Soap Bubbles and Deception/Episode 2 - Storyline

I Wanted It to Last...

Natsume Ren	...
I killed again today.

Killed and killed.

And killed and killed and killed.

I killed again today.
Natsume	...
Everyone is on the march towards death. Eventually we give out, and return to the earth. I only give those who are moving towards death a little push. Neither us humans nor the demons are just. There is no such thing as the divine in this world. There is only the code.
Ogre	...
Natsume	...
When the threat of demons recedes, humans themselves bring corruption to the land with their evil. This causes more demons to appear, and they once again become the danger that Wadatsumi must face. It is like a never-ending game of cat and mouse. The Black Star clan's duty is killing demons, but when they are few we are reviled. We slay demons. Exterminate evil. Pain, regret, and grief... Delivered by my own hand every time I killed someone. But if we stopped cutting down evil, we would invite the possibility of demon rule over humankind. The first time, I was scared of the blood. The second time, I managed to stop shaking. The third is when I stopped counting. And when I stopped believing in good. Good and evil doesn't matter. All of it cowers in the face of our code. There is much that is out of our control, that is beyond understanding. Our code. The fleeting nature of life. We drown in it. But protecting the code my family has nurtured for generations with the life I have left is right. But more than anything...
Ren	...

A hand, small and only just born, squeezes mine. Fragile, but precious. I remember feeling like I would do anything to protect that little hand. No matter how illogical our code might be, I accepted it so I could protect the world that my little brother lives in.
Natsume	...
But not only that. If I can, I want to be the last to carry this burden. That is my dream. No matter how unlikely or short-lived it may be... Like bubbles on water...
Natsume	...
Wadatsumi Samurai	Aaahh! Wh-why are you doing this?
Natsume	Don't play dumb. We know you have connections with Greed Dike and you're planning something...untoward.
Wadatsumi Samurai	Th-that's not—!
Natsume	I hate people like you. It's because of you that Wadatsumi is corrupted. Your actions steer Wadatsumi away from true peace. I find that infuriating. The people of Wadatsumi pray desperately for peace. Do not act like you are not aware.
Wadatsumi Samurai	Urgh!
Natsume	And yet you continue to perpetuate evil. I cannot allow that to happen. After all... I am a Black Star.
Ren	You really are fast, Natsume.
Natsume	Now's not the time to chat. There's still more left.
Ren	I know that! All right, let's have a contest and see who can kill more! I'm definitely gonna win!
Natsume	That's enough, don't you think? Why don't you show yourself.
???	Hmph. You've caught me.
Natsume	Who are you?
Reimei	Nobody worth knowing, I assure you.
Natsume	The fact that you're here means that you see no problem making deals with Greed Dike. Do I have that right?
Reimei	And what if you do?
Natsume	Then you will be exterminated. As the code demands.
Reimei	I'd like to request you go easy on me.
Natsume	Oh, really? Well then, if I make it past three years, I'll let you go!
Later...

Reimei	...
Natsume	What do you think you're doing?
Reimei	You are quite the swordswoman. I was planning to deal with you quickly if you bored me, but I should have expected more of a Black Star. I was told to kill any who would interfere with Greed Dike, but... I'll just pretend I didn't see you.
Natsume	So you are connected to them.
Reimei	Yes. I have my own obligations. Though I'm sick of watching so much corruption.
Natsume	...You're one of the Shiba Senko?
Reimei	You must have noticed from my bladework. In that case, I don't need to explain.
Natsume	I can't allow someone from Wadatsumi to have dealings with Greed Dike. Wadatsumi cannot endure any more corruption.
Reimei	I agree.
Natsume	What?
Reimei	With the demon threat under control, the greed of the Shiba Senko runs wild. They don't even to listen to me, the head of their clan.
Natsume	I didn't expect that from someone of the clan itself.
Reimei	Even as one of the great houses of Wadatsumi, they rot to their core the more they refuse to listen to reason. It's only natural for corruption to accumulate. However, as clan head, what I can do is limited. I can only impede the corruption, I cannot stop it. That is why I accepted this mission.
Natsume	You're contradicting yourself.
Reimei	Say what you will. I choose to lead the Shiba Senko in a way that I wouldn't be ashamed of. No matter how many lives I have to take.
Natsume	...
Reimei	Illogical things like clans and codes exist in all ages. That's why it is up to the individual to choose their own path. Their own path to honor the responsibility they were given.
Natsume	I don't have that choice.
Reimei	Oh? Even though you fight with such passion?
Natsume	I may have passion, but I am not free. That doesn't change what I have to do.
Reimei	And you're willing to die for it?
Natsume	That's right. Whatever it takes, whoever must die for it, whether be myself or another by my hand. For the sake of those I will leave behind.
Reimei	And so you resist within your restrictions... I've taken a liking to you.
Natsume	Should I care?
Reimei	Maybe. Have you heard this?
A moment later...
Natsume	...
Reimei	I can't imagine this is completely out of range of your interests. I have no reason to give you this information, but it is credible.
Natsume	Credible? You expect me to believe that?
Reimei	I've taken an interest in seeing where that passion of yours takes you.
Natsume	...
Reimei	It's up to you if you want to believe me or not. However... I hope I get to see you use all of your strength the next time we meet.
Natsume	... I suppose I have much to learn if you were able to tell I'm not at my best. That said... I'm surprised the Shiba Senko has decayed to such a point.
In the past...
Natsume	...
Reimei	Even as one of the great houses of Wadatsumi, they rot to their core the more they refuse to listen to reason. It's only natural for corruption to accumulate. However, as clan head, what I can do is limited. I can only impede the corruption, I cannot stop it. That is why I accepted this mission.
The present...

Natsume	It seems we are both clumsy fools held down by the duties that have been placed upon our shoulders. My own path... (I wonder if my body will last long enough that I can make my dream a reality.) ... This doesn't change what I have to do. I will do what I must for myself. And for my...code...
Ren	So this is where you were. I killed all the others! Does that mean I win this time?
Natsume	Yeah... You win.
Ren	Yes!!! I've never won against you before! ...Natsume?
Natsume	...
Ren	Natsume?! Wh-what's wrong? Natsume!
Natsume	...
Ren	I'll get you to a doctor. Just... Just hold on!
My time is limited, and yet I still have much left to do. But more than anything, I want Ren to be free.