had come, the moment passed, and Kaito’s gaze hardened once more.

“I have heard that there is trouble with the human settlements to the west?” Kaito asked, his tone shifting abruptly as he tried to regain control of the conversation. “What are you going to do about them?”

Akihiko hesitated, the question catching him off guard. He could see the challenge in Kaito’s eyes, the way his brother was testing him, pushing him to reveal his true intentions. “I’ve been thinking a lot about the human settlements,” Akihiko said suddenly, his voice carrying a hint of frustration. “Saito says that they’ve been a source of constant friction. Maybe it was a mistake for Father to allow them in the first place.”

The words were out before Akihiko could fully process them, and he immediately regretted how they sounded. 

Kaito’s reaction was immediate. His eyes flashed with anger, and he took a step back, his expression one of disbelief. “A mistake?” he repeated, his voice rising in pitch. “You think Father’s decision to allow humans into our realm was a mistake?”

Akihiko could see the fury building in Kaito’s eyes, and he quickly realised that he had struck a nerve. “I didn’t mean it like that, Kaito,” he said quickly, trying to backpedal.

“I just—” Akihiko started, but Kaito’s anger seemed to swell, leaving no room for his explanations.

“Just what?” Kaito interrupted, his voice trembling with a mixture of anger and something deeper, something more painful. “Just thought you’d throw away everything Father worked for? Just because it’s difficult?”

“It’s not that simple,” Akihiko insisted, his own frustration bubbling to the surface. “The human settlements have caused a lot of problems, Kaito. Saito thinks—”

“Saito thinks?” Kaito scoffed, cutting him off. “Since when do you let Saito make decisions for you? Or is that how it’s going to be from now on? You just follow his lead, do whatever he says? Is he now the daimyo?”

Akihiko felt a surge of anger at Kaito’s words, but he forced himself to stay calm. “This isn’t about Saito, Kaito. It’s about what’s best for our people.”

“Is it?” Kaito shot back, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Or is it about what’s easiest for you? What keeps you in Saito’s good graces?”

“Everyone knows  unsure and untested,” Akihiko admitted, his voice rising with the pressure of the conversation. His claws, normally retracted, extended slightly, digging into the polished wood beneath his hands as he struggled to maintain his composure. “Is it so heinous that I will rely on my father’s closest friend when I need to?”

Kaito’s eyes bore into Akihiko’s, the silence that followed heavy and suffocating. Akihiko could see the conflict in his brother’s gaze, the way Kaito seemed to wrestle with something unspoken. But Kaito said nothing, his jaw clenched tight, claws flexed, his fur bristling as he stared Akihiko down, his silence more damning than any words he could have spoken. 

Akihiko was the first to break the silence, his rigid posture softening ever so slightly. The wild fury in his eyes dimmed, replaced by a flicker of something more familiar—concern as Kaito started pawing the ground. His claws, still extended, slowly retracted, leaving faint marks on the wooden floor. “Kaito,” he began, his voice quieter now, the sharp edge of anger dulled. His fur, once bristling with the promise of aggression, now settled back against his skin. “I’m not your enemy. I’m your brother.”

“Kaito…” Akihiko’s voice was softer now, less a growl and more a confession. “I’m struggling. I don’t know if I’m ready for all of this—the leadership, the responsibility. Father’s legacy is a heavy burden to bear, and sometimes I feel like I’m not strong enough to carry it.” His eyes dropped to the floor for a moment, the vulnerability in his voice clear as the weight of his words hung between them. “I don’t just rely on Saito because he was close to Father. I rely on him because I’m scared, Kaito. Scared of making the wrong decisions, of leading our people down the wrong path. And I don’t know who else to trust with these worries… except you.”

Kaito’s fierce expression softened further, the tension in his muscles releasing as he stepped closer to Akihiko. His fangs, once bared in anger, were hidden behind lips that now curved into a gentle, understanding smile. He placed a heavy, furred hand on Akihiko’s shoulder, his grip firm yet comforting, a touch that spoke of their shared history and the unbreakable bond between them.

“You’re not alone, Akihiko,” Kaito said, his voice steady and reassuring. “I’ve always been by your side, You don’t have to carry this burden by yourself.”

Akihiko looked up, meeting Kaito’s gaze with a newfound sense of trust and relief. The anxiety that had gnawed at him for so long began to ebb away, replaced by a steady confidence in the bond they shared. The beast within him, usually restless and fierce, seemed to calm as well, soothed by the presence of his brother, his other half.

“Thank you, Kaito,” Akihiko said quietly, the words carrying a weight of sincerity. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

Kaito squeezed Akihiko’s shoulder before letting his hand drop. “You don’t have to worry about that, Akihiko. I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere.” He offered a small, almost teasing grin, elbowing Akihiko in the gut “Besides, who else is going to keep you in check?”

Akihiko chuckled, a deep, rumbling sound that resonated in his chest, the tension between them now fully dissipated. “I suppose I need someone to keep me from going too soft,” he replied, a glint of humour in his eyes.

Kaito’s grin widened, a mischievous spark lighting up his features. “Exactly. Now, let’s figure out what to do about these human settlements before Saito tries to convince you to do something drastic.”

Akihiko nodded, feeling a renewed sense of resolve. With Kaito by his side, he felt more capable, more certain of the path ahead. The doubts and fears that had plagued him still lingered, but they no longer felt insurmountable. Together, they would navigate the challenges that lay before them, — as two parts of a greater whole.

The earlier tension between them had melted away, leaving behind a quiet understanding. Akihiko looked at Kaito, his larger form almost dwarfing his brother’s slimmer one, but there was no question in his mind about Kaito’s strength or his importance. If anything, Kaito’s leaner build was a reminder of the unique abilities he possessed—a blend of their father’s bestial nature as well as the cunning trickery humans were known for.