Sign of a Storm

Note: Sign of a Storm is the first chapter of the Jinki Fragments arc, and the first chapter of Part V.

Silent Revenge
In the middle of the calm afternoon, the villagers of an unnamed Rukongai district. Unlike many of the others, that were either too high-class, or complete slums, this was an average village-esque district. Everything was ordinary, nothing "jumped out of the page" here. However... there was her.

Her name was Rōsa, and was admired by all of the district's men and women alike. Men desired her, women wanted to be her. She had it all. Brains, looks, street-smarts, physical prowess, so she claimed. She was an unrivaled woman in this village, and knew this quite well. Fact is, her flaw was that she was too perfect. Because of this, she felt like everything came to her naturally; that she didn't need to work at anything. Yes, indeed she did, and thought everybody around her was meant to provide a foundation for her to stand on, as they didn't deserve to be equals with a being such as herself.

The day ended, and Rōsa left the bar that she frequented on particular nights. "Goodnight Rōsa-sama!" called out multiple villagers, all wishing to wish her farewell. She walked down the long dirt road, and noticed how she was alone tonight; something she found odd. She continued on her way... until she heard a voice...

"Rōsa... -sama, huh? It's rather ironic, isn't it? Considering." said this voice.

Rōsa froze where she stood in complete fear, and looked around frantically. "W-who's there...?! Show y-yourself...!"

Out came a man with a tattered kimono, and despite this unusual appearance, Rōsa was not fooled. She knew who this was.

"No... it..." she found herself unable to even form a statement.

"Ah... you remember me, don't you? Dear sister..." he mused, stepping forward as he came close to the frightened woman.

Rōsa stood where she was, despite the man closing in on her. "N... No... Y... You're supposed... to be... de..." But once more, she found herself incapable of finishing what she began speaking.

The man smirked, "Dead? Was that the word you were looking for? Oh... I am dead, I'm afraid. Nothing can change that... dear... sister." he mused calmly once more.

Unable to stand this, Rōsa forced herself to move and turned around, preparing to run far away from this man. However... this plan quickly failed. A blade burst right through her chest as she froze once again, a lifeless look on the face that so many people remarked as being full of life and joy. That same face... was now nothing but a look of fear.

The blade came right out of her chest, as quickly and forcefully as it went in, and was revealed to be the doing of the unusual man. As she fell to her knees, she began to slowly turn her head to look at the man, gasping for air despartately.

"How funny... This reminds me of back then... Though, I was the one on the floor, wasn't I? Don't worry... I'll gladly allow you to switch roles this time... dear... Sister." he stated, putting a mocking emphasis on the ending of his statement.

He swung his blade once more, and just like before, it cleanly cut right through her...

And this beautiful face that so many people loved...

Flew into the night sky, along with a crimson torrent of her blood.